New guided radar level transmitters
February 2023
Editor's Choice
Level Measurement & Control
OPTIFLEX 3200 is the first choice for applications with hygienic requirements in the pharmaceutical and food and beverage industries. It features a CIP/SI-suitable hygienic design for liquid level and interface measurement in small vessels with process conditions up to 150°C and 40 barg. Insensitive to steam, foam and condensation, the device offers a measuring range of 0.6-4 metres with an accuracy of ±2 mm.
OPTIFLEX 6200 is designed for solids, from granulates to powders, in the chemical, agri-food, metals, and minerals and mining industries. It can be used for level measurement in silos up to 40 metres, with a measuring accuracy of ±2 mm. Designed to withstand high traction loads and process conditions up to 200°C and 40 barg, it is insensitive to dusty atmosphere or deposits on the probe.
OPTIFLEX 7200 aims at the chemical, and oil and gas industries for level and interface measurement of liquids in process and storage applications with ±2 mm. It offers an extensive choice of probes for measuring distances up 60 metres and dielectric constants down to 1,3, and can be used with aggressive media in process conditions up to 250°C and 100 barg.
OPTIFLEX 8200 has similar features and offers a double ceramic process seal system for liquids up to 315°C and 320 barg. Both devices offer dynamic gas-phase compensation (DGC) with the coaxial probes, ensuring accurate measurement without increased blocking distance in applications where the composition of the gas above the liquid can change suddenly, for example in steam boilers.
All four new TDR transmitters feature two-wire 4-20 mA HART 7 communication with an optional second output (current or relay) and a real-time clock for event logging. They have been developed to be SIL 2/3-compliant according to IEC 61508 for safety-related systems and come with various Ex approvals. Common features also include a quick coupling system, and compact and remote converter versions up to 100 metres made of aluminium or stainless steel. All devices are rated IP66, IP68 and NEMA 4X/6P.
Together with the cost-effective OPTIFLEX 1100 for basic liquid applications and the POWERFLEX 2200 for liquids in the nuclear industry, these guided radar level transmitters represent the KROHNE guided radar (TDR) level transmitter portfolio.
KROHNE is a full-service provider for process measuring technology for the measurement of flow, mass flow, level, pressure and temperature and analytical tasks. Founded in 1921 and headquartered in Duisburg, Germany, the company employs over 3900 people worldwide and is present on all continents. KROHNE stands for innovation and maximum product quality, and is one of the market leaders in industrial process measuring technology.
Further reading:
Machine health monitoring with ifm
ifm - South Africa
Editor's Choice IT in Manufacturing
With ifm’s machine health monitoring, early signs of wear can be detected and unexpected failures prevented. Combined with equipment preventive maintenance software, interventions can be scheduled proactively to avoid costly downtime.
Read more...
Powering Africa’s sustainable mining
VEGA Controls SA
Editor's Choice Level Measurement & Control
At the 2026 Mining Indaba in Cape Town, one theme rises above all others, progress through precision. For VEGA, a global leader in process instrumentation, this mission aligns perfectly with its core purpose, which is turning measurement into meaningful progress.
Read more...
PCS Global delivers turnkey MCC installation in Botswana
PCS Global
Editor's Choice PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
PCS Global is delivering a turnkey containerised MCC installation for a major copper mining operation in Northwest Botswana.
Read more...
SEW-EURODRIVE transforms drivetrain uptime
SEW-EURODRIVE
Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
The DriveRadar IoT Suite from SEW-Eurodrive is an ideal solution for industrial condition monitoring. This powerful ecosystem of intelligent sensors, edge devices and cloud-based analytics ensures that customers have full visibility and control of their operations.
Read more...
PC-based control for flat wire motors for electric vehicles
Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
Special machine manufacturer, ruhlamat Huarui Automation Technologies has unveiled the second generation of its mass production line for flexible stators with bar winding (pins). This enables an extremely short production cycle and line changeover times, supported by PC- and EtherCAT-based control technology from Beckhoff.
Read more...
Heavy impact, smart control
Axiom Hydraulics
Editor's Choice Pneumatics & Hydraulics
Every now and then a project lands on your desk that’s equal parts heavy machinery and fine control - a tantalising mix for any engineer. A client approached Axiom Hydraulics with a project exactly like this.
Read more...
Pneumatics makes a technological leap with the proportional valve terminal
Festo South Africa
Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
Festo continually makes bold technological leaps to keep pace with global advancements. Controlled Pneumatics is redefining the boundaries of compressed air technology to meet the demands of today’s most advanced applications.
Read more...
Driving fluid power forward
Editor's Choice News
The National Fluid Power Association is developing its latest Industrial Technology Roadmap for 2025, showing how hydraulics and pneumatics are changing to meet new industrial demands.
Read more...
World’s hottest engine
Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
Scientists have built the world’s smallest engine. It’s also the world’s hottest. It could provide an unparalleled understanding of the laws of thermodynamics on a small scale, and provide the foundation for a new, efficient way to compute how proteins fold.
Read more...
PC-based control optimises robotic parts handling on plastics machinery
Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
NEO is a cartesian robot developed by INAUTOM Robótica in Portugal for parts removal on plastics machinery. Its aim is to increase system productivity. NAUTOM Robótica has entered into a strategic partnership with Bresimar Automação to increase the working speed of the cartesian robots using advanced control and motion solutions from Beckhoff. The result is a comprehensive, future-proof automation solution for its entire family of cartesian robots.
Read more...