PRESSESERVICE

RAFI has extended its RAFIX 30 FS+ model series with an elegant, particularly flat design to include illuminated pushbuttons with a protruding bezel in six different bezel colors. Available with a stainless steel front ring, round collar and protruding translucent cover in black, white, yellow, green, blue or red, the control devices are dimensioned for installation openings of 30.3mm. With a collar diameter of 34.5mm, the actuators are suitable for a grid dimension of 35x35mm and above. The pushbutton series has IP65 protection on the front, can be used in temperature ranges from -25°C to +70°C and offers clear tactile feedback even when operated with gloves. Their durable design is designed for actuating forces of up to 100N and a service life of at least 1 million actuating cycles. The illuminated pushbuttons, which are optimized for applications in electrical engineering, industrial robotics as well as in vehicle, machine and plant construction, can be combined with PCB switching elements for PCB applications as well as with QC switching elements for classic wiring. In the PCB version, the push-buttons achieve an installation depth of just 15.7mm. The QC switching elements are connected individually via 2.8×0.8mm flat plugs with an installation depth of 31.9mm. A plug-in LED clip is used for lighting. Both switching element variants are available in versions with gold contacts for a maximum of 35V and 100mA or with silver contacts for up to 250V and 4A. MICON 5 series micro switches can also be used as switching elements using a short-stroke adapter.

Menzel Elektromotoren has fitted a stock motor for operation at an altitude of 4200 meters AMSL and shipped it to a gold mine in the Andes. This was an urgent order due to the failure of the existing mill motor. The new motor had to be modified so it could smoothly replace the old one. Menzel adapted the performance characteristics and cooling type to the high altitude, changing the cooling to IC 06 with external fans. The motor features a weatherproof design (IP24W / NEMA WPII). Further works included the changeover to double-delta, 4160 V, 60 Hz, shortening the NDE shaft, re-milling the drive shaft and building base plates to adapt the foot holes and shaft height to the existing connections on site. The squirrel cage motor also had to be equipped for ramp-up on a frequency converter. The motor features 2980 kW rated output, 894 rpm rated speed and a rated torque of 31833 Nm. Menzel won the contract due to its fast delivery capability. The internationally active Berlin-based manufacturer also supplies the mining industry with custom configurations of fan and conveyor motors etc. The current project came in through Menzel’s Peruvian sales partner, who also travelled to Berlin with the user for final testing and acceptance and who supervised the commissioning.
More reference projects: https://www.menzel-motors.com/mining-motors/

autoVimation showcases its products for the effective protection of machine vision technology at the 2025 Control tradeshow in Stuttgart, Germany, as part of the Fraunhofer Vision special show (Hall 7, Booth 7401). Various camera enclosure series not only achieve high IP protection ratings, but also passively cool the installed components by 25 K. For applications with particularly low or high ambient temperatures, the manufacturer also offers high-performance, cost-efficient heating and cooling solutions. The autoVimation portfolio includes enclosures in many sizes and formats for all common camera types, including rugged aluminum dovetail enclosures as well as hygienic designs that are suitable for processes in the food and pharmaceutical industries with regular high-pressure cleaning. A trade fair premiere in this product group, the Chameleon M, is a brand-new hygienic enclosure especially designed for right-angled cameras. There are also demo setups of the robust standard Machine Vision Building Kit with aluminum dovetail profiles and the new award-winning Hygienic Building Kit in an EHEGD-compliant design made of stainless-steel tubes. The accessory range includes various viewing windows, wind curtains, protective flaps and the Meganova LED ring light featuring a smart control. A further exhibit demonstrates the performance of this illumination with crisp images of a fan rotating at 50 km/h.

autoVimation at the Control show
Stuttgart, Germany, 6 – 9 May 2025
Fraunhofer Vision special show – Hall 7, Booth 7401

The German special cable manufacturer SAB Bröckskes will present wiring solutions for construction machinery and agricultural and special vehicles at the bauma trade fair in Munich, Germany, 7 to 13 April 2025, at booth A2-441A. The exhibition shines a spotlight on double EMC-shielded high-voltage (HV) cables from the HV 1000 C series with single core (SC) and multi-core (MC) versions. The HV 1000 C SC line is ideal, amongst others, for the electrical connection of inverters and electric motors and includes nine sizes with nominal cross-sections from 4 mm˛ to 95 mm˛. The MC range comes in versions from 2 x 4.00 mm˛ to 5 x 6.00 mm˛ with applications as connecting cables to the cabin heating, the electric compressor or the HV heat pump in electric and hybrid vehicles, for example. The SC and MC cables feature high mechanical strength and resistance to environmental influences as well as very good oil and temperature resistance from -50 °C to 90 °C. The extremely tensile, abrasion and shear-resistant outer sheaths enable tight bending radii. The portfolio provides high robustness by default, with flame-retardant and self-extinguishing materials in accordance with IEC 60332-1-2 as well as high mud, UV, ozone and salt water resistance. In addition to the standard versions, SAB Bröckskes also manufactures other cross-sections and sheaths in other colors and assembles cables with matching connectors on request. The offer for HV measurement technology includes connection cables for acceleration sensors (IEPE) and strain gauges, HV measuring cables for DC and AC voltage measurement as well as highly flexible HV cables for temperature measurement. The overall portfolio furthermore includes type K single- and multi-channel HV sensors, Pt100/Pt1000 HV sensors and HV test adapters. In addition, SAB Bröckskes and its technology partner CSM have developed measurement modules for the safe testing of HV components in vehicles and test benches.

Even the largest sensor program cannot cover every particular need. Therefore, EGE-Elektronik flexibly answers a wide range of customer demands – from branded OEM versions to special materials for aggressive media and processes with high-pressure cleaning. The German company is established as a manufacturer of durable, precise sensors for extreme ambient conditions. Thanks to a high level of vertical integration and profound application know-how, the company can fulfill most requests quickly and at manageable costs, even in small production runs. This includes various certifications and approvals such as DNV (formerly Germanischer Lloyd), UL or 3-A. The portfolio includes measurement technology for flow monitoring and level and object detection. Virtually all sensor properties can be adapted to specific applications: measured value output, sensitivity, probe length, process and communication interfaces, connectors, cable length and material – such as oil-resistant, flame-retardant and halogen-free cables, silicone cables, shielded cables or cables with reinforced mechanical protection. The housing design and cable position can be adapted to installation sites with limited space. EGE also offers bespoke designs for extended temperature ranges and demanding environmental conditions. The manufacturer uses high-quality materials for sensors and gaskets and adapts them to particular media and processes. If required, special materials and coatings with high strength, corrosion resistance, chemical resistance, thermal shock resistance and permanent resistance to extreme temperatures are used. The sensors monitor various media. Data sheets provide information on sensor performance in representative media such as water or oil. On request, the manufacturer will test sensors with customer-specific media. Furthermore, EGE can implement tamper-proof measuring points, on-site measured value displays and remote parameterization solutions. 100 % of the production takes place in Germany.

Learn more and start an inquiry: https://www.ege-elektronik.com/products/customer-specific-solutions/

EGE-Elektronik manufactures intrinsically safe capacitive level controllers for hazardous areas with potentially explosive gas atmospheres. The compact KGFTa-series sensors feature a high temperature stability of -20 °C to 180 °C. They have the ATEX and IECEx approvals for installation in zone 0 and in partition walls between zone 0 and zone 1. The KKa 030 Ex external amplifier, which is also approved for zone 0 and zone 1, enables remote parameterization outside the high-temperature area. The system consisting of KGFTa and KKa 030 is connected to an IKMb 123… analysis device, which provides an intrinsically safe power supply. The series includes sensors with G1/4 and G1/2 threads. The level controllers made of stainless steel 1.4571 feature IP68 protection, a PEEK measuring tip and a PTFE cable. They are therefore also suitable for monitoring aggressive media. Typical applications include level monitoring of process fluids in chemical and pharmaceutical production.

More about capacitive level sensors for hazardous areas: https://www.ege-elektronik.com/products/fill-level-sensors/capacitive-level-switches-for-hazardous-areas-high-temperature/

EGE-Elektronik has revised its intrinsically safe optical level sensors for liquids with ATEX/IECEx approval for use in zone 0 and is launching the new, improved UF2 series. The optical measuring principle works independently of the dielectric constant or conductivity of the liquid. This sets the sensors apart from conductive, capacitive or microwave-based level controllers, which are unreliable in detecting liquids with a low dielectric constant. The UF2 optical sensors, on the other hand, also accurately detect these media, which include many hydrocarbon compounds, solvents and oils. Featuring a glass tip, the level sensors are also suitable for detecting kerosene or gasoline. The case is made of 1.4571 stainless steel. The improved series boasts various process interfaces such as G-thread, NPT thread, cutting ring fitting, triclamp or flange. Depending on the type, the sensor’s electrical connection is made via M12 connector, cable or clamping space. Customers can specify the required sensor and cable length for individual configuration. The level sensors are only intended for operation with an IKMb 123 Ex series evaluation device for DIN rail mounting, which provides a relay/changeover output and can be operated at 24 V DC or 115 V AC or 230 V AC, depending on the model.

RAFI is expanding its RAFIX 22 FS+ control device series with three new key-operated switches in E2, E7 and E22 versions. The latching key switches, which are dimensioned for installation openings with a diameter of 22.3 mm, are supplied as standard in a dark gray housing and with a round collar. All three versions have a locking mechanism with a 90° angle of rotation at trigger position 0. In addition to PCB contacting with an installation depth of just 9.2 mm, the tool-free QC plug-in connection for wired solutions is also available as a connection option. Switching elements with silver contacts up to 250V / 4A or gold contacts up to 35V / 100mA can be used for contacting. Designed for a service life of 30,000 to 43,000 switching cycles, the key switches offer IP65 on the front and are approved for operating temperatures between -25°C and +70°C. The keys are not included in the scope of delivery.

Menzel Elektromotoren has manufactured a large high-voltage motor in vertical construction type IM 3011 (IM V1) to drive a pump. Since the motor has to absorb high dynamic axial loads, it has a special bearing design. The upper thrust bearing is water-cooled; it runs in an oil sump and is subject to permanent oil level and temperature monitoring. The lower bearing is grease-lubricated and self-cooling. The entire motor and particularly the non-drive-end bearing plate were also reinforced for added strength. The flange and shaft dimensions were required to comply with exacting specifications. At the customer’s request, Menzel also configured the pump connection flange, with recesses through which the condition of the coupling can be checked at any time. The MEBKSL-type squirrel cage motor features 1100 kW rated power, 4160 V rated voltage and a rated torque of 20598 Nm at a speed of 509 rpm. It features an IP55 rating and IC 611 cooling, with a two-part air-to-air heat exchanger fitted on both sides of the motor for uniform cooling at Central American ambient temperatures.
More reference projects for large pump motors: https://www.menzel-motors.com/pump-drive/

At the PROMAT tradeshow in Chicago from March 17 to 20, the German intra-logistics specialist LOSYCO (North Hall, Booth N6054) will present its LOXrail system solutions for machine feeding and production and warehouse logistics on rails. LOSYCO offers the complete technology package from a single source: rail tracks, customized transport trolleys and drive, control, communication and automation technology. The functional modular system allows for adaptable, application-specific configurations. The manufacturer can implement transport concepts with different degrees of complexity, including completely automated production logistics with autonomous transport trolleys, wireless communication and induction powering. Solutions for high-precision feeding of robot cells or machine feeding are available from manually operated to fully automated solutions with integration in the plant control system. Features include aligned resting points and end position sensors. Patented AllRounder wheelsets and curve-going trolleys enable a particularly flexible line layouts with changes of direction, cornering and turning directly on the track. The LOXrail tracks, which are available in two variants, are designed for payloads up to 60 tons.