The Innocence Project

Many believe an innocent man was executed last night.  It is interesting to check out The Innocence Project and as of today - 273 people on death row were exonerated.  And to think that those freaking idiots at the last republican debate actually applauded when Rick Perry stated he had 234 men executed under his watch. 

KEPServerEX Keeps Doing Cool Stuff

I just saw this announcement in PennEnergy on KEPServerEx that I thought was very cool.  It is very exciting to see all the new markets that MTConnect will be getting into thanks to KEPServerEX from Kepware.

Software's drivers, plugins for both oil/gas, manufacturing

KEPServerEX version 5.6 is released with three new products in its communication platform for relevance to both oil and gas as well as manufacturing.

Its Weatherford 8500 Serial Driver is intuitive to communicate with WellPilot Rod Pump Controllers which gather and monitor critical production information from oil and/or gas wells. Its' connectivity to Weatherford 8500 allows you to monitor information, alarms, and events from remote locations. It enables operators to make process adjustments.

A media level redundancy plugin option is also added to address critical operations in oil and gas operations.

New MTCConnect Driver allows connectivity to machine tools that support MTConnect or any legacy equipment through an MTConnect Agent.
Full software plus drivers and plugins data are free.

Kepware Technologies
400 Congress Street, 4th Floor, Portland ME 04101

MAG's Cryogenic Machining at IMX

imX was a big hit for MTConnect Institute.  While the attendance was not as high as other shows, the quality of individuals was much higher.  We spent an average of 20 to 30 minutes with each person who came by.

This video has Paul Warndorf, VP of Technology and CTO for AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology describing MAG's cryogenic machining at imX.  We had dinner with one of the inventors.

Below is from MAG's homepage describing their cryogenic machining.

"MAG will exhibit a breakthrough in cryogenic machining at the imX show, Las Vegas, September 12-14, 2011, demonstrating a new technology that utilizes a unique through-spindle, through-tool cooling system using liquid nitrogen. The multi-patent pending development cools the cutting edge more efficiently than ever before possible, enabling dramatically higher cutting speeds for increased metal removal, longer tool life or a blend of the two advantages. The liquid-nitrogen ( 321°F) cooling system can also be combined with MQL (minimum quantity lubrication) to reduce tool friction and adhesion, further optimizing the process for certain materials. Ideal applications involve aggressive metal removal in the hardest workpiece materials, such as titanium, nickel-based alloys, and nodular or compacted-graphite iron (CGI)"