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industry THE INDUSTRY MAGAZINE FOR EUROPE • MIDDLE EAST • AFRICA
ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN SMART FACTORIES: THE ROUTE TO LOWER RUNNING COSTS
6 A VISION SYSTEM ENABLING NEW INLINE FACTORY INSPECTIONS
34 DATA CENTRES MUST PREPARE FOR SUMMER AS 2019 CONFIRMED AS HOTTEST EVER YEAR IN EUROPE
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“WIRELESS SAFETY” FOR FOOT CONTROLS AND COMMAND DEVICES
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IN THIS MAGAZINE…
6 ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN SMART FACTORIES: THE ROUTE TO LOWER RUNNING COSTS
10 Artificial intelligence set to improve energy management 11 Digital solution for factory energy management 13 Load monitoring system with io-link communications 14 Cost reduction through efficient energy-saving motors 15 Redex group opens a technical center and reinforces its metal strip processing solutions 16 FTP industrial records positive results in china at sfh 18 Carrier aquaforce® fixed-speed air-cooled screw liquid chiller is now available with puretec™ hfo refrigerant
19 Cast Swiss Light Consulting and Verlinde announce their partnership in Switzerland 20 Seeq Expands Support for Oil & Gas Industry with WITSML and CygNet Connectors 22 Data centres must prepare for summer as 2019 confirmed as hottest ever year in Europe 24 St. Joseph-Stift hospital in Dresden relies on networked solutions that secure the building envelope, but also much more
28 Arla Foods analyses energy consumption using flow sensors 30 Analysing electrical power quality simply and reliably - In certified power quality analysis, new features pay off
32 Locking into the Future: Electronic Access for Medical Equipment 34 A vision system enabling new inline factory inspections 37 Powerful in the UK and Ireland: WANGEN PUMPEN further expands its network of
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To receive Industry EMEA magazine free of charge, please subscribe online at www.industryemea.com Industry EMEA is the English-language magazine for engineers. It contains the latest product and company news for industrial markets. Industry EMEA edits its articles with the greatest of care, however we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information presented in them. Our teams disclaim all responsibility concerning the content of this media or how it might be used. www.ipmediaonline.com
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38 2D-code readers get automation rolling 40 Dyneo+, the new range of connected motors with very high efficiency levels 42 Increased market share for Industrial Ethernet – fieldbus decline continues and wireless stays stable
44 Innodisk Supports Healthcare Industry with Capable Medical-grade Solutions 45 Lemo’s new harpoon: press-fit contacts for elbow and straight pcb sockets 46 Component carrier now replacing flexible PCBs 48 High demand for image-processing systems in the medical sector 50 Mobile robots for quiet locations now a reality thanks to NSK’s direct-drive wheel unit 52 Red Lion Launches FlexEdge™ Intelligent Edge Automation Platform 54 New R&S NGP800 power supplies boost efficiency with up to four independent channels in a single compact instrument
56 Remda, Germany Reference Project - a 2MWp commercial PV rooftop project 58 Wireless Safety 59 Identify cables 3 times faster 60 Traceability in the medical sector, a technical challenge
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INDUPORTALS
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Steed WEBZELL
EDITORIAL
THE SMART MONEY IS ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY As Europe emerges from the grip of its COVID-19 crisis, manufacturers, process plants and other industrial facilities are awakening to a “new normal”. In recent weeks, machinery that had stood idle since March has begun whirring into life, and production staff have been making their way back to the shop floor, at a safe working distance, of course. Sure enough, things are different now, but for how long? This million dollar question is one that few are brave enough to call at this stage. However, judging by major disruptive events in history, time heals wounds … and economies. Confidence will return and investment levels will rise once more. In the meantime, the trick is to be smart about manufacturing and save on unnecessary outgoings. Within this remit, overheads are a key target as they typically constitute 30-40% of total production costs. Sure enough, there is little that manufacturers can do about certain overheads, such as the depreciation of plant and machinery, or the cost of insurance, for example. However, when it comes to energy costs, there are major savings to be had with the right approach. The convention of powering everything up in the morning and powering it all down in the evening is no longer appropriate in a highly competitive industrial landscape. Monitoring should be the first step in any energy-efficiency drive. Industrial facilities must be aware of how much energy is being used, and when, to ensure they make the right changes to their strategies and the right investments; ones that deliver the quickest return. Indeed, monitoring can sometimes provide surprising insights. For instance, it may become evident that certain machinery or plant equipment is idling for extended periods when it can instead be turned off. Similarly, data might reveal that some lighting circuits are being left on for entire shifts, when they can in fact be powered down for specific time periods. For this reason, the use of occupancy sensors has gained much traction in industrial settings over recent years.
With monitoring addressed, data trends will emerge that can be used to shape the energy strategy moving forward. Perhaps a manager or team leader can be appointed to take ownership and drive the project, with the best suggestions taken forward to implementation. Some ideas will be common sense and can be actioned successfully with relative ease. However, in the age of the smart factory, there is a growing train of thought surrounding energy. What if energy monitoring and control could be achieved using Industry 4.0 strategies, with consumption data for machines, plant, equipment, systems and lighting all metered, analysed and managed via the Cloud? Well, the good news is that the technology already exists to make this vision a reality. Moreover, a number of case studies have emerged of industrial facilities successfully adopting this technology. Such premises are not only saving money, but reducing their carbon footprint and, in turn, boosting their environmental credentials. The capabilities of Industry 4.0 and, subsequently, smart factories, have been mooted for a number of years, with a greater number of projects now coming to fruition. However, the nature of the Industry 4.0 ethos is intrinsically linked to scalability, so it perhaps comes as no surprise that concepts such as smart lighting, for example, are today being included in holistic “smart” strategies. Of course, the havoc, misery and tragedy that the pandemic wreaked across Europe should never be forgotten. Few people or businesses will have escaped its effects. But now the rebuilding starts. And although civilisation, including industry, can do little else but live with this virus in a pre-vaccine world, the time to start adapting to the new normal, is now.
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THE INDUSTRY MAGAZINE FOR EUROPE • MIDDLE EAST • AFRICA
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MARKET OVERVIEW
ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN SMART FACTORIES: THE ROUTE TO LOWER RUNNING COSTS Author: Steed WEBZELL
The concept of the smart factory has been steadily evolving over the past few years as it moves towards the goal of providing harmonious communication between shop-floor devices and enterprise-wide management systems. Ultimately, the ambition is to ensure productivity and quality are maximised, from quotation and order, to manufacturing and dispatch. Such a transition also provides the perfect opportunity to address a sometimes overlooked aspect of smart factory operations: energy efficiency.
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n recent years, a swathe of innovative, future-oriented solutions have come to market offering real-time smart metering capabilities for electricity, gas and water. By leveraging capability of this nature, energy efficiency can be seen as a core component of Industry 4.0. It is well documented that factories are among the world’s biggest consumers of energy, however, the use of power is clearly vital in ensuring the continuity and quality of end-toend production processes. With these thoughts in mind, it is critical to ensure energy efficiency at all times.
Most factories have a number of machines, systems and devices that consume energy, including machine tools, production lines, conveyors, motors, HVAC units, boilers, back-up generators and lighting, to list but a few. However, with the right smart technologies in place, plant managers no longer have to record samples of energy usage at predefined intervals, as is the case with traditional energy management systems. Although conventional systems help provide a snapshot of energy consumption, they do little to help curtail energy use, predict peak patterns or suggest what can be done to improve efficiency.
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In contrast, smart monitoring means that analyses can take place in real time, helping to optimise energy efficiency. Moreover, via the use of smart meters, it is possible to not only track energy use at its distribution point, but at various points of consumption throughout the smart factory. Transparent energy flows and data are clearly key for exploring optimisation potential. If these flows are also integrated into cloud-based IoT systems, valuable knowledge can be generated and used to optimise entire factory and business operations. 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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MARKET OVERVIEW
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Advantech is using its solution to monitor and analyse factors such as energy consumption at the company’s own facilities. 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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MARKET OVERVIEW
Ultimately, adopting an ecosystem of intelligent and energy-efficient solutions for Industry 4.0 manufacturing delivers benefits that include energy management, remote connectivity and control solutions for smart factories. Sustainable solutions, such as the ones set out in this article, will facilitate more energy-efficient and productive manufacturing businesses, while simultaneously providing safer, more connected operations. A case in point can be seen at the Maisach, Germany warehouse and distribution centre of Rexel, a leading electrical wholesaler that is taking advantage of the latest cloud-based energy monitoring solutions from Siemens to help drive anticipated annual savings in electricity costs of 25-30%. “Increasingly distributed energy systems and renewable energy sources require new, intelligent solutions, and energy monitoring creates the basis for this,” states Ricardo Radowski, Director of Business Development at Rexel Germany. At Rexel’s site in Maisach, electrical energy data such as voltage, current and power for infeed is now being recorded around the clock. Data from electrical outgoing feeders – as well as individual consumers down to machine levels – is also being captured.
After data analysis the results are clearly displayed and can be shown on different devices – for maximum transparency in real time.
Using the MindConnect Nano interface, the energy data collected in Rexel’s facility is transferred directly into MindSphere from Siemens, a cloud-based, open IoT operating system. “We are now aware of where our energy is flowing,” says Radowski. “For instance, it was a surprise that such a large proportion of our energy consumption could be attributed to lighting. Making this discovery means, we will soon be replacing our conventional lighting system with a more intelligent alternative that consumes 80% less energy.” Rexel has also installed the same solution at its distribution centre in Weisskirchen, Austria, so the option of cloud connection proved very attractive. “We decided on cloud connection because of the crosslocation opportunities and other possibilities that are available,” states Radowski. “By way of example, it is now easy to benchmark energy efficiency between facilities and share information and best practices.” HOLISITIC MONITORING OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Ricardo Radowski, Director of Business Development at Rexel Germany now has an overview at all times of important energy data, analysed from the cloud.
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The power monitoring system from Siemens includes software and suitable measuring devices from the Sentron portfolio. In fact, more than 100 devices from the 7KM PAC series have been installed. Further to energy data, the devices provide precise status information on electrical power distribution, exact meter readings and better peak load management. The measured values can also be used to assess system status and network quality.
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The story is similar a little further south, at the home of the Slovenian smart factory, Salonit Anhovo. Thanks to the adoption of a solution based on LoRaWAN technology from Solvera Lynx, Salonit Anhovo has become one of the top 10% most energy-efficient cement factories in Europe. In order to comply with European energy regulation and meet reduction targets for power consumption, Salonit Anhovo decided to carry out an energy management project. “Our company wanted to understand, in detail, the energy flow through the factory, and we were looking for a system to handle energy consumption data automatically,” says Magda Gabrijelcic, Energy Manager at Salonit Anhovo. The project required a custom-made solution to optimise energy-intensive production processes: Salonit Anhovo uses over 90 GWh of electricity annually, more than 8 GWh of gas, and over 400,000 cubic meter of water. The cost of
MARKET OVERVIEW
The Salonit Anhovo factory covers a site of more than 6 square kilometres.
energy consumed by the company amounts to more than €6 million per year. An inhospitable industrial environment with high moisture rate, extreme temperature conditions and far-spread production areas – spanning an area of more than 6 square kilometres – made the project even more challenging. “Using LoraWAN devices from Solvera Lynx allowed us to focus on the energy-saving potential of the project, instead of hardware aspects such as cabling,” confirms Gabrijelcic. Data transmission is performed by ComBox. L communication equipment, which offers long battery life and suitability for harsh industrial environments. In total 36 ComBox-certified devices were installed, 11 of which are for gas metering, 10 are for water metering, five for compressed air, and 10 for electricity meters. The data is gathered and analysed by the GemaLogic software platform. After using the LoRaWAN-based EMS for over a year, Salonit Anhovo has achieved real results and accomplished its primary project goals: holistic monitoring of energy efficiency performance and the reduction of energy consumption.
reinvent the wheel every time. Every aspect of the hardware and software has already been field tested and is mutually compatible, so implementation is very fast.” The company pioneered and perfected this Industry 4.0 upgrade solution in its own factories, where significant productivity improvements were achieved, along with reductions in energy costs, giving a very fast return on investment. For instance, in Europe, Advantech has installed a service centre in Eindhoven, Netherlands, which is a great showcase for the potential of industrial automation and systems developed by the company. Warehouse management, real-time control and production systems are monitored through a digital dashboard, which has all the structure data under control in order to guarantee that the principal information is constantly analysed. In this way, Advantech shows customers and visitors how, in practice, it is able to obtain tangible results both in terms of productivity and energy efficiency.
“After 16 months of good operations, we are highly satisfied with our choice,” states Gabrijelcic. “ComBox. L CI devices with LoRaWAN and Gemalogic as the energy management system really work for us.” TANGIBLE RESULTS IN ENERGY USAGE REDUCTION
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At Advantech, a complete, integrated hardware and software solution has been pioneered that enables factories to be turned into more profitable smart factories, quickly and efficiently. What’s more, Advantech has successfully implemented the solution at its own facilities. “Our unique co-creation model of partnering with SRP providers means that we can provide a complete [hardware and software] tailored solutions for upgrading to Industry 4.0 almost off the shelf,” explains Advantech’s Managing Director Jash Bansidhar. “We don’t have to 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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MARKET OVERVIEW
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SET TO IMPROVE ENERGY MANAGEMENT
ABB and Verdigris Technologies have developed machine-learning algorithms to predict unplanned peaks in power consumption, and identify strategies for prevention. To explain further, ABB is deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to help factories and other industrial buildings improve their energy management and tackle rising tariffs for peak electricity. The company has added two AI-powered apps to the ABB Ability Electrical Distribution Control System (EDCS): Energy Forecasting and Intelligent Alerts.
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he Energy Forecasting app enables users to reduce electricity bills by reducing peak demand charges, while the Intelligent Alerts app uses machine learning algorithms to help customers better manage their assets, identifying underlying issues before they become problems.
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ABB Ability Energy Forecasting leverages the capabilities of AI to give facility managers accurate power consumption predictions. In short, Energy Forecasting enables management to take timely actions and reduce unplanned consumption spikes by rescheduling or switching off noncritical loads – and take full advantage of Time of Use (ToU) tariffs.
The Energy Forecasting AI uses neural network methods to identify and learn patterns in a circuit or a factory’s energy consumption, while also considering weather data. Using weather forecasts and historical information, the Energy Forecasting app is then able to predict power consumption (kW) for the next 24 hours, updating its forecast every 15 minutes. ABB Ability Intelligent Alerts uses machine learning to help customers better manage critical assets. The app learns how various factors affect the factory and key assets so that it can minimise the distraction of false alerts and information overload, allowing facility teams to focus their time more productively. Intelligent Alerts also identifies the relevant circuits and makes potential recommendations to ensure any response can be swift and decisive. www.abb.com
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MARKET OVERVIEW
DIGITAL SOLUTION FOR FACTORY ENERGY MANAGEMENT
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) recently launched ENERGY CLOUD Factory, a service package that utilises AI and IoT technologies. The solution is aimed specifically at factories within “Energy Cloud”, MHI’s dedicated energy solution service.
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sing data acquired by Netmation eFinder, MHI’s independently developed system for collecting data on equipment operations, the system enables the visual monitoring of production equipment operating ratios and energy consumption. Moreover, a factory’s overall performance can be evaluated in parameters known as ENERGY CLOUD Score, a newly devised KPI (key performance indicator) that integrates indexes used for measuring process productivity and energy consumption. Proprietary AI technology also enables the forecasting of future factory performance. www.mhi.com MORE INFORMATION 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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MARKET OVERVIEW
LOAD MONITORING SYSTEM WITH IO-LINK COMMUNICATIONS
Weidmüller recently introduced its topGUARD load monitoring system with communication interface via IO-Link.
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he communication-compatible load monitoring system not only provides users with options for remote-controlled operation, but offers operating data for optimal condition monitoring, as well as reliable monitoring and protection of 24V system voltage. This intelligent networking between the machine, control cabinet and IT system makes it possible to create completely new control, monitoring and analysis solutions.
By connecting the IO-Link module and integrating an IODD file to carry out parameterisation and control, the user is provided with all relevant operating data. www.weidmueller.com
IO-Link is considered a key technology for the implementation of Industry 4.0 and IoT concepts. With regard to Weidmüller’s topGUARD load monitoring system, which intelligently safeguards DC loads and communicates via IOLink, users have the option of continuous communication from field level, right through to the cloud. MORE INFORMATION 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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S M A R T FA C TO R Y
MONTH’S PRODUCT
COST REDUCTION THROUGH EFFICIENT ENERGY-SAVING MOTORS
The new IE5+ synchronous motors are suitable for intralogistics applications as a system solution with gear units and inverters from NORD DRIVESYSTEMS.
NORD DRIVESYSTEMS has developed a new synchronous motor with significantly higher energy efficiency (IE5+). It is a supplement to the standardised geared motor variants of the LogiDrive systems and is particularly suitable for reducing the number of variants. This makes the IE5+ synchronous motor particularly suitable for use in intralogistics.
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he energy-efficient latest generation permanent magnet synchronous motor has considerably lower losses than the current IE4 series. The unventilated smooth motor achieves its high efficiency that, at times, is significantly above efficiency class IE5 via a wide torque range – and is optimally suitable for the operation in the partial load range. The compact IE5+ motor offers a high power density with less installation space and will be initially launched in a size for power ranges from 0.35 to 1.1 kW with a continuous torque from 1.6 to 4.8 Nm and speeds from 0 to 2,100 min-1. Direct motor attachment as well as NEMA and IEC motor attachments are available. An integrated encoder and an integrated mechanical brake are optionally available.
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Due to constant torque over a wide speed range, IE5+ motors allow a targeted reduction of variants. This minimises administrative expenses, and enables leaner manufacturing, logistics, storage and service processes. The new IE5+ motor generation combines the benefits of the modular system and higher efficiency with the possibilities of reducing variants, and pays for itself within a short time. The new IE5+ motor can be combined with NORD gear units and drive electronics as a modular system and will be available from the second quarter of 2020. www.nord.com
MECHANICS
REDEX GROUP OPENS A TECHNICAL CENTER AND REINFORCES ITS METAL STRIP PROCESSING SOLUTIONS
After taking over UNGERER GmbH in 2017, REDEX Group has acquired strategic patents from BWG GmbH. As a result, REDEX Group is now able to offer the largest portfolio of Metal Strip Processing solutions, from the foil to heavy gage coils.
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ith the aim to develop new technologies and support metal strip producers worldwide, REDEX Group has strengthened its R&D by opening an Engineering Center in Duisburg. Modern production and assembly facilities in France (Ferrieres) and Germany (Pforzheim), as well as service centers in China (Shanghai) and the USA (New Jersey) allows REDEX Group to offer full service, from engineering to key equipment through complete strip processing lines, and from automation or measuring & control systems, to spare parts and training.
Portfolio of Metal Strip Processing solutions from REDEX Group includes consulting service, engineering and line modernization, complete process lines (heat treatment, coatings, cleaning…), finishing lines (Tension leveling, slitting, cut to length), in-line flatness measurement and closed loop control systems, as well as key equipment (skinpass mills, flying shears, stacking units, edge trimmer…) and tooling (20-high mill backing Assemblies, leveler cassettes and working rolls…). www.redex-group.com
MORE INFORMATION 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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AU TO M OT I V E
FPT INDUSTRIAL RECORDS POSITIVE RESULTS IN CHINA AT SFH
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect societies and operations around the globe. FPT Industrial, the global powertrain brand of CNH Industrial, has endeavored to mitigate these effects throughout its manufacturing and commercial network by abiding by the health and safety regulations set forth in the different international markets in which it operates. Currently the demand for industrial powertrains remains strong as the providing of essential equipment is something the world depends on to keep moving.
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n this challenging moment, positive signs of recovery have begun in China, the first nation to weather through the pandemic. With a gradual return to work and a ramping up of industrial activities, encouraging business results in the country are providing confidence to global players. Such encouragement was recently recorded during the month of April at SFH, FPT Industrial’s joint venture in Chongqing, China.
Following several weeks of shutdown due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in late January, the plant resumed production in early February with extensive measures in place to ensure the health and safety of all employees. Following a carefully designed plan, it restarted at reduced capacity, gradually returning to full operation. Thanks to increased demand in China’s heavy truck market, SFH recorded a new, all-time high monthly production record for Cursor engines in April. It marked a 6% increase compared to the previous record achieved in 2018 when the heavy truck industry in China was at an unprecedented volume peak. As a leading engine supplier for commercial vehicle manufacturers, SFH counts four cylinders and head production lines and two assembly production lines. Among them, the cylinder and head production lines are equipped with 40 large-scale processors. The plant is operating 24
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hours with extra shifts so as to guarantee supply for its customers, including SIH, parent Company CNH Industrial’s joint venture for heavy trucks in Chongqing, to meet the surging demand of the market which had been impacted due to the lockdown in force. Founded in 2007 by FPT Industrial in partnership with SAIC Motor and Chongqing Machine Equipment, SFH is one of the largest engine manufacturers in China and a pioneer in advanced low-emissions industrial engines. With some 700 employees, the joint venture manufactures the Cursor engine ranges for heavy-duty commercial vehicles and construction equipment for on- and off-road use - as well as power generation and marine applications at its Chongqing facility. The plant exports part of its production to markets around the world, and produces engines which Stage V and Euro VI emissions regulations for the North American and European markets respectively. www.fptindustrial.com MORE INFORMATION 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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H VA C
CARRIER AQUAFORCE® FIXED-SPEED AIR-COOLED SCREW LIQUID CHILLER IS NOW AVAILABLE WITH PURETEC™ HFO REFRIGERANT
AquaForce® 30XBP-ZE
Carrier is pleased to announce the AquaForce® 30XB/P-ZE range is now available with HFO R-1234ze, a very low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerant and part of the Carrier PUREtec™ family of longterm refrigerant solutions.
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he range covers cooling capacities from 200 kW up to 1200 kW and has a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating of up to 4.52 and a seasonal energy performance ratio (SEPR) of up to 6.19. Carrier, a world leader in high-technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions, is a part of Carrier, a leading global provider of innovative heating, ventilating and airconditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies.
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Only a few months after the launch of the AquaForce® Vision with PUREtec refrigerant (30KAV/P-ZE), Carrier continues to expand its PUREtec family through the launch of the 30XB/P-ZE range using the refrigerant. Carrier has selected the HFO R-1234ze with a GWP of fewer than one in order to anticipate the European F-Gas regulation HFC phase-down and to offer long-term peace-of-mind to customers.
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The 30XB/P-ZE range is not only environmentally responsible but also offers reliability through Carrier’s tried and trusted technologies. The AquaForce® range is equipped with Carrier 06T twin screw compressors and fully aluminum Novation® micro-channel heat exchangers with Super Enviro-shield coatings to deliver guaranteed longterm optimised performance. “Beyond Carrier’s commitment to environmental responsibility, the 30XB/P-ZE also embodies its industrial expertise,” said Quentin Garcia San Mateo, product manager, Carrier. “The unit offers specific industrial features with an optimised compressor and dedicated options in order to perfectly meet industry expectations.” www.carrier.com
I N T R A LO G I S T I C S
CAST SWISS LIGHT CONSULTING AND VERLINDE ANNOUNCE THEIR PARTNERSHIP IN SWITZERLAND
Cast Swiss Light Consulting specializes in the distribution of equipment for the theatre, television, conferences and professional events in Switzerland.
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t offers advice, arranges project studies, sells and installs lifting structures, lighting and control systems. Cast is the exclusive distributor for some fifteen brands which share the aim, according to Mr Silvio Cibien, the company’s founder, “of proposing quality products with true value-added”. This was the incentive for the distribution partnership with Verlinde whose range of Stagemaker scenographic lifting and handling equipment is acknowledged for its quality and reliability.
Mr Cibien points out. “Our partnership with Verlinde highlights our ongoing concern over the last thirty-four years of seeking the best products for our customers. Our awareness of the reputation of Verlinde’s equipment does not date from today and we are delighted to have this opportunity of working together.” www.verlinde.com
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Mr Michael Ghesquière, sales engineer at Verlinde, explains: “The Verlinde brand is widely known in Switzerland, especially for its range of industrial handling products. Our Stagemaker range used essentially for scenographic equipment is in the early stages of distribution and for us the Swiss market is a great opportunity. Cast’s experience and know-how in the field will be of great help for our expansion in the country.”
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SEEQ EXPANDS SUPPORT FOR OIL & GAS INDUSTRY WITH WITSML AND CYGNET CONNECTORS
Seeq’s expanded support for oil & gas industry data storage systems enables advanced analytics and faster data-based decision making in the current challenging environment.
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eeq Corporation, a leader in manufacturing and industrial Internet of things (IIoT) advanced analytics software, announces availability of Seeq connectors to CygNet enterprise SCADA and WITSML data storage systems. Seeq’s comprehensive set of applications for analyse process manufacturing data include Workbench for easy to use advanced analytics, Organizer for publishing insights in reports and dashboards, and Data Lab for accessing Python libraries. Seeq applications empower engineers and subject
matter experts to rapidly investigate, collaborate, and share insights to improve operations and business outcomes. According to CygNet, their SCADA platform is designed specifically for the oil & gas industry, provides a quick launch that collapses deployment time, saves millions of dollars in implementation costs, reduces IT project risk, and delivers the industry’s fastest time to value. Customers using Seeq together with CygNet will be able to achieve faster insights with predictive, diagnostic, and descriptive analytics.
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Wellsite Information Transfer Markup Language (WITSML) is an industry initiative to provide open, non-proprietary standard interfaces for data transmission from rig sites to the offices of operators, oilfield service companies, and integrators. It is also used to share information among partners, vendors, and government agencies. “Seeq connectivity to these oil & gas industry data sources will help companies tap advanced analytics for data-based decision making at a critical time in the industry,” says Will Knight, Global Lead for Seeq Partner Programs. “The need for innovation is tremendous, so we appreciate the efforts 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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of our system integrator partners, such as TIGA, to assist customers in unlocking the value in their data.” TIGA, based in Houston, Texas, is a system integrator with a deep understanding of the specific challenges of oil & gas customers seeking insights in untapped silos of data. “We help our clients use CygNet and Seeq to capitalize on their data to drive innovation, transformation and cost savings in their organisations,” says John Miller, President of TIGA. “Furthermore, the WITSML connector will enable access to the operational data landscape, driving value and savings for our clients.”
All of the browser-based Seeq applications—Organizer, Workbench, and Data Lab—connect to a shared Seeq server to enable collaboration, access connected data sources, and enable administrative control. For example, graphics created in Data Lab may be viewed in Organizer Topics, data
“Seeq continues to release compelling analytics solutions for customers in process manufacturing and Industry 4.0 engagements,” comments Janice Abel, Principal Analyst at ARC Advisory Group. “The need for the faster and better insights provided by Seeq is a consistent requirement for customers investing in IIoT and Smart Manufacturing.” Seeq announced in December 2019, it had achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Industrial Software Competency status and that its advanced analytics solution was available in the AWS Marketplace. Seeq is also available as a software-asa-service (SaaS) application on Microsoft Azure and in the Azure Marketplace. In addition to AWS and Microsoft Azure support, Seeq partners with many process automation vendors to support on premise deployments by connecting to systems sold by OSIsoft, Siemens, GE, ABB, Honeywell, Inductive Automation, AVEVA, AspenTech, Schneider Electric, and others.
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The opportunity for operators using Seeq with WITSML systems is extending the value initially gained from initiatives to aggregate and visualize data well. Seeq support for WITSML empowers end users by overcoming the lack of time and tools for engineers to complete more advanced investigation and analytics initiatives. Process engineers and subject matter experts will now be able to analyse current and past drilling, completions and well intervention campaigns, for example to perform root cause analysis on equipment failure and optimise performance.
modeled in Workbench may be accessed by Data Lab users, and Data Lab algorithm results are available for use in the other Seeq applications.
www.seeq.com
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IT
DATA CENTRES MUST PREPARE FOR SUMMER AS 2019 CONFIRMED AS HOTTEST EVER YEAR IN EUROPE
Data centre operators must prepare their facilities for the warm summer months by implementing the correct level of temperature control and power generation equipment, following confirmation that 2019 was Europe’s hottest ever year on record.
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s data centres continue to see an unprecedented increase in demand – due to more people working from home - added pressure is being placed on critical infrastructure within facilities, according to leading temporary solution provider Aggreko. However, the forthcoming rise in temperature – as seen across Europe during the Easter weekend – must also not be overlooked when it comes to protecting equipment in data centres and preventing downtime during critical periods.
In order to prepare for the summer temperatures, data centres must ensure that they have a robust HVAC and electrical infrastructure to cope with the additional demand, if they haven’t already. The message from Aggreko is that while many companies believe they have a contingency plan in place, quite often this is not regularly updated and therefore may pose further risk in the event of an emergency. Any recent change to personnel or building extension, for example, could jeopardise any existing plan in place.
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Temporary solutions offer an opportunity to alleviate any potential issues that a data centre may encounter for the exact duration it is required. Saving large amounts of capital cost for building, operating and maintaining permanent supplementary critical infrastructure, data centre operators can take advantage of a cost-effective alternative for the summer months. “We have seen huge increases in data centre usage over the recent months, as more people work from home and stream media in their homes, and organisations in all industries are working with crucial data for their important work,” says Nick Osborne, Data center Specialist at Aggreko. “This high 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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demand is likely to continue and, with temperatures already on the rise and set to continue to do so, we want to make sure data centre operators globally have prepared their facility as we approach the summer. “At Aggreko, we already work with many data centres across the globe to ensure they have plans in place to mitigate the changing weather and that suitable temporary equipment is in place to alleviate it,” he adds. “Whether it is cooling systems in place to supplement the existing infrastructure for the summer months, or generators to make sure there is enough power to ensure the facility doesn’t reach its limit, we can provide the exact level of equipment for the time that a data centre needs it, making sure there is no downtime in this critical time.” Working closely with data centre operators and providers, Aggreko’s global data centre team can offer expertise as well as equipment to ensure that there are effective and safe plans in place to ensure hot weather does not cause outages and costly downtime. MORE INFORMATION
www.aggreko.com
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IT
ST. JOSEPH-STIFT HOSPITAL IN DRESDEN RELIES ON NETWORKED SOLUTIONS THAT SECURE THE BUILDING ENVELOPE, BUT ALSO MUCH MORE
St. Joseph-Stift hospital
From isoled solution to Multi-services platform.
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n its efforts to provide more security against unauthorized access and improved monitoring and control, the technical services department of the St. Joseph-Stift hospital in Dresden relies on the proven technology of the BMS manufacturer PcVue and the door and window specialist GEZE. Over time the originally isolated PcVue solution becomes an all-purpose tool.
In the 2019 major hospital rating of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (Frankfurt general newspaper, FAZ), the St. Joseph-Stift in Dresden came top six in the category “150 to under 300 beds”: The patients surveyed were not only above average satisfied with the medical and nursing care, but the hospital also received top marks for the organisation of procedures and service. The hospital, which currently has 250 beds, treats around 35,000 patients a year. In order that the nursing and medical staff can concentrate fully on the patients, the hospital operator also regularly invests in the technical infrastructure. The new comprehensive control technology solution from PcVue and GEZE is an example.
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In the origin the visualization and control function of an existing intercom system was used for the building’s door and lock automation. Due to further requirements, especially with regard to scheduling and standardization of the data exchange with a heterogeneous field layer, the need for a comprehensive monitoring and control solution became apparent. This solution exists in the form of PcVue 12.0, which connects doors and locks from different manufacturers via the OPC, ICX and BACnet communication protocols. That generates a powerful abstraction layer, at instant. A particularly elegant 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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NEWS
solution is the connection of GEZE door systems via BACnet/ IP, as the PcVue software includes a dedicated library with symbols and function blocks for various GEZE module types. Thanks to this simple integration, the connection can be carried out independently by the technicians on site. PcVue enables the implementation of complex, buildingspecific logic, which is necessary due to the existing building topology. Sequential control and flexible networking options are of fundamental importance in such scenarios. The same applies to the special purpose emergency switch in the emergency room. In the event of structural changes, it must be possible to convert escape routes at any time. Thanks to the use of a PcVue developer license, as well as the intuitive configuration interface of the PcVue software and the intensive on-site training, it is possible for technical staff to reconfigure the system at any time.
His own department also benefits from the system’s versatile functionality. Thanks to the 100% Wi-Fi coverage within the building area, which has been in place since 2019, technical staff have access to the PcVue Web visualization (WebVue) via notebook and tablet anywhere and at any time, which is a decisive advantage for mobile maintenance workers. An additional screen is available in the technical area, which also serves as an alarm monitor for the on-call service. A uniform architecture and extensive networking possibilities Torsten Klotzsche’s vision of “achieving intelligent control of neuralgic information and control points with manageable investments” is fulfilled by the solution in that the four main buildings and four annexes of the facility can be supervised with a simple yet flexible, future-proof architecture. The control system consists of a PcVue server station for up to 65,000 data points, five Web clients and a development and test station. All stations are networked with each other, so that new project versions can be created, deployed and distributed at any time. This happens almost in real time, as PcVue projects do not have to be compiled before deployment. Data and control commands are currently exchanged via several different communication protocols, including BACnet, OPC, Modbus, KNX and ICX. Also integrated into the project’s Web interface is the
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A multitude of benefits for various user roles Users of the system include medical and administrative staff. Using Web-based thin clients on 32” flat screens at the gate and in the emergency room staff can always keep an eye on the status of the building’s lock status. At off-peak times, the medical staff in the emergency room and receptionists are authorized to acknowledge certain alarms autonomously. Torsten Klotzsche, head of the building’s technical services department, describes the requirements for the system as follows, among other things “The aim is to […] facilitate the
daily work of the operating departments”. Above all, this could be achieved by relieving certain functional areas.
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NEWS
WebScheduler, the user interface for managing PcVue’s native schedules and BACnet schedule objects. By now PcVue even monitors status messages from the intercom system by using the ICX protocol. Connecting the doors brings more transparency, comfort and safety Locking the doors in the evening once forgotten is a thing of the past. Thus, for example, unwanted visitors remain outside, which could cause a lot of damage in such a property. Instead, the doors are now automatically locked by the system after a certain time using sophisticated scheduling. The controlled admission of persons is easily possible at any time.
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Other functions that have changed as part of the integration are: - Temporarily putting indoor doors into “permanently open” state; reducing the door cycles (movement of the door) - Connecting the weather station; enabling the doors to be opened and closed accordingly (e.g. in strong winds) or to switch into automatic mode.
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The first GEZE doors are now connected to the PcVue system thanks to the simple integration. This creates more transparency, offers more comfort and above all makes the building safer. Thanks to that technology, the conversion measures were changed while the building was still in operation without affecting the regular operation of the building. It was possible for the technical team on site to create an intelligent door control system with manageable investments. In the first stage of the expansion, three-door control units, three sluice systems, a revolving door and several other automatic doors were activated. This also relieves the staff, doors no longer must be locked manually, unexpected visitors have no access and the technician on site has an easier time managing the building. During the next round of door maintenance, a check is made to see which door systems can be connected to the PcVue system with little effort to use BACnet. This simplifies to connect the subsystem “doors” step by step. Further system expansion After the planned handover of the control system to the IT department of the hospital and the associated virtualization of the system, the connection of further GEZE automatic doors, the integration of blind controls, as well as critical and non-critical power supply lighting over KNX into the system are planned for the near future. The incorporation of remote branch offices via the IOT protocol LoRa, as well as the integration of video surveillance systems in PcVue, also play a role in the considerations of the technical team.
NEWS
Schematic representation of the door lock subsystem.
Furthermore, a new part of the building is planned, where the entrance door will also be connected via BACnet. All this is easy to implement with the versatile PcVue solution. The technicians on site therefore now have a true all-purpose tool at their disposal. www.pcvuesolutions.com
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MEASUREMENT
ARLA FOODS ANALYSES ENERGY CONSUMPTION USING FLOW SENSORS
Production location of Arla Foods in Falkenberg (Sweden).
Baumer FlexFlow® convinces with simple installation and efficient monitoring of the flow velocity and temperature of the medium.
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airy cooperative Arla Foods has, for the first time, created transparency over the energy consumed in cottage cheese production at its Falkenberg location. This involves the use of the Baumer Flex-Flow® sensor, which is able to measure the temperature of the medium as well as the flow rate. This cost reductions this could achieve in the future quickly made this a worthwhile investment.
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At its Falkenberg location, dairy cooperative Arla Foods produces 20,000 tonnes of cottage cheese every year equivalent to 76.9 tons per day. An impressive quantity indeed. Arla Foods satisfies almost the entire cottage cheese demand on the Swedish market and also exports to Finland, Denmark and Greece. Production volumes of this magnitude call for a resource-efficient manufacturing process, and Arla Foods is a forerunner when it comes to sustainability: the dairy cooperative intends to bemaking its products completely CO2-neutral by 2050. A key element of this journey: energy efficiency. Mattias Abrahamsson, Production System Manager at Arla Falkenberg, reports: “In recent years, we have placed an increasingly strong focus on monitoring the energy consumption of our plants. In certain areas, however, we simply didn’t know where exactly 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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the energy was being used.” FlexFlow®, the calorimetric flow sensor from the Swiss sensor experts at Baumer achieved the breakthrough: Arla installed these sensors at the neuralgic points in the cooling and heating system and used the measurement results to obtain, for the first time, a clear image of the energy consumption. So the dairy producer can now derive concrete measures for reducing energy consumption. Clear solutions based on long-term collaboration Cooling and heating – these were the tricky points in the energy consumption for Arla Foods in Falkenberg. Because of its commitment to sustainability, the food manufacturer had already made a great effort to reduce the energy balance when the plant was designed. It uses to the greatest possible extent, for example, the low external temperatures of the Swedish climate to achieve a cooling temperature of 0.5 degrees Celsius for the cooling circuit, which cools the produced cheese from 60 to 30 degrees Celsius. Yet energy losses that Arla had been unable to localize for some time occurred here as well. “The potentials of the FlexFlow® sensor,” explained Mattias Abrahamsson, “caught our attention as soon as we heard about them. This sounded
exactly like what we had been looking for.”“Baumer has been collaborating with Arla Foods for many years,” reports Martin Leupold, Product Manager for process sensors at Baumer. “Our partnership dates back to the 1990s.” The cooperation has seen the development of a new process connection for milk production called Baumer Hygienic Connection, and this has effectively optimised the cleaning times. The temperature sensors from the CombiSeries product range were also created under the close collaboration between Arla and the Baumer Development Center in Aarhus in Denmark. “This close collaboration is allowing us to get to know our customers’ pain points,” explains Martin Leupold. “And we can use that knowledge to develop or suggest products that actually optimise their processes in a sustainable manner.” To solve the problem of monitoring energy consumption, the choice fell to the FlexFlow® sensor because it could easily be integrated into the existing plant and is able to measure both flow and temperature.
The FlexFlow® also meets the requirements for protection class IP 68 (Baumer proTect+), making this sensor, together with the materials used, the perfect solution for hygienic applications. One exceptional feature is its maximum temperature range to 150 degrees Celsius, which also qualifies it for SterilizationIn-Process (SIP) tasks. Arla has already installed around 15 of these flow sensors in the cooling circuit and heating system. The plan is now to also integrate these sensors into the CIP return line to monitor and optimise the energy consumption there as well. Mattias Abrahamsson is extremely satisfied: “This has proven to be a cost-efficient solution. And because the sensors installed so far are reliably returning the results we need, we will now install more and more of them.” Martin Leupold is also pleased: “This solution is allowing Arla, our long-term partner, to systematically optimise its energy consumption, save resources and deliver on its sustainability promises. We, at Baumer, are working on these very solutions.”
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Simple to install and impressive features The simple installation of the FlexFlow® sensor is down to the symmetrical and centered design with one sensor element ahead of the sensor tip, which allows the sensor to be optimally installed in the process regardless of installation position and orientation. “We want our portfolio to make commissioning as easy as it can be for our customers,” says Martin Leupold. “This allows them to spend their precious time on what actually needs to be done.”The flow sensor has a robust stainless steel housing that accommodates all the
electronics, so there’s no need for complex wiring or control cabinet installation.
www.baumer.com/flexflow www.baumer.com/dairy
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MEASUREMENT
ANALYSING ELECTRICAL POWER QUALITY SIMPLY AND RELIABLY - IN CERTIFIED POWER QUALITY ANALYSIS, NEW FEATURES PAY OFF
LINAXÂ PQ5000-MOBILE in application with a tablet and no extra software (integrated Web browser). Operation with the single control key is efficient as well.
Even in the time of COVID-19, Camille Bauer Metrawatt is determined to continue with enhancements and innovations in response to conclusive market feedback and international trends. The issue of power quality is becoming increasingly important, particularly to ensure security of supply in the areas of power generation, power distribution and electricity consumption. By providing the appropriate measurement technology, Camille Bauer Metrawatt contributes to maintaining and continuously improving the security of supply.
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Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Especially when making power quality measurements with a portable device, it is not uncommon for the supply voltage to be briefly interrupted. This often occurs for trivial reasons which, however, can influence measurement results significantly. For example, the power plug might fall out of the socket or be unplugged by mistake. If this happens during an EN50160-compliant measurement campaign for example, which normally lasts 7 days, the measurement result may contain gaps. For this reason, the newly integrated UPS in the LINAXÂ PQ5000-MOBILE can easily outlast a power cut of 5 x 3 minutes. So, if there is a power failure, it provides enough time to reconnect the power plug to the socket while the measuring device continues to record without interruption. And the battery life is approx. 3-5 years. So now, all LINAX PQ series power quality analysers can be optionally equipped with a UPS.
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Remote access via secure connection We increasingly find in applications that measurements made with portable devices are also being made as part of a remote process. This entails not only having a qualified person on site to carry out the measurement on the electrical installation but also someone else, who may be located somewhere quite different, starts and ends the measurement series and saves the measurement data via Internet somewhere in the world. And so, this poses the question of how to implement this type of application securely. To support this, Camille Bauer Metrawatt has introduced secure gateway access with a SIM card. This enables measurements to be carried out remotely at any time and from anywhere through the VPN tunnel. In addition, realtime data, for example from the event recorder, energy flow data, interim reports, alarms, etc., can be safely viewed at any time, thus leading to early detection of mains power quality.
The Web-based user interface on all Camille Bauer Metrawatt devices has a uniform structure. This allows the user to carry out different applications in the simplest possible way using a single operating interface.
In addition, the compliance reports, for example according to EN50160, can be generated without external software. Last but not least, the measurement data can be easily backed up to another location using the VPN connection. Programmable event recording duration In addition to the existing standards, customers are increasingly requesting individual parameters and results for evaluating and analysing power quality data. This has led Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG to introduce several new functions. The time-based monitoring of the statistical conformity assessment, for example according to EN50160, IEC610002-2, GB/T, IEEE519, customer-specific protocols, etc., can now be parametrized down to 10-minute periods. This also allows short-term monitoring of the power quality based on existing standards.
All the above-mentioned properties can be entered easily in a user-friendly manner directly on the display of the LINAX PQ device (if display is available). It is even easier to do this directly in the integrated Web browser using a PC, laptop,
IT security through specific protective measures New protection mechanisms have been introduced to reduce threats such as data theft, data manipulation and misuse. These include role-based access rights which prevent unwanted access to various functions, views and data. Consequently, users only receive the rights need-ed to perform their specific activities. The “Audit Log” function logs additional security-relevant processes and stores them securely on a system logger. Furthermore, the Syslog protocol can be used to transfer the contents of the audit log to a central server for network monitoring. The access authorization can also be restricted to up to 10 computers with access rights. The Web-based device access can also take place via an https channel. Here, messages are encrypted and decrypted with the help of a certificate. The certificate is provided by Camille Bauer Metrawatt or alternatively a customer certificate can be used. Taken together, these specific protective measures guarantee a high degree of security and while still ensuring the greatest possible variability in the applications.
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To make events even more readable, in future users will be able to configure the output graphics with reference to a programmable recording period. This includes the RMS values ½ ≤1s before and ≤180s after the triggering of a PQ event. In addition, the sample values of ≤1s before and ≤5s after triggering can be parametrized. The events can then be zoomed directly in the Web browser and allow the relevant values to be read even better in a higher resolution.
tablet or smartphone. And all this without the need for complex and costly additional software.
www.camillebauer.com
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MEDICAL
LOCKING INTO THE FUTURE: ELECTRONIC ACCESS FOR MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
Enhance Security, Reduce Infection.
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he need for physical security in the healthcare industry is no longer limited to grounds, building and room access. Today, security must extend down to medical devices such as dispensing carts and new portable diagnostic equipment. For a lot of health-care facility owners and operators, monitoring security and usability at the device level can be a challenge, and they are looking to the manufacturers of these devices for solutions. To meet this growing need for more security in medical applications, manufacturers must build equipment, such as medical carts, by employing access control systems that meet regulatory requirements and can be networked with the facility’s larger security infrastructure to ensure a safe and intuitive end user operation.
Health Care Meets the Digital Age The conversion of medical records to an electronic format is making it easier to share and access data among the healthcare network. However, as advised by the Health Information Portability and Accounting Act (HIPAA) and EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), patient data must be kept secure and protected from data breaches, adding a level of security concerns for both equipment manufacturers and facility operators. While this new technology was designed to help streamline work processes for medical personnel, it has also moved equipment out into areas that are more accessible to nonemployees, such as the patient bedside and facility corridor. This means that supplies, drugs and other controlled substances may be more vulnerable to theft or human error.
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Unfortunately, many facility operators have been saddled with 20th-century security to protect 21st century equipment. Managing mechanical keys can be complicated, inconvenient and costly. Removing Physical Keys Physical keys need to be carefully managed to ensure they are in the hands of authorized personnel only. These keys 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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must be retrieved and reassigned when employees change shifts or are no longer employed by the institution. With some facilities reporting key loss as a major contributor to procedure disruption, failure to manage keys can create an unwelcome challenge. The use of physical keys also presents a risk to the spread of infection, with multiple staff sharing the same key. By replacing traditional key locks with electromechanical locks and latches (EMLs) access to medical equipment can be easily modernized to meet evolving security and safety needs. Solutions for Physical Security and Monitoring EMLs allow medical equipment manufacturers to build intelligent security into their products. When used as part of an electronic access system (EAS), an electronic lock creates an electronic signature that can provide user authentication, audit trail and reporting capabilities, simplifying security administration and eliminating opportunities for physical security breaches.
An electronic rotary latch, for example, is a compact latch which is mounted inside the equipment, using minimal interior space and allowing a clean exterior appearance that protects it from vandalism. Electronic rotary latches can be easily wired directly to a wide variety of accesscontrol devices, from standalone keypads to networked RFID proximity readers and biometric readers for a complete remotely managed access system. Best Practices for EML Selection When designing physical security into medical enclosures, manufacturers must anticipate the need for modern methods of access control and incorporate new technology, while still providing a solution that is cost-effective and meets the requirements of the changing healthcare landscape. Incorporating appropriate electromechanical locks into medical enclosure design is key to delivering an end product that delivers convenience, usability and above all, security.
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Each time an EML equipped enclosure opens or closes, a signal is sent to a monitoring system to confirm and log access. Depending on the configuration, EAS reporting can provide more than just simple open/closed information – such as which credential activated the EML and the time and duration of the event.
Using an EML with all or part of an existing security system is a cost-effective choice for the healthcare institution considering new or retrofitting existing equipment, as it provides the operator with real-time monitoring, an audit trail of all access activity and the removal of the physical key.
https://southco.com
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S M A R T FA C TO R Y
A VISION SYSTEM ENABLING NEW INLINE FACTORY INSPECTIONS
Intelligence included: The smart new camera In-Sight D900 comes with a new set of functions in a compact design. A range of options allow for the perfect adaptation to the individual application.
Cognex introduces the world’s first industrial smart camera powered by Deep Learning software. This combination expands the possibilities of what can be successfully and precisely inspected in factory automation.
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eep Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are among the buzzwords not only in the manufacturing industry but also in many other fields. Deep Learning, a type of AI that leverages neural networks can be easily explained: Similar to how humans learn what a house is from a large number of examples, so too can a deep learning system comes to understand the nature of an object from labeled images. Whether a car’s bumper, a package’s envelope, or something else, deep learning is an examples-based approach to solving inspection challenges. Furthermore, each inspection can be continually improved by feeding the existing algorithm with more example image data. This new data enhances the system leading to more accurate results.
Expanding the limits of automated inspection Whether this is real intelligence or not, might be discussed by experts. From a practical point of view, the benefits for manufacturers are obvious and multiple. Manufacturers still rely on human inspectors throughout the production process because traditional machine vision systems cannot handle the complexity or variability within certain tasks. But humans can be prone to inconsistent results from one human to the next, or they can tire over the course of an eight-hour shift. Additionally, there are many aspects throughout production that still go uninspected from one reason or another. Both of these realities open manufacturers up to quality control issues or the chances for recalls.
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A vision system with integrated artificial intelligence, for example, is able to combine the judgement of a human inspector with the robustness and consistency of an automated solution for inspection or quality control. This is exactly the main advantage of the new In-Sight D900 vision system from Cognex.
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The intuitive In-Sight spreadsheet interface enables the use of Deep Learning functions without PC and programming.
As a first-of-its kind solution, it embeds Cognex’s deep learning software, known as In-Sight ViDi, inside an industrial-grade smart camera. This combination expands the possibilities of inline factory automation inspections. Hardware: State-of-the art flexibility The In-Sight D900 hardware is a compact, industry-grade smart camera that can easily be installed and deployed on the line without the need for a PC. The highly modular, IP67-rated vision system includes field-changeable lighting, lenses, filters and covers that can be customised to match the individual application requirements. The High Dynamic Range (HDR+) imaging creates evenly exposed images, an LED indicator allows pass/fail to monitor at a distance, and the inspection results can be stored locally on an SD card. The embedded inference engine was added to specifically run deep learning applications. While the hardware is amongst the most advanced for Cognex, it’s this ability of the In-Sight D900 to run a new class of deep learning-based applications that make it noteworthy.
These new deep learning-based inspection tools help factory automation customers easily solve applications that are too time-consuming or complex to deploy with traditional, rule-based machine vision tools. For all three application tools, users can take advantage of the intuitive In-Sight spreadsheet interface allowing for a fast setup of Deep Learning applications without programming. The In-Sight spreadsheet simplifies application development and streamlines factory integration with a full I/O and communications function set. It also enables the ability to combine traditional Cognex rules-based vision tools (like PatMax Redline) and Deep Learning tools in the same job, leading to quicker deployments. Since In-Sight ViDi requires vastly smaller image sets and shorter training and validation periods than other deep learning solutions, applications are quick and easy to set up, teach, and deploy.
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Software makes the difference: Deep learning included with easy application development The In-Sight D900 works with the familiar and easy-to-use spreadsheet user interface which simplifies application development and factory integration. Application engineers have access to the full suite of traditional machine vision tools, like PatMax, edge finders, and measurement tools.
But, with the In-Sight ViDi, the D900 consists of three deep learning tools which all aim at specific and widespread applications: ViDi Read, ViDi Check and ViDi Detect.
ViDi Read: Complex OCR With the In-Sight ViDi Read tool, the user is able to solve challenging OCR applications in minutes. This module deciphers badly deformed, skewed, and poorly etched codes using optical character recognition. 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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The In-Sight ViDi Detect tool allows for analyse complex defect detection tasks. The ViDi Check tool was designed for a fast and accurate assembly verification.
With the In-Sight ViDi Read tool, the user is able to solve challenging OCR applications in next to no time.
This tool works right out of the box, dramatically reducing development time, thanks to the deep learning pretrained font library. The user simply defines the region of interest and sets the character size. In situations where new characters are introduced, this robust tool can be retrained to read application-specific characters that traditional OCR tools are not able to decode. In comparison to conventional vision systems without Deep Learning, this feature offers obvious advantages. ViDi Check: Verifying assemblies and part location The ViDi Check tool on the In-Sight D900 allows manufacturers to perform fast and accurate assembly verification.
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The system is able to detect complex features and objects. It verifies whether parts and kits are assembled correctly based on their location within a user-defined layout. The tool can be trained to create an extensive library of components, which can be located in the image even if they appear at different angles or vary in size. ViDi Detect: Find defects and other unwanted variations A third tool called ViDi Detect was designed for analyse complex defect detection tasks.
It is able to learn from images of good parts in order to identify defective parts. In-Sight ViDi Detect is ideal for finding anomalies on complex parts and surfaces, even in situations where defects can be unpredictable in their appearance. Summary: A new paradigm for high-quality vision inspections The integration of the In-Sight ViDi deep learning based vision software on a smart camera helps factory automation customers easily solve challenging OCR, assembly verification, and defect detection applications that are often too difficult to deploy with traditional, rule-based machine vision tools and require reliable, fast and consistent results not possible with human inspection. With the introduction of this system, Cognex addresses three application fields: optical character recognition (OCR), assembly verification and defect detection. Others might (and will) follow, but these three alone open up a wide range of possible tasks that the new system can tackle successfully and with more precision than a conventional vision system. With respect to the markets, the In-Sight D900 can be used across a range of industries including automotive, consumer electronics, consumer products, packaging, food and beverage, medical devices, and logistics. www.cognex.com
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PUMPS
POWERFUL IN THE UK AND IRELAND: WANGEN PUMPEN FURTHER EXPANDS ITS NETWORK OF INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS
The companies DPS and Pedrollo Distribution Ltd. expand the portfolio of sales partners of Pumpenfabrik Wangen GmbH. “We are pleased to welcome those new distributors who complement the worldwide sales network of Pumpenfabrik Wangen GmbH and enable us to continue to grow in new segments and new regions. We are convinced that these strong and established partners will represent us excellently in the respective countries,” says Markus Hofheinz, CEO at WANGEN PUMPEN.
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PS Group for Ireland and the UK: Represented by the subsidiaries Drilling and Pump Supplies Ltd. (DPS) in Ireland and Northern Ireland and Pedrollo Distribution Ltd. in England and Wales. Together with its subsidiaries, EPS is strong in the fresh and wastewater sector, builds and operates many wastewater treatment plants and is currently significantly expanding its activities in the anaerobic digestion, general industry and food sectors.
WANGEN PUMPEN offers an overview of all distribution partners worldwide on its website. MORE INFORMATION
“Our new distributors will provide our customers with exceptional technical know-how and excellent customer service while increasing the global reach of WANGEN’s innovative product portfolio,” says John Booth, Sales Development Director at WANGEN PUMPEN
Persuasive quality and versatility Progressing cavity pumps, twin screw pumps and modules developed and produced by WANGEN PUMPEN enjoy global repute, thanks to their systematic alignment to market and customer demands. WANGEN PUMPEN wants companies to obtain the most efficient pump solution for the right application, a process that starts with development and continues through construction, production, advice and sales to service.
www.wangen.com/en/distribution-partners
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S M A R T FA C TO R Y
2D-CODE READERS GET AUTOMATION ROLLING
Automated conveyor application at Tyre-Line from assembly identification to tire inflation.
Autarky Automation is one of the leading British developers and manufacturers of automation and conveyor systems. To meet the demanding requirements on an automated tire system, Autarky opted for the latest 2D-code readers from Leuze.
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large part of what Autarky Automation offers is in the area of modular conveyor technology. Here, Autarky offers a wide range of standardised components and accessories. The company thereby contributes to minimise project planning times and assembly costs. A good example of this is the project for Tyre-Line: Since 1984 the company has been supplying the industry with wheel and tire assemblies – from wheelbarrows to high-performance sports cars.
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The task: conveyor system for tire inflation For a long time, the tire line at Tyre-Line operated with a simple tire inflation device for standard steel wheel sets. The tires for high-end alloy wheels were inflated manually. Due to increasing growth in orders, a Hofmann tire filling machine was purchased that could handle the complete range of wheel and tire assemblies. The entire process of storing and retrieving assemblies in the machine was now to be automated. Autarky won the tender to produce a suitable conveyor system and relied on Leuze. 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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The challenge: tires are round Attached to each wheel and tire assembly at Tyre-Line is a slightly adhesive bar code label. It would have been too complicated for Tyre-Line to affix the label at exactly the same location on each assembly. Autarky was therefore charged with developing a solution that could reliably read the bar code. And could do so at any location and at any position over the entire width of the conveyor belt. “A round object that always looks the same independent of its position is a true challenge for a code reader.” “Proper identification of the assemblies was, however, of decisive importance for the success of the line: the detection of the bar code information needed to tell the Hofmann machine which assembly is approaching and, thus, what air pressure is necessary. That’s why it was so important to select the best possible code reader for this task,” explains Brad North, managing director of Autarky. To solve this problem, Autarky turned to the Sensor People at Leuze.
The DCR 200i camera-based code reader from Leuze for the fast decoding of 1D-, stacked and 2D codes
In the stainless steel housing model with degree of protection IP69K/IP67, the DCR 200i can be cleaned without problems and even used in harsh environments.
The solution: the DCR 200i from Leuze After discussing the application with the Leuze experts, we selected the DCR 200i 2D-code reader,” explains North. Leuze, a leading manufacturer of bar code readers with more than 50 years of experience, developed this model especially for fast and omnidirectional reading of 1D- and 2D codes. “We mounted three devices on a strap arrangement at the optimum angle and height so that the bar code could be read at any position on the assembly and the conveyor belt.” “In combination with the existing PROFINET communication network, the DCR 200i 2D-code readers from Leuze detect data on the bar code. This is then passed on to the Hofmann machine.” Autarky had already used hundreds of standard bar code readers and photoelectric sensors from Leuze. “Our long-standing cooperation with Leuze and the good service made the decision easy for us,” says Brad North.
The code readers of the DCR 200i series are operated and configured using the graphical user interface of the integrated Leuze webConfig tool via an Ethernet interface. An external program is not required. The DCR 200i can be put into operation by the user in just three minutes using the configuration wizard. Moreover, the teach function is also a possibility. This is run using the two buttons on the control panel of the DCR 200i in combination with a smartphone app developed by Leuze for configuration. The result: greater throughput, higher accuracy “Today, a wheel and tire assembly passes through the inflation machine every seven seconds. In addition to the sheer speed, Tyre-Line also benefits from an increased inflation accuracy and repeatability. Because the automated system has eliminated any possibility for human error.” The conclusion drawn by Autarky Managing Director Brad North is entirely positive: “At Tyre-Line, the Leuze 2D-code readers now work daily from morning to evening and help the company achieve significantly higher throughputs rates.”
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The DCR 200i code reader: fast and reliable The DCR 200i camera-based code reader is used to detect and identify bar codes, stacked codes and Data Matrix codes. It is characterized above all by its very fast reading performance. The DCR 200i achieves speeds of up to 6 m/s. It reliably reads 1D- and 2D-codes omnidirectional. It plays no role here whether they are printed or directly marked, static or moving, inverted or mirrored. This is ensured by the fast imager, the integrated high-performance LED illumination, as well as the high resolution in combination with a very high depth of field.
The application: simple, intuitive and flexible Its compact design, its fastening concept and its simple handling means that the DCR 200i can be integrated easily and quickly in a wide range of different applications. This applies to its mechanical installation as well as its commissioning and configuration.
The automated conveyor application at Tyre-Line in a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktwEvZqprKM
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DYNEO+, THE NEW RANGE OF CONNECTED MOTORS WITH VERY HIGH EFFICIENCY LEVELS
Nidec Leroy-Somer announces Dyneo+, its new range of super premium efficiency permanent magnetassisted synchronous reluctance motors. Combining the performance of synchronous permanent magnet technology with the easy set-up of induction motors, the Dyneo+ motors have been designed to meet the most stringent requirements of industrial applications while offering them even more options using digitalization.
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ith 15 years of experience and over 3 gigawatts of installed base, Nidec Leroy-Somer is recognized as a leader in offering high energy efficiency synchronous motor and variable speed drive solutions. Drawing on its strong expertise, Nidec Leroy-Somer has developed Dyneo+, a new range of super premium efficiency permanent magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance motors which incorporate alone all the benefits of induction and synchronous permanent magnet technologies, and offer in addition significant advances in terms of smart drive solutions.
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Class leading energy efficiency With an energy efficiency level above IE5 reaching the highest efficiency levels of IEC 60034-30-2 and NEMA Super Premium/Ultra-Premium, Dyneo+ makes it possible to achieve substantial energy savings in real use on cycle at variable speed and load. As a consequence, the range achieves the lowest Total Cost of Ownership on the market. 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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The Dyneo+ synchronous motor range has been developed alongside the Nidec Leroy-Somer variable speed drives, Powerdrive F300 and the new Powerdrive MD Smart. Perfectly adapted to optimise the Dyneo+ motor performance, this last generation of high power speed drives is fitted with a new HMI and a secured Bluetooth connection to enrich the user experience and fully benefit from the features of the new Systemiz application. Fast and easy operation thanks to digitalization Dedicated to its Dyneo+ motors, Nidec Leroy-Somer has designed Systemiz, a unique interactive application which provides a wide variety of digitalized services, to facilitate the exchange of information between the systems and trigger the subsequent actions. In addition to instantaneous access to all the product literature, Systemiz enables direct access to motor parameters for easy and intuitive drive setting by simply scanning the QR code on the nameplate. Thanks to the new
fully configurable Powerdrive MD Smart Interface module, it is now possible to set up predictive maintenance with the help of customised alarm generation and innovative diagnostic tools. Interactive configuration and quick setup offer a considerable cost-saving, constituting a major advantage. Torque and speed performance Designed for variable speed, this new range delivers optimised overall operating performance for operation with or without position feedback. Offering accurate speed and torque control, the Dyneo+ drive and motor assembly guarantees constant torque over extended speed ranges, with no derating or forced ventilation. This is also an easy-to-implement solution, highly-effective for applications requiring high torque at high speed. High starting performance in sensorless mode avoid the need for an encoder.
Dyneo+ was designed to ensure fast installation, simple parameter setting and easy maintenance. Equipped with
High degree of adaptability Ranging from 11 to 430 kW for speeds up to 6000 rpm, Dyneo+ comprises two variants suitable for all kinds of configurations: - A version 100% interchangeable with a standard IEC motor that can be easily integrated in machines, applications or systems without any modification of the existing design. - An extremely compact version with one of the highest power-to-weight ratio on the market, to address any of space constraints and optimise energy consumption. In addition to the IP55 version with aluminium housing (LSHRM range) and the IP23 steel version (PLSHRM range), Dyneo+ now proposes a cast iron range (FLSHRM) ideally suited for aggressive environments or applications exposed to severe mechanical stresses. These advantages make Dyneo+ an extremely versatile range in full compliance with the requirements of markets in the industrial refrigeration, compression, pumping, ventilation, extrusion, grinding, etc. Dyneo+ adapts to process applications, combining energy imperatives and productivity needs.
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Reliability and simplicity Nidec Leroy-Somer has developed the Dyneo+ range based on the mechanical platform of its IMfinity® induction motors, known for their robustness and reliability. The use of proven components provides these new motors a great strength of design and an extended service life. Among others, these choices of construction include bearings adapted to variable speed applications and sized to withstand heavy loads on the shaft, winding with reinforced insulation, rare earth free rotor with low overheating and excellent thermal protection thanks to CTP and PT100 sensors fitted as standard.
a large terminal box for easier wiring, the motor can be assembled or dismantled as simply as an induction motor. Through the technology using rotor low losses, Dyneo+ reduces maintenance costs particularly in increasing greasing intervals.
www.leroy-somer.com
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INCREASED MARKET SHARE FOR INDUSTRIAL ETHERNET – FIELDBUS DECLINE CONTINUES AND WIRELESS STAYS STABLE
Market shares 2020 according to HMS Networks – fieldbus, industrial Ethernet and wireless.
Industrial network market shares 2020 according to HMS Networks.
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ndustrial network connectivity for devices and machines is key to achieve smart connected factories. HMS Networks annual study of the industrial network market shows that Industrial Ethernet increases its market share to 64% of new installed nodes (59% last year), while fieldbuses drop to 30% (35). The leading networks EtherNet/IP and PROFINET share first place at 17% each. Wireless technologies stay at a 6% market share.
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HMS Networks presents its annual analysis of the industrial network market, focusing on new installed nodes within factory automation globally. As an independent supplier of solutions for industrial communication and the Industrial Internet of Things, HMS has a substantial insight into the industrial network market. The 2020 study includes estimated market shares for fieldbuses, industrial Ethernet, and Wireless. Estimated growth rates are not included this year, the reason being the unique general market conditions due to the Coronavirus situation.
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Increased market share for industrial Ethernet, while fieldbuses continue to drop In the study, HMS concludes that Industrial Ethernet continues to take market share from fieldbuses. Industrial Ethernet now makes up for 64% of the global market of new installed nodes in Factory Automation (compared to 59% last year). EtherNet/IP and PROFINET share first place at 17% market share each. EtherCAT continues to perform well globally at 7%, and Modbus-TCP at 5% just passes Ethernet POWERLINK at 4%. Fieldbus market shares continue to drop HMS estimates a fieldbus decline to 30% of new installed nodes (compared to a 35% last year). PROFIBUS is still number one at 8%, for the first time accounting for less than 10% of the total industrial network market. Runners up are Modbus-RTU at 5%, followed by CC-Link at 4%. Reflections on the market shares for industrial Ethernet and fieldbuses “We expect the industrial network market to grow steadily during the coming years, but due to the unique Corona virus situation which is now affecting the general business
Anders Hansson, Chief Marketing Officer, HMS Industrial Networks.
conditions globally, we have chosen not to include growth numbers in our 2020 analysis, only market shares,” says Anders Hansson, Chief Marketing Officer at HMS Networks. “So, only focusing on market shares this year, we see that Industrial Ethernet continues to drive industrial connectivity in factories, headed by EtherNet/IP and PROFINET with EtherCAT in third place.”Hansson continues: “PROFIBUS is still the biggest fieldbus but has lost market share as the general decline for fieldbuses continues. Another interesting finding is that Modbus keeps doing well - both when it comes to fieldbus Modbus RTU as well as the Ethernet-based ModbusTCP, indicating that factories do not refrain from using wellworking technologies in their new installations just because they have been around for some time.”
www.hms-networks.com Scope: The study includes HMS’s estimation for 2020 based on the number of new installed nodes in 2019 within Factory Automation. A node is defined as a machine or device connected to an industrial network. The presented figures represent HMS’ consolidated view, considering insights from colleagues in the industry, our own sales statistics and overall perception of the market. MORE INFORMATION
Wireless stays stable, looking good for the future Wireless technologies keep a 6% market share, with WLAN still being the most popular technology, followed by Bluetooth. “Wireless keeps its market share on a growing market which is not bad, but we expect the Wireless share to increase over time,” says Anders Hansson. “With all ongoing activities globally about wireless cellular technologies (e.g. Private LTE/5G networks) as enablers for next-level smart manufacturing, market demand will increase for wirelessly connected devices and machines to be included in the less cabled and flexible automation architectures of the future.”
Regional network variations EtherNet/IP and PROFINET are leading in Europe and the Middle East with PROFIBUS and EtherCAT as runners up. Other popular networks are Modbus (RTU/TCP) and Ethernet POWERLINK. The US market is dominated by EtherNet/IP with EtherCAT gaining some market share. PROFINET and EtherNet/IP lead a fragmented Asian market, followed by PROFIBUS, EtherCAT, Modbus (RTU/TCP), and CC-Link/CCLink IE Field.
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INNODISK SUPPORTS HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY WITH CAPABLE MEDICAL-GRADE SOLUTIONS Innodisk meets growing healthcare industry demands with DRAM modules, flash storage devices, and embedded peripherals optimised for medical use.
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he ongoing global health crisis is putting enormous strains on healthcare providers around the world, and has sent the demand for medical-grade equipment skyrocketing. With organisations scrambling to procure the right components, Innodisk recently provided its technical and medical sector expertise for ventilator production in China, Europe and Brazil, and doubled-down on its support of innovation in global health. Solutions to Unique Challenges: Data Security, Endurance, ESD protection, and More Innodisk is proud to deliver solutions used in innovative and life-saving healthcare applications such as mechanical ventilators, ultrasound systems, medical all-in-one and panel PCs, nurses’ stations, and MRI machines. These medical applications put considerable demands on components that must be addressed in full by any products and solutions – making a focus on personal data security, reliability, stability, and longevity an absolute must.
Industry Prowess and Technical Aptitude Innodisk’s flash storage solutions deliver unwavering stability and exceptional endurance with SLC and iSLC storage solutions – combined with excellent security guaranteed by AES-256 encryption and TCG Opal-compliance. Further, Innodisk’s DRAM modules meet all performance and form factors requirements while also guaranteeing longevity with full legacy support for SDRAM, DDR1, and DDR2 DRAM – alongside the cutting-edge DDR3 and DDR4 series. Lastly, Innodisk’s embedded peripherals – for example, RAID cards, isolated serial cards, and USB 3.0 modules – come with features such as wide temperature design, electrostatic discharge protection (air 15 kV, contact 8 kV) and high potential isolation design (2.5 kV). Innodisk also provides extensive customisation to meet special requirements, for example by designing components that can withstand the extreme electromagnetic interference in medical imaging equipment.
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With medical-optimised solutions from across its DRAM, flash storage, and embedded peripherals product lines, Innodisk’s solutions tackle these medical sector challenges with healthcare industry expertise and state-of-the-art technologies. www.innodisk.com
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LEMO’S NEW HARPOON: PRESS-FIT CONTACTS FOR ELBOW AND STRAIGHT PCB SOCKETS
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EMO connector is well known for its Push-Pull connector. LEMO’s new harpoon earthing pins enable pre-installing easily various receptacles/socket. The advantage of these new press-fit contacts is the gain of time while doing the pre-assembly, no need to place the washers and screw 4 times the M1.6 screws. Simply align the connector and push firmly.
This pre-assembly will enable the assembly house or final customer to turn the PCB board upside down and run the parts through the reflow soldering oven. This solution is planned for elbow and straight PCB sockets of 0B & 1B series. The current design works specifically with 1.6mm thickness boards. www.lemo.com
MORE INFORMATION 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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COMPONENT CARRIER NOW REPLACING FLEXIBLE PCBS
Flexible circuit boards offer numerous advantages. However, the mechanical fixation of these circuit boards is highly complex. HARTING has developed a new solution based on 3D-MID technology that is capable of replacing flexible circuit boards. Thanks to component carriers, cost savings of up to two thirds can be achieved.
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t the MID process, on the injection molded part a customised layout is applied. At electronic assembly the components are mounted on the desired surface.
Flexible printed circuit boards made of thin polyimide films have established themselves in many product areas thanks to their application flexibility. Populating and assembling them, however, is decidedly more complex. This is where a newly developed component carrier from HARTING enters the picture.
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A standardised component carrier for electronic components By harnessing all this new HARTING development, electronic components can be fitted directly onto the component carrier, thereby replacing flexible circuit boards. The component carrier serves as a connecting element between the printed circuit board (PCB) and electronic components such as LEDs, ICs, photodiodes and sensors.
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Electronic components are mounted directly on the new component carrier in automated processes. The frequently complex processes involved in processing flexible circuit boards are dispensed with, thereby reducing costs by up to two thirds. The populated component carriers are delivered in tape & reel. In their standard design, the carriers can be processed in automatic assembly systems, just like other SMD electronic components. Two different sizes are currently available and can accommodate electronic components of standard size SOIC-8 and smaller. Moreover, HARTING can also produce the carriers in customer-specific sizes.
The smaller design of the component carrier is suitable for components of size SOT23 and smaller – with its dimensions of approximately 5x4x3mm.
The picture shows the flexibility of the component carrier. The sensor carrier is populated with electronic components on different surfaces.
Electronic components are mounted directly on the new component carrier in automated processes. The frequently complex processes involved in processing flexible circuit boards is dispensed with, thereby reducing costs by up to two thirds.
HARTING has identified three example applications where the component carrier can replace flexible circuit boards • Components at a 90° angle to the circuit board: The component carrier is suitable for scenarios in which electrical components, such as sensors, need to be positioned normal to the circuit board. The automatic assembly process enables the placement of temperature sensors or hall sensors on the carrier to a high degree of accuracy, which in turn results in precise, reproducible measurements. Optical components are another salient example, such as LEDs or photodiodes used to generate precise light barriers.
• A ntenna function: The component carrier can be manufactured using different base polymers. In this way, different antenna material properties can be factored in, such as dielectric constant and loss factor. The specific
3D-MID technology as an alternative to flexible PCBs Thanks to the 3D-MID (mechatronic integrated device) technology, electronic components can be fitted directly onto a three-dimensional body without the need for circuit boards or connecting cables. The base body is produced through injection moulding, whereby the thermoplastic is provided with a non-conductive, inorganic additive. In order for this material to be able to accommodate electrical circuits, the additives in the plastic are “activated” through laser direct structuring (LDS). In this process, the laser beam writes the areas intended for the conductive tracks and creates a micro-rough structure. The metal particles released in the process form the nuclei for the subsequent chemical metallisation. This process creates electrical traces across the threedimensional base body. The plastic employed offers high thermal stability and can therefore be soldered in the reflow oven. HARTING has been implementing the entire 3D-MID process chain in-house for over 10 years, from the project idea to the populated series product. The technology is finding use in application scenarios in areas such as medical technology, industrial electronics and consumer electronics and all the way through to safety-related components in the automotive industry. The HARTING 3D-MID business unit is the largest provider of 3D-MID components outside of Asia. The component carrier developed by this process is suitable for various applications. It can be equipped with several sensors that, if desired, could be aligned in three directions to take measurements in three axes (X, Y, Z). Components can be fitted simultaneously on two parallel surfaces on the front and back sides, as well as on the end face. HARTING has submitted a patent application for the component carrier. The component carrier cuts costs by two-thirds In an automated process, HARTING fits electronic components such as LEDs, ICs, photodiodes and sensors directly on the component carrier. The total cost of the component carrier is two-thirds lower than those of flexible PCB solutions. This is due to the fact that it eliminates the frequently complex handling involved with flexible printed circuit boards, e.g. populating, gluing and assembling. The process even delivers benefits in small volumes, as the component carrier can be used for different applications without adaptation, thereby eliminating the costs of a new injection mould. Compared with flexible printed circuit boards, this process achieves more precise component positioning, greater repeatability and better quality. HARTING has identified another advantage of the component carrier, namely the short timeframe required to deliver finished components. Since the plastic carrier remains unchanged, all that is needed are specifications for placement of the electronic components. Experts in 3D-MID can use this to create a production-optimised layout proposal. Adjustments of the laser program are all that is needed to tailor the electrical traces to the respective application. Once the customer has approved the product and components have been received, initial production samples can be dispatched within two to three weeks – and even faster, if necessary.
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• Clearance from the circuit board: The component carrier also makes it possible to maintain a clearance between the circuit board and an electronic component. Consequently, a temperature sensor can be used to measure the temperature in the housing without being influenced by the waste heat from other components on the PCB. It also means that LED can be placed clear of the circuit board, thereby avoiding the risk of surrounding components casting shadows.
antenna layout can be used for various applications in the MHz and GHz frequency range, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZigBee and 5G.
www.harting.com 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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HIGH DEMAND FOR IMAGEPROCESSING SYSTEMS IN THE MEDICAL SECTOR
uEye LE CMOS camera from IDS.
Corona mass screening using IDS cameras.
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ealth has become the dominant topic worldwide. Research and development to protect the physical well-being of each individual as well as the entire population have an unprecedented significance. More than ever, laboratories and pharmaceutical companies are striving to accelerate their processes, for example by increasing the throughput of tests or speeding up the production and distribution of medicines. Airports are making increasing use of access controls, whether in the form of ID checks or temperature measurement devices, to identify travelers with symptoms of illness.
In all these areas, image processing can make an important contribution to protecting people and thus also saving lives. The possible applications are already almost unlimited and are becoming increasingly diverse in the age of Industry 4.0 - not least due to the use of artificial intelligence. A British company is currently using IDS cameras together with thermal imaging cameras to detect people with elevated temperatures and so potentially have the corona virus. The non-contact thermal imaging and measurement system designed for mass screening, detects temperature differences of less than 0.6 °C and with an accuracy of less than 0.3 °C. “The Thermoteknix FevIR Scan software tracks people in real time as they walk in front of the camera and shows their maximum face temperature on the screen,” Richard Hames, Sales Director at Thermoteknix Systems Ltd., explains. The so-called FevIR Scan 2 system consists of a thermal imaging camera and a visible USB 2 uEye LE CMOS camera in a sealed housing that is connected to a laptop PC running Thermoteknix FevIR Scan 2 software. The USB 2.0 uEye LE board-level version is particularly lightweight and compact – ideal for finding a place next to the thermal imaging camera
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in the small FevIR Scan 2 housing. A thermal reference source with constant temperature is included in front of the thermal imaging camera. It allows for constantly calibration of the thermal imager for accurate temperature measurement to detect persons with elevated skin temperature. The UI1642LE-C model is used to detect people passing through the system. It is equipped with a 1.3 megapixel CMOS sensor from ON Semiconductor, which has a resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels and a frame rate of 25 frames per second. This frame rate enables screening in places with a high volume of people, such as airports or entrance halls.
https://en.ids-imaging.com/markets.html
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Other IDS solutions also provide valuable services in medical technology. For example, the GampBOX image processing system from i-mation GmbH makes it easier for the pharmaceutical industry and its suppliers to optimise processes while complying with strict quality guidelines. “In this way, we can contribute to considerably shortening the time to market for drugs, for example,” says Kai Weisser, project manager at i-mation GmbH. Along the entire life cycle of drugs and pharmaceutical products, from research into new active ingredients and therapies, through production and packaging, to distribution and application, the use of new machine vision technologies opens up numerous opportunities for process optimisation. Thus, IDS industrial cameras can also help the healthcare sector to optimise processes, ensure quality, advance research and ultimately serve people. 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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MOBILE ROBOTS FOR QUIET LOCATIONS NOW A REALITY THANKS TO NSK’S DIRECT-DRIVE WHEEL UNIT
The NSK direct-drive wheel unit fitted to an autonomous service robot.
Aimed at OEMs looking to add mobility to their autonomous or collaborative robots, NSK has developed an innovative direct-drive wheel unit. Specifically designed for use in quiet environments, such as hospitals, hotels, offices and libraries, robots fitted with the new wheel unit can efficiently carry and move loads up to 100 kg without disturbing people.
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ith digital trends such as AI (artificial intelligence) and ML (machine learning) beginning to show genuine promise in real-world applications, efforts are ramping up to develop mobile robots and humanoid robot hardware that can perform useful tasks in close proximity to people.
The major obstacle with systems like conventional AGVs (autonomous guided vehicles) used in factories and warehouses is the noise they make. In contrast, the NSK direct-drive wheel unit is much quieter, facilitating use in public spaces and non-manufacturing environments. Settings such as service sector businesses and public facilities require robots that operate quietly to avoid impeding conversations and disturbing people from their tasks.
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The quiet nature of NSK’s wheel unit can be attributed to its gearless structure (direct-drive motor), which leverages the technology behind the company’s Megatorque Motor to eliminate the operating noise generated by typical gearboxes. Using the Megatorque Motor as a wheel was a new concept, and NSK had to invent ways of employing the system’s parts to create the optimal specification at a reasonable cost. As well as low noise output, the wheel unit is designed for safe operation around people and is ideal for use in service 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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NSK’s direct-drive wheel unit emits far less noise than a conventional AGV
A pair of NSK direct-drive wheel units with the dedicated drive.
robots, power-assist push carts and other collaborative robot (cobot) applications. A key feature of the design is its “back driveability”, which makes for easy reversion to push/ pull manual operations in the event of an issue. In use, a newly developed dedicated drive controls twowheel units simultaneously via simple signals. The drive is equipped with sensors measuring wheel rotation, acceleration, tilt and other useful parameters. Signals from the sensors can be output for use by an on-board PC in autonomous robot applications.
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The development process has been intensive to ensure the delivery of a high quality, technically competent and functionally robust solution. A broad range of existing technologies were leveraged, including mechatronics, controls and software, with NSK’s team of experts tasked with engineering a system that could fulfil a new robotics market. A key part of this work was obtaining the opinions of people who worked in places like hospitals and libraries, to find out what kind of robot would provide the optimum solution for such environments. After all, alongside the desire to drive a new frontier in robotics, NSK also has the ambition of bringing useful robots closer to daily life. www.nskeurope.com
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RED LION LAUNCHES FLEXEDGE™ INTELLIGENT EDGE AUTOMATION PLATFORM
Enabling Rugged, Optimised Connectivity and Automation at the Edge.
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ed Lion Controls, global experts in communication, monitoring and control for industrial automation and networking, launched the FlexEdge Intelligent Edge Automation Platform today. This revolutionary system brings a new degree of versatility to edge computing, while its ease of use makes productivity and efficiency gains from digital transformation initiatives accessible with point-and-click simplicity. FlexEdge’s highly modular design and intuitive software enable quick, straightforward customisation and deployment to myriad applications without compromising rugged, reliable operations. The platform carries several certifications that make it ideal for oil and gas, water wastewater, maritime, hazardous location, and factory automation applications.
Engineered for industrial customers with diverse needs who want to effortlessly connect systems and process data at the edge, FlexEdge’s modular architecture boasts a wide variety of wireless and wired communication options. This breadth of options makes it an easily configured communication gateway that connects with any industrial communication requirement, regardless of protocol or manufacturer. And unlike fixed-function devices that require customers to learn many products—or systems with fixed chassis that takes up unnecessary space—FlexEdge offers a form factor and platform that adapts as quickly as application needs change. It’s available with advanced networking functionality or advanced automation features including protocol conversion; virtual HMIs; an advanced Web server with Bootstrap, JavaScript and CSS; data, security and event logging; and cloud connectivity. With FlexEdge, customers can seamlessly connect new and existing devices, reducing overall downtime and allowing for frictionless, future-proof scalability at levels never before seen in edge computing. This flexibility allows the selection of one platform for any edge requirement, so customers can focus on business efficiency without worrying about
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NEWS
Resnick, ARC advisory group vice president. “As companies continue with their digital transformation and IT/OT convergence journeys, they seek an intelligent automation solution that will enable them to more seamlessly connect to both new and legacy equipment. Red Lion has introduced a new platform that enables users to collect the required data necessary from both IT and OT to better optimise decisionmaking and further maximise their investment in digital transformation. This scalable solution is designed to provide off-the-shelf plug-and-play connectivity to a wide range of networks, assets, generations of equipment, and protocols,” according to Resnick.
choosing the right combination of products for their application. For automation engineers, Red Lion’s FlexEdge offers a single platform that can solve most challenges while decreasing the number of deployed devices to reduce application complexity. For networking engineers, it’s a robust, industrial-grade networking gateway deployable as a wired or cellular solution to securely connect different networks through powerful networking functionality. With multiple isolated serial ports, Ethernet, optional Wi-Fi and cellular communication sleds, optional field-installable I/O, and a certified, robust enclosure, FlexEdge ensures optimal operation in almost any industrial environment with demanding requirements.
“Furthermore, with the ability to have end-to-end visibility of the supply chain, users can gain a competitive advantage with increased flexibility and operational agility, productivity, plant efficiency, asset uptime and quality. They can also add profits to the bottom line by reducing operational risks and safety concerns, overhead costs, and changeover times and deploying predictive preventative maintenance programs,” Resnick concluded. To learn more, and to explore how Red Lion’s new FlexEdge Intelligent Edge Automation Platform can solve your challenges, www.FlexEdge.net www.redlion.net
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“In today’s market, we see innovation accelerating at breakneck pace. And that’s terrific. But it makes it hard for customers to cost-effectively plan for the future. Too often they have no choice but to make costly capital investments, scrap existing equipment, or both. The FlexEdge architecture answers their challenges. It adapts as quickly as needs change. No matter where a company is in their digital transformation journey, FlexEdge starts where they are, and helps future proof optimisation plans,” said Colin Geis, data acquisition and IIoT product manager.
“Red Lion’s FlexEdge platform meets this demanding criterion, providing manufacturers and processors with a solution designed to not only fulfill their current and future edge platform requirements, but also one that can be deployed by a new and changing workforce, helping companies make faster, more informed and intelligent decisions and achieve higher levels of operational effectiveness. Having the local computing power and IT/ OT connectivity that the FlexEdge platform provides often results in reduced unscheduled downtime; increases productivity, profitability and KPIs; and delivers the intelligent information necessary so decisions can be made based on a single version of the truth,” Resnick continued.
As word of FlexEdge begins to penetrate the market, the product’s unique capabilities captured the attention of Craig 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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NEW R&S NGP800 POWER SUPPLIES BOOST EFFICIENCY WITH UP TO FOUR INDEPENDENT CHANNELS IN A SINGLE COMPACT INSTRUMENT
The new R&S NGP800 power supply series includes two and four channel models, and further extends the functions and performance available for DC power provided by Rohde & Schwarz.
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ealth has become the dominant topic worldwide. Research and development to protect the physical well-being of each individual as well as the entire population have an unprecedented significance. More than ever, laboratories and pharmaceutical companies are striving to accelerate their processes, for example by increasing the throughput of tests or speeding up the production and distribution of medicines. Airports are making increasing use of access For any test and measurement application requiring up to four independent DC power supplies with full flexibility, full functionality, full safety and full connectivity, the R&S NGP800 power supply series will boost the efficiency in any lab or production line. Users benefit from the large 5” high resolution touch screen, which also displays detailed statistics.
Full flexibility The five R&S NGP800 models meet the needs of users seeking minimum device footprint for two or four independent power supplies, with maximum flexibility for voltages up to 250 V, currents up to 80 A and power up to 800 W. Each channel supplies up to 200 W with a maximum of 20 A or 64 V, also covering 48 V automotive and industrial applications. Full functionality Channels can be operated fully independently or synchronized; the electrically equivalent and galvanically isolated outputs can be wired in series for outputs up to 250 V or in parallel for up to 80 A. The tracking function makes it possible for users to adjust voltage and current simultaneously on selected channels, with programmable output delays used to meet specific power-up sequences. The supplied voltage can be ramped up to the required level in any period from 10 ms to a minute. All outputs operate in either constant voltage mode or constant current mode. To meet the requirement of both developers and quality assurance teams in particular, it is possible to set up changes in voltage and current level over time using the QuickArb
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function. This way, users can simulate unstable power supplies with the R&S NGP800. Using Remote Sensing, users can regulate the voltage directly at the input terminals of the powered device itself, instead of the power supply’s output terminals, so that exactly the required voltage is supplied.
more information, visit: www.rohde-schwarz.com/product/ ngp800 www.rohde-schwarz.com/product/ngp800
Moreover, the R&S NGP800 includes functions for logging voltage, current and power values over time for all outputs. Data logs can easily be exported as .CSV files for in-depth analysis or documentation needs. The settings for all channels and functions can also be stored and recalled at the touch of a button, and even exported as a file to other R&S NGP800 to duplicate the power setup. Full safety To protect devices supplied with power, all R&S NGP800 power supplies include overcurrent protection, overvoltage protection and overpower protection.
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Full connectivity The R&S NGP800 features both advanced remote capabilities and fast command processing times that fully meet the requirements of ATE systems or production lines. Optional digital I/O and analog input interfaces further extend the scope of applications. The new R&S NGP800 power supply series is available now from Rohde & Schwarz and selected distributors. For 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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S M A R T FA C TO R Y
REMDA, GERMANY REFERENCE PROJECT - A 2MWP COMMERCIAL PV ROOFTOP PROJECT
The efficiency of Delta solar inverters was the deciding factor for GreenRock Energy.
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roject developer GreenRock Energy has installed a total of around 2MW of PV capacity on the roofs of three agricultural buildings in Remda, between Jena and Weimar in Thuringia, Germany. With the solar PV systems, the farmer wants to reduce his high electricity consumption and thereby lower his pig-breeding operation costs. From the end of 2019, two of the PV plants will feed electricity back into the grid at a fixed contractual price and the third plant will be used by the farmer for self-consumption. The size of the plants, 750 kWp x 2 for the grid feed-in and 500 kWp for the self-consumption, was deliberately chosen.
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Before the PV systems were installed, extensive preparatory work had to be carried out on the roofs. 6,000 square meter of the roof surface had to be completely renovated and freed of asbestos. After the roof renovation, structural insulated panels were installed. The installation of the solar PV system did not begin until this work had been completed. The many chimneys on the roofs were an additional challenge, as the associated shading meant that a lot of space for solar modules was lost. It was not possible to remove the chimneys.
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In just six weeks, the three agricultural buildings with a total roof area of 15,000 square meter were equipped with 7,500 solar modules, which came directly from the company’s subsidiary Greenrock Trina GmbH. Each of the Trina Honey polycrystalline modules supplies 275 watts from 60 cells. The assembly system for the solar modules consists of trapezoidal sheets and a substructure of 180 mm aluminium rails supplied by the German company, Saytec. The installation also includes 32 string inverters from Delta Electronics. Three power classes were installed: the M88H, the M50A and the M30A. The combination of inverters of different sizes serves the purpose of taking the special features of each roof into account and making optimum use of the roof surface. Competition and cost pressure has increased enormously in the solar industry in recent years. This means that every tenth of a percentage point of efficiency counts. Cost pressure applies not only to solar modules but also to other components such as inverters. The M88H was specially developed for use in large solar parks and is available in two connection variants. It has a maximum efficiency of 98.5 percent (EU value). “The M88H has one of the highest power outputs and is one of the most efficient string inverters on the market and ideal for large PV systems,” says Martin
Kofler, CEO of GreenRock Energy, as his company develops individual solutions. GreenRock has gained good experience with Delta inverters in several projects.
The owner of the PV plant receives electricity at a fixed price, which is ten percent below the tariff that the owner has paid to an energy supplier at the time a contract was concluded.
GreenRock Energy AG calls this model s-plus. “Our idea is that as many people as possible can benefit from the advantages of a photovoltaic system without having to make investments,” says CEO Martin Kofler. This gives customers planning security for 20 years through a fixed electricity price. From the 21st year, they will also receive a share of the plant’s income. As part of the Avalanche program, they can also participate in the revenues of other plants by making a recommendation. This is a new approach that has a great deal of potential for ensuring that photovoltaic systems are increasingly built across the board in Germany, irrespective of the requirements of the EEG (Erneuerbare-EnergienGesetz, the renewable energy law in Germany). Delta is proud to be able to provide its high-efficiency inverters for GreenRock Energy’s PV project in Remda. Still another example of solar PV used to create financial benefits by reducing the customer’s electricity bills and at the same time creating environmental benefits with the production of clean solar electricity.
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The total weight of the Delta M88H inverter is only 84 kilograms. Transport and handling at the installation site do not require any special and expensive equipment. Also, it features an impressive design concept, the terminal box with AC and DC surge arresters, terminals and DC disconnectors is already integrated into the device and can easily be disconnected from the power module. When the power module is replaced, the junction box with the entire cabling remains at the installation site, saving time and reducing maintenance and repair costs. While two PV plants feed the electricity produced into the grid, the owner decided to use the third PV plant for self-consumption. The resulting 500,000 kilowatt hours of energy is buffered in lithium batteries with a capacity of around 242 kilowatt hours. This was installed under consideration of the agricultural environment as well as the climatic conditions. Soltaro’s lithium iron phosphate storage system uses an efficient high voltage of 1,000 volts DC and is controlled via the energy management system from Smart 1 Solutions. The system optimises energy distribution for private consumption and grid feed-in.
The fixed price is valid for 20 years. The Remda project is the first reference project for GreenRock Energy to implement a rental electricity model that includes relatively large battery storage with 225 kilowatts of power.
https://solarsolutions.delta-emea.com
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WIRELESS SAFETY
“Wireless Safety” for foot controls and command devices.
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or press brakes and other forming and bending machines, the foot control is the key human-machine interface. It is actuated very often (up to two million switching cycles per year are realistic for plants working in three shifts around the clock) and assumes an important safety function because operators not only use it to trigger a press stroke, but also to stop one. As part of its GF/GFS series, steute has developed a threestage safety foot switch specifically for this task. Features of this switch include high stability and low pedal height, permitting ergonomically comfortable and non-fatiguing actuation. This is particularly desirable when operating an enabling switch because the pedal must be held in the middle position for longer periods of time.
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At the SPS 2019, steute presented its latest generation of wireless safety foot controls, all of which eliminate the need for a cable connection to the press brake. They communicate instead via the intrinsically safe wireless protocol sWave 2.4 GHz-safe®, developed by steute for this purpose. Guaranteed stable response times of under 100 ms can be achieved independently of any other wireless devices active in the same frequency band. The steute wireless technology sWave.safe® provides a robust and safe wireless 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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connection (availability) with fast and guaranteed response times. This protocol also features low power consumption, fast connection times and long battery lifetimes. Cable-free signal transmission provides operators with greater freedom of movement and optimal ergonomic comfort at all times. There is also no wear and tear of the cables, making the availability of the foot switches higher. The wireless safety foot switches with up to three pedals can be used in applications to Performance Level e (EN ISO 13849-1) and SIL 3 (IEC 61508). Leading manufacturers of forming machines are already offering their customers these controls – either as a serial component or as a frequently chosen option. The technology underlying all steute wireless switching devices and sensors also permits use of the sWave 2.4 Ghzsafe® intrinsically safe wireless protocol as a platform for other switchgear and command device series. www.steute.com
TRACEABILIT Y
IDENTIFY CABLES 3 TIMES FASTER
Experienced operators can print and manually apply a flag label on a cable in 15 seconds. With the new BradyPrinter A5500 Flag Printer Applicator they can significantly increase production output by flagging cables in 5 seconds. Increase production output and save money The BradyPrinter A5500 helps increase production output and enhance identification quality by automatically printing and applying flag labels. It can save quite a lot of money by identifying cables in 5 seconds and by eliminating the need to print labels in advance and the time needed to apply them by hand. The BradyPrinter A5500 enables 300 dpi prints for barcodes, logos and diagrams, and applies reliable cable flags that can communicate a lot of information.
Easy to implement USB ports and Ethernet connectivity make the BradyPrinter A5500 practical to implement in a variety of production environments. Coupled with Brady Workstation apps for easy flag label design, barcoding and serialisation, the BradyPrinter A5500 becomes a highly practical process efficiency increaser. https://www.bradyid.com/support/printer/a5500 www.bradycorp.com
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A wide range of cables The BradyPrinter A5500 is very flexible and, without any adjustment, can identify cables with 1.52 mm up to 15.24 mm in diameter and apply labels with widths up to 50.8 mm and lengths between 19.05 mm and 76.20 mm. Its full-colour touch screen and modern user interface further enhance the printer’s flexibility and ease of use.
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TRACEABILIT Y
TRACEABILITY IN THE MEDICAL SECTOR, A TECHNICAL CHALLENGE
Accuracy, efficiency and safety are the key words of an industry at the cutting edge of technology. Governed by numerous standards ensuring the reliability of its components, the medical sector has implemented numerous traceability processes over the last few years.
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hanks to the markings applied to the various components, it is possible to obtain information about the manufacturer, but also the component reference number or their expiry date. All this data complies with the UDI (Unique Device Identification) and MDR (Medical Device Regulation) standards, which are essential for exporting devices to the USA and Europe. The components to be marked are as diverse as the professions that make up the medical sector. There are, for example, many cases of marking on surgical instruments such as scalpels or bistouries, but also on prosthetics or orthoses, made of steel, cobalt, ceramics or biomaterials, dental implants, often made of titanium, or hearing aids or pacemakers. MORE INFORMATION
In order to ensure optimal identification throughout their distribution and use, these multiple devices must have a marking composed of different elements. In order to comply with the standards mentioned above, it must contain a machine-readable barcode or Datamatrix as well as several alphanumeric codes that can be identified by humans. Quite often a logo is applied, meeting a need that is more aesthetic than practical. 25 | Industry EMEA | July 2020
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In addition, there are many constraints linked to the complexity of the marked components and the sector of activity. For example, the materials with which the various devices are made are complex and varied (steel, titanium, stainless steel, ceramics, various alloys, biomaterials, etc.) and require really technical expertise when marking. Precision objects and medical tools are often small and leave very little space for marking. Despite the small marking windows, the identifiers must be contrasting and visible to allow reading via a vision system and a human. Another challenge is not to weaken the part nor to change its surface state (essential for bone prosthetics which undergo important efforts throughout their life span). It is also important to take into account all the surface treatments and sterilization cycles that medical instruments undergo. This is why it is essential that the marking carried out is resistant and durable over time. Benoit Massel, specialist of laser marking technology at SIC MARKING talks about it: “All the difficulty of permanent marking by laser technology on medical parts lies in the ability to obtain a contrasting
part and doesn’t degrade its hygiene, a crucial factor in the medical sector. The SIC MARKING Laser product range can be adapted to your requirements, regardless of the type of marking, the parts, for serial or single marking. It consists of lasers that can be integrated with various options: - 3D function for marking on complex shaped parts, different heights, curves or angled faces. - Integrated Vision function for fast and reliable reading of barcodes and Datamatrix codes. - Rotary D-axis for marking cylindrical workpieces around the diameter. The range is completed by 3 marking stations, L-Box, XL-Box and the new XXL-Box. SIC MARKING provides a feasibility study before each project after collecting the needs of our customers via our representatives. Nicolas Louison, Technical Sales Representative at SICMARKING talks about it: “Today, the medical sector is a sector where traceability has become essential and necessary. SIC MARKING’s experience in this sector enables us to provide our customers with the most interesting marking solutions from a technical and economic point of view. The wide range of laser marking solutions from SIC MARKING enables us to offer our customers a marking system that meets the requirements of the various types of applications: permanent, nondestructive marking, resistant to the sterilization process, etc.”.
result without affecting the surface state of the material, which must resist passivation treatments. The technology must also be able to mark on a variety of materials (polymers, metals, etc.).” Laser marking, the most suitable solution for the medical sector All these constraints make the traceability of medical tools a really technical challenge. This is why SIC MARKING, the world leader in traceability solutions, is committed to providing the most appropriate marking solutions to meet all the challenges faced by the medical sector. With more than 30 years of experience, SIC MARKING has become an expert in laser marking. This latest generation technology consists of emitting radiation from a source, amplifying it and directing it towards the part to be marked. The beam creates a chemical reaction on contact with the workpiece.
SIC MARKING was approached with the exciting challenge of marking titanium instruments for dental surgery. The marking consisted of an alphanumeric code and a logo and should not, under any circumstances, weaken the parts, which were then subjected to ultrasonic treatment. The challenge was also to create an automatic laser marking system capable of working in collaboration with the latest generation of COBOT (Collaborative Robot). This project allowed SIC MARKING to once again prove its expertise thanks to an immediate understanding of the customer’s needs and a technical solution proven and validated by electron microscope verification tests in the laboratory. SIC MARKING is also marking on ceramic prostheses, titanium inserts, steel bone fixators… MORE INFORMATION
This traceability solution, thanks to its many advantages, is becoming more and more widespread in the medical industry. It offers great flexibility of use and is able to mark barcodes, Datamatrix codes, alphanumeric characters and logos. All this while adapting to any material. The highcontrast and durable result obtained allows perfect reading over time for optimal traceability. Finally, Laser marking ensures faultless security because it doesn’t weaken the
Numerous references SIC MARKING has many references in the medical sector. Notably in Italy, with the company MECTRON. Specialist for more than 40 years in the manufacture of inserts for clinical applications, it exports its products to more than 80 countries.
www.sic-marking.co.uk
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