Automation Update - Issue 81 by jetdigitalmedia

AUTOMATION UPDATE

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Issue 81

Power Security & Back-Up

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AUTOMATION UPDATE Editorial Assistant Laura Sharpe 01843 580 460 laura@automation-update.co.uk Publishing Director Jodie Little 01843 580 460 jodie@jetdigitalmedia.co.uk Sales Director Tim Johnston 01843 448 443 tim@automation-update.co.uk Advertising Exec Jamie Simmons 01843 580 460 jamie@automation-update.co.uk

Automation Update is an engaging, editorially led publication & directory giving the reader news and updates on new products and services to our ever Progressing industry.

Publishing House Jet Digital Media Ltd The Forge, Spratling Court Offices, Manston, Kent CT12 5AN

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Forerunner Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. The Sensor People have been setting technological standards in industrial automation for more than 50 years. In the field of safety at work, we convince right from the start with trend-setting inventions, such as the development of the first protective sensor ever, to our latest safety innovation, “Smart Process Gating” – the space-saving solution for access guarding on conveyor lines. This is how we ensure the success of our customers in an industry that is ever evolving.

www.leuze.co.uk Automation Update - 3

Spare parts for Production Manufacturing Often Production stores are the largest single application in a manufacturing environment and when you have several different items all being produced on the same production line, downtime just isn’t an option. As a result, these production lines will need to be changed. This makes the change parts store mission critical in the healthy running of the production line.

n manufacturing its normal for production lines to have maintenance stores, many are electro-mechanical, and thus prone to break down. This is where the maintenance store really comes into its own as it ensures that spare parts are available to keep the production line back up and running. The cost of loss production means that companies will look for the best solutions to guard against production line downtime. Automation offers a simple and over time less expensive solution. A vertical lift system for example utilises all the available space (up to ceiling) and is designed to make the maintenance store more easily accessible as its located at a more convenient location, which speeds up the production. Also, automation guarantees near on 100% stock accuracy with no line downtime. This is useful when stores need to understand what’s to remain and what is to be changed for different production runs such as increased production capacity, gained by feeding product to the process faster and more accurately. Usually, spare parts are supplied to customers directly from manufacturing operations. These spare parts can be stored separately, in stock rooms, or in finished goods. Either way they require efficient storage and picking to ensure a faster customer response. An added opportunity that some manufacturers are benefiting from is to take a centralised production store approach by positioning smaller holdings at Point of Use. This again can offer benefits depending on how your production is set-up. Automation also ensures that parts are handled as few times as possible as parts can be easily damaged, so it is essential that care is taken in transit between store and production line. The flow of materials in and out is critical as it dictates production capacity.

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Automation also benefits the finished goods to shipping process - Items need to be stored before completion for Work in Progress buffers or stores – this makes access extremely easy and has become popular in many UK manufacturing facilities. These buffers and stores should be situated as close to the production line as possible in a space efficient way with little workflow impact.

Kardex in the UK has been working with Manufacturers for more than 30 years and we have created a white paper that shows some other key points, especially in regard to the warehouse. To learn more about Kardex visit us at www.kardex.com

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BCN3D acquires 3D printing cloud platform AstroPrint to propel its software solutions forward

• BCN3D obtains a key technology as well as expertise for the development of its cloud solutions, remaining dedicated to improving user experience and offering features never before seen on the market • CTO and Co-founder of AstroPrint Daniel Arroyo has been appointed Chief Software Officer of BCN3D. Arroyo will lead the joined forces of the BCN3D and AstroPrint software teams for this strategic move for BCN3D’s alignment of software to hardware

BCN3D

has acquired A s t roP r i n t , a 3D printing software company known for its sophisticated cloud solutions that allow users to manage printers with ease and efficiency. Both companies entered into an acquisition agreement last April and completed the transaction in July. This investment provides BCN3D with the opportunity to not only release a new cloud platform, but to also have an experienced software team dedicated to the future development of BCN3D’s 3D printing solutions. 6 - Automation Update

Founded in San Diego, California in 2013, AstroPrint is one of the most well established cloud software platforms with more than 200.000 registered users in 130 different countries, 60% of which being based in the US and with an average of 2.000 printers connected simultaneously. BCN3D will maintain AstroPrint as an independent platform and will continue to develop new functionalities for its user base. Following this first acquisition, BCN3D will continue to explore inorganic growth opportunities to develop its long-term vision of

providing high-grade solutions that enable innovators to create the future. The integration of AstroPrint’s technology in the BCN3D Cloud will undoubtedly bear benefits for both its clients and the development of Industry 4.0 in the near future and beyond. BCN3D will utilize the entire software engineering team of AstroPrint for future developments to create brand new products never seen before in the 3D printing industry. The fusion of these two software teams will be spearheaded by Co-founder and CTO Daniel Arroyo, who will also now take up his role as Chief Software Officer of BCN3D. “We see this as a new chapter in our quest for offering the absolute best possible solution to clients across both hardware and software. We are certain that this acquisition of a company with such expertise in this field will serve to boost our BCN3D printing profile to its full potential, and that the merging of our teams will undoubtedly entail countless benefits.” - Xavier Martínez Faneca, CEO of BCN3D. “Our collaboration with BCN3D brings us the challenge and pleasure of developing more advanced solutions for BCN3D clients. We are super excited to pair our software with BCN3D’s hardware in order to unlock tremendous value via deep hardware and software integrations and innovations.” - Daniel Arroyo, CTO and Co-founder of AstroPrint, and newly appointed Chief Software Officer of BCN3D.

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Shore-to-Ship Power Solution delivers temporary power to Superyacht Quantum received a request from a European company specialising in Superyacht Refits, they had a 140 meter Superyacht, worth $300 million, coming into dock to undertake important required works and needed to convert shore supply to carry out the project.

The requirement was to convert shore supply at 400V, 50 Hz to 440V, 60 Hz with a total demand of 1200Amps continuous during full load periods. Furthermore, this had to be built, tested and shipped to site (in France) within a 4-week lead time to accommodate the vessel coming into dry dock for its required works. Converting shore mains instead of using Diesel Generators have several benefits, including; more cost effective, greener and cleaner (no air pollution), quieter (no diesel engine noise), no fuel storage required and a more stable and reliable solution for the work required. Quantum Controls were the only company worldwide that could carry out the request in the proposed time scale. We were able to supply all the equipment 8 - Automation Update

required from our own extensive hire fleet (largest known in Europe) utilising our 1200KW VSD and sine filter solution, combined with step up transformer to convert the shore supply to ship demand. The 40ft container housing the system was designed and built by our own engineers offering a full Turnkey in house solution, this included a housing container to make it not only weather proof, but shore / dock proof, also with our unique forced cooling and ingress protected design to suit the further potential harsh sea salt conditions. The unit was designed, built, tested and ready for its journey (in excess of 1000 miles) within the lead time requested, finally reaching site in time for the vessel requiring mains power in the dry dock. During the 7 month hire period, Quantum Control continue to offer 24/7

emergency support and planned site visits to offer maintenance of the system whilst on hire, giving the customer not only peace of mind but a robust and professional service required for such prestigious projects. Quantum Controls have an extensive range of hire equipment, not only Weatherproof Variable Speed Drives up to 4.5MW power rating, we have a fleet of; electric motors, mains cables, data loggers, flow meters, transformers, generators and harmonic filters. Our hire fleet are available 24/7 through our Quantum Prime service. One call to 0330 9000 247, day or night, and we will have any piece of equipment in transit within 30 minutes of your call. 0330 9000 247 – your 24/7 Emergency Support Number.

Murrelektronik enters the world of vision systems Murrelektronik expands its decentralised automation technology to provide new “Plug and Play” solutions for industrial image processing. Vision systems are becoming increasingly important in industrial manufacturing and logistics. When it comes to Industry 4.0 technologies, industrial image processing cameras are a crucial component. By developing its vision installation solutions, Murrelektronik now offers decentralized installation solutions specifically for industrial image processing. With Murrelektronik, machine and system builders have a powerful partner at their side when it comes to power supplies and signal/data management for the smart networking of cameras in industrial production processes or logistics. Murrelektronik’s decentralized components includes switches, distributors and feeders that can be mounted on the machine, as well as the corresponding highperformance cable and connector technology. These components minimize installation effort and maximize performance for both new and existing machines and systems.

Vision installation solutions from Murrelektronik (from left to right): The Xelity Hybrid Switch handles data communication and power supply, the Injection Box is a four-way power and signal injector with 24V, the Master Breakout Box distributes power and signals, and the NEC Class 2 Splitter is a pure power and signal distribution box. Picture: Murrelektronik GmbH

“Plug and Play” for vision systems Efficient power supply and reliable data communication are the pillars of a functioning installation concept. The goal is to combine a machine or plant’s devices into a system efficiently and economically. Murrelektronik’s modular vision installation solutions allow you to integrate a decentralized installation concept into existing system architectures as well as new machines and systems. These components include the Xelity Hybrid Switch (which has connections for up to four cameras, handles smooth and error-free data communication), the Master Breakout Box (a power and signal distributor) and the Injection Box (a voltage and signal feeder). Each is designed to be mounted directly in the machine environment near the respective vision system. “Our decentralized installation concept has the unbeatable advantage that we save our customers the time-consuming and expensive control cabinet installation,” says Simon Schlichenmaier, Market Development Vision Systems at Murrelektronik. “Switch cabinets can be made smaller.” Another advantage, with Murrelektronik’s modular plug & play solutions is that vision systems can not only be put into operation quickly and flexibly, but they also facilitate and accelerate function diagnostics during operation - significantly reducing system and machine downtime. 10 - Automation Update

Intelligence where it is needed Schlichenmaier: “With our vision installation solutions, we focus on the processes that take place between the camera and the system controller.” Where industrial image processing was not possible in existing systems due to overcrowded control cabinets, Murrelektronik’s vision installation solutions provide a remedy with shorter cables and less cable clutter. Thanks to a data transmission rate of 1 gigabit/ second (Gbit/s) via X-coded cables, high-resolution image processing is possible for many industrial applications. Network communication takes place at up to 2.5 Gbit/s. “The data processing takes place at the machine. We bring the intelligence to where it is needed,” says Schlichenmaier and adds: “With Murrelektronik’s vision installation solutions, our customers can trim their production processes to greater efficiency and higher throughput. As a result, they increase quality and avoid costly rework. And quite incidentally, we slim down the control cabinets.” Murrelektronik UK has a specialist technical team to answer all your queries about Murrelektronik’s “Plug and Play” system for Vision Systems. Contact carl.tyler@murrelektronik.co.uk 0161 728 3133

Tel: 01296 611660 Email: rk@pmgb.co.uk www.phoenix-mecano.co.uk 26 Faraday Road, Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP19 8RU

Enrichment of the mk Profile System

Two round variants will expand the existing aluminium profile cross-sections from the extensive mk profile system. Two profile cross-sections with a diameter of 28 mm as well as a small number of form-fitting and stable connecting elements will soon expand the mk profile system. The new D28 round tube system was developed for lean production purposes to provide more streamlined and economical use of production resources. Almost any design for individual workshop and assembly equipment can be built using only 13 standard components. Whether for supply trolleys, shelves, racks or extensions for workstations, the easy-to-use D28 round pipe system means that a single person can put together brand new structures or extensions with little effort. Profile machining is not required for the solid and load-bearing construction of standard elements. 12 - Automation Update

The D28 round pipe system is compatible with the mk 40 series profiles, offering the possibility to combine square and round cross sections. This combines the advantages of both series, ensuring high stability and versatility as well as weight and cost savings. The system can also be combined with round tube components from other market leaders, making it easy to expand any existing designs. In some cases, the range of functions and stiffness are even more extensive thanks to the innovative profile cross-section. Benefits • • •

Simple, fast and economical design Fast integration of existing applications Very easy installation with little ef-

• • • • • •

fort Durable sturdy connection technology Easy connection to 40 series mk profiles with no need for profile processing Additional connection without obstructing edges using mk clamping connectors Fully compatible with round tube profiles of 28mm diameter Degree of assembly freely selectable (components, assemblies, complete solutions) Particularly light profile at 0.6 kg/m

D28 Round Tube System for fast and easy Constructions Simple, fast and economical design Quick modification of existing applications Durable and sturdy connection technology

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LinMot Linear Motors Slash Energy Costs to 5% of Pneumatic Solutions

owering actuators directly with Linear electric motors rather than air cylinders can result in huge cost and emission savings across the board. So much of our industry uses compressed air that is often regarded as the fourth utility, after electricity, natural gas and water. However, compressed air is more expensive than the other three utilities when evaluated on a per unit energy delivered basis. Quin Systems, exclusive UK suppliers of LinMot Linear Motors for over 25 years, can help you calculate the predicted carbon and energy savings achieved by switching from a pneumatic solution to a linear motion solution. LinMot, one of the world’s

leading manufacturers of industrial linear motors has released a new component of its LinMot Designer software that can quantify just how energy efficient its solution is, and the sizeable return on investment their motors can provide over pneumatics.

Example Take an example within the handling and assembling sector. A linear actuation is required on the horizontal plane to move items through to the next stage of the production process. A single LinMot Linear motor with guide can replace a traditional 63mm diameter rodless air cylinder for this task, ultimately reducing annual energy cost by over 10,000 EUR and CO2 emissions by over 26,000 kg.

Taking this example in more detail, the project requirements of this example are as follows: • Stroke  2 metres in each direction (4 meters per cycle) • Motion  Continuous reciprocating motion (8000h / year) • Time  3 seconds in each direction (6 seconds per cycle) • Moving mass  5kg • Load force  100N resistance in each direction The return on investment is significant. Energy saved by using a single electrically driven actuator over a basic traditional pneumatic cylinder has the potential to cover its higher initial outlay within a very short timeframe, typically less than a year. Combined with the extraordinarily long operation life of LinMot Linear Motors and the next to zero servicing requirements mean LinMot’s solution will continue working for years, improving the cost benefits and environmental efficiency of your production line by a significant margin. www.quin.co.uk/products/ linear-motors For more information, please contact Quin Systems, the LinMot distributor for UK & Ireland on 0118 977 1077 or sales@quin.co.uk. www.quin.co.uk

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Mico Pro® by Murrelektronik

24 V CURRENT MONITORING Modularity to the Max! Mico Pro® indicates when the load limit has been reached and only shuts down the defective channel. The patented tripping characteristics follow the principle ‘as late as is safe, but safe as possible’.

• • • •

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Rope and Sling at Waste-to-Energy Site Rope and Sling Specialists Ltd. (RSS) has supplied an abundance of lifting and rigging gear to a UK waste-to-energy construction site. One recent lift demonstrated the company’s ability to work to an extremely short lead time.

SS has been delivering spreader beams, slings, shackles, and related Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) inspections to the project for almost a year, as work at the undisclosed site continues. Ron Harrison, regional manager, Rotherham depot at RSS, said: “We provide the lifting gear, and they produce lift plans in-house [Ashley Traynor drew the latest one], which are signed off prior to equipment usage, and typically utilised beneath the hook of the Ainscough mobile cranes already on-site. Everyone at our depot pulled out all the stops again to make sure every single item of gear was onsite ready to go for the latest lift. “Over time they have built up a healthy stock of rigging items that can be reused in line with construction demands, while there are ongoing requirements for custom clamps and modular beam parts. We also hire beams for one-off and short-term use.” In a recent series of top-and-tail lifts (pictured), two mobile cranes combined in tandem. Based on the rig, side-loading clamps were sourced from a third party. Under the first crane, the end user employed a oneover-two spreader beam configuration to lift one end of the panels for a hulking new structure. Under the crane hook were two 8m-long, 20t capacity roundslings, connected at either end of a 7.5m-long, 50t capacity modular spreader beam; 412kg of additional rigging included end units, struts, drop links, and shackles. Underneath, two 2m-long, 20t capacity roundslings connected via bow shackles to four (two on each side) 3m-long, 15t capacity roundslings that descended to either ends of a pair of 3.5m-long, 24t capacity modular beams. Again, additional rigging

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The mobile cranes combined in a top-and-tail tandem lift. Here, the different rigging configurations can be seen belowthe-hook of each crane.

was required, including end units, struts, drop links, and shackles, this time totalling 127kg in weight. At the bottom of the cascading rig, four 2m-long, 10t capacity wire rope slings connected to four pick points (lifting lugs) on the panels (loads) via 17t capacity bow shackles. Beneath the hook of the second crane, a 130t capacity Liebherr LTM 1130-5.1, two 7m-long, 10t capacity roundslings were connected to a 7m-long, 26t capacity modular beam. A pair of 10t capacity roundslings completed connection to 8t capacity pick points at the other end of the load. Here, two 17t capacity bow shackles and two 10t capacity beam clamps (weighing 27.3kg) facilitated 0 to 90-degree sideloading. End units, struts, drop links, and shackles added 257kg of rigging weight, which had to be calculated in the lift plan.

Harrison said: “The Ainscough cranes are at the heart of activity on the site—use of our rigging gear is commonplace with their national fleet—and they will continue to be for at least another year. This latest top-and-tail tandem lift is just one example of how our kit is being utilised by another landmark project in the wasteto-energy sector.”

Learning from deep space automation NASA’s OSIRIS-REx shows what can be done with automation In October 2020, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx space probe lowered itself from orbit around asteroid 101955 Bennu and successfully retrieved a sample from the asteroid’s surface. Due back in 2023, the mission aims to help scientists learn about the formation and evolution of the Solar System from the sample’s chemical makeup. Here Neil Ballinger, head of EMEA at industrial parts supplier EU Automation, discusses how automation is making this possible, and what the manufacturing industry can learn from OSIRIS-REx. Among space probes, OSIRIS-REx has one particularly interesting feature — the touch-and-go sample acquisition mechanism (TAGSAM) — a 3.35 metre long, electrically actuated robotic arm with three articulated joints and a sample collecting apparatus at one end. The arm is designed for a range of motions, for example at its full extension during sampling, as well as other positions required for visual sample verification and safe stowage. What makes it so impressive is that it has to work entirely autonomously. Bennu is over three light-hours away, making manual control impossible as every input takes at least six hours to make the round trip. Every function — from thruster control to spacecraft orientation and vector to the various TAGSAM positions — must be pre-programmed by ground teams at NASA. Any action that requires a reaction faster than six hours will need to be programmed into its onboard logic.

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The autonomous TAGSAM displays clear similarities with the robotic arms found in manufacturing facilities. FANUC, for instance, produces a wide range of robotics, from 6-axis pickers to linear CNC robots, many of which can operate autonomously in lights-out facilities, much the same way as the TAGSAM does in space. A (very) long-distance maintenance call Due to the inaccessibility of the TAGSAM, maintenance is impossible — yet a failure of one component could mean a failure of the entire mission. The probe must therefore operate maintenance-free in extreme conditions for several years while the mission takes place. To remove the requirement for maintenance, NASA worked hard to produce a suitable design and achieve the required manufacturing quality. And, even then, NASA included redundant sets of actuators and position sensors to reduce the risk further. The obvious difference is that, on earth, maintenance is possible. In fact, it is an everyday activity. For manufacturers operating automation equipment, the possibility that a machine will break down is a fact of life. We can therefore learn a lot from NASA’s “no maintenance at all costs” approach. It is still common to purchase equipment and run it until failure. However, new technology means we can now add sensors to both new and legacy equipment

to understand how it is performing. For example, a smart connected sensor on a motor can alert production managers if it becomes too hot, so they can pause production and check the motor’s condition. One level above this is a more overarching approach, collecting data from connected sensors in a central platform and using predictive analytics software to flag any possible issues across a facility. These proactive approaches mean manufacturers can limit downtime — instead of unplanned downtime extended by delays for part replacement, manufacturers can simply order the component for delivery and plan in some quick repairs before their line stops running. While our manufacturing lines are worlds away from NASA and OSIRIS-REx, taking steps to reduce maintenance from aborting a mission is a technique that can only go well. At EU Automation we know that time is of the essence when production stops, which is why any of the millions of high-quality parts in our catalogue can be delivered anywhere on the planet in 72 hours, or 24 hours in Europe. Looking for more knowledgeable automation tips and tricks? Check out EU Automation’s Automated magazine www.euautomation.com/uk/ automated.

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DLM Invests in Hire Fleet

Dynamic Load Monitoring (UK) Ltd. (DLM), of Southampton, UK continues to reinvest in its hire fleet, as demand grows for short- and mid-term use of products such as its running line monitors (RLMs).

LM’s standard range of RLMs (15t, 60t, 200t capacity) are designed specifically for harsh marine-type environments. They are typically used in cable laying, towing, mooring and other winch operations to measure and record line tension, pay-out, and speed. Available in cabled or wireless configurations, they can be integrated into existing vessel systems, or supplied as stand-alone systems with individual or multi-input HMI displays, with touch screen and data logging capabilities. DLM also has available for hire telemetry or cabled tensile links, handheld displays, compressive load cells, shackle load cells, saddleback monitors, cable counters, and an extensive range of grapnels. Jamie Woodcock, business development manager at DLM, said: “Our hire department is increasing all the time and we are constantly investing in the fleet to meet the ever growing technical and specialist demands of our customers, as well as being able to service multiple projects with identical requirements at the same time. We hire to multiple industries, predominantly subsea cable laying, lifting, rigging, testing and inspection. This is what makes us different: we have various products for a range of industries.” Woodcock explained that most hires are for multiple items of equipment, which might be several tensile links, shackles, or compressive load cells for the lifting and rigging sector, or multiple RLMs & displays for an offshore project. This requires DLM to have multiple units of the same equipment and working ranges, available in their hire fleet. The marine industry also regularly hires multiple items, to be used in conjunction with each other, such as RLMs with a saddleback and a grapnel train—part of DLM’s new pre-lay grapnel run (PLGR) deck spread. With rentals for the marine/offshore industry often lasting up to 120 days at a time, the need for a large rental inventory is illustrated further. One hire even spanned an entire year. In contrast, hires for lifting, rigging, test and inspection applications can be as short as a single day. However, with only 12 hrs notice for mobilisation, sometimes the equipment needs to be ready for immediate despatch, which is a strength of DLMs. A recent hire case study included mobilisation of a 60t capacity RLM, accompanied with a customised 34mm wire rope for Dutch distributor 20 - Automation Update

CIV Offshore & Shipping. Adrian Farwell, DLMs marine sales manager said the order was notable by a short lead time. The equipment was prepared and shipped to the Netherlands on a designated vehicle to urgently meet a customer, before it was transported by vessel to the Far East for a PLGR operation at an offshore wind farm. The hire duration is expected to be circa six months, or longer. Other recent rental projects included tensile links and shackle load cells for lifting water bags for load tests and weighing / calculating the total weight and centre of gravity of various large structures. Woodcock added: “The customer can have up to date, certified and reliable equipment every time they need it without having the maintenance costs. All equipment is supplied with a valid calibration certificate for the duration of the rental, and it can be mobilised at short notice with all the functionality the end user requires. As a lot of offshore projects last from 30 to 90 days, the benefits of not owning the equipment can help to reduce CapEx spend and overall project cost. Short-term hire will be cheaper than purchase. For the lifting industry customers can also hire our proof test software for the duration of the hire which allows the operator to generate a PDF certificate to evidence the test being completed.” TOP: DLM’s standard range of RLMs (15t, 60t, 200t capacity) are designed specifically for harsh marine-type environments. BELOW: A 60t capacity running line monitor (RLM).

3 & 4 November 2021, NEC Birmingham The UK’s leading annual gathering of engineering supply chain professionals

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ICE VECTOR ESTABLISHES CLEARMARK’S FORAY INTO PALLET LABELLING Digital coding innovator Clearmark is celebrating its 20th anniversary by making its foray into the logistics labelling space with the launch of the innovative ICE Vector Pallet Labelling System. The ICE Vector brings to the marketplace a new high performance, low maintenance tertiary option that is exceptionally easy to integrate with line and warehouse management systems. ICE Vector completes Clearmark’s coding portfolio, enabling customers to benefit from joinedup coding solutions across their primary, secondary and tertiary operations paving the way for the factory of the future. Unique engineering differentiators makes the ICE Vector a high performance system including: climate controlled cabin to ensure consistent print quality; robust long-reach cartesian-style arm guarantees GS1 specification label placement on all pallet configurations; a dual operator interface for continual working during ribbon/label reel changes; intelligent I/O system to seamlessly communicate with today’s highly automated warehouses. “We have been paving the way for entering the tertiary marketplace ever since we moved into secondary coding with our now flagship product, the ICE Vulcan, in 2014. Having spent the intervening years building our expertise in print & apply and honing our technology, we have developed a tertiary offering that is unmatched by anything else available on the market today” says Clearmark’s Technical Managing Director, Chris Simpson. The launch of ICE Vector is timely, with warehouses accelerating their investment in intelligent automation, mitigating supply chain issues (exacerbated by Brexit and the pandemic). As more products flow through supply chains at speed, warehouses call for smarter, faster, selfreliant systems to meet demand. The ICE Vector Pallet Labelling System promises to deliver an attractive ROI for any high-throughput operation looking to automate its pallet labelling process, from food, beverage and pharmaceutical factories, to supply chain and logistics operations. Powerful, reliable performance and seamless integration with factory warehouse management systems (WMS) are the bedrock of the ICE Vector advantage. The ICE Vector is powered by the ICE Vulcan print engine – the fastest in its class. With a compact footprint of just 1125mm x 875mm and operational speeds of up to 100 pallets an hour, it can perform up to four label applications per pallet, with two adjacent sides to conform to GS1 specifications for SSCC

22 - Automation Update

pallet labelling or three sides for customer specific applications. The ICE Vector is designed as a robust, fully enclosed system, thanks to a pneumatic guard protecting the print engine from dust and environmental conditions. Optimum conditions within the enclosure are maintained via a thermostatically controlled heater (as standard) with the doors only opening at the point when the ICE Vector is ready to label. With a label arm reach of 650mm out of the enclosure via a sturdy 2 axis cartesian guided motion control system, label placement is accurate and repeatable on a wide range of pallet configurations. This ICE Vector is capable of printing at up to three times faster than rival print engines and thanks to Intelligent Motion™ technology, which enables precise automatic control of the labels and ribbon feed, this translates to the removal of 80% of wear parts compared to traditional pallet labelers. The result is an incredibly low maintenance solution with the lowest cost of ownership and gives greater reliability of equipment, without traditional service intervals.

to benefit from 130% corporate tax relief (usually 18%) allowing the financial case to stack up.

With warehouses becoming more sophisticated, system communications are having to follow suit. The ICE Vector is simple to integrate with a WMS system in an extensive range of onboard dataprotocols, including both Zebra and SATO. The machine features two CLARiTY™ touchscreen interfaces. Label and ribbon changes can be executed efficiently thanks to the internal interface and the external interface gives full access to machine settings and performance information of the ICE Vector’s interface with the line PLC. Additionally, the screen can also be viewed remotely using a networked PC and standard web browser. As well as helping to mitigate coding errors and meeting retail and regulatory traceability requirements, this automated data management of SSCC codes approach can enhance Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).

With the introduction of the ICE Vector, Clearmark now has a coding solution for all three packaging types: primary, secondary and tertiary. Primary coding applications are served by the ICE Zodiac Hawk family and the ICE Viper Plus, while the ICE Viper Plus, ICE Vulcan, ICE Torus and Zebra systems address secondary coding.

The Government’s recently announced capital allowance incentive for investments in new machinery and plant is providing further impetus for automation. Between now and March 2023, British manufacturers investing in qualifying plant and machinery assets will be able

For more information about the Vector, visit www.clearmark.uk/vector

“We found that customers wanted to buy their pallet labeller from the same company that supplied their case labeller and thermal transfer overprinter – mainly for commonality of parts and operation familiarity. It has long been our goal to offer coding solutions for all of these applications, but we had to be sure we could match the performance that Clearmark is known for in primary and secondary coding applications. With the ICE Vector, we believe we have achieved exactly that,” explains Chris.

UTM: www.clearmark.uk/products/ labellers-lpa-uk/vector-palletlabeller?utm_source=PR&utm_ medium=Digital

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/temporary-increase-in-annual-investment-allowance-forplant-and-machinery/temporary-increase-in-annual-investment-allowance-for-plant-and-machinery 1

KEEP TRACK OF YOUR TOOLS WITH THE

TOOL CONTROL SYSTEM VISIBILITY

ORGANISATION Implementing proper tool control can improve productivity, control inventory, reduce losses and standardise work.

ACCESS CONTROL

Fast Flag: Add Status Display Lights to Visually let you know from a distance if your box is full or has any status alerts such as Calibration Requirements

Our Level 5 ATC Storage Units have Keyless Access Control, which means your teams have access to just the tools they need.

ASSET MANAGEMENT AUTOMATION With advanced digital imaging technology and proprietary software, Level 5 Automated Tool Control System® (ATC) scans thea tool drawer and records which tools are removed and replaced in real time.

Take asset management to a whole new level of speed, control, accuracy and cost effectiveness with Level 5 proprietary software. Can also be linked with True-Crib & True-Site software.

SAFE. SECURE. snapon-industrial.co.uk snaponlevel5.com

Tel: 01536 413 904 ukindustrialmarketing@snapon.com

Dellner Bubenzer Relaunches at AIST Dellner Brakes, owner of Pintsch Bubenzer, will relaunch as Dellner Bubenzer today (29 June, 2021) at the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) Conference and Exposition (Booth 2303), which is taking place 28 June to 1 July at Music City Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. A new website has also gone live at www.dellnerbubenzer.com. Dellner Brakes JHS, Dellner Brakes, Dellner Industrial, Pintsch Bubenzer and Rima are operating as one company with immediate effect.

24 - Automation Update

Imhäuser, marketing manager, of Germany; and Edgar Roca, vice president of Dellner Brakes, of Texas. Governale Group, of Houston, Texas, provided branding expertise, having emerged as the chosen partner from a three-strong, worldwide shortlist. The team started planning at the beginning of the year and was shooting for an April to July launch, which has been delivered on time. Cox said: “Our founding brakes [from Gerhard Bubenzer] were a shade of green many years before the famous red color, but the new look represents progression away from the legacy color to a bright, vibrant green that has been established and locked in; we plan to protect it for many years to come. Of course, to match, an interactive and easier-to-navigate website captures the new, global brand family. The [AIST] show will be the physical launch platform but the whole package will be rolled out around the world.”

Sweden’s Dellner Group—Dellner Brakes was a subsidiary—acquired German industrial braking manufacturer Pintsch Bubenzer in January 2018, in a deal that has paved the way for the companies’ ongoing global expansion. Pintsch Bubenzer makes high performance disc and drum brakes for cranes and other severe duty applications, as well as complementary products, such as emergency and storm brakes. Four months earlier, Dellner Brakes had acquired U.S. brake and clutch company Gummi USA. Momentum was continued two years ago when Dellner Brakes, incorporating Italy’s Rima Srl, bought German brake specialist JHS Jungblut in a move that immediately strengthened the company’s offering in the wind energy market, and enabled further global expansion, notably in the Far East. Once competitors, this gamechanging acquisition put these braking powerhouses on the same team. Joel Cox, president at now Dellner

Bubenzer USA LLC, said: “Much of our community has followed the journey of the Pintsch Bubenzer brand—Pintsch Bamag and Bubenzer Bremsen are steeped in history and eventually became the Pintsch Bubenzer business that Dellner acquired. It’s really been a journey that started generations ago and has found its way to this landmark moment.” The new-look Dellner Bubenzer was unveiled on Day One of the AIST expo, where a fresh logo, brand colors and values are visible for the first time. The new, green-colored ‘DB’ logo is a tribute to the ‘D’ from Dellner and the previous branding, and the legacy ‘B’ from Bubenzer. They form together with a disc outline, since caliper brakes are core to the business. The logo has already been integrated into brake castings, as AIST delegates will see. Cox was part of a global leadership trio that executed the entire brand overhaul, including Friederike

Additionally, new data sheets, catalogs, graphics, image libraries, etc. were overhauled, much of which is visible at Booth 2303 at the Music City Center. •

The new-look Dellner Bubenzer will deliver a presentation to the AIST Crane Symposium, which takes place August 15-17 at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Cox and Mike Astemborski, executive sales manager, will deliver a paper titled, ‘Lifting or lowering a load safely after failure or incident’, at 10:30 a.m. on August 16. The symposium, organized by AIST’s Cranes Technology Committee, delivers practical information and experiences from maintenance personnel, crane manufacturers, equipment manufacturers and engineering consultants with the sole intention of making electric overhead traveling (EOT) cranes and their runways the safest, most reliable, durable machines in the steel industry.

For more information visit www.dellnerbubenzer.com

Automation Update - 25

Protecting Your Plant Before

Rotech Motion Sensor’s can be used whenever information or monitoring of shaft rotation, position, direction, speed, slip etc is required! Rotech Motion Sensor’s can be used for indication, control, interlocking, protection, sequencing, alarm initiations and many more functions! Rotech Motion Sensor’s can be used wherever materials are transported or processed By conveyors, elevators, screws, mixers, etc!

ROADSTONE

STONE

POWER STATIONS

AGGREGATE

…AND MANY MORE!

RELIABILITY Tel : +44 (0)151 356 2322 Website: www.rotechsystems.co.uk Fax: +44 (0)151 356 2437 Email: sales@rotechsystems.co.uk

Monitoring the world