Friday 30 October 2015

Appointment to strengthen compressor business in Ireland.

Alexander Pavlov has been appointed as Country Manager for Atlas Copco's Compressor Technique business in Ireland. In this new role, he will continue the implementation of an aggressive strategy to strengthen the position of Atlas Copco as a market leader in Ireland.

Alexander Pavlov
Pavlov states his mission as: “To make sure we grow even stronger than the local economy in Ireland, meaning that we gain market share in the segments where we have not traditionally performed. In the last couple of years, Atlas Copco has invested a lot in the Ireland organisation, especially in the sales and marketing team. Now we have a much stronger presence in the industrial market and the economic indicators are positive.”

These last two factors, plus a number of new compressed air, industrial gas and rough vacuum products, including the recently launched GHS VSD+ vacuum pump that offers average energy savings of up to 50%, makes Atlas Copco Compressors’ Irish sales organisation well-armed to focus exclusively on growth. As Pavlov explains: “All of our products and services have one property in common, which is that they offer customers sustainable productivity. On top of that we have greatly improved our operational efficiency following the recent implementation of new state-of-the-art ERP and CRM systems.”

The aftermarket business is one of Pavlov’s main focus areas. Atlas Copco’s local organisation in Ireland has a highly experienced service team and operates advanced planning systems, which allows it to exceed customer expectations when providing service and supporting uninterrupted customer productivity and energy efficiency. “Our strategy is to convince more customers to subscribe to a service contract with Atlas Copco, which will enable them to keep maintenance costs at a stable and predictable level, avoiding any unexpected situations,” commented Pavlov.

Pavlov’s first impressions of the team in Ireland were very positive. He says, “I am very impressed with the team of 31 people we have in Ireland. We have a great mix of experienced mature colleagues and young high potentials. It's a great pleasure and honour joining such a team.”

Pavlov is a Belgian citizen. He graduated as a software engineer in St Petersburg Technical University and then worked in the Alcatel group, prior to joining Atlas Copco in Antwerp in 2003. He held the positions of Information Systems Project Manager and Product Marketing Manager, and for the last four years has been working as Regional Business Line Manager for Compressor Technique for South East Europe, based in Greece.

Outside of work, Pavlov dedicates most of his time to his family, with three sons aged between 4 and 16. He follows many sports with a particular interest in football, and also likes history, classical rock music, and playing guitar in his spare time.

Performance boost for industrial heating systems.

Siemens has equipped its Siplus HCS modular heating control systems for switching and controlling heat emitter arrays and elements with considerably higher output power and power density. Siplus HCS4200 for 230/277 V power supply systems now has more than twice the number of outputs, for example. With up to 384 outputs, an HCS4200 network can now control very large heat emitter arrays in the smallest of spaces. Additionally, the output power has been more than doubled with the new POM Midrange power output module – from 1.47 to 3.68 kilowatts per 230 V heating element.

This POM is also suitable for 277 V systems. The higher power density of the Siplus HCS4300 heating control system for 400/480 V systems now facilitates even more flexible modification to suit the application. With a maximum output of 7.6 kW per output and up to 216 outputs, this compact heating system can now control four times as many heating elements as previously.

Heating control systems from Siemens can be found in a range of sectors and applications all over the world, drying paint and coatings, for example, in the molding of plastics and lightweight construction materials, in plastic welding and in film extrusion. The new heating control systems promise to help plant operators cut their energy consumption by facilitating energy-efficient heating element actuation and avoiding current spikes in the network.

There are three new I/O modules available for Siplus HCS4200 and HCS4300 with practical supplementary functions: one for temperature detection, another with 16 digital inputs or outputs and a third for voltage and current measurements, which allows for compensation of line voltage fluctuations. The heating control systems have also been equipped with a soft start function, enabling emitters with extremely high inrush current up to 20 times the rated current to be controlled.
Via the TIA Portal (Totally Integrated Automation) engineering framework and Profinet/Profibus communication, the heating control systems are easy to integrate into the automation network comprising elements such as human machine interface (HMI) devices, controllers and motion control components. In the HCS program library, individual program blocks can easily be adapted to suit the application in question. Sample projects are available for first-time users. Detailed diagnostic functions offer support in case of disturbances in the heating process and help to repair malfunctions quickly. It is possible to detect which emitter is defective, for example, whether an incoming or outgoing fuse has tripped or whether the line voltage or frequency is outside the tolerance range. The diagnostic data are reported to the central plant controller via Profinet/Profibus. For remote diagnostics, the user can access this data by means of a Web browser.


Harsh environment connector.

Foremost Electronics is now stocking the new 696 Series HEC (Harsh Environment Connector) which has been specifically developed for outdoor applications. High grade materials as well as innovative construction details ensure reliable performance of this new connector in harsh and demanding environmental conditions.

The 696 HEC connector design has UL and VDE approval and excellent resistance to UV, temperature fluctuations, acid rain, salt spray, ozone and other pollutants. Primary applications include but are not limited to, agricultural and construction equipment, traffic and signalling equipment, process engineering, water purification and recycling equipment.

The three point bayonet locking design makes for a safe and secure fast-locking action, while a robust coding mechanism prevents incorrect orientation and is suitable for over 1000 mating cycles. The connector uses a variety of crimp contacts to achieve a secure vibration proof termination. Male and female cable connectors and matching panel mount connectors are available.

The initial contact arrangement is an eight pole hybrid with four signal contacts and 3 + PE which can accommodate a variety of wire gauges from 6 to 17mm in diameter. Signal contacts are rated up to 3A at 60V and power contacts to 25A at 400V.

Key features include IP68 and IP69K waterproof, dustproof and withstands high pressure washing, three point ¼ turn bayonet locking for safe, secure and fast locking, crimp termination which is resistant to vibration, 1000+ mating cycles suitable for frequent connection, tough and robust polyamide construction, excellent environmental resistance to UV exposure, temperature fluctuations, acid rain, salt spray, ozone and pollutants making the connector suitable for harsh outdoor environments.

Compact, powerful all-rounder.

More compact without compromising performance or functionality.

Siemens has unveiled the FSAA, a new housing size for its Sinamics G120C converters. With their new, higher performance density, these converters require up to 32 percent less space in the control cabinet while retaining their compatibility with the currently available sizes and bus systems.
The versatile Sinamics G120C frequency converter stands for high performance density in a compact design, as well as for extreme application flexibility. Siemens equipped the converter with an even more compact housing, the FSAA, but with identical functionality and performance. Compared to the previous size, the FSA, the new FSAA housing excels with up to 32 percent space savings in the control cabinet. The Safe Torque Off safety function has been integrated as standard, meaning that other external components can be dispensed with.

The exterior of the new FSAA housing size remains compatible with the previous models. As the drilling template coincides with the Sinamics FSA and Micromaster MM4, there is no need for any reconfiguration when exchanging products. The new housing size also supports all conventional bus systems such as Profinet, Profibus or USS/ Modbus RTU, and the FSAA is available in an output range from 0.55 to 2.2 kilowatts.

Sinamics G120C converters are true multi-talents, and form an integral part of Totally Integrated Automation and Integrated Drive Systems. The converter family is ideally suited for the machine building industry and for sales through distribution channels, and also covers the requirements of wide-ranging applications such as conveyor belts, mixers, pumps or compressors.

Thursday 29 October 2015

Handing on the baton!

Philip Harting succeeded his father Dietmar Harting as Chairman of the Board in October 2015. The two Presidents and General Partners are managing the Harting Technology Group together with Margrit Harting, Senior Vice President and Partner, and Maresa Harting-Hertz , Senior Vice President Finance and Purchasing as well as President and General Partner, in the second and third generation.
After almost 50 years in the management of the Harting Technology Group, Dietmar Harting, Dr.-Ing. E.h., handed over the position of Chairman of the Board to his son Philip Harting on 1 October 2015. Dietmar Harting nevertheless remains a member of the company group’s Board as personally liable partner and will focus on matters concerning “the future and new technologies”.

Together with his sister Maresa Harting-Hertz, President Finance and Purchasing, Philip Harting represents the 3rd generation of the family-owned company which was founded 70 years ago by his grandparents Wilhelm and Marie Harting in Minden (D). The company group has been headquartered in Espelkamp since the early 1950s.

“I am very delighted, together with my sister and supported by my parents and fellow Board members, to continue my father’s successful work,” says Philip Harting.

After completing an electrical engineering apprenticeship, Philip Harting studied electrical engineering in Braunschweig and business administration in Cologne. In 2005, he assumed a position of responsibility at his parents’ company for the first time as Managing Director Asia in Hong Kong. He has been head of the company’s largest Business Unit “Connectivity & Networks” since 2008. He and his sister Maresa were also appointed to the position of personally liable partner of the company group at the end of 2013.

“Handing over the baton to my son is a major step in the successful generational transition. With the new management line-up we have set the course for the company’s successful future development,” explains Dietmar Harting.

The entrepreneur and Honorary President of the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (ZVEI) joined his parents’ company in 1967 and managed it together with his mother until 1987. After her death, he headed the company together with his wife Margrit, turning it into a market and technology leader in industrial connection technology.

Handing on the baton! @HARTING #PAuto

Philip Harting succeeded his father Dietmar Harting as Chairman of the Board in October 2015. The two Presidents and General Partners are managing the Harting Technology Group together with Margrit Harting, Senior Vice President and Partner, and Maresa Harting-Hertz , Senior Vice President Finance and Purchasing as well as President and General Partner, in the second and third generation.
After almost 50 years in the management of the Harting Technology Group, Dietmar Harting, Dr.-Ing. E.h., handed over the position of Chairman of the Board to his son Philip Harting on 1 October 2015. Dietmar Harting nevertheless remains a member of the company group’s Board as personally liable partner and will focus on matters concerning “the future and new technologies”.

Together with his sister Maresa Harting-Hertz, President Finance and Purchasing, Philip Harting represents the 3rd generation of the family-owned company which was founded 70 years ago by his grandparents Wilhelm and Marie Harting in Minden (D). The company group has been headquartered in Espelkamp since the early 1950s.

“I am very delighted, together with my sister and supported by my parents and fellow Board members, to continue my father’s successful work,” says Philip Harting.

After completing an electrical engineering apprenticeship, Philip Harting studied electrical engineering in Braunschweig and business administration in Cologne. In 2005, he assumed a position of responsibility at his parents’ company for the first time as Managing Director Asia in Hong Kong. He has been head of the company’s largest Business Unit “Connectivity & Networks” since 2008. He and his sister Maresa were also appointed to the position of personally liable partner of the company group at the end of 2013.

“Handing over the baton to my son is a major step in the successful generational transition. With the new management line-up we have set the course for the company’s successful future development,” explains Dietmar Harting.

The entrepreneur and Honorary President of the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (ZVEI) joined his parents’ company in 1967 and managed it together with his mother until 1987. After her death, he headed the company together with his wife Margrit, turning it into a market and technology leader in industrial connection technology.

Handing on the baton! @HARTING #PAuto

Philip Harting succeeded his father Dietmar Harting as Chairman of the Board in October 2015. The two Presidents and General Partners are managing the Harting Technology Group together with Margrit Harting, Senior Vice President and Partner, and Maresa Harting-Hertz , Senior Vice President Finance and Purchasing as well as President and General Partner, in the second and third generation.
After almost 50 years in the management of the Harting Technology Group, Dietmar Harting, Dr.-Ing. E.h., handed over the position of Chairman of the Board to his son Philip Harting on 1 October 2015. Dietmar Harting nevertheless remains a member of the company group’s Board as personally liable partner and will focus on matters concerning “the future and new technologies”.

Together with his sister Maresa Harting-Hertz, President Finance and Purchasing, Philip Harting represents the 3rd generation of the family-owned company which was founded 70 years ago by his grandparents Wilhelm and Marie Harting in Minden (D). The company group has been headquartered in Espelkamp since the early 1950s.

“I am very delighted, together with my sister and supported by my parents and fellow Board members, to continue my father’s successful work,” says Philip Harting.

After completing an electrical engineering apprenticeship, Philip Harting studied electrical engineering in Braunschweig and business administration in Cologne. In 2005, he assumed a position of responsibility at his parents’ company for the first time as Managing Director Asia in Hong Kong. He has been head of the company’s largest Business Unit “Connectivity & Networks” since 2008. He and his sister Maresa were also appointed to the position of personally liable partner of the company group at the end of 2013.

“Handing over the baton to my son is a major step in the successful generational transition. With the new management line-up we have set the course for the company’s successful future development,” explains Dietmar Harting.

The entrepreneur and Honorary President of the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (ZVEI) joined his parents’ company in 1967 and managed it together with his mother until 1987. After her death, he headed the company together with his wife Margrit, turning it into a market and technology leader in industrial connection technology.

SCADA software for remote oil and gas operations.

Enhancements to the OpenEnterprise v3 SCADA platform for the onshore oil and gas market have been announced by Emerson. The OpenEnterprise v3.2 release adds a native interface to the AMS Device Manager asset management software, enabling users to remotely manage and maintain HART® and WirelessHART® devices in wide-area SCADA networks.

Oil and gas asset owners are under increasing pressure to maintain the profitability of their field operations. OpenEnterprise v3.2 together with AMS Device Manager allows asset owners to extend the reach of their predictive maintenance capability out to their remote assets, providing a powerful and proactive method of diagnosing potential device problems remotely. This results in reduced trips to the field and helps to avoid unplanned process shutdowns, improving safety, reliability, and profitability.

“We developed OpenEnterprise v3.2 to offer new ways for our customers to improve the productivity of their operations,” said Aaron Boettcher, senior SCADA systems manager, Emerson Process Management, Remote Automation Solutions. “Now we can provide them with significantly enhanced capability to rapidly respond and make informed decisions on whether to maintain or replace field devices, before making trips out to the field.”

The native interface of OpenEnterprise v3.2 to AMS Device Manager enables the collection of wired and wireless HART digital device data over low bandwidth wide-area SCADA networks from Emerson ROC, FloBoss, and ControlWave RTUs without adding the additional complexity and expense of external HART multiplexers. Support for AMS Device Manager SNAP-ON applications, OpenEnterprise SCADA server redundancy, multiple deployment options, and data collection for up to 10,000 HART devices ensures flexibility and scalability for a wide range of remote oil and gas applications.

Handing on the baton! @HARTING #PAuto

Philip Harting succeeded his father Dietmar Harting as Chairman of the Board in October 2015. The two Presidents and General Partners are managing the Harting Technology Group together with Margrit Harting, Senior Vice President and Partner, and Maresa Harting-Hertz , Senior Vice President Finance and Purchasing as well as President and General Partner, in the second and third generation.
After almost 50 years in the management of the Harting Technology Group, Dietmar Harting, Dr.-Ing. E.h., handed over the position of Chairman of the Board to his son Philip Harting on 1 October 2015. Dietmar Harting nevertheless remains a member of the company group’s Board as personally liable partner and will focus on matters concerning “the future and new technologies”.

Together with his sister Maresa Harting-Hertz, President Finance and Purchasing, Philip Harting represents the 3rd generation of the family-owned company which was founded 70 years ago by his grandparents Wilhelm and Marie Harting in Minden (D). The company group has been headquartered in Espelkamp since the early 1950s.

“I am very delighted, together with my sister and supported by my parents and fellow Board members, to continue my father’s successful work,” says Philip Harting.

After completing an electrical engineering apprenticeship, Philip Harting studied electrical engineering in Braunschweig and business administration in Cologne. In 2005, he assumed a position of responsibility at his parents’ company for the first time as Managing Director Asia in Hong Kong. He has been head of the company’s largest Business Unit “Connectivity & Networks” since 2008. He and his sister Maresa were also appointed to the position of personally liable partner of the company group at the end of 2013.

“Handing over the baton to my son is a major step in the successful generational transition. With the new management line-up we have set the course for the company’s successful future development,” explains Dietmar Harting.

The entrepreneur and Honorary President of the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (ZVEI) joined his parents’ company in 1967 and managed it together with his mother until 1987. After her death, he headed the company together with his wife Margrit, turning it into a market and technology leader in industrial connection technology.

Eight KB transponder.

Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) systems use radio waves to localize and identify objects. The Simatic RF200 is an RFID system from Siemens which is particularly suitable for use in industrial production in the areas of for small assembly lines and intralogistics. To allow to objects to carry a large amount of data locally, Siemens has extended its RFID portfolio to include a new series of compact, rugged transponders based on the ISO standard 15693.

The new models come with an eight kilobyte memory capacity, and their Ferroelectric Random Access Memory (FRAM) technology supports an unlimited number of write cycles at high speeds.

Whether you need to keep track of car body components in the automotive industry, or order picking boxes in a warehouse – all the user-specific data is stored on the transponder. The new series of MDS D52x transponders from Siemens are exceptionally compact and rugged, making them ideal for a wide range of uses. MDS D521 can be used wherever small data carriers and precision are needed, for instance for tool identification or on workpiece carriers, while in assembly and production lines as well as powertrain applications, MDS D522, D525 and D528 models are most suitable.

MDS D524 is ideal for use in production and distribution logistics applications, and the MDS D526 transponder units are particularly suited for logistics operations close to production under even the toughest of environmental conditions. Large data memory and FRAM technology This new series of passive, maintenance- free data carriers based on the ISO standard 15693 allows the user to utilise the large eight kilobyte FRAM memory over a range of between 6 and 400 millimeters. Because the transponders allow an unlimited number of write cycles, they are particularly suitable for the permanent identification of workpieces, part carriers and containers. The transponder data is read by the proven RFID readers of the Simatic RF200 system.

World famous library upgrades building automation system!

France's biggest library – and one of the most important in the world – has chosen drive and motor solutions from Emerson to maximise the reliability of its air conditioning units.

The National Library of France (BnF - Bibliothèque nationale de France) looked to source the drive systems from a single supplier capable of offering expertise and value-added service. The BnF's collections are unique throughout the world, comprising fourteen million books and periodicals, but also manuscripts, prints, photographs, maps and charts, musical scores, coins, medals, sound archives, videos, multimedia, stage sets, costumes and much more. And they're growing constantly.

The library is home to a vast documentary heritage encompassing all disciplines, whether intellectual, artistic or scientific. Its physical spaces are frequented each year by more than one million visitors, and its digital library, Gallica, provides free access to more than three million documents.

To protect these treasures and welcome its many visitors, the BnF was acutely aware of the need to maintain an extremely reliable air conditioning system. With this in mind, an initial project was defined: to replace an asynchronous variable speed drive assembly with a new drive system that would be used to power an air conditioning pump, itself responsible for half of the library's reading rooms.

"The results of an energy optimisation study revealed in particular that the application’s operating efficiency fell to just 50% in the winter. The ROI calculation showed that it would make far more sense to swap the asynchronous drive system for the Dyneo® high-performance synchronous technology from Leroy-Somer", explains Jérôme Hardy from GED ADREM, a partner company of the Leroy-Somer service network.

To handle the variable torque load (also referred to as the quadratic torque) of the pump and ventilation applications, Emerson implemented a solution comprising a Leroy-Somer Dyneo LSRPM 250 (85 kW) motor and a Control Techniques Unidrive M600 variable speed drive unit.

The permanent magnet synchronous motor is perfectly suited to applications of this kind, offering enhanced efficiency of up to 96% over the whole operating speed range. Another advantage, in terms of cost, comes from the sensorless control. This function, integrated into the Unidrive M drive unit, simulates an encoder input with a high degree of precision.

"With this solution, not only do we eliminate the cost of the encoder, but we also reduce the number of components and thus the probability of a breakdown", added Jérôme Hardy.

The BnF gave top priority to the service life and availability of the equipment. It commissioned Leroy-Somer as the sole supplier on the strength of its ability to guarantee operational reliability, including a performance warranty and the full interoperational compatibility of the components. A global approach was adopted with the consistent aim of maximising reliability:

"We applied Leroy-Somer's premium service centre procedure. This extremely rigorous method uses multiple control points during installation and start-up. Operations such as alignment control, dielectric measurements and phase balancing offer real benefits in terms of both reliability and power consumption."

Since then, the equipment has been monitored, particularly by means of vibratory analysis, and the resulting data compared with the data collected during commissioning. This makes it easier to detect drift, premature wear and overconsumption.

The original motors, also from Leroy-Somer, were overhauled and kept as backup. The assembly is connected to the BMS (building management system), an automated, centralised supervision system that gives the speed setpoint. The next phase will involve conducting an energy efficiency study on the central air treatment systems and replacing the drive solution. Further system modernisation measures are also envisaged over the coming years.

IO-Link compatible low cost servo drive controller.

The CMMO-LK low cost drive controller, the world’s first IO-Link controlled servo drive has been launched by Festo. The CMMO-LK can be connected with any IO-Link master or any Modbus TCP Ethernet port, allowing for easy system integration across many applications.

“The use of electrically operated actuators in industry is not new, Festo has had belt drive, ball screw, lead screw and linear motor versions of our pneumatic axis for many years,” begins Nigel Dawson, electric drives product manager at Festo. “But often, driven by servo motors, these solutions are only commercially viable for the most arduous demands on accuracy and loads. We’ve taken our popular ServoLite controller, improved the performance, reduced the size, cost and power consumption to produce the CMMO-LK controller, specifically designed for our new range of actuators in the Optimised Motion Series.”

There is no need to buy or download specialist software for commissioning, the controller carries its own web server allowing customers to parameterise it with any web browser on any type of computer. The system will even automatically connect to the Festo cloud parameter server to ensure it has the latest parameters for motor, axis and controller, so tuning is optimised for the user.

With features such as safe torque off, integrated inputs for referencing and Ethernet diagnostics, this compact controller offers significant time and cost saving features. A file is provided with the CMMO-LK to ensure simple set up allowing machine builders to ‘plug & play’ almost instantly.

“Compatible with all electric actuators from Festo, the CMMO-LK is very flexible and can be connected to all fieldbus systems simply via the Festo CPX automation platform. IO Link integration ensures seamless device replacement as all parameters are stored in the IO Link master and the integrated encoder function means true servo functionality in a compact 24v package,” added Nigel.

Advanced sensors and measurements books.

IFSA Publishing provides  information and latest knowledge on modern advancements in the area of sensors and measurements. These books are regarded as perfect resources for scientists at all levels, from researchers, seeking to refresh their knowledge or bring skills up to date, to graduate and post-graduate students learning advanced topics for the first time.

The authors, who are located around the world and are considered to be experts in their fields, write for practitioners, engineering and educational staff. This catalogue features all related publications for 2011/2015 and also includes bestsellers, handbooks and encyclopedias.

"We are especially proud of our monthly Sensors & Transducers journal (ISSN: 2306-8515, e-ISSN 1726-5479) and book series including Advances in Sensors: Reviews; Measurement of Physical and Chemical Quantities; and Sensors & Signals," said a spokesman.

"We publish all our content as print books and e-books (in pdf format). All our titles are available from our web site and through major resellers such as Ingram, Barnes & Noble and Amazon. We work closely with many libraries, booksellers and distributors to provide them with special discount and access to the most up-to-date scientific and engineering content."

New MD for power resistor!

Cressall Resistors has appointed Simone Bruckner as managing director. Bruckner relocated from Italy earlier this year to join the company, bringing with him 15 years' experience working in the marine and oil and gas industries. The appointment follows a successful year for Cressall, having recently launched a new, on-site research and development (R&D) department.

Simone Bruckner 
After serving in the Italian Navy, Bruckner began working as a project engineer for Fincantieri, the largest Italian shipbuilding company. It was here that Bruckner developed the valuable design and production skills that would help him throughout the rest of his career.

Bruckner later landed a managerial role at Azimut-Benetti, where he used his technical and project management skills to help develop new yacht prototypes and onboard systems. For ten years, he worked in various roles at Azimut-Benetti, before being approached by heavy metal products manufacturer, Fusani for the role of general manager.

One of Bruckner's biggest achievements to date is successfully leading the merger of Fusani and SIEM, a company focused on the oil and gas market. Bruckner's role included gaining an understanding of the new products that were to be sold as a result of the merger and passing this knowledge on to other employees. Bruckner also trained Fusani employees on the structure of the merged company and how to interact with new customers. Bruckner prides himself on the fact that, six years on, SIEM Fusani is still going strong.

"Moving to Cressall is the right thing to do at this point in my career," explained Bruckner. "Over the years, I have gained valuable R&D and project management skills that I can use to help Cressall continue competing in the worldwide industrial market.

"As a former rowing coach, it's in my nature to provide as much training and encouragement as employees need, so they can be confident and flourish in their work. My experiences recruiting from different industries will help bring diverse perspectives into the company, allowing us to maintain fast product turnaround in line with the UK standard.

"I haven't had much time to row since moving to Leicester, but I'll be sure to get back on board. In fact, I've been told by my new colleagues that the River Soar is lovely in the summer!"

Wednesday 28 October 2015

Mobility in hazardous areas.

SolutionsPT has continued its proactive response to the growing trend towards mobility in manufacturing by partnering with the world’s leading manufacturer of mobile computing devices which are designed for use in hazardous areas, including tablets, smartphones and handheld computers.

SolutionsPT will resell and promote ecom’s range of ATEX Certified hazardous area equipment, which enable safe, reliable communications to hazardous area workers in the Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Offshore, Chemicals and Pharmaceutical industries. Thanks to ecom’s Tab-Ex Series, which include the World’s first Zone 1 certified tablet computer – the Tab-Ex 01, a wide range of application are now able to be used by engineers, operators and technicians in zoned hazardous areas around the world.

With a shift in work habits, the need to be efficient and a requirement to capture and analyse even more data – SolutonsPT has witnessed more businesses turning to Enterprise Mobility via the use of smart mobile devices and enterprise software solutions to perform business critical tasks. A recent survey found that 73% of manufacturing companies said that ‘mobility’ was a key priority for their businesses. This is can be traced to mobile solutions not only providing a more cost effective alternative to fixed terminals, but offering scalability, improved visibility of the production process and, crucially, access to real-time data.

Mike Lees, Product Manager from SolutionsPT, said: “Mobility is revolutionising manufacturing and businesses are increasingly designing mobility into new production strategies to deliver greater efficiency to production centres. However, it’s not as simple as applying the same devices used in commercial offices to the production environment. The potential cost and operational benefits of mobile computing technology in hazardous areas is particularly exciting and, over time, will radically re-shape the hazardous area computing market.
“Mobile deployment in hazardous areas requires a specialist partner, which is why we’ve chosen to work with ecom. They have over 25 years of experience making them experts in the field and have a highly robust product range, perfectly suited to the most testing conditions.”


Logistics management software optimises terminal movements & simplifies stock management.

Syncade Logistics management software v4.12, form Emerson, gives terminal managers improved control over terminal traffic and eliminates the need for specialised storage tanks for unique blends. With more efficient traffic and stock management, terminals can drive increased throughput and improved asset utilisation.

Truck schedule management can significantly impact terminal throughput. Syncade Logistics uses built-in algorithms to optimise movement scenarios and then automatically assigns trucks to gantry queues based on customer order specifications. This allows terminal managers to eliminate driver guesswork and measurably increase trip efficiency. With tighter control on terminal traffic, a terminal can increase throughput and react more effectively to schedule changes.

Stock management tools help operators maintain safe operations by accurately controlling transaction quantity and avoiding emissions. Syncade Logistics supports loading by weight for both metered and non-metered loads. Configurable capacity limits for loading LNG and LPG products prevent the release of vapours, ensuring safety and environmental compliance.

Syncade Logistics enables terminal managers to use their storage tanks more efficiently, reducing the inventory footprint required to support customer needs. Terminal operators can deliver automatic management of blend ratios, eliminating the need to build separate storage tanks for different blends. Syncade Logistics also manages multiple stock owners within a tank. Transactions are easily accounted for and reconciled with book inventory, delivering confidence in stock accuracy.

Analysing phosphorous in water and wastewater applications.

The Liquiline System CA80PH orthophosphate analyser for monitoring water treatment processes has been launched by Endress+Hauser. The CA80PH is available in four measuring ranges.  Two use the standard molybdenum (blue method; DIN EN 1189) for low range measurement down to 50ug/l and two use the molybdate vanadate method (yellow method) for high range measurements up to 50 mg/L.  The analyser can be configured with one or two channels and can be ordered without a cabinet or with the choice of an ASA plastic or a standalone ASA-PC steel coated housing

The CA80PH automatically obtains a water sample from the process, filters it, adds the reagent, measures the intensity, and then cleans the sampling system with compressed air or water in preparation for the next test. Samples and analyses can be taken as often as necessary. A typical sample analysis takes 8 to 11 minutes depending on the method used.

In addition to the unique chemical manager which reduces chemical consumption by a factor of 8, the analyser can be fitted with a smart, energy-efficient cooling module for the reagents. Thanks to the very low rate of reagent consumption and its extended shelf life, reagents can last for up to 12 weeks depending on the concentration.

To comply with regulations for preventing release of excess orthophosphate, water resource recovery facilities must either use the excess phosphate in the process of water treatment or convert dissolved phosphates into suspended particles, which settle and are removed from the wastewater as part of a sludge management program. In order to achieve effective removal without the creation of excessive sludge, chemical precipitants must be dosed in accurate quantities.

Implementation of efficient precipitant dosing reduces operational costs of chemical purchases, and cuts sludge handling costs by reducing sludge volume. Online measurement with the CA80PH helps to optimize dosing control because it is a precise chemical management system that can be used to control dosing delivery with precision similar to laboratory methods, but in real-time.

As with all Endress+Hauser Liquiline analysers, up to four Memosens sensors can be installed to measure additional parameters of the sample including pH, conductivity, ammonia, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, etc. A local display is part of the system and allows operators to configure current outputs, relays, limit contactors and device diagnostics.

An operator can also invoke mathematical functions to calculate values such as pH from two conductivity values according to VGB Standard 405; the difference between two measured values from different sources to monitor membranes; differential conductivity to monitor the efficiency of ion exchangers; redundancy to monitor two of three voting sensors; and rH calculation from the measured values of a pH and an ORP sensor.

The CA80PH communicates with the plant’s control system via Modbus, standard Ethernet or EtherNet/IP. The analyser also has wireless web server capability, allowing access from any web browser running on an Internet-connected device such as a PC, a tablet or a smartphone.

Advanced diagnostics and data logging capabilities help the treatment plant provide the necessary documentation for regulatory agencies. The analyser has two data logbooks, each with a capacity for up to 150,000 entries.

Fast engineering of power distribution boards.

Explosion-protected R. Stahl power distribution boards for zone 1, 2 and 21, 22 hazardous areas are now based on a modular design. Lighting and power distribution solutions, trace heating and socket distribution boards can now be precisely configured, requested and offered more easily and much more quickly.

In many cases, customers will benefit from faster deliveries as a result of time saved in the planning and engineering stage. All performance characteristics and certifications of the modules are precisely documented. In addition, frequently required assemblies have been predefined based on many years of experience: these instantly available components can be combined for a vast variety of solutions that directly meet customer requirements.

Many customers will find they can dispense with one engineering phase altogether: based on the specified purpose, ambient conditions, loads, wiring parameters and fuse on the supply line, R. Stahl is able to supply ready-to-use power distribution boards that comply with EN/IEC 61439. Like all R. Stahl products, the new modular solutions feature a low-maintenance design and good usability. They are available with a wide variety of breakers.

Suited for all climates, GRP or stainless steel R. Stahl distribution cabinets withstand extreme conditions in an exceptionally broad temperature range from -60 °C to +135 °C, unless components inside require narrower specifications. Numerous certifications ensure solutions are available for use around the world.

• Stahl products are marketed in Ireland by Douglas Control & Automation.


Illuminated capacitive switches in critical medical application.

Stadium IGT is offering a range of single LED illuminated capacitive switch modules that are proving to be critical components to medical equipment manufacturers.

Earlier this year Stadium IGT were approached by a leading medical OEM to provide a HMI solution for a new high-performance acute foetal and maternal intrapartum monitoring system. The end product uses the most advanced technology available to acquire accurate data to support in clinical decisions. In the fast-paced environment of a labour ward, the monitor must also be easy to use and provide data that is quick to read.

Stadium IGT’s single illuminated capacitive switch module was selected for this very advanced medical system as it provides an on/off pulse with bright light indication to show that the product has powered up. The slim design allowed the modules to be mounted behind the control panel ensuring an aesthetically pleasing display that can withstand the rigorous cleaning required for clinical environments.

It was chosen over competitor’s products as it provided greater touch sensitivity with no-miss operation and the thin-film backlighting created better light shaping and light spread of from the LED. The modules are very simple to connect via a sticky pad mounting and a simple plug in FFC cable and can be customised to fit space limitations of the end the product. The other deciding factors included its competitive pricing and fast lead-times.

Terry Moss, Sales Director of Stadium IGT commented,  “Our range of single illuminated capacitive switches offers OEMs the opportunity to try our switches and patented thin film LED backlighting when developing new products and also provides a complete HMI solution for products requiring a small number of control functions.
The modules can be bought in low volumes as standard through our distribution partner, RS, or we can design and manufacture customised modules on volume to meet specific customer requirements”


Energy seminars.

Fluke is offering Energy Seminars as part of its programme of seminars for 2015 throughout Britain and Ireland.

The seminar offers guidance to plant maintenance engineers, OEM field service and energy consultants, and facility managers by focusing on quantifying energy consumption and identifying energy waste in industrial and commercial enterprises.

It helps identify and measure common production process system wastes. Measurement data supports the decisions and actions that can be taken to reduce energy consumption and cost. The website details locations and  instructions on how to register.

Other seminars in the Fluke Academy programme cover thermography; power quality; troubleshooting motors and drives to minimise plant downtime; process calibration; and electrical testing.

The Fluke Academy web page also provides access to webinars and webcasts that provide online training to obtain the maximum benefit in the application of thermal imagers, power quality meters and portable oscilloscopes, as well as highlighting training courses with partner institutions.

Smallest yet 120W PSU.

Following their recent appointment to distribute the EOS Power range of ultra-miniature, high efficiency power solutions Gresham Power Electronics, has launched the EOS WLP120 series of 120 watt power supplies.

Packaged in an impressively small 2 x 3 x 1.18 (30 mm) inch profile and delivering 16.94 Watts per cubic inch the WLP120 is currently the world’s smallest 120 Watt power supply.

The new 120 Watt Series is available in Medical and Commercial versions and offers market leading specifications including, output power of 120W with forced air and 100W with convection cooling, medical versions have a BF Rating and Class II Option, -40°C start-up, thermal shut down protection, standby power < 0.3 Watts, MTBF over 3 million hours.

“The WLP120 Series is the third addition to the ultra-small EOS low profile high efficiency series of products, following the WLP225 and WLP350 series, setting a benchmark for power density in the AC/DC power industry," says Dave Wellman, Sales Manager of Gresham Power Electronics. “All new product releases from the EOS Power WLP series feature the low profile, high power density design approach which has made the WLP series a world leader in their power segment. The EOS low profile high power density power solutions allow our customers shrink their applications without compromising on power or cost.”

• To support these new products ranges Gresham has launched a new website, featuring the wide range of new products now available to supply Medical, Industrial, LED Lighting and other markets.




Precision DC calibrator!


The new Yokogawa 2560A precision DC calibrator offers a simple, stand-alone solution for the testing and calibrating DC measuring instruments such as analogue meters, clamp meters, thermometers, temperature transmitters and data loggers.

The 2560A generates signals over a wide output range to enable the testing of products over their full operating ranges. In particular, it can generate DC voltages up to 1224 V and DC currents up to 36.72 A. By connecting two instruments in parallel, a maximum current of 73.44 A can be generated. These values are produced with high accuracy, high stability, and high resolution over the full voltage and current range.

Intuitive operation is provided by rotary dials and switches for each digit and function, along with traditional 7-segment LEDs to provide clear visibility. In addition, a range of computer interfaces enable the 2560A to be integrated into an automatic test system.

With the flick of a switch, the output can be swept within the source range with sweep times of 8, 16, 32 or 64 seconds. Linearity tests can be simply performed by dividing the output into steps, with a setting of four, for example, generating steps of 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the set output value.

When the deviation dials are adjusted to check the full-scale value on the meter, the deviation from the main output setting is displayed as a percentage of full scale. The output value calculated from the main, divider and deviation settings is displayed, so that the user can directly read the output value. The EMF equivalent to the thermocouple temperature and resistance equivalent to RTD temperature can also be displayed.


The 2560A DC calibrator is the latest in the Yokogawa family of AC and DC calibrators which also includes the 2553A Small and light Precision DC Calibrator and the 2558A AC voltage/current standard.

Tuesday 27 October 2015

Temperature Monitoring for wallboard production.

Fluke® Process Instruments has launched a new, complete turnkey solution for real-time temperature monitoring and documentation of wallboard manufacturing processes.

The TIP900 system is an efficient quality control tool designed to help manufacturers quickly set up their line and improve yield. The infrared temperature measurement system creates highly detailed thermal images of the boards, as they leave the dryer. Analyzing these, the system software detects moisture and density variations and identifies any faults, such as clumps or voids in the plaster core, paper blows, edge burns or overlapping boards. The thermal images and any flaws are instantly displayed on a touchscreen, allowing the line operator to adjust the dryer for maximum board quality. Tolerances for rejects, alarm settings and report generation are user-configurable.

The dust-proof and Ethernet-enabled TIP900 system allows for remote access to all thermal images and graphs of all processed boards. The LogViewer database stores all recorded data. It can be searched with customized filters, enabling trend analyses and long-term traceability.

Safety instrumented system enhanced!

Yokogawa Electric Corporation has announced it will be releasing an enhanced version of the ProSafe®-RS safety instrumented system (SIS) on November 27. This new version, R4.01, features an exciting expansion of Yokogawa's lineup of I/O devices and introduces crucial new SIS components. In addition, the FieldMate™Validator software has been enhanced to work with this latest version of ProSafe-RS.

Development background
In the oil, natural gas, petrochemical, iron & steel, and other energy and basic materials industries, accident prevention and protection of the environment are paramount concerns in plant operations. Accordingly, there is a growing demand for SISs that can detect abnormal conditions and safely initiate emergency shutdowns.

To keep pace with the ever evolving business and technology landscape and respond to customers' needs for solutions that will deliver maximum return on assets and minimise total cost of ownership, Yokogawa has continued to strengthen the functions of the ProSafe-RS SIS. With R4.01, plant operators can be assured of an optimum engineering environment that spans the entire plant lifecycle, from plant design and the engineering and installation of systems and devices to the start-up of production, maintenance, and renovation.

Outline of New Features
1. N-IO (Network I/O) field I/O device with smart configurable I/O that can handle multiple types of I/O signals
SISs rely on field I/O devices for the transfer of data to and from sensors, valves, and other types of field instruments. Using this data, they can detect abnormal conditions and safely initiate emergency shutdowns. Depending on the instrument model, the type of electric signal used to transfer this data varies. With a conventional FIO device, a compatible I/O module is needed for each signal type.

The N-IO field I/O device developed for use with ProSafe-RS fulfills the functions of smart configurable I/O, enabling software marshalling and flexible I/O assignment. It has an I/O module that accommodates multiple I/O signal types and allows configuration of an individual signal type for each point. Both analogue and digital I/O signals, which account for the majority of I/O signal traffic, can be handled solely through software settings. With the N-IO, it is no longer necessary to replace the I/O module, reducing the amount of rewiring that must be done when changing sensor types and/or layouts during a plant revamp. This significantly reduces the amount of work that has to be performed by plant engineers and maintenance personnel. The N-IO device can also be used together with conventional FIO devices.

In addition, Yokogawa has signed OEM agreements with Pepperl+Fuchs GmbH and MTL Instruments Group Limited under which Yokogawa will receive baseplates and market them as its own products. These will be used in combination with the company's N-IO modules and intrinsic safety (IS) isolators procured from the two companies. Both partners have solid track records in the development of interface products for use in hazardous areas. This tie-up means Yokogawa is able to ensure that the N-IO conforms to the major IS regulations in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

2. FieldMate(TM) Validator software tool for use with field I/O instruments to check field device wiring and verify that devices are operating correctly
Upon installation of a field instrument and completion of all wiring, the wiring must be checked. Until now, such verification could only be conducted using the SIS's engineering screen, which required engineers to wait for all field I/O devices to be installed and the entire SIS, including all operation/monitoring stations and system controllers, to be set up.

The N-IO loop commissioning software, which is used to verify the wiring and relevant operations for any newly installed field instrument or field I/O device, has been modified to support ProSafe-RS R4.01. When FieldMate establishes a connection with an N-IO device, the FieldMate Validator tool can check in real time the wiring of all field instruments, based on the control loop I/O information in the SIS's application software, to verify that they are operating correctly. An industry first, there is no longer the need for the entire SIS to be installed to do this, thus saving significant time and providing added versatility in project execution. FieldMate Validator will be released in early December.

3. Automation Design Suite (AD Suite) integrated engineering environment
ProSafe-RS R4.01 features AD Suite, the same engineering environment used with the CENTUM VP integrated control system, allowing the integrated management of CENTUM VP and ProSafe-RS data. With this feature, ProSafe-RS engineers can use AD Suite to design the I/O. AD Suite also has functions for managing the change history and recording changes that save time when renovating systems.

Applications and major target markets include: use with emergency shutdown systems (ESD), burner management systems (BMS), and fire and gas systems (FGS) in process industries such as oil and natural gas, petrochemicals, chemicals, electric power, pharmaceuticals, and iron and steel.

Solution for complex valve island apps!

Cabinet mounted valve islands now offer simplified installation and maintenance requirements as part of customised solutions for a range of industries. 

Emerson have unveiled a panel mount adaptor plate for the ASCO Numatics 501 Series of pneumatic valve islands, enabling the valve island to be directly mounted to the cabinet. The 501 Series valve provides the flow of a 15 mm to 20 mm valve in a compact 11 mm size, addressing customer needs for space savings and simplified construction and assembly.

Many of the complicated internal connections found in traditional cabinet solutions are eliminated, and the design is considerably streamlined. This offers customers increased versatility and reduced component complexity when using valve islands and electronics in small spaces, or damp and aggressive environments.

Emerson´s design has the smallest footprint on the market, allowing for assembly possibilities where they would have previously not been possible.

"The 501 Series panel mount adapter plate fulfils our customers´ needs for space savings, easy panel construction and assembly." said Yannick Guenard, Valve Island Product Manager for ASCO Numatics. "It eliminates the need for complex tubing routing and bulkhead fittings, reduces custom machining and drilling and simplifies panel layout."

As with traditional cabinet systems, this ASCO Numatics solution is also highly resistant to corrosion thanks to cabinets that are constructed from anodised aluminum or AISI 316L stainless steel for high protection and resistance against regular cleaning from harsh chemicals - very common in applications where hygiene is a top priority.

Designed for easy maintenance, the systems also include an integrated valve shut off accessory to individually isolate any valve in the circuit, allowing for valve maintenance and replacement without shutting down the entire process.

The mounting plate adapter allows original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end users to directly connect the 501 Series valve manifold to a panel in the wall or floor of a cabinet. All panel strength, integrity and certifications are maintained.

"With our space saving cabinet mounted solutions, we have managed to provide a versatile and economic solution that will stand the test of time in these typical environments without compromising on performance. Our cabinet mounted solutions consider the unique requirements of each individual customer," said Guenard.

The panel mount adapter plate is ideal for applications in the process industries, for example for food and beverage, pharmaceutical and packaging machinery, plus general machine automation.

Monday 26 October 2015

RF & Wireless webcast!

NI is hosting its RF & Wireless Virtual Summit from 1st to 3rd December 2015, a 6-part interactive webcast series helping engineers reduce the time and cost of RF design and test across a range of wireless applications. 

Aimed at design and test engineers and managers facing the challenge of keeping the cost of test low for devices with wireless connectivity, as well as those prototyping new communications systems, the summit will explore how using a modular, software-defined platform can reduce RF test times, as well as increase speed in wireless prototyping.


Sessions will be presented by senior engineers and subject matter experts, with attendees able to interact online with NI technical experts, via real time chat, to ask questions and discuss topics. Sessions will subsequently be made available for on-demand viewing after the summit wraps up. Topics include:
  • Cost efficient cellular and wireless test in the era of IoT and 5G
  • Reducing the cost of testing RFICs from R&D to production
  • Design, simulation and test of RADAR systems
  • Prototyping 5G wireless systems using software-defined radio

Electrical test tool kit!

Until 31st December 2015 and while stocks last, Fluke is offering a 325 Toolbelt Kit which represents around a 15% saving on the recommended combined purchase price of a Fluke Clamp Meter, a Fluke Voltage and Continuity Tester and a Fluke non-contact Voltage Detector, plus it includes a free toolbelt and wirestripper.
Aimed at commercial and residential electricians, the kit includes the Fluke 325 true-rms Clamp Meter, a Fluke T150 Voltage and Continuity Tester and a Fluke LVD2 Volt Light.

The Fluke 325 Clamp Meter is engineered to produce noise-free, reliable measurements in the toughest environments. Designed to be long-lasting and easy to use, it features a slim, ergonomic design for comfortable all-day use with a large, easy-to-read, backlit display and with CAT III 600V/CAT IV 300V safety ratings. It measures true-rms AC voltage to 600V, true-rms AC, and DC, current to 400A, as well as capacitance, frequency and resistance measurements for motor testing, and it also provides a Min/Max function.

The Fluke T150 Voltage and Continuity Tester is the high-end member of a family of rugged two pole testers offering fast test results. Built with state-of-the-art measurement and safety technology, it features large, easy-to-use buttons, bright backlights, and clear audible and physical indicators designed for any work situation. It offers high-quality construction, including a heavy-duty moulded case, wiring with WearGuard™ wear indicator, a sturdy battery case and durable probe protector. The T150 offers four ways to indicate AC/DC voltage: a clear, instantly visible LED indicator, a bright digital display of the measurement value, an audible continuity test (with on/off setting), and vibration to provide tactile feedback so electricians know there is voltage present. It has CAT IV 600V, CAT III 690V safety ratings and also measures resistance.

The Fluke LVD2 Volt Light is a non-contact AC voltage detector and LED flashlight combined into one easy to use pen-style design. It is a CAT IV 600V rated non-contact detector which includes dual sensitivity, turning blue 1 to 5 inches from the source and red when at the source.
The free products are a toolbelt, which houses all these products and more, and a Jokari wirestripper.

Friday 23 October 2015

Appointment aids noise & vibration instrumentation specialist’s ambitious growth strategy.

Further underlining its commitment to an ambitious growth strategy AcSoft Group, which comprises noise and vibration instrumentation and software specialists, Svantek, GRAS Sound & Vibration UK Ltd and AcSoft Ltd, has announced the promotion of its former Sales & Marketing Manager, Paul Rubens, to the newly created position of General Manager.

Paul Rubens
In his new position, Paul will continue to oversee the sales & marketing function, whilst taking a more hands-on role in the day-to-day management of AcSoft Group. His primary task will be to further strengthen the company’s presence and growth prospects in British occupational health, environmental, aerospace and automotive industries in particular.

Having worked in the noise and vibration industry for many years, Paul has built extensive management experience and in depth knowledge of the health, safety and environmental technology markets across Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Prior to joining AcSoft Group, he spent ten years as Managing Director of a global monitoring instrumentation company. Paul also brings extensive experience of helping businesses target new markets and has a proven track record in setting up subsidiaries.

John Shelton, Managing Director of AcSoft Group comments: “The new General Manager role will be key to the continued success of the Group and I have every confidence Paul is the right person for the job. His background in business strategy development and implementation together with plenty of drive and enthusiasm will unquestionably work to enhance our offering to customers with a focus on delivering on our promises of innovation and service.”

Talking about his new role, Paul says: “I’m delighted to accept this new role – the scope and potential for each of the businesses within the AcSoft Group presents an exciting challenge. As well as being much more visible across the Group on a day to day basis, I will be focused on reviewing our management and operating processes to ensure they are geared for further growth. We are backed by a great team and it will remain essential that we have the right people in the right positions and with the right attitude.”

Transmitters to analysers!

Michell Instruments has announced the release of four kits which will enable users to upgrade their existing general purpose XTP601 oxygen and XTC601 binary gas transmitters into fully-functioning analysers with the minimum of fuss and at a fraction of the cost of buying a new unit.

Although the XTC and XTP601 series transmitters are both cost-effective and reliable, Michell discovered that some customers realised that they actually needed the added functionality of an analyser. The kits were developed to assist them to upgrade their units in the field and obtain the desired functionality.


Whilst sharing the same specifications for range, accuracy and reliability as the transmitters, the thermo-paramagnetic XTP and binary gas XTC analyzers incorporate a human machine interface (HMI), which allows users to view, interrogate, change settings and calibrate the unit in-situ. This is all available via the display and “through the glass” capacitance buttons on the front of the unit making operation and interrogation of the units easy to carry out.

The upgrade kits are available for the general purpose (non-hazardous area) versions of the transmitters. The kits contain everything that is needed for a properly trained and competent technician to convert the transmitter easily in less than half an hour and without the need for specialist tools.

• Michell products are marketed in Ireland by Instrument Technology.


Low power proportional valve.

ASCO Numatics, part of Emerson, has a new member in its already successful family of Sentronic proportional valves.

With power consumption rated at <4 watt, Sentronic LP is an energy efficient solution for a wide range of applications, including those in the food and beverage industry, packaging operations, bottle filling and leak testing, and automotive manufacturing operations.

Sentronic LP provides an economical solution for those customers with relatively simple technical requirements, while still maintaining the same high standards of efficiency and reliability associated with the entire ASCO Numatics product line. This new product offers a modular and compact footprint, and is very easy to set up, making it a logical alternative to the more complex control valves currently on the market. It is available in size DN4 (G 1/4) flange mount and inline versions, both of which use a 5-pin M12 connector, and consumes less than 4 watts of power, one of the best ratings in the industry.

Hysteresis is also low at less than 2 percent —while excellent linearity and repeatability levels are maintained. Up to 10 valves can be mounted on a single flange-style mounting plate (opt.), all with the same pressure supply. The product also offers advanced software capabilities with its intelligent DAS software and user definable, password protected control parameters.

Sentronic LP is an efficient, economical option for optimised pressure regulation across a broad range of applications. Despite its small size, it is rated at 470 NI/min flow, and has an adjustable pressure range from 0-3 bar, 0-6 bar or 0-10 bar. Predictable pressure is always delivered, even under demanding flow rates, extended duty cycles, long hold times, and complete loss of electrical power. Safety and high performance is assured with all ASCO Numatics products, and Sentronic LP is no exception.


Thursday 22 October 2015

Custom-specific interconnection solutions globally!

Harting has launched Harting Customised Solutions (HCS), a global operation for producing custom-specific interconnection solutions.

The HCS operation is part of a new global business unit, which Harting has established to perform the central development and marketing of customised solutions relating to Harting's Connectivity & Networks operation.

The British operation of Harting Customised Solutions, based in Northampton (GB), will function 24 hours per day from Monday through to Friday. Custom configurations include kits of parts, I/O assemblies, prewired cables, enclosures, hood-to-hood assemblies, bulkhead assemblies, and complete box builds.

For customised cable assemblies, Harting is bringing together its market leading connectors with expert local and global production capabilities. As a result, it is able to produce assemblies carrying any combination of power, control signals, embedded processor I/O, Ethernet communications, and data pulses.

In addition, the facility offers a range of services using advanced equipment including; AC/DC testing, Pull testing, bespoke testing reporting, crimping and fibre optic processing services.

"This new operation complements our existing HIS (Harting Integrated Solutions) contract manufacturing facility for boards and backplanes, and has been made possible through our considerable investment in resources at the Northampton site, including advanced computer-aided design and automated manufacturing systems", says Peter Hannon, Managing Director of Harting Ltd.