News


The trend to blend

April 2009 News

Machine builders are always under constant pressure to do more with less – reductions are sought in panel space as well as price, but at the same time machine builders must improve the functionality and efficiency of the machines they build. Automotive customers in particular are demanding quick and simple installation, network integration, greatly reduced wiring and easy troubleshooting. For those responsible for designing and building machines, dealing with this constant pressure is a dilemma grappled with every day.

For industrial automation vendors such as Omron and others in the market, one answer to this scenario has been ‘product blending’ – combining or connecting two or more core products into one device. An early example of connecting multiple devices together to increase machine functionality and reduce cost was seen in Fieldbus communications.

Typically an inverter would be connected to a controller via discrete, separate wires but the wiring between the units becomes the weakest link. Our approach is to offer a range of communication option boards which are designed to be built into the inverter, allowing the machine builder to choose a communication option board based on their technical expertise and commercial focus, rather than being restricted to a single protocol standard.

A more radical addition has been combining PLCs into products such as inverter drives, or even including PLCs into an HMI, simplifying connection between the devices and saving panel space. With an inverter drive, the PLC can be used for tasks such as monitoring energy consumption, or information on a drive’s status. Furthermore, programs can be selected via an optionally connected HMI which can be tailored to specific applications, changing the settings to suit the demands of the application, flexibility which is greatly in demand in the automotive industry.

It is interesting to analyse the design process of the major automation manufacturers, who are deciding to combine new functionality into devices such as inverters. With Omron-Yaskawa, we have recently launched our V1000 inverter drive. Designing a new inverter completely from scratch means you have the ability to build in functionality more easily. Omron-Yaskawa decided to embed safety functionality into the V1000. We believe it makes sense to incorporate safety functionality into the inverter drive itself as it provides clear benefits to the user in terms of simplified wiring and hence installation costs, simplified circuit layout and improved reaction times. We know that for many industry sectors, integrating functionality is becoming increasingly important, especially safety, where it is being built into applications rather than a separate add-on.

The V1000 incorporates dual safety inputs which are certified to EN954-1 Safety Category 3 and Stop Category 0 (EN60204-1) which, depending upon circumstances, may eliminate the need for a separate externally mounted contactor. The safety inputs ensure that the motor is quickly disconnected when a fault occurs. The inclusion of safety inputs in Omron’s inverter and servo products is a direct response to customer requests. We believe that in the future many more manufacturers will embed safety functionality into their products as the trend takes hold.

It is also becoming increasingly important for products to be engineered to meet particular application demands through the use of dedicated firmware. Omron calls this CASE firmware and already offers many firmware variants for its ranges of drives including position control, electronic line shaft synchronisation, winder control and pump sequencing – all realised using dedicated functionality that the user has to hand.

Our belief is that automation manufacturers will continue to introduce products which can be tailored to suit the exact needs of an application. Key trends will be PLCs’ incorporation into HMIs, a focus on delivery of safety and other dedicated functionality, as well as making a host of communications options available.

In summary combining numerous, previously separate, products is proving more cost effective, and easier to install and maintain. End users and machine builders alike also find it a more logical approach than connecting and deploying separate devices. The trend is also a positive one in terms of maximising the use of products such as drives – ensuring reduction of total cost of ownership as well as more rapid delivery of return on investment on these products.

For more information contact Terry Botha, Omron Electronics, +27 (0)11 579 2600, [email protected], www.industrial.omron.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.

Read more...
Hytec opens fifteenth Mandela Day library
Bosch Rexroth Africa News
Over 200 learners at Monene Primary School in rural Limpopo have received their own containerised library. This is the fifteenth library since 2011, provided by Hytec South Africa and the Nelson Mandela School Library Project to schools across the country.

Read more...
CSIR survey on the state of cybersecurity in South Africa
News
The CSIR Information and Cybersecurity Centre has released four comprehensive national cybersecurity surveys. These delve into critical areas such as cybersecurity preparedness and resilience in the public sector, cybersecurity skills gaps, cybersecurity incidents, and the digital identity landscape in South Africa.

Read more...
Referro Systems partners with Festo in Northern Cape
News
Referro Systems has been recognised as an Authorised Official Partner Candidate for Festo in the Northern Cape, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to delivering best-in-class automation solutions to customers.

Read more...
Heavy-duty tablet achieves global certification
Vepac Electronics News
In a significant advancement for the company’s rugged tablets, the Teguar TRT-5380-10 heavy-duty tablet from Vepac has successfully acquired 11 international certifications, setting a new standard in quality, safety, and security across global markets.

Read more...
Bühler Johannesburg transforms Little Star Daycare Centre
News
Little Star Daycare in Vanderbijlpark has undergone a remarkable transformation, thanks to the generous support of Bühler Johannesburg.

Read more...
Schneider Electric and Harmony accelerate skills development
Schneider Electric South Africa News
Schneider Electric has formed a strategic partnership with Harmony Gold Mining to upgrade the instrumentation workshop into a state-of-the-art facility.

Read more...
RS South Africa showcases mining products and solutions
RS South Africa News
RS South Africa recently exhibited at MTE Steelport in Limpopo, and MTE Sibanye-Stillwater in Gauteng.

Read more...
RS PRO expands automation range
RS South Africa News
As automation continues to revolutionise production facilities, RS PRO, the trusted own brand of RS, is expanding its product range to meet the growing demand for smarter, more efficient processes.

Read more...
From the editor's desk: Killer science
Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control) News
I couldn’t resist watching The World Industrial Reporter’s video on Ten Scientists Killed By Their Own Experiments. Some of them would have deserved the Darwin Award for taking themselves out of the ...

Read more...