Dear %%if(%%firstname%% is empty,Colleague,%%firstname%%)%%:
To receive the latest automation information, add enews@automation.com to your address book.
Read the online version if links don't work in this Motion Control, Motors & Drives Update. |
| |
August 2008 |
Sponsor: National Instruments |
Controlling the World's Largest Machine
.jpg)
To control the world's largest machine, the Large Hadron Collider, CERN engineers chose programmable automation controllers (PACs) based on NI LabVIEW and implemented a critical control system that synchronously positions more than 500 motion axes.
View the case study here
|
Sponsor: Bison Gear |
Ultra-low Maintentance Variable Speed Gearmotor
.jpg)
Looking for a variable speed gearmotor with virtually no maintenance? Bison's new 107 series Inverter Duty gearmotor rated at 1/20 hp @ 230V, 60 Hz and 3 phase may be just what you are looking for. Coupled with a variable frequency Bison drive the gearmotors are rated from 6 Hz to 90 Hz with a broad line of gear ratios. Input power is either 115V or 230V, 60/ 50 Hz for maximum flexibility.
Click here to learn more.
|
Live News Feed |
|
|
Visit our Portals |
Each Automation Portal organizes information by topics and includes articles, white papers, product announcements, application stories, company news, resources, literature, training, seminars, and events. |
|
| In this Issue |
|
Featured Articles
Resources & Literature
Application Stories
Featured Training
Product Announcements
Company News
Application News
Featured Events
|
| Featured Articles |
Rebuild or Buy New?
Control Design, August 2008
By Mark Lamendola
The three principal types of rebuild projects are, from least scope to greatest, an automation upgrade, a recondition/rebuild and repurposing an existing machine. Rebuilding can be an obvious alternative to buying a new machine, particularly if the need to physically replace the old one isn’t clear cut.
Architectures for Economical Motion
Machine Design, August 2008
By Chuck Lewin , Performance Motion Devices
Motion-control costs have more to do with what’s needed to hook up components than with the motor and controller. Too many connectors or the wrong style connector means more failures, higher manufacturing costs, and potential servicing headaches.
Torque Telemetry Goes Digital
Machine Design, August 2008
By Brian Duffy and Chris Novak, Honeywell Sensing and Control
If you haven’t taken a good look lately at torque-measurement technology, it may surprise you. Digital RF technology leads the way to more accurate noncontact measurement of torque.
Electronic Controls for Mobile Hydraulics
Machine Design, July 2008
By Andrew J. Smith and Brian Van Batavia, Eaton Hydraulics
As the mobile-equipment industry evolves toward more-sophisticated systems, it is integrating more electronics with traditional hydraulics. The trend of increasing electronic content in mobile applications has been apparent for years, but initial adoption has been somewhat slower than one would expect
Ford Mustang Assembly Employs CC-Link Network
IEN, July 2008
The AutoAlliance facility in Flat Rock, MI makes extensive use of CC-Link networking. CC-Link-controlled conveyors move car bodies through the numerous welding, assembly, and painting stations. The motors that power the conveyors throughout the facility are controlled by Mitsubishi VFD Drives, communicating via CC-Link.
|
| Browse these and more articles and white papers on the Motion Control, Motors & Drives portal. |
|
| Resources & Literature |
Danaher publishes Mechanical Motion Solutions brochure
Brochure provides an overview of the complete Thomson mechanical product portfolio, including rail linear guides, positioning slides, linear actuators, and more.
Omron STI publishes Machine Safety Engineering Guide
This 1500+ page two-volume set details Omron STI's complete family of machine and process safety solutions, and contains more than 225 pages of educational resource material.
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.
Confirmat improves specMotor electric motor selection site
Enhancements to specMotor site include interactive feasibility testing and request for quotations to multiple motor manufacturers.
Bison Gear enhances web site for international orders
BisonGear.com added order processing for 235 countries, dependencies and territories.
|
Browse these and more resources and literature on the Motion Control, Motors & Drives portal.
| | Application Stories |
|
Robotic dog carries loads faithfully
Eureka Magazine, July 2008
Boston Dynamics in the USA has developed an autonomous robotic dog for carrying loads over rough terrain. Able to run at 4mph, climb slopes up to 35 degrees, walk across rubble and carry a 154kg load, BigDog is powered by a petrol engine that pumps fluid into a hydraulic actuation system.
Dr Who Controlled by Trio Motion MC206X starter kit
Process & Control Today, July 2008
Windmill Studios provide exhibitions of props, costumes, monsters and creatures from the hit BBC TV show Dr Who, including animated, life-sized models of the TARDIS and other gadgets, plus monsters and villains such as the Daleks, Cybermen and the Slitheen. To automate the Daleks, Windmill used the Trio Motion MC206X motion control starter kit.
Sprint Electric 200XLV linear DC drive goes under water
Sonomatic uses the Sprint Electric 200XLV low voltage linear DC drive to improve the accuracy of their Nautilus scanner, a diver-deployed automated ultrasonic system that can operate in depths of up to 250 metres.
Retrofits Relieve Competitive Pressure
Automation World, July 2008
By James R. Koelsch
Davis-Standard, a builder of blow-molding machinery in Somerville, N.J., had to upgrade controls on winders. Rather than ripping out their old winders and spending between $1 million and $3 million for each new one, they brought their 20-year-old machines up to modern specifications for less than $30,000 with controls from Bosch.
VFDs Speed Up Wastewater Processing
Control, July 2008
By John O’Reilly and John Rowe, Schneider Electric
Combining closed-loop control with variable frequency drives for oxygen basin agitators makes for faster processing with lower energy consumption.
|
Browse these and more application stories on the Motion Control, Motors & Drives portal.
| | Featured Training |
How to Design IEC 61508-Compliant Hardware and Software
September 22-25, 2008 Natick, MA
Seminar covers safety engineering, IEC 61508 requirements, functional safety management, E/E/PES requirements, case studies, examples, and tools.
OPC Training Seminars
The OPC Foundation and its sponsoring members will host a series of eight one-day training seminars. These free seminars are tailored for end-users, systems integrators and OEMs, and are designed to cover the fundamentals of OPC including Servers, Clients, OPC Data Access, OPC Unified Architecture, Best Practices and Compliance.
Understanding Motion Control Systems - AIT Training Course MCS110
3-Day Course - This practical course introduces engineering concepts of motors and drives that can be easily understood by both engineers and technicians unfamiliar with the technology and not accustomed to complex theory and mathematics.
Basic Electrical Circuits and Controls - AIT Training Course ECM110
This 4-day course covers the basics needed to understand, troubleshoot, and maintain most machine components and control circuits that exist in today’s complex industrial automation systems.
|
Browse these and more training and seminar opportunities on the Motion Control, Motors & Drives portal.
| | Product Announcements |
_thumb.jpg) |
Bison Gear introduces VWDIR03 right angle gearmotor
VWDIR03 gearmotor operates on 115V AC, 60 or 50 Hz, or 115V DC and offers versatility in mounting, output shafts and speed control.
|
 |
ABB extends ACS350 Machinery Drives to 30 HP
The units have coated boards, and are suitable for machinery applications in food processing, material handling, textiles, printing, rubber and plastics, and other industries.
|
 |
AutomationDirect introduces IronHorse Worm Gearboxes
Constructed of cast iron one-piece housings, the worm gearboxes feature a C-flange input and carbon steel shaft with either right-hand or dual shaft output. Price: from $130.
|
| |
Siemens builds world's largest high speed variable frequency drive
Robicon Perfect Harmony 8 MW Variable Frequency Drive operates with an output frequency of 500 Hz, making it the world's largest high speed VFD.
|
| |
Applied Motion Products introduces SV Series Servo Drives
SV series programmable OEM servo drives make servo systems a realistic option in applications that have historically used stepper systems due to cost. |
| |
Browse these and more Product Announcements on the Motion Control, Motors & Drives portal.
Search all Products by keyword, category, manufacturer or release date. | | Company & Organizational News |
NI reports record revenue for Q2 2008
National Instruments reported record quarterly revenue of $210.5 million, up 17 percent in the second quarter of 2008.
ARC says High Power AC Drives Market to reach $9.7 billion in 2012
The worldwide market for High Power AC Drives is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.8% over the next five years.
ARC says CNC market to reach $7.7 Billion by 2012
The Computer Numerical Controls (CNC) market has simply exploded in the last two years lead by the surge in production of machine tools in the European and Asian markets.
Power transmission industry sees decline in sales
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA)says overall sales of PT/MC products declined 7.2 percent in May 2008 compared to April 2008.
Robotics experts wanted by the U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor seeks Robotics Experts to provide information relating to the occupation for use in the Occupational Information Network.
|
Browse these and more company and organizational news on the Motion Control, Motors & Drives portal. |
| Application News |
Water company in motor overhaul
Control Engineering Europe, July 2008
UK based South West Water hopes to increase efficiency and maximise asset life at its sites, over the next few years, as its replaces old and obsolete geared motors with Siemens units.
Vishay to install Rider Roll System in Canadian Paper Mill
The Rider Roll System, to be delivered to NewPage's Port Hawkesbury mill, will use strain gage-based load cells to control the winding process of finished rolls.
ABB supplies controls for 1000 Intersolar solar trackers
ABB's PLCs will control ABB variable speed drives, which orientate the photovoltaic modules across two axes to achieve maximum exposure to the sun throughout the day.
Lebedyansky installs Elettric 80 automation system
Process & Control Today, June 2008
Lebedyansky, the largest natural juice producer in Eastern Europe, ordered Freeway, a complete end-of-line automation solution, for its production and storage facility in Lebedyan, Russia. Elettric 80 will supply ten single line Eagle palletising robots, two Laser Guided Vehicles (LGVs) with a four pallet capacity, and two stretch wrappers.
Heason supplies position systems for ISIS facility
Process & Control Today, June 2008
ISIS uses neutron scattering as a non-destructive tool that can penetrate and reveal the molecular structure of materials using beams of neutrons and incredibly sensitive detectors. ISIS awarded a contract to Heason Technology to provide neutron beam modifying Jaw Packages for the Wish and nimrod instruments on its new Second Target Station.
|
| Browse these and more application news on the Motion Control, Motors & Drives portal. |
| Featured Events |
International Manufacturing Technology Show
September 8-13, 2008 Chicago, IL
The largest and longest running manufacturing technology trade show in the United States, IMTS is ranked among the largest trade shows in the world. IMTS attracts over 90,000 visitors from every level of industry and over 40 countries.
The Exhibition for Processing and Packaging Machinery
September 30 to October 2, 2008 Birmingham, UK
The PPMA Show is the UK’s annual showcase for processing and packaging machinery. The exhibition provides the best opportunity to source, evaluate and purchase machinery, equipment and ancillary products & services for all your processing & packaging requirements.
Machine Safety Conference
September 30, 2008 Midlands, UK
Attendees will be afforded a comprehensive overview of machinery safety issues in the light of current and forthcoming standards, and will learn about their practical application through case studies. Delegates will also have the opportunity to discuss technologies and applications with organisations participating in the seminars and to browse the integrated exhibition.
ISA Expo
October 14-16, 2008 Houston, Texas
Organized around six core automation and control themes, ISA EXPO 2007 provides attendees a content-rich environment that offers unlimited opportunity for exploration of key technologies, professional growth, and interaction with like minded professionals.
|
Browse more industry events on the Motion Control, Motors & Drives portal.
Add an event to our calendar. |
I hope you enjoyed this Motion Control, Motors & Drives 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 View our Privacy Policy For editorial inquiries, please contact Rick Zabel
For advertising inquiries, please contact Karen Olson or see our Media Kit. |
|
|
