TRINAMIC Motion GmbH & Co. KG now sells a TMC5160 SilentStepStick. Outpowering all other StepSticks on the market, this tiny breakout board with the TMC5160 can drive motors up to 3A phase current at 35V. The TMC5160 SilentStepStick not only extends the product family by a more powerful solution, it’s also more advanced than the…
Weintek now sells iR-ECAT EtherCAT communication coupler
EtherCAT (Ethernet for Control Automation Technology) is a high performance and very efficient Ethernet-based fieldbus system applicable for various types of devices in the industrial network systems. Thanks to these advantages, it is one of the most widely adopted industrial Ethernet technologies, and has gradually become a standard communication interface in the industrial field. Responding…
Focusing on low-cost automation
On a recent trip to igus’ Cologne, Germany headquarters, I had the opportunity to sit down with Stefan Niermann, head of the newly created Low Cost Automation business unit. igus has moved more and more into the so-called “rohbot” market (think raw-bot), a down-to-basics articulated robot arm model that takes advantage of the company’s decades…
Growth industry: Automation in the burgeoning cannabis market
Taboos against cannabis continue to go up in smoke, which has meant the rapid ascent of an entirely new industry. It’s also meant proliferation of new automated systems and machine designs for all stages of cannabis production — including growing, harvesting, processing, testing, packaging, and distributing of marijuana and hemp-based goods to satisfy demand. Before…
Basic single loop temperature controllers
Economical SOLO Basic temperature controllers provide single loop control for heating and cooling processes using a thermocouple or RTD input signal and a relay, voltage pulse, or current output signal (depending on model). The 1/16 DIN panel size SOLO basic controller operates on 100 to 240 Vac 50 / 60 Hz input power. Two 4-character…
PTL110 Series of scalable, versatile pick-to-light devices
The PTL110 Series of scalable, versatile pick-to-light devices improves speed, productivity, and quality in picking, kitting, and related applications. PTL110 Series pick-to-light devices feature optical sensor and touch button capabilities that can be used individually or together to confirm standard pick actions plus secondary functions. The optional alphanumeric display can be used to indicate part…
Operator touch panels with blackline and sidescreen enhancement
Sinumerik CNC Blackline touch panels include a sidescreen enhancement. This development enables users to customize the panel of the CNC, laying out the operator panel in real time, using drag-and-drop technology. Screens can be customized to view documents, camera projections, web server access information, access protection data for IT security protocols and even user administration.…
Solid state relays and contactors with integrated monitoring
Carlo Gavazzi launched the RG..M Series of single-phase solid state relays and contactors with integrated monitoring features. The RG..M consists of solid state switches that integrate monitoring features for quick and timely failure detection, besides the switching function. Timely failure detection eliminates the need for re-work and prevents scrap, leading to better production throughput and…
Service Bureau or Broker? How to choose the right option for your parts
If you’ve decided not to produce parts in-house, you’ll find a range of out-side contract manufacturing services for production and in just about any quantity you need. Outside services include Service Bureaus, Service Brokers, Independent Machine Shops, and High- Volume Production Houses. Each of these options offers a range of design help, manufacturing processes, capacity,…
Imager-based barcode readers with decoding capabilities
Banner Engineering announced the ABR Series imager-based barcode readers for solving a range of challenging track and trace applications. ABR Series barcode readers use advanced algorithms to decode a full library of 1D and 2D barcodes, including direct part marking (DPM), damaged, distorted, and overprinted codes. Their all-in-one design combines imager, lens, and lighting in…
Factory harmony is a hit at ATX West for Omron
Omron followed up its showing at the Consumer Electronics Show with an exhibit of advanced AI, automation and robotics at ATX West 2019. The company brought its new interactive Factory Harmony exhibit to California with a team of experts who collaborate with customers to provide customized automation solutions for factory line efficiency and business growth. At CES,…
Retaining magnets are ideal for industrial applications requiring non-permanent fixing
Elesa now offers a line of retaining magnets: flat, cylindrical, U-shaped magnets with pass-through hole, shielded and unshielded for high performance and minimal space requirements. Retaining magnets are an easy and safe solution for industrial applications where non-permanent fixing is required or where it is not possible to drill holes. For example, they are commonly…
VisuNet IXD 2100 remote monitor for outdoor use
Pepperl+Fuchs introduced the 19-inch VisuNet IXD 2100 remote monitor for outdoor use in IECEx/ATEX Zone 1/21 rated hazardous locations. Tailored to meet the harsh demands of the oil and gas industry, the IXD features a marine-grade aluminum housing that can withstand extreme temperatures up to 60 ºC, and thermally hardened glass for high impact resistance.…
Safety module saves space in the control cabinet
The new X20SO6530 digital output module provides six safety relays on a unit with the X20’s standard 25 mm width, allowing B&R to offer a cost-effective and space-saving solution for applications where numerous floating signals are needed. To meet safety requirements, positively driven feedback contacts must be evaluated in a manner that is appropriate for…
Industrial networks open-up to the future
The Factory of the Future – taking into account Industry 4.0 – is loaded with sensors and devices that record real-time processes and statuses across the factory floor. A fast, efficient and reliable industrial network is key to successfully sharing and using the data being generated. The network architecture should be designed as an interconnected…
EtherCat’s new gigabit standard and more from Beckhoff at SPS IPC Drives
I spoke with Beckhoff’s Daymon Thompson at last week’s SPS IPC Drives show in Nuremberg, Germany, and the automation company has a lot going on, starting with a huge upgrade for EtherCat, the fieldbus system it created in 2003. Beckhoff’s booth introduced attendees to EtherCAT-G 10, which is based on the 10-gigabit EtherNet standard. Some…
Sysmac AI Controller extends equipment life with machine learning
A new solution for human-machine collaboration is now available from automation solutions provider Omron Automation Americas. The Sysmac AI Controller handles several key steps in the data-driven decision process for predictive maintenance, thereby freeing up industrial professionals from tedious calculations, analyses and infrastructure upgrades. This powerful solution can help manufacturers reduce the risk of bad…
Q&A on IIoT in manufacturing: The value of being practical and starting small
In a recent Design World webinar (now available on demand) three IoT experts answered several questions about how manufacturers and machine builders can benefit from IIoT with more efficient, productive, and sustainable industrial enterprises … and best practices for approaching cybersecurity, ramping up a digital workforce, and appropriately scaling the digital transformation. Here’s what they…
Expanding the reach of digital twins
It’s incredible to think about how much engineering has changed, and continues to change, in the 25 years since I received my degree. Large and small steps forward each year in everything from CAD to 3D printing have bettered the manufacturing world and improved how we design for it. I’ve been familiar with the concept…
Bosch Rexroth exhibiting Factory of the Future technologies at PACK EXPO 2018
Located in booth #S-1654, Bosch Rexroth is gearing up to bring the Factory of the Future to the packaging industry at PACK EXPO, October 14-17, in Chicago. Featuring a variety of products and demos from its automation, assembly and linear motion technology portfolios, Rexroth’s booth is ready to show the packaging industry the Factory of…
Push-button terminal blocks with positive operating feedback
WAGO has expanded its TOPJOB®S line of DIN rail mount terminal blocks to include push-button actuation. Orange push-buttons on both sides of the terminal block clearly identify where the operating tool must be applied – simply press down on push-button with the operating tool, insert the conductor and remove the operating tool from the push-button,…
Rexroth’s North American GoTo Focused Delivery Program — 9th consecutive year of growth
For the 9th consecutive year, Bosch Rexroth’s GoTo Focused Delivery Program continues to offer high demand products across Rexroth’s broad range of technologies for fast delivery. More than 99% of the products in the program ship in 10 days or fewer, with the same lead times in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. With the GoTo…
Siemens demonstrates concrete potential of digitalization for the machine tool industry
Under the motto “Digitalization in Machine Tool Manufacturing”, Siemens demonstrates how machine tool users and manufacturers can benefit from digitalization. Siemens is driving digitalization in the machine tool industry forward from its leading position in the field. The future is a focus on the company’s extensive, integrated, end-to-end digitalization portfolio. With this unique offering, Siemens…
Pak/iQ boosts intelligence of smart packaging machines
Responding to end user needs to rapidly adjust to changing consumer demands and OEM requirements to incorporate the latest technologies into their machines, Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc., introduces Pak/iQTM to solve the challenges of both customer segments in the packaging industry. Pak/iQ is a comprehensive portfolio of packaging products designed to improve the performance and…
OMRON to display vision, flexible manufacturing, traceability and safety solutions at IMTS
OMRON Automation Americas — provider of industrial automation solutions — will be displaying a wide range of technologies at the upcoming International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) at booth #134845 in September. These products and solutions are aimed at helping manufacturers meet a variety of needs in vision inspection, flexible manufacturing, traceability and safety while edging…