Accurate placement of products like CDs, DVDs and gift cards into cases, or coupons onto packs of cigarettes or into cartons of soda, is an ongoing requirement for many companies. Unfortunately, this is not an easy task. Many automated systems experience problems skewing products sideways or placing them inconsistently. But manual placement, while exacting, is costly in terms of both the labor costs and ergonomic issues. Read more...
The top 10 robotics application mistakes
As robot technologies continue to improve and evolve, the choices facing today's robotics buyers continue to expand as well. How do you know what type of robot to choose? And more importantly, how can you avoid mistakes that you may not be aware of, even if you've successfully applied robotics technologies in the past. Read more...
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Ethernet shows great promise for motion control, provided the underlying transport layer is maintained. Is it the right solution for your application? There was a time when every element of a motion control system had to be accessed separately, but no more. Just as Ethernet allows us to simultaneously browse the web, listen to Internet radio, and send e-mail, so Ethernet allows motion control components to be networked together more effectively than ever before, simplifying control, diagnostics, updates, and more. Read more...
MES integrators mix controls, enterprise expertise to guide production management
The steady acquisition and building of manufacturing execution system (MES)-level software packages by industrial automation vendors wrought change in their service partner ecosystems. Where once the focus of partners was on helping install human machine interface (HMI) software that had an equipment-level focus, now the automation vendors are cultivating a new class of partners adept at helping companies deploy MES and other higher-level production management solutions. Read more...
Tutorial tech tips
Synchronized motion relies on special controls To satisfy synchronized multi-axis motion in robotic systems, printing machines and elsewhere, a higher breed of control is required. Fast network protocols are available to implement the needs of data transfer and control in complex automation systems. The number of motion axes found in industrial automation systems has grown steadily over time because of availability of more powerful controllers and other processor advancements. Yet, in many of those systems, motion axes function independently of each other—as in indexing stations that move parts point-to-point through serial manufacturing stages or in distributed architectures with parallel motion paths. Read more...
Newsbytes
Rockwell Automation global support: Ten consecutive years of SCP Certification
The Rockwell Automation North American Support Center has reached a new milestone, becoming the first organization to achieve Service Capability & Performance (SCP) Certification for 10 consecutive years, helping end users, original equipment manufacturers and system integrators seeking product support. Read more...
Efficiency, growth, effectiveness at MESA's Plant2Enterprise conference
The convergence of production and business data, actionable metrics and continuous improvement processes were again hot topics for automation vendors, end user and analysts at this year's MESA's annual Plant2Enterprise Conference, Sept. 16-18, in Orlando, FL. Presentations included data collection and business process management, with a heavy focus on "real world" stories from manufacturers of all sizes whose engineers are leveraging information rooted in the plant floor to literally transform their businesses. Read more...
Expert advice: Schneider Electric opens development lab for automation vendors
Schneider Electric hopes to spur smoother development of advanced industrial automation and control solutions by establishing a center where original equipment manufacturers (OEM) can collaborate freely with other industry experts. Schneider opened the Raleigh, NC-based OEM Technology and Solutions Center (OEM TASC) on October 25. Read more...
HART, ISA agree to collaborate on wireless standard
The HART Communication Foundation (HCF) and ISA entered into an agreement to collaborate and investigate opportunities to incorporate WirelessHART into the work of the SP100 Committee. HCF announced on Sept. 24 that it granted a copyright license to the ISA allowing the ISA100 committee access to the HART Protocol Specification, including WirelessHART for the purpose of evaluation and consideration for adoption. Likewise, a copyright license has been granted by ISA to the HCF, allowing access to all ISA100 documents at all stages of development, HCF said. A joint technical committee will be established to assess the WirelessHART technology for meeting ISA objectives and recommend possibilities for incorporation into the ISA-100 family of standards. Read more...
MEMS/Nano conference call for papers
Researchers from academia, national laboratories, and manufacturing companies interested in commercialization of nanotechnology and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are invited to participate in Nanotechnology and MEMS/Micromachines: A Global Perspective on the Technnology, Applications and Commercialization, an all-day session that is part of Sensors Expo 2008. Read more...
New products
Vision inspection
DIGISIGHT vision-inspection system is introduced to integrate throughout the manufacturing line, plus tracking product post-inspection, the co. says, for food processing and pharmaceutical markets. Read more...
Peninsular Technologies LLC, 800/262-7817. www.DigiSight.com
Software module
An addition is announced of pick-to-light order-fulfillment capability to the Pick Manager module of the co.'s Warehouse Software Suite™. Read more...
FKI Logistex North America,
513/881-5239. www.fkilogistex.com
Drive system
The ACOPOS drive system, based on POWERLINK Safety, is offered. It reportedly enables functions including safe, limited speed directly over the network. Read more...
B&R Industrial Automation Corp.,
770/772-0400. www.br-automation.com
Cognex's new inspection sensor leaves photoelectric sensors far behind. It has
built-in lighting, variable working distance, and can inspect over 6,000 parts per minute. This fits anywhere sensor checks multiple part features simultaneously,
even when part position varies, delivering precisely timed pass/fail results.
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