Featured Articles:
-Putting Linear in Motion
-Six Key Machine Control Challenges Solved
-Virtually perfected; and more

Resources & Literature:
-Rexroth publishes Automation and Control Catalog
-Graphical System Design for Machine Control
-PRODUCT HOW-TO: Using high side driver ICs to simplify machine control error monitoring; and more

Application Stories:
-Demystifying Network Communications
-Automated Coil Centering Relies On Double-Act
-Machine controls optimize cell performance; and more

Featured Training:
-Motion Movies
-Machine Control Training Brochure
-Power-off brake backlash; and more

Product Announcements:
-HEIDENHAIN releases LS 688C Linear Encoder for machine tools
-TURCK annouinces DeviceNet Drive Interface station
-KUKA Robotics introduces Palletizing Solution ; and more

Company News:
-Schneider opens automation and control demo center in Raleigh
-Advanced Motion Controls announces university servo drive contest
-NASA Director to keynote RoboDevelopment Conference; and more

Application News:
-Vishay to install reel optimizing system in U.S. paper mill
-Siemens to supply controls for Korean steel mill
-ATS to provide automated equipment for Korean nuclear plant; and more

Featured Events:
-GE Fanuc User Conference to be held in October
-ARC and General Motors to host Benchmarking Workshop
-Metalworking and CNC Machine Tool Show; and more

Putting Linear in Motion
Control Design, October 2007
By Mark Lamendola
Linear motors can fill a requirement that rotary motors can’t. The technology is sound. The application often is ideal. Why don’t we see linear motors everywhere?

Six Key Machine Control Challenges Solved
Rahul Kulkarni, Product Marketing Engineer, National Instruments
When designing your next-generation machine, cutting-edge technologies in control systems, software architectures, and electromechanical components differentiate your automation system from the competition. This article explores the top software and hardware challenges machine builders face today and offers a performance-driven approach to solving these challenges.

Virtually perfected
Motion System Design, August 2007
By Elisabeth Eitel
Simulating moving designs is easier and more useful than ever. Kinematics software makes building models infinitely easier. Increased connectivity is even allowing the placement of specific component profiles into models, and VRML and OpenHSF web viewing. And finite element analysis (FEA) can make a model highly realistic.

Decisive factors guide motion control solutions for semiconductor manufacturing
By Bosch Rexroth
Now that the semiconductor industry has transitioned from “laboratory”-style manufacture to industrial-scale production, improving machine motion control offers opportunities for competitive differentiation and controlling the high cost of ownership — particularly for high performance, multi-axis, high throughput machines.

I/O Error Monitoring in Industrial Machine Control
By David Lin, Application Engineer, iC-Haus GmbH
Modern machine-control units are increasingly decentralized in their assembly and have intelligent peripheries addressed by buses. In addition to control of the overall system, the recognition of failures and states on I/O lines is of growing importance as the desire to minimize—or, where possible, totally avoid—costs for service and repairs increases. This is a task that can be assigned to peripheral devices.

Browse more articles and white papers on the portal.

Rexroth publishes Automation and Control Catalog
Free catalog offers info on Rexroth's IndraLogic and IndraMotion automation systems, as well as IndraControl, Inline, Fieldline, and IndraWorks control components.

Graphical System Design for Machine Control
by Todd Dobberstein and Brian MacCleery, National Instruments
Highly automated graphical system design (GSD) tools and PAC hardware systems can help you streamline the machine control development process. These new GSD tools offer complete customization of reconfigurable FPGAs, real-time processors, and industrial I/O modules using the National Instruments LabVIEW graphical programming language.

PRODUCT HOW-TO: Using high side driver ICs to simplify machine control error monitoring
Embedded.com, September 2007
By David Lin, iC-Haus GmbH
Modern machine-control units are increasingly decentralized in their assembly and have intelligent peripheries addressed by buses. High-side drivers can simplify the monitoring and handling of errors in decentralized machine control units with intelligent peripherals addressed by buses.

Physik Instrumente publishes brochure on Miniature Linear Stages
Brochure covers compact and sub-compact positioning stages, with sub-micron to sub-nanometer precision and closed-loop position feedback.

Browse more resources and literature on the portal.

Demystifying Network Communications
By Bob Ogelsby, Host Engineering
Like so many things in this world, networking is really pretty simple when you understand the terminology. This article starts with some networking concepts and ends with some products that use them.

Automated Coil Centering Relies On Double-Act
Process and Control Today, September 2007
By John Houston
The HepcoMotion profile driven unit (PDU2) belt driven linear transmission is used on Conwy Dolgarrog Aluminium’s four-high cold mill process line, a finishing rolling mill consisting of four rollers. The coil centering system comprises the DAPDU2 actuator that spans the width of the in-going side of the mill, two reflecting lasers mounted on each carriage, and two pull wire encoders.

Machine controls optimize cell performance
American Machinist, September 2007
Smith’s Machine, Cottondale, Ala., supplies machined parts to the Mercedes Benz U.S. International facility in Tuscaloosa County, Ala. It has specialized work cells that contain DMG Twin mill-turn centers fed by robotic parts handlers. All machine motions are handled by Siemens Sinumerik 840D CNCs.

All My Best Ideas are Stolen
Control Engineering, September 2007
By C.G. Masi, Control Engineering
The best way to improve your control engineering efforts is to copy tips and techniques from others. Here are four motion control examples to get you started.

Leisurely linear actuation
Motion System Design, September 2007
Controlling motion at extremely slow speeds is a new technology, primarily in the nanotech world. But with these tips and tactics, achieving slow motion is a walk in the park.

Grinder cuts cycle times to the bone
American Machinist, September 2007
Corin Group used milling operations to produce rasps that took four hours per part. Then, the company installed an Anca TX7+ precision CNC grinder with UGS NXCAM for post processing output and Cimulator3D for verification. The company saw its production time drop to under one hour.

Browse more application stories on the portal.

Motion Movies
Automation Direct videos include a four-part series on selecting ac drives, and a two-part series on using servo motors.

Machine Control Training Brochure
Heidenhein Brochure describes courses available for NC programming, PLC programming, machine tool commissioning and service of machines.

Power-off brake backlash
Motion System Design, September 2007
Tutorial article describes Power-off brakes, sometimes called safety, spring-set, or failsafe brakes. These are widely used on the backs of motors to hold machines, pulleys, Z axes, and robotic arms in position in case of a power failure.

Cooling linear motors
Motion System Design, August 2007
Tutorial article: Linear motors produce a unique combination of high force and accurate movement that makes them useful in material handling, grinding, and large mold-making machines, just to name a few applications. However, getting the most out of a linear motor often goes beyond basic motor sizing and selection skills. Cooling linear motors is also crucial for optimized performance.

Free SERCOS Seminar
November 13, 2007 Chicago
One-day seminar covers the latest advances for SERCOS in motion, safety and I/O.

Browse more training and seminar opportunities on portal.

• KUKA Robotics introduces Palletizing Solution
• MagStar releases XR conveyor system
• Aerotech announces ARMS Rotary Motion Simulators
• Rockwell Automation adds CompactLogix L45 Controller
• Danaher introduces MPX Motion Library in Visual Basic
• Haydon Switch introduces 35000 series linear actuators
• Sensor Developments develops Torque Sensor
• Zero-Max expands ServoClass coupling line
• Tolomatic adds electric actuators to MX rodless platform
• SEVCON introduces Integrated Motor Control to replace hydraulics
• SICK STEGMANN introduces HIPERDRIVE positioning drive
• Omniflex announces Teleterm Silent Sentry alarm monitor
• Walther Prazision introduces Type 91489 tool changer for robots
• Rockwell Automation introduces MP-Series Linear Stages

Browse more Product Announcements on the portal.

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

Schneider opens automation and control demo center in Raleigh
The demonstration center will showcase Schneider Electric’s automation and control solutions for OEM and end-user customers.

Advanced Motion Controls announces university servo drive contest
Servo drives are offered free of charge for advancing motion control knowledge at educational institutions located in the U.S.A. and Canada.

NASA Director to keynote RoboDevelopment Conference
Terry Fong, Director of the NASA Ames Intelligent Robotics Group, will deliver the keynote at RoboDevelopment Conference and Exposition, Oct 25.

ATS elects new board, interim CEO
ATS elected a new board consisting of the director nominees previously proposed by Goodwood Inc. and Mason Capital Management. John Bell was elected interim CEO.

Jervis B. Webb names Margaret Murdock Executive Director
She is now responsible for leading all aspects of electrical controls, Automatic Guided Vehicle (AGV) product line engineering and customer service.

Browse more company and organizational news on the portal.

Vishay to install reel optimizing system in U.S. paper mill
Process and Control Today, September 2007
By John Houston
Vishay Intertechnology received an order from Bowater Incorporated to install a Reel Optimizing System in its Grenada, Mississippi paper mill. Vishay’s Reel Optimizing System is designed to provide online measurement and control of all force and movement, on each side of the machine.

Siemens to supply controls for Korean steel mill
Siemens will supply mechanical equipment and automation systems for a new 5 meter wide plate mill being built by Dongkuk Steel Mill Co. in Dangjin, Korea.

ATS to provide automated equipment for Korean nuclear plant
ATS will provide a volume reduction system that extracts the reactor core channels and crushes them into a waste container.

Rexroth Servos Help Bandage Packaging Line Boost Speed, Improve Flexibility
Design World On Line, August 2007
Rexroth controller, drives, motors, HMI and motion profile make faster production speeds stick at Aso bandage company, giving them more productivity on the packaging line and allowing them to remove an entire machine in the process.

Lenze delivers panel to Cobble Blackburn for high speed tufting machines
Process and Control Today, August 2007
By John Houston, Editor
The panel contains IPC and PLC controls plus five axes of servo drives and a single inverter axis. Cobble Blackburn are at the forefront of tufting technology with hundreds of machines in use worldwide. Carpets are creating by the tufting process which uses needles to insert a woven fibre into a backing web.

GE Fanuc User Conference to be held in October
The 2007 Discover Users Conference will be held at the Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel and Suites in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 22 – 25, 2007. The 3-day conference will highlight best practices in technology, manufacturing and business.

ARC and General Motors to host Benchmarking Workshop
November 6, 2007 Warren, Michigan
The workshop will focus on controls, plant floor systems, and PLM/Digital Manufacturing (DM) strategies.

Metalworking and CNC Machine Tool Show
November 6-10, 2007 Shanghai
The Metalworking trade show is organized by Hannover Messe International GmbH, a subsidiary of Deutsche Messe based in Hannover, Germany.

Rockwell Automation Fair to be held in Chicago
November 13-15, 2007 Chicago, Illinois
Rockwell Automation will host the 16th annual Automation Fair, a free forum with more than 100 exhibitors and 10,000 attendees from around world.

SCS Automation & Control
November 13th - 16th 2007 - Eurexpo Lyon, France

2008 Motor, Drive & Automation Systems Conference
February 14-15, 2008 - Atlanta, Georgia
Two-day conference is focused on the latest advancements and economics in electric motor, drive & automation technology. Topics discussed will include new motors, drives & automation systems, system design and integration for optimum performance, new components and materials, advancements in electronics and control, testing systems and techniques.

International Manufacturing Technology (IMTS) 2008
September 8-13, 2008 Chicago
More than 1,000 exhibiting companies will occupy 1.2 million net square feet of exhibit space at McCormick Place.

Rick Zabel
Vice President, Publisher
Automation.com

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