Environmentally friendly solution to smoke containment
Feb 2000
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Electrotest
The last step in an engine assembly process is 'burn-in' on a test stand. Each engine is connected to a dynamometer and run for a period of one to five minutes. Residual engine oil on the head produces smoke during the test and this has to be removed via extractor fan. In one particular application, the vent hood at the top of the stand had insufficient capacity to contain the smoke.
The solution was to install a super air knife, manufactured by Exair and available from local agents Etest. The knife was mounted on both sides of the test stand. The sheet or 'wall' of air produced by the knife, captured, contained and diluted the smoke while directing it towards the vent hood.
The environmental problem was solved without obstructing the technicians' observation of, or access to the stand. The use of the super air knife for containment and separation is becoming increasingly common. Other typical applications include:
* Retaining heat in curing and drying ovens.
* Protecting workers from coolant splatter.
* Isolating industrial camera lenses from airborne contaminants.
Further reading:
ABB updates distributed control system
ABB South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Leveraging 30 years of continuous innovation and reliability, ABB’s updated Freelance 2024 distributed control system (DCS) offers greater plant adaptability, faster and more reliable device communication, improved system security, and seamless data exchange.
Read more...
Four ways modern operations control can boost sustainability and efficiency
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
With the growing importance of digital transformation, HMIs and scada have evolved from control panels to vast operational hubs. Next-gen HMI/scada can bring together data, personalisation, and advanced insights to successfully achieve organisational goals, it is important to think about HMI/scada holistically within the operations ecosystem.
Read more...
The convergence of intelligence: DCS, SCADA and TLC
Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
In the early days of industrialisation, control systems were primarily mechanical, and relied on manual intervention and simple feedback loops to manage processes. Now, in the 21st century, industrial process automation systems are mind-blowingly intelligent, and provide almost unparalleled control and monitoring capabilities, making them integral to modern industrial systems.
Read more...
PC-based control for advanced hydrogen storage technology
Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
The proportion of renewable energies from solar, wind and water is rising continuously. However, sufficient storage options are of the essence to use these energies as efficiently as possible. GKN Hydrogen offers a particularly compact and safe option, low-pressure metal hydride hydrogen storage systems with PC-based control from Beckhoff.
Read more...
ABB modernises key board mill
ABB South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
ABB has secured a landmark contract to modernise Smurfit Kappa’s Paper Machine 5 at its corrugated cardboard mill near Mexico City. ABB will provide Smurfit Kappa with DCS, accompanied by a comprehensive paper machine drives system, encompassing some of the market’s most advanced drives and motors meticulously designed to optimise PM5’s performance.
Read more...
The synapses of the distributed control system
Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Industrial operations require a distributed control system (DCS) to coordinate and control their process subsystems in real time. Like the brain, a DCS is a multitasking maestro, controlling and coordinating complex processes in a myriad of industrial setting such as large manufacturing plants, providing valuable top-down control.
Read more...
Modular assembly platform for clean manufacturing
Beckhoff Automation
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
JR Automation delivers custom automated solutions for numerous industries. It has done this through its scalable, modular automation platform, FlexChassis, which speeds up time to market while cutting costs. The company chose the XTS linear transport system from Beckhoff because of its speed, and modular design that allows for multiple configurations.
Read more...
Selecting the best remote access solution for your application
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
In today’s Internet of Things (IoT) world, remote mobile access is a necessity for many industrial applications. There are several ways of implementing this connectivity with routers and virtual private networks.
Read more...
PLCs and PACs simplify data acquisition
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Data acquisition, data logging and data analysis are required functions for most modern industrial control systems. The simplest and lowest cost way to provide these functions is often by using the same platform providing real-time control, namely the PLC or the PAC.
Read more...
Small-scale custom development in the information age
H3iSquared
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
In the twenty-first century, the ability to put together custom electronic devices has become much more accessible to smaller companies, and even the private user. With the open nature of these platforms, potential developers can start learning systems easily, and do not need a massive capital output to do so.
Read more...
printer friendly version