Electricity + Control January 2017

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ROUND UP CONTROL SYSTEMS + AUTOMATION
Fastest, most flexible RFID
ifm RFID systems are optimised for quality assurance and produc-
tion control, e.g. for identifying tools or monitoring production
steps. What used to be written in the documents accompanying
the goods is now stored on electronic transponders.
The new DTE103 evaluation unit with EtherCAT – which is the
fastest Ethernet technology with exceptional performance.The free
network topology flexibly adapts to the plant structure. Switches
and hubs are not required.This saves costs.
The devices can be exchanged during operation.This ensures a
high plant uptime.The automatic address allocation simplifies set-
up and device replacement. Specialist IT knowledge is not required.
Enquiries or
email
SPS IPC Drives Expo
PROFIBUS and PROFINET International,
the ODVA and the FDT Group were present
again at the SPS IPC Drives Expo in Nurem-
berg.The international trade fair for electri-
cal automation, systems and components
took place from 22 – 24 November 2016
and encompassed the entire spectrum of
automation technology. Endress+Hauser
experts have been present on various user
organisation stands.The umbrella organisa-
tion PROFIBUS and PROFINET International
participated in the Expo. Endress+Hauser
PROFIBUS and PROFINET devices as well
as their integration into Siemens’ systems
were on show on a newly designed demon-
stration wall. Additional highlights were the
gateway Fieldgate SFG500 and FieldCare,
Endress+Hauser’s software tool for device
configuration and plant asset management.
Typical use cases, which demonstrate the
advantages of digital communication, com-
pleted the presentation.
Endress+Hauser’s growing EtherNet/IP
device portfolio was demonstrated as a
working application, cleaning in place (CIP),
typical for the Food and Beverage and Life
Sciences industries, which was showcased
on the ODVA stand. A multi-vendor demon-
stration model impressively demonstrated
how EtherNet/IP components could be
seamlessly integrated into well-established
systems.
Enquiries: Email
Weld nut sensor detects M5 nuts
Turck is adding variants with a Ø4 mm sen-
sor probe to its range of weld nut sensors.
This makes the detection of missingM5 nuts
before welding even simpler.Turck has also
improved the abrasion resistance of its weld
nut sensors with optional titanium nitride
coatings (TiN). As steel plates and nuts
have to be placed onto these sensors before
welding, they are exposed to a high degree
of friction over their entire service life. The
TiN coating offers protection against wear,
scratches and accumulated welding spatter.
The sensors offer the user a favourable
and reliable way of checking the correct
seating of weld nuts.The work piece and the
weld nut required for welding are placed on
the new sensor probe. Alternative ways of
checking the presence of nuts using laser
sensors or camera technology are consider-
ably more complex and also more prone to
faults. Unlike these alternatives, the weld nut
sensors are easy to install and can be config-
ured to detect the nuts with just a few button
presses of the associated teach adapter.The
weld nut sensors and pigtail cables are also
weld resistant. In addition to theTiN-coated
variants,Turck is also still offering the weld
nut sensors in conventional stainless steel
or brass housings.The various designs are
used to detect nuts with M5 to M20 threads.
Enquiries: RET Automation Controls.
BrandonTopham. Email