New Danfoss VLT® Decentral Drive E cient, reliable and powerful

MECHANICAL AND LINEAR
Magnetic clutches boost slip
torque to 12Nm
Mayr has expanded its Robacontitorque
range of permanent
magnet hysteresis clutch/brakes
with a size 5 version that
increases the slip torque range
to 0.1–12Nm. The devices offer
reliable, wear-free torque
limitation in continuous slip applications. Unlike frictionbased
devices, torque is transmitted without contact via
magnetic forces, extending service lives and ensuring
accurate, repeatable slip torque values.
The compact, maintenance-free clutch/brakes can be
used for load-holding, tensioning or torque-limiting
applications. Their low weight and mass moment of inertia
allow easy integration into a variety of applications.
Optional sealed and corrosion-protected versions are
available for use in almost any environment.
Mayr Transmissions 01535 663900 www.mayr.co.uk
Spur gears target everyday uses
Ondrives has introduced a series of
“competitively priced” spur gears for
everyday uses. The gears are available
with or without a boss, with various
numbers of teeth and bore sizes,
keyways, and tapped and pin holes.
Sizes range from 0.5–6 Mod as
standard with others available on
request. Standard materials are steel
and white Delrin. Most parts are
available off-the-shelf with short turnaround times for parts
not in stock. Modifications to standard parts and specials to
customer drawings are available with short lead times.
Ondrives 01246 455500 www.ondrives.com
Large-bore SRBs
last twice as long
NSK has expanded its HPS range
of spherical roller bearings up to
260mm bore. The bearings,
known as the CAM series, are
said to offer twice the lifespan
and a 20% higher limiting speed
than conventional spherical roller bearings (SRBs), resulting
in cost and energy savings, and reduced maintenance.
The improved wear resistance of the larger bearings
under high speeds and mechanical loads enables them to
cope with demanding applications. The bearings differ in
design from the existing HPS-EA SRBs (up to 130mm bore)
and have a guide ring for precise roller guiding, and
optimised solid brass retainers which carry higher loads and
offer high wear resistance. As well as increasing the lifespan
and the wear resistance of the bearings, the design changes
also increase their dynamic load rating by up to 25%. This
can allow downsizing in high-loaded drive assemblies,
cutting space and costs.
NSK UK 0500 2327464 www.nskeurope.com
COMMUNICATIONS
Converters connect serial
devices to Ethernet
Brainboxes has introduced a range of Ethernet-to-serial
converters that provide fast, reliable connections between
Ethernet ports on a network and asynchronous serial
interfaces. The one- or two-port RS-232 and RS-422/485
device servers support data transfer rates up to 230.4 kbd.
The autonomous converters allow devices at the edge of
a network to be managed from any connected location
with the same control as if working locally. They come with
drivers for Windows 7 and XP 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
Brainboxes is packaging them with its Boost.net driver,
keeping existing software applications on the network and
allowing high reliability connections over long distances.
The converters, which consume less than 1W, are housed in
rugged metal enclosures.
Brainboxes 0151 2202500 www.brainboxes.com
IP67 box provides
serial-EtherCat links
Beckhoff has announced an IP67-
protected module that can connect
devices with serial interfaces, such as
barcode or RFID readers, to EtherCat
networks without needing a control
cabinet. Using selectable RS-232 or
RS-422/485 interfaces, the compact,
two-channel EP6002 module
integrates the serial devices into
EtherCat networks.
The module transmits the data in a
transparent way to higher-level
EtherCat controllers. The serial
communication channels operate in full-duplex mode at up
to 115.2 kbd. Serial devices are connected via rugged M12
connectors. When used with suitable software, the module
can also be used without a controller as a COM interface in
Windows-based systems. It measures 126 x 30 x 26.5mm.
Beckhoff Automation 01491 410539 www.beckhoff.co.uk
Gateway delivers wireless
ZigBee-serial connections
IDC has launched a gateway that acts as a ZigBee-to-serial
interface connection, and can convert RS-232/422/485
serial devices, such as intelligent sensors and barcode
readers, into wireless devices. The ZB103 gateway is
designed for applications such as remote control and
monitoring of machinery where cables are difficult to install,
or for transferring data to and from mobile plant.
The device can operate as a gateway for a network of
ZigBee devices in factory automation, warehouse
management and production monitoring systems, linking to
a PLC via a serial port using Modbus or other protocols. The
gateway complies with IEEE 802.15.4, providing two-way
communications on the licence-free 2.4GHz band. It can
connect hundreds of devices in a mesh network using
gateways, routers and end devices (usually batterypowered).
It is housed in a robust IP45 enclosure.
IDC 01332 604030 www.zig-bee.co.uk
58 November/December 2010 www.drives.co.uk