Automation Update - Issue 65 by jetdigitalmedia

AUTOMATION UPDATE

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Issue 65

eco OWER AC

LTD

www.ecopacpower.co.uk DIN RAIL POWER SUPPLY

ENCLOSED POWER SUPPLY

OPEN FRAME POWER SUPPLY

MEAN WELL POWER SUPPLIES

CALL OUR EXPERT TEAM TODAY!

+44 (0) 1844 204420 Email us at info@ecopacpower.co.uk

Ecopac (UK) Power Ltd, Unit 4, Ridgeway, Crendon Industrial Area, Long Crendon, Bucks, HP18 9BF

AUTOMATION UPDATE Editorial Assistant Laura Sharpe 01843 580 460 laura@automation-update.co.uk Publishing Director Jodie Little 01843 580 460 jodie@jetdigitalmedia.co.uk Sales Director Tim Johnston 01843 448 443 tim@automation-update.co.uk Advertising Exec Jamie Simmons 01843 580 460 jamie@automation-update.co.uk

Automation Update is an engaging, editorially led publication & directory giving the reader news and updates on new products and services to our ever Progressing industry.

Publishing House Jet Digital Media Ltd The Forge, Spratling Court Offices, Manston, Kent CT12 5AN

www.automation-update.co.uk

Forerunner. Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. The Sensor People have been setting technological standards in industrial automation for more than 50 years. This is how we ensure the success of our customers in an industry that is ever evolving. We have been a forerunner from the start, and we are working on standardizing industrial communication. Among other things, we make sensors that are capable of transmitting data to control systems and the cloud via IO-Link and OPC-UA.

www.leuze.co.uk

Leuze_Kampagne_Wegbereiter_UK-BH_190x130_RZ-oMHW_en.indd 1

23.03.2020 10:50:21 Automation Update - 3

TOOLING UP - Draper Tools is 101 years old this year - and investing in automation to support the continuing growth of its business Draper Tools, a leading hand and power tool distributor is a family-run company that has been in business for just over a century and has more than 5,000 UK and overseas customers. Historically its customers have been mostly business-to-business (B2B) retailers and distributors but more recently Draper has also begun using its logistics platform to ship to consumers directly on behalf of its customers. Draper Tools has been implementing a strategy that upgrades and modernises its warehousing and logistics workflows with enabling technology. Draper Head of Warehousing and Logistics, Matt Boschi is leading that process supported by Draper Tools technology partner Red Ledge. He is responsible for Draper Tools’ two-site, 560,000 square feet warehousing operation which is based in Eastleigh, Hampshire and employs around 120 people. Improved efficiency Draper Tools has moved from a long-established, paper-based environment to a warehouse management system driving handheld terminals and mobile computers and is now in the process of integrating its technologies more fully. Thanks to this new technology that drives its warehousing and logistics division the company has been able to service additional demand without taking on the temporary staff it used to. WMS-driven operation A ‘Red Ledge WMS’ warehouse management system now sits at the heart of the company’s 15,000SKU operation. The WMS is integrated with Draper Tools’ IBM ERP (enterprise resource planning) and Knapp automated picking systems and is capable of updating inventory in real time. Other, WMS-driven functions include a volumetric packing optimiser, automated labelling and carrier management. The company’s 100+ mobile scanners that are now used 4 - Automation Update

by its warehouse teams are also driven by the Red Ledge WMS. Future objectives include greater automation of Draper Tools’ export order fulfilment. “Having a WMS allows you to drive efficiencies and adapt to new working practices such as drop shipping directly to consumers on behalf of our customers. Also, we are now able to pick orders in batches rather than single orders, delivering efficiencies in the use of warehouse time” Matt Boschi explains. “The orders are all single units but rather than doing 600 journeys round the warehouse we are doing thirty. And we have that ability because Red Ledge is helping us by writing and tweaking the applications we need.” More profitable The Draper Logistic Team works closely with the Red Ledge team to ensure that the WMS

is harnessed to the needs of the business. The system is used to generate management reports on the performance of Draper Tools individuals, teams and warehouse processes. “Greater operational visibility is making warehousing and logistics here a more profitable part of the business by driving down our costs” Matt Boschi says. “With the Red Ledge WMS we are well positioned to manage all types of change” Matt Boschi concludes, “and the functionality of our WMS can be easily replicated to support multiple operations domestically or globally.” More information: www.redledge.co.uk Twitter @drapertools Instagram @draper_tools Facebook @drapertools Website www.drapertools.com LinkedIn @drapertools

Power Security & Back-Up

Instruments Ltd

DC UPS

CBI Series Input 90-305 V AC Output 12/24/48 V DC upto 20 A MODbus / CANbus Comms Remote Monitoring via ethernet Status Relay

Battery Chargers CB Series Input 90-305 V AC Output 12/24/48 V DC upto 20 A MODbus / CANbus Comms Remote Monitoring via ethernet Status Relay

Power Supplies

FLEX Series Input 90-500 V AC Output 12/24/48 V DC upto 25 A Single / Dual or 3 Phase inputs

A H

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Instruments Ltd

TVR Instruments Limited 143 Butt Road, Colchester CO3 3DP Essex United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 1206 575755 Email: sales@tvri.co.uk www.tvri.co.uk

Ala

LEMO’S NEW HARPOON: PRESS-FIT CONTACTS FOR ELBOW AND STRAIGHT PCB SOCKETS LEMO connector is well known for its Push-Pull connector. LEMO’s new harpoon earthing pins enable pre-installing easily various receptacles/socket. The advantage of these new press-fit contacts is the gain of time while doing the pre-assembly, no need to place the washers and screw 4 times the M1.6 screws. Simply align the connector and push firmly. This pre-assembly will enable the assembly house or final customer to turn the PCB board upside down and run the parts through the reflow soldering oven. This solution is planned for elbow and straight PCB sockets of 0B & 1B series. The current design works specifically with 1.6mm thickness boards. www.lemo.com

6 - Automation Update

PRODUCT SHOWCASE – ON THE SHELF Stock items available immediately

Tempmaster PRO Precision Thermometer The Tempmaster PRO from Labfacility provides very high precision temperature measurement with Pt100 sensors. www.labfacility.com

L300 8 Zone Temperature Alarm / Controller with Pt or TC inputs The Labfacility L300 Pt100 and TC temperature alarm / on-off controller can be used in conjunction with a PC to provide accurate monitoring and alarm or on-off control of up to 8- zones simultaneously www.labfacility.com

L60 Thermocouple & Fine Wire Welder The Thermocouple Welder, manufactured by Labfacility, is a compact, simple-to-use instrument designed for thermocouple and fine wire welding. www.labfacility.com

Labcal PRO Precision Thermometer The Labcal PRO from Labfacility is fully characterised for Pt100 sensors and all major thermocouples. www.labfacility.com

Bognor Regis 01243 871280 | Sheffield 01909 569446 sales@labfacility.com

www.labfacility.com

New IN-SIGHT D900 AUTOMATEs MORE INLINE INSPECTIONS When manufacturing processes cannot be automated and products go uninspected for whatever reason, manufacturers open themselves up to product recalls, inefficiencies, rework, and other negative business outcomes. The latest Cognex vision system In-Sight D900 now expands the types of inline inspections customers can automate and scale. The InSight D900 is the first vision system with embedded deep learning inspection capabilities allowing non-programmers to benefit from the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI). It solves most challenging OCR, assembly verification, and defect detection applications without the need for a PC during deployment. The InSight D900’s combination of power,

accessibility, and ease of use will help manufacturers across diverse industries inspect the previously uninspectable, while delivering fast, consistent, and accurate results. Applications are easy to build and deploy The In-Sight ViDi deep learning software takes advantage of the intuitive In-Sight spreadsheet interface, to quickly set up and run deep learning applications without programming. This interface simplifies

application development and streamlines factory integration with a full I/O and communications function set. It also allows users to combine traditional powerful Cognex rulebased vision tools and deep learning tools in the same job. Training can be done quickly and with a relativley small set of images. Deep learning is embedded on a powerful smart camera vision system Until now, the use of deep learning for factory automation inspections required deep learning software, running on a PC and connected to a GigE camera, adding to the level of complexity to bring a deep learning solution to the line. By contrast, once an application is created and the deep learning model is trained it gets deployed to the In-Sight D900 right on the line without a PC. And, like other In-Sight vision systems, it can be customized to match exact application requirements. Automate and scale the most challenging inline inspections The In-Sight D900 vision system with In-Sight ViDi software addresses three specific applications: defect detection, challenging OCR, and assembly verification, with three new inspection tools to solve a wide range of applications. Conclusion In-Sight D900 is a powerfully smart vision system capable of running deep learning inspections right on the line without a PC. For too long, deep learning has been the provenance of academic theory and big tech companies. Now, though, automation engineers and quality managers can leverage its power right on the factory floor. Read more at cognex.com/D900

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NEW STORAGE SYSTEM INTERFACE AUTOMATES SHEET METALWORKING Automated material flow offers manufacturers significant time and cost savings. With this in mind, KASTO has introduced a new system for efficiently transferring material automatically between its sheet metal storage towers and flatbed processing plant, such as laser cutting machines and turret punch presses. It enables minimally attended production, achieves high throughput speeds and relieves staff of the laborious and potentially risky task of handling large metal sheets. The system comprises two sheet manipulators suspended from a gantry projecting from the storage tower and two pick-and-place tables below. These are positioned side by side the same distance apart as the manipulators, the table nearer the tower being a similar distance from it and fixed to the floor. The second, shuttle table has a slatted surface and is rail-mounted, allowing it to travel to a production area and back. The manipulators operate differently in that the one closer to the tower uses an array of suction cups to hold the sheet during lifting and lowering, whereas the other employs a raketype gripper that opens so that the rake tips move further apart than the width of the sheet, allowing it to be lifted from underneath off the slatted shuttle table after the rakes have closed.

that sheet to the shuttle table, is also required to lift and deposit processed material from the shuttle table to the fixed table. The latter, more secure method of handling is needed as the sheet may contain loose components that have to be supported. In any case, the material may have been distorted during machining, making suction cup adherence unreliable. A similar rake-type manipulator is also present at the machine tool end of the rails, either to handle fresh and processed sheet automatically or to assist in their manual transfer between the moveable KASTO table the shuttle table serving the laser or punch press. The system is not designed to return the sheet containing lasercut or punched components back into the storage tower, although such fully-automatic operation can be supplied by KASTO with double pick-and-place stations and with manipulators moving independently, one above the other. In the semi-automatic configuration described above, the processed material is returned only as far as the

fixed table, from where the sheet is taken by an operator to a shake-out station for removal of the parts and recycling of the skeleton. Suitable not only for manufacturers but also sheet metal stockholders that add value to the material they supply, the automated handling system is customisable to suit the user’s requirements and the size of sheet being processed. Compatible with KASTO’s UNITOWER and UNILINE computer-controlled storage systems, the compact, spacesaving interface ensures that it can be easily integrated into almost any sheet metal production environment.

The manipulators always move horizontally in unison and vertically in opposite directions. They are not identical, as the vacuum type only handles fresh, flat sheets from the tower to the fixed table, while the rake type, in addition to passing Automation Update - 9

ESI Technology Limited

Latest USB Software Updates ESI Technology are proud to be at the forefront of the industry leading USB Pressure Transducer technology.

Our designers and engineers are constantly updating and improving the user interface for both the standard GS4200-USB and the high speed GD4200-USB units. Our streamlined, easy to operate USB units already offer a host of outstanding features, including; •

Measuring & recording up to 16 pressure inputs in one test

•

The ability to rename sensors, making them easily identifiable during test/ monitoring conditions.

•

Compare outputs from two (or more) connected transducers

•

Data recovery facility in cases of power outages (inc. the ability to recover most of the data from the affected test)

•

Option to enable “Auto Software Update “ensuring that all users will

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have the very latest version of the software for the life of the product. ESI Technology regularly issue updates to the software, in some cases to eliminate bugs and glitches, but in the majority of cases to add new features to the software. We recently, at the request of customers, released a leak testing feature, to enable easy pressure leak testing for manufacturers, installers, and maintainers of pressure systems. In our latest update we further refined this feature to enable the pressure test to accept pressure drops to two decimal places. In this update we also added a feature that allows the graph screen and printed report to show the x axis (time) in elapsed time or system time. We have also introduced a popup screen to alert users when the test parameters have surpassed their set

limits, meaning operators do not need to constantly monitor the screen for pressure variances. The software now simply logs and informs users of the time and pressure level at the point of alarm. It is also now possible to move alarm levels during a test, rather than starting a new test. Markers have always been an important feature of the software as this allows users to flag times throughout the test they want to analyse further. There is now an option to remove or add markers after the test has completed, enabling more useful reports to be created. ESI Technology have a policy of constantly updating the USB software, if there is a feature you would like to see, or you feel would be a good addition to the software, please advise sales@esi-tec.com, and we can evaluate the feasibility of including this on future updates.

TOUCHPATH LAUNCHES ‘TOUCHSALES’ CUSTOMER ORDERING PORTAL: SUPPORTS NEW WAYS OF WORKING IN THE COVID-19 ENVIRONMENT Reduces order entry and fulfilment errors by a minimum of 50% “We are re-defining customer service for the new business climate” says TouchPath International CEO David Myers International supply chain solutions provider TouchPath (www.touchpath.com) is launching ‘TouchSales’, a web-based customer ordering portal designed for remote, COVID-19-driven working the company announced today. The online portal enables customers to place their orders and manage their business relationship with an industry or commerce supplier from any location quickly, accurately and securely says TouchPath. The TouchSales portal is open 24/7, runs in real time and has an intuitive, user 20 - Automation Update

friendly interface. As well as allowing customers to input their own orders directly it gives them online access to their individual accounts history and to customised product and pricing information from the supplier’s back office system.

TouchSales can also be used by field sales and call centre sales people to enter sales orders remotely. They can access back office information via the same portal including sales history, accounts receivable (AR), product data and pricing.

For TouchSales users the portal will typically replace email, phone or fax orders which need to be manually entered to the ERP*, a process which can result in six out of ten being entered incorrectly according to industry feedback. TouchSales reduces order and related fulfilment errors by a minimum of 50%, can be installed in weeks and pays for itself in months says TouchPath. *Enterprise Resource Planning System

“We are re-defining customer service for the new business climate” says TouchPath International CEO David Myers. “TouchSales not only enables new, more flexible ways of working in today’s COVID-19-driven business environment – it actually raises sales and purchase order processing standards, saving time and money.” TouchPath has operations in the UK (Halifax HX1 5ER) and the USA (High Point, NC 27265).

Three unusual applications of wave springs It may come as a surprise that top artists such as Noel Gallagher, Stevie Wonder and Madonna have performed on stage and in the studio with wave springs.

When examining potential uses for wave springs, aerospace, automotive and medical applications are usually the first that come to mind — not live music. Here Justin Lawrence, applications engineer at leading fastening and fixing supplier TFC explores three of the more unusual applications for wave springs. How did Noel Gallagher end up with a wave spring? Well, UK manufacturer Aston Microphones used a Crest-to-Crest® wave spring to combine practicality and aesthetics when designing its first microphone. Looking to design a radical new product, Aston’s designers were first impressed with the visual appearance of the spring. Another attraction was the unique manufacturing method, which enables the production of bespoke springs to the designer’s exact specifications. At the suggestion of TFC, the final design included squared shim ends so the spring offered a full 360º supporting shoulder within the product. Once assembled, the spring provided an attractive and robust outer to shell protect the fragile electronics. Should the microphone be dropped and the spring distorted, the flat wire form allows the head to be straightened by hand in seconds. All this was achieved without any distortion to the sound quality of the vocal input. Lock washer replacement Lock washers can prevent nuts and bolts from slipping or turning in an application. The washer applies a load to minimise the effects of vibration, keeping the nut and bolt secure. Lock washers are typically manufactured from low-cost materials. When special alloys are needed

for corrosive, or extreme temperature environments, custom lock washers can be impossible to source unless ordering vast quantities. For highly specialised subsea or space applications nested wave springs can be considered as an alternative. However, it should be noted that compressing these springs to solid will induce some loss of load so talking to a specialist from the outset is key. Nested wave springs also offer functional benefits when compared with lock washers. These springs are coiled in series, increasing the load with each turn until the desired spring rate and deflection are reached. For larger diameter bolts, these springs can provide a more evenly distributed force, keeping the stresses uniform around the bolt head. Nested wave springs can therefore provide a more accurate, repeatable load than a standard lock washer. Athletic shoes The performance of athletic or casual shoes is partly determined by the amount of shock absorption they provide. Typically, wave springs are used in mechanical engineering, so it is easy to see why they could be considered as a

shock absorber for the human body. Most manufactured products and assemblies will have space limitations — the sole of a shoe is no exception. Crest-to-Crest® springs provide space-saving capabilities in a very lightweight design. They are also roughly half the height of coil springs, but still provide similar capacity to absorb the heavy, repeatable loads created by a jog around the neighbourhood. This practical use in a shoe is an example of how wave springs are apt for both static (standing) and dynamic (running) purposes. While wave springs are typically thought of in the context of automotive, aerospace or medical applications, their possibilities are endless. These applications show how wave spring technology is being applied across different industries, from casual consumer products to space exploration and everything in between. Factors such as available space and operational performance all play significant roles in the design process and TFC engineers have a wealth of experience to help maximise the benefits of using this technology. For more information on how you application could benefit from Smalley wave springs, visit www.tfc.eu.com.

Automation Update - 15

ULTRASONIC SENSORS WITH IO-LINK FOR CONTINUOUS LEVEL MEASUREMENT AND OBJECT DETECTION UP TO 8M Sensor specialist ifm electronic recognises the onward march of IO-Link technology and the important benefits it brings in helping to meet the growing demands for increasingly sophisticated control and automation applications. A good example of this is their innovative range of M30 ultrasonic position sensors, designed specifically for applications where continuous level measurement and object detection for bulk materials or liquids applications are required. The ifm M30 range includes sensors such as the UIT501, one of 6 options for continuous level measurement and object detection which are distinguished by their ability to cover a sensing distance range of up to 8 metres. Among the key features is the ability to adjust the width of sound beam via IO-Link which also helps users to prepare for Industry 4.0. They will be particularly appreciated in level measurement applications where space is very limited and where unwanted reflections on the inside of the tank results in faulty measurements. Thanks to the IO-Link,

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the sound beam can be set individually depending on the application. Other features and benefits include a vibrating sound transducer which reduces the risk of dirt deposit, a robust stainless steel housing and options in the range which provide a sensing range of up to 8 metres. Settings and control for the UIT501 is via pushbutton or IO-Link, with M12 connection, output is PNP+4 / 20mA and they have a protection rating of IP67. Accessory options include stainless steel angle bracket, USB IO-Link master for parameter settings and analysis of units, along with supported communication protocols; IO-Link (4.8, 38.4 and 230 kBit/s). ENDS. Further details available at: www.ifm.com/gb/en/shared/ product-news/2018/sps/continuous-

level-measurement-and-objectdetection-to-up-to-8-m Contact: Gemma Anderson, ifm electronic ltd, Efector House, Kingsway Business Park, Oldfield Road, Hampton, TW12 2HD, UK. Email: gemma.anderson@ifm.com Tel: +44(0)208 2132222 www.ifm.com/uk

Same range on any metal – inductive sensors from ifm

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R+K Safety Guarding RK Rose+Krieger (part of the international Phoenix Mecano group of companies) have been manufacturing components for automation and machine building for over 40 years. Our extensive range of products in the fields of linear adjustment, profile technology, connecting and module technology are renowned and respected for their reliability and performance. Made using our plain faced ESP profile and utilising 30x30 or 40x40 woven mesh, the safety guarding system from R+K offers an attractive and modular system that is easy to install. Posts are mounted into Base clamps that can be easily bolted to the floor. The R+K click & safe connection system not only makes panels easy to fix and remove from posts for access if necessary (with a simple tool) but also complies to EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. So after the posts are suitably secured to the ground and the panels assembled, they need only be inserted

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at the bottom and pressed in at the job and the job is done! Main features … Stable protection system with aluminium design Minimal effort required in construction Quick assembly time Clamping profiles allow different materials to be installed Smooth, easy to clean outer surfaces Comprehensive range of accessories Complies with the new EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC RK Rose+Krieger 26 Faraday Road Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP19 8RY 01296 611660 rk@pmgb.co.uk www.pmgb.co.uk/rk

Transforming Challenges Into Diversity And Growth Businesses can often face significant challenges brought on by a wide range of factors which may include volatility in market conditions, changes in consumer preferences and demand and competition from emerging markets. The effects from any combination of these events can result in reduced revenue and profitability, therefore diversity and growth within new sectors will be essential if a business is to both survive and thrive. In this article Paul Knight, Managing Director of CME Limited, explains how the development of a turnaround strategy has succeeded in moving the company from a 90% reliance on the tobacco industry into new and diverse markets. A core element of this strategy was capitalising on the innovative design and engineering resources within the business, leading to the development of new products which the company now supplies to the Pharmaceutical, Legal Cannabis, Food and Consumer Goods sectors worldwide. As a result, the company has seen revenue more than double whilst at the same time diversifying to just 40% reliance on the tobacco sector. When market conditions change rapidly, as is the case for many businesses in the current climate, it is clear that companies need to both plan and react swiftly if they are to mitigate the effects on the business and establish a clear vision for the future. However, when change happens more slowly, perhaps over a number of years, companies with a long established heritage within specific market sectors often focus on servicing their existing customers and try to gain more market share in a declining market. In instances such as this, the long term effects on the business may not be quite so obvious initially, however there will come a point where the reality of the situation hits, and if there is no alternative strategy in place to diversify, the future of the business could be at risk. CME Limited found itself facing a very similar scenario 5 years ago, primarily as a result of reduced demand

for tobacco, a market that the company had nurtured and serviced successfully since its inception in 1985, establishing an installed base across 132 countries. With no firm future strategy in place at the time, the company appointed Paul Knight as Managing Director with the objective of initially stabilising the business, then developing and implementing a long term strategy that would allow the company to focus its comprehensive innovative design and engineering resources to target new growing markets as well as continuing to support its valuable historic customer base. Paul Knight explains: “It was clear from the outset that the future success of the business would be dependent upon the development of a robust strategy, centred on growth through improvements and efficiencies in the methodologies attributed to the sales process, and growth through diversification into new markets, supported by new product development and cultural change.” From a sales perspective, conducting a more formal approach to lead evaluation and scoring, qualifying the sales pipeline, performing a detailed analysis of competitors and pricing, has changed the focus and enthusiasm within the sales team. In addition, as new markets would play a key role in the future growth of the company dedicated sales resources were put in place for that purpose. Paul Knight continues: “Our clear focus was on developing growth through diversification into new markets and the development of new products. Initial research identified a number of new markets where the technologies and core competences of the business were a very close, if not perfect match. Additional and extensive research was then carried out to understand the issues at the forefront of these markets, who our competitors may be, and which technologies would be required. We

also identified and built up a network of likeminded OEMs and Automation businesses to help drive enquiries to CME through referrals.” The company now applies its innovative design and engineering resource to develop both bespoke and standard automation solutions for applications within the Pharmaceutical, Legal Cannabis, Food and Consumer Goods sectors worldwide. These are all growing markets which are increasingly looking to automation to counter labour shortages, improve quality and productivity and add the flexibility they need to deliver an agile response to the changing demands of their customers. The success of the diversification process has also allowed the company to remain buoyant through the current challenging business environment brought on by COVID-19. Paul Knight concludes: “In a relatively short period CME Limited has successfully transformed and is on course for a sustained period of growth. Not only have we consolidated our position within our traditional markets, but we are now also recognised as a valued partner in a number of key projects. Amongst these are a contract to manufacture an automated clinical trial line, which will be the first major piece of equipment to be installed and developed within the new Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre in Scotland, securing a multi-machine export order for the legal cannabis sector, and the development of a precision robotic food packaging system, designed with EHEDG’s (European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group) exacting standards in mind. We continue to grow within our new markets, more than doubled our order intake and have reduced our reliance on the traditional tobacco sector from 90 percent to 50 percent, reducing risk.”

Automation Update - 19

M12 connectors from binder - the perfect fit for sensors and actuators in automation applications The most common circular connector specified for use across many industrial sectors is the M12 connector. Today, it is used widely to connect sensors and actuators as well as in applications like Fieldbus and industrial Ethernet installations. binder manufactures a wide variety of M12 connectors in different codings and pin counts to satisfy the broadest range of applications. One of binder’s most recent introductions is a pair of power connectors. One is K (AC power) coded, the other L (DC power) coded and both are in accordance with IEC 610776-2-111. These M12 connectors are available in either cable or panel mount versions and have been designed to ensure a totally reliable connection in environments where the need to protect against dust, water and other substances is paramount. The 12mm locking thread connector provides protection to IP67/IP68 when mated. Designed for field assembly, the cable connector is available in male and female versions and can

20 - Automation Update

accommodate cable diameters from 8 to 13mm and wire sizes up to 2.5mm². The male and female panel mount connector is pre-assembled with a standard wire length of 200mm. binder can supply other lengths on request. Another M12 connector series from binder is designed specifically for a variety of applications in the food and beverage sectors according to FDA 21 CFR. The range includes moulded and angled male and female cable connectors and connecting cables with M12 threads. These M12 A-coded connectors are available in three, four, five, eight and 12-pole versions in accordance with DIN EN 61076-2-101 and DIN EN 61076-2-104 respectively. Maximum current is 4A at 250V. M12 A-Coded connector - special plastics prevent dirt adhesion binder has designed these M12 connectors using premium materials including stainless steel and special plastics with highly smooth contours

to prevent dirt adhesion. The moulded heads are made from cream-coloured RAL 9001 polypropylene plastic and the cables have a grey PVC jacket. Because high pressure cleaning with aggressive chemicals is widely used throughout these food and beverage sectors, these M12 connectors provide protection to IP68 and IP69K. As well as the food and beverage sector, these new M12 circular connectors are suitable for use in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries and in other types of industrial food processing, including milk and cheese dairies, meat processing facilities, bottling plants and food storage. binder is a family-owned company employing 1800 people worldwide. The company is an innovative leader in the field of industrial circular connectors supplying a wide range of high-quality products ideal for all types of industrial applications. For more information go to www.binder-connector.co.uk

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