News » Product News Module saves energy by stopping compressed air leaks
Festo has developed a device that monitors and regulates compressed air supplies automatically to cut energy consumption. When the MS6-E2M module detects a machine is in standby, it shuts down the compressed air supply, thus preventing air from escaping through leaks. It also monitors parameters such as flow and pressure.
Multi-axis system has response times of less than 1µs
The German controls manufacturer Beckhoff has developed a compact, multi-axis servo system that allows precision positioning and machining with extremely short control cycles, thus boosting production output. The AX8000 system combines FPGA technology with multi-core ARM processors to produce sample and response times of less than 1µs for current control, and velocity control cycle times as low as 16µs, depending on the switching frequency. Position control cycle times are 31.25µs, and the minimum EtherCat cycle time is 62.5µs.
Driven track system boosts efficiency and throughput
HepcoMotion has launched a scroll-driven track system to cater for high-speed production line applications needing large driving forces. Typical uses for the DTS2 system include high speed-indexing for the rapid transfer of components in the packaging, automotive, food and special-purpose machinery industries.
Next-generation safety controller can switch 16A
Wieland Electric has announced a new generation of safety controllers which, it claims, have the largest I/O capacity on the market, the largest switching capacity (16A through one module), the largest program memory (512MB), and the fastest reaction time (12ms).
Combined current and voltage module replaces two devices
Murrelektronik has developed a module that can process both analogue voltage and current signals, and has four individually configurable measuring channels. The MAS168 module is said to simplify installations, reduce wiring and save space by allowing a single module to be used where previously two would have been needed. It is claimed to be the smallest analogue module on the market.
Pre-configured Ethernet frames are ‘25% faster to install’
Panduit has launched a preconfigured industrial distribution frame (IDF) designed to deploy and protect rack-mounted industrial Ethernet switches. The company claims that the frame will allow equipment to be deployed 25% faster than IDF installations that are not pre-configured, as well as “significantly” lowering the risk of downtime due to switch overheating.
7kg-capacity robot is ‘fastest in its class’
The Italian robot-maker Comau claims to have developed the fastest robot with a 7kg payload. The six-axis Racer 999 articulated robot has a reach of 999mm, and is aimed at applications such as assembly, handling, machine tools and packaging, especially where space is limited.
All-in-one PLC and HMI has a 4.3” colour touchscreen
Unitronics has announced an all-in-one PLC and HMI with a 4.3" colour touchscreen. The Vision430’s touchscreen and five function keys are housed in a flat fascia with an IP66/IP65/Nema4X rating, making it suitable for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Power analyser with touchscreen 'scope is ‘the first’
Keysight Technologies has announced a power analyser that, it claims, is the first to combine accurate power measurements with touch-driven oscilloscope visualisation. The IntegraVision analyser makes it easy for engineers to obtain dynamic views of current, voltage and power.
Contact-free chain monitor warns users of wear
The German chain-maker iwis has developed a non-contact monitoring system that measures the elongation of chains while they are running, and warns maintenance personnel when they need to be replaced. The patented CCM (Chain Condition Monitoring) system can be integrated quickly into chain applications and retrofitted to existing machinery without needing any extra chain components.
Servodrives offer ‘unique’ noise suppression
At the SPS IPC Drives show, the German drives manufacturer KEB unveiled a new series of bookshelf-format servodrives and matching servomotors, which offer real-time communications with higher-level controls via EtherCat, Varan or Can. The Combivert S6 drives can control asynchronous, synchronous, IPM or synchronous reluctance motors, using either encoder feedback for accurate positioning, or sensorless operation to achieve precise speed and torque control without needing speed feedback.
Power-saving VSDs are ‘the Swiss Army knife of drives’
Eaton claims that a new range of variable-speed drives, launched at the recent SPS IPC Drives show in Germany, will cut the power needed to drive a motor by 2–10% compared to other VSDs, without any additional optimisation. The PowerXL DG1 drives, covering ratings from 0.55–160kW in six sizes, incorporate “active power consumption optimisation” and “dynamic power management” functions.
Multi-axis servodrives are ‘the smallest on the market’
At the recent SPS IPC Drives show in Germany, Parker Hannifin launched a new generation of standalone and multi-axis servodrives including “the smallest multi-axis servodrives on the market”. The PSD drives, designed for the global market, will be the lead product in a portfolio that also includes a new PAC (programmable automation controller) offering EtherCat real-time communications.
Takeover results in a new HVAC controls range
Following its $5.2bn acquisition of Invensys in 2013, Schneider Electric has been working with Invensys’ Italian heating and ventilating controls subsidiary Eliwell, to develop controllers for HVAC and pump applications. The result is the Modicon M171 family of controls which made its debut at the recent SPS IPC Drives show in Germany.
Multi-role motion platform is based on open standards
Parker Hannifin has announced a multi-axis, real-time motion controller that integrates machine logic and Web-based visualisation functions. The standards-based Parker Automation Controller (PAC), which is aimed at the global machine-building market, provides tools that are said to result in fast code generation, short commissioning times and low development costs.
