News » Product News MV drive accepts 13.8kV primary in ‘half the space’
Rockwell Automation has announced a medium-voltage drive which, it claims, delivers industry-leading performance in about half the space. The PowerFlex 6000T drive accepts primary voltages up to 13.8kV in a width of 2,310–3,010mm. It is aimed at new and retrofit applications in IEC markets, especially where space is at a premium.
1,350kg-capacity AMRs are first to offer IP52 protection
Danish-based Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR), which claims to be the global market leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), has launched a pair of AMRs which are its most powerful to date and can be used to transport pallets and other heavy loads around manufacturing facilities, warehouses and logistics centres. The 600kg-capacity MiR600 and the 1,350kg-capacity MiR1350 robots are said to be the first AMRs with an IP52 ingress protection rating, which means they can tolerate dust and water drops.
Tools boost efficiency of automation and electrical design
Siemens Digital Industries Software has released a pair of software packages for designing automation systems and industrial electrical equipment. It says that the NX Automation Designer and NX Industrial Electrical Design tools can help manufacturers of production systems to manage design complexity, cut development lifecycles and increase the quality of their designs.
Emulation software tests controls before they are deployed
Rockwell Automation has released emulation software for its ControlLogix 5580 family of controllers which allows engineers to test control code in a virtual environment before deploying the hardware. It says that the FactoryTalk Logix Echo controller software will save time and costs for machine designers, optimise machine performance, and reduce time-to-market.
Battery-free vibration sensors can check all machines in a plant
Fluke Reliability has announced a battery-free wireless system for monitoring machine vibrations, that can help to identify potential faults before breakdowns occur. The “set-and-forget” Fluke 3562 Screening Vibration Sensor system can connect up to 1,000 sensors to a single gateway and can operate continuously, even in hard-to-reach places.
Live machine safety dashboard promises improved uptime
The German-sensor maker Sick has announced a safety monitoring service that generates live visualisations of one or more machines, allowing users to monitor the status of their safety processes in real time. The Safety Machine Analytics software can help to investigate the causes of stoppages and eliminate them, as well as providing longer-term analyses to help improve maintenance and productivity.
Device adds safety functions to tablet-based HMIs
The HMI manufacturer Idec Apem has developed a device that converts tablet computers into industrial HMIs with hardwired emergency stop (e-stop) buttons and safety functions. The HT3P Safety Commander is designed to address the growing use of tablets in industrial automation settings.
Siemens and Cisco announce industrial 5G routers
Cisco and Siemens have both announced new ranges of 5G industrial routers. Cisco’s claims that its portfolio of IoT routers is the broadest on the market, and can be used to extend enterprise networks to the edge with flexibility, security and scalability.
System monitors condition of conveyor belts in real time
ABB has launched a digital condition-monitoring technology for conveyor belts that allows users to track speed, misalignment, damage, thickness and wear, slippage and the temperature of their belts in real time. The ABB Ability condition-monitoring service, which is aimed mainly at installations at mines and processing plants, helps to anticipate maintenance, avoid unplanned downtime, and improve belt reliability and lifetime.
Codesys-based motion controller eases programming
The Taiwanese automation supplier Delta has announced a series of compact, mid-range motion controllers based on the Codesys development environment. The AX-308E controllers, which can handle up to eight EtherCat servodrives, as well as inverters, remote I/O modules and third-party devices, are said to reduce programming times.
‘Unique’ servomotors ‘are 50% smaller and cost 70% less’
A US motor manufacturer has announced a range of compact integrated servomotors that, it claims, offer the performance of high-end industrial servos at the price of quality stepper motors and controllers. Philadelphia-based IQ Motion Control says that its Fortiq BLS42 motors are 50% smaller and cost 70% less than traditional industrial servomotors.
Device can implement CIP Security even on older systems
Rockwell Automation has announced a device that allows industrial companies to implement the CIP Security protocol on most devices on a network, helping to protect their operations – even when using older systems. The Allen-Bradley CIP Security Proxy device works with EtherNet/IP-compliant devices to provide security for an entire network.
Edge platform helps manufacturers to develop analytics
Emerson has announced an industrial edge platform designed to help manufacturers accelerate their digital transformation projects. The PACEdge platform simplifies application development by bringing together open-source tools in a flexible, integrated and secure platform for machine data and analytics.
Smart industrial AI camera is first to use powerful new module
Adlink Technology, the Taiwanese edge computing specialist, has launched the first smart camera to use a new Nvidia module which is claimed to perform more than ten times better than its widely-used predecessor. The AI-based Neon-2000-JNX camera eliminates the need for complex integration of image sensor modules, cables and PCs. The compact, rugged all-in-one device is designed to simplify the deployment of smart cameras and to speed up time-to-market.
Split roller bearing handles bigger loads and lasts much longer
The UK bearings manufacturer, Bowman International, has developed a split roller bearing (SRB) that, it claims, offers substantially higher radial and axial load capacities than rival products, as well as increasing bearing lives by up to five times
