46 n NEW PRODUCTS May 2026 www.drivesncontrols.com Nidec Drives has announced a series of servo packages that support Heidenhain EnDat 3 encoders and are claimed to set a new benchmark for servo system performance and simplicity, especially in small machines. The compact, plugand-play packages combine Nidec’s Digitax HD and Unidrive M700 drives, Unimotor hd motors, cut-to-length cables and pre-made connectors. Benefits are said to include: simple single-cable two-wire cabling; small panel sizes; rapid commissioning; and enhanced diagnostics, including real-time monitoring of vibration, temperature and encoder health for predictive maintenance. The drives work out of the box and use electronic nameplate data to ensure that all components are matched. The EnDat encoders are pre-programmed, and the systems configure themselves on power-up with no need for manual intervention. Nidec’s Connect V3 commissioning software ensures rapid, error-free set-up with stepby-step support. It offers: autodiscovery via Ethernet, serial, Bluetooth or EtherCat; real-time tuning using an integrated scope and motion tools; visual I/O configuration with dynamic logic diagrams; and selfdiagnostics. Nidec has also launched a commissioning hub at www.Drive-Setup.com/digitaxhd that provides documentation, tools, and resources to commission and optimise servo systems. Nidec Drives www.drivesfromnidec.com Cybersecurity service will offer five-stage protection WEG has announced a highefficiency motor designed to replace low-efficiency motors and to integrate with existing installations. The W22 Prime motor is an evolution of its W22 induction motors that delivers IE4 and IE5 efficiency levels, while offering robustness, simplicity and reliability. It is suitable for both retrofit and new projects, allowing users to upgrade their motors without major modifications to their infrastructure. By achieving high efficiency levels, the motors will help to users to cut energy consumption and CO2 emissions, and to improve their operational performance. The motors support both DOL (direct-on-line) and VSD (variable-speed drive) operation (VSD). They comply with current regulatory requirements and are prepared for future efficiency developments. The W22 Prime offers one of the widest ranges of frame sizes for IE5 induction motors, allowing users to implement higher efficiencies across multiple power ratings and applications. Other advantages are said to include high reliability, low noise and vibration levels, simple maintenance, and a low cost of ownership. WEG www.weg.net Iconsys has launched a cybersecurity offering to help users to protect their OT environments and production facilities against cyber-attacks. Its Guard system offers a five-stage approach, starting with initial consultation and assessment, through to protection, training and ongoing resilience. Iconsys has signed agreements with cybersecurity experts, including Opswat and Rhelative, to provide cyber software and risk assessments. The Guard service will safeguard critical assets, ensure regulatory compliance and give users confidence that their businesses are cyber-secure. The service has been developed for industrial environments where uptime, safety and legacy system integration present unique challenges, compared to traditional IT networks. It will include audits, vulnerability analyses and network assessments, leading to tailored security roadmaps aligned with IEC 62443, ISO 27001 and emerging UK and EU regulatory requirements. Iconsys www.iconsys.co.uk Panasonic has announced a digital fibre sensor with a 35μs response time, making it suitable for applications requiring fast, precise detection. Even small or fast-moving objects are identified reliably using the FX-250 sensor, reducing the risk of errors on high-speed production lines. Two-step limit teaching avoids the need to adjust the emitted light manually. Simply by pressing a button twice, the sensor learns the switching threshold, even under challenging lighting conditions. This makes machine set-ups much faster and ensures stable detection of shiny, transparent or small components. A large OLED display shows not only numerical values, but also text, simplifying navigation and reducing the risk of errors. Settings can be checked and adjusted even from a distance. Three Eco modes reduce energy consumption automatically by dimming the display after a period of inactivity, or switching it off entirely. Panasonic Industry Europe https://industry.panasonic.eu EnDat 3 supporting servodrive systems ‘set a new benchmark’ for performance and simplicity Digital fibre sensor has a 35µs response time IE5 induction motors are designed to replace low-efficiency machines
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