Toronto's INKAS Armored Vehicle Manufacturing designs security vehicles that cruise through the ...

48 Pages·2014·10.34 MB·English

14 Check out what’s new in
Autodesk’s AutoCAD 2015
20 OSPE survey reveals generational
shifts in engineering workforce
45 Canadian prosumer 3D printer
to take on big name competitors
$10.00 | May/June 2014
READY
for
Anything
Toronto’s INKAS Armored Vehicle
Manufacturing designs security vehicles
that cruise through the world’s hot spots.
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SPELL RELIABLE
We don’t like to brag, but we are proud of our ability to off er the highest quality
drives and servos in the industry. We also work very hard at providing quick response
to customer orders and questions. And, we boast some of the best meantime between
failure rates in the industry.
Is that because of our quality products and innovative manufacturing processes? Sure.
But it’s also because of the Yaskawa associates that come to work every day looking to
maintain a standard of excellence in serving you that we’d match against anybody’s.
Our people and our products are held to this standard every day.
That’s why we spell reliable Y-A-S-K-A-W-A.
YASKAWA AMERICA, INC.
DRIVES & MOTION DIVISION
1-800-YASKAWA YASKAWA.COM
Follow us: More Info:
http://Ez.com/yai615
©2014 Yaskawa America Inc.
2-3-DES.indd 2 14-06-03 10:37 AM
SPELL RELIABLE
We don’t like to brag, but we are proud of our ability to off er the highest quality
drives and servos in the industry. We also work very hard at providing quick response
to customer orders and questions. And, we boast some of the best meantime between
failure rates in the industry.
Is that because of our quality products and innovative manufacturing processes? Sure.
But it’s also because of the Yaskawa associates that come to work every day looking to
maintain a standard of excellence in serving you that we’d match against anybody’s.
Our people and our products are held to this standard every day.
That’s why we spell reliable Y-A-S-K-A-W-A.
YASKAWA AMERICA, INC.
DRIVES & MOTION DIVISION
1-800-YASKAWA YASKAWA.COM
Follow us: More Info:
http://Ez.com/yai615
©2014 Yaskawa America Inc.
2-3-DES.indd 3 14-06-03 10:37 AM
The problem: electrical current passing through bearings
in electric motors can cause raceway damage that leads
to premature bearing failure and, ultimately, expensive
machine downtime.
The Schaeffler solution: rolling bearings featuring our
proprietary Insutect™ ceramic coating or state-of-the-art
ceramic balls. Both are designed to stop electrical current in
its tracks.
Other Schaeffler innovations include raceway surface
finishes for ball bearings that are so quiet, they have
to be (not) heard to be believed. Our rigorously tested,
high-grade Arcanol electric motor grease facilitates opti-
mal bearing operation and extra-long life, while Schaeffler
X-life™ cylindrical roller bearings are specifically designed to
handle today’s increasingly high loads.
For rolling bearing solutions used in electric motors and
machinery, Schaeffler sets the standard.
Now that’s electrifying!
Need more details?
Please contact us at [email protected]
www.schaeffler.ca
Superior-quality products.
Comprehensive reliable solutions.
©2014
4-5-DES.indd 4 14-06-04 10:22 AM
Contents | Volume 60, No. 3 5
IN THE NEWS
8 Canadian additive
manufacturing
ISO standards
committee formed Columns 14
8 ATS sales, profits
rise for 2014 14 What’s New in AutoCAD 2015
Autodesk tweaks venerable CAD software
8 Engineering salary including a new dark and “sexy” UI
survey details
compensation
18 CAD Beat
across Canada
Engineering analysis consultants bring
8 Canadian device expertise to bear on design challenges.
precisely dampens
collision impact 30 Power Transmission 18
Misconceptions keep engineers from
10 Université Laval taking advantage of plastic bearings
retains Shell Eco-
Marathon title 38 Idea Generator
The latest in industrial products including
10 Magellan, UofM
automation, power transmission, machine
partner on satellite
vision and motors
integration facility 24
12 Creaform overhauls 45 Canadian Innovator
Canadian-made DittoPro looks to go head-
3D scanner lines
to-head with competitors in the prosumer
12 Autodesk to release 3D printer market.
open source 3D
printer, software Features
platform
28
The problem: electrical current passing through bearings
12 Waterloo nanotech
in electric motors can cause raceway damage that leads 20 Generation ENG
promises to
to premature bearing failure and, ultimately, expensive OSPE survey reveals potential issues in
revolutionize LED
the coming generational shift in the
machine downtime. light bulbs
engineering workforce.
The Schaeffler solution: rolling bearings featuring our
proprietary Insutect™ ceramic coating or state-of-the-art 24 Ready for Anything
30
ceramic balls. Both are designed to stop electrical current in Toronto’s INKAS Armored Vehicle
READER SERVICES Manufacturing designs security vehicles
its tracks.
that cruise through the world’s hot spots
Annual Subscription Rate
Other Schaeffler innovations include raceway surface In Canada: $53.95 (1 year)
finishes for ball bearings that are so quiet, they have $72.95 (2 year) 28 Lighting the Way
to be (not) heard to be believed. Our rigorously tested, Outside Canada: $101.95 (1 year) Companies can tap into Canada’s storehouse
Single Copy
of engineering research capability — if they
high-grade Arcanol electric motor grease facilitates opti- In Canada: $10.00
Outside Canada: $22.00 know where to find it
mal bearing operation and extra-long life, while Schaeffler
Directory Rates
X-life™ cylindrical roller bearings are specifically designed to In Canada: $28.00
34 Robotics, Industry 4.0 and The
Outside Canada: $46.00
handle today’s increasingly high loads.
Reader Service Internet of Things
For rolling bearing solutions used in electric motors and Contact Information Are these industrial “instruments” ready to
[email protected]
play in the same manufacturing symphony?
machinery, Schaeffler sets the standard. Toronto: 416 442 5600 X 3538 45
Elsewhere: 1-866-543-7888
Mail:
Now that’s electrifying! 34
Business Information Group
Design Engineering Circulation Dept
80 Valleybrook Drive
North York, ON
M3B 2S9
Need more details?
Please contact us at [email protected] Printed in Canada
www.schaeffler.ca
Superior-quality products.
Comprehensive reliable solutions.
©2014
www.design-engineering.com May/June | 2014
4-5-DES.indd 5 14-06-04 10:22 AM
6 EditorialViewpoint
DDDCCC dddrrriiivvveeesss fffooorrr eeeffffififi ccciiieeennnttt cccooonnntttrrrooolll
Windsor Hum www.design-engineering.com
Editor DC motors and drives provide several advantages
Michael McLeod [phone] ext. 3231 over AC-powered devices. Our new Ironhorse
For years, residents of Windsor have been plagued by a pulsating noise that, until [email protected]
DC drives are suitable for many control
Publisher Starting at:
recently, remained a mysterious but aggravating fact of life in Canada’s automo-
Alan Macpherson [phone] applications, all at prices that won’t break $59.00
tive capital. But a report, released in May, confirmed the source, if not the exact [email protected] u.s.
your budget.
GSD3-240-2CL
cause, of what has come to be known as the Windsor Hum. Far from a mass hallu- Group Editorial Director
Lisa Wichmann [phone]
cination, the vibrations, it turns out, have been seeping across the Detroit River from [email protected] (cid:127) Inexpensive – DC drives are typically less expensive than AC drives
a manufacturing plant located on a heavily industrialized patch of land aptly named Accounts Manager (cid:127) Low speed performance – DC drives and motors provide excellent low
Zug Island. Taebah Khan [phone] speed control and stability
[email protected]
Unfortunately, solving the mystery has provided little comfort for sleepless Wind- (cid:127) Low speed power – DC motors provide
Technical Field Editor exceptional low speed torque and power
sorites; the bad news is that there may be little they can do to stop the noise; the Pat Jones, P. Eng.
(cid:127) Simple – our DC drives are
iron-making plant occupies most of what is a separate municipality from Detroit and Art Director typically confi gured with
the company has refused to let scientists pin-point the cause or respond to the Kathy Smith [phone] ext. 3215 potentiometers – no parameters
[email protected] or programming needed
Canadian government’s efforts to resolve the issue.
Market Production Manager
In a larger sense, the Windsor hum isn’t the only relentless source of sleeplessness Cheryl Fisher [phone]
[email protected]
emanating from the Motor City into Southern Ontario. A separate report released in
Circulation Manager GSD1 Series starting at: $115 GSD3 Series starting at: $59
May by RBC economist Josh Nye paints a bleak picture for Canada’s auto sector. In it, Cindi Holder [phone] ext. 3544
he says that, although motor vehicles sales in Canada last year hit a record high of 1.8 [email protected] High-performance Pulse-Width-Modulated (PWM) Compact, economical variable speed SCR controllers
million units and a solid 15.9 units in the U.S., little of that resurgence in the sector is BIG Magazines LP controllers for 12 to 36 volt battery/solar-powered for small DC and universal motor applications - up to
Executive Publisher equipment - up to 1/2 HP 2/3 HP
benefiting the Canadian automotive industry. Tim Dimopoulos
(cid:127) Low Voltage PWM (cid:127) Small, compact
Specifically, the report states that shipments are still 15 percent shy of where they Vice-President of Canadian Publishing, (cid:127) 12/24/36VDC input (cid:127) 12/24VAC,
Alex Papanou
were before the recession. Worse still, only 8,300 of the 43,400 jobs lost since 2007 have (cid:127) Up to 20A output 120/240VAC input
returned, making automotive one of the worst performing manufacturing industries. President of Business Information Group, current (cid:127) Up to 2A output
Bruce Creighton current
Similarly, 2013 saw weak investment in Canadian motor vehicle and parts manufactur-
Publications Mail Agreement #40069240 GSD1-12-10C GSD1-12-10N4X GSD3-240-2CJ GSD3-240-3N4
ing. In total, capital investment was down to a third of what it was in 2007. ISSN: 0011-9342 (Print), 1929-6452 (Online)
The automotive sector’s failure to ride the upswing in sales, the report concludes, Psurbivsacrciyp tNioont ilicset :a Fvraoilmab tliem teo tsoe lteimcte c owme pmaankiees oaunrd GSD4 Series starting at: $65 GSD5 Series starting at: $135
is due to a “shift in the North American production landscape” as assembly work has organizations whose product or service may interest Cost effi cient, reliable SCR control for permanent General purpose SCR drives rated to 2 HP
you. If you do not wish your contact information to
magnet, shunt wound, and universal motors -
increasingly moved to Mexico and the southern U.S. Since the NAFTA era, Mexico’s be made available, please contact us via one of the
up to 2 HP
market share has risen from 7 percent in 1994 to a high of 20 percent in 2011. Conversely, following methods: (cid:127) General purpose,
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] (cid:127) Economical, general many enclosed options
Canada’s production has eroded to 14 percent in recent years, largely to southern U.S. EM-maila tilo: :p Prrivivaaccyyo fOfifcfiecre@r,b 8u0si nVeasllseinybforormoka tDiornivger,o up.ca. purpose (cid:127) 120/240VAC input
states. Future investments planned in those locations will only further the trend. North York, ON M3B 2S9 (cid:127) 24/36VAC, (cid:127) Up to 10A output
In the end, the report doesn’t single out one cause (free trade, strong Canadian Subscriber Services: To subscribe, renew your 120/240VAC input current
subscription or to change your address or information (cid:127) Up to 10A output
dollar, comparative labor costs, government subsidies, etc.) for the shift in the landscape. contact us at 1-800-387-0273 ext.3552. Subscription current
Price: Canada: $53.95 for 1 year; $72.95 for 2 years; GSD4-240-10N4X GSD4-240-1C GSD5-240-10C GSD5-240-10N4
Instead, it simply suggests that it will continue and there may be little Canada can do
$10 for single copy. Outside Canada: $101.95 for 1 starting at: $330
to stop it. year; $22 for single copy. Directory/buyer’s guide: GSD6 Series GSD7 Series starting at: $160
Canada $28; Outside Canada $46.
To be sure, the report holds few bright spots but this shifting landscape may take Design Engineering, established in 1955, is published Most fully-featured IronHorse analog SCR drive Instant reversing, quick stopping & rapid cycling SCR
years to fully come into focus. In the meantime, it serves as the latest of many sirens 6 times per year except for occasional combined, with features not typically found in drives in this price drive utilizing unique zero-speed detect and dynamic
expanded or premium issues, which count as two range - up to 3 HP braking circuits - up to 2 HP
warning that the struggle to retain or land new automotive manufacturing investment, subscription issues. Published by BIG Magazines LP, a
division of Glacier BIG Holdings Company Ltd.
facilities and jobs will become increasingly cut-throat. (cid:127) Advanced features off er (cid:127) Reversing
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]
The question is whether Canada will let the industry fade or try to match the 80 Valleybrook Dr., Toronto, ON M3B 2S9. fl exibility (cid:127) 120 or 240VAC input
Contents of this publication are protected by copyright (cid:127) 120/240VAC input (cid:127) Up to 10A output
labor deals, tax incentives and other inducements offered by the likes of Mexico and and must not be reprinted in whole or in part without (cid:127) Up to 15A output current current
Alabama. My guess is that, like the Windsor hum, Ontario and the federal govern- permission of the publisher. DE receives unsolicited
features and materials (including letters to the editor)
ment will continue to whisper comfort to voters in the automotive capital of Canada, from time to time. DE, its affiliates and assignees may GSD6-240-15C GSD7-120-10CR30 GSD7-120-1CR3
use, reproduce, publish, re-publish, distribute, store and
but ultimately it lacks the political will to make itself heard above the relentless hum
archive such submissions in whole or in part in any form
emanating from manufacturing plants south of the border. or medium whatsoever, without compensation of any Our shipping Free standard shipping is available for orders totaling over $49 U.S. (except for orders which Also check out our AC and DC motors.
sort. DE accepts no responsibility or liability for claims policies make it require LTL shipping, see Web site for details). Also, save on brokerage fees when shipping
made for any product or service reported or advertised eatsoi eorr dthear nd ierevecrt standard ground to Canada - allow AutomationDirect to choose the broker.
Mike McLeod in this issue. DE is indexed in the Canadian Business from the U.S.! See Web site for details and restrictions at: www.automationdirect.com/canada Research, price, buy at:
Index by Micromedia Ltd., Toronto, and is available
on-line in the Canadian Business & Current Affairs www.automationdirect.com/dc-drives
Database. We acknowledge the financial support of the
Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical
Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
@ I enjoy hearing from you so please contact me at Order Today, Ships Today!
[email protected] and your letter
could be published in an upcoming issue. * See our Web site for details and restrictions. © Copyright 2014 AutomationDirect, Cumming, GA USA. All rights reserved. 1-800-633-0405 the #1 value in automation
May/June | 2014 www.design-engineering.com
6-7-DES.indd 6 14-06-06 1:15 PM
DDDCCC dddrrriiivvveeesss fffooorrr eeeffffififi ccciiieeennnttt cccooonnntttrrrooolll
DC motors and drives provide several advantages
over AC-powered devices. Our new Ironhorse
DC drives are suitable for many control
Starting at:
applications, all at prices that won’t break $59.00
u.s.
your budget.
GSD3-240-2CL
(cid:127) Inexpensive – DC drives are typically less expensive than AC drives
(cid:127) Low speed performance – DC drives and motors provide excellent low
speed control and stability
(cid:127) Low speed power – DC motors provide
exceptional low speed torque and power
(cid:127) Simple – our DC drives are
typically confi gured with
potentiometers – no parameters
or programming needed
GSD1 Series starting at: $115 GSD3 Series starting at: $59
High-performance Pulse-Width-Modulated (PWM) Compact, economical variable speed SCR controllers
controllers for 12 to 36 volt battery/solar-powered for small DC and universal motor applications - up to
equipment - up to 1/2 HP 2/3 HP
(cid:127) Low Voltage PWM (cid:127) Small, compact
(cid:127) 12/24/36VDC input (cid:127) 12/24VAC,
120/240VAC input
(cid:127) Up to 20A output
current (cid:127) Up to 2A output
current
GSD1-12-10C GSD1-12-10N4X GSD3-240-2CJ GSD3-240-3N4
GSD4 Series starting at: $65 GSD5 Series starting at: $135
Cost effi cient, reliable SCR control for permanent General purpose SCR drives rated to 2 HP
magnet, shunt wound, and universal motors -
up to 2 HP
(cid:127) General purpose,
(cid:127) Economical, general many enclosed options
purpose (cid:127) 120/240VAC input
(cid:127) 24/36VAC, (cid:127) Up to 10A output
120/240VAC input current
(cid:127) Up to 10A output
current
GSD4-240-10N4X GSD4-240-1C GSD5-240-10C GSD5-240-10N4
starting at: $330
GSD6 Series GSD7 Series starting at: $160
Most fully-featured IronHorse analog SCR drive Instant reversing, quick stopping & rapid cycling SCR
with features not typically found in drives in this price drive utilizing unique zero-speed detect and dynamic
range - up to 3 HP braking circuits - up to 2 HP
(cid:127) Advanced features off er (cid:127) Reversing
fl exibility (cid:127) 120 or 240VAC input
(cid:127) 120/240VAC input (cid:127) Up to 10A output
(cid:127) Up to 15A output current current
GSD6-240-15C GSD7-120-10CR30 GSD7-120-1CR3
Our shipping Free standard shipping is available for orders totaling over $49 U.S. (except for orders which Also check out our AC and DC motors.
policies make it require LTL shipping, see Web site for details). Also, save on brokerage fees when shipping
easier than ever standard ground to Canada - allow AutomationDirect to choose the broker.
to order direct
from the U.S.! See Web site for details and restrictions at: www.automationdirect.com/canada Research, price, buy at:
www.automationdirect.com/dc-drives
Order Today, Ships Today!
* See our Web site for details and restrictions. © Copyright 2014 AutomationDirect, Cumming, GA USA. All rights reserved. 1-800-633-0405 the #1 value in automation
6-7-DES.indd 7 14-06-04 1:10 PM
8 DesignNews
Engineering salary survey
UP FRONT
details compensation
Canadian additive manufacturing ISO
across Canada
standards committee formed
The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) announced
that it has tasked Bureau de normalisation du Qué-
bec (BNQ) with managing the SCC mirror commit-
NEW High Flow
tee SMC/ISO/TC 261 on additive manufacturing.
Electronic Valves
Canada is one of 18 countries involved with the
ISO/TC 261 international standardization committee Now Available!
on additive manufacturing set up in 2011 by the
International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
“With BNQ having harmonized the Canadian
and international ISO/TC 261 committees, Canada
now has wide-ranging industry influence in setting
these important international standards,” said John
Walter, Standards Council of Canada’s CEO.
BNQ is currently completing the formation of
the Canada mirror committee that will enable Cana-
dian stakeholders to follow and influence the inter-
national committee’s work. The committee will be
chaired by François Richard, project engineer for
additive manufacturing at Pratt & Whitney Canada. Engineering staffing firm, Randstad Engineering, recently published
www.bnq.qc.ca its 2014 National Compensation Survey, which details salary informa-
tion for most engineering positions in Canada. Based on salary data
from the Economic Research Institute, the guide provides a snapshot
ATS sales, profits rise for 2014 of typical salaries in 58 cities across the country. In addition, the
Cambridge, ON-based ATS Automation Tooling survey also factors in levels of experience by showing average com-
Systems Inc. announced that its books have sig- pensation for hundreds of engineering and related roles at five, seven
nificantly improved over the past quarter and since and 10 years of experience.
this time last year. A quick comparison from Randstad Engineering’s salary guide
According to its recent fiscal 2014 financial results, shows that location can make quite a difference. For example, accord-
ended March 31, 2014, the system integration com- ing to the survey, manufacturing mechanical engineers in Calgary
pany saw its revenues from continuing operations pull down between $91,030 (five years) and $109,811 (10 years) while
grow to $200.7 million, 31 percent higher than last “next door” in Regina, they average $76,675 to $89,390.
year and up 13 percent from the third quarter. Comparatively, in concentrated engineering markets like Toronto
Similarly, the company’s earnings were $17.2 million, and Montreal, manufacturing mechanical engineers’ salaries are near
compared to $16.7 million in the their quarter and equal (Montreal: $78,369.38 to $91,535; Toronto: $83,140 to $96,882). miniature
$14 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. The big money, however, is found in more remote but high demand
A major factor in company’s improved balance markets like Fort McMurray, where manufacturing mechanical
stainless steel cylinders (cid:127) shuttle valves (cid:127) push-quick fittings
sheet has been the acquisition last year of IWK engineers make between $117,302 and $137,641, depending on years pneumatic and
Verpackungstechnik GmbH, a German-based auto- of experience, the report says. The complete salary guide is freely
mation company that specializes in packaging available on Randstad Engineering’s website.
pushbutton actuators (cid:127) acrylic subplates (cid:127) manifolds (cid:127) solenoid valves
machinery for the pharmaceutical and personal-care www.randstad.ca electronic
industries.
IWK added revenues of $29.6 million plus book- Novel Canadian device precisely dampens load
ings that pushed the total order backlog to a record from collision impact slip-on fittings (cid:127) frls (cid:127) brass cylinders (cid:127) to g gl e v al ve s (cid:127) cquiock-cnonnetctr fitotingls
$474 million. In addition, the company said revenue Since Mercedes-Benz patented the idea of crumple zones in the early
551133-552211-44226611
from customers in the consumer products and 1950s, the energy absorbing systems have become a standard safety
electronics sectors climbed 216 percent in the fourth design feature. But while they have saved countless car occupants www.clippard.com stem valves (cid:127) hose (cid:127) modular valves (cid:127) 10 and 15 mm valves (cid:127) pneumatic circuits
devices
quarter compared to a year earlier, while revenue from suffering the full force of impact energy over the past 60 years, Cincinnati, OH
from the energy sector increased 94 percent. they do have limitations.
888-WAINBEE
www.atsautomation.com According to Dr. Bill Altenhof, associate professor in the Univer- tubing (cid:127) brass valves (cid:127) pressure sensors (cid:127) flow controls (cid:127) pressure gauges
sity of Windsor’s Mechanical, Automotive and Materials Engineering Mississauga, Ontario
May/June | 2014 www.design-engineering.com
8-13-DES.indd 8 14-06-04 2:30 PM
NEW High Flow
Electronic Valves
Now Available!
miniature
stainless steel cylinders (cid:127) shuttle valves (cid:127) push-quick fittings
pneumatic and
pushbutton actuators (cid:127) acrylic subplates (cid:127) manifolds (cid:127) solenoid valves
electronic
slip-on fittings (cid:127) frls (cid:127) brass cylinders (cid:127) toggle valves (cid:127) quick-connect fittings
control
551133-552211-44226611
www.clippard.com stem valves (cid:127) hose (cid:127) modular valves (cid:127) 10 and 15 mm valves (cid:127) pneumatic circuits
devices
Cincinnati, OH
888-WAINBEE
tubing (cid:127) brass valves (cid:127) pressure sensors (cid:127) flow controls (cid:127) pressure gauges
Mississauga, Ontario
8-13-DES.indd 9 14-06-04 10:07 AM
10 DesignNews | EK11-04USA | Why pay more for lower performance?
EtherCAT systems from Beckhoff are high speed,
buildings designed to withstand earthquakes.
“Give me any application where you need a way to optimize high performance – and – low cost!
energy dissipation and load transfer resulting from impact or
other traumatic events, and we can probably find a way to make
this work,” he says.
www.uwindsor.ca/mame
Université Laval retains Shell Eco-Marathon
Americas title
For the sixth time in the competition’s eight-year history, Uni-
versite Laval’s Alérion Supermileage team of engineering under-
grads has won the Shell Eco-Marathon Americas title with a
run of 2,824 miles per gallon (1200 km/l). The fuel efficiency
competition, which took place in Houston in April, brought
together 120 teams across North America to vie for the $2,000
prize for the most fuel-efficient vehicle.
University of Windsor engineering professor Bill Altenhof holds a piece The Laval team has historically run away with the first place
of aluminum tubular frame split by his energy-dissipating, axial cutting prize in years past, but Alérion faced stiff competition from
device. (Photo credit: University of Windsor) their rivals at the University of Toronto’s Supermileage team,
which lagged due to friction problems.
Department, crumple zones don’t always deform in predictable
ways, which leaves some uncertainty in pre-determining how
effective the measures will be.
“The current systems typically depend on a collapsing,
EtherCAT Drives
accordion-type deformation, which depends a lot on some very Highly dynamic
small imperfections or geometric incontinuities,” he says. “But EtherCAT I/O Servo Drives
if a small variation is introduced, because of the manufacturing Real-time Ethernet down Integrated, ultra fast
or welding, they can lead to some pretty big differences.” to each I/O module control technology
To remove chaos from these measures, Altenhof says he and PC-based Control with Large, cost-effective
his colleagues at the University of Windsor have created a EtherCAT selection for all signal
simple device that provides a more predictable way to absorb Solid state IPCs and PACs types
impact energy. Shaped like a steel wheel with four spoke-like with integrated Ethernet
blades, the device could be built in to the end of a tubular alu- Six-time winners Universite Laval’s Alérion Supermileage team took first ports; no need for network
minum frame. Upon impact, it cuts down into the frame tube, place in the prototype gasoline category at the 2014 Shell Eco-marathon scanners
like a kitchen tool, causing the metal to spread rather than Americas. (photo credit Jack Thompson/AP Images for Shell) Use software instead of
hardware: PLC and Motion
crumple unevenly.
Control on one PC
“One of the first technicians that saw it said it was the world’s “Our team is very excited with the results of the weekend,”
most expensive banana peeler,” he says. “While it does slice through said team captain Audrey Lainé. “Initially we had issues with
materials, there is a lot of engineering behind it. When someone our engine, but we came together as a team to fix it and are
says that they need the load to be a specific value, we can engineer extremely satisfied. The University of Toronto and Mater Dei www.beckhoff.ca/EtherCAT-System

it so that the load is very close to that value. We can also ‘program’ High School had very close scores to our team, which made the
Beckhoff EtherCAT components: Fast, fl exible, precise and always cost-effi cient
into the device how its load deflection behaves.” weekend even more exciting.”
Industrial PC: powerful PCs for any automation task
While vehicular applications for the device are evident, After five years in Houston, the competition is scheduled to
EtherCAT Terminals: IP 20 I/O for all signal types
Altenhof says the device could be used in any situation where move to Detroit on April 10-12, 2015.
EtherCAT Box: machine-mountable IP 67 I/O directly in the fi eld
energy needs to be absorbed evenly and predictably, such as in www.shell.com/ecomarathon
TwinCAT: fl exible automation software for multi-PLC, NC, CNC
TwinSAFE: Safety PLC integrated into I/O terminals
UP FRONT
IPC
Magellan, University of Manitoba partner components. The company says it will invest more than CAD$2 I/O
on satellite integration facility million in the project and establish an Industrial Research Chair in
Motion
Magellan Aerospace announced it will partner with the University the area of satellite development within the Faculty of Engineering
of Manitoba to create an advanced satellite integration facility at the University of Manitoba. Construction of the 6,000 square Automation
(ASIF) in Winnipeg. Located at Megellan Aerospace, Winnipeg, the foot facility is scheduled for completion in June 2014.
facility will research, develop, construct and test satellite buses and www.magellan.aero
May/June | 2014 www.design-engineering.com
8-13-DES.indd 10 14-06-04 10:07 AM