In today’s increasingly wired world, sensors take center stage. There are many options when it comes to sensors. Here’s an overview of some categories of industrial sensors used in automation in consultation with Russ Freeman, a product portfolio manager, with Allied Electronics and Automation in Ft. Worth, Texas.
The digital transformation of engineering continues advancing. As part of its cloud services, Eplan is presenting a new service for cross-project collaboration – Eplan eManage – which lets users upload Eplan Platform projects into the cloud environment and share and work on them there. The free version was launched in mid-March – an expanded, paid version will follow in August 2021.
Metal enclosures manufacturer METCASE has further invested in new technology to meet growing demand for cases and front panels printed with photo-quality legends, logos and graphics. METCASE first introduced digital printing five years ago. Now increased demand has prompted the company to double its capacity. The new equipment is slightly larger than the existing 1800 x 1800 dpi flatbed printer – and 40% faster.
Pepperl+Fuchs recently introduced the all-new, high-efficiency PS1000 industrial power supplies. Industrial power supplies combine optimal performance and high efficiency with durability and reliability, and with a typical efficiency of more than 95%, the new PS1000 is first in its class. Industrial process facilities rely tremendously on bulk power supplies for the control system architecture, but also on critical continuous production process applications that require more than a single off-the-shelf industrial power supply.
Fibox’s HMI cover kits protect instruments or electronics components that need secure accessibility. The Instrument Protection Window (IPW) permits both viewing and access to readouts and controls which are surface mounted on any metal or non-metallic enclosures. These HMI covers allow for easy viewing of meters or displays and afford direct access to HMI controls on any underlying enclosure.
In early August of 2020, power management company Eaton announced the first panelboards and switchboards in the industry to feature real-time breaker health monitoring with the launch of the Pow-R-Line Xpert family of intelligent panelboards and switchboards. Seamlessly integrating Eaton’s Power Defense molded case circuit breaker technology, the combined solutions deliver accurate, actionable data to help professionals.
Novotechnik’s MAP 4000 Series features include programmable input selection and mathematical functions as well as up to four limit switches, and analog outputs. It can perform up to 40 measurements/sec. The MAP 4000 Series’ limit switches are programmable and operate via relays. The multifunctional inputs are also programmable for potentiometers, DC voltage, current/voltage, resistance, and temperature sensors.
TDK Corporation recently announced the introduction of the TDK-Lambda DBM20 DIN rail mount 24V 20A buffer module. The buffer module is ideal for providing short term hold-up or peak power for loads connected to a 24Vdc output AC-DC power supply. It can supply an additional 250ms hold-up at 448W output power, or 2s with a 2.5A load. The extended hold-up time allows equipment to safely shutdown and avoid data loss during AC power interruptions.
Companies can prepare their production facilities for more demanding, data-intensive networking with the new high-performance, all-gigabit Allen-Bradley Stratix 5800 managed industrial Ethernet switch . The switch supports layer 2 access switching and layer 3 routing for use in multiple layers of the architecture. Robust security capabilities and ISA/IEC 62443-4-2 certification help enhance network security.
Klein Tools, for professionals since 1857, recently introduced a new line of conduit benders, available in both heavy-duty cast iron and easy-to-handle reinforced aluminum, both featuring new patent pending Angle Setters that create a hard stop resulting in fast and accurate bends. “Klein Tools has always been an innovator in terms of designing tools, and this new line up of conduit benders is no exception to that,” says Dan Pearson, senior product manager at Klein Tools.
B500ND is the first of a new generation of hand-held cordless tools, characterised by a “Bilinear” mechanical design. Equipped with a Smart Release system which automatically retracts the ram at the end of the operating cycle. B500ND is suitable for crimping electrical connectors onto conductor cross sections up to 600 MCM and uses the die sets common to all Cembre 6 tons tools and heads.
The new CU81xx UPS series are designed for universal use. Due above all to the flexible connection options extending up to One Cable Technology for uninterruptible power supply (UPS-OCT), it is suitable for an extremely broad range of applications. This includes the entire range of Beckhoff components – in particular the Industrial, Panel and Embedded PCs – as well as third-party products.
Industries such as pulp and paper, automotive, tire and rubber, metals and water/wastewater may benefit from corrosive gas protection, which is now standard on Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 755TL, TR and TM drives. These drives have been tested to one of the most severe corrosive environment test protocols that combines industry leading, 30-day exposure in mixed flow gas testing per ASTM B845 Method K with proprietary tests for industries with sources of gaseous sulfur compounds.
AutomationDirect has added new accessories for Eaton 3P series molded case circuit breakers (MCCBs). The new products include universal rotary handles and Flex ShaftT flexible handles, both available for each MCCB frame size and suitable for NEMA 1/4/4X and 12 enclosures. Also added are high performance Flex Shaft two-position flange handles that feature external front mounting and are available for NEMA 1/3R/4/4X and 12 enclosures and for G-, F-, K- and L-frame MCCB models.
STOBER’s more compact version for the encoderless Lean motor. The compact stand-alone SC6 drive controller allows for sensorless control of STOBER LM series Lean motors. These motors provide energy efficiency at the performance level of a synchronous servo motor. They also guarantee high investment protection, thanks to energy efficiency class IE5 and the corresponding higher efficiency compared to IE4 asynchronous motors.
Phoenix Contact’s family of 6-mm thin analog signal conditioners now has IECEx approval for use in Zone 2 areas. With this newest approval, the MINI Analog Pro family has the necessary Ex approvals for global use: ATEX, IECEx, and UL Class I, Division 2. Other approvals and certifications include CE, EAC, and DNV-GL. All MINI Analog Pro signal conditioners come in a pluggable housing with integrated current loop test points.
