News » Product News Flexible relay simplifies safety for up to five zones
Rockwell Automation claims that its latest safety relay will allow machine-builders to implement safety functions easily, while improving productivity. The Allen-Bradley Guardmaster 440C CR30, which complies with PLe and SIL 3, is aimed at applications requiring four to nine safety circuits and control of up to five zones.
22mm brushless motor ‘delivers 50% more power’
Dunkermotoren, the German manufacturer of small motors, has developed a 22mm-diameter brushless DC motor which, it claims, produces up to 50% more power than similar-sized brushless motors. The three-phase, axial-flux motor weighs only 63 grams and is claimed to deliver “exceptional” power to size and weight ratios.
'First service-oriented drive cuts downtime by 20%'
Schneider Electric used the recent Drives & Controls Show in the UK to preview a new generation of variable-speed drives which it describes as its “first service-oriented, intelligent drives family”. The Altivar Process drives have been developed for manufacturing and process industry applications and are designed to help factory owners, plant managers and engineers to manage their processes better, and to ensure that they are performing as efficiently as possible.
Light grid can detect and sort parts to a resolution of 0.01mm
At the 2014 Hannover Fair, Balluff unveiled a light grid system that can detect objects with a resolution of 0.01mm and can be used to compare and sort items based on tiny differences in size. The BLA grid can also be used to perform presence and height checks on objects up to 50mm wide, over a range of up to 2m.
Positioning controllers can handle dynamic motors
The Swiss small motor specialist maxon motor has announced a compact EtherCat slave controller which, it says, offers “unprecedented possibilities as far as precision, dynamics, and synchronization are concerned”.
Linear axes have integrated inductive measuring system
The German bearing manufacturer Schaeffler has developed an integrated system for measuring the travel of linear axes in machine tools and other precision machinery. The LMSA (length measurement system analogue) uses an inductive measuring principle to achieve accuracies of ±3µm/m.
Cabinet and wall-mounting drives span ratings up to 160kW
CG Drives & Automation – the new name for the Swedish drives-maker formerly known as Emotron – has announced a series of AC drives optimised for mounting in electrical cabinets (IP20) or on control room walls (IP21). The drives are based on the IP54-rated Emotron FDU and VFX ranges.
Electric motors challenge diesel for fracking pumps
The American motor manufacturer Ward Leonard has developed a line of powerful AC induction motors designed to replace the diesel engines conventionally used to power fracking (hydraulic fracturing) pumps. The rugged 2,000–6,000hp (1.5–4.5MW) motors are designed for continuous-duty operation and for use with medium-voltage VFDs (variable frequency drives).
Compact control system combines relay and logic functions
Phoenix Contact has announced a programmable logic relay system that combines relay technology and logic functions in a single compact package. The modular PLC logic system is designed to provide control and switching functions for small automation tasks.
Technology can configure PLCs and machines remotely
The Swedish communications specialist HMS Industrial Networks has announced a technology that provides instant, secure communications with remote equipment, such as PLCs and machines. The Netbiter Remote Access system allows users to use their usual PLC configuration software – such as Rockwell RSLogix or Siemens TIA Portal – as if they were connected to the machine on site.
‘Groundbreaking’ HV motors make a Hannover debut
At this week’s Hannover Fair, ABB has launched a new generation of “groundbreaking” high-voltage, rib-cooled motors that combine compact dimensions, high power densities, high reliability and easy maintenance.
Quick-mount photo sensors can be installed in 10s
The German sensor-maker Sick has announced a family of photoelectric sensors that use a screwless mounting system that allows them to be installed or replaced in 10 seconds. The tough G10 sensors are available in adjustment-free versions that save further installation time and eliminate the risk of unintentional changes to the sensor settings.
Programmable panel meter combines digits and graphs
Trumeter Technologies has developed a low-cost, multi-format programmable panel meter which, it claims, is easiest to use and read on the market. The Advanced Panel Meter (APM) can display information in both digital and bargraph formats, giving an immediate visual indication of the measured parameter.
Smartphone-sized LV drive supports Sercos III communications
The Israeli motion control specialist Servotronix has launched a compact, high-power servodrive with a Sercos III interface, that is aimed at 15–48V DC bus servo motion applications. The LVD Sercos III drive can be used with small low-voltage brushless, stepper or brushed DC motors.
4:3 displays can be converted into Panel PCs
The Austrian automation manufacturer B&R has announced a second generation of displays in a 4:3 format with single-touch operation. Because the Automation Panels are part of B&R's modular system platform, they can be combined with a CPU module to create a panel PC with scalable performance up to Intel Core i7 levels.
