Bioprocessing....Unique research facility in Dublin
Although this issue covered factory automation as a general topic we lead with the news of the opening of an unique facility in Dublin - the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research & Training (NIBRT) - by the Minister for Research & Innovation.
Our InsideFront feature returned this month with an interesting article "Once more with feeling...", not entirely removed from the life sciences sector. Tony Ingram of Sensor Technology discussed an application of reliability of capping medicine bottles. When product integrity is paramount, packaging has a key role to play. It has to be secure enough for protection in all likely scenarios, but has to be easy to open in possibly high tension situations. Their Torq Sense product helps the manufacturer of bottle sealing machines ensure that bottles though secure are still easy enough to open on all occasions. Also featured is the new on-line humidity calculator now available from E+E Electronic. This facility enables not only the rapid conversion of humidity measurements but also includes and uniquely, the measurement uncertainties in the calculation. In Ireland the range of instruments manufactured by this Austrian company are marketed by Instrument Technology. Company news in this issue include the accreditation of Lotus Technical Services to ISA/IEC 17025:2005 statue for temperature and electrical variables. There was news from Yokogawa of their Field Wireless site. The partnership of Irish Power & Process with NDC, On-line & At-line moisture gauges and analysers is also announced. The delivery of three large Siemens magmeters via Uisce Technology to an Offaly Co Council project is also reported. A rather interesting device is being developed by Eurolec at their Dundalk facility. This device called "Cool Head" is one which is designed to lower cranium temperature or temperature of the brain. Up to now this process required dangerous invasive surgery but hopefully with the ongoing development of this project this will no longer be required. Events covered in this issue were the Hanley Automation, Manufacturing Automation 2011 seminars held in May in both Galway and Kilkenny. In all over 140 people attended the seminars and the associated table-top exhibition. Reports are also featured of two technical events hosted by ISA Ireland. One was in Blanchardstown Institute of Technology (ITB) on PLC programming given by Tim Sexton of Logicon. In Cork meanwhile John Shaw of Mainstream on "ICT Strategies for the Supergrid" (His presentation is downloadable from the ISA Ireland website. Among products covered in this issue are a valve protective hood from Festo which eliminates the need for a control cabinet in many applications; the new ProtEX explosion proof meters now available through PJ Boner & Co.; Magnatrol's Thermatel switches based on thermal dispersion technology marketed here by Ntron and a new Isotech handheld thermometer from Howard Instrumentation. It is always imperative to keep up with technology and we report on several events, seminars and webinars. These include the K-Tek (We love their home page - take a peek!) papers from the recently held ABB Automation & Power World held recently in Orlando, where they demonstrated their products for level and volumetric measurements for liquids and bulk solids. K-Tek is now part of ABB. Emerson Process Management too have arranged for a series of interactive webinars on wireless. The next issue will include items on ALARMS - EVENTS - DATA and articles and copy for this issue should be submitted by mid August. It is possible to advertise both in Read-out, Ireland's journal of instrumentation, control and automation, which circulates to approx 2500 named automation professionals throughout Ireland, and on the Read-out Instrumentation Signpost, which is visited by up to 6000 visitors per week. Rates (in Euro, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars) Read-out is generally distributed free of charge within Ireland but due to high distribution charges outside we regret a small charge is made for subscriptions in other countries. Subscriptions may be made using Paypal here. Our facebook "fan-page" lists most stories we receive even those not included in our printed publication. Who reads Read-out? [] Advertising Rates |
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