In an effort to create a more lean process and improve product quality, a large manufacturer of controllers and drives for automatic doors and blinds sought a modern and cost-effective solution for quality testing motors for external blinds.

Today's food and beverage companies are producing an increasing variety of products and packages. This requires smaller lot sizes, which means frequent machine changes to accommodate different packaging formats. Quick and efficient changeover is essential in the drive to stay competitive in today's market.

To meet the demands of customers wanting smaller, more efficient machines that also meet sanitary and hygienic design requirements, Triangle Package Machinery Company sought two solutions in one.

Today's pneumatic cylinders are compact, reliable, and cost-effective prime movers for automated equipment. Unfortunately, they are often provided with unreliable reed or Hall Effect switches that fail well before the service life of the cylinder itself is expended.

The filling of medical vials requires flexible automation equipment that can adapt to different vial sizes, colors and capping types. People are often deployed to make those equipment changes, which is also known as a recipe change. But by nature, people are inconsistent, and that inconsistency will cause errors and delay during change over.

Sensors are a critical component in any factory automation project. Knowing how they work and the terminology used to describe their technology can help, whether you’re learning about this for the first time or wanting a refresher.

Capacitive sensor technology has evolved far beyond the early versions that were susceptible to false triggers due to electrical noise and caused more headaches than results. Today they are reliable detectors of many kinds of media, with sensor adjustments that allow manufacturers to solve complex applications.

The newest additions to Balluff's expansive portfolio of linear position sensors were designed for extreme conditions. The rod style sensors feature a full stainless steel housing to provide superior resistance to corrosive agents.

The easy-to-use position indicator was designed to simplify format change to more easily meet the ever-decreasing lot sizes resulting from individualized packaging and special formats. It allows users to quickly configure machinery to adapt to varying materials, weights and package counts, while adding precision to the process.