TechArchive

Original article date: July 1999 The ControlLogix system from Rockwell Automation provides a control system architecture suitable for PLC motion control and process control. Alan Quinn reports. Sequential drive motion and process capabilities can be integrated within a single control platform the ControlLogix system from Rockwell Automation. It looks like a PLC but unlike conventional [...]

Original article date: October 1999 DAVE KIRTON of Laidler Associates here offers some informed advice on how to handle machines that fall into Annex IV of the Machinery Directive Known simply as annex IV, this important section of the Machinery Directive refers to machines and equipment that is considered to be especially dangerous: devices that [...]

Original article date: September 1999 Do all fixed barcode readers use the same technology? Apparently not, as Tommy Miller finds out in a chat with Datalogic Sunlight is usually welcomed by workers, but it can cause headaches if it disrupts the operation of fixed-position barcode readers. This might occur in outdoor applications or even in [...]

Original article date: June 1998 Time-to-market, fault tolerance and system flexibility are all key concerns for electronics equipment manufactures and OEMs. Many companies are now adopting a distributed power architecture (DPA) for their latest products and systems. Most electrical and electronic systems employ a power distribution strategy based on centralised AC-DC supplies. The convert the [...]

Original article date: November 1999 What do you need to think about for safety-critical pneumatic systems? We asked STEVE PARTINGTON at Norgren Whoever puts a machine on the market is responsible for its safety, and legislation means that, in most cases, machine builders must also self-certify their machines as being safe. There are no fail-safe [...]

Original article date: October 1998 The justification for buying capital equipment is all a question of arithmetic says WILL BOURN sales manager of Modular Automation. Or is it? The cost of automation can be quite high particularly when it employs the latest robotics vision systems and welding technology. There is often a chicken-and-egg decision to [...]

Original article date: March 1999 Two methods of detecting contrasting colour for production systems are described in detail in a new technical guide from OMRON. Colour mark sensors are a type of diffuse sensor designed to detect a mark by the contrast between the mark and the background. A diffuse sensor incorporates emitter and receiver [...]

Original article date: February 2000 Gravatom Engineering Systems Ltd established their strong reputation in nuclear engineering, and have since expanded into other areas including industrial automation, original equipment manufacture and pharmaceutical. They recently received a SMART award from the Department of Trade and Industry for an engineering project of outstanding technical merit. Festo are the [...]

Original article date: April 1998 The piezoelectric multi-layer bender element in Asco Joucomatic’s latest solenoid valve comes from PI in Germany. Alan Quinn takes a look at what it has to offer. Ceramic multilayer actuator (CMA) technology is the key to Asco Joucamatic’s piezoelectric solenoid valves, which gives response times down to 100um, a service [...]

Original article date: September 1999 CE Marking is once again foremost this month, with the publication of an excellent guide from the Information Group at the British Standards Institution – well worth the investment, writes Tommy Miller We’ve often used this monthly column to bemoan the lack of ‘official’ advice and guidance on CE marking, [...]