January 2020

46 n NEW PRODUCTS January 2020 www.drivesncontrols.com Festo has announced a ballscrew- based electric cylinder comprising a non-rotating piston rod with a stroke of up to 500mm, and a plain bearing guide. The EPCC cylinder, available in four sizes, promises simple, affordable and accurate positioning. It uses a ballscrew with low internal friction, enabling it to achieve high dynamic responses and short positioning times. The compact ballscrew drive ensures quiet spindle operation and precise positioning, with lifetime lubrication. Integrated end-position cushioning reduces noise when approaching the end positions, as well as absorbing impact energy during homing. There is a wide range of motor- mounting options and users can choose an axial or parallel motor position, and switch between the two at any time. An integrated coupling and double bearing save space. The EPCC is easy to mount in combination with a spindle or toothed-belt ELGC linear axis, without needing adapters. There is an option to introduce air pressure compensation using fittings and tubing. Ducted pressure compensation air prevents ambient particles or moisture from being sucked into the electric cylinder, and no particles are emitted from the drive into the air. Festo 01252 775000 www.festo.co.uk/epcc Schmersal has developed an RFID- based solenoid interlock which it claims is the world’s smallest. Measuring 119.5 x 40 x 20mm, the AZM40 interlock is ideal for small safety doors and flaps. Despite its compact size, the interlock can produce 2kN of force. The RFID technology results in a “high” coding level, offering increased tamper protection in accordance with DIN ISO 14119. The interlock operates on the bistable principle. If power is lost, it stays in position. This ensures safe operation, whatever the status of the machine. Even if there are hazardous run-on movements, the safety door will remain locked. Another advantage of the bistable design is low energy consumption, because the interlock needs power only when the door is locked or unlocked. Thanks to the actuator’s 180° angle flexibility, it can approach the interlock on a stepless basis, making it suitable for flaps that do not close at 90° or those that open upwards to a 45° angle. This helps the interlock to fit into tight and hard-to-access spaces. For applications with personnel protection (interlock monitored), the safety outputs are switched on when the safety door is closed and the interlock is locked. An actuator-monitored version can be used for applications with process protection. In this variant, the safety outputs are actuated as soon as the safety door is closed. Schmersal 01684 571980 www.schmersal.co.uk Electronic RFID based solenoid interlock is ‘world’s smallest’ The CAE software specialist Eplan has launched cloud-based software that generates electrical and fluid power schematic diagrams automatically. There is no charge for accessing Eplan eBuild, which is aimed at users of Eplan’s Platform 2.8 wanting to take their first steps into cloud services. The only requirement is that they register for Eplan’s ePluse cloud services. After registering, you simply open a project and select tasks in the usual way. At the click of a mouse, the software generates schematics that are compatible with Eplan’s Electric P8 electrical design and Fluid design software. The software uses stored macros to produce schematics, instead of requiring repeated access to data for individual devices and components. Users can generate schematics for standard circuits almost automatically using stored macro libraries. Because it includes the logic and variants for each device or component, the software speeds up the design process. Engineers can focus on core tasks, such as product innovation. Eplan intends to update and expand eBuild’s design libraries and is talking to component manufacturers to source data for future libraries with the aim of achieving the widest possible availability of configurators. ePlan 01709 704100 www.eplan.co.uk At the recent SPS exhibition, Siemens announced a servodrive that operates on protective extra- low voltages from 24-48V. The Simatic Micro-Drive F-TM Servodrive comprises a drive controller module, a Simatic ET 200SP I/O system, and universal motors and plug-in cables. It supports dynamic and accurate positioning in small spaces, and power ratings up to 280W. The drive joins Siemens’ Simatic Micro-Drive PDC (ProfiDriveControl) family and completes the company’s drive portfolio in the protective extra- low voltage range for EC (electronically commutated) motors from 24-48V. The drive integrates into the TIA Portal environment for rapid commissioning. It connects to Simatic controllers using plug-in connections. Communications are via Profinet. The servodrive system is suitable for positioning tasks in productionmachines, stacker cranes, and AGVs (automated guided vehicles). It can be used withmotors fromDunkermotoren and ebm-papst, and plug-in cables fromHarting or KnorrTec. Siemens www.siemens.com/micro-drive Free cloud-based software generates electrical and fluid power schematics automatically Servodrive operates at extra- low voltages Electric cylinder offers precise, rapid positioning