ACS News
New: Epson Force Guide
Epson’s high-performance Force Guide takes robot automation to the next level with superior precision and outstanding rigidity. Powered by proprietary Epson Quartz Technology, it enables Epson robots to detect six axes of force with precision down to 0.1 N. Driven by real-time servo system integration, Force Guide delivers fast, tactile feedback to guide robots for high-precision parts placement. Easy to configure and set up, Force Guide features a point-and-click interface with pre-configured solutions and built-in objects, reducing the development time for precision repeatability applications.
Just Released: Piab PiCobot

The piCOBOT is compressed air driven vacuum gripper designed to work directly with a Universal Robot, and to act as a flexible co-worker in a variety of production, packaging or assembly lines. Adaptable, powerful and light-weight, it really offers the ideal extra “pair of hands”. Ergonomic, safe and adaptable, this user-friendly solution promises to increase productivity while reducing the risk of injury to your team. It also is very easy to program.
Learn How to Use Opto 22 MQTT
Learn how to get started using Opto 22 MQTT with Node-RED. The IoT is all about interconnecting devices. MQTT is a lightweight publish subscribe based protocol that relays data through a central broker.
The video will walk you through the following:
- How the MQTT model works
- What is an MQTT Broker
- The advantages and disadvantages of MQTT
- How to use MQTT to turn on a digital output
- MQTT Node-RED Node
New MidOpt SWIR & Wire-Grid Polarizer Filters
SWIR (Short-Wave Infrared) Filters enhance the image quality of InGaAs camera technology for a variety of machine vision applications. These are designed to pass the most common SWIR LED wavelengths while blocking visible light. These filters can be used for various inspection tasks in the food and beverage, woodworking, textile or automotive industries. SWIR filters are useful for applications imaging from 900-2300nm.
The new Midwest Optical Systems Pi1000 Series NiR Polarizer is effective in both the visible and infrared, ranging from 400-2000nm. It’s efficient in glare reduction, with an average contrast ratio up to 8,000:1 and has an operating temperature rating of 100° C per 1,000 hours. The Pi1000 is 40% less costly than current products on the market, making it an economical solution.
MidOpt mounted Polarizers thread onto the lens. Rotating the mount and visually observing the results makes it easy to determine the position at which glare reduction is maximized.
Swivellink Stronguard Modular Guarding
Swivellink Stronguard® is a powder coated industrial guarding line built to solve two needs in automation and manufacturing.
  • Modularity - the design allows for product to be stocked on the shelf and assembled quickly. No more waiting for custom guarding. 
  • Strength - Stronguard® was designed and manufactured with durability, longevity, and strength in mind. No more cheap guarding in your plant. 

The Stronguard Difference: 
1) Panels can be quickly customized in the field
2) Posts are stackable to achieve various heights
3) Post design allows for several angles utilizing the same post - no longer need to order a specific post to get the angle you're trying to achieve
4) Panels can swing in or out for easy access, making each panel an access point if needed
5) Easy to convert panels into a door with our door conversion kits
6) Large foot with four anchor holes
7) Four threaded holes around the sides of the foot plate to allow the feet to be easily leveled utilizing a bolt - no more shimming
8) Heavy duty light curtain mounts available
9) Interlock plates available
10) Mesh can be easily changed without needing to purchase a whole new panel
11) Easy to reconfigure a different layout utilizing the same components
Register Now for the
2018 Epson New Product Meeting
Epson Robots cordially invites you to their 2018 New Products Event. This is a by invitation-only event in Nashville, and they look forward to meeting you.
Epson launched the T3 All-in-One SCARA Robot (List: $7,495) with great success, and have several exciting product introductions this coming year. This event will provide you an exclusive advance preview of their new products and explore how you and Epson can grow your business together.
Dog Spotlight- Meet Chief
Presenting: our seventh Dog Spotlight!
If you've visited our office before, then you already know that we are a pup-friendly workplace. We've decided to feature one of the ACS dogs every other month to let you "meet" them too.

What would you like to know about engineer Trevor Phillip's dog Chief?

Upcoming Workshops & Classes
Cognex DataMan:
October 30 in Spring Hill, TN: Register Here
Collaborative Robots:
November 13 in Marietta, GA: Register Here
November 15 in Spring Hill, TN: Register Here
Advanced Spreadsheet:
December 11-14 in Marietta, GA: Register Here
Attend for a Chance to Win a NASCAR Racing Experience-
Alabama Collaborative Robots Workshops
A winner will be chosen from each of our Alabama Collaborative Robots workshops. The winner will receive a gift card to drive a NASCAR race car for a 5 minute timed racing session by themselves, on one of the nation's premier speedways! 
November 6 in Decatur, AL : Register Here
November 8 in Birmingham, AL : Register Here
December 11 in Auburn, AL : Register Here
December 13 in Talladega, AL : Register Here