New subsidiary in Sweden.

The WIKA Group acquired AB Svenska Industri Instrument SINI as a wholly owned subsidiary. This move strengthens the global measurement technology manufacturer’s presence in Sweden. Established in Gothenburg in 1948, SINI was originally founded as a service provider for the shipping industry. Since SINI became a distributor for WIKA measuring instruments in 1970, the partners have steadily expanded their joint business. 

SINI enables Swedish companies to directly access a broad portfolio of instrumentation for the measurands pressure, temperature, level, flow and force. They also benefit from various services such as calibration, installation and warehousing.

“The acquisition of SINI as a subsidiary marks a strategic milestone for WIKA in Northern Europe,” says Sascha Niederhagen, Executive Vice President EMEA India at WIKA. “Our local presence allows us to offer Swedish customers more tailored advice and enhanced support.”

Jesper Hagström, Chief Executive Officer of SINI, comments: “As a partner for the Swedish market, we have enjoyed a long and successful cooperation with WIKA. We are delighted to now join the group and thus be even better positioned to provide our existing customers with fast, first-class services. We also plan to leverage the combined sales power of WIKA and SINI to target new customers.”

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@WIKANews #PAuto #Sweden

Supporting practical space projects.

The WOBBLE2 project* of the Berlin Experimental Astronautics Research Student e.V. (BEARS e.V.) is being supported by Sensirion with the high-precision SLF3S-4000B sensor. The dedicated team of students from the Technical University of Berlin has qualified for the 15th cycle of the REXUS/BEXUS program, which allows them to test their experiments on sounding rockets.

Innovative technology for space exploration.
The WOBBLE2 project (Weightless Observation of Behavior with Berlin Liquid Guidance Experiment 2) aims to test innovative tanks for satellites. At the heart of the experiment are Propellant Management Devices (PMD), which ensure that fuel is transported to the outlet in zero gravity. Using additive manufacturing techniques (metal 3D printing), the team is developing new PMD designs that optimally utilize the capabilities of this modern technology.

Precise measurements with the SLF3S-4000B Sensor.

Sensirion supports the WOBBLE2 project with the SLF3S-4000B sensors, which is used in the experiments to enable precise measurements of fluid behavior. This ensures that the team's experiments are conducted at the highest technological level and contributes to the advancement of space technology.

Successful training week in Sweden.
Six students from the team traveled to the ESA rocket base in Esrange, northern Sweden, in February 2024 to take the first step towards the rocket launch in March 2025. At temperatures of -30°C, they received valuable feedback from an expert panel and participated in an exciting program of lectures and tours. Over the course of the year, they have now completed further milestones and have been preparing for the launch in Sweden since Monday, 3 March 2025.

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*WOBBLE2 is a project developed within BEARS e.V. The team consists of motivated students with diverse skills, ranging from electrical engineering to fluid simulation and is actively supported by staff from the Department of Astronautics at the TU Berlin. The REXUS/BEXUS program is conducted under a bilateral agreement between the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA).

@sensirion  #Wobble #Space #Germany #Swedan #TandM

Co-operation to enhance experience in energy management.

Streamlined user experience through SmartThings and SmartThings Pro makes energy management accessible and convenient for users.

As part of their ongoing partnership, ABB and Samsung Electronics have announced the upcoming integration of ABB's InSite energy management system into Samsung's SmartThings and SmartThings Pro platforms, marking a significant advancement in smart building technology.

Building on the previous incorporation of the ABB-free@home® smart home system into SmartThings, this advancement allows users to easily visualize, control, and optimize energy consumption in residential, multi-apartment, mixed-use, and light commercial buildings.

Mike Mustapha, President of ABB's Smart Buildings division, said: “Integrating our state-of-the-art energy management system with Samsung's SmartThings and SmartThings Pro platforms highlights the power of collaboration in helping our customers outperform in an increasingly connected world. Our combined solution not only differentiates properties in a competitive market, but also addresses the rising importance of energy efficiency for homeowners, tenants, and landlords.”

This integrated solution extends load management capabilities, enabling SmartThings and SmartThings Pro users to manage the energy consumption of smart appliances and devices – such as dishwashers, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, and lawn-mowing robots – using real-time and historical data collected by InSite. This is demonstrated at the Brobyholm residential development in Sweden, where ABB’s energy management system is integrated with SmartThings to contribute to a larger ecosystem of interconnected partner solutions, creating a replicable blueprint for energy-smart community projects.

Consolidating home automation, IoT devices, entertainment, EV charging, smart appliances, energy, gas and water consumption reduces “app overwhelm” and enables users to conveniently manage essential functions through a single user interface.

SmartThings Pro further enhances these capabilities by offering advanced energy analytics, predictive insights, and automated optimization for businesses, property managers, and energy-conscious homeowners seeking deeper control over their energy ecosystem. This professional-grade platform provides seamless integration with industrial-grade IoT devices, ensuring a more comprehensive approach to energy efficiency and sustainability.

Chanwoo Park, EVP B2B Solutions of Samsung Electronics, commented: “The future of energy management lies in intelligent, automated solutions that adapt to evolving regulations and business needs while also increasing the value of properties. SmartThings Pro offers advanced analytics, predictive automation, and industrial IoT integration, giving enterprises greater control over energy usage and sustainability efforts. By leveraging AI and machine learning, we empower businesses to proactively manage consumption, improve operational efficiency, and create smarter, more valuable buildings through energy-efficient innovations.”

Enhancing energy efficiency, the combined solution enables smarter energy decisions and increases property value, while also making energy management more accessible and transparent for users.

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@ABBgroupnews @ABB_Energy @ABBelec @abb_automation @admiralpr #Energy #Sustainability

Impressive distribution.

GDP compliance assured at pharma distribution facility.

PostNord TPL has developed an impressive warehousing and distribution facility in Sweden, designed specifically to handle medicinal products, including both prescription and over the counter pharmaceuticals. In compliance with numerous life science industry requirements such as the Good Distribution Practice (GDP) regulations, the internal environment of this facility is carefully controlled to protect the large numbers of products that are processed every day. The warehouse is highly automated and has recently been equipped with an advanced network of humidity and temperature loggers, supplied and installed by the measurement technology company Vaisala.

The requirement to update the monitoring network was prompted by a previous supplier’s ‘end of life’ notification in early 2022. Several potential technology providers were then contacted, including Vaisala, which provided a demonstration of its wireless continuous monitoring and alarm system, viewLinc.

Background.
PostNord TPL is a part of the PostNord group and is the leading third-party logistics supplier in Sweden and the Nordic countries. The company offers the Nordic market innovative and cost-effective logistic solutions all the way from producer to consumer. PostNord TPL has of a warehouse area of roughly 700.000 square meters. It employs around 3000 people, and in 2022, had a turnover of about 3.2 billion SEK.

As key elements within pharmaceutical supply chains, PostNord TPL’s warehousing and distribution facilities operate under strict GxP requirements which include amongst other things a necessity to continuously monitor the internal environment of storage areas, and to implement appropriate alarm systems. Anyone engaged in the activity of wholesale distribution of medicinal products in the European Economic Area must hold a wholesale distribution authorisation issued by the national competent authority of the Member State where they carry out these activities. The same national authority is responsible for inspecting the wholesale distributor, which must comply with EU GDP to obtain a wholesale distribution authorisation.

System requirements.
The imminent demise of the earlier system provided PostNord TPL with an opportunity to evaluate the latest technologies and solutions on the market. PostNord TPLS’s Project Manager, Tina Fritzson says: “First and foremost, the new monitoring network needed to fulfil our GDP requirements. To achieve this, it needed to be accurate and reliable, because the previous system had regularly delivered false alarms, which wastes a lot of time. In addition, the requirement for wiring should be minimal, and ideally the system should be intuitive so that it is simple to operate.”

Vaisala Sales Manager Janne Halonen has been involved with the PostNord TPL project from the beginning. He says: “It was clear from our first meeting that we would be able to offer PostNord TPL a significantly superior system. viewLinc is more than capable of meeting their key requirements, and our validation service provides all of the necessary information to demonstrate GDP compliance,” Janne explains.

“In early 2022 PostNord TPL provided us with floorplans so that we were able to build a detailed proposal to meet their precise requirements,” he adds. “Later that year, we were delighted to be awarded the contract, which included the installation and commissioning of 102 sensors monitoring a 30 000 m2 warehouse. Most of the sensors are monitoring temperature and humidity in this very large facility, but some are also deployed in refrigerated areas that have to maintain certain pharmaceutical products between 2 to 8 °C.”

Reflecting on the system’s performance to-date, Janne says: “Since installation, the viewLinc system has worked very well, and I am confident that we have exceeded PostNord TPL’s expectations. In addition to reliable GDP compliance with a full audit trail, one of the main benefits of the system has been problem-free operation – the old system used to deliver false alarms on a daily basis, but of course that no longer happens.

“Ease of use is also a major advantage; we typically find that new operators require less than an hour’s training. A further feature, that I know PostNord TPL has found useful, is viewLinc’s facility to define the path for alarm messages, so that only those that need to be alerted are notified.” 

Data management.
The Vaisala data loggers gather readings every minute, 24/7, and data are transferred to a central server by Vaisala’s proprietary VaiNet wireless technology. VaiNet access points create links between Ethernet and Vaisala devices, and whenever a new data logger is added to the system, it is automatically identified by an access point, which forwards the data logger’s information to the server. Once accepted by the system, data loggers remain synchronised, and redundancy is achieved by allowing load distribution between VaiNet access points which share multiple in-range data loggers. The Vaisala loggers also store data for 30 days to protect data integrity in case there is a network outage. The whole system is managed by Vaisala’s viewLinc enterprise server software which assimilates the data, providing alarms, real-time data trends and GDP compliance reports. Users are able to access the viewLinc system with any web-enabled device, and a high level of security is maintained with encrypted communications and automatic data origin checks.

Vaisala RFL100 in situ

Measurement technology.
Vaisala’s RFL100 data loggers at PostNord TPL are equipped with probes containing either temperature sensors, or sensors for both temperature and humidity. The probes are detachable and simple to switch out for calibration. The viewLinc software detects probe changes and automatically updates the probe information to maintain accurate and complete historical records.

The temperature sensors are platinum Pt100 and Pt1000, and the RH probes employ Vaisala’s HUMICAP® technology. Temperature measurements do not generally suffer from drift, but traditional humidity sensors do, so Vaisala’s HUMICAP sensors are preferable because of their long-term stability and insensitivity to interferences such as dust and condensation. These thin-film capacitive humidity sensors have become the industry standard in a wide variety of applications where long-term accurate, reliable, maintenance-free humidity measurements are required.

Summary.
The Vaisala viewLinc system has now been operational since the Autumn of 2022. Looking back, PostNord TPL’s Tina Fritzson says: “We have been very pleased with the Vaisala system. The support from Janne and the field engineers has been very good; we no longer suffer from false alarms; the system is easy to operate; report generation is quick and simple, and with accurate, verified monitoring data, our GDP compliance is assured.”

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@VaisalaGroup @PostNordSverige @_Enviro_News #PAuto #Environment

Investment to meet European demand for flexible automation and robotics solutions.

An investment of $280 million will build a new state-of-the-art ABB Robotics European Campus in Västerås, (S) and expand its manufacturing footprint in Europe 

“The investment in our new Campus is driven by customer demand and projected market growth,” said Björn Rosengren, ABB CEO. “Following important investments in China and the U.S, the new facility in Sweden will strengthen our capabilities in serving our customers in Europe with locally manufactured products in a growing market. Already today, around 95 percent of the robots ABB sells in the region are manufactured here. This is a strong commitment not only to our “local for local” strategy, but to all our robotics customers across Europe.”

ABB’s investment in this Robotics Campus will enhance its robotics and automation leadership globally. With the facility, the company will expand production capacity by 50 percent and strengthen its capabilities to supply the European market, which is expected to grow at seven percent CAGR through 20271. When the campus is completed, ABB will have invested $450 million in its three robotics facilities since 2018, including its mega factory in Shanghai (CN) that supplies customers in Asia and the Auburn Hills  (USA) facility that supports the Americas.

“This is a great time to invest in robotics and automation. This new Campus is a significant part of our global growth story and key in supporting our European customers as they accelerate investment in robotics and AI due to the reshoring of industry, the move to more sustainable supply chains and long-term labor shortages,” said Sami Atiya, President of ABB’s Robotics & Discrete Automation Business Area. “Our Robotics Campus will help us to serve our customers more efficiently and support new and existing sectors like automotive, electronics, logistics, healthcare, e-commerce and pharmaceuticals to unlock the full potential of automation.”

ABB’s new Campus will enable close collaboration with customers and partners to develop robotics and automation solutions in a safe and functional environment. Customers will be able to test their solutions and experiment with the latest automation innovations on-site. In addition, employees, visitors, and students alike will be able to take part in an open and lively Campus, both during and after office hours.

“Our new, sustainable facility in Sweden will be located at the cradle of ABB Robotics' global innovation, starting with ABB’s development of the world's first commercial all-electric robot nearly 50 years ago”, said Marc Segura, President of ABB Robotics. “In our new R&D center, we are focusing on the development of new digital and AI-enabled technologies, making robots increasingly accessible while lowering the entry barrier for applications in all industries.”

The 65,000 m² Campus will be a modern workplace for ABB Robotics’ workforce of 1,300 in the area and include a new factory, offices, a research and development center, an experience center and a training center for customers and visitors. The new factory will also feature autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) as a key component in transporting materials and products between the warehouse, assembly stations and assembly departments. The construction is planned to start in 2024 and will replace the nine separate buildings that have grown organically since 1974 and currently constitute the robotics operations in Sweden, thus further strengthening cross-functional synergies.

By building the Campus in Västerås, ABB continues to consolidate the area as an automation cluster, staying in important proximity to customers, suppliers, academia, and partners. The Campus will provide a unique opportunity to develop the ecosystem while maintaining rapid lead times, with shorter transports and a reduced carbon footprint. It also further allows ABB to leverage competencies and capabilities cultivated by ABB Robotics in Sweden over the past 50 years.

The campus will be constructed in line with ABB’s 2030 Sustainability Targets that aim towards carbon neutrality within ABB’s operations by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing preservation of resources. To support this, consideration will be made in the selection of building materials and construction processes as well as in the use of solar panels on the roof.

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@ABBRobotics @ABBgroupnews @ABBMeasurement @abb_automation @NapierPR #PAuto #Robotics #Manufacturing

Drug manufacturing and storage protection.

The quality of manufactured or processed products at cleanroom facilities are protected by applicable good manufacturing practices (GMP) that specify stringent environmental monitoring requirements. The Swedish drug manufacturer APL (Apotek Produktion & Laboratorier) recently installed Vaisala’s viewLinc Continuous Monitoring system at its manufacturing plant, and has been delighted with the reliability and peace of mind that the system delivers.

Moustapha Ismail was employed by APL as an external consultant in the qualification and replacement of an older monitoring system at the site. He says: “The previous monitors had been in place for around fifteen years, so we took this as an opportunity to evaluate the latest technology on the market before making any decisions.”

With more than 500 employees and five manufacturing units in Malmö, Gothenburg, Stockholm and Umeå (S), APL is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of extemporaneous drugs and stock preparations, as well as a contract manufacturer in the life sciences sector.

One of the key requirements for the new monitoring system was ease of use, because this was regarded as a weakness in the existing system. “Naturally, we were looking for monitors that could offer the highest levels of uptime and reliability, but conscious of the benefits of smart technology, we were keen to take advantage of the latest developments,” Moustapha explains. “Members of the team had previously used Vaisala sensors, so we were already aware of their accuracy and long-term reliability, so Vaisala was invited, along with others, to quote for our user requirement specifications.”

To demonstrate viewLinc’s capabilities, Vaisala staff ran a virtual demonstration of the system in operation at Vaisala’s manufacturing facility in Helsinki (FIN). “This provided an opportunity for the APL team to learn how easy it would be to setup a viewLinc system using Vaisala’s VaiNet wireless temperature and humidity loggers,” explains Vaisala Sales Manager Janne Halonen.

The VaiNet data loggers use low frequency communications to provide long-range signal strength without the need for amplifiers, even in locations with obstacles such as metal or concrete structures. The low frequency also means that it does not interfere with other network traffic. If necessary, it is also possible to connect data loggers, transmitters, or other devices to the viewLinc system using Ethernet, PoE and USB connections.

The VaiNet AP10 network access points transfer data from the data loggers to the viewLinc Enterprise Server, and both the access point and the software verify that data have been received correctly. Data are then stored in viewLinc's secure database to protect data integrity and security. Data redundancy is achieved through load distribution between different VaiNet access points, which share multiple in-range loggers. The onboard memory of each logger, and viewLinc’s database, complete the audit trail.

The probes in the data loggers use Vaisala HUMICAP® humidity technology and platinum RTD sensors to provide best-in-class levels of measurement stability. HUMICAP® sensors employ a capacitive thin-film polymer technology that is resistant to contamination by dust and condensation.

Following the viewLinc demonstration, and after a full evaluation of reference customers and Vaisala’s technical and pricing proposal, APL selected the viewLinc Continuous Monitoring System, which was installed in 2022. The system comprises over sixty VaiNet wireless RFL100 temperature & humidity data loggers, supported by multiple VaiNet AP10 wireless access points. While the data loggers are equipped with sensors designed for long-term stability, they must be calibrated to maintain accuracy and compliance. Vaisala offers a yearly calibration service, however APL chose instead to use Vaisala’s training and tools to manage calibrations in-house.

Summarising, Moustapha says: “From an operational perspective, we have been delighted with the ease of use of the system, and we have built a high level of trust in viewLinc. Our team can log in and view readings at any time of day or night, and we know that the VaiNet loggers are accurate and reliable, so we can rest assured that the system will protect our vital indoor facilities and issue an alarm if any monitoring point approaches a threshold value.”

@VaisalaGroup @_Enviro_News #APL-SE #PAuto #Environment #Sweden

One of Europe’s largest renewable hydrogen projects.

Large-scale integration of production of offshore wind renewable hydrogen into the energy system in the SoutH2Port project. 

A new hydrogen production plant, operated by Lhyfe and Skyborn, is to be located in the municipality of Söderhamn (S), and connected to Skyborn’s 1 GW offshore wind farm in nearby Storgrundet. When fully operational, it is expected to produce about 240 tons of hydrogen per day, with an installed capacity of 600 MW, making it one of the largest suppliers of renewable hydrogen in Europe. ABB is collaborating with them to jointly realize and optimize this, one of Europe’s most ambitious renewable hydrogen projects ever, SoutH2Port.

“This collaboration is a key part of our strategy in both the hydrogen and offshore wind markets,” said Brandon Spencer, President of ABB Energy Industries. “Creating a seamless supply chain, through partnerships such as these, is essential to accelerate the energy transition. Hydrogen plays a crucial role in helping achieve the world’s climate goals when it comes to decarbonizing the industrial and transportation sectors.”

As part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the companies, ABB will apply critical expertise to optimize the integration of the hydrogen and electricity production across the entire ecosystem including automation, electrical and digital technologies and drive the development of scalable, commercial energy transition projects in and around the region. The aim is to explore opportunities to tie-in Power-to-X conversion technologies turning renewably sourced electricity into carbon-neutral energy carriers, such as hydrogen, and storing the energy for later use.

"We are delighted to have such a global technology leader as ABB, who shares our conviction in the Power-to-X potential of the SoutH2Port project, join our collaboration with Lhyfe. I look forward to taking this project to the next level with the help of ABB and their unrivalled expertise within this field,” said Achim Berge Olsen, Chairman of Skyborn Renewables Sweden.

“By combining our expertise and solutions, we can cost-effectively and safely expand the value creation attached to the scale up of renewable hydrogen production,” said Taia Kronborg, co-founder and Chief Business Officer at Lhyfe. “Skyborn’s track record in offshore wind power, Lhyfe’s expertise in renewable hydrogen production coupled with ABB’s technological expertise creates new opportunities for enabling Power-to-X solutions linked with renewable hydrogen production at scale.”

The new plant will support the decarbonization of the Swedish energy system, either directly with hydrogen supply or by further downstream production of refined fuels such as methanol, sustainable aviation fuel or ammonia – contributing to the government’s plans to become the world’s first fossil-free welfare country by 2045. SoutH2port will also further contribute to boosting the attractiveness and competitiveness of the region and local society through the creation of new jobs and business opportunities.

@ABBgroupnews @ABBMeasurement @abb_automation @Lhyfe_hydrogen  #PAuto #Marine #Oil_Gas

Motion control leader moves!

Thomson Industries is moving its Kristianstad (S), operations into a larger space to meet growing demand for its motion control technology. The Kristianstad plant has been a steadily growing supplier of Thomson electric linear actuators and linear motion systems to European customers and is on track for further growth. The new facility is larger, more advanced and will effectively support future business growth.

“Strict adherence to safety, quality, delivery, inventory management and productivity excellence has fuelled our success, so much so that we have outgrown our facilities. It would have been impossible to add new product lines or production capacity in our original location without jeopardizing the fundamentals that got us here,” said Peter Swahn, Site Manager, Thomson Industries.

Thomson's business in Kristianstad has experienced steady growth since its inception in 1985 with 25 employees. The company’s growth has been driven by increasing adoption of its cleaner and smarter electric actuators by industrial users transitioning away from hydraulic cylinders as well as the overarching trends toward automation to improve human lives.

Located about one kilometer northeast of the original site, the brand new, cutting-edge production plant spans over 10,200 m2. This footprint will enable Thomson to consolidate operations that it had previously housed in three separate buildings.

“We can now configure goods receiving, production, packing and shipping in an optimized, streamlined workflow, including warehouse, maintenance, technical lab, and offices all in the same building. We can also integrate better vertically, having room to bring in machinery for operations we have previously outsourced,” said Swahn.

In addition to being able to handle more business, the new facility will offer improved amenities for employees, including electric charger-equipped parking, and expanded areas for dining and personal lockers. The move has begun in April with full production expected to be in the new space by summer of 2023.

@Thomson_Ind @bcm_pr #Pauto #Sweden

Robots in the kitchen.

A complete range of robots for Nobia’s new, high-tech kitchen factory.

ABB Robotics has been selected by Nobia - the leading kitchen specialist in Europe – to supply robotic automation solutions for their new factory in Jönköping, (S). By securing the contract, ABB Robotics furthers its expansion into new industry segments, helping to make production more efficient and sustainable.

“ABB's contribution to Nobia’s new state-of-the-art factory clearly illustrates how we are helping companies unlock flexible automation to transform their business, supporting with unique global industry expertise and innovative, tailormade products,” said Andrea Cassoni, Managing Director, General Industry, ABB Robotics. “Working with Nobia, our robotics solutions will enable fast mass-production of customized kitchens, meeting consumers’ increased demand for tailored and personalized product choices”.

The supply of ABB robots will enable Nobia to achieve its vision for more flexible and more automated manufacturing that's capable of producing customized products at scale. By taking on the dull, dirty and sometimes dangerous tasks, the range of robots will enable Nobia’s workers to take on safer, more rewarding work. The robots included are IRB 7600, ideal for heavy applications, IRB 4600, a general-purpose robot that increases production capacity and improves productivity, and IRB 6700, the highest-performance robot in the 150–300-kilogram class which, on average, takes about 2.5 tons per day off the shoulders of an employee. The robots will enable the factory to produce customized cabinets with 75-80% higher efficiency (time) in comparison to non-automated processes.

Combining ABB’s technological leadership in automation with Nobia’s segment insights and knowledge of their customers’ needs, the relationship will lead to more flexible and digitalized manufacturing processes. Together, the companies strengthen the competence development within automation for the region around Jönköping. In the local area, ABB Robotics will support and educate Nobia's existing and future employees as well as students at Jönköping University and neighboring Linköping University. The training will be held in ABB Robotics’ recently opened training center in Jönköping.

"We are very excited about this partnership with ABB. We are building a future-proof, high-capacity factory that will support our leading position. It is a real game changer for the whole industry. The factory will manufacture customized, made-to-order kitchens at the highest speed and at the same time highest possible quality. The unique combination of technique solutions combined with our expertise will enable us to offer kitchens with leading design, and sustainability performance to customers in the Nordic region. To achieve this we will utilize ABB’s market leading technology for highly automated and flexible processes, and extensive logistics consolidation,” said Jon Sintorn, CEO, Nobia. 

The region around Jönköping is characterized by extensive know-how and expertise in manufacturing, with ABB Robotics further enhancing this through its work with Nobia. The factory will be fully operational in the course of 2024, to become one of Europe’s most modern kitchen factories.

@ABBRobotics @ABBgroupnews @ABBMeasurement @abb_automation @NobiaGroup #Robotics #PAuto #Sweden

Measuring sustainability or re-imagining imaging.

Winners announced from record number of startups worked to a high standard focusing on either Measuring Sustainability or Re-imagining Imaging. 

The winners in this year’s ABB Analytical Measurement Startup Challenge have been announced at an awards ceremony in Ottar, Sweden where 14 finalists from five continents pitched their digital innovations in the fields of measurement and imaging to a panel of judges.

The winner in the Measure Sustainability category was Global Sustainable Enterprise System (GSES), while Unleash Live took the crown in the Re-imagine Imaging category. Each will be awarded a collaboration project with ABB Measurement worth $30,000, with the goal of fast-tracking their solution and launching them to customers through the ABB Ability Marketplace^* in over 100 countries within the year. Winners will also receive mentoring support from SynerLeap (ABB’s startups accelerator) and Microsoft’s startup advisors.

“We had high hopes for this year’s Challenge having selected some high calibre candidates, and we weren’t disappointed.” said Jean-René Roy, Global Business Line Manager, ABB Measurement and Analytics. “We were impressed by the innovative ideas the Challenge yielded. The winning solutions offer interesting potential in improving the sustainability, productivity and performance of our customers’ operations. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with GSES and Unleashed live to bring these game changing ideas to market.”

Giovanna Dughera, Community Manager of Microsoft for Startups Switzerland, explains: “Every year, we are excited to see how the competing startups respond to the Challenges set by ABB. Innovation is at the heart of solving customer issues, and the fact that the ideas shared by GSES and Unleash live are highly innovative yet grounded in the real world makes them a perfect fit for the ABB portfolio of digital solutions.”

The finale came at the end of an intensive 10-day development process, which ran from 2nd-12th December, during which finalists worked with expert mentors from ABB, Microsoft Switzerland and SynerLeap to fine-tune their innovations.

The Challenges and Winners.
Measure Sustainability.
The aim of this challenge was to drive the next level of insights from emission monitoring systems, providing ABB’s customers with more holistic, value-added information on their sustainability footprint. 

Global Sustainable Energy Systems (GSES), the winner in this category, was founded in The Netherlands in 2019. ABB is looking forward to working with the 14-strong GSES team over the next few months to further refine and develop its innovative approach to measuring, verifying and rating the sustainability performance of products and organisations.

Re-imagine Imaging.
The second challenge was about using digital imaging to complement ABB’s analyzer portfolio, providing customers with deeper insights, and improving safety, productivity and sustainability. 

The winner in this category is Unleash live, which was founded in Australia in 2016 and now has 28 employees. ABB is excited by the potential for Unleash live’s video analytics innovation to drive down costs, improve productivity, accuracy and safety for its clients.

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^* The ABB Ability Marketplace™ is a unified subscriber portal where customers can discover, subscribe, manage, and scale across ABB's ecosystem of SaaS services.

@ABBgroupnews @ABBMeasurement @abb_automation @unleashlive #GSES

First VNA demonstrations in Europe.

Anritsu Corporation is to demonstrate its unique new Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) at three major institutes and universities in Europe this year, with further events to follow in 2021.

The live demos, in Switzerland, France and Sweden, will showcase Anritsu’s VectorStar™ ME7838G broadband VNA, capable of making measurements from 70 kHz to 220 GHz in a single sweep. The ME7838G, together with MPI’s 200mm probe station, allows on-wafer measurements that span into the upper mmWave frequencies for more accurate device characterization.

The first stop on the tour is in July and August at ETH Zurich (CH) at the Institute of Electromagnetic Fields (IEF) which researches the wave and particle characteristics of electromagnetic fields at all frequencies.

From September 21st, engineers can see the demo at the Université Grenoble Alpes in France
at its department of Centre Interuniversitaire de MicroElectronique et Nanotechnologies (CIME), while in November, the demo will be hosted by Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden at its department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience.

The VectorStar-based broadband system gives engineers confidence in the systems they are designing by characterizing the devices from near-DC to well beyond the operating frequency, allowing more accurate modeling.

Features and benefits of the Anritsu VectorStar ME7838G include:

• Broadest frequency coverage to 220 GHz, with extensions to 1.1 THz
• Eliminates the time-consuming, error-prone concatenation process across the RF, microwave, and mmWave bands
• Modular architecture allows system to grow as needed
• Reduces the risk of waveguide band extrapolation error in device modelling

With the VectorStar ME7838x series, RF and microwave engineers now have a powerful measurement tool for analyzing the performance of devices ranging from transistors in an on-wafer environment, to communication systems in commercial or defense applications.

@AnritsuEMEA @Anritsu @NapierPR

Coast with the rolls!

In Europe’s biggest roller coaster, the Helix at the Liseberg amusement park in Gothenburg (S), POG 10 HeavyDuty incremental encoders from Baumer monitor the speed of the carrriage's drive as it approaches the start ramp. The HeavyDuty technology guarantees high reliability and precision under extreme environmental conditions – serving up both thrills and reassuring safety for riders.

Liseberg in Gothenburg is Sweden's largest amusement park. The Helix roller coaster is one of the attractions that swirls up an adrenalin kick. With a 1380 meter track, Helix is the longest looping roller coaster in Europe and the second longest in the world. It hurls its riders at up to 90 km/h through six loops and exposes them to up to five times their own bodyweight. This is the first time anywhere in the world where half of the riders, Helix takes up to 28, sit facing backwards, making the ride even more exciting. Before the start, the riders have to be brought to the start ramp at a height of 41 meters. Controlled asynchronous drives with 315 kW of power are used to move the carriages into the start position. The speed of this drive is recorded by the original Hübner Berlin POG 10 HeavyDuty encoder from Baumer. No easy task, as the roller coaster is freely exposed to the elements – heat from the sun, moisture from rain or wind currents. Hence the decision to go for HeavyDuty encoders from Baumer, making sure the riders experience the thrill as a pleasure too.

Reliability is critical
The POG 10 incremental HeavyDuty encoder and its sister model, the HOG 10 with hollow shaft, are among the most versatile product ranges of the Baumer HeavyDuty encoders. They deliver reliable speed data in a host of potential applications and operate under the toughest conditions. As a result, they help prevent failures and maintain the availability of machines and systems. This saves downtime costs in a host of applications. With the roller coaster, it even makes a valuable contribution to the safety of human life – a malfunction in the drive of a carriage would at best be annoying for the riders, and at worst a life-threatening experience.

When is an encoder "HeavyDuty"? "HeavyDuty" is neither a protected expression nor the name of a standard. The HOG 10/POG 10 product range of Baumer Hübner, however, has generally been considered the defining "original" for 25 years now. The features that set this range apart and against which the segment is benchmarked are: • Mechanical resilience: resistance to hard shocks, vibration and forces on the rotary shaft for many years • Impermeability: sealed against dirt, dust and moisture • Electrical resilience: electronic components inside the encoder shielded against electromagnetic fields and powerful output drivers • Precision: reliable signal delivery, allowing a precise open-loop and closed-loop control of drives and generators "HeavyDuty" is an all-encompassing performance promise. It guarantees that an encoder will function reliably and precisely at all times over a prolonged period and under adverse conditions.

The HeavyDuty technology of the POG 10 guarantees high reliability under challenging environmental conditions through numerous specific features. Thanks to solid and generously dimensioned wall thicknesses and a warp-resistant design, the die-cast housings are extremely robust and highly resistant to vibration and shock. Bearings at both encoder shaft ends and the metallic incremental disk offer huge power reserves and unparalleled durability through extreme resilience to axial and radial forces. For outdoor use, in a roller coaster for example, the excellent anticorrosive properties of the CX category of HeavyDuty encoders to EN ISO 12944, achieved through an optimal choice of material and high-resistant coating, are also extremely important. These properties allow the encoders to be used even on or in the ocean, in the Arctic, in the tropics or in the desert.

The combination of labyrinth and shaft seals also protects the inner workings of the HeavyDuty encoders from solid, moist and paste-like contamination. This sealing concept conforms to protection classes IP 66 and IP 67 within a broad temperature range of up to 95 degrees Celsius. Current-insulated bearings ultimately protect the ball bearings of the encoder from current flashovers, and this averts any impairment of the lubricant effect. The result is an almost indestructible full package that effectively prevents potential malfunctions and failures, even during tough continuous use in a roller coaster. This is all the more important as a replacement can get very costly – not because the encoder itself is expensive, but because it is typically mounted in barely accessible locations, as is the case on a roller coaster.

HeavyDuty as an all-encompassing performance promise
HeavyDuty means highly resilient. This is not only about a tight, solid housing and protection against the elements. The intrinsic values have to be right as well. "Of course, it's always the strong ones, so to speak, that are used when the going gets tough, explains Steffen Günther, Head of the HeavyDuty Business Unit at Baumer. "Yet HeavyDuty offers an all-encompassing performance promise: such encoders must, first and foremost, function under extreme conditions at all times. Secondly, however, their signal accuracy must not suffer under these adverse conditions. For an encoder to be called HeavyDuty, it must be absolutely durable, impermeable and precise."

Reliable precision is ensured by the interference-immune scanning function with highly robust, optical circuits (Opto-ASIC). This guarantees optimum electromagnetic compatibility with a burst strength for high-voltage pulses of up to 4 kV. In addition, the Enhanced Monitoring System (EMS) continuously checks numerous encoder functions, swiftly detects connection and encoder errors and transmits the encoder status to the inverter or to the control via an error output. The HeavyDuty encoders achieve the best possible SinCos signal quality through the LowHarmonics technology for outstanding control quality, low drive heat-up and high energy efficiency. The incremental square signal outputs also have short-circuit proof, powerful transistor drivers for peak currents of up to 300 mA. They ensure reliable signal quality even over long-distance transmissions of up to 350 meters.

These features – resilience and precision – make an important contribution to ensuring that the Gothenburg roller coaster riders are brought to the start ramp safely and at the correct speed. A good thing too, since this ascent to 41 meters is thrilling enough without any failures.

Baumer guarantees to keep this all-encompassing performance promise every time with original Hübner Berlin technology through rigorous sample tests and by putting each and every HeavyDuty encoder through a full inspection before it leaves the factory. Resistance to electromagnetic fields, vibration, shocks, dust, hose water, salt spray and much more is ensured on test benches during series production. Detailed quality certificates confirm that these tests have been passed and give the customer the confidence that their encoder won't leave them high and dry.

Baumer's undisputed world leading position as a supplier of original Hübner Berlin HeavyDuty encoders is another such guarantee. The manufacturer can draw on experiences garnered in this encoder class since the 1950s. For 25 years now, the HOG 10/POG 10 product range has been considered the Non-Plus-Ultra in the segment. An original, often copied by the competition, but never equaled, in pursuit of offering more "Beyond the Standard" – more precision, more functionality, more resilience and more benefits for the user. A "more" that can be achieved only through the know-how created from decades of experience with the subject.

It can be assumed that the riders on the roller coaster in the Liseberg amusement park have no idea what's going on. This promise of resilience and precision, however, keeps the operators safe in the knowledge that their ride will never become a roller coaster of feelings for them.

#Baumer #Sweden #Encoder @mepaxIntPR

New HQ opens in Dublin's pharma district.

Atlas Copco Ireland has officially opened its new state-of-the-art headquarters in Dublin. The building is an ample 560 m2 in size and will be the permanent new workplace for the company’s 32 local employees. The move provides a wide range of benefits, including excellent transport links, an open-plan office area to enable staff to communicate and work more effectively; as well as a large purpose-built workshop and warehouse area that ensures customer requirements are met efficiently.

Micheál McGuinness - Country Manager for 

Compressor Technique and Anna Brand,

The Swedish Ambassador to Ireland.

The grand opening of the building, which is located in the heart of West Dublin’s Pharmaceutical district, took place on 26th January and was host to The Swedish Ambassador to Ireland, Her Excellency Anna Brandt, and to Market Area Director at Business Sweden, Gustaf Bergström.

The special guests were hosted by senior spokespeople from the global Atlas Copco Group, which is the world’s leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions. This included Andrew Walker – President of the Atlas Copco Power Technique business area, Alain De Dauw - Vice President of Human Resources for the Atlas Copco Oil Free Air division and Alexander Pavlov - Former Country Manager for Atlas Copco Ireland and current General Manager for Atlas Copco Compressor Technique in the United Kingdom. This was in addition to all of the management and staff who will be situated at the office in Dublin.

The advantages to be gained from the move will play strongly into the company’s customer focussed vision, as Micheál McGuinness, Country Manager for Compressor Technique at Atlas Copco Ireland commented: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers, past and present, for their custom over the years and look forward to welcoming them to our new head office in Dublin. Our mission is to help customers protect their investment in high quality machinery, avoid unexpected situations and increase uptime – a goal we feel we are expertly placed to fulfil even more effectively from our new premises.”

210 m2 of Atlas Copco Ireland’s Head Office is dedicated to a large workshop and warehouse area. The purpose-built workshop facility provides a safe working environment for service technicians and contains state-of-the-art power tools and lifting equipment to ensure quick turnaround times when performing maintenance and overhauls of major pieces of customer equipment; such as compressor blocks, industrial air elements and gear box assemblies.

Meanwhile, the warehouse area contains a generous amount of racking space to store equipment, together with an improved flow of parts inventory to further ensure Atlas Copco Ireland is able to provide the best possible lead and service times for customers and maintain its position as a market leader.

Atlas Copco Ireland foresees many aspects of its new headquarters that will offer benefits for both staff members and customers alike. For instance, the building’s convenient proximity to the M50 motorway will ensure that deliveries are more efficient and travel is easier for anybody visiting the company’s head office.

In addition to the external benefits of the location, the newly overhauled open plan office enables team members to fully embrace an activity based working style; which has been shown to lend itself to easier communication and increased productivity.

The opening ceremony was attended by all of the Atlas Copco management and staff 

who will be situated at the office in Dublin. (Click to enlarge)

@AtlasCopcoUKIRE #PAuto #Ireland #Sweden

Supply and technology partnership announced!

ABB and Northvolt have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a wide-ranging supply and technology partnership, including products and services for Northvolt’s state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery factory and close collaboration on development of battery solutions and R&D activities. ABB Technology Ventures (ATV) will support the initial phase of this project through an early investment.

Northvolt is going to build Europe’s largest and most advanced lithium-ion battery factory in Sweden. Supported by ABB’s industrial automation expertise, integrating robotics, machine and factory automation, electrification and ABB AbilityTM, ABB’s unified, cross-industry digital offering, into one overall solution, the factory will supply European customers in the automotive and key industries with high quality and customizable battery solutions. The factory is expected to start production in 2020. A demonstration-line will be ready by 2019 and will allow Northvolt to continuously optimize products and processes.

“We are excited to support Northvolt’s project to build the battery factory of the future here in one of our home countries”, said ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer. “This uniquely integrated factory would be a true showcase for ABB’s leadership in industrial automation and smart electrification and would help to meet the ever-increasing demand for smarter, greener storage solutions.”

The Energy Revolution has spurred the use of renewable energy sources and lowered the reliance on fossil fuels. Electrification and storage are the keys to a carbon neutral society. The shift to e-mobility alone will drive the need for batteries to new heights. The ability to store energy is also crucial to free the world’s energy generation and distribution from fossil fuels in a phased manner.

“The world is moving quickly towards electrification. We want to enable this transition by building the largest, cutting-edge lithium-ion battery factory on the European continent and producing the world’s greenest batteries. ABB is at the forefront of the electrification, and we are delighted to have them on-board as strategic partner, key supplier and investor”, said Peter Carlsson, CEO of Northvolt.

The products and services that ABB intend to supply include a fully integrated robotics, automation and electrification solution including ABB’s industry-leading distributed control system ABB AbilityTM System 800xA as well as advanced digital solutions such as ABB AbilityTM Manufacturing Operations Management, making this factory a true showcase for Industry 4.0.

Both partners have agreed on a technology collaboration to drive innovation in battery technology in areas such as production platform, cell and module design, and battery performance. The companies intend to have a close collaboration on development of battery solutions for mobile and stationary applications, including the potential sourcing of batteries.

“We see great potential in partnering with Northvolt to develop environmental friendly solutions for utilities, industry as well as infrastructure & transportation. This is a true milestone for us and our customers in our aim for a fossil fuel free society, especially here in Sweden”, says Johan Söderström, MD ABB Sweden.

@ABBgroupnews #PAuto @northvolt

Good news for life sciences in Northern Europe.

Pharma and biotech manufacturers in Northern Europe benefit from additional local PAS-X MES expertise during on-site implementation

LtoR: Mats Forsberg (ÅF), Max Börjesson (ÅF), Anders Bennermark (ÅF), Torsten Isenberg (Werum) and Peter Vigh (ÅF)

Good news for pharma and biotech manufacturers in Northern Europe: Werum IT Solutions further expands its PAS-X Service Partner network. The world’s leading supplier of manufacturing execution systems (MES) signed a partnership agreement with ÅF Industry. ÅF is a leading engineering and consulting company based in Stockholm, Sweden.

As a certified "PAS-X Endorsed Service Partner", ÅF Industry will support Werum customers in Europe – especially in the Scandinavian and Baltic countries – during the on-site-implementation of Werum's PAS-X MES. ÅF will e.g. provide resources for MBR design, system configuration, installation, and the integration of automation systems and equipment.

“We opted for ÅF Industry because they have many offices in Scandinavia and the Baltic region and they already know our customers,” says Torsten Isenberg, Senior Director Services at Werum IT Solutions GmbH. “With their unique Level 2 and MES implementation expertise plus their excellent reputation in Northern Europe, ÅF will provide high-quality services and support to our existing and new customers."

Max Börjesson, Section Manager Food & Pharma at ÅF Industry: “ÅF’s long experience in offering consulting services to the pharmaceutical market makes us a stable and reliable partner for Werum and its customers in the context of PAS-X MES implementation. With our deep understanding of the daily operations in the industry, we can perform the transition from a paper-based to a digital quality control system efficiently and in high quality.”

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

@Werum #PAuto #Pharma

Global headquarters for radar level measurement for Sweden.

US$24.5 million facility in Gothenburg, Sweden, increases production flexibility and efficiency; provides enhanced range of services, support and training for customers.

Emerson marked the official opening of its new USD 24.5 million office and radar technology centre in Gothenburg (S) recently. The facility provides optimised manufacturing capability and an enhanced range of services, support and training for users of Emerson’s radar level measurement products in the terminals, processing and shipping industries.

The facility becomes Emerson’s global headquarters for radar level measurement. It supports a range of services, including sales and marketing, engineering and development, and production. The buildings include facilities for training and conferences, plus areas for customer inspection and testing to take place.

“Gothenburg has been the centre of excellence for Emerson’s radar level solutions for many years,” said Rasmus Johansson, Managing Director of Emerson’s Rosemount Tank Radar AB business. “This purpose-built facility enables us to strengthen our commitment to support our customers throughout the entire product lifecycle. Additional benefits include delivering shorter lead times, providing testing and product verification capabilities, plus excellent training opportunities.”

Replacing Emerson’s manufacturing unit in Gamlestaden, the new centre is located in the Härryda municipality, just to the east of Gothenburg, which provides easy access to the nearby international airport. The facility consists of two buildings - a 9,900 m2 factory area and a 7,100 m2 office area accommodating around 350 employees. The buildings are constructed with environmentally-approved materials according to Green Building standards.

“This is an important component for Emerson to further strengthen our role as a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together. Innovation, quality and customer dedication have always been our top priorities,” said Dr. Joe Willson, Vice President/General Manager of Emerson’s Rosemount Level business.

The opening ceremony was attended by senior executives including Ed Monser, President of Emerson; Steve Sonnenberg, Chairman, Automation Solutions; Mike Train, Executive Vice President & Group Business Leader, Automation Solutions; Emerson Process Management’s Lal Karsanbhai, Group Vice President, Rosemount and Analytical; Roel Van Doren, President, Europe; Phil Kelaart, Vice President Europe, Measurement and Analytical; Dr. Joe Willson, Vice President/General Manager, Rosemount Level; and Rasmus Johansson, Managing Director, Rosemount Tank Radar AB; plus local dignitaries.

 @EmersonProcess #PAuto 

Drive & motor solutions energy benefits lauded in Sweden.

The energy-saving benefits of using Emerson drive and motor solutions have been highlighted in a test report on electric motors by Energimyndigheten (Swedish Energy Agency).

The agency commissioned the test to investigate claims made by manufacturers of electric motors in various efficiency classes, when used in conjunction with a series of different variable speed drives.

The investigation (Swedish) showed savings of around 5,700 kW hours per year can be achieved from a single Leroy-Somer Dyneo® LSRPM 15kW electric motor from Emerson, equivalent to the entire annual household electricity consumption for a four person household.

The independent tests, the first of their kind in Sweden, follow amended EU legislation which concerns the efficiency of electric motors in industry. Since January 2015, all new electric motors of powers from 7.5kW up to 375kW covered by the Ecodesign directive must meet minimum EU efficiency requirements of IE2 class when supplied by an inverter and IE3 when supplied DOL.

Energimyndigheten subsequently analysed the motor’s performance in conjunction with four variable speed drives, which adjusted the output according to need by controlling the speed of the electric motor.

If one efficiency class was defined as 20 per cent less losses between two measures, the results showed how Dyneo® improves efficiency by an equivalent of one entire class better than Emerson’s competitors’ products, and close to three efficiency classes above IE3 induction motors in the pump example.

Compressor applications would give even higher differences as Dyneo® keeps its superior efficiency across the full speed and load ranges.

The Dyneo® LSRPM motor from Emerson, using HPM technology (hybrid permanent magnet) was tested both with a Unidrive M600 drive from Emerson, and a model from one of Emerson’s competitors. The optimized motor and drive package from Emerson clearly showed an improved efficiency, as a result of both drive and motor being engineered specifically to work together.

The first example assumed a situation where an electric motor is supplied by a drive and used to drive a pump. The electric motor with the pump was installed in a system where there is constant pressure, but where the pump flow ranges from idling operation to the peak load. Under these conditions, the results show that in a year, this solution can save up to six per cent of the cost of electricity with a Leroy-Somer Dyneo® permanent magnet motor from Emerson Industrial Automation.

Electric motor systems are estimated to account for around 65 to 70 per cent of the total electricity used in industry, and almost 40 per cent of total global electricity use. They often run round the clock, throughout the year, and can be used to drive fans, pumps and compressors, or power systems such as elevators, escalators and large air conditioning or refrigeration units.

It is estimated that more efficient electric motors could save around 135 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity annually in the EU by 2020, more than Sweden's current total annual electricity use.

Eric Coupart, from Leroy-Somer, said: “We wholly welcome the findings of the investigation, which confirms how Emerson drives and motor solutions, purchased as packages, deliver not only proven reliability but also the best return and life-cycle cost on the market.”

• The Swedish Energy Agency, which has been in operation since 1998, is the country’s national authority for energy policy issues. Its aim is a sustainable Swedish energy system, through the support of renewable energy, improved technologies, climate measures, and a smarter use of energy.

Time capsule burial marks start of construction of tank gauging/management products facility!

Construction has been started of a new €22 million (US$ 27m)  office and manufacturing centre to be built in Gothenburg (S) for Emerson. The new facility is part of the company's ongoing commitment to expand its manufacturing operations and increase the availability of local support, training and services for its customers.

Holding the straps of the time capsule buried during Emerson’s  groundbreaking ceremony  (from left to right), Rasmus Johansson, MD Rosemount Tank Radar AB, Stephan Woodbridge, regional manager from Veidekke (the construction company), Ed Monser, president and COO of Emerson, and Maria Kornevik Jakobsson, chairman of the municipal council in Härryda'

“This new facility will provide users of our tank gauging and tank management products within the terminals, processing and shipping industries, with faster deliveries and an enhanced range of services and support,” said Rasmus Johansson, ‎managing director of Emerson’s Rosemount Tank Radar business. “Gothenburg has been the centre of excellence for our tank radar-based products for many years and this investment demonstrates our continuing commitment to our growing number of customers.”

The new facility will comprise two buildings with a total area of approximately 17,000 m2 including offices, training and conference facilities, customer inspection and testing areas, and an extensive production area. The facility will be built in accordance with Sweden’s Green Building standard and will support a range of services including sales and marketing, engineering and development, and production.

“The new building provides more flexible and efficient production facilities and it offers opportunities for expansion as demand warrants,” said Johansson. “The facility is being designed to meet the latest regulations for air freight which, combined with its proximity to a major international airport, will help to speed the delivery of customer orders.”

The company held a groundbreaking ceremony in December 2014 which was attended by senior Emerson executives and local dignitaries. These included Ed Monser, president and COO of Emerson, Maria Kornevik Jakobsson, chairman of the municipal council in Härryda and Stephan Woodbridge, regional manager for Veidekke, the company constructing the new building.

The new facility in the Härryda municipality to the east of Gothenburg will replace Emerson’s existing manufacturing unit in Gamlestadsvägen.  When it is opened in January 2016, it will accommodate about 420 employees.

State-of-the-art safety upgrade for stainless steel rolling mill!

ABB's new safety PLC has provided the platform for Sandvik Materials Technology to add zoned safety guarding to a large cold rolling mill at its Sandviken plant in Sweden. The mill is a key part of the production line for precision strip steel at the plant.

Sandvik's cold rolling mill has been upgraded a number of times throughout its life - including recent changes that added servomotors, and new machine control using ABB's standard AC500 PLC and touchscreen operator interface panels.

The latest upgrade adds safety PLC modules from ABB's AC500-S PLC to the machine control system to enhance the safety of the 20m-long mill with a networked architecture using the PROFIsafe protocol over PROFINET to provide independent control of six separate safety zones. The zoned arrangement means that parts of the machine can remain operational while an operator gains safe access to some other zone - where safety is assured by disabling power.

Some 50 safety PLC I/O channels are employed to link to gate switch and light curtain guarding, and emergency stop buttons. The I/O also monitors pressure switches to sense that hydraulic power is disabled so that maintenance can take place, and controls power supplies to the motor drives. Safe speed control is another aspect of the safety control provided by the new PLC - to ensure that hands or fingers cannot be trapped between the mill's belt and rollers.

Sandvik chose ABB's AC500-S safety PLC for this application because of good experience of the standard non-safety AC500 PLC architecture on both this machine and other machinery control projects. The AC500-S safety PLC also offered Sandvik the possibility of using floating point numbers, which simplified the safety programming required for this project for tasks such as calculating speed.

The fact that the standard version of the ABB PLC was already used on the mill measurably simplified the safety upgrade. This is because the safety PLC hardware shares the same look and feel as standard AC500 PLCs allowing safety and non-safety functions to be mixed in the same system. This compatibility includes identical dimensions to CPU and I/O modules, and the same mounting and wiring scheme.

The new dual-processor safety CPU module and the safety I/O channels have been integrated alongside the machine's existing AC500 PLC - which controls a total of six DC and AC drives and motors. The DC motors drive the main steel belt and rollers. The AC motors adjust roller position to achieve the desired pressure during strip steel processing. The standard PLC also links with four operator interface panels from ABB's CP600 series.

Programming the safety solution was made simple by the fact that ABB's integrated PLC development tool, Automation Builder, included support for safety PLC programming in its CODESYS-based integrated development environment - and support for the PLCopen Safety Library. ABB also provided its own safety code analyzer tool, SCA, which verifies the safety programming rules.

The familiarity of the programming environment and the sophistication of these tools helped Sandvik's developers to quickly understand safety PLC programming concepts. This allowed them to develop the enhanced machine safety architecture in a very short time - meeting the company's tight timescales set for this upgrade project - and quickly bring the enhanced mill into operation.

This project also took place before ABB had actually launched the AC500-S safety PLC. Prior to commercial release, the new PLC was extensively field tested in a large number of pilot applications. Sandvik was one of ABB's pilot customers and developed this safety control system before the product and tools were formally launched. This was made possible by good support from ABB's product development team. Since this application, Sandvik has gone on to use the safety PLC on three other machine refurbishment projects.

"We were very pleased to find such an easy-to-apply solution for adding state-of-the-art protection, in the form of the ABB's safety PLC - which integrated directly with the machine's existing PLC," says Torbjörn Pettersson, an engineering development specialist with Sandvik Materials Technology.

"The fact that ABB could supply the spectrum of machine control components required for this project, from the non-safety and safety variants of the PLC, to the operator panels, motor drives, contactors and safety hardware, both simplified and speeded this upgrade," says Jonas Rehnberg of ABB Sweden. "The modularity of the new safety solution also means that it is now very easy to upgrade or modify safety functionality in the future, to enhance the safety of the mill even further, or to integrate additional aspects of the production process."

The safety PLC - the AC500-S - is a recent addition to ABB's well-known AC500 PLC range and features a dual processor architecture that complies with SIL3 (IEC 61508:2010 and IEC 62061)/PL e (ISO 13849-1) functional safety levels. The integrated AC500-S safety PLC can run even if the non-safety PLC is stopped for maintenance. This means that personnel can still easily move within the machine during the maintenance phase, because the safety PLC will continue monitoring the state of the machine's safety sensors and executing its safety function.

Oxygen levels for safety and quality in Swedish biogas production

A major Scandinavian producer of Biogas has selected Michell Instruments’ XTP601 oxygen analysers to monitor O2 levels for safety and quality at two sites in Sweden. The XTP601 Oxygen Analyzer is used to continuously provide readings of the levels of O2 in the process. In general, the lower level of oxygen in these applications should be no more than 0.5%, with a danger level of 4%. The XTP601 has alarms to shut down the plant if oxygen levels approach the danger level to ensure safety. One plant produces biogas from sewage and while the other uses food and garden waste, however the biogas from both plants is used as a transport fuel. Despite the different feedstocks, the process of upgrading the gas for use is the same. The biogas must be upgraded to 95% methane, which will give it a high enough calorific value to produce the energy required for transport fuel. It will also make it highly flammable – which is why it is important to keep levels of oxygen low during the process. The XTP601 provides stable, accurate readings and is capable of measuring oxygen from 0-1% up to 0-50% as well as suppressed zero ranges, such as 90-100%. There are three options for configuration: a transmitter; a transmitter with status LEDs or a full display version. All of these options may be rated for either safe or hazardous area use, with hazardous area classifications available for ATEX, IECEx and CCSAUS. The full display version of the XTP601 has a touch screen interface to enable easy operation without needing to remove the lid. This means that users can calibrate, change settings and interrogate the instrument in the hazardous area without the need for a ‘hot permit’ or permission to carry out work. Menus allow easy access to information on oxygen concentration; analyzer status; a graph showing oxygen trends over a user-defined time period; alarm history; minimum and maximum concentrations and other parameters to aid diagnosis of plant conditions. • Michell instreuments are marketed in Ireland by Instrument Technology.