New Products

Copley Controls (Morristown, NJ) has introduced the Nano Series of digital servo drives. Featuring best-of-class power density and thermal management, these compact units integrate easily into autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), robotic joints and other automated equipment that need precise speed and position control despite limited space. Designed with precision and performance in mind, the Copley Controls Nano Series of servo drives represents the next generation of motion control technology. The Nano Series comes in a small footprint of 35 × 30 × 23.4 mm, operates from 9 to 180V DC input voltage and delivers up to 35A of continuous current and 70A peak current to provide exceptional power density and efficiency. Its compact size also gives integrators the flexibility to mount the units directly onto the motor or within robot joints. The optional connectorized PCB and CME commissioning software facilitates setup and tuning. The Nano Series supports the EtherCAT or CANopen communication protocols for real-time data exchange.

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The new PM2 pinion series from Neugart (Charlotte, NC) extends its portfolio of planetary gearboxes with a factory pre-installed pinion from their own production facility. Like the existing PM1 pinion, the new PM2 is designed for gearboxes with a flanged output shaft and is equipped with a mechanical interface standardized to ISO 9409-1. However, the two series differ in terms of range size. Unlike the PM1 with a number of teeth starting at 26 for module 2, the range of the PM2 already starts with 16 teeth for module 2. On the one hand, the new variants provide additional options for selecting the optimum gearbox/pinion combination for demanding rack-and-pinion applications. On the other hand, thanks to their smaller diameter, depending on the combination, the new pinions allow a feed rate more than three times higher than was previously possible. The PM2 pinion option is available for gearboxes sizes 090 to 200 and, like the PM1 pinions, is available for a total of four gearbox series with a flanged output shaft.

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Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc. (Van Nuys, CA) has released eight DIN Rail Mounted Proportional Valve Controller Modules. These compact, low-weight, low-cost Proportional Valve Controller Modules feature both low-side and high-side drivers. The freewheeling flyback snubber diodes are present. Designed for open loop operation, they are ideal for: pressure control valves, flow control valves, solenoids, actuators, voice coil motors, dc motors, and hydraulics. The closed loop version is also available upon request. The input control signals are zero to +5 VDC or zero to +10 VDC. Microcomputers, PCs, IPCs, and PLCs using programs such as: C/C++, Python, Visual Basic, and LabViewTM, can also be used to send simple text messages for control. The RS-232 to TTL module, USB to TTL module, and Ethernet, a LAN, LAN to TTL module, allow other formats of communications to TTL signals. These modules easily snap onto available DIN Rails, require a single supply from +9 VDC to +50 VDC, have an average current of 4 A, and peak current is 15 A.

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The new AA3000 series electric cylinders from Beckhoff (Savage, MN) are ideally suited as direct drives for linear motion applications with high process forces and speeds. The series offers optimal force, dynamics, and a compact footprint combined with the advantages of servo technology, such as closed-loop positioning, safe positioning at a standstill and high energy efficiency. The integrated mechanism — composed of precise roller bearings, ball screw and guide — provides backlash-free, purely translatory motion. Furthermore, this results in very compact dimensions. The shaft end of the spindle features an external thread to mount conventional adapters, such as ball heads or clamping hooks typically used with pneumatic/hydraulic devices. The first product of the new series is the AA3033 electric cylinder, which is offered in two variants: 12,500 N peak force, 3,700 N continuous force and 0.5 m/s maximum speed and 6,250 N peak force, 1,850 N continuous force and 1.0 m/s maximum speed.

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ROLEC (Bridgeville, PA) has added more components to its taraSMART (IP 54) range of modular suspension arms. Users can now configure their perfect support arm from a choice of 22 different components. Tough, stylish taraSMART supports displays, panel PCs and HMI enclosures weighing up to 100 lbs (45 kg). The range offers advanced technical features but at an attractive price point. Applications include smart factory automation, modern machine control systems, robotics, process automation, medical/laboratory technology and information stations. Users can configure taraSMART arms quickly, easily and cost-effectively thanks to their simple design. There is a choice of either round (Ø 48 and 70 mm) or rectangular (40 x 60 mm) profiles. Both offer plenty of space for cables and HDMI, DVI, and USB connectors. The taraSMART range features four couplings and two adapters (VESA and Siemens); five joints, two elbows and a base; eight support profiles in lengths of 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 mm (four round and four rectangular cross section).

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Thanks to their robust inductive scanning method, the KCI 120 Dplus rotary encoders from HEIDENHAIN (Schaumburg, IL) are resistant to contamination and magnetic fields. Their rigid design permits high vibration loads of up to 400 m/s2 on the stator and 600 m/s2 on the rotor. KCI 120 Dplus series rotary encoders permit wide mounting tolerances of ±0.3 mm for Encoder A and ±0.5 mm for Encoder B. The circular scales are simply press-fitted onto the motor shaft and output shaft, thus permitting fast and easy installation. The rotary encoders of this series are available with functional safety and a functionally safe mechanical connection. Once integrated into an application with up to SIL 3 safety, they minimize malfunctions and facilitate the safe operation of machines and automated systems. The KCI 120 Dplus unites two rotary encoders in a single device, offering high reliability in a rugged and extremely compact design. Thanks to its low 20 mm profile, this series is great for tight installation spaces.

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Renishaw (West Dundee, IL) has unveiled a new product line specifically designed for the industrial automation market. Developed to solve some fundamental challenges within the global industrial automation industry, the new RCS product line focusses on the problems associated with manual set-up, calibration, and maintenance of robots, such as operational accuracy and repeatability. The range includes three products: RCS L-90, RCS T-90, and RCS P-series, all supported by a dedicated software suite. RCS L-90 is a ballbar device that improves robot system accuracy, reduces deployment time, and monitors robot health with simple routines controlled by its supporting software suite. RCS T-90 is a tri-ballbar system which enables robot users to identify root causes of poor performance, with further comprehensive tests to capture critical robot information — such as remastering the joint offsets to calculated positions, running master-recovery routines, and plotting 3D path performance. The third RCS product, RCS P-series, integrates a permanent Renishaw probing solution within a robot cell to apply in-process metrology and automatic recovery to automation processes.

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PI (Auburn, MA) offers two economical series of high-performance direct-drive linear stage modules, namely the V-855 and V-857 product families. The direct-drive stages were specifically designed to cater to high-load and high-duty-cycle industrial precision motion applications, where conventional actuators utilizing leadscrew or timing-belt drives fall short in terms of accuracy, robustness, and reliability. By leveraging maintenance-free and friction-free high-speed linear motors, these linear motion systems enable enhanced productivity with reduced cycle times and faster return on investment. Their superior performance makes them ideal for high-performance applications that demand smooth scanning motion, minimal tracking errors, and rapid settling times. Available with travel ranges from 200 mm to 800 mm, the linear modules are designed for easy configurability allowing multi-axis assemblies, and compact and mid-sized gantry set-ups, all supported by EtherCat-based motion controllers. The direct-drive linear stages provide high load capacities to 220 lbs (1000N), and long travel ranges.

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AW-Lake (Oak Creek, WI) Flow Meters ensure ultraprecise metering of chemicals used to create foams utilized in commercial, industrial, and marine applications. When used in professional spray polyurethane foam (SPF) equipment, AW-Lake JVM Series Positive Displacement Gear Flow Meters offer a consistent and ultraprecise method for dispensing chemicals that create the foam for smaller commercial projects such as taxidermy, boat manufacturing, and sound insulation products. In operation, an SPF machine pumps chemicals from two multi-gallon drums through hoses to the nozzle of a spray gun to form the polyurethane foam. A pump within the spray foam equipment is not reliable enough to dispense accurate amounts of chemical. Unlike pumps, these flow meters are not prone to drift, overspin, or media slippage under pulsation that results in ultra-precise chemical batching for the SPF machine over time. To ensure longevity and chemical compatibility, the positive displacement flow meter features a ball bearing design that works well in non-lubricating media, such as the chemicals used in this application.

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ABB Robotics (Cary, NC) has transformed its autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) with the addition of Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (Visual SLAM) technology, enabling its AMRs to make intelligent navigation decisions based on their surroundings. Using AI-enabled 3D vision to perform location and mapping functions, ABB’s Visual SLAM AMRs make production faster, more flexible, efficient, and resilient while taking on dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks so people can focus on more rewarding work. Visual SLAM uses cameras mounted on the AMR to create a real time 3D map of all objects in the surrounding area. The cameras detect and track natural features in the environment enabling the AMR to dynamically adapt to its surroundings and determine the safest and most efficient route to its destination. Unlike 2D SLAM, Visual SLAM requires no additional references such as reflectors or markers, saving cost and space and offers accurate positioning to within three millimeters. By eliminating the need to change the environment, stop production, or add infrastructure, Visual SLAM technology helps to reduce commissioning time by up to 20 percent compared to 2D SLAM.

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This article first appeared in the August, 2023 issue of Motion Design Magazine.

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