Sensing success

One of the strengths of the annual Mtec and Machine Building shows is the vast amount of free information available in a small area relating to sensors, measurements, data networks and automated production. Not only are there plenty of expert companies on stands – that are mostly staffed by people who really understand the technologies – there is also a raft of free workshops and seminars. This year’s events, co-located at Birmingham’s NEC (14-15 February), will see presentations from OptoCem.Net, the International Microelectronics and Packaging Society (IMAPS UK) and the British Society for Strain Measurement (BSSM). The Industrial Networks part of the exhibition will see workshops and presentations by The Profibus Group, The ASi Expert Alliance and The Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society England Section (ISA). OptoCem.Net is a DTI Knowledge Transfer Network begun in April 2005, initially to be run for three years, to stimulate collaborative research, development, commercial exploitation and best use of optoelectronic gas and chemical sensing in the UK. It is managed by a consortium comprising the Scottish Optoelectronics Association, Sensors for Water Interest Group, Gas Analysis and Sensing Group and Scottish Water. On the morning of February 14, at 10.30am, the Network will be hosting an ‘Opportunity Exploitation Workshop’ where registered attendees will be able to discuss identified opportunities and explore how groups might be formed to drive these towards commercial exploitation. Those interested in finding out more of participating should email contact@optoelectronics.org.uk. On the same morning, from 11am, Andy Verwer, who heads the Profibus International Competence Centre at Manchester Metropolitan University, will present a session on Profinet in the Industrial Networks for Fieldbus and Open Systems lecture theatre. He will present an overview and applications of Profinet and a practical demonstration of a Profinet system, from configuration to data exchange. Profinet is constantly being expanded and improved. Profibus International has recently released a ‘Profinet and MES Maintenance Operations’ guideline that describes interface functions that support MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) maintenance systems. These functions make it easier to switch from preventive maintenance to condition monitoring in systems and machines. Low cost networking That afternoon, the ASi Expert Alliance will present a workshop on all aspects of the AS-interface including the latest V3 specification with its extended addressing, improved analogue connectivity and greater serial data transfer capability. ASi is said to be the simplest of the industrial networking protocols used in PLC, DCS and PC based automation systems. It is designed to be used for connecting on-off items using a single cable. ASi-SW is a cut down version for panel switches and indicators and ASi-Safe allows safety devices to be connected on the same cable as the control system and can provide support up to IEC 61508 SIL (Safety Integrity Level) 3. At2.30pm, Imaps will put on an ‘Interconnection Technology Seminar’ with eight, short presentations on technical matters relating to packaging sensor devices and systems so they can be relied on to function even in arduous environments. Titles include: ‘SIP and Stacked Sensor package design’ and ‘Device Reliability with Lead Free’ . On Thursday February 15 at 11am, the British Society for Strain Measurement will make four, half-hour presentations including “Embedded strain gauges’ and ‘Wireless strain measurements’. Product launches The other side of the event – the exhibition – is also well represented, with a number of suppliers showcasing new products. Festo will introduce a new web-based monitoring tool, CPX Web Monitor. This is said to provide low cost, ready-to-run remote diagnostics that requires no in-house software expertise and only minimal set up. It allows on-line retrieval of digital and analogue statistical data from any Ethernet-equipped Festo CPX series valve terminal or I/O module. Functions include: individual pneumatic valve diagnostic and condition monitoring; pressure, temperature and I/O status monitoring; and power supply condition monitoring. A combination sensor system that attaches directly to a robot arm inspects the thicknesses of sprayed paint coatings on vehicle instruments, controls and airbag cladding -- during the spraying process while the paint is still wet. It combines a Micro-Epsilon EU15 (05) eddy current sensor and OptoNCDT laser-based optical triangulation sensor. The eddy current sensor measures the distance to the nickel coated spray mould and has an opening in its centre, though which the laser sensor measures the distance to the sprayed surface. The processed signals are subtracted from one another to provide an accurate measurement of the thickness of the paint skin. The system has a measuring range of up to 15mm, although most applications require only 2mm or less. The system has a resolution of 1 micron and an accuracy of 5 microns, and includes a multi-function controller, adapter board, sensor cable and power supply. NI CompactDAQ hardware from National Instruments provides USB plug and play simplicity for sensor and electrical data acquisition in the field and on the production line. At the same time, M Series data acquisition expands the applications for data acquisition devices into control and simulation. The USB M Series is designed for mobile or space-constrained applications. The USB-6251 is a high speed M-Series multifunction data acquisition module optimised for superior accuracy at high sampling rates. M Series isolated multifunction data acquisition devices offer isolated analogue and digital measurement channels for added reliability. The 60-100, a new switching system from Pickering Interfaces, is based on the LXI (LAN eXtensions for Instrumentation) test architecture. LXI uses Ethernet as its control interface, and is said to be similar in concept to GPIB but with the convenience of a web browser and an automatic discovery or standard triggering capability. It is suited to remote monitoring and measurement. More than 500 switching modules are available for installation in the chassis, including RF, microwave and optical applications as well as those with high power and high density requirements. The company will also have available their latest PXI handbook that provides an overview of the PXI architecture and its capabilities. New chapters describe PXI Express and LXI. The RWT310/320 series of Torqsense rotary torque sensors from Sensor Technology are now available in sizes from 1Nm to 10,000Nm, and are complemented by Torqview II, a software programme written in National Instruments LabView that generates a virtual instrumentation display of the output on a PC. Data such as peak values, time sequenced and time stamped values can be collected and stored in text files or spreadsheets and exported to other programs for analysis. An auto scaling function allows it to recognise the individual transducer with which it is working by reading its serial number. Machine Building Show The Machine Building show, while smaller than its sister show, still has a few highlights that are worth tracking down. A family of single axis digital servo drives and motion controllers from Aerotech are equipped with fully deterministic real-time Ethernet. Each “Ensemble” unit may be networked and addressed for tightly synchronised motion and machine control to maintain what is said to be “Microsecond” interpolation between axes and I/O. Unlike other real-time Ethernet based motion control systems, the Ensemble is a stand alone system requiring no separate hub to manage axis determinism and I/O synchronisation. The family is available with integral power supplies for direct on-line operation with continuous current ratings up to 30A with higher power versions planned for the very near future rated at up to 150A. High precision has been achieved in the new UtiliTrak linear guideway system from Hepco Motion by replacing the original composite rail with a one-piece carbon steel rail that is both hardened and ground. It also adds 4- and 5-wheel carriage plates -- enabling higher loads – to its existing 3-wheel version. The range is offered in two series: the SW with steel wheels and the PW with polymer wheels, which run on an anodised aluminium rail instead of the steel rail. Igus has developed a stainless steel version of its DryLin W linear guide for corrosive environments. The DryLin W Stainless has been designed for the food processing and packaging industries and for chemically exposed and under water applications. The rails, made of V4A (316 Ti) steel, offer maximum corrosion resistance, can withstand many different chemicals and are resistant to temperatures up to 250 deg C. The system needs no lubrication and no form of maintenance during normal operation. MiniTec UK will exhibit its new range of SUS304 stainless steel profiles for use in harsh environments, outdoor construction and clean processing applications. The range is available in a 45x45mm profile that is interchangeable with MiniTec’s aluminium profile with its ‘Powerlock’ fastening system that is also available in stainless steel. Visitors to the stand can take part in a competition to see who can make the fastest assembly of a simple system. Each competitor will be awarded a desk top organiser.