Robotics World articles from October 2004

Robotics World archives from October 2004

Automation was invented, not born.
October 1, 2004... The word 'automation' has an interesting history. It was first used by Del Harder at Ford to describe the kind of automatic and mass manufacturing processing done at Ford. It was used internally at Ford in the 1940s and early '50s. In...

The top 10 robotics application mistakes.(Feature Story)(Cover Story)
October 1, 2004... As robot technologies continue to improve and evolve, the choices facing today's robotics buyers continue to expand as well. How do you know what type of robot to choose? How can you avoid mistakes that you may not be aware of, even if you've...

Cleaning castings now feasible: ABB's 'RobotStudio' offline robot programming relies on coordinate-point data from ROMER Hexagon Stinger II.
October 1, 2004... Industrial robots and work cells built around them have made great strides in automating foundry operations with one big exception: Cleaning castings, which remains the foundry's most labor-intensive operation. In theory, robot-based automation...

Custom Packaging Co. requires custom gripper solutions: vacuum gripper system meets increasing demand for handling packages of varying shapes and sizes.(Robotics Case Studies)
October 1, 2004... Robots that place products into containers, transfer those containers between different stations in the packaging lines and palletize them are becoming more prevalent in all industries. With their ability to use a variety of end-of-arm tools...

RIA's 30th anniversary commemorative directory debuts; profiles leading automation suppliers.(RIA Update)
October 1, 2004... The new 2004-05 edition of the Robotic Industries Association's (RIA) supplier directory is now available and includes a special 30th anniversary commemorative pull-out poster. With 184 supplier and integrator member profiles, the 2004-05...

16th Annual National Robot Safety Conference proceedings now available.(RIA Update)
October 1, 2004... If you couldn't attend the 16th Annual National Robot Safety Conference (NRSC), but still want to access all the outstanding and valuable ideas presented there, you can own the conference proceedings. The proceedings include presentations by...

Industry leaders to gather at RIA's 12th Annual Robotics Industry Forum.(RIA Update)
October 1, 2004... Some 150 robotics industry leaders will gather to learn about new market opportunities, get new ideas and develop new business relationships to help companies become more successful. The Robotics Industry Forum will be held at the Royal...

AIA announces preliminary agenda for 13th Annual AIA Business Conference.(RIA Update)
October 1, 2004... The Automated Imaging Association (AIA) will conduct its 13th Annual Business Conference February 2-4, 2005 at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resort in Orlando. The "members-only" event will feature a diverse array of topics. Thursday, Feb. 3...

Save the date ... AIA to sponsor The Vision Show and conference West.(RIA Update)
October 1, 2004... The Vision Show West, North America's leading showcase of machine vision components, systems and solutions, is May 17-19, 2005 at the San Jose Convention Center. It is the ideal venue for suppliers and system integrators to meet with users and...

Association events.(RIA Update)(Calendar)
October 1, 2004... 12th Annual Robotics Industry Forum Nov. 17-19, 2004 Royal Pacific Resort Orlando 13th Annual AIA Business Conference Feb. 2-4, 2005 Disney Yacht & Beach Club, Orlando The Vision Show and Conference West May...

RIA ... making a strong case for industry for 30 years.(RIA Update)
October 1, 2004... It was 1974, and many folks were reading the hot books of the day including Watership Down by Richard Adams, laws by Peter Benchley, and All the President's Men by Carl Bernstein and Robert Woodward. They were watching as well, laughing at the...

Principles of rotary encoders.(Motion Control[TM]: official motion control publication of ISA)
October 1, 2004... In automation applications, rotary encoders are used as sensors for angle, position, speed and acceleration. By using spindles, gear racks, measuring wheels or cable pulls, linear movements can also be monitored by a rotary encoder. Rotary...

Gurley Precision Instruments.(New Encoder Products)
October 1, 2004... Gurley Precision Instruments introduces its smallest high-resolution encoder--Model R112. GPI Models R112S and R112B optical rotary incremental encoders are designed for light industrial applications that require high resolution in a very small...

Pepperl+Fuchs.(New Encoder Products)
October 1, 2004... Pepperl+Fuchs introduces BVS58/BVM58 Series AS-Interface Absolute Rotary Encoders. These new encoders are available in two versions: single-turn with 13-bit resolution or multi-turn with 16-bit resolution. They offer IP65 protection and are...

MICRONOR.(New Encoder Products)
October 1, 2004... MICRONOR introduces "the world's first totally passive, fiber optic rotary encoder for harsh environments." The MR312 ZapFreea Incremental Rotary Encoder is the first commercially-available, entirely passive encoder for rotation sensing...

New products to keep you safer.(Component spotlight: safety equipment)
October 1, 2004... Robohand, a DE-STA-CO Industries Co., has introduced Micro AssemblySafe, a low profile, compressible safety mount that attaches between the robot wrist and tool for protection in the event of an overload. Many robot crashes occur during...

Animatics Corp. has received a favorable decision in a patent infringement case before the U.S. Court of Appears for Federal Circuit.(Industry News)
October 1, 2004... Animatics Corp. has received a favorable decision in a patent infringement case before the U.S. Court of Appears for Federal Circuit. Animatics sued Quicksilver Controls for infringing its patent for a servo-motor with an integrated...

Phoenix Contact Inc. recently announced the acquisition of Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Entivity, Inc., which provides Phoenix Contact with a USA-based software resource and the products and know how to meet control software applications based on PC based technologies.(Industry News)
October 1, 2004... Phoenix Contact Inc. recently announced the acquisition of Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Entivity, Inc., which provides Phoenix Contact with a USA-based software resource and the products and know how to meet control software applications based on PC...

Protonex Technology Corporation.(Industry News)
October 1, 2004... Protonex Technology Corporation, a manufacturer of fuel cell stacks and power solutions for portable and remote applications, announced it has appointed Scott A. Pearson as its new CEO and a member of its board. Pearson replaces Norman Strate,...

Flexomation, LLC and Adept Technology, Inc. have concluded an agreement under which Flexomation was licensed the intellectual property rights for the Adept FlexFeeder 250.(Industry News)
October 1, 2004... Flexomation, LLC and Adept Technology, Inc. have concluded an agreement under which Flexomation was licensed the intellectual property rights for the Adept FlexFeeder 250. As part of this agreement, Flexomation has acquired all inventory...

SAS Automation, introduces Rotary Indexing Quick Adjustment System.(New Products)
October 1, 2004... Xenia, Ohio -- SAS Automation introduces new Rotary Indexing Quick Adjustment System. This new systems allows indexing of the EOAT on robots that do not have this capability, assuring that EOAT grippers stay aligned and secure. This tool...

Swanson Agile Assembly.(New Products)
October 1, 2004... Robotic user-friendly Swanson Agile Assembly offers its cast ductile iron Agile Tooling Platform which is equally adaptable to Individual tooting cells, linked cells, hybrid walking beam/shuttle synchronous--non-synchronous combinations,...

ifm efector.(New Products)
October 1, 2004... ifm efector's introduces its SAEJ1939 controller/gateway which uses the standardized application layer protocols CANopen and SAEJ1939 to control the functions of special purpose applications on a vehicle and to enable the exchange of data...

CPS Corp.(New Products)
October 1, 2004... CPS Corp., a leader in the design and production of metal matrix composites, offers AlSiC (Muminum Silicon Carbide), a metal matrix composite ideal for automation, specifically in end-effectors of robotic arms. Used in robotic arms, AlSiC's...

Maxon Motors.(New Products)
October 1, 2004... Maxon Motors introduces its new EPOS 24/1, a digital motion controller capable of position, velocity, and current mode. It is available in two versions for brush or brushless motors. The small package size and cost-efficient design make it well...

Lincoln Electric.(New Products)
October 1, 2004... Lincoln Electric is introducing the new Power Wave 455M Robotic and 455/STT Robotic as high performance, digitally controlled inverter welding power sources. Intended for manufacturing facilities and fabrication shops, these top-level power...

Enfield Technologies.(New Products)
October 1, 2004... Enfield Technologies announces the introduction of a LS high speed, advanced servo pneumatic control system that helps automation designers control position, pressure, force, flow or velocity in either open- or closed-loop applications. The LS...

Remke Industries.(New Products)
October 1, 2004... Remke Industries recently introduced its new Tuff-Link E-CON Connectors which offer a lower installation cost than other M12 connectors on the market yet they provide the performance required in today's manufacturing environment. The E-CON...

Alpha.(New Products)
October 1, 2004... Alpha introduces its new HG-plus right angle gearhead that allows machine designers to solve longstanding inefficiencies associated with right-angle applications. HG-plus is a solution for compact servomotor applications such as packaging and...

2004-05 Robotics Industry Directory debuts; commemorates association's 30th anniversary.(Robotics World Showcase)
October 1, 2004... A new edition of the Robotic Industries Association's (RIA) supplier directory is now available and includes a special anniversary pullout poster. In addition to the 184 expanded supplier and integrator member profiles, the directory also...

Robotic rotary joint.(Robotics World Showcase)
October 1, 2004... ATI Industrial Automation has just released a new product that allows unlimited rotation of end-of-arm tooling without tangling or twisting robot lines. By utilizing advanced slip-ring technology the Rotary Joint passes electrical and pneumatic...

The PCI MAXp and VME64 MAXv motion controllers are 1 to 8 axes, user definable for Servo and open or closed loop Stepper configuration.(Robotics World Showcase)
October 1, 2004... The PCI MAXp and VME64 MAXv motion controllers are 1 to 8 axes, user definable for Servo and open or closed loop Stepper configuration. Processing speed and FPGA customization equip you with benefits so abundant we invite you to visit our...

RoboVent[TM] Floor Saver: self-contained air filtration system for robotic welding cells.(Robotics World Showcase)
October 1, 2004... The RoboVent[TM] cleans and recycles contaminated air generated in robotic welding cells. Using a highly efficient, self-cleaning filtering system and a unique downward airflow, the RoboVent[TM] captures 100% of contaminated air and returns...

Fluorescent sealed linears (SL series).(Robotics World Showcase)
October 1, 2004... Designed for use in industrial environments, StockerYale's fluorescent fixtures are completely sealed to meet NEMA 12 specifications, Units are available in Twin 4 Watt, Twin 6 Watt, Twin 8 Watt, Twin13 Watt, Twin 26 Watt and Twin 35 Watt con...

JR3 force-torque sensors & receiver/processors.(Robotics World Showcase)
October 1, 2004... JR3 produces a wide range of six axis force-torque sensors for use with robots and industrial automation. DSP based Receiver/Processor boards are available for PCI bus, cPCI bus as well as the ISA bus and VMEbus versions. Analog output sensors...

Right Angle Bevel--Planetary Servo Gearheads: for economical drive solutions.(Robotics World Showcase)
October 1, 2004... Neugart USA, LP extended the product range of its Right Angle Bevel Planetary Servo Gearheads "WPLE". This product is now available in 4 sizes from 40 mm (NEMA 17) to 120 mm (NEMA 42), 22 ratios from 3:1 to 512:1) The WPLE gearheads are...