Articles and News

By Bill Lydon, Editor, Automation.com Digitalization and education were once again at the forefront of the 11th annual Manufacturing in America. Held March 14-15 at Ford Field in Detroit, MI, the summit also saw discussions on the role of blockchain technology, and also provided ideas and solutions to help manufacturing companies to achieve operational excellence.

By H2W Technologies A voice coil actuator, also known as a non-commutated DC linear actuator, is a type of direct drive linear motor. Voice coil actuators are typically used in focusing applications, oscillatory systems, mirror tilting, and miniature position control.

The Kaspersky Lab report, “Threat Landscape for Industrial Automation Systems in H2 2017,” also found that for all other industries (manufacturing, transportation, utilities, food, healthcare, etc.) the proportion of ICS computers attacked ranged from 26 percent to 30 percent on average. The vast majority of detected attacks were accidental hits.

Finland-based Orfer Oy needed to automate to speed up its packaging operations. With this in mind, Orfer standardized on the Toshiba Machine TH650A high-speed SCARA robot for the BoxCellPlus.

Turck’s production facility in Mexico has nearly doubled, as 65,000 square feet were added. Six new work cells and new equipment will help to accelerate the manufacturing of customer orders. In the U.S., Turck has added 38,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space near its Plymouth, Minnesota, headquarters.

This will serve as the company’s technology showcase, including engineering and assembly of the Autocraft Autonomous Guided Vehicles, as well as an additive manufacturing (3D printing) laboratory.

From April 23-27, 2018, HANNOVER MESSE and CeMAT will run concurrently with a particular emphasis on integration in supply chain and manufacturing. The theme -'Integrated Industry – Connect & Collaborate' - encompasses the range of Industry 4.0 technology, thinking, and creative applications

By John Mitchell, CP Automation European manufacturers are estimated to spend over €400 Billion every year on maintenance activities. This article discusses the issues that stop manufacturers cutting costs and improving productivity – the essence of lean manufacturing.

This guide covers general-purpose synchronous motors without excited rotor windings, and provides design metrics for polyphase alternating-current permanent magnet motors rated 500 horsepower and less.

The project is backed by Future French Champions, the partnership between CDC International Capital and Qatar Investment Authority, which will own 32% of B2A Technology’s share capital alongside key executives, managers and employees.

The CNC Quick Tip videos provide answers to frequently asked questions about various CNC functions. The first videos in the series address the layout of Mitsubishi controls, customizing counters on the monitor page, and performing a program search using an SD card, memory or HDD.

With this new certification, EDC has established itself as a strategic solution partner and system integrator focused on helping manufacturers with obsolete drive and control technology to automate manual processes and upgrade aging equipment.

The Siemens portfolio ranging from production planning and engineering software to automation and drive technology, including industrial communication networks and cloud-based solutions is designed to optimize battery production

A joint working group between OPC Foundation and FieldComm Group, tasked with developing a protocol independent companion specification for process automation devices, was formed in late 2017.

By Ramona Schindler, Siemens Industry, Inc. With the machine tool industry in flux currently, as it seeks to find its way into the digital world, the entire process chain necessitates the integration of suppliers who can respond to the needs of the industry.

In an effort to better serve customers, Ascent is consolidating the engineering teams from its longstanding Michigan businesses, Global Tooling Systems, Odyssey Industries, Brown Aerospace and Ascent Integration – North America into an Engineering Center of Excellence at its Macomb campus.

The office is located in Arlington, WA, part of the Seattle Metropolitan area. PDS provides full service precision spindle sales and service for CNC routers, milling machines and robotic units.

Once the students build a robot, their teams will participate in one or more of the global 158 regional and district events that measure the effectiveness of each robot, the power of collaboration, and the determination of students. The competition culminates at the 2018 FIRST Championship, 18-21 April in Houston, Texas and 25-28 April in Detroit, Michigan.

Searching for unique, creative, and innovative uses of energy chain cable carriers, three winners will be announced with prizes up to €5000 at the upcoming Hannover Messe trade fair in Germany.

Products covered in this catalog use PI’s in-house designed and manufactured Mars Rover-tested piezo ceramic actuators as their drive principle.