Industrial Factory Automation

XP Power today announced the JHM10 series of board mounted compact isolated 10 W DC-DC converters. Meeting the ANSI/AAMI ES60601-1:2005 / IEC60601-1 3rd edition medical safety standard and having a maximum leakage current of 2uA, the series meets the stringent international regulatory requirements for patient connected medical equipment. The converters have a reinforced input to output insulation at a working voltage of 250VAC and provide an isolation of up to 4,000 VAC for up to 1 minute, and up to 5,000 VAC for up to 10 milliseconds (defibrillator proof) and, as required by the 3rd edition, have two means of patient protection (MOPP). Isolation capacitance is 20 pF. The series comprises of three ranges accepting wide 2:1 inputs of 4.5 to 9 VDC, 9 to 18 VDC or 18 to 36 VDC with either single or dual outputs. Single outputs are +5, + 12, or +15 VDC, and duals provide +/- 5, +/- 12 or +/- 15 VDC. The regulated outputs vary no more than +/- 0.3 % under all input conditions and less tha...

XP Power today announced the EMH250 and EMH350 series of highly efficient single output 250 Watt and 350 Watt AC-DC power supplies. Meeting the IT equipment safety specifications of UL/TUV/EN 60950-1 and the stringent medical safety standards of UL/TUV/EN 60601-1 the EMH series suit a broad range of information technology, industrial, medical equipment and surgical life support applications. All models are also BF rated. Both the EMH250 250 W and the EMH350 350 W series have an extra wide input range of 80-275 VAC and are available in four output models covering the nominal voltages of + 12, + 18, + 24 or + 48 VDC. A trim function allows adjustment of the output voltage to within +/- 10% of stated nominal. A +12 VDC / 0.6 A fan supply is also provided across the range. In addition, the EMH350 series includes a +5 VDC / 2.0 A standby supply. Unlike many competitor models, full power is available from low input voltages of 90 VAC and the unit does not derate until +50 degrees C operati...

XP Power today announced additions to its LDU series of PCB mount DC input constant current LED drivers. Comprising four models offering power outputs of 5, 7, 14 and 20 Watts, these highly efficient LED drivers have a typical efficiency of 93% for the 5 – 14 Watt models and 95% for the 20 Watt devices. The LDU20 series provides up to 700 mA output current, and the LDU05, 07 and 14 series has a maximum output of 1000 mA. The drivers can accommodate a very wide range of input voltage from 7 – 30 VDC, which needs to be at least 2 V higher than the output. Dimming options include two analog methods (voltage or resistance) and a pulse width modulation (PWM) input signal. The PWM approach has a maximum operating frequency of 1 kHz, with a minimum 200 ns on/off time. When using an analog dimming method the output current range can be adjusted from 25% to 100% of nominal current. A remote on/off control input provides the designer the ability to control the output or sequence the start-up. ...

XP Power today announced the fleXPower X15 and XM15 series of multiple output configurable AC-DC power supplies that suit high power medical and IT/industrial applications. The X15 series complies with the internationally recognized EN/UL 60950 safety specification for IT and industrial applications. Meeting the demanding requirements of the latest 3rd edition medical safety standards, and having low leakage, the XM15 series suit applications in medical diagnostic appliances, CAT scan and MRI equipment. Capable of delivering 1500 W output at low line input, and 2500 W output at high line (> 180 VAC input), these compact fan cooled units measuring 279.4 x 127 x 127 mm (11 x 5 x 5 inches) have a power density of up to 9.09 Watt per cubic inch. The mechanical chassis approach of the fleXPower X15 and XM15 series provide 20 slots for arranging 2- or 3-slot output modules. The modules, available with single or dual outputs, cover all the popular nominal output voltages from + 3.3 to + ...

Now available from Micromech are the Parker’s Compax3 servo drives with EtherCAT which is an open, real-time, high-speed motion-bus network that operates over fast Ethernet at 100Mbit. This development is a fast-growing industrial network offering speeds faster than DeviceNet, ModbusTCP and Profibus. Parker’s Compax3 servo drives now utilise EtherCAT as a controlled node and implement the standard CAN over EtherCAT DS402 object library. This standardised implementation improves the ability to work directly with third-party EtherCAT managing nodes on the market. EtherCAT has been added to the whole Compax family. First the standard Compax3, which is a high performance servo controller with a power range from 1 to 110 kW and a whole selection of functions. Then there is the Compax3S that has a rated power of 1 up to 25 kW and can be installed in 300 mm control cabinets. Next is the Compax3M with a power range of 2 to 20 kW where there can be a cost reduction for multiaxis applications ...

ProSim undertook a complete renewal of its licensing system to provide customers with additional transparency and flexibility in the management and day to day utilization of their software licenses. This new system, called "ProSim License Manager", is now integrated in most ProSim software. New licensing options This new system allows ProSim to introduce additional licensing options. Local licenses (license that can only be used on a specific computer) and Network licenses (licenses that can be accessed by one or several users through a LAN or WAN network) obviously remain available and the ability to borrow temporarily a network license is now added. From a network license, the borrowing function creates a license that allows the software to be used during a pre-determined period on a specific computer which is not connected to the server. This option is particularly useful for customers who need to utilize the software outside their own office environment (visiting client...

ProSim, which provides process simulation and optimization software to the process industries, announces the release of a completely new version of BatchReactor, its software for batch chemical reactors simulation. The new software combines detailed equipment modeling, reaction engineering, and advanced numerical methods to create a state-of-the art simulation environment for chemists and chemical engineers. By providing a complete understanding of the production recipe, the new simulation software is a key element that must be integrated into any batch process development strategy. BatchReactor enables people from chemical, pharmaceutical or specialty chemicals industry to test alternative synthesis routes and new production strategies through effective use of simulation in parallel with their lab and pilot plant experimentations. ProSim gives the chemical industry a new and improved simulation software for batch reactors that can be used at different stage of the process developmen...

One of the requirements for quality control of polycarbonates is determination of volume and mass flow-rates. To ensure reproducible, operator-independent test results, Bayer uses Zwick's Aflow extrusion plastometer. This instrument was designed to provide a fast, simple and efficient test sequence and supports all current established test standards, including ISO 1133 and ASTM D1238. In Bayer’s production laboratory at Krefeld-Uerdingen (Germany) testing is carried out in parallel to production, with granulated plastic taken from the production line at regular intervals for determination of the flow rate. This high level of testing is precisely what the Aflow extrusion plastometer is designed for. To minimize operator influence, freely configurable user profiles can be created via the user management of the testXpert® II testing software and user rights can be tailored specifically to the operator. In this way only functions relevant to the operator are displayed and unwanted or...

The stand-out feature of this Zwick testing system is its mobility. The equipment is housed in two containers: the horizontal tensile testing machine in one and the operating station plus the power packs required for operation in the other, each in separate compartments. This flexible solution enables the Italian Navy to erect the unit, used to test ropes, chains and other fastening equipment required for ships, at different locations and put it into operation immediately. The separation of the testing system into two containers also ensures the safety of the operating staff. Tensile tests to determine the maximum load of chains and steel cables generate high forces and large strains; when the specimen breaks, the torn ends recoil with considerable energy. The operator is separated from the testing machine before the start of the test and carries it out from the safety of the office container. The office container is approximately 8 meters long and houses the operating panel with mea...

From 2012 the new Zwick testControl II measurement and control electronics are also available as the ‘RetroLine tC II’ modernization package. Used in combination with drive replacement, modification of the existing sensor system and new testing software, the package allows cost-effective updating of older testing machines to state-of-the-art condition. Over the last twenty years Zwick has modernized more than 3,000 testing machines by over forty different manufacturers by the application of digital measurement and control electronics. At the core of the modernization are the new testControl II control electronics, which besides setting new benchmarks in accuracy, control and acquisition rate also offer new application options through their high test and positioning speeds. An additional special feature is the integrated adaptive control, with automatic setting of all control parameters, online compensation for changes in specimen properties and sophisticated strain-rate control. test...

Technological development marches on. Now that electronics and data processing are also an integral part of mechanical engineering, progress today is primarily concerned with ever faster processing of increasingly large amounts of data. Examples of such advances at Zwick are to be found in new measurement and control electronics, new sensors and their associated interfaces. These enable even more precise control of testing machines which, when combined with greater test data density, opens up completely new areas of application. Over the years Zwick has supplied many tens of thousands of testing machines around the world. The excellent build quality of machines of earlier generations is still apparent; however, the technological requirements of new applications are not always covered by measurement and control electronics supplied before 2000. For older machines, Zwick guarantees spare part availability for a minimum of 10 years after production of the range has ceased, as well as in...

As previous years, the Belgian economic magazine “Trends” searched for “Gazelles”; fast growing companies that symbolize competitive entrepreneurship. Magnetrol International NV, based in East Flanders, is again nominated in the category “large companies”. These companies reinforce the competitive capacity of the area thereby having a positive influence on business in general. The category contains companies with a turnover of at least €10 million. Based on data and information published in Trends Top 100.000 – in which Magnetrol International NV ranks 3.773 – the editors examine which of the companies have grown the fastest in the period 2005 - 2009 as far as turnover, personnel and cash flow are concerned. Since 1971 Magnetrol International NV has a branch office in Zele (larger Ghent Area), Belgium. Magnetrol grows each year thereby creating additional opportunities on the job market, two key factors that are taken into account while nominating companies for the ‘Trends Gazelles A...

The speed of moisture analysis is a critical factor in food companies, thriving to optimize their operations. Delays in analysis will invariably affect the pace of production and subsequently productivity. The new HX204 and HS153Q moisture analyzers provide reliable results within a few minutes, permitting much faster reaction times than before. When productivity depends on fast moisture content determination, the Excellence HX204 Moisture Analyzer fits the bill. This new generation instrument provides best measurement performance in the shortest possible time with highly reliable results. The drying curve is visualized in real-time on the display for instant information on the sample moisture content. Reduce downtime with control charts Monitoring the moisture content of samples over time provides valuable information for precise control of the food drying or production process. The HX204 has integrated control charts with individual pass/fail thresholds for each product. These char...

Every researcher relies on accurate and reproducible results to publish research results in renowned journals. Pipette accuracy checks reduce errors, but they are also time-consuming and resource intensive. Choosing a balance that can easily be converted for quick pipette accuracy checks helps to assure the reproducibility of results. Every researcher needs accurate, reliable and reproducible results to publish their research in renowned magazines. Global standards such as GLP and ISO 8655-6 require pipette testing at defined intervals to ensure their proper functioning. However, in between these periodic checks, researchers typically have little security that their pipettes are functioning properly. Easy Checks for Repeatability Pipette accuracy checks reduce errors, but they are also time-consuming and resource intensive. Now, convertible semi-micro balances such as the METTLER TOLEDO NewClassic MS combine standard weighing and pipette accuracy checks in the same easy-to-use labora...

Weighing performance has a great impact in forensic labs. The performance of the balances, and especially the minimum weight, influence compliance with standards and can have adverse results on lawsuits. We have therefore developed Good Weighing Practice, a recommendation guideline to guarantee accurate weighing results. Once a year, forensic labs are required to submit an Annual Accreditation Audit Report to the Laboratory Accreditation Board of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD/LAB). This comprehensive assessment ensures that standards are met in regards to various disciplines, and it is the way forensics labs can retain their accreditation with the board. Implications of Inaccurate Weighing Results An area of increased attention by ASCLD/LAB auditors has been the compliance of a lab’s weighing equipment. Unless the report specifies performance verification activities carried out by an accredited testing provider, interim lab inspections might occur. Lately,...

In the formulation of motor oil, several additives are added to the base oil using a laboratory balance. Each has a specific function and the correct blending is essential to ensure a high quality product. Excellence Balances offer high weighing performance and fast results to meet the needs of the formulation process and the subsequent analyses. Motor oil is used as a multi-purpose lubricant in vehicle engines and comprises a mineral or synthetic base oil with several additives. The active ingredients are added to the base oil to protect the engine under use and enhance engine performance. Car engines, for example, require an oil which can perform equally well on short, low temperature trips as well as long, high temperature journeys. Particularly in the development phase, formulation of individual motor oils must be done precisely according to the specified recipe. Subsequent analysis of the chemical and physical properties of the oil, both in the lab and in field trials, provides ...

DriveWindow Light is an easy to use software tool used throughout the drive’s life cycle for startup, monitoring, and performance tuning. DriveWindow Light’s sequence programming tool helps users quickly build and edit sequence programs. A tool for the entire life cycle DriveWindow Light makes starting-up and maintaining drives easy and efficient. The tool allows users to monitor a drive’s parameters and signals, and even to control the drive from a PC. The tool also has an I/O mapping table for quickly viewing the drive’s input and output configuration. Online and offline setup Using the tool in its offline mode allows users to configure parameters for drives while not being connected to the drive, such as in an office. The parameter browser shows all of the parameters and allows direct editing of individual parameter values. Configuration wizards for quick setup DriveWindow Light provides confi guration wizards that ensure all necessary parameters for a particular setup ar...

Sonatest & Phoenix partner products to save you time, yield excellent results and improve safety! Building on the recent launch of Sonatest’s new Phased Array ultrasonic flaw detector, the veo 16:64 has made significant inroads into many of its key application markets, one of which is Pipe and Pipeline Weld Inspection. Ultrasonic Phased Array technology is fast becoming the established method for advanced NDT testing applications allowing operators to have greater control over testing parameters, enhancing defect detection, using real-time results, whilst increasing the speed of testing procedures and improving site health and safety. Weld inspection and crack detection are key application areas for phased array ultrasonic testing and are requirements within the industries of tube and pipe manufacture, pipeline construction and maintenance.  Within these sectors Phased Array is also used to test for remaining wall thickness and pipe wall corrosion. The Sonatest veo 16:64 is a...

Introducing the Veo & Corrosion WheelProbe Scanning System Building on the proven success of Corrosion WheelProbe a new semi-automated solution for corrosion mapping applications has been developed by Sonatest Ltd; the Veo & Corrosion WheelProbe (CWP) Scanning system. The CWP Scanner is a new enhancement in response to clients’ requests, providing an easier, semi-automated way of providing 100% coverage. The system as a whole consists of the veo 16:64, a phased array flaw detector, a 64 element Corrosion WheelProbe and a CWP scanner. The Corrosion Wheel Probe is a tried and tested solution for corrosion mapping by many leading companies in the Pipeline and Oil & Gas sectors, hence the development of this system.  The scan width of a Corrosion WheelProbe (CWP) is close to 50mm in one pass and it can be used on pipe diameters from 4 - 42 inches.  Importantly the conformable tyre allows excellent coupling to rough surfaces, and the design allows for consistent relia...

The latest software version for the VEO is now available, including upgraded UT Studio. The capability of this product is continuously growing. Updates now avilable t enhamce Corrosion Mapping and Composite Inspection. Corrosion and Composite inspection is now made easy with the new upgraded of VEO and UTStudio software,  enabled by the introduction of C-Scan functionality. The highlights of latest release includes:     C-Scan (available in acquisition and in analysis VEO and UTStudio): C-Scans are allowed with L-Scan type primary scan C-Scans are created using datasets defined by gates     Merged Top and Merged C-Scan view with no added fees (available in analysis on VEO and UTStudio)     New language introduction (Chinese, Spanish)     Enhanced menu structure (simplified and user customizable with collapsible Menus)     Gate trigger indicators are drawn for each gate (flank or peak).  ...

Carestream Health is an independent global company formed in May 2007 and owned by Onex Corporation, one of North America’s oldest and most successful private equity firms. We are a leading provider of dental products, medical imaging systems and healthcare IT solutions—as well as advanced molecular imaging systems and proven products for the non-destructive testing market. We are a strong, stable, privately owned company—and we are not affiliated with Kodak. Kodak’s filing for bankruptcy protection does not affect our company and it does not impact our ability to serve our customers. Carestream has world-class operations in 40 locations with 7,000 dedicated employees serving customers in more than 150 countries around the world. We are solely responsible for the design, manufacture and service of all our products. Our local representatives are available to discuss more detailed questions about our products, systems and services.

National Instruments today announced that its NI Calibration Services Austin headquarters has been accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) to provide calibration for ISO/IEC 17025:2005, one of the most rigorous international calibration standards in the industry. The accreditation recognizes NI’s commitment to excellence in quality and customer service and extends the company’s investment in PXI-based test and measurement offerings. The company’s new ISO 17025 accredited calibration service is ideal for the ever-growing field of engineers standardizing their automated test systems on the PXI modular instrumentation platform, which offers some of the most advanced technology possible to address demanding engineering challenges. For companies subject to government regulation – including OEMs that develop medical devices, transportation products and electronics – as well as multinational corporations looking for a single quality benchmark, ISO 17025 pr...

National Instruments today announced early access support for testing next-generation 802.11ac WLAN chipsets and devices. This announcement exemplifies how NI’s modular, software-defined wireless test platform continually expands to address the latest cellular and wireless connectivity standards including 802.11ac. NI’s 802.11ac WLAN test solution provides flexibility in testing 802.11ac devices in addition to testing 802.11a/b/g/n devices. It works with a wide range of signal bandwidths including 20, 40, 80 and 80+80 160 MHz for both Tx and Rx for up to 4x4 MIMO configurations. The NI test platform now supports testing of 802.11ac Tx and Rx wireless local area network (WLAN) chipsets and devices, up to 4x4 MIMO and 256 QAM NI will be demonstrating its latest mobile device test solution at the Mobile World Congress trade show The new NI 802.11ac test solution integrates with NI LabVIEW system design software to increase test throughput while decreasing system cost

The 5522A Multi-Product Calibrator addresses a wide calibration workload and comes with internal and external protection features that protect it against damage and make it easier to transport for on-site or mobile calibration. The 5522A can also be fully automated with MET/CAL® Plus Calibration Management Software. It is the ideal calibrator for metrology professionals who need to calibrate many different types of electronic equipment and want a transportable instrument that offers them a high return on investment. The 5522A sources direct voltage and current, alternating voltage and current with multiple waveforms and harmonics, two simultaneous voltage outputs or voltage and current to simulate dc and ac power with phase control, resistance, capacitance, thermocouples and RTDs. The 5522A can also measure thermocouple temperature, and pressure using one of 29 Fluke 700 Series pressure modules. Two options add the capability to calibrate oscilloscopes either 600 MHz or 1.1 GHz. And ...

Increase the safety and speed of infrared inspections with Fluke IR Windows. Why open panel doors and increase arc flash risk when you don’t have to? Stay protected, scan in minutes and scan more often – both visually and in infrared. Low voltage does not mean low danger. CLV provides a heightened level of arc flash protection during IR inspections of low voltage equipment up to 600V. Fluke CLV IR Windows are available in a 3 diameter and are UL50V and UL1558 certified.

The Fluke 481 Radiation Survey Meter is a portable and practical means for identifying irradiated goods, and for helping remediate contamination and safety issues while minimally impacting operations. The Fluke 481 Radiation Detection Meter is a portable and practical means for discovering irradiated goods, and for helping remediate contaminant and safety issues while minimally affecting performances. Ideal for detecting irradiated goods, equipment, surfaces or environments in industrial settings, the 481 Radiation Meter helps ascertain worker safety and compliance to federal regulations. Use of the Fluke 481 assures employees that radiation dangers are known, monitored and calculated for their security. Whenever radiation is found, a clear and quantifiable result provides handlers to comply with federal guidelines while avoiding unnecessary steps that could stop procedures, impact productivity or lead to missed revenue.

The Fluke 754 has features we know you’ll love: increased accuracy, enhanced reliability, and is easier to read in dark environments. The new 754 is everything you needed and wished for in the 744 and more! HART communication capability is combined to deliver an integrated communicating calibrator. This rugged, reliable tool is ideal for calibrating, maintaining, and troubleshooting HART and other instrumentation. The 754 does the work of several tools - sourcing, simulating and measuring pressure, temperature, and electrical signals in one rugged, hand-held device. You’ll fall in love with the new improved graphical screen, Li-on battery for longer life, USB port and new accessories to complete the package. For documentation, the 754 automates calibration procedures and captures your data. And, of course, it helps you meet rigorous standards like ISO 9000, FDA, EPA and OSHA regulations. Supports popular instrumentation management software. The 753 and 754, 743 and 744 work with the ...

The LTC®6360 is a very low noise, high precision, high speed amplifier suitable for driving SAR ADCs. The LTC6360 features a total output noise of 2.3nV/√Hz combined with 150ns settling time to 16-bit levels (AV = 1). While powered from a single 5V supply, the amplifier output can swing to 0V while maintaining high linearity. This is made possible with the inclusion of a very low noise on-chip charge pump that generates a negative voltage to bias the output stage of the amplifier, increasing the allowable negative voltage swing. The LTC6360 is available in a compact 3mm × 3mm, 8-pin leadless DFN package and an 8-pin MSOP package with exposed pad and operates over a –40°C to 125°C temperature range.

Newport Corporation, a worldwide leader in lasers and photonics solutions that Make, Manage and Measure Light®, announces the new vacuum- compatible LTA series actuators and the URS50B rotation stage for research and industry. These products are compatible to 10 x e-6 hPa (7 x 10e-6 torr) vacuum and are designed for integration in critical sample positioning or beam management processes in vacuum environments. These newly-designed vacuum stages feature a motor-mounted encoder that is extremely useful in detecting the stall of a stepper motor since the stage is not accessible when installed inside a vacuum chamber. The encoder also offers improved position repeatability, a critical factor in many research and commercial applications in vacuum environments. The LTAHSPPV6 and the LTAHLPPV6 actuators are extensions of the popular and reliable LTA actuators (with non-rotating tips), and are rated at 10,000 hrs MTBF. Compatible with other vacuum-compatible manual stages, both actuators pro...

Newport Corporation, a worldwide leader in lasers and photonics solutions that Make, Manage and Measure Light®, announces the 1830-R Optical Power Meter. A newly designed optical meter, the 1830-R provides a ‘drop-in’ replacement for Newport’s legacy 1830-C Power Meter which has been widely used in fiber optic component production and testing. The DC power measurements can be easily viewed in the 7-segment, backlit LED display. Units of W, dBm, dB, and relative measurement can be displayed in the 4 ½ digit, wide-angle view. A wide dynamic range is provided with power sensitivities down to 10 pW and full scale readings up to 2 W (detector dependent). The unit’s built-in, audible beeping tone changes its frequency as a function of incident optical power, making it very useful when optimizing the optical beam alignment. Other features include a USB 2.0 interface (Model 1830-R) and additional IEEE-488 (GPIB) / RS232C outputs (Model 1830-R-GPIB). For added convenience, two analog output m...

Newport Corporation, a worldwide leader in lasers and photonics solutions that Make, Manage and Measure Light®, introduces the SCG-02 Wavelength Extender to their line of nonlinear microscopy and spectroscopy application solutions. The Wavelength Extender is specifically designed as a modular solution for supercontinuum generation when used with femtosecond Ti:Sapphire lasers, such as Newport Spectra-Physics’ Tsunami®, MaiTai® DeepSee, and MaiTai ultrafast oscillators. Ideal for a variety of spectroscopy and microscopy applications, the laser input is split into two parallel beams: a) the fundamental pump, and b) parallel, unfiltered broadband supercontinuum. This unique flexibility allows for both the external selection of particular spectra of interest, and the independent use or recombination of both beams. The fundamental beam passes through an integrated attenuator to enable precise control of the output power. The SCG-02 is factory preassembled and pre-aligned and can be easily...

Spectra-Physics®, a Newport Corporation brand, introduces Spirit™, a compact industrial-grade ultrafast amplifier with software-adjustable repetition rates up to 1MHz. Developed at High Q Laser (recently acquired by Newport), the Spirit laser extends Spectra-Physics’ ultrafast amplifier portfolio to high-repetition rates needed for micromachining of medical devices and other materials, nanostructuring, pump-probe experiments, and selected time-resolved science applications. “The adjustable high-repetition-rate operation and robustness make Spirit the ideal laser for femtosecond micromachining,” said Herman Chui, senior director of product marketing for Spectra-Physics. “This compact laser is also excellent as a flexible tool for a number of time-resolved science applications.” The Spirit ultrafast laser provides high average power of >4 W and fully-automated adjustability over a wide range of repetition rates from 50 kHz to 1 MHz. Featuring a rugged one-box design, the laser deliv...

Potential suppliers wanting efficient access to the accelerating Chinese automation market may also win themselves an iPad ahead of Christmas, by visiting the CLPA (CC-Link Partner Association) in Booth 6-136 at SPS/IPC/DRIVES. This fair is Europe's leading exhibition for industrial automation and runs in Nuremberg 22 - 24 November 2011. There is an iPad to be won every day. Each day, CLPA will remove an unspecified length from a reel of certified CC-Link cable; the visitor who guesses the remaining length most accurately wins an iPad. The cable is supplied by 3M, which is a key sponsor of the CLPA's Gateway to China programme. Marlies Postels, 3M's Business and Technology Manager, Industrial Factory Automation, Electronics Solutions Division, explains: "We are working with the CLPA and a number of other sponsors to open up an efficient route into the Chinese market." "Automation systems are always a collaborative venture, with suppliers of hardware, ...

Production of flat screen liquid crystal displays (LCDs) at one of the largest plants in Asia has steadily ramped up to meet the ever-increasing demand. The process is now highly automated, so data communications are critically important. The choice of a high-speed Ethernet based open network, CC-Link IE, to run the automation comms at the plant could point towards the future for many more automation installations in Asia and Europe. Flat-panel LCDs televisions and monitors have been one of the strongest growing consumer products of recent years. Production demand has grown, as has the number of product variations. And of course consumer price pressures require constantly improving efficiency. All this can only be achieved by more effective communication and data sharing between the manufacturing cells that make up the plant. Automation engineers recognise that consumer electronic plants typically evolve in a fairly ad-hoc manner as demand increases, so the control system architectur...

CC-Link is a family of open network technologies that have a 10 year pedigree of growth in the global market, having now reached an installed base of over 8 million devices. A key part of this family are the CC-Link IE (Industrial Ethernet) variants, being the only open Ethernet based networks that offer gigabit performance. CC-Link IE Field was introduced in 2009 to offer gigabit Ethernet performance between controllers and field devices such as I/O, inverters, HMI and other machine components. The CLPA has now announced a significant extension to the capabilities of CC-Link IE Field, by adding a fully IEC 61508 SIL 3 compliant safety protocol layer. This means that with a single open Ethernet based network, system designers can integrate conventional and safety control. Further, compatible safety devices can connect directly to the network, reducing cost and increasing flexibility. Rather than having to implement a costly independent safety network, designers can now simply add saf...

A Ukrainian winemaker is using CC-Link to help automate and expand the production of its world class wines and spirits. With domestic consumption booming, and export markets opening up, the Shabo vineyard in the Odessa region is combining high technology with the delicate art of fine wine production. Grapes have been cultivated in Shabo since the arrival of the ancient Greeks. Five hundred years ago the region was colonised by the Turks, then Swiss immigrants brought their artisan skills from about 1822. The mild climate, warm air of the Steppe, sandy soil and unique microclimate of the Black Sea coast provide perfect conditions for grape cultivation. Like Bordeaux and Burgundy Shabo is on the "grape latitude" – between 46° and 47° North. In 2004 the winery was completely converted with modern European equipment which has been combined with ancient cellars and wine storages with the objective of producing wines and brandies as fine as any within the last 200 years. An ongoi...

Through the combination of the valve terminal type 8640 or an AirLINE automation system type 8644 with an airline Quick adapter plate for direct mounting in control cabinets the fluid technology specialist Bürkert offers a flexible and especially compact solution for the pneumatic control of processes. The AirLINE Quick adapter and the corresponding connections are available in a high-quality stainless steel version which is recommended for use in all hygienic processes. Process safety features, such as check valves integrated in the exhaust air duct and a HotSwap function for replacing pneumatic valves during operation, round out the features of this solution for the hygienic process environment in the food, beverage or pharmaceutical industries. Bürkert valve terminals and automation systems can be used in many different areas of hygienic processes and readily fulfil the high standards of this segment. This is ensured by the integrated process safety features of the valve terminal ...

LASER COMPONENTS is one of the few worldwide manufacturers that can produce  Gaussian mirrors. Gaussian mirrors are also known as graded reflectivity mirrors, GRM or variable reflecting mirrors, VRM. The special coating is characterized by a degree of reflecion that falls off in a Gaussian-shaped curve starting from the center of the optics. Customers can choose almost any shape the Gaussian curve should take. The reflection values in the center range from a few percent to a maximum of 85%. Gaussian mirrors are extremely stable in the laser and suited for high power levels. They are used as output couplers in unstable resonators where they help to reduce the beam divergence at high pulse energies. The components are also used to generate laser beams with a very homogeneous power distribution, which are required for illumination tasks, in material processing, or medical applications. To produce high pump efficiency, Gaussian mirrors are, furthermore, used in frequency-doubled syst...

There is now a solution for practical real-time measurement of DPSS pulse energies in the 30 - 50 kHz range. LASER COMPONENTS presents the mach 5 – the laser energy meter from Gentec-EO. The mach 5 exactly measures the pulse-to-pulse energy. It counts all the pulses above a certain defined energy threshold. Major technological challenges made the latest development in the measurement of single pulses of up to 130 kHz difficult: First, a family of pyroelectric high-speed probes that can be used at frequencies  of more than 100.000 Hz had to be developed for energy measurement purposes. At the same time, extremely fast, digital electronics were developed that analyze each pulse in real time and store this information just as quickly – approximately 4 million data points are processed in just 40 seconds! The energy meter determines energy, frequency, average power, and pulse jitter in a single measurement. At the same time, it determines the number of missing pulses or pulses below ...

With hermetic feedthroughs for optical fibers, optical signals can easily be delivered into a vacuum or pressure chamber. LASER COMPONENTS offers this components for pressures of up to 1000 bar and a vacuum as little as 10–9 mbar. Different versions for single-mode and multi-mode fibers of the partner SEDI Fibres Optiques are available. In multi-mode fibers, core diameters of 50 µm to 1000 µm can be achieved. In single-mode fibers, it is possible to also use polarization-maintaining fibers. FC/PC and FC/APC connectors are available for these fibers; ST and SMA connectors for the multimode fibers. Mounting these feedthroughs on a chamber wall is done using a simple mounting flange that holds the feedthrough steady with a counter nut. To meet the specifications required of vacuum technology, CF flange and KF flange versions are also available. The hermetically sealed feedthroughs are available as coupler and as inline versions. Special designs that include customer-supplied speciality ...

LASER COMPONENTS presents its new avalanche photodiodes receivers: The H0 series. Supplied in a very compact, modified TO5 housing with a diameter of approximately 5 mm, the H0 series APD receivers can be integrated into small systems with which, for example, distances can be measured or the smallest light signals detected. The simplest way to use a detector is with an integrated receiver circuit. Here the quality is judged according to the amount of noise produced. For the entire system, however, the amplifier noise is the dominant source of noise. To reduce the overall noise of the detector/amplifier module, the capacitance connected to the amplifier has to be as small as possible. This is achieved by making the connections as short as possible. With its H0 series, LASER COMPONENTS has developed an APD receiver, with an inherent noise of nearly zero. Depending on the integrated feedback resistor, a bandwidth from DC up to 80 MHz can be achieved. If the SAR500, a Si APD with a diame...

After extensive testing by the certification institute Germanischer Lloyd (GL), the B&R X20 System has achieved the coveted seal of quality for maritime applications. All of the X20 modules tested - CPUs, I/O modules and bus controllers - proved they have what it takes to meet the high demands on functionality and operational safety required in maritime environments. These components have been classified for environmental categories D and EMC1, which permits operation under deck, including in the bridge and machine room. As an internationally recognized certification organization, GL is involved in establishing technical standards for shipping and offshore facilities and is highly regarded by other classification societies such as ABS, Lloyds Register, DNV, Bureau Veritas, and many more. In addition to the international prestige bestowed upon GL-certified components and the associated rapid inspection and approval procedures, the seal of quality provides comprehensive informati...