by connie carrier on March 12, 2010
KC Robotics Inc. is excited to offer the new USB Floppy Drive Unit for ABB Robots.
This device (USB Floppy Drive Unit) replaces the standard S4 floppy disc drive and simplifies the back-up procedure. The new USB Floppy Drive Unit comes supplied with a memory stick, formatted and ready to use. It is compatible with a S3, S4, S4C and S4C+.
- Memory is equivalent to 100 floppy disks: Eliminates the need for multiple floppy disc changes when installing robot software.
- Allows simple and fast data transfer between PC and Robot.
- Includes easy to use software to format USB drive and store robot programs.
- Provides faster transfer time and less risk of data loss associated with floppy discs.
- Affordably priced: Introductory offer at $199.99
Check out the company PDF file. Warning it is pretty large.

Call KC Robotics at 1-800-776-2687 (Ask for Nancy) or email (nancy@kcrobotics.com) for more information and to order a USB Floppy Drive Unit for all your ABB Robots
by Lindsay Byrd on March 11, 2010
It hardly comes as a surprise when projects fail, especially with respect to deadlines, expectations and communication. Often times, when one aspect goes awry, a ‘snowball’ effect takes place, causing others to do the same. According to Control Engineering and the Standish Group’s annual Chaos Report, there are 10 underlying reasons why projects fail and in turn, they give 7 ways to avoid those failures.
| 10 Reasons for Failure: |
7 Ways to Succeed: |
| 1. Incomplete requirements; |
1. Define project goals; |
| 2. Lack of client involvement; |
2. Develop project scope and schedule; |
| 3. Lack of resources; |
3. Establish multi-discipline project team; |
| 4. Unrealistic expectations; |
4. Define the mechanical process; |
| 5. Lack of executive support;
6. Changing requirements and specifications;
7. Lack of planning; |
5. Develop functional process controls description;
6. Develop network configuration drawings; and |
| 8. Didn’t need it any longer;
9. Lack of management; and |
7. Develop equipment and programming specifications. |
| 10. Technology illiteracy. |
|
The ways to succeed seem straight-forward and somewhat simple. However, keep in mind that at the heart of the requirement for each of these is the goal to be realistic. And although the ways set forth to achieve success appear simple, it’s imperative that you take each one seriously. Check out the full article, as they go into further detail on specific issues that tend to arise during the project process:
http://www.controleng.com/article/367270-How_to_Avoid_Project_Failure.php