AS-Interface Expert Alliance - News Feed

New AS-i Technical Forum

2008-11-07T09:38:18+00:00

The AS-i Expert Alliance group in the UK has launched a technical public forum on it’s new website.

Users of AS-Interface can post questions on any aspect of the technology and it’s applications, for Expert Alliance members to answer. This gives the many thousands of users of this market leading and open communication system an opportunity to expand their individual AS-i knowledge. To date their has been no central reference body for users who have had to rely on specific vendors and the availability of technical publications.

Visitors to the new website can see the sorts of questions which are being asked and the responses and by using a simple registration process can join in. Typical topics to start the forum include the use of Master PLCs, Safety Applications, Network Structures and Inter-operation of Protocols. Moderators answering the questions include leading industry experts from companies such as WAGO, Siemens, Burkert & Fortress Interlocks amongst others.

For more information visit http://as-interface.co.uk/index.php/forums/

Reader Enquiries / Press Contact

Fenella Webster
AS-Interface UK Ltd

t 0844 499 4451
f 01782 619908
e info@as-interface.co.uk
w http://www.as-interface.co.uk/

This news release is generated from the RSS feed on the website of the AS-Interface Expert Alliance - www.as-interface.co.uk - Contact Fenella Webster - Tel: 0844 499 4451

Belcom’s new AS-Interface twin cable and contact system for IP20 environments

2008-11-03T10:34:41+00:00

Industrial cable specialist Belcom has added a new product to it’s already extensive range of AS-i cables.

In the harsh environs of industrial applications requiring IP6x levels of protection, AS-Interface has long become established as the standard for automation technology. This is in large part due to its relatively low cost, of course. Now, however, the successful actuator sensor bus is becoming an attractive alternative for the relatively sheltered IP20 world as well. The combined cable and interface system developed jointly by LEONI and Weidmüller now makes it possible for users to profit from the numerous AS-I advantages not only outside but also inside the switching cabinet. How? Quite simply by providing a savings of 75 per cent over conventional installation times and a reduction of around 40 per cent over the usual cabling costs.

Like its IP6x counterpart, the new LEONI profile cable for switching cabinets transmits data and power simultaneously over the two wires of the self-same conduit. The present version designed for IP20 environs does offer some new features, however. The outer jacket, for instance, is made of flame retarding non-corrosive plastic (FRNC), is halogen-free, and protected against reverse voltage. A specially designed nose and nose piece provide for easy installation as well as for protection against possible damage to the strands when inserted incorrectly.

The appropriate interfacing system for the LEONI IP20 Profile Cable was developed by Weidmüller, who are also members of the AS International Association. With the help of some innovative simulation testing, Weidmüller was able to optimize the contour of the new piercing contact in such a way that the insulation material can now be penetrated with the greatest of ease. At the same time, however, the contact pressure of the wire onto the contour is maximized at the moment of contact, thus minimizing the likelihood of the wire coming loose after the connection.

So what’s the bottom line? The new contact system will save time, money and space. And there’s the added advantage that AS Interface users know so well from the field: retrofitting the switching cabinet with actuators and sensors no longer represents even the slightest problem.

Reader Enquiries / Press Contact

Mike Hayton
Belcom

t +44 (0)1279 871150
f +44 (0)1279 871129
e
w www.belcom.co.uk/

This news release is generated from the RSS feed on the website of the AS-Interface Expert Alliance - www.as-interface.co.uk - Contact Fenella Webster - Tel: 0844 499 4451

New AS-Interface Safety Interlocks From Fortress

2008-10-22T08:46:10+00:00

Safety specialist Fortress Interlocks is introducing a new approach in controlling access with the introduction of Safety Key lock modules to its AS-interface compatible eGard product range. This enables the combination of any machine controls with safety controls on hazardous machinery and equipment, providing a complete access control system. Machine control and safety on one unit!

By including the safety key modules in an eGard configuration, workers that access the hazardous area can be additionally protected against being locked in the area or the machine restarting. Turning and taking the safety key means it is not possible to lock the door and restart the machine until the key is inserted into the eGard safety key module on the same unit. This also means that removal of a key is also restricted to personnel who have permission to do so.

eGard is a compact system that can combine trapped key interlocking with electrical and control functions and integrate them into one unit. Configurations with electrical components can be connected to conventional wiring or AS-interface installations by simply swapping the connector module. AS-interface is a cable network system that allows machinery safety technology to operate in parallel with standard machine controls on a single network with a
common communication protocol. The AS-i base can be used in combination with all separate eGard module and has two addresses, one for connecting the safety circuits and one for connecting the control inputs and outputs. As
eGard contains duel safety circuits and quick disconnect technology, the system significantly reduces cabling costs compared to hardwiring.

eGard modules can be arranged in almost any combinations and can be added or removed easily. International standards compliant, it is designed for category 4 (En954) applications that are light to medium duty.

Reader Enquiries / Press Contact

Louise Guest
Fortress Interlocks Ltd.
Reference: FOR-0208-EN

t +44 (0)1902 349000
f +44 (0)1902 349090
e
w www.fortressinterlocks.com

This news release is generated from the RSS feed on the website of the AS-Interface Expert Alliance - www.as-interface.co.uk - Contact Fenella Webster - Tel: 0844 499 4451

New Kuhnke Airboxes

2008-10-17T08:45:21+00:00

Kuhnke the original and innovative manufacturer of pneumatic modules for use on AS-Interface has extended it’s range. The standard Kuhnke Airbox 1 and Airbox 32 devices are now available for use with AS-i v2.1 protocol.

These two pneumatic output devices are standard footprint and are the most widely used on AS-i networks worldwide.

The new product is backwards compatible, for information on part numbers, technical data ID codes and interchangeability please visit www.kuhnkeairbox.com.

Contact; Brod Bass, H Kuhnke Ltd - +44 (0)1794 514445 -

This news release is generated from the RSS feed on the website of the AS-Interface Expert Alliance - www.as-interface.co.uk - Contact Fenella Webster - Tel: 0844 499 4451

AS-i Seminars in the UK - 2009

2008-10-17T08:32:32+00:00

AS-Interface Expert Alliance will be hosting a series of free seminars early in 2009.

These events are scheduled to take place in Manchester, Wolverhampton and Rugby to include details of latest versions of AS-i, products, safety applications and question/answer sessions. You will be meeting engineers and technicians with hands-on experience of AS-Interface applications in the UK.

Places at these free seminars will be limited, so that all attendees can benefit from these sessions.

For more details please contact Fenella Webster.

This news release is generated from the RSS feed on the website of the AS-Interface Expert Alliance - www.as-interface.co.uk - Contact Fenella Webster - Tel: 0844 499 4451

MTEC 2009

2008-10-17T08:08:03+00:00

MTEC, The sensors, measurement and instrumentation exhibition will be held on the 25th to 26th March 2009 at the NEC

Once again AS-Interface Expert Alliance will be presenting papers at this major event in the technology calender. AS-Interface Expert Alliance members will manning the AS-i stand where you will be able to discuss latest developments and devices.

For more details contact Fenella Webster at AS-Interface Expert Alliance, or visit the MTEC website.

This news release is generated from the RSS feed on the website of the AS-Interface Expert Alliance - www.as-interface.co.uk - Contact Fenella Webster - Tel: 0844 499 4451

Machine Safety Conference 2008 - Report & Papers

2008-10-03T08:40:07+00:00

This annual event took place at Bletchley Park, in September 2008 and was considered to be a lively and informative sucess.

Peter Cheetham, Chairman of the AS-Interface Expert Alliance, presented his paper entitled “AS-i Safety at Work in practice” followed by a question & answer session. You can download Peter’s paper by following this link. Safety_at_Work_-_Next_Generation.pdf

MachineBuilder.Net have written a great review of the event. Including the following extract which relates to AS-i. You can view the full review here: http://www.machinebuilding.net/n/n1212.htm

Peter Cheetham, Chairman of the AS-Interface UK Expert Alliance, discussed the advantages offered by AS-i Safety at Work (ASiSafe), especially now that remote output modules are available and the configuration software provides a far more intuitive overview of the circuit logic. He also reported that the UK market is currently seeing an annual growth in sales for safety slaves in excess of 60 per cent. This is thought to be largely due to machine builders and system integrators using ASiSafe alongside fieldbus networks. Although ASiSafe was developed to provide safety functionality on the same cable as a conventional AS-i network, the ease with which AS-i can be interfaced with higher-level networks (such as DeviceNet, Profibus, CC-Link and Industrial Ethernet) enables machine builders to use their customers’ choice of fieldbus for automation and control, plus ASiSafe for the safety-related control system. Alternatively, ASiSafe can be retrofitted easily on machines that are having just their safety systems upgraded.

This news release is generated from the RSS feed on the website of the AS-Interface Expert Alliance - www.as-interface.co.uk - Contact Fenella Webster - Tel: 0844 499 4451

Machine Safety Conference 2008

2008-09-03T10:27:10+00:00

Once again the AS-Interface Expert Alliance will be represented by it's chairman Peter Cheetham of Sigmapi Systems Ltd. Peter will be presenting a paper entitled "AS-i Safety at Work in practice".

Machine Saftey Conference 2008 is organised by BARA the British Automation and Robot Association and is held at Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes on Tues 30th September 2008.

For booking details please visit: http://www.drives.co.uk/machine_safety_2008.html

This news release is generated from the RSS feed on the website of the AS-Interface Expert Alliance - www.as-interface.co.uk - Contact Fenella Webster - Tel: 0844 499 4451

AS-Interface Expert Alliance New Chairman

2008-08-11T09:44:37+00:00

Peter Cheetham, Technical Director of Sigmapi Systems Ltd, the independent systems provider has been appointed chairman of the AS-Interface Expert Alliance. Peter replaces Geoff Hodgkinson who steps down after many years because of other commitments.

When asked how Peter felt about his new role he said, "I am truly honoured that my fellow Alliance members voted for me to become the new voice of AS-Interface in the UK. As a staunch supporter of this technology and the benefits it can bring, I will work to take its popularity in the UK to a new high. We will promote education and training in AS-Interface and AS-i Safety at Work so that these technologies are used and applied correctly. The AS-Interface Expert Alliance has a huge part to play in UK industry and I am looking forward to working with Alliance members to achieve these aims."

Published: 25th February 2008.
Contact: Press office - AS-Interface, Sigmapi Systems 0844 499 4451

This news release is generated from the RSS feed on the website of the AS-Interface Expert Alliance - www.as-interface.co.uk - Contact Fenella Webster - Tel: 0844 499 4451

Double ASi master

2008-05-28T08:22:13+00:00

A new AS-Interface Master from Expert Alliance member Bihl+Wiedemann is able to run two AS-Interface networks but only requires a single AS-i power supply. This double master and one 30 V power supply offers all advantages of the new advanced AS-i 3.0 Master family: such as stainless steel housing, complete extended diagnostic capabilities including the Safety at Work-diagnostic string. The master can be used as a gateway to higher level fieldbus systems, but maintains its independence from that bus. This product cuts down on equipment costs, reduces installation time as well as needing less space in the control cabinet.

www.bihl-wiedemann.com/englisch/index.html

This news release is generated from the RSS feed on the website of the AS-Interface Expert Alliance - www.as-interface.co.uk - Contact Fenella Webster - Tel: 0844 499 4451