Don't worry, be happy: Keeping a positive outlook – and saving energy – the bad economy cure?

AMSTERDAM – The current economic crisis has many thoughtful individuals wondering about how to maintain a positive outlook.

A challenge was issued to editors at the Festo International Press Conference here earlier this month to do just this – from no less than the Festo AG (festo.ca) chairman of the board, Dr. Eberhard Veit. "Journals have a role to play," he said.

How can we accomplish this task in view of so many negative indicators in Canada and around the world? Certainly those of us who have built careers in manufacturing and technology are rolling up our sleeves once again.

Industry, as opposed to the financial sector, creates the real wealth and value in any economy, so we're uniquely positioned to lift spirits with the right strategies. Veit had some suggestions for the assembled editors from Europe and North America at the conference, too.

Echoing the sentiments of U.S. president-elect Barack Obama, energy efficiency is something that many companies can embrace, including automotive, said Veit (right). "The efficiency of a production system can be significantly increased by using an optimum mix of pneumatics, servo-pneumatics and electrical components."

''Festo views the complex issue of more energy efficiency for machinery and systems from several different angles,'' stressed Veit. Automation components can especially contribute to reduced compressed air and electricity consumption. These range from a wide variety of valves to highly efficient compressed air preparation. But efficiency also necessitates intelligent layouts for the machine's systems and subsystems, avoiding over-sizing and using the right technology for the respective application.

Festo is using the current climate to pursue new business opportunities, such as assembly of photovoltaic arrays, said Veit. Photovoltaic and display substrates can be moved gently with a new Festo air bearing transport system – without contact, accurately and with minimal compressed air consumption, because fragile glass substrates are becoming thinner and thinner, as well as larger and more complex, and more sensitive as a result.

"Innovation is even more important in times like these," concluded Veit.

Mike Edwards, Editor, DPN Magazine medwards@clbmedia.ca
Click for Newsletter Archives

USEFUL SITES + NEWS

On-demand computing. Altair has announced an online store for PBS Gridworks, an on-demand computing software environment that addresses multi-core processor licensing (pbsgridworks.com).

Solid model downloads. Parts in 3D solid models are available from a variety of sources, including DIN and Bosch Rexroth, at traceparts.com.

Online industrial distribution education. Registrations for marketing, sales and customer service in Industrial Distribution, the first online course in a new certificate program being offered by Mohawk College in Hamilton, ON, are now open (mohawkcollege.ca).

Machine components. Over 1,200 series of products from J.W. Winco are presented in complete detail on its newly expanded website, including online pricing and free downloadable CAD models.
______________________________________________


 
 

Please click on the button (left) for access to the digital editions of DPN.

Now available in the DPN November/December digital edition:

• CNC machine adds to Rittal custom enclosure capability

• GM celebrates 100 years of automotive technical progress

• Occupational therapy R&D at U of T creates devices that improve lives of disabled

• CME Canadian Innovation Awards reveal product creativity in our own back yard

• Cover Story demonstrates how industrial design firm Evolve Design Solutions assisted Unitron Hearing with its handheld hearing aid remote control product development (click video below).


       

        DPNCANADA.COM EXCLUSIVES

Slide system. The HepcoMotion HDS2 heavy duty slide system from Bishop-Wisecarver offers capacities up to 68 kN and provides flexibility for many sizes and types of heavy duty components to be interchanged.

Illuminated key switches. Model LW flush mount illuminated key selector switches from Idec are available in 2 and 3 positions with 24 V ac/dc illumination, and in six color combinations. Several operator types are available: maintained, spring return from right, left or two-way spring return.

Rack and pinion systems. Wittenstein offers alpha gearbox/rack & pinion combinations for a wide variety of applications. Three levels of rack & pinion systems are: Economy – for standard linear applications in mid-range/low-cost applications; Smart – for positioning options with more design freedom in flexible applications; and, Precision â�" for demanding requirements with regard to dynamics and accuracy in high-end applications such as master/slave configurations.
________________________________________________

SPONSOR MESSAGE: DS SolidWorks



   

SPONSOR MESSAGE: General Magnaplate



FREE FRICTION CD FROM GENERAL MAGNAPLATE

Increase the life of metal components with a FREE CD-ROM from General Magnaplate. The easy-to-use CD assists design engineers in selecting permanent coatings that prevent wear, friction, corrosion, sticking, galling, and chemical attack on ferrous and nonferrous metals.
It compares the static and kinetic coefficient of friction (COF) of numerous metals with 20 Magnaplate-applied 'synergistic' coatings.
*Click here* for your FREE CD-ROM
www.magnaplate.com/literature/friction_cd.shtml
____________________________________________________

                    UPCOMING EVENTS

December 18, 2008. Toronto. Hands-on Introduction to Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology is presented by Designfusion (designfusion.ca).

January 13-15, 2009. Toronto. Altair presents HyperMesh: Modeling & Result Visualization Introduction seminar (altairhyperworks.ca).

February 8-11, 2009. Orlando, FL. SolidWorks World 2009 International User Conference & Exposition (solidworks.com).

May 5-7, 2009. Toronto. PACKEX Toronto 2009 exhibition presented by the Packaging Association of Canada (packextoronto.com).

June 22-26, 2009. Chicago. NPE2009, a triennial event sponsored by The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (npe.org).
 

Now ONLINE! Click for
Digital DPN CARD PACKS

Get the same information that DPN Card Packs provide when you get them in the mail. Go to the DPN website or click here to get immediate feedback on the products you want to
know about NOW.

MACHINE AUTOMATION
SAFETY CONGRESS 2009

Held in conjunction with Health and Safety Canada 2009, the Machine Automation Safety Congress (MASC) is a joint initiative between Manufacturing Automation magazine, Canadian Occupational Safety magazine, and the new online resource SaferMachines.com.

As part of the Industrial Accident Prevention Association's (IAPA) conference and trade show event, the MASC pavilion and exhibit area feature special hands-on demonstrations where leading suppliers of machine automation safety and safeguarding will showcase their products and answer questions from delegates. Exhibitors include: Advanced Motion & Control, B&R, Honeywell/Wintress, Phoenix Contact, Bosch Rexroth, Rockwell Automation and Siemens.
Location:
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Dates:
April 20-21, 2009 (MASC)
April 20-22, 2009 (Health & Safety Canada 2009)