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Grippers that hold on tight!
Plant maintenance, test and measurement
ROUND UP
T
he Raspberry Pi is a miniatureARM-based PC and by connecting it
to amonitor orTV and keyboard, budding computer programmers
can use the power of the Raspberry Pi to develop new programmes,
games and apps, enabling the board to then handle many of the
tasks traditionally performed by a PC, such as Internet browsing,
word processing and spreadsheets. It also plays high-definition video.
RS Components
’ customers worldwide can now order multiple
quantities of the Raspberry Pi Model B board, along with the associ-
ated accessories to enable users to get started, including SD cards
pre-loaded with the Raspberry Pi operating system and unique cases
for safer storage. All customers will be provided with a forecasted
future delivery date when placing their order.
Previously available only from the dedicated RS online Pi Store,
businesses, engineering professionals and educational institutions
can now route their Raspberry Pi order through the local RS websites.
While existing orders for Raspberry Pi will continue to be fulfilled
through the next few months, the ramp-up of production has ena-
bled RS to lift the restrictions on the number of units per customer.
Orders can now be placed for unlimited quantities of Raspberry Pi
and the associated accessories without the requirement to register
or to receive an invitation to order. These orders will start reaching
customers by the end of September.
“There have been extraordinary levels of demand for Raspberry Pi
since its launch earlier this year, so we have no doubt that customers
worldwide will welcome the volume availability of the boards,” said
Glenn Jarrett, Global Head of Product Marketing, RS. “Many interest-
ing Raspberry Pi projects have already sprouted in the few months
since we started shipping the product, and the release of unlimited
quantities will open up opportunities to prospective programmers
on a mass scale.”
The Raspberry Pi Foundation is a charity established to promote the
development of computer development skills in education across the
globe. Its vision is for Raspberry Pi to provide budding IT developers
and programmers with a base platform to exploit the full power and
potential of computing within the Linux environment, at a remarkably
low cost. As such, Raspberry Pi computers act as an enabler for the
next generation of programmers to enter the IT industry.
Enquiries: Devin Ross. Tel. 011 691 9300 or email editorial.za@rs-
components.com.
T
ectra Automation
, local distributor of Schmalz vacuum
technology and part of the Hytec Group, offers this Ger-
man manufacturer’s lightweight, yet robust range of magnetic
grippers, SGM, which has just been enhanced to feature a re-
placeable friction washer for higher lateral forces, to the South
African market.
“This range, with its aluminum body and integrated perma-
nent magnet, can reduce non-productive idle times in produc-
tion by enabling secure gripping and more dynamic handling”,
explains Erika Bennion, divisional manager pneumatics, Tectra
Automation.
The grippers are ideal for the handling of perforated metal
sheets, complex laser-cut workpieces, ferromagnetic workpieces
and metal sheets with holes and apertures that cannot be han-
dled safely with vacuum suction cups.The range is available in
four sizes - SGM 30, SGM 40, SGM 50 and SGM 70 - with holding
forces ranging from 35 to 290 N.
“These grippers can be mounted in any orientation required. A
standard connection threat in the cover of the magnetic gripper
and additional mounting holes for all common holder systems
are provided on three sides. In addition, holding forces can
further be increased by mounting the grippers side-by-side,”
concludes Bennion.
Enquiries: Erika Bennion .Tel. 011 971 9400 or email erika.
bennion@tectra.co.za.
Miniature computer board available
Electricity+Control
September ‘12
38