Sensors & Transducers


Making a mark in process instrumentation

October 2010 Sensors & Transducers

TIA allows continuous manufacturing optimisation through optimal interplay of all automation components in an enterprise.

Competitive advantage in the process industry relies on the ability to make processes faster, more flexible, more efficient and above all, more cost effective. For more than 160 years, the Siemens brand has grown to represent product quality, consistently reliable service levels and long term sustainability for customers and their plant. In building relationships that became long term partnerships, the company has helped to integrate business processes across all organisational levels through establishing and maintaining a competitive edge.

Becoming the world’s largest

Over time Siemens has made acquisitions with the aim of becoming the world’s largest TIA supplier, all the while ensuring that quality and reputation are maintained. Today, the company says, its TIA platform provides full data management integration, communications, configuration and programming capability for everything from individually customised products to complete system solutions.

TIA is characterised by its unique degree of integration which ensures high transparency at all levels from the field to corporate management. This provides considerable benefits through the planning, engineering, commissioning, operations, maintenance and modernisation phases of a typical plant lifecycle.

The process and analytical instrumentation ranges have been incorporated in the TIA concept to complement the high quality automation system solutions (PLC and HMI) and the power train ranges of switchgear, drives, gearboxes and motors. This is the approach that has taken Siemens to a position of leadership in the automation markets of the world.

Key industries

In the field of process instrumentation, process analytics and weighing technology, Siemens focuses on a number of key industries, including chemical, pharmaceutical, water/wastewater, mining, aggregates, cement, oil and gas, pulp and paper, food and beverage, and marine.

Customers benefit from the versatility of complete open solutions for process applications with standard Profibus, Foundation Fieldbus or HART communications interfaces ensuring easy integration of existing and future components. The company achieves its marketing objective of ‘A one-stop partner for field instrumentation and analytics’ by adding comprehensive planning, consulting, maintenance and training services to the mix.

Key technology

Instrumentation – strength through diversity

Decades of experience in the measurement, analysis, and control of industrial processes are the foundations of the organisation’s expertise in all the areas of process engineering. From solutions in level, flow, pressure, temperature, liquid and gas analysis, static and dynamic weighing through positioners, controllers, printers, recorders and process protection, all the product ranges are comprehensive.

For instance, Siemens says its level measuring products boast the highest number of ultrasonic sensors sold worldwide by any company, the range also includes a first in FMCW technology to measure solids using microwaves. While the comprehensive range of flowmeters allows users to add value to the bottom line by choosing the right flowmeter for every application. The range consists of a selection of electromagnetic (including battery operated), coriolis, ultrasonic, vortex, rotary pistol and differential pressure flowmeters, suitable for measuring a variety of liquids in all industry applications.

A pressure product range with SIL ratings, Sitrans P, comprises a complete range of instruments for measuring gauge, differential and absolute pressure. In addition to high measuring precision and ruggedness, defining features include the convenience and functionality of the modular system as well as advanced safety concepts – a proven range of products for all pressure applications.

Sitrans T is the temperature offering and features instruments for true temperature measurements even under extreme conditions. At high or low temperatures, even in hazardous areas, Sitrans T with communications capability has been designed to meet the demands of a wide variety of industries. The range includes transmitters, sensors and accessories with 4–20 mA, Profibus PA and Foundation Fieldbus interfaces. Solutions for non-contact temperature measurement are also on offer.

The instrumentation product range completes itself with solutions in weighing (static hoppers and conveyors), recorders, printers, controllers, process protection and positioners. Siemens positioners have been guaranteeing safe and trouble-free operation around the globe for more than 15 years. They accurately control multiple valve types and detect flow problems, blockages, screen faults, cavitation in pumps and burst filters as an early warning system to avoid costly process interruptions and equipment breakdowns.

Process control, recording and weighing

Siemens process controllers have been installed in more than 250 000 control applications in industrial processes globally. The Sipart DR series compact controllers with continuous signal or step contact output have been designed especially for space-saving panel mounting in highly complex processes in industry and research and development which emphasise visualisation and analysis capability, Sirec process recorders offer state-of-the-art solutions for all measurement, monitoring and recording applications.

For many years now weighing equipment has been a core technology for ensuring quality and controlling production processes in nearly every industrial sector. Here Siemens offers a comprehensive range of weighing products from the TIA-compatible Siwarex weighing processor to heavy-duty weigh feeders. The flexible configurability of product enables everything from simple platform weighing machines to gravimetrical level measurement and highly complex automatic weighing machines that can be implemented with minimal modification costs. Weighing and batching systems play an important role in all sectors of production and process engineering. The Siwarex load cells and electronic modules for weighing systems together with Milltronics belt scales, weighfeeders and solids flowmeters provide an optimal weighing system for almost any task.

Advanced analytics

As a leading provider of process analysers and process analysis systems, the organisation offers its global customers advanced solutions based on innovative analysis technologies, customised system engineering, sound application knowledge and professional support. The TIA approach has made Siemens Process Analytics a partner of note for efficient solutions that integrate process analysers and automation systems in the process industry. These include both gas and liquid analysis. Gas analysers include gas chromatographs (GCs) and continuous gas analysers (CGAs). Together the range of liquid and gas analysers have been designed to measure and monitor in almost any industrial application.

Completing the offering

Siemens says its mission to improve client productivity through totally integrated automation solutions could never be complete without totally integrated support and seamless aftersales service. This is provided through comprehensive service packages designed to assist in engineering, supplying, installing and commissioning complete measurement solutions for industrial plant applications.

This completes the alignment of the offering towards customer demands and trends in the global market. The benefit to clients is a holistic and complete automation solution that allows optimal manufacturing performance and substantial increases in profitability through the entire lifecycle of the facility.

For more information contact Keshin Govender, Siemens Southern Africa, +27 (0)11 652 2412, [email protected], www.siemens.co.za



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