Wednesday, 28 February 2018

Connectors for medical applications.

Foremost Electronics is supplying a new easy locking connector system (ELC) from Binder Connectors. Designed for a wide variety of applications in the critical area of medical systems, the binder ELC series 570 has an intuitive locking system to ensure positive mating with miss-mating being prevented thanks to a mating position clearly defined by the “shape” of the mating area.

Alan Vincent, Sales Director of Foremost, comments, “Clinical and patient monitoring equipment is often portable and used in many locations. A reliable and fool-proof connector system is a must in these environments. The mating system on the new Binder ELC connector satisfies these requirements as well as being proofed against water splashing when in use."

The new ELC series 570 connector rom Foremost features a PA66 plastic housing, has 12 gold plated contacts for 0.25mm² wires and is rated at 2A, 150V. The connector has been designed to have a working life of over 5000 mating cycles to ensure long and reliable operation in applications where equipment is regularly connected and disconnected, a common requirement in applications across the medical sector.

The female panel mount connector provides protection against the ingress of liquids, water splash and accidental electrical contact and when mated the new easy locking connector offers protection to IP54.

#4mostElectronics #Medical

The largest specialist tsunami simulator in Europe.

How a Tsunami is created is well understood and, whilst the devastation they cause is all too familiar, there has been little reliable data available to guide the design of coastal defences. This deficiency is now being addressed by UCL (University College London) and HR Wallingford, the specialist hydraulic research and consultancy organization, in a collaboration which has constructed the largest specialist tsunami simulator in Europe; 70 m long and 4 m wide.

One of the principal aims of the simulation project is to develop an understanding of how coastal defences might amplify the destructive effects of the tsunami by causing waves to build up until they suddenly fail causing devastation to be increased on the land side, even in areas previously considered safe. To simulate this effect, the team constructed a “wall” that can be made to fail under control. The point at which the wall can be made to fail was originally equipped with several pressure sensors to monitor the build-up of force of the wave but this proved to be too simplistic as the forces acting on the wall were three dimensional.

To solve this problem, the wall was fitted with a Kistler Type 9327 force link which accurately measures the forces at work in three, perpendicular directions. This data, together with that from the pressure sensors, provides a clear model of all the forces acting on the wall as the wave builds up and the wall is overtopped or fails.

The tsunamis created in the simulator at a scale of 50:1 have been compared with data from actual events showing a very close match. The data that will be produced from the collaboration should provide a reliable guide to the design of future coastal defences to deliver better protection for areas currently at risk.

 #Kistler  #PAuto @ucl @hrwallingford

Pressure switches.

Variohm EuroSensor has launched a new range of robust diaphragm-type pressure switches aimed at demanding HVAC and industrial processes for air, water, hydraulic fluid and other oil mediums in measuring ranges from 0.3 to 10 bar. Available in a choice of brass (EPS01) or stainless steel (EPS02) housings, these competitively priced switches offer generous overpressure limits and a choice of NBR or Viton® diaphragm materials for maximum application flexibility.

The new EPS01 and EPS02 series pressure switches feature a G 1/8 pressure port as standard with other fastening thread options available for larger quantities. Designed for any mounting orientation, versions are available for single pole operation with NC or NO contacts in pressure ranges of 0.3 to 2 bar and 1 to 10 bar. The integrated micro switch is available with silver plated contacts as standard for the EPS01, and with silver or gold plated switches optionally available for the EPS02.

The media temperature range of -25 to +85 °C and a switch point accuracy of under 10% will suit a wide range of switching tasks whilst a mechanical life of over 1 million cycles and a switching frequency of 200/min helps to ensure more than satisfactory performance requirements.
Both models also feature a maximum switching load of 2.0 A (resistive), a 100 VA breaking capacity and reference voltage of 42 V. Electrical connection is via flat 6.3 mm terminals. The slightly smaller, brass-housed EPS01 has a 17 mm AF hexagonal fixing whilst the stainless steel EPS02 model has 19 mm AF fixing.

The EPS01 and EPS02 are part of a universal family of pressure switches from Variohm EuroSensor. A third range, the EPS03, covers spring-loaded diaphragm or piston actuation with a micro switch switching element in a tough galvanised steel housing for pressure switching up to 350 bar.
The new pressure switches are part of a wide range of position, force, pressure, load, and temperature sensor technologies available from Variohm EuroSensor - a manufacturer, distributor and supply chain partner providing complete sales and application support for demanding measurement applications across industry, construction, agriculture, motorsports, research and more.

@Variohm  #PAuto

Tuesday, 27 February 2018

Major investment to optimise Ireland's vibrant Pharma sector.

Automation software and systems to a value of US$ 1m (approximately €820,000) is being provided to Ireland’s National Institute of Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) by Emerson. This is to help train next-generation workers on the latest technologies designed to optimise pharmaceutical production.

Dominic Carolan, CEO of NIBRT; Mike Train, executive president of Emerson Automation Solutions; and Martin Shanahan, CEO of IDA Ireland, attend a ceremony at the NIBRT facility in Dublin to mark the start of their collaboration aimed at upskilling Ireland’s biopharma workforce.
The collaboration will bring one of the most extensively used automation platforms in the biopharmaceutical industry, Emerson’s DeltaV™ distributed control system, to NIBRT’s Dublin facility to prepare students for automation technologies at the forefront of manufacturing digitisation.

Emerson technologies valued at €800k will help NIBRT prepare workforce for transition to manufacturing digitisation for production of new biopharma therapies for patients.
Emerson’s collaboration with NIBRT follows a 2016 NIBRT study of the biopharma manufacturing industry that found more than half of respondents have a high degree of difficulty recruiting and developing bioprocess engineers.

They were also involved in a cooperative event in 2017. This introduced many to the state-of-the-art facility of NIBRT on the UCD campus in Dublin. It provided an unique opportunity to examine bio-science industry, processes and looking into the future. See our report "Permission to change and develop in the Life Sciences!"

“NIBRT is leading the way in helping Ireland, its universities, and Europe meet the demand for the skilled biopharmaceutical manufacturing workforce the industry needs,” said Mike Train, executive president of Emerson Automation Solutions. “This collaboration reinforces Emerson’s commitment to support global workforce education, as well as the bioprocessing industry where our automation systems have become the industry standard.”

Pharma in Ireland
The planned Emerson Room at the NIBRT facility will simulate an innovative bioprocessing environment and feature a fully operational DeltaV system to provide real-life training in a safe environment.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Emerson, which is providing its best-in-class control and automation solutions for the NIBRT pilot plant. We look forward to delivering innovative training and education to our clients using the Emerson platform to help the biopharma industry gain the many advantages from increased digitisation and automation of core manufacturing processes,” said Dominic Carolan, CEO of NIBRT.

Commenting on the announcement, Martin Shanahan, CEO of the IDA Ireland, said: “The biopharmaceutical industry is extremely important to Ireland, and is worth over €40 billion in annual exports. It is essential that we continue to provide the appropriately skilled workforce capable of operating these state-of-the-art processing plants for many years to come. Emerson’s significant investment will help us support this continuously evolving industry.”


#Pharma @EMR_Automation  #PAuto @NIBRT_  @IDAIRELAND

Test Solution for Sub-6 GHz 5G.

National Instruments (NI) has just announced a sub-6 GHz 5G test reference solution compliant with the 3GPP Release 15 specification for 5G New Radio (NR).

With commercial 5G NR deployments below 6 GHz on the horizon, engineers are actively developing sub-6 GHz 5G RF components and devices. The accelerated pace of 5G standardization is driving intense pressure to bring products to market quickly. NI’s sub-6 GHz 5G NR reference solution is a cost-effective and high-performance option for test that helps engineers quickly characterize their designs and more easily transition from R&D to production test environments.

The new reference test solution from NI is well-suited for testing new wideband RFICs, especially those operating in the 3.3 – 4.2 GHz and 4.4 – 5.0 GHz bands. Engineers can test devices operating with 400 MHz of continuous signal bandwidth and beyond with the PXIe-5840 Vector Signal Transceiver (VST), which includes 1 GHz of instantaneous signal generation and analysis bandwidth up to 6 GHz. With the NI VST, the solution delivers residual EVM performance better than 0.32 percent (-50 dB) for 100 MHz NR signals along with faster measurement speed.

A critical component of this solution is NI-RFmx NR measurement software, which has evolved in conjunction with the 3GPP specification. The latest version of NI-RFmx NR measurement software offers 5G NR waveforms and measurement capability compliant with the first official specification of 3GPP Release 15 for non-standalone NR, which empowers engineers to test both OFDMA and DFT-s-OFDM carrier aggregated waveforms with flexible subcarrier spacing from 15 kHz to 120 kHz.

“Our new offerings for 5G test are just the latest in a long line of NI innovations helping engineers bring 5G technologies to market more quickly,” said Jason White, director of RF and wireless test at NI. “By combining high-performance RF measurement capability with extremely fast and flexible measurement software, we are helping engineers reduce time-to-market and measurement correlation time by reusing the same instrumentation and measurement science in multiple phases of product development.”

NI’s new technology for 5G test also supplements a comprehensive product portfolio for RF and semiconductor test, including measurement software for 2G, 3G, LTE-Advanced Pro, WiFi 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5 and more. In addition, engineers can use the NI VST alongside more than 600 modular PXI products, spanning DC to mmWave, to create comprehensive semiconductor characterization and manufacturing test systems.

@niukie #TandM #PAuto

Multifibre connector inspection.

Testing Twelve Fibers in Less than Twelve Seconds.

The first handheld tool for the automated inspection of each single fiber of MPO and other multifiber connectors has been introduced by Laser Comonents: the FiberChek Sidewinder by VIAVI Solutions.
A pass/fail analysis of a standard twelve fiber MPO connector can be conducted in less than twelve seconds. Instead of four hours, service technicians now only need 20 minutes to check one hundred MPO connections. There is also the option to apply tips and bulkheads for other connectors such as MTP or even single fiber connectors.

With features like auto-focus, auto-pan/scroll, and fiber end-face analysis, the FiberChek Sidewinder provides all the data required for certification according to IEC-61300-3-35 or specific customer requirements.

Thanks to an integrated touchscreen, on-board storage capabilities, and a battery lifetime of five hours, the Sidewinder is apt for completely autonomous operation. Its USB and WiFi connectivity allow for interaction with PCs or mobile devices.

@LaserComponents #TandM @ViaviSolutions

New member of electronics trade body.

Pickering Electronics, designer and manufacturer of Reed Relays, has announced they are now a member of the Electronics Representatives Association (ERA), the international trade organization for professional field sales companies in the global electronics industries, manufacturers who go to market through representative firms and global distributors.

Since 1968, the company has been manufacturing high quality Reed Relays for Instrumentation and Automatic Test Equipment (ATE), High voltage switching, Low thermal EMF, Direct drive from CMOS, RF switching and other specialist applications.

Pickering Electronics has developed a solid customer base in a wide range of industries/applications, including their sister company; Pickering Interfaces; designers and manufacturers of modular PCI/PCI/LXI Switching Systems. Pickering Interfaces are a large Reed Relay customer who work very closely with Pickering Electronics on leading edge Reed Relay designs, reliability testing, life testing, production engineering, amongst other things. This close relationship greatly benefits both companies and gives Pickering Electronics a strong insight into demanding functional test Reed Relay applications.

Consecutive years of double-digital growth in sales, and recent investments to expand the capacity of the organisation, have led Pickering Electronics to update their strategy in the USA, to begin establishing strategic partnerships with representatives and distributors that are focused on the electronic components/test and measurement market.

#electronics @PickeringRelay #PAuto @era_org

MES & Manufacturing IT served on line.

Werum IT Solutions, the supplier of manufacturing execution systems (MES) and manufacturing IT solutions for the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries, has launched a self-service portal for its customers. Werum is offering a modern web portal with a wide variety of services and information regarding its products and solutions. The offering comprises current product information, databases for know-how and configuration management, troubleshooting as well as a download area for software and documents.

Torsten Isenberg
“We want to offer our pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical customers the best possible support on their way towards Pharma 4.0. For that purpose, we develop new digital services to facilitate the processes with our customers,” declares Torsten Isenberg, Senior Director Services, Werum IT Solutions GmbH. “With our Self-Service Portal, we grant our customers direct access to solutions and information which are relevant for them. If you have any questions regarding the operation of the PAS-X installation in your plant, this portal will offer you basic information to help you solve potential problems that may arise. Additionally, we provide proactive services such as the assessment of Microsoft patches. Of course, our Service Desk is also integrated into the Self-Service Portal, together with our Incident Management System (IMS).”

All self-services can be reached from a single access point. The offering initially includes content for PAS-X KPI, Werum’s software product for the monitoring and assessment of pharmaceutical production, and will be expanded continuously. In the future, the portal will provide customized content not only for customers, but also for PFU members, UGM participants and Service and Sales partners. 

 @Werum #PAuto 

Muting reinvented.


“Smart Process Gating” is the name of a new process from Leuze electronic through which muting processes are made more economical, simpler and safer.

In intralogistics as well as in the automotive and packaging industry, material locks often need to be safeguarded against unauthorized access by means of safety sensors. Previously, muting processes with muting sensors were required in order to clearly identify when transported goods are approaching a protective field and to bridge the passing of these goods through the protective field at the correct moment.

As a result of the SPG (Smart Process Gating) method developed by Leuze electronic, signal-emitting sensors are no longer needed. Based on the MLC safety light curtains, conveyor systems can thus be made more compact. The risk of misalignment or damage to the sensors is eliminated as is the costs for their maintenance and servicing. Furthermore, the purchasing costs, the wiring and risk of manipulation are reduced which increases the availability of the complete safety device.

In the case of typical intralogistics applications particularly, the height of the protective device is entirely dependent on the safety-related requirements. Synchronization beams do not have to be taken into consideration. With SPG, the first muting signal comes from the process control (PLC), while the second muting signal is generated by the protective field itself. Smart Process Gating requires a detailed knowledge of the process so that the necessary SPS control signals are made available in the expected time window.

@Leuzeelectronic #SPG #PAuto 

Precise heavy current transducers.

The DM5S transducer is the latest addition to Camille Bauer Metrawatt's large product portfolio. Just like the SINEAX M1000, the predecessor model, and a world first for this type of device, the main function of the DM5S is highly accurate representation of the basic parameters of an electrical network. It then transmits this representation securely via analogue outputs or a digital interface.

The basic accuracy of the DM5 is 0.15% for current and voltage, 0.2% for power ratings and 0.5S for energy counters. The highlights of the new series are its many selectable options and the fact that measurement values are captured continuously (zero-blind measurement). In addition, the device can be individually configured even without being connected to auxiliary power. The optimised and compact design not only saves space, but also reduces cost. DM5S supports up to 32 counters with up to 16 tariffs, while the DM5F delivers very high processing speeds of up to 15 ms. This makes it easy to implement even the most demanding applications such as turbine control systems.

The free "CB Manager" software is not just used to set up the device parameters, it also provides utility functions to support the user to get started, such as printing product identification labels, checking connections, recording measurement values as well as simulation and trimming the analogue outputs. Users can freely define the Modbus mapping of the optional Modbus interface. This ensures optimised data retrieval by fetching all the relevant data in a single access.

DM5 series devices are UL-certified and are regularly audited by an independent test lab. This ensures that they are always compliant with the latest standards and that each device works perfectly. The UL certification is combined with end-to-end monitoring of the whole production process. This ensures that only qualified components are used, and only documented production processes are performed. It allows for a constantly high level of product quality, in conformity with all safety and EMC standards.

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


#CamilleBauer #PAuto @irishpwrprocess 

Monday, 26 February 2018

Wireless Connectivity and Sensors guide.

Anglia is supporting customers designing connected devices for the Internet of Things (IoT) with a new Wireless Connectivity and Sensors guide covering the wide range of solutions available from industry leaders like Analog Devices, Gemalto, Honeywell, Renesas, Littelfuse, Murata, Omron, Panasonic, Rohm, STMicroelectronics and TDK. The Guide also includes battery solutions for powering IoT devices from Varta.

David Pearson, Technical Director of Anglia, said, “The IoT is spreading rapidly, and delivering new services that improve everyone’s quality of life and productivity. Many of our customers are at the forefront of this revolution, and our FAEs are involved in many innovative IoT enabled projects. Anglia has a comprehensive range of solutions to support them, which are detailed in this new guide.”

Anglia’s comprehensive portfolio of wireless modules, sensors and battery solutions is brought together in a new 68 page printed and digital guide. The first section of the book highlights Anglia’s wireless module and chipset offering. Anglia is a member of the Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group) and a LoRa Alliance™ Adopter. Besides Bluetooth® and LoRa® protocol modules, Anglia also offers GSM, ISM and Wi-Fi modules alongside fully embedded solutions which include cloud services.

The sensors section of this brochure details some of the key sensors from Anglia’s wide portfolio. Anglia has a comprehensive range of sensors from industry leading suppliers to support most sensing requirements from proximity, humidity, temperature and pressure, to MEMS, light and imaging and much more.

Anglia is supporting its wireless connectivity, sensor and battery range with extensive UK inventory and competitive volume pricing. Some popular solutions are covered by the Anglia EZYsample free sampling service. All in stock products can be shipped the same day for free next day delivery.

 @angliaLive #PAuto #IoT

Finger clicking good!

A new series of DIP switches with 18 models delivering improved reliability and usability has been introduced by Omron Electronic Components Europe.

Commenting, Andries De Bruin, Senior European Product Marketing Manager, Omron, “The new Omron A6FR series DIP switches are more convenient to configure with the finger, due to their piano style buttons, which is a welcome feature for most users. The range is available in either ON or OFF set soldering making them very easy to design in.”

The A6FR offers higher reliability through its twin slide contact mechanisms that give better contact than standard single contact push motion plates. The series has 18 models with between 2 and 10 poles and either short or long actuators, catering for a wide range of applications. The new range of Piano DIP switches is offered with through hole terminals, contact resistance of 200mΩ max and ratings of 25mA 24VDC. The series is perfect for applications in industrial equipment, commercial devices and computer peripherals.

For surface mounted applications, Omron also offers the A6SR full pitch and A6HR half pitch. If a sealed type is required, the A6DR through hole terminal is available allowing immersion cleaning without taping.

@OmronEurope  #PAuto 

Speaker at innovation event.

Among those participating at the upcoming InnovationsFORUM event to be held next week (March 7th 2018), at the Kongressehalle Boeblingen (D) will be Aegis, the innovating MES software supplier.

Organised by EPP magazine, the event aims to help attendees minimise risk and potential costs of Industry 4.0 activities, which seek to raise competitiveness and flexibility in electronics manufacturing. Under the theme “‘Process Optimization and Data Integration’”, the comprehensive program offers insight from a broad spectrum of industry leaders who will share their perspective on how Industry 4.0 can be implemented as part of an effective business model.

  Dr. Friedrich Nolting will address event delegates in a presentation that illustrates proven solutions that will help participants understand how to gain value from the multitude of digital information potentially available in the factory, promoting compliance, productivity and flexibility.

An expert in his field, Dr. Nolting’s decorated career has earned notable recognition in the electronics manufacturing industry. Today, his ideas and concepts such as cluster analysis for set-up optimization are utilized by some of the world’s top manufacturers.

 @FactoryLogix #PAuto

Bragg meters.

The new FS22 Industrial BraggMETER optical measurement units now available from the HBM FiberSensing industrial interrogator range. These units are specifically designed to interrogate Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG)* based sensors in industrial environments.

HBM FiberSensing Industrial BraggMETER optical interrogators have an Ethernet interface, which enable remote connection to any standard PC through TCP/IP. Featuring easy to use software, which can be installed on the control PC, data acquisition and archiving and definition of measurement configurations can also be easily achieved.

Available in different versions, the FS22 industrial BraggMETER is available in two versions; static (1 S/s) and dynamic (50 S/s, 100 S/s, 200 S/s, 500 S/s and now 1000 S/s), with 1, 4 or 8 channels. Furthermore time synchronisation over the network can now be improved with the integration of the NTP protocol in the interrogator internal processing unit.

In addition, for reliable peak value detection, a Smart Peak Detection function has now been incorporated into the FS22 (static) BraggMETER interrogators’ real-time operating system.

Easy to install, the new industrial optical interrogator range meets the required reliability and versatility required to be used in both laboratory testing and field deployment in civil, aeronautics, energy and R&D. HBM FiberSensing interrogators are available in standard, rack-mountable and portable models.

BraggMETER interrogators employ proven continuous swept laser scanning technology. They include a traceable wavelength reference that provides continuous calibration to ensure system accuracy over long term operation.


@HBMmeasurement #PAuto 

Gold standard in cloud!

In addition to classic automation projects at field level, the demand for scalable solutions that offer connectivity from the sensor to the cloud and with mobile devices is increasing among industrial manufacturing firms. COPA-DATA is responding to this demand by integrating its zenon software with the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. Thanks to its knowledge and wealth of experience in cloud-based smart factory and smart city solutions, the company has now achieved Gold status in the Microsoft Cloud Platform competency.

Stefan Reuther
With the awarding of competencies, Microsoft is supporting its partners in the Microsoft Partner Network to advertise their industry-leading skills and specialist knowledge in a professional manner and to clearly set themselves apart from the competition.

In order to achieve one or more of the 18 competencies in the six categories available at present, it is necessary to meet certain requirements and to evidence these in annual reviews. Depending on the extent to which these requirements have been met, a company may be awarded either a Gold or a Silver competency. Only partners that have shown consistent high performance and exceptional commitment are given Gold competencies.

After achieving Silver status in the Cloud Platform competency in 2016, COPA-DATA has now satisfied all the requirements for the highest level – Gold – in this category.

“The requirements for achieving Gold status in this competency are high,” explained Johannes Petrowisch, Global Partner & Business Development Manager at COPA-DATA. “One of the criteria, for example, was to have achieved Microsoft Azure sales amounting to at least 100,000 US dollars within the last twelve months. This shows that companies have to implement customer projects on a relatively large scale and in a relatively short space of time to obtain the necessary competency. We are therefore particularly pleased that we have been able to evidence this and put ourselves forward as an expert partner for cloud projects.”

As zenon is seamlessly integrated with Microsoft Azure, data can be retrieved and further processed centrally and in real time. This means, for example, that relevant production, performance, or consumption indicators from various locations can be captured, collected, processed further, and compared in order to identify potential for improvement and to take corresponding optimization measures. Thanks to connectivity from the field level up to the cloud, the interaction between the two technologies presents an entirely new range of applications which sees classic automation projects merge with typical IT or business intelligence projects. As a result, production efficiency can be increased, use of resources optimized, and completely new service or business models implemented, to name but a few benefits.

Integration between zenon and Microsoft Azure started back in 2014. Initially, the main reason for integrating selected Microsoft Azure services was to provide a scalable solution for storing the large volumes of data collected in industrial projects centrally in a cost-effective infrastructure.

“In today's industrial applications, which extend up into the cloud, the delivery model is mainly used for calculations across systems or locations, and for predictive analyses,” explains Stefan Reuther (Pictured above right), Chief Sales Officer at COPA-DATA. “In order to capture, collect, aggregate, further process, and present data, users require a high-performance piece of software like zenon to obtain valuable insights into production output, energy consumption, and quality indicators.”

In addition to its Gold Cloud Platform competency, COPA-DATA is also listed as a Microsoft Gold competency partner for Application Development.

@copadata #Pauto @Azure

Automation technologies & ongoing support in North Sea oil.

Emerson has completed its multi-year, $90 million (€73 million) automation project for BP’s Glen Lyon floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel west of Shetland (GB).

The company is now providing ongoing operational support services to help BP achieve its goal of producing 200,000 barrels a day from the North Sea by 2020.

Photo courtesy of BP
Emerson has served as the main automation contractor (MAC) for the Glen Lyon, which is expected to produce 130,000 barrels of oil a day at plateau.

“By leveraging our project certainty model through expert partnering, we collaborated to achieve a truly world-class mega project that will help BP remain a North Sea energy leader,” said Mike Train, Emerson Automation Solutions executive president. “With first oil from the Glen Lyon accomplished, our focus now turns to helping BP achieve operational certainty, with maximum asset reliability and uptime, reduced risk of safety incidents and optimised production.”

Its construction and commissioning were central to BP’s multi-billion-dollar Quad 204 project, which involved the redevelopment of the Schiehallion and Loyal fields to target 450 million barrels of oil and allow production from the hub to be extended to at least 2035.

As part of an additional five-year contract, Emerson will provide ongoing operational support services, remote monitoring and predictive maintenance technologies for the Glen Lyon and BP’s other North Sea mega project Clair Ridge, which is due to come on stream this year.

Emerson’s lifecycle services will help BP ensure ongoing safety, improve reliability, maximise availability and reduce operating costs.

BP uses Emerson’s automation technologies including the DeltaV™ and DeltaV SIS integrated control and safety systems to help optimise production and yield, avoid environmental impact and operate safely.

BP also uses the Emerson high-fidelity dynamic simulator to train its operators and engineers in real-world scenarios before system changes go live.

In addition, BP has selected Emerson to manage its fiscal metering systems on all North Sea assets, which is essential for fiscal accounting, custody transfer and taxation purposes.

Their metering consultants, engineers and specialist metering experts will validate and report measurement data, sampling, analytical and test equipment, as well as plan and carry out offshore metering maintenance and verification activities. In addition, the company will provide comprehensive auditing services for BP’s North Sea pipeline operations.

#Oil @EMR_Automation #PAuto @BP_plc

Highlighting true Fog Computing.

AdLink Technology will demonstrate Fog Computing during the week  (Embedded World 2018). the company believes this will be the first demonstration of true Fog Computing, i.e. including not only device monitoring, but also the management of the orchestration of embedded device…all at the Edge.

This demonstration is based on ADLINK’s prototype (and open source) Fog Computing platform (code-named fog∅5) that provides the end-to-end virtualization of compute, storage and communication resources from Cloud services to connected embedded devices. They will also demonstrate its implementation of SGeT’s Universal IoT Connector (UIC) specification as a plug-in to the fog05 platform. Together, fog05 and SGeT/UIC go well beyond providing standard device connectivity to bring true Fog Computing to embedded computing.

“We’re very pleased to be able to demonstrate true Fog Computing and thus highlight our leadership in Edge Computing,” said Angelo Corsaro, CTO, ADLINK. “Also our developments in UIC connectivity and XRCE data communications give our embedded computing customers a good view of the future and thus opportunities to plan for their next-generation IoT solutions. For ADLINK, Edge Computing is connected-embedded-computing, so pioneering seamless connectivity solutions from Cloud Services to Fog Nodes to embedded systems (also known as Fog Computing) is a strategic priority for us.”





@ADLINK_Tech #IoT #PAuto @embedded_world

Friday, 23 February 2018

Improving Ireland's air quality monitoring network.

Following a public consultation in 2016, the Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded a contract for up to 44 particulate matter (PM) monitors to enhance and expand the existing monitoring network. The successful bid was submitted jointly by EMS Environmental Monitoring Systems (Irl) and Air Monitors Ltd. (GB). The award is a major component of the EPA’s new National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme (AAMP) which was created under Section 65 of the EPA Act to strengthen the provision of comprehensive, localised air quality information linked to public health advice.

Chris Searles, Managing Director of EMS added: “We specialise in the supply, service and maintenance of environmental monitoring equipment across the whole of Ireland, and we have worked for the EPA over a number of years, so we are naturally delighted with this award.”

This announcement follows a similar contract for Air Monitors to deliver FIDAS PM monitors to the Environment Agency in England. “It is very gratifying to win these contracts,” says Jim Mills, Air Monitors Managing Director. “The FIDAS 200 offers a wide range of advantages over traditional PM monitoring technologies, so it is good to see it being adopted by national networks.”

Air pollution has been estimated to cause the premature death of over 1,500 Irish people every year. “With this in mind,” EPA Director General Laura Burke said at the launch of the most recent EPA Air Quality report: “It is time to tackle the biggest issue impacting on air quality in Ireland – emissions from solid fuels in our small towns around the country.”

Overall, Ireland’s air quality is good by European standards, but it has exceeded World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline values for PM10 and PM2.5 and under EU legislation is required to reduce exposure to PM2.5 levels by 10 per cent between 2012 and 2020. PM monitors have therefore been given a high priority in the AAQM, and the FIDAS instruments represent the first phase of the network enhancement and expansion programme.

The FIDAS 200 is a fine dust ambient air quality monitoring device, developed specifically for regulatory purposes; providing continuous and simultaneous measurement of PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10, TSP (PMtot), as well as particle number concentration and particle size distribution.

The FIDAS 200 is certified as equivalent to the PM10 and PM2.5 reference methods both by TÜV and MCERTS. In the process of achieving this certification, the FIDAS passed the field tests with the lowest expanded uncertainty for PM10 of any PM monitor previously tested. In addition to the performance advantages of this technology, the operating costs are also extremely low; the requirement for consumables is almost nil, no filter is necessary for example, and power consumption is a fraction of most other monitors. In addition, calibration can be conducted quickly and easily in the field.

Prior to the new AAMP, Ireland’s monitoring network only measured those pollutants required under EU Directives, however monitoring requirements can evolve over time and there is concern at a European level regarding the impact of PM1 on air quality. “The flexibility of the FIDAS 200 will therefore provide the enhanced capability required to accommodate future PM monitoring requirements,” comments Jim Mills.

Following the award of the contract to Air Monitors and EMS, the first delivery of FIDAS 200 instruments took place in December 2017, and an installation and training programme is currently under way.

 @airmonitors  @EPAIreland #PAuto #Ireland

Pressure transducers.

As part of its outstanding range of pressure sensors and transducers, the new P3MB and P3MBP from HBM provides reliable and secure test results, of up to 3,000 bar, with an accuracy class of up to 0.1.
Suitable for both static and highly dynamic measurement tasks, the latest series of pressure transducers from HBM provides a flexible solution. Reliably proven, the leading range of pressure transducers have been successfully used in a variety of diverse fields of application, which range from transmission test rigs and diesel injection pumps to oil pressure measurements and hydraulic applications.

For measurements up to 15,000 bar, such as those required for hydraulic test benches, water jet cutting, and diesel injecting, the P3MBB BlueLine version features three different nominal pressure ranges (5,000, 10,000 and 15,000) and a 0.3 accuracy class.

By incorporating strain gauge technology, the new P3MB and P3MBP return exact and reliable measurement results, even for dynamic measurement tasks with high numbers of load cycles.

Manufactured in stainless steel and designed to withstand high pressure, all pressure transducers in the HBM range feature a one-piece design, which ensures there are no seam welds or potential weak spots on the body of the transducer.

The latest range of pressure transducers from HBM are also corrosion resistant and feature a protection rating of IP67 which makes them suitable for use in adverse or ambient conditions.

Based on strain gauge technology, the latest range of pressure transducers from HBM provide reliable and trustworthy results, even in dynamic applications, with a large number of load cycles from the lowest pressures all the way up to 15,000 bar.

@HBMmeasurement #PAuto

Thursday, 22 February 2018

2-way local and remote access to PLCs.

WindEDIT Lite apps run on smartphones and tablets, providing quick and easy two-way local and remote access to IDEC’s family of MicroSmart FC6A PLCs

The WindEDIT Lite app for iOS and Android devices has been released by IDEC Corporation. Providing two-way access to its family of MicroSmart FC6A PLCs, the app provides much quicker, simpler and easier connection as compared to browser-based access.

Use Case 1
Problem: An OEM machine builder sold its equipment to a customer, who needed to make a minor modification to the PLC program to accommodate a change in its production process.

Solution: The OEM made the PLC program modification and sent it to the customer via email. The customer opened the email on his iPhone, and used the WindEDIT Lite app to download the updated program to the MicroSmart FC6A PLC via a Bluetooth connection.

Use Case 2
Problem: A plant operator needed to send production status to the plant manager at the end of a shift, and to store this data in a historian.

Solution: The operator used the WindEDIT Lite app installed on his Android tablet to retrieve the logged data from the MicroSmart FC6A PLC via Bluetooth. He then attached this logged data to an email, which he forwarded to the plant manager via Wi-Fi. He also sent the logged data to a cloud-based historian, also via Wi-Fi.
With the WindEDIT Lite app, users can monitor any PLC parameter, and change set points and other values. Data register, input, output, timer and counter values can be monitored and controlled using the standard Dialog Interface. The WindEDIT Lite app also has a custom Dialog Interface which the user can configure to allow only certain PLC parameters to be monitored and controlled. Trending is supported within the app, with users able to plot multiple register points for graphical views.

It runs on any iOS or Android mobile device, typically a smartphone or tablet. Once the app is downloaded to the device, it interfaces to the MicroSmart FC6A PLC via wireless Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Ethernet for two-way local or remote access. Bluetooth is an ideal solution for local, limited-range connections where an Ethernet network may not be available, such as within an industrial plant or facility. Wi-Fi has more range, and can be used for communications over longer distances.

Because the connection is wireless, users never have to worry about having the right cable or the latest programming software to download or upload a MicroSmart FC6A PLC user program, as these tasks can be accomplished with the app. Users can also update the PLC to the latest firmware.

The WindEDIT Lite app provides access to an SD memory card installed in the PLC, so logged information stored in the SD memory card can be easily accessed. The logged data can be viewed, and then attached to a text message or an email, either of which can be sent to recipients.

Logged data can also be pushed to a local or cloud-based database, or to a data storage platform such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Apple iCloud, etc. In addition to logged data, other data such as user programs, firmware, recipes, etc., can be sent and retrieved from databases and storage platforms.

To provide the required security, access to the PLC via the WindEDIT Lite app needs to be configured in the PLC for each user, with each app user required to provide his or her correct username and password—otherwise access will be denied. Read/Write protection is configurable for each designated user, allowing restricted access based on the user’s needs; for example, only read and no write privileges.

• Free to Download
The WindEDIT Lite App is available for free download in the Apple App Store or at Google Play.
#PLC @IDECUSA #PAuto

Wednesday, 21 February 2018

Irish engineers to meet!

The Engineers Ireland Annual Conference is scheduled for The Limerick Strand Hotel on Friday, 13th April 2018.

Entitled 'Engineering a Region: Infrastructure, Industry and Innovation', the theme of the conference reflects the growing need for collaboration between industry, academia and innovators to create opportunities for regional development and growth. The conference, held in association with their Thomond Region, will aim to showcase the Mid-West region as a leader in this field.

Speaker line-up includes:
Lord Andrew Adonis, Former Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, UK
• Mr. John Moran, Member of Limerick Economic Forum, founder of RHH International, former Secretary General, Department of Finance and Head of Wholesale Banks, Central Bank of Ireland
• Mr. Michael Lohan, Head of Lifesciences, Engineering and Industrial Technology Division, IDA Ireland
• Mr. Stephen Blair, Director of the Southern Regional Assembly
• Mr. Mike Quinn, CEO, Ervia
• Dr. Emma Silke, Head of Business Development at ESB ecars
• Mr. Paschal Meehan, Chair of Limerick for Engineering and Head of Faculty of Applied Science, Engineering & Technology at Limerick Institute of Technology

In addition to the conference, a number of additional networking events have been organised to welcome delegates to the Thomond region, including a golf outing in Castletroy Golf Club and an evening gala ball.

@EngineerIreland #Engineering

On million and counting!

Variohm EuroSensor delivered its one millionth customised sensor in December 2017. The Towcester based sensor and transducer specialist has steadily expanded its in-house design and manufacturing service which is complemented by a comprehensive standard product range as well as distribution partnerships with leading global sensor component suppliers. Variohm has been leading the British custom sensor market for several years and its overriding philosophy embraces the question: “If we can’t supply our customer a competitive sensor solution from our partners or from our own standard range, then can we modify or design a new solution”?
Variohm EuroSensor’s custom product assembly departments
With more than four decades of experience, Variohm EuroSensor has always supplied customised sensors but the demand has increased considerably in last few years. This reflects a more discerning customer base which constantly challenges its suppliers for cost-effective product enhancements and where value added component supply has proven to deliver many benefits for OEMs. These include simplified assembly and test for faster production times and inventory reduction. Fully tested and customised sensors supplied as plug and play assemblies can also improve final product reliability and field serviceability. Ultimately these specialised components have the potential to substantially improve the OEM´s offer to its customers with enhanced, distinctive and unique machine designs that make them stand out in their own markets.

Variohm produces standard and customised production at two British facilities where sensors for linear and rotary position, pressure, load/force, temperature, and vibration etc. may be simply adapted or significantly transformed. This can range from alternative electrical connection or a modified mounting arrangement to integrating sensors with significant redesigns or combining multiple sensor technologies and other electromechanical components as fully tested sub-assemblies.

@Variohm  #PAuto

Tuesday, 20 February 2018

Device data-connectivity.

Adlink Technology is supporting the Standardization Group for Embedded Technologies’ (SGeT) specification for a Universal Internet-of-Things Connector (UIC). In addition, ADLINK also announced advanced embedded middleware support that complements the UIC, with a ‘plug-in’ for XRCE real-time data distribution.

Together, these two open-source software enhancements for ADLINK’s embedded products portfolio bring embedded computing firmly into the IoT arena, by enabling device-to-device and device-to-Cloud data connectivity - with standards-based inter-operability and performance levels never before possible with commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products.

“We’re very pleased to collaborate with embedded computing standards organizations such as SGeT,” said Edgar Chen, general manager, Embedded Platforms and Modules, ADLINK. “Our developments in UIC connectivity and XRCE data communications provide our embedded computing customers with new opportunities to offer leading-edge IoT solutions. For ADLINK, Edge Computing is connected embedded computing, so pioneering connectivity solutions for embedded systems is a strategic priority for us.”

The UIC is SGeT’s first software-only standard. It supports the comprehensive roll-out of IoT applications by standardizing embedded hardware connectivity for Edge and Cloud Computing. Before UIC, all hardware I/O communication had to be done manually for each-and-every Edge and Cloud connection. This obviously created significant challenges for embedded hardware deployment, support and upgrade in distributed computing (e.g., IoT) systems.

Through the UIC, the integration of distributed devices is made easier via three levels of abstraction/partitioning. The UIC makes a distinction between: 1/ the device configuration (hardware identification, device mapping, value-to-information matching), 2/ the sensor and actuator communications (hardware driver), and 3/ the device communications (data transfer and processing). With more than 500 Cloud service offerings, and an even greater number of possible hardware configurations, this provides a very open, practical and efficient approach to building, deploying, maintaining and evolving IoT systems (i.e., integrated device-Edge-Cloud Computing).

The UIC will, out-of-the-box, support communications to hardware devices through the established Embedded API (EAPI) PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG®) standard. This means that the whole ADLINK product portfolio of Computer-on-Modules (COM) and embedded boards will be able to leverage the UIC.

In addition to UIC support for its portfolio of devices, ADLINK is also announcing support for a XRCE data-connectivity ‘plug-in’, which leverages the UIC to provide high-performance peer-to-peer data communications between devices. XRCE stands for ‘eXtremely Resource-Constrained Environments’ and is a derivative of the Object Management Group’s (OMG) open-standard Data Distribution Service (DDS) specification. XRCE complements other IT and OT data protocols (e.g., MQTT and OPC/UA) but provides the more advanced real-time data-connectivity required for performance-critical distributed systems (e.g., the deterministic data delivery required for distributed robotics, autonomous vehicles, defense systems, etc.).

Furthermore, UIC and XRCE support the embedded computing industry’s requirement for dual-sourcing (with interoperability and exchangeability), that is, all modules and subsystems interoperating in a seamless way without vendor-specific knowledge. This supports important cost, time-to-market and risk-reduction initiatives by OEMs through, for example, reducing vendor lock-in and improving application code portability.

These initiatives are just one more example of ADLINK ‘Leading EDGE COMPUTING’. ADLINK has extensive experience in distributed computing from the sensor to the Cloud (e.g., its 2015 acquisition of PrismTech), and its focus on and expertise in Edge Computing (which is effectively connected embedded computing) is exceptional, and possibly unique, within the SGeT membership.

@ADLINK_Tech #PAuto #SGeT @ADLINK_IoT 

Monday, 19 February 2018

Safe valves for oxygen.

Valve specialist Goetze is offering its customers a unique safety valve with swivel body outlet for gaseous oxygen and oxygen mixed gases.

Safety valves specially used for applications with oxygen are needed in multiple industries. Particularly in the production of technical gases, medical gases, by compressor manufacturers as well as component manufacturers and plant manufacturers.

Oxygen handling requires extreme care as regards all materials, sealing materials and lubricants used and in contact with oxygen to prevent application risks. Goetze takes account of these requirements: By offering a production process specifically designed for oxygen valves. They are installed in a separate, isolated CLEAN room, which is pressurised with conditioned air at 20 millibar, so that the ingress of particles and contamination from the outside is avoided. Qualified and trained staff, compliance with all relevant codes and regular process monitoring of oil and grease-free cleaning, installation, inspection, packaging and labelling grant customers an oxygen-compliant valve for their applications.

Optimum material selection, the appropriate studies by the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung (BAM, Federal Agency for Materials Research and Testing), as well as inspections by C.T.E. (Air Liquide) exclude all possibilities of an oxygen reaction (burnout). A special property of the Goetze safety valve 492GOX is that it was explicitly inspected and approved for oxygen with adiabatic pressure shocks in a range between 50 bar and 420 bar at 60 °C.

The compact design and the swivelled body outlet allowing for adjusting the valve position even after installation, make the safety valve 492GOX to an innovative gain for the Goetze product portfolio.

#Goetze #PAuto #Medical

Fish feed producer saves power!

A specialist in aquafeed production has replaced an ageing, damaged DC motor on its principal extruder with a Dyneo® motor from Leroy-Somer, part of the Nidec group. The investment is providing the company with significant annual savings in energy costs.

Aquaculture, more commonly known as fish farming, is a rapidly growing sector. Companies such as Aller Aqua, which produces both freshwater and saltwater fish feed, is constantly looking for ways to improve its production technology and processes to benefit from this growth. Operating from headquarters at Christiansfeld, near Kolding, (DK), Aller Aqua has been established for over 50 years and today has factories in Denmark, Poland, Germany and Egypt, exporting products to more than 60 countries worldwide.

The company has a broad product range, consisting of feed for 30 species of fish. As a result, production schedules are demanding, which is why the company sought to maximise its potential gains when the DC motor on one of the company’s main extruders at Christiansfeld had to be replaced.

“Aller Aqua had a particular interest in energy efficiency for its new motor solution as extruding feed stuff is a very energy-intensive process,” explained Carl Erik Niemann, Sales Engineer - Drives & Motors Technology at Nidec Industrial Automation Denmark A/S. “They knew this would help boost both competitiveness and sustainable development.”

After a comprehensive evaluation of the market, the company opted for a 310 kW (2400 rpm) Dyneo® permanent magnet synchronous motor. Offering an efficiency level exceeding IE4 requirements, this option will enable the saving of at least 135,000 kWh of electricity per year.

“Beyond energy performance, Aller Aqua is now able to benefit from significant savings in maintenance costs, allied to increased machine availability,” said Mr Niemann. “The previous DC motor featured a brush and collector system, which comprised wear parts.”

The implementation of the Dyneo® motor also allowed local service centre Ølgod Elektro to simplify the existing installation by eliminating the cooling/ventilation circuit required previously by the replaced IP23 DC motor.

@Leroy_Somer_en #PAuto #Food

Optical sensors up-to-speed.

Oxford Brookes Formula Student team used a Correvit® S-Motion 2 Axis Optical Sensor from Kistler Instruments to obtain the key data needed for accurate, real world tyre modelling.
The Oxford Brookes University, 5 times winner of the British Formula Student competition, decided that better tyre modelling was essential for their 2018 campaign than that provided by data from a sandpaper belt test rig courtesy of the Formula SAE Tire Test Consortium. The team decided that real world data would be needed to support future development of the Oxford Brookes Formula Student car. Tyre slip angle, the key data needed for accurate tyre modelling, was obtained using a Correvit® S-Motion 2 Axis Optical Sensor on loan from Kistler Instruments.

As tyre modelling lead, Brad Mallinson, explains, “While vertical load, inclination angle, ride heights, and vehicle roll angle are relatively easily measured, tyre slip angle is very difficult but critical to the development of an accurate tyre model. Kistler’s S-Motion sensor accurately measures vehicle longitudinal and transverse speed and slip angle with a high logging rate which is essential for the relatively low-speed Formula Student driving events.”

The S-Motion unit was mounted on the 2017 Oxford Brookes Formula Student car, along with load cells, infrared tyre temperature and laser ride height sensors to collect as much tyre data as possible. A major benefit of the S-Motion system is the time saving “Plug & Play” capability which drastically reduces vehicle preparation time; essential to take full advantage of the short time frame for tyre testing after the Formula Student season. A further advantage of the Correvit® system is the ability to automatically transform speed and slip angle measurements to any point of interest on the vehicle. These were transformed to the centre of gravity where yaw rate was measured, simplifying tyre slip angle calculation during steady-state tests.

Testing consisted of increasing velocity runs on a constant radius skid pad for a minimum of three cold inflation pressures and three static camber settings to capture the quadratic relationships in the lateral force model. Quantities derived from measurements were calculated in MATLAB before being passed to the tyre model tool. Roll angle measurements from the S-Motion and damper displacement data were used for lateral weight transfer models to determine inclination angle and total vertical load. Steered angle of each front wheel was used to calculate front tyre slip angles using vehicle slip angle from the S-Motion.

Like the Oxford Brookes Formula Student Team, many automotive manufacturers are now using the Correvit® S-Motion and other sensors by Kistler to generate data for tyre models that represent real world tyre performance.

 #Kistler #Pauto @oxbrookesracing

Friday, 16 February 2018

Dissolved Oxygen in food, pharmaceutical and biotechnology.

The sensor accurately measures oxygen and temperature in demanding fermenter, bioreactor, water treatment and boiler feedwater applications.

The Memosens COS81D hygienic optical sensor for measuring dissolved oxygen in fermenters and bioreactors has been released by Endress+Hauser. It is for use in the food, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, as well in drinking water and boiler feedwater applications. It can be used in all measuring points from lab fermenters to production processes.

The Memosens COS81D measures dissolved oxygen, gaseous oxygen and temperature with accuracy up to ±0.2%. It works in process temperatures from 15 to 280 °F and pressures from 0 to190 psi. The sensor also provides temperature and partial pressure, as well as raw measured values. The sensor connects to a transmitter via a cable that transmits an optical digital signal.

The sensor accurately measures oxygen and temperature in demanding fermenter, bioreactor, water treatment and boiler feedwater applications.

The sensor withstands CIP and SIP procedures. The sensor is a compact stainless steel 12mm design with lengths currently up to 220 mm. The sensor has a low sampling volume, making it well suited for residual oxygen measurement in water treatment and boiler feedwater.

The stainless steel sensor meets EHEDG (type EL class I) and ASME BPE (including USP class VI and FDA conformity) hygienic requirements to avoid product contamination, and meets the requirements of GMP and GLP. It also has a Certificate of Compliance for biological reactivity tests as per USP (United States Pharmacopeia) part 87 and part 88 class VI, with batch traceability of materials in contact with product.

Two spot cap versions are available with the sensor: a C-shaped cap and a U-shaped cap. The first is particularly well suited to measurements in liquids, specifically in fermenters and bioreactors. The distinctive design of the U-shaped cap protects the spot from abrasion that can occur, for example, in gas measurements. The caps, specially designed for hygienic applications, reduce blockages and the adherence of air bubbles. Thanks to these caps, the sensor delivers extremely stable measured values across the entire measuring range. This stability is maintained even after dozens of CIP and SIP cycles.

The sensor can be replaced within seconds. The user simply calibrates the sensor in the lab, and then inserts it into the sensor holder assembly. It does not require any polarization time and is immediately ready to measure. The sensor has integrated electronics that store calibration data and other information, such as total hours of operation and operating hours under extreme measuring conditions. Once the sensor has been connected, the sensor data is transferred automatically to the transmitter and used to calculate the current measured value. Because calibration data is stored in the sensor, the sensor can be calibrated and adjusted independent of the measuring point.

Measured and calibration values in the sensor are sent to the transmitter using a non-contact connection that is free from potential interference. Memosens technology in the transmitter generates an automatic error message if the sensor fails, or if the connection between sensor and transmitter is interrupted.

The optical signals are continuously monitored and analyzed. The transmitter detects implausibly high or low measured values, irregular values due to incorrect measured values, and aging of the sensor cap. When errors are detected, the transmitter displays a warning and generates an error message.

@Endress_Hauser #PAuto @Endress_US 

Air quality training!

Reflecting the level of support and expertise that Ashtead Technology has been able to provide for its sales and rental customers over the last year, TSI has renewed Ashtead’s Gold Partnership status. The achievement of this level of support triggers higher levels of engagement with TSI, resulting for example, in joint activities such as free air quality training events.
One such event took place in January, focusing on both indoor and outdoor air quality. “Previous training days have taken place at TSI’s headquarters in High Wycombe, but this year, to give our customers in the north of the UK the same opportunity, we moved it to the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham,” explained James Carlyle, Ashtead Technology General Manager. “We were delighted with the level of enthusiasm for the day, and feedback from delegates was extremely positive,” he added.

Two of the attendees from WSP, a 7,640 strong British engineering consultancy, travelled to the Magna Centre from their Cardiff office. Luc Porter, a Principal air quality consultant at WSP, said: “It was great to gain some practical hands-on experience with a variety of technologies, and to see the latest TSI models. We also found it useful to engage with the other delegates; sharing knowledge and experience.”

The day began with a presentation by Ashtead’s Josh Thomas, who outlined the reasons for monitoring particulates; including the management of indoor air quality and regulatory compliance. He explained which instruments are most appropriate for specific applications, citing examples in applications such as cooking, soldering, construction, manufacturing, animal husbandry and even smoke management during the filming of feature films.

The next speaker was Nicholas Baxter from the Health & Safety Laboratory (HSL), which is the science division of the Health & Safety Executive. He described the requirements for Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE), including an explanation of the terms ‘adequate’ and ‘suitable’ with respect to RPE. He also highlighted the importance of the CE mark, correct storage of RPE, and Fit Testing, as well as employer and employee responsibilities. This was followed by a practical demonstration of FFRED (HSL's Face-Fit Respirator Demonstrator) which highlighted the problems caused by badly fitted masks.

Technical presentations were also provided by TSI – Maxine Dolloway described the DUSTTRAK and SIDEPAK range of particulate monitors, and Nick Brown outlined the advantages of the Environmental DUSTTRAK. The participants were given numerous opportunities throughout the day to work with all of these instruments.

 @ashteadtech #Pauto @TSIIncorporated #Britain

Appointment in Food & Drink ops.

Todd Gilliam has been appointed to the position of US segment leader for ABB’s food and beverage operations. He succeeds Cliff Cole, who has taken on the role of leader of commercial and strategic integration after three years in the position.

Todd Gilliam
Gilliam joins ABB from Schneider Electric, where he was a food and beverage industry manager since September 2014. He has over 30 years of experience in manufacturing, having been a global account manager for brands such as Coca-Cola and Microsoft.

In his new role at ABB, Gilliam will lead a team that represents all of ABB’s current business units. The team will take responsibility for educating and informing food manufacturers on the impact digitalization is having on the industry and what long-term solutions are available to improve efficiency and profitability.

“Digitalization has been at the forefront of manufacturers’ minds for a number of years now, and many are inter-ested not only in optimizing existing assets to keep up with their competitors, but also leveraging new technologies to gain a strategic advantage,” said Gilliam. “As an industry, food and beverage has traditionally been a slower adopter of new technologies when compared with sectors such as energy or processing. Rather than playing catch up, manufacturers are now looking at what the future holds and how they can make their own facilities smarter.

“At ABB, our aim is to assist manufacturers in futureproofing their operations. For the vast majority, building a new facility isn’t an option. Industry 4.0 has led to the creation of a wealth of technologies that can enhance existing operations, improve efficiencies and minimize production downtime.

“Big data, a phrase that is commonly thrown around, will play a big part in this. In the industrial context, many manufacturers collate data from disparate sources, but few are able to truly understand it and use as actionable operational information. We want to change this.”

“Todd brings a wealth of experience to the role that will be invaluable to ABB,” added Markus Brettschneider, senior vice president and general manager of ABB’s global food and beverage applications. “His ability to develop rela-tionships and look at the bigger picture for clients will be important to the development of ABB’s work in the US food and beverage industry. We’re delighted to have him on board and look forward to seeing the changes that he will bring.”

Gilliam will be based at ABB’s Atlanta office in the United States. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of South Carolina.

 @ABBgroupnews #PAuto @ABBUKInst  @StoneJunctionPR