In motion: New association serves motors, drives, controls interests

By Control Engineering Staff November 14, 2006

Ann Arbor, MI —A new trade association launched recently intends to serve the interests of motors, drives, and controls companies. The Motion Control Association (MCA) says it will promote the use of mechanical and electronic (mechatronics) motion control technology, which the group says currently accounts for more than $44 billion in annual sales.

‘The numerous leading companies assisting with the formation of this new motion control organization envision MCA promoting the use and understanding of motion control technology by becoming a leading resource, and by providing a strong coordinated voice in the motion technology field,’ said association president John Mazurkiewicz, product marketing manager for Baldor Electric.

The association said it plans to develop and coordinate industry standards, provide educational programs, host an executive-level business conference, and become the leading resource for motion control technology. The group launched a global Web resource— www.motioncontrolonline.org —last month. The site includes a buyer’s guide, articles and technical papers, new product information, a career center, bookstore, and an ‘ask-the-experts’ forum.

MCA is part of the Automation Technologies Council, a trade organization that also oversees the Robotic Industries Association and Automated Imaging Association . Charter members of MCA include Applied Motion Products, Baldor Electric, Baumuller, Danaher Motion, Incremotion Associates, Parker-Hannifin, Rockwell Automation, Siemens Energy & Automation, and Yaskawa Electric America.

In other motion news, Baldor intends to purchase the Power Systems portion of Rockwell Automation for $1.8 billion, which includes Reliance Electric and Dodge. Click here to read more on that story from Control Engineering .

Control Engineering Daily News Desk
Jeanine Katzel , senior editor