Automation Update - Issue 64 by jetdigitalmedia

AUTOMATION UPDATE

WWW.AUTOMATION-UPDATE.CO.UK

Issue 64

eco OWER AC

LTD

www.ecopacpower.co.uk DIN RAIL POWER SUPPLY

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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.

Visit us at Drives and Controls 2020 21 – 23 April NEC Birmingham Stand D116

www.leuze.co.uk

Automation Update - 3

MITSUBISHI CATERPILLAR FORKLIFT AMERICA INC. INSTALLS TOUCHPATH MANUFACTURING EXECUTION SYSTEM TO INCREASE PRODUCTION CAPACITY ‘TouchMES’ increases production speed and efficiency; enables leaner manufacturing at lower cost according to TouchPath user feedback. Managers and supervisors have instant access to TouchMESgenerated key performance indicators that support management decision making for greater efficiency and productivity, using real time dashboards and production status screens. Additional TouchMES functionality installed for MCFA includes the visibility of production throughout the system and clear to build functionality of subassemblies. TouchMES uses MCFA-defined rules to control the manufacturing process: for example drag and drop capability allows the company to schedule and release orders to the shop floor. Capacity rules are applied that also control the mix of orders in real time. Commenting on MCFA’s decision to deploy TouchMES Matthew Downey, MCFA senior manager, Operations Planning said: “As we are vertically integrated, we needed to optimise real time control of our manufacturing and distribution processes, especially around the manufacturing of key work-in-process subassemblies. TouchMES allows us to manage and maximize capacity, while meeting the specific demands of each customer. In short, the system allows us to scale production while remaining highly responsive.”

Houston, Texas-headquartered forklift manufacturer Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. (‘MCFA’) has implemented international supply chain solutions provider TouchPath’s ‘TouchMES’ manufacturing execution system, integrating it with the company’s ERP system to increase production capacity and support expansion, it was announced today. From its 860,000 sq. ft., 850 employee Houston-based plant MCFA manufactures and distributes Mitsubishi forklift trucks, Cat® lift trucks and Jungheinrich® warehouse products, via a network of 450 dealers across North, Central, South America and the Caribbean. TouchMES is a modern, performance-driven system that continuously monitors the status of all production, including shop floor processes, automatically updating the ERP to enable leaner manufacturing at lower cost 4 - Automation Update

TouchPath international CEO David Myers describes the system: “TouchMES brings full manufacturing, machine control data to the ERP environment in real time, improving company performance.” TouchPath uses smart, flexible modules that can be bolted together in almost any combination to deliver a customised solution at an off-the-shelf price, deploying systems technology that captures more information for better business performance and faster ROI, according to the company. TouchPath has operations in the UK (Halifax HX1 5ER) and the USA (High Point, NC 27265).

www.touchpath.com

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Power Supplies

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

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

Ala

E. Preston (Electrical) Ltd Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary E. Preston (Electrical) Ltd announces its 40th anniversary as a specialist distributor of switches and electrical components.

E Preston was established by its original founder Ernest Preston, from which the company gained its name. It began with three people and only three franchises. The company quickly grew and has maintained healthy growth over the last 40 years. Now into the third generation of family ownership, the company employs 20 people and has over 50 franchises, consisting of 100,000s of parts. Since its inception in 1980, the company has not only grown its offering but also its customer base too. Customers range from sole traders to major PLCs in every sector from transport, defence, and medical to refrigeration, vending and renewable energy. The reason for its continued growth and success is because of its emphasis on the customer. “E Preston has experienced exceptional growth and development over the past 40 years,” said Mark Preston (Managing Director). “At E Preston our greatest strength is our relationship with our customers. Our focus has always been, and will continue to be, on offering our customers the products they need at the best possible prices. We go the extra mile to make sure that we provide exceptional 6 - Automation Update

service and make the whole process as simple as possible.” Over the past 40 years, E Preston has been successful at evolving and changing to stay ahead of other electrical distributors. The company works collaboratively with its customers to be a partner in the supply chain process, providing a number of general and bespoke supply solutions such as buffer stock, kit supply and forward ordering. The company’s most recent service is an online ordering platform called eprestononline, which allows customers to browse products, view statements and invoices, and order online.

The E Preston team consists of experienced internal and external sales professionals who can offer technical advice, advise on alternative or new products, provide samples and visit on-site to discuss potential applications and solutions. For more information on E Preston, to make an enquiry or to place an order online please visit www.eprestononline.co.uk. Contact info: Name: Matthew Preston Organisation: E. Preston (Electrical) Ltd Address: Broadway, Globe Lane Industrial Estate, Dukinfield, Cheshire SK16 4UU Phone: +44 (0)161 339 5177 Email: sales@epreston.co.uk

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

May 2020



ENGINEERING UPDATE

Intelligently Designed mounting solutions for machine vision and automation systems Do you have problems reliably mounting cameras, lights, sensors, robotic tools etc. in your industrial application - and want a sure way of avoiding those nasty cable breaks that can cause you hours of downtime? Alrad Imaging have the solution for you via its Swivellink® mounting system. These unique mounting arrangements can save you time and money because they offer easy to assemble, robust mounting systems which are designed to neatly route all cabling internally.

The Swivellink® product line has been used for hundreds of different applications in all types of industries. At Swivellink® the goal has always been to intelligently design a sturdy yet flexible product line that will solve your automation problems. You will find the A selection of products is possibilities are endless. also available for robots, Find your appropriate Solutions are available to such as a range of pedestals, mounting solution at: mount: cameras, sensors, mounting plates and alrad.com/collections/ monitors and robotic arm teach pendant holders swivellink components as well as for general mounting of mounts for workbenches all manufacturers’ arms Alrad Imaging, Turnpike and tables. Mounting plates and also for some specific Road Industrial Estate, are available for all makes manufacturers such as Newbury, Berks RG14 2NS of cameras, smart cameras Fanuc, Universal and Tel: 01635 30345 and vision systems. Not only Yaskawa. Web: www.alrad.com will they offer you multiple Email: sales@alrad.co.uk 8 - Automation Update

configurations but the creative approach means they can be manipulated as you wish. Swivellink® is now offered in 3 different sizes, XS, Standard, & Heavy Duty, and comes in Metric or Imperial. (Heavy Duty only available in Imperial sizes).

SICK’s SIG200 is an IO-Link Master and Control System in One SICK has unveiled its SIG200 PROFINET Sensor Integration Gateway, the first in a family of intelligent Industry 4.0 gateways designed to work as both IO-Link Masters and small, distributed control systems in one. It makes light work of configuring localised sensor applications and, at the same time, opens up high-speed transfer of sensor status, parameter and diagnostics data with enterprise-level or cloud-based systems.

SOPAS logic editor has a great drag and drop function so you can visualise all the connected sensor and actuator signals and measured values without the need for special software knowledge. It saves a huge amount of programming time, effort and cost.

SICK’s SIG200 Sensor Integration Gateway is an IO-Link Master with an onboard web server that collects, combines, evaluates and transmits signals from IO-Link devices from any manufacturer. SICK’s innovative DualTalk technology means the SIG200 needs only one cable to communicate simultaneously via the fieldbus with the machine controller and with higher-level enterprise or web-based systems.

“Process control functions, for example activating a mechanical pusher to reject products from a conveyor system, can be configured and set to operate autonomously without the need for the PLC. So, the communication load in the fieldbus is reduced at the same time.”

Data can be integrated transparently into both common PLC environments and higher-level systems. The SIG200’s builtin logic and remote intelligence make it quick and easy for engineers to create and run distributed sensor applications, even independently of the PLC. “The beauty of the SIG200 is that it offers all the Industry 4.0 benefits of setting up a system using an IO-Link Master, PLC and sensors. Alternatively, it opens a second route, where you can by-pass the PLC and create your own data gathering system linking straight to the cloud,” explains David Hannaby, SICK’s UK Product Manager for Presence Detection. “Engineers will find it easy to configure and visualise an automation solution with the SIG200,” Hannaby continues: “The

The SICK SIG200 makes it easy to solve simple application tasks using binary switching signals or measured values from IO-Link sensors and actuators without an additional control. Meanwhile diagnostics, process parameters, and status information from IO-Link devices e.g. for condition monitoring or predictive maintenance, can be accessed both at the machine and company level. Data from the SIG200 can be exchanged rapidly with MES, ERP and cloud-based software applications and a REST API interface enables integration with web-based software. Each SICK SIG200 has four master ports for connecting any IO-Link sensors and actuators. Its flexible data integration can even be extended to standard binary sensors with SICK’s SIG100 sensor hub, that can be used to bundle up to twelve standard I/Os in a single IO-Link data packet, which can then be communicated to machine controllers and cloud-based systems via the SIG200. A maximum of 52 I/Os can be connected to one SIG200 by using SICK SIG100. The SICK SIG200 uses SICK’s SOPAS Engineering Tool software as a powerful and intuitive user interface which can be accessed with a PC via standard M8 USB, Ethernet or a web browser of choice. The easy-to-use Logic Editor within SOPAS enables

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the user to visualize all connected signals and solve application tasks quickly and easily using drag and drop logic blocks. An embedded IODD (IO-Link device description) interpreter allows the user to configure both the SIG200 and connected IO-Link devices by simply uploading the IODD files. Using SICK SOPAS, parameterisation of connected devices is straightforward, and device replacement is easy. This is not restricted to SICK products, the SIG200 can work with any third-party products if the IODD file is accessible. Through its growing family of Sensor Integration Gateways, SICK’s vision is to offer a scaled portfolio to support integration into fieldbus environments and higher automation hierarchies. Initially available with the PROFINET Ethernet fieldbus protocol, additional fieldbus versions of the SIG200 will follow in future. SICK is offering an IO-Link Master Starter Kit, which contains everything needed to set up an application using the SIG200. The kit includes the SIG200, IMC Proximity Sensor, WLG16 photoelectric sensor and reflector, cabling and accessories together with SICK’s SOPAS ET and FieldEcho software. Step by step guidance is provided for a quick-start configuration of a simple application using the IO-Link Master. Picture caption: The SIG200 IO-Link Master with integrated web server guarantees fast, easy and transparent integration of IO-Link devices as well as digitized processing and transfer of status data, process parameters and diagnostic information For more information please contact Andrea Hornby on 01727 831121 or email andrea.hornby@sick.co.uk. www.sick.co.uk

0330 9000 247 Quantum offer 24/7 support, simply call us.

COVID-19 Drives & Motors Resilience Plan During these difficult times, we understand that your current engineering teams may be reduced due to a requirement of self-isolation. This will undoubtedly put extra stress onto you and your colleagues to keep vital production lines running. To keep your site running through these testing times, we are offering our customers a free resilience plan to cover your critical assets if they fail over the next 3 months and, of course, a plan to ensure if this does happen, we can get you back up and running with minimum fuss. We know site visits may not be an available option to you right now so we can create this plan on a conference call, a safe environment for everyone. However, if you are still happy for us to visit site, a self-certification document will be issued before we arrive. Our qualified engineers and yourselves will go through your critical drive & motor assets and any specific technical applications that are required, as well as assessing the life cycle position of the asset. We will then draw up a contingency plan based on replacement options, spares, available hire units or direct replacement availability that we can put in place to keep your site running if one of these critical assets were to breakdown.

To book your FREE Drives & Motors resilience plan, contact us:

assets@quantum-controls.co.uk | 01661 835 566

Create an intelligent industrial camera without prior knowledge Artificial intelligence opens up new fields of application for camera technology and image processing. It can be used, for example, to classify fruit varieties or to identify damaged parts (e.g. apples with marks or color deviations). To cover all possible variances with classical image processing would be very timeconsuming and costly. With artificial intelligence, however, these challenges can be solved in no time at all. With IDS NXT ocean, there is now a userfriendly complete solution for industrial applications available. Customers only need sample images and knowledge on how to evaluate them (e.g. “good” / “bad”) to create a neural network. This makes the start into AI-based image processing particularly easy. Train neural networks without prior knowledge With the help of the IDS NXT lighthouse cloud software, even non-experts without prior knowledge of artificial intelligence or camera programming can train an AI classifier with their own image data. This involves three basic steps: To upload sample images, to label the images and then to start the fully automatic training. The generated network can then be executed directly on the IDS NXT

industrial cameras, turning them into powerful inference cameras. Inference cameras for industrial use An inference camera can apply the “knowledge” acquired through deep learning to new data. This makes it possible to automatically solve tasks that would either not be possible with rule-based image processing, or would require great effort. Since IDS NXT

industrial cameras have a special AI core, neural networks are hardwareaccelerated and run directly on the devices – enabling inference times of just a few milliseconds. With features such as C-mount, robust housing, GigE network connection with RJ45 or M12 connectors, RS232 interface and REST web interface, they are also fullyfledged industrial cameras. Get started with the Design-In Kit IDS also offers an IDS NXT ocean design-in kit which is particularly useful for anyone who wants to test the potential of AI for individual vision tasks. It provides all the components a user needs to create, train and run a neural network in his productive environment. In addition to an IDS NXT industrial camera with 1.6 MP Sony sensor, lens and cable, the package includes six months of access to the AI training software. The use of deep learning-based image processing for individual applications can thus be realized in a short time. Link: en.ids-imaging.com/ids-nxtocean.html

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Stay Connected with Murrelektronik During this difficult time, we are doing everything we can to ‘stay connected’ with our customers and partners across the UK. Our customer support team are working remotely from home and our technical help desk remains open as usual via phone or email. Although we are scattered across the UK, we are still working together as team ‘Murrelektronik’ and ready to help. Our logistics and delivery arrangements are working well - we are shipping Murrelektronik and Murrplastik components to our customers in the shortest time possible. To speak to the customer support team simply call 0161 728 3133 or email sales@murrelektronik.co.uk

Simply said, we make sure you get the best connections. For reliable signals and power distribution for different systems and machines in countless industries. Have you seen our new look website? Better functionality, technical papers, brochure downloads, product information and direct links to products in our online shop www.murrelektronik.co.uk Automation Update - 13

Belt Conveyor for PPE Masks

mk were asked to deliver a large number of conveyors to a long standing customer in a short time frame. The conveyors were needed for a plant that needs to produce up to 100 PPE masks per minute in a fully automatic process. As the demand for such plants is extremely high due to the spread of the coronavirus, the conveyors needed to be delivered quickly as well as being easy to put into operation. The mk conveyors needed to convey the masks to separate production steps within the plant, such as folding, bonding and supplying nose clips. The masks are then disinfected in subsequent steps. The conveyor had to be designed for a three-shift operation. Together with the customer’s design team, mk employees configured a conveyor consisting of as many standard components as possible, but which still satisfied the necessary cleanliness requirements. The best-selling mk GUF-P 2000 conveyor was the best solution for the job. The highly standardised belt conveyor can be quickly delivered and is easy to integrate, which enabled mk to deliver 40 conveyors in just a few weeks. The conveyor is also reasonably priced thanks to the high level of standardisation. An FDA-approved belt was used in order to keep the masks free of contamination. mk constructed the belt conveyor with low-maintenance, indirect drives with timing belts to ensure that the three-shift operation runs reliably and without malfunctions. 14 - Automation Update

Profile Technology

Conveyor Technology

Linear Motion

Factory Equipment

CompaCt struCture for optimal integration

Belt Conveyor GUF-P 2045 Compact. Light. Inexpensive.

mk profile systems limited a company of the mk technology group Unit 2·Wolds Farm Business Park Kinoulton Lane·Kinoulton·Nottinghamshire, NG12 3EQ Phone +44 (0)1949 823751·Fax +44 (0)1949 81270 www.mkprofiles.co.uk·info@mkprofiles.co.uk

Complete Dosing to Packaging Solution Keeps FMCG Products Moving An increase in demand for its dosed products is behind the latest investment by a leading brand owner in a fully automated dosing, wrapping and packaging line from CME Limited. The system delivered by CME comprises CME’s wrapping and cartoning systems together with systems from a number of other manufacturers. The technologies used include a check weigher, dosing system, flow wrapper, carton erector and overwrapper. Together they deliver the complete range of processes required to dose and package this high-volume product.

Paul Knight concludes: “Our experience in different sectors including the food and beverage and pharmaceutical markets show our flexibility and adaptability to deliver systems to different markets with different needs. This project demonstrates the capability, expertise and resource CME can bring to bear on sophisticated projects where multiple technologies need to be integrated to develop a bespoke solution to automation and packaging applications.” This system adds to the increasing number of machines and systems being exported by CME Limited to international customers.

CME Limited’s Managing Director Paul Knight explains: “Our client was seeking a supplier capable of not only delivering a turnkey solution, but one with the expertise to identify and integrate the most appropriate combination of technologies for their application. Our experience of working within different sectors, combined with our ability to deliver innovative design concepts and agile project management methodologies were significant factors in the client selecting CME for this project.” The system which operates at 100 units per minute, accepts product in bulk form. This is then fed to the packaging line from a dosing system which dispenses in units of 50g. These individual doses are then wrapped as packages with both longitudinal and horizontal seals, prior to being check-weighed.

(The complete system includes: CME’s wrapping and cartoning systems together with a check weigher, dosing system, flow wrapper, carton erector and overwrapper.)

Individual check-weighed packages are then presented to a cascade loader and from there to a carton erector, where each 50g pouch is loaded to individual packs. The packs are then re-orientated before being individually wrapped in the CME wrapper, they are then collated and processed within the CME cartoner to produce a carton containing 10 x 50g packs. The final operation overwraps this multi-pack carton in a separate system.

CME@CME-LTD.COM | WWW CME LTD.COM | Tel:01460 269 500

29 SEPT - 1 OCT 2020 NEC, BIRMINGHAM

FREE TO ATTEND REGISTER NOW THE COMPLETE PRODUCTION LINE EVENT See the latest processing and packaging machinery, robotics and machine vision in action Network with industry peers and gain valuable insight at our must attend seminars

ppmashow.co.uk OWNED AND ORGANISED BY

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

IO-Link master with OPC UA

Seamless Communication from the Field Level to the Cloud Pepperl+Fuchs has become the first company to offer IO-Link masters with an OPC UA interface and is therefore paving the way for end-to-end, transparent, and seamless communication from the lowest field level to the cloud The automation specialist Pepperl+Fuchs has acquired the business of Comtrol Corporation. Comtrol is a pioneer in the field of Ethernet-based industrial communication and a leading provider of IO-Link masters. Pepperl+Fuchs has therefore strengthened its position as a system provider in the IO-Link sector and has become the first company to be able to offer IO-Link masters with an OPC UA interface. OPC UA is an Ethernet-based communication protocol and provides an easy and flexible method of communication between machines or between a machine and the cloud. OPC UA is characterized by its independence, which gives customers incredible flexibility when designing their IoT systems, and ensures that they have complete freedom, no matter which platform they choose to use. By combining OPC UA and IO-Link, Pepperl+Fuchs has opened up completely new possibilities for end-to-end, transparent, and seamless communication from the lowest field level to the cloud. If IO-Link functions as the interface for the identification, diagnostics, and parameter data from the sensor technology, OPC UA provides the perfect solution for transmitting this data to PC- or cloudbased systems in full and in parallel with

time-critical control communication. This is the only way to realize broader visions surrounding Industry 4.0 as detailed data can be collected from the lowest field level and evaluated in a target-oriented manner. Pepperl+Fuchs is one of the world’s leading providers of industrial sensors and explosion protection. Based on an intense dialogue with our customers for more than 70 years we continue to develop new components and solutions, which support their applications the best way possible. For the landmark topic Industrie 4.0 (Industrial Internet of Things) we develop innovative technologies that pave the way to the digital networked production and to data transfer across all hierarchy levels – even beyond companies’ boundaries. Industrial sensors: focus on the market

even down to the filed level. Pepperl+Fuchs Ltd 77 Ripponden Road Oldham, Lancashire OL1 4EL England TIMMINS Mark Phone : +44 161 622 6308 mtimmins@gb.pepperl-fuchs.com Pepperl+Fuchs GmbH Lilienthalstraße 200 D-68307 Mannheim, Germany Telefon: +49 621 776-1111 Fax: +49 621 776 -271111 www.pepperl-fuchs.com fa-info@de.pepperl-fuchs.com SCHMITT Irmtraud Phone : +49 621 776-1215 Fax : +49 621 776-2505 ischmitt@de.pepperl-fuchs.com

Market-specific solutions dominate an extensive portfolio of industrial sensors that covers all applications the market requires from today’s automation technology. From the inductive and capacitive to the photoelectrical and highly precise ultrasonic sensors, identification systems and many more Pepperl+Fuchs offers all current operating principles in a broad variety. Sensorik4.0® provides sensor technology for Industrie 4.0. Our technologies enable sensors without difficulty to communicate horizontally within the production process and to exchange data vertically – even into higher-level information systems such as MES or ERP. Process interfaces: secure applications Components and technologies for use in hazardous areas are designed to fit the most specific requirements in the industries we serve. They guarantee maximum availability at maximum safety. Isolated barriers, signal isolators, remote I/O or fieldbus systems, HMIs and many other technologies offer solutions for a wide range of applications including certified packaged solutions and all types of explosion protection. Ex-Protection4.0 brings digital networked Industrie 4.0-production structures to process industries. With concept studies like Ethernet for Process Automation integrated communication throughout all levels of an automation system via Ethernet becomes feasible – for the first time ever

Automation Update - 19

All in one! The fail-safe SmartPLC from ifm Two separate plc’s in one compact housing: one for safety-related applications, the other as a standard plc or platform for other operations. Both plc’s communicate with each other so that complete machine control, including safety functions and visualisations can be carried out with just one Smartplc, AS-i offers unbeatably simple and flexible wiring of standard and safety-related signals.