B&R PRODUCT OF THE MONTH One cable for everything
STEP INTO THE FUTURE OF LOGISTICS A
ccess has launched two new white papers looking into how converging trends are
shaping the future of logistics and strategic supply chain developments. ‘Step into the future of logistics’ examines how current trends are changing logistics such as e-commerce. Social media has undermined demand, and therefore production, forecasting and dramatically shortened product lifecycles. Competition is now based on service levels, and in particular the speed and accuracy of execution of fulfilment. This is driving change in warehouse location, space requirements for new activities and
technology. For warehouse systems, the new environment has suddenly become much more complex. The second white paper, ‘Step into the future of supply chain’, takes in the
New openSAFETY control panels from B&R allow safe data exchange over the bus system. The integrated openSAFETY interface renders the hard wiring of E-stop, operating mode and start buttons obsolete. openSAFETY control panels only require a bus and power connection. This means
that these systems can be placed exactly where they are needed without having to deal with unwieldy cable harnesses. Commissioning and service are also simplified, saving additional money in these areas as well. The E-stop button is just as reliable as its hardwired counterparts. These control panels are available in a range of configurations, allowing
implications of trends such as near sourcing manufacturing, corporate social responsibility (CSR), the ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) and a move to value delivery systems with organisations using social media to better manage forecasting, inventory and service as well as provide greater supply chain transparency.
www.theaccessgroup.com
them to be tailored perfectly to any application. In addition to different display sizes and ratios, it is also possible to choose between various touch technologies. Just as configurable are the number and arrangement of buttons, switches and the E-stop buttons. The control panels are also available in housings rated up to IP65. And to round it off, B&R can customise these devices for specific clients and offer solutions for specific industries, such as food and beverages. B&R Industrial Automation
www.br-automation.com T: 01733 371 320
Vision system for automotive Tier 2 supplier
A supplier of injection moulded components for automotive radiators has commissioned a vision inspection station from Olmec UK to eliminate the possibility of mis-labelled parts reaching the radiator manufacturer. Many component parts with only minor differences are manufactured, and the original manual inspection process involved operators attaching a label from pre-printed batches to an inspected part. Attaching the wrong label led to major problems at the radiator assembly stage. In the new vision system, an operator presents a part to the inspection
station where it is interactively inspected and a label automatically printed only if the item passes the inspection. The information content of the label is precisely defined by the Tier 1 supplier, right down to the content of the QR code. The label also contains part number, supplier number, incrementing number and date. The label is then attached to the component for correct identification at subsequent stages of manufacture. The system features a 1.2 MPixel colour camera with overhead LED illumination. The top and the two sides of the component all need to be imaged and measured. Instead of using a complex three camera set-up, precisely angled mirrors allow both sides and the top to be imaged simultaneously using a single camera. User control is provided through a touch screen HMI. This system checks each radiator component against a number of pre-defined specifications. This includes checking for
missing product and any defects such as faulty or missing brass inserts. If the inspection fails the part is manually rejected and no label is issued.
www.olmec-uk.com
THE KEY TO MANAGING INDUSTRIAL NETWORKS
continue to improve. While technology plays a key role in this evolution,
the value of a properly developed workforce should not be overlooked. Because of the changes in technology, maintenance staff that understand the interplay between the operational and IT technology is key to the ongoing health of an operation. Rockwell Automation, in collaboration with Strategic
Landmark advances in automation technology and production methods over the past century has seen global manufacturing systems evolve from manual, linear processes to high powered, efficient automated systems. This blending of information technology into traditional operational practices is crucial to keep pace with the competition and
Alliance partner Cisco, now offers the Managing Industrial Networks with Cisco Networking Technologies (IMINS) class. This class is designed for IT and operations technology professionals who are responsible for the implementation, operation and support of networked industrial infrastructure. The course helps students prepare for the Cisco Industrial Networking Specialist Certification exam and achieve their Cisco Industrial Networking Specialist Certification.
www.rockwellautomation.com
/AUTOMATION
Molex, a global manufacturer of automation and industrial products, has been appointed as a board member of the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA), the worldwide body that develops and promotes the open automation networks, CC-Link and CC-Link IE. Damien Leterrier, Molex director of
industrial communication, said, “Collaboration is essential for us as a high technology company which develops products based on customer demand. We serve a fast moving market and reacting quickly to customer demand is important. To do this, we have to be involved in the development of important technologies such as communication protocols, especially market leading ones such as CC-Link.”
www.molex.com
The first in a series of specialist industry seminars has been hosted by Thorite. The event was designed for invited food and beverage industry production personnel, providing essential knowledge on the most efficient production and maintenance of food grade compressed air. Compressed air is widely used to
power the processing machinery of food and beverage manufacturers and it is vital to ensure that there is no contamination from the compressed air system during the production, processing, handling and packaging stages of the food chain. The seminar covered five main subjects, each playing an important role in minimising contaminant risk.
www.thorite.co.uk
AUTOMATION | FEBRUARY 2015 5
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