Automation specialist, Festo, took advantage of the Hannover Fair held in Germany in April, to launch a number of new products. These products are focused on improving the efficiency of customer operations and quality of products.
Two of the products, the SMAT position transmitter and the Intelligent Compact Vision System, represent Festo's diverse offerings.
The SMAT is touted to be a groundbreaking alternative to the range of traditional proximity sensors. This transmitter continuously records the position of the cylinder piston within a 50 mm range and generates a displacement-proportional analog output signal. With a reproducibility of 0,1 mm, it represents a reliable solution for object detection and process monitoring. Objects are detected during press-fitting, clamping, position sensing, quality sorting of parts as well as workpiece replacement. The position transmitter SMAT also ensures reliable processes in the handling and the production of sheet metal components, in the monitoring of wear and quality inspection, and in laser and welding systems.
The transmitter has two standardised analog outputs for voltage and current and can thus be connected directly to analog input modules of PLC, IPC or Festo valve terminals. SMAT is the low-cost, space-saving alternative to special solutions such as potentiometers or inductive sensors that have to be fitted externally on piston rods or drives. It is based on a contactless measuring principle, which means that position sensing is wear-free.
The SMAT functions on many drives without any restrictions and can be installed quickly and easily in the standard T-slot of a pneumatic cylinder using an Allen key. It is not necessary to know the polarisation of the piston magnet. This plug and work principle ensures the position transmitter can be inserted into the slot in any direction. The measuring range of 50 mm is constant and does not depend on the drive used. Flexibility and simplicity help reduce costs in design, assembly and commissioning as well as in handling and storage.
Zero defect production in focus
The intelligent Compact Vision System SBOC-Q/SBOI-Q offers high system availability by providing reliable inspection results for a broad range of applications. Whether it is used for orientation, identification of small parts, the measurement of turned parts, the precision positioning of drives or the location of objects for the control of handling equipment, the system can be used to check regularly and irregularly moving or static parts.
Its makers claim a 100% quality inspection, even with a considerable variety of workpieces. Small and sturdy, this area-based inspection system is easy to integrate into existing systems and helps manufacturers to meet the increasing quality requirements of their customers.
The sensor system for image data acquisition as well as the complete electronic evaluation unit and the interfaces for communication with the controller are already integrated in the vision system, making it a practical solution. The CheckKon and CheckOpti software packages facilitate commissioning, configuration and operation of the camera. CheckOpti is also used for the teach-in of inspection parts. Following the presentation of sample parts, the user defines various inspection characteristics with the aid of the software, including length, height, area, centre of gravity or angle, and loads the inspection programme onto the vision system. During subsequent operation, the camera can use these values to determine whether workpieces are good or bad and assign them to a specific part type or orientation. The option for the teach-in of up to 256 workpieces ensures maximum ease of conversion. The short exposure time of the camera (minimum of 20 µs) guarantees optimum results even under difficult conditions. The system continues to provide accurate inspection results even when the workpiece moves at high speed or when the camera or inspection parts vibrate.
Depending on the application, the user can choose between two camera variants. Type SBOC-Q-R1B can be combined with a variety of lenses thanks to the C-Mount and CS-Mount threaded connection and offers a variable area of view and operating distance. Variant SBOI-Q-R1B has built-in optics and lighting and is suitable for operating distances ranging from 22 mm to 1 m and areas of view between 14 x 10 mm and 520 x 390 mm.
The Compact Vision System presents no interface problems when it comes to interaction with other system components. It communicates with the controller via the integrated Ethernet interface and can be connected to a PC for configuration or diagnostic purposes. With the Front End Displays from Festo, users can also modify the camera parameters, perform the teach-in of new parts or view live images and calculation results. The CAN interface supports direct connection with a CP input and/or output module and the connection of up to four cameras to the CP nodes of the CPX valve terminal.
For more information contact Joanne Dix, Festo, +27 (0) 11 971 5560, [email protected]
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