Automation & Controls

The ImageIR® 8300 hs extends this series with a new generation of high-speed infrared cameras. Combining the image format of (640 × 512) IR pixels with the exceptionally high frame rate of 1,004 Hz sets new standards. It allows thermographic images of excellent quality, even of extremely fast moving objects or highly dynamic thermal processes. Thus, exactly the moment that matters is captured with absolute precision, displayed with high resolution and precisely measured thermally.n

Universal Robots USA Inc. in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has introduced a pick-and-place kit to automate machine loading without the major integration and programming efforts usually required to install and set up an automated bin-picking system.

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

The PeopleCounter (PeCo) is a SensorApp developed by SICK that enables anonymous data processing and differentiation of people from objects over large detection areas. Based on the hardware of the MRS1000 3D LiDAR sensor, measurement data generates as a point cloud. The integrated PeopleCounter app reliably identifies people using their contours. This means it only counts people above the height of 1.4 meters, while objects are not counted.n

PI (Physik Instrumente) LP, a provider of motion control and laser processing solutions, launched a virtual tradeshow on its website. The tradeshow features industrial automation and laser material processing products.

TMAC 3.0 has been completely redesigned with an intuitive streamlined user-interface that offers numerous configurations for viewing tool monitoring and sensor data. The TMAC system processor now houses its own web server, making the HMI (human-machine interface) browser-based, which enables real-time monitoring from any network connected device. Users (with assigned permissions) have live access to all TMAC systems on a shop floor from a single browser.

The V-817 linear stages, engineered for highly dynamic and precise motion, boast a load capacity of 600N, travel ranges from 8" (204mm) to 32" (813mm), and velocities to 3000mm/sec. Driven by 3-phase linear motors and guided by robust recirculating ball bearing guides, the low-profile design of only 63mm minimizes moving mass and tilting errors. An integrated linear encoder provides <1nm resolution and when operated with PI's industrial motion controllers, the stages achieve 10nm minimum incremental motion, 1µm bidirectional repeatability, and 2.5µm accuracy.

The Clamping Module is ideal for totes, boxes, bottles and square, round and rectangular containers. As products pass through the Clamping Module, pre-programmed photo sensors trigger a pneumatic-clamping actuator that is mounted on both sides of the conveyor. The Clamping Module produces a gap of about one product length; product must be able to withstand some back pressure and squeezing force.n

JOC (PA) now fully automates CAD import, whereby a folder can be monitored for a CSV file containing details of DXF files to process, material, thickness, quantity required and machine to nest for. An existing system such as CAD, MES or MRP could generate a CSV file that would be immediately imported, tooled for multiple machines, nested, with NC code being available within minutes and all completely without any user intervention.

If you didn't visit it live, then through Aug. 28, you still can attend The Cobot Expo, a North American digital trade show by Universal Robots USA Inc.

The EN-20 product series features industrial grade 3D NAND supporting an ambient temperature range from -40°C to 85°C. The managed device combines high grade NAND Flash chips, a sophisticated PCIe controller and firmware that supports demanding applications. The PCIe 4 lane interface with backwards compatibility to single or dual lane system designs operates according to the latest PCIe 3.1 specification and offers high bandwidth up to 1600 MB/s for sequential read and 770 MB/s for sequential write.

Cutting Tool Engineering debuts a new video series, Cobotics Corner. Watch a brief demonstration of a robotic CNC machine tending operation on a Haas VF2SS with a Universal Robots UR5e and a Robotiq Dual Hand-E.