Election deadline: Vote for ‘Extreme Machine’

Thank goodness the U.S. election is Nov. 2, so broadcast media can devote some airtime to other topics. I’d encourage everyone to get educated and vote—exercising that hard-fought right helps show the value of democracy to others, worldwide.

By Control Engineering Staff October 28, 2004

Thank goodness the U.S. election is Nov. 2, so broadcast media can devote some airtime to other topics. I’d encourage everyone to get educated and vote—exercising that hard-fought right helps show the value of democracy to others, worldwide.

There’s another election that has a Nov. 19, 2004, voting deadline, where participants globally can select among five major candidates. With a lot more regularity than general elections, and much less fanfare, engineers design new machines that demonstrate creative application of leading-edge automation technologies. This year Rockwell Automation, in partnership with Control Engineering magazine, and Design News magazine, is honoring the best of these engineering teams through its first Extreme Machines Awards Program. You can vote for the machine that you think should be named 2004 Extreme Machine of the Year.

To see a short description and image of each, and to vote (could take less than five minutes), click here :

Further explanation of the contest follows. Because entries must feature Rockwell Automation technologies, the contest is considered “an advertising supplement.” However, each finalist covers real-world machine applications and challenges that we highlight regularly.

Finalists for the most “Extreme Machine” are:

Redundant controls eliminate downtime;

Servo control handles fine wires;

PLC controls build in flexibility;

Integration adds cartoning flexibility; and

Automation enables quick changeovers.

Candidates were selected by Rockwell Automation engineers; Frank Bartos, Control Engineering executive editor, whose beat includes motors, drives, motion control, and embedded control; and Karen Field, Design News editor-in-chief. Criteria for selection was based on originality of the design, creative application of automation technology in the design, and the demonstrated ability to obtain breakthrough machine features or capabilities by applying automation technologies. And, as mentioned, entries required use of some Rockwell Automation technology.

After voting, you’ll get to read more about the winning team in each magazine. Rockwell Automation will recognize the winner at an event in early 2005.

—Mark T. Hoske, editor-in-chief, Control Engineering, MHoske@cfemedia.com