How To Match The Right Robot To The Right Task

By Brad Henrie, Shelley Automation

Like any other industrial machine, robots need to be properly selected for their intended task. If they aren’t they can become a process bottleneck or require more maintenance. Sometimes a needlessly complex and expensive robotic solution is chosen when a simple economically priced one would work instead. Multiple types of robots exist and each excel in different applications while falling short in others. With so many factors to consider how do we select the most optimal robotic solution?

Collaborative Robots

Collaborative robots (cobots) are all the rage right now and they have certainly earned it due to their programming simplicity, human friendliness, and versatility. They are more like shop tools than robots, and have opened up applications that previously weren’t economical. For those unfamiliar with robots this is often the first contact they have with the technology and they can often get short sighted because cobots are so versatile. It’s possible to fit a cobot to almost every task, but it isn’t always the best tool for the task.

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Speed Starters with intuitive operation

For their next meeting with an OEM or system integrator, can panel builders simply grab their smartphone and project the digital prototype of a control cabinet onto the desk of the managing director? Or right into the customer’s production facility? This admittedly sounds fantastical – but is already a reality. The new augmented reality (AR) add-on for the EPLAN eVIEW Free cloud software, in combination with the free Vuforia app from PTC, enables the free projection of completely assembled control cabinet into virtual space.

With EPLAN eVIEW Free AR, a new augmented reality (AR) application, EPLAN now brings the digital twin wherever users happen to find themselves. Designers can share their 3D designs of the control cabinet layout from EPLAN Pro Panel with co-workers and business partners via the cloud. EPLAN Program Manager Digitalisation Tim Oerter oversees the development of AR solutions and explains how to get started with EPLAN eVIEW Free AR: “A control cabinet is constructed in EPLAN Pro Panel and subsequently uploaded to the EPLAN ePULSE cloud environment. This makes it possible to share 3D designs with other users within an ePULSE organisation.” 

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SecurityBridge Firewall From Pilz Now Also Protects Automation Networks That Include Devices From Third-Party Suppliers - Open for Manipulation-Proof Communication

The SecurityBridge firewall from Pilz now also guarantees the monitoring of data communication between any other network subscribers outside of the Pilz range. As such there is even greater flexibility to incorporate it into existing industrial automation networks. Thanks to authentication and permission management, the SecurityBridge efficiently protects against potential data manipulation. As a result, the open firewall from Pilz increases plant availability.

Users of SecurityBridge have already been able to provide “secure” protection at application level for the configurable, safe small controllers PNOZmulti and the automation system PSS 4000 from Pilz. Now the firewall is also able to monitor network subscribers such as controllers from other suppliers.

For authorised data only

The SecurityBridge firewall checks the data traffic between the PC and controller and reports any unauthorised changes to the control project. That way it protects automation networks from network-based attacks and unauthorised access. Combined with the integrated VPN Server and role-based user management, only users with appropriate permission can access the subscribers protected by SecurityBridge. In this way, data transmission between the Client PC and SecurityBridge is safe from eavesdropping and manipulation.

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Schneider Electric Releases the Most Compact 3-Phase UPS In Its Class: Galaxy VL

Schneider Electric recently announced the global launch of the Galaxy VL 200-500 kW (400V/480V) 3-phase uninterruptible power supply (UPS), the newest addition to the Galaxy family. Available worldwide, this highly efficient, compact UPS offers up to 99 per cent efficiency in ECOnversion mode for a full return on investment within two years (model dependent) for medium and large data centres and commercial and industrial facilities. A live, virtual "hands-on" event for data centre professionals and partners will take place May 4 to demonstrate Galaxy VL's capabilities and features from Schneider Electric's Innovation Executive Briefing Center.

With data centre floor space at a premium, the compact design of the Galaxy VL is half the size of the industry average at 0.8 m². Its modular and scalable architecture enables data centre professionals to scale power incrementally, from 200 kW to 500 kW with 50 kW power modules, providing flexibility to grow as their business demands.

With Galaxy VL, Schneider Electric introduces Live Swap, a pioneering feature which delivers a touch-safe design throughout the process of adding or replacing the power modules while the UPS is online and fully operational, offering enhanced business continuity and no unscheduled downtime. Additionally, Live Swap's touch safe design offers increased protection for employees who no longer have to transfer the UPS to maintenance bypass or battery operation during the insertion or removal of the power modules.

"The new, energy-efficient Galaxy VL sets a very high standard for UPS innovation and is designed to help our customers grow while minimizing footprint and cost of ownership," said Mustafa Demirkol, VP, 3-Phase Global Offer Management for Schneider Electric.

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