Industrial Factory Automation

Workers at Schneider Electric's Telford Site have raised over GBP 7000 for a number of good causes, including the company's chosen charity the NSPCC. Staff exceeded their fundraising target for the NSPCC donating over GBP 5000 towards helping vulnerable children in need in the UK. Over GBP 2500 was raised in a single event - the Telford town road race in conjunction with the Wrekin Road Runners. In addition to the company's usual fundraising initiatives such as theme days, raffles and bike rides for the NSPCC, Schneider Electric Telford's money-making ideas have included getting involved in the Wear it Pink day for Breast Cancer Relief; two brave employees having their chests waxed for the Children in Need appeal; and getting involved in Jeans for Genes day that helps children with genetic disorders. Julie Kane-Gblog of Schneider Electric enthused: 'The huge efforts of employees this year is appropriate for a company whose slogan is 'Giving the best of the n

These new additions to the Series 9000 family incorporate the latest in ASIC technology, which when combined with the proven mechanical and optical package of the Series 9000 will provide the user with a distinct advantage for the most challenging industrial applications. Both new models have improved LED functionality; for example, a flashing green LED indicates an unstable condition such as lens contamination while a flashing red LED indicates a short circuit in the field wiring. The 42GSP-9000 provides a teach function which eliminates the need to manually adjust the sensor’s sensitivity level. The manual adjustment potentiometer of the standard 9000 has been replaced by a single pushbutton which is used to initiate the “learning” of both the light and dark conditions presented to the sensor. The 42GLP-9000 contains a manual adjustment potentiometer to adjust the sensor’s sensitivity level. As an enhancement over the standard Series 9000, the adjustment pot of the 42GLP-9000 pro

Red Lion Controls Data Station Plus was designed to act as a nexus for industrial data collection and management. The unit offers multiple protocol conversion, data logging and remote machine access. With three built in serial ports and a 10 Base-T/100 Base-TX Ethernet port, the unit performs protocol conversion, allowing disparate devices to communicate seamlessly with one another. The Ethernet port supports up to four protocols simultaneously so even Ethernet to Ethernet protocols can be converted. The CompactFlash card allows data to be collected and stored for later review. The files are stored in simple CSV file format allowing common applications, such as Microsoft Excel and Access, to view and manage the data. The free Websync utility provides a means to synchronize the files with a PC's hard drive for permanent storage. The CompactFlash card may also be used to load new configuration files into the Data Station. The built-in web server allows log files to be retrieved man

A new range of conduit adapters designed for transitioning from conduit to 7/8-16UN Minifast, M12 Eurofast and M23 Multifast connectors. Hans TURCK has a range of new conduit adapters designed for transitioning from conduit to 7/8-16UN Minifast, M12 Eurofast and M23 Multifast connectors. The front of the adapter provides quick disconnect compatibility, while the back provides Screw Terminals for wiring inside the conduit. The conduit adapters are available with one or two connectors and attach to standard conduit bodies. The conduit adapters are available with one or two connectors and attach to standard conduit bodies. These rugged Turck connectors provide IEC IP67 protection when all receptacles are connected or covered with plugs. Receptacle housings are available in nickel-plated brass or 316 stainless steel to suit many applications. The conduit adapter also includes a gasket and mounting hardware (8-32 by 0.5in) for ease of installation.

Lenze has developed 8200 vector inverters using the 'cold plate' technique for cases where the inverter can be mounted directly onto a substantial heatsink. AC Tech (Lenze AG) 8200 Vector Inverters are available for power 0.55 to 90kW with three-phase supply. In the more popular smaller sizes up to 22kW, a space saving variant can reduce the requirement for panel space by up to 40%. By dissipating the heat outside the cabinet, these 'cold plate' versions enable panels to have higher enclosure ratings. Alternatively a plate with external cooling by liquid or air can be used. The cold plate versions of the 8200 vector inverters have no heat fins, so heat generated is passed to the mounting plate and transmitted out of the cabinet. In this way inverters require less mounting depth and the space savings are substantial. For a 1.5kW inverter the saving is 25%, rising to 40% for a 22kW inverter. Therefore panels can be smaller and costs reduced. As the heat is now transmi

Xycom Automation's new 1510 Industrial PC answers a common need to separate the display from the PC. The 1510 series Xycom Industrial PC is a "node" box (without integrated display) with up to 700 MHz Pentium III performance for demanding factory automation applications. Coupled with the Xycom 3015 LCD flat panel monitor, the 1510 gives the user an array of options to choose from. The 1510 Xycom Industrial Computer offers a 10-slot passive backplane with 8 available expansion slots including 4 full-length ISA, 3 full-length PCI, and 1 half-length PCI. Ian Law, Xycom Automation's Sales Director, explains "There is a large group of factory Automation customers that require a "blind" PC solution with ISA and PCI expansion, or have good reason to physically separate the display from the rest of the PC. Many of these customers have accepted the limitations of using commercial grade PCs with an Industrial Computer LCD monitor. Because these same customers u

The new multidrives, extension of ABB Low Voltage Industrial Drives, based on a modular configuration of dramatically smaller inverter modules, were introduced on exhibit at the Hannover Messe 2004. Following the debut of the multidrives there, it has been a successful roll out to a wide range of applications and industries around the world. The modular configuration of the multidrive provides control of multiple motors across a 1.5 - 5,600 kW power range, from 380 V up to 690 V. A single rectifier unit can be combined with a host of inverter units that are connected in parallel, to provide output current required by any given application. The multidrive offers a state of art solution for offshore and drilling applications - ultra compact and modular design ensures high availability and service. ABB's multidrive is built from industrial drive modules that are connected to a common DC bus bar. The common bus bar is used to supply the drive modules with DC power, and each module th

Oriental Motor USA Corp. introduces the new BLF series brushless DC motor system that adopts a brand new design for its motor, gearhead, and driver. High performance speed control is achieved with an increased speed range of 80 to 4,000 rpm (50:1). In addition, the new BLF series is IP65 rated providing splash and dust protection. The BLF series driver introduces a detachable digital operator unit that serves both as a data input unit and a digital display that can be used up to 16.4 ft (5m) away from the installed driver. The user can program 8 separate speed levels. Each speed can be set in units of 1 rev. per minute with separate acceleration and deceleration values. Detection of various motor and driver error functions including overload, overvoltage, low-voltage, missing phase, overspeed, overcurrent, etc., will immediately stop the motor and output an alarm signal. The Oriental BLF series driver utilizes 3 speed display modes to help the user. The display modes include motor

TURCK USA introduces new programmable pressure sensors that combine high accuracy and performance with simple programming, resulting in an extremely user-friendly sensor. The PS400 and PS500 sensors are easily programmed via three controls: two push buttons for scrolling through programming features and one recessed enter key. The menu is clear and concise to allow parameters such as set points, reset points, output functions, analog ranges, and a range of special options to be programmed with ease. The menu also includes an optional electronic lockout that disables the push buttons from functioning until the lockout is removed. The high accuracy programmable pressure sensors are specified with a switch point accuracy of ≤+/- 0.5 percent, generally exceeding what is required by the machine engineering sector. The combination of high accuracy and flexible programming often allows a single sensor to replace several conventional sensors (with varying sensing ranges) resulting in a signi

Paper manufacturer UPM's plant at Shotton has achieved its goal of producing all its paper from recovered waste paper, rather than virgin wood, with the help of ABB variable speed drives. Known as the '100% Shotton' project, it has involved the building of a new recycled fibre plant, a sludge plant and modifications to Paper Machine 1 and Paper Machine 2. ABB General Purpose Drives are used mainly on pumps in the process, using variable speed to match pump speed to the production rate. They are also used on chemical dosing pumps to accurately add chemicals to the pulp. Some conveyors on the process also use ABB variable speed drives. The drives help control the process better, adjusting the inputs to the plant to maintain the correct pressure and temperature conditions. The drives also make it easier to control the production rate. Additionally, they contribute to energy savings by reducing the power drawn. Ray von der Fecht, Project Automation Manager on the 100% Shott

With the increasing demand for machine device control and communication over industrial Ethernet, DeviceNet, and other networks, OEMs have found that installing traditional power supplies in distributed and remote locations has become prohibitively complex and costly because of the need for protective enclosures, fans, and excess wiring. In addition, enclosures introduce another potential point of failure into the production line. To reduce cost and complications, SolaHD has launched its new IP67 SCP-X self-sealed power supplies. They mount directly on machines or as freestanding components on a production line, removing the constraints imposed by power supplies that must be housed in enclosures. Compared to power supplies housed in a separate enclosure, the IP67 SCP-X reduces total cost of ownership by as much as 54 percent. Because the IP67 SCP-X is available in 100 watt and dual 100 watt models, it has the versatility to power from one to four loads. The 100 watt model has a s