Control Systems

Bürkert has released the latest update to its FLOWave flowmeter, which offers greater functionality and widens its appeal for the pharmaceutical sector as well as food and beverage applications. The list of new capabilities includes the ability to detect different fluids, which will open-up new applications in many areas.

Industrial workers can strengthen their grasp of production and make more informed operating decisions with the new Allen-Bradley CompactLogix 5480 controller by Rockwell Automation. The controller marries a Logix control engine and the Microsoft Windows 10 IoT Enterprise operating system in a single platform, allowing workers to view machine information at its source.

A condition monitoring system based on HARTING’s MICA Edge computer system is being used for the early detection of wear in the overhead conveyor systems used in production lines in the automotive and other industries. The failure of individual support frames in these conveyors can lead to the stoppage of entire production lines, but the MICA-based system detects wear at an early stage and thus prevents unplanned downtime.

The motion control experts, INMOCO, have available a new torque control IC (integrated circuit), designed for applications with limited space but which need to control noise, vibration and power consumption. The new Juno torque control IC is made by Massachusetts company Performance Motion Devices, and complements the existing Juno motor control ICs. 

A clean green wastewater technology that can turn an environmental problem into a source of profit is being introduced to Australia and New Zealand by CST Wastewater Solutions. The Global Water and Energy (GWE) anerobic digestion technology has been proven worldwide in more than 400 installations, including food, beverage and agribusiness operations in Australasia.

Precision control of fluids and gases is a task that requires technical knowledge and experience. Within this area, hygienic applications, such as those in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, place even higher demands on the control components and the surrounding infrastructure. 

ROLEC has launched its new profiPANEL command enclosures. These tough and highly versatile enclosures offer an economic solution for housing machine control equipment. IP 65 rated profiPANEL is suitable for a wide range of industrial applications. It can be mounted from the top or bottom on ROLEC’s profiPLUS 50 suspension arm system or to a wall or machine housing using the optional 180° pivot bracket.

Over the past 50 years, a growing number of industrial businesses have adopted computer-based automation systems. However, many of these systems are now nearing their official end-of-life and becoming obsolete, leaving engineers with the challenge of managing obsolescence effectively. Maria Torrisi, Business Development Manager at JMartans Automation, explains how industrial plant managers can manage obsolescence in control panels.

The perfect beer is a harmonious blend of art and science. Automation can help by performing the measured and repetitive tasks while allowing brewers to focus on more creative, interesting and rewarding aspects. So when Sadler’s Ales, a historic Black Country brewery, started to grow its business, it decided to adopt an automated process control solution from Mitsubishi Electric to improve productivity and make the quality of its craft beers more consistent.

For Marstons brewery in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, replacing control valves on the main chiller system would improve reliability. However, the process control components were initially looking expensive - that is until a call to Burkert revealed a much more cost-effective solution. Replacing ageing equipment or expanding a production line are suitable opportunities to take stock of new technologies and how they can improve productivity and reduce project costs.