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Manufacturing AUTOMATION magazine “Canada’s leading publication providing industrial automation news and technology information aimed at the discrete and process industries.”
Today's e-newsletter is sponsored by...
In this issueFrom the editor: Talk to me
Product focus: Power supplies Mark your calendars |
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Today's e-newsletter is sponsored by...
From the editor
Talk to me
Late last year, I had the pleasure of talking to five of the industry’s foremost experts to get their opinions on the top automation technologies to watch in 2008. The experts named a ton of great technologies, but for me, one stood out in particular: machine-to-machine (M2M) communications.
Yes, M2M is a wonderful thing for both suppliers and end-users. It helps improve asset management, reduce costs and enhance service. (And, let’s face it – who doesn’t want to do that?) The problem is that this technology has been a little slow in coming.
Right now, there is no universally applicable M2M service available that would allow interoperation between devices and their enabled applications in wired and wireless systems, regardless of the supplier. Today, information technology applications usually operate as separate M2M solutions that are unaware of each other. As a result, several business opportunities remain unexploited as the services provided by the devices cannot be placed on the Internet.
But an exciting new initiative coming out of Finland could change all that. The VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is right now developing a universally applicable service concept based on M2M communication. Their goal is to allow us to use M2M Internet and M2M services as easily and as smoothly as possible.
It’s about time. M2M is great to improve efficiency and productivity on the manufacturing floor. It allows equipment to send operating information to end-users, who can then take that information and improve asset management. And don’t forget lower costs. In today’s tough economy, don’t we need all the help we can get?
Canadian manufacturers know we need to keep up with technology to survive – and thrive – in today’s new reality. If M2M is really on route to becoming universally applicable, it may be able to help. Let’s hope we keep seeing more of these initiatives in the future.
All the best,
Alison Dunn
Acting Editor
adunn@clbmedia.ca
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WE’VE GONE DIGITAL!
The digital edition of the May 2008 issue of Manufacturing AUTOMATION includes: |
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Stay tuned!
The June 2008 issue of Manufacturing AUTOMATION will include: Cover story: Small wonder ABB’s controls group was convinced that a variable frequency drive (VFD) was the answer for an aluminum fanning nozzle positioning machine it had created — until it found a new, ultra-compact servo motor that turned out to be so much more. In this issue, we look at how ABB implemented this new motor with an integrated servo amplifier and saved space, used less wiring and reduced errors, assembly time, installation costs and component costs. Feature: Robotics Can a little planning really make robot implementations perfect? In this issue, we’ll talk to Richard Litt, president of the Robotics Industry Association, to find out how strategic planning will give manufacturers a happy experience with robots in their own plants. Column: Machine safety On Dec. 7, 2007, Transpavé, a Quebec manufacturer, became the first organization to be convicted of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Criminal Negligence causing death. The sentence handed down against Transpavé is an important reminder of the legal risk when workplace incidents occur. Do you know how to reduce the risk in your facility? Plus: The latest automation industry news, education and training updates, appointment announcements and trends, as well as a selection of the latest motors and drives, hydraulics and pneumatics, industrial computing, robotics, sensors and test and measurement products. |
Today's e-newsletter is sponsored by...
Manufacturing companies must follow bold initiatives to achieve sustainable Profitable Growth.
We help individuals and teams acquire and use 'Knowledge for Profitable Growth'.
Please visit www.essbsi.com
In the news
Manufacturing sector declines in March
Ottawa, Ont.
— The manufacturing sector in Canada dropped more than expected in
March, with shipments falling by 1.6 per cent to $49 billion, according
to Statistics Canada.
For the full story, click here.
Inaugural awards showcase Calgary's best manufacturing employers
Calgary, Alta.
— Careers in Manufacturing recently presented the Calgary Manufacturing
Industry's Best Employer Awards to six Calgary businesses in
recognition of their business excellence in creating progressive, safe
and innovative environments.
For the full story, click here.
ISA100.11a working group releases letter ballot on draft standard
Research Triangle Park, N.C.
— The ISA100.11a working group within the ISA100 Committee has
officially begun its first letter ballot on its draft standard, the
first in the ISA100 universal family of wireless standards.
For the full story, click here.
CAW signs deals with both GM and Chrysler
Windsor, Ont. — The Canadian Auto Workers union has reached master agreements with both Chrysler and General Motors.
For the full story, click here.
People watching
PEO names J. David Adams as president
Toronto, Ont. — Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), the licensing body for professional engineers in the province, installed J. David Adams, P.Eng., MBA and president of Maple Leaf Engineering, as its 89th President during its annual general meeting (AGM) on May 10, 2008. Adams succeeds Walter K. Bilanski, PhD, P.Eng., and will lead PEO’s 70,000 members and interns and chair its Council in 2008-2009.
Cognex promotes Justin Testa to executive vice president
Natick, Mass. — Cognex Corporation has promoted Justin Testa to executive vice president, reporting to the company’s president, Dr. Robert J. Shillman. Testa joined Cognex in 1983 as a sales engineer. He then held a variety of increasingly responsible positions within the sales and marketing organization at Cognex before being named vice president of marketing in 1997. In 2004, Testa became business unit manager for the company’s fast-growing ID Products group, and in 2007, he was promoted to group business manager of the company’s Modular Vision Systems Division (MVSD).
Today's e-newsletter is sponsored by...
Product focus: Power supplies
100W power supplies
The MPE-100FS series from MicroPower Direct provides 100W of output
power in a compact, finger safe case. These AC/DC switchers include a
88 - 264 AC input, robust filtering, EN60950 approval and compact
construction. Seven standard models operate from user selectable inputs
of 88 VAC to 132 VAC or 176 VAC to 264 VAC; providing tightly regulated
single outputs of 5, 7.5, 12, 15, 24, 27 or 48 VDC. All outputs are
adjustable ±10 per cent. Standard features include an output voltage
tolerance of ±1.0 per cent (includes line/load regulation and set point
accuracy); input/output isolation of 3,000 VAC; input leakage current
of <0.7 mA, and efficiency to 84 per cent. All models are protected
for over load, over voltage and short circuit faults. The MTBF (per MIL
HDBK 217F) of the MPE-100FS series is greater than 300,000 hours. The
series is approved to EN60950 (CSA), certified to CE and is RoHS
compliant. All models meet the requirements of EN55022, EN61000-3 and
EN61000-4.
MicroPower Direct
www.micropowerdirect.com
Heavy-duty power supply
Absopulse Electronics’ HBL 1K Series is a heavy-duty power supply
designed for industrial and other harsh-environments. This AC/DC unit
uses field-proven full-bridge topology to deliver up to 1000W output
power from a compact chassis. This unit provides standard outputs of
24V, 28V, 48V, or 56V and accepts inputs of 115 or 230Vac, with voltage
selection by internal jumper. It also accepts 250Vdc (190 to 370Vdc
range). The HBL 1K is ruggedly constructed, with additional ruggedizing
and conformal coating available for operation in extreme environments.
It is conduction cooled via a base-plate, with cooling also provided by
natural air convection. The unit is filtered to meet EN55022 Class A as
a minimum and is designed to meet EN 60950 and related standards.
Absopulse Electronics
www.absopulse.com
Mark your calendars
National Standards System (NSS) Conference
June 2-4, 2008
St. John's, Nfld.
Delegates from across Canada will come together at the National
Standards System (NSS) Conference to examine the role for
standardization in an evolving world. They will have the opportunity to
explore the impact on their business of such emerging global dynamics
as political and economic change, technological progress,
public-privacy concerns, renewable resources, sustainable practices and
other environmental concerns. For more information, visit www.scc.ca/en/nss/conference.shtml.
Machine vision seminar
June 3, 2008
Vancouver, B.C.
Cognex's free machine vision seminars are exclusively for manufacturing
professionals. This half-day event will show how easy it is to set up
and deploy vision systems for automated inspection tasks in the
automotive, pharmaceutical, food, beverage, consumer packaged goods,
medical and electronics industries. Each seminar combines a machine
vision basics tutorial with live vision system demonstrations of the
simple, four step process for setting up a machine vision application
with new EasyBuilder software for Cognex's line of In-Sight vision
systems. The tutorial covers how vision sensors work in manufacturing
applications to accurately gauge, guide, identify and inspect products
in order to reduce production costs and achieve a high level of product
quality. Register for a seminar online at www.cognex.com/microseminars or by calling 1-800-677-2646.
''The Pathway to Power Automation for the 2010 Decade'' POWID Symposium
June 8-13, 2008
Scottsdale, Ariz.
This summer, ISA will host the 18th Annual Joint ISA POWID/EPRI
Controls and Instrumentation Conference and the 51st Annual POWID
Division Symposium. The annual event will be held 8-13 June at the
Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas in Scottsdale, Arizona. The theme
for this conference is ''The Pathway to Power Automation for the 2010
Decade'' and the conference will provide power industry leaders with
information on the latest innovations in instrumentation, automation,
security and business systems technology. The conference brings
together industry professionals in the power generation field with a
primary focus on instrumentation and controls. For more information, or
to register for the event, visit www.isa.org/powersymp or call (919) 549-8411.
Apprenticeship - Our Competitive Advantage: CAF-FCA 2008 Conference
June 8-10, 2008
Victoria, B.C.
The Victoria Conference Centre and the Fairmont Empress Hotel in
beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, is the place to be for the
Canadian Apprenticeship Forum-Forum canadien sur l'apprentissage
(CAF-FCA) at Apprenticeship - Our Competitive Advantage conference. For
more information on the CAF-FCA 2008 conference please visit www.caf-fca.org/en/conference/2008/default.asp.
Manufacturing Innovations - Technologies for Oil and Gas
June 9-10, 2008
Calgary, Alta.
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) announces a new event for
manufacturers in the oil and gas industry: Manufacturing Innovations -
Technologies for Oil and Gas. Held alongside the Global Petroleum Show
- the world's largest oil and gas event - the conference is designed to
help manufacturers become more competitive in today's global
marketplace and will provide insight on new and existing manufacturing
technologies. Industry-leading lean practitioners and business leaders
will speak on how innovation in people management can lead to
unrivalled results and a positive change in culture. For more
information about the conference, please visit www.sme.org/albertaconference.
A more comprehensive list of events can be found on our website.
The PowerPack Direct Response Card Deck, available online at http://cardpack.clbmedia.ca,
brings the depth and breadth of the web together so you can reach
industrial buyers! And we've made it easy for the online user to search
by product, key word and company name. Plus, users have the choice of
connecting directly to your website, e-mail a request directly to you,
or print out the card for future reference!
| WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU |
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If you would like to share your comments about this e-newsletter, or have a news tip for Manufacturing AUTOMATION, please e-mail Alison Dunn, Acting Editor. |
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