DAC 2021_12

55 www.drivesncontrols.com November/December 2021 NEW PRODUCTS n Belden has developed an optical fibre cable that uses a ruggedised thermoplastic material instead of metal armouring, and is said to be up to 90% lighter and 70% smaller in diameter than metal armoured cable, and up to 50% smaller than non-armoured cable. The OptiTuff Mini Fiber cable is also said to be more flexible and easier to install than metal armoured cable and can survive a four-tonne forklift being driven over it. The all-dielectric armouring provides good durability and crush resistance, while delivering mechanical properties similar to metal armoured products. Because no grounding or conduit are needed, installers can save time and end-users can save money. The cable has anti-kink properties and a small bend radius that make it flexible enough to handle tight, challenging turns in small spaces, raceways and cable trays. The cable can be stapled to a wall and, according to Belden, can survive a 14kg data centre tile being dropped on it, without any crushing, breaking, kinking or performance issues. Belden 0161 498 3754 www.belden.com/optituff New measuring light grids from ifm electronic provide a fast, convenient way of checking the size, orientation and the shape of objects. The OY51xx light grids provide high resolution for accurate object detection, and can ensure that objects are positioned correctly for safe transport on conveyor systems. An IO-Link interface makes them easy to set up and integrate without complex programming. Usingmultiple infrared beams 10mm apart, the IP65-protected light grids can determine the height and width of pallets and boxes. Simultaneous evaluation of multiple beams allows the orientation of the objects to be determined, as well as providing information on their contours. In some cases, the distance between objects can also be measured. The light grids automatically capture diagnostic information based on operating hours, which can be used to planmaintenance. There are six versions, the smallest of which has 15 beams and a measuring height of 140mm, while the largest has 255 beams and a measuring height of 2,540mm. The maximum range for all versions is 10m, and all can measure five values simultaneously. Data from the grids is transmitted via IO- Link, which is also used for parameterisation. Ifm electronic 0208 213 2222 https://www.ifm.com/gb/en Measuring light grids check the size and shapes of objects Tough, armour-free fibre cable is up to 90% lighter Beckhoff’s XPlanar levitating production line transport system, first seen at the SPS show in Germany in 2018, is now available in the UK. The system uses magnetically driven “movers”with six degrees of jerk- free motion, which levitate over tiles that can be laid out freely to suit an application. The wire-free movers incorporate magnets that allow them to carry loads of up to 4.2kg at speeds of up to 2m/s. Various capacity movers are available and several can be coupled together to handle heavier payloads. No guide rails or lubrication are needed, reducing maintenance. Software prevents collisions and, combined with the positioning detectors in the tiles, allows the movers to travel to any location via any available route. This improves cycle times, allows production to continue during maintenance, and offers new levels of flexibility. The planar motors are located in the tiles, each of which contains motor coils, power electronics, position detection components and a power supply. The tiles communicate via EtherCat, eliminating the need for mechanical connections. Because each XPlanar mover travels along an individual route, batches can run simultaneously, in sizes from one to more than 10,000. The movers’decoupled movements mean that they can overtake each other and can be buffered, without affecting production flows. The parallel flows can improve improved output and uptime, and redefine what production processes look like. If production requirements change, systems can be extended using extra tiles and processing stations. Movers can also be added to raise capacity. For hygienic applications, stainless-steel movers are available with smooth, easy-to- clean surfaces. Beckhoff Automation 01491 410539 www.beckhoff.co.uk Levitating transport system offers new levels of flexibility Interroll has announced a control system for automated pallet conveying which, it says, simplifies the control of 400V and 48V/24V drives and reduces planning and installation for material flow projects. The MultiControl system can be used to implement a variety of automated applications, from autonomous plug-and-play pallet conveyors without PLCs, to complex Industry 4.0 applications. It is designed to be used with Interroll’s Modular Pallet Conveyor Platform (MPP). The multi-protocol-capable (Profinet, EtherNet/IP and EtherCat) controller can integrate up to four drives – such as 400V drum motors or RollerDrives – at the fieldbus level. Built-in conveyor logic enables, for example, autonomous and zero-pressure- accumulation pallet conveyors to be implemented without a PLC, reducing the effort needed to plan and commission applications. The controller can be linked to a PLC to retrieve operating data from the conveyor in real time, or to adapt material flows to customer requirements. Depending on the design of the conveyor line and the choice of conveyor modules, pallets weighing up to 1,200kg can be moved at speeds of up to 0.5m/s. Compact pallet warehouses can be set up which can handle 100 pallets/hour per storage and retrieval machine or transfer carriage. Interroll 01536 312770 www.interroll.co.uk Controller simplifies automated pallet conveyor systems