Naše znanje in izkušnje za zanesljivo proizvodnjo. Proizvodnja baterij je v zadnjih letih postala vse bolj priljubljena, saj se je njeno področje uporabe razširilo z majhnih elektronskih naprav, kot so pametni telefoni in tablični računalniki, na hibridna in električna vozila, naprave za shranjevanje energije z visoko zmogljivostjo do robotske industrije, kot so droni. Vendar pa proizvodnja baterij kupcem prinaša velike izzive, saj je nujno zagotavljanje visoke stopnje varnosti kot tudi upoštevanje vseh okoljskih vprašanj. Poleg tega sta potrebna okretnost in hitrost za zagotovitev optimalnega časa za vstop na trg v tako eksponentno rastoči industriji. Odkrijte naše ključne rešitve za industrijo proizvodnje baterij. Kliknite tukaj

Wireless robotics: where less is definitely more. Ever yearned for a wireless communication system for your robotics? Fed up with cables and their associated breakages and disconnections? Want lower installation and maintenance costs? Well, wireless robotics is now a reality. In fact, it’s been here for some time, providing totally reliable, noise-resistant communication at a growing number of manufacturers that have adopted the completely unique Wireless Unit from SMC. To help anyone who is still hesitant about wireless communication technology, Juanjo Jubete, Wireless Unit Product Specialist, at SMC Spain, addresses a number of common concerns in this short Q&A.   By Juanjo Jubete, Wireless Unit Product Specialist, SMC Spain MARCH 2022 Q1. How can potential users overcome their fear of the unknown in terms of wireless reliability? A1. It’s a common misconception that wireless is not as reliable as wired, but how many wireless systems have we got functioning in our homes? Headsets, landline phone handsets, car keys and computer keyboards to list but a few. Wireless communication technology has become so robust that most of us take it for granted, so why not let our industrial systems take advantage too? In the seven years since the launch of our Wireless Unit, we’ve had no notable problems reported. It has even been standardised as reliable communication equipment at leading manufacturers in the automotive industry. Q2. What if my IT department is reluctant to accept the addition of new external wireless networks, thinking that they may conflict with internal network packets? A2. It’s important to note that our wireless equipment only sends information when necessary, not constantly, in very small network packets. Furthermore, the system incorporates FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) technology, which has been widely proven for many years to work without problems in areas where several devices transmit information in the same bandwidth simultaneously. All of these factors help to ensure robust and reliable communication. Q3. Will wireless communication equipment perform stably and reliably in environments where there is a high level of electromagnetic noise, such as spot welding? A3. The origins of the product’s development are in the automotive sector, whose natural habitat is a sea of electromagnetic noise derived from motors, inverters, heaters, spot-welding equipment, RFIDs and so on. There’s no danger of the equipment being susceptible to failure due to electromagnetic noise. In fact, we know that it’s far more immune to noise than copper communication, almost behaving like fibre optics, but without the associated high costs and delicate care requirements. Q4. What are the optimal industrial applications for wireless communications technology? A4. Although suitable for all industrial sectors, most of the applications to date have been for robots and robot peripherals. The power packs found in systems such as robots and turntables subject the communication cables they carry to extreme twists and turns, eventually causing them to fatigue and break. The result is random system stoppages that often take extensive time to identify and repair, and which will ultimately reappear as they are endemic. With wireless, we can basically eliminate any cables that carry electrical control signals. Part positioning and orientation - Pick & Place - SMC´s EX600 Wireless Unit Q5. Can you set out the most important wireless benefits? A5. Adopting a wireless solution avoids unproductive stoppages derived from loose or broken communication cables or bad contacts. It also avoids failures caused by electromagnetic noise thanks to the better immunity of wireless communication. In addition, cost savings result as there is no longer any need for ultra-flexible cables, special swivel joints, highly protected connectors and so on. SMC´s Wireless Unit – EX600-W Series  

Sustainable management of CO2. SMC’s CO2 emission-reducing initiatives. Production process and product performance improvements with a focus on the environment Over the past several years, SMC has continued to take on its social responsibility to seriously promote and support sustainability in order to minimize negative impacts to the environment. SMC is always looking to develop newer and greener solutions with CO2 reduction as a top priority as a leader in the field of pneumatics. One of the key components of our comprehensive approach is the designing of compact and lightweight products. Smaller, lighter products require less raw materials to make and less time to process. In addition, the products themselves use less energy. All of these efforts contribute to reduced CO2 emissions. SMC’s fully integrated technical, production, and sales departments are able to respond to the needs of our customers from around the world with a shared goal of finding new methods to effectively protect the environment.  

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. PROFINET communication allows remote vacuum pressure operation, including monitoring the pressure values of individual ejectors and setting suction verification and the energy-saving function. This enhanced functionality leads to better control of the application, makes set-up easy and provides access to more valuable data and on-board product diagnostics. PROFINET's fast start-up function also makes it possible for an IO device to go from power on to cyclic data exchange in 0.5 seconds or less. Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) is also boosted as disconnections and recovery times are minimised. Up to 90% less air consumption SMC's ZKJ series vacuum manifold with ejector system reduces air consumption by up to 90% thanks to its energy-saving function. For the adsorption of work pieces with minimal vacuum leakage, the built-in check valve maintains vacuum pressure, significantly reducing the use of compressed air. Here, the integral pressure sensor monitors vacuum pressure and automatically turns off the supply valve upon reaching the set value. If there are leaks, when vacuum pressure falls to the set value, the supply valve re-activates to increase vacuum pressure and maintain the adsorption state. For porous work pieces or other applications where leakage is significant, the valve that controls the ejector from burn-out/breakage is protected by a special valve protection function that switches off the energy-saving control after a pre-set number of activations. As a high-performance vacuum source, ZKJ is a complete product that offers all necessary functions to fulfil the requirements of virtually every customer application, including vacuum transfer systems, automatic assembly machines, packing/unpacking systems, panel conveyors and palletising equipment. Alongside fieldbus communications and energy efficiency, SMC's latest vacuum manifold is highly versatile and saves space with its ability to control up to 16 ejectors from a single device. In addition, the wiring and pipes are integrated on the same side and the use of M12 wiring connectors means that the ZKJ is rated with IP65 protection against dust and water splashes, making it suitable for applications in which environmental operating conditions are a concern. Good vacuum pressure; low noise Available in various nozzle diameters and suction flow rates for use in sectors such as automotive, machine tool, food, beverage, medical, pharmaceutical and packaging, the ZKJ offers good maximum vacuum pressure (-89 kPa) and low noise levels (down to 52 dB) thanks to its high-performance silencer. Importantly, the normally-open supply valve ensures the work piece remains in vacuum in the event of an emergency stop or power failure (assuming air pressure continues), avoiding damage to equipment or employees if it were to drop. Quick and easy maintenance is another advantage, as the position of the ZKJ's vacuum port above the exhaust port makes it easy to replace the filter element, thereby saving on labour costs.

The MACM is a new centring unit from SMC that helps to align and position heavy workpieces on the move, so manufacturers can install and operate more compact conveyor lines. Manufacturers seeking solutions to help save space and energy need look no further than SMC’s latest centring unit. The MACM helps to align and position workpieces up to 1,000 kg on conveyor lines, so smaller cylinders can be used. Further advantages of the MACM are achieved by its flexibility, as it can move in any direction and rotate transferrable workpieces 360°, while maintaining ±1 or less centring accuracy. A spokesperson from SMC, the world’s leading expert in pneumatics, said: “Space and energy usage are key challenges for manufacturers and the MACM has been designed to help our customers achieve savings in these areas and operate more compact and efficient conveyor lines.” Other features of the MACM include a built-in air locking mechanism and the option of mounting an external photo sensor to offer greater control during the process. Further usage benefits are achieved with the choice of three table materials and a table centre movable range up to Ø100 mm, which makes the MACM ideal for general automation and material handling plants.

Pneumatic cylinders: drive energy efficiency by switching to 4 bar operating pressure. Climate change, sustainability and energy efficiency have never been so high on the political agenda. The UN’s recent Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UK brought the world’s political leaders, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), businesses and scientists together with the aim of accelerating action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The question for those of us at the industrial machinery level, is how can we contribute? Today, I see a new generation of engineers keen on influencing the industrial world in a positive way, creating machines that attain new levels of energy efficiency to help protect the Earth for future generations.   By Séamus Dunne, Actuator Section Technical Manager, SMC European Technical Centre JANUARY 2022 By designing industrial machinery and systems for an operating pressure of 4 bar, rather than 7 bar, end users can cut their energy consumption by up to 29%. With such an enormous environmental benefit on offer, the question is how to turn this idea into reality? SMC’s Industry Projects Manager for Europe, Andy Still, has extensive experience in this area. Check out his article on energy efficiency: ‘Release the pressure’. Here at SMC, thinking about our energy-saving products, we offer both ISO and non-ISO cylinders; each has its own attributes and advantages. ISO cylinders prove beneficial in a variety of different applications which, in addition to their consistency in dimensions (regardless of pneumatic supplier), is why they remain popular for industrial machinery projects around the world. However, if you really want to push energy efficiency to new levels, I’d suggest that non-ISO solutions are the product of choice. Our engineers in Japan are always looking to design more efficient alternatives in order to drive down energy consumption and help OEMs create more sustainable solutions. We believe that more compact and lighter is the way forward for those seeking ultra-efficient solutions. Less material means lighter machines and lower shipping costs. Smaller products ultimately lead to smaller machine footprints. More machine lines can be installed into factories increasing productivity. And, although I can’t state that lighter and smaller always translates into less air consumption, fitting such components to moving parts of the machine can translate into less energy consumption. To give you an idea of the difference between ISO and non-ISO, here’s one example: compared with the SMC C96-C ISO cylinder (50 mm bore, 100 mm stroke), the length of our new JMB series demonstrates an 18% length reduction, while width is 9% less and weight is 39% lighter. Notably, it is possible to deliver air consumption savings through the use of intermediate bore sizes. For instance, to move a workpiece with a weight of 37 kg, a cylinder with a bore diameter of 43 mm or more is required (if operating at 5 bar pressure). Previously, a conventional 50 mm diameter bore would have been the closest option since the next smallest size, 40 mm, has insufficient output. However, with the newly released JMB cylinder in 45 mm diameter bore, sufficient output is available while also saving air due to a 0.4 L (ANR) reduction in air consumption compared with the 50 mm variant. SMC´s JMB Series – Offers intermediate bores Customers frequently tell me they want more compact cylinders that still offer optimal performance while also reducing energy requirements. Unfortunately, achieving these optimisations and the high levels of energy consumption savings that the climate crisis demands, is extremely difficult within the constraints of ISO 15552. Although we of course continue supporting customers with an extensive range of ISO cylinders and options, we’re advancing the development of other cylinder ranges - such as our JMB series - to satisfy market demand for more compact and energy-efficient products. We are at a time of critical decision-making for the entire planet. Let’s make the right choices. Additional graphical data Air consumption can be reduced by optimal size selection EXAMPLE In order to move a workpiece with a weight of 37 kg, a bore size of Ø 43 or more is required. Previously, a Ø 50 bore size would have been the closest option since the next smallest size, the Ø 40, has insufficient output. However, with the newly released bore size of Ø 45, sufficient output can be obtained while also saving air due to a 0.4 L (ANR) reduction in air consumption compared with the Ø 50.   ∗ Conditions/Supply pressure: 0.5 MPa, Load factor: 50 % Current bore size output NOTE 1 - Supply pressure: 0.5 MPa, Load factor: 50 % When the intermediary bore size of Ø 45 is used NOTE 1 - Supply pressure: 0.5 MPa, Load factor: 50 % AIR CONSUMPTION - Ø 50: 2.2 L (ANR) − Ø 45: 1.8 L (ANR) = 0.4 L (ANR) 18 % reduction Air cylinder and ISO 15552 Cylinder dimension & weight comparison Compared at ø63-200 mm stroke  For CO2 emissions reductions of our ISO cylinders versus their Non ISO alternatives, please check the Sustainable Management of CO2 catalogue here.

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. The PA5000 process pump from SMC is so abrasion resistant that it is guaranteed a long life managing at least 50 million cycles. Thanks to its polypropylene body, it can withstand the corrosive effects of moving water, acids and alkali fluids.  The PA5000 also uses up to 53 percent less air to generate energy savings. Its clever design also features no sliding parts in wetted areas, which not only reduces particle generation but makes it easy to clean, as well as simple and quick to maintain, saving both time and money. A spokesperson from SMC said: “At SMC we are always looking at ways to improve our solutions to deliver enhanced performance and reliability. Our new process pump does just that – it’s durable and robust, offering long lasting efficiencies and flexibility in difficult operating conditions.” The PA5000 is adaptable and suitable for a range of industry sectors including water treatment, pulp and paper, chemical, semi-conductor, machine tool and print, paint and varnish applications.  It is compact and lightweight but achieves high dispensing volume and self-primes, making it an all-round flexible and reliable component. For more information about the PA5000, please visit SMC’s New Product Section at www.smc.eu

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. SMC, the worldwide leading expert in pneumatics, has launched a magnetic gripper that helps customers transfer workpieces with irregular surfaces, where prior to now it was difficult to gain sufficient absorption using a vacuum pad.     With a holding force of up to 1000 N, the MHM keeps hold of the workpieces even when the air is shut off, giving peace of mind when it comes to reliable and safe movement of workpieces.  Furthermore, with a residual force of 0.3 N or less, cycle times are reduced and productivity output is improved. A spokesperson from SMC said: “Thanks to the close working relationship we enjoy with our customers, it became apparent there was a need to develop a gripper for workpieces that vacuum pads could not accommodate.  The magnetic MHM fills that void, and the initial feedback has been really positive thanks to its clever design that offers flexibility, cost savings and reliability.” Suitable for a range of transfer applications, the holding force of the MHM can be adjusted by changing the distance between the magnet and workpiece by the adjustment bolt. Made from Fluororubber, the bumper prevents damage to the workpieces, delivering cost savings.  The bumper also prevents the workpiece from slipping during operations, improving safety.  Featuring three mountable surfaces and the option to mount auto switches, the MHM offers flexibility and greater process control.   For more information about the new MHM, please visit SMC’s New Product Section at www.smc.eu

VXB Series, angle seat valve for air, steam and heated water that delivers an extended operating life, low leakage levels and a compact design, now providing an easy visual check too. SMC, the worldwide leading expert in pneumatics, has enhanced the design of its VXB Series angle seat valve, with a status indicator that provides visual confirmation of the valve open / closed status. A spokesperson from SMC said: “We detected the market was demanding this upgrade to reduce troublesome and costly production downtimes due to valve failure. The integration of the indicator facilitates fault diagnosis, giving our customers the opportunity to react in time.” VXB Series can deliver up to 5 million air and 3 million steam cycles. It also has a special FKM rubber seal that minimises internal air leakages to just 10 cm³/min or less. With a compact design of just 100 mm height in the 3/8 valve, the VXB is the ideal solution for applications including temperature control, hot water systems, industrial washing machines, sterilising and cleaning equipment. Further design features help users keep costs to a minimum by extending the lifespan and efficiency of the valve through a double protective construction. Foreign particles are prevented from interfering with the VXB’s performance thanks to a protective seal and a resin scraper. Available in three port sizes, 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4, the VXB can be ordered in bronze or stainless steel (316L equivalent) with a pilot port location that can be placed in three of its four sides.

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’s latest addition to its Sensor and Switches range centralises the monitoring of various sensors using an IO-Link compatible 3-screen monitor.   Any sensor that consumes less than 50 mA and an output of 1-5 VDC can be connected to the PSE200A, offering an all in one solution for monitoring every aspect of line production from pressure to flow and electrostatics to temperature. It has four channels, so up to four sensors can be connected at the same time, significantly downsizing the space required for installation.   A spokesperson from SMC said: “The PSE200A series meets the needs of our customers as it saves costs, improves overall process efficiencies and machine availability due to being IO-Link compatible.  It can be used as a hub between the IO-Link master and sensors, converting analogue data to a digital format which increases data availability that can be accessed remotely any time, any place. “It can also detect the pressure differential between two points, so the ‘clogging’ status of filters on two different lines can be monitored remotely at the same time, allowing for smart FRL and preventative maintenance, which is an important requirement for our customers.” Additional design benefits of the PSE200A include being able to change the field settings while checking the measured values, where up to three sensors can be shown simultaneously thanks to a 3-screen display.  Furthermore, it features a user friendly, quick 3-step setting with snapshot function. For more information about the PSE200A, please visit SMC’s New Product Section at www.smc.eu