Process industries, with a focus on Chemicals plants, are currently experiencing an evolution. Plant operators are grappling with a market that is shifting towards shorter product lifecycles, regularly changing feedstocks, an overall more precise yet rapid approach to production and narrowing profit margins.
Personalized medicine means an elementary change for the pharma and biotech industry aimed at the production of large quantities. Pharmabotix is developing automation and robotics solutions for filling smaller batches as they occur in cell and gene therapy. The Swiss company is thereby focusing on a hygienically designed Yaskawa Motoman HD8 industrial robot.
Ethernet-APL extends connectivity all the way to process automation field devices. This is achieved with 2-wire cabling via Ethernet-APL switches at data transfer rates of 10 MB/s. Transmissions are intrinsically safe and therefore possible into Ex zones as well. This paves the way for the straightforward collection of large volumes of field data, which facilitates plant optimization as well as the development of new business models in process engineering. Yet physical transmission is only part of the story.
Identification applications in hazardous areas using RFID over a wide operating temperature range
JUMO has added a comprehensive solution for process technology operations to the automation range. Using the JUMO variTRON system and the new JUMO smartWARE Program graphical program editor, customer-specific solutions can be configured easily and without special programming skills.
Clean water for rearing healthy fish – High-performance systems for sustainable production in RAS
The measurement of low flow is becoming widely used in many industries. However, the smaller the flow, the trickier it is to control and measure, and finding a suitable flow measuring technology at reasonable cost can prove challenging for both users and flow sensor manufacturers.
Cooling systems are crucial parts of industrial facilities, and an efficient cooling tower is of critical importance for the performance and durability of the facility
Endress+Hauser announces its partnership with the Single Pair Ethernet System Alliance. This strategic alliance underscores the company’s commitment to simplifying customer’s digitalization needs and investing in the future of automation.
Precise and fast movements for a versatile range of applications
Modular system for continuous or batch processes in battery production
Flexibly expandable solution that is suitable for use with static and retractable fittings
Digital Plant Asset Management is a topic that often comes up in discussions about process engineering facilities. Today, while intelligent field devices might be the standard, system owners have yet to exploit their full potential. To provide the connectivity needed, Softing offers the right solutions with the smartLink product family.
In December 2023, KROHNE made Ethernet-APL demo devices available to selected customers. This step marks an important milestone in the company's own Ethernet APL development project for various sensor types.
Wizard guided user support for process optimisation and enhanced sustainability
For accurate, low maintenance measurement online water analysis system
Provision of a complete certification test for PROFINET over APL devices
Supply chain optimization with wireless level measurement: The IIoT radar sensor measures fill levels in mobile tanks, containers and silos. The values are sent to the cloud so that they are available at any time and from anywhere. Close cooperation with users of the innovative sensor has led to further expansion of its fields of application since its market introduction three years ago.
For level measurement in a hygienic environment
Easy-to-use control solution with IIoT functions
IP67-connector with quick locking for high power density applications
Mechanical bearings and gearboxes — like those used in electric vehicles and wind farms — are often treated with lubricants to avoid friction and wear. The voltage the components might be under impairs the effectiveness of the lubricants to such a degree that the tribological contacts are damaged. As part of the Lube.Life joint research project, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM have developed a virtual lubricant lab, which can be used to predict the effects of electrical fields on lubricant stability.
Data integration into customer SCADA system, data logging and storage for maintenance
The use of conventional analysis equipment in hazardous areas is complicated due to a lack of approvals. Equipment without ATEX or IECEx certification must be specially protected so that it does not act as an ignition source. At the same time, analysis equipment is essential for many processes. For example, for testing the purity of hydrogen at hydrogen refuelling stations.
Possible reduction of hardware costs on G3 fieldbus platform
Certified for use in Safety Instrumented Systems up to SIL 3
Accurate object targeting at long distances with a 30:1 distance to spot ratio
Revised single-phase motor with up to 1.5 kW power
With display for local data visualisation
Customised solution with two pressure transmitters at the same measuring point
Simple and accurate determination of molecular weights
Transforming Plant Process Management with AI
Certified for food contact under Reg. (EC) 1935/2004
High performance in liquids, gases or air
Schubert has developed a new, extremely compact solution to automate the infeed of carton blanks to the packaging machine. The underlying idea is a slim high-performance machine concept in the smallest possible space, which saves manufacturers money and reduces the workload on production staff.
The distribution logistics in food retail are changing: To overcome the challenges posed by online retail, more and more retailers are using micro-fulfillment centers (MFCs), meaning that orders are picked in proximity to the customer. The sensor technology needed for the order picking must meet certain requirements. Leuze offers tailored solutions for this application.
Whereas in the past only one category of product was usually run on aseptic lines, bottlers of sensitive beverages now face an ever-growing demand for flexibility. Beverage producers who process both aseptically filled beverages and juice and carbonated soft drinks need to use 38-millimeter bottle necks for the former and containers with 28-millimeter openings for the latter. If the bottle neck is to be changed on a PET line, however, to date a comparatively large amount of effort was required to convert the stretch blow molder in particular.
For micrometer-precise distance measurement – even in the harshest environments
Highly Secure and Efficient Remote Monitoring
Maintenance-free unit for hygienic valves
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