As technology evolves, so does our understanding of it. But often, that understanding is focused on what’s new. Long-established technologies like hydraulics still form the backbone of automation, and the need for skilled professionals to work on these systems isn’t going away any time soon. This is where Evolution Motion Solutions’ hydraulic hands-on training school enters the scene. In this episode of Evolution in Controls, host Tim Wilson welcomes back Kent Darnell, manager of hands-on training courses, to reflect on a successful 2024 and share what’s coming in 2025.

The program saw significant growth in 2024, with over 75 training sessions held across North America and nearly 900 students trained in fluid power systems. But Kent and his team didn’t stop there: they launched an advanced training course built around new, modular training equipment that allows students to interact with real components, including directional valves, flow meters, proportional valves, accumulators, and closed-loop hydrostatic systems. These mobile trainers can be configured on the fly, allowing instructors to tailor each session to the participants’ experience level, equipment, and applications.

Kent also shares how the rebrand to Evolution Motion Solutions gave the training program a fresh identity—complete with updated branding on trainers and course materials—and what goals he’s set for the future. With a target of 100 sessions and 1,000 students in 2025, hands-on training courses are scaling to meet growing demand, offering both basic and advanced classes through a streamlined sign-up process on the website.

To learn more about hands-on training courses and sign up, please visit the class schedule.

Factory automation has come a long way, but some of its core technologies, like gearboxes, have been around for centuries. While the fundamental principles remain unchanged, advancements in manufacturing techniques, material science, and precision engineering have dramatically improved performance. Today, high-precision servo gearboxes play a critical role in motion control, but what really sets one gearbox apart from another?

In this episode, host Tim Wilson is joined by Eugene Detke, Product Manager at APEX Dynamics, to discuss how gearbox design impacts motion control performance. With decades of industry experience, Eugene explains the differences between servo and power transmission gearboxes, the importance of low backlash, and how APEX’s manufacturing-for-stock philosophy helps customers navigate supply chain challenges. Tune in to hear how material advancements, gear accuracy, and torque capabilities all play a role in ensuring smooth, reliable motion control.

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It’s no secret that artificial intelligence, or AI, is rapidly integrating into every aspect of our lives. What might be lesser known, though, is that AI is much more than just a chatbot you use to help you write emails. AI has actually been present in many manufacturing industries for years as it helps speed up processes, increase efficiency, and cut labor costs. The way it does this is through powerful, innovative, and thoroughly-researched technologies designed by experienced engineers aiming to create a tailored solution to common challenges manufacturers face daily.

One such technology that utilizes AI is machine vision, which is used in factory automation applications to obtain, track, and store data on moving items, materials, and products. Simple Vision Technology, founded by Mark Berndt, specializes in this technology, having created an easy-to-use image-capturing and processing software that functions on a single interface for a simple yet innovative vision platform. This software utilizes AI, as well as traditional vision and barcoding reading, to greatly enhance its capabilities and become more accurate in reading and processing images, allowing manufacturers to significantly reduce necessary hardware and centralize control and processing.

Among these three technologies, barcode reading reveals itself to be simple in practice: a camera or scanner reads a barcode and interprets information contained within that barcode. Traditional vision systems, then, are a bit more complicated as users must create and apply rules to an image: these rules are fixed and based on pixel level. They provide a pass/fail to the images detected, analyzing whether or not the object matches a rule.

Taking vision detection and analysis a step further, though, brings us to AI technology. AI in SVT’s software is best used when there isn’t a rule that can be applied. For example, AI can be used to detect cracks, scratches, or dents in a large sheet of metal. It would be difficult to apply all the rules necessary to detect these imperfections, but with AI, users can take a single image and classify detection based on an AI model that has been trained to the customer’s specific objects. This detection is not an exact yes/no, but rather the AI provides a percentage, or probability, with some level of certainty and success, signaling, for example, that it might be 70% sure it’s detecting a scratch on the metal sheet. From that point of detection, the operator or an SME can get involved and confirm if the AI detection is correct, further training the AI model to better identify imperfections.

The use of AI in vision technology aims to improve detection and the efficiency and speed of items requiring data analysis, interpretation, and tracking. SVT provides software that achieves these benefits by combining traditional vision, barcode reading, and innovative AI in a single-user interface and processor, revolutionizing vision technology in industrial industries like fast-moving consumer goods and warehouse automation.

To learn more about this innovative technology, visit Simple Vision Technology or contact an Evolution Motion Solutions sales engineer at info@evolutionmotion.com or 800-568-9800.

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Unlocking the Potential of Vision Technology in Modern Automation

In the fast-paced world of industrial automation, it’s become commonplace to talk about packages or products moving faster and faster. In some respects, it gets easier to make them go faster. But what doesn’t get as much attention is that as it’s easier to make them go faster, it gets harder to gather accurate information about them as they travel.

Speed and efficiency aren’t just about the mechanical functioning of machines. It is also about the accurate and consistent recognition, collection, and recording of data about the products and packages. It’s ironic that the visual collection of information in a product delivery system is often the unseen element.

In the past, the barrier to faster systems was the mechanical mechanisms that moved the product. Today, the challenge is data management. How do we collect, organize, and manage the data stream? It’s no good moving product faster if we can’t capture and handle the information about the product.

Enter the scan tunnel, a solution designed for the collection of a significant amount of visual data that outperforms even the fastest of the delivery systems. And it’s not just about the collection of data; the speed of the collection must be matched by the speed of the processing of that data. This isn’t your average scanning system.

But how does this technology transform the way we approach data management in industrial settings? Here to talk about the scan tunnel as not just a tool, but as a game-changer in the realm of automation is Mr. Mark Berndt. Mark is the founder of Simple Vision Technology, and he’s going to help us answer questions about the capabilities of the scan tunnel.

As the year comes to a close, once again does Evolution in Controls. Season 3 was one of innovation and insight, featuring topics that not only reflect the current state of the industry, but also its future.

For the first time, we introduced a new episode format where we were onsite with industry experts, bringing the technologies we discussed to life. We highlighted HYDAC’s filter tank reservoir optimization solution in a vivid demonstration of an industry-changing innovation. Throughout the season, we explored a wide variety of topics from three unique automation processes for semi-trailer manufacturing to industry education with hydraulic hands-on training.

We also discussed significant changes within our company that have allowed us to expand our services across the country to serve our partners and customers better. More significantly, we announced the culmination of the integration of Morrell into Womack and the launch of our new company name and brand. Evolution Motion Solutions was launched on November 4, 2024, and CEO Matt Oldroyd sat down with us to discuss whats and the whys of our new company.

We were fortunate to host a range of special guests, both newcomers and returning experts who shared their knowledge and insights. But, at the heart of it all, it’s our listeners who make this journey worthwhile. Thank you for spending this season with us.

Stay tuned for season 4 in the new year where we’ll continue to explore the latest and greatest industry-leading solutions.

To stay up to date on Evolution’s latest news, be sure to follow our LinkedIn profile: Evolution Motion Solutions.

We’re thrilled to announce our new partnership with Nanotec, a global leader in precise, high-performance drive solutions. With a broad range of integrated motors, brushless DC motors, and stepper motors, as well as motor controllers and linear actuators, Nanotec stands out as a trusted source for leading-edge solutions across automation systems, automatic laboratory equipment, and medical devices. Known for its commitment to research and development, Nanotec continually evolves its product offerings to address the dynamic needs of various industries, ensuring that its solutions deliver consistent reliability and precise performance.

Through this partnership, we aim to enhance our product portfolio by integrating Nanotec’s advanced drive technologies and offering our customers state-of-the-art solutions that maximize efficiency and productivity. Nanotec’s expertise in motion control aligns seamlessly with our dedication to meeting the most complex challenges in modern industrial applications. Together, we are committed to delivering high-quality, dependable solutions that empower our customers to innovate and do more than they ever thought possible.