March 2019

n TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY n AT NEXT MONTH’S Hannover Fair, Siemens will unveil a technology that allows busbar trunking systems to carry not only current, but also data, reducing the need for data cables and complex cabling installations. The new form of data transmission will be available for Siemens’ BD2, LD, and LI busbar trunking systems in its Sivacon 8PS portfolio.  The new technology is implemented by integrating plug-and-play powerline modules into trunking tap-off units, as well as communication- capable protection, switching and measuring devices. Measured data such as power and current, and diagnostic information, including switching cycles, can be forwarded to higher-level automation and energy management systems via conductors on the busbars. “I am pleased that powerline technology now enables us to offer two functionalities in one system for the first time, making use of the Sivacon 8PS portfolio even easier and more flexible for our customers,” says Stephan May, CEO of Medium Voltage and Systems in the Siemens’ Energy Management Division. “Our goal is to fully tap the potential of digitalisation for electrification, from planning and installation to operation and maintenance,” he adds. “We are continuing to further develop our technologies for this purpose.” As well as simplifying installation, the new tap- off units with powerline technology can be connected to existing systems using their plug- and-play capabilities. This will reduce downtime, and allow power supplies to be adapted flexibly to the needs of an installation.  Johann Braid, product manager for Siemens’ Sivacon busbar systems, believes that the new powerline technology will also simplify transparent operation and increase system availability in digital factories. “By forwarding the measurement and diagnostics information to local or cloud-based applications – for example, in MindSphere, the cloud-based, open operating system from Siemens – we can come up with energy efficiency measures and lower costs.” Siemens says that its Sivacon 8PS busbar trunking system needs less space than power cables and can follow the contours of a building, making it more space-efficient. The busbars can also be installed faster and more easily and adapted to changing requirements.  www.siemens.com/energy-management www.siemens.com/busbar p Laser Components has announced the world’s first white laser light module which, it says, will lead to faster processing inmachine vision applications, withmore reliable monitoring on factory floors. The Albalux FMmodule produces a brilliant white light, said to have a luminance ten times higher than LEDs, while having a low power consumption and long lifetimes. The highly directional fibre optic output produces a sharp beam. www.lasercomponents.com/uk p Panasonic has announced an open VPN and SSL-based cloud platform for remote administration of industrial plants and equipment. The Corvina Cloud is a high-performance server that acts as a Platform as a Service (PaaS). Panasonic touch-panel HMIs, connected to a central server, can act as gateways to local networks. PLCs, IP cameras and other devices can act as endpoints. www.panasonic-electric-works.co.uk p VersaBuilt has announced an interface for Universal Robots collaborative robots used in machine- tending applications. The URCap CNC communication interface allows a UR cobot to execute any machining program stored on the CNC via the robot’s own teaching pendant. Initially available for Haas CNC machines, VersaBuilt is planning to release versions for other makes of CNC later this year. www.versabuilt.com p Belden has released version 7.3 of its Hirschmann Operating System (HiOS), which provides TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking) support with a new 802.1Qbv time-aware scheduler. Users can achieve predictable latency and greater reliability by allowing dedicated time slots for real-time data on every device in an Ethernet network. Time- critical and non-time-critical applications can run simultaneously on the same network, cutting operating costs compared to separate networks. www.hirschmann.com Busbar trunking system will carry data as well as power Siemens says that its data-carrying busbar trunking system will simplify smart factories

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