Software acquisition to accelerate digital transformation.

Emerson has acquired KnowledgeNet™ (KNet) software from Tunisia-based Integration Objects. KNet’s unique analytics application software accelerates digital transformation initiatives for process and hybrid industries.

Jim Nyquist

“The acquisition of KNet’s application software will further enable Emerson to deploy our industry expertise and solution capabilities to help customers decrease energy use and increase safety, asset availability and production,” said Jim Nyquist, group president of Emerson’s systems and solutions business.

KNet is used to extract, clean, transform and analyse operational and manufacturing data. Using libraries of advanced statistical and machine-learning algorithms, the software consumes large quantities of diverse information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) data into actionable knowledge that drives real-time decisions to improve process and asset performance.

“Emerson has had a long-standing alliance with Integration Objects and has used KNet to solve complex operational challenges for its customers,” said Pat Fitzgerald, vice president and general manager of Emerson’s reliability solutions business. “We are excited to leverage KNet’s easy-to-use advanced analytics and automated root cause identification to provide differentiated insights into operational health to improve uptime and performance.”

KNet will be integrated with Emerson’s leading Plantweb™ digital ecosystem, which helps customers deliver measurable business outcomes from digital transformation initiatives. Combined with Emerson’s extensive Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) Library and consulting services, KNet will enhance the comprehensive analytics solution Emerson offers to customers.

“Integration Objects is proud of KNet’s industry impact and excited to see the future of this unique software,” said Samy Achour, CEO and founder of Integration Objects. “The integration of KNet into Emerson’s Plantweb ecosystem will help companies continuously improve their operations by making informed decisions with the latest real-time data and expert knowledge, and migrate from reactive to proactive operations.”

In addition, Emerson will hire several team members from Integration Objects and open a new branch office in Tunis, Tunisia, to support the integration of KNet.

@EMR_Automation  #PAuto #Systems @Emerson_News @HHC_Lewis 

Exciter system for Large-Scale Modal Testing.

MB Dynamics, Inc. (MB) has announced its Modal 1000 exciter system for large-scale modal and structural testing.

The MB Modal 1000 can excite sine forces of up to 4000N (900 lbf), with a 2-inch (50 mm) peak-to-peak stroke and 1. 5 m/s peak velocity (60 inches per second), at frequencies from DC to 2000 Hz. Both thermal shutdown protection and overtravel control are provided as standard features.

The unique armature design of the MB Modal 1000 incorporates a “weak” suspension. The suspension may be fine-positioned to the test article using DC current. This is a particularly useful feature within lower-frequency response applications, such as ground vibration testing, where a DC-coupled exciter/amplifier may be in use. The armature’s lower weight further minimizes mass loading effects on the test article while reducing force drop-off at resonance. This avoids test article contamination during parameter extractions at each natural frequency. Additionally, the use of weak suspension means that the armature applies no extra force. Exciter dynamics are therefore de-coupled from measured test article dynamics for improved measurement data integrity.

The MB Modal 1000 exciter system may be used as either a stand-alone unit or paired with an MB P-Series power amplifier. The amplifier is housed within a 750 mm high, 19-inch rack cabinet and operates from 208-240V AC single-phase power. Supporting stingers, used to apply forces to the test article without exciter interference, are also available, measuring hex rod x 400 mm long with ¼-28 threads on each end.

Beyond its unique standard features, the MB Modal 1000 exciter system is offered with several customization options. Among them, the end-user capability to operate supporting amplifiers directly from a PC, allowing for amplifier positioning closer to the exciters. Test reliability is therefore improved, as drive cable lengths are minimized, with reduced risks of diminished force outputs caused by cable voltage drops. Also available is an optional automated ON/OFF exciter cooling package. Here, the cooling package engages only when the exciter heats up, in direct response to increasing levels of requested modal excitation forces. This protects the exciter from overheating, a particularly useful feature when end-users must oversee multiple test setups. As the package only engages when necessary, energy requirements of both the exciter and cooling package are optimized. The cooling package may be further specified with an optional <60 dBA Quiet Enclosure. Other optional accessories include piezoelectric force sensors to 4448 N (1000 lbs.), in tension and compression modes, with 5 mV/lb. (1.1 mV/N) sensitivities; and a supporting accessory kit. Full engineering consulting support is also available upon request, with all services provided by recognized industry experts of more than 35 years.

Typical applications for the MB Modal 1000 exciter system include structural damage detection; larger-scale advanced structural dynamics investigations, of buildings, bridges and commercial aircraft; aerospace ground vibration testing; large-scale experimental modal analysis, incorporating MIMO, MISO, SISO and SIMO techniques; FEM correlation and validation; and smaller-scale structural testing with higher-level vibration inputs.

#MB #PAuto #Test

Pioneering surface inspection solution.

Ametek Surface Vision is continuing to evolve its highly successful SmartView® surface inspection solution, greatly enhancing production capabilities for manufacturers globally with significant software improvements.

SmartView’s superior performance in detecting surface flaws and defects has enabled it to maintain its position as a market-leading materials inspection solution for three decades. Key to this dominance is the modular system design, supported by an ongoing program of updates that ensures SmartView remains at the forefront of inspection technology.

The SmartView system combines powerful software, state-of-the-art camera technology, high-intensity lighting and unparalleled application engineering services, to deliver a high-performance, automated solution that detects, classifies and visualizes surface defects, and ensures that the highest quality standards are maintained. Existing hardware can be easily switched out to meet the latest technological developments, and Ametek Surface Vision ensures its Windows-based software suite keeps pace, seamlessly integrating into existing systems.

Shean McMahon, Vice President of Research & Development, Ametek Surface Vision, explained: “We realize that real-time control of the manufacturing process is critical to our customers, so this remains key to our system’s performance. 2019 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Surface Vision as we embark on the road to expanding our core technologies.

“We expect the combined impact of new capabilities, novel product designs, and optimizations, all borne out of our significant industry experience, will deliver a paradigm shift in the surface inspection industry and serve up unprecedented value, flexibility, and inspection results to our current and future customers.

“SmartView’s latest design enhancements are immediately visible, making highly detailed surface inspection capabilities achievable, ensuring a long system life without requiring a costly system redesign. These significant upgrades, already available to SmartView users, include a refreshed, more intuitive user interface, parts-per-million data calculations, and developments to SmartView’s ability to detect defects and parallel classification capabilities – and this is just the beginning of our 2019 development program.”

Introduced in the latest upgrade is the Synchronized Web Viewer, which allows multiple views to be displayed simultaneously. It provides the user with total control of the interface, which could help reduce scrap product in the event of a process issue. This enables different process views, or the same view with a variety of queries in grading, using intuitive drop-down menus and customizable windows to help narrow down results with precision.

SmartView’s new Parts Per Million (PPM) application expresses the defect area as a ratio of the total product area. This real-time calculation provides easy visualization of defect density in table and graph formats, making it simpler to identify regions that need closer review.

A number of new processing modes have been added and optimized in SmartView for specific inspection requirements, such as detecting quiet areas on coated products, removal of defects that match a target shape, enhanced repeating defect algorithms, and more.
Classification testing without process interruption

A new Parallel Classification function enables SmartView to run up to four alternate classifiers on an inspection file, enabling seasonal or test classifiers to operate alongside established classifiers. This allows potential changes to be evaluated without interrupting current production inspection.

#inspection @surfacevision #PAuto

Sensors for single use bioreactors.

Emerson’s Rosemount™ 550pH sensor and Rosemount 550DW dissolved oxygen sensor adapter meet the needs of the rapidly growing biopharmaceutical single-use market

The anticipated rapid shift in the life sciences arena from traditional stainless steel bioreactors to new, disposable gamma-irradiated plastic bags used for single-batch processing, has been delayed by the problem of finding reliable, efficient sensors required for vital liquid analysis. Now, Emerson has applied its deep sensor expertise to the creation of new single-use sensor technology, that provides up to 10 times greater sensor stability, reducing risk in process quality and yield for biopharmaceutical manufacturers. The new sensor technology also speeds time-to-market through shortened start-up time, greater ease-of-use and low maintenance.

The new Rosemount™ 550pH single-use sensor and the Rosemount 550DW dissolved oxygen single-use sensor adapter are designed to deliver the same proven stability and performance as Emerson’s stainless steel sensors. The Rosemount 550pH sensor offers the unique capability of being stored wet for immediate verification and standardisation, eliminating the initial stabilisation process, which can generally slow start-up by 30 minutes to two hours.

The life sciences industry is in a transformational period, adjusting to new trends and influences. As the number of blockbuster drugs decreases, many facilities are transitioning from dedicated to multi-product manufacturing facilities, requiring shorter production runs, with faster changeovers. At the same time, many unit operations are switching from stainless steel batch to single-use continuous production, which requires smaller equipment and more flexibility for product changeovers. Responding to these trends puts pressure on plant design, equipment set-up, and utilisation to enable more flexible and faster production. The new Emerson single-use sensor technology responds to this market demand.

“Both end users and bioreactor equipment manufacturers are anxious to take advantage of the cost and quality benefits of single-use biopharmaceutical processing, including a smaller manufacturing footprint, fewer cleaning chemicals, less energy usage and more flexibility in a facility for producing multiple products. However, to achieve those benefits they can’t accept any compromises in the liquid analytical instrumentation that is inserted into the bioreactors,” said Michael Francis, global product manager, Emerson Automation Solutions. “Emerson engineers have designed our new single-use sensors to perform as well as or better than those used in stainless steel bioreactors. Wherever possible, we’ve maintained our industry-standard designs, so that users and OEMs need no additional training to be up and running. At the same time, we’ve added features, like the wet storage, that overcome challenges that have been plaguing single-use processing since its advent. Our customers spoke, and we listened.”

The new Rosemount 550pH sensor is an electrochemical, fully disposable device with sensor stability of less than 0.005 pH change per day, verified by extensive testing. In a field marked by unstable sensors, the Rosemount 550pH sensor provides up to 10 times enhanced stability and requires no maintenance or calibration after initial one-point standardisation.

Since the Rosemount 550pH sensor is stored wet, it overcomes the problem of inserting a dry sensor into the single-use bioreactor, only to discover it’s not working properly and having to discard the entire processing unit to start again. The new sensor is packaged with its own calibration fluid, giving it a two-year shelf life. Wet, one-point standardisation before start-up means that the sensor’s characteristics and functionality are verified before any solutions or buffers are added to the bioreactor bag. It also means that the verified sensor begins measuring immediately after being introduced into the bag with no extensive wait time, thus reducing overall processing time and time to market.

The new Rosemount 550DW dissolved oxygen (DO) sensor adapter is compatible with standard stainless-steel DO sensors and enables placement into the bioreactor single-use bag. Only the gamma-irradiated adapter touches the process solution, meaning the sensor can be reused for multiple batches. The sensor can be air-calibrated prior to start-up to verify functionality, with no fill product needed in the bioreactor.

Both instruments operate with the advanced Rosemount liquid analytical 56 transmitter, known for its intuitive ease-of-use. In addition, the new sensor technologies and the Rosemount 56 transmitter are fully compatible with the Emerson DeltaV™ control system, which is widely used in the life sciences industry.

Francis added: “Emerson has delivered the level of sensor performance demanded by biopharmaceutical processing users in a single-use design that is efficient, highly stable, easy to use and cost-effective.”

 @EMR_Automation  #PAuto  @HHC_Lewis 

Cybersecurity chief apointed.

SolutionsPT has bolstered its cyber security offering with the appointment of cyber security and network expert, Lee Carter.

Lee Carter

“I was attracted to the role at SolutionsPT because it has a suite of leading edge products such as Claroty that are used by some of the most well-known companies around the world and - crucially - it is capable of integrating those product sets to ensure that security, backup, monitoring and availability products all operate in total harmony,” he said.

Previously a Principal Cyber Security Engineer at systems integrator, Capula, Lee has extensive experience of the security requirements of specialist environments such as power generation, utilities and nuclear.

In his new role as Industrial Network and Cyber Security Product Manager Lee will provide consultancy and technical direction to SolutionsPT’s varied client base, carefully monitoring trends in the cyber security space to ensure SolutionsPT’s cyber security offering remains at the cutting edge.

As part of its focus on the growing cyber security market, SolutionsPT has recently added Claroty, the leader in Operational Technology Cyber Security, to its product suite.

Founded and expressly built for OT networks, Claroty delivers Continuous Threat Detection (CTD), providing visibility and vulnerability monitoring, as well as leveraging behavioural analysis techniques to provide on-going real-time threat detection. Users can proactively manage remote access and get an enterprise wide view of their networks, bringing multiple sites or plant locations into one single operations view.

 @SolutionsPT  #PAuto #Cybersecurity

Carbon dioxide probe.

E+E Elektronik’s new EE872 CO₂ probe measures CO₂ concentration up to 5% (50000 ppm) and features active pressure and temperature compensation with on-board sensors. The heated, replaceable CO₂  sensing module and the long-term stable dual wavelength NDIR operation principle lead to outstanding measurement performance even under harsh and condensing conditions.

With its temperature range -40-60 °C (-40-140 °F), the EE872 is appropriate for most CO2 monitoring applications. The multi-point CO2 and temperature adjustment ensures best accuracy over the entire working range. The probe incorporates the E+E dual-wavelength NDIR CO2 sensor, which is highly insensitive to pollution. Due to auto-calibration, the sensor also shows excellent long-term stability.

On-board sensors compensate the effect of temperature, altitude or weather changes on the CO₂ measurement. This leads to highly accurate CO₂ reading independently of the environmental conditions.

The heating prevents condensation inside the sensing head. Thus, the EE872 is appropriate for use in in high humidity and condensing environment. The modular design facilitates the replacement of the interchangeable, pluggable sensing module.

The robust IP65 stainless steel or plastic enclosure and the replaceable PTFE filter cap provide optimum protection against contamination. With a special catalytic filter, the CO₂ probe is suitable for applications with periodic H₂O₂sterilization.

The EE872 provides the CO₂ measured data simultaneously on current and voltage outputs or via RS485 interface with Modbus RTU protocol.

Configuration and adjustment can be performed comfortably with the free configuration software and an optional adapter cable.

• E+E Elektronik products are marketed in Ireland by Instrument Technology.

#epulseat #PAuto @Instrum_Tech

No battery, no wires switch!

ZF has introduced a reference design for an Energy Harvesting Bluetooth Low Energy Switch in a partnership with ON Semiconductor. The design combines ZF’s energy harvesting generator with the industry’s lowest power Bluetooth® 5 radio RSL10 SIP from ON Semiconductor and is the ideal solution for the rapidly growing number of applications for BLE communication.

The generator, incorporated with the RSL10 SIP, enables designers to develop bespoke battery-free and wireless control solutions for a wide range of low cost, low-energy applications. The transmitter is designed for evaluation. For integration into an application the PCB wings can be cut to size.

The reference design works in Advertising Mode with uni-directional uplink communication and offers various pairing options. The operation can be shown via a smartphone app (IOS®: Bluetooth Smart Scanner and Android™: Bluetooth Low Energy Analyzer) which displays all received telegrams.

A supporting demo kit based on the reference design for the Energy Harvesting Bluetooth Low Energy Switch, and ON Semiconductor’s Bluetooth IoT Development Kit (B-IDK) is also available from ON Semiconductor. The kit shows the capabilities of the battery-free and wireless switch in combination with an LED lighting application.

@cherryswitches #PAuto