Automation & Controls

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Easy-to-install, light-weight and robust, the OptoForce 6-axis sensors create a sense of touch for robots required to perform high-precision work, such as polishing, box insertion and other finer assembly tasks. Currently compatible with robots from Universal Robots and KUKA, and soon with ABB and Yaskawa, OptoForce sensors automate these tasks, increasing efficiency, speeding project development and decreasing overall production costs.

Automation is essential in helping manufacturers achieve maximum return on investment from their machine tools. Makino offers the availability of a new design configuration for its MMC2 automated pallet-handling system, which enables full compatibility with the company's a61nx-5E 5-axis horizontal machining center.