Honeywell launches wireless network system

Brussels – Honeywell’s has launched its industrial wireless mesh network system, called OneWireless, which is designed to offer a scalable infrastructure to support wireless-enabled devices located throughout process facilities. The network supports multiple industrial protocols and applications simultaneously and provides a single wireless network “that is simple to manage and efficient to operate,” claimed a 12 June company announcement.

Scalable to 30,000 devices, OneWireless supports Honeywell XYR 5000 and newer XYR 6000 wireless transmitters, which include corrosion, gauge pressure, differential pressure, high-level analog input and temperature transmitters.

The system also supports wired transmitters, mobile worker devices such as IntelaTrac PKS and Mobile Station, and standard Wi-Fi and Ethernet clients. The open, standards-based infrastructure allows manufacturers to take advantage of new applications as they become available,  said Honeywell.

The introduction follows field trials of OneWireless at various sites, said Honeywell. These include at Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Inc. in Alabama where the network is configured with wireless temperature and pressure sensors to improve the efficiency of several steel-manufacturing processes.

The pressure sensors, for example enable operators to measure air filtration system performance and schedule maintenance only as needed and so deliver more efficient maintenance and less downtime.
Nucor also uses the technology in its ‘bag house’ building, which filters air from the steel-making process to eliminate potentially harmful substances. The differential pressure transmitters monitor the bags to determine when they need cleaning.

“The key to enhancing plant value is taking critical process information and making it readily available throughout the facility,” said Jack Bolick, Honeywell Process Solutions president. “OneWireless integrates process information into plant systems and applications.”