We live in a time where variable frequency drives (VFDs) are now the standard when it comes to motor control. As they’re being installed primarily in commercial and industrial buildings, both new and old applications are reaping the benefits these intelligent devices bring. But just like all electronics, VFDs do not last forever.
To date, food producers have so far often been sceptical about the use of connectors in sensitive areas. Given their profiles and footprints, they fear that interfaces will interrupt the smooth, easily washable surfaces needed for cleaning in areas close to the product.
Sawmills and lumber mills take freshly cut logs and process them into construction grade wood of all shapes and sizes. The process of turning a log into a usable piece of lumber has more or less stayed the same; the largest change to the manufacturing process is that it has become largely automated. In order to accomplish the advances in industrial automation, leading edge processors are incorporating variable frequency drives.
What is the best way to power a fan array in a critical operation? For those who may not know what a fan array is, a fan array is exactly what it sounds like - a series of smaller fans designed to carry the load once handled by a single larger fan.
The WEG drive system, consisting of 5000KW 4160V 8-pole W60 induction motors, MVW01 medium voltage drives with input panel, control a semi-autogenous mill (SAG) at the Meliadine mine in the Nunavut territory, Northern Canada. The SAG mill is one of the main equipment of the site, responsible for the grinding process of the extracted ore and, therefore, requires the equipment used for its propulsion and control to have very high reliability and availability.
Pneumatics have been used in automated machines for well over 100 years, with pneumatic technology developing and evolving for over a thousand years in some form or another, for example as boat sails. There have been many innovations over the years, and the basic pneumatic components such as valves, solenoids, cylinders, hoses and fittings are well developed and mature. These devices can be combined in many ways to provide simple and reliable machine control.
A new age in digital transformation is requiring manufacturers to rethink their existing business models and corresponding infrastructure. To remain relevant and competitive in the age of Industry 4.0, manufacturers need to do more than simply adopt digital technologies and deploy predefined processes in isolated islands of automation as they have done in the past.
Read more: How Time-sensitive Networking Is Revolutionizing...
Every year there are more and more types of vehicle applications moving towards electric. The benefits are clearly unquestionable: reduced emissions, lower noise, less maintenance, and increased performance. But, most all-electric construction equipment offerings to-date have largely been confined to mini-excavators and small wheel loaders while only a few manufacturers have unveiled full-scale heavy equipment prototypes.
Read more: Electrifying Construction Equipment – the Role...
If you’re involved in meat and poultry processing, plastics and steel manufacturing, or another industry that has a high rate of accidents resulting in amputations, then you’re likely aware that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is stepping up National Emphasis Program (NEP).
Industry as we know it is changing rapidly – from a shortage of skilled workers and high turnover to advancements in connectivity and IoT. Innovation is driving us to augment in-house experience and institutional knowledge with intuitive technology and partner support. As a result, machine builders are being asked to play an expanded role in supporting customer operations that encompass the full lifecycle of the equipment.
Read more: Workforce Enablement and the New Age of OEM Value
Editor's Pick: Featured Article
Put to the Ultimate Test – Part 1: Torsion Tests by HELUKABEL
Cables and wires in industrial robots and other moving machine parts are often required to withstand extreme stresses caused by torsion. Constant repetitive movements put materials under considerable strain. At the same time, operators expect components to function perfectly and reliably throughout their entire service life to avoid disruptions, outages and safety hazards.
For this reason, at HELUKABEL, we simulate intensive and continuous torsion stresses under realistic conditions with our high-tech testing equipment in Windsbach. We have several types of apparatus for doing this because some of our customers, for example those in the automotive industry, have very precise specifications for how a torsion test is carried out. The tests show that our cables and wires withstand speeds up to 1,000°/s, accelerations up to 2,000°/s² and torsion angles up to 720°. Hence, we make sure that each product always meets our customers’ high standards, and that they receive the impeccable quality they rightly expect from us as a leading supplier of cables, wires and accessories for more than 40 years.
What Is Torsion?
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Festo Didactic at the Forefront of Developing Canada’s Future Work Force
With Canadian manufacturing suffering from a growing labour shortage, the participation of industry in skills development is emerging as a vital component in hiring and retention.
The needs are stark: The Canadian Exporters and Manufacturers Association says almost 40% of its members have jobs they can’t fill. Five years from now, 60% expect to be short-staffed, especially when it comes to skilled trades. Statistics Canada forecasts the country’s labour force growth rate will remain below 0.2% for the rest of the decade, below replacement levels.
This growing shortage is affecting companies of all sizes. Already, some manufacturers acknowledge losing out on contracts because they can’t find the manpower to fulfill them.
In reality, the challenge is two-fold: to replenish and expand the workforce to help close the gap between the number of job seekers and vacancies through 2030 when the last baby boomers reach age 65, and ensure workers get opportunities throughout their careers to upgrade or add to their skillset as current technologies evolve and new ones emerge. Festo, through Festo Didactic, one of the world leading provider of equipment and solutions for technical education, intends to help Canada meet this challenge on both fronts. In essence, the approach Festo has always taken is that the learning never stops.
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Product News
New Emerson Valves Deliver Proportional Flow Control Performance in Exacting Applications
Emerson recently introduced the ASCO™ Series 209 proportional flow control valves, which offer the highest standards of precision, pressure ratings, flow characteristics and energy efficiency available in a purpose-built, compact architecture. With this combination of size and performance, Series 209 valves allow users to precisely regulate the flow of fluid in a wide range of devices that require exacting performance, like those found in the medical equipment, food and beverage, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industries.
Accuracy, response time and repeatability are critical in high-precision flow control applications, such as controlling tool speed in dental chairs, the flow of steam in coffee makers, water flow in cooling systems and hydrogen flow in fuel cells. Series 209 valves have low hysteresis (less than or equal to 5%), excellent repeatability (less than or equal to 1%) and high sensitivity (less than or equal to 0.2%) that contribute to their precision.
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Featured Product
Teledyne Announces New Ladybug6 Cameras for High Accuracy 360-Degree Spherical Image Capture
Teledyne FLIR Integrated Imaging Solutions is pleased to announce the all new Ladybug6— the latest addition to its field proven Ladybug series. Ladybug6 is the leading high-resolution camera designed to capture 360-degree spherical images from moving platforms in all-weather conditions. Its industrial grade design and out-of-the-box factory calibration produces 72 Megapixel (MP) images with pixel values that are spatially accurate within +/- 2 mm at 10-meter distance.
“The new Teledyne Ladybug6 is designed for mobile mapping and all-weather inspection projects requiring excellent image quality and high resolution,” said Mike Lee, Senior Product Manager at Teledyne FLIR. “With the addition of Ladybug6, we are now pleased to offer a wider variety of spherical cameras with higher resolutions ranging from 30 MP to 72 MP.”
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