Automation Parts

OSM Safety Unit Monitors Motor-Rotation Speed Omron Scientific Technologies has introduced the G9SX-LM Low-speed Safety Monitoring Unit. Consisting of two proximity sensors and a G9SX safety controller with fault diagnostics, the G9SX-LM is a Category 3 (EN954-1), SIL 3 (IEC/EN 62061) certified redundant safety system that monitors and confirms motor-rotation speed to facilitate safe machine maintenance. The system can also provide standstill monitoring. The G9SX-LM allows an operator to access the machine for maintenance work while the machine is running at a safe, maximum set operating threshold of 10Hz. Should the motor speed exceed the preset speed, the G9SX-LM will stop the machine immediately. An optional A4EG Enabling Grip Switch provides an additional layer of safety protection that, if pressed or released, will also immediately stop the machine. The G9SX-LM is certified to all relevant North American and International safety standards and is engineered to deliver reliabl...

Application Test Demonstrates Laser Cut Speed An application test has been carried out to demonstrate the cut speed and quality achieved while using a Firestar F-Series laser to cut automotive headliners. This particular semi-rigid headliner material is comprised of several layers of synthetic fibres, with a total thickness of 1.3mm (0.050in) bonded to a 1.4mm (0.056in) thick paperboard base for an overall thickness of 2.7mm (0.106in). The cutting head on the Synrad flatbed XY table contains a 63.5mm (2.5in) positive meniscus lens that provides a 100-micron (0.004in) spot with a 1.8mm (0.07in) depth of focus. During the cutting process, 4.1 bar (60lb/in2) of clean, dry air was delivered coaxially with the beam for gas assist. The Firestar lasers achieved cut rates of 14m/min (550in/min) using 400W and speeds of 7m/min (275in/min) using 200W of power. In both cases, the synthetic fibre was cleanly cut while the paperboard base exhibits slight charring of the cut edge. CO2 lasers c...

Multi-Speed Transmission Improves Electric Cars Vocis has developed a multi-speed transmission that will contribute to the acceptance of electric vehicles, and will display it at EVS, the Electric Vehicle Symposium (to be held 13-16 May in Norway). Simulations show that a two-speed configuration could reduce the battery energy consumed by five to 10 per cent over the industry-standard New European Drive Cycle, without increasing cost or packaging volume; it could also extend battery life and potentially help downsize the power-train and battery pack. Andy Turner, EV transmissions specialist at Vocis, said: 'Electric motors have a very wide operating range, but that doesn't mean that they are equally efficient at every speed. 'The torque curve of a typical traction motor is well suited to vehicle propulsion, having maximum torque from zero speed and a wide constant power region. 'However, there is a 'sweet spot', typically at medium speed and medium to high l...

Chronos Offers High-Speed Bagging Range The Chrono-Fill PTK, a very fast bagging line for pre-made open-mouth bags, is now available from Chronos Richardson. The PTK range offers high-speed bagging at rates of up to 40 bags/min and features a modular design form. Packing speeds of up to 1,500 bags per hour are available with the PTK-1700 series; while the dual spout system on the PTK-2700 offers capacities of up to 2,400 bags per hour. This bagging system can be deployed for any pre-made open-mouth (pillow or gusseted) bags made of paper, plastic or woven polypropylene. The result is a system for bulk material bagging of food, animal feed and pet foods, as well as materials from the chemical and construction materials industries. PTK bag-filling systems achieve high hygienic standards through the use of field-proven technologies for continuous reliable bag transfer. They also feature a bag-separating system and are designed for quick change-over to accommodate different bag dimen...

Magnetic Encoders Boost Dragster Speed Visitors to Renishaw's stand at Mach 2008 (hall 5, stand 5140) will be able to see Team Salakazi's KTM Super Twin nitromethane fuelled dragster which takes just 6.7 seconds to cover a 402m race track, achieving speeds of around 322km/h. Aided by Renishaw's rotary magnetic encoders that monitor crankshaft position and clutch speed, this 360kg 'rocket' generates 1417kW from just a 1995 cc engine. Not many people would even consider sitting astride a snarling 1417kW engine travelling at over 300km per hour. But Jaska Salakazi from Finland has made a career of it, becoming the first person in the world to break the seven-second barrier over 402m on a Super Twin Top Fuel bike. Since 2000, the speed-obsessed six-man team at Salakazi Racing has continually designed, built and refined its KTM Super twin powered Dragster. A recent modification is the addition of two RM22 compact high-speed rotary magnetic encoders, produced by Renishaw...