Tuesday 30 June 2015

Digital panel meter guides published!

Precision Digital Corporation has released a new series of Quick Start Guides for its most popular displays and controllers. Each guide is 8-12 pages of information designed to get the end-user up and running quickly without having to navigate through a complicated manual.

 A printed copy of each product's Quick Start Guide is included with Precision Digital's most popular digital panel meters: the ProVu® PD6000 Process Meter, the PD6200 and PD6300 Rate/Totalizers, and the Trident and Trident X2 Process Meters.

"The new Quick Start Guides contain all the product information needed by plant personnel to perform a quick installation with the least amount of downtime," said Jeffrey Peters, President of Precision Digital. "These guides make for straightforward installation and effortless operation."

These organized Quick Start Guides help users familiarize themselves with the buttons and basic functionality of the panel meters. Basic wiring instructions are included for inputs, outputs, relays, and power connections. Information is also included about programming and scaling the meter's inputs, as well as programming the relays for automatic reset. Operators can learn how to properly program the meter's 4-20 mA output and set up custom tags, units, and password protection.

Selected advanced functions, such as pump alternation control, round horizontal tank gauging, and multi-point linearization are also addressed. Additional features, including process rounding and noise filter programming, are available. In the event of a confounding programming error or new setup, instructions are provided to return the meter to factory default settings.

• Precision Digital Corporation products are marketed in Ireland through PJ Bonner.

Motors & drives.

Emerson Industrial Automation has led the energy efficiency market for many years and aims to provide ever more effective, ergonomic and modular drive systems.

Dyneo® combines all Emerson’s permanent magnet solutions for variable speed drives and synchronous motor technologies. These solutions are the outcome of tried and trusted technology with over 15 years of experience and the largest industrial base installed worldwide. Dyneo® delivers reliability, robustness, a wide range of options, flexible adaptation, easy commissioning and a short return on investment.

Their latest developments offer users simplicity of installation equivalent to an induction motor. Continuing with the proven design of Dyneo® solutions, the product portfolio has recently been completed by a series of permanent magnet synchronous motors (LSRPM – 1500 rpm), that are directly mechanically interchangeable with all standard IEC 34-30-1 motors (frame size, flange, shaft end). This new variant immediately offers a premium energy efficient solution without modifying existing equipment. Easy integration comes with two economic advantages, as the financial savings generated for installation are combined with financial savings for operation, which grow over the life cycle of the motor.

A compact range, significantly smaller and lighter, is also available to offer even more flexibility at the customer’s site. This variant is particularly appreciated by equipment manufacturers as it reduces dimensions and optimises machines, simplifying lifting resources and reducing transport costs.

A permanent magnet motor must be controlled with an electronic variable speed drive, it is therefore essential for the assembly, commissioning and configuration of the overall set-up to be as simple as possible.

This has been achieved thanks to the Dyneo® solutions, which enable total sensorless control mode for most process applications (pumps, compressors, fans, boosters, centrifuges, separators, etc.). The motor control is optimised, without a position feedback and connecting cable to the drive. Potential disturbance due to the motor encoder or feedback connections are therefore eliminated, once again reinforcing the reliability of the motor & drive package.

Emerson Dyneo® solutions LSRPM (IP55) / PLSRPM (IP23) permanent magnet motors are perfectly matched with Emerson variable speed drive ranges: Powerdrive F300 (IP20 drives to be integrated in the unit or cabinet for ventilation, pumping and compression applications), Powerdrive MD2 (complete IP21 or IP54 solutions ready to use for process applications) and Unidrive M (IP20 drives to be integrated in the unit or cabinet for all other applications), that are easy to integrate and quick to configure thanks to software and firmware specifically designed for the Dyneo solution motor.

A motor-drive assembly from a single manufacturer offers the assurance of optimum performance thanks to components designed to operate together, along with the global guarantee of a single point of contact, from technical specifications through installation and after-sales service to maintenance.

Thanks to the new "Express Availability" offering, the compact and standard IEC versions of Dyneo® solutions are now available with short lead times (5 - 15 days depending on the selected options). This service ensures an immediate response to customer needs allowing them to evolve towards a high energy efficient solution or guarantee the production by minimising the stock of spare parts. Dyneo® solutions offer rapid returns on investment as well as one of the best overall ownership costs on the market.

Managing a pipeline enterprise!

Yokogawa Electric Corporation has announced the release of the Enterprise Pipeline Management Solution (EPMS), a modular software suite that is the product of over 20 years of practical experience in implementing pipeline management solutions across the globe.

Key benefits
1. Unified user environment based on a modular design
Based on a well-designed modular platform that is both IT friendly and secure, the EPMS is a sustainable solution that can deliver pipeline applications in combination with common supervisory and monitoring functions. As no two pipeline applications are identical and operational philosophies can differ from one pipeline operator to the next, the EPMS's templates and functions can be easily modified without having to call in pipeline application experts.
2. Contextual online integrity management
The EPMS features improved alarm and human machine interface (HMI) management functions, and both it and its application platform were developed based on standards put forward by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the International Society of Automation (ISA), and comply with the strict regulations of the US Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The EPMS employs leak detection, compensated volume balancing, and hydraulic profiling methodologies to monitor pipeline integrity under every type of operating condition. The EPMS is thus able to register possible integrity violations together with contextual information about the operational state of the pipeline so that personnel can quickly get to the bottom of any problem.
3. Reduced energy consumption
The EPMS continuously makes adjustments to the setpoint so that both compressors and pumps can be operated as close as possible to the optimal efficiency point. To manage exceptions during startup, the EPMS allows the assignment of business rules for the management of load sharing, compressor/pump restrictions, and alarm notifications at the compressor/pump station level. To identify areas for improvement, the EPMS can also record all key power statistics.
4. Less product waste at batch delivery points
To minimise product waste, the EPMS measures and calculates the position of batches as well as anomalies such as trans-mix on a near real-time basis, and reports on the inventory balances.
5. Enhanced gas and liquid metering
With its transparent management of parameter exchange and the measurement of gas, liquids, and gas composition, the EPMS easily adapts to the desired measurement methodology and the level of intelligence of intermediate devices like flow computers, remote terminal units (RTU), and instruments. It processes the available inputs into normalised flow, volume, and energy values in accordance with the applicable American Gas Association (AGA) and API standards.
Developed for deployment at the heart of the pipeline operations management environment, the EPMS supplements the basic pipeline management system with specific gas and liquid applications that enable a pipeline operator to manage delivery contracts and associated logistics in a time and energy efficient manner. With a SCADA platform covering monitoring, alarming, trending, and reporting, the EPMS handles functions such as metering, batch scheduling & tracking, leak detection, and energy management within the same unified user environment.

Development background
Many pipeline systems in use today have been tailored to suit a specific set of circumstances and lack both a standard system foundation for supporting pluggable application modules and a core design that ensures interoperability with enterprise IT environments and policies. The maintenance and upgrade of tailor-made applications, and their often complex system architectures to protect them from breaches and security compromises, poses increasing challenges for pipeline operators.

Shuji Mori, a Yokogawa vice president and head of Yokogawa Electric International, comments: "The EPMS will significantly reduce the amount of effort required to implement and commission high quality pipeline management applications while guaranteeing easy upgradability, protecting investments across multiple SCADA platform versions".

Main target markets include gas and liquids transmission pipelines and grids and upstream/midstream oil and gas production infrastructure.

Flow transmitter provides improved measurement insight!

The Micro Motion® Model 5700 Transmitter has been introduced by Emerson. This is a Coriolis flow transmitter designed to translate measurement data into meaningful insight and instruction. The Model 5700 is applicable for a broad range of applications, from liquid and gas custody transfer to simple process control.

“The Model 5700 transmitter was developed using Emerson’s Human Centered Design approach to technology innovation,” said Jason Leapley, product manager. “We performed usability testing to fully understand user information demands and real-world application requirements. Every feature of the Model 5700 was designed to reduce the time and expertise needed to install and operate the Coriolis meter.”

“The Model 5700 moves beyond just providing more data and instead focuses on delivering useable information to provide even deeper process insight from Micro Motion Coriolis measurement,” said Bill Graber, Emerson’s vice president of marketing for the Micro Motion business. “The result empowers customers to better leverage rich Coriolis measurement data in order to further understand and improve their operating environments and achieve new levels of productivity.”

The Model 5700 provides users with access to detailed measurement history for troubleshooting or optimising the process. The graphical user interface was designed for intuitive operation, with simplified installation, configuration, maintenance and troubleshooting. The new transmitter translates Coriolis measurement data into useful operating insight through robust, time-stamped history files for process and meter health data, and logs for configuration changes and alarms.

The Model 5700 digital signal processing architecture provides a fast flow response time, making it optimal for custody transfer proving and short batching applications. The historian feature also improves Micro Motion Smart Meter Verification, which provides measurement of the full meter health without process interruption – improving measurement confidence and easing regulation compliance.

Compatible with new and previously installed Micro Motion ELITE® Coriolis sensors, the Model 5700 has a field-mount design that is suitable with most hazardous area installation practices, and is available with both integral and remote installation options. It currently includes options for analogue, pulse, discrete and Modbus outputs, and an analogue or HART® input. The Model 5700 and additional digital communication options will be available for other Micro Motion meters and platforms in the near future.

Monday 29 June 2015

Carbon Dioxide analysers!

The new CTX 300 CO2 detector, from Oldham, is a 4-20 mA analog detector designed for industrial applications in areas without explosion hazard classifications. The detector can connect to more than 30 different factory pre-calibrated sensors to prevent exposure to highly toxic and/or corrosive gases.

Designed to detect toxic gases, oxygen and refrigerant gases, the CTX 300 uses a new sensor for CO2 detection over three different ranges: 0-5000 ppm, 0-5% vol. and 0-100% vol.

The output signal is now open-path over the three measurement ranges, without the need for a supplementary processing card. A version with a display is also available, and accessories for the standard CTX 300 are compatible with the CTX 300 CO2.


For versions without displays, the operating temperature range is from -40°C to +50°C, allowing for new applications in extreme cold areas.

Process gas analysers.

Quantitech has launched a new range of process gas analysers based on tuneable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS). “Whilst these instruments are new to the UK and Ireland, the manufacturer Focused Photonics Inc (FPi) has an installed base of over 8,000 instruments, so this is a well-established technology and we are delighted to have been given exclusive distribution rights for our territory,” says Quantitech MD Keith Golding.

“By utilising ‘single-line’ spectroscopy, the Laser Gas Analyser (LGA) range can be configured for continuous analysis of a number of key compounds, with an enormous dynamic range from single figure ppm to % levels, without interference from other process components,” he adds.

Typical applications include ammonia slip control, HCl measurement for sorbent injection optimisation, furnace oxygen, flue gas monitoring in FCC catalyst regeneration, trace H2S and H2O in natural gas, H2S measurements in sulphur recovery, cross-duct CO monitoring for electrostatic precipitator safety, and many others.

“The LGA range of process gas analysers delivers the well-established benefits of TDLAS technology - high specificity, fast response, super-low maintenance, with proven reliability in harsh operating environments and very low ownership costs,” comments Keith. “Developed out of Stanford University California, the cradle of TDLAS commercialisation, FPi was established in China in 2002 and now employs over 3,000 staff. We have visited a number of LGA installations and were very impressed by the standards of quality and reliability being delivered by these instruments.”

Energy harvesting switch evaluation kit.


Cherry Industrial Solutions has released an updated Evaluation Kit 2.0 to demonstrate their market leading Energy Harvesting Switch Technology. The kit, containing an energy harvesting generator, rocker switch and a snap-action switch, receiver with antenna, USB cable and receiver manual, provides users with a functional demonstration of the Cherry technology and the ability to test key parameters, including signal strength and range, in their own application. A detailed manual, drivers and software for the receiver are available for download from their website.

These Energy Harvesting Switch Modules meet the increasing demand for simple and flexible wireless data transmission of switch signals with maintenance-free low energy consumption. Ith provides effective control solutions for countless applications in almost every market sector including industrial and building automation, smart home and medical. Designed for global use this innovative technology enables Cherry to offer an excellent alternative to wired or battery-powered solutions. Compatible with multiple wireless protocols and with no need to change or dispose of batteries the solution is flexible, environmentally friendly and maintenance-free.

The Cherry Evaluation Kit 2.0 allows users to measure switching performance, transmission range and signal strength, and determine the environmental influences on the wireless signal in various applications including buildings and industrial automation. The addition of a (non-functional) energy harvesting generator means that mechanical design considerations, including mounting position etc., can also be simulated. The Evaluation Kit uses a ZF proprietary communication protocol and the company is happy to work with customer-specific OEM requirements. To ensure worldwide wireless compatibility an OEM system may be specified to operate at 868 MHz and 915 MHz, or 2.4 GHz for lighting applications.

In OEM applications “Flexible Pairing” allows the operation of several switches with one receiver and vice-versa, and a switch “Unique ID” provides clear identification while operating several switches at once. Up to three telegrams are sent per actuation, with pseudo-random timing to assure robust data transmission.

The Evaluation Kit, P/N AFIK-1002 includes an Energy Harvesting Generator, Snap Switch, Rocker Switch, Receiver with antenna, USB cable and receiver manual. The switch and receiver products are all available as individual items from RS Components.

Dual DC socket proves 2 into 1 will go!

The patented “Dual DC” socket from Cliff Electronics, leaders in the design, development and manufacture of connectors, offers designers a single power socket which is suitable for use in both USA and rest of the world markets. The Cliff “Dual DC” socket will accept 2.5mm power plugs, standard in the USA, as well as 2.1mm plugs used in all other markets.

This single socket solution simplifies design, purchasing and logistics as OEMs need only manufacture one standard product to meet their global markets and only need to purchase one standard power socket for all their needs.

By accommodating all industry standard 2.1mm and 2.5mm plugs Cliff’s unique Dual DC socket offers users greater choice of power supply for OEM and after-market supply. Cliff’s Dual DC sockets are already being designed into equipment where flexibility of available power supplies is very advantageous. Markets where this flexibility has been welcomed include educational, medical, instrumentation, communications, audio-broadcast, audio-visual (AV) and industrial applications. Cliff Dual DC sockets are widely designed-in to reduce the need to supply different power supplies depending on geographical preferences, for example delivery to the USA or Europe.

The patented Dual DC socket is rated at 12VDC @ 5A, is fitted with switched contacts and is available in two versions; the DC 10L with solder tag connection and the DC 10LP PCB mount option. The unique centre pin also ensures superior mechanical and electrical contact compared to conventional solid centre contacts.

Other standard features include body material made from PBT for superior temperature characteristics, tin plated copper alloy contacts and RoHS compliance.

Cliff’s continuously expanding range of DC sockets includes many industry standard designs with PCB and solder-tag versions. Recent product innovations include:
  • 2.1mm and 2.5mm Locking DC sockets rated at 16VDC @ 2A, which not only accept their mating locking plugs but also accept industry standard non locking plugs, ensuring minimum system downtime. For ease of use Cliff also offers standard and custom length unterminated cables fitted with these locking plugs.
  • 1.3mm Surface Mount DC Socket range rated at 12VDC @ 1A DC and available discrete, taped or reeled.
  • High Current Metal Shrouded DC Socket, 2.5mm rated at 20VDC @ 10A and PCB mounted.
  • M12.7 Panel Mount Circular Socket with metal mounting nut available in 2.1 or 2.5mm versions and rated at 12VDC @ 1A

John Hall, General Manager of Cliff Electronics comments, “Cliff Electronics have a great deal of experience in the design and manufacture of DC connectors. Our patented dual DC socket makes life much simpler for the whole supply chain and end users alike. This innovative product continues to build on our long established reputation as a single source for engineering, design, moulding, assembly, cabling and associated services.”

UHF RFID integration system gains European certification.

Harting’s Ha-VIS Middleware, which provides easy and flexible integration of UHF RFID readers into plant-wide projects, has become the first system of its type to successfully fulfil the official certification process of the GS1® EPCglobal® standard.
As a result, the Harting Ha-VIS Middleware is the only European product on the market which allows UHF RFID identification to be implemented into projects in a transparent, future-proof and reliably tested way.

The Harting Ha-VIS Middleware is based on the open standard ALE 1.1 of the GS1® EPCglobal®. This standard defines a number of useful functionalities including read/write operations, filtering and triggers. In addition, it clearly specifies how external software interacts with these functionalities. The standard guaranties a reliable, durable, well documented and testable system which is maintained and developed by the GS1® EPCglobal® organisation.

The Harting Ha-VIS Middleware meets ALE 1.1 and fully conforms to the current standard. Compared to the earlier ALE 1.0 standard, ALE 1.1 defines more useful functionalities, especially relating to how data is written into transponders. This conformity has now also been certified by GS1® EPCglobal®.

Friday 26 June 2015

Camogie team qualifies for National tournament!

For the first time in five years the young women of Celbridge GAA club (IRL) have qualified for the Féile na nGael All Ireland Tournament, and Mitsubishi Electric are supporting them all the way.
The Féile na nGael All Ireland Tournament is an annual GAA Tournament running since 1971 which encompasses all 32 counties in Ireland. The tournament consists of the Gaelic sports of hurling, camogie and handball and is organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).

This year the annual tournament will be held in Ulster with over 152 clubs and 3,000 players participating. The tournament will be held on the weekend of 19th – 21st June across the nine Ulster counties and County Louth where representatives from Ireland and overseas will be hosted.

The young women of Celbridge Camogie will be representing County Kildare in the U14 Camogie tournament. “This is the first time in 5 years that Celbridge Camogie have qualified for this National Tournament and we are delighted that Mitsubishi Electric are helping them get there,” said Seán Ó Riain, Camogie Coach, Celbridge GAA Club.

“Mitsubishi Electric recognise the role sport plays in the personal, social and cultural development of young people in communities. It helps teach people from a young age important skills such as team work and leadership and we are proud to be able to support the Celbridge girls in any way we can,” Ciarán Moody, General Manager, Mitsubishi Electric Ireland.

• So what is Camogie. Here's the story!

Silica monitoring supports power station efficiency.

Silica deposition on turbine blades can cause defects and an imbalance in the blades, which in turn causes vibration and could even result in failure. Silica deposition in boiler tubes is also to be avoided because it causes a loss of thermal efficiency, thereby reducing the efficiency of the whole plant. So, it is VERY important to keep silica levels very low and to monitor accordingly. This case study provides further information on why this is important and how a successful monitoring programme has now been achieved at this power station in England.
West Burton B CCGT (pictured) is a Combined Cycle Gas Turbine power station near Nottingham in the UK. It has three open-cycle gas turbines capable of generating enough electricity for approximately 1.5 million British homes. In common with all combustion based power stations, the CCGT has a requirement to monitor silica levels in the Plant’s water and steam processes. Seán Todd, the Plant’s Control & Instrumentation (C&I) Team Leader, says: “Boiler chemistry is one of the major challenges facing power plant managers, and the monitoring systems that were originally installed at this plant met the required specification but failed to deliver the accuracy and reliability that we need.

“At the Start of February 2014, we replaced the monitors with HACH 5500sc Silica Analysers and have been absolutely delighted with the results; over the last ten months, the new monitors have proved to be extremely accurate and reliable, requiring very little maintenance.”


The importance of Silica
Making up a large percentage of the earth’s solid crust, silicon (Si) is second only to oxygen in natural abundance. Silicon is present in small concentrations in all natural water supplies, usually as dissolved silica or as small suspended silicate particles (colloidal silica). Silicon dioxide, also known as silica, is a chemical compound that is an oxide of silicon with the chemical formula SiO2. Silica is highly soluble in steam, so if sufficient quantities are present, it may deposit as a glass-like substance on the surfaces of turbine blades and boiler tubes.

Silica deposition on turbine blades can cause pitting and other defects, however, it is also likely to cause an imbalance in the blades, which in turn causes vibration and could even result in failure due to the fine tolerances between turbine blades and outer casings. Turbines cost tens of millions so effective inspection and maintenance is a high priority. Silica deposition in boiler tubes is also to be avoided because it causes a loss of thermal efficiency, thereby reducing the efficiency of the whole plant.
Prior to the installation of the HACH 5500sc Silica Analysers, the unreliability of the original monitors meant that manual samples had to be taken twice daily from multiple points. Some of these samples were tested in a site laboratory, but others had to be sent to a sister laboratory approximately 50 miles away. This incurred excessive costs and delays. Furthermore, the original monitors required frequent recalibration, causing a heavy maintenance requirement and resulting in excessive use of reagents.

Monitoring systems
Silica concentration data is required to demonstrate compliance with the required levels for boiler feedwater and saturated steam. However, the data is also necessary for operational purposes; to control pH in the boilers with ammonia dosing for example. In addition, the data is required for insurance purposes.

In order to avoid silica deposition, high levels of treatment are necessary to produce almost totally demineralised water. CCGT draws its water supply from the River Trent and a variety of treatment processes are necessary before the water is pure enough for use. These processes include sedimentation, filtration, flocculation and ion exchange. The silica analysers draw treated water samples from the plant to ensure that levels are within acceptable limits. Online samples are also drawn from strategically located points in the plant to ensure that silica levels remain at acceptable concentrations throughout the process.

Online monitoring is conducted in two locations; in the Water Treatment Plant for monitoring the efficiency of the ion-exchange plant and in the ‘boiler analyser house’ which contains two Hach 5500sc silica analysers, a Hach 9240 sodium analyser, two HACH ORBISPHERE K1100 LDO optical dissolved oxygen probes, five pH probes and twenty one conductivity probes. Continuous water samples of steam and blowdown steam are delivered to the analyser house by a network of sample tubes from around the plant.

The new HACH ORBISPHERE K1100 LDO (luminescent dissolved oxygen) probes have also helped to minimise the maintenance requirement of the monitoring systems. Employing an optical measurement technology, these probes only require calibration every 6 – 12 months and an optical spot change every few years. This is in stark contrast with the older electrochemical membrane-covered DO sensors that actually consumed oxygen as part of the measurement process and tended to drift, which meant that they required frequent recalibration. A portable version of the ORBISPHERE 3100 LDO is also employed by the site’s boiler chemist, enabling them to conduct rapid measurements at any point on the plant.

The HACH 5500sc Silica Analysers take measurements from each sample stream every 15 minutes, which provides Sean Todd and his team with almost live data on performance and enables them to take appropriate action before alarm levels are reached.

The 5500sc measures silica by reacting samples with molybdate ions under acidic conditions to form silicomolybdic acid complexes. The addition of citric acid destroys the phosphate complexes, and amino acid reagent is then added to reduce the yellow silicomolybdic acid to an intense blue colour, which is proportional to the silica concentration, and measured optically at 815 nm. Typically, just two litres of reagent are required for the analyser to perform unattended for up to 90 days.

An important innovation in the 5500sc analysers, which has dramatically improved accuracy and reliability whilst reducing costs, is the industry's only pressurised reagent delivery system which eliminates the frequent maintenance associated with pumps. “The cabinet inside the analyser is pressurised, and this is released when the door is opened,” says C&I Technician Nick Craddock . “It is then a simple and clean procedure to swap the bottles.”

The analysers autocalibrate once per week, using an internal 500 ppb Silica standard, and Nick Craddock says: “The reading is normally 501 or 502 ppb so these new monitors are incredibly accurate, and much lower cost to run – we change the reagents every 90 days, whereas we used to have to change them after about 30 days. In addition to silica measurements, the analysers also provide a continuous update on their ‘health status’, which enables preventative maintenance and helps avoid downtime.”

Instrument health status is managed by the PROGNOSYS software package. The HACH 5500sc silica analysers operate and configure the software, displaying horizontal bars as a measurement value indicator and as a service indicator for the remaining time until the next maintenance task - green, yellow and red indicators show the status of each sensor. The service messages supply information on maintenance tasks that the user must complete (e.g., to clean the sensor or replace the reagents). All service messages have a countdown period with sufficient time to contact a service technician or to order a replacement part.

Following the installation of the new monitors, HACH LANGE was awarded a service contract which will involve biannual visits to check and refurbish the monitoring systems.

Conclusions
Summarising, Sean Todd says: “As a CCGT power station we have an extra focus on accuracy because of the finer tolerances that feature in this plant, so there is a greater emphasis on the performance of our monitoring systems, and with a small C&I team, we are constantly seeking new ways to reduce maintenance requirements and improve efficiency.

“Boiler chemistry is an important issue for us, so the development of accurate, reliable silica monitors has been an enormous benefit. The operators of other power stations are of course very interested in our success, and we are very happy to share our experiences with them.”

Flexible protection for automation networks.

The Scalance S615 is the latest addition to the Siemens security module product line. This cost-effective entry-level device from the Scalance S range protects industrial networks and automation systems against unauthorized access.

The Scalance S615 security module has five Ethernet ports that offer protection for various network topologies via firewall or virtual private network VPN (IPsec and OpenVPN) and enable flexible implementation of security concepts. Users can configure up to five variable security zones with individual firewall rules. With the autoconfiguration interface, the device can be easily integrated and parameterized with the Sinema Remote Connect management platform. The management platform lets users conveniently manage network connections and access widely distributed plants and machinery.

The new Scalance S615 security module has various configuration, management and diagnostics options via web-based management (WBM), command line Interface (CLI) and simple network management protocol (SNMP). As a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server and client, the device can be used in any virtual local area network (VLAN) security zone. The new device has a key-operated switch function on its digital input for establishing a controlled tunnel connection.

The security modules in the Siemens Scalance S family connect seamlessly to the security structures of the office and IT worlds and are specially designed to meet the demands of automation systems with features such as a rugged design for industrial environments, easy installation, minimal downtime in the event of faults due to a redundant power supply, and rapid device replacement via C-plug. Depending on the level of security required, the firewall and VPN security features can be combined.

A Practical Guide to Improving Temperature Measurement Accuracy! @MII_Worldwide #PAuto

For many temperature applications, getting a high level of accuracy is vital. A new white paper from Moore Industries highlights how plant and site engineers can ensure the most accurate temperature measurement for critical applications. 

Click image to download!
Available for download from the Moore Industries website“A Practical Guide to Improving Temperature Measurement Accuracy” details steps that can also help end users improve the stability of their measurements and reduce calibration costs.

The paper shows how to select the best sensor for a particular application and ways to improve the accuracy of the sensor you choose. In particular, it details the reasons why 4-wire RTD sensors are almost always the best choice for high-accuracy temperature applications. Using 4-wire RTD sensors eliminates the errors caused by a copper lead wire. The paper also explains the relationship between classes of sensors (such as Standard and Premium Grade thermocouples and Class A RTDs) and their error rates.

Along with learning how to select sensors, the paper also covers how to reduce errors caused by plant noise, using bath calibration to minimize RTD measurement errors and the relationship between remote I/O and temperature accuracy. 

Thursday 25 June 2015

Rugged single board computer.

GE Energy Management’s Intelligent Platforms has announced the SBC347A rugged 3U OpenVPX single board computer (SBC). Based on the latest ‘Broadwell’ processor technology from Intel®, it delivers higher performance and greater functionality than previous generations of SBC while maintaining the same power envelope. The SBC374A is the first in a number of Broadwell-based products that GE plans to introduce.

The new SBC is designed for demanding applications in harsh, SWaP (size, weight and power) constrained military environments such as manned and unmanned vehicles, signal processing in ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance), sonar, radar, and command/control, as well as the most challenging applications in industry such as energy exploration and transportation.

The SBC374A benefits from two channels of 10Gbase-T connectivity, giving it 10x the Ethernet capability of earlier SBCs. This enables customers upgrading from previous generations of GE’s 3U OpenVPX Intel-based platforms to benefit from substantially enhanced connectivity on the Control Plane without needing to undertake disruptive, expensive infrastructure changes.

In line with GE’s commitment to maximizing long term customer value and return on investment, the SBC374A provides a simple, form/fit/function pin-compatible upgrade path.

The latest Intel Core i7 quad core processor, operating at up to 2.7GHz, can deliver as much as 15% greater CPU performance and 30% greater 3D graphics performance compared with its predecessors. The SBC374A supports up to 16GBytes of soldered ECC memory, and provides the exceptional on-board and off-board bandwidth needed by today’s sophisticated applications with its support for PCI Express® Gen3 technology and USB3.0.

“With the announcement of the SBC374A, GE is again in the forefront of responding to customer demand for rugged embedded computing solutions that deliver unprecedented performance and flexibility, yet are compact, lightweight and consume minimal power,” said Richard Kirk, Director of Core Computing at GE’s Intelligent Platforms business. “It is also yet another example of our continuing commitment to enabling our customers to take advantage of the power of the latest Intel technology.”

The SBC374A is available in five build levels, from benign environment (air cooled) to fully rugged (conduction cooled), and supports Microsoft® Windows, Open Linux® and VxWorks®. It benefits from support by both GE’s AXIS Advanced Multiprocessor Integrated Software development environment that minimizes program risk and speeds time to market, and from GE’s industry-leading Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) programs that are designed to maximize the long term value of customer investments.

Wednesday 24 June 2015

Coriolis and vortex flowmeters to ASME B31.1.

Certification further extends the breadth of Micro Motion® and Rosemount® technologies for use in power applications.
Emerson’s Rosemount 8800 Vortex Flowmeters have been certified to the ASME B31.1
Emerson's Micro Motion Coriolis and Rosemount 8800 Vortex Flowmeters have been certified to the ASME B31.1 Power Piping design standards, in addition to the existing B31.3 Process Piping design standard.

Micro Motion Coriolis flowmeters
certified to ASME B31.1
“We are committed to serving the power industry and are excited to announce compliance to B31.1 Power Piping design standards,” said Andy Dudiak, president of Micro Motion at Emerson Process Management. “Micro Motion Coriolis and Rosemount Vortex meters bring accurate, reliable measurement to a wide range of applications, helping electricity generators gain better insight into their processes for improved operations.”

B31.1 Power Piping design standard certification applies to all areas of the power plant except for Boiler External Piping (BEP), and is a basic design requirement for products sold into the power industry. B31.1 Code Stamp certification applies to the BEP area of the plant.

Compliance with B31.1 Power Piping design standard is offered on several of the Micro Motion Coriolis Meters – including ELITE®, F-series and R-series meters.

Rosemount 8800 Vortex products that meet B31.1 design standards and Code Stamp certification include all carbon steel flanged, reducer and dual vortex meters with flange ratings up to and including ASME Class 1500 (PN 160) on 1-inch (DN25) through 8-inch (DN200) meter body sizes and ASME Class 600 (PN100) on 10-inch (DN250) and 12-inch (DN300) meter body sizes.

4-20mA DC clamp meter.

A Current Clamp Meter measuring 4-20mA DC that wirelessly relays measurements has been added by Fluke to the other Fluke Connect™ enabled master units or the Fluke Connect mobile App. The a3004 FC Wireless DC Clamp Meter is a fully functional current clamp meter which measures 4mA to 20mA signals without “breaking the loop”. It is ideal for use by process control technicians and for industrial technicians maintaining PLCs and controls, as well as in automotive and HVAC applications.

The Fluke a3004 FC Wireless 4-20mA DC Clamp Meter features a detachable clamp with extension cable for measurements in tight locations and can be used as a standalone meter or as part of a system. A logging function enables the recording and saving of up to 65,000 measurements. It is suitable for measurement of 4-20mA control loops, 4-20mA signal measurements, testing analog input/output signals and other low level DC current measurements.

The Fluke Connect system allows maintenance technicians to wirelessly transmit measurement data from Fluke test tools such as the a3004 FC to their smart phone for secure storage on the cloud, thus enabling access by any team member in the field. Maintenance technicians make better, faster decisions when they have field access to maintenance records and when they can review measurements in real time with team members and supervisors who may be in different locations. Fluke Connect facilitates access to records by all team members wherever they are and at the same time increases the safety of technicians working with energised equipment.

The Fluke Connect app can be downloaded free from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. More than twenty Fluke tools connect wirelessly with the Connect app, including digital multimeters, infrared cameras, insulation testers, process meters, and specific voltage, current and temperature meters.

Flat panels and panel PCs.

19-inch widescreen Flat Panels and Panel PCs with all-round IP65 protection are the latest addition to the Siemens glass-front portfolio. Fitted with a rugged aluminum enclosure, the new devices are designed especially for use at the machine level in harsh industrial environments and can be mounted either from the top or the bottom on a stand or supporting arm system.

Simatic IFP1900 PRO Flat Panels and Simatic IPC477D PRO Panel PCs have crystal-clear, scratchproof, 100% glass fronts that are highly resistant to chemicals. Highlights include a special industrial anti-glare surface, excellent legibility even at large viewing angles thanks to the high image resolution and brightness, and the automatic detection of inadvertent touching or operation, for example, caused by catching the screen with the ball of the hand or the build-up of dirt on the panel surface. Projected-capacitive touch technology (PCT) enables single and multi-touch or gesture-based operation, even when wearing thin protective gloves, and images can be panned, zoomed, or hidden components shown both intuitively and quickly.

Tuesday 23 June 2015

Longest running industry event maintains its momentum with more than 5,000 attendees.

More than 5,000 attendees flooded the Long Beach Convention Center from June 9-11 to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Sensors Expo & Conference. With a steady increase in overall Show Floor traffic, and a marked 10% increase in International attendance, the leading industry event drew thought leaders from top companies such as Airbus, Apple, Boeing, Honda, Hyundai, Lockheed Martin, Medtronic, Microsoft, Moore Industries, Northrup Grumman, Port of Los Angeles, Smith & Nephew, SpaceX St. Jude Medical, Stryker, and Tesla, eager to learn more about the sensing technologies that are driving tomorrow's solutions.

New this year, the event featured a celebratory Kick-Off Party, offering attendees an opportunity to network before the start of the Show; the Engineering Excellence Awards, a complement to the annual Best of Sensors Expo awards; and a new Expo Floor Reception encouraging thought leaders to share best practices, network and uncover strategies to help drive the sensing industry forward.

With three Pre-Conference Symposia dedicated to Energy Harvesting for Wireless Sensors in the IoT, Sensor Fusion, and IoT, and more than 65 Conference Sessions spanning Wireless to Wearables, the 2015 Sensors Expo offered something for everyone engaged in the sensors industry.  

Keynote sessions featuring Dr. Mike North, the host of Discovery shows “Prototype This,” “Outrageous Acts of Science” and “In The Making,” and Gadi Amit, the Technology Designer behind projects such as Google Project Ara, Fitbit Fitness Trackers and the Lytro camera, were delivered to a standing room only audience and offered valuable insights on the hot trends impacting the sensors market today.  

"The ROHM Group has been a long time sponsor of Sensors Expo & Conference, and we are impressed with the caliber of speakers, content and attendees the show continues to attract.  This year’s event was the best experience we have had thus far, leaving us with renewed enthusiasm for opportunities of growth in sensing technologies, especially in the rapidly growing Internet of Everything era.  We look forward to 2016, and the continued success of  Sensors Expo & Conference, which has proven to be an invaluable forum for the sensor community," said Nader Sadrzadeh, President & CEO, Kionix Inc., Sr. Vice President, ROHM Semiconductor. 

The 2015 Sensors Expo & Conference featured Diamond Sponsor Mouser Electronics, Platinum Sponsors Arrow, B+B Smartworx and B-Scada and more than 25 industry sponsors.

• Next years Sensors Expo 2016 is scheduled for 21-23 June 2016 in San José (CA USA)

Tiny wireless switches!

The outstanding feature of .steute's new RF 13 wireless switchgear series is immediately obvious: they are extremely compact in their design. In figures: with housing dimensions of just 49 x 40 x 21 mm, they are the smallest self-sufficient wireless switches for industrial applications currently on the market.

And – what cannot be seen – they are also characterised by a switching performance to match that of any microswitch.

They can be integrated just as easily and flexibly into steute Wireless systems as our larger series. Like them, the RF 13 is also equipped with an electrodynamic energy generator. This miniaturised generator converts the kinetic energy produced by actuating the switch into electrical energy, which is then used to transmit the signal. This means that the switch is able to work self-sufficiently. It needs neither batteries nor an external power supply, i.e. no cables.

Another thing which makes it so flexible to incorporate is the fact that it is compatible with all actuators in the .steute range. Finally, its miniaturised design makes the RF 13 perfectly suited to applications for wireless switches in places where they really make sense because space is so tight – e.g. for position monitoring in or on moving systems such as tools, feeders and handling systems.

Fascinating! Steering wheel that keeps you awake!

The innovative SensoFoil sensing technology now can measure sensitivity in addition to position according to a release from Hoffmann-Krippner Inc., in cooperation with Guttersberg Consulting. 
By using enhanced SensoFoil to measure pressure, car and vehicle manufacturers can add an extra level of safety to their steering wheels. During normal driving, the operator is constantly moving their hands on the steering wheel, changing pressure as the fingers grip the wheel. However, by using Hoffmann-Krippner’s SensoFoil inside the steering wheel, the vehicle can now sense if the driver’s hands are now longer moving  – if the operator has fallen asleep with their hands on the wheel or if their hands are no longer on the wheel. This can trigger the correct safety protocol to either wake up the driver or to implement corrective measures.
(See fascinating video below!)

Traffic experts claim that about 25% of all accidents are caused by extreme fatigue while driving. This makes nodding-off, also referred to as “micro-sleep“, in combination with heart attacks, as  the leading cause of accidents, exceeding the number of accidents caused by alcohol and drugs.

Once alerted by the Smart Steering Wheel, the car can try to wake the driver or take over control and steer the vehicle to a safe stop along the road. In case of medical emergency, the car could even drive itself to the closest medical emergency center while sending out an alert to the appropriate authorities.

The sensor can also be programmed for pressure in certain locations. This can be used in a vehicle to control various location, emergency, entertainment or communication systems. This same feature can be used in game controllers, aircraft, etc., as an economical way to add additional programmable capabilities to a controller or joystick device without the need for extra buttons or dials.

“Pressure Sensing SensoFoil cost effectively provides extra features and capabilities to a diverse range of products,” says Jens Kautzor, CEO of Hoffman + Krippner, Inc. “In addition, this sensing technology requires very little external energy since power consumption is very low. The sensor system is insensitive to electromagnetic radiation and therefore ideal for the automotive, aerospace and medical sectors.”


HOD-Sensor Produktvideo from Guttersberg Consulting GmbH on Vimeo.

In-Chassis PROFIBUS® Interface at the price of a Gateway.

ProSoft Technology’s new PROFIBUS DPV1 Master and Slave modules for CompactLogix™ gives the convenience and functionality of an in-chassis PROFIBUS® interface at the cost of a gateway

The Master module integrates with RSLogix™ 5000 using a sample Add-On Instruction, which reduces its configuration time.

The Master module’s Autoscan feature helps reduce configuration and startup times by scanning the PROFIBUS network and uploading the slave devices’ addresses and configuration information so the user doesn’t have to manually input the information. The Master module also enables asset-management software to remotely configure, commission, maintain and diagnose your fieldbus devices over their entire lifecycle.

The Master module’s SD card allows the user to store configuration files, which can be used for disaster recovery.

Event for petroleum & environment!

PEFTEC 2015, the international petroleum, refining and environmental event (Antwerp 18th-19th November), is set to become a major date in the diaries of anyone involved in the testing, analysis and monitoring of downstream oil products and petrochemicals.
PEFTEC organiser Marcus Pattison says: “The response to our Call for Papers has been overwhelming and the Exhibition is rapidly filling with this sector’s major instrumentation and laboratory equipment manufacturers, so we are looking forward to an extremely busy show.”

PEFTEC 2015 is a new Conference and Exhibition created specifically for chemists, scientists, laboratory staff, academics, researchers, process engineers and environmental managers working in petrochemicals and in refineries. Taking place at the Antwerp Expo, PEFTEC will be situated at the centre of one the world’s largest cluster of petrochemical companies.

New CO2 detector added to range!

The OLCT 10N is a digital detector from Oldham, designed for commercial or industrial use in ATEX zone 2 environments or areas without explosion hazard classifications.

Designed to detect explosive gases (CH4, H2, C3H8 and C4H10), toxic gases (CO, NO, NO2, H2S and NH3) or oxygen, the OLCT 10N now includes an infrared sensor for detecting CO2 in three different ranges: 0-5000 ppm, 0-5% vol. and 0-100% vol.

Associated with the MX43 controller, the OLCT 10N makes electrical installation easier with a fieldbus network that allows for up to 30 detectors to be connected on the same line!

High efficiency PSU distribution in Britain!

Astute Electronics is to join the distribution network of Excelsys. Astute will distribute solutions from Excelsys Technologies to customers in the Military, Security, Communication and Defence Industries throughout Britain.

“Astute’s successful engineering driven demand-creation coupled with their preferred supplier status at the UK’s leading Tier 1 OEM’s will help Excelsys generate significant new opportunities, particularly for our Hi-Rel COT’s products” said Conor Duffy, European Sales Manager at Excelsys.

“Astute has a proven track record in developing and maintaining excellent partner-based relationships with both their customers and suppliers. The expert Sales and Applications Engineering Teams at Excelsys will work together with Astute to provide additional power options, rapid design-in and applications support, easing system integration and helping customers meet their business needs”.

Astute will particularly focus on our range of High-Rel COTS power supplies including Xgen, UltiMod and Xsolo, all of which are all field proven. They deliver best in class efficiencies and power densities with industry leading reliability and their unique levels of flexibility allows our customer to release better products faster. These platforms are all designed for use in harsh operating environments common in the Military, Security, Communication and Defence Markets; typical applications from 200W to 2KW include: Radar Systems, Simulators, Diagnostics, Test & Measurement and Data Processing and Communications.

As a world-class power supply manufacturer, Excelsys has a global applications team to support and assist customers with their specific system needs.

Monday 22 June 2015

Energy harvesting switches.

CHERRY Energy Harvesting Switch Modules meet the increasing demand for simple and flexible wireless data transmission of switch signals with maintenance-free low energy consumption. 

Cherry's innovative wireless and battery-less Energy Harvesting Technology provides effective control solutions for countless applications in almost every market sector including industrial and building automation, smart home and medical.  Designed for global use this innovative technology enables CHERRY to offer an excellent alternative to wired or battery-powered solutions. Compatible with multiple wireless protocols and with no need to change or dispose of batteries the solution is flexible, environmentally friendly and maintenance-free.

The key to this new product range is the Energy Harvesting Generator which uses a patented mechanism to convert mechanical force into electrical energy in the form of an RF output signal.  IP40 protected, offering a lifetime of 1,000,000 switching cycles and an operating temperature range of -40 to + 85°C, versions are available with momentary and latching switch actions and can offer a range of up to 300m in open space.

For communicating with host systems CHERRY offers a ZF proprietary protocol, and is happy to work with customer-specific requirements. To ensure worldwide wireless compatibility the system may be specified to operate at 868 MHz and 915 MHz, or 2.4 GHz for lighting applications.

Two standard packaged switches are available to actuate the Energy Harvesting Generator, a momentary rocker switch and a snap switch. When a switch is operated it will provide data transfer via RF technology. Offering minimum 100,000 switching operations IP40 protection and an operating temperature range of -20 to +60°C these high reliability switches can transmit up to 30m inside buildings

Flexible pairing allows the operation of several switches with one receiver and vice-versa, and a switch “Unique ID” provides clear identification while operating several switches at once. Up to three telegrams are sent per actuation, with pseudo-random timing to assure robust data transmission.

• Cherry’s standard energy harvesting switch modules are available to buy now from RS Components.

Stand alone data loggers.

With its Expert Logger, Delphin Technology  has introduced a new generation of data loggers that combine the latest communication technology with advanced measurement technology. The device is being launched in three versions, capable of processing 16, 32 or 46 analog input channels. Up to 8 digital inputs/outputs and one SDI12 interface are also available depending on the version. The main areas of application include product testing, environmental measurement technology, laboratory data acquisition, research and development, and trials and testing.

All analog inputs are galvanically isolated from each other. A 24-bit A/D converter ensures fast, precision sampling rates of up to 50 measurements per second per channel. The devices are maintenance and noise free due to the absence of electromechanical components (such as relays) that are prone to wear and tear.

All Expert Loggers are equipped with internal 4 GB memories that can independently store up to 100 million measurement values with date and time stamps. Storage capacity can be extended as required via external USB or LAN storage (NAS). Online measurement data or the contents of the data memory can be transmitted to the internet via an integrated WLAN or UMTS module.

The Expert Logger is also equipped with an energy-saving “sleep function“ for automated switching off during breaks in measuring. Independent operation is possible using batteries, rechargeables or solar panels. The Expert Logger can communicate as standard via CanBus, ModBus and ProfiBus.

Internal software channels such as calculation channels, limit values and integrators enable online evaluation of measurements and the logging of meaningful data.

Users can quickly and effectively operate the Expert Logger using the powerful ProfiSignal Go
software that is included free in delivery. ProfiSignal Go can be used to portray measurement data in trends and to carry out detailed analyses. The software also enables fast ASCII exporting of measurement data for MS Excel™ or for conversion into TDM format.

500W switch mode power supply.

Stadium Power now have the AQF500 series of ultra compact high efficiency 500 watt switch mode power supplies with Active PFC available. These single output power supplies offer high power density up to 26W per cubic inch in just a 5” x 3” (127 x 76.2mm) footprint. Typical applications for the AQF500 series include telecoms, data networking, industrial machinery, monitoring equipment, lighting and broadcast equipment.
12, 24 and 48V output voltage models are available offering high efficiency up to 92% and are rated at 230W with natural convection cooling and 500W with fan cooling, all have an operating temperature range of -40 to +70°C. All models feature a universal input range from 90 to 264Vac, active power factor correction (PFC) meeting EN61000-3-2, remote On/Off control, output voltage sense, +5V stand-by output power and a  12V fan supply output.

The Stadium Power AQF500 series have an MTBF >160,000 h at 25°C (MIL-HDBK-217F), meet CE, UL, cUL and CB safety agency approvals, meets EMC standard EN55022 Class B and have a 3 year product warranty. All models feature auto-recovery over power, over voltage, over temperature and short circuit protection and have a hold-up time of 8ms minimum (at 115VAC)

Other products available from Stadium Power include; LED power supplies and DALI drivers, commercial and MIL-STD EMC filters, plug-top and open frame medical power supplies for portable and system use, DC-DC converters, AC-DC power supplies from 5W to 10kW, battery chargers and EN54 Fire and Security power supplies.

Stadium Power has over 30 years of experience in the manufacture of custom and standard power supplies, to international standards including EN, IEC, CSA and UL.


The company can offer a complete design and build custom power supply service including in-house Design, Engineering, NPI, PCB assembly and box build services. Offshore manufacturing for high volume products can be provided the wholly owned facility in Asia.

Valve Sizing Software!

New sizing software for Research Control® Valves (RCV) as been introduced by Badger Meter. This software will adapt to the unique process requirements of a plant and guides specifiers through selecting the right control valve for any project. With more than 2000 different media available and the ability to create customized media, plus automatic phase identification, RCVcalc provides accurate and meaningful valve sizing information to better reflect the system parameters of individual applications.

RCVcalc enables users to graphically visualize their operation set points and review various trims and characteristics, which are dynamically filtered based on their selections. The software provides real-time scenarios to review trims and control points while considering the rangeability of each innervalve. For low flow calculations, RCVcalc features advanced formulas to serve transitional and laminar flow situations. Leveraging the REFPROP package from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), RCVcalc provides direct access to predetermined thermodynamic equations of various fluid states providing higher accuracy for high pressure and/or low temperature applications.

Nobody knows your process better than the user! RCVcalc is a robust software tool that adapts to the process requirements of your application and guides you through sizing the right control valve for virtually any application. Rely on RCVcalc to help you select the ideal valve for your next project — efficiently, accurately and confidently.



RCVcalc is available for download at no cost on the company website.


Sunday 21 June 2015

Voltage proving tool.

Fluke has introduced a new battery powered electronic voltage source that sources both AC and DC voltages for test tool verification.

The new Fluke PRV240 Voltage Proving Unit can be used to test both high and low impedance digital multimeters, clamp meters and Two Pole Testers. It provides a stable, fixed output voltage to properly assess correct operation of many types of electrical tester, clamp meters and multimeters. Verification of a test tool is recommended by both GS38 and NFPA 70E before any live measurements are made.

The Fluke PRV240 Proving Unit is an easy-to-use product for electricians, commercial or industrial technicians, HVAC technicians or anyone working remotely who needs access to a voltage source to verify their tool is working correctly. The PRV240 is the ideal solution for electricians, environmental health and safety managers, plant safety officers (for example at oil & gas and chemical processing plants), facilities managers and other managers concerned with electrical safety and compliance.

The PRV240 comes with a TPAK magnetic hanging strap for convenient operation. It has re-chargeable internal battery power sufficient to perform 5000 verification tests.

Friday 19 June 2015

Diaphragm valve with pneumatic actuator.

GF Piping Systems has added the new diaphragm valve type 604/605 with integrated pneumatic actuator to its product range. This long runner – available beginning of October 2015 – combines compact design with best flow performance for an economic price-performance ratio.

A spokesperson for te company stated, "Open your application in water treatment, the chemical process or other industries for the diaphragm valve type 604/605 and you will be astonished what this small valve can handle."

The valve’s compact design fits standard installation lengths. Its integrated pneumatic actuator with quick opening and closing times enables more than one million closing cycles over its long service life. That is what GF Piping Systems calls a durable hard worker. The valve is flexible in its operating modes and offers fail safe to close (FC), fail safe to open (FO) and double acting (DA) options.

The actuator housing can be opened quickly for service due to the central housing nut. The connection with the valve body is full plastic without any metal parts.Therefore all materials have the same temperature expansion coefficients which prevents leakages and avoids re-torqueing of screws. Thanks to the optimized linear flow characteristics the kv value is up to 30 percent higher than with comparable valves. The valve is available in DN15 with the pressure rating of PN6.

The small six-arms phenomena is living all over the world in equally cozy or harsh environments. Like the GF Piping Systems diaphragm valves. The wide range of materials offers highest adaption and resistance to chemical fluids and environments. The valves are available in PVC-U, CPVC, PP-H and PVDF. Diaphragms in EPDM, FPM, PTFE/EPDM and PTFE/FPM enable the handling of aggressive media as well as neutral fluids. That makes them even more flexible and reliable for all your applications. Valve type 604 can be mounted into your system with true union connection matching all standard GF unions and inserts and solvent cementing. Type 605 has a spigot for welding resp. cementing. The valves meet the standards ISO, BS, ASTM and JIS.

As communication in an ant colony is very important they share all necessary information. The new diaphragm valve will communicate with you as well. A unique QR code on the product leads to installation manuals, online training videos and certifications.

Heat monitoring system to portfolio added to range!

As part of its on-going growth plan and commitment to working with well-respected manufacturers and high quality products, world leader in occupational health and environmental noise and vibration monitoring instrumentation, Svantek has joined forces with LSI Lantem to become distributor in Britain for the Italian company’s newly-launched Heat Shield.

The compact system is designed to help reduce the risk of overheating whilst working in hot environments such as bakeries and foundries, where the use of ovens and furnaces mean that heat stress is a constant concern for employees.


John Shelton, Managing Director at Svantek, comments: “As part of our continuing expansion programme we are adding heat stress and personal air sampling monitors to our product portfolio, whilst continuing to lead the way in noise and vibration monitors for occupational health and environmental protection. 
Heat Shield is the most versatile and advanced heat stress monitor that we've seen.  As well as measuring WBGT (wet bulb temperature – the most widely used and accepted index for assessing heat stress in industry), it can also monitor Heat Index, PMV (predicted mean vote), PPD (percentage people dissatisfied), PHS (predicted heat strain) and many more parameters.”

Heat Shield’s built-in radio technology also provides an option to link two satellite stations wirelessly to the main monitoring station, allowing companies to measure simultaneously at three different heights or in three separate locations.

Built to withstand harsh environmental conditions both indoors and out, the new heat stress monitor provides a quick, reliable and accurate assessment of heat conditions.  Its HS Manager programme allows data to be transferred from the monitoring unit to a PC, in order that the information may be assessed and evaluated.  Employers are thus alerted if steps need to be taken to improve thermal comfort in the workplace.

John concludes:  “We are delighted to be working with LSI Lantem and this state-of-the-art metre.  It is one of a number of products that we expect to play a significant part in the continued growth and ongoing success of Svantek.”  

"The last piece of puzzle" in diagnosing & correcting faults in rotating equipment!

Emerson Process Management has enhanced its portable CSI 2140 Machinery Health Analyzer with a wireless interface to popular laser shaft alignment tools. This advance reduces two burdens − equipment and time − for operators performing vibration analysis and corrective tasks in the field.

The CSI 2140 already offers four-channel plus phase data collection to save time and effort, advanced vibration analysis that embeds expertise in the tool, and multi-plane balancing to correct imbalance in industrial fans. By adding a wireless link to laser fixtures, Emerson further streamlines the work process. Using the CSI 2140, personnel can perform route-based vibration data collection; analyse the root cause; and align the machine − all in one trip. At the same time, they can identify and solve machinery faults to prevent any unplanned downtime.

Tom Nelson, CSI 2140 senior technology manager at Emerson, defined the addition of alignment as, “the last piece of the puzzle to deliver a single, superior tool for diagnosing and correcting faults in rotating equipment.”

The shaft alignment option for the CSI 2140 uses the familiar, intuitive Emerson interface to guide technicians through a three-step process that quickly achieves precision alignment. The laser fixtures employ a unique Sweep technology to measure misalignment easily, even in tight clearance applications. An advanced option monitors the corrective machine moves in vertical and horizontal directions simultaneously. All data collected with the CSI 2140 can be uploaded wirelessly to a single database using the AMS Suite: Machinery Health™ Manager software. This enables the maintenance team to collect data, analyse problems, and document results in parallel.

Current clamp meter!

Fluke has introduced a Current Clamp Meter measuring up to 2000A DC that wirelessly relays measurements to other Fluke Connect™ enabled master units at a safe distance. The Fluke a3003 FC Wireless DC Current Clamp Meter is a fully functional current clamp meter. With its extra-wide jaw, it easily clamps around large conductors in utility, rail, marine, mining, or other heavy manufacturing industries where large DC currents or large current carrying cables are typically found.

Their a3003 FC Current Clamp Meter measures DC currents from 10A to 2000A. Its extra wide jaw size of 64mm enables the measurement of large-diameter, high-current conductors. Supplied with a convenient magnetic hanging strap for safe working and recording over time, the current clamp features a logging function for the recording and saving of up to 65,000 measurements.

The Fluke Connect system allows maintenance technicians to wirelessly transmit measurement data from Fluke test tools such as the a3003 FC to their smart phone for secure storage on the cloud, thus enabling access by any team member in the field. Maintenance technicians make better, faster decisions when they have field access to maintenance records and when they can review measurements in real time with team members and supervisors who may be in different locations. Fluke Connect facilitates access to records by all team members wherever they are and at the same time increases the safety of technicians working with energised equipment.

The Fluke a3003 FC Current Clamp Meter is suitable for field maintenance engineers, industrial technicians and maintenance managers working in utilities and power generation, heavy industry (such as steel mills, electroplating and mining), and with large motor and DC control systems and UPSs.

The Fluke Connect app can be downloaded free from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. More than twenty Fluke tools connect wirelessly with the Connect app, including digital multimeters, infrared cameras, insulation testers, process meters, and specific voltage, current and temperature meters.