Control Looks Ahead to the Future of Industrial Tech at Automate 2024

Automate 2024 kicks off in just two short weeks, running from May 6-9 at McCormick Place in Chicago, and the engineering editorial team of www.Control.com will be attending! I’m excited to check out the latest in robotics, motion, edge computing, vision, industrial AI, and controller technology as we look forward to reviewing the trends throughout the industry as we march through 2024.

If you see our team at the show, be sure to say ‘hello’ and stop by our Control.com booth (# 5438) nestled back near the cafe, lounge, and the Automate Education Pavilion.

• David Peterson, Director of Engineering Content, Control.com

Comau

Robotics manufacturer Comau is arriving at Automate with a preview of a new selection of industrial robots and new industrial control automation solutions. Already boasting a lineup of industrial, collaborative, and SCARA robot models, as well as welding attachments, the company also plans to showcase the upper and lower body exoskeleton suits.

Check out these new announcements poised to be launched at the show by Comau in booth 4041

Leuze

Automation starts with data. We cannot hope to create a precise, systematic process if we cannot collect data about the current status of the product or process. That’s the problem solved by the world of industrial sensors.

Leuze will be displaying a wide range of sensing products as well as connectivity devices that allow data transmission from the field to the controller. Be sure to check out the comprehensive coverage of discrete and analog sensors, connectivity products, vision solutions, and safety products by Leuze at booth 5231.

OTTO Motors

‘Mobility’ is the name of the game for logistics, which is a major user of all automation technology. Mobile robotics is an industry that has seen explosive growth in recent years following innovations in vision devices, computing power for navigation, and time-sensitive safety sensing.

OTTO Motors, now a brand of Rockwell Automation, will be at the show to demonstrate the range of mobile platforms, tugs, top carriers, and forklifts, as well as the software that ties a fleet together in harmony. Check out OTTO motors at booth 441.

Cognex

Some companies generalize, while others pick a specialty to hone in on both hardware and software for an unmatched product lineup. Cognex is widely recognized as a leader in high-quality vision-sensing products.

On hand at the show will be applications including the In-Sight SnAPP vision sensors for simple applications, the In-Sight camera series for more advanced uses, and the Dataman series for product ID. Check them out at booth 5050.

OnLogic

Industrial controllers are at the heart of every automated system, be it a simple start/stop circuit for a motor, or a robot motion system, or an entire production facility. Managing both the logical instructions, the data storage, the analytics, and display screens can be a heavy task for traditional PLCs.

The world of industrial PCs (IPCs) continues to grow, and OnLogic remains one of the leading pioneers in the space, showing off a range of fanless rugged computers, industrial PCs for many application scale sizes, edge servers, and the new Tacton panel PC series. Visit OnLogic at booth 4436.

Snapshot: Automate Exhibitors

Delta Motion

A leader in hydraulic and eclectic motion control applications, Delta will be showcasing the popular line of RMC motion controllers, sufficient for many axes of motion and compatible with virtually all makes and models of controller technology. Booth 1080

Stäubli

Experience Stäubli’s entire range of robots: 4-axis, 6-axis, AGVs, AMRs, and collaborative robots, all designed with the company’s vision in mind: making work easy and safe through the use of automation. Booth 2250

OnRobot

In order to help companies with labor and talent struggles, specializing in the simplicity of programming is key. OnRobot will be displaying not only robotic tooling products that assist in quick setup and task completion, but entire systems, like the D:PLOY suite, that simplify the setup of common robot cycle tasks. Booth 1424

Mujin

Including robots in material and package handling is one of the most popular use cases for logistics automation. Mujin super-sizes this project with demonstrations of palletizing, truck loading/unloading, and the modular MujinController to easily set up and operate a range of robotic tasks. Booth 3641