Browse our library of resources for robotics and machine automation:
Articles and Whitepapers
Why choose Cross Automation as your Integration Partner? When looking for a manufacturing automation integration partner, we know you have a lot of choices. So why partner with Cross? Speed We know when you come to us, you have a pain point and need it solved as soon as possible.…
Why use a linear shaft motor instead of a U-shaped linear servo motor? With an independent review of energy efficiency, this article discusses the benefits of using linear shaft motors in place of linear servo motors.
A common trend in the industrial automation and robotics industries is looking for electric alternatives to pneumatic components. What is the benefit of switching from pneumatic to electromechanical actuators? Take a look at our top 5 benefits to see why it might be right for your operation.
Solenoid valves used in air manifolds can be direct acting or pilot operated. In the case of a direct acting solenoid valve, the coil acts directly on the valve spool to actuate it. In the case of a pilot operated solenoid valve, it uses system air pressure as a pilot to actuate the spool.…
Vertical Loads: When And How Should Brakes Be Used On A Linear Actuator? In Motion Control, there are many examples of vertical applications, and the examples can vary widely. Whether it’s a packaging gantry or a robot end effector, linear actuators commonly are used to lift loads against gravity. However…
Top five reasons cobots are great for adapting to our “new normal” It’s an understatement to say that things have changed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. For many of us, almost everything about our daily lives has changed in an effort to adapt and continue operations while keeping…
Pneumatic Proportional Control with Actuator Position Feedback When infinite position adjustability of an actuator through its entire range of motion is required, many people have become accustomed to looking at servo-electric solutions first. This is often the best choice, but in some cases, a pneumatic solution can be more cost-effective overall.…
What to look for in a fever screening system As we all get back to the “new normal” many are faced with the dilemma of how to ensure the safety of their employees and patrons. Whether you operate a large manufacturing facility, a hospital, a municipal building, an airport, or…
Technical Bulletins and Guides
Optimize performance without sacrificing safety with Doosan Cobots Doosan Robotics is leading the cobot market in innovative safety features that allow you to maintain productivity while keeping your team as safe as possible. Doosan offers cobots with the industry’s highest safety rating, PL e Cat 4. Their emphasis on innovation…
Your Doosan cobot is communicating with you! What do the colors mean? All Doosan cobots have an LED light ring. The H and M series both feature a flange light while the A series has a light on its base. These lights are used to indicate what mode the robot…
So, you’re going to use an AC drive and you know what horsepower and voltage you need, now what? There are numerous issues to consider when applying an AC drive. Take a look some of the most common topics we get asked about. Control Modes There are three different motor…
Technical Guide: Gantry System vs 6-Axis Robot Solution Cross Company sells both Gantry and 6-Axis robotic solutions. Our goal is for our customers and readers to make the smartest choice for their situation and application. In the world of motion control, the industry has reached the point where the initial…
How to Use Proportional Technology to Control Pressure in High Flow Applications We run across a lot of applications in our industry, and one of our customers had a very specific need. They asked, “How can I automatically control the pressure in my air receiver?” This is not an unusual…
Coval LEMAX: Improving Efficiency for Packaging Applications Vacuum applications can be prone to inefficiencies and, therefore, waste a lot of energy. If you have a “dumb” or under-sensored process, you may as well count the dollars as the air blows through the exhaust of a venturi! Inefficiencies are a fact of life with…
Normal Duty vs. Heavy Duty: Specifying a Yaskawa AC Drive Questions to Consider for Your Yaskawa Application When you are thinking about purchasing a Yaskawa AC Drive, you have to decide whether a Normal Duty or Heavy Duty drive is required for the application. This applies to the J1000, V1000…
Faster CoBot Deployment with Universal Robot’s Application Builder Collaborative robots (CoBots) are already making significant inroads in the US and global manufacturing industry with Universal Robots (UR) staking a majority market share. With more and more first-timers looking at ways to automate using CoBots, it becomes important to make the process easier for…
Gentle and Secure: The Coval FPC Vacuum Cup for Bags In the world of pneumatics, vacuum is seen as a dark magic. Whether you are picking up boxes for palletizing or individual products, getting the proper flow and seal is crucial for a successful pick and place. To even further complicate…
Case Studies and Application Notes
The Application A manufacturer of metal components in Tennessee needed help with automating a workstation on a new line. They wanted a UR robot to pick from two locations and then move parts between stations. The manufacturer required that this station be automated, because in order to meet their customer’s…
When a manufacturer required a large machine tending solution for lifting oversized parts into a washing system, they reached out to cross company. Take a look at the solution out automation team provided!
A medical device manufacturer needed help automating a machine tending process. Take a look at the solution our automation team developed utilizing a UR5 robot with Schunk gripper to improve efficiency and create tangible value.
Cross custom subassembly saves time and money for conveyor manufacturer. The Application A manufacturer of conveyor equipment was using an electrical solenoid to sort products by activating a mechanism that opened the bottom of the conveyor to drop its contents into the appropriate bin. The electric solenoid didn’t generate enough…
When designing pneumatic circuits, there are usually various ways to achieve your desired end goals. Some designs can be complex with many parts to consider, while other designs can be relatively simple; both can give you similar end results. In this application, we explore some options for designing a dual…
Using a hand crank for automation may sound like an oxymoron, but there are times when it makes sense. Sometimes an application requires the robustness, precision, and customization that is available from automation equipment, but it also requires manual control. The issue with this is that automation equipment is generally…
Cross Automation Helps a Manufacturer in the Semiconductor Industry Improve Efficiency and Raise Quality Through World-Class Technical Expertise and Customer Service A manufacturer of machines that inspect semiconductor wafers and packages for defects wanted to upgrade their machine performance to increase quality and throughput.. The machines they produce must be…
Application Note: Improved Efficiency for Filling Station Cross Company Helps Safety Equipment Manufacturer Double Efficiency in Filling Application A safety equipment manufacturer needed help making a container filling station more efficient. Cross Automation and J.A. King, which specializes in weight-based filling applications, were able to design a new system that…
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