Machine Building

Phoenix Contact launches PLCnext safety controller

The Phoenix PLCnext Control RFC 4072S controller is the first high-performance controller for the PLCnext Technology ecosystem. It can be used to leverage all the advantages of the control platform: programming in your favourite programming language and programming environment, using open source software, apps, Proficloud and soon, the real-time version of the PLCnext store.

19th February 2019

Modular electronics housings for control cabinets

Phoenix Contact is launching a new series of modular electronics housings for control cabinet applications. The Industrial Case System (ICS) series includes a wide range of overall widths, heights and depths, as well as the optional TBUS8 eight-position DIN rail connectors for simple module-to-module communication.

18th February 2019

Intelligent monitoring of moving cables in smart factories

igus has produced a short video that demonstrates its CF.Q module, which monitors the health of bus cables in e-chains after the warranty period expires and recommends maintenance or replacement in good time. Just one part of the smart plastic range, the system provides early alarms even for the smallest changes in transmission characteristics - this avoids unscheduled system shutdowns as well as the associated high costs.

18th February 2019

No-compromise DC-DC converters for railway applications

Gresham Power Electronics is announcing the Polytron extra wide input range DC-DC converters specifically designed for railway applications. These new products can accommodate a broad range of common battery and bus distribution voltages while operating with wide input voltage tolerances and fluctuations.

18th February 2019

Redundant controller connections for Profinet devices

With the release of software version V1.6 of the TPS-1 Profinet single-chip device, Phoenix Contact provides the possibility to connect a Profinet device redundantly with two controllers (Primary and Backup).

15th February 2019

Wear-resistant iglidur plate ex-stock in additional grades

igus now offers five high-performance wear- and abrasion-resistant plastics as plate stock strips. In addition to the classic iglidur W300 and the cost-effective J4, the FDA-compliant iglidur A500 material as well as the high-temperature endurance runner C500 and iglidur J350, the specialist for temperatures up to 180degC, complete the range. All sliding plates are available from igus, 15mm thick and 160mm wide.

14th February 2019

New ultra-compact, low-cost servo drives

A new range of miniature servo drives, no bigger than a pack of cards, has been launched in the UK by Motor Technology. Manufactured by Italian firm Axor Industries, the new Mack Nano drives have been designed as an ultra-compact, low-cost alternative to AC, DC and stepper applications that would benefit from the higher performance of a servo system without the usual hike in cost.

14th February 2019

New software for smarter machine condition and energy monitoring

The rapid development and changes occurring in control systems, connectivity and sensor technology are important factors in helping manufacturing industry realise the opportunities and benefits of Industry 4.0, the so called next industrial revolution. Much of the control systems architecture and essential components as we know them today are changing as data can be collected direct from devices, which can then be analysed online. However, most of the data generated never even leaves the control loop on the machine, so can be lost.

14th February 2019

Compact, powerful magnetic catches from FDB Panel Fittings

FDB Panel Fittings admire the way that some manufacturers use materials to their customers' advantage while keeping aesthetics in the forefront of their design - such a manufacturer is their sales partner Sugatsune whose range of neodymium magnetic catches stand out for their high performance and very neat design.

12th February 2019

Connector stack heights allow range of PCB spacings from 8-20mm

Harting has added two new stack heights to its compact har-flex 1.27mm pitch connector family, allowing designers to optimise the use of space in PCB and device design by enabling a broad range of PCB spacings from 8 to 20mm. The new stack heights add further to the flexibility provided by the har-flex PCB connector family, which already offers a wide range of pole counts, fixings, design heights and reliable parameters for soldering.

12th February 2019