The February Technology Evening was hosted by Phoenix Contact South Africa. Kevin Preston, who is currently in their employ as group manager CIS & IE, presented on industrial wireless technology. Kevin is currently responsible for the Interface, I/O and Networks and CIS product ranges.
The presentation covered the full gambit of industrial wireless technology in the automation field and addressed the various technologies and topologies, namely Trusted Wireless, Industrial Bluetooth, Wireless LAN/Ethernet, 3G/GSM based systems and Wireless HART.
Mike Banda (right) thanks Kevin Preston after the presentation.
These technologies all co-exist in the same frequency band, are licence-free and are not affected by electromagnetic interference from plant and machinery. These systems are all capable of being integrated into existing systems and are compatible with all scada, DCS and PLC suppliers.
These technologies are growing in popularity due to their secure, cost-effective ease of installation in a broad spectrum of applications. Included in the presentation were case studies of various operational systems covering a vast array of applications.
The case studies covered applications both local and abroad, but were relevant to local industry. Some of the applications included:
• Replacement of cables on overhead cranes.
• Mobile vehicle connections in warehouses and plants.
• Vernacular control at Cape Point.
• Aircraft gate support systems.
• Leaky cable for track-guided systems, mainly in automotive manufacture.
• Control of revolving machinery such as stranding machines.
• Safe wireless transport systems for elevators.
• Remote mill monitoring and bag filling.
• Centrifuge control and monitoring at waste water plants.
• Safe wireless control and monitoring of fuel tank farms.
The Johannesburg branch of the SAIMC thanks Kevin for his valuable and informative presentation that was very well received.
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