Wind power is the fastest growing energy sector worldwide, showing market growth of 39,5% over the last five years. Industry aims are to take a 10% share of the global electricity generating market by 2020. In Scandinavia, for example, wind power provides almost 10% of the country's electricity and the target is to reach 50% by 2030.
To keep up with these targets wind turbine technology is developing fast and average outputs are getting better year on year. Currently in the UK, the wind energy production costs are only slightly higher than natural gas. This is not only due to improved design, but also to a growing trend to deploy condition monitoring systems in their latest wind turbine designs.
Monitran have supplied many thousands of sensors for this deployment. They have been partially successful in both designing and producing a whole range of bespoke vibration sensors for use in the monitoring systems in many systems around the world, with particular achievement around many parts of Europe. These systems typically monitor the condition of drive shaft, gearbox and the drive bearings during operation. This is starting to reduce the cost of turbine ownership, coupled with the improved technology, as it reduces operational downtime and allows dynamic maintenance scheduling.
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Gail Norton Instrumentation Agencies has developed a low-maintenance conveyor belt monitoring unit built on robust Telco infrared sensors, detecting belt tear and misalignment reliably in harsh coal mining environments.
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ifm’s inductive ring sensors detect metallic parts such as screws and nuts as they pass through tubes at speeds up to 35 m/s, enabling precise counting, flow control and blockage detection, with sensitivity and output functions configurable via IO-Link.
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SICK’s new sensingCam SEC200 image-based code reader brings supermarket-checkout simplicity to logistics and industrial identification, reading 1D and 2D codes reliably with quick browser-based setup, rugged IP65 construction and CRA-compliant cybersecurity.
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A new IDTechEx report forecasts the market for sensors in humanoid robots will exceed $6,59 billion by 2037, driven by perception sensors, force/torque sensors, encoders and inertial measurement units across a growing range of commercial robot platforms.
Read more...The wireless route to safer, more efficient mining operations Emerson Automation Solutions
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Modern wireless level measurement technologies are helping mining operations improve process control, increase safety and reduce installation costs. Emerson’s Rosemount 3408 wireless non-contacting radar level transmitter uses 80 GHz frequency-modulated continuous wave radar with HART communication to reach remote assets where cabling is impractical.
Read more...Telco sensors for harsh environments
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Telco sensors are designed to operate where moisture, particulate contamination and surface fouling would disable conventional sensors, with a range including an adjustable five-metre infrared proximity sensor for harsh industrial environments.
Read more...The data-driven path to sustainable manufacturing ifm - South Africa
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Smart automation is closing the gap between operational efficiency and environmental responsibility, and the data to do it is already inside the plant. With ifm’s sensing and digitalisation technologies, manufacturers can turn machine intelligence into measurable sustainability gains.
Read more...Expanding visibility in mining operations Emerson Automation Solutions
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Advances in wireless communications, condition monitoring and sensing technologies are helping mining operators extend measurement into previously under-monitored areas, improving equipment reliability, process performance and water stewardship.
Read more...Fiber-optic amplifiers for precise object detection ifm - South Africa
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The OCF fibre-optic amplifier detects even the smallest or most transparent objects in confined spaces, making proven fibre-optic technology easier and more user-friendly than before.
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