Advances in processor technology for servo drives continue to expand the features and capabilities they offer. Choosing a new drive or control system over an existing system ultimately depends on the application requirements. The AKD2G servo drive platform employs a new dual core processor and increased memory for high performance applications. A variety of applications can take advantage of its advanced capabilities, ease of use, and flexibility. Machine builders should consider five critical drive elements to upgrade from AKD to AKD2G.
Valve position feedback and end position monitoring systems are used in process engineering plants to transfer information about the state of valves to the control panels and control rooms. Modern solutions operate inductively and offer several advantages over conventional feedback systems with mechanical contacts, which often have a limited-service life. Inductive noncontact systems from Pepperl+Fuchs are suitable for almost any challenge—from indoor, outdoor, and extreme applications to use in hazardous areas and with low-power electronics. Find out in this blog article which dual inductive sensor from Pepperl+Fuchs is the optimal solution for your application.
Electric motors are ubiquitous, powering heavy industrial machineries to everyday household appliances. Nearly half of the world’s electricity is used in powering electric motors, many of which are running with poor efficiency. In the latest episode of ABB Decoded podcast, Adrian Guggisberg, President of ABB’s Motion Services division, discusses how a significant amount of energy can be saved by applying digital technologies to the installed base.
Read more: Applying Energy-Efficient Solutions to Electric...
The global wire and cable market worldwide is estimated to grow from $335 billion in 2021 to nearly $427 million by 2026 according to a report by Research and Markets. The market is expected to grow annually by about five percent over the next five years. This continued growth is being driven by the increasing demand for electric vehicles, industrial automation products and infrastructure cables.
Read more: The Importance of Industrial Cable Resistance to...
Recently, the Ontario Northland Remanufacturing and Repair Centre in North Bay received $109 million in funding from the Ontario government to refurbish 56 GO Transit bi-level raid coaches. The funding is part of the government’s plan to expand service across the GO rail network and support economic development and job creation in the North. Drives & Control Solutions had the opportunity to ask Lonnie Little, Director of Rail Mechanics at Ontario Northland, about this funding and about the Remanufacturing and Repair Centre. With over a decade of experience at Ontario Northland, he is an experienced railroad professional who knows his rail mechanics.
Read more: Ontario Northland’s Remanufacturing and Repair...
Making sure your Industrial Ethernet cables are designed for your application and meet the correct approvals will ensure the system provides the most reliable and optimum performance. Regional Sales Director Brian Bookamer shares with us some of the questions he hears in the field regarding Industrial Ethernet cables.
At Omron, they are always working to expand the limits of what is possible with sensors. Presence detection – whether through proximity, photoelectric, or fiber optic sensor technology – is crucial for all manufacturing industries, and Omron’s goal is to be able to cover the unique requirements of any application. Although there are many ways to make progress in sensing technology, they place a premium on three key areas of innovation: smarter sensors, longer sensing distances, and robust, IP-rated technology. In this article, Omron looks at each in turn.
Read more: Get to Know Omron’s Top Three Trends in Sensor...
Limitations on the electrical power system make it important for the customer to reduce harmonics in their system to avoid voltage disruption and overheating of the mechanical and electrical components within the industrial plant. There are several ways to reduce harmonics, each with its costs and benefits. Drives & Control Solutions had the opportunity to hear from Martin Royer, local Division Manager for System Drives at ABB Canada, to discuss why Ultra-Low Harmonic Drives (ULH) with an active front-end are a preferred choice for businesses and utility owners.
As development progresses and the benefits for the process industry become clearer, interest in and demand for the Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer, or Ethernet-APL for short, are growing. The debate about this innovative technology is becoming increasingly intense, so that more and more users from all over the world are approaching our experts with questions. You will find the most important answers here–and thus seven good reasons why this technology should not be missing in your plant.
The safety and well-being of tunnel users depend on excellent ventilation. With its compact electric drives, ABB helps designers and operators of major infrastructures to meet the major technical challenges. In Canada, ABB proudly contributes to the safety of the Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine tunnels in Montreal and the Crosslinx project in Toronto by installing its ACS880-17 and ACS880-37 series drives.
Read more: ABB, a Trusted Partner in Tunnel Ventilation in...
Editor's Pick: Featured Article
Put to the Ultimate Test – Part 1: Torsion Tests by HELUKABEL
Cables and wires in industrial robots and other moving machine parts are often required to withstand extreme stresses caused by torsion. Constant repetitive movements put materials under considerable strain. At the same time, operators expect components to function perfectly and reliably throughout their entire service life to avoid disruptions, outages and safety hazards.
For this reason, at HELUKABEL, we simulate intensive and continuous torsion stresses under realistic conditions with our high-tech testing equipment in Windsbach. We have several types of apparatus for doing this because some of our customers, for example those in the automotive industry, have very precise specifications for how a torsion test is carried out. The tests show that our cables and wires withstand speeds up to 1,000°/s, accelerations up to 2,000°/s² and torsion angles up to 720°. Hence, we make sure that each product always meets our customers’ high standards, and that they receive the impeccable quality they rightly expect from us as a leading supplier of cables, wires and accessories for more than 40 years.
What Is Torsion?
To learn the answer, click here
Sponsored Content
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Festo Didactic at the Forefront of Developing Canada’s Future Work Force
With Canadian manufacturing suffering from a growing labour shortage, the participation of industry in skills development is emerging as a vital component in hiring and retention.
The needs are stark: The Canadian Exporters and Manufacturers Association says almost 40% of its members have jobs they can’t fill. Five years from now, 60% expect to be short-staffed, especially when it comes to skilled trades. Statistics Canada forecasts the country’s labour force growth rate will remain below 0.2% for the rest of the decade, below replacement levels.
This growing shortage is affecting companies of all sizes. Already, some manufacturers acknowledge losing out on contracts because they can’t find the manpower to fulfill them.
In reality, the challenge is two-fold: to replenish and expand the workforce to help close the gap between the number of job seekers and vacancies through 2030 when the last baby boomers reach age 65, and ensure workers get opportunities throughout their careers to upgrade or add to their skillset as current technologies evolve and new ones emerge. Festo, through Festo Didactic, one of the world leading provider of equipment and solutions for technical education, intends to help Canada meet this challenge on both fronts. In essence, the approach Festo has always taken is that the learning never stops.
Read more here
Product News
New Emerson Valves Deliver Proportional Flow Control Performance in Exacting Applications
Emerson recently introduced the ASCO™ Series 209 proportional flow control valves, which offer the highest standards of precision, pressure ratings, flow characteristics and energy efficiency available in a purpose-built, compact architecture. With this combination of size and performance, Series 209 valves allow users to precisely regulate the flow of fluid in a wide range of devices that require exacting performance, like those found in the medical equipment, food and beverage, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industries.
Accuracy, response time and repeatability are critical in high-precision flow control applications, such as controlling tool speed in dental chairs, the flow of steam in coffee makers, water flow in cooling systems and hydrogen flow in fuel cells. Series 209 valves have low hysteresis (less than or equal to 5%), excellent repeatability (less than or equal to 1%) and high sensitivity (less than or equal to 0.2%) that contribute to their precision.
To find out more, click here
Featured Product
Teledyne Announces New Ladybug6 Cameras for High Accuracy 360-Degree Spherical Image Capture
Teledyne FLIR Integrated Imaging Solutions is pleased to announce the all new Ladybug6— the latest addition to its field proven Ladybug series. Ladybug6 is the leading high-resolution camera designed to capture 360-degree spherical images from moving platforms in all-weather conditions. Its industrial grade design and out-of-the-box factory calibration produces 72 Megapixel (MP) images with pixel values that are spatially accurate within +/- 2 mm at 10-meter distance.
“The new Teledyne Ladybug6 is designed for mobile mapping and all-weather inspection projects requiring excellent image quality and high resolution,” said Mike Lee, Senior Product Manager at Teledyne FLIR. “With the addition of Ladybug6, we are now pleased to offer a wider variety of spherical cameras with higher resolutions ranging from 30 MP to 72 MP.”
To learn more, click here
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