AutomationDirect’s new ProSense line of digital panel meters offers a simple and cost-effective solution to display analog process, temperature, load cell, and potentiometer inputs. With all models, configuration parameters can be totally or selectively locked out to prevent unauthorized or accidental changes to the meter’s operation. Two-point direct or reverse acting linear scaling values can […]
New multifunctional, configurable, electronic safety controllers
Schmersal is proud to introduce the PROTECT SRB-E series, a range of multifunctional, configurable, electronic safety controllers. The series features safe PNP outputs and can be used to monitor most safeguarding switches such as electromechanical switches, safety light curtains, electronic safety sensors, and coded-magnet sensors. Models are available with input expansion up to Cat.4/PLe, monitoring […]
Position or not Position?
In the last post there was some discussion of how positioning is accomplished from a general perspective. As with all things in the world of mechatronics there are at least three perspective on the subject; mechanical, electrical and control. In order to understand the performance requirement, the underlying variable that ties everything together is the […]
AutomationDirect extends productivity series controllers’ capabilities
AutomationDirect has introduced additional modules to the Productivity series of programmable controller products. Additionally, updated Productivity Suite programming software is now available. For the Productivity3000 series, the P3-550E high-performance CPU is equipped with multiple communications ports, including two USB, two Ethernet, one RS-232 and one RS-485. The system can be expanded with the P3-RS, P3-RX […]
Understanding the Notion of Positioning
One of the most difficult challenges to machine builders is understanding the notion of positioning and how it is reflected in component selection in their equipment design. Positioning an object based on a rotary or linear input can be really simple or really complicated. Everything you need to know is based on the work statement […]
Drone Wars
Research into unmanned aircraft has been going on for some time. Called UAVs for Unmanned Airborne Vehicles, systems of various types have been under development since the 1908’s. The 1982 war between Syria and Israel was heavily impacted by Israel’s use of UAVs to sustain a major military advantage over Syrian armed forces. As with […]
Caged toolblox 30% lighter than solid tombstones
Kurt ToolBlox feature an open-cage design weighing 30% less than a solid tombstone with Aluminum subplates, making easier handling for the CNC machine table and shuttle systems. The ToolBlox class 30 Grey Iron iron construction continues to provide the vibration dampening for a rigid setup even compared to much heavier tombstone alternatives. Each Toolblox face […]
10-Gbit LAN transformers support PoE to 100 W and 1 A per channel
Würth Elektronik eiSos GmbH & Co. KG, manufacturer of electronic and electromechanical components, is expanding the portfolio of their Ethernet modules with LAN transformers for speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s. The new transformers support Power over Ethernet (PoE) up to 100 W and currents up to 1 A per channel. Würth Elektronik eiSos is […]
Motor Changes
Electric motors are the workhorse of industry. Globally 20% of all energy generated is in the form of electricity. Electric motors consume 40% of all electricity. Electric motors are a big part of how things work, industrially and on the consumer level. Major and small appliance account for huge numbers of motors manufactured […]
Machine throughput increases with next generation indexing table
ETEL’s RTMB high precision indexing tables have been a trusted solution for over 10 years, with thousands of products operating in a variety of industries including automation, electronics, and back-end semiconductor manufacturing. Now, ETEL is proud to announce the next generation of high performance indexing tables: the RTMBi. By combining ETEL’s high efficiency torque motors […]
Mechanics and Motion
Engineers with a mechanical engineering background typically have the best grasp of motion control. This should not be a surprise to anyone. Motion control is the science, sometimes the art, of moving mechanical loads. So the premise of any motion control problem statement is all about the mechanics. The basic mechanics of moving something boil […]
Controller from Rockwell Automation aims to simplify machine safety
Manufacturers and equipment builders are looking for ways to simplify and standardize safety across their machines and systems. With the new Allen-Bradley Compact GuardLogix 5370 controller from Rockwell Automation, users no longer need separate networks and controllers for safety and motion in applications with up to 16 axes. This makes it easier to design safety […]
Managing Complexity
Engineers and designers frequently seek simplicity as a measure of merit in products and machine designs. Simplicity has many virtues. Simplicity often means high reliability. Simplicity can translate to long life-expectancy. Simplicity can often embody elegance in design or some insight that translates to a better user experience. So when planning products and machinery designs, several basic […]
World’s slimmest safety relay
The new PSRmini relays from Phoenix Contact are the world’s slimmest safety relays. At just 6-mm wide, the PSRmini allows for 6 A, force-guided safety connections, but at a 70 percent smaller footprint than standard 22.5-mm safety relays. PSRmini safety relays come in two form factors, “slim” and “compact.” The 6-mm slim relay variants have […]
Safety controllers for explosive environments
Schmersal is proud to introduce the SRB-EXi series; a generation of safety relay modules which combines the proven SRB safety relay functionality with the demands of explosion protection. The SRB-EXi are suitable for secure signal analysis of emergency stop equipment and for safety monitoring of switchgear up to Category 4, PLe in accordance with ISO […]
Control System Language
Programming control systems is a complex matter. Some of the complexity is the history behind it, some is hardware related and some is the interdependency of hardware and software. Control system hardware has migrated from mechanical to electrical, and from electrical to electronic, or digital. Mechanical systems relied on changing gears and pulleys, adjusting hard […]
MagnaShear hazardous duty brakes are Class I and Class II, Div 2 Certified
New MagnaShear hazardous duty brakes from Force Control Industries, which employ oil shear technology to provide longer service life with virtually no maintenance or adjustment, now meet Class I and Class II Div 2 specifications (Div 1 in process with approval forthcoming). With spring set torque ratings from 3 to 900 foot-pounds available, MagnaShear motor […]
Workholding setup for secondary sperations from SideWinder Vise
The Kurt SideWinder vise provides vertical workholding without interfering with an existing host vise or the spindle. SideWinder vise expands the capabilities of 6 or 8 inch vises by adding vertical clamping above and behind the host vise and provides easy spindle access for secondary or final machining operations. SideWinder mounts to any vise with […]
Control Hardware, Software and Language
Control system hardware is a very diverse business. Siemens, ABB, Eaton, Rockwell and a universe of suppliers make up a marketplace of approximately $200 billion. At the supplier level the definition of control is pretty much anything from medium voltage switchgear, transformers, insulators and everything needed from the electric utility supply down to a 5 […]
System integrators, KEB America partner in new program
KEB America, Inc. has announced the launch of their System Integrator Program for the North American market. The program will partner talented system integrators with KEB engineers and application specialists. The goal is to pair KEB’s extensive automation product line with trusted local integrators. “Historically, KEB has worked with machine builder OEM’s in our target […]
Control Programming and Language
Like the Tower of Babel, control system programming in the past was the domain of many disparate languages that did not interact across disciplines. Programming has been a crucial element of control systems since the inception of automation itself. The early days of the PLC were built on the language of electrical wiring diagrams used to […]
New industrial 8-port gigabit managed switches
Antaira Technologies is proud to announce its expansion in the industrial networking infrastructure family with the LMX-0804G-SFP series. Antaira’s new industrial gigabit managed Ethernet switch line (LMX-0804G-SFP series) has been designed to fulfill applications in harsh or outdoor environments. Some applications where the LMX-0804G-SFP switch works well includes: power/utility, solar grids, windmills, mining infrastructures, factory/process […]