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Industrial Automation and Motion Control Blog | The Knotts Company

How Intelligent Robotics Help With Automation and Product Quality

Posted by Mark Howe

Dec 8, 2011 12:15:00 PM

Many people hear the hype about using robotics in their industrial operations with a skeptical ear. Nothing beats the human eye for making sure a product is made with the highest level of quality. This is very true in almost all cases, but having humans perform and inspect in so many areas of an industrial operation can be costly. And humans can be prone to mistakes, distractions, and sick days.
  • Robotics can be very beneficial for product quality as well as more expedient production. Once programmed, a robot can perform an operation consistently with optimum accuracy and precision. Throughput speeds can increase dramatically through the implementation of robotics. And robots can run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year if necessary – each time performing the same consistent operation with the same degree of accuracy and quality.
  • Robots do require maintenance in order to keep them running and performing properly. But robots also provide a level of safety by handling operations where human hands or eyes could be put in harm’s way. The worker can be in a supervisory and maintenance role instead of handling intricate operations, potentially dangerous chemicals, or sharp tools.
  • Finally, robotics can pay for themselves very quickly because they do not require all of the overhead that human workers require such as benefits and vacation time. It gives your company the ability to refocus your work force on your core competencies. 

When looking for robotics to supplement your production operations, contact the professionals at The Knotts Company for help in determining the best solution for your business.

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Topics: robotics

5 Reasons You Need Vision Inspection on Your Food Packaging Line

Posted by Mark Guida

Nov 1, 2011 8:30:00 AM

“The hand is quicker than the eye” is an old adage from magicians and illusionists.  Indeed, the human eye can be fooled from time to time.  And when it comes to food processing and packaging it is important that our eyes are not fooled.  With advances in vision inspection equipment, machines can help with visual inspections.  This automation can greatly improve quality, safety and efficiency in a food packaging operation.

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Topics: industrial automation nj/ny, knotts company, vision, automated inspection

How Can Industrial Automation Help Your Business Compete and Succeed?

Posted by Rick Howe

Oct 27, 2011 8:30:00 AM

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Topics: industrial automation nj/ny

3 Different 80/20 Aluminum Extrusion Applications

Posted by Mark Howe

Oct 17, 2011 10:32:00 AM

80/20 Aluminum Extrusion can be applied just about anywhere. It really is only limited by your imagination. This post is going to cover three applications that we have been involved with in the past 20 years.

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Topics: aluminum extrusion in nj, aluminum extrusion, t-slotted extrusion, knotts company, welded steel frame, Machine Guarding

Why Outsource Technical Support? 5 Ways Outsourcing Can Help Your Business

Posted by Rick Howe

Oct 11, 2011 1:49:00 PM

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Topics: cost effective, industrial automation nj/ny, resource, core competencies

Pneumatic Motion Control Integrated with EtherCAT

Posted by Rick Howe

Oct 5, 2011 9:40:00 AM

Using pneumatic motion control is not only a safer and cheaper way of operating equipment, but it is also more reliable, much simpler to use, and it can even be used in the case of a power failure.

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Topics: manufacturing, technology, pneumatic motion control, air cylinder

Machine Guarding (Aluminum Extrusion) is Serious for Plant Safety

Posted by Mark Howe

Sep 30, 2011 2:00:00 PM

Plant managers and engineers know the importance of safety. OSHA regulations are always at the forefront of safety related decisions, but there are additional precautions that help not only with OSHA compliance but with overall plant and production line safety.

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Topics: manufacturing, industrial automation nj/ny, aluminum extrusion in nj, aluminum extrusion, machine guard, Machine Guarding

Pneumatic Motion Control Solutions for the Food Industry

Posted by Mark Howe

Sep 21, 2011 9:43:00 AM

The food industry has many challenges to address when it comes to packaging and processing:

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Topics: pneumatic motion control

Machine Solutions on EtherCAT

Posted by Mark Guida

Sep 19, 2011 1:58:00 PM

What is EtherCAT?

  • EtherCAT (Ethernet for Control Automation Technology)

  • Open Ethernet-based fieldbus standard utilizing IEEE 802.3 Ethernet components

  • Utilizes off-the-shelf wiring: RJ45 connectors, CAT5 cables

  • Real-time optimum Industrial Ethernet Protocol for controlling Servo, AC Drives and I/O.

  • More information at www.ethercat.org

Why EtherCAT?

EtherCAT is the fastest fieldbus network on the market that enables high performance architecture solutions. Its use of open standards and freedom of topology make it easy to implement, easy to use, and easy to maintain. Control systems designed now can support future architecture advances because it eliminates limitations found in alternative network technologies. EtherCAT is Omron Industrial Automations standard for fieldbus networks, and its standard for high performance motion control.

In a highly competitive and global market, OEM's constantly strive to achieve more for less when it comes to machine automation. This intensifies as users of automated equipment in the America's drive for specific needs such as - smaller production quantities, wider ranges of sizes, higher throughput, and more uptime. EtherCAT as a fieldbus technology that enables the convergence of Sequence, Motion, I/O, Vision, and Safety. Omron's implementation of EtherCAT suite of products enables automation platforms to increase overall efficiencies for machine builders and achieve higher performance.

Would you like to learn more about EtherCAT?

Omron is sponsoring a full-day seminar in Boston on October 11th, 2011. This is a great opportunity to learn more about how EtherCAT technologies can help you.

 

Learn more about Omron EtherCat Solutions.

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Topics: cost effective, industrial automation nj/ny, knotts company, ethercat

Automation 101 - Programming Robots Made Easy

Posted by Mark Guida

Sep 6, 2011 10:43:00 AM

Welcome to Automation 101, a weekly "tips and tricks" post where we will discuss technologies and programming of today's top automation products.

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Topics: cost savings, manufacturing, industrial automation nj/ny, technology, automation control, electric cylinder, motion control