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AUGUST 2006 NEWS

 

BIAS 2006

With opening date only five months away exhibitor enrolment is still in full swing for the five events spanning industry automation, fluid power, instrumentation, electronics, mechatronics, IT and maintenance for industry, to be held jointly for the first time ever, from 20th through 23rd September 2006 at the stunning new centre of Milano Fiera at Rho.

As yet, over 1,000 companies – of which 43% foreign – are already set to line up their exhibits at BIAS, Biennial International Exhibition of Automation, Instrumentation, Microelectronics and ICT for Industry; FLUIDTRANS COMPOMAC, Biennial International Exhibition of Fluid Power, Power and Motion Transmission, Drive, Control Equipment and Industrial Design; MECHANICAL POWER TRANSMISSION & MOTION CONTROL, Biennial Exhibition of Motion Control Systems, Drive Techniques and Mechanical Power Transmissions; BIAS MANUF@CTURING SOLUTIONS, Biennial Exhibition of the IT global solutions for Industry; BI.MAN, Biennial Exhibition on Industrial Maintenance.

As one of the world’s most comprehensive platform, this showcasing event is expected to be of tremendous benefit to both visitors and exhibitors. Promotion is running full steam and reaching far and wide, also thanks to the convergence of the five shows, expected to attract from all regions of the world no fewer than 80,000 highly qualified visitors, twice as many as the total attained by the previous shows put together, and accessing all five shows with a single free pass.

Exhibitors will get a unique opportunity to reach out a vastly superior number of substantially new operatives. This new and innovative platform is unrivalled in Italy and will make Milan for the space of a week the international capital of technology. The event spreads across 100,000 sq. m. of Milan’s new Exhibition Centre at Rho, ranking as one of the world’s largest and the finest architectural achievement on the international trade fair scene.

The event is promoted by VNU Business Publications Italia and ASSOFLUID (Italian Association of Manufacturing and trading Companies in Fluid Power Equipment and Components) and is organised by BIAS Group and F&M Fiere & Mostre. BI.MAN is also officially sponsored by AIMAN (Italian Maintenance Association) and by the publication Manutenzione Tecnica e Management (published by Thomas Industrial Media), official media sponsor.

Visit http://www.bias.it/bias_eng/home.asp for more information.

 

Calibration Services Significantly Expanded at Burster

The whole world of quality control, product liability, QC standards and ISO/QC9000 certification could not exist without calibration and documented surveillance of measuring devices, test systems and inspection equipment. Since more than 25 years Burster responds to the continuously increasing requirements in the calibration sector with its in-house calibration station DKD-K-02101 (DKD = German Calibration Service). Mainly the strong growth in the field of recalibrating sensors, measurement and calibration instruments called for an areal amplification. So the former 70 m² sized calibration premises were enlarged to over 200 m² and technically highly upgraded at the same time.

The existing calibration facilities for DC quantities, pressure, force, displacement and temperature have been complemented by a torque measuring system. State-of-the-art instrument and air condition technology ensure an efficient execution of all calibration orders. Professionally highly skilled auditors guarantee the high standard of the DKD (German Calibration Service) and proprietary calibrations. Fast processing times minimize the outage of the measuring equipment for the customer. With a previously fixed calibration date for example the customer can reemploy the instrument already after one week. If needed Burster performs recalibration also directly at the customer site by using its portable calibration equipment. Further Burster provides start-up help for the first calibration of the measuring devices and conducts calibration workshops.

Burster focuses on giving the customer an optimal and maximum support in the increasingly time and cost intensive occupation with the calibration issue. Users from all industry branches obtain comprehensive consultation for all questions around lab and on-site calibration as well as for the acquirement of suitable and adequate inspection and calibration equipment. According to the requirements of customer specific exigences and the needed calibration accuracy Burster delivers a made-to-measure calibration concept.

For more information visit www.burster.de.


Mettler-Toledo Will be Exhibiting at the WWEM 2006

METTLER will be exhibiting at WWEM 2006 - a specialist event for the Water, Wastewater and Environmental Monitoring community.

The two day event, on November 1 & 2, 2006 is aimed at people involved with on-line, field and laboratory monitoring - all areas where METTLER TOLEDO can provide innovative solutions. The packed program includes a conference, exhibition and workshops.

Why attend?

  • Guidance on the latest water and environmental regulations
  • Latest monitoring technologies
  • MCERTS update
  • Variety of informative and technical workshops
  • Conferences covering environmental regulations and analytical techniques
  • The opportunity to find out how we can help you master monitoring
    Mettler will be exhibiting a range of benchtop, portable and in-line equipment.
    Mettler’s Seven series of benchtop and portable meters cover a wide variety of application needs and demands. It includes three ranges:
  • SevenEasy™, an easy to use instrument for basic pH or conductivity measurements
  • SevenMulti™, a modular dual channel measuring system for pH, conductivity, ion and ISFET measurements
  • SevenGo™, a robust, portable single-channel series of meters for pH, ion, conductivity and dissolved oxygen measurements.

Different kit versions, functions and specifications, plus a variety of high performance electrodes and practical accessories make up the comprehensive portfolio.

Mettler will also be showing items from their extensive INGOLD range of process analytics instrumentation. Measurands covered include sensors, transmitters and housings (fixed and retractable) for pH, ORP, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and conductivity as well as complete systems for unattended cleaning or cleaning/calibration.

System integration with HART, Foundation Fieldbus and Profibus is also possible. Operational areas include ATEX zones as well as safe zones.

 

US FDA Intends to Join PIC/S
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially applied for a membership at the Pharmaceutical Inspection Cooperation Scheme (PIC/S) and is waiting for evaluation through the organization. This is part of FDA's 21st Century Drug cGMP initiative with global harmonization as being one key objectives.

Read Ludwig Huber’s article at http://www.chem.agilent.com/scripts/generic.asp?lpage=42087&indcol=Y&prodcol=Y to learn more.

The June 2006 Compliance News article from Agilent covers:

  • What is PIC/S
  • How are harmonized inspections achieved \
  • Impact of the US FDA becoming a member
  • Recommendations

 

Stationary source emissions – new regulatory challenges

EN14181 Stationary Source Emissions – Quality Assurance of Automated Measuring Systems is the new European standard intended to improve air pollution standards by tighter monitoring of emissions.

The standard describes the quality assurance procedures required to ensure that automated measurement systems (AMS), installed to measure emissions to air, are capable of meeting legislative requirements arising out of EU Directives.

While a range of standards relating to monitoring emissions to air are either under development or have already been published, EN14181 is one of the most significant and demanding standards ever to be developed by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN). It will have far-reaching consequences for regulators, equipment manufacturers, test houses and process operators.

However, many of those who are impacted by EN14181 are still unsure about the extent and nature of its impact on their operations.

In the UK, the British Standards Institution (BSI) has adopted the standard as BSEN14181. BSI’s definition for the standard covers the following: air, quality, air pollution, industrial facilities, gas analysis, determination of content, measurement, concentration, combustion products, pollutant gases, dust, quality assurance, routine verification, computation, uncertainty, standard deviation, calibration, measuring instruments and automatic equipment.

So it will be no mean feat for any organisation to get to grips with its implementation quickly and effectively.

Implemented through a permit system, the standard describes the quality assurance procedures needed to ensure that an AMS installed to measure emissions to air is capable of meeting the uncertainty requirements on measured values specified in legislation – for example EU Directives or national legislation.

EU Directive 2000/76/EC on the incineration of waste, for instance, specifies measurements every three years. This includes daily emission limit levels, which specify that 95 percent confidence intervals for single measurements should not exceed fixed percentages, for example 10 per cent for carbon monoxide and 20 percent for sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide respectively.

Quality assurance
The standard incorporates three different levels of quality assurance (QA):

  • QAL1, which covers the suitability of an AMS for its measuring task, for example either before or during the purchasing process of the system.
  • QAL2 consists of a procedure to calibrate the AMS and determine the variability of the measured values obtained by the system which is suitable for validation following its installation.
  • QAL3 sets out the procedure to both maintain and demonstrate the required quality of measurement results during the normal operation of the system. This is achieved by checking that the whole range (including zero and span characteristics) is consistent with those determined at QAL 1 stage of the process.

Clearly, getting QAL1 right is fundamental to the success of the process. For any operator, the investment in an AMS can be significant and developing a closer working relationship with the supplier of the AMS plays a critical role which is not simply confined to the purchasing point. Purchasers will also be looking to AMS suppliers for a significant level of support and after-sales service on an on-going basis.

At this early stage, however, it is probably fair comment to say that EN14181 is currently impenetrable to even knowledgeable end-users and still appears very much open to interpretation.

Applications specialist Martyn Stonestreet at Servomex, the specialist gas analysis solutions provider, believes that end-users need to ask some key questions right at the start of the decision-making process before deciding what system to buy.

“End-users need to ensure complete transparency of information in order to select the system that will really meet the needs of EN14181. In particular, they need clear data about cost of ownership, performance, cost of ownership, performance, reliability of equipment and required maintenance level and support availability. Selecting an AMS manufacturer who can really deliver is critically important to the successful implementation of the standard on an ongoing basis. Buying the cheapest or discovering that your supplier cannot in reality provide the level of support and skills you need will cause serious problems if these issues are not properly addressed at the outset,” he says.

The UK Environment Agency is currently developing a method implementation document (MID) and technical guidance on the application of EN14181, which will be available shortly. All end-users will be expected to start fully implementing the standard by early 2006.

Compliance with QAL 1 requirements will be assessed by the Environment Agency under the MCERTS scheme for Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems and will cover suitable ranges of certification – typically 1.5xELV for incineration and 2.5x-3.0x for large combustion plant, although there may be some exceptions to this.

For the power generation industry in particular this is a key document - especially in the light of the recently issued draft reference document on best available techniques for large combustion plants by the European Integrated Pollution Prevention Control Bureau (BREF) – the pan-European body charged with drawing up comprehensive guidance on pollution prevention and control across all major EU industry sectors.

The BREF covers in general combustion installations with a rated thermal output exceeding 50 MW. This includes the power generation industry and those industries where conventional fuels are used where the combustion units are not covered within another sector of BREF. It covers not just the combustion unit but also upstream and downstream activities that are directly related to the combustion process. Currently in draft format, the BREF sets out specific emission levels to air for specific gases for both new and existing plants, individual combustion techniques, plant types, and types of fuel.

As Martyn Stonestreet from Servomex concludes: “Both the introduction of EN14181 and the BREF guidance will undoubtedly present the power generation industry with significant and potentially costly challenges of implementation. Ensuring that they have the right equipment, services and support in place to obtain maximum environmental and process efficiency will be key to future success and profitability.”
Elaine Coles is Head of Research at IMS Consulting, is a member of the Climate Change Working Group, and also belongs to the UK DTI/DEFRA Pioneers Group Networking Forum initiative.

Article from August 15 issue of EngineerLive
 http://www.engineerlive.com/international-oil-and-gas-engineer/health-safety/
14855/stationary-source-emissions-new-regulatory-challenges.thtml

Businesses Must Make it a Habit to Calibrate their Equipment

Tyres (Tires) are undoubtedly the most crucial part of any vehicle, especially for being the only part that is in contact with the road. Unfortunately, many drivers take tyre-care for granted, unaware that faulty wheel alignment for example can cause a number of problems and misfortunes including loss of lives.

Tyre alignment is often necessary to minimise uneven wear because without it, tyres will not last long and will have to be changed prematurely. But the big question is - how sure are vehicle owners of the accuracy of the equipment used to check tyres at the workshop? The effectiveness of a tyre alignment job would very much depend on whether the tyre aligning equipment is properly calibrated.

Sirim Bhd vice-president for research and technology division Dr Ahmad Ibrahim said it is a known fact that measuring implements would lose their accuracy over time unless regularly maintained and calibrated. He said unless tyre workshops in the country make it a habit to have their tyre-checking equipment regularly calibrated, the measurements will not be accurate. Ahmad said there are few examples of inaccuracy in weight measurements such as the weighing equipment used at wet markets.

"A kilogram of fish from one seller may not necessarily be of equal amount to a kilogram of fish bought from another fishmonger.

"Rightfully, the amount in weight should be the same. Any difference would immediately point to a case of weighing equipments not being properly calibrated," he said.

He said this would not of course discount incidence of deliberate cheating through the switching of the weighing pan. But often times the weight variation is attributed to a case of not calibrating the weighing machine. Being shortchanged on weight at the wet market may be something trivial to some but not in the real business world where buying and selling can involve large amounts. It can make a lot of difference to bottom lines.

In fact, it may be quite tolerable if neglecting calibration ends up only in being shortchanged on weights. A more serious consequence would be a situation where non-calibration can lead to loss of lives. For example, there have been cases of anaesthetic overdose of hospital patients arising from inaccurate administering of the anaesthetic gas. This happens when the gas meter gauge has not been properly calibrated. There are of course many other examples where improperly calibrated machines can lead to dire consequences for consumers and the public at large.

"How do we make maintenance and calibration a habit among Malaysians?," Ahmad asked.

In the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the Government has singled out investment in research and development (R&D) as a key element. This is to spearhead Malaysia's aspiration to create new economic engines of growth for the country. Ones that are skill and knowledge driven. Malaysia is now among the leagues of nations which can no longer compete on the basis of cheap labour.

"We have to move up the value chain if we are to have any chance of competing in the global economy. The high technology business is one that we need to focus on. And this is where investment in R&D is crucial," he said.

Over the years, most of Malaysia's R&D activities are done within the confines of the country's universities and government research institutions.

"Very limited amount of R&D is pursued within the private sector. This has to change. In most advanced countries such as Japan, the US, Germany and the UK, the private sector actively invests in R&D to sustain their business interest," he said.

It is a fact that the conduct of scientific research requires sophisticated measuring and analytical equipments. Though many laboratories in the government research institutes and universities are certified to quality control and management systems such as the ISO, many among the institutions of higher learning have yet to embrace such quality systems.

Can this be the reason why success in R&D in Malaysia has yet to match the achievements in the more developed economies? In most developed countries, maintenance and calibration have become a habit and culture.

In a globalised world where international trade has become an important component of business, measuring accurately in conformance to the international standards on weights and measures has become a necessity.

Without international standards, it is unthinkable how trade between nations can grow. This is where countries will have their own institutions on metrology, or the science of measurements. In Malaysia, the National Metrology Laboratory, under Sirim Bhd is essentially the country's custodian for weights and measures. If the country is to make a success of the global innovation economy where the command of technology holds significant competitive advantage, it is imperative that calibration is promoted as a business habit.

To access this article in the Malaysia Business Times visit http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BT/Saturday/Corporate/
BT580241.txt/Article/

 

Improved Measurement Capabilities with Internet-Enabled Metrology

Over the past five years, the UK's National Physical Laboratory has been developing an 'internet-enabled metrology' to provide instrument calibration directly to industry.
This process gives improved measurement capabilities and traceability and reduces down time of equipment, gives lower costs and ultimately lead to improved productivity and competitiveness, says NPL.

With internet-enabled metrology, equipment does not have to be booked into the calibration laboratory in advance - the calibration is done at the customer's convenience, within the environment that an instrument is used, rather than under unrealistic controlled laboratory conditions.

Equipment does not have to be sent away for calibration, minimising down time on equipment to around an hour, and avoiding the validity issues associated with shipping equipment to and from a specialist calibration site.

NPL is the first National Measurement Institute to use and develop the internet for the purpose of measurement dissemination. There are currently two internet-enabled measurement services provided by NPL; one for the calibration of Vector Network Analysers for the telecommunications industry and the other for voltage and resistance calibration for a wider industrial customer base.

To continue reading this article visit the August 9, 2006 issue of EngineerLive at: http://www.engineerlive.com/european-electronics-engineer/test-and-measurement/2217/improved-measurement-capabilities-with-internetenabled-metrology.thtml

To learn more about the National Physical Laboratory’s project visit http://www.npl.co.uk/ssfm/theme5/project5_1/.

 

Yokogawa Establishes Yokogawa Vietnam to Expand Business in Vietnam

Yokogawa Electric Corporation announces a plan to establish a subsidiary in Vietnam that will provide engineering and maintenance services and increase the competitiveness of its industrial automation and control business in Vietnam, which is experiencing sustained rapid economic growth.

Yokogawa is actively developing its business with the aim of becoming the frontrunner in the global industrial automation and control market by 2010. As part of its efforts, Yokogawa is focusing on strengthening its sales and engineering capabilities by making the best use of excellent resources and improving its maintenance service system in markets worldwide.

Prompted by the rapidly increasing demand for oil and natural gas in the global market, many oil and natural gas development projects including the construction of new chemical plants are currently underway in Vietnam.

In 2003, Yokogawa established a representative office in Hanoi that has been developing the Vietnamese industrial automation and control market in cooperation with local sales representatives. To further expand this business, Yokogawa considers it essential to have facilities and personnel for providing engineering and maintenance services in this market. Yokogawa Vietnam is being planned for this purpose.

Profile of Yokogawa Vietnam

  • Company Name: Yokogawa Vietnam Company Limited
  • Location: City of Hanoi
  • Capital: 200,000 US dollars; wholly owned by Yokogawa Engineering Asia Pte. Ltd.(Singapore)
  • President: Shuji Mori
  • Expected commencement of operations: August 2006
  • Line of business: Industrial automation and control engineering and maintenance services
  • Employees: 25 in 2006, 60 in 2008

Yokogawa's global network of 18 manufacturing facilities, 81 companies, and over 650 sales and engineering offices spans 30 countries. Since its founding in 1915, the US$4 billion company has been engaged in cutting-edge research and innovation, securing more than 7,000 patents and registrations, including the world's first digital sensors for flow and pressure measurement. Industrial automation and control, test and measurement, information systems and industry support are the core businesses of Yokogawa. For more information about Yokogawa, please visit www.yokogawa.com.

Yokogawa Corporation of America is the North American unit of $4 billion Yokogawa Electric Corporation, a global leader in the manufacture and supply of instrumentation, process control, and automation solutions. Headquartered in Newnan, Georgia, Yokogawa Corporation of America serves a diverse customer base with market-leading products including analyzers, flowmeters, transmitters, controllers, recorders, data acquisition products, meters, instruments, distributed control systems, and more.
For more information about Yokogawa Corporation of America, visit www.yokogawa.com/us/.

 


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