Monday, November 11, 2019



Murrelektronik's IO-Link basic hubs connect to an IO-Link master and allow you to easily expand your system. Hubs allow up to an additional 16 points of connectivity to non-IO-Link sensors and valves. 


  • IO-Link version 1.1
  • IP67 Rated
  • Fully potted electronics in a robust housing
  • Shock and vibration resistant

Need More Info?


IO-Link Hub Flyer Murr MVK Metal and Impact67 Catalog

Friday, October 11, 2019

Floating Magnets vs Sliding Captive Magnets on Transducers

Magnetostrictive linear transducers are feedback sensors that give an analog or digital signal relative to the position of a magnet along the waveguide.  One of the common questions we are asked is should I use a captive or floating magnet?  The answer depends on the application and the environment. 

Floating Magnets
Floating magnets are attached to the moving part with the transducer mounted parallel.  The magnet is not directly coupled to the transducer and thus an air gap exists between the transducer and the magnet.
  • Floating magnets overcome the typical issue of debris and sticky fluid buildup overtime on the transducer track or rod. This is the main cause of mechanical failure on a sliding track magnet. 
  • They can be mounted directly on the moving part, so machine wear is compensated, giving you a more realistic position over time. It allows you to monitor machine part wear. 
  • They are easier to mount to the moving part versus a rod and possibly 2 ball or eye swivels- where you have 1 on the magnet and one on moving part.
  • Magnetostrictive technology has advanced to allow a greater gap between the sensor inside the track and the magnet itself.  Distance is dependent on transducer and magnet type. 
  • The technology advances have also allowed slightly more variance in magnet to transducer distance (X) over the length of the device within reason. Also, non- parallel movement (Y) is now more forgiving. Still should not allow both!  The transducer should be mounted parallel to the moving part. 
  • There are many options available for floating magnet types.
  • One issue is they cannot be mounted directly to steel or iron. Insulated mounting blocks are available with the magnets, or you can make your own non-ferrous mount. 
  • EMF or high inductive local interference will also affect floating magnets.  In these environments do not use a floating magnet. 

Captive Magnets
Captive magnets ride in a track on the transducer and are linked with a mechanical linkage to the moving part.
  • Captive magnets are used in relatively clean environments.
  • They are used where you cannot put the transducer body close to the moving part.  
  • A common perception is that the bearing surfaces and swivel eyes will wear with time. This is true only where direction change is sudden and at high speeds. Also -dirt/oil. Usually not an issue.
  • As position repeatability is the most typical and desired function of any transducer even if play develops it may not be an issue if measurement is only in one direction. 
  • 3 more parts to break. 
  • The main reason for captive magnet use? X/Y variance of magnet distance to the transducer will never vary and a floating magnet will not work in the application.
Have questions on transducers?  Contact us and we will be glad to assist with your application.

Monday, September 23, 2019




Mico Pro is Murrelektronik's innovative, new current monitoring system. This modular system enables you to adapt Mico systems to suit specific applications while meeting both space and cost requirements.

Proven Technology, Innovative Packaging

  • Modular system for 12 and 24VDC operating voltages
  • Tool-free assembly for a closed system
  • Fixed modules with 1, 2 or 4 channels for tripping currents of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 16A
  • Flex modules with 1, 2 or 4 channels for tripping currents of 1-10A or 11-20A - adjustable in 1A increments with the press of a button
  • Minimum space required - modules are 8, 12, or 24mm wide

Need More Info?

Click on an image below to download related literature
 Mico Pro Flyer PDF
  Mico Pro Catalog PDF

Monday, September 9, 2019

IMPACT 67 & MVK

IODD ON BOARD



Now you can set up machines and systems with IO-Link devices even faster. Murrelektronik is the first manufacturer to offer "IODD on board" which allows you to "Plug & Play" when integrating IO-Link devices.

An IODD (IO Device Description) file describes sensors and valves. It contains information about the device's identity, parameters, process data, diagnosis data, communication properties and other details.  Murrelektronik's new MVK Metal and Impact67 fieldbus modules will have the ability for IODD files (for participating manufacturers IO-Link devices) integrated into the GSD file. If those devices - like IO-Link sensors or valve clusters - are included in an installation, this database is available and can be quickly integrated.  Prior to this each new IO-Link master had to be individually integrated into the software taking up valuable time. If a large number of identical sensors had to be connected, the process had to be repeated for each new device on the network - a time consuming and error-prone process.

Now, with "IODD on board", the IO-Link master is configured by the control - and the setup is complete. Just "Plug & Play" and the job is done. You also have the option to integrate IO-Link devices by asynchronous access.

All of Murrelektronik's new IO-Link modules correspond to IO-Link specification 1.1. and are equipped with IO-Link Class A and B ports.

For more information click the link below:
Plug & Play with IO-Link PDF


Tuesday, September 3, 2019

New from Datalogic - Stand Alone Laser Sentinel

Datalogic has released a new version of their fantastic Laser Sentinel product.  The new Stand Alone Laser Sentinel is ideal for single scanner applications. 

SMC's JSXFA Pulse Valve for Dust Collectors - Video Overview


Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Thursday, September 28, 2017

New MACM - Centering Unit from:

SMC's new MACM contributes to space saving on conveyor lines.  Heavy workpieces can now be aligned and positioned with small cylinders, resulting in compact conveyor lines.

Maximum allowable load weight 2205 lbs


Workpieces can be moved in any direction:  forward/backward, right/left, at an angle, and even rotated (360 degrees).  Ball bearings allow for smooth operation.


Table center has a moveable range of 100mm Max (MACM10-50)


Application Example:  Conveyor Line

1.  Transferred workpieces are stopped
Workpieces transferred at an angle are stopped at an alignment point (stops where the centering unit is installed).
2.  Centering unit rises
Cylinder rises to lift the workpiece (separates roller conveyor from workpiece).
3.  Workpiece alignment/table lock
Alignment cylinder correct skewed workpieces and realigns them.  After alignment the table of the centering unit is locked to maintain the corrected position even after the adjustment cylinders are released.

4.  Centering unit descends/workpiece is transferred to next step
Cylinder descends, places workpiece back on the roller conveyor, and transfers it to the next step.

Additional information available in SMC's New Products Guide Vol. 4

Contact us today for more information.

Friday, November 18, 2016

Lowering Dew Point to Protect Expensive Automation Equipment

Failure to remove water vapor from factory air can quickly become a costly maintenance headache.

Water vapor and the resulting water condensate are the foremost causes of costly downtime and maintenance, not the more visible culprit of oil or contaminants, which are easily removed with proper filtration.

Moisture in facility airlines can cause corrosion, rust and pipe scale which can break loose to block or adhere to air passageways that can lead to increased pressure drop and loss in machine performance.

Aftercoolers, drip legs and water separators are used to remove water condensate from factory compressed air. However, this air is still at 100% relative humidity and is still at risk of condensing into water should the surrounding temperatures drop to its dew point.

In order to increase protection of expensive automation equipment, factory compressed air must remove as much water vapor as possible to avoid any condensation further downstream.

This is done by lowering its dew point.

How is Dew Point Lowered in Factory Compressed Air? 

Drying compressed air at the highest pressure consistent with the facility’s demands will result in the most economical dryer operation. For most industrial applications, the rule is to first set the pressure dew point to meet general requirements, then adjust it 20 °F lower than the facility’s lowest ambient temperature.

Hence, factory air dryness or dew point is relative to the application’s specific requirements.

SMC Refrigerated Dryer
Refrigerated dryers are the most common measure to lower dew point. A refrigerated dryer will further cool the compressed air by removing heat at its inlet side and lowering its temperature dew point down to 37 °F, then expelling the condensate through an automatic condensate drain. The dryer will then reheat the dried compressed air back to ambient temperature by recycling the previously removed heat using a heat exchange process. This reheating of the compressed air to ambient temperature will eliminate “sweating” cold pipes when working in humid factory conditions.

It is recommended that a coalescing filter be installed upstream from the refrigerated dryer to remove any compressor oil and other contaminants that may still be trapped in the compressed air to ensure the dryer’s proper functioning. Oil coating the cooling surfaces decreases efficiency while coalescing filters saturated with liquid water will reduce its drying capacity.

In circumstances where factory piping is exposed to ambient temperatures lower than the dew point achievable by refrigerated drying, alternate methods of drying must be considered.

SMC Membrane Dryers
Membrane dryers use hollow fibers composed of a macro molecular membrane through which water vapor passes easily, but is difficult for air (oxygen and nitrogen) to pass through. When humid, compressed air is supplied to the inside of the hollow fibers, only the water vapor permeates the membrane and is drawn to the outside due to the pressure differential between the moisture inside and outside the hollow fibers. The compressed air becomes dry air and continues to flow unimpeded out of the membrane dryer.

A portion of the dry air from the outlet side is passed through a very small orifice to reduce the pressure and purge the outside of the hollow fibers. The moisture that permeated to the outside of the hollow fibers is discharged to atmosphere by the purge air which in turn creates a low partial pressure allowing the dehumidification process to continuously perform.

By altering the air flow rate and membrane configurations, pressure dew points from +55 °F to -44 °F can be achieved. Membrane air dryers are a cost effective solution for point-of-use applications for pharmaceutical manufacturing, packaging, laboratory environments and other applications.

SMC Desiccant Dryers
Desiccant dryers pass air through beds of desiccant, an absorbent material such as silica gel or activated alumina, which adsorb water vapor to its surface to effectively lower dew points to temperatures well below that which a refrigerated dryer can achieve. Heatless regenerative models use a pair of desiccant beds which alternate in service while the off-line bed is regenerated via a pressure swing adsorption process. Pressure dew points from +16 °F to -40 °F and beyond can be achieved with a desiccant dryer.

Both membrane and desiccant dryers are adversely affected by the presence of oils or liquid water and must be protected with a quality coalescing filter.

What is the Appropriate Dew Point?

Over specifying an application’s or a facility’s dew point can be very costly due to exorbitant energy bills just as the maintenance costs for water vapor damage to product lines can be for an under specified dew point.

Drying the entire factory compressed air supply to -10 °F dew point is unnecessary and extremely wasteful. It is a sensible practice to dry the compressed air to a dew point 20 °F lower than the factory’s lowest ambient temperature then subdivide each compressed air supply by application using zone or point-of-use membrane or desiccant dryers to provide the appropriate level of dryness.

The costs of energy, downtime, replacing production components, end product defects or even loss of brand value are just a few factors to consider when determining an appropriate dew point.

For more on dryers and lowering your dew point, visit www.smcusa.com or contact Scott Equipment

Content from SMC Insider Best Practices 1.2

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Hiwin Take 5

Now through the end of the year, mention Hiwin take 5, when you request a quote or place an order with Scott Equipment, and receive an extra 5% off your Hiwin guideway order.  If you need assistance crossing over a competitive product let us help.  Contact us to receive a quote or assistance in specifying your guideway.

About Hiwin Linear Guideway:
Linear guideways provide a type of linear motion that utilizes re-circulating rolling elements between a profiled rail and a bearing block.  The coefficient of friction on a linear guideway is only 1/50 compared to a traditional slide and are able to take loads in all directions.  With these features, a linear guideway can achieve high precision and greatly enhanced moving accuracy.  Hiwin Corporation offers multiple linear guideway series and each series features different options for sizes, loading capabilities, accuracy, and more.


 Special offer only valid for orders that are placed and scheduled for shipment with Scott Equipment Company, Inc. between 9/1/2016 and 12/31/2016.  The Hiwin Take 5 promotion will appear on quotes, orders, and invoices as a single order discount.  For example, if your order for Hiwin Guideway is $5,000, a line item “HIWIN TAKE 5 PROMOTION” with a negative sale amount of -$250 will appear on your order, invoice, and quote.