September 2019

NEW PRODUCTS n Motion Control Products has announced four series of compact high-torque motors with built-in strain-wave (harmonic) gearboxes. The low- maintenance, precision gear- motors span ratios from 51:1 to 161:1. All are fully enclosed and self-cooled and can be specified with IP67 protection. Standard input voltages are 48V DC, 110V AC and 220V AC. These can be customised on request, as can the torque. The all-in-one MGM series combine a torque motor, encoder, brake and servodrive. Delivering a precision of up to 60 arc-sec, a torque rating of up to 557Nm makes them suitable for high-torque, low-noise applications, such as robots for loads up to 25kg. The servodrives support EtherCat or CANopen and can be used with most controllers. A hollow shaft allows the passage of cables, pipework and other services. The other series include frameless motor with a range of encoder options. One is the hollow-shaft MAH series in frame sizes from 60–145mm. They cover rated torques up to 800Nm and precision ratings up to 30 arc-sec. The MAT series have wider hollow shafts and a precision of up to 40 arc-sec, while the MAS series have solid shafts and a precision of up to 50 arc-sec. Motion Control Products 01202 599922 www.motioncontrolproducts.com Schaeffler has developed two new sealing technologies for its FAG Generation C single-row, deep-groove ball bearings which, it claims, will cut grease losses by 20% and contamination by 30% compared to previous designs, resulting in longer operating lives. The bearings are said to be particularly useful for small electric motors, such as those used in domestic appliances, where they can cut friction by 35% and noise levels by 50%, compared to the last generation. The two innovations are a Z- type dust shield with an innovative labyrinth seal, and an optional, patented lip seal that provides maximum sealing at low friction and is particularly suitable for alternating axial loads. There have also been numerous improvements to raceway parameters, in terms of roundness, waviness, roughness and tighter manufacturing tolerances, resulting in lower friction and energy costs. The high quality of the balls and a noise-optimised cage mean that the new bearings to run much quieter than conventional deep- groove ball bearings. Schaeffler says that the new bearings will make motors more efficient, reducing energy consumption and achieving higher running speeds, whilst simultaneously increasing the lives of the bearings and extending motor maintenance intervals. Schaeffler UK info.uk@schaeffler.com Deep-groove ball bearings offer longer lives, less noise and lower friction NovotekUK and Ireland has been awarded licensing rights by the data management specialist Auvesy to market itsVersiondog centralised datamanagement and device backup software for industrial automation.Versiondog detects unauthorised changes to control programs, finds the right data for disaster recovery, and replaces corrupted programs. It can identify changes – due to human error, equipment failure or cyberattacks – and take action to protect against downtime or loss of data.The software can be integrated for use with PLCs, CNCs, Scada, HMIs, robots and field devices. www.novotek.com/uk Red Lion Controls has expanded its Graphite series of HMIs with a 12.1”version that can be read outdoors in direct sunlight. With a cast-aluminium construction, the HMIs combine a plug-inmodules with protocol conversion, data- logging andWeb-basedmonitoring and control.The modules allow users to integrate digital and analogue I/O, as well as communications modules.The HMI has a bright UV-protected display with a 1,280 x 800 widescreen resolution.The 1,600-nit display can be viewed in any lighting condition. www.redlion.net/graphite High-torque motors have built-in harmonic gearboxes