Beckhoff Automation will show multiple new technologies that bolster material handling and logistics operations at ProMat 2019 in Chicago. The North American product debuts include the ultra-compact CX7000 embedded controller and a preview of EtherCAT G gigabit industrial Ethernet technology. The 45,000 industry professionals from 115 countries expected to attend the trade show from April […]
Robot-assisted order picking system automates medical supply processes
Finnish company Newlcon Oy’s Mega-Fixu storage and retrieval system completely automates the identification, shelving and dispensing of medications, enabling pharmacists and medical staff to streamline their storage management. Regarding scale and cost, each NewIcon Mega-Fixu storage system is custom-tailored to fit the size and turnover of the particular pharmacy. To accomplish these tasks, Newlcon Oy…
New entry-level PC-based controller from Beckhoff
The new CX7000 Embedded PC from Beckhoff opens up the convenience and efficiency of the TwinCAT 3 software environment to highly compact, DIN rail-mounted controllers. This further enhances the scalability of PC-based control technology from Beckhoff – ranging from mini-PLCs to many-core Industrial PCs. An advanced 400 MHz processor and built-in configurable I/Os mean this […]
CX7000 embedded PC is an entry-level PC-based controller
The new CX7000 Embedded PC from Beckhoff opens up the convenience and efficiency of the TwinCAT 3 software environment to highly compact, DIN rail-mounted controllers. This further enhances the scalability of PC-based control technology from Beckhoff – ranging from mini-PLCs to many-core Industrial PCs. An advanced 400 MHz processor and built-in configurable I/Os mean this…
PC-based control on industrial sheet-metal presses — a Casebook example
Sheet-metal workcells can deliver higher-quality parts in greater quantities than traditional builds when designed with centralized PC-based control and EtherCAT connectivity. That’s especially true of deep-drawing press applications (shown below) where modular hardware and software from Beckhoff maximize throughput and minimize tolerances. To review, deep drawing is the process by which sheet metal is placed […]
IoT Gateway includes smart software and hardware for the industrial IoT
Data is the key to optimizing Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE). Rexroth‘s IoT Gateway brings companies closer to the strategic goal of networking all relevant machines and systems and making processes for evaluation and continuous improvement visible. OEMs and end-users require quick, workable connectivity solutions for both new machines and retrofit solutions. The IoT Gateway V2…
Coordination of motion automation with robotics — with unifying software and hardware
Automated installations feature more robots than ever. But unless it’s a custom or Cartesian setup, robot controls are traditionally segregated from those for automated motion axes. So connectivity between robot and system controller or PLC is via a network — usually based on Ethernet. Then a control system coordinates the machine functions of nearby conveyors or […]
12” Modular iPC with resistive or capacitive touch screen
Pro-face America announces the release of the new PS5600 modular 12” display industrial PC. This new iPC is a welcome edition to the already popular PS5000 series, and is available in a traditional 4:3 or wide screen design. Focusing on modularity, simplicity, flexibility, and connectivity, this 12” display option can attach to any of the…
IoT with Beckhoff at IMTS: Hardware + software + networking for machine tool and metalworking
Beckhoff Automation will highlight smart-factory hardware, software, EtherCAT, and TSN networking solutions this September at the Integrated Automation, Motion & Drives (IAMD) USA show — Hannover Messe USA 2018 — in booth 134417. Visit them September 10 to 15, 2018 at McCormick Place in the convention center’s Lakeside Center — the east building. This IAMD […]
Beckhoff to showcase smart factory technologies at Hannover Messe USA 2018
Beckhoff Automation will highlight the latest smart factory hardware, software, EtherCAT and TSN networking solutions, plus an integrated PC- and EtherCAT-based CNC platform at the inaugural Hannover Messe USA 2018 trade show in Chicago. The event, which is collocated with the long-running IMTS trade show, will run from September 10 – 15, 2018, at McCormick…
ITA Series for transportation self-service applications
Advantech’s IIoT iAutomation Group announced the launch of the ITA-1501, a new addition to the ITA series. Along with the existing ITA-1611 and ITA-1771 products, the ITA series now offers a comprehensive product solution, from entry to advanced level, for applications in self-service. These ITAs are compact, fanless industrial PCs with low power consumption, specifically…
Digital display transmission with SDL4
B&R recently introduced the fourth generation of its display transmission technology, Smart Display Link (SDL). SDL4 is based on HDBaseT 2.0 and can span up to 100 meters between the industrial PC and display device. This makes it easy to equip expansive machines and systems with multiple remote HMI panels. Up to 100 m SDL4…
The First True Fault Protection Solution For High-Speed USB Ports
With the MAX22505 ±40V high-speed USB fault protector from Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., designers can now eliminate USB port damage from all faults, including ground potential differences, up to ±40V without the tradeoffs required by competing solutions. It protects data and power lines from industrial equipment powered at 24VAC and 40VDC, while also reducing solution size by more…
Beckhoff Automation expands Ultra-Compact Industrial PC Series
In order to improve coverage for all tasks in the fields of automation, visualization and communication, the C60xx series of ultra-compact Beckhoff Industrial PCs has been expanded with the addition of the new C6017. This latest addition to the Beckhoff Industrial PC (IPC) portfolio combines compact design and installation flexibility with an increased variety of […]
What type of graphical user interface do PC-based controllers use?
Controllers that are PC-based are typically programmed via a Windows computer and used to communicate with, monitor, and control industrial machines and equipment. As the name implies, being PC-based means that the PC monitor is the main graphical user interface (GUI). One advantage of PC-based controllers is their GUI. PC-based controllers are programmed via a […]
Embedded Computing Trends In 2018
One of the most appealing aspects of embedded computers is the fact that there is still enormous potential for future research and development, in addition to new applications. In 2018, we will see a number of trends in addition to the always-important considerations of size, weight, and power. We will also see embedded computing trends…
6 AI startups to keep an eye on
Three winners were awarded $1 million in prizes at Nvidia’s Inception Awards, a challenge for AI startups. The finale was held at NVIDIA’s annual GPU Technology Conference in San Jose. There was a “Shark Tank” vibe to the proceedings for the six finalist teams, whittled down from a dozen semi-finalists. You can re-watch the competition…
Nvidia’s Inception Awards spotlights innovative AI startups
Three winners were awarded $1 million in prizes Tuesday at Nvidia’s Inception Awards, an AI startup challenge. The finale was held at the company’s annual GPU Technology Conference in San Jose, and there was a “Shark Tank” vibe to the proceedings for the six finalist teams, whittled down from a dozen semi-finalists earlier in the…
Beckhoff touch panels with 10.1-in. widescreen displays
Beckhoff Automation has announced the release of the CP6x00 Control Panels and Panel PCs with 10.1-in. widescreen displays. The expanded line of entry-level panels from Beckhoff, first launched with 7-in. displays, has been expanded by three new cabinet-mounted devices, each with a 10.1-in. widescreen display. PC-based control technology in the cost-sensitive, lower to middle performance […]
Siemens SCADA/IPC Days 2018 Event introduces new products and emerging communications
From February 19-22, 2018, at the Riverwalk Westin in San Antonio, Texas, approximately 130 people gathered for four days of product presentations, emerging technology discussions and a market trend outlook at the Siemens Factory Automation SCADA/IPC Days 2018. Members of the Siemens management, sales and support team joined their Solution Partners and a diverse assortment…
Siemens introducing IPCs to medical market
Siemens Factory Automation plans to go to market for its embedded and panel PC products in the healthcare segment, including x-ray, analyzer, imaging and diagnostic equipment plus data acquisition to patient and hospital records. These domestically sold products are now assembled in Lebanon, Ohio. At the recent Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) show held on…
Endress+Hauser introduces Field Xpert SMT70 Tablet PC
Endress+Hauser introduces the Field Xpert SMT70, a rugged tablet PC for commissioning and maintenance staff to manage field instruments and document the work progress. The tablet comes preinstalled with DeviceCare device configuration software and device library —so it is ready to go, right out of the box. The Field Xpert SMT70 supports HART, PROFIBUS…
PC-based control keeps automation provider on the upswing
Automated Design Corporation (ADC) is a custom automation company specializing in machines for sporting goods. More than half of ADC projects are now related to the manufacturing of sports equipment as well as load frames and impact testers. To create consistent, repeatable results, ADC uses PC-based control technologies from Beckhoff. Since their introduction, the load…
Beckhoff expands ultra-compact industrial PC series with the new C6030
Beckhoff today announced the release of a new, ultra-compact Industrial PC (IPC), the C6030.With highly flexible application options, the new series of space-saving Beckhoff IPCs that first launched with the C6015 has proven to be extremely successful in the marketplace. With the addition of the new C6030 IPC, the advantages of dramatically reduced space requirements,…
CLPA highlights growth of CC-Link IE development solutions
The CLPA displayed a variety of industry standard development solutions for CC-Link IE, CC-Link IE Field Basic and their fieldbus counterpart CC-Link at SPS/IPC/Drives 2017. The group also launched new IEFB development solutions by two key CLPA partners, Hilscher and Texas Instruments (TI). The Hilscher solution is an extension of their industry standard netX platform…