Automation & Controls

Products • May 3, 2017

Metal Loss Monitor

MRF/MSW operators can utilize the advanced Eriez Metal Loss Monitor (MLM) to continually scan their residue stream for metal that has escaped the process and is headed for landfill disposal. By taking the guesswork out of metal recovery, the MLM gives users the ability to observe the performance of their systems for variations over time and make adjustments required to improve metal recovery and boost profits.

News • May 1, 2017

Kitagawa NorthTech names senior manager

Kitagawa NorthTech, Inc., which offers standard chucks, custom engineered workholding and Steady Rests solutions, in April announced that Shaun Thomas joined the company as Senior Manager of Engineering & Manufacturing. In his position for the workholding company, Thomas will be instrumental in managing all design, engineering and manufacturing processes.

News • April 29, 2017

‘Point and click’ interface simplifies robot control

It takes knowledge and skill to get a robot to do exactly what you want it to do in a manufacturing environment--and those are hard to come by in this skills-gap era. A new interface designed by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers is simpler and more efficient than most interfaces, and doesn't require significant training time. The user simply points and clicks on an item, then chooses a grasp. The robot does the rest of the work.

Products • April 24, 2017

Easy Tool-ID

Tool identification using Balluff industrial RFID increases production efficiency, as it makes incorrect tool allocation or missing tools a thing of the past. This enables optimizing the service time utilization of the tools.

Products • April 19, 2017

PNC 610 Control System for Auxiliary Axes

Heidenhain offers the PNC 610 control system for auxiliary axes for modular expansion of the TNC hardware. The independently working PNC 610 enables machine tool builders to realize modular and scalable automation solutions for handling workpieces and tools in order to respond to the end users' respective requirements in an optimal manner.

News • April 15, 2017 • Michael C. Anderson

PRAB on Maximizing Steel-belt Conveyor Life

Typically in a scrap handling process, the how and where the scrap is collected and disposed of is not part of the conveyor system's design—but should be. That how and where could be crucial to the longevity of your conveyor. PRAB Inc., Kalamazoo, Mich., has a free, downloadable white paper on "The Importance of Design Elements in Maximizing the Life of Your Steel Belt Conveyor," that details what to be aware of.

News • April 14, 2017 • Alan Richter

Colson Group invests in machining, reshores manufacturing

Colson Group USA, a manufacturer of casters, wheels and other mobility products, continues to make significant investments to its production and distribution operations while reshoring manufacturing.

News • April 13, 2017

United Grinding names new vice president

United Grinding, Miamisburg, Ohio, in March appointed Michael Gebhardt as Vice President of Operations. In the position, he will manage the company's first-ever Operations Division at its new facility, and serve as a member of the company's Executive Management Team.

News • April 13, 2017

Schunk opens new service, technology center in Houston

SCHUNK customers now have a fully equipped facility where they can view a demonstration, receive advice and support for their specific application, or get an expert technician for repair or service. The Tec-Center has a milling machine, lathe, air chuck display and robotic machine-loading display, giving people the ability to see a variety of processes using real parts and machines.

News • April 13, 2017

BIG DAISHOWA Seiko builds logistics and distribution center

BIG KAISER's parent company, BIG DAISHOWA Seiki Co. Ltd., in March announced the completion of its new logistics and distribution center, which joins five existing factories on the lush Japanese island of Awaji. The 130,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility was built to meet the need for logistics improvements as the company's product reach expands globally, according to the company.

News • April 13, 2017

Electro-Matic Ventures acquires RAF Fluid Power

Electro-Matic Ventures Inc., a supplier of high-tech automation components and services headquartered in Farmington Hills, Mich., in March announced it had acquired RAF Fluid Power, a provider of advanced automation with a focus on pneumatic and robotic solutions. RAF, located outside Cleveland in Solon, Ohio, is the first acquisition for Electro-Matic Ventures, which has three other subsidiaries: Electro-Matic Products, Electro-Matic Integrated, and Electro-Matic Visual.

Products • April 4, 2017

Sinumerik 828 CNC Family

With the Sinumerik 828 CNC family, Siemens is now offering a simple solution for connecting robots to machine tool, which has become an integral part of automated production cell setup. Different types of robots designed by different manufacturers can be connected to CNC machines equipped with the Sinumerik 828D family using the Sinumerik Integrate Run MyRobot/EasyConnect interface to perform handling tasks.