Control & Automation
iTRAK modular transport system
increases flexibility and drives machine
performance
Drives for process technology
applications
At the ACHEMA exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS
recently presented distributed drive concepts that meet the typical
demands of the process industry.
Variable-speed drives with IP66/IP69K ingress protection are suitable for
applications that require regular cleaning with high-pressure steam jets.
All components are manufactured in-house: gearboxes, smooth-surface
motors, and frequency inverters. The nsd tupH anti-corrosion treatment
– developed by NORD and FDA-certified (Title 21 CFR 175.300) – gives
the aluminum housings a smooth and durable surface. Even blows and
scratches do not impair the corrosion resistance. Since no coating is
applied but the surface itself is hardened, there can be no pollution of
products or process media as for instance with chipping paint.
Rockwell Automation is about to make life dramatically easier for engineers
and production technologists. At least that’s the idea behind iTRAK,
a modular, scalable motion control system that provides independent
control of multiple magnetically propelled movers on a track. The simple
configuration and patented pitch-less technology solves different motion
and speed needs. It enables production/handling systems and assembly
lines to be readily designed with the aid of a number of accurately
positioned carriages.
Several carriages, consisting of a frame and a linear permanent magnet
motor, can move individually along straight or curved rails. The iTRAK can
be used, for example, on packaging lines, in the medical industry (filling
lines for IV bags), but also on assembly lines for machine construction. The
combination of iTRAK technology with the Rockwell Automation integrated
Architecture (programmable with Studio 5000 Logix Designer) lays the
foundation for a new standard in dynamic linear transport solutions.
Carriages are available in a standard versions and with customization for
specific applications. Customers can also design their own carriages if they
chose to. Take a look at the following video in which a bag filling line using
custom-made carriages can be seen:
http://embed.vidyard.com/share/vQa5C7hRqLrN7dxsQl7M7w
Tel: 0870 242 5004
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
www.nord.com
New All-Gigabit Stratix 5400
Industrial Switch Helps Manufacturers
Address Growing Network-Bandwidth
Requirements
Rockwell Automation has expanded its Allen-Bradley Stratix family of
industrial switches with the Allen-Bradley Stratix 5400 switch, an allgigabit option that helps manufacturers achieve higher network speeds for
their increasingly high bandwidth applications. The switch also supports
both Layer 2 switching and Layer 3 routing for a range of network
configurations.
“Network convergence, increased reliability and the growing adoption of
high-speed devices across The Connected Enterprise are driving the need
for a higher-performing and more versatile industrial switch,” said Mark
Devonshire, product manager for Rockwell Automation. “The Stratix 5400
switch provides this capability and helps confirm that manufacturers have
a robust architecture in place as network demands continue to broaden.”
When used as a Layer 2 switch, the Stratix 5400 switch is ideal for
industrial environments experiencing an influx of high-performance,
gigabit-speed end devices, such as IP video cameras and telephony.
It’s also fit for heavy-industry applications that require resilient network
topologies. When used as a Layer 3 switch, routing is enabled between
segmented networks to help achieve better performance.
The switch uses an all-gigabit design for high-performance network and
end device support. The GE Power over Ethernet (PoE) and additional
GE fiber port options enhance scalability and help meet a wide range of
application needs.
Tel: 0870 242 5004
Email: [email protected]
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PECM Issue 15