Efficient, secure, and smart processes – for more sustainability

The handy and lightweight pistol ionizer of the IZG10 series from SMC, weighing only 200 g, eliminates electrostatic charge in fractions of a second, removes particles such as dust, and thus improves product quality in industries such as electronics, automotive, or mechanical engineering. (Photo: SMC Deutschland GmbH)

The miniature valves of the JSY series (here as a valve manifold) offer maximum flow performance in an extremely compact lightweight design. (Photo: SMC Deutschland GmbH)

After about a year and a half of pandemic, we are slowly returning to normality – yet we are again facing new challenges. The current situation in global trade is tense: shortages of raw materials and personnel in logistics are affecting international supply chains, and companies worldwide are confronted with bottlenecks. At the same time, the topic of sustainability is more in focus than ever. Good reasons for increased efficiency, greater safety, as well as smarter components and processes to save resources. More than 800 exhibitors at Motek 2021 in Stuttgart will show where the journey in terms of production and assembly automation is headed. SMC is also present live again at the international trade fair from October 5 to 8 in Hall 1, Stand 1710, and will present a range of new solutions for increased process safety and sustainability.

Safe and smart with pneumatic applications

A high purity level of compressed air ensures that downstream components last longer and product quality is guaranteed. This is achieved by, for example, the modular maintenance unit of the AC-D series from SMC, which, through various combinations of filter-regulator-lubricator, enables classification of compressed air quality according to ISO8573-1:2010 – with modular expansion to the AFF/AM/AMD series, even a higher quality level can be achieved. The maintenance unit, kept in a one-box design, achieves particularly high energy efficiency when combined with the digital flow switch of the PF3A7#H series. Additionally, this makes the maintenance unit smart by collecting high amounts of data via the IO-Link interface. This allows potential plant failures to be prevented through a programmable signal output, minimizes scrap during manufacturing, and enables use in industries with a high degree of automation.

No more static electricity

To remove unwanted electrostatic charges and make processes safer, SMC is presenting two new ionizers at Motek 2021: on the one hand, the nozzle ionizer of the IZT43 series with a separate controller, and on the other hand, the pistol-type ionizer of the IZG10 series. Suitable for automatic and manual operation, respectively, these two solutions cover different application cases and requirements. The particularly compact design and high flexibility of the IZT43 series impress, which, thanks to the separately installed controller, allows monitoring and control of up to four ionizers at a maximum distance of 15 meters. The nozzle ionizer can also dissipate static electricity even without compressed air.

If even more flexibility is required for applications and dust or dirt deposits due to static electricity need to be targeted removed, the pistol-type ionizer of the IZG10 series is suitable for manual operation. Convincing arguments include the option to choose between continuous blow-off or pulsed blow-off, its light weight of only 200 g, and the supply voltage of only 24 V. Users can specifically select the operational mode needed to save energy and improve the final product's quality.

Small but fine

With the series JSY solenoid valves, SMC offers a particularly space-saving pneumatic solution, especially in the robotics sector, at this year's Motek. The slim design of this valve island series not only saves space but also results in very low mass, creating low inertial moments when installed on a robot arm. The JSY1000 model, with a width of only 6.4 mm, is currently the narrowest 5/2-way valve on the market. Yet, there was no compromise on flow rate: while an ISO valve of standard 15407 with a width of 18 mm delivers a flow of 525 l/min in standard tests, a valve from the JSY3000 series achieves a flow of 567 l/min under the same conditions.

And here too, sustainability is a key topic. Standardly, the JSY1000 series has a Power Saver feature: the built-in circuit reduces power from 0.35 watts to 0.1 watts after 67 milliseconds in the two larger sizes, JSY3000 and JSY5000, where the performance is reduced from 0.5 watts to 0.2 watts. This not only saves energy but also reduces temperatures in machines and systems.