Business Notes
(Issue 8, 2007)
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02-01-2007--- LEARN.AUTOMATIONDIRECT.COM LAUNCHES WITH PRE-RECORDED
TUTORIALS
AutomationDirect’s new learning site,
http://learn.automationdirect.com, launched in November 2006 with pre-recorded tutorials and presentations on a range of topics, including selecting a PLC, HMI and PLC software features and the basics of sensors. Each product section of the site also has a list of links to relevant information on other AutomationDirect sites, including the main store, Automation Notebook and product sites such as aboutplcs.com. Visitors can also provide suggestions for additional tutorial topics.
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02-01-2007--- TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRY-
FOCUSED TRADE SHOWS STILL
ATTRACTING AUDIENCES
While it seems that some national industrial trade shows in the U.S. are struggling to attract audiences, some long-standing technology and industry-focused shows are still doing well. Two examples are the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) and PACK EXPO, both held in Chicago this past fall. Focused on new manufacturing technology, IMTS is one of the largest trade shows in the world. Its popularity reflects the fact that capacity utilization in the U.S. reached 81% last year and manufacturers are looking for new ways to add capacity to keep up with demand. Figures released at IMTS 2006 revealed that overall U.S. manufacturing technology consumption was up 24.4% in 2006, according to a joint statistical study by the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT) and the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association (AMTDA). IMTS 2006 final attendance count was 91,985, according to AMT spokesman Robert Gardner, and machinery sales at the show were at record highs.
The PACK EXPO shows focus on the latest developments in packaging technology and showcase exhibitors’ state-of-the-art advances in packaging machinery, converting machinery, materials, packages and containers, and components. PACK EXPO continues to attract a large audience; in 2006 it garnered over 71,000 in total attendance.
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02-01-2007--- FIRST ROBOTICS TEAM
DEVELOPING SEGWAY COMPANION
PRODUCT
The Forsyth Alliance, a team of high school students sponsored by AutomationDirect that participates in the FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition, is working with an Alpharetta, Georgia Segway distributor to develop a companion product to the Segway, the two-wheeled automated people mover created by Dean Kamen (also founder of the FIRST organization). The new product, conceived by Electric Avenue owner Scott Holloway, is a wagon-like vehicle capable of transporting intermediately heavy loads while automatically following behind a Segway. The students are using the knowledge they gained from designing robots in the FIRST Robotics Competition to create a prototype for Electric Avenue. Their prototype has been dubbed the “Otto-Pallet” in honor of their rookie year robot, Otto Mation, who sported the green smiley face mascot of AutomationDirect. For more information and updates on the Forsyth Alliance and their activities, visit:
www.forsythalliance.com.
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02-01-2007--- NEWEST PRODUCT WEB SITE
OFFERS IN-DEPTH PLC INFORMATION
AutomationDirect has expanded its range of product-focused Web sites to include PLCs. Visitors to www.aboutplcs.com can find in-depth information on the full line of DirectLOGIC PLCs, as well as general PLC selection and configuration guides. Much of the information has been available on other AutomationDirect sites, but this site collects all PLC-specific topics in one convenient location.
Other product sites available include:
http://c-more.automationdirect.com (touch panels),
http://www.c-moremicro.com (small touch/text panels),
www.durapulse.com (AC drives) and
www.sureservo.com (AC servo systems).
