INDUSTRY NEWS WEG OPENS NEW ADVANCED MOTOR & INVERTER TESTING FACILITY


been fully operational since August 2024. According to the company, its new laboratory


WEG’s new and highly advanced testing laboratory in Santo Tirso, Portugal, is now fully operational. The facility has significantly enhanced the company’s capabilities in testing large motors and inverters, a major step forward in expanding WEG’s operations and influence across Europe. The new facility has two distinct production


units. One unit is dedicated to low voltage products, and the other to high voltage solutions and larger machines. All testing platforms from the previous site have been relocated and have


now stands as one of the most technologically advanced testing facilities within its global operations. The testing lab covers 410m² of test area, complemented by 82m² of testing and development offices that facilitate engineering and analytical work. In addition, 45m² are dedicated to inspection and costumers’ offices. The laboratory also includes segregated technical areas with 560m² dedicated to medium and low voltage automation and control, and 525m² that encompass the electrical machinery, They are both equipped with state-of-the-art technology to support innovation, diagnosis, performance analysis and product advancement. The facility is equipped to test motors


weighing up to 43 tons (t), with infrastructure in place to support future capacities of up to 63t. It can conduct performance tests on both low- and high-voltage equipment up to 15 kilovolt (kV) and perform direct load tests of up to 7,5 megawatt (MW) on motors and inverters.


EXTENSIVE STOCKHOLDING AND IN-HOUSE ASSEMBLY ENSURES SUPPLY-CHAIN RESILIENCE FOR LANE ELECTRONICS


Lane Electronics is reinforcing supply-chain resilience for customers across aerospace, defence, medical, industrial, and other high-reliability sectors. According to the company, it delivers exceptional service and reliability by combining extensive stockholding, in-house assembly, and value-added engineering expertise. A key member of the privately owned Lodge Group,


Lane Electronics provides customers with seamless access to one of the industry’s most comprehensive interconnection portfolios, while sister company and connector manufacturer Weald Electronics adds UK-based design, assembly, and manufacturing capabilities that ensure continuity of supply and technical excellence as one of Lane Electronics’ key supply partners. “In today’s uncertain global landscape, component availability and agility are paramount,” said


Nick Wheeler, sales director. “Our focus on supply-chain resilience, supported by strategic stock management and in-house assembly, allows us to respond rapidly to customer needs while maintaining exceptional quality and performance standards through our industry-leading suppliers.” Lane Electronics offers an extensive stockholding of connectors, accessories, and component


piece-parts, supported by automated and strategic replenishment systems. Stock can be ring- fenced to meet specific customer or project requirements, helping OEMs and system integrators mitigate the risks of extended lead times, rapidly escalating prices or obsolescence. The company’s in-house assembly services further enhance availability, with more than 90% of


standard product ranges available for next-day shipment through stock or rapid assembly. www.fclane.com/


ADI GROUP RAISES £200,000 FOR CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL


BIRMINGHAM engineering firm, adi Group, has raised more than £212,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital. The total has been achieved through a programme of fundraising events and staff engagement activities run across the engineering group and its network. Paul Smith, CEO of adi Group, commented: “We are extremely proud to have reached this


fundraising milestone for Birmingham Children’s Hospital this year... It reflects a sustained effort from colleagues right across the Group, who have committed their time and energy to a wide range of events and challenges.”


https://adiltd.co.uk/ 10 DESIGN SOLUTIONS DECEMBER/JANUARY 2026 www.designsolutionsmag.co.uk


Beyond standard induction motors and generators, the facility is also capable of performing string tests to complete drivetrains composed of transformer, inverter and motor, and special tests such as high voltage testing and sound level testing for larger machines. The laboratory is also equipped for advanced


vibration testing and analysis using both free suspension and rigid mounting methods to ensure compliance with stringent international standards. It can also test water-cooled systems and a range of lubrication system. In addition, the laboratory will act as a


showcase for WEG in Europe, inviting customers to visit and experience the company’s full product catalogue operating as a cohesive solution. Looking ahead, the company is developing


a new dual-frequency testing method at its Portugal facility; and it is preparing to address emerging areas such as Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and electric vehicle charging stations.


www.weg.net


HEXAGON & MICROSOFT PARTNER TO ADVANCE HUMANOID ROBOTS


Hexagon Robotics has announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft aimed at advancing humanoid robots. Combining Hexagon Robotics’ expertise


in sensor fusion, robotics and spatial intelligence, and Microsoft’s strengths in cloud computing and scalable platforms, including Fabric Real-Time Intelligence in Microsoft Fabric, Azure IoT Operations, and Azure App Service, the two companies will work together to provide production-ready humanoid solutions for manipulation and inspection use cases, first targeting automotive, aerospace, manufacturing and logistic industries. “The strategic partnership with Microsoft


is a big step towards realising our vision to build an autonomous future and address labour shortage across vital industries,” said Arnaud Robert, president, Hexagon Robotics. "We are excited to collaborate with Microsoft to advance our Physical AI roadmap and deploy high-performing and adaptable humanoid solutions for our customers.” The partnership will tackle several existing


deployment challenges, such as data management, one-shot imitation learning, and training for multimodal AI models. Through this collaboration, Hexagon’s industrial humanoid robot, AEON, has already demonstrated real-time defect detection and operational intelligence. “This partnership with Hexagon Robotics


marks a pivotal moment in bridging the gap between cutting-edge humanoid robot innovation and real-world industrial impact.”


hexagon.com


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