Manufacturing operations run on countless unseen systems that make all the big stuff work. Robotics may be the most visible piece of automation, but behind every robot is an electrical backbone that keeps it moving, safe, and productive.
That's what caught my eye in the first episode of DigiKey's latest fifth season of its Factory Tomorrow video series: Inside the Robotic Cell. Instead of spotlighting the robots themselves, it pulls back the curtain on the infrastructure powering them—from power distribution and motor control to the protection systems tucked away in every cabinet. Engineers from Eaton help walk through these systems, showing just how critical the behind-the-scenes technology is to keep automation running smoothly.
By focusing on the wiring, power, and protection, the video makes clear how much innovation happens before a robot ever moves. It's a good reminder that the flashiest technology on the floor is only as strong as the systems supporting it.
Laura Davis is the editor in chief of New Equipment Digest (NED), a brand part of the Manufacturing Group at EndeavorB2B. NED covers all products, equipment, solutions, and technology related to the broad scope of manufacturing, from mops and buckets to robots and automation. Laura has been a manufacturing product writer for eight years, knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the industry, along with what readers are looking for when wanting to learn about the latest products on the market.