SKF has announced a range of extreme-temperature bearings, incorporating a graphite cage that lubricates the bearing at temperatures up to 350°C without the need for relubrication. The bearings are expected to be particularly attractive to the metal industry, where they could help to cut maintenance costs, boost reliability and improve product quality.
Thomson Industries has introduced a heavy-duty linear actuator designed to deliver high performance in tough environments. The IP69K-protected Max Jac actuator is built to maintain accuracy with almost no maintenance in the harshest conditions.
The mathematical computing specialist MathWorks has announced that its Simulink PLC Coder software can now be used to generate IEC 61131-3 Structured Text programs for Omron PLCs, allowing automation engineers to adopt model-based designs for equipment controlled by these PLCs, as well as for Omron’s Sysmac Studio software.
The French motor manufacturer Crouzet has announced a new generation of high-performance DC brushless motors, with output power ratings from 34–192W and a choice of two integrated electronic control systems.
Following a phase of testing with pilot customers around the world, B&R Automation is releasing the latest generation of its Automation Studio engineering software. The software has been designed to meet three goals: keeping quality high, engineering costs low and time-to-market short.
Leuze has introduced a range of light curtains that offers users a choice of three function types (basic, standard and extended), as well a choice between type 2 or 4 devices. It says that this means that users can choose the MLC curtain that offers the precise functions needed for an application.
Omron has announced a DIN-rail-mounting temperature controller designed to connect easily to PLCs and HMIs without needing any programming. The E5DC digital temperature controller uses similar functions to the company’s on-panel-mounting E5_C controllers, including program-less communications with PLCs. This reduces the time needed to learn design and operating procedures, and allows designs to be re-used.
Hylec-APL has launched an insulation-piercing clamp connector that can handle currents up to 30A and is claimed to cut electrical installation times by up to 80%
The German controls manufacturer Beckhoff has announced an embedded PC equipped with a Profinet RT device interface that is designed to act as a two-port switch for daisy-chain cabling.
Sick has developed a range of short-range displacement sensors with built-in displays and controls which, it says, are among the lightest and most precise available.
The German drives-maker Metronix – owned by the US-based Apex Tool group – is offering a low-cost servodrive which strips out the usual Safe Torque Off (STO) function to cut costs.
The German sensor manufacturer SensoPart claims to have produced the first vision sensor that combines object and colour detection in one device. It says that Visor Color sensor fills a gap between switching colour sensors and costly image-processing systems, and will open up new applications.
Omron has developed a range of power supply monitoring relays designed to protect against problems such as motor burnouts and other malfunctions that can result from power supply issues.
Omron in Japan has released more information about the NX range of safety controllers that integrate with its EtherCat-linked Sysmac modular automation platform which combines motion, standard I/O, and safety controls.
The US-based robotic controls specialist Roboteq is collaborating on a crowd-funded Kickstarter project aimed at creating an intelligent I/O card that will convert the $35/£28 Raspberry PI single-board computer into an embedded computer for robotics and general automation applications.
