Products

Optimising Industrial Communications in the IoT

The latest cable and connectivity solutions from LAPP Australia optimise uptime and reliability for industrial communication within Internet of Things machinery.

LAPP’s German-manufactured range introduces new innovations. Its Single-Pair Ethernet (SPE) technology allows continuous real-time data transfer down to the field level, enabling more consistent, efficient industrial Ethernet networks. The Etherline T1 range only needs one pair of cores to transmit data whereas the former industry standard was two- and four-pair Ethernet cables. The time and materials saved when using only one pair of cores enable smart components to be integrated into networks not previously connected by industrial Ethernet.

LAPP has also expanded its range of flexible internet and data transmission cables for indoor and outdoor use — offering enhanced protections against oil, water, vibration, high temperature and other environmental factors. Cable protection features include individual and collective screening to reduce signal leakage.

Etherline Guard prevents unplanned machinery downtime by monitoring the service life of data cables in Ethernet-based networks. Until now, cables were not taken into account in predictive maintenance modelling, even though cables are often under extreme pressure, especially in dynamic and positively driven industrial applications.

“In robotic applications, torsional force makes predictive management more important,” says Simon Pullinger, general manager of LAPP Australia.

“Quality cables can withstand several million bending cycles but ultimately they need to be replaced at individually planned intervals to avoid eventual failure.”

Etherline Guard is a stationary device that continuously monitors an Ethernet cable, detecting declines in performance and displaying cable status as a value between 100% and 0% so that maintenance can be planned in advance. The device supports copper-based Ethernet data cables compliant with 100BASE-TX according to IEEE 802.3 (at 100 Mbit/s).

Etherline Guard is ideal for data cables under constant mechanical stress. This includes movement at high speed and acceleration, changing motion sequences, rotations with high axial angles, short cycles and small, bending radii. The device suits critical processes where downtime is expensive or possibly dangerous for staff — such as resources, energy and high-heat or -pressure applications.

Single-pair Ethernet cables

LAPP’s new Etherline T1 Y Flex 1x2x22/7 AWG cables – part of an expanding two-core range – reduce setup and maintain high data rates. The exceptionally lightweight UL-certified, two-core cable for high-speed data exchange has a small bending radius and outer diameter which Pullinger describes as “indispensable” for field connection.

The new power-over-data-line-compatible cable complies with IEEE 802.3bu and is designed for transmitting digital signals up to 600MHz over distances of up to 40 metres.

The SPE cable guarantees optimal protection against electromagnetic interference. It is double-shielded due to an aluminium-laminated foil and copper braid screening with a high coverage (SF/UTP). The PVC outer sheath is resistant to acids and alkalis and is partially oil resistant. The new single-pair Ethernet cable can also be installed openly on cable trays.

Single-pair internet technologies join LAPP Australia’s local inventory of more than 4,000 items, complementing 25,000 online products. All are backed by local customer and technical support plus global applications expertise. LAPP’s industrial communication technologies include: • ETHERLINE PN CAT.5E Y 100MHz – resilient ethernet cables, meets international standards (PROFINET UL), available in types from fixed to highly flexible, for indoor and outdoor use. • ETHERLINE FD P CAT.6 250MHz – highly flexible for use in drag chain applications, meets international standards. Category 6 versions offer static or flexible options and suit building applications. • ETHERLINE CAT.7 FLEX, 600MHz

– ISO-approved; from fixed to highly flexible for indoor, outdoor. • UNITRONIC LiYCY (TP) – multifunctional data transmission cables for fixed, flexible and continuous flexing, in combinations of overall or individually screened, and

UV-resistant twisted pairs. • UNITRONIC ST SERIAL RS232,

RS422, and RS485 flexible cables offer 100% foil screen coverage, in single, multiple pairs or three-core versions. • UNITRONIC BUS PROFIBUS

CANBUS, DeviceNet, Foundation

Fieldbus and ISOBUS cables for indoor and outdoor use, in fixed or highly flexible applications.

LAPP

lappaustralia.com.au

Bonfiglioli delivers safety, reliability with HF hoist drive range

Getting to grips with real-world applications and the needs of its customers, Bonfiglioli’s new HF range of high-quality hoist drive units was designed following a detailed study of the operating equipment in real time.

The series features three units: the HF40, the HF60 and the HF125, designed to carry 4, 6 and 12.5 tons respectively. According to Martin Broglia, Managing Director of Bonfiglioli Australia, the units are specifically designed for hoist applications in material-handling cranes.

“Our international team worked closely with several prominent crane manufacturers to better understand the operating challenges that they faced,” he explains. “Our range was designed to combat these demands.”

The range has also been designed for higher FEM and ISO classes to ensure the highest levels of safety and reliability. Broglia adds: “The higher input to output offset and the higher space between the motor and drum install provides an advantage for OEMs to choose from a wide range of drum sizes available to the market.

With Australia currently experiencing a surge in commercial construction activity, Broglia believes there is no better time to bring the HF series to market. He outlines the added benefits as follows: • Rugged structural design and high load carrying capacity: “This series features a high radial load carrying capacity – a key requirement for hoists/ cranes.” • High centre and offset distance: “OEMs can select from a wide range of drum sizes and motor frame size combinations.” • Wide range of output connections: “This provides added design flexibility for OEMs.” • High-performance gears and bearings: “Gear profiles are optimised and designed for high power density, and to satisfy a wide range of FEM/ ISO mechanism classes. It also offers superior bearings to support higher loads.”

In addition to this, the HF series offers an array of gearbox mounting options and the option to include an external brake solution for additional safety. Martin says that the HF series represents a welcome addition to Bonfiglioli’s portfolio.

“As heavy-duty specialists, we are so pleased to bring this series to market,” he concludes. “Our customers trust us to bring reliable solutions for the most demanding applications to market. We are excited to see their response to the HF series.”

Bonfiglioli bonfiglioli.com

High-speed injection molding machine: upgraded to be more competitive

To keep up with rapidly intensifying competition, businesses are constantly looking for ways to upgrade processes to improve production efficiency. This is especially so in the thin-wall packaging industry, in which a one second reduction in cycle time can cut production capacity by 20%, or even more than 50%.

As such high-speed molding and mass production is hugely significant businesses in thin-wall plastic packaging molding.

YIZUMI always reacts quickly to emerging market developments, in this case providing customers with a more competitive integrated solution for the PAC380K3 high-speed injec-

COVID-19 vaccine atomizing cup individualisation and high production efficiency of thin-wall containers, YIZUMI PAC-K3 series high-speed injection molding machines are suitable for molding multi-cavity thin-wall packaging products, with the advantages of high rigidity, high injection rate, high precision and more.

The maximum system pressure of the PAC380K3 high-speed injection molding machine has increased by more than 10% and thus reaches 19MPa, and its overall mold clamping rigidity is increased by more than 25%, facilitating molding of thin-wall and deep-cavity products. Adhering to YIZUMI’s design concept for highspeed molding, PAC380K3 adopts platen and tie bar frames of better mechanical performance, and increases the length-diameter ratio of the screw and barrel to 24:1 for better plasticising quality, more stable product size and greater flexibility. In the production process, a high-rigidity and stable machine frame is valuable for the continuous highspeed operation of the machine. The frame design of the PAC380K3 high-speed packaging injection molding machine is designed with user-friendliness, daily maintenance, safety performance and other functional requirements in mind to deliver a better customer experience.

Providing customers with onestop service

YIZUMI aspires to free customers from repeated investments after equipment purchase and meet diversified production needs in the future.

Most YIZUMI solutions are customized. Boasting in-depth understanding of customer needs and market trends, the professional technical team becomes familiar with customers’ future product line plans, and adopts the best models, molds, materials and auxiliary machines to ensure sufficient expansion margin for customers’ production.

YIZUMI can customise equipment solutions for diverse customers, and can build turnkey solutions. From the early plant layout and planning, equipment model selection and auxiliary setting to production line commissioning and personnel training and then to the final smooth production, YIZUMI can provide customers with an overall and detailed solution in one stop.

Advantages of PAC-K3 series includes: • Upgraded system pressure and injection speed for stable molding of thin-wall multi-cavity products • Upgraded configuration with

PAC380K3 and above generally equipped with hydraulic synchronous plasticising function • Upgraded clamping unit for larger clamping force • Upgraded control system – PAC-K3 equipped with Inovance Iventure

System for better response and control accuracy • Upgraded ergonomic design for easier operation and maintenance.

GreaseMax lubricators protect against lubricant degradation

Lubricants have a finite life and degrade in storage. Typically lubricant containers should be stored for only one year after being opened and use of contents commenced.

Grease lubricant degrade for several reasons, outlined below.

Oxidation of the oil in the grease will occur with air contact. How quickly and how readily oxidation occurs depends on the grease type. The grease base-oil type and the additive package influence the rate of

oxidisation and regardless of the type of thickener, the thickener increases the rate of oxidation of the oil in air.

Environmental conditions have a big impact on the storage life of greases. Noria Corporation reports that generally greases such as lithium-based multi-purpose greases should not be stored for more than one year. This is based on storage conditions being dry and about 200C. However, this storage period is dramatically lowered with increased temperature and according to Noria for a 10C increase in storage temperature the oxidation rate is doubled and the storage life is reduced by 50%.

Water contamination increases the rate of oxidation. Once a grease container is opened it is always susceptible to water contamination. This occurs as a result of condensation caused by daily temperature cycles and also from storage in humid conditions; in practical terms therefore it is almost unavoidable.

Not only does as little as 0.05% of water contamination degrade the grease, causing failure of the grease’s lubrication and protection properties but it will also cause a number of bearing lubrication problems such as breakdown of the oil film strength which reduces the oil’s ability to separate rolling elements under load. It will also lead to corrosion, formation of acids due to the breakdown of EP additives in the grease, and hydrogen-induced embrittlement and cracking. Other factors that will reduce the storage life of greases are frequent grease agitation in opened containers, promoting surface area contact with air and hence oxidation. It also emulsifies water from condensation and humidity into the grease. Steel containers, if not suitably prepared for grease storage, will expose the oil content to iron which in the presence of oxygen is a catalyst for oil oxidation.

GreaseMax continuous automatic lubricators overcome grease storage issues and prevent the maintenance problems that these may cause. The GreaseMax unit is sealed: there is no possibility of water contamination or oil oxidation, and other storage problems are eliminated.

GreaseMax

greasemax.com.au

Not all magnetic lifters can do the heavy lifting

Most classes of industrial product vary widely in technology, style and quality, and it’s particularly true of the many permanent lifting magnets now available.

When it comes to lifting steel, no risk in poor technology or quality is worth taking. Lifting magnets must undergo regular inspection and testing to ensure they are fit for purpose. Permanent magnetic lifters are easily compromised if the lifting face is damaged, or has a build-up of dirty grease, or by wear and tear on the safety latching mechanism. Dents or corner damage can compromise lifting capacity because flat, full-face contact is necessary to achieve rated lifting capacities.

The magnet lifting face must be made of relatively soft iron to conduct maximum magnetic flux to the steel being lifted. A good permanent lifting magnet will, however, use nickel plating on the face to help limit damage. Well-engineered magnetic lifters are built with close tolerances between the rotor and static components to limit flux leakage and maximise magnetic circuit efficiency.

Poor quality lifting magnets can leak so much magnetic field from the rear of the magnet that contact of that rear surface with steel—for example, the lifting chain—can compromise the field at the front face of the magnet where lifting is done. This can raise significant concerns when magnets are part of specialised equipment in OEM applications that require removal of the lifting eye to mount the magnet directly to a steel member.

Mag-Autoblok-Tecnomagnete MaxX Permanent Lifters from Serpent & Dove—Applied Magnetics feature a system known as ‘neutral crown’ technology which maximises magnetic force at the lifting face and minimises field leakage to the back or sides of the magnetic lifter.

In addition, MaxX Magnetic Lifters, with lifting capacities from 125 kgs to 2,000 kgs also feature roller-bearings on the rotor shaft for long life, have models specifically designed for thin steel and all carry a five-year warranty. For these reasons MaxX Magnetic Lifters have, for many years, been the favoured magnetic lifter for safety and reliability.

Serpent & Dove serpent-dove.com