Thursday 21 December 2017

LED panel mounted indication.

The MARL 671 Series of High Voltage LED panel mounted indicator suitable for fixed and portable equipment and is internally potted making it suitable for high vibration applications is now available through Foremost Electronics.

Alan Vincent, Sales Director of Foremost, comments, “MARL 671 Series of High Voltage LED panel mounted indicators provide a high visibility status indicator for a very wide range of indoor and outdoor equipment with the outstanding reliability required in safety critical systems."

Key features include high optical performance, outstanding reliability and sealing specifications in excess of IP67. The indicator features Bi-Polar circuitry making it suitable for AC or DC operation and is supplied complete with full mounting hardware.

These vandal resistant high brightness LED lamps are available in 5 colours (red, yellow, green, blue and white) and are suitable for installing in industrial equipment, defence platforms and naval systems, fairground and leisure equipment, heavy plant and industrial vehicles, power stations and steel foundries and coal mines. RIA 12 approved versions are available for rail (rolling stock and plant) applications.

The MARL 671 LED series of professional LED Panel Indicators feature a high intensity LED element with a raised, coloured diffused lens assembly to provide excellent wide angle viewing. The internal circuitry is designed to operate over a wide range of voltages. Termination is achieved by standard screw terminals, which accept ring crimps and meet safety “creep and clearance” requirements. The precision turned housing is manufactured from aluminium with a high quality, black anodised finish and fits into a standard industrial 25.4mm mounting hole.

Operating voltages available include, 24-28Vdc, 110Vac, 125Vac, 230Vac, 277Vac and 440Vac, for 3 Phase Applications.

#4mostElectronics #Pauto

First Globally in DCS.

With around 20% market share across industries, ABB is the leader of digitally enabled control and automation according to the ARC Advisory Group's  “Distributed Control Systems Global Market 2016-2021” report.

ABB remains the number one in the market for distributed control systems (DCS) globally. The group has effectively maintained its market-leading position since 1999, according to ARC’s research analysts. Their analysis takes into account multiple factors including market size and segmentation, market forecast, industry structure, supplier market shares, and supplier profiles.

This report also recognizes ABB for the launch of ABB Ability™, its unified, cross-industry digital capability. ABB Ability helps customers in utilities, industry, transport and infrastructure develop new processes and advance existing ones by providing insights and optimizing planning and controls for real-time operations. The results can then be fed into control systems to improve key metrics such as factory uptime, speed and yield.

“With our installed base of over 70 million connected devices and 70,000 control systems, and an annual investment of $1.5 billion in research and development, ABB is leading the digital transformation of industry,” says Peter Terwiesch, President ABB’s Industrial Automation division.

This recognition by ARC follows the recently announced award by business consultants Frost & Sullivan, naming ABB as 2017 Company of the Year. ABB has been commended for setting the benchmark for digitalization with its DCS portfolio. With its deep domain knowledge and unparalleled digital experience, ABB partners with its customers to best meet their needs, delivering sustainable progress for power, water and process industries.

ABB’s leadership in DCS stems from countless ground-breaking projects around the globe. ABB Ability System 800xA plays a key role in securing the success for Sadara, the world’s largest chemicals complex built in a single phase. The monitoring and automating of the entire production process is fully integrated with System 800xA, all coming together in 18 control systems and 260 operator work stations. The integration capabilities also helped the Garpenberg mine to become one of the world's most cost-effective and modern mines in the world. Hoists, mill drives, ventilation, dewatering, substations, conveyors, crushers, ore storage, and maintenance, as well as document management and communications are seamlessly integrated to the automation system. Very recently Emami Cement has chosen System 800xA to automate its new production plant which will help boost infrastructure growth in India.

ABB Ability Symphony® Plus is, for example, the core solution for integrating new emission control technology at a power plant in Wisconsin, US; for protecting the UNESCO World Heritage site of Venice, Italy from high water by controlling the city’s MOSE flood barrier system; for providing the automation and electrification solution for Adani, the world’s largest solar power plant in a single location, in Kamuthi India; and for enabling the Vietnamese utility Saigon Water Corporation (SAWACO) to control and operate its infrastructure in real time, significantly reducing the amount of non-revenue water.

ABB is a leading provider of integrated power and automation solutions with unparalleled experience in partnering with global industries, bringing them improved operations and sustainable progress. ABB delivers integrated and secure digital systems, services and solutions to automate and optimize the performance of process and power industries.

@ABBgroupnews #PAuto @abbcontroltech @ABBUKInst  @arc_advisory 

Communications co-operation.

Local Interconnect Network (LIN) is an internationally standardized automotive communication technology. Originally supported and maintained by the LIN Consortium, which closed the related LIN website a couple of years ago. In the meantime, LIN became an international standard (ISO 17987 series).

LIN like CAN is not just used in automotive applications, but also in some other application fields.

ISO has nominated the CAN in Automation (CiA) nonprofit association as the Registration Authority (RA) for the required LIN Supplier ID. Legacy LIN Supplier IDs needs be re-registered before they are listed on the website. Nevertheless, it is guaranteed that legacy IDs are not assigned to other parties.

CiA publishes the LIN Supplier ID on the newly released LIN website. The website comprises also some basic information about LIN and related news. It will be extended in the next year, in order to give the LIN community a home again.

There is not much competition between CAN and LIN, but most of the chipmakers and tool providers are the same. Thus it makes sense to use an already well-established administration for this purpose.

@CANopen #PAuto #Automotive

LDAR returns to Texas.

The International Society of Automation's Leak Detection and Repair/Fugitive Emissions (LDAR) Symposium returns to Galveston, (TX USA) in 2018.


Deadlines
Abstracts to Committee Chair — 12 January 2018
Draft Paper/Presentations — 26 January 2018
Reviewers’ Comments to Authors — 9 February 2018
Rights and Responsibilities Form — 16 February 2018
Final Electronic Presentation Materials — 23 Feb 2018
The organisers invite industry professionals to share their expertise in air compliance and LDAR program solutions with other industry experts presenting on best practices, technology advancements, compliance requirements and regulations at the 2018 LDAR Symposium.


This annual technical conference and exhibition will be held in Galveston, Texas—with training courses on 5 & 8 March, and the conference on 6-7 March.

#LDAR #PAuto #ISAuto

Wednesday 20 December 2017

Linear actuator.

The new 35DBM high power Stepper Can Stack Linear Actuator has been introduced by Portescap.

This 35mm linear stepper motor offers an enhanced design ideal for applications demanding high linear force. The new 35DBM features an optimized magnetic circuit powered by high energy neodymium magnets. The 7.5 deg step angle provides finer incremental movement with a high degree of accuracy and repeatability.

With a holding force of 112N, the 35DBM stepper linear actuator is ideally suited for use in applications such as auto injectors, laboratory automation, medical pipettes and valve actuation. Portescap’s 35DBM high force actuators are fully customizable for adaptor tips, stroke lengths, windings, flanges and end of motion detection sensors.

The 35DBM is available in captive and non-captive versions with various leadscrew pitch and winding options on our online motor selection tool, MotionCompass™. They are manufactured in an ISO certified facility and are RoHS compliant.


@Portescap #Pauto

Cloud Analytics.

Download e-book!
The advent of IIoT in the industrial space has unleashed a flood of technologies and opportunities for today’s factories, with new breakthroughs happening on a seemingly daily basis. The unlocking of terrabytes of potential data from these factories have many business leaders simultaneously excited about the possibilities for enhanced productivity and profits, while also overwhelmed with questions on how to effectively leverage that data and wary of the potential security risks in a continuously connected environment.

In order to help organizations leverage that data in an efficient and secure way, Automation.com has created this Cloud Analytics eBook as a resource showing organizations both the technologies that can help efficiently leverage all their data, as well as strategies to fully connect and secure systems in the process.

@automation_com #PAuto

System includes Intrinsic Anomaly Detection.

Bedrock Automation has announced its Bedrock™ Open Secure Automation (OSATM) firmware will include intrinsic Anomaly Detection (AD).  Bedrock OSA AD will be available as standard integrated functionality that continuously monitors the controller’s network and system time to detect intrusions and anomalous behavior.

“Preventing control system intrusion is fundamental to holistic cyber security.  In addition, users need to know when the system security is being challenged.  This is the role of anomaly detection.  At no additional cost or complexity for the user, Bedrock’s AD delivers additional assurance that no one is tampering with your automation,” said Albert Rooyakkers, Bedrock founder and CEO.  Bedrock Anomaly Detection includes the following functionality:
  • Dynamic Port Connection Monitoring, which records all attempts to connect any controller or communication point and captures identifying information on the intruder
  • Network Port Scanning, which detects if hackers are scanning for open ports that might provide access to the control network
  • System Time Monitoring, which detects attempts to manipulate log files to conceal malicious activity
  • Cryptographic Controller Engineering Key Lock, which permits only users with valid user credentials to change the configuration and operation mode of the controller and records all access 
  • Intrusion Event Logging, which records all detected anomalies and reports them to SCADA  software through OPC UA and standard database access for historian, alarming, and trending functions.  Additionally, a tri-color status LED on the faceplate of Bedrock Controllers provides indication locally whenever an intrusion is detected. 

Anomalous behavior detected at the controller level signifies a high likelihood of a cyber security event. Embedding detection into the controller provides advanced cyber defense while reducing complexity and lifecycle cost.  Bedrock AD will be standard on all Bedrock systems and is available as a free firmware upgrade to installed systems as part of Cybershield 3.0 in next March (2018).

@BedrockAuto #Pauto #Cybersecurity

Time sensitive networking.

Time-sensitive networking (TSN) is a promising technology drawing a lot of attention at the moment, especially in the context of Industry 4.0, where it is generally viewed as the opportunity for better integration of OT networks into the IT networks of companies.

TSN offers great potential for PROFINET. It aims to combine the wide range of IT networks with the robustness and determinism of automation networks. In short: hard real-time via standard IT networks. But this doesn’t signal a revolution for PROFINET. Rather, it represents a visionary architecture upon which PROFINET is building. Through further development of Ethernet in IEEE 802.1, future devices with standard Ethernet controllers can be developed that still meet all the robustness and determinism requirements of industrial automation.

This video shows you what requirements Industrie 4.0 has and how real-time communication with PROFINET based on TSN fulfil it.

 @ProfibusUK #PAuto @AllThingsPROFI D

Wireless Test Set.

Anritsu Corporation has announced a LTE Category M software release for the Universal Wireless Test Set MT8870A to support RF tests of LTE Category M devices. The release includes Category M FDD Uplink Tx measurement software (MX887065A), Category M FDD Downlink Waveform files (MV887065A) and Fully Automatic Measurement Program, providing fast and automatic testing (Tx power, frequency, modulation accuracy, modulation sensitivity, etc.) in accordance with the 3GPP LTE Category M RF test specifications.

LTE Category M, a Cellular IoT standard included in LTE-Advanced Pro, is a wireless technology based on License Band LPWA in parallel with NB-IoT. As well as anticipated smart city and freight tracking applications, it is expected to be adopted by emergency warning systems due to its support for voice communications. But a key issue for a smooth rollout of the service is assuring high mass-production efficiency to help cut terminal costs. The measurement of LTE Category M devices can be automated using a program to control chipsets built into target devices, but, until now, these programs required bespoke development for every customer.

Working closely with chipset vendors to establish measurement technologies for LTE Category M devices, Anritsu has been able to develop a turnkey solution to support automated evaluation at world-beating measurement speeds for up to four LTE Category M devices and chipsets without requiring a customer-developed control program.

The Universal Wireless Test Set MT8870A is a measurement instrument for mass-production of various types of wireless communications equipment and modules. Four high-performance tester units are installed in the main unit and each unit supports parallel independent measurement for evaluation of up to four wireless devices and modules. The MT8870A already fully supports 2G/3G/LTE/LTE-Advanced/NB-IoT, WLAN/Bluetooth, GPS, and FM evaluations.


Installing these software packages in the Universal Wireless Test Set MT8870A provides the world’s first turnkey automated measurement solution for testing and evaluating the RF TRx characteristics of up to four NB-IoT devices and modules at world-beating speed on mass-production lines. The automatic measurement program eliminates the need to develop control programs and cuts development time to zero.

@AnritsuEMEA #TandM #PAuto @Anritsu

Monday 18 December 2017

Signal quality analyser enhanced.

The Variable ISI MU195020A-040/041 option for upgrading the Emphasis function of the Pulse Pattern Generator for the Signal Quality Analyzer-R MP1900A series has been announced by Anritsu. This with the USB Link Training Software MX183000A-PL022 supporting the USB3.0/3.1 Receiver Test.

Increasing mobile data traffic and the spread of cloud services is accelerating the introduction of 100G/200G/400G Ethernet for network interfaces along with PCI Express Gen4 and USB3.1 for bus interfaces. However, the effects of transmission path loss and noise resulting from the faster signals used by these standards and the integration of ICs and modules highlights the importance of stress Rx testing using signal sources with added transmission path loss and noise.

The MP1900A is a high-performance Bit Error Rate Tester (BERT) supporting design and testing of high-speed interfaces, such as 100G/200G/400G Ethernet, PCI Express, USB, and Thunderbolt. Using the newly developed Variable ISI option offers easier and more efficient evaluations of high-speed interfaces, backplanes, and cables. In addition, USB Link training supports high-reproducibility measurements of the PHY-layer of USB3.0/3.1 devices by controlling the MP1900A.

With a built-in PPG supporting a 10Tap Emphasis function for testing the effect of transmission path loss plus Jitter and Noise Addition functions, a high-sensitivity BER measurement function, and Link Training function, Anritsu’s MP1900A series is ideal for measuring high-speed interfaces.

The Variable ISI option uses the 10Tap Emphasis function with high and flexible signal controllability to emulate CEI-25G/28G-defined signal path transmission losses which cannot be achieved by utilizing an emphasis function with lower number of taps. In addition, Anritsu’s MP1900A can automatically calculate the Emphasis settings for compensating these losses based on transmission path S-parameter data. With these new capabilities, test signals emulating the transmission path impairments can be generated easily, allowing the impact of transmission path losses on the evaluated device to be evaluated simply without testing various PC boards, helping to cut development costs and time.

USB Link Training is important for measuring USB interfaces; the built-in Link Training function supports transitioning to the device evaluation measurement mode, and when used in combination with the LTSSM Log Analysis, it helps cut times for evaluating USB device receivers and supports cost effective and all in one measurement of high-speed interfaces such as PCI Express, USB, and Thunderbolt.

 #TandM @AnritsuEMEA #PAuto #@Anritsu

Transducer promises enhanced compatibility.

The news DRVL Rotary Torque Transducer from Applied Measurements promises greater compatibility and a larger speed range

Their brushless torque transducer range transmits signal and power using non-contact technology. This means they can operate with absolutely no maintenance, no wear and at higher speeds, saving you precious time and money.

Greater Compatibility with 2 Output Signals
Thanks to the DRVL rotary torque transducer’s integrated signal amplifier it can now output 2 standard signals (10V and 10kHz ± 5kHz) giving you greater compatibility to a variety of evaluation devices for extensive analysis. Plus, the output level for speed and angle signal can now be adjusted from 5V up to 24V making it directly compatible with a PLC acquisition unit, delivering superior logging and evaluation control. The DRVL rotary torque transducer is also directly compatible with the existing DRFL series, making installation of the improved DRVL fast and straight forward.

Optimum Performance Guaranteed
Accuracy is promised to 0.1% as standard with the new DRVL with an optional 0.05% accuracy for those higher precision measurements. We can also provide customised couplings and keyways to guarantee optimum performance and faster installation.

Greater Speed Range
The DRVL rotary torque transducer has an improved speed range for speed and angle measurements. Its increased speed range combined with its compact size, makes it ideal for lab and industrial applications.

Larger Input Voltage Range
It has an increased supply voltage range from 10V – 28.8V promising greater protection against accidental overvoltage, decreasing any potential repair costs.

Improved Electromagnetic Interference Protection
The DRVL rotary torque transducer also comes with extended surge tests to ensure better electromagnetic compatibility protecting the sensor from unwanted electromagnetic interference and damage.

@AppMeas #PAuto 

Friday 15 December 2017

Robust metal connectors for easy installation.

Harting is now offering its Han® PushPull Power L connectors in a robust metal format which allows more room for installation and simplifies the wiring process when the connectors are used with large conductor profiles.

These PushPull connectors are typically used with ProfiNet cabling as an integrated installation system for data and power transfer to production facilities in the automobile industry. To minimise power loss, cables with a profile of 2.5 mm² are finding increasing use for long cables carrying 24 V supply voltage. Increased installation space makes field assembly with larger conductor profiles a lot simpler: a process that is aided by the user-friendly push-in spring-cage connection.

The appropriate metal panel flanges - also with spring-cage connection - plus mounting housings and circuit board adaptors are also available for dust- and splash-proof integration of interfaces for 24 V power supplies to automation components.

All components comply with the requirements of the ProfiNet cabling guidelines, ensuring unrestricted connector compatibility with all automation devices and components. The cable diameters best suited for these applications are between 9 and 13 mm. Sealing inserts are available as optional accessories for particularly small cables with a diameter of 4-6.5 mm.

The connector system complies with protection classes IP65 and IP67. All connectors can have a simple visible polarisation layout, thus ensuring that the correct connection position can be found quickly and intuitively during the connection process.

@Harting #PAuto

Compact encoders offer syncronisation with PLCs.

As a recent addition to its PROFINET IRT protocol variants, Wachendorff’s WDGA 58F absolute magnetic encoder features a minimum bus cycle time of 125 μs which is eminently suited to tightly synchronised multi-axis motion control on the fastest PLCs. Available in Britain from Variohm EuroSensor, the 58 mm diameter encoder is also reckoned to be the world’s smallest PROFINET encoder with a nominal length of only 46.5 mm.

Wachendorff’s WDGA series absolute encoders, are characterised by their single- plus multi-turn functionality and the unique patented magnetic scanning principle that offers exceptionally high-precision position and velocity measurement with extreme durability and long life - without the use of wear-prone gears or batteries. Backed by a five-year warranty, the WDGA is available with a extensive choice of mounting and interfacing options, including CANopen, SSI, RS485, J1939 and PROFIBUS, to ensure flexibility across a very wide range of machine architectures.

The -58F PROFINET IRT version includes a 16 bit single-turn QuattroMag® technology resolution and EnDra® technology multi-turn capability to 43 bits. This translates to an angular accuracy and repeat accuracy of ± 0.0878° (≤12 bit). Programmable parameters include steps or counts per revolution, presets, scale and count direction as well as MRP (Media Redundancy Protocol) specific values for PROFINET IRT to ensure safe operational use.

The WDGA-58F features a clamping flange mount with a choice of 6, 8 or 10 mm shaft diameters (plus a 3/8” option) and is one of five PROFINET IRT models offering mechanical mounting options including synchro flange, hollow bore and other clamping flange variants.

Across the WDGA range generally, the elevated axial and radial shaft load capacity contributes greatly to their high resilience. The durable encoder, available in 36 and 58 mm nominal diameters, has an aluminium housing with IP67 protection class as standard and shaft sealing to IP65 (IP67 optional). Temperature range is typically from -40 °C to +85 °C. Customised interfacing and specification variations are available on request.

Variohm EuroSensor supplies and fully supports Wachendorff’s complete range of absolute and incremental shaft encoders and measurement components.

Smallest camera-based sensor.

Leuze Electronic has introduced the smallest camera-based sensor on the market for compartment fine positioning with high-bay storage devices in single-depth storage. It impresses with some powerful advantages, particularly its fast commissioning and simple alignment.

Smart is to think easy – that is the development claim of Leuze electronic for the benefit of their customers. What this means is that Leuze electronic develops only products that are easy and intuitive to commission and operate. Fast commissioning is one of the most powerful advantages that the small, camera-based IPS 200i has to offer. It is accomplished using a web-based configuration tool. Adjustments can be made directly on the device itself. An alignment system with feedback LEDs provides additional support.

Due to the compact design, the IPS 200i requires only little space on the high-bay storage device. This enables quick and easy compartment fine positioning, for example in small-part container storages or also in single-depth pallet high-bay warehouses. Due to powerful, ambient-light-independent IR LED lighting, a single device can be flexibly used for the entire working range of up to 600 mm.

A model with integrated heating for use in refrigerated warehouses down to -30 °C is also available. Condition monitoring with a quality score, which identifies diminishing reading capacity of the sensor early on, reduces downtime and improves the availability and cost effectiveness of the systems.

@Leuzeelectronic #PAuto @LeuzeUK

Measuring tyre-rim pressure.

Interface Force Measurements has announced the launch of two new sensors for its tyre pressure monitoring system from XSensor. These sensors are now available in Britain for automotive manufacturers, tyre manufacturers, race teams as well as current users of the X3 PRO system.

XSensor, innovators in pressure imaging, has introduced two new sensors for the automotive industry designed specifically to test the pressure between a tyre and the rim. As an addition to its already renowned tyre pressure mapping system, the addition of bead contact pressure measurement sensors means stress analysis studies of tyres and wheels can now be conducted.

Two sensor options are available. The IX510.3.64.05-10 has been designed for use on car and truck tyres and in field trials has been shown to be highly durable being able to withstand multiple tests in the same position. The IX510.3.128.05-10 is a unique version for very large tyres and rims such as those on mining and agricultural vehicles and XSensor is only company that can supply such a product. 

The IX510.3.64.05-10 measure 1.52mmx16.2cm with a 5.08mm x 2.54mm resolution and a pressure range of up to 353N/cm2 (512psi). The 353N/cm2 allows the sensor and software to extrapolate pressure values up to 706N/cm2 (1024psi). The sensor is made from a flex material to provide a rugged sensor exterior as well as a high-resolution image over a limited pressure surface. The information provided shows users the pressures on both the heel and the toe of the rim and two sensors can be used simultaneously to provide information at different intervals along the tyre rim. This sensor has been extensively field-tested and has passed with flying colours.

The longer IX510.3.128.05-10 is a unique sensor for R&D companies who are interested in understanding the bead pressures for new designs of very large tyres. Due to the rims used and the procedure of getting very large tyres onto rims, these sensors are not intended for repeated use. To date, XSensor is the only pressure imaging company that has been able to overcome the difficult testing scenarios and develop a pressure sensor that can accurately measure these bead pressures.


Existing customers will find that both new sensors integrate seamlessly with the current XSensor X3 PRO tyre pressure mapping system and the X3 PRO V7 or V8 software can be used to record and view files.  

#InterfaceForce #PAuto

Rugged DAQ devices.

National Instruments (NI) has announced rugged, distributed and synchronized FieldDAQ devices the most rugged NI DAQ devices ever created.

The growing sophistication of complex electromechanical systems, such as vehicles, aircraft and industrial equipment, means that validation test must become more rigorous to keep pace with innovation. The automotive industry in particular faces strict requirements from evolving government standards and rising customer expectations for new features such as advanced driver assistance. To help ensure the safety, reliability and quality of these systems, acquiring accurate data during testing is fundamental.

To meet these needs, test engineers are moving away from centralized measurement systems that can be susceptible to noise, and toward distributed measurement nodes, in which the digitization and signal conditioning occurs as close to the sensors as possible. Yet more distributed measurement topologies create new challenges. Not only must DAQ devices withstand harsh test environments, they must also acquire synchronized data over an entire system and scale and integrate seamlessly.

NI’s new FieldDAQ devices are the most rugged NI DAQ devices ever created; they can acquire accurate, reliable measurements in the most severe test cell and outdoor environments, including rain, sleet, snow or mud. FieldDAQ devices have an ingress protection rating up to IP67 (dust and water resistant), can operate in -40 °C to 85 °C environments and can sustain 100 g shock and 10 g vibration.

These rugged DAQ devices are built on the flexible and configurable hardware and software platforms that NI is known for, which sets them apart. With open and expandable FieldDAQ solutions, test engineers can keep pace with product design cycles and help reduce the overall cost of test, as opposed to the limitations of existing devices with functionality defined by closed, proprietary software.

“Due to rapid production cycles, no one test is the same,” said Mark Yeager, engineer / lead programmer at Integrated Test and Measurement. “Design engineers tweak the size, performance and efficiency of each component, so our test setups must evolve to meet these requirements. To reduce cost, we must be able to maximize hardware and software reuse, while still adapting to changing requirements.”


FieldDAQ also incorporates Time Sensitive Networking (TSN), the next evolution of the IEEE 802.1 Ethernet standard, providing extremely tight synchronization over a distributed network of DAQ nodes without additional cabling or complex programming. FieldDAQ expands the NI TSN product offering, joining Industrial Controllers, CompactDAQ and CompactRIO. Additionally, because it incorporates TSN, FieldDAQ is capable of being used with third-party TSN solutions from major industrial I/O and control vendors like Bosch Rexroth, B&R Automation and Schneider Electric.

@niukie #PAuto #TandM

Symposium chair announced,

Don Dickinson of Phoenix Contact has been named as General Symposium Chair for the upcoming 2018 ISA Water/Wastewater and Automatic Controls (WWAC) Symposium.

Don Dickinson
Taking place at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda (USA) on 7-9 August 2018—only 15 minutes from the USA capital—the WWAC Symposium will feature two days of technical speakers, an exhibitor hall, a tour of a local water plant, and technical training courses on a variety of topics. The event, now in its fifteenth year, brings together automation professionals in the municipal water/wastewater sector from around the world.

“The ISA Water/Wastewater and Automatic Controls Symposium, also known as WWAC, is unique in its focus,” says Graham Nasby, Chair of the ISA-112 SCADA systems standards committee. “It is the only symposium in North America that is entirely devoted to the needs of automation professionals in the municipal water/wastewater sector. We are delighted to have Don Dickinson head up this important event for us in 2018.”

Dickinson and Phoenix Contact, a global leader in electrical engineering, electronics and automation, have been involved with the WWAC Symposium for many years. In 2012, when the event was rebooted as a modern conference, Phoenix Contact was one of the key sponsors of the event, a role it has held ever since. Over the years, Dickinson has served as a presenter, a member of the program committee, and Assistant Symposium Chair.

“I look forward to continuing to lead what has been a very successful symposium for the ISA,” remarked Dickinson in a recent interview. “Automation plays an integral role in addressing the significant challenges that we face in our industry, such as modernizing an aging infrastructure. The WWAC Symposium is focused on ensuring that the automation workforce is equipped to deal with these challenges and continues to benefit from advances in technology.”

Each year the symposium boasts an attendance of 200-300 water professionals, which includes plant managers, operators, engineers, and system integration personnel. With its focus on SCADA, instrumentation and automation, the gathering offers targeted training and knowledge-sharing that is not available at other conferences.

The WWAC Symposium partners with local sections of the AWWA (American Water Works Association) and the WEF (Water Environment Federation), in order to offer MDE/state-approved Continuing Education Credits (CEU), which can be used by state-licensed water operators for their annual license renewals. The event also offers PDH (professional developments hours) that can be used by both engineers and Certified Automation Professionals® (CAP®) to meet their continuing education requirements.

Abstracts are currently being solicited for the symposium. Potential authors and speakers are encouraged to submit a 250-word entry summarizing proposed presentations and papers for the 2018 conference. Submissions are due on 31 January 2018. The complete Call for Papers, author information kit, and a list of suggested topics of interest can be found on the website. Announcements about invited and guest speakers will be made in the new year and updates will be listed on the website as well.

#WWAC #Pauto #ISAuto

Thursday 14 December 2017

Withstanding catastrophe.

No plant manager wants to think about a natural disaster impacting his or her facility. But when disaster strikes, it’s important to have a measurement solution that will withstand damage and keep from making the disaster worse. Magnetrol® guided wave radar instrumentation withstood major flooding in Texas and helped a plant avoid further catastrophe.

In a four-day period between August 25 and 29, 2017, many areas of Texas received over 100 centimeters of rain that caused catastrophic flooding. This was brought on by Hurricane Harvey—an extremely destructive Category 4 storm, the strongest to make landfall in the United States since 2005.

Inundated tank farm after Harvey
The resulting floods inundated hundreds of thousands of homes and caused significant property damage and loss of life. They also prompted the closure of several refineries and chemical plants.

In some cases, the storm damage to the plants caused accidents that exacerbated the disastrous conditions. Two ExxonMobil refineries had to be shut down due to storm-related damage and releases of hazardous pollutants. Even worse, two explosions occurred at one of the Arkema chemical plants in Crosby, TX, due to the loss of power and, subsequently, the loss of proper cooling in one of its systems.

Another plant affected by Harvey has a direct tie to MAGNETROL. A chemical plant in southeast Texas relies on several Eclipse® Model 706 Guided Wave Radar (GWR) transmitters installed on sumps. In an email to MAGNETROL Global Product Manager Bob Botwinski, Chris Oglesby, a representative from Tech Quip in Houston, stated: “[The ECLIPSE 706 devices] held up to Harvey…even after being submerged for several days.”

The Model 706 is actually rated only to Ingress Protection IP 66/67, which is defined as “no harmful effects to occur from high-pressure water spray and/or short-term submersion.” However, these particular devices not only withstood full, long-term submersion over the course of several days, they started up immediately and began operating properly when called upon.

Although it is difficult to take much satisfaction in such a small piece of good news encompassed within such an immensely sad event, this story certainly highlights and substantiate the robust design and exceptionally high quality of MAGNETROL instrumentation.

#PAuto @Magnetrol_Level

Mobile measurement!

HBM has developed the SCOUT55 Amplifier for mobile measurement.

Suitable for a wide range of servicing and calibration tasks, the SCOUT55 provides a light weight and cost-effective solution. The SCOUT55 is housed in a dust-protective casing which protects it against external influences. Easy to transport, the SCOUT55 from HBM also features a sturdy carry handle, which can, additionally, be used as a stand.

SCOUT55 processes the signals of force, pressure, displacement and torque transducers as well as load cells based on various technologies. Featuring a parameter memory for storage of up to eight data sets (formulations), two peak-value memories, and four limit value switches, the output of the measured data can be accessed through the freely scalable analogue output, the RS232 serial interface and the optional RS485.

Featuring an easy-to-read, digital LED display for test results and intuitive control through a robust keypad with seven button element, the SCOUT55 is the ideal measuring amplifier for mobile use in industrial environments.

 @HBMmeasurement, #PAuto #TandM

Wednesday 13 December 2017

T & M distribution in Britain.

A  distribution agreement with Comtec Cable Accessories Ltd, a leading provider of components, equipment and services for the telecoms and datacoms industry has been announced by Anritsu. Under the terms of the new agreement, Anritsu’s industry-leading test equipment will now also be available throughout Great Britain through Comtec.

“Anritsu continues to invest heavily in the growth and success of our distribution channel,” said Steve Wilding, Sales Director Western EMEA Region. “We are delighted that this agreement with Comtec will see Anritsu’s range of leading test and measurement solutions become part of their outstanding portfolio of products, backed by their highest level of customer service and technical support.”

The Anritsu solutions offered through Comtec in the UK will include a range of optic, wireless and RF handheld products that meet the test and measurement needs of the Installation and Maintenance market.

“We are thrilled to be able to represent Anritsu here in the UK. We aim to provide our customers with solutions that ensure they are able to deploy and maintain networks quickly and efficiently, and we believe adding these selected Anritsu products to our offering will help us achieve that goal”, commented Nick Andrews, Brand Manager, Comtec.

As part of the agreement, Comtec will provide British customers with sales support from their offices in Huntingdon, Glasgow and Sunbury. Comtec has been pushing boundarie for over 40 years, and has strong relationships with organisations ranging from major telcos to owner-managed installation companies.

@AnritsuEMEA @comtecdirect #PAuto #TandM #Britain @NapierPR

Tuesday 12 December 2017

Level switch with IO-Link.

LBFH and LBFI level switches with IO-Link and ATEX approval are available from Baumer. The IO-Link interface allows the user to automate the configuration of sensors.The inclusion of ATEX also enables the use of commercially available barriers. The sensors are suitable for hygienic and industrial applications.

Thanks to IO-Link integration, the level switches are Industry 4.0-ready. The communication interface enables each application to be configured quickly and easily using standard network components. This ensures error-free duplication of the system and device replacement without the need for additional programming, thereby saving time. Diagnostic data can be called up and evaluated at any time, which increases system availability.

Just like their predecessors, LBFH and LBFI level switches meet the criteria for ATEX categories 1 and 2 for gas and dust. The reduced current consumption of their more advanced electronics means that commercially-available standard barriers can now be used in addition to the Baumer barriers. This increases flexibility in terms of integration even in existing plants, and reduces installation costs.

Two switching outputs make it possible to set independent trigger thresholds. This means two different process steps, such as production and cleaning, or two media groups, such as water and oil, can be monitored with one sensor. Additionally, the two switching outputs facilitate a plausibility check of the sensor. Complementary trigger point setting ensures wire breaks are reliably detected, thus guaranteeing effective monitoring of all programs.

Both variants are suitable for use in temperatures up to 135 °C while the variant for hygiene applications also has SIP capabilities.

#Baumer #PAuto 

Commitment to 100% renewable energy!

Schneider Electric has committed to sourcing 100 per cent renewable electricity and is throwing light on the doubling of its energy productivity.
The company strongly believes it cannot go renewable without ensuring optimisation of its energy system first. Today’s commitments are yet another step-in Schneider Electric’s journey to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. Aligned with these commitments, Schneider Electric decided to join two global, collaborative initiatives, led by The Climate Group and bringing together influential businesses committed to accelerating climate action:
  • RE100: to use 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2030 with an intermediary objective of 80 per cent by 2020
  • EP100: to double energy productivity by 2030, against a 2005 baseline, setting an ambitious target to doubling the economic output from every unit of energy consumed
Schneider Electric is striving to answer the world’s new energy challenge by boosting energy efficiency everywhere: in homes, buildings and cities, industry, the grid, and throughout remote community. In a world more decarbonised, more digitised, more decentralised, energy use needs to be more productive. In order to deliver on its new promises and its sustained energy efficiency efforts, Schneider Electric will leverage its own technical solutions (EcoStruxure Power, EcoStruxure Grid). Using these solutions, the Group has been able to reduce its energy consumption by 10 per cent every three years for the past 10 years. More specifically, Schneider Electric has reduced consumption by six between 2008 and 2017 at its headquarters in France, The Hive.

These commitments are expeacted to cover more than 1,000 electricity consuming sites around the globe, including 200 factories. Schneider Electric will leverage a broad range of renewable energy sources, including but not limited to solar, wind, geothermal and biomass.

Schneider Electric will drive its transition to 100 per cent renewable electricity through three levers, with an interim goal of achieving 80 per cent renewable electricity use by 2020 to 100 per cent in 2030:
  • On-site projects at Schneider Electric facilities around the world: with renewable energy initiatives, already in place at some Schneider Electric locations, such as a solar rooftop at its sites in Vadodara (India), Bangpoo (Thailand), or geothermal energy and a solar rooftop at its flagship office “The Hive”, France, among multiple others. Schneider Electric will install on-site renewable energy projects to help achieve its 2030 target. While on-site projects are expected to deliver a portion of Schneider Electric’s renewable electricity needs only, they will add to the company’s renewable energy capabilities, and act as a showcase for other organisations contemplating such options, together with energy efficiency enabling technologies;
  • Offsite long-term procurement through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs): a PPA is a long-term (12-20 year) contract between a renewable energy developer and a dedicated, creditworthy buyer. PPAs enable developers to secure financing for new wind, solar or other renewable electricity projects and allow buyers to enjoy predictable pricing from clean energy sources;
  • Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) and green tariffs: an EAC is a free market instrument which verifies that one megawatt hour of renewable electricity was generated and added to the grid from a green power source. Schneider Electric will use EACs as a flexible and fast way to acquire and track renewable electricity
Emmanuel Lagarrigue, Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President at Schneider Electric said: “We are in a new world of energy that is becoming more electric, more decarbonised, more decentralised, and more digital. Our mission at Schneider Electric is to supply the technologies that permit, drive and catalyse the transition to a new world of energy. The commitments we have made today in joining RE100 and EP100 to source 100 per cent renewable electricity and reflect on the doubling of our energy productivity are a demonstration of how consumers and business can be empowered to ensure the affordability, resilience, sustainability, and security of the energy that they consume.”

Helen Clarkson, Chief Executive Officer at The Climate Group said: “Already a leader in the energy space, joining RE100 and EP100 represents a smart business decision for Schneider Electric. These commitments will help the company to deliver on its wider climate ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030. Doubling energy productivity will help it to use energy as economically as possible while making the transition to renewables, which are themselves cost-competitive in many markets. I welcome the powerful signal Schneider Electric is sending to peers, investors and governments, to accelerate the transition to a zero-emissions economy.”

At COP21 in Paris in 2015, Schneider Electric announced 10 Commitments for Sustainability. The commitments were aligned with the Planet & Society Barometer, Schneider Electric’s sustainability scorecard to measure its ambitious commitment to sustainable development on a quarterly basis and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These commitments support the company’s objectives to make its plants and sites carbon neutral by 2030, in a coherent industry ecosystem encompassing both suppliers and clients.

@SchneiderElec #Pauto #Environment @tomalexmcmahon

Monday 11 December 2017

High speed wireless test reduces costs.

Autotalks has endorsed Anritsu Corporation's RF calibration and validation test solution based on Anritsu’s MT8870A high-speed wireless test platform. The MT8870A Universal Wireless Test Set supports all Autotalks IEEE802.11p DSRC chipsets designed for V2X use cases. Anritsu’s MT88xx series long-established connectivity and cellular test methodologies enable customers to improve product quality while reducing test time and cost.

This joint effort is part of the eco-system preparation for the DSRC-based V2X deployment, ready for mass production in 2019. It was designed to meet every V2X application requirement with the most stringent performance specifications. DSRC V2X chipsets are the most advanced, truly secure and highest performing V2X communication solution designed to save lives now on the road, with huge planned investments in infrastructure.

“Through this collaboration, Anritsu can provide innovative solutions to the automotive device vendors who validate and test embedded wireless technology,” said Hirokazu Hamada, president of Anritsu’s Measurement Business Group. “Autotalks chipsets and software, combined with MT8870A RF test solutions will result in one of the industry’s shortest test times and offer an attractive total cost of ownership proposition to a highly competitive market.”

“Anritsu has established the ability to comprehensively calibrate and validate our chipsets in both an R&D and manufacturing environment, meeting our requirements for accuracy and repeatability. Their equipment is already being successfully introduced by some of our leading customers to meet manufacturing requirement and availability expectations,” said Onn Haran, Autotalks co-founder and CTO, “It gave us great assurance to be able to reaffirm our excellent radio performance, reaching -96dBm receiver sensitivity for a typical DSRC message. That coupled with excellent mobility performance, confirms high-speed operation in the presence of obstructions.”


@AnritsuEMEA #PAuto @NapierPR #TandM



Saturday 9 December 2017

Mixer efficiencies.

Manchester University’s School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Sciences is leading world class developments in energy efficiency in the process industries. Researchers have incorporated TorqSense transducers into a test rig that is analysing losses in in-line mixers.

Efficient production is fundamentally important to success in the process industries, many of which serve global markets. While there are multiple elements of cost in the production processes, optimising energy consumption is seen as essential because improvements will repay dividends over many years.

The energy consumption involved in in-tank mixing processes is well researched and understood. But with in-line rotor-stator mixers the flow is often controlled independently of the rotor speed and collecting sufficient data to accurately model the process has to date required a large number of experiments.

Now researchers Dr Mike Cooke and T. L. Rogers at Manchester University (GB) have developed two simplified methods for obtaining the necessary information for particular stator-rotor mixers: one uses torque measurements, the other heat balance.

Dr Cooke explains that high shear rotor-stator mixers are widely used in process industries, including the manufacture of many food, cosmetic, healthcare products, fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Rotor-stator devices provide a focussed delivery of energy, power and shear to accelerate physical processes such as mixing, dissolution, emulsification and deagglomeration.

“To reliably scale-up these devices from laboratory size to industrial scale we need to understand the relationship between rotor speed, flow rate and the energy dissipated,” he says. “The first step is to link the energy dissipation rate to desired process results.”

The scientists created two mixing experiments and set about measuring the torque profile and heat balance. In the first experiment torque was measured by a Sensor Technology’s TorqSense in-line torque meter fitted to the drive shaft.

There are two main sources of potential error when measuring the torque on the rotor shaft: time-based zero-drift and bending moments on the shaft, both of which are easily counteracted with the TorqSense. Other corrections also have to be made for bearing losses, temperature fluctuations etc.

TorqSense proved a good choice for this work because its non-contact operation meant extra drag forces were not added to the system and also allowed rapid assembly and disassembly during the experiments. It uses two piezo-electric combs which are simply glued to the drive shaft at right angles to one another. As the shaft turns it naturally twists along its length very slightly and in proportion to the torque, which deforms the combs changing their piezo-signature. This change is measured wirelessly by a radio frequency pick up and used to monitor the torque.

Its data is output to a very user-friendly computer screen which uses graphics to aid instant interpretations and also automatically logs all data for later analysis.
In fact the School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Sciences at Manchester University is a major user of TorqSense, having many installed on permanent teaching aids and various research rigs.

“The students like the readout displays, which look no more complicated that a car’s dashboard,” says Dr Cooke. “For us researchers, the ease with which they can be mounted and removed is a God-send in experiments where you are constantly reconfiguring the rig. Also their lack of slip rings means one less set of calculations to account for – and one less fiddly fixing task.”

The conclusion from Dr Cooke’s experiments is that the performance characteristics of in-line mixers can be easily modelled. This lets industrial users calculate their optimum energy consumption and tune their mixer drives accordingly. Power and cost savings will accrue during the whole production period, and make a valuable contribution to the company’s bottom line and green credentials.

@sensortech  #PAuto 

Report generation.

Ocean Data Systems (ODS) has  announced that Dream Report is now a reference product in the Rockwell Automation Encompass™ Program.

ODS is now an Encompass Product Partner and Dream Report is a reference product in the program under the category of “Software Product – Report Generation”.  Dream Report currently supports Rockwell Automation software products through both proprietary and industry standard interfaces.  These interfaces include; a driver for the legacy RSView® History Data, OPC DA for real-time connectivity, OPC HDA for history data connectivity, and an OSI PI drivers for history data.  

Additional developments are underway to deliver even tighter integration. Through Encompass Product Partners, customers can quickly locate complementary products, now including Dream Report, that best solve application challenges. These products are critical components or connectivity solutions that extend and enhance Rockwell Automation installations.  

“It is an honor to become a member of the Encompass Program,” explained Alex Mazal, President of Ocean Data Systems.  “We will be developing direct relationships with Rockwell Automation sales channels and will be supporting them in their use of Dream Report with Rockwell Automation products.”


“Dream Report is a comprehensive out-of-the-box package that is a great fit for FactoryTalk View® Site Edition applications that require reporting,” says Sharon M. Billi-Duran, Product Manager, Visualization Software at Rockwell Automation.  “We look forward to seeing Dream Report as an additional reporting option for our customers, in all vertical markets.”


@ROKAutomation #PAuto @OceanDataSys 

Thursday 7 December 2017

Protected optical-fibre connector.

The new PushPull SFP XS fibre-optic connector, from Harting, is designed to address the biggest challenge to the use of optical connectors in industry: their susceptibility to dirt and damage to the contact surfaces forming the interface with the transceiver which converts the optical signal into an electrical signal.

Contamination in this area can result in poor or useless signals, but the PushPull SFP XS connectors do not suffer from this problem. They can be easily and quickly connected to a transceiver pre-assembled on site without having to open the optical link. The optical contacts are protected, even in dirty operating environments, to guarantee a clean signal.

Another key feature of this connector is its sophisticated locking mechanism. Despite the compact design, the connector is compatible with various transceiver lengths. It also gives clear tactile and acoustic feedback to the user to indicate a secure connection. As a result, it provides a safe and trouble-free transmission solution for fibre-optic communication in harsh environments.

The HARTING PushPull SFP XS is ideally suited to use in industrial fibre-optic systems involving data transmission rates of more than 10 Gbit/s or distances of well over 100 metres. Typical applications include telecommunications or camera-based surveillance over large areas in the process industry.

@Harting, #PAuto #fibreoptic

Transformers for the safe measurement of heavy current.

Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG is introducing the SIRAX series of current transformers, as part of their marketing philosophy "everything from one source". This represents another milestone in the expansion of their product offering for heavy current engineering.

To keep track of electrical energy consumption, the relevant currents have to be measured. This is normally done by means of current transformers, which convert the primary rated current into a usable and galvanically isolated secondary measurement current (5A or 1A). These currents can be captured accurately, visualized and further processed by our measurement devices.

Depending on the required nominal rates, the required accuracy class, the diameter of the conductor or the available installation space, Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG has a very wide range of products available. All bushing-type or split-core current transformers are IEC 61869-2 compliant.

The bushing-type current transformers represent a highly accurate and yet cost-effective solution. They are clipped onto the primary conductor (current rail or cable) directly through the opening. The secondary side (usually a measurement device, an energy counter or a display) is connected using the front and rear mounting clips.

Thanks to their compact design and simplicity of installation, split-core current transformers are particularly suited to confined spaces or those that are difficult to access. The halves of the core can be separated to make installation on a cable or mounting rail even easier. Anywhere where it is problematic to interrupt the current circuit, or when a trouble-free retrofit of a measurement device is required, split-core current transformers from Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG are the right choice.

• Camille Bauer Metrawatt products are marketed in Ireland through Irish Power & Process.


#PAuto #CamilleBauer @irishpwrprocess

PROFINET I/O option for electromagnetic flowmeters.

PROFINET I/O is now available for Krohne's OPTIFLUX, WATERFLUX and TIDALFLUX electromagnetic flowmeters with IFC 300 signal converter.

As new Industrial Ethernet communication option, PROFINET I/O is now available for electromagnetic flowmeters with IFC 300 signal converter. This includes all compact and field versions of the OPTIFLUX x300 series (except OPTIFLUX 7000), WATERFLUX 3300 and TIDALFLUX 2300.

With PROFINET I/O, all measuring, process and diagnostic information from the meters is available real-time via a single communication channel, allowing for direct and convenient integration of new meters, direct identification of defective devices as well as bidirectional communication and parameter setting. Other advantages include reduced costs for wiring and connecting hardware since PROFINET uses standardised and homogenous Ethernet infrastructure from field devices to control room.

In collaboration with PHOENIX CONTACT, KROHNE has published the whitepaper “Ethernet-Based PROFINET Integration of Field Instruments in the Water and Waste Water Industry”. The free whitepaper explains the background of PROFINET and its benefits in more detail and shows different network topologies.

@krohnegroup #PAuto

Rugged, compact IoT gateway/controller.

Adlink Technology has introduced a robust and reliable IIoT-ready combination embedded controller and IoT gateway. Their MXE-210 offers a small footprint and is fully operable in harsh environments from -40°C to 85°C, making it an ideal choice for industrial automation, transportation, agriculture/aquaculture, and smart city applications.

Functioning as both a gateway and embedded controller, the MXE-210 bridges the gap between Operations Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) data interchanges, with support for third party manufacturers via its wide range of industry standard compliances; support is included for Modbus, EtherCAT, DDS, MQTT, and CANOpen by Vortex Edge Connect, as well as Wi-Fi, BT, LoRa, 3G, and 4G LTE for data communication and wireless connectivity. As a controller, the MXE-210 leverages the same protocols to directly communicate with and manage any standard industrial device.

“As Industrial Internet of Things applications continue to expand, manufacturers and other industries require functionality across a range of environments without the need to resource individual manufacturers to meet the conditions of each location.” said Ryan Huang, product manager for ADLINK’s Embedded Platform & Module Business Unit. “The MXE-210 Series provides industrial grade EMI/EMS EN 61000-6- 4/2 certified performance in extreme environments and, with EN 50155 EMC compliance, is ideally suited for use with all manner of rolling stock.”

The MXE-210 gateway’s single embedded SIM (e-SIM) automatically switches between regional networks, enabling a more secure and robust alternative to multiple SIM cards currently to deliver data as rolling stock moves between regions. The pre-installed e-SIM also eliminates time spent swapping out installed SIM cards.

The MXE-210 Series further supports a wide range of comprehensive security measures, providing protection from the inside out with the benefits of TPM 2.0, Intel® Boot Guard, and

UEFI Secured Boot. In addition, the MXE-210 comes equipped with an Intel Atom™ x7-E3950/x5-E3930 processor (formally codenamed Apollo Lake-I), one DisplayPort, two USB 2.0, two USB 3.0, two GbE ports, two COM ports(RS232/422/485), two mPCIe slots, one USIM slot, one mSATA, one SATA-III, one Micro SD slot, and support for DIN-rails and wall mounting. Optional extras include audio mic-in, line-out support, eight isolated DI with interrupt and eight isolated DO, and two additional COM ports (RS232/422/485).

 #PAuto @ADLINKTech_usa #IoT

Wednesday 6 December 2017

Design data from the Net.

Baumüller is integrating its converter family b maXX 5000 into the web-based EPLAN data portal. With all of the necessary data for over 40 products, the company is enabling its customers to save time during the design phase. Additional products from their broad drive technology portfolio will gradually be added.

The Data Portal is an integrated, web-based data platform for provision of EPLAN compatible device data from market-leading component manufacturers for direct use in EPLAN software solutions. Designers can now access all necessary data about the Baumüller products in the system, from the dimensions to the final specifications and all other required information. This use generates significant time savings in the engineering process, since the user gets product data directly from the manufacturer that is ready for use.

The converter generation b maXX 5000 is the consistent enhancement of the successful b maXX series and impresses with its high-performance power units for air, water and cold plate cooling methods as well as flexible expandability and connectivity to a uniform communication concept. The series includes module systems and mono-axes and covers the power range from 1 to 315 kW. The devices are available with or without integrated safety features and are suitable both for standardized and for complex automation solutions. With these power attributes, the controller and converter are used in many industries.

Thanks to the data provided, the design time for new machines as well as for machine versions is shortened considerably and the quality of the documentation is enhanced. The system also ensures the data is up to date and the projects are much less prone to errors overall.

Over 150,000 engineers worldwide already use the EPLAN data portal, which includes around 700,000 component data units from more than 200 manufacturers.

@be_in_motion #PAuto