Automation & Controls

Products • February 16, 2021

I/O slices

Both the Power Connect and Thermocouple I/O slices feature push-fit wire connections into a cage clamp. Increasing connection security, particularly for applications which could be subject to vibration, the cage clamp system improves reliability and also means faster, simpler wiring without the requirement to use additional tools for installation and maintenance.

Articles • February 15, 2021

Software cuts turnaround time

Walter's Helitronic Tool Studio software combines ease of programming with great flexibility.

Products • February 12, 2021

NUMai Software Package

NUMai software can be utilized as soon as a machine tool has been commissioned and is ready to start production, or on a machine that is already being employed for production purposes. The software initially acquires all pertinent operating data over a period of time, typically a number of hours, while the machine is being used for normal production tasks. Ideally, a diversity of part programs is run, involving a variety of different machining conditions, in order to ensure that the data is as comprehensive and reliable as possible.

Products • February 11, 2021

CX20x3 Embedded PCs

The basic configuration of the CX20x3 includes two independent Gbit Ethernet interfaces, four USB 3.1 Gen. 2 and one DVI-D interface. In addition to the CPU and chipset, the basic module also includes 8 GB RAM. The controller boots from a removable CFast flash card. The CPU has 128 kB of internal NOVRAM as persistent data memory if a UPS is not used. A fieldbus and serial interface are available as options. All other components in the CX2000 family can be connected via the high-pole connections on both sides.

Articles • February 9, 2021 • Craig Zoberis

COVID-19 era is time to automate

Although these are most uncertain times, it is nonetheless advisable for machine shop owners to take advantage of automating their shops.

Products • February 3, 2021

Flexible Multi-axis Motion Sub-System

The XY base system is made of two 3-Phase motor powered V-417 linear stages with travel ranges from 204 to 407mm. Integrated absolute-measuring linear encoders provide better reliability, while eliminating the need to reference. A granite base plate is available for stability and can hold the G-901 EtherCat-based controller with ACS driver module. PI supports customers, system integrators, and machine builders to quickly configure and integrate the appropriate system, reducing design and development time while optimizing the outcome.

Articles • February 2, 2021 • William Leventon

Pallet-handling prowess

The PSS-L linear pallet storage system from Grob Systems Inc. is designed to boost the productivity and unmanned operating time of multiple connected machines.

Videos • January 28, 2021

CNC machine tending with Haas VF-2SS & UR10e

Watch a Cobotics Corner demonstration that helped increase productivity by 43% using a Universal Robots UR10e arm with a Robotiq dual parallel servogripper on a 2018 Haas VF-2SS CNC machine, according to Fusion OEM.

Articles • January 20, 2021 • Ken Schnepf

Smart sensor manages fluid

Fluid management system sensor can help increase the life of coolant and reduce the number of rejected parts

Articles • January 5, 2021 • William Leventon

Picking eyes for robots

The Eyes system from OnRobot A/S eliminates the need for expensive fixture carts used to position parts for robotic picking.

Products • December 18, 2020

TwinCAT IoT Supports MindSphere

TwinCAT 3 automation software can communicate with HTTP(S) servers as an HTTP(S) client, for example for exchanging data via a REST API. Establishing a connection with MindSphere® is now also possible via this HTTPS communication for exchanging telemetry data. This connection is secured by TLS (Transport Layer Security) and uses MindSphere®-specific authentication mechanisms.

Products • December 16, 2020

MAZATROL SmoothEz CNC

The most prominent feature of the MAZATROL SmoothEz CNC is its 15" capacitive touch-screen display, which accommodates a full-width on-screen keyboard or up to 60 lines of code. The NC system operates on two 800 MHz CPUs with an expanded 512 MB of DDR3-SDRAM memory. In addition to its redesigned LAUNCHER screen, the new control also has an expanded range of software features, including SMOOTH Machining Configuration, QUICK MAZATROL, and MAZATROL TWINS that were recently debuted on Mazak's highly advanced MAZATROL SmoothAi CNC.n