Industrial Technology

Are PID controllers still good enough today?

As computational technology advances, the role of the ever-dependable Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller has come into question. Processes have transformed, becoming more demanding, leading to the adoption of newer, emerging solutions. Do PID controllers still have a place in industrial applications? Here, Johann Lainer, senior marketing communications specialist at Watlow, examines why PID controllers are still a valuable tool in today’s industry.

16th November 2021

NSK Super-TF spherical roller bearings offer long service life in contaminated environments

Unforeseen bearing failures in production-critical machines and equipment can prove extremely costly in replacement parts, labour and downtime, all of which have a negative impact on bottom-line profitability. This problem becomes worse in contaminated environments, such as those prevalent in steel manufacturing, which is why NSK says increasing numbers of steel plants are turning to the advantages offered by its long-life Super-TF spherical roller bearings. Manufactured from a specially developed, proprietary material, these bearings are said to be able to increase service life and uptime significantly.

16th November 2021

Trio launches SCARA robot range at SPS

Motion-first automation control manufacturer, Trio Motion Technology, has launched a robot range that it says provides machine builders with a fully integrated control solution. The launch gives OEMs high performance robot control, motion control, and machine automation from a single controller. Trio says its new robot range will speed up development time and increase reliability for machine applications that require robotic integration.

16th November 2021

Portescap expands brushless DC motor platform with motors featuring integrated driver

Portescap’s newest addition to its Ultra EC mini brushless DC motor platform is the 22 ECP brushless motor with a new integrated driver. This 22mm diameter motor is available in 35mm length. Portescap claims these compact motors offer almost 50 percent more continuous torque over similar comparative motors without compromising on smooth operation and long life.

15th November 2021

Fibre optic multicasting and matrix switches

A range of fibre optic switch configurations are available from Laser Components, covering multicasting, non-blocking, ultra-low latency and matrix.

15th November 2021

Copa-Data publishes IEC 61850 whitepaper

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard 61850 – communication networks and systems for power utility automation was introduced to provide a protocol for power plants and substations to allow communication and monitoring between devices and facilities. Automation software supplier, Copa-Data is releasing a new whitepaper to provide a comprehensive overview of the standard and what it means for the digitalisation of power suppliers.

15th November 2021

Contrinex M12 and M18 metal-bodied photoelectrics launch at SPS Exhibition

Contrinex will launch metal-bodied M18 sized photoelectric sensors which feature the same exclusive ASIC technology as their plastic-bodied counterparts at the upcoming SPS Exhibition in Hannover.

15th November 2021

Advanced servo motors transforming 3D metal printing

The combination of the latest servo motor designs, extremely flexible robots and an eclectic mix of other advanced technologies are the key factors driving the rapid growth of new fabrication processes in manufacturing. Specifically, servo motors and robots are transforming additive applications and revolutionising the way prototypes, parts and products are made.

15th November 2021

Flir A50 and A70 thermal cameras offer turnkey solutions for efficient data analysis

When decision makers seek to integrate new hardware into their automation process, they are often looking at a few key areas: the ease of use, price point, features, and the ability to utilise the hardware at multiple points throughout their system. The new A50 and A70 thermal cameras come in three options – Smart, Streaming, and Research and Development to fit the needs of professionals across a variety of industries – from manufacturing to utilities to science.

15th November 2021

USi-safety ultrasonic system for Category 3 PL d

Pepperl+Fuchs says its USi-safety system guarantees protection wherever people and machines interact, based on the design-related robustness of the ultrasonic sensors. The separation of the actual sensor component from the control interface allows for an extremely compact design. The devices can be easily installed in very confined spaces.

15th November 2021