TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY PRODUCES HARMONISED STANDARD THAT ‘DOES NOT ALLOW INDUSTRIAL WIRELESS CONTROL SYSTEMS TO FUNCTION’


G


AMBICA has asked for the harmonisation of the new


EN62657-2 industrial wireless co-existence standard, which otherwise could lead to a major industrial wireless failure. With the intention of preserving


bandwidth, the telecommunications industry has written a harmonised standard that does not allow industrial wireless control systems to function. The European Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI) is now blocking the harmonisation of a European standard, which facilitates co-existence management of Industrial communication networks under the R&TTE Directive. This restriction is likely to make Europe lose competitive ground in the industrial wireless field.


ETSI has written the harmonised


standard: EN 300 328 V1.8.1, which amends the existing rules for all devices using the publicly available radio band. The band includes millions of devices using WiFi, Bluetooth and Zigbee technologies. This means it will have a major impact on manufacturers from all sectors once it comes into force on January 1st 2015. It is a harmonised EN standard


covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive, which states that ‘in addition, radio equipment shall be so constructed that it effectively uses the spectrum allocated to terrestrial/space radio communication and orbital resources so as to avoid


harmful interference.’ “With the intention of


effectively using the spectrum, the telecommunications industry has produced a harmonised standard, which does not allow industrial wireless control systems to function,” explains Andrew Evans, technical executive at GAMBICA. “The problem with the standard is that it introduces the concept of Listen Before Talk (LBT). LBT requires each radio device to first check whether another device is transmitting, in which case it must hold back until the channel is free. This causes random and unpredictable communication delays. “The entire idea is simply


nonviable. At times of heavy use,


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NEW PRESS PROVIDES SIGNIFICANT ENERGY SAVINGS FOR FASCIA GRAPHICS


Twelve months after it installed its second Sakurai MS80-SD servo-driven cylinder press, Fascia Graphics has reported that its carbon footprint has been reduced for the second year running. Both Sakurai’s, which were built with Natgraph High Temperature, Air Force UV/IR combination dryers, feature anti-scratch substrate paths, ensuring perfect delivery of the substrate to


ensure flawless print detail – further reducing Fascia’s material consumption and waste. The two printing lines are also designed with bespoke heat exchange units, reducing the amount of energy used. Michael Hole, systems improvement manager at


Fascia Graphics, said: “Our investment in the Sakurai’s has really paid off… Cutting carbon emissions at the same time as providing so many service and production improvements to our customers is an industry first, and one that we are very proud of.” www.fasciagraphics.co.uk


SCHAEFFLER JOINS FORD’S ACTIVE PROJECT V


SDs – variable


speed drives – are used throughout industry in a wide range of applications, a variety of which have been covered by Design Solutions over the years. But when specifying one for your application, what should you really consider? This is just one of the topics covered in Drives & motors (starting on page 11) and is designed to help with the product selection process. After all, ensuring you select the right products for your application is key to developing a solution that meets the application demands.


Rachael Morling - Editor


Schaeffler is one of 11 UK-based technology partners involved in the ACTIVE (Advanced Combustion Turbocharge Inline Variable Valvetrain Engine) project, a multi-million pound investment by government and industry to help the UK accelerate its leadership in advanced propulsion development and production. The ACTIVE project is focused on


Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, and will accelerate the introduction of future-generation low carbon technologies, including advanced turbocharging, advanced combustion system development and variable Valvetrain technology, targeting significant CO2


savings.


Ford and its partners will receive a £13.1 million grant for their £100 million programme to upgrade the EcoBoost engine. Schaeffler currently supplies mechanical tappets and the VCT


/ DESIGNSOLUTIONS


(variable cam timing) system for use on the EcoBoost engine. These technologies contribute to improved


fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. For some regions, Schaeffler will also supply an idler for the Front End Accessory Drive. Alena Useinovic, vice president


automotive at Schaeffler UK, commented: “Our continued focus on the development of new lightweight, lower friction, more energy-efficient components and systems is helping to reduce the weight of the vehicle, improve fuel consumption and minimise CO2


emissions.” www.schaeffler.co.uk


A new standalone company has been created out of the former pneumatics business unit at Bosch Rexroth. Known as Aventics, this will target new markets such as heavy industry and medical technology, as well as expanding its core business in factory automation. The new name combines the terms: Advantage, Invention, and Pneumatics.


Trifast, the parent company of Sussex-based TR Fastenings, has acquired Viterie Italia Centrale Srl (VIC), an Italian manufacturer and distributor of fastening systems, for £22.5m. The acquisition will form a key additional part of Trifast’s future expansion by providing an additional manufacturing facility in Europe to complement the Group’s existing resources in Asia. www.trfastenings.com


The best sales growth for Delta Electronics’ industrial automation and switchgear products throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa has been achieved in Britain by Softstart UK. Delta Electronics has been represented in the UK by Softstart for some time, with 2013 seeing sales increase by 80% and a further doubling forecast for this year. “We represent Delta and several


companies,” explained managing director, Stuart Harvey. “The companies all complement one another. Thus we have created a portfolio of automation products that cover just about every possible requirement. We also have a system building capability that has seen us working on major projects around the world.”


the result is ‘graceful degradation of service’. Unfortunately, the real problem for an industrial site is that key wireless devices can never be relied upon to report their alarm or status messages in a timely fashion,” explained Evans. GAMBICA is urging all member


companies providing industrial wireless equipment, or whose services rely on these systems, to contact their UK trade association or other organisations on the continent. The industry needs to make further efforts to explain the possible consequences of LBT to the European Commission and call for the harmonisation of EN62657-2 under the R&TTE directive as soon as possible, it explains. www.gambica.org.uk


www.aventics.com


www.softstartuk.com


DESIGN SOLUTIONS | JUNE 2014


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