Electricity + Control January 2017

CONTROL SYSTEMS + AUTOMATION

ROUND UP

New servo range boosts machine productivity

The new 1S servo range from Omron of- fers optimised installation and set-up, with features to enhance machine productivity significantly. Designed specifically to meet the needs of today’s machine builders, the range offers outstanding performance, complemented by space-saving compact construction. Power ratings range from 100W to 3 kW. Omron Country General Manager Victor Marques explains that all models incor- porate a 23-bit high-resolution encoder as standard, and all have an exceptionally short 125 µs network cycle time. “These features allow users to achieve faster ma- chine speeds, without impairing accuracy or repeatability,” Marques stresses. Controllers in the 1S range allow accurate profile generation, while the high-resolution encoders, in conjunction with enhanced loop control, ensure that profiles are fol- lowed accurately. Comparedwith previousmodels, Omron’s

new 1S range enable savings of up to 50% in setup and installation time. A software tool makes servo sizing fast and easy, while system configuration is handled quickly by NJ Project Autobuilder and the setup wizard for key parameters.

the hard-wired safe torque off functionality that meets the requirements of PLe (EN ISO 13849-1) and SIL3 (IEC 61508). Enquiries:Tel. +27 (0) 11 579 2600 or email info.sa@eu.omron.com

Further aids to rapid im- plementation are a patent- pending ‘best effort’ feature for quick stabilisation time, and an easy-tuning feature that performs smart gain searches in minutes. Advanced safety func- tions are standard, with the 1S range supporting safety control via EtherCAT. The systems have fail-safe over EtherCAT (FSoE) safe torque off functionality which car- ries safety approvals PLd (EN ISO 13849-1) and SIL2 (IEC 61508). Also supported is

Faster plant diagnostics, collaboration with zero friction

Rockwell Automation has introduced a new app, FactoryTalk Tea- mONE, for iOS and Android smartphones. As part of the company’s expanded Information Solutions strategy to help employees make better decisions across their enterprise, the app seamlessly connects to the technology that manufacturers adopt during their digital transformation.The app boosts teamproductivity by enabling users to collaborate and share knowledge, view live production di- agnostics, interact with machine alarms, and troubleshoot devices. Teams that use the FactoryTalkTeamONE app could drive a reduction in mean time to repair (MTTR). By offering near-instantaneous incident and device data, plant floor, engineering and IT workers can collaborate as a team to quickly solve problems. From their smartphone, employees can choose from the variety of modules with the FactoryTalkTeamONE app to directly view informa-

tion fromdevices, such asAllen-Bradley PowerFlex drives, or see the high-level health status of any EtherNet/IP device.This information is shareable across the app’s collaboration and troubleshooting modules with other trusted team members. “The FactoryTalkTeamONE app introduces a new, zero-friction-to- value paradigm where teams can download the app, form a team and use their knowledge alongside device data to drive productivity increases. The app doesn’t need teams to install servers, have pre-existing infrastructure like OPC servers, or connect automation assets and devices to the cloud in order to use the modules,” said Christo Buys, Business Manager for Control Systems, Rockwell Automation sub- Saharan Africa Enquiries: Christo Buys. Email cbuys@ra.rockwell.com

Electricity+Control January ‘17

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