EMEA INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: LATEST UPDATES AND DEVELOPMENTS

Industrial Valve Manufacturer Introduces AM to Oil and Gas

To explore the benefits of additive manufacturing (AM) processes in the oil and gas sector, leading UK industrial valve supplier KOSO Kent Introl has collaborated with Renishaw.

Renishaw has installed a RenAM 500Q Flex at the valve manufacturer's headquarters in Brighouse, West Yorkshire. Kent Introl will use AM to rapidly develop and produce components for its customers in a more efficient and cost-effective way.

The RenAM 500Q Flex system uses laser powder bed fusion technology to produce components with intricate geometries that are difficult to achieve using traditional manufacturing techniques. It features four 500?W lasers and automated powder handling capabilities to help engineers reduce build time and increase productivity. The system also has additional flexibility that enables users to quickly change metal powders, which can be beneficial in research and development applications where different parts are tested.

Andritz Wins First Order in Green Hydrogen Sector

Kopp? Energia of Finland has selected ANDRITZ to perform the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) for a large-scale plant to produce green hydrogen.

The plant, with a capacity of 200?MW, will be built in Kristinestad, Finland as part of a Power-to-X project. The customer, Kopp? Energia, is a joint venture of Germany-based Prime Capital, a renowned asset manager specializing in alternative energy projects, and CPC Finland, a subsidiary of project developer and green power producer CPC Germania.

The Front-End Engineering Design provided by ANDRITZ will include the complete hydrogen plant, incorporating the alkaline electrolyzer technology of HydrogenPro. Based on the design, the joint venture intends to place the order for the green hydrogen production plant's Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) at the beginning of 2024.

The hydrogen in Kristinestad will be produced using renewable energy, mainly wind power. Up to 500?MW of wind and 100?MW of photovoltaic power will be developed under the Kopp? Energy Cluster to supply the green hydrogen plant with electricity.

Powerscan 9600 Auto Range Series: Extreme Scanning Flexibility in a Super-reliable Device

Datalogic has introduced the PowerScan 9600?Auto Range Series, setting a new standard for handheld scanners.

Designed to cover a multitude of handheld scanning applications in retail, manufacturing, and transportation & logistics, this advanced series of devices offers unparalleled efficiency and precision. The flagship feature is the scan engine, capable of reading barcodes from close range to an impressive 20 meters, revolutionizing warehouse scanning.

The PowerScan 9600 Auto Range series boasts value with rugged design, wireless charging, and tailored error-free communication. It ensures lasting performance in large distribution centres. Audible and visual read feedback and keypad options enhance user flexibility.

Built on the reliable 9600 family architecture, the series adapts communication with ease. Switching between interfaces like Serial, USB, Ethernet, EtherNet/IP, or PROFINET is seamless, accommodating evolving needs.

Rely on the PowerScan 9600 Auto Range's ruggedness, showcased by wireless charging and robust design. Battery monitoring, 50 drops from 2.5m, and IP67/IP65 sealing guarantee longevity and ROI.

For varied communication, choose from corded, Datalogic STAR 433 MHz Cordless System? 2.0 with 150m range, or cordless Bluetooth? 5.0 for flexibility on the move.

Binder Presents 696-series Harsh-environment Connector (HEC) for Outdoor Use

binder's new power connector was engineered for versatile power supply in both the low- and high-voltage segments under particularly harsh conditions. Its compact design supports the supply of equipment or assemblies, such as drive units, in confined spaces. In addition, the bayonet quick-locking mechanism, which can be closed or opened simply by pushing and turning, saves installation time. In hybrid design, power and simultaneous signal coupling is possible in a particularly efficient manner with one single mating.

The HEC's target applications are plants in process industries, including chemical and non-contact food technology, conveyor systems, and machines in agriculture, construction, or mining and surface mining. To withstand the mechanical, chemical, and climatic impacts typical there, components of the 696?series – cable connectors and square panel mount parts – are also available with protective fittings. Thus, at the connector, the power interface meets the requirements of protection degree IP68?– and IP69K when mated. Thanks to the integrated sealing function, all wires placed in the protective fitting are protected according to IP67.

The 5- to 12-pin connectors are designed for rated voltages from 60?to 600?V and rated currents from 3?to 32?A. They work reliably at operating temperatures from -40?to +100?°C, are UV-, oil- and fuel-resistant as well as vibration-proof thanks to crimp connection. This non-detachable, solderless mechanical connection technology ensures a particularly tight fit of the wire to the terminating part of the contact.

Cable parts measure 36?mm in diameter, panel mount parts 40?mm x 40?mm. The 696-series components are both VDE-approved and UL-approved. Their mechanical strength is clearly reflected in the lifespan of the connectors, which reaches more than 1000?mating cycles in cases of the 5- and 8-pin connectors, and more than 500?mating cycles with the 12-pin parts.

uEye+ Warp10 Cameras from IDS Combine High Speed and High Resolution

In industrial automation, the optimisation of processes is often primarily about higher efficiency and accuracy. 10GigE cameras, such as those in the uEye Warp10?camera family from IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH, set standards here. They enable high-speed image processing in Gigabit Ethernet-based networks even with large amounts of data and over long cable distances. For even more precision, the company is now introducing new models with sensors up to 45?MP that reliably capture even the smallest details.

The new industrial cameras are equipped with the onsemi global shutter sensors XGS20000?(20?MP, 1.3"), XGS30000?(30?MP, 1.5") and XGS45000?(45?MP, 2"). They are primarily used in high-precision quality assurance tasks when motion blur needs to be minimised and data needs to be quickly available on the network. The 10GigE cameras offer up to ten times the transmission bandwidth of 1GigE cameras and are about twice as fast as cameras with USB3?interfaces.

The large format onsemi XGS sensors requires correspondingly large optics. Therefore, unlike the previous uEye+ Warp10?models, they are equipped with a TFL mount (M35x0.75). For secure mounting, TFL lenses can be firmly screwed to the cameras. The flange focal distance is standardised and, at 17.526?mm, the same as for the previously available cameras with C-mount. To ensure optimal image quality, IDS recommends the use of Active Heat Sinks. They can be mounted both on and under the models, reduce the operating temperature and are optionally available as accessories.

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