General Manufacturing

Banner Engineering: Q5Z Laser Sensor
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Banner Engineering: Q5Z Laser Sensor

The new Q5Z laser sensor offers high excess gain for advanced detection and measurement capabilities. It can sense extremely dark and shiny targets that can pose challenges for photoelectric sensors, and it includes dual independent output channels and communication over IO-Link. Q5Z sensors have been preconfigured for standard factory conditions, so that users do not need to do any programming of individual sensors. This helps get production lines up and running faster, leading to improved productivity and throughput.

Mitsubishi Electric Automation: Powerful iQ-R Series Module Allows Users to Configure Two Networks Using One Module
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Mitsubishi Electric Automation: Powerful iQ-R Series Module Allows Users to Configure Two Networks Using One Module

Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. recently announced the iQ-R Series CC-Link IE TSN Plus module which supports CC-Link IE TSN and EtherNet/IP networks in one module. CC-Link IE TSN is an open industrial network technology that combines gigabit Ethernet bandwidth with Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) allowing for high-speed motion control, safety, and standard communication I/O devices. EtherNet/IP networks allow for communication with third party devices.

Siemens Expands Its SIMATIC MICRO-DRIVE Servo-Drive System for Extra-Low-Voltage Material Handling and Manufacturing Applications
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Siemens Expands Its SIMATIC MICRO-DRIVE Servo-Drive System for Extra-Low-Voltage Material Handling and Manufacturing Applications

Siemens is extending its drive portfolio in the extra-low-voltage range for 24–48V EC motors with its new SIMATIC MICRO-DRIVE.  The new product line with UL- and CE-marked components consists of the PDC (Profidrive Control) servo drive in conjunction with a flexible range of motors and connecting cables from product partners, along with the TM (technology module) format with servo and stepper drives in compact 20mm width that can be used in conjunction with distributed or open controllers.

Contec: BX-M2500 Trellix BOX Computer — An Embedded Computer with Important Factory System Security Countermeasures
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Contec: BX-M2500 Trellix BOX Computer — An Embedded Computer with Important Factory System Security Countermeasures

Contec Co., Ltd. has recently developed the BX-M2500 Trellix BOX Computer, an embedded PC with NIST SP800-compliant secure BIOS and Trellix Application Control security software pre-installed to protect against ransomware. Contec began taking orders for this new product on March 23, 2023. The new BX-M2500 Trellix BOX Computer is an embedded PC with an Intel Xeon E-2278GEL processor, high-capacity memory, and high-capacity storage.

FATH T-Slotted Rail
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AutomationDirect: Additional FATH T-Slotted Rail Hardware Components

AutomationDirect has added more FATH hardware components to their selection of T-slotted rail products. These components easily install in SureFrame rails, as well as many other brands, and include roll-in T-slot nuts with spring loaded ball, slide-in T-slot nuts, screw and miter connectors, 1- and 2-slot pivot joints, extended swivel bases, foot consoles, leveling casters, magnetic catches, sensor mounting blocks, protection profiles, profile sliders, roller elements, and much more.

Panel Mounting Electromechanical Switches
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Panel Mounting Electromechanical Switches

By Troy Dixon, Global Product Manager at Littelfuse March 20, 2023 As technology and machinery evolve, the way we interface and interact with electronic equipment also advances. Many traditional human-machine interfaces (HMI) are updating to sophisticated touchscreen technologies. Even in a world where touchscreens are growing in popularity, they are not the right choice for…

Rittal: New WT C Wire Terminal Allows 10x Faster Wire Processing
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Rittal: New WT C Wire Terminal Allows 10x Faster Wire Processing

Rittal North America has recently introduced a fully automated wire processing machine – Wire Terminal WT C machine. It enables wires to be processed from bulk with individual wire printing (black, white, and light blue) and then ready for assembly. The core advantages of the new Wire Terminal WT C are: variety of combinations, different wire output methods, and support for downstream, digitally and automated processes such as labelling, sorting, and transport. 

LAPP: ETHERLINE GUARD Compact Monitoring Device for Data Cables
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LAPP: ETHERLINE GUARD Compact Monitoring Device for Data Cables

ETHERLINE GUARD innovates machine maintenance – Until now, there were only two alternatives for the maintenance of machine parts and plants: either parts were only replaced if they were already defective, or parts that were still functional were replaced at specific intervals as a precaution. However, thanks to Industry 4.0 and digitalization, there is a more efficient alternative to reactive maintenance: preventative maintenance. The idea behind this is to carry out maintenance measures depending on actual performance. This is also possible for connection systems, such as cables or connectors.

Pilz: myPNOZ, the New, Modular Safety Relay
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Pilz: myPNOZ, the New, Modular Safety Relay

The new modular safety relay myPNOZ is produced individually according to your requirements in batch size 1. An easy-to-use device that’s flexible in application and boasts clever features, it ensures reliable monitoring of your safety functions. Tailor-made safety and clever product features are convincing features of the modular safety relay. It consists of a head module and a maximum of eight expansion modules and ensures safe monitoring of 2 to 16 input functions such as emergency stop, safety gates, safety light curtains, two-hand IIIA/C controls and enabling switches.

Wieland Electric: Emergency Stop Buttons with M12 Connection for Easy Integration Into Plants and Systems
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Wieland Electric: Emergency Stop Buttons with M12 Connection for Easy Integration Into Plants and Systems

In times of a shortage of skilled workers, technical devices that can be installed in a time-saving manner and, if possible, without the need for highly qualified personnel, come into their own. Wieland Electric has such a solution ready for safety technology in mechanical engineering and intralogistics: New emergency stop buttons are available for the safe, manual shutdown of machines and systems. Thanks to the M12 connection, they can be easily integrated into plants and systems using pre-assembled M12 standard cables.

PITreader (S) Card Unit
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Pilz: PITreader S Card Unit – Greater Flexibility Thanks to New RFID Transponders in Card and Sticker Format

PITreader (S) card units offer the same wide application area you have come to expect from PITreader (S). However, the transponder type is new. The PITreader card and PITreader sticker use RFID transponders in card or sticker format. The company’s existing RFID-capable cards, plus the familiar PITreader keys, can also be used for authentication, offering you even greater flexibility when choosing the transponder.

Finder OPTA: The Unique New Programmable Logic Relay
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Finder OPTA: The Unique New Programmable Logic Relay

The 2022 edition of SPS Smart Production Solutions trade show in Nuremberg (Germany) opened up with a new product launch from Finder. The company unveiled its first ever OPTA PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC RELAY (PLR), a new and innovative option for engineers, designers and whoever wishes to add smart logic to a control cabinet, machine or any other industrial automation or building automation project.

WAGO: POWER CAGE CLAMP Terminal Blocks
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WAGO: POWER CAGE CLAMP Terminal Blocks

The POWER CAGE CLAMP provides the proper clamping force for conductors up to 35, 50, 95 and 185 mm2 (2, 2/0, 4/0 AWG and 350 kcmil). WAGO’s high-current, rail-mount terminal blocks are ideal for energy-intensive applications in machinery and equipment manufacturing, as well as energy production. These terminal blocks are also approved for Ex e applications.

Banner Engineering: ZMX Series 3D Time of Flight Sensor
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Banner Engineering: ZMX Series 3D Time of Flight Sensor

The ZMX Series 3D Time of Flight Sensor can measure and monitor objects within a three-dimensional area. It provides a single-sensor solution for filling applications and can detect both the peak height and average fill level. The ZMX Series features a large 60° × 45° field of view, with a range of 200 to 2,500 mm (7.9 in. to 8.2 ft.). Because the sensor can detect items of any size, shape, or orientation, it is an ideal tool for automated industrial applications in which materials, products, or packages accumulate within a defined area.

OKW: Updated RAILTEC SUPPORT Modular DIN Rail PCB Holders
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OKW: Updated RAILTEC SUPPORT Modular DIN Rail PCB Holders

OKW’s RAILTEC SUPPORT open PCB holders for TH35, TH15 and G32 DIN rails are now available in light gray as standard. They are part of OKW’s RAILTEC C range of DIN rail enclosures for automation, Industry 4.0/Smart Factory, building and safety technology, and HVAC systems. Applications also include automatic timers, sensors, relays, signal distribution, lighting controls, subrack interfaces, electronics modules, amplifiers and transformers.

Banner Engineering: Q5X Time-of-Flight Sensor Now Available with 10-Meter Range
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Banner Engineering: Q5X Time-of-Flight Sensor Now Available with 10-Meter Range

Banner’s versatile Q5X series delivers best-in-class laser sensor performance and very high excess gain for a wide variety of applications. It is especially useful for industries such as material handling, packaging, lumber and construction, and automotive manufacturing. The latest model extends detection up to 10 meters. This distance is twice the maximum range of the available Q5XKLAF5000-Q8 model.