Are You Ready for Predictive Maintenance? What exactly is predictive maintenance? Simply it's the anticipation and detection of an emerging problem with a machine or an automation component before it fails and results in the dreaded "D"-word: Downtime. With advancements in sensors and wireless technology, and the emergence of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), we've reached the point where it is both economical and fairly simple to monitor a wide range of activities in a manufacturing plant. Example: Banner's vibration and temperature sensor, the QM42VT, can be mounted to a motor anywhere in a plant and readings can be transmitted wirelessly to a PLC or PC. Vibrations outside the normal range can be detected before the motor fails catastrophically. Are you interested in implementing predictive maintenance programs in your plant? If so, please call me. I welcome the opportunity to put my training and our products to work for you. Best regards, John Post, Jr. VP, Sales 404-626-8935 | jjpost@tsisolutions.us P.S. To view our complete offering of machine monitoring products, visit our E-Commerce website.
Product
Focus: In-Stock at TSI
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Banner TL70 Tower Lights
Check out the wide
selection of modular tower lights
we maintain in our inventory in Stone Mountain. We offer blue, green,
red and yellow status lights, as well as an adjustable, omni-directional
audible module.
Want to transmit an alarm output remotely? With Banner's popular
SureCross® wireless architecture you can choose between one-way and two-way
communication with a signal range of 0.6 to 2.0 miles, depending on your
frequency.
For more information about Banner's
tower lights, work lights, touch buttons and indicator lights, visit the Lighting and Indicators section of our new E-Commerce website. The
"Filter Your Search" function in the left-hand column will make it
easy to find the exact item you need.
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Pneumatic vs Electric Cylinders *
The automation
world has long been dominated by pneumatics. The main reason for this has
been that the initial costs of pneumatic actuators can be up to 50% lower
than that of electric actuators. However, over the years, electric
automation products have come down in price and are growing at a faster
rate than pneumatic products. Each has its place and should always be
determined by the requirements of the application.
The following is a comparison of the two options, based on four variables:
(1) position control, (2) speed control, (3) acceleration and deceleration,
and (4) force control.
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Position Control
If multiple positions are required, the electric actuator is the hands-down
choice. If it's just extend-retract, then a pneumatic cylinder is
probably the best choice.
Speed Control
For pneumatic actuators, the velocity can be varied but typically it's the
same over the entire stroke of the actuator and can be adjusted using flow
controls. For electric actuators, the velocity is programmed and can
be varied during the stroke as needed.
Generally speaking a pneumatic actuator will offer higher speeds per unit
size than an electric equivalent.
Acceleration and
Deceleration
The acceleration of a pneumatic actuator is controlled by airflow and
pressure, whereas the deceleration is usually controlled by an air cushion
at the end of stroke and can be adjusted via a needle valve.
The acceleration and deceleration of electric actuators can be set and
changed as desired with the programming software.
Electric actuators have the advantage here as you have more absolute
control over acceleration and deceleration.
Force Control
The force exerted by a pneumatic actuator depends on the size of the
actuator and the air pressure supplied.
For an electric actuator, the force exerted depends on the type of
actuator/motor combo and can be set using the programming software.
Pneumatic actuators will offer higher force per unit size than an electric
equivalent. However, the electric actuator will allow you to change or vary
the force over the distance of the stroke.
For help in specifying both electric and pneumatic actuators, please
contact your TSI automation specialist, John Post atjjpost@tsisolutions.us
or call him at 404-626-8935.
* Thanks to Jason Seigler of Festo
for his input on this article.
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TSI
Launches E-Commerce Website
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www.tsisolutions.us
If you have an account with us, please visit our new website today and register as a user. You will be able to shop
online for automation components, get YOUR pricing and availability, verify
order status, request a quote, check purchase history and view invoices.
Our parts configurator is a terrific time saver. It's in the left-hand
column on each product page and allows you to drill down to the exact part
number needed. Check it out!
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GA
Manufacturing Alliance
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2017 People of Manufacturing Awards
Too often the people responsible for the profitability of our manufacturing
plants go unrecognized. Does your plant have a supervisor, plant
manager, safety or operational team who has done exceptional work? If
so, it's time to celebrate them. Click on one of the links below and
fill out the two-page nomination form.
Awards will be presented at the GMA Annual Summit on October 25 at the Cobb
Galleria.
Front Line Leadership - Nomination Application
Plant Manager - Nomination Application
Team Safety - Nomination Application
Team Operational Excellence - Nomination Application
PLEASE
NOTE: Deadline for nominations is August 31, so
download and complete the form today!
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Harmony Hogan
Harmony Hogan is one of the senior members of our Inside
Sales staff, having recently celebrated her 6th anniversary with TSI. Her
major area of focus is processing orders and quotes for our Value-Add
assembly department.
When asked what she likes most about her job Harmony said, "I love
that it doesn't feel like this is just a job; it feels like going to work
for my second family. I am a helper deep down in my core. I want to help
with everything I can! When customers call and can't figure something out
or the immediate answer isn't an option, I can't wait to get into it and
come up with something for them. And it's challenging because just about
every situation is different, but that's what makes it fun. I'm looking
forward to getting more familiar with T-Slot designing and helping create
BOM's for the less complicated requests in order to be more helpful to our
engineering department."
Outside of work, Harmony enjoys spending time with her family, cooking,
trying new recipes, gardening and riding on the Harley with her husband.
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