Drives & Controls September 2022

53 www.drivesncontrols.com September 2022 Phoenix Contact has launched a family of terminal blocks using a new push-in technology that works with any type of conductor. The Push-X technology in the XTV terminal blocks does need force or tools to operate. The terminal connection chambers are supplied in an open state. Tapping them with even the smallest flexible conductor triggers a preloaded contact spring to establish safe contact automatically. This is claimed to cut installation times and allow faster wiring. The conductors are released by actuating an orange pusher which opens the chamber and re-tensions the contact spring. The pushbutton shows the chamber position, regardless of the conductor diameter or the orientation of the terminal block. The XTV range initially supports three cross-sections – 6, 10 and 16mm2. The multifunction feed-through terminal blocks and multiconductor terminal blocks can be used in control cabinets or in the field. The Push-X connections can be used in applications with stringent requirements on vibrations, gas tightness and robustness. The XTV blocks can be combined with blocks and accessories from the Clipline terminal block system. Phoenix Contact 01952 681700 www.phoenixcontact.co.uk Digi-Key Electronics is offering a development kit containing IoT components and services that it says can be used to develop almost any sensor and connectivity application. The XPLR-IoT-1 explorer kit from the wireless communications specialist u-blox supports GNSS, cellular, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth communications, as well as cloud service. It includes sensors for temperature, humidity, pressure and ambient light, as well as a magnetometer, gyroscope, accelerometer and battery gauge. In a few steps, the kit can publish data to the cloud and demonstrate a complete end-to- end application. The low-power GNSS receiver provides accurate positioning data, while a rechargeable battery allows portable operation. Digi-Key, which is offering the kit exclusively on an global basis, says it will allow users to shorten proof-of-concept times and to try out the latest technologies. Digi-Key Electronics www.digikey.com Motion Control Products (MCP) is offering what it claims is the world’s only system of structural carbon fibre extrusion profiles. The CarboSix pultruded carbon fibre profiles, from Alusic in Italy, offer weight savings of up to 50% compared to aluminium and up to 70% compared to steel, without losing strength. They are stable and adaptable, allowing lightweight, bendable profiles to be created. MCP is also offering a range of aluminium extruded profiles from Alusic with slot widths of 5, 6, 8 and 10mm, that are compatible with most aluminium profiles on the market. The anodised profiles are extruded from a choice of aluminium grades, and are available with fixings and accessories to match. Accessories and components are available for both the carbon fibre and aluminium profiles, including covers, connectors, end-caps, fasteners, joints, wheels and handles. MCP also offers rapid prototyping or 2D/3D modelling using FDM (fused deposition modelling) technology to create new profiles. Motion Control Products 01202 599922 www.motioncontrolproducts.com Push-in terminal blocks accept any type of conductor Carbon fibre profiles are unique Edge controller incorporates a high-resolution touchscreen Kit helps to develop almost any sensor and connectivity app ifm has released an edge controller that can exchange data between industrial control systems and cloud platforms such as AWS or Microsoft Azure. The edgeController also provides programmable control functions and visualisation options and can act as a complete system for digitising machines and systems. The controller incorporates a high-resolution 12.3-inch colour touchscreen display and a 1.2GHz, 64-bit quad-core processor. An IP65-protected diecast aluminium housing means it can be used in most applications without extra protection. Plug-and-play access to plant or machine I/O data in real time is supported by protocols such as EtherCat, EtherNet/IP and Modbus TCP. Control functions are programmed using Codesys 3.5. Alternatively, the controller can use pre-defined functions, avoiding the need for programming. There are two USB 2.0 ports supporting data transmission rates up to 480Mbit/s, and two Ethernet interfaces that support 10Base-T and 100Base-TX with TCP/IP, TCP/IP JSON, UDP and HTTP protocols. The controller complies with the BSI and IEC 62443-4-2 cybersecurity standards. ifm electronic 020 8213 0000 www.ifm.com NEW PRODUCTS n