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Harting Joins Racing Team to Verify Radio-Frequency Identification Detection Speeds
Harting has joined forces with the University of Osnabrück in Lower Saxony, Germany, in an experiment to verify the ability of the company’s radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems to detect objects moving at high speeds.
The objective is to determine how fast a vehicle can go and still be detected using RFID – an important question for applications such as warehousing and rail transport.
Modern warehouse systems can involve objects moving at speeds exceeding 50 km/h, and today’s freight trains can reach up to 160 km/h. Reliable detection and error-free identification of goods and vehicles are essential for process safety – and high process reliability is the only way to ensure time and cost savings. Data must be collected quickly and safely in order, for example, to specifically direct goods onto a different conveyor belt or activate signals in railway environments.
Osnabrück University’s Ignition Racing Team (IRT) develops and builds its own racing cars. The performance metrics are spectacular: up to 1400 Nm of torque accelerates the race cars from 0 to 120 km/h on a 75-m track – a normal car requires several times this value.
The RFID team at HARTING Technology Group is investigating RFID detection speeds in conjunction with the Ignition Racing Team (IRT) of the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences.
Each racing car was equipped with an RFID transponder, and an RFID reader and antenna were situated alongside the track. The results were evaluated in real time in Harting’s Ha-VIS middleware and written to a file – in exactly the same process as would be implemented in an actual customer application.
Cars racing past the RFID antennas at 80 and 120 km/h were reliably detected. In the third round, a racing car with a combustion engine was used, reaching a top speed of 160 km/h. Even this failed to push the RFID technology to its limits, and so a roadster from a famous German manufacturer was driven in one last run.
This final test involved a unique electronic product code with a length of 96 bits being successfully read nine times, proving the functionality of RFID technology at top speeds.
Kewtech Provide KEW6315 Power Quality Analyser
Kewtech’s new power quality analyser, the KEW6315, has arrived. The unit provides data logging, harmonics, waveform and events (transients, dips, swells and interrupts) in a number of different report formats, including EN 50160, and can be monitored remotely via Bluetooth. There are two analogue input channels, allowing any variable to be monitored as inside and outside temperature changes. It complies with IEC61010-1 Cat IV 300 V.
ARC Provides Research into Flowmeter Technology
Because of the high growth in the oil and gas industry, advanced flowmeter technologies (especially Coriolis and ultrasonic) have enjoyed huge growth in the past few years. However, the global market for flowmeters will remain sluggish this year because of lower oil prices, but is forecast to get back on growth track over the next few years.
Advanced flowmeter technologies offer end users increased accuracy, visibility into production operations and low maintenance profiles. While over half a dozen flowmeter technologies are available, ARC’s flowmeter market research study covers four of the most popular advanced flowmeter technologies: Coriolis, vortex, magnetic and ultrasonic.
This study provides strategic market information and guidance for the worldwide flowmeter marketplace. The study includes quantitative assessments and forecasts of various flowmeter types and segmentations, as well as discussions of world regions and process industries.
NI to Hold a Conference on Graphical System Design
The NIDays London conference at the QEII Centre, London, on 3 November offers delegates the chance to network with over 600 innovators, industry experts and NI employees in London and explore latest trends and technologies in design, test and control. There will be a keynote address from Professor Danielle George of the University of Manchester, 18 other influential guest presenters from industry and academia, 60 h of technical content across seven application-specific tracks and 13 h of introductory hands-on training.
Martindale announces 17th Edition-ready software
Martindale Electric is pleased to announce the launch of their ET4500 Pro Bundle, which contains all the essential tools and accessories required to verify the safety of electrical installations to the 17th Edition Amendment 3: 2015 Wiring Regulations.
Based around the class leading ET4500 multifunction installation tester, with built-in amendment 3 loop impedance limits, rechargeable batteries and three-wire earth test capability, the kit includes all the Martindale test tools necessary to safely and conveniently work on-site. The unit also includes Martindale’s ET-Link Pro PC software for auto filling of the latest 17th edition amendment 3 certificate.
Additional accessories included in the bundle include the BZ101 socket tester and SB13 Safebreak socket test adapter, three-wire earth testing kit, in-car charger and the TL78, a durable 50 m continuity lead on an easy-to-use extension reel.
Router for Process Technology Launched
Security is becoming increasingly important in the process engineering industry. With the new MGuard security router, Phoenix Contact is addressing this trend. The security router meets the demanding hardware requirements of the process industry as well as the strict information technology (IT) requirements for security products.
Hardware features include an extended temperature range of −40°C to +70°C, IECEx and ATEX approvals for EX zones and approval for corrosive gas environments in accordance with ISA-S71.04-1985 G3 Harsh Group A.
From a software point of view, existing MGuard security functions were enhanced with additional security components for OPC Classic, a protocol widely used in the industry. These include deep package inspection (DPI) and network address translation (NAT) functions.
Smart Cellular I/O Makes Industrial IoT Smarter than Ever
With more and more ‘things’ on the edge being connected to the Internet, cellular communication has become an invaluable resource for connecting those things to the cloud. Cellular, however, is likely to cause unstable connectivity, costly data transmission and unreliable control.
To overcome these problems, Moxa’s ioLogik 2500 series features dual SIM failover, three-step cellular reconnection, dynamic IP access, active tags, local data logging and Click&Go Plus. The ioLogik 2500 series gets the data from sensors and meters located at remote sites, and then generates tags to actively update the sensor and meter readings to MX-AOPC UA server in the cloud, reducing data transmission costs.
Asia Pacific Boosts Electric Motors in Global Automotive Market
The worldwide revenue for electric motors in automotive applications is expected to increase to over US$30 billion in 2019, up from US$25 billion in 2014, according to IHS. Among the major global regions, Asia Pacific will lead in growth to 2019 through increased automotive production and sales, culminating in revenue increases of 15.4%.
India and China will be the two fastest growing markets in Asia Pacific for electric motors in automotive applications over the next 4 years – however, these countries have different drivers; the Chinese market is driven by environmental awareness, whereas the Indian market is driven by its economic transformation.
China remained the largest market for electric motors used in automotive applications in 2014. Despite the Chinese Yuan devaluation and the recent Tianjin Port blast, the market outlook remains strong in 2015. Automotive component electrification and downsizing are among the effective approaches to achieving the fuel efficiency standard in a vehicle, and the electric motor will play a big part as well.
India is ranked as the world’s sixth largest automotive market and world-class automakers are rolling out expansion plans in India to maximise manufacturing capacity and output to minimise the supply–demand gap in the local market. With all of these plans, the Indian market for electric motors in automotive applications is poised for stronger growth through 2019.
Additionally, the Eurozone economy has begun to recover, and electric motor shipments to the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region are predicted to return to growth. Much of the increasing demand for electric motors in the EMEA region is because of steady growth in the German and French markets.
A total of 691 million motors are predicted to be sold in Germany, France and the rest of Europe (except Russia) in 2019. The electric motor market in Russia for automotive use is decreasing drastically because of poor economic performance and strong consumer price inflation.
New Piezoelectric Accelerometer Uses Shear Sensing
DJB Instruments UK is pleased to announce the release of a new accelerometer, which joins its growing product range. The new IEPE (ICP) A/127/V is a miniature teardrop integral electronics voltage source piezoelectric accelerometer.
It uses the Konic shear ceramic sensing element (claimed to be unique), developed by DJB Instruments founder Don Birchall, which offers high performance in areas such as cross axis repeatability and temperature stability. Its low mass (1.9 g) renders it almost invisible to most lightweight structure vibration measurement applications, while offering high frequency response and excellent reliability.
With an all welded titanium construction, it offers a maximum high operating temperature of 185°C in HT form while maintaining no loss of dynamic range. This high temperature IEPE performance is achieved via DJB’s industry leading hybrid amplifier electronics, using its bespoke ultra high temperature ASIC chip.
The signal outlet is via the standard KP (M3.5) miniature microdot connector and is recommended for use with lightweight cable assemblies of a maximum 1 mm diameter. It is available in a wide range of sensitivities from 1 up to 100 mV/g output, with standard off-the-shelf versions available as 5, 10 or 100 mV/g.
DJB Instruments Wins Small Business Award at Suffolk Event
DJB Instruments UK has won the Small Business award at the EADT Business Awards at Trinity Park in Ipswich. The company was up against Scarlett & Mustard and Suffolk Canine Crèche to win the award – the small business category had a record entry of over 80 companies in 2015, which reflects the strength and positive growth of business in Suffolk.
The judges were impressed by DJB’s restructure, launch of an employee engagement programme, training, R&D and rebranding, that had resulted in DJB Instruments becoming a global business.
Powerful Stopper Cylinder Withstands Big Strains
Festo has launched the DFSP, a series of high-power stopper cylinders. This new cylinder can withstand up to 200% more impact force than its predecessors, meaning that engineers can now benefit from a more powerful stopper but at an affordable price.
The DFSP is able to handle and stop heavy loads of up to 6280 N and is suitable for separating, stopping and indexing functions.
The cylinder has an increased service life, enabling engineers to reduce costs associated with maintenance and downtime. The new DFSP is also available with an internal thread in the piston rod. This allows the possibility of mounting customer specific parts and tooling, for instance, plates for braking systems.
A DFSP with a customer provided internal thread piston rod.
Other key features include reduced clearance between the piston rod and bearing, improving the accuracy of the cylinder and protection against rotation, meaning the rod will always align the stopper blade precisely with approaching carriers.
Litre Meter Supplies Meters for Bosch Rexroth
Custom flowmeter manufacturer and distributor Litre Meter has developed its continued relationship with Bosch Rexroth by supplying a further 20 Kral ‘Volumeter’ helical screw flowmeters for R&D rigs at the drive and controls solutions firm.
Litre Meter has already supplied a number of meters for the current test rig at the company’s production facility at Glenrothes, Scotland. These additional meters are for a range of new test rigs. Litre Meter has been supplying Bosch Rexroth with Kral meters for R&D rigs since 2003.
OM positive displacement meters from Kral can be used in a large number of applications covering liquids with a range of viscosities. The basic meter, produced by Kral of Austria, is derived from a range of screw pumps that has been widely used for over 50 years. These units were supplied to Bosch Rexroth with sensors designed for higher temperature applications. However, the units can be supplied with the Litre Meter standard or intrinsically safe pick-up and pulse output transmitter system.
A positive displacement meter works by dividing the flow into discrete ‘pockets’. This prevents the flow bypassing the meter’s rotor and producing errors. The helical screw flowmeter has rotor scrolls, which accept and release continuous flow. While the flow is being transported through the centre portion of the meter, it is trapped by the ‘flights’ of the scrolls, which form positive displacement ‘pockets’. A sensor detects the motion of the rotor and produces a high-resolution pulse output.
Litre Meter was able to select from a range of Kral flowmeters for Bosch Rexroth. Aluminium OME units suitable for pressures up to 40 bar were used on some return lines. Cast iron OMG meters were used for most of the other applications apart from those over 250 bar, where the OMH units, fitted with two custom sensors to measure flow direction, were employed.
ABB Acquires Full Ownership of CGM
ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has acquired the remaining shares of CGM AB to become its sole shareholder. Sweden-based CGM provides modern control room design and ergonomic solutions to maximise control room operator effectiveness.
The acquisition complements ABB’s portfolio with the latest technology for enhancing the control room environment, from optimised design to ergonomic solutions with advanced functionality and improved safety standards. Optimum control room design increases the efficiency of operations that run continuously.
A plant control room and its operators will be increasingly important to boost productivity and increasing safety in the next phase of industrial automation, which will be facilitated by smart plants, intelligent machines and networked processes. Advanced control room design helps ensure that technology and an operator’s efficiency are simultaneously in focus.
CGM employs 54 people and is based in Borås and Ryssby, Sweden. CGM will be part of ABB’s Control Technologies business unit. ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility, industry and transport and infrastructure customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in roughly 100 countries and employs about 140,000 people.
Ultrasound Sensors Help Breast Cancer Screening
The first prototype ultrasound sensors for a new improved breast screening technique have been developed as part of an Innovate UK-funded collaboration between the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), University Hospitals Bristol (UHB), North Bristol National Health Service (NHS) Trust (NBT), Precision Acoustics Ltd and Designworks. The team is now looking for commercial partners to translate the novel development into a clinical device.
NHS breast cancer screening in England is conducted using X-ray mammography, and further investigations may involve a clinical examination, more X-ray mammograms and conventional ultrasound. During mammography, each breast is compressed between the two plates of an X-ray machine, which some women find very uncomfortable, and two X-rays are taken at different angles.
However, the inability of 2D X-ray mammography to separate overlying tissue can lead to false positives and false negatives, and the hazards associated with ionising radiation limit the frequency with which X-rays can be performed. Conventional ultrasound is highly operator-dependent and suffers from imaging problems, making cancerous tissue difficult to distinguish from healthy tissue.
NPL, UHB, NBT, Precision Acoustics and Designworks have developed a prototype clinical system for a new breast screening technique – using ultrasound computed tomography (UCT) – that may overcome the problems of diagnosing breast disease using conventional X-ray mammography and ultrasound scans. The new ultrasound method will be safer and lower cost than currently used screening techniques, and the results should be easier for clinicians to interpret.
NPL has developed and patented a novel detection method employing pyroelectric sensors, which convert ultrasonic energy into heat, generating electrical signals, which are eventually used to form the ultrasound image. These large-area thermal sensors should generate far fewer image artefacts than conventional piezoelectric detectors, which are sensitive to the phase of the arriving ultrasound waves.
In the new procedure, the patient’s breast will be placed in a warm water bath between an ultrasound transmitter and receiver. Ultrasonic waves are sent through the breast and the amount of energy emerging is measured using the prototype ultrasound sensor.
The ultrasound transmitter array and the receiver are rotated around the breast, and the resulting measurements are combined to produce a 3D image of breast tissue properties. Different tissue types, including those that are cancerous, can then be identified from this image.
NPL Pioneers Metrology Apprenticeship Standards for Industry
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has announced a new project to outline standards and assessment guidelines for metrology apprenticeships, to be led by the NPL. The project forms part of the government’s Trailblazer programme, which allows groups of employers to join together to design apprenticeships that develop the skills of their current and future workforce.
Today’s global economy depends on reliable measurements and tests. Metrology, the science of measurement, is not only an individual discipline of the physical sciences but also the base of our daily activities. Each year, over £600b worth of goods and utilities are sold on the basis of the measurement of their quantity. Skills in metrology underpin every sector, from construction to healthcare, and are vital in increasing the productivity and competitiveness of UK manufacturing and industry.
For the metrology Trailblazer programme, NPL will work alongside leading UK employers and skills professionals to shape metrology apprenticeships to deliver the metrology skills that industry needs. This will boost opportunities for people starting out in industry and will also grow the metrology workforce nationwide.
The Trailblazer initiative aims to ensure that every apprentice in England is enrolled on a scheme that has been designed and approved by employers. The Trailblazers are tasked with playing a key role in replacing complex apprenticeship frameworks with short, simple, accessible standards written by employers in language they understand.