Reader Feedback

Dear Mr. Mintchell, I read your article “Creative or Efficient” (Automation World, February, p. 6) and am in total agreement with you. I set a rule for myself years ago that simply states “no hand coding.” I use all high level programming tools. Flow charts, OPC servers, data historians, programs that automate Excel spreadsheets, serve out Web pages and so on. Never wrote a single line of C++, Visual Basic or HTML. Too hard to maintain, too hard to debug. Anyone that knows the basics can understand and maintain the systems I design.

Apr 10th, 2007

I resisted the ego trip to go down the C++ road years ago and am very happy I did. That was a tough one because “I wanted to be cool!”

So the tools are here today to automate anything without the need for low level programming tools. I challenge your readers to come up with one automation design that proves the former sentence wrong.

Jock Stucki

Maintenance Engineer
Wabash Plastics, Inc.
Evansville, Ind.

Abaco Systems Announce New 16-Port Serial Controller and XMC Carrier Card to Protect from Obsolescence

Brooks Instrument Introduces First Fully Pressure-Insensitive Pressure-Based Mass Flow Controller for Etch and CVD Processes in Semiconductor Manufacturing

The new GP200 Series improves flow measurement accuracy and repeatability in semiconductor manufacturing over the widest range of operating conditions in the industry.

Power Flex 6000 T Image

New PowerFlex 6000T Drive Delivers Big Performance in a Compact Design

Medium-voltage drive for global IEC markets accepts high-voltage primary without increasing footprint.

Nidec Leroy-Somer TAL 0473 industrial alternator

Nidec Leroy-Somer Announces the Launch of LSA 47.3 Industrial Alternator with Increased Performance and an Optimized Cooling System

The Linea Lite family of line scan cameras is built for a wide range of machine vision applications.

AMETEK Vision Research Launches Phantom T3610 and TMX 5010 Ultrahigh-Speed Cameras With Back Side Illumination

Featuring CMOS sensors with back side illumination, the new T3610 and TMX5010 cameras sustain their image throughput with optimized light sensitivity for high frame rates and sub-microsecond exposures.

Nord Condition Monitoring Solution

Condition Monitoring Solution Extends the Life of Components and Machinery

Provides the necessary data for predictive maintenance

Beckhoff E Xtended Transport (xts) System

Transport System Creates Realistic Representations of Complete Systems

Provides collision-free motion with movers working independently or in groups

4 Pneumatic Valves

Festo Adds New Manual and Mechanical Pneumatic Valves to Its Core Product Range

3 Profinet Option Card

Hardy Process Solutions Profinet Option Card

This Profinet Option Card from Hardy Process Solutions works with the company’s HI 4050+ weight controller.

1 High Precision Solenoid Pump

Spartan Scientific Introduces High-Precision Solenoid Pump

The SSDP offers fluid control for rigorous environments.

Siemens Motion Control Program

Motion Control Program Features Unprecedented Level of Integration

Offers the innovation necessary for a sustainable competitive advantage

Analog Signal Conditioning

Analog Signal Conditioning

Weidmüller's range of analog converter and monitoring relays makes it a powerful partner in light of the increasing use of automation.

M3 Sm15 Mobile Computer

Mobile Computer M3 SM15 for IoT Mobile Device Management

The M3 mobile computer is a compact RFID handheld computer for Internet of Things applications.

16x9 450l B Safety Light Curtain 1600

Introducing the World’s First CIP Safety Over EtherNet/IP Safety Light Curtain

The Allen-Bradley 450L GuardShield safety light curtain is reported to be the first of its kind to provide CIP Safety over EtherNet/IP.

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IDEC Introduces Category 2 Safety Relay Module

Designed specifically to comply with updated ISO 13849 Safety Category 2 requirements, this safety relay module helps users economically apply better and more appropriate safety measures.

SIRIUS components are compact and designed for quick and easy connection to facilitate industrial control panel maintenance.

Sirius Modular Systems for Industrial Control Panel Design

Allied Electronics & Automation and Siemens team up to offer systems for control panel building.

Mps035 Sm 1200x628 D[2]

Robotic Tool-Changing Systems

Stäubli Connectors offers a new range of compact robotic tool changing systems covering a payload range up to 80 kg. They can accommodate several transfer technologies precise repeat accuracy of +/-1.5 µm.

3 Eaton Io T Connected Surge Protector

IoT Connected Surge Protector

This latest surge protection device by Eaton enables remote monitoring of surge data, both real time and historical, that can be used to predict future surge events or proactive maintenance.

The ASCO Series 256/356 solenoid valves set a new benchmark for fluid control performance by reducing the overall footprint and power consumption while increasing pressure ratings.

Emerson’s Solenoid Valves Enable More Compact Machine Designs

ASCO™ Series 256/356 offers smaller footprint, up to 40% reduced power consumption and up to 30% higher pressure ratings.

1 Galil Motion Control Multi Axis Motion Controller

Multi-Axis Motion Controller

Galil Motion Control's new DMC-21x5 controller introduces a state-of-the-art ARM-based processor that improves its communication, command processing, and memory capabilities while staying at the same series price as its series predecessor, DMC-21x3.

More in Control

2 Velo3 D 3 D Metal Printer

3D Metal Printer

Velo3D's new Sapphire XC printer features higher productivity, larger build volume, compatibility with different alloys, and reduces cost-per-part.

1 Moog Modular Electrohydrostatic Actuation System

Modular Electrohydrostatic Actuation System

Moog's new product features lower oil requirement, a decentralized system, low mass inertia, and much more.

Bosch Rexroth Ctrl X Drive 38644

Compact, Scalable Drive System

Bosch Rexroth’s ctrlX DRIVE is said to be the most compact, scalable, and consistent modular drive system available. It has space-saving dimensions of up to 50% and can provide tailored solutions with peak currents of 6 A to 375 A.

Mass Flow Controller for Gas

Burkert's Type 8742/46 mass flow controllers/meters can handle low- to mid- to high-flow gas applications.

Pr182020 Beckhoff Elm72xx Print

Servo Drives

Beckhoff’s ELM72xx EtherCAT servo drives deliver an output current (Irms) of up to 16 A at 48 V DC for the power supply.

Inductive Automation Ignition8

Industrial Application Platform Update

Find out about the latest application platform tools included with Ignition 8.1.

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High Pressure Processing Helps Emerging Brands

Join Jeff Williams of Universal Pure, and ProFood World’s Joyce Fassl as they discuss high pressure processing and the shelf-life benefits it brings to brands seeking broader distribution and the importance of Cold Pressure Council certification.

Beckhoff Al8000 Linear Motors1

Linear Motors

The AL8000 linear motor series from Beckhoff is based on a modular system design consisting of linear motors and magnetic plates and offers wide-ranging options in length, winding, and cooling type.

SPC-800 Series of Button-integrated HMI with IP66-Rated Protection for Process Visualization

Advantech has to announced its new SPC-800 series of arm-mounted human-machine interfaces with full IP66-rated protection that provides a cabinet-free solution for operation in industrial environments.

Converter Cables

Converter Cables Create Possibilities for Mobile Equipment Makers

New Balluff cables connect M12 to Deutsch DT and AMP Superseal connectors.

Wago 2000 Series Pnp Npn Converter

Converter Reduces Need for Inventory and Space

Helps increase machine functionality

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Single-Phase Compressor Soft Starters

These single-phase compressor soft starters from Carlo Gavazzi are said to reduce start current by more than 50%.