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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
At the recent SPS IPC Drives show, Mitsubishi Electric unveiled a version of its MR-J4 servodrive that accepts HMS’ Anybus plug-in cards, allowing it to be used with third-party control systems and network technologies – the first time this has been possible with a Mitsubishi servodrive. Initially, an EtherCat card is available, and this will be followed by Profinet, Ethernet/IP and others. Support for EnDat and Hiperface encoders is also being added.
At the recent SPS IPC Drives show, Yaskawa announced an integrated motor-drive package based on an IE4 IPM (interior permanent magnet) motor. The IE4MD uses a version of the company’s V100 inverter and is said to help machine-builders to comply with the European ErP Directive.
At the recent SPS IPC Drives show, ABB announced a series of enhancements for its ACS880 industrial drives, including a smartphone app that reads a QR code that is generated on the drive’s display in the event of a fault. The Drivebase app (available for Android and iOS mobile devices) accesses ABB’s service site which delivers information about the error and possible remedies, without the operator having to consult a manual.
