Articles and News

The interface includes bi-directional catalog part synchronization of the E-CAD and PLM part libraries. Synchronizations can be scheduled either regularly or created on demand.

Linux has long been on the “wishlist" for control systems. Until now, most systems have been locked-in to the Windows operating system due to reliance on classic OPC—a ubiquitous communication standard based on Microsoft’s Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM). The name of the game is changing, however, with the arrival of the next-generation OPC standard, the OPC Unified Architecture (OPC-UA). The new standard was designed for cross-platform compatibility, which makes room for Linux to gain popularity in the automated control industry.

U.S. packaging machinery shipments increased by 6 percent, to $7.9 billion, in 2013.

Muratec and Cimcorp are both companies in the material handling system business.

The show attracted 73,000 visitors to see 1,900 exhibitors.

The next HANNOVER MESSE will run from 13 to 17 April 2015.

B&R Japan is headquartered in Yokohama and led by Masashi Ono.

The online solution replaces traditional CO2 reporting based on fuel data at the Martinlaakso 1 power plant run by Vantaan Energia in Vantaa, Finland.

Products include process controllers, digital indicators, chart and strip recorders and paperless videographic recorders.

A highly skilled workforce is the lifeblood of any successful company, industry, or national economy.

By Bill Lydon, Editor There is a growing frenzy over the application of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to industrial automation. The question is, “Why do we want to do this?” The high level goal is to improve manufacturing processes in a number of dimensions, including efficiency, responsiveness, and the ability to meet individual customer needs in a timely manner.

Sine wave, square wave, sawtooth wave signal shaping, vehicle speed measurement, 24V/5V pulse peed sensor special analog signal isolation transmitter

Shenzhen WAYJUN Industrial Automation wins 2014 China high-tech enterprises name.

The RFID market is worth $8.89 billion, up from $7.77 billion in 2013 and $6.96 billion in 2012. This includes tags, readers and software/services for RFID cards, labels, fobs and all other form factors.

The integration of Eplan Electric P8 and GX Works2 allows transferring data from electrical engineering directly into PLC programming.

The Metropolitan Copenhagen Heating Transmission Company (CTR) installed Rotork IQ3 valve actuators to replace actuators that suffered permanent damage from the effects of hot water.

An algorithm to transform the uncertain first-order plus time delay model into a state-space model with uncertainty polyhedron is detailed in this technical paper.

Kuka and Kollmorgen were able to reduce the installation volume of the motors compared to standard models, implement robot-specific applications and optimise the entire supply chain.

HINZ developed a machine vision system that automatically measures the amount and distribution of potash on a mining conveyor as it is loaded by the bridge conveyor. This information is used by the mine control system to automatically move the bridge conveyor to correct any imbalance.

Traditionally, body panels are inspected by using a robot to present the part to an array of proximity switches. Ford improved on this method by using machine vision. The camera connects to either the robot or the PLC using the Ethernet/IP protocol.

Unico Systems, a manufacturer of home air conditioning and heating systems, uses Cognex wireless handheld scanners to read barcodes on the product, and QR codes on employee badges and assembly stations. Operators now spend less time on data entry tasks and the production rate is up 40%

The European office will deliver channel partner and technical support for alarm notification software to European, Middle Eastern, and African markets.

By John Lewis, Cognex The need to use PCs to interface with vision systems and ID readers required the purchase of expensive hardware and development of sometimes complex software. A new generation of vision systems and ID readers with built-in EtherNet/IP connectivity streamlines factory network integration.

Exide had difficulties in reading 2D data matrix codes burned into plastic with a laser burner. The problem was solved by switching to image-based Cognex DataMan 200 readers with 2D decoding software and an EtherNet/IP interface to the PLC.

RFID sensor tags do not require batteries to monitor temperature, pressure and humidity of equipment remotely.

Four PowerFlex 755 Variable Frequency Drives operate motors that run the hydraulic emulsion pumps responsible for advancing roof supports at an unnamed mining company in Illinois.

Process Plant Computing Limited will streamline control room alarms across four LNG trains at Atlantic's Point Fortin plant, on the southwest coast of Trinidad.

Emerging nations will no longer propel the west’s economy, which is already suffering a tumbling oil price and, very soon, the end of the fed’s QE program.

Centero will distribute and support the ISA100 Wireless Device Test Kit and ISA100 Wireless Stack Test Kit.

H2W acquired Baldor's Cog Free Brushless, Iron Core Brushless, Single Axis Stepper, Dual Axis Stepper, Polynoid, AC Induction, Voice Coil Actuator products.

By Rich Hunzinger, B-Scada With all of the opportunities presented by today's data-driven enterprise, the time has come to consider whether your SCADA system is limiting your potential.

By Rich Hunzinger, B-Scada One of the fastest-growing and most widespread trends in the HMI and SCADA software realms is that of mobility. Namely, how can we - or should we - take advantage of mobile devices in automated work environments?

Daqing Petrochemical Company will use the HIMA FlexSILon TMC solution for safely controlling turbomachines at its gasoline desulfurization plant being built in Daqing City, in China’s Heilongjiang province.

The FCC recently approved the use of high power transmitters at 5.15-5.25GHz. The AvaLAN 5Ghz product family now has twice as many channels resulting in twice the amount of data capacity.

Proficy Scorecard generates real-time views of information, from multiple data sources within the company, to provide actionable “Scorecards” for all departments in an organization.

By Steve Aamodt, SICK To help prevent injuries and increase productivity for end users, machine builders are incorporating safety into the design of metal forming and bending machines. The old way of thinking, that safety harms productivity, has changed, in large part due to better safety systems.

Changing the paradigm from inspect and reject to predict and prevent is the focus of big data.

Tianchen, a Chinese engineering contractor serving the chemical processing industry, has selected AVEVA Everything3D (AVEVA E3D) as its 3D design solution.

He will join the company in early January 2015, succeeding Andrew Jamison who will be retiring.

The apps require iOS6.1 and can be purchased through the Apple App Store in iTunes. They are compatible with the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

Interactive demonstration center in Houston gives industrial customers a glimpse into the future of managing their manufacturing operations.

Crimson-enabled products allow companies to easily integrate almost any PLC, PC or SCADA system for data collection, monitoring and control.

Wasserbauer installed ITTIA DB SQL data base into its Butler robots.

Wonderware software integrated all their existing disparate systems, achieved reliable and cost-efficient control, enabled safe operations and created scalability for future growth.

Robot orders and shipments in North America set new records in the first nine months of 2014, according to Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industry’s trade group.

The Program Committee of the 2015 ISA Water/Wastewater and Automatic Controls (WWAC) Symposium has issued a Call for Papers.

WillowTree is an experienced iOS, Android and Mobile Web app developer that enables Microchip’s customers to focus on the core of their Internet of Things designs.

Using Kepware’s KEPServerEX, Cascades now supports communications across all of its seventeen plants, seventeen paper machines, and nearly ninety converting lines with just one piece of software.

To simplify the development of complex machines, Rexroth is integrating safety technology into the Sercos automation network.

InfinityQS ProFicient manufacturing quality software provides companies with real-time visibility across the enterprise and into the supply chain.