INDUSTRY News
Igus designs e-skin fl at single pods for cleanrooms – a world fi rst
Plastics expert Igus has developed the world’s fi rst ‘e-skin fl at’ single pod, designed specifi cally to guide cables in compact and particle-free cleanrooms. To ensure quick and easy installation, customers can use the e-skin fl at to select and combine chambers and then insert the cables in seconds. There is also the option of a new support chain, which strengthens the e-skin fl at. This new energy supply system was
fi rst unveiled by Igus in 2019 at the Hannover show, a technology exhibition for innovation and emerging trends. “When cables fail in other energy- supply and clean-cable systems the entire energy-supply system has to be replaced. The e-skin fl at though is easy to maintain and, unlike other designs, the cables are not shrink wrapped. The user can select the number of chambers, connect them together, extend them at any time, cut them to the desired length and insert the cables,” said Rebecca Barnes, e-skin specialist at Igus. The increased electrifi cation of systems
– from cars to smart watches – has seen a dramatic growth in the semiconductor industry. This in turn has seen a rise in the demand for cables and energy-supply systems which meet the strict particle-
Igus e-skin flat single pods are designed specifically to guide cables in compact and particle-free cleanrooms
free requirements that only a cleanroom can deliver. The e-skin fl at single pods are available in two dimensions – both in closed and open designs. In the closed version, the cables can simply be guided through the chamber openings, whilst in the open design they are inserted from the side and closed by fastening a zip. To increase the stability of the e-skin
fl at single pods, the Igus product range also includes an e-skin fl at with support
chain for its closed design. The integrated chain, made of a wear-resistant Igus polymer, is matched to the material of the e-skin fl at. Thanks to its rounded edges it does not damage the chamber. Igus also off ers a ready-to-connect system with specially-developed cleanroom cables. Igus tests all cleanroom solutions in its new tailor-made ISO Class 1 cleanroom laboratory in a 3,800 square-metre test centre in Cologne, Germany.
Current off shore wind pipeline falls short of the 40GW 2030 target
Latest figures from Cornwall Insight’s ‘Renewables pipeline tracker report’ show that even if all current offshore wind sites with leasing are developed in the coming years, total offshore wind capacity would only reach 29.7GW by 2030 – nearly 26% short of the 40GW target. The report currently tracks 22 sites across both floating and fixed foundation technologies, with many sites looking to progress through the upcoming Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 4. “Assuming all prospective sites with seabed leasing are built, the current pipeline will fall well short of the 40GW by 2030 target recently reiterated by the government,” said Lucy Dolton, Cornwall Insight Analyst. “In fact, this would start falling by the end of the decade as the earliest offshore wind sites under the Renewables Obligation
6 December/January 2021 | Automation
(RO) start to reach the end of their economic life. Increasing the pipeline of prospective offshore wind sites is therefore a priority if we are to reach the 40GW ambition, and critical to the pipeline will be upcoming seabed leasing rounds in 2021. Both the ScotWind and Crown Estate Leasing rounds will be the first of their kind in a decade and, as such, will be highly indicative of the magnitude of development that has occurred in offshore wind within this time-frame.” The 8GW-10GW ScotWind Leasing
round is due to open early this year. Also expected in 2021 is the bidding stage of the Crown Estate’s Offshore Wind Leasing Round 4, set to create the opportunity for “at least 7GW” of new projects.
“Signs are promising following Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing his
ten-point plan for a Green Industrial Revolution. The Energy White Paper is due to outline further details for offshore wind support in the coming weeks. Alongside this, the Scottish government announced on 28th of October that it will aim for 11GW of offshore wind by 2030,” said Dolton. “Our analysis has also shown how projects are now building in deeper water further from shore to take advantage of greater load factors and also utilise new turbine technologies. No doubt, future offshore wind sites will likely continue to develop in this way in the pursuit of ever-cheaper costs and increased competition through the CfD scheme.”
“However, it will still be a major task for the sector to plan, develop and deliver a further 10GW of offshore wind projects on top of the existing pipeline by 2030,” she added.
automationmagazine.co.uk
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