October 2019

64 n NEW PRODUCTS October 2019 www.drivesncontrols.com Festo has launched a series of compatible control, electromechanical and pneumatic components that can be used to solve motion tasks simply and affordably. The Simplified Motion Series consists of various linear and rotary electromechanical components, together with an application-optimised integrated motors and servodrives, avoiding the need for external servodrives or for control cabinets, because the components can be mounted directly onto machinery. Festo says that the series combines the simplicity of pneumatics with the benefits of automation to create affordable drive systems that are easy to install and operate. It sees the series as an entry point for upgrading to electric drive automation. The matched motors, drives and axes make selection safe and reliable. The series integrates all of the elements of an electric drive in one package for motion tasks such as positioning, aligning, feeding, sorting, clamping, ejecting and stopping. It is said to be ideal for simple movements between two mechanical end-positions, without having to sacrifice characteristics such as pre-defined speeds, cushionedmovement into end- positions, and selectable forces for pressing or clamping. The series includes spindle and toothed belt axes, mini slides, electric cylinders and rotary drives. These can be combined with other actuators, with more advanced electrical axes, or with pneumatically- driven guided actuators using standardised interfaces and centring rings for accurate positioning and load transfer. The components are designed to “plug and work”, avoiding the need for extra software. Parameters for boosting or reducing speed, as well as pressing and clamping forces, can be set on the drives, along with end-position reference and cushioning profiles. The motion can be controlled via digital I/O. End-position feedback, similar to that from a proximity sensor or cylinder switch, flags up when the motion has been completed. Digital I/O and IO-Link are included, with the latter offering remote control, parameter copying, backup functions, and read functions for advanced parameters. IO-Link also supports drive-to-cloud comms. Festo 01252 775000 www.festo.co.uk/sms Rockwell Automation has announced a range of hygienic servomotors and stainless-steel HMIs to help minimise contamination during production, and to ease compliance for food and pharmaceutical manufacturers. The Kinetix VPH servomotors are said to improve machine reliability, while meeting stringent hygienic standards. They have stainless-steel housings and smooth surfaces that can withstand washdowns. They are said to simplify cleaning and sanitisation, and to be more efficient than covering and protecting standard motors. The motors are designed to the EHEDG and 3-A sanitary standards, and are IP69K-rated and NSF-certified. The stainless-steel version of the Allen-Bradley PanelView Plus 7 HMI can be used on machines in “splash” or contaminant zones, without needing to be covered or isolated. This simplifies cleaning and helps to protect product quality, while removing obstructions, thus allowing operators to monitor production better. It is claimed to be the first general-purpose HMI to be certified by America’s National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). It is IP69K-protected, allowing high- pressure, high-temperature chemical washdowns. It uses a blue-coloured, food-grade silicone gasket to help spot any damage. Rockwell Automation 01908 627889 www.rockwellautomation.com Plug-and-work motion portfolio solves simple tasks ‘affordably’ Hygienic IP69K servomotors and HMIs help to cut contamination Control Techniques is offering ready-made, cabinet-based high- power drives for emergency breakdowns, on one-week deliveries. The freestanding DFS drives, with ratings from 55–520kW, are based on CT’s Unidrive M700 and Powerdrive F300 drive modules and are aimed at efficient motor control in tough environments. IP23 protection is standard, with IP54 as an option, and water-cooled IP55 variants available on request. The pre-engineered systems need no extra engineering and are designed to integrate with existing cubicles. www.controltechniques.com Phoenix Contact has announced a family of serial device servers and gateways that can integrate a variety of protocols into networks, or allow easy migration of existing serial devices to Ethernet. The Modbus-to-Ethernet/IP gateways can integrate existing Modbus TCP or RTU slaves into Ethernet/IP. The Modbus register is mapped to the Ethernet/IP protocol and made available via Web-based management. There are variants with up to four RS-232/422/485 serial interfaces and two Ethernet RJ-45 ports. www.phoenixcontact.co.uk Baumer has launched a range of magnetic encoders which, it says, provide resolutions that until recently were only possible using optical encoders. The EAM 580/360 encoders combine a magnet, sensor and a microprocessor that performs signal-processing algorithms for converting, filtering and interpolating the measured values to provide an angular precision of ±0.15 degrees, however challenging the operating conditions. The robust encoders can withstand shocks up to 600g and vibration up to 30g, making them suitable for challenging applications. The extra-robust EAM R series provides high levels of corrosion resistance, making them suitable for mobile automation applications, as well as offering functional safety to PL d. Baumer 01793 783839 www.baumer.com/gb/en Magnetic encoders offer resolutions that rival those of optical devices