Industrial Factory Automation

JW Winco has expanded its line of inch and metric stainless steel adjustable levers. These adjustable levers feature a solid, all stainless steel handle with a sand blasted satin finish. Inserts, screws and springs are also stainless steel. The all-stainless steel construction makes this lever appropriate for applications in the food processing and chemical industries. Levers are available in a variety of sizes, in tapped, blind bore and threaded stud types. Special bores, threads, and stud lengths are available on request.

Adept Technology and Prosurgics have reached an agreement to collaborate on the design and development of the next generation of Prosurgics' surgical robotic systems for image-guided neurological and soft tissue surgery. The surgical robotics market in the USA alone is forecast to be worth approximately US $2.5 billion by 2011 (BCC Research) with an expected average annual growth rate of 43% in the period 2006-2011. Examples of the emerging surgical robotics market include cardiac and prostate surgery. Surgical robots are now performing more than 50% of prostatectomies in the US. Clinical outcome data for this kind of surgery has shown superior patient outcomes while at the same time delivering a compelling economic benefit. 'The surgical robotics market requires very high precision products with no room for error', said Rob Bucher, Adept's Chief Executive Officer. 'Our goal in working with Prosurgics is to create technology platforms that can be used in a range of...

There are now more variations of cable gland available than ever, and with more choice comes the requirement for more knowledge in order to make the right selection. Considerations such as suitability for purpose, sealing, safety and installation time all need to be balanced against cost, which is always an issue. The need to know is universal, as is the responsibility for the selection; the decision can fall to the electrician, electrical fitter, distributor, specifier or designer, working freelance on behalf of a contractor or an OEM all need to make the right choices, for the right reasons. It is as easy to overlook a cable gland, as it is to under-specify, or, to over-specify it. With a huge range of fast new push-fit designs, tighter regulations and new materials coming onto the market it is essential to look at what is fit-for-purpose. Essential criteria include the quality of the hole available for the cable entry, the thickness of the cable, the ingress protection required (IP ...

The Fluke VR1710 voltage quality recorder is designed for single-phase power quality troubleshooting and preventative maintenance applications. Designed as an easy to use solution for detecting and recording power quality problems, the VR1710 is a single-phase plug-in voltage quality recorder that can help maintenance and facilities personnel in utilities, industrial environments and large service organisations to maintain the power quality essential to business operations. The Fluke VR1710 can help users pinpoint the root causes of voltage problems by recording data specified by a user-selected average period on voltage trends, dropouts and power quality parameters, including RMS average, transients, flicker and harmonics up to the 32nd. It features continuous recording of all values with no gaps, making testing more efficient by enabling users to gather data on both voltage and events with a single instrument. The recorder plugs directly into any single-phase mains power socket and ...

A five-star hotel on Germany's Baltic coast is using high-tech industrial controllers from Mitsubishi Electric to run its luxury spa and wellness centre. Ordinary saunas can get by with just a few switches and a three-point temperature controller, but modern spas need sophisticated control systems and operating terminals. At the spa centre of the Yachthafenresidenz Hohe Dune hotel, control systems unobtrusively help to create a stylish atmosphere. The wellness centre offers guests a wide selection of saunas, steam baths, massage jet showers and an ice machine. Aromas, light effects and music complement the experience. The control systems work unobtrusively in the background to keep all the spa equipment and facilities operating perfectly. The system monitors the fully-automated jacuzzis and hydro-massage jet showers, regulates the humidity and temperature of the various saunas and baths, controls the steam generators, ventilation fans, water and aroma pumps, adjusts the electric h...

Machine Building Systems ' new item transport track allows heavy goods to be transported easily and quietly. The transport track system tolerates soiling and is easy to assemble and can be added to any profile construction. Elevated transport tracks and suspended constructions are also possible. A typical assembly would comprise an aluminium-profile constructed carrier onto which is mounted four D60 PU roller units, which run in a parallel pair of track profile 8 80x40s. The modular design means that the carriers can be made to any size and the track profiles placed accordingly. The roller units (each with a load-bearing-capacity of 800N) are fitted with ball-bearing mounted polyurethane-tyres for smooth and quiet running and with spring-loaded lateral guide-wheels to provide sideways support. The roller units offer a choice of fixing positions which can provide either a ride height which is flush with or 4mm from the track profile. The rollers can be used independently of the roll...

Flir Systems became the majority shareholder of Cedip Infrared Systems on 4th January 2008. Cedip Infrared Systems' infra-red camera operations will be integrated into the thermography Division of Flir Systems and trade under the Flir brand name. The acquisition will provide greater R and D capability, enhanced core competence and greater production and distribution ability. Flir Systems will now have the capacity to develop R and D Systems that are application-specific with a greater range of cooled detector combinations. The centre of excellence of these high-end cameras will remain at the Cedip Infrared Systems base in France. 'The combined forces of Flir Systems Thermography Division and Cedip Infrared Systems will take infra-red technology into a new league on many fronts and result in development excellence to the benefit of all our customers', according to Arne Almerfors, President of the Flir Systems Thermography Division. 'Teaming up with Flir Systems Thermogr...