February 2021

46 n NEW PRODUCTS February 2021 www.drivesncontrols.com Ifm has announced an IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) platform that converts large amounts of plant and machine data into information that can be used to optimise efficiency and cut downtime and costs. The moneo system is said to allow powerful, scalable IIoT systems to be implemented quickly at “modest” cost. Users can configure the modular system to suit their needs. At its heart is an operating system that provides flow modelling and automatic alarm functions, and well as facilities for managing software modules, such as moneo RTM, which can be used to implement customisable user interfaces for presenting information in numeric, graphical or dashboard formats. It also analyses and summarises data collected by the system. Other moneo software modules include: • infopoints, which collects data from connected devices; • configure, which offers management, fault-finding and configuration functions for connected IO-Link sensors and devices; • RTM-AVA, which can record vibration spectra for analysis; and • edgeconnect, which allows data to be interchanged between ifm devices and IT systems. There is also a rugged industrial PC called the moneo appliance, that is configured to implement the software. Ifm is offering starter kits containing everything needed to implement a small moneo system. Ifm electronic 020 8213 0000 www.ifm.com/gb/en A series of hollow-shaft stepper motors from Faulhaber with a new direct-drive mechanism are aimed at applications needing wide apertures (40mm). The DM66200H motors, available in the UK from EMS , drive the surrounding mechanics directly, removing the need for a transmission system. The repeatability of the technology and its high holding torques also remove the need for brakes or encoders in most cases. The backlash-free motors are claimed to be easier to integrate than traditional torque motors, which can also cost more. The 40mm aperture is said to be much larger than standard hollow-shaft motors, which are typically limited to 11mm. Unlike standard torque motors, which can struggle to reach high speeds due to their large moving masses, the new motors have a small moving mass, allowing speeds of up to 2,000 rpm. The motors also achieve dynamic torque values of up to 180mNm, allowing them to move relatively large loads. The performance is claimed to be better than that which a hybrid stepper motor with reluctance technology could achieve in the same volume and weight. EMS 0118 9817391 www.ems-limited.co.uk Easy-to-implement IIoT platform helps to optimise plant efficiency Large-aperture, hollow-shaft steppers offer benefits over torque motors Igus has developed a low-cost, water-resistant robot arm that can withstand rain and moisture. The five-axis robolink IP44, developed in response to customer requests, is made of polymer and stainless-steel components. It can carry loads of up to 3kg, has a 790mm reach, and can make seven picks a minute. There is no lubrication in the joints, so no grease can be washed out or escape into the environment, and there is no need for costly additional coverings. The arm is driven by motors with IP65-protected encoders, allowing outdoor use. The arm can be seen in action at https://youtu.be/WXm8gO6QxWQ Igus 01604 677240 www.igus.co.uk Water-resistant robot arm needs no covering Mclennan is offering a series of motorised linear translation stages from the Italian manufacturer, Vacuum Fab , aimed at heavy-duty single- or multi-axis positioning applications. The modular Hercules HLS stages are available in three widths and 21 stroke lengths from 25–500mm, and provide sub-micron resolution and repeatability with optional stepper motors, or with brushed or brushless DC servomotors and integrated optical or magnetic linear scales. The stages have recirculating linear guide bearings and offer a choice of open- or closed-loop control through motor-mounted rotary encoders or linear encoders. The smallest stages (Hercules HLS-S) are 44mmwide with 30mm-wide carriages, and cover stroke lengths from 25– 150mm in 25mm increments. They offer a choice of stepper- or servomotor-driven leadscrews with a 2mm pitch for sub-micron positioning. Two other sizes (HLS- M and HLS-L) offer widths of 52mm and 80mm and carriage widths of 40mm and 60mm. Mclennan 01252 531444 www.mclennan.co.uk Camozzi Automation has released a 25mm Size 4 version of its Series D valve island that allows expandable pneumatic and electrical functions in restricted spaces. The 25mm valve has a 2,000Nl/min flow rate and is particularly suited to applications with high flow rates. It is available in multipole and fieldbus versions. The aluminium valves incorporate Camozzi’s CoilVision technology which monitors the solenoid driving the spool. This data, including power consumption and coil temperature, is analysed to determine the status of the coils in real time. www.camozzi.co.uk Linear stages tackle heavy-duty positioning