Turck, Woodhead, GGB and Pacific Bearing roll out new products at Hannover Fair

Here¡¯s a wrap-up about several of the new motion control and bearing products I learned about after Hannover Fair booth visits in Germany last week. Also, stay tuned for my forthcoming video diary of the show.

In the industrial automation sector, Woodhead Industries, which was acquired by Molex in August, made a series of announcements, including two new diagnostic tools its BradCommunications line of industrial automation electronics. They include SNMP Management Suite for analyzing Ethernet data to perform such chores such as pinpointing bottlenecks and taking corrective action. The other tool is DeviceNet Doctor, which alerts an operator when networks falls below set thresholds of a ¡°good¡± network. Woodhead also added Ethernet Modbus TCP connectivity for its IP20 BradControl Block I/O system and for its Classic 60mm wide IP67 BradControl line of I/O modules. Finally, Woodhead announced the M12 Ethernet D-code connectors and cord setsdesigned for harsh industrial environments.

Across the aisle in Hall 9, Woodhead rival Hans Turck GmBH & Co. introduced it firstRFID package called BL ident. The package consists of the transceivers, cabling, I/O modules and memory-based tags, which can operate in high temperature environments up to 210¢ª C. Previously, Turck obtained RFID products for its customers from Baylogh, but that arrangement is about to expire, said a Turck official. Turck is targeting production and logistics control.

In bearings, Pacific Bearing rolled out several new linear motion lines: They include the new Dolphin Flex Linear Guide, which company officials say is aimed at ¡°low cost automation, positioning tables, gauges, packaging equipment, and anywhere compact flexible linear movement is required.¡± The company also introduced its Redi-Rail linear guides, which are available in steel, stainless or polymer rollers. The product is targeting linear motion environments such as automation, material handling and office and semiconductor machinery. As well, the company introduced its new Mini-Rail T-Guides with self-lubricated polymer inserts promising to provide a low friction and low cost linear motion solution. Finally the company also slid out two a new Low Profile Mini-Slid and new Mini-Rail Roller Carriages.

Also in bearings, GGB Bearing Technology introduced its EP line of sealed bearing cartridges that promise to outperform their steel counterparts by 10 times. According to a company official, the line was developed at the request of the heavy equipment manufacturer GGB did not want to name publicly. The new bearings, which are sealed, last up to five years and can withstand forces up to 90,000 PSI, according to the official. They require no lubrication whereas a steel bearing requires daily lubrication and is typically replaced every year, the official said, adding that sales from longer life would be offset by market share expansion.