Free chlorine analysis.

Free Chlorine Analysis Systems, compliant to EPA Method 334.0 have been introduced by Endress+Hauser. The systems eliminate the need for costly reagents and accompanying required maintenance, making the system ideally suited for applications in drinking water, industrial water, power and other industries where water is disinfected using chlorine.

Each turnkey system is panel-mounted with an amperometric free chlorine sensor and a pH probe mounted in an integrated flow assembly, sensor cables, and an Endress+Hauser Liquiline transmitter, either the CM442 or CM444. An integral flow switch mounted in the flow assembly monitors for proper system flow, and provides an alarm at the transmitter if flow is interrupted. A lead-free regulator sets system pressure to 15 psi.

The CM442 transmitter has two sensor input channels and two 4-20mA HART outputs, while the CM444 transmitter version comes standard with two sensor input channels, and can handle up to eight sensor inputs if desired, two 4-20mA HART outputs, and additional I/O, such as digital communications. Each transmitter has a NEMA 4X (IP66) rating and all other components are waterproof, making the transmitter suitable for installation indoors, outdoors or in an enclosure.

System tubing is 3/8-inch stainless steel. All components are installed on a 20 x 20-inch stainless steel panel prepared with 3/8-inch ID mounting holes, for secure mounting to a vertical surface.

Stainless steel inlet and outlet shut off valves, with 1/2-inch female NPT fittings, allow for system isolation during routine sensor maintenance. The pH-compensated measurement ensures accurate DPD verification, and a separate 1/4-inch sample valve allows a DPD verification test for residual chlorine to be performed without interrupting system measurement. The independent DPD verification test capability also ensures compliance with EPA requirements.

A built-in needle valve in the flow assembly provides flow control between 30 and 120 L/hour, and an inductive low-flow alarm switch indicates when flow is too low for proper measurement.

Both the free chlorine and pH sensors are industry-standard Memosens digital sensors that eliminate problems associated with analog sensor technology. The systems are equipped with a Cloromax CCS142D Memosens Free Chlorine sensor in ranges of 0.01 to 5 ppm or 0.05 to 20 ppm, while the Orbisint CPS31D Memosens pH sensor measures 1-12 pH. Optional Memobase Plus hardware and software enables intelligent sensor management.

 @Endress_Hauser  #PAuto 

British manufacturers plan for transition from Europe.

During the period that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are working through their exit from the European Union (EU) we will endevour to bring items of particular interest and/or relevence to the automation sector in the process/nogotiations.

The engineering equipment manufacturers’ taskforce, EURIS* - of which GAMBICA is a member - believes that a 5 year transition period for the full implementation of Brexit is necessary to minimise economic disruption to British manufacturing companies as they adjust to life outside the EU. This extended period beyond March 2019, would allow industry to develop new relationships and solutions with respect to the comprehensive and complex nature of European legislation and related standards. It is understood that such a transition period would need to be agreed as part of the negotiations, but EURIS encourages all parties to work towards this end.

Without such a transition period, the British Government risks a situation where failure to reach an agreement would result in barriers to trade for British companies that import from or export to the EU.

EURIS manufacturers maintain that the structure of the single market and customs union should remain intact, allowing businesses to operate in the current efficient and seamless manner. In addition, the status of EU nationals employed in the British should be guaranteed in order to provide certainty and continuity of skilled labour.

* EURIS has a membership consisting; BEAMA, GAMBICA, EAMA, REA, CESA, FETA, covering some 2500 companies across electrotechncial, electronics, renewables and mechanical engineering products.  It has a focus on product manufacturers covered by the Single Market and all the supporting regulations. The member associations have extensive relationships with equivalent European trade bodies, and parts of the European Commission. The Taskforce produces position papers relating to the Brexit process relevant to the manufacturing section. It is also an advisory body for the potential impacts of the changing relationship between the UK and EU for the UK Government, press and manufacturers.
EURIS issues a weekly economic report to its members based on a tracked set of macro market indicators ranging from international trade and the general economy through to productivity costs and price indices.

See also our initial reaction to the Brexit decision: Nobody knows! (30/6/2017)

 @gambica  #EURIS #Brexit 

Torque transducer.

The T22 torque transducer, from HBM,  is now available with three new nominal (rated) torques of 0.5 Nm, 1 Nm and 2Nm, making it a cost-effective and flexible solution.

Available up to now for nominal (rated) torque values of up to 1 kNm, this latest upgrade, which makes the T22 suitable for nominal (rated) torque values from 0.5 Nm to 1 kNm, opens the door to a variety of new applications. Suitable for applications in the laboratory and in end-of-line test benches, the latest upgrade now makes the T22 suitable for tests in medical engineering, bearing test benches and material and haptic tests.

Providing a cost-effective solution, the T22 comes complete with integrated electronics, which require no additional amplifier to be specified and is maintenance free. In addition, users can also benefit considerably from minimal time and cost expenditure and integration effort.

Featuring a robust and compact design, the flexible T22 meets the market requirement and is the ideal choice for dynamic and static torque measurement on non-rotating as well as rotating components.

@HBMmeasurement  #PAuto 

New blog launched directed at the pharma sector.

Digital channel for experts to exchange ideas on current solutions and forward-looking topics affecting pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing.

Pharmaceutical and biotech professionals can now find useful information and example-driven approaches that address current manufacturing challenges as well as forward-looking pieces speaking to regulations and other issues facing the industry in the near future in the Pharma Manufacturing Blog just launched by Werum.

The new professional blog will allow experts to share opinions and ideas concerning such wide-ranging topics such as Digitization, Industrie 4.0, Plug & Produce and Big Data. Other frequent topics will be those relevant to generic drugs, reducing time to market, and regulatory requirements.

As the market leader in pharmaceutical manufacturing execution systems (MES), Werum IT Solutions brings heft to the blogspace: "Werum is an expert in pharmaceutical and biotech processes, and our managers and consultants are familiar with complicated industry challenges and dedicated best practices," says Karl Hoffmann, Senior Director Marketing & Business Development at Werum IT Solutions GmbH. "We actively contribute to various organizations, such as ISPE and GAMP, taking part in working groups to promote timely topics like Pharma 4.0. The new blog is a platform to expand upon this thought leadership to help shape and improve the future of pharma manufacturing."
Visitors can easily post comments without logging in, and Werum also is inviting guest bloggers to share their experience with the industry (the company will provide guest writers with login data).

@Werum  #Pauto  #Pharma

Ready for the floods?

Nigel Grimsley, Managing Director of OTT Hydrometry is urging those responsible for flood prevention and management to take action this summer to ensure they are protected before the arrival of severe weather. “Saturated soil and blocked channels contribute to the severity of flooding, but in many cases it is the location and intensity of rainfall that contributes to the speed with which flooding occurs. Early warning of intense rainfall events or blocked channels is therefore essential. Recent advances in technology mean that it is now relatively simple and low cost to set up advanced warning systems so that appropriate measures can be taken quickly and effectively,” he says.

“The early implementation of prevention and mitigation measures provides essential protection for valuable assets. For example, on a small scale, we have installed water level monitors in village streams that are prone to flooding during intense rain or when channels become blocked. On a larger scale, we have supplied 153 monitoring stations for the Harris County Flood Warning System in Texas, where flooding represents a major threat to life and property, so early warning of intense rainfall and rising water levels provide opportunities for mitigation and where necessary, evacuation.”

OTT’s latest flood warning systems provide easy access to monitoring data from PCs and smartphones. However, crucially, they are also able to automatically issue text or email alarms when rainfall or water levels approach dangerous levels, so that timely action can be taken.

 @OTTHydrometry #Environment

Living on the Edge!

New techniques for protecting data in the Era of IIoT.

The "Things" of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) show their true value when actionable business intelligence information is pulled from the data they provide. However, current analytics products are only the tip of the iceberg. As the future approaches, next generation analytics and artificial intelligence technologies will support data and real time decision making at the point of production. Practitioners must realize that this data is critical, and needs to be protected and continuously available.

Delivering this protection at the Edge requires a much more dynamic approach than has traditionally been used for data connectivity, or cloud based solutions.

This "on-demand" webinar has Craig Resnick of the ARC Advisory Group and Jason Andersen of Stratus Technologies as they delve into:

• The evolution of IIoT and data criticality
• Techniques for protecting and ensuring the continuous availability of data
• The success of organizations who are “living on the edge” having already deployed simple, secure, and reliable edge based solutions.

A veteran writer and editor of ISA publications InTech & Automation.com, Bill Lydon who has more than 25 years of experience designing and applying technology in the automation and controls industry is chairing the session.

The webinar was presented recently and this is a recording. Click here to view the webinar.

@automation_com  #PAuto #IoT @arc_advisory @StratusAlwaysOn 

Plastic push-pull connector for medical & other applications.

Esterline Connection Technologies – SOURIAU's JMX series is a plastic push-pull connector for use in the medical industry. It is designed for easy use by any medical professional.

The JMX meets UL 1977 and IEC 60601 standards and connects to surgical devices, diagnostic equipment, and patient monitoring devices. The entire series is available from all SOURIAU distributors in Europe and North America.

Easy and secure connections
The JMX series is specifically designed for easy, instinctive use. Each plug features an ergonomic grip and a visual indicator for easy alignment with its receptacle.

Nine different color codes and six different key options are available to identify the connectors and prevent mating errors. The series also has a durability of 2,000 mating/unmating cycles, making daily use possible. The series' technical characteristics conform to UL 1977 and IEC 60601 and are designed to simplify medical device approval.

Waterproof and sterilizable
The JMX series protects equipment from liquids typically found in medical environments (water, blood, cleaning liquids). Rated IP68 in mated and/or unmated conditions, the JMX series protects against immersion in 10 m of water for one week. It also withstands autoclave sterilization and is rated for 200 cycles of four-minutes each at 134°C.

Carefully designed
SOURIAU's JMX series of plastic push-pull connector is designed to fit onto any medical device. Its bright colors and slender profile blend harmoniously with devices and set it apart from the competition.

A wide selection of contacts and layouts
The JMX series comes in nine layouts and four different diameters (0.5, 0.7, 0.9, and 1.3 mm) to withstand currents and voltages of up to 10 A/1200 V. The contacts are available in solder or crimp version and SOURIAU's overmolded harnesses provide customers with permanent one-piece assemblies. The series will be supplemented by a number of additions (PCB versions, additional layouts) that will be rolled out in 2017 and 2018.

Non-medical applications
Although the JMX series of plastic push-pull connector is designed for medical applications, it lends itself equally well to instrumentation, robotic, and lighting applications. Its ergonomics, small form factor, and ingress protection rating make it a tremendous asset in meeting the needs of these markets.

@SouriauSunbank #Pauto  #Medical