• Rockwell adds Ethernet Device Level Ring to its Integrated Architecture
• Longwatch adds Process Historian to Video System
• Aerotech announces ANT95-XY Linear Motor Stage
• SICK STEGMANN introduces SEK/SEL52 capacitive motor feedback systems
• PI introduces 24 bit nanopositioning stage controllers
• Renishaw releases AM4096 programmable magnetic encoder
• As One Technologies releases Catalyst xM exception management system
• Misumi releases RS Series single axis actuators

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Motion Control Components and System Architecture
By Erlendur Kristjansson, Performance Motion Devices
This 24-page paper compares how motion control solutions based on chips, cards, and drives fit into different machine requirements, and how they affect the outcome of a machine design. This paper also examines motion system architectures to illustrate the design trade-offs. Examples discussed include medical/biotech equipment, a 3D printer, and an industrial paper-cutting machine.

Mechatronics Machine Design Guide
By National Instruments
With this comprehensive machine design guide, learn step-by-step best practices for designing your next machine. Throughout the guide, in-depth application examples illustrate the approaches successful designers have implemented.

Custom Controller or COTS? Step-by-step guide to making the right choice
By ARC
OEMs typically have two choices, to develop "green boards," which are internally designed custom controllers, or to apply COTS (commercial-off-the-shelf) micro PLCs. This whitepaper will examine some of the important and sometimes overlooked factors involved in choosing between a custom controller and a COTS micro PLC.

Five Things to Think About Before Using Hardwired Controls Again
By ARC
For most OEMs, programmable relays can serve as a very cost effective controller for their products. This paper is written to help OEMs determine the "real cost" of using traditional hardwired controls by comparing it to the "real cost" of using commercially available programmable relays.

Browse more white papers on the Machine Control portal.

Free NI Measurement and Automation Catalog
The National Instruments catalog is the leading virtual instrumentation resource for engineers and scientists seeking the most productive customer-defined software and hardware tools.

AutomationDirect Industrial Automation Product Reference Catalog
Desk Reference contains detailed product descriptions complemented by plenty of technical illustrations, step-by-step procedures for selecting various PLC hardware and software, PC-based control, operator interface, motor contactors, drives, sensing equipment, connection systems, and much more.

Omron STI Guide to Non-Contact Detection and Measurement Scanners
This guide features helpful product selection guidelines, as well as detailed information, specifications, ordering information and application examples on their complete line of measuring light curtains, vehicle scanners, area sensors, part detection scanners and yarn break sensors.

Guide to Machine and Process Safeguarding
This comprehensive resource includes information and selection guidelines on safety solutions, including Laser Scanners, Perimeter Access Guards, Programmable Safety Controllers, Force Guided Relays, Light Curtains, Contact Strips and Edges, and more.

Zero-Max publishes Overload Safety Coupling catalog
Catalog covers safety couplings that disengage motor drives for overload protection.

Browse more resources and literature on the Machine Control portal.

Precision Controller Gives Engraver Artisan-like Craftsmanship
Machine Design, September 2009
By Leland E. Teschler
A machine that mimics the craftsmanship of hand engraving uses a four-axis motion controller driven by a DMC-2143 four-axis Ethernet motion controller from Galil Motion Control. The tough part about mimicking hand-engraving work is that artisans perform a downward and upward movement with the chisel for each cut.

New production line in record time
Control Engineering, September 2009
The Southland Tube mill in Birmingham, AL (USA) is an all-Siemens plant that uses PLCs, dc drives, motor starters, Profibus, WinCC software and Step 7 project management software. The line started up in only two weeks, and the second piece of steel tubing that came off the mill was sellable.

Wide-Ranging Speeds Important In Mill Motor
Machinery and Equipment MRO, June 2009
24-hour production line makes motor reliability a top priority at state-of-the-art Plum Creek fibreboard plant. Baldor Reliance motors run the press at speeds of 10 to 60 meters per minute to make medium dense fibreboard in sizes from 2.5 mm to 1.5 in. thick.v

Software Key to New Web Converting Machine
Control Design, August 2009
By Todd Bauernfeind, Summit Machine
Summit built a servo-driven web converting machine for a manufacturer to the electronics industry that was launching a new product but had antiquated machinery incapable of production of the new line. Summit used a Synax 200 control platform, a PLC and motion control solution from Bosch Rexroth.

Remote Control Bowling
Mechanical Engineering, August 2009
This special bowling ball is guided down the lane not by the arm swing and hand release of a bowler but by the acumen of the user holding a controller that is not much different from the one used in Play Station, Xbox or other video games. An internal motor drive rotates a sleeve to alter the center of gravity and path of the ball.

Browse more application stories on the Machine Control portal.

Siemens Answers for Industry  
October 20-22, 2009 Minneapolis, Minn
The event offers seminars, hands-on technology demonstrations, networking and best practice sharing to help attendees answer the toughest questions facing their industries today.

OPC UA Developers' Workshop New Orleans
October 27-29, 2009 New Orleans, LA
The course of instruction is for Development Engineers who will develop an OPC UA Server or Client in the near future. This training workshop will cover the OPC UA architecture on Tuesday and will cover in-depth C++ and .NET development on Wednesday and Thursday.

TUV Rheinland conducts East Coast Seminars on EU Exporting  
October 2009, various cities in U.S.
The workshop helps exporters understand the updated Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC), the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (2004/108/EC), and other European Union directives and standards.

Workshop: How to comply with EU's revised machinery directive
September through November 2009, various cities
Seminar discusses the new Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (2004/108/EC), and other relevant European Union directives and standards for the industrial market.

U.S. Department of Labor uses PMMI standards for Mechatronics
PMMI's skill standards for mechatronics have been included in the DOL's Competency Model Clearinghouse, used to set education and training criteria.

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

European Machinery Directive Standard may be back--or not
Deadline for conformity with EN ISO 13849-1 or EN/IEC 62061 remains 29 Dec 2009. Extension of EN 954 1 to be considered at December meeting.

European machine builders breathe a sigh of relief as EC delays safety implementation
Control Engineering Europe, September 2009
The European Commission (EC) has announced that the implementation of the new European Machinery Directive, which was supposed to start on the 29th of December 2009, will be delayed for another three years. It says the current safety standard EN 954-1 can be used to support compliance to the standard in the interim.

July manufacturing technology consumption up 9.2%
July U.S. manufacturing technology consumption totaled $149.51 million, according to AMTDA, the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association, and AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology.

U.S. manufacturers call for Federal strategy to transform factories  
A federal strategy and support is critical if American manufacturers are to thrive in the post-recession global economy, leading U.S. manufacturing experts said Wednesday.

GE and FANUC divorce
GE and FANUC have agreed to dissolve the GE Fanuc Automation Corporation joint venture. GE gets the software, services, embedded systems and control systems businesses, while FANUC gets custody of the CNC business.

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

Matrox to supply display walls to AVI-SPL Control Room Group  
AVI-SPL’s Control Room Group will use Matrox technology to deploy advanced display controllers for large-scale visualization display wall installations running mission critical applications.

SmartTCP to automate structural steel welding at Waiward Steel  
The robotic welding solution for steel fabrication combines hardware and software for production of Waiward’s high volume of 'one off' and small batch parts.

ABB to control Podilsky Cement plant expansion in Ukraine  
ABB will supply electrical and automation equipment including intelligent motor control centers, instrumentation and System 800xA for complete plant control.

Browse more project news on the Machine Control portal.

SOUTH-TEC Advanced Productivity Exposition
October 6-8, 2009 Charlotte, NC
SOUTH-TEC will be focused around three themes, including “Lean Tools for Success,” “Motorsports in Manufacturing,” and “New Products and Innovations.”

National Robot Safety Conference  
October 26-28, 2009 Dearborn, Michigan
The conference includes new workshops on Cost Justification, an Introduction to Robot Vision, Essential Safety Controls and a Primer on Functional Safety.

SMMA 2009 Fall Technical Conference
November 3-5, 2009 Arlington Heights, Ill
Motor Technology Leadership is the theme of the SMMA 2009 Fall Technical Conference.

Industrial Automation Show
November 3-7, 2009 Shanghai
Since its inception in 2003, Factory Automation ASIA has been successfully held three times. It has established itself amongst the most important platforms in the production automation industry in Asia.

Automation Fair 2009
November 11-12, 2009 Anaheim, California
At this two-day event, attend in-depth technical sessions, workshops, and hands-on labs. Visit more than 100 exhibits and displays. Learn best practices at specialized industry forums.

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I hope you enjoyed this Machine Control update. If you have any comments or suggestions regarding the content in this e-newsletter or on Automation.com, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Rick Zabel
Vice President, Publisher
Automation.com

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