Electricity + Control January 2018

round up

CONTROL SYSTEMS + AUTOMATION

Precise presence detection of low-contrast targets in a weld shop

Customer: Automobile manufacturer Requirement: Verify the presence of a grey adhesive pad on a grey metal surface Background: Environmental conditions in automotive weld shops can adversely affect sensor performance and longevity. Frequent stops in production processes may be required to clean, maintain, and replace damaged or dirty sensors. Challenges: • Weld splatter can burn sensor lenses, causing permanent dam- age • Accumulation of dust and residue from welding fumes on the sensor lens gradually degrades performance and reliability • Low-profile, low-contrast targets can be very difficult to con- sistently detect Solution: Q4X laser distance sensor • 316L stainless steel housing and an add-on aperture lens kit made of borosilicate glass protects the sensor and lens, ensur- ing a long working life • Best-in-class excess gain burns through dust and residue on the sensor lens to provide reliable performance with minimal maintenance downtime • IO-Link enables remote configuration, monitoring, and extend-

ed diagnostics to simplify installation, maintenance, manage- ment, and sensor replacement • Sensor detects sub-millimetre changes in distance to verify part presence or positioning, regardless of colour or reflectivity of object and background • Compact sensor installs easily into space-constrained applica- tions Enquiries: BrandonTopham.Tel. +27 (0) 11 453 2468 or email brandon.topham@retautomation.com

New services to modernise PLC operations

more accurate business decisions at the right time, which enables them to drive measurable improvements to their opera- tional profitability, safely and sustainably.” The seamless migration combines a Uni- ty M580 application converter with a migra- tion expert configuration utility tool, which identifies operational gaps and provides recommendations to solve each customer’s unique systems challenges. This combina- tion enables customers to easily convert Uni- ty software applications on both Quantum and Premium platforms to be compatible with the M580, while providing the option to produce a pre-engineering proposal for the newM580 I/O. A quick wiring system for the TSX Premium processor allows upgrades to be completed in less than one hour. Innovation at every level to control op- erational profitability “Today’s pace of business, especially in manufacturing, requires technology built for faster, more connected operations. Many of our customers are relying on old- er, inefficient PLCs that are less reliable, have a higher total cost of ownership and leave operations vulnerable to new and emerging threats,” said Marcotte. “Mod- ernising to the Modicon M580 ePAC gives our customers a future-proof, IIoT-ready

platform, one that can quickly help them control their operational profitability in real time, without disrupting their business. “These services are the latest example of how we help our customers migrate to value-focused IIoT solutions via EcoStruxure Plant. Our open, interoperable, IoT-enabled system architecture and platform allows us to innovate at every level to improve the safe- ty, reliability, efficiency and profitability of our customers’ operations in real time. It helps them convert their automation investments into the profit engine of their business.” Enquiries: LebohangThokoane.Tel: +27 (0) 11 254 6400 or email lebohang. thokoane@schneider-electric.com

Schneider Electric , the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, launched a new service that will help industrial manufacturers modern- ise their programmable logic control (PLC) systems easily, safely and more cost effec- tively, sometimes in less than one hour. By reducing downtime and disruption to the operation, the service provides an easier migration to the company’s Modicon M580 programmable automation controllers. With built-in Ethernet capability and best- in-class processing power and memory, the Modicon M580 ePAC is the only PLC that can enable 100 percent ROI within three months for hybrid applications. Modernising to value-focused technology ”Upgrading older or obsolete PLC systems is proven to increase the safety, efficien- cy, reliability and, especially, profitability of our customers’ hybrid and process opera- tions,” said Nathalie Marcotte, senior vice president, Industry Services, Schneider Electric. “Our PLC modernisation service helps manufacturers quickly and efficiently leverage Schneider Electric’s value-focused IIoT technology and expertise to gain bet- ter insight into their industrial operations. Upgrading to the Modicon M580 ePAC will empower their workforce to make better,

12 Electricity + Control

JANUARY 2018