PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (www.profibus.com) has reached another milestone for PROFINET, after the completion of the PROFINET for the Process Automation application profile. Thus, PROFINET is now ideally suited for both process and manufacturing automation, said PI. Process automation has strict requirements for availability and reliability. For instance, plants are required to operate 24/7, 365 […]
Archives for December 2010
Catholic students use controller and servo motors to build ‘BEST’ robot
Seven students from the Sacred Heart School have received an award for their “Talon One” – a robot built within two months from raw materials. “Talon One” was entered at the 5th annual Connecticut BEST (Boosting Engineering Science and Technology) Robotics Competition in Central Connecticut State University in New Britain. “It was fun,” Matthew Koniecko, […]
New Micro Motor Product Line from Johnson Electric
Johnson Electric announces its new Compact DC motor product line which delivers the industry’s highest power density. This innovation is based on Johnson Electric’s proprietary Curve Technology. Curve technology is deployed within a DC motor platform with a unique 4-pole magnetic design in a curved package which reduces motor size by 25% and weight by […]
NORD Drivesystems introduces EtherCAT connectivity for distributed inverters
NORD Drivesystems (www.nord.com) has announced the release of its all-new technology unit for integrating motor-mounted SK 200E inverters into EtherCAT networks, as well as the Beckhoff control technology environment. The Ethernet-based fieldbus provides significant benefits mainly for distributed networks including conveyor systems. NORD’s cost-efficient EtherCAT module connects a number of inverters into a single bus […]
European automation companies develop sensor networking for intelligent control
The actuator/sensor interface or ASI, developed by a group of Europe-based automation firms which saw the need for networking simplest devices at the lowest level, delivers low cost and simple configuration. ASI is specifically designed for small systems that employ discrete I/O devices, and caters for up to 31 slaves, supporting up to four inputs […]
STMicroelectronics launches motor-mounted control module for industrial automation
STMicroelectronics (www.st.com) is proud to announce the launch of its customizable high-end motor-control SPIMD20 module – which is small enough to be directly mounted on the motor and provide connection via industrial Ethernet. The module will allow faster delivery of cost-effective industrial solutions, including multi-axis robotics, packaging machines, conveyors and process automation equipment. The new […]
Texas Instruments introduces new AM1810 Sitara ARM MPU
Texas Instruments Incorporated (www.ti.com) is proud to announce the launch of its all-new AM1810 Sitara ARM microprocessor (MPU) – a new single-chip ARM9 solution with an embedded PROFIBUS interface – the most popular fieldbus used for communications among factory automation equipment. This embedded, low-power tool removes the need for an external ASIC, FPGA or PROFIBUS, […]
Beckhoff partners with Fertig Motors to develop servo motors
Beckhoff Automation GmbH’s (www.beckhoff.com) managing director Hans Beckhoff has announced the company’s collaboration with Fertig Motors GmbH to develop servo motors for EtherCat and PC-based Control — the networking technology by Beckhoff. The first of the products will be launched at the end of 2011, said Mr. Beckhoff. The Motion division of Beckhoff is being […]
Vishay Precision launches new Weighing Systems with EtherNet/IP Protocol
Vishay Precision Group, Inc. (www.vishaypg.com) has announced that its VPG Process Weighing division has upgraded the fieldbus protocols of BLH-Nobel Weighing Systems G4 family of multi-channel weight or force indicators to include the EtherNet/IP open communications protocol. This allows the instruments to communicate with other kinds of industrial control systems and their components like I/O […]
WMH perfects Yorkshire pudding recipe with motion controller
Western Mechanical Handling (WMH) (www.wmh-uk-ltd.com) is pleased to announce the development of a machine that produces perfect Yorkshire puddings every time. Specializing in automated food handling systems, the Cornish machine builder used controls and drives equipment from automation specialist Mitsubishi Electric (www.mitsubishielectric.com). The machine deposits the correct amounts of Yorkshire pudding batter to the baking […]