Industrial Automation and Motion Control Blog | The Knotts Company

This post is brought to you by Humphrey Products.

 If your company produces medical devices, contract manufacturers can provide flexibility, expertise, and experience. Choosing contract manufacturers who are certified can offer an array of benefits: 

• Access to growing markets around the world
• Demonstrable commitment to efficient, safe processes
• Protection against audits and litigation
• Marketable dedication to quality
  The question? Which standards are relevant, and what certifications to look for.

Read on to discover the requirements and applications of the medical device industry’s manufacturing standards.

This post is brought to you by Universal Robots.

“Man vs. Machine?” – A plea for rethinking their collaboration

On the way to Industry 4.0 many people wonder: “Will machines substitute human workers?” Since its beginning, the fourth industrial revolution has been discussed alongside with this question. It is as old as automation itself; however, it looks at the winds of our times from the wrong perspective. It is not about “man VS machine”, but “man WITH machine”.

According to a study carried out by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), the number of robots sold globally will have doubled to about 400,000 units by 2018. 70 per cent of total turnover is generated in China, Japan, USA, South Korea and Germany. Here are some figures to compare: South Korea employs 478 industrial robots per 10,000 employees, in Germany, this figure currently stands at 292 units. Of course, this number will not stay at 2.9 per cent robots among 10,000 employees, but even with this number going up, the density of robots dampens the widespread fear of losing one’s job.

This post is brought to you by Bimba.

Executive Summary:

This white paper addresses the most difficult challenges facing manufacturers and OEMs as they compete to reach their production targets. With their equipment running at maximum loads, how can they avoid breakdowns in pneumatic components? What are the smartest and most economical approaches available to assure optimal performance? Recent advances in sensor technology make it possible to obtain performance-related data from which more informed decisions can be made about the need to replace failing components. This paper analyzes the different maintenance strategies for pneumatic actuators and the role sensors can play in each.

This post is brought to you by 80/20.

Keeping people, equipment and property safe ranks as a top priority for any company. 80/20 Inc. provides the widest variety of products in the industry to ensure you get the customized guard or enclosure to fit your specific needs and requirements.

This post is brought to you by Universal Robots.

Automation is transforming the food industry with robot applications as diverse as the range of food in our supermarkets. From the first robot-run lettuce farm in the world producing 30,000 heads of lettuce a day to novel fruit-picking robotic systems capable of distinguishing between apples and oranges, productivity all along the food chain is optimized with the revolution now also reaching  the work in meat packing plants. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, meat packing is the most dangerous job in America. It is therefore not surprising that this industry has the highest rate of fluctuation; Repetitive tasks, tiring and strenuous movements are not only an issue for those who work in the meat industry alone, but across the entire food industry.

A high speed nose bar transfer option, redesigned frame, additional belting and expanded guiding make Dorner’s newly redesigned 2200 Series low profile belt conveyors even better than before.

This post is brought to you by Universal Robots.

This post is brought to you by Humphrey Products.

Changing an air cylinder to ROBO Cylinder improved the cycle time for the solution application process.

This post is brought to you by Universal Robots.