Drives & Controls June 2022

46 n NEW PRODUCTS June 2022 www.drivesncontrols.com Bonfiglioli has announced a series of decentralised inverters for controlling asynchronous and synchronous reluctance motors. The DGM Modular inverters have embedded EMC filters and on onboard PLC that can be used to customise the inverter functions. The inverters come in four sizes including single-phase versions with ratings of 0.37–1.1 kW (DGM1), and three-phase versions spanning 0.55–22kW. The inverters can also be used with reluctance motors from 0.55– 30kW. The single-phase versions are available in voltage ratings from 100–230V AC, 50/60Hz or 140–320V DC, while the three- phase versions cover 200–480V AC, 50/60Hz or 280–680V DC. The inverters can be supplied with a gearmotor, or separately for wall or on-motor mounting. If supplied with a motor, the drive is preconfigured to match the motor. Users can change the settings via an optional keypad, or using software which performs configuration, troubleshooting and testing functions. The inverters have die-cast aluminium housings with good impact and vibration resistance (up to 5g). IP65 protection ensures dust and water spray resistance, and the inverters can be used outdoors or in aggressive environments. Passive ventilation provides cooling up to 7.5kW. The inverters can be connected to most common bus systems including Modbus, CANopen, Profibus, Profinet, EtherCat, Sercos III and Ethernet/IP. The embedded PLC can be programmed in the FBD, ST, IL, LD and SFC languages. Bonfiglioli UK 01925 852667 www.bonfiglioli.com/uk/en Motion Control Products (MCP) has announced a range of compact harmonic actuators with lead times of less than eight weeks. Offering high levels of torque and precision, the actuators contain a torque motor with an integral harmonic gearbox and optional onboard electronics. The low-maintenance devices are available with gear ratios from 51:1 to 161:1. They are self- cooled and can be specified with IP67 protection for harsh environments. Standard input voltages are 48V DC, and 110V or 220V AC. These voltages can be customised on request, as can the torque. There are two series: the all-in- one MGM series with torque motor, backlash-free harmonic gearbox, high-resolution absolute or incremental encoder, brake and servodrive; and the MAH series with hollow shafts, diameters from 75–170mm, peak torque capabilities up to 800Nm, and precision of up to 30 arc-sec. The MGM actuators offer a precision of up to 60 arc-sec and up to 557Nm of torque. They are suitable for low-noise, high- torque precision applications such as cobots. EtherCat or CANopen servodrives allow them to interface with most controllers. Motion Control Products 01202 599922 www.motioncontrolproducts.com Sick has launched a service that provides real-time data on filling levels in packaging machinery to operators via their smartwatches or phones, allowing them to top up blanks or film wraps, for example. Instead of having to check each magazine or film roll level, they are alerted before levels become critical. Machine downtime is reduced and walking routes can be planned to optimise uptime. The service can be used with any Sick smart level sensor. Its first applications, developed with packaging manufacturers and machine-builders, use laser distance sensors to output level measurements from carton magazines and film rolls. The measurements are sent to a Sick edge gateway, which aggregates and forwards encrypted data via the company’s LiveConnect digital interface, so that it can be accessed, managed and processed online. Each gateway can monitor up to six Sick sensors. Third-party devices can be connected via OPC-UA A cloud-based dashboard provides graphical information about the real-time status of machines via any Internet- enabled device. Push notifications on fill levels can be set up for smart devices. Trends can be analysed to optimise production processes. Loads on packaging machines can be monitored to identify over- or under-capacity. The monitoring service can be adapted for fluids such as adhesives or granular materials. Sick UK 01727 831121 www.sick.co.uk Fath Components has announced an automated diverting systemwhich, it claims, heralds a new era of affordable, flexible sorting in conveying, handling and logistics operations. The modular Flowsort system is an open platform, both in terms of software and hardware, and can be integrated into a wide range of belt or roller conveying systems with widths from 400– 1,050mm. Fath says that the plug-and- play system combines the benefits of speed, low investment and running costs, and scaleability. Users can start with a small system and add more conveying and diverting capacity when they need it. The modules can be retrofitted and introduced into existing lines at almost any point. The Flowsort rollers can handle boxes, packages or other items weighing from 50g to 35kg. They can rotate through 180 degrees in just 0.3s, allowing outfeed directions to be customised. Fath claims a sorting rate of up to 6,000 items per hour. The rollers are powered by 24V supplies and are said to be energy-efficient. There are three types of diverter: single-line, double-line and zigzag. Because they are modular, users can add extra diverters as demand increases. Fath Components 01252 346610 www.fath24.com Decentralised inverters can handle synchronous reluctance motors Modular flow-sorting system is fast, flexible and energy-efficient Service monitors machine fill levels on phones or smartwatches High-torque harmonic actuators have short lead times