Industry USA | 33 - May 2022

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INDUSTRY INDUSTRIAL MARKET MAGAZINE

USA

MARKET LAUNCH UEYE XCP: SMALLEST INDUSTRIAL CAMERA WITH HOUSING AND C-MOUNT

6 NORD DRIVESYSTEMS EXPANDS POWER RANGE WITH NEW FRAME SIZES OF NORDAC PRO VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVES

51 CARMAKERS URGED TO CONSIDER HARDWARE RELIABILITY TO AVOID ADAS-RELATED RECALLS

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FORZA INTEGRATED PRODUCTION SERVICES ACHIEVE PRACTICAL YIELDS FOR BACK SIDE ILLUMINATION SENSORS

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INDUSTRIAL MARKET MAGAZINE

CYNALYTICA

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IDS IMAGING DEVELOPMENT SYSTEMS

EMERSON INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION

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IDS IMAGING DEVELOPMENT SYSTEMS

8 FISCHER CONNECTORS

FUZZY LOGIC ROBOTICS

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14 SOFTING AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS

18

ORBEX

LEUZE

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10 COVAL

16 WACHENDORFF

LAPP

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21

THE OPC FOUNDATION

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC

SOFTING INDUSTRIAL

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INNODISK

ROBOTUNITS

26

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ADVERTISERS: NEUGART 5 • MEPAX 36

www.magazine-industry-usa.com

FISCHER CONNECTORS

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NORD

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ESI AUTOMOTIVE

ESI AUTOMOTIVE

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TELEDYNE GAS & FLAME DETECTION

38 IDS IMAGING DEVELOPMENT SYSTEMS

SECO TOOLS

EXXELIA

40

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VISION RESEARCH

ROLLON

46

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42 PORTESCAP

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ROHDE & SCHWARZ

ESI AUTOMOTIVE

48

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NORD

KENNAMETAL

FAULHABER

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52

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INNODISK NORD ACS MOTION CONTROL MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC FORZA SILICON

58 59 60 61 62

DABURN ELECTRONICS RED LION RINGFEDER IKO NORD

63 64 65 66 67

AUTOMATION24 SOFTING INDUSTRIAL KENNAMETAL

68 69 70

Send your press releases to: editor@ipmediaonline.com To receive the Industry USA newsletter, please subscribe online: www.magazine-industry-usa.com Industry USA is the US-language magazine for engineers, published by INDUPORTALS MEDIA PUBLISHING. It contains the latest product and company news for industrial markets. Industry USA edits its articles with the greatest of care, however we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information presented in them. Our teams disclaim all responsibility concerning the content of this media or how it might be used. https://induportals-media-publishing.com

INDUPORTALS

MEDIA PUBLISHING

CYBER SECURIT Y

CYNALYTICA DELIVERS FIRST DEPLOYMENT OF SERIALGUARD® CYBERSECURITY SOLUTION FOR GAS PIPELINE OPERATIONS

Cynalytica, Inc. announces the delivery of the first SerialGuard® cybersecurity solution to a United States– based S&P 500 gas pipeline operator.

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esigned for Industrial Control Systems (ICS), SerialGuard is a fully passive serial packet sniffer that enables secure visibility within vulnerable legacy networks. This fail-safe sensor monitors Level 0 and Level 1 serial communications between field devices and controllers. Combined with the Cynalytica AnalytICS Engine Platform, it can also reveal and help alert traffic anomalies that are indicative of a cyberattack, physical attack or system misconfiguration.

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Legacy serial communications make up 30 to 60 percent of all U.S. critical infrastructure. These typically insecure and unmonitored assets have been historically overlooked, with most ICS security providers only monitoring TCP/IP and Ethernet communications, leaving gas pipeline and other utility operators with a large monitoring blindspot.

“As geo-political cyberthreats to U.S. critical infrastructure escalate and we see the launch of the DHS/CISA Shields Up advisory, we’re happy to see that many commercial infrastructure operators are becoming more aware of the need to protect their legacy infrastructure — something SerialGuard allows them to do safely and securely,” says Richard Robinson, CEO of Cynalytica, Inc. 33 | Industry USA | May 2022

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Cynalytica has been providing cybersecurity solutions to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for many years. Its SerialGuard sensor enables pipeline operators to meet monitoring and baselining requirements under the DHS directive, “Security Directive Pipeline-2021-02: Pipeline Cybersecurity Mitigation Actions, Contingency Planning and Testing.”

SerialGuard follows closely behind other cybersecurity regulations, including the Pipeline Owner Operator Security Directive, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), which is working to strengthen critical infrastructure protection reliability standards by requiring internal network security monitoring. https://cynalytica.com/

FIND OUT MORE NOW AT:

WWW.NEUGART.COM/EN-US

POWERFUL SOLUTIONS FOR RACK AND PINION DRIVES. Planetary gearboxes with mounted pinion

A gearbox/pinion combination developed from a single source is the guarantee of ideal technical coordination for your rack and pinion drive.

Planetary gearboxes with a mounted pinion are available in many different combinations. The pinions, which are manufactured in-house, will fulfill your requirements with regard to dynamics, feed force and positioning accuracy with their precision gearing. This is how we ensure that the ideal solution is available for different applications.

CONTACT: Neugart USA Corp. | 14325 South Lakes Drive | Charlotte, NC28273 | USA | Phone: +1 980 299-9800 | Email: sales@neugartusa.com | www.neugart.com/en-us

VISION SYSTEM

MONTH’S PRODUCT

MARKET LAUNCH UEYE XCP: SMALLEST INDUSTRIAL CAMERA WITH HOUSING AND C-MOUNT

The new XCP camera family of the uEye+ product series from IDS Imaging Development Systems not only combines industrial quality and a favorable system price, but also fills a gap in the market as the smallest camera with housing and C-mount. The models measure only 29 x 29 x 17 mm and have a completely closed zinc die-cast housing with a screwable USB Micro-B connector. Thanks to cost-optimized electronics and compatibility with common lenses, they are perfect for price-sensitive applications.

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ith the market launch of the camera family, IDS shows that cost-effective industrial cameras with C-mount can also be offered in the industry’s smallest standard format. They are aimed at customers who value budget-friendly, extremely compact and lightweight camera models in industrial quality over extraordinary camera features. They are used, for example, for analysis tasks in the laboratory, as eyes in autonomously navigating vehicles in production or for visual support of robots in the field of automation.

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Initially, the industrial cameras will go into series production with the 2.3 MP global shutter sensor AR0234 and the 5 MP rolling shutter sensor AR0521 from ON Semiconductor.

Other sensors will follow. Thanks to USB3 and Vision Standard compatibility (U3V / GenICam), the cameras can be easily integrated into any image processing system. In principle, they can be used with any suitable software, but they are particularly easy to use with the modern software development kit IDS peak.

Learn more: https://en.ids-imaging.com/store/products/ cameras/ids-interface-group/usb-3/ids-family/xcp.html

F LU I D CO N T R O L

EMERSON INTRODUCES NEW MINIATURE ROCKER ISOLATION VALVE FOR CLINICAL LABORATORY INSTRUMENTS

ASCO Series 062 Rocker Isolation Valve 16mm interchangeable design enables optimized customization of compact fluid-handling manifolds, maximizing functionality and flexibility.

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merson today introduced the ASCO Series 062 Rocker Isolation Valve designed especially for today’s most demanding fluid control manifolds in the clinical laboratory such as hematology and immunoassay analyzers, sample preparation and pre-analytical, as well as DNA sequencing instruments. The valves designed with 16mm compact size allows for easy integration into complex fluidhandling manifolds, resulting in a reduction in footprint, weight and power. It also offers two-way and three-way functionality, which maximizes flexibility and versatility.

“The new ASCO series 062 valves offer reliable and precise fluid control in a wide variety of analytical instrumentation and medical device applications,” said Sven Richter, vice president of analytical and medical at Emerson’s Automation Solutions business. “We understand that our original-equipment manufacturer customers are under pressure to get products to market quickly, while improving production and cost efficiencies that allow them to succeed in competitive markets. That’s why we bring this new Series 062 product to our customers.”

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ASCO rocker isolation valves control neutral and highly aggressive liquids used in nearly any type of analytical instrumentation. The easy to flush special rocker mechanism, combined with a separating diaphragm, prevents heat transfer to expensive in-vitro diagnostic reagents and eliminates the potential for sticking and clogging of the valve seat. Hermetic separation of the control mechanism prevents particulate contamination caused by the friction of moving parts, ensuring maximum purity of liquid samples.

The Series 062 valves have a smaller internal volume, reducing contamination risk, maintenance requirements and potential reagent waste. The valve also offers padmount and barb-fitting mounting options making installation easier, as well as a long lifetime of 10 million cycles that increases instrument reliability.

https://www.emerson.com/en-us/catalog/automationsolutions/asco-062

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VISION SYSTEM

IDS NXT OCEAN: USE MULTIPLE NEURAL NETWORKS FOR MULTIPLE ROIS IN ONE IMAGE

Users of the all-in-one embedded vision system IDS NXT ocean now have a whole range of new features at their disposal. These include multi-ROI (“Region Of Interest”) for AI-based object detection and the possibility to use different neural networks for different ROIs in one image via Vision App. In addition, there are binning, line scan mode and performance and configuration improvements. New customers can also freely choose whether they want to use the IDS NXT lighthouse training software on AWS – as previously offered by IDS – or now also via Microsoft Azure Cloud.

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ith Microsoft Azure Cloud Services, IDS Imaging Development Systems now supports another hoster for the AI training software IDS NXT lighthouse in addition to AWS. The offer is aimed in particular at companies that are not allowed to work with AWS due to regulatory requirements. The scope of functions and services as well as the operation of the training software is the same with both hosters. Instead of setting up their own development environment, users can start training their own neural network right away in IDS NXT lighthouse – even without prior knowledge of Deep Learning or camera programming. This involves three essential steps: Upload sample images, label them and then start the fully automatic training. The resulting network is optimized for use with IDS NXT industrial cameras.

Free IDS NXT lighthouse trial month for all customers How easy and convenient is the tool in reality? Interested parties can now judge for themselves. The company allows all customers to activate a free trial month and extensively test IDS NXT lighthouse. No sales contact is required to activate the full trial license. All they have to do is register with their IDS user account at IDS NXT lighthouse (https:// ids-lighthouse.ai/login) and select the appropriate option during the process. The license key is automatically provided.

The current software release also heralds a new, regular cycle for function updates. In future, the company will release new features approximately every three to four months, which will further improve the IDS NXT system and give customers even more scope for designing their image processing applications. The next update, also free of charge, is scheduled for April. www.ids-nxt.com

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MECHANICS DRIVES

ORBEX GROUP INTRODUCES ULTRA-SMALL PANCAKE-STYLE GIMBAL MOTORS

Orbex Group has introduced a line of ultra-compact high-performance gimbal motors. Featuring a pancakestyle form factor, the motors are wound to operate at low speeds typical for gimbals while exhibiting a high torque constant for fast response when needed.

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he new gimbal motors are engineered to minimize cogging torque, ensuring smooth rotation for stable imaging or pointing. Because these brushless motors are electronically commutated, they can change speeds quickly and offer exceptional reliability. Orbex gimbal motors are also lightweight — an important characteristic for drones, UAVs and other airborne craft that need to maximize flight time.

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Orbex gimbal motors are available in two sizes: 16 millimeters (OD) by 10 millimeters (H) and 26 millimeters (OD) by 12 millimeters (H). In addition to these standard units, Orbex can engineer your motor according to your application’s needs, with special windings, connector configurations or mounting interfaces. The motors also allow users to easily integrate a magnetic encoder for feedback. www.orbexgroup.com

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S M A R T FA C TO R Y

MEASURING AND SWITCHING MULTI-TALENT

Figure 1: The new ODT 3C sensor from Leuze transmits both switching and measuring information to the machine control system via IO-Link – an efficient and economical 2-in-1 solution.

The innovative ODT 3C sensor from Leuze can handle both measuring and switching tasks. The new 2-in1 solution is thus suitable for a wide range of automated industrial applications.

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s there an object on the conveyor belt? If yes: What is its position or distance to the machine? These are typical issues that need to be addressed in a wide range of industrial applications and processes. In the past, system operators solved this problem through the use of multiple sensors.

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With the new ODT 3C from Leuze, only a single device is needed: The innovative sensor can transmit both switching and measuring information to the machine control, which makes it an efficient and economical 2-in-1 solution.

Flexible with a single sensor The ODT 3C transmits measurement values and extensive diagnostic data via IO-Link. The data includes temperature values, warnings, and signal quality. It features impressive black-and-white behavior (< ± 3 millimeter at 150 millimeter). The operating range can be easily adjusted via the teach button, line, or IO-Link. The new Leuze sensor also offers impressive functional reliability: Active ambient light suppression prevents faulty switching, even when exposed to direct light from LED hall lighting systems. LEDs that are easily visible from all sides allow you to quickly read the status of the ODT 3C. Two independent switching outputs and sensor models with warning output or a small light spot (pinpoint) round of the sensor’s functions. This enables plant operators to use the ODT 3C flexibly in a wide range of applications. https://www.leuze.com/en/US/

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Figure 2: The operating range of the ODT 3C can be set numerically via IO-Link, and also very accurately thanks to device calibration and nearly reflection-independent from a distance (remote).

Figure 3: Thanks to ambient light suppression, the ODT 3C sensor from Leuze is not affected by direct light from LED hall lighting. This prevents incorrect switching and increases the functional reliability of the sensor.

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Figure 4: Application example from the food industry: A machine is rolling off dough for baked goods. The ODT 3C sensor is pointing down onto the dough. It sends a distance value to the parent control. The goal is to regulate the dough within an optimal distance range of 100–120 mm. If the sensor detects a measurement value outside the target range, the conveyor belt motors adjust the speed of the conveyor accordingly. The measurement value is evaluated in the process data via IO-Link.

In addition, diagnostic data is transmitted to the controller via IO-Link for Industry 4.0 purposes.

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CO N N E C TO R S

FISCHER CONNECTORS’ SOLUTIONS SUPPORT THE TRANSMISSION OF SENSOR DATA FOR THE WIND-POWERED SP80 BOAT

During the development of its boat that is now close to its final design phase, the SP80 team has chosen Fischer Connectors for the data-transmission solutions interconnecting the various sensors that will equip the boat and its pilot to break the world sailing speed record. The technical challenge is to sail at a speed of 80 knots (148.16 km/h), powered only by the wind. This is 14.55 knots faster than the record of 65.45 knots (121.21 km/h) set in 2012.

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he carbon-fiber SP80 boat looks like a Formula 1 car combined with a fighter jet designed specially to glide on the water, featuring a super-ventilating triangular hydrofoil and towed by a huge kite wing. “Several projects are in the running to break the long-standing world sailing speed record,” says Mayeul van den Broek, CEO of the SP80 startup based in Renens near Lausanne, Switzerland, and created in 2019 by a team of engineers and students from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL). “This technological adventure is fascinating, as we’re confronted with extremely challenging physical laws.

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That’s why our international team of nearly 50 people, some of whom are now finalizing the innovative design of our boat which is being built in Persico Marine’s shipyard in Italy, is anxious to get the very best in terms of data-transmission performance and reliability. These technical requirements are crucial when it comes to interconnecting the various sensors with which our boat and its pilot will be equipped during the launch and the boat’s enhancement runs scheduled for the end of the year, and the record-breaking event scheduled for next year.”

The data collected by the multiple sensors and loggers monitoring the boat’s structure and the pilot’s performance will be transferred through the connectors, associated cables and electronic solutions of Fischer Connectors, the Swissheadquartered supplier of high-performance connectivity solutions that are world-renowned for their ruggedness and resistance to demanding operating conditions such as

marine and underwater, defense & security, medical and test & measurement.

“The technology partnership with Fischer Connectors is a logical step forward in our record-breaking ambition,” explains van den Broek. “The innovations we’re putting in place to enhance our boat’s aerodynamics above water and minimize the friction of its hull and foil under water need to be monitored during the boat’s development phase as well as during the speed run itself. To ensure the efficient transfer of these monitoring data, we need a solutions provider that has not only expertise in signal integrity and data transmission and management, but also a holistic approach to electronic systems in order to provide the end-to-end connectivity solutions required for our sensing system.”

The final design of the boat for the record will be revealed to the public in spring 2022. The launching of the boat will take place at the end of 2022, while the first tests are scheduled in the South of France for the spring or autumn of 2023 – the two periods of the year that offer the best weather conditions for sailing. https://fischerconnectors.com/en/

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During the design phase, sensors are used to improve and control the robustness of the high-performance materials (carbon, titan, stainless steel) of the boat’s structure.

Thanks to the design of the super-ventilated foil, stability is optimized and the impact of cavitation – a phenomenon in which water starts boiling around foils at extreme velocities, slowing the boat down – is avoided. During the speed run, data are collected from the various electronic modules and control sensors directly integrated into the boat, and from the monitoring sensor communications between the pilot and the technical crew on shore, including biometric data transferred through sensors worn on the pilot’s body such as vital and security parameters.

“The SP80 project is exciting and inspiring,” says Fischer Connectors’ CEO Jonathan Brossard, “as it combines innovation and performance to push the boundaries of physical laws thanks to unique solutions and daring concepts. One member of the SP80 R&D team is part of our own R&D center, making the exchange of expertise all the more efficient and easier. We look forward to discovering the technological breakthroughs on which the SP80 team is working, and which Fischer Connectors is proud to support.”

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R O B OT I C S

FUZZY LOGIC MAKES ROBOTICS AGILE AT MBDA

MBDA is a leading European manufacturer in the aerospace and armaments sector, specializing in the design of missiles and missile systems for the operational needs of the three branches of the military (army, navy and air force). MBDA France’s Bourges site specializes in the manufacture of tactical missile equipment utilising several key technologies: mechanical manufacturing (metal and composite materials) and electromechanical assembly.

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he company wanted to robotise certain processes in small series or even single unit production, by allowing an operator with no programming skills to teach the robotic system, in just a few seconds, the process to be carried out, and then to execute the cycle with complete confidence without human supervision. Fuzzy Logic’s Repplix™ application software module addresses all aspects of this requirement in a cost-effective manner. The first use case selected was the tedious, manual cleaning of the moulds used to manufacture composites.

Vincent RAFIN, Head of the Factory of the Future Project at MBDA explains: “At MBDA we look for agility when it comes to robotisation. We want to robotise tasks which cause muscolo-skeletal disorders in our operators, and which occur in certain cases in the production of very small series or even single parts, so we need to keep the non-recurring costs of programming as low as possible. Programming a robot to define the trajectories of a laser is not the right approach for small series production, it is time-consuming and costly and has to be done by a roboticist.”

MBDA France’s Bourges site produces numerous small series of composite parts that have to be moulded. Each mould is manually stripped clean before being used in production.

This operation is complex: the parts to be treated are diverse and numerous and in each series, the level of residue to be stripped off, and its location may vary. This method of operation is tedious, and it also requires protecting the operator from exposure to toxic substances.

For advice, MBDA turned to Meliad, a recognized expert in the aerospace industry for surface preparation and laser stripping, and to Staubli. The latter recommended Fuzzy Logic for its universal, visual programming solutions.

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Programming a laser stripper on the fly, with a nonroboticist operator Fuzzy Logic developed Repplix™, an extension of its Fuzzy Studio™ software, in cooperation with MBDA.

not directly linked to the robot. The operator manages the execution and planning of the movement himself using the software and the parametrized alerts.

The time needed to programme the mould cleaning operation is slashed from several hours to only a few minutes.

Productivity is increased by automating the cleaning operation and the risks for the operator are reduced. This makes robotising this operation profitable, both in terms of HSE and economics.

Ryan LOBER, CEO of Fuzzy Logic adds: “With Repplix™, the robot becomes a precision tool in the hands of the operator.

Our solution allows him to automate his task in complete autonomy, without any intervention from a specialist.

Another advantage is that Repplix™ is designed to start being used immediately, with no real training required.

Our solution allows the robotisation of processes where this has previously been impossible. What’s more, we have barely finished the initial application, and already, Repplix™ is being deployed by other users in Europe.”

A portable learning device, controlled by the operator using his knowledge of the application task, teaches the Repplix™ software the first laser alignment. A monitoring function, performed via a real-time digital twin of the robotic installation created in Fuzzy Studio™, takes into account collision monitoring and trajectory feasibility in the robot’s environment. Alert parameters are set up. Trajectory capture combines several process parameters such as laser triggering and power. The operator, who is not a roboticist, is also able to modify the trajectory and process parameters via the graphical interface, even after the learning phase.

Then, from this digital twin, the cycle is launched and the robot moves with the laser, guided by the accurate capture of the trajectory learned from the operator. The speed at which the robot operates is set directly in the software, it can differ from the speed in the learning phase. The cycle is performed autonomously by the robot, without the need for operator supervision. The same process, which takes only a few minutes, is done for each new series of moulds.

Jean-Michel DUCHAZEAUBENEIX, CEO of Meliad, details how Repplix™ opens up new perspectives for laser stripping applications: “we offer robotic laser stripping solutions, but this robotisation remains complicated because it has to be done by specialists. Programming a trajectory for a small series, as is the case at MBDA, generates prohibitively high non-recurring costs that directly kill the project. Repplix™ offers us the possibility of rapidly and easily deploying our laser solutions across a wide range of repair or maintenance applications which have been difficult to implement until now, whether they be the aeronautics industry or nuclear or defense.”

As Denis GARDIN, MBDA’s Director of Innovation and Future Technologies concludes,“This innovation is the achievement the vision of MBDA engineers and operators who, working in close collaboration with innovative SMEs, have succeeded in taking the first step towards implementing a robotic solution which breaks the cost barrier for a wide range of use cases thanks to programming by non-invasive capture of the operators’ know-how.”

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Repplix™ is a different software solution, uniquely suited to robotising industrial processes like these The solution developed in this way, is executed with millimetre precision, and is capable of extension to even more demanding applications in the future. The manual operation can be reproduced with ease because the learning device is the representation of the real tool and is

Nicolas GAUTIER, Robotics Technical Lead at MBDA, explains: this technological building block is duplicable, it will become available for this first use case in the first quarter of 2022. As well as this, MBDA are already working on extending it to cover new applications. For example, sandblasting, painting, welding or waterjet cutting. These applications all have complex trajectories that need to be programmed. With conventional tools, we would need highly qualified personnel and a great deal of time and so programming them would be very costly. Fuzzy Logic, with Repplix™ has now removed this barrier, which prevented the cost-effective automation of such applications.”

https://www.flr.io/

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HANDLING

COVAL COVERS ALL INDUSTRY NEEDS WITH ITS RANGE OF VACUUM GRIPPERS

Coval, the French leader in vacuum gripping, offers vacuum grippers for automated applications, from gripping single parts to complete layers. The range equally suited to equipping either cobots or robots, offering a catalogue of modular, standard products, designed to meet the customers’ needs.

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oval, with its complete range of vacuum grippers, can be applied at various points along the whole production line, from the manipulation of individual objects to palletizing a full layer of product at the end of the line. The range includes 3 complementary series, starting with the ultra-compact CVGC models, designed from carbon specifically for cobots. Further in the range is the CVGL series of compact and lightweight end effectors for robots. At the top end is the MVG modular series, which is fully configurable.

The CVGC, the carbon vacuum gripper for cobots The CVGC carbon vacuum gripper is not just an adaptation of an existing product, but a plug and play product designed 100% for the various cobot models, The lightness of the CVGC due to its carbon material (the smallest model weighs less than 1 kg) facilitates the optimum use of collaborative robots and preserves their lifting capacity. The vacuum generator, control cartridge, vacuum switch, and silencer are grouped together in a compact function block. The CVGCs are versatile, with a foam grip interface suitable for many materials and available in three sizes: 150 x 150 mm, 240 x 120 mm and 320 x 160 mm. In addition, Stéphane Garcia, Marketing and Communication Manager at Coval, points out: “the attachment Interfaces and connectivity are adapted to the particular cobot model in each case, which means that the CVGC fits on all types of cobots.”

CVGL, the lightweight vacuum gripper for robots The dimensions and weight of the CVGL vacuum grippers make them one of the lightest and most compact ranges on the market. By reducing the weight and size of its vacuum grippers, COVAL enables integrators and manufacturers to integrate them into low-power robot manipulators. This

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translates into savings in terms of investment and operating costs.

To match the application requirements perfectly, the CVGL range of vacuum grippers is available in 3 standard lengths (424, 624, and 824 mm) or a custom length, and a fixed width of 120 mm, with 3 gripping interface technologies (foam, suction cups, or the gel-like COVAL-flex), 3 suction powers, and an integrated or remote generator. They offer a vacuum handling solution suited to parts of various sizes, weights, and materials.

MVG Modular Vacuum Grippers: customization as standard The MVG modular vacuum gripper, which is mainly used for heavy payload robots and palletizers, offers the possibility of configuring a gripper that is perfectly adapted to each application, for loads of several hundred kg. To achieve this result, major developments have been carried out and patented.

Precise vacuum management with multizoning is particularly useful for staggered pick and place, managing different formats to be handled, or optimizing palletizing layers.

Stéphane Garcia adds: “Coval has been recognized for over 35 years as one of the world’s specialists in systems and components for vacuum gripping. Our products are renowned for their quality and reliability. Our added value also lies in our teams of specialists who support our customers in the technical definition of the solution that precisely meets their needs and constraints.”

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The first choice the user has to make is the size, because MVGs are custom-made to the desired size from 150x150 to 1200x1000 mm. To ensure that the vacuum gripper is perfectly adapted to the specific requirements the user can also configure the vacuum generator and the gripping interfaces such as foams and suction cups.“The MVG grippers are equipped with gripping interfaces, either by means of suction cups, foam, or Coval-flex. These solutions ensure an

optimal grip regardless of the size or material of the object to be gripped (cardboard, metal, plastic, glass, concrete/ stone, composites, wood, etc.),” explains Stéphane Garcia.

“High performance, flexible and robust, the MVG grippers can be multi-zone, i.e. equipped with several independent gripping zones, which makes it possible to ensure staggered or multiple pick-up and drop-off, guaranteeing optimized vacuum management as well as a reduction in leaks and consumption,” he emphasizes.

Coval supports manufacturers in various sectors: automotive, aeronautics, packaging, agri-food, plastics, and more. www.coval-inc.com 33 | Industry USA | May 2022

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AU TO M OT I V E A F T E R M A R K E T

SOFTING AUTOMOTIVE AND KVASER OFFER JOINT DIAGNOSTIC SOLUTION WITH CAN INTERFACE

The vehicle diagnostics expert Softing Automotive Electronics GmbH is once more bundling its expertise with the leading provider of Controller Area Network (CAN) vehicle interfaces, Kvaser AB. Together, they offer a sturdy plug & play solution for diagnostic tasks in after-sales which can withstand even the toughest requirements in the repair shop environment. The combination of intuitive diagnostic software from Softing and the high-performance vehicle interface (VCI) from Kvaser is the ideal solution for error localization, repair and commissioning of individual components as well as entire vehicle systems, including electric vehicles and mobile working machinery.

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he individual after-sales tester Softing TDX.workshop, developed by OEMs and suppliers, supports service technicians in the efficient repair and maintenance of vehicles and their components. The Kvaser U100 fits in perfectly with this, flexibly and intuitively enabling highperformance vehicle communication using CAN and CANFD.

The repair shop tester Softing TDX.workshop is the ideal tool for service technicians all over the world for use in repair shops and in the field as well as during commissioning and vehicle testing. It offers a range of diagnostic functions for this purpose, such as: • Creating vehicle reports • Reading out and clearing the error memory • Parameterizing, programming and exchanging ECUs • Displaying measurement values • Testing actuators • Running test sequences • Guided troubleshooting Additional information, such as repair instructions, exploded drawings, videos and web content, support the user in maintenance and repair of the vehicle or component.

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NEWS Softing TDX workshop Kvaser U100

The current version 2.5 of the repair shop tester Softing TDX. workshop already supports Kvaser’s U100 CAN interface.

With its reinforced galvanic isolation and a vibration, shock and drop-proof housing compliant with IP67, users now have a combined software and hardware package at their disposal. The solution is ready for immediate use and has no trouble coping with the harshest environmental conditions.

perfectly complements our software for use in the repair shop and test area. Plug n’ play and high-performance diagnostics – from start to finish.” https://automotive.softing.com/

Lars-Berno Fredriksson, President of Kvaser AB, is excited by the benefits of this shared solution path: “Softing and Kvaser have been working together for some time now.

Kvaser is particularly well known for its high-performance CAN interfaces. Our new U100 series in particular has been developed for use in harsh environmental conditions.

When integrated in Softing TDX, automotive and machine manufacturers now have an end-to-end solution for aftersales diagnostic tasks.”

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Julian Mayer, Product Manager of the software solution Softing TDX, highlights advantages for the daily work of service technicians in particular: “With the Softing TDX Toolbox, our customers simply create their software solutions for service themselves. The result is a highly individual, intuitive and high-performance diagnostic tester that is specifically tailored to the needs of the repair shop.

Thanks to the robust housing, IP67 rating and reinforced galvanic isolation, the new Kvaser U100 CAN interface 33 | Industry USA | May 2022

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MECHANICS

ROBUST 36 MM ENCODER FROM WACHENDORFF

IP69K and Heavy Duty Upgrade.

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achendorff Automation now also has a heavyduty variant in the very compact 36 mm design in its range of incremental encoders in the WDGP series, as well as absolute encoders in the WDGA series. This version is characterized by a very high bearing load of 300 N axial and radial, as well as the increased protection class of IP69k. This makes these encoders fit for high pressure/steam jet cleaning. They are specially designed for applications in harsh environments, such as mobile machinery, in the food industry or even car washes.

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Incremental encoder WDGP36J: • Protection rating: IP67 + IP69K, (high pressure/steam cleaning) • Due to high quality electronics any number of pulses up to 16.384 • High output frequency up to 1 MHz • Reverse polarity protection and short-circuit protection at 4.75 VDC to 32 VDC www.wachendorff-automation.com/wdgp36j

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Absolute encoder WDGA36J (CANopen, SAEJ1939, SSI, RS485) • Protection rating: IP67 + IP69K (high pressure/steam cleaning) • EnDra®: maintenance-free and environmentally friendly • CANopen, Single-turn and Multi-turn • Communication Profile according to CiA 301 • Device Profile for encoder CiA 406 V3.2 class C2 • Single-turn/Multi-turn (16 bit/43 bit) • Forward-looking technology with 32 Bit processor • 2-colour-LED as indicator for operating condition • Error message appropriate CiA 303-3 www.wachendorff-automation.com/wdga36jcan

CO N N E C TO R S

MULTI-CABLE BUSHING SYSTEM WITH LARGE CLAMPING RANGE SOLVES HIGH-DENSITY REQUIREMENTS

LAPP has introduced its SKINTOP® MULTI-M round multi-cable bushing system for applications requiring a high packing density. Up to 30 entry points are available, depending on the MULTI-M bushing version, to accept cables, wires, conduits and pneumatics and media conduits. These metric-style units offer a large, 4-millimeter clamping range per entry point compared to just 1 to 2 millimeters typically offered by competitive products.

I

nstallation is easy and secure thanks to the MULTI-M’s elastic gel technology’s innovative membrane seal.

Simply push in the cable, and the gel will hold the cable in place while providing optimal strain relief for the entire cable bundle. The gel does not apply stress to the installed cable, and unused entry points remain sealed.

SKINTOP MULTI-M also offers the following features and specifications: • Halogen- and silicone-free • UV-, ozone- and oil-resistant • Operating temperature: • With o-ring: -30° C to 100° C • Without o-ring: -30° C to 100° C • Protection class: IP68 • UL-approval pending; additional approvals can be checked and fulfilled on demand • Eliminates the need for a pricking awl MORE INFORMATION

Applications include switch cabinet-, controls- and apparatus construction as well as automated machinery and other innovative industrial equipment. https://e.lapp.com/us/

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IT

LEADING IOT VENDORS COMMIT TO OPC UA ADOPTION

Major IoT vendors including AWS, Google Cloud, IBM, Microsoft, SAP and SIEMENS leverage secure, standardized information exchange in edge-to-cloud applications based on OPC UA.

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eading Internet-of-Things (IoT) vendors are adopting OPC UA technology for edge-to-cloud applications.

The growing list includes Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, IBM, Microsoft, SAP and SIEMENS. Key drivers behind this progression are, first and foremost, the global adoption of OPC UA as the open standard of choice for secure production-system interoperability across OT and IT networks, leveraging standardized data exchange.

As such, there are over 850 registered OPC Foundation members supporting a large, rapidly growing eco-system of end-users, standards bodies, and vendors.

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Second, OPC UA uses a standardized method of defining, discovering, and using Information Models (IMs) and services associated with the production systems. This standardized approach to semantic information sharing prevents vendor lock-in and costly custom programming needed for nonstandard IM ingestion in the cloud. With the launch of the UA Cloud Library, OPC UA IMs are globally available to all cloud applications, making it easy for cloud applications to directly utilize OPC UA-based semantic information as well as live data coming from the edge.

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Third, as a transport-agnostic, IEC standard, OPC UA is supporting two different communication patterns: Client/ Server (over e.g. TCP or WebSockets) as well as Publish/ Subscribe (over e.g. UDP or MQTT) to meet different industry requirements from the production systems to edge and cloud scenarios.

Fourth, the quality assurance program of the OPC Foundation extends to the OPC UA Publish/Subscribe communication patterns and forms the first multi-vendor, multi-cloud standard. Interoperability workshops, including leading PLC vendors, like Beckhoff and Siemens, sending OPC UA data from the controller, over MQTT, have already started.

Fifth, end users benefit from and eagerly welcome the commitment from major IoT vendors that support OPC UA as a standard for IoT communications. Stefan Hoppe, President of the OPC Foundation says: “It’s thrilling to see that OPC UA is the one solution harmonized for process and factory automation, scaling from field to cloud (and back). The continued vision of the OPC Foundation – to establish OPC UA as THE open standard of choice for data interoperability throughout the world of automation –

format to the cloud is of utmost importance and an emerging topic in all industry sectors. With its PC-based control architecture, Beckhoff can easily adapt new communication technologies to enable machine builders to connect their assets directly to the cloud.”

Google Cloud Charlie Sheridan, Global Technical Directory Manufacturing, Automotive & Energy - Google Cloud: “Google Cloud is committed to openness and industry collaboration. By contributing to and leveraging the OPC UA Cloud Library, we can enable "cloud-based" access to OPC UA information models for our customers and partners.

OPC UA will be our way of incorporating machine data into our data analytics and AI capabilities, to ultimately deliver on the promise of accessible data and easy-to-use AI across factories.”

IBM Ulas Cubuk, IBM App Connect for Manufacturing Product Manager, IBM: “IBM has a long-running partnership with OPC Foundation.

OPC Foundation’s dedication to ensuring interoperability in automation was the number one choice for this partnership.

We had a long journey in helping our customers to build patterns to publicize OPC UA messages via MQTT. Now we want to step up this game by adapting the OPC UA PubSub specification.”

started and flourished with controllers and visualization systems and has now reached IT & the cloud. This will lead to a further growth of the open eco-system, based on OPC UA.” The criteria for companies to be listed with these features is that they either support OPC UA over MQTT in their products today or that it is on their development roadmap.

See the testimonials from IT/OT companies:

SAP Claudius Link, Senior Vice President Engineering Manufacturing and Industrial IoT at SAP SE: “SAP welcomes the evolution of standards to solve issues in the customer’s reality – today, hybrid cloud and edge computing solutions are becoming the norm and the basis for many customers to accelerate their digital transformation. As a member of the OPC Foundation, SAP is committed to simplifying the integration of industrial and business operations, based on open communication patterns as defined by the OPC Foundation.”

Siemens Melanie Ruhe, Head of Global Product Management MindSphere: “Siemens Mindsphere is fully committed to OPC UA with its powerful data modelling capabilities and rich platform services to effortlessly connect shopfloor devices.”

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AWS Sanat Joshi, Managing Director, Manufacturing Industry Solutions, AWS: “AWS understands the complexity of industrial data connectivity and the challenges manufacturers and industrial customers face implementing IIoT and Industry 4.0 applications. This is why AWS has a portfolio of services that extend cloud functionality into industrial operations to provide industrial edge capability. With AWS IoT Greengrass and SiteWise connecter, manufacturers can securely ingest OPC UA-based data onto AWS with open data access for realtime visualization, analytics, and machine learning to drive operational efficiencies, innovation, scalability, and agility.”

Microsoft Erich Barnstedt, Chief Architect Standards & Consortia, Azure IoT, Microsoft Corporation: “Microsoft was the first vendor to support OPC UA PubSub over MQTT when we launched Microsoft OPC Publisher in 2016. Additionally, Microsoft has been working with the OPC Foundation on the OPC UA PubSub specification since the beginning.”

https://opcfoundation.org/

BECKHOFF Sven Goldstein, Product manager Connectivity, BECKHOFF: ”Beckhoff is the first automation vendor to support OPC UA Pub/Sub using both UDP and MQTT. The requirement to connect industrial assets in a secured and standardized 33 | Industry USA | May 2022

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ENERGY/POWER

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC AUTOMATION RELEASES COMMON DC BUS SERVO DRIVE SOLUTION

MELSERVO-J5D servo amplifiers offer a unique servo based solution for applications that need to handle regenerative energy.

Common DC bus servo amplifiers offer users a number of benefits.

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itsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. is announcing the release of the common DC bus servo drive (MELSERVO-J5D) solution. MELSERVO-J5D servo amplifiers are ideal for medium to large servo applications that require multiple drive units capable of managing regenerative energy. Available in 400V and 1kW to 7kW capacity, MELSERVO-J5D servo amplifiers expand the existing drive capabilities for the MELSERVO-J5 portfolio and are compatible with MELSERVO-J5 servo motors (HKKT/ST/RT/MT).

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Common DC Bus servo amplifiers offer customers a unique servo based solution for applications that must handle regenerative energy. Regenerative energy is created when a servo motor decelerates or is driven by a large inertia, in this case the servo motor acts as a generator. General-purpose servos dissipate this energy in the form of heat using internal or external regenerative resistors. Common DC Bus Servos are able to capture and reuse regenerative energy.

In a typical common DC Bus servo system, MELSERVO-J5D servo amplifiers are connected on a DC Bus Bar connected to a MR-CV Power Regeneration Converter Unit. The MRCV converts 400VAC power to DC. Regenerative energy can then be shared amongst the different servo drives or recaptured and returned to the power supply, improving overall energy efficacy of a machine.

Conserve Energy - When multiple MR-J5D-G4 drive units are connected to an MR-CV_4 power regeneration converter unit by a common DC bus connection, the regenerative power of one axis can be used for driving other axes, contributing to energy saving. The MR-CV can also return regenerative energy to the power supply for other power requirements.

Simplify Wiring - Common DC bus connection reduces overall wiring requirements and eliminates the need for multiple MCCB or MC branch protection devices. Cables are managed above and below the servo amplifier, enabling a clean panel design.

Reduce Panel Space - The compact “bookshelf” type design of the MELSERVO-J5D significantly reduces panel space when compared to general industrial servo amplifiers.

With 1/2/3-axis models large format servo systems can be managed in a compact space.

“We are seeing a growing trend in end-users and OEMs that are designing machines with energy conservation in mind,” said Dan Zachacki, Product Manager for Servo and Motion. “Our Common DC Bus Servo Drive offers customers a unique solution that can share and conserve energy amongst a number of servo axis. Coupled with the added benefit of simplified wiring, reduction of panel space, and compatibility with MELSERVO-J5 servos and CC-Link IE TSN, we expect Common DC bus servo drives to gain popularity in the coming months.” https://us.mitsubishielectric.com/fa/en

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MEASUREMENT

SOFTING RELEASES POCKET-SIZED LINKXPERT FAMILY OF CABLE TESTERS

LinkXpert devices allow cable installers and technicians to perform copper, PoE, fiber and Wi-Fi cable tests — all from a single device that fits in their pocket.

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ofting Inc. has expanded its cable and network testing product portfolio with the release of its LinkXpert cable testers. These devices include the LinkXpert TP (Twisted Pair) model for copper wires, as well as the LinkXpert M3 model for three media types: copper, fiber and Wi-Fi. LinkXpert cable testers offer game-changing convenience for end users, packing three media types — copper, fiber and Wi-Fi — into a single device roughly the size and price-point of a commercial smartphone. For these reasons, LinkXpert products are poised to change the way information technology (IT) departments and industrial facilities test and troubleshoot their Ethernet cables.

LinkXpert devices and testing capabilities include the following: -LinkXpert TP: Copper wiremaps, cable length, power over Ethernet (PoE) and copper network tests (1G).

-LinkXpert M3: Copper wiremaps, cable length, PoE, very low frequency (VLF) and copper, fiber and Wi-Fi network tests (10G recognition).

LinkXpert units are similar to smartphones in terms of form and usability, and they include a toner function for locating cables. They also feature large, backlit displays that improve readability and ease of use — even in darker environments. https://itnetworks.softing.com/us MORE INFORMATION

Ideal for industrial applications, the LinkXpert TP carries out active copper network tests, while the M3 expands these capabilities to include active network tests for fiber and WiFi. Both devices are suitable for network technicians that work in campus environments, offices or data centers.

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ELECTRONICS

AN EXPERTISE TO PROVIDE A FULL-SERVICE INDUSTRIAL AIOT PACKAGE

Innodisk AIoT Solutions Target EV and Smart City.

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nnodisk, a leading global provider of industrial flash and memory solutions, reflects on its AIoT wins of last year and outlook for 2022. Even now, in 2022, AIoT is still a buzz that’s impossible for business leaders to ignore however many are still not exactly sure how the pieces of the AIoT puzzle fit together or where to start. But the business proposition is clear, with 39.1% annual growth expected over the next five years. To seize the opportunities in the AIoT market, in 2021, Innodisk joined up with its subsidiaries to form an AIoT data-centric ecosystem called the “AIoT AllRound Service” that combines their expertise to provide a full-service industrial AIoT package.

venture in the smart services sectors to integrate its customized SSDs into their AI robots, ensuring reliable operation.

After a year, Innodisk’s recent experience confirms this market trend, with AIoT-related projects doubling each year. A deeper look reveals the primary focus lies in 5G, networking, infrastructure, and automation fields.

Eric Chang, Special Assistant of Innodisk, said, “We’re confident that the increase in AIoT applications will continue thriving through 2022, especially for electric vehicles and smart city applications.” He further added, “Electric vehicles like buses, trucks, logistics, and fleet management will all see growth. Smart cities are also in focus as more countries invest in technology construction to harness AIoT and smart cities, including intelligent street lamps and surveillance systems.” Innodisk is well-prepared for these technological advancements and has set a goal to “Build an Intelligent World”.

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Especially with the high-performance industrial-grade storage, memory, and embedded peripherals, as well as software, Innodisk is now going one step further, integrating these into AIoT technology solutions that withstand heavy vibrations and harsh outdoor environments, such as AI robots and electric vehicles.

AI robots have secured their place as the hands-free delivery method of choice in hotels, hospitals, and airports during the pandemic. These electronic helpers meet contact and social distancing prerogatives while reducing personnel workloads. Innodisk worked together with a hi-technology 33 | Industry USA | May 2022

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Electric vehicles place a large strain on electronics, with vibrations and heat exceeding the thresholds of standard equipment. A multinational technology company used Innodisk’s wide temperature DRAM modules, industrialgrade flash storage, and its subsidiary Antzer’s GPS Tracker for their EV truck. As a result, their retail delivery system benefited from the AI technology while reducing pollutant and noise emissions.

https://www.innodisk.com/index

HANDLING

POWERED ROLLER CONVEYORS CREATE FLEXIBLE, STREAMLINED TRANSPORT SYSTEMS

Robotunits has launched its Powered Roller Conveyor family of 24-V components designed to make it quick and easy for plant managers and control engineers to configure and build a complete transport system.

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ast turnover and aggressive production demands in today’s industrial manufacturing and material handling operations prohibit time loss for system teardown and assembly whenever production needs change. Powered Roller Conveyors solve this problem because the individual components and production zones feature a modular design and ready-to-use controllers to allow maximum flexibility for present and future system needs.

Providing precise and efficient transport of containers, totes and boxes, the Powered Roller Conveyor product range consists of straight and curved powered roller sections, lift stations, 90-degree transfer units and turntables.

To enhance operator safety, Powered Roller Conveyors feature our patented finger guard technology. Finger Guards are built into each Poly-V roller. This safety feature is unique to the industry, because no other protective guards are necessary.

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Highlights of the Powered Roller Conveyor family include: -Easy installation and integration into existing systems.

-Separate controllers for each zone with customization options.

-A pre-installed control unit and wiring inside each zone’s extrusion profile, enabling plug-and-play operation while creating a clean, modern aesthetic.

-Built-in zero-pressure accumulation (ZPA) logic.

-Simple modification and drop-in parts replacement.

-Seamless integration with Robotunits’ Modular Automation System and easy connection with our Linear Motion System, material handling components, safety fencing and machine frames.

-An easy-to-use Lift Station to transport objects on two levels of a production area, featuring high-speed operation, multiple drive options and motor positioning flexibility.

www.robotunits.com.

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CO N N E C TO R S

HIGH SPEEDS IN EVER-SMALLER FOOTPRINTS: NEW CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS FEATURING HIGH-DENSITY MINIATURIZATION POWER UP DATA TRANSMISSION IN REDUCED-SCALE ELECTRONICS

The Swiss-headquartered Fischer Connectors Group continues to push the boundaries of high-density miniaturization in connectivity. Its ultra-miniature, rugged series of connectors, cable assemblies and electronic solutions has been extended to help engineers add more functionality and meet high-speed data acquisition and transmission requirements in applications with extreme limitations in space, even in harsh operating environments.

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he flagship product line Fischer MiniMax™ Series, which already includes one of the smallest and densest connectors in the world, now includes three connectors and their associated cables with new options in pin layout, body size and data speed:

• New pin-layout configuration: 7 contacts (4x signal, 3x power) in Ø 10 mm receptacle (Fischer Connectors reference ’size 06’) with a configuration offering up to 22 AWG and a choice of three locking mechanisms (quickrelease, push-pull, screw), as a perfect alternative for designing even smaller equipment for the Nett Warrior connectivity ecosystem and for other rugged applications

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• New body size: Ø 14.0 mm (size 10) with 12 signal and power contacts offering USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbit/s, 1 m) and high power up to 8A, suited for high-speed intercom boxes and next-generation hubs • New ultra-high density: 30 contacts (24x signal, 6x power) in Ø 14.0 mm (size 10), supporting multi-protocol data transmission (such as HDMI, USB, Ethernet) and extending the popular high-density layout offering for instrumentation applications, unmanned systems, and sensor and IoT interconnections.

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YellowScan’s Mapper uses three Fischer Minimax™ connectors: 4 pins for the external power port; 24 pins (RJ45 and Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter, UART) for the LiveStation port; and 19 pins (USB and General Purpose Input/Output, GPIO) for the optional camera port

Increased density and optimized packaging factors for design flexibility The increased density and optimized packaging factor offered by the MiniMax series apply to a varied array of lightweight and compact solutions, from various connector configurations, through cable assemblies with straight, right-angle or 60° overmolding, to electronic solutions including hubs, flash drives and flex PCB circuits tailored to the size, weight and power (SWaP) requirements of entire electronic systems and ecosystems.

This provides OEM engineers with more flexibility in terms of design when it comes to choosing from different connectivity solutions in line with specific system-level and field-application engineering requirements, harsh operating environments, as well as cost-efficiency criteria.

One of the smallest and densest connectors in the world is a Fischer MiniMax™ connector. The connector in size 06 includes up to 12 power and signal contacts in a footprint of just 10 mm. This represents a density factor of 0.83, a unique technological feature for a connector with standard 0.5 mm contacts. The density factor is equal to the receptacle diameter divided by the number of contacts available in that receptacle size.

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Smaller connectivity yields big advantages in terms of design integration. For example, the 12 mm diameter receptacle (size 08) with up to 24 power and signal contacts represents up to a 45% space saving compared to standard receptacles with a similar number of contacts. The external dimensions of electronic devices are affected by the growing demand for sensors and mobile (or wearable) electronics as well as for autonomous robotics and vehicles. This implies ever-lighter components. With up to 75% weight saving, the Fischer MiniMax™ Series achieves both size and weight reduction, maximizing performances while minimizing the integration burden.

When ruggedized for durable life cycles, lightweight and ultra-miniature solutions further increase flexibility and facilitates design integration for demanding applications.

The main reliability features of the Fischer MiniMax™ Series 33 | Industry USA | May 2022

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CO N N E C TO R S

The 6-axis force sensors of ME-Meßsysteme use the powerful, robust MP11 connectors in the Fischer MiniMax™ Series.

are 5,000 mating cycles, 360° EMC shielding, IP68 sealing -20m/24h, gas tightness to 10-6 mbar l/s, high corrosion resistance, operating temperatures from -40 °C to +135 °C, blind mating, three secure locking mechanisms (quickrelease, push-pull, screw), and cable assemblies with straight or angled bend relief overmolding.

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Two use cases: Robust, high-density miniaturization applied Lidar (laser imaging detection and ranging) for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). YellowScan, based in southern France, designs lightweight UAV-lidar mapping solutions for surveying operations such as a survey of ruins, topographic studies of road and rail corridors, and an airborne survey of the Amazon in French Guyana that maps both canopy and terrain to study the impacts of climate change. The key connectivity requirements for lidar systems such as the YellowScan’s Mapper using three Fischer MiniMax™ connectors are: space and weight, rugged material, vibration resistance, dust and rain proofing with high IP sealing, large pin count and EMI shielding.

Strain gauge sensors. To ensure that machines and systems in robotics, medical technology or the automotive industry are operated safely and precisely, the forces and torques need to be monitored constantly. One proven methodology for obtaining reliable results is strain gauge technology.

Since the sensors are very small, connectivity also has to be suitably minimized, and data transmission must remain 33 | Industry USA | May 2022

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stable even when there are high vibrations. The engineers of ME-Meßsysteme based in Germany have chosen the compact and robust Fischer MiniMax™ Series to meet these requirements in data transmission and vibration resistance.

CEO and CTO quotes Jonathan Brossard, Fischer Connectors CEO: “Special know-how, skillsets and miniaturization and ruggedization processes and techniques are required from our R&D and Operations teams to design and manufacture our ultraminiature, high-density and high-speed connectivity solutions. We are very proud we can provide the design engineering community with some of the smallest and densest connectivity solutions in the world, combined with unparalleled ergonomics and robustness.”

Jérôme Dabonneville, Fischer Connectors CTO: “The multiplication of sensors – reflecting a growing need for data acquisition and transmission – as well as the constant scale reduction of electronic components are the two main innovation drivers for ever-smaller, lighter and more capable high-density, ultra-miniature connectors, cable assemblies and electronic solutions. Demands for connectivity tailored to electronic devices and systems ensuring signal integrity and maximizing power & data functionality, performance and reliability, while containing or maintaining footprint to a minimum, are on the rise. The new solutions we are now making available to the market completes our Fischer MiniMax™ range in this direction. Tested to IEC, EIA and MIL-

Left to right: Fischer MiniMax™in size 06 – 7 pins, size 10 – 12 pins, size 10 – 30 pins

SPEC quality and reliability standards, they allow design engineers to accelerate innovative designs for various challenging applications in defense & security, UAVs and industrial instrumentation, to name just a few of the harsh operating environments for which our ultra-miniature connectivity solutions are particularly well suited.”

More info • Fischer MiniMax™ Series with full technical specifications • YellowScan’s lidar and Fischer MiniMax™ in Connector Supplier’s article “Lidar Systems Give Vision to Vehicles” • ME-Meßsysteme’s 6-axis force sensors and Fischer MiniMax™ in case study “Smooth data transmission even with vibrations” • Miniaturization technology on Fischer Connectors NEW WEBSITE with new tech insights

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MECHANICS DRIVES

CONDITION MONITORING FOR PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE MONITORS DRIVE DATA TO OPTIMIZE THE OPERATIONAL SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY OF MACHINES

NORD’s condition monitoring solution focuses on status-based maintenance to increase service life of components and machines, predict undesirable operating conditions, and reduce unplanned downtimes, service costs, and material costs.

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ondition monitoring for predictive maintenance is a drive solution developed by NORD that focuses on status-oriented maintenance rather than traditional time-based maintenance. Status and drive data are recorded periodically or continuously via the PLC output parameters and can be viewed or saved to a local dashboard via an Industrial Ethernet protocol such as EtherNet/IP. The collected data is analyzed and used to detect any suboptimal operating conditions so that machines and systems can be proactively maintained, and unplanned downtimes can be avoided. Condition monitoring increases the service life of components, machines, and the overall system effectiveness. It also reduces service and material costs.

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A gear unit with old oil can lead to wear and tear of components and cause a drive to lose performance and efficiency. NORD’s SMART OIL CHANGE function (SOC) uses virtual sensors of the integrated PLC with gear unit parameters and specific operational parameters to calculate the optimal time to change the oil to keep gearboxes in pristine condition and running longer. In addition to digital and analog sensors that monitor internal values, the drives can also evaluate external conditions with temperature and vibration sensors. Together, these sensors and sensor data play an important role in condition monitoring and provide a system that is IIoT and Industry 4.0 READY! 33 | Industry USA | May 2022

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Along with the SOC function, condition monitoring (CM) has three functional solutions: CM1, CM2, and CM3. These functions are scalable to production size and include tasks such as drive monitoring, drive control, and process control.

At the first level, CM1 performs drive monitoring and data transfer via an Ethernet interface from the VFD to the local Industrial PC (IPC). CM2 uses the integrated PLC within the VFD for threshold-based evaluation of external sensors and drive parameters. Finally, CM3 provides visualization of the drive data through a local dashboard. The data can be viewed by comparing two parameters between several drives, and through reports displaying pending and acknowledged faults. Data from the past can also easily and quickly be displayed via a calendar function.

Each drive uses its integrated PLC for processing of measured values and has an external signal column that visually alerts to its condition status with the colors green, yellow, and red. Green indicates that everything is working properly and there are no warnings or errors. When yellow is showing, there is a warning present in the VFD and at least one of the four measurements has exceeded the warning threshold. Red designates that the drive has switched to the error state and at least one of the four measurements has exceeded the alarm limit. These signals are a quick indication of drive status and allow faults to be addressed in a timely manner - avoiding possible damage to the drive.

NORD’s Condition Monitoring for Predictive Maintenance solution uses sensors and drive parameters to provide status-based maintenance

All warning and alarm messages are also displayed on the external dashboard and can be acknowledged using a reset button. In general, the functions of condition monitoring are fixed, however users can adjust the alarm threshold values to suit their specific application needs.

By detecting undesired operating conditions early using drive sensors and parameters, condition monitoring allows faults to be addressed immediately - saving the drive and components from damage and optimizing operational safety. Using status-based maintenance rather than timebased maintenance means that drives run more efficiently, and the service life of components and machines is extended. Status-based maintenance also means that downtimes can be planned, resulting in a more organized functional system and a decrease in costly unplanned downtimes. NORD’s condition monitoring solution provides valuable data analysis for predictive maintenance.

MORE INFORMATION

www.nord.com

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AU TO M OT I V E

CARMAKERS URGED TO CONSIDER HARDWARE RELIABILITY TO AVOID ADAS-RELATED RECALLS

Automotive OEMs are being urged to take a systems-level approach to vehicle safety and confirm the reliability and inter-compatibility of hardware materials, as US regulators continue to shine a spotlight on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

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he message comes at a time when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is continuing an investigation into ADAS systems following an alleged autopilot failure affecting certain vehicles.

While the investigation is primarily focusing on ADAS software, ESI Automotive stresses the importance of hardware reliability in enabling the overall systems function.

Something as small as a solder fracture in the PCB assembly materials can carry the risk of vehicle recalls and potential reputational damage for OEM brands. Carmakers must therefore pay as much attention to ADAS hardware as they do to software if they are to deliver continued reliable and trusted safety in future systems.

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Lenora Clark, Director of Autonomous Driving and Safety Technology at ESI Automotive, explained: “ADAS systems are not only critical in today’s vehicles, but will grow in importance as carmakers move towards level three autonomy. For this to be achieved, the supply chain must work together to create systems that work both individually and together to create a safer, more efficient driving experience.

“To ensure required function and reliability of these systems, optimized material choices need to be made.

This can only be done by specifying materials at a systemslevel, understanding how different materials interact with 33 | Industry USA | May 2022

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each other and perform in challenging environments.

As ADAS systems become more crucial to vehicles, their safety is already being tested rigorously and major industry bodies are involved in material assessments. OEMs must be confident that their materials pass the most stringent reliability tests – every single time.”

ESI Automotive claims that carmakers can achieve their design goals of integrating high levels of electronics systems for ADAS, by innovating for miniaturization and using unique substrates whilst still continuing to deliver the highest level of hardware reliability. It points towards other industries where electronic materials are constantly being pushed to increase function and maintain high reliability, such as consumer electronics and aerospace, as examples where lessons can be learned by automotive OEMs.

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Clark continued: “At ESI Automotive, we take a holistic view of hardware. This perspective provides solutions that give carmakers greater design freedom through enhanced reliability and increased performance. As OEMs continue to work with the supply chain to innovate ADAS on the road to full vehicle autonomy, it is critical that hardware materials can cope with high operational cycles and challenging environments.” https://esiauto.com/safety-systems-adas

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OPTIMIZE YOUR INTERNATIONAL PR AND ADVERTISING FOR THE INDUSTRIAL MARKET!

International capability

Outstanding results

Optimized process

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.

45,000 published articles in 2021: 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

THE MOST INNOVATIVE PR AGENCY

AU TO M OT I V E

UNIQUE ALLOY SUBSTANCE CAN HELP OEMS REDUCE THE RISK OF ADAS-RELATED RECALLS

A global automotive materials specialist has demonstrated the reliability benefits of a unique alloy substance that can replace traditional tin/silver/copper (SAC) alloys in the design of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Internal tests suggest that this alternative alloy can play a significant role in helping automotive OEMs eliminate the risk of solder fractures, a potential cause of failure in ADAS hardware.

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SI Automotive held a series of quality tests to assess the reliability of Innolot alloys compared to conventional SAC and tin-silver (SnAg) alloys. The Innolot alloy was developed with the automotive industry for use in high temperature environments where vibration is also a factor. It is designed to offer significantly improved creep resistance, particularly when operating in temperature extremes such as within an ADAS circuit board assembly.

“We ran a series of thermal cycling tests, pitting Innolot against the traditional SAC alloy. For this, we tested the alloy on two different ball grid arrays (BGAs), which are surface mount packages being used more in advanced safety designs,” explained Lenora Clark, Director of Autonomous Driving and Safety Technology at ESI Automotive.

“People don’t always think about ADAS operating in harsh environments. These systems are doing a high volume of processing and therefore generate their own heat as part of this function. In addition, because these systems are safetycritical, carmakers need to ensure they are reliable enough to withstand up to 3,000 thermal cycles. This cycle of constant heating and cooling is too extreme for traditional solder to withstand in new vehicle designs, necessitating the need for a high reliability alloy such as Innolot, to reduce the risk of ADAS failure and associated warranty and recall situations.” https://esiauto.com/safety-systems-adas

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“Our testing demonstrates that the size of the package, the pitch and the overall input and output does influence the characteristic life of the solder joint. Using both a 228 BGA and 256 BGA, the Innolot alloy improved solder joint reliability by a defined percentage when compared to the traditional SAC alloy. The percentile difference was 39% for the 228 BGA and 16.3% for the 256 BGA. This is a significant difference in reliability. Our results conclude that the creep resistance properties of the Innolot alloy offer significant improvements in reliability over standard SAC.”

Lenora added: “This is significant when you consider the context of carmakers progressing vehicle designs towards level three autonomy. Traditional solder alloys are still commonplace within ADAS hardware designs but as we move vehicle systems towards level three autonomy, we need to consider alternative options.

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SAFETY

IN-HOUSE MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE DRIVES QUALITY AT TELEDYNE GAS AND FLAME DETECTION

Industry-certified processes, stringent quality control, dedicated workforce skills and the latest production technologies underpin manufacturing excellence at Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection. Comprising the Teledyne Oldham Simtronics, Teledyne Gas Measurement Instruments and Teledyne Detcon brands, the company’s meticulously designed and controlled production operations help impart its core product attribute: safety.

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obust and quality-centric manufacturing processes ensure that products perform their designated function, be it site protection, area monitoring or personal protection, in a failsafe manner. At three highlyspecified manufacturing sites in France, the UK and the US, Teledyne produces a market-wide range of gas and flame detection solutions to meet the requirements of customers across all industry sectors.

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Product quality and reliability equate to customer trust. But delivering these attributes relies on robust manufacturing processes. At Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection, production operations leverage the experience of a history in manufacturing that dates back more than a century.

Of course, locations and facilities have changed over the years, but production capacity today is a global concern that embraces Teledyne Oldham Simtronics (Arras, France),

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Teledyne Gas Measurement Instruments (Renfrew, UK) and Teledyne Detcon (Cypress, US), with each facility supported by expert staff and a commitment to customer satisfaction.

Made in Arras, France The Arras headquarters and manufacturing plant of Teledyne Oldham Simtronics is located in the Hauts-deFrance region. Market leader in France for gas detection, the brand is also strong across Europe, CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries, Africa and Asia.

Covering an area of 5,552 m2, the Teledyne Oldham Simtronics’ plant includes 3,379 m2 of workshop and warehouse space.

Manufacturing class-leading products since 1948, the factory’s track record of production excellence centres on its accreditations, which include ISO9001 for quality, ISO14001 for environmental management and ISO45001 for health and safety. The plant benefits from an advanced in-house manufacturing engineering team that creates the software, tools and machines required by production. With over 100

highly capable employees on site, some 75,000 gas and flame detectors and controllers are “Made in Arras” every year. Each one provides customers with highly capable and dependable performance to ensure complete protection.

UK manufacturer Teledyne Gas Measurement Instruments is the number one supplier of gas leak detectors to the UK natural gas distributor sector, and a key player in the industrial portable gas detection market with over 300,000 high-quality instruments delivered. Ideal for use in challenging industries such as gas utilities, chemical, shipping, brewing, construction, defence, nuclear, petrochemical, papermaking, refining and telecoms Teledyne Gas Measurement Instruments is also prominent across Europe and North America. Producing trustworthy, proficient products is key to building further on the brand’s established reputation for providing customers with assured protection.

The company’s production facility is located in Renfrew, near Glasgow, where its portable gas detection and measurement devices have been manufactured in the UK since 1947. Spanning 2,230 m2, the site boasts ISO9001, ISO14001 and ISO45001 accreditations. Additionally, Teledyne Gas Measurement Instruments is an active member of many global gas associations, including the Institution of Gas Engineers & Managers (UK), the American Gas Association (USA) and the Canadian Gas Association.

The company was also a founding member of the Council for Gas Detection and Environmental Monitoring (CoGDEM) in Europe. There are around 80 knowledgeable employees at Renfrew including 35 fully cross-trained assembly operators.

In particular, the site is notable for its high-end production technologies.

professional relationships with customers, adding value with their know-how and market awareness. Furthermore, throughout the Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection business, inherent flexibility means the team can react accordingly to customer requirements as they evolve.

Offering one of the most extensive gas and flame detection portfolio on the market, Teledyne has in-country approvals and certifications for most products. A proven range of accomplished and convincing measurement, detection and wireless technologies, alongside the unrivalled skills and innovation of employees, ensures Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection can meet the safety and protection requirements of all applications. The company’s rugged yet reliable and precise gas and flame detection products offer fast response times, durability and intrinsically safe instrumentation.

With excellence in manufacturing at the heart of its customer offer, Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection will continue providing products that support and protect workforces, assets, operations and the environment.

For more information, visit www.TeledyneGFD.com or contact gasandflamedetection@teledyne.com www.TeledyneGFD.com

US manufacturer Teledyne Detcon has its 2,929 m2 headquarters in Cypress, near Houston, from where it manufactures over 15,000 industry-leading fixed gas detectors, control systems and analysers every year. The advanced site is ISO9001-certified and carries accreditations to IECEx and Intertek.

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Extremely proud of its “manufactured in the US” heritage, which extends back to 1983, the brand is well known in North America, the Middle East, CIS countries and Asia. With 32 expert employees, Teledyne Detcon also has extensive experience in cell manufacturing and wireless technology.

Proven design (and manufacturing) Each Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection manufacturing site houses its own customer service, technical support, engineering and R&D functions, all staffed by personnel with considerable industry experience and long service within the business. These employees nurture established 33 | Industry USA | May 2022

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M A C H I N E A N D TO O L S

NEW AND IMPROVED SOLUTIONS FROM NIAGARA CUTTER FOR ALUMINIUM MACHINING

Introducing the new and improved A245/345 product families from Niagara Cutter, a Seco Tools company.

These tooling solutions have been redesigned to reduce power consumption and improve chip evacuation in aluminum machining applications.

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s described by the North American Solid Milling Product Manager, Jay Ball, “the newly upgraded Niagara Cutter A245/A345 product family solves the power consumption issue that most aluminum manufactures encounter. By combining an engineered flute shape and polished K-land, giving you an optimal combination of helix angle and rake angle, this product family reduces power consumption by a minimum of 20%.”

This product family upgrade also has the latest in engineered PVD coatings called ANF (Aluminum Non-Ferrous). “This is a truly unique coating,” Ball describes, “it reduces friction and built-up material on the cutting edge, which improves workpiece surface finish and increases tool life, removing surface finish quality issues when milling aluminum.” This can greatly increase the product’s tool life as compared to uncoated and TiCN coated solutions.

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www.secotools.com/NC-aluminium-finishing

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ELECTRONICS

EXXELIA INVESTS IN ALCON ELECTRONICS, EXPANDING ITS OFFERING IN FILM & ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS AND EXTENDING ITS FOOTPRINT INTO INDIA

Exxelia, a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance passive components and subsystems, announces that it has completed the majority acquisition of Alcon Electronics on December 29th, 2021. Alcon is a leading Indian designer and manufacturer of catalog and custom-designed film & aluminum electrolytic capacitors, specifically serving the renewable energy, induction heating equipment, medical imaging, power generation, and railways end markets.

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stablished in 1977 in Nashik, India, Alcon Electronics offers a wide range of film and screw terminal aluminum electrolytic capacitors for power electronic applications. Through continuous innovation and focus on R&D, Alcon offers catalog and customized products that meet the evolving requirements of its Indian and international customers, with whom the company has longstanding relationships.

Since inception, Alcon has heavily invested in its state-of-the art facility in Nashik, India, becoming a niche-market leader in the country and competing with large international players.

Paul Maisonnier, Chief Executive Officer of Exxelia, said: “We are excited to have Alcon join the Exxelia family! Alcon is an established, niche-market leader with great technology, very talented and committed teams and deep business and technical knowledge. Thanks to Alcon, we significantly

Siddharth Sachdev, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Alcon Electronics, added: “Alcon is delighted to be a part of Exxelia, a human-sized passive component group focused on high reliability products for professional markets. We found ourselves sharing common values and vision and we believe that this combination enhances the capabilities of both groups to serve our combined customer base in film & aluminum electrolytic capacitors both in India and globally.”

KPMG India acted as the exclusive financial advisor to the shareholders of Alcon Electronics and Lincoln International acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Exxelia, for this transaction. On the legal side, Pioneer Legal, India acted as the legal advisors to Alcon Electronics and BTG Legal, India acted as the legal advisors to Exxelia.

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With this partnership, Exxelia will benefit from the unique engineering capabilities of Alcon centered around testing & instrumentation equipment, leveraging it extensively within the group.

strengthen our film and electrolytic product portfolio, and we gain a foothold in India which will allow us to better seize opportunities in this booming region and support our French customers with regards to their offset obligations”.

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VISION SYSTEM

ROBOT SOLUTION FOR AUTOMATING THE LETTUCE HARVEST/ROBOTS AS HELPERS IN THE LETTUCE HARVEST

Machine vision and AI are used to determine a precise intersection point on the stem

British research team of agricultural engineering and machinery experts develops harvesting robot with IDS camera.

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ettuce is a valuable crop in Europe and the USA. But labor shortages make it difficult to harvest this valuable field vegetable, as sourcing sufficient seasonal labor to meet harvesting commitments is one of the sector’s biggest challenges. Moreover, with wage inflation rising faster than producer prices, margins are very tight. In England, agricultural technology and machinery experts are working with IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH (Obersulm, Germany) to develop a robotic solution to automate lettuce harvesting.

The team is working on a project funded by Innovate UK and includes experts from the Grimme agricultural machinery factory, the Agri-EPI Centre (Edinburgh UK), Harper Adams University (Newport UK), the Centre for Machine Vision at the University of the West of England (Bristol) and two of the UK’s largest salad producers, G’s Fresh and PDM Produce.

Within the project, existing leek harvesting machinery is adapted to lift the lettuce clear from the ground and grip it in between pinch belts. The lettuce’s outer, or ‘wrapper’, leaves will be mechanically removed to expose the stem.

Machine vision and artificial intelligence are then used to identify a precise cut point on the stem to neatly separate the head of lettuce.

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“The cutting process of an iceberg is the most technically complicated step in the process to automate, according to teammates from G subsidiary Salad Harvesting Services Ltd.,” explains IDS Product Sales Specialist Rob Webb. “The prototype harvesting robot being built incorporates a GigE Vision camera from the uEye FA family. It is considered to be particularly robust and is therefore ideally suited to demanding environments. "As this is an outdoor application, 33 | Industry USA | May 2022

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a housing with IP65/67 protection is required here," Rob Webb points out.

The choice fell on the GV-5280FA-C-HQmodel with the compact 2/3" global shutter CMOS sensor IMX264 from Sony.

“The sensor was chosen mainly because of its versatility. We don’t need full resolution for AI processing, so sensitivity can be increased by binning. The larger sensor format means that wide-angle optics are not needed either,” Rob Webb summarized the requirements. In the application, the CMOS sensor convinces with excellent image quality, light sensitivity and exceptionally high dynamic range and delivers almost noise-free, very high-contrast 5 MP images in 5:4 format at 22 fps - even in applications with fluctuating light conditions.

The challenges facing the agricultural sector are indeed complex. According to a forecast by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), agricultural productivity will have to increase by almost 50 percent by 2050 compared to 2012 due to the dramatic increase in population. Such a yield expectation means an enormous challenge for the agricultural industry, which is still in its infancy in terms of digitalization compared to other sectors and is already under high pressure to innovate in view of climatic changes and labor shortages.

The agriculture of the future is based on networked devices and automation. Cameras are an important building block, and artificial intelligence is a central technology here.

Smart applications such as harvesting robots can make a significant contribution to this.

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The extensive range of accessories, such as lens tubes and trailing cables, is just as tough as the camera housing and the screwable connectors (8-pin M12 connector with X-coding and 8-pin Binder connector). Another advantage: camera-internal functions such as pixel pre-processing, LUT or gamma reduce the required computer power to a minimum.

to seeing the results. We are convinced of its potential to automate and increase the efficiency of the lettuce harvest, not only in terms of compensating for the lack of seasonal workers,” affirms Jan Hartmann, Managing Director of IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH.

https://www.ids-imaging.us/

The prototype of the robotic mower will be used for field trials in England towards the end of the 2021 season. “We are delighted to be involved in the project and look forward 33 | Industry USA | May 2022

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VISION SYSTEM

NEW PHANTOM S991 MACHINE VISION HIGH-SPEED CAMERA PROVIDES EXTREME THROUGHPUT WITH NEW FIBER TECHNOLOGY

Vision Research, a leading manufacturer of digital high-speed imaging systems, brings extreme throughput to machine vision applications with the introduction of the Phantom® S991 Machine Vision camera. The Phantom S991 employs CoaXPress-over-Fiber technology to deliver up to 9 Gpx/sec (70 Gbps). This throughput translates to over 900 frames per second (fps) at a full 9 Mpx resolution of 4096 x 2304 and over 52,000 fps at lower resolutions, including 2304 x 16.

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he Phantom S991 offers users very high quality, detailed images. The 9 Mpx sensor in the S991 is the same sensor used in Vision Research’s renowned highspeed media camera, the Phantom Flex 4K. The sensor has 12-bit imaging and provides both rolling and global shutters to meet a variety of application needs. Also, its 6.75 µm pixel is larger than many high resolution machine vision cameras, translating into higher light sensitivity, with a daylight ISO rating of 1,600 for monochrome and 400 for color in global shutter.

Additionally, the Phantom S991 is designed to achieve very high frame rates and throughput by using CoaXPress-overFiber (CXPoF), the latest innovative machine vision protocol.

CXPoF uses CXP12 and optical fiber, eliminating the need for multiple CXP 6 copper cables. The Phantom S991 requires just two fiber cables, as opposed to the 16 copper cables required by its predecessor, the Phantom S990.

The Phantom S991 has an 8-bit output option to provide higher frame rates in the larger resolutions and reduce data throughput, and it has resolution increments of 128 horizontal x 8 vertical, allowing the user to maximize the resolution for the required frame rate.

“The Phantom S991 with CXP-over-Fiber technology brings significant benefits to machine vision applications,” explains Dan Hafen, Director of Business Development for Machine Vision at Vision Research. “It leverages Vision Research’s industry leadership by offering high quality images at extreme frame rates in a simple, user-friendly package.

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Furthermore, the CXP-over-Fiber technology provides many benefits to support extremely high throughput. It has a high bandwidth, low latency, manages link integration, and is poised for future bandwidth increases, all while using common, low-cost components.”

The Phantom S991 also has other user-friendly enhancements, including a mechanical black shutter for remote black references and an EOS mount option to accommodate remote focus.

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Key Specifications of the Phantom S991 • CXP12-over-Fiber • 9-Mpx sensor (4096 x 2304) • Throughput: 9 Gpx/sec (70 Gbps) • Maximum frame rate at 4096 x 2304: 937 fps • Maximum frame rate at reduced resolutions: 52,080 fps • 5 µs minimum exposure • Rolling and Global shutter • ISO – Daylight (Global shutter): 1,600 (Mono), 400 (Color) • EVMA Data: • QE @ 532 nm (%): 59.5 (G); 57 (R) • Dark Noise (e-): 30.04 (G); 10.02 (R) • Dynamic Range (dB): 55.8 (G); 68.6 (R) https://www.phantomhighspeed.com/

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MECHANICS DRIVES

ROLLON ENHANCES TELERACE RAILS FOR SIMPLER, HIGHER-PERFORMING AUTOMATED SYSTEMS

Rollon has upgraded its Telerace family of linear rails to help designers simplify projects and enhance the efficiency of automated systems. Two Telerace families of cold-drawn steel rails now feature induction hardened and ground raceways along with double-row ball bearings for greater load handling capability, longer life and reduced maintenance requirements.

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he newly enhanced rail versions carry a “Plus” designation, provide full extension and offer distinct features:

• TLQ version. Adjustable sliders allow users to set the stroke length/load capacity ratio by up to ±20 percent

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• TLR version. This unit manages misalignment errors of up to ±2.7 degrees and compensates for dimensional difference between the structure and a drawer with tolerance of up to 0.5 millimeter.

Six Telerace versions are available in total, and customers can choose versions with one or two rows of ball bearings as well as different sizes and materials. These systems are wellsuited for vertical use and less sensitive to high dynamics and shifting working cycles that are prevalent in automated machinery. Additional advantages include: • Reliable vertical and variable strokes. Since Telerace does not have a ball cage, automated vertical and variable strokes are possible.

• Low opening and closing force. Sturdy profiles minimize deflection, and ground raceways ensure smooth, silent movement with low friction.

• Reliability in dirty environments. Large rolling elements make Telerace more tolerant to dirt and debris. And, endstoppers include wipers with slow release felts for clean and constantly lubricated raceways.

• Long lifetime. Induction hardened raceways and RollonNox hardening treatments ensure long life.

• Corrosion resistance. Surface treatments make Telerace reliable in harsh environments. www.rollon.com

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ELECTRONICS

PORTESCAP OPENS A NEW ENGINEERING LAB, EXPANDING TESTING CAPABILITIES

Portescap has opened a new engineering laboratory in its Mumbai, India office, expanding analysis and reliability testing space as well as boosting its proof of concept (POC) capabilities.

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sing the latest simulation software and accelerated life testing equipment, Portescap engineers can apply different duty cycles, direction of load rotation and variable loads to motors and assemblies. An on-site environmental chamber and noise and vibration (NVH) chamber simulate real-world conditions. Portescap can also deliver rapid prototypes thanks to the lab’s advanced 3D printing and machining equipment.

Portescap invested in a new engineering lab to help customers quickly solve their motion challenges and get products to market faster. www.portescap.com MORE INFORMATION

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MEASUREMENT

ROHDE & SCHWARZ 5G MMWAVE SMALL CELL TEST SOLUTION VALIDATED

BY QUALCOMM TECHNOLOGIES

Rohde & Schwarz has upgraded the R&S CMP200 radio communication tester with a new option for small cell testing. Qualcomm Technologies has validated the solution, and it is now supported by the Qualcomm® Development Acceleration Resource Toolkit (QDART) for Small Cells. Manufacturers of small cell infrastructure who integrate the Qualcomm® FSM100 5G RAN Platform in their products can expect that the R&S CMP200 fulfils all necessary hardware development and production test requirements.

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ohde & Schwarz, a leading supplier of test and measurement equipment for wireless applications, today announced that the new option for small cell testing for the R&S CMP200 radio communication tester has been validated by Qualcomm Technologies. Now, OEMs of small cell infrastructure equipment operating in mmWave range (FR2) can use the QDART for Small Cells and benefit from the unique features of the R&S CMP200 like ultrafast measurement speed and parallel testing of multiple DUTs.

Small cells offer network operators the possibility to increase the capacity of existing wireless networks and meet the demands for data capacity that come with 5G use cases.

They can be used in public and private networks within buildings or in outside scenarios, resulting in a growing demand for small cell infrastructure. The Qualcomm FSM100 5G RAN Platform has been adopted by many manufacturers and cellular infrastructure providers around the world due to its scalability and cost-effectiveness. Its form factor and power level are designed to address indoor and outdoor densification requirements for 5G networks and fast-paced network upgrades to 5G. The R&S CMP200 is a non-signaling solution for 5G mmWave RF parametric testing. As an IF tester it combines vector signal analyzer and ARB based generator functionality.

The compact integrated solution can be customized with up to three R&S CMPHEAD30 remote radio heads (RRH),

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NEWS

The R&S CMP200 radio communication tester has been validated by Qualcomm Technologies for small cell testing.

for up and down converting signals to 5G FR2 frequencies.

The separate one-box tester and the R&S CMPHEAD30 RRH concept allow short RF cable lengths for an optimal link budget in radiated test environments. This approach enables testing of fully assembled FR2 devices and RFICs with both IF and mmWave RF interfaces.

Designed for R&D and production environments, the R&S CMP200 is optimized for user equipment testing, and has been validated by Qualcomm Technologies accordingly.

With the added testing functionality for small cell testing and support by QDART for Small Cells, the R&S CMP200 test platform is designed to be a future-proof investment for OEMs.

enabling OEMs and cellular infrastructure providers to efficiently and cost effectively scale 5G networks. With the Qualcomm FSM100 5G RAN Platform’s unmatched data speeds, capacity, power efficiency and global band support, vendors that integrate with this solution, for which the R&S CMP200 is optimized, will be better prepared for the next generation of connectivity.” https://www.rohde-schwarz.com

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Christoph Pointner, Senior Vice President Mobile Radio Testers at Rohde & Schwarz, said: “OEMs worldwide rely on Qualcomm Technologies’ platform for their small cell products. Our R&S CMP200 is a tried and tested solution for 5G NR device testing. With its new functionality specializing on small cell testing, which is already validated for QDART for Small Cells, OEMs can be confident that our test solution is ready to fulfil their testing needs, whether for in the lab or production line.”

Gerardo Giaretta, Senior Director, Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., said: “With the QDART for Small Cells validation of the R&S CMP200, both Qualcomm Technologies and Rohde & Schwarz are further 33 | Industry USA | May 2022

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AU TO M OT I V E

ESI AUTOMOTIVE ACHIEVES 84 % POWER DENSITY INCREASE IN EV EFFICIENCY

The untapped potential of implementing vehicle efficiency improvements spearheaded by a systems-level approach to vehicle design have been further proven. The research, which was carried out by ESI Automotive and engineers of its customers, involved a series of real-world electric vehicle (EV) tests. The results clearly demonstrate the efficiency benefits of using silver sintering technology for inverter designs versus a soldered solution.

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he findings are pivotal to further evidencing ESI Automotive’s vision that OEMs can generate valuable cost savings and vehicle efficiency improvements by taking a systems-level approach to the entire design and production process.

“These latest real-life results are testimony to just how revolutionary silver sintering technology is. Not only can power density and reliability be increased, but silver sintering can also have a positive light weighting effect, which drives further vehicle efficiency improvements.

As part of its analysis, which focused on power cycling and thermal resistance measurements, ESI Automotive supported its customer replacing soldered die attach and wire bonding to a fully sintered top and die attach design.

This enabled the inverter to operate at a higher power and temperature, facilitating miniaturization with a smaller cooling system. More specifically, the new SiC power module approach resulted in an increased power density of 84% and endurance of more than 10 times. A 33.8% reduction in weight was also reported.

“These results are just a snapshot of what can be achieved now, and the direction cost-and-operationally-efficient EV design is heading in the future. By making the move to current SiC die technology, powertrain engineers benefit from numerous significant performance and reliability gains. This forms the foundation for optimising the traction inverter in the very near future.”

Chris Klok, director of vehicle electrification at ESI Automotive says that these results are critical in demonstrating the widespread benefits OEMs can achieve, simply by switching from soldering to silver sintering for some EV designs.

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ESI Automotive utilizes ALPHA® Argomax® sintered silver, which has been successfully deployed in mass produced EV automotive inverter applications. https://esiauto.com/evpowertrain/reliability/sintered-silvertechnology-electric-vehicles

MECHANICS DRIVES

NORD DRIVESYSTEMS EXPANDS POWER RANGE WITH NEW FRAME SIZES OF NORDAC PRO VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVES

The NORDAC PRO SK 500P variable frequency drive family welcomes two additional frame sizes to offer even greater performance, precision, and range of functionality.

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The advanced NORDAC PRO versions include additional inputs/outputs and options such as SK TU5 plug-in control module, SK CU5 extension modules, and an integrated multiprotocol Ethernet interface that easily connects to Ethernetbased control systems. Other features include a USB interface that is accessible for voltage-free programming and parameterization even without a mains connection, as well as a micro SD card slot for data storage and transfer of parameter data between drives and computer interfaces.

Versions SK 510P and above include the implementation of functional safety options, such as STO and SS1, for safe shutdown to prevent hazards to people and damage to system components.

The NORDAC PRO VFD line currently consists of three frame sizes that offer a power range up to 7.5 HP. With the addition of two new frame sizes, the power range will be extended to 30 HP. The basic variant of the family, the SK 500P, offers an integrated brake chopper, PLC functionality, four parameter sets, POSICON positioning control, and a CANopen interface.

While the basic drive variants suit many applications, they can be customized with optional plug-in modules that increase the scope of functionality.

The latest frame sizes of the NORDAC PRO SK 500P increase the scalability and functionality of the product family significantly, and expands the total power range to 0.33 - 30 HP. The added variants are launching as advanced versions and include additional module options for interface extension. In addition to improved features and performance, the new sizes use the established NORDAC parameter structure and are functionally and physically downward compatible. The latest frame sizes of the NORDAC PRO SK 500P family will be available mid-2022.

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he NORDAC PRO SK 500P VFD family from NORD DRIVESYSTEMS has a wide range of functionality and interfaces that can be easily integrated to control a variety of automation applications. The compact design of these units enables space saving installation in control cabinets where space is often limited. Thanks to the high level of performance, safety, and versatility, NORD control cabinet drives are used in many industries such as airport baggage handling, intralogistics, bulk material handling, packaging, and more. The SK 500P variable frequency drives are suitable for operating synchronous and asynchronous motors and meet a broad range of application requirements with their extensive range of custom options.

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AU TO M OT I V E M A N U FA C T U R I N G

KENNAMETAL INTRODUCES LIGHTEST WEIGHT VERSION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE TOOLING SOLUTION SAVING SET-UP AND MACHINING TIME

The 3D printed stator bore tool with carbon fiber body weighs 7.3kg.

Award winning 3D printed stator bore tool weighs just 7kg, ensuring fast tool changes and spin-up on machining centers.

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ennametal has introduced its next generation 3D printed stator bore tool for the machining of aluminum engine housings for electric vehicles. This latest version of the tool features a newly designed arm structure, a larger center tube made of carbon fiber, and a further weight reduction of greater than 20 percent over the original design. The complex tool is capable of machining three large diameters in just one operation, saving setup time and machining time for automotive component manufacturers and delivering the highest accuracy and surface qualities.

The newly redesigned tool recently won MM MaschinenMarkt’s Best of Industry Award in the Production and Manufacturing category based on votes by readers and industry experts.

“As our automotive customers expand their offerings of hybrid and electric vehicles, we continue to respond to their need for lighter weight tooling solutions. By leveraging advanced manufacturing techniques like 3D printing, we’ve reduced weight a further 20 percent over the firstgeneration tool, while improving chip control and increasing tool rigidity—innovations that help our customers machine faster and more efficiently,” says Ingo Grillenberger, Product Manager, Kennametal.

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Machining three diameters in one operation, the stator bore tool ensures the alignment and concentricity of the machined surfaces whilst reducing the cycle time significantly. The lightweight 3D printed combination tool enables a faster tool change and spin-up even on less powerful machines. The surface specifications and component tolerances are achieved without constraints.

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First-generation design (9.5kg) on the left, and latest tool design variants (less than 8kg) on the right for hassle free tool changing.

The airfoil shaped arms with through coolant and RIQ reaming technology. Complex internal and external features enabled by additive manufacturing.

Hassle-free chip removal is ensured by means of airfoil shaped arms that are through coolant featured to ensure precise and powerful coolant supply to the cutting edges and guide pads. This would be difficult or impossible to economically produce with traditional manufacturing, but 3D printing enables us to realize even such complex internal features. Additionally, the Kennametal RIQ reaming system features easy diameter adjustment and a trouble-free setup of new inserts. https://www.kennametal.com

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HANDLING

AUTONOMOUS NAVIGATION – WITH MILLIMETER PRECISION

In the age of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Industry 4.0, intralogistics plays an increasingly important role. The precise transport of goods and materials will become a key factor in efficient production. The mobile transport systems from Evocortex perform this task with unusual means. Also decisive for the realization of their creative technical concept is the power density of the used FAULHABER motors.

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oday, “production” is another word for “complexity.”

Products are increasingly being manufactured according to the specifications of individual customers; with IoT integration, even fully automated production with a batch size of just one is possible. Such a large number of variants requires tightly meshed processes that are, at the same time, very flexible. The right parts and components – in a nearly infinite number of variations – must be ready at the individual production stations at the right time.

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AMR on the advance The transport of the material, e.g. between supply points and production systems, is becoming increasingly individualized and should, at the same time, be performed as automated as possible. Mobile robot platforms – known in the industry as autonomous mobile robots (AMR) – are, therefore, on the advance in warehouse and production halls around the world.

Focusing on this market is the Nuremberg-based startup Evocortex, which was founded in 2016 with the participation of experienced robot experts. Closely associated with neighboring Nuremberg Tech (Technische Hochschule Nürnberg) and other educational and research institutions, the company entered the market with an entirely new AMR concept. With its products, the company offers creative and innovative solutions for the requirements of modern logistics.

“Conventional AMR often require spatial adaptations to the travel paths or even technical changes to the processes,” explains Managing Director Hubert Bauer. “Optical markings, for example, are needed so that the vehicles can orient themselves; paths and intersections must be of the specified dimensions and curve radii. We, on the other hand, wanted to create transport robots that adapt to the needs of the customer and not the other way around.”

During the initial teach process, the robot moves across the hall floor in a grid pattern. With the help of complex algorithms, a highly precise map is produced from a pattern of individual points. In the future, this will also be performed using self-learning artificial intelligence. In addition, the controller detects the vehicle’s own movement. By

The AMRs can optionally be equipped with additional LIDAR sensors on one or two fronts. These scan the room in the direction of travel and detect obstacles – including those that are moving, such as people who cross the travel path. The vehicle stops immediately to ensure the safety of employees.

Unrestricted mobility with Mecanum wheels A normal wheel moves in only the same direction as its axis.

To precisely position a vehicle with such wheels, one must maneuver in the same way as when parking a car. To avoid this, the developers at Evocortex opted for the Mecanum wheel. Instead of a closed running surface, barrel-shaped rollers are mounted on its rim. They are fastened at an angle of 45 degrees to the axle of the wheel and can turn about their own angled bearing axis. The shape, size and spacing of the rollers are selected to give the wheel a continuous rolling surface.

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The “fingerprint” of the hall floor indicates the exact position The autonomous mobile robots (AMR) from Evocortex require absolutely no preinstalled guidance system to determine their location and find the right way. They orient themselves simply using the irregularities in the hall floor.

Such irregularities can be found even on typical smooth concrete floors and are registered by the robot’s highresolution camera. The camera is located on the underside of the vehicle, captures an area of 10 x 10 centimeters and uses the image data to produce the equivalent of a fingerprint of the hall floor. Behind this ingenious system is the selfdeveloped Localization Module (ELM) from Evocortex.

combining the data, it can – on a theoretical area of one square kilometer – position precisely to within a millimeter.

To do this, just three identified points are needed. Even if 50% of the floor is covered with sawdust, the ELM remains unfazed and ensures robust, precise and exact navigation.

Permanent new scratches in the floor are added to the map; features that disappear are removed after a certain time.

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as at a right angle to the wheel’s direction of rotation. Thus, the resulting direction of movement lies in between: the Mecanum wheel “wants” to move at an angle of 45 degrees to the axial direction. Due to the mobility of the rollers, however, it has no directional stability. If there are additional forces, its own direction of movement can be deflected in any direction.

On a vehicle with four Mecanum wheels, each of the 45 degree angles are arranged with a 90 degree offset. Thus, each wheel tries to move in a different direction. By varying the direction of rotation and speed of the individual wheels, the vehicle can be steered in any direction from a standstill or rotated on the spot. On the horizontal plane, it can thus move as freely as a hover car. The Mecanum wheels thereby enable agile and omnidirectional movement of the robot.

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Scalability in millimeter increments The AMR from Evocortex offer yet another dimension of flexibility: they enable a practically unlimited selection of sizes. “If desired, we can adapt our robot to our customers’ requirements in millimeter increments,” emphasizes Hubert Bauer. “Every external dimension between 400 by

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480 and 800 by 1200 millimeters can be realized.” With the EvoRobot R&D and EvoRobot Industrial product lines, these also correspond approximately to the external dimensions of the load-bearing platform. All technology – sensor, controller, lifting unit and wheel drives – are housed beneath the platform.

The wheel drive module is a decisive element for this scalability. It is located directly above the wheel and, together with the wheel, forms a standardized, independent function unit. As a result, the wheels can be mounted at any distance from one another. The decisive prerequisite for this arrangement is a powerful motor with very small dimensions.

“We took a very close look to determine which motors on the market were candidates for this application,” says Hubert Bauer, recalling the development phase. “Only with FAULHABER were we able to find the power density that we needed. The motors from the competition had no space left for the required torque.”

Enormous power, minimal size The wheel modules of the EvoRobot are equipped with DCmotors of the 3257… CR or 3272…CR series. Each is fitted with an IEF3 encoder and a 38/2 S gearhead. For fast stopping and to ensure the wheels remain locked in position once stopped, the wheel motors are also equipped with a brake.

“Thanks to the enormous power of these micromotors, the

EvoRobot can transport up to 200 kilograms. Larger loads will be possible soon,” explains Hubert Bauer. “The transport also functions on a ramp with a slope of up to five degrees and a speed of one meter per second.”

from FAULHABER were also very helpful in finding the optimum parameter settings for series production.” https://www.faulhaber.com

The EvoCarrier product line is designed for transporting small load carriers. In the inner workings of this AMR, things are even tighter than with the EvoRobot. Its ground clearance is less than 100 mm. As a result, it can move into extremely low openings below a transported good. Two or four EvoCarriers can also work together to transport pallets or an entire shelving unit. The developers selected a socalled “flat rotor motor” as the drive here – a brushless motor of the 4221… BXT series measuring just 21 millimeters in length. This allows the EvoCarrier to transport floor rollers loaded with small load carriers (KLTs) weighing up to 120 kilograms in total. In the long term, the managing director believes there will be a transition to brushless motors with the EvoRobot as well and the modules will be further standardized.

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In addition to the ratio between power and volume, it is above all the zero maintenance and the reliability in continuous operation that play an important role in the operation of the AMRs. “Our requirements in terms of service life are more than satisfied by the FAULHABER motors,” says Hubert Bauer. “In addition, it is of advantage that the drives function with all common industrial controls. The experts 33 | Industry USA | May 2022

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ELECTRONICS

INNODISK RELEASES THE WORLD’S FIRST 10GBE LAN MODULE IN M.2 FORM FACTOR

Innodisk has announced its all-new EGPL-T101 M.2 2280 10GbE LAN module, the first 10GbE LAN designed in M.2 form factor, features flexible integration and excellent compatibility with existing network infrastructure for crucial backward compatibility.

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ooking into the booming markets and scenarios ranging from surveillance to gaming, networking, and industrial uses, the growing demand for highspeed LAN solutions is promising. Additionally, interference issues are also occurring more often as the size of the PCIe form factor cannot fit in the smaller design of IPC platforms nowadays. Being the leading global provider of industrial embedded flash and memory, Innodisk is introducing the first M.2 10GbE LAN module designed to meet the demand for increased speed and reduced size, high-speed LAN solutions.

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Innodisk’s EGPL-T101 is the first M.2 2280-to-single 10GbE Base-T Ethernet module which is also the smallest 10GbE expansion solution available today and ten times faster than standard Ethernet. By supporting PCI Express Gen 3x2, the EGPL-T101 module can provide sufficient bandwidth for one 10GbE LAN port suitable for server and industrial applications’ high-speed network demands.

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As an Innodisk high-speed LAN solution, EGPL-T101 boasts flexible integration. Its standard RJ45 LAN port on a tiny daughterboard provides an easy solution for upgrading to a 10GbE network using existing Cat6/6A copper cables.

The EGPL-T101 also features excellent compatibility with its six network standards supported in 10/5/2.5/1Gbps and 100/10Mbps, providing excellent backward compatibility with existing network infrastructure. Lastly, the EGPL-T101 features high-performance computing (HPC) which is ten times faster than the widely used Gigabit Ethernet with low power consumption. EGPL-T101 is suitable for various highspeed scenarios, including: • Machine vision in industrial applications • High throughput network data transmission • High-resolution imaging for surveillance • Low-latency for gaming https://www.innodisk.com/index

MECHANICS DRIVES

NORD’S PROFISAFE MODULE GRANTS FUNCTIONAL SAFETY TO DRIVE SYSTEMS

Incorporation of new functions with decentralized drive technology provides additional safety for NORD drive systems.

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unctional safety is a fundamental component in drive systems. The SK TU4-PNS, known as the PROFIsafe module, provides comprehensive safety for the reliable operation of NORD drive systems. This PROFIsafe module is a drive-integrated solution for decentralized variable frequency drives that implements functional safety within the system to stop operation and avoid potential injuries or component damage.

www.nord.com

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While all frequency drives from NORD have integrated STO (Safe Torque Off) and SS1 (Safe Stop 1) functions, PROFIsafe includes even more safety features. Functions such as SLS (Safely Limited Speed), SSR (Safe Speed Range), and SSM (Safe Speed Monitor) are incorporated into the drive units to provide safe stop functions that protect operators and prevent damage to the drives and materials. These functions, as well as SDI (Safe Direction) and SOS (Safe Operation Stop), achieve SIL 3 (Safety Integrity Level 3) or PLe (Performance Level 3) Category 4.

The PROFIsafe bus system communicates via PROFINET and can be monitored by connecting an encoder to the drive. Safety input and output components can also be connected directly to the module. The module monitors the drive data and if a limit value is surpassed or not met, the bus system reacts and switches the drive to a safe state. The voltage is then disconnected from all outputs and the input information is reset and transmitted to the secure controller.

With this, the PROFIsafe module provides extensive safety for reliable operation.

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ELECTRONICS

ACS MOTION CONTROL RELEASES SPiiPlusCMxa ETHERCAT® MOTION CONTROLLER TO MAXIMIZE MOTION SYSTEM ACCURACY ACS Motion Control has released its SPiiPlusCMxa, the latest product in its SPiiPlus series of EtherCAT®-based master motion controllers. Suitable for applications with micron to nanometer resolutions and demanding velocity control requirements, this device includes up to three integrated motor drives that leverage powerful servo control algorithms to maximize motion system performance. It is also configurable to control up to 64 axes.

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he CMxa integrates universal motor and encoder technology, enabling system designers to control any type of motor or stage. Its fixed servo sampling and update rate provides the tightly synchronized, realtime control required for sophisticated multi-axis machine designs.

Designed as a drop-in replacement for SPiiPlusCMba and SPiiPlusCMhp motion controllers, the CMxa is supported

by ACS Motion Control’s SPiiPlus ADK Suite, which contains many advanced servo tuning and application development tools. Common applications include metrology, inspection, alignment, laser micromachining and other industrial applications.

Notable product features include: • Advanced PIV cascaded control loop.

• Cascaded dual loop control.

• Disturbance rejection control.

• STO and SS1 safety functionalities.

• Dimensions: 324 x 249 x 120 millimeters.

• Gantry multi-input multi-output (MIMO) control.

• Fixed servo sampling and update rate: 20 kilohertz.

• EtherCAT maximum configurable cycle rate: 5 kilohertz.

• SinCos and analog input resolution: 12 or 16 bits.

• Configurable drive current output: 5/10, 10/20 or 15/30 amps.

Optional features include ACS Motion Control’s ServoBoost control algorithm for dynamic disturbance compensation, MotionBoost algorithm for minimizing motion induced vibration and LearningBoost algorithm for minimizing cyclic motion error.

ACS Motion Control has released the CMxa in tandem with the UDMxa. The UDMxa is a slave EtherCAT drive and drop-in replacement for existing UDMba and UDMhp product users.

It features the same motor drive specifications as the CMxa.

MORE INFORMATION

https://acsmotioncontrol.com/

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HANDLING

BOSTON-BASED URBX LOGISTICS WILL WORK WITH MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC AUTOMATION TO ENABLE RETAILERS TO AUTOMATE AND OPTIMIZE THEIR IN-STORE PICKING PROCESS

Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. is announcing the addition of Urbx Logistics to its Diamond Partner OEM Program. The program is a natural extension of their commitment to achieve the highest level of quality, performance, and efficiency for their customers. Diamond Partner OEMs receive engineering support, tools to increase manufacturing productivity, as well as sales and marketing collaboration.

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rbx Logistics provides a solution for grocery chains, factories, retailers and distribution centers to achieve on-demand order fulfillment. Urbx calls it the “omnichannel warehouse”, and their system enables orders for on-demand goods to be retrieved robotically. Working together with Urbx, which has expertise using advanced technology in delivering directly to the consumer, provides an opportunity for Mitsubishi Electric Automation to bring innovative solutions to the future of order fulfillment.

Urbx partnered with Mitsubishi Electric Automation because of their robotics system architecture. Lincoln Cavalieri, CEO of Urbx Logistics, commented, “The Urbx mission brings automated, on-demand retail fulfillment to everyone.

Through working with Mitsubishi Electric Automation, we see an enormous opportunity to leverage their industryleading robotics system architecture in a groundbreaking way. Close collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric allows us to scale rapidly to meet the intense demand for compact, high-speed fulfillment in the marketplace. We are excited to work with them now and into the future.”

To learn more about Urbx Logistics, visit https://urbx.com/ https://us.mitsubishielectric.com/fa/en MORE INFORMATION

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IMAGE SENSOR

FORZA INTEGRATED PRODUCTION SERVICES ACHIEVE PRACTICAL YIELDS FOR BACK SIDE ILLUMINATION SENSORS

Forza Silicon — a business of AMETEK and leader of advanced image sensor and mixed-signal integrated circuit designs for imaging applications — recently used its Integrated Production Services (IPS) to enable the production of high-speed image sensors that employ back side illumination (BSI) technology.

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hile BSI sensors have been available for more than 10 years in many cellphones and standard digital cameras, the manufacturing process is inherently more difficult than comparable front side illumination (FSI) sensors as it requires additional manufacturing steps. The realities of semiconductor economics have also made it difficult to transfer the technology from the high production volumes of standard cameras to the lower volumes of highspeed imaging sensors.

Overcoming these issues, Forza leveraged its IPS capabilities to optimize the manufacturing process for BSI sensors and achieve practical yields.

“These in-house services include prototype and wafer probe development, qualification services, yield optimization, and production test and delivery,” says Loc Duc Truong, Vice President of Engineering, Forza Silicon. “Together, these capabilities have enabled us to overcome the manufacturing challenges associated with BSI sensors.”

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The high-speed BSI sensor design is the result of a collaboration between Forza Silicon and Vision Research, a leading manufacturer of digital high-speed imaging systems. By designing the photoactive surface above the circuitry, the sensor increases the pixel surface area that can capture photons in light-starved conditions, bringing two significant advantages to high-speed applications: improved fill factor and improved processing speed. https://www.forzasilicon.com/

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ELECTRONICS

DABURN ELECTRONICS ACQUIRES EMSE

Daburn Electronics, a manufacturer of wire, cable, electronic components, power supplies, custom electronics and electrical control panels, has announced the acquisition of EMSE, a medical air and vacuum system design and manufacturing company. EMSE will now operate as a division of Daburn Electronics and will expand its design and manufacturing operations in Fairfield, New Jersey.

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EMSE has satisfied customers by delivering high-quality medical air and vacuum systems for over 30 years.

Daburn’s Sico Systems Control division has been an integral part of this success. This acquisition will allow EMSE and Sico Systems Control to continue to delight customers as one company,” says Ed Flaherty, Daburn Electronics’ President and Chief Executive Officer. “We have added staff at EMSE so that additional best-in-class products are available to customers while continuing to support fielded systems.”

www.daburn.com www.emse.com

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Claudio Radossi, General Manager at EMSE, adds, “The acquisition is very positive for our customers. With Daburn Electronics’ support behind us, we can leverage the benefits of a larger organization to further improve our R&D, product development and customer service.”

Joe Giulini, Operations Manager at EMSE, sees increased opportunities: “The Sico Systems Control division of Daburn has provided the brains behind our systems since EMSE was founded. Being part of one organization with additional resources will allow us to focus quickly on customer needs and develop the right products for customers going forward.”

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MEASUREMENT

RED LION LAUNCHES A NEXT GENERATION GRAPHICAL PANEL METER, PM-50

The simplicity of a panel meter meets the power of a connected future.

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ed Lion introduces the next generation of panel meters, PM-50. This graphical panel meter, PM-50, expands Red Lion’s existing award-winning panel meter portfolio. The PM-50 is available as a 3.5-inch or 4.3inch graphical touchscreen display. Using simple “swipe” technology, users can easily switch between relevant screens and receive comprehensive operational data for monitoring equipment and production. Visual alerts notify the user that immediate action is necessary, either on the unit itself or via PM-50 app, available on Google Play or Apple Store.

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The PM-50 offers built-in Wi-Fi connectivity for users to remotely access critical workflow and process data from the confines of the plant floor to create a smarter plant floor. Wired connectivity is also an option via Ethernet and Modbus.

Rod Smith, Senior Director, Product Management for Red Lion offered: “Today’s manufacturing environment is changing quickly and there is a greater need for data visibility, connectivity, and collection. So, when developing this next generation panel meter, the team at Red Lion challenged themselves to create a product that would help solve these challenges and allow manufacturers to take additional steps in creating a smarter factory floor. The PM-50, with its innovative graphical display, does just that allowing for more efficient processes, improved uptime, and lower operational costs.”

The PM-50 is easy to install, program, and expand. The PM-50 can replace a meter with a 1/8 or 1/16 DIN panel cut out. An on-device programming wizard, mobile app, or web browser provides an easy and intuitive setup. Additional capability is available with field-installable modules to provide outputs, communications, and AC power functionality when needed. www.redlion.net

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MECHANICS DRIVES

TND STEEL DISC COUPLINGS WITH UPDATED DESIGN OFFER BACKLASH-FREE OPERATION IN DRIVE APPLICATIONS

RINGFEDER announces an updated version of its proven TND Series of steel disc couplings, which feature backlash-free torque transmission and excellent positioning accuracy in machines that involve synchronous operation, frequent starts and stops or reversing operations. Typical drive applications include printing and packaging machines, compressors, pumps and variable speed drives.

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sing in-depth finite element analysis (FEA), RINGFEDER has optimized the redesign of its TND Series, which now includes two coupling types: High Deflection (HD), which offers excellent shaft misalignment compensation, and High Torque (HT), which incorporates a higher power density.

www.ringfeder.com MORE INFORMATION

Thanks to their high material quality, compact design and tight tolerances, TND Series couplings achieve superior concentricity, maximum operational reliability, smooth operation and low vibration levels — even in the presence of fast rotational speeds or irregular rotational forces. They also avoid wear, don’t require cleaning or lubrication and offer a long service life when properly installed.

Other features of the updated TND Series include: • Modular design for maximum flexibility.

• Bore diameters from 25 to 215 millimeters.

• Nominal torques up to 130,000 Newton-meters.

• Compensation for axial, angular and radial shaft misalignment.

• Mountable via keyways (DIN 6885-1) or Shrink Discs.

• C ompliance with ATEX according to Product Directive 2014/34/EU and DIN EN ISO 80079-36:2016, if required.

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MECHANICS DRIVES

NEW CROSSED ROLLER BEARING FROM IKO COMBINES ULTRA SMALL SIZE AND RIGIDITY

IKO International has unveiled its newest crossed roller bearing — the CRBT105A. This ultra-small, ultrathin unit is designed to provide exceptional rigidity for space-constrained automated machine designs.

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he CRBT105A features a 10 millimeter bore diameter, 21 millimeter outside diameter and a narrow width of 5 millimeters. Despite its compact size, the CRBT105A offers rigidity up to four times greater than double-row angular contact ball-type bearings. This combination of small size and high rigidity makes the CRBT105A suitable for robots with articulating arms as well as compact surveillance cameras.

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With rollers alternately crossed at right angles to each other between inner and outer rings, the CRBT105A produces a greater contact surface to allow the bearing to handle heavy or complex loads from any direction simultaneously.

This orthogonal roller arrangement results in a bearing that occupies just half the sectional area of rear-mounted, 45-degree contact angle single-row roller or ball-type bearings.

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The CRBT105A also features: • Separators between cylindrical rollers to provide smooth rotation.

• Dynamic load rating of 1,120N and static load rating of 811N. • Small coefficient of friction for high-speed rotation.

• Lightweight design.

Crossed Roller Bearings are advanced products that are ideal for space-constrained automated machine designs.

In addition to the ultra-small, ultra-thin CRBT105A, IKO also offers a wide range of rigid, compact crossed roller bearings that are well-suited for machine tools, industrial robots, medical equipment, and other precision applications. www.ikont.com

MECHANICS DRIVES

NORD’S NEW IEC AND NEMA INPUT ADAPTERS ENHANCE PERFORMANCE AND FLEXIBILITY WHILE INCREASING TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES

Increased configurability and improved design offer added value and minimal maintenance.

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ORD’s newly improved NEMA and IEC input adapters offer improved mechanical and thermal performance, giving users more flexibility in designing drive systems and allowing for a broader range of application and environment-specific concepts through extended options such as integrated backstops and speed sensors. The redesigned input adapters are available NEMA sizes 250TC – 400TC and from IEC sizes 160 – 315.

These innovative NEMA/IEC input adapters showcase improved technical capabilities – 3600rpm max input speed, increased bearing life, and serviceability. They also come equipped with FKM seals as a standard and bearings that will last for a minimum of 25,000 hours, resulting in trouble-free operation for longer periods before requiring maintenance.

NORD’s redesigned NEMA and IEC adapters are made of cast-iron and consist of a single casting that eliminates the need for adapter plates. This manufacturing process reduces the total number of parts that need to be stocked, resulting in a lower sell price and providing better overall value. The improved housing also results in a significant reduction in heat generation, nearly -20 K less temperature rise compared to the legacy version. The adapters come standard with a failsafe ROTEX coupling and are designed for easy integration of backstops and speed sensors to meet application needs.

To support commissioning and service, an inspection cover was added for quick feedback on engagement and spider condition. Perma-lubricators and grease drain cups will no longer be needed as the new adapters come prepared with lifetime grease as well as provisions for re-greasing if necessary, adding to the low maintenance advantages these NEMA and IEC adapters provide. www.nord.com MORE INFORMATION

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PLANT SECURITY

AUTOMATION24 ADDS SCHMERSAL MACHINE SAFETY DEVICES TO ITS ONLINE SHOP

Automation24, an online shop for industrial automation technology, announces Schmersal, Inc. machine safety devices are now available to U.S. customers. A global leader in machine safety, Schmersal produces innovative mechanical and electrosensitive switching devices that comply with current safety standards.

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igh-speed operation and aggressive production goals in demanding packaging, metal forming, cutting and milling processes make personnel safety more critical than ever. Schmersal offers a wide range of safety devices including mechanical, magnetic and RFID safety switches, solenoid interlocks, light curtains, safety relays, safety hinge switches and safety rope pulls. Now available in the Automation24 online store, customers can select the Schmersal devices they need to implement a full safety system — at any time and at an affordable price.

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“We’re pleased to add Schmersal to our online store,” says Ron Baysinger, Vice President. “Schmersal is a trusted name in the automation industry for keeping personnel and equipment safe without sacrificing productivity.” www.automation24.com

MEASUREMENT

SOFTING RELEASES POCKET-SIZED LINKXPERT FAMILY OF CABLE TESTERS

Softing Inc., an industry leader in IT networks and cable testing products, releases its NetXpert XG2 Ethernet tester. This new series offers many of the same benefits and capabilities as the flagship NetXpert XG with the addition of several new hardware features, including 5 gigahertz (GHz) wireless local-area network (WLAN) support.

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ike the NetXpert XG, the NetXpert XG2 performs Bit Error Rate Tests (BERT) from 100 megabytes (MB) to 10 Gigabytes (Gb) regardless of cable category, patch panels or outlets. Both series also perform signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and Delay Skew tests, which the units combine into an overall pass/fail result.

https://itnetworks.softing.com/us

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The NetXpert XG2 tester includes the following highperforming hardware enhancements: • Supports 5 GHz WLAN frequencies — a helpful feature, as most wireless access points support 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies • Includes the more commonly used USB-A port • Both small form-factor pluggable (SFP) bays support highspeed copper and fiber wiring up to 10 Gb per second, making it easy to swap SFP cartridges • The NetXpert XG2 PLUS kit offers 30 percent more battery capacity for longer operating and field-testing times. This battery comes standard with the NetXpert XG2 PLUS kit and is optional for the NetXpert XG2

As an all-in-one Ethernet tester, NetXpert XG2 empowers users to prove that their infrastructure can support application bandwidth requirements. It supports 10 Gb Ethernet testing over copper and fiber wiring, Power over Ethernet (PoE) testing and active network (copper, fiber or WiFi) troubleshooting. NetXpert also offers simple firmware upgrades and a licensing system that supports additional upgrades after the initial purchase.

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M E TA L W O R K I N G

KENNAMETAL INTRODUCES FIX8™ FOR HEAVY-DUTY TURNING WITH EIGHT CUTTING EDGES PER INSERT

FIX8 has eight cutting edges per insert, providing the lowest cost per edge. The tangential design allows it to sustain far higher loads than traditional designs.

New system delivers highest possible metal removal rates in turning operations with lowest cost per cutting edge.

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The tangential design of the FIX8 insert features a rigid clamping system that pulls the insert securely into the pocket seat, offering superior stability that enables the insert to withstand large cutting forces and vibrations for optimal performance. The insert is also supported by a replaceable carbide shim, protecting the pocket against deformation and damage.

“FIX8 is designed to cover a wide range of applications, including turning and facing, smooth surfaces, interrupted, and heavily interrupted cuts. From medium depth-of-cut to roughing in steels, cast iron, and challenging materials like stainless steel, FIX8 handles it all. Even extreme feed rates of up to 1.4mm (0.055") and depths of cut up to 12mm (0.472") are possible with FIX8,” says Matthew Fuerst, Product Manager, Kennametal.

The FIX8 tool holder features precision 3D coolant technology, supplying sufficient coolant precisely where needed. Three coolant nozzles are directed to the rake face, controlling temperature, chip evacuation, and supporting chip formation. Coolant exit holes in two different locations are directed toward the flank of the insert, controlling the heat in the cutting zone and prolonging tool life.

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ennametal has released the FIX8™ heavy-duty turning system, delivering maximum metal removal rates in steel, stainless steel and cast iron. With eight cutting edges per insert, the FIX8 turning system increases productivity of any heavy-duty turning operation, providing the lowest cost per edge while reducing cutting forces up to 15 percent.

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FIX8 provides excellent chip control for any heavy-duty turning application while increasing tool life. The insert design reduces cutting forces and power consumption, making it ideal for any low horsepower lathe.

FIX8 tool holder styles featuring precision 3D coolant technology.

Delivers coolant sufficiently and precisely to where it is needed.

MORE INFORMATION

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