Gernut van Laak, group automation solutions leader of ABB's Food and Beverage Programme, explains how plant managers can budget for maintenance and ensure optimum efficiency for all processes.

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PWE takes a look at how a CMMS solution is helping increase production efficiency at Simpson’s Malt.

A new addition to SKF’s range of lubrication products, the LMC 301 is a programmable controller for applications where sophisticated control of lubricant delivery is required. Designed for use with pumps that have no built-in controller, the LMC 301 combines all critical lubrication system management functions in a single package, simplifying system setup, operation, monitoring and maintenance.

SPM Instrument has added to its Intellinova range with the Intellinova Parallel EN. It is particularly well suited for applications where a critical success factor is the capacity to complete the required measurement within a very limited timeframe, e.g. due to short process cycles.

What should I look for when choosing between a ball screw and a roller screw?

The answer to this month’s trouble shooter is provided by Phil Burge, country communications manager at SKF.

The phrase ‘localised decision making’ immediately conjures up images of council meetings where a group of people make decisions that will affect those in the immediate vicinity.

It’s a challenging problem to accurately predict reliability with limited data. That’s why over the years igus has built up a large database of life calculations and other engineering information about the performance of its bearings, cables and energy chains in various applications.

Precision bearing manufacturer Schaeffler UK has extended its range of condition monitoring (CM) services for the UK market. The company says that with its combination of knowledge in bearing failure analysis, vibration monitoring, fitting and maintenance of bearings, and its own portfolio of condition monitoring equipment, it is positioned to offer CM services to a wide range of industry sectors, including rail, wind energy, paper, steel, food, mining and quarrying and pharmaceuticals.

Drive lifetime is prolonged with a new service from ABB, which analyses existing conditions to predict future maintenance needs and optimise operation. ABB-certified engineers analyse the performance and condition of the drive on-site, and use their expertise to provide detailed diagnostics and maintenance recommendations for the end user.

The answer to this month’s trouble shooter is provided by Phil Burge, country communications manager at SKF

Predictive maintenance is the best answer to minimising the risks of equipment failure, however, monitoring practices in the past have been expensive, problematic and at worst, unreliable. The solution is to switch to what Mitsubishi Electric refers to as ‘Smart Condition Monitoring’, a system which can connect to rotating equipment and provide plant-wide 24-7 monitoring. PWE reports.

This article is based on guidance provided in the British Fluid Power Association’s training course titled ‘Small Bore Tubing Integrity Course – using twin ferrule compression fittings’. Following on from our look at tube preparation in our November edition, this month, we look at tube bending principles.

The answer to this month’s trouble shooter is provided by Sam Thiara, Emerson Automation Solutions.

Delek Refining, Inc. will use a new Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)-based Connected Performance Services (CPS) offering to improve the performance of its refinery in Tyler, Texas, it was announced by Honeywell recently.

Norwegian biorefinery Borregaard has chosen SPM Instrument to supply online condition monitoring equipment for its production-critical chemical washers in the fibre line.

This article is based on guidance provided in the British Fluid Power Association’s training course titled ‘Small Bore Tubing Integrity Course – using twin ferrule compression fittings’. Following on from our look at tube preparation in our October edition, this month, we look at tube end requirements.

Industries with highly automated processes, such as food & beverage and pharmaceuticals face many challenges, especially in terms of maintaining a safe environment. As increased legislation continues to require higher standards, Bürkert Fluid Control Systems has developed a series of safety valve solutions that can be retro-fitted to existing control systems or incorporated into new designs.

A condition monitoring system installed on a paper coating machine has enabled the Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe plant in Bielefeld, Germany to switch from time-based to condition-based monitoring, helping to avoid unnecessary machine shutdowns. Enabling the new system is a Mitsubishi Electric L-series PLC that operates as a bidirectional gateway between the controller and sensors. PWE reports.

This article is based on guidance provided in the British Fluid Power Association’s training course titled ‘Small Bore Tubing Integrity Course – using twin ferrule compression fittings’. This month, we look at tube preparation.

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ABB’s Model Predictive Torque Control* (MPTC) software protects compressor operation during power supply disruptions, saving time and money. PWE reports.

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Annual energy savings of at least £10,000 and increased productivity have been realised by Heritage Trade Frames, a fabricator of domestic and commercial windows, doors and conservatories in the North West of England, after opting for a compressed air systems upgrade from Atlas Copco.

Howie Emerson, implementation consultant, Bentley Systems, looks at safety and asset health monitoring in the power industry and how to avoid complacency and encourage strong responses to weak signals.

Howie Emerson, implementation consultant, Bentley Systems, looks at safety and asset health monitoring in the power industry and how to avoid complacency and encourage strong responses to weak signals.

This article is based on guidance provided in the British Fluid Power Association’s training course titled ‘Small Bore Tubing Integrity Course – using twin ferrule compression fittings’. This month, we continue our look at associated threads, focusing on adjustable (positional) connectors BS EN ISO 6149, ISO-1179 and ISO-11926/SAE J1926.

NPT SAE J514/SAE J516

Risk-based inspection systems and advanced non-destructive testing methods are helping storage tank owners comply with ever-increasing stringent regulations, as well as reducing maintenance costs, says Tim Bradshaw, general manager, MISTRAS Goup, UK operations.

This is part of a series of articles based on guidance provided in the British Fluid Power Association’s newly introduced training course titled ‘Small Bore Tubing Integrity Course – using twin ferrule compression fittings’. This month, we present part 2 of guidance regarding end termination identification.

The answer to this month’s trouble shooter is provided by MISTRAS Group Ltd.

Conditions in a flue gas duct are extreme. Heightened exposure to heat and aggressive chemicals can cause the steel structure to crack or fracture resulting in leakage. In the worst case, this can lead to plant shutdowns and expensive repairs.

Food and beverage manufacturing facilities are tough environments for bearings. The avoidance of premature failures calls for smart approaches to their selection, operation and maintenance. PWE spoke to David Oliver, channel and platform development manager bearings and units at SKF.

A large supplier of bottled and draught beers was experiencing numerous lighting problems on their keg cleaning and sterilisation lines. Since its initial installation conventional fluorescent tubes were used for overhead lighting and at strategic points along the line to facilitate manual inspection and control.

The biennial co-located events; Drives & Controls, Fluid Power & Systems, Plant and Asset Management, European Offshore Energy, and Air-Tech Exhibitions – are once again set to return to Birmingham’s NEC (Halls 3/3A) from 12-14th April 2016, alongside MACH 2016 and National Electronics Week 2016. Collectively the exhibitions will be the largest manufacturing and engineering events of 2016, and will create an unmissable event. PWE reports.

This is part of a series of articles based on guidance provided in the British Fluid Power Association’s newly introduced training course titled ‘Small Bore Tubing Integrity Course – using twin ferrule compression fittings’. This month, we present part 2 of guidance regarding planning the layout of a tube system.

Safety and security are two high priorities for installers and users of electrical switchgear. To prevent personal injury or property damage as a result of issues such as fault currents (short circuits), a number of industry standards and regulations have to be followed.

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This is part of a series of articles based on guidance provided in the British Fluid Power Association’s newly introduced training course titled ‘Small Bore Tubing Integrity Course – using twin ferrule compression fittings’. This month, we present part 1 of guidance regarding planning the layout of a tube system. 

ABB’s smart, sensor-based Transformer Intelligence technology enables utility and industrial customers to optimise and manage power transformers. The solution based on ABB’s CoreTec online monitoring and CoreSense sensors provides real-time monitoring of mission-critical functions for transformers rated from 11 kV to 400 kV.

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The biennial Plant and Asset Management Exhibition, co-located alongside; Drives & Controls, European Offshore Energy, Air-Tech and Fluid Power & Systems Exhibitions – is once again set to return to Birmingham’s NEC (Halls 3/3A) from 12-14th April 2016, alongside MACH 2016 and National Electronics Week 2016. Collectively the exhibitions will be the largest manufacturing and engineering events of 2016, and will create an unmissable event.

This is part of a series of articles based on guidance provided in the British Fluid Power Association’s newly introduced training course titled ‘Small Bore Tubing Integrity Course – using twin ferrule compression fittings’. This month, we present the third of a short series looking at the problem of incorrect tightening.

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Complying with EU standards is one of the key challenges that wastewater treatment plants face. For this reason, more and more water treatment facilities across Europe are investing in ambitious optimisation projects aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and productivity. One example of this is the new wastewater plant that serves the city of Lille, in France. To maximise the new facility’s efficiency, Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies turned to Atlas Copco’s blowers equipped with WEG’s motors and drives.

This is part of a series of articles based on guidance provided in the British Fluid Power Association’s newly introduced training course titled ‘Small Bore Tubing Integrity Course – using twin ferrule compression fittings’. This month, we present the second of a short series looking at the problem of incorrect tightening.

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One of the largest private electricity generators in Thailand recently experienced a loss of generating capacity in one of its six gas-fired generators which supplies the heavily industrialised area where it’s located. With an urgent need for a swift and reliable repair, the local Sulzer agent was contacted, with a view to getting the 45 MW generator back up and running as soon as possible.

This is the first in a series of articles based on guidance provided in the British Fluid Power Association’s newly introduced training course titled ‘Small Bore Tubing Integrity Course – using twin ferrule compression fittings’. This month, we present the first of a two-part series looking at the problem of incorrect tightening.