News Industry Comment Solar-powered car relies on wireless technology
WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY FROM Radiometrix is being used by the Engineering Department of Durham University to monitor the performance of their solar-powered racer. The department is using the company’s TX3B-869.85-64 and RX3A-869-10 radio modules.
We have an interesting magazine for you once again this month. For a start, in the centre of this issue we have our first Gas Detection & Measurement supplement, which covers the latest products and technologies on offer.
In addition to this, our Sensors &
Transducers section takes a look at the exciting developments that have taken place in the world of sensors, and how these have been of benefit to industry; then in Displays, David Potts of Anglia Displays looks into the features that need to be considered before specifying one – after all, the display can have a significant impact on the user’s perception of a product. We also examine cooling technolo- gy in our Cases & Enclosures fea- ture, and how some manufacturers are introducing cooling technologies that offer redundancy. Finally, in Test & Measurement we look at how precision test equipment needs to be readily available when products are being developed for aerospace and defence projects; and also how testing the protection systems for wind turbine installations is critical. Rachael Morling – Editor
Sensing Technology 2011
THIS YEAR’S Sensing Technology exhibition will be taking place on 27-28th September.
Following the success of the first ever Sensing Technology show last year, the event will again be held at the NEC, Birmingham. A number of compa- nies have already booked stands – including Bronkhorst, Techni Measure, Huba Control, Optris, Michell Instruments and RDP Electronics – and details of the seminar programme will be avail- able soon on the event website. Visitors to the show will be able to see the latest sensing products and technologies, and speak to industry experts.
Registration to attend the event will be opening soon, but to book a stand please contact Kathryn Ambrose on T: 01622 699129 or E:
kambrose@datateam.co.uk
Instrumentation FEBRUARY 2011
The Durham University Solar Car (DUSC) has a lightweight steel space frame construction with a carbon fibre body shell; and the high efficiency pho- tovoltaic cells that cover its outer surface are able to produce 1.4kW of power, allowing the vehicle to reach a maximum speed of 56mph. The products used in the DUSC’s telemetry system allow the transfer of important information to the chase vehicle which follows behind it, enabling the team of engineers to gain access to a continuous stream of real-time data on the voltages/currents
passing through the DUSC’s circuitry and on how much solar energy is being received.
The modules are suitable for a wide variety of different end applications, including vehicle data upload/download, data logging, asset tracking/man- agement systems, industrial telemetry/telecommand systems, and high performance security/fire alarms. “There were several criteria that needed to be met with regard to the radio communications system for the DUSC. Clearly as much of the energy converted by the photovoltaic cells as possible has to be devoted to propulsion, and as a result low power operation for the radio transmitter was therefore vital,” said Steve Wilson, DUSC project leader. “Likewise, in order to ensure that energy was not wasted, the transmitter had to be lightweight and take up minimal space.”
www.radiometrix.com
Hands-on thermal imaging programme
A PROGRAMME OF three ‘hands- on’ Thermal Imaging Seminars has been announced by Fluke. The free half-day events are designed to show how to diagnose problems in heating, ventilation and plumb- ing systems, assess energy loss in buildings, and solve roof and damp ingression. They are aimed at facility managers, building inspectors, energy assessors and heating and plumbing engineers. In the Building Diagnostics Seminars, participants will gain practical knowledge about thermal imaging and its benefits, common applications, and preventive/ predictive maintenance and trou- bleshooting practices. In addition to learning about basic thermal imaging theory, participants will see demonstrations of how thermal imaging has been used in actual property case studies, and will have the opportunity to practice using various features of Fluke thermal imagers. The seminars are:
1. Using thermography for diag- nosis of heating, ventilating and plumbing systems. This is for those who need to know about checking for airflow, water leaks, blocked pipes and radiators, under floor heating problems, HVAC pump and motor problems; and is aimed at HVAC engineers and technicians, heating installers and repairers, and plumbers.
2. Using thermography for assessing energy loss in buildings. This is aimed at those who need to assess optimum use of energy in a building, checking buildings for leaks and insulation problems; including energy assessors, HVAC engineers and technicians, insula- tion installers
3. Using thermography to solve roofing and damp ingression prob- lems – for those looking for water ingression and leaks in flat roofs or for causes of damp and mould.
www.flukeacademy.shuttlepod. org/UK-Seminars
Process measurement and control seminars
KROHNE ACADEMY HAS organised a series of one-day seminars that will take place in March and June, titled ‘Process Measurement & Automation Control in Practice’. These are in collaboration with Hima- Sella, Samson Controls and Phoenix Contact. During this time they will visit five regions across the UK.
Aimed at plant engineers, operators and contractors from across the process industries, the KROHNE Academy will address key operating issues from plant safety to ways of increasing plant efficiency and controlling costs, in one-hour long seminar sessions.
Presentations will be running simultaneously in four separate rooms, allowing delegates to pick and choose which seminar to attend according to what is of most relevance to them. Running alongside the semi- nar programme is an exhibition which will show possible solu- tions to some of the topics dis- cussed throughout the seminar. The KROHNE Academy starts on March 14th, by visiting Woking, Reading and Chester. Following this it will then travel to Middlesbrough and Aberdeen in June. Spaces for the seminars are limited, so reg- ister via the website:
www.krohne.co.uk/academy
In brief...
Tektronix has announced that the new RSA5000 Series Real-Time Signal Analysers and MSO5000 Series Mixed Signal Oscilloscopes are now available from Microlease, with a range of options available including short-term rental, long-term leasing, ‘try before you buy’ and interest free purchase. “We are delighted that – through our partnership with Microlease – we are able to provide a number of flexible financial options for these cutting edge new products,” said Lynne Camp, vice president – Performance Instruments, Tektronix.
www.tektronix.com
Industrial services group Pyeroy has acquired the Cork-based electrical instrumentation and data communi- cations engineering contractors, CEI, for an undisclosed sum. The move will see Pyeroy integrate
CEI’s expertise and team of skilled industrial contractors into its own operations, enabling Pyeroy to pro- vide electrical services to customers throughout Ireland and the UK. Pyeroy’s managing director,
Hugh Pelham, said: “CEI is a well established business and the new arrangements will enhance the range of services available from Pyeroy in the Ireland and the UK industrial services market.”
www.pyeroy.co.uk
A series of interactive webcasts to provide tips and techniques for engineers and scientists involved in developing automated test systems is being produced by National Instruments. These will take place between 1st and 10th March, and will be broadcast at 10am and 2pm. For more details and to register go to
ni.com/uk/testwebcastseries
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