News » Product News 1,500kg capacity mobile robots can replace forklifts
Omron has announced a mobile robot with a payload capacity of up to 1,500kg, capable of carrying large components such as car bodies and pallets that would traditionally have needed forklifts to move. The HD-1500 robot’s on-board battery can recharge in 36 minutes and can handle a full shift on a full load, thus reducing downtime.
20 years on, gateways reach their second generation
HMS Networks has announced a second generation of its Anybus Communicator gateway family for connecting devices and machines to industrial networks, almost 20 years after the first generation was released. Millions of devices and machines now rely on Communicators for network connections in a wide range of industrial applications. The two generations will co-exist with separate lifecycle plans.
SIL 3 safety controller will cut costs and boost productivity
Rockwell Automation has expanded its family of safety controllers by adding a new device that brings the performance and cost-saving benefits of its Allen-Bradley Compact GuardLogix 5380 controllers to safety applications. Engineers can now scale applications up to and including SIL 3/PLe with 1oo2 architecture.
Platform-independent measurement software is ‘the first’
A German measurement technology specialist Delphin Technology has come up with a software product that, it claims, for the first time combines measurement technology functions with platform independence. The ProfiSignal 20 software allows data analyses and process visualisations to be viewed on smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs.
Ultracapacitors save braking energy to fend off power cuts
Siemens has announced a range of ultracapacitor modules designed to recover and store braking energy from machines to avoid peak loads and ensure that the machines continue to operate during power outages. The DLC UltraCap modules can store energy for machinery such as handling systems, robotics, machine tools, metal-forming technologies, and wood, glass and plastic processing systems.
Outdoor plastics enclosures ‘redefine’ the technology
The German enclosure-maker Rittal claims that it is “completely redefining” plastic enclosure technology with a new family of enclosures designed to protect electrical components even in harsh outdoor environments. The new AX enclosures – which replace the previous KS series – incorporate new mounting functions said to make rapid expansion possible and to provide more scope for installations using smart technologies. For the first time, says Rittal, they will transform plastic housings into enclosure systems, with enhanced scope for interior installation.
Water-cooled motors deliver 40% more power than TEFC
ABB has announced a pair of water-cooled motors that, it says, will deliver an average of 40% more power than fan-cooled designs. The constant cooling of the AXW 315 and 400 IEC frame motors extends their insulation and bearing lives, thus boosting uptime. Their small footprints save space.
5G router for private industrial networks is ‘the first’
Three companies – Phoenix Contact, Quectel and Ericsson – have worked together to develop and deploy the first 5G router for local industrial applications in private 5G networks. It will allow machines, controls and other equipment to be connected to private 5G networks to manage their behaviour and use of resources.
Direct-drive integrated servomotor has wide speed range
The UK positioning technology manufacturer Overview has announced a direct-drive, integrated servomotor with a wide dynamic speed range (0.05–720 degrees/second), 0.007-degree repeatability and 1Nm of output torque. The Miranda motor fills a torque gap in Overview’s Servotorq series of direct-drive, servomotors, which are designed to deliver high positional accuracy with fast, smooth and silent motion.
Fast, high-payload delta robot targets retail logistics
ABB has announced a flexible, high-payload delta robot to target applications such as customised packaging, vertical packing, and high-speed, high-variation sorting and on-demand order-picking in logistics and e-commerce fulfilment centres.
5 Mpx vision sensors can replace several low-res devices
The German sensor-maker Sensopart has announced a 5 Megapixel vision sensor which it describes as “unique”. The Visor V50 boasts an image resolution that is several times larger than standard vision sensors.
Bolt-on device can link remote assets anywhere in the world
HMS Networks has announced a device that delivers reliable cellular-based Internet connections for remote assets almost anywhere in the world. The Anybus Wireless Bolt IoT uses Low Power Wide Area Network (LP-WAN) technologies with frugal power needs, limited bandwidths (25-300 kbit/s), and low connection costs.
Tool can slash enclosure configuring times by up to 95%
The enclosure manufacturer Rittal has announced a tool for configuring its small enclosures that, it says, can cut the time it takes to choose, configure and purchase a compact enclosure by up to 95%. The Rittal Configuration System (RiCS) allows users to browse through an online catalogue of more than 250 accessories, but only shows them components that are suitable for a chosen cabinet. Once selected, the accessory can be positioned in an online 3D model of the enclosure.
Efficient motors comply with new Ecodesign Directive
The German drives and automation specialist Lenze is launching a new motor platform that complies with the Ecodesign Directive that is due to come into force in Europe in the summer of 2021. The m500 motors are designed to be future-proof and can be used worldwide. They are intended primarily to be combined with Lenze’s g500 gearboxes and i500 inverters.
Intuitive software speeds cobot set-ups and cuts costs
Mitsubishi Electric in Japan has announced a series of collaborative robots (cobots) designed to be deployed quickly using intuitive programming software. It says that the combination will help to achieve more efficient production, and cut the total cost of ownership (TCO) of robotic systems
