Sustainability and performance optimally combined

The particularly compact cooling and temperature control device of the HEF series in environmentally friendly Peltier design fits almost anywhere and impresses with high performance, temperature stability, and easy maintenance. (Photo: SMC Deutschland GmbH)

The cooling and tempering devices of the HRL100/200 series from SMC offer the option to individually temper applications with air as well as water, and benefit from, among other things, flexible application ranges thanks to space-saving design and a 30% reduced power consumption. (Photo: SMC Deutschland GmbH)

The fieldbus module of the EX600-W series enables wireless transmission over a distance of 10 meters, offers quick and straightforward tool changes thanks to a connection speed of 250 ms, and relies on the network protocols EtherNet/IP™ and PROFINET. (Photo: SMC Deutschland GmbH)

The new Air Management System in connection sizes from 1/4 to 1 inch from SMC, consisting of a regulator, flow sensor, and shut-off valve, offers energy savings of up to 62% in compressed air consumption thanks to comprehensive monitoring of pressure, temperature, and flow. (Photo: SMC Deutschland GmbH)

It's a milestone birthday with a special highlight: exactly 50 years ago, the first edition of the trade fair took place, which at that time was still called LASER. In the meantime, it has developed into LASER World of PHOTONICS, the leading international trade fair for photonics – and for its 2023 anniversary, it is held in parallel with automatica, the leading trade fair for intelligent automation and robotics. SMC combines both topics in Hall B3, Stand 340, from June 27 to 30, 2023, in Munich, and presents innovative solutions that help to balance sustainability and performance. For example, the specialist in electrical and pneumatic automation showcases various cooling and temperature control devices for particularly compact or dual applications with water cooling, a fieldbus module for wireless communication, and the Air Management System, which enables users to save up to 62% of compressed air.

Whether for highly precise laser applications or for efficient automation of production processes: SMC provides users with a comprehensive range of solutions for applications used across various industries. An exciting selection of these will be presented by the automation specialist for the 50th anniversary of LASER World of PHOTONICS, which is held together with automatica this year. From June 27 to 30, industry professionals can see for themselves the benefits of the SMC solutions showcased there at Hall B3, Stand 340. Highlights include the HEF and HRL100/200 series, two cooling and temperature control devices that, in the first case, offer high performance in a very small space, and, in the second case, now also with water cooling, enable individual temperature regulation of two media circuits. Also notable are the EX600-W series fieldbus module, which ensures secure and high-performance wireless communication, and the Air Management System, which can reduce compressed air consumption by up to 62%.

Keep a cool head

To ensure laser applications can be used safely and reliably, and ultimately achieve high product quality, stable temperature control is essential – especially in tight spaces or with two media circuits simultaneously. SMC demonstrates how both are achieved in Munich with the cooling and temperature control devices of the HEF and HRL100/200 series.

The former weighs only 3.5 kg with dimensions of just H210 x W130 x D150 mm and can be easily used on workbenches. With a temperature stability of ±0.1 °C and a set temperature range of 10 to 60 °C, the HEF series impresses with high performance and consistency, especially in temperature regulation: a 10 °C reduction is achieved in just 41 seconds. The noise level is only 58 dB, comparable to normal conversation – even at full load.
If two media circuits need to be heated and controlled separately with a single device, the dual system of the HRL100/200 series is suitable. Now available with optional water cooling, this series has a cooling capacity of 10 kW (HRL100-W) or 21.5 kW (HRL200-W) for CH1 and 1 kW each for CH2 – heating capacities are 1.5 kW (HRL100-W) and 4.0 kW (HRL200-W) for CH1, and 1 kW (HRL100/200-W) for CH2. The temperature stability is ±0.1 °C (CH1) or ±0.5 °C (CH2), and thanks to a controlled frequency inverter, power consumption can be reduced by 30%.

Wireless communication and energy savings

Maximum freedom of movement is especially important in robot applications. At the same time, frequent tool changes are often necessary, which must be quick and straightforward. To meet both requirements optimally, SMC presents the wireless fieldbus module EX600-W at the stand. Thanks to the radio connection setup in just 250 ms, grippers on a robot can be exchanged quickly – and reliable operation over a distance of 10 meters is ensured even in case of interference, with a jump to one of the 79 available channels within 5 ms. Connection to the higher-level controller is via a stationary base unit through the conventional method to the PLC. Users can utilize the network protocols EtherNet/IP™ and PROFINET.

SMC demonstrates how companies can perform well in terms of economy and sustainability when handling compressed air at the two parallel trade fairs with the Air Management System in connection sizes from 1/4 to 1 inch. The solution, consisting of a regulator, a piston with integrated flow sensor, and a shut-off valve, allows creating a digital fingerprint of a system by recording temperature, pressure, and flow values, and analyzing them based on preset parameters. After evaluating the actual values and making decisions, the system can automatically intervene in the compressed air supply after approval by the user. This provides the basis for reducing compressed air consumption by up to 62%. For connection to higher-level controls, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP™, or EtherCAT are available. Thanks to an integrated OPC UA server, users can benefit from the Air Management System even without an PLC, while additional systems can be wirelessly integrated into the solution. The comprehensive options enable trouble-free installation, even in brownfield facilities.