September 2019

Harting has added a secondary Ethernet interface to its Mica edge computing device, allowing it to exchange and process data between Ethernet networks, including wired-to-wireless gateway applications such as collecting maintenance data from PLCs and sending events to machine manufacturers or maintenance services. An extra USB interface can be used to add further capabilities or USB storage. MicaWireless can process nodes for RFID readers connected via WLAN. It’s also possible to monitor remote systems via Ethernet and transmit the data in a compressed format via LTE or BLE-to-Ethernet gateways. Unlike a router, Mica can carry out complex data transformations and aggregations. www.harting.com/UK/en-gb Phoenix Contact has released a new version (3.0) of its FL Network Manager software, which is used to start up, monitor and update its network components. The software has been extended to include topology representation, allowing device connections for each network port to be checked and visualised, and making it possible to determine whether an actual network structure corresponds to the planned structure. Topology representation can also be used to check the configuration of redundancy protocols. Also new is SNMP scripting, which enables in-depth diagnostics to be performed in the event of an error. The new software can read and write the SNMP parameters of any device in a network. www.phoenixcontact.co.uk Wieland Electric is offering an incremental safety encoder with an HTL interface, either as an accessory to its Samos range, or for use with third-party systems. The SENC encoder can monitor the speed, direction, and position of motors and/or machine loads to provide secure feedback. Unlike a standard encoder, the safety encoder can measure speed and angle at the axes reliably, achieving safety to PLe / SIL3. It is suitable for safety-rated speed, direction and position monitoring. The encoder offers up to 1024 ppr, depending on accuracy requirements, and is available in 58mm or 90mm versions, with hollow or solid shafts, and matching cables and accessories. There are two data channels: one to transmit absolute digital data; the second for incremental analogue data and diagnostic data. It also has a safety-rated interface to transmit the data from the slave encoder to a drive PLC or safety control. www.wieland.co.uk 70 n NEW PRODUCTS September 2019 www.drivesncontrols.com Sick has launched what it claims is the smallest industrial UHF RFID read/write device. Almost half the size of the company’s mid-range RFU620 reader, the new RFU610 needs just 80 x 92 x 38mm to install and has a scanning range of ≤0.5m. Sick predicts that it will create new opportunities to integrate RFID track-and-trace capabilities into automated machines and vehicles. It can be used to upgrade older RFID technologies, such as LF and HF, previously used for shorter ranges. The RFID device is ideal for short-range auto-ident applications such as tracking small parts and components, automating the validation of machine tool set-ups, and monitoring consignment transfers onto AGVs and carts. The device combines an antenna, an “intelligent” controller and communications in a rugged IP67 aluminium housing. There is no need for a separate connection box, and cabling is minimised, simplifying installation in tight spaces. The antenna monitors a focused zone, avoiding misreading of other nearby tags, while performing bulk tag identification reliably. There is a choice of either using separate cables for power and Ethernet, or a single-cable Power-over- Ethernet connection. The device supports Ethernet/IP and Profinet for integration with PLCs, or for communications with enterprise IT systems and the cloud. A sensor can be connected to trigger the RFID device to read or write to the detected transponder. An LED can confirm good reads in real time, or indicate, for example, the presence of a wrong part. Sick UK 01727 831121 www.sick.co.uk Industrial RFID read/write module is ‘the smallest’ Beha-Amprobe has introduced wire tracer kit designed to make it easier and safer to locate energised and de-energised wires, breakers and fuses. The AT- 6010-EUR Advanced kit comprises a transmitter which is connected to the circuit, and a receiver which detects the signal in the wires or cables behind walls, ceilings and floors. The kit can be used to: find breaks, opens and shorts; trace shielded wires, low-voltage wires, data cables and wires in metal conduit; sort bundled wires; and to map circuits. The one-button-operated transmitter works on circuits up to 600V AC/DC in Cat I to III environments, allowing work to be done on energised circuits without needing to take equipment offline. The receiver module has a large LCD screen with an energised/de-energised indicator, a two-digit readout, a signal strength bargraph, a sound indicator to determine wire locations, and a sensitivity adjustment. A tip sensor can be used to trace wires in corners, tight spaces and junction boxes. The transmitter has a high signal mode for general tracing duties, and a loop mode for locating shorts. Two optimal tracing frequencies are activated automatically based on the detected voltage. A signal clamp accessory is available for inducing a tracing signal onto a cable when access to bare conductors is not possible. Beha-Amprobe www.beha-amprobe.com NSK has announced a series of deep-groove ball bearings for electric motors that, it claims, will cut energy losses by up to 80%, helping to boost motor efficiencies. The development is based on an“intensive”investigation into the parameters that influence energy losses in bearings, that reached several“interesting” conclusions. As a result, the new bearings use grease that has been specially developed to reduce friction, while the grease-filling level has also been optimised. Compared to a conventional deep-groove ball bearing, the new bearings reduce friction by 60% when using a steel cage. With plastic cages, the internal friction is reduced by almost 80%. As a further benefit, the service lives of bearings using the new grease are said to be extended by a factor of 2.7. NSK Europe www.nskeurope.com Kit locates energised and de-energised wires, breakers and fuses Deep-groove motor bearings ‘cut losses by up to 80%’