Together with Siemens Mobility, ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG has put a completely new digitalisation solution in the field of safety and security technology into operation at the train station in Achau, Austria: The “Distributed Smart Safe System” (DS3) is an innovative digitalisation solution and the basis for cloud-enabled interlocking (“Interlocking in the Cloud”).
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) elected Michael Plaster, Lead Business Manager for ABB Electrification in the United States, to its Board of Governors. Plaster has been an executive leader with ABB for 15 years including roles in Utility, Construction, and Industrial markets. He has a Mechanical Engineering Technology degree from Purdue University and a Master’s in Business Administration degree from Butler University.
2020 is a year of anniversaries for Beckhoff. Founded 40 years ago, the company started out with PC-based controllers in 1985 and launched its bus terminals in 1995. Ronald Heinze, editor-in-chief of Open Automation, talked with managing director and founder Hans Beckhoff about the company’s many innovations. “We view the current economic situation as acceptably positive,” said Hans Beckhoff.
Supporting the company’s growth strategy and building toward its goal to remain a generationally sustainable, diversified electrical company, Southwire is pleased to announce the acquisition of American Elite Molding (AEM) of Crestview, FL. Serving the Construction, Industrial, Retail and OEM markets for more than 20 years, AEM is one of America’s leading manufacturers of nylon cable ties.
A short-circuit current rating (SCCR)1 is the maximum current a device or system can safely withstand for a specified time (such as 0.05 seconds), or until a specified fuse or circuit breaker opens and clears the circuit. SCCR is usually expressed in kiloamperes (kA). SCCR labeling requirements create a safe installation and help manufacturers, owners and managers meet OSHA regulations and NFPA codes and standards.
Allied Electronics & Automation has recently added its 50th new supplier in 2020 and now stocks ready-to-ship inventory from more than 500 world-class suppliers of automation and control, electronic, electrical, mechanical, and maintenance products. The company has most recently augmented its offering of power transmission components, switches, sensors, industrial connectivity equipment, industrial controls, connectors, and sanitizing products from Envirocleanse, Ringfeder, E-Switch, Pilz, and Eaton Transportation.
Condition monitoring of critical components on machines delivers enormous benefits to productivity in a plant. Rather than have a motor, pump, or compressor unexpectedly fail and the machine be inoperable until a replacement part is installed, condition monitoring of those critical pieces on the machine can provide warning signs that something is about to go terribly wrong. Vibration measurements on rotating equipment can detect when there is imbalance or degrade on rolling bearing elements.
Unplanned downtime threatens productivity and profit across industrial and commercial sectors. In a recent survey of these customers, 20% rate reaching zero unplanned downtime as their top priority, and 70% consider it a “very high priority.” Often, downtime comes as a surprise because facility operators lack visibility into their operations. Hardware failures and malfunctions account for 45% of downtime incidents – but 71% of field service decision makers aren’t fully aware of their assets’ maintenance schedule.
Using a quality feedback cable is critical to maximizing performance in servo applications. As the saying goes, “A chain is only as strong as the weakest link.” It does not make sense to invest a lot of money in a high-performance servo motor, servo amplifier, and planetary gearhead and then cut corners with an inferior feedback cable since the entire system performance will suffer.
Housing electrical components inside an enclosure is a requirement in industrial applications. The enclosure is required to protect the controllers, power distribution components, power supplies and other electronics from harsh factory floor environments. Factories, plants and facilities often experience relatively warm ambient temperatures, and many of the electrical components housed in the control enclosure generate heat, so many enclosures require cooling. In some instances, such as for outdoor installations, enclosures may require heating.
It’s no secret that Grace Technologies’ Permanent Electrical Safety Devices (PESDs) greatly assist with a more productive and safer Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedure. But how and when each device is best suited for each step of the process may require some clarification. For starters, the GracePESDs voltage indicators are best suited for verifying the presence of voltage. This is visually represented by flashing or non-flashing LED lights from the device that is hardwired to the load side of an electrical feeder or disconnect switch.
Machines, their control panels, and other types of electrical equipment must be designed and sized in accordance with their location of installation. This ensures protection against the damaging effects of a short-circuit in the electrical equipment.
Siemens and Zeta have entered into a strategic partnership. The aim of both companies is to drive forward the digital transformation of pharmaceutical processes worldwide. Zeta, a specialist with many years of experience in major projects for the biopharmaceutical industry, takes the role of the system integrator thanks to their process expertise from the pharmaceutical sector. In partnership with Zeta, Siemens acts as the system provider offering software platforms with their Digital Enterprise Portfolio.
TE Connectivity Ltd. announced recently that Chief Executive Officer Terrence Curtin will present virtually at Baird’s 2020 Global Industrial Conference on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020 at 7:55 a.m. ET. The webcast will be live on the company’s investor website at investors.te.com. A replay of the presentation will be archived and available at the same location.
The International Society of Automation (ISA) and the ISA Global Cybersecurity Alliance (ISAGCA) have released a new guide to the security lifecycles outlined in the ISA/IEC 62443 series of standards and technical reports. ISA/IEC 62443 constitutes the world’s only consensus-based series of automation cybersecurity standards. “Security Lifecycles in the ISA/IEC 62443 Series: Security of Industrial Automation and Control Systems” provides a high-level view of the product security lifecycle and the automation solution security lifecycle.
Schneider Electric has recently announced that REV Engineering (REV) has joined its EcoXpert Partner Program in Canada as a Critical Power EcoXpert specializing in Power Quality. The partnership will bring the latest in IoT-enabled technology for improved power availability, safety and operational efficiency to customers in Western Canada.