Honeywell has introduced a range of transmitters for condition-based monitoring of rotating equipment such as pumps, motors, compressors, fans and gearboxes, designed to maximise uptime and reliability by providing users with insights into their performance.
Omron has announced a new cobot (collaborative robot) with a 20kg payload capacity, which is suitable for tasks such as palletising, machine tending and material handling. The TM20 cobot has a reach of 1.3m, weighs 33kg, and has a small footprint.
The UK-based Manufacturing Intelligence division of the Swedish Hexagon group has launched a “digital reality” platform that uses cloud technologies, co-engineered with Microsoft, to unblock innovation bottlenecks, enabling global manufacturing teams to collaborate in real-time across the product lifecycle – from design and engineering, to production and quality – to solve design and manufacturing problems together, and accelerate time-to-market.
ABB has enhanced its RobotStudio robot programming and simulation software by adding cloud support that will allow individuals and teams anywhere in the world to collaborate in real-time on robot cell designs, using any device. New functions, such as automatic version control, are said to increase transparency and productivity, while a simpler interface and intuitive navigation allow users of all skill levels to work on robotic projects.
Infinitum, the US-based developer of air-core motors, has announced a next-generation, sustainable motor designed specifically for cooling applications in data centres.
ABB has announced a robot designed to bridge the gap between existing industrial and collaborative robots (cobots). The Swifti CRB 1300 cobot is claimed to be six times faster and five times more precise than other robots in its class, while its combination of a 7–11kg payload capacity and top speed of 6.2m/s is claimed to boost production efficiency by up to 44%.
ABB has announced a new generation of low-maintenance, water-cooled motors that achieve IE5 efficiencies and are claimed to have power densities that are 50% higher than similarly-sized motors. The Baldor-Reliance HydroCool XT motors are available in induction (IE3) or permanent magnet rotor (IE5) versions, in four Nema frame sizes from 45-932kW (60-1,250hp).
SEW-Eurodrive is offering kits of parts for quick and easy implementation of machines for picking, sorting and handling materials, as well for palletising and gantry systems. The StarterSet kits are based on items from the company’s Movi-C modular automation system, together with appropriate software.
The German drives-maker Baumüller has launched a new generation of servodrives which are up to 50% smaller than their predecessors as well as delivering peak currents that are 30-50% higher. The b maXX 6000 drives also incorporate newly developed safety functions that shorten machine cycle times, improving performance. They can can be used as sensors or sensor hubs and offer scalable IoT connections to the cloud.
Baumer claims to be offering the first bearing-free, smart incremental encoder that supports IO-Link. It predicts that the EB200E encoder will open up new applications by allowing it to be parameterised via IO-Link. For example, its two switching outputs can be set to act as a speed monitor for overspeed, speed range, standstill or direction of rotation.
At the recent SPS exhibition, Siemens unveiled Version 18 of its TIA Portal engineering framework with the claim that it will boost engineering efficiency and optimise functions for multi-user engineering. Users can now work in teams and in parallel on projects and build and manage shared libraries. Access rights can be assigned either individually or to groups, making collaboration more flexible.
At the recent SPS show in Nuremberg, Beckhoff was demonstrating the latest developments in its XPlanar system which transports production line items on levitating “movers” with up to six degrees of freedom. The system was launched in 2018 and its functions have been expanded continuously since then.
At the recent SPS exhibition in Germany, the Swiss motor and controls maker maxon launched five compact drive products designed with efficient use of resources in mind. They were:
At the recent SPS show in Germany, Pilz unveiled a configurable safety controller that is just 22.5mm wide, yet can monitor up to four safety functions – including e-stops, safety gates, light curtains and two-hand controls. The PNOZ m C0 controller implements safety requirements up to PL e or SIL CL 3, and can allow small machines to achieve high productivity. It provides eight safe inputs and four safe semiconductor outputs.
Bosch Rexroth is latest contender to join the burgeoning market for levitating transport systems for production lines. Unlike most other systems, which use rectangular “movers” to carry items while floating above electromagnetic tiles, Rexroth’s ctrlX Flow6D system uses circular movers that can rotate and tilt as they move. The movers can also supply power and communications wirelessly to items such as sensors and actuators that they are carrying, and can travel up vertical walls or even suspended below overhead work surfaces.
