The global site of the UK's leading magazine for automation, motion engineering and power transmission
28 March, 2024

LinkedIn
Twitter
Twitter link
News » Product News 

Sensor skin adds safety to six-axis collaborative robot

03 July, 2018

Bosch Rexroth has entered the world of collaborative robots (cobots) with a six-axis arm, based on a Kuka design, which uses a capacitive sensor skin to avoid collisions, without needing to make physical contact with an object. Equipped with more than 120 sensors, the skin allows the robot to stop automatically at a safe speed of 0.5m/s with a typical secure switching distance of 50mm.


Conveyor roller-drive is ‘the first to offer digital feedback’

29 June, 2018

SEW-Eurodrive claims to be offering the first conveyor roller-drive that can be monitored constantly using a digital feedback system. It says that other roller-drives are controlled by analogue signals, providing no feedback on the motor’s temperature or speed, and making it difficult to isolate the cause of any errors.


Modular PLCs combine redundancy and safety

28 June, 2018

Mitsubishi has announced that its Melsec iQ-R modular PLCs are now available as redundant pairs of controllers for extra reliability. The PLCs also include functions for monitoring and managing safety.


1Gbit I/O modules boost productivity and flexibility

26 June, 2018

Rockwell Automation has announced a new generation of I/O modules that support real-time, intelligent process control. It says that the Allen-Bradley Flex 5000 I/O platform will lead to smarter, more productive and more flexible industrial control systems.


Welsh IP66 drives make their debut at the Hannover Fair

22 June, 2018

One of a handful of UK automation companies at the recent Hannover Fair was the Welsh drives-maker Invertek, which launched a range of IP66-protected, outdoor-rated VSDs, as well as a pair of tools for its Optidrive family.


Software helps OEMs to track, monitor and fix machines remotely

22 June, 2018

Schneider Electric has announced a software platform that lets OEM machine-builders track, monitor and fix their machines remotely, and pass on the benefits to their customers. The EcoStruxure Machine Advisor software is designed to turn data into key insights.


Tool will help OEM machine-builders to sell extended services

22 June, 2018

Lenze believes it has spotted a gap in the market that will help machine-builders to take advantage of developments such as predictive maintenance and improved productivity, and to market them as services, rather than simply selling hardware. This model requires a secure location where data on machine components can be collected.


Remote monitoring system helps to cut downtime

22 June, 2018

Eriks has announced an Industry 4.0-compatible condition-monitoring system for remote access to, and predictive maintenance of, critical industrial assets. Called e-Connect, it monitors and gathers data on crucial assets to provide insights into their condition, behaviour and performance. This information can be used to cut the downtime and costs associated with unexpected maintenance and repairs.


Push-in terminals ‘halve wiring times and simplify panels’

30 May, 2018

Rockwell Automation has announced a family of terminal blocks that, it claims, will improve connections and simplify panel designs. It adds that the Allen-Bradley Bulletin 1492-P push-in terminal blocks will halve wiring times, reduce maintenance and increase the reliability of the connections.


Technology integrates electrical and process data in one view

23 May, 2018

Rockwell Automation has announced a technology that gives plant operators a single, integrated view of process and electrical system data. Called the IntelliCenter Integration Unit, it combines intelligent electrical distribution devices with a process automation environment. Integrating these elements into a single control and software platform is said to avoid the need for a separate electrical Scada system and to give process and electrical operators a single, unified view of their data.


All-electric actuators ‘out-perform hydraulics’

15 May, 2018

A US company has developed a maintenance-free electromechnical linear actuator technology that, it claims, offers higher power densities and better reliability than rollerscrew or hydraulic technologies. Massachusetts-based Rise Robotics says that its Rise Cylinder actuators can replace hydraulic systems of all sizes, resulting in quieter, more efficient, all-electric machines.


Sensorless vector control comes to MV drives below 200A

15 May, 2018

Rockwell Automation has enhanced its Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 6000 range of medium-voltage drives by adding sensorless vector control (SVC) for applications up to 200A, as well as introducing new voltage ratings (6.9kV and 11kV) and a standard-efficiency transformer option for the Asia-Pacific market.


Tiny industrial PC has a built-in UPS

09 May, 2018

At the recent Hannover Fair, Beckhoff unveiled the latest in its series of tiny industrial PCs – this time with an onboard one-second capacitive UPS (uninterruptible power supply), designed to store data in the event of a power failure.


SEW-Eurodrive announces its own encoders and gear oil

08 May, 2018

At the recent Hannover Fair, SEW-Eurodrive announced that had developed and is manufacturing its own high-resolution encoders for use in its motors, and will also offer own-brand gear oils which, it claims, will improve lubrication and reduce wear.


‘First’ IP54 condition-monitoring kit can be running in a day

04 May, 2018

Bosch and Harting have collaborated to develop what they claim is the first IP54-protected, plug-and-play condition-monitoring IoT kit for industrial applications. It allows digital condition monitoring to be implemented quickly for of any kind of machinery, without needing any IT expertise. They say that it can be up-and-running within a day.


Magazine
  • To view a digital copy of the latest issue of Drives & Controls, click here.

    To visit the digital library of past issues, click here

    To subscribe to the magazine, click here

     

Poll

"Do you think that robots create or destroy jobs?"

Newsletter
Newsletter

Events

Most Read Articles