A700 Series Measures Vector Acceleration

Sherborne Sensors has announced the US debut of the A700 high-precision MEMS-based (variable capacitive) solid-state accelerometers, which measure single or dual-axis vector acceleration. Available in ranges from +/-0.5 to +/-5.0g, with DC response capabilities, the A700 series features an advanced MEMS sensor, incorporating air damping. Unlike fluid-damped devices, air damping is independent of temperature, which enables the transducer to reliably perform over a wide temperature range.

Units are fully compensated for the effects of temperature on both sensitivity and zero. This range of accelerometers also incorporates positive mechanical stops in a lightweight (less than 50g) durable aluminium-alloy package, conferring excellent shock resistance and providing reliable over-ranging protection. The A700 series accelerometers are designed to operate from an unregulated DC power source, with a self-test feature on both axes.

They are supplied with an integral shielded sensor cable with built-in strain relief, which may also be fitted with an optional electrical connector. An available model variant incorporates a temperature sensor that enables each unit to be individually characterised over its operational temperature range. A supplied characteristic error-correction equation helps minimise measurement uncertainties due to zero offset, sensitivity error and linearity, thermal zero shift and thermal sensitivity shift. By entering equation coefficients into the host operating software, cost-effective high-precision measurements with accuracies better than +/- one milligram can be achieved.

The A700 range is suited for a variety of applications, including data-acquisition systems, crash recorders, fatigue life monitoring and prediction, mass transit monitoring and deceleration controls, high-speed railway fault-detection equipment, military and civil flight simulators, and geophysical and seismic studies. All A700 series accelerometers are 100 per cent tested and calibrated at the factory prior to shipping and are accompanied by a two-year warranty. Units are also included under the new Sherborne Sensors Guaranteed On-Time Delivery program.

Design-A-Flange Speeds Up Cabinet Wiring Process

Hylec-APL has introduced a cable-entry plate that can speed up the wiring process for applications that require a range of cables to enter a junction box or cabinet. The plate incorporates a range of pre-formed push-fit IP65 cable-entry points as standard, but can also be ordered with custom combinations of cable entries to easily accommodate a diverse set of cable entries. The idea is to avoid situations where many different sized holes have to be drilled and a large number of odd cable glands fitted.

Intended mainly for OEM customers and large-volume users, the new plates fit into frames that can be screwed to bulkheads or larger enclosures, allowing fast entry for a large number of cables. The new cable interface allows the customer to choose from a wide selection of preconfigured solutions. The standard plates each have a pattern of sealed cable entries, which the user is able to use simply by pushing the cable through the seal membrane. The plates lock into a frame that is then attached using screws to bulkheads or large enclosures.

This design makes the whole interface extremely flexible as it can be uninstalled and new insert plates added if cable-entry requirements change. The many different cable entries give the product its major advantage. Drilling several holes of differing sizes to fit separate dome-topped cable glands can take a while with bit changes, but it only takes a couple of minutes to fit an interface plate and then just seconds for each push-fit cable entry. In a situation where hundreds of enclosures or cabinets are being fitted, this flexibility leads to substantial time and cost savings.

As standard, all the entry points use water and dust-proof membrane 'push fit' seals; however customers can also choose knock-out inserts, which allow the use of cable glands or the quick-entry Klikseal grommet, a high-speed entry option that provides IP68 protection and cable retention. Neither the membrane seals nor knock-outs require tools, meaning that an accurate and secure cable entry can be executed in seconds. The plates are made from fibreglass re-enforced polypropylene, which provides an operational temperature range of between -20C to +125C.

This ensures that the flange will not weaken the overall integrity of the application to which it is fixed. They are compact and easy to install, a low-protrusion design that takes up little space, allowing discreet and aesthetically pleasing installations. Hylec-APL also offers a bespoke design service for the interface product, allowing customers to specify the exact requirements of their cable-entry interface, creating a unique set of entry options specific to requirements. The software is available online at the company's website or can be sent to the customer upon request. OEMs and installers working on large projects will not have to work around awkward cable-entry options for volume assemblies anymore.

ABB Technical Guides Explain Motor Operation

ABB has produced a range of technical guides that offer concise explanations of the major technologies and technical issues in motor and variable-speed drive operation. The technical guides cover subjects such as the basics of variable-speed drives, dimensioning a drive system, electrical braking, harmonics and AC drives, and bearing currents.

Fully indexed and illustrated with explanatory diagrams, the guides are said to form a library of drive and motor information. Other titles in the series are motion-control drives, EMC-compliant installation of variable-speed drives, EU Council directives on adjustable-speed and electrical-power drive systems, and direct torque control.

There is also a guide on functional safety, with advice on how to meet the latest European directives.

Industrial Hotspots Target Video/Voice Apps

Prosoft has announced the 802.11n Industrial Hotspot solutions, which are designed to provide greater flexibility and performance to a range of manufacturing and production applications. The 802.11n Industrial Hotspots improve performance for high-bandwidth video/voice applications and high-packet-rate control applications. They also provide better signal sensitivity and range in environments such as mobile factory settings.

Options are available to suit the application, including Single (RLXIB-IHN), Dual (RLXIB-IH2N) and Watertight Dual (RLXIB-IH2N-W) Industrial Hotspots. The radios utilise MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output), a technology that uses up to three antennas to enable high-speed data rates up to 300Mbps, providing advanced performance in industrial environments. Where concerns about network crowding exist, the radios can operate in the 5GHz band, which contains 23 non-overlapping channels. 5GHz also provides an alternative to the 2.4GHz Band, which may have limited availability if already used in existing installations.

The 802.11n Dual Industrial Hotspot solutions provide two radios in one and only require a single Ethernet connection. The dual radios can be used in lieu of a repeater to extend the range of a wireless network, without sacrificing speed. The Radiolinx Wireless-N Discovery Tool is a configuration and monitoring instrument for the Radiolinx 802.11n Industrial Hotspot radios. It can be used to view a network topology, assign IP addresses to radios for configuration, monitor network diagnostics, update radio firmware and detect the presence of other vendors' 802.11 radios on the network. Prosoft Technology's free OPC Server allows for HMI-based wireless network diagnostics.

User-selectable automatic or manual network configuration can be prioritised or fixed with self-healing network and master redundancy for reliable large networks. The RLXIB-IHN includes the industrial features of Radiolinx products, including hazardous-location certifications (UL1604 Class I Div 2, ATEX Zone 2 Category 3), extended operating temperature range, high vibration/shock resistance, DIN-rail mounting, Power over Ethernet and simultaneous bridge/repeater/access-point mode.

Lotus Hybrid Reaches 0-60mph In Four Seconds

Lotus Engineering has introduced the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid concept, a technology demonstrator with a plug-in hybrid drive system and technologies for enhanced driver involvement. It can reach 0-60mph (0-97kph) in less than four seconds and has a total hybrid range of more than 300 miles/483 kilometres. It features new developments in plug-in, range-extended electric propulsion, new electronic technologies to enhance driver involvement, Lotus Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA) and a new roof system and interior concept from Lotus Design.

Through all of these aspects it ultimately demonstrates the exceptional ability of Lotus Engineering to integrate and develop advanced technologies for exciting, efficient, high performance niche vehicles. The range-extended electric drive of the Evora 414E Hybrid consists of two electric motors driving each of the rear wheels independently via single-speed geartrain, integrated into a common transmission housing, thus enabling torque vectoring for stability control of the vehicle. Electrical power is stored in a lithium polymer battery pack optimised for energy density, efficiency and high-power demand, mounted in the centre of the vehicle for stability and safety.

Additional range is provided by the Lotus Range Extender engine, an optimised 1.2 litre, three-cylinder engine, designed specifically for series hybrid vehicles. The incorporation of Halosonic Internal and External Electronic Sound Synthesis technologies from Lotus and Harman International provide sound contouring within the cabin and improve pedestrian safety outside the vehicle. Integrated with the Halosonic technology, the Evora 414E Hybrid also features a sports mode that simulates a seven-speed, paddle-shift transmission that combines exceptional driver involvement for a hybrid sports car and optimised energy recuperation.

The Evora 414E Hybrid highlights Lotus's electric and hybrid vehicle technology without distracting from the pure sportscar character of the Evora. The Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid's drivetrain system consists of twin motors each limited to providing 152kW (207 PS/204 hp) of power and 400Nm (295lbft) of torque to each wheel via independent, single-speed, reduction transmissions integrated into a single housing, enabling torque-vectoring dynamic control of the vehicle. The vehicle energy-storage system is made up of the latest lithium-polymer battery chemistry, providing 17kWH energy-storage capacity.

The battery pack is optimised for energy density, efficiency and high power demand, with more than 100kW discharge capability. The Lotus Range Extender engine provides 35kW (48PS/47hp) of power at 3,500rpm via the integrated electrical generator and features an architecture comprising of an aluminium monoblock construction, integrating the cylinder block, cylinder head and exhaust manifold in one casting. This results in reduced engine mass, assembly costs, package size and improved emissions and engine durability. The engine uses an optimised two-valve, port-fuel injection combustion system to reduce cost and mass and can be operated on alcohol-based fuels and/or gasoline.

The generator converts mechanical energy to electrical energy to replenish the battery-pack charge and provides additional vehicle range in a small lightweight package. The generator is also used as a motor to start the range-extender engine. The low mass of the range-extender unit (85kg) and compact package make it ideal for the hybrid drivetrain in the Evora 414E Hybird. All the operation and management of the range-extender engine, the power management of the batteries and motor control are controlled by Lotus's electronic-control units and software systems. Full energy management of all the operating systems is the key to maximising performance and operation while minimising energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

For everyday commuting journeys, up to 35 miles can be travelled using battery power. The battery can be charged overnight using a conventional domestic mains supply through a socket concealed by the rear number plate. This allows the vehicle to operate with zero tailpipe emissions. For longer journeys exceeding the battery capacity, the efficient range-extender engine is used as a generator to supply the motor with electrical power and top up the battery. Lotus has used its own vehicle-simulation tools to determine the size, capacity, power and performance of all the components in the drivetrain system to optimise the system operation.

Overall this is far more energy efficient, weight efficient and cost effective than fitting the vehicle with a larger and more expensive battery, which for the majority of short journeys is a redundant weight, increasing energy requirements. With regard to the total lifetime CO2 emissions of the vehicle, including the energy required to manufacture and run it, the range extender solution has a lower overall CO2 footprint than a fully electric car of comparable performance and operating range running with a larger battery.

Prima Open House To Feature Sheet Metal Cutting

Prima Finn-Power's range of sheet metal cutting and processing solutions to be demonstrated at the forthcoming Mach 2010 exhibition will be showcased at a series of open house events. These events will take place at the company's technical centre in Italy on 26-27 March. Products on display will include the company's FB (Fastbend) manually loaded high-speed bender, the E5x servo electric turret punch press and the Zaphiro 2D laser cutter.

The Fastbend applies Prima Finn-Power's experience in servo electric technology to provide accuracy and productivity for manual bending operations. Developed as a replacement for traditional press brakes, the Fastbend allows more bends on each side of the component as part of an automated sequence, without the need for manual intervention or adjustment. It offers both rolling or circular bending modes, along with automatic tool change and barcode reader options.

Automatic setup and a self-learn capability are included alongside Fastbend's controls to ensure simple operation and minimum machine downtime. Fastbend is said to offer a low environmental impact with its efficient energy use, reduced tooling costs, minimal noise and vibration levels all contributing to the machine's low overall installation, running and maintenance costs. Similar attributes are also offered by Prima Finn-Power's latest servo electric punch press, the E5x. The E5x has been designed to provide manufacturing versatility and simple programming.

Capable of producing components from 2.5m sheets without repositioning, the machine can punch 700 holes per minute with a maximum force of 23 tonnes. The E5x also features Prima Finn-Power's Tulus Lite user interface, USB and Ethernet data transfer, and open architecture logic and motion control for precision punching performance. The Zaphiro is Prima Finn-Power's latest high-capability 2D laser machine. Incorporating linear motors, an advanced CNC controller and the company's Perfect Cut system, the Zaphiro provides cutting speeds of up to 240m/min.

The Perfect Cut system allows real-time monitoring of cutting quality and automatic correction of machine parameters. The Zaphiro stores a sample cutting piece for each material and thickness in its CNC controller. In operation, the machine detects differences to the 'perfect cut', and automatically applies adjustments to bring the quality back to the required standard. The sensitivity of the system can be adjusted by the operator - safeguarding the production of acceptable quality parts, while also eliminating expensive scrap and rework costs.

The Zaphiro's latest evolution laser head also incorporates a new F axis with higher dynamics and longer stroke, to ensure cycle-time reductions and cutting quality. Other metal cutting developments on show at the open house events include Prima Finn-Power's latest advances in fibre-laser technology. Offering high output power and efficiency, coupled with compact size and reliability, fibre lasers provide major manufacturing productivity and operating benefits, particularly on lighter gauge materials.

The use of flexible optical fibres on these next-generation machines enables the light beam to be delivered to a moveable focusing element, further improving performance and minimising maintenance downtime. Fibre-laser technology is already available as an option on the company's Syncrono 2D laser cutters and will be demonstrated at the open house events on a Platino 2D sheet metal machine.

Prima Finn-Power's combination laser cutting and punch press machinery will also be showcased at the technical centre. Examples of the company's automated work handling, storage and flexible manufacturing solutions will be on display, including the Night Train concept. This FMS system not only provides optimised 'lights-out' running capabilities, but also underlines the company's end-to-end solutions and consultancy services.

Smart Camera Includes PC-Based Operating System

Matrox Imaging has announced that the Matrox Iris GT smart camera also comes pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows XP Embedded operating system. Matrox Imaging smart cameras offer a dust-proof, immersion-resistant, rugged construction. A choice of image sensors, combined with an Intel Atom embedded processor, allow the cameras to tackle a wide variety of machine vision applications.

Designed for systems integrators, machine builders and OEMs that must deploy fully custom applications, Matrox Iris GT runs Windows XP Embedded to offer a PC-like development environment. Windows XP Embedded is a pared-down version of Windows XP Professional that provides extended availability and support.

Application development is cross-platform - PC linked to smart camera - and is done using the Microsoft Visual Studio integrated development environment in conjunction with the Matrox Imaging Library (MIL).