China, a market of hope China’s changing economic policy has made the country one of the largest markets for the future; the People’s Republic will already be the strongest economic power in the world by 2015. The “privileged treatment of Austria by China is to be further fostered,” says Dr. Ferrero-Waldner. Still favored by strong economic growth estimated at 6%, China has become an important partner in trade for Austria. Austrian exports to China rose in 2002 by 38%. Also participating in the trade delegation under the direction of the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Moser, were the SIGMATEK managers Andreas Melkus, Theodor Kusejko and Marianne Kusejko.

Success with sales partners With participation in the trade delegation, SIGMATEK continues their very successful engagement in China, to date. After only two years the Chinese partner, Shanghai DIMENSION, which had assumed the sale of the entire SIGMATEK product range, was already among the leading enterprises in the branch in the People’s Republic. Together with the core business, the sale of automation components, Shanghai DIMENSION offers the complete product range of the DIAS-SPS system, from visualization devices, industrial PCs, and the DIAS-Servo system to software support, thus offering clients total solutions from a single source.

65% export share
With an export share of 65%, SIGMATEK assumes the position of an important global player and has sales branches in such international industrial centers as the USA, China, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, France, India, Indonesia, Serbia, Ukraine, Spain, Greece and the Netherlands.

20 nations at the “Factory Automation ASIA”
The “Factory Automation ASIA” in Shanghai enjoys growing popularity and this year could book a 63% increase in attendance figures. 909 exhibitors from 20 nations introduced themselves at the trade fair, which was mostly frequented by trade specialists. Due to the Chinese partner, Shanghai DIMENSION, and the energetic support of Helmut Fritz (of the German management) and Ehrenfried Machalka (export manager), SIGMATEK was represented with its own stand and could present the entire product range and enjoy great interest from those attending. The technical demands on the strong growth market of China are already “westernized” and are in accord with the level of international technology standards, which allows SIGMATEK to take advantage of a significant market potential.

Top-flight reference clients: General Motors and TONGJI University
There is great interest in China in the modernization of machines, whereby a general trend from low cost to complex solutions can be seen. The engine check stands equipped with SIGMATEK control technology were viewed on a visit to the General Motors Shanghai factory. This illustrates the expanding presence of SIGMATEK in the automobile industry and in specialized mechanical engineering.
The prestigious TONGJI University in Shanghai also uses products from SIGMATEK at a check stand for research in the fields of private-vehicle engines and fuel cells. An exact analysis of exhaust fumes is especially decisive in of research of this type. The support of TONGJI University and mutual cooperation should also be continued. SIGMATEK solutions have already proved themselves as best quality to a Chinese textile-machine manufacturer, who will be presenting his machines equipped with the latest technology at the international specialist textile trade fair. The area of applications for the DIAS system range from motion-application through rapid control and on to visualization.

November 2003 Fast and individual automation solutions No limits with the DIAS system A change from a PLC-CPU to an industrial PC and vice versa is possible at any time with no extra wiring. Because the hardware in the DIAS system is fully compatible, all components can be combined to meet individual needs.

The new DVI interface on the industrial PC enables the installation of reasonably priced terminals that can be connected from a distance. The LASAL project software supports all variation possibilities because it can be implemented without platform dependence. The DIAS system will be presented at the SPS/IPC/DRIVES Trade Fair in Hall 7 on Stand 7-140.

Full hardware compatibility
Thanks to the full compatibility of all hardware components , a problem-free change from a CPU to a compact IPC, and back, is possible at any time. All module plug devices are coordinated with each other and there is absolutely no wiring expenditure. Thus the change from a CPU to a C-IPC is perfectly easy. Simply load the CPU user program into the C-IPC, disconnect the CPU and connect the C-IPC, finished.

DVI interface
The new compact IPC is equipped with a DVI interface. This makes connecting reasonably priced terminals possible, which can be placed at a distance of up to 30m.

The compact IPC is a universal device
Because the hardware is fully compatible with the CPUs and the terminals can be connected at greater distances, the compact IPC can assume the task of control or visualization or both simultaneously.

LASAL project software
All of the variation possibilities are supported by the LASAL projecting software. Because LASAL can be implemented without platform dependence, this software can be used for all CPUs, industrial PCs and terminals.

The limits disappear
Due to the complete compatibility of the entire product range; the system of hardware and software components from SIGMATEK offers a flexible and combinable solution. With this system, the former limits for automating solutions disappear and the user is left with an unlimited possibility of combinations.

September 2003 Small, practice-oriented and modern Compact Industrial PC by SIGMATEK With the new “C-IPC” industrial PC, SIGMATEK continues to push development of the “compact” DIAS series forward. The modernly designed device is only 145mm wide, 105mm high with a depth of 120mm. The C-IPC can therefore find a place in small switch-boxes or terminal boxes. The C-IPC is fully compatible with the existing DIAS series and has the DIAS interfaces already installed, which means the C-IPC can be plugged into the C-DIAS modules carrier.

Interfaces The C-IPC has the following interfaces available: Ethernet 10/100 Mbps, RS232, RS232/RS485, DIAS-bus, and a CAN bus for the terminal connection as well as a CAN bus for connection to the CPU . An S-DVI to connect a SIGMATEK operator terminal and a USB interface are also included . These allow the practical connection of additional devices, such as keyboard, mouse and back-up mediums. Moreover, an RGB interface is included for the connection of an extra monitor to support service and start-up . An expansion slot for an additional interface card with Ethernet, LPT and two RS232 interfaces is also available.

April 2003 Control technology to meet all demands – application report: SIGMATEK convinces with flexible solutions Flexibility and client-orientated solutions are essential SIGMATEK success components. The renowned enterprise from the automation and control-technology branch can look back on many years of an extremely fruitful partnership with Wittmann Synthetics Devices, one of the largest worldwide robot manufacturers. Both partners show the highest degree of flexibility in creating client-specific applications, which is the basis for their continued rapid expansion in the world market.

Wittmann relies on SIGMATEK Wittman Synthetics Devices has been a specialist for almost 20 years in the manufacture of innovative robot units and has supplied automated robots for injection-molding machines successfully for many years with SIGMATEK. “Custom-made technology” is the slogan that distinguishes the worldwide robot manufacturer, Wittmann Synthetics Devices. The portfolio of units ranges from simple pneumatic/motorized systems to high-performance CNC linear carbon-technology robots, which ensure rapid removal of finished parts from the injection-molding machine. “ In SIGMATEK, an electro-technical partner was found that is as equally flexible as we are”, explains Eng. Andreas Klackl, manager of the robot department at Wittmann Synthetics Devices.

Flexibility in a modular system At the beginning of our partnership with Wittmann, the essential requirement was to deliver decentralized CNC control units . “ That was not as common 20 years ago as it is today. The performance and the speed of the CNC unit were primarily the most essential criteria,” Eng. Klackl explains. “ At he exhibition, K92, we presented the first CNC control system using a CAN bus connection to a robot. That was a great innovation at the time since classic wiring from the control box of the robot module was still used”, remembers engr. Klackl.

March 2003 Highspeed-Control with Power-CPU SIGMATEK presents a significant further development in the DIAS product family at the Hanover Trade Fair. Together with the especially compact construction of the new DIAS modules, C-DIAS with Power-CPU is distinguished by impressive high-speed communication. The SPS system will be presented from the 7th to the 12th of April at the Hanover Trade Fair, the largest industrial trade fair worldwide, in Hall 9, Stand D 61.

LASAL projecting software The SIGMATEK LASAL projecting software unites all functionalities for resolving all automation tasks – all-in-on. With the individual LASAL CLASS, SCREEN, TEXT and MOTION tools, all tasks such as projecting, visualizing and motion control are realized with a single system. LASAL is a worldwide unique projecting tool, which has object-orientated programming with client-server technology and graphic display. Through its central data management, access to the individual tools is possible at all times and on all of the variables in the system. In this way, projecting errors can be avoided and application can be made faster. This also means a reduction of time and expenditure of costs for the client.