News » Product News Actuator ‘combines best of hydraulic and electromechanical’
Moog Industrial Group has announced a linear actuator technology that, it says, combines the best of electrohydraulic (EH) and electromechanical (EM) systems. The Modular Electrohydrostatic Actuation System (Modular EAS) system delivers high forces and force densities in a compact, quiet format that uses up to 90% less oil than standard EH systems, resulting in environmental benefits and lower operating costs.
New-generation servodrives control up to three axes
The Austrian automation manufacturer Sigmatek has announced a new generation of compact multi-axis servodrives said to combine good performance with flexibility. The modular Dias MDD 2000 drives are available in one-, two- and three-axis versions in two frame sizes and power classes. They incorporate many safety functions as standard.
CT’s biggest-ever drive is ‘the lightest on the market’
Control Techniques has launched is biggest-ever drive – a 500kW frame 12 design that it claims is the lightest high-powered drive of its kind, and can be replaced by a single engineer in less than 30 minutes using pre-engineered accessories. The drive can be fitted with CT’s Unidrive M70X or Powerdrive F300 control module and can be installed in a standard cubicle which accommodates both module and accessories. Alternatively, the frame is available pre-assembled in its own industry-standard cabinet, as part of CT’s DFS Series.
Frequency inverters can monitor the condition of motors
Bonfiglioli has launched a range of frequency inverters that, it says, will provide the ultimate combination of flexibility, modularity and connectivity. The AxiaVert inverters come in four sizes, initially spanning power ratings from 0.25–15kW, with more powerful versions up to 400kW to follow. Adriano Chinello, marketing director for Bonfiglioli’s motion business, says that the new drives represent “a quantum leap for smartness”.
Motion control system synchronises up to 40 axes
Emerson has announced a family of servo motion control products that offer integrated automation for high-performance applications. The PACmotion portfolio includes a motion controller that plugs into a PACSystems RX3i PLC backplane for precise, high-speed performance that delivers synchronised motion of up to 40 coordinated axes, and allows users to scale up their motion systems without sacrificing performance.
Fork sensor is first to combine optical and ultrasonic sensing
The German sensor-maker Leuze electronic says it has developed the world's first combined fork sensor, which combines the advantages of light-based and ultrasonic sensors, and is aimed at the labelling machine applications in the packaging industry. The GSX214 sensor can detect a wide variety of labels reliably, quickly, and precisely, regardless of their material or surface characteristics. Leuze says this will increase machine throughput and avoid downtime.
Gear-motors work with drives to deliver maintenance services
The Italian drives manufacturer Bonfiglioli has announced a modular geared motor platform that, it predicts, will set new benchmarks for reliability and efficiency. The first product based on the Evox platform is a range of helical in-line gear-motors incorporating new high-efficiency (IE3 / Nema Premium) asynchronous motors. They have been designed to operate with a new family of inverters from Bonfiglioli that will act as edge computers to provide sensorless condition monitoring and predictive maintenance functions for the gear-motors.
Raspberry Pi is at the heart of open, all-in-one controller
An Italian IIoT specialist, Sfera Labs, has developed an all-in-one industrial controller that is based on a Raspberry Pi single-board computer and combines the functions of a PLC, industrial server and power management system. Sfera describes the Iono Pi Max as being “disruptive and competitive – offering all of the features of a proprietary and more expensive industrial PLC, but at a much lower price point”.
Cloud-based laser system can align almost any machine
Prüftechnik, a division of Fluke Reliability, has announced a laser alignment system that, it says, exceeds the capabilities of conventional tools, delivering better speed and accuracy. The ShaftAlign Touch system supports adaptive alignment and cloud access to help cut maintenance costs and downtime.
Pneumatic valve system is the first to support wireless
Emerson claims to be offering the first pneumatic valve system that supports wireless commissioning and configuration. A new wireless module for its Aventics G3 electronic fieldbus platform allows users to perform commissioning and diagnostics from a smartphone, tablet or laptop computer.
Digital twins will speed development of CNC machine tools
The CNC (computer numerical control) specialist NUM has announced a digital twin technology that will allow machine tool manufacturers to cut their time-to-market dramatically, by using powerful simulation techniques.
Compact VSDs have 180% overload capacities
The Austrian automation manufacturer Sigmatek has announced a family of variable-speed drives for controlling low-voltage asynchronous motors, with ratings from 0.37–132kW in nine sizes. The single-phase (200/240V) or three-phase 380/480V) FDD 3000 drives have overload capacities up to 180%, making them suitable for applications that require a high levels of torque for short periods.
Free AR smartphone app visualises robotic installations
ABB has announced an AR (augmented reality) app for smartphones and tablets that offers a quick and easy way of visualising where and how robotic automation can fit into production processes. The RobotStudio AR viewer can be used to test models created in ABB’s PC-based RobotStudio programming suite, enabling users to get an idea of the size and scale of a robot or robot cell and how it could be deployed on a factory floor to fit around existing production equipment.
Safe servodrives offer ‘the most advanced functions’
Elmo Motion Control has announced a series of miniature servodrives which, it claims, offer “the most advanced servo functionality and functional safety available today”. The Platinum drives are an evolution of Elmo’s Gold line, and the company says they will allow OEMs to manufacture smaller and safer machines, with lower costs and shorter time to market.
Relay monitors power systems remotely for earth faults
Bender has launched an earth leakage relay that can monitor earthed power systems (TN and TT) remotely for earth faults. The RCM410R relay identifies deteriorating insulation resistance, thus identifying developing earth faults at an early stage, allowing planned intervention that maximises safety and system availability for operators and maintenance teams.
