Best Practices in Global Test and Measurement Rental and Leasing Services.

Microlease has been named Company of the Year for Best Practices in Global Test and Measurement Rental and Leasing Services by Frost & Sullivan for the second year in a row.

Jessy Cavazos, industry director at Frost & Sullivan, said, “The expectations of test and measurement equipment customers are at an all-time high. They demand support on a global basis and require assistance in managing their assets throughout the product life cycle from acquisition to disposal. Microlease’s integrated offering comprising rental and leasing services, certified pre-owned test equipment, new test equipment and asset management services fully addresses those customer needs. You expect an instrument rental and sales company to offer its customers the latest and greatest technology, but Microlease goes well beyond that with a range of services that help customers acquire, use and dispose of their test assets with maximum financial efficiency.”

She continued, “Microlease’s value proposition resonates with customers across the industry and is fuelling its growth. It has made significant investments to support customers locally across all three regions of the world. It provides local support in Europe, the USA and Asia, including India and South East Asia. We congratulate the Microlease leadership team and employees on their magnificent achievement.”

Frost & Sullivan industry awards recognise companies that have demonstrated a unique approach toward doing business in their respective markets. Microlease was named the recipient of the Company of the Year Award for a second time after analysts assessed that it continued to lead the industry in terms of growth strategy, implementation, innovation and leadership in customer value.

“We are delighted that Frost & Sullivan has recognised our business model for a second year in a row. At Microlease we aim to give our worldwide customer base a real choice and provide them with a complete service that exactly meets their requirements for the lifetime of their projects, whilst helping them to manage their assets effectively,” said Nigel Brown, Microlease CEO. “We will continue to drive innovation in our industry and grow by helping our customers be more successful.”

Learn about the real-time analytics revolution!

Wonderware seminar to explore the increasing role real-time analytics is playing in today’s manufacturing industry.

The free event, ‘Operational Intelligence: Real-time Analytics in UK Manufacturing’ will take place on Thursday April 23^rd 2015, from 9:30 to 16:00, at Williams Conference Centre (GB), home of the nine-time Constructors Championship-winning F1 team.

Designed to allow attendees to explore the benefits of Operational Intelligence (OI) technologies, the event is hosted in partnership with Callisto Integration and features a keynote speech by Marc Van Herreweghe, Vice President of Manufacturing Insights at the International Data Corporation (IDC).

Before joining IDC, Marc amassed over 20 years' experience at British American Tobacco (BAT), with responsibility for 45 factories in 40 different countries. His expertise includes global supply chain, lean manufacturing, new factory build and organisational change. The Belgian national has advised a wide range of organisations extensively on manufacturing strategies, in addition to holding academic advisory roles at a number of universities.

He will look at how manufacturers can protect tomorrow’s profits by adopting advanced manufacturing technologies and integrated working systems. His talk will be followed by a Q&A session for attendees.

The event follows a recent whitepaper commissioned by Wonderware UK and delivered by IDC, looking into what the new sources of competitive differentiation will be for the factory-of-the-future and how intelligent use of data will be a key tool for manufacturing businesses in the next five years. The whitepaper will be made available to all delegates attending the event.

Those wanting to attend the event can register here: Click here

Other core topic areas that will be focused on at the event, include:

·         How to drive continuous improvement with real-time KPIs and holistic root-cause analytics

·         The latest alarm management practices

·         The latest technologies available to boost price efficiency in all areas, such as quality and Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE)

·         Manufacturers that have achieved greater efficiency and reduced costs with OI technology

·         Energy Management technologies and approaches

Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear from leading brands such as Callisto Integration, Schneider Electric, Wonderware and UReason, whilst hearing case studies from other companies that have already adopted an OI framework.

Wonderware UK OI product manager, Mike Charles, said: “Since we first introduced the term Operational Intelligence two years ago it has been adopted by several key players in our industry. But it’s important to remember that OI is far more than just a technology stack. It’s a best-practice approach to working with operational data and as such its applications vary business-to-business. At our event, which is squarely aimed at decision makers, delegates will hear an unbiased view of this approach and the wider analytics market from the leading manufacturing industry analyst, IDC. This will be balanced with real-world stories from manufacturers who are at various stages of their OI journey.”

Automation in agricultural production!

Headwall Photonics has partnered with Ocean Spray, the leading processor and provider of cranberry products, to test innovative technologies targeted at providing Ocean Spray with the technology necessary to improve product quality and agricultural yield.  With this spectral imaging inspection platform, Headwall has introduced a new class of machine vision inspection capabilities that offer real-time assessment of product quality for many different types of agricultural processing applications. With many years as an instrument supplier to US organisations such as NASA, the Treasury Department, and the Environmental Protection Agency, Headwall has customized multispectral and hyperspectral technology for high performance, real-time commercial and industrial applications. "Ocean Spray has a long history of innovation within the agricultural industry. We are pleased to work with Ocean Spray to develop machine vision sensors that offer unique inspection capability as well as the opportunity to introduce precision agriculture techniques for improved agricultural yield and product quality," said David Bannon, CEO of Headwall, "Headwall is very proud of our strong partnership with Ocean Spray and the high level of technical collaboration generated throughout this relationship."

Conductivity measurement with remote sensor for increased flexibility!

Baumer has added a new model to its range of CombiLyz conductivity meters. In addition to the compact AFI4, the AFI5 version with remote sensor is now also available. This new CombiLyz version includes two individual components: the inductive sensing element and the transmitter with integrated CombiView display. These components can be installed separately from each other and connected via a cable.

Installing the transmitter and inductive sensor separately offers ultimate flexibility in terms of their installation position. Whilst the sensor can be integrated to best effect in the process, the transmitter with an integrated display can be attached in a way that is resistant to vibration. This ensures clear and convenient readability whilst simultaneously extending life time. The transmitter with integrated display CombiView is suitable for wall and tube installation and can therefore be adjusted optimally for any angle. With its resistance for ambient temperatures up to 85°C and reliable, precise measurements even under extreme conditions, the CombiLyz AFI5 has a multitude of uses – especially in limited spaces and for applications with strong vibrations.

Otherwise, the AFI5 has the same reliable technical features as the compact version. With its IP 69 K protection class and entirely stainless steel design, the hygienic version can withstand even the toughest conditions. The CombiLyz can be used for example in CIP and SIP processes, for monitoring concentrations in liquids, or for phase separation of different media. Altogether there are 14 selectable measurement ranges from 500 µS/cm to 1000 mS/cm. This includes the concentration, temperature, current output, switching states and device status in addition to conductivity.

The sensor's measurement results have a maximum deviation of

Ultrasonic flow meter.

The Sonic-Pro® Hybrid Ultrasonic flowmeters from Blue-White, measure flow rate using either Doppler or Transit Time methods. Non-invasive clamp-on transducers work with both clean and dirty fluids, with a high capacity flow velocity range of up to 30 feet per second (9 meters per second).

Sonic-Pro® can be configured and controlled remotely via RS-232, RS-485, USB, or Ethernet. View real time flow and download data log files remotely on a Windows® PC.

Additional features include: Easy reading backlit LCD; data logged to standard SD card format supplied with unit; isolated 4-20 mA output - fully configurable; 0 – 1000Hz Pulse Output - fully configurable. Housing is NEMA 4X (IP 66) wash down.

Sonic-Pro® may be ordered with the optional T-Track mounting system.

Bright LED lights for small installation spaces!

The series 6039 compact tubular light fittings from Stahl provides extremely robust and bright LED luminaires for use as machinery and equipment lights in hazardous areas (Ex zones 1, 2, 21 and 22).

Unlike other LED lights, these luminaires do not have to be meticulously positioned – work areas are uniformly illuminated in a wide beam angle of ±60°. They consume less than 15 W of power and achieve a luminous flux of 1,000 lm. The flicker-free LED light provides enhanced safety especially near rotating equipment. Glare is reduced by a diffuser.

Featuring ATEX and IEC Ex certifications, the luminaires provide IP66/67 ingress protection and are rated for temperature class T4, with an option for T6. They can be operated under rough climatic conditions with ambient temperatures ranging from ­40 °C to +70 °C. Durable and maintenance-free, they are especially suited e.g. for service crews in the oil and gas or chemical industry. With a length of 443.5 mm, a diameter of 54 mm and a weight of only 1.4 kg, the luminaires’ compact construction ensures easy installation even in hard-to-reach places and small installation spaces. Optional accessories include a safety guard for use in rugged environments, a mounting bracket, 2-pole and 3-pole plug connectors and connection cables in 2.5 or 5 m length. The luminaires accept almost any common input voltage.

• Stahl products are marketed in Ireland by Douglas Control & Automation.

Changes at vison association in Britain!

At a recent UKIVA Members’ meeting, Ian Alderton from Alrad Imaging was elected Chairman, with Mark Williamson from Stemmer Imaging standing down after 13 years in the role and Paul Wilson from Scorpion Vision becoming Vice Chairman. This new structure establishes a succession plan for the committee, as the Chair and Vice-Chair are now both elected for a two-year tenure, with a view to the Vice-Chair succeeding the Chair, leading to a 4-year cycle.

Mark Williamson: Standing down as chair!

Alderton has been a longstanding member of the UKIVA committee and it is the second time a member of Alrad Imaging has been appointed chairman, Geoff Smith holding the office from 1997 - 1999.

Paying tribute to Williamson’s tenure as Chairman, Alderton said: “Mark has done a great job for the Association for many years and his experience and stature in the industry has ensured continuity through the many changes the UKIVA has experienced in recent years. These include transition from an independent organisation to be a Special Interest Group of the Processing & Packaging Machinery Association (PPMA) and the passing of founder member, Don Braggins.” Williamson will remain an active of the committee and he continues to be a member of the main PPMA board.

The UKIVA committee was also re-structured. Representatives from Acrovision, Bytronic Automation, Clearview Imaging and Scandinavian Machine Vision were elected to join current committee members from Alrad Imaging, Framos, Multipix Imaging, Scorpion Vision, and Stemmer Imaging. Outgoing Chairman, Mark Williamson, said: “With a number of new members joining the Association, we felt it was the right time to restructure the committee and to get some of the newer members involved.”