Safety Symposium.

The HIMA Group, a global leader in safety-related automation solutions, proudly marked a significant milestone: the 50th anniversary of Sella Controls. On October 9, 2024, a safety symposium was held in Birmingham to commemorate this achievement, honouring Sella Controls' journey from its modest beginnings in Whaley Bridge to its status as a leader in safety and control systems, now part of the HIMA Group.

Sella Controls, acquired by HIMA in February 2023 after a long-standing partnership, played a pivotal role in enhancing HIMA’s portfolio, especially in the railway sector, while also expanding the business in the process industry in Britain and Ireland. Over the past five decades, Sella Controls has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation and safety, making significant contributions to projects across multiple sectors, including rail, oil and gas, and petrochemicals.

Celebrating the Achievements, Envisioning the Future
With locations in Stockport and Ashby (GB), currently Sella Controls hosts 131 staff members across the two sites. Sella Controls acts today as the regional centre for the HIMA Group in Britain and as Global Centre of Excellence for rail activities.

The family of one the founders, Terry Lardner, attended the 50th celebrations. Trish Lardner, the wife of Terry, and their daughter Rachael attended the Safety Symposium in Birmingham, together with various customers, partners and friends of Sella Controls.

The Safety Symposium reflected on Sella Controls’ rich history, including its transformation into a key player in the safety sector. Notable speakers from HIMA, Sella Controls, and key customers addressed how the collaboration had propelled both companies into new markets and technological frontiers.

• Steffen Philipp, Shareholder of HIMA Group, discussed the history and partnership between the two companies.
• Jörg de la Motte, CEO of HIMA Group, focused on the strategic growth opportunities that resulted from the acquisition.
• Dr. Michael Löbig, CFO of HIMA Group, shared insights on the investment strategy and future growth plans.
• Chris Parr, CTO of Sella Controls, spoke about the technological evolution and innovation at Sella Controls.

In addition, industry leaders such as Rob Stockham, Director from GI Systems and Mark O’Neill, Technical Director and Jorge Santos, Project Director at Amey Rail Limited, discussed key projects and the integral role Sella Controls had played in advancing safety and control solutions in both the process and rail sectors.

Steffen Philipp, Shareholder of the HIMA Group, highlighted the enduring relationship between the two companies: “HIMA and Sella Controls shared a long-standing and close partnership, built on safety excellence, shared values and vision. To become an integral part of the HIMA Group has been a logical next step for Sella Controls and it represents a key milestone in HIMA’s company history.”

Chris Parr, CTO of Sella Controls remarked “ Reaching our 50 years milestones is a huge achievement for Sella Controls. Over this period, we have significantly contributed to the safety and operability of our client’s assets through a combination of technical innovation and functional safety expertise. We look forward to the next 50 years as an integral part of HIMA group.”

The future.
For the past 50 years, Sella Controls positioned itself as a future-oriented and growing company. With new solutions, such as digital rail solutions showcased for the first time at InnoTrans 2024, they enriched HIMA’s portfolio. They strengthened the HIMA Group’s position as a technology partner for the global railway industry.

Jörg de la Motte, CEO of HIMA Group, emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition: “Thanks to Sella Controls HIMA’s Products- and Solutions Portfolio is now much broader, especially in the Rail sector. The related R&D activities at Sella Controls in the UK will be further expanded to accelerate the time-to-market, in line with the customer requirements.”

Dr. Michael Löbig, CFO of HIMA Group, pointed at the good results and achievements of the integration process: “Major activities as e.g. the complete IT-integration have already been completed within year 1. Sella Controls’ business and team are continuing on a solid growth path. HIMA Group will make additional investments to develop the company forward, as a Top Service provider and Top Employer in business.” 

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@sellacontrols #Hima #Safety #PAuto

#CINC24 Cyber conference report.

The biggest ever Cyber Ireland National Conference with over 450 attendees, was held in Kilkenny (IRL) in Septermber 2024.

It featured distinguished international keynote speakers:

🌍 Seán Doyle from the World Economic Forum shared insights into WEF's cybersecurity initiatives and moderated a panel discussion on the crucial role of public-private partnerships in enhancing cybersecurity.

🧠 Prof. Mary Aiken, a leading expert in cyberpsychology, explored the human impact of technology, the emerging global Safety Tech market, and how enterprises can leverage offensive cyberpsychology strategies to defend against threats.

🇪🇺The conference also hosted the European Cyber Security Organisation (ECSO) Cyber Solutions Day, where CalQRisk and CyberDesk emerged victorious in the pitch competition, advancing to the European CISO Award Final. Gerard Joyce & Dr. Tobias Lieberum.

The "Cyber Security Sector Snapshot 2024" report was published, providing a comprehensive update on the baseline data from 2022 regarding the size, operations, and economic contributions of the cybersecurity sector in Ireland.

Brian Honan is Cyber Ireland's new chairperson. He emphasized that the strength of their Cyber Meitheal (collaboration) is its greatest asset He succeeds outgoing chair Pat Larkin, who has led Cyber Ireland since 2022.

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@CyberIreland @IrelandISA @ISA_EU #PAuto #Cybersecurity #CINC24 #Ireland

Digital Multimeter and Wireless Current Clamp.

Safety and accuracy to work in high-voltage solar environments with capabilities that streamline technician workflows

The Fluke 283 FC Solar Digital Multimeter and the Fluke a283 FC True-RMS Wireless Clamp which enable Solar professionals to work more confidently, without compromising safety in high voltage environments such as a testing individual panels, strings or invertors in a utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) array, have been introduced by Fluke.

The new 283 FC Digital Multimeter is designed to enhance safety and increase productivity, while also providing technicians with accurate, reliable, and repeatable results.

The Fluke 823 FC/PV Solar Kit includes CAT III 1500 V DC safety rated accessories that enable technicians to work confidently in high-voltage environments. With Staubli MC4 test leads, professionals can quickly make reliable, secure connections to modules or strings to test DC voltage up to 1500 V DC, well suited to utility operations.

The TL175-HV CAT III 1500 V / CAT IV 1000 V rated silicone test leads offer flexibility for testing voltage, millivoltage, resistance, continuity, and capacitance on inverters, combiner boxes, PV arrays, and individual PV modules.

"Our digital multimeters are renowned for their exceptional accuracy, durability, and safety features making them the preferred choice of professionals across various industries for reliable and precise measurement,” said Jason Waxman, President of Fluke Corporation. “The Fluke 283 FC is uniquely positioned to cater to this market with both CAT III 1500 and CAT IV 1000 ratings prioritizing features that increase efficiency safety and reliability. It’s a powerful all-in-one tool for solar professionals."

Fluke 283 FC/PV Key Features and Benefits:
• Highly Accurate Measurements: Provides precise voltage measurements for accurate frontline troubleshooting.
• 60 A AC/DC Current Measurements: Safely troubleshoot individual strings of modules with the a283 FC wireless current clamp.
• Visual and Audio Polarity Indicators: Help prevent accidental module wiring issues.
• User-Defined Limit Gauge: Quickly make go/no-go troubleshooting decisions.
• Unique Multimeter Readiness Self-Check: Ensures your meter is ready to test, providing confidence.
• Large bright backlit display and illuminated keypad: ideal for working in dark environments.

The a283 FC True-RMS wireless current clamp simplifies the troubleshooting process without compromising safety and reliability. It measures both AC and DC current up to 60 A, ensuring precise readings for solar installations, electrical systems, and industrial equipment. Its thin jaw is designed specifically for cramped spaces like combiner boxes or inverters. Prioritizing safety at every step, the non-contact design allows for safe connections without touching live wires, plus wireless connectivity eliminates the hassle of tangled wires, allowing for measurements from a safe distance.

With the Fluke 283 FC digital multimeter and a283 FC wireless current clamp, technicians can measure voltage and current simultaneously and automatically calculate VA power. This feature eliminates the need to change the measurement setup, providing seamless and efficient data collection in the field.

Utilizing Fluke Connect™ with the Fluke Cloud Storage capability provides 283 FC users with an enhanced troubleshooting experience by allowing the 283 FC to transmit measurements to a smartphone or tablet for detailed analysis that is uploaded to the cloud.

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@FlukeCorp @NapierPR #TandM #PAuto #Solar.

Excellence in environmental, social & governance (ESG).

Distributor recognised by global energy solutions company

Anglia has been presented with the prestigious award for ‘Supplier Excellence in Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)’ by Generac, a leading energy technology company headquartered in WI USA.

During the award presentation Generac commented: “We remain focused on advancing our Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) vision. This includes integrating ESG principles within our culture and identifying ESG topics that deserve attention and resources, including developing a robust energy ecosystem.

“It is our real pleasure to recognise Anglia Components for their exceptional efforts in advancing environmental and social governance principles within the electronic component supply chain. Their commitment to sustainability and community support has set a standard. For example, Anglia has achieved Carbon Neutral status having offset 509,000 kg of CO2 through various projects. We applaud their approach and dedication to making a positive impact in advancing environmental and social responsibility.”

“We are very pleased to receive this award from Generac," said John Bowman, Anglia's MD. "It acknowledges our commitment to sustainability in the electronics supply chain. To be presented with an award of this nature from a global blue-chip company is a huge honour.”

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@angliaComponent @Generac @BWW_Comms #PAuto #Environment 

Sustainability appointment in London.

Reflecting the growing demand for expertise in sustainability issues such as the decarbonisation of energy and transport, one of Europe’s leading energy consultancies, E-CUBE is establishing a new London office. Operations from the new office will be led by Chris Warnes, who joins as Managing Director.

Chris Warnes

E-CUBE is a strategy consulting firm specialising in the energy, environment and transportation sectors. Created in 2009, E-CUBE has 50 consultants and four offices in mainland Europe. Its client work covers the Executive Committee agenda: strategic analysis, economic studies, regulatory studies, marketing studies, organisational changes and the improvement of operational performance.

“This is an exciting time for the UK market,” says Chris Warnes. “The new government is showing strong support for clean energy and aims to be a leader in the fight against climate change, so this is the perfect time to bring E-CUBE’s expertise to the UK.”

In addition to the prospects for new business development in the UK, E-CUBE’s expansion meets the expectations of its long-standing customers to be able to support them in multiple geographies. Furthermore, it enables a cross-fertilization of E-CUBE’s expertise between continental Europe and Britain, by providing customers with a broader base of experience and references.

Chris Warnes joins E-CUBE with over 30 years of experience in the energy sector both with large corporates and as a strategy consultant. He joins from the London office of Oliver Wyman, where he advised British and European energy companies, network operators and service providers, on formulating their growth strategies, reviewing capital allocation processes, defining decarbonisation roadmaps and improving operational performance. He has notably covered the electricity transmission, biofuel production, electricity storage, and mining sectors.

Prior to joining Oliver Wyman, Chris spent 15 years at Centrica plc in a variety of leadership roles spanning the Gas and Power value chain, including: Director of the E&P/Nuclear JV Shareholdings; Director, Growth and Development in the Business Solutions unit; SVP Business Planning and Portfolio Management in the E&P business; and Director of Pricing and Hedging at British Gas.

Expressing his enthusiasm for E-CUBE’s prospects, Chris said: "This is a unique opportunity to join a highly skilled and experienced team that has demonstrated intellectual leadership in many technological, regulatory and market disruption issues in energy and mobility over the past 20 years. We aim to leverage this expertise with in-depth knowledge of the UK’s specific needs to establish E-CUBE as a trusted partner in the UK’s energy and decarbonisation space.”

Pierre Germain, Founding Partner at E-CUBE, said: "We believe that E-CUBE can build bridges between the UK and continental markets: facilitating the transition of its customers from one market to the other and allowing them to capitalise on the best practices of each geography. Chris brings a wealth of impressive experience, and we are delighted to welcome him at this exciting stage of our development.”

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@_Enviro_News #E_CUBE #Sustainability #Environment #Transportaion #Britain

Automated AI model creation and machine learning.

Significantly reduces the cost, engineering effort, and time-to-market for AI-powered products delivering high-quality models in days versus weeks

Prism AIMMGen™, Teledyne FLIR's latest addition to their Prism™ software family. This is an ITAR-free AI model generation service that enables the automated creation of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models using synthetically generated data. It offers significant cost and schedule savings for system integrators developing AI/ML products for commercial, first response applications etc.

The manual labeling process for AI/ML products is highly intensive, and this is further exacerbated when it includes rare and arbitrary objects such as military target classes for which data collection in real-world scenarios is both costly and difficult to near impossible. Prism AIMMGen overcomes these hurdles with a synthetic data generation toolchain capable of generating millions of ML-ready examples of arbitrary objects in various environments and weather, all in both visible light and infrared spectrums. Generating annotated synthetic imagery in minutes that can be used to fine-tune AI models significantly reduces engineering efforts and development timelines.

“With the pace and sophistication in which systems are developing, it is critical to leverage smart, synthetic data to train AI models so they are best-in-class,” said Dan Walker, vice president, Teledyne FLIR. “AIMMGen speeds developers' time to market while ensuring that their respective AI products are ready for whatever scenario they might encounter in practically any environmental condition.”

The automated AI optimization system produces high-quality models without costly data collection. Its in-house ML operations (MLOps) infrastructure ensures data safety and leverages an extensive synthetic data lake and decades of expertise. Cost-effective development enables the release of a new model in response to new task requirements, target classes, or fine-tuning within days, future-proofing the model as the mission evolves.

Key Prism AIMMGen features:
● Unlimited synthetic images – Access to a large ITAR-free data lake for multiple object detection use cases.
● Application-specific AI training datasets – Ability to produce millions of automatically labeled synthetic image sets to meet specific application requirements ensuring efficient, focused learning, including an interactive search tool.
● Automated on-premise model training, validation, and optimization – Short-lead generation of a high-performing AI/ML solution at a fraction of the traditional engineering effort on private MLOps cloud infrastructure to achieve secure data and model handling.

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@flir @mepaxIntPR #AI #Environment

Measuring CO2 emissions and Carbon capture.

Counting the cost of carbon emissions

Newly released software from Ex-i Flow Measurement Ltd enables their SFC3000 flow computer to calculate CO₂ emissions from gas fuelled industrial processes and power stations and also record carbon subsequently captured for storage facilities rather than being released into the atmosphere. 

The Ex~i SFC3000 is a highly capable flow computer capable of accurately measuring a wide range of fluids and gases. The flexibility of the design allows additional functionality to support customer’s specific requirements to be realised quickly.

A major oil and gas company recently approached EX~I to find a way to effectively calculate the CO₂ being expelled into the atmosphere when their gas was being burned. This was required for both environmental reasons and because of the taxable levies applied to such activities.

The EX~ Flow in-house hardware and software development teams were able to work through the complex calculations required, produce the additional software to support this new functionality and test and release it to the customer in a short space of time.

This means that by using one SFC3000 flow computer, end users can now accurately quantify the amount of CO₂ being emitted when a product is burnt, and in multi-stream mode, or with an additional SFC3000, also record the amount of CO₂ being subsequently captured.

It is is a highly versatile liquid hydrocarbon and gas flow measuring device capable of operating in a stand-alone single stream flow measurement system or as part of a highly complex multi-stream system and offers a great deal more than a dedicated flow computer. It can operate on a number of levels from a supervisory machine to a standalone flow computer or as a system component. The computer may be configured to provide a multi-stream measurement solution for gas flow. Using a SFC3000 to make multiple sample point measurements can offer cost savings by allowing a single emissions analyser to make sequential measurements from many different sample points.

With its touch screen VGA display and extensive processing capabilities, combined with simple to use controls and unique operating software, the SFC3000 it can function as a complete station supervisor integrated into a flow computer housing.

Designed specifically to meet the needs of the worldwide liquid hydrocarbon and gas measurement markets, the SFC3000 is intended to positively contribute to both management and conservation of the world’s dwindling energy resources by providing both versatile and accurate measurement and incorporating state of the art designs and components.

SFC3000 flow computer key features:

• Measurement conforming to AGA, ISO, API standards of: dry and wet natural gas, hydrocarbon liquids, other gases e.g. nitrogen, other liquids e.g. water.
• NMi Certificates to: WELMEC 7.2 and 8.8, OIML R117, MID 2014/32/EU
• Standard Features: standalone flow computing function, flow computing combined with supervisory function, up to 2 G-byte additional memory for Alarm, Audit and Data Logging, optional SD card required.
• Meter types: pulse generating flow meters, most common ultrasonic flow meters, dp transmitters with orifice or venturi measurements.
• Configurable Display: system diagrams, Trending and graphical displays, Language options, Interfaces to most types of metering equipment and all popular GC’s, Easy Installation and interfacing
• Supervisory Features, Alarm/Event/Data Logging and Recording, Printer Report Generation, System Diagram Display, Network Communication, Station Controller Functions, Valve Control and Remote Operation.
• Maintenance Functions: stream summation, pid/sampler functions, flow computer specification.

The SFC3000 flow computer should be considered the “brains” of a flow measurement system and requires a number of peripheral components to take measurements. Packaged in an industry Standard Half Width 3U High 19” rack construction suitable for panel or chassis mount. It can accommodate up to 6 user plug-in cards and up to five measurement streams in the same chassis.

The future of gas and liquid measurement and flow control continuously evolves. As a leading manufacturer of flow computers, Ex-i Flow Measurement specialises in researching, developing and manufacturing products for the gas and liquid measurement industry, with a focus on continuous project development and enhancement. EX-i offer customers market leading performance, quality, reliability, cost and response.

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@ExiFlow @proactivefleet #PAuto

Proactive Maintenance.

Unscheduled downtime can have a significant impact on manufacturing companies.

When production halts unexpectedly, it disrupts the entire supply chain, leading to delays in product delivery and potential loss of customer trust. Financially, the costs can be substantial, including lost revenue, overtime pay for workers, and expenses for emergency repairs. Additionally, frequent downtime can damage equipment, reducing its potential lifespan and increasing maintenance costs.

Thermal imaging, also known as Thermography is a powerful tool for preventative maintenance in manufacturing. It involves using infrared cameras to detect heat patterns and anomalies in equipment. By identifying areas of excessive heat, which often indicate potential failures, thermography allows maintenance teams to address issues before they lead to costly unscheduled downtime.

One of the key benefits of thermography is its non-invasive nature. Thermal imaging is performed while equipment is operating, minimizing disruptions to production. This proactive approach helps in identifying problems such as electrical faults, mechanical wear, and insulation failures at an early stage. Consequently, it enhances the reliability and efficiency of machinery, extending its lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.

Moreover, thermography provides valuable data that can be used to track the condition of equipment over time. This data-driven approach enables more informed decision-making and better planning of maintenance activities. Overall, thermography is an essential component of a robust preventative maintenance strategy, ensuring operational continuity and safety.

Teledyne FLIR leads in the design and production of thermal imaging cameras and sensors. These products are used across various industries, including manufacturing, security, and environmental monitoring. 

Their cameras are sophisticated instruments that can appear daunting to the untrained user, with specialist applications requiring a deep knowledge of thermography to provide valuable insights. On the other hand, FLIRs thermal imaging cameras can simply be viewed as tools to do a job, and that job is to inform maintenance teams about the condition of critical assets. The information can provide information to predict the maintenance required, prevent failure, and avoid unscheduled downtime.

While training can be provided by organisations such as the Infrared Training Centre, or online via the FLIR Academy; FLIR offer multiple features to support both experienced and inexperienced thermographers to monitor their equipment. For example:- FLIR Exx-series, and Txxx-series of cameras can be set-up by an experienced user to follow an ‘inspection route’, then less experienced or even beginners can follow the same route, with the camera guiding its operator to take accurate and usable images, pre-selecting the settings and parameters as required. At the end of the inspection, the thermal images can be sync’d wirelessly to a pre-prepared report, allowing easy analysis and interpretation.

This might all sound complicated, but it is just a process that once set-up, supports inexperienced thermographers to capture data in a meaningful way. All designed to provide insights into the condition of equipment around a factory, production plant or manufacturing facility.

If your maintenance teams are forever ‘fire fighting’, on high-alert, or waiting to react urgently to equipment failures, then it’s time to invest some more time and energy to get ahead of unplanned downtime, and monitor the condition of equipment. One of the best ways to do this is through thermal imaging which can be as affordable as companies need it to be, with training, or guided inspection tools readily available to meet the requirements of the technicians and engineers responsible for maintaining equipment uptime.

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• See also: Which one of 18 million ways to detect air leak? (9/10/2024) 

@flir @mepaxIntPR #TandM #Maintenance #PAuto

Unique Pressure gauges and thermometers with QR.

The stainless steel pressure gauges and mechanical thermometers from WIKA have been given a facelift. Their design now incorporates a “blue identity”. All visible elastomer parts are coloured in the brand’s characteristic blue. In addition, the gauges now have a QR code on the dial. This takes users directly to a standardised WIKA product passport with all the data on the respective instrument.

Thanks to the blue identity, the dial gauges can instantly be recognised as part of the WIKA portfolio. The window seal, the filling plug and the blow-out cap of mechanical stainless steel thermometers and pressure gauges are in the blue colour characteristic of the brand. Last but not least, this protects users from unauthorised imitations of WIKA products.

Not only the colour of the window seal has been changed, but also its contour, so that there are no longer any metallic surfaces inside the case. This eliminates the risk of reflection in unfavourable light conditions. The measured value can be clearly registered in any situation, especially outdoors.

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• WIKA products are marketed in Ireland through Instrument Technology.

@WIKANews #PAuto

Honour for Ireland automation branch.

The ISA Ireland Section received a 'Section Excellence' award at the annual International Society of Automation (ISA)Honours and Awards Gala in Charleston, USA, last week. 

Many congratulations on consistant great work, year on year, by everyone in the section (founded 1977). 

President Patrick Bonner, Past President Brian Curtis and Section Secretary Patrick Corbett were there to receive the award on behalf of the  Sections and members.

Secretary Patrick Corbett (left) and President Patrick Bonner point to the map of Ireland at the ISA's Gala event.

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@IrelandISA @ISA_Automation #Pauto #Automation

Mobile air quality monitor.

‘Airly Orbital’ is a compact, low-power device with built-in GPS and cellular communications to allow mobile air quality monitoring. 

“Traditional air quality monitors are fixed in one location,” explained Airly CEO Wiktor Warchalowski at the launch in early October at AQE, the Air Quality and Emissions show.. “But air quality does not just change all the time; it also changes spatially, so we developed Airly Orbital to provide air quality practitioners with the ability to effectively hunt for air pollution.”

Mobile air quality measurements will help identify pollution hot-spots and optimise the location of fixed monitors. Networks of Airly Orbital sensors will help refine the ongoing positioning of stationary sensors and improve the rapid detection of air quality incidents such as fires and other hazardous events.

The Airly Orbital has been designed for deployment on cars, trams, or buses to measure traffic pollution. It helps optimise traffic flow and assess the impact of mitigation measures such as real-time traffic control, traffic calming, pedestrianisation, and clean air, congestion, and low emission zones.

Airly Orbital employs the same well-proven and high-performing technologies as Airly’s established air quality sensors, measuring NO2, Ozone and PM 1, 2.5 and 10, as well as temperature, humidity and pressure. However, with rapid mobile communications and a highly accurate GPS, Airly Orbital is able to undertake continuous mobile air quality measurements so that users can develop a better understanding of air quality in a town or city.

Designed for continuous operation, running on 9-24V DC, with a maximum power consumption of 2 W, Airly Orbital can run from a cigarette lighter socket or a small solar panel.

These Airly Orbital devices will be available for shipping from 2nd December 2024.

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@airlyorg @_Enviro_News #Airquality #Environment

Which one of 18 million ways to detect air leak?

Teledyne's Daryll Taylor helps in looking for advancements on the soapy water technique.

Daryll Taylor

The other day I performed a Google search for ‘How to detect an air leak’. Not surprisingly it came up with millions of results, over 18 million in fact.

Whether solving the problem in a commercial establishment or a domestic home environment, the majority of search results pointed to one solution. Namely, soapy water!

Before we all ridicule the idea as belonging to a bygone era, take a vehicle with a slow puncture to a tyre fitting depot and the chances are they remove the wheel and spin it in water to determine the leak. It’s a simple time proven method for determining leaks from pressurised systems.

But of course, not all equipment can be placed in soapy water. What if a system is known to be losing pressure and yet the lines carrying the compressed air from the source are located 10 metres above the ground, and dismantling the system is out of the question? Thankfully there is a fast and effective solution to hand.

Each time air or indeed any gas, leaks from a pressured system there is an associated sound. If the leak is significant, it can be audible to the human ear and therefore easily identified and rectified accordingly. However, most leaks in high pressure systems are extremely small and are out of the range of a human ear.

Think about a pressured air system on a large factory delivering compressed air from a bank of compressors to various stages of production throughout the manufacturing process. The chances are there are hundreds if not thousands of connections in the form of joints, reducers, valves, elbows, condensers etc. Each of these has the potential to leak small amounts of air, reducing the pressure of the system.

One leak might make very little difference but multiply this by the number of potential leaking joints and efficiency can be significantly compromised. The compressor will seek to compensate for any pressure loss by simply working harder. However, as any engineer will know, compressors can be expensive to operate in terms of energy and therefore will certainly increase an operators energy consumption.

With electricity costs being so much higher in Europe due to geopolitical factors in recent years, most companies are seeking to reduce the amount of energy used. Having a compressor work overtime to compensate for leaking joints is certainly not something senior management would smile about!

These scenarios are certainly not uncommon, in fact one European compressor manufacturer has stated that in some industrial settings, up to 80% of air generated is lot in leaks. So clearly identifying these small leaks can make a real difference to a company’s energy bills.

Although the sound produced by a small leak is inaudible to the human ear a high performance acoustic imaging camera such as the FLIR Teledyne Si2 – LD will have absolutely no problem identifying the source. Launched earlier this year the camera is capable of detecting leaks of 0.05 litres per minute at a distance of 10 metres, meaning those elevated air lines pose no problem for this latest instrument in the FLIR acoustic imaging camera line up.

For closer work the camera is even more sensitive and can detects minute leaks of 0.0032 litres per minute at a distance of 2.5 metres. Coupled with this improvement, the third-generation camera has improved microphones now capable of detecting sounds over an extremely wide frequency range, namely 2 – 130 kHz.

Areas of plant are often dark or dimly lit. for this reason FLIR have fitted the FLIR Si2-series of cameras with two powerful LED lights to make component identification easy even in poorly lit conditions.

Of course, it’s not just compressed air that the camera is capable of detecting; noise emitted by any escaping gas is identified by the powerful microphones. However that’s only part of the story.

The FLIR Si2-LD has built in software termed Industrial Gas Quantification. If the leaking gas is ammonia, hydrogen, helium, or carbon dioxide, very commonly used gases in a number of industries, the software is capable of quantifying the financial loss caused by the leak. By simply entering factors such as the cost per litre, the software identifies the amount each leak is causing over a given period of time. Such data is invaluable to financial analysts and senior management within an organisation.

It goes without saying that the financial considerations are only one aspect of leaking gas. The gases mentioned above all carry significant health hazards and can present a variety of dangers to personnel if allowed to leak for any period of time. Ammonia and carbon dioxide can cause serious breathing problems and asphyxiation even in smaller concentrations, whereas hydrogen can explode in the presence of oxygen. Clearly the cost of such problems goes way beyond any financial considerations.

We’ve come a long way since the ‘soap and water’ approach. See how the latest technology from FLIR Teledyne can help in reducing downtime, lower energy bills and improve safety in your organisation.

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@flir @mepaxIntPR #TandM #PAuto

Industrial hydraulic valve.

The Vickers® by Danfoss portfolio of proportional valves has been expanded with the launch of the KBFRG4-5 valve. The new single-stage, four-way hydraulic valve features a round solenoid design and delivers high power capacity and superior durability. The valve is designed for a range of industrial applications, including wind turbines, machine tools, plastic molding, metal forming, pulp and paper processing, and more.

The KBFRG4-5 proportional valve features a market-leading maximum pressure rating of 350 bar and a maximum flow of 290 liters per minute at 57 bar, delivering higher power capacities than other valves on the market. Its competitive step response of 20 milliseconds further adds to its superior performance capabilities.

Engineered to withstand the toughest conditions, the KBFRG4-5 proportional valve features an IP67 ingress protection rating and a robust metal housing for increased vibration and shock resistance (7.8 g random, 50 g shock). A high corrosion resistance option is also available. The valve complies with industry standard certifications, including CE, UKCA, REACH, RoHS, and EMI/EMC.

“Vickers has long been the trusted name in industrial hydraulics, and Danfoss will continue to invest in the portfolio to meet the evolving needs of our customers. The KBFRG4-5 proportional valve is just one example. With its robust design, high performance, and advanced features, the valve is an ideal choice for a wide range of demanding applications,” said Dr. Peter Lauer, Global Product Manager, Industrial division, Danfoss Power Solutions.

The KBFRG4-5 proportional valve is offered with tools and features that simplify setup, commissioning, and troubleshooting. The valve features CAN communication and configurable control modes, which can be programmed using Danfoss’ Pro-FX™ Configure software. Optional valve test kits are available to simplify on-site commissioning. The valve’s built-in health monitoring and LED indicator lights simplify diagnostics.

With its round solenoids and external linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) plus standard CETOP 5 body and spools, the valve features a cost-effective design. Multiple spool options with various flow ratings are available.

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@Danfoss @DanfossPower @NapierPR #Pauto

PPE recognition for safety.

Innodisk has introduced an innovative AI-based InnoPPE recognition solution to improve safety and compliance in high-risk industrial environments. This  solution ensures real-time detection of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including safety helmets and gloves, and seamlessly integrates with existing surveillance systems.

With rising global attention on Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS), stricter PPE standards are pushing businesses to adopt more effective monitoring systems. Regulations like ISO 45001 and Directive 89/656/EEC emphasize the need for better safety practices. In industries such as manufacturing and energy extraction, InnoPPE provides a vital solution by ensuring workers consistently wear the required protective gear.

The solution efficiently processes four or more video streams at once, identifying PPE violations and instantly notifying management with detailed information for immediate action. This real-time feedback helps reduce safety risks without affecting operational efficiency.

InnoPPE is highly customizable, supporting both AMD Xilinx FPGA and Intel x86 platforms for optimal performance, low latency, and reduced power consumption. It also integrates effortlessly with existing IP camera systems, minimizing additional equipment costs, as a single edge AI device handles multiple 1080p (Full HD) camera feeds, providing cost-effective scalability across industrial setups.

Building on Innodisk's core value of "absolute service," the InnoPPE solution sets itself apart by offering a buy-out model that combines both hardware and software into a single package. This eliminates the complexities of managing separate vendors or paying recurring subscription fees. Innodisk delivers a fully integrated solution with customizable AI models tailored to specific environments. These models are rapidly developed, ensuring high accuracy and flexibility alongside real-time support, making it a comprehensive and efficient safety solution for industrial environments.

Besides, the intuitive interface enables seamless camera management, real-time streaming, and quick access to safety violation records. Through its collaboration with renowned Network Optix, InnoPPE offers a user-friendly experience while elevating safety standards across high-risk industries.

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@Innodisk_Corp  @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Safety #Manufacturing

Software verification.

The latest release of TrustInSoft Analyzer 2024.10 (TISA), which includes new and substantially updated features that streamline software testing workflows has been announced, significantly accelerating the testing process while ensuring compliance with strict industry safety and security standards.

“In today's fast-paced software development world, ensuring code reliability, security, and compliance is more critical than ever,” said Caroline Guillaume, CEO of TrustInSoft (right). “The rapid onset of software-defined services in many aspects of manufacturing, industry, and business demands software that is guaranteed to be error free. Using formal methods modelling techniques, this latest release of TISA ensures software safety, reliability and security like no other analyzer available today.”

Among several new features in the latest version of TISA is its improved GUI, which enables users to quickly create and configure projects.

The GUI also enables users to manage and track progress across multiple projects from a single interface and organize their analyses parameters more effectively. Easy access to project settings, analysis configurations, and results also make it easier for teams to collaborate and stay organized.

This version of TISA addresses the need for smarter, faster, and more automated verification tools with the inclusion of assisted analysis setup, which provides step-by-step, user-friendly guidance for configuring the analysis environment. This avoids common configuration errors by ensuring that every critical analysis and verification parameter is correctly set. This not only reduces the likelihood of errors during setup, but it also introduces additional functionality that further improves verification precision.

New drivers are automatically generated based on selected entry points and call conditions and users can easily view their lists in the tabular view of analysis, which simplifies the process and ensures comprehensive coverage of the code being analyzed. Building on the foundation of the assisted analysis setup, an automated analysis tuning feature offers suggestions for fine-tuning analysis parameters based on project specifics, reducing the need for deep manual intervention.

Additionally, a dynamic parameter adjustment tool analyses project context and recommends changes that further enhance precision and performance; and an improved accuracy feature ensures that the analysis is specifically tailored to the needs of the project. This release also delivers significant enhancements to the analysis of C++ programs. In testing, overall analysis time was reduced by 75 percent, further evidence of TISA’s ability to quickly and effectively process complex codebases.

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@TrustInSoft @NapierPR  #Software #Testing 

LIMS improvements in labs and industries.

Xybion has announced the launch of Xybion LIMS 10.0. Building on over 200 customer implementations, and the knowledge and experience of Autoscribe Informatics in LIMS and ELN software, combined with Xybion’s over forty years of experience in building life sciences SaaS R&D LIMS and QMS software, Xybion LIMS 10.0 represents a major milestone in the LIMS industry. It presents users with a modern look and feel that provides an intuitive and user-friendly digital workspace. 

This flexible platform is integrated with a powerful Xybion QMS system allowing companies to rapidly digitize laboratory processes, accelerate tests, study timelines, and laboratory throughput, while enabling full compliance with 21 CFR Part 11 requirements and various global regulatory agencies including US FDA, EMA, Eudra, and TGA. 

Key Features of Xybion LIMS:

• Xybion LIMS features a modern, user-friendly design with streamlined navigation and improved accessibility.
• Fully functional out of the box LIMS with the flexibility for easy configuration by the LIMS users
• Xybion LIMS offers configurable solutions for various industries and functions, including life sciences, manufacturing, oil and gas, water testing, veterinary science, environmental, biobank management and stability studies. Systems are integrated to meet specific industry needs, underscoring Xybion’s commitment to delivering configured bespoke, high-value solutions.
• The solution is a comprehensive, fully featured LIMS that supports complex laboratory workflows and sample management as well as providing additional functionality required for running integrated laboratory operations including: o Instrument calibration and maintenance. Ensures that instruments and equipment are correctly maintained and calibrated.
• Inventory management. Manages stocks of reagents and consumables used by the organization.
• Competency management. Tracks and manages the training and competencies of laboratory personnel.
• Storage management. Defines storage facilities, including fridges and freezers, together with associated shelves and racks etc. as well managing what can be stored in each respective location.
• Chain of custody and full audit trail. Provides a full record of all actions carried out on samples, as well as recording all changes and who carried out the actions and when.
• Runsheets and QC samples. Supports the definition and management of runsheets and instrument worklists together with associated QC samples.
• CAPA management. Corrective and preventative action management for tracking and resolving identified and reported issues.
• Controlled document management. Manages the distribution of controlled documents within the organization.
• The sophisticated software architecture supports seamless upgrades, that easily maintain existing functionalities therefore reducing the need for manual intervention and increasing efficiency. 
• A new plate management solution has been introduced, allowing for the management of 96 well plates and similar configurations, improving the organization and allowing for the tracking of plate-based experiments. 
• The advanced Bioanalytical System includes additional statistical calculations and data processing functions to support complex workflows.
• Integration into Xybion’s existing comprehensive suite of solutions offers further improved functionality and efficiencies.

 

Xybion LIMS creates a robust LIMS platform-based solution that modernizes the user interface, enhances the researchers experience, improves operational oversight, and accelerates laboratory throughput. Clients will experience cutting-edge, user-friendly design and functionality that redefines LIMS capabilities and streamlines laboratory operations.

 

“The introduction of Xybion LIMS is a testament to the strength of the Autoscribe 10.0 platform, our vision and global capabilities with hundreds of client implementations to transform laboratory operations into the gold standard of operational efficiency. With combined AI-driven advanced analytics and decision support, Xybion LIMS represents the pinnacle of this vision, offering unprecedented efficiency and usability to our customers,” said Jason Jones, SVP and General Manager of Xybion LIMS. “We have engineered a robust and intuitive LIMS solution with the flexibility to meet the dynamic needs of modern laboratories.”

 

“At Xybion, we are committed to excellence and innovation in all our solutions. The release of Xybion LIMS marks a significant milestone in our journey towards creating smarter, more efficient laboratories around the world,” said Dr. Pradip Banerjee, Chairman and CEO of Xybion. “Xybion LIMS is more than a technological breakthrough; it's about making our clients' lives easier and their laboratories digitized for faster and more impactful outcomes. With state-of-the-art features and an intuitive design, Xybion LIMS sets a new standard for laboratory operations.”

 

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@Xybion @AutoscribeLtd @AutoscribeCorp #LIMS #Laboratory

High power PCB relay.

Omron Electronic Components Europe has launched the G7EB-E2 high power PCB relay. The relay is a new, higher capacity variant of the G7EB series, featuring enhanced current carrying and breaking capacity, providing a low footprint and cost-effective yet highly reliable alternative to contactors.

Rated for 150A of continuous carry current and switching current, the G7EB-E2 is suitable for up to 100 kW at 3-phase 400 VAC, 200 kW at 3-phase 800 VAC, and 7 kW at 48 VDC. Suitable applications include photovoltaic (PV) inverters, electric vehicle (EV) chargers and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). Crucially, the relay is the exact same dimensions and weight as its predecessor the G7EB-E, providing increased capacity within the same footprint. It has a wide contact gap of 3.6 mm, with an extremely low contact resistance of 5m ohm.

As well as carrying, the G7EB-E2 also breaks at 150A for up to 100 operations at 480 VAC, and 30 operations at 800 VAC. The device is therefore ideal for providing safe and reliable system operations with an emergency stop function, and eliminates the need for other breaking devices, in turn facilitating smaller and lighter product designs with higher power capacity. The relay is available in two coil voltage variations of 12 VDC and 24 VDC.

Compared with similarly rated contactors, the G7EB-E2 is smaller and lighter, providing the potential to free up space within PCB designs by eliminating the need for additional power cables. Simplified PCB designs can also help to streamline and accelerate product manufacturing processes, while its lower cost compared to equivalent contactors can reduce component and unit costs.

In PV inverter applications, the G7EB-E2 can potentially be used to connect and disconnect the main circuit to and from the utility grid. Its contact gap of 3.6 mm is compliant with the requirements of IEC 62109. For industrial UPS, its 50 to 100 kVA outputs can be used to open or close input and output of AC main circuits, reducing the likelihood of failures while improving safety and resilience between grid and load. Alternatively, it can be applied to 48 VDC battery and power supply systems to connect and disconnect safely from the DC supply.

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@OmronEurope @OmronComponents @napierPR #Electronics #PAuto

Masters of the air!

Key operators and specialists in the aviation industry are invited to a dedicated and unique event showcasing the latest test and measurement solutions for this rapidly developing sector.

The unique ‘Mastering the Airspace Spectrum’ event, taking place 13th November 2024, in Naas (IRL)* is ideal for key operators and specialists in the aviation industry, showcasing the latest test and measurement solutions for the rapidly developing sector.

Rohde & Schwarz and various partner companies will explore solutions for ground, flight and drone-based air navigation testing, as well as spectrum intelligence and investigations at airports, and insights into fixed wing drone-based services for flight inspection.

Attendees will explore practical steps, detailed explanations and demonstrations of solutions for ground, flight and drone-based air navigation testing, as well as spectrum intelligence and investigations at airports, and insights into fixed wing drone-based services for flight inspection.

A wide range of test and measurement products and solutions will be presented for ground, flight and drone-based flight inspection of such navigation aids as VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR), Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Ground-Based Augmentation System (GBAS). It is essential that such systems continually deliver maximum levels of precision, accuracy, flexibility, efficiency, safety and compliance.

Other topics the event will focus on include solutions for ground and flight inspection of Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) stations as well as hands-on experience in the testing of modern-day Air Traffic Control (ATC) radios. Visitors will also see the latest advances in systems for direction finding and interference hunting at airports, including how to find unwanted signals.

A detailed presentation by Gerald Maher, Sales Manager and Application Engineer from Rohde & Schwarz will look at wireless communication testers for typical signals used at airports, including the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) for communicating between aircraft and ground stations, and the VOLMET system of continuous broadcasting of meteorological information for aircraft in flight and the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS). He will also cover maritime distress communication systems, localizer horizontal guidance systems, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G, hand-held radios, radio stations, TETRA terrestrial trunked radio, weather radar and WiFi. 

Callum Williams, Product Manager, Wireless at Rohde & Schwarz, will outline the practical steps to take when testing ATC radios at airports using the versatile R&S CMA180 radio test set, which is designed for testing a wide range of analogue and digital radio systems, including avionics and VoIP. 

Semahat Korkmazer, Product Manager, Avionics and Navigation Analysers, at Rohde & Schwarz, will explain the technology behind the range of navigation aid analysers for ground, flight and drone inspection. The analysers are known for their ease of use, robust performance in harsh environments and excellent functionality, making them ideal for ensuring the safety and reliability of air navigation systems.

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*The ‘Mastering the Airspace Spectrum’ event will be held from 10:00am to 4:15pm on Wednesday 13th November at the Killashee Hotel and Conference Centre in Naas, County Kildare, W91 DC98, Ireland. 

@RohdeSchwarz @NapierPR #TandM #Aerospace #Ireland

Flow compliance at sewage works.

Small wastewater treatment works (WwTWs) frequently present significant physical challenges for instrumentation and control engineers. However, a compliant flow measurement facility has been installed at a plant in Fowey, in Cornwall, by a partnership involving a water company, a contractor, an instrumentation provider and an inspection company. 

The flow monitor at Fowey WwTW needed to be replaced as part of a capital maintenance programme which was challenging due to the constrained nature of the site. Therefore, more innovative solutions were considered as an alternative to a like-for-like replacement. Engineers from Tecker, a MEICA* contractor for South West Water, therefore reviewed the available options. “The channel is in-between two aeration ditches, and there was insufficient room to extend or divert the channel,” explains Tecker Project Engineer Ben Finney. “We therefore considered repairing or replacing the flume, but an alternative suggestion was made that we contact Nivus to see if their cross-correlation flow meter might be able to deliver accurate flow measurements without the costs and problems associated with capital works.”

Background.
Accurate wastewater flow measurement enables the managers of treatment plants to operate efficiently – optimising treatment, minimising costs and protecting the environment. Consequently, through MCERTS, the Environment Agency places strict performance requirements on flow monitoring devices and structures at WwTWs in England. The MCERTS performance standard establishes the minimum requirements for the self-monitoring of flow.

The MCERTS standard applies where a site has a permit under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) requiring the process operator to monitor liquid flow of sewage or trade effluent, and to collect and record the results. MCERTS specifies the minimum requirements for self-monitoring of flow where operators have installed meters to conform to the Environment Agency’s permit requirements. Natural Resources Wales permits may also specify that flow monitoring systems are certified against MCERTS.

Regulated flow measurement systems and structures are usually inspected annually, and non-compliance can be triggered by a number of factors such as ageing and eroded channels, or a failure to deliver the requisite levels of accuracy due to changing flow volumes. For example, growth in the local population combined with increasing rainfall intensity due to climate change, can result in flow structures ‘drowning out’.

Flow monitoring at Fowey WwTW.
Following Tecker’s request, engineers from Nivus visited the site and specified the instrumentation requirements, based on the Nivus NF750 transmitter, a cross-correlation velocity sensor combined with ultrasonic level measurement. “The popularity of this technology has grown enormously in recent years,” says Rob Rhyder from Nivus. “This is frequently because the flow meter can be quickly and easily retro-fitted to damaged or ageing channels, without having to implement significant capital works.”

Explaining the advantages of this solution, Ben Finney says: “The cross-correlation flow meter was delivered within a month of the order and installation took less than a week. In contrast, work to repair or replace the flume would have taken much longer to organise and implement; it would have cost a great deal more; normal operations of the plant would have been impacted, and there would have been no guarantee of MCERTS compliance. We were therefore delighted that the Nivus solution was implemented so quickly, and that it passed the MCERTS inspection.”

Cross-correlation flow measurement.
Nivus has developed a unique ultrasonic cross-correlation method, in which individual velocities are measured continuously at different levels within the flow section. This area velocity flow measurement technique provides a 3-dimensional flow profile that is calculated in real-time to provide reproducible and verifiable flow readings.

The flow velocity measurement method is based on the principle of ultrasonic reflection. Reflectors such as particles, minerals or gas bubbles within the wastewater are scanned using an ultrasonic impulse with a defined angle. The resulting echoes are saved as images or echo patterns, and a second scan is conducted a few milliseconds later. The resulting echo patterns are saved, and by correlating/comparing the saved signals, the positions of unambiguously identifiable reflectors can be identified. The reflectors can be identified at varying positions within the images since they have moved with the water.

By utilising the beam angle it is possible to compute the particle velocity and hence the wastewater flow velocity from the temporal shift of the reflectors. This technology produces highly accurate readings without the need to perform additional calibration measurements.

Designed for operation in channels or pipes, the technology is able to operate effectively in the most demanding, heavily polluted applications. Influencing factors such as flume shape, discharge behaviour and wall roughness are all accommodated within the flow computation.

The Nivus cross-correlation technology is able to conduct flow velocity measurements in levels as low as 3 cm, with additional velocity sensors (maximum 9) deployed in larger flows, measuring flow velocity in up to 4 metres of depth. As a consequence of this flexibility, the technology is applicable to a wide variety of flow structures.

The inlet channel at Fowey is 300mm wide so just a single wedge sensor was required, and Nivus provided bespoke bracketry so that it could be deployed quickly under any process conditions.

Summary.
Following the installation of the Nivus NF750 transmitter, the flow measurement facility was tested and passed MCERTS, without any impacts on the plant’s treatment processes. Looking forward, Ben Finney says: “It is likely that we will utilise area velocity flow meters in more applications because they are sufficiently flexible to be able to accommodate a wide variety of hydraulic systems. In addition to the reduced costs and faster installation times, one of the most important advantages is the minimised requirements for process impact.” Emphasising the importance of a partnership approach, Ben adds: “Obviously, we were keen to ensure that the flow installation received MCERTS approval, so it was highly beneficial to accommodate the views of all stakeholders from the beginning, including the MCERTS inspector.”

Dave Curtis, South West Water MEICA Specialist, said: “More demanding requirements from the regulator combined with challenging process scenarios mean that the need to consider alternative technologies is essential. The Nivus technology has been recognised by South West Water for some time and features on approved equipment lists. The technique offers a valuable tool in our armoury where the application does not suit other closed pipe or noncontact methods.”

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* MEICA : Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control and Automation scoping programme of British Government.

@_Enviro_News  #Nivus  #MCERTS #Wastewater #Environmemt