Drives & Controls October 2022

n TECHNOLOGY October 2022 www.drivesncontrols.com 18 BANNER ENGINEERING has developed a system that makes it easier to obtain diagnostic data from machine safety devices. The In-Series Diagnostics (ISD) system allows users to troubleshoot safety systems, prevent faults and cut downtime by returning their installations to normal operation rapidly after a trip. The system can be used with standard safety devices or dedicated ISD devices. The system is designed to overcome the problems usually associated with obtaining diagnostics from devices such as gate interlocks and e-stop buttons, which are typically linked in long serial chains. While this arrangement cuts costs and simplifies installation, it makes it difficult to identify which e-stop has been pushed, or which door has been opened, because multiple devices are connected to a single input. An alternative is to wire each individual point back to an input, but this is costly in terms of wiring and inputs. The In-Series Diagnostics (ISD) system, available in the UK from Turck Banner, is designed to eliminate this problem. Up to 32 ISD-compatible devices – such as safety switches and e-stops – are daisy-chained together using a four-wire serial connection. The status of each device is monitored using either a safety controller with built-in ISD, or an external ISD module. This operates separately from the safety functions. As well as an activated/not activated status, each ISD device provides extra information, including a unique identifier, internal temperature and voltage readings, and device-specific details such as alignment and the distance between the sensor and actuator of a safety switch. If a device is close to its tripping point – caused, for example, by a door sagging on its hinges – the system will send an alarm, allowing remedial action to be taken before a nuisance trip occurs. When a device trips, its location is identified and can be displayed via an HMI, indicator lights or other means such as a smartphone app, or by turning the machine lighting red near the activated device. This can guide an operator rapidly to the device, allowing the machine to be restarted with minimum downtime. Devices available with built-in ISD capabilities include RFID safety switches and illuminated e-stops. The devices achieve Cat 4, PL e, or SIL CL 3 safety ratings. There is also a device called ISD Connect that links standard emergency-stop buttons or safe mechanical switch contacts – such as those on safety locking switches – to an ISD chain, thus extending the diagnostic functions to standard safety devices. The ISD controller can connect to IO-Link or other bus systems and edge devices, allowing the diagnostic data to be sent to cloud-based OEE systems, which can analyse the data to highlight areas where improvements in performance could be made. www.turckbanner.co.uk p A US company, Sun Hydraulics , has announced an “unique” cartridge valve that converts hydraulic flows into electrical energy. The Energen valve captures waste energy from the flow and this can be used to power items such as solenoid valves and sensors, or to charge batteries in mobile equipment. Sun Hydraulics – part of Helios Technologies – says the valve will help meet increasing demands for electrification and to provide energy where manufacturers have traditionally not been able to run electrical harnesses. www.sunhydraulics.com p Moxa has launched a series of CAN-to- fibre converters that can extend CAN transmission distances by up to 40km on single-mode fibres or 2km on multi-mode fibres, regardless of the baud rate. The ICF- 11711 converters are designed to be used in pairs to connect two CAN 2.0 or two CAN-FD devices or networks. They can transmit data at up to 1Mbps in CAN interfaces and up to 5Mbps in CAN-FD interfaces. The converters overcome the limited transmission distances of CAN systems stipulated in ISO 11898, which restricts transmission distances at faster baud rates. www.moxa.com p TTPi , a power electronics spinout from the University of Nottingham ’s Power Electronics, Machines and Control Group, has launched a family of bidirectional, isolated DC/DC converters, based on gallium arsenide, that are designed to work by themselves or in multi-modular systems. The UltraMod4000 converters weigh around 200g and have a 4kW power throughput. They are aimed at applications where weight, size, efficiency and power density are critical. Potential uses include industrial drives, electric vehicles, aerospace, rail and renewable energy. The modular format can reduce design times and overheads. PPM Power is the UK distributor. www.ttpi.tech www.ppmpower.co.uk p BSI has issued a new standard covering industrial automation systems and their integration. BS ISO 22745-1:2010 covers open technical dictionaries and their application to master data. It provides an overview and considers the fundamental principles involved. It has been published by BSI’s AMT/4 committee, which deals with industrial data and manufacturing interfaces. www.bsigroup.com p A US company, GelSight , has developed an AI-powered 3D tactile sensor which, it says, offers “superhuman” touch resolution, in a compact size comfortable for human hands and robust enough for use by robots and cobots. The GelSight Mini sensor, based on a technology invented at MIT, also provides “the fastest AI tactile experience on the market”, taking just five minutes to produce results out of the box. The sensor exceeds the spatial resolution of human touch, quickly providing images of material surfaces that can be used across a broad range of industries. https://gelsight.com TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS The In-Series Diagnostics system can monitor dedicated ISD devices and standard safety devices linked via an ISD Connect device (shown on the left of diagram, and above) Safety monitoring system delivers diagnostics to allow rapid restarts