There is much going on in the world of fluid power and motion control, from technology introductions and industry advancements to new trends and industry leaders. Each week the Power & Motion team collects some of the latest industry news to help keep our readers up to date on what's happening in the industries in which they work.
Applications Now Available for NFPA Scholarships
The National Fluid Power Association's (NFPA) Education and Technology Foundation is now accepting applications for its fluid power and robotics challenge scholarships.
The fluid power scholarship is in the amount of $2,000 and is available to students pursuing fluid power education. It is partially funded by donations to the Tom Wanke Legacy Fund which was established after his passing in 2022.
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and submit a 500-word essay as well as one letter of recommendation. The goal of the scholarship is to help graduating high school seniors, and individuals enrolled at technical colleges, community colleges, and universities pursue careers in fluid power. Multiple scholarships are available for the 2023-24 academic year; applications must be submitted by April 3, 2023, at 11:59 PM CST.
The robotics challenge scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors who participate in FIRST® Robotics, National Robotics League, or VEX Robotics Competition Team and uses pneumatics in their robot. One recipient will be awarded for the 2023-24 academic year; the full scholarship is $30,000 ($7,500 per year for up to 4 years).
Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and submit a 1,000-word essay along with one letter of recommendation; applications are due May 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM CST.
NFPA's goal with the Robotics Challenge Scholarship is to help make students aware of how pneumatics can be used in robotics as well as help to fuel interest in the use of fluid power for these and other applications.
READ MORE: Robots and Cobots Present Opportunity for Pneumatics
NPFA is also seeking volunteers from industry to help review applications for both scholarships, as well as spread the word about their availability. Those interested can contact Haley Nemeth at [email protected].
ABB Opens Mexico Technology and Engineering Center
ABB has created a new regional operations center for North America known as the Mexico Technology and Engineering Center (MXTEC). The new center is designed to be a go-to resource for ABB engineers and covers disciplines including automation, electrical and software engineering the company states in its press release announcing the opening of the MXTEC.
Located in Merida, Yukatan, the center is in an area of town with several other technology and cyber security companies which could help foster industry partnerships and technology collaborations.
The new center will provide a 25% increase in engineering capacity for ABB and its customers in both North and South America.
"Our aims for the Mexico Technology and Engineering Center are to grow our engineering competencies and capacity to deliver projects with local resources in the same time zones as Mexico, the US and Canada, but also become part of a technology-focused community in Merida where people can stay for a long time and grow their careers," said Michel Blondeau, Hub North America Operations Manager, ABB, in the company's press release announcing the new center. "Its success relies on talents and efforts of our new local team, and we’re pleased to see them successfully onboarded and ready to complement our operations centers in Europe and India."
Helios Technologies Acquiring Precision Manufacturing Specialist
Helios Technologies has announced plans for another acquisition to help further grow its hydraulics business. The company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Schultes Precision Manufacturing Inc., a specialist in manufacturing precision machined components and assemblies.
Schultes currently serves a variety of markets including hydraulics, aerospace, medical devices and more. It provides prototype through full-rate production capabilities. The company is located in a newly expanded 110,000 sq. ft. building on several acres of land which will allow for additional square footage to be added for future growth.
"Schultes is an excellent bolt-on flywheel acquisition to add to our Hydraulics segment," said Josef Matosevic, Helios’ President and Chief Executive Officer, in the company's press release announcing the acquisition. "It brings process technology and know-how that advances our ability to serve our customers with a broader product and solutions portfolio. It also expands and diversifies our markets and continues to optimize our manufacturing and operating footprint.
"Schultes is yet another strong standalone business with a healthy margin profile that fits perfectly into our Hydraulics business. This transaction is another milestone that further validates that we are making great progress against our augmented strategy and long-term goals."
The acquisition is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023.
READ MORE: Helios Technologies Restructuring Hydraulics Segment
igus Expands Network of Robotics Providers and Integrators
As part of its Low-Cost Automation program, igus continues to expand the network of robotics providers and integrators with which it works. The program is designed to help companies, particularly small- and medium-sized ones, to more easily implement automation solutions like robots.
igus' network now includes 55 robotics providers and 40 integrators, with more joining the network on a continuous basis. Several robot types are available, including articulated arm and SCARA robots, which are modular so single components or complete solutions can be created in a manner that provides a low entry price and quick return on investment.
The company's high-performance plastics are used in conjunction with these robots and add to the cost efficiency of them as the plastics are lightweight and maintenance free. igus works with integrators in the program to provide services such as integration control systems, setting up and commissioning robots as well as evaluating safety measures, all with the goal of helping make it easy for customers to implement these automation solutions.
In addition, igus and many of the integrators participating in the program have customer testing areas in which potential solutions can be seen and evaluated before they are implemented to help ensure the right robots and systems are utilized.
OEMs Expand Automation and Alternative Energy Capabilities
Monitoring the work being done by OEMs in various industries served by fluid power is always valuable to help understand what needs they may have now or in the future from hydraulics and pneumatics suppliers.
This week heavy equipment and engine manufacturer JCB held an event during which it introduced its hydrogen combustion engine. The company demonstrated the engine in one of its backhoe loader models as well as a telehandler.
JCB already offers several electric powered machines, but like many in the industry understands that will not necessarily be the appropriate solution for all equipment, particularly larger models. As such, it has been researching the use of of hydrogen in both fuel cells and as the fuel source for combustion engines.
The engine is currently undergoing testing at the company's headquarters in the UK, and is expected to be displayed by the company's engine brand JCB Power Systems at CONEXPO/IFPE 2023. JCB is one of several engine manufacturers developing and testing hydrogen fueled engines, and it will be interesting to see where these go in the future and what possible impacts they could have on other machine systems such as the hydraulics.
READ MORE about JCB's hydrogen engine from our colleagues at Construction Equipment.
Volvo Group's investment arm has announced the company will invest in Waabi Innovation Inc., a developer of autonomous trucking technology. Autonomy is an area in which Volvo Group has been investing, researching and developing for several years in both the construction and trucking markets.
The need to move ever more freight around the world and reduced availability of drivers is increasing the need for autonomous transport solutions in trucking — something many other industries are experiencing as well.
"The company Waabi is using advanced artificial intelligence technology to test, assess skills, and ultimately teach a virtual driver to maneuver safely and efficiently in a commercial-ready autonomous trucking solution. We are impressed by what they have accomplished and see that Volvo Group can add considerable strategic value to the development of their business. We are currently exploring ways to cooperate," said Martin Witt, President of Volvo Group Venture Capital, in the company's press release announcing the investment.
