HomeGrid Forum and the GiGAWire Alliance have announced the start of a new certification scheme for G.hn access equipment.

This program has been launched in response to network operators expressing an urgent need to deploy interoperable G.hn equipment in their broadband access networks. It will accelerate the development of network solutions based on ITU-T G.hn standards and follows on from HomeGrid Forum’s current world-renowned certification program, to guarantee strict compliance and interoperability of GiGAWire products, reducing the time to market.

“Our new organization is dedicated to guaranteeing end-to-end coexistence and interoperability at all levels of broadband access technology. As part of this we are delighted to unveil our newest certification process and are now encouraging technology vendors to start submitting their applications, so we can support the continued development of advanced networking solutions that ensure a reliable, versatile backbone,” said Livia Rosu, Marketing Work Group Chair at HomeGrid Forum.

Enabling next-generation networks that deliver faster-than-gigabit broadband services, the GiGAWire Alliance and HomeGrid Forum will together focus on innovating G.hn technology to provide broadband for large apartment complexes, office buildings and single-family units. The organization will build on the existing work by the GiGAWire Alliance, which means it is now possible to support multiple users through bundle cabling, thanks to crosstalk mitigation and auto pairing features.

This new effort will also encourage service providers to leverage existing copper wiring within buildings, such as phone lines and coaxial cables, to deploy broadband at a fraction of the cost of traditional Fiber To The Home (FTTH) deployments.

“With the GiGAWire solution improving internet speeds up to 10 times over VDSL in the premises environment, where optical fiber cannot be deployed for technical or historical preservation reasons, this new effort will deliver huge benefits,” added Rosu. “As innovations continue to emerge, we will also expand our technical and marketing support across a widening portfolio of industries such as IoT, Smart Grids and GiGAWire MDUs, to provide the best connectivity to meet the needs of our changing world.”

Having first announced the news of the collaborative effort in October 2019, both organizations have been working closely together ever since to strengthen the ongoing development of broadband access technology with both G.hn and GiGAWire MDUs.

System vendors wanting to produce the highest quality of G.hn and GiGAWire technology, should visit the HomeGrid Forum website to become a member so they can apply for this new certification process. The first GiGAWire test event is planned for March 2021.

About HomeGrid Forum

HomeGrid Forum (HGF) is an industry alliance that brings together the world’s best in technology innovators, silicon vendors, system manufacturers, and service providers to promote G.hn, a globally recognized gigabit home networking technology based on ITU-T standards. G.hn is the most reliable and versatile wireless home network backbone available today. Our members promote the global adoption of G.hn, a single unified, multi-sourced networking technology – over coax, copper pairs, powerline, and plastic optical fiber. HomeGrid Forum provides G.hn silicon and system certification through a strict compliance and interoperability testing program. For more information on HomeGrid Forum, please visit our website at www.homegridforum.org.

~ Changing the way industries view traditional VPN ~

For the last two decades, Virtual Private Networks (VPN) have been known as the solution for ensuring privacy. However, varied digital ecosystems, cloud migration and workforce mobility have created a climate where traditional VPN systems do not always suffice. Here, Garry Forfar, sales manager at industrial software supplier, COPA-DATA, discusses why the energy industry is looking for alternatives.

VPNs on the grid
VPNs were introduced over two decades ago to enable safe, remote access to the internet with a secure connection; enabling remote connectivity for millions of users. Whilst this was a great fit 20 years ago, they cannot offer the scale of required protection needed against today’s complex environment of 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.

For the energy sector, this complexity is exasperated even further as modern grids incorporate a huge array of assets — from ageing substations, to hyper-modern renewable generation sites. 

VPNs are used to extend network connectivity between users and Industrial Control System (ICS). In an energy grid environment, many deploy VPNs to gain remote access to these systems — with the objective to reduce downtime and enable constant asset monitoring.

Safety, security and data breaching
The impact of security breaches on the energy grid can be colossal. As such, grid operators cannot afford to hold onto solutions that do not provide adequate security — and while they are widely used, VPNs represent a target for cyber-attacks. Allowing remote access to ICS increases the risk to the grid, meaning if hackers can get into the system, they can potentially access the energy supply of entire nations.

Back in 2015, Ukraine experienced a series of cyberattacks on three energy companies, sabotaging the grid’s power distribution equipment. Hackers reconfigured the power supply, gained access to user control and wrote malicious firmware to take out control systems so that no alternative power could be provided. This was a first-of-its-kind attack and sent a clear message to power grid users that security and safety should be a top priority.

As well as the security risks, VPN servers also suffer scalability issues. VPNs are typically limited in the number of VPN ‘tunnels’ they support. When an industrial network grows, more devices connect to the network with an increasing number of engineers supporting businesses operations. This leads to an increase in VPN connection required and unfortunately, once this number exceeds the VPNs capabilities, engineers need to install a new VPN server and go through another time-consuming configuration proccess.

A change in the right direction
A new way forward is essential, to improve security and provide grid operators with a scalable superior network access control. As an alternative, some energy organisations are considering MQTT.

MQTT stands for Message Queueing Telemetry Transport, but it is widely referred to as the IoT protocol. The system allows users to publish and receive messages as and is specifically designed for devices with low bandwidths — like IoT devices.

MQTT provides a simpler method of data transfer than a traditional VPN. Imagine there is a broker collecting data on one side of the system, and another broker at the other. To exchange data, the two brokers simply shake hands and use a software platform to configure the communication. COPA-DATA’s zenon Service Grid offers a cloud-based and scalable alternative method of enabling the ‘handshake’ — and therefore allow for the data exchange — without the use of a VPN. zenon Service Grid manages the flow of data and ensures no data is lost and deals with any network latency.

What’s more, because COPA-DATA is certified with IEC 62351, the current standard for security in energy management systems and the exchange of energy-related data, the network using MQTT is better protected against cyber threats.

zenon uses applications on the company’s network without having to connect them to individual production cells.
As energy grids continue to evolve, we need to debunk the myth that VPNs cannot be rivalled. As new energy technology is creating a rapidly changing environment, the industry must match the same speed of development in relation to cyber-security.

AMETEK Land, the world’s leading manufacturer of monitors and analysers for industrial infrared non-contact temperature measurement, has launched an innovative, new mid-wavelength borescope, the MWIR-B-640, for furnace applications.

The MWIR-B-640 enables highly accurate and fully radiometric temperature measurement image data to be taken, stored, and trended over the lifetime of the furnace, providing a continuous and clear view, even through heavy smoke and hot atmospheres.

It is suitable for use in hydrocarbon processing reformers; heat treatment; reheat, cement kiln, and annealing furnaces; biomass, waste and coal boilers; as well as incinerators. This innovative new borescope features advanced spectral filtering and a high thermal and spatial resolution to deliver clear live images of the furnace, boiler, and stock, with more than 300,000 accurate point temperatures measuring in the range of  300-1200 °C (572-2192 °F) and 500-1800 °C (932-3272 °F).

The high-resolution image of the MWIR-B-640, combined with a 90° wide-angle field of view, allows multiple areas to be imaged and measured simultaneously. With the wide-angle view into the furnace, image data can be viewed in real-time from the safety of the control room. With only a small opening in the wall, the MWIR-B-640 can accurately profile the temperature of the entire furnace without affecting the furnace atmosphere, the stock temperature, or energy consumption.

“The MWIR-B-640 is an invaluable tool that will prolong furnace and boiler lifetime, optimise production throughput, reduce energy consumption and improve stock temperatures,” said David Primhak, Director of Development and Product Management for AMETEK Land. “It has a range of innovative features that ensure it is user-friendly, extremely accurate, and offers a high level of asset protection.”

The MWIR-B-640 uses proven thermal imaging technology to accurately and continuously profile the temperature of the furnace and the stock, resulting in improved data accuracy through automation and reduced risk to personnel by minimizing the need for an operator to be in the hazardous furnace/boiler area.

To protect the thermal imager from damage by overheating in the event of loss of water flow, air pressure, electricity supply, or a high borescope tip temperature alarm, the MWIR-B-640 is also available with AMETEK Land’s innovative auto retraction system.

Features of the MWIR-B-640 include a high-performance water-cooling system, with low water flow requirements, even in the highest temperature furnaces. The borescope has a thermocouple at its tip, which sounds an alarm when removing the instrument, thus preventing damage if maximum temperatures are exceeded. It also features an integrated air purge to maintain a dust-free optical system while using minimal instrument air.

In addition, the MWIR-B-640 has a range of mounting options to ensure simple installation and is available with a range of probe lengths to suit every application. 

It is available with advanced IMAGEPro thermal imaging and data processing software, which supports long-term data trending to enable the early detection of leaks and temperature variations and achieve process optimisation.

About AMETEK Land

AMETEK Land is a business unit of AMETEK, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices with annual sales of approximately $5 billion. AMETEK Land designs and manufactures a wide range of instruments for industrial non-contact temperature measurement, combustion efficiency and environmental monitoring.

For additional information, contact AMETEK Land, Stubley Lane, Dronfield, UK, S18 1DJ, tel +44 (0)1246 417691, fax +44 (0)1246 410585, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., website www.ametek-land.com.

Since 5 January, companies have had to submit data to ECHA on chemicals of concern in their products. Over five million notifications have already been received in the SCIP database, and the data will be published in the coming months.

The obligation to submit data on substances of very high concern (SVHCs) in articles under the Waste Framework Directive applies as of 5 January 2021. The new requirements concern all companies placing articles containing SVHCs from the Candidate List on the EU market.

Companies have already submitted more than five million notifications to the database. ECHA will start publishing the data on its website in the coming months, and this function will be further developed. The increased transparency on chemicals of concern will help consumers make more informed choices and improve waste operators’ recycling processes.

Bjorn Hansen, ECHA’s Executive Director says: “Forward-looking companies have already sent the requested information to us and contributed to a safer circular economy. I encourage all companies to follow their example and play their part in increasing the knowledge we have on hazardous chemicals in products.”

ECHA’s IT systems are ready to continue receiving a large number of notifications. To support companies in ensuring successful submissions, ECHA has published manuals, webinars as well as tips for successful SCIP notifications and for the use of the system-to-system service. The Agency’s helpdesk is ready to help individual companies with specific issues.

Further information

SCIP is the database for information on Substances of Concern In articles as such or in complex objects (Products) established under the Waste Framework Directive. The database ensures that the information on articles containing substances of very high concern (SVHCs) on ECHA’s Candidate List is available throughout the whole lifecycle of products and materials, including the waste stage.

SCIP database

Tools to prepare SCIP notifications

Tips to improve submissions

Tips for system-to-system submissions

More information about processing large dossiers

SCIP webinar

The CO2 specialist offers dry ice producers and distributors an effective solution for producing the required amount of dry ice and automatically fill it into transport boxes.

ASCO CARBON DIOXIDE LTD is expanding its product portfolio with customizable dry ice filling and transfer systems for on-site production centers. Especially when shipping the COVID-19 vaccine worldwide, an unbroken cold chain down to -80°Celsius and effective work processes are crucial.

"We were able to respond in a short time to numerous inquiries seeking a solution for filling dry ice into shipping boxes or transferring large dry ice containers into shipping boxes," says Marco Pellegrino, Managing Director of ASCO CARBON DIOXIDE LTD. The company is expanding its dry ice technology portfolio with two dosing units that are used particularly in the pharmaceutical, logistics and food industries.

The new dry ice filling system (dosing system) is compatible with all ASCO pelletizers and, in its standard version, consists of two dry ice production lines with dry ice dosing units and a conveyor system depending on capacity requirements. This enables automated pre-filling of (shipping) boxes with freshly produced dry ice. Subsequently, vaccine doses, for example, are placed in the box and after that automatically filled with dry ice again. Finally, the box only needs to be sealed for shipping.

The ASCO dry ice refilling system is particularly suitable for the pharmaceutical, logistics and food industries when the dry ice is already purchased ready-made. With the new solution, the dry ice delivered in containers from the supplier, can be transferred to the dosing unit by a lifting process. From there, weight-based dosing of the dry ice through predefined recipes enables automatic filling into customer boxes. This makes it possible to use the dry ice as quickly as possible with a minimum of man power.

Since maintaining the cold chain is of crucial importance, especially in the food and pharmaceutical sectors, ASCO CARBON DIOXIDE LTD has been concentrating intensively on the provision of the two dry ice filling systems in recent weeks. The challenges of shipping COVID-19 vaccines, producing a large quantity of dry ice in a short time and dosing it into shipping boxes, reinforced the company's efforts in this regard.

Sulzer’s advanced global engineering and manufacturing network has enabled the company to build, deliver and commission 289 high-efficiency desalination pumps to allow construction of the multiple sites in just 18 months. The short build schedule and large number of pumps required the cooperation of several of Sulzer’s facilities to deliver all the pump skids on time.

Fresh water is a precious resource, especially in arid countries, and keeping up with demand can be a considerable challenge. In Saudi Arabia, desalination plants deliver the majority of the country’s water and a growing population means that utilities are building for the future.

Since 1974, the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), a Saudi Government Agency, has built the world’s largest network of commercial desalination plants around the coast of the desert kingdom. For the organization’s latest project: an ambitious scheme to install eight reverse osmosis (RO) facilities along the Saudi West Coast, SWCC and its EPC contractor Advanced Water Technology Company, SETE Energy, Rawafid Industrial and Al Fatah International Consortium (ASRF Consortium), turned to Sulzer for the supply of critical process pumps.

RO technology has transformed the economics of desalination over recent years, halving the cost of producing clean, potable water from seawater. While advances in membrane performance and energy recovery have been central to these improvements, the efficiency of modern RO plants is highly dependent on their pumps. The energy consumed by pumps accounts for 60 to 70 percent of the final cost of the water produced by such a plant.

Each site uses a selection of Sulzer pumps, including the AHLSTAR single-stage centrifugal process pump and MBN-RO high pressure pump.

So, when SWCC embarked on its latest expansion project, it needed pumps that could deliver the high efficiency required to meet the challenge of minimizing power consumption. At the same time, the project required years of reliable operation while exposed to potentially corrosive sea water. Adding to the challenge, an ambitious build schedule meant the pumps, which are normally engineered to order, had to be delivered within a tight 12-month window.

Basem Elshaer, Sulzer Sales Manager for the water sector in Saudi Arabia explains: “After an extensive technical and commercial review, SWCC selected specialist RO pumps from Sulzer for this project. The MBN-RO high pressure pump meets the market expectations for a highly efficient, cost effective and reliable design, with features that have been refined based on Sulzer’s decades of experience in the sector.”

Compared to competitor products, the Sulzer pumps offered an average efficiency advantage of close to two percentage points, which provides a highly significant reduction in energy consumption over the lifetime of a plant. The main high pressure pumps chosen for the project have a 150 mm diameter discharge pipe and 320 mm impeller. They are manufactured from a super duplex stainless steel to protect critical parts from erosion and corrosion.

To simplify design, construction and operation, the new desalination plants use a highly standardized layout, with a varying number of identical RO process trains installed at each site. Each train is capable of supplying 8’500 cubic meters of clean water per day. Each site uses a selection of Sulzer pumps, including the AHLSTAR single-stage centrifugal process pump, which has been selected for many RO plants in recent years. With high efficiency so important in minimizing the cost of producing clean water, the performance and reliability of these pumps make them a popular choice.

Mr. Ali Awadalla, CEO at Rawafid Industrial comments: “Under the terms of the agreement, Sulzer was contracted to supply complete units, including pumps, a high-efficiency IE3 electric motor and a comprehensive instrumentation package for each RO train. Sulzer engineers also supervised the installation and commissioning of the pumps.”

The new plants, commissioned as part of the KSA 2030 economic development plan, are designed to significantly increase the availability of fresh water, supporting the growth of tourism and economic activity in the West Coast region of the Kingdom.

Meeting the needs of such a multiple-site project required input from Sulzer specialists across the world. The local point of contact for the customer was Sulzer Saudi Pump Company in KSA, which had support from RO specialist teams in Spain and Finland.

Manufacture, test and installation of all 289 pumps have now been completed on schedule and Sulzer specialists are working with their customer on the commissioning phase of the project.

About Sulzer:

Sulzer is a global leader in fluid engineering. We specialize in pumping, agitation, mixing, separation and application technologies for fluids of all types. Our customers benefit from our commitment to innovation, performance and quality and from our responsive network of 180 world-class production facilities and service centers across the globe. Sulzer has been headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, since 1834. In 2019, our 16’500 employees delivered revenues of CHF 3.7 billion. Our shares are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: SUN).

www.sulzer.com

North America is expected to have the maximum share of the global oil and gas trunk/transmission pipeline length by 2024, representing around 43%. Running for a length of 899,399km, the region continues to lead global pipeline additions by 2024 with 25,335km, lagging only behind Asia, says GlobalData, a leading data, and analytics company.

GlobalData’s report, ‘Global Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry Outlook to 2024 – Capacity and Capital Expenditure Outlook with Details of All Operating and Planned Pipelines’, reveals that the total length of the global trunk/transmission pipeline network is 2,083,369km (with start years up to 2024, as of November 2020). Of the total global pipeline length, among the regions studied, North America is on top with 899,399km, followed by the Former Soviet Union (FSU) and Asia with 419,021km, and 225,382km, respectively.

Adithya Rekha, Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Despite the North American transmission pipeline sector having faced several headwinds last year, gradual crude oil price recovery and improvement in the region’s economic outlook means the sector is expected to make a fortunate rebound. This will help retain the region’s global leadership in terms of pipeline length and register an impressive growth in the pipeline network by 2024. It will also sit it in second place worldwide, losing out only to Asia.”

In North America, there are currently 1,243 active and suspended pipelines operating with a total length of 874,064km. The region is expected to witness a total length additions of 25,335km, representing 22% of the total global length additions.

Expected to start operations in Mexico by 2021, the longest of the upcoming projects is San Fernando–Cactus, with a length of 1,609km. However, this pales in comparison to the onshore natural gas pipeline NGTL System in Canada, the longest active pipeline in North America, which has a length of 24,575km. Overall crude and natural gas pipelines lead growth in the region.

GlobalData also notes that the FSU is expected to represent 20.1% of the global transmission pipeline length by 2024. The total length of the transmission pipeline network in the FSU is 419,021km, of which active and suspended pipelines constitute 405,910km. The region is also expected to witness planned and announced pipeline length additions of 13,111km by 2024. The region’s largest active pipeline system – Russian Gas System in Russia – runs for a length of 172,100km and has pipelines with a diameter ranging from 12” to 56”.

Rekha concludes: “After North America and the FSU, Asia occupies the third place with a 10.8% share in the global transmission pipeline length. Asia’s total length of crude oil and natural gas pipeline network is 225,382km. Sui Northern Gas Transmission natural gas pipeline in Pakistan is the longest pipeline in the region with a length of 7,915km.”

• Comments provided by Adithya Rekha – Oil & Gas Analyst at GlobalData

• Information based on GlobalData’s report: Global Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry Outlook to 2024 – Capacity and Capital Expenditure Outlook with Details of All Operating and Planned Pipelines
• Active: Denotes assets that are currently operational/have started commercial operations
• Announced/Planned: Denotes only new build assets that are in different stages of development and have not started commercial operations
   
• Announced: A new build project that has not received relevant/ required approvals to develop/build the project is considered as announced
   
• Planned: A new build project that has received relevant/ required approvals from the national government/ energy ministry/ regulatory authority/ local environmental authority/ port authority/local government, etc to develop/build the project is considered as planned

• This report was built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research, and in-house analysis conducted by GlobalData’s team of industry experts.

About GlobalData 

4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis, and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, technology, energy, financial and professional services sectors.

Delta, a global leader in power and thermal management solutions, has just announced the successful implementation of its energy-saving POD (Point of Delivery) data center solution to enable Vietnam’s first Uptime TCCF (Tier Certification of Constructed Facility) TIER III-certified data center for HTC-ITC, a subsidiary of Hanoi Telecom. The TIER III certification by the U.S.-based Uptime Institute entails an annual uptime of 99.982% for this newly-implemented data center. This IT facility is also expected to achieve an eco-friendly high-efficiency-grade(1) annual power use effectiveness (PUE) value as low as 1.4 through the support of Delta’s high-efficiency uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, in-row precision cooling, environmental monitoring platform, racks, accessories, and the Data Center Infrastructure Monitoring (DCIM) system for comprehensive and remote control.

Madam Trinh Minh Chau, chairwoman of HTC-ITC, expressed her delight to corporate with Delta Electronics, a foreign global enterprise. Their aim for cooperation with Delta is to build the best quality data center and to provide world-class service to customers in Vietnam and around the world.

Mr. Victor Cheng, Delta’s senior vice president and general manager of its Information Communication Technology Infrastructure Business Group said, “We applaud the continuous efforts of HTC-ITC and its parent company Hanoi Telecom to facilitate next-generation ICT infrastructure for their customers in Vietnam. Being able to construct the country’s first Uptime TIER III-certified data center for HTC-ITC is truly an honor for Delta. Together with our partners and customers in the region, we are building the foundations of the 5G networks that will support substantial economic growth for years to come.”

HTC-ITC’s new data center, located in the Hoa Lac High-Tech Zone occupies 750 square meters and has a total power capacity of 750kW original requirement + 750kW for redundant power protection, in line with Uptime’s TIER III 2N architecture specifications. This data center is expandable to 900 racks in total. Delta’s highly modular and scalable POD data center solution provides the ideal flexibility and reliability to achieve that rigorous qualification. Unlike TIER I and TIER II, the Uptime TIER III Constructed Facility Certification (TCCF)-certified data centers do not allow shutdowns during maintenance or replacement. For example, in addition to the 99.982% annual uptime requirement, float voltage on the isolated equipment must be close to 0 while no hotspots with a temperature over 25°C are allowed. The data center of HTC-ITC has reached 52 tests to pass the TCCF certification, the first time ever for a data center built in Vietnam.

Delta’s energy-saving POD data center solution also provides integral support for this new IT facility to achieve the expected annual PUE of 1.4. The solution combines the DPH series modular UPS system and the in-row precision cooling system with variable fan speed control to facilitate hot aisle containment or cold aisle containment architectures. The DCIM platform to enable comprehensive and remote monitoring and control of entire and multiple data centers; as well as racks and accessories to simplify implementation processes for enhanced efficiency and performance. Moreover, the POD solution offers a fully modular design that helps customers with a pay-as-you-grow concept and rapid installation process to meet the rapidly growing needs of high-speed 5G networks and IoT applications.

(1) Reference source: https://slideplayer.com/slide/10890661/

About Delta
Delta, founded in 1971, is a global leader in switching power supplies and thermal management products with a thriving portfolio of smart energy-saving systems and solutions in the fields of industrial automation, building automation, telecom power, data centre infrastructure, EV charging, renewable energy, energy storage and display, to nurture the development of smart manufacturing and sustainable cities. As a world-class corporate citizen guided by its mission statement, “To provide innovative, clean and energy-efficient solutions for a better tomorrow,” Delta leverages its core competence in high-efficiency power electronics and its CSR-embedded business model to address key environmental issues, such as climate change. Delta serves customers through its sales offices, R&D centres and manufacturing facilities spread over close to 200 locations across 5 continents.

Throughout its history, Delta has received various global awards and recognition for its business achievements, innovative technologies and dedication to CSR. Since 2011, Delta has been listed on the DJSI World Index of Dow Jones Sustainability™ Indices for 8 consecutive years.

In 2017, Delta was selected by CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) for its Climate Change Leadership Level for the 2nd consecutive year. For further information about Delta, please visit www.delta-emea.com.

ARCS is the only safety system in the industry with individual valve isolation for online maintenance without process interruption

Emerson has released its ASCO™ 141 Series Advanced Redundant Control System (ARCS) to provide a redundant solution for a variety of emergency shutdown valve applications, such as those found in the chemical, power, oil and gas industries. Available globally, it includes various redundant solenoid configurations to enhance the reliability of the process and meet specific safety or reliability requirements in automation processes. The single inlet/single outlet design provides a streamlined installation process compared to traditional bypass systems, while almost eliminating potential failure points.

The ASCO 141 series ARCS is designed for use as a component in safety instrumented systems. Utilizing 1oo2, 2oo2 or 2oo3 voting solenoids to enhance the reliability of the circuit, it functions as a redundant pneumatics tripping device to control the pilot air signal to a process valve actuator. The ARCS features either two or four electrically actuated solenoid valves, visual indicators and a manually controlled bypass or isolation valve. The unique control functionality allows for maintenance of the solenoid valves without having to shut down the process valve. In fact, the use of the maintenance bypass or isolation valve is not required for functional testing of the ARCS unit — a downtime-reducing feature not possible with common bypass functions.

Image 1: ASCO™ 141 Series Advanced Redundant Control System (ARCS)

“By addressing the concerns common with typical bypass systems — particularly those in critical or emergency shutdown applications — our ASCO 141 series ARCS provides a reliable, time-saving alternative,” said vice president of global marketing for Emerson’s industrial automation business, Erik VanLaningham. “Although the use of a common bypass is a typical solution, the end-user doesn’t know if they’ll be able to shut down on demand in the event of an emergency because their redundant system is in bypass mode. This is where our unique ARCS value proposition comes in. The ARCS individual valve isolation option provides increased safety and operational availability during online maintenance to help customers achieve their required SIL rating.”

With just a single part number, the ASCO 141 series ARCS features several advances that simplify specification, installation and operation. Supplied as a fully integrated, comprehensive solution using a manifold instead of individual valves, ARCS comes pre-tested from the factory and ready to install. The direct valve-to-valve design eliminates pipework and fittings between the solenoid valves and minimizes leak points for increased reliability and a lower total cost of ownership. A status indicator with feedback helps facilitate preventive maintenance while providing online fault detection. It provides digital input feedback (via pressure switches or Emerson-exclusive GO Switch options) to the control room. And for additional peace of mind, the ASCO™ 327 series 3/2-way direct acting solenoid valves included on the ARCS manifold are certified to SIL 3 capable (exida) standards.

A direct-acting platform with advanced diagnostic capability and online maintenance features, ARCS is suitable for a wide variety of valve piloting applications to meet both safety and operational availability requirements.

For more information, visit www.emerson.com/en-us/catalog/asco-arcs

https://www.emerson.com/en-us/news/automation/20-12-advanced-redunant-control-system

About Emerson

Emerson (NYSE: EMR), headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global technology and engineering company providing innovative solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and residential markets. Our Emerson Automation Solutions business helps process, hybrid, and discrete manufacturers maximize production, protect personnel and the environment while optimizing their energy and operating costs. Our Emerson Commercial and Residential Solutions business helps ensure human comfort and health, protect food quality and safety, advance energy efficiency, and create sustainable infrastructure. For more information visit www.emerson.com 

Geek+, a global leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and warehouse automation, and Universal Logic, a world-leading pioneer of an AI/sensor/machine-control software “brain” for robots, announce the beginning of a new partnership. Together, the two technology leaders declare a joint commitment to support the manufacturing and logistics industry with a paradigm-shifting goods-to-robot solution, for automating supply chain operations and elevating industry 4.0.

With large parts of the supply chain dependent on fixed automation and manual materials handling, the rise in demand for customization and made-to-stock capabilities have resulted in strained processes. In turn, it has generated a need for technologies that can automate the flexibility and precision of skilled labor and combine it with the throughput capacity of dynamic inventory control.

Randy Randolph, Senior Sales Manager of Geek+ US, says: “We are very glad to partner with Universal Logic and look forward to leveraging their extensive experience in automating dynamic robot behavior to realize the full potential of our intelligent mobile robotics solutions. By combining our advanced robotics hardware with Universal Logic’s unparalleled experience, we believe that this collaboration has the potential to transform the global supply chain and shape the future.”

The partnership will give Universal Logic access to Geek+'s wide range of robotics hardware for intelligent sorting and picking. Built on autonomous mobile robot technology and AI-driven software, Geek+ will provide Universal Logic with the flexibility to automate the entire chain from dynamic inventory control to pick & pack, expanding from goods-to-man to goods-to-robot solutions. Correspondingly, Geek+ will have access to Neocortex, Universal Logic’s AI platform featuring real-time and modular robot control for extended perception, direct grasping, and advanced robot guidance, enabling human-like flexible picking capabilities, to unleash the true potential of intelligent robotics for logistics.

Universal Logic CEO, David Peters, states: “The Geek+ mobile robot platform, dovetails perfectly with Universal’s dynamic robot control for picking and packing, providing our customers seamless automation capabilities, creating an end-to-end solution to meet current and future supply chain needs.” 

Today, Geek+ and Universal Logic respectively serves a broad customer range including Fortune 500 Companies and regional businesses. The collaboration will enable them to strengthen their industry leadership and provide clients with flexible, adaptable, and efficient operations that can meet challenges associated with high mix/high volume applications in manufacturing, wholesale, and retail. By combining the efficiency and speed of robots with human-like precision and flexibility, it will allow businesses to realize stable and reliable supply chain operations and meet the challenges of tomorrow.

About Geek+

Geek+ is a global technology company leading the intelligent logistics revolution. We apply advanced robotics and AI technologies to realize flexible, reliable, and highly efficient solutions for warehouses and supply chain management. Geek+ counts 300 global customers and has deployed more than 10,000 robots worldwide. Founded in 2015, Geek+ has over 800 employees and is headquartered in Beijing, with offices in Germany, the UK, the US, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

For more information, please visit: https://www.geekplus.com/

About Universal Logic

Universal Logic invented a proprietary AI/sensor/machine-control software “brain” for robots, called Neocortex. It gives machines human-like flexibility at high speed, and is hardware agnostic, working with all major brands of equipment. The company is also a system integrator, with over twelve years of experience installing turnkey solutions for its clients.