PRESSESERVICE

LOSYCO designs and builds efficient heavy-duty transport solutions based on its modular, floor-level LOXrail system. Applications include production logistics, machine feeding, material flow and warehouse logistics. Now, the German intra-logistics experts have installed a system with 180 meters track length for the window and door manufacturer HÖNING. They established connections from the goods receipt area to the material warehouse and to the new machining center in two construction phases, each with two tracks along and four across. Eight crossing points enable flexible navigation of the plant. LOSYCO also built 20 customer-specific transport trolleys featuring AllRounder wheelsets for an easy change of direction directly on the rail. “Initially, we had planned to set up an automated high-bay warehouse for material storage and feeding,” says Höning production manager Ronny Paulsen. “However, it turned out that the associated fire protection requirements would cause disproportionately high costs. In our search for alternatives, we came across LOXrail. The concept and offer designed by LOSYCO convinced us both functionally and as an economic proposition.” The trolleys run on the new, floor-flush rails with 25-mm stainless-steel shafts. Designed for a maximum payload of five tons, each trolley can transport several material containers. The loads are secured by special brackets. To securely stop the trolleys at the loading and unloading points, locking bolts at the ends of both side arms are lowered into corresponding floor bushings. “The transport system has significantly improved material logistics and order picking for us,” says Ronny Paulsen. “The low friction makes the LOXrail system easy to handle and very ergonomic. We can move loads along and across with just one person. And we can cross the tracks laid in the hall floor on foot or with industrial trucks without a problem.”

Gossen Metrawatt expands its portfolio of MID-certified ENERGYMID energy meters, adding models with a radio interface based on the LoRaWAN standard. The radio protocol features a long range and bidirectional communication, using secure AES encryption. The new ENERGYMID LPWAN energy meters are powered from the measuring voltage; users do not need to exchange batteries. Radio transmission creates significant cost savings as it requires no communication channels or time-consuming cabling. This enables easy integration into IoT structures and makes ENERGYMID LPWAN energy meters a perfect fit for decentralized, billable energy data acquisition at locations without wired communication, mobile meter stations such as construction site power supplies or small distribution boards and for integration into existing LoRaWAN networks. The new generation with radio function comes in several types, including versions for 4-wire networks, 400 V with 5(80) A direct connection or 1/5(6) A transformer connection. The devices record up to 33 measured variables in addition to the active power, such as reactive and apparent power, neutral conductor current, power factor, frequency, as well as power fed to the grid. They also monitor the network quality via THD current and voltage measurements. Like all ENERGYMID meters, the new series is highly compact, measuring only four standard width units, and can be mounted on 35-mm DIN top-hat rails in any position. Their high-contrast three-line LCD display with LED background illumination ensures excellent readability of measurement values. It simplifies connection parameter monitoring and warns of installation errors by changing colors. The devices are tamper-proof, featuring configuration disabling and sealed covers.

Menzel Elektromotoren has manufactured two identical DC motors for a copper rolling mill. The motors replace an older tandem motor setup. The manufacturer had to replicate the mechanical and electrical properties of the existing motors in detail. Numerous adjustments were necessary to achieve a drop-in solution: special shaft ends, shorter lamination design, maintaining the total length of the motors and special commutator and winding designs. In addition, new foot holes were applied to fit the drilling pattern in the customer’s plant. The MEBGVA-type motors have a shaft height of 400 mm, a rated output of 250 kW and a rated voltage of 220 V DC at a base speed of 455 rpm. The speed in the field-weakening range is 1216 rpm. The DC motors feature construction type IM 1002, protection class IP54 and cooling type IC 37. Menzel manufactures DC motors in various designs and for a wide range of applications from 20 kW to 2 MW.
More information is available at https://www.menzel-motors.com/dc-motors/

Berg, May 16, 2025 – Construction of the new RAFI factory in Bad Waldsee started in May 2023, and the facility went into operation in early 2025. Covering a floorspace of 10,000 m˛, the building now houses new production facilities for synthetic material and machine production, metal processing, a toolshop including tool development, as well as a training and apprentice center. Built to the latest economic and ecological standards, the building is a clear commitment to Upper Swabia as a business location. With this development, RAFI continues to position itself as an attractive employer and driver of innovation in the region. What began with the symbolic ground-breaking ceremony on May 2, 2023 is now complete with official opening: the construction and commissioning of the new RAFI factory in Bad Waldsee. It is great success for the RAFI Group, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. Dr. Lothar Seybold, CEO of the RAFI Group, summed up this investment in the future with the words: “I’m delighted that we’ve built a state-of-the-art factory in which, on the one hand, our employees have the best possible working conditions and, on the other hand, we can guarantee the best possible quality and delivery reliability for our customers.” He added: “I would like to thank everyone involved for what has been achieved, above all the many helpers within RAFI and the planners and implementers from Planquadrat Gaiser & Partner and Georg Reisch.” A model factory: climate-friendly and resource-saving In addition to economic factors such as increasing efficiency and stabilize processes, RAFI placed great emphasis on energy-efficient building infrastructure that meets the EFFH-40 standard. The primary energy source will be a geothermal probe system with 34 probes installed at a depth of 131 meters. Additional energy will be provided by a PV system with a performance of 760 kWp. “Sustainability is firmly integrated into our organizational and management systems and is part of our corporate culture. We consistently pursue ESG objectives. This also applies to our new factory in Bad Waldsee,” said Lothar Arnold, CFO of the RAFI Group. Last year, RAFI was awarded gold status by the EcoVadis rating agency for its commitment to the environment and ethics. Dr. Lothar Seybold, CEO of the RAFI Group: “With the new building, we are making a sustainable investment in the further growth of the entire RAFI Group.” Lothar Arnold, CFO of the RAFI Group: “Our new factory in Bad Waldsee is a clear commitment to Upper Swabia as a business location and secures jobs in the region.” Rethinking production: following the value stream Almost 130 employees currently work in three shifts at the new RAFI factory. All relevant departments for the operation of modern synthetic material and machine production are located at the site: These include process technology, quality assurance, logistics, maintenance, and the in-house toolshop, including tool design. Components made of synthetic materials in various sizes, combinations, and applications, punched parts, electromechanical buttons and control devices, and components for further processing in customer-specific applications are manufactured in the facility. “By moving component production to a new factory, RAFI has not only created more space for the future, but also given the go-ahead for a more efficient and future-proof orientation of this sub-division within the Group,” said plant manager Sven Nothelfer, summing up the strategic and operational vision. Lifelong learning: training and apprentice center Bruno Felder, Head of the metalworking training workshop in Bad Waldsee, sees the teaching concept as follows: “The aim was to design an attractive and future-oriented metalworking training workshop. And we’ve succeeded. In our ultra-modern environment, we train and will continue to train apprentices in the professions of industrial and tool mechanics, synthetic material and rubber technologists, as well as machine and plant operators.” Up to 16 apprentices, students, and interns can currently be trained on the premises. The apprentices learn the basics of metalworking, such as milling and turning, as well as skills in areas such as production technologies, product design, and electronics. New this year is the RAFI Academy, which was inaugurated at the RAFI site in Überlingen in January 2025. With immediate effect, specialist conferences and training courses for up to 40 people as well as workshops and lectures can also be held in Bad Waldsee on a total area of 240 m˛. “The aim of the RAFI Academy is to promote the transfer of know-how between the RAFI locations and to build up overarching skills in the areas of personnel development, specialist training, and management development. We also want to offer our cooperation partners a platform for exchange,” said Jana Brielmayer, who is also responsible for the RAFI Academy in the RAFI Group’s Human Resources department. RAFI factory Bad Waldsee: Key data at a glance Address: Felix-Wankel-Straße 8, 88339 Bad Waldsee Start of construction/groundbreaking: May 2, 2023 Official opening: May 16, 2025 Building area: 28,242 m˛ Production and logistics space: 10,000 m˛ Synthetic material and machine production, metal processing, toolshop Training workshop and training and apprentice center Energy efficiency according to EFFH 40 standard Heat pumps, geothermal probes, PV system Calculated savings potential according to KFW application for QNG and LCA certification: 920,869.00 kWh/year primary energy savings, 756,254.00 kWh/year final energy savings and 236,363.00 kWh/year CO2 savings. Modernization of the RAFI site in Berg completed Sustainability and future viability are not only important in Bad Waldsee. The RAFI Group also launched various measures to modernize the building infrastructure at its main plant in Berg at the beginning of 2022. The three-year construction measures for refurbishment and energy modernization have now been completed. Energy savings of up to 45 percent can be achieved in future thanks to the physical improvements of the building. There is also an effective boost in CO2 emission saving: around 340 tonnes per year can be saved thanks to measures such as facade insulation.

The German Design Council has named the SAFETY TOUCH technology platform recently developed by RAFI to be the winner of the German Innovation Award 2025. The award was presented for “Electronic Technologies” in the main category of “Excellence in Business to Business.” Based on the innovative safety architecture, capacitive touch displays can be equipped with the safety features required for performance level d in accordance with industry standards. The safety concept, which is based on reliable and durable hardware components, redundant controller architecture, and comprehensive diagnostic software, provides significantly greater flexibility than hard-wired safety features. “We are extremely proud to have received an award for our SAFETY TOUCH technology. With this solution, we enable machine manufacturers and users to better align their operating philosophy with modern touchscreen visualization and capacitive input technology. Thanks to the system architecture in accordance with performance level d, even safety-critical features can be executed using touch commands. This enhances the versatility and efficiency of touch-based machine operation,” says Frank Fleischer, Head of RAFI’s Technology and Innovation Management Team, at the May 13 award ceremony held at the German Museum of Technology in Berlin. Initiated by the German Bundestag in 1953, the German Innovation Award is presented annually to especially innovative products, technologies, and services that stand out due to their added value for both users and the environment. A jury of senior R&D experts selected this year’s winners from among 460 submissions based on key criteria that included innovation, market readiness, sustainability, technical quality, and potential. The award impressively underscores RAFI’s innovative strength and commitment to developing pioneering technologies for industry.

Menzel Elektromotoren designed a compressor motor for modular installation, observing the maximum crane capacity of 15 tons at the installation site. A gas producer ordered the motor to replace a 1957-built gas compressor motor. Since structural changes in the plant were unwanted, Menzel replicated the mechanical interfaces of the existing motor. The motor’s outstanding feature is its massive base at 3 tons. Base, motor (14.7 tons) and cooler (2 tons) were installed one after the other. Menzel won the contract due to its ability and willingness to respond to special requests. The family firm built the three-phase squirrel cage motor based on its MEBKSW series, which is characterized by high power density and offers flexible equipment options such as various cooling types. The motor, with its bespoke base plate, features a total shaft height of 1120 mm, 6 MW rated output, 11 kV rated voltage, 57995 rated torque and 988 rpm rated speed. It has an IP54 protection rating with air-to-water heat exchanger (cooling type IC 86W). Like all Menzel machines, the compressor motor underwent comprehensive inspections in the manufacturer’s load test field before shipping. The customer traveled to Berlin for final testing and acceptance.
More about customized motors: https://www.menzel-motors.com/modification/

The German machine vision expert Bi-Ber has expanded its portfolio for the confectionery industry, adding a new space-saving inspection system for empty mould checks. Plant manufacturers can integrate the module individually into their production lines. Bi-Ber has over 25 years of experience in manufacturing plant-specific empty mould check systems and offers a sophisticated multilingual Windows-based analysis software, which it continuously expands by new functions. There are currently five standard hardware models for mould widths up to 1100 mm. In addition, Bi-Ber also implements customer-specific designs. One or more megapixel colour cameras are installed in a stainless-steel housing. Shielded from the process, they are mounted above the conveyor belt where they check polycarbonate, metal or silicone moulds for product residues during operation. The associated panel PC transmits inspection results and prompts to discharge contaminated moulds to the system control. The latest model, P(anel), features a terminal box for communication and power lines on the machine side of the camera housing. The panel PC is supplied separately, without a control cabinet, for flexible integration. The food-grade inspection system is optionally designed with IP67 protection.

Overview of the five standard models:

The B(asic) model combines cameras, lighting, and a touch panel PC in a stainless-steel cabinet that is placed directly onto the conveyor system, with a signal light mounted on top. Good ambient light shielding through the control cabinet ensures high, repeatable image quality. The use of multiple cameras allows for a wide field of view at short working distances. Doors on both sides of the control cabinet provide good access to the system.

The S(eparate) model offers all the advantages of the basic system in terms of accessibility and ambient light shielding. However, the imaging technology and the computer are installed in two separate enclosures. The cabinet with the operating panel and signal light can be freely positioned so that it is clearly visible and accessible.

The F(lexible) model with a slim camera and lighting module also features a separate control cabinet and was developed especially for enclosed lines and low-height surroundings. It is also available as a multi-camera version for wide moulds.

The new P(anel) model is a modification of the F(lexible) model without PC control cabinet or signal light.

The C(ompact) model is condensed to include only the minimum necessary equipment and does not contain a signal light, either. The control box with a touchscreen is attached directly to the camera housing. The compact model is particularly cost-effective and also suitable for lines with limited space.

The documentation for all standard variants is available at https://www.bilderkennung.de/download.html#suesswarenindustrie.

Michael Alteg is now in charge of sales at autoVimation, the German pioneer in the field of smart housing and mounting solutions for machine vision technology. As the new Account & Marketing Manager, he provides customers with targeted support in integrating vision components efficiently and precisely in all kinds of applications, optionally with rugged products for demanding industrial environments, enclosures featuring superior protection or individual system solutions. Alteg has many years of sales experience and a deep understanding of automation, robotics and image processing. He has set himself challenging targets: “Solving technical problems pragmatically, increasing the functional reliability of vision installations and creating real added value – through personal consultations, remotely or on site, always with the goal of implementing the optimal technical and economic solution for every application.” autoVimation designs and manufactures installation equipment for indoor and outdoor machine vision applications: camera and laser enclosures, modular, scalable mounting systems and a wide range of accessories for lighting, temperature control and keeping camera windows clean. The portfolio includes protective enclosures and mounting kits both in rugged industrial designs and in hygienic design for food production.

Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG, a member of the GMC-Instruments Group, extends the functionality of its mains analyzers, introducing the new PME radio modules 3P and 3PN, which make full-fledged energy centers out of all SINEAX AM, SINEAX DM5000, CENTRAX CU or LINAX PQ units. The radio modules transmit over 10 meters on 2.4 GHz as default frequency. They feature sensors based on Rogowski coils, which are powered by batteries or via USB-C. Sensor registration via QR code ensures quick commissioning. Typical application areas are highly exact load measurements in transformer stations and power distribution in industrial plants or building complexes. Up to 100 currents, divided between the PME sensors for 3 or 4 conductors each, can be recorded without any additional wiring effort, secured by AES encryption. In addition to second-by-second current value measurements, the devices also gather comprehensive performance data by synchronization with the mains analyzer’s voltage measurements. They derive average loads, load profile data and energy meter values from these data and can save them as a timeline. Users can access the data centrally via the base unit’s communication interface or with an automated export of the averaged data in CSV format to an SFTP server. Anti-collision detection allows the operation of up to five PME systems with a total of up to 500 current channels at the same location. The transmission power and frequency of sensor queries can be adjusted according to the local conditions.

The pressure-tight installation of displacement sensors in the hydraulics sector can be very complex, as the core with core extension has to be installed first, then the pressure pipe has to be screwed in place and then the sensor has to be attached on top. To simplify the process, INELTA Sensorsysteme has developed and launched the first displacement sensor with digital electronics based on LVDT with probe and internal spring for hydraulic applications. This model series is called LVDT-IHDT and works with digital signal processing in a wide supply voltage range of 9…32 VDC. Both the measuring length and the output signals with current or voltage can be programmed on site using an external handheld device. An IO-Link interface is in preparation. Another special feature is the outstanding mechanical stability of the sensor. The LVDT-IHDT model is vibration-resistant up to 30 g, suitable for a temperature range of -25 °C to +85 °C and achieves protection class IP6K9K (ISO 20653). The high-precision digital displacement transducer is designed for pressure ranges up to 400 bar. Bypass holes in the bearing ensure that the hydraulic fluid can flow past the sensor. On request, sensor properties such as flange, supply voltage and pressure range can be customized.