September 2020

46 n NEW PRODUCTS September 2020 www.drivesncontrols.com Rockwell Automation has expanded its family of safety controllers by adding a new device that brings the performance and cost-saving benefits of its Allen-Bradley Compact GuardLogix 5380 controllers to safety applications. Engineers can now scale applications up to and including SIL 3/PLe. Rockwell says that the Compact GuardLogix 5380 SIL 3 controller will allow users to “right-size”safety control systems to applications, thus helping to cut design and purchasing costs. The increased processing power in the controller can reduce reaction times and safe distances, helping to create smaller machines, save floor space and increase operator efficiency. Having the same high- performance controller for both standard and safety control also helps to boost productivity and cut system costs, complexity and cabinet sizes. It allows users to mix-and-match standard and safety I/O in the same chassis. Gigabit Ethernet ports provide high-capacity communications, helping to achieve data- intensive smart manufacturing without needing any extra hardware. Integrated support for certified motion safety instructions can reduce the need for hardware components and wiring in machines, and simplify installation. Local safety I/O support can cut the need for adapters, as well as improving machine performance. Rockwell Automation www.rockwellautomation.com Bender has launched an earth leakage relay that can monitor earthed power systems (TN and TT) remotely for earth faults. The RCM410R relay identifies deteriorating insulation resistance, thus identifying developing earth faults at an early stage, allowing planned intervention that maximises safety and system availability for operators and maintenance teams. Periodic inspection and testing of installations and electrical equipment in accordance with BS 7671:2018 section 651.2 can be time- consuming and costly. The relay, which is AC and pulsed DC sensitive, complies with IEC 62020 and IEC 62020-1, and fulfils the need for regulatory checks without needing power shutdowns. The device, designed to be paired with a current transformer, can reduce risks and operating costs in in applications including motors/drives. It uses Modbus RTU to communicate with networks, allowing operators to monitor leakage currents remotely, and eliminating the need for manual data collection. Bender 01229 480123 https://www.bender-uk.com ABB has announced a high- payload delta robot aimed at applications such as packaging, and high-speed, high-variation sorting and on-demand order- picking in logistics and e- commerce fulfilment centres. The IRB 390 FlexPacker robot, which is due to go on sale at the end of 2020, will be is 35% faster than ABB’s current IRB 360-8/1130 FlexPicker, with a 45% bigger reachable volume, and payload capacity of up to 15kg. It will be available with four or five axes. The robot will use NSF H1 food- grade lubricants and will be built using FDA-compliant materials for use in hygienic environments. By combining the new robot with ABB’s existing IRB 360 FlexPicker high-speed picking-and-packing robot, manufacturers will be able to build systems for pre-sorting and group packing of products. The new robot will work with ABB’s PickMaster Twin robot software for vision-guided random flow picking and packing . The software uses digital twin technology to create simulated packing stations that optimise the picking process. It is claimed to cut commissioning times fromdays to hours, and changeover times from hours tominutes. The software supports up to 10 cameras for position guidance and inspection. ABB 01908 350 300 https://new.abb.com/products/ robotics SIL 3 safety controller will help to boost productivity and cut costs Relay monitors power systems remotely for earth faults High-payload delta robot is 35% faster and covers bigger volume AVT Reliability has enhanced its cloud-based condition-monitoring tools by adding a long-range, low- energy Bluetooth router.The IP65- protected Machine Sentry Gateway removes the need for manual data collection from sensors, improving safety and freeing up time for shopfloor workers. It can connect up to 100 vibration sensors to the Internet via Ethernet, Wi-Fi or 3G/4G, and extends Bluetooth links up to 50m. Power-over-Ethernet simplifies set-ups and scaling up. Data can be stored in the cloud, where it can be managed from any location. Vibration sensor data is analysed using AVT’s Automated Diagnostic Assistant. www.avtreliability.com HBM ’sT40MS torque transducer is now available in a cost-optimised version suitable for testing electric drives and transmissions at speeds of up to 30,000 rpm.The compact, robust design covers nominal torques of 500Nm, 1kNm and 2kNm in one measuring body size. The transducer has an accuracy class of 0.05, good linearity, and a hysteresis of 0.03%. https://www.hbm.com PI (Physik Instrumente) has released free software that simulates hexapod applications and determines if a particular hexapod is suitable for a positioning task, in terms of workspace, load, centre of mass and operating orientation.The software can be used to find out the limits of a hexapod before physically setting it up. Hexapods offer motion in six degrees of freedom (XYZ, pitch, roll and yaw) and can handle loads up to 2000kg.Their parallel kinematic design provides advantages over multi-axis positioners built from a stack of single-axis stages. www.physikinstrumente.co.uk Steute has updated its Ex RF 96 electromechanical wireless position switches and cylindrical (M12, M18 and M30) Ex RF IS wireless inductive sensors, adding Atex- /IECEx approval for use in Ex zones 1 and 21.The wireless signals need little energy so there is no risk of explosion, bringing flexibility to the design and construction of explosion-proof machines and plants.The devices can be mounted onmachines in Ex zones withmoving or difficult-to-access parts. Ex-compatible cable connections are no longer needed, simplifying installation and gaining of Ex approvals. www.steute.co.uk