Automation and Digitalization Comes to Life at SPS

Across three days, the relaunched Smart Production Solutions (SPS) 2022 event in Nuremberg, Germany, attracted a total of almost 44,000 visitors in November.  

“The delight at the return of the event was clearly felt by all. Conversations were open and cordial and the atmosphere in the exhibition halls was very special. It was apparent just how much the SPS community had missed meeting up with one another and immersing themselves in the world of automation. We are delighted to have been able to re-engage with the industry with the return of the SPS. This exhibition provides a springboard for many automation projects of the future,” explained Martin Roschkowski, president of Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH.

This year’s program included presentations on topics with high relevance for the automation industry, such as sustainability in automation, safety and security, new logistic methods, and robotic integration. Alongside expert panel discussions and specialist presentations, visitors on-site also had the opportunity to join Bavarian Minister President Dr. Markus Söder at the digital talk. Among the topics discussed were the future of digitalization and the importance of trade fairs for Germany as a business location.

As in previous years, the shared booth ‘Automation meets IT’ also made a return, and once again proved popular with attendees. 23 companies took advantage of the greater visibility offered by this opportunity to showcase their digital solutions for automation to a broad audience of industry professionals and to benefit from the dialog with experts. Intensive discussions were held on-site on topics such as high-security data communication, maintenance software, AI applications, and high-tech control solutions.

One of the product categories at SPS 2022 was couplings. Here are a few exhibitor highlights from the show:

R+W Precision Couplings

High performance motion systems can place challenging demands on connecting elements like shaft couplings. Among other things, they need to withstand dynamic motion and large variations in drive torque while transferring rotation precisely. Couplings are also commonly asked to protect other system components from vibration and torque overload.

Beyond this is the trend toward increasingly compact sizes and energy efficient drive components: Transmissions in particular are becoming smaller since compact machines with lighter components save money. To this end, the use of precision couplings over other traditional coupling types can be advantageous, due in part to their superior torque density.

rw-america.com

Mayr Couplings and Clutches

Absolute running smoothness is crucial in high-speed applications. For this purpose, torque limiters must ensure high balance quality of each individual component. The individual components must maintain their position within the clutch precisely in every situation so that no imbalance occurs.

High-speed torque limiting clutches are tailored specifically to the needs of test stand technology. They protect expensive test pieces and sensitive measuring units from damage caused by overloads – reliably and accurately up to the highest speed ranges.

High-precision shaft couplings compensate for any occurring misalignments and protect the drive line from any unwanted loads. They stand for reliable and accurate measurement results, and reduced downtimes and costs.

mayr.com/en

ABP-Antriebstechnik GmbH Stainless Steel Shaft Couplings

With the new shaft coupling series made of 1.4404 stainless steel, ABP-Antriebstechnik GmbH sets new standards in coupling technology. Whether in the food industry, complex applications in the medical technology sector or in the cosmetics industry, e.g., in filling plants.

These specially designed stainless steel coupling models fulfil the high hygiene regulations in these areas. The helix and heavy-duty couplings in particular are manufactured from one piece, i.e. no glue is used. Therefore, the couplings can be used at temperatures from -40 to + 200 °C without any complications. Further advantages are easy cleaning and high resistance to aggressive environments.

www.abp-antrieb.de

PZK International Highlights Magnetic Couplings

Magnetic couplings allow the transmission of torque without the need for physical contact between their individual parts. They work on a similar principle as electric motors with permanent magnets. The coupling consists of two "cylinders" with glued magnets forming a multi-pole structure – an inner cylinder with magnets glued to the outer diameter, a larger cylinder with magnets glued to the inner diameter, both cylinders are inserted into each other. The outer part is usually connected to the power unit. The poles on one cylinder lie against the opposite magnetized poles of the other cylinder (North – South) and create a strong magnetic field that makes both cylinders rotate synchronously. When overloaded, they "slip" the poles over each other and try to establish themselves in a new position with opposite poles opposite each other. Torque is generated by a magnetic field in the gap between the two cylinders, with a change in the height of the gap, the torque increases or decreases.

Magnetic couplings can be found in pumps, compressors, dispensers and other applications. Where extremely toxic substances or otherwise aggressive media are used, hermetic separation of individual parts of the equipment is necessary. Magnetic couplings act as a "barrier" and the ability to "slip" the poles under overload minimizes the risk of damage to the pump and connected equipment.

Other advantages of magnetic couplings include maintenance-free, help reduce vibrations, partially compensate for shaft misalignment of individual parts (cylindrical) and limit the maximum torque of components.

www.pzk.cz

Bringing Automation to Life 

SPS represents the complete spectrum of smart and digital automation - from simple sensors to intelligent solutions, from what is feasible today to the vision of a comprehensively digitized industrial world. SPS 2023 will take place in Nuremberg from November 14-16. Interesting in exhibiting? Check the link below for additional information:

https://sps.mesago.com/nuernberg/en/planning-preparation/exhibitor-information.html