News » Product News Connector with ‘first’ with built-in Ethernet switch
Harting claims to have developed the first connector with a built-in Ethernet switch. Its new Han-Modular US4 connector can be used to network up to four EtherNet/IP or Profinet nodes with transmission speeds of up to 1,000 Mbit/s.
Tester analyses running motors without using sensors
Fluke has announced a motor tester that analyses a motor’s electrical and mechanical performance while it is running, without needing any mechanical load sensors. The Fluke 438-II power quality and motor analyser uses “innovative” algorithms to analyse not only three-phase power quality, but also torque, efficiency, and speed, to determine a motor's performance and to detect overload conditions.
Plug-in drives modules save space and cut costs
At the recent Hannover Fair, Beckhoff announced a series of space-saving drives modules in a plug-in format for machines being built in volume production runs. The EtherCat-based EJ series modules make it possible to achieve high-volume runs without sacrificing customisation.
£2m investment in machinery leads to a trio of couplings
Following a £2m investment in new production machinery, the UK manufacturer Renold Couplings announced three new ranges of couplings at the recent Drives & Controls Show.
Build your own robot arms from €243 per axis
The German engineering plastics specialist igus is pushing further into the world of robotics with a kit system that will allow users to create plastic-and-aluminium robot arms with up to six degrees of freedom at costs starting from €243 ($281) per axis. At the recent Hannover Fair, igus had a stand dedicated to the robot kits, which have articulated joints driven by worm gears with stepper motors optionally built into the joints. The arms have been designed to operate safely in “collaborative” applications with human co-workers.
MCC is ‘first’ to marry arc prevention and resistance
Eaton has announced an arc-resistant version of its FlashGard MCC (motor control centre) technology, designed to prevent arc flash events and to protect personnel if an arc flash occurs. Eaton claims that it is the first manufacturer to combine arc-preventative and arc-resistant technologies in one MCC.
WEG unveils its first geared motors to be developed in-house
The Brazilian motor-maker WEG has launched its first-ever range of geared motors using gearboxes designed in-house and carrying the WEG name. The WG20 modular geared motors, unveiled at the Hannover Fair this week, have been developed in collaboration with WEG’s Austrian subsidiary, the gear technology specialist Watt Drive, which it bought in 2011.
Next-generation safety laser scanner has 275-degree field
The German sensing specialist Sick has announced a next-generation safety laser scanner that uses using a patented scanning technology, said to improve productivity and safety. The microScan3 has an unusually wide scanning angle of 275 degrees, an object resolution down to 30mm, a protective field range of up to 5.5m, and a warning field range of up to 40m.
Siemens’ smallest-ever drive is 68mm wide
Siemens has announced its smallest-ever frequency converter – a 68mm-wide and 142mm-high device for ratings up to 0.75kW. The latest addition to the Sinamics V20 family is available in two depths: an 108mm-deep version (FS AA frame size) in 0.12, 0.25 and 0.37kW ratings; and a 128mm-deep version (FS AB frame size) in 0.55 and 0.75kW ratings, for single-phase 230V operation. The new drives will be unveiled at the Hannover Fair this month.
Low-cost modular motors cut delivery times 'by weeks’
ABB has announced a range of large modular induction motors with delivery times that, it claims, are several weeks shorter than those for more highly specified machines. The low-cost NMI motors, spanning ratings from 315kW to 8MW in frame sizes 400–630, are aimed at safe-area pump and fan applications that do not need highly specified motors.
Cognex expands into mobile terminals with phone-based system
The machine vision market-leader and barcode reader specialist, Cognex, has expanded into a new product area – rugged mobile terminals – which, it says, offer a “revolutionary” way of performing tasks such as inventory management, logistics and field service.
Acquisition leads to launch of 49 robots in three families
Following Omron’s $200m acquisition last year of the US robot-maker Adept, a newly-formed business, Omron Adept Technologies, is launching a total of 49 industrial robots in 39 countries around the world.
Handheld 'scope shows the most relevant readings
Fluke has announced what it claims is the first handheld oscilloscope with an “intelligent” measurement detection function that displays the most relevant measurement value automatically. The ScopeMeter 120B instrument is designed to improve the speed, efficiency and accuracy of troubleshooting electromechanical systems.
Dual-role industrial controller simplifies machine safety
Rockwell Automation has announced a machine controller that combines safety and motion functions on a single EtherNet/IP network. It says that the Allen-Bradley Compact GuardLogix 5370 controller will make it easier to design safety into machines with up to 16 axes, and will result in simpler system architectures.
Simple controllers add safety CPU and energy monitoring
Siemens has added new modules and functions to its Simatic S7-1200 family of Basic Controllers, including a new CPU for failsafe applications in the lower power range, and a module that records energy flows on machines. In addition, the controllers’ firmware has been updated with extra functions including support for the Media Redundancy Protocol (MRP) and a backup/restore function.
