CNC, Motion Control
PLC I/O Devices: More Options for Better Machine Control
PLC I/O devices have gone a long way from being wiring devices on a backplane. Once thought to be dinosaurs replaced by smart sensors and device networks, I/O devices are showing new life by offering users new ways to improve control of machines in a cost-effective manner. Several trends in the market are occurring simultaneously, but all have one direction—increased opportunities f...
Hannover Fair ’98 Goes More Global Than Ever
Start the second 50 years! Hannover Industrial Fair begins its second half-century after a long, successful run that began under quite humble circumstances. This "world's largest industrial trade fair" arose from the post-World War II ravages of Germany.As Hannover Fair faces its second half century, more changes are certain due to economic and technology trends.
GE Fanuc Buys Rest of AFE Holdings, Forms Integration Team
More than year after buying 70% of AFE Holdings in late 1996, GE Fanuc Automation North America Inc. recently bought the remaining 30% of AFE.A manufacturer of operator interface (OI) and software products with subsidiaries in the U.K., U.S., and Canada, AFE's products are now sold under GE Fanuc's family of Cimplicity OI products.
May We Have the Envelopes Please
"Control products just keep getting more advanced, yet simpler to use,"was the consensus among editors at Control Engineering when it was time for them to choose the best control products of 1997. For the 11th consecutive year, the editors chose the 50 best products based on three criteria: technological advancement, impact on the market, and service to the industry.
Electric Motors/Controls
Fort Smith, Ark.— New products from Baldor include spindle drive motors, square flange pump motors, encoderless vector controls, hollow-shaft gear reducers, large 5800 frame motors, and a new line of advanced motion control products. In addition, the company recently introduced its new Standard-E motors that comply with the now-in-effect Energy Policy Act.
AC Microdrives Ply Parallel Paths
Despite the temptation, size alone is not the right descriptor for ac "microdrives"—those ultracompact variable-frequency drives (VFDs) that sprouted during the first-half of the 1990s. For quite a while, it seemed, each new model would be even more miniature than the one announced just a month or so earlier.
PLCs Aren’t Just Older, ‘They’re Better’
What functionality/features are today's programmable logic controller (PLC) users seeking? How are they applying PLCs? Is any other technology, such as personal computers, taking away market share from PLCs? Control Engineering wanted to know, so we asked a random sampling of 1,500 readers to participate in a survey about today's PLC.
It’s Showtime!
Well, you asked for it. The 1998 edition of one of the world's largest manufacturing and technology shows is tanned, rested, and ready to go seamless.Evolving as a result of recent feedback from visitors and exhibitors requesting an even more streamlined and workable event, this year's National Industrial Automation Show (NIAS), and the three other shows that make up National Manufacturin...
Open, Modular Architecture Controls at GM Powertrain — Definition of OMAC Concept in GMPTG
Definition of OMAC Terms Illustration of the OMAC Concept Various Levels of Openness Other Factors Definition of OMAC Terms Definitions of key terms associated with the open, modular control systems described in the OMAC White paper are restated in the following table: Terms Definitions open allowing the integration of off-the-shelf hardware and software components into a ‘de facto’ standard environment modular permitting ‘plug and play’ of components scaleable enabling easy and efficient reconfiguration to meet specific application needs economical achieving low life cycle cost maintainable supporting robust plant floor operation (maximum uptime), expeditious repair (minimal downtime), and easy maintenance These definitions also accurately reflect the OMAC concept at GMPTG. Two important elements in the definition of ‘open’ are (1) the requirement of a ‘de facto’ standard environment, and (2) the availability of commercial control hardware and software components. GMPTG is not going to wait for an international standard for an open architecture control to be defined before it will start implementing OMAC systems.
Open, Modular Architecture Controls at GM Powertrain — OMAC Development Activities
GMPTG OMAC Pilot Projects GMPTG OMAC Development Strategies Many vendors in the controls community are developing products that satisfy some aspects of the OMAC requirements. GMPTG is not, and does not intend to be, in the control product development business. However, GMPTG is an end user of OMAC products and is interested in ensuring such OMAC products are available not only commercially but also expeditiously.