Automation & Controls

Forklifts—the workhorses of the plant floor—are more valuable than ever at ITAMCO (Indiana Technology and Manufacturing Cos.). The Plymouth, Ind.-based manufacturer of gears and other precision components connected its forklifts to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), which integrates machine tools and other manufacturing equipment with networked sensors and software.

Schaumburg-based Heidenhain recently introduced the VS 101 camera system as a new feature of its flagship TNC 640 mill-turn machine in order to automatically monitor the setup situation and machining result, according to a a company news release.

Briney Tooling Systems, Bad Axe, Mich., recently expanded its test bar offering to include CAT40 and CAT50 models; BT30, BT40 and BT50 models, and HSK50A, HSK63A, HSK80A and HSK100A models, according to a Feb. 9 news release. Briney also offers special test bar designs.

GTI Predictive Technology, Manchester, N.H., today announced the immediate availability of GTI PowerReader, the latest tool in the GTI Predictive Technology Tool Box. The GTI PowerReader allows users to optimize machine cycles to help increase output and avoid new capital equipment purchases, according to a GTI Predictive Technology news release.

With version 4.7 of the Sinumerik Operate graphical user interface software, Siemens Industry Inc. reportedly improved multi-tasking with machine tools, according to a company announcement release today.

Matrix Design LLC, South Elgin, Ill., opened a new sales office in Indianapolis, which will be lead by Tim Fenner, who recently joined Matrix as a sales specialist. Matrix Design develops, builds and installs robotic automation systems worldwide. The Indianapolis office gives the company a more focused presence to better serve industries in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and surrounding regions.

Designed to improve the manufacturing process, the new Walter Tool-ID system reportedly allows users to transfer tool data from the presetting device to the machine tool and evaluate the parameters that are run on the machine, according to a Feb. 2 news release from Walter USA LLC, Waukesha, Wis.

The Keyence Corporation of America, Itasca, Ill., recently added a new product to its popular IV Series vision sensor family—the IV-H vision sensor—that reportedly increases the stability and functionality of visual inspection, the company announced in a Jan. 29 news release. The new IV-H models boast increased stability and versatility with a brand new toolset.

Coherent Inc., Santa Clara, Calif., recently enhanced its series of large-area, high-speed PowerMax-Pro laser detectors to enable power measurement of laser beams of up to 375W continuously, 600W for shorter durations, and modulated peak powers as high as 15 kW in intermittent (long-pulse) operation, according to the company.

With its new KASTOwin range, KASTO Inc., Export, Penn., presents a flexible, universal solution for serial and production sawing of solid materials, tubes and profiles, according to a recent company news release. Four automatic band saw models were presented at the company's 170th anniversary event.

PRAB Inc. offers a heavy-duty, open-frame steel belt conveyor designed to minimize downtime and increase worker safety. The exclusive design allows operators or maintenance personnel to quickly and easily see if carry-over has fallen between the belt. The removable guard panels to allow for easy access to the area between the belt and the bottom cover, providing quick and easy removal of scrap.

Cosen Saws USA, Charlotte, N.C., has introduced MechaLogix Cosen Predictive Computing, a cloud-based system that reportedly revolutionizes the category with an innovative feature that monitors the performance of a blade and can accurately forecast the number of remaining cutting hours left before a saw blade dulls and is no longer cutting with precision or a complete breakage.