Automation & Controls

News • November 11, 2020

Mazak opens Edmonton technical center

Mazak Corp. Canada opened a technical center in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with a grand opening and ribbon cutting event attended by Alberta Premier, Jason Kenney.

Products • October 29, 2020

EnDat 3 Encoder Interface Protocol

The EnDat 3 protocol carries forward the features and benefits of the well-established original EnDat. To achieve this, EnDat 3 relies on a new architecture that not only preserves and improves upon proven technology but also maintains the best possible continuity and compatibility with previous versions.n

Articles • October 28, 2020 • Craig Zoberis

Robotic automation fills a need

Automating two mills in a six-machine cell, we could turn around his inconsistent output.

News • October 28, 2020

Crankshaft facility grinds flanges and journals simply and precisely

The ThyssenKrupp Crankshaft Co. in Danville, Illinois, operates up to 21 shifts per week to produce forged crankshafts for the North American heavy-duty automotive, truck, and engine markets. Meeting production needs requires precise technology, including a Zema Numerika GH1500 grinding machine from Junker.

News • October 23, 2020

GF Machining primary sponsor in NASCAR series race

After 265 laps, car No. 96 crossed the finish line at the Hollywood Casino 400 race, finishing at 27, garnering 10 points in the NASCAR Cup Series, and capping off a successful first weekend with GF Machining Solutions as the car's primary sponsor.

News • October 9, 2020

Sales and management changes fortify Jorgensen Conveyors’ future

Jorgensen Conveyors and Filtration Solutions in Mequon, Wisconsin, has made several promotions and a key new hire within its sales and management teams.

News • October 8, 2020

Automation open house goes virtual

Fastems Group will host an online Open House & Conference entitled "Productivity Beyond Machine Tending" that will showcase the latest developments in automation and surrounding technologies.

Articles • October 5, 2020 • William Leventon

Pick-and-place kit simplifies automation

With Universal Robots' ActiNav kit, shops can automate without major integration and programming efforts.

News • September 30, 2020

Smaller tool companies can automate like the big boys

Industrial automation is changing the way cutting tool manufacturers operate. Machines can take on the heavy lifting at each stage of production letting workers get on with less repetitive tasks. And while automation may sound costly and complex to implement, it's not reserved just for big business.

Products • September 23, 2020

AX8000 Multi-axis Servo System with Oversampling Technology

With the highly dynamic, EtherCAT-based AX8000 servo system, new setpoint values can transfer every 62.5 μs from the motion controller in the Industrial PC to the servo drive, along with μs motor current scans. Comparable control systems usually operate with a cycle time of only 1 ms. Now the AX8000 firmware also supports oversampling technology, which is well known from Beckhoff EtherCAT I/O devices. This feature enables multiple samples of process data within a communication cycle with an oversampling factor of up to 128 and the transfer of all data in an array via EtherCAT.

Products • September 23, 2020

RS-40 Rotary Stage and M-111 Linear Stages

With 360 degree rotation range and 20N load capacity, the RS-40 V7 stage boasts high angular velocity of 20°/sec and minimum incremental motion and repeatability of 87 µrad. The 110, M-111 and M-112 vacuum linear stage series provide travel ranges of 5, 15 and 25mm and are suitable for vacuum up to 10-6 hPa.

Articles • September 22, 2020

Out with the old machine, in with the more efficient

When two universal turning centers hit their replacement age, this machine shop took it to the next level with twin spindles and triple turrets.