Factory automation

NHP and Inaco assume Rockwell distributions

07 November, 2008

Inaco Automation Controls and NHP Electrical Engineering Products will assume distribution roles for Rockwell Automation products in Australia and New Zealand, effective 7 November 2008.

Laser-line profile sensor

01 November, 2008 | Supplied by: Bestech Australia Pty Ltd

The scanControl 2700/ 2710 laser line profile sensor from Micro-Epsilon can acquire profiles of the most varied target surfaces. Consisting of a compact sensor with integrated electronics, it is suitable for an industrial environment, especially in automation systems because of its relative small size. Typical tasks include measurement of profiles, angles, gaps and clearance.

Proximity sensors

01 November, 2008 | Supplied by: Control Devices Australia

Infra International manufactures a range of inductive proximity sensors designed to fit a wide range of industrial sensing applications. All Infra proximity sensors are designed, built and quality tested in house at its factory in Italy. The sensors are available in 4, 5, 6.5, 8, 12, 18 and 30 mm diameter sizes and sensing distances from 0.8 to 20 mm.

Firewire cameras

01 November, 2008 | Supplied by: Intelligent Vision

Designed for use in machine vision and industrial applications, the KP-FD140F and KP-FD32F cameras from Hitachi are high-resolution single-colour CCD progressive scan cameras with IEEEE 1394.b. The latest Firewire B interface allows direct high-speed data transfer between the camera and the PC using a small eight-conductor cable.

OsiSense ultrasonic sensor

01 November, 2008 | Supplied by: Schneider Electric

The OsiSense ultrasonic sensor uses a piezoelectric transducer that acts as both transmitter and receiver and can detect any object without contact, regardless of the material, nature, colour or degree of transparency.

Stainless steel inductive sensors

01 November, 2008 | Supplied by: ifm efector pty ltd

The 316 stainless steel, metal face sensor line is designed and tested to provide reliable position indication in harsh food and beverage applications.

ABB Australia low-voltage AC motors

01 November, 2008 | Supplied by: ABB Australia Pty Ltd

ABB Australia has launched low-voltage AC motors with improved energy efficiency and life cycle value. The motors are available from 0.06 to 95 kW while the frame size starts from 56, going all the way to 250. The range is classified into three ranges: general performance, industrial performance and process performance. Frame materials include cast iron and aluminium.

Multifunction timer

01 November, 2008 | Supplied by: Eaton Electrical (Australia) Pty Ltd

The Eaton Durant E42A24M multifunction timer features an 11-pin base with two timed changeover outputs. The timer features seven multifunction modes that include on delay, off delay, single shot, percentage timer, pulse output, timing after a pulse, and timing after closing or opening a contact.

Digital signal conditioner

01 November, 2008 | Supplied by: Bestech Australia Pty Ltd

The SA40082 is a 3-channel digital signal conditioner from Spectron Systems Technology. Originally designed as an integral tri-axis electronic inclinometer, this versatile signal conditioning module can be used in various other applications.

Positive pressure gripper

01 November, 2008 | Supplied by: SMC Australia | New Zealand

Many applications requiring materials handling techniques employ the use of a vacuum pump, vacuum ejectors and vacuum pads. Often it is not possible to employ vacuum pick-up due to the material or the sensitive or physical nature of the product.

Metal face inductive sensors

01 November, 2008 | Supplied by: ifm efector pty ltd

The metal face sensor product line from ifm efector is designed and tested to provide reliable position indication in the toughest welding and stamping applications.

DVT 515 and 535 vision sensors

01 November, 2008 | Supplied by: Intelligent Vision

The DVT 515 and 535 are the lowest cost models in the DVT vision sensor family which includes a choice of products to meet a range of performance requirements — from simple part inspection to defect detection, high-resolution and colour applications.

Optimising motion control — getting the most from resolvers

27 October, 2008 by Thomas Tokar is a project engineer at Rockwell Automation | Supplied by: Rockwell Automation Australia

For engineers who design motion control systems that operate in hostile environments, the biggest headache is finding hardware that will give them accurate position data on moving machine elements. Many new sensing devices simply cannot function reliably under rugged conditions. In this situation, the engineer’s best option is a tried-and-true feedback sensor that has been available since the 1940s — the resolver.

Industry urged to maximise motor efficiency

22 October, 2008

SEW-Eurodrive has used the ‘Driving towards industrial energy savings’ seminar to urge industry to consider the total life cycle energy cost of the entire drive system when using a motorised process.