Plant Engineering: Vol 1, Issue 6

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Watlow Introduces PROFIBUS DP with EZ-ZONE PM and EZ-ZONE RM Integrated Temperature Controllers		New Electromechanical NC Joining Module NCFB - a Low-Cost Alternative from Kistler
St. Louis - Watlow, a designer and manufacturer of electric heaters, controllers and temperature sensors, now offers PROFIBUS DP (Decentralized Peripherals) with EZ-ZONE® PM and EZ-ZONE RM integrated temperature controllers. PROFIBUS (Process Field Bus) is a standard for field bus communication in automation technology and was first promoted (1989) by BMBF (German department of education and research). Watlow's PROFIBUS DP offering with EZ-ZONE PM and EZ-ZONE RM integrated controllers simplifies plant design, eliminates hard wiring and requires less hardware, leading to faster commissioning and lowered costs. It supports better diagnostics, so commissioning is much faster and helps achieve better productivity and higher product quality through the delivery of better and more timely data to operations and management staff. Watlow's EZ-ZONE PROFIBUS DP features status LED and data rates up to 12Mbps. Features that differentiate Watlow's offering from other industry products are cyclic read/writes up to 135 data points (244 bytes) as well as acyclic read/write capabilities.		Switzerland - Kistler's electromechanical joining modules facilitate automation of force-displacement monitored joining and press-fitting processes. The new NC joining module NCFB Type 2160A has been specially designed for standard joining processes and is an enhancement of the existing product range. With its cost-optimized design, it offers a more favorable price/performance ratio. The piezoelectric force sensor integrated into the robust case offers a choice of two predefined measuring ranges, 50 kN and 25 kN, for precision force measurement. Even deep end points such as the position of bearings in half-shell gear boxes can be easily reached with a 400 mm stroke. The speed of up to 150 mm/s offers a quick return stroke and hence a short machine cycle, even for a long idle stroke. The use of the absolute encoder, which is part of the standard equipment on all Kistler NC joining modules, eliminates the need for reference point determination even during operation.
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Rockwell Automation to Ship FactoryTalk Historian Machine Edition Module to Improve Data Reliability and Minimize Downtime		R&M Materials Handling, Inc. offers HoistMonitor with the RX & QX Quick Delivery Program
Anaheim, CA - Rockwell Automation announced the availability of its FactoryTalk Historian Machine Edition (ME) software. This machine-level data historian is designed to help manufacturers mitigate the risk of machine downtime and reach continuous process improvement goals. The FactoryTalk Historian ME application is an embedded, solid-state module hardened for on-machine data collection that features a limited software footprint, no moving parts, and reduced risk of data loss due to network or other system interruption. The FactoryTalk Historian ME software helps manufacturers transform manufacturing intelligence into process improvements by leveraging reliable, real-time production data to improve product quality, speed time to market and support regulatory compliance. Rockwell Automation designed the application as part of a distributed, tiered architecture that allows employees in different locations and at different operating levels to view and analyze role-appropriate historical data. Operators, for example, can view data from the specific machine they are using while plant-level supervisors can view individual machines or complete lines to build real-time comparisons against standards and assess critical batch or process performance.		Springfield, OH - R&M Materials Handling, Inc. announced the addition of the HoistMonitor to the option list of its RX and QX Quick Delivery offering. The HoistMonitor Select supervises and records key data that allows for more efficient planning and scheduling of predictive maintenance, inspections and repairs. This data can then be accessed from the HoistMonitor itself located in the hoist electrical panel or from a key pad display in the pendant station with HoistMonitor Plus. Predictive maintenance is a reality for efficient operations on the shop floor. Knowing when important maintenance milestones will occur allows you to schedule service during non-working hours. Planning hoist repairs and inspections decreases downtime while increasing performance. R&M is dedicated to providing equipment designed to offer safety conscious and cost-efficient solutions for today’s operations.
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Asahi/America Series 92 Electric Actuators Earn ATEX Certification		Emerson’s Smart Wireless Technology Improves Throughput by up to 10% at AOC’s California Resins Manufacturing Facility
Malden, MA - Asahi/America, Inc., a leader in thermoplastic valves, pipes and fittings, introduces ATEX certified Series 92 electric actuators designed for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, Directive 94/9/EC. Approval under this directive has been granted based on mechanical analysis and explosive testing done to the Series 92 in the lab at SIRA Certification Services (the notified body under which testing and auditing is performed), followed by a full clause-by-clause assessment of the actuators conducted against EN60079-0:2006 and EN 60079-1:2007. Additionally, Asahi/America, Inc’s. Quality Management and Record Retention System was audited against European Standard prEN 13980:2002 (E), which ensures that a manufacturer follows an established uniform procedure when producing actuators under the directive. The Series 92 electric actuator features a die-cast aluminum alloy enclosure bolted together in two sections by eight M8 hex head cap screws and fitted with an O-ring between the two halves for environmental purposes.		Austin, TX - Emerson Process Management’s Smart Wireless technology is continuously monitoring resin batch temperatures at AOC’s Perris, California facility to enable better process control with up to 10% improved throughput, and increased employee safety. The secure, self-organizing network ensures proper mixing of AOC’s intermediate resin products with micro-additives at target temperatures to achieve customer-specific formulations and quality. AOC is a leading global supplier of resins, gel coats, colorants, and additives for composites and cast polymers. Smart Wireless eliminated clipboard rounds that were an inefficient use of operators’ time, subjected personnel to a safety risk, and lengthened the time to market. "If staff found the temperature was not at target, it required additional time and resources to heat or cool the mix tank to the target temperature before adding temperature dependent micro-additives or loading the product. By replacing manual sampling with on-line measurements, we were able to decrease cycle time up to 10 percent," said Tou Moua, AOC Product Engineer. "We also improved operator safety, and freed up their time to improve on other areas of the plant."
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National Instruments Expands HIL Simulation Platform to Optimize Embedded Control System		Flexicon Unveils New Box-Container with New Dust-Seal and Discharging Features
Austin, TX - National Instruments announced the expansion of its hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation platform, which includes numerous products that optimize embedded system validation. During the past six months alone, NI has released nearly 40 new products targeted at delivering flexible HIL solutions to embedded control system developers within a variety of industries. The portfolio of NI HIL simulation tools helps engineers maintain reliability and time-to-market requirements while reducing costs, even as their products become more complex. "We continually hear that engineers are struggling with traditional test systems to meet increasing product complexity and performance requirements within tight budgets and timelines," said Mike Santori, business and technology fellow at National Instruments. “These engineers need an HIL simulation platform that is highly productive out of the box but also open and flexible to adapt to fast-changing testing demands. The NI HIL simulation platform provides unprecedented openness and performance for HIL applications.		Bethlehem, PA - An all-new Box-Container Dumper from Flexicon forms a dust-tight seal between the container and the equipment, tips the container, and discharges bulk material through a chute at controlled rates. Trademarked TIP-TITE™, the dumper accommodates Gaylords and other boxes, including truncated corner boxes, from 36 in. to 48 in. (915 mm to 1220 mm) on a side and 39 in. to 44 in. (990 mm to 1117 mm) overall height. The container platform is raised by a single hydraulic cylinder, creating a dust-tight seal between the top edge of a box (or rim of a drum) and the underside of the containment hood. Twin hydraulic cylinders then pivot the platform-hood assembly, with container intact, to either 45, 60 or 90 degrees beyond horizontal, including a motion-dampening feature at the termination of container rotation. An optional, gasketted, top discharge gate actuated by twin pneumatic cylinders, provides a large opening with chute for the passage of non-free-flowing bulk solids that may otherwise bridge across smaller openings, and allows control of the material discharge.
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H2S Gas Detector with HART for Easy Field Communication Protects People and Plants from Toxic Hazards		Mitsubishi's New FA Advance Wire EDM Series Optimizes Operations and Simplifies Navigation
Lake Forest, CA - The new S4000TH Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Detector from General Monitors is designed to protect people, equipment, and plants from the dangers of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and features the HART communication protocol for ease of field communications. HART is a field-proven instrumentation communications protocol that provides two-way digital communication without disturbing the integrity of the 4-20 mA analog output. HART permits several variables, parameters, device configuration, and device diagnostics to be transmitted digitally at the same time as the analog signal. Unlike other digital communication methods, HART is backward compatible with the installed base of instrumentation in use today. Because of the detector’s multiple communication methods, a user can perform gas checks or single point calibrations through a magnetic interface, HART, or Modbus. No special tools or area declassification is required. The S4000TH also stores the maintenance event with date and time stamp for improved record keeping.		Wood Dale, IL - MC Machinery Systems, Inc. introduces its new FA Advance Wire EDM Series. The FA Advance Wire EDM Series features a new M700 Series Mitsubishi control. The Windows-based system with 15-inch LCD touch screen display provides a simple menu configuration allowing for easy navigation. The Advance Series is ergonomically designed, providing an easy-to-use keyboard and mouse for smooth operation using the CAD/CAM features. 3D CAD can now import Parasolid files, extract 3D model contours and create NC data directly within the control. 2D CAM helps easily import DXF and IGES files, revise geometry, or define additional paths with simple menu-driven icons. The Series has the world’s first 3D adaptive EDM control, which can analyze 3D data and recognize shape characteristics virtually eliminating transition lines in stepped workpiece areas. Onboard Support is now a standard feature of the machine, allowing operators to quickly and easily access operation, alarm and maintenance manuals.
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Schunk’s Hydraulic expansion Technology in XXXL: Precision Devices for Large Workpieces		Cognex VISIONPRO Software Expands Image Acquisition Options
Morrisville, NC - The customized hydraulic expansion toolholders from SCHUNK are an effective way to minimize set-up times and additional costs while still achieving maximum precision. For this purpose, the extremely large hydraulic expansion toolholders and arbors are often adjusted to the users’ special requirements. This ensures that high precision and process reliability can be maintained in the long run. The latest example is an arbor for components with a bore-diameter of 500 mm. Stators for large electric motors, gearbox parts for wind power plants, large components for power plants, or the petroleum industry - all of these are clamped quickly and precisely with the micron-precision special solutions from SCHUNK. The experts in toolholding and workholding accompany special orders from the first enquiry to engineering design, through assembly and follow through with subsequent maintenance. High precise clamping even of heavyweights that even large components can be clamped safely and precisely, proves the present hydraulic expansion arbor in XXXL-size from SCHUNK.		Natick, MA - Cognex Corporation announced a new release of VisionPro®, the company’s popular, hardware-independent vision software. VisionPro 6.0 expands image acquisition options with support for very large camera images and nontraditional sources such as 3D, thermal and X-ray imagers. VisionPro 6.0 also offers high-accuracy calibration and image correction for line scan cameras, and expanded ID reading capability of 2D codes. "VisionPro 6.0 provides more freedom than ever before to combine robust Cognex vision software tools with the widest array of image acquisition sources," said Markku Jaaskelainen, Executive Vice President and Business Unit Manager for Vision Software. "And, because of our close technical collaboration with camera makers through the Cognex Acquisition Alliance, customers get the same reliable performance that they are accustomed to receiving from our integrated systems."
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Electro Standards Labs Releases New Rail Mounted Secure Disconnect Switches for Process Control Systems		USP Class VI Approved Silicone Potting & Encapsulation Compound Withstands Vibration, Impact, Shock and Thermal Cycling
Cranston, RI - Electro Standards Laboratories (ESL) has just announced the new Model 9074 RJ45 A/B/OFFLINE Cat 5e Compliant Switch with convenient DIN rail mounting for use in process control systems. This secure disconnect switch allows the sharing of one RJ45 device among two others, or all to be switched to the secure OFFLINE position to isolate all ports. This manually operated keylock switch requires no power and can be easily integrated as a system component by utilizing the DIN rail mounting bracket on its rear panel. The M9074 switches all 8 leads of the RJ45 interface and is certified for category 5e compliance. All Electro Standards Network Switches are available for export. Government Agencies contact Electro Standards for GSA pricing on COTS (Commercial-Off-The-Shelf) network switches.		Hackensack, NJ - Flexibility is of vital importance in the design of medical devices subjected to vibration, impact, shock and thermal cycling. Two component, room temperature curing Master Bond MasterSil 151 Med is a medical grade, potting and encapsulation silicone formulated to withstand such exposures. With a low viscosity of 1,500 cps, it is ideal for use in applications with complicated contours in very complex configurations. It is an excellent electrical insulator with a volume resistivity of 1x1015 ohm cm and can handle service over the wide temperature range of -65°F to +400°F. MasterSil 151 Med cures optically clear with a refractive index of 1.43, making it well suited for use as a protective coating in optical and fiber optic applications. Cures can be accomplished at room temperature, or faster at elevated temperatures. Shrinkage upon cure is less than 0.1%. When cured, MasterSil 151 Med has a Shore A hardness of 45 and an elongation at break of 160%. Even though it has such high elasticity, its tensile strength is still a favorable 880 psi at 73°F. Mix ratio is 10 to 1 by weight. MasterSil 151 Med fully meets USP Class VI requirements for medical applications.
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Montech: World Leader for Assembly Line Process & Intralogistics

Montech has been pioneering innovation in the automation industry since 1963. Superior flexibility and exceptional commitment to customers are the company’s fundamental principles. This international player based in Switzerland achieved its most significant market breakthrough with Montrac, the most revolutionary conveying system available. Montrac embodies absolute flexibility and virtually unlimited possibilities, coupled with an overall system design which is simple and user-friendly. Montrac has been optimizing production processes at innovative companies for more than a decade. Low-profile belt conveyors, electrical and pneumatic automation components, and our profile system Quick-Set complete our product selection for automation and conveying system.

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