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Message From The Editor
In this issue of Drives & Control Solutions Festo provides some unique insight into Pneumatic Air Cushioning and DCS' Blake Marchand discusses AGV's with JMP Solutions' Rob Frappier. Also have a look at the Fanuc's certification offerings for robotics and advanced automation manufacturing. As the editor I am also counting the days to this years' Hannover Messe Fair as we will be there delivering you the latest trends and products from the over 2,000 exhibitors in the Integrated Automation, Motion and Drives pavilions. Have an early look at the some of the trends coming in 'The Road to Digitization".
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Pneumatics
Taking the Guesswork out of Pneumatic Air Cushioning
A loose screw from who-knows-where lying on the shop floor can be a vaguely disquieting sign of trouble, like that loud rattle on the machine caused by who-knows-what. Such nebulous symptoms may be the result of poorly set air cushioning of the piston stroke in ISO pneumatic cylinders. Festo has developed technology to dispense entirely with the need for manual adjustment: the world's only perpetually self-adjusting air cushioning, available on the PPS versions of its DSBC square body, DSNU round body, ADN compact cylinder series as well as specialty variants like the stainless steel CRDSNU for food and beverage, chemical and med-lab applications.
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Peers & Profiles
Discussing AGVs with JMP Solutions' Rob Frappier
By Blake Marchand
JMP Solutions is a leader in industrial automation and technology, headquartered in London, Ontario. They have 15 business units across Canada and the United States providing engineering and turnkey solutions in process automation, control system integration, information and MES, automation and robotic systems, material handling, networking and security, and automated guided vehicles. With respect to the latter, Drives & Control Solutions was able to table a few questions with Rob Frappier, Director of Automated Guided Vehicles and Branch Manager of JMP Solutions Control Systems Office in Cambridge, Ontario.
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Looking Ahead to Hannover Messe
The Road to Digitization
Whether in mechanical and plant engineering, automotive, aviation, construction, metalworking, plastics, process engineering or electrical engineering and electronics - each of these industries must respond adequately to the challenges of digital transformation. Many of them have already embarked on the journey, and others are preparing to follow. "The major challenge here is not to view IT as an isolated solution, but to connect all data and systems together in such a way as to provide the greatest possible benefit for business success," says Hubertus von Monschaw, Global Director for Digital Factory in the HANNOVER MESSE team.
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Advanced Certifications
FANUC Introduces four new National Certifications for Robotics and Advanced Automation Manufacturing
FANUC introduces the first ever National Certifications for Robot Operations, Programming and Integrated Vision. This industry-education development represents an 18-month initiative that brought together subject matter experts from industry, automation systems integrators, leading advisors and instructors from high school, community colleges, and universities all focused on preparing a pipeline of talent with the core competencies and automation technology skills for today's manufacturing industry. With these challenging and thorough national certification assessments, students and workers are able to document their knowledge and fill high demand, high paying, and exciting career opportunities in Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing.
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Changing Scene
- Emerson Completes Acquisition of General Electric's Intelligent Platforms Business
Emerson recently announced it has completed the purchase of Intelligent Platforms from General Electric. The addition of Intelligent Platforms programmable logic controller technologies will enable Emerson, a global leader in automation for process and industrial customers, to expand its capabilities in machine control and discrete applications.
- Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure Process Safety Advisor Delivers Profitable Safety for Industry
Schneider Electric, a leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has announced EcoStruxure Process Safety Advisor, an IIoT-based digital process safety platform and service that enables customers to visualize and analyze real-time hazardous events and risks to their enterprise-wide assets, operations and business performance.
- Graybar Canada Atlantic Automation Group earns authorization as a Service Provider
Graybar Canada is proud to announce their Atlantic Automation Group has become the first non-pilot Canadian Rockwell Automation distributor to earn authorization as a service provider. Graybar Canada is a wholesale distributor for thousands of items from leading manufacturers of automation, comm/data, and electrical products. Headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Graybar Canada operates over 30 locations across the country.
- ABB Enables Zero-Emission Electric Operation for Heavy Vehicles
ABB has launched an optimized e-drivetrain platform to help manufacturers of heavy duty special and commercial vehicles make a smooth, fast-track transition from diesel to zero-emission electric operations. The complete e-drivetrain solution includes the key elements - motor, drive and vehicle control unit - harmonized for maximum performance, reliability and energy efficiency. ABB can work alongside vehicle OEMs to design a drive train that suits their specific application needs. One of the first heavy vehicle customers to adopt ABB's optimized e-drivetrain is Epiroc, one of the world's leading suppliers of underground mining and infrastructure equipment.
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- Siemens Canada Limited and Stellar Power & Control Solutions LP. enter a Siemens Solutions Partner Automation Drives Agreement
Stellar Power & Control Solutions LP. has been selected as a Global Partner and only the second General Motion Control Partner in Canada. Located in Western Canadian, Stellar Power & Control Solutions is an Electrical Systems Integrator specializing in the design and build of Pump and Motor Control Panels, mainly within Municipalities and Mining and Forestry. The Siemens Solutions Partnership agreement comes at an exciting time, as Siemens has released their new series low voltage VFD G120X for Fan, Pump, Water and Waste Water applications.
- Last Chance to Register - Getting AHJs to Accept Your Industrial Control Panel: Free Webinar
Industrial control panels (ICP) can pose a threat to safety if they are not properly designed, manufactured, and installed. But ICPs are integral to almost every industrial and commercial system available, providing local tie-ins and connections with logic control, safety components, emergency stops, interface to control rooms, and more. They are increasingly complex, especially as new technologies such as fiber optics, and digital and wireless communications are incorporated, adding cybersecurity and functional safety risks that need to be mitigated.
- Bosch Rexroth, driving performance and value-added functions for mobile working machines
The BODAS-drive eDA is a future-compatible and scalable control solution for hydrostatic travel drives. It is available either as a completely pre-programmed or an open, extensible system. With a specially-matched package of software and components, Rexroth offers an electronic variant of its hydraulic DA controls, which are characterized by their driving comfort and reliability. The eDA is particularly suitable for wheeled loaders, telescopic handlers and fork lift trucks, but also for many other applications that previously used conventional DA controls.
- SCHUNK Growing Double-Acting Clamping Vises Series
After just one year on the market, SCHUNK is systematically expanding its series of powerful KONTEC KSC-D double clamping vises. As of now, the light and flat double clamping vises with the most in demand jaw width of 125 mm are available in seven body lengths: 320 mm, 390 mm, 460 mm, 530 mm, 600 mm, 670 mm, and 740 mm. In size 80, one length is standardized: 300 mm SCHUNK KONTEC KSC-D double clamping vises are specially designed for demanding continuous operation in automated machine tools with workpiece storages.
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International News
- Danfoss ready with first 3D printed thermostat part
Half a centimeter wide, two centimeters long and shaped like a half-moon. That's the brief description of the component which Danfoss Heating's factory in Silkeborg recently developed together with Danfoss Additive Design and Manufacturing Center, Nordborg - in everyday language the 3D printing center. The component now sits inside a series of so-called return-temperature limiting thermostats which are on the way to a British distributor of heating and ventilation solutions.
- Webinar: Prepare your Business for Digital Era to Transform Industrial Valves and Actuators Market
With rapid digital transformation across end markets such as the oil and gas, chemicals, and power generation industries, there will be an increased focus on reducing downtime cost and time associated with unplanned failure of assets like valves, especially for critical applications. It is imperative for valve OEMs and pure-play service providers to be mindful of the end users' digital adaptability and the demand for valve solutions
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Product Focus
Hammond Manufacturing Introduces 1551V Sensor Enclosures for the IoT
The new 1551V miniature ventilated sensor enclosures from Hammond Manufacturing are designed to house sensors andsmall sub-systems installed in the manufacturing environment as part of IoT systems. While there is no relevant international standard, the 1551V enclosures are designed around the PCB sizes selected by leading sensor manufacturers for their latest generations of products. The ABS UL94-HB 1551V is available in black, grey and white as standard; four plan sizes, 80 x 80, 80 x 40, 60 x 60 and 40 x 40mm are all 20mm high, maximum PCB sizes are 74 x 74, 74 x 34, 54 x 54 and 34 x 34mm respectively.
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New Allen-Bradley Controller Steers Operators to Better Production Decisions
Industrial workers can strengthen their grasp of production and make more informed operating decisions with the new Allen-Bradley CompactLogix 5480 controller by Rockwell Automation. The controller marries a Logix control engine and the Microsoft Windows 10 IoT Enterprise operating system in a single platform, allowing workers to view machine information at its source. "The controller can collect raw machine data and reveal it to workers as useful information, right at the machine level," said Jason Shaw, global product manager, controllers, Rockwell Automation.
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Danfoss: VLT AQUA Drive FC 202
The VLT AQUA Drive is designed to provide the highest level of performance of AC-motor-driven water and wastewater applications. Featuring a wide range of powerful standard features, which can be expanded with performance-improving options, the drive is equally suited to both new and retrofit projects. The VLT AQUA Drive FC 202 is designed to provide the highest level of performance of AC-motor-driven applications. Featuring a wide range of powerful standard features, which can be expanded with performance-improving options, the drive is equally suited to both new and retrofit projects.
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Low-Profile Direct Drive Motor Provides Direct Control with Accuracy of a Servo Motor
Machine designers and end users looking for direct control of a load without traditional transmission components will be interested in the new Low-Profile Direct Drive Motors (TM-RG2M / TM-RU2M) from Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. Built with speed and precision in mind, it provides a smaller footprint and allows for more compact, efficient, and precise machines than those typically built using rotary servo motors. Applications that are well suited for the new motor include coating and vapor deposition systems, index tables, tool changers, rotary material handling robots, and rotary axis on XYθ inspection positioning systems.
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Pilz: M12 interfaces for safe signal transfer
In the automation system PSS 4000-R for railway, Pilz now provides two new control heads with M12 interface. So safe signal transmission is guaranteed on and beside the track, even under adverse conditions. Two new control heads with interfaces for M12 plug-in connectors expand the railway range of the automation system PSS 4000-R from Pilz: one head module with PLC functions and one I/O head module. Both are suitable for application conditions in accordance with the CENELEC standards EN 5012x. Thanks to the 4-pin coded M12 interfaces they ensure interference-free communication on rail vehicles and in signal and telecommunication facilities, even with difficult environmental conditions and high mechanical loads.
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High Efficient BLDC Motor Family from Duowei Electric
Brushless DC motors are often referred to as a brushed motor turned inside out because the typical brushless motor has permanent magnets which rotate around a fixed armature, eliminating problems associated with connecting current to the moving armature. An electronic controller replaces the brush/commutator assembly of the brushed DC motor, which continually switches the phase to the windings to keep the motor turning. The controller performs similar timed power distribution by using a solid-state circuit rather than the brush/commutator system.
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This email was sent to blakemarchand@kerrwil.com. |
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