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28 March, 2024

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‘Revolutionary’ encoder adapts to any shaft size

09 December, 2013

The German sensor manufacturer Baumer has developed a “revolutionary” magnetic encoder technology that provides precise angular and speed measurements from large shafts of almost any diameter.


Microdrive is ‘the smallest with a built-in HMI’

05 December, 2013

The Brazilian drive technology and motor manufacturer WEG has launched a mini frequency inverter which, it claims, is the smallest to incorporate an LCD HMI. The CFW100 inverter, which made its debut at the recent SPS IPC Drives show in Germany, has a built-in micro-PLC that supports IEC 61131-3 programming, making the drive suitable for simple applications such as swimming pool pumps, small fans and special-purpose machines


Passive harmonic filter ‘exceeds active filter efficiencies’

04 December, 2013

The Canadian power quality specialist Mirus International has announced a high-performance harmonic filter that, it claims, matches the performance of active front-ends (AFEs) and is at least 2% more efficient than active harmonic filters (AHFs). It adds that the Lineator HP (high performance) filter is also free from the high-frequency harmonics and noise issues associated with inverters used in active systems.


Microdrives include autotuning sensorless vector mode

04 December, 2013

At the recent SPS IPC Drives show in Germany, Parker Hannifin unveiled a new family of microdrives aimed at speed or torque control applications in the power range 0.2–15kW. It claims that the AC10 drives, which come in five frame sizes, are among the smallest of their type, and offer functions normally associated with higher-specification drives.


‘World’s most popular PLC’ enters a new generation

02 December, 2013

Mitsubishi Electric has unveiled a new generation of its FX compact PLC, with the claims that it is three times faster, and will cut running costs and energy consumption. At the recent SPS IPC Drives show in Germany, the company also launched a new version of its high-end iQ series modular PAC (programmable automation controller), which can control up to 192 axes and is said to cut development, maintenance and operating costs.


3G gateway simplifies remote management of equipment

20 November, 2013

The Swedish industrial communications specialist HMS Industrial Networks has launched a communication gateway that, it claims, will make it easier to configure, monitor and control industrial equipment remotely.


Submersible PM motor can boost outputs by 50%

20 November, 2013

The US-based flow control specialist Flowserve has announced a submersible electric motor that uses permanent magnet technology. It claims that the pump motor is up to 10% more efficient than asynchronous motors, has a longer operating life, and can boost power outputs by nearly 50%.


Explosion-proof motors add a cast-iron option

18 November, 2013

Siemens Drive Technologies division has announced a range of explosion-proof motors with cast-iron housings aimed at challenging hazardous and corrosive environments such as those found in the chemical, pharmaceutical, oil and gas sectors. The motors expand Siemens’ Simotics XP 1MB1 portfolio which, until now, has been available only with aluminium housings.


Instruments can perform real-time power analyses

18 November, 2013

Yokogawa has launched a pair of portable instruments that can perform real-time measurement and analysis of electrical power variables. The ScopeCorder DL850E and the DL850EV (dedicated to vehicle applications) instruments combine the functions of a high-performance digital oscilloscope with those of a multi-channel data-acquisition recorder that can capture and analyse transient events and trends for periods of up to 200 days.


'Premium micro-PLC' outperforms similarly priced logic blocks

12 November, 2013

Mitsubishi Electric has announced a new micro-PLC which, it claims, creates a new class of device – which it calls a “premium micro-PLC” – offering many of the functions of compact PLCs, but at similar price to a logic block.


Networking arrivals help to deliver secure infrastructures

08 November, 2013

Rockwell Automation has announced a clutch of wireless and security networking products which, it says, will help manufacturers to build more cost-effective, unified and secure network infrastructures from the enterprise down to shopfloor end-devices. The additions to the Allen-Bradley Stratix family of industrial switches and routers use Cisco’s IOS network infrastructure.


High-efficiency gearboxes are 42% lighter

05 November, 2013

The German motion and automation specialist Lenze has developed a new generation of small, lightweight gearboxes with efficiencies of 94–96% across their entire operating range. The helical, helical-bevel and shaft-mounted helical gearboxes will make their public debut at the SPS IPC Drives show in Nuremberg later this month.


Next-generation robots use less power and cost less to own

05 November, 2013

ABB has unveiled a seventh generation of large robots with the claim that they are faster, more accurate and have bigger payloads than their predecessors, as well as being easier to service and using 15% less power. They are also said to cost less to own.


PLC can cope with tough environments

01 November, 2013

Siemens has developed a controller specifically for use in tough environments. The Siplus S7-1500 controller has been designed to provide reliable operation in extreme conditions including the presence of high levels of humidity, corrosive vapours, salt and dust. In hot climates, it can cut energy costs because no extra air conditioning is needed.


Compact vision system uses a single Ethernet cable

25 October, 2013

National Instruments has announced a compact vision system that uses a single Ethernet cable to power a camera, send triggers and acquire images. The NI CVS-1457RT system has two independent GigE Vision ports with Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology that support deterministic camera triggering over the Ethernet bus and are compatible with low-cost PoE cameras and non-PoE GigE cameras.


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