Dairy Crest consolidated its distribution from 14 manufacturing facilities into one 240,000-plus-sq-ft national distribution center that can accommodate its aggressive future growth. The DC includes a warehouse-management system, a monorail system for pallets, 17 automatic storage-and-retrieval cranes and radio-data terminals to guide the picking staff. The WMS
also integrates with Dairy Crest's sales-order-processing information-technology platform, creating a seamless path from the customer through to the dispatch of picked goods. This real-time system exemplifies extreme versatility, as orders can be amended up to the last minute, thus accommodating any changes in customer requirements. Read more...
To better compete for business in both its national and international markets, Chilean flexible-packaging printer and converter Edelpa had to reduce printing defects, both for external purposes (to eliminate customer rejections) and for internal needs (to reduce waste during the production process). The company was looking for an automatic method to preventively detect defects while taking the necessary corrective actions during printing. Read more...
Intelligent Motion Systems (IMS)
White Paper
Reduce your machine size, cost and complexity with Integrated Motion Control–all-in-one brushless motor, driver and controller. Choose from over 156,000 integrated motion control solutions, built-to-order at affordable prices. Make your best move.
More information >>
Automation theory
Preparing for networked safety
Networked safety is here, and here to stay. As Control Engineering pointed out in the March issue ("Safe-Motion Choices," p. 52), the arguments for switching from point-to-point wiring to safety-related messages passing over the machine-control network are compelling. To achieve machine safety at any level, however, requires setting the system up correctly. That leads immediately to the question of how engineers schooled in deploying hardwired safety systems can make the transition to networked safety. Is networked safety simply a product that you can buy? Can you just unpack a box marked "safe network" and deploy it like a new television set? The answer, not surprisingly, is "No." Read more...
Tutorial tech tips
Linear actuators: Choosing pneumatic or electric control Several factors significantly influence the decision to use pneumatic or electric control in a linear motion control application. The obvious considerations include the technology preference in use at the location, the precision of the motion required and cost containment. There are several other important factors that need to be considered in order to select the best performing solution for an application. First, let's discuss the pros and cons of both technologies. Read more...
Newsbytes
Enterprise applications: Report shows quick decision making crucial
The recently published "Intelligent performance management benchmark report" by Aberdeen revealed that volatility in the marketplace caused by rapidly changing market and economic conditions is the predominant pressure faced by 65 percent of manufacturing survey respondents. Response time can be the critical success factor in day-to-day decision making when change is the only constant. Read more...
Cyber security: New documents for control systems, wireless
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces the availability of two new documents relating to control systems security. One targets security requirements and the other discusses wireless networks. The DHS Control Systems Security Program (CSSP), fosters a cohesive effort between industry and government to reduce the risk to critical infrastructure controls systems. The Catalog of Control Systems Security Requirements (draft) is accessible in a PDF. It is intended to facilitate the development and implementation of control system cyber security standards and should be viewed as a collection of requirements and practices to be considered in the review and development of cyber security standards for control systems. Read more...
Money for nothing: Consider replacing DCS now
There's no such thing as a free lunch? Oh, but there is, if you consider savings that can add up and pay for investments in aging distributed control system infrastructure, according to a Rockwell Automation control technology replacement expert. And while performing in-kind replacements, as needed and piece by piece, is certainly an option, costs are higher and the savings aren't as great. Read more...
New products
Controllers, drives
The co. says its new SEC-AC-SMLC multi-axis controllers are at the center of a complete solution designed to meet most motion control, logic and I/O needs. The SMLC is a fully integrated control solution that provides hardware and software building blocks engineered to plug together and work as a system. Read more...
Festo Corp., 800/993-3786. www.festo.com/usa
PLC platform
The IndraLogic PLC platform is offered by the co. as a universal control system, now with DeviceNet and EtherNet connectivity, and is the latest in its automation family to serve the North American, European and Asian markets. Read more...
Bosch Rexroth Corp., 800/739-7684. www.boschrexroth-us.com
Controller
The EHG SL10 process controller and safety limit—an integrated/ adjustable safety limit and temperature controller—is now reported to be available with several heater component choices for efficient, lower-amperage packaging systems. Read more...
Watlow, 800/928-5692. www.watlow.com
The Beckhoff TwinCAT Software System turns any compatible PC into a real-time controller with a multi-PLC system, NC axis control, a programming environment and an operating station.
To access a free trial version of TwinCAT, CLICK HERE.
MISUMI has a wide variety
of miniature linear guides
that can be configured in
1mm increments. Available
in standard, short, long and wide block types and tapped hole or dowel pin designs.
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