Regional centre for Scandinavia marks digital platform development.

HIMA Group, the global leader in safety-related automation solutions for the process and rail industries celebrated the grand opening of the new regional center for Scandinavia: Origo Solutions’ head office in Kristiansand (N). The inauguration ceremony was held in May 2026.

With its strong local roots and long-standing role as a trusted partner to major operators and EPC contractors, Origo Solutions head office relocated to new, state-of-the-art premises at Kjøita Energy Park in central Kristiansand, marking a significant milestone in the company’s growth.

The inauguration began with opening remarks from the shareholder of HIMA Group. “Origo and HIMA have worked closely together for decades, with Origo Solutions representing HIMA in Norway for more than 20 years before becoming part of the HIMA Group. I’m proud to see us taking the next step together and creating even more value for our customers in Scandinavia and strengthening HIMA Group’s digital offering worldwide,” said Steffen Philipp, shareholder of the HIMA Group.

Guests were then guided through the new head office and experienced live demonstrations of innovative Functional Safety and OT Security solutions. The introduction of the ‘HIMA Digital Unit’ highlighted new solutions and their customer values, before the evening concluded with dinner for networking and celebration.

Successful integration into HIMA Group.
Origo Solutions has been HIMA’s exclusive representative in Norway since 1998 and became part of the HIMA Group in 2024 and regional center for Scandinavia, supporting industries such as oil and gas, process, energy, and renewables. The head office is located in Kristiansand, complemented by branch offices in Arendal and Stavanger. Customers in Norway, Sweden and Denmark benefit from a locally anchored organization backed by the full capabilities of the HIMA Group.

The successful integration of Origo Solutions into the HIMA Group created a strong foundation for expanding the Group’s presence across the Scandinavian market while evolving into a digital solution provider for process safety. The expansion reflects HIMA Group’s long-term commitment to Scandinavia – particularly Norway as a key European energy hub – and posi-tioned the company to address major industry trends such as digitalization, energy transition, and the convergence of functional safety and OT Security.

Accelerating digital growth.
A key milestone in this journey is the launch of the new HIMA Digital unit, built on Origo Solutions’ digital platform development including SCADA+™ combined with HIMA’s long-term safety expertise. As competence center for digital development, HIMA Digital plays a central role in expending HIMA Group’s value-driven digital solutions for customers worldwide and marks the next step in HIMA’s strategic initiative #safetygoesdigital.

“The successful integration of Origo Solutions strengthens our presence in Scandinavia and supports our evolution into a digital solutions provider for process safety,” said Jörg de la Motte, CEO of the HIMA Group. “Expanding our regional center marks the next step. With HIMA Digital, we are advancing our #safetygoesdigital strategy to deliver real, value-driven solutions for customers worldwide.”

New facilities designed for growth and innovation.
Located in the heart of Kristiansand’s energy hub, the new head office offers modern, flexible workspaces alongside dedicated areas for engineering, training, and hands-on technical work, including a fully equipped workshop and expanded testing capabilities. It also includes advanced environments for customer interaction and co-development, such as the HIMA Experience Room, and provides sufficient space for future team and portfolio expansion.

“Moving into Kjøita Energy Park is more than a change of address – it marks a defining moment in the story of our company,” said Bjørn-Tore Lenes, CEO of Origo Solutions. “From our origins in 1978, through 40 years as the leading safety and automation specialist in Norway, to our formal establishment as HIMA Scandinavia: this is where that journey takes its next step. We know what it takes to get it right – and we have the people, the technology, and now the facilities to prove it.”  

Outlook: continued growth in a transforming market.
As demand for safety and automation solutions continues to grow – driven by both traditional energy markets and the rapid expansion of renewables – the company is well positioned to support customers with innovative, integrated, and future-ready solutions. Bjørn-Tore Lenes, CEO of Origo Solutions, concludes: “By combining a strong local footprint with the global capabilities of the HIMA Group, Origo Solutions aims to play a leading role in helping customers modernize legacy safety systems, implement digital lifecycle solutions and realize sustainable, safe and cyber-secure operations across the Scandinavian energy sector.”

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#Hima #Safety #SCADA #Scandinavia

Analog becomes Digital.

Converter digitises up to three analogue signals – compact, rugged, and ideal for retrofits in harsh industrial environments.

Analog sensors remain a staple in many industrial environments – reliable and robust, but not digitally connected. To help bring this legacy technology into modern automation systems, STEGO has introduced the IOC 074 IO-Link Converter. This compact device transforms analog signals into digital process data and transmits them via the IO-Link protocol – enabling efficient retrofitting of existing infrastructures.

The IOC 074 is the first IO-Link converter on the market capable of digitizing up to three analog signals (4–20 mA and 0–20 mA) simultaneously. With dimensions of just 14 mm in diameter and 63 mm in length, it is perfectly suited for tight installation spaces, control cabinets, enclosures or compact system layouts. Its stainless steel housing is rated IP65, IP66, and IP67, offering reliable protection even in harsh industrial environments.

Installation is straightforward: the converter is connected between the analog sensor and the IO-Link master using standard M12 connectors and cables. A universal pipe clip is included for secure and flexible mounting.

No calculations needed.
Configuration is fully software-based using IO-Link tools such as “LR-Device” and the corresponding IODD file. Users can easily define measurement ranges for temperature, pressure, or other physical parameters.

The IOC 074 handles the scaling automatically and supplies pre-processed values to the control system – with no need for manual conversions or additional hardware. This makes it a user-friendly solution that integrates seamlessly into existing infrastructures and significantly simplifies commissioning.

Future-ready retrofit.
For machine builders, plant operators, or retrofit projects in manufacturing, the IOC 074 delivers real added value: analog sensors can be upgraded to IO-Link with minimal effort. This not only enables integration into modern control systems but also enhances process transparency and operational efficiency. This is a smart, straightforward, and cost-effective path toward digitalization in industrial environments - a practical answer to the challenges of connected manufacturing.

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@UkStego @stego_de @PresseBox #PAuto #Manufacturing

Driving Sustainable Innovation in Northern Ireland's Industries.

Digital Catapult, Britain's authority on advanced digital technology, has launched a cutting-edge accelerator programme with Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to support the region’s net zero ambition. The Tenfold NetZero Accelerator Programme will support three of Northern Ireland’s leading agriculture and manufacturing businesses to develop proofs-of-concept that will drive adoption of sustainable innovation across the region, and solve complex industrial challenges.*

LtoR: Neville Graham, Head of Farmer Services, Dale Farm; Sue McGuire, Senior Strategic Partnership Manager, Digital Catapult; Andrew Muir MLA, DAERA Minister; Fiacre O’Donnell, Sustainability Director, Encirc; Jason Rankin, General Manager, AgriSearch

The solutions set to be developed during the programme aim to reduce glass waste during the production of dark glass bottles and identify novel agricultural innovation methods to enable more accurate measurement and usage of nutrients using advanced digital technologies. The programme is now taking applications from the UK’s world class technology startup and SME community to support the development of these solutions working alongside Northern Ireland-based AgriSearch, Dale Farm and Encirc.

Speaking at the launch of the call for applications at Dale Farm in Belfast, Minister Andrew Muir, said: “I am delighted to be here today alongside local industry. Tenfold NetZero demonstrates how Northern Ireland’s public and private sector can work together to develop solutions that benefit industry, drive innovation, achieve green growth and hopefully create sustainable business models that can be emulated across DAERA’s sectors.”

The Climate Change Act 2022 sets an ambitious target to reduce Northern Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions to Net Zero by 2050 and it is hoped the programme can deliver sustainable climate action solutions and help local business achieve net zero.

Sue McGuire, Senior Strategic Partnerships Manager at Digital Catapult, said: “Our goal is to ensure businesses of all sizes can achieve business growth and improved efficiency in their journey to net zero. The programme is a unique opportunity for industry to partner with the wider UK technology ecosystem and leverage emerging digital technologies through their insights, knowledge and skills.”

Participating technology solution providers will have the opportunity to access the ideal testbed for sustainable agriculture innovation, by working alongside leading Northern Ireland dairy cooperative Dale Farm and AgriSearch, the farmer-led research organisation.*

Neville Graham, Head of Farmer Services, Dale Farm said: “As a farmer-owned cooperative we are committed not only to reducing our carbon footprint, but ensuring that the 1,300 farmers who own Dale Farm have resilient, sustainable and profitable farm businesses for years to come. We are delighted to support this project alongside government and industry partners, as we explore how new technologies and digital transformation can help the agri-food sector move towards net zero.”

Jason Rankin, General Manager at AgriSearch, said: “This programme offers our network of farmers the opportunity to gain access to expertise in advanced digital technologies that they would never formally have access to and solve mass challenges across beef, sheep and dairy farming, and help achieve our goals to reduce costs, improve performance, drive innovation and improve welfare for primary producers.”

Encirc, a market leader in glass container design, manufacturing, bottling and logistics solutions, is also providing a rare opportunity for an SME to partner and feed into a global supply chain. Encirc’s Sustainability Director, Fiacre O’Donnell, said: “Our challenge is around quality inspection for dark coloured glass at our Northern Ireland plant and solving this will reduce waste, improve our efficiencies and will help us drive towards our goal of producing zero emission glass.”

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*The closing date for applications is 12th May 2024. Further information on the challenges, selection criteria and terms and conditions can be found here.

@DigiCatapult @daera_ni @AgriSearchNI @Encirc #PAuto Sustainability,

Mobile pressure measurement.

The model CPG1200 digital pressure gauge from WIKA,  enables convenient and flexible setting of operating pressures, readjusting pressure switches and carrying out pressure monitoring – for example leak testing during transport.

The battery-operated CPG1200 has been designed specifically for use in mobile applications. Thanks to the durable plastic case and optional protective case cap, the instrument is robust and easily withstands vibrations and shocks in use.

The proven measurement technology covers all common ranges up to -1 ... 1,000 bar [-14.5 … 15,000 psi] (gauge pressure) with an accuracy of down to 0.25 % FS. Depending on requirements, the measuring rate can be set to 1, 3, 4 or 10 measurements per second.

The CPG1200 also has an energy-saving mode. In practice, operating times of up to 4,000 hours are possible without changing the battery. A data logger for up to 1 million data points can be integrated as an option. The stored measured data is read via the integrated USB interface, which also supplies the instrument with power. Alternatively, the values can also be transmitted wirelessly via Bluetooth®.

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• WIKA products are marketed in Ireland through Instrument Technology.

@WIKANews  #PAuto  #Transport

Appointment for digital performance success.

"We are thrilled that Charlotte Warchol is joining Centreon. Her 15 years of experience in services and customer relations are essential in helping us continually improve customer satisfaction, a growth driver for Centreon," said Julien Mathis, CEO of Centreon.  The leader in digital performance monitoring had just announced the appointment of Charlotte Warchol as Chief Customer Success Officer.

Charlotte Warchol

An expert in the IT and customer relations industry, Charlotte Warchol will lead the Customer Success department, which includes the Professional Services, Education, Customer Care, and Customer Success teams. She will oversee the transformation and continuous improvement strategy of the customer journey and partner relationships, as well as the development of an innovative catalog of service offerings.

A graduate in marketing from IAE Gustave Eiffel Paris, Charlotte Warchol began her career at Alcatel-Lucent, where she managed customer service projects before joining Armatis, where she held various positions, including project manager, pre-sales and project manager. She then joined Orange Applications for Business as manager of the project team before returning to Armatis to head IT operations. Prior to joining Centreon, Charlotte had been leading the Customer Success department at Vocalcom since 2018.

"I am delighted to join Centreon, where the 'Customer First' value is a reality every day. Every decision is made with a focus on customer satisfaction, which is essential for a Chief Customer Success Officer. The Customer Success department is seen as a real profit center, and I am convinced that we will achieve great things with my teams!" said Charlotte Warchol.

The appointment of an expert in customer relations confirms Centreon's desire to continuously improve the services delivered to its customers.

@Centreon #PAuto #IT

A curmudgeon speaks!

I received the latest issue of InTech, ISA's flagship, over the holiday period. I look forward to receiving it at home to have a good read at my ease. But this is the last time I'll be able to do so.

"...it is with a bit of sadness but much gratitude for the benefits of digital publications that I say this is the last issue of InTech in print. After years of pilot projects and deliberations, the digital transformation of InTech magazine is a reality." so says Renee Bassett, the editor-in-chief in her editorial in this the last paper issue.

She gives all sorts of figures and that decided the Society to make this change. Reading it I find I am in the 33% who do NOT read the digital issue although it has been available in digital format as well as the paper version for quite some time. I do not as a rule read pdf magazines or newspapers in the same way as I read the printed versions. I can't thumb through it.

I know this is a curmudgeonly opinion and will have no effect on this decision but feel I must express this opinion especially as the Society honoured me by electing me as Publications Vice-President many years ago. The Society also recognised my humble efforts as a member both of my local section and of the wider global society. So I have a lot to thank the Society for - not least the companionship of automation professionals. I remember my first attendance at an ISA function and the relief not having to answer the question, "What exactly IS instrumentation?"

Don't mistake what I am saying. I like the internet and use it all the time. I first joined up to the internet in 1993 so that I could contact and access quickly the benefits and knowledge that the Society has provided over the past almost 80 years. In fact I was the 800th subscriber to the service of our local internet provider Ireland On-Line - remember dial-up?

As publisher myself I understand the problems of providing a printed publication. The production cost has not changed that much in the last forty or fifty years. However the cost of distribution has probably quadrupled if not more. Our own publication - Read-out - which ceased paper publication about six years ago had seen the cost of postage increase from around €0.50 per copy to almost €5.00 per copy. We had little choice but to change to on-line publishing with items being published on a daily basis.

We will continue to subscribe to the digital InTech (and its sister eBooks) and will no doubt dip into it virtually. I will miss it plopping through our letter box every two months. I will miss sitting back and thumbing through it as I learn about the latest automation technologies and applications.

@ISA_Interchange @IrelandISA #Automation #PAuto #TandM

New premises emphases growth path.

More space for the production of flow measurement technology and the development of IIoT solutions.

Over the past five years the number of employees at the Endress+Hauser's Reinach location in the Swiss canton of Basel-Landschaft has grown by 20 percent to more than 2,000. At the same time, the number of units produced has significantly increased and the digital solutions portfolio has expanded. In order to simultaneously meet the new demands of the work environment, vocational training positions and digitalization, the measurement and automation technology specialist invested 60 million Swiss francs in the Reinach campus.

After beginning work on the foundations in 2019, Endress+Hauser is celebrating the opening of the nearly 150-meter-long building in Reinach in July (2022). The construction plan included the use of available property and an existing building. The new facility, which boasts more than 25,000 square meters of space, equivalent to around four soccer fields, was built with roughly 19,000 cubic meters of concrete and 2,200 tons of reinforced steel and other materials.

The new building is home to Endress+Hauser Flow, the product center for flow measuring technology, as well as Endress+Hauser Digital Solutions, which is responsible within the Group for all issues related to digital communication and automation solutions. The first wave of employees has already moved into the facility.

Production expansion and additional jobs.
This is a response to the ongoing demand for high-quality instrumentation and solutions for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) environments in the process industry. Liquids and gases must always be monitored, measured and settled with a high degree of accuracy. This is being driven, among other things, by increasingly strict government regulations and growing requirements on quality and environmental protection around the world.

Endress+Hauser Flow has reacted to this development, expanded its portfolio and doubled the number of units produced over the past decade. The consequence is continuous expansion of the production capacity and the creation of additional jobs. With the most recent developments, the family company is making a clear commitment to Reinach and the Basel region (CH) where the Group is firmly rooted.

Focus on collaboration.
As a result of the expansion, around 1,050 employees will move across all buildings. The additional space will create more collectively used workspace. “In the spirit of ‘New Work’, we are implementing activity-based working. Different work areas will be available for different activities, meaning that our employees can choose the space best suited to their individual tasks,” says Mirko Lehmann, Managing Director of Endress+Hauser Flow.

Special coworking zones such as Innovation Labs or project zones furthermore offer different departments the opportunity to collaborate on longer-term projects. Employees can choose between a permanent or shared desks. Bright, friendly spaces and a modern infrastructure have a positive impact on the work environment as well.

Learning-conducive training environment.
For Endress+Hauser, laying the groundwork for the future also means investing in the employees of tomorrow. The new building brings training and education into the heart of operation and offers sufficient space for areas conducive to learning with workshops, labs and training rooms, thus allowing an increase in the number of apprenticeship positions and vocational careers. To date, 43 apprentices have been trained in eight areas. Beginning in August, nearly 50 apprentices will be trained in 11 vocations. This number is expected to grow over the next five years.

Around 4,000 annual visitors can look forward to the new plant tour and hospitality concept. This concept consists of a redesigned reception area and a new visitor center including “Flow Experience”, an integrated 2,000-square-meter area where the Endress+Hauser brand and flow instrument portfolio can be experienced before taking a tour of the plant.

Sustainable energy concept.
Endress+Hauser is furthermore using the new building to align its ongoing business growth even more closely with its ecological and social responsibilities. In light of the goal of the Endress+Hauser Flow sustainability strategy to operate its buildings in Reinach in a CO2-neutral manner by the year 2030, high value is being placed on climate-friendly facilities management. As part of the energy concept, for example, waste heat is stored in a stratified storage tank for warm water and then used for heating. A comprehensive energy monitoring system using instruments from the company’s own portfolio also helps to continuously optimize operation of the buildings.

Large photovoltaic systems were installed on the roof of the new building, which boast a peak capacity of 365 kilowatts, enough to cover the annual electricity needs of around 75 single-family homes. In Reinach, Endress+Hauser now has photovoltaic systems covering more than 3,700 square meters with a total peak capacity of roughly 1 megawatt, making the company one of the largest solar power producers in the Basel region. The roof is also home to two bee colonies and various bee-friendly flowers, a project that contributes to the preservation of biodiversity as these small insects are considered central Europe’s most important plant pollinators.

@Endress_Hauser @Endress_UK @Endress_CA @Endress_US #PAuto #IIoT #Switzerland

Emergency shutdown discrete valve controller.

Providing detailed valve assembly data and diagnostics, enables predictive maintenance and reliable operation.

The TopWorx™ DX PST with HART^® 7 has just been introduced by Emerson. Units provide valuable valve data and diagnostic information, enabling the digital transformation of process applications. The new DX PST integrates seamlessly with existing valves and control systems, giving operators access to critical valve data, trends, and diagnostics that can be used to predict and schedule maintenance.

The DX PST’s partial stroke test ensures the system’s reliable function without shutting down the process. A safety feature that confirms the valve will fully close and stop the process if an emergency is detected, and the test is activated by simply pressing the local PST button — no additional equipment is required. To prevent critical failure in upset conditions, the unit will override testing to perform an emergency shutdown (ESD).

Certified for operation in harsh and hazardous applications, the adaptive DX PST is designed to ensure the integrity of valves, improving overall safety and facility uptime in oil and gas, refinery, chemical, industrial energy and mining applications.

“The digital transformation of the process industry continues to make operations safer and more productive,” said Prayag Vatsraj, Global Product Manager of Emerson’s Switchbox. “The DX PST with HART 7 supports digital transformation by providing reliable data that delivers valuable insight into the condition of valve assemblies that ensures the integrity of the system without shutting down the process.”

The HART® protocol, the specifications of which are owned by the FieldComm Group, builds another layer of information that ensures data, trends and diagnostics are monitored and tied into the Industrial Internet of Things. This information can be used to effectively predict and schedule maintenance.

Capable of Safety Integrity Level 3 (SIL 3), the DX PST is available with an integrated 2oo2 or 2oo3 solenoid valve redundancy when paired with ASCOTM Series Advanced Redundant Control System (ARCS) to further enhance safety and open terminals that allow an additional pressure transmitter along with two pressure switches. The discrete valve controller offers simple local and remote calibration.

@EMR_Automation @EmersonExchange @mepaxIntPR #Pauto 

Melt shop productivity, savings & safety enhanced.

ABB has launched ABB Ability™ Smart Melt Shop, the first smart factory digital application of its kind for the metals industry. It is designed to increase melt shop productivity, save energy and improve employee safety, with payback within six months.

Benefits include: Productivity • 4-5 percent increased casting speed due to better superheat compliance • Reduced tapping delays, in EAF or converter due to more efficient scheduling of cranes for ladle movement • Better ladle management and maintenance planning thanks to access to historical data on all movements • Increased manpower productivity since no manual intervention or acknowledgement is required Energy efficiency • 5 degrees Celsius less arcing per heat (batch) in ladle furnace using thermal models to accurately predict target lift temperature • Improved decision-making thanks to forecasting of ladle movements and crane schedules Safety • Increased safety with less footfall in hot zones which would otherwise be needed to manage ladle and crane movement

Based on advanced digital algorithms, the new solution is unique in that it offers not only powerful real-time ladle tracking but also automated crane scheduling and a predictive thermal modelling engine. The tracking engine follows ladle movement via cranes and transfer cars in real time. Radar and laser positioning technologies provide accurate visualization while reducing hardware footprint and maintenance needs compared to radio-frequency identification (RFID) solutions. The automated crane scheduling includes job forecasting, route planning and automatic acknowledgement of jobs.

This will enable steelmakers to move towards autonomous operations by eliminating manual co-ordinations, with increased safety in hot zones due to lower footfall.

The thermal engine function uses ladle thermal history from the tracking engine and forecasted heat movement from scheduling engines to predict the thermal loss during ladle transfer and predicts the correct lift temperature at ladle furnace. This results in better superheat compliance at the caster, eliminating caster slowdowns, hence increasing productivity.

Steelmakers can expect ABB Ability™ Smart Melt Shop to help increase superheat compliance to enable 4-5 percent higher casting speeds to improve productivity and reduce arcing by 5 degrees Celsius per heat in ladle furnaces for increased energy and cost efficiency.

ABB Ability™ Smart Melt Shop has already been installed by JSW Steel Ltd, India’s leading steel company, where it has been integrated into a wider expansion at Dolvi Works plant in Maharashtra state. It is expected to increase the company’s EBITDA profit by around $2million per annum through 4 percent higher casting speeds, time savings of one working day per month and additional output equating to 24,000 tons a year.

“We’re proud to launch ABB Ability™ Smart Melt Shop – the first of its kind in the metals industry, enabling steelmakers to digitally connect all processes and moving equipment in the melt shop, achieving synchronized operations and removing bottlenecks in production capacity,” said Tarun Mathur, Global Product Manager, Metals Digital, ABB. “The digitalization of core processes will drive new levels of productivity, safety and sustainability outcomes for the metals sector.”

This application uses all standard communications protocols, employs ABB’s multi-layered defense-in-depth approach to cyber security and is compatible with both ABB and third-party systems.

@ABB @abb_automation @ABBmetals #PAuto #Digitisation

Distribution grid modernisation project.

Salt River Project (SRP), the largest electricity provider in the greater Phoenix area, (AZ USA), has selected Emerson’s OSI digital grid solutions to reliably manage its distribution power grid, optimise operations and incorporate a growing supply of distributed energy resources. Emerson’s technologies and smart grid platform will coordinate the utility’s distribution operations that provide power to more than one million customers in central Arizona.

This project is part of SRP’s multiyear plan to address next-generation grid challenges, including managing sustainable and fast-expanding distributed energy resources such as solar panels, wind turbines and cogeneration plants, as well as handling bidirectional power flow and allowing more intermittent sources of power into the system. Emerson’s OSI Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS), built on the monarch™ operational technology platform, enables utilities to improve system reliability, efficiency and safety by managing, analysing and optimising the entire distribution network.

“Our ADMS project with Emerson is a foundational part of our distribution enablement plan,” said Chris Campbell, senior director of distribution and telecom operations at SRP. “It will provide us with an enhanced technology platform to optimise grid asset utilisation and implement advanced grid operations.”

Emerson’s OSI digital grid technologies offer an expandable and adaptable platform that enables a reliable, efficient electricity distribution network that is flexible to real-time needs.

“Emerson, through its OSI digital grid solutions business, has been a proud partner of SRP for many years, providing our energy management system technology for transmission grid management,” said Al Eliasen, president of Emerson’s OSI digital grid solutions business. “This project expands our expertise to the distribution grid, providing a uniform, scalable and secure platform throughout SRP’s generation, transmission and distribution assets.”

As market demand grows for renewable energy sources, Emerson strengthened its capabilities through the October 2020 acquisition of Open Systems International, Inc. (OSI Inc.). Emerson’s domain expertise in power generation, combined with OSI Inc.’s complementary software and reach within the power transmission and distribution sectors, enables companies to monitor, control and optimise operations in real-time across the power enterprise.

• See also: Acquisition expands commitment to advanced software! (27/8/2020)

@EMR_Automation @Emerson_News @OSI_USA @SRPconnect @HHC_Lewis #PAuto #Power  #USA 

Analogue-to-digital converter.

Analog Devices (ADI) has introduced the AD7134 alias-free analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) that significantly simplifies front-end design and speeds up time to market for precision DC-350kHz applications. Traditional precision data-acquisition signal chain design is a time-consuming activity as designers balance anti-alias filter requirements, passive component tolerances, phase and gain errors, as well as high-speed ADC drive requirements. The AD7134 introduces a new architecture for precision ADCs that fundamentally changes the design process. The new device removes the need for anti-alias filter, and its resistive input significantly simplifies ADC drive.

• Data sheet, order samples and evaluation boards • Connect with engineers and ADI product experts on EngineerZone™, the online technical support community • Watch a video about the AD7134  • Read the technical article about AC and DC data acquisition signal chains

The AD7134 is a quad-channel, 24-bit precision ADC with output data rate scalable from 10SPS to 1.5MSPS. Inherent anti-aliasing up to 102 dB eliminates the need for an external anti-alias filter, thus requiring 60 fewer passive components and five fewer active components. It also saves 70% board area, relative to a typical alternative implementation. Asynchronous sample-rate converter, simplifies multi-device synchronization, enables user to achieve coherent sampling system with ease, and simplifies isolation requirements.

AD7134 Key Features: • Alias-Free: inherent antialias rejection up to 102.5dB, typical • THD: -120dB typical (ideal for AC, vibration or acoustic measurements) • 108dB Dynamic Range (at ODR = 374kSPS) • Multiple Linear Phase Digital Filter Options (SINC6 for low latency, FIR for passband flatness) • Offset error drift: 0.7uV/°C typical • Gain drift: 2ppm/°C typical

@ADI_News #PAuto 

Monitoring/Control analogue & digital.

The new SHD 200 control unit from Krohne can be used with any 4-20mA/HART field device for monitoring of process parameters and additional control functionality in various industries.

Beyond the functionality of a pure loop powered display, the SHD 200 offers a second current output (passive) that can be used for any HART variable provided by the field device. Thus, digital HART information can now be transmitted by an additional analogue 4-20 mA signal. The second current output can also be used for LEDs for signalisation of the field device status according to NAMUR NE 107 and for backlight.

The SHD 200 also features two programmable relays for status output, system alarm or limit switch functionality. By combining the input and output options, SHD 200 can be used for basic control applications: examples are displaying static and differential pressure with limit switch valve opening function in DP flow applications, simple dosing in pH value control applications or control of heating and cooling processes using the temperature values/ temperature difference of two temperature sensors.

When used as a display, SHD 200 provides convenient displaying of 4-20 mA and/or HART values via customer-specific measurement pages. It shows up to four different values for detailed process monitoring, including trend graph and summary page. Full access to all specific functions of the field device is possible via a HART handheld that can be connected to the SHD 200 via the internal or the optional external adapter.

 @krohnegroup #PAuto #HART

Digital service expanded.

Digital commissioning application and Netilion turnover package provides added value services to ensure projects stay on time, on-budget, and up to date on project steps.

Project benefits include:

• Real time visibility and insights of work progress, issues and completion
• Efficient project setup, automatic data sheet, tag lists and template uploads for improved work planning
• Collaborative, dynamic digital guide for work process execution
• Intuitive, easy app for all techs and supervisors to learn, use and enjoy
• Evergreen digital turnover package powered by Netilion IIoT connected services.

Endress+Hauser's end users’ digital experience on instrument projects has been expanded with the release of their digital commissioning application and Netilion projects digital turnover package. These new capabilities empower the plant startup team to mitigate project risks while staying on time and budget, and to track progress in real time.

The digital service experience enables users to digitize projects for efficiency, eliminating time consuming manual coding and progress reports. Users are able to see project work progress across the field devices startup phases in real-time and can flag any potential issues on the commissioning app. Visibility to issues enables users to reallocate resources to keep the project on time. The web-based application workflow is tailor built to field technician and project manager user’s needs for greater productivity.

Instead of manual loop folders, documentation is generated digitally and stored in the Netilion Library digital service application. This paperless storage eliminates manual retrieval to facilitate development of a turnover package complying with project deliverable requirements.

Netilion Library helps users organize asset records, drawings, pictures, files, and turnover package documents. It is a file sharing and data management service for the complete life cycle of an instrument. This saves significant time when carrying out maintenance or engineering activities since the often-tedious search for information is eliminated.

@Endress_Hauser @Endress_US @Endress_UK #PAuto 

Digital future increases consultancy demand.

Zenith Technologies has seen a 150% rise in demand for its consultancy arm services. Their Consultancy team offers guidance and support to businesses with the implementation of new digital technologies and has seen an increasing appetite for digitised manufacturing and using data to improve GMP manufacturing over the past 12 months

The growth of the service in 2018 was driven by a need to aid customers in collecting, contextualising and finding insights in their stored data. These insights can then be used to make informed decisions on production processes and the supply chain.

Jaqueline Hora, Global Digital and Data Analytics Lead at Zenith Technologies said: “The life science industry has seen a remarkable trend towards innovation utilising data and technology effectively. Digital strategies as well as manufacturing execution systems (MES) and automation are in great demand as a result.
“For customers implementing these digital strategies, project decision support as well as process, technology and project execution knowledge, are essential to ensure success.
“Our Consultancy team supports customers that are considering new technology projects and assists in developing strategies, governance and standards to provide a framework for success.
“Whether it be justifying ROI, validating a customer’s strategy, process and methodology implementation expertise or help with technology selection, Zenith has been there to support its customer base.
“Zenith’s intimate understanding of manufacturing systems, extensive process knowledge and significant experience serving the life science sector has ensured that our customers have the insight needed to make the best decision.”

The increase is in part a direct result of the emergence of Industry 4.0 with data integrity, data analytics, the internet of things, and cloud strategies becoming a reality throughout the life science industry.

The team’s growth is projected to continue into 2019 as the life science industry increases its focus on digitisation and using data to improve GMP manufacturing practices.

In a recent survey of the industry, Zenith found nearly 60% of participants believe that Industry 4.0 will drive the most change in life science over the next 5 years, with 75% of those aiming to invest in people to take advantage of emerging technologies.

 @ZT_Global #PAuto #LifeSciences

Sensing CO2, Humidity and Temperature digitally.

The EE850 duct mount sensor from E+E Elektronik combines the CO2, relative humidity (RH) and temperature (T) measurement in a single device. The sensor can be easily integrated into a bus system via the RS485 interface (Modbus RTU or BACnet MS/TP). The 3-in-1 device is dedicated for building automation as well as for demanding process control.

The EE850 features the E+E dual wavelength NDIR CO2 sensing cell, which is particularly insensitive to contamination. The CO2 auto-calibration and temperature compensation lead to high accuracy and long-term stability over the entire working range of 0…10,000 ppm CO2 and -20 °C to +60 °C (-4...140 °F).

The RH and T sensing element located inside the probe is optimally protected from dust, dirt and corrosion by the proprietary E+E coating. The coating improves the measurement performance and long-term stability in harsh environment by preventing stray impedances caused by deposits on the active sensor surface.

The CO2, RH and T measured data as well as the calculated dew point temperature (Td) are available on the RS485 interface with Modbus RTU or BACnet MS/TP protocol. Alternatively, the EE850 features current and voltage outputs. The digital interface provides also other parameters such as absolute humidity (dv), mixing ratio (r), water vapor partial pressure (e) or enthalpy (h).

Configuration and adjustment can be performed with an optional adapter and the free EE-PCS configuration software.

The functional enclosure facilitates mounting the EE850 with closed cover. This protects the electronics from construction site pollution during installation. A mounting flange is included in the scope of supply.

• E+E Elektronik products are marketed in Ireland by Instrument Technology.

 #epluse_at #PAuto @Instrum_Tech 

Acquisition increases consultancy strength and digital expertise.

Acquisition expands Emerson’s consultancy strength and digital transformation expertise!

iSolutions Inc., a Canadian-based consulting group with expertise designing and implementing data management solutions has been acquired by Emerson. The acquired company provides organisations with decision-support tools to make data-driven production and operational decisions based on the analysis of real-time insights from integrated field and plant systems.

The acquisition will accelerate delivery of Emerson’s new digital transformation roadmap by adding proven skillsets in information technology/operational technology (IT-OT) and application knowledge to help integrate data from the plant floor to business systems.

“We make the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) tangible through our approach focused on business needs and readiness,” said Thomas Waun, general manager for Operational Certainty Consulting at Emerson. “With the addition of iSolutions expertise, Emerson can expedite roadmap implementation and digital transformation deployments across organisations – helping them realise faster return on technology investments and achieve top quartile performance in the areas of safety, reliability, energy consumption and production.”

iSolutions has a proven reputation with North American upstream oil and gas, power and utilities customers for its successful and repeatable methodology that transforms plant data into real-time key performance indicator (KPI) visualisation and business intelligence. In addition, its expertise will strengthen Emerson’s Operational Certainty Consulting organisation with the addition of a data management practice for process, hybrid and discrete businesses.

As part of Emerson, iSolutions will help organisations deploy Emerson’s Plantweb™ digital ecosystem, the industry’s most comprehensive IIoT platform.

“We’re excited to join Emerson and expand the reach of our expertise throughout Emerson’s global organisation,” said Anil Datoo, on behalf of the four founding partners at iSolutions. “Together we can continue to make digital transformation practical, accessible and achievable.”

@iSolutions_Inc #PAuto @EMR_Automation  @HHC_Lewis 

Data-driven industrial co-creation through digital transformation.

Advantech  held its first IoT Co-Creation Summit at Suzhou International Expo Center (CN). During the summit, Advantech introduced new features for WISE-PaaS 3.0 and shared a number of IoT solution ready packages (SRPs), based on WISE-PaaS, developed with numerous co-creation partners. The company also outlined future co-creation strategies and schedules for the upcoming year.

Allan Yang, Chief Technology Officer at Advantech said, “While IoT is currently flourishing, and many companies have invested in connectivity and data collection equipment, we are still in the early stages of generating value from IoT data. Since WISE-PaaS launched in 2014, Advantech has continued its integration and improved connectivity with open source communities. Our IoT software modules are developed to create operational cloud platform services oriented around the commercial value generated by data acquisition. Data-driven innovation has thus become the main target for our WISE-PaaS evolution.”


To help advance IoT development, WISE-PaaS 3.0 offers four main function modules:

• WISE-PaaS/SaaS Composer: a cloud configuration tool with visible workflow. WISE-PaaS/SaaS Composer supports customized component plotting for simple and intuitive 3D modeling application and interaction. It updates views at millisecond rates, and, together with WISE-PaaS/Dashboard, presents critical management data in a visually intuitive display to help extract valuable data and improve operational efficiency.
• WISE-PaaS/AFS (AI Framework Service): an artificial intelligence training model and deployment service framework. The WISE-PaaS/AFS provides a simple drag and drop interface that allows developers to quickly input industrial data. When combined with AI algorithms, the service builds an effective inference engine with automatic deployment to edge computing platforms. AFS offers model accuracy management, model retraining, and automated redeployment. It simultaneously controls multiple AI models in the application field; offering automated model accuracy improvements and life-cycle management services.
• WISE-PaaS/APM (Asset Performance Management): an equipment network connection remote maintenance service framework. WISE-PaaS/APM connects to a wide array of on-site industrial equipment controls and communication protocols. It supports the latest edge computing open standard, EdgeX Foundry, and includes built-in equipment management and workflow integration templates. Jointly with the AFS, APM accelerates Machine to Intelligence (M2I) application development.
• Microservice development framework: WISE-PaaS contains a micro service development framework to help developers rapidly create program design frameworks while reducing development requisites. Micro service functions, such as service finding, load balancing, service administration, and configuration center, all offer built-in flexible support mechanisms.

“Many industry partners have invested in equipment data acquisition in the hope of introducing AI driven equipment and intelligent workflow management, while actively seeking methods and tools to extract value from their data. Industry partners are usually reserved in disclosing to outsiders the high-value, industry-specific information they have accumulated over the years. Advantech is learning about the pain points each industrial sector must overcome in order to provide efficient technological support. Our company has found that through co-creation, the collaborative design of IoT-based cloud platform solutions can effectively combine the strengths of both parties to create win-win situations.”

Advantech’s proficiency with cloud data processing and application development, coupled with partner expertise, forms a potent combination of OT and IT that facilitates optimal data collection, management, and analysis. Starting this year, co-creation projects in a number of fields were undertaken with the participation of domain-focused solution integrators (DFSIs). Advantech recently established a water treatment system, jointly developed with GSD (China) Co., Ltd., and a CNC equipment remote operation service, jointly developed with Yeong Chin Machinery Industries Co. Ltd. Both partnerships demonstrate how industrial digital transformations, led by Advantech and its partners through the co-creation model, offer innovative win-win IoT solutions.

@AdvantechIA #IoT #PAuto

Progressing the digital oilfield!

Endress+Hauser has aligned partnerships with Angus Measurement Services,  TechnipFMC and its Authorized Service Provider, Vector Controls. The automation companies will collaborate to bring added value to the oil and gas industry, assisting customers with transition to the digital oilfield.

“Endress+Hauser is excited to work alongside Angus Measurement, TechnipFMC and Vector Controls,” said Brian Hoover, Business Development Manager, Endress+Hauser. “Together we deliver real-time information on product quality, quantity and value for our customers in the oil and gas industry.”

The partnership alignment between the automation companies is to inform and better prepare the oil and gas industry and customers for Industry 4.0. The oil and gas industry has played a pivotal role in the economic transformation of the world. Today the industry has the opportunity to set new parameters and direction through digitalization.

The companies’ combined strengths and expertise will provide oil and gas customers measurement certainty, better operational performance to enhance revenue, improved safety of operations, regulatory compliance and predictive maintenance, lowering the total cost of operations and optimizing the measurement and management of our customer’s gas, oil and water resources.

“It’s the people that make the difference. Their understanding and years of experience are enablers that generate revenue and create value for our oil and gas customers and their shareholders,” said Hoover.

The technology will be brought to the field by a dedicated team of oil and gas experts. Each partner will contribute focused areas of expertise, including best-in-class products and/or services to oil and gas customers:

• Endress+Hauser’s intelligent field instruments and digital communication expertise captures and transmits product quality, quantity and value
• Angus’ systems fabrication and technology consultants helps customers optimize the performance of gas, oil and water assets
• TechnipFMC’s oil and gas measurement technology and design capabilities deploy best-in-class technology and develop modularized systems
• Vector’s expertise in gas analytics, measurement and control provides the opportunity to deploy best-in-class solutions.

“With this partnership, we bring preeminent value, that transcends that of any other technology provider,” said Hoover. “We deliver industry expertise that is unparalleled and systems capabilities that can digitalize the oilfield of the future - delivering Industry 4.0 to the oil and gas industry today.”

@Endress_US  #PAuto #Oil @TechnipFMC

Digital communication.

Parker Software is releasing a book about the future of business to customer communication. The book is titled, The Conversation Engine: A Shop Assistant of the Smart Age, and explores the next frontier of digital communication.

To be released on Wednesday 22 Nov 2017

The book centres around technology and how technology advances are changing the way we interact. Chatbots, artificial intelligence and automation are taking the digital communication landscape by storm. The Conversation Engine examines the practicalities of these emergent technologies and explores potential future applications of artificial intelligence in a customer services environment.

The Conversation Engine also addresses the issue of how we can blend technology with a much-needed human touch in customer services. The book emphasises the importance of businesses implementing new technology without losing sight of the customer.

“The ‘conversation engine’ concept came about from considering that, in the future, communication technologies will converge to provide customers with the ultimate collaboration — technological efficiency and human understanding,” said Stephen Parker, CEO of Parker Software and author of The Conversation Engine.

As well as insights from Stephen Parker, The Conversation Engine features contributions from thought leaders across the tech world. Throughout its nine chapters, the book explores key themes such as big data, sentiment analysis, smart customer service and the evolution of user experience. Participating businesses include The Institute of Customer Service, Buzz Radar, IFB, Snowflake, COPA-DATA, Trust Company of America and Ocado.

“Customer service is changing, and businesses must prepare,” said Parker. “Even modern methods of customer communication like SMS, telephone and email are beginning to decline like their forerunners. We’ve written The Conversation Engine to investigate what comes next, and to help companies prepare for the next era of communication.”

@ParkerSoftware @StoneJunctionPR

Supporting digital factory.

SolutionsPT is hosting a series of events in Britain, designed to support manufacturers in meeting the growing connectivity and security demands of the digital factory.

Andy Graham

The ‘Tech Days’ will include live demonstrations and workshops, showing how critical infrastructure and software applications have been developed to meet the need for highly available and insightful operational big-data.

Attendees will be given the opportunity to get hands-on with Wonderware System Platform, Citect SCADA and the Thin Client technologies that are shaping the connected ‘factory of the future’ and see how they can deliver increased operational efficiency and insight into industrial environments.

Agenda highlights include a presentation from Schneider Electric on The Digital Factory, a demonstration of SolutionsPT’s Managed Services portfolio and how it can support manufacturers with disaster resilience and business continuity. Wonderware Product Manager Andy Graham will also lead a session on ‘Transforming Industrial Data into Actionable Insight’.

The day-long events will take place in Britain as follows:
• November 21st 2017 at the Milton Hill Hotel in Abingdon,
• November 23rd 2017 at the Bolton White Hotel at the Macron Stadium, Bolton.

The events will run from 08:45 until 16:45. The morning workshop will focus on the latest Wonderware System Platform 2017 release, whilst optional afternoon workshops will cover Thin Manager* and Citect SCADA. Each event is free to attend but delegates must register in advance.

@SolutionsPT #PAuto #SCada @WonderwareUK