How smart manufacturing solutions address current megatrends in the packaging industry

How smart manufacturing solutions address current megatrends in the packaging industry

Flexibility is the ultimate strategy for success in today’s challenging market for food and beverage packaging. Companies are striving to produce increasingly large varieties of products – including various sizes and combinations – while also being able to turn on a dime in response to any change in consumer demand.

 

 

 

Rittal and Eplan Value Chain: Pumping out a Powerful Solution for Metro Vancouver

Rittal and Eplan Value Chain: Pumping out a Powerful Solution for Metro Vancouver

 

The pumping facility at the Annacis Island plant is a critical part of the infrastructure, as collection and conveyance systems transport the FSA wastewater to the plant. The three 1,200-horsepower influent pumps and four 684-horsepower trickling filter pumps have been in service for about two decades and were at their end-of-life stage. These large pumps regulate the level of raw sewage in the wet well, conveying it into the treatment plant.

 

 

Yaskawa: Driving Efficiency from the First Component

Yaskawa: Driving Efficiency from the First Component

 

Last fall Drives & Control Solutions had the opportunity to tour Yaskawa America’s primary low voltage drive production facility. The facility is located in  Buffalo Grove, IL, just outside of Chicago. Hosting both an assembly facility and roughly 100,000 sq/ft warehouse and distribution centre, the site is quite impressive, particularly considering the level of efficiency employed.

 

 

STOBER LeanMotor is smaller and lighter replacement for AC Motors and more cost efficient than Servo motors

STOBER LeanMotor is smaller and lighter replacement for AC Motors and more cost efficient than Servo motors

For engineers looking for a more cost-effective and better performing replacement for an AC motor but who don’t require a high specification Servo Drive, STOBER’s LeanMotor is the ideal solution. The LeanMotor is a highly efficient and compact electric drive that is significantly lighter and smaller than an asynchronous drive. With the same output as a more expensive Servo drive, this makes the LeanMotor a robust and cost effective option for those looking for higher performance at a lower cost.

 

 

 

Coupling Maintenance Strategies for Critical Equipment

Coupling Maintenance Strategies for Critical Equipment

Unplanned outages due to mechanical failures can cost millions of dollars of lost production time to Oil and Gas companies. While it’s difficult to quantify the cost of unplanned downtime, an outage of a single day may exceed ~$6.5M, for the average U.S. refinery. The shift from Reactive Maintenance (RM) to data driven Proactive Maintenance (PAM) strategies can not only reduce lost revenue from unplanned outages but reduce the overall costs associated with operating and maintaining plant equipment by 60%.

 

 

 

Overcoming the Challenges Facing Motor Controllers

Overcoming the Challenges Facing Motor Controllers

There are two types of electric motors, alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC). AC motors can be synchronous or asynchronous. Synchronous motors are found in applications where speed and accuracy are essential, including synchronous clocks, timers in electronic appliances, and audio recorders. Able to operate at variable speeds, low-maintenance, and durable, asynchronous, or induction, motors see wide industrial use.

 

 

 

Autonomous drilling robot debut

Autonomous drilling robot debut

Schindler, a provider of elevators and escalators, has launched a pilot project that features an automated, independently operating robotic installation system for elevators. The company has selected an industrial robot made by ABB for this innovative world premiere. Elevator installations require anchor bolts in the elevator shaft to precisely and safely fasten guide rails and access doors – lots of anchor bolts. The taller the building, the greater the number.

 

 

 

Understanding the difference between standard and safety-rated components

Understanding the difference between standard and safety-rated components

It’s usually quite difficult to tell safety-rated components and standard components apart just by their physical appearance. Although they perform similar functions, there are important factors that distinguish them from one another, and these differences are the reason why only safety-rated components are a viable option for use in safety systems.

 

 

 

Engineering Tomorrow Helps Convention Centre Exhibit Major Pump Savings

Engineering Tomorrow Helps Convention Centre Exhibit Major Pump Savings

 

With more than one million square feet of exhibit and meeting space, the LEED Platinum-certified Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, is the ninth-largest convention centre in North America. Located on the shores of Lake Ontario, the convection centre experiences the extreme weather that the Great Lakes region is known for – with temperatures ranging from -31°C (-24°F) to 40°C (105°F).

 

 

Rockwell’s Automation Fair, Advancements for Today and Tomorrow

Rockwell’s Automation Fair, Advancements for Today and Tomorrow

On November 20 and 21st Rockwell Automation hosted its annual Automation Fair and Drives & Control Solutions was in attendance. The show was kicked off by President Blake Moret who welcomed attendees and Rockwell’s partners and announced the formation of its new Digital Partnership Program and expansions of existing partnerships and collaborations.

 

 

 

ABB delivers safety and reliability for AGRANA’s new wheat starch plant

ABB delivers safety and reliability for AGRANA’s new wheat starch plant

AGRANA, the Austrian-based food processing group, recently held the official opening of the second wheat starch production plant at its Pischelsdorf site. ABB supplied, installed and commissioned hundreds of drives and the complete low voltage (LV) power distribution system that ensure the safe, reliable control of every aspect of the plant’s operation, from receiving raw materials, through processing to storage.