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Advances in technology across industry

Siemens develops overhead sensor system for parking Mitsubishi Electric develops IoT

factory controller for future factories

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has announced its Internet of Things (IoT) Factory Controller to connect e-F@ctory, the company’s factory automation (FA) solution, with the cloud for the emerging IoT ecosystem. IoT Factory Controller is now being verified in test operation, with commercialisation targeted at April 2016.

Mitsubishi Electric’s e-F@ctory solution makes factories truly visible by using advanced technologies to directly interconnect shop-floor data. Plant operators can analyse and visualise the data with graphs to achieve greater productivity and quality.

Predictive maintenance and diagnostics utilising massive amounts of data are expected to become an important part of future manufacturing operations. Increased data from sensors on production lines, etc. will raise the need for expanded data-processing capacity in factories. Visit: www.MitsubishiElectric.com

According to the latest Apcoa study, motorists drive an average of 4.5 kilometres before they finally find somewhere to park. That costs time, gasoline and nerves. The new radar sensors mounted overhead controlled parking management system from Siemens is helping to optimise the use of urban parking facilities and radically reduce the congestion caused by motorists searching for a space. The overhead sensor is currently being put through its paces at the testing ground in Munich. An initial pilot project is planned for summer 2015.

A sensor network – based on newly developed radar sensors mounted overhead – continuously monitors the parking lot and reports the occupancy status to a parking control centre. The control centre, which records the sensor data, calculates the corresponding parking space occupancy, and prepares it for use by app operators in services such as assistance for drivers in locating parking spaces. What makes the solution really special is that the software works with a system that is capable of learning. It detects recurring parking space situations at particular times and calculates forecasts so that users know what to expect when they arrive at their destination. Visit: www.siemens.com

Researchers develop ‘space grease’

The Estonian Materials Technologies Competence Centre (MATECC) has signed an agreement with the European Space Agency. Researchers of the centre and of the University of Tartu will start to develop a nanotechnology lubricant suitable for extreme conditions.

Shuttles and equipment used in space consist of numerous elements and have several friction-prone details, the surface of which must be greased to ensure smooth operation. Due to extreme temperature, pressure and radiation conditions, conventional oils and greases cannot be used in space. This is why solid substances such as molybdenum disulfide and graphite are preferred for space usage.

Researchers involved in the activities of the Estonian Materials Technologies Competence Centre have been studying friction mechanisms and the characteristics of materials on the nanoscale for several years already and have developed novel additives to lubricant oils together with the industry.

Martin Järvekülg, research fellow in Materials Science at the University of Tartu and project manager of the Estonian Materials Technologies Competence Centre, said that the aim of the cooperation between the centre and the European Space Agency is to develop a lubricant based on the combination of nanoparticles and ionic liquids. Visit: www.ut.ee