Industrial Factory Automation

Yaskawa Electric Corp. and Yaskawa America Inc. celebrated the start of U.S. manufacturing for the Yaskawa MV1000 in a ceremony at the Yaskawa America Oak Creek, Wis., plant on Nov. 30. Yaskawa offered the medium-voltage drive (for motors up to 5000 hp) earlier this year, but ordering and shipping from Japan takes about 6 months. That’s expected to be reduced to 8 weeks or less after more than $3 million is invested by 2014 for new manufacturing and testing areas in the 30,000-sq-ft plant. By late 2013, models serving up to 5,000 hp are expected to be available, including UL and CSA listings. Yaskawa MV1000 is said to be the smallest 1000 hp drive available, with 30%-60% smaller volume compared to the last generation of Yaskawa product. It also has the longest mean time between failures (MTBF) at 200,000 hours, a number expected to increase, said those involved. Yaskawa Smart Harmonics Technology reduces input harmonics, meeting IEEE519-1992 and eliminating the need for other fil...

Lincoln Electric introduces the new UltraCore® SR-12 gas-shielded flux-cored wire. This 75% - 80% Argon / balance CO2 gas-shielded flux-cored (FCAW-G) wire is capable of meeting AWS E71T-12M-JH8 requirements in as-welded and stress-relieved conditions. UltraCore SR-12 is an excellent choice for pressure vessel fabrication and many other applications requiring post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) of mild steel. Key Features:     Robust Mechanical Properties - Exceeds AWS E71T-12M-JH8 strength and low-temperature impact toughness requirements in as-welded and stress-relieved conditions with impacts of 110 - 200 J (80-150 ft•lbf) @ -40°C (-40°F).     Operator Friendly - Premium arc performance and bead shape makes SR-12 easy to use for welders of all skill levels. This flux-cored wire conforms to AWS A5.20/A5.20M: E71T-1M-JH8, E71T-9M-JH8, and E71T-12M-JH8 classifications. Available in 15 lb. and 33 lb. packages, UltraCore SR-12 wire comes in the sta...

Safety is a critical component of welding, and thanks to The Lincoln Electric Company, now welders of all skill levels can access the safety information they need anywhere, anytime.  The company’s new Welding Safety Interactive Guide converts Lincoln Electric’s award-winning Welding Safety Interactive DVD into an online format that is easily accessible and viewable on computers, tablets and mobile phones. Designed to educate arc welders about potential arc welding safety hazards and the safe practices they should follow, the guide offers information on a wide variety of topics, including how to avoid electric shock, prevent fire and explosions and choose appropriate personal protection equipment. The guide also provides safety insights from the American Welding Society (AWS) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).  The program’s content is designed to be understood by welders at all experience levels, providing a valuable resource for everyone from ...

FABTECH 2012 marks the launch of a new look to Lincoln Electric’s VRTEX® 360, as well as the release of the fourth upgrade in its VRTEX® Extensions™ software upgrade program. The software upgrade includes GMAW (MIG) stainless welding support, including appropriate visual and audio sound differences; shielding gas selections specific to aluminum welding; and enhanced THEORY functionality including visual and text definitions. With the new upgrade, users will see the addition of stainless GMAW in multiple configurations.  The stainless upgrade includes new visuals and audio, discontinuities, equipment settings, tolerance levels, and the expansion of the THEORY function. An additional feature to the upgrade program is Demo Weld functionality. The Demo Weld feature allows the student or instructor to view an example weld or a demonstration of a proper technique for a specified weld, prior to the weld being made.  Finally, the VRTEX® Extension™ 4 also expands support and incl...

Lincoln Electric announces the official launch of the VRTEX® family of virtual reality arc welding (VRAW™) training products, which includes the respected VRTEX® 360 and the new, easily portable VRTEX® Mobile – ideal for on-site training and recruitment events. These solutions are just two of the offerings in the VRTEX® virtual reality arc welding technology product line – training that’s engaging, realistic and cost effective. These interactive teaching tools work equally as well for introducing new welders to the trade in a traditional classroom or in a manufacturing facility – both as an HR screening tool or for existing workforce training. VRTEX® virtual training systems from Lincoln Electric allow students of any age to learn and train in a safe, virtual environment with realistic imagery and scenes, thanks to a specially equipped virtual reality welding helmet and rich, vivid graphics. Key Features:     Two Models Available – The new, easily transportable...

Lincoln Electric’s newest addition to the VRTEX® family of virtual reality arc welding (VRAW™) training products, the VRTEX® Mobile, delivers a basic, hands-on entry-level training and skills solution that’s consistent with standard industry methodology and evaluation criteria – all in an easily transportable, virtual package. The portable VRTEX® Mobile is ideal for use in classrooms, the human resources department or at off-site training or recruitment events. Key Features:     Welding Applications – With a universal gun handle design (unigun), the VRTEX® mobile offers a pre-installed basic GMAW (MIG) package and an optional SMAW stick add-on package, providing training for flat plate, 2F and 3F joints and 1G, 2G and 3G grooves. The virtual SMAW device is at a fixed 90° angle.     Portable Design Features – Designed for roadtrips and tabletop use, the VRTEX® Mobile comes with a monoscopic, face-mounted display with touchscreen user interface and...

Lincoln Electric introduces an enhanced Robotic Welding Education Cell 2.0 for use in schools, colleges and private manufacturing training centers. The compact new robotic cell is intended to help the manufacturing industry respond to a critical shortage of skilled labor. Training available workers on advanced automated welding delivers the productivity and quality the U.S. manufacturing industry must have to remain successfully competitive. For instructors and students, the new cell provides access to robotic technology and advanced training, allowing students to develop skills that meet the needs of the industry’s developing manufacturing environment.  The mobile nature of the Education Cell, including a collapsible work space, allows it to be used as a training tool in multiple classrooms and welding labs. It also can be easily transported to recruiting events to attract students. "The future of manufacturing lies in motivating students to consider science, technology, ...