Numerous components are required for automation in industry. These can be high-end industrial PCs for demanding image processing tasks, embedded PCs for robot and machine control, panel PCs and monitors for visualizing process sequences, but also everything for setting up the industrial network. All components for industrial automation have one feature in common. They are optimally adapted to the harsh environmental conditions in this environment. Because you can't afford failures in industry....

In Product News 2023, CONEC provides an overview of new products from the product groups M12 connectors, sockets, insulation bodies, valve connectors AT06, filter connectors from the D-SUB world, hoods, and accessories. In addition to a variety of connectors for all current standards, CONEC's particular strengths is the integrated moulding of components and assemblies and the development of customized solutions.

CONEC has expanded its valve connector connector program with overmolded DT connectors in 90‑degree angled design with single as well as double cable outlet. Four different directions of the 90‑degree cable outlet are offered.

The Internet of Things (IoT) also requires remote access devices, similar to M2M (machine-to-machine) communication. However, IoT also includes to collect and process data from sensors and actuators locally and later sent them via a gateway to a control centre or the cloud. Here, Panasonic Industry has a versatile product in the form of the FP-I4C, which provides various solutions for these requirements.

Fans with EC motors have a number of positive characteristics. Firstly, they have a very high efficiency and maintain this efficiency even at partial speeds. This means that in most cases they consume less than a third to a half of the electricity used by the traditional shaded-pole induction motors used in the ventilation and refrigeration industry, which in turn leads to lower operating costs and short payback times.

The GM1 combines features of motion functions with the functionality of a PLC, such as positioning, network modules, I/O modules, and high-frequency counters, among others, in a compact controller. As these modules are integrated into the GM1 motion controller, the compact "all-in-one" solution reduces the space required in the control cabinet and enables response times of only 0.5 ms.

Piezoelectric motors belong to the group of small motors and use the piezoelectric effect to generate motion. They can operate linearly and rotationally. The principle of a piezoelectric motor is based on a movement of the moving part of the motor (rotor) through a change in the frictional force. This occurs when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric material. The combination of two out-of-phase voltages induces an elliptical motion whose tangential force component drives the rotor.

Essentially, there are five characteristics that drive the Gamechange towards the lab of tomorrow: digital transformation, human and cultural aspects, process development and automation, data management, lab environment and design. In order to optimise the increasing number of test samples and the speed of evaluation, a connected solution is needed to ensure sample recognition, transport, and error-free analysis.

Nippon Pulse permanent magnet (PM) stepper motors (PF series Tin-Can stepper motors) are firmly established in mechanical engineering and offer many advantages over other types of stepper motors. They have an excellent price-performance ratio and are suitable as a low-inertia, low-resolution, low-cost alternative to hybrid stepper motors in many applications.

The AC-DC power supply units of the CUS250 series from TDK-Lambda will be available with different output voltages. Initially, models with 12 V and 24 V will be on the market, followed later by other voltages with 15 V, 18 V, 28 V, 36 V and 48 V. The output voltage can be adjusted by the user.

KSS has released the CAS series (distributed by Dy‍netics) with high-performance mini actuators for precise strokes on a small scale and for use in single and multi-axis assemblies. The linear actuators have a long service life. The compact and powerful lightweights are 15 by 23.5 millimetres small and available in lengths of 107 and 127 millimetres.

A special highlight at this year's AMB was the world premiere of the new BA 711 space – a flexible single-station machine for small and medium series production of precision parts made of cast iron, cast steel or steel.

At the SPS, Dynetics presented a number of new and proven components from the mechatronics sector as well as some motion control systems. For instance, linear servo motors, actuators for robot arms and cobots, motion controllers of the latest generation, high‑torque motors, ball screws and some applications, including a pipetting robot and a miniature electric gripper, has been showcased.

Industrial 2.5-inch PICO-ITX board with ARM Cortex processor. With the ND118T, ICP Germany is launching another small and multifunctional board in the PICO-ITX form factor. The ND118T is suitable for various types of embedded applications that require low power consumption in an industrial environment.

The market for transflective displays has grown recently, especially in the e-mobility sector. The potential applications in this field require high readability in different light conditions, such as direct sunlight.

Since 1989, MASS has mostly used computer platforms for our machine controls instead of conventional PLC technology because the latest innovations are available here. Since then, one of the company's main concerns has been to offer its customers a short-term repair service so that production downtime is avoided in the event of defects.

At electronica WECO presented robust connectors and terminals for industrial, energy and automation projects. WECO Contact GmbH, manufacturer of connection elements for the electronics and electrical engineering sectors, presented its extensive portfolio for industrial electronics and consumer goods at electronica. This year, the focus of the trade fair was on "Tailored Solutions", connection solutions specially tailored to the needs of customers.

Many modern processes require an embedded PC that is directly integrated into the machine or application, such as the control of autonomous transport vehicles in logistics or robot arms in factory automation or image processing in a machine.

The push-pull circular connectors Y-Circ P from Yamaichi Electronics are so reliable that they can be used not only in automation but also in medical technology.

Turck’s compact PSU67 power supply units ensure energy-efficient, decentralized power supply in modular machines. Turck is adding compact power supply units with protection to IP67 to its portfolio of flexible power supply units for 1- and 3-phase applications in modular machine building. The robust PSU67 power supply units operate in temperatures from -25 to +70 °C and can be installed directly at the machine without any protective measures needed.

Connected production environments offer faster process flows, comprehensive traceability, and continuous improvement opportunities thanks to IIoT solutions. Digital networking also opens up efficiency gains and the ability to control equipment remotely. The high-tech environment of state-of-the-art laboratories is a prime example.

M12 connector series with bayonet quick locking with data transmission rate up to 10 Gbit/s. At the SPS, CONEC presented an expansion of the M12x1 connector series with bayonet quick locking. In addition to the already known variants of overmoulded connectors, sockets print and with wire, there are now field attachable connectors, A-, B-, D- and X-coded. On the device side, the corresponding print sockets axial and angled are added in B-, and X-coding.

CMTH continuously records humidity and temperature in production and storage areas and outputs the values via IO-Link or as a switching signal. Turck's CMTH combined humidity and temperature sensor is now available in a compact variant with improved IIoT integration for smart condition monitoring applications. With a length of only 57 mm and an operating temperature range from -40 to +100 °C, the IP67 sensor in an M12 housing can even be used in challenging environments.

Spectra with new 19-inch industrial workstation for high-end applications. Modern work processes in industry and research such as 3D design, computer simulation or image processing require a lot of graphics and computing power. The question of energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important, not only because of heat generation, but also because of energy consumption, especially in today's world.