Technology Tracker March/April

Company / Product: Features claimed:

Emerson / Rosemount Analytical Model 6081-P wireless pH transmitter: Following approval of the WirelessHART standard, the new field device is the industry’s first wireless pH/ORP transmitter. Measures both pH and ORP and is compatible with most Rosemount Analytical pH and ORP sensors. Transmitter installs easily and joins the wireless network quickly, enabling analytical measurements that were previously impossible. Transmitter features a two-line, 16-character display with simple and intuitive menu screens and plain language prompts in six local languages that guide the user through programming and calibration procedures

SICK UK / UE410 FlexiSOFT: DIN-rail mounted, software-based modular safety controller for applications that require more sophistication than basic safety relays but do not require the complexity of a full-scale safety PLC. Comes with a software configuration tool, which allows safety engineers to configure complex safety systems – from simple logic gates to more advanced functions such as safe on/off timers and set/reset function blocks. Programming is achieved through a small M8 connector port on the CPU from a serial cable connected to a PC’s RS232 connector port

FLIR Systems / FLIR P660 thermal imaging cameras: For applications that need superior image quality, temperature measurement accuracy and even greater thermal image detail. Supplied with a 640 x 480 uncooled detector with a sensitivity of better than 45mK. Yet the resultant, highly detailed images can be enhanced further by the new contrast optimizer - a special algorithm that enables the user to view with the high clarity both the scanned object and its surroundings. Integral GPS for monitoring geographically-spread asset bases such as in the utility, energy and telecoms sectors

Rexroth / 32 Series A10VSO axial piston pump: Increased efficiency, lower noise generation and improved controllers are the main features of these new variable axial piston pumps. Designed specifically for use in the upper medium-duty range, these variable displacement pumps are suitable for use in harsh working environments with typical fields of application including plastics processing machines, machine tools and power units. Available initially in nominal sizes 71,100 and 140 and with a nominal maximum pressure of 280bar and 350bar peak pressure, the optimised drive of the range permits higher rotational speeds and, at the same time, up to 3% greater efficiency compared to previous models

GarrettCom Europe / New versions of 6K32 managed Ethernet switches: Double the number of standard fibre and gigabit fibre ports, and offers the choice of either fan or convection cooling. User configurable with a maximum of 32 ports, the 6K32F and 6K32FC can provide up to 16 standard fibre ports or eight gigabit ports to meet the growing data and bandwidth requirements of demanding industrial applications

CompAir / Quantima oil-free compressor technology: With only one moving part spinning in a magnetic field, Quantima’s Q-drive compression assembly forms the heart of the new compressor design. Unique rotor and direct-driven compression elements are levitated by active electromagnetic bearings to allow them to reach speeds of up to 60,000 rpm. Quieter and compact variable-speed product has no gearbox, no oil and offers high reliability. Range that has the lowest off-load power consumption of any compressor on the market at just 2.5% of full load power, equating to only 7Kw for a typical 300kW unit

Eurotherm: Technology to prevent the unauthorised cloning of control configurations to protect the intellectual property rights of their original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers and value added distributors. OEM security has successfully protected the 2600 and 2700 series of Eurotherm controllers for several years but there are still a lot of unprotected units in operation that are vulnerable to cloning

Atlas Copco / GA range of oil-injected compressors: Designed for reliability and energy efficiency, which is via state-of-the-art compression elements based on Atlas Copco’s patented asymmetric rotor profiles, which drastically reduce volumetric losses. Through the optimization of oil injection, flow and temperature, the compression process is kept at the coolest possible temperature, thereby minimizing thermodynamic losses. Other design features to further reduce energy consumption include the use of radial fans with VSD regulation, high-efficiency motors and no-loss drains. Extra energy-saving options such as an integrated energy recovery system and/or VSD for the main motor can provide even greater benefits

HARTING / sCon industrial Ethernet switches: The industry’s first to offer ring redundancy on the basis of unmanaged Ethernet switches connected in a ring configuration. The ring redundancy approach achieves high system availability, while simplifying the configuration and ease of operation of the network. Detailed network knowledge is not needed to configure the redundancy because it can easily be achieved via a USB port - unlike previous solutions using unmanaged switches. The sCon can also be used for parallel redundancy. The combination of these two functions gives the sCon family a distinct advantage over other unmanaged Ethernet switches, and offers an economical alternative to redundancy systems based on managed Ethernet switches

Westermo Data Communications / ADSL2/ 2+ and HSDPA routers, VPN, integrated firewall, Ethernet connectivity: Two high speed industrial routers based on the fastest communications standards currently available to support remote telemetry and industrial control systems applications. The MR-250 is a HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) router. HSDPA is the latest 3G mobile telephony communications protocol that enables download speeds of up to 1.8Mbit/s. Where HSDPA is not yet available the MR-250 will automatically fall back to 3G (UMTS) EDGE or GPRS to ensure it uses the fastest available communication

Burkert / IP65/IP67 FreeLINE process automation system: Completely decentralised process automation solution with a higher type of protection IP65/IP67, offering all the freedoms of distributed I/O systems without the cost and complexity of installation in control cabinets. The FreeLINE system offers the highest levels of flexibility, integrating fieldbus, I/O and pilot valves for use in the most demanding process environments. Meeting the most stringent demands with regard to ease of installation, reliability and ease of maintenance, the system offers extensive options for implementing any required control solution using any order of pneumatic and electrical modules with inte­grated valves and feedback inputs

National Instruments / USB-6281, USB-6289 M Series data acquisition devices: Feature an 18-bit ADC, which provides a 4X increase in resolution over traditional 16-bit devices, equivalent to more than 5½ digits of resolution for DC measurements. Devices also offer enhanced analog output channels that feature programmable range and offset settings. In addition to standard screw terminal or mass termination connectivity options, board-only OEM versions are also available for integration with embedded systems and include 34- and 50-pin insulation-displacement connectors (IDC) for easy board mating

Firstsight Vision / IPD VA61 compact machine vision system: Contains all the processing power in a rugged enclosure, instead of the camera head. Small cameras can therefore be used, while the unit itself can be readily integrated into factory environments alongside other automation controllers. Supports two dedicated GigE camera ports (in addition to one GigE compliant network port) for a range of DALSA monochrome and colour GigE cameras such as the DALSA Genie. Use of GigE vision makes it possible to have long Ethernet cable lengths between the IPD VA controller and the inspection point. Using an Ethernet Hub, a large number of cameras can be connected to the two VA61 camera ports

ASCO NUMATICS / Enhanced version of its SIL3-certified Redundant Control System (RCS) for process valves: Offers higher flow rates for larger process valve configurations, making it suitable for use across a range of oil & gas, refining, and power generation applications. In addition, the system is third-party certified for use in IEC 61508 SIL 3 applications and has received system approvals for ATEX Zone 1. The RCS achieves higher levels of safety by incorporating a redundant, fault-tolerant architecture, high diagnostic coverage, and automated testing. Its self-diagnostic capabilities test both the safety system and process valve to ensure continuous proper operating performance