New Products

PTFE-Free Telescopic Rail System

igus (Rumford, RI) has introduced an aluminum version of its drylin ^® NT-60 telescopic rail, eliminating the use of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and over 100 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). A safer choice for customers, this rail system extends up to 2 meters (ms) and is suitable for many applications, including vehicles, furniture, and medical technology. Despite incorporating a new, PTFE-free plain bearing, the drylin ^® NT-60-4 telescopic rail does not compromise performance. Experts at igus have tested the robustness of the material at its in-house test laboratory. Rails carried a centric load of 200 Newtons (N) in a vertical installation, and the system remained functional after 25,000 opening/closing cycles. Consisting of three interlocking aluminum profiles, the drylin ^® NT-60 rail system has a width of 60 mm and height of 24 mm. Full-extension and partial-extension versions are available. Rail profiles are available in silver or black anodized, and igus ^® offers flat variants (NTKA-60), as well as versions with highend caps (NTKB-60) for edge protection.

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Drive Integration Tool

Tolomatic Inc. (Hamel, MN) has introduced its online Drive Integration Tool that streamlines the selection and commissioning process to seamlessly match a drive system to a servo linear actuator. The new Drive Integration Tool combines the motor, drive, feedback, and connection information across a wide range of industry-leading manufacturers with Tolomatic’s own servo linear actuator specifications. By consolidating this data, Tolomatic offers a straightforward solution for engineers to ensure compatibility between servo linear actuators and automation control architecture and simplify commissioning. This online tool’s simple interface further increases its usability, providing engineers with three simple steps to arrive at a suggested cable connector for use with their system. The Drive Integration Tool also outputs the motor and feedback data you need to commission the system along with a pin connection readout graphic and data sheet, which can be downloaded as either a PDF or Excel file.

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Pressure Relief Valve

Emerson (Stafford, TX) introduced the Anderson Greenwood Type 84 Pressure Relief Valve (PRV), specially designed to protect tanks and vessels used in hydrogen and other high-pressure gas applications. With Arlon ^® 3000XT* thermoplastic seating and ASME SA-479 Type S21800 stainless steel spindle material, the Type 84 PRV delivers exceptional leak-tight performance, resistance to embrittlement, optimum seat tightness, high reliability and long service life. Type 84 valves feature a unique cartridge assembly design to apply uniform spring pressure, resulting in secure seat sealing and leak-tight performance. They are factory tested with helium and nitrogen, both accepted industry-wide as a substitute for hydrogen. Anderson Greenwood Type 84 valves comply with key industry standards for safety and performance, including ASME) Section VIII and XIII, National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NB) certification, and American Petroleum Institute (API) 527.

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Adaptive Robot

Flexiv (Santa Clara, CA) has partnered with KURABO, a Japanese pioneer in highspeed image processing and 3D measurement technology, to develop the groundbreaking KURAVIZON adaptive robot. KURABO’s KURASENSE technology, which functions as both the “eyes” and “brain” of the robotic system, combined with Flexiv’s Rizon robot as the integration platform, creates an ideal automation solution for industries in Japan that demand absolute precision and efficiency. With a payload capacity of up to 10 kg and industry-leading force sensors enabling precision measurements down to 0.03 newtons, the Rizon series is optimally suited for applications requiring precision, flexibility, and seamless human-robot collaboration. By integrating KURASENSE with Flexiv’s adaptive robots, the KURAVIZON system delivers unmatched performance for tasks demanding high accuracy, adaptability, and cost efficiency.

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Safety Support

Kollmorgen has announced the latest update to its SafeMotion™ Monitor (SMM) firmware: SMM2.0. This upgrade allows OEMs to leverage SMM functional safety features with more encoder and motor types to support a wider range of applications such as material forming, multi-axis measurement equipment, food processing, and food packaging. Originally standard for the 2G Motion System, SMM2.0 will now be compatible with all motors that feature any HIPERFACE-DSL rotary-safe feedback system. This includes the AKM2G and AKMA motor lines, which now feature a wider range of feedback system options. SMM2.0 also enables a second instance of Safe Operating Stop (SOS) for greater design flexibility. As a result of updated regulations related to functional safety enacted by the EU, customers across the globe, in a wide range of industries, are seeking upgrades to meet these new standards. SMM2.0 makes compliance easier, with a comprehensive set of 16 safety features, including SafePosition, SafeStop, and SafeSpeed. SMM2.0 provides easy, drive-resident functional safety for a wider range of motors, for demanding applications.

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Next-Level Automation

With TwinCAT Core Boost, Beckhoff (Savage, MN) is supercharging its proven TwinCAT 3 runtime and robust multicore processing power with turbo mode. TwinCAT Core Boost increases the computing performance of individual real-time or user-mode cores by up to 50 percent. Now, systems can achieve maximum performance, adapt to unique application requirements, and possibly use lower cost CPUs while tapping into extra performance for specific tasks as needed. TwinCAT software’s multi-thread capabilities have long enabled applications to be distributed across multiple cores. TwinCAT Core Boost takes that to the next level by enabling users to configure the clock frequency of individual processor cores. The clock rate per core can be defined for real-time transmission and user-mode applications. Individual cores can operate permanently and in real-time using this “turbo mode.” TwinCAT Core Boost monitors the permitted power consumption and temperature of each processor core (and of the overall system) to ensure reliable operation even when turbo mode is used.

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Linear Actuator Selection

Thomson Industries, Inc. (Downers Grove, IL) has announced a significant upgrade to its stepper motor linear actuator (SMLA) online selector tool, adding the ability to include encoders in the design process. The new option streamlines the design and purchasing process for engineers and machine builders, making it even easier for them to weigh their options for incorporating position data into their designs. The Thomson selector tool automates the process of selecting the right SMLA for machine design needs. With a few intuitive steps, engineers can define motor frame size, screw and nut configurations, and now, thanks to this upgrade, they can also specify the exact encoder required for their application. Users can specify encoder cycles per revolution (CPR), non-index or index feedback control, or single-ended or differential output without leaving the online specification session. As users make their selections, the tool automatically updates the product specifications and provides real-time visualization, reflecting changes in the actuator’s dimensions and design. Pricing is integrated into the tool as well so that users are able to complete the entire process — from criteria selection to purchase — within a single, convenient workflow.

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Compact Wheel Drives

Orbex Group (Austin, TX) introduced a new family of compact wheel drives (CWD), increasing its offering of precision motion solutions. The CWD-500 and CWD-1000 are integrated motor, gearbox, encoder and wheel combination units, designed to facilitate easy application in compact robotic applications like autonomous mobile robots and automated guided vehicles. Both the 600-watt CWD-500 and 1,200-watt CWD-1000 are compact enough to fit into tight installation spaces and are designed to have the minimum axial length. Each wheel drive features a 160-mm wheel diameter, with larger diameter wheels as an option. Their innovative design also offers excellent power and torque density and high axial and radial load capacities, while quality construction provides smooth, precise and reliable motion for up to 30,000 hours. The defining feature of the CWD-500 and CWD-1000 is an integrated gearbox that ensures efficient operation with 90 percent reducer efficiency and a 15:1 gear ratio. For precise positioning, both wheel drives feature a 16,384-count encoder and are designed to minimize backlash to less than 30 arcminutes.

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Direct Drive Linear Motor

Moticont (Van Nuys, CA) has added the SDLM-016-032-01-01-M (Metric) Direct Drive Linear Motor with an integrated encoder and temperature sensor to their SDLM Series of Metric and Imperial dimensioned high precision linear actuators. This motor is the smallest of the series of linear motors featuring zero backlash, zero cogging, high acceleration, high speed, high resolution, and long life. Also known as an electric cylinder, this compact direct drive linear motor is just 15.9 mm (0.625 in) in diameter and 31.8 mm (1.25 in) long. Protected inside the motor housing, a 1.25-micron resolution linear quadrature encoder directly connected to the shaft provides the greatest possible accuracy with zero backlash. Additionally, monitoring the temperature from the internal temperature sensor optimizes highest possible throughput. This non-commutated, low inertia, direct drive servo motor has quiet long life, plain linear bearings and connections are easily made via a flex cable terminated in a 10-pin female connector.

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