Featured Articles:
-Simulating for Mechatronics
-Decisive factors guide motion control solutions for semiconductor manufacturing
-How Many Axes Does Anybody Really Need?; and more

Resources & Literature:
-AC Drives, Stepper, and Servo Applications forum
-Latest Version of EMC2 Available for free download
-Evaluation Kits Jump Start Motor Applications; and more

Application Stories:
-Mechatronics Meets Kinetic Architecture for Arizona Cardinals Stadium
-Custom Submersible Motor Assembly Makes Waves
-Motion Control Meets Medical Imaging; and more

Featured Training:
-Motion Movies
-National Robot Safety Conference
-FKI Logistex launches Graduate Engineer Training Program; and more

Product Announcements:
-AutomationDirect introduces HPS Control Transformers
-TURCK announces DeviceNet Drive Interface station
-NI releases LabVIEW 8.5 for Machine Control; and more

Company News:
-Danaher Motion ships 300,000th SynqNet Axis
-Misumi USA names Masanori Suzuki president
-ARC predicts Motion Control Systems Market to Reach $7.8 Billion; and more

Application News:
-Siemens to supply Baggage Handling Systems at LAX
-Rexroth Servos Help Bandage Packaging Line Boost Speed, Improve Flexibility
-Rexroth Control System Helps Semicon Machine Shatter Production Speed Records; and more

Featured Events:
-National Manufacturing Week
-Global Packaging Forum
-SMMA 2007 Fall Technical Conference; and more

Simulating for Mechatronics
Machine Design, August 2007
By Brian MacCleery, National Instruments
Modern simulation software lets engineers spot electromechanical problems long before they get to the stage of real hardware. An ideal system for virtual machine prototyping should account for the dynamics of mechanical transmissions and payloads, electrical motors and drives, and such embedded control-software tasks as motion trajectories and PID tuning.

Decisive factors guide motion control solutions for semiconductor manufacturing
By Bosch Rexroth
Now that the semiconductor industry has transitioned from “laboratory”-style manufacture to industrial-scale production, improving machine motion control offers opportunities for competitive differentiation and controlling the high cost of ownership — particularly for high performance, multi-axis, high throughput machines.

How Many Axes Does Anybody Really Need?
American Machinist, August 2007
By Bruce Vernyi
Are we approaching the point at which the number of axes available on a machine exceeds the number that are really useable? Are we at the point at which another set of axes is just another gadget?

Virtually perfected
Motion System Design, August 2007
By Elisabeth Eitel
Simulating moving designs is easier and more useful than ever. Kinematics software makes building models infinitely easier. Increased connectivity is even allowing the placement of specific component profiles into models, and VRML and OpenHSF web viewing.

Driving towards a better future
White Paper by ABB Low Voltage Drives
With an estimated 65% of industrial electrical energy used by electric motors, it is no wonder that major users in industry increasingly see energy reduction as a key to improving their profitability and competitiveness. Because variable-speed drives reduce energy consumption while increasing productivity, they can, depending on the application, pay for themselves within a few months.

Browse more articles and white papers on the portal.

AC Drives, Stepper, and Servo Applications forum
Automation Direct Web forum contains discussions of motion control topics such as conveyors, steppers, servo motor specs, contactors, terminations, communication problems and more.

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.

Evaluation Kits Jump Start Motor Applications
Design News, August 2007
By Jon Titus, Contributing Editor
To help engineers get a solid start on a design, some suppliers offer evaluation or development kits that include a test motor, a controller, a driver and software. To see what manufacturers offer, Design News tested three motor kits and examined a demonstration of two small piezoelectric motors.

Danaher introduces Web-based linear motion sizing and selection tool
MOTIONEERING enables OEM and factory automation users to optimize slide table applications in five simple steps.

Physik Instrumente releases Ultrasonic Piezo Motor brochure
The brochure describes piezo motor systems, ranging from pen-tip sized miniature actuators to large aperture multiaxis translation stages.

Rockwell Automation explains ROI of Safety Programs
White paper outlines the long-term financial benefits of integrating machine safety programs as a form of insurance against potential risks.

Browse more resources and literature on the portal.

Mechatronics Meets Kinetic Architecture for Arizona Cardinals Stadium
Design News, August 2007
At Cardinals Stadium Uni-Systems engineers devised a patented cable-driven system for safely transporting the roof panels along a sloped path. Key elements in the system include: ABB ACS800 drives, ProfiBus, GE Fanuc VersaMax I/O and Series 9030 PLCs, and Turck proximity switches and encoders.

Custom Submersible Motor Assembly Makes Waves
Control Engineering, August 2007
By Rick Halstead, Empire Magnetics
One of Empire’s custom motor gearbox assemblies made its way into show business as an unnoticed yet essential co-star in “O” by Cirque du Soleil at Bellagio in Las Vegas, NV.

Motion Control Meets Medical Imaging  
Control Engineering, August 2007
By Kevin Steele, Bosch Rexroth
Medical imaging OEMs are turning to motion control platforms that help control costs, streamline production, and deliver high-quality clinical images.

Paper mill combines ac and dc drives to reach upgrade goals
Control Engineering, August 2007
By Jeremy Nighan, ABB, Low Voltage Drives
A paper mill decided to rebuild its slitter-rewinder, and incorporate the latest technology. The goal was to improve roll quality, increase machine speed, and eliminate costly shutdowns.

Should We Switch to Servos?
Control Design, August 2007
In this installment of The Answer column, a reader learns that to achieve accurate positioning using steppers in machine centers they now need to operate more slowly, but are there advantages in changing to AC servos?

Browse more application stories on the portal.

Motion Movies
Automation Direct videos include a four-part series on selecting ac drives, and a two-part series on using servo motors.

National Robot Safety Conference
October 1-4, 2007 Indianapolis, IN
From robots to machine tools, the 19th annual National Robot Safety Conference is a comprehensive training resource for your automation safety concerns.

FKI Logistex launches Graduate Engineer Training Program  
The one-year program introduces mechanical and electrical engineering graduates to various engineering disciplines in material handling.

Motion Control Problem Identification And Proposal Process
October 22-24, 2007 Nashville, Tennessee
This course is a hands on experience guided by the seminar leaders jointly applying proven basic concepts and procedures, in a team setting for the purpose of identifying the real problem, evaluating alternative technical solutions and preparing a technical proposal which, will be critiqued by the team.

Closing the Loop
October 22-24, 2007 Nashville, Tennessee
Precision Motion Control utilizes mathematical/logical algorithms in three key areas: trajectory generation, feedback control, and motor phase communication. This course covers the key issues in designing or evaluating these algorithms.

Introduction to Motion Control
October 22-24, 2007 Nashville, Tennessee
Review the basic building blocks and design tools required to implement motion control systems. Performance and specification limitations, environmental/safety considerations, and economic factors that impact the selection of electro hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical technologies are reviewed.

Browse more training and seminar opportunities on the portal.

• Walther Prazision introduces Type 91489 tool changer for robots
• Rockwell Automation introduces MP-Series Linear Stages
• ADLINK releases PCI-8174 motion control card
• Physik Instrumente introduces tiny M-122 translation stage
• Parker Hannifin releases AC890PX modular AC drive
• Misumi releases single-axis actuators
• Fulton releases Vacuum Roll Assembly Wrinkle Remover
• Phoenix Contact upgrades Steeplechase VLC
• ifm efector iIntroduces O4 Series photoelectrics
• FKI Logistex introduces UniSort MXT software
• Vista announces robot-guided thread verification unit
• SMC releases Series VFD direct operated poppet valve
• Parker Automation expands Trilogy positioners
• Physik Instrumente introduces XYZ Piezo Positioning stage
• SKF introduces miniature slides for linear motion
• NKE Austria offers electrically insulated rolling bearings
• Ruland releases stepped bore rigid couplings

Browse more Product Announcements on the portal.

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

Danaher Motion ships 300,000th SynqNet Axis  
Since SynqNet’s introduction in 2003, more than 303,000 axes have been installed worldwide, making it one of the fastest growing motion networks available today.

Misumi USA names Masanori Suzuki president  
Suzuki was formerly the General Manager of the Strategic Planning Department for Misumi in Japan, the parent company of Misumi USA.

ARC predicts Motion Control Systems Market to Reach $7.8 Billion  
The worldwide market for GMC systems is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.0% over the next five years.

Omron appoints Gregg Holst President and COO  
He assumes the position immediately, filling a 10-month-long vacancy created by the death of the previous COO and President.

Automation Tooling Systems appoints two presidents  
James Rowan will join the Company as President and COO of Automation Systems Group. Bruce Seeley is assuming the newly-created role of ASG President, Europe and Asia.

Browse more company and organizational news on the portal.

Siemens to supply Baggage Handling Systems at LAX
The $61.9 million contract is for construction of a 100% inline baggage screening system in three terminals at Los Angeles International Airport.

Rexroth Servos Help Bandage Packaging Line Boost Speed, Improve Flexibility
Design World On Line, August 2007
Rexroth controller, drives, motors, HMI and motion profile make faster production speeds stick at Aso bandage company, giving them more productivity on the packaging line and allowing them to remove an entire machine in the process.

Rexroth Control System Helps Semicon Machine Shatter Production Speed Records
Design World On Line, August 2007
To help set a production record, the new ST-868 machine has dozens of motors and several hundred digital I/O points. It uses a FirePoint IEEE 1394 motion control solution from Bosch Rexroth.

Lenze Delivers Servo and AC Drive Solution For Corrugated Board Printing Machine
Process and Control Today, August 2007
By John Houston, Editor
PLCs plus Lenze PositionServo drives, servomotors and smd Series AC inverter drives are used on a corrugated board printing machine. Used to change the height, position and pressure of the print feed rollers, the movement is relatively simple but requires fast dynamic response and high precision.

ABB's System 800xA helps Alunorte Brazil boost production by 75%
The entire alumina refinery – including all five production lines, the material handling systems and harbor – is controlled, monitored and optimized by ABB automation systems.

National Manufacturing Week
September 24-27, Rosemont, IL
Four shows in one: Design Engineering, Enterprise IT, Plant Engineering & Maintenance, and Industrial Automation.

Global Packaging Forum
October 12, 2007 Las Vegas, NV
The Forum, which immediately precedes Pack Expo, will explore the future trends and benefits of robotic automation in the packaging industry.

SMMA 2007 Fall Technical Conference
October 10-12, 2007 Louisville, Kentucky
Covers new technologies for motors & drives, new materials, and design, simulation and testing. Sponsored by Small Motor Manufacturing Assn.

RoboDevelopment Conference and Exposition
October 25-26, 2007 San Jose, CA
CoroWare has joined the RoboDevelopment Conference and Exposition, the technical design and development event for mobile robotics and intelligent systems industry, as a Gold Sponsor.

15th Annual Robotics Industry Forum
November 7-9, 2007 Orlando, FL
Conference and exhibit

Rockwell Automation Fair to be held in Chicago
November 13-15, 2007 Chicago, Illinois
Rockwell Automation will host the 16th annual Automation Fair, a free forum with more than 100 exhibitors and 10,000 attendees from around world.

Rick Zabel
Vice President, Publisher
Automation.com

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