IP Ratings and the Manufacturing Environment

Gary Rosengren - Director of Engineering at Tolomatic has posted an excellent white paper that discusses environmental conditions and how IP ratings may be applied when rod-type and rodless linear actuators are used in these environments.

Click below for the full whitepaper:

IP ratings and the manufacturing environment: How to apply linear actuators for quality, safety and long service life.   (pdf)

Application Spotlight - Ultrasonic Sensors

Ultrasonic Sensors - Sound solutions for object detection and measurement

Whether your application is position detection, distance measurement, or the detection of solid, powder, or liquid media: BUS ultrasonic sensors are precise all-around performers. They remain high-performance independent of color, transparency, and surface properties. Even poor lighting conditions and dark, transparent, or highly reflective objects pose no problem.

Ultrasonic sensors show their true strength when long operating ranges with high accuracy are needed. In dusty, humid, and hazy environments, they are sometimes the only alternative. Even in the case of heavy debris, BUS sensors have proven themselves.

Ultrasonic sensors can be used in many application areas

Foil tear monitoring Ultrasonic sensors
with switching output can be used for foil tear
monitoring. If large waves are formed in the foil,
the sensor should be operated as a diffuse
reflective sensor. This operating mode functions
reliably even if the sound is reflected by waves in
the foil.

Height and width measurement
Through the use of multiple BUS M30 or
BUS 18M ultrasonic sensors, three-dimensional
measurements can be made for everything from
small boxes to large cartons.

Presence verification BUS detect filled or
empty pallets and measure the content of
transport containers. If a box or a container is to
be inspected with multiple sensors, they can be
synchronized with each other.

Robot positioning Due to their small dimensions, BUS are
ideally suited for exactly positioning robot arms:
BUS 18M ultrasonic sensors in threaded
sleeve and BUS R06K in block-style housing.

Control foil sag and monitor roll diameter Using an ultrasonic sensor with analog output, the material on a roll or a coil is detected and the roll drive or a brake readjusted. Another sensor with analog output readjusts the material infeed at the dancer roller as a function of the cable loop.








Scott Equipment offers a complete line of ultrasonic sensors from Balluff.  For additional information on Balluff ultrasonic sensors contact us or visit the Balluff Website.




Application spotlight provided by Balluff: 
Balluff, Inc.
8125 Holton Drive
Florence, KY 41042
www.balluff.us

New hygienic designed electric cylinders are IP69K, stainless steel and USDA approved.

Tolomatic has just released two new sizes of ERD electric cylinders that are hygienically designed, IP69K rated with a USDA Accepted Equipment Certification for meat (livestock), poultry, and dairy food processing applications.

The new hygienic stainless steel design of ERD electric cylinders offer:

• Thrust capacities to 4500 lbf [20,017 N]
• Increased strokes to 39.4 inches [1000 mm]
• Increased speed capacities to 57.5 inches [1460.5 mm]
• Choice of ball, or roller screws 
• Lowest cost stainless steel actuator– with IP69K as standard equipment available out of the catalog with fast delivery 

With the expanded force range the ERD can handle the most demanding jobs such as pressing, cutting, chopping and can replace most pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders with excellent efficiency and operating flexibility.

Get all the details.  Download the ERD brochure, and contact us for an onsite demonstration.

If you are attending the Process Expo at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL you can see the ERD in action at Booth #1316

Pluto Safety PLCs Now with Analog Inputs

ABB Jokab Safety has expanded the range of Safety PLC modules with the Pluto D20, which features 4 safe analog inputs. The I/O configuration is the same as for the Pluto B20 with the added benefit that 4 of the inputs can be used as either ordinary safe inputs or as safe analog inputs 0-10V or 4-20mA.

This allows Pluto to be used in applications where proximity sensors, temperature sensors, pressure and flow sensor monitoring is required for the Category 4/SIL3 PLe protection of personal around hazardous machinery.  The key advantage of Pluto Safety PLCs over conventional Safety PLCs is that the Pluto modules can see each other’s inputs and outputs, enabling simple communication, programming and changes to the safety system.  More Information

Download Pluto Safety PLCs product Overview (PDF)
Download Pluto D20 fact sheet (PDF)
Watch video:  "Machine safety systems"
Request Catalog
Request a quote

SMC's VEX3 Valve - True 3-Position 3-Way Poppet Valves

SMC's VEX3 valve can simplify, improve, and increase the performance of many pneumatic and vacuum applications.  The VEX3 valve is a true 3-way, 3-position closed center valve.  Available in internally-piloted solenoid, externally-piloted solenoid, and an air-pilot version the valve can be applied in applications from low vacuum to 145 psi.

What makes this valve unique and versatile is the valve's pressure balancing poppet design.  What are the benefits of a poppet design?

• Fast Response - When actuated the valve port is immediately open to full air flow.
• High flow rates - up to 37 Cv with a VEX3
• Closed Crossover - When shifting the valve closes one flow path before opening another.  Unlike spool valves this means you have no transitional state where leakage can occur.  This provides you more precise control between positions.
• Longer Life - Poppet valves have a longer life than spool valves.  The poppet valve design results in less wear on the seals.

Where can you apply a VEX3?

• Vacuum Suction, Release (or blow off), and all ports blocked - The VEX3 is ideal for vacuum applications where people traditionally applied multiple 3-way valves or plugged ports on a 4-way.  Using 4-way valves in this application can result in blow by when switching positions and sluggish response.  The VEX3 allows full vacuum and pressure flow immediately with no blow-by when switching from vacuum to pressure.  You can select between pressure, vacuum, or all ports blocked.

• Operation of Double Acting Cylinders - In this application you use two VEX3 valves, one to each port of the cylinder.  In this application you can put the cylinder in one of 9 different states (3 valve positions x 3 valve positions) including slow stopping, acceleration and deceleration.

• Selector or Divider Valve - The pressure balancing poppet permits flow in any direction and allows you to use the valve as a pressure selector or direction divider valve.

For additional information see the specifications at the link below:

SMC VEX3 Specifications

Why use Mencom M23 instead of MIN Style Connectors?

From Stefanie Schumacher / Mencom:

"Why would I use the M23 12 pole or 19 pole instead of the MIN style?"  That's a great question and I asked it myself.  There are two predominant reasons:

1. The encoder industry uses M23's almost exclusively.
2. In every other country outside of the USA, M23's are used instead of MIN's, so you will be seeing these more and more.

These connectors are manufactured in Oakwood, GA by Mencom.  See the flyer link for more information.

Flyer Link:   M23 Cables & Receptacles

Proportional Air Motor Control

Check out these videos taken at the 2012 Pack Expo show.  The first demonstrates proportional control of an air motor using Enfield servo valves.




The second video below demonstrates proportional control of a rack and pinion rotary actuator.

SMC's New LAT3 Miniature Linear Motor Actuator

SMC's new LAT3 series card motors are miniaturized electric actuators incorporating a linear motor, linear guide and a displacement sensor. These units are designed for the following applications:

• Small working envelope - 9 mm thick, 60 - 90 mm long, 50 mm wide 
• Low pushing force  - maximum pushing force of 6 N
• High accuracy - repeatability ± 5µm
• Measurement - ± 10µm pushing measurement accuracy (with an example load mass of 100 g, and stroke of 5mm)
• High Duty Cycle - Up to 500 cycles per minute.

The unit is very easy to program.  Enter the position, move time, and the load mass and the controller will automatically calculate the speed, acceleration, and deceleration necessary to make the move.

For additional information see the PDF catalog at this link:  SMC LAT3 PDF Catalog

If you need application assistance or would like a demonstration of the unit please contact Scott Equipment.

Enfield in Toroidal Engine Concept

The video below shows Enfield LS series high performance servo valves being used in a toroidal engine.  Response time and performance are critical in this application.  The valves used are Enfield LS-V15c valves.  Complete information on the LS line of valves can be found here:  http://enfieldtech.com/products/valves/

No-Drip, Quick Disconnect Fluid Coupler for Use in Electronic Equipment

SMC's new KKA couplers are designed to quickly connect/disconnect equipment to a liquid coolant supply.  The KKA couplers are ideal for server farms where centralized cooling systems must be connected to multiple servers that need to be easily disconnected for maintenance.

These modules feature:

• No-Drip Design* with integral check valve on both the plug and socket.
• Minimal pressure drop through the coupling
• Compact design, lightweight, and grease free
• Smooth and easy connect/disconnect - easily done with a single hand
• Minimal aeration at each connection
• Operates reliably when subjected to shock and vibration
• Designed specifically to withstand water hammer effects - handles 1,450 psi burst pressure

For more information click here to view the SMC KKA series flyer.

If you would like a sample, or application assistance please Contact Us.

*Incredibly low dripping upon connect and disconnect (as low as 0.02 cubic cm) see this link for more information on dripping characteristics by size.