Manufacturing and Automation White Papers

An explanation of what a gas spring is, component parts, and how they are both constructed and operate. It gives the reader a basic understanding of the workings and terminology used when specifying gas springs. It offers technical recommendations and guidelines for different mounting positions on applications. It also describes the differences orientation and damping effects are to be expected dependent upon the chosen mounting position.

There is an increasing demand for collaborative robots that can work autonomously and adapt to changing production conditions. This requires reliable sensors that detect human presence and can overcome future challenges associated with the development of collaborative technologies. Learn more about SICK and their approach to safe, collaborative robot systems.

Today’s manufacturing environment is all about eliminating waste and building efficiency into every area of the business – including purchasing – so you can offer a quality product at competitive prices. But if you’re still using outdated purchasing processes, it can lead to problems on the shop floor that affect workflow, customer relationships and the company’s bottom line.

A Collection of Powder Characterization Standards for Metal Additive Manufacturing contains nine existing MPIF Standard Test Methods can be applicable for the characterization of powders used in metal additive manufacturing (AM) processes, with an explanation of each standard. These standards, intended to present and clarify PM technology as an aid in conducting business, relate to those activities that concern designers, manufacturers, and users of metal AM parts.

Data connectivity and collection has evolved past the workarounds and silos that long-plagued industrial ecosystems. New technology is transforming data accessibility—without interrupting your vital processes or requiring new equipment.

3D printing has become a powerful force in today’s manufacturing industry from prototyping to tooling and fixtures to custom, end-use parts. Many businesses struggle to find the right solutions to fit their needs and provide ROI. Selecting the right platform to prevent manufacturing roadblocks is vital to optimizing your manufacturing line productivity. Download the all new buyer's guide to help you evaluate the benefits of 3D printing and dispel misconceptions, understand the pros/cons of various 3D printing processes and materials, and assess the key considerations in selecting a 3D printer.

This Handheld Printer offers Direct-to-Substrate printing for Industrial Marking and Inkjet Coding where the use of adhesive Labeling processes are not reliable. Print Barcodes, Part Numbers and Stencil Text, as well as Logo Printing directly to Industrial Products, Print On Virtually any substrate; Metals, Plastic and Composites and even Glass.

By taking a layered approach to the security challenge and life cycle management tools in the enterprise IoT deployment, the hub architecture supports key principles of security assurance and good practice. These include network management, connecting devices securely, software maintenance and provision for end-of-life. As a result, it may also support a number of specific compliance requirements. For example, it may help mitigate risk associated with cyber security and data protection regulations, such as the recent European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or support adoptions of the US Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA).

When determining if something as specialized as a magnetic encoder module is the right solution, there are many points to consider when trying to determine if it is the best solution for an application.

The precondition for any industrial change is technological progress. The data-based, networked, and autonomous value creation chain in production and logistics is the culmination of recent technological innovation. We refer to these developments as the fourth industrial revolution.

This paper explains the importance of achieving a process validation for AM, the process by which Precision ADM used to do so, the results of various tensile and density tests, as well as showing the complexities and hurdles that need to be overcome.

As many organizations move to build their automation capabilities, recent survey results suggest that certain best practices will differentiate successful efforts from others.

The Industrial Networking Enabling IIoT Communication white paper sets the stage for the Industrial Internet Network Framework (IINF), which will complement the Industrial Internet Connectivity Framework (IICF) by detailing requirements and best available technologies for the lower three layers of the industrial internet communication stack.

The white paper explores the results of kinematic validation simulation testing on the implant done by the Orthopaedic Innovation Centre. The testing reveals that utilizing additive manufacturing and key post-processing operations on this customized knee implant resulted in samples that exceeded expectations

As 3D printed powder-bed technologies such as SLS and MJF rise in popularity, their users stumble upon a common problem – post-processing. After excess powder is initially brushed away (as seen in the picture at left), the build tray is caked in unusable powder. Current methods of removal such as manual bead blasting and vibratory machines leave much to be desired with regards to their labor requirements, damage rates, and inconsistent results in removing powder from fine cavities.

The term “optimize process parameters for additive” is commonly used in the additive manufacturing (AM) world. But what does it really mean to optimize parameters for metal additive manufacturing? Bringing a 3D-printed part to market involves identifying the correct material source, characterizing the raw material, identifying the correct machine parameter window for deposition, developing the stress relief and heat treatment parameters, identifying the correct post finishing technique and, finally, determining the right NDE technique for inspection. All of this involves optimization to determine the ideal parameter sets based on functional part requirements.

In the next decade, Digital Manufacturing technologies will allow companies to connect physical assets and processes by a "digital thread" - unleashing a seamless flow of data that will link every phase of the product lifecycle.

In this ebook, we share how to combat surprises in your design change management more easily, efficiently, and precisely. Combine steps and maximize the time you spend designing your project, and minimize time spent on changes and updates to your designs.

Titanium is often used in aerospace and aircraft applications due to its strength and light weight, however it is known to be difficult to machine. Metal 3D printing continues to make headway as advancements in Selective Laser Melting technology allow for larger components to be built out of metal powder in a laser powder bed over a period of days, eliminating the need for conventional machine setup and tooling. The resulting build provided the customer with a part offering both cost and time savings while reducing weight.

The Emory University Future of IIoT Predictive Maintenance research study was designed to identify the gaps between the high-level strategic and business drivers of change and the reality of implementation. For this purpose, we interviewed Maintenance and Reliability professionals responsible for Predictive Maintenance in their organizations.

Learn how your throughput may be limited with traditional submersion support removal systems. This white paper will review why current “default” mechanical and chemical post-print methods for FDM are inadequate along with details of the revolutionary Volumetric Velocity Dispersion (VVD) automation technology. See how VVD utilizes different forms of mechanical energy to increase FDM support removal efficiency, reduce drying time, and mitigate the risk of damaged parts.

In SME’s second report of the series, we’ll dive into how to get started defining strategies and implementing solutions by identifying 7 essential critical technology elements (CTE) building blocks. The important topic of finding and training skilled workers is the subject of SME’s third and final Smart Manufacturing Report coming later this year.

MWES’ proprietary process of 3D Metal printing of exotic materials is demanded due to expensive manufacturing methods involving casting or machining out of stock material. Download our free Whitepaper to learn the Layer-by-Layer Process to Successful Additive Manufacturing!

As engineers, we are always challenged to bridge the gap between design and manufacturing in the most effective way. As manufacturers, you produce new parts from a prototype design, but also struggle to select the best process for long-term production. Download our Guide to Process Development where we share with you how to successfully launch a new product or optimize an existing process!

When upgrading your hardware platform to a newer and more powerful CPU with more, faster cores, you expect the application to run faster. More cores should reduce the average CPU load and therefore reduce delays. In many cases, however, the application does not run faster and the CPU load is almost the same as for the older CPU. With high-end CPUs, you may even see interferences that break determinism. Why does this happen, and what can you do about it?

A revolution in part feeding technology. To achieve flexibility in assembly machines, manufacturers are all faced with the same problem: feed more variants of parts within a single automated machine and reduce the time required to change production batch from product “A” to product “B”. The solution: using flexible part feeders with a powerful vision system and reduce implementation costs.

The Smart Manufacturing Report Series helps manufacturers consider, evaluate and execute strategies to become strong entities as the industry shifts to integrated and flexible advanced manufacturing technology and tools. Upcoming reports provide a roadmap for manufacturers who want to adopt these practices, outlining the right technologies and solutions, and how to recruit and train a “smart” workforce.

For over 30 years, Smart Products USA, Inc. has focused on the intricate details of how one-way check / pressure relief valves work in low pressure, low flow devices. Sharing this knowledge with existing and potential customers can save them time and money as they develop their current or future applications. As a resource, this white paper answers critical questions, such as: Will a certain step affect the device’s performance? Is there a part in the operation process that will be critical to the application?

An encoder is a sensing device that provides feedback from the physical world; that is, it converts motion to an electrical signal that can be read by some type of control device, such as a counter or PLC. The control device then uses that signal to control a conditional event, such as activating a print head to create a mark at a specific location, or positioning a joint correctly on an articulated robot limb.

As part of the Industry 4.0 area at the recent EMO 2017 trade show, HEIDENHAIN presented a system of production in which all work steps are networked—from the design to the deliverable component. The core components of the network showcased were the software solutions of Connected Machining. They provide TNC controls with access to all order-related data in the company network, so the specialist at the TNC control can become a director of the process chain. This details much of that system.

Many are unaware of the extent to which the theoretical field of computer vision has produced tangible benefits for manufacturing. Embodied in compact smart cameras as well as powerful, PC-connected camera systems, the brilliant work of academicians is being used daily to make industrial operations safer, steadier and more productive. The ability to automatically extract information from digital images opens many doors for manufacturers striving to cut costs, improve quality and streamline their processes overall. The primary uses of machine vision are inspection, gauging, and robot guidance. This white paper by Omron Microscan explores machine vision’s fundamental functions, benefits for industrial automation and real-world applications.

With the explosion in adoption of IIOT applications utilizing MQTT as the messaging protocol, it is critical to implement cyber security at the forefront of its enablement. As with any other computer network, an IIOT application is only as secure as the weakest link in the infrastructure. This white paper will discuss some of the best practices in implementing a secure MQTT infrastructure.

Learn about traditional methods vs. new technologies that intelligently leverage chemical solutions along with mechanical energy to achieve efficiencies in PolyJet post-printing. Discover pros and cons of common chemical-based solutions for 3D post-print support removal as well as considerations for implementing existing and new technology approaches in terms of safety and performance. This white paper includes case study data demonstrating advantages in cycle time, cycle efficiency, and operator attendance time for new “smart” applications of chemical treatment with mechanical energy

Learning What Causes Static Electricity Static electricity can be a major nuisance in manufacturing facilities. It can affect the finish/quality of the products being produced, impact the speed of the operation, and cause workers to experience uncomfortable shocks. But it doesn't have to be this way. There are steps that can be taken to eliminate or control static within a facility, and EXAIR can help. EXAIR's White Paper "Basics of Static Electricity" is designed to help readers learn about the causes of static electricity, the steps that can be taken to eliminate static, and the products available to help control it.