January 2022

46 n NEW PRODUCTS January 2022 www.drivesncontrols.com Beckhoff has announced a series of servomotor-driven “electric cylinders” as an alternative to pneumatics for direct-drive linear applications needing high forces and speeds. The AA3000 cylinders are said to combine power, dynamics and compactness, with the advantages of servo technology such as controlled positioning, safe holding at a standstill, and high efficiencies. The first product in the series is the AA3033 electric cylinder, which is available in two variants: one with a peak force of 12.5kN (3.7kN continuous) and a top speed of 0.5m/s; the other with a peak force of 6.25kN (1.85kN continuous) and a top speed of 1m/s. Integrated roller bearings, ballscrews and guides provide backlash-free motion. An external thread at the shaft end of the spindle can be used to mount pneumatic/hydraulic adapters such as ball heads or clamping hooks. The cylinder’s ISO 15552 flange has bolting points on both sides for uses such as swivel bolt connections, simplifying conversion from pneumatic to electric drives. A safe 24-bit multiturn encoder supports single-cable technology. An electronic identification plate allows fast, simple commissioning. Beckhoff 01491 410539 www.beckhoff.com/aa3000 Schneeberger has introduced a series of precision roller guideways with enhanced performance in four areas: lubrication; dirt resistance; shock resistance; and serviceability. The Monorail MR 4S guideways, available from Moore International, are said to deliver long lives in arduous applications. The guides are available in 25, 35, 45, 55 and 65mm versions, with single-rail lengths up to 6m. The largest version can handle 150-tonne loads and has a maximum length of 3m. Longer lengths can be achieved by linking rail segments together. The carriages can be accelerated by up to 50m/s2 during normal use, and are designed for speeds of up to 3m/s. The guides’ lubricators and front plates are seal-welded to form pressure-tight lubrication channels, improving lubrication when idle. Double-lipped wipers prevent both the ingress of dirt and the loss of lubricants. Moore International 01202 623 393 www.mooreinternational.co.uk Sick has collaborated with Microsoft to develop a miniature version of its Visionary-T 3D snapshot vision sensor which packs high-resolution, rapid image capture into a compact, lightweight (520g) format.The Visionary-T Mini sensor captures both 3D depth and 2D intensity values of every pixel at a 512 × 424 pixel resolution, in a single shot of light, at up to 30 3D frames per second.The high repetition rate avoids blurring as a result of the camera or object moving. It can be used to detect objects or levels, and for collision warning, navigation and 3D dimensioning duties, among others.The data is easy to integrate into applications, especially where the target is moving. www.sick.co.uk Igus has launched a ready-to- connect belt axis that meets hygienic standards for the food industry. The drylin ZLW axis uses FDA-compliant materials including lubricant- and maintenance-free tribo-plastics. The axes can be cleaned using high-pressure steam jets, chemicals or water. Lubricant-free plain bearings reduce the risk of contamination. In lab tests, the axes achieved around 1.5 million double strokes at 0.5m/s and accelerations of 2m/s², with 3kg loads. They are available in displacements up to 3m and can be fitted with stepper motors. www.igus.co.uk Contrinex smart inductive sensors are now available in housings machined from a single piece of stainless-steel, providing robustness for extreme environments. The sensors, available from Plus Automation , can withstand repeated impacts and exposure to cleaning and process fluids. A single sensor can measure multiple parameters directly or indirectly, including distance, linear and angular position, velocity, vibration and force. The sensors have IO-Link connections and multiple user- configurable outputs. www.plusax.co.uk ElectroMechanical Systems (EMS) is offering a stepper motor that, it says, can achieve speeds five times faster than similar motors. The Faulhaber AM3248 multi-pole, two-phase stepper motor performs 48 steps per revolution, and offers speeds of up to 10,000 rpm.The low-inertia motor can deliver high speed from the first step, making it suitable for applications that need rapid acceleration and quick changes in direction. It has a holding torque of 85mNm. With a gearhead reduction of 100:1, it can supply up to 5Nm. www.ems-limited.co.uk Schaeffler has announced a tool for aligning rotating shafts which, it says, is particularly easy to use and results in precise alignments. Unlike other laser- based alignment tools which need two laser beams to be aligned with each other, the Laser-Equilign2 tool uses only one laser/sensor device and a reflector, saving time and resulting in precise measurements. If the shafts in machines are not aligned accurately, temperatures can rise in the couplings, bearings, grease and motors, and the machines consume more energy. The additional friction can lead to increased wear, possibly even causing the shafts to fracture or systems and machines to fail completely. According to Schaeffler, around 60% of all unplanned downtime is due to imbalance and misalignments. The new tool’s single-laser technology allows it to be deployed quickly and precisely. A non-verbal user interface with an 8”TFT display and capacitive touchscreen (which can be operated wearing gloves) is said to result in intuitive, user-friendly operation. By reducing maintenance times, the alignment tool is said to cut downtime. It also reduces the amount of repair work resulting from imbalances. Schaeffler suggests that if an aligned machine uses just 1% less energy, annual electricity cost savings could be several thousand pounds in some cases. Schaeffler https://medias.schaeffler.co.uk/ en/mounting-and- alignment/alignment- tools/equilign Single-laser shaft alignment system ‘saves energy and cuts the need for maintenance’ ‘Electric cylinders’ offer powerful alterative to pneumatics Roller guideways promise long lives in tough applications