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.

Straight and narrow motion
By Joe Feeley
Control Design, April 2008
Nearly all discrete manufacturing processes incorporate linear motion, and as manufacturers become familiar with the flexibility and simplicity of modular linear motion, these systems—whether one, two or complete three-axis Cartesian robotics systems—are finding their way into more and more areas of production.

Build to last
By Dan Hebert, PE Senior Technical Editor
Control Design, April 2008
Every automation component you buy for your machines has costs associated with it. The most obvious are upfront purchase and installation costs, but maintenance and support costs can dwarf these upfront costs. This article looks at how machine builders and their suppliers view total lifecycle costs associated with automation hardware and software, with the focus on reducing costs while still maintaining performance.

Save with the Right Distributed Motion Control
By: Peishan Juan, Advantech
Not all distributed motion control approaches are the same. There’s a need to pay attention to the degree of time-determinism, the amount of integration in control loops, the types of motors that can be managed, the openness of the software interface, and other specifications.

Getting More From CAM and CNC Software
American Machinist, March 2008
By Larry Haftl
Using a CAM package, staying current on it and taking advantage of recent hardware and software developments are the basics for getting the most out of your machines. The costs are relatively low and the returns are high.

Browse these and more articles and white papers on the Machine Control portal.

Omron STI's 2007/2008 Machine Safety Engineering Guide
Omron STI's new 1500+ page 2007-2008 Engineering Guide to Machine and Process Safeguarding is now available. This two-volume set details Omron STI's complete family of machine and process safety solutions, and contains more than 225 pages of educational resource material.

Latest Version of EMC2 Available for free download
EMC2 is a software system for computer control of machine tools such as milling machines, cutting machines, robots, hexapods, etc. EMC2 is free software released under the terms of the GNU GPL (General Public License). EMC2 is a descendent of the original EMC software, which is in the Public Domain.

PI publishes Precision Linear Actuator brochure
The brochure presents a variety of sub-micron to sub-nanometer precise compact actuators with ceramic piezo motors as well as classical motors.

SME publishes 2008 publications catalog
Downloadable catalog features more than 370 books, DVDs, study packages and CD-ROM products for purchase.

TUV Rheinland publishes Testing & Inspection Services Catalog
The catalog details the company's testing services, product types, product approval schemes, service approval schemes, and available certification marks.

Browse these and more resources and literature on the Machine Control portal.

Less is more on high speed scribing machine
Process and Control Today, April 2008
By John Houston, Editor
Robotix in Rugby, UK, has developed a high speed production line for scribing traceability serial numbers onto wheel rims for earthmoving equipment. This uses a single Hoerbiger-Origa rodless pneumatic cylinder in the dual critical roles of positioning the scribing head and holding the rim steady in the workstation.

Aylesbury Automation aligns correctly for Kenwood
Process and Control Today, April 2008
By John Houston, Editor
The potential for separation and misalignment of components during manufacture of Kenwood water filters, has been overcome by the design and construction of an automatic rotary indexing machine from Aylesbury Automation Limited.

Few Achieve Shop Floor to Top Floor Integration (A Rare Breed)
Managing Automation, March 2008
By Jeff Moad
Manufacturers place a high strategic priority on shop floor-to-top floor integration, and most say they have at least started down that integration path. Despite the difficulties of integrating plant floor systems with enterprise business systems, Celestica, Dairy Crest, and Portucel Viana are making significant headway. (Registration required)

Automated Production Line Presses On Regardless
Process and Control Today, March 2008
The Barr & Paatz automated workcell designed and built for W T Henley in the UK has been running round-the-clock, five days a week since 1993, with the utmost reliability. The entire installation was recently lifted, lock, stock and robots, by one of the country’s biggest mobile cranes, and transported by low-loader to its new home in Belvedere, Kent, where it carries on producing electrical cut-outs, exactly as before.

GFC installation simplified with SmartWire
Control Engineering Europe
March 2008
The Good Food Company bypassed the need for a PLC, instead using a panel wiring system from Moeller Electric in its new refrigeration system. It was able to use one control panel, instead of the three originally planned, for the installation at the Wellingborough, UK food manufacturer’s site.

Browse these and more application stories on the Machine Control portal.

Understanding Motion Control Systems - AIT Training Course MCS110
3-Day Course - This practical course introduces engineering concepts of motors and drives that can be easily understood by both engineers and technicians unfamiliar with the technology and not accustomed to complex theory and mathematics.

Misumi holds seminars in Indianapolis, Chicago and New York
“Designing a better machine faster with the configurable component" help engineers overcome the time and performance pressures typically associated with custom machine builds.

WAGO offers free Industrial Control Seminars
Three-day Industrial Control Seminars focusing on the latest in control technology will be held in Germantown, WI.

European Manufacturing Automation Forum
May 14 -15 Frankfurt, Germany
Attendees will learn how to manage and optimize production plants using collaborative manufacturing concepts and technologies.

Make2Pack Training Session at Packaging Automation Forum
May 19-20, 2008 Chicago, IL
OMAC will provide a half day training session for attendees on May 19 at 1:00 p.m. The session will include a Make2Pack Workshop and a Hands-on Connect-and-Pack Demonstration.

Browse these and more training and seminar opportunities on Machine Control portal.

• Technosoft releases MCK28335 Motor Control Kits
• SKF introduces Jaeger ID8A/B linear actuators
• New Vista releases TVU-IR Thread Verification Unit
• Sprint Electric introduces PLA to replace PLCs or PCs
• SKF releases Jaeger SJ series linear actuators
• HEIDENHAIN introduces MANUALplus 620 Contouring Control
• Haydon Switch enhances Linear Actuators
• ServoSoft adds STOEBER and MAYR products to database
• FKI Logistex introduces Mini-Unscrambler conveyor
• Tolomatic adds three body sizes to MXE Actuators

Browse these and more Product Announcements on the Machine Control portal.

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

Siemens announces machine tool retrofit services  
Siemens is ramping up its Preferred Solution Partner program, through which Siemens CNC, motor and drive packages will be brought to the machine shop market by a nationwide network of qualified retrofitters.

Mr. Automation Federation goes to Washington
The coalition will meet with dozens of lawmakers to bring visibility to the automation profession's challenges and opportunities.

Frost & Sullivan says Adaptive Control Technology expanding
Microprocessors and advanced computing platforms have catalyzed the shift from PID to adaptive controllers in petrochemicals, mining, steel, paper, food and many other industries.

Siemens donates $250K to RIT for safety research
Siemens is donating $250,000 in hardware, software and cash to Rochester Institute of Technology's Advanced Systems Integration Laboratory.

MES Closes Information Gap
Control Engineering, March 2008
By Jeanine Katzel
A survey by Reed Research and CE says users give a stamp of approval to tools that facilitate data sharing and improve day-to-day plant operations. Survey results show implementation, integration not always simple, but effort generates tangible, worthwhile results.

Browse these and more company and organizational news on the Machine Control portal.

ABB provides Gearless Mill Drives to U.S. molybdenum project  
ABB was awarded a $13 million contract to provide GMD systems and related equipment for General Moly's new Mount Hope pure molybdenum development project, in Central Nevada, USA.

ABB to automate mine hoist system in Sweden
ABB will supply a System 800xA control system, motor, drive system ACS 6000 SD, installation and commissioning.

ABB Automation World 2008
April 29, 2008 Houston, TX
Customer event for automation users in engineering, mill, plant and general management. Attendees participate in informative technical sessions presented by their peers and ABB technical experts and visit the event's hands-on exhibit.

BC Industrial Expo
April 30-May 1, 2008 Abbotsford, BC
The BC Industrial Expo in Abbotsford, BC is the place to be for maintenance and engineering, design engineering, equipment and machinery maintenance and original equipment manufacturers. More than 200 exhibitors/suppliers will be represented at the show.

PTDA Canadian Conference
May 29-31, 2008 Whistler, BC
Devoted to Canadian industry networking and trends, the conference is a must-attend event for distributors and manufacturers in the power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) industry.

Passion for Manufacturing Show
May 31-June 3, 2008 Detroit, MI
Show convenes industry leaders, innovators, and educators from throughout the U.S. and Canada to share their ideas and best practices on advances in manufacturing technologies.

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.

Add an event to our calendar.

Rick Zabel
Vice President, Publisher
Automation.com

View our Privacy Policy

For editorial inquiries, please contact Rick Zabel
For advertising inquiries, please contact Karen Olson or see our Media Kit.