Through the addition of automatic systems, engineers at Glassline Corp., Perrysburg, Ohio, helped their customers achieve an average 33% more throughput with their processes. Glassline specializes in glass-processing machinery and diamond tooling for the automotive, architectural, furniture, and appliance industries. Customers wanted more flexible, faster and easier to change equipment, so the engineers added automatic…
University Researchers Investigate Coal Burning Efficiency
Coal consumption is growing, despite the hype surrounding all the new alternative energy sources being developed. According to the Energy Information Administration, coal use was up in the first eight months of 2008. So, until we find the magic bullet, we have to deal with coal and all its hazards, including mercury emissions and the…
Parallel Grip and Rotate Modules
NEW HYDE PARK, NY — Techno-Sommer Automatic announces the DGP404 Series Parallel Grip and Rotate Modules with T-slot Guides, designed for high-load automation applications that require parts to be sorted and rotated 90 or 180 degrees. This unique combination of parallel gripper and rotator fits in tight spaces easily, while the stable T-slot guides aid…
SICK’s New Series of AT20 Line Array Sensors
SICK launches its new series of AT20 Line Array Sensors. The AT20 is the only line array sensor available that has diffuse mode, making it ideal for harsh environments where dirt and dust can interfere with retro-reflective sensors. The AT20’s industry-leading resolution and simple setup are ideal for glue-bead diameter applications and web guide applications…
B&R integrates IO Link in X20 System
B&R has achieved an intelligent sensor / actuator by integrating IO Link in the X20 System. This is made possible by the X20 digital module DS4387. All four channels are IO Link channels, but can also be used as standard inputs or outputs. The specified 3-line connection can be ideally implemented thanks to the connector…
Think of It as a HAZMAT Suit for Your Automation System
Moisture, heat, dust, vapors, chemical fumes, cold, oil, grease, petrol, coolants, lubricants, caustics. All nasty beasties that can lead to micro corrosion that can cause distributed I/O signal corruption, neutral faults or even total failure of the system or plant. In conditions like these, premature device failures and costly repairs are practically a given if…
Benefits of Integrating Safety into Drives
Encompassing safety into an integrated automation platform can provide a seamless integration that delivers real benefits to the bottom line, including reduced expense, less use of space, and more reliable safety systems when compared to those offered in the recent past. To achieve this, it took some modernizing of standards, but also took evolution of…
S7-PDIAG Makes Every Operator a Doctor of Diagnostics
Does any of this sound familiar? It’s the middle of the night, and your machine that tightens caps on bottles has gone down for no apparent reason. The machine operator recognizes that the machine has stopped and goes over to investigate. After searching through all the HMI screens, there is no indicated reason for the…
Remote CPU and System Diagnostics Made Easy
Most plant engineers have experienced the problem, probably more times than they care to admit. Some kind of glitch has shut down production and nobody on site has the expertise to troubleshoot the problem. It may be 3 a.m., or maybe you’re having a much-needed weekend break with family or friends, but it’s up to…
Powerful micro PLCs are easier than ever to program and deliver huge benefits
Seems like everything is getting smaller-cheaper-faster these days. So why not go smaller while making your job easier along the way? Siemens line of Micro PLCs and Micro Panels can help. Here’s how. Besides controlling the machine, these small controllers provide operator feedback on machine performance and efficiency, critical reporting for production metrics, and important…
Boosting Safety Performance: The Role of Safety Integrated
Today, worker safety on the plant floor stands poised to take yet another step forward by harnessing new technologies and changes in standards and embracing the world of integrated automation. The results hold the promise of innumerable benefits from greater efficiency and flexibility to lower costs and fewer chances for operator error. Thanks to recent…
Illinois Manufacturing Jobs Jeopardized by Tax Hike Proposal
St. Charles, IL – “Illinois has a spending problem, not a revenue problem,” said Ron Bullock, owner of Bison Gear & Engineering Corp. and chairman of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. Bullock and other Illinois business leaders meet with Governor Patrick Quinn on March 25, 2009, in Springfield in response to the Governor’s proposal last week…
ZF1 Belt Drive Slide
New Hyde Park, NY ‚– Techno, Inc. Linear Motion Systems is proud to announce the ZF1 Belt Drive Slide, a low cost, economical slide that can lower your costs in factory automation applications. This lightweight model is driven by a 9 mm wide HTD belt that can be ordered in travels ranging from 153 mm…
Rexroth Brochure Highlights Sustainable Manufacturing
Hoffman Estates, IL – Bosch Rexroth offers a brochure featuring a wide range of products, technologies and concepts designed to maximize manufacturing energy savings and sustainability — one of today’s key engineering challenges. Available at www.boschrexroth-us.com/sustainable, Sustainability with System: Rexroth Solutions for Energy Efficiency focuses on helping industries meet ambitious goals for energy and power…
Let Ethernet Standardize Your Factory Floor
The many networking schemes that once connected equipment on the factory floor are being replaced by a single well-known technology. Ethernet is rapidly becoming the standard for industrial networking, simplifying communication throughout an entire facility while easing installation and maintenance. Today, there are few reasons not to extend Ethernet to the factory floor. Ruggedized equipment…
Cable Carriers Minimize Downtime Costs
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. — GÜDEL Inc. uses reinforced plastic cable carriers from igus® across its range of automated systems–from multi-axis robots and press-transfer systems, to factory-automation equipment and gantry robots. The cable carriers guide and protect moving cables and hoses, helping to reduce the risk of cable failure and minimizing downtime for GÜDEL’s customers. GÜDEL…
Pepperl+Fuchs Opens New Process Automation Training Facility
TWINSBURG, OH ‚– Pepperl+Fuchs recently celebrated the grand opening of their new process automation training facility in Houston, Texas with an open house and casino night. Over 200 automation industry professionals toured the facilities and watched product demonstrations, learning about fieldbus technology including advanced diagnostic tools, soon-to-release WirelessHART products, and patented DART technology for hazardous…
AquaGard™ Stainless Steel Conveyor
Dorner's new AquaGard stainless steel conveyor can sustain speeds up to an industry-leading 260 feet-per-minute. It delivers best-in-class transfers and easy automation for baked goods, snack foods and confectionaries. AquaGard is an ideal solution for some applications in the fruit, vegetable, non-protein ready-to-eat, pharmaceutical, medical, and personal care industries. Pre-engineering and the use of standard…
IP 69K-rated Sensors for Harsh Washdown Environments
VeriSens smart vision sensors are equipped with IP 69K-rated stainless steel housings, shatterproof glass, special connectors and seals that protect the devices from damage in high temperature/high pressure washdown environments. The sensors are suitable for discrete automation applications in a range of industries, including food/beverage, pharmaceutical, medical and cosmetic processing. Using contour-based algorithms, VeriSens smart…
Go South for Lean Manufacturing
Today’s manufacturers are looking for tools, techniques, and equipment that will help them streamline their production processes (go “lean”), and do so on a continuous basis. The transformation to lean is often described as a journey away from the compartmentalized approach of managing events or projects, toward a more holistic and ongoing approach. Thus, manufacturers…
Murrelektronik’s Cube67 Sets Benchmark in Automation Systems
Duluth, Georgia – Murrelektronik’s Cube67 is a modular and flexible field bus automation system. Through a newly developed extension, the module provides more power to the bus system to assist in the operation of high power demand valves and other devices. Murrelektronik Cube67 is a modular and flexible field bus automation system that considerably reduces…
Nematron Introduces New ePC-Plus Series Industrial PCs
Ann Arbor, Michigan — Nematron Corporation announces the launch of the new ePC-Plus Series of Industrial Computers. These new computers further enhance the ultra-thin yet powerful ePC-Series by now providing, PCI expansion (two ¾-length cards), two easily removable hard drives and a hot swappable, easily removable DVD-R/W drive. All this is accomplished in a mere…
Advantech Kicks off 2009 Crossover Collaboration
Cincinnati, Ohio ‚– Advantech, the world‚’s leading IPC ePlatform manufacturer and service provider, announced its corporate operating guidelines for 2009. These guidelines are defined by Crossover Collaboration as a keynote for advancing interdepartmental collaboration within the Advantech infrastructure, and furthering partnerships with the entire IPC sector in the hope of guiding Advantech and the IPC…
A Better Grip
The DPP series of parallel grippers offers excellent parallelism and accuracy between the gripper mounting and jaw surfaces. The series integrates DIRECTCONNECT‚â„¢ technology, allowing the grippers to be easily mounted to other modular automation products without the use of adaptor plates. DPP parallel grippers use ‚“Dual-V‚†roller bearings to provide low-friction and high repeatability in…
Easy Component Selection Speeds Design
The old adage, ‚“time is money‚†applies to Scott Hale, president, and Chris Reinert, director of operations at Genesis Automation, a designer and builder of automated assembly, test and special process machinery in St. Charles, Ill. An alliance with Misumi USA, a supplier of factory automation and mechanical assembly components is helping them save time…