March 2020

72 n NEW PRODUCTS March 2020 www.drivesncontrols.com Baumer has announced a series of laser distance sensors designed to provide precise, reliable inline measurements, even on challenging and inconsistent surfaces and materials. The OM70 sensors are said to have one of the thinnest beam shapes available, helping to ensure a precise measuring focus. While point-type laser beams typically go down to 0.2 x 0.75mm, the new sensors can achieve 0.05 x 0.05mm. This optimises the sensor’s receiving array and minimises errors caused by irregularities such as machining marks, tiny scratches or dents, which can impair the performance of other laser sensors. The OM70 offers high precision at close ranges, and a selectable range with a “sweet spot” of up to 250mm. A second option ensures reproducibility of long-distance measurements up to 1.5m. One version (OM70- T) provides tolerance measurements and dimensional accuracy checks to help improve product quality with non-contact dimensional accuracy checks. It can be adjusted to suit the task via a Web interface. The sensors have an ambient light immunity of up to 28k lux, while most others only go up to 7.5k lux. Automatic light adaptation allows the sensors to work in dark or dusty environments and to receive stable reflections. Baumer 01793 783839 www.baumer.com/gb/en x Combidrive has added a modular worm gearhead to its Ruhrgetriebe range of worm geared motors. The aluminium-cased SN5VH gearhead covers ratios from 2.5:1 to 100:1 and has a 15Nm output torque capacity. www.combidrive.com Schaeffler is introducing new rolling elements into its 241-series of spherical roller bearings in X-life quality with bore diameters of 500mm or more. The new barrel rollers are characterised by their end profiling, an optimised micro- geometry on the ends of the rollers. This makes them significantly more robust in use. The edge pressure caused by abrasive material wear is at least 20% lower on bearings with profiled rollers than those with non- profiled rollers, resulting in higher reliability and longer operating lives. www.schaeffler.co.uk igus has announced a compact toothed belt axis based on its flat drylin N linear system. The 27mm- high, 40mm-wide drylin ZLN-40 axis is available with stroke lengths up to 750mm. The modular system can be assembled“within minutes”, or can be ordered as an assembled system ready for connection. With an igus motor and dryve controller, it can handle loads of up to 20N and has a speed ratio of 60mm per revolution. www.igus.co.uk/drylin Fanuc has introduced a hollow-arm version of its six-axis R-2000 robot, capable of holding process cables for applications such as material handling or spot welding. Maintenance costs are reduced by protecting, and minimising the strain on, the cables, reducing wear and tear, and preventing interference with other equipment. Off-line simulations are said to be easier and more precise. There are two versions of the hollow-armed R- 2000iD: one with a 165kg load capacity; the other with a 210kg capacity. Both have a reach of 2,605mm and smaller footprints (678 x 536mm) than their predecessors. www.fanuc.eu/uk/en Thin-beam laser distance sensors minimise errors R A Rodriguez has introduced a series of standard and bespoke cycloidal gearheads and component sets for applications that need high precision and rigidity, involve high loads and speeds, or require lifelong zero backlash. The sealed, ready-to- install gearboxes are designed and manufactured by Nabtesco Precision Europe, which has appointed Rodriguez as its sole UK distributor. Nabtesco gearboxes are said to be used in more than 60% of the world’s industrial robots. The robust boxes are aimed at applications where backlash and positioning accuracy are critically important. The cycloidal gears exhibit a low increase in backlash over extended periods, and they also allow reduction ratios from 30:1 to more than 300:1 without extra pre-stages. The cycloidal gears are lighter and about 50% shorter than planetary counterparts. They offer 500% higher overload protection. The gear teeth need no gear in the output stage and are not subjected to shear forces, making them efficient, precise and robust. The power transmission, via pins and rollers, ensures high efficiency and long lives with low backlash. Almost complete contact within the cycloidal pin construction, and an even force distribution, lead to high load-bearing capacities. Two-stage reductions minimise vibration and mass inertia, while allowing higher reduction ratios. Adaptor plates and shaft couplings for servomotors are built in, cutting design and assembly costs. Hygienic and high-performance versions are available. R A Rodriguez 01462 670044 www.rarodriguez.co.uk Cycloidal gearboxes target high-end applications Red Lion Controls has released a Layer 3 Ethernet switch that offers 28 high-speed ports (24 1Gigabit, four 10Gigabit) and reliable wire- speed switching performance. The industrial-grade NT328G switches provide a flexible mix of copper and fibre ports, with Layer 3 routing that provides the ability to route across VLANs or subnets. The IP30-protected switches include network redundancy, security, policy-based traffic control and easy-to-use configuration and management, cutting operating costs while providing continuous monitoring of network activity. The rack-mounting metal housings are designed for long lives in harsh industrial environments. Red Lion Controls www.redlion.net/NT328G Layer 3 switches provide 28 high-speed ports