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PRODUCTS MACHINE BUILDING, FRAMEWORKS & SAFETY


SLIP RING ASSEMBLIES SUIT FLOW WRAPPING MACHINE DESIGN


Available in the UK from Heason Technology, the SVTS B series slip ring assemblies from Servotecnica offer machine builders a continuously rotating electrical joint with a working life that can extend to 100 million revolutions at high speeds. These are designed for demanding industrial applications in high throughput production machinery where gold alloy multi- fibre brushes and precious metal rings in IP65 fully sealed ABS/aluminium/stainless steel housings ensure the highly reliable transfer of electrical power and instrumentation signals through rotating structures. A variant, the 70mm diameter SVTS B 03, is aimed at transferring power to the rotating heat-sealing blades in flow wrapping machines as well as handling temperature signal output to the machine controller. This has three 400V/20A circuits as well as two 240V/2A signal circuits. Its 22mm diameter through-hole allows direct mounting on the drive shaft of the rotating blade via four M3 set screws. These are available in two versions that


facilitate machine washdown use: fully housed and IP65 sealed; or part-housed for IP65 when installed. Both feature


sealed cable gland electrical connection with lower power, and the customer can specify the number of slip ring ‘ways’. Servotecnica’s SVTS fibre bundle technology has lower friction and a longer life when


compared to


carbon brush designs, the


company states. The multi-fibre bundles require no lubricants and produce only negligible debris. High- precision


stainless steel support


bearings also help ensure long working life and a specified nominal speed capability of 400rpm enables use on high-throughput machinery. Other benefits include improved signal quality as the (up-to ten) individual gold-alloy strand brushes ensure multiple point contact with the slip ring, as well as a much higher capacity for handling high transient loads, in addition to better resistance to shock and vibration. The B series has faston-type male terminal connectors where sealing is not required.


Heason Technology T: 01403 792300 www.heason.com


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AI AND MACHINE VISION AT THE CORE OF FRESH PRODUCE PROCESSING


In response to demand from the produce processing sector for automation that can help combat unskilled labour shortages, Scorpion Vision has developed a new application for its AI-powered 3D vision platform. Apple processing is an extremely labour-intensive task but, until


now, attempts at automation in this area have been unsuccessful. According to the company, the 3D+AI solution will enable fresh produce processors to automate the peeling, coring and chopping of apples without impacting yield for the first time ever. The company is deploying advanced 3D cameras with colour and shape measurement capabilities, and training them to identify and locate certain features – such as the pips – using AI. This intelligence is then passed to a servo in the form of coordinates, and guides the robotic peeler, knife or corer to perform its action with millimetric precision. By applying AI to machine vision in its 3D Agritech camera, Scorpion has succeeded in achieving a very high level of repeatability – key to high yield and minimal wastage. Yields of over 99% can be achieved with this bespoke combination of 3D vision and AI, compared with the yields of 70% that are typical for mechanical or 2D vision systems, the company states.


Scorpion Vision VERSATILE NON-CONTACT LINEAR ENCODERS


SICK has expanded its non-contact magnetostrictive linear encoder portfolio with the launch of a versatile and rugged product family for wide-ranging industrial applications. The DAX linear encoders precisely determine the absolute position of pistons in hydraulic cylinders, as well as reliably monitoring linear motion in many common industrial machines. They also have a flexible product concept to make specification quick and easy, using a unique online configuration tool with options for additional customisation. The family has measuring ranges for applications as diverse as packaging machines, wind, hydro and solar plants, wood processing machinery, or medical technology. It is being launched with three housing designs: one for integration into industrial hydraulic cylinders; a low-profile type with block


magnets for mounting in tight installation situations; and a version with an integrated slider that guides the position magnet, easing the requirements on alignment during mounting. Integration into existing or new machinery is straightforward using standard mechanical


interfaces. For electrical installation, the DAX product family offers a CANopen as well as an analog output for either 0-10 VDC or 4-20 mA. Via the CANopen variant, operators have access to diagnostic capabilities to monitor both sensor parameters and environmental conditions. Diagnostics can also output speed and time profiles to monitor for changes in machine performance. The encoders can be installed in the tightest machine spaces, thanks to a minimal damping zone and an available measuring range between 50mm and 2,500mm, individually configurable in 1mm increments. Specific variants of DAX can also use multiple magnets to provide differential values between positions along the measurement range. The SICK DAX encoders offer all the advantages of non-contact, wear-free magnetostrictive


technology to measure absolute position, so no reference run is required. The linear encoders have an enclosure rating of IP65 and IP67, as well as a temperature range between 40˚C and +85˚C.


SICK 18 DESIGN SOLUTIONS APRIL 2023 www.sick.co.uk T: 01590 679333


VISUALISING VALUABLE MACHINE DATA


Industrial machines need to be serviced and supported throughout their life. The new Ewon Talk2M Visualisation functionality enables machine builders to easily visualise machine data to study trends, create dashboards, set up alarms and provide user-controlled access to any aspect of their customers’ machines. The machine data is collected by an Ewon


Flexy gateway which is connected to the proven industrial cloud solution, Ewon Talk2M. According to the company, more than 400,000 machines are already connected via Talk2M.


HMS Industrial Networks T: 01926 405599


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