OK - so it can't do manicures…

DEPRO, part of the Norwegian ALLOYANCE group of companies, is at HANNOVER MESSE 2017 to premiere its UNI Cutter, a universal cutting tool for use in harsh conditions on oil rigs and cable layers.

It goes without saying that everything exhibited at the world’s leading trade fair for industrial technology can hold its own in a challenging professional environment. But certain industries and sectors also need that little extra robustness to ensure satisfactory results in the toughest and harshest conditions. ALLOYANCE is a Norwegian association of fourteen innovative mechanical and plant engineering companies that have extensive experience and expertise in this field. One of these companies, DEPRO, is at HANNOVER MESSE 2017 to unveil a cutting and separating device fit for the high seas - the UNI Cutter.

The UNI Cutter is a hard-wearing tool designed to cut ropes, wires, chains, hydraulic lines, umbilicals and power cables. With a working pressure of up to 690 bar and a push-force of up to 360 metric tons, the item being cut can have a diameter of up to 320 millimeters. The UNI Cutter weighs 900 kilograms and can be customized by the manufacturer to meet specific customer needs in areas such as underwater use.
ALLOYANCE A/S (4344 Bryne, Norway), Hall 4, Stand H44
Contact: Arne Borg Pedersen
Tel.: +47 48 15 34 24
E-Mail: arne@alloyance.com

The superior alternative
When it comes to supplying compressed air on construction sites in a way that minimizes noise and emissions and maximizes cost-efficiency, the new KAESER compressors with an electric drive are an ideal alternative to conventional solutions.

KAESER, one of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers for compressed air products and services, is at HANNOVER MESSE 2017 to showcase its mobile compressors specially designed for use on construction sites. The compressed air generated by the compressors can be used to operate a wide range of devices such as hammer drills, cleaning equipment, plastering machines and paint sprayers. Traditional construction site compressors are usually powered by gasoline or, more usually, diesel generators, with all the advantages and disadvantages these bring. But when noise and emission levels need to be kept particularly low and cost-efficiency is important, too, compressors with an electric drive are a worthwhile alternative to conventional models. KAESER, a family-owned company based in Germany’s Upper Franconia region, is at HANNOVER MESSE 2017 to present additional electric drive versions of three models from its successful Mobilair series.

The electric motors available for the M27, M31 and M50 Mobilair models generate between 15 and 25 kilowatts. This results in air volumes between two and five cubic meters a minute at pressures between seven and 14 bar. These quiet and clean machines are thus ideal for particularly sensitive areas. Whether in low-emission zones, near hospitals or inside buildings, KAESER e-power compressors don't just look great, they also work brilliantly. They can even pay dividends on large construction sites, which are generally well supplied with electricity – usually a far cheaper power source than fuel - while maintenance costs are also much lower. What's more, they're a valuable aid in tunnel construction and as backup compressors for power stations.
KAESER Kompressoren SE (96450 Coburg, Germany), Hall 27, Stand E18
Contact: Daniela Koehler
Tel.: +49 9561 640-452
E-Mail: daniela.koehler@kaeser.com

Enhancing the transportation of workpieces
Careful workpiece transport has arrived! LTL Maschinenbau is in Hannover to unveil the DS 800 container stacker, a material supply and storage system for medium to heavy items in goods carriers that is also particularly suitable for handling components with sensitive surfaces or contours.

Since it was founded around 25 years ago, LTL Maschinenbau GmbH - based in Rinteln in the Weser hills in Germany's Lower Saxony region - has made a name for itself as a specialist in automating production workflows. Besides special machinery developed in close collaboration with customers, the company also designs series products that always meet market needs. These include the DS 800 container stacker that - helped by a handy robot cell from co-exhibitor Mitsubishi - is marking its debut by treating visitors to HANNOVER MESSE 2017 to a tasty surprise.

The DS 800 is a tray server in a compact steel design, equipped with a Siemens S7 control unit and 10-inch color touch panel for easy configuration and operation. The basic design can also be expanded with additional transfer points using modular solutions such as a conveyor belt extension. Alternatively, users can choose applications such as a testing station or code marking laser - the options are as varied as customers' needs. Even customized solutions such as a turning station for trays can be implemented, thus adding to the range of potential applications.
LTL Maschinenbau GmbH (31737 Rinteln, Germany), Hall 17, Stand D40, co-exhibitor with Mitsubishi Electric Europe
Contact: Frank Döllner
Tel.: +49 5751 924773-0
E-Mail: fdoellner@ltl-maschinenbau.de

New improved 3D printing
The new ProJet MJP 3600 series being exhibited by Kisters AG boasts almost double the print speed of its predecessors and is aimed at customers who require the very best resolution, contour definition, dimensional stability, surface quality and, above all, productivity from 3D printing.

Printed 3D models often lack either material strength or dimensional stability. But these shortcomings are now a thing of the past with the launch of ProJet 3D printers with MJP (multi-jet printing) technology, which produces dimensionally stable, high-precision functional prototypes with an extremely high level of detail resolution and perfect edge definition. Their ease of use and minimal model finishing also make this technology a welcome addition to company design and engineering departments. Kisters AG, based in Aachen, Germany, is at HANNOVER MESSE 2017 to present the ProJet MJP 3600 and ProJet MJP 3600 Max 3D printers - two new ultra high-speed follow-up models.

With almost double the print speed of their predecessors and unbeatable detail resolution down to 16 micrometers, the two new kids on the block are aimed in particular at customers with demanding requirements - and not just in relation to productivity. The two printers use a special technology that accurately cools the construction material on the way to the build plate, ensuring it stays exactly in the required location in this preconsolidated state. This results in outstanding detail resolution, contour definition and surface quality. As with its predecessor, the 3600 series also uses a large permanent print head that covers the full width of the build plate. This makes the productivity of this 3D printer technology almost entirely independent of build space utilization (number of printed models per build space). Production time is virtually identical, whether two or ten components are being produced in a print operation.
Kisters AG (52076 Aachen, Germany), Hall 6, Stand L08
Contact: Jochen Dauber
Tel.: +49 2408 9385515
E-Mail: info@kisters.de

No more "woulda, coulda, shoulda"!
KEYENCE is in Hannover to showcase the VHX-6000 digital microscope, which has just launched on the German market and even allows users to visualize details in retrospect.

Essentially, a digital microscope is to a traditional optical microscope what a digital camera is to an analogue camera. For example, the entire system of a digital microscope is geared toward reproducing the subject or image of a specimen directly on a monitor. The optical systems designed to work with the human eye are generally omitted, although there are exceptions to this rule. And digital microscopes have at least one other thing in common with their camera relatives - the vastly extended range of functions, which is growing continuously. The best example is the VHX-6000 digital microscope from KEYENCE, which has just been released on the German market.

The VHX-6000, premiering at HANNOVER MESSE 2017, boasts a whole host of new functions, with multi-lighting as a standout option that enables users to view objects that are illuminated from various angles. With the VHX-6000, it takes just the touch of a button to get perfect results and view features that previously would have been impossible to see. Even if it later turns out that a different type of lighting should have been used to view specific features, the process does not need to be repeated, as the lighting can easily be adjusted retrospectively. A wide range of lighting technologies such as brightfield, darkfield, transmitted light, polarizing light and differential interference observation complete the system. The VH-ZST dual zoom lens, for example, which has a 20x to 2000x magnification range, supports KEYENCE Mix lighting, which combines brightfield and darkfield.
KEYENCE Deutschland GmbH (63263 Neu-Isenburg, Germany), Hall 6, Stand D40
Contact: Martina Schuster
Tel.: +49 6102 3689-0
E-Mail: m.schuster@keyence.de

Innovative masterpiece
OMICRON electronics GmbH has been developing and supplying innovative testing and diagnostics solutions for the electrical power industry for some three decades. Based in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg, the company is at HANNOVER MESSE 2017 to premiere its COMPANO 100 testing unit, which has already won a design award.

When carrying out commissioning and recommissioning work, energy suppliers generally need to verify numerous connections, often running into the hundreds. And in high-voltage environments in particular, current transformers and voltage converters are often a long way from the relay and control room. This makes it essential to have an easy-to-use and transportable testing unit with exceptional features. OMICRON, a global player headquartered in Austria, has been developing and supplying relevant testing and diagnostics solutions for almost thirty years. OMICRON's COMPANO 100, an innovative mobile testing unit for all kinds of basic safety tests in electrical power systems, is making its debut at HANNOVER MESSE 2017.

The COMPANO 100 - already a winner of the iF Design Award 2017 in the "Industry / Skilled Trades" category in the "Product" field - generates signals with variable frequencies and a wide range of different signal forms, as well as automated ramps, pulse ramps and pure DC values. The unit's electronically controlled sources ensure it produces exactly the value that has been set. The highly flexible inputs are configurable - for example, as binary inputs for relay testing, AC or DC voltage inputs or current inputs. Its light weight of just 10 kilograms, robust and compact design and unique battery operation make the COMPANO 100 ideal for on-site testing in substations, railway networks, industrial plants and renewable energy plants.
OMICRON electronics GmbH (6833 Klaus, Austria), Hall 12, Stand B57
Contact: Peter Hosp
Tel.: +43 59495 2442
E-Mail: peter.hosp@omicronenergy.com

Electric atmosphere in Hannover
Munich-based Schaltbau GmbH is at HANNOVER MESSE to showcase solutions for safety applications. These include the CT power contactor series, which uses a patented arc extinguishing technology to ensure genuine equipment safety.

Contactors are electrically or pneumatically activated switches used for high electrical ratings and are similar to a relay. They therefore play a key role in a number of different areas. Schaltbau GmbH is at HANNOVER MESSE 2017 to exhibit its solutions for safety applications and is unveiling its innovative patented arc extinguishing technology for switchgear, which is also used in products such as the CT power contactor series. Other exhibits include snap-action switches with extremely low failure rates and connectors that transmit energy and signals even in the most hostile conditions.

Thanks to its CT power contactor series and patented arc extinguishing technology, Schaltbau GmbH can ensure genuine equipment safety. The innovative technology effectively stops contacts from welding together or burning and thus prevents the total destruction of equipment as a result. The power contactors are designed for nominal operating voltages from 1.5 to 3 kilovolts and continuous currents up to 1,100 amperes. Provided the latest standards are met, UL approvals are now also available for selected CT contactors. They are used in inverters for energy storage devices and PV systems, test rigs in the automotive industry and fast charging stations for electric buses.
Schaltbau GmbH (81829 Munich, Germany), Hall 11, Stand D27
Contact: Birgit Puchta
Tel.: +49 89 93005-158
E-Mail: puchta@schaltbau.de

Keeping things moving
Without precision bearings, the manufacturing industry would quickly grind to a halt, whatever industrial revolution is currently being proclaimed. Drive specialist Rodriguez is in Hannover to showcase rotary and linear technology components and customized system solutions.

Bearings keep things moving in virtually every process, whether manually controlled or fully automated. The range of applications is as varied as the bearing technologies used. Few are more aware of this than drive specialist Rodriguez, whose precision bearings have proven themselves in a variety of industrial applications and thus form the basis for its customized system solutions - Value Added Products. At HANNOVER MESSE 2017, Rodriguez is focusing primarily on rotary components and solutions, without neglecting its equally innovative linear technology.

The Rodriguez precision bearing range now meets almost every need. A whole host of applications can be covered thanks to Kaydon thin-section bearings, turntable bearings, large-diameter roller bearings and many other high-quality components. Rodriguez manufactures a proportion of the precision bearings itself, and its in-house production capacity has been continuously expanded for many years. Customers thus benefit not only from Rodriguez's decades of experience in designing high-precision rolling bearings, but also from the greatest possible flexibility in manufacturing. Its state-of-the-art machinery supports the customization of individual components and the production of bespoke system solutions - Value Added Products (VAP).
Rodriguez GmbH (52249 Eschweiler, Germany), Hall 22, Stand A05
Contact: Nicole Dahlen
Tel.: +49 2403 7800
E-Mail: info@rodriguez.de

All wired up
For the first time since taking over ecom instruments GmbH, Pepperl+Fuchs - a pioneer in cutting-edge automation technologies - is at HANNOVER MESSE to showcase its product portfolio, which has been extended to include mobile safety solutions.

ecom instruments GmbH - based in Assamstadt, Germany - is a world market leader in mobile industrial equipment for potentially explosive areas. It has built up an international reputation and technological expertise thanks to developments such as the first explosion-proof cellphones, 4G smartphones and tablets. Naturally this did not escape the attention of Pepperl+Fuchs GmbH - based in Mannheim, also in Germany, and itself a world leader in electrical explosion protection and sensor technology - which therefore took over ecom at the end of 2016. Pepperl+Fuchs is now premiering this logical expansion of its product portfolio at HANNOVER MESSE 2017.

"ecom instruments is an industry pioneer - recently recording a 15 percent growth rate - that has continuously proven and expanded its role as a pioneer and leader in mobile explosion protection over the decades and provides the perfect addition to our company thanks to the state-of-the-art, unrivaled portfolio at its Assamstadt site," says Dr. Gunter Kegel, Managing Director of Pepperl+Fuchs. "Besides the enhanced product portfolio for our customers, this also opens up completely new opportunities along the entire value-added chain. As a result, we can not only expand our explosion protection range further but also continue to strengthen our position on the market with a partner from the region and thus venture into new Industry 4.0 solutions," adds Dr. Kegel.
ecom instruments GmbH
Contact: Christian Uhl
Tel.: +49 6294 4224-990
E-Mail: christian.uhl@ecom-ex.com

Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH (D-68307 Mannheim), Halle 9, Stand D76
Contact: Irmtraud Schmitt
Tel.: +49 621 776-1215
Fax: +49 621 776-2505
E-Mail: ischmitt@de.pepperl-fuchs.com

So long to soldering!
NanoWired, a Spin-Off from Technische Universität Darmstadt has used nanowires to develop a completely new technology for joining electronic components. The researchers are premiering their innovative hook-and-loop fastening technology in Hannover.

Electronic components aren't just becoming ever more powerful, they're also taking up less and less space. The chips that need to be joined together are piling up in a tiny area. Up to now, they've had to be soldered or sometimes bonded together. The problem is that foreign matter such as solder reduces conductivity and can break away again at higher temperatures. Certain contacts also need to be made in a protected atmosphere or welded using ultrasound. The NanoWired team at the Institute of Electromechanical Design at Technische Universität Darmstadt has therefore designed a completely new, innovative and patent-protected technology with Professor Helmut Schlaak, that deals with these drawbacks. The market-ready NanoWired process is now being premiered at HANNOVER MESSE 2017.

The new technology is based on nanowires that are laid like a lawn over the electronic components that are to be connected. If two of these components are then pressed together, the wires hook up in the same way as the kind of hook-and-loop fasteners commonly found on outdoor clothing, for example. The difference is that the connection is permanent. Depending on requirements, the NanoWired GmbH can apply up to several billion nanowires per square centimeter. The hook-and-loop bond withstands even high temperatures and is extremely conductive both for heat and for electronic pulses. The technology is also easy to use, doesn’t require any special laboratory conditions and is already sufficiently well-developed that it can be used in industrial applications. Two high-profile semiconductor producers and a major sensor manufacturer have already been won over by the potential of the invention.
NanoWired GmbH (D-64283Darmstadt), c/o Technische Universitat Darmstadt, Hall 2, Stand B25, co-exhibitor with Hessen Trade & Invest
Contact: Olav Birlem
Tel.: +49 6151 16 23848
E-Mail: info@nanowired.de

For photos and video clips, visit: Product Innovations