TwinCAT/BSD: New operating system for Beckhoff Industrial PCs

With TwinCAT/BSD, Beckhoff presents a new operating system that combines the advantages of Windows CE – low cost and small footprint – with the numerous features of large Windows operating systems. It therefore also is an alternative to Windows 7 or 10 in many applications.

TwinCAT/BSD provides an alternative operating system for all of the latest Beckhoff Industrial PC platforms. TwinCAT/BSD combines the TwinCAT runtime with FreeBSD, an industrial proven and reliable open source operating system. FreeBSD is Unix-compatible and is continually being developed further, improved and optimized as an open source project by a large group of developers.

The system – and thus also TwinCAT/BSD – supports ARM CPUs up to Intel Xeon processors, providing a scalable platform from small embedded controllers to high-performance IPC controllers.
The current minimum size of a basic image is around 300 MB, with a very small RAM consumption of less than 100 MB. Therefore, very compact controllers can be realized with TwinCAT/BSD and all TwinCAT 3 runtime functions can be used. The programming is still carried out on a Windows development computer and with TwinCAT 3 XAE integrated in Visual Studio.

The new TwinCAT/BSD operating system offers multi-core support, making it possible to reserve individual cores exclusively for TwinCAT if required. In addition to a large number of FreeBSD and Linux programs, TwinCAT functions can also be installed via the Beckhoff Package Server. Moreover, uncomplicated updates of the operating system and the TwinCAT runtime are possible in this way via the network.

AL8000: high-performance linear motor series with Made in Germany quality

Backed by its wealth of expertise in the development of rotary servomotors, Beckhoff has added an innovative product to its portfolio in the area of drive technology. This new generation of high‐performance and modular linear motors was developed in cooperation with Fertig Motors, the dynamically growing Beckhoff subsidiary.

 The new AL8000 product family is based on a modular system design consisting of linear motors and magnetic plates. Users can choose between three widths: 50 mm (AL8x2x), 80 mm (AL8x4x) and 130 mm (AL8x6x). In addition, each width category offers a broad range of different linear motor types in terms of overall length, type of winding and cooling type. The standard product portfolio therefore contains a total of 28 different linear motor types for implementing highly dynamic and powerful linear axes to suit specific application requirements. Depending on the size of the linear motor, peak forces of 120 to 6,750 N are possible as well as maximum speeds of up to 12 m/s.

Like the established AM8000 rotary servomotors, the AL8000 family of linear motors is fully developed and manufactured in Germany. A consistently high level of production quality is therefore guaranteed as well as high availability and short supply chains for realising durable and highly reliable applications with linear motor technology. Further advantages include outstanding service and support, ensuring fast and flexible fulfilment of customer requirements.

Modular coil design

In keeping with the modular system principle, the entire linear motor coil part is composed of individual, identical segments. This construction is especially favourable from a production perspective: Depending on which linear motor is ordered, the production process can be adapted quickly and easily to accommodate the relevant number of segments. Yet another advantage is the precisely symmetrical structure of the linear motors. There are uniform intervals between the mounting holes of the linear motors throughout the entire AL8000 series. This makes it easier for machine manufacturers to construct the machine slide and ensures consistent force and temperature distribution within the motor without critical hot spots.

Master Lock Safety Padlocks from Mayo Hardware

Ensure workers safety with the Master Lock Safety Series Padlocks designed for those working in harsh environments.

Mayo Hardware is a leading distributor of Master Lock Safety products in Australia.The Safety Padlock is no ordinary padlock, with specific design features that function to protect workers from being killed or seriously injured in the workplace while undertaking repairs or maintenance on plant and machinery.

All Master Lock Safety Padlocks are key retaining to ensure they cannot accidentally be left unlocked, and custom key systems are available to ensure that one employee’s key cannot open another employee’s safety padlock on your site.

Master Lock Safety padlocks can be laser engraved on multiple sides for quick identification.

  • 410 Zenex™Safety Padlocks – These have a 6mm plated metal shackle and are available in 8 different colours
  • 406 Zenex™Dielectric Safety Padlocks – All components are non-magnetic, plastic copper and brass. The 6mm nylon shackle withstands over 136kg of pull. Ideal for electrical lockouts and confined spaces.
  • S31 Zenex™ Compact Safety Padlocks- The latest edition to the Master Lock range has a grade 316, 4.76mm diameter stainless steel shackle, making this safety padlock ideal for a corrosive environment. The safety padlock also comes with a weather tough cover that seals at the shackle and keyway, keeping out dust, dirt and grime.

Master Lock safety padlocks are available in a range of bright colors for quick and easy identification and constructed from durable Zenex™ material to ensure they withstand the harsh environments that can be many mines, power generation, oil & gas, manufacturing, transport and utility sites.

For more safety information and products, visit Mayo Hardware at https://www.mayohardware.com.au/

ELM72xx offers compact drive technology in a robust metal housing

The new ELM72xx EtherCAT Terminals are fully functional servo drives in a robust metal housing that deliver an output current (Irms) of up to 16 A at 48 V DC for the power supply. They expand the Beckhoff portfolio of compact drive technology in I/O terminal format and offer all of the current technology features together with increased performance and functionality compared with comparable EL series I/O designs.

The ELM72xx modules’ metal housing provides optimum heat dissipation even at high output power as well as optimal shielding against electrical interference. The new servo terminals can be directly connected to other EtherCAT Terminals and form an integrated component of the Beckhoff I/O system. The comprehensive functionality includes the direct connection of the motor, feedback and brake via the convenient connector front end, an integrated absolute value interface and One Cable Technology (OCT).

Additional I/Os enable latching of position values. In addition, the integrated brake chopper control allows a braking resistor to be connected directly. In addition, the system also integrates programmable TwinSAFE Logic for direct implementation of the safety application in the terminal and safe drive technology either as STO/SS1 via Safety over EtherCAT (FSoE) or as a comprehensive package of Safe Motion functions for safety-relevant drive technology via TwinSAFE.

Five different ELM72xx models are currently available. These are equipped with either STO/SS1 or Safe Motion:

  • ELM7211: 1-channel servo terminal with 4.5 A (Irms)
  • ELM7212: 2-channel servo terminal with 2 x 4.5 A (Irms)
  • ELM7221: 1-channel servo terminal with 8 A (Irms)
  • ELM7222: 2-channel servo terminal with 2 x 8 A (Irms)
  • ELM7231: 1-channel servo terminal with 16 A (Irms)

In contrast to the established EL series, the ELM72xx wiring level utilises a pluggable design. Matching motor and sensor cables further simplify installation. The drive design – ELM72xx combined with AM8100 Servomotors – is implemented using the familiar TwinCAT 3 Motion Designer software (TE5910). The electronic nameplate and the TwinCAT 3 Drive Manager 2 software (TE5950) ensure effortless commissioning.

 

PS device series from Beckhoff: compact and universal 24/48 V DC power supplies

The three new PS power supply series comprise a total of 18 devices. The 1- and 3-phase DIN-rail mountable power supply units are very compact and supply output currents from 2.5 to 40 A. With a temperature-optimised device design, these power supplies ensure excellent convection cooling, long service life, maximum reliability and up to 96.3 per cent efficiency. The versatile PS series features a wide-range input and comes with a number of different technical approvals, making it suitable for worldwide and universal use in 24 and 48 V DC applications.

With the PS device series, Beckhoff offers high-quality power supplies for almost all applications in both the 24 V and 48 V DC range, including motion control applications with stringent requirements for handling back EMF (electromagnetic force). Excellent convection, minimised power loss and high efficiency of up to 96.3 per cent optimise the service life and reliability of the devices. The peak power capability of up to 150 per cent makes it possible to provide up to 1.44 kW output power for short periods of time. Together with the space-saving design and high immunity to transients and overvoltages, this allows efficient and cost-effective use even in harsh industrial environments. In addition, the power supplies can switch off circuit breakers quickly and accurately through a precise tripping function to avoid unnecessary machine downtime.

The power supply portfolio includes the following device series:

  • PS1000 with six 1-phase power supply units for smaller and cost-sensitive applications (24 V DC, 2.5/3.8/5/10/20 A, efficiency up to 95.2 per cent)
  • PS2000 with five 1- and 3-phase power supply units for standard applications (24/48 V DC, 5/10/20 A; efficiency up to 96.3 per cent, 120 per cent permanent output power)
  • PS3000 with seven 1- and 3-phase power supply units for demanding applications (24/48 V DC, 10/20/40 A, efficiency up to 95.4 per cent, 150 per cent output power for 4 s)

The UL-approved power supplies can also be used in highly specialised industries, e.g., with approvals according to SEMI 47 (semiconductor industry) or DNV GL (shipbuilding). They can also be used in hazardous areas requiring explosion protection (Class I Division 2, IECEx and ATEX).

Optimized design to manage heat and back EMF

The devices are specifically designed with good convection cooling properties in mind. The number of components has been minimised to allow sufficient space for air convection. In addition, components that are particularly temperature-sensitive and prone to rapid aging are placed at the bottom of the unit, i.e. as close as possible to incoming cool air. This temperature-optimised design means that the components used are subjected to less thermal stress, thus achieving a long service life. In addition, components that are subject to less stress retain their technical characteristics for longer, and the influence of external heat is minimised. All of these features also improve reliability.

Due to the high tolerance to electrical feedback, the power supply units are ideally suited for motion applications. They also have exceptional peak power capability to operate motors, capacitors and other loads that require more power at start-up than in the nominal range. In most cases, the power supplies from a lower and more cost-effective power class in the portfolio will be adequate for this purpose.

For more information, contact Beckhoff Australia at 1300 765 469

25 years of Bus Terminal I/O: a revolutionary idea celebrates its anniversary

25 years ago, Beckhoff had an idea that revolutionised the automation technology of the time: The Bus Terminal combined fieldbus technology with the proven terminal block principle for the first time. The final result was developed together with Wago Kontakttechnik. The modular and open I/O system for space-saving, customisable and highly flexible configurations was then presented at the Hannover Messe trade fair in 1995.

As an industrial electronics and communication specialist, Beckhoff intentionally continued the advancement of the existing block module concept for the electronic terminal block. In itself, this significantly reduced cabling requirements for I/O installations. However, the new Bus Terminal concept went one step further: The aim was to replace the traditional modular terminal block with an electronic version. When developing this innovation, Beckhoff drew on its many years of automation experience together with its specific expertise in fieldbus technology, communication technology, control cabinet construction and the development of industrial hardware and software. Thus, the process not only developed the complete hardware, software and K-Bus communication for the terminal system, but also a complete product family with Bus Couplers as well as Signal and System Terminals. The result was a fieldbus-independent, highly modular I/O system.

Following the introduction of the Bus Terminal in 1995, this technology quickly went on to become a worldwide and universally accepted automation standard. This applies, in particular, to Beckhoff’s system concept: 25 years of development and application experience are reflected in the broadest I/O portfolio on the market. Bus and EtherCAT Terminal technology is used today in an extremely wide range of applications, from machine automation to Ethernet-based building automation and process technology.

Contributing to this success has been both continuous development and close cooperation with customers, which has often given rise to new product ideas and developments. This successful collaboration has resulted in today’s comprehensive IP20 and IP67 I/O portfolio from Beckhoff, which is still based on the original Bus Terminal idea.

 

To find out more contact Beckhoff Australia at 1300 765 469

High and fanless computing power with scalable interface expansions and 1-second UPS

The C6027 ultra-compact Industrial PC from Beckhoff is a fanless device that offers high computing power in a compact form factor trough Intel-Core i U series processors. Compared to the C6025 IPC already on the market, it has a second circuit board level with optional interfaces or an integrated 1-second UPS. Further variants are in preparation.
The C6027 ultra-compact Industrial PC opens up numerous new application areas for a modular device with an additional circuit board level – optionally selectable as an interface or function extension. Available to start are:

  • 6 x Ethernet ports (RJ45)
  • an integrated 1-second UPS to secure persistent data

In the initial variant, i.e. with a total of nine Ethernet ports, the C6027 is ideally suited as an IoT or security gateway for connecting different machine and system modules. In addition to this edge computing functionality, the C6027 also provides machine builders with a powerful and, at 82 x 127 x 69 mm, extremely compact machine controller. Supported by diverse, flexible mounting options, the device fits in almost every control cabinet and machine concept.

The IPC’s energy-efficient Intel Core i U processor – with significantly lower energy consumption than the other processors in the series – and the advanced passive cooling design enable full heat dissipation via a heat sink on one side. Housed in an aluminium and zinc die-cast enclosure, the C6027 offers a feature set that includes the following:

  • up to four CPU cores
  • 4 GByte DDR4 RAM (expandable to 8 GByte)
  • 40 GByte M.2 SSD with 3D flash memory
  • 1 x DisplayPort video connector
  • 4 x USB 3.0 ports
  • on-board Ethernet controller with 3 x 100/1000Base-T ports
    operating temperature range of 0 to 50 °C

BST presents Neousys Nuvo-7531 compact fanless embedded computer

Backplane Systems Technology is proud to present Neousys Nuvo-7531 Compact Fanless Embedded Computer with Intel 9th/8th-Gen Core processor, Compact Dimensions, Gigabit Ethernet, and USB ports with screw-lock mechanisms. It is an ideal solution for Industrial Automation, Machine Vision and Automated Guided Vehicle applications.

Powered by an Intel 9th/ 8th-Gen Core 65W/ 35W CPU that offers more than 50 per cent computation performance improvement over the previous generation, the Nuvo-7531 Series is a Fanless Embedded Computer with a 212 x 165 x 63 mm low-profile chassis.

The Nuvo-7531 has an abundance of I/O connections. It features four Gigabit Ethernet and Four USB3.1 Ports with screw-lock for multiple Gigabit Ethernet and USB camera connections. The screw-lock design offers rugged connectivity by ensuring the connector is screwed-on and does not fall off easily. For data storage purposes, there is a hot-swappable HDD tray to hot-swap the storage drive without turning off the system or dismantle the chassis.

In addition, Nuvo-7531 supports three mPCIe slots for expansion so WIFI or 3G/ 4G modules can be installed to achieve wireless communication. For convenience, there is a pet-door at the bottom of the enclosure for easy installation or maintenance of mPCIe and M.2 modules.

Overall, for a compact embedded computer, Nuvo-7531 delivers amazing computing power and provides rich I/O connectivity. It is an ideal solution for a variety of industrial applications that require a certain degree of processing power but limited by installation space and harsh environments, such as Industrial Automation, Machine Vision, Robotics, and Automated Guided Vehicle.

Key Features:

  • 212 x 165 x 63 mm Low-Profile Design
  • Intel 9th/ 8th-Gen Core 35W/ 65W LGA1151 CPU
  • Rugged, -25°C to 60°C Fanless Operation
  • 4x GbE and 4x USB3.1 Gen1 with Screw-lock
  • 1x Hot-swappable HDD Tray and 1x M.2 2280 Socket for Storage
  • 4-CH Isolated DI and 4-CH Isolated DO
  • DVI-I + DP Dual Display Outputs
  • Optional Ignition Power Control

Beating ballscrew motion

Ballscrew actuation has been around for well over a century, and rack and pinion methods even longer.

Both indirect drives have their place, and will be around for many years to come, but other, newer methods of creating linear motion are catching up.

Direct drive methods, which are simpler and can be superior in a lot of ways, are predicted to continue growing in popularity, for reasons including accuracy, speed, safety, and lower maintenance burdens on owners.

The early adopters for tubular linear motors were big semiconductor companies, which could invest big R&D budgets on a solution offering high speeds and sub-micron accuracy. Nowadays they are available to modestly-sized businesses.

Both cylindrical linear motors and flatbed linear motors have vastly superior accuracy and repeatability compared to ballscrew options. A tubular linear motor is also a much simpler design, with only two moving parts (the shaft and forcer) and does not have to rely on intermediate components such as a gearbox to change torque.

Ballscrew actuators are also sensitive to jerk, and lack the nimbleness of tubular linear motors. The contact between the nut and screw means lubrication is essential, and causes wear and performance degradation over time.

Like other tubular linear motors, ANCA Motion’s LinX M-Series is designed to be close in form to ballscrew systems, offering easy substitution for those who want to make the change.

“When you install a ballscrew motor into a machine, the tolerance that you need to achieve for a stroke will be much more stringent than for a tubular linear motor,” explains Heng Luo, product manager at ANCA Motion

“M-Series has a big advantage here, because of the one mm air gap between the shaft and the forcer, which keeps a very relaxed tolerance requirement.”

Besides being wear-free due to the one millimetre air gap between forcer and shaft, the M-Series offers peak resolution of 10 micrometres, peak velocity of 10 metres per second, and maximum acceleration of 30 Newtons.

It also overcomes the issue of backlash suffered by ballscrew actuators.

“In ballscrew systems, motion is created by direct contact between the surface of the nut and the lead,” explains Heng Luo.

“There will be some gap between the nut and the lead, otherwise the nut won’t move. So there has to be a gap, and there has to be backlash, and this can be corrected to some degree but never removed completely.”

The direct contact also means noise and dust are created. Switching to tubular linear motors and avoiding this is an obvious advantage for cleanroom use.

With no backlash, no wear, a high level of dynamism and low level of maintenance, the M-Series represents immediate gains in manufacturing productivity. The M-Series also has a failure rate under 0.03 per cent.

ANCA Motion’s linear motors were originally developed for sister company ANCA CNC Machines’ FX Linear and MX Linear machines. ANCA is a leader in CNC tool grinding technology, with a series of world-firsts since beginning in 1974. The M-Series has been developed within a culture of world-class engineering, developing machine tools where micron-level precision is treasured.

An international network of 125 engineers in strategic locations is on hand, offering fast, reliable support.

Learn more about the LinX M-Series Linear Motor here

BST presents Winmate’s M900M9 8-inch tablet with Android 9.0 OS

The M900MP rugged tablet features 8-inch Daylight Readable 1280 x 800 panel with Direct Optical Bonding which is outdoor viewable and a user-friendly projective capacitive multi-touch screen. The M900M9 is based on a Cortex A53-Octa Core 2.3 GHz processor, 3 GB system memory, and 32 GB storage, while wireless connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS/ GLONASS, and 4G LTE to keep workers connected in even the most remote locations.

You can take the fully Rugged Tablet wherever you go, thanks to an IP65 Rating and MIL-STD-810G vibration, shock, and 5 ft. drop testing. This Rugged Tablet is tough enough to withstand repeated drops, extreme temperatures, altitudes, humidity, and water and dust exposure. Weighing less than 1kg the M900M9 delivers lightweight mobility in a Rugged Tablet.

Winmate’s M900M9 has an 8 MP front camera and 13 MP rear camera with autofocus and LED light for Data Collection and Video Communications. A built-in 1D/ 2D barcode scanner and NFC reader are optional features. For maximum functionality, choose from a wide range of the M900M9 custom-designed accessories including a hand strap, carry bag, battery charger, and desk dock.

The M900MP Rugged Tablet is suitable for Transportation and Logistics Applications and comes with optional mounting solutions. This includes vehicle cradle and vehicle docking to add extra convenience for installation and firmly fix the tablet inside trucks, forklifts, cargo vehicles, or other applications. The accessories support VESA mounting solution offering great flexibility to mount tablets nearly anywhere.

Key Features:

  • 8″, 1280 x 800 Daylight Readable Panel with Direct Optical Bonding
  • Cortex A53-Octa Core 2.3 GHz CPU
  • Android 9.0 OS
  • System Memory 3 GB, Storage 32 GB
  • 8 MP Webcam, 13 MP Rear Camera with Autofocus and LED Light
  • IP65 Dustproof and Waterproof
  • WLAN 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 4G/ LTE
  • Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, GLONASS
  • Optional Built-In 1D/2D Barcode Scanner
  • Optional Built-In NFC Reader

BST’s Neousys’ Nuvo-8108GC Industrial-grade GPU computing edge AI platform

Backplane Systems Technology is proud to present Neousys’ Nuvo-8108GC Rugged GPU Computing Edge AI Platform with Industrial-Grade Design and In-Vehicle Features. Designed specifically to support a high-end 250W NVIDIA graphics card, it offers tremendous GPU power up to 14 TFLOPS in FP32 for emerging GPU-accelerated Edge Computing, such as Autonomous Driving, Vision Inspection, and Surveillance/Security.

Nuvo-8108GC is powered by Intel Xeon E or 9th/ 8th-Gen Core (up to 8-core/ 16-thread) CPUs coupled with workstation-grade Intel C246 chipset to support up to 128 GB ECC or non-ECC DDR4 memory. The system incorporates an internal 2.5″ HDD/ SSD tray and one hot-swappable 2.5″ HDD/ SSD tray for easy replacement. There is also an M.2 2280 NVMe socket for the fast read/write performance. Its front-accessible GbE and USB 3.1 Gen1/ Gen2 ports feature screw-lock mechanisms for securing cable connections. In addition to the x16 PCIe slot (8-lanes) for GPU installation, Nuvo-8108GC has another two x8 PCIe slots (4-lanes) and one x16 PCIe slot (8-lanes) for expansion cards to extend function sets like data collection, analytics, and communication.

The Nuvo-8108GC has a brand new power delivery design to accept 8~48V wide-range DC input to handle heavy power requirements from 250W GPU. Along with built-in ignition control, it is possible to be deployed in a vehicle and be directly powered via the car’s electrical system. Nuvo-8108GC incorporates Neousys’ patented heat dissipation design, damping brackets, and patent-pending GPU press bar, making it steady and rock-solid in various conditions.

The Nuvo-8108GC is Neousys’ response to the never-ending demand of TFLOPS in industrial GPU platforms. With industrial-grade power, thermal and mechanical design, it pushes versatile AI inference applications from laboratories to field applications, where reliability matters.

Key Features:

  • Supports 250W NVIDIA Graphics Card up to 14 TFLOPS in FP32
  • Supports Intel Xeon E or 9th/ 8th-Gen Core™ i7/ i5 LGA1151 CPU
  • Up to 128GB ECC/Non-ECC DDR4 2133 (4x SODIMM)
  • Two x16 (8-Lanes), Two x8 (4-Lanes), Gen3 PCIe Slots for Add-On Cards
  • 1x M.2 M Key, 1x M.2 B Key, and 2x Full-Size Mini-PCIe Sockets.
  • 8~48V Wide-Range DC Input with Built-In Ignition Power Control
  • Patented Thermal Design for -25°C to 60°C Rugged Operation
  • Patented Damping Brackets to Withstand 3 Grms Vibration

BST’s Neousys Nuvo-8240GC Dual Tesla T4 Rugged Edge AI Platform

Backplane Systems Technology is proud to present Neousys Nuvo-8240GC, a unique Industrial-Grade Edge AI Platform supporting Dual NVIDIA Tesla T4 Inference Accelerators. With its Compact Design, 170mm (W) x 360mm (D) x 186mm (H), Expansion Capabilities for Add-on Cards and Low Power Consumption.

Nuvo-8240GC is powered by Intel Xeon E or 9th/ 8th-Gen Core CPU up to 8-core/ 16-thread and is coupled with Workstation-Grade Intel C246 Chipset to support up to 128 GB ECC or non-ECC DDR4 Memory. The system also has a front-accessible, hot-swappable 2.5″ SATA Tray for easy storage access and M.2 NVMe for fast disk read-write performances.

The Rugged Edge AI Platform features Neousys’ unique Thermal Design to ensure 100 per cent CPU and GPU performances at operating temperatures of up to 60°C and patented damping brackets to withstand up to 3Grms vibration. It also accepts wide-range DC Input from 8-48V to solve unstable power deliveries that may otherwise damage or cause an unforeseen shutdown.

The Nuvo-8240GC is one of the most efficient inference accelerators (consuming only 70W per T4) with multiple video transcoding capabilities and delivers breakthrough AI inference performance on the market today. It can be deployed as a roadside unit to increase safety and reduce congestion, utilise it for complex and delicate tasks such as defect detection in lumber and textile products or embed it into an autonomous machine for edge AI enhancements. Nuvo-8240GC inherits Neousys Technology’s signature designs to address the most common challenges to allow innovators to bring frontier ideas to the field.

By supporting Dual NVIDIA Tesla T4 Inference Accelerators, the Nuvo-8240GC offers a false-fail and interoperable data analysis capability which is an ideal solution for medical imaging. With the exponential increase of data imaging in recent years and showing no signs of slowing down, the abilities to process different types of imageries in real-time can have a significant impact on research in the healthcare industry. Whether analysing medical images to assist physicians in making a cancer image interpretation or for early detection from large and crowdsourced data during the pandemic, Nuvo-8240GC is the best choice to accelerate medical research while improving physicians’ efficiency and productivity.

Key Features:

  • Supports Dual NVIDIA Tesla T4 GPU
  • Supports Intel Xeon E or 9th/ 8th-Gen Core i7/ i5 LGA1151 CPU
  • Up to 128GB ECC/ Non-ECC DDR4 2133 (4x SODIMM)
  • Two x8 (4-Lanes), Gen3 PCIe Slots for Add-on Cards
  • 1x M.2 M Key, 1x M.2 B Key and 2x Full-Size Mini-PCIe Sockets
  • 8~48V Wide-Range DC Input with Built-in Ignition Power Control
  • Proven Thermal Design for -25°C to 60°C Rugged Operation
  • Patented Damping Brackets to Withstand 3Grms Vibration

Where tubular linear motors blow away pneumatics

For factory operators looking to save energy and costs, an obvious first place to look is compressed air.

Compressed air is highly useful in many industrial applications, and some sites spend up to 30 per cent of their electricity bill generating compressed air.

Pneumatic actuators, which run on compressed air, have been around since the Second World War. They are well-understood, cheap, and suited to harsh environments. However, they also come with their penalties.

Obviously, compressed air must be generated to power them. Depending on the expansiveness of a factory, this can mean numerous compressors and/or a complicated reticulation system. A reliable level of pressure must be maintained, or pneumatics will work poorly or not at all.

Air leaks can be expensive. According to a leading compressor technology company, one leak in one unit costing 15 cents/kW/hr to operate will represent well over $2,000 a year to a power bill.

With a single point of failure – for example air leakage at one location – the air pressure of the whole plant will drop, and operations will be affected.

Then there is the noise.

“If you are working in or visiting a factory, you will usually hear a lot of noise,” explains Heng Luo, Product Manager, ANCA Motion.

“And that’s one big advantage servo-controlled linear motors have against pneumatics.”

Linear motors — for example screw-driven and tubular linear kinds — are newer than pneumatic or hydraulic options, but are preferred for certain applications. Instead of a piston in a cylinder — driven by compressed air or an incompressible fluid — tubular linear motors use magnetic flux to create motion. They aren’t as cheap in upfront costs compared to pneumatics, but offer vast benefits in aspects including accuracy, cheaper operating costs, and flexibility.

Pneumatics can move quickly and forcefully from one point to another (and hydraulics quicker and more forcefully still, for the same size) but with little positional control along the stroke.

ANCA Motion’s LinX M-Series offers 10 micrometre resolution, as well as velocity up to 10 metres per second and maximum acceleration over 30G. The M-Series comes with an integrated position sensor, with precise positional control. It can also achieve a continuous force of 90 – 160 Newtons, and a peak force of 1,200 Newtons.

An estimated payback period versus pneumatic cylinders — which, with their form factor and mounting design, the M-Series is a neat substitute for — is only 18 months.

One area of obvious advantage over pneumatics is the ease of reprogramming between jobs.

A recent application for a customer’s forming machine substituted LinX motors for pneumatics to move a cutting bed. Changes for different workpiece lengths could take six to eight hours for the painstaking recalibration of air pressure. Such adjustments now are a quick change in servo drive parameters — a matter of seconds. The improved positional control has boosted throughput by 50 per cent, with the massively improved precision allowing the process to be confidently sped up.

ANCA Motion’s linear motors were originally developed for sister company ANCA CNC Machines’ FX Linear and MX Linear tool and cutter grinder machines. ANCA is a leader in CNC tool grinding technology, with a series of world firsts since beginning in 1974. The M-Series have been developed within a culture of world-class engineering, developing machine tools where micron-level precision is essential.

The LinX M-Series Tubular Linear Motor has a failure rate of less than 0.03 per cent.

Robust support is offered through an international network of 125 engineers in strategic locations.

Learn more about the LinX M-Series here

No bolting from safety with groundbreaking QX Series torque tool

The humble bolt is responsible for keeping most machinery together. Which is why bolt fastening is such a key part of many a manufacturing process. The ongoing challenge for manufacturers, however, is that the task of bolt fastening poses a significant occupational health and safety (OH&S) risk to employees.

According to industry expert John Bishop, it’s only a matter of time before a person gets an injury if their job involves the repeated fastening of bolts with a standard power tool.

“When you’re tightening a bolt up with a standard power tool you’ll get a reaction every time. When it suddenly comes to a stop, it jerks your arm,” explains the Product Manager for Power Tools with CAPS Australia. “If you do that 200-300 times a day, you will eventually get an injury from that excessive, repetitive movement. It might be months down the track, but it will happen.”

This specific OH&S challenge has affected many of John’s clients in the manufacturing sector – particularly in applications such as automotive manufacturing, where a high repetition of bolting is required on assembly lines. Fortunately, he can now give these customers a solution in the form of Ingersoll Rand’s QX Series Torque Tools.

Relatively new to the Australian market, the transducerised QX Series torque tools employ advanced technology, communication and control features to ensure accurate, repeatable bolting for industrial applications. The tools are available through CAPS Australia in different combinations of torque, ranging from 7 in-lbs/0.8Nm to 1,475 foot-pounds (2000 Nm).

“This revolutionary tool range has been specifically designed for high-repetition bolting and keeping reaction movements low,” enthuses John. “Every customer who has seen the QX tools or used them has honestly been flabbergasted by just how good they are and the benefits they bring, the main one being safety.”

Importantly, Ingersoll Rand also launched their Ergonomic Tightening System (ETS) with the QX Series product range. ETS reduces torque reaction with an ergonomically-enhanced motor control algorithm. And when tightening, it delivers short bursts of energy into the fastener, enabling the operator to stay safely in control of the tool.

“This new ETS system is designed to reduce the reaction users get through arms,” explains John. “Having smaller reaction movements enables the operators to stay in control and significantly reduces the risk of injury. These ETS products are very safe and at CAPS Australia we recommend them to all manufacturing operations where bolt fastening is involved.”

Besides safety, John says the other core challenge manufacturers face is compliance. The QX tools address this too by design. At the heart of each tool is the closed-loop transducer, which delivers torque precision, unmatched accuracy and traceable results.

“In the manufacturing process there are certain standards and engineering designs that have to be met – consistently,” John explains. “If a bolt is tightened by hand, there is no consistency because each individual will do it up differently. The same with an impact wrench, how it is done will depend on how much battery power is used. Whereas the QX series tools are designed to be programmed and to stop at a predetermined torque.”

Compared to manual and imprecise alternatives, this tool has multiple user-programmable configurations such as torque, angle, prevailing torque and gang count. And the electronic transducer is programmable to 0.001 of a Newton meter.

“From a manufacturers’ point of view – and there are multiple features with these tools – they can get up to eight different strategies. Effectively, one tool can replace eight different tools,” says John. “The multi-function display also provides visual feedback via red, yellow and green lights, signalling whether the bolt has exceeded, or not met, the torque limit or angle, or if the proper gang count was reached. A manufacturer will benefit immediately from this with improved efficiency and the ability for employees to hit nuts in faster sequence on the assembly line.”

Additionally, the QX series has a recording function that can store up to 1,200 cycles of information and includes Bluetooth, meaning information can be downloaded to a router or server.

“This is a really valuable feature. In the example of a car manufacturing or automobile environment, a record needs to be kept of every bolt that’s been done up on these vehicles and kept against the VIN number,” explains John. “So if there is a future event such as a fault with the vehicle, the manufacturer will pull up the data report on that vehicle to see every bolt that’s been manufactured or tightened on it.”

Moreover, operators can move freely because the QX Tools are cordless and compact. These features allow maximum flexibility when working on multiple joints and accessing odd angles.

When it comes down to it though, John concludes that safety is more important than compliance, and that every business has to be accountable for their staff and ensure a safe working environment.

“And this is the message we’re hearing loud and clear, that safety comes first. Fortunately, we have a tool that reduces injury and improves processes, so much so that these improvements will mitigate other risks too.”

Among the satisfied clients that CAPS Australia has serviced with this tool series includes IVECO Australia. To see how their Ingersoll Rand QX Series Cordless Torque Multipliers are improving efficiency, safety and productivity on the truck assembly line, you can watch the video here.

For more information about this product range, readers can enquire directly with CAPS Australia – Australia’s largest independent compressed air and power generation provider – by visiting www.caps.com.au

SMC ionizers: the answer to your static electricity problems

It is a well-known fact that static electricity can wreak havoc in a production plant. The experts at SMC Corporation Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) have seen it time and time again, and now in the thick of winter, static electricity is everywhere.

Ming Liu, Head of Product Department for SMC Corporation ANZ, says that many manufacturers fall prey to high rejection rates, low-quality final product, machine operators suffering from shocks, dust sticking to workpieces and even labels being misaligned.

“Static electricity problem can be costly. It is largely overlooked in the manufacturing process and it generally affects the final product. From dealing with the nuisance of products clinging to each other, plastic sheets not separating property to managing possible damage to electrical products etc.”

Combatting Static

“It’s an unseen source of highly visible nasty production problems. Luckily, static can be solved in a quick, easy, and efficient way: with a quality ionizer. Over the years, SMC has continued to innovate beyond pneumatics and its range of bar, nozzle and fan ionizers bears testament to this. We have looked at the production process (as a whole) to determine where we can add the most value. Today, SMC has transitioned into ‘one supplier for all your automation needs’,” he explains.

SMC’s Comprehensive Range of Ionizers

The SMC ionizer applies high voltage to a needle shaped electrode and generates corona discharge between the opposite polarity electrode to ionize air molecules. When the applied voltage is negative, it generates negative ions.  When the applied voltage is positive, it generates positive ions.

According to Ming, there are various options and types of ionizers on offer, depending on the application and the environment. “The bar type (IZS40/41/42 Series) is ideal for flat and/or remote surfaces, its equipped with nozzles to generate ions, and air then blows ions onto the workpieces. This could work in a PET environment for example. It would also be suitable for lamination and web printing.”

The bar type varies in length and performance options. The nozzles can be equipped with condition monitoring sensors for easy maintenance and the replacement of the cartridge.

The fan type ionizer (IZF10/21/31 Series)  neutralise static on the workpiece in a case where there is no air supply available. “These units are compact and easy to transport. They neutralise static in just 0.5 seconds and our latest model offers an air flow adjustment function.”

Rounding off the range is the nozzle type ionizer (IZN10 series). “This is great for areas with space issues or for those requiring a more ‘focused approach’ to static removal. It is slim, lightweight and offers an offset voltage of +/-10V. It comes with nozzle variations and an intermittent control timer.”

Another key feature is centered around the maintenance of this ionizer. “It can be easily dissembled into three parts. In addition, it’s equipped with a maintenance function warning.”

The nozzle type ionizer is ideal for neutralising static on plastic bottles and it prevents parts from clogging in a feeder.

One of the latest ionizers from SMC is the IZT40, 41 and 42, complete with a separate controller. This ionizer answers to the market demand for a thinner bar (compared to the IZS series) with just one controller to control many bars.

“This compact solution is ideal for small spaces, in fact, it is up to 60% smaller and more light weight than its predecessor. One controller can control up to four bars; the controller can also be installed in a separate location, allowing the control of bars to be fitted inside equipment, and being available for a centralised management.”

Ming also notes that the IZT series is the first SMC product to make use of high-voltage cable.  “We have introduced both integrated and remote configurations for the controller and high-voltage supply. These can be installed separately but using them in an integrated configuration allows for a simple installation of the controller.”

“Forget about product rejections, futile maintenance hours and machine downtime caused by static electricity.  Our ionizers generate results straight away to help optimise the quality of your processes, ensure a safe working environment and improve your output quality,” Ming says.

ABB integrates drive safety functionality to simplify machine automation

ABB is providing integrated safety functionality for its all-compatible variable speed drives (VSDs) to simplify the engineering design process in machine manufacturing and automation. The new plug-in PROFIsafe module (FSPS-21) removes the need for external safety components and reduces the need for configuration.
Machine builders must ensure applications can be controlled safely and stopped quickly if anything goes wrong. To meet demanding safety requirements, engineers have traditionally designed and installed safety functions using external (hardwired) devices. This usually requires additional installation space as well as being costly and time consuming. These challenges can now be overcome by using drive-based safety solutions.
The new functionality enables safe machine control and seamless safety communications between the drive and the programmable logic controller (PLC) in a wide range of machines from conveyors to grinders. This is enabled through the PROFIsafe over the PROFINET IO communication protocol.
“With this new plug-in module it is possible to provide control, ensure safety and enable PC tool communication to the drive through one Ethernet cable, which simplifies installation and commissioning” said Christopher Probst, low voltage drives product manager for ABB in Australia. “The module simplifies commissioning significantly because it requires no additional safety configuration in the drive and moreover reduces the need for training.”
The FSPS-21 module is TÜV Nord-certified and is compatible with ABB ACS380 machinery drives, ACS580 general purpose drives and ACS880 industrial drives. The module offers Safe Torque Off (STO) and Safe Stop 1-time controlled (SS1-t) safety functions. It achieves the highest safety levels in machinery safety: SIL 3/PL e and is, therefore, suitable for even the most demanding applications. It simplifies the design and verification of the safety solution.

BST presents Neousys’ Nuvo-8208GC Ruggedized GPU computing edge AI Platform

BST presents Neousys’ Nuvo-8208GC Ruggedized GPU Computing Edge AI Platform Supporting Dual 250W NVIDIA GPU, Intel Xeon E or 9th/ 8th-Gen Core Processor.

Nuvo-8208GC is the world’s first Dual GPU edge AI Platform with Industrial-Grade Design and In-Vehicle features. Designed specifically to support two high-end 250W NVIDIA graphics cards, it offers tremendous GPU power up to 28 TFLOPS in FP32 for emerging GPU-Accelerated edge computing, such as autonomous driving, vision inspection and surveillance/ security.

This Ruggedized GPU Edge AI Computing Platform is powered by Intel Xeon E or 9th/ 8th-Gen Core 8-core/16-thread CPUs coupled with workstation-grade Intel C246 chipset to support up to 128 GB ECC or non-ECC DDR4 memory. The system incorporates two hot-swappable 2.5″ trays for easy HDD/ SSD replacement and an M.2 2280 NVMe socket for the ultimate disk performance.

Its front-accessible GbE and USB 3.1 Gen1/ Gen2 ports feature screw-lock mechanisms for securing cable connections. In addition to the dual x16 PCIe slots for GPU installation, Nuvo-8208GC has two other x8 PCIe slots and one x4 PCIe slot for expansion cards to extend function sets like data collection, analytics and communication.

The Nuvo-8208GC has a brand new power delivery design to accept 8~ 35V wide-range DC input and to handle heavy power requirements from dual 250W GPUs. Along with built-in ignition control, it’s feasible to deploy it on a vehicle and directly power it via the car’s power system. Mechanical wise, Nuvo-8208GC incorporates Neousys’ patented heat dissipation design, damping brackets and patent-pending GPU press bar, making it steady and rock-solid in various conditions.

Key Features:

supports Dual 250W NVIDIA Graphics Cards up to 28 TFLOPS in FP32;
supports Intel Xeon E or 9th/ 8th-Gen Core i7/ i5 LGA1151 CPU;
up to 128GB ECC/Non-ECC DDR4 2133 (4x SODIMM);
two x8, one x4, Gen3 PCIe slots for add-on cards;
two hot-swappable 2.5″ SATA HDD/ SSD with RAID 0/ 1 support;
8~ 35V wide-range DC Input with built-in ignition power control;
patented thermal design for -25°C to 60°C rugged operation (R.O.C Patent No. M534371); and
patented damping brackets to withstand 1 Grms vibration (R.O.C Patent No. M491752).

New Atlas Copco app enhances the intelligence of vacuum pumps

Atlas Copco’s engineers have developed an app under this heading that allows vacuum pumps to be controlled and monitored in real time from a smartphone. Pumps can also be commissioned optionally by entering fewer setpoints.

The first models in which the free app is used are the new claw vacuum pumps of the DZS 100, 200 and 400 VSD+ series and the Oil-injected rotary vane pump GVS A VSD+. For users, the comfort functions will ensure greater user-friendliness and noticeably more efficient operation.

Increased productivity

The coarse vacuum pumps of the DZS series with integrated inverter drive are equipped with a VSD+ drive on the motor. This includes various remote connection options – including the Atlas Copco VSD+ App. With the App, the fixed speed DZS claw pump can be operated as a speed-controlled pump. With just a few clicks, the performance of the pump can be precisely adjusted to the respective process requirements, so that excessive vacuum generation can be avoided. As a result, the app individually adjusts power consumption and ultimately increases productivity.

Important parameters at a glance

The intuitive operating options provide customers with a high degree of user-friendliness: The app automatically connects via an integrated Bluetooth interface as soon as the pump is started. Once the desired parameters have been entered into the smartphone, the pump can be put into operation immediately. It is also possible to visualise performance data and settings in real time. Relevant parameters such as inlet pressure, rotor speed, operating hours and maintenance intervals can be checked at a glance at any time and quickly adjusted if necessary.

Minimum requirements IOS 8.0 and Android 4.03

The application is easy to carry out without prior knowledge or additional equipment: Interested parties can download the Atlas Copco VSD+ App from the App or Play Store. As a minimum requirement the mobile operating systems IOS 8.0 and Android 4.03 are required.

For the desired language selection, users click on the respective flag symbol to then select the preferred language as well as the desired units, such as differential current, pressure and temperature measurements.

Current actual values are displayed in two separate menus: Input and output data as well as the process variables. In addition to the DZS 100, 200 and 400 VSD+ series and the GVS A VSD+ oil-injected rotary vane pump, Atlas Copco plans to make the app available for other vacuum pump models.

Intelligent vacuum pump series for robust processes

The robust pump increases productivity in conveying, clamping, drying processes or environmental applications thanks to its low energy consumption and space requirement as well as its handling of pollutants. Using the newly developed VSD+ App, users can now set and access the relevant parameters of the vacuum pump quickly and in real time via iOS or Android devices.

For robust processes

Atlas Copco has equipped the three models of the DZS 100, 200 and 400 VSD+ series with corrosion-resistant materials in order to be well equipped for harsh application environments. For this purpose, they also have a durable internal coating. “This means we have designed the vacuum pump specifically for a long service life and reliable, efficient operation, even under robust process conditions,” explains Alexander Frerichs, product manager for Atlas Copco’s Dry Vacuum Pumps.

Low service effort

In addition, the design principle requires uncomplicated maintenance: “For example, cleaning or replacing the pump claws does not require complex gearbox stripping and retiming,” explains Alexander Frerichs. This allows quick access to the inside of the pump by our service technicians or by the end customer. This simplifies, for example, the removal of product residues. No new synchronisation is necessary during the subsequent assembly. This results in short downtimes and low service costs for the operator.

Atlas Copco has equipped the three models of the DZS 100, 200 and 400 VSD+ series with corrosion-resistant materials in order to be well equipped for harsh application environments. Image credit: Atlas Copco

No oil-induced contamination

A VSD+ inverter drive is integrated in the motors to control the pumps. This allows the optimum performance points of the claw pump to be specifically controlled and power consumption to be reduced. This function ensures that energy is saved, and the CO2 footprint is reduced. Sustainability is also ensured in the immediate process environment: the completely oil-free DZS VSD+ pumps certified to ISO 8573-1 Class 0 and are completely harmless to the quality of the ambient air during operation. This eliminates the risk of oil-induced contamination and damage to sensitive applications and products in the environment. “This also includes the guarantee that neither man nor the environment will be harmed by the use of the pumps”, emphasises Product Manager Alexander Frerichs.

Commissioning via app

With the newly developed VSD+ App, users have quick access to numerous parameters. Via the iOS and Android devices, values such as inlet pressure, rotor speed, running hours and service intervals can be monitored and controlled at a glance in real time. The VSD+ App also makes it easy to commission the DZS VSD+ vacuum pump – via the three parameters target pressure, start/stop delay and stop level. When the pump is started, the VSD+ App automatically connects via Bluetooth. Once the desired values have been entered, the innovative DZS 100 – 400 VSD+ series starts operation immediately.

The advantages of the DZS 100 – 400 VSD+ series at a glance:

– Longer life bearings and seals
– Quick and straightforward access
– Easy cleaning
– Reduced maintenance time

Superior performance

– Extensive product range
– Superior ultimate vacuum level
– Lower power consumption
– Minimal machine life cycle costs
– Low noise level.

What choices are available for clear hygiene barriers?

No doubt you have noticed that clear sneeze guards and hygiene barriers have appeared in nearly every store and service centre since the arrival of COVID-19.

Just about any business you can think of that is open to the public has taken the initiative to protect their employees, customers and visitors by installing clear acrylic or polycarbonate screens.

These screens provide safety while maximising transparency. So, what are the available choices and how should institutions such as schools, universities and workplaces be ready for once certain restrictions have been lifted by the government?

Allplastics Engineering has been fabricating hundreds of these over the last two months, applying the company’s 40-year experience in the industry.

Firstly, clear bent acrylic sneeze guards are made to the user’s requirements, generally from 4.5mm or 6mm thick acrylic with a base that can be attached to a counter or benchtop. These can be fabricated as individual units for each counter or in a continuous barrier with customised cut-outs at the bottom.

Acrylic Known in the industry as PMMA (Polymathy Methacrylate) is widely recognised with brands such as Perspex, Plexiglas is a rigid thermoplastic that’s more economic and shatterproof alternative to glass with half the weight of glass options.

The second option in hygiene barriers is designed for applications where they need to be flat packed for ease of transport and for quick assembly. Polycarbonate in 4.5mm thick or 6mm thick is cut to shapes with matching slotted interlocking “feet” with double sided tape. “Feet” that can go on a counter or a desk. Polycarbonate is virtually unbreakable and 250 times the strength of normal glass.

Polycarbonate is well-known with brands such as Lexan, Makrolon, Tuffak and Paltuff. It offers the unique features of being lightweight and being virtually unbreakable ideal material for security glazing.

The third variation in clear barriers is designed to set business back to work by segregation of patrons in venues such as cinemas, clubs, pubs, restaurants, cafes as well as classrooms, lecture theatrettes and offices. Both clear acrylic (PERSPEX) and clear polycarbonate are used in thicknesses from 4.5mm, 6mm and 10mm depending on the situation.

Allplastics can fabricate bespoke barriers to heights and widths suited for your specific use. In addition, we have just introduced powder-coated frames that can be moved easily in the classroom, office or a hospitality venue.

The robust Made in Australia partitions are portable with strong powder coated steel and durable casters built to last. This gives venues the option to easily relocate the barriers from one section to the other with ease.

The partitions have clear polycarbonate inserts but can also be supplied as whiteboards or magnetic chalkboards.