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Read the online version if links don't work in this Machine Control Update. |
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January 2010 |
Sponsor: Beckhoff |
Beyond Automation: Scientific Automation
Scientific Automation from Beckhoff enhances conventional areas of control such as PLC and motion control by adding ultra precise, high speed measurement technology with one powerful PC-based controller. Inexpensive EtherCAT® I/O terminals complete the solution with integrated measurement and condition monitoring functionality.
Click here for more information
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Sponsor: Bosch Rexroth |
Rexroth IndraLogic. For better machines, faster
For machine builders, IndraLogic PACs and PLCs reduce your engineering time and cost, so you can build machines faster and lower production costs. With reusable code, scaleable architecture, and a unified programming platform, you can design competitive improvements on all your machines quickly and easily, while enhancing machine reliability and ease-of-use.
Click here for more information
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| Featured Articles |
New ways to keep track of shaft positions
Control Engineering Europe, November 2009
By Mike Babb
Encoders are beginning to shed some of their older mechanical parts, such as gears, and take on new technologies such as AMR (Anisotropic-Magneto-Resistive effect) which has been used in computer disc drives for some time. Applications in extremely harsh industrial and outdoor environments appear to be the current goal of these new products.
Vision and Motion: Better Together, Part I
Machine Vision OnLine, November 2009
By Kristin Lewotsky
As applications have become more demanding and the sophistication of hardware and software rises, implementations have gone from completely uncoupled systems in which motion serves vision, to tightly coupled combinations in which vision serves motion. Ultimately, the application drives the choice of hardware, software, and architecture.
Robotic Simulation and Off-line Programming
Robotics Online, November 2009
By Bennett Brumson, Robotic Industries Association
Robotic simulation and off-line programming (OLP) are powerful tools for saving integrators and end-users time and money when designing a work cell. The ability to analyze how a work cell will behave before investing time and money on equipment makes for a smoother transition from concept to reality.
Automated Assembly: Make or Buy?
Assembly, November 2009
By John Wirtz
The answer to the make or buy question typically depends on factors such as time constraints, the size and structure of the manufacturer and its engineering department, the assembly application and the type of machine. And, a decision to use a machine builder or systems integrator one time doesn’t mean that a company shouldn’t build a machine in-house for its next project.
Engineers Improve Uptime With Real-time Data
Automation World, November 2009
By Alex Anderson
Getting the facts directly from the machine leads engineers to the real causes of downtime and helps them keep machines running productively.
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| ISA Products & Services |
Solutions for Automation Professionals
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| Product Announcements |
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| Other Product Announcements
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Search all Products by keyword, category, manufacturer or release date. |
| Application Stories |
Actuators Help Weld Wind Turbine Towers
By Bosch-Rexroth
AMET used Rexroth CKK ball screw actuators in a custom welding system for wind turbine tower builders. The system performs accurate longitudinal and circumferential submerged arc welding on towers 90 meters high.
Embedded PCs Keep Drilling Machines on Budget
Control Engineering, October 2009
Kays Engineering uses Beckhoff embedded PCs, Ethernet controllers, TwinCAT software and EtherCAT servo drives to control its DeHoff gun drilling machines.
PLC System Guides Cylinder Assembly
Assembly, November 2009
Alfing Montagetechnik in Germany built an automated cylinder head assembly machine for one of its automotive customers, using an IndraLogic CML40 programmable logic controller from Bosch Rexroth. The finished system consists of two lines working in parallel. It can complete a finished workpiece every 30 seconds.
Machine Builder Saves With AS-interface
Automation World, November 2009
Automacad Concrete in Canada builds concrete splitters that once had more than 300 wires connected from the skid to the main control panel, leading to wire bundles that were cumbersome and unsightly. The wire bundle was replaced with AS-Interface from ifm efector.
Synchronised drives help give a train a lift during maintenance
Design Engineering News, October 2009
By Katie Williams
One of the most powerful lifting systems in the world has been installed by the SNCF at its new East European Technicentre. A synchronised lifting line can lift a complete TGV train - some 200 metres long and weighing 386 tonnes - in just 10 minutes to an accuracy of a millimetre, thus allowing maintenance of the running gear.
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| White Papers |
Tuning the Forgotten Loop
By Steve Rubin, Longwatch
The “forgotten loop” has been the operator, who is typically trained to “average” parameters to run adequately under most steady-state conditions. “Advanced tuning” of the operator could yield even better outputs, with higher quality, fewer errors and a wider response to fluctuating operating conditions. This paper explores the issue of improving operator actions, and a method for doing so.
Six Sigma: What? Why? How?
By Dataforth
Six Sigma uses statistical analysis to quantitatively measure how a process is performing. That process can involve manufacturing, business practices, products, or service. To be defined as Six Sigma means that the process does not produce more than 3.4 defects per million opportunities (DPMO) – which translates to 99.9997% efficiency.
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| Featured Training |
Understanding the new machine directive
January 20, 2010 Dublin, Ireland
The standard DIN EN 954-1 has been replaced by the new ISO 13 849-1. This means that in future you must define a Performance Level and Diagnostic Coverage for your machine. This one day training gives an overview of the key aspects and implications of the Machine Directive. Price: €350,00.
Motor, Drive & Automation Systems 2010
January 28-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
This annual conference will feature more than 25 presentations on new motors, drives & automation systems, power electronics and improving system performance, reliability and efficiency.
International Market Access Seminar
February 10, 2010 Montclair, NJ
Department of Commerce and TÜVRheinland will provide an overview of the Global Regulatory Approvals Process and review potential roadblocks. Price: $99.
Mechanical Components E-Learning Course
PMMI introduces "Basic Mechanical Components," an online self-study course to help operators, mechanics and technicians identify and care for all types of basic mechanical components.
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| Company & Organizational News |
Economic outlook for manufacturing sector in 2010
In general terms, FMA says 2010 will be better than 2009. GDP growth will be in the range of 2% to 3% and that is far superior to the negative numbers registered in the last year.
GE and FANUC finalize their divorce
The two companies signed the final agreement and will now operate independently as GE Intelligent Platforms and FANUC LTD.
Automation Systems Market is coming back very slowly
ARC says the short term forecast for discrete automation systems looks bleak, but moderate market growth is expected five years from now. China and India are doing well, of course.
25 Years of PC-Based Control
At the 1984 ISA Show, 25 years ago, Intellution introduced The Fix, the first configurable PC-based HMI/SCADA software program. Process control and automation changed forever.
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Browse more company and organizational news on the Machine Control portal. |
| Project News |
Honeywell to supply controllers to Toyota Motor Europe
Toyota will use the HC900 hybrid controller to optimize air supply units and deliver greater energy-efficient temperature and humidity control within paint finishing spray booths.
Honeywell to control printing of the Wall Street Journal
Honeywell will upgrade printing press controls at NYP, printer of the New York Post and The Wall Street Journal.
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| Featured Events |
HazardEx 2010
February 24-25, 2010 Harrogate, UK
The comprehensive two day conference will give everyone involved in safety for engineering plant, insight and case study examples of how peers have executed safety programmes in their facilities. As always the programme will provide detailed standards/legislation updates directly from those involved in the process of creating them
WESTEC 2010
March 23-25, 2010
WESTEC offers expert demonstrations of the latest technologies and applications by more than 450 international exhibitors. These exhibitors are ready with the advanced machine tools, cutting tools and accessories, applications, emerging technologies, and business resources that keep manufacturing on the move.
India Packaging Show
April 9-12, 2010 Hyderabad, India
The show will bring together manufacturers and providers of machinery, materials and services for food, pharma and packaging industry from India and neighboring countries
RAPID 2010 Conference & Exposition
May 18-20, 2010 Anaheim, CA
Event brings buyers, sellers and end-users of design, prototyping, tooling, and direct manufacturing technologies together in an environment that facilitates networking and business.
EASTEC 2010
May 25-27, 2010 W. Springfield, MA
EASTEC goes beyond a “machine tool show.” Whether it’s lean principles, green technologies, or expansion industries, EASTEC is a platform for strategies that keep manufacturing vibrant.
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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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