PRODUCTS MACHINE CONTROL I/O EXPANSION ENHANCES MACHINE CONTROL SOLUTION


Trio Motion Technology is expanding the capability of its motion-based machine solution to integrate with additional sensors, relays and output devices. The company’s new I/O slices enable OEMs to measure and control temperature as well as easily connect three-wire devices within a compact footprint. The P367 Thermocouple slice has 16-


bit resolution to meet the needs of a wide range of applications – from temperature measurement and monitoring to control of hot melt glue and sealing applications. Four thermocouple inputs feature alongside four outputs for control of a heater or other switched load. Trio is also releasing the P362 Power


Connect module which enables fast, simple, integration of sensors, relays and output devices. This simplifies connection of three-wire sensors into the I/O system and removes the footprint and cost required for additional terminals. With two banks of 10 x 24V and 0V connectors, easy wiring and multiple connection options make installation quicker and simpler, the company explains. Both the Power Connect and


Thermocouple I/O slices feature push-fit wire connections into a cage clamp.


JOYSTICK PLATFORM ENABLES CUSTOM CONTROL


According to RAFI, with its JOYSCAPE joystick platform and add-on options, it is able to implement custom control solutions for any application purpose and with optimum ergonomics for the job. Four differently dimensioned platform modules cover all use cases in various industries such as mechanical engineering, medical technology, or construction and agricultural machinery. For heavy-duty applications, there is the JOYSCAPE ROUGH


model with a shock resistance of 110Nm. For challenging but less rugged applications, there is the versatile JOYSCAPE MULTI basic model, which is available with customised handles. Depending on requirements, thumb joysticks,


rockers, pushbuttons and other actuator or signal elements can be installed, the company explains. Where installation space is tight and control tricky, JOYSCAPE


BASIC, with its free tilt function in the x/y plane, is the optimal solution; while the smallest model in the range is the compact thumb joystick JOYSCAPE TINY. This is designed for flexible integration into joystick handles or other control elements. All variants use wear-free 3D Hall sensors for motion detection; and they have an operating life of up to five million actuation cycles.


RAFI 2 MARCH 2021 | DESIGN SOLUTIONS 6 www.rafi.de / DESIGNSOLUTIONS


Increasing connection security, particularly for applications which could be subject to vibration, the cage clamp system improves reliability and also means faster, simpler wiring without the requirement to use additional tools for installation and maintenance. The slices click-in to Trio’s P366 EtherCAT


Flexslice I/O coupler as well as the pocket-sized 64 axis Flex-6 Nano Motion Coordinator. They join a wide range of existing I/O that facilitates numerous digital and analogue integration options. An advantage of the I/O slice approach compared to a traditional PLC is a saving on footprint and cost, combined with Trio’s motion-first specialisation, the company adds. Larger machines using Trio’s more


powerful Motion Coordinators, which control up to 128 axes, can benefit from decentralised control via Trio’s EtherCAT I/O Flexslice coupler. Trio’s distributed I/O allows local connection to sensors and actuators while maintaining real- time performance over EtherCAT. The company’s motion-first machine


development is based on its Motion-iX core, delivering optimal motion performance for machine designers with all motion commands accessible through an easy to use API.


Trio Motion Technology www.triomotion.com


SUPPORTING THE MQTT PROTOCOL


IDEC Corporation has released a free firmware upgrade enabling new and existing MicroSmart FC6A Plus PLC CPUs to support the industry- standard MQTT protocol. The upgrade can be downloaded to the FC6A CPU, so it is easy for users to connect all types of field data to on-site and cloud-based brokers, and make the information readily available for users and analytical applications. Users can also send commands to the FC6A using MQTT. The FC6A with MQTT capability is


ideal for new automation system designs, or for adding IIoT connectivity to existing systems. MQTT is supported on Ethernet port 1, so the FC6A can use existing wired, Wi-Fi, or mobile data wireless networking to connect with on-site or cloud-based brokers. A typical application would publish machine data from many machines to the cloud, where it would be historized and could be transmitted to subscribing mobile applications.


IDEC www.IDEC.com/usa


TRANSPARENT POWER DELIVERY


ElectroglaZ, a new method of delivering power through glass invisibly, has been introduced by Zytronic. This, the company explains, opens up new opportunities for low power devices and applications without using wires. ElectroglaZ can also deliver


low power (sub 50V / 3A) to USB sockets, induction charging pads, motors, fans, security cameras and sensors, air monitoring units in HVAC systems, and small displays. Furthermore, industrial designers may also combine it with Zytronic’s patented multitouch projected capacitive technology (MPCT) to add multi-user touch interactivity and tangible object recognition in ‘smart’ tables and other design-led furniture. To bring a third dimension to touch, Zytronic’s ZyBridhover


contactless


sensing technology may be another option, which detects user interactions up to 30mm away from the surface of the glass. The technology is a bespoke lamination of two or more conductive yet


completely transparent glass panels. This arrangement allows the transfer of power across the inner conductive coatings within the insulated surfaces of the laminate. To tap into the power, small apertures, typically 30 to 100mm, are machined into the laminated glass where the customer’s connection and electrical device or assembly fits and connects to the positive and negatively charged inner coatings. A 1mm wide printed conductive busbar around the perimeter of the glass is applied to supply the external power into the laminate. Initially, panels will be available in any size up to 1m x1.8m. The maximum number


of mounting holes machined into the glass depends upon the size of both the panel and apertures themselves. However, as a design guide, there should be a minimum of 2x the aperture diameter between each hole, and also from the glass edges.


Zytronic www.zytronic.co.uk/technology/electroglaz/


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