News » Product News Atex-compliant geared motors handle harsh conditions
The Brazilian motor-maker WEG has launched a range of Atex-compliant geared motors which combine its high-efficiency W22X motors with gearboxes from its Austrian subsidiary, Watt Drive. The motors, available in IEC frame sizes 71–800 and efficiency classes up to IE4, are suitable for harsh processing applications in hazardous areas in almost any industry.
Twin-axis servodrives will cut cabinet space by up to 70%
Rockwell Automation has announced a two-axis servodrive that, it says, will help machine-builders to cut cabinet-space requirements by up to 70% and wiring requirements by up to 60%, as well as making configuration and commissioning easier.
Thermal camera has the highest resolution in its class
Flir Systems has released a high-definition thermal imaging camera that, it claims, is only off-the-shelf camera for electromechanical and building inspection that has a 1,024 x 768 pixel detector. The Flir T1020 (also known as the Flir T1K) is designed to find hotspots quickly, measure them precisely, and streamline work processes. Advanced image-processing features are said to deliver the highest quality images available from a compact camera system.
Next-generation device protects plants against cyber-attacks
Eaton has announced a new generation of the Tofino industrial security technology that it sells under its MTL brand. It claims that the 9202-ETS MTL security appliance provides the highest level of network security for process automation applications. The system is said to be easier to install than others and includes configurator software to protect industrial networks against cyber-attacks.
Open, modular control platform is ready for Industry 4.0
The German communications and automation specilaist Harting has developed a modular platform consisting of open hardware and software that can be adapted swiftly and economically to many industrial applications. The Mica platform consists of a compact, robust computer tested in accordance with EN 50155, and a “virtual industrial computing” software platform, based on Linux.
Brake controller and monitor needs no sensors
Mayr Power Transmission has developed an intelligent brake control module that not only energises brakes, but can also monitor them without using sensors. The Roba-brake-checker is said to be easy to integrate into existing systems and Mayr predicts that it will open up new possibilities for the monitoring of electromagnetic safety brakes.
Linear actuators with built-in controls simplify set-ups
The Danish linear motion specialist Linak has announced a range of linear actuators with built-in controllers which, it says, will simplify installation and set-up, reduce downtime and maintenance, and deliver greater accuracy. The IC (integrated controller) actuators provide customisable settings and feedback that help to tailor their movements to an application.
Data acquisition module ‘plugs a ControlLogix gap’
US-based Advanced Micro Controls (AMCI) has announced a high-speed, analogue-input data acquisition module for Rockwell Automation’s Allen-Bradley ControlLogix controllers which, it says, fills a gap in the range.
Stopper cylinders are ‘the most powerful on the market’
Festo has launched a series of “affordable” stopper cylinders which, it claims, are the most powerful of their type on the market. The DFSP cylinders can withstand impact forces up to 200% higher than their predecessors.
MEMS-based force sensor is ‘world’s smallest’
The Japanese sensor-maker Alps Electric has developed what it claims is the world’s smallest force sensor, with potential applications for position control in industrial equipment and robots. The HSFPAR sensor uses MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) technology to achieve its tiny size (2 × 1.6 × 0.66mm).
Nanopositioning drive controls up to ten axes
Aerotech has announced a high-performance nanopositioning piezo drive which, it claims, will allow coordinated motion between up to ten axes of piezo stages and servo axes at much higher rates than other controllers or drives.
End-to-end engineering suite is based on Codesys 3
Wago has announced an integrated engineering tool that supports the entire automation development process, from software design through to machine operation. The e!Cockpit tool, based on the Codesys 3 platform, is said to allow automation tasks to be implemented and run more quickly and cost-effectively.
IIoT-optimised control systems come in three formats
National Instruments (NI) has announced a new generation of embedded control systems in three formats, based on its open, flexible LabView RIO (reconfigurable I/O) architecture. It says that the controllers, which are optimised for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), will help users to build smart industrial systems and machines faster.
Hydraulic clamp and brake has a failsafe action
The German couplings specialist KTR has developed a passive clamping system that can clamp both axial forces and torque. In emergencies, it is even able to act as a brake.
Linear encoder delivers absolute and incremental outputs
MTS Sensors has developed a linear encoder with two output channels – an incremental interface and a synchronous serial interface (SSI) – for position and velocity control of linear and other motors. The Temposonics A-Series Duo encoder can be used to implement measurement systems requiring absolute position feedback, while also producing an incremental encoder signal for monitoring the motor position. The ability to capture absolute position data means that recalibration is not needed.
