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Elsevier launches new journal about systems and control

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New journal to be jointly published with the International Federation of Automatic Control

Elsevier, a provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and solutions, and the International Federation of Automatic Control have launched a new joint publication, IFAC Journal of Systems and Control.

The journal will publish research papers on generalizable, extensible and transferable innovations across all aspects of the field of control and automation.

The journal’s remit broadly reflects the areas of interest of IFAC’s Technical Board and dovetails with the other IFAC journals in seeking new areas of application and investigation for systems and control.  [Read more…] about Elsevier launches new journal about systems and control

Dealing with legacy systems in industry

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upgrade your phone

Nick Boughton, sales manager at Boulting Technology, discusses best practice for obsolescence management from a systems integrator point of view

The control system in a factory is what a motor is to a car, and when something is amiss, the systems integrator will analyse, design, fit and test, to make sure the system is better than ever and raring to go. However, there’s a topic that we’re finding crops up time and again.

The debate between upgrade vs repair is by no means a new one, but it has become prevalent as most industries look to squeeze margins. Certain sectors have long had to carefully manage obsolescence due to their delicate nature.

For example, pharmaceuticals manufacturing is well known for being heavily regulated and so sourcing spare parts instead of committing to a systems upgrade generally means saving time, money and a whole lot of paperwork.  [Read more…] about Dealing with legacy systems in industry

Vehicle safety becoming ‘increasingly complex’, says ZF boss

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Stefan Sommer, CEO of ZF and John Plant, CEO of TRW
Picture shows Dr Stefan Sommer, CEO of ZF (right), and John Plant, CEO of TRW Automotive. ZF bought TRW last year. 

Majority of vehicles will be driven autonomously in 20 years, he says

The boss of one of the world’s largest automotive parts manufacturers says today’s road vehicles are becoming more sophisticated and ensuring their safe operation more complex. 

Speaking at an industry event, Dr Stefan Sommer, CEO of ZF Friedrichshafen, also said the further development of safety systems would facilitate autonomous driving, and be an “enabler” for automotive “megatrends”.

Sommer said: “Demands to vehicle safety are becoming increasingly complex due to new vehicle architectures and flexible use of internal space. Meeting these demands is necessary for autonomous vehicles and e-mobility to gain general acceptance.”  [Read more…] about Vehicle safety becoming ‘increasingly complex’, says ZF boss

Industrial internet: The latest trends and challenges in systems integration

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Nick Boughton, sales manager of Boulting Technology, discusses the challenges connectivity poses for industry, particularly with regard to systems integration and the water industry

Our world is getting smaller every day.

Never before have remote locations been more accessible thanks to communications technology, smartphones and the internet.

Connected devices have infiltrated every aspect of our lives, including the most traditional industry sectors.

One question industry has been unsuccessful in answering refers to the number of connected devices that exist in the world at the moment. Gartner says that by 2020, the Internet of Things will have grown to more than 26 billion units.  [Read more…] about Industrial internet: The latest trends and challenges in systems integration

Akasol wins ‘major contract’ to supply lithium-ion battery systems for new e-buses

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akasol kvb e-bus
Sustainable passenger transportation without environmentally damaging emissions: one of eight battery-powered articulated buses with Akasol battery systems operating as part of Cologne’s public transportation network. (Photo: Koelner Verkehrsbetriebe)

Akasol says it has agreed a deal with “an internationally operating commercial vehicle manufacturer based in northern Europe” for the serial production of lithium-ion battery systems for its entire fleet of e-buses. 

Akasol claims the contract with the original equipment manufacturer is worth “hundreds of millions of euros” and lasts until 2023, and outlines a close, long-term partnership between both companies and involves the supply of up to 4,500 battery systems.

Sven Schulz, CEO of Akasol, says: “Thanks to our technological expertise and nearly 30 years of experience in the field of traction battery systems for the automotive industry, we made an impressive bid and were able to set ourselves apart from the competition.”  [Read more…] about Akasol wins ‘major contract’ to supply lithium-ion battery systems for new e-buses

Energy expert Idec joins Copa-Data partner community

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wind turbines

Idec Technical Services, a specialist in the design and installation of high voltage protection and control systems integration, has joined the Copa-Data Partner Community, a worldwide network of certified specialists in Copa-Data’s software, zenon.

As a new member of the Copa-Data Partner Community, Idec will have access to a range of knowledge exchange initiatives provided by Copa-Data with the aim of improving the ergonomics and productivity of partners’ automation projects.  [Read more…] about Energy expert Idec joins Copa-Data partner community

Avid Technology launches new predictive maintenance system for vehicle fleet operators

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Giles Johnston (left), Avid business improvement consultant, with Avid managing director, Ryan Maughan
Giles Johnston (left), Avid business improvement consultant, with Avid managing director, Ryan Maughan

North East England based automotive cleantech firm Avid Technology has launched a new system for the fleet maintenance industry to help bus operators solve the ongoing quest for efficiency.

Avid says its three new fleet service products – Smart Speed, Smart Shield and Smart Spanner – are designed to reduce costs, boost productivity and improve service delivery and safety.

The entire system is based on the principles of what the company calls “Total Preventative Maintenance”, which it says is used widely to improve the effectiveness of manufacturing operations across the world.  [Read more…] about Avid Technology launches new predictive maintenance system for vehicle fleet operators

Obama warns of divisiveness of automation technology

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In his farewell address to the nation, US President Barack Obama warned of the dangers of automation technology. 

Obama said: “The next wave of economic dislocations won’t come from overseas. It will come from the relentless pace of automation that makes a lot of good, middle-class jobs obsolete.”

The Obama administration has been looking the whole issue of robotics, automation and artificial intelligence, and consulting on the possible impact of those technologies on the US economy.  [Read more…] about Obama warns of divisiveness of automation technology

TMEIC to supply Virginia port with world’s largest automated cranes system in deal worth $670 million

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port of virginia
Port of Virgina. Picture courtesy PortStrategy.com

Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation has been selected to provide industrial drive and automation solutions for The Port of Virginia’s historic expansion project, totaling 86 Konecranes Automated-Stacking Cranes (ASC) at the Norfolk International Terminal (NIT) and Virginia International Gateway (VIG) facilities.

This is the largest ASC order TMEIC has received to date and the largest single ASC order ever placed by a port.

“TMEIC has been a longtime, proven partner with Konecranes and The Port of Virginia, including the construction of VIG and the original ASC implementation there in 2007,” TMEIC president and CEO Dale Guidry said.  [Read more…] about TMEIC to supply Virginia port with world’s largest automated cranes system in deal worth $670 million

That drug, man… it, like, uh, really ties the artificially intelligent, automated greenhouse together… you know?

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“I’m the Dude, so that’s what you call me. That or, uh, His Dudeness, or, uh, Duder, or El Duderino, if you’re not into the whole brevity thing.”

Dope, weed, grass, cannabis, marijuana, or even pot – if, like Hollywood superstar Jeff Bridges, you live in the 1970s and make classic stoner films like The Big Lebowski.

There are hundreds of words for what is probably the most widely used recreational drug in the world. It’s still illegal in much of the world, but some states in the US have taken what many see as an enlightened view and decided they would rather not spoil someone else’s rug, or take it away.  [Read more…] about That drug, man… it, like, uh, really ties the artificially intelligent, automated greenhouse together… you know?