Entries for the 'General Topics' Category

Recently I've had the opportunity to do some embedded development using the .NET Micro Framework platform.  The .NET Micro Framework is a light-weight version of the full .NET framework that can be ported to run on a variety of processors, including the ARM and Blackfin architectures. Using the .NET Framework, developers can implement their solutions in C#.  While develop... [Read the rest of this blog...]

I have been using Acroloop 9000 controllers to control a number of machines where one axis is a high speed rotary motor that drives a mechanical cam-driven process.  During operation of the machine, the motor accelerates from a stop to a constant high speed, and then back to a stop.  The mechanical cam performs dozens of cycles during the process while the motor is at constant speed.... [Read the rest of this blog...]

I am proud to announce that DMC has achieved Certified Wonderware Integrator Status. To achieve Certified System Integrator Status, DMC has fulfilled the following certification requirements of the Wonderware SI Ecosystem Program: Two or more developers must complete individual product training and pass CSI tests. Two successful projects must be executed and documented to earn produc... [Read the rest of this blog...]

DMC demonstrated our LabVIEW expertise again by receiving seven new certifications, including three Architect Certifications, putting DMC among the highest level of LabVIEW Architects in the country.  With the additional Developer Certifications, DMC now has the most LabVIEW certifications in the region. Congratulations to four new Certified LabVIEW Developers:  Danny Budzinski, Eric Ni... [Read the rest of this blog...]

Like many offices, we have adapted the use of instant messenger while at work.  It allows us to stay in quick contact of eachother, even when working remotely at customer sites.  The network we use is the Yahoo Messenger network. Some of us use the default client, but many of us have switched over to Pidgin.  The main advantage of Pidgin is the ability to link other IM networks to ... [Read the rest of this blog...]

As in previous entries, here I will be exploring one of our Customer Service Fundamentals: Understand, Manage, and Where Possible, Exceed Expectations Managing expectations can really only happen when they are first understood.  The simplest way to do this is to discuss, ask and then listen.  Amazing how often this simple step is missed. After expectations are properly understood... [Read the rest of this blog...]

DMC is proud to announce that Jody Koplo and Ken Brey have each passed Wonderware certifications exams.   Jody successfully passed the InTouch 10.0 Exam and Ken Brey passed the InSQL Historian Exam.    Prior to taking the test, Ken had completed several key projects using the Wonderware historian product.  His experience paid off as he was easily able to pass the challeng... [Read the rest of this blog...]

I saw an amazing new 3d vision tool at the Robot and Vision Show today. It is the ifm efector pmd 3d.  This device is a 64X48 pixel distance sensor.  It operates by the time of flight principle.  A pulse of light infared light is emmited by the device which bounces off of object in the field of view and returns to the device through a lens.  Each pixel measures the time require... [Read the rest of this blog...]

This is the third of five postings on our Customer Service Fundamentals.  Topic is Be Nice!  Previous posting can be found here and here. Be Nice.  It is something that everyone is taught from an early age but that not everyone practices consistently.  We view it to be a superset of the Golden Rule - of course we want to treat others the way we want to be treated.  And we... [Read the rest of this blog...]

Purpose-built 3D scanning tools are an exciting new development in machine vision.  People have been building their own 3D scanners for years with cameras and line lasers . Now a couple of integrated and factory-calibrated units are on the market which offer a great head-start to a successfull 3D scanning application. SICK | IVP Ruler E:  This is the integrated ... [Read the rest of this blog...]

Underscoring DMC's successes with National Instruments and the US Department of Energy, the Fermilab newsletter from NI featured DMC's work in electrochemical storage test systems at the Argonne National Laboratory. "Internationally recognized as a world-class center for research and development on lithium batteries, Argonne is one of North America’s most-capable facilities for the independe... [Read the rest of this blog...]

During this past week, DMC had the opportunity to work with Kevin Johnson of ILF Technologies at the DMC office. ILF, located in Romeoville, IL, produces web finishing products for the printing and converting industries.  The machine we are currently working on is a new Sheeter which runs on Siemens' SIMOTION platform.  Kevin is intimately familiar with the functionality of the existing ... [Read the rest of this blog...]

Yesterday, I attended the 2009 Energy Management Seminar presented by Schneider Electric.  The seminar focused on strategies and technologies to monitor and improve energy efficiency. The keynote speaker, Peter Garforth, made a compelling case for energy productivity as a profitable business opportunity.  Some highlights of his presentation were: Only 30% of energy generated is... [Read the rest of this blog...]

DMC sponsored Northwestern University's Design Competition once again this year and the turn-out and competition were once again amazing. The competition included 12 fully autonomous robots competing head-to-head in a challenge that involved scooping up balls and tossing them into another robot's playing field to score points. Aspects of this competition required finding balls, detecting the... [Read the rest of this blog...]

A Solar Panel Assembly Project that DMC recently completed was the basis for a feature article in Design World Magazine.  The article can be found here. DMC provided controls engineering and programming services for a company that makes machines that are used in photovoltaic production facilities. The system developed utilized a Siemens 317T Controller which provide... [Read the rest of this blog...]

This blog discusses the importance of listening in delivering world class service.

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Congratulations to Eric Nielsen and Jesse Batsche on passing the certification exam to be LabVIEW Certified Associate Developers!  They had the opportunity to take this exam at the National Instruments Developer Education Days event here in Chicagoland.  Thanks to Jon Hildyard, Kalin Taskov, and Chris Weaver for leading the event and proctoring the exam.  Eric and Jes... [Read the rest of this blog...]

The first of a multi-part series describing the DMC Customer Service Philosophy.

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Highlights from the 2009 CSIA Executive Conference.

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DMC is improving customer service by employing the Ultimate Question/Net Promoter Score techniques.

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