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17 COMMUNICATION: LoRaWan Connectivity to the Cloud SENSOR TECHNOLOGY: Rugged High-Temperature Level Sensor
From the Sensor to the Cloud: Making Greenhouses Fit for the Future
Agriculture is facing major challenges today. Climate change, increasing demands on sustainability and the pressure to achieve higher yields with lower resource consumption require innovative solutions. Greenhouses offer a controllable environment that can be made even more efficient through technological advances such as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
Efficiency is not only a crucial topic in industrial production, JUMO and Weidmüller demonstrate how smart sensors and Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) simplify monitoring and control in greenhouses and also optimize resource use and increase yields.
Sensor technology as the key to success
The basis of every successful greenhouse operation is the precise monitoring of the ambient conditions. This is possible with the innovative hydroTRANS sensors from JUMO. The sensors record essential parameters such
The SPE switch connects SPE sensors over distances of up to 1,000 meters and enables Ethernet-based forwarding of sensor values to the cloud.
as temperature, humidity and CO2 content. These values are crucial for the optimal development of the plants.
A special feature of JUMO solutions is the integration of Single Pair Ethernet technology. SPE enables direct and lossless data transmission from the sensor to the cloud - without complex intermediate systems such as edge gateways. Liquid fertilizer can also be monitored using a magnetic-inductive flow meter with an SPE interface, which increases efficiency and minimizes waste.
Single Pair Ethernet: The technological basis
Single Pair Ethernet is a pioneering transmission method that was specially developed for industrial applications. It is characterized by the following advantages:
• Extended range: With a range of up to 1,000 meters over a single pair of copper wires, SPE far exceeds conventional Ethernet. This is particularly important in large-scale greenhouse systems.
• Direct data transmission: Data goes directly from the sensor to the cloud without any intermediate steps, which reduces installation effort and increases data integrity.
• PoDL functionality (Power over Data Line): In addition to data transmission, SPE also enables the sensors to be supplied with power via the same cable. This eliminates the need for additional power lines - a clear advantage in the warm, humid environment of a greenhouse.
Cloud-based solutions for maximum efficiency
The data recorded by the sensors is transferred directly to the JUMO Cloud via SPE.
JUMO hydroTRANS S20 intelligent SPE sensor for temperature, humidity and CO2
There, greenhouse operators have access to intuitive visualization and analysis tools. These not only enable real-time monitoring, but also predictive control. For example, irrigation and fertilization plans can be adjusted based on the current plant health and environmental conditions.
Weidmüller supports this process with its SPE switches. These enable a seamless connection between sensors and the cloud. Weidmüller's "unmanaged switches" in particular
make installation and integration easy, even for users without in-depth IT knowledge.
More yield through targeted automation
The collaboration between JUMO and Weidmüller impressively shows how IIoT solutions not only increase efficiency, but also contribute to more sustainable agriculture. The precise control of water and fertilizer resources minimizes waste while ensuring better yields. "These intelligent solutions are revolutionizing the way greenhouse operators work. They
VOLUMETRICFLOWSENSORS
Forcompressedairandnitrogen
BEKO Technologies isoffering2 diffe-rentnew flowsensorsfor gases.Withthe METPOINTVFSTM,thesensorispre-installedinameasuringsection;subsequent alignmentofthesensorisnotnecessary. TheMETPOINTVFSTIisaninsertionversion withashaftlengthof220or400mm.A switchablelinelaserassistswithexact alignmentwheninstallingthesensorin existingpipework.Thisuniquefeature, whichismuchsimplerthanconventional alignmentaids,helpstoavoiderrorswhen installingandaligningthesensor.Anadditionaltime-of-flightsensormonitorsthe correctpositionoftheMETPOINTVFSTI duringoperationandprovidesadditional safety. TheopensensordesignoftheMETPOINTVFSdevicespreventstheaccumulationofcontaminationonthesensorand thusensuresmorereliabledataacquisition. Thesensorsareencapsulatedinstainless steelhousingsforprotection.
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make it possible to manage resources in a way that conserves resources while increasing productivity," explains Dr. Thomas Bürger, Head of the Automation Products and Solutions Division at Weidmüller.
In practice, the integration of SPE and sensors means that water shortages or excessive CO2 levels can be immediately detected and regulated. The precise dosing of water and nutrients ensures that plants only get what they really need. This creates optimal growth conditions that directly translate into higher yields.
RUGGEDLEVELSENSOR
Forhigh-temperaturesupto180°C
EGE-Elektronik offersintrinsically safecapacitive levelcontrollers forhazardous areaswithpotentiallyexplosivegasatmospheres.ThecompactKGFTa-seriessensorsfeatureahigh temperaturestabilityof-20°Cto180°C. TheyhavetheATEXandIECExapprovalsfor installationinzone0andinpartitionwalls betweenzone0andzone1. TheKKa030 Exexternalamplifier,whichisalsoapprovedforzone0andzone1,enablesremoteparameterizationoutsidethehightemperaturearea.Thesystemconsistingof KGFTaandKKa030isconnectedtoan IKMb123...analysisdevice,whichprovides anintrinsicallysafepowersupply.TheseriesincludessensorswithG1/4andG1/2 threads.Thelevelcontrollersmadeofstainlesssteel1.4571featureIP68protection,a PEEKmeasuringtipandaPTFEcable.They arethereforealsosuitableformonitoring aggressivemedia.
Conclusion: The future of agriculture is smart The combination of modern sensors and Single Pair Ethernet is setting new standards for efficiency and sustainability in agriculture. JUMO and Weidmüller have shown how innovative technologies can make greenhouses future-proof. With solutions that not only increase yields but also minimize the use of resources, they are making an important contribution to the agriculture of tomorrow.
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PERISTALTICHOSEPUMP Designedforlongevity
Verderflex is announcingthe releaseofthe Dura100,aperistaltichose pumpdesigned todeliverefficiencyandreliability.TheDura100replace theVF100pumpandisengineeredtomeet therigorousdemandsofapplica-tionsin watertreatment,chemicalprocessing,high densityslurries,andmore. Thenewcasing designofthepumpimproveshoselife whilemaintainingtheDura100abilityto withstandharshenvironmentsandabrasive media.Thepump'sinnovativedesignalso minimizesenergyconsumptionwhilemaximizingoutput,makingitaneco-friendly choiceforsustainableoperations.Dueto thesizeofthepumptheupgradeddesign reducesthetimetochangeahose.With straightforwardmaintenanceprocedures, theDura100simplifiesoperationandreducestheneedforspecializedtrainingfor usersofthepump.
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2-Stage Oil-Free Air Compressors
For pure compressed air with optimum energy efficiency
The new double-stage air compressors of the DS series from AERZEN compress absolutely oil-free in accordance with ISO 8573-1, class 0 and guarantee outstanding performance in almost all application areas at differential pressures between 5.5 and 10.5 bar. Applications in sectors such as the food and beverage industry, chemical and process engineering as well as medical and pharmaceutical technology place the highest requirements on compressed air quality. After all, impurities in the compressed air such as dust, moisture, oils or microorganisms have an impact on product quality and the production process. With its DS series, AERZEN now offers new smart and efficient air compressors for oil-free compression.
Exceptionally high energy efficiency
The new double-stage screw compressors are available in nine sizes from 55 to 315 kW and volume flows from 180 to 2,920 m3/h. They reliably provide 100% oil-free process air (certified according to ISO 8573-1 Class 0) and achieve energy savings of up to 12% compared with the best-performing compressor models currently available on the market. This leap in efficiency is achieved by innovative bare-shaft compressors with new, highly efficient 4+6 rotor profiles in the low and high-pressure stages and motors with energy efficiency class IE4 or IE5. A variable frequency drive is integrated and guarantees optimum operation with a large turndown. The DS series is equipped with a direct drive
using a coupling and gear drive for optimum drive efficiency and has stainless steel rotors in both stages to prevent corrosion.
Maximum reliability and durability
The compressed air packages have been designed for maximal reliability and durability, and they achieve outstanding performance even in extreme climatic conditions. An effective sealing concept for the drive shaft and conveying chamber minimises natural seal wear. The smart oil concept with oil cooler, electrical oil pressure switch for a constant oil level check and a mechanical oil pump contribute to the high level of robustness and energy efficiency. The oil-lubricated anti-friction bearings with pressure lubrication achieve a service life of at least 40,000 hours.
Secure, efficient and environmentally friendly compressed air generation
Maximum energy efficiency, quality, durability and reliability, paired with minimal maintenance effort/costs and low noise levels - these are the new double-stage, oilfree screw compressors in the DS series. The process air generation is of course PFAS-free, without compromising on performance and durability. Thanks to the extremely compact design, the machine footprint is small. The smart package concept even facilitates sideby-side installation, as maintenance can be carried out from both the operating and the rear sides. The entire package can easily be transported using a pallet truck, forklift truck or crane.
ELECTRONICMANOMETERWITHLEDDISPLAY
AdaptableilluminationandrangedefinitionviaIO-Link ifm hasfurtherdevelopedits tried-and-testedgenerationof typePGpressuresensorswith analoguedisplays.Theredesigneddisplayunitnowoffersa quickoverviewofthepreviously definedmeasuringrangesand limitvaluesthrougharingof colouredLEDs.Insteadofmanuallyapplyingmarkingstothe displayhousing,theminimum, middleandmaximumrangescannowbevisualisedusingdifferent colouredLEDs.ThankstoIO-Link,thedesiredmeasuringranges canbedefinedquicklyandeasilyandadaptedtoeachapplication. ThebrightLEDsenabletheusertoseefromadistancewhetherthe pointerisinthegreenareaoralreadyclosetothelimit.Because dataistransmittedinapurelydigitalformbasedona24Vsignal, itisconversionandloss-free.ThePGpressuresensorsboasta measuringrangefrom-1to400bar.Formaximumsafetyincritical applications,themeasuringcellhasadiagnosticfunctionthat displaysthecell'sstatus. Theelectronicmanometersareusedin thefoodindustryandotherindustrialenvironments.Tomeetthe prevailingrequirements,twodevicevariantsweredevelopedwith differingapprovalsandtechnicalproperties.Thesensorsare suppliedwithdifferentconnectionvariants.
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IECEX/ATEX-CERTIFIEDPANELPC
Touchpanelforuseinhazardousindustrialenvironments
Advantech introducestheSPC-618 WERPL,thefirstexplosion-proof touchpanelcomputerintheSPC-600 seriestoachievebothIECEx/ATEX ZoneandClassIDivisionII(C1D2) certification.Thisnewproductintegratesthelatest13thgeneration Intel®Core™i7processorandan impact-resistanttouchpaneldesignedspecificallyforhigh-riskindustrialenvironments,includingthe oilandgas,chemicalandpharmaceuticalsectors. TheSPC-618WE RPLfeaturesa13th-generationIntel®Core™i7-1365UREdecacoreprocessorintegratedwith32GBofhigh-speedDDR5memory andanindustrial-gradesTLCSSD,enablingsmartoperationswhile maintainingexplosion-proofintegrity.Thishigh-performanceconfigurationenablesdigitaltransformationinhazardousareasand supportsdemandingapplicationssuchasreal-timeprocessmonitoringandmulti-parameteranalysisinchemicalplants,AI-based visualinspectioninpharmaceuticalproductionlines,andbigdata analysisinoilrefineries.Theuseofthelatestprocessorplatform alsoensureslong-termproductavailability,helpingcustomersto minimisefutureupgradeandmaintenancecosts. Buildingonhazardousareacertifications,Advantechhasgainedglobalrecognition inexplosion-proofmarketswiththeSPC-618WERPLthrough IECEx/ATEXZone2/22andC1D2certifications.
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LORAWAN®RADIOUNITS
Connectivitytothecloudforsafe&non-safeapplications WithitsNETRIS®family, WIKA haslaunchedthreeradiounits thatensureseamlessandsecure transmissionofmeasureddatain IIoTapplications.Theinstruments allowbattery-poweredwireless transmissionviathelicence-free LoRaWAN®radiostandard.This enableslongrangesofupto10kmandalongbatterylifeofupto 5years.TheradiounitscanbeeasilyconfiguredviaWIKA'swebbasedIIoTcloudplatformandtheLoRaWAN®network,insome casesalsoviamobiledevicesusingthe"myWIKAwirelessdevice" app. TheNETRIS instrumentsarepartofWIKA'sIIoTplatform, whichisavailableeitherasasoftware-as-a-serviceoron-premises solution.Standardsensorscanbeconnectedtothecompact NETRIS1and-2radiounitstotransmitmeasureddatawirelesslyto thecloudforbig-dataanalysis.Inadditiontothelicence-free LoRaWANandmiotyradiostandards,theNETRIS1instrumentuses Bluetoothforconfigurationandshort-rangedatatransmission. WIKAhasdevelopedtheNETRIS®2and-3Exradiounitsfor centralised,web-basedremotemonitoringofmeasureddatain hazardousareas.NETRIS2receivesthedataviatwointrinsically safe,analogue4...20mAinputsignals,whileNETRIS3already receivesthedatadigitallyfromaWIKAmeasuringinstrumentvia anintrinsicallysafeinterface.
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COMPACTDIAPHRAGMMETERINGPUMP
Simplicityfrominstallationtosustainablerecycling
ProMinent'snewbeta/Xsmart meteringpumpisidealfora widerangeofmeteringapplications,providingreliable,robustandversatileperformance. Anenvironmentallyfriendly PFAS-freeversionofthebeta/ Xisalsoavailable.Inafirstfor thebetarange,doserateissetwithasimpleturnofanintuitive clickwheelanddisplayedonanLCDscreen.Thiseliminatesthe needforcomplexstrokeorfrequencycalculations.Withawide rangeofdosingcapacitiesfrom10ml/hto50l/h,thispumpisa versatilesolution.Itisidealforawiderangeofdosingapplications.Thenewrangealsoallowsyoutoseethepump'sperformancefromadistancewitha360-degreestatusdisplaywiththree colouredLEDlights.Animprovedmountingsystemallowsthe pumptobeinstalledandservicedinasingleclick,eitherhorizontallyorverticallyonawall,usingasideorbasemountedbracket. Comparedtothepreviousmodel,theredesigneddosingheads offerevengreaterprecisionof±1%,improvedsuctionpoweranda 1:1000turndownratio.Thankstothewideadjustmentrange,beta/ Xrequiresonlyfourdosingheadsintotal.Thissimplifiesselection andreducesthenumberofsparepartsrequiredformaintenance.A NearFieldCommunication(NFC)interfacemakesiteasytotransfer beta/Xdeviceandstatusinformationtoamobilephone.