News » World News Mobile robots are driving ULV motor sales above $6bn
The burgeoning use of mobile robots will drive the market for ultra-low-voltage (ULV) motors to $6.5bn by 2027 – representing a CAGR of 12.6% between 2022 and 2027 – according to a new report from Interact Analysis. Demand for these motors, which have operating voltages below 60V, is also being driven by battery-powered applications and the requirement for more flexible manufacturing and logistics processes.
Old Rockwell had a hydroponic farm at its US headquarters
Rockwell Automation has announced plans build an automated, indoor 7,300ft2 (6,780m2) hydroponic vertical farm at its US headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by the summer of 2024. It is collaborating with a US start-up Fork Farms to create the farm which will be able to produce 540,000 plants and up to 149,000lb (6,7585kg) of food annually – the equivalent of more than three acres (1.2ha) of conventional farmland.
Allied Motion becomes Allient and aims for £1bn of sales
The US-headquartered motion control specialist Allied Motion Technologies has changed its name to Allient and is aiming to almost double its revenues to more than $1bn. The company, whose headquarters are in Buffalo, New York, and employs more than 2,250 people around the world, designs and manufactures precision and specialty motion, controls and power products and systems for targeted industries and applications.
Microsoft discovers flaws that could affect 1,000s of PLCs
Cybersecurity researchers at Microsoft has discovered several “high severity” vulnerabilities in the software development kit (SDK) for the Codesys control platform which is used in around 1,000 automation devices, including PLCs from more than 500 manufacturers. Microsoft warns that exploitation of these vulnerabilities – which affect all versions of Codesys V3 before version 3.5.19.0 – could put operational technology (OT) infrastructure at risk of denial-of-service (DoS) and remote code execution (RCE) attacks.
ICS cyber-threat numbers fall, but a third are unpatched
The number of “advisories” about cyber-security vulnerabilities in ICSs (industrial control systems) dropped by 9.8% in the first half of 2023 compared to 2022, but more than a third (34%) of the new vulnerabilities do not have any patch or remediation available, compared to just 13% in the first half of 2022.
Remote robot troubleshooting firm raises $4.1m
A Canadian company, Olis Robotics, has raised $4.1m to fund further development of its technology for remote monitoring, control and troubleshooting of industrial robots. The Seattle-based company says that its Olis Connect system tackles costly robot downtime, significantly improving OEE (overall equipment effectiveness) of industrial robots.
Swiss start-up uses robot microfactories to create large parts
A Swiss company has emerged from a period of stealth development to offer a new service for creating large components using technologies such as robots, 3D printing and machine vision. Lupfig-based Saeki, which was founded in 2021, has attracted $2.3m of seed funding to build automated plants that will produce large-scale components for industries such as automotive, construction, aerospace, marine and energy.
Adopting robots can cut manufacturers’ profits – at first
Installing robots can cause a company’s profit margins to fall – initially, at least – but as more are added, their margins will start to rise. This is the finding of a team of University of Cambridge researchers who analysed industrial data from the UK and 24 other European countries between 1995 and 2017.
Motion controls sales will dip before hitting $22bn by 2027
The global market for motion controls will be worth $18.9bn this year, rising to $22.2bn by 2027 – a CAGR of 4.6% – according to new data from Interact Analysis. It expects the market to fall slightly next year as a result of the decline in global economic growth, before returning to steady growth.
WEG opens motors plant in Turkey and expands in Brazil
The Brazilian motor and drives manufacturer WEG has opened a plant in Turkey to assemble electric motors and provide technical support for customers in the region. The 7,000m2 facility in Dilovasi will offer shorter times-to-market not only for Turkish buyers, but also for those in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, North Africa and central Asia.
Siemens to invest €1bn in industrial metaverse hub
Siemens has announced plans to invest around €1bn in Germany, including €500m to establish a new Technology Campus in Erlangen, which will combine development work with high-tech manufacturing. The centre will focus on sustainable and future-oriented high-tech manufacturing, related r&d activities, and on creating an ecosystem of partners from the business and scientific communities.
Honeywell buys SCADAfence to boost cybersecurity suite
Honeywell is buying the Israeli industrial cybersecurity start-up SCADAfence for an undisclosed sum. SCADAfence supplies OT (operational technology) and IoT (Internet of Things) cybersecurity systems for monitoring large-scale industrial and building management networks.
ABB and Microsoft bring generative AI to industry
ABB is collaborating with Microsoft to integrate the Azure OpenAI generative AI technology into ABB’s Ability Genix Industrial Analytics and AI suite, leading to safer, smarter and more sustainable industrial operations. They say the integrated platform could provide real-time actionable insights for better decision-making and improved productivity, extending asset lifespans by up to 20% and cutting unplanned downtime by up to 60%.
Ideal Electric buys Louis Allis large motors and machines
[UPDATE (October 2023): Louis Allis has obtained a preliminary injunction order from a federal court in Delaware prohibiting Ideal Electric Power Company from using or displaying Louis Allis’ federally registered trademarks, and forbidsding Ideal from claiming to own, or in any way be associated with, Louis Allis. The injunction order will continue until the court has ruled following a trial on this matter, which is expected to take place in 2025.]
Siemens large motors and drives is now €3bn Innomotics biz
As of 1 July, Innomotics has become the new brand for the motors and large-drive activities previously operating under the Siemens name. Innomotics, which employs about 15,000 people globally and generates more than €3bn in revenues, is now a separately managed Siemens subsidiary in Germany, with its headquarters in Nuremberg. Operations elsewhere in the world are on track to be largely converted to the new brand by 1 October, 2023.
