Miles Budimir - Motion Control Tips

How to select gear ratio for a gear reducer?

November 9, 2018 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

This is the first of a multi-part series on gear reducers. In this first part we look at selecting the proper gear ratio for a gear reducer.

The information here is supplied by Bodine Electric Company.

Gear reducers are an essential part of mechanical power transmission systems, being used for speed and torque conversion. Selecting the right one for an application is a fairly straightforward process. The first step in selecting a gear reducer is to know the required torque and speed as well as the most suitable type of motor to use. Then, it can be determined if a gear reducer is needed in the particular case. If so, then the next step is to select the proper type and ratio.

A cutaway of a gear motor showing the internal worm gearing. (Image via Bodine Electric Company)

So what does a gear reducer do? The most common benefits are that they can reduce speed, multiply torque, and solve inertia mismatching issues. For instance, to take speed reduction, the amount needed will depend on the type of motor used. That’s because some motors can operate at low speeds (less than 1,000 rpm, for instance) without the need for a gear reducer, while others cannot.

For speed reduction the gear ratio is calculated using the equation:

G = N_MOTOR / N_LOAD

where G is the gear ratio, and N is the angular velocity of the motor and the load.

The way gear reducers work is that they essentially multiply the output torque of the motor. So for instance, a small motor with a gear reducer may be less expensive and smaller than a larger motor without a gear reducer producing an equal amount of torque.

To calculate the required gear ratio when torque multiplication is needed, use the equation:

G = T_LOAD/ [ T_MOTOR x e_GEARS ]

where G is the gear ratio, T is torque and e is efficiency.

Another function of gear reducers is to reduce the reflected load inertia to the motor by a factor of the square of the gear ratio. For most motion applications but especially high performance ones, the ideal condition is for the reflected load inertia to equal the motor inertia.

To calculate the gear ratio when inertia matching is the main concern, take the square root of the ratio of the load inertia to the motor inertia as in the equation:

G= sqroot [ J_LOAD / J_MOTOR ]

where G is the gear ratio and J is the inertia of the motor and load.

In part 2, we’ll look at the different types of gear reducers and how to select the best one.

Rockwell Automation expands TotalFORCE capabilities, power range for PowerFlex 755T drives

November 8, 2018 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

Rockwell Automation has expanded the power ranges and capabilities of TotalFORCE technology for its Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 755T AC drives. The drives now offer an expanded power range, helping engineers with applications from 10 to 6,000 horsepower (7.5 to 4,500 kW) improve productivity and reduce their lifecycle costs. The expansion brings harmonic mitigation, regeneration and common bus-system configurations to a wider range of high-demand applications.

Enhancements to the patented TotalFORCE technology include more powerful adaptive control capabilities, which allow the drives to monitor machine characteristics that can change over time and automatically compensate for the changes that occur. An adaptive tuning feature uses up to four automatic tracking notch filters to block resonance and vibration that can impact quality, waste energy and prematurely wear out a machine.

In addition, predictive maintenance features provide real-time information about the health of the drive. By monitoring operational characteristics such as temperature, voltage and current, the drive is able to calculate the remaining life of critical components and notify users. This allows users to act so unplanned downtime can be prevented.

The PowerFlex 755T variable-frequency drives were previously designed for 160 to 3,000 horsepower applications. The expanded power range makes PowerFlex drives ideally suited for large power applications, such as pumps and fans requiring harmonic mitigation, and regenerative applications requiring anti-sway functionality, such as cranes and hoists.

The offering includes:

PowerFlex 755TL drive: The PowerFlex 755TL drive uses active front-end technology and an internal harmonic filter to reduce harmonic distortion. The drive is now available from 10 to 1,800 Hp (7.5 to 1,400 kW).
PowerFlex 755TR drive: Delivering power from 10 to 6,000 Hp (7.5 to 4,500 kW), the PowerFlex 755TR drive includes both regenerative and harmonic mitigation solutions. The drive helps reduce energy consumption and costs by delivering energy back to the incoming supply, resulting in a more energy-efficient solution.
PowerFlex 755TM drive system: This allows users to build the system that best fits their needs for regeneration and coordination of multiple motors in common bus configurations. To optimize their system requirements and meet power-consumption needs, users can select from a series of predesigned modules with a power range from 250 to 6,000 Hp (160 to 4,500 kW) for motor side inverters and a range of 70 to 4800 kW for regenerative bus supplies.

Other new capabilities include an integrated safety module that delivers several advanced safety functions on an EtherNet/IP network, an anti-sway feature that helps lifting applications achieve greater stability and permanent magnet motor control for increased energy savings.

Combined, these new TotalFORCE technology capabilities help reduce time to commission, optimize performance and enable simplified maintenance and serviceability throughout the full lifecycle of PowerFlex 755T drives for a broad range of applications.

For more information, visit www.rockwellautomation.com.

Finalists announced for Industrial Automation category in inaugural LEAP Awards

November 8, 2018 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

Eight finalists were announced on Friday November 2^nd for the inaugural LEAP Awards’ Industrial Automation Category. The competition was scored by a panel of independent technical/engineering-oriented judges. The four judges below were responsible for the Industrial Automation category:

Bonnie Baker
Consultant
ATW, LLC

Bonnie Baker is the author of six books, including A Baker’s Dozen: Real Analog Solutions for Digital Designers. Baker holds a Master’s of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arizona and has authored more than 500 technical publications including magazine articles, app notes, seminar sessions, data sheets, and a few patents. She is also a frequent presenter at technical conferences and shows.

She has been involved with analog and digital systems for more than 30 years. Baker started as a manufacturing product engineer, supporting analog products at Burr-Brown. From there, she moved up to IC design, analog division strategic marketer, and then corporate applications engineering manager. In 1998, she joined Microchip Technology. This expanded her background to not only include analog applications, but microcontroller solutions as well.

Bradford L. Goldense
President
Goldense Group Inc.

Bradford L. Goldense is a subject matter expert in the management and processes of product development, innovation and performance measurement. He has authored or been cited in more than 300 articles and books and holds nearly 150 registered copyrights.

Brad was a faculty member of the Graduate Engineering School Executive Program at The Gordon Institute of Tufts University for 19 years. He is internationally recognized and has consulted with more than 200 of the Fortune 1000 in 500 manufacturing locations around the world. GGI has helped many companies to increase their stock price by improving R&D innovation and execution, and by improving communications of prowess to the marketplace and investor community.

He previously held positions at Texas Instruments, Price Waterhouse, Knight & Associates, Index Group, and a family engineering business before founding GGI. Brad has a BSCE from Brown University and an MBA from Cornell’s Johnson School. He holds four professional certifications: New Product Development Professional by the Product Development and Management Association, Certified Manufacturing Engineer by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Certified Computer Professional by the Institute for Certification of Computer Professionals and Certified in Production and Inventory Management by the American Production and Inventory Control Society.

Brad was a founding member of the Society of Concurrent Engineering and founder of the Society of Concurrent Product Development which he ran until 2006. He retired from the board in 2012. His non-profit corporation lives on, with appreciated support and funding from 3M.

Thomas E. Manley
Engineering Manager
Feedall Automation

Thomas Manley is Manager of Engineering at Feedall Automation, where he directs and designs the machine orders that come through the engineering department. He is also a part-time engineering instructor at Lakeland Community College and is the designer of 14 U.S. Patents for various companies that he has worked for.

Manley has worked with high-profile companies such as Harley-Davidson, American Axle, Meritor, Caterpillar, and Ford Motor Company, among others. He helps companies and engineers implement automation systems into their plant, while adhering to their desired budget and goals.

Karl H. Schultz
President
Schultz Associates

Karl Schultz is the President of Schultz Associates, specializing in manufacturing and technical management consulting in the electric motor industry. He is also considered an expert in implementing lean/world class business processes.

Schultz is an experienced hands-on manufacturing management consultant who has had both line and staff positions in the electric motor industry. He was the division Director of Manufacturing Engineering for Emerson Electric for 10 years, supporting four plants in the U.S. and Mexico. He was then the Business Director of Manufacturing Engineering at GE Motors for three years. Consulting has taken him worldwide in many various successful projects. He has more than 25 years in the electric motor industry.

Schultz holds a BSME in Machine Design from Western Michigan University. He was a member of the Electrical Manufacturing and Coil Winding Association, serving as the VP and a Board member. He is a senior member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and a past member of the Society of Automotive Engineers. He has received numerous awards such as Best Industry award (General Signal), Most Valuable Player award (BMI), performance awards (GE Corporate & Motors), and others. He is an adjunct instructor at the Oregon Institute of Technology – Wilsonville, teaching junior and senior level management courses such as Lean/6 Sigma and Organizational Behavior.

Below are descriptions of the eight finalists. The overall winner of the Industrial Automation category will be announced at an awards dinner on December 11th in Costa Mesa, Calif.

Cognex
DataMan 470

DataMan 470 series fixed-mount barcode readers solve complex, high-throughput manufacturing and logistics applications with ease. DataMan 470’s multi-core processing power, imaging technology, high-resolution sensor, advanced decoding algorithms, and simple setup delivers maximum coverage, speed, and ease-of-use.

Littelfuse
MP8000 Bluetooth Enabled Motor Protection Relay

The MP8000 Bluetooth Enabled Motor Protection Relay is a new category of product designed to enhance worker safety while allowing for faster, easier control and troubleshooting of machines. The first fully-programmable motor overload relay to offer integrated Bluetooth capabilities, the MP8000 relay enables maintenance personnel to communicate with the relay from up to 30 feet away using an app on an iPhone® or Android™ smartphone or tablet computer. A worker can set up the relay, view real-time data and troubleshoot fault codes while the panel door remains closed to prevent potential electrical shock and arc-flash hazards.

Bluetooth® communication provides several conveniences that improve productivity. Workers save time by leaving their PPE (personal protective equipment) in their locker. Motors are easier to troubleshoot when workers can stand nearby the motor, instead of next to the relay located at a distance up to 30 feet away. If the relay is located in an outdoor cabinet, workers can interact with it while remaining warm and dry in their vehicles during inclement weather.

Once a smartphone is securely paired with the relay, a worker can easily monitor system status in real time, set up the relay, adjust its settings, and review its fault history. Instead of turning knobs and scrolling through menus on a small display, workers can use a smartphone interface to interact with the relay. The app is intuitive and requires no training to use.

Omnify Software
Omnify Empower / 6 River’s Robot Chuck

Chuck is a warehouse robot built from the same technology and sensors as autonomous vehicles. Omnify Empower, a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software, was instrumental in developing 6 River’s Robot Chuck. The Chuck Robot, using machine learning and artificial intelligence, leads associates through their work zones to help them minimize walking, stay on task and work more efficiently.

Chuck integrates with Warehouse Management Systems so it can be used in all put-away, picking, counting, replenishment and sorting tasks. Chuck keeps warehouse employees on task by guiding them through the facility through each step of the packaging process. It can glide around the room and also has a touchscreen to help workers locate items. Chuck uses sensors to help detect worker productivity. It’s also been designed to help with employee training.

6 River isn’t worried about eliminating humans and instead believes there is an opportunity to help industries that have a “massive labor shortage” for warehouse suppliers. There aren’t enough people to fill the jobs.

The 6 River System robots offer an intuitive design and guide workers to the correct locations and step them through the picking process at a granular level. The robots can clearly increase worker productivity and picking accuracy. 6 River Systems offering can increase units per hour per employee by 200 to 300 percent. Pricing runs at about $250,000 for 8 robots in the first year and maintenance costs of about $50,000 a year thereafter. 6 River Systems currently has 20 customer sites with a total of more than 200 robots in use. It is the company’s end of year goal to have 600 Chuck robots in use across 40 sites.

Omron Automation Americas
CIP Safety Controller

Omron’s new CIP Safety Controller (part of the NX controller series) is the world’s first to supply two popular safety networking protocols: CIP Safety, which is widely used among industrial robot manufacturers, and Safety over EtherCAT, a protocol that ensures a high-speed response.

CIP Safety is one of the most widely used safety networking protocols because it enables various nodes in the system – such as PLCs, I/O blocks, light curtains and interlock switches – to communicate with one another. Since it’s both network- and media-independent, it allows safety and standard control devices to reside on a single network. This eliminates the need for a purpose-built safety network and enables the sort of flexibility that manufacturers strive for in the face of more globalized, high-mix production needs.

The new controller will be a welcome solution for any manufacturers seeking to implement the CIP Safety protocol in order to have an alternative to the traditional purpose-built safety network. It is also designed to assist manufacturers in need of a thoroughly scalable safety system that provides direct node-to-node communication and those who are looking for a way to simplify their safety program design.

Parker Hannifin
Universal Pneumatic Valve Manifold

An industry leading product offering wide flow ranges and design versatility, the H Series ISO pneumatic valve family is intended to make the machine designer’s job easier.

An improved modular manifold provides the opportunity to mix ISO 5599 / 15407 02, 01, 1 and 2 valve sizes on one common manifold without expensive and bulky transition blocks. The ability to mix sizes allows for right sizing each valve to its specific flow and pressure requirement instead of sizing all valves to the largest requirement, thus reducing cost and space on the machine.

Designers may easily zone supply or pilot pressures, allowing for a mix of different pressures/vacuums on one valve manifold instead of requiring separate manifolds, reducing machine footprints.

Main and pilot supply/exhaust may be added anywhere in the valve manifold creating zone and pressure isolation for quick exhaust of a “safety zone”.

The subsequent cost savings are considerable: right-sizing a manifold with 10 valves can yield a 28% savings ($2,361 down to $1,704) or more depending on specific application.

The new H-Series valve family incorporates a P2H (Parker-to-H-Series) IO-Link network node allowing for an easy means of connecting the H-Series valve to a low-cost IO-Link network. The P2H IO-Link Node also features a convenient 7/8 power in and out connection for auxiliary power—a first for an IO-Link enabled valve device. Thanks to the P2H network node, machine builders can save up to 40% on total system and installation cost versus Ethernet wiring.

Protolabs
Farmbot – humanity’s first open-source CNC farming machine

FarmBot is humanity’s first open-source CNC farming machine. Using open-source technology, home gardeners can assemble the software and hardware to oversee and customize their own garden. FarmBot hardware employs linear guides in the X, Y, and Z direction to allow for tooling such as seed injector, watering nozzles, sensors, and weed removal tools to move with precision. Through the use of a phone or laptop application, it can accurately plant a variety of crops all in the same area at the same time. The game-like interface allows the grower to customize and build an entire growing season – with built-in regimens for taking care of each plant throughout its entire life by scheduling sequences to run when the plant reaches certain maturity.

At the core of the system is a single board computer, a programmable microcontroller, various motors, and rotary encoders. The aluminum frame combined with the electronics enables FarmBot to automate everything from planting seeds to watering plants on an individual basis.

Schneider Electric
EcoStruxure Augmented Operator Advisor

EcoStruxure Augmented Operator Advisor, an innovative augmented reality software that superimposes real-time data and virtual objects onto cabinets or machines, giving operators and technicians immediate access to relevant information.

The benefits of leveraging this state-of-the-art AR technology in the field or the plant include, but are not limited to:

Reduced downtime. Operators can open the electrical cabinet doors virtually with no need to shut down operations.
Speeding up operation and maintenance. Technicians can find information faster, with immediate access in the field to real-time data, user manuals, instructions, diagrams, etc.
Reduced human errors. Locates the right equipment and guides operators step-by-step to complete maintenance procedures.

EcoStruxure Augmented Operator Advisor’s interface gives direct access to information like labels, process variables, SQL database, machine documentation, electrical diagrams, web pages, instructions, notes, and instructional videos.

The plug-and-play architecture works on tablets (currently iOS®, and Android™ with Windows® versions in the works), and uses a Windows-based PC as the server platform. The server receives the data to share with the tablet from multiple sources, such as PLCs, SQL databases, and OPC UA servers for example. To ensure flexible integration into any user’s existing system, the software is compatible with servers and components from any vendor.

Serapid
Telescopic Jib

Telescopic jibs for intervention in confined environments are a powerful and economical solution for demanding jobs. SERAPID has recently designed a new telescopic jib for the nuclear market. It’s an actuator consisting of a specific rigid chain, which can be deployed over several meters without being supported, and thus ensure control operations or small mechanical work in confined environments such as tanks, containers or cells.

This new product is very compact, can be easily introduced by reduced access (manhole, coring, hatch, etc.) and is especially useful for dismantling work. With a simple and robust design, this telescopic arm will be a powerful and economical tool for everyday use.

It’s composed of stainless steel, titanium and plastic. Features include a maximum payload of 45 kg, a maximum extended length of 5 m, and speed of 30 mm/sec. The pitch of the chain is 60 mm and the deflexion at the end of the chain is 70 mm for 10 kg at 2 m or 500 mm for 10 kg at 5 m.

New rail gearbox lubricant from Klüber Lubrication enhances cold-weather operation

November 8, 2018 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

Klüber Lubrication’s new Klübersynth LEG 4 75 W 90 is a synthetic high-performance gear oil for rail vehicle gearboxes. Even in the cold, trains need to run smoothly and these vehicle gearboxes often operate under high loads. The new polyalphaolefin-based oil technology of Klübersynth LEG 4 75 W 90 provides a wide service temperature range, including excellent low-temperature characteristics. Compared to conventional synthetic gear oils, its VI (viscosity index) enables a higher viscosity at lower temperatures.

Additionally, the good shear stability of Klubersynth LEG 4 75 W 90 prevents a decrease of the lubricant film thickness, even during long-term operation at high loads. The high micro pitting resistance protects gearboxes operating under high loads that are susceptible to this damage. Its low foaming tendency and anticorrosive properties make possible problem-free gear operation.

The high scuffing load capacity enables this gear oil to be used in gearboxes that require API GL-4 or API Gl-5. Its excellent wear protection of both gears and rolling bearings extends the life of lubricated components. The excellent aging and oxidation stability permit longer oil change intervals compared to mineral or other synthetic oils. Both of these characteristics reduce maintenance costs.

For maximum benefit, especially for the low-temperature range, Klübersynth LEG 4 75 W 90 can be paired with Klübersynth GE 4 75 W 90.

For more information, visit www.klueber.com.

Large through-hole angle encoders from HEIDENHAIN offer high accuracy

November 6, 2018 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

HEIDENHAIN’s new sealed angle encoders can be used as an alternative to modular angular encoders in motion control machining applications that require a larger than usual through-hole. The new RCN 6000 series absolute sealed angle encoders with integral bearings have an exceptionally large hollow shaft diameter of 180 mm (7.09 in.), allowing larger scale machines to take advantage of high resolution and signal quality that’s expected from HEIDENHAIN angle encoders.

Common applications for the RCN 6000 encoders are large-scale rotary tables and radio telescopes which can easily adapt their design to the encoder while the integrated stator coupling ensures ideal alignment of the components involved in the scanning process, even if there are deviations in the shaft coupling.

Unlike other angle encoders with integral bearing, the RCN 6000 series encoders use HEIDENHAIN’s METALLUR process (in which the graduation is applied directly to the bearing ring) and a reflected light scanning method which gives it compact dimensions and larger mounting tolerances when compared to other products of its type. These integrated features along with the compact design keeps mounting difficulty to a minimum while making the most of its unique shape.

The RCN 6000 encoder provides a through hole of 180 mm, overall height of 44 mm, a system accuracy of ±2 in., can handle speeds up to 200 rpm, is able to interface with EnDat22, Fanuc05 and Mit03-4, and has an IP 64 protection reducing the effort required for protective measures.

For more information, visit www.heidenhain.us.

AutomationDirect adds SureStep stepper system motors, encoders and inertia dampers

November 2, 2018 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

New stepper motors, encoders and inertia dampers have been added to the SureStep system of step motor control. SureStep series high-torque industry-standard NEMA 14, 17, 23, and 34 stepper motors now provide holding torque from 8 to 1,288 oz-in. The new smaller frame size NEMA 14 motors (1.4-in. wide) start at $22.00 and are available in single and dual shaft versions.

The SureStep family has options for open loop control (no encoder), position monitoring (external encoder feedback), and position verification (integrated motor/drives with internal encoder). Replacement and optional encoders (starting at $42.00) are available for standalone dual-shaft motors and standard integrated motor/drives in all NEMA 14, 17, and 23 sizes.

Fixed resolution encoders are available in 400 pulses per revolution (ppr) and 1,000 ppr; new configurable encoders allow resolution selection from 48 to 4,096 ppr (the default is 400 ppr). A free downloadable configuration utility autodetects the encoder and allows ppr selection.

New step motor inertia dampers (starting at $13.00) smooth out steps in a typical step motor, resulting in a quieter and smoother motion when rotating between steps. The dampers also reduce resonance and possible micro oscillations when moving from step to step and can be used as a hand wheel to directly rotate the position of the rotor when power is removed from the motor.

SureStep Stepper System motors, encoders and dampers are CE approved and backed by a one-year warranty.

For more information, visit www.automationdirect.com/stepper-systems.

Omron debuts programmable multi-axis controller with fast output speeds

November 1, 2018 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

Motion controller output speeds are reaching an industry-leading 50 µsec/5 axes with the introduction of the new CK3M programmable multi-axis controller from Omron. The company combined motion control capability originally developed by Delta Tau Systems (now part of Omron) with its own advanced design technologies inside a compact and streamlined housing.

Built with the needs of automotive and semiconductor manufacturing in mind, the CK3M controller achieves nanoscale motion control designed to keep production lines flexible enough to accommodate the needs of the future. Both of these industries are facing more complex manufacturing requirements, such as increasingly miniaturized, 3D-structured semiconductor devices and more complex automotive components (both internal and external) that incorporate more diverse materials than ever before. Conventional motion controllers cannot easily handle these needs.

Today’s manufacturing machines – as well as those of the future – require increasingly precise positioning and path control that can be most effectively achieved through the synchronized control of high-resolution encoders, motors and other devices. Whereas conventional controllers can only connect with specified devices, the new CK3M facilitates fully synchronized motion control by providing connectivity to virtually any motor or encoder using EtherCAT and encoder communication protocols.

Machine builders can avoid developing their own controller boards as well as specialized control algorithms to integrate a separate controller for each device when just a single controller is needed for high-speed synchronized control. As an all-in-one control solution, the CK3M significantly lowers the cost of design changes due to the discontinuation of used parts. In addition to the benefits of fully synchronized motion control, the CK3M makes it possible to use ANSI C or an original programming language so that machine builders can create their own control algorithms.

The new CK3M programmable multi-axis controller helps optimize system configuration with its ability to interface with various encoders and motors, providing high-precision synchronous control and increasing machine performance.

For more information, visit www.industrial.omron.us.

New servo motor from JVL features built-in controller, nano-PLC

November 1, 2018 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

JVL’s newest high-capacity MAC motors with a rating of 3,000 W are complete servo systems including a high-dynamic ac servo motor, hall-sensors, encoder, power supply, driver and positioning controller and Nano-PLC, as well as facilities for incorporating various control modules such as Bluetooth, WLAN, ZigBee, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus, Profinet, Nano PLC, RS232/RS485/USB, and Process Control, among others.

The MAC motor sets new standards for the performance and size of servo controls. With a length of only 311.8 mm for a 3,000-W motor with a torque of 9.55/28.6 Nm at 3, 000 rpm, this MAC motor matches the size of traditional servo motors without built-in controllers with a flange of 130 x 130 mm. This has only been possible through the use of extremely compact motors and the development of electronics and mechanics that use the latest technologies and manufacturing methods. As with the other integrated servo motors in the range (50 to 3,000 W), both the motor and all electronic components have been specifically selected to withstand the rigorous demands required by industrial use.

Powering this motor is easy since it only requires connection of the main voltage of 3 x 400 Vac through the M23 connectors. Control voltage for the encoder and microprocessor circuitry is 24 Vdc. In an emergency-stop situation, where an approved relay has cut-off the main power, encoder position and other values are maintained by this control voltage. In some applications, however, this is not needed and in those cases an optional internal 24 Vdc supply can be used, requiring only an ac main connection. Highly effective switching technology is used to ensure low heat generation resulting in appreciable energy savings.

One of the big advantages of using the integrated MAC motors is eliminating the need to install a separate servo driver or controller in a control cabinet. This provides many advantages including space savings in control cabinets, saving of expensive motor and encoder cables, saving time (and money) for cabling, noise is minimizing noise due to internal cabling and also eliminating installation errors between driver and motor. In addition, service is much easier because the motor and controller can be replaced as a single integrated unit, minimizing downtime and maximizing production.

For more information, visit www.jvl.dk.

Drive module offers multiple safety functions on same EtherNet/IP network as standard control

October 30, 2018 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

AC drive applications that require safety functionality can now benefit from the integration of safety and standard control systems on a single network using one controller. The Integrated Safety Functions Option Module from Rockwell Automation offers several safety functions based on IEC 61800-5-2 standards for Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 755 and 755T AC drives. It includes the ability to monitor speed, direction and position on an EtherNet/IP network.

“With integrated safety functions, manufacturers can streamline operations while creating opportunities to reduce costs and increase productivity,” said Chunbing Zhang, senior product specialist, Rockwell Automation. “The integration of the safety and standard control systems also provides operators and maintenance personnel visibility to all machine events – including safety events. This enables a quick response that allows the machine to return to full production faster.”

Networked safety solutions minimize hardware and installation costs by simplifying machine design and reducing equipment redundancies. With fewer components, manufacturers can reduce the size of panel enclosures and save valuable floor space.

Networked safety solutions also provide zone control in which one zone of the machine is brought to a safe state while other zones continue to operate. In the past, a safety event in one section of a machine could result in the entire machine shutting down, as the standard system had limited knowledge of the safety event. Integrated safety allows the control and safety systems to coexist on the same network and share data between the safety and standard applications.

As part of a comprehensive solution, a single Allen-Bradley GuardLogix controller can manage safety and standard control in one software environment, Studio 5000 Logix Designer. With no need to write and coordinate multiple programs on different controllers, manufacturers can simplify the programming process and save on training and support costs.

The integrated safety functions option module provides ratings up to and including SIL CL 3 and PLe Cat 4, when used as part of an integrated safety system that includes a GuardLogix 5580ES controller or Compact GuardLogix 5380ES controller. The option module can be added to the drive at any time.

For more information, visit www.rockwellautomation.com.

New vision controller from Matrox Imaging handles multi-camera applications

October 26, 2018 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

Matrox Imaging’s new Matrox 4Sight EV6 is the latest installment to the vision controller lineup. An enhancement of its immediate predecessor, the Matrox 4Sight GPm, the Matrox 4Sight EV6 integrates a seventh-generation Intel Core processor to power ever-more demanding multi-camera applications.

Matrox 4Sight EV6 possesses the ingrained power to handle multi-camera inspections with ease and efficiency. Powered by an embedded mobile-class processor, this vision controller also features four Gigabit Ethernet and four SuperSpeed USB ports, allowing for multiple connections to the full range of available GigE Vision and USB3 Vision cameras. These Gigabit Ethernet ports support power-over-Ethernet (PoE), further simplifying cabling and costs.

The Matrox 4Sight EV6’s built-in connectivity makes it simple to interface with industrial equipment and communicate with enterprise systems. RS-232/RS-485 ports support connections to legacy automation devices while two additional GigE ports offer independent connections to work cell and enterprise networks, and include a hardware-assisted mechanism for PROFINET communication. Integrated real-time digital I/Os with rotary encoder support help synchronize with other equipment for consistent results.

Matrox 4Sight EV6’s rugged casing ensures this vision controller fits readily into hostile, space-limited locations, while a fan-less design helps reduce physical maintenance.

An early-access version of the Matrox 4Sight EV6 will be available in Q1 2019.

For more information, visit www.matrox.com/imaging.