Local, stand-alone controllers offer benefits compared to central solutions in a wide range of different applications: They reduce system-wide data traffic, are resistant to interferences within the network, make troubleshooting easier and are very well suited to being combined with manual processes. Weidmüller's u-control 2000 web controller offers all these benefits and is based on open web technologies.

Tool identification using Balluff Industrial RFID increases production efficiency, as it makes incorrect tool allocation or missing tools a thing of the past. This enables optimizing the service time utilization of the tools. In addition, scrap and rework due to excessive use of tools are virtually eliminated.

Profinet devices can be integrated into the engineering systems of controllers using their description files. In this way, all devices and parameters of controller networks can be created, maintained from a single system and saved. The system does not allow this in-depth integration for IO-Link devices.

Modifying objects, rotating, grouping and zooming the screen can now all be done using the new intelligent display modules. The new EA uniTFT product family was designed by ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY. Design engineers and systems integrators benefit from considerably shorter development times and gain significantly more flexibility. As a result, the modules open up a whole range of designing Smart HMIs.

Different industrial PC hardware increases the administrative costs. The more applications that can be implemented on one hardware platform, the better. With the Convertible Display System (CDS), CINCOZE offers an one-for-all solution that allows hardware consolidation and flexibility.

The Radiant Touch (distributed by Printec-DS Keyboard) is one of the most innovative touch monitors currently available. With a transparency of 38 percent, viewers can see both, the real objects behind the display and the digital information on the screen perfectly.

Plug-and-play from sensor to data dashboard. Condition monitoring (CM) has long been known as a method for ensuring high availability of machines and plants by means of remote monitoring of parameters relevant to the operations. CM is increasingly becoming a key component of industry 4.0 business models. An example is the CM solution designed by Schildknecht AG, for radio data transmission and IIoT solutions.

Ice cubes. A shot of rum. Stir in the cola. Preferably add a slice of lime. And voilà: the Cuba Libre is ready. But on the rooftop terrace of the TownHouse Duomo Hotel in Milan, the drink is not mixed by a bartender, but rather by a robot. With “Toni”, a KUKA robot from the KR AGILUS series, visitors can order their drink via app – and then enjoy it freshly prepared a few minutes later. “Toni” merely has a few problems with the small talk.

Siwarex WP351 is Siemens’ newest solution for intelligent weighing automation. Measuring 20 millimeters width by 65 millimeters height, the module is one of the smallest weighing electronics units available.

The BML absolute magnetic encoder in the SGA series stands out in any application where high absolute accuracy of position and end-of-travel is required. Comprehensive diagnostics functions ensure reliable operation and more efficient maintenance. With its Drive-Cliq interface the Balluff measuring system can also be perfectly integrated into Siemens controller environments. Siemens has certified the system accordingly.

Fully networked systems with intelligent sensors and actuators place extremely high demands on the power supply. Applications in the manufacturing industry, process engineering or wind farms all have one thing in common: they need a reliable power supply for their controllers, sensors and actuators. To meet this need Weidmüller has developed modular, communication-enabled power management solutions in a range of performance classes.

KINEXON implements intelligent navigation for driverless vehicles with the Kontron KBox. Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things are changing production and logistics processes in the long term. In the future, objects will be networked and interact automatically in all areas. In order to guarantee smooth processes, detailed position and status data must be generated and analyzed. KINEXON, located in Munich, Germany, has developed KINEXON Brain, an intelligent solution based on an IoT...

Dynetics presented an extensive product range for linear solutions at the SPS. At booth 490 in hall 4 visitors could have a look at different demo applications of linear solutions. The products on display included linear servo motors, precision ball screws, motion controllers and a compact 20-millimeter linear stepper motor that provides 8 Newton meters (Nm) of torque.

With their BMP series Balluff has added a new intelligent displacement sensor which provides not only the absolute position signal for the stroke travel of a piston via IO-Link but also information about the sensor status and the current ambient conditions.

With SNAP IN, Weidmüller is revolutionising connection systems and bringing them to a new level. Flexible, stranded wires without crimped-on wire-end ferrules can be easily inserted into the open connection point.

New automation solutions including servo drives, operating terminals and communication modules for a wide range of industries. Panasonic Industry Europe presented its technology portfolio for the automation sector at the SPS 2019 in Nuremberg. From 26 to 28 November, the Panasonic Industry Stand in Hall 4A showcased 341 products and solutions for a wide range of industries. From high-precision sensors to control technology, drives and operating terminals, Panasonic is the partner of choice when...

LaVa-X from Aachen has developed a machine that uses the LaVa process to increase the quality and welding depth of laser welding of metals.

Yamaichi Electronics has expanded its Y‑Circ M12‑product portfolio with a new field assembly connector for 10‑Gigabit Ethernet applications.

Interchangeable parts are frequently used to quickly convert packaging machines or bottling plants to a new format. They make it possible to adapt machines for new recipes, package sizes and materials without time-consuming manual configuration and adjustment work. Industrial identification solutions using RFID from Balluff provide automatic and reliable interchangeable part detection.

In the future, applications in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be established in almost every industry and will decisively determine progress in entrepreneurial value creation. For this reason, Kontron offers powerful systems for AI applications, such as the KISS 4U V3 SKX industrial server and the KBox B-202-CFL.

The mbNET industrial routers by MB connect line can be upgraded with mbEDGE to an IoT gateway. This provides users with a multifunctional solution for implementing safe IoT applications.

Generating, transporting and processing information are central tasks in the Industry 4.0 environment. The basis for all the information is intelligent sensors which provide the required input. With their BOS 21M ADCAP Balluff offers a newly developed optical multifunction sensor, the BOS 21M series.

Above all, standardisation, automation and process-wide solutions offer considerable optimisation potential for time-consuming, manual activities such as panel building. Weidmüller has been working very intensively on these areas and has developed solutions for every work step, speeding up processes by up to 80 per cent.

Two KUKA omniMoves automate the transportation of goods at Austria Metall AG (AMAG). The autonomous transport platforms are responsible for the independent transportation of heavy aluminum plates and contribute greatly to making the intralogistics more flexible. The omnidirectional platforms move autonomously and perform the final production step independently.