Cincinnati, Ohio ‚– The Industrial Automation Group of Advantech introduces the UNO-1150, an AMD GX2 400 MHz Embedded Automation Computer with one RS-232 port, two RS-232/422/485 ports with automatic flow control, two 10/100Base-T RJ-45 ports, and two USB ports. The UNO-1150 includes a line-in, line-out audio feature as well as a wide operating temperature range…
From the IMTS Show floor – Part 2
By Leslie Langnau, Managing Editor Manufacturing communications – Again Years ago General Motors spearheaded a move to create a common communication platform that would enable all manufacturing devices to send data among each other. The goal was to increase efficiency. That effort was the Manufacturing Automation Protocol or MAP. Because GM was the ‚“big Gorilla‚ 
From the IMTS Show Floor – Part 1
At IMTS, the usual focus is on machines. A closer look, however, shows that “the guts” of the machine — the components — display considerable innovation. Here are a few highlights of the trends visible at IMTS. Vendors are introducing technology that helps eliminate components as well as the need for continuous operation. For example,…
Kurt Automated Gaging System
Minneapolis, MN: Kurt Manufacturing’s automated gaging systems improve the overall manufacturing of pistons for small, air-cooled gasoline engines. By measuring these pistons for ± .0005 inch tolerance and .0001 inch repeatability at the rate of one per 9 seconds, repeatable quality is assured while eliminating hand gaging operations. Validation of upstream precision machining and die…
Kurt Engineered Systems Capabilities to be Shown at IMTS ’08
Minneapolis, MN — Kurt Manufacturing will introduce and demonstrate the capabilities of the new Engineered Systems Division at IMTS ‚’08. Operating continuously during the show, Kurt will show a fully integrated automated indexing system of a robot, multi-station workholding, indexer and gage with process control. The Kurt Engineered Systems offering is the result of the…
Pepperl+Fuchs Opens Second US Office
TWINSBURG, OH ‚– 25 years after opening its US headquarters in Twinsburg, OH, Pepperl+Fuchs announces the opening of a second US-based office located in the Clay Crossing Business Center, Suite 100, 4321 W. Sam Houston Parkway N, Houston, TX. This state-of-the-art training facility provides local technical support, hands-on training, real-world application demos, video conferencing and…
B&R Drive System Awarded UL Certificate
The energy efficient B&R drive system ACOPOSmulti was awarded a UL certificate from the Underwriters Laboratories. In addition to meeting all criteria for a UL compliant construction, the drive distinguishes itself through its innovative energy concept and a high level of dependability. A fundamental entry requirement for the North American automation market, the UL certification…
Safety Standards Approve Network Controllers
Many system designers are seeing safety networks for the first time, so says Kevin Monnin, Consulting Applications Engineer, Motion Control Systems, Research & Development, Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. “For a long time, NFPA 79 (electrical standard for industrial machinery), prohibited using devices other than relays, such as PLCs for safety control, especially over a…
New Lean Manufacturing Podcast from Bosch Rexroth
Buchanan, MI – Bosch Rexroth has released a new lean manufacturing audio case history discussing a real-world example of how one company cut waste, improved quality and reduced waiting time using lean workcell components in its assembly operation. The audio application story can be downloaded for free from the Bosch Rexroth lean manufacturing podcast page…
Advantech Adds 3D Models to eAutomationPro Web Site
WILTON, New Hampshire – Industrial automation leader Advantech is now using the TraceParts Internet service to provide 3D product models for engineers and designers, through their eAutomatioPro web site. Advantech’s customers will be able to select the right product for their needs and then download 3D CAD models of the products into their designs. “Our…
AMT Opens Office in India
Orion, Michigan ‚— Applied Manufacturing Technologies (AMT) announced the opening of its India office. Located in Bangalore, the new office will support the growing Asia-Pacific market as well as AMT‚’s key US customers. ‚“The Asia-Pacific region and India in particular, are key areas for automation growth,‚†said Joseph Campbell, chief operating officer of Applied Manufacturing…
Energy Chain Cable Carriers from igus
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. — igus® will be promoting its Energy Chain® cable carriers at booth #D-4691 during this year’s IMTS show under the slogan ‘Longer Life at Lower Cost’. The cable carriers are designed to house, protect and extend the service life of moving cables and hoses attached to automated machinery. Other products that will…
ACS Motion Control Expands Modular Control System
PLYMOUTH, MN — ACS Motion Control has expanded its configurable machine and motion control product offering to include 9″ and 11″ enclosures for two-to-four axes. Designated the MC4U 9″ and MC4U 11″, the control systems integrate controllers, drives, power supplies and additional I/O and networking capabilities to provide complete control of machine automation functions —…
Opto 22 Informs and Entertains with "OptoVideos"
Temecula, CA – Systems and design engineers, machine builders, and others in the industrial automation industry are finding great value in a series of online videos from Opto 22, as a tool to help them understand, source, select, and apply control, monitoring and data acquisition technologies, products, and applications. Opto 22’s “OptoVideos” have been downloaded…
Low Power AC Drives Growth Continued in 2007
Dedham, Massachusetts : Strong growth continued in 2007 for the Low Power AC Drives market due to robust investments in manufacturing and infrastructure industries worldwide. The worldwide market for Low Power AC Drives is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9% over the next five years. The market was over…
Opto 22 Introduces SNAP TEX Product Line
Temecula, CA – Opto 22 has introduced the SNAP TEX family of mounting and wiring accessories, which includes a wide variety of terminal extender cables, breakout boards, wiring harnesses, DIN-rail kits, jumper straps, rack adapters, and other components for mounting and wiring Opto 22 automation, control, and I/O systems. Wiring, installing, and assembling control and…
Siemens to Build New Multi-Million Dollar Plant
Due to the increasing demands for alternative and renewable energy sources, Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. announced today that it would be investing more than $20 million to develop a second plant in Elgin, Ill., for its Drives Technologies business. Siemens is the largest producer of wind turbine gear drives in the United States. The…
20th Anniversary of Misumi USA, Inc.
Schaumburg, IL-MISUMI USA, Inc. announces its 20th Anniversary in America. In 1988, Misumi USA was established to supply mechanical components for factory automation, as well as press die and plastic mold components, cutting tools and gauges. Throughout its 20-year history, Misumi USA has enjoyed a powerful behind-the-scenes presence in industry, supporting the U.S. machine building…
Advantech Launches LogixView
Cincinnati, Ohio ‚– The Industrial Automation Group of Advantech releases LogixView, the latest software package for developing the graphic user interface for monitoring and controlling Advantech eAutomation products on WindowsCE based devices. This package is based on Microsoft.NET technology and used in Visual Studio 2005 environment. Users can now simply drag and drop the components…
Bishop Wisecarver VP Joins AHTD Advisory Council
Pittsburg, CA – – The Association for High Technology Distribution (AHTD) has invited Ray Harrington, Vice President of Business Development at Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation, to join its Manufacturer Advisory Council. ‚“AHTD is devoted to advocating the value of the Automation Solutions Provider (ASP) within the high tech automation channel. Much of the association‚’s efforts are focused…
Protect Your Machine Control Programs
Secure Strategy Distribution System is part of PAC Project‚â„¢ version 8.2, the automation software suite that includes control programming, HMI development, OPC connectivity, and enterprise database integration components. This software system lets you encrypt firmware and control programs so they can only be uploaded or downloaded to a controller through a secure encryption key. The…
Modular Swivel Unit
The SRH Series of 180‚° swivel heads are completely modular in structure and consist of SRU rotary modules combined with two swivel corners, EDF electric feed-throughs, and MDF media feed-throughs. This means precise rotation and long tool life using standard components. The Series comes in six sizes and twelve torques from 0.9 to 67.8 Nm…
Schneider Electric Acquires RAM Industries
Rueil Malmaison, France ‚– Schneider Electric has signed an agreement to acquire RAM Industries, a leading supplier of engineered control solutions. RAM provides engineering, design and manufacturing expertise for control solutions to HVAC&R machine manufacturers (OEMs). RAM‚’s offering helps OEMs improve their time to market, cost position and competitive advantage in energy efficient technologies. The…
Think & Do™ Version 8.0 Released
Cumming, GA — AutomationDirect has released Think & Do‚â„¢ version 8.0, the cornerstone of its PC Control product offering. The latest version supports development, deployment and operation of high-value automated control systems for material handling and manufacturing. The intuitive and open-architecture environment readily integrates with hardware and software components from virtually all major suppliers. Major…
Stratasys’ 10,000th Installation
MINNEAPOLIS, MN ‚— Stratasys (NASDAQ: SSYS) announced that PSA Peugeot CitroƒÂ«n, Brazil, has purchased Stratasys‚’ 10,000th additive fabrication machine. The landmark system sale was a high-precision FDM 400mc‚â„¢ for the automaker‚’s Product Engineering Facility in Porto Real City, Rio de Janeiro State. The automaker is a business unit of PSA Peugeot CitroƒÂ«n, France, the second-largest…