New IO-Link master future-proofs pneumatic valve systems November 2023, Emerson Automation Solutions, Pneumatics & Hydraulics Emerson has introduced a new Class A IO-Link master that provides customers with a cost-effective solution for smart and analogue sensor connectivity on the AVENTICS Series G3 Fieldbus platform.
Thor’s hammer of pneumatic knockers November 2023, Neu Matics SA, Pneumatics & Hydraulics Neu Matics acts as sole distributor for a range of internationally recognised brands, and one of these is the pneumatic knocker from singold.
How to look after your pressure gauge November 2023, SA Gauge, Pressure Measurement & Control Pressure and temperature gauges are very widely used on process plants.
Specialising in the design and manufacture of pressure and temperature measuring instruments, SA Gauge believes that all process and ambient factors should be considered when selecting and installing pressure measuring devices. The company recommends that the following guidelines on selection and calibration be followed in order to prevent gauge failure.
Case History 190: Measurement problem ruins level control. November 2023, Michael Brown Control Engineering, Fieldbus & Industrial Networking The widely held belief in many plants that tuning will solve all base layer control problems is completely fallacious. Bad tuning is generally not the main reason for loops to perform badly. It is important when performing optimisation that all elements in a loop are considered, in addition to the control strategy, before even thinking of tuning.
Precise part machining November 2023, Beckhoff Automation, Fieldbus & Industrial Networking toolcraft manufactures on behalf of its customers using its 60 CNC machines, and designs, plans and builds turnkey production systems for companies in various industries, having added injection moulding, mould making and additive manufacturing technologies along the way. Robotics is the company’s newest technology division. This is why toolcraft relies on PC-based control, including in the production cells, which have seven-axis milling robots for machining components at CNC level.
Megatrends shaping the auto industry November 2023, IT in Manufacturing The automotive industry is in the midst of a technology-driven revolution that will not only advance the safety and sustainability of transportation, but also transform how consumers interact with their vehicles and the OEM brands behind them.
How lighting solutions support lean manufacturing processes November 2023, Turck Banner Southern Africa, Industrial Wireless The philosophy of lean principles is a big trend in the pharmaceutical industry. It emphasises using time and resources as efficiently as possible in order to reduce waste and focus on value-added activities. Here are four examples of how lighting solutions can help increase efficiency by addressing common sources of wasted time and resources in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Loop signatures 20: The great deceivers. October 2023, Michael Brown Control Engineering It is generally better to live with noise rather than filtering it out, provided it does not cause the final control element to jump around excessively.
Getting results with process optimisation and AI October 2023, Loesche South Africa , IT in Manufacturing Cement is one of the most energy-intensive industries, and a typical cement plant consumes around 100 kWh of energy for each ton of production. LOESCHE’S software solution systems can automatically assess a vertical roller mill’s process parameters and help optimise power consumption, improve maintenance, reduce environmental issues and make the process sustainable.
Unlocking the potential of industrial AI October 2023 Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not just a buzzword; it’s a dynamic field with tangible industrial applications that are already starting to reshape certain industries. In this article we explore the real-world impact of Industrial AI, moving beyond the initial hype.
20 years of EtherCAT October 2023 EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) will be holding a series of exclusive breakfast seminars across the country at the end of October. Here is executive director, Martin Rostan’s Q&A account of EtherCAT’s remarkable history.
Multifieldbus supports all major Ethernet protocols October 2023, Siemens South Africa In the course of digitalisation, the communication capability of field devices is becoming increasingly important. A unique research facility for the construction and operation of modern road and rail tunnels was recently built under the terraces of an open-cast mine in Erzberg, Styria. This utilises the Simatic ET 200SP multifieldbus interface module from Siemens, which can communicate via Profinet, EtherNet/IP and Modbus TCP.
Power pack order for Kamoa-Kakula September 2023, SEW-Eurodrive, Motion Control & Drives With well over 100 units already delivered, SEW-EURODRIVE is set to continue supplying Ivanhoe Mines’ prestigious Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Rocket science by ARCA September 2023, Valve & Automation, Valves, Actuators & Pump Control Control valves from ARCA, a specialist in industrial process control, are playing a key role in the European Space Agency’s generation 6 ARIANE rocket launchers at its launch pad located near Kourou in French Guiana. They also feature in the SpaceX launch site, Starbase in South Texas.
Case history 189: Poor furnace temperature control. September 2023, Michael Brown Control Engineering, PLCs, DCSs & Controllers Many process engineers do not appreciate the importance of flow loops in their unit controls. A senior process engineer once told me that flow loops need not be tuned well, as they generally have little effect on the more important and much slower loops like temperatures and pressures.
PC-based automation of a 24/7 automated convenience store September 2023, Beckhoff Automation, Motion Control & Drives Zinu Shop is a fully automated store that offers a similar range of products to traditional convenience stores. This was made possible by PC-based control from Beckhoff.
Data synchronisation in wind farms Technews Industry Guide: Sustainable Manufacturing 2023, Beckhoff Automation Pulse Structural Monitoring, an Acteon company, was tasked with monitoring selected turbine foundations in new wind farms. The solution is delivered by using Beckhoff technology and EtherCAT measurement terminals throughout the design.
Gear business driven by sustainability Technews Industry Guide: Sustainable Manufacturing 2023, SEW-Eurodrive, Motion Control & Drives SEW-EURODRIVE has for many years pursued a sustainability agenda that is applied across every aspect of its business.
The greenhouse of the future Technews Industry Guide: Sustainable Manufacturing 2023, ifm - South Africa, Sensors & Transducers Feeding the world’s population despite limited resources is a task that requires ever more arable land and fresh water. Highly automated vertical farms could be the future of agriculture.
Digital transformation for sustainable manufacturing Technews Industry Guide: Sustainable Manufacturing 2023, IT in Manufacturing What is sustainability? Is it environmental impact? Triple bottom line? Making a profit? There are several answers to this question, but it can probably be summarised as “Will your business/company/operation still be around in ten years?”
