Industrial Technology

Small torque â€“ an essential ingredient for developing the next generation of engineering systems

The growing demand for high speed miniature and micro machines has prompted Sensor Technology to develop a torque monitor that can accurately measure down to 10mNm (ten milliNewton-metres). This capability is combined with a 50kHz bandwidth so that even the most fleeting of transient torques can be recorded with accuracy.

5th November 2021

Reliability considerations in coreless brush DC motor selection

The numbers of products incorporating electric motors is increasing exponentially. Some of these products are designed to be disposable, with cost taking precedent over longevity. In others, where the expectation is that the product will operate over hundreds or even thousands of hours, long term reliability is key.

5th November 2021

Battery handling with Igus low-cost automation

Precise handling, no lubrication, no mess, no fuss – handling applications have never been easier. With Igus low-cost automation gantry systems, the company says precise, quiet and lubrication-free operations are quick and easy. You can also program it all via the iRC – Igus Robot Control system.

5th November 2021

Pepperl+Fuchs shows first switch with Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer

Ethernet-APL will look familiar to users in process industries. It combines two well-known technologies: Ethernet for seamless, parallel communication – and robust two-wire technology combined with explosion protection for the field within the process plant. Ethernet-APL thus enables the digitisation of the instrumentation.

5th November 2021

Inductive sensors now in compact D3 and M4 housing

Wenglor’s product family of inductive sensors with increased switching distances features enhanced performance in miniature design. A total of eight new sensors from the I03 and I04 series in the compact D3 and M4 housing are available for detecting metallic objects in confined systems. Practically no larger than a pin head, the robust sensors in V2A stainless steel housing demonstrate their strengths exactly where space is most limited.

4th November 2021

OKW"s new EVOTEC size 125 designer table-top enclosures

OKW has added a new 125 size to its elegant EVOTEC range of designer table-top plastic enclosures. Designers specify tough but soft-contoured EVOTEC for applications including measurement and control, IT, IoT/IIoT, gateways, medical, laboratory and environmental technology.

4th November 2021

Fast and simple valve actuation monitoring ensures dosing accuracy

Precise and consistent dosing accuracy ensures product quality. However, as the repeatable accuracy of valve actuation typically declines over time, monitoring valve actuation is crucial. Failure to do so can not only reduce dosing performance, it can also lead to unplanned maintenance that will impact productivity and service levels. Implementing a valve actuation monitoring system is the answer.

4th November 2021

All-in-one embedded vision platform with new tools and functions from IDS

At IDS, image processing with artificial intelligence does not just mean that AI runs directly on cameras and users also have enormous design options through vision apps. Rather, with the IDS NXT ocean embedded vision platform, customers receive all the necessary, coordinated tools and workflows to realise their own AI vision applications without prior knowledge and to run them directly on the IDS NXT industrial cameras.

4th November 2021

Maintaining the benefits from your investments in robotics

With robots now an essential element in many manufacturing facilities, users are benefiting from the increases in productivity, quality and consistency which these systems deliver. The high levels of reliability and uptime associated with robot systems however can sometimes lead to complacency when it comes to planning preventative maintenance schedules. This article from Stäubli’s Simon Jenkins highlights the benefits which can be realised by adhering to preventative maintenance schedules for robot systems, which will in turn ensure long term performance and an ongoing return on the initial investment.

4th November 2021

Protection from lithium-ion battery fires

While normally safe under most use conditions, lithium-ion batteries that are poorly designed, incorrectly assembled or h damaged can overheat and even explode, potentially resulting in catastrophic consequences involving life and property. Martin Foley, senior manager at TÜV SÜD, addresses issues associated with small and larger format batteries.

3rd November 2021