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| Featured Articles |
Tips and Tricks for Legacy Hardware
Control Design, January 2010
By Danny Budzinski
Finding information on old industrial hardware isn't easy. There are dozens of legacy brands out there, but chances are that if you have something really old, it was made by Allen-Bradley, GE, Modicon, Omron or Siemens. But even if something is labeled as a Modicon, you might actually have to go somewhere completely different to find the support you need.
Striking Ideas
Control Design, January 2010
By Jim Montague
Innovations that industrial OEMs bring to new generations of machine automation often ignite customer expectations for even more performance. Here’s some of the new innovations in machine controls.
Significant Financial Gains Come with Upgrading an Aging Control System to More Modern Technology
Automation.com, December 2010
By upgrading aging control systems, manufacturers and processing companies are optimizing production flow and enjoying significant gains in productivity and ROI on their control system investments.
Position Encoder Deep Dive
Automation.com, December 2010
By Chuck Lewin, Performance Motion Devices
This article provides a survey of encoder types and the just-as-important subject of data formats that are used to carry and encode position information.
New robotic safeguarding solutions make safety PLCs unnecessary
Process and Control Engineering, November 2010
By Kevin Gomez
Manufacturers are changing the way they evaluate and deploy robot safeguarding systems. The latest approach is to base the safeguarding strategy on a task and associated hazard analysis and implement the safeguards in robotic programmable safety systems (RPSS), rather than in separate safety PLCs.
Browse more articles on the Machine Control portal. |
| Product Announcements |
_thumb.jpg) Nexen announces RLSS Series Generation 2 Rod Locks
The spring-engaged, air-released rod locks deliver reliable holding forces up to 5000 lb with very low backlash.
_thumb.jpg) SICK announces Tough W9-3 photoelectric sensor
W9-3 uses VISTAL plastic that makes the sensor as tough as nails. The material is 9x stronger than standard ABS, creating a sensor that is nearly unbreakable.
_thumb.jpg) HMS introduces EtherNet/IP and CANopen Anybus X-gateway
X-gateway enables system integrators to easily transfer I/O data between automation devices on EtherNet/IP and CANopen.
Other Product Announcements
Browse more Product Announcements on the Machine Control portal.
Search all Products by keyword, category, manufacturer or release date. |
| Resources |
Omegamation Complete Automation Handbook
The handbook offers detailed information, technical reference and specifications on thousands of products including Wireless Devices, HMI, Motion and Pneumatics, Relays and Timers, Wire Connection, Power Products, PLCs, Control Modules, Limit Switches, Drives and Motors, Photo Sensors, Process and Proximity Sensors, Pushbuttons and Stack Lights, Enclosures, and much more.
AMCI opens Web Store for Resolvers and Encoders
Web store is a direct online source for purchasing size 11 resolvers and size 15 magnetic encoders.
Guidelines for Safe Machinery
By SICK
Six steps to a safe machine. Your guide through the jungle of North American safety standards. This new guide leads you step by step through the process of designing a safe machine.
Banner publishes Interactive Catalog
The interactive catalog is sectioned identically to the print version, combining comprehensive and easy-to-reference product data with the convenience of online search capabilities.
Piezo Mechanisms Catalog
The 400-page catalog presents PI’s complete spectrum of piezomechanic components and motion systems.
Browse more resources on the Machine Control portal. |
| Application Stories |
Baldor controls conformal coating machine
Baldor's real-time Ethernet motion control system helped Advanced Coating Robotics create a conformal coating machine that combines three-dimensional spraying accuracy with high throughput.
Motors save energy on world’s largest paper making machine
Process and Control Today, February 2011
WEG high efficiency motors are providing up to 30% savings in energy on the operation of the largest and most sophisticated paper making machine in the world for producing high quality paper.
Upgrade at Everaz Highveld Steel
South Africa Instrumentation & Control, January 2011
Control Techniques upgraded M/C4, a continuous casting machine at Evraz Highveld Steel in Mpumalanga, South Africa. All of the switchgear had become obsolete causing major maintenance problems. The decision was taken to switch to AC control and a Modicon PLC.
Technology prevents bearing failure at a steel mill
Plant Services, December 2010
NUCOR Steel Arkansas installed Azima DLI’s 1600 network-based temperature monitoring technology to all 16 bearings in the gearboxes driving the F1 and F2 mill stands. The system immediately identified two anomalous bearing temperatures that were well above expected limits due to excessive mill loads and speeds.
PROFIsafe increases throughput at Auto Plant
Chery Automobile China upgrades its transfer press line and increases throughput by adopting state-of-the-art safety systems using PROFINET with integrated PROFIsafe.
Browse more application stories on the Machine Control portal. |
| White Papers |
SERCOS Energy
By Jan Schlechtendahl
Using intelligent controls, axes and components that are not necessary in current production processes can be switched off. Especially with flexible production, the energy saving that can be achieved via SERCOS Energy is enormous.
Machine Safety Design: Safety Relays Versus a Single Safety Controller
By Phoenix Contact
There comes a point in machine safety design when the designer needs to decide if it makes more sense to use multiple safety relays or to upgrade to a safety controller. This white paper focuses on some of the issues that designers must consider when determining whether a safety relay or a safety controller is the best solution for a particular job.
Browse more white papers on the Machine Control portal. |
| Company & Organizational News |
Okuma creates Technology Group
The Technology Group allows an increased emphasis on the THINC-OSP control, the formation of Technology Partnerships and the use of the Partners in THINC and Okuma Tech Center facilities.
Manufacturing technology consumption up 85% in 2010
With a year-to-date total of $3,236.00 million, 2010 is up 85.3% compared with 2009.
SERCOS celebrates 25th Anniversary
As a universal and open automation bus, SERCOS combines powerful motion and logic applications with current safety concepts and a broad range of peripherals.
Laser Design becomes Reseller of Renishaw Products
Laser Design will resell Renishaw multi-axis motorized and manual heads and touch-trigger measurement probe systems for CMMs.
Machine Safeguarding Trounced in Global Recession
ARC says the worldwide market for Machine Safeguarding Solutions declined in 2009, but a strong rebound has begun in the second half of 2010.
Browse more company and organizational news on the Machine Control portal. |
| Featured Training |
Principles of Web Handling
February 23, 2011
Location: Charlotte, NC, USA
This seminar focuses on the fundamentals and process know-how needed to handle any web handling issue. From exploring the theoretical to understanding practical applications, participants will be able to diagnose and treat existing problems and also accurately identify the specifications needed for new webs.
Web Seminar: Cyber Security Risk Assessment for Automation Systems
March 30, 2011
2:30 PM - (GMT -5:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada), Bogota, Lima Time Zone
This seminar introduces you to the concepts of risk analysis and how they are applied to industrial manufacturing and control systems. This seminar is also valuable for IT professionals who wish to learn the special considerations of automation systems in performing risk analysis.
PLC/PAC Automation: Advanced System Integration, Programming & Design
June 6, 2011 - June 10, 2011
Location: Houston, TX, USA
This course defines Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and Process Automation Controllers (PAC) architecture, configuration, and programming from out-of-the-box to actual installation.
CoDeSys Users‘ Conference Schedule
IEC 61131-3 training events in Germany, Italy, Russia, Sweden, the Netherlands, Switzerland and China are on this year’s schedule, which runs from March to November.
SERCOS III for Motion Control Webinars
This series explores the latest Ethernet-based SERCOS III advances, including safety, I/O and programming tools, plus practical applications.
Browse more training and seminar opportunities on the Machine Control portal. |
| Featured Events |
Motor, Drive & Automation Systems 2011
March 1, 2011 - March 2, 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX, United States
Motor, Drive & Automation Systems 2011 is an industry-leading conference focused on the latest economic trends and technical advancements impacting motor, drive and automation systems. Join peers and potential business partners and discover how new technologies are improving performance, energy efficiency and providing cost savings in a variety of applications.
Electrotech EURASIA
March 17, 2011 - March 20, 2011
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Energy, Electric and Electronic Technologies Fair
Automate 2011
March 21, 2011 - March 24, 2011
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Formerly the International Robots, Vision & Motion Control Show, Automate now showcases the full spectrum of automation technologies and solutions. It’s held just once every two years, so be sure to take advantage of this great opportunity to find the right solutions to meet your automation challenges.
Hannover Messe 2011
April 4, 2011 - April 8, 2011
Location: Hannover, Germany
With its line-up of 13 leading international trade shows, HANNOVER MESSE 2011 will be at full strength and will underline its global importance as a showcase for tomorrow's technologies and ideas. No other event presents as many ground-breaking innovations and integrated solutions. France is the partner country for 2011.
AUTOMATICON
April 5, 2011 - April 8, 2011
Location: Warsaw, Poland
AUTOMATICON is the most important trade fair for automation, control, measurement and robotics in Poland. The Fair is always accompanied by series of seminars, lectures and presentations which attract hundreds of specialists from all over the country.
Browse more industry events on the Machine Control portal.
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