PT/MC exhibition hits Milan
The 2008 Mechanical Power Transmission & Motion Control, the Biennial International Exhibition of Motion Control Systems, Drive Techniques and Mechanical Power Transmission, will be held at Fieramilano, Rho, Milan, from May 27-30.
The exhibition provides an opportunity for companies to showcase their products to Italian producers. It takes place during the Technology Exhibitions Week, in conjunction with other exhibitions: BIAS (the Biennial International Exhibition of Automation, Instrumentation, Microelectronics, and ICT for Industry); BIAS Manuf@cturing Solutions (the Biennial Exhibition of the IT Global Solution for Industry); Fluidtrans Compomac (the Biennial International Exhibition of Fluid Power, Power, and Motion Trasmission, Drive, Control Equipment, and Industrial Design) and BI.MAN (the Biennial Exhibition on Industrial Maintenance).
For information, call +39.023264393, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.fieremostre.it.
IC provider aligns with motion system maker
Austriamicrosystems, Unterpremstaetten, Austria, a manufacturer of high-performance analog ICs, and New Scale Technologies Inc., Victor, N.Y., a developer and manufacturer of miniature motion systems, have formed a strategic alliance. Austriamicrosystems has made a $6 million investment in exchange for a 25% minority share in privately held New Scale. The companies will integrate austriamicrosystems' high-performance analog ICs with New Scale's patented piezoelectric Squiggle motors to create “disruptively small” motion systems. They are working on the integration of Squiggle with custom motor controller and position sensor ICs from austriamicrosystems. By reducing the supporting control electronics to single ICs, the partnership allows New Scale to create complete motion systems on the same scale as its miniature motors, less than 2 × 2 × 6 mm in size.
The move allows New Scale to provide complete “closed loop” motion solutions that incorporate micro motors, drive electronics, and position sensors in extremely small modules, for integration into OEM products.
The two companies are pursuing opportunities in auto focus and optical zoom modules for mobile phone cameras, actuators for electronic locks, micro fluidic pumps for medical devices, and active control systems for automotive components.
Visit www.newscaletech.com or www.austriamicrosystems.com for more information.
ABB CEO resigns
ABB CEO Fred Kindle is leaving the Zurich-based company due to “irreconcilable differences” on how to lead the power and automation giant in the future. In his absence, the board of directors has named chief financial officer Michel Demaré as interim CEO.
Kindle joined ABB in September 2004, taking over as president and CEO in January 2005. He lead the company through a period of growth and a return to profitability.
“The Board is very thankful to Fred Kindle for driving the company to an extraordinary level of performance over the last three years,” chairman Hubertus von Grünberg said. “Under his leadership, ABB is a leading company in respect of growth, profitability, and business ethics.”
Online registration open for BSA conference
The Bearing Specialists Association (BSA), Glen Ellyn, Ill., has opened online registration for its Conference Table Session at the association's 2008 annual convention, April 26-29 at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Tucson, Az.
BSA's manufacturer-hosted Conference Table Session offers conference participants an opportunity to pre-schedule and plan for face-to-face meetings to address bearing industry concerns and resolve business problems. Online Conference Table registration is available through April 1; afterwards, registration may be done on-site if space is available.
For more information, visit the convention website, www.bsaconventions.org.
Balluff adds metal forming market expert
Balluff, Florence, Ky., has named Drew Stevens as business development support specialist for metalforming. Stevens brings a great deal of metalforming expertise to his new role and will be responsible for directing Balluff's metalforming support programs.
Stevens has been a journeyman diemaker since 1998 and has most recently been responsible for designing, implementing, and troubleshooting die-protection at Die-Matic Corp., Cleveland. As Die-Matic's sensor “guru,” Stevens successfully maintained an in-house die-protection program while simultaneously reducing unplanned downtime and improving processes. He also aided in the design of advanced board-level interface devices to improve Die-Matic's existing technology.