The ecomat Mobile Basic Line - A 3-Piece Modular Control System

ifm introduces the ecomatMobile Basic Line, a new control platform for mobile vehicles. The Basic Line is a 3-piece modular system that is easy to wire, simple to install and reduces the amount of space needed for visualization on a dashboard. The Basic Line control platform includes a three compact units – a Controller, a Relay and a Display – that together control the automation of mobile vehicles.

ifm’s Basic Controller is a compact module with 32-bit processing power and 2 CAN-bus ports. The mini Controller replaces conventional relay logic and complex process controllers. Electronics are integrated into a compact, plastic housing that provides connections for inputs and outputs, communication and programming. A status LED indicates the current operating status of the module.

The Basic Relay module is designed to simplify wiring and battery connection and eliminate external terminals. The easily expandable relay streamlines wiring and becomes a decentralized “control room” for mobile applications. Installation is simple and the compact relay module can be installed in areas with limited mounting space.

ifm’s Basic Display is a full-color display that can replace multiple gauges on a vehicle dashboard. A high-resolution color display replaces conventional analog displays and traditional gauges on a dashboard. The display provides a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels and a color depth up to 256 colors.

ifm Introduces PDM360 NG Dialog Module for Visual Display of Vehicle Operations

ifm introduces the ecomat Mobile PDM360 Dialog Module that provides a visual display of machine operations and system messages. The 7“ full-color user interface display includes a 32-bit controller and four CAN interfaces to ISO 11898 that support the CANopen and SAEJ1939 protocols.

The scratch-resistant display has a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels with an aspect ratio of 15.9. Images and graphics can be displayed with a color depth of 18 bits. Nine backlit function keys offer tactile feedback. The display holds one gigabyte of internal mass storage and 128 megabytes of data memory.

A fully-sealed diecast aluminum housing protects the electronics and offers a NEMA rating of IP67. Integrated M12 connectors provide quick connection for supply, inputs and outputs, and communication. The high brightness display can be easily read in daylight and mounted inside a cab or on the side of a vehicle.

Four CAN interfaces to ISO 11898 are used to exchange data with a connected controller, the decentralized input/output modules or the engine controller. Integrated USB 2.0 interfaces provide easy data exchange.

New Rack All-Rounder Impresses Through Simplicity and Efficiency

At CeBIT 2012, Rittal is presenting a newly developed rack system, known as "TS IT" for the first time. It is envisaged as a future world standard for network and server technology. An intelligent modular system of rack and accessories, as well as reduced complexity and easy-to-install Plug & Play technology, ensure far greater efficiency in ordering and assembly - and thus lower costs. With its new "TS IT", Rittal has succeeded in meeting all the requirements of modular and flexible network and server racks with a single mass produced rack system.

The new "TS IT" rack system from Rittal is now making the IT world much easier. Previously, when users chose a new rack for a network or server installation, the planning phase usually took a long time. Selection and ordering was made complicated by the large number of types and accessories and possible combinations thereof. The subsequent assembly was correspondingly complex and time-consuming once all the components had been successful delivered. Customised, pre-assembled solutions directly from the manufacturer used to be associated with longer delivery times and additional costs. With the new "TS IT" rack system, companies can now make clear savings in terms of time and cost. "Our customers need flexibility because the enclosure must be adaptable to the needs of the fast-moving IT business", explains Bernd Hanstein, Vice President Product Management IT at Rittal. "Reducing complexity was the goal of a standardised modular system." "But it was not the only objective, because the new TS IT also excels in terms of quality and security."

The standardised basic equipment of the new IT rack includes, for example, a flexible 482.6 mm (19") assembly-level, divided side panels with quick-release fastener, and optimised cable entry with brush strips; it thus already fulfils practically all the requirements of network and server enclosures. For the user, the trouble of having to select fixtures and fittings is a thing of the past. Rapid assembly technology ensures greater efficiency in individual interior installations. This way, accessories such as component shelves and sliding rails can be assembled single-handedly without tools. The new Rittal IT is also sure to impress if you proceed to adjust the 482.6 mm (19") levels: The mounting level distance can also be locked in position with no tools required, and widths of 21, 23 and 24" are possible. The TS IT rack can be just as easily expanded (even while the system is operational) by adding an RFID bar for the automated inventory of all the components installed, such as servers and switches. With a total load capacity of 1,500 kilograms on the 19-inch level, the new Rittal IT rack also meets the highest stability requirements.

The new IT rack is also visually appealing. The manufacturer has ensured that the uniform, attractive design of the door elements draws a great deal of attention. Users can choose between perforated and solid rack doors. The perforated doors, with their free ventilation area of 85 per cent, something never achieved before, are suitable for use in rooms and for the climate control of suites. All doors are equipped with practical 180-degree hinges and permit a maximum of accessibility. The divided rear door (a standard feature) guarantees that space is used optimally. The "TS IT" rack also has a sufficiently tight gasket to make it suitable for gas extinguishers to be used in the event of fire, and it is of course suitable for rack climate control.

As an alternative to the conventional sheet steel bases/plinths, the "TS IT" is also available with the new Flex-Block system, which can be easily assembled without tools, and allows the base/plinth to be used as customers request. Thanks to the modular system, accessories such as cable clamp rails and rolls can also be added to the base - quickly and without tools. "With this IT rack, Rittal is underpinning its innovative strength. Due to the intelligent modular design, customers will save time and money, and at the same time they will be hedging their investment for the future, because this enclosure will adapt to the evolution occurring in their data centres," added Mr. Hanstein.

LTC3613 - 24V, 15A Monolithic Step Down Regulator with Differential Output Sensing

The LTC®3613 is a monolithic synchronous step-down switching regulator capable of regulating outputs from 0.6V to 5.5V with up to 15A output current. The controlled on-time constant frequency valley current mode architecture allows for both fast transient response and constant frequency switching in steady-state operation, independent of VIN, VOUT and load. This also provides excellent current sharing capability.

Differential output voltage sensing along with a precision internal reference combine to offer ±0.67% output regulation, even if the output ground reference deviates from local ground by 500mV. The switching frequency can be programmed from 200kHz to 1MHz with an external resistor. The switching frequency is also phase synchronizable to an external clock in applications where switching noise/ EMI reduction is crucial.

Very low tON and tOFF times allow for near 0% and near 100% duty cycles, respectively. Voltage tracking soft start-up is provided for tracking and sequencing applications. Safety features include output overvoltage protection, programmable current limit with foldback, and power good monitoring.

LTM8048 - 3.1VIN to 32VIN Isolated μModule DC/DC Converter with LDO Post Regulator

The LTM®8048 is an isolated flyback μModule DC/DC converter with LDO post regulator. The LTM8048 has an isolation rating of 725VDC. Included in the package are the switching controller, power switches, transformer, and all support components. Operating over an input voltage range of 3.1V to 32V, the LTM8048 supports an output voltage range of 2.5V to 13V, set by a single resistor. There is also a linear post regulator whose output voltage is adjustable from 1.2V to 12V as set by a single resistor. Only output, input, and bypass capacitors are needed to finish the design. Other components may be used to control the soft-start control and biasing.

The LTM8048 is packaged in a thermally enhanced, compact (11.25mm × 9mm × 4.92mm) over-molded ball grid array (BGA) package suitable for automated assembly by standard surface mount equipment. The LTM8048 is RoHS compliant.

VCM Series: V/f and Sensorless Vector Drive

VCM Series is a compact, cost-effective drive with features typically found only in more complex and expensive AC drives. This full featured sensorless vector drive is recognized for being simple to set up, program and operate. Available in ratings from 0.5 to 75HP, the VCM Series is ideally for nearly any application. The convenient operator panel provides simple, yet informative interface during setup and operation.

The tactile feedback keypad is used for programming the drive and motor speed can be controlled using either the keypad or the handy, built-in potentiometer. The alphanumeric display indicates operation, status and fault read-out and is easily visibile in low ambient light conditions. In addition, LED indicators provide direction of rotation, operating status and drive output information. An optional two-line LCD display is available.

• AC Supply Voltage 230 / 460 Vac
• HP Ratings 0.25 to 75 HP

Latest DIL Switch from knitter-switch is Sealed for Applications That Require “potted” or Conformally-Coated PCBs

One of Europe’s leading switch manufacturers, knitter-switch, announces a new DIL switch designed specifically for mounting on PCBs that are to be “potted” or conformally-coated using cold curing compounds.

Thanks to additional sealing along the base of the switch housing, the DBS 3000-SL series is ideal for many applications including industrial automation and access control systems.

Designed for through-hole mounting, the DBS 3000-SL series is available with raised or recessed actuators and in 1 to 10 and 12 pole versions. The switch has a lifetime of a minimum of 3000 cycles and an operating temperature range of -40 to +85ºC.

Standard switches are available from a number of distributors throughout Europe. Samples are usually available on next day delivery.

knitter-switch Announces Micro-Miniature Slide Switch With Auto-Return Slider

knitter-switch, one of Europe’s leading switch manufacturers, announces a micro-miniature slide switch designed to operate as an on-off switch for personal multi-media products, musical instruments and other applications where a very small, space saving switch is required.

Switches in the new MMP/MMS 1263 series are 1 pole, two position units with a side or top actuated slider with a latching or rest position on the right or left of the switch. knitter-switch can supply the switch with a return force of either 1 or 3.5N.

MMP/MMS 1263 switches measure just 8.85mm long and 2mm wide and versions are available for through hole or surface mounting. Operating temperature range is - 40ºC to + 85ºC.

Users can expect an operational lifetime of more than 10,000 operations.

Standard switches are available from a number of distributors throughout Europe. Samples are usually available on next day delivery.

Micro-Miniature Pushbutton Switches From knitter-switch Are Just 1.48mm High

One of Europe’s leading switch manufacturers, knitter-switch, introduces a very small, tactile, pushbutton switch that will find many applications in all types of handheld devices including PDA’s and those designed for medical and industrial use.

According to knitter-switch, these tiny switches are ideal for those functions in a handheld device for which a touch-screen or sensor button is not suitable. These include stand-by switch, volume adjustment, keypad lock and camera shutter functions.

Measuring just 3.8 x 2.8 x 1.48mm, the knitter-switch TSS 5400 series includes models that can be vertically or horizontally actuated. Operating actuation force is 160gf for vertically operated switches and 200gf for horizontal types. Contact rating is 50mA, 12VDC, electrical life is 100,000 cycles and the terminals are silver plate over nickel. The switch cover is silver plated stainless steel and the base is high-temperature thermoplastic.

Switches in the new TSS 5400 series are Halogen free and are available with the option of gold-plated contacts. All models have an operating temperature range of -40 to +85ºC.

Standard switches are available from a number of distributors throughout Europe. Samples are usually available on next day delivery.

IP67 Rated Tact Switches From knitter-switch Are Good For A Million Cycles

One of Europe’s leading switch manufacturers, knitter-switch, announces a new tactile switch that will find many applications in industrial automation systems and as an input device for products where a waterproof PCB switch is required.

The TSE/TSSE 21/24 series tact switches are IP67 rated and feature a mechanical lifetime of at least 1million cycles thanks to the use of a stainless steel dome. The switches also provide the user with an excellent tactile feedback with customers able to select an operating force of either 160 or 260gf for more industrial applications. The new TSE/TSSE 21/24 series tact switches are offered with either round or square knobs to facilitate aesthetic panel designs.

Other key features of the halogen-free TSE/TSSE 21/24 series include an operating temperature range of -40ºC to +85ºC and a choice of through hole
or surface mount versions.

Standard switches are available from a number of distributors throughout Europe. Samples are usually available on next day delivery.

Compact Flow Sensors from BEKO Technologies

Energy costs are high and set to go even higher. The beleaguered factory manager has to try to mitigate the impact of this together with all the other issues of the day that face him or her. Most companies addressed the problem that given 3 compressors 1 was just feeding the leaks in a campaign style activity...end of story...no sadly the leaks will come back or occur in other locations for a variety of reasons such as airline contamination, lack of maintenance just to mention a couple of the many.

BEKO TECHNOLOGIES decided the companies would increasingly want to measure key parameters in their compressed air or gas streams. The only way to manage is to measure is a mantra that is commonly used in businesses. Compressed air for many years was poor relations because almost everyone thought that compressed air was “free” or low cost so what was the point of investing in measuring something that didn’t impact on the efficiency and bottom line of a business. There have been solutions out there for many years to measure compressed air flow and indeed very reputable and impartial companies who would come along and measure flow using turbine flow meters and expensive technical personnel.

BEKO TECHNOLOGIES launched a range of measuring devices under the family name “METPOINT” and have been successful in selling surveys and the meters to measure, dewpoint, pressure, flow and even remaining oil vapour content. Today we are pleased to announce the availability of a compact flow sensor from BEKO. The advantages of such a device are that the price point means that more locations can be monitored. The device measures flow, total consumption and velocity. This means that exact costs can be attributed to individual pipe feeds into a process. It also helps with another aspect of energy saving in that pressure drop is a result of velocities being too high and now this can be monitored again in more locations.

The Best Just Got Better

UK Service Manager Chris Norris said “We have been very successful with the product claiming a significant market share for the free standing sales. We took advantage of the very low warranty defect rate and offered a simple “no quibble” warranty extension to 3 years and of course we hoped that the designers would not get over zealous about value engineering and replacing what I regard as key components in the product’s reliability with lower cost items which might affect the product’s integrity. We have all seen this happen!”

Norris goes on to describe the changes made, “The product only needed some tweaking and we were pleased to see that the controllers were brought up to a high standard, the smaller units having a relatively simple display but doing all the necessary tasks including controlling the BEKOMAT level sensing drain, also allowing the drain test to be carried out from the control panel. Obviously I am always pleased to see service indication on products particularly very reliable products which can get abused because of this virtue.

On the 3 phase line we have scroll compressors fitted from RA1080. This helps keep noise and vibration down and allows a simpler connection, all helping to keep costs down. We have some new features such as Advanced Service Warning, Advanced Fan Control which allows the fan to run at 50% speed saving energy and helping to keep a constant dewpoint. All alarms and operating data are stored in the system to help prevent failures and if they occur to quickly diagnose the cause of the problem. The refrigerant has also been changed to R407C which has a significantly lower GWP (Global Warming Potential) than R404a.

Chris Norris summarises by saying “We in the UK are very satisfied with the new range. We believe that we will get even stronger in the market by offering what customers want, reliability, performance to the specification, connectivity, and ease of maintenance via good information from the control system. We are confident that our DRYPOINT RA range will give customers the lowest cost of ownership and publish our pressure drop and total power input for customer scrutiny. It’s a pity not all do this. In fact some of our competitors publish neither and some just the power. It is really important to understand that the upfront cost of the product is only half the story!

A Paradigm can be Shifted

When a plant engineer has to purchase a compressed air dryer his first thought will be what dewpoint is required. This will then depend on the application; specifications of machinery using compressed air will guide the engineer as will codes of practice such as BRC/BCAS for the Food Industry. If a negative dewpoint is required then a desiccant dryer will be selected. The genre is likely to be well known to the engineer and will attract a significant capital and running cost particularly if a lower capital cost heatless dryer is selected. However the solution is classic and cannot be faulted. The alternative scenario is for the positive dewpoint at typically +2º C and again the engineer will know that a refrigeration type dryer will handle this application with relatively low capital and running cost but that he must take care not to have pipework going below the dewpoint temperature.

There is a third solution which is mostly ignored or perhaps is not fully understood. This is the membrane type dryer and BEKO TECHNOLOGIES offer their DRYPOINT M range of membrane dryers alongside their EVERDRY and DRYPOINT RA, desiccant and fridge dryers. Steve Riley, General Manager of BEKO TECHNOLOGIES in the UK and Ireland comments “I was amazed at how many DRYPOINT M’s were being sold when I joined the company. A little research told me
that 20,000 units had been sold since launch, in the UK alone. I could guess that many purchasers were “Original Equipment Manufacturers” because the main benefit I had in my mind was the very small footprint. I knew also that some compressor manufacturers had a packaged unit which included a membrane dryer but I couldn’t for the life of me guess the diversity of applications”.

He was correct in his thinking but later researches told him that there were very good reasons for engineers to select DRYPOINT M just on overall cost. This needs some explanation as what tends to put most engineers off is waste and it is a fact that membrane dryers lose a quantity of compressed air in purge loss. However this is not fixed and BEKO’s sales people have software which enables the choice of a low capital cost, higher purge loss unit or a higher capital cost and lower purge loss unit of energy cost is important (and when isn’t it). Riley comments again “I don’t think anyone will be too surprised to know that one of the other statistics I wanted to understand quickly was what maintenance revenue I would get from all these units. It was an unbelievable number- Nothing, £0 and it is not a short lived product that if a problem should occur it is more economical to throw it away. It is possible to destroy the membrane by having too much liquid ingress but BEKO’s experience and design team have produced a dryer with close coupled separator and drain to protect against this eventuality.” In fact there are no wearing or replaceable parts.

The Third Way - Update

BEKO TECHNOLOGIES launched the BEKOKAT Catalytic Converter in 2008 realising that there would not be a flood of sales but none the less expecting to see a slow take up of the product notably by companies who had a need for 100% oil free or better than ISO 8573 Class 1 quality. The reason for this expectation was the growing realisation that however good an oil free compressor can be, the quality of air entering the compressor is variable. BEKO using their METPOINT OCV device have measured Class 3 remaining oil content after an oil free compressor with the unit working perfectly and not adding any hydrocarbon to the system.

Three years down the line and over 100 units sold. BEKO are optimistic that the success of the existing units in the field together with the increasing requirement to audit the quality of compressed air will accelerate the growth in sales. Chris Norris Service Manager at BEKO UK comments “As a service person I shouldn’t be happy because I have had no service revenue from the installed base this year and only a little last year but it is really pleasing to know that on at least one case, serious contamination was prevented in a food factory when an oil separator dump occurred. We expect this product to be very low service costs on average. There will be the replacement of the catalyst every 20,000 hours but annually virtually nothing apart from checking safety systems and valve operation “.

The product sales are helped by the fact that BEKOKAT is certified to produce amicrobic compressed air by the German GFPS (which translates as the Society for Production Hygiene and Sterility). Two units have already been sold in the UK just for this reason and the units are working well. The other applications are in the food, beverage, nuclear and pharmaceutical industries. Norris says “The BEKOKAT is not meant as any kind of competition to the oil free compressor it will be installed where it is critical that the air shall always be of the highest quality regardless of the condition of the inlet air”.

90 Degrees Shaft Coupling in One Piece

Most flexible shaft couplings rely on a number of moving parts to enable the transmission of torque through a high angular offset.  The Helical Flexure is an advanced solution that can accommodate up to 90° of angular misalignment whilst simultaneously compensating for axial and parallel shaft misalignments, but delivering all of these advantages from a single piece construction.

The performance capability of each shaft coupling is determined by six major characteristics:  outside diameter, inside diameter, coil thickness, material, number of coils, and the number of starts. By altering these characteristics, torque capacity, angular and parallel misalignment capabilities, torsional and lateral bending rates of flexured u-joints can be modified to suit specific specifications and/or requirements.

The high angular shaft offset couplings are manufactured from stainless steel as standard so are ideal for medical, food processing or any clean room environment applications. The designer benefits from a number of advantages which include a choice of materials, the ability to have an infinite choice of end attachments and most importantly a maintenance free product.