In this July 2022 edition of Electricity + Control we feature Control systems + automation, Drives, motors + switchgear, Measurement + instrumentation, and Safety of plant, equipment + people.
As Editorial Technical Director, Professor Ian Jandrell, notes in his Comment: “It should never be lost on anyone operating in our modern industry that each of these topics relates to the next one – and so on.” And this is increasingly the case as once separate processes and systems are now intertwined.
In Control systems + automation, Christian Jürgenhake of Beckhoff Automation shares the story of Govaerts Recycling, based in Alken, Belgium, which now runs seven plastic recycling plants producing recycled plastic goods that are sold internationally. Recycling involves a heterogeneous material flow that can be highly demanding on recycling machines and it is especially helpful if overloads can be detected quickly. The company relies on Beckhoff’s automation expertise and technologies to optimise its machine operations.
Looking at Drives, motors + switchgear, Nidec Control Techniques presents the case of AccuTech Weighing Services which supplies customised semi-automatic weighing equipment to the agricultural, mining and food and beverage industries across Africa. For the past 15 years, it has chosen to work with drives and control systems from Nidec Control Techniques to ensure it can reliably deliver high quality equipment in line with its clients’ requirements.
According to the International Energy Agency, only 23% of industrial motors are fitted with variable speed drives. Rikus Botha from ElectroMechanica takes a closer look at VSDs and how they can benefit industry – in constant torque and variable torque applications – to deliver energy savings and improved productivity.
In Measurement + instrumentation, colour is an important measurement parameter widely used for quality control and safety in various process industries. In many cases, samples are taken from production to the lab for analysis and quality checks before batch release. Dr Andreas Meyer of Endress+Hauser tells us the company has developed a process-suitable spectrometer, which allows for colour measurement to shift directly to the process, enabling real-time monitoring and control.
Safety of plant, equipment + people is a critical consideration in industry generally and particularly in hazardous areas. As a long-established manufacturer of electrical apparatus for use in hazardous industrial applications, Pratley shares its expertise with industry through regular seminars on the topic, as well as in its products. Leigh Darroll spoke to Eldon Kruger, Marketing Director at Pratley and current President of the SA Flameproof Association, about the seminars and the critical factors to be considered in specifying electrical equipment for Ex areas.
Gary Bradshaw, Director of Omniflex, looks at the issue of alarm obsolescence, which is a problem for many businesses, especially in the petrochemical, oil and gas sectors. He suggests that upgrading to new SIL-rated systems might be easier than many plant managers expect.
Regarding health and safety in the workplace, Louise Woodburn and Natalie Pitout of KBC Health & Safety, highlight some of the complexities of the OHS Act, related legislation and the multiple subordinate regulations. They outline the benefits of working with an outsourced health and safety training provider that can also assist with risk assessment and solutions and provide a holistic check system to limit liabilities and support compliance.
And there’s more interesting reading in our regular columns on Reskilling, upskilling + training, Engineering the future, and Write @ the back.
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