How do applied stresses and residual stresses interact?

Paper from ECOROLL AG Tool Technology

Surface properties - Subsurface properties - Residual stresses - Information/Know-how.

How to estimate the effect of residual stresses.

It is not always easy to estimate the effect of residual stresses during the design phase. It is generally known that residual stresses can significantly influence the service life of components. For this reason, processes such as deep rolling, machine hammer peening, and shot peening are used repeatedly. They generate the necessary compressive residual stresses in the subsurface area and are thus largely responsible for extending the service life of a dynamically loaded component. However, it is still difficult for design departments to take this into account in their calculations. In the following, we will explain how an initial rough estimate can be made and how residual stresses actually affect dynamic strength.

Residual stresses are internal stresses in the structure.
First, we need to understand what residual stresses actually are. Residual stresses are stresses in the microstructure of a component that are present even when no external forces, torques, or temperature gradients are acting on the component, i.e., when the component is completely free of any load. They can occur anywhere in the manufacturing chain and are the result of mechanical and thermal loads during the individual manufacturing steps. For example, so-called casting stresses can arise during casting because the component cools at different rates in different areas. They can arise during machining due to the strong thermo-mechanical stresses caused by the cutting edge, or they can be generated specifically by means of mechanical solidification processes.

As with residual stresses, intrinsic stresses are generally divided into tensile and compressive stresses. Tensile stresses are described mathematically by a positive figure, while compressive stresses are described by a negative figure. In general terms, it can be said that compressive stresses extend the service life of components, while tensile stresses shorten it.

The reason for this is the initiation of cracks by stress peaks. If the tensile stress in one part in a component is too great, a crack will form at this point. Initially, this crack is small, but it grows larger and larger with further loading until the component finally fails. In simple terms, tensile residual stresses pull on the crack, causing it to grow faster. Compressive residual stresses counteract crack propagation and thus slow down crack growth.

Superposition of load stresses and residual stresses.
Like all stresses, residual stresses can also be superimposed with load stresses. This can be done by simple superposition. In other words, the load and residual stresses are simply added together. The result is then a resulting stress.

We can easily understand this using the example of a uniaxial stress state, i.e., a bar. If a uniaxial tensile stress of sload = 600 MPa is applied to this component and it has no residual stress, then the resulting stress is still sres = 600 MPa. If, on the other hand, the bar is subjected to a compressive residual stress of sESP = -200 MPa in the same direction, then mathematically the 200 MPa is subtracted from the 600 MPa and the resulting stress is sRes = 400 MPa. A bar that would fail at 550 MPa, for example, could therefore be used in the second case, but not in the first case. This explains the effect of residual stresses in a comprehensible way.

But what about a multi-axial stress state? Here, of course, the concept must be applied to the entire stress tensor. In this case, the corresponding residual stress values must be used for each component of the stress tensor. For example, in the x-direction, the principal stress of s(x) must be calculated with the principal stresses in the x-direction. If this is done for all components as well as the shear stresses, the result is a complete stress tensor with principal stresses.*

In order to estimate the effect on strength, the concepts of equivalent stress can be applied. This compresses the stress tensor to a single stress value and allows it to be compared with the strength characteristics from the stress-strain diagram.

Of course, the method presented here is not a complete service life assessment, and further calculations or tests must always be carried out to estimate dynamic strength. However, the method presented here allows the effect of residual stresses to be roughly estimated. Effects such as additional strengthening of the microstructure or residual stress reduction during loading are not taken into account, however.

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* Mörke, T.: Randzonenanalyse zur Bestimmung mechanischer Belastungen im Lebenszyklus spanend gefertigter Bauteile. Doctoral thesis, Leibniz University Hannover, 2016.

@PresseBox @UnnGmbh #Ecoroll #Stress #Manufacturing

Explore, Engage, Evolve.

Share best practices for achieving step-change operational and sustainability improvements.

Registration is now open for Emerson Exchange Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) 2024, which will take place at the Congress Center Düsseldorf (D), from February 27-29. This will be the first Emerson Exchange in Europe to be held in-person since 2018*, following the COVID-19 pandemic. With a theme of ‘Explore, Engage, Evolve’, the Emerson users’ event will highlight how industrial manufacturers exploring greenfield project developments or modernisation of existing sites can employ powerful software and advanced automation solutions to achieve step-change improvements in sustainability and operational performance.

Emerson Exchange is an industry-leading technical conference, where professionals from process, hybrid and discrete manufacturing gather to share ideas, collaborate on solutions and get expert advice on how to extract the most from their automation technology investments. Thousands of delegates from more than 50 countries are expected to attend the conference, where they can network with their peers and hear more than 150 users sharing their experiences and presenting solutions to some of their most challenging automation projects.

“Emerson Exchange EMEA 2024 provides the perfect platform to present our latest advanced automation software and technologies designed to help organisations meet their operational, decarbonisation and sustainability goals,” said John Nita, president of Emerson Europe. “Attendees will have the opportunity to explore transformative ideas and gain inspiration and insights from industry leaders to accelerate their own improvement programmes.”

A highlight of the conference will be a summit focusing on the key topic of sustainability, where executives from leading global manufacturers will hold roundtable discussions about meeting decarbonisation targets. 

Düsseldorf

Emerson’s Women’s Impact Network employee resource group will host a summit focusing on the significant impact of women in business and providing valuable insights from inspirational women at the forefront of the engineering and tech industry. 

In addition, the event will feature a range of industry forums, with experts meeting to discuss the latest trends and technological developments in the chemical, energy, food and beverage, life sciences, LNG and metals and mining industries.

“The Emerson Exchange EMEA 2024 will be one of the largest gatherings of industry leaders exchanging ideas, forming collaborations and discovering innovations that will drive our industry forward,” said Mathias Schinzel, president of Emerson Middle East and Africa. “The remarkable level of interest we've seen from the Middle East and Africa serves as a clear signal that the region is not just keen to embrace the future of manufacturing and energy, but actively shape it by fully committing to advancing sustainability and decarbonisation journeys.”

The 5000m² EXPO will be divided into zones focused on sustainability and decarbonisation, industries, technologies and expertise. Delegates will be able to hold in-depth discussions with industry experts about their specific applications and learn about Emerson’s portfolio of software solutions and its Boundless Automation™ vision for implementing a next-generation automation architecture across an enterprise, enabling significant business improvements.

The event will also feature the largest training programme ever held at an Emerson Exchange in Europe, with 600 places available on a range of certificated courses, giving delegates the chance to develop their skills as a means of enhancing their career. Further supporting talent development, the event will also include a STEM open day for university students.

Secure your place here Early Bird is available until December 31st 2023.

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* #EMREX Connecting, communicating and creating in Netherlands. (14/3/2018)

@EmersonExchange @Emerson_News @EMR_Automation @HHC_Lewis #PAuto #EmrEx #EMEA #Germany

Top tools and technologies.

Rising energy costs and more stringent legislation guiding sustainable practices is spurring companies to re-evaluate processes and seek new tools and technologies to reduce waste and overcome challenges in today’s industrial environments.

The top three trends that are enhancing operational efficiency in today’s industrial environments are highlighted by Fluke. Challenges posed to industrial operations managers by the pandemic have now been superseded by the rising cost of energy, and the need to deliver on net zero ambitions. As the price of energy continues to increase, the need to reduce costs and deliver on shared sustainability goals intensifies for small-to-medium sized enterprises through to large corporations.

Paul Feenstra, Vice President Fluke EMEA, at Fluke said: “We are working together with our customers to help drive new initiatives to improve operations, increase efficiencies, and take reliability to a new level in the 21st century.”

1 Reducing energy costs with upgraded technology and cloud-based data monitoring.
Approximately 90% of all companies use compressed air in some aspect of their operation, such that it is often referred to as the fourth utility. Recent developments in industrial acoustic imaging technology have enabled the fast identification of leaks in compressed air systems used in industrial and manufacturing environments. Fluke’s ii900 Industrial Acoustic Imager features an array of microphones, providing visualisation of sound field within an expanded field-of-view and on a distance of up to 70 meters, that enables maintenance teams to visually locate air leaks very quickly and accurately in compressed air systems.

Beyond the improvement of rugged handheld tools, monitoring practices are also evolving with the use of internet-connected instruments. Analysis and data is captured on a cloud platform allowing operators to monitor the key performance indicators (KPI) of compressed air systems including energy, electric power, flow, pressure and leakage flow. Fluke’s LeakQ™ Report Generator creates detailed air compressor leak reports from images captured by Fluke ii900 or the ii910 Precision Acoustic Imager and calculates the energy savings once the leaks are repaired.

2 Using data to deliver predictive maintenance.
For generations, maintenance professionals have used preventive maintenance to avoid equipment failures and turned to reactive maintenance when assets failed. With the emergence of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies, maintenance professionals can now connect tools, software and sensors to collect, store and analyse multiple data sources in one place. The pandemic accelerated investment in technologies that make remote monitoring possible. The technology enables reliability and maintenance teams to meet up-time requirements no matter how fluid on-site staffing might be. The trend for remote monitoring will continue, with small scale operations turning to remote condition monitoring services.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have held the promise to quickly identify trends and adapt quickly to changing operational conditions. Software armed with prescriptive analytics is finally meeting up with modern condition monitoring hardware to spark a revolution in the use of AI/ML in maintenance operations. Now a new race has emerged to pair that hardware and software with ML and AI algorithms. Companies, like Fluke, are working to combine technologies so that the software can identify trends, recognise data patterns and make specific recommendations for equipment maintenance.

3 Digital SI speeds integration of critical equipment measurements.
The accelerated uptake in digital measurement solutions for industrial applications can save time and money, whilst facilitating a shift towards predictive maintenance for systems. Although modern measurement digital devices are typically not fit-and-forget solutions, the increase in digital measurement solutions paves the way for verification technologies that can help to reduce the maintenance burden on personnel, without compromising on accuracy or reliability.

Digital SI (International System of Units), an initiative created as part of the industry 4.0 revolution, relates to the creation of a globalised system to transmit calibration certification information electronically. This is critical as the exchange of data and the data itself are the basis of highly automated industrial processes. The system ensures measurement traceability from all calibrations performed and enables sharing of information in a paperless manner. This speeds up the integration of measurements that can be performed using critical test equipment as part of an integrated factory enhancing maintenance efficiency and plant efficiency.

“The tests we have faced within the last 24-36 months is delivering a growing awareness among top management that fundamental changes in maintenance best practice need to occur in order to protect the bottom line,” said Paul Feenstra.

“This is music to the ears of progressive industrial managers who have been advocating for investments to improve efficiencies and reliability of systems. Now is the time to make the case to adopt innovative technologies, tools, and processes to ensure your company maintains a competitive edge and thrives in this new environment.”

@FlukeCorp @NapierPR #PAuto #TandM

Collaboration announced in technical education.

Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) and ESB (Electricity Supply Board-Ireland) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a framework of strategic collaboration that will include three key areas - Research and Development, Talent Promotion and Diversity and Inclusion. TU Dublin President, Professor David FitzPatrick, and ESB Deputy Chief Executive, Jerry O’Sullivan announced the partnership at a celebratory event hosted by Ireland’s newest University in Grangegorman.

Jerry O'Sullivan & Professor Fitzpatrick
at TU Dublin Campus

Speaking at the MoU launch event in Grangegorman, University President, Professor David FitzPatrick outlined the value of the strategic partnership with ESB. “TU Dublin welcomes this new opportunity to work with ESB on a range of innovative projects delivering quality research outputs, nurturing a pipeline of new talent in the key areas of Engineering and related disciplines, and encouraging a diverse and inclusive student population and working environment. To date, our close working relationship with ESB has been very fruitful. One example would be the introduction of the very successful Access to Apprenticeship - a 12-week taster programme for young people who may find it difficult to access an apprenticeship due to social and economic barriers, and we are pleased to see our relationship strengthen further with today’s announcement.”

ESB and TU Dublin will explore areas of mutual interest under each of the headings covered by the MoU. For example, under Research and Development, discussions will take place around the development and operation of Electric Vehicle Fast Charging infrastructure across Ireland, real-time wind generation, and energy market modelling and battery storage.

Both parties will also focus on talent development activities, including the development of new academic programmes in power plant technology and an examination of professional roles and employability of future engineers. They will also investigate potential co-operative initiatives aimed at encouraging Diversity and Inclusion in STEM education and the workplace, building on current programmes such as TU Dublin’s ESTEeM - a mentoring programme for young women studying STEM subjects.

Jerry O’Sullivan, Deputy Chief Executive of ESB, said: “ESB is once again proud to collaborate with Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) to support the delivery of important programmes and research projects, as well as nurturing the next generation of innovators and creators. This collaboration underpins our commitment to leading the transition to a low-carbon future as we support the vital research and development work in renewable solutions such as battery storage, electromobility and electricity generation. The focus on STEAM initiatives also aligns with our own commitment to empowering young people to reach their potential and power their collective brighter future. We look forward to working with TU Dublin and the benefits this collaboration will bring to all.”

Pics: Maxwell Photography

 @WeAreTUDublin #STEM @ESBGroup

Wearable electronics enabled by sensors!

The wearable devices space is viewed as the next goldmine of opportunity for sensor manufacturers as profits shrink in the smartphone and tablet segments. Further, the sensor landscape for wearable devices will gain a new dimension through the entry of software and hardware giants such as Google, Apple, Samsung  and Intel. 

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Wearable Electronics Enabled by Sensors,  finds that the sensors market earned revenues of €70 million   ($108 m)  in 2014 and estimates this to catapult to €710 million ($800 m) in 2020.

“Rising average life expectancy and increasing awareness on health and fitness monitoring have fuelled the adoption of wearable devices,” said Frost & Sullivan Measurement and Instrumentation Senior Industry Analyst Sankara Narayanan. “In addition to clinical healthcare, medical, fitness & wellness applications the wearables market is witnessing a series of new product launches, such as Heads-up Displays, smart watches, smart fabrics, wrist bands, and glasses that are used across various consumer, industrial and other verticals. As the need to collect various physiological data and quantified self-movement surges, wearables will incorporate more complex electronics and sensors.”

Since the wearable electronics ecosystem is complex, a combination of both hardware and software knowledge is required for companies to make it big in the industry. Many firms do not have the skill to design products from scratch. Further, the need to integrate a large number of sensors inside a wearable device poses serious problems in terms of battery life and time to market.

Sensor platforms, rather than sensor components, will play a critical role in wearable device innovation and shortening time to market. Sensor platform companies, with expertise in sensors, low-power processing, and wireless connectivity, can design solutions with the desired number of sensors while ensuring robust battery life and reduced power consumption.

“Sensor platforms fill the software-hardware knowledge gap, enabling rapid prototyping of wearables and helping wearable designers do their own hardware design,” added Narayanan.

• Complimentary access to more information on this research

Centralized or Decentralized?

Dr. Arne Linder, Product Management at Kollmorgan's Ratingen (D) plant considers which architecture type delivers the best technical and commercial advantages ?

Dr. Arne Linder

Decentralising servo technology can bring machine and plant construction savings during installation. Two additional advantages include reduced cabinet heat loads and more straight forward drive architecture. The question arises however, which technology is better, an integrated motor/drive solution or a detached motor and drive?

So often in life the answer to a question is neither A or B, but instead C. This is true for the discussion of decentralized versus centralized servo technology in determining the best system. What architecture is best from a commercial and technical standpoint for a particular application? Instead of A or B, the answer C comes about through mixed architectures, a coexistence of both types. In this case the two approaches can be easily combined when the drives have a large number of common features. As such, standardization of these platforms is the best approach.

Space-saving drive solutions with a modular design are required for machines in the food and packaging industries. Distributed servo technology supports this trend.

The centralized architecture
In contrast to horizontal conveying where decentralized servo drives are a common sight, centrally located servo drives are still dominate the market for highly dynamic and precise motion control. Servo drives along with other control components, sometimes with a full blown IPC, reside together in a control cabinet protected from the outside world. Connection to the motors is in a star shaped structure, each having control and power cables. Because heat loss is centrally generated, effective air conditioning is needed in the cabinet.

The decentralized alternative
Decentralized servo technology follows the basic principal of shifting the individual motor control from the central control cabinet to be closely located to the process This architecture makes necessary a robust design providing a high degree of environmental protection. The advantage lies particularly in terms of motor cabling. Two other advantages are improved EMC-behavior and the widespread distribution of heat loss, reducing the cost or need for a centralized cabinet climate control system.

Trends in machine building industry
Especially with packaging machinery and machines for the food and beverage industry, the trend is away from meter long cabinet walls but instead installing small, highly self-protected units within the machine frame. The progressive trend is toward modularization of production facilities making necessary the distribution or combination of functions. This statement is reinforced by the fact that production equipment consist of a main process and ancillary tasks. The latter are a variety of compatible modules – for example conveyor systems, sorters and handling units. This provides a path for easy expansion of the machine. Against this backdrop, practical experience shows that a decentralized structure is advantageous, especially with spatially distributed single axes. In contrast, machine modules for synchronized axis physically close together and centrally located drives in a cabinet are generally considered the preferred structure.

The layout is a distributed servo drive architecture
 with AKD-N servo drives, different motor types,
and single-cable connection technology.

Monetary savings in installation and mounting
The savings potential of decentralized technology can be clearly shown based on a real metal forming machine having eight axes. The first axis of which is located 5 meters away from the control cabinet with each additional axis located 3 meters further. A centralized control system would be characterized by a central control cabinet housing the drives with each motor having separate shielded power and feedback cables adding up to 248 meters of cable.

Specifically designed the distributed servo drives
for the AKD-N range as distributed devices,
so that there are no deductions in power density.

Instead, a combination of a single KOLLMORGEN AKD-C power supply module and 8 decentralized AKD-N servo controllers would reduce the cable requirement to 34 meters. The calculation: A single 5 meter hybrid cable supplying power and field bus for axis control is connected between the power supply module and the first decentralized controller. A single hybrid cable 3 meters long connects each additional drive for a total of 21 meters. Because we assume that each motor is located 1 meter away from each decentralized AKD-N drive KOLLMORGEN provides a one-cable motor connection technology, only 8 additional meters of cable is required. Overall, the decentralized system reduced the cable requirements from 248 to 34 meters, a savings of 86 percent. These figures represent an idea of the overall monetary gains for the OEM including cable costs and reduction in assembly effort. When the axes require additional I/O the reduction in cabling is even more obvious. Instead of 372 meters, only 42 meters is needed, a corresponding saving of 89 percent.

Another benefit of the relocation of drives is the reduction of power dissipated in the control cabinet. This effectively reduces the requirements for air conditioning thus providing direct saving for both the OEM and end user. As such, the control cabinet air conditioner can be reduced in size or completely eliminated, reducing costs for hardware and subsequent operation ultimately increasing energy efficiency.

Technical advantages by decreasing complexity
The AKD -N series KOLLMORGEN drives provide IP67 protection and connection via an eleven millimeter diameter hybrid cable to the central supply module in the control cabinet. This single cable provides power and communications without the need for any additional cabling. Each AKD –C supply module can support two strings of AKD -N drives up to 4 kW each, and up to 8 AKD –N drives per string. Safe Torque Off shutdown performed via the hybrid cable comes as standard, and can be implemented for each drive individually or as group. Also, only one cable is necessary between the distributed servo controller and its connected motor thanks to a new single-cable technology. Two cables are no longer required to provide motor power and feedback. In material handling applications where precise motion is demanded, separate cable trays or tow chains are often required for motor and feedback cables. This requirement is now reduced because there is much less cabling.

Winning with increased design freedom
Sample calculations show that the decentralized servo technology saves space in combination with the single-cable connection technology between motor and controller. This benefit results in smaller cable trays, lighter drag chains, and more compactness giving more design freedom in the development of new machines. This freedom resulted primarily from the fact that the distributed technology extends modularization capabilities in comparison to the unflexible, central control design. The bottom line is that this allows new OEM plants to create new machines from already developed modules making the engineering more efficient.

More order in the tangle of cables: If servo drives are used right next to motors, the elaborate power wiring from a central control cabinet can be dispensed with. Installation becomes clearer.

Distributed drive technology as a hybrid
A second way to decentralize is with the use of a hybrid integrated solution. These are combined motor and servo controller units without the need for external wiring. This so-called “piggyback” solution has the disadvantage of drive derating with increased ambient temperature. The higher the ambient the more performance reduction occurs in order for the drive to self-protect from overheating. This relationship ensures in practice that the motors must be larger than otherwise necessary to give the required performance within acceptable temperature limits for the electronics. Typical servo tasks such as rapid acceleration and deceleration during positioning can be especially difficult in the design of hybrid solutions due to the problem of effectively dissipating heat.

However, separating the motor and drive at this point prevents the inherent design-related derating. This solution provides the basis for smaller motors in combination with better energy efficiency. In addition, integrated combinations are usually focused on a single motor type, limiting flexibility in the machine design. In contrast, any KOLLMORGEN brushless motor type can be connected to the decentralized AKD-N servo drive. These motors include conventional or direct drive rotary and linear direct drive types, providing true design freedom and optimum performance.

An integration example
In conclusion, to clarify these relationships an example of servo drive technology for a food processing machine will be shown. The process begins with the cutting of sausage and cheese by a so-called slicer. The product is conveyed onto a belt. The process is not just a simple matter of conveying a sausage stack from point A to B but to transport it as well defined shingles. The need for highly dynamic single axis positioning system is clear. The question now arises how to integrate the required sophisticated motion control functions while maintaining centralized machine control. The slicer provides a good example because it represents a specific decentralized axis because its high power requirement cannot be met with a decentralized drive. The primary objective from the manufacturing perspective is to harmonize highly diverse functional requirements for a wide combination of centralized and decentralized solutions. The KOLLMORGEN AKD-N drive deliberately focuses on the use of a centralized AKD platform. It provides appropriate technology to allow the optimum selection of a motion solution for the performance task required, offered through the wide variety of compatible actuators.

Top trends to help engineers optimise applications across diverse industries!

National Instruments has released the NI Trend Watch 2014, which summarises the latest technology trends to help engineers meet evolving demands and integrate the ever-increasing power of technology into their work. The inaugural report examines a range of topics—from cyber-physical systems to the “SDR-ification” of RF instruments.

“Because engineers use NI tools in so many different industries and applications, we are in a position to examine trends in measurement, sensors, networks, test and more—as they happen,” said Eric Starkloff, NI Senior Vice President of Marketing. “NI compiled what we learned in this report to help engineers take advantage of the latest technological breakthroughs and stay ahead of the competition.”

NI Trend Watch 2014 covers trends in these areas:

• Cyber-Physical Systems: Developing systems that continuously and dynamically interact with their environment through the coupling of distributed computational and physical components
• Big Analog Data™ Solutions: Connecting IT infrastructures and analytic tools, such as the cloud, with data acquisition systems to make faster decisions on test data
• RF/Wireless: Revolutionising the wireless industry by integrating a range of technologies from software defined radio into RF test equipment
• Models of Computation: Integrating multiple programming approaches into a single environment to simplify complex distributed and real-time applications
• Mobile Communication: Using mobile devices as user interfaces in measurement and control systems
• STEM Education: Preparing students with cross-disciplinary approaches to engineering

Usability enhancements!

The latest updates to its open, non-proprietary FOUNDATION^™ fieldbus technical specifications have been announced. The new features will enhance the usability of FOUNDATION technology, with the ultimate goal of making the digital fieldbus automation experience easier than conventional analog control systems.

The updated version of the FOUNDATION specification includes additional advanced support for fieldbus device replacement and backwards compatibility, Device Description (DD) templates, field diagnostics and alarm/alert integration. The ability to utilize these enhanced features is included in the foundation's new Host Profile C, which will be available for registration in early 2014.

Fieldbus Foundation Director-Fieldbus Products Stephen Mitschke commented, "The usability features in our updated technical specification will make it easier for both automation suppliers and end users to realize the full value of FOUNDATION technology. They are aimed at simplifying fieldbus implementation, operation and maintenance.

"As an end user-driven organization, we are listening to our fieldbus user community, suppliers and engineering partners, and employing their feedback in a continuous improvement process to make FOUNDATION technology easier to use in a wide range of applications." 

The latest features in this technical specification enable host and device suppliers to offer backwards compatibility to their users in order to further simplify device replacement. The incorporation of DD templates also provides an interoperable way for instrumentation companies to offer a variety of application settings for devices. Suppliers can embed the templates in their DDs from the factory floor. This will make it quicker and easier for end users to access a correct offline configuration. They also gain the freedom to utilize a newer device with an existing device configuration without the need for new DDs.

With the new device diagnostics alarm management feature, hosts tested under Host Profile C must integrate field diagnostics into alarm management systems, rather than just provide access to the information in a device view.

Application time support is also mandatory under Host Profile C. This feature requires a time stamp capability in the host system, which will start on an actual calendar date and time. Additionally, a new standard dictionary update feature requires that fieldbus end users have the ability to install a new dictionary update on their host system to support the latest DDs. This will further improve the simplicity of device replacement.

Robotic flight for the young!

Festo’s bionic AirPenguins will be delighting the crowds at Britain's premier fair for young scientists and engineers

 

Having just written about Red Herrings we now have a story about Flying Penguins! Wonders never cease in the wonderful world of automation.

Festo’s famous bionic AirPenguins have again been cleared for takeoff and will be flying at The Big Bang Fair 2011 – Britain’s biggest science and engineering fair for young people. The AirPenguins will undoubtedly be one of the fair’s highlights. As well as delighting visitors with their graceful aerobatic agility as they fly around the ExCel Centre’s North Hall, they provide a thought-provoking insight into the types of energy transfer and behavioural mechanisms that could form the basis of future automation technology.

Festo’s AirPenguins incorporate a high degree of built-in intelligence and can function completely autonomously or collectively; they are capable of adaptive behaviour, and are aware of their spatial surroundings.

Intended to help 11-14 year olds choose their subject options at school, The Big Bang Fair is also guaranteed to provide a fun, yet educational day out for all 11– 19 year olds. The environment is a bit like a cross between the Science Museum and a theme park, enabling everyone to gain true hands-on experience of some of the most world’s most exciting science and engineering technology. This year’s event is likely be attended by as a many as 25,000 visitors, including some 5,000 teachers.

Although Festo’s AirPenguins are no strangers to publicity, they really need to be viewed close-hand to appreciate how engineers have created these bionic creatures, using mechanisms copied from the movement of fishes and rays. So although they will be flying each day – every hour on the hour, for 10-15 minutes – they will also be on display on Festo’s stand in the ‘Energise’ zone.

The stand will also feature displays of other Bionic developments from Festo's Bionic Learning Network, which is an alliance of educational establishments and specialist companies tasked with exploring bionic solutions for automation applications of the future. These will include the Bionic Handling Assistant, a unique handling system which takes its inspiration from an elephant’s trunk, and the FinGrippper adaptive gripping device, which embraces the way fish and rays convert energy into movement. Some of these developments have recently transferred from research to production and are already being used to considerable benefit in machines as complex as industrial robots. Winning of the ‘Innovation Oscar’ – the ‘Deutsche Zukunftspreis 2010’ (German Future Award) – by the Bionic Handling Assistant’s team is an example of how industrial companies and science can successfully work together; whereby companies develop new innovations and science contributes the latest technologies.