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29 March, 2024

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Rockwell releases its first machine-mounting controller

24 January, 2014

Rockwell Automation has announced its first machine-mounting safety controller, promising that it will simplify system architectures and save panel space. The Allen-Bradley Armor GuardLogix PAC (programmable automation controller) is a multi-use controller in a hardened package that can be installed directly onto a machine.


Dual-role instrument can test motors and drives

24 January, 2014

New ways of testing motors and drives could emerge following the launch of an instrument that combines power analysis with oscilloscope-style time-based measurement. Its developer, Yokogawa, describes the PX8000 as “the world’s first precision power scope”.


Plug-in modules add extra outputs to power supplies

20 January, 2014

The Japanese automation manufacturer Idec claims to have produced the first industrial power supply that offers a series of optional DC-DC converter modules to provide multiple voltage outputs from a single PSU. The 21mm-wide modules clip onto the side of the PS6R switching power supply to provide a choice of DC voltages, including ±5V, +12V and ±15V.


AC systems drives are based on standardised modules

16 January, 2014

The Finnish drives-maker Vacon has announced a range of AC system drives that will allow systems integrators to offer their customers in heavy industries a variety of standardised drive modules.


Industrial security router protects against cyber-attacks

14 January, 2014

Belden has announced a device that it describes as “the Swiss Army knife of security routers”. The Hirschmann Eagle One router is designed to protect industrial systems against network incidents and cyber-attacks, thus improving security, reliability and performance.


Drive safety monitor can cut machine downtime

08 January, 2014

The German sensor manufacturer Sick has announced a safety device designed to monitor machine movements rather than simply initiating shutdowns, thus reducing unnecessary downtime. The FX3-MOC Drive Monitor – part of Sick’s Flexi Soft modular safety control system – can monitor multiple axes.


Expanded drives family adds new capabilities

07 January, 2014

At the recent SPS IPC Drives show in Germany, ABB announced several extensions to its ACS880 family of industrial drives including: higher power ranges for cabinet-built versions; high-power single-drive module packages; increased protection (IP55) for wall-mounted single drives; and the capability to control synchronous reluctance (SynRM) motors.


Comms system simplifies motor starter installations

07 January, 2014

Eaton has developed a multi-function electronic motor starter which offers integrated control via its SmartWire-DT communication and connection technology. It says that the combination will make it easier and faster to connect starters to automation environments, as well as minimising wiring.


Integrated smart motor is ‘one of the smallest’

06 January, 2014

The German motor-maker Faulhaber has collaborated with the Swiss motion controls specialist Technosoft to produce one of the world’s smallest smart motors for speed and position control. The motor-drive uses EtherCat communications and supports the CAN–over–EtherCat protocol.


CPUs link Simatic and EtherCat worlds

06 January, 2014

Vipa, the German controls company owned by Yaskawa, has developed a pair of EtherCat master controllers which also have built-in Profibus masters, thus allowing them to link the Siemens Simatic world to EtherCat networks and technologies.


Single-cable distributed servodrives ‘can save 80%’

06 January, 2014

Kollomorgen claims that a new distributed servodrive technology, which uses a single hybrid cable to link IP67-protected servo controllers near a motor to central power modules located in switchgear cabinets, can cut costs by more than 80% by saving cabinet space and simplifying the cabling.


Integrated PM motors deliver high power densities

03 January, 2014

The German manufacturer Baumüller has integrated a range of permanent magnet synchronous motors, previously used as part of its powerMela system for mobile drives, with its b maXX 5000 controllers to produce efficient 80kW and 140kW drives with high power densities, suitable for use in restricted spaces.


Servodrives are '25% cheaper than rivals'

03 January, 2014

A new range of servodrives from the German manufacturer Metronix has been designed to be about 25% cheaper than comparable European drives. The company has achieved this using various techniques, including embedding features that would usually be provided using expansion slots. It has also split the electronics across two PCBs, thus reducing the number of layers needed and allowing single-sided component mounting.


IE4 PM motor package will pay for itself in two years

12 December, 2013

At the recent SPS IPC Drives show in Germany, Yaskawa was demonstrating a package of a permanent magnet (PM) motor and a matching inverter which, it says, operates with a higher efficiency than the proposed IE4 level and will pay for itself in about two years through increased energy savings compared to an IE2 motor-and-inverter combination.


Next-generation drives offer 3ms scan times

10 December, 2013

Mitsubishi Electric has previewed its next generation of general-purpose VSDs (variable speed drives) at the SPS IPC Drives show in Germany. The company also showed a new 690V addition to its earlier FR-A700 series.


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