Automation Parts

Cold-PCR Technology Detects Tumour Mutations Transgenomic has validated the use of its licensed Cold-PCR technology to detect colorectal tumour-associated KRAS mutations that determine efficacy of recently developed therapies. These mutations were detected in plasma samples in which the mutation levels were too low for detection by standard DNA analysis methodologies such as Sanger sequencing. The study, which was performed by Transgenomic's Pharmacogenomics Services Laboratory in Omaha and the company's molecular biology research team in Gaithersburg, consisted of testing DNA extracted from colorectal tumour-matched plasma samples. Screening with standard Sanger sequencing of the plasma samples resulted in only 70 per cent concordance between matched plasma and tumour due to missing KRAS codon 12 and 13 mutations. The samples were enriched by Transgenomic's Cold-PCR mutation enrichment technology before analysis with the Surveyor Scan KRAS assay. Cold-PCR preferentially am...

Vehicle Power System Uses Mattei Vane Technology Mattei is demonstrating the durability and energy efficiency of vane technology through a partnership with Winton Engineering. Winton's onboard-power system utilises the power of a vehicle's engine to drive auxiliary tools and equipment. These modular systems utilise the Mattei vane compressor and can be supplied with a 6kW 110/240V generator. The complete module is powered through the Winton Drive Line Power Take Off (DLPTO). Winton systems are installed under the vehicle and deliver compressed air up to 160cfm. These systems are installed on a range of vehicles and are predominantly used by civil-engineering and utilities companies to power equipment such as road drills, breakers and site lighting. Andy Gear, Winton Engineering, said: 'We chose Mattei compressors as we believe vane-compressor technology is more efficient than traditional screw- or piston-driven compressors; it reduces the demand on the vehicle's eng...

Multipix Imaging To Demonstrate 3D Technology Multipix Imaging is to hold its annual technology day on 11 March 2010, where Machine Vision Software Halcon 9.0 and the latest 3D Vision technology from MVTec will be demonstrated. Basler VC will also present its latest Mega Pixel camera ranges.

City Technology Enhances Hydride Gas Sensors City Technology has enhanced and extended its Sensoric range of hydride exotic gas sensors. These sensors all use an ionic liquid electrolyte to provide improved output level stability, responsiveness and overall performance improvements in the aggressive environments in which they operate. The new arsine and silane sensors are improved versions of existing gel-based devices, and three new sensors, characterised to detect phosphine, diborane and hydrogen selenide, have also been introduced. According to City Technology, the ionic liquid combination has excellent thermal stability with no measurable vapour pressure, offering results even when subjected to wide variations in operating temperature, relative humidity and gas flow rates.

Evologics Exhibits Subsea Modem Technology At Inwatertec 2009, Evologics will exhibit its developments in underwater acoustic communication and positioning with an emphasis on security features of the S2C acoustic modem and USBL antenna. Evologics is addressing the wireless underwater communication challenges confronting naval defence. The company has developed an acoustic modem (R-Series of S2C modem, available in various models to meet different needs) that opens up potential applications for improved subsea monitoring, subsea production systems, operation of robots, AUVs (and ROVs) and for wireless acoustic networks. The modem is claimed to provide excellent reliability in ocean and offshore applications.

Beko Introduces Measurement Technology Programme Beko Technologies offers a comprehensive programme of systems designed to save energy and improve efficiency in the application of compressed air. From the company's perspective, one of the key areas requiring attention in most production facilities is the acquisition and analysis of data regarding compressed air use. According to Beko, many plant managers are simply unaware of how much air is used or how much each cubic metre of air costs. With its new Metpoint range, Beko offers a product portfolio that is said to fill this gap, offering facility managers the opportunity to accrue valuable data on the performance of one of the most expensive energy sources - compressed air. The range includes 24/7 online evaluation of oil vapour content; a dewpoint meter; accurate measurement of compressed air moisture content; portable dewpoint monitoring; and compressed air consumption logging.

Evolut Benefits From Visionpro Technology Evolut uses its Hawk vision-guided robot system - based on Cognex's Visionpro technology - for vision jobs, such as for a robot arm that recognises, picks and positions an item on an assembly line. When using Cognex image-acquisition cards, the installation can manage up to 10 cameras and reduce the time of image acquisition. The system also relies on Patmex, Cognex's software for recognition and localisation of parts. Thanks to Patmex, Hawk can identify and find a diverse range of objects. The robot receives the data in order and can follow the handling of pieces no matter how they are oriented. Approximately 50 per cent of their installations benefit from this technology, which offers a range of advantages. The camera acquires the image, position and orientation of the part or object and communicates this to the robot, which can then pick it up. In a typical application for Evolut, the robot relies on Visionpro and Patmex to obtai...

Decentralised drives are also continuing to gain ground in the field of servo technology. In assembly and handling technology, products such as the Fluxxtorque 930 Servo Drives From Lenze are proving themselves as compact mechatronic units for positioning trays within a conveyor unit or transporting silicon wafers in the photovoltaic industry. In comparison with pneumatic systems, the travel profiles in servo technology are more dynamic and smoother. They also offer greater flexibility, as the software-based movements can easily be adjusted without costly reconfiguration work. This leads to productivity gains. With the positioning control integrated in the fluxxtorque 930 Servo Drives, up to 100 motion functions can be processed and saved. The software’s fieldbus monitor allows all parameters of the fieldbus system to be monitored. This functionality enables easy commissioning and the implementation of complex control tasks. The feedback allows a high degree of positioning accurac...

ESI Group, a supplier of digital simulation software for prototyping and manufacturing processes, has announced its active involvement in the SIMDAT automotive project. The SIMDAT project has introduced advanced grid technology in four different application sectors - automotive, aerospace, pharmaceutical and meteorological - in order to cover the full range of issues to be addressed in the design, development and production of complex products and services. ESI's collaboration has mainly been in the automotive cluster of SIMDAT, addressing the challenges of virtual car development. The automotive activity has developed a range of technologies and integrated them into industrial prototypes and demonstrators to create improved product designs in less time and at reduced cost. To improve car safety beyond currently practised standard testing, project partners such as ESI have developed the SIMDAT crash-compatibility prototype. ESI's Pam-Crash software has been used to perform...

Parker Hannifin has launched a range of air filters that incorporate aerospace technology for optimised air flow and more efficient filtration. As a result, the Moduflex Extras filters can reduce energy costs and help organisations minimise the environmental impact of pneumatic applications. The flow management system uses a number of features based on aerodynamic principles, allowing flow rates to be increased. These features include a 'bell mouth' inlet, which provides an unrestricted path for air entering the filter element, and a smooth elbow that directs air into the filter element more efficiently than the sharp 90 corner inside most conventional filters, said Parker. Many of the models in the range feature specially designed turning vanes, which channel the incoming air to reduce pressure drop and further increase efficiency. The Moduflex Extras filters feature deep pleat element technology and specially treated filtration media to offer 400 per cent greater surface...