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April 2010 |
Sponsor: Beckhoff Automation |
Cost-effective EtherNet/IP I/O Solutions - Wherever You Need Them
Reduce EtherNet/IP infrastructure costs with Beckhoff I/O solutions - seamless connectivity to 3rd party EtherNet/IP devices is assured. Page includes a link to download a free EtherNet/IP Tag Wizard applet with automated mapping features to streamline integration of Beckhoff I/O into EtherNet/IP systems.
Click here for more information
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Sponsor: National Instruments |
Choosing a Machine Control Architecture
This white paper describes machine control applications, control system configurations, considerations in choosing target hardware and other key factors to consider when building a LabVIEW-based machine control system.
Click here to download white paper.
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Sponsor: Bosch Rexroth |
Rexroth IndraDrive Cs
Compact IndraDrive Cs drives combine space-saving design and proven performance for multiple applications, with a power range from 0.050 – 3.5 kW. With energy-efficient DC bus sharing, selectable multi-protocol Ethernet command interface, and integrated Motion Logic according to IEC 61131-3, IndraDrive Cs fits tight machine footprints and offers multiple synchronization modes and integrated safety technology.
Click here for more information
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| Make Connections in Automation |
  
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| Featured Articles |
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.
Optimize Machine Vision Inspection Results with Dedicated Lighting
By Brent Evanger, Banner Engineering
Many engineers use machine vision equipment in quality control inspection processes. To attain accurate results from these inspections, however, the user must ensure sufficient lighting.
No room for complacency with CAM
Manufacturers’ Monthly, March 2010
By Keith Watts
With manufacturers facing lower customer orders, many companies are looking to improve the productivity of their existing equipment by using more efficient programming tools.
CE is no guarantee
Control Engineering Europe, March 2010
By Paul Laidler, Laidler Associates
There’s a widespread belief among machine users that when they buy a new machine, all they need to do to meet their obligations under PUWER is to make sure that it bears the CE marking. But it’s not that simple.
Selecting A Motor and Drive Architecture
Design News, February 2010
By Joaquin Ocampo, Bosch Rexroth
In the past few years, the concept of integrating servo drives and motors together outside of the control cabinet and directly onto the machine has gained a lot of momentum among design engineers. But how do you know if this style of drive architecture is appropriate for your application? |
Browse more articles on the Machine Control portal. |
| Sponsor: ISA |
ISA Automation Week
Call for Papers
Enhance your professional reputation while gaining powerful market exposure for your organization by sharing your technical expertise at ISA Automation Week 2010. ISA is now accepting abstract submittals for consideration to present at this prestigious technical conference and product showcase. Closes: 16 April 2010
Click here for more information
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| Product Sponsor - Nexen Group |
Precision Motion Control System from Nexen
Get high speeds, incredible accuracy, zero backlash and unlimited length with the Nexen Roller Pinion System. |
| Product Announcements |
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Browse more Product Announcements on the Machine Control portal.
Search all Products by keyword, category, manufacturer or release date. |
| Resources & Literature |
Automation, Systems, and Instrumentation Dictionary
No technical library is complete without this comprehensive dictionary covering the entire vocabulary of automation, systems, and instrumentation. This authoritative fourth edition contains the latest trends in industrial instrumentation and automation. References relevant to ISA and IEC standards are included throughout, along with illustrations to enhance the definitions of more difficult terminology. With CDROM.
ISA publishes book on Reasoning Machines in Factory Automation
The authors predict future production platforms will adapt to market changes with a minimum of human involvement. The book targets reasoning machines that are able to collaborate and automatically reconfigure themselves.
Flexible Assembly offers free torque calculator app for the iPhone
The torque app converts torque measurements such as Ft Lb to In Lb, In Oz, Nm and other torque measurements. It's free for a limited time at the Apple App store on iTunes.
Thomson publishes Guide to Industrial Linear Actuators
The guide provides an overview of applications that can benefit from electric actuation, and non-commercial information on the benefits of converting manual, hydraulic or pneumatic applications to electromechanical motion.
Siemens announces Converting Toolbox automation tools
Converting Toolbox is a set of standardized automation tools for the integration of various machine components that previously had to be performed individually.
SERCOS III test system available
Test system ensures that SERCOS III slave implementations from different manufacturers are compatible and interoperable.
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Browse more resources and literature on the Machine Control portal.
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| Application Stories |
Rexroth controls servo-driven lumber sticker stacker
By Rexroth
MoCo Engineering and Fabricating uses Rexroth regenerative drive system in its all electric servo-driven lumber stacking machine. Energy consumption dropped from 100-180 kW for a previous hydraulic machine to 58 kW for the servo-driven machine.
Volvo Aero Turns Machine Tool into CMM
By using a Zimmermann FZ42 portal milling center and Siemens CNC controls, Volvo Aero uses the machine tool for cutting, then uses it as a coordinate measuring machine for inspection.
Night Train bound for Australia
What’s New in Process Technology, February 2010
Shamic Sheetmetal in Australia manufactures sheetmetal products such as kiosks, car parts and electrical cubicles using Night Train FMS technology from Finn-Power. It allows the sheetmetal fabrication plant to run shifts that are practically unmanned.
Automated manufacturing system quadruples production
After a fire destroyed the manufacturing process, Research Products had two options: either rebuild using equipment comparable to what had previously been used, or investigate ways to automate the manufacturing process.
Machine manufacturer turns to Control Techniques
Control Engineering Europe, December 2009
Denzo, a heat exchange machine manufacturer, has turned to Control Techniques for Unidrive SP AC drives and Unimotors to provide high-speed servo control throughout one of its machines that produces radiators for the Italian motor industry.
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Browse more application stories on the Machine Control portal.
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| Featured Training |
Random Vibration, Shock Testing, HALT, ESS, HASS Measurements, Analysis and Calibration
April 20, 2010 - April 22, 2010
Location: Chatsworth, CA, USA
Upon completion of this short course, you will be able to measure vibration and shock, calibrate vibration and shock measurement systems, convert measured data into a test program, interpret vibration and shock test requirements, conduct vibration and shock tests, design suitable vibration and shock test fixtures.
Strain Analysis and Load Measurement
May 10, 2010 - May 12, 2010
Location: Oxford, UK
The Stress Analysis and Load Measurement course provides instruction on the siting of strain gauges and the choice of gauge systems; it covers strain measurement, the correction of measured data, the determination of stress and yield load, the principal features of common load cells and refinement of the bridge circuit.
Principles of Web Handling Webinar
May 18, 2010 - May 19, 2010
Location: Philadelphia, PA
This seminar focuses on fundamentals and know-how needed to handle any web handling issue. Participants will be able to diagnose and treat existing problems and accurately identify specifications for new webs. Critical areas of tension control, web tracking, roller choices, machine alignment and web defects will be covered.
RSTechED 2010
June 6, 2010 - June 11, 2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA
RSTechED is an advanced software training event in manufacturing automation. More than 120 unique technical sessions, hands-on labs and customer presentations are specifically designed for those interested in learning to effectively leverage existing automation investments and create the architecture for continuous optimization, competitive differentiation and sustainable production.
CANopen Training
September 2, 2010
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Development engineers and system integrators who want to get an overview about CANopen and want to judge the technical opportunities CANopen provides. This CANopen training is also for technical decision-makers, who have the question, whether CANopen can fulfill the communication related technical request of their application.
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Browse more training and seminar opportunities on the Machine Control portal. |
| Company & Organizational News |
January manufacturing technology consumption up
January U.S. manufacturing technology consumption totaled $130.96 million, down 40.3% from December but up 26.2% from the total of $103.77 million reported for January 2009.
ARC says prices are coming down on automation products
One element contributing to the price erosion is that controllers are rapidly becoming an automation commodity in some sectors.
Red Lion Controls appoints Amber Ungrady Director of Quality
Ungrady graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Plastics Engineering Technology, and previously worked for Honeywell.
ABB orders decline in Q4
Orders declined to $7.5 billion as lower demand mainly in mature markets outweighed continued growth in emerging markets. Revenues for the quarter were $8.8 billion, down 12 percent.
Eastern Europe offers opportunity for automation vendors, says Frost & Sullivan
The transition of the manufacturing base from Western Europe to low-cost eastern European countries has opened new prospects for automation.
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Browse more company and organizational news on the Machine Control portal. |
| Project News |
Software Toolbox to provide graphics to Rockwell Automation
Software Toolbox will provide its Symbol Factory technology to users of FactoryTalk View Site Edition and FactoryTalk View Machine Edition from Rockwell Automation.
Flexpoint to develop nip sensor for Sensor Products
Flexpoint Sensor Systems will develop a “nip sensor” to measure actual contact (interfacial) pressure and distribution between two mating or impacting surfaces.
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Browse more project news on the Machine Control portal. |
| Featured Events |
Control of Precision Systems
April 11, 2010 - April 13, 2010
Location: Cambridge, MA
The 3rd Meeting on the Control of Precision Systems will focus on new developments and fundamental techniques in feedback control as applied to precision motion control systems. The control of precision systems encompasses a wide range of applications in high-speed, high-accuracy manufacturing and automation.
2010 St. Louis Automation Expo
April 14, 2010
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Discover the biggest automation show in the Midwest. Mark your calendars now to attend the 2010 St. Louis Automation EXPO at Greensfelder Recreational Complex at Queeny Park. You won't want to miss this one.
Hannover Messe 2010
April 19, 2010 - April 23, 2010
Location: Hannover, Germany
The world's leading showcase for industrial technology is staged annually in Hannover, Germany. Italy to be featured as its official Partner Country. In 2010 the spotlight will be on industrial automation, energy, technology, industrial subcontracting and cutting-edge technologies.
Packaging Automation Forum
May 4, 2010
Location: Rosemont, IL, USA
Packaging Automation Forum features peer-to-peer education about how manufacturers and packagers can improve line performance by increasing productivity, flexibility and efficiency using today's controls and information technology. This popular conference provides a unique, focused learning and networking environment for packagers and manufacturers, packaging machine builders, OEMs and solution providers.
Montreal Manufacturing Technology Show
May 17, 2010 - May 19, 2010
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
MMTS allows side-by-side evaluations of equipment, accessories and supplies from machine tool manufacturers and distributors in Canada. MMTS also includes a factory automation focus including control systems, software and hardware, assembly technology and test/inspection. |
Browse more industry events on the Machine Control portal.
Add an event to our calendar. |
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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