We’ll show you how to achieve smooth motion with the right technology

We’ll show you how to achieve smooth motion with the right technology

A successful program depends on efficient prototyping, cost-effective production, and reliable supply.

Here’s how you can claim the lead in the new space race

Reliable motion helps ensure the safety and success of your mission

By Michael Kendall Detecting metallic (ferrous) objects is a common application in many industries, including manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace. Inductive sensors are a popular choice for detecting metallic objects because they are reliable, durable, and cost-effective. Detecting a metallic object, however, is not always as simple as it seems, especially if you need to differentiate…

By Kyle Bause Ingress Protection (IP) ratings, developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), are a standardized measure for manufacturers to specify and understand the level of protection that an enclosure offers against the intrusion of solid objects and liquids. It helps customers understand the suitability of a product for its intended use. There are…

When Ready Systems of Burlington, Ontario, Canada was looking for a replacement for their DeviceNet network architecture, they turned to long-time partner Balluff to investigate possible Ethernet control architectures. While they also provide complex material handling and robotics systems, Ready Systems is most well-known for pallet-based assembly line conveyor systems for the automotive seating industry.…

By Mark Bakke Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is a critical metric for measuring the efficiency of manufacturing operations. It considers three factors – availability, performance, and quality – to determine the effective use of equipment. Where do we focus to win the biggest improvements? To improve OEE, it’s important to focus on these five key…

By Logan Welch Water is everywhere, in most things living and not, and the amount of this precious resource is always important. The simplest form of monitoring water is if it is there or not. In your body, you feel the effects of dehydration, in your car the motor overheats, and on your lawn, you…

FORTiS™ is the new enclosed encoder that enables machine tool builders to improve machine tool performance and increase uptime while enhancing the efficiency of assembly, maintenance, and servicing. The innovative FORTiS enclosed linear absolute encoder series is designed for use in harsh environments such as machine tools. It can also be used in functional safety applications up…

By Matt Mowry When I first started working in technical sales for igus® back in the year 2000, we had three series of linear slides: drylin R, drylin T, and drylin N. drylin R and T were dimensionally similar to the round-shaft and profile guides that already existed within the industrial marketplace at the time—of course, our parts were made…

Founded in 1996, CS Hyde can be considered part of the millennial generation or part of the “internet age”. In the past 25 years digital transformation has changed the industry dramatically from prioritizing phone calls, to follow up emails, and now fighting for positioning within a search engine. Ecommerce has influenced the way we purchase…

By Anjesh Shekhar Machine learning can help organizations improve manufacturing operations and increase efficiency, productivity, and safety by analyzing data from connected machines and sensors, machine. For example, its algorithms can predict when equipment will likely fail, so manufacturers can schedule maintenance before problems occur, thereby reducing downtime and repair costs. How machine learning works…

By Frantisek (Frank) Jakubec Embedded vision is a rapidly growing field that combines computer vision and embedded systems with cameras or other imaging sensors, enabling devices to interpret and understand the visual world around them – as humans do. This technology, with broad applications, is expected to revolutionize how we interact with technology and the…

By Tom Knauer The P-F curve is often mentioned in condition monitoring and predictive maintenance discussions. “P-F” refers to the interval between the detection of a potential failure (P) and the occurrence of a functional failure (F). The P-F curve is an illustrative generalization of what happens to an asset, machine or component as it…

By Max Baker With more and more consumers setting their sights on ‘Drive Electric,’ manufacturers must prepare themselves for alternative solutions to combustion engines. This change will no doubt require an alternative automation strategy for our electric futures. The battery The driving force behind these new electric vehicles is, of course, the battery. With this…

Reduce format change downtime. Improve ramp up of the production line. after a completion of changeover. Reduce training requirements and the need for experienced personnel. Increase productivity and profitability. A global leader in food manufacturing had a specific need to improve production efficiency. After evaluating and piloting they decided to implement the Balluff “Guided Changeover…

In today’s manufacturing environment, data is everything. Capturing that valuable data—information that can guide critical decisions about production, labor, and machine maintenance—can be accomplished using existing sensors and other devices without a wholesale device changeout. The ability to capture actionable machine data from across a factory is central to Banner Engineering’s Snap Signal series, a…

The following is an overview of different technologies available when selecting the correct electronic valve for your application. Spider Valve Technology Invented and patented by Clippard, this deceptively simple design features only one moving part with a mere 0.007″ of travel. The spider is an armature spring that undergoes a variety of proprietary processes, including…

An open global standard for bi-directional serial communication among sensors and other devices, IO-Link provides simplified installation, automated parameter setting, and expanded diagnostics. Because these systems use an open standard, IO-Link enabled sensors, hubs, masters, and other devices can be integrated into almost any fieldbus or automation system. IO-Link systems have many advantages and abilities,…

Making decisions based on data, not projections or expected results, can produce far more accurate and efficient outcomes regarding your equipment. Sensor data can be collected and turned into information useful far beyond the narrow scope of part presence or absence. This information can be used to help users objectively make critical decisions such as…

Traditional automation on the manufacturing floor has been machines that take input and give output. Operators give instructions to the equipment which then performs the requested procedures more efficiently than people can do. However, this automation equipment has offered little in the way of monitoring capabilities. With the advent of the Industrial Internet of Things,…

By Clayton Windsor Terminal blocks are used industry wide and often thought of as a simple component to connect one wire to another. Most of the time that is exactly the case. However, there are many different varieties of terminals that users can consider, including additional functionality such as fusing, disconnect, or electronic components for…

By PTI Engineered Plastics Sometimes the best-laid plans are unattainable. When this happens during production, the results can be devastating. Time, money, and effort may seem wasted — which is no small loss during a product launch or ongoing production. Just imagine halting the injection molding process of a critical component used in a medical…