December, 2016 - Each month we bring you the latest Industrial Automation news from Doig and our preferred supplier partners.

This holiday season offers us a special opportunity to extend our personal thanks to our friends, and our very best wishes for your future. So it is now that we gather and wish to you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We consider you friends and part of our community and extend our wishes for good health and cheer. It is people like you that make being in business such a pleasure all year long. Our business is a source of pride to us. With customers like you, we find going to work each day a rewarding experience.

With the election behind us and the manufacturing economy showing signs of gaining some steam, we are cautiously optimistic that 2017 will witness steady month over month growth. We are curious about how you see 2017 unfolding for your business. To that end, please take a moment to share with us your views on 2017 by taking the one question poll shown below. We’ll share the results with you in a future issue of DoigTalk.

We tip our glasses to you. Thanks again for a wonderful year.

Happy Holidays!

SICK’s new microScan3 Safety Laser Scanners assures safe human-robot collaboration in the production of electric motors.

When assembling electric motors, a robot-based handling workstation featuring human-robot collaboration is used to boost productivity. A robot takes the electric motors from the conveyor belt and gives them to the worker for further processing. This person places a wiring harness in the designated place in the electric motor. The robot places the workpiece back on the conveyor belt so it can be transported to the next assembly step. In this way, the robot functions as a flexible production assistant helping the worker with non-ergonomic, manual tasks. Direct interaction between humans and robots requires a safety solution  at the workstation, which in this case is achieved by combining SICK’s microScan3 safety laser scanner with the Flexi Soft safety controller.

The microScan3 Core marks the beginning of a new generation of safety laser scanners from SICK. With 15 different models, microScan3 products reliably protect hazardous areas, accesses, and hazardous points. SICK’s innovative safeHDDM™ scan technology sets new benchmarks and provides triple field detection function, which facilities gradually increasing safety warnings (e.g audible, then optical detection signaling followed by sending a machine stop signal).

In addition to safeHDDM™, microScan3 products provide:

• Protective field range: 5.5 m, scanning angle 275°
• Compact, rugged metal housing with high reliability against dust and ambient light as shown here:   https://youtu.be/yVa6JRiGbsw?list=PLXBLOyZ_SuHIY_xkVex3jCpX_d45KlcR_
• Low cost M12 8-pin system plug with configuration memory for quick set up & installation using the SICK’s intuitive Safety Designer software for freely definable
• Brilliant, easy to see multicolor display indicates operational status

To pull it all together for you, check out this short microScan 3 product overview video:

https://youtu.be/jdboEPdmU6Y?list=PLXBLOyZ_SuHIY_xkVex3jCpX_d45KlcR_

Let us help you pick the right model and configuration to address your application requirements.

Here’s two components from Marathon Special Products broad range of power blocks, terminal blocks and fuse holders.  In this issue we are featuring their new enclosed power block and their enclosed midget fuse holder lines. 

Here’s two components from IDEC’s stable of innovative, safe, robust and yet cost effective products.  In this issue we are featuring selections from IDEC’s relay and E-Stop push button product lines. 

Marathon SP Enclosed Power Blocks - Splicer/Distribution (EPBAP84)

Marathon SP’s new line of enclosed splicer/distribution power blocks are listed for feeder circuit compliance and offer 24 catalog part numbers to choose from.  You’ll be pleased to see very high KVA ratings, in many cases far beyond the alternatives, plus the ability to handle a wider range of wire sizes.

Features for this new line include:

• 115 - 760 amps
• 600 volts AC/DC (UL)
• Up to 1000 volts (IEC)
• Flexible stranded wire compliant
• Multiple wire rating
• Insulator - thermoplastic: 125°C (257°F) - UL RTI
• Flammability, UL 94 V-0
• Mounting: panel mountable and/or DIN mountable
• Standards -Download datasheets to confirm specific approvals listed by part number
  • UL listed - or - UL recognized
  • Listed file no. QPQS.E309401 (UL 1953)
  • Recognized file no. XCFR2.E62806 (UL 1059)
  • CSA certified file no. LR19766 (CSA C22-2 No. 158)
  • CE (Component IEC 60947-7-1)
  • Touchsafe design - IEC 60529, IP-20
  • RoHS compliant

Click the link below and scroll to the datasheet you are looking for on Marathons’ website.

http://www.marathonsp.com/enclosed-power-blocks.php

IDEC RV8 Series Interface Relays

Designed with attention to every detail, IDEC relays are manufactured to ensure precision and quality. Correlating sockets include multiple features for ease-of-use and can be DIN rail, panel or PCB mounted. Each socket is designed to work with IDEC timers and relays, but will work equally well with any fitting component. 

Check out the 2 minute video above highlighting the significant space saving benefits this new RV8 series of relays offers.  Great for PLC interfacing and other controller output, industrial automation, panel builders, assembly machine applications and other applications that require a high switching capability in a compact space.  Installation time is greatly reduced with pre-assembled relays and sockets – with either screw connections or spring clamp terminations.  Replacement relays and sockets are also available. Optional accessories include jumpers, spacers and marking plates to facilitate wiring and quick identification. RV8 Series versions include: RV8H – 6mm, RV8H – 14mm and RV8S Solid State Relay.

Download the 6 or 14 mm datasheets below.

Marathon SP Midget Fuse Holder (6SM30AI-C)

This line of thermoplastic enclosed style midget fuse holders are compact, yet comfortably handle high KVA ranges.  Features include:

• 30 amps @ 600 volts
• Evaluated for use with midget 10x38mm fuses
• 200,000 amp SC withstand rating
• DIN rail mount (35mm)
• Touchsafe design - IEC type IP20
• Handle allows quick easy fuse change
• Blown fuse indication available
• Indicator light AC/DC 65 VAC, 90 VDC volts minimum
• UL for US and Canada, IZLT2.E35113, IZLT8.E35113
• CE compliant
• RoHS compliant

Download the two datasheets for this line below.

IDEC HW & XW E-Stop push buttons

Leading this category for many years, IDEC’s robust emergency stop stations now give you more choices and longer lives on your equipment than ever before.  IDEC bright yellow polycarbonate IP65 and NEMA 4X rated enclosures and HW and XW emergency stop switches enhance visibility, ensuring they can be easily located in case of emergency.

IDEC E-stop stations offer up to 4NC contact configurations; red 29, 40 or 60mm mushroom heads; metal or plastic bezels; illuminated or non-illuminated versions; and spring-up terminals (HW series) or standard terminals (XW series).  Choose between Push-lock turn, Push-pull and Push-lock key reset operations.  

Download IDEC’s Switch Family Brochure below.

ABB’s Award Winning Micro Flex e150 Servo Drives

Since winning Control Engineering’s 2013 best in class Choice Award, ABB’s MicroFlex e150 drives have been providing satisfied customers versatility in abundance - without needing to add hardware or choose configuration options.  Multiprotocol Ethernet capability and local intelligence mean that the applications potential is truly broad.  The processing performance is spectacular too - offering some 20 times the speed of existing generations of smart drives with powerful embedded programming intelligence including EtherCAT®, Modbus TCP and EtherNetTM, compactly packaged at great price points.  MicroFlex e150 features include:

• Operates from 110-230 V AC 1-phase or 230 V AC 3-phase
• Continuous current ratings of 3, 6 and 9 A
• Integrated Ethernet 2 port hub allows simple daisy chaining connection
• Offers other leading Ethernet protocols to allow complete flexibility with ABB PLCs, other industrial PCs and Programmable Motion Controllers with IEC61131-3 CoDeSys and PLCopen programming
• Features safe torque-off (STO) as standard which meets European machinery directives.
• CAN in Automation (CiA) DS402 Positioning Drive profile
• Panel-mounting enclosure
• Universal encoder interface supporting: incremental encoder; BiSS; synchronous serial interface (SSI); EnDat v2.1/v2.2 and 1V Sin/Cos encoders
• 4 digital inputs. Opto-isolated 24V. Two inputs can be programmed to capture axis position within 1 micro-second
• 2 digital outputs. Opto-isolated 24V PNP. 50mA per channel
• Auto-tuning wizard and software oscilloscope facilities via ABB’s Mint Software Workbench

 Click to download the MicroFlex e150 Overview Flyer below

Schunk's Flexible, Modular Linear Axes Systems

In addition to best in class grippers and clamping systems, Schunk offers a flexible, modular set of linear motion axes that can be mixed and matched into a linear motion system tailored specifically to your requirements.  You can select from two different series of linear axes and one linear table series in either belt or ball screw spindle driven formats:

• “Beta” mechanical linear units are available in eleven sizes
• “Delta” compact linear units as self-supporting axis systems and
• “Alpha” flat linear tables designed for high forces and moments

Maximum performance ranges include:

• Stroke - Up to 7,720mm (304in or 25.3 ft)
• Driving Force - Up to 18,000N (4050 lbf)
• Moment Loads - Up to 12,000Nm (13,275 lbf)
• Speed - Up to 8m/sec (315in or 26.3 ft/sec)

A wide range of accessories including mounting brackets, couplings and more round out each system.

Corrosion resistant versions, sealed air and certified solutions for explosion proof environments can also be provided.

Intro to Robotics Training March 8, 2017

Schedule Lunch with a Robot

ABB PLC Training- February 1, 2017

Here’s another “frequently asked question”, this time from Mike Edminster, our Engineering Manager with his answer.  The topic is linear actuator selection options.

Question:

Is a pneumatic, hydraulic or electric actuator the best solution for my linear motion application?

Answer:

We get this question so frequently because the answer is “it depends”…. Because it depends, we start to answer your question by asking a bunch of questions about your application. Why? Because the application capability ranges between these three types of linear actuator technology/solutions overlap in some areas, but stand alone as the “best fit” in other areas.

In broad terms:

• Pneumatic actuators do a great job for repetitive and often very high speed linear moves for the lowest product cost points – but lifecycle costs can be higher than the alternatives. 
• Hydraulic actuators compliment pneumatic actuators in performance capabilities, but by far outstrip the pneumatic alternative when it comes to force output at reasonable cost points – but lifecycle operating costs are higher and air over oil solutions can get very messy under normal operating conditions.
• While Electric actuators are more complex in overall design, their linear moves are extremely precise and repeatable. Their motion “program-ability” allows you to address multiple moves and a wide variety of speeds within their overall range of motion – but the initial product cost at the point of motion is almost always the highest.

Tolomatic has been providing linear actuator solutions to us for over 50 years. They’ve been studying the linear motion market and have produced many white papers on linear actuators. You’re invited to download two of their most recent papers on this topic by clicking on the links below. Get more in depth perspectives on your options as they explore a broader ranges of pros and cons for you.

Give us a call or click on the “request a quote” link below and let us walk through your options, help you better define your application requirements and then connect you with the best linear motion solution to get your job done.

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