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Brady Corporation offers a new, more cost-efficient solution to quickly detect unstable Li-ion batteries in storage. Able to automatically measure 0,5°C temperature differences per second, the solution provides the accuracy and speed needed to isolate unstable batteries before they become a safety risk.
 

Fast and accurate
Brady’s new battery temperature monitoring solution involves 3 components: self-adhesive battery-free UHF RFID labels with embedded temperature sensors, RFID readers with up to 16 antennas, and a customisable RFID software platform.

The self-adhesive UHF RFID-embedded labels can be applied inside battery cell boxes for fast temperature change detection. Alternatively, every battery cell can be labelled with Brady’s on-metal, printable UHF RFID labels to enable more elaborate advantages in Li-ion battery supply chains.

Every second, the RFID antennas and readers automatically power all labels and sensors in range to collect temperature readings with 0,5°C accuracy. Every temperature reading, and matching battery storage location, is collected by the RFID software platform. When customisable temperature thresholds are reached, the software platform triggers 3rd party devices via standard API.

With almost continuous, automated and accurate temperature monitoring, warehouse stakeholders can receive early warnings via sms, email or even racking warning lights. They can be guided in time to specific warehouse locations for unstable Li-ion battery isolation. Alternatively, Brady’s software platform API can also trigger an autonomous vehicle to automatically remove an unstable battery.


Cost-effective
Battery-free UHF RFID labels with embedded sensors are a more cost-effective battery temperature monitoring solution than powered RFID tags or IR cameras.

UHF RFID labels and their temperature sensors receive power wirelessly from RFID antennas and readers in range. They are available at significantly lower costs - up to 5 times less than battery-powered RFID tags - and do not require maintenance.

The number of RFID readers needed to completely cover storage locations in a warehouse heavily depends on warehouse setup, racking height and storage volume per racking compartment. Brady can connect up to 16 antennas to a single RFID reader that provides high accuracy, high speed temperature monitoring for all storage locations in 12 metre wide and 4 metre high racking.

The automated, and almost continuous, nature of the temperature monitoring solution enables Li-ion battery manufacturers and logistics companies to significantly increase safety and reduce risk at advantageous costs.

Automated inventories
By adding an RFID reader gate at designated warehouse exits, Brady’s solution can also enable automated, real-time warehouse inventories.

RFID labelled items are read by Brady’s RFID readers the moment their label enters reader range. When they pass through a designated RFID reader gate, these items can easily be subtracted from the inventory by the RFID software platform.

When used in this way, the solution can provide cost-effective battery track & trace inside the warehouse from entry to exit, complete with battery cell box or battery cell temperature fluctuation in between.

For more information, contact Brady Corporation via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. www.brady.co.uk

The symptoms of Climate Change are now very apparent with increases in global temperatures, more frequent storms and flooding where they are not expected and overall changing weather patterns being some of the noticeable warning signs.

Can industry help asks Doug Hart, chairman, Hart Door Systems.  Clearly industry, from manufacturing to storage across the globe, can assess the efficiency of the premises they occupy with the ever open door being the most obvious area of wastefulness. In busy and intense warehouse or production facilities, leaving doors open is generally seen as acceptable.

The result is costly heated air escapes, the temperature within the building drops and heating struggles to get back to an acceptable level. More often than not when the door is opened again it is possibly left open because operatives find it much more convenient.

For temperature control and energy management, the automatic door such as Hart’s Speedor is the solution. Speedor’s fast-action is  the perfect answer. With quality engineering and durability, Speedor high-speed doors will maintain temperatures within a building while keeping energy costs at an acceptable level.

No matter the industrial classification, Hart can manufacture industrial door systems customised to meet specific needs. As an example the Speedor Storm variant is ready for anything the weather can throw at it. Be it a factory, warehouse, storage facility or any kind of plant operation, where doors must be open frequently for people and traffic the Speedor Storm can withstand wind up to ‘wind class 5’ as defined by DIN EN 12424.

Whether it’s access for deliveries, forklifts or people, there are far too many businesses that leave major entrances open for an unnecessary amount of time. The knock-on effect is wasted heating, higher costs and a less than optimal working environment.

Speedor Storm is designed specifically to take care of this. It can help with productivity because entering and leaving can be done more rapidly than non-automatic doors. Further it enhances the working environment because the high-speed operation, even on large doors, means there are no unnecessary open stages.

In turn this lowers energy consumption, important at a time when the cost of energy shows little sign of improving and of course reduced energy use has a positive impact on Climate Change.

In conclusion Hart Door Systems’ Speedor range can make a very significant contribution to energy conservation and a carbon footprint. The combination of automation and high speed operation prevents the passage of heated or cooled air escaping from a building only to heat the car park for instance.

www.hartdoors.com

Making it more accessible than ever to a global audience. This multilingual support ensures that users can interact with the software in their preferred language, improving usability and reducing the likelihood of errors caused by language barriers. The enhanced accessibility fosters seamless communication and integration across international teams, streamlining workflows and boosting productivity. By catering to diverse linguistic needs, ESI-USB© empowers users worldwide, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and a more personalized user experience.

ESI-USB© software by ESI Technology Ltd is a powerful tool for managing and analysing data from our digital pressure transmitters like the GD4200-USB and GD4200HUSB (for use in Hydrogen applications). With an intuitive interface, it supports real-time data acquisition, monitoring, and logging, enabling seamless communication and accurate data transfer. Users can visualise pressure trends with graphical tools, export data for analysis in formats like CSV, and monitor system performance efficiently.

Designed for applications such as industrial monitoring, laboratory research, calibration, and field testing, ESI-USB© is compatible with advanced communication protocols like RS-485 and Modbus. Optimized for Windows 8.1, 10, and 11, it ensures reliability and versatility for professionals needing dependable digital pressure measurement solutions.

Hart Door Systems has completed several contracts for its brand leading Speedor Storm door for a number of sectors across the UK.

Ranging from leading manufacturers to an international airport, multiple orders for Speedor Storms have been reported.

"In addition to a rise in demand for the Speedor Storm high-speed door, we have also delivered eight ATEX comprising four fire shutters and four insulated shutters for a wind turbine project," says Gordon Kipling, Hart's Northern Sales Manager. "Orders for Speedor Storms range from two to eight doors. It has been a remarkable level of activity."

Hart’s Speedor Storm is a wind-resistant high-speed industrial door ready for anything the weather can throw at it. "It is an exceptional door for use in factories,  warehouses, storage facilities, indeed for any kind of plant operation that must be open frequently for people and traffic," adds Mr Kipling.

"Wind resistance for the Speedor Storm is up to ‘wind class 5’ as defined by DIN EN 12424. This means that it can withstand winds of up to 70mph for large external openings up to 8m x 8m."

www.hartdoors.com

Landia UK is marking its 30^th anniversary of business. Set up in 1994 as a subsidiary of Landia A/S in Denmark (established 1933), the UK company began as a humble, two-person operation with Liz Robinson, and the late Hugh Vaughan.

Today, Liz Robinson, together with Paul Davies, lead the company that prides itself on helping companies find solutions to their wastewater/slurry pumping needs, serving the water, food, farming and biogas industries, plus many more. Landia UK’s longevity mirrors the proven long-lasting operation of its low maintenance equipment, which they say offers customers unrivalled total cost of ownership.

“From a standing start as a complete unknown 30 years ago, we’ve firmly established our reputation as problem solvers, with great products and tailored solutions,” said Liz Robinson.

“I want to thank our hard-working team for their dedication and belief in what we provide, which to some at first, doesn’t appear to be cheapest, but will, in the long-term almost certainly prove to be so.”

Recent successes for Landia UK include its digester mixing system for the biogas sector, with landmark installations for Yorkshire Water, Scottish Water, Eco Verde Energy and Cannington Bio Energy. In addition, Landia UK has won significant praise for its work in helping provide pumping/aeration solutions to the Timothy Taylor’s Brewery, Deeside Cereals, plus numerous farms all over the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Landia UK’s Paul Davies, added: “We’re very proud of marking our 30^th anniversary, but year in, year out, demand continues to grow for our pumps, especially where hard-to-handle solids in wastewater and slurries create big problems for equipment that isn’t robust enough. We also pride ourselves on the back-up we always give to our customers. After a sale, unlike some, we don’t just walk away.

“We’re also into our 18^th consecutive year of offering training and career opportunities to prospective local young engineers, which is now paying dividends. Members of our team who learnt their trade as apprentices in the workshop are now out in the field, servicing and selling Landia equipment. These talented young people will play a key part in our future.”

www.landia.co.uk

As a safety professional, selecting flame detectors that align with your facility’s requirements is essential. Discover the key factors to consider when choosing a flame detection system.As a safety professional, you want to purchase flame detectors that meet your facility’s needs. Learn what to consider when choosing a flame detection system.

From traditional industrial environments to today’s increasingly complex hazardous processes, the risk of explosion and/or fire remains a critical concern. However, basic process controls typically do not warn of conditions outside normal system limits. Since industry vapors and gases (hydrocarbons) burn with very high flame temperatures, an external fire detection system that can rapidly sound an alarm in the event of a fire is essential to protect human lives and valuable equipment.

As a safety professional, you want to purchase flame detectors that best meet your facility’s particular needs. Here are a few things to consider when researching a fire and gas detection system.

For a comprehensive overview of flame detectors, such as operating principles and coverage best practices, download our Flame Detection Handbook.

Download the Handbook

The most popular systems use optical methods to detect flames; that is, they detect the absorption of light at specific wavelengths. Two common optical flame detector types are (1) combination ultraviolet/infrared (UV/IR) and (2) multi-spectrum infrared (MSIR). Unlike simple UV or IR detectors, UV/IR and MSIR devices are sensitive to more than one band on the energy spectrum and therefore are less likely to produce a false alarm. Both technologies function well either indoors or outdoors and provide a reasonably fast response time.

Should you choose UV/IR or MSIR detectors? That depends on several factors.

• What kind of fuels does your facility employ? Alcohols? Gasoline? LNG/LPG? Solvents? Something else? Understanding your fuel’s flammable properties will help you determine the optical flame-detecting technology you need.
• Do other types of radiant energy exist in your facility, such as arc welding, hot objects, or direct sunlight? Your flame detectors should be able to distinguish between these non-fire energy sources and real flames. Typically, MSIR detectors provide the best immunity to these types of false alarms.
• How high is the risk of air-borne particulates should a fire occur? Smoke, oil, grease, and some chemical vapors can reduce a UV/IR unit’s detection range, so if, for example, heavy smoke is a concern, you should consider MSIR technology.
• Can the detector be placed near the potential ignition source or must it be located relatively far away? How wide an area should the device monitor? Different UV/IR and MSIR units offer varying detection ranges and fields of view (FOV). Match your environment with the corresponding device specifications for the best coverage.
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This post has covered key factors to consider when choosing the right flame detection system for your needs. For further insights on these topics, including false alarm immunity and self-test diagnostics, download our Flame Detection Handbook

Learn more How to Safeguard Your Industrial Facility Against Fire Hazards

Discover Flame Detector Technologies

Are you ready to get even more connected? MSA Safety’s innovative gas detection systems can communicate and share alerts, helping you keep workers safer than ever before.

Innovation has driven rapid advances in gas detection over recent years, helping to significantly improve safety for workers operating in industries like oil and gas, steel manufacturing, waste water facilities and other utilities.

Take our ALTAIR io™ 4 Connected Gas Detector, for example. Combining built-in, cutting-edge, CAT-M LTE cellular connectivity and integration with the MSA Grid, it offers the real-time insights and actionable data you desire to give your workforce enhanced protection.

But now MSA innovation has taken workplace safety one step further with an addition to our Grid software – the Shared Alerts System.  With Shared Alerts, workers can be instantly notified when a team member or someone working nearby has triggered an alarm, so enabling swift responses to emergency situations. In contrast, traditional systems often rely on manual processes – such as where the health and safety manager is tasked with identifying the hazards and notifying nearby workers themselves.

How the MSA Shared Alerts System works

When you upgrade your non-connected gas detection system to ALTAIR io™ 4 connected gas detectors, your workers' gas detectors can communicate with each other and share alerts. You can configure the system so workers receive either proximity-based alerts, meaning that everyone within a specific distance can be notified, or label-based alerts where everyone within the same wing, floor, or department can receive an alert.

Workers can receive notification of the following three different alarms:

• Gas alarm – this alarm is triggered when a worker’s device detects dangerously high levels of gas such a H₂S or CO₂ or identifies that a worker has reached their exposure limit. A widespread notification sent in response to this alarm means that everyone in the vicinity can take prompt action to evacuate or assist.
• Motion alarm – this alarm activates when a worker remains motionless for an extended period, indicating a possible emergency. Nearby workers or colleagues receiving a notification sent if response to this alarm can respond rapidly, offering immediate assistance.
• Worker emergency alarm – this is manually triggered by a worker in distress. Again, all nearby workers or colleagues can be alerted, helping to ensure a rapid response.

Protect lives – upgrade your connected gas detection solution

The benefits of upgrading so your workers can receive shared alerts can be significant. You will enjoy:

• Enhanced safety – Anyone working in the vicinity of someone who has triggered an alarm can receive instant notification, allowing them to take immediate action to protect both themselves and others.
• Faster evacuation –Notified workers can evacuate smoothly and efficiently with minimum delay so everyone stays safe.

Connect your workers today

Shared Alerts helps to quickly notify a workforce when a hazard has been detected or a colleague is at risk. And this in turn helps you foster a safety-first culture where everyone can be more aware of risks and take greater responsibility for keeping themselves and others safe.

Find out how Shared Alerts could improve safety management at your organisation

Talk to an MSA expert today

In replacing its aging stirring equipment, a major chocolate factory in Cote d’Ivoire has reduced its energy consumption for the process by more than 70%.

Serving eight tanks from 500-litres up to 30m³, agitators made by Mixel are successfully homogenizing, mixing, holding and suspending highly viscous products up to 6300 cps across process temperatures of 95^oC to 130^oC.

Marvin Bouterra from Mixel, commented: “We’re often brought in to provide an enhanced mixing solution, where the perceived belief is that more power will somehow be the answer. However, with CFD and finite element calculations, we have, in this part of Africa, been able to demonstrate that smaller motors, designed in with the right amount of specially inclined propellers would not only reduce energy costs, but also improve the whole process.”

He added: “The customer’s tanks in Cote d’Ivoire are all cigar-shaped, which presents the significant challenge of trying to achieve comprehensive mixing in vessels that are extremely high in relation to their diameter.

“Typically for water applications, we’d usually install a single helix to create sufficient axial flow over the height of the tank, but with chocolate, for such a wide variety of operations (mixing, high/low speed, homogenization, heat exchange, storage, blending, preparation and suspension), our design experience of more than 50 years shows that we have to install three, four or even five agitators.”

He continued: “Each ingredient, from cocoa liquor to lecithin, cocoa butter and fat, has its own behaviour in terms of viscosity and density when mixed, so the additional helixes provide sufficient turbulence to obtain a good shear and axial flow that comprehensively mixes the tanks.  The mixing of chocolate is mechanically demanding though, and likely to weaken the agitator if it is not specified correctly.”

Mixel also saw clearly that although the chocolate factory’s old flat turbines (inclined at 45 degrees) had functioned quite well, their single-surface, single-tilt-design meant that they were very energy-intensive.

Established in 1969, and with almost 50,000 agitators installed worldwide, Mixel has developed numerous mixing solutions, including its innovative Multiplane propellers, which have the advantage of offering several different inclinations.

Mixel’s overall solution for this Cote d’Ivoire factory also provided mixing with just the right torque for an optimum stirring rate, with turbines installed at the base of each tank to stop solids from settling.

www.mixel.fr

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Two words stir fear in the mind of any maintenance engineer: namely ‘unscheduled downtime’.

Many companies have an annual shutdown where essential maintenance is carried out without affecting production. Senior management are perfectly happy, accepting the fact that no production is taking place for two weeks as contingency measures will have been put in place to build stock levels and ensure customer satisfaction. On the other hand, unscheduled downtime can prove extremely costly and even be an organisation’s downfall.

When a production line suddenly stops it has the potential to disrupt the entire supply chain, leading to delays in product delivery and customer dissatisfaction. The cost of breakdowns clearly goes way beyond the cost of a replacement component.

Take an industrial gearbox for example; many units are bespoke pieces of equipment that cannot be bought off a shelf. Lead times for such items can be several days or even weeks, putting additional stress on other lines within your organisation. Other hidden costs such as overtime pay for production workers and expenses for emergency repairs also must be taken into account when calculating the true cost of breakdown

. In the world of preventative maintenance there are an array of different tools and techniques available. A well proven technique that has been used for many years is used oil analysis. Although capable of providing very accurate results, it can prove to be time consuming as the analysis usually takes place off site and results are provided hours or even days later. Another drawback is that direct access to the piece of equipment is required to draw out the fluid, something that is not always possible if the equipment is elevated or in an area of restricted access.

Thermography is a powerful tool for preventative maintenance in manufacturing. By simply pointing an infrared camera at a piece of equipment, heat patterns and anomalies in equipment can be quickly detected. For example when a bearing exhibits excessive wear in a gear box, frictional forces rise and heat is generated. A thermal camera is capable of detecting this heat and thus specific components can be identified, and the appropriate remedial action undertaken. In addition to being non-invasive, thermal imaging can also be carried out at a distance meaning those difficult to access areas are all within reach. And of course, all the analysis can be carried out whilst the machinery is still in operation, meaning production is not disrupted.

If analysis is carried out at regular frequencies valuable data can be obtained that can be used to track the condition of equipment over time. This data-driven approach enables more informed decision-making and better planning of maintenance activities. Overall, thermography is an essential component of a robust preventative maintenance strategy, ensuring operational continuity and safety.

1/2 Teledyne FLIR specialize in the design and production of thermal imaging equipment including thermal cameras and sensors. Over many years they have built a worldwide reputation for innovative technology can be used over a wide range of industries. For engineers who have had many years of experience with thermal imaging cameras, the technology provides a deep understanding of the equipment’s condition, especially if used frequently allowing for trend analysis to be gained. However, even relatively inexperienced users can gain significant amounts of information on potential problems. Several of the FLIR thermal cameras contain software that enables users to establish an ‘inspection route’.

Once established any user can follow the same route with the camera automatically selecting the optimum settings and parameters for each piece of equipment on the route. Once complete the camera wirelessly transfers data and images to a pre-prepared report allowing ease of analysis and interpretation. If you are concerned about unscheduled downtime or have a maintenance department that are always adopting a reactive stance to breakdowns, then it’s time to explore the potential of thermal imaging cameras and establish how they can reduce the equipment failures, ensuring your organisation maximizes uptime and in turn your competitive advantage. www.FLIR.com has more information, especially in the ‘Condition Monitoring’ section where you can request a call from one of the team of experts, who will be happy to talk through the solutions and features, or organise an on-site demo to see how FLIR cameras can support your organisation.