The controller also creates a servo controlled true digital Variable-Bidirectional-Asymmetric-Pulse-Output to safely control and power any hydrogen-on-demand “HOD” system. A USB interface and Square1’s CommanderT PC software are used to install, test and tune the HOD system.

The basic controller is a simple plug-and-play tool that controls and monitors cell output, current, electrolyzer temperature and circulation pump output. The full-blown system can map the various settings and manipulate pulse width to find a cell’s “sweet spot”. These two types of controllers feature software, as well as a programming manual that provides the Variable-Bidirectional-Asymmetric-Pulse-Wave-Output for the hydroxy cells capable of handling it.

“In twenty seconds, by pressing three buttons on the keyboard, we’ve been able to repeatedly tune a cell’s HHO molecular mass flow rate from .24 liter per minute to a sustained rate of over17 lpm for several minutes before the cell output drops back off. Our research is continuing to improve and extend that flow rate as well,” said Benson Miller, chief executive of Square1.

The MCK2812 LV (Low Voltage) Servo motor Driver uses a 24V DC to 80V DC power supply that offers a maximum peak value current of 10A and an output power of up to 400W. It offers an on-board 30W rebooting power switch to supply large current safely; on-board precise resistors to carry out a three-phase current sampling and ensure accuracy; and on-board filter to minimize EMI interference based on the FCC-15 standard. The servo motor driver evaluation board also features a special driving chip and a 20A/200V MOSFET tube to protect against over-voltage, over-current, over-heating and under-voltage; an input interface for Hall sensor signal and incremental photoelectric encoder signal; and a feedback interface for current/velocity/position feedback loop. The evaluation board also provides a PWM frequency of up to 40kHz.

Other features of the low-voltage servo motor driver include motor control source code for DC brush and brushless servo motor, AC asynchronous motor and AC permanent magnet servo motor SVPWM and SPWM, a hardware user manual, as well as hardware schematics.

Kokoro has collaborated with Hiroshi Ishiguro of Osaka University to create feminine and creepy androids. Actroid F model has joined the ranks of other Kokoro Actroid robots.

The air servo-powered female robots can be rented for several events including trade shows. Actroid F can move its head, mouth, eyes and back, as well as act as a telepresence robot. Face-tracking software and cameras follow a remote operator to control head movements and facial expressions in a master-slave relationship through an Internet link. Actroid F also features minimal servo motors to save cost and does not have the ability to walk.

Kokoro reportedly announced its plans to sell 50 units of the fembots to hospitals and museums for about $110,000 apiece, aiming to use them as receptionist, guide or patient attendant. According to the company, patients have reacted favorably after a hospital trial.

ATR Intelligent Robotics and Communication Laboratories (www.irc.atr.jp), backed by the government, academia and companies, also collaborated in the development of Actroid F, one of the several robot projects the country has funded as it attempts to create next-generation machines to meet social needs.

The Groschopp AC motor is utilized best in a long-life, continuous duty, application. It has no common wear parts such as brushes and commutators, so it is highly reliable, featuring long life potential and low maintenance. Since the AC motor maintains speed over a wide range of torque it integrates well with commercial ovens, conveyers, insulation blowers, augers, medical beds, x-ray tubes and other conveyer and continuous motion machines. With customization options for speed control and high heat resistance along with the convenient customization from standard to food-grade grease permits the AC motor to synchronize well with commercial, industrial, and construction applications.

The standard features in a Groschopp AC motor include: rugged ball-bearing construction, high-efficiency stator and rotor tolerances and impregnated windings designed to withstand more than twice the nominal voltage.

The Groschopp AC motor has a superb heat dissipation system. Groschopp’s AC motors have innovative cooling channels in the motor housing to avoid dust and grime build-up that can cause overheating and motor damage. “This special cooling mechanism allows the motor to run at lower speeds without overheating which is vital to an inverter duty motor” comments Tullar “we want our motors to last forever.” To further withstand the heat these motors also have insulation that meets “H” class temperature ratings with the ability to withstand temperatures up to 180 degrees Celsius.

Groschopp offers a single phase, 115 and a 230 volt AC motor and a high power, 230 volt, three phase motor. Groschopp can also custom build a dual voltage AC motor. Having both single and three-phase design options provides multiple cost-effective choices depending on the supply voltage and control requirements. “One of the best features of The AC motor is it’s lack of noise” says Tullar. “This AC motor runs so quietly it will not add any additional noise to your workplace,” this is thanks in part to the motor’s ability to run on low current. (Groschopp motors are UL, CSA, CE and RoHS compliant).

Groschopp Inc.
www.groschopp.com

The new Kollmorgen Automation Suite (KAS) has several key advances, which include a machine throughput of 200m/min, a more compact cabinet with a complete IPC module and total application development time of one week.

Compared with traditional machines, the new device eliminates the need to change the gearwheels and cylinders used for perforating or cross cutting several paper formats due to Kollmorgen’s AKM servo motors and precision gearboxes.

Customized formats can be used in the programmable control unit, while format changeover is performed at the touchscreen display.

“The crucial factor for the decision to go with the Kollmorgen Automation Suite was that the Motion Control, PLC and HMI/SCADA functionalities – in our case on an industrial PC – are available via a single processor. This standard tool allows the cost-effective introduction of company-specific knowhow and tailored solutions for individual applications,” said Jakob Graphic Services design engineering and technical manager. “Furthermore, it radically speeds up programming and commissioning, and increases machine performance.”

The Wireless and Networking Track will cover fieldbus implementation, fiber optic solutions, wireless and the infrastructure, and radio and other types of data communication. Experts from Fieldbus Foundation, Exxon/Mobil, Bechtel and Hart Communication Foundation are among the presenters of the Wireless and Networking Track.

Session titles of the Wireless and Networking Track include Convergence of Standards and Organizations, Project Management for Wireless and Networking, Wireless Technologies for Process Control, Moving the Data – Backhaul, Common Installation Challenges, Asset Management – How to Handle and Use the Data, and Future Direction of Wireless and Networking in Process Control.

“ISA’s annual conference continues to offer the best venue for wireless professionals to meet. Industry’s brightest professionals across all functions will meet in Houston, Texas, to share their expertise and experiences. An abundance of knowledge is available here that can be applied to the attendee’s career right away,” said Gerald Cockrell, ISA Automation Week Program Committee Co-chair and 2009 ISA President of Indiana State University.

The 2010 ISA Automation Week, which will be held for two and a half days of sessions, is a technical conference that includes two keynote addresses, social events and networking. It will be held in a 10,000-sq-ft exhibit area featuring more than 100 exhibitors.

Configured for I2C or SPI serial interface, the modules in the developer’s kits accommodate M12 or smaller lenses and image sensors up to 17 x 17 mm.

Each M3-F module is an integrated micro-mechatronics system with a piezoelectric SQUIGGLE micro motor, position sensor, driver and microprocessor in a compact 20 x 22 x 16 mm housing. Its small size and low power use make it ideal for OEM camera systems. Mounted over the sensor on an OEM board camera, it improves image quality and efficiency in applications such as biometric imaging, machine vision and medical diagnostic systems.

The Developer’s Kits are $750, available from stock and can be ordered online at http://shop.newscaletech.com.

www.newscaletech.com

The maxon motor DEC module 50/5 is a revolutionary and innovative speed controller for controlling brushless DC motors with Hall sensors of up to 250W. The new module works with an output current of 5A in continuous operation, and an operating voltage of up to 50V DC, with a highly efficient, flexible and versatile usage. Aside from comprehensive protection features, the amplifier also offers a large number of outputs and inputs, such as speed ranges, enable, speed monitor, direction of rotation presetting, operating status and current limiting, among others. Overcurrent, overvoltage and undervoltage, short circuit and thermal overload are all integrated to guarantee that the new controller can be used firmly.

The all-in-one amplifier, which has an extremely high-power density of 250W and continuous output power at 12cm2 (3cm x 4cm), may be seamlessly embedded into complex applications. The maxon motor DEC module 50/5 features a detailed evaluation board, which is available for initial start-up, and a comprehensive motherboard design guide to be integrated into OEM boards.

The ValScope-PRO helps users identify problems through a scientific evaluation of valves during operation. Since the tool is portable, machine operators can troubleshoot valves in harsh environments and in-line to determine the valves that should be removed. A graphic interface enables machine operators to see the valve as it is giving a real-time analysis and being tested. The equipment is also compatible with analog, HART and Fieldbus communication protocols.

“Many customers would like to know whether a valve needs to be pulled or if it can be repaired in line, and they don’t want to have to wait for test results to be reviewed and analyzed by an outside source,” said Gary Ostrowski, director of product management aftermarket of Dresser Inc’s Flow Technologies Segment. “The new generation ValScope-PRO is one of the easiest and most powerful test systems on the market today, providing real-time analysis that helps customers to save time and money by allowing them to plan ahead for repairs and shut downs.”

The ValScope-PRO is very easy to install on any control valve in a facility. A touchscreen interface is featured in the tool to enable simple operation. Advanced data processing functionality allows the machine user to view information clearly and quickly through a “medical record” report.

The ValScope-PRO system offers advanced diagnostic capabilities and can test over 35 different criteria, such as profile, step response, frequency and deadband.

INGEAR NET.LOGIX version 3.0 software can be used by those who write automation and control applications in Visual Studio C# or Visual Basic.NET to communicate with Allen-Bradley controllers, design data acquisition applications and custom communications, and deploy them on several machines, without the need to pay additional license fees.

“The better the information plant personnel have regarding operations, the greater their ability to manage costs, output, quality and ultimately — profitability. Some of the most valuable data lies within the programmable logic controllers (PLCs) that automate assembly lines. Manufacturers typically deploy PLCs machine-by-machine, so accessing that data can be a real challenge. This new set of class libraries provides anyone who knows Visual Basic.NET or Visual Studio C# everything they need to communicate with some of the world’s most popular Allen-Bradley controllers,” said Chuck Karwoski, head of CimQuest INGEAR.

NET.LOGIX 3.0 has several advanced features, including a new PeerMessage class for Unsolicited Messages, which waits idle in a passive state to allow the Allen-Bradley controller to send data through MSG instructions. Upon receiving communication, the PeerMessage class sends a notification event with information for the user application to process it immediately. The PeerMessage class is designed to receive MSG instructions from CompactLogix, ControlLogix, ControlLogix Gateway, MicroLogix, as well as PLC-5E and SLC 5/05 family of controllers.

NET.LOGIX 3.0 also features the DTEncoding class, which helps read and write Pre-Defined Types (PDT’s) and User Defined Types (UDT’s) as objects with or without the need to read or write every atomic member individually.