Automation & Controls

Articles • December 1, 2016 • Alan Richter

Taking a break from breakdowns

END USER: lllinois Carbide Tool Co. Inc., (800) 323-2414, www.crobaltusa.com, www.brakedrumtool.com. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Agathon Machine Tools Inc., (203) 730-8741, www.agathon.com. CHALLENGE: Keep up with increasing production demands for carbide brake lathe inserts. SOLUTION: A 4-axis grinding machine that enables lights-out production.

News • November 29, 2016 • Michael C. Anderson

Performance Micro Tool is in the Chips

The Janesville, Wis., micromanufacturer Performance Micro Tool is part of a Janesville Gazette feature on local companies increasing their use of automation. The article notes that a recent source of revenue for the company is a tool contract with a company that makes the tiny housings in credit cards that hold those now-ubiquitous micro chips.

News • November 23, 2016 • Michael C. Anderson

NIST: Fortify Manufacturing, Save $100 Billion, by Closing Tech Gaps

To spur significant innovation and growth in advanced manufacturing, as well as save over $100 billion annually, U.S. industry must rectify currently unmet needs for measurement science and "proof-of-concept" demonstrations of emerging technologies. This is the overall conclusion reached by economic studies funded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of four advanced manufacturing areas used to create everything from automobile composites to zero-noise headsets.

Products • November 15, 2016

ERD 150L Linear Automation System

With the introduction of the ERD 150L, EROWA offers a low-cost, linear automation system that is flexible and can easily be expanded at any time. This virtually eliminates the need to purchase additional components before they're needed.

News • November 9, 2016 • Dennis Spaeth

Collaborative robots boost Whirlpool’s Mfg. capabilities

In the past 18 months, several Whirlpool Corp. plants have added collaborative robots to the assembly process. Collaborative robots are at the forefront of manufacturing technology and are designed to work alongside their human counterparts. "Collaborative robots allow us to be much more flexible," says Eric Howe, Whirlpool senior engineer and automation lead.

Products • November 8, 2016

PROMOS 3+ Monitoring System

PROMETEC, a manufacturer of monitoring solutions for machining processes and part of Sandvik Coromant, is releasing its new PROMOS 3+ system. This advanced connectivity solution, which provides a first look at the world of Big Data and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), is considered an important component for the Industry 4.0 initiative from Sandvik Coromant.

Products • November 7, 2016

RoboTeach Robot Teaching Process

ANCA's new RoboTeach solution enables greater efficiency and accuracy when setting up robot automation on their CNC grinding machines. By automating the teaching of the RoboMate FANUC 200iD robot, the new product significantly decreases downtime, supports greater productivity, and reduces the need for specialized operator skills.

Products • October 31, 2016

RB-9 Robotic Blasting System

Guyson has just completed another one of its popular RB-9 robotic blasting systems. The customer had a demanding surface preparation specification that could only be achieved by precise robotic gun manipulation and part fixturing and the use of high-performance model 75/12 media cyclone.

Products • October 27, 2016

Nmark GCL Galvo Scanner Control

The Nmark GCL controls Aerotech's AGV series scanners, reportedly resulting in industry-leading settling times, long-term thermal stability and micron-level tracking accuracy due to advanced features such as full-state feed-forward, 200 kHz servo rates, and look-ahead-based velocity control. The Nmark GCL uses advanced interpolation electronics to provide up to 26-bits of effective resolution.

Products • October 19, 2016

LOXrail Round Rail System

Launching the LOXrail program, German manufacturer Losyco provides a round rail system that increases assembly line efficiency for large machine and product manufacturing processes. The new system, characterized by minimal rolling friction, is brought to the market by a team of accomplished intra-logistics industry experts, led by managing director Derek P. Clark. Loads as heavy as several tons can be moved manually or with a small auxiliary drive with much lower energy consumption and much less equipment compared to standard procedures using overhead cranes, SGVs or pallet trucks.

Products • October 17, 2016

Turnkey Control-only Retrofit for CNC Machine Tools

Siemens announced a new control-only retrofit program for CNC machines. Tailored precisely for milling machines up to four axes plus one spindle or 2- to 3-axis turning machines, users can gain new levels of manufacturing efficiency and productivity.

Products • October 11, 2016

BAIII Cartesian Robot Series

TM Robotics, in partnership with Toshiba Machine, announced the newest in Toshiba Machine's BA Cartesian series, the BAIII. Unlike most Cartesian suppliers, the Toshiba Machine solution is a plug-and-play offering as all cables, junction boxes, brackets, motors and controllers are supplied with the actuators. This means there's no need for calibration between the motor and the actuator or between the motor and the controller, which enables users to reduce their engineering costs – saving both time and money – and use the BAIII as soon as it's installed.