Robotics
ObjectAutomation partners with software, motion control firms
ObjectAutomation (OA) and International Laboratory Corporation (ILC, Hiroshima, Japan) recently formed a partnership in which ILC will develop complementary plug-ins for OA's OAenterprise products. ILC's plug-ins will include LogiPro, a ladder logic programming tool and control engine, and VLinks, a communication server for PLCs and I/O that provides high-speed...
Industrial Networks Work In Fields, on Buses
As digital industrial networks weave their way through applications it's hard for those applying the technologies to think about working without them. For operators, however, networks are best appreciated when they go unnoticed…in the oil field (Control Engineering, July 1998, p. 114), on the city bus, and in manufacturing and processing.
Brush-type servo amplifiers
Cleveland, O.— The MDCX series of compact, low cost brushtype servo amplifiers has been added to the Motion Science product line of Cleveland Motion Controls (CMC). These amplifiers provide four quadrant control in torque and velocity modes. They are designed for brush-type motors from 500 W to 4 kW peak.
Electronic Motion Control Reaches for the Sky
Electronic motion control has become a complex combination of diverse elements—motors, drives, amplifiers, motion controllers, embedded chips, feedback devices, software tools, and more. This vast mosaic of solutions is supplied by hundreds of companies with new entrants expanding the list.
Motion, motor controls becoming “system-wide”
Integrated technology that is "system-wide" was a common theme echoing through the exhibits of many diverse companies during NMW.Baldor Electric (Fort Smith, Ark.) displayed solutions from software to 800-hp vector drives. Its brand new technology—direct drive linear motion via its acquisition of Northern Magnetics Inc.
PC-Based Control Goes Real-Time
Personal-computer-based control is one of the fastest growing segments in machine control for monitoring a process and for discrete logic control of processes, such as material handling, machining, grinding, or gaging.Development of Windows NT by Microsoft (Redmond, Wa.) enabled PC-based real-time machine control to become reality.
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.
Industrial Process Robots
Elgin, Ill— Reis Robotics' new line of articulated-arm, six-axis robots feature payload capacities from 6 to 130 kg, and the ability to automate many industrial operations, such as material handling, machine tending, welding and cutting, gluing, coating, and spraying. Special aspects include ac drive technology with a digital, error-tolerant absolute measuring system to eliminate the eff...
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 — Technical Issues
Operating Systems Hardware Platform Motion Control Open Device Level Networks User Interface Control Software Manufacturing Information System (MIS) Level Networks Application Programming Interfaces (API) It should be clear to the controls community that GMPTG is not trying to dictate the development of OMAC by specifying technical details for every aspect of OMAC. GMPTG is not going to lead the development of any new technology but will ride the technology wave! However, GMPTG engineers are not oblivious to the technical issues associated with OMAC systems. In this section, several OMAC technical areas will be examined.