Norgren’s Excelon Plus air preparation equipment, when paired with an integrated electronic pressure sensor, allows manufacturers to monitor secondary pressures and other application data.
Norgren recently demonstrated its newest solutions for packaging at Pack Expo International 2022 (October 23 – 26) at McCormick Place in Chicago. In addition, Norgren showcased its latest acquisitions, including Bimba and Bahr Modultechnik. Demonstrations featured IO-Link-enabled pneumatic products and a wide array of pneumatic and electric actuators. Design World had the opportunity to speak with Ken Chung, Director of Product Management at Norgren about the demos to get his take on how the new Norgren offerings will with within the industry.
“The two main things that Bimba and Norgren have always been known for, are still what we’re known for today, are pneumatic actuators — every flavor and variety — and reliable, long-lasting, high-performance air preparation products.”
So what’s new?
“What’s new is an evolution of being able to solve our customer’s problems. As a design engineer, it’s always the non-standard application, right? So, you can get your standard portfolio of actuators or air preps or valves — things like that… But it’s when you have to go ‘off menu’ — when you have an environment or a performance requirement, a speed, whatever it is, a life cycle requirement that is more than your standard product, we’ve always been able to help because we’re option-rich…We’ve developed a vast portfolio of options.”
Norgren has expanded its pneumatic portfolio to include new IO-Link-enabled products, which connect to industrial networks to facilitate automation and provide data on circuit performance.
The M/50 solid state switch, pictured here as installed on a Norgren P-series NFPA Pneumatic Cylinder, is one example of an IO-Link enabled device that can be used with an actuator to monitor local temperature and provide operation cycle counts.
“Connected pneumatics can help improve productivity and reduce machine downtime, which are invaluable to the packaging industry,” said Chung. “Our new IO-Link-enabled products make that connection possible. So, we can not only offer a complete pneumatic circuit, but also help customers upgrade to a new, modern circuit.”
The IO-Link Master acts as a gateway between IO-Link enabled devices and the higher level communication system, and can transmit data over various networks so that it is accessible for immediate action or long-term analysis.
Attendees saw a variety of these IO-Link-enabled products, such as the VR Series Valve Manifolds, Excelon Plus Air Preparation with IEPS, 34D / 54D Electronic Pressure Sensors, P-Series Pneumatic Actuator with M50 switch, and NC-Series IO-link masters and modules.
Norgren is a subsidiary of IMI plc, whose recent acquisition of Bahr Modultechnik significantly expands and further complements Norgren’s existing line of electric actuators, including single and multi-axis actuators designed for a variety of industries and applications.
Norgren
www.norgren.com
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