Automation & Controls

Videos • July 12, 2016

Haas Tip of the Day tackles buildup of stringy chips

Haas Automation's "Tip of the Day" video series tackles the buildup of stringy chips that wrap around tools. "If you've ever experienced a rat's nest of stringy chips wrapped around your tools, this video is for you," according to the video description on the Haas Automation YouTube channel. A Haas representative offers "a simple way to throw those chips off the tool before they have a chance to build up." In addition, the video introduces a new feature in the Haas NextGen control that is said to eliminate the problem of chip buildup altogether.

News • June 21, 2016

Dorner appoints new regional sales manager

Dorner Mfg. Corp., Hartland, Wis., recently appointed Michael Goodall as its Regional Sales Manager covering the area of Northern Ohio and Michigan. In this new position with Dorner, Goodall will be working with sales channel partners and key accounts to grow the company's industrial and sanitary conveyor business, as well as focusing on the automation markets throughout both states.

Products • June 9, 2016

BLÚ Distributed Control Network

Marposs offers its new BLÚ distributed control network for machine tools. The BLÚ system represents a new approach to the concept of a localized network on a machine tool.

Products • June 1, 2016

Express 220 S2 Bar Feeder

The LNS Express 220 S2 automatic, magazine bar feeder faultlessly loads 12' long bars with diameters from 2 mm to 20 mm and, with bar preparation, up to 26 mm to accommodate 20 mm machines with 26 mm bar capacity. The enhanced bar feeder uses a simple loading assistance design for small diameter bars with a proprietary, automatic loading mechanism and bar selection system to precisely and consistently load small bars, especially in the 2 mm to 4 mm diameter range, without failure, according to the company.

Products • May 31, 2016

Automated Pallet Jaw System

With Kitagawa/NorthTech Worlkholding's automated pallet jaw system, robotic automation is a viable solution for low- and moderate-volume parts production in a CNC lathe.

Products • May 25, 2016

Robolink D Modular Robotic Kit

For cost-effective, customizable robotic systems, igus has further updated the Robolink D modular robotic kit with new strain wave gearings in two installation sizes. The gearing, available as an individual component or with integrated NEMA motor, consists of an outer ring gear and flexible, wear-resistant inner ring gear made from self-lubricating, wear resistant iglide plastic.

News • May 17, 2016

Dorner acquiring Geppert-Band

Dorner Holding Corp., the parent company of Dorner Mfg. Corp., Hartland, Wis., on May 12 announced the acquisition of Jülich, Germany-based Geppert-Band, a leading European manufacturer of belt and modular belt conveyors.

Products • May 6, 2016

FiberMaxHP Photonics Alignment Platform

FiberMaxHP is a second-generation 3-6 axis photonics alignment platform built on Aerotech's proven ANT nanopositioning product line. It is designed for critical photonics alignment in a highly automated, 24/7 production environment with no compromise in speed, accuracy and resolution, according to the company.

Articles • May 1, 2016 • William Leventon

The contours of a robotic 3D-printing platform

Arevo Labs hopes its new RAMP leads to better 3D-printed componets for the defense and aerospace industries. Arevo touts RAMP (Robot-based Additive Manufacturing Platform) as the first system of its kind optimized for 3D printing of composite thermoplastic parts. The system includes a 6-axis robot arm and end-effector hardware for deposition. RAMP can accommodate build envelopes from 1,000 cu. mm to 8 cu. m, depending on the size of the robot used. The end effector consists of a deposition head with special thermal management technology for processing carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastics.

Articles • May 1, 2016 • Christopher Tate

Moving large, complex parts calls for specialized equipment

Until I started working for Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Americas, lifting parts was never a consideration in daily production. Previously, the parts I dealt with were small, usually never larger than a dinner plate. Lifting equipment, such as forklifts and pallet jacks, were often employed, but only to move raw materials to a machine tool or to load and unload trucks—never as part of the production process.

Products • April 27, 2016

NC Feed Systems

Dake Corp. introduces their line of NC feed systems, giving shops everywhere the ability to increase productivity, decrease setup time, reduce operator error and reduce waste. Using the Dake feed systems, any semiautomatic ironworker, cold saw, drill press or punching machine can easily be turned into a fully automatic production tool, according to the company. A free-standing control panel with an easy-to-read LCD digital display and infinitely variable programming gives operators endless opportunities to enhance their metalworking capabilities.

Products • April 8, 2016

MIL-Spec 5015 Connectors

The MIL-Spec 5015 series from Mencom Corp. was originally designed for severe aeronautical and tactical service applications. Due to the rugged and versatile design, these connectors are widely used in a range of commercial and industrial applications, such as factory automation, robotics, instrumentation, medical equipment and power applications.