Application of RFID technology in the manufacturing process
Plant Engineering, April 2008
By Mark Waggoner, Kim Automation
The use of RFID technology in the manufacturing process can bring many benefits and potential cost savings. RFID technology has been more rapidly accepted in the manufacturing process because the RFID technology can be a reusable product when the RFID tags are embedded into fixtures used in the manufacturing process.

3D Vision Guided Robotics: When Scanning Just Won’t Do
Machine Vision On Line, March 2008
By Winn Hardin
Machine vision for robot guidance has improved the accuracy of robot-based assembly, while adding the capability to perform both assembly and inspection at the same time. Combining assembly and inspection reduces productivity losses. 3D robot guidance applications continue to expand in number.

Biometrics Matures; Vision Gets Nod
Machine Vision Online, April, 2008
By Winn Hardin
Biometrics is the process of converting unique physical features from a human being into a mathematic representation that is unique, storable and verifiable. During the past decade, machine vision has been a major part of biometrics. Recently, machine vision’s involvement in biometric technology has grown as security needs in all nations have increased.

Sensor-Driven Error Proofing
Control Engineering, April 2008
By Henry Menke, Balluff
Sensor-driven error proofing, often in concert with RFID, provides a simple and effective means of ensuring that a part is present and in the correct orientation or position. For sensors to work correctly, Parts need to be well fixtured; There needs to be a manageable number of inspection points per part; and the location of the detail on the part in question needs to be relatively constant.

Colour Imaging in Machine Vision
Vision Systems Design, March 2008
By Dalsa
Colour imaging is beginning to play a more important role in machine vision. In many cases, colour is the only way to identify objects that are otherwise too similar in greyscale in monochrome imaging. Colour line scan cameras have been widely used in applications such as electronics and PCB manufacturing, food inspection, tile, wood, textile, and web inspections, Registration required.

Browse these and more articles and white papers on the Automatic Identification (RFID, Bar Code, Vision) portal.

National Instruments Machine Vision and Scientific Imaging Booklet and CD
This booklet and CD covers popular software functions and how to apply them; product information and selection guides; and valuable Web resources to aid you in specifying and developing your inspection system.

SME DVD shows applications of RFID technology  
"RFID: Tool Tracking Solutions" shows the infrastructure and technology behind RFID as well as real-world practical applications, challenges and advantages of using RFID.

How to Measure: Translucent Materials
By Gordon Leggett, Hunter Lab
Translucent materials offer a significant color measurement challenge since they interact with light in far less controlled manner than most other materials. The color of a material is calculated from measurements of its relative spectral reflectance or transmittance.

Adept offers free Global Conference 2008 CD
Included are presentations on future technologies, software, hardware, controls, vision, robots etc.

Cognex adds vision case histories to web site
Site has 80 application case studies, selectable by industry and application, to show how Cognex customers are benefiting from machine vision.

Browse these and more resources and literature on the Automatic Identification (RFID, Bar Code, Vision) portal.

Reading bar codes on tires ensures integrity of manufacturing process
By Microscan
By using an array of fixed mount scanners over the hand-held system, the manufacturer was able to ensure that every bar code would be scanned and logged into the system, providing them with a reliable record of the manufacturing process of each tire without slowing down production.

3D Vision system inspects food products
Process & Control Today, April 2008
Located over the conveyor belt, a SICK IVP IVC 3D Smart camera detects the detailed profile of the height and shape of biscuits passing through the laser beam and enables the depth of profile and any surface defects to be detected.

Machine Vision Activities in the Wood Industry
Machine Vision On Line, March 2008
By Nello Zuech,
As machine vision systems have become more capable, systems have emerged that perform grading on the lumber automatically. Today, grading systems are being embraced that employ color and multispectral analysis, as well as X-Ray and even MRI-based approaches, to identify and classify internal defects.

Code Readers Save $5,000 a Week
Assembly, April 2008
Sony Malaysia upgraded the bar-code readers it was using to track MP3 player printed circuit boards. Its existing system had proved unreliable. Sony installed a series of In-Sight 5110 fixed-mount code-reader cameras from Cognex. The company estimates the new system is saving it about $5,000 per week and will pay for itself within 10 months.

Laser Sensors Can Measure Many Parts of an Assembly
Assembly, April 2008
By John Sprovieri
For assembly applications, the most common technology is the laser triangulation sensor. This sensor consists of a pulsed laser and a linearized charge-coupled device (CCD) that can provide point-to-point measurements or 2D profiles. The sensor can measure length, width, height and depth.

Browse these and more application stories on the Automatic Identification (RFID, Bar Code, Vision) portal.

RFID Training
June 3-6, 2008 Denver, CO
In addition to educating students on the basics of RFID technology and the types of applications that are proving to be successful in the marketplace, sessions will include region-specific content for industries such as breweries, ski areas, and IT asset tracking.

RFID Web Course
By Abhisam Software
A step by step introduction to the technology, with six parts covering Basic Concepts, RFID Physics, Practical RFID systems, Middleware & standards, RFID applications and finally, Privacy & Security.

Cognex hosts machine vision seminars
Each half-day event will show how easy it is to set up and deploy vision systems for automated inspection tasks in the automotive, pharmaceutical, food, beverage, consumer packaged goods, medical, and electronics industries.

The State of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
By Mark Roberti, Founder & Editor of RFID Journal
Main page for "The State of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)" tutorial series. This tutorial series is based on the transcription of a presentation by Mark Roberti, Founder & Editor of RFID Journal, during the RF Summit at NIWeek. The presentation is broken into a six part RFID tutorial.

RFID Training Course - Electronic Download
This comprehensive RFID course covers the entire gamut of the technology, right from Basic concepts to Security and Privacy issues related to RFID. The entire course is designed in an easy to understand manner with text, graphics and animations and without any complicated stuff. At the end, the learner can take a self assessment test (with scoring).

Browse these and more training and seminar opportunities on the Automatic Identification (RFID, Bar Code, Vision) portal.

• PPT VISION introduces IMPACT A20 Camera and software
• DSI adds Voice input to dcLINK bar code reader
• PREMO announces HARSH-TAG-80 RFID tags
• OptoTherm releases Infrasight RD320 thermal imaging camera
• Paqworks releases Mobotix M22 Process Automation Camera
• Cognex introduces DataMan 700 handheld ID readers
• JAI introduces AG-7000 camera for low-light applications
• William Frick enhances SnapAround Cable ID Markers
• Cognex introduces In-Sight Micro vision system

Browse these and more Product Announcements on the Automatic Identification (RFID, Bar Code, Vision) portal.

Search all Products by keyword, category, manufacturer or release date.

Microscan names John Macrina VP of Global Sales  
Macrina will be leaving his role as Director of the Electronics Assembly group at Panasonic Factory Solutions at the end of April to join Microscan Systems.

Cognex Promotes Justin Testa to Executive VP
Testa joined Cognex in 1983 as a sales engineer, held various positions and, in 2007, was promoted to Group Business Manager of the Modular Vision Systems Division.

‘China Price’ Just One Hurdle to Compete in ‘World’s Manufacturing Center’
Machine Vision Online, April, 2008
By Winn Hardin
China, ‘the world’s manufacturing center,’ enjoyed near double-digit growth and is expected to continue to lead the world as the number one growth economy as it attracts more foreign and domestic manufacturing interests. So, why aren’t more vision systems for quality control sold in China?

AMT and Bosch Rexroth sponsor LSSU Robotics Project
Students at Lake Superior State University (LSSU) in Sault Sainte Marie, MI, developed a vision-based robotic workcell as a senior project.

Adept supplies robots to German Solar Equipment Manufacturer
SLS Solar Line Saxony will use Adept's robots and motion control and machine vision software in its automation equipment for solar cell production.

Browse these and more company and organizational news on the Automatic Identification (RFID, Bar Code, Vision) portal.

Prosilica GigE Vision Cameras being tested by NASA
GigE Vision Cameras GC650, GC660 and GC1380H are being tested by NASA as the Agency is looking to upgrade its space shuttle video/camera recording systems.

Automate dangerous and toxic filling with vision
Process & Control Today, May 2008
Feige Filling has been supplying industrial machines used to fill different containers. This German company developed a new robotic filling technology equipped with Cognex vision that opens up completely new opportunities for filling with regard to safety, speed and cost effectiveness.

Advanced ID Asia uses austriamicrosystems' Gen2 RFID chip
Advanced ID Asia incorporated the AS3990 UHF RFID “Simply Gen2” Reader Chip into their latest product, the PR110 handheld RFID reader.

Sensors Expo
June 9-11, 2008 Rosemont, IL
Sensors Expo & Conference is the only industry event in North America exclusively focusing on sensors and sensor-integrated systems. The expo hall brings together the largest showcase of sensing technologies and systems for attendees to evaluate and make informed decisions.

Automatica 2008
June 10-13, 2008 Munich, Germany
Displays the latest in robots, assembly and handling technology, machine vision and associated technologies in five trade fair halls.

1st Mediterranean Photonics Conference
June 25-28, 2008 Ischia, Italy
Covers polymers, carbon nanotubes, silicon, photonic crystals, optical fibers, guided and integrated optics for sensors.

International Manufacturing Technology Show
September 8-13, 2008 Chicago, IL
The largest and longest running manufacturing technology trade show in the United States, IMTS is ranked among the largest trade shows in the world.. IMTS attracts over 90,000 visitors from every level of industry and over 40 countries.

ISA Expo
October 14-16, 2008 Houston, Texas
Organized around six core automation and control themes, ISA EXPO 2007 provides attendees a content-rich environment that offers unlimited opportunity for exploration of key technologies, professional growth, and interaction with like minded professionals.

Add an event to our calendar.

Rick Zabel
Vice President, Publisher
Automation.com

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