Control Bits: A Roundup of April’s Automation News You May Have Missed

Early 2024 has been a buzz of developments, trade shows, and company announcements. Check out some of the noteworthy product and partnership developments announced during the past several weeks from around the control automation world!

 

New Servo Motors from JVL Intelligent Motors

JVL has announced new additions to the SureServo product line. A set of electric actuators provide linear motion control with an internal captive ball screw assembly and integrated feedback. Another newly added model provides linear motion with an external ball or lead screw for motion in a single axis.

All SureServo motors use encoders that provide 409,600 steps per rev at a speed of up to 3000 rpm, as well as an embedded PLC with I/O points right on the motor.

 

Image used courtesy of JVL

 

Switchable Network Security Port from Pilz

Network security is a major concern for industry. A small but critical new product from Pilz is a disconnect switch for an Ethernet network, but it is controlled with a set of I/O terminals to be enabled or disabled by any number of remote security processes. Only relevant permissions can be used to provide access to a secure network through this activatable Ethernet port, easily mountable in a standard cabinet enclosure.

 

Hai Robotics Aids Medical Order Fulfillment

What happens when you team up a group of mobile robotics experts like Hai Robotics, a material handling professional like Equipment Depot, Inc, and a medical facility in need of automated storage, like St. Luke’s Health System in Boise, Idaho?

St. Luke’s is hoping to see accelerated order fulfillment and optimized efficiency throughout the system to help offset supply chain issues, ultimately leading to a better style of life for local residents.

 

Dobot’s Dual-Arm X-Trainer For AI Dev

Sometimes when we hear ‘training,’ we immediately think of an educational classroom environment. In this case, however, Dobot has released an AI training robot setup. This model contains a dual-arm cobot arrangement paired with grippers, end-mounted cameras, and a fixed overhead camera.

This robot certainly can be used for academic AI research, but it’s also intended for teaching tasks, optimizing models, and even providing an easy assess to making your own personal robot for household chores!

 

Image used courtesy of Dobot

 

Binder's Surface Mount (SMT) M12 Connectors

M12 cable ends are a common sight in nearly all automated industry applications. Connector company binder has announced surface-mounting (SMT) versions of both male and female M12 connectors, available in various coding styles which relate the number and arrangement of the pins. These cable sare used for I/O signals, Ethernet and Fieldbus data, and for power delivery to remote modules.

 

Omron Equips Remote I/O With EtherCAT

Machine-mountable I/O modules allow you to consolidate and modularize all signals to a single hub, then transfer all of those signals over one Fieldbus protocol back to the central controller. Now, users of Omron’s NXR remote I/O can enjoy the the inclusion of EtherCAT protocol to further expand industrial networks.

 

SMC Announces New Compact Cylinders

Pneumatic motion in a tiny form factor is now possible thanks to two new product lines from SMC. The CQ2 compact cylinder series has added three new sizes; 4, 6, and 10 mm diameters, smaller than what was previously available (12 mm minimum before). In addition, an innovative new piston shape inside the housing has allowed a higher power output in the new CQE compact cylinder; up to 1.5 times higher power as compared to a similarly-sized housing with a round bore.

 

The high power output comes from the shape of the piston inside the housing. Image used courtesy of SMC

 

Complete Terminal Block Kit from Weidmüller

Every electrician needs to have a reliable set of tools in the back pocket. Except that a really good set definitely won’t fit in your back pocket. The L-BOXX installation kit from Weidmüller has everything you need for terminal block servicing and installation.

Primarily designed for single and multi-family distribution panels, this kit starts with a wide variety of terminal blocks, including both single and double-level feed-through, and also includes the tools and labels needed to design a safe, reliable system.

 

Banner Engineering Expands M8 Cordsets

We’ve already covered new products in the M12 cord space, but the new M8 connectors from Banner Engineering offer new solutions for sensor and I/O connections with a wide array of layouts and options, including double-ended, pigtails, splitters, and illuminated cord set options.

 

Image used courtesy of Banner Engineering

 

Stay tuned for more updates from the wide world of Control Automation!