Wednesday, 31 October 2018

HART to IIoT.

One smart instrument communication protocol has outlasted and outsold all of the alternative digital instruments and protocols introduced to market over the last thirty years – HART® and the devices that use it. With over 40 million installed HART devices worldwide, HART is not only here to stay but unlike other protocols, it also continues to get updated revisions that enhance data exchange capacity, speed, number of devices on a network, support over Ethernet, and wireless capability.

Moore Industries has created a new white paper titled “Bridging the Gap Between HART Devices and IIoT, the Industrial Internet of Things” to address customers’ questions and provide succinct information on HART devices and IIoT.

This white paper outlines how the flow of process and diagnostics data from smart HART digital field instruments, which can now be shared with mid and higher-level control systems, can be leveraged easily using IIoT by asset management and data information systems without having to upgrade expensive process control interface equipment.

Streamlining costs and overhead has left many manufacturing facilities with just enough personnel to keep the plant running. Facilities no longer have the extra time, personnel and resources required to analyze data. Plant operators can take advantage of digital HART data in devices already installed in their facility but were either unaware of, or couldn’t afford the equipment upgrades to gain access to it. Standalone HART gateways provide the most economical pathway to extracting HART data from field devices, making the data readily available to higher-level systems. HART data is an important part of a larger predictive analytics strategy that not only forewarns plant operators of impending problems to come, but is used to optimize the process itself. This type of cloud automation allows operators to gather as much data as possible to reduce operating expenditures and future capital expenditures for future plant builds using a standalone HART gateway.

This paper provides information about employing extracted HART data, cybersecurity considerations, and HART interface options among other topics including features and considerations of devices that facilitate the sharing of process data with control and information systems.

This white paper may be downloaded from the company's White Paper & Articles Page.

@MII_Worldwide  #PAuto #IoT #HART

A distinguished and dedicated volunteer.

Billy Walsh receives his award from 2018 President Brian Curtis (left) with Honours & Awards Chairman Jim Keaveney.
The ISA's Excellence in Society Service Award this year was awarded to Billy Walsh, of the Ireland Section. Billy who is on the staff of University College Cork (IRL) received this award for demonstrating excellence in service by his long-term support, activity and accomplishments across every aspect of the Society.

Billy addresses the assembly
This award was instituted to recognize distinguished and dedicated volunteer service in the Society.. Candidates are nominated by the membership by a designated deadline, thus the worldwide membership takes part in the exercise. Nominations are then reviewed by a subcommittee of the Honours and Awards Committee to ensure that criteria are fully met. It is awarded to one member each year.

Members must have a minimum of 15 years of continuous service in a leadership position(s). within the society. Current members of the ISA Honors & Awards Committee and ISA Executive Board are not eligible for nomination.

Currently Billy is Secretary of the Ireland Section although he has occupied most officer positions dow the years.

2018 ISA President Brian Curtis
Award presentations were made at the Annual ISA Honors & Awards Gala on 14 October 2018 this year held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.  This event is part of the usual annual meeting of the ISA Delegate conference in the Autumn (Fall) at which officers are elected, changes to the constitution and other matters of governance are discussed and voted upon.

It was a special event for Irish members in this year in that it was presided over by the 2018 President, Brian Curtis who is a member of the Ireland Section.



See Also
• Irish candidate for leadership in automation society. (11 September 2017)
Meet our Members: Billy Walsh (ISA Insights October 2015)
• Release giving details of all recipients of ISA awards in 2018. (July 2018)


@ISA_Interchange @IrelandISA  #PAuto

Tuesday, 30 October 2018

Substantial increase in registrations!

The organisers of AQE 2018, the Air Quality & Emissions event, have reported a 21% increase in registrations compared with the last AQE in May 2017.

“This is no surprise,” comments Exhibitions Manager David Hellyer. “Air quality has never been higher in the political agenda, and monitoring underpins all of the air quality improvement measures that are either underway or planned. Similarly, one of the AQE conferences will focus on the Medium Combustion Plant Directive, which will affect thousands of organisations, so in addition to more registrations from local authorities, we are also reserving places for a wide variety of industries and utilities.

“Additionally, AQE 2018 is benefitting from synergy with its co-located sister event WWEM 2018, for which registrations are also up – by 18%.”

The WWEM events also focus on testing and monitoring, but address water, wastewater and environmental monitoring.


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• AQE 2018 will take place at the Telford International Centre (UK) on 21st and 22nd November. By registering in advance visitors benefit from free entry to the exhibition and workshops; free parking, lunch and refreshments, and free entry to WWEM 2018.

#AQE18 #PAuto #Environment @_Enviro_News 

Microwave and Cryogenic Connector manufacturer moves.

Intelliconnect (Europe) is relocating both its sales and engineering and production facilities to larger premises in Britain after a year of exceptional sales growth.

“Our UK sales have doubled in the past twelve months to over £3M and we have seen more than ten percent growth in the USA over the same period.” Comments Roy Phillips, Managing Director of Intelliconnect. “We have invested in new product development and test equipment and the launch of our cryogenic cable assembly range has been very successful.”

The design and sales office is moving to larger premises in Chelmsford while the Corby based manufacturing facility is relocating to the Corby Innovation Hub which provides flexible Industrial space for growing companies.

Phillips continues, “Our new production facility will be fifty percent larger than our existing space and we are recruiting at all levels, including looking for apprentices. Chelmsford is a good central location for our engineering and commercial centre and has a pool of skilled engineers for us to draw from as we continue to grow. We are also recruiting in the USA to service rapid developments in medical and supercomputing markets.”

As well as hosting sales and admin functions the new Chelmsford offices will provide a larger engineering design centre for new and custom product developments and maintain the high levels of customer support for which Intelliconnect are renowned.

@Intelli_Connect  #PAuto #England

Clean air and youth!

Poster competition raises air quality awareness in Scotland
Air Monitors sponsored a competition among Scottish schools as part of an initiative to raise awareness of air pollution issues around the time of the Clean Air Day in June and during the Year of Young People. Environmental Protection Scotland (EPS) coordinated many of the air quality events and staff from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) contributed by running a series of programmes with schools across Edinburgh.

Prior to the competition, the schools utilised SEPA’s national ‘Learn About Air’ teaching package; a dedicated primary and secondary teaching resource for learning about air quality and the things that can be done to help improve the air we breathe. The module fulfils the ‘people, places and the environment’ section of the social studies element of the Curriculum for Excellence for second level pupils. It can also be used to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Keep Britain Tidy’s Eco-Schools Award scheme.

Following the week-long learning activities, schools submitted posters, promoting solutions such as encouraging active travel, cycling and walking to school. The winning poster from each school has now been printed and is on display at the schools’ gates.

Commenting on the posters, SEPA Principal Air Scientist, Dr Colin Gillespie said: “We were very impressed with the quality of the posters, and it was very gratifying to see the level of understanding of the key issues that they displayed.”

Jim Mills from Air Monitors said: "As a company dedicated to air quality monitoring, we were delighted to sponsor this excellent initiative, which will help the next generation to better understand the sources and effects of air pollution and most importantly, how they can do their bit to improve air quality.”


@airmonitors  #Environment  @ScotEnvironment  @_Enviro_News 

RoHS 3 compliance.

Anglia is adding RoHS 3 compliance information to the already extensive documentation offered on Anglia Live. Anglia is also working closely with suppliers to ensure that its inventory will be compliant by the time the RoHS 3 directive comes in to force on 22nd July 2019.

Claire Stevenson
RoHS 3 was announced in 2016 and expands the list of prohibited substances from six to ten by adding four new types of phthalates. Manufacturers have until the 22nd July 2019 to meet these provisions. Although it is an EU directive, it has been widely adopted in many other regions across the globe and will still apply to the UK industry even after Brexit.

Claire Stevenson, Quality Manager of Anglia, said, “We are supporting customers to help them with implementation of the revised directive. Over 40 suppliers have advised us that they are already compliant. Many of the remainder have provided compliance road maps showing that they will be able to fully comply by the 22 July deadline. We already provide confirmation of RoHS 2 compliance on Anglia Live and have now added supplementary information advising on the RoHS 3 compliance status for each supplier. We are adding to this regularly as information becomes available.”

She continued, “Customers can continue to use RoHS 2 compliant products up until 22nd July 2019, after this date they will need to ensure products are RoHS 3 compliant. We are already providing certificates of RoHS compliance on Anglia Live which customers can download allowing them to complete their own documentation.”

Many products Anglia holds in its British based distribution centre are already compliant with the requirements of RoHS 3, they have also taken steps to streamline purchasing to ensure that all inventory is RoHS 3 compliant by the time of the July 2019 deadline.

@angliaLive #Safety #PAuto

Temperature & system production facility inaugurated!

Endress+Hauser has invested more than €10.4 million (US$11.8m) in a new, state-of-the-art production facility at its location in Nesselwang (D). The 4,800-square-meter building contains new production and office space, in addition to technology and common rooms. With the expansion, the Group is making further investments in sustainable growth.
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Inauguration in Nesselwang (from left): Harald Hertweck, Managing Director of Endress+Hauser Wetzer, Klaus Endress, President of the Supervisory Board of the Endress+Hauser Group, Franz Josef Pschierer, Bavaria’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Franz Erhart, Mayor of Nesselwang, Matthias Altendorf, CEO of the Endress+Hauser Group, and Rainer Kühnel, Director Operations at Endress+Hauser Wetzer, cut the ribbon. 

The expansion was driven by the growing demand for innovative temperature technology and system products, as well as the introduction of new product lines. “We are constantly investing in our centers of competence in order to develop persuasive solutions for our customers and to increase production efficiency,” said Matthias Altendorf, CEO of the Endress+Hauser Group, during the dedication ceremony, which was held on Friday 26 October 2018, in the presence of representatives from politics and business as well as employees.

In many processes, temperature is a measurement parameter with a major influence on product quality. “We will continue to expand and round out our temperature and system product portfolio so that we can be in a position to optimally serve our customers in the future as well. To do that, we need additional space for research and development, production, logistics and quality assurance, which this new building provides,” said Harald Hertweck, Managing Director of the Endress+Hauser center of competence for temperature measurement technology.
The new building is eye catching with an impressive, intelligent architecture featuring a sloping facade that offers protection against the sun, plus glass fronts that let in an abundance of light. The new building also boasts a sustainable energy concept, including a photovoltaic system installed on the roof that provides enough electricity to completely power the basic production load. E-bike charging stations further underscore the emphasis on sustainability.

While the building was being constructed, the production and and logistics processes were also optimized and structured in accordance with Lean Principles and the One Piece Flow approach. This structure enables the center of competence to increase the individual responsibility of the employees, add more flexibility to the production process and optimally utilize the capacity of the machines and operational resources.


Centre of competence for temperature measurement technology and system products
Endress+Hauser Wetzer, the Group’s center of competence for temperature measurement technology and system products, which is headquartered in Nesselwang, Germany, operates five additional production facilities in Pessano (Italy), Greenwood, Indiana (US), Suzhou (China), Aurangabad (India) and Benoni (South Africa). The company received several awards this year for the iTHERM TrustSens, the world’s first self-calibrating thermometer. In addition to awards in France (Mesures, CFIA) and the Czech Republic (Zlatý Amper), Endress+Hauser was also the recipient of the HERMES AWARD, a renowned industry prize, in addition to the AMA Innovation Award at the SENSOR+TEST trade fair in Nuremberg, Germany.

@Endress_Hauser  #PAuto #Germany

Monday, 29 October 2018

Long-distance data transmission.

Advantech has extended their fibre optic media converter product range with the launch of the new models EKI-2541ML, EKI-2541SL, EKI-2741ML, EKI-2741SL and EKI-2741FL.

With over 30 years’ experience in automation and communication, Advantech is aware that the demand for media conversion is increasing, and understands the difficulty involved in replacing or rewiring existing devices. The new Advantech fibre optic media converters are especially suitable for users looking to meeting their ongoing requirement with minimal costs and effort.

With the ability to connect two dissimilar media types, these new media converters are simple to install allowing networks to be commissioned quickly. The EKI-2541/2741 series media converters provide cost benefits by affordably integrating fibre infrastructure and copper equipment, an ideal solution for “fibre to building” applications for central offices or local sites.

Typical applications include power and energy, transportation (ITS), machine and control automation, building automation and factory automation.

The EKI-2541ML and EKI-2541SL have 1 x 10/100Mbps Ethernet RJ-45 connector and 1 x 100Mbps multi/single mode SC type fibre port. EKI-2741ML/SL/FL offer 1 x 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet RJ-45 connector with 1 x 100/1000Mbps Ethernet port with SFP or 1 x 1000Mbps multi/single mode SC fibre port for 1000Base-SX/LX device.

Key features include
1. MDI/MDI-X auto crossover
Automatically detect if the link partner is MDI or MDI-X. Auto-MDI/MDIX can be enabled or disabled. When the function is disabled, the port reverts to MDI mode.

2. SC fibre port
Unaffected by electromagnetic interference fibre is normally used in EMI noisy environments, or in situations where cabling distance exceeds the 100m maximum offered by copper cabling . In addition fibre is future proof, as applications that need higher speeds and distances appear fibre is the only cabling type capable of supporting these demands.

Using fibre conversion ensures ease of installation, low cost and flexibility so allowing the customer to build a flexible communications infrastructure, protect their investment and provide seamless connectivity.

@AdvantechIA #PAuto #Fibreoptic

MES/automation implementation.

Werum IT Solutions has signed a partnership agreement with Shanghai Wellthinic Technology. Based in Shanghai with several local offices in China. Wellthenic is a leading IT solutions provider to the Chinese life science industry with focus on automation systems and MES.
At the closing of the agreement (from left): Yun Fan (KMS China), Paul Dong (Wellthinic), Olivier Néron (Werum), Matii Yan (Wellthinic), Torsten Isenberg (Werum) and Dong Wang (KMS China, Werum)
As a certified “PAS-X Endorsed Service Partner Local”, Shanghai Wellthinic Technology will support Werum customers in the People’s Republic of China with the on-site-implementation of Werum's PAS-X MES and automation systems. For instance, Wellthinic will provide resources for project management, MBR design, system configuration, installation, training as well as the implementation and integration of automation and equipment.

“We selected Wellthinic amongst many candidates based on their years of experience in the life sciences industry and because of their complementary capabilities on ISA-Level 2 systems” says Torsten Isenberg, Senior Director Services at Werum IT Solutions. “Wellthinic has an excellent reputation in China and successfully managed a wide range of services – from single-site projects up to large roll-outs. Furthermore, Wellthinic’s management has been working with foreign companies for decades hence being able to greatly bridge our cultural differences. Therefore, Wellthinic will provide our pharma and biotech customers with high-quality services and support for the years to come.”

Paul Dong, CEO of Shanghai Wellthinic Technology: “Wellthinic’s long experience in offering IT solutions to the pharmaceutical market offers Werum and its customers a stable and reliable partner for the implementation of PAS-X MES. With our deep understanding of the daily operations in the industry, we can perform the transition from a paper-based to a digital-based quality control system more efficiently and in high quality.”

PAS-X Endorsed Service Partners meet all requirements of Werum's PAS-X Service Partner Program. The main objective is to offer the same quality and competence of services to Werum customers all over the world – through reliable, experienced and certified partners. The Service Partners need to have comprehensive PAS-X knowledge, participate at PAS-X trainings on a regular basis, possess experience in the regulated industry and use a quality management system. The certification has to be renewed on a regular basis.

@Werum #PAuto #MES #China

Impressive speakers on Water & Waste!


An impressive list of speakers has been published on the Conference section of the WWEM 2018 website, featuring major water utilities, technology innovators, and some of the leading Universities in water, wastewater & environmental monitoring.

A number of major organisations are also represented; including UKAS, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, the Water Management Society and the Danish Technological Institute.

Speakers from commercial innovators such as BP and Siemens will discuss analytical developments and Big Data, and specialist companies such as Meteor Communications will demonstrate a new breed of remote water quality monitors and web-enabled cameras. Leading testing service providers such as ALS and Derwentside Environmental will also provide insights into the latest analytical challenges.

In addition to the WWEM conferences, there will also be dozens of specialist presentations in the five WIPAC and exhibitor workshop rooms located in the main WWEM Exhibition Hall. The event will also include a Pump Centre Conference and a Flow Forum Conference as well as a wide selection of workshops organised by the Smart Water Networks Forum, PROFIBUS, Engineering Futures, and Cogent Skills.

In summary, WWEM 2018 (Telford, 21/22 Nov.) represents a unique opportunity to meet leaders, innovators and disrupters in water, wastewater end environmental monitoring. Pre-registered WWEM 2018 visitors will benefit from free parking, refreshments and lunch, in addition to free entry to AQE 2018, the co-located air quality and emissions event.

#WWEM18 #Water @_Enviro_News 

Friday, 26 October 2018

Advanced digital services in papermill.

ABB Ability™ Collaborative Operations has been added to ABB's service deliverables at a major paper mill in East Java, Indonesia. The site produces a variety of printing and writing paper, other paper-related products, and packaging products including cardboard boxes. With an annual capacity of 320,000 metric tons, the mill is one of the world’s largest single-site producers of writing stationery.

Automating production requires processing large amounts of data. As complexity increases, so does the volume of data. Collaborative Operations helps paper producers to make productive use of this data to identify and address production, quality and cost issues that can inhibit peak performance. This improves return on capital. Collaborative Operations helps to maximize business value by turning data insights into direct action.

At the mill, Collaborative Operations is reducing cycle times on product grade changes, resulting in higher production. It is also stabilizing moisture and other additive levels using multivariable predictive controls. Specific improvements include increased production due to higher equipment availability, fewer sheet breaks, lower chemical costs and reduced paper quality variation. These improvements all lead to better product quality and consistency, fewer rejects and more sales.

This project builds upon ABB’s 15-year history of delivering traditional and advanced services to the mill. Collaborative Operations enhances ABB’s ability to positively impact daily mill operations to ensure that results achieved over the years will continue and improve.

ABB has three Collaborative Operations Centers dedicated to pulp and paper industry customers in Finland, the United States, and now Singapore, as well as many more that serve other industry segments. All three pulp and paper centers may be involved with delivering advanced services to this mill in order to leverage various skill sets in each region.

@ABBMeasurement #PAuto 

Thursday, 25 October 2018

CAN Seminars to end of year.


CiA has five CAN-related seminars to the end of the year. Those interested in getting a better understanding of CAN-related topics, can participate. These seminars are about Classical CAN, and CAN FD, CANopen (CiA 301), and the specific use of CANopen in car add-on modules (CiA 447).

In CAN in Automation’s (CiA) CAN/CAN FD seminars attendees learn how CAN works, which possibilities it offers, and in which markets CAN is used. The seminars introduce CAN as it is specified in the updated ISO 11898 standard series. This comprises the Classical CAN, the CAN FD protocol, as well as the updated CAN physical layer specification. Hence, impacts on CAN-based higher layer protocols are discussed. Two of these seminars are scheduled in the last quarter of 2018.
 One on 20 November 2018 in Antwerp (Belgium) in English language, 
The second one on 04 December 2018 in Nuremberg (Germany) in German.

In CiA's CANopen seminars attendees learn the basic principles of CANopen in order to select the right CANopen devices for their applications, to integrate their devices in a proper control application, or to design the intended CANopen network behavior. In addition, attendees get an overview on CANopen application fields as well as a base for assessing the effort of introducing CANopen in their projects. 
The first seminar takes place on 21 November 2018 also in Antwerp and 
the other one on 05 December in Nuremberg.

Attendees of a CANopen car add-on modules seminar get a basic understanding of CANopen system design in the application field of car add-on devices (e.g. interfacing the in-vehicle network, adding bluelights, printers, radio, etc.).  In addition to this insight to CiA 447, the seminar covers a brief introduction to the basic CANopen services as well. It will take place in Nuremberg on 15 November.

 #PAuto #CAN

Wednesday, 24 October 2018

Industrial Ethernet connecting.

Harting has enhanced its simple, process-safe field installation preLink industrial Ethernet cabling termination system. Alongside its range of 10/100 Mbit/s M-12 D-Code, 10 Gbit/s X-Code and RJ45 connectors and extenders, the product family now includes a preLink PCB jack version which enables flexible cable-to-board connectivity within a device or machine. All the preLink connector parts are produced in rugged metal housings, enabling robust end-to-end mating.

RJ45 preLink male plugs also incorporate stronger latches for extra field-installed reliability, minimising the chances of system downtime which often occurs when fragile, consumer-grade RJ45 cabling systems are used in industrial installation environments.

The functional principle of the preLink system is based on two parts: the connector carrier and the plastic terminal module. The module has eight entry holes for finger insertion of insulated solid or stranded cable conductors, and is pressed together in a single operation with a simple 360̊ hand press tool, providing dependable IDC termination. It is then simply clicked into the connector carrier to produce a highly reliable, repeatable field termination cabling system, saving costs by minimising assembly time without the need for costly skilled installers. The terminal module with the cable attached can be removed or replaced at any time from the connector carrier, allowing easy system alteration on-site for only the loss of the comparatively low-cost plastic part.

Data cables with pre-terminated modules will fit through even the tightest gaps and can be clicked into the carriers in seconds during installation, resulting in significant time savings. In addition, worn cables on moving equipment can be changed quickly and independently of the connector, further reducing operating costs.

The terminal modules come in three different types: 8-pin yellow devices for cable with conductors of AWG 23/22 stranded/solid, 8-pin white for AWG 27/26 stranded/solid covering with Cat 5e to Cat 6A performance compliance, and 4-pin Black AWG 27/26 stranded/solid for AIDA/Profinet performance networks.

The new complimentary Harting preLink PCB jack ensures a more stable and flexible Ethernet data transfer from the main internal control board to the panel I/O link. It also satisfies the preLink functional design principles outlined above. In addition, it allows direct cabling links to external sensors or other devices through IP65/67 panel-mounted cable glands, thus resulting in further cost savings by removing the need for additional mating plug-ins.

The pre-terminated preLink terminal module is clicked into the tensile load-absorbing PCB jack carrier, with a cable tie providing extra strain relief. The preLink assembled terminal modules can also be “unclicked” from the jack carrier, allowing fast, reliable repair or removal of the device for improved serviceability and reduced system downtime.

Typical applications include devices such as door telephone systems, ticket machines, surveillance camera systems, building automation controls and industrial machinery-based solutions in areas such as packaging, multi-weighing and handling systems, and print processing.

In conclusion, Harting’s preLink connection system provides the ideal process-safe field-installation industrial Ethernet cabling solution for production-line refurbishment, extension, maintenance or repair - from a centralised device or machine right out to the field sensor level.

#Harting #PAuto 

Contract LIMS laboratories.

The Matrix Gemini LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) from Autoscribe Informatics can offer contract laboratories much more than the day to day management of laboratory workflows. It also provides the functionality for management of a variety of activities essential to running the business, such as the creation of quotations, order booking, allocation of appropriate prices, generation of results and customer reports and the production of invoices, either directly or in conjunction with a corporate accounts system.

Contract laboratories serve a wide variety of industries, carrying out a diverse range of tests. Matrix Gemini can therefore be supplied with a typical contract laboratory process flow which can be further configured, using the built-in configuration tools, to specific customer requirements. In this way, every aspect of the LIMS can be adapted to fit the particular process flow of the application from quotation generation and management, to sample registration and invoicing. This flexibility of configurability gives the added bonus that the system can be easily modified at any time as the contract lab expands into new areas of testing or needs to incorporate of additional sites.

A series of maintenance tables allows the management of tests and the grouping of tests into test packages. Product and customer details, including any discounts and special requirements that may apply are also managed. Test limits may be applied in a variety of scenarios. This can be linked to an ERP system. The fully configurable pricing part of the system allows the monitoring of profitability right down to the test level.

Matrix Gemini also features a web-based interface. This can be used to give contract laboratories’ customers controlled access to register samples, check on the work status and obtain results. This can be very useful if they need rapid access to key results in a large batch without having to wait for a final report.

The web or desktop interfaces offered by Matrix Gemini, based either locally or in the cloud, provides flexibility for any size system. This makes it equally suitable for laboratories with a single user to large multinationals with multiple concurrent users connected via multiple sites. Access rights can be controlled so that different types of users and/or different sites can only access certain workflows, screens and data.

@AutoscribeLtd  #PAuto  #LIMS

Gas table.

A free gas table is being offered to Ion Science customers who register their well proven Tiger and Tiger Select handheld volatile organic compound (VOC) detectors online to receive the company’s industry-beating five-year extended warranty.

Customers will benefit from the five-year extended warranty by registering their Ion Science Tiger or Tiger Select Photoionisation Detector (PID) within one month of purchase via this online form. A confirmation email advises that the extended warranty period has been activated and processed.

Ion Science’s VOC Gas Table provides information on a wide range of potentially hazardous gases and vapours, with advice on the most suitable instrument for the application. It also contains vital detail on PID response factors.

Duncan Johns, Managing Director at Ion Science comments: “Ion Science’s Tiger and Tiger Select handheld PIDs have established an unrivalled reputation for high performance, durability and reliability. The five-year extended warranty shows that we trust our products and have confidence in their longevity.

“Instrument registration takes minutes with those customers being the first to receive product updates and notification of special offers. It also ensures a quick, hassle-free repair in the event of a service issue.”

Ion Science provides a full calibration, maintenance and repair service for all its instruments. The company’s skilled engineers identify and resolve issues quickly for a fast turnaround to ensure instruments are operational as soon as possible.

Taking advantage of the extended warranty is an effective way for customers to have peace of mind for a significantly longer period of time, at no extra expense.

@ionscience #PAuto #VOC 

Producing fine cheese!

A new case study, How the P53 Ultrasonic Sensor improves professional cheese making by providing hygienic measurement of curd levels (pdf), from Hoffmann + Krippner illustrates how the P53 Ultrasonic Sensor by PIL can improve hygienic conditions and equipment for safe and high-quality cheese making processes.

Any equipment used in food production must meet the highest standards of hygienic design; food safety and quality depend on it.

As shown in this case study, the hygienic ultrasonic sensor series P53 by PIL are used for level detection in a coagulator system designed by ALPMA (Alpenland Maschinenbau GmbH).

Fully encapsulated in edgeless a stainless-steel housing (rated up to IP68/IP69K) with a EHEDG-certified holder, the P53 ultrasonic sensor provides a highly accurate and reliable sensing solution that can withstand thorough cleaning with highly acidic and/or alkaline cleaners as well as high-pressure or jet-steam cleaners.

@HK_Controls #PAuto #Food

Next generation oscilloscope!

DLM3000 features improved precision and productivity from a compact package with interactive touch-screen display.

The new Yokogawa DLM3000 is the first of a new generation of Mixed Signal Oscilloscopes featuring the familiar “look and feel” and small footprint of the earlier DLM2000 Series but with a complete hardware redesign with higher measurement speed and precision plus an intuitive touchscreen display for enhanced ease of use and improved productivity.

The DLM3000 builds on Yokogawa’s oscilloscope legacy with new features focusing on quality, flexibility and usability to increase users’ productivity and meet the advanced needs of today’s designs, particularly in the mechatronics and automotive sectors. Integrating the latest in touchscreen operation, solid-state storage and high-speed signal processing, the DLM3000 enhances productivity by providing “clean” noise-free signals, extensive processing, and ease of operation.

“Where other oscilloscope manufacturers emphasise increased bit resolution and bandwidth at the expense of precision and signal fidelity in the final measurement application, Yokogawa concentrates on meeting the real-world needs of engineers in the automotive and mechatronics sectors”, says Terry Marrinan, Vice President Europe, ASEAN & Oceania, for Yokogawa’s Test & Measurement Business Unit: “As power devices are increasingly switching faster and with higher voltages, capturing and analysing waveforms reliably with detail and precision requires better noise performance from the measuring instrument. With the DLM3000 Yokogawa - well known for its leading power analyser technology and years of experience with oscilloscopes - has again improved its measurement performance to achieve higher precision.”

The new instrument has a bandwidth of up to 500 MHz and a high sampling rate of 2.5 GS/s, making it ideally suited to precision waveform analysis in measurements on fast switching signals in inverter drives, for example. The high sample rate is combined with an onboard memory capacity of 250 megapoints and an increased voltage range, leading to lower residual noise and increased sensitivity. The DLM3000 also incorporates a variety of real-time lowpass filters to ensure the fidelity of captured signals.

The combination of the interactive touchscreen interface with a traditional oscilloscope control panel allows users to seamlessly transition between the two modes of operation, while a variety of communication and storage options make it easy to access large data sets.

In the multi-channel mixed-signal capability of the DLM3000 series, four channels of analogue input signals are converted to 8-bit logic, so that the instrument functions as a 3-channel analogue oscilloscope combined with an 8-bit logic analyser. As a result, up to 11 input signals can be observed simultaneously as three channels of analogue signals and an 8-bit logic input.

This means that the instrument can be used not only for the observation of data and control signals or as a trigger source, but also for the logic input analysis of I2C, SPI or other serial buses, removing the limitations imposed by the four channels of a standard oscilloscope in applications where the functioning of multi-channel digital control circuits needs to be examined.

The channel count and memory depth options combined with optional power math and serial bus features - including major automotive buses - result in an oscilloscope that can be configured for a variety of needs.

The ‘best-in-class’ memory capacity of up to 500 Mpoints allows the instrument to maintain its high sample rate in long-term measurements. A zoom and search function allows the user to select and display two zoomed waveforms with different time axis scales at the same time, searching captured waveforms in the long memory and displaying waveforms that meet a wide of range of search criteria in the zoom area.

The powerful history memory function automatically saves up to 100,000 previously captured waveforms in the acquisition memory and subsequently displays just one or all of them on screen. The user can then perform cursor measurement, computation, and other operations on history waveforms, allowing rarely occurring abnormal signals to be analysed.

The DLM3000 series comes with a variety of easy-to-configure triggers combining analogue and logic inputs such as edge, enhanced, and B triggers.

Also included is a real-time filter with optimum noise reduction supporting a wide range of frequencies from 8 kHz to 200 MHz. The DLM3000 series has two types of filters, one processed at the input circuit and one based on mathematical functions. These filters are effective for rejecting unwanted signals, allowing observation of only the desired bandwidths.

A range of functions that help operation efficiency include:
• Display trends of peak-to-peak or pulse width values per cycle
• Automatic measurement of voltage and time differences
• Analysis of frequency spectra
• Single-push snapshot of waveforms
• Display of stored waveforms in thumbnail format
• “Go/No-go” function
• Checking functions with graphical online help.

Dedicated serial analysis function options (/F01 to /F05) are available for embedded systems and in-vehicle bus signals along with decode display analysis. The logic input can also be used for specific serial buses including UART, I2C, SPI and SENT. Complicated trigger and decode settings such as bit rate and threshold level are automatically detected. Simultaneous analyses of four different buses can be carried out, with waveforms and analysis results from buses with different speeds being displayed using dual zoom windows.

Dedicated power supply analysis options are available (for 4-channel models only) for measuring switching loss, joule integral (I2t), SOA (safe operating area) analysis, harmonic analysis of power supply current based on EN61000-3-2, and other power parameter measurement such as active power and power factor.

Utilising the long memory capability, voltage and current waveforms over long cycles can be input for computation of switching loss. Values can be statistically processed and calculated.

A wide range of interfaces and software are available to provide broad connectivity and easier control. The DLM3000 is equipped with Gigabit Ethernet and USB3.0*1 as standard communication interfaces to provide smoother linkages with PC applications.

The DLM3000 features an 8.4-inch capacitive touchscreen, and is housed in a compact package with a portrait format that is approximately two-thirds the size of an A4 sheet of paper (with a depth of approximately 200 mm) to save space on the desk or test bench.

@Yokogawa_Europe #TandM #Pauto

Tuesday, 23 October 2018

Advanced data manager.

Endress+Hauser has released the Memograph M RSG45 Advanced Data Manager DIN rail version, an intelligent remote device with extensive communication capabilities, making it ideal for IIoT applications and use as an edge device for getting data to cloud-based servers.

It is able to acquire data from up to 20 HART or universal analog input channels and 14 digital inputs, has two analog outputs and up to 12 relay outputs, and makes its data available to IIoT systems and all major automation system architctures via multiple communication interfaces and protocols. Interfaces and protocols include 4-20mA HART, Modbus RTU/Modbus TCP/IP, PROFIBUS DP, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, Ethernet TCP/IP, USB, RS-232C/RS485 and OPC.

With all these interfaces, the Memograph M easily communicates with new and existing PLCs, SCADA systems, distributed control systems, historians and cloud-based data structures. It also has an embedded web server that can be accessed by any web browser via the internet once proper security procedures are followed.

The Memograph M mounts on a standard DIN rail, is powered by standard 24Vdc or 230Vac power supplies, and has IP20 protection. All connections on the front of the device are designed as pluggable screw or spring terminal blocks, with reverse polarity protection in either case, making connections quick and easy. The spring terminals are unlocked with a slotted screwdriver.

It provides tamper-proof data recording on 256MB of internal memory compliant with various legal directives, a 32GB SD card and a 32GB USB drive. Built-in software includes FDM Field Data Manager for visualization, analyzing, backup and reporting; audit trail software consistent with FDA21 CFR part 11; and Itherm TrustSens temperature sensor calibration. Application packages include mathematics, Telealarm, batch management, wastewater + RSB (rain spillway basin) and energy calculations.

The Memograph M can generate e-mail or SMS messages to alert users of alarm conditions or process events. Messages can be sent to several recipients simultaneously or automatically forwarded to a recipient/destination. Messages can be confirmed, relays controlled remotely and current values queried by any web browser.

@Endress_US  #PAuto @Endress_Hauser 

Direct RFSoC Processing System.


Abaco Systems has announced that, not only have they begun full production of its newly-announced VP430 Direct RF Processing System – first customer shipments occurred in September - but that it is actively creating inventory for those customers needing short-turn delivery before the end of the year.

“We’re seeing enormous demand for the VP430 - beyond even our expectations – with numerous enquiries as to whether we can deliver by the end of December,” said Peter Thompson, Vice President, Product Management at Abaco. “I’m delighted to say that our answer to that question is that we can indeed. We’re getting excellent service from Xilinx, providing all the production parts we need in order to manufacture boards and provide our customers with the fast-turn shipment they say they need.”

As well as having comprehensively characterized the performance of the VP430 (the data is available upon request), Abaco has published a white paper designed to help developers understand the capabilities of the system. ‘Technologies for responding to rapid developments in cognitive RF and EW’ describes strategies to address emerging EW threats by leveraging reconfigurable hardware in a multi-processor system architecture, employing a low latency processing powerhouse with FPGAs and RFSoCs, and how to select the right processor architecture for the job.

The VP430 is capable of enabling the most advanced electronic warfare applications, as well as many others. Examples of the applications either under development, or planned for development, include a real time passive optical network, a next generation direction finding system for battlefield communications and a new electronic attack system. 

Designed for advanced electronic warfare applications requiring MIMO (multiple input/output), beamforming, sensor processing and radar signal processing capabilities, the VP430 is a major step forward in performance and density, enabling the use of fewer boards and much less power while delivering increased processing throughput. In fact, for comparable capability, it occupies one fourth of the slots that earlier generation solutions would require.

The VP430 includes the option to be built with a FireFly™ 8-channel VITA 66.4 fiber optic interface for transfers of greater than 12 GBps for applications in which the throughput of the native VPX PCI Express® Gen3 data plane is inadequate or when a remote client requires streaming data.

Responding to the cost- and complexity challenge of RF systems with multiple channels - more channels means more expensive and large RF signal up/down conversion and signal conditioning - the VP430 enables direct RF sampling which can be implemented in the digital domain, bringing greater flexibility to the signal processing chain. Additionally, simplified integration with RF sampling devices removes the complexity of JESD204B high speed serial interfaces

The new Xilinx RFSoC is a revolutionary step in integration technology bringing a combination of Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) processing capability, a multi-processor embedded ARM® Cortex-A53 Application processing unit (APU), an ARM real time processing unit (RPU) and eight input analog-to-digital converter and eight digital-to-analog converter channels. Additionally, the Zynq® Ultrascale+™ architecture integrates all this with features to enable high security IP protection. The RFSoC brings extreme analog bandwidth with a sustained throughput of 6 GSPS per channel and greater than 12 GBps per channel digital offload capability.

• Acronyms? See our Acronyms Page

@AbacoSys #FPGA

Software for fixed power monitoring systems.

PQView® DE replaces Encore Series Software as the web application for use with the Dranetz fixed monitoring systems. PQView DE features a modern responsive web design that allows users to interact with their monitoring system from virtually any platform, including desktop computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones.

It has been introduced as a replacement to its Encore Series Software (ESS) for use with its power quality, demand and energy monitoring systems. ESS relied on Java plug-ins which are no longer supported in newer web browsers. PQView DE with its new look and modern design offers the complete feature set with which long time Dranetz software users had become familiar while leveraging a modern cross-browser supported features and a responsive design. PQView DE is fully compatible with all of the Dranetz products that were supported by ESS, including the 61000 family, ES meters and legacy 55xx series DataNodes. PQView DE is based on the enterprise software platform PQView developed and supported by affiliate company Electrotek Concepts where it is used by utility customers globally. As a result, PQView DE users will have a seamless migration path to the more scalable and feature-rich PQView enterprise software platform as their needs grow.

“We are excited to offer this new product to existing Dranetz customers” said David Ellis, President & CEO of Global Power Technology (parent company). “We believe our customers will like the new modern design and responsive web interface. Those considering Dranetz will immediately see the benefit of working with an information rich platform that will scale and will help them to remain well informed as their needs grow or become more complex. PQView DE offers a seamless upgrade path from the legacy Encore Series Software product that it replaces”.

Dranetz was the first to pioneer permanently installed or fixed power quality monitoring systems. Its industry leading permanent monitoring system includes the Dranetz HDPQ Power Quality DataNodes, the 61000 family (61STD, 61SG, 61SGD) of Power Quality instruments and the ES series family of Demand and Energy meters. All are fully compatible with the new PQView® DE (supersedes ESS) and PQView web enabled system software.

@DranetzTech #PAuto #POwer

Adapting production processes to REACH.

The European REACH regulation, which aims to ensure a high level of protection for human health and the environment, imposes strict rules on the use of chemical substances. In order to protect employees in its production sites in Champagné and Marolles en Brie (F), Souriau is making changes to its production processes in response to these new regulatory constraints and at the request of its customers. Olivier Cresson, Hygiene,Safety and Environment manager at Souriau's Champagné site, talks about the challenges of compliance with the REACH regulation and the steps taken to radically transform an essential part of the production line.

Olivier Cresson
Could you summarise what REACH is all about?
OC:
To protect human health and the environment without harming the competitiveness of industry, Europe adopted the REACH regulation in 2006 which aims to identify all the chemical substances used in Europe, evaluate their hazard class and to authorize or prohibit their use. The European chemical agency (ECHA) was then founded, and put in charge of the application of this new regulation called REACH.

What has been the impact of this regulation on Souriau?
OC: Our company is impacted by this regulation because we use hexavalent chromium for electroplating our connector housings. However, because the regulation applies only in Europe, it doesn't apply to our American or Asian competitors, who expect products of the same quality, with or without hexavalent chromium. So we had to rapidly deploy industrial processes which comply with this new constraint, in a concerted effort with our suppliers in the chemical industry and with the users of our products.

The deadline seems a bit short, wouldn't you agree?
OC: Actually, it was in 2006 that the European agency first asked these manufacturers to make a list of all the products by November 30, 2010, starting with the largest tonnages of the most dangerous substances and then followed by the intermediate tonnages. By the end of May 2018, the small tonnages were evaluated and it had a global view of all the chemical products used in Europe, both in terms of quantity and their hazard class.

Doesn't this regulation apply only to the product as such?
OC: No, in a product sold to the general consumer or for an industrial process, several factors must be taken into account; tonnage, hazard class, application domain, etc. And although the substances themselves have to be examined, it's important to also take into account how they are distributed. The greater the quantity and the wider the distribution of a chemical product, the greater the risk that it will be prohibited. To give a concrete example, a lipstick, the ink in a pen or a paint sold in the consumer market do not represent the same level of risk for the population and environment as the electroplating of connectors in an enclosed system.

What is the relationship between electroplating and hexavalent chromium?
OC: Electroplating is a surface treatment which protects the connector housings, insures electrical continuity and gives them the finished appearance that our customers expect. Hexavalent chromium is used in the so-called passivation process to facilitate the adherence of the protective coating on the composite connectors. The finished product is stable and non-leaching. Nevertheless the use of hexavalent chromium was prohibited in manufacturing processes since September 2017.

How far have you got in your research for meeting the ECHA requirements?
OC: As soon as the ban on hexavalent chromium was announced, the research and development teams of Souriau started to work on replacement solutions. The work is complete for composite connectors because a new process, released into production, has been accepted by our customers. But for other connector manufacturing processes, compromises are necessary, and our R&D teams are still looking for replacement solutions.

It must be an enormous task for each manufacturer...
OC: All our European competitors who manufacture connectors were naturally faced with the same issue, so we formed a consortium and asked the ECHA to authorize us to use hexavalent chromium for a few more years. This delay was really essential in order to have enough time to put the new processes into place, get them released internally and qualified by our customers. The ECHA was well aware of the difficulties and that by allowing this delay we could avoid relocating factories abroad or losing markets not just in Europe but all over the world. By authorizing us to use this substance in our manufacturing processes, the ECHA made it possible to keep our R&D, know-how and production jobs in France and in Europe, with skilled personnel who now are working together every day to find a replacement for hexavalent chromium.

Are there some changes in your company visible already?
OC: Our factory in Champagné plant has been certified ISO 14001 since 2001 and has a highly modern electroplating workshop equipped with a ventilation system which changes the air out every eight minutes. The air passes through cleaning towers which treat all the effluents. The residual wastes are treated by a specialized company. Souriau is a global supplier of connectors for harsh environments; we manufacture 13 million connectors annually and use approximately 8 tons of hexavalent chromium. This consumption is currently being reduced by 50% due to the change in the industrial process.

And what will be the consequences over the long term?
OC: REACH is having a major impact on the industrial base, necessitating major investments in R&D to maintain conformity with the standards on one hand while on the other minimizing the impact on the electroplating process. Thanks to these efforts, we now have replacement solutions for hexavalent chromium but we need more time to validate them. The decision taken by ECHA will allow us to continue to advance in the market our connectors for harsh environments while still preserving our manufacturing base in France.

• See also interview "Interview: REACHing for safety." (15/10/2018)


@SouriauSunbank #PAuto @EU_ECHA