NRC, Magna to develop ultra-light materials for next-gen autos
A partnership between Magna and National Research Council Canada will support the Canadian auto industry in developing next-generation vehicles with lighter, more durable parts.
For the full story, click here.

---

---

Avatar director James Cameron headlines SolidWorks World 2010
A machinist, a truck driver, and then a winner of 11 Oscars, Hollywood filmmaker James Cameron is now a featured special guest at SolidWorks World 2010, taking place Jan. 31 to Feb. 3 in Anaheim, Calif.
For the full story, click here.

---

---

Toyota Canada sets new sales and manufacturing benchmarks
Toyota Canada Inc. set new December sales records, as did all four Canadian-built Toyota and Lexus models. Manufacturing operations increased employment and production to record levels in Toyota's 22-year history.
For the full story, click here.

---

---

Optimism, challenge and change in store for 2010: CME survey
A new decade, new challenges and a new sense of optimism. That's how Canadian manufacturers and exporters are viewing business operations in 2010, according to a survey of 688 respondents this month.
For the full story, click here.

---

Features: Machine vision

Vision-guided robot key to automated lug-nut fastening
Running down and torquing the lug nuts that hold the wheel to the hub is seemingly one of the simpler aspects of building an automobile, but it has proven one of the most difficult to automate. Radix Controls in Oldcastle, Ont., has managed to successfully automated this application.
For the full feature story, click here.

New Products:

Hydraulics & pneumatics:

Direct-acting relief valves

Electro-pneumatic positioners

Machine vision:

Vision sensor with Ethernet IP connectivity

Vision sensor software for glue bead inspection

> View all product categories online

Upcoming Online Spotlights

Jan. 20: Education and Motion control

Feb. 3: Wireless technology & security

Feb. 17: Material handling

Mar. 3: CAD/CAM & ERP software

Mar. 17: Sensors

Interactive: Join MA on Twitter

Want to be notified of the latest Canadian automation, manufacturing and system design news and events as they're posted? Then join Manufacturing AUTOMATION on Twitter. Don't get left behind — get caught up!
To sign up or join us, click here.

November/December 2009 Digital Edition Sights on safety: Machine Safety Round Table 2009 Ether-networking: How Ethernet links the manufacturing environment with the enterprise level The signal is clear: Process signature technology meets today's quality control needs

January/February 2010 Manufacturing AUTOMATION Line-up

• Cover story: Automation Education and Training
  - The 11th Annual Automation Training and Education Guide: A directory of automation-specific education and training courses offered at colleges and universities across Canada. Keep it as your reference guide year round.
  
  - Forging collaboration: We take a look how colleges and universities are collaborating with industry to keep their curriculums relevant and to develop cutting-edge technologies.
  
  - Hitting the mark: The Yves Landry Foundation's AIME initiative provides funding to Canadian manufacturers for employee training programs. A year after its launch, we profile those that have begun to see results.
  
  - Plus: The latest education trends and news.

• Feature: Top 5 in 2010
  We're asking a handful of industry experts to name the top technologies they think will make a difference in 2010.

• Machine safety
  Advanced Motion & Controls Ltd.'s Dave Lawson outlines the real costs of safety upgrades and recommends how to prioritize items to create a realistic budget.

Plus: The latest news, appointment announcements and trends, as well as a selection of the latest automation software offerings, power supplies, test and measurement equipment, interconnection devices, wire and cable products, and motion control offerings.

Calendar of Events:

Jan. 8: Yves Landry Foundation Workshop (Session 4) & Yves Landry Foundation Workshop (Session 3) - Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning - Davis Campus, Brampton, Ont.

Jan. 11: Yves Landry Foundation Workshop (Session 5) - Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning - Davis Campus, Brampton, Ont.

Jan. 14: Yves Landry Foundation Workshop (Sessions 6 & 7) - Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning - Trafalgar Campus, Oakville, Ont.

Jan. 26: Emissions Solutions seminar - Edmonton.

Jan. 31 - Feb. 3: SolidWorks World 2010 - Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, Calif.

Feb. 8 - 11: ARC Advisory Group's World Industry Forum - Orlando, Fla.

Feb. 10 - 12: Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing Summit 2010 - Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Miami, Fla.

Check out the Calendar of Events on the Manufacturing AUTOMATION website for more upcoming industry seminars, conferences, shows and training sessions.

Got an event you want us to include on the website? Please send an e-mail to editor André Voshart: avoshart@clbmedia.ca.