February 2020

TECHNOLOGY n 25 www.drivesncontrols.com February 2020 p ODVA has published enhancements to its EtherNet/IP specification outlining how to integrate IO-Link devices into CIP architectures. This will allow IO-Link sensors and devices to connect better with EtherNet/IP controllers and devices at higher network levels. IO-Link integration with CIP will provide seamless communications between CIP originators and IO-Link devices through intermediate IO-Link masters using existing IO-Link hardware and standards. p SEW Eurodrive has added an “anti-slosh” function to its Movikit modular software to prevent liquids from spilling out of containers. The function optimises motion profiles during acceleration and braking so that liquids or viscous products will not spill out of an open container. p A US company, Twin Spring Coupling , has announced a hybrid flexible coupling that, it says, can replace all universal, jaw, beam, bellows and other flexible industrial couplings. The patented, maintenance-free design can handle high speeds and lowmisalignments, while being more flexible than other couplings because of its dual-spring construction. It can also run at lower speeds and higher misalignments like universal joints, but without needing maintenance. The TC150 coupling is rated to 200Nm and can run at up to 3,500 rpm. p An SKF sensor that monitors rotating equipment for vibration and temperature has been certified for use in hazardous areas, extending condition monitoring into new applications. The QuickCollect sensor has been certified to IECEx and Atex standards for use in Zone 1 areas, and is also approved for CSA Class I, Division 2, making it suitable for some applications in North America. p Oral-B has developed an electric toothbrush using a linear magnetic drive that combines oscillating and rotating cleaning motions with micro-vibrations. The quiet, efficient drive is said to deliver energy more efficiently to the tips of its bristles for a “sensational cleaning experience”. Oral-B says the iO brush is “a monumental leap in innovative oral care technology” and is the result of 6 years of r&d and more than 250 patents. A pressure sensor with a variable-speed smart drive adjusts the operating frequency to protect the user’s gums and tooth enamel. p Profibus & Profinet International (PI) is developing security measures to protect Profinet at the protocol level. It has defined three security classes – robustness, integrity and authenticity, and confidentiality – and defined initial measures for the first of these (known as security class 1). These will be integrated into the Profinet specification. Development work is taking place on the other classes. p Analog Devices has released a robust, low- power industrial Ethernet transceiver that, it says, will help to address Indusrty 4.0 and smart factory communication challenges involving data integration, synchronisation, edge connections and interoperability. The single-port ADIN1300 transceiver achieves low latencies and short Ethernet cycle times. It is part of ADI’s Chronous industrial Ethernet portfolio. LENZE HAS developed two control platforms that, it says, “stretch the limits of what is technically feasible”. The first is a dedicated controller said to be powerful enough to handle complex projects that previously required industrial PCs. The second is a combined PLC and IPC for tasks, such as database management, that require Windows capabilities. The new c500 series represents “a new performance class for controllers”, according to Lenze. OEMs will no longer have to worry about whether their controllers have enough computing power for complex tasks, it adds. The new controllers exceed the performance limits of existing PLCs and thus the threshold at which you need to switch to PC technology. At the heart of the c500 controllers is Intel’s most powerful CPU for compact designs. These processors “redefine the upper performance limits for controllers,” Lenze declares. This allows the controller to keep pace with the rapidly increasing requirements for control and motion applications made by Industry 4.0. OEMs will no longer need to turn to industrial PCs, which require more programming and work on connections. Instead, they can operate in a familiar environment and make use of the software modules of Lenze’s Fast Application Software Toolbox. Existing programs based on IEC 61131-3 can continue to be used. Lenze cites the example of printing machines which place high demands on timing to synchronise their numerous axes, as well as requiring high precision. The new controllers will deliver sufficient performance for such applications, it says. For tasks that need to run Windows software, Lenze is offering the new c750 cabinet model which, it says, blurs the boundaries between PLCs and industrial PCs. The OpenSystem architecture splits the computing power between two independent operating systems. Real- time Linux handles control tasks, while Windows 10 IoT Enterprise is available for software applications. Each system runs on a physical processor core that can split into two virtual cores, thus processing two tasks in parallel. This is made possible by virtualisation at the processor level that is integrated in the CPU and allows available resources to be assigned directly – not just the processor cores, but also the main memory and interfaces. The c750 offers an alternative to using an additional PC in a compact form factor. It can run Windows applications, such as configuration management and data evaluation, with the help of AI and machine learning. Other applications include image analysis for barcode readers, 2D/3D scanners and vision applications, as well as robot teaching applications. The c750 can also pre- process data and make it cloud- compatible. In addition to the new controllers, Lenze has also developed gateways and a cloud-based platform for Web services, allowing machines in smart factories to be integrated into the cloud. www.lenze.co.uk New generation of controllers will ‘stretch the limits’ Lenze’s c750 cabinet controller blurs the boundaries between PLCs and industrial PCs