Many motion control tasks are over-engineered and use complex equipment and software to perform tasks. After Siemens awarded local company, Abacus Automation, the prize for the most innovative project in 2006, Siemens Germany commissioned Abacus Automation together with their joint venture partner Exigo, to develop the concept into a standard product for them. High-speed, high-accuracy, robust, low-cost and simple to use motion control using standard easily serviced Micro Programmable Logic Control (PLC) hardware, induction motors and standard Variable Frequency Drives (VSDs). Sounds too good to be true? Read on!

Take note
• An award winning concept rolls over into a solution for complex motion control tasks.
• Conventional complex motion control equipment can easily be replaced by the Micro Automation solution.
• The use of advanced algorithms enables robust and optimal performance with minimal motion control knowledge required.
• Graphical views and downloadable manuals allow for simplified implementation and commissioning.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Warren Scott is the business development manager of Abacus Automation. Warren has worked with Siemens PLCs for 15 years starting his career on the gold mines and progressing to establishing Abacus Automation 11 years ago. The company has developed into one of the top Siemens System Integrators in the country as well as being a Global Solution Partner for Siemens Germany. Award winning innovation has been the cornerstone of the company’s success and reputation. Having ventured into the motion control market three years ago, the company has collected two awards for best drives project and this innovative motion control solution developed for Siemens Germany.
Warren can be contacted on (031) 702 5767 or warren@abacus-automation.co.za.

If a cable fails, it can be quite an undertaking to remove it, replace it, and refit it with connectors. That's why specially insulated cable that resists damaging spikes is useful in demanding Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) applications.

Take note
• Spikes, wave reflections, inrush currents and signal interference all affect optimal VFD operation.
• Connecting cable to VFDs magnifies signal imperfections and can harm motors and drives.
• Well-selected motor and control features, together with specially insulated cabling will minimize distortions with VFDs.


About the author
John Gavilanes is a technical/engineering manager for Lapp USA, a part of the Lapp Group of worldwide companies. A graduate of the College of New Jersey with a Degree in BSME, John has over 18 years experience designing and developing robotic, torsional and continuous-flex cables. He is a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the DeviceNet Vendor Association.
Lapp Cable can locally be contacted on (011) 201 3200.

IndraDrive established as an open drive standard
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Hiperdrive meets customer requirements
Festo launches ADN compact cylinder
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Servo drives offer scalable application versatility

Solids handling can be a tricky business. When things go wrong you may not be in the sticky stuff but you’ll sure be in lots of trouble. In this article we will identify common problems, and review questions surrounding solids handling problems with suggestion of how to overcome these issues. We will also look at things to consider when dealing with flow problems.

About the author
Joseph Marinelli is President of the corporation that was established in 1997 and has a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Northeast University. Joe has been providing consulting services since 1972, as a former consultant with Jenike & Johanson, Inc. He has years of experience testing solids plus designing bins and feeders for reliable flow.

Joe is a member of the American Society of Testing Materials, ASTM, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME, and American Institute of Chemical Engineers, AIChE. He lectures frequently, has published several articles including a chapter in a chemical encyclopedia and food technology publication.
Joe can be contacted at joe@solidshandlingtech.com.

Take note • Evaluating a flow problem or designing a new silo or bin requires investigation into silo geometry and material properties. • The scientific approach to the storage and flow of bulk solids was developed in the 1950s and is still relevant today. • Flow properties tests are conducted on a Jenike Shear Tester.

Determining water content with microwaves
Reliable ultrasonic flow metering, using clamp-on technology
Direct in-line variable area flowmeter
In-line flow controllers from EGE
State-of-the-art two-wire loop powered transmitter

The safety over EtherCAT protocol has been disclosed within the EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG).

Advanced communication systems not only offer deterministic transmission of control information, they also enable transfer of safety-relevant data over the same medium. The solution for EtherCAT is based on the Safety over EtherCAT protocol.

Take note
• Safety over EtherCAT describes the safety protocol for EtherCAT.
• The protocol has no restrictions with regard to safe process data length, communication medium, or transfer rate.
• EtherCAT is used as a ‘black channel’, ie the communication system plays no part in the safety considerations.
• The protocol has been specified and reviewed and meets the requirements of IEC 61508 SIL 3.
• Products offering the Safety over EtherCAT protocol have been available since 2005.

Résumé
Conrad Muller is the managing director of Beckhoff Automation and supplied the information for the article.
Conrad can be contacted on c.muller@beckhoff.com.

With the recent spate of mining accidents, both locally and abroad, and the mounting world-wide concerns for miners’ safety, the author’s company, recently developed and produced a leak detector for the testing of Self-Contained Self-Rescuers (SCSRs), deployed in the South African mining industry.

About the author
Bobby Holdcroft was a pioneer of PC-based data acquisition and application solutions in South Africa, and has specialised in this field for the past 17 years, and has produced several ‘world-first’ designs for our industry. He has also been a member of the London-based IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology), (formerly SERT and IPRE), since 1975. Bobby can be contacted on (011) 646 1171 or designs_unique.pixie.co.za.

Take note
Full functionality of breathing apparatus worn by miners needs to be guaranteed through regular inspection and testing procedures to ensure reliable operation. ?
The detector enables mines to test breathing apparatus on-site to accurately determine which units require service or attention before a unit reaches a critical stage. ?
The CSIR’s functional performance monitoring programme is currently being used as an international benchmark. ?

Hot tip for cold areas
Light curtains for detection and measurement
The latest in alarm management
High-powered LED road flares
MicroCal intrinsically safe process calibrators
Emergency shutdown testing of valves
Namur solution for pneumatic cylinder magnet detection
Safety and productivity go hand in hand

Although use of occupancy sensors to control lighting is well established elsewhere, it is not in South Africa. The purpose of this article is to present a sensor technology overview (the promise); a detailed case study documenting delivered results at a major South African commercial facility in consumption (kWh) saved, demand (kW) reduced and environmental and social impact (the delivery); and cost and ROI information for installation of sensors (the cost). Installation information will include practical considerations such as the impact on staff and company operations.

About the author
Kenneth Cram holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. At present he is a director of Electro Sense and is one of the developers of the Electro Sense Proactive Energy Management System.

Ken can be contacted at 011 708 38935 or info@electrosense.co.za


Take note • The use of occupancy sensors to control industrial and commercial building lighting sensors could provide a ROI of less than 36 months. • The latest sensor technologies can ‘hear’ human generated noise and react on it. • Cost per sensor varies between R1 200 to R3 000 per sensor depending on the application.

This article will describe the methodology and procedures that were followed to measure and verify the impact on the electricity use of a lighting load reduction project implemented at a gold mine. The lighting retrofit was concentrated on the 100 level and 100 incline of the gold mine. Since the lights were underground, it was operational for 24 hours each day. The proposed project activity aimed to reduce the electric demand of the lighting system by replacing the current types of lighting fixtures with more energy efficient units.

About the authors

Idah Masopoga holds an electrical (heavy current) diploma from the Vaal University of Technology, South Africa. She is currently pursuing her studies with UNISA and working as a project technician for the North West University M&V team.

Prof LJ Grobler is an associate professor at the School for Mechanical Engineering, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa. He specialises in energy management and process energy optimisation. He is certified by the Association of Energy Engineers in the USA as a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) as well as a Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP).

Christo van der Merwe holds a MIng degree in Mechanical Engineering from the North-West University. He is a CEM as well as an CMVP. At present he is senior project engineer at the M&V team of the North-West University.


Take note
• DSM projects always raise doubt whether savings are being realised and sustained.
• M&V verifies these savings and this article discusses such a process in a gold mine lighting retrofit application.
• The result is that a lighting retrofit can achieve energy savings in mining applications.

Power supplies that mean well for LEDs Solar-powred cat eyes
Rand-Air's powerful and versatile portable lightsets
Luminaire trunking quick connection system

Aberdare supports Criminon programme
ACSR production facility launched
2008 looks positive for RBF
ECSA obtains interdict against Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality
Ifm electronic invests in South Africa
SAIEE launches bursary administration service

Vnet/IP accepted as IEC standard
NewElec expands its operation
Honeywell awards 428 scholarships
South African SCADA technology abroad
Tectra completes conveyor range
ABB wins $180 M power order in Namibia
ZEST drives Eland Platinum
Honeywell serves as integrated main automation contractor

The demand for increasing the efficiency of electrical high voltage machines with regard to overall costs, maintenance costs, service life and power output is high. The reasons are obvious. Higher demand for electricity, increasing raw material costs, as well as increasing maintenance costs are all factors. To limit demand on power plants other ways to meet these needs are required.

About the author
Peter Marek holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering obtained at the Graz University of Technology, Austria. He currently heads the Application Engineering Department at Isovolta, a leading global electrical insulation manufacturer, and serves on various IEC Technical and Standards Committees.

Isovolta is represented in South Africa by Wilec and can be contacted at (011) .
Acknowledgements
This article was presented as a paper at the LH Marthinusen Rotating Machines Conference of 17 to 19 September 2007. The article was co-authored by F Senn, W Grubelnik and W Ladstätter from Isovolta Group in Austria.

Take note • Savings are realised and efficiency is increased through design changes. • Reduced mainwall thickness allows same slot cross section, reduced machine dimensions and improved heat transfer between conductor and iron core. • Higher mica content increases electrical life endurance.

The Daldowie Fuel Plant at Daldowie, near Glasgow, is operated by SMW Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Scottish Power Generation Limited. The plant includes one of Europe’s largest sludge drying plants, which processes the sewage sludge from Greater Glasgow’s population of approximately one million.

About the author
Zarina Stanley currently holds the position of market manager at the Servomex Group. She is responsible for developing the strategic plan for Servomex, in line with market drivers, ensuring that Servomex develops a total value-added solution to clients by working closely with key customers in the industry to achieve this.
Servomex can be contacted at info@servomex.com. The local distributer is Elemental Analytics 011 918 6994.


Take note
• Strict emissions control regulations by SEPA forces plants like Daldowie to monitor emissions continuously.
• Gas analysers play a crucial role in CEM, especially in challenging applications where several gases of varying nature need to be monitored.
• Accuracy in measurements is crucial to prevent plants to be shut down due to false alarms triggered by inaccurate readings.

Carlton Centre switchgear upgrade
Continuous monitoring of machine operation
Integrated production control system launched Service oriented architecture for MES
Lifting engines and axels into Nissan cars