Spotted on Indumation

There was a lot to see at the last edition of Indumation. Industrial Automation feasted its eyes for you and lists them all (alphabetically).

ACE- Cable spring dampers for wide range of loads

ACE's cable spring dampers are highly resistant to heat, cold, acids, seawater and UV radiation. At the same time, they possess permanently high vibration, shock and impact damping properties. Another plus point is that the dampers optimally protect fragile machines and components during their transport. In addition, the stainless steel cables can be coated. Due to the wide variety of possible designs of these dampers, a wide range of loads and vibrations can be absorbed and/or isolated.

Apex Dynamics - Flexibility trumps rack and pinion

To arrive at a perfect combination of rack, pinion and gearbox, there are a lot of variables at play. The breadth of its offering allows Apex Dynamics to support customers by offering different techniques for mounting the pinion to the cabinet, and doing so according to accuracy, torque and budget. For example, it does not necessarily need to be permanently welded, which will save time and money when a replacement comes up. 

ATS - How to secure your OT network?

The multidisciplinary technology group ATS showed with its cybersecurity demo that it is ready to guide companies towards a state-of-the-art secure OT network. Something that will be required by lawmakers in the future. The demo consisted of a data rack with virtualised server and layer 2/3 switches where all data flows came together. From there, a layer of security was added using various solutions. Firstly, to electronically monitor physical access to the network, and secondly, to scan the network and identify security risks.

Beckhoff - Highly flexible conveyor system

Products that float quasi silently and seemingly criss-cross through production, from processing station to processing station. It seems like something out of science fiction films, but this XPlanar concept from Beckhoff Automation is already being used in industrial practice today. The secret behind this extremely flexible conveyor system is magnetic levitation, which ensures completely free and contactless movement of movers in the X, Y and even partly in the Z direction. The movers can also rotate 360° around their own axis, resulting in six degrees of freedom.

Bintz - Secure VPN connection

The function of the Cosy+ is to establish a secure VPN connection between your machine and yourself, wherever you are and whenever you want. The connection takes place via Talk2M, a highly secure cloud-based remote connectivity service specifically designed for industrial solutions. Cosy+ allows you to avoid unnecessary on-site visits, saving huge amounts of time and money while providing a great long-term competitive advantage.

FANUC - Cobots for loads up to 25 kg

FANUC has introduced the new CRX-5iA, CRX-20iA/L and CRX-25iA cobots, the latest additions to its popular CRX series, which now totals 11 cobot model variants to handle products from 4 to 35 kg. The new CRX-5iA, CRX-20iA/L and CRX-25iA cobots have payloads of 5, 20 and 25 kg and a maximum reach of 994, 1,418 and 1,889 mm, respectively. With this, FANUC expands its capabilities to help more companies looking to automate with cobots

Festo - Winning time and security with circuit diagrams

There are plenty of good reasons for machines and pneumatic systems to provide diagrams of how the systems are constructed, but drawing them is often perceived as a difficult and time-consuming task. With FluidDraw, Festo offers an accessible software that guides users to create circuit diagrams quickly and easily, with the correct symbolism and in accordance with applicable standards. Incidentally, the software is not limited to pneumatics, as the electrical part of a machine can also be designed in FluidDraw.

ifm - Multifunctional camera-sensor system for mobile robotics

The O3R robotics platform combines all senses. It is specifically designed and implemented for all those applications where multiple cameras and sensors are used simultaneously and combined. As a result, the system significantly reduces the individual development effort for these usually complex applications. The powerful, central edge computing unit provides sufficient storage space and computing capabilities to run proprietary algorithms or use off-the-shelf functions,
such as collision avoidance or pallet recognition.

Lenze - Decentralised variable speed drives for greater energy efficiency

The rising demand for greater energy efficiency and transparency in factories poses new challenges for the industry. Lenze offers an intelligent solution to this with its i series of motec decentralised frequency inverters, which saves costs and energy. With its digital functions, this frequency converter can perform several tasks at once. It behaves as an efficient sensor in the system, capturing data and reliably transmitting it in a standardised way to IIoT platforms and higher-end edge systems. The motec's connectivity speeds up and facilitates production processes.

PILZ - Tailor-made safety relays

The new modular safety relay myPNOZ is produced individually according to your requirements in batch size 1. PILZ demonstrated how you can use the myPNOZ Creator to create the safety solution tailored to your needs from a wide range of variation options. Completely without programming knowledge. myPNOZ: a successful combination of digitisation and Industry 4.0, which won a German Innovation Award in the category ‘Electronic Technologies’ in 2021’

Routeco - Circuit protection with IO-Link technology

A great example of what Rockwell products with IO-Link can bring in terms of benefits is the 1694 module. A relatively new product, it allows the controller to see real-time current and voltage values for each protection channel. Every 24 V control cabinet must be adequately protected. With the 1694 module, users not only get the protection they are looking for, but also real insight into their 24 V DC applications.

Rittal - Automated wire confectioning

The eye-catcher on Rittal's stand at Indumation was undoubtedly Rittal's Wire Terminal. This production machine cuts and prints all necessary wires based on data from Eplan's Pro Panel and finishes them with a wire end sleeve, while ensuring consistent quality. The Wire Terminal provides an end-to-end integrated solution, from the E-CAD tool over the production processes to the wiring process.

Schunk - On grippers and geckos

A notable new feature at SCHUNK has to do with geckos. Schunk applies the gripping forces geckos use in nature to propel themselves to the new ADHESO gripper technology. The secret of the blacksmith is the surface architecture of special polymers to which different materials and objects adhere. This makes the technology easily adaptable to a wide variety of workpieces and applications.

Siemens - Accelerate the future

The Siemens Industry Academy, a structural collaboration between business and academia linking Flemish engineering students and industrial players, is blowing out four candles this year. At the Indumation trade fair, Siemens festively announced that Antwerp University is joining the cooperation. The entry perfectly demonstrates how Siemens has grown the Academy in a controlled way in recent years to facilitate the step to an industrial career.

VEGA - Simple radar formula for better processes

Level sensors should make it easier for users to monitor their industrial processes. The VEGAPULS 6X therefore focuses on maximum simplification. It is the only sensor suitable for all applications. Customers therefore no longer have to worry about technology, frequency or implementation. Commissioning alone can be managed with just a few clicks. In many cases, the VEGAPULS 6X can already be adjusted in detail ex-factory. Mount, connect, ready: it doesn't get any easier.

Wieland - Minimum effort, maximum safety

A big chunk of space in the control cabinet, overfilled cable ducts and complex distribution cabinet installation. Anyone who wants to be able to safely switch off motors in conveyor systems in a conventional manner encounters quite a few problems with wiring and power distribution. To make the installation a lot more user-friendly, Wieland Electric developed the motor starter podis MS 5HP, an extremely compact, robust and user-friendly drive component.