Predictive maintenance solutions resource.

Mouser Electronics has introduced its new Predictive Maintenance Solutions online resource, dedicated to providing leading-edge technology and information directly to engineers of all skill levels. The new site explores the opportunities and benefits of predictive maintenance, supporting readers through their design journey.

Although developing predictive models that are easy to integrate and customised to the specific needs of manufacturers demands considerable time and research, the efforts typically yield substantial cost savings and a marked improvement in productivity. Discover how it's transforming factory operations in this educational video.

To assist engineers with their designs, Mouser stocks "the industry's widest selection" of semiconductors and electronic components, including the following predictive maintenance solutions:

• The WEIDOS MKR1010/ESP32 PLC controllers from Industrial Shields are designed for simple control and data storage applications in installations. They come in two main CPU variants, the MKR1010 and the ESP32, and feature 30-watt maximum power, 10% to 90% (non-condensation) operating humidity, and 24AWG to 14AWG wire connection cross-section AWG. The controllers are best suited for simple control and data storage applications in installations and other IoT solutions.
• The TXN Series AC-DC industrial power supplies by TRACO Power offer three power levels of 50-, 75-, and 100-watts and are easy to install in any equipment. They are convection-cooled and feature an internal EMC filter, high IO isolation, and a wide temperature range. TXN power supplies are ideal for cost-effective applications and are suitable for various industrial applications, including industrial/automation and test and measurement industries.
• The M5601 wireless pressure transducers from TE Connectivity are high-accuracy, 24-bit ADC digital output wireless sensors ideal for industrial and smart factory applications. These transducers are enclosed in stainless steel and PBT housing and eliminate hard wiring while providing remote process control and monitoring via Bluetooth® 4.2 wireless communication. The M5601 transducers are suitable for measuring liquid or gas pressure, even for difficult media such as contaminated steam, water, and mildly corrosive fluids.
• The MS300 Compact Vector Control Drives from Delta Electronics support both IM and PM motor control for application flexibility and include a safe-torque-off (STO) safety mechanism. The compact systems have a communication card slot that fits various cards, a USB port, and PLC capacity for simple programming. It is ideal for machine tools, automatic tool changers (ATC), pumps, woodworking, packaging machines, and textile machines.

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@MouserElecEU @Publitek #Electronics #PAuto

A tweet in the blue sky!

When the ownership of the platform formerly known as twitter changed in October 2022 the change was almost immediately noticeable.

In the case of Read-out we found that we started to be followed by people who had little if any interest in instrumentation or automation. It was notable that these new followers had few followers themselves.

We also found that many of those we were following suddenly ceased to use the platform. Some advised that they were no longer comfortable using it. Other serious users like newspapers and news services decided to use the platform no longer as they considered that it was no longer a serious or useful medium. Others just quietly left without trumpeting the fact.

If we continued to use the "Following" facility the contributions seemed to be fairly ok and relevant to our interests however if (as happens occasionally for no apparant reason) we happened to be switched to the "For You" facility then we were in a very different world. 

For the first time since we started using twitter we found that we had to block users. The amount of what can only be described as bile (an "bad language") was quite incredible. This has not changed and in fact has worsened without any apparent oversight from the owners of the platform especially in the use personal insult to further particular beliefs or political biases. Compassion. appears to be a lost virtue!

So what to do.

In this regard an article by Chris Rand on his daily articles, Bluesky an opportunity of a frivolity, (3/12/2024) is worth reading too.

Some people went to a platform called Mastodon and indeed for a while we tried to use it too but it was cumbersome and difficult to use. Tik-Tok seems to be far to trivial for serious business. We have tried recently to use Bluesky which is very similar to the old twitter but there are few comercial users in our disciplines using it. Nevertheless we have recently started to use it and set up an account.

We have found that LinkedIn has been a good serious platform followed by Facebook which though less serious than LinkedIn still can be useful. We've looked at Instagram but that seems to be more for sharing pictures. 

The Read-out Signpost is now on several platforms where we post regularly:

• Facebook page where possible with pictures also on
• LinkedIn News Page,
• Bluesky: 
• “X” (formally knows as twitter)

We are still considering if we should remain on "X" in the long term or abandon it. 

In passing we wonder if one uses X can your contribution accurately be described as "a tweet?"

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#PAuto #Automation #TandM

Robotic training courses.

Online versions of popular classroom-based robot training courses continue.

ABB Robotics range of robot training courses have been available online for almost 12 months. Built on the same materials used in its popular classroom-based courses normally run at ABB’s Robot Training Centre in Milton Keynes (GB), the Virtual Classroom Training programme is ideal for beginners and experts alike, covering topics including programming, safety and operation.

Each course is instructor led, with options pitched at different competency levels running from two to five days depending on the course topic. Participants will get the same certificate as the normal Milton Keynes classroom-based courses.

The following courses are available:

IRC5 Operator Course (2 days) IRC5 Programming and Operation (4 days) IRC5 Advanced Programming, Stage 1 (5 days) IRC5 SafeMove Second Generation (3 days) RobotStudio Offline Programming (5 days)

Course requirements are only a computer with internet connection, webcam, headset with microphone and RobotStudio, which can be downloaded free of charge via their training portal page. A whole range of courses are available including classes that can be attended at the Milton Keynes facilities.

These virtual training courses provide the ideal opportunity to keep staff up to speed on robotic technology during these unprecedented times. They play a key role in helping to futureproof businesses for when operations are allowed to operate at maximum capacity post the pandemic. These virtual training courses provide a hands-on experience, to gain the required skills set to operate modern manufacturing systems from the comfort of your own home.

@ABBRobotics #Pauto #Training

MES & Manufacturing IT served on line.

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

Torsten Isenberg

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

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

 @Werum #PAuto 

Ten million learners!

Alison has passed the 10-million registered learner milestone.

Mike Feerick

The company pioneered free online education ten years ago when it launched the world’s first massive open online course (MOOC) provider. The site serves more than two million users each in the United States and Great Britain, and one million users in India. The site has two million users across Africa, making it the largest single provider of free online education on the continent.

Alison was founded by serial entrepreneur Mike Feerick. The site offers learners free access to more than 800 courses, spanning subject areas including languages, IT and digital skills, project management, personal development and many others. Recently launched subjects include a course on how to Build Your Own Drone and Software Testing.

Mike Feerick said: “Reaching 10 million learners is a phenomenal milestone for us – and our targets are already set to achieve 100 million learners by 2020. We are passionate about providing access to education to people around the world for free. Our mission is to democratise education and workplace skills training, providing opportunities for anyone with an internet connection to empower themselves through learning new skills.”

The organization will launch a new website on 10 April designed to improve user experience with a more interactive platform that is mobile-friendly.

“Everyone in the modern workforce must continually invest in themselves by learning new skills and garnering new knowledge. Alison empowers people to do just that, in their millions. One day, billions of people will use platforms like Alison to become – and stay – more competitive. We are the beginning of a new, more assertive and confident workforce.”

@AlisonCourses #Training

End user training!

An affordable online training platform, End User Academy (EUA) can be delivered to process automation professionals anytime, anywhere.

Endress+Hauser has launched its new End User Academy (EUA),  which allows field technicians to gain the valuable training they need to run plant operations safely, smoothly and more efficiently—all without spending too much time away from their regular job duties.

Through its online training modules that cover theory and concepts as prerequisites, the End User Academy (EUA) gives field technicians the preparation needed to successfully begin on-site and classroom training. The online training module is easy-to-follow with narrated presentations complete with diagrams, photos and videos; and it offers instruction in the following areas:

• Flow - Electromagnetic, Vortex, Coriolis Mass Flow, Ultrasonic, D/P Flow, Thermal Mass Flow

• Level - Capacitance, Vibration, Ultrasonic, Hydrostatic, Radar, Guided Radar, D/P Level

• Pressure - Gauge/Absolute, Differential Pressure, Hydrostatic

• Temperature - Temperature Transmitter, RTDs and Thermocouples, Sensors

• Liquid Analysis - Conductivity, pH/ORP, Chlorine, Dissolved Oxygen, Turbidity, Chemical Analysers

• Recorders & Components - Paperless Recorders, Visual Data Managers, Displays, Power Supplies

• Solutions - Wireless Networks, Life Cycle Management, Plant Asset Management

According to Jerry Spindler, Endress+Hauser customer training manager, “The importance of investing in skilled workers is often overlooked by employers, so companies need to realise the value that online training can provide. This value can be measured in a number of ways including increased employee satisfaction and retention, higher productivity, reduced new-hire orientation time, and fewer process upsets and incidents.” 

Technicians that have an interest in enrolling in the End User Academy (EUA) have the opportunity to test drive a course for free. The goal of this “test drive” is to provide end users with firsthand experience with the interactive training material available on the Endress+Hauser End User Academy (EUA) to determine if this training product is right for the technician and/or organisation.