At the recent Hannover Fair, Danfoss unveiled an integrated servodrive based on a permanent-magnet synchronous motor sharing an enclosure with the drive electronics. The VLT ISD 510 drives cover rated torques from 1.7–15Nm and are equipped with Ethernet-based EtherCat and Powerlink communications.
The Austrian automation company Sigmatek has developed a compact modular I/O system that fits up to 20 channels in a 12.5mm-wide module. The rail-mounting S-DIAS modules – which include safety versions – communicate using a real-time Ethernet system called Varan with a bus speed of 100Mbit/s. The I/O modules can be accessed within 1.12µs.
Sick has announced a new generation of safety light curtains that, it says, set new standards for efficiency, ease-of-installation and reliability. The deTec4 Core curtains have no blind zones, offering optimum positioning and protection against unsafe access, while allowing operations to continue efficiently.
Following the recent launch of its CFW500 variable-speed drive, WEG has announced a variant dedicated to HVAC pump and fan duties. The compact, easy-to-use CFW501 drives span the power range 0.18–7.5kW and there are plans to increase this to 22kW next year.
SEW-Eurodrive has developed a decentralised frequency inverter for controlling the speeds of asynchronous and synchronous motors without an encoder. The IP55-protected Movitrac LTP-B drive can be wall-mounted, even in difficult ambient conditions.
At the recent Hannover Fair, Bauer Gear Motor launched what it claims is the world's first Ex-rated, IE4 super-premium efficiency geared motor. It adds that the S Series PMSMs (permanent magnet synchronous motors) are the world's most efficient motors for use in explosive atmospheres.
igus has launched a pair of products – anti-microbial cables and plastic energy chains containing easy-to-detect metal particles – designed to help food manufacturers to produce food that is safe for consumption.
The Canadian power quality specialist Mirus International has developed a technology that, it says, marks a substantial step in mitigating harmonic issues associated with inverter-driven motors. The Inversine AUSF (advanced universal sinewave filter) is designed to transform chopped-up PWM VFD output voltages into clean sinewaves with a THD (total harmonic distortion) of less than 3%.
At the recent Hannover Fair, Beckhoff announced a technology that allows an operator panel to be located up to 100m away from an industrial PC (IPC) and linked to it via standard Ethernet Cat 7 cable, thus cutting cabling and installation costs. The single-cable CP-Link 4 technology can carry DVI video signals, USB 2.0 serial communications and a 24V power supply, allowing the remote displays to be passive.
Dunkermotoren has developed what it claims is the first tubular linear motor with an integrated amplifier and controller, thus reducing and simplifying wiring. The efficient, low-maintenance ST11 motors are said to be faster than stepper motors with ballscrews and more precise than belt-drive systems.
Cognex has developed a 3D laser profiling system that provides readings in real units of measurement with micron-level accuracy, making 3D applications easier to understand and deploy. The system can perform inspections that would be too difficult for traditional two-dimensional machine vision systems.
Mitsubishi Electric has announced a new generation of vertical and horizontal robots, up to three of which can be controlled directly from modules mounted in an iQ PLC rack. The new Melfa F series includes six-axis vertical robots, claimed to have a larger working envelope than others of their type, and horizontal Scara-type machines, claimed to be the fastest in their class.
Baumer has developed a programmable display for sensors and instruments that indicates relevant data quickly, and has a colour-coded background to show alarms and other states of alert. Initially, the IP67-protected devices are intended for use as temperature and pressure gauges, but they can also be used with other sensors with a 4–20mA output. Other versions are planned.
Schaeffler has announced a handheld instrument that, it says, will allow faster, easier alignment of shafts in rotating equipment such as motors, pumps, gearboxes, fans and compressors.
Festo has developed an intelligent linear actuator for process automation applications such as controlling knife gate valves and shut-off valves with regulated strokes, and for use with linear-actuated process valves. The DFPI actuator combines the functions of a linear actuator, a positioner and displacement encoder in an all-in-one cylindrical device that is easy to install.
