May 2008

UQM Delivers Motor for Use in Fuel Cell Powered Switch Locomotive

UQM Technologies, Inc., a developer of alternative energy technologies, recently delivered a PowerPhase 100 motor to Vehicle Projects LLC for use in a fuel cell powered switch locomotive under development by a consortium including Burlington Northern Santa Fe Rail way Company, the US Department of Defense, and led by Vehicle Projects LLC of Denver, Colo. The UQM motor provides up to 55 kW of continuous power to drive the twin-screw compressor for the first stage of the two-stage air system of the fuel-cell powerplant. The switch locomotive is currently under development, with field testing scheduled to begin later this year. 

The experimental switch locomotive has the potential to reduce air pollution, is not dependent on oil for fuel and could serve as a mobile backup power source for military and civilian disaster relief efforts. At 127 tons (280,000 lb), continuous power of 220 to 250 kilowatts from its proton exchange membrane fuel cell power plant, and transient power well in excess of one megawatt, the switch locomotive will be the heaviest and most powerful fuel cell land vehicle yet. 

“As a nation, we face two significant issues; global climate change and energy insecurity, both of which have a common factor – oil,” said Arnold Miller, president of Vehicle Projects LLC. “The world burns millions of barrels of oil for energy, and the waste carbon is then emitted to the atmosphere. Because fuel cells don’t rely on oil as a fuel source, they solve these two issues. Along with our principal partners, we are developing proof-of-concept hydrogen fuel cell vehicles that are leading the way to this new technology.” 

“We are pleased that Vehicle Projects LLC has again selected one of our technologically advanced permanent magnet motors for a cutting-edge vehicle.  Our systems excel in demanding applications such as this where power density and efficiency are a required to achieve optimal system operating performance,” said William G. Rankin, president and chief executive officer of UQM Technologies, Inc.

For more information visit www.uqm.com  

Power Efficiency Corp. Signs Contract for Energy Efficiency Aggregation with Major California Utility

Power Efficiency Corp. a green energy company focused on efficiency technologies for electric motors, recently announced that a major California utility has awarded the Company a contract to aggregate up to 3.2 million kWh of electricity in the utility’s service territory.

The efficiency aggregation contract, much like other efficiency financing measures, is designed to promote the purchase and installation of efficiency equipment such as Power Efficiency’s motor efficiency controller (MEC) with E-Save Technology. Under the terms of this specific aggregation contract, the utility pays Power Efficiency, as opposed to the customer, a set rate per kWh of energy saved in the first year of operation of the MEC. The rate per kWh is competitive with prevailing electricity rates in California. This incentive financing enables Power Efficiency to competitively price the MEC to customers, resulting in improved rates of return and paybacks for customers.

Potential applications for the MEC under the aggregation contract include escalators, crushers, granulators and other industrial applications with constant speed motors running at less than full load.

“We are very pleased to be awarded this contract and to be working closely with another major utility to improve the energy efficiency of their customers. Programs such as this one benefit rate payers, the utility and the environment. Furthermore, it will assist our sales efforts. Energy efficiency is the greenest and frequently the most economical “source” of energy, and we see more and more utilities and potential customers turning toward efficiency measures,” said Steve Strasser, chairman and CEO of Power Efficiency. 

For more information visit www.powerefficiency.com  

2009 Motor, Drive & Automation Systems Conference Announced: Moving Back to Florida!

Webcom Communications and e-Drive Magazine are happy to announce that the 2009 Motor, Drive & Automation Systems Conference is moving back to Florida. The conference will take place March 3-4 at the Hilton Disney in Orlando, Florida.

This sixth annual, two-day symposium will serve an audience of decision makers from around the world who are interested in learning the latest advancements, capabilities and economics in electric motor, drive & automation systems. This event provides a wonderful opportunity to meet with top executives and technical professionals of leading companies that integrate motion control technology into their products and equipment as well as developers and manufacturers of motors, drives and integrated systems, and component, material and technology providers.

What attendees are saying about the 2008 Motor, Drive & Automation Systems Conference

• "This is a bit of a 'secret show'. It has tons of potential, great people, and a low cost to attend. I am sure word of mouth will make this one even stronger in 2009."
  Frank Hurtte / River Heights Consulting
• "I like the general format. We have come for a number of years, and it remains a
  very productive conference for us."
  Nechama Cox / Chorus Motors
• "Well run conference, and the content is much better than many conferences I attend."
  Bill Lydon, PLCopen North America
• "Thanks for a good job. Well worth the money."
  Charlie Nash, AdvanTech International
• "It seems to have momentum and it is a great conference for what we do, better
  than most."
  Kitt Butler, Advanced Energy

For more information about Motors 2009 visit www.e-driveonline.com or contact jeremym@infowebcom.com.   

SCR100 High Precision Cross Roller Linear Stage

Nippon Pulse America (NPA) has introduced the new SCR100 stage, an ultra high precision, compact single axis stage that integrates a slide guide, encoder and linear shaft motor. The SCR100 stage offers a wide range of advantages for ultra high performance and accuracy applications. The linear shaft motor is a coreless direct drive linear motor, which has zero cogging. This allows for higher resolution, speed and continuous force than standard stepper motors and piezo servomotors.

The SCR100 stage is a moving magnet design, which locates all cables and connectors in the stationary base. The resulting absence of any moving cable is clean and compact and eliminates motion errors due to cable forces. The precision ground cross roller way provides high stiffness and smooth motion. Together they are capable of supporting higher torque levels due to offset loads with travels from 50 mm to 300 mm. The non-contact linear shaft motor and optical linear encoders are self-contained inside the stage, making it a low-profile compact solution. The built-in non-contact optical linear encoder is available with resolutions from 1 micron to 10 nanometers with digital output. The sub-micron resolution results in a high accuracy stage, which is laser tested for optimum performance.
 
For more information visit nipponpulse.com

New High Power VLT Series Variable Frequency Drives from Danfoss

Danfoss Drives VLT series variable frequency drives are now available with power through 1350 HP in 460 and 690 VAC.  F1 frame models deliver power up to 1050 HP in an 86.8-inch by 55.1-inch by 23.9-inch footprint, while F2 frame models deliver up to 1350 HP in an 86.8-inch by 71-inch by 23.9-inch footprint. 

These variable frequency drives not only deliver high power performance, they facilitate ease-of-use by sharing a common platform with smaller Danfoss drives. Proven power electronics promise reliable operation, and components are accessible from the front of the unit for quick, easy serviceability and maintenance. A Rittal TS8 enclosure system in IP21 (NEMA1) or IP54 (NEMA12) enables easy system expansion, while a Class A1 RFI filter (optional class A2) reduces EMI/RFI without the need for external filters. Additional features include DC-link reactors to reduce harmonics without external AC line reactors, DC-link fuses that provide independent protection of inverters, and coated PCBs provide extra protection in potentially corrosive environments.

High power F frame size VLT series variable frequency drives also feature a unique cooling design that utilizes a ducted back channel to pass cooling air over heat sinks, with minimal air passing through the electronics area. This allows 85 percent of the heat losses to be exhausted directly outside the enclosure, which improves reliability and prolongs drive life by dramatically reducing temperature rise and contamination of electronic components.
A number of power, monitoring, enclosure, filtering, control and convenience options and accessories are available to enhance performance and operation. 
 
For more information visit www.danfoss.com  

New OptimalFlux Technology Reduces Heat Build-Up in AC Induction Motors For Variable Speed
Constant Torque Applications

WEG Electric Motors Corp., a global supplier of motors, drives and transformers, has developed a new control regimen for standard totally-enclosed fan-cooled (TEFC) induction motors. Called OptimalFlux technology, the new regimen is suited for use in driving loads that require constant torque over variable speeds, such as those encountered with compressors and conveyor belts. It enables a standard TEFC motor, powered by a WEG variable frequency drive, to operate at a much cooler temperature across its entire speed range, particularly at low speeds where the integral fan no longer provides efficient cooling.

“Historically, induction motor manufacturers responded to the ventilation challenge posed by constant torque variable speed applications with more expensive and bulkier Inverter Class products,” said Brian Keith, manager - Automation Division. “Inverter Class motors were often over-sized for the rated horsepower and insulation temperature specs, and/or fans and blowers were added to provide sufficient cooling at lower operating speeds. Both alternatives work, but increased the size, and often the cost, of the motor installation while significantly reducing overall efficiency. Now, using our OptimalFlux technology, a standard NEMA High or Premium Efficiency (NPE) induction motor can replace the more expensive Inverter Class motors, saving both space and money.”

Keith noted that the OptimalFlux capabilities were actually embedded within a standard WEG variable speed drive. “Our technologists took a different approach to controlling the motor. Rather than maintain a constant flux across the entire speed range – the standard practice in the industry, they calculated the flux that produced minimal losses at each frequency and then stored this relationship within the variable frequency converter.

“The end result is a motor that runs cooler across the entire speed range,” Keith said. “And since reducing a motor’s operating temperature by 10°C doubles its operating life, our NPE motors will last longer in the same application than any Inverter Class products now on the market.”

OptimalFlux operation is available as an option within any standard WEG CFW09 variable frequency drive, and can be used with standard WEG NHE or NPE motors rated from 1 to 300 HP.

For more information visit www.wegelectric.com 

BEI Kimco Magnetics’ NEMA 34 Series Brushless DC Motors Feature High Operating Speed and Quiet Operation

BEI Kimco Magnetics, a company of Custom Sensors & Technologies (CST), Inc., has introduced the NEMA DIN34 series brushless DC motors. These 3.4-inch diameter motors are the latest addition to the company’s growing family of motion control products.

The NEMA DIN 34 series offer all the benefits of brushless DC technology and are available in three standard frame lengths of 2.0-, 2.6- and 3.2- inches with rear shaft extension as a provision for encoder mounting. Typical operating speeds range from 6,000 RPM to 18,000 RPM, with continuous stall (and peak) torque ratings of 50 oz.-in. (120 oz.-in.), 100 oz.-in. (250 oz.-in.) and 135 oz.-in. (350 oz.-in.) respectively. Other torques and operating speeds are also available in modified configurations.
 
The typical “inside-out” brushless DC (BLDC) motor provides greater output power, higher operating speeds and cleaner, quieter operation than its brush-type counterparts.  BLDC motors are well suited for sterile environments since there are no brushes and no particulate is discharged. Because of their inherent reliability and long-term service life, BLDC motors can significantly contribute to lower overall cost of operation and maintenance.

For more information visit www.beikimco.com

Advantech Launches 4-Axis Stepping and Servo Motor Control Universal PCI Card

The Industrial Automation Group of Advantech has introduced the PCI-1240U 4-axis stepping/pulse-type servo motor control card designed for general purpose extreme motion applications. The card has a NOVA MCX314-motion ASIC that builds in a variety of motion control functions, such as a 2/3-axis linear interpolation, 2-axis circular interpolation, T/S-curve acceleration/deceleration rate and much more. In addition, the PCI-1240U performs these motion controls without processor loading during driving. 

Other features include: hand wheel and jog function, up to 4 MPPS output for each axis, two pulse output types (CW/CCW or pulse/direction), up to 1 MHz encoder input for each axis, two encoder pulse input types (A/B phase and up/down), constant speed control, position management and software limit switch function and BoardID switch.

For more information visit www.advantech.com

MCK28335 Motor Control Kits with Optimized DSP Source Code

The new Technosoft MCK28335 kits with source code and MATLAB libraries are complete motion control development and evaluation packages based on TI’s latest floating-point digital signal controller: TMS320F28335. With this embedded floating-point processor, users will save development time and effort, having eliminated issues related to fixed-point processors (as saturation, overflow, scaling of parameters and variables).

MCK28335 Kits C Pro-MS (BL or IM) are plug-and-play systems, with complete C language source code, including a MATLAB motion library, and Simulink models for PMSM position and speed control. They also include complete DSP source code (not generated from MATLAB) optimized for real-time execution for PMSM and BLDC speed control. A development software platform based on RS232 serial communication complements the hardware (controller board, 3-phase inverter module and brushless or induction motor).
 
Both BL (brushless) and IM (induction) kit versions are self-contained, so designers can start their project evaluation and development immediately. Users will discover how easy it is to control a brushless motor in trapezoidal or sinusoidal mode, or an induction motor in vector control or V/f mode. Moreover, for experienced designers these kits are an efficient starting point for any advanced motion control application. Starting from the MATLAB-Simulink model, users can adapt the control model, simulate the system, and then automatically generate the C code for their schematics. This code can be tested on DSP and simulation results can then be compared with the real control results.

For more information visit www.technosoftmotion.com

Lin Engineering Introduces RoHS-Compliant Version of the R256 Microstepping Driver/Controller

Lin Engineering recently introduced the RoHS compliant version of its R256 Microstepping Driver/Controller. 
The R256-RO is capable of step resolutions ranging from 2x to 256x, operates from +12 to 40 VDC and its phase current ranges from 0.1 to 2.0 amps peak. The R256-RO features fully programmable ramps and speeds, software selectable hold and move currents, two user configurable digital I/O’s; and two dedicated inputs – one optical sensor for homing and one switch closure to ground.

Commands can be issued from the Windows based HyperTerminal program or from Lin Control, Lin Engineering’s new Graphical User Interface created exclusively for the R256-RO. The commands are intuitive yet simple and can be preset to execute upon power up. With the ability to store up to 16 different programs at once using the built-in 4 kBytes of memory the R256-RO can be used as a stand alone unit with no PC connection required.

For more information visit www.linengineering.com

Mechatronics: Impacting and Changing Our Lives

Figure 1. Mechatronics Applications (Source: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)

By Henry E. Elliott, John H. Vanston, Ph.D., and James A. Irwin
Technology Futures, Inc (TFI)

Products and systems, such as automobiles, have become increasingly complex, especially as computerized control and software systems have become ubiquitous. Coincident with this trend toward more non-human control and automation, it has become necessary that the people who design, manufacture, install, maintain, repair and calibrate such equipment possess skills that integrate mechanical, electronic and computerized control and software systems. In fact, it is a cliché, but persons of a certain age who fondly remember repairing their own cars under the shade of a big tree know that to do so now is almost impossible. Even many minor repairs require that one first develop a thorough knowledge of an automobile’s complex computer and control systems in order to be successful.

Mechatronics is a relatively new term used to describe the multidisciplinary integration of the technical disciplines outlined above to improve the performance and functionality of products and systems such as automobiles.

There is no unique mechatronics industry sector per se; rather, it is an enabling approach to technology that is already being applied in a number of areas of economic life including biotechnology, electronics and applied computer equipment, chemical processing, transportation equipment, aerospace, homeland security and defense and many others. To understand its pervasiveness, consider that there are a number of advantages associated with the use of mechatronics in the design of physical systems including the ability to replace many mechanical systems with electronic systems. This substitution introduces greater reliability and flexibility into systems, but also provides the ability to monitor and change the operation of a system based on information collected during its use. For example, the Toyota Prius Hybrid automobile optimizes gas mileage using various mechatronics components (i.e., computerized control systems) that optimize how power is drawn from either the internal combustion engine or electric motor based on operating conditions. Other examples of applied mechatronics principles that lie at the core of products that we rely on in our everyday lives include cochlear ear implants for the hearing impaired and antilock brakes in automobiles.

Figure 2. Toyota Prius Hybrid Vehicle

Since 2002, Technology Futures, Inc. (TFI) has conducted a series of technology forecasts for the Texas State Technical College System to identify emerging technology trends which will have a significant impact on the Texas economy and evaluate their potential implications for the state’s workforce. Our most recent forecast examined the impact of mechatronics (“intelligent mechanical systems”). In developing the forecast, TFI formally interviewed and surveyed a number of representatives from academia and industry with a significant stakeholder interest in the design, manufacture and/or utilization of mechatronics products and processes. The development of our forecast resulted in a number of critical findings that are of interest not only to the citizens of Texas, but the entire United States. Those findings, their implications, and the conclusions that we drew from them are described below.

• The trend of replacing purely mechanical mechanisms with intelligent mechanical systems is well underway. It has expanded over the past 30 years, especially as a number of technical and economic forces, including the increasing use of automation and robotics within the manufacturing environment, accelerates.

• The practice of embedding more intelligence into mechanical systems (i.e., embedded electronics) is likely to accelerate this trend as the performance of processors, memory, storage, and bandwidth continue to increase while their relative cost decreases. Additionally, standardized communication protocols and infrastructure, such as Internet protocol, Fieldbus, and Ethernet, will continue to simplify interconnections and control devices throughout industrial networks. These networks include “machine to machine” networks that enable machines to control and monitor other machines.

• Mechatronics is evolving to include the development of micro-, meso-, nano-, and bio-mechatronics systems that interface with and control physical, chemical, biological and neurological processes. Therefore, mechatronics is important in terms of traditional manufacturing, and it is also the foundational manufacturing platform for advancements in emerging technologies and industries.

• Despite the application of mechatronics principles for over three decades, a substantial amount of legacy equipment not enabled for industrial automation is still in use. A significant amount of this equipment will not be replaced anytime soon and presents a significant challenge to organizations that are attempting to integrate mechatronics-enabled solutions into operational environments.

• In many industries, designers, engineers, equipment and systems technicians, although they may not be called such, are already “mechatronics proficient.” They have developed multi-disciplinary skill sets, mostly through on-the-job training, apprenticeship programs and employer- and vendor-sponsored specialized short courses and training.

• Although the term mechatronics is still relatively underutilized in the United States, it is commonly used in European and Asian countries, where degree programs in mechatronics are quite common.

• The concept of a mechatronics engineer or technician is not new, but the idea of formalizing this type of training into degree programs is fairly recent, at least in the United States. A small, but growing number, of technical and four-year colleges and universities in the United States, including North Carolina State University at Asheville, are beginning to grant degrees in mechatronics.

• Secondary institutions that already have strong existing programs in electrical systems, electronics technology, robotics and automation, computerized control systems (instrumentation), industrial maintenance and engineering, electromechanical engineering and mechanical engineering are well positioned to develop mechatronics programs. However, even colleges with faculty in these disciplines will have to devote resources to restructuring the teaching of mechatronics as an integrated whole within specific industry applications.

• Although there is a lack of formal mechatronics training, employers foresee significant value in employee technicians with formal mechatronics training. A significant majority of employers (over 80 percent) that completed our formal survey for the TSTC project indicated that formal mechatronics training can decrease the cost and time needed to train technicians in the required skills and minimizes the risk of hiring employees who do not have the ability or desire for multidisciplinary training.

Figure 3. Relationship of Mechatronics to Existing Technical Disciplines

• Thus, increasing the number of formally trained mechatronics technicians is of importance for many reasons.
                - Many traditional manufacturing jobs have or may become dated and obsolete as a result of developments in mechatronics. The result has been an acceleration of the displacement of unskilled labor by skilled labor in all facets of the US economy. Formal mechatronics training can provide incumbent and dislocated workers with skills to broaden job and career opportunities. Graduates with prior industry experience are especially attractive to employers because they already possess industry experience that many traditional students lack.
                - As increasing numbers of experienced technicians of the “baby boomer” generation reach retirement age, employers must find technicians capable of replacing multi-craft mechatronics technicians who have acquired their knowledge and skills while on the job.
                - The retirement of baby boomers from technical trades affiliated with mechatronics has implications beyond the aggregate numbers. Specifically, many industries face a discontinuity in the transfer of knowledge between older and younger generations of workers. This discontinuity in knowledge transfer has profound and possible deleterious implications for the economic competitiveness and labor productivity of US companies.
These findings were useful in the formulation of a number of conclusions and recommendations that academic, government, and industry leaders should consider to ensure that the United States fully understands and utilizes this technology to maintain the country’s economic competitiveness.

• Academic, government and industry leaders should identify critical industry-identified competency gaps in mechatronics training and facilities and construct programs to fill them. Leaders should work to develop systemic initiatives that connect mechatronics in use today with micro-, nano- and bio-mechatronics to achieve a fully integrated system for innovation and the production of human capital. This is necessary to lead the world in the application of 21st century science to the resolution of global challenges and economic opportunities.

• Mechatronics training should target the entire educational and workforce system including primary education, secondary education, post secondary education and training for incumbent and dislocated workers. Starting early is important because the general systems nature of mechatronics provides a foundation to connect previously separate areas of academic study into a unified whole with the possibility of creating young learners able to think and act systemically.

In many ways, the technological convergence evident in mechatronics is the distinguishing characteristic of 21st century innovation. Companies of every size in multiple sectors will increasingly require operators, technicians, engineers, designers and scientists fluent in mechatronics. Intelligent mechanical and electronic systems, from large automated industrial machines to microscopic actuators, are already having an impact on numerous industries and hold great promise for future applications. The integration of academic disciplines for students (knowledge mergers), the integration of applied skills for workers (skill mergers), and the integration of distinct occupations (job mergers) present an opportunity for the United States to lead the world in anticipating and acting on the knowledge that 21st century innovation is characterized by systemically restructuring education and work. We have no choice if we are going to continue to compete with the emerging industrial economies of the world, which are building out new infrastructure that can utilize the latest mechatronics techniques.

Technology Futures, Inc. (www.tfi.com)  has 30 years of experience in conducting technology forecasts for a wide variety of commercial, academic, and government clients. Our forecast, Mechatronics: A Technology Forecast, is available at no charge at http://www.tfi.com/pubs/white.html#mechatronics.

About the Authors -

Henry E. Elliott is a Senior Research Analyst with Technology Futures Inc. Since joining TFI in 2003, Mr. Elliott has conducted several technology forecasts in various emerging technology areas including nanotechnology, fuel cells and hybrid vehicles. Prior to joining TFI, Mr. Elliott was a co-founder of Nanotechnologies Inc. (now NovaCentrix), an Austin based nanotechnology company.

John H. Vanston, Ph.D., Chairman, Technology Futures, Inc., is an internationally-renowned consultant, educator and author in the fields of technology forecasting, technology/market integration and technology management in uncertain environments. He is the leader in the development of Technology Futures’ Five Views of the Future Analysis Framework and the Technology Advantage Management concept.

James A. Irwin is an Austin-based consultant with extensive experience in automated process control, material handling systems, process application engineering, development of equipment reliability and productivity standards and a number of other Mechatronics related areas. He has been employed in senior research and management positions in a wide range of semiconductor and engineering companies, including AMD, Veeco instruments, Utratech Stepper, GCA, IBM, Watkins-Johnson, Fairchild and Texas Instruments.

Baldor Electric Company
At Baldor Electric Company, our mission is to be the best (as determined by our customers) marketers, designers and manufacturers of industrial electric motors, power transmission products, drives and generators.

For more information visit www.baldor.com

2009 Motor, Drive & Automation Systems Conference
March 3-4, 2009
Hilton Disney / Orlando, Florida
http://www.e-driveonline.com/Conf-09/motors_conf09_index.php

Contact Jeremy Martin regarding speaking opportunities.
jeremym@infowebcom.com

May 2008
    7-9
    SMMA Spring Management Conference, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

   15-16
    MAGNETICS 2008 CONFERENCE, Denver, Colo.
    Contact Heather Krier for more info.

   20-22
    EASTEC, Springfield, Mass.

   27-29
    PCIM Europe, Nuremburg, Germany

ATX East 2008
June 3-5, 2008
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY

Your Total Resource for Automation Technology

Register Today for FREE Expo Hall Admission

Attend ATX East to find the innovative products and technologies you need. ATX East features:
• The latest advances in automation including adhesives/dispensing equipment, assembly systems, custom automation, control software/hardware, materials handling, motion control, robotics, sensors, vision inspection systems, and much more.
• Technical experts in every booth who are ready to discuss your product specifications and requirements. Match their expertise and capabilities with your needs.
• Five industry-relevant co-located shows:
Your ATX East badge also provides free admission to MD&M East , EastPack, Atlantic Design & Manufacturing, PLASTEC East, and Green Manufacturing Expo.

Sensors Expo & Conference
June 9-11, 2008
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Rosemont, IL
www.sensorsexpo.com  

Sensors Expo & Conference is the leading sensors event in North America exclusively focusing on sensors and sensor-integrated systems. The conference program is dedicated to exploring the most up-to-date innovations in sensor technology including physical sensors, sensor networks, biosensors, MEMS/Nanotechnology, Instrumentation & Controls, Intelligent Systems, Machine-to-Machine communication, wireless sensing and IT technology. Sensors Expo & Conference identifies cutting-edge trends, explores them in an information-packed conference program and reflects those trends throughout the exhibit floor with new product announcements, technology focused tours, and a showcase of hundreds of products and services.

SEMICON West 2008
July 15-17
San Francisco, Calif.

SEMICON West 2008–Infinite Innovations, Infinite Ideas SEMICON West is the place to see the companies, technologies, and people driving the future of micro design and manufacturing. No other event this year has more new products, more new technologies, and more solutions than SEMICON West.
From the latest developments in cutting-edge materials, to the systems and technologies driving semiconductor designs to the limits of Moore's Law, you'll find everything and everyone in the industry at SEMICON West.

Registration is now open! Plan now to participate and get ready to discover the infinite opportunities shaping the design and manufacture of semiconductors, MEMS, photovoltaics, flexible electronics, and more!

For more information, visit www.semiconwest.org.

IMTS 2008
September 8-13, 2008
Chicago, Illinois

Improve Productivity

If you utilize electrodynamic and electromotive systems in your company’s products, then IMTS, the International Manufacturing Technology Show (September 8-13, 2008 at Chicago’s McCormick Place) has the answers you need to become more productive. IMTS 2008 features mo0re than 1200 exhibitors offering some 15,000 products. Because IMTS is organized into pavilions, you can easily find the solutions you need. You’ll see faster, more precise machines; cutting tools designed to process virtually any material; finishing technologies; automation systems; sophisticated quality instruments and manufacturing software. You’ll meet and talk to experts in advanced manufacturing technologies. You’ll see how to reduce cycle times and increase productivity. Plan now to attend. For more information, and to register, go to www.imts.com.

For Advertising information, contact Sue Hannebrink at
sueh@infowebcom.com or 330-725-5812.

For Editorial submissions, contact Jeremy Martin at
jeremym@infowebcom.com or 800-803-9488 x118.

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