July/August 2020

46 n DESIGN DATA AND MULTIMEDIA July/August 2020 www.drivesncontrols.com igus has launched a“virtual trade show”, which presents more than 100 plastic innovations and product range additions in a 400m 2 display area at the company’s headquarters in Germany. Remote guided tours, one-to-one meetings with experts and group meetings can be arranged on the stand. Using tablets, the experts guide visitors around the stand to see new products and watch demonstrations. At each demonstration station, visitors can make view displays, videos and text to find out about products ranging from single-pair Ethernet (SPE) cables for e-chains, to lightweight polymer telescopic slides and“smart”plastics. Links take users to more detailed technical information and videos. www.igus.co.uk/virtualexhibition White Paper examines food and beverage enclosure requirements Rittal has published aWhite Paper that looks at hygienic design enclosures for the food and beverage industry, and how they must align with directives, regulations and guidelines. Among other topics, the paper covers: cleaning, corrosion and other factors that affect materials and surfaces; connection systems, including seals and seams; angles and corners, and how to simplify washdown and avoid niches that could collect contaminants; how to avoid penetration by water and other contaminants; and testing procedures for enclosures used on food production lines. https://info.rittal.co.uk/hygienic_design_whitepaper Small motors and controls catalogue has 30 new arrivals Maxon has released its 2020/2021 catalogue which includes more than 30 new products. As well as covering its DC motor and controller products, the catalogue also includes resources for product selection, application examples and information on possible modifications. The new products covered include: compact brushless motors with integrated positioning controllers; brushless motors for high- torque applications; flat motors; 22mm-diameter brushless torque motors in three lengths; and expansions to the Epos positioning controller platform, including EtherCat and CAN communications. www.maxongroup.co.uk/maxon/view/content/catalog_request Online knowledge hub includes two free books EU Automation has pooled its resources in an online“knowledge hub”where visitors can download resources on additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, Industry 4.0, cybersecurity, obsolescence, sustainability and the circular economy. The company is also offering free downloads of two books – The Book of Obsolescence Management , which explains how manufacturers can use obsolescence to their advantage, and 4.0 Sight , which takes a global look at the fourth industrial revolution. These books were previously available on Amazon (with the first being downloaded more than 17,000 times), but the authors felt that offering them as free downloads would help manufacturing professionals in their online learning. https://www.euautomation.com/en/knowledge-hub Virtual trade show reveals more than 100 innovations Precision positioning specialist launches online UK store PI (Physik Instrumente) has launched an online shop for UK customers, offering them access to some of its most popular off-the- shelf products, as well as details of offers and pricing. Products on offer include piezo components, piezo and electromagnetic- motor-driven actuators and stages, and precision microscopy stages. There is a live chat function to help guide customers through their purchases. https://www.physikinstrumente.store/uk E-store offers industrial automation hardware in a click The industrial IT and automation expert Novotek UK and Ireland has launched an e- store to help source industrial automation hardware online. Initially, the site is offering more than 70 of Emerson Automation Solutions ’most commonly specified hardware products, ranging from operator interfaces to programmable automation controllers (PACs). Visitors can search the products by category, usage or product code, and support is available via live chat services or by telephone. Novotek plans to expand the range of products available. www.novotek-estore.com Double update for CAE software sites Eplan has re-launched its Web site, giving it a clear design, focusing on ease of use. Page structures have been adapted and the search function optimised. A responsive design allows access via mobile devices. Dynamic images and a vertical navigator have replaced the previous format, while the site’s structure has been redefined. The site allows visitors to load only information relevant to them and their industry. Eplan has also redesigned its ePulse site, allowing users to log into its cloud software directly and use its eView, eBuild and Data Portal systems. Eplan’s Solution Centre support system offers tutorials, FAQs and an information portal. www.eplan.co.uk www.epulse.com Guide explains new ecodesign standard for motors WEG has released a visual guide explaining the European Commission’s impending stricter ecodesign requirements for electric motors. The updated regulations, which come into force from July 2021, cover more motor types, including motors for hazardous areas, and require higher efficiencies. The ecodesign directive previously applied only to three-phase motors from 0.75–375kW. The updated regulations will require all new 2-, 4-, 6- and 8-pole electric motors from 0.75–1,000kW to meet the IE3 classification, whether or not they are combined with a VSD. WEG’s downloadable guide explains the changes. https://drivesncontrols.news/jrz8k