News » World News US court orders Ideal Electric to stop using Louis Allis name
The US motor manufacturer Louis Allis has obtained a preliminary injunction order from a federal court in Delaware that immediately prohibits the Ideal Electric Power Company from using or displaying Louis Allis’ federally registered trademarks for its brand name and stylised LA logo. The preliminary injunction order will continue until the court has ruled following a trial on this matter, which is expected to take place in 2025.
ABB and Porsche join forces to automate the construction industry
ABB Robotics and Porsche Consulting are collaborating to help automate the construction industry. They say that their collaboration will help meet the need for more affordable and sustainable buildings and reduce the environmental impact of construction, amid widespread labour and skill shortages.
Study finds 100,000 control systems exposed to Internet
New research has found about 100,000 industrial control systems (ICSs) around the world that are exposed to the public Internet. This could allow cyber-attackers to take control of infrastructures in areas such as factories, power grids, water plants and security systems, potentially causing disruption, threatening safety and compromising data and intellectual property.
China installs half of the world’s new industrial robots
Global installations of new industrial robots rose by 5% in 2022 to reach a total of 553,052 – and more than half of them (290,258) were installed in China, according to the latest figures from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). In fact, 73% of all newly deployed robots were installed in Asia, compared to 15% in Europe and 10% in the Americas.
WEG buys Regal Rexnord’s motors businesses for $400m
The Brazilian motor-maker WEG is buying the industrial motors and generators businesses that make up the majority of Regal Rexnord Industrial Systems segment for $400m.
Red Hat and Intel say edge platform will ‘transform’ industry
The open-source software specialist Red Hat has teamed up with the semiconductor giant Intel to develop an industrial edge platform that, they say, will provide a modern approach to building and operating industrial controls.
Report blames state ‘actors’ for 60% of industrial cybercrime
A global survey of cyberattacks on industrial control system (ICSs) and/or operational technology (OT) operations, has found that more than half (60%) are led by state-affiliated “actors” and that about a third are unintentionally enabled by internal personnel.
Rockwell to develop high-efficiency motor-drives with Infinitum
Rockwell Automation and Infinitum, the Texas-based creator of high-efficiency air-core motors, have signed an exclusive agreement to jointly develop and distribute a new class of high-efficiency, integrated low-voltage drive and motor technology that, they say, will “significantly” save energy and cut costs for industrial customers, while helping them to become more sustainable.
European shipping offers DigiKey buyers next-day deliveries
The US-based automation products distributor DigiKey has announced that direct shipments from European suppliers to European customers are now possible under its Marketplace programme. Shipments sent within Europe will typically arrive on the next day, rather than in a couple of days as happened before.
ABB invests $280m in European robotics hub in Sweden
ABB is investing $280m to build a new state-of-the-art ABB Robotics European Campus in Västerås, Sweden, which will serve as a robotics hub for Europe and will boost ABB’s robot production capacity by 50%. The 65,000m2 Campus, will replace an existing facility at the site and will bring together automated manufacturing, R&D, and customer experience and training centres to develop next generation AI-enabled technologies, strengthening ABB’s global leadership in robotics. It is planned to open in late 2026.
Emerson buys Swiss firm to expand into electric linear motion
Emerson has bought Afag Holding, the Swiss specialist in electric linear motion, feeding and handling automation, for an undisclosed sum. Emerson says the acquisition will enhance its factory automation capabilities and create a motion portfolio that combines Afag’s linear motion systems with its own pneumatic motion technologies. Afag will report to Emerson’s Discrete Automation business.
Rockwell buys Canadian AMR specialist Clearpath
Rockwell Automation is buying the Canadian autonomous robotics specialist Clearpath Robotics for an undisclosed sum. Rockwell believes that AMRs (autonomous mobile robots) are the next frontier in industrial automation, and predicts that the acquisition “will supercharge Rockwell’s lead in bringing the connected enterprise to life”.
US robot sales plummet by 37% in Q2 of 2023
The slow US economy and high interest rates are being blamed for a 37% drop in the number of industrial robots ordered in North America from April to July 2023, compared to same period in 2022. When combined with a fall in first quarter, the robotics market in North America was down 29% for the first half the year, with a total of 16,865 robots being ordered.
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.
