Industrial Technology

New breed of PLC from Mitsubishi Electric is small on size, large on performance

Meeting the needs of OEMs, the new L series PLC from Mitsubishi Electric has been designed to provide all the performance, functions and capabilities necessary for today's demanding machine automation requirements in a compact, modular, rack-free package. Bridging the gap between the FX compact PLC and the iQ platform high performance PAC, the new modular controller combines much of the power of a Q series CPU, with the ease of expansion and user-centric design inspired by the FX. This greatly increases the range of functionality traditionally associated with mid-range PLCs.

15th March 2012

Hybrid connector module combines power-supply and signal contacts

Power-supply and signal contacts are combined in the new Han 70 A Hybrid Module: the latest model in Harting's Han-Modular highly flexible open connector system.

15th March 2012

Angled RJ45 connector offers new mounting options

Harting has introduced a new angled version of its RJ45 connector which allows users to save space in their designs by offering different mounting options. The connector incorporates a 45° cable outlet that can be mounted in four different directions, giving users the opportunity to achieve the right cable outlet direction with the same item number every time.

2nd March 2012

Ensuring cyber-security for Industrial Ethernet networks

Manufacturers are increasing connectivity between plant floor and enterprise systems to boost productivity and reduce time to market, but interconnectivity can also bring undesirable security risks. Now ODVA has announced the availability of a new guidelines document, Securing EtherNet/IP Networks, which discusses cyber-security recommendations for automation networks, including how to determine and deploy security strategies for various network types.

1st March 2012

Fibox moves to brand new accommodation

Fibox has moved to new premises, and taken the opportunity to centralise its warehousing. Fibox in the UK will be serving its UK and Irish customers directly from the massive European hub warehouse in Germany. Fibox UK managing director Steve Gallon comments: "In what is an extremely competitive market only those companies who are willing to be innovative will survive. By focussing our investment on improving our customer service level and ensuring our product and added value offerings remain in line with the demands of the ever changing industries we serve, we will continue to prosper."

1st March 2012

Living in a materials world

The next quarter century will undoubtedly see an acceleration of the existing trend towards the use of advanced composite materials in junction and control boxes, thinks Graham Fox of electrical engineers CEE Norm. Stronger and lighter than steel enclosures, plastics are cheaper to manufacture, cheaper to install, and in the case of the second- and third-generation materials now being used, at least equal in safety.

1st March 2012

New modular control cabinet from ETA

ENUX Modular Cabinets from ETA Enclosures signal the dawn of a new era in modular cabinet design. Fulfilling a wide variety of uses for industrial control applications and built on a rugged frame structure ENUX modular cabinets are available fully assembled or supplied as flat-pack for ease of handling.

1st March 2012

It all hinges on EMKA

Design engineers employed in electrical/electronic cabinet design will understand that these are common but specialist applications - just "any old hinge" from a hardware supplier is unlikely to do the job adequately or look right, or both. Consequently a continuing problem for specialist enclosure designers is the correct specification and cost effective installation of suitable hinges. EMKA - market leaders in "everything but the enclosure" have taken this entirely to heart and have produced probably the largest offering of enclosure/cabinet hinges available, specifically to suit the electrical and electronic industries requirements for protective housings.

1st March 2012

Interior installation made easy

Mounting equipment to the inside of an enclosure, without using the mounting plate or drilling holes into the wall of the enclosure, is not an easy task.

1st March 2012

Build and refurbish enclosures, boxes, guards and cabinets

As a leading manufacturer of standard parts, WDS has a complete range of hinges, handles, catches, locks, latches, gas struts and anti-vibration mounts that are ideal for the design, manufacture and maintenance of enclosures of almost any size. The range includes various material options such as stainless steel and strengthened Polyamide to make sure that there is a component suitable for most applications.

1st March 2012