Control Bits: A Roundup of Automation News You May Have Missed
Flow controllers, sensors, AI, motors, conveyors… Check out the Control editorial team's top picks for news and headlines from the world of robotics and control automation over the past few weeks!
The past few months have been a buzz of trade shows and announcements of new products and initiatives from all around the world of control automation!
Here is a run-down of some of the most exciting news topics to keep you updated on the latest happenings.
ABB Baldor-Reliance New SP4 Motor Technology
New motor tech doesn’t come along all that often, but when it does, it can lead to huge cost and downtime savings, considering that motors are the largest consumer of electricity around the world!
This improved AC induction motor design is stated to reduce power losses in the motor by up to 40%. Currently, the new NEMA Super Premium (SP) lineup contains size ratings from ¼ to 20 HP in open and closed frame styles, with the same variety of existing mounting styles that will not require any re-engineering of current designs for drop-in replacement.
Image used courtesy of ABB
Emerson’s New Level and Flow Controller
The new Rosemount 3490 controller provides compatibility with 4-20 mA and HART transmitters. It is intended for use primarily in water, wastewater, and process control industries where these communication protocols see heavy use.
The controller can receive transmitter signals, broadcast signals to pumps and drives, and log data remotely and locally, all in a rugged design for the harsh environments of many process control industries.
Balluff BOS 6K Optoelectronic Sensor
Sensors are projected to be one of the largest growing market shares of all product types in control and industrial automation in the near future. This data comes from a report by MarketsandMarkets, but it should be little surprise. Sensors are the entry point for data into the control and production system, and with the rise of IIoT and predictive maintenance programs, we need more data, and we need it faster than ever.
The new BOS optical sensor from Balluff uses blue light technology and a time-of-flight (TOF) algorithm, as opposed to the strength of signal reflection used for many optical sensors. This makes it very accurate in avoiding background reflection ‘noise’ with a light wavelength that is suited for even semi-transparent and shiny objects.
Mitsubishi and Dispel to Expand OT Security Business
Operational technology and cybersecurity go hand-in-hand, but they are complex topics with ever-shifting goals and priorities. As networking technology expands by leaps and bounds, so do the threats and entry points for targeted attacks.
In a recent agreement, zero-trust technology services from Dispel LLC will now be integrated into Mitsubishi factory automation equipment. What is ‘zero-trust’? It means that any access to a network can only be gained with authentication and continuous validation, making it very secure compared to traditional networks.
SuperTrak Announces New PHARMA8 Conveyor
We may think that a conveyor is a conveyor, right? As long the product gets from point A to point B, that’s all we need, right? Far from it!
With today’s production systems, conveyance must be highly customized for each application. Speed, distance, motion profiles, stability of travel, and compliance for highly regulated industries can be JUST as important as considering the motion of the product itself.
The new PHARMA8 conveyance system is built on SuperTrack motion technology, but now contains a Grade A compliance from the FDA that allows its use in aseptic environments to meet the tightest of pharmaceutical manufacturing control.
Top-down view of the stainless steel pharma manufacturing cell featuring the new PHARMA8. Image used courtesy of SuperTrak
AutomationDirect AchieVe PSA Series Power Supplies
Sometimes it’s wrong to hype up a certain product more than it deserves. Most engineers realize that providing reliable power to a system will never be the most glorious or glamorous objective in the industrial automation world.
However, new power products, such as the new AchieVe PSA series from AutomationDirect, are no less critical than the amazing robots and motion controls that bring life to automation. This new PSA series is designed to be a low-cost product for basic power supply, but it still contains top-notch features including overcurrent protection, common 100/240 nominal AC input voltage, and plenty of power output options for most small and medium systems.
Fuji Electric: “Smallest Magnetic Motor Starter Switches”
It’s been said that a wide majority of most 3-phase motors are still started using DOL (direct online) methods. DOL starters, or ‘contactors’ are the switching mechanisms that allow motors to start, but they consume tremendous energy on rapid startup. Therefore, the starting switches must be strong and durable enough to withstand a long service life.
Fuji Electric has designed a new magnetic switch for motors that incorporates a magnet into the coil energy supply, reducing the size of the coil and the need for energy consumption from the coil supply circuit. This allows a reduced size (up to 28%) and a reduced coil power consumption (up to 73%) to greatly reduce the combined impact of motors starting around the globe.
Covariant Launches RFM-1 Gen AI Reasoning Model for Robots
Artificial intelligence has been the buzz phrase of the past year. We have seen exponentially increased use in the generation of text, videos, and images, but what about industrial automation? This technology has been built into vision processing to give greater meaning to captured images, but a still-expanding goal is using AI to increase the logical ‘understanding’ between machines and the surrounding world.
A new AI language model from Covariant, called the RFM (robotics foundation model), has produced three exciting specific outcomes of AI applied to logistics-type robotic systems.
First, it is able to use physical models to predict how real-world items will behave upon interaction. Second, it includes a languaged-based model to allow collaboration between operators and robots. Finally, it has the ability to evaluate the results of its own actions to further refine its similar operation processes in future actions.
A specific example of AI for action prediction: Original images are on the left, then the robot tries to select the item in the center (middle images) and then generates a predictive image of what the bin will look like when the object is removed (right side image). Image used courtesy of Covariant
Invertek Drives’ New Extended Optidrive Coolvert VFD
Another technology that can be configured for specific industries is the motor drive unit. For various applications, some parameters are more important than others, so it makes sense to provide control systems that excel in adjusting those key parameters.
Invertek Drives unveiled a few new sizes to the Optidrive Coolvert VFD lineup, targeted for HVAC applications at the MCE show in Milan. These drives are specifically configured for BLDC motor compressors, heat pumps, and condensers, providing easy access to 5 key setup parameters and built-in compliance with appropriate regulations in the new Frame 3 and 4 sizes.
ABB Opens Refitted, State-of-the-Art US Robotics Facility
The US and overall North American market will get a boost in support and services from ABB Robotics after the opening of a refitted facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan. A customer experience and a training center will provide both a showcase and continuing education and support location for new and existing ABB customers.
