June 2020

n TECHNOLOGY ABB HAS ANNOUNCED that its SynRM synchronous reluctance motors now comply with the IEC’s new IE5 ultra- premium energy efficiency class, achieving energy losses that are up to 50% lower than those of IE2 induction machines. ABB introduced the SynRM technology in 2011 and applications have demonstrated energy savings of up to 25%. The SynRM technology combines the performance of permanent magnets with the simplicity and ease of servicing of induction motors. The motors do not contain rare earth materials, and operate with low bearing and winding temperatures for enhanced reliability and long service lives. They are also claimed to cut noise levels. The motors now meet the requirements of the IE5 efficiency class as defined in IEC TS 60034-30-2. They are available with output powers of 5.5–315kW, in IEC frame sizes 132-315. “Climate change and environmental responsibility are driving huge changes across all industries”, says Tero Helpio, global product manager for IEC LV motors at ABB Motion. “We have responded to this challenge with our IE5 ultra-premiummotors that meet the most stringent energy efficiency standards. These motors offer industrial users a great opportunity to reduce their electricity usage and reduce CO 2 emissions, while also benefiting from increased productivity and lower lifecycle costs.” ABB says that the SynRM motors offer accurate control and high efficiencies across their whole speed range, even at partial loads. This makes them ideal upgrades for standard induction motors in pump, fan and compressor applications, as well as in more demanding applications such as extruders, winches and conveyors. The motors can replace induction machines easily because they have the same size and output power, and do not need any mechanical modifications. https://new.abb.com/motors-generators p Analog Devices has released the“first” software-configurable I/O chips for automation and building controls, saying they will lead to more flexible control systems and simpler products.Traditional controls need labour- intensivemanual configuration, with an array of channel modules, analogue and digital signal converters, and individually wired I/Os to communicate withmachines and sensors. ADI’s AD74412R and AD74413R chips allow flexible control systems to be designedwith remotely reconfigurable channels, without extensive re- wiring. ADI says the chips will allow users to implement projects more efficiently and achieve more flexible control, resulting in lower design and installation costs, and faster commissioning. www.analog.com p A UK agri-food business, Flox, is one of 20 SMEs chosen for support under the EU’s Esmera project, which aims to boost robotics innovation among SMEs. Like the other successful projects (out of 69 applicants), Flox will receive up to €75,000 for a nine-month proof-of-concept phase, before a reviewwill select those to go on to commercialisation. p Profinet saw its biggest-ever rise last year, with 6.4million newdevices being installed (25%more than 2018) and taking the total in use to 32.4m, according to Profibus & Profinet International (PI) .The number of new IO-Link devices grewby 40% (the same as in 2018), taking the total number installed tomore than 16m, while 2.5mnew Profisafe nodes were installed, taking the total base to almost 14m. Even the venerable Profibus recorded 1.9mnew nodes, taking its global total to 62m. p ODVA has entered into separate agreements to integrate FDT and FDI technologies further into EtherNet/IP. Joint ODVA/ FDT Group activities are underway to develop an FDT communications annex to support the ODVA Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) on the new FDT 3.0/FITS platform. Separately, ODVA and the Fieldcomm Group are collaborating to enhance the FDI Package Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and FDI Host Components to support EtherNet/IP. IE5 synchronous reluctance motors can halve losses a guar a Extr gHy eed nt leanline c ienic De ss sign OSURES ENCL WER D PO TRIBUTION IS OL TE CONTR A CLIM ABB says that its IE5 synchronous reluctance motors exhibit half the losses of IE2 induction machines

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=