Radiometric measurement, also known as nuclear- or gamma-based measurement, is an extremely reliable and safe, non-invasive solution that is suitable for level limit detection, continuous level measurement, and density and interface layer measurement.

The Scalable Mobile Control System from Hirschmann Automation and Control can be used for controlling and monitoring machine functions as well as for safe load indicator. The product family includes controls from the iFLEX series and the iSCOUT operating consoles. The modular concept also ensures that each solution can be adapted economically at any time to changed requirements.

The model 1312/1392 shear-web tension/compression load cells from BCM Sensor are alloy steel (1312) and stainless steel (1392) load cells with protection up to an IP66 standard. The 1312 is also nickel plated. They can measure in either tension or compression, and applications for these load cells include hopper scales and vehicles scales.

Fieldbus (the use of digital communications networks for distributed instrumentation and control) is a wonderful technology with many benefits, but fieldbus installation requires some additional considerations over and above normal 4–20 mA projects.

Compared to standard level measurements in liquids, the detection and measurement of interfaces has its own particular challenges, leaving many interface applications without reliable level measurement. Most popular today are the electronic or non-mechanical solutions with no moving mechanical parts which offer much higher long-term stability and low-maintenance operation.

The development of the process control system for the Boddington Gold Project in Western Australia, a joint venture by Newmont and AngloGold-Ashanti located 130 km south-east of Perth, is about to mobilise to a site-based phase. This follows an extensive design effort in Perth, Santiago (Chile), Melbourne and Brisbane. Effective teamwork by multiple partners in different physical locations has been vital to the success of the project to date.

Flow measurements in the mineral processing and mining industry suffer from the limitations placed by previously available flowmeters including the commonly used instruments such as ultrasonic meters, magmeters, turbine meters, orifice plate meters, vortex meters, Coriolis meters and Venturi meters. The desire or requirement to make a non-contact measurement that is accurate and robust, and can be performed on practically any type of fluid within practically any type of pipe, has driven the creation of a new class of flowmeters.

There are several fundamental differences between component object-based and traditional tag-based human machine interface (HMI) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) products. This article explains the differences between the two methodologies and shows that significant savings in development can be achieved with a component object-based SCADA product, and explains how to calculate the savings.

Zinc smelting began in 1917 on the site of Nyrstar’s Hobart plant in Tasmania. For generations it has involved hard, dirty and risky jobs. One of the toughest — skimming the waste ‘dross’ off molten zinc just poured into ingot moulds — was done by hand with a rake, until four ABB industrial robots took it over in 2008.

The managed Fast/Gigabit Ethernet switch of the MACH1000 family from Hirschmann Automation and Control has all its ports with the exception of a service port located on the rear of the device. The 24 Fast Ethernet ports, up to four of which support PoE, are available with M12 connections as well as in any combination for other connectors such as MTRJ, St, SC or RJ45. For the gigabit uplinks, two combo ports (10/100/1000 Base-Tx) are optionally available and can be equipped with SFP fibre modules (1000 Base-Fx/SX/LX/LH). In this way, the new design offers a high bandwidth in combination with industry-proven M12 connection technology.

Acoustic Research Laboratories has released the Ngara noise monitor. Ngara is a real-time sound acquisition system that offers class 1 specifications, allowing the user to post-process statistical noise measurements from 1/10th of a second stored data files. Ngara provides the option to store calibrated (continual or triggered) 48 kHz raw audio data. Measurements and data are stored to a USB storage device (HDD or memory stick).

The BAT54-Rail WLAN Client from Hirschmann Automation and Control allows mobile terminal devices in the production environment to be securely connected to the wireless network. It is designed for a temperature range of between -30 and +50 °C. It also fulfils the requirements of the IP40 protection class as well as all relevant specifications regarding shock and vibration resistance and electromagnetic compatibility. The integrated Fast Roaming function can be adapted specially to industrial ethernet protocols such as Profinet or Ethernet/IP, enabling stable connection when changing from one radio cell to another.

The Fluke 225C and 215C ScopeMeter test tools, with automated test capability for Fieldbus, Profibus and other industrial communication protocols, are designed for maintenance specialists who keep automation and process plant equipment operational. The instruments feature easy signal validation of all the critical signal parameters like amplitude and noise, and have floating and fully isolated inputs for true differential signal measurements on 2-wire differential bus systems.

APC Technology has announced the redesign of the DW-860 rugged wireless keyboard into a sleeker, more compact case with no protruding battery pack. The case enables the keyboard to be more convenient for mobile and wireless users.

The fourth-generation Pilz PMI operator interface and diagnostic display units offer improved performance. Both the PMIvisu and PMIopen series are available in the fourth-generation specification, with the PMIvisu models being suitable for diagnostics and visualisation with PNOZmulti modular safety systems, PSS programmable safety and control systems and SafetyBUS p networks. The fourth-generation PMIvisu units can also be used as graphics systems for all common programmable logic controllers (PLCs). If custom software needs to be run on the display, then the PMIopen operator terminals can be specified.