We have added several exciting products since our last edition of the Automation Notebook. Here are some highlights about some of those new products including: Industrial Ethernet Unmanaged Switches, 24 VDC Temperature Controllers, Multi-Wire Connectors, Heavy-Duty Pneumatic Air Cylinders, Compact Limit Switches, Wera Hand Tools, Modular Solenoid Valves, Modbus Gateway Communications Module, Basic Sensors, ProSense™ Pressure and Temperature Transmitters, ZIPLink cables and modules.
Industrial Ethernet Unmanaged Switches
Stride™ Ethernet products include industrial-grade unmanaged Ethernet switches and media converters. All models feature multiple 10/100BaseT RJ45 Ethernet ports, while several also include an ST type fiber optic connection. Recently added are units with an SC fiber optic connector. Plastic case models are designed for standard temperature range (-10 to +60 °C) while aluminum case models are designed for a wider temperature range (-40 to +85 °C). These DIN rail-mountable true plug-and-play devices automatically determine and remember devices connected to each port and only route messages through the appropriate ports, increasing speed and bandwidth. Learn more at: www.automationdirect.com/ethernet-switches.
24 VDC Temperature Controllers
SOLO 24 VDC powered process/ temperature controllers are powerful process tools offering flexibility and simplicity. Available in four standard DIN sizes, these single-loop units are equipped with a dual four-digit, seven-segment display, and offer dual output control, making them ideal for managing heating and cooling processes. The built-in autotune function with PID control feature allows for fast and easy startups. Flexible control modes include PID, Ramp/Soak, ON/OFF and Manual operation. Learn more at: www.automationdirect.com/temp-controllers.
Multi-Wire Connectors
The ZIPport™ product line now includes standard series multi-wire connectors. The heavy duty connectors are designed to maintain reliable electrical connections while providing protection against dirt, moisture and mechanical stress common in industrial environments.
Available in five frame sizes (3A, 6B, 10B, 16B and 24B), heavy-duty metal housings are constructed of polyester powder coated die-cast aluminum alloy. Self-extinguishing thermoplastic housings are also available in the 3A frame size. Connector hoods are available with top entry and side entry cable passages. All housings are available in a standard profile; several are offered with a high construction profile to allow more room for wiring higher density inserts. All housings feature Pg threaded cable passages; optional Pg thread to NPT adapters are available. A single or double lever locking system assures coupling stability and protection against accidental opening.
ZIPport multi-wire connectors require one male and one female insert. The inserts, suitable for use with alternating (AC) or direct current (DC), are available in multiple pole configurations from 3 poles plus ground up to 108 poles plus ground and with termination sizes ranging from 14 to 5 AWG; units are rated for 10 to 80 amps. ZIPport inserts are made of UL 94 V-0 rated self-extinguishing thermoplastic resin rated at a maximum temperature of 125°C (257°F). The inserts are available in screw terminal and crimp style contact block connections. The contacts are copper alloy with hard silver plating. The plastic insulators are numbered on both sides by laser printing or molding in accordance with EN 60068-2-70.A wide variety of accessories includes NPT adapters, cable glands, DIN-rail mounting kits, plugs and crimp tools.
The full line of ZIPport standard multi-wire connectors can be seen at:
www.automationdirect.com/multi-wire-connectors.
Heavy-Duty Pneumatic Air Cylinders
NITRA™ pneumatic products now include D-Series heavy-duty air cylinders ideal for applications where abusive conditions are a concern.
NITRA D-series heavy-duty pneumatic air cylinders are interchangeable with other popular brands of NFPA cylinders. The heavy-duty double-acting cylinders are constructed with high quality aluminum components, including a magnetic piston fitted with a PTFE wear band. The magnetic piston can be used along with solid-state or reed switches for rod position sensing. The cylinders are also fitted with a Teflon-impregnated and hardcoat anodized heavy–duty external rod bearing to ensure smooth rod motion while maintaining rod rigidity and stability.With a maximum operating pressure of 250 psi, this series includes bore sizes from 1 ½ inch up to 4 inches; depending on bore size, available stroke lengths range from one inch to 24 inches. Optional flange attachments, as well as nuts and rod clevises, are available.
The complete line of NITRA pneumatic NFPA air cylinders can be seen by visiting:
www.automationdirect.com/air-cylinders-NFPA.
Compact Limit Switches
The AEM2G series compact limit switches feature 35 mm wide die-cast housings and are equipped with one normally-open and one normally-closed contact; all units include a three-meter cable. The IP67-rated series utilizes standard 25 mm hole spacing and a wide variety of head actuators is available. Almost all actuator styles are available in both snap-action and slow-make/slow-break contact versions.. Learn more at www.automationdirect.com/limit-switch.
Wera Hand Tools
Wera standard, insulated, and miniature screwdrivers in six-piece sets are now available. Screwdriver handles are marked with a screw symbol and the tip size for easy identification. A laser treatment provides a microrough surface on the tip of the blade for less slipping. Also available are bayoneting screwdriver and driver bit sets, as well as torque tools and screwdriver bits. Hex L-keys are also available in nine-piece metric sets and 13-piece standard sets. Wera offers a limited lifetime warranty on all screwdrivers. Driver bits and hex keys have a lifetime warranty against manufacturer’s defects. See the full line of Wera tools at www.automationdirect.com/screwdrivers.
Modular Solenoid Valves
NITRA™ pneumatic BVS series modular solenoid valves are body ported, three-port (three-way), two-position poppet valves available in normally-open or normally-closed configurations. Models are available with removable flying leads or 8 mm micro DIN connectors; units are DIN rail mountable when used with BVM series manifolds. Featuring flow coefficients from 0.02 to 0.05, models are available with 12 VDC, 24 VDC or 120 VAC solenoid coils, with LED status indicators and a pushbutton manual operator.
NITRA pneumatic BVM series modular manifolds simplify the mounting and wiring of BVS series solenoid valves. Available in four and eight-station models with 35mm or quarter-inch tube inlets, the manifolds are made of sturdy glass reinforced thermoplastic with DIN rail mounting clips included. Push-to-connect inlet and outlet connections and a nine-pin D-sub connector allow for quick and easy tubing and wiring. The complete NITRA line can be seen by visiting:
www.automationdirect.com/pneumatic-parts.
Modbus Gateway Communications Module
The MB-GATEWAY is a single port Modbus Gateway module which converts Modbus TCP to Modbus RTU. The gateway module features an automatic read function and is equipped with one RJ45 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port and one RS-422/485 2 or 4-wire serial port. It supports up to 12Modbus TCP Client (master) Ethernet connections and up to 128 RTU Server (slave) serial connections. The gateway module is 35mm DIN-rail mountable and supports NetEdit or Web browser configuration tools. The MB-GATEWAY communications module is priced at $185. More information is available at: www.automationdirect.com/modbus-gateway.
Basic Sensors
Two series of low-cost high-performance sensors have been added.
The FB series M18 plastic DC photoelectric sensors are 18mm sensors in diffuse, polarized reflective and through-beam models with sensing distances ranging from 70mm to eight meters. All models feature M12 quick-disconnects and are available in NPN and PNP output logic configurations. Also added are the PB series inductive DC proximity sensors. Twelve models are available in 12mm, 18mm and 30mm sizes, with shielded and unshielded housings and sensing ranges of 2mm to 15mm. Fitted with M12 quick-disconnects, the nickel-plated brass sensors are IP67 rated and feature either NPN or PNP logic outputs.
To see the complete line of sensors, visit:
www.automationdirect.com/sensors.
ProSense™ Pressure and Temperature Transmitters
The ProSense line of pressure sensors and temperature transmitters now includes IP68/IP69K-rated 5,000 psi pressure transmitters available in zero to 10V and 4 to 20mA output models. Offering higher operating and burst pressures, the transmitters are ideal for use in applications such as hydraulic systems, paintball changing systems, biotechnology and more.
New TTD temperature transmitters, for use with RTD probes, are available in three temperature ranges. Equipped with M12 quick-disconnects for fast wiring, the transmitters provide a high accuracy two-wire or three-wire 4-20mA signal output. The IP67 rated transmitters convert low-level RTD temperature probe output signals to high-level analog signals, making them more appropriate for long-distance transmission.
To see the complete ProSense line, visit: www.automationdirect.com/sensors.
ZIPLink Cables and Modules
ZIPLink connection systems eliminate the normally tedious process of wiring between devices by utilizing prewired cables and DIN rail mount connector modules. ZIPLink cables reduce the time to wire Productivity3000 PAC, DirectLOGIC and CLICK PLC I/O modules to terminal blocks and third party devices. For additional application solutions, new cables include prewired connections for AutomationDirect’s motion and drive products to complete communications control networks. View the full line of ZIPLinks at www.automationdirect.com/ziplinks.