CAD REPORT
Siemens adds useful features, SaaS-based elements to Solid Edge 2024, pg.9
INNOVATOR
Ontario-based Thiessen Tillage’s tractormounted tool reduces the costs of vineyard upkeep, pg.15
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LUCI wheelchair helped by on-demand injection molding and sheet metal fabrication, pg.17
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How Innovative Automation gambled and won launching a serial product, the RoboTape.
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INSIDE
12
12 Sticky Business
How Innovative Automation gambled and won launching a serial product, the RoboTape.
15 Root and Branch
Ontario-based Thiessen Tillage’s tractor-mounted tool reduces the costs of vineyard upkeep.
17 ‘Self-Aware’ Wheelchair Photo: Credit tk here
LUCI power wheelchair technology gets a helping hand from on-demand injection molding and sheet metal fabrication.
Columns 6 Design News
2023 NSERC Prize honours Canadian godfather of AI and other engineering news.
9 CAD Report
Siemens adds useful features, plus SaaS-based subscription elements, to Solid Edge 2024.
26 Idea Generator
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FROM THE EDITOR
UPFRONT
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 Volume 68, No.6 design-engineering.com
Brain Gain For most of the 20th century, Canada’s loss of highly qualified and experienced professionals to the U.S. labor market has been a vexing problem. With the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 1989 and NAFTA in 1994, this “brain drain” problem only intensified when the newly created H-1B and TN visa greased the wheels for university educated Canadians to seek employment, and then residence, in the U.S. That trend, however, has begun to reverse in recent years. According to the National Post, Canada experienced a net loss, on average, of roughly 15,000 permanent residents to the U.S. each year between 2001 and 2010. Over the next decade, that loss steadily diminished. By 2014, the deficit dipped below 10,000 for the first time and, in 2021, hit a record low of roughly 3,300. This year, Canada took aim at kicking that trend into high gear by appealing to not only U.S. residents but also H-1B visa holders in the U.S. In July, Canada launched a pilot program that allowed up to 10,000 H-1B Specialty Occupations holders to apply for a three-year open work permit in Canada. The program reached capacity on its first day. In part, that enthusiasm was driven by the fact that the U.S. has a massive backlog of H-1B and green card applicants, many of whom are facing a lifetime waiting period. The pilot program is part of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) larger Tech Talent Strategy, which aims, through various measures, to turn Canada into the destination for the world’s IT professionals, of which foreign trained engineers will likely make up a sizable number. Should Canada’s strategy work as expected, the IRCC’s new policy will mesh with Professional Engineers Ontario’s decision, announced in May 2023, to become the first provincial engineering regulatory association to drop Canadian work experience as a requirement to become a licensed engineer. And none too soon, given that there are now many more seniors than children in Canada and record numbers of experienced engineers will reach retirement age in the next 10-15 years. According to Engineers Canada, approximately 302,550 hold a professional engineering designation in Canada, as of 2021 – a number that will hopefully swell to offset the looming loss of Baby Boomer and Gen X engineers. While intense immigration has exacerbated the housing crisis in Canada’s largest cities in the past few years, expanding Canada’s tech talent, engineering and otherwise, addresses a deeper crisis that’s been brewing for decades. MIKE MCLEOD Editor mmcleod@design-engineering.com Editorial Board DR. ALAIN AUBERTIN President & CEO, Canada Consortium for Aerospace Research and Innovation in Canada (CARIC) DR. MARY WELLS, P.ENG Dean, Faculty of Engineering / Professor, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering; University of Waterloo 4 DESIGN ENGINEERING November/December 2023
AJAY BAJAJ, P.ENG President and CEO, Rotator Products Limited; Past President and Board Member, Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA)
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and the environment. Heather Sheardown and the C20/20 team at McMaster University, the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo have been awarded this year’s Brockhouse Canada Prize for Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Engineering. C20/20 has become an internationally recognized innovation centre for its ophthalmic therapies and devices, and for the wide-ranging training and mentoring of highly qualified personnel, whose impact has improved the lives of millions of Canadians suffering from ocular diseases and vision impairment. NSERC also announced six recipients of the Arthur B. McDonald Fellowships, which recognize early-stage academic researchers in the natural sciences and engineering, and celebrated outstanding collaborations that are models of effective partnerships between organizations and colleges or universities by awarding four Synergy Awards for Innovation. www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca
6 DESIGN ENGINEERING November/December 2023
Yoshua Bengio, full professor at Université de Montréal, and the founder and scientific director of Mila – Quebec AI Institute.
General Fusion’s plasma injector, the PI3, is the world’s largest and a critical component of the company’s Magnetized Target Fusion prototype reactor, the LM26.
GENERAL FUSION, TRIUMF PARTNER TO TEST FUSION REACTOR PROTOTYPE
General Fusion, the B.C.-based developer of commercial fusion energy, and Canada’s particle accelerator centre, TRIUMF, announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Under the terms of the agreement, the two organizations say they will develop diagnostics designed to prove the performance of the company’s Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) demonstration prototype reactor, called the Lawson Machine 26 (LM26). Specifically, TRIUMF and General Fusion say they will collaborate on neutron diagnostics and an ion temperature diagnostic for the LM26 reactor prototype. These diagnostics will verify that LM26 achieves fusion conditions, reaching temperatures of more than 100 million degrees Celsius. Additionally, the company says the data will inform the costs and size of General Fusion’s commercial scale demonstration planned for a site at the U.K. Atomic Energy Agency’s Culham Campus. The LM26, being built at its Richmond, B.C. headquarters, will integrate the company’s operational plasma injector with a simplified compression system. According to the company, the plan is for the LM26 prototype to reach fusion conditions in 2025 and set a path for scientific breakeven equivalent in 2026. DESIGN-ENGINEERING.com
Photo credit: General Fusion
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) announced the recipients of this year’s NSERC Prizes. In total, twenty-two of Canada’s world-leading scientists and engineers, and six of their industry partners, received awards recognizing their work. For Canada’s most prestigious science prize, Yoshua Bengio was awarded the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering. Known as one of the godfathers of artificial intelligence, the Université de Montréal professor’s research led to breakthroughs in AI, while his leadership has influenced the development and application of AI globally. Cathleen Crudden has been awarded this year’s John C. Polanyi Award in recognition of her breakthrough discovery in organic-on-metal coatings and overall contribution to the advancement of the field of chemistry. She is now collaborating with international partners to advance the use of these nanomaterials in cancer treatments, as next-generation coatings for semiconductor chips, to improve pipeline protection and to protect the surface of offshore wind turbines from corrosion. Widely recognized expert in the field of water engineering, Peter Vanrolleghem has been awarded the NSERC Donna Strickland Prize for Societal Impact of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research. The Université Laval professor has focused on developing and implementing advanced methods for modeling water quality in integrated urban wastewater systems, such as sewage and stormwater systems. His research has also resulted in practical applications and helped to improve the health of humans
Photo: Credit: The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
2023 NSERC PRIZE HONORS CANADIAN GODFATHER OF AI
Swiss electric propulsion firm, H55, breaking ground on its Canadian headquarters at SaintHubert Airport in Montreal.
Photo credit: H55
Ultimately, the company’s goal is to bring fusion energy to the electricity grid by the early to mid-2030s. “British Columbia is a hub for technology innovation and General Fusion is pleased to advance our transformative LM26 machine with an organization that is both local and has international renown,” said Greg Twinney, CEO, General Fusion. “We look forward to drawing from TRIUMF’s deep well of knowledge and abilities to help drive toward our goal to achieve scientific breakeven by 2026.” https://generalfusion.com www.triumf.ca
ceremony. “By investing to boost scientific innovation in the aeronautics sector, we are ensuring we can continue to
cultivate the expertise we have acquired in Quebec, while also supporting the development of technologies that will help us accelerate our transition to green energy.” https://h55.ch
H55 BREAKS GROUND ON CANADIAN HQ IN QUEBEC
Swiss electric propulsion firm, H55, began construction of its Canadian headquarters at Saint-Hubert Airport in the greater Montreal area in October. According to the company, it specializes in modular, lightweight and certifiable propulsion and energy solutions primarily for the aviation industry. Part of the company’s global expansion, the facility will house the headquarters for H55’s Canadian subsidiary (H55 inc) as well as a production line, with initial battery pack production to commence in 2024. Funding for the facility includes federal government support through the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI) and Canada Economic Development (DEC), while discussions for support from the Quebec government is in process. When complete, the facility, H55 says, will provide product development, customization and customer support to its existing customers in Canada, including Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC), CAE and Harbour Air. In 2022, Pratt & Whitney Canada, for example, announced that H55 would supply the battery systems for P&WC’s regional hybrid-electric flight demonstrator program. Similarly, CAE announced last year that it had selected H55 to convert two-thirds of its Piper Archer training fleet to electric propulsion and to develop an electric conversion kit for sale to third parties. “The aeronautics industry has a long ry Leadership history in Quebec and is a source of or Qualitypride Products among Quebecers,” said Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant, Training & Support Pablo Rodriguez, at the ground breaking
Industry Leadership Superior Quality Products Global Training & Support
www.festo.ca
Visit design-engineering.com for the latest new products, news and industry events. November/December 2023 DESIGN ENGINEERING 7
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UPFRONT
NASA’S 3D-PRINTED ROCKET NOZZLE PASSES HOT-FIRE TESTS
NASA announced it has built and performed multiple hot-fire tests on two nozzles, additively manufactured from a novel aluminum alloy, as part of its RAMFIRE project. Short for Reactive Additive Manufacturing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the RAMFIRE project seeks to 3D print rocket engines that are as strong but lighter than conventional engines, to enable deep space exploration as part of the space agency’s Moon to Mars program. While aluminum is prized for its light weight and strength, it hasn’t previously been a good choice to make rocket engines, NASA says, due to its intolerance to extreme heat and tendency to crack when welded or 3D printed. However, engineers from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center worked with Erie, Colorado’s Elementum 3D, to develop A6061-RAM2, a weldable, heat resistant aluminum variant, as well as, a powered form that could be used for 3D printing. The space agency then turned to commercial partner, RPM Innovations (RPMI), to additively manufacture the RAMFIRE project nozzles using the Laser Powder Directed Energy Deposition (LP-DED) printing process. According to NASA, 3D printing the rocket nozzle is critical for a number of reason, not least
Composed of a novel aluminum alloy, NASA’s 3D printed RAMFIRE nozzle passed a series of hot fire tests at the space agency’s Marshall Space Flight Center.
8 DESIGN ENGINEERING November/December 2023
of which is the manufacturing time savings. Nozzles built using conventional methods may have upwards of 1000 parts that have to be assembled and joined, whereas a 3D printed nozzle is built as a single piece. Additive manufacturing also allows for the inclusion of small and complex internal cooling channels into the RAMFIRE nozzle to prevent melting. In testing, the 3D printed A6061-RAM2 nozzles have outperformed expectations. During the hot-fire tests, carried out this past summer at Marshall’s East Test Area, the two RAMFIRE nozzles successfully accumulated 22 starts and nearly 10 minutes of run time, the space agency says. Completed using both liquid oxygen / liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen / liquid methane fuels, the tests also put the nozzles under pressures in excess of 825 pounds per square inch (psi), more than anticipated. “After putting the nozzle through the paces of a demanding hot-fire test series, we’ve demonstrated the nozzle can survive the thermal, structural and pressure loads for a lunar lander scale engine,” said Paul Gradl, RAMFIRE principal investigator at NASA Marshall. With the testing successfully completed, NASA says it is currently sharing the data and process details with academics and commercial stakeholders, including aerospace companies that are evaluating the A6061-RAM2 alloy and the LP-DED process to make components for satellites and other applications. www.nasa.org www.elementum3d.com www.rpm-innovations.com
DE HAVILLAND CANADA PARTNERS WITH UNIVERSAL AVIONICS
De Havilland Canada announced it has selected Universal Avionics as lead supplier of integrated flight decks for De Havilland Canada’s CL-215T and CL-415 firefighting aircraft. The flight deck system
will support aerial firefighting operations with flight display, flight management, data communication and connectivity systems. According to De Havilland, the flight deck upgrade will increase the functionality and effectiveness of its firefighting aircraft family, which will now feature Universal Avionics’ navigational instruments for enhanced safety and improved situational awareness. In addition, De Havilland Canada announced the purchase of Mid-Canada Mod Center (MC2) and Avionics Design Services (ADS), which have worked on Universal Avionics installations, upgrades and modifications for decades.The company says the acquisition will add to De Havilland Canada’s expertise in avionics upgrade services for commercial and business aircraft. They are also a Transport Canada Design Approval Organization that develops Supplemental Type Certificates and Repair Design Approvals for MC2 and ADS and its customers. De Havilland Canada says MC2 and ADS’ leadership team will remain in place, and the company will operate as a subsidiary of De Havilland Canada. https://dehavilland.com www.universalavionics.com
Photo credit:De Havilland Canada
Photo credit: NASA
DESIGN NEWS
(From left) Marc Bouliane, Universal Avionics VP Business Development, Marketing and Services and Jean-Philippe Côté, De Havilland Canada VP of Programs and Business Improvement in Athens, Greece. DESIGN-ENGINEERING.com
CAD REPORT
FEATURE
PLM is not Enough
Siemens continues to add useful features, plus SaaS-based subscription elements, to Solid Edge 2024. BY RALPH GRABOWSKI
Photo credit:Siemens Digital Industries Software
German manufacturer, Supfina, used Solid Edge 2024 to design one of its latest superfinishing machines, due in part to the CAD software’s 9x display performance improvement in handling large assemblies.
Turns out, for many MCAD vendors, PLM is not enough. For nearly 20 years now, they’ve known that by selling software that documents all stages of the lives of products – from conceptual design through to disassembly at end of life – they would make lot more money. Now, MCAD vendors are transmogrifying PLM into digital transformation, seemingly as a rebranding exercise to breathe new life into the aging concept. “It’s the integration of digital technologies into all aspects of your engineering business,” explained Siemens Digital Industries Software during its recent Solid Edge 2024 launch. Forgive me if I appear skeptical, but I thought we did that 40 years ago when hand drafting became CAD. In any case, the company was referring to their digital transformation software, Xcelerator. Introduced in @design_eng_mag
2022, Xcelerator is a collection of Siemens software, hardware and third-party vendors, plus a marketplace. Even so, Siemens’ software unit has spent the last ten years bucking the insistence of its competitors, like Autodesk and PTC, that all software must be resold annually via subscriptions and operate from the cloud. But, the lure of a never-ending revenue stream is always there. And so, for this year’s Solid Edge 2024 product launch, the company didn’t lead off with what’s-new in their design software. Instead, it spotlighted a survey of managers at 400 small- and medium-sized manufacturers. In that survey, seventy-two percent of those managers said digital technology levels their playing field against larger corporations. This is important, as Solid Edge is aimed at these smaller firms. Some 80% maintained or increased their
digital budgets during the pandemic, although we’re not told the size of the increase. More importantly, nearly half said SaaS (software as a service, aka subscriptions) would be a priority in the coming year, while fewer than 30% would make the cloud a priority. That survey, especially the bit about SaaS software adoption, reinforces Siemens’ decision last year to broadened use of subscriptions through token-based licensing. Similar to floating licenses, tokens give you access to eight additional functions in Solid Edge, such as generative design, point cloud visualization and simulation. As to cost, NX users currently pay CAD$13,572 per year for 50 tokens, the minimum batch for NX. However, Solid Edge users can buy as few as 25 tokens at a time. While the exact dollar amount is unclear, Siemens says the
November/December 2023 DESIGN ENGINEERING 9
FEATURE
Teamcenter Share’s capabilities are now available in Solid Edge to streamline collaboration workflows.
price is roughly half that of NX’s 50-token minimum. Once purchased, the tokens can be exchanged for 25 licenses of any combination of Solid Edge addons for any length of time. The benefit is that users can jump in and out of using the eight add-ons. The drawback is that, since tokens can only be purchased in groups of 25, your firm might not ever need that many tokens at one time.
What’s New in Solid Edge 2024
For the past decade, some CAD vendors have struggled to add new functions to their software. So, it is good to see that Siemens still comes out with new significant features for its CAD software, especially ones that save time. For example, the Automatic Tube Trimming function cuts holes in primary tubes that intersect with secondary ones, and trims secondary tubes that meet primary ones. End connections are mitered automatically. Another time saver prepares thread geometry in assemblies for 3D printing: Solid Edge leaves inner or outer clearances for threads by a percentage or an absolute distance, and then varies the clearance depending on the 3D printer model and the material. For regular CAM, the software now includes 3D adaptive roughing to remove material more efficiently. However, some new functions have already been available in other CAD systems for a time. Examples of this include importing Excel spreadsheet files; polygon and lasso selection; and searches in the settings dialog box. For sheet metal
modeling in Solid Edge 2024, handed (mirrored) parts remain associative to the original and bend centerlines have colors indicating the bend direction. MCAD vendors are forever looking to improve the load and display time of large assemblies, and here Siemens says Solid Edge is “up to” nine times faster in rotating, panning and zooming large ones without resorting to tricks like hiding features. In this day and age of AI hype, Siemens says it’s added artificial intelligence to assembly relationships and when editing CAM operations. The AI in the Replace Part command shows previews of suggested alternative parts. There is more back and forth interaction between Solid Edge and big
step-brother NX. When a model is open in NX and Solid Edge at the same time, changes to PMI (product manufacturing information) in Solid Edge is automatically updated in NX. Components modeled in Solid Edge can also now be opened in NX without translation for further modeling and analysis. When working with other CAD systems, Solid Edge 2024 now allows users to insert models into Solid Edge assemblies (again, without translation) from ACIS, CATIA, Creo and Inventor – in addition to JT, NX, Solidworks and STEP from last year.
Siemens Support Center
Some of what’s new for Solid Edge comes in the form of design automation applets you download from Siemens Support Center. Similar to the Xcelerator add-ons, some applets are free; others will cost you. The Support Center is Siemens’ one-stop website to handle accounts, downloads and support requests. One applet that caught my eye is the Solid Edge Design Configurator applet, pre-configured data sets for ladders, conveyors and enclosures. It runs inside Solid Edge and parametrically extends the length of ladders to reach the tops of towers, or places conveyor components over the length of a production line. In use, it appeared that lengths are determined manually or else by importing Excel data. Nevertheless, it is fascinating to watch the conveyor system snaking along, and it reminded me that Actrix could do some of this back in 2000.
The Solid Edge Design Configurator applet parametrically routing a conveyor belt system.
10 DESIGN ENGINEERING November/December 2023
DESIGN-ENGINEERING.com
Photo credit:Siemens Digital Industries Software
Photo credit:Siemens Digital Industries Software
CAD REPORT
Another applet is the new Call Subassembly command that works with Place Part Model and Loop Action commands to configure sub-assemblies right inside the main assembly. While the pandemic accelerated the use of software like Zoom to replace in-person meetings, engineering teams also need to see drawings and 3D models. Typically, this is done through stand-alone collaboration software like TeamCenter, which runs on “any” device.TeamCenter Share is now built into Solid Edge, but is available only when you pay for an annual subscription.
Hour of Engineering
Related to Siemens’ investment in CAD software, Siemens launched Hour of Engineering, a free Web site for teaching engineering topics to students, last January. The site uses Siemens’ own Mendix low-code application development platform to provide courses that can range from ten to 40 hours long. The site also includes teacher lesson plans for nine topics that cover shapes, how rockets work and so on. Each topic begins with a video introducing the concept, followed by screenfuls of engineering explanations, and a quiz every so often. Students earn a star for each question answered correctly. There isn’t a suggested age range, so I don’t know if “How many equal planar faces does the cube have?” is too advanced for the first topic, shapes. The site presents most topics using a CAD-like system to illustrate concepts, but only rarely did it allow students to interact with the topic. For instance, it would have been great to turn a gear manually to see how the direction, speed and power of other gears change, but this particular lesson is all non-interactive. In an age when my elementary-age grandchildren run interactive educational software every school day on their laptops, Hour of Engineering’s limited-interaction interface is disappointing. Kids ought to be allowed to manipulate simple objects many ways in CAD, which is, after all, the toolbox of engineers.
Wrap Up
Siemens manages to put out a new version of Solid Edge each fall with a nice set of functions. It also takes a customer-oriented approach to selling its
software, offering permanent licenses, a desktop orientation and even a “Don’t worry, drawings aren’t going away” message. The cloud is only there for when it makes sense and subscriptions, which start at US$110 for a month, are optional – a handy way to use Solid Edge for short periods of time. Solid Edge continues to benefit from being a part of Siemens, which actually manufactures all kinds of stuff (unlike all
other CAD vendors), and being a part of Xcelerator, which gives users access to advanced software like Siemens Opcenter for manufacturing operations management. |DE https://solidedge.siemens.com Ralph Grabowski writes on the CAD industry on his WorldCAD Access blog (www. worldcadaccess. com) and has authored numerous articles and books on CAD and other design software.
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COVER STORY
FEATURE
STICKY BUSINESS How Innovative Automation gambled and won launching a serial product, the RoboTape. BY DAVID GERSOVITZ
Given that success, RoboTape’s manuf actur ing footprint became too large for Innovative’s Barrie, ON facility last year, when production was shifted to a second facility in Newmarket. Even so, production may outgrow that facility within 2-3 years, says Innovative Automation president, Michael Lalonde, who co-owns the company with CEO Stephen Loftus. With more than 200 employees, Innovative is hardly a mom-andpop shop. However, developing a serial product is a different beast than producing one-offs. It requires direct sales and support strategies extendable worldwide, as well as a professional marketing campaign. Add to that the budgeting and billing for continuous production and managing a large
Innovative Automation’s RoboTape system features a versatile remote tape feeding design that separates the Payout (left) from the Applicator (right), which can be mounted to any articulated robot.
(From left) Gary Yearwood, RoboTape Business Unit Manager; Sean Robillard, lead electrical engineer; Michael Lalonde, President and co-owner of Innovative Automation; Ray Reginato, Festo Canada’s Industry Segment Specialist for electronics and assembly. 12 DESIGN ENGINEERING November/December 2023
parts inventory, plus legal requirement, such as contracts, warranties and patent filings.
A Familiar Path
Prior to RoboTape, Innovative had followed a familiar path. From its founding in 1989, it focused almost entirely on custom automation for the automotive sector, later diversifying into medical devices and consumer goods. By the late-2010s, Innovative’s growth allowed for the creation of a small R&D department, Lalonde says. Innovative had built foam taping machines for a customer, but it was still a custom product, pre-cutting the tape, then picking and placing it. Later on, Lalonde and a colleague were brainstorming about leveraging the experience gained from that project. “We looked at each other and said, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we could make the cut in the [robotic] head, and how can we get the tape to the head and make it a flexible system for any project?’” From the outset, Innovative knew there was enormous market potential for the RoboTape system. For one, global sales of technical tapes used in manufacturing are expected to double this decade, most such adhesives – whether for joining, insulating, bonding or glazing – but are still applied manually. The largest market is automotive, where pressure sensitive tapes DESIGN-ENGINEERING.com
Photo credit:De Havilland Canada
If a Canadian manufacturing success is the culmination of a journey, then Barrie, ONbased Innovative Automation has taken a path rarely traveled. It’s seldom that a custom machine builder creates a serial product, let alone one now garnering sales worldwide. But that’s the path the custom machine builder chose when it developed RoboTape, an automated system for feeding and installing adhesive-backed foams, felts and attachment tapes In the four years since development began, the RoboTape system has generated several million dollars in orders, led to a collaboration agreement with global tape manufacturer, 3M, and is now fast approaching 100 units installed in the field.
are used for bonding and sealing, noise and vibration reduction. Current RoboTape customers include Tier 1 and 2 automotive suppliers, appliance manufacturers and consumer goods. According to GaryYearwood, RoboTape business unit manager,
architectural products are a potential new frontier, along with electronics, HVAC and aerospace. One of the system’s primary advantages, Yearwood says, is that it can apply tape faster than humans – up to 300mm/s – with better repeatability and less waste. In contrast, automated taping competitors all have significant limitations. Some can only apply one type of tape, only tape in straight lines or it must be purchased with a particular robot. Others use pick-and-place technology, which tends to be slow and can damage the tape during application. If the tape supply is mounted on the robot, production must stop whenever a new supply is needed and requires a larger robot and therefore larger footprint for the work cell.
Choose your Partner
In addition to its own exceptional in-house talent, Innovative Automation also leveraged its longstanding relationship with Festo Canada to create RoboTape. Selected early on as the project’s pneumatics supplier, Festo provided trial parts and, ultimately, many critical components. Trial parts helped the machine builder limit its financial exposure during concept development. It also allowed Festo to demonstrate how its components, like its fluidic muscle, could help meet critical design and performance objectives for the initial production model. “We chose Festo because I knew they would have everything we needed,” says Zac Cutt, mechanical engineer and lead machine designer. “As a bonus, Ray [Reginato,
Festo Canada’s Industry Segment Specialist for electronics and assembly] was available to us. Having him suggest the smallest versions of everything, as well as the fluidic muscle, was really helpful.” Festo’s DMSP fluidic muscle made sense for the initial model’s end effector. Mimicking the movement of a human muscle, the actuator’s rubber-sheathed polymer tubing can exert 10 times the initial force of a similar-sized conventional pneumatic cylinder, in this case, actuating the blade that cuts the tape.
Maximizing Versatility
From the get-go, the goal was to make RoboTape a more versatile system. Those who have compared it to its nearest competitors “tell us those systems have their place, but
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FEATURE
none comes close to RoboTape,” says Yearwood. Each RoboTape can be programmed with multiple recipes, for single or double-sided flat, foam or felt adhesives, with simple or complex geometries with gradual or sharp curvature. According to Cutt, RoboTape’s lead engineer, developing the software interface with so many different parameters, recipes, speeds and feeds, while also factoring in the subtle differences of various tapes, and then debugging the system so it all meshed together nicely, was a two-and-ahalf-year project. The key to RoboTape’s versatility flows from a design decision, made early on, to distance the tape supply from the robot’s end effector, also known as the RoboTape Applicator. Tape supply is contained in the RoboTape Payout, a mobile cabinet that can accommodate large (1,800m+) level-wound spools. It also houses the accumulator to maintain a tape buffer with consistent tension that allows production to continue during a spool change. From the Payout, a patented feed system delivers tape (up to 7 meters away) to RoboTape’s Applicator, which performs the peel/
Capable of a feed rate up to 300mm per second, RoboTape’s end effector can deftly handle complex contours and geometries.
affix/cut functions. The system also returns the discarded adhesive liner to the payout for disposal. According to the company, this remote feeding concept was the biggest design challenge, but also the biggest benefit. For example, due to remote feeding, the R&D team was able to minimize the Applicator’s size and weight. As a result, the system’s end effector can swivel to dispense tape in any direction. The remote feeding approach also means the system isn’t tied to any one robot vendor. The end effector can be mounted on any articulated robot, even a cobot, or mounted in a fixed position. In addition, since the Payout will almost always be positioned outside the robot’s safety zone, a new spool can be loaded and spliced without interrupting production. Remote feeding also helped keep the RoboTape’s two main components compact overall, enough to fit any customer layout.
Stage Gate Process
RoboTape’s development adhered to the Stage Gate Process, moving from initial concepts to prototyping of individual functions like feeding and tape-cutting, says Lalonde. For example,
several methods of cutting tape were considered, from lasers to knives to spinning blades. Only when the overall concept was approved, did product design begin. “We had to pass the milestones required with each gate before making further investment,” Lalonde says. “We chose to have a dedicated team lead the development of RoboTape because we knew, if we tried to pick away at this as a side project, other projects would always take precedent.” Soon after RoboTape’s public reveal, its social media campaign began generating several inquiries a week from around the world. For example, RoboTape videos on LinkedIn caught the attention of 3M tapes experts, who initiated a dialogue followed by months of testing of 3M products. “3M wanted a tight start/stop tolerance as well as a tight bend radius, and in both cases, we far exceeded their requirements,” says Sean Robillard, RoboTape’s lead electrical engineer. The company says RoboTape meets 3M’s 5-point check for limited tape stretch, accurate tape wet out, splice identification and disposal, successful liner handling and repeatable tape placement accuracy. For 3M, the collaboration is an opportunity to sell more tape, Lalonde says. “They’re competing against other joining technologies like riveting, gluing and fastening that have been automated for 30 or more years,” he says. “RoboTape gives 3M the opportunity to offer the same level of automation as those other technologies, but with the benefits of tape.” For Innovative Automation, the collaboration extends RoboTape’s sales and marketing reach via the 3M tape sales force. Whatever is next for RoboTape, the Ontario machine builder says more complementary products are coming soon. |DE innovativeautomation.com www.festo.com/ca This story was supplied by Festo.
14 DESIGN ENGINEERING November/December 2023
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CANADIAN INNOVATOR
FEATURE
Root and Branch
Ontario-based Thiessen Tillage’s tractor-mounted tool reduces the costs of vineyard upkeep. BY THOMAS RENNER All across Canada, farmers are facing higher costs for doing business. Costs on Quebec farms rose by an average of 17.3 percent in 2022, according to a report. Every aspect of the industry – land, fertilizer, machinery, livestock and feed – saw double digit increases. Even something as simple as twine – which is used for wrapping hay bales – increased by more than 15 percent. Like all Canadians, farmers are paying much more for fuel. Farmers paid more than 78 percent more for fuel in the second quarter of 2022 than the previous year and consumers are feeling the cost. Grocery prices rose 9.0 percent year over year, according to a report in May. A new cultivation product – developed by St. Catharines, ONbased Thiessen Tillage – aims to help farmers curb some costs. Designed by Thiessen’s owner and operator, Ryan Thiessen, the product is a hydraulically-actuated toolbar that mounts on either the front or rear of a tractor to pull vines or small trees out of vineyards and orchards.
Photo credit:De Havilland Canada
A Better Option
Intermittent vine pulling is common in vineyards due to damage or disease. And, in more northern climates, like southern Ontario, individual vines may not survive a cold winter. As a result, farmers often need to pull individual vines so they can be replaced with new ones. In most instances, farmers have used skid steer loaders for this task. However, skid steers are far more expensive – as in mid five figures expensive – and require @design_eng_mag
Designed and developed by St. Catharines-based Thiessen Tillage, this tool simplifies the common task of up-rooting vines that have died due to damage, disease or a cold winter.
some lateral movement instead of direct pulling of the vine, which slows down the process. While skid steers might be faster than the 3-point hitch for removing many vines, Thiessen says not every farmer will have the resources to have a skid steer. Tractors, on the other hand, are a must-have for any farmer. “For farmers without skid steers and who pull dead vines annually, having a tool like our vine puller is a better option than always hiring the job out and is still fairly quick,” Thiessen says. Customers have embraced the product, Thiessen says, and enjoy having a solution for a frequent problem that can be used on standard equipment.
“They’ve been very happy with the vine puller and the ease of use on standard tractors,” he said. “It’s something a lot of farmers encounter, and this is a solution that doesn’t require additional equipment and greatly reduces the use of grease.”
Nesting Cylinders
Thiessen designed the toolbar with nesting cylinders inside telescopic tubing with narrow profile pins. The liner allows the telescoping elements of the vine puller, which are made with steel, to slide against each other while reducing wear and friction. “We solved that challenge by nesting the cylinders inside of the telescopic tubing with narrow
November/December 2023 DESIGN ENGINEERING 15
CANADIAN INNOVATOR
FEATURE too quickly. Also, the adhesive had trouble with too much hydraulic oil if a farmer had a leak,” Thiessen says. “It is still a very capable product, but in our case mechanically fastened parts we cut from J plate has been a better solution.”
Additional Savings
Thiessen’s hydraulically actuated vine removal tool can be mounted in and integrated with common farm tractors, eliminating the need for expensive specialty equipment.
profile pins to secure them so that we didn’t need to make room externally for the cylinders and other related components,” he said. The liner is the critical component to the vine puller. The telescoping elements are steel, which can cause significant friction. Lubrication, however, is messy and over time can be expensive. Thiessen’s solution, however, doesn’t require lubrication. Instead, the vine puller uses self-lubricating plastic components from igus. Thiessen says the German company’s motion plastics stand up better to the corrosiveness associated with agriculture while also eliminating the cost and maintenance of grease lubrication. “I am on a mission to reduce or eliminate grease and
grease fittings from agriculture,” Thiessen says. “While grease is an excellent lubricant, farming involves a lot of dust and soil. These contaminants quickly become embedded in the grease and create a messy and less effective slurry.” He initially developed the toolbar with igus’ B160 tribo-tape and cut it to fit on the cylinders. “The tribo-tape is easy to apply and cut to size which made it easy to integrate and install into the assembly,” Thiessen says. The tribo-tape liner is designed for versatile lining of tribologically challenged services and shapes and optimizes movement within machine beds. It requires very little space – it has a thickness of .5mm – and
can be purchased with an adhesive back. Over time, however, Thiessen discovered a different igus product that stood up better to the challenging demands of the application. He now uses an iglide J plate, which offers low wear against different shaft materials, good resistance to chemicals and low coefficients of friction in dry operation. The plate is used frequently in plant construction, maintenance equipment, machine construction and medical technology. “The tribo-tape was awesome and a solid product, but in the end the forces we were experiencing with the vine puller and other heavy vineyard tools was wearing the much softer tribo-tape
“I am on a mission to reduce or eliminate grease from agriculture,” Thiessen says. 16 DESIGN ENGINEERING November/December 2023
Like everything else associated with farming, the cost of grease is on the rise. A report in February 2023 said Lubrication Engineers increased the price of its lithium complex greases approximately 27 percent, and Chevron said it would raise the price of its greases by 17 percent. Another report in October indicated prices would rise 12-18 percent for lubricants and greases. Grease has been used on equipment dating back centuries. But there are different grades of grease and using inferior grades can lead to equipment degradation. The cost of lubrication is tied closely to the cost of fuel, and most theories suggest owners can add 10-15 percent to the cost of fuel for lubrication. Fuel prices have also risen dramatically over the past three years. “By moving away from grease and towards more of the high-tech plastics from igus we are able to reduce maintenance time and costs,” Thiessen said. “We no longer have to grease equipment and makes it easy to clean because the grease no longer holds contaminants and sticks to the steel. It makes a better, cleaner looking product.” |DE www.thiessentillage.com Thomas Renner writes on engineering, construction and other industry topics for publications throughout the U.S. and Canada.
DESIGN-ENGINEERING.com
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
FEATURE
Launched in early 2021, LUCI smart technology gives power wheelchairs a 360-degree view of the world to avoid collisions and warn of tipping dangers.
‘SELF-AWARE’ WHEELCHAIR
‘Invisible’ Housings
Photo credit: LUCI
On-demand injection molding, plus sheet metal fabrication, helps bring LUCI technology to market. Brothers Barry and Jered Dean didn’t set out to start a company. But nothing on the market solved their problem: Keeping Barry’s daughter, Katherine, safe in her power wheelchair. Each year, wheelchair users get hurt when their devices, which weigh hundreds of pounds, tip over or run into objects. When a family friend was sent to the hospital after a wheelchair fall, the Dean brothers – Barry, a Grammy-nominated Nashville songwriter, and Jered, a Denver-based design engineer – got to work sketching ideas out at a restaurant on a @design_eng_mag
paper tablecloth. “Obviously we chose to go ahead and go for it because it didn’t seem anybody was going to do this anytime soon,” said Jered. “We couldn’t afford for our family to wait for somebody else to do it.” What they came up with is LUCI, an attachable accessory system that brings smart technology to power wheelchairs for stability, security and connectivity. LUCI’s hardware and software combine to give power wheelchairs a 360-degree view of the world to avoid collisions and drop-offs and also warn of tipping dangers. LUCI incorporates stereo-vision cameras and
infrared, ultrasonic, and radar sensors in a patented, first-of-its-kind system that gets mounted between the seat and wheels of a power wheelchair. The Dean brothers, with Barry as CEO and Jered as CTO, founded the LUCI company in 2017 and began selling the LUCI system in early 2021. Since then, the product has earned widespread recognition, named Time magazine’s Best Inventions of 2020, Popular Science’s Best of What’s New, a CES 2021 Health & Wellness Innovation Award and Mobility Management’s “Smart Technology” Product Award.
When the Deans’ announced their intent to develop LUCI, it generated intense interest from wheelchair manufacturers. For the speed and flexibility required, they turned to Protolabs for injection-molding of plastic prototypes and production parts. The company also provided prototyping of sheet metal components and, as it turned out, services they hadn’t anticipated using at the outset. “We were developing fast and we were developing with a lot of unknowns,” Jered said. “There weren’t many other options because Protolabs could turn things quickly and cost effectively so that we could keep moving forward.” As a power wheelchair user steers LUCI with a joystick or other means, onboard sensors map the surroundings to avoid anything in the way, from curbs and vehicles to pets and people. The mapping technology includes
November/December 2023 DESIGN ENGINEERING 17
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
FEATURE
millimeter-wave radar sensors that detect the range, velocity and angle of objects in the environment. The plastic housings that contain the radar sensors, however, posed a design challenge, Jered said, because those housings need to be “invisible” to the business card-sized radar sensors. The housings have to be of a certain shape, material and thinness to enable the radar devices to do their job of identifying potential hazards.
Each year, wheelchair users get hurt when their devices tip over or run into objects. Another concern was finding a way of securely attaching all of the plastic housings holding LUCI’s various sensors and electronics to the system’s Smart Frame. The frame is a sheet metal platform that is mounted between the seat and wheels of a new or existing power wheelchair to install the LUCI system. Offering a user experience that merges rider intent and independence with the protection and assistance that LUCI’s technology provides also was a priority. One expression of that, Jered said, needed to be through LUCI’s dashboard, or user interface. The dashboard, located on the wheelchair’s control panel, has four indicator lights to track things like Wi-Fi and cellular connection and sensor obstruction. He wanted each light to have a corresponding symbol that would clearly identify its function while also being attractive and durable.
Iterative Design
Jered and the LUCI engineering team used Protolabs’ online quoting system and automated manufacturing analysis to design plastic 18 DESIGN ENGINEERING November/December 2023
housings for LUCI’s sensors and electronics. Getting the design just right for the radar sensors housings involved a number of calls with Protolabs’ engineers to tweak those plans. Protolabs injection molded ABS plastic in a shape and at the thinness LUCI needed, enabling the radar devices to work properly. LUCI iterated rapidly on the housings, cutting test tools, having prototypes made and working with Protolabs on revisions before making new tools for another round of prototyping. According to Jered, the process was more cost-effective and the resulting design better than going to a typical injection molding house. Similarly, when Jered mentioned his concern about robustly securing the plastic housings to LUCI’S frame, Protolabs applications engineers suggested using the company’s insert molding service. Insert molding in this case incorporates threaded metal inserts into LUCI’s molded plastic housings to improve their strength when they’re attached to the frame. LUCI also used Protolabs’ sheet metal fabrication service to prototype dozens of parts for the smart frame and brackets that hold LUCI’s sensors. For the dashboard, LUCI had considered using stickers, labels, or engraving for the symbols that identify the purpose of each indicator light. Jered found a better solution in Protolabs’ pad printing process, which transfers a two-dimensional image, like a company logo, to a three-dimensional object. The pad printed symbols are more attractive, durable and convenient, Jered said.
Meeting Urgent Demand
Jered and Barry Dean said they felt a “super sense of urgency” to deliver LUCI to market, given their personal stake and the high level of interest from potential users. “That urgency trickled through to everything: How we’re doing
our manufacturing, how we’re doing our product development, our sales,” Jered said. “All those things go to how can we get LUCI to the broadest number of users possible. “It can be the difference between someone being able to independently drive themselves and somebody being pushed or not having that freedom in all locations,” he added. “That’s a lot of pressure on getting it out, getting it right and getting it done.” In all likelihood, Jered said, LUCI wouldn’t have been available as soon as it was without Protolabs since it was able to deliver injection-molded parts within three to four weeks. Additionally, sheet metal prototypes arrived from Protolabs within a week compared to eight to 12 weeks from a traditional metal shop. “The ability to save that much time while doing development work is worth a ton,” Jered said. “The hardware side is always the long lead time part of our development process, so being able to accelerate that to try to keep up with the software and electronics side is a major, major aid in the development of a product like LUCI.” That speed and lower tooling costs make Protolabs a cost-effective choice, Jered said. While part prices are a little higher initially, they become more favorable with on-demand manufacturing. Over a longer period of time, part prices from Protolabs rival domestic production. In addition, outsourcing from countries outside of the United States also involves hidden costs such as import tariffs, transportation delays, miscommunication and poor quality parts. “We’re already working with Protolabs on new products,” Jered said, “so I think we’ll be partners for a good long time.” |DE https://luci.com www.protolabs.com This story was submittd by Protolabs. DESIGN-ENGINEERING.com
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PROTOTYPING LARGE PART 3D SCANNER
Creaform announced the launch of its MAX Series of HandySCAN 3D scanners. Designed to acquire 3D measurements of large and complex surfaces, the handheld scanner line offers a 3D scanning area of approximately 1m x 1m to facilitate the measurement of parts or assemblies up to 15m. It also features multiple scanning modes ranging from fast scanning time to maximum resolution. The metrology-grade scanner also features volumetric accuracy of 0.100mm + 0.015 mm/m, ISO 17025 accreditation and compliance with the VDI/VDE 2634 part 3 standard. Additionally, MAX series includes Creaform’s dynamic referencing algorithms. Key features include Flex Volume, which allows short standoff distance scanning and high speed measurement of large parts from a longer standoff distance. The scanner’s Smart Surface Algorithm features image processing combined with AI to optimize surface measurements while Real-Time Calibration integrates the calibration step directly into the scanning workflow. www.creaform3d.com
3D PRINTER FARM
Mosaic Manufacturing announced it has begun
shipping its self-contained print farm system, the Mosaic Array, which incorporates four of the company’s Element HT 3D FFF printers. The Element HT feature a 14 x 14 x 14-inch build volume that can print up to 8 materials in a single part. Each printer also features a heated build volume and includes a high temp head (up to 500ºC) and a low temp head (up to 300ºC) that can be swapped out without tools. In total, the Array accommodates up to 32 individual material spools.
To manage and switch between different build materials, or a back up of the same material, the system includes the Palette X, an industrial version of the company’s Palette 3 multi-material management system. In total, the company offers 16 Array-compatible build materials, including PLA, PETG and ABS, flexible materials like TPU and industrial materials like PEEK and PEKK, as well as three support materials. In addition, the system also supports third-party build materials, the company says. Once a print is complete, the Array’s robotic gantry system automatically removes the part from the printer. www.mosaicmfg.com
ATEX certification and IECEx/cETLus listing. In addition to its explosion proof approvals, the high voltage servo motor offers speeds up to 7,500 rpm with high torque density, the company says. It also offers resolver feedback and a built-in thermostat. Goldline EBH servo motors are offered in frame sizes 1 - 6. They join other explosion proof motors in the Goldline EB family that meet ATEX/IECEx standards, and more specifically CE 0081 Ex II 2 G Ex d IIB T3 Gb –40ºC ≤ Ta ≤ 40ºC. This classification means the
motors are suitable for use in any above-ground industry where easily ignited gases are likely to be present in the atmosphere for 10 to 1,000 hours/year during normal operation (Zones 1 and 2). www.electromate.com
FLUID POWER DIGITAL VALVE CONTROLLER
Emerson has announced the Fisher FIELDVUE DVC7K Digital Valve Controller. The controller features Advice at the Device technology with embedded computing and
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Kollmorgen announced that its Goldline EBH 480VAC servo motor has attained November/December 2023 DESIGN ENGINEERING 19
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analytics that convert raw data into actionable information within the device. Available as accessories for control and on-off valves, the DVC7K interprets data using onboard edge computing to analyze issues. If analysis reveals a problem, an alert is created, which can be viewed locally or remotely. All alerts include recommended actions to fix the problem. All information can be viewed on the controller’s interface, via Bluetooth, or remotely transmitted to a host. www.emerson.com
VALVE TRIM TECHNOLOGY
Emerson announced its Fisher Whisper Trim Technology for use in both rotary and globe valves that addresses noise issues. Control valve
the high flow capacities. A selection of low noise trims is currently available. Emerson.com
noise is created by high pressure drops across a valve, which generate high velocities as the fluid moves through the narrowed passages in the valve body. Rotary valves are inherently prone to higher noise levels due to their trim configuration. The Fisher Whisper Trim offers up to 20 A-weighted decibels (dBA) of sound level reduction, a 10 dBA improvement compared to traditionally manufactured solutions. This noise reduction is achieved while largely maintaining
LIQUID NOZZLE
EXAIR’s unveiled its 1/8 NPT HollowStream liquid atomizing spray nozzle, which provides a hollow cone spray pattern. Its tangential flow design is vaneless, with wide open internal features to resist clogging while producing a uniform distribution in a ring pattern with medium to large droplets. The open, right-angle design is suited to applications involving liquids that are thicker, or contain particulates, up to 250 psi. The liquid atomizing nozzles feature a stainless steel construction adds to its corrosion resistance. They are CE compliant and available in a variety of flow rates. They complement EXAIR’s large line of 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2 NPT Air Atomizing and No Drip Air Atomizing Spray nozzles. www.exair.com
ELECTRICAL SWITCH-MODE POWER SUPPLIES
AutomationDirect has added the RHINO PRO PSRP and RHINOTOUGH PSRT
20 DESIGN ENGINEERING November/December 2023 ad-de-qtr-cldp-sep2023-o.indd 1 DES_SPirol_Sept23.indd 1
series power supplies. The PSRP series power supplies feature a space-saving design with push-in connectors, an aluminum housing and multiple DC power options. Those options include a single-phase input unit with 12VDC output at 120W; Single-phase input models with 24 VDC outputs at up to 480W; and three-phase input models with 24VDC outputs at up to 960W. The RHINO TOUGH PSRT series are fully encapsulated, IP67 rated, field-mountable and suitable for harsh environments. They are available with 24VDC outputs in 100and 200-watt capacities. Both series are UL listed, CSA approved, CE marked and RoHS compliant. www.automationdirect. com
AC-DC POWER SUPPLIES
The Polytron Division of Daburn Electronics has introduced its PFEV Series of AC-DC power modules for electric vehicle (EV) charger installations. The series comes in versions delivering 20 to 150 watts and meets the latest over-voltage category (OVC) III requirements for safety. PFEV ACDC power modules accept a 90-305V AC universal input range and no-load power consumption is <0.1W. The units meet UL/IEC/EN 62368-1, IEC/EN 61558-1, IEC/EN 61558-2-16 and IEC/EN 60335-1 safety standards. The PFEV ACDC power module series DESIGN-ENGINEERING.com
8/11/2023 2:36:52 PM 2023-08-14 10:49 AM
comes in compact sizes from 2.07 x 1.08 x 0.93 inches (52.58 x 27.43 x 23.62 mm) for the 20-watt version to 3.5 x 2.5 x 1.06 inches (88.9 x 63.5 x 26.92 mm) for the 150-watt version. www.daburn.com
ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BREAKER
WAGO unveiled its 24VDC, 1-channel electronic circuit breaker, which features device status LED indicators and the ability to configure all S2 output variants. The output configuration is available in seven different modes including tr ipped, channel state, or early current threshold indicators. In addition, the ECB line includes an indented tool-operated button to access the manual reset wheel. The line comes in a 6mm-wide housing and offers an operating temperature range from -25 to 70°C. On adjustable units, current limits can be set via a discreet setting wheel instead of a sequence of inputs on a manual input wheel. www.wago.com
POWER TRANSMISSION PLAIN BEARING
igus has introduced its iglide ECO P210, a plain bearing made from recycled plastic. The chemical-resistant variant bearing is manufactured using regranulate made from sprue and defective injection-molded parts. The ECO P210 plain bearing has been designed for use in machines that regularly come into contact with chemicals.The bearing has a maximum recommended surface pressure of 50MPa at room temperature and can operate
TIMER RELAYS
AutomationDirect has added the ProSense T30R series of timer relays that feature a 30A SPDT output contact that controls loads without requiring a separate contactor. These single-function timer relays are available in on-delay, off-delay, fleeting and cyclic mode timing options and offer a rotary switch adjustment with timing ranges up to 10 hours. The timer relays are encapsulated for resistance to harsh environments and utilize a microprocessor-based design for accuracy and repeatability. The ProSense T30R series timer relays are UL recognized, CE marked and RoHS compliant. www.automationdirect.com November/December 2023 DESIGN ENGINEERING 21
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between -40°C (-40°F) and 100°C (212°F). Like all igus plain bearing materials, it does not require external lubrication with oil or grease. The ECO P210 is the fifth product in the iglide ECO family. Other materials available include ECO H, ECO P, ECO G, and ECO A180. According to igus, all ECO materials consist of at least 97 percent recycled plastic. www.igus.com
CLEAN-IN-PLACE LATCHES
JW Winco introduced its Hygienic Design GN 1150 latches that can be cleaned in place. The most recent HD standard part, GN 1150 refers to cam latches of stainless steel with FDA-compliant seals of EPDM and TPU. Due to these seals, the
SENSORS
latches have no dead spaces for dirt to collect. The GN 1150 is available in two versions: The “front hygiene” version (FH) offers the HD standard on the actuation side, while the inside satisfies the typical requirements.The “full hygiene” design (VH) features additional seals for HD quality, even on the latch arm side. Both versions offer protection class IP 66 according to DIN EN 60529, meaning that they protect against the ingress of dust and heavy streams of water. www.jwwinco.ca
INCLINOMETERS
POSITAL has added inclinometer model with analog communications interfaces to its TILTIX line. The latest TILTIX models incorporate 3-axis MEMS accelerometer sensors that reduce cross-axis sensitivity and improve measurement accuracy to ± 0.1 degrees over the full range of tilt angles. The models feature a programmable function that allows measurement range to be set via software updates. These instruments can be set up so that their full output range (4-20 mA, 0-5 Volts or 0-10 Volts) spans the expected range of motion. TILTIX inclinometers can also be programmed to act as limit warning switches, as well as to function as a single axis (0-360°), two-axis (± 90°), or 2-axis pitch/roll (± 180°) sensors. Signal filtering methods include moving average, recursive, Butterworth, critical damping and Kalman filtering. They are available in either fiber-reinforced plastic housings or IP69K-rated metal enclosures. www.posital.com
PROXIMITY SENSORS
AutomationDirect has added Balluff BCS series capacitive proximity sensors to their selection of object detection sensors. They are available in 12 to 30mm tubular, 50mm round and small rectangular body styles and offer sensing distances up to 30mm.These 22 DESIGN ENGINEERING November/December 2023 DES_Mocap_MarApril23.indd 1
DC-powered sensors feature stainless steel or thermoplastic housings with protection ratings up to IP67 for harsh industrial environments. The BCS series capacitive proximity sensors are UL listed, RoHS compliant, and UKCA and CE marked. automationdirect.com
LINE SCAN CAMERA
Emergent Vision Technologies debuted its PACE LR-4KG35, a 10GigE line scan camera. Through its 10GigE SFP+ interface, the camera reaches a top single line rate of 172KHz. The
line scan camera features the 4Kx2 Gpixel GL3504 CMOS image sensor, with a 3.5x3.5µm pixel cell size and a 14.336mm sensor scanning width. Both GigE Vision and GenICam compliant, the camera allows cable lengths from 1M up to 10KM without the need for fiber converters/repeaters. The camera also provides both 8-bit and 10-bit modes with 4Kx2 resolution and a dynamic range of 66 dB. Available in both monochrome (LR-4KG35-M) and color (LR-4KG35-C) versions, the cameras can be used with Windows 7, 8, and 10 and Linux (64 bit) operating systems. emergentvisiontec.com DESIGN-ENGINEERING.com
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