Computer Systems and Software


Manufacturing, the latter of which has particular expertise in rapid prototyping and manufacturing for the aerospace, defence and motorsports industries. At the same time, 3D Systems has developed a large-


format 3D production printing system. This Projet 5000 3D printer has a build volume of 55 x 393 x 300 mm and utilises the company’s multi-jet modelling (MJM) technology. The Projet 5000 3D printer will use the Visijet MX plastic


material to produce durable, high-definition parts and is aimed at applications in automotive, aerospace, footwear and appliances.


Changing back to two dimensions


Moving from 3D to 2D prototyping may seem a retrograde step, but Roland DGA’s VersaUV LEC-330 combines printing and cutting in order to produce packaging prototypes and short-run labels. Roland says that the VersaUV series is the world’s first LED-UV inkjet printer/cutter line, and the only production tool that can print CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) + White + Clear Coat and contour-cut designs - all in one device in a seamless workflow. It can also print on a range many substrates, including metallic surfaces for labels, decals, point-of-sale displays and posters, as well as semi-rigid sheet stocks - such as card stocks for folding cartons, and thicker polycarbonate sheets for membrane switch applications.


In addition, the machine can print on offset paper stock,


BOPP, PE and PET film for highly accurate proofs and prototypes, and can be used to create original patterns and 3D domed corporate logos directly on synthetic and natural


Fig. 5. Roland DGA’s VersaUV LEC-330 combines printing and cutting for the production of packaging prototypes, short-run labels and similar applications.


leathers. Low-heat UV LED lamps allow printing on heat- sensitive media such as shrink wrap. The LEC-330 is described as a versatile pre-press and


proofing device that can save commercial printers many of the costs associated with press downtime. VersaUV shops can also eliminate outsourcing for short production runs for customised graphics and wraps of virtually any shape, size and texture. Six high-precision print heads deliver a maximum print


speed of 10m2


/hr (101ft2/hr). An ‘intelligent ink circulation system’ optimises ink usage and minimises waste. The built-in ventilation hood supports third-party air filtration systems and enables printing on both flexible and semi-rigid sheet stocks. l


Industrial PCs set for 2012 recovery A


ccording to new research from ARC, the market for industrial PCs is driven by an increasing rate of technological advancements in hardware and software. This includes: the Atom processor, increased computing power, increased ruggedness and failsafe industrial PCs. The market had enjoyed high growth rates until the economic crisis. However, the industrial PC market structure remains fragmented, with no dominant player on a regional or global level. While industrial PC technology itself has matured, new applications and requirements will enable differentiation through hardware and software.


Analyst Florian Güldner, the principal


author of ARC’s Industrial PCs Worldwide Outlook report, comments: “In 2009, the market dropped by 19 per cent. Even though the recovery will start quickly, the level of the boom year 2008 will not be reached again until 2012. A major factor dampening the recovery is the constant drop in prices


that is driven by user demand and a drop in intermediate good prices.” The market for industrial PCs remains fragmented, with the companies enjoying more than two per cent market share representing only 62 per cent of the market. In addition to industrial PC product specialists such as Stahl HMI, the market includes focused automation suppliers such as Phoenix Contact, full line automation suppliers like Siemens and Rockwell Automation, and PC-based automation suppliers like Beckhoff and B&R. Furthermore, PC specialists like Advantech and Kontron, plus hundreds of Taiwanese companies, supply industrial PC products either directly to the market or to other industrial PC suppliers.


One of the most important topics discussed in the market is the build-versus- buy decision. Depth of production varies greatly between suppliers. Many companies use boards from Taiwan in their industrial PCs or brand label industrial PCs.


Various trends within the industrial PC market will affect future growth but Intel’s Atom is predicted to have the biggest influence. The Atom processor provides up to 2GHz with low thermal design power. This offers various possibilities to end users and machine builders. First, the low-cost, low-power Atom enables low-CPU power industrial PCs to be produced at a low price and with low energy consumption and low heat. Size-independent computing power also makes new form factors possible - such as flatter panel PCs that are more easily integrated into machines, and small, wide- screen panel PCs.


ARC believes that China and India will not only demand more automation equipment as wages rise, but will also shift towards more sophisticated systems with greater capabilities for achieving international quality standards. l


For more information, visit www.arcweb.com www.engineerlive.com 25


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