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Condition-based monitoring is now considered to be the most effective way of ensuring equipment uptime within process-based environments, yet it is often only used on critical machinery due to high implementation costs. Sally Sillis, technology centre manager at Schaeffler UK, explains why that no longer has to be the case and why the latest advancements in cloud-based solutions mean that not only is condition-based monitoring now affordable, it is also more effective.

Within manufacturing and other process-based environments, minimising downtime is as important as achieving high quality and maximising output. However, equipment failure is the single largest source of lost production time and, in an environment of ever-tighter margins, it can have serious consequences on the bottom line, as no value is being produced, but operational costs are accrued. To compound the issue, most companies significantly underestimate their levels of downtime.

The industrial sector is evolving away from a linear economy, in favor of circular economy systems that improve resource efficiency, drastically reduce carbon emissions and deliver substantial cost savings.

One way to lower material dependency and avoid carbon emissions in the industrial supply chain is to improve asset management through digitalized, predictive maintenance.

Here, Alessandro Bottarelli, Business Sustainability Leader for ABB Smart Power Division, explores how predictive maintenance can promote circular economy.

Machine Sentry^® has enhanced its cloud-based condition monitoring offering with the launch of Machine Sentry^® 2.5.

The latest developments deliver key enhancements to Android™ applications of the system, including:

• Integration with Bluetooth^® low energy (LE) sensors from any manufacturer
• Support for new, advanced oil quality and vibration sensors
• A simplified measurement import application programme interface (API)

In addition to the option of employing MSF-1, a Machine Sentry^® sensor, companies using the Machine Sentry^® Android™ application can now add any brand of sensor to the system. By simply copying the sensor definition to the Android™ device’s internal storage and opening it. Once loaded, the new sensor will be able to collect measurements in exactly the same way as MS-F1.

With the 26^th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) taking place in Glasgow between 31 October – 12 November 2021, climate change and the move towards Zero Carbon is big news, and getting higher on everyone’s agenda.  The move to Net Zero Carbon brings some new challenges, which require new solutions.  Every day, conventional industries are accustomed to facing and dealing with challenges, and the problem-solving skills and capabilities developed can be applied equally to the new challenges of climate change.  In addition, some of the new technology being deployed in the Wind and Nuclear industries can be applied in conventional industries and bring additional opportunities to benefit in your own patch. 

So what will Net Zero mean for our industries – and what can we do as individuals?

Introducing PROTEAN Submersive Extreme, our latest NSF H1 registered highly versatile grease which has been developed to resist extreme water wash off and heavy loads. Our PROTEAN range is designed to provide solutions for the food and drink production industries however Submersive Extreme is adaptable to any environment and has been tested in some of the most hostile applications. We have spent years of detailed research and hands-on application experience to produce the best possible performance, reduce breakdown and maximise efficiency. We focused on developing a grease that has an exceptionally high dropping point, high load carrying capacity, reduced wear and industry leading resistance to water and corrosion.

We have worked closely with manufacturing leaders and proven through analysis in the most extreme environments that within weeks Submersive Extreme can save companies thousands of pounds in downtime, but, more importantly, they are no longer letting their customers down with delays in production. This has not only resulted in huge cost savings but also significantly increased their growth opportunities emerging for new customers.

• 66% of tradespeople have had tools stolen or van broken into
• Two thirds (66%) of tool theft victims have lost at least one working day as a result, in addition to the loss of tools
• Tool theft is biggest business worry for one fifth of tradespeople

The majority (66%) of tradespeople have had their tools stolen or van broken into, a Screwfix survey has found.

Nearly two thirds (65%) of tool theft victims have had their tools stolen more than once. And nearly a quarter (24%) said tool theft has had an impact on their business. For one fifth, tool theft is the biggest business worry.

As a result of tool theft, two thirds (66%) of tradespeople have lost at least one working day, in addition to the loss of the value of the tools, which for three quarters (75%) was more than £500. One fifth of trade tool theft victims had more than £5000 worth of tools stolen.

To protect themselves from tool theft, just over half (51%) remove them from their van overnight, 40% have CCTV at home, and one quarter (25%) have additional security products on their van.

To help tradespeople protect their tools and vans, Screwfix has a range of security products including the Master Lock van padlock and hasp set 230mm.  This nickel-plated, die-cast zinc padlock with hardened steel shackle and a nickel and chrome-plated hardened steel hasp is supplied with two keys and fixings and provides enhanced protection for a van.  While smart CCTV kits from Swann ensure vans and properties can be monitored wherever a tradesperson is, and Van Vault products such as site security boxes and the Outback ensure tools can be kept securely whether on site or on vans.

Ben Lainton, Director of Trading at Screwfix, said: “These latest findings show the concerning level of tool theft and van crime and the damaging impact they have on tradespeople and their businesses. Many of them are seeking ways to protect their tools and vans, so as a key supplier to the trade, we’re continuing to add security-focused innovations to our range to play our part and help them. The latest products from Master Lock, Swann, and Van Vault are prime examples and demonstrate how we are continuing to develop our offer to ensure we provide what the trade needs.”

For more information on security and protection products from Screwfix, visit www.screwfix.com

Port cranes have a difficult and demanding job, unloading thousands of tons of goods from ships around the clock. This is particularly true of a TRF Limited grab and loader crane operating at Paradip Port on the East Coast of India. The crane helps to supply raw materials to one of the largest fertiliser and chemical manufacturing facilities in India. To ensure reliable braking performance for the crane, TRF approached Stromag to provide a complete system package.

Crane needed

The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) operates the manufacturing facility in Paradip. Founded in October 2005, the plant produces 2 million tons of fertiliser every year as well as 7,000 tons of sulphuric acid and 2,650 tons of phosphoric acid daily. These large-scale operations require a vast amount of raw materials, which are delivered by ship via the deep seaport at Paradip. When IFFCO took over the plant, it was clear a large port crane was required to ensure efficient offloading of the raw materials.

Under the laws of cricket, it is illegal for players to rub any substance other than saliva and sweat onto the ball, let alone scuffing it with their fingernails. Similarly, strict rules apply to the manufacturing of cricket balls. Here’s how cricket ball manufacturer, Kookaburra designed its first ever machine tending robotic system to produce the perfect ball, with the help of industrial robot supplier, TM Robotics and M.A.P Services, Australian partner for TM Robotics and Shibaura Machine.

Machine tending is repetitive work. The job of loading and unloading machines with parts or materials are usually done by humans. In the production of cricket balls, workers would place covers ― the outside leather of cricket balls ― onto trays after being pressed into shape to form half of a cricket ball. These trays are then placed into a rack and moved to the next process ― trimming excess leather from the pressed cover.

Howden Group, a leading global provider of mission critical air and gas handling products, technologies and services, has strengthened its team in China with the appointment of Harold Lang as Group Vice President and China President.

From 1 November 2021, Harold Lang replaces Soren Jensen, who retired from the company at the end of September. In this role, Harold will be responsible for the leadership of Howden across China and continuing profitable growth within its key areas including: waste water, mining, hydrogen production, steel production, petrochemical, oil & gas, general industrial and power generation industries. 

National Grid has partnered with Digital Catapult to deliver the UK’s first feasibility report to assess the opportunity for adoption of 5G within the Electricity & Gas Transmission networks.

The project - ‘5G Art of the Possible’ - will be the first 5G techno-economic feasibility study on UK energy networks, setting the foundations for potential follow-up trials and rollout of applications into operations that can support the UK’s net zero ambitions.

This project aims to investigate the opportunities for 5G in the provision of high-speed and reliable wireless communications, to enable the digitalisation of operational processes and applications. These could range from digital image inspection, and condition and health monitoring of high-value assets, to field force enablement via the provision of improved connectivity and applications for operational staff across National Grid’s network.