Automation & Controls

Products • December 13, 2018

Robot-based Drilling, Grinding, Filing, Cutting and Deburring

In cases where the cutting tool must be moved towards the workpiece, insufficient or not many practical solutions are readily available. This gap is being closed by the SUHNER robot machine tool program. One option is to bring the workpiece towards a standard stationary SUHNER machining unit. Today, SUHNER offers the possibility to adapt and guide the tool by the robot.

Products • December 12, 2018

VBX-160 Automation Solution

VersaBuilt Robotics, a Boise-based robotics technology company, announces availability of the VersaBuilt VBX-160 automation solution with the FANUC LR Mate 200iD7L. With a 7 kg (14.4 lbs.) payload and a 717 mm (28.2 inch) reach, the LR Mate 200iD7L brings a new level of performance and reliability to the VBX-160 from FANUC.

News • December 6, 2018 • Alan Richter

Getting flexible and growing with automation

In connection with my article about flexible manufacturing systems for the February issue, I visited Camcraft Inc., which has a Makino Machining Complex (MMC2) automated pallet-handling system. Four Makino 4-axis a51nx horizontal machining centers are integrated into the system.

Products • December 5, 2018

CX7000 Embedded PC

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 Embedded PC delivers an ideal price/performance ratio.

Products • December 5, 2018

Sinumerik 828D

Siemens now offers its popular mid-range CNC, the Sinumerik 828D, with version 4.8 of the operating system. With the release of version 4.8, Siemens offers an array of new hardware and software solutions for its integrated Sinumerik portfolio. The offering comprises integrated industrial software and automation technology designed to enable machine tool manufacturers to leverage the full productivity potential of the digital factory in a mid-range control.

Articles • December 4, 2018 • Kip Hanson

Lasers the key to productive, high-quality parts marking

Lower costs and ease of use make laser marking systems a more viable option today, experts say.

Products • December 4, 2018

TwinSAFE Safety Controllers

By increasing modularity and scalability, a new generation of Beckhoff TwinSAFE safety controllers permits optimal adaptation to the specific safety requirements of individual machine concepts. The ability to distribute the intelligence of an entire safety application across multiple TwinSAFE Logic-capable I/O modules means flexible implementation of increasingly modular architectures. These safety architectures can adapt to varied system requirements even more effectively than in the past.

Products • December 4, 2018

Safe Portal Solutions

SICK announces the launch of SICK's Safe Portal Solutions. Safe Portal Solutions from SICK ensure flexible, efficient safeguarding for automated material transfer stations.

News • December 3, 2018

Universal Robots A/S hires former Rethink Robotics Inc. employees

Odense, Denmark, November 13, 2018: Universal Robots (UR) is hiring 20+ Rethink staff members, merging UR's Boston office with Rethink's former headquarters in the Seaport area in Boston, USA, with immediate effect.

News • December 3, 2018

Coldwater Machine Co. LLC hires Christopher May

Coldwater, Ohio, Nov. 8, 2018 – Coldwater Machine Company has hired Christopher May as a program manager overseeing assembly automation projects for the company.

Products • December 3, 2018

Sysmac AI Controller

A new solution for human-machine collaboration is now available from automation solutions provider Omron Automation Americas. The Sysmac AI Controller handles several key steps in the data-driven decision process for predictive maintenance, thereby freeing up industrial professionals from tedious calculations, analyses and infrastructure upgrades.

News • November 30, 2018

OnRobot A/S opens US headquarters

DALLAS, TX — OCTOBER 25, 2018 — OnRobot, a specialist in end-of-arm tooling for collaborative robots, has opened its first US headquarters in Dallas, Texas.