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Showing posts from 2016

Red Lion’s RAM 9000 Industrial Cellular RTUs Receive ATEX Zone 2, Category 3 Approval

Red Lion Controls, the global experts in communication, monitoring and control for industrial automation and networking, today announced its Sixnet® series RAM® 9000 industrial cellular RTUs have received ATEX zone 2, category 3 approval and are safe for use in potentially hazardous environments. This approval follows recent announcements that Red Lion’s rugged RAM industrial cellular RTUs support high-speed 4G LTE worldwide throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. Ideal for deployment in industrial M2M networks such as oil and gas, water/wastewater, utility and transportation applications, RAM 9000 cellular RTUs provide a seamless network extension to remote locations. With more I/O than many competitive offerings, the RAM 9000 serves as a robust control platform that enables customers to simplify remote site equipment by combining separate functions into one feature-packed cellular RTU. The secure all-in-one RAM 9000 platform combines built-in I/O, a powerful event engine

PositionServo Successful Key Ingredient in Recipe

Lawrence Equipment headquartered outside of Los Angeles CA, designs and manufactures state-of-the-art flat bread and fried snack equipment used in single small scale and multi-national large scale operations throughout the United States and Europe. The company’s tagline - “The edge on automation” summarizes their commitment to advanced technology and superb customer service. As part of their continuous improvement program, Lawrence Equipment searched for the most efficient automation solution for their Mega Series Press. With a capacity of up to 3,000 dozen, 6” diameter tortillas, chapati, roti or wraps per hour, the Mega Series press is designed for large wholesale and supermarket production. In the demanding and competitive market of food processing equipment, machine yield, quality and uptime are non-negotiable. Customers from across the globe rely on the performance of Lawrence Equipment’s high-end presses. When designing the Mega Series, the Lawrence engineering team focused

Banner Engineering DF-G3 Discrete Fiber Amplifier Features World-Class Long Range Sensing Capability

Banner Engineering introduces its DF-G3 discrete long-range fiber amplifier with dual digital displays for use with plastic and glass fiber optic assemblies. Featuring increased sensing power, the DF-G3 can sense more than 3 meters (10 ft.) with opposed mode fibers or more than 1 meter (3 ft.) with diffuse mode fibers. The extra power provides increased detection reliability for dark targets at long range and enhanced detection sensitivity when using specialty fiber assemblies for large area and small part detection applications. The DF-G3 is available with a single discrete output or two dual discrete outputs. The dual discrete outputs can be independently taught to trigger at different intensity values, which is ideal for correct part-in-place or error-proofing, bottle down, and edge guiding applications. “We developed the DF-G3 fiber amplifier to meet our customers’ need to precisely detect smaller targets at longer ranges” said Dennis Smith, Senior Marketing Manager, Banner E

Banner Engineering Q3X Laser Contrast Sensor with Background Suppression Now Available in More Sensing Ranges

Banner Engineering has expanded the maximum sensing range available for the Q3X laser contrast sensor with fixed background suppression. The Q3X now features four standard sensing ranges: 50 mm, 100 mm, 150 mm, 200 mm with fixed background suppression technology, and a 300 mm model which uses standard intensity detection. The key innovation of the Q3X sensor is the combination of low-contrast detection within a defined sensing range. Featuring high-speed part detection as fast as 250 μs, Banner’s Q3X laser contrast sensor can capture up to 2,000 events per second. This, along with background suppression, makes the Q3X ideal for detecting targets with small contrast changes where a variable background needs to be ignored. Banner’s Q3X is designed with a unique angled, three-digit display of signal intensity, which provides high visibility of operating conditions from multiple angles. For an intuitive user setup, the Q3X has two tactile buttons conveniently located below the displa

Banner Engineering Q4X Laser Distance Sensor with New Dual Mode Solves Clear Object Detection and Error-Proofing Applications

Banner Engineering has improved its industry-recognized Q4X Laser Distance Sensor with a New Dual Teach Mode. Featuring new firmware, the Q4X dual teach mode sensor combines window thresholds on both target distance and target reflected intensity, allowing the Q4X to reliably solve difficult applications with ease. The Q4X can now detect clear objects without requiring a retro-reflector. Dual mode can be used to error-proof applications by ensuring the correct color part is located at the correct position. Banner’s Q4X reliably detects distance changes as small as 1 mm and covers a 25 to 300 mm range. The sensor was already ideal for difficult distance-based sensing applications as it easily detects objects regardless of target surface reflectivity, including black foam on black plastic, black rubber in front of metal, multicolor packaging and targets of all colors. Now with the dual teach mode, the sensor can detect small changes in reflected intensity for targets inside the distanc

OMRON E3S-DB Series Transparent Object Sensor

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Omron’s E3S-DB retro-reflective sensor is the first in a new generation of high-performance sensors designed for packaging machines. Developed in close consultation with Omron’s leading customers in the Food & Beverage industry, it is designed for the stable detection of all transparent objects, independent of shape, colour, or thickness. The E3S-DB follows the Omron 361˚ approach where you select what you really need: not more – not less. E3S-DB is part of the PRO-Plus line, providing tailored performance for specific applications in industry. The E3S-DB detects all types of transparent objects such as glass bottles, PET bottles, transparent trays and packaging films. The sensor provides stable operation under all ambient conditions resulting in fewer sensor failures, thus less downtime of your machine. The E3S-DB features models with multi-turn trimmer pots and models with “Smart Teach ”- an enhanced teaching method combining a seamless threshold setting using a one-turn

IDEC Releases RV8H Compact Interface Relays

IDEC Corporation announces the addition of the 14mm-wide RV8H compact relay family to its existing interface relay line. These electromechanical relays are ideal for panels with limited room as they provide up to a 40% reduction in required DIN rail track space as compared to standard ice-cube relays, and feature the industry’s lowest height requirement as they are only 70mm high. RV8H relays work particularly well in higher load switching applications, industrial automation panels with high I/O content, and commercial HVAC panels. In these and other applications, an RV8H relay is typically installed between an output from a PLC or other controller and the load to increase switching capacity and protect the output from damage. These relays are rapidly replacing traditional 5 to 10A general purpose plug-in relays due to their smaller size and lower cost The 14mm-wide RV8H compact relay family includes SPDT and DPDT models, and the DPDT models are supplied with gold-plated contacts

IDEC Releases Enhanced 5.7” HMI HG2G-5T Series

IDEC Corporation announces the 5.7” Enhanced HMI, HG2G-5T series, a significant upgrade from their previous Basic 5.7 inch model. The Enhanced HG2G-5T Series color version TFT LCD HMI has a resolution of 65,536 colors and a brightness of 500 cd/m2. The monochrome TFT LCD model has a resolution of 16 shades and a brightness of 1100 cd/m2. This level of resolution produces a much improved viewing experience, and the increased brightness allows screens to be easily seen even in direct sunlight. Viewing can be configured for either portrait or landscape. End users and OEMs often need an HMI that can communicate with a variety of different PLCs and controllers, and the Enhanced HMI HG2G-5T series delivers this functionality by supporting up to three different communication protocols simultaneously. The serial port can support both RS-232 and RS-422/485 simultaneously, and the Ethernet port can support up to four Hosts and three User communication protocols at the same time. The serial p

IDEC Releases New Line of High Efficiency Power Supplies

IDEC Corporation announces the PS5R-V line of DIN-rail power supplies, offering their customers high-efficiency in a compact form factor at competitive prices. These power supplies suit a wide range of needs in the industrial marketplace, and carry all of the required certifications necessary for use in these demanding applications. This next generation of the industry standard PS5R power supply family has updated features and specifications to meet current and future needs. The PS5R-V line of power supplies includes 10W, 15W, 30W, 60W and 120W versions, with additional versions coming soon. These power supplies have a very compact form factor with overall dimensions reduced by up to 25% from previous generations. The reduced form factors combine with DIN-rail mounting to free up valuable control panel space and reduce installation costs. Operating temperature ranges up to -25 to +75 degrees C offer more versatility. These extended operating temperature ranges often allow these p

TURCK’s BL Compact Family Collects Analog and Digital Signals at the Source

TURCK’s BL Compact system is a revolutionary modular I/O solution for collecting a variety of signals in a single, rugged node on a network. Rather than routing all signals through a control cabinet, this device makes it possible to obtain analog, digital, thermocouple, RTD, serial, RFID or a mixture of signal types in a compact, machine-mountable device over DeviceNet™, CANopen and PROFIBUS ®. Up to two signals types can be combined in any combination in the BL Compact system, including RFID and analog, digital and serial—and more. The BL Compact system may be customized to suit a user’s specific needs, so that devices may be added to an existing network and signals may be gathered on the machine without an enclosure. This drop-in solution can be used to connect up to 16 devices—drastically reducing the time it takes to run wires for each device back to the control cabinet and the potential for wiring errors. The BL Compact system is currently available with four, eight or 16 port

New Linear Encoders with Rugged Die Cast Housing and Built-in LED for Set Up and Diagnostics

Kübler by TURCK announces a new line of linear encoders that supply A and B channels—plus a periodic index with the corresponding inverted channels. The T8.LI20 and T8.LI50 linear encoders are available with either with a push-pull output or an RS422 interface, and provide a voltage range from 4.8 to 30 VDC. The linear encoders are used with magnetic bands that are attached to the mounting surface and protected by a stainless-steel cover. The encoder’s resolution is up to 5 μm with quadruple evaluation, and its repeat accuracy is +/- one increment with a measuring speed up to 82 feet per second, depending on the resolution. Kübler by TURCK encoders use non-contact technology and can survive environments with high vibration (30g/10-2,000 Hz) and shock (500 g’s/1ms). The products can also be used outdoors, thanks to an IP 67 protection rating, wide temperature range and the weatherproof die-cast housing. The metal housing also offers improved shielding against electromagnetic inter

7/8 16UN Connectors that Provide 600 Volts and 15 Amps

TURCK announces new A-Size 3 and 4-pin 7/8 16UN powerfast™ connectors that provide up to 600 Volts and 15 Amps of power. These IP67 rated connectors provide a modular wiring system designed to handle high current applications for machine power distribution, while providing resistance to vibration commonly associated with conveyors, motors and material handling applications. The cordsets are available with a tray rated, exposed run PVC flexlife ® cable, with or without STOOW rating, and 14 AWG wires that allow you to replace hard wiring with a robust, quick disconnect system that saves the time and money spent installing a conduit system. The A-Size powerfast line offers male and female, straight connectors, standard and custom lengths, and pigtails or extensions. To make the system complete, fully encapsulated mating receptacles, with 1/2”-14 NPT mounting threads are available.

TURCK M8 CORDSETS WITH 100 PERCENT SHIELDING OPTION PROTECT AGAINST EMI/RFI

TURCK is now offering the option to completely shield M8 picofast ® cordsets by connecting a braided shield directly to the coupling nut. This provides a cost-effective and reliable connection with 100 percent cable and connector shielding, which protects against electromagnetic and radio frequency interference. The 3 and 4-pin cordsets are available with flexlife ® PVC or PUR jacketed cable. All connectors deliver IEC IP 67 protection. The M8 picofast line, like most TURCK cordsets, provides male or female, straight and right angle connectors, standard and custom lengths, and pigtails or extensions. Fully encapsulated mating receptacles are also offered, completing the system.

Simplify your RFID Solution with BL20 Modular I/O

TURCK has expanded its BL ident RFID product portfolio with the release of a Simple RFID (RFID-S) slice for its BL20 modular I/O system. Each RFID-S slice contains two channels of RFID. Additional RFID slices, as well as traditional discrete and analog I/O slices, may be added to the system, making it the only product on the market that allows this combination on the same node on the network. This flexible design facilitates the integration of RFID into both new and existing systems. The RFID-S slice does not require special software for integration into a PLC system, further simplifying the entire process of adding RFID to a system. Nick Clute, product specialist with TURCK, adds, “If you can program a push button to turn on a pilot light, you can program TURCK’s RFID system.” The RFID-S slice is compatible with TURCK’s IP 20 rated BL20 non-programmable and programmable gateways for use on PROFIBUS ®-DP, PROFINET, DeviceNet™, Modbus TCP/IP and EtherNet/IP™ networks. All RFID cha

New PROFINET Cordset Line from TURCK

TURCK introduces its new 4-wire PROFINET cordset line, developed to provide plug-and-play connectivity for applications using PROFINET protocols. PROFINET, the fastest industrial Ethernet I/O network, is compatible with existing fieldbus systems and the only network that can accomplish a line topology - especially ideal for long conveyor systems. These cordsets connect to TURCK’s BL67 Ethernet gateways for PROFINET - which can be connected to up to 32 I/O modules per gateway – to allow smooth integration into current fieldbus structures. The PROFINET cordset line offers both M12 Ethernet D-coded and RJ45 connector options, allowing users the option to mix-and-match any connector combination to meet unique application needs. Cordsets are also available with color-coded field wireables to convert hard wiring to quick disconnect. TURCK’s PROFINET cordset includes cable that meets IEC 11801:2002 Cat 5 and TIA 568B: 2001 Cat 5e requirements. Like most TURCK cordsets, the PROFINET line