DPA Magazine | Features - The Engineer's Trusted Source of inductry articles

SCARA triumphs over 'pick-and-place'

11/02/2013

A leading automotive parts manufacturer recently asked the experts at machine builder, ALPHR Technology to automate the assembly of a moulded plastic spigot. Their requirements were simple – they wanted a system that would be cost-effective, compact, reliable and easy to access. However, the necessary processes to achieve these criteria were not so simple.

Researchers aim to create the 'MacGyver' robot

18/12/2012

Robots are increasingly being used in place of humans to explore hazardous and difficult-to-access environments, but they aren’t yet able to interact with their environments as well as humans. If today’s most sophisticated robot was trapped in a burning room by a jammed door, it would probably not know how to locate and use objects in the room to climb over any debris, pry open the door, and escape the building.

Mitsubishi Electric improves PLC-based data logging

07/12/2012

In the push for increased overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), reduced energy usage, improved traceability, analysis of key performance indicators and more, the vital ingredient is data. Barry Weller of Mitsubishi Electric discusses why data logging has become an essential feature of the modern production line and why it is often best performed within a PLC platform.

Integrated SCADA system drives major energy savings

21/11/2012

To combat rising energy costs, Trelleborg’s flagship Industrial Anti-Vibration Mounts plant in Leicester, UK, has installed a Mitsubishi Electric SCADA solution with integrated MX4 Energy software to monitor and control the plant’s energy use.

Oh Crumbs! Solved at last, thanks to Mitsubishi