Control Systems

Ethernet Direct Corporation has announced a new hardware tool especially designed for Industrial Managed switches for flexibility and easy configuration anytime and anywhere. The ED-Key is an easy-to-use, plug-and-play hardware tool for Ethernet Direct managed switches. It connects to a managed switch via its RS-232 console port for users to save and load setup configurations to the managed switch via the embedded web server.

Bürkert and BBS-Systems AG of Switzerland have formed an alliance that offers combined competence and a single source for specific system solutions in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical- and food market sectors. The alliance provides a unique synergy of Burkert’s valve, sensor, process control, hazardous area and specialist products with BBS’s sterile range of ancillary piping, flanges, connectors, indicators, sampling systems and vessel equipment.

Steinmeyer, Inc. announced the MP63 3 axis micro manipulator module, a fully enclosed 3 axis positioner with 25 mm stroke in each direction. Included inside the compact precision assembly are dc gear motors, rotary encoders, lead screws, and non-contact limit switches. Accuracy in each direction is 5 microns with ± 1 micron repeatability.

Heason Technology has been awarded a £ ¼ million order by Synchrotron Soleil, the French national synchrotron facility and research laboratory. Heason are to design and manufacture four nanopositioning manipulators that combine as a 14 axis ultra-high vacuum and low magnetic motion system to position samples and optics for an exciting new soft x-ray scanning photoemission microscope project called ANTARES.

STEMMER IMAGING will be announcing several new cameras at Photonex09, highlighting the enormous diversity available in its camera portfolio. Camera launches include a new smart camera and a simple high resolution colour camera with an integral SD storage card. Also on show for the first time will be infrared cameras from the Xenics range and DALSA’s Falcon 4M60 colour camera.

Westermo Data Communications, has released a range of high performance industrial Ethernet switches with enhanced routing functionality. The RedFox series is designed to build cost effective, secure and reliable networks that would previously have required several different units.

JVL presents a step motor controller with RS485 and CANbus serial interface. 8 IO´s can be configured as inputs, outputs, or analogue input that can be controlled via a nanoPLC and MacTalk graphic programming. The very compact 57x57mm PCB contains everything required to solve a modern control task either as a stand-alone controller or controlled from a PLC or PC via serial commands or IO. MODBUS RTU and CANopen give the possibility for easy and fast connection to a PLC. For PC or IPC an ActiveX/OCX driver is available for simple interfacing to LABview, Excel, VB or other Windows programs. The SMC75 uses the same protocol as the MAC motors and can therefore be connected to the same RS485 bus system.

Working with volatile liquids and gases is an everyday occurrence in pharmaceutical and chemical industries, often involving hazardous: i.e. explosive, atmospheres (ATEX rated 1/21). Historically, this has meant that control cabinets combining electrical and pneumatic devices could not be used in these areas. This was due to the risk of corrosion of electrical parts, which could subsequently cause an explosion. Today, a new solution permits the combination of electrical and pneumatic devices with Fieldbus communications, even in zone 1/21 environments. Developed by Burkert, this combines the company’s AirLINE Ex 8650 system with modules from the intrinsically safe SIMATIC ET 200iSP system from Siemens. It provides users with a complete ATEX certified unit for use in zone 1/21, achieving cost savings by delivering substantial reductions in cabinet space, wiring, documentation and validation.

Phidgets Inc. released the 1066 - PhidgetAdvancedServo 1-Motor which allows users to control the position, velocity, and acceleration of one RC servo motor. The PWM to the servo is updated 50 times per seconds and has a resolution of .007º.

Ethernet Direct Corporation launches HMG-448GE-CD, an enhanced version of Industrial Managed Gigabit switch that comes with extended operating temperature of -40 to 80 deg C especially designed for mission critical applications like in military, power & utilities, mining and other areas with hazardous environments.