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INDUSTRY NEWS www.industrialtechnology.co.uk Munich hosts Automatica Automatica will see the largest assembly of automation equipment and machinery ever gathered under one roof The third Automatica will take place in Munich’s state-of-the-art trade fair centre, 10- 13 June. Covering automation for every industry, it includes robotics, sensors and vision, assembly technology, positioning and all aspects of an automated factory. The show has expanded further this year, now occupying five halls and covering 31,500m 2 of net space. Among many highlights, the Robotik Congress is being held concurrently in the adjacent Conference centre, covering topics including industrial robots in production, plus papers on components, and processes. Whilst ‘assembly’ is sometimes seen as a dirty word in manufacturing, implying that most of real work has been done elsewhere, there is no doubt automated assembly operations are a vital core of any manufacturing operation, with far reaching implications throughout the wider enterprise. According to Dr Norbert Stein, Chairman of the Robotics and Automation Manufacturers’ Association, there are three main directions currently being taken in the drive to improve efficiency for systems operators. These are: accelerated planning processes while maintaining higher quality in planning solutions; hybrid systems with modular integration of different process steps; and microassembly with new-style solutions for gripping and holding. Even at the last Automatica it was easy to see that functional test integrated into assembly processes are the state of the art. The results to which such integration can lead are demonstrated by various mechatronics initiatives. DLR Oberpfaffenhofen, Wessling, for example, will be exhibiting new research and practical developments in gripper technology. Mechatronics, says DLR, is the highest possible integration of mechanics, electronics and computers, through to intelligent mechanisms and robots that interact with their environment. Two further initiatives in mechatronics should prove a magnet for trade visitors at Automatica 2008: the presentations by the Mechatronics Network from Göppingen and by the Mechatronics and Automation Cluster of Augsburg. As yet the participants are keeping quiet about their trend exhibits but what’s certain is that they will be solutions integrating mechanics and electronics, and that imaging will be a part of this. The ‘seeing gripper’ is the best clue so far. Many such developments are independent of a certain product and have a common goal - to design production or assembly processes so that they are as simple and logical as possible, easy to operate and able to be modified with minimum extra effort. For this reason the emphasis is initially not on the products or components, but on ideas and approaches. Standard bearers for British business win Queen’s Awards A select group of firms from the engineering sector are celebrating after winning the UK’s most prestigious annual prize for business success, the Queen’s Award for Enterprise. Among the winners were Alwayse Engineering, Fortress Interlocks, Superior Group, TRP Sealing Systems and Trinity Integrated Systems. Prime Minister Gordon Brown commented: “Queen’s Award winning companies are standard-bearers for the very best of British business. These firms embody the spirit of enterprise and innovation that is so vital to the future of Britain’s economy.” Omron Europe acquires Yelland Control from Powertech Omron Europe and Power Technologies have announced the finalisation of Omron’s acquisition of Yelland Control from Powertech. Yelland Control will be merged with Omron Electronics (Pty), a wholly owned subsidiary of Omron Europe BV. The company will handle sales and servicing of Omron control equipment in Southern Africa. Rockwell buys Incuity Incuity Software, a supplier of Enterprise Manufacturing Intelligence software, has been acquired by Rockwell Automation. Rockwell Automation said that the acquisition will help it expand its FactoryTalk software suite. Incuity's products are used to monitor production operations and enterprise systems for manufacturing. “This acquisition is a key milestone in the continued expansion of our FactoryTalk software suite,” said Kevin Roach, vice president of Rockwell Software. “The newest software, IncuityEMI 2.6, easily integrates many disparate information sources from production operations and other enterprise systems.” Energy audits can quickly offset price hikes, says Schneider Schneider Electric has called upon all those concerned with energy consumption to place greater emphasis on implementing active energy metering and management to combat both carbon impact and to offset energy price increases. Schneider Electric offers energy audits that in most cases lead to substantial savings at little cost, with most of its audits resulting in investment that pays back within as little as a year. Pumps framework agreement for Yorkshire Water Services Watson-Marlow Bredel has been awarded a five year framework agreement (with a two year option) for the design, supply, installation and commissioning of peristaltic pumps to Yorkshire Water Services. The framework agreement relates to Yorkshire Water’s use of Watson-Marlow Bredel’s SPX range of hose pumps for the handling of primary, secondary, digested and thickened sludge. 12 INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY • May 2008
More details: Write in 130 on the free information card NEW MCS ■ Machine Construction System NEW updated MCS-MFS catalogue now available. Wider range of profiles & accessories. Request your free copy. The HepcoMotion MCS system offers an extensive range of aluminium profile sections plus all the connecting elements and accessories the SEE US AT AUTOMATICA 2008, 10TH-11TH JUNE, HALL B1, STAND 118 designer could need. Hepco’s range of linear slide systems can also be mounted directly onto the MCS profile sections. These modular components allow infinite possibilities of frames to be constructed for use in industrial machinery, guarding, storage and display applications. Also incorporated into the range is the MFS - Machine Fencing System, fully compatible with the MCS range it provides economical barriers around machine installations such as gantries, pick and place equipment and floor mounted robot systems. HepcoMotion ® Tel: +44 (0)1884 257000 E-mail: sales@hepcomotion.com Tiverton Way, Tiverton, Devon EX16 6TG Fax: +44 (0)1884 243500 More details: Write in 131 on the free information card 13
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