PSI Engineering has provided a major biopharmaceutical company with a document automation solution that will increase the speed of delivery of their medical products.

In an effort to meet the ever increasing demand for online pharmaceutical orders, this company quickly realized that they needed to implement automation solutions into their production line in an effort to keep production costs down. In their first attempt to resolve this problem, they installed a friction feeding system to include drug related descriptive package inserts with their orders. During installation the system required additional configuration but once it was up and running it quickly became apparent that maintenance requirements such as frequent belt changes meant the production line was experiencing too much downtime.

A decision was made by the organization to replace the original friction feeders with reciprocating placer systems. Their second attempt to tackle the problem, proved to be less than suitable as the bar code scanning had a poor first read rate which meant the company could not be certain that the correct package inserts were placed with the appropriate order.

After two attempts to find the best automation solution for their production lines, the biopharmaceutical company turned to PSI Engineering to provide a total solution to meet all their industry specific requirements. PSI's LC In-Feeder 3000 was seamlessly integrated into their existing production lines and has proven to handle the large variety of package insert literature that the company distributes effectively and efficiently. With 100% accuracy, the LC In-Feeder 3000 intelligently inserts the appropriate documents with each prescription order to ensure that the order is filled accurately every time.

With Load on the Fly technology, the LC-In Feeder 3000 operates even as new material is being added to the feeder. Bar code scanning of each feed transaction guarantees the right product is fed into the right order each and every time.

By automating their lines, this organization has realized a significant increase in their order throughput and as an added bonus has made their operation more cost-effective without compromising the safety of their customers.

PSI Engineering

The STAC6-Q Stepper Drives which utilize Q programming language are now available with current output from 0.5 -- 3.2 A with 220 VAC input and provide software selectable resolutions from 200 to 51,200 steps/rev at speeds up to 50 rps. The robust Q programming environment provides options for downloading, storing and executing multiple programs with a single drive. It provides users with a number of benefits including register manipulation, conditional processing, math functions and multi-tasking. Additional features include pulse and direction with electronic gearing, encoder following with electronic gearing, clockwise and counter clockwise pulse, as well as the ability to host interface while executing internal programs.

Applied Motion Products

HIPERDRIVE™ format adjustment drives facilitate fully automatic product and format changes on production machines, with precision adjustment and reproducibility. HIPERDRIVE consists of a fully integrated motor, gears and an absolute measurement system, along with performance and regulatory electronics. Its compact housing allows simple integration into new and existing machines in the printing, packaging and metal-processing industries. It is not intended to be a replacement for the classical servo drives on process axes on machinery, but rather an alternative for automating the adjustment of auxiliary axes.

Sick Stegmann, Inc.

The G12 family of AS-Interface modules are available in six distinct models with various input and output configurations, and short or long housing styles, to suit any AS-Interface application need. The rugged G12 family features SPEEDCON M12 connectors for the fastest possible installation of sensors or actuators and a single rugged stainless steel mounting base that supports two housing sizes and various I/O mixes so users can quickly and easily change the I/O count without having to remount the base or cable. Output-specific diagnostics are available right on the module and allow maintenance personnel to quickly identify and correct the problem for maximum machine uptime.

Pepperl+Fuchs

Cyclonaire provides plants using bulk conveying, weighing, mixing, and distribution equipment with a wide range of customized control options. These include controls for individual pieces of equipment through the integration for complete plant processes. Also available is software for plant managers who want to incorporate process control systems with overall plant operations. The company designs both software and hardware for single machines, as well as for systems integrating several machines into a single control architecture.

Cyclonaire Corporation

Now available in five frame sizes ranging from 4.25 in. square to 13.78 in. square with four stack lengths per frame, CARTRIDGE DDR™ direct drive rotary servomotors feature pre-engineered components, an integrated, factory-aligned high resolution feedback device and a unique bearing-less design that facilitates maintenance-free 'mount and run' operation in under 30 minutes. CE marked and UL listed for global application, the motors are available with 240V, 400V, and 480V voltage ratings for maximum design flexibility and robust operation. They provide 4.57 to 510 N-m continuous torque, peak torque to 1017 N-m, and speeds to 2500 rpm.

Danaher Motion

The Eycon series of visual supervisors provides multi-function control, recording and visualization.
The series has been designed to reduce configuration, integration, installation and wiring costs while increasing accuracy, quality and efficiency. Eycon visual supervisor instruments can be used as a building block with larger systems communicating over Ethernet (ELIN). The integrated full colour display uses touch screen technology. The pop-up navigation menus provide an intuitive interface to functions such as batch control, recipe management, together with commissioning and diagnostic tools. Information can be viewed locally or at any Eurotherm Suite operator stations thanks to peer-to-open LIN communications. In fact the Eycon series can communicate with any Modbus device via a serial or Ethernet connection.

Eurotherm

The DeltaPoint® water savers and tip-loss monitors protect critical welds and help assure quality in resistance welding robotic applications. The monitors provide adequate water to weld tips, transformers and cables and monitor sense tip loss in resistance welding cells by comparing total inflow and outflow of cooling water to the cell. DeviceNet is a standard feature of the DeltaPoint® units which monitor flow and temperature, provide flow comparisons and detect leaks in multiple weld devices. The monitors can provide sensitive tip-loss detection in welding guns, robotic work cells or non-robotic hard tooling. One DeltaPoint® unit can monitor up to 13 welding tips. The tip-loss monitors are equipped with vortex shedding flowmeters that require minimal maintenance, are not affected by dirt in water, and have no moving parts to clog, wear or repair. The flowmeters are bench-calibrated to minimize possibility of nuisance trips.

Rocon LLC

The new CKS32IS handheld computer was designed for hazardous environments, meeting the most stringent requirements not only for flammable gases, vapours, liquids, but also for dust, fibers and flyings. The Windows Mobile® 5.0-based handheld computer features a fast Intel™ Xscale™ PXA270 processor, 128 MB of DRAM memory and 64 MB of non-volatile Flash memory. It supports Intermec TE2000 terminal emulation software to run legacy applications and has a full scale of audio capabilities to enable interactive VoIP, walkie-talkie applications, and digital recording applications.

Intermec Inc.

The Adept MotionBlox-60R™ robot controller enables 6-Axis Robots to run on the powerful and compact Adept SmartServo™ controller technology, creating a robot system for medical, cosmetic and consumer good applications. Its compact design provides portability and flexibility, making it easy to install and mount in multiple configurations. Featuring embedded networking and vision technology, it simplifies integration.

Adept Technology, Inc.

The CP79xx line of control panels is designed for mounting arm installation. Its integrated DVI/USB extension technology enables installation at distances up to 50 meters from the machine controller or PC. This provides greater flexibility to install human-machine interface (HMI) hardware in the most convenient locations for machine operators, helping optimize plant floor operations. The CP79xx control panel series is for applications that require only the TFT display hardware and do not need an integrated PC processor.

Beckhoff Automation

Universal Flow Monitors introduces upgrades in CoolPoint™ vortex shedding flowmeters for improved flow accuracy, increased turndown and response-rate adjustability in automated and robotic machinery applications. The upgrades provide added capabilities and greater flexibility in measuring and monitoring flows of cooling water, water/glycol coolant and low-viscosity fluids in most process industries. The new features are offered on the CoolPoint™ series' five popular pipe sizes: 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1 1/2 inches and 2 inches.

Universal Flow Monitors, Inc.

The TS8000 line of programmed touchscreens now includes new features and enhancements with software version 3. In addition to RS-232, RS-485, Ethernet and Parker SSD Link, fieldbus option, cards are now available for IEEE 1394 FireWire, CANopen, DeviceNet, and PROFIBUS DP, and the TS8000 is compatible with WAGO I/O systems to provide a remote I/O solution via Ethernet and CANopen networks. To augment the standard NEMA 4X/IP66 panel rating, protective clear film overlays are now offered for additional durability.

Parker Hannifin Corporation,
SSD Drives Division

The Visidec Freestanding Double Horizontal LCD computer monitor mounting device provides an easy way to mount two flat-panels side-by-side. The new system is designed to meet the demanding requirements for a wide range of applications. The unit mounts two widescreen LCD computer monitors ranging from 12" to 24" in size and up to 25.3 pounds in weight. It fits 3" x 3" and 4" x 4" mounting hole patterns. The distance from center of pole to the rear of display is 4 13/16". It offers horizontal and vertical adjustments as well as +/-40° angular adjustment. It can display monitors in both portrait and landscape rotation and has a very small footprint.

Atdec

In order to bridge the gap between resolvers and high-end rotary encoders in automated machine applications, Heidenhain is now making available a line of inductive rotary encoders, the RIx 400 series with bearings. The encoders are available in both single-turn and multi-turn versions. The 400 series now enables users to attain a 16-bit single-turn resolution with a measuring step of 20 angular seconds for speed control.

Heidenhain Corporation

Valvcon brand V-Series actuators combine a 10-bit microprocessor with a high-resolution feedback potentiometer to provide 300 positions from zero to 90 degrees. The series consists of (NEMA 4, 4X, 7 and 9) electric actuators that deliver highly efficient operation in most quarter-turn valve and damper applications. They are designed for a wide range of service from on-off duty, to modulating or proportional control, to digital bus networks. Standard V-Series features include all hardened steel gears and standard ISO5211 mounting interfaces. Other features include full access to cams and switches, continuous or 75 percent duty cycle, fuse protection for inputs and outputs, thermal overload protection, and manual override.

Metso Automation

Proficy™ Machine Edition Version 5.60 provides a "Productivity Boost" focusing on features such as a new PACSystems LD Online Compare utility and Word-for-Word change, Test-Edit and Run-Mode-Store, to improve performance for online operations. The Proficy Machine Edition is an automation software deploying HMI, motion and multi-target control in an integrated development environment. This environment provides a common user interface, drag-and-drop editing, and a rich set of development tools. The upgrade includes all of the automation software components users need to reduce programming, configuration, commissioning, monitoring and maintenance costs.

GE Fanuc Automation

The FTI Mv thermal imager has the capability of both machine vision and thermal surveillance. It features remote control, a choice of alarm outputs and a powerful range of image processing routines -- including five colour palettes, zoom and noise filtering among them -- all are available through the dedicated LIPS Mini software. Easy to install, the FTI Mv can be linked with vision analysis software such as Labview with IMAQ to create a sophisticated process monitoring system. In cases where continuous calibration of the image is necessary, the imager can be teamed with Land's P100I high stability black body temperature reference source to create an accurate on-line radiometric thermal imaging system.

Land Instruments

The DVT® 535C colour vision sensor is not limited to a single machine vision function such as colour sorting, but can handle a much broader range of applications with a complete set of colour tools for sorting, colour match and detect deflection. It operates with easy to use Intellect™ software that facilitates setup, integration, and maintenance, and is backward compatible with FrameWork.

Cognex Corporation

The M-Series of Industrial Flat Panel Monitors are currently available in three sizes -- 15", 17" and 19". All are available with 5-wire Analog Resistive touchscreens and NEMA sealed panel mount front panels. Their compact size and very thin panel mounted depth of less than 2.75" make them ideal for installation in harsh environments for many factory automation applications. Stainless steel front panels and 24 volt DC input power are available options for all three. They all provide Analog Video (VGA) connections and allow either connection via USB or RS-232 for the optional 5-wire analog resistive touchscreen.

Nematron Corporation

Canadian Industrial Equipment News October 2007

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