April 2020

64 n NEW PRODUCTS April 2020 www.drivesncontrols.com B&R Automation has announced a vertical-mounting version of its SuperTrak“intelligent”track system which, it says, can halve the floorspace needed to produce a given output. If products are only transported on the upper side of the system, their weight is not supported magnetically. Instead the load is transferred directly to the rollers, giving the shuttles a higher payload capacity. The system is designed for 24/7 operation in harsh conditions and can deliver flexible, efficient production in batches of any size. Its independently controlled shuttles can be positioned freely to group products of different sizes – for example, to create multi-packs of different beverages or other products. Individual segments and shuttles can be replaced without having to disassemble the track. Downtime for changeovers can often be eliminated. The system’s power electronics have been repositioned, and are easy to access from the front. Connections between the track segments have also been reinforced to ensure mechanical rigidity, stability and reliability. B&R Automation 01733 371320 www.br-automation.com Inmoco is offering a range of compact, frameless, direct-drive motors with low profiles. The Omni motors, from US-based Celera Motion, promise high torque densities, high acceleration, zero backlash and high mechanical stiffness, as well as low inertia and short settling times. The motors are said to provide good control accuracy of highly dynamic axes, with their low cogging delivering smooth, accurate motion. There are three variants: the 533mm outer diameter UTH high- torque motor (which achieves a peak torque of 47.7Nm, a continuous duty of 15.9Nm, and a top speed of 5,000 rpm), the UTL low-to-medium torque model, and the UTO version for applications that need an outside rotating configuration. The frameless kits are easy to integrate with machinery. Large through-holes provide efficient routing for cables and optics. The motors’windings, stator lengths, flanges and form factors can be customised to suit an application. Celera can also develop complete mechatronic sub-systems. Inmoco 01327 307600 www.inmoco.co.uk Vertical version of smart track system halves floorspace Frameless direct-drive motors deliver high torque densities, zero backlash and good control accuracy FATH Components has announced a new profile connector system that, it claims, can cut framework assembly times by 70%. The Alu Connection Angles M system is said to combine clever design with the innovative use of magnet technology in a patent- pending connector block. A single tool is used to build an entire aluminium section framework rapidly, avoiding the need to handle separate parts such as T-nuts and locking screws. Magnets hold the rhombus fasteners inside the connector, and complete connectors are supplied pre- assembled and ready for use (and later re-use). The design of the connectors means that they also reinforce the corner joints, allowing higher moment loads to be accommodated without the need for extra machining of the profiles. Standard cover caps in grey or black can be clipped into position. The system is available ex-stock for 40mm and 80mm sections. FATH Components 01252 346610 www.fath24.com Magnetic profile connector system cuts assembly times by 70% Schneider Electric has announced an app for controlling electrical assets that acts like a smart logbook, with all information on, and data produced by, devices being available centrally. Personnel working on a joint project can share information via the app without needing to rely on printed information that can be lost or damaged. The EcoStruxure Facility Expert app – available for smartphones, tablets or PCs – allows users to map out their electrical assets for better organisation, with any documentation being a touch away. Adding devices is easy. You simply scan their QR code and all relevant information is stored in the app. Users can add new devices in the field. The app monitors electrical assets in real-time and notifies users if it detects something is wrong. This could be anything from a blown fuse to an insulation fault in a distribution board. This helps to avoid disruption and downtime. Schneider’s Okken panels built at its Telford site are now shipped with a QR code that can be scanned using the app. This leads to an asset page where documentation on maintenance and safety instructions can be found, along with recommended preventative maintenance tasks. The EcoStruxure Facility Expert app can be downloaded from app stores. Schneider Electric www.se.com/uk Smart logbook app keeps track of electrical assets CarloGavazzi has launched a family of non-contact safetymagnetic sensors suitable for safety gate applications where space is limited. Measuring 36 x 36 x 13mm, the MC36C coded sensors canmonitor the position of hinged, sliding or removable guards.Thanks to a wide actuation range, they offer large tolerances for mechanical features that may change over time.With a logic safetymodule, the sensors are suitable for applications up to safety category 4, PLe.They can be used in damp, dirty and dusty environments. www.carlogavazzi.co.uk