May 5, 2017 - Manufacturers increasingly look to add part marking directly into production lines. Some chose to replace traditional processes, like ink printingor dot peening, while others are just looking for a better way to meet traceability requirements in industries across the board. These techniques contribute to lean manufacturing while meeting industry specific standards for unique device identification (UDI).

Apr. 15, 2017 - Machine vision integrators are confronted with seemingly endless options when designing an inspection system. Perhaps the most critical decision is whether to use line-scan or area-scan cameras. While both perform a similar role, these technologies are miles apart in how an image is captured.

Mar. 21, 2017 - What is the difference between a waveform — or digital process signature — and scalar data? Take a hockey game with your favourite team. A contentious goal is scored and the referees go upstairs for a review of the play to decide if the goal will count. Now, what would you prefer as the basis for that decision: an instant replay video or snapshots of only a few isolated points in time as the puck passed through the goalie’s crease? A process signature is that full replay, while scalar data offers only a few snapshots.

Feb. 22, 2017 - A load cell, also commonly known as a load sensor, is a transducer that is used in force measurement applications. It produces a measurable electrical output whose magnitude is proportional to the mechanical force applied.

Nov. 29, 2016 - Until recently, an OEM which might have preferred using connectors to wire a UL 508-certified cabinet for the cost- and time-savings they offer over hardwiring also knew it probably wasn’t worth the effort. There wasn’t an absolute prohibition on their use, but the OEM was burdened with proving their safety. Obtaining that certification with connectors meant the OEM would have to submit to a lot of end-product testing. Its UL field representative would conduct a thorough safety investigation of the connector application, including the overall electrical transmission path. That added an uncertain amount of cost and time to getting a new machine to market. Most OEMs opted instead to take the path of least resistance — hardwiring all connections.

Nov. 24, 2016 - “The machine vision industry in Germany and Europe has been reporting high growth numbers for years. In Germany alone, the turnover has more than doubled within 10 years and an end to the boom is not in sight. In Germany, the sector will achieve a new record turnover of at least 2.2 billion euros this year. The European machine vision industry will record an 8-per-cent increase in turnover in 2016,” said Dr. Olaf Munkelt, chairman of the board of VDMA Machine Vision at the press conference of Vision, a trade show for machine vision worldwide. According to current surveys, the industrial association predicts a further dynamic development of the European machine vision industry also in 2017.

Nov. 16, 2016 - Ocean Data Systems (ODS), a developer of software and reporting solutions and corporate dashboards for the automation industry, has announced that WIN-911 has joined the Dream Report Proven Partner Program and is now recommending Dream Report as its solution for custom reports and dashboards.

Nov. 15, 2016 - Ultrafast or ultrashort pulse lasers offer unique material processing possibilities, because the laser’s pulse duration is less than the target material’s conduction time.

Sept. 27, 2016 - Symetrix describes its Radius DSPs as “powerful, easy-to-program control of A/V systems.” So when Sound, Production & Lighting (SPL) of Skokie, Ill., initially installed a Symetrix Radius DSP for the Fox River’s McHenry Dam, the DSP controlled an audio paging system, as you might expect. But as the project progressed, SPL owner Matt Gajowniczek was inspired to try something different.

Jul. 14, 2016 - The ability to provide accurate rotary motion is critical in a wide range of applications in the automation equipment, medical device, machine tool, energy, welding, robotics, automotive, aerospace, semiconductor and heavy equipment industries along with many others.

Jul. 14, 2016 - In today’s manufacturing landscape, many companies are challenged to do more with less, while meeting the growing demands of their customers and facing increased global competition. It’s this need for greater productivity and efficiencies that is fuelling the demand for industrial automation, and with that, the demand for human machine interface (HMI) solutions — a combination of hardware and software that allows users to connect, monitor and control increasingly complex industrial automation equipment, and visualize the data coming from these machines.

Jul. 11, 2016 - A new program at Mitutoyo Canada gives all current Mitutoyo coordinate measuring machine (CMM) users an opportunity to trade in existing CMMs for a new, higher accuracy model.

Jun. 21, 2016 - Camera manufacturer Allied Vision is planning to expand its Ahrensburg office in Germany, a result of the rising number of employees in R&D and product management, it says. 

May 24, 2016 - Machine vision systems create images by analyzing the reflected light from an object, not by analyzing the object itself. Selecting the correct lighting technique can go along way in dealing with the special issues of a particular application. Many options are available, each with pros and cons. Here are five basic techniques for lighting parts to be inspected.

Jan. 15, 2016 - What is an LVIT and where is it used? LVITs — Linear Variable Inductive Transducers — which have been around for more than 30 years, are relatively low cost, contactless position sensing devices that utilize eddy currents developed by an inductor in the surface of a conductive movable element that is mechanically coupled to the moving object whose position is being measured. The common form of an LVIT uses a small diameter inductive probe surrounded by a conductive tube called a spoiler. Typical LVITs have full ranges from fractions of an inch to 30 or more inches. Modern electronics utilizing microprocessors make possible outstanding performance, achieving linearity errors of less than ±0.15 per cent of FSO and temperature coefficients of 50 ppm/oF, along with either analogue or digital outputs.