Klein Tools recently introduced the 14-in-1 Precision Screwdriver/Nut Driver, a precision integrated tool that houses 8 screwdriver tips and 6 nut driver sizes.
Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. has recently announced the launch of its ASSISTA collaborative robot in the Americas. As a collaborative robot, or ‘cobot’, ASSISTA is designed to share its workplace with humans in a safe and efficient manner. This makes it a useful solution across various industries with its internal wiring, rigid, industrial-grade design, and newly developed components.
Rockwell Automation, Inc. recently announced a set of new capabilities for FactoryTalk InnovationSuite, powered by PTC to simplify, scale, and accelerate digital transformation for industrial organizations. This news follows the recent announcement that the two companies are extending and expanding the scope of their strategic alliance following strong market momentum and widespread industry recognition of InnovationSuite.
The Belgian snack food manufacturer Poco Loco decided to modernise its plants to increase the efficiency of its production lines and thereby optimise its processes. The configurable small controller PNOZmulti 2 and corresponding software tool PNOZmulti Configurator is as an efficient and safe solution at Poco Loco. The manufacture of snack products requires a multi-part, interlinked production cycle. Previously the plant sections were regarded as individual units with separate emergency shutdown circuits.
Consumers want variety – and they want it now. A stroll down the aisles of the grocery store is all it takes to realize just how many choices are becoming available, from snacks and beverages to shampoos and medications. With tight competition and a demanding market, the need for manufacturers to provide a wide array of choices is here to stay. Not only is variety the spice of life – but it’s becoming mandatory to stay competitive.
In industries like life sciences, food and beverage, automotive and consumer packaged goods, it’s imperative for companies to ensure that product and packaging labels show the correct content, are clearly legible, and meet mandated quality requirements. Otherwise, these companies could be liable for consumer safety issues and could be subject to costly recalls.
Danish company Borncut A/S, located in Ronne, has developed what they believe to be the world’s fastest and most precise portion cutter for the food industry, based on specially developed software and the open control platform from Beckhoff. Fish or poultry is divided into exact portions in a flash – with knives that rotate at speeds of up to 200 km/h and can make over 2,100 cuts per minute.
Yokogawa Electric Corporation has recently developed the Collaborative Information Server (CI Server) and will be releasing it to the market in January 2021 as part of the OpreX Control and Safety System family. The solution will integrate the handling of all kinds of data from plant facilities and systems to enable the optimized management of production activities across an entire enterprise, and provide the environment needed to remotely monitor and control operations from any location.
ABB Jokab’s proven range of innovative safety sensors can now be used directly with B&R’s integrated safety technology. The ABB portfolio includes a complete set of gate closures, light curtains and safety mats. The broad selection will make it easier than ever to implement safety concepts. Safety products from ABB Jokab are simply wired to B&R’s safe I/O modules. Both B&R safety technology and the ABB safety portfolio satisfy the requirements of ISO 13849-1 up to PL e / Cat. 4.
In cooperation with aconno GmbH, the Schmersal Group has developed prototypes of an Industry 4.0 switch capable of wireless data transmission over distances of several kilometres for use with extended conveyor systems. The integrated wireless transmitter in the HDS series switches transmits status data for each individual switchgear unit via a common wireless mesh network to a cloud system. The prototypes are currently undergoing practical tests.
Emerson recently announced its new PACMotion servo motion control portfolio to offer an integrated automation solution for high-performance industrial applications. The portfolio includes a new motion controller that connects directly into the PACSystems RX3i programmable logic controller backplane for high-speed, high-precision performance with synchronized motion for up to 40 coordinated axes, enabling end users to scale up their motion systems without sacrificing performance.
Unplanned machine downtime is a hude geadache for the business sector, especially as ongoing problems – aging infrastructure, skilled worker shortage, and recent societal disruptions – continue to drive up operational cost by reducing machine availability. To combat this, manufacturers are looking for solutions that go beyond standard preventive maintenance.
The EtherCAT plug-in modules in the EJ series from Beckhoff, the specialist in PC and EtherCATbased automation solutions, offer significant efficiency gains when it comes to implementing medium to high-volume series production runs. The plug-in modules are based electronically on the established EtherCAT Terminals. Owing to their electromechanical design, these modules can be plugged directly into an application-specific signal distribution board with the wiring level being relocated to the PCB backplane.
Stewart Connector, a Bel group company and manufacturer of high-speed connectors used in data communication applications, recently added M12 X-Code to RJ45 cable assemblies to their offering of M12 harsh environment solutions. M12 X- Code cable assemblies are the ideal solution for Ethernet connectivity up to 10 Gbps in factory and industrial applications.
ABB has acquired Codian Robotics B.V., a provider of delta robots which are used primarily for high-precision pick and place applications. Codian Robotics’ offering includes a hygienic design line, ideal for hygiene-sensitive industries including food and beverage and pharmaceuticals. With the transaction, ABB is accelerating its engagement in the growing field of delta robots.