Exploring the advantages and disadvantages of two industrial energy supply systems with Treotham Automation. Whenever design engineers have to guide hoses and power and data cables in moving applications with long travels (more than 100 metres), the question arises of which energy supply system is the most efficient, especially considering such factors as reliability, maintainability, … Continue reading Energy chains versus motor cable drums →

In the water and wastewater segment, operations tend to be risk adverse. This is because there is little, if any, room for mistakes, says BSC National Accounts Manager Wayne D’Souza. “It’s a segment where all eyes are on it. A mistake could mean the pollution of rivers, or oceans. Or it could mean that the … Continue reading BSC continues to build customer confidence →

Tertiary treatment is the final stage of the cleaning process undertaken at a wastewater treatment plant, improving effluent quality before it is reused, recycled or discharged into the environment. This stage of treatment removes remaining inorganic compounds, organics, turbidity, nitrogen, phosphorus, metals, and pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. The process usually involves physicochemical … Continue reading Getting the most out of belts and drives in tertiary wastewater treatment →

NOVUS Automation has recently launched a new data logger family – the LogBox Connect. It provides wireless connectivity to field signals and devices while offering ease of integration. The LogBox Connect comes in three different versions – 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy. These can fulfill connectivity and data acquisition needs of any application. Each … Continue reading LogBox Connect and IIoT →

Secondary wastewater treatment removes soluble organic matter and suspended solids that remain following primary treatment. This stage involves biological processes aeration for the decomposition of solids and the use of chlorine to disinfect the liquid. During different stages of secondary treatment, the level of oxygen in the wastewater is altered to create aerobic and anaerobic … Continue reading Bearing up in corrosive wastewater conditions: Schaeffler’s FAG Black Series and Split SRB →

The initial stage of wastewater treatment – the primary treatment stage – involves the removal of solid material from water by the processes of screening, comminution, grit removal, and sedimentation. Clarifiers, or settling tanks, enable the removal of the solids through sedimentation. While sewage flows through the tanks, the solids gradually sink to the bottom. … Continue reading Robust bearings for primary wastewater treatment →

As battery storage technology becomes more affordable, more companies are turning to renewable energy as a means of cutting down on energy costs. PACE talks to Total Construction’s James Bolton and Rob Blythman about what needs to be considered when transitioning to solar power. With high power costs looking likely to remain a norm, Australian … Continue reading Powering the factories of the future →

PC-based control offers a central, open and comprehensive machine control platform ideal for delivering highly efficient, IoT-based automation strategies. It enables machines, plants and production lines to be connected in ways that unlock their full efficiency potential across entire processes. In this context, TwinCAT Cloud Engineering adds a new dimension by providing users with an … Continue reading Smart engineering directly in the cloud →

Mining is making strides in the implementation of digital data-driven systems and processes. PACE talks to Endress+Hauser’s global mining and metals industry manager, Andrew Reese, about how mining is managing its move into the world of the Industrial Internet of Things. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is transforming industries across the world. The mining … Continue reading Mining and the Industrial Internet of Things →

The benefits of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) are becoming well known: enhanced productivity, increased efficiency (including energy efficiency), faster decision-making, greater asset and supply chain visibility, decreased downtime. And more and more companies are looking to take the advantage by implementing advanced data-driven solutions. But not every company is in a position to … Continue reading Three challenges of IIoT implementation →

PACE catches up with Craig Segers and David Turner from Rockwell Automation at the company’s recent TechEd on the Gold Coast to talk about the challenges that face the oil and gas sector in carrying out digital transformations. With operations spanning multiple and often remote regions, with heavy capital investment and vast supply chains, the … Continue reading Digitising oil and gas →

With the new CU8210-M001 cabinet dome, the USB port of an Industrial PC can be fed out of the control cabinet and still be well protected. In this way, reliable and powerful wireless connections to the control computer can be established without having to use attenuation-prone antenna cables. When combined with the appropriate CU8210-D00x USB … Continue reading Feeding the USB port for wireless applications out of the control cabinet with optimum protection →

ifm is introducing some very technically advanced and quite revolutionary products to ensure the safety and quality of your valuable food and beverage products during manufacture and clean-in-place (CIP). Glenn Thornton, national product and brand manager at ifm, explains. ifm has recently introduced new technology with a new approach to protecting your product with our … Continue reading Protecting the quality of your food and beverage production →

In the custom install space, we are not only facing a broad variety of technologies, but we are also confronted with technologies which are suitable for the so-called “field level” and “management level.” But what is the difference, and can either technology satisfy individual needs? “Yes, you can cut your steak with a spoon, but … Continue reading Integrating field level and management level technologies →

With the introduction of specific solutions for the process technology market, Beckhoff is not introducing new components, but bringing together two automation concepts that for decades have been developed separately, yet side-by-side. While traditional PLC-based systems were optimised predominantly for short cycle times as a replacement for complex relay technology in machine controls, Distributed Control … Continue reading Two worlds converging →

With the introduction of the plics family around 10 years ago, VEGA turned the vision of simple, standardised measurement of level and pressure into reality. The VEGABAR 80 series represents a systematic further development of the concept and the products. The clear structure of the new VEGABAR 80 instrument series ensures easy selection when looking … Continue reading Easy-to-use pressure transmitters →

While some may have the image of a dream job set in their heads and take steps towards pursuing that vision, for others, careers can be a journey of discovery. PACE talks to Rockwell Automation’s Jasmin Perry about her career in process control. Following the paths that open up along their twists and unexpected turns … Continue reading Discovering your own strengths in industry →