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28 March, 2024

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Machine controller simplifies semi applications

17 October, 2014

Omron has announced a machine controller that is aimed at simplifying semiconductor industry applications and cutting development costs and lead times.


Modular blocks will slash software development ‘by 67%’

15 October, 2014

At next month’s SPS IPC Drives trade show in Germany, the Austrian automation manufacturer B&R will unveil a modular engineering software system that, it claims, will cut the time needed to develop the application software for new machines and systems by an average of 67%, as well as reducing service and maintenance costs.


Track-mountable breaker comes with worldwide approvals

10 October, 2014

E-T-A Circuit Breakers claims to have produced the first track-mountable electronic circuit-breaker with physical isolation that comes with worldwide approvals. The ESS31-T mechatronic breaker provides overcurrent protection against overloads and short-circuits when the current in a 24V DC control circuit exceeds the current-carrying capacity of the conductor or the rated value of a component.


Energy monitoring system ‘costs 30% less’

10 October, 2014

The French manufacturer Socomec has developed a modular energy measurement and monitoring system which, it claims, can be implemented in a quarter of the time of rival metering technologies, and at a cost that is 30% lower.


IE4 motors can replace low-efficiency machines directly

08 October, 2014

At next month’s SPS IPC Drives show in Germany, Siemens will be launching two ranges of IE4 “super premium” efficiency induction motors that are around 14% more efficient than IE1 machines and 3% more efficient than IE3 motors.


Three-axis servodrive can slash cabinet space by 69%

08 October, 2014

The Austrian manufacturer B&R Automation claims that a three-axis servodrive that it is launching at next month’s SPS IPC Drives show in Germany will be the most efficient servodrive available with integrated safety functions. The Acopos P3 drive has a power density of 4A per litre of space, and a sampling time of just 50µs for the entire controller cascade, resulting in “previously unobtainable dynamics and precision,” according to B&R.


Microcontroller will offer safety functions for the same price

07 October, 2014

At next month’s SPS IPC Drives show in Germany, Siemens will be unveiling significant additions to its Simatic family of industrial controls, including failsafe versions of its basic S7-1200 controllers which, it says, will be unique in offering safety functions for a similar price to a standard microcontroller.


Micro-PLC is ’70 times faster and 10 times smaller'

06 October, 2014

California-based Maxim Integrated Products has announced a modular micro-PLC platform with a footprint that, it claims, is 10% the size of traditional PLCs, as well as needing 50% less power and running much cooler. The company also claims that the PLC’s digital outputs can process data 70 times faster than traditional designs, allowing faster production throughputs.


Tool bridges gap between IR cameras and thermometers

06 October, 2014

Flir Systems has released a device that, it says, will bridge the gap between single-spot infrared thermometers and thermal cameras. The TG165 Imaging IR Thermometer allows users to see invisible heat patterns, to measure temperatures and to store images and measurement data.


High-speed vision system has two USB 3.0 ports

30 September, 2014

National Instruments has announced a compact, high-speed vision system with two high-bandwidth USB 3.0 ports, making it compatible with low-cost USB3 Vision cameras. The NI CVS-1459RT system is based on a quad-core Intel Atom processor and synchronises with automation devices to trigger camera and lighting devices via onboard I/O.


Datalogging software captures and stores PLC data

25 September, 2014

The German automation specialist Deltalogic has announced a software-based datalogger that can read and store data from a variety of PLCs made by Siemens and Sigmatek.


Ethernet modules are tailored to protocol before despatch

22 September, 2014

The Swedish industrial communications specialist HMS Industrial Networks has announced a system that allows equipment manufacturers to tailor their products to support specific industrial Ethernet protocols by installing the required protocol – Profinet, EtherCat, EtherNet/IP or Ethernet Powerlink – before delivering a product to the customer.


Laser shaft alignment tool helps to set up machines rapidly

16 September, 2014

Fluke has announced an easy-to-use, laser-based shaft alignment tool that performs complicated alignment calculations automatically, thus helping to align machines quickly. The Fluke 830 tool is said to eliminate the difficult calculations and guesswork associated with traditional straight-edge or dial indicator alignment methods, and to reduce repair time, unplanned downtime and the need for replacement parts.


Secure remote machine access takes 15 minutes to set up

16 September, 2014

A Danish communications specialist, Secomea, has developed a M2M (machine-to-machine) communications system which, it says, provides secure remote access to machines and takes just 15 minutes to set up. The system provides simple, but secure, access to remote devices including PLCs, HMIs, drives, I/O blocks, and even USB and serial devices.


IP67 Ethernet switches mount onto machines

19 August, 2014

Rockwell Automation and Cisco have jointly developed an Ethernet switch designed to be mounted directly on machinery. The rugged, IP67-protected Allen-Bradley ArmorStratix 5700 is a Layer 2 managed industrial Ethernet switch that can be mounted onto a machine or application, reducing the size and cost of control cabinets, and shrinking machine footprints.


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