November/December 2020

47 www.drivesncontrols.com November/December 2020 NEW PRODUCTS n Omron has updated its Sysmac Studio 3D Simulation development environment (IDE) with 3D simulation that integrates and verifies the movements of robots and peripheral devices. The software can digitally reproduce an entire facility to verify the operation to the same accuracy as an actual machine. Omron claims it is the first software of its type to control and verify robots and other peripheral equipment in one operation Users can buy optional licenses to add simulation functions to the Sysmac Studio programming software of Omron's NJ/NX automation controllers. https://industrial.omron.eu igus has released new software to enhance the control and use of its low-cost Robolink robotic arms, delta robots and linear gantry robots. The software allows users to create programs and identify the robot that best suits their application, before making a purchase. The free software includes a digital twin – a virtual replica which can be programmed and taught to move and behave intuitively. Users can freely move all axes of the digital twin via a 3D interface. This programming can later be applied to the physical robot. www.igus.co.uk TDK is offering low-inertia Z axes to improve the cycle time of horizontal articulated robots. The low-inertia BNS-V ballscrew- spline axes combine a ballscrew nut and ballspline nut inserted into a dedicated ballscrew and ballspline grooves on the shaft. The ballscrew/spline can perform three types of motion (rotational, linear, and spiral) with a single shaft by rotating or stopping each nut. The small outside-diameter nut reduces weight, while the shaft diameter remains the same, thus enabling shorter cycle times. Stresses on the motor and the waste heat are reduced. www.thk.com Carpanelli has announced that Lenze is no longer an agent for its standard and special electric motors, following a decision by Lenze to rationalise its portfolio. Carpanelli can now supply UK customers direct from Italy on a 4/5-week lead time, or less for stock orders. It says that this is“an opportunity to get the original product straight from the manufacturer with what should be a substantial cost saving”. It can supply motors with or without gearboxes, including Hydromec boxes, which Lenze is also dropping. www.carpanelli.co.uk Carlo Gavazzi has announced a new generation (its third) of single-phase pump and compressor soft-starts for applications with operating currents up to 32A AC and limit currents to 45A AC (under balanced conditions). The RBSBS soft-start has a maximum ramp- up time of 600ms, and reduces compressor starting currents by more than 50%, thus avoiding flickering lights, tripped fuses and stalled generators. A self- learning algorithm provides smooth soft starting and stopping of pumps, even under varying load conditions, as well as reducing vibrations. If, during the ramp-up sequence, the soft-start detects that a motor’s rotor is locked, or the starting pressures are unbalanced, or the voltage supply is weak, a high-pressure (HP) function triggers automatically after 250ms. The current ramps up briefly to a maximum of 80A and then returns to a nominal value once the motor is running – all within 1s. No user adjustments are needed and the HP function ensures that the pump or compressor starts in less than a second, even with unequalised pressures during start-up. Integrated diagnostics can detect voltage dips and interruptions, as well as welded relay contacts. The RSBS is rated for a maximum of ten starts per hour. Carlo Gavazzi Automation 01276 854110 www.carlogavazzi.co.uk Rittal has announced a modular switchgear system, suitable for both power distribution systems and motor control centres up to 6.3kA. Based on Rittal’s VX25 enclosures, the VX25 Ri4Power system is suitable for applications from form 2a control panels to form 4b switchgear. Time savings of up to 50% are said to be possible using a new version of the Power Engineering configurator in combination with fewer parts. The system has been designed (in line with IEC 61641) to reduce the incidence of internal arc faults, and it has been tested and certified to IEC 61439. The same busbar supports are used for both 600mm and 800mm-deep enclosures. Their symmetrical shape means they can be used left or right, and can be fastened to a VX25 profile by three screws. The supports, tested to 100kA for 1 second, accept 30 x 10 or 50 x 10 copper bar, with the two busbar sizes covering ratings up to 6.3kA. Usability was a key focus for the new version of the intuitive Power Engineering software. It needs only a few parameters, allowing manufacturers with little experience to configure type-tested switchgear simply and reliably. Maintenance has also been simplified by making the new busbar supports and connectors accessible from the front, making it easier to check the torque applied to screws, for instance, or to determine the temperatures of contact points. Rittal 01709 704000 www.rittal.co.uk Soft-starter cuts compressor starting currents by more than 50% NSK has developed a series of deep-groove ball-bearings with ceramic coatings optimised for VSDs (variable-speed drives) and motors. The insulating effect of the coating avoids the risk of parasitic currents reaching the driven components via the motor shaft and bearings, not only extending their service lives but avoiding damage to nearby components. Such parasitic currents can damage bearings as a result of phenomena such as ripple formation and the melting of running surfaces. The currents can also impair the operation and service lives of driven components. The coating used for the new bearings has an insulating effect said to be up to ten times better than previous technologies, and the impact resistance of the normally brittle ceramic is nowmore than three times higher than that of ceramic coatings used on conventional bearings. The bearings thus achieve much longer service lives. A further benefit is that the optimised coating provides better dissipation of the heat generated in the bearing as its rotates, extending service lives further. NSK 00 49 2102 4811280 www.nskeurope.com New ceramic coating for motor bearings is ‘ten times better’ Modular switchgear system covers MCC and power distribution uses up to 6.3kA