PACE Dec 2020

DECEMBER 2020 | VOL.74 NO.6 | Est. 1953

Post Print Approved PP100008186

INSIDE PACE

Energy

Instrument Market

Components

Australia’s first lithium-ion battery finds a home

IICA chairman encourages reconnecting with industry

The latest components from the market

RETURNING BIGGER AND BETTER IN 2021 PACE COMES WITH MANUFACTURERS’ MONTHLY EVERY EDITION

19-21 MAY 2020 | MCEC | MELBOURNE

SOURCE PRODUCTS SHARE SOLUTIONS CONNECT @ARBS Visit Australia’s only international HVAC+R & building services trade exhibition, with the largest range of suppliers, products and solutions, all under one roof.

Featuring the highly regarded Speaker Series, the new IBTech Insight Series and the celebrated ARBS Industry Awards, ARBS 2020 should not be missed.

SEMINAR SERIES NOW OPEN REGISTER ONLINE AT ARBS.COM.AU

NEWS

German-Australian Chamber launches Hydrogen Alliance

A

ustralia and Germany are taking the opportunity to stake their claim as major players in the global hydrogen industry. The newly launched German-Australian Hydrogen Alliance, headed by the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK Australien), will provide a platform for exchange between Australian and German stakeholders as well as informing and driving forward activities.

“We currently see strong political support, strong research links and, most importantly, strong business interest between these two like-minded partners.

Ongoing close coordination of all sides is essential if we want to use the full potential of hydrogen developments,” said Christoph von Spesshardt, Executive Director of AHK Australien.

Close cooperation between both countries in many industrial sectors is already a given, as is the hydrogen expertise. There is a significant prospect to align the Australian supply with the need for German and European industry to decarbonise.

“The economic potential for bilateral collaboration is enormous,” adds Dr Michael Zettinig, Director Governmental Affairs and Communications at AHK Australien. “We are open to expanding the alliance to incorporate all relevant bilateral business sector stakeholders.

The collaboration between both countries on various hydrogen projects received a lot of attention in recent months. As a bilateral chamber, representing new and established German and Australian businesses, the GermanAustralian business community can significantly support Australia’s exciting developments in the hydrogen sector. PACE

Close cooperation between both countries in many industrial sectors is already a given, as is the hydrogen expertise.

DECEMBER 2020 www.pacetoday.com.au 3

NEWS

Western Sydney Uni research team gets grant to develop underwater sensing technology The sensors can be used underwater to detect, track and monitor dynamic phenomena such as air bubbles and bioluminescence generated by submersible vehicles.

W

estern Sydney University researchers have been awarded a ‘Global-X’ research grant worth US$45,944 ($62,990) from the United States Office of Naval Research Global to lead an exciting new project utilising world-first event-based underwater sensing technology.

Lead researchers, Dr Moritz Milde, and Associate Professor Gregory Cohen from the University’s International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems (ICNS), have successfully developed event-based sensing technology, using biologically inspired cameras that function like the eye and brain to overcome limitations of conventional camera exposure times and saturation.

This cutting-edge technology, which will be deployed to the International Space Station in November 2021 and is also used in the University’s own Astrosite mobile space observatory, will now be utilised for the first time underwater.

“Our event-based sensors do really well in extreme environments, we 4 www.pacetoday.com.au DECEMBER 2020

have demonstrated success with these sensors for space-related applications including Space Situational Awareness to track satellites, space junk, and other objects in orbit,” said Associate Professor Cohen.

“We are now expanding upon the capabilities of our event-based sensors, and further developing our technology for use underwater to solve real-world problems in challenging environments. It is the first time that these sensors have been used underwater, and we are very excited about the possibilities,” he said.

Milde is co-leading the marine application of the University’s eventbased sensors. He said biologically inspired neuromorphic cameras function differently to conventional cameras and sensors.

“Unlike conventional cameras, our sensors mimic biological processing systems like the brain and eye, and are extremely fast and data-efficient, only capturing detected changes to the environment,” said Milde.

“Movement would normally blur conventional camera images, making

them unclear, and restricting use to controlled environments. However, with our event-based cameras, waves and movement in the water enhances the imagery and helps the sensors to generate clearer images of changes in the environment.

“Our sensors can be used underwater to detect, track and monitor dynamic phenomena such as air bubbles and bioluminescence generated by submersible vehicles.

The technology can also be used for environmental monitoring, distributed early warning systems, high speed object detection, marine pollution detection, and celestial navigation,” he said.

As a key member of the NSW Defence Innovation Network, and a partner with the Australian Defence Force, and the Defence Science & Technology Group, Western Sydney University is working closely with industry to utilise this world leading technology for both defence and commercial purposes.

Professor Deborah Sweeney, deputy vice-chancellor research,

enterprise and international, said the project is an exciting example of the world-leading, industry-partnered research and development underway at Western Sydney University.

“The University’s neuromorphic systems research capability continues to go from strength to strength, with our researchers discovering new, innovative ways to apply the technology and find solutions to some of our most important, realworld challenges. The University is proud of our International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems and its researchers, and we congratulate them on this latest grant success,” said Professor Sweeney.

The nine-month project, titled ‘Event-Based Sensing in the Underwater Environment’, will be led by Dr Moritz Milde and Associate Professor Greg Cohen from Western’s International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems, with an international team of researchers from the University of Queensland, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich, and The University of Illinois. PACE

NEWS

New contractor to deliver big solar farm and battery in SA

T

he South Australian government has signed a new energy supply contract that will help with the COVID recovery, create 800 construction jobs and make electricity cleaner, cheaper, and more secure.

In a decade-long deal with South Australian company ZEN Energy, the contract has also secured construction of South Australia’s largest solar farm and the state’s 5th grid scale battery.

“We’re committed to building what matters, using our budget to drive jobs and growth to recover from COVID19,” said Minister for Energy and Mining Dan van Holst Pellekaan.

“We’re thrilled that 810 new

jobs will be created to build the Cultana Solar Farm and Playford Battery which will power the South Australian government.”

ZEN Energy won the new contract after a rigorous process, to supply power to the State Government through to 2030.

The 10-year agreement commences on the 1st of November and will result in around $12.8 million in savings for taxpayers compared to the previous power arrangements.

“The Marshall Government has used its significant purchasing power to secure the construction of a 280 MW solar farm at Cultana near Whyalla and 100 MW battery near Port Augusta –

both to be delivered in partnership with SIMEC Energy Australia.”

“This is a great outcome for taxpayers, for jobs, for power prices and for grid security.

“It’s a big solar farm and a big battery, with big savings for taxpayers, creating a big jobs number.”

“The $660 million investment to deliver these two projects includes the creation of up to 810 new jobs at the peak of the construction phase and around $40 million in local goods and services.

“These projects will be a coup for the communities of the Upper Spencer Gulf.

“This new contract will allow ZEN

Energy to grow its business customer base, enter the residential retail market and improve both the security and reliability of the grid with the state’s 5th grid scale battery.

“Once operational, these new assets will have a positive impact on competition in South Australia and deliver emissions reductions and price reductions, saving SA households $10 on average on their electricity bills, on top of the $158 average reduction in our first two years in government.

“The old Labor Government lumbered the taxpayer with expensive and unreliable power system propped up by extremely expensive dirty diesel generators.” PACE

Leader in Low Flow Fluidics Handling Technology Flow ranges for gases from 0 - 0,7 mln/min up to 0 - 11000 m3n/h Flow ranges for liquids from 0 - 100 mg/h up to 0-600 kg/h Pressure ranges from 0 - 100 mbar up to 0 - 400 bar Laboratory, industrial (IP65), Class I Div. 2 or ATEX approved design Analog, RS232, FLOW-BUS, PROFIBUS DP, PROFINET, DeviceNet™, Modbus, EtherCAT®

www.bronkhorst.com - www.ams-ic.com.au DECEMBER 2020 www.pacetoday.com.au 5

NEWS

NEWS

Australia and Singapore to work together to accelerate low emissions technologies

M

inister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore to advance cooperation on low-emissions technologies and solutions.

Taylor said that advancing the next generation of low emissions technologies would be crucial to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

“Technological progress is the only way to reduce emissions while continuing to grow our economies and maintain reliable and affordable energy,” said Taylor.

“Our vision is to be a global leader

Advancing the next generation of low emissions technologies would be crucial to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

6 www.pacetoday.com.au DECEMBER 2020

in low emissions technology solutions.

It’s a plan that will bring the world with us, creating jobs and supporting future prosperity.

“Our cooperation is a practical demonstration of our ambition to drive down the cost of the technologies that will support jobs, lower energy costs and reduce emissions.”

Under the MoU, Australia and Singapore will share technical knowledge and experience, and collaborate on the development of new technologies that will reduce emissions.

The MoU’s priority areas of hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage align

with Australia’s Technology Investment Roadmap.

Australia and Singapore will also cooperate on renewable energy trade, emissions monitoring and emission reduction strategies, including the role of technology in achieving low emissions outcomes.

Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing signed the MoU on behalf of Singapore.

“The conclusion of this MoU for Cooperation on Low-Emissions Solutions further strengthens the multifaceted relationship that Singapore and Australia share. By partnering each other, innovating and pioneering new solutions, we hope to make greater progress in

building a more sustainable economy and creating a low-carbon future together,” said Chan.

In March, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, committed to the MoU and the announcement demonstrates the leading roles the countries are playing in the global challenge to reduce emissions.

Work under the MoU will be progressed through annual meetings involving officials from both countries.

This MoU builds on existing agreements on hydrogen with other like-minded economies including Japan, Korea and Germany. PACE

NEWS

Helping to put you in Control

Airgate 4G Modbus SMS Controller

CSIRO signs new agreement with US partners

CSIRO’s involvement in the partnership will improve understanding of how sCO2 power plants can enable lower- and zero-emission technology solutions.

C

SIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has signed an agreement with US-based GTI, a leader in the development and deployment of technology solutions to address energy and environmental challenges, to join a Joint Industry Program on the development of a supercritical CO2 (sCO2) power plant that could assist mining companies to reach large renewable energy targets.

When used with low-emission energy inputs, advanced sCO2 power plants have the potential to be a transformational technology that can accelerate the world’s transition to a low-carbon future.

“While most power plants use steam to produce electricity, sCO2 power plants use recirculating high-temperature CO2 instead,” CSIRO Research Director Energy Technologies, Dr David Harris said.

“The advantage is that sCO2 is a higher density working fluid which means sCO2 power plants

can be smaller, more efficient and not reliant on water for steam.”

Supercritical CO2 cycles can also operate using a wide range of heat sources.

“Their widespread implementation could be a game changer for power generation applications in Australia,” Harris said.

Supercritical CO2 turbines offer an autonomous, highefficiency power cycle which doesn’t rely on steam.

This makes such turbines an ideal candidate for power generation in off-grid mining and remote operations, as it allows them to use renewable energy more efficiently to power their operations for longer periods of time.

“With many mining companies committing to large renewable energy targets, the use of sCO2 power could be the transformational technology that they are looking for,” Harris said.

CSIRO’s involvement in the partnership will improve understanding of how sCO2

power plants can enable lowerand zero-emission technology solutions, and how those plants might be used in remote mining and community locations as a low-cost alternative to diesel fuel power generation.

Of particular interest is how concentrated solar thermal (CST) technologies could be used to provide renewable energy for these sCO2 power plants.

CST technologies capture and store heat, which make it an ideal solution.

The Australian Solar Thermal Research Institute (ASTRI) which is a consortium of CSIRO and six Australian universities, is leading efforts in this area.

“The use of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) to provide the heat to run these turbines is a critical enabler for renewable energy solutions,” chief technical officer of ASTRI, Wes Stein says.

CSIRO is working with Graphite Energy, a highly innovative Australian TES company, on the use of portable and scalable TES units that can be used to store heat to run a sCO2 power plant.

“The use of sCO2 power blocks with our TES units will allow us to deliver the lowestcost renewable energy solution currently available in the Australian market,” Graphite Energy CEO Peter Lemmich said.

The STEP Project demonstration plant has been built in San Antonio Texas at SouthWest Research Institute (SwRI), and equipment installation is underway. It is expected to be operational in mid-2021. PACE

A cellular network VPN router for industrial use that ensures secure remote access for distributed applications as it has the most common encryption protocols in IT infrastructure and fallback function for 4G / 3G. The

airgate can monitor Modbus slaves. Can send values to Novus Cloud or generate SMS alarms to multiple smartphones

SKU: NOW-008 Price: $949.95 ea + GST

Optical Tipping Bucket Sensor Hydreon RG-15 Solid State Tipping Bucket is a rainfall measuring device intended to replace conventional tipping buckets.

SKU: HYS-010 Price: $139.95 ea + GST 4 channel Current/Voltage Input Indicator The SWP-99X meter is intended for measuring and presentation of current values and trends from 4 measuring channels in 0/4-20 mA, 0/1-5 V, 0/2-10 V standard. DC 19~50V powered.

SKU: SII-160 Price: $569.95 ea + GST Signal Isolator

Monitor solar outputs with this signal isolator 0-50VDC In, 4 to 20 mA Out and 24 VDC powered.

SKU: WES-1501 Price: $115.00 ea + GST

180W Brushless DC Servo Motor

Leadshine 57BL180 180W brush-less DC servo motor with 1000 line encoder.

Outputs high torque up to 3000rpm.

SKU: MOT-401 Price: $195.00 ea + GST

Brushless Servo Motor Drive

Leadshine ACS606 brushless servo motor driver for 10W to 200W, AC or DC brush-less motors.

SKU: SMC-400 Price: $245.00 ea + GST

Dual Axis Inclinometer ±45º Degrees MCA426M-485 dual axis inclinometer senses tilt angles from -45º to +45º. Modbus RTU RS485 interface.

SKU: SRS-025 Price: $175.00 ea + GST

For Wholesale prices Contact Ocean Controls Ph: (03) 9708 2390 oceancontrols.com.au Prices are subjected to change without notice.

DECEMBER 2020 www.pacetoday.com.au 7

NEWS

Image credit: renaissanceone.com.au

Australia’s first lithium-ion battery factory calls the Hunter Region home

Energy Renaissance will make clean and affordable energy more accessible and create greater energy security for Australia.

E

nergy Renaissance, Australia’s first lithium-ion battery manufacturer, announced today that it will build Renaissance One, a new $28 million battery manufacturing facility in Tomago.

The company produces batteries that are safe, affordable and optimised to perform in hot climates.

Energy Renaissance’s batteries can be used to power infrastructure, buildings, businesses and homes.

“We have settled on Tomago as the site of our first plant, construction will commence and the plant is scheduled for completion in 2021,” said Mark Chilcote, Managing Director of Energy Renaissance.

Chilcote said that the 4,000 sqm purpose-built facility will be constructed by local property developer ATB Morton and have an initial battery production capacity of 66MWh per annum, with plans to scale its Australian operation to 5.3GWh of energy storage per annum with an additional investment of more than $200 million.

8 www.pacetoday.com.au DECEMBER 2020

“Over 1,700 direct jobs will be created during the construction and operational phase and another 6,500 indirect jobs will be generated for the benefit of the Hunter.

“The Hunter region has all the right skills, natural resources, expertise and an abundance in solar energy for us to develop a successful battery manufacturing business in Australia,” Chilcote said.

It’s expected that more than half of the batteries produced at Renaissance One will be exported through the Port of Newcastle.

The Federal Government provided a co-funded grant of $246,625 through the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre to Energy Renaissance. This has been used to accelerate research and development as it starts to manufacture batteries locally.

Patron Senator for the Hunter Region Hollie Hughes congratulated Energy Renaissance on its investment in the Hunter during a ground-breaking ceremony at the Tomago site.

“Energy Renaissance will make

clean and affordable energy more accessible and create greater energy security for Australia and our neighbouring countries.

“Once Renaissance One is operating at capacity, it will be able to provide – in the space of a year – enough batteries to power every public school, hospital, fire station, SES unit and new homes built in Australia.

“That’s reassuring because Australia will be able to rely on its own source of renewable energy in the very near future,” Hughes said.

Hughes said that the company’s investment in the local economy will support the Hunter region and help lead Australia’s economic recovery.

I would like to encourage other manufacturers to move to the area to create a renewable energy manufacturing hub.

“With its deep-water port and proximity to the Newcastle University there is no better location for renewable energy manufacturers.”

Chilcote said that building Renaissance One at Tomago will provide significant competitive

advantages to Energy Renaissance.

“Access to the Port of Newcastle will allow us to ship our batteries to Southeast Asia while working with highly-skilled talent from CSIRO’s Energy Centre and graduates from the University of Newcastle.”

Jens Goennemann, managing director of AMGC said, “With its new site, Energy Renaissance will leverage Australia’s abundance of natural resources by adding value to raw materials, building onshore capability, and exporting into global markets. This in-turn will generate significant local manufacturing jobs and boost prosperity for the nation while giving Australia a significant foothold in the growing energy storage sector.”

The Federal Government’s Technology Investment Roadmap has singled out the potential for Australia to be a world leader in the investment for renewable energy.

Batteries produced by companies such as Energy Renaissance will make electricity clean and more affordable in Australia. PACE

NEWS

Support for energy users during COVID-19 by federal government

T

he federal government and the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) are continuing to ensure that support is provided to Australian households and small businesses experiencing financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In recognition of the significant impact the pandemic is having on the lives of all Australians, the Government, through the AER, has set strong but reasonable expectations of the support that energy companies must provide their customers.

First outlined in March and updated in July 2020, the Statement

of Expectations will now extend key consumer protections through to 31 March 2021 and potentially beyond.

Key support measures the Government expects of energy companies include: • Continuing to offer all households and small businesses in financial stress a payment plan or hardship arrangement.

• Assisting customers to make existing payment plans sustainable, by re-calculating debt obligations using a lower cost plan if available.

• Waiving disconnection, re-connection and/or contract break fees, along with daily supply charges for small businesses that have ceased operating.

• Not disconnecting residential customers in financial distress that have made contact with their retailer or responded to communications.

• Not disconnecting small business customers that are adhering to a payment plan or payment arrangement.

The AER will continue to monitor energy debt levels to ensure that the energy industry’s response to the pandemic is delivering the right outcomes for customers.

Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said that it is vital that households and businesses receive support to deal with the economic repercussions of COVID-19.

“The Government recognises the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on Australian households and businesses and keeping the lights on isn’t something we want people to be worried about,” Minister Taylor said.

“For anyone who is experiencing hardship or facing difficulties in paying their bills, I urge them to contact their retailer to discuss the support that is available.

“However, it is important that customers who can pay their bills continue to do so, in order for support to be provided where it is most needed. Retailers and consumers must work together.” PACE

Detect damage before it happens and protect your bottom line with ifm.

Put us to the test with our machine vibration kit. Closely monitor your machinery movement and interpret vibrations to avoid production loss, equipment damage and more before it’s too late.

• • •

Effective condition monitoring for critical machines Seamless integration into industrial ethernet systems Real-time automated alerts

Kit includes: sensor, IO-Link master, mounting magnet, connecting cables, software and power supply.

Detects machine vibration.

Sends data to the cloud.

Interprets movement; damage, misalignment, unbalance or looseness.

Real-time alert sent/ received to prevent service expense or product loss immediately.

Hurry! Limited offer available until December 31, 2020 or until stock lasts!

1300 365 008 sales.au@ifm.com www.ifm.com/au DECEMBER 2020 www.pacetoday.com.au 9

INSTRUMENTS MARKET

Twenty members from IICA and Jowett Car Club attended the open day event.

Finding the right tune in the instrumentation market NSW chairman of IICA, Peter Veron, reflects on a year of COVID-19 restrictions and the importance of reconnecting with industry.

I

t has been a difficult year for many manufacturers in 2020, with the COVID-19 restrictions posing limitations for industry associations as well.

However, it did not stop the Institute of Instrumentation, Control and Automation (IICA) from staging an interactive event featuring the Jowett Car Club in Sydney.

About 20 members from the IICA and Jowett Car Club members attended a two-hour open day to learn about the history of the Jowett Car Company and inner workings of its cars.

“One of our committee members Bill Ebzery organised for the Jowett Car Club to show us about 15 of the cars including the Javelin and Jupiter models. Jowett was a manufacturer of light cars and light commercial vehicles in Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire, England from 1906 to 1954. Because they’re a very old design with horizontally opposed engines, it’s important that they’re hand calibrated to work correctly,” Veron said.

“They’re quite a high achieving car manufacturer for their time,” Veron said. Little known fact: in the Le Mans 24-hour race the Jowett Jupiter not only won the under 1.5 litre category in 1950, 10 www.pacetoday.com.au DECEMBER 2020

“The COVID-19 shutdown made everybody aware of our reliance on overseas imports, and that goes for food, pharmaceutical products, automotive, even power generation equipment.” they also won in ‘51 and ‘52.”

For chairman Peter Veron, it is the opportunity to connect with fellow members and share knowledge at events such as this that bring members the most value.

“Our main activity in the industrial instrumentation field, is designed to connect people through events such as technology expos, site visits and training activities,” he said. “This year those activities have all been postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions.”

Next year, the IICA is planning to bring back the Technology Expos around the country:

March 2021

Bathurst NSW

March 2021

Bendigo VIC

May 2021

Swan Hill VIC

May 2021

Brisbane QLD

June 2021

Perth WA

June 2021

Doyalson NSW

July 2021

Gladstone QLD

August 2021

Albury NSW

August 2021

Melbourne VIC

September 2021

Wollongong NSW

September 2021

Darwin NT

October 2021

Bunbury WA

October 2021

Townsville QLD

October 2021

Sydney NSW

November 2021

Davenport TAS

November 2021

Adelaide SA

Please keep an eye on our website for last minute updates at https://iica.org.au/.

The expos, which traditionally bring together managers, engineers, apprentices and students, showcase up to 60 companies whose products relate to the fields of instrumentation, control and automation.

Reflecting on the COVID-19 shutdown and the realisation of Australia’s reliance on imports, Veron also hopes local activity and production will increase. The Australian Government has pledged $50 Million towards the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund (MMF), which co-funds projects that will update manufacturing processes and grow highly skilled workforces in an effort to create job and supply security.

“The COVID-19 shutdown made everybody aware of our reliance on overseas imports, and that goes for food, pharmaceutical products, automotive, even power generation equipment,” he said. “It’s also made us more aware of our fuel dependence, and our susceptibility to shortages if something happens anywhere in the world.”

Veron said he believes the IICA

INSTRUMENTS MARKET

The IICA’s main activities centre around connecting people in the industrial instrumentation field.

“We’re going to have more of these online training events scattered with in-person training and in-person events.

I think people are now used to the convenience of just logging on, participating, and logging off at completion, but I don’t think you can substitute the interaction afterwards.

It’s the interaction with people in like industries that really give you the benefit of participating in these activities.”

offers opportunities for people to reconnect with industry and gain an update on the latest technologies and trends with 2021 expected to be back to normal activities for the IICA around the country.

During COVID-19, the association had been focused on offering online training courses, which so far have been focused on functional safety, new electrical safety requirements that will come into effect next year and cyber security.

“We’re going to have more of these online training events scattered with in-person training and in-person events,” he said.

“I think people are now used to the convenience of just logging on, participating, and logging off at completion, but I don’t think you can substitute the interaction afterwards. It’s the interaction with people in like industries that really give you the benefit of participating in these activities.” PACE Jowett was a manufacturer of light cars and commercial vehicles in Bradford, England in the last century.

DECEMBER 2020 www.pacetoday.com.au 11

XXX

B E F E A TURED IN

With the expansion of digital Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies across industry, it is more vital than ever that companies keep their data, machinery and operations secure. Maintaining robust cyber security measures and systems is therefore essential for companies across industrial sectors, ranging from manufacturing, to mining, to oil and gas. The challenges of implementing effective security measures against cyber threats, and what can be done to mitigate the impact of attacks when they occur, will be the focus of the June/July feature of PACE magazine.

IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN TAKING PART IN THE NEXT EDITION OF PACE, contact Danilo Cortucci at Danilo.Cortucci@primecreative.com.au

AUGUST 2017 www.pacetoday.com.au 1

NEW PRODUCTS

Affordable package for traceable humidity calibrations The ability to perform traceable humidity calibrations of probes in-house is now within the reach of more users with a package offered by Michell Instruments.

The benefits of performing calibrations in-house include less process downtime as well as reduced costs since fewer probes will be sent to external calibration laboratories. However, the capital outlay required for traditional systems was prohibitive for all but the largest companies.

Michell’s combination of the HygroCal 100 humidity validator with the Optidew 401 chilled mirror hygrometer is both reliable and affordable, placing in-house calibrations, with all their benefits, in the reach of more companies.

Michell’s Optidew 401 chilled mirror hygrometer is traceable to national standards to provide a reference for humidity calibrations. It is accurate to ±0.15 °C dew point, ±0.15 °C temperature and connects easily to the HygroCal 100. Both instruments are light and compact, allowing users to easily move the system to where it is needed most, or pack away if not required to save space.

The HygroCal100 is a lightweight, portable humidity verifier, which uses its reliable internal polymer reference to provide automatic verifications of the accuracy of RH probes. However, the HygroCal100 interface enables users to assign a hygrometer with an analogue output as a reference device. This allows the unit to be used to perform full calibrations of humidity probes, which are traceable to the reference used.

In order to better serve customers with an extended range of humidity and temperature calibration products and services, Michell has partnered with fellow Process Sensing Technologies company, Rotronic, to provide the most versatile and extensive humidity calibration

range on the market today. The offering includes commercial calibration services in ISO17025 accredited laboratories, fully functional dew-point calibration systems with climatic chambers as well as transportable humidity generators for field calibrations.

AMS Instrumentation & Calibration Pty Ltd (03) 9017 8225 www.ams-ic.com.au

Operational visibility enables optimised business outcomes Available from Control Logic is Red Lion’s award-winning Crimson 3.1 family of “Data Stations” and operator touch interface panels for multi-vender cloud connectivity. With a growing list of 300 industrial built-in protocols including the newly released MQTT, SQL and OPC connectors, its user-friendly and always free platform provides companies with a smart yet economic option when deciding to transform business decisions to the cloud.

Built from the ground-up and developed for over 15 years, the Crimson 3.1 configuration platform offers proven industrial reliability with simplified drag and drop development. It solves the remote firmware, configuration and version tracking problem that Linux OS boxes fail to overcome. Additionally, its compatibility with other manufacturers such as ABB, Emerson, Rockwell Automation, Schneider and Siemens, makes the Red Lion Crimson 3.1 platform a desirable option.

The Crimson 3.1 platform exposes PLC and machine data beyond the operational environment, enabling enterprise business systems to a smooth transition of direct access to reliable real-time and historical operational data using MQTT. “This can dramatically simplify system architectures, increase scalability and accelerate data integration initiatives with no additional hardware or expensive software customisation required,” says Paul Bunnell, Red Lion’s product management director for automation products.

Control Logic 1800 557 705 www.controllogic.com.au

DECEMBER 2020 www.pacetoday.com.au 13

NEW PRODUCTS

iBase’s MPT-3000R EN50155/EN45545 certified fanless railway computer system Backplane Systems Technology is proud to present iBase’s MPT-3000R EN50155/EN45545 Certified Intel Atom Processor E3845 Fanless Railway Computer System with M12 Connection and WWAN Redundancy.

The MPT-3000R is an EN50155-certified multi-purpose IoT railway computer system designed for railway applications. Featuring an innovative cable-free power supply module design that allows module swapping to meet various regulatory requirements, the system has self-protection, self-debugging, and reporting capabilities to actively or passively carry out the corresponding protective measures.

Operating in temperatures from -40°C to 70°C, the unit has a built-in G-sensor shock protection and uses M12 connectors as well as a wide-range voltage GPIO interface that supports dual SIM cards and dual WWAN communication modules to provide a recovery mechanism.

Based on the MBT-3001 motherboard, the MPT-3000R box PC is powered by a 1.91GHz Intel Atom Processor E3845. Enclosed in a black aluminium chassis are two DDR3L-1333 SO-DIMM dual-channel sockets bundled with a total system memory of 4GB. The rear panel comes with connectors for DVI-D, VGA, three serial connections, two M12 GbE, two M12 USB 2.0, and a wide-range voltage GPIO interface.

Subhead: Key features: • EN50155 & EN45545 certification; • fanless and ruggedised design; • robust M12 connection for dual GbE, USB, and power input; • dual SIM sockets support WWAN redundancy; • removable 2.5” device bay and CFast socket; • rich I/O interfaces for wireless, SSD, GPS, WWAN,

and add-on card expansion; • ignition power control; and • wide-range voltage GPIO interface.

Backplane Systems Technology (02) 9457 6400 www.backplane.com.au

C7015 ultra-compact industrial PC enables direct integration into machine environments With the new C7015 ultra-compact Industrial PC, Beckhoff combines its extensive expertise with PC-based machine control and IP 65/67 components. The result is an Industrial PC (IPC) designed with IP 65/67 protection for direct installation on the machine or other equipment. The edge device is ideal for decentralised installation and provides powerful multi-core computing performance. When used as a full-fledged control computer, the device also reduces the required control cabinet space. This simplifies machine design as well as subsequent system expansions.

The C7015 ultra-compact IPC, which measures 85 x 167 x 43 mm, is an economical yet high-performance IP 65/67 device designed for installation within machine environments. The space-saving, fanless device is universally suited to high-performance automation, visualization and communication purposes. Its applications range from classic machine control to the decentralized edge computing utilised in advanced Industrie 4.0 concepts.

High-performance edge device The C7015 is equipped with a powerful Intel Atom multi-core CPU with up to four processor cores. Compared to conventional ARM-based edge devices, it is able to support far more demanding applications as well as decentralised data pre-processing and the acquisition of large data volumes.

The device housing with IP 65/67 protection rating is another feature that makes the C7015 ideal for use in modern edge applications, even in harsh production environments.

Decentralised machine control with EtherCAT P The IP 65/67 IPC also serves as a highly functional machine controller.

Installing it directly in the field can save valuable electrical cabinet space. This 14 www.pacetoday.com.au DECEMBER 2020

reduces machine footprints significantly, especially when combined with other Beckhoff components with a high protection rating, such as the AMP8000 distributed servo drive system and the EPP series of EtherCAT P I/O modules.

These solutions can vastly simplify machine design while also minimizing the effort of subsequent system expansions, such as the addition of an energy data acquisition system.

The integrated EtherCAT P connection of the C7015 creates a range of new options for efficient sensor/actuator connection via the IP 67-protected EPP modules. In this way, even complex diagnostic or condition monitoring tasks can be decentralised and supported with minimal installation effort, for example. For that purpose, a special mounting plate enables direct attachment of an EPP module to the C7015. If required, additional EPP modules can be flexibly connected via EtherCAT P for specific applications.

Beckhoff (03) 9912 5430 www.beckhoff.com.au

NEW PRODUCTS

Bürkert’s new valve island field module Type 8653 AirLINE Field The new valve island field module Type 8653 AirLINE Field makes an important contribution to decentralised automation, without the requirement of a control cabinet.

The advantages: •S horter distances than with a central solution save energy and operating costs •C ompact solution with a control cabinet or stand-alone field module •F ast and simple integration due to compatibility with all common communication standards •T he components are robust and safe to clean and therefore ideal for use in cleaning applications Guarantee process reliability and product quality Is fast switching the most important thing for you? The innovative Bürkert valve islands AirLINE Field can be installed directly next to the process. Due to the smaller pneumatic distances, your valves switch faster and you also save on compressed air and energy.

The benefits of distributed automation 1. H ighest level of reliability for all plant processes With Bürkert valve islands you always have a clear overview of the device status – for fast monitoring and diagnostics. Thanks to the redundant ring topology and protocols, your processes always run reliably, and you avoid unwanted valve switching.

2. E xtensive flexibility for your plant Bürkert valve islands can be installed directly in the field since they adapt to various set-ups. Needless to say, they support all important fieldbus protocols and can be connected to the Bürkert device platform EDP. 3. S imple start-up and fast maintenance The valve islands can be installed quickly and flexibly on the wall or on a standard rail. With a visual position indicator and a robust manual override,

they are easy to operate and maintain: Rely on preventive and wear-optimised maintenance.

4. Well protected against corrosion and unauthorised access Bürkert device solutions are compact and available as a control cabinet or a stand-alone field module. The components are robust, easy to clean and yet protected against unauthorised access.

The valve islands AirLINE allow valves to switch faster All Bürkert valve islands and pneumatic field modules are ideally matched and communicate reliably with each other. Due to this intrinsic compatibility, the amount of engineering effort needed for planning, installation and operation remains low.

1. A irLINE Field can be connected to other higher-level controllers (PLCs) via the fieldbus gateway Type ME43 (stand-alone).

2. A irLINE Field can be connected to other higher-level controllers (PLCs) via the valve island Type 8652.

Fast start-up, comprehensively documented Fast response and delivery times, support and assembly services ensure efficient installation. The plug-and-play solutions can be configured quickly and easily, they are fully inspected and documented and thus allow for immediate start-up.

Bürkert (03) 9017 8225 www.burkert.com.au

New KNX simulation software KNX has launched KNX Virtual, which enables the simulation of real, physical KNX devices and their interaction. KNX Virtual enables users to quickly and easily familiarise themselves with the KNX system and how to use it and implement smart building projects faster.

Driven by the many advantages of a smart home or smart building, the demand for comprehensive, intelligent and safe automation of buildings using KNX is increasing worldwide. An increasing number of system integrators, installers and artisans are joining the world’s leading standard for intelligent building networking. KNX already has more than 85,000 partners in 164 countries across six continents. With KNX Virtual, a significant increase in users is expected.

Thanks to new software, KNX makes it even easier for users to enter the KNX world, enabling them to implement ambitious smart home and smart building projects faster. The focus is on KNX Virtual, an unprecedented solution that allows users to quickly and easily familiarise themselves with the KNX system and how to use it. The application enables the simulation of real, physical KNX devices and their interaction. The innovative solution is based on the Windows operating system.

After all settings have been made, the user then enters the real world of KNX and does not need any additional hardware such as power supply, cable, USB or IP interface. Air conditioning, lighting and blinds control and many other important applications from the KNX world can now be easily tested by the user.

KNX Virtual can be downloaded for free and then used anytime, anywhere. An internet connection is not required for the actual use.

For an easy introduction to the new solution, the KNX website offers a comprehensive collection of materials, including a step-by-step guide to using KNX Virtual.

KNX National Group Australia (02) 9888 3081 knx.org.au

Simple operation In order to map all-important KNX application scenarios as realistically as possible, users of KNX Virtual have the same requirements as users of physical KNX products. This means that the ETS system software is also used for the operation of the simulated KNX product. However, instead of having to connect a real device, the user’s computer is simply connected to KNX Virtual via a virtual IP interface. Then, as with a physical device, only the operation of the programming button is required and all the required group objects, applications, topologies, etc. can be downloaded.

DECEMBER 2020 www.pacetoday.com.au 15

We bring colour into view!

Compact capacitive level switches with 360° custom-colour status display

256 colours Individually selectable: Measurement in progress Sensor switching Process malfunction

15 cm

Compact design

Hygienic adapter system

Adjustment via smartphone

$ 243 VEGAPOINT 21 G½"

www.vega.com/vegapoint