Abstract
Taking Measurements to Extremes in a Jet-Powered Car
National Instruments is helping scientists, technicians and engineers in the automotive, military and aerospace industries to carry out distributed or remote measurements in extreme environments, such as 50 G of shock, 5 G of vibration and operating temperatures from −40°C to +70°C.
The new NI cDAQ-9188XT eight-slot NI CompactDAQ Ethernet chassis has already been used by engineers to successfully acquire data and avoid costly repeat tests.
Steve Wallace, Data Acquisition Scientist for the North American Eagle Project, states, We’re using the cDAQ-9188XT to track pressure, vibration, velocity and more in our jet-powered vehicle as we try to break the world land speed record. So far it’s survived everything we’ve thrown at it and given us great results.
The chassis is the first in the NI CompactDAQ platform to offer an onboard watchdog with defined safe states to help protect tests and equipment. The platform includes 10 chassis options, three buses and over 50 C Series modules with a wide range of connectivity and input/output (I/O). The platform also has native integration with NI LabVIEW system design software, which provides signal processing libraries and user interface controls designed for data visualisation.
To learn more, visit ni.com/data-acquisition/compactdaq.
Predictive Diagnostics for Any Foundation Fieldbus Control System
Emerson Process Management (http://www.EmersonProcess.com) and Softing have together announced that Softing’s Linking Device and Gateway FG-110-FF has been successfully integrated and tested with Emerson’s AMS Suite predictive maintenance software application. In this way, it will connect to any Foundation Fieldbus network, providing users with the flexibility to use AMS Device Manager for online diagnostics and alerts regardless of the host system vendor.
AMS Suite uses predictive intelligence to improve the availability and performance of key production assets, including mechanical equipment, electrical systems, process equipment, instruments and valves. This integrated family of diagnostic software applications – claimed to be ‘best-in-class’ – enables users to detect plant equipment problems before they occur, whether for plant management, operations or maintenance and reliability.
Softing’s Linking Device and Gateway FG-110-FF is designed for plant operators and system integrators in process environments. It provides connectivity to up to four Foundation Fieldbus H1 segments with as many as 64 field devices. The product includes a Windows-based configuration software package for Foundation Fieldbus that enables field device linking and configuration.
Standard Ethernet and a serial Modbus interface provide connectivity to systems without fieldbus capability. Host protocols such as Modbus remote terminal unit (RTU), Modbus/Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) or HSE enable the data exchange between the FG-110-FF and other host applications.
The integration of Emerson’s AMS Suite with Softing’s Foundation Fieldbus linking device and gateway enables users to access diagnostics and alerts through any host system
Guided Wave Radar Sensor Wins Innovation Award
Four journals – Process, Process Worldwide, PharmaTec and Bulk Solids Handling – handed out Innovation Awards for 2013 during the Powtech trade fair for the Mechanical Processing Technologies and Instrumentation.
The publications were looking for innovative equipment and methods in mechanical process technology in six different categories. The criteria for the award were the degree of innovation, the product quality and investment returns for users.
VEGA Grieshaber (http://www.vega.com) was the winner in the Innovation Award category titled ‘Process Measurement and Control Technology/Automation’ with its new Vegaflex 82 guided wave radar sensor, which has been specifically tailored to the needs of the bulk solids industry.
The jury reached its decision because of the instrument’s ease of use in combination with many new features, such as the automatic probe end tracking function that switches on automatically if the level signal becomes unreliable; it then uses a second parameter that is also proportional to the product level.
Another winning feature is the automatic false signal suppression. This dynamically adapts to changes, such as a heavy build-up on the probe. The jury also liked the quick start function and the memory that stores up to 100,000 readings, 500 events and 10 echo curves permanently with a real-time clock.
Applications range from large volume bins to 75 m high silos and from light, fine powders to heavy, coarse gravel.
Precise Gas Handling Depends on Integrated Modular Systems
The precise metering and control of gases has become a crucial operation in leading-edge processes across all industry types and applications. Working in conjunction with international clients, Bürkert (http://www.burkert.co.uk) has developed what it claims is some of the most advanced gas handling and blending equipment in the world.
The technology to achieve the required levels of control is complex, involving control of the widest range of gases, including toxic and aggressive types, often in harsh, hazardous environments. On occasion, the technology can make the difference between life and death.
Many components – solenoid valves, mass flow controllers (MFCs), mass flow meters (MFMs), sensors, switches, block-integrated check valves, integrated and replaceable filter elements, and manual valves – have to interact with one another. When these discrete components are combined, they are space hungry and pose connectivity problems, with consequently greater risk of leakage.
Moreover, standard components often cannot provide the required solution, as specific customer solutions often require bespoke solutions, and these are best achieved by integrating gas handling equipment in compact, often fieldbus-compatible, modular installations from a single-source supplier. As well as simplifying project engineering and overcoming the connectivity problem, this approach provides system accountability and installation future proofing.
Bürkert controls protective or reactive mixtures by combining various in-house technologies, including thermal mass or differential pressure flow and precision solenoid control valves to form perfect loops. Each of these loops or subsystems offers documented ratio control with millisecond reaction times and fewer sealing points. The result is better, more efficient processes. Moreover, operators across all industry sectors have benefited from high levels of repeatability and flexibility without the cost of expensive, less stable, premixed gases.
Working in conjunction with international clients, Bürkert has developed some of the most advanced gas handling and blending equipment in the world
Many of the company’s systems use three key components, specially developed for gas handling – proportional solenoid valves, plus MFMs and controllers, both with optional fieldbus interfaces.
Bürkert works with engineering consultants, integrators, contractors, original equipment manufacturers and end users in a spectrum of industries from analytical devices to metal treatment.
Invensys Participates in Reimagining the Future for Cities
For the first time in history, over 50% of the global human population lives in urban areas and nearly 70% of people will live in cities by 2050. This ongoing migration provides both opportunities and problems, such as aging infrastructure, hazards to public health and safety, pollution, crime and traffic.
Through the CityNext initiative, Microsoft and Invensys (Companion Company) (http://www.invensys.com) will help leaders do ‘new with less’. By combining the power of technology with innovative ideas, CityNext will connect governments, businesses and citizens with city services that increase efficiencies, reduce costs, foster a more sustainable environment and cultivate communities where people thrive.
Invensys is now involved too. The company’s Wonderware software product line and partner solutions provide innovative modern industrial software solutions, systems and control equipment that help improve critical infrastructure operations, including for cities of all sizes.
Such solutions help cities provide essential services, such as clean drinking water, sanitary wastewater treatment, reliable electricity, safe transportation and other services. Wonderware can help clients use critical data to make better, faster decisions and improve efficiency. Operational information of practically any kind can be securely viewed in real time from anywhere at any time, from a single, integrated and open Wonderware software platform.
Rob McGreevy, Vice President of platforms and applications for Invensys, said, ‘Our participation in Microsoft CityNext demonstrates our commitment to helping cities be smarter, more sustainable and more innovative now and to modernise for the future’.
Software Allows 24/7 Access to Plant-Floor Data
A new version of the leading human–machine interface (HMI) software solution by Invensys (Companion Company) (http://www.invensys.com) – Wonderware InTouch – allows users to easily access plant-floor data.
Bringing HMI visualisation to mobile devices, the capabilities extend the company’s operations management software portfolio by providing plant operators and other key individuals with modern process optimisation tools, regardless of their location or the task being performed. Moreover, this is all in real time.
The software runs entirely (and securely, it is claimed) inside a web browser so users can connect to other InTouch applications at anytime from anywhere using mobile devices including Microsoft Surface tablets, iPads, iPhones, Androids and others. The software also supports Macintosh and Linux-based computer systems, as well as Microsoft Windows personal computers (PCs) and laptops.
Users do not need to install any software on their mobile devices, so this new offering – which complements Invensys’ broader mobile strategy to provide and improve real-time visualisation, collaboration and execution at many levels in an organisation – is very simple to deploy, manage and maintain.
Wonderware InTouch by Invensys allows users to easily access plant-floor data
Nanotechnology Raises Global Demand for High-Precision Metrology in Electronics Manufacture
The latest analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.testandmeasurement.frost.com), titled ‘Analysis of the Global Dimensional Metrology Market in Electronic Manufacturing’, finds that the market earned revenue of £1.21 billion in 2012 and estimates this to reach £1.62 billion in 2017. This new study covers coordinate measuring machines and optical digitiser and scanners.
Miniaturisation, says the organisation, has led to the economical and sustainable manufacturing of complex, innovative and energy-efficient electronic products, boosting the need for dimensional metrology equipment to enable higher accuracy nanometre and micrometre-scale level measurements.
Solutions such as vision measuring machines and white-light scanners that measure intricate objects rising are gaining popularity in the rapidly growing semiconductor and electronics industries.
‘Under competitive pressure to improve quality, end users are also turning to dimensional metrology for the efficient inspection of manufactured products’, said Aravind Govindan, Frost & Sullivan’s Measurement and Instrumentation Research Analyst.
He continued, ‘Stringent quality norms requiring customers to adopt design, manufacturing and quality process methodologies have further increased the uptake of customised metrology solutions globally’.
The study finds that although the uncertain global economic environment is likely to curb investments, especially in the Eurozone, the dimensional metrology market will bounce back as the economy makes a gradual recovery. However, expensive, high-end sophisticated metrology machines may not find buyers in cost-conscious regions, like the Asia-Pacific, where electronics manufacturers do not see dimensional metrology equipment as a necessity.
This was emphasised by Govindan, who observed, ‘Offering low-cost equipment and launching marketing initiatives, particularly in Asia-Pacific, are crucial for sustainable growth. Customised solutions will widen the prospects of dimensional metrology vendors and add to profitability’.
Interface readers can find the presentation at http://www.slideshare.net/FrostandSullivan/analysis-of-the-global-dimensional-metrology-market-in-electronic-manufacturing.
Alternatively, use the printed Quick Response (QR) Code with your mobile device to see this presentation.
A New Certification Section for Trolex
Trolex, the expert in gas detection and environmental monitoring systems, says that it is ensuring that its products and systems meet the standards, certifications and approvals of all the relevant markets and geographical regions in which its customers operate.
The company has, therefore, established a dedicated certification and approvals department that works closely with customers, approval bodies, distributors and agents to ensure that its products are ‘ready for approval’ once submitted. This is aimed at reducing lead times in order to have products fit for purpose as soon as possible.
In addition, a certification section is added to the company website. This is searchable by product or region and lists all the available products and their certificates on http://www.trolex.com/certificates.
This investment is a fundamental requirement, says the company, to deliver the products and solutions its customers need and to maintain its excellent relationships.
Trolex is believed to have the most comprehensive list of certificates and approvals for gas detection, mine monitoring, machine monitoring and control products for mining and tunnelling.
Endress+Hauser Donates Radar Level Gauges to Hospital Ship
Working with host nations to help fill the gaps in health-care systems to serve the immediate medical needs of populations, Mercy Ships is an international charity having a mission to increase access to health care throughout the world.
Mercy Ships docks in port cities by invitation of the government and conducts 3- to 10-month periods of field service offering vital health-care services and developmental programmes. All Mercy Ships services are provided free of charge to those in need.
In support of this valuable organisation, Endress+Hauser (http://www.uk.endress.com) has donated five of its Micropilot radar level devices to its largest hospital ship, the Africa Mercy.
During the course of annual maintenance work on the Africa Mercy, the measuring systems of several of the onboard tanks had to be replaced. After being approached by the organisation for help, Endress+Hauser was happy to donate five Micropilot radar level devices to provide reliable continuous tank level measurement to keep the vessel up and running.
Test System Helps Lockheed Martin Stabilise Turrets
Moog Industrial Group (http://www.moog.com/test) has delivered a Turret Test System to Lockheed Martin, which is aiming to test turrets for stabilisation and performance on the improved Warrior fighting vehicle at its Ampthill facility.
The product developments include fitting and integrating the 40 mm cased telescoped gun in a modernised turret. This requires optimisation of gun aiming and stability performance during manoeuvres for representing a typical battlefield mission.
Previously, this type of testing was undertaken on an external remote test track or proving ground where engineers would adjust the gun aiming and stability settings under less than perfect conditions. Under real test track circumstances, engineers found it difficult to consistently replicate dynamic motion inputs, and their work was further limited by weather conditions and the ever-changing terrain.
To improve this situation, Lockheed Martin asked Moog for help. As a result, Moog delivered a Turret Test System, which included a six Degrees-of-Freedom (DOF) motion base, control cabinet and the replication module of the company’s Integrated Test Suites software.
This motion base system provides the desired dynamic performance with payloads up to 8000 kg. On the top platform of the motion base, Lockheed Martin can install an actual turret or a remote weapon station. Moog Turret Test Systems can handle payloads up to 24,000 kg and meet specific requirements related to particular excursions, velocities or accelerations.
The replication software accurately reproduces time history files that were recorded by means of a vehicle with full instrumentation on a traditional test track. This simulation occurs fully in a laboratory, saving time, optimising the testing process and improving the reliability of test results. The iteration process in the software quickly derives a set of command files that faithfully replicate the desired field responses.
As a result, this system provides 24/7 testing in a controlled in-house environment, enabling the engineers to tweak and perfect the optimum vehicle set-up for combat readiness, saving the costs of putting a real fully operational vehicle on a test track and working in a totally confidential environment.
Software Manages Industrial Networks
From Belden comes its new (version 5.0) Hirschmann Industrial HiVision network management software, which is supplied free of charge. This builds on the previous releases, says the company, adding extensive customer-driven functionality.
While industrial networks are becoming larger and more complex, they must have the highest operational availability. This is a challenge for network management, yet rarely today does a network consist of equipment from a single manufacturer. Industrial HiVision v5.0 offers an intelligent response, which is distributed management. A network management hierarchy provides master and slave network management stations, to ensure that any size of network can be supervised. Moreover, HiFusion eases the integration of any Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)-capable device into Industrial HiVision. A wizard guides users through the creation of integration files.
Industrial HiVision v5.0, therefore, now offers the device management granularity of a manufacturer-specific application and the device management diversity of a generic open network management platform.
Download Industrial HiVision and test it free for 30 days at http://www.hivision.de/English.
Government at Odds with the Public on Fracking, Says Research
Fracking, the controversial technique of hydraulic fracturing of rock to release natural gas, has been much in the news recently, and Prime Minister David Cameron has given his clearest indications yet that government policy will switch away from making onshore wind power generation attractive and towards encouraging investment for hundreds of fracking wells to spring up in the United Kingdom.
However, new research from the Attitudes to UK Industry poll – a survey of more than 2000 adults – suggests that the general public, particularly the young, remain to be convinced. The study showed 53% in favour of wind farms despite the perceived effect on the landscape, while just 15% preferred fracking. The remainder were undecided or without an opinion. The study indicated that young people, aged 18 to 24 years, were most resolute in support of wind energy with 60% stating that preference.
With a backdrop of protests around the United Kingdom, including the need for riot police deployment in Balcombe, West Sussex, Dan Doherty, of the report’s sponsors CadenceFisher industrial communications explained,
Our findings suggest that the fracking debate is not yet over. In fact, it’s just beginning, and with potential fractures within the coalition Government on this divisive issue, Mr Cameron will have a lot of people to convince about the safety and economic value of fracking in the UK.
Go to http://www.attitudestoukindustry.co.uk for more information.
Spectrometers Enable Field Assessment of Sugar Beet
A pair of super-lightweight miniature spectrometers from Ocean Optics (http://www.OceanOptics.com) is helping researchers investigate plant parameters in a verdant patch of New Zealand grassland. By measuring various segments across a section of pastureland, the system was able to assess information such as specific plots that contained live vegetation.
The collection of hyperspectral data by field spectroscopy is normally a time-consuming task and often is restricted to easily accessible areas. Using the scanning tunnelling spectroscopy (STS) model spectrometers, however, the process is easier and faster. One is deployed as a ground unit, and the other is aboard an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Together, they are making synchronised hyperspectral measurements of barley and sugar beet crops to assess plant characteristics for more effective crop management.
A multinational team of researchers from Germany, Italy, Spain and New Zealand developed the UAV-based system and conducted the initial experiments, gathering high-resolution reflectance spectra from the UAV at altitudes of up to 200 m and irradiance spectra from the ground-based spectrometer.
It is the small size and lightweight of the STS spectrometer that makes it ideal for use on the UAV, which allows a series of fast and reproducible measurements over any terrain, even forest or marsh.
A pair of super-lightweight miniature spectrometers from Ocean Optics is helping researchers investigate plant parameters in New Zealand grassland. One is aboard an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) like this
The STS is a remarkably small complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) detector based spectrometer that is less than 40 mm × 42 mm square and weighs a little over 68 g. It performs comparably to larger systems, providing full spectral analysis with low stray light, high signal to noise (>1500:1) and excellent optical resolution.
News in Brief
Read about industrial automation and control system security
To truly understand and safeguard automation and control systems, it is crucial to identify and examine the key technology drivers and their influence on critical infrastructure. A chapter in the new International Society of Automation (ISA) book, entitled Industrial Automation and Control System Security Principles, investigates the technological issues that relate directly to the security posture of critical infrastructure. It uses the ‘smart grid’ as an example. Go to http://www.isa.org/filestore/krutzchapter.html?utm_medium=publications%40instmc.org.uk&utm_source=Eloqua&utm_campaign=CYBE%20Email_Isolated-21AUG13-AW. Alternatively, use the printed QR Code with your smart phone to access this information.
Ethernet controller for cost-effective use
The 750-852 Ethernet Controller from Wago (http://www.wago.ltd.uk) provides a cost-effective solution for smaller control applications that need less programme and data storage capacity. It meets all requirements for distributed fieldbus systems, and it supports applications ranging from fault data determination (process industry) to single-room control (building automation). The controller is programmable in CODESYS based on IEC 61131, and both configuration and diagnostics can be performed via Internet and intranet access to the integrated web server. It also features two Ethernet interfaces and an integrated switch, simplifying fieldbus wiring in a line topology. Power is via a connector in the outer housing, which saves DIN rail space and further reduces the purchasing cost.
Frost & Sullivan award for HMS network processor
Independent research company Frost & Sullivan has presented HMS Industrial Networks (http://www.anybus.com) with the ‘2013 European Industrial Communication Processors New Product Innovation Award’. This recognises HMS’ new Anybus NP40 network processor as the best in class in a global comparison. The features rewarded by Frost & Sullivan include high functionality, flexibility and easy integration. Frost & Sullivan found that all solutions based on the NP40 can gain from having a highly integrated design and being more compact. This allows users to easily integrate HMS Industrial Networks’ solution into their final product with a minimal physical footprint.
Ashtead Technology appoints Non-Destructive Testing expert
Ashtead Technology (http://www.ashtead-technology.com) has appointed Neil Harrap as Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Market Manager. The company has been investing heavily in both NDT instrumentation and technical support staff to ensure that customers have access to the latest instrumentation, coupled with a high level of engineering and technical support both before and during the rental period. Neil is a highly experienced NDT specialist having spent 31 years in aerospace engineering with the Ministry of Defence, much of which was spent with the Royal Air Force (RAF). During this time, his roles included NDT Equipment Subject Matter Specialist, NDT Field Team Manager, Military Tri-Service NDT School Instructor and Aerospace Engineering Technician.
Industrial Ethernet easily integrated into field devices
From Softing comes Access IP, an Industrial Ethernet solution jointly developed by Altera und Softing. It provides a quick and inexpensive way for field device manufacturers to implement a fully interoperable Industrial Ethernet platform with no licence negotiation and no upfront licensing costs. Access IP combines Softing’s intellectual property (IP) core and software stack with Altera’s fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA). It is available for PROFINET RT/IRT, Ethernet POWERLINK and EtherCAT. The company says that more protocols are being developed. Go to http://industrial.softing.com/index.php?id=2168.