Monitoring air loss in pneumatic systems.

Emerson’s new Aventics AF2 flow sensor monitors air consumption, enabling rapid intervention in the event of leakage, preventing excessive cost and machine breakdown

The Aventics AF2 pneumatic systems flow sensor, introduced by Emerson, monitors energy losses, helping to prevent machine breakdowns and the costs associated with excessive air consumption. The sensor continuously monitors the air consumption in pneumatic systems, enabling compliance with the Energy Management standard DIN ISO 50001. Suitable for use in many industries, the device is just one of many components available from Emerson for networked plants in factory automation, known as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

“The Aventics AF2 series flow sensor is ideally suited to those companies aiming to control and optimise their energy usage,” said Andreas Kliewe, expert for energy management with Emerson’s machine automation business. “The device records the flow rate and compressed air consumption in a system, sending a signal to the controller when pre-set levels are exceeded. This helps avoid excessive energy loss and enables rapid intervention in the event of an issue. After all, the share of energy unit costs in the gross production value is two to three percent – so it’s worth saving here.”

An Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display on the AF2 provides local indication of all relevant operating and diagnostic data. The flow sensor is available as a NO (normally open) and NC (normally closed) version. Analogue outputs can be switched with a signal from 4 to 20 mA. These signals can be interpreted directly by many controllers.

Another possibility for communication is the IO-Link capability of the sensor and the Ethernet interface, enabling customers to use the optimum device to communicate with existing controllers. OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) and MQTT (Message Queueing Telemetry Transport), the preferred communications protocols for industry 4.0, are integrated into the AF2 sensor. In addition, the AF2 has a web-based dashboard showing real-time data for the users.

Modular construction ensures easy installation, and small dimensions mean it can be installed where space is limited. The Aventics AF2 is delivered pre-calibrated together with its filter. This saves space as no separate stabilisation distance is required. Furthermore, the sensor-filter combination can be configured in any maintenance unit. The flow sensor is suitable for all common applications and industries such as food and beverage or packaging.

@EMR_Automation #PAuto #IIoT @AVENTICS @HHC_Lewis 

An alliance for the IIoT.

Seven leading suppliers from mechanical engineering, industrial automation and software have announced the foundation of the Open Industry 4.0 Alliance. With this cooperation, the companies want to overcome proprietary solutions and give a decisive boost to the digital transformation of the European industry.

Founding members of the alliance are Beckhoff, Endress+Hauser, Hilscher, ifm, KUKA, Multivac and SAP. In principle, the alliance is open to all companies. Balluff, Gebhardt, Pepperl+Fuchs, Schmidtsche Schack, Samson and WIKA have already joined the alliance as members. All companies are mutually committed to the creation of a standardized and open ecosystem for the operation of highly automated factories and process plants with the integration of logistics and services.

“The open architecture of the Open Industry 4.0 Alliance meets all the requirements of the process industry,” emphasized Matthias Altendorf, CEO of the Endress+Hauser Group speaking at the Hannover Fair. “It is based on standards, ensures transparency across all business processes and guarantees the integrity of the systems. This enables process plant operators to leverage the potential of digitalization.”

The alliance members are planning to realize a so-called Open Industry 4.0 Framework based on existing standards such as I/O Link, OPC UA and RAMI for the entire route from objects in the workshop to services. Customers can choose from a modular system of compatible and scalable solution and service components, such as digital services from Endress+Hauser’s Netilion IIoT ecosystem.

The connection to the SAP software portfolio ensures the integration of a company’s business processes as well as collaboration with partners across company boundaries. The open architecture allows the simple connection of further system landscapes.

#IIoT #PAuto #Industrie4 #HM19

Avionics devices.

Abaco Systems has launched a new family of avionics devices that feature the Thunderbolt™ 3 interface, including Thunderbolt 3-to-PMC/XMC interfacing with ARINC 429 and MIL-STD-1553 protocols.

The new platforms have integrated Thunderbolt 3 to establish a new standard for high-speed, low latency portable devices for a broad range of avionics applications. All of the Thunderbolt 3-equipped products include a rugged, all-aluminum design along with Power-over-Thunderbolt 3 to maximize portability.

The first of the new platforms include

• The RCEI-830A-TB supports up to 16 Tx and 16 Rx ARINC channels with a range of flexible I/O configurations. It provides complete, integrated databus functionality for ARINC 429, ARINC 615-3 dataloader, ARINC 717, ARINC 575 and selected 2-wire, 32-bit protocols. Configurations with ARINC 717 provide support for both ARINC 717 HBP (Harvard Bi-Phase) and BPRZ (Bi-Polar Return to Zero) across a range of bit rate/sub-frame combinations. • The QPM-1553-TB provides high levels of performance, flexibility and interface density for MIL-STD-1553A/B. Standard features include 1 MByte of RAM per channel, real-time bus playback, aperiodic message insertion, error injection/detection, conditional BC branching, 64-bit, 25 nanosecond message timetagging, and "one-shot" BC operation.

“Increasingly, our customers are finding that their existing portable avionics equipment is becoming obsolete,” said Peter Thompson, Vice President, Product Management at Abaco Systems. “Modern PCs and laptops rarely feature the ExpressCard or PCMCIA interfaces on which our customers have historically relied. While USB and Ethernet theoretically provide alternatives, their inherent latency limits real-time interaction with data, and channel density is limited.”

“Beyond this,” Thompson continued, “recent government-mandated security requirements have presented a challenge to avionics data loader customers in that migrating to newer operating systems and hardware creates significant technical obstacles.”

“Thunderbolt 3 is rapidly becoming the de facto standard for peripherals: 40Gpbs is the fastest PC connection available,” concluded Thompson. “These new products, combined with Abaco’s proven, flexible and easy-to-use software provide new levels of performance and usability, and deliver invaluable tools for any organization involved in bus analysis/simulation, system integration or flight-line - including data loading and maintenance, repair and overhaul - and will provide a clear path forward for our customers.”

In line with Abaco’s commitment to minimizing long term cost of ownership, the new product family is backwards compatible with many existing Abaco avionics devices in its support for Abaco’s feature-rich API and BusTools UI.

@AbacoSys #Avionics

Inductive Safety Sensor.

The new family of safety sensors from Pepperl+Fuchs includes four cylindrical and rectangular series with cable and plug connection.

The sensors are TÜV-certified in accordance with the Machinery Directive (EN 13849) Performance Level PLd, Category 2, and SIL 2. They are used to safeguard machines and plant components as well as for reliable position detection within this environment. Inductive sensors with an increased temperature range, as well as increased EMC resistance and E1 approval for the use of mobile machinery and vehicles in safety-critical areas, round off this new portfolio.

These safety proximity sensors do not require a special coded target and can therefore be used with standard metal actuators. The sensors from Pepperl+Fuchs have no blind zone and can therefore be mounted easily and without any additional adjustment.

The sensors are equipped with standardized OSSD outputs (Output Signal Switching Device) for signals and diagnostics that can be connected to a safety module or a corresponding control panel.

The inductive safety sensors from Pepperl+Fuchs have very high characteristic safety values due to the electronics used. As a result, the regular functional inspections are required significantly less often, and integration into the safety loop is notably more straightforward.

 @PepperlFuchs #PAuto

Pressure alert!

Emerson’s new IIoT-enabled Aventics PE5 pressure sensor alerts for excessive compressed air leaks, pressure drops and power supply issues before they become major issues.

Pressure losses in pneumatic systems can be costly and affect machine efficiency. The new Aventics PE5 pressure sensor from Emerson measures systems losses and will alert when the leakage rate exceeds a pre-determined value. This enables excessive leaks to be diagnosed early and addressed, before they become a major issue. The sensor has two digital outputs, or one digital and one analogue output. An IO-Link connection makes it simple to connect to an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) network. The sensor can be fitted on new installations or easily added to an existing machine.

“Pneumatic system leaks can become a major issue for companies using lots of compressed air,” said Dieter Michalkowski, IIoT specialist with Emerson’s machine automation business. “Excessive leakage can lead to the need for larger compressors, or compromised machine performance. This new sensor addresses that issue in a simple and easy to implement way.”

When the machine is switched off, the Aventics PE5 sensor measures pressure loss over time. If the pressure drops faster than desired, a local alert is set, and a signal can be sent via the analogue or digital outputs. The local alert consists of a change in display colour from green to red. To trigger a maintenance task or to automatically generate a work order, the analogue and digital signals can be sent to a PLC or other network. The analogue output can be switched between a current or voltage signal – the user has full control over the set points. Thus, the IO-Link connection offers additional set-up and diagnostic options. The local display also shows how much faster the pressure has dropped than expected.

@EMR_Automation #PAuto @AVENTICS

Field application engineers appointed.

Anglia has expanded its Field Applications Engineering (FAE) team with the addition of two experienced electronics engineers.

Johan Thomas

Based in the North of England, Johan Thomas will work with customers designing in Analog Devices products, and Joshua Barton will support customers with STMicroelectronics parts.

Commenting, John Bowman said, “We need high calibre people to maintain the exceptional customer service for which we are known. We are excited to bring Johan and Joshua onto the team, and know that they have the knowledge and experience to add real value to customers’ designs. Anglia is still expanding its customer facing team, and we are seeking further FAEs and field sales engineers.”

Joshua Barton

Based in Manchester, Johan Thomas has a background in designing PCBs and developing embedded software for a variety of different technologies from inception to manufacturing. Specifically, he brings Anglia customers valuable experience in designing to EMC requirements within tight constraints. He joins from Atmos International, specialists in pipeline technology, where he spent nearly five years as an Electronic Engineer. He holds a First in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from Manchester Metropolitan University.

Joshua Barton lives in Hull and is an experienced electronic design engineer with a background in the marine/subsea industry. He spent almost five years at Neptune Solar, leaders in underwater transducers. There he developed his skills in both digital and analogue electronics. He has a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from University of York.

@angliaComponent #PAuto @neeshampr

The Benefits of 5G in The Factory.

The arrival of 5G technology presents the manufacturing industry with its biggest transformation yet. Safer, flexible and more efficient manufacturing systems will be possible thanks to the ultra-low-latency and reliability of wireless 5G connectivity. In this whitepaper, HMS explains the benefits of 5G in the factory and the impact on smart manufacturing.

HMS Networks has released this white paper exploring the benefits of 5G technology in the factory. The whitepaper provides an overview of 5G’s future-proof potential for connected industries and outlines some of the main building blocks of 5G, which will contribute to enable the fourth industrial revolution.

During the last 30 years, the industry has automated everything which can be automated in the factory using wired technology. With 5G, the remaining parts can be automated and included in industrial real-time flows. Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing are all about the integration of logistics, material handling and factory automation. 5G is a key enabler of this integration.

Titled, “The Benefits of 5G in The Factory”, the white paper provides an overview of 5G technology as an emerging trend and future standard in the manufacturing and industrial automation industry. It also touches on the challenges and future directions of 5G and how it will affect the factories of the future.

“The industrial world is undergoing its fourth revolution, and the goals are to increase flexibility, increase automation and improve productivity, while also maintaining a high degree of safety and sustainability” says Dr. Jens Jakobsen, Development Manager at HMS Labs (HMS-entity which focuses on technologies for the future). Dr Jakobsen continues “Using 5G is the perfect solution for enabling smart wireless connectivity in the factory, with key features such as massive machine type communications, real time control of machines, increased human/robot interactions and edge cloud analytics“.

@hmsnetworks #PAuto #5G