Controltec

The steute business division Controltec will be kicking off its new fair year in February, exhibiting for the first time at the aaa – all about automation in Friedrichshafen. The company will be showing different new series of industrial switchgear able to meet special requirements – for example durability, explosion protection, machine safety and (wireless) signal transmission.

Both new and established product series will be presented “live” using – also new – functional models. Functions range from assembly and handling technology (monitoring tensioning elements on turntables) to robotics (positioning of grippers and work pieces) to plastics processing (monitoring of injection moulding tools) to process technology (valve position monitoring).

For these and many other automation applications, steute offers a wide range of robust and durable switching devices, including inductive sensors, foot switches, command devices and position switches. Their functions which will be demonstrated using the booth models.

One focal point at the fair will be switching devices which transmit their signals via the bidirectional steute sWave technology. This makes sense when sensors or switches are installed on e.g. moving machine components (Figure 1).

Here are just two examples of the new products which steute will be showing “live in action” in Friedrichshafen. First, the (Ex) STM 515 solenoid interlock (Figure 2), which has been developed especially for reliable operation in adverse environments.

Its design features include a robust and corrosion-resistant die-cast aluminum enclosure, a high locking force of 4000 N and suitability for use in gas and dust Ex zones (1, 2, 21 and 22). This switchgear series therefore complies with both the strict regulations for machine safety and the strict regulations for explosion protection.

An additional combination of technologies and features has been realised in the steute ZS 92 SR series of belt alignment switches: here heavy duty meets wireless. A separate RF I/O radio module facilitates signal transmission of the data from two belt alignment switches to the corresponding wireless receiver over a range of up to 400 metres.

The principle underlying the entire organisation of the aaa – all about automation in Friedrichshafen is also the motto for the steute Controltec booth: a short visit for a wealth of information.

steute Controltec at the aaa – all about automation in Friedrichshafen: Booth F 605

Further information:
steute Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
www.steute-controltec.com

With the Ex STM 515 series, the steute business division Controltec recently introduced compact and robust solenoid interlocks for explosive zones to its range of safety switchgear. This series is now being further extended to include an “Extreme” variant. As always at steute, this means: the STM 515 “Extreme” can be used in adverse ambient conditions, such as dust, dirt, wet and vibrations.

Prerequisites include a robust die-cast aluminium enclosure with a long lifetime even when exposed to severe mechanical wear and tear. The multiple coating (passivation, primer, powder coating) guarantees a high degree of corrosion protection, while the effective sealing achieves protection classes IP66/67. Wet and damp are thus not a hindrance when using the STM 515 Extreme – especially since the electrical connections are well protected inside a terminal compartment. Shocks and vibrations are additional ambient conditions in which this STM 515 variant continues to function reliably.

Independently of the Extreme variant, the complete STM 515 series includes practical features such as an actuator head which can be repositioned by 4 x 90°. Equally typical of steute switching devices is a modular design with diverse additional functions. For example, users can choose between the spring-to-lock and the power-to-lock principle (for tasks which are non-safety-related), and also opt for auxiliary release (from the access side) and/or escape release/emergency unlocking (from the danger zone).

Applications which can benefit from the new steute STM 515 Extreme include machines and plants in the bulk goods industry with no explosion protection requirement.

Further information:
steute Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
www.steute-controltec.com