News Industry

Reduce electric motor speed to save carbon emissions

ACCORDING TO GAMBICA (the UK's body representing the automation and control manufac- turers), if just half of Britain's electric motors were reduced in speed by 10%, it would have the net effect of mitigating for the carbon emissions of 9.8 million executive saloon cars every year. GAMBICA believes that the simple control of

electric motors has been overlooked as a signifi- cant energy conservation measure. By controlling motors, a populace equivalent to nearly four million households would be rendered carbon neutral – at an average of 6.5 tonnes of emissions per household. Similarly, long term consideration is given to

reducing car exhaust emissions by both vehicle design and discouraging car use, yet the expedient of controlling electric motors in building and indus- try will achieve a greater net effect in the short term. Likewise in electricity generation, where explo- ration of renewable and green energy continues

apace, while controlling electric motors would save the entire output of Drax, the UK's largest coal fired power station, every year. According to Steve Brambley of GAMBICA, electric

motors consume huge amounts of electricity – about two-thirds of industrial energy use and about one quarter of total UK consumption. A simple electric motor costing a few hundreds of pounds can be expected to consume many tens of thousands of pounds worth of electricity over its useful lifetime. The laws of physics concerning fans, for exam-

ple, means that for every 10% reduction in speed, in accordance with the cube law of fans, there is subsequent saving of three times that in elec- tricity consumed. Brambley adds: "It is time for the Government and

the institutional energy efficiency bodies to bring, by whatever means, pressure to bear on users of electric motors to control them efficiently.”

www.gambica.org.uk

Global PLC market starts to recover

ACCORDING TO IMS Research, the global PLC market is in the early stages of a recovery. Although financial conditions

improved more than expected during the second half of 2009, the recession is not over, and response of global manufacturing industries is generally slower than the change in the general economy. The recovery of the market for

PLCs, which are perceived to be in the first step toward complete factory automation, is expected to be slow. In addition, progress in different regions and for product types is uneven. The PLC market outlook in 2010 is brighter for emerging economies. For compact PLCs, which are

typically aimed at high volume, less engineering-intensive OEM

applications, the figures have been, and will still be, largely driven by the rapidly developing regions of China, Eastern Europe, Russia, India and Latin America. As for modular PLCs, they will still be the most significant part of the PLC family, generating the largest proportion of PLC revenues. Enhancing the price- performance ratio of standard modular PLCs will enable them to do more jobs that larger more expensive PLCs did previously. Furthermore, the research states that high-end modular PLCs will continue to evolve into fully- fledged automation controllers, penetrating the hybrid or process applications that were tradition- ally DCS strongholds.

www.imsresearch.com

Partnership to demonstrate energy harvesting

MORGAN TECHNICAL Ceramics is undertaking a 26 week Shorter Knowledge Transfer Partnership (sKTP) project with Glyndwr University to design and build an energy harvesting demonstration system that will provide a renew- able source of energy. Morgan Technical Ceramics

is an expert in piezo electric ceramics in many markets and applications, including ultrasonic cleaning and welding, sonar and medical imaging. It is carrying out this pioneering research to create a system based on piezo electric devices connected to a mat that will collect and store energy from footfall for reuse. The project will specifically look at how to best match the electron- ics to the piezo ceramic to develop

Design Solutions MARCH 2010

more efficient energy harvesters. The company is working with

the University to prove this alter- native energy source by construct- ing a proof of concept prototype. The company turned to the University for its expertise in computer aided design (CAD), Finite Element Analysis, electrical power systems, power electronics and PCB design which are essen- tial for this new application area. Dr Ashley Darby, business manager – Piezo Shapes, Morgan Technical Ceramics, said: “By carrying out this sKTP in collabora- tion with Glyndwr University we can share our knowledge and expertise to innovate and identify opportunities for energy harvesting utilising piezo electric ceramics.”

www.morgantechnicalceramics.com

SKF to set up a university centre on tribology

SKF HAS SIGNED a five-year contract with Imperial College London’s Department of Mechanical Engineering to set up an SKF University Technology Centre on tribology. This will focus on research in

the area of modelling in simula- tion of tribological systems, with the prime objective to further reduce friction and wear, and therefore extend the associated service life and environmental performance of SKF’s products. According to the company,

the objective will be reached by developing a detailed under- standing of lubricant chemistry, hydrodynamic and elasto- hydrodynamic lubrication, con- tact mechanics, wear and surface fatigue, backed by computational modelling and theoretical studies. Leading the team is Professor

Hugh Spikes, who is head of the tribology research group and has published over two hundred refereed papers and patents in the field of tribology. Spikes commented: “We are

extremely excited to be formal- ising our relationship with SKF in this way. Not only will it help support our fundamental research work in tribology but it should also ensure that this research is rapidly applied to real applications, such as enabling rolling bearings to operate with lower friction and thus lower energy con- sumption.”

www.skf.com

5

In brief

Siemens Drives Technology (DT)

has linked up with a number of industry suppliers and distributors in a drive train partnership. The aim is to promote Siemens

capability and to deliver products and systems faster to customers. Its drive train products, which include variable speed drives, induction motors, geared motors and gearbox- es, are being offered through a num- ber of partner companies: Brammer, Hayley, Fraser & Macdonald, Southern & Redfern, Dorlec, Anstee Ware, CPM and MR Engineering.

T: 01274 657700

Aimed at customers, students, designers and suppliers, Custom

Interconnect Limited’s (CIL) Open

Days – from April 20th to 23rd – will give a detailed and expert insight into the electronics manufacturing industry and the capability at CIL. Each day will consist of a number

of mini-lectures and presentations by CIL staff and other guest speakers representing the electronics industry. Details of the programme and registration forms can be found at:

www.cil-uk.co.uk/openday

Heason Technology has been

appointed as UK Premier Partner by Danaher Motion for its Thomson brand linear motion product brands. The programme aims to provide a

centre of excellence service across Danaher Motion’s brands. Each distribution partner that qualifies is selected on its ability and potential, through regular meetings and advanced technical training, to provide the very best product and commercial support. The programme also ensures a recommended stock level is maintained at Heason Technology, and a competitive pricing policy is followed.

www.heason.com

DavyMarkham has been acquired by Indian engineering procurement and construction company, Hindustan Dorr Oliver (HDO). Managing director, Kevin Parkin,

and financial director, Duncan Hay, will continue in their current roles, along with the management team. “It is great news for

DavyMarkham’s customers, employees and suppliers, since HDO along with its parent is financially very strong, very growth orientated and dedicates itself to continuous improvement in all fields of its business,” said Parkin.

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