Control Engineering News

• Denso Robotics protocol allows control of robot by PC or PLC
  
  Renee Robbins, March 10, 2010
  New b-CAP Ethernet TCP/IP control protocol allows use of familiar interfaces and programming languages, extends control to vision systems and smart phones.
  
• Machinery vibration monitor for intrinsically safe applications
  
  Renee Robbins, March 10, 2010
  SKF Multilog On-line System DMx is a multi-featured vibration monitor for both conventional and hazardous environments.
  
• 2-axis motion control card for stepping, pulse-type servo motors
  
  Renee Robbins, March 10, 2010
  Advantech Universal PCI Card ensures synchronized movement across both axes, without consuming the PC's CPU.
  
• Permanent magnet DC motors from AutomationDirect
  
  Renee Robbins, March 10, 2010
  IronHorse permanent magnet DC 56C frame motor line includes totally enclosed non-vented and totally enclosed fan-cooled models.
  
• Roboticists saved from integration workload
  
  Renee Robbins, March 10, 2010
    Maxon partnership with National Instruments results in easier robot development, ViNI robotics platform.
  
• ‘Option card' connects Danfoss VLT AutomationDrive to Profinet-based networks
  
  Renee Robbins, March 10, 2010
    MCA120 features a built-in Web server for remote diagnostics and visual confirmation of basic drive parameters, as well as an e-mail, says Danfoss Drives.
  
• Coca-Cola to test new fuel cell technology
  
  David Greenfield, March 10, 2010
  Fuel cells powered by biogas will be tested at a Coca-Cola packaging plant.
  
• Corporate energy management potential remains largely untapped
  
  David Greenfield, March 9, 2010
  Study finds that, despite large potential for savings, only a small percentage of the market is taking advantage energy management systems' automation and controls.
  
• SR motor anatomy: See inside switched reluctance motors
  
  Frank J. Bartos, P.E, Control Engineering, March 9, 2010
    Simple electromechanical structure of switched reluctance (SR) motors offers benefits of robustness and reliability by eliminating permanent magnets, rotor bars, and more - tutorial.
  
• Pepperl+Fuchs acquires the proximity sensor business of Siemens
  
  March 3, 2010
    Pepperl+Fuchs agreed to acquire the proximity sensor business of Siemens. Siemens tells why in a March 8 update. On March 9, P+F told Control Engineering more about people, timeline, and assets.
  
• System integration: Model-based design tools write control software for industrial equipment
  
  Mark T. Hoske, Renee Robbins, March 8, 2010
    A partnership between Rockwell Automation and The MathWorks helps PLC-based machine builders benefit from simulation software, reducing design time 50%.
  
• Controllers: ABB adds scalability with new ‘eCo' PLC devices
  
  Renee Robbins, March 8, 2010
    AC500-eCo PLC family with three CPUs, four I/O devices provides cost-effective solutions for smaller projects.
  
• C&K rugged, sealed pushbutton switch
  
  March 8, 2010
    C&K Components illuminated pushbutton switch: 1 million actuations.
  
• Sick OLM High-speed, Long-range Fine Positioning Sensor
  
  March 8, 2010
    High-speed, high-precision positioning, where traditional laser measurement systems cannot be used, by using Sick's new OLM Distance Measurement Positioning Sensor, company says.
  
• Porsche unveils 918 Spyder hybrid sports car concept
  
  David Greenfield, March 8, 2010
    New concept from Porsche is an efficient, low-emission, mid-engine super sports car that features hybrid and electric drive technology.
  
• Belden: Hirschmann Mach 1040 Gigabit Ethernet Switch for high network availability, safety
  
  March 6, 2010
    Belden: new Hirschmann Mach1040 Gigabit Ethernet Switch delivers high network availability and operational safety.
  
• Two Technologies ultra-rugged hand held computer Hydrus Luna, optional RFID
  
  March 5, 2010
    Two Technologies Hydrus Luna RFID, an ultra-rugged and powerful hand held computer designed for long-term daily operation in the harshest working conditions.
  
• Manufacturing/Automation Summit to tackle energy, asset management, maintenance
  
  December 11, 2009
    The 2010 Manufacturing/ Automation Summit, hosted by Control Engineering and Plant Engineering, will be March 28-30, 2010, in Chicago.
  
• Manufacturing IT: C# .NET community can now leverage distributed data management, object persistence
  
  Renee Robbins, March 5, 2010
  
  
• Software: The MathWorks releases version 2010a of Matlab, Simulink products
  
  Renee Robbins, March 5, 2010
    New are streaming capabilities for signal processing and video processing in Matlab, nonlinear solvers, and expanded Simulink support for large teams designing complex systems.