Automation & Controls

PTC announced that Fastems, a Finnish manufacturer of factory automation systems with North American headquarters in West Chester, Ohio, will integrate PTC ThingWorx technology into its flexible manufacturing systems. The new technology will facilitate remote systems monitoring and condition-based maintenance. These new service options will enable its customers to increase system uptime and production capacity.

With Universal Robots+, the company creates its own eco-system enabling applications revolving around the collaborative robot arms UR3, UR5 and UR10 to be developed and showcased. The so-called URCaps, accessory components that extend the UR robots' capabilities, can be customized hardware components, software plug-ins, or a combination of both.

Rodney Brooks, founder of Rethink Robotics, introduced the concept of cost-effective and collaborative robotics in manufacturing. He explains why he believes robots like Rethink's Baxter and Sawyer won't endanger jobs.

UNITED GRINDING conducted a groundbreaking ceremony August 9 for its new North American headquarters to be built in Miamisburg, Ohio. With the new facility, the grinding machine builder says it will further strengthen its customer service and support, and boost its operational agility for even faster response to ever changing customer needs.

Clearly verify the presence of dust in production: Companies check the hall air quality efficiently with the new air monitoring system AirWatch. KEMPER's sensor technology is able to determine and document the number and weight of nanoparticles and then analyze it with smartphone, tablet or PC and compare it to limit values.

Makino introduces the fully equipped Professional 6 (Pro6) control designed to move operators fluidly through machine set up, empower them with easily accessible information and protect them with enhanced safety. The Pro6 accelerates productivity for machine shops and tool, die and mold makers with streamlined screen layouts, operator guidance and latest machine functions.

Comau introduces Rebel-S, its own 4-axis SCARA robot, in five different models with a payload of 6kg and three different reaches. All models are controlled by the R1C 19" rack-mounted controller, which can be integrated into a single cabinet to control an entire line.

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.

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.

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.

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.