April 2019

n TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY n AT THIS MONTH’S Hannover Fair, Rittal unveiled a new version of its Ri4Power busbar system, based on its new VX25 generation of large enclosures, that it launched last year. The VX25 Ri4Power offers higher power ratings (up to 6.3kA, with short-circuit protection to 100kA), easier monitoring and maintenance, as well as certification to IEC 61439. The flat copper busbars have a smaller cross- section than before, cutting copper costs. Up to four bars can be used per phase. The same busbar supports are suitable for both 600 and 800mm deep enclosures and their symmetrical shape means that they can be used on either the left or the right. Just three screws are needed to fasten the supports to the VX25 profile. Components can be mounted on either horizontal or vertical profiles of the VX25 frame, cutting the number of profiles needed. A special compartmentalised side panel can be used to create cable chambers or space for extra components. To coincide with the launch of the new Ri4Power system, there is a new version of Rittal’s Power Engineering software. It is said to simplify the planning and configuring of type-tested switchgear. To ease maintenance, the new busbar supports and connectors are accessible from the front. This makes it easier to check the torque applied to screws, for example, or to determine the temperature of contact points using an infrared camera. An IoT interface can be installed to helpmonitor temperature, moisture levels and performance. www.rittal.co.uk p Mitsubishi Electric has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) technology for fast, step-based learning of motion applications and accelerating the start- up of production equipment. The technology learns and responds in real time to changes in the environment to generate control programs that deliver smooth machine operation. Routes, speed, and acceleration are performed automatically. In tests, the time taken to create programs was about a tenth of manual techniques. p Sick has revealed a technology that removes the need to install reflectors, magnetic tracks or other markers to guide AGVs (automatic guided vehicles).The Nav-Loc (Localisation On Contour) technology uses 2D data froma 360- degree Lidar scanner tomatch an AGV’s position to a referencemap. An algorithm compares the scan data with themap to generate position and orientation information for the AGV controller. p Kontron has announced a compact industrial PC designed for TSN (Time Sensitive Networking) applications. The KBox A-230-LS PC provides up to five TSN-enabled 1Gb Ethernet ports and meets the specifications of the TSN standard, IEEE 802.1. The fanless PC has two ArmV8 processor cores that support real-time processing in industrial applications, and can act as virtual machines for edge computation applications in the IoT. www.kontron.com New-generation busbar system handles currents up to 6.3kA Rittal says that the new Ri4Power busbar system for its VX25 large enclosures will be easier to monitor and maintain, as well as carrying more power Phone 01480 408 500 – www.leuze.co.uk SMARTER PRODUCT USABILITY INTEGRATED INTERFACES & EFFICIENCY BCL 300 i / 500 i BAR CODE READERS Our bar code readers are the ideal solution for all identification tasks. The devices will win you over with a variety of innovative technical details and especially with their integrated fieldbus interfaces. integrated connectivity . Joachim Lehmann, Head of Product Management – Industrial Image Processing / Bar Code Readers