Inspection & Quality

The redesigned Tag Master 3 from Kwik Mark Inc. uses dot peen technology to permanently mark industrial components. The automatic feeder/marker was developed to eliminate the problematic tag feeding issues of escaping tags from the bottom of the magazine.

The new Version 7 of the LaserNet 200 comprehensive particle analyzer series from Spectro Scientific provides extensive analysis of particles in lubricating and hydraulic fluids. Compared to earlier releases, the new series increases particle counting range up to 10 million particles/ml without dilution, and includes a new set of ferrous particle measurements that gives users new insights into the progress of machine wear.

Frost & Sullivan's latest analysis, "Adoption of IIoT in the Global Test and Measurement Market, Forecast to 2022," finds that the value of the Industrial Internet of Things in test and measurement market is expected to reach $104.8 million by 2022 growing at a compound annual growth rate of 6.7 percent from 2016. The research assesses market dynamics including trends, drivers, restraints, forecasts, mega trends and industry convergence implications, and opportunities in end-user verticals.

Marposs has enhanced its gauging solutions for grinding machines with new electrical gage actuators. As compared to former hydraulic and pneumatic solutions, this electro-mechanical system provides better control of the process, as well as significantly reducing maintenance time and costs.

I attended 'Integr8,' an Industrial Internet of Things conference hosted by Automation Alley at Detroit's Renaissance Center last month. At numerous breakout sessions, a common question from participants was, "How do I get started with getting my shop floor connected?" This was an event full of experts enthused by the possibilities that IIoT hold for manufacturers, so I was pleasantly surprised to hear many of them reply, in effect: "With moderation."n

In the digitized manufacturing world being born, the product that a job-shop produces is less a piece of engineered metal and more a piece of intellectual property. So said Tom Kelly, the executive director and CEO of Detroit's Automation Alley. That difference brings risks but also unprecedented opportunities for those who are ready.

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence announced the Leica Absolute Scanner LAS-XL, a new ultralarge-scale portable laser scanner. Designed for industries and applications where both speed of measurement and metrology-level accuracy are indispensable, the expanded measurement field and point acquisition rate of the LAS-XL means large parts and surfaces can be quickly and fully digitized.

Kitagawa-NorthTech Inc., Schaumburg, Ill., which specializes in standard chucks, advanced chucks, custom-engineered workholding and steady rests, announced that Shawn Luschei has rejoined the company as senior manager of sales for North America.

Like most of us, Jay Hegemann deletes a lot of emails every day. Everything from miracle cures for baldness to special offers from credit card vendors go right into the trash. However, something about the email from Keyence's sales engineer earlier this spring caught Hegemann's eye and he decided to take another look. It's a good thing, because the product advertised in that message has been a game changer for this small manufacturing firm.

ITW Vortec has released an update to its line of enclosure coolers. The ProtEX Vortex A/C enclosure cooler, released in April 2017, has been granted certification for Class I, Division 1, Groups A, B, C and D; Class II, Division 1, Groups F and G; and Class III, after extensive review by Underwriter's Laboratories (UL).

Last week's blog post on the successors of Rosie the Riveter inspired a reader to share her own experience as an early woman in manufacturing. Lois Anderson was tasked with walking into plants in Southwestern Michigan to convince dubious managers and workers to use new methods to improve their production quality and efficiency. In the end, she helped them excel.

User error is a more common cause of unplanned downtime in the manufacturing sector than almost any other sector, according to a new Vanson Bourne global study, sponsored by ServiceMax from GE Digital. Unplanned downtime triggered by user error is 23% compared to as low as 9% in other sectors. (And did that robot just snicker?)