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 […]
Industrial Automation
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 […]
New distributed drive system designed for conveyor applications
The Sinamics G115D from Siemens is a new compact and powerful drive system specifically designed for horizontal conveyor applications. The drive system comprises the motor, drive and gearbox in one unit and is offered in two versions — wall-mounted and motor-mounted. The Sinamics G115D drive system features a robust design with a high IP protection […]
Festo Productivity Master demonstration at Hannover Fair points the way to digitalization
The Productivity Master, a modular demonstration system for personalized USB memory sticks from Festo, shows how automation technology will evolve along the value chain when combined with digitalization. The Productivity Master demonstration will be the centerpiece of the Festo exhibit at the upcoming Hannover Fair Digital Edition April 12-16. Thanks to seamless connectivity, everything fits perfectly, […]
The benefits of integrating vision into machine control
Scalable PC-based automation, robust network solutions and open camera standards allow machine vision to ditch black boxes and increase throughput. Daymon Thompson U.S. Software Product Manager Beckhoff Automation LLC Machine vision has become indispensable for many tasks in quality inspection, track-and-trace and more. As costs decrease and capabilities increase, practically any machine in any industry […]
