When electrical equipment is used in a potentially hazardous location — one that contains flammable gases, vapors, liquids, dust, or fibers — it’s important that the potential for fire or explosion be minimized. One way to do this is to use equipment that has been certified as suitable for that environment and not likely to […]
Industrial Automation
Dunkermotoren launches nexofox, a new IIoT brand
Under nexofox, Dunkermotoren will offer its customers a holistic solution portfolio covering all aspects of the use and connectivity of its smart motors. Holistic means, on the one hand, from the initial consultation and joint concept development to project implementation in partnership. On the other hand, holistic also means from the field level to the […]
Classifying hazardous locations: What’s the difference between Class, Division, and Zone?
According to the National Fire Protection Association, a hazardous location is an area where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to electrical equipment operating in the presence of flammable or ignitable gases, liquids, or vapors, or in the presence of combustible dust, fibers, or flyings. But even within this definition, the risk of fire or […]
Bosch Rexroth’s ctrlX store offers automation and control apps
Bosch Rexroth offers designers the option to quickly and easily obtain access to automation solutions or create apps themselves with ctrlX AUTOMATION. The open automation platform adopts an approach similar to that of smartphones. Customers can now purchase apps in the ctrlX Store, manage software licenses through the Bosch Rexroth Licensing Center and assign them […]
Portescap’s Voice of the Customer program produces motion innovations
Portescap is unveiling its latest motion innovations to come from its Voice of the Customer product development process. Voice of the Customer harnesses the company’s customers’ technical insights and turns them into innovative motion products that solve complex problems for their critical applications. Customer collaborations have sparked various different Portescap product platforms, and all of […]
Updated MEPS: Regulation (EU) 2019/1781 for motors and drives takes effect in July 2021
In 2011, the EU implemented minimum efficiency performance standards (MEPS) for electric motors used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications with Commission Regulation (EC) 640/2009, which was implemented in three stages through 2017, and its amendment Regulation (EU) 4/2014. In October 2019, Regulation (EC) 640/2009 was replaced with Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/1781, which outlines updated efficiency […]
Customized and reliable stepper motors address HVAC damper application extremes
In any HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system, dampers are used to regulate airflow inside the ducts. In some systems, manual dampers allow personnel to turn a handle on the outside of a duct. But if you have to regulate airflow on a constant basis, you’ll need automatic dampers with electric or pneumatic motors […]
What is Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) and how is it used in industrial applications?
Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) is a technology that provides Ethernet transmission over a single pair of copper wires, while also transmitting power to connected devices via Power over Data Line (PoDL). Single Pair Ethernet was initially developed to meet the demands of the automotive industry — smaller, lighter cables and connectors for transmitting data from […]
Motor-drive simulation expands virtual commissioning
Integrated automation and motion control simulation software provides simple and quick virtual commissioning for machine builders. By Kevin Wu and Colm Gavin | Siemens Digital Industries In the development of any new machine or plant, faults are almost inevitable. Failure during commissioning is especially problematic, because it’s likely to significantly increase costs and delay the […]
Machine circuit protection gets smart
While fuses and circuit breakers offer tried-and-true electrical circuit protection for machines, new electronic circuit protectors provide far more advanced capabilities. Kevin Kakascik AutomationDirect Although it may often not be top of mind, electrical circuit protection is critical to machine design. For automated machinery, the controllers and drives are typically powered by low voltage and […]
