Category: Uncategorized
Choosing the Right Actuator Type for Your Application
Sometimes the choice between the three main actuator types – electric, pneumatic and hydraulic – is a no brainer. For example, if you need heavy-duty motion, a hydraulic actuator would be the obvious choice, a potentially explosive environment necessitates the use of a pneumatic actuator and a sterile operation would demand an electric actuator. But […]
The Rise of Electric Actuators
Traditionally electric actuators were not the device of choice for heavy-duty machinery, industrial equipment and other systems that demanded motion profiles with high forces and extreme robustness. However, reduced costs for these electric devices combined with recent technological advances are making designers reconsider electric actuators for use in these and other applications, giving rise to […]
Automated Inspection Systems Reliably Catch Packaging Defects
In the highly competitive packaging industry, damaged or defective packages can be a major drain on a packager’s profits and can result in lost customers. While there are any number of potential packaging defects, today’s automated inspection systems can help identify and prevent these problems, helping to ensure an error-free and more profitable packaging operation. […]
Troubleshooting Industrial Control Panels
Resolving Four Common Malfunctions in Industrial Control Panels Control panels vary by application, but they should always possess protective devices (circuit breakers and/or fuses), disconnecting switches, means for locking-out power sources, and means for safely bleeding stored energy. Typically, they also contain transformers, AC-DC power converters, motor starters, variable frequency drives (VFDs), servo motor drives, […]
The Advantages of Plastic Injection Molding of Medical Devices
Plastics have transformed the medical industry as they help reduce the spread of infection, stand up to sterilization procedures and help reduce the cost of medical devices and procedures for patients. Likewise, plastic injection molding is revolutionizing the manufacture of medical devices, such as implants, lab equipment, surgical instruments, orthopedics, tubing and catheters, disposable syringes […]
How to Determine the Cost of a Robotic Palletizer
Lifting and stacking heavy cases, boxes, sacks or other containers onto pallets is backbreaking, labor-intensive work for the employees charged with industrial palletizing. Not only is the task difficult on the human body, but it must be accomplished in a safe, efficient and consistent manner that prevents damage to the products, which is no easy […]
Pneumatic Systems: 101
Chances are if you work in an industrial facility, you’ve handled tools and equipment that are powered by a pneumatic system. These simple, yet powerful systems use clean, dry compressed air to create mechanical motion that powers tools, machinery and industrial automation systems. Learning about the components involved in a pneumatic system and how they […]
Maintaining a Melt Flow Indexer for Accurate Results
Melt Flow Index testers, also known as extrusion plastometers or Melt Flow Indexers, are used by plastic processors to determine the melt mass flow rate (MFR) and melt volume flow rate (MVR) of a plastic melted mass. The test measures the melt flow properties of virgin, compounded and post-process thermoplastics at a particular shear stress. […]
Advances in Robotics Allow More Food Processing Applications
While robotic automation has been used in the food manufacturing industry for years, most applications have been in food packing and palletizing, rack unloading and secondary pick-and-place operations. Recent technological advances have led to the expansion of robotic equipment into many unexpected food processing and food preparation applications. Advances in Automation for the Food Industry […]
Four Ways Automation Helps Food Manufacturers
To be successful, food manufacturers need a flexible and efficient means of getting safe, high-quality products out the door despite current industry obstacles related to workforce shortages, fluctuating demand and tight margins. Fortunately, automation can help food processors rise above these challenges to ensure cost-effective production. This article outlines four major benefits of automation in […]