News » Product News Control module will ‘revolutionise’ edge applications
Rockwell Automation has announced a module that, it claims, will “revolutionise” edge computing capabilities for its Logix controllers, opening up new applications and enhancing their processing power and versatility. The Embedded Edge Compute module (EEC) allows IT (information technology) and OT (operational technology) to converge at the Logix level for more direct monitoring.
AI maintenance tool predicts failures ‘days in advance’
Fiix Software, the Canadian CMMS (computerised maintenance management system) specialist that Rockwell Automation bought in 2020, has announced a “game-changing” AI (artificial intelligence) product, that it claims, will predict equipment breakdowns days before they happen by learning the signs of equipment failure in as little as seven days.
Educational robot will help students to learn new skills
ABB Robotics has launched a six-axis robot aimed at users in the education sector. The 21kg IRB 1090 robot offers a reach of 580mm and a payload of 3.5kg. It is 20% lighter than its predecessor and has a 10% smaller footprint, making it easier to move and install.
RS adds 4,000 automation products to its RS Pro portfolio
The global distributor RS has added 4,000 new industrial automation products to the existing 15,000 items in its RS Pro own-label offering.
Software cuts data-handling and boosts uptime by up to 20%
ABB Robotics has released a modular software platform that streamlines data collection, visualisation and analysis in automated production facilities. It claims that the OptiFact platform will cut data collection and analysis times by 25%, and increase production uptime by up to 20%.
Compact PLC supports IIoT and CC-Link IE Field Basic
Mitsubishi Electric has announced a compact PLC for implementing cost-effective machines with up to 60 I/O points. The Melsec FX5S PLC offers Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) functions for entry-level automation applications in sectors such as food and beverage, water and machining,
Supercapacitor packs deliver back-up power for IPCs and HMIs
Premio, the Californian rugged edge and embedded computing specialist, has launched an industrial supercapacitor-based power back-up system that provides configurable power redundancy for equipment such as industrial computers, displays and panel PCs. In the event of a power loss or instability, the Eco-1000 EdgeBoost EnergyPack provides sufficient redundant power to initiate a safe shutdown to prevent data from being lost or corrupted.
Wire tracers promise accuracy and safety when locating cables
Fluke has launched a pair of wire tracers designed to simplify the process of tracing and troubleshooting on both energised and de-energised wires. The Fluke 2052 Advanced Wire Tracer and 2062 Advanced Pro Wire Tracer kits have a safety rating of Cat IV 600V – the highest for any wire tracer, with others tending to be Cat III rated, according to the company. The Cat IV rating protects users from the most dangerous overvoltage transients (spikes of up to 8kV) that can occur in industrial and utility environments.
Two drives families promise power without complexity
Parker Hannifin has announced two new series of mid-range AC inverter drives for applications ranging from simple fan/pump and conveyor controls, to multi-drive production lines requiring speed-following and winder calculations.
Machine-builders can customise HMIs to suit their needs
Rockwell Automation has released a line of graphic terminals based on technologies that it acquired when it bought the Italian automation manufacturer Asem in 2020. The Allen‑Bradley OptixPanel terminals cover screen sizes from 4–21.5 inches, in 4:3 or widescreen proportions, with bezel options including stainless-steel, aluminium and glass.
New Renishaw range tackles automation problems
The UK-headquartered engineering company, Renishaw, has developed a series of products to solve industrial automation problems such as such as achieving accuracy and repeatability when setting up, calibrating and maintaining robots.
Family of six-axis cobots can handle payloads up to 18kg
Schneider Electric has launched a family of collaborative robots (cobots) in five sizes, with payloads from 3–18kg, working radii from 626–1,327mm, operating speeds from 1.5–3.5m/s, and positioning repeatabilities from ±0.02mm to ±0.03mm. The Lexium cobots are claimed to have some of the smallest footprints in the industry and to need 30-40% less space than traditional robots.
Scalable servodrives will result in leaner, greener machines
Rockwell Automation has announced a range of distributed servodrives that it says will result in leaner, greener and more powerful machine designs. The scalable ArmorKinetix servodrives, with outputs up to 5.5kW, are available either as distributed drives or as integrated drives and motors.
RS adds details of more than a billion parts to DesignSpark
RS has added a “Product Design Centre” – a product data library with information on more than one billion electronic components – to its DesignSpark online CAD platform and community. It says that the PDC will enhance the platform’s CAD library that already provides more than 40 different types of content, including product data, environmental and lifecycle information, as well as 3D models, footprints and schematics.
Single-phase motors comply with new EU efficiency rules
The Italian motor manufacturer Soga has announced a range of high-efficiency two- and four-pole single-phase motors designed to comply with the EU2019/1781 regulation which came into force on 1 July 2023, and requires asynchronous single-phase motors sold in Europe have to have minimum efficiency ratings of IE2.
