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Robots are easy to specify, but they lock you into their design. Modular mechanics take a little more engineering but provide flexibility that you may need. Here are 10 questions to consider for this decision.

The HD-1500 is an advanced autonomous mobile robot specifically designed to transport heavy payloads up to 1500 kilograms.

On the surface, converting fluid power (pneumatic and hydraulic) actuators to electric actuators is simple.  And it can be.  But, there are a few things that I've run into that tend to hold things up that you may want to be aware of right off the bat.

How well a linear actuator performs in its straightness and flatness is highly dependent upon its Abbe Error…that is the angular error caused by the rolling, pitching and yawing of the carriage as it moves.  But, why does it change the performance…and by how much?

Fusing the Power of Hydraulics with the Precision of Servo Control SMART Hydraulics Actuators (SHA) for the Metal forming industry.

The PLx is a handheld device used for safety professionals to help validate the safety equipment on industrial machinery.

 In this video, Nathan will be focusing on how to increase productivity, which is a key initiative for any company wanting to increase market share in today’s challenging economy. He will be focusing on the Watlow Aspyre power controller and its role in helping increase productivity.

After all this education and talking about sizing and selecting electric linear actuators, you probably are wondering what tools you have available for you to take a crack at it yourself.

The new Minncare Dry Fog 2 system is the latest evolution of Mar Cor Purification’s Dry Fog Technology and an integral part of modern clean room disinfection procedures.

Actril Cold Sterilant is a powerful, ready-to-use Peracetic Acid solution for surface disinfection that is effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms and viruses.

Industry leading robot manufacturers, such KUKA, ABB and Comau, use Spinea gearboxes in their robot arms.

Tom Trinh teaches how to access an Omron PLCs, HMIs and even Temperature Controllers remotely by using an mbNET MDH811 secure industrial router.

Valin’s Bruce Ng continues the conversation on what happens to the lifespan of an actuator when important moment-loading information is omitted in Episode 25.

We've talked about loading and moment loading and what we need to know in order to size and select an actuator properly. Interestingly enough, what we do as Application Engineers is to help you fill in all the gaps, all the what-you-don’t-knows. So, I've asked one of our Senior Application Engineers, Kent Martins, to go through a sizing and show you what he does.

Recent events with the COVID-19 Virus has placed a spotlight on disinfecting and cleaning our personal areas and our work areas more frequently with reliable solutions. Actril™ is a ready to use cold sterilant, hydrogen peroxide based disinfectant solution.

One of the best ways to decrease your operating expenses is to reduce your scrap. In this video we're going to talk about process heating and controls and specifically Watlow's new power controller called the Aspyre.

Technology is changing so rapidly these days that we can be constantly feeling behind.  The terms IIoT and Industry 4.0 are being thrown around way too easily.  I've been looking for a one-size-fits-all solution for customers I talk to, but it just does not seem to exist.  Even at the oil wells, which seems like the most cookie-cutter of all applications, there just is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

What happens if you use the incorrect terminology?  What if you say “accuracy” but need “repeatability”?  We interview Ray Marquiss in Episode 23 to find out.

Iwaki self-priming SMX series pumps are an ideal alternative to air operated double diaphragm (AODD) pumps when pumping chemicals. 

The Special Gripper SCG is particularly suitable for handling thin, porous and sensitive workpieces. The high volume flow of the gripper ensures secure holding even with porous material or workpieces that do not cover the entire suction surface.

How do you mitigate your risks when sizing, selecting and designing mechanics?  How do you decide whether to make or buy your mechanics?  Here are some considerations.

You may be at the point of looking at adding feedback to your mechanics in order to make them more precise or to capture some of the errors I discussed last episode in Episode 20. But, you may also be wondering about some of the problems that can cause.

Concerned about COVID-19 Coronavirus? Cantel recently had a third-party laboratory verify the efficacy of its Actril™ and Minncare™ Cold Sterilant on hard, non-porous surfaces. The test demonstrated a complete inactivation of the 229E human coronavirus strain in 5 minutes at room temperature when used according to label instructions.

I have a question for you:  Do you embrace linear encoders?  Or do you avoid them whenever possible?  Or are you wondering what a linear encoder even is?  After all this sizing and selecting of mechanics, and even designing your own mechanics, you might be considering putting a feedback device on there and whether you should or not.

LOSTPED is an acronym where LOSTPED stands for Load, Orientation, Speed, Travel, Precision, Environment and Duty Cycle.  But, what does it REALLY mean?

Frameless Kit Motors are the ideal solution for machine designs that require high performance in small spaces.  Kit motors allow for direct integration with a mechanical transmission device, eliminating parts that add size and complexity.  Use of Frameless Kit Motors results in a smaller, more reliable motor package.

Valin is at ATX West February 11-13, 2020. Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim CA.

In this video you will see just a few of Valin’s custom engineered solutions. A complete list of solutions includes integrated automation, electrical subassemblies, motion control subassemblies, robotic solutions, custom gantry systems, custom server solutions, control panels, valve assemblies, nitrogen generators, filtration systems, and custom heating solutions. 

Are you implementing automation at your company? Do you need technical education and expert advice to make major business decisions? Whether you're an engineer working in aerospace, a C-suite executive in manufacturing, or any other type of professional looking for solutions to streamline operations, the Automation Technology Expo (ATX) West will give you the education and connections needed to make the right choices for your projects or business.

This video highlights Omron unique landmark technology and integrated vision in Omron collaborative robot to simply  pick and place the products when the products  are not presented in the same position. 

Valin employees would like to wish you peace and joy this holiday season, and throughout the new year.

A common topic when putting together a motion control system and a gantry is whether to use end-of-travel limit switches, home sensors or absolute encoders. This really depends upon the application. So, let's talk about the pros and cons.

In this video, Tom Trinh explains how it is possible to troubleshoot, transfer program, and connect to an HMI remotely by using the MBNet Industrial Router.

The new LD-250 mobile robot from Omron can handle a payload of 250kg and is the strongest and newest addition to their LD series of mobile robots.

When we size, select, and design gantry systems such as this one, we must make sure that we take into account the whole framing that this is going to be mounted on.

You cannot just start on the mechanics, pick the motors, pick the drives, pick the controls, pick the HMI.  First you must understand everything all together.  Since we're talking about mechanics, there's a few things we need to kind of jump on right off the bat.  To figure out the holistic approach, there's a lot more to it.

One of the things that can really trip people up with sizing and selecting a gantry system is whether they need one or two motors for the X and X-prime. In this video we will shed some light on this topic.

A very important factor to keep in mind when sizing your gantry system is the cable management and cable lengths you'll need. If you think about it, we're going to need cables to span throughout every axis of motion.

Back in Episode 6, I explained to you the different types of linear mechanics.  This included ballscrews, belt & pulleys, linear motors and even rack & pinion.  I get the question all the time: which linear mechanics do I use?

After taking a break from mechanics for a few episodes, we're returning to the idea of a gantry. But, you may wonder what a gantry looks like. For an explanation of that, we're going to turn to Valin’s own Michael Reynaud with a special animation by Valin’s Cassidy in order to show you what a gantry looks like.

I am continuing my conversation with you about EMC installation. We talked about electrical noise, where it comes from and how we control it. We talked about the reasons for Mains filters. Now I'm going to talk a little bit about how to select Mains filters and unfortunately, it's a real black art.

Impedance heating systems act much like standard heating circuits, except the resistor is the pipe itself. This is accomplished when a small amount of AC voltage is applied across the terminals. The resulting impedance of the system generates heat on the pipe. The control panel for an impedance system provides power and control. However, the step down transformer is what provides the reduced voltage, 30VAC or less, to the pipe. This rating stays within OSHA and NEC limits.

In this video, we'll show you how to set up and get motion from IAI's Elecylinder.

A new way of thinking about nitrogen. A new source of sustainability. Advanced on-site generator producing nitrogen gas from compressed air to produce all the nitrogen you need.

Continuing on talking about electrical noise, I often times have suggested mains filters to customers and they say, “Well I'm not shipping my system to Europe so I don't need it.”  But there are very good reasons for putting a mains filter on your system even when you're not shipping it to Europe.  Let's take a look at this.

Today we're taking a break from all the mechanical topics we've been talking about and let's talk about an electrical one: electrical noise.

This video tutorial shows you the steps on how  to enable the Bluetooth feature on the Watlow EZ-Zone controller for use with the Watlow EZ-Link app.

This video tutorial shows you the steps on how  to factory reset the Watlow EZ-Zone controller.

What is specmanship?  Why do we care?  Well, in case you haven’t noticed, the catalog specs are not always straight forward as they appear.  Let's look at a couple examples.

The AlphaStep AZD-K Stepper Motor Drivers offer 24/48 VDC input voltage, high functionality and closed loop control.

Oriental Motor's AlphaStep closed loop control systems perform accurate positioning operations with ease.

We're continuing to talk about terminology and this time we're talking about rotary mechanics.  I’m Corey Foster of Valin Corporation.  Let's talk about this.

The InSight Glow option uses a retro-reflective, photo-luminescent dial design that illuminates the entire front of the instrument dial for an extended amount of time when exposed to a light source for as little as 10 seconds. The dial appears bright white in darkness, fog, smoke, and fire. InSight Glow meets the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) standards for bright-white visibility in a power outage.

Three specific types of errors have a negative impact on pressure sensor accuracy. This easy-to-understand video from WIKA explains the difference between zero-point errors, span errors, and non-linearity.

A diaphragm seal makes measuring pressure safer and more reliable – even in extreme working conditions – and is ideal for protecting pressure instrumentation and process transmitters. Discover the basic principle behind diaphragm seals and when to use them.

Chemical feed, as vital components in the treatment of water, metering pumps satisfying a diverse range of applications. Iwaki’s mission is to provide solutions for any application safety, accuracy fast and flexible support for the constantly evolving marketplace.

A very short introduction to using an Advantech WebOp HMI with an Omron NX1P2 using the PLC tags.

Are your sensors regularly coming into contact with cutting oil, causing them to break down quickly?

This overview will help you to understand the differences between industrial automation manufacturers, representatives, distributors and integrators…and who you want to reach out to for help.

You may be wondering what the main components are that you need to make a motion control system. What are the minimum number of components you need?

Before we dive into the meat of the matter of sizing and selecting mechanics, there are some basic concepts we need to understand: namely the force, torque, moment, inertia, and axes of motion.

As we dive further into sizing and selecting mechanics, there are a couple of terms that are extremely important in understanding the requirements of an application.

We're continuing on with talking about some of the basic terminology and things you need to know in order to be able to size your own mechanics and gantry. We cover motion requirements and a summary at the end of the last several episodes.

We've been talking about a lot of different basic terminology.  Now we're going to talk about just some basic types of linear mechanics.

In this video, Omron shows us how to use the built in camera in the integrated vision system for your application.

In this video, Omron shows you how to unbox the TM Collaborative Robot and do the initial set-up.

In this video, Omron teaches the basics of how to make the TM Collaborative Robot move.

In this video, Omron teaches you how to program the TM Collaborative Robot using Flowchart Software.

In this video, Omron shows us how to use grippers with the TM Collaborative Robot.

In this video, Omron teaches how to create an application that utilizes the camera and the vision system on the TM Collaborative Robot.

As you may know, electric actuators provide a lot of benefits over pneumatic actuators. For example, you may be able to carry out different stroke lengths using software, or hardware such as a programmable logic controller (PLC). However, some electric actuators only come pre-programmed with two ‘stroke-length’ positions, intending to be cost effective without the software or hardware requirement.

Check out Parker's virtual reality demo showcasing a working manufacturing floor and a product showroom where you can interact with a full host of their products.

High speed liquid handling without spilling. Reducing handling time by sloshing suppression control.

This video shows you how to set up the F3SG demo and explains some of the features to enable users to successfully showcase this product to customers.

The new 2-Phase Bipolar Stepper Motor CVD Driver offers superior performance and value and is ideal for OEM or single axis machines. T

This video shows how to install gripper and tensioner for the Omron ER and XER series rope pull emergency stop switches.

Kent Introl has a long history of designing and manufacturing valves that will need to cope with the most arduous conditions. Here, the team conducts final checks on an anti-surge valve prior to despatch.

There is one distributor headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley that is not waiting for tomorrow. Valin Corporation, is creating it's tomorrow - Today. "As a leader, I can't allow us to cling to yesterday. I have to keep us focused on tomorrow." - Joe Nettemeyer

Omron’s new FHV7-series smart camera features the world’s first multi-color light alongside a best-in-class 12-megapixel high-resolution image sensor to achieve the industry’s highest standards of precision in vision inspections on a high-mix production line.

Safe and transportable, this robotic solution boasts quick startup, easy changeover and advanced, built-in vision.

It's that time of year! Valin purchased food, clothing, and toys to donate to CityTeam in San Jose.

Doug Crimmins shows up how to wire and calibrate a Valvcon ADC Actuator for use in modulating service with 4-20 mA feedback.

Learn how simple it is to get started with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) with Advantech's Wzzard Wireless Sensor Network.

Parker Velcon salutes the Joint Inspection Group (JIG) and their members for their commitment to Aviation Fueling Safety!

On July 24th Valin hosted a career day in our San Jose office for 8-10 middle school students in support of Breakthrough Silicon Valley.

The Iwaki Pump Engineering Team, originators and holders of many pump patents, proudly introduces their newest design innovation. After years of thorough testing and successful operation, Iwaki Air has now completely re-designed the Air Motor to include the new Looped C Spring Spool.

Corey Foster demonstrates how Valin's products and services can tie into the concept of the Industrial Internet of Things.

Wzzard Mesh Gen 2 models have the ability to monitor temperature, humidity and vibration, and can accommodate virtually any industry-standard external sensors.

Does your project have a challenging filtration or flow control specification? Let Mott transform your concept into reality. When Mott collaborates with their customers early in the design phase, there's no challenge they can’t address.

A simple system configuration to reduce the cycle time by 44%. Material, round bars, are checked for outer diameter before a process of rolling machine.

This system produces frames by bonding resin parts. A total of four locations are bonded. Adhesive is applied to the end faces of resin frame parts. Then, the end faces of the frame parts are pressed together to be joined.

This system rolls hexagonal socket head setscrews (hereinafter referred to as "setscrews"). Air cylinders are used to introduce material to the rolling machine and remove processed setscrews from the machine.

A loader/unloader for a press machine that produces lids for cans. It loads the material in the material feeder to the press machine and unloads the pressed products to the product chute.

Reduced line operating hours by approx. 25% due to vibration-free stopping and high-speed operation Improvements achieved by electric linear actuators

Changing the speed during movement to reduce the cycle time by 20%. Cardboard boxes containing CDs travel on a conveyor. There are five different types of cardboard boxes, and each type contains different CDs. Boxes are sorted by type and transferred onto five product conveyors.

This system removes burrs around holes drilled in a pulley*1. Eight locations are deburred. The deburring brush attached to the motorized spindle*2 is used to remove the burrs along the edge of holes.

Learn how to set up data logging in the Watlow F4T controller.

Learn how to set up data logging in the Watlow F4T controller.

Introducing the F4T with INTUITION® from Watlow Combining the flexibility of a modular I/O with best-in-class ease of use, the F4T could very well make user manuals a thing of the past.

Watlow’s new ASPYRE power controller family is flexible and scalable, and available with a variety of options allowing one platform to be re-used across a wide range of applications, which can help save time and money. ASPYRE models available include sizes from 35 to 700 amps.

An OMRON Adept Quattro Robot and an OMRON Adept Cobra s800 inverted robot in an in-house demonstration using dual conveyor tracking and vision.

Metso's Neles ND9000 is a top class intelligent valve controller designed to operate on all control valve actuators and in all industry areas.

STOBER, a recognized leader in reliable engineering and uncompromised support. Their gearboxes for motion control and power transmission applications are built on German engineering and are specified, assembled, painted and shipped right here in Kentucky. But the true mark of reliability is proven over time.

Part feeding can be a complex challenge. It's especially costly and time consuming when you need to change parts often. Not anymore!

In this video, Omron demonstrates its ongoing focus on innovative packaging solutions that advance manufacturing and productivity through integration of robots with sensing, control, motion and safety capabilities.

The Omron PackXpert Solution brings together Omron’s complete line of robotic automation products into a single, fully integrated packaging system.

If you are involved in manufacturing or packaging, you know that implementing and maintaining a robotic automation solution is no small task.

The new Des-Case mobile utility cart is the new solution to help reduce the trips between the lube room and plant equipment for your reliability team.

Connect with the Walchem W900 Series controllers and enjoy unparalleled versatality in maintaining your water treatment options.

Advantech 21.5" Full HD TFT LED LCD Industrial Multi-Touch Stainless Steel Panel PC meets the IP69K test for food & beverage industry.

Omron's IPC Machine Controller combines proven machine automation with the freedom to use PC technology: working together but independently.

Introducing the CT4 Cartesian Robot, a high speed cartesian pick and place unit intergrated with a vision system so that it can pick up parts out of a random work area and place them down into an array.

The Omron LD Mobile Robot is a self navigating Autonomous Intelligent Vehicle (AIV) designed for dynamically moving material in challenging environments.

Omron's Adept Lynx is self navigating Autonomous Intelligent Vehicle (AIV) designed for dynamically moving material in challenging environments that may include confined passageways as well as dynamic and peopled locations.

WIKA parent company, WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG, created this video for this year's Hannover Messe, the world's foremost technology event.

If you have a gauge that routinely fails on a piping system or even a pump and it's failing from vibration, that can tell you that the pump is misaligned or that the coupling on the pump is now going out in that it needs service.

An invert mounted Adept Viper 6-axis robot in a pick-and-place demo, using vision guidance and conveyor tracking.

Adept Cobra SCARA robots assembling small consumer brushes

High Speed Adept Quattro Robots Used in chocolate manufacturing at a production facility in Japan. This video demonstrates the unmatched speed of the Adept Quattro robot and technical achievements in robot system performance.

Introducing Advantech's WISE-4012E. Advantech's new generation of remote I/O & sensing devices bring an IT oriented spirit to the market.

This video demonstrates how to replace a standard mechanical switch with the solid-state One Series from United Electric Controls.

1S is a servo system designed to optimize the full cycle, through the machine design, installation and commissioning tasks and finally to the maintenance once in production.

We work with you to create solutions that will improve your process. From solutions in the energy industry in oil and gas measurement systems, to increasing productivity and throughput in solar panel production and semiconductor chip manufacturing. In designing safety systems for the automotive industry, to building custom systems for lean manufacturing production flow.

This is the current inter-conveyor transfer process for a relay manufacturing line.

This process is where soy milk and brine are mixed in the tofu manufacturing line.

An overview of the industry applications for Rotork Instrument's products.

The desiccant breather replaces the standard dust cap or OEM breather cap on equipment, offering better filtration to protect against even the smallest particulates that destroy the effectiveness of your machinery, and cause downtime and costly repairs.

Iwaki's IX Series are digitally controlled direct-drive diaphragm pumps. Years of experience in high-end motor technology result in extremely accurate and energy efficient metering pumps with high resolution.

Walchem and Iwaki joined forces to develop the most innovative and comprehensive metering pump product line in the world. Iwaki metering pumps are designed for a broad range of applications, and are manufactured to the highest quality standards that exceed even the toughest customer expectations.

The Hornet 565 is a parallel robot (also called delta robot) for high-speed picking and packaging applications.

The use of robots in packaging applications continues to grow. Omron Adept is proud to introduce their latest high-speed packaging robot to the market, the Hornet 565.

This video shows how to integrate EKI-5500 switch into a PROFINET environment.

Advantech entry-level managed switch products support media redundancy protocols including EtherNet/IP real time standard.

Learn how to program a Walchem pump to run off a flowmeter in external mode.

Learn how to rebuild a Walchem metering pump

Our #MobileTechnologyVehicle travels across the Western U.S. bringing solutions to your door.

Valin Corporation, a leading technical solutions provider in San Jose Calif., announces it has launched its new e-commerce website.

Baby boomers are retiring at a rate of 10,000 people per day. Learn how Valin can help bridge your resource gap and keep your operations running smoothly and safely.

In this video, Ray Herrera demonstrates the proper and safe way of replacing an ASCO Solenoid Valve Coil.

In this video, Ray Herrera demonstrates how to troubleshoot an ASCO Solenoid Valve.

In this video, Ray Herrera demonstrates how to repair an ASCO Solenoid Valve.

In this video, Ray Herrera demonstrates how to properly identify an ASCO Solenoid Valve by showing how and where to find key information on the valve itself.

This video demonstrates how to install Heat Trace Specialist's SnoFree Panel Eave System.

This video demonstrates how to install Heat Trace Specialist's Serpentine (Zig Zag) Heat Cable System.

In this video, Chris Sullivan talks about the delicate blend between Automation and the Human Factor to ensure safety measures. Each factor is just as important as the other.

Securing the go ahead for a system upgrade can be difficult in a competitive work environment, where every cost must be accounted for and validated. Getting your project noticed and approved when it’s lost among a sea of competing projects—each one making a claim on finite resources—can seem an impossible task.

As part of Valin’s mission to provide unparalleled customer service and offer complete turn-key solutions to its customers, Valin offers its Aviation Fueling Nozzle Rebuild Program for its customers in the Aviation industry.  Turnaround times for airports to have their fueling nozzles rebuilt or replaced are generally very long.

Ice dams can be frustrating. An ice dam forms when the roof over the attic gets warm enough to melt the bottom layer of snow. The snow melts into water and  the water trickles down between the layers of snow until it reaches the eave of the roof. There, the water freezes, gradually growing into a mound of ice. These ice dams can damage both your roof and the inside of your home if the water finds an opening.

For 40 years Valin has been a resource to our customers providing the knowledge and expertise to help make your process more efficient and more profitable. We have the skills and knowledge to assess your company and manufacturing processes, before coming up with expert solutions to your downtime issues.

In this video, Robin Slater, Vice President of Sales, explains how Valin’s 40 years of experience can benefit your company through their completely customizable training programs.

In this how-to video, Scott Severse demonstrates how to properly program a Walchem W600 Cooling Tower Controller.

Brian Sullivan, Director of Sales, Technology at Valin Corporation, discusses the importance of repeatability,  reliability, consistency, and accuracy.

Patrick Bartell, Vice President of Sales, Oil and Gas at Valin Corporation, discusses the benefits of updating legacy systems.

In this how-to video series from Valin, Nick Lyle demonstrates how to troubleshoot potential leaks on a LMI pump.

In this how-to video series from Valin, Nick Lyle demonstrates how to properly install a diaphragm on an LMI pump.

In this how-to video series from Valin, Nick Lyle demonstrates how to properly cut and install your LMI Tubing.

We are excited to announce the launch of Valin's 2015 Mobile Technology Vehicle Tour.

In this video Rich Wilbur demonstrates how you can use tubing that you can measure, mark, layout, and bend. Check it out!

This video takes you step by step from deburring a piece of tubing, marking the tubing, making up the fitting, and pressurizing the fitting to show that it only takes one and a quarter turn to properly seal a fitting from leaks.

Among the 2015 Distinguished Business Award recipients  honored at the Feb. 25 San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce's Annual Membership Dinner is Joseph Nettemeyer, Valin Corporation's second CEO.

UnleashWD holds an annual conference that inspires distributors to be innovative.

Schmalz is one of the world’s leading suppliers in automation technology, handling technology and clamping technology. This video demonstrates Schmalz Jumbo Ergo, Jumbo Sprint and Jumbo Flex products.

Take a look into our manufacutring sector and see how we are working towards innovation & growth.

Valin is pleased to give you a sneak peek at our newly renovated Mobile Tech Vehicle.

Archbishop Mitty High School Robotics Team visits Valin to thank them for their sponsorship.

Valin® Featured on NBC Bay Area News with San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed.

Valin's Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with special guest San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed.

Inventek Engineering presents The Fully Automatic Flexible Bottling System.

In 2009 Valin launched our Mobile Technology Vehicle. Check out our first promotional video.