News » World News Renault, Siemens and Valeo to develop rare-earth-free motors
Valeo, the Renault Group and Valeo Siemens eAutomotive have signed a memorandum of understanding to form a strategic partnership to design, develop and manufacture a new generation of rare-earth-free electric motors in France.
Motor prices soared by 14% in 2021 – and could rise further
UPDATED: The average global price of low-voltage AC motors soared by 14% during 2021, compared to 2020 levels, and could rise by a further 8.5% this year, according to research by Interact Analysis. The biggest price rises last year were in the Americas and Europe, while the Asia-Pacific region, which is more resistant to price hikes, still saw prices rising by an average of 5.3%.
Schaeffler buys gear-maker Melior to boost its robots business
Schaeffler is buying the German precision gearbox manufacturer Melior Motion, which specialises in planetary gearboxes for robots and other automation applications. The parties have agreed not to disclose the financial details of the transaction, which is due to close by the end of January 2022.
China aims for robot leadership in new five-year plan
China has released a new five-year plan for its industrial robotics industry, aimed at making it a global leader. Already China has the largest number of installed industrial robots (943,200 in 2020) and is the world’s biggest market for robots, with 168,377 new robots being installed in 2020. But most of these (73%) were from non-Chinese manufacturers, with domestic manufacturers accounting for just 27% of the robots shipped – a total of 45,347.
Hannover Fair is put back by a month and cut to four days
The organisers of the Hannover Messe (Fair) have rescheduled this year’s industrial mega-show from its original dates of 25-29 April to 30 May-2 June. The show is being reduced from five days to four because of existing commitments at the Hannover showground. The organisers say the fair will return to its traditional five-day event in 2023.
SPS will return in November, two weeks earlier than before
The German automation mega-show SPS will be returning to its usual Nuremberg venue from 8–10 November, 2022 – two weeks earlier than its traditional slot in the last week of November. The show’s organiser, Mesago, says that the announcement will give the industry planning certainty.
Delta buys Universal Instruments to boost smart manufacturing
The Taiwanese automation manufacturer Delta Electronics is buying US-based Universal Instruments Corporation and its worldwide operations for around $88.9m. Universal specialises in precision automation systems for applications requiring high accuracy, high-speed handling, assembly and inspection – especially for the electronics industry. Its Advanced Process Lab (APL) platform assists users at every phase of a product’s lifecycle – prototyping, process development, analytics and advanced assembly.
TE Connectivity acquires Phoenix Contact safety relays
TE Connectivity has acquired Phoenix Contact’s force-guided narrow safety relay (NSR) technology as part of a long-term partnership agreement between the companies. TE will assume responsibility for manufacturing and marketing the PSRmini single-pole NSR relays, as part of its focus on bringing miniaturised systems and advanced safety technologies to the market, especially for robot, PLC, elevator and servodrive applications.
€33.7m project will develop digital motor production methods
A consortium of 17 German companies and research organisations has embarked on a €33.7m Government-backed project to develop a digitalised system for producing innovative electric motors. The AgiloDrive2 project is being led by Schaeffler, with other participants including Siemens, Kuka, Schunk and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.
UK robot density rises by 77% in 5 years, as the world doubles
The UK’s industrial robot density – the number of installed robots per 10,000 manufacturing workers – climbed from 71 in 2015 to 101 in 2020, according to figures released by the International Federation of Robotics. Although this represents a growth rate of 77% over the five years, it is far behind the global average, which almost doubled from 66 to 126 over the same period. It puts the UK in 24th position in the global league of robot densities, behind countries including Slovenia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
EU AI and machinery plans ‘will disrupt manufacturing’
Four organisations representing the robotics and automation industry have attacked the European Commission's plans to place limitations on AI (artificial intelligence) and to update its machinery regulations, warning the proposed changes would disrupt manufacturing, cause severe damage to small businesses and robotics companies, and stifle innovation.
Rockwell names Åsa Arvidsson as vp for UK and its region
Rockwell Automation has appointed Åsa Arvidsson as vice-president for its Emea North Region which covers the UK, the Nordic countries, Ireland and Russia. She succeeds Mark Bottomley who has a new role as Emea vice-president for strategic accounts and sales specialists. Christian Reuter has been named as Emea regional vice-president for market access.
Open industrial edge app store works like a consumer store
Siemens has launched a vendor-independent app store for industrial buyers. As well as Siemens’ own Industrial Edge apps for the discrete and machine tool industries, the store will offer apps from third-party suppliers that support the platform such as Braincube, Cybus, SeioTec and Tosibox.
SPS show is cancelled as Bavaria tightens Covid restrictions
The SPS automation show, which was due to take place next week in Nuremberg, Germany, has been cancelled following the announcement by the Bavarian prime minister Dr Markus Söder of strict new measures in an attempt to limit the spread of the Covid-19 in the region.
Mercedes to build UK-designed axial-flux motors in Berlin
Mercedes-Benz has announced plans to start building high-performance axial-flux electric motors designed by its UK subsidiary Yasa in Berlin, as it prepares to go all-electric by 2030.
