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SMC has launched the VPX400 Series Safety Exhaust Valve, designed to provide a quick exhaust of air and ensure superior safety in industrial pneumatic systems. Ideal for emergency stop scenarios, the VPX400 offers quick removal of residual air, mitigating the risks associated with stored pneumatic energy and improving safety for operators.

With the new IZS51 series bar-type ionizer from global automation specialist SMC, machine builders and end users can enjoy rapid static charge neutralisation using a compact device with the option of a fully integrated valve unit. The combined ionizer/valve means even more savings in space and wiring, alongside zero flow consumption in standby mode.

General industrial equipment designers, manufacturers and maintainers can now benefit from the new SMC ZKJ vacuum manifold with PROFINET, EtherCAT, IO-Link, EtherNet/IP™-enabled communication for remotely controlling and monitoring manufacturing processes. The ZKJ also offers impressive suction flow rate taking its low air consumption and low power consumption specifications into account. Other features include valve protection functionality, IP65 rating and the ability to control up to 16 ejectors with a single manifold.

Global automation specialist SMC is once again extending its innovation credentials by unveiling a clamp-on flow sensor for liquids. Notably, the new PFUW series uses ultrasonics to measure the flow rate of fluids travelling inside piping. Users can deploy the sensors to measure the flow of various liquids, including oil, antifreeze, chemical fluids, water, beverages and more.

To perform in demanding operating environments such as those prevalent in the food industry, SMC is unveiling its advanced HF2A-LEY series rod-type electric actuator. Features such as IP69K-equivalent ingress protection, the use of stainless steel and FDA-compliant construction materials, a smooth profile preventing liquid accumulation and NSF H1 food-grade grease, make the HF2A-LEY electric actuator suitable for food cutting, chopping and filling machines. Indeed, any food processing machines subject to regular cleaning and sanitising regimes are able to benefit.

SMC has been ranked among the “World's Best Employers 2024” by Forbes, a leading U.S. business magazine.

In a move set to help shape the future of Industry 4.0, SMC is launching Smart Assets, a progressive project which will make the asset management requirements of both machine builders and end users fit for the digital age. With collaboration from leading academic and industrial partners, Smart Assets will ultimately lead to the automatic generation of dynamic and data-rich digital representations of all 700,000+ SMC products, helping companies to boost efficiency, interoperability and sustainability. The project will run until 2026.

SMC is unveiling its PSH condensation checker to provide designers and users of pneumatic systems with a highly reliable yet cost-effective way of monitoring temperature and humidity. The new PSH is a very useful device for visualising issues and preventing condensation before it leads to the potential malfunction, failure and costly replacement of important system components.

New from SMC is the ZGS compact and efficient all-in-one vacuum gripping system. Offering seamless integration with both industrial and collaborative robots, the precise control and integrated design of ZGS series vacuum grippers make for reliable performance in a host of palletising and de-palletising applications.

SMC is introducing its JSY3000-L series 64-station, five-port solenoid valve manifold to support the effective control of more components than ever before from a single manifold. Indeed, SMC is taking the concept of centralised control management a step further by simultaneously releasing the JSY3000-P series, which provides the further potential of connecting electro-pneumatic regulators to the manifold alongside solenoid valves.

To help dissipate static charge and the often disastrous consequences this phenomenon wreaks on a broad spread of confined-space production machines and systems, SMC is releasing its IZT44/45 series slim bar-type ionizer. The close pitch of the integral emitters make the IZT44/45 series adept at quickly neutralising components carrying a high level of static charge. Notably, SMC’s slim bar-type ionizer can operate effectively without a compressed air supply.

Among numerous major benefits of the new CQE series compact pneumatic cylinder from SMC is energy efficiency. CQE cylinders support a reduction in machine pressure without any negative effects on performance, providing high output force even at low pressure. Users can therefore reduce the supply pressure without increasing actuator bore size, facilitating a significant reduction in energy costs.

Any company building or operating pneumatic systems can now take the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint by adopting SMC’s innovative new biomass tubing. Manufactured using plant-based biomaterials, TU-TS-T-X309 series tubing drives a reduction in the emissions of CO2 and greenhouse gases. With less use of petroleum-based raw materials, the tubing helps companies achieve a notable step forward in their decarbonisation efforts.

We hereby would like to announce a remembrance event for our esteemed Honorary Chairman, Yoshiyuki Takada, who passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024 (JST), at the age of 97.

In July 2024, global automation product specialist SMC became a member of the Industrial Digital Twin Association (IDTA). Joining such a powerful community will reap great advantages for the ongoing digital future of the company and its customers. In particular, IDTA membership will ensure SMC always remains abreast of the latest digital twin advances, while simultaneously allowing the company to help shape digital-twin developments in support of Industry 4.0 success.

SMC is unveiling an innovative air flow controller that combines a flow sensor and electro-pneumatic regulator in a single product. The result for equipment designers and engineers is a space saving of up to 50%, significantly less piping and cables, and reduced installation time. In addition, the new IN502-44/45/46 allows the precise and reliable control of air flow rate as it is not dependant on piping conditions, pressure differential or temperature. The product benefits any application involving flow control, such as painting, packaging and welding systems across any industry, in particular automotive and food.

SMC is unveiling an innovative elastic finger actuator that boosts the versatility and productivity of automated gripping applications. The rubber sheet fingers of the MH-X7654 adapt to handling objects of different sizes or shapes, thus avoiding the need for specific gripper finger designs for each item.

SMC Corporation, global leader in industrial automation, introduces an improved version of the ZL1/ZL3/ZL6 series, a renewed multistage ejector range designed to meet the increasing demand for weight reduction in robotics applications, as well as offering IO-Link communication. This product from SMC’s vacuum range offers enhanced suction flow capabilities for workpieces with high levels of leakage while ensuring energy efficiency.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our esteemed Honorary Chairman, Yoshiyuki Takada. Mr. Takada passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the hour of 4:00am, while under medical care.

Today, SMC CORPORATION is pleased to announce that we have signed the United Nations Global Compact Initiative – a voluntary leadership platform for the development, implementation and disclosure of responsible business practices.

We would like to extend our deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in the Earthquakes off the east coast of Taiwan on April 3, 2024, and our heartfelt sympathy to all those affected by the disaster.

SMC received the “Supplier Excellence Awards 2024” from Applied Materials, Inc. (herein after “AMAT”), one of the largest semiconductor and display equipment company.

SMC is releasing its LET-X11 series of high-performance belt-driven electric actuators, which provide users with a number of key advantages. Alongside exceptional speed and load capabilities, LET-X11 electric actuators offer lightweight yet robust construction, easy maintenance and advanced auto switch mounting. These versatile products are also suitable for high-speed vertical transfer applications.

SMC is introducing the new EXW1 Series Compact Wireless System with an increased range of up to 100 m. Similar in technology to the current EX600-W, the EXW1 is smaller, lighter and fieldbus compatible, and with improved features that augment the current portfolio.

The new SMC CRP series compact compressor allows design engineers to take advantage of an innovative product that allows the use of pneumatic components in areas without air source, making it perfect for use in mobile applications. Moreover, designers have the option of using the versatile CRP series as a compressor (positive pressure) or vacuum pump (negative pressure), simply by connecting the pipes in the corresponding way.

At 16:10 on January 1, 2024 (JST), a huge earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 struck the Noto region, northern part of Ishikawa Prefecture Japan.

SMC is introducing its innovative JSXF-P series of pulse valves for the effective and efficient dislodging of foreign matter during cleaning procedures. The new JSXF-P SMARTVENT type pulse valve offers a number of notable benefits, including a built-in control board, high peak pressure, low air consumption and long service life.

SMC is once again demonstrating its innovation prowess with the company’s new JSY1000-E valve manifold with fully integrated ejector system. This optimal combination provides a complete solution for positive and negative (vacuum) pressure that allows users to control valves and ejectors in a single, simple manifold. Reducing both physical dimensions and weight, the JSY1000-E also has an energy function available that decreases energy consumption substantially and improves process efficiency.

The new JSY3000-S is a bottom-ported manifold with stainless steel plate and FDA-compliant fittings that delivers extended operating life in food and beverage manufacturing environments. Part of SMC’s extensive directional control valve family, the new plug-in JSY3000-S is cabinet-mounted with a robust bottom seal and the piping connections facing outwards. This design configuration helps to protect the valve against both corrosion and splashes from water, ensuring its suitability for location near any type of equipment that requires wash-down procedures.

SMC is unveiling an innovative air flow controller that combines a flow sensor and electro-pneumatic regulator in a single product. The result for equipment designers and engineers is a space saving of up to 50%, significantly less piping and cables, and reduced installation time. In addition, the new IN502-44/45 allows the precise and reliable control of air flow rate as it is not dependant on piping conditions, pressure differential or temperature. The product benefits any application involving flow control, such as painting, packaging and welding systems across any industry, in particular automotive and food.

We would like to extend our deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in the terrible Earthquakes occurred in the Kingdom of Morocco on September 8, 2023, and our heartfelt sympathy to all those affected by the disaster.

The new JSB series angle seat valve from SMC offers a number of key advantages to OEMs and end users alike, combining long service life, low pressure loss and compact dimensions with a high flow rate. Suitable for use with steam, water and air, optimisation of the JSB’s body flow profile ensures this space-saving valve can deliver the same flow rate as larger counterparts and, in turn, support system energy savings.

The new EQ series of slide-type and rod-type electric actuators from SMC feature a fully integrated controller, providing a simpler to set-up, easier-to-use, space-saving solution that simultaneously helps users to save energy and reduce CO2 emissions. As a further advantage, EQ series electric actuators offer straightforward control with simple and exclusive software which helps users to start the actuators working via a single screen in just three steps. First, users choose ‘set operation mode’, before specifying the stopping positions and finally defining the speed, acceleration and deceleration values. It is no more complex than controlling a two- or three-position solenoid valve.

The specialist for pneumatic and electric automation SMC got the "Bosch Global Supplier Award" in the category "Indirect Purchasing and Services" for its top performance as a supplier.

All sectors across general manufacturing and automation can take advantage of the SMC ZHV air amplifier, a new product that offers high flow rates which are fully adjustable to suit specific customer requirements. This energy-efficient, compact and lightweight solution functions as either a blow-off or vacuum unit.

We are pleased to inform that SMC will be relocating and expanding its current Tsukuba Technical Center (JTC), and open “Kashiwanoha Campus New Technical Center (provisional name)” in the "Kashiwanoha Smart City" in the fall of 2025.

As a comprehensive manufacturer of automation equipment, SMC aims to fulfil its product supply responsibilities and maintain the trust of customers by contributing to sustainable growth and the expansion of reliable technological innovations. To help deliver these objectives, SMC has a rock-solid Business Continuity Plan (BCP) that the company is now further strengthening to provide an even more robust automation and motion control offer for its global customer base.

We would like to extend our heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the terrible Earthquakes occurred in southeastern Turkey on February 6, 2023. And we sincerely hope that the relief efforts will progress rapidly.

Leading industrial automation and IIoT specialist SMC is addressing the need to reduce CO2 emissions and cut energy consumption with the release of its latest innovation, the AMS20/30/40/60 Series compressed air management system. By adopting this revolutionary new air management unit, any company that deploys pneumatic processes can gain from reductions of up to 62% in compressed air consumption, benefiting both the environment and bottom line profitability.

SMC Corporation, a global leader in manufacturing comprehensive automation control equipment has been recognized by Forbes magazine as a World’s Best Employers 2022.

SMC is introducing the new EXW1 Series Compact Wireless System with an increased range of up to 100 m. Similar in technology to the current EX600-W, the EXW1 is smaller, lighter and fieldbus compatible, and with improved features that augment the current portfolio.

SMC, a leading Japan-headquartered global specialist in pneumatic and other automated control solutions, is set to join the Nikkei 225 (or Nikkei Stock Average), the premier and most-often quoted index of Japanese stocks. The Nikkei 225 comprises of 225 stocks selected from Japan’s top-performing and most liquid blue-chip companies. SMC will commence its listing on 3 October 2022.

As devastating, unprovoked attacks continue to unfold in Ukraine, they create a tragic crisis for the Ukrainian people, their families, and their futures. SMC is firmly in opposition to authoritarianism and violence, and we stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people. We must continue to provide our courageous Ukrainian colleagues with the support they need and are working tirelessly to help our associates who are still in Ukraine, as well as those who have found themselves in the unenviable position of living under authoritarian Russian rule.

SMC’s ISE7# pressure switch has been updated adding higher pressure ranges apart from offering improved flexibility and higher control of applications, leading to better decision making.

The new JSY & ZK2-A valve and ejector combination manifold from SMC not only simplifies pneumatic systems in applications requiring both positive and negative pressure (vacuum), it also reduces wiring requirements, provides complete compatibility with multiple fieldbus communication protocols and eliminates pressure fluctuations.

Any machine builder looking to simplify and reduce the cost of adding higher levels of safety, while simultaneously seeking faster and broader communication capabilities should consider the new JXCLF step motor controller from SMC. The JXCLF features an IO-Link communication interface and a Safe Torque Off (STO) function, thus presenting machine builders with the opportunity to deliver better control of the manufacturing process and increase their system’s safety integrity level (SIL 3) and performance level (PL e) in a cost-effective way.

Leading industrial control and automation solutions specialist, SMC, is adding a new range of pinch valves to its expansive offer for medical device and food system OEMs. With the new LPV series valve, fluid does not come into contact with any moving parts, avoiding the potential for contamination. Moreover, by simply discarding the tube after use, there is no longer any need for a washing process, ensuring good hygiene. SMC’s energy-saving LPV pinch valve is suitable for controlling a wide range of analytical, medical and food industry fluids.

General industrial equipment designers, manufacturers and maintainers can now benefit from the new SMC ZKJ vacuum manifold with PROFINET-enabled communication for remotely controlling and monitoring manufacturing processes. The ZKJ also offers impressive suction flow rate taking its low air consumption and low power consumption specifications into account. Other features include valve protection functionality, IP65 rating and the ability to control up to 16 ejectors with a single manifold.

The new JSY5000-H valve manifold from SMC is purpose-designed for use in food and beverage manufacturing plants, as well as breweries. Featuring a clean design to cope with regular wash-downs, the IP69K-compliant valve differentiates itself in the marketplace with its high flow rate, low power consumption and IO-Link point-to-point communication capability, bringing a new level of control to production.

One of the latest digital flow switches to join the SMC family, PF3A#H, monitors the consumption of the main line with a 100:1 ratio. It is IO-Link compatible, and it offers the possibility of being connected to air combination units in a simple way. And now, an even more complete solution can be obtained, thanks to the integrated pressure and temperature sensors.

A new polypropylene type pump from SMC has been designed to withstand the harshest manufacturing processes, delivering production reliability that lead to cost and energy savings.

I’m Yoshiki Takada. As of April 1st, 2021, I was appointed as the new president of SMC. Since our founding in 1959, SMC has grown as a comprehensive manufacturer of automatic control equipment, including pneumatic equipment, with the goal of “meeting all of our customer requests”.

The new HRR rack-mounted thermo-chiller from SMC has been designed for installers where space is an issue. It also delivers efficiencies in terms of installation and maintenance, as it can be adjusted and maintained while installed in a rack.

SMC has designed a new lightweight, handysized ionizing gun that can neutralise static, rapidly and effectively, from a variety of products at different phases of production.

SMC has designed a direct operated 2-port solenoid valve that can withstand the harshest of environments whilst saving energy.

SMC has unveiled the IZT ionizer series that offers customers a compact solution, with a separate controller to optimise space. The new design also offers enhanced monitoring capabilities, the bars and nozzles are simple to adjust, even when located in hard to reach spaces.

The new Impact Blow Gun (IBG) from SMC is the most energy efficient on the market, using up to 87% less air than any other standard blowing gun.

The new HRR rack-mounted thermo-chiller from SMC has been designed for installers where space is an issue. It also delivers efficiencies in terms of installation and maintenance, as it can be adjusted and maintained while installed in a rack.

The latest digital flow switch to join the SMC family, PF3A7#H, monitors the consumption of the main line with a 100:1 ratio. And now, further benefits come together with IO-Link.

SMC has designed a direct operated 2-port solenoid valve that can withstand the harshest of environments whilst saving energy.

For installations that require precise and efficient control in challenging operating conditions, SMC launches its new IN-777 air servo cylinder for multipoint positioning and control

SMC has given its popular all-in-one vacuum unit ejector and pump system a refresh with the launch of the ZK2-A series. The latest incarnation offers customers superb efficiencies in terms of space, energy, maintenance and noise.

SMC has renewed its multistage ejector range with the, ZL1/ZL3/ZL6 series, in response to weight reduction demand that comes from the growing use of robotics. This addition to SMC’s vacuum range meets the suction flow requirements for workpieces with high levels of leakage, while also delivering energy efficiencies.

SMC has added to its gripper range with the launch of the MHM, which uses a magnet to handle workpieces. Ideal for workpieces with uneven surfaces or featuring holes, the MHM provides machine operators with reliable and safe handling and reduced cycle times that increases productivity.

The monitoring of multiple lines within a plant has become easier thanks to SMC’s new PSE200A 3-screen display, multi-channel digital sensor monitor.

SMC is meeting the challenge of speed and precision presented by the increasing use of robotic arms on production lines with its new JMHZ2 compact type parallel style air gripper.

A new digital flow switch manifold from SMC simplifies the flow and temperature control of production lines and facilities by housing switches in a single manifold.

In response to working closely with its customers and identifying a need for space optimised and cost efficient solutions, SMC launches its JSY 5-port Solenoid Valve with the shortest valve width in the world at 6.4mm.

SMC extends its cylinder range with the launch of its new ISO locking cylinder, CP96N-C96N that has a stronger holding force and is ideal for intermediate stops and drop prevention.

SMC has responded to market demand for smaller components with the JAS compact speed controller. Its launch means SMC now offers a complete range of ‘compact’ solutions that also includes cylinders and small integrated auto switches.

SMC’s latest digital gap checker, ISA3-L, features IO-Link compatability, offering manufacturers greater control of applications and more information at a glance with its 3-screen data display.

SMC has added to its extensive valve range with the JSXFA, a high peak pressure pulse valve, that is also fast to respond and uses low air consumption, to guarantee energy savings.

A bit of introduction

SMC is building on the success of its ZSE20(F)/ISE20 pressure switch range that features 3-screen display, 3-step setting mode and selectable delay time function, with the ZSE20(F)#/ISE20# (A, B and C). The extended series will help operators deliver efficiencies in terms of control and time saving. Now including IO-Link connection.

SMC has launched a wireless fieldbus unit, EX600-W, that offers customers a decentralised solution that is EtherNet/IP™ compatible and can withstand electric noise, deeming it reliable even in harsh, industrial environments.