Automation & Controls

The expanded contour machining cycle for Sinumerik CNCs now facilitates 4-axis turning on lathes. Two turning tools, opposite one another, machine the workpiece simultaneously enabling the machining time to be significantly reduced.

igus offers standard "readychain" ready-to-use robotic dress packs for simple installation as well as multi-axis cable guidance and protection. In automated plants and other manufacturing facilities, downtime creates a critical situation. Once production stops, every minute counts, making new standard, fully assembled dress packs for industrial robots suitable to get systems back up and running.

HEIDENHAIN's popular TNC 640 mill-turn control is now available with an exciting new option, a 3D Probing cycle, called Cycle 444. Already equipped with both manual and automatic probing cycles for datum setting, workpiece alignment and inspection, the TNC 640 offers this additional 3D probing cycle to meet manufacturers' increased requirements for automation and advanced probing routines that inspect free form surfaces where measurement positions are often difficult to capture.

Engineers who currently ask humans for advice about cutting tool selection will one day direct their questions to advisers derived from artificial intelligence. So says MachiningCloud Inc. (www.machiningcloud.com), a single-source provider of digitized product data gathered from manufacturers of cutting tools and workholding devices.

More lathe purchasers are choosing automated material handling options, according to the February 2017 Machine Technology column by Bill Leventon.

According to Autonetics LLC, automated gaging units (AGUs) for threads are hot. The Cary, N.C.-based AGU manufacturer reported that it shipped 10 systems in the third quarter of last year to U.S. pipe mills that produce oil country tubular goods. No shipments occurred in the fourth quarter because the industry experienced a downturn, so capital expenditure projects got cut or delayed, noted Jeff Heath, COO of Autonetics. However, he said, the projects are starting to receive funding again. "We have about four in the build phase."

Student apprentices graduating from a new automated equipment program will hold demonstrations in front of high-tech industry representatives in February and March at Oakland Community College and Henry Ford College in Dearborn, Calif.

A growing global movement toward automation, and it comes at a time in China when demands for fair working conditions and wages have led to increased volatility, resulting in labor strikes in different parts of the country.

The Robotic Industries Association has announced that in 2016 the North American robotics market broke all-time records for orders and shipments. During the year, 34,606 robots valued at approximately $1.9 billion were ordered in North America, representing growth of 10 percent in units over 2015.

Schaffner introduces the FN510 dv/dt filter, which eliminates premature motor damage caused by high dv/dt, over-voltages on motor cables, motor overheating and more, to prolong service life motors in high precision environments. Suitable for motors from 1.5 to 30 Kw with frequencies up to 400Hz (4 to 24A) or to 200Hz (33 to 66A), this proven technology reduces high output voltage dv/dt from IGBT motor drives and restricts over-voltages caused by line reflections on motor cables.

The new LP 100 gantry robot system introduced recently by Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH is ideal for handling small and light components, allowing users the option of configuring the gantry to deliver high-speed or high-load performance. This choice allows the LP 100 to be employed flexibly, which fits well with inline production concepts where workpieces travel longer distances across several production machines.

More than 150 U.S.-based robotics researchers contributed to the 2016 edition of the report titled "A Roadmap for US Robotics From Internet to Robotics." Released Oct. 31, the document calls for improving policy frameworks to safely integrate new technologies, such as self-driving cars and commercial drones, into everyday life. The document also advocates for increased research efforts in the field of human-robot interaction and for more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) courses for students.