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ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING IN AEROSPACE & DEFENSE INDUSTRIES
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4 ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING IN AEROSPACE & DEFENSE INDUSTRIES
14 EMBRACE THE FUTURE WITH PROACTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
17 STELLANTIS JOINS WITH FRANCE’S CEA TO PURSUE NEXT-GENERATION BATTERY CELL TECHNOLOGY
19 SOFTING INDUSTRIAL INTRODUCES EDGECONNECTOR FOR THE INTEGRATION OF ALLEN-BRADLEY CONTROLLERS INTO INDUSTRIAL EDGE APPLICATIONS
20 RS PRO CONTROL PANEL PRODUCTS IMPROVE AUTOMATION EFFICIENCY
22 IDS PRESENTS NEW INTELLIGENT ROBOTIC VISION SYSTEM
24 HOW ENERGY DATA MANAGEMENT SUPPORTS SUSTAINABILITY
26 CONGATEC PRESENTS NEW SMARC MODULES ON THE BASIS OF THE NXP I.MX 95 PROCESSOR SERIES
28 3D SYSTEMS & PRECISION RESOURCE ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO ADVANCE METAL ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
29 ARCELORMITTAL COMMENCES WORLD-FIRST TRIAL OF NEW TECHNOLOGY TO RECYCLE CO2 EMISSIONS FROM STEEL PRODUCTION
30 INNODISK INAUGURATES PHASE II OF R&D AND PRODUCTION CENTER TO EXPAND EDGE AI SOLUTIONS CAPACITY
32 FIRST LARGE WHEEL LOADER WITH HYDROGEN ENGINE AND FIRST HYDROGEN FILLING STATION IN SALZBURG
34 SMART MAGNETICS INNOVATION BY EXXELIA: ENHANCING NEXT-GENERATION RESONANT AND BIDIRECTIONAL POWER CONVERTERS
35 TOTALENERGIES’ LATEST PANGEA SUPERCOMPUTER TACKLES THE ENERGY TRANSITION
36 LEUZE PRECISE SENSOR SOLUTIONS FOR E-MOBILITY
38 RED LION® LAUNCHES NEW N-TRON® NT116 UNMANAGED 16-PORT INDUSTRIAL ETHERNET SWITCH TO SUPPORT MISSION-CRITICAL OPERATIONS IN RUGGED ENVIRONMENTS
39 SWEETCH ENERGY AND ROCKWELL AUTOMATION OPTIMIZE UNIQUE ZERO-CARBON ELECTRICITY GENERATION TECHNOLOGY
40 DISCOVER HOW NSK MOTION CONTROL SOLUTIONS DELIVER BETTER MACHINING RESULTS
42 CNH INAUGURATES ELECTRIC COMPACT WHEEL LOADER PRODUCTION LINE IN LECCE
44 DELTA INTRODUCES REVOLUTIONARY UZR GEN3 SERIES UPS LI-ION BATTERY SYSTEM FOR DATA CENTRE POWER MANAGEMENT
46 ROBOTICS: THE NEXT EVOLUTION IN THE OPERATING ROOM
48 MILTON ROY UNVEILS THE NEW PRIMEROYAL™ Q SERIES
50 ENSURING HEALTH AND SAFETY STAYS ON TOP OF THE AGENDA
52 ANNUAL ANALYSIS REVEALS STEADY GROWTH IN INDUSTRIAL NETWORK MARKET - INDUSTRIAL NETWORK MARKET SHARES 2024 ACCORDING TO HMS NETWORKS
54 ULTRAHIGH PRECISION WIRE-CUT EDM MEETS CUSTOMER’S PRECISION REQUIREMENTS
56 NEW ACCESSORY: FLEXIBLE PULLEY FOR MULTIPLE DEFLEXTION OF PULL WIRES OVER LONGER DISTANCES
58 DELTA LAUNCHES NEW INDUSTRIAL PANEL PCS TO ENHANCE EFFICIENCY IN MANUFACTURING AND LOGISTICS
59 AGILOX NORTH AMERICA OPENS NEW HEADQUARTERS IN ALPHARETTA, GA, AND ANNOUNCES THE ARRIVAL OF A NEW CEO
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64 SOFTING INDUSTRIAL PRESENTS ETHERNET-APL FIELD SWITCH AT ACHEMA 2024
65 FLIR SV88™ AND SV89™ VIBRATION MONITORING SOLUTION KITS
66 A NEW FRONTIER IN OPTICAL MEASUREMENT FOR THE SHOPFLOOR. WELCOME METRIOS 332!
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70 ITOH DENKI’S NEW DIVERTER AND SORTER MODULE CAN HANDLE LOADS UP TO 250KG
72 OPTIMISING INSTALLATION SPACE UND PERFORMANCE WITH THREAD TAPPING SCREWS
74 FRIWO EXPANDS ITS E-MOBILITY PRODUCT PORTFOLIO FOR THE ASIAN GROWTH MARKETS
76 COVAL UPGRADES ITS CVGC CARBON VACUUM GRIPPER WITH AN EVEN MORE VERSATILE SECOND GENERATION
78 FPT INDUSTRIAL INAUGURATES ITS CUSTOMER SERVICE ACADEMY IN TURIN
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Milton D’Silva presents an overview of how additive manufacturing is revolutionising the aerospace & defense sectors.
In the end, it took a walnut-sized component to break the mindsets and design bottleneck in aerospace, a giant leap of faith for gE Aerospace. the component in question is the fuel nozzle designed and 3D printed by gE Additive for the LEAP jet engine in 2015. Previously assembled from 20 parts, this complex nozzle that fits in the adult human palm is now a one-piece marvel of engineering, thanks to 3D printing. Imagine welding 20 different parts to assemble such a complex yet critical component and the stringent checks it must undergo in the process. the 3D-printed nozzle not only weighs 25 percent less than its traditionally manufactured counterpart; but is also five times more durable and 30 percent more cost-efficient. Over 200,000 units have been shipped in the last 8 years and gE Additive – recently renamed as Colibrium Additive combining the two English words ’collaboration’ and ’equilibrium’ – is currently manufacturing 1000 units every week. “While we are changing our name, we maintain our unwavering focus on our customers, quality, and reliability. We will continue to lead the additive manufacturing industry from the front and positively disrupt it,” said Alexander schmitz, CEO, Colibrium Additive, announcing the development in April 2024.
Described as one of the most disruptive technologies of the digital era, the history of additive manufacturing actually dates back to the 1980s when digital just meant an alternative to analogue. It began with Japanese scientist Dr Hideo Kodama of the Nagoya Municipal Industrial Research Institute, while working on a more practical way to develop a rapid prototyping system, first thought of and documented a layer-by-layer approach for manufacturing, similar to what modern 3D printing has evolved today.
though Dr Kodama did not file any patent, he is credited as the earliest proponent of additive manufacturing, the layerby-layer approach to building a component, instead of the prevalent method of subtractive manufacturing.
Later in early 1984, Frenchmen Alain Le Méhauté and Olivier de Witte then working with the French general Electric Company (now Alcatel), who were working with liquid monomers, took the idea to Jean Claude André at the French National Center for scientific Research (CNRs), but for some reason they could no file the patent. Even as several other researchers were working on the idea, it was American Charles Hull, who invented stereolithography (sLA), a process that solidifies thin layers of ultraviolet (uV) light-sensitive liquid polymer using a uV laser. Chuck Hull, as he is popularly known, was working with a furniture manufacturer and looking for an easy way to make custom parts for which there were no suppliers. the patent for his sLA technology was granted in 1986, and the same year he started his own company, 3D systems in California. the first commercial 3D printer, the sLA-1, was released in 1988, and Chuck Hull is widely recognised as the father of additive manufacturing. stereolithography or sLA, which uses a laser to cure and solidify layers of photopolymer resin, is widely used for prototyping, and also has applications in dental and jewellery.
With efforts continuing to fine-tune, refine and further develop new materials and methods, other processes were developed subsequently which may be summarised as follows:
• Digital Light Processing (DLP): A process similar to sLA, but one that uses a digital light projector to flash a single image of each layer all at once. DLP uses photopolymer resins for building components, and like s LA, has applications in prototyping, dental and jewellery fields.
• Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM): this process melts and extrudes a thermoplastic filament through a heated nozzle, layer by layer, with thermoplastic materials like ABs, PLA, PEtg, and composites. Applications are in areas of prototyping, functional parts and hobbyist projects.
• Selective Laser Sintering (SLS): this is a process that uses a laser to sinter powdered material, binding it together to create a solid structure. It makes use of materials like certain plastics, ceramics, and metals. Applications are for making functional prototypes, end-use parts, and components with complex geometries.
• Multi Jet Fusion (MJF): A process that uses an inkjet array to apply fusing agents to a powder bed, which are then fused by heating elements, MJF makes use of materials like nylon and other polymers. Applications are for making functional parts, small to medium production runs, and detailed objects.
• Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)/Selective Laser Melting (SLM): these are processes that make use of lasers to melt and fuse metallic powder, made from metals like titanium, aluminium, and stainless steel. Applications are in aerospace, medical implants, and high-performance engineering components.
• Electron Beam Melting (EBM): this process uses an electron beam to melt metallic powder layer by layer, and the materials used are metals like titanium and cobaltchrome. Applications are in aerospace, medical implants, and industrial parts.
• Binder Jetting: this process deposits a liquid binding agent onto a powder bed, layer by layer, to bond the material. the materials used in binder jetting are metals, sand, ceramics, and polymers. Applications are for casting moulds, metal parts, and full-color prototypes.
• Material Jetting: A process that deposits droplets of photopolymer or other material that are then cured or hardened, material jetting uses materials like photopolymers and other polymers. Applications are for making full-colour models, prototypes, and parts with complex geometries.
• Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM): In this process, layers of material are bonded and then cut into shape by laser or another cutting device. Materials used are paper, plastic, or metal laminates, with applications in prototypes, casting patterns, and aesthetic models.
together, these are the various technologies – the list is neither complete nor comprehensive – but in general, cater to various industries, including aerospace, automotive, healthcare, consumer goods, and more, providing a range of solutions from rapid prototyping to end-use part production. What began in the early 1980s as an experimental technology for rapid prototyping has today blossomed into a sophisticated technology for making complex products with intricate designs, building them layer by layer, the materials ranging from a variety of polymers to various metals and compounds. While 3D printing and additive manufacturing (some also call it additive layer manufacturing or ALM) both refer to the same process, today the term 3D printing is associated more with consumers and hobbyists while additive manufacturing has acquired professional credentials for industrial and commercial applications!
Relevance to Aerospace & Defense
Additive manufacturing today has pervaded every industry segment with a wide acceptance level aided by the democratisation of the ecosystem that is available not just to industrial behemoths like gE, but also to hobbyists holed up in small cubicles yet working on realising their dream projects. From high school students to academies of higher learning and advanced research institutes, everyone has access to the technology at affordable price points. However, it is the aerospace and defense sectors where additive manufacturing is of particular relevance owing to the very nature of these industries, which are at the forefront of technological innovation, always in the quest of practical solutions to some very intractable problems that stand in the way of squeezing in that extra performance, pushing the efficiency envelope a bit further, and above all shrinking the all-important timelines.
the reasons are not far to seek. the aerospace industry, according to the Britannica definition, is an assemblage of manufacturing concerns that deal with vehicular flight within and beyond Earth’s atmosphere. the term aerospace, derived from the words aeronautics and spaceflight,
represents unpowered gliders and sailplanes, uncrewed aerial vehicles (uAVs), lighter-than-air craft, heavier-thanair craft including military aircraft, missiles, space launch vehicles, and spacecraft, which has an overlap with the defense sector. the latter in turn also shares many of the issues that are of importance in aerospace like material strength, lightweighting – in other words, the need for lightweight materials of high strength. the defense sector, in addition, has operational needs to tailor mission-critical components at short notice where there is no supplier base, without compromising operational preparedness while reducing costs associated with mass production.
Among the major benefits of additive manufacturing is weight reduction of aircraft components which leads to less fuel consumption. this also contributes to reducing CO2 emissions during operations. Other advantages include increase in resource efficiency in the manufacturing process and high flexibility. From the defense applications perspective, delocalised production is a significant advantage bringing production closer to the point of use, saving time. the fact that this is also highly suitable for small batch sizes and customised parts is another major benefit.
A July 2023 study of global aerospace and defense additive manufacturing market published by Virtue Market Research states that the market was valued at usD 4.46 billion and is projected to reach a market size of usD 18.56 bn by the end of 2030.
Buoyed up by the early success with the jet nozzle, Colibrium Additive (formerly gE Additive) has ramped up capacity and extended the metal additive manufacturing activities to several other segments within aerospace and defense. this includes comprehensive one-stop services that include metal 3D printers (Laser, Electro Beam and Binder Jet), a wide portfolio of powders including standard and custom powders and those for specialised applications comprising titanium, aluminium and nickel alloys. the LEAP jet nozzle has been followed by a succession of products like the gE90 t25 sensor housing that became the first FAA-approved 3D printed part; jet wing brackets for Airbus A350 XWB turbofan engines; aluminium heat exchanger for the gE9X engine; low-pressure turbine blades; and titanium door hinges, among many other parts. Colibrium Additive has also helped staco, a south Korean additive manufacturing company, build parts for s outh Korea’s first private rocket launch. Earlier this year, gE Aerospace announced an investment of 650 million usD into its manufacturing facilities of which more than 150 million usD was allocated to facilities running additive manufacturing equipment.
At the Airbus main helicopter production site at Donauwörth in germany, the company has opened a new 3D printing centre to expand in-house capacity for additive manufacturing, comprising three machines for components made of titanium, four for plastic parts and a machine that can produce components made of aluminium. the facility can be used for serial production as well as for components for prototypes such as the electrically powered CityAirbus Nextgen and the experimental high-speed helicopter, Racer. According to a company press release, since 2017, Airbus Helicopters has mass-produced more than 9,400 locking shafts for the doors of the Airbus A350, using the additive process as part of the Donauwörth-based airplane door business. Eleven tonnes of titanium powder have been used in Donauwörth for printing the locking shafts.
s eattle (Washington) based Boeing opened its Boeing Additive Manufacturing plant (BAM) just at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic (the plant officially opened in 2022, but the company says it has been additive manufacturing in various forms for over 30 years. While earlier Boeing started with tooling, followed by polymer, it has now turned to metal, like its peers, to reduce costs and production time. At present, Boeing is reportedly using AM parts for doors on 777s, internal parts on the spacecraft starliner and winglets on 737s, among other things. this 787 manifold used to be three separate pieces assembled together, which is now produced as a single part. In an interview published in its in-house Innovation Quarterly (IQ) a while ago, Dr Melissa Orme, Vice President, Boeing Additive Manufacturing mentioned that additive manufacturing is changing the way
Component developed by Sintavia from niobium alloy for space applications. Source: Business Wire
Boeing designs and builds aerospace products, allowing the company to use less raw materials, create less waste and improve fuel efficiency. “significantly less material is required to create a part with additive methods, reducing the carbon footprint at the front end. As for the end product, AM enables highly innovative designs that add functionality, reduce weight and volume, and consolidate many parts into one, further adding to Boeing’s sustainability goals,” she said.
In early 2024, Boeing also awarded space Foundation Discovery Center, a nonprofit organisation founded in 1983, a grant to fund a new Additive Manufacturing space Lab. Devoted to 3D design, printing, and other additive manufacturing and fabrication methods, the Boeing Additive Manufacturing space Lab will be a new immersive education lab serving students, teachers and industry across the globe.
While on the topic of space the first ever 3D printer was sent to the International space station in september 2014 aboard the spaceX CRs-4, an unmanned craft. Manufactured by Made In space, Inc., with NAsA, this first zero gravity plastic 3D printer signaled new possibilities for manufacturing objects in space. According to the NAsA news portal, on December 11, 2014, the printer’s first functional application
was announced: a buckle developed by NAsA astronaut Yvonne Cagle. this buckle is part of exercise equipment to assist with the reduction of muscle loss in zero gravity environments. several other plastic 3D printers have since been sent to the Iss and many parts manufactured. However it was only in January 2024 that the world’s first metal 3D printer was sent to the Iss. Developed by Airbus and space sAs for the European space Agency (EsA), the metal 3D printer flew to the Iss aboard the Cygnus Ng-20 mission, which was launched aboard a spaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Apart from manufacturing replacement parts, a long term goal is to try and repurpose old satellites by building new parts to help create a circular economy in space.
Rheinmetall, a leading, globally active, integrated technology group that develops and sells components, systems and services for the security (defense equipment) and civil industries, also uses additive manufacturing and had installed the first sLM machine into operation in 2012. Later, the group launched a startup, solidteq, in 2017 for the next generation of intelligent industrial production for in-house requirement and to also offer its expertise to third-party customers, in particular from the automotive and mechanical engineering sectors. s olidteq has since commissioned more sLM units at its facility in Neuss, germany, in order to address the rising demand for its Additive Manufacturing services. Rheinmetall has also used the services of toolcraft, another german company, which specialises in additive manufacturing, to produce components for a turret-independent secondary weapon
system ( ts WA) by means of additive manufacturing. Rheinmetall Defence Australia (RDA) has used locally printed 3D products in its Lynx armoured fighting vehicle, sourced from Formero (formerly goProto ANZ), Australia’s largest 3D Printing & traditional manufacturing services bureau.
In the usA, Lockheed Martin, a leading global security and aerospace company, became the first organisation to be certified to uL 3400, a set of safety guidelines that address the various hazards associated with additive manufacturing facilities. granted in 2018, the certification was issued to its Additive Design and Manufacturing Center (ADMC) in sunnyvale, California. the ADMC has manufactured several components including an aluminium box for avionic circuits for a high-frequency communications satellite, and a dome for high-pressure fuel tanks used in spacecraft. Lockheed Martin has recently teamed up with sintavia, which claims to be the world’s first all-digital aerospace component manufacturer, to advance metal additive manufacturing and demonstrate its commitment to the White House AM Forward initiative for expanding use of additive manufacturing and creating resilient supply chains. Announced in May 2022, the new collaboration will explore additional AM technology areas, including laser powder bed fusion, electron beam-directed energy deposition and friction stir AM.
the AM Forward is a public, voluntary agreement announced by five large us manufacturers – general Electric Aviation, Honeywell, siemens Energy, Raytheon technologies, and
Lockheed Martin, to help their suppliers adopt additive manufacturing. through AM Forward, OEMs will work directly with their us-based suppliers to demonstrate clear demand for additively produced parts. these companies have also committed to providing technical assistance and worker training to suppliers, and to work together to develop standards for additive manufacturing. us President Joe Biden stated that his administration will support this effort with a variety of current and proposed Federal initiatives.
In India, the Additive Manufacturing society of India has played a vital role as an expert committee member in framing the National strategy for Additive Manufacturing along with the Ministry of Electronics and Information technology (MeitY), government of India. Among the society’s goals is networking with global 3D printing organisations to achieve Make In India and position India as a hub for 3D Printing development and implementation. the MeitY has framed the ’National strategy for Additive Manufacturing” in February 2022, which aims to create a more conducive environment for the development and deployment of AM technologies, while encouraging its adoption by local manufacturers. In April 2024, Indo-MIM, the world’s leading Metal Injection Moulding (MIM) company, installed two HP metal 3D printers – the advanced Metal Jet s1003D Printing solution – at its Doddaballapur plant near Bengaluru in Karnataka. this makes Indo-MIM the first company in India to set up a large-scale production facility for high-precision, 3D-printed metal parts for automobile, aerospace, defense, consumer electronics, medical equipment and lifestyle segments. At present AM technologies are widely adopted in the automobile industry, and in medical appliances and dental treatment. A notable success was achieved recently when a rocket featuring the world’s first 3D-printed, singlepiece rocket engine, Agnilet, blasted off in late May 2024. the rocket engine was fabricated by Agnikul Cosmos, a space tech start-up mentored at IIt-Madras in Chennai, for its Agnibaan sorteD (subOrbital technological Demonstrator) single-stage launch vehicle. the Agnilet engine, an entirely 3D-printed, single-piece, 6 kN semi-cryogenic engine, is a technology patented by Agnikul Cosmos.
these examples, coupled with government policy initiatives, make it amply clear that the revolutionary potential of additive manufacturing is gradually being discovered and adopted by industry. A large passenger aircraft is made of millions of individual parts if one includes all the sub-assemblies and fasteners that go into its making and assembly. An additively manufactured component, as seen from the examples, often combines many individual parts that are bolted or welded together to make a one-piece assembly, saving weight while offering added strength, with the added benefit of cost savings, also reducing use of metals and materials in the process. the revolution has just begun.
The Pros and Cons
When it comes to the advantages of additive manufacturing, these are well documented and also obvious from the preceding paragraphs. But here, once again, a brief listing is presented for easy reference:
• Material Innovation: New materials, such as highperformance polymers, metals, and composites, are being developed specifically for AM. these materials offer superior strength-to-weight ratios and durability.
• Precision and Complexity: AM enables the production of intricate designs that were previously impossible or costprohibitive with traditional manufacturing methods. this capability is crucial for aerospace and defense applications, where precision is paramount.
• On-Demand Production: the ability to produce parts on demand reduces the need for large inventories, leading to cost savings and improved supply chain efficiency.
• Weight Reduction: Lighter components lead to fuel savings and increased payload capacity. the best example is the jet nozzle for gE Aviation’s LEAP engine cited right at the beginning.
• Cost Efficiency: By reducing material waste and simplifying the manufacturing process, AM can significantly lower production costs. this is particularly beneficial for lowvolume, high-value aerospace parts
• Customisation: AM allows for the customisation of parts to meet specific requirements, improving overall aircraft performance and maintenance.
• Rapid Prototyping: AM accelerates the development and testing of new defense technologies, enabling faster response to emerging threats.
• Field Manufacturing: the potential for on-site production of parts and equipment in remote or hostile environments enhances operational readiness and reduces logistical challenges.
• Enhanced Design Capabilities: the freedom to design more complex and efficient structures can lead to improved weapon systems, protective gear, and other defense applications.
However, there are some challenges in wide-scale adoption of additive manufacturing that still need to be overcome. these include:
• Certification and Standardisation: Ensuring consistent quality and performance of AM parts is critical. there is the ever-important need to first establish and then validate protocols to ensure the integrity of components produced by AM, to ensure they meet or exceed the stringent requirements as in the case of conventionally manufactured products. the development of industry standards and rigorous testing protocols is an ongoing process.
• Quality Control: this is again a critical requirement and calls for stringent monitoring and parts verification in order to maintain the highest safety and performance standards. Early detection of defects and variations in material properties enable rapid corrective actions.
• Scalability: As a relatively new technology that started by producing one-off components, scalability is important. this is especially true in case of metal parts manufactured by AM for serial production even as the majority of parts and components are still manufactured by conventional processes.
• Intellectual Property and Security: In the digital era, protecting sensitive designs and preventing unauthorised reproduction of critical components is a major concern. solutions include digital rights management and secure data transmission.
• Addressing the Skill Gap: the adoption of AM requires specialised knowledge and training. the industry has taken the lead by engaging with the student fraternity and further investment in education and workforce development is essential to fully realise the potential of this technology.
Additive manufacturing is poised to revolutionise the aerospace and defense industries. Its ability to produce highquality, lightweight, and customised components offers significant advantages. While challenges remain, ongoing advancements and the integration of complementary technologies promise a future where AM plays a central role in shaping the next generation of aerospace and defense solutions. going forward, with the maturing of the digital ecosystem, the combination of artificial intelligence and Internet of things can optimise manufacturing processes, predictive maintenance, and supply chain management in the emerging industrial metaverse, with digital twin playing an important role. As the world moves towards sustainability and a circular economy, additive manufacturing will become even more important to every industry segment and not just aerospace and defense.
References
1. https://markforged.com/resources/blog/additivemanufacturing-history
2. https://www.colibriumadditive.com/news/metal-3dprinting-now-were-shooting-it-space
3. https://www.rheinmetall.com/en/media/news-watch/ news/2023/june/2023-06-28-mobile-smart-factory
4. https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2022-12-07-LockheedMartin- s intavia-team- u p-Advance-Metal-AdditiveManufacturing
5. https://www.whitehouse.gov/cea/writtenmaterials/2022/05/09/using-additive-manufacturing-toimprove-supply-chain-resilience-and-bolster-small-andmid-size-firms/
If you have responsibility for an engineering workshop, production facilities or maintenance operations, or if you’re a distributor of industrial products, you need to brace for a wave of near-future legislation affecting chemical-based products such as maintenance sprays, bulk lubricants, and even cleaners. Discerning professionals should start seeking high-performing alternatives to reduce their environmental impact, fulfil their sustainability goals and enhance workplace safety. However, there’s a note of caution: be wary of ’greenwashed’ products that make unsupported claims; purchase decisions should favour product formulations which meet strict scientific criteria to provide you with compliance assurances.
What’s coming our way? In 2025 we have the European Commission’s proposed Ecodesign for sustainable Products Regulation (EsPR). the EsPR will form the cornerstone of the EC’s approach to more environmentally sustainable and circular products. the framework for EsPR will allow the setting of various regulatory demands, including those concerning product reusability, the presence of substances that inhibit circularity, energy and resource efficiency, recycled content, remanufacturing and recycling, and carbon and environmental footprints. It will apply to all products placed on the Eu market. When? soon. A provisional agreement was reached with the European Parliament regarding EsPR in December 2023. the next step is formal adoption.
You should also look out for a revision to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD). As part of the European green Deal and the new Circular Economy Action Plan, the EC put forward a revision to the PPWD in November 2022. the objective is to ensure that all packaging is reusable or recyclable in an economically feasible way by 2030. Future measures will also tackle over-packaging and reduce packaging waste. Voting on the final proposal is foreseen by the end of March 2024, meaning entry into force is likely in Q2 or Q3 2025.
Ready for action?
Looming large on the horizon is a big one: the EC’s Zero Pollution Action Plan this sets out a 2050 vision for the reduction of air, water and soil pollution to levels no longer considered harmful to health and natural ecosystems,
and that respect the boundaries with which our planet can cope. the Zero Pollution Action Plan translates into key 2030 targets to accelerate the reduction of pollution at source. the low-hanging fruit here is almost certainly vehicles, but it will propagate further and ultimately represent a huge shift for many countries.
You should be aware of these changes because they affect many products, including industrial chemicals for maintenance and repair, arguably one of the trickier aspects of compliance. Many will now have to streamline their maintenance operation choices based on environmental regulation.
But there’s a problem: greenwashing. greenwashing is gaining a lot of traction, with some punished for making spurious claims. such is the concern that the EC is proposing a new law (g reen Claims Directive ) that encourages companies to make sure they only use products carrying verifiable ecolabels based on scientifically sound and reliable methods. According to the EC, 53% of green claims give vague, misleading or unfounded information. Moreover, 40% of claims have no supporting evidence and half of all green labels offer weak or non-existent verification.
While no one can see into the future, the rise of greenwashing means there may be scope for a new legal requirement to report emissions data on a per-product level. We see hints of this in the PPWD (Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive) and WFD (water framework directive), which already consider EPR (extended producer responsibility): the producer is held responsible for product management throughout the product’s lifecycle. Any such legislation would likely include data such as embedded CO2 equivalency (gWP - global Warming Potential) and
VOC (volatile organic compound) content. And it’s a short step from having to report on it, to being taxed on it. We can envisage an Eu initiative to either tax polluters or provide incentives to improve, such as theEu taxonomy Regulation 2020 already in effect.
From a front line industry perspective, there is rapidly growing awareness regarding VOCs, user safety and moving away from traditional solutions to something that’s better for both the user and the environment. Momentum exists that wasn’t there 10 years ago, with large distributors of industrial products proactively pushing suppliers for science-based Esg (environmental, social and governance) and CsR (corporate social responsibility) statements and policies or, preferably, third-party certification, such as that offered by EcoVadis
Distributors, professional engineering workshops and maintenance facilities should seek out chemical-based industrial products – such as degreasers, cleaners, lubricants, greases and corrosion inhibitors – that reduce environmental impact through verifiable, evidence-based criteria. However, there are many other considerations in any purchase decision. Primary among them is product performance. there’s a notion that some ’eco’ products are somehow less powerful. Clearly there’s little use of a product with minimised environmental footprint that lacks strength. End users need professional-grade formulations for maintenance and repair operations that meet or exceed performance expectations.
Get the green light
CRC Industries has set out to meet these objectives with its new green Force® (Force Verte® in France) eco-platform: a suite of degreaser, lubricant, and speciality formulations which have been analysed against specific scientific criteria matched to user Esg demands. For instance, the products are readily biodegradable, independently verified, feature low (<10%) or no VOCs, and no nasty or environmental health warnings. In fact, these products only tend to carry one standard warning symbol, which relates to flammability, typical of many aerosol products.
As a mandatory requirement green Force products must be readily biodegradable according to test OECD A-F (>60%). to provide some perspective: if the substance drips on ground >60% must disappear within 28 days. the products must also meet one or more of the following three general criteria: low (<10%) or no VOC formula; >50% renewable material or bio-based product; >50% water-based formula.
All green Force products must also meet a further five criteria, which are expandable in line with the introduction of new legislation. Products that meet the criteria will carry the green Force logo on their label artwork with support provided by a certificate of conformity for use during auditing. Detailed criteria and their explanations are available at crcind.info/CRC_greenForce
CRC Industries works alongside distribution partners and end-users to deliver supply chain Esg compliance, whilst delivering solutions to Esg and CsR compliance questions relating to maintenance products.
Awarded EcoVadis ’silver’ status in 2023, CRC is among the top 25% of global EcoVadis- audited organisations; the certificate is available for download from the company’s website www.crcind.com.
The research project will focus on disruptive chemistries, life cycle assessment, and battery cell design and validation.
stellantis and CEA, one of the world’s most innovative research institutions, announced a new, five-year collaboration that targets in-house design of nextgeneration battery cells for electric vehicles. this joint research program includes designing advanced technology cells with higher performance, a longer lifespan and a lower carbon footprint at competitive costs, which can lead to more affordable & sustainable battery electric vehicles in the future.
“We know that battery technology is poised for change. While we don’t know exactly how it will change, we are committed to be at the forefront of this transformation. Internally, we are working around the clock placing multiple bets and exploring various technologies. At the same time, we are collaborating closely with tech startups, laboratories, universities, and the most prestigious research institutions in the world like CEA. We believe that this collaboration will accelerate the arrival of disruptive battery cell technology, supporting our mission to offer clean, safe and affordable mobility to our customers,” said Ned Curic, stellantis Chief Engineering and technology Officer.
through its Energy Division, CEA provides advanced innovations for decarbonization. As a Research and technological Organization (R tO), CEA’s first goal is to support industry through innovation and technological breakthrough, allowing market differentiation and competitive advantage for its partners.
the goal of the joint battery cell program is to provide more affordable, next-generation EV batteries with best-in-class technologies to stellantis and its joint venture gigafactories.
the battery cell design program reinforces a 20-year dynamic collaboration with CEA. Other areas of joint research include disruptive chemistries and CO2 footprint research, battery modeling, fuel cell development, life cycle assessment and connectivity.
www.stellantis.com
More than 80 employees in 35 different countries, ensuring a strong relationship with main local media.
Mepax distinguishes itself through its extensive media knowledge and ability to select the best international online/print advertising options. PR can be translated into 35 languages.
50,000 published articles in 2023: EMEA: 48% - Asia: 31% - Americas: 21%. Most of the articles are published in the top 1000 media worldwide.
With a proven process set for more than 200 active customers, we can adapt to all specific client needs with the highest reliability. We have developed in house the most advanced PR dedicated ERP, enabling transparency and real-time full online reporting. International media management is then made easy, fast, and efficient for optimal results.
www.mepax.com
info@mepax.com
edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC provides access to data from ControlLogix and CompactLogix controllers
Softing announces the expansion of its Docker-based edgeConnector product family with the introduction of edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC, providing convenient access to data from ControlLogix and CompactLogix controllers.
With the new Docker-based software module edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC, users can easily connect to their ControlLogix and CompactLogix controllers. the data from the controllers is made available on edge devices or virtual environments via OPC unified Architecture (OPC uA) and Message Queuing telemetry transport (MQtt ). this enables flexible integration into on-premises or cloud environments without modifying the existing Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) configuration.
edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC is easy to configure locally via an integrated web interface. Alternatively, remote global mass configurations are possible via Representational state transfer Application Programming Interface (REst API).
there are now five edgeConnector products available for the most common control systems. Besides the new edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC, these are edgeConnector siemens, edgeConnector 840D, edgeConnector Fanuc CNC, and edgeConnector Modbus. All edgeConnector products can be deployed very quickly thanks to containerized technology. they are operated on standard hardware and can be easily managed centrally. the integrated
MQtt publisher/subscriber functionality allows Industrial Internet of things (IIot ) solutions to be set up flexibly. the edgeConnectors support state-of-the-art security standards such as ssL/tLs, X.509 certificates, authentication, and data encryption. this gives users a simple and secure way to integrate data from production into innovative and flexible IIot solutions.
“We are again expanding our Docker-based edgeConnector product family to address the growing need for integration interfaces in software that can be operated on standard hardware and can be managed efficiently,” explains Abel Jimenez, Product Manager at softing Industrial. “In this way, we support users and system integrators in bridging the gap between Ot and It.”
Further information on edgeConnector products: https:// industrial.softing.com/products/docker.html
www.industrial.softing.com
RS PRO control panel products help industrial customers improve automation efficiency, overcome common challenges, and save time, money, and resources.
Rs group offers an extensive selection of Rs PRO brand control panel products ideally suited for improving automation efficiency and overcoming common challenges in applications extending throughout the industrial market.
Companies in the energy, utilities, and process manufacturing industries are under immense pressure to improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability and deliver value in the face of market challenges ranging from supply chain disruptions, rising energy costs, and inflation to skilled labor shortages, unplanned downtime, and the persistent need to continually enhance customer and employee experiences to better retain both. As such, many of these companies have already adopted automation technologies engineered to maximize the effects of their tools and resources and, in turn, improve quality, safety, compliance, efficiency, productivity, profitability, and employee satisfaction and performance.
But achieving these results isn’t as simple as installing a few automation technologies, like robots programmed to perform specific tasks. For optimal results, you’ve got to supercharge the efficiency of your automated systems by leveraging real-time performance data collected from connected machinery and solutions — including remote monitoring and control devices capable of identifying potential issues before they result in unplanned downtime, equipment damage, and safety hazards — and immediately adjusting automated processes based on those inputs and programmed responses.
Integrating machine learning algorithms engineered to learn, adapt, and make decisions based on system performance data can further improve automation efficiency, achieve even higher levels of productivity and profitability, and make it even easier to overcome common industrial market challenges.
And while smart sensors and remote control and monitoring solutions are currently much more prevalent than cuttingedge AI solutions, the efficacy of both ultimately comes down to your control panels. Complex control panels often
lead to inefficient production runs and hidden maintenance costs that can chip away at your bottom line.
that’s where Rs PRO comes in. Our Rs PRO brand industrial automation solutions make integrating new equipment a breeze, and our proven-reliable power and data products help minimize downtime and keep your production lines running smoothly. In addition, all Rs PRO products are meticulously designed to meet the needs of today’s industrial automation engineers and deliver an attractive combination of quality, choice, and value.
the Rs PRO portfolio features more than 80,000 products across 1,500 technologies to satisfy the needs of virtually every industrial application and working environment and provide competitive savings compared to branded alternatives. these field-proven, industrial-grade products can also be combined into integrated solutions to further simplify customers’ sourcing and purchasing processes and are backed by the Rs PRO seal of Approval, which is only awarded after a rigorous testing, inspection, and auditing process based on demanding international standards. Further, most are covered by a three-year warranty.
Rs PRO control panel products ideally suited for improving automation efficiency and overcoming common challenges in industrial manufacturing, energy, utilities, and process manufacturing applications include more than:
• 1,000 test and measurement products that allow users to simulate input signals in the system or device under test for troubleshooting or validation purposes (e.g., to trace faults or verify safe and effective performance), ranging from test equipment accessories, meters, testers, thermometers, oscilloscopes, and inspection scopes to signal generators, data loggers and acquisition systems, thermal imagers, calibrators, and analyzers.
• 850 power supplies essential for converting electric current from a source into the voltage, current, and frequency needed to power an electrical load.
• 690 warning and status indicators that visually communicate performance data and changes, such as severity levels and signal validation feedback, so employees can quickly and easily verify proper operation and identify and respond when intervention is required.
• 300 proximity sensors that detect the presence of nearby objects without making contact and, as such, are ideal for detecting delicate and unstable targets.
• 290 tool kits and storage solutions necessary for installing and maintaining control panel solutions and organizing tools.
• 100 DIN-rail terminal blocks used to securely connect electrical wires and cables for power distribution, signal routing, and control wiring and designed to mount directly to equipment racks.
• 80 limit switches that physically detect the presence or movement of an object and emit an electrical signal based on that input to turn machinery on or off, act as a safety interlock, count objects, or define an object’s travel limit (e.g., to prevent collisions).
• 20 energy meters used to measure and record the amount of electricity consumed by equipment or buildings over time and, when equipped with Iot connectivity, gather real-time data about energy usage as well, which allows users to identify inefficiencies and quantify the impact of energy-saving strategies.
• 10 inverter drives, also known as AC drives, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and variable speed drives (VsDs), designed to control the speed, torque, and direction of electric motors by regulating power supply voltage and frequency.
• 15 emergency stop pushbutton switches, also known as kill switches, used to quickly shut off machinery by breaking the control circuit to reduce the risk of personal injury and equipment or product damage.
“ the depth and breadth of the Rs PRO product portfolio, combined with its more than 15,000 in-stock and readyto-ship solutions and a growing selection of sustainable solutions, provides industrial customers with the most comprehensive collection of high-quality, cost-effective, and user-friendly industrial-grade solutions engineered to optimize processes and overcome challenges,” said Jody Kemp, Rs Vice President of supplier and sales Engagement – Americas.
“Our selection of control panel products is especially well suited for improving automation efficiency and, in turn, productivity, accuracy, safety, quality, and value, which is invaluable in challenging economic times. these products also help alleviate the impact of skilled labor shortages and reduce employee burnout, which is useful for successfully navigating an unreliable labor market.”
For more information about Rs PRO brand control panel products ideal for improving automation efficiency and overcoming common challenges in applications extending throughout the industrial market.
www.rsgroup.com
RODE, the acronym for RObotic DEpalletiser, is a pioneering product from AWL in the intralogistics market.
According to the g erman Parcel and Express Logistics Association (Bundesverband Paket und Expresslogistik e. V.), 4.15 billion courier, express and parcel shipments were sent in g ermany alone in 2022. Annual shipment growth to around 4.9 billion is realistic by 2027. Against this backdrop and the generally prevailing shortage of personnel, there is only one solution for shipping and logistics companies to cope with this immense volume of orders: increased automation. the global robotic integrator AWL offers RODE, an intelligent robotic depalletiser solution. One of the locations where RODE adds value is for DHL eCommerce in Rotterdam. In this machine, two Ensenso 3D cameras from IDs Imaging Development systems gmbH are implemented to provide the required image data.
the intelligent robot-supported depalletiser, therefore, automatically destacks any packaged goods such as cartons, bags or containers from pallets and thus ensures their continuous processing - without delays or downtime. Even “extra shifts” at peak times can be implemented at any time, e.g., to cope with the increased workload during Christmas. this frees up staff for more qualified tasks, such as the subsequent processing of consignments or handling customer inquiries. At the same time, it relieves employees of physically and ergonomically demanding tasks and reduces the risk of injury.
At DHL eCommerce in Rotterdam, RODE processes up to 800 parcels per hour with a maximum weight of 31.5 kg each and places them on the corresponding sorting belt. the particular difficulty here lies in the robot’s picking of parcels of different sizes and weights. It must independently recognize the position of the objects in three-dimensional space and decide which package to pick next. It then has to determine the best gripping position and avoid collision with other parcels or the machine.
“ this intelligent robotic solution integrates AI image processing and high-tech gripper technology. the system recognises products and can flip the items to ensure that the required long side is leading,” explains sander Lensen, R&D Manager at AWL. two Ensenso X36 3D cameras provide the necessary image data. they are able to provide robust 2D and 3D information on products on a pallet measuring 1200 x 1200 mm and a maximum height of 2400 mm. the integrated image processing system processes this further and enables the depalletiser to identify each individual package and determine the corresponding gripping position - for robust robot-assisted picking.
3D cameras for future-oriented robotics
Each Ensenso X36 3D camera system consists of a projector unit and two gigE cameras with either 1.6 MP or 5 MP CMOs sensors. AWL has opted for the 5 MP variant for its solution. Mounting and adjustment brackets, three lenses as well as sync and patch cables for connecting the cameras to the projector unit are also included in the scope of delivery. the integrated FlexView2 technology ensures an even better spatial resolution as well as a very high robustness of the system with dark or reflective surfaces. the 3D systems are delivered assembled and pre-calibrated. However, focussing and calibration is also easy to set up using the setup wizard integrated in the software. the latter they have in common with the RODE depalletiser - it is also easy to integrate into its working environment and aims to give its users a competitive edge in the world of logistics automation.
“ the intralogistics market is a growth market. the number of robot solutions required will increase rapidly in the coming years. the type of products that need to be recognised will change constantly. this will be a challenge for all components and the demands on the camera,” explains sander Lensen. However, image processing is also developing rapidly. smart solutions that combine camera technology with artificial intelligence are on the rise. they hold great potential for tackling both increasingly demanding tasks and the worsening shortage of skilled workers. Carton by carton, parcel by parcel, pallet by pallet.
Ensenso X - the modular and flexible 3D camera system
Model used: Ensenso X36
Camera family: Ensenso X
www.ids-imaging.com
Christoph Dorigatti, Vice President of global business development at automation supplier COPA-DATA, explains how energy data management systems (EDMS) are critical to complying with EU sustainability reporting requirements.
According to the Deloitte 2023 CxO sustainability Report, 75 per cent of organizations have increased their sustainability investment over the past year. Nealy one in six companies have taken actions to increase energy efficiency and 54 per cent of them have invested in energy-efficient or climate-friendly machinery, technologies and equipment.
to succeed, these companies must measure their performance against sustainability targets. Accurate reporting is core to this strategy and is now a legal requirement.
starting from January 2025, around 50,000 Eu companies will need to report on their sustainability progress under the Corporate sustainability Reporting Directive (CsRD) the Directive applies to large companies, listed small-to-medium enterprises (sMEs) and non-Eu companies generating over €150 million on the Eu market.
Sustainability reporting challenges
s MEs may lack the resources to invest in dedicated environmental, social and governance (Esg) software or specialized personnel to monitor greenhouse gas emissions. t hese companies must also track indirect emissions generated by other stakeholders along their value chains. these are the so-called scope three emissions, which can be particularly difficult to measure.
Manual processes aren’t a viable alternative. Monitoring emissions and energy consumption involves regular onsite meter readings. this process can be costly and time consuming, as meters may be in hard-to-reach locations. In addition, manual data entry can lead to errors and inaccurate reporting.
Another limitation of manual processes is the lack of continuous real-time energy monitoring. It is virtually impossible to gain valuable insight into consumption trends and implement efficiency measures without real-time data.
Energy data management software
EDMs can help companies continuously gather and analyze information from multiple data points to generate accurate reports on energy consumption and emissions.
thanks to more than 300 connection options, software solutions like zenon from COPA-DAtA connect with virtually any hardware out-of-the-box. Companies can collect and process all the data on a single platform. By gaining real-time visibility into energy usage patterns, companies can identify inefficiencies and implement targeted improvements, achieving energy savings and reducing carbon emissions.
By automating data collection, solutions like zenon also streamline reporting and auditing, helping companies meet their regulatory requirements.
Brewing sustainably
the Čelarevo brewery in serbia, owned by the Carlsberg group, is an excellent example of how companies can progress toward sustainability with an automated EDMs
Čelarevo’s EDMs is based on the zenon software. this setup enables the brewery to easily monitor energy consumption in real time, detecting peaks and irregularities during production. t his approach ensures compliance with energy efficiency standard IsO 50001, while enabling data exchange with other databases, including sAP or other ERP systems.
thanks to its compatibility with multiple HMIs, zenon also enhances the user experience. Operators can easily visualize data on their devices and react promptly to increased consumption or other anomalies.
Despite increasing its production, Čelarevo achieved annual steam consumption savings of four per cent — that’s the equivalent of 0.45 kWh per hl of beer. the brewery also achieved three per cent water savings or 0.15 hl of water per hl of beer.
Automated data collection, reporting and analysis also enhanced operational efficiency, eliminating on-site meter readings and the time spent on manual data entry. By freeing up these resources, the company can focus on making progress toward its sustainability goals.
Toward better sustainability reporting
Modern EDMs supported by zenon can go a long way toward helping companies report on sustainability more accurately. this approach should be a cornerstone of every organization’s sustainability strategy, from large to small companies. Real-time monitoring and data analysis support these organizations on their path to a sustainable future.
Learn more about EDMs with zenon.
www.copadata.com
congatec modules set new benchmarks for secure edge AI applications.
congatec presents new high-performance computeron-modules (COMs) with i.MX 95 processors from NXP, thereby expanding its extensive module portfolio with low-power NXP i.MX Arm processors. In doing so, congatec underlines its strong partnership with NXP. Customers benefit from straightforward scalability and reliable upgrade paths for existing and new energy-efficient edge AI applications with high-security requirements.
In these applications, the new modules offer the advantages of up to three times the gFLOPs computing performance compared to the previous generation with i.MX8 M Plus processors. the new neural processing unit from NXP called ’eIQ Neutron’ doubles the inference performance for AI-accelerated machine vision. In addition, the hardwareintegrated EdgeLock® secure enclave simplifies the implementation of in-house cyber security measures.
the new conga-sMX95 sMARC modules are designed for an industrial temperature range of -40°C to +85°C, are robust in mechanical terms and optimised for cost- and energyefficient applications. the integrated high-performance eIQ Neutron NPu makes it possible for AI-accelerated workloads to be performed even closer to the local device level. specific applications for the new sMARC modules can be found in AI-accelerated low-power applications in sectors such as industrial production, machine vision and visual inspection, rugged HMIs, 3D printers, robotics controllers in AMR and AgV, as well as medical imaging and patient monitoring systems. Other target applications include passenger seat back entertainment in buses and aircraft, along with fleet management in transportation, and construction and farming applications.
The feature set in detail
the new conga-sMX95 sMARC 2.1 modules are based on the next generation of the NXP i.MX 95 application processors with 4-6 Arm Cortex-A55 cores. NXP is now using the new Arm Mali 3D graphics unit for the first time, which delivers up to three times the gPu performance compared to predecessors based on i. MX8 M Plus. Also new is the image signal processor (IsP) for hardware-accelerated image processing. Particularly noteworthy is the NXP eIQ Neutron NPu for hardware-accelerated AI inference and machine learning (ML) on-the-edge in the new sMARC modules. the corresponding eIQ® software development environment from NXP offers OEMs a high-performance development environment which simplifies the implementation of inhouse ML applications.
In addition, the new sMARC modules integrate a real-time domain for real-time controllers. the conga-sMX95 sMARC modules offer 2x gbit Ethernet with tsN for synchronised and deterministic network data transmission, LPDDR5 (with inline ECC) for data security. For display connectivity the new modules offer DisplayPort as the standard interface and the still widely used LVDs display interface. For direct camera connectivity the modules have 2x MIPI-CsI.
congatec also offers an extensive hardware and software ecosystem as well as comprehensive design-in-services for simplified and accelerated application development. t hese include, among other things, evaluation- and
production-ready application carrier boards and customtailored cooling solutions. In terms of services, congatec offers comprehensive documentation, training and signal integrity measurements for application development.
Further information about the new conga-sMX95 sMARC modules is available here: conga-sMX95
www.congatec.com
3D Systems’ DMP Flex 350 platform is designed for flexible application use from application development to serial production.
DMP Flex 350’s best-in-class environmental control, inert atmosphere ensures exceptionally high-quality parts for precision applications.
3D systems and Precision Resource announced they have entered a strategic partnership to scale and accelerate additive manufacturing. Combining both organizations’ deep applications expertise with 3D systems’ Direct Metal Printing (DMP) platform will enable a faster path to market for applications in high-criticality industries.
As part of this agreement, Precision Resource is purchasing two 3D systems DMP Flex 350 Dual 3D printers to be part of the manufacturing workflow in its As9100-certified Huntington Beach, California facility. t he seamless integration of 3D systems’ industry-leading DMP technology into Precision Resource’s production value processes, complemented by 5-axis machine centers and advanced inspection systems, will expand its portfolio of precision metal forming processes – offering new solutions to meet the evolving needs of Precision Resource’s customers and open new markets for the company.
Engineers from 3D systems’ Application Innovation group (AI g ) partnered with the Precision Resource team to develop this solution. Both teams possess deep expertise in metal manufacturing processes as well as in high-value applications across a variety of industries. this engineering expertise combined with 3D systems’ DMP technology, and Precision Resource’s extensive secondary finishing capabilities resulted in an efficient and robust, end-to-
end manufacturing solution for AM parts to meet the performance needs of high criticality components and solve lingering supply chain issues through vertical integration.
3D systems’ DMP Flex 350 platform is designed for flexible application use from application development to serial production. the quick swap build modules and fast powder recycling help accelerate production, and a central server manages print jobs, materials, settings, and maintenance to facilitate 24/7 productivity. Due to the unique vacuum chamber concept of the DMP Flex 350 printers, argon gas consumption is heavily reduced while delivering best-inclass oxygen purity (<25 ppm) resulting in exceptionally strong parts of high chemical purity, better metallurgical properties, and exceptional surface finish. the printer also includes 3DXpert software that supports every step of the additive manufacturing workflow from design to postprocessing, to quickly and efficiently transition from a 3D model to successfully printed parts.
www.3dsystems.com
ArcelorMittal Gent is hosting the first industrial trial of D-CRBN’s technology.
ArcelorMittal and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) are working with a climate tech company, D-CRBN, to trial a new technology to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) captured at ArcelorMittal’s plant in gent, Belgium into carbon monoxide which can be used in steel and chemical production.
this is the first industrial testing of D-CRBN’s plasma technology, making ArcelorMittal gent the first steel plant in the world to trial the process, which has been designed to reduce CO2 emissions.
this new trial expands the current multi-year carbon capture pilot taking place at the site to test the feasibility of full-scale deployment of MHI’s carbon capture technology (Advanced KM CDR Process™).
D-CRBN, an Antwerp-based company, has developed a technology that uses plasma to convert carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide. using renewable electricity, the plasma is used to break the carbon-oxygen bond, thereby converting CO2 into carbon monoxide. the carbon monoxide can be used as a reductant in the steelmaking process – replacing part of the coke or metallurgical coal used in the blast furnace – or as a basic ingredient in gent’s steelanol plant, for chemicals or alternative fuel production.
the D-CRBN process requires high-purity CO2, which can be provided by MHI’s carbon capture unit, currently being used to capture blast furnace off-gases, and off-gases from the hot strip mill reheating furnace, in gent.
A pipeline between MHI’s carbon capture unit and D-CRBN’s unit was connected on July 1st, to test the feasibility of using the CO2 captured by the MHI technology as a feedstock for D-CRBN. the industrial pilot is an important stage of testing D-CRBN’s technology, to make sure that any impurities that accompany the CO2 produced during steelmaking do not have a detrimental effect on the process and product gas.
ArcelorMittal is pursuing a number of decarbonisation routes in order to achieve its climate targets, which include a 35% reduction in CO2 emissions from ArcelorMittal Europe, by 2030. One of these routes is smart Carbon steelmaking, which uses circular carbon in the blast furnace, carbon capture and storage (CCs) or utilization (CCu).
www.arcelormittal.com
Innodisk, a leading global AI solution provider, has officially inaugurated Phase II of its R&D and production center in Yilan, Taiwan.
In response to the massive market demand driven by the edge AI wave, Innodisk has transformed the manufacturing plant into the group’s AI core base. With the increased production capacity, Innodisk is ready to collaborate with global clients to deploy edge AI solutions. At the same time, Innodisk is also inviting global tech talent to join its teams around the world.
the year 2024 marks a period of innovative energy for Innodisk, with the simultaneous launch of new products and technologies. the latest manufacturing plant will begin production on various edge AI products, focusing on three core technologies: “AI Acceleration,” “Vision-Driven,” and “Custom Integration.”
For “AI Acceleration,” Innodisk’s subsidiary Aetina recently launched the NVIDIA MgX server, the group’s first edge AI server. Innodisk also introduced industrial-grade CXL 2.0 memory and E1.s/E3.s edge server ssDs for AI and high-speed edge computing. “Vision-Driven” showcases Innodisk’s innovative development in edge AI machine vision, including the pioneering MIPI over type-C extension patent technology for embedded cameras. “Custom Integration” embodies the group’s core spirit of smallvolume, diverse, and highly customized solutions. With the accelerated development of global edge AI and the increased production capacity of the manufacturing plant, Innodisk expects to speed up the realization of innovative technologies and enable the effective deployment of products and AI solutions in practical scenarios.
While promoting smart transformation for clients, Innodisk is also implementing these practices by transforming its production center into a model for smart manufacturing and management. Collaborating with Aetina, NVIDIA, and through the Metropolis for Factories framework, Innodisk developed an AOI AI secondary inspection solution for smart manufacturing to enhance production line efficiency. Additionally, Innodisk’s subsidiary Millitronic, in collaboration with schneider Electric and AsPEED technology, developed a panoramic smart visualization remote management
solution for the plant’s data center. this solution transforms traditional on-site inspections into real-time remote management, displaying data and enabling remote monitoring. Furthermore, the iCAP Air solution, announced this year, will connect multiple sensors to measure temperature, CO2, and other air indicators, providing realtime alerts for abnormal values and facilitating prompt facility management. this comprehensive application will ensure employee health and product quality.
With the inauguration of the Phase II manufacturing plant, Innodisk is focusing on recruiting AI-related talent. the company, which has locations in the usA, Europe, Japan, China, and more, invites global tech professionals to join its team. this expansion supports Innodisk’s goal of promoting innovation and advancing edge AI solutions worldwide.
https://www.innodisk.com
Liebherr pressing ahead with phasing out fossil fuels and preparing solutions to decarbonise construction sites, gravel plants etc.
the Liebherr plant in Bischofshofen celebrated two groundbreaking events: the presentation of the first large wheel loader with a hydrogen engine and the opening of the first hydrogen filling station in the state of salzburg.
At a trade event at the Liebherr plant in Bischofshofen, the world’s first large wheel loader with a hydrogen engine was recently presented to high-ranking representatives from politics and business. the event included a series of talks on the topic of alternative drives. However, the focus was on Liebherr’s impressive machine show, where the hydrogen wheel loader was demonstrated for the first time in practical use.
At the same time as this world première, the first hydrogen filling station in the state of salzburg was inaugurated, representing an important milestone in the use of hydrogen as a sustainable energy source. “ to make progress in hydrogen research, we need to have access to hydrogen. We built this filling station to further advance our goals for decarbonising construction machinery,” says Dr.-Ing. Herbert Pfab, Chief technical Officer of Liebherr Bischofshofen.
Prototype L 566 H is the world’s first wheel loader with a hydrogen engine the L 566 H from Liebherr is the world’s first prototype large wheel loader with a hydrogen engine. Following extensive studies, this groundbreaking technology was identified as the optimal solution for operating large vehicles that are difficult to electrify without CO2 emissions.
For smaller vehicles up to about 15 tons, battery-electric solutions are often suitable. However, the situation is different with larger machines with an operating weight of up to 40 tons and high energy requirements. Hydrogen reciprocating piston engines prove to be ideal in this case.
these hydrogen engines are manufactured at the engine plant of Liebherr’s Components product segment in Bulle ( switzerland). they enable not only zero emissions of greenhouse gases and almost no nitrogen oxides, but are also highly efficient. Another advantage is that the interfaces are comparable to those of a diesel engine - thermally and mechanically. this represents a significant step forward in the development of sustainable large-scale machinery.
Another highlight of the show was a MAN truck, also with a hydrogen engine. this shows that hydrogen technology is not only feasible in wheel loaders, but is already used in construction site trucks.
As part of the development of the hydrogen wheel loader, Liebherr Bischofshofen opened its own hydrogen filling station – the first of its kind in the entire state of salzburg. An important strategic partner in this project is Maximator Hydrogen, which is not only the manufacturer of the newly opened filling station, but also a research partner of Liebherr. together, they are working on mobile filling facilities so that machinery can be refuelled directly at the construction sites. this is particularly important for remote construction sites and machines that are not very mobile.
Another reliable partner is MPREIs, which ensures the supply of green hydrogen. this is important because only through emission-free production – using wind, hydroelectric or solar energy – can hydrogen play a key role as a sustainable and climate-friendly energy source.
www.liebherr.com
Exxelia introduces groundbreaking innovations in smart magnetics technology, specifically tailored for resonant bidirectional power converters. These advancements are set to redefine efficiency and performance standards across a spectrum of applications.
the advent of electrification, especially in electric or hybrid mobility including EV tOLs, buses, heavy vehicles, military/defense applications, off-road vehicles, and space thrusters, as well as electric energy storage systems & s mart g rid networks, implies the management and storage of large quantities of electrical energy. this necessitates the use of specific architectures such as DAB, LLC, and interleaved converters. t hese structures enable very high efficiencies.
Exxelia smart magnetics integrated technology
Combines an inductor and a transformer into a single ultracompact/miniaturized, lightweight component, regardless of the inductance value, for a seamless integration.
• High Power Applications (up to 300kW)
• High Frequency (10-500kHz): fits next-generation semiconductors (siC, gaN) : Enables compact, lightweight designs.
• High Efficiency: minimizing losses, achieving efficiencies above 99% even at high frequencies.
• Lower total cost of ownership: Ensuring straightforward integration and optimized system costs.
• EMI Reduction: Enhances electromagnetic compatibility for reliable operation.
Technical characteristics
3 Phase 24 kVA Integrated Component (Transformer + Inductors) 360/27 V @ 100kHz
• Incorporates series Inductors (18µH)
• Withstands Net Bias Current 10% of Load Current
• size 1085cc, Mass 3.86kg
Dual Active Bridge Transformer 2kW / 10:1 / 300 kHz and Chokes 10µH
• Incorporates series Inductors 10µH
• size 40x40x40 mm, Mass 250g
Meet the Challenges in Converter Development
• Miniaturization: Designing smaller systems without compromising performance.
• thermal Management: Efficiently managing heat to enhance durability and efficiency.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Balancing efficiency enhancements with cost-effective solutions.
Exxelia’s commitment to the development of these new technologies shows its willingness to anticipate the needs of advances power electronics.
this project was financed by the government as part of the Recovery plan.
www.exxelia.com
TotalEnergies launched the new generation of its Pangea 4 supercomputer at the Jean Féger Scientific and Technical Center at Pau in southwest France.
Initially developed to support totalEnergies’ exploration and production activities, the new version of Pangea is available for use across the Company and is at the service of its energy transition.
Supporting TotalEnergies’ energy transition with scientific supercomputing Pangea 4 responds to the needs of totalEnergies’ new activities, with:
• windflow simulations for the design and siting of wind farms;
• simulations of reservoir storage capacity in connection with our CCs (carbon capture and storage) projects;
• methane emissions reduction calculations.
Where supercomputing meets energy efficiency
A hybrid solution consisting of a machine located onsite and cloud computing, Pangea 4’s 24/7 computing speed is twice that of the previous version. It is more compact and more energy efficient, using almost 90% less electricity, reducing our datacenters’ carbon footprint while maintaining peak performance for digital simulations.
“As yet another demonstration of the Company’s pioneer spirit, the latest incarnation of Pangea strengthens our lead in industrial digital simulation. It combines supercomputing capacity with cloud computing, allowing the Company to meet the growing and increasingly diverse needs of our activities, especially in new energies, in order to help grow our business through our energy transition strategy,” said Namita shah, President, Onetech at totalEnergies.
www.totalenergies.com
Sensor technology from Leuze makes an important contribution to an efficient and safe production line process at BMW Group Plant Leipzig.
With sensor expertise for high-voltage batteries the site produces both combustion engine and electric models in parallel. E-mobility requires high-voltage batteries to supply the BMW group’s electric cars or hybrid vehicles with the necessary drive energy. the automotive group also manufactures these on site. sensor technology from Leuze makes an important contribution to an efficient and safe production line process, implemented by schaeffler special Machinery, the schaeffler group’s mechanical engineering company.
Leuze CsL switching light curtains detect whether the cells are positioned correctly. “ the switching light curtains particularly suitable for monitoring large detection fields as they are easy to install, configure and far more cost effective than image-based systems” explains Jürgen schweiß, KAMAutomotive and safety Application specialist at Leuze.
High-gloss surfaces
It all starts with the cell three successive production steps are required from the first component to the finished high-voltage battery. Only after cell coating, module production and finally assembly is a high-voltage battery ready for use as an electric vehicle’s energy supply. Precision and reliable processes are essential at every step. Leuze supports this with sensor solutions in cell coating and module production. Cell coating is the first step in high-voltage battery production. Each battery module consists of several cells. these are delivered to BMW in large load carriers (gLt ). so that the gLts can be unloaded automatically by robot, a Leuze MLC safety light curtain secures the danger zone to prevent people from entering. Muting ensures that only the gLt can pass through. the robot always unloads 16 cells at the same time and places them on a conveyor belt. Here, horizontally installed,
Diffuse sensors from Leuze are implemented at different points: “sensors mounted on the belt detect the presence and correct position of the cells. If they are present and correctly positioned, the process continues,” says Jürgen s chweiß. the advantage of the PRK 25C series sensors used here is that they can detect the high-gloss surface of the cells with absolute reliability and can installed even in confined spaces due to their small physical size. Despite its small size the sensor has an operating range of 16 meters. Another advantage is that the sensors can be easily adjusted for sensitivity and alignment due to their bright light spot.
A compact approach to safety
s ensor technology from Leuze keeps an eye on every aspect of cell coating: Laser diffuse reflection sensors from the Ht46CL series detect the individual cells and control the conveyor – with maximum detection reliability thanks to background suppression. Before the cells are loaded into a gLt, they are discharged through a Leuze MLC safety
A robot places the cells removed from a large load carrier (GLT) onto the conveyor belt. Here, horizontally installed switching light curtains from the CSL series detect whether the cells are positioned correctly.
To ensure that the large load carriers (GLT) can be loaded and unloaded safely, a Leuze safety light curtain from the MLC series secures the danger zone to prevent people from entering. Muting ensures that only the GLT can pass through.
Advantage of using Leuze 25C series sensors: They detect the high-gloss surface of the cells with absolute reliability.
When the cells are separated, sensors detect the positions of the objects. This is a prerequisite for an automated process.
light curtain. Advantages of Leuze light curtains: they not only score points with their high resolution, protective field height and operating range, as Jürgen schweiß emphasizes: “With light curtains, a compact design and short safety distances are also important. this allows them to be easily integrated into tight installation situations.”
Leuze laser diffuse reflection light scanners also monitor the unloading of the cells from a gLt into a module line from thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering. Each cell also receives a “heat shield” – a protective heat insulation – which is pressed onto the long sides. Robots rotate the cells into the desired position on a circular machine. s ensors from Leuze also provide support here: PRK 25 retro-reflective photoelectric sensors detect the presence of the objects. the heat shield process runs in parallel at two stations in order to achieve a high throughput time.
In “stacking”, as experts call the stacking of several cells to form a battery module, several cells are placed next to each other and a pressure plate is attached to each end. PRK 25C sensors from Leuze detect the height and presence of the cells and recognize whether the tool carriers are closed correctly. sensors are also used when placing the cell contact system (ZKs) on the module. A machine lifts the entire module so that the coating on the cell base can be checked: “Here, Leuze sensors provide support for height detection and at stop positions” says schweiß.
The blue-colored cells on their way to the next production step. Sensor technology from Leuze always has everything in view. The HT46CL background suppression sensors detect the individual cells and control the conveyor belt.
At this station, each cell is given a “heat shield” – protective heat insulation –which is pressed onto the long sides. Leuze PRK 25 retro-reflective photoelectric sensors detect the presence of the objects.
Leuze sensors perform important tasks in the cell coating line and module production at the BMW group plant in Leipzig: they reliably detect objects and also meet high requirements, such as the detection of high-gloss surfaces. In addition, safety technology from Leuze ensures seamless safety on machines and systems. the sensor People thus contribute to efficient processes in the automotive industry and are always on hand to support system operators in the design and implementation of sensor and safety solutions.
www.leuze.com
The switch provides unmatched performance, and reliability in harsh industrial environments.
Red Lion, a manufacturer of innovative technologies that empower industrial organizations to access, connect and visualize their data, is pleased to announce the launch of N-tron® Nt116 unmanaged industrial Ethernet switch, designed for industrial applications needing dependable performance for mission-critical applications under harsh conditions.
the Nt116 unmanaged switch offers exceptional reliability and performance for data acquisition, Ethernet I/O and process control. Compact in size and including 16 high performance copper ports (10/100Baset X RJ45), the unit is housed in a rugged industrial metal enclosure. the Nt116 offers high shock and vibration tolerance, and all ports have built in EsD and surge protection. users benefit from an exceptional 1.2M hour MtBF rating, in a slim, spacesaving design that operates in temperatures from -40°C to 85°C.
For robust network support, the Nt116 supports full wire speed communications of up to 3.2 gb/s throughput. the unit uses store-and-forward technology and supports full and half duplex operation. two 10-49 VDC power inputs are provided for redundancy.
the N-tron® Nt116 is the next evolution of Red Lion’s 116t X unmanaged industrial ethernet switch. In addition to IEEE 802.3 compliance and marine, railway and rolling stock certifications, the new switch carries uL Ordinary and Hazardous locations as well as AtEX and IECEx certification.
Red Lion’s new N-tron® Nt116 makes critical performance data easier to gather. Its rugged and hardened design provides the durability and reliability needed to withstand the extreme conditions found on factory floor control networks and in oil and gas, utilities, wastewater treatment, alternative energy, rail, intelligent traffic control and transportation applications.
“When industrial equipment operators and business leaders can access their data seamlessly and quickly, they derive more value from it. the N-tron® Nt116 unmanaged industrial ethernet switch minimizes downtime and maximizes throughput to improve efficiency and drive operational performance,” said Diane Davis Product Manager.
For more information and model specifications for the N-tron® Nt116, visit www.redlion.net/Nt116
For more information about Red Lion, visit www.redlion.net
Rockwell’s expertise in process control, sustainability, and its global reach makes it an excellent partner for Sweetch Energy as they initiate the international rollout of osmotic power generation technology.
French renewables startup sweetch Energy will rely on extensive domain expertise and global presence from Rockwell Automation to help scale its osmotic power generation technology.
Osmotic energy is naturally generated by the difference in salinity between freshwater and seawater. the INOD® (Ionic Nano Osmotic Diffusion) technology developed by sweetch Energy is the first technology of its kind to be marketed on an industrial scale.
using Rockwell’s turnkey process control platform and visualization technology, sweetch Energy will optimize its unique zero-carbon electricity generation technology in its first osmotic demonstrator plant at the Barcarin lock in Portsaint-Louis-du-Rhône, France. the company plans to deploy several osmotic stations at the mouth of the Rhône to harness natural osmotic energy. these stations will represent up to 500 MW of carbon-free electricity production capacity, capable of supplying more than 1.5 million people – the equivalent to the population of cities such as Marseille and its surrounding areas, Barcelona, Amsterdam, or Montreal.
Manufactured using environmentally friendly bio-sourced materials, the osmotic generators can be located at any estuary or delta. Water is the only input in the process and is fully returned to the river mouth, with no chemical waste or pollutants created. And, unlike other renewables, it is not dependent on weather conditions and can produce clean electricity continuously.
Rockwell technologies will be used to automate, control, and monitor the system as well as optimize the process and power generation efficiency. the technology to be deployed at the pilot plant is also highly scalable, allowing sweetch Energy to create standardized, modular, with worldwide support for installations of any size, anywhere.
www.rockwellautomation.com
NSK’s ROBUSTDYNA angular contact ball bearings for machine tool spindles facilitate easier machining of challenging materials such as Inconel, titanium and composites
NSK Europe, a global leader in motion control technologies, will use the forthcoming AMB 2024 international exhibition for metalworking (Stuttgart, Germany, 10-14 September 2024) to shine the spotlight on its latest solutions for machine tools. Innovative NSK bearings, ball screws and linear guides can deliver significant gains for both machine users and builders.
Bearings are central to the premise of using machine tools to produce precision-machined components.
Key among the latest NsK products at AMB 2024 will be the ROBustDYNA angular contact ball bearing for machine tool spindles. this ultra-high speed, high-load capacity bearing delivers highly versatile machining via its outstanding performance during both roughing and finishing operations.
the use of larger balls in ROBustDYNA bearings elevates the maximum load capacity of this innovative product by up to 15% compared with the previous-generation solution. users subsequently enjoy easier machining of challenging materials such as Inconel, titanium and composites. With up to three times more fatigue life (dynamic load rating), ROBustDYNA supports both heavy-duty and high-speed machining.
Another highlight on NsK’s AMB booth will be the suRsAVE ( tsR) bearing cage for angular contact ball bearings, found typically on the main spindle of machine tools. the outerring-guided, PPs resin suRsAVE cage generates 20% less friction than conventional bearings. Machine shops can therefore tap into energy savings and greater workpiece precision due to less thermal expansion of the spindle.
For AMB visitors seeking the latest ball-screw innovations, recent additions to the NsK portfolio include the company’s next-generation offer for high-accuracy machine tools.
NSK DH/DS series linear guides provide over double the running distance of the company’s conventional NH/NS series
thanks to fewer motion errors and no ’second glitch’ phenomenon, this ball screw boosts throughput by reducing or eradicating the requirement for secondary operations like polishing/burnishing in high-accuracy mould and die machining, for example. In addition, lower drive torque delivers savings in energy consumption.
NsK will also display its recently developed low-temperature ball screw. t he friction loss/heat generation of this innovative product is some 45% lower than conventional ball screws at the same rigidity, helping users to maintain positional accuracy. Furthermore, the low-temperature ball screw helps to reduce the energy consumption of machine tools by lowering or even eliminating cooling requirements.
Other components central to the success of many new machine tools are linear guides. the centrepiece of the NsK offer at AMB will be the recently introduced DH/Ds long-life series. With its class-leading dynamic load rating, the DH/ Ds linear guide provides over double the running distance of the company’s conventional NH/Ns series. this advanced product also facilitates downsizing by allowing the use of smaller linear guides, reducing both machine weight and energy consumption.
Among further innovative NsK solutions at the exhibition will be the proven RA series roller guide. With its highly dust-resistant seals to prevent contaminants from entering via the underside of the slider, machine tools featuring RA
series roller guides achieve high reliability in demanding operating environments.
A team of NsK experts will be present on Booth C44 in Hall 2 throughout AMB 2024, introducing visitors to the innovation and quality of the company’s motion control solutions.
www.nskeurope.com
Entirely designed and built in the Puglia plant, the electric compact wheel loader will be marketed under the CASE and New Holland brands and distributed worldwide. With this third electric-powered model in the range, CNH reaffirms the crucial role of innovation in the development of high-performance, environmentally friendly solutions that serve people and the environment.
the event also highlights the investments in advanced and sustainable infrastructure at the Lecce plant, as well as the plant’s central role globally.
the production line for the new electric compact wheel loader was inaugurated today at the CNH plant in Lecce, Italy. the model, conceived and designed in the Puglia plant’s R&D centre, will be produced in CAsE and New Holland liveries with the 12EV and W40X models respectively. From here, it will reach markets around the world, meeting the growing need for zero-emission machinery in the construction and agricultural sectors.
the ceremony was held in the presence of institutions from the Puglia Region, including Alessandro Delli Noci, Councillor for Economic Development, and Loredana Capone, President of the Regional Council, together with the Mayor of Lecce, Adriana Poli Bortone, and CNH management: stefano Pampalone, CNH President Construction segment, Carlo Alberto sisto, CNH EMEA President, Federico Bullo, CNH Head of Construction Europe, Ciro Casapulla, CNH Head of Construction Product Development, Carlo Lambro, Managing Director CNH Industrial Italia s.p.A. and guido Moscheni, CNH CE HR Business Partner.
the new model completes the company’s range of compact electric vehicles, which already includes the two mini electric excavators produced in Cesena. CNH is thus responding to the rapidly growing demand for alternative powertrains, driven by the needs of metropolitan and municipal areas, mainly in Europe, and the requirements of sectors such as agriculture and livestock farming, in search of highperformance yet silent and zero-emission machines that can operate safely indoors and near animals.
Lecce plant increasingly central to CNH the Lecce plant, which recently celebrated 50 years of activity, is one of CNH’s main production centres in Italy and EMEA.it occupies 600,000 square metres and houses 7 product lines (wheel loaders, compact wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, telehandlers and motor graders) for 203 models and 4896 different configurations. Production volumes have grown exponentially, marking an 88% increase between 2020 and 2022 and a further 14% in 2023, the year that recorded the highest number of machines produced since its foundation.
In parallel with investments in production capacity, CNH has implemented major infrastructure and environmental improvements. In 2022, an investment of around €13 million (part of the Converto project, co-financed by the Region of Puglia) enabled the installation of a new advanced painting plant and a new plasma cutting machine. the former has significantly improved product quality and reduced environmental impact through more efficient use of water. the new cutting machine has increased productivity, reducing waste and maintenance costs. Furthermore, the recent adoption of a photovoltaic system covering 40% of the production area confirms the commitment to sustainability and energy self-sufficiency of the production site. Also as part of the Converto project, CNH has invested in the construction of new rooms for testing electrified vehicles and for checking operations in extreme climatic conditions (-50° to +50°).
Alessandro Delli Noci, Councillor for Economic Development of the Region Puglia, commented on the relationship that links the plant to the territory: “ this industrial complex has long been a reference point for many companies in salento, which benefit from the allied industries linked to production and is also an important pole in terms of employment. We are happy that CNH continues to believe and invest in this important reality with products and projects of high technological content.”
The electric compact wheel loader - Italian innovation for a sustainable future
the new electric compact wheel loader, which has been successfully presented at major international trade fairs such as ConEXPO in Las Vegas and Agritechnica in Hanover, offers significant advantages in terms of low noise and zero
emissions. these characteristics make it particularly suitable for operating in closed environments, where CO2 emissions are not permitted, on night-time construction sites and in all applications that are sensitive to noise pollution. Furthermore, this type of machine guarantees high performance and lower operating costs than dieselpowered vehicles.
Ciro Casapulla, Head of Construction Product Development, explained the new electric model in detail, emphasising how innovation has always been made in Lecce, and how this, in the case of electrification, entails a paradigm shift: ’We have not just replaced the diesel engine with batteries. We have completely revised the design, also drawing on technologies and calculation techniques typical of the aerospace sector. Firstly, by lightening the weight, removing it where it wasn’t needed, in a reasoned and calibrated way to increase performance and preserve the machine’s autonomy’.
the weight reduction, also achieved thanks to the special “lattice” boom, has led to an improvement in tipping load: a light boom means weight is shifted to the rear and therefore greater loading capacity and stability. Another important innovation, borrowed from the top-of-the-range diesel models, are the electro-hydraulic controls which, combined with the electric drive, make it possible to maximise the efficiency and the controllability of movements.
the new electric model has a range of 3 to 6 hours depending on the type of application. Recharging can be done with the domestic power socket with the standard 230V on-board charger or with the optional fast charger, which can recharge the 23 kWh lithium-ion battery from 20% to 80% in just 1 hour, the duration of a lunch break, thus enabling continuous use throughout the working day.
the new electric compact wheel loader, 100% Made in Italy, highlights CNH’s commitment to investing in technologies for the development of alternative and sustainable propulsion, while reaffirming the strategic centrality of the Lecce plant in the company’s production landscape.
https://www.casece.com/en-gb/europe
Pioneering Next-Generation Energy Solutions for Enhanced Data Centre Operations.
Delta announced the launch of its latest innovation, the uZR g en3 s eries uPs Li-ion Battery system. Designed specifically for the data centre industry, this state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery rack solution is engineered for unmatched safety, reliability, and total cost of ownership ( tCO) reduction. the uZR gen3 series represents a significant leap forward in critical power management, offering seamless integration with existing Delta solutions, including electrical power equipment, cooling systems, and other essential electrical hardware.
Commenting on the introduction of the uZR gen3 series, James Chen, general Manager of Energy storage Product Business Development, Delta Electronics Inc., stated: “With the introduction of the uZR gen3 series, Delta now offers its data centre customers a complete integrated solution, that is comprised of its own branded lithium battery, electrical power equipment, cooling systems, uPs and other electrical hardware equipment. the introduction of the uZR gen3 series complements these existing solutions. Customers can now choose a Lithium-ion battery that benefits from the engineering knowledge and global support that is associated with the Delta brand.”
UZR Gen3 Series users also benefit from:
Advanced safety and optimised reliability: t he uZR g en3 has been engineered to provide optimised operational safety. It has finished uL9540A testing with no fire observed nor propagation occurring. No dangerous gasses are emitted under normal operation, and it conforms to a comprehensive array of international safety standards, including uL1973, IEC62619 and IEC60730. they confirm that the uZR gen3 offers safety-oriented design in both its hardware and BMs integration. With durability of up to 2-3 times that of similar solutions, the uZR gen3 series is a reliable, long-term investment that matches the replacement cycle of other core It infrastructure solutions.
It also delivers a service life of up to 10 years operation, ensuring it is dependable and worry-free.
Economic benefits: With its smaller footprint, long service life and high energy efficiency, the uZR gen3 series delivers significantly reduced customer capital investment and operation expenses. Furthermore, with less self-discharge and heat dissipation, the uZR gen3 series helps save OPEX, and its long service life makes budgeting and It investment planning easier.
Usability and efficiency: Enclosed in a standard 19” rack cabinet, the robust battery cabinet offers top cable entry and front access, making maintenance easy. A third of the size of alternative uPs solutions, the uZR gen3 series’ excellent space management enables convenient placement against a wall, optimising floor space use. It is 45% lighter than a VRLA battery, which further simplifies installation and upkeep. Despite its compact size, performance has not been compromised; the uZR gen3 series delivers the highest power density battery system for a data centre uPs. It delivers up to 470kW output with rated energy of 62.1kWh. It also charges up to ten times faster for improved charge times (2C vs. 0.2C).
the uZR g en3 s eries from Delta offers data centres a powerful tool for boosting efficiency and reliability while substantially lowering costs. Its innovative design and integration capabilities make it a vital component in modernizing power management infrastructures.
For more information on how the uZR gen3 series can transform your data centre operations, please visit.
www.delta-emea.com
After taking over industry, robots are now conquering the medical sciences.
the advantages are obvious: absence of fatigue, maximum precision and speed, optimum ergonomics.
Experts see their use as the next evolution in the treatment of patients. Already today, robot systems are used in a number of surgical applications, such as in orthopaedics, in neurology or in cardiothoracic and EN t surgery. In addition to established manufacturers, innovative start-ups are entering the market.
Medical technology relies on FAuLHABER not only in robotsupported procedures. For example, drive systems are used in implantable heart pumps, surgical hand tools, in ophthalmology, in cosmetics and in medical imaging and image processing.
An air of quiet concentration prevails in the operating room. the team prepares the patient for the operation. But the first incision is performed not but a doctor, but by a robot. the surgeon sits focused in front of his surgical console and uses the joysticks to control the robot arms that are used for the procedure performed at the operating room table. Even after a 24-hour shift, the robot cuts absolutely precisely and smoothly. the camera, which is important above all for minimally invasive operations, provides optimally prepared images absolutely free of vibrations. On the 3D monitor, the doctor can see exactly what is happening in the patient’s abdomen. Instead of the conventional 2D view, which is often very limited, he can see every detail on the 3D monitor. In addition, the slim, high-tech arms offer considerably more freedom of movement when cutting, repairing or suturing compared to standard procedures. Because the body of the patient is precisely measured prior to every operation, the computer can create a 3D image of the surgical area. By converting the entries made by the surgeon on the PC, incisions in the range of a tenth of a millimetre are possible, something that simply cannot be achieved purely by hand. With the help of a computer, the robot is able to check at all times whether the doctor is operating where it is necessary. In case of doubt, the system can stop the doctor and thereby prevent potential medical errors.
Various systems there is nearly no medical procedure in which a robotsupported operation would not be possible. Already today, more than 70 companies offer systems for a wide range of procedures. For example, procedures on the spinal column, the knee, the hips, in the abdomen, in neurosurgery, in the ear, nose and throat area, during biopsies, in gynaecology and urology or even in operations on the heart or in the eye. the technology is even used in hair transplants. the devices used in the operating room have different designs depending on their purpose. the bandwidth ranges from very voluminous, multi-armed systems to systems that are no larger than a beverage can. While the former is used for complex procedures, the latter system is used simply to accurately hold the instruments at the desired position.
Medical technology with drive the patient is aware of nothing that happens in the operating room. the anaesthesia works. An anaesthetist closely monitors the vital functions. she can rely on FAuLHABER for the artificial ventilation. Operating in the turbine unit of the ventilator that is integrated in the anaesthesia system is a brushless, high-speed DC-motor with a diameter of just 24 mm. Not only is the motor extremely fast and quiet over the entire speed range but also extremely dynamic. this enables very natural ventilation. Adults, children and newborns can all thereby be ventilated adequately and as naturally as possible throughout the entire anaesthesia. In addition, the turbine-based ventilation allows the patients to breathe freely (spontaneous breathing) at all times.
Because robot-supported operations are being performed in an increasing number of disciplines, the need for drive systems is growing as well, such as for the positioning of robot arms. Highly dynamic systems that deliver the full speed in the shortest possible time are needed here. thanks to their ironless winding technology and flat speed-torque curves, FAuLHABER Drive systems have all the necessary properties, such as exact positioning and speed control. High-performance motor families such as the FAuLHABER BX4 or BP4 and the new BXt series, complemented by the extensive range of gearheads, optical, magnetic or absolute encoders as well as speed and Motion Controllers, are ideally suited for demanding robotics applications not only in medicine but in many other areas as well.
Robot-supported operations are not just a futuristic vision but are daily routine in many operating rooms around the world today. Even though a telemedical operation has already been performed – where the doctor sat at a monitor in the usA and operated on a patient in France – in practice, it generally looks like this: robot and computer serve as assistants to the people on-site in the operating room. Years of medical experience cannot simply be converted into a programming language. But surgeries can be made safer through the use of robots. And FAuLHABER will play an important role. Both for as well as in the patient.
https://www.faulhaber.com/en/motion/surgical-robot/
Milton Roy, a leading manufacturer of dosing and mixing equipment, is proud to announce the launch of the new Primeroyal™ Q series (PQ) chemical metering pump. this cutting-edge addition to the already comprehensive Primeroyal™ range comes with a promise to set a new benchmark for performance in a wide array of industrial applications. the PQ series boasts an extensive and modular API 675 range that includes eight distinct drive sizes and nine advanced liquid end technologies, ensuring unparalleled versatility, and the ability to meet the most demanding hydraulic performance requirements for high flows and high discharge pressures.
the Primeroyal™ Q series has been meticulously engineered with three proven liquid end types - packed plunger, PtFE, or metallic diaphragm - that have been the cornerstone of reliability for over two decades within the Primeroyal™ and Milroyal® series. the double diaphragm liquid end technology, coupled with a sophisticated leak detection system, offers superior safety for handling all types of fluids including critical, toxic, harmful, and explosive process fluids.
Key features of the Q series include:
the Primeroyal™ Q series extends the boundaries of metering pump technology, offering a maximum flow rate of 8,657 l/h (2,199 gph) per dosing head and maximum discharge pressure of 1,035 bar (15,011 psi). this remarkable expansion of the Primeroyal™ range caters to a diverse spectrum of customer needs, delivering a robust and adaptable solution designed to excel under the most stringent industrial conditions. tailored to withstand the rigors of continuous, round-the-clock operation, the Q series is the epitome of reliability and endurance, meeting the demands of 24/7 duties without compromise on performance or precision.
• Compliance with API 675 standards for steady state accuracy (±1%), linearity and repeatability (±3%)
• High performances:
- Max. flow rate: 8,657 l/h (2,199 gph) per dosing head
- Max. discharge pressure: 1,035 bar (15,011 psi)
- Max. suction pressure: 371 bar (5,380 psi) dedicated for liquified gases application
• Leak-free design
• Field proven technology, over 20 years
• Large liquid end technology offering (packed plunger, PtFE or metallic stainless-steel single/double diaphragm)
• Ambient temperatures: -10° to + 50 °C (+14° to +122 °F) in standard, Low temperature -40°C/-40°F in option
• Manual and local stroke length adjustment for precise control of the flow rate
• Remote control of the capacity, through the 4-20mA analog and feedback signals for modulation
• A compact and lightweight design with a minimal footprint
• Multiplexing capabilities, with up to 6 heads max.
• AtEX II 2 g Ex h IIC t4/t3 gb X certification for use in hazardous environments
• simple maintenance and low total cost of ownership
• Customized PQ solutions available with many of options for high specifications
A value-added service and an essential element of your contract, the documentation, established by our contractual documentation competence, guarantees compliance with applicable standards. Available to you, this competence provides a continuous check on conformity and brings together all documents related to purchasing such as: compliance certificates, minutes, drawings issued by design office, and data sheets which allow for flexibility while pursuing potential revisions of the project drawings and documents.
the Primeroyal™ Q pumps are specifically designed to cater to a broad spectrum of fluid dosing needs, with a focus on industries such as:
• Oil and gas: For high-pressure methanol injection at the wellhead and the injection of corrosion inhibitors and chemicals for refined product treatment
• Chemical and Petrochemical Processing: For precise dosing of catalysts in polymerization processes
• Power generation: For high-pressure boiler feed water treatment and more
Milton Roy’s Primeroyal™ Q series sets new benchmarks for metering pump performance, with a modular design that offers a multitude of configuration possibilities to meet the specific demands of diverse industrial applications.
For more information on the Primeroyal™ Q series or to inquire about any of our products, please visit miltonroy.com
Irco.com
One item that features strongly in most company’s mission statements relates to health and safety. It’s hardly surprising to learn that industry spends billions of euros each year educating staff to the dangers on a modern chemical complex, when you consider some of the horrific accidents and resulting loss of life that has hit the news headlines around the world over recent decades.
Many of dangers occur in gaseous form and are sometimes difficult to detect, leading to catastrophic consequences. Let’s consider a few examples:
Hydrogen is one of the most explosive gases used in industry. Hydrogen gas forms combustible or explosive mixtures with atmospheric oxygen with concentrations as low as 4%. the danger lies in the fact that the gas is both colourless and odourless, therefore making detection very difficult until it’s too late. Although hydrogen is much lighter than air and therefore doesn’t often accumulate at ground level, it can collect in roof cavities and elevated positions and often go unnoticed. suddenly, a welder’s torch or electrical switchgear causes the mixture to explode with disastrous consequences including loss of life.
Another odourless and colourless gas is carbon dioxide. unlike hydrogen, carbon dioxide is much heavier than air and therefore accumulates at ground level making it extremely dangerous. this time the hazard lies in the fact that the gas causes asphyxiation rather than being explosive. Carbon dioxide is very widely used in industry, especially the food and drink sector which uses around 70% of all the gas produced.
A further commonly used gas used across industry is ammonia. 80% of ammonia is used in fertilizer production, although another major use is in the production of refrigerant gas. Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in air causes immediate burning of the nose, throat, and respiratory tract. this can cause bronchiolar and alveolar oedema, and airway destruction resulting in respiratory distress or failure. In the case of ammonia gas, even inhalation of lower concentrations can cause coughing, and nose and throat irritation.
Images captured by the 12-megapixel camera are displayed on a new high definition five inch 1280 x 720 screen which is brighter and sharper than its predecessor. The 8x zoom feature also allows more distant problem areas to be brought into focus.
When major gas leaks occur on chemical plants the news usually hits the headlines. But as can be seen from the above, leaks are often small discrete occurrences that can go unnoticed for months. Clearly, there is a cost implication associated with such leaks, these gases are often purchased raw materials, stored in pressurised large tanks or bottles outside and transferred to the production area via a network of overhead pipes. these lines usually contain connectors such as elbow and reduction joints along with fluid and condenser drains, increasing the potential for small leaks. Any unnoticed gas leaking for a prolonged period of time is going to have a direct impact on the company’s bottom line.
But clearly, when it comes to any dangerous gas, the major issue of such leaks is the potential danger to health of employees and other personnel. the hazards associated with the 3 gas examples quoted above are well documented, but the vast majority of gases used throughout industry carry serious health and safety implications.
taking the appropriate remedial action to deal with small leaks is often straightforward. the biggest problem is detecting the leaks in the first place. With air and gas lines often situated in elevated positions, ensuring they are not causing obstructions in the working area, small leaks often go undetected.
In 2021 FLIR teledyne, a world leader in thermal and acoustic handheld cameras, launched the highly successful FLIR si124 acoustic imaging camera. the nomenclature conveys the fact that the camera contains 124 highly sensitive microphones capable of detecting and accurately locating the slightest sound from a leaking system. Building on the success of this camera FLIR are pleased to announce the launch of the new si2-LD acoustic imaging camera. this second-generation camera has improved microphones now capable of detecting sounds over an extremely wide frequency range, namely 2 – 130 kHz. But it’s not just
the frequency range that is improved with the new FLIR si-2 LD camera. the detection range is equally impressive. At 10 metres the acoustic camera can detect gas leaks as small as 0.05 litres per minute. At a distance of 2.5 metres the camera is capable of detecting minute leaks down to 0.0032 litres per minute. Difficult to reach areas of a production plant are often dark or dimply lit. For this reason, the FLIR si2 comes complete with two extremely powerful LED lights that illuminate the area, allowing specific gas lines to be identified and analysed.
software built into the camera allows users to calculate the financial impact of leaking gas. termed Industrial gas Quantification, the incorporated software calculates the volume of gas over a given time and then using input data and algorithms determines the financial losses for a wide range of gaseous systems including the 3 mentioned above as well as helium, argon, natural gas, methane and compressed air.
suddenly the difficult task of gas leak detection has got a lot easier with the FLIR si2-LD acoustic imaging camera, ensuring health and safety stays top of the agenda on your plant.
to find out more about the FLIR si2-LD and other FLIR products
The latest study indicates that the industrial network market continues to expand, with an anticipated 7% growth in 2024.
Notably, Industrial Ethernet remains the dominant player, representing a substantial 71% of all newly installed nodes (compared to 68% last year). Meanwhile, fieldbuses have declined to 22% (from 24%), and wireless technologies have seen a slight dip from 8% to 7%. Among the top contenders, PROFINEt account for 23% of newly installed nodes, followed closely by EtherNet/IP at 21%, and EtherCAt now stands at 16%.
Each year, HMs Networks presents their analysis of the industrial network market, focusing on newly installed nodes within factory automation globally. As an independent supplier of solutions within Industrial IC t (Information and Communication technology), HMs has substantial insight into the industrial network market. the 2024 study includes estimated market shares and growth rates for fieldbuses, industrial Ethernet, and wireless technologies.
In the 2024 study, HMs concludes that the industrial network market continues to grow, with total market growth in 2024 expected to be +7%, confirming the continued importance of network connectivity in factories.
Industrial Ethernet Shows Steady Growth growing by 12%, Industrial Ethernet accelerates its growth and continues to capture market share. Industrial Ethernet now accounts for 71% of the global market for newly installed nodes in factory automation (compared to 68% last year). PROFINEt is the largest protocol, with a market share of 23%, surpassing EtherNet/IP, which accounts for 21% of new nodes. the popularity of EtherCAt remains strong and is now securely in third place with a 16% market share.
Fieldbuses Experience Expected Decline traditional serial fieldbus installations continue to lose momentum. While fieldbus installations still constitute a significant portion of new nodes added, annual growth is expected to drop by -2% in 2024. PROFIBus leads the fieldbus rankings with a 7% market share, followed by an even distribution among other well-known fieldbus protocols.
together, fieldbuses account for 22% of the market in 2024. Despite the decline in new fieldbus nodes, many devices, machines, and factories will continue to rely on these wellfunctioning and proven fieldbuses for years to come.
Wireless technologies have seen steady growth in recent years, although the pace of growth is now reported to have slightly decreased. Wireless solutions still comprise a robust 7% of the total share by type. the market continues to introduce more products with support for industrial wireless, and acceptance of wireless solutions in factory settings is on the rise. typical use cases include cable replacement applications, wireless machine access, and connectivity to mobile industrial equipment.
Industrial networking is key for productivity and sustainability in manufacturing
“Connectivity is now standard in factory automation, with Industrial Ethernet leading the way. However, as we look ahead, we anticipate a dynamic landscape with emerging trends and technologies. While Industrial Ethernet currently dominates, we’ll witness exciting changes and innovations that will shape the future of industrial networking.” – Magnus Jansson, Product Marketing Director at HMs Networks, Business unit Anybus.
Scope
the study includes HMs’ estimation for 2024 based on number of new installed nodes within Factory Automation. A node is defined as a machine or device connected to an industrial field network. the presented figures represent HM s ’ consolidated view, considering insights from colleagues in the industry, our own sales statistics and overall perception of the market.
www.hms-networks.com
This production hall contains Mitsubishi Electric’s EDMs: MV2400R, FA20, FA20P and FA20PS are on the right of the picture, with the ultrahigh precision MP2400 and EA12V on the far left. Kato Seisakusho is a longstanding Mitsubishi Electric partner and uses the company’s processing machines as well as other products.
Kato Seisakusho Co., Ltd. uses Mitsubishi Electric’s MP2400 ultrahigh precision wire-cut electrical discharge machine (EDM) to manufacture press dies for automotive components that need to meet the strict requirements of the industry.
Key Points
1. Mitsubishi Electric’s MP2400 was used for a collaborative industry-government-academia R&D project that required a high level of precision in processing.
2. the finishing process can be done on the same machine, eliminating the need for a separate unit.
3. Mitsubishi Electric’s 20-year guarantee and service support mean its products can be used with confidence.
the company, which has its headquarters in Kani, gifu in Japan, originally introduced the unit to support a
collaborative R&D project, but it is now meeting the precision requirements of metal molds for automotive parts.
Founded in 1947, as a manufacturer of toy cars, Kato seisakusho Co., Ltd. later expanded to produce components for clocks, kerosene stoves, gas appliances and water heaters. Delivering components to many businesses in different industry sectors, the company gained expertise in advanced technologies, including press working and mold manufacturing. It is now mainly engaged in metal pressing processes for automotive components, such as parts for fuel pipes, airbags and engines.
At its facility, the company uses Mitsubishi Electric machines, namely the MV2400R, FA20P s , FA20P and FA20 wirecut EDMs and the EA12V die-sinking EDM. In 2016, Kato s eisakusho introduced the MP2400 wire-cut EDM to produce press dies for automotive components, which require particularly high shape and pitch accuracy as well as exceptional precision in surface finishing.
Company President Chiyuki Kato says the MP2400 is proving valuable in the manufacture of components with strict specifications. “For example, we wanted to use press technology to make engine shafts, which were previously produced using cutting machines because of the precision
The standard MP2400 is a high-precision machine that has Mitsubishi Electric’s accuracy guarantee of ±2 microns. Systems featuring the additional ultrahigh precision specifications were designed to offer even higher standards. The optional ASC circuit produces a clean surface finish when processing cemented carbide workpieces.
requirements. to achieve this change, we needed a solution capable of high-precision processing of the press dies. the introduction of the MP2400 has made this possible,” says President Kato.
Customized design to deliver higher precision
Kato seisakusho invested in an MP2400 featuring ultrahigh precision specifications that enable it to address even more demanding applications than the standard model. the machine is capable of going beyond Mitsubishi Electric’s accuracy guarantee of ±2 microns for stock MP2400 devices, and even is able to achieve circular accuracy within 1 micron using an optical drive system (ODs). Initially, this next-level machine was introduced as part of an R&D collaboration involving industry, government, and academia.
Ahead of the R&D project, the company conducted a comparative analysis of various processing machines, including evaluating samples that they produced. In addition to the extreme accuracy and precision that Mitsubishi Electric’s EDM offered, the team at Kato seisakusho was also impressed by the company’s drive to deliver a high-quality solution that would meet their specific requirements. As a result, the component manufacturer selected the MP2400, which saw the R&D project bring good results. technical Director Akiyoshi Haba, who oversaw the comparative study, says, “It’s fair to say it would have been impossible to realize the goals of the R&D project without the high pitch and circular accuracy achieved by Mitsubishi Electric’s ultrahigh precision machine.”
Dies for automotive components need to be manufactured with extremely high precision. “We aim for a strict processing accuracy of ±2 microns, and the MP2400 makes
this possible. We would not be able to achieve such good results with any other product on the market,” says Akiyoshi Haba. to process cemented carbide components, the optional AsC (aqua surface control) circuit is used as it minimizes the generation of cobalt, which could occur during wire-cut electrical discharge machining. the AsC helps produce a clean surface finish – another point that is highly rated by Kato seisakusho. Prior to the adoption of the MP2400, extra machining allowances would be required and a time-consuming finishing process needed to be performed by another machine. By offering a complete solution, Mitsubishi Electric’s ultrahigh precision machine has significantly improved processing times.
Akiyoshi Haba is impressed by the MP2400. “Personally, I have a lot of experience using Mitsubishi Electric’s machines and I find them easier to use than other companies’ processing solutions, both in terms of hardware and software. Even a new employee without a technical background can quickly learn to use this machine, which we really appreciate.”
the company also benefits from Mitsubishi Electric’s aftersales support, which includes service and maintenance. Its ultrahigh precision MP2400 and MV2400R come with a 10-year “support 10” maintenance contract, while its tenyear-old FA20Ps and FA20 are covered by the 20-year “Life support” contract. “We can use Mitsubishi Electric’s products with confidence, and the after-sales support is the best in the industry. I think this sense of reliability is a real strength of the Mitsubishi Electric brand,” says President Kato.
www.mitsubishielectric.com
Emergency pull-wire switches to go round bends.
Emergency pull-wire switches have become established as “extended emergency-stop” buttons, especially along conveyor belts: one pull on the wire, and the relevant part of the machine comes to a safe halt. As long as the conveyor is running in a straight line - as is usually the case - the wire can easily be tensioned within the maximum approved deflection over distances of up to 2 x 100 metres. For this task, the accessories range from steute includes both closed and open eye bolts.
But how can an emergency-stop function which complies with the standards and is easy to operate be realised along conveyors which go round bends, or in other extensive and non-linear hazardous areas? this question was brought to steute by a manufacturer of airport luggage conveyors. the developers in the steute business division Controltec came up with an equally simple and effective solution which has now been added to the steute range of emergency pull-wire switches: the Multiflex 4R pulley.
the head of this pulley, guiding the wire, can be rotated to any position. the Multiflex 4R thus provides a wire guide suited to conveyors which twist and turn in different directions. the important thing here: even when the pulley is deflected multiple times, the friction is minimal, helped by the mobile rollers in the cavity of the pulley. the system complies with a maximum deflection force of 200 N in conjunction with a maximum deflection of 400 mm, as
required by EN 60947-5-5. Pulling the “ripcord” to actuate the emergency-stop function is comfortable, wear and tear is minimal, and even longer pull wires can be deflected multiple times without requiring a high actuation force.
An M8 thread in the foot of the pulley facilitates simple and universal mounting of the Multiflex 4R. Alternatively, it can be fixed to conventional profile systems, e.g. conveyor systems for transporting packages and luggage, using a slot nut.
t here has also been interest from many other areas of industry using conveyor technology – for example tunnelling. Here conveyor systems transport the stripped material out of the tunnel. An emergency-stop function is guaranteed by robust emergency-stop pull-wire switches. sometimes the conveyors have to go round bends inside the tunnels, and then the Multiflex 4R is the perfect solution – additional support for the “extended emergency stop” in combination with an emergency-stop pull-wire switch from the steute Extreme range.
https://www.steute.com/
Delta today unveiled its latest innovation—a new series of Industrial Panel PCs designed to boost efficiency and reliability in critical operations across various industries.
Available in 12-inch, 15-inch, and 19-inch models, these PPCs offer multi-point capacitive touch screens, robust processor options, and a fanless design, setting a new standard for performance in industrial settings, suitable for various applications such as woodworking, food and beverage, and automotive.
Delta’s new Panel PCs are built to last in the most demanding conditions. With an aluminum case and an IP65-rated front panel, these devices offer unparalleled durability and longterm reliability. the inclusion of a 12~48V DC power supply ensures stable operation, critical for industries that cannot afford downtime.
understanding that no two industrial setups are alike, Delta has designed its Panel PCs with a variety of customizable options. Customers can choose from different screen sizes, processors ranging from Intel® Celeron J1900 to Intel® Core i5, and operating systems including Windows 10 Iot this flexibility allows system integrators and OEMs to seamlessly integrate these PCs into existing systems, ensuring that each setup is optimized for its specific needs.
to enhance user interaction and efficiency, Delta’s new PPCs feature advanced multi-point capacitive touch
screens. these high-sensitivity screens are designed to respond instantly to input, even in challenging industrial environments, making them ideal for applications requiring precise control and rapid response.
“In response to the growing demands of the Industrial Internet of things (IIot ) and smart factory initiatives, we are thrilled to launch our new series of Industrial Panel PCs,” said ufuk Ozer, Product specialist, Industrial Automation Business group, Delta Electronics EMEA region. “ these systems are not only powerful and versatile but also tailored to meet the advanced requirements of modern industrial environments, ensuring that our customers can leverage cutting-edge technology for superior operational efficiency.”
Delta invites industry professionals to discover how the new Industrial Panel PC series can transform their operations through enhanced touch sensitivity, customization, and unrivaled reliability.
For more details on the features and availability of these innovative products, please visit: https:// downloadcenter.deltaww.com/downloadCenterCounter. aspx?DID=18310&DocPath=1&hl=en-us
www.delta.com
Leading Innovations in Autonomous Mobile Robots with New Leadership and Expanded Operations.
AgILOX North America, a global leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for material handling automation, is excited to announce the opening of its new North American headquarters in Alpharetta, gA. the ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on June 12, 2024, marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion and dedication to meeting the needs of its customers. the new facility more than doubles the company’s space, reflecting its significant growth in North America and paving the way for future expansion.
“We are committed to being long-term partners for our customers in North America. this new facility enables us to deliver world-class service and help our clients explore and experience our technology in an environment that mirrors their own,” said Andreas Boedenauer, outgoing CEO of AgILOX North America, addressing the group of guests that celebrated the occasion together with AgILOX.
John Paxton, President of the North American Material Handling Industry Association (MHI), remarked, “ t he Material Handling Industry is changing quickly, as seen by the technology displayed at our MODEX and PROMAt tradeshows. Companies like MHI member Ag ILOX are leading the way in supporting their customers with their automation strategy. the size of the space in their new customer experience center is an exciting example of their commitment to demonstrating their capabilities.”
the new headquarters will serve as the North American Logistics, Maintenance, and Deployment Hub, housing engineering, warehousing, customer service, and deployment operations. A significant portion of the space is dedicated to the new Customer Experience Center, which offers hands-on demos, in-depth AMR training courses, and custom live demonstrations, aligning with AgILOX’s vision of providing the world’s easiest AMR solution.
At the event , Ag ILOX also announced that Andreas Boedenauer, who has been instrumental in establishing AgILOX’s North American operations since 2018, will be handing over the leadership reins to the newly appointed CEO, Ben gaegauf. Ben brings a wealth of experience in leading technology businesses and will spearhead AgILOX’s ambitious growth strategy in North America.
“It is an honor and a privilege to take over this position from Andreas,” said Ben gaegauf. “I want to thank him for the tremendous job he has done in building this excellent organization from the ground up, and I look forward to continuing on the path that he has paved for our business.” u nder Ben’s leadership, Ag ILOX aims to accelerate its expansion and continue its commitment to innovation in the field of autonomous mobile robots. the new headquarters will serve as a hub for AgILOX’s continued development and support of its growing North American customer base.
https://www.agilox.net/en/
The future of the lithium-ion battery sector is incredibly bright. Over the approximately three decades since the technology made the transition from labs to production lines it’s gone from strength to strength and now stands poised to become a key factor in a global transportation revolution. As demands grow, so does the pressure on manufacturers. How can they effectively scale-up and improve their operations to turn the challenges that they face into opportunities?.
Klaus Petersen, Director Automotive & Lithium Battery Industries, Factory Automation EMEA at Mitsubishi Electric, explores the factors holding battery manufacturers back and how they can be overcome.
Lithium-ion batteries require expensive raw materials and undergo a particularly complex production process with high scrappage rates. If manufacturers are going to be able to scale up their operations and help EVs take their place at the heart of the transport sector, they need every possible advantage they can find.
One approach that can help deliver this advantage is digitalisation — the implementation of digital technologies to harvest and process the vast quantities of data produced in modern manufacturing, delivering insights to realise tangible benefits to the production process.
Meeting rising demand
It is very hard to overstate just how dramatically the lithiumion battery sector is set to grow over the coming decade. Rising demand from the EV sector has already helped the global market expand from around us$40 billion in 2018 to more than us$60 billion in 2022, and this growth rate is only projected to accelerate. By the end of the decade, it’s predicted that the market will be worth more than a quarter of a trillion dollars1.
However, the sheer scale of this expansion presents several challenges. Not only is competition set to grow incredibly fiercely, but the raw materials used to create lithium-ion
batteries are set to become even more expensive as demand rises. Lithium, cobalt and nickel all need to be mined and processed before being used in manufacturing, and the IEA predicts that the total demand for the minerals required for EV production will increase 30-fold between 2020 and 20402.
If the manufacturing sector is going to meet the increasing demand for EVs, it’s vital that production is made as efficient as possible. However, one of the key challenges currently facing the battery sector is implementing effective quality control and tackling high wastage rates.
Despite being made from valuable materials, a typical plant can expect to see about 10% of finished products fall short of the minimum standards and end up as scrap3. In many cases, this rate can climb as high as 30%. this high level of scrappage is incredibly expensive, and is one of the reasons why the battery typically represents up to 60% of the total cost of an EV4.
this isn’t due to carelessness or irresponsible behaviour on behalf of manufacturers. Rather, it is because the manufacturing process itself makes it extremely hard to implement traditional quality control measures.
The challenges of lithium-ion battery manufacturing Lithium-ion battery manufacturing begins with the creation of ribbons (or foils) of metal —copper for the anode and aluminum for the cathode. the size of these ribbons can vary widely, depending on the design and specifications of the batteries being produced, but they are typically several hundred meters long – often stretching over a kilometre at larger manufacturing sites – and anywhere from a few centimeters to over a meter wide.
to turn them into batteries, the ribbons are coated in a thin film of active material slurries. the cathode typically uses materials such as lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, or other lithium metal oxides, while the anode is coated with graphite or silicon-based materials.
Regardless of the materials used, the thickness of these coatings has a major impact on the finished battery’s energy capacity and ion transport efficiency. thicker coatings can store more active material, potentially increasing the battery’s overall energy storage capacity. However, this benefit comes with a trade-off, as overly thick coatings may impede the movement of lithium ions between the electrodes, reducing the battery’s charging and discharging speeds.
this balance between thickness for increased energy storage and the need for efficient ion transport is critical, as it directly impacts the battery’s performance, especially in EV applications that demand rapid energy delivery. If a coating is too thick or too thin, large sections of a ribbon may not be suitable for use in a finished product.
though the ideal thickness will vary depending on a manufacturer’s exact requirements, cathode coatings are
typically in the range of 100 to 200 μm while anode coatings tend to be slightly thinner, usually around 70 to 120 μm. this is, coincidentally, roughly the range of thickness expected from a human hair5.
unsurprisingly, maintaining a consistent film this thin across an area measuring up to hundreds of square meters is incredibly challenging. Dozens of factors might impact the thickness of the finished product, ranging from the temperature of the film to the humidity inside the plant. Making sense of this complex, constantly changing data is almost impossible for conventional manufacturing setups. However, this is where the correct implementation of digital manufacturing technologies can help companies excel.
Modern manufacturing lines are equipped with a vast array of sensors, generating an enormous volume of data. When this data is analysed effectively, it can be used to make significant improvements in the manufacturing process.
One common application is predictive maintenance. For instance, by analysing data trends, it’s possible to predict when a machine will require targeted maintenance based on the drive drawing slightly more current than usual, or an increase in amplitude of oscillations. this allows operators to deal with the issue long before it starts causing actual problems, preventing unexpected downtime and enhancing efficiency.
Companies can use this same principle to improve the state of lithium-ion battery manufacturing, not just by introducing predictive maintenance, but by working out what factors correlate with cell quality. this can determine which parameters can be controlled to achieve high-quality cells, improving the value of functional batteries and reducing the amount of materials that have to be scrapped.
Mitsubishi Electric has already applied this knowledge to realworld lithium-ion battery production lines, with impressive results. the team focused on the issue of inconsistent film thickness and collected data from 127 different parameters to determine which might be related.
With the help of Mitsubishi Electric’s AI-driven MELsOFt MaiLab solution, they found that four were strongly correlated with variations in coating thickness — tension, coating pressure, over temperature, distance from coating opening.
Equipped with this valuable information, the team created a diagnostic rule to detect thickness. they then combined this with industrial automation technology, such as tension controllers, to carefully monitor and modify the parameters to ensure that as much of the ribbon would meet quality standards as possible.
Implementing the tools, technology and expertise required for a digital manufacturing line isn’t necessarily a complex procedure, nor is it a binary, everything or nothing change that needs to be introduced across an entire production
line in one go. However, it is a change that needs to be approached carefully. A successful implementation requires more than just buying the appropriate equipment. It must be addressed from two angles at the same time – technical and operational.
On the technical side, a manufacturer needs access to the right tools. this means ensuring that all machines and sensors have excellent connectivity and are linked to a highquality data hub using advanced industrial networking solutions. solutions like the CC-Link IE tsN network and MELIPC industrial computers can enable high-fidelity sampling, which is a must for working with materials as complex and changeable as lithium-ion batteries.
Beyond this, it’s important to invest in excellent visualization and correlation tools, such as those included in MaiLab and the ICONICs gENEsIs64 suite. these will allow experts to unlock the insights hidden in any data and enable AI-powered algorithms to churn through masses of information and uncover correlations no human would have ever spotted.
A digital twin tool such as Mitsubishi Electric’s MELsOFt gemini allows manufacturers to create a virtual replica of the process and trial any changes. However, it’s important not to get caught up in making a digital twin too complicated, especially during the early stages of a company’s digital journey. there’s very little point in trying to model an entire
factory when you’re only really interested in one piece of machinery.
On an operational level, digitalisation in lithium-ion battery manufacturing starts with laying a solid operational foundation, essential for harnessing the full potential of new technologies.
Rather than a sweeping overhaul, manufacturers should adopt a gradual approach, initiating pilot projects targeted at specific areas of their operations. these projects serve as a practical first step, helping teams become familiar with the new tools and processes in a manageable context, addressing any issues on a smaller scale, and demonstrating the tangible benefits of digitalisation.
Pilot projects with clear, measurable objectives offer a strategic way to showcase quick wins, securing buyin from stakeholders and paving the way for broader implementation. this methodical approach allows for the smooth integration of digital manufacturing technologies, reducing risks and enhancing the efficiency and quality of the manufacturing process. By starting small and scaling up based on successes, manufacturers can ensure a more effective transition to digital manufacturing, positioning themselves to meet the evolving demands of the battery market.
Turning challenges into opportunities the lithium-ion battery sector faces incredible opportunities, but also huge challenges. As the demand for EVs escalates, scaling up production requires not just strategic planning but also an embrace of technology and data to navigate these complexities efficiently.
Here, digitalisation offers a clear path forward. It enables realtime monitoring and analytics, improving decision-making and product quality while reducing waste. the transition towards digitalised manufacturing demands investment and a shift in mindset but promises tangible returns. As the lithium-ion battery industry evolves, embracing digitalisation is not merely an option for those aiming to lead in the sustainable energy transition, but a necessity.
While digitalisation is often obscured by a cloud of jargon and business-speak — ’Industry 4.0’, ’smart manufacturing’, ’Internet of things,’ etc. — the reality is simple. the heart of digitalisation lies in transforming the analogue into the digital, and then applying engineering knowledge and expertise to deliver improved and optimised processes. It doesn’t need to be any more complicated than that.
Discover more about “Improving lithium-ion battery production with targeted digitalisation strategies” on our website.
Please visit: https://emea.mitsubishielectric.com/fa/solutions/ industries/lithium-ion-battery
1. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1339880/globalbattery-market-size-by-technology/
2. https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical-mineralsin-clean-energy-transitions/mineral-requirements-forclean-energy-transitions
3. https://www.batterypoweronline.com/news/the-costbenefits-of-investing-in-solutions-to-reduce-batterywaste-and-scrappage-in-gigafactories/
4. https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2020
5. https://bionumbers.hms.harvard.edu/bionumber. aspx?id=106856&ver=2
The aplSwitch Field establishes seamless connectivity down to the field level.
Softing Industrial announces the presentation of its new “aplSwitch Field” at ACHEMA 2024. This stateof-the-art 16-Port Ethernet-Advanced Physical Layer (Ethernet-APL) Field Switch with optional PROFIBUS Process Automation (PA) proxy is designed for use in Zone 2 and establishes seamless connectivity down to the field level.
the “apl s witch Field” enables the transparent connection of “ two-Wire Intrinsically safe Ethernet” (2-WIsE) Ethernet-APL field devices to higher-level Industrial Ethernet networks, providing these devices with intrinsically safe power. Additionally, the “aplswitch Field PA” variant supports the connection of both Ethernet-APL field devices and PROFIBus PA devices, ensuring smooth integration into existing industrial systems.
Seamless Integration and Robust Design: Advanced Features and Compatibility of “aplSwitch Field” the “aplswitch Field” offers easy integration into leading Distributed Control systems (DCs) and Asset Management systems (AMs) with 16 Ethernet-APL spur “2-WIsE” ports, supporting PROFINE t with Media Redundancy Protocol (MRP) ring topology. It is compatible with major systems like Emerson, siemens, and ABB, ensuring stable networks through ingress/egress support. Extensive diagnostics are facilitated by integrated PROFINE t functions and a local display, enhancing commissioning and maintenance processes. the “aplswitch Field” is designed for installation
in Ex Zone 2, with connectivity for field devices in Ex Zone 0 and 1. It has a robust housing with protection class IP30.
Flexible power classes and migration options: “aplSwitch Field” and “aplSwitch Field PA” variants the “aplswitch Field” variant supports both Power Class A and Power Class B. this ensures that field devices with higher power requirements can also be operated without any problems. the PA variant – “aplswitch Field PA” – enables the migration of existing PA infrastructure to Ethernet-APL topology. Ethernet-APL and PROFIBus -PA devices can be used together on one switch thanks to an integrated PROFINEt proxy.
the official release date for aplswitch Field and aplswitch Field PA will be september 2024.
Information about s ofting Industrial at ACHEMA 2024: https://industrial.softing.com/achema.html
https://industrial.softing.com/
FLIR SV88™ and SV89™ Vibration Monitoring Solution Kits help you monitor critical equipment by continuously analyzing vibrations, detecting faults, and alerting you to potential defects and future problems.
With its Multi-communication protocols, rugged, IP66 rating and wireless capability, the sV88 and sV89 Vibration Monitoring s olution Kits allow you to make critical data-driven decisions that alert you to potential issues and extend the life of your valuable equipment.
“FLIR now offers a vibration and temperature monitoring solution for our customers that easily integrates with their industrial platforms, allowing for the detailed insights they need to make informed decisions, improve predictive maintenance efforts and achieve optimal asset uptime and reliability.” – John gould, FLIR global Director of Business Development – Condition Monitoring.
FLIR developed the sV88 and sV89 Vibration Monitoring solution Kits with continuous condition monitoring and data control in mind. the wireless capability with the sV88 and sV89 Vibration Monitoring solution Kits allow for flexibility and deployment in various industrial environments, while also allowing users to more securely control and utilize their data, thanks to the kit ecosystem.
With an easy to use, web-based guI on the gateway, you can deploy your sensors and establish measurement frequencies as well as view trending data directly within the web interface. For advanced users who need to send vibration and temperature data to external systems, the kits provide connectivity through Modbus, MQtt and OPC uA protocols.
Learn more about FLIR’s vibration solution kits at: FLIR.com/sv88-kit and FLIR.com/sv89-kit
In the world of machining, every detail counts. Having reliable and accurate instruments in your production process is essential to ensure the quality of your finished products. In response to this need, Metrios measuring systems were born.
the Metrios range offers a wide choice of models and degrees of accuracy, making it the perfect measurement solution for all types of components: from automotive, aerospace and medical to semiconductors and microcomponents. With Metrios, it is possible to check dozens of dimensions in a matter of seconds with a single program, both single-piece and multi-pieces.
Metrios 332: everything you ever wanted in an optical shopfloor measuring machine the new Metrios 332 optical measuring machine was born from the need to meet the demand of all component manufacturers who do not want to give up the precision guaranteed by multi-sensor machines, but who at the same time seek the speed and simplicity that only modern measuring systems can offer.
Metrios 332 represents the perfect synthesis of all these features, combining ease of use, speed, completeness, and precision in a single compact and powerful solution built for operating on the shop floor.
All the details of the new Metrios model: advanced features for optimal performance.
• A 300x300 mm X-Y measuring range and a generous 200 mm part passage: a wide measuring range combined with high part passage enables the Metrios 332 system to measure a wide range of parts, offering unparalleled flexibility and versatility.
• Hold parts up-to 20 kg on the stage: a high load capacity on the stage allows even heavier parts to be placed on the working area.
• A wide-field sensor detects the parts on the stage and measures them at maximum speed: achieve fast and reliable results thanks to the new sensor that detects the parts on the stage and measures the required dimensions in a matter of seconds.
• A ultra-high magnification sensor for uncompromising accuracy: the new ultra-high magnification sensor can detect points in X-Y-Z even on the smallest details.
• A unique comprehensive lighting system: this shields from environmental light and ensures accurate and reliable measurement results even on the most difficult-to-detect surfaces.
Metrios 332 measurement system represents a breakthrough in the metrology industry, thanks to its ability to combine the simplicity and speed of automatic optical measurement, with the completeness and accuracy of multisensor machines directly in the production environment. It is, therefore, an indispensable tool for workshops and manufacturers who want to maintain high quality standards and be always competitive in the market.
Why choosing a Metrios measuring machine?
Metrios brand was born from the experience developed through well-established partnerships in the manufacturing sector, which over time have allowed us to identify alternative solutions to traditional mechanical measuring instruments to best meet the needs of each individual manufacturer.
Metrios optical measuring machines represent the evolution of manual measuring systems and guarantee the user an important reduction in costs and material waste.
Investing in an optical measuring machine enables all companies to optimize productivity and assures manufacturers the best profits from reduced waste.
Download the Metrios catalog to find out the technical data for each model
Contact us to receive more information about the new Metrios 332 model
The Ewon® remote solutions from HMS Networks have always prioritized security. Recently, the Ewon Cosy+, a solution for remote access, was assessed against IEC 62443-4-2 criteria by NVISO, a globally recognized cybersecurity expert, for cybersecurity. As the industry evolves, so do the standards of excellence, with IEC 62443 emerging as the benchmark for cybersecurity in industrial automation technology.
Understanding IEC 62443 standards
t he IEC 62443 standards provide a comprehensive framework for safeguarding industrial equipment against cyber threats, complementing the already established IsO 27001 framework, which focuses primarily on It security. the IEC 62443 standards outline the essential requirements for protecting industrial systems from security breaches. For machine builders, systems integrators, and plant operators, compliance with IEC 62443 is crucial for IIot security.
Cédric Bassem, senior Manager Application and Product security at NVIsO, “One of the strengths of IEC 62443 is that it provides a framework that IIot manufacturers can use to align their device’s security requirements with the cybersecurity ambitions of the factory owners.”.
How to implement IEC 62443 standards
Developing a secure automation solution begins with identifying risks through a detailed threat analysis for the involved systems and components. this leads to the creation of a robust security plan. the next step involves establishing appropriate processes and ensuring staff are trained in security protocols. security extends beyond technology to encompass well-defined processes and qualified personnel.
given the evolving nature of cyber threats, it is vital that protection systems adapt over time. Continuous monitoring, maintenance, and updates are essential to maintaining security.
Ewon Cosy+ has been assessed on the IEC 62443-4-2 criteria For Ewon remote solutions from HMs Networks, security is the cornerstone. the commitment to cybersecurity is demonstrated through compliance with certification standards such as IsO 27001.
to maintain the highest cybersecurity standards, HMs Networks has partnered with NVIsO, a leading independent organization specializing in industrial cybersecurity. Nviso strengthens the Ewon security measures by conducting regular testing, providing trainings and other recurrent security verifications.
Recently, with the support of NVIsO, the Ewon Cosy+ was evaluated against IEC 62443-4-2 standards. Based on the assessment results, Ewon® by HMs Networks is confident that its product will seamlessly integrate into customer environments and support their IEC 62443 implementation and roadmap.
The Importance of cybersecurity in IIoT sébastien thinnes, Ewon Product & Marketing Director, underscores the significance of cybersecurity and IEC 62443 for customers: “ the security of our IIot solutions is paramount. By implementing IEC 62443 standards, we ensure that our products provide robust protection against emerging threats, safeguarding our customers’ industrial operations.”
www.hms-networks.com
Itoh Denki, the leading international specialist in motorised drive roller (MDR) based material handling technologies, has announced the launch of a highly innovative new diverting and sorting module designed specifically for heavier individual loads.
Itoh Denki, the leading international specialist in motorised drive roller (MDR) based material handling technologies, has announced the launch of a highly innovative new diverting and sorting module designed specifically for heavier individual loads.
Capable of handling individual items weighing up to 250kg, the M-RAt uses the same acclaimed 24V DC powered technologies which drive its other sector-leading products such as the F-RAt, the company’s 90° diverter and sorter unit for accurately diverting smaller loads.
It has been developed in specific response to requests from customers across the world seeking systems capable of dealing with larger and heavier products notably as manufacturing requirements continue to evolve, and concerns around operator and product safety remain at the forefront.
the M-RAt was showcased at LogiMAt in germany during the spring and attracted a wealth of interest from companies seeking to optimise safety and efficiency around the handling of larger products in their facilities.
Customers and system designers have often previously had to resort to the use of pneumatically powered systems to handle more bulky items, bringing greater challenges in areas such as commissioning, maintenance and safety.
Another advantage of MRAt is its ability to operate at temperatures up to -30°C, making it a solution of choice for carton and products routing in frozen storage intralogistics operations.
tatsuya Akashi, President of Itoh Denki Europe, explained: “Across a variety of materials handling functions in manufacturing and logistics, companies are facing the need to quickly, effectively and safely move heavier items between individual processes and at the end of the line ready for dispatch.”
“ this is especially the case in the automotive sector, for example, where heavy parts have to be transferred around a manufacturing facility.”
“Our ongoing focus on research & development in the sector has driven the development of M-RAt which runs from standard 24V DC power – negating the need for pneumatic systems – and offers far greater options for both specifiers and designers.”
the MRAt is now available to the EMEA customers. www.itoh-denki.com
The Powertite screw is a round thread-forming screw with a polygonal tapping tip and a trilobular tapping zone. The round load cross-section has a defined overlap.
When joining lightweight metals, the focus is on the installation space available and on optimising performance and cost, as well as on the reliability of the fastening. And in light of that, an important point is the optimisation of the fastening’s load capacity.
Arnold umformtechnik gmbH & Co. Kg developed the Powertite fastener to cope with such situations − a round self-tapping screw with a trilobular tapping zone. In other words where the forming work is taking place, the screw has a slightly triangular cross section (with rounded edges) to reduce the tapping torque. At a length of 3 x p (p=pitch) the tapping zone is optimised, allowing the forming work during the tapping process to be distributed over several thread flights, and ensuring that the screw is optimally set and centred.
the round load cross-section has a defined overlap; the external diameter of the screw is always greater than the nominal dimension. this enables a greater overlap on the thread flanks of the screw and of the tapped nut thread. By combining this trilobular shape in the tapping zone, and the round cross-section in the bearing zone, we achieve a significant improvement in thread-tapping screw fastenings, because, on one hand, the tapping torques are low, and on the other, the overturn torques and load-bearing capacity of the tapped nut thread are greatly increased.
It is possible to create a computerised preliminary design for a specific application using the Fast Designer Metals tool. Here, Arnold u mformtechnik always makes a recommendation for a suitable core hole layout .
Huge savings potential possible there are many examples of ways in which thread tapping Powertite can be used. they are applications, for example, where there is a need to implement maximum clamping forces with over-elastic assembly. And the Powertite is also
When fastening lightweight metals the focus is on the installation space available and on optimising performance and cost.
suitable for component assemblies where the screw-in depth is low, yet high hole tolerances are necessary. And in many cases, it is possible to reduce weight by reducing the length of the screw and optimising the weight of the screw heads.
With the thread tapping Powertite the load capacity of the tapped nut thread was raised by over 20 per cent compared with standard trilobular screws. that brings with it a host of technical benefits: standards-compliant tapping torques, over-elastic assembly, including into conical cast core holes in gD-Al, pre-clamp load level similar to metric screw fastenings and the possibility of greater core hole tolerances to optimise the casting process in lightweight metals. Added to this is Powertite’s excellent assembly reliability and the fact that it can be used in steel, as well as aluminium and other lightweight metals. Moreover, it is possible to carry out repeat fastenings, and when service is required, the fasteners can be replaced by metric screws. Applications for Powertite focus on the electromobility sector. this is particularly true for lightweight metal screw fastenings, but also when combined with cast components. the product, which has already been patented, will be launched on the market in October.
Potential customers will have their accustomed access to the complex knowledge of the product acquired by the fastenings manufacturer, based in Forchtenberg, and also to its comprehensive understanding of the product’s
performance in the various applications and sectors. All that is enhanced by the relevant calculation tool and wide-ranging experience and expertise in manufacturing. together with development partners in the tool-making sector, Arnold umformtechnik has developed a completely new production process, especially for Powertite.
https://www.arnold-fastening.com/en/
FRIWO is expanding its existing product portfolio in the field of electromobility with the stateof-the-art MC1.5-55A-48V motor control unit, which has been specially developed to meet the requirements of the Asian growth markets.
Key points
• FRIWO expands its e-mobility product portfolio with the MC1.5-55A-48V motor control unit
• Innovative FRIWO Enable tool software package for efficient motor and power control
• s pecially developed for the Asian market for 2- and 3-wheel vehicles, the MC1.5-55A-48V is characterized by its durability and temperature resistance
• the MC1.5-55A-48V has a comprehens ive and universal specification, making it suitable for various applications
With a continuous power output of 1.5 kW, the MC1.5-55A-48V targets the specific user needs for 2- and 3-wheel vehicles, particularly in India, Vietnam, and Indonesia, as well as generally in southeast Asia, where FRIWO is already actively preparing for market entry. It ensures high robustness for use under adverse conditions and at high ambient temperatures, thanks to its IP65 protection rating. this makes it the ideal choice for demanding environments.
the flexibility and specially developed firmware of the MC1.5-55A-48V also make it extremely attractive for other target markets. the extensive range of interfaces enables seamless integration into various end applications. this is proven by various technical performance indicators.
the MC1.5-55A-48V operates with a supply voltage of 3072 V, making it flexible for a wide range of applications. With a motor current of 100 A RMs, it is capable of handling demanding tasks such as hill starts without any problems. In particular, the MC1.5-55A-48V is designed for use with permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMsM), making it the ideal choice for electric scooters, motorcycles and other electric vehicles.
thanks to the integration of two analog inputs, the MC1.555A-48V enables the seamless integration of sensors such as accelerator handles or brakes. At the same time, it offers comprehensive control and configuration options with a total of nine digital inputs. Communication is facilitated via the CAN protocol, ensuring smooth integration into existing systems and networks.
Innovative software package for efficient engine and power control
FRIWO also offers a newly developed software package, the FRIWO Enable tool, which can now be purchased at the same time as the motor control unit.
the FRIWO Enable tool is a measurement and calibration software for parameterizing motor controllers and battery management systems. It offers a comprehensive range of functions aimed at enabling the control and optimization of motors. With this application, users can easily update the firmware of their control units to keep them up with the latest developments Additionally, it enables the parameter memory to be read out quickly to ensure rapid integration and commissioning.
Another feature of the Enable tool is the ability to adjust a wide range of parameters per control unit, allowing the subjective driving experience to be tailored to the customer’s wishes and requirements.
By creating securely signed data sets for production and after-sales applications, the Enable tool ensures compliance with the highest standards of security and integrity. the management of different user roles such as developer, production, and service enables efficient control of vehicle projects even in larger organization with a network of partners.
www.friwo.com
In 2019, COVAL launched its first CVGC carbon vacuum gripper, designed for collaborative robots, when the market was just beginning to exist. Today, in a market that is constantly expanding, COVAL is launching a second generation, optimizing its modularity and compatibility while simultaneously enhancing its performance.
More than a simple update, COVAL have redesigned their CV g C carbon vacuum gripper based on feedback from customers, from integrators, manufacturers and operators. this new generation also takes into account current and future trends in the collaborative robot market: greater application diversity, growth in the number of manufacturers, increased co-presence with operators, handling of heavier loads.
In response to all these changes, COVAL has developed a CV g C which, thanks to its multiple configuration possibilities, is highly versatile. Each customer can configure “their” carbon vacuum gripper to suit their precise needs. It is available in 3 sizes (240x120 mm, 320x160 mm, 350x250 mm), 2 types of gripping interface (foam or suction pad) and with or without an integrated vacuum generator. the CV g C is available with a choice of 3 attachment interfaces and 6 connecting cables. this makes it perfectly compatible with all major brands of cobots.
Power
the CVgC Carbon vacuum gripper is now equipped with a multi-stage pump, synonymous with increased power. this equipment, combined with the lightness of the casing, made from a carbon structure 2.5 times lighter than steel, while offering 6 times greater strength, means it can carry heavier loads.
In this way, it meets an increasingly widespread demand from manufacturers, and contributes to the CV g C’s versatility.
Safety
As the CVgC is designed to collaborate with operators while performing separate, simultaneous or alternating tasks, the vacuum gripper is equipped with a safeguard around the edges made of flexible, resistant material to protect the operator in case any contact with it occurs.
Robustness
the various functions of the CVgC vacuum gripper (display, vacuum generator, vaccuostat, silencer, connectors, etc.) are housed in a casing that protects them from impact and damage.
With its ultra-light vacuum gripper, COVAL can transform any collaborative robot into a tool for increasing productivity and workplace health in a wide range of industries: food processing, packaging, plastics processing, etc.
On request, our design team is also available to develop customized vacuum grippers.
t he CV g C constitutes a tool available to all manufacturers, integrators and users of cobots for palletising, gripping boxes or plastic parts etc.
Qualities that make the difference
Versatility
• Compatible with most cobots for all applications.
Compactness and lightness
• Less weight and greater lifting capacity.
Safety
• Cobots/humans share workspace in safety and serenity
Robustness
• secured productivity https://www.coval-international.com/
A modern and multimedia space, dedicated to hands-on learning of all secrets for maintaining and repairing – even remotely – industrial engines, as well as e-axles and batteries. This is the new Engine Teardown Area inaugurated by FPT Industrial within the engines plant at Via Puglia, Turin.
the new 30,000 sq ft Customer service area comprises a training center for theoretical and practical diagnostics, for both classroom-based and remote courses; a state-of-the-art diagnostics lab; and the teardown area itself, where engines and other components returning from the field are analyzed with the aid of a dedicated digital platform.
six of the most important engines in FPt Industrial’s history are also on display in this zone, along with a series of panels summarizing over 100 years of the Brand’s evolution.
FPt Industrial has chosen to use this new area not only as a training center specialized in diagnostics and repair, but also as a space which can provide a direct experience for customers, distributors and students, who will thus have the opportunity to see what it actually means to tear down, repair and reassemble high-tech products.
Among the activities on offer are quality control for the new XC13, FPt Industrial’s first single-base multi-fuel engine; the assembly of one of the products manufactured in the nearby ePowertrain Plant, the “home” of FPt Industrial’s e-axles and batteries; and finally, the remote repair of a vehicle powered by the brand.
the Engine teardown Area is a global project which involves not only the turin plant, but also those in sete Lagoas (Brazil), York (usA) and Pune (India). the scope of this project is, in
fact, of great importance with over 300 technicians enrolled for Advanced technical training, more than 4,900 Advanced training Modules delivered either face to face or online, over 28 Countries involved from Europe to Middle East and Africa and 5 levels of training to ensure smooth and effective onboarding.
“We created this area to bring together theory and practice, seamlessly and in a single location, for our training and development activities,” said Leonardo Zecchini, Head of Customer & Product support and Digital at FPt Industrial, “creating a life-long-learning and continuous improvement pathway which must act as a quality multiplier for our Customer service”.
www.fptindustrial.com