Automation Category Nominees

Studio 5000 Design Software

Two new additions to the Studio 5000 design software allow for industrial engineers to design machines and processes more efficiently. The Simulation Interface tool transforms how users design, test, validate and commission systems using digital engineering. The tool connects a system’s controller to advanced simulation and modeling tools. Users can then simulate how products or processes with dynamic properties will behave in production. The Application Code Manager (ACM) tool allows users to automatically generate documentation for projects after creating a template and placeholders for data. The ACM also allows users to import information from architect tools, which reduces rework.

Rockwell Automation

www.RockwellAutomation.com

Sitara AM2x MCU

The Sitara AM2x microcontroller portfolio combines processor-level performance with MCU design simplicity to enable real-time control, networking and analytics applications at the edge. The portfolio enables 10 times the computing capability of traditional, flash-based MCUs. The Sitara AM243x device features up to four Arm Cortex-R5F cores running up to 800 MHz each, with integrated real-time control and industrial communications to simplify factory automation. Integrated stacks support common industrial protocols and gigabit Ethernet with TSN. The on-chip security features help engineers meet encryption requirements, while functional safety mechanisms and collateral can help achieve up to SIL 3 for industrial systems.

Texas Instruments

www.TI.com

Digital Quoting Platform

Protolabs’ digital quoting platform brings the speed and agility customers demand from a digital manufacturer to new levels. Uploaded CAD files enter an end-to-end digital thread beginning with an e-commerce system featuring collaboration tools allowing for a team approach to the ordering process, and transparency tools detailing cost implications of each decision. Enhanced DFM analysis utilizes AI to identify the issues upfront that could slow down production, including gate and injector pin layout—all displayed in a 3D viewer. The intuitive, AI-powered interface has reduced clicks to quote, configure, approve and order 10 parts by nearly 50% since its debut.

Protolabs

www.protolabs.com

OPTIME

OPTIME is an affordable and easily scalable condition monitoring system that consists of wireless, battery-powered vibration sensors, a cellular gateway and an app to visualize the resulting data. OPTIME provides 15,000 unique measurements per sensor per year to deliver advance warning of potential damage to machines such as electric motors, fans and pumps. OPTIME’s sensors, which install in just minutes, can be put into operation without any prior condition monitoring expertise. OPTIME captures six different vibration measurements plus temperature at preset intervals, thereby adding value to the customer by providing timely information on machine condition status to avoid unplanned outages.

Schaeffler Group USA Inc.

www.schaeffer.us

NearFi Coupler

NearFi is the new contactless real-time transmission technology from Phoenix Contact. With protocol-independent Ethernet communication, it facilitates flexible application possibilities for all Ethernet protocols. With NearFi couplers, power (24 V, 2 A) and real-time Ethernet data (100 Mbps, full duplex) can be transmitted across an air gap of up to 10 mm. You can use this technology to replace connections subject to wear and slip rings in industrial applications and minimize costs caused by failures.

Phoenix Contact

www.phoenixcontact.com

Kurt RV36 Robotic Gripper

The Kurt RV36 Robot end effector is a two-finger parallel gripper with a revolutionary design that allows automated finger/end effector changes without gripper body changes. An amazingly adaptable gripper by itself is made even better with automatic finger changes. Quick, operator-free finger changes using standard pull studs on each gripper finger allow for increased flexibility, less downtime for your robot and cost savings for your business.

Kurt Workholding

www.kurtworkholding.com

ION/CME N-Series Digital Drives

ION/CME N-Series Digital Drives are compact, PCB-mountable modules that provide high-performance motion control, network connectivity (Ethernet, CAN, RS232, RS485 and SPI), and power amplification (output up to 1,000 watts) for Brushless DC, DC Brush, and step motors. These powerful digital drives are fully user-programmable and perform profile generation, PID servo compensation, direct encoder input, field-oriented control, and many other motion control functions. These miniature devices are ideal for creating embedded control solutions for medical, mobile, scientific, semiconductor and a host of other automation applications.

Performance Motion Devices, Inc. (PMD)

www.pmdcorp.com