News » Product News Safety system links up to 32 sensors and meets PLe
The German sensor company Sick has developed a technology that can cascade up to 32 safety sensors and switches from different manufacturers on a loop almost 1km long, while meeting the PLe performance level. The Flexi Loop system is said to offers new levels of scalability, diagnostics and I/O connection capacity in a compact space and at a competitive cost.
Smartphone app operates control relays remotely
Eaton has launched a smartphone app for monitoring and controlling its easy800 control relays. The easyRemote display app allows users with Android phones to view the relay’s text and functions and to operate it remotely.
Software brings HMI visualisation to mobile devices
Invensys has announced the availability of software that will allow users of its Wonderware InTouch HMI software to access shopfloor data via a Web browser running on a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet, or a laptop or desktop computer.
‘First’ composite axes are lighter and more dynamic
The German motion technology specialist Schunk claims to have produced the first standard linear motor axes to be made of reinforced carbon composites (RCCs). It says the rigid modules are about 58% lighter than comparable aluminium modules, and deliver more dynamic movements with rapid accelerations.
Tough PLC simplifies control in extreme environments
ABB has announced an “extreme conditions” PLC that is protected against high and low temperatures, high humidity, low air pressure, salt mist, hazardous gases, and shock and vibration. It says that AC500-XC PLC can cut system-building costs by eliminating the need for protective enclosures, special seals, shock absorbers and EMC protection.
Modular HMI mounts in a standard 22mm hole
The Japanese HMI and communications specialist, Prof-face, has announced a modular controller and operator interface which installs in standard 22mm round holes – the same size used for switches and indicator lights. The LT4000M series combines a 3.5” or 5.7” display with a DIN-rail-mounting controller.
Rotary drive ‘sets new standards for performance’
Festo has announced a cost-effective semi-rotary pneumatic drive with twin pistons that, it says, offers good precision, stiffness and loadability. The DRRD actuator uses an innovative bearing system to handle high loads with high accuracy.
Single-axis motion control chip is ‘world’s cheapest’
Trinamic Motion Control, the German developer of motion control technologies, has developed what it claims to be the world’s lowest-cost single-axis motion control chip. The TMC4210 motion controller IC, which costs just over $2 in quantities of 1,000, performs real-time position and velocity stepper motor calculations, simplifying the design of software to implement motor control on host microcontrollers.
Four-core vision system is ‘fastest of its type’
Omron has announced a compact vision system which, it claims, is the fastest of its type, resulting in shorter machine cycle times combined with precise operation, even in difficult operating conditions, such as poor lighting, and out-of-focus, rotated or overlapping target objects.
Compact PLC offers Ethernet and analogue I/O
Mitsubishi Electric has released a compact PLC with embedded Ethernet facilities, two analogue inputs (0-10V DC or 4-20mA) and an analogue output (0-10V DC or 4-20mA). It says that these facilities will open up the Melsec FX3GE CPU to a wider range of applications than other models in the FX3G family.
Motion controller works with brushed DC motors
The Californian controls company, Specialty Motions Inc (SMI), has developed a motion controller that provides variable speed control, direction control, and oscillating and jog-able motion, using standard 12V or 24V brushed DC motors. The D-Con controller is designed to be an low-cost and easy means of achieving such motion without needing to learn programming languages, or using expensive motors, complex drives, PLCs or computer controls.
Controller offers ‘shortest move and settle times’
The Israeli motion controls manufacturer ACS Motion Control has developed a combined control module and EtherCat master which, it claims delivers “ultimate servo performance, the shortest move and settle times possible, minimal jitter, and outstanding smoothness”.
Revamped CompactRIO controllers are ‘four times faster’
National Instruments has announced a new CompactRIO controller that is four times faster than the previous generation. The cRIO-9068 has been redesigned completely, but is still compatible with the CompactRIO system's reconfigurable I/O and with NI’s LabView software.
Machine operation is ‘as convenient as a smartphone’
The German controls and automation manufacturer Schleicher Electronic has developed a hand-held operating device that it claims is the first to control machines with the convenience of a smartphone. It predicts that the device will revolutionise the operation of handling systems, industrial robots and machine tools.
Integrated brushless AC motors offer ‘servo-like’ performance
US-based Mechatronics Systems has developed a family of brushless AC motors with integrated drive electronics that, it says, offer variable speed operation with servo-like performance. It claims that the 191mm-long 2.2kW version is the smallest package of its type on the market.
