Save the environment. Recycle. Save energy. Go green. Buy a hybrid. These and other things are what people constantly talk about today. By browsing the Internet, I find many articles that suggest how each of us can do our part for the environment. Going green takes time and effort and can be costly. If, for the average person, going green costs a lot—have you seen the prices on those hybrid cars? —can you imagine how expensive running a green factory might be?
No matter what, I believe going green is the answer to our future, and we should make necessary changes to have that future.
ControlDesign.com has articles featuring what some of our Machine Builder Nation members are doing to make their plants, machines and products as green as possible.
Log on to www.ControlDesign.com/greenisnotenough to read Senior Technical Editor Dan Hebert's story, "Green—Your Way." In this article, Hebert learns what different companies such as Optimation Technology, Dynatorch, GL&V Paper Group and Partner Pak do to become green.
Streamline the Machine Control Development Process
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Machine Vision Academy
Are you interested in image processing? Have you thought about automating the visual inspection conducted on your production line? Master the latest application techniques.
Hebert says that as a machine designer and manufacturer, claiming that your devices are green is not enough. You should back up your claim with specific performance and cost advantages.
Contributor Loren Shaum wrote a story on sustainable machines, as well. His report established that the industry still uses older machines, not green machines, that continue to perform well. However, builders and system integrators constantly have to worry about keeping these machines running economically while helping users migrate to new greener technology. Shaum studied how some builders deal with this issue. Read his article, "The Sustainable Machine," at www.ControlDesign.com/sustainablemachine to find out more.
Focus On: Retaining Automation Know–How
Control Design interviews Haumiller and Concep Machine to get a closer look at how companies are retaining automation know–how.
Market Intelligence Report: Motion Control Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3
Learn what machine builders and system integrators are using.
Visit www.ControlDesign.com/sustain and tell us if you believe green manufacturing is important to your customers. Do you think you have a role to advocate for greener machines?