Keeping train tracks smooth and efficient takes a heavy-duty grinder that operates with precision and efficiency. A Smooth Train Ride Requires a Smooth Track — Which Can't Be Achieved Without Precise Rail Grinding Technology Keeping train tracks smooth and efficient takes a heavy-duty grinder that operates with precision and efficiency. Edited by EE Staff Cool Stuff Jun 1, 2026 Trains, for a lot of people, are cool and fun to ride in. Trains provide enhanced comfort and space, scenic views, and convenience. It’s much easier to relax or to get work done while traveling by train, especially when it’s a smooth ride, which takes a smooth track. Harsco Track Technologies is a global supplier of railway track maintenance equipment and services to major railroads, short lines, and transit systems. In fact, the company is a leading source for over 140 types and models of work equipment used in the maintenance, renewal, and new construction of railway track. When it comes to the strength and precision required for railway track grinding machines, the company designs, manufactures, and sells five of the world’s most successful systems. Harsco’s RGH-8-C and RGH-10-C remove surface irregularities and restore the profile of the rail to extend track life, reduce wear on rolling stock and track components, and cut fuel consumption—providing valuable cost savings. These rail track grinders incorporate independently adjustable heads to efficiently grind critical track sections such as switches, turnouts, and road crossings. These grinding heads run along railway tracks and manage their position using rotary encoders. Rugged Technology The operating environment for rotary position sensors on railway track grinding machines is extremely heavy-duty and Harsco’s engineering team needed a bullet-proof solution. The challenge was unique. Unlike most industrial applications, railway track grinders operate across an incredible range of conditions and temperatures, requiring an equally rugged encoder. For example, Harsco sells and operates rail grinders throughout the U.S., China, Japan, UK, and Germany to name a few places, subjecting the machines to frigid winters, scorching summers, and dense humidities. Harsco Track Technologies discovered the Advanced Micro Controls Inc (AMCI) DuraCoder™ while researching heavy-duty rotary sensors that could output an Analog signal. Although other analog rotary sensors exist, none of them could match the industrial strength, construction, and operational precision of the DuraCoder. Provided with Ingress Protection 67 (IP67) ratings, these sensors are capable of performing in a wide range of applications that could easily render conventional encoders useless. Image courtesy of Advanced Micro Controls Inc. What separates the AMCI DuraCoder encoders from competing units is its resolver-based technology. Referenced as an analog sensor that is absolute over a single turn, the resolver was originally developed for military applications. Industrial segments recognized the benefits resolver technology to withstand the punishment of a military application and began employing them in product packaging plants and stamping press lines. In typical applications, the resolver sensor feeds rotary position data to a decoder stationed in a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) that interprets the data and executes commands based on the machines’ position. Image courtesy of Advanced Micro Controls Inc. Recent advances in technology have enabled the integration of a resolver and on-board electronics in one housing as an alternative to other types of encoders. Referred to as DuraCoders, these motion sensing devices are available with the following output types: absolute parallel, incremental digital, analog current, analog voltage, and DeviceNet. Featuring an integrated NEMA 4 housing, the AMCI DuraCoder leverages a brushless resolver sensor, absolute over a single turn. AMCI recognized the benefits of the resolver and adapted this rotary position sensing technology for the DuraCoder's design. Using integrated circuitry, each DuraCoder type is capable of producing virtually every resolution output configuration required in an automation environment. The 2.5” size DuraCoder is manufactured using a cast aluminum housing and a sealed stainless-steel shaft. The units are ideal for high-impact applications for its ability to withstand mechanical shock and vibration. Through the evolution of machine development, builders and system integrators alike, agree that the resolver transducer is unsurpassed in its ability to reliably supply rotary position data in the harshest industrial environments. Image courtesy of Advanced Micro Controls Inc. For information: Advanced Micro Controls Inc Harsco Track Technologies DuraCoder Read more train case studies >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

To customize large, complex industrial equipment for specific project needs, you need to capture a 3D model with sufficient accuracy to perform reverse engineering before designing the modification. Digitizing Large Industrial Equipment to Streamline Custom Modifications To customize large, complex industrial equipment for specific project needs, you need to capture a 3D model with sufficient accuracy to perform reverse engineering before designing the modification. Paul Hanaphy Cool Stuff Jul 20, 2026 At the heart of every construction project around the world, there’s a handful of vehicles doing all the heavy lifting. Whether it be a trencher, bulldozer, backhoe, or crane, such machinery needs to be safe, efficient, and designed for a specific purpose—which can depend heavily on the project at hand. Often a standard tool change can make industrial equipment adaptable, but in certain cases, where necessitated by obstacles, ground clearance, or environmental hazards, more extensive modifications are required. That’s where 4C Creative CAD CAM comes in. For the last seven years, the Artec Ambassador, 4C Creative, has provided services to an excavation firm in the Netherlands. 4C’s latest modification project was to digitize a 10-meter vehicle featuring a cabin with complex internals, an air filtration system, and a boom mounted to a rotating platform with Caterpillar tracks. Traditionally, getting hold of CAD data for such a large, complex structure would require slow, methodical manual modeling. Introducing 3D scanning into the equation allowed 4C to capture the equipment in its current state for measurement later on. Better yet, pairing Artec Leo and Artec Ray II meant not having to compromise scale or accuracy, allowing for the best of both worlds. Artec Leo (left) and Ray II (right). With a built-in display, battery, and processor, Leo is usually more than capable of capturing large objects by itself. In this case, Ray II was brought in to supplement the device’s versatile scanning capabilities with long-range data capture. Mounted high above the rest of the vehicle, its robotic arm was especially difficult to reach with Leo—but was no problem for Ray II. Another challenge was capturing the underside of the vehicle. Weighing several tons, the equipment sat just 80 cm above ground level, making it unsafe to scan from below. Removing Ray II’s tripod and positioning it on the floor proved the perfect solution. This allowed the vehicle’s underbelly to be quickly and easily captured from all angles without any unnecessary risks. Artec Ray II alongside the customer’s hydraulic arm. To meet customer requirements, 4C was also asked to capture the machine’s staircase. This is where Leo and Ray II really shined. The challenge was to capture the geometry of the stairs and the handrails where it would be easy to lose tracking. Using Leo, the company would’ve had to align a lot of separate scans together. Instead, the data was captured from the side using the Ray II. After that, they used Leo to focus on scanning the most important parts with higher resolutions and accuracy. Merging Different Datasets In 3D scanning, the power is often in the software. This is especially true of Artec Studio, which boasts a completely unique feature: Smart Fusion. Not only does Smart Fusion combine point clouds from long- and short-range 3D scans, it uses the highest resolution data available for peak results. Those wanting to take full control over data processing can also align scans themselves. 4C aligned its scans based on geometric features and merged them using Artec Studio’s Sharp Fusion algorithm, which was more efficient than many other target-based workflows. Scan decimation came in very handy with this project. Capturing the entire vehicle with structured-light 3D scanning would’ve resulted in a huge file with around 50 GB of information. Decimating the final model to remove unneeded polygons reduced this figure to just 300 MB, making it much easier to send to third-party software for modification. Artec Studio’s ability to share fully formed meshes also lends itself to intuitive filesharing. Zooming in on point clouds can cause distortion, making them tricky to measure. But Ray II data can be sent directly as OBJs and STLs that are textured, polished, and ready to go—and with these meshes, it’s easy to use CAD primitives for perpendicular measurements. Artec Studio’s built-in tools unlock a range of other applications as well, including feature extraction for design referencing. In this particular project, collected data turned out to be critical to strength analysis, carried out via simulations designed to ensure modification durability. From forensics to the defense industry, 4C continues to find new applications for Leo and Ray II, a unique proposition in 3D scanning. No other solution merges LiDAR and handheld structured-light 3D scans so seamlessly—and new adopters are often left stunned by the results. Having the versatility to digitize large items in any environment also has real-world benefits. In another project, 4C was charged with capturing factory machinery. Without 3D scanning, it would’ve had to cease production for 2-3 days, so surfaces could be measured. Leo reduced overall downtime to just two hours, and adding Ray II makes this approach easy to scale. Although Leo and Ray II can be deployed on their own, together they make it possible to generate a lightweight 3D model with accuracy where it matters. * Images courtesy of 4C Creative CAD CAM Consultants. For information: Artec 3D 4C Creative CAD CAM Consultants Artec Leo Artec Ray II Artec Studio Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Mark Rober’s latest engineering video pitches legendary Portugal soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo against a robot goalie. See who’s up to the challenge. Robot Goalie Has Sub-Millimeter Accuracy Optical Tracking Mark Rober’s latest engineering video pitches legendary Portugal soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo against a robot goalie. See who’s up to the challenge. Edited by EE Staff Feb 16, 2026 Mark Rober, a former NASA engineer, has an innovative and entertaining approach to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, which is a global inspiration for him. He records and uploads his adventures regularly on Youtube to get the word out. He’s also the founder of CrunchLabs, an exciting and impactful STEM brand. Recently, Rober partnered with OptiTrack, a designer and manufacturer of precision motion capture technology. He used the company’s PrimeX 120 camera system to power a high-speed, high-G tracking behind his newest project where Cristiano Ronaldo fired high speed penalty kicks at a robot goalie capable of accelerating at 10 Gs. Image courtesy of OptiTrack. To track an 80 mph (120 km/h) ball launcher, full-speed professional strikes, and a robot moving fast enough to tear its own mechanical components apart, OptiTrack deployed a 20-camera volume of PrimeX 120 cameras running at 500 FPS, combined with passive retroreflective markers placed on the ball. The PrimeX 120 features customed designed ultra-low distortion “fast glass” lenses for optimal tracking. The PrimeX 120 is an 18mm lense with wide-band anti-reflective coating for greater light transmission, larger volumes, and more precise 3D data. Image courtesy of OptiTrack. The capture volume was engineered around the penalty box, with the system configured to track anything entering the strike zone with sub-millimeter fidelity. OptiTrack participated with a full on-site engineering team that supported both the Portugal shoot and earlier development testing performed in California. According to Rober, “OptiTrack’s tracking is so accurate and so fast that it let us push this experiment way further than I thought was possible. It’s the only system that could keep up with Ronaldo’s shots.” Unlike traditional sensor systems, OptiTrack’s optical motion capture allowed Rober’s team to calculate the ball’s predicted path in real time. With that data, the system calculated ball trajectory data and streamed it directly from OptiTrack’s system to the robot. This enabled the robot to not only anticipate where the ball would cross its line but to move to the exact location with extreme speed—fast enough to stop the kick. When Mark approached OptiTrack with the idea, the company knew that their PrimeX camera system was the right product to deliver the data needed fast enough to block the kick. The 500 frames per second required for the experiment was comfortably within the normal operating range of the technology. Sidney Rittenbert Jr., CEO of OptiTrack said, “We’re proud to support ambitious engineering projects like this with the reliability our customers depend on every day.” The video is available on the Mark Rober YouTube channel and has additional approved behind-the-scenes footage and technical breakdowns you can find showcased on OptiTrack’s social media channels. For information: OptiTrack PrimeX 120 Mark Rober on YouTube *Lead image courtesy of DepositePhotos.com . Read more about technology in sports >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Spanning multiple continents, the tour required a production system capable of maintaining consistent, high-quality visuals wherever it traveled. The Specialized Visual Technology at Dua Lipa's Radical Optimism Tour Spanning multiple continents, the tour required a production system capable of maintaining consistent, high-quality visuals wherever it traveled. Edited by EE Staff Stage Events Mar 9, 2026 Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism Tour is the biggest of her career. Before reaching the Americas, she captivated audiences across 44 shows throughout Asia, Oceania, and Europe. Behind this extraordinary success is a touring production every bit as ambitious and consistent as Dua’s vision. Creative Technology (CT) has been central to making that possible, delivering the complete video system and service that brought the show to life. Creative Technology’s collaboration with Dua Lipa’s team has evolved from a simple projector set-up to a stadium-scale spectacle. Their working relationship remained clear and collaborative from the start, letting both sides focus on creative solutions instead. This foundation of trust enabled Dua Lipa’s team to aim high, confident that CT would deliver on every requirement. Photos in this piece are credited to Luke Dyson, Jordan Munns, and Mitch Lowe. The Radical Optimism Tour spanned multiple continents before its European run began. That demanded a production system capable of maintaining consistent, high-quality visuals wherever it traveled. CT designed the system in London, ensuring all components could be matched regionally. In Australia and New Zealand, for example, local partners like Big Picture delivered equivalent ROE LED screens, maintaining continuity across the tour. Beyond the logistics, the creative requirements were substantial. The production included specialized solutions from a wide variety of companies including Panasonic CineLive cameras with Canon lenses for a cinematic aesthetic, Sony FR7 cameras mounted on Waterbird tracks and Autopod systems for dynamic movement, and ROE Black Quartz LED screens shaped into a distinctive onstage wave using a custom shim system for precise angles. All of these components were essential elements used for the show’s visual storytelling. CT incorporated multiple servers and control systems to help integrate all the functions necessary for the tour. This included Disguise GX3Media Servers, Atmos Shogun Studio 2 monitor-recorders, and StageRacer 2 complete optical fiber transmission solution for broadcasting. CT’s role was to make sure the team could achieve their creative ideas by managing the full touring video system, providing consistency and quality across continents. The company’s integration approach allowed the touring crew to operate efficiently across venues from Singapore’s Indoor Stadium to Wembley. Every detail of the tour was optimized for life on the road. Having access to a global network proved essential during the tour. For example, when a minor technical issue arose in Singapore, the local CT office quickly sourced and delivered a replacement part within hours. This ability to tap into a worldwide infrastructure gave the production team peace of mind, knowing that support was never far away, even on the other side of the world. Photos in this piece are credited to Luke Dyson, Jordan Munns, and Mitch Lowe. The Radical Optimism Tour has been a milestone in Dua Lipa’s career, breaking her previous touring records. Through it all, CT’s video system delivered consistent, impressive visuals that transformed the show for stadium audiences while staying practical and easy to tour. As Dua Lipa’s star continues to rise, CT looks forward to supporting the next chapter in her remarkable live career. For information: Creative Technologies ROE Creative Display Disguise Media Servers Atmos Monitor-Recorders Ereca Stage Racer 2 More stage event technologies >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport for three years in a row. Find out how engineers are designing paddles for maximum performance. Carbon Fiber Foam Core Pickleball Paddle Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport for three years in a row. Find out how engineers are designing paddles for maximum performance. Joe Gillard Sports Jun 16, 2025 Body Helix, a pickleball equipment provider, announced the upcoming launch of their FLiK F1 with TerraCoreXC pickleball paddle which the company says employs their “Gen 4 Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) foam core technology.” The paddles, which are designed for “controlled power and spin,” are slated for release in July, and are USAP-approved. TerraCoreXC Technology TerraCoreXC is the name given to the paddle technology Body Helix says is a patent-pending Gen 4 EPP foam core that “shatters the limitations of traditional polypropylene honeycomb cores.” The core is built using a bonding process. Conventional cores, according to the company, can suffer from rapid breakdown, dead spots, and harsh feedback. For precision, these paddles are designed for a longer dwell time paired with a proprietary high-friction peel ply surface. The paddle also has an area of fiberglass on top of the 4 layers of carbon fiber for “added pop” and for providing power, says the company. Engineered for Excellence The paddle design is a 16.5" x 7.5" elongated shape with a face that features four layers of Toray T700 carbon fiber which the company says gives it its strength-to-weight ratio, and has a central fiberglass area for “added pop.” The handle is made from a solid polyurethane. “This precise layering provides the perfect balance of stiffness for power, flexibility for feel, and surface texture for spin, while the fiberglass layer adds a crucial element of dampening and enhances durability, creating a truly robust and high-performing paddle face,” explained Body Helix founder and head of R&D Fred Robinson in a blog post about the technology. The company says that it utilized player feedback in designing the paddle. “The FLiK F1 with TerraCoreXC is the culmination of over a year of research and player feedback,” said Robinson. “We’ve engineered a paddle that solves real player complaints - a paddle with power that doesn't "break in" while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in pickleball technology.” Body Helix says players eager to experience TerraCoreXC can try the Sandbox F1XC , a limited-edition Sandbox version, while awaiting the official launch. For more information: Body Helix Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

The pyrotechnic effects on the Disturbed “Take Back Your Life” tour was precisely controlled for safety as well as a spectacular presentation. Rock Band Uses Musically-Synced Pyrotechnic "Fire Snake" on Tour The pyrotechnic effects on the Disturbed “Take Back Your Life” tour was precisely controlled for safety as well as a spectacular presentation. Terry Persun Stage Events Jan 6, 2026 Image Engineering, based in Curtis Bay, Maryland, designs spectacular pyrotechnic effects for top bands. Music, lighting, lasers, and fire combine to fully immerse the audience in the concert experience. The fully integrated system must synchronize the special effects in real time and stop at the touch of a button for band and audience safety. Image Engineering has been behind some of the most outrageous concert productions of the past few years. The most notable of which were Disturbed’s “Take Back Your Life” rock concert tour of 2023 and Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s 2024 winter tour, "The Lost Christmas Eve." The Image Engineering team often pushes the boundaries of special effects technology by integrating advanced automation and controls into their projects. “The company’s owners are all engineers, and since the beginning, engineering has been central to who we are,” says Ian Bottiglieri, Vice President of Operations, Image Engineering. “That sets us apart from our competitors in the live event space.” Image courtesy of Beckhoff. The Fire Snake concept developed from the need for never-before-seen, jaw-dropping pyrotechnic effects by top-billed band Disturbed. Where most other bands installed video screens, Disturbed decided to have fire as the only visuals for the entire show. Image Engineering worked with the Disturbed production team to ensure that the Fire Snake operated safely and reliably in numerous environments, temperatures, and orientations – within a deadline of less than four months. A trial by fire for engineers The Fire Snake required a lot of R&D work that included how to safely feed the appropriate amount of propane at a pressure of up to 22 psi and maintain a steady pilot light no matter what orientation the Fire Snake is in. The design required replacing traditional burn bars with advanced, responsive burners that could provide more dynamic fire effects. The resulting linear burn system is capable of creating a 3.35 meter (11-foot) wall of fire with proportional control for variable height and shape up to 1.20 to 1.80 meters (4- to 6-foot). In addition, two large burst valves can produce rolling fireballs. The Fire Snake had to be compact and modular to make it easy to transport, assemble, and integrate with existing stage structures from show to show. It was crucial for the automation and safety systems to manage complex fire effects and provide safety assurances to local officials. After various meetings with the Beckhoff entertainment industry team, Image Engineering decided to work with the automation experts to bring the Fire Snake to life. They idea was to leverage advanced PC-based control technology with the integrated safety technology TwinSAFE backed by the EtherCAT industrial Ethernet system. Image courtesy of Beckhoff. Fire Snake comes to life On the Disturbed tour, the Fire Snake had to actively move and change shape according to routines that synced up with the flow of the setlist. When the band first started playing, the Fire Snake rig would slowly come to life and build into more dynamic movement. For that purpose, five segmented Fire Snake units are bolted to a custom truss structure with five winches to change the degree of angle for each unit. A little bit more than a centimeter of clearance between each unit allows free movement yet maintains a continuous, unbroken look to the linear fire effects. Image Engineering’s Touring Accumulator System (TAS) manages the propane from liquid to vapor and feeds it to the effect heads. When adjusting Fire Snake units by 45 or 50 degrees, fuel and fire behave differently and the control system has to maintain the effects and safety. “The Beckhoff system provides the flexibility to not only meet the baseline standards for flame effect systems such as those outlined in the NFPA 160 standard for fire effects but exceed them in many local jurisdictions across the U.S.,” says Nick Hock, Director of R&D and Installation/Integrations, Image Engineering. The Fire Snake features numerous safety measures to ensure trouble-free performances, which are integrated into the control platform via TwinSAFE I/O terminals. One e-stop can halt the entire rig, and the operator can see all safety-relevant status information with a glance at the control console. “It was extremely reassuring to local fire marshals to see a safety system demo and witness the entire Fire Snake shut down to a controlled stop at the push of a button,” Hock says. Installed in the Fire Snake’s shippable case control boxes are CX5140 and CX8190 Embedded PCs with directly attached EtherCAT I/O as primary and backup controllers respectively. EtherCAT and Safety over EtherCAT (FSoE) establish real-time communication and synchronization throughout the entire system including safety devices, and equipment used for lighting and other stage effects. “We have to keep perfect time with the band’s music and lighting,” Hock says. “If we were out of sync even a couple milliseconds, audiences would notice.” The various EtherCAT I/O modules are supported by TwinCAT software to connect flexibly with devices from other networks such as DMX and OSC. For example, Image Engineering uses the EL6851 single channel DMX interface to trigger the Fire Snake’s flame effects. Image courtesy of Beckhoff. Since its completion, the Fire Snake met the requirements for rapid setup and dismantle during multiple tours for Disturbed and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. For example, Image Engineering was responsible for bringing multiple Fire Snakes on the road to 56 Trans-Siberian Orchestra concerts in just 40 days on both the East and West Coasts of the U.S. – at the same time. The Beckhoff system's ability to operate reliably in extremely high ambient temperatures became another critical benefit on the road, especially for concerts in the summertime. “The heat resiliency of the embedded PC hardware is impressive,” Claire Bowman, Associate Director of Engineering, Image Engineering, says. “We've used other embedded systems before that had performance issues on rooftops in Las Vegas when the temperatures reach as high as 49° C (120°F). However, the Beckhoff system always performs without fail.” *Lead image courtesy of Steve Jennings. For more information: Beckhoff TwinSAFE I/O Terminals CX5140 CX8190 Image Engineering Read other articles about concerts >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Touch screen displays with an optical bond are designed to offer an improved viewing angle. Unique Optically Bonded Touch Display Improves Viewing Experience Touch screen displays with an optical bond are designed to offer an improved viewing angle. By Jim Spadaccini, Founder & Creative Director, Ideum Museums Aug 26, 2025 Cool Stuff Ideum has recently been integrating optically bonded 55-inch touch displays into our products. This includes optically bonded versions of the our popular Platform II and Drafting II touch tables, as well as their Presenter and Inline models—and their Tasting Table. Touch screen displays are comprised of a monitor and a touch sensor. In large-format displays, these components are usually separated by a small air gap. This is fine for many (even most) displays and configurations, but there are some instances where optical bonding improves the quality of the touch display. In this process, a clear adhesive is used between the touch sensor and the monitor, bonding the two components together. But what does this mean to the user? All photos courtesy of Ideum. Removing the air gap and replacing it with a transparent adhesive has several advantages. The first is that the display appears to be visibly brighter; this is due to removing any reflection that might occur from the surface glass. In addition, the viewing angle of the display is greatly improved since the display and sensor glass are effectively one, bonded unit. There is no reflected light off the back of the sensor glass, making the integrated touch display brighter and clearer. All photos courtesy of Ideum. Bonded units don’t have issues with parallax, which is the perceived gap between the touch sensor and the display, again because they are bonded together. We have focused on the 55-inch model (and soon the 65-inch model) because they are the most popular, but also because this gap can be noticeable, and closing it improves the viewing quality of the display. Optical Bonding Benefits We’ve always taken pride in creating touch screen tables and displays that are practically indestructible. Our all-aluminum frames and chassis, and tempered glass, provide exceptional security and durability. Optically bonded displays are even stronger than their air-gapped counterparts! This makes sense as the clear adhesive bonds the display and sensor together. Optical bonding also makes it impossible to introduce dust or other particulate matter between the layers, making it perfect for challenging environments. The bonded touch display is also more resistant to spills (that’s why we use it for the Tasting Table). All in all, it is a superior product; the only downsides are that the manufacturing method is more involved and expensive, and the process inherently means that any flaws in the display or the sensor compromise the entire assembly. Air-gapped touch displays allow you to replace damaged components more easily, since those parts remain separate. Bonding is forever. Display Case Design Changes We’ve also improved the display’s case by creating a design that appears slimmer. Our patented manufacturing process for displays uses extruded aluminum as the frame making it appear sleeker and smoother. To create corners that don’t have fasteners, we designed 3D-printed metal corners that can be fastened to the extruded aluminum frames from the inside. The new design provides a better-looking profile and differentiates this new model from its predecessors. All photos courtesy of Ideum. This Fall, we will be announcing all of the available optically bonded models. They will be referred to as the Plus Series, since they appear across all of our offerings, from displays to various touch table formats. We will continue to offer all of our models, so the Plus Series will simply expand our offerings for our customers. For more information: Ideum Platform II Display Touch Screen Displays Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

The food and beverage industry is one of the largest and most dynamic sectors globally, with new trends and demands continuously shaping the market. Robots Used in Food Preparation, Serving, and Delivery The food and beverage industry is one of the largest and most dynamic sectors globally, with new trends and demands continuously shaping the market. Terry Persun Cool Stuff Jul 9, 2025 Technological advancements have brought about several changes in the food and beverage industry, with robotics being one of the most impactful. Robots have been introduced to perform various tasks, ranging from food preparation to serving and even delivery. Here is a rundown on some of the latest advancements regarding robotic technology and the benefits that come with it. Food Preparation Traditionally, food preparation has been a time-consuming and labor-intensive process, involving the use of multiple kitchen tools and equipment. However, robots have made food preparation more efficient and cost-effective by handling tasks ranging from chopping and slicing to mixing and cooking. Food prep robots are designed to work alongside human employees, with minimal supervision, and can handle large quantities of food. For example, Moley Robotics has developed a robotic kitchen that can prepare thousands of recipes with precision and speed. The robots measure and weigh ingredients with high accuracy and are incredibly fast during operation, helping to increase the output of a kitchen to ensure that orders are fulfilled promptly. Plus, robots offer consistency, which is an important factor in food preparation and assures that the final product will always have the same quality, regardless of who is preparing it. Moley Robotics has systems that can cook for you, teach you to cook, and more. Robotic Serving Photo courtesy of Lin Engineering. The traditional method of serving food and drinks in the food and beverage industry has always involved human servers. However, robots are now being used to serve food and drinks to customers in restaurants, cafes, and other food establishments. These robots are designed to be interactive and engaging, with some programmed to communicate with customers directly. For example, the robot Servi developed by Bear Robotics is designed to serve food and drinks to customers and navigate through crowded restaurants. Servi is equipped with proximity sensors that help it detect obstacles, enabling it to navigate through tight spaces. Additionally, Servi is designed to interact with customers, engaging them in conversation and providing them with a unique dining experience. Robotic serving can not only enhance the customer experience but help to reduce labor costs so that funds can be redirected toward other areas of the business. Robotic serving can also improve service speed, reducing waiting times and increasing customer satisfaction. Robotic Delivery Robotic delivery is a new and exciting development that provides an innovative solution to multiple food delivery challenges. With the increasing demand for food delivery services, the use of robots to deliver food and drinks has become more prevalent. These robots are designed to navigate through city streets and traffic, delivering orders to customers efficiently and effectively. Photo courtesy of Lin Engineering. One example is the robot developed by Starship Technologies, which is equipped with sensors and cameras that enable it to navigate through city streets and avoid obstacles. The robot can be programmed to deliver orders to specific locations, and customers can track the progress of their orders through a mobile app. These robots can travel up to 4 mph and deliver orders within a two-mile radius, making them ideal for delivering food and drinks to customers in urban areas. Overall, robotic delivery reduces delivery costs and improves delivery speeds, which increases customer satisfaction. Custom Robotic Solutions In addition to the many benefits that robotic technology brings to the food and beverage industry, custom motion control solutions from Lin Engineering can further enhance these advantages. Lin Engineering specializes in creating custom motion control solutions with products such as stepper motors, brushless motors, linear actuators, servos, motorized traction wheels, and other products. In the food and beverage industry, Lin Engineering provides motion control solutions that improve the performance and efficiency of robotic equipment. The company’s solutions enhance the precision and speed of robotic food preparation, serving, and delivery, ensuring that food establishments can meet the demands of their customers. By partnering with Lin Engineering, food and beverage robotics manufacturers can benefit from custom motion control solutions that are tailored to their specific needs. These solutions can help to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance customer experience, making them a valuable addition to the food and beverage industry's robotic technology. For more information: Moley Robotics Bear Robotics Starship Technologies Lin Engineering Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

When an urgent sub-assembly issue surfaced with a contract manufacturer overseas, the usual workflow could not keep pace. Thanks to this tech, what would have taken days was resolved overnight. How a Global Design Team Achieved Continuous Collaboration for Quick Problem Solving When an urgent sub-assembly issue surfaced with a contract manufacturer overseas, the usual workflow could not keep pace. Thanks to this tech, what would have taken days was resolved overnight. Edited by EE Staff Cool Stuff Jun 4, 2026 Axon develops TASER devices, body-worn cameras, and evidence management software. To keep production on track, Axon design teams need to spot and fix manufacturing problems quickly and efficiently. When an urgent sub-assembly issue surfaced with a contract manufacturer overseas, the usual workflow could not keep pace. A design engineer based in East Asia spotted a condition that only showed up in the full assembly. The contract manufacturer could not see what he was seeing. Historically, closing a dimensional analysis and GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerancing) gap like this meant a long relay of operations: scan the part, analyze it in desktop software, export large files, send them to the partner company, then wait for the next workday to keep going. Each turn burning another day of time. Continuous Collaboration Ian Toal, Axon’s Test Engineering Manager, recognized that there was a faster path to completing the operation in less time. First, he ran a high-resolution scan on Axon’s Waygate CT scanner, then uploaded the data to Voyager with Uplink, and shared a link. Not only did the process involved no oversized file packages, it provided immediate access to the source data. Image courtesy of Lumafield. The engineer in East Asia, new to Voyager, opened the scan and started work immediately to solve the issue. Ian’s bookmarks pointed to the suspect regions, so no extra instructions were required. Overnight, the engineer was able to complete his analysis and leave clear annotations. When Ian logged on the next morning in Phoenix, AZ, the failure mode was documented and the next steps in solving the issue were obvious. Ian Toal explained, “Without Uplink, there would have been no way we could have solved the issue this fast. It would have been a bunch of back and forth with day-long interruptions.” Using Voyager and Uplink, Axon’s team operated as a continuous 18-hour unit, each person picking up exactly where the other left off. What would have taken days was resolved overnight. Image courtesy of Lumafield. Many engineers still rely on old file-sharing habits because they have not tried a browser-based workflow for CT data. This project proved how quickly a first-time user can become highly effective. There is no software to install and no waiting for transfers. Voyager offers direct access to CT data anywhere in the world, with real-time comments, measurements, and shared context. For Axon, Voyager has become a straightforward way to turn CT data into decisions. For information: Lumafield Axon Uplink Read more scanning content >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Inside the hidden systems that shape today’s most impressive aquarium experiences — where engineering, animal welfare, and guest immersion converge. The 7 Hidden Systems and Considerations Behind the Most Ambitious Aquarium Designs Inside the hidden systems that shape today’s most impressive aquarium experiences — where engineering, animal welfare, and guest immersion converge. Edited by EE Staff Attractions Jan 19, 2026 Cool Stuff Behind every impressive aquarium is a complex engineering foundation invisible to visitors but vital for aquatic health and facility success. Creating such environments depends on precise control of hydraulic flow, pressure, acoustics, temperature, and advanced systems. These must operate reliably under extreme conditions, all while raising visitor expectations and most importantly keeping animals safe. We’re going to go through seven aquatic technical considerations to address when engineering an aquarium. Images courtesy of Cloward H2O. 1 - Hydraulic dynamics inside exhibit tanks Water flow in tanks must mimic the natural environments they are trying to emulate, which means preventing dead spots and ensuring that there is even temperature and oxygen distribution throughout. Stagnation will harm marine life as well as the clarity of the water. Engineers must optimize circulation and water movement for an effective outcome. This means optimizing the location of inlets and outlets to ensure debris and waste are removed efficiently without disturbing the aquatic habitat. 2 - Acoustical considerations Noise control is a major concern, especially for sensitive aquatic species. Marine wildlife is often very sensitive to noise and vibration. Although this aspect can easily be overlooked by architects unfamiliar with such applications, this aspect is very important. Vibration and noise solutions for devices such as pumps, filtration systems, as well as visitor activities must be considered. Acoustic materials and vibration-damping supports need to be a critical part of design at an early stage. Images courtesy of Cloward H2O. 3 - Thermal management Precise temperature control is a critical requirement across multiple zones, such as warm tropical tanks or cold-water displays. Managing multiple heating and cooling systems adds complexity to the automation system. Consideration must be paid to the heat loads from lighting and the equipment itself because these elements can raise aquarium and ambient temperatures. Engineers will need to incorporate heat load calculations into their designs to prevent temperature spikes that could easily harm animals or waste energy. While considering options, it is wise to include heat recovery systems into designs, which will help to reduce overall energy costs. 4 - Biosecurity and filtration system zoning The spread of disease from one exhibit to the next can be a huge factor in designing aquariums. Like the world’s oceans and waterways, each environment can be very different. This means that biosecurity measure, such as compartmentalized filtration systems, UV sterilization stations, and quarantine protocols must be considered. Advanced filtration zoning for various species’ waste loads requires specialized equipment. The biological footprint of fish, coral, and invertebrates can be very different. 5 - Advanced control and monitoring systems Automation must be used efficiently. The use of SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems provides aquariums the ability to automate and remotely monitor life-support systems vital for maintaining stable water quality and environmental conditions. Cloward H2O incorporates the latest hardware and software SCADA system designs to facilitate real-time monitoring, automated adjustments, and logging of critical data for tend analysis, and ensuring immediate responses to deviations from optimal conditions. These systems must include sensors and monitoring devices to collect temperature data, pH, oxygen levels, and nutrient cycles, all of which enable the aquarium staff to predict and prevent potential issues before they even occur. Images courtesy of Cloward H2O. 6 - Waste management and water reclamation Aquariums require closed-loop efficient water reclamation systems that filter and recycle water, minimize waste, and reduce environmental impact. Waste removal systems must be able to handle aquatic waste to keep water clean and reduce the impact on sewage and ecosystems, including bio-waste digestion or safe discharge after treatment. 7 - Tank structural design Every aquarium tank must withstand hydrostatic and dynamic pressures from contained water. Structural design involves calculating wall thicknesses, material strengths, and load distributions to ensure safety under normal and extreme conditions. In large aquariums, forces on panels can reach hundreds of tons. Choosing the right material is crucial for exhibit tanks’ durability and clarity. Acrylic, with its optical purity and strength, is preferred for large viewing windows and tunnels, capable of thermoforming into complex curves for immersive experiences while maintaining structure. Laminated glass may be chosen for smaller or specialized tanks, prioritizing scratch resistance and rigidity. Selection involves evaluating UV exposure, chemical compatibility with seawater, and resistance to stress crazing or fatigue cracking. Equally critical are seams and joints, which must remain watertight for decades under constant pressure and temperature variation. Engineering analysis using FEA (finite element analysis) helps to ensure that stresses around edges and corners continue to remain withing safety limits under seismic and operational loads. Because large tanks can undergo size changes due to temperature shifts as well as hydrostatic forces, proper tank management is necessary. Cloward H2O engineers typically design in expansion joints, flexible seals, and temperature compensation to allow controlled movement while maintaining panel and seal integrity. Staying ahead in aquarium design requires leveraging the latest innovative technology and design methods. Cloward H2O uses advanced techniques to create visually stunning, functional aquatic environments. Whether the project is a small community aquarium or a sprawling marine park, every element must be tailored to meet each development’s specific requirements. Cloward H2O also promotes sustainability through eco-friendly, energy-efficient designs, creating environmentally conscious aquariums that enhance educational and conservation efforts. For more information: Cloward H2O Read more about water technology >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Gimbal fluid head enables smooth, shake-free panning without micro-jitters for perfect shots. To Capture Fast-Moving Subjects, Photographers Need the Right Equipment Gimbal fluid head enables smooth, shake-free panning without micro-jitters for perfect shots. Edited by Terry Persun Film and TV Oct 10, 2025 A photograph is more than an image—it’s a piece of art suspended in time. It captures light, emotion, and motion, distilling them into something lasting. Some photographs tell stories. Others reveal the unseen. The finest do both—and they endure. One of nature photography’s most captivating subjects is the Gruccione , or European Bee-eater—a bird whose radiant plumage and elegant flight have made it a favorite among wildlife photographers such as Michael Lovera. Yet the Gruccione is far from an easy subject to photograph. Found along riversides and meadows from late spring to mid-summer, the Bee-eater’s beauty is rivaled only by the challenge of capturing it. Migratory by nature, the Bee-eater spends winters in sub-Saharan Africa and returns to Europe each year to breed. This long journey across continents makes it a symbol of seasonal change, endurance, and ecological connection—a perfect metaphor for timelessness, motion, and return in visual storytelling. Its plumage is among the most colorful in Europe, with a turquoise chest, golden-brown back, lemon-yellow throat, and bold black eye stripe. It nests in colonies, digging long horizontal tunnels—sometimes stretching 1–2 meters— into sandy riverbanks or soft cliffs. These nesting sites, often reused year after year, are typically precarious and hard to access, requiring photographers to set up on unstable ground or even in water. As its name suggests, the European Bee-eater feeds mainly on flying insects such as bees and wasps, which it catches mid-flight with remarkable precision. Before swallowing stinging prey, it performs a dramatic behavioral flourish: rubbing the insect against a branch to remove the stinger. Capturing this moment adds narrative depth to a photo and rewards the patient, observant photographer. During nesting season, typically between May and July, Bee-eaters establish colonies along exposed slopes or sandy banks. Photographers seeking the most compelling images often work near these sites, building camouflaged hides and enduring long, silent hours in often extreme environments. High temperatures, harsh light, persistent insects, and unpredictable terrain make reliability non-negotiable. Gear with Unshakable Stability On Michael Lovera’s journey to capture the Bee-eater, the Gitzo Systematic Tripod and Gimbal Head proved indispensable. The four-section systematic tripod, combined with the G-lock system, allowed for quick and precise height adjustments and adaptability on any terrain—from riverbanks to uneven ground—while providing excellent stability for ground-level shots, which Lovera noted as a personal favorite. Rubber articulated feet played a crucial role in maintaining grip on difficult surfaces, including slippery submerged rocks under flowing water. The tripod absorbed shocks and kept the setup steady and secure from the first moment. Thanks to its fluid movement and total control, the Gitzo Gimbal Head performed flawlessly not only in photography, but also in video work—enabling smooth, shake-free panning without micro-jitters. The ergonomic knobs with superior grip ensured full control, even when wet or in contact with water—a common scenario in wildlife photography where fast reactions are everything. The carbon fiber legs of the Systematic and the magnesium construction of the Gimbal made the entire system light and easy to carry across long treks and difficult landscapes. For wildlife photographers constantly balancing performance with portability, this combination delivered the perfect compromise between quality and weight. “In these products, I found the security I was looking for—without giving up anything else—security, stability, or elegance. Gitzo provided the stability I needed to shoot with absolute precision—even when partially immersed in water.” This article is part of the “Photography That Lasts Forever” campaign by Gitzo. This was a Gitzo adventure with Michael Lovera. For more information: Gitzo GT4543LSUS — Gitzo tripod Systematic, series 4 long, 4 sections . GHFG1 — Gimbal Fluid Head. Michael Lovera on Instagram Read more about photography . Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

A student team gained valuable STEM experience by developing an underwater remote operated vehicle using commercially available industrial-grade components. Industrial Devices Used in STEM Project A student team gained valuable STEM experience by developing an underwater remote operated vehicle using commercially available industrial-grade components. Geoff Gardener, North Paulding High School Cool Stuff Jul 9, 2025 Exploration of both the deep sea and of outer space share a lot in common. Both are extremely unforgiving environments where it is very expensive to create manned vehicles to carry out missions. As automation has become more capable, robotics and unmanned remote operated vehicles (ROVs) are used to execute much of this work. Underwater ROVs operate in challenging environments, which means that industrial-grade automation products are a natural fit to support these designs. Also from EE: Escape Room Experience Uses Automation Tools Although, ROVs are controlled remotely by human operators, most have some degree of on-board automation, combining mechanical, automation, and other skillsets. To develop young talent to support this field, Monterey Peninsula College—via a grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation—has established a program called the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center. MATE promotes marine engineering by inspiring and challenging students to learn and creatively apply STEM skills for solving real-world problems. Part of the program is the MATE ROV Competition, which offers five different contest classes, each based primarily on skill and not strictly by age group. At North Paulding High School in Dallas, GA, a number of students make up the “WhaleTech” team. Some of them have participated up to seven consecutive years, starting in middle school. Each year, the competition organizer publishes challenges and mock mission profiles simulating real-life conditions, with various restrictions. For example: dive to a pipeline simulation at a given depth, strategically remove a “bad” pipe segment, replace it with a new section, and bring the bad portion to the surface. The team builds a ROV to meet those challenges, and along the way they must act and present themselves as a professional company by developing technical documentation, conducting research, and selecting products. Throughout the process, the team must learn and follow safe practices, assemble and test the ROV and subcomponents, and even do a bit of marketing. The Details Many ROVs look a lot like aerial drones, with propellers arranged to provide thrust in various directions. Just as aerial drones use propellers to provide constant lift and control motion, an underwater ROV does the same, but it can also use an additional mechanism to adjust its buoyancy. Cameras and lights are common on ROVs, and many also have robotic arms and manipulators to perform tasks. Many of the monitoring and control needs mirror the types of functionalities needed by industrial automation control systems. AutomationDirect has a long history of supporting student STEM efforts, and this underwater ROV project exemplifies just how important it is for industry to support education. For the 2024 competition, the WhaleTech team needed to develop a well-controlled ROV with an extensible gripper. The buoyancy mechanism, gripper, cameras, propellers, and other components would need to be supported and arranged in a chassis, which meant that some design effort would have to be in parallel and iterative to achieve the functionality and create an integrated form factor. As part of the process, the team used cardboard mockups and 3D printing, and then they created many structural elements cut out from high density polyethylene (HDPE). The buoyancy engine is used to actively alter the buoyancy of the vehicle so the ROV can rise, descend, or stay at a fixed depth (Figure 1). A sealed cylinder compresses the fixed air volume, displacing it with water, which results in changing the overall density of the apparatus. Figure 1: The buoyancy engine consists of a specially modified pneumatic cylinder, driven by a stepper motor and an AutomationDirect SureStep stepper drive, to provide accurate control with minimal power consumption. (Photo courtesy of North Paulding High School.) After selecting an industrial-grade cylinder, the team needed a powerful yet controllable way to actuate the piston portion via a linear screw drive mechanism. After some trial and error, and investigation of technologies readily available from AutomationDirect, the team found that a stepper motor could do the job admirably. A stepper motor can continuously turn in either direction and be commanded in increments as small as 1.8 degrees per step, driven by an AutomationDirect SureStep stepper drive commanded by an Arduino nano. A stepper motor draws no power when idle, it works well within the available power budget, and there is no rebound when the target position is achieved. The buoyancy engine is also outfitted with a pressure sensor used to store depth data into the on-board computer, and a wireless transmitter to communicate this information to the surface computer for a graph display when the ROV surfaces. Similarly, the gripper assembly incorporates an AutomationDirect SureStep rotary stepper motor driving a screw shaft to provide the motion required to extend or retract a mechanism, which in turn opens or closes the gripper (Figure 2). Because this assembly must articulate, it is connected to the controller using a watertight flexible cable. Figure 2: The WhaleTech project team found the right cable assembly for the gripper by researching the AutomationDirect catalog where they found cut-to-length cable solutions that met their technical needs. (Photo courtesy of North Paulding High School.) In previous competitions, the team had experienced issues with umbilical cables—running from the ROV to the surface—that were not flexible enough to allow precise movements in the water, or were insufficiently shielded and therefore susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI). To solve these issues, the team researched cables on the AutomationDirect website and found products with better flexibility and improved resistance to electrical noise. Further, the team occasionally used AutomationDirect’s phone support to iron out details. As a result of their design and execution efforts, the WhaleTech team won first place in the Ranger class of the 2024 MATE ROV Competition. While some members are graduating and moving on to new work and educational endeavors, a new crew will assemble next year and work to build upon their successes. For more information, visit AutomationDirect . Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next