tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966893771938583702024-03-11T03:22:35.191+00:00ABB UK Energy NewsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger174125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896689377193858370.post-44917070261612534822021-05-10T09:39:00.002+01:002021-05-10T09:39:52.460+01:00There’s no such thing as free money – but this comes pretty close<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmZvo1N-1zs782qWRtU2pO158m2KE1mJrXQT4lx623s63-FiS4oqdwhWz7q8bQG-Yn2jyLy-LRyR_d9Yt-YDpVfVT60aYIB5WdqoZedWDaB0ge7sZPWKz-QImbemVf95y2O5L6O_eNVVi/s2048/SynRM+%2526+ACS880+drive+high+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1181" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmZvo1N-1zs782qWRtU2pO158m2KE1mJrXQT4lx623s63-FiS4oqdwhWz7q8bQG-Yn2jyLy-LRyR_d9Yt-YDpVfVT60aYIB5WdqoZedWDaB0ge7sZPWKz-QImbemVf95y2O5L6O_eNVVi/s320/SynRM+%2526+ACS880+drive+high+res.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) is a new government funding initiative that has been made available for businesses in the UK (excluding Scotland) to encourage better energy use in industry. The fund will pay out a total of £40 million, with a minimum grant of £100,000, to “support the commercial roll out, installation and onsite deployment of technologies that improve the energy efficiency of industrial processes”. Crucially, variable speed drive (VSD) and motor technologies are within the competition’s scope, meaning eligible businesses can gain funding to support migrating to energy efficient technologies.<p></p><p>Electric motors form the backbone of UK industry, and as such make up a large proportion of a business’ energy costs. There are over 300 million industrial motor-driven systems in operation globally, and each one represents an opportunity to save energy. This is because many motors are run without any form of speed control, meaning that they are potentially wasting vast amounts of energy for every moment they’re in operation. A VSD is a device that controls an electric motor, enabling it to use only the energy that it needs at any given time. In practice this can reduce energy costs by up to 50 percent which can be increased further with the latest premium efficiency <a href="https://new.abb.com/motors-generators/iec-low-voltage-motors/process-performance-motors/synchronous-reluctance-motors" target="_blank">motor technologies like IE5 SynRM</a>. </p><p>A £100,000 grant could go a long way towards saving energy, and that’s just the minimum grant available. Companies with even bigger ambitions could claim up to £14 million to transform multiple individual projects.</p><p>So, how do you access this fund and make use of the extra investment? Well, unfortunately, the IETF is not strictly “free money”. The Department of Business, Energy and Industry Strategy (BEIS), which administers the fund, describes it as a competition, so you’ll need to put together a case for your energy efficiency project or initiative, <a href="https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/842/overview" target="_blank">and apply here</a>. Applications are open now, and the process closes on the 14 July 2021. All projects must start by 1 January 2023 and end by 31 December 2024.<br /></p><p>It’s open to industrial businesses of any size, and you can apply on your own or in collaboration with other organisations.</p><p>The kind of installations the BEIS is considering include monitoring and management equipment that improves the efficiency of processes; more efficient heat exchange; more efficient driers; efficiency measures to reduce wastage and optimise use of raw materials; more efficient refrigeration or heating measures.<br /></p><p>These examples would all benefit from using high efficiency motors and variable speed drives to control either pumps, fans, compressors or production machinery, and fall within the scope of the fund.</p><p>The project work must also be carried out at a single manufacturing site or data centre in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, and technology must have been installed and be at least ready to operate by the end of the 31 December 2024.</p><p>Entries will also need to show the alternative to installing the energy efficient technology. For example, for running pumps in a cooling system, one option might be to restrict the flow of water to try and match demand. This is inefficient as the pump is still running at top speed, wasting energy. The cost difference between the two methods is the eligible cost that the IETF will fund.<br /></p><p>As ever, ABB is ready to help you assess possible projects, help you with the application, and support you in making them a reality.</p><p>To get in touch with us, and find out more about applying for the IETF, simply call 01925 741300, or email <a href="mailto:energy@gb.abb.com">energy@gb.abb.com</a>. <br /><br /></p><div>If you would like to join our mailing list to receive marketing information on ABB products and services, please complete the form below. Your details are safe with us - we will not share your data with anyone outside of the ABB Group and its affiliates and you are free to opt-out at any time.</div>
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://campaign.abb.com/l/501021/2020-05-27/rcj18w" style="border: 0;" type="text/html" width="100%"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896689377193858370.post-45086472931066901812021-04-23T16:05:00.002+01:002021-04-26T10:19:32.632+01:00What does a VSD have to do with a 200,000-ton container ship?<p><br /></p><p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuCqoGaCoZq_cxSzgRsARGhVSPX0FzXsueFBBPSTOp9seTOmlUqXsRKKMPeNg7cdfy8fYBfvKmoHEssktZvwFir5MB0cLLdOZc61Mi-tbPmXfRg0GvQm2UIevE3aSCV_ZCOSACO0DDxXn/s640/container-1611490_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuCqoGaCoZq_cxSzgRsARGhVSPX0FzXsueFBBPSTOp9seTOmlUqXsRKKMPeNg7cdfy8fYBfvKmoHEssktZvwFir5MB0cLLdOZc61Mi-tbPmXfRg0GvQm2UIevE3aSCV_ZCOSACO0DDxXn/s320/container-1611490_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Liam Blackshaw, UK Product Manager, LV drives, ABB writes: You can’t have failed to notice the gigantic container ship that spent six days blocking one of the world’s busiest shipping routes back in March. Now that the excitement over the Ever Given has died down, I thought this might be a timely opportunity to discuss an important feature of ABB’s variable speed drives (VSDs), and one that actually has its roots in maritime technology.<p></p><p>The accurate steering of ships was in fact the main inspiration behind a control system commonly used today for precision control of industrial processes – PID control.</p><p>In 1922, an engineer called Nicolas Minorksy was designing automatic steering systems for the US Navy. He noticed that helmsmen controlled the ship-based not only on the current error, but also past error as well as the current rate of change.</p><p>Pointing a boat in the direction you want to go in seems obvious, but there is a little more to it than that. With wind and waves constantly affecting your trajectory, steering along the right track involves making constant small corrections to avoid zigzagging – often the ship will be pointing away from your intended destination, and harness drift to get to the desired point. Minorsky came up with the mathematics that describe these constant adjustments and laid the foundation for today’s PID controllers.</p><p><b>PID – Proportional, Integral, Derivative</b></p><p>Not many of us have experience of piloting gigantic container ships, but many of us will have used PID principles in everyday life when we drive a car. </p><p>Imagine you’re driving along at 20 mph, and there’s a car ahead travelling at exactly 30 mph. You want to catch up with it and match speeds precisely so that both cars are in perfect convoy with one another, with a safe two second stopping distance between them.</p><p>If you’re a long way behind the other car then you’ll naturally want to put your foot down hard on the gas in order to catch up quickly. The bigger the gap, the more you’ll press on the accelerator. So in other words, the level of response (in this case the angle to which you’re pushing the pedal) is <b>proportional</b> to the size of the gap between the two cars.</p><p>However, if the rate of correction here is high (i.e. your foot is all the way down and the gap is closing quickly) then once you’ve reached that two second stopping distance you’ll then need to take your foot off the accelerator at just the right moment to level the speed out and avoid going into the back of the car in front. The problem here is that if your car is travelling at a speed far in excess of 30 mph in order to quickly close the gap, then it’s not physically possible to go from, say, 60 mph all the way down to 30 mph in an instant. So that proportional response earlier to step hard on the gas – which made perfect sense at the time when the two cars were far away from each other – is now going to lead to an overshoot.</p><p>This is where <b>derivative</b> control comes in. Where proportional was making a correction based solely on the initial size of the gap between the two cars, derivative looks at the desired position that you want your car to be in, which in this example is the two second stopping distance from the car in front. Rather than crashing into the back of the car in front because you were accelerating too much, the derivative part of the loop will detect that you’re nearing the desired position, and ease off as you get closer so as not to overshoot.</p><p>What if the car in front, instead of travelling at a steady 30 mph, is also accelerating? How do you maintain the two second gap without having to make constant micro-corrections to keep up? This is where the <b>integral</b> part of the loop comes into play. This looks at the overall trend of what’s happened before, and calculates what is therefore likely to happen in the future. In this case the integral function would identify that the target speed is increasing, and that it is therefore likely to carry on increasing in the future. As a result, it will then adjust the controls so that your speed will pre-emptively increase with that of the other car rather than constantly playing catch-up.</p><p><b>PID in practice</b></p><p>PID control for industrial processes usually involves an external PID controller, which can be expensive, or a PLC, which can be complex to install and operate. However, modern VSDs have PID control built in for precision control of motor applications. This is ideal for applications that require extremely high levels of accuracy, for instance controlling pressure from a compressor, or flow rate within a pipe. It also means that the drive is as efficient as possible, as better control means less wasted energy.</p><p>In fact, the most capable ABB VSDs have two PID control loops. This means that instead of simply controlling the speed of the motor, the drive can run the motor at a speed that will allow the control of any measured plant variable, be it pressure, flow, temperature, height, thickness or strain, as well as many others.</p><p>Using two PID loops allows the drive to be used in a cascade control, where one controller’s output drives the set point of another controller. An example could be a level controller, which drives the set point of a flow controller to keep the level at its set point. In turn, the flow controller will drive a control valve to match the flow requested by the level controller.</p><p>So whether you’re steering a huge container ship along the Suez Canal, or wanting to improve the efficiency and accuracy of your industrial process, PID can help you get it right.</p><p><b>Interested in PID control? Why not <a href="https://drives-abb.swipeguide.com/guide/acs580-user-guide/setting-up-your-drive/copy-a32b-of-configuring-pid" target="_blank">check out our interactive SwipeGuide</a> showing you how to configure PID on an ABB general purpose variable speed drive.</b></p><p><b>Don’t miss our webinar on PID control on Wednesday 23rd June 2021, in which ABB’s Liam Blackshaw, in partnership with IDS, will talk you through an introduction to PID, application examples, and how to set up PID on an ABB drive. The webinar begins at 10am, and should last one hour. Book your place by emailing sales@inverterdrivesystem.com or <a href="https://www.inverterdrivesystems.com/abb-variable-speed-drive-webinars/ " target="_blank">click here</a> to book online.</b></p><div>If you would like to join our mailing list to receive marketing information on ABB products and services, please complete the form below. Your details are safe with us - we will not share your data with anyone outside of the ABB Group and its affiliates and you are free to opt-out at any time.</div>
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://campaign.abb.com/l/501021/2020-05-27/rcj18w" style="border: 0;" type="text/html" width="100%"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896689377193858370.post-36867201487630106352021-03-25T10:39:00.000+00:002021-03-25T10:39:13.654+00:00Taking the long view of drive health<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbbeYG-KDT8l9iYLYpBGYsHdS9UeMFwUu8e9V3-y16_QRJNZ4LcXS1ghfvpLZowRf1OJzgiFAi0hZMpT51xOQqB-ABVmE5qFGV3bfDLjlNXaJp_5P9w0hKxy8aNJsYE7I99bm3VhYPBhw/s325/LCA+for+MR.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="325" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbbeYG-KDT8l9iYLYpBGYsHdS9UeMFwUu8e9V3-y16_QRJNZ4LcXS1ghfvpLZowRf1OJzgiFAi0hZMpT51xOQqB-ABVmE5qFGV3bfDLjlNXaJp_5P9w0hKxy8aNJsYE7I99bm3VhYPBhw/w200-h200/LCA+for+MR.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-preston-6b7875146/?originalSubdomain=fi" target="_blank">Andy Preston, Global Product Line Manager</a>, ABB writes: A variable speed drive (VSD), when operated under optimal conditions, can have a mean time between failure (MTBF) of an incredible 62 years. That’s around half a million hours of trouble-free operation – it’s no wonder they’re considered to be one of the most effective ways of improving energy efficiency in motor-driven applications.<p></p><p>The bad news is that VSDs don’t always operate in optimal conditions – dust, moisture and extreme temperatures can all take their toll. If the truth be told, users don’t always do their VSDs any favours, with scheduled maintenance left to slip. In fact, it’s estimated that up to 80 percent of VSDs in the UK don’t have any systematic maintenance in place at all.</p><p>To get the most out of your VSD, you must treat it kindly.</p><p>Is your VSD working too hard? It may have been incorrectly specified, increasing the risk of premature failure.</p><p>Was your VSD installed correctly? Check it has the right size cabinet, has adequate airflow and connections are tight.</p><p>Is your VSD cleaned and checked regularly? If fans are worn or blocked, you could see temperature rises that shorten your VSD’s lifetime.</p><p><b>Failure is not an option</b></p><p>A robust maintenance programme for your VSDs is essential, but what should it consist of? Do all VSDs need the same maintenance or do some require greater frequency or a different approach? What about units critical to your processes or used in particularly harsh conditions?</p><p>The truth is, you don’t want to have to make vital decisions on replacing a VSD if it has failed unexpectedly, with your process stalled and thousands of pounds worth of halted production backing up or spoiling.</p><p>What you need is a long-term view of VSD health, one that looks at the whole life of the unit from installation to obsolescence, and which gives you the time to make informed decisions on when to upgrade or replace them. </p><p>One of the benefits of timely replacement of VSDs is that it allows you to adopt new drive technologies and functions as they emerge and ensure that the right drive is paired with the right application.</p><p><b>Get help from the professionals</b></p><p>Taking a long hard look at your VSDs and assessing their status can be very time-consuming. For one thing, many companies may not have the skills in-house to do it. </p><p>This is why it is worthwhile getting a professional opinion, with skilled, experienced VSD engineers who can conduct a full <a href="https://campaign.abb.com/ABB_Ability_Life_Cycle_Assessment_for_Drives" target="_blank">Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)</a> and take all the pain out of the process.</p><p>With ABB, this is made even easier with our LCA tool, which streamlines large parts of the process. Usually, an ABB engineer, or one of our authorised partners, will visit your site to take an inventory of your VSDs, whether from ABB or another major provider. If the installed base is originally supplied by ABB, then the LCA logs age, location, criticality, operating environment, service history and part replacement history, allowing maintenance to be tailored to the needs of each VSD. </p><p>The VSDs critical to your process and any ‘at-risk’ assets will be flagged up. The result is a comprehensive overview of the entire VSD infrastructure. You get a full report detailing which assets need servicing as well as the ones that should be upgraded or replaced - and when to do it. </p><p>It’s a quick and easy way to establish a life cycle management strategy and pin down a maintenance schedule for each and every VSD. </p><p>When combined with condition monitoring for drives, which can give you performance and condition data, you can gain a 360-degree overview of the actual health of VSDs. Based on this data, you can conduct maintenance exactly where and when it’s needed.</p><p>In some circumstances, site visits might not be possible, so as with many things these days, remote logging is possible. This is based on a service known as LCA Lite. Simply supply ABB with all the serial numbers for your VSDs, and ABB will provide an instant record of any regular maintenance and modernisation requirements.</p><p><b>Maximise your asset value</b></p><p>While LCA Lite avoids site visits, it does not give the detailed insight of the LCA Full version. Many assets can be decades old, with replacement parts now obsolete, placing the application on a critical path. </p><p>To help avoid this, ABB has devised a <a href="https://campaign.abb.com/ABB_Ability_Life_Cycle_Assessment_for_Drives" target="_blank">life cycle management model</a>, which tracks a motor or VSD through four distinct phases of its life: Active – Classic – Limited - Obsolete. This aims to ensure that the VSD is fully managed throughout its life – you get maximum value from your asset, as it gets to the limited or obsolescence phase before being replaced with a new unit.</p><p>Taking a whole-life approach to drive maintenance management helps cut costs and reduce failures and gives the best possible use from some of your most valuable production assets - your variable speed drives.</p><p>If you would like to join our mailing list to receive marketing information on ABB products and services, please complete the form below. Your details are safe with us - we will not share your data with anyone outside of the ABB Group and its affiliates and you are free to opt-out at any time.</p>
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://campaign.abb.com/l/501021/2020-05-27/rcj18w" style="border: 0;" type="text/html" width="100%"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896689377193858370.post-88996927864531064692021-03-18T15:00:00.001+00:002021-03-22T15:27:45.533+00:00HV motors? Ready when you are<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWXs4CHrIiLcodgaapuTNAhXkK5b_y2sQ9ZV3ld-EB6TJ8wMXyFTVLYB7r8epJG0QqENqglhP3aS1ycLLg3iAdNu8RAIC1Ykp4Q8FlK84CGH7hNaT1iSDsTu5szBIFV_PaJ31s-_QMoOa/s192/Rib+cooled+motor.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="146" data-original-width="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWXs4CHrIiLcodgaapuTNAhXkK5b_y2sQ9ZV3ld-EB6TJ8wMXyFTVLYB7r8epJG0QqENqglhP3aS1ycLLg3iAdNu8RAIC1Ykp4Q8FlK84CGH7hNaT1iSDsTu5szBIFV_PaJ31s-_QMoOa/s0/Rib+cooled+motor.png" /></a></div><br />The world today is all about instant gratification. You can add an impulse purchase to your online shopping basket in an evening, and it can arrive the following morning. Clearly electric motors are not exactly an impulse purchase, but you might be surprised to learn that even high voltage motors are now getting in on the act.<br /><br />Purchasing a high voltage motor is not always straightforward. There is the specifying of the motor and choosing of options, then the factory ordering parts, building it and testing it, all of which can result in a lead time of weeks, perhaps even months, right?<br /><br />Well, not necessarily. There’s a new breed of HV motors out there that can be ordered off-the-shelf. Pre-engineered with standardised parts and available through easy online ordering, these motors are revolutionising the sourcing of HV installations.<br /><br />Of course, there will always be a need for high voltage motors to fulfil very specific requirements. For example, motors required for complex end user project specifications may need special certification or have unusual electrical and mechanical needs. These engineered-to-order motors can be time consuming to build and verify.<br /><br />Yet many HV motors are used in relatively common applications such as standard pumps, fans and compressors – nothing flashy is needed, just a reliable and efficient motor that can be pressed quickly into duty. One such motor range is ABB’s N-series of rib-cooled motors. As pre-engineered, general purpose, high voltage machines, they are stock items ready for immediate delivery from off-the-shelf to customer facilities across the UK.<br /><br />These pre-engineered motors have the features, options and accessories needed for the vast majority of industrial applications. With the motors ready and pre-packaged, the engineering process is fast-tracked as soon as an order is received. The result is lower production costs and a delivery far faster than previously possible. <br /><br />But don’t worry if you still need special options. Although the N-series meet most needs in their basic configuration, you can still order pre-engineered options and accessories. All of these are pre-validated to ensure they can be built, so they can be ordered without increasing the delivery time.<br /><br />As you might guess, it takes some new thinking to make an off-the-shelf version of a usually highly engineered motor that is cost-efficient and has short delivery times, all while maintaining reliability, efficiency and safety.<br /><br />Part of this new thinking is the rib cooling featured on the motors - offering high power density for compact installations and packing more power per kilogram compared to conventional motors –<br />it allows a motor one frame size smaller than conventional products, making better use of available space. <br /><br />Different cooling mechanisms operating inside the motor and over its external surface give longer lifetimes for bearings and longer lubrication intervals. An increased power coil design, standard stock sizes and easy maintenance make the N-series a benchmark for the industry.<br /><br />Ordering is easy too. An online tool called MachSize allows you to configure your HV motor and returns a complete quotation quickly and easily – you also get all the documentation, drawings and performance data you need. MachSize continuously verifies the design, and presents the user with the available options based on their required standard (IEC or NEMA), type of installation area (safe or hazardous), cooling medium (air or water), IP protection class, supply type (direct-on-line or VSD control), voltage, frequency, ambient temperature, altitude, and required output. The tool also checks that the configured motor meets safe starting requirements.<br /><br />It reduces the time needed to get a quotation and make an order from several days to just a few minutes – and with a rapid turnaround at the factory end, purchasing your next HV motor just a got a lot easier.<br /><br />For more information about ABB’s N-series, <a href="https://new.abb.com/motors-generators/high-voltage-induction-motors/rib-cooled-motors-nxr " target="_blank">click here</a><p></p><p>For an introduction to the MachSize tool, and details on how to get started, <a href="https://new.abb.com/motors-generators/machsize-campaign" target="_blank">click here</a><br /></p><p>If you would like to join our mailing list to receive marketing information on ABB products and services, please complete the form below. Your details are safe with us - we will not share your data with anyone outside of the ABB Group and its affiliates and you are free to opt-out at any time. <br /></p>
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://campaign.abb.com/l/501021/2020-05-27/rcj18w" style="border: 0;" type="text/html" width="100%"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896689377193858370.post-74119834822647428212020-11-04T11:00:00.004+00:002020-11-17T11:23:23.856+00:00Bubble trouble!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXrDLrkNGWCu1tF7PLtKWiCT4Nbf26ym-5zeRufiW1K8gTlLAzs_d4Awgkc02CuxwZJOwtHG_Nv4fkzhjRsU5qDjKDavTPPgN6RX-BSn1a8kDMyNuAAW5M9ovm-ewNQsCjeWIwX0OLIyh/s873/Cavitation+blog.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="873" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXrDLrkNGWCu1tF7PLtKWiCT4Nbf26ym-5zeRufiW1K8gTlLAzs_d4Awgkc02CuxwZJOwtHG_Nv4fkzhjRsU5qDjKDavTPPgN6RX-BSn1a8kDMyNuAAW5M9ovm-ewNQsCjeWIwX0OLIyh/w320-h240/Cavitation+blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Martin Richardson, Water Framework Manager, ABB Ltd, writes: Everyone loves bubbles, don’t they? Especially when in the form of champagne, bubble bath, or even a certain well-known chocolate bar.<p></p><p><br />But bubbles are not so fun when it comes to pumps and the impellers they use to move water or other liquids. Why? Well it all comes down to cavitation. This scientific phenomenon was discovered relatively recently, having been first observed during the sea trials of a Royal Navy warship, <a href="https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/surface-fleet/destroyers/hms-daring" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HMS Daring</a>, in the late 19th century. <br /> </p><p>During these (unsuccessful) trials, the ship suffered serious damage to its propellers. It was later discovered that low pressure forming behind the propeller blade had caused tiny bubbles to form on the blades. As the bubbles travelled past the propeller, they encountered areas of high pressure and quickly imploded. The resulting shockwaves not only impaired performance, but also caused catastrophic damage to the propeller’s metal surfaces.<br /> </p><p>Cavitation’s effects are not just limited to ships’ propellers - it also affects pumps, which can cause a headache for anyone who operates a system that pumps fluids. A pump impeller creates a vacuum on the inlet of the pump. If the vacuum is too severe or if the pressure is too low, the water will boil and turn to steam. Then, when the steam bubbles reach areas of high pressure, they collapse back into a liquid, causing a shockwave against the impeller surface.<br /> </p><p>Each tiny bubble might be pretty harmless on its own, but in great quantities, and over a long enough time period, they can have a devastating impact - damaged bearings and valves, erosion and failure – in fact, extreme cases can reduce pump lifetime by as much as 80 percent.<br /> </p><p>So, what causes it? In many pumps, the main cause of cavitation is insufficient pressure on the suction side of the pump. This can be caused by clogged filters, pipe blockages on the suction side, or poor piping design.<br /> </p><p>The good news is that there are ways to prevent it. To do so, you need to ensure that the Net Positive Suction Head available (NPSHa) exceeds the Net Positive Suction Head required (NPSHr). ABB’s Smart Sensor for pumps can help to measure this. <br /> </p><p>There are several ways to increase your NPSHa - reduce the temperature of the fluid (not always easy to do but a few degrees can make a big difference), decrease the number of elbows and valves in the pipework, reduce the length of pipework, or increase its diameter. When designing new pumping systems, clearly you will need to make sure you consider these factors at the outset, as it can be difficult to engineer these sorts of fixes into an existing system.<br /> </p><p>Our old friend the <a href="https://new.abb.com/drives" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">variable speed drive</a> (VSD) can also help and can potentially provide a “Get out of Jail” card for systems where redesigning pipework is going to cause problems. By providing precision control of the pump motor, a VSD can help to ensure a much smoother flow and reduce stress on system components.<br /> </p><p>Modern VSDs also include functions that can detect and prevent cavitation as it occurs. For example, ABB VSDs include anti-cavitation software that looks for specific patterns in the motor and drive operating data, and automatically reduces pump speed to reduce the risk of cavitation. <br /> </p><p>This means that cavitation can be solved automatically. Because the VSD is measuring directly from the motor shaft, any potential flow issues can be picked up straight away, with no need for extra sensors, controllers or interfaces. Another plus is that no extra components are needed for the VSD. And there is also no additional installation work, as the software is already in the drive.<br /> </p><p>The fact is that cavitation can be difficult to detect until it has already caused damage. Yet, don’t be tempted to simply ignore it – it can be an expensive mistake if you end up having to replace systems more frequently. <br /> </p><p>With modern VSDs now providing the functionality to detect and prevent cavitation in real-time, those pesky bubbles can be eliminated from your systems ensuring that your pumps can go on giving service for many more years to come. <br /><br /></p>If you would like to join our mailing list to receive marketing information on ABB products and services, please complete the form below. Your details are safe with us - we will not share your data with anyone outside of the ABB Group and its affiliates and you are free to opt-out at any time. <br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://campaign.abb.com/l/501021/2020-05-27/rcj18w" style="border: 0;" type="text/html" width="100%"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896689377193858370.post-52873727487163194832020-11-02T12:10:00.006+00:002020-11-04T16:48:32.806+00:00Why detect leaks when you can stop them at source?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAMK0U2PoiT9EZAbmtnI9UT4VmllxQjhxhHc0ML0MJDoyGpWmSXDZbYKcBgXZTe7H9M_FEalFXITHMwjl4r8UhfGnfHnzkPJjMW89d546G2U8C_dB194UvTQrxgioRMFSrGZMnZcoRPqX/s1248/Leakage+video+still.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAMK0U2PoiT9EZAbmtnI9UT4VmllxQjhxhHc0ML0MJDoyGpWmSXDZbYKcBgXZTe7H9M_FEalFXITHMwjl4r8UhfGnfHnzkPJjMW89d546G2U8C_dB194UvTQrxgioRMFSrGZMnZcoRPqX/s320/Leakage+video+still.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Clayton Mead, UK Water Industry Manager - Water & Wastewater - Drives, ABB writes: Water leakage can be an emotive issue for both the press and the public. Images of burst pipes and flooded streets quickly erode trust in water companies, while the raw figures can provoke shock and derision – in 2019/2020 in England and Wales, around 2,954 million litres of water<a href="https://www.water.org.uk/news-item/water-companies-record-lowest-leakage-levels-from-pipes/" target="_blank"> was lost to leaks each day</a>. With AMP 7 kicking in this year, Ofwat has made reducing leakage and improving resilience a top priority.<p></p><p>As <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53274914" target="_blank">this BBC report illustrates</a>, there are plenty of laudable initiatives being rolled out by water companies across the country to detect and fix leaks. As well as the usual vibration sensors and acoustic loggers, water utilities are <a href="https://wwtonline.co.uk/news/united-utilities-new-leak-detection-dog-reaches-training-milestone" target="_blank">even using sniffer dogs</a> to detect the characteristic smell of chlorinated water.</p><p>Welcome and necessary though these efforts are, they can end up sending out the wrong message – the public is led to believe that water companies can only react to leaks and that little can be done to actually prevent them.</p><p>In fact, quite the opposite is the case. Pressure is the main culprit in causing leaks. Control this and you can prevent a large number of leaks from occurring in the first place. There is a tried and tested method of achieving this and it involves a device called a variable speed drive (VSD).</p><p>Many pumping stations are set to operate on a programme that runs the pumps at a steady, high speed until the pressure gets up to the desired level. The pumps will then turn off and turn on again when the pressure drops below the specified set point.</p><p>This results in frequent starting and stopping, which in turn leads to more non-return values being activated, all of which leads to pressure transients that can cause pipe walls and joints to crack or separate.</p><p>Things aren’t helped by selecting pump capacity to provide maximum flow on a “worst case scenario” basis. The truth is that these high flow rates are not needed all the time and lowering them can go a long way to keeping pressure in check. A VSD electronically controls the pump motor’s speed, ensuring that it only delivers the output required at any given time, helping to achieve lower supply pressures.</p><p>Leakage can be cut significantly as a result. Even a small reduction in pressure can have a significant knock-on effect. A 20 percent pressure reduction can cut leakage rates by up to 50 percent. </p><p>VSDs can be set to produce a flow of water from the pump that offers the best combination of flow and pressure and ramp up the speed slowly to the desired level. Pressures are reduced, avoiding forcing water through existing gaps, while a steady speed cuts the need for frequent starts – when starts and stops are needed, they are gentler and less damaging.</p><p>In a recent VSD project carried out by Scottish Water and ABB, a pumping station that was stopping and starting up to 3500 times a month was able to cut this to just 700 times a month. The £500,000 investment resulted in a £3 million cut in the costs of mending leaks, achieved within just two years.<br />The timer feature of VSDs can also play a role. One strategy is to reduce pressure at night - a system with 5 bar in the day could be automatically reduced to 3 bar at night using the inbuilt control. </p><p>Using VSDs to tackle leakage has the double effect of not only cutting pressure, but also significantly lowering energy usage and costs. </p><p>Far from merely responding to leaks and fixing them when they occur, the water industry has the means to prevent them happening, cutting costs and making itself both more resilient and environmentally responsible in the process. And, yet the VSD technology capable of doing just this is not new, having been available for over 50 years. Perhaps it’s time for a BBC report that shows how the industry can use technology not just to detect leaks, but to stop them at source. Cue VSDs!</p><p>Want to know more? Check out the video below, and <a href="https://new.abb.com/uk/campaigns/water-home" target="_blank">visit our water</a> hub to see how ABB is helping to improve the resilience of water networks.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W3H6-vrFTSw" width="320" youtube-src-id="W3H6-vrFTSw"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p><p> </p><p></p><p></p><br />If you would like to join our mailing list to receive marketing information on ABB products and services, please complete the form below. Your details are safe with us - we will not share your data with anyone outside of the ABB Group and its affiliates and you are free to opt-out at any time. <br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://campaign.abb.com/l/501021/2020-05-27/rcj18w" style="border: 0;" type="text/html" width="100%"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896689377193858370.post-46267066503651962622020-09-14T10:30:00.001+01:002020-11-02T12:12:17.123+00:00ABB Value Provider proves a winner on aggregate<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVieknKQYxYLpd0HgbYYciFzF332VA1g28XoRPoUpqUrDCMOzfA3lzLb8wGT4A_EmNJCJmsct85afQy9wcp44o9vmrCr7haZocRYJA5UNyuLzOPg_i8lrkPu8mBhPViG1k5KmHXBpTyE4q/s435/Rory+Hamilton.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="348" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVieknKQYxYLpd0HgbYYciFzF332VA1g28XoRPoUpqUrDCMOzfA3lzLb8wGT4A_EmNJCJmsct85afQy9wcp44o9vmrCr7haZocRYJA5UNyuLzOPg_i8lrkPu8mBhPViG1k5KmHXBpTyE4q/w205-h256/Rory+Hamilton.png" width="205" /></a></div><br />Rory Hamilton, ABB's UK Channel Manager - Drives, writes: Variable speed drives (VSDs) can have a lifespan of several decades, with a meantime between failures of over half a million hours – nearly 62 years. However, because they often run quietly in the background without incident, when they eventually fail it can come as something as a shock.<p></p><p><br />An aggregate manufacturer in Cheshire recently experienced such an incident when a SAMI GS – an ABB drive model which was in fact retired in 1995 – unexpectedly failed after 25 years of distinguished service. With the drive having never failed before, the company was at a loss as to who to call, and with each passing minute production was backing up and the costs were mounting. They needed a solution, and fast.<br /> </p><p>They contacted ABB, the manufacturer of the drive, who directed them to <a href="https://www.gocentral.co.uk/" target="_blank">Central Group</a>, an ABB Value Provider based in Merseyside. Central’s location meant that they could get someone on-site quickly, while their wide stockholding meant that a new drive which was suited to the application could be put in place without delay.<br /> </p><p>By the time the call came through to Central it was already outside of business hours, but their 24/7 support meant that they were there to pick it up. By the end of the evening a new <a href="https://new.abb.com/drives/low-voltage-ac/general-purpose/acs580" target="_blank">ABB ACS580</a> drive had been supplied, installed and commissioned, and production was able to resume within mere hours of the initial failure.<br /> </p><p>And not only was production back online, but the installation of a brand new drive has allowed the company to benefit from 25 years’ worth of advancement in variable speed drive technology. The ACS580, which replaced the obsolete SAMI GS, boasts a whole range of features designed to improve efficiency, reliability, productivity and safety. From energy management tools and safe torque off, to remote condition monitoring, and AC choke, as well as others such as an EMC filter, contactors, door-mounted HMIs, mini PLCs and a programmable keypad.<br /> </p><p>This story, and others like it, just goes to show the lengths that our Value Providers will go to, even for customers that don’t have a pre-existing service contract. From receiving the call, Central was able to get production back online in a matter of hours, and with ongoing service contracts available, the customer can ensure that they never need to worry about getting caught short by a drive failure again.<br /> </p><p>Our Value Providers offer a range of support agreements for both new and existing clients, with priceplans and coverage levels to suit the customer’s needs. These can provide access to free first responder training, a free energy appraisal, unlimited phone support, and 24/7 access to repairs, replacements and hire drives. <a href="https://new.abb.com/uk/campaigns/energy-productivity/value_providers" target="_blank">Click here</a> to find your local Value Provider, and find out more about how they can help you.<br /></p><br />If you would like to join our mailing list to receive marketing information on ABB products and services, please complete the form below. Your details are safe with us - we will not share your data with anyone outside of the ABB Group and its affiliates and you are free to opt-out at any time. <br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://campaign.abb.com/l/501021/2020-05-27/rcj18w" style="border: 0;" type="text/html" width="100%"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896689377193858370.post-72265585182977090552020-09-09T17:28:00.002+01:002020-09-10T16:02:49.099+01:00Get a headstart on your next SECR report<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGKIel17ZkF5QwTtmTsSwC4mAo5Wdv2eX2wY8oqXgE4crrX4Rj9usLGeYwFvf1ip6Il391naC-mm76FSXiiI_cA3S5Jvd3idbMzY5doP_ZWZjb8IIfjvnSTc1wxwoBDKm0N3fqll5wIYb/s273/4689a10d-83e6-46aa-be49-e246b9c80b0d_energy_snapshot_phone.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="234" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGKIel17ZkF5QwTtmTsSwC4mAo5Wdv2eX2wY8oqXgE4crrX4Rj9usLGeYwFvf1ip6Il391naC-mm76FSXiiI_cA3S5Jvd3idbMzY5doP_ZWZjb8IIfjvnSTc1wxwoBDKm0N3fqll5wIYb/w187-h218/4689a10d-83e6-46aa-be49-e246b9c80b0d_energy_snapshot_phone.PNG" width="187" /></a></div><br />Stuart Melling, Local Business Unit Manager - Drives and Controls, ABB Ltd writes: We’ve talked a lot about ESOS over the years, but now there’s a new scheme on the block – and the first reporting deadline for it has now been and gone. <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/academy-trust-financial-management-good-practice-guides/streamlined-energy-and-carbon-reporting" target="_blank">Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting</a>, or SECR for short, is a reporting scheme whereby large energy users must report their energy usage and carbon output, with suitable metrics, and include this information in their annual reports.<p></p><p><br />SECR shares many similarities with ESOS, but where ESOS focuses on looking forward for potential energy saving opportunities that can be implemented in the future, SECR looks back at the previous financial year, reporting on what has actually been done to save energy. So when you consider both schemes in tandem, you could argue that the Government has closed the loop in a sense, as actions taken as a result of ESOS recommendations in one year can then be reported for SECR the following year.</p><p><br />This is far from the only benefit to the new scheme. Saving energy is undeniably a good thing and it can potentially reduce operational costs by a substantial amount. Indeed, the government estimates that investing just £15,000 in energy efficiency measures can lead to an average reduction in energy bills of up to £56,4001. In these tough times, and with potentially even tougher times lurking around the corner, an investment in energy saving now could pay off big time in the future.</p><p><br />Motor-driven applications account for nearly 70 percent of electrical energy use in industry, making them an ideal place to start. They may well have been identified in your last ESOS assessment, but did you know that they are among the easiest and most cost-effective improvements that a business can make to reduce energy usage? </p><p><br />Motors are often run without any form of speed control. This means that they are either running at full speed or not at all, potentially wasting vast amounts of energy. A variable speed drive (VSD) is an electronic device that controls the speed of a motor, helping it to use only as much energy as it needs for a given output. In some applications this can reduce energy usage by up to 50 percent.</p><p><br />You don’t have to just take our word for it. We have introduced a service called the Energy Snapshot which provides the hard proof of how VSDs and high efficiency motors can save you money and optimise your production performance, while simultaneously providing helpful data for your next SECR and ESOS reports.</p><p><br />The <a href="https://new.abb.com/uk/campaigns/energy-productivity/energy-snapshot" target="_blank">Energy Snapshot</a> is free and no obligation. It involves an ABB-approved engineer visiting your facility to spend half a day taking readings and measurements to identify five motor-driven applications that could offer you the biggest energy reduction in the shortest amount of time. Following the assessment, you will receive a report containing an action plan to turn those potential savings into actual savings.</p><p><br />If, in these unprecedented times, a site visit may not be feasible, then ABB is offering a focused live streaming <a href="https://new.abb.com/uk/campaigns/energy-productivity/lnlbookings/training" target="_blank">lunch n’ learn training</a> course to personnel from the same company. During the course, delegates will discover the secrets to identifying the most energy consuming applications.</p><p><br />Your Energy Snapshot can even be used as part of your next SECR report.<br /><br />To find out more about the Energy Snapshot, and make a start on reducing your energy bills, by visiting <a href="https://new.abb.com/uk/campaigns/energy-productivity">www.abb.co.uk/energy</a>, or <a href="https://new.abb.com/docs/librariesprovider53/about-downloads/energy_snapshot_leaflet_v6.pdf?sfvrsn=2a385b16_2" target="_blank">download</a> our leaflet (PDF).<br /></p><br />If you would like to join our mailing list to receive marketing information on ABB products and services, please complete the form below. Your details are safe with us - we will not share your data with anyone outside of the ABB Group and its affiliates and you are free to opt-out at any time. <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896689377193858370.post-58710243443705559282020-08-13T10:10:00.000+01:002020-08-13T10:10:12.236+01:00How to save hundreds of pounds in cabinet components<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJbvVC03LhQUiKuZGRDx15_UEZyGwMb2JGNTGLFdU0rtOvPR8t6FnbWHCbB35bFEJSgkcA7LxZwWU3Zt3JsQ3qmUID3f0SohDTcn3EkfOEEz7RhS9HQ_tVzrIqYjJZy0TBK100ILKLTkk/s1600/Blog+snip.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="347" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJbvVC03LhQUiKuZGRDx15_UEZyGwMb2JGNTGLFdU0rtOvPR8t6FnbWHCbB35bFEJSgkcA7LxZwWU3Zt3JsQ3qmUID3f0SohDTcn3EkfOEEz7RhS9HQ_tVzrIqYjJZy0TBK100ILKLTkk/s200/Blog+snip.PNG" width="200" /></a></div>
Carl Turbitt, HVAC Drives - UK Sales Manager, ABB Ltd writes: So, you have bought a variable speed drive (VSD) to run a motor, perhaps in an air handling unit or on a production machine. You bought it to save energy costs – after all, drives are well known for their ability to run motors at the appropriate speed to match the demand of the process at a given time.<br />
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As a result, your VSD will almost certainly cut your energy bill – but did you know you could also use a VSD to cut the need for ancillary equipment in your control panel or production machine?<br />
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The modern VSD has a host of functions that now make many traditional components completely redundant.<br />
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It comes down to what we call <a href="https://campaign.abb.com/l/501021/2020-07-15/rq9vl2" target="_blank">Engineering Optimisation</a> – using the VSD’s functionality to replace other cabinet components that you find in a typical cabinet, cutting purchase, operational and maintenance costs.<br />
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What sort of devices are we talking about? Well for a start, what about the cabinet thermostat? These monitor the temperature inside the cabinet, but they can be pricey, costing upwards of £200. But the VSD can do this for you. Let the VSD monitor the temperature and signal the fan within the drive to run when cooling is required - you can also link it to the thermostat on the enclosure fan and switch it on when needed.<br />
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Do you use timers to switch on motors at set intervals, say for a <a href="https://new.abb.com/uk/campaigns/hvac-drives" target="_blank">HVAC</a> system? With your VSD, you can cut out costly timer relays, as the drive’s real-time clock can set timers to either start or stop an application when needed – this could typically save around £100.<br />
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Safety is vital of course, but here the VSD chalks up another saving - you can remove the safety contactor because the drive has built-in <a href="https://youtu.be/4jrEw5syWrM" target="_blank">safe torque off</a> (STO). This is an SIL 3 PL e stop function which is in fact safer than a contactor, as when activated, it cannot be circumvented, nor will it fail over time.<br />
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Need remote I/O? Once again, the VSD has it covered. With its fieldbus features, the VSD can gather telemetry onto the fieldbus system without having to purchase additional remote I/O stations. <br />
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You can also forget about cutting into the doors of cabinets to accommodate external HMI displays. The more advanced VSD have keypads, the screens of which offer a host of graphs, charts and meter readings as well as keypads that can take the place of start/stop buttons. <br />
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A VSD also includes energy management tools, which can remove the need for an external energy meter – that could save some £200.<br />
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These capabilities would be good enough on their own, but (you might have guessed it by now) modern VSDs offer even more. They provide adaptive programming, which goes beyond mere resetting of parameters, allowing you to fully customise the control function. Let’s say you wanted the VSD to delay its activation until a particular valve is open - normally this would be done with relays, timers or PLCs. Adaptive programming allows you to do all this within the VSD, once again saving on component cost, installation time and cabinet space.<br />
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The VSD is the master of versatility – reducing running costs, cutting component counts and offering supreme control functions, allowing you to do more with less.<br />
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If you would like to join our mailing list to receive marketing information on ABB products and services, please complete the form below. Your details are safe with us - we will not share your data with anyone outside of the ABB Group and its affiliates and you are free to opt-out at any time. <br />
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</script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896689377193858370.post-81676396283425853952020-06-24T17:30:00.001+01:002020-07-27T14:40:28.184+01:00Antique bus engine gets a whole new lease of life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7C6PTsFTDe3mUA-UjNYk7cWGkc1bEjDxijytIZMaMa5z9ECvxyMTPW37aU4w-mCDoOZWcC0C7nXuXJU3CxBVN33qQG7EYGHs-5FEbW0nqyJfOF88Q3RGcG89BAa4Eszc1O2z_l_fTxQBv/s1600/Nottingham+industrial+museum.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="352" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7C6PTsFTDe3mUA-UjNYk7cWGkc1bEjDxijytIZMaMa5z9ECvxyMTPW37aU4w-mCDoOZWcC0C7nXuXJU3CxBVN33qQG7EYGHs-5FEbW0nqyJfOF88Q3RGcG89BAa4Eszc1O2z_l_fTxQBv/s320/Nottingham+industrial+museum.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
Stuart Melling, Local Business Unit Manager - Drives & Controls UK, ABB Ltd, writes: When it comes to finding ways to apply our technology our Value Providers are never off the job. Find out how a combination of initiative and an ABB variable speed drive have restored a museum display of a diesel engine back to working condition.<br />
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One of the things we pride ourselves on when it comes to our Value Provider network is the ability of our partners to spot new opportunities.<br />
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Blaise Ford, Managing Director of <a href="https://www.inverterdrivesystems.com/" target="_blank">Inverter Drive Systems</a> (IDS), turned a day out at the <a href="https://www.nottinghamindustrialmuseum.org.uk/" target="_blank">Nottingham Industrial Museum</a> into an opportunity to bring a demonstration of a classic bus engine to life. Dating back to the early 20th century, the six-cylinder engine, which is housed in a glass case, had previously been a working display showing visitors how it would have powered the bus in its heyday.<br />
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The museum boasts several claims to fame. Recently, it was featured in a series of educational films as part of the World History Project, exploring subjects such as the Industrial Revolution, the British Empire, and World War One. Wollaton Hall, where the museum is situated, was used as a filming location in the 2012 Batman film “The Dark Knight Rises”.<br />
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The bus engine was powered by an electric motor, which was connected direct on-line (DOL) to the mains. This led to a high starting torque, high running speed and violent operation, which caused the engine to splash dirt and grime when it was run. It was also extremely noisy. These factors, combined with the high risk of frequent and costly breakdowns, led the museum to decide not to run the engine at all.<br />
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Blaise knew that a variable speed drive could provide a solution that would <a href="https://new.abb.com/docs/librariesprovider53/about-downloads/nottingham-industrial-museum-case-study-final.pdf?sfvrsn=c78d8816_2" target="_blank">restore the engine back to its former glory</a>. After a quick call, an ABB machinery drive, together with a push button starter, was donated and installed free of charge by IDS to control the motor’s speed.<br />
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The diesel engine now runs on a one-minute cycle, which can be started by visitors using the push button.<br />
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With its soft start feature, the drive ensures that the motor gradually increases the speed of the diesel engine, protecting its components and ensuring that visitors can witness it in operation, free of any noise, dirt or grime.<br />
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Peter Griffin, Nottingham Industrial Museum’s Technical Director, is pleased with visitors’ reaction to the enhanced exhibit, saying: “We’re enormously grateful to Blaise and his team at IDS for donating both their equipment and time. People really enjoy seeing the pistons and valves working, and slowing the motor down also has the added benefit of reducing wear on the mechanical parts, which should prolong the life of the engine. We’re very happy with how it’s gone.”<br />
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Peter Wright, UK Service Manager - Motors & Generators, ABB Ltd writes: A synchronous motor, built in 1992 and used by the UK’s National Health Service on a critical compressor application, has undergone a rapid repair, with replacement materials fast-tracked in one-tenth of the time normally expected.<br />
<br />
During a preventive maintenance inspection, ABB’s UK service engineers deployed the <a href="https://search.abb.com/library/Download.aspx?DocumentID=9AKK107045A9525&LanguageCode=en&DocumentPartId=&Action=Launch" target="_blank">air-gap inspector</a> – a miniature, video robot that crawls between the stator and rotor of large synchronous motors and generators. The inspection revealed that the rotor winding’s V-block support mechanism had lost its pre-tension. Such was the seriousness of the findings, that ABB recommended the highest level of maintenance, known as L4, which includes rotor removal and replacement of critical components.<br />
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Planning and manufacturing the required materials for an ABB synchronous motor, GBA 800, of this vintage normally takes 10 weeks. Such was the urgency to get production up and running that ABB managed to fast track manufacture and supply of the materials within one week.<br />
<br />
The feat is even more remarkable as the motor‘s age meant that, while most components were in stock, the most critical were the rotor insulation plates which needed to be purposely cut for this motor. The challenge was further compounded by the fact that these project-specific insulating plates were not completely set up in ABB‘s ordering system, thereby missing critical drawing references. The skills of the ABB team enabled them to quickly determine the insulating plate data and update the ordering system. Now with the correct information entered the motor factory‘s production planning ensured that the right plates were cut in advance, thereby avoiding losing valuable time.<br />
<br />
“This motor and its application is literally saving lives, so the urgency to repair could not be overstated,“ says Josef Evindar, ABB’s manager for motor spare parts. “This was a collective effort between ABB’s service engineers in the UK, the determination of ABB’s factory in Sweden including the coordination between the spares department, production planning, factory production and packing and also our external freight forwarder.<br />
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“Given the current circumstances where most employees are working from home and where our production unit is fully loaded this was truly a super effort from everyone involved. We understood the critical role of this machine and were able to prove the efficiencies of our process in helping our customer meets their goals.“<i> </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<i>If you would like to join our mailing list to receive marketing information on ABB products and services, please complete the form below. Your details are safe with us - we will not share your data with anyone outside of the ABB Group and its affiliates and you are free to opt-out at any time. </i><br />
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Rob Wood, Local Business Line Manager, Motors & Generators, ABB Ltd, writes: During these socially distanced times, we have seen some innovative ways to keep in touch with friends, families, and colleagues. Without the super smart digital technologies, software, apps and wi-fi connections, then home-schooling our children, organizing work-related projects or getting the Doctor to check out our lumps or bumps through live video-links would have been a challenge.<br />
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Not to be left behind, our motors and generators factories in Finland, China and Estonia are now embracing the world of live video feeds to let our customers witness test their machines before delivery. This remote service ensures that the machine fulfils the initial quality requirements and can be certified to the required standards. <br />
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Naturally, this negates the need to travel to ABB’s manufacturing sites, as online factory acceptance testing (FAT) can be viewed remotely from virtually anywhere in the world. By eliminating travelling time and associated costs, online FAT offers extra flexibility in our customer schedules.<br />
<br />
So how does it work? ABB’s online FAT application works within web browsers without any special IT requirements. To take part you need an Internet connection and a link to the FAT web browser application. ABB sends the necessary login address, username and password by email, enabling customers to watch the FAT on either a computer or mobile device.<br />
<br />
A camera system provides a live video feed of the FAT, giving a complete overview of the testing floor arrangement and the machine’s running status. Intermediate results from the testing software are shown on the video feed, including temperature graphs, voltage and current. Following successful completion of testing, final inspection of the competed machines is achieved by means of client agreed checklist. Inspection photographs are also issued as evidence of quality so that customer release documents can be issued.<br />
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<br />
Is there a downside? During factory visits, the time between setting up tests is often a good time for <br />
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our customers to ask pertinent questions of our engineers. However, all is not lost. With the online FAT service, an ABB project manager and test personnel are available to provide support and assistance at all stages of the process. A customer can connect with the ABB test field and the assigned project manager via video-call which ensures closer communication experience. This possibility enables full interactivity between the factory and the customer, ensuring that the machine is validated according to the requirements.<br />
<br />
To learn more about online factory acceptance testing, <a href="https://library.e.abb.com/public/06438bdd9cb6457aaf212beefa7e7f64/OFAT_technical_note_9AKK2016-106497revB_EN_08052020_lowres.pdf?x-sign=XeiR/UAvjXDIBoyjEpS+RMwWvOrCtfqwCb4PSLfoi77KIlkqMLRn2ArlFFFgWZwT" target="_blank">download our leaflet</a>.<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>If you would like to join our mailing list to receive marketing information on ABB products and services, please complete the form below. Your details are safe with us - we will not share your data with anyone outside of the ABB Group and its affiliates and you are free to opt-out at any time. </i><br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://campaign.abb.com/l/501021/2020-05-27/rcj18w" style="border: 0;" type="text/html" width="100%"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896689377193858370.post-9222743961593511992020-05-12T09:47:00.000+01:002020-07-27T15:00:39.919+01:00Here’s a low-cost way of ramping up your production - fast<script>
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Stuart Melling, Local Business Unit Manager - Drives & Controls UK, ABB Ltd, writes:It is not an easy time for anyone - from manufacturers to utilities to the process industry. Even in normal circumstances, seasonal changes, unexpected large orders or sudden social trends can mean that extra production capacity has to be found at extremely short notice. With the country in the grip of <a href="https://new.abb.com/covid-19" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">COVID-19</a>, unexpected demand for certain items or components can put manufacturers under great pressure to deliver, and to do so as quickly as possible.<br />
<br />
However, for many production facilities, installing permanent production infrastructure like <a href="https://new.abb.com/drives" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">variable speed drives</a> (VSDs), only to use them for a short period at a time, is not cost effective or sustainable in the long term once demand returns to normality.<br />
<br />
Indeed, as well as the cost of acquisition of new equipment, total cost of ownership calculations includes the equipment’s return on investment. No matter how lucrative a short-term spike in demand may be, having a facility full of mothballed equipment in a few months’ time could create further headaches down the line. Equipment like VSDs will still require regular maintenance while offering zero return. With the coming months posing unprecedented challenges, it is important to make sure that your business is not just set for now but set for the future too.<br />
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What if you could quickly ramp up capacity when you need it, and easily remove it when no longer required, without having to worry about storage, maintenance and long-term costs? With ABB’s hire drive service, companies can scale up their production temporarily, and at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a VSD outright.<br />
<br />
Getting hold of a hire drive is easy too. Throughout the UK, ABB has a network of partners, called <a href="https://new.abb.com/uk/campaigns/drives-for-hire/abb-value-providers" target="_blank">Value Providers</a>, who have a ready stock of VSDs, from low powers into the megawatt range, all loaded with the latest firmware. The ABB Value Providers are well versed on all motor driven applications that can benefit from a temporary VSD, including pumps, fans, compressors, mixers, conveyors and extruders, and can offer good technical advice on how to get you up and running quickly. Alongside timely delivery of the VSD, the partners can install, commission and maintain the drive throughout its operation. Once the hire period has come to an end, the partners will remove the VSD. But who knows, you may well discover the many benefits of using a VSD and decide that your process can’t live without one.<br />
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Hiring VSDs is a simple, low cost solution that can give your production an immediate shot in the arm, right when you need it.<br />
<br />
To find out more about how hiring a drive works, and to find your local hire drive partner, <a href="https://new.abb.com/uk/campaigns/drives-for-hire" target="_blank">visit our dedicated website</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>If you would like to join our mailing list to receive marketing information on ABB products and services, please complete the form below. Your details are safe with us - we will not share your data with anyone outside of the ABB Group and its affiliates and you are free to opt-out at any time. </i><br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://campaign.abb.com/l/501021/2020-05-27/rcj18w" style="border: 0;" type="text/html" width="100%"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896689377193858370.post-1767781084544053712020-04-30T17:15:00.000+01:002020-07-27T15:01:14.037+01:00Emergency! What to do if your VSD lets you down<script>
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Stuart Melling, Local Business Unit Manager - Drives & Controls UK, ABB Ltd, writes: In this period of great uncertainty, the importance of ensuring maximum uptime is critical to keep your production moving. Variable speed drives (VSDs), together with their motors, form the backbone of many industrial processes, making them indispensable. VSDs are extremely reliable, and when properly installed and maintained can provide several decades worth of service with no issues.<br />
<br />
However, VSDs are not indestructible, and an equipment failure at an inopportune moment could spell catastrophe for your production processes. This is why it’s important to know exactly what to do in the unlikely event that your drive has to be taken out of service for any period of time.<br />
<br />
Firstly, it’s important to remember that prevention is better than cure. This means nipping any potential problems in the bud before they can lead to downtime. When a VSD presents a fault condition, in most circumstances this means that the drive itself is behaving as it should, but that there is an underlying problem elsewhere that is preventing it from operating. Lack of maintenance, corrosive atmospheres and harmonics can all lead to frequent trips, and so need to be addressed before they can result in failures.<br />
<br />
<b>Hire today…go on tomorrow!</b><br />
<br />
So, what happens if disaster strikes and your drive is taken out of action just when you need it most? This is where ABB’s hire drive service can help. Hiring a drive allows you to swap-in a replacement quickly at a fraction of the cost of purchasing it outright. If it proves a good match you can purchase it outright anyway. This allows you to get production back online fast in emergency situations. <br />
<br />
It can also buy precious time to make a considered decision as to whether to repair the old drive, replace or upgrade. This is not a decision you would normally want to rush, so having the safety net of a hire drive can keep production ticking over until you’re ready to make a decision.<br />
<br />
To find out more about hire drives, and to find the location of your nearest ABB Value Provider in the UK and Ireland, <a href="https://new.abb.com/uk/campaigns/drives-for-hire" target="_blank">visit our dedicated website</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>If you would like to join our mailing list to receive marketing information on ABB products and services, please complete the form below. Your details are safe with us - we will not share your data with anyone outside of the ABB Group and its affiliates and you are free to opt-out at any time. </i><br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://campaign.abb.com/l/501021/2020-05-27/rcj18w" style="border: 0;" type="text/html" width="100%"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896689377193858370.post-33930912729312134062020-04-23T14:58:00.001+01:002020-07-27T15:01:35.988+01:00Helping you retain business continuity, 24/7<script>
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<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hughes-94168a46/" target="_blank">David Hughes, Managing Director, ABB Motion UK</a>, writes: As we face these uncertain times, I want to reassure the industries that we serve, that ABB’s extensive service infrastructure and our national partner network are on-call to help maintain your site’s performance, now and well into the future.<br />
<br />
<b>Time to try out remote working and monitoring</b><br />
For instance, through our <a href="https://new.abb.com/drives/services/advanced-services/condition-monitoring" target="_blank">ABB AbilityTM Condition Monitoring for powertrains</a>, we can remotely advise of any impact that a motor-driven installation is likely to have on production, without attending the site. In many instances we can fix it remotely or at least ensure that the engineers are equipped and ready to move in and proactively fix the fault at a safe time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefE9viRF32h9HiPgDZV2CMoRK8Vp7N9J-7WsRreF1qCvPpFkJKaV-wB4F8eiMUFcV66qDkexxtB-THjpAUZG86F-MW82AeW8ZYIqU2W4Nbw7rDe06P7IirMrDqkCYiNQrjwR9nt0eIh_S/s1600/ABB+condition+monitoring+for+powertrains.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="909" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefE9viRF32h9HiPgDZV2CMoRK8Vp7N9J-7WsRreF1qCvPpFkJKaV-wB4F8eiMUFcV66qDkexxtB-THjpAUZG86F-MW82AeW8ZYIqU2W4Nbw7rDe06P7IirMrDqkCYiNQrjwR9nt0eIh_S/s400/ABB+condition+monitoring+for+powertrains.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Smart sensors can help predict the future</b><br />
Several years ago, we introduced <a href="https://new.abb.com/motors-generators/service/advanced-services/smart-sensor" target="_blank">smart sensors for low voltage motors</a>. Given the upcoming stresses on the motors driving pumps, fans, conveyors, mixers and the like, this relatively quick fix could transform the way you maintain your plant going forward. Maintenance can be planned based on actual demand rather than time intervals or operating hours, without the need for visual inspection or manual measurements. Unscheduled downtimes are prevented and the operating time extended. We have now extended the smart sensor technology so that it can apply exclusively to pumps and mounted bearings too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHG6L18M99Xv17TQieh_lWsIIGO5xbeQCzFbqzKqP4CAmI_8oMIoqAvIvvo3u8ZZTocu7Pd2iMZyjQ2i8qrtmK9RPEqVdSIEXpnvReWEzJRcDDm2F4zvf3yxnEv9FYVHgJgHEtxFtoJKW/s1600/4d4d9483-9d4e-4295-82aa-6f69b87753b7_Smart_sensor.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="237" data-original-width="396" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHG6L18M99Xv17TQieh_lWsIIGO5xbeQCzFbqzKqP4CAmI_8oMIoqAvIvvo3u8ZZTocu7Pd2iMZyjQ2i8qrtmK9RPEqVdSIEXpnvReWEzJRcDDm2F4zvf3yxnEv9FYVHgJgHEtxFtoJKW/s400/4d4d9483-9d4e-4295-82aa-6f69b87753b7_Smart_sensor.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>UK-wide service network on call 24/7</b><br />
As I write, production demands in many of the industries we serve, from pulp and paper to water and wastewater treatment to the extensive food and beverage industries are being stretched to their limit. This inevitably leads to more pressure on maintenance teams, spares procurement and support as everyone strives to keep production moving.<br />
<br />
<br />
We are here 24/7 and offer access to a:<br />
<br />
• Wide network of ABB service engineers throughout the UK<br />
• Dedicated <a href="https://new.abb.com/uk/campaigns/energy-productivity/value_providers" target="_blank">ABB Value Provider network</a>, which means one of our partners’ qualified drives or motors engineers are often within easy reach of site within hours<br />
• <a href="https://selector.drivesmotors.abb.com/" target="_blank">Vast stock of variable speed drives and motors</a> up to 500 kW, available for same day delivery OR higher powers available from our Central European stock holding<br />
• <a href="https://new.abb.com/uk/campaigns/drives-for-hire" target="_blank">Hire drive service</a> which, should you experience a breakdown, lets you loan a variable speed drive until you can get back up and running<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z2xLai1zHk588dyOu6ix44YZuXpk_Fi3t31uGthq6DistG_R0_-nGHuhEs-srj3um-qIAM1zI5ktBNZsMvC-osAo3W96LAua0_hz13JvC2N4JIYyu-DO_M5FFMORBTygRF4UaqWB3TBO/s1600/Hiredrives_Breakdown_banner_1183_x_273pixels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="1183" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z2xLai1zHk588dyOu6ix44YZuXpk_Fi3t31uGthq6DistG_R0_-nGHuhEs-srj3um-qIAM1zI5ktBNZsMvC-osAo3W96LAua0_hz13JvC2N4JIYyu-DO_M5FFMORBTygRF4UaqWB3TBO/s640/Hiredrives_Breakdown_banner_1183_x_273pixels.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Maintain asset health</b><br />
While the temptation in many industries might be to lockdown and only consider critical repairs, it is important that companies continue to invest in their assets. This is essential to ensure that production lines, manufacturing facilities and process plants do not face a further crisis when normal service resumes. The new normal is going to be different, that is for sure. But by inviting us onto your sites today – either in person or remotely - <a href="https://new.abb.com/drives/services/maintenance" target="_blank">together we can help ensure that whatever shape the future takes</a>, you remain flexible and agile across all your motor-driven applications – whether that be pumps, fans, conveyors, compressors, mixers etc.<br />
<br />
<b>Technical meetings and forums</b><br />
Where possible we will be aiming to conduct meetings remotely via a platform with which you are comfortable. Of course we will aim to physically meet you when the situation is safe and possible for everyone, but we are very well versed and able to gain a lot of information via a remote meeting, and this will not affect your overall experience.<br />
<br />
<b>Home-based eLearning</b><br />
For those workers who need to be home-based, this may be a good opportunity to enhance their skills by studying the <a href="https://new.abb.com/uk/campaigns/energy-productivity/lnlbookings/training" target="_blank">latest technical courses</a> or take a course from our eLearning suite. For more details on eLearning, please email <a href="mailto:layla.hewitt@gb.abb.com" target="_blank">layla.hewitt@gb.abb.com</a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTArcIcCG7fh1zfk_oyYTkdC-YvHBdLOMM6tn-Ba5R6mCYJ0L17wMVHOORxCU7m5-VdjKuc3MHzOYiT-jJ0W_KPxNa93qyPikfBq-sRECP4pjyKZpZz628bqxy3WxIE1YRjMknoRY6NGIR/s1600/eb8e5430-76c6-43de-9b9d-8258a00b7df4_CPD_EMEX_2019.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTArcIcCG7fh1zfk_oyYTkdC-YvHBdLOMM6tn-Ba5R6mCYJ0L17wMVHOORxCU7m5-VdjKuc3MHzOYiT-jJ0W_KPxNa93qyPikfBq-sRECP4pjyKZpZz628bqxy3WxIE1YRjMknoRY6NGIR/s1600/eb8e5430-76c6-43de-9b9d-8258a00b7df4_CPD_EMEX_2019.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>…and finally…</b><br />
We're doing everything in our power to ensure disruption is minimised as much as possible and we really do thank you, as always, for your support and understanding through this particular time.<br />
<br />
If you have any queries or for further information, <b>please contact us on 07000 374837 (07000 DRIVES), open for 09:00 to 17:00</b>.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://campaign.abb.com/l/501021/2020-05-27/rcj18w" style="border: 0;" type="text/html" width="100%"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896689377193858370.post-35047312022965871152020-03-30T13:29:00.001+01:002020-07-27T15:01:54.315+01:00Sewer blocked by pooh...<script>
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It’s amazing what people will try to flush down a drain. Aside from a full size Winnie the Pooh, utilities like Scottish Water have found themselves having to cope with removing objects as diverse as a fax machine, bicycles, jeans and even a snake! Objects like these can all cause the sewage pumping equipment to jam, causing blockages that need to be removed, incurring time and cost running into millions of pounds a year.<br />
<br />
With the <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-water-firms-issue-blockage-warning-as-people-use-toilet-paper-alternatives-11959659" target="_blank">Coronavirus and the raid on loo rolls</a> forcing some to use wet wipes, paper towels and even newspapers as a substitute, this problem is likely to become worse in the coming months. <br />
<br />
Fortunately, there is an answer to this problem that can help to alleviate some of the strain – to find out more, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/sewer-blocked-pooh-abb-water-vision-uk/?published=t" target="_blank">read our full article on LinkedIN</a>.<br />
<br />
<i>If you would like to join our mailing list to receive marketing information on ABB products and services, please complete the form below. Your details are safe with us - we will not share your data with anyone outside of the ABB Group and its affiliates and you are free to opt-out at any time. </i><br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://campaign.abb.com/l/501021/2020-05-27/rcj18w" style="border: 0;" type="text/html" width="100%"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896689377193858370.post-55100120765512452632020-02-13T12:19:00.000+00:002020-07-27T15:02:23.131+01:003 practical benefits of safe torque-off<script>
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<b><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/abb-motion-food-and-beverage-uk/" target="_blank">Andrew Bould, UK Food & Beverage Industry Manager,</a></b> ABB writes: Safe torque off (STO) is a variable speed drive (VSD) feature that works by preventing any torque-generating energy from reaching the motor when sensors detect persons in the immediate vicinity, or when an emergency stop is activated. This enables tasks such as maintenance or cleaning of machinery to be carried out without the risk of the motor turning or restarting unexpectedly.<br />
So what does this actually mean in practice? How does it make your life easier?<br />
<br />
<b>• Improves safety</b><br />
Safety is the foremost consideration of STO, and the main reason why it’s implemented in ABB drives. Put yourself in the shoes of the factory worker; if you’re carrying out maintenance on a machine, you want to be 100 percent sure that the motor isn’t going to suddenly start up whilst you’re still working on it. If a machine were to restart, at best this might result in a close call and a nasty shock, but at worst can result in serious injury.<br />
<br />
<b>• Increases productivity</b><br />
If a safety contactor does its job then the operator should be at no risk of injury, but a safety contactor works by removing all upstream power to the drive. This means that upon restart the drive then has to power cycle, which can take time. STO means that the drive is still powered, and so is ready to resume operations at a moment’s notice, avoiding lengthy and/or complex start-up routines. All of this combines to reduce downtime and waste, and in the longer-term reduces equipment wear while prolonging its lifespan.<br />
<br />
<b>• Reduces maintenance</b><br />
A safety contactor is yet another piece of equipment that needs to be installed, maintained and tested. STO brings the functions of the safety contactor into the drive electronically. So with the stopping function now electronic rather than mechanical, there’s no risk of safety being compromised by, for instance, corrosion affecting the contactor’s mechanical parts. Alternatively, a safety contactor can be installed in addition to STO as a double fail-safe.<br />
<br />
Want to know more about functional safety in variable speed drives? Why not download our <span style="color: red;"><b><a href="http://web.abb-update.com/Food_Functional_Safety_WP_request" target="_blank">white paper? </a></b></span><br />
<br />
<i>If you would like to join our mailing list to receive marketing information on ABB products and services, please complete the form below. Your details are safe with us - we will not share your data with anyone outside of the ABB Group and its affiliates and you are free to opt-out at any time. </i><br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://campaign.abb.com/l/501021/2020-05-27/rcj18w" style="border: 0;" type="text/html" width="100%"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896689377193858370.post-55648326976185503002020-01-07T15:19:00.002+00:002020-07-27T15:02:58.144+01:00Time is running out to claim ECA<script>
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<a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/steve-hughes-4237471" target="_blank">Steve Hughes, Digital Lead – Motion</a>, writes: Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs) are closing in April 2020, but there’s still time to take advantage of them and benefit from lower energy costs as well as tax relief.<br />
<br />
The government is ending the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/enhanced-capital-allowance-scheme-for-energy-saving-technologies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Enhanced Capital Allowances</a> scheme later this year. This is somewhat regrettable, as it was a well-intended scheme that was designed to support industry and help the environment, and no equivalent energy efficiency initiative has yet been announced to replace it.<br />
<br />
The scheme closes in April 2020, which means there is still time to claim it, but it is now rapidly running out.<br />
<br />
Firstly, a reminder of what the scheme entails. It was introduced in 2001 as a way of encouraging the use of energy efficient equipment. It allowed businesses to write off the cost of any product that qualifies for inclusion on the Energy Technology List (ETL) against taxable profits in the year of purchase, as opposed to being spread over the normal period of 10 years.<br />
<br />
This effectively provided upfront cashback in the form of accelerated tax relief in exchange for investing in energy efficient equipment. As well as the allowance itself, businesses also benefit from reduced energy costs once the equipment is installed. It also provides an incentive for equipment manufacturers to improve energy efficiency in their products, as Minimum Energy Performance Standards are used to remove the worst performing equipment from the market, raising the bar all round.<br />
<br />
The ETL is a list of products and technologies that are considered to use energy efficiently, or are environmentally beneficial. It is managed and administered by the <a href="https://www.carbontrust.com/home/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Carbon Trust</a>, and regularly updated to reflect changes in technology and energy performance.<br />
<br />
<b>Get your claim in</b><br />
<br />
The scheme will close on 1 April 2020 for companies, and 6 April 2020 for unincorporated businesses, making this the last tax year in which companies will be able to claim. The ECA counts on top of any other allowances such as the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA), so it makes sense to try and take advantage of it before it disappears.<br />
<br />
There are three steps to claiming ECA:<br />
<br />
<b>Step one:</b> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/energy-technology-list" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Check the ETL</a> to see if a product qualifies prior to purchase. The list includes a wide range of ABB drives and motors, but contact us if you are unsure.<br />
<br />
<b>Step two: </b>Make the purchase as you would normally, through your vendor/installer of choice.<br />
<br />
<b>Step three:</b> Retain any supporting documentation for your company’s tax return. It is worthwhile checking with your financial department prior to purchase to make sure that all of your allowance entitlement is claimed, as installation costs can also be included.<br />
<br />
<b>Let us help you</b><br />
<br />
If you’re looking to improve your energy efficiency then ABB can provide companies with help in claiming ECA before the scheme closes. The <a href="https://new.abb.com/uk/campaigns/energy-productivity/energy-snapshot" target="_blank">ABB Energy Snapshot</a> is a free, no-obligation service where engineers from ABB or its network of Value Providers will spend half a day on your site, and identify up to five motor-driven applications that offer the greatest energy saving potential. The assessment also indicates exactly how much could be saved by installing drives and/or motors, the amount of ECA that can be claimed, and the likely payback times. It costs nothing, and gives you a headstart on getting your ECA claim in while there’s still time.<br />
<br />
To arrange yours visit <b>www.abb.co.uk/energy.</b><br />
<br />
<i>If you would like to join our mailing list to receive marketing information on ABB products and services, please complete the form below. Your details are safe with us - we will not share your data with anyone outside of the ABB Group and its affiliates and you are free to opt-out at any time. </i><br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://campaign.abb.com/l/501021/2020-05-27/rcj18w" style="border: 0;" type="text/html" width="100%"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896689377193858370.post-36103832617197491572019-12-17T13:31:00.000+00:002020-05-27T16:55:18.244+01:00A crash course in VSD safety functions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_WUlkhdqlYiOBj4LGIxJAcWhw1T_P3J49_EQoiQxoixZLzgqjzmLWgtE3Jk_2OLspNbnFudSOR3gcSwsMYbYm48kooPF4m-eKKY87FyDVmagJ7qv3Q6-57mfuNnYf5RAwnnNEbDAJY-M/s1600/White+paper+original.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="680" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_WUlkhdqlYiOBj4LGIxJAcWhw1T_P3J49_EQoiQxoixZLzgqjzmLWgtE3Jk_2OLspNbnFudSOR3gcSwsMYbYm48kooPF4m-eKKY87FyDVmagJ7qv3Q6-57mfuNnYf5RAwnnNEbDAJY-M/s320/White+paper+original.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-blackshaw-4a5462b7/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Liam Blackshaw, Product Manager, MODR for Business Line Drives UK</a> writes: Modern variable speed drives (VSDs) are packed full of safety features, but the sheer number of similar sounding functions, (not to mention similar sounding acronyms), can make it difficult to get a handle on what they all mean.<br />
<br />
I thought it might therefore be a good idea with this post to gather all of the common safety features typically found in the current generation of ABB drives and demystify them all in one go.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Stopping functions</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/4jrEw5syWrM" target="_blank"><b>Safe torque off (STO)</b></a> is the most basic function for drive-based safety, and as such is the most commonly found. It carries out the job of a mechanical safety contactor, so that when activated it shuts off control to the motor, allowing it to coast to a complete stop and preventing any torque. STO is a more reliable solution than an external contactor (higher SIL level). It reacts faster than a contactor and cannot fail due to corrosion or lack of maintenance. It also takes up much less space than a contactor. This function is akin to the traditional Stop Category <b> </b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Safe Stop 1 (SS1)</b> provides a controlled ramp stop, and then activates the STO function. The function can be programmed to monitor the ramp time, or the ramp rate. Once the load is at rest, the load can be held in position by “holding at zero speed” for a programmed time, then eventually ending in an STO function. This is more elegant than the traditional Stop Category 1.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><b>Safe Stop Emergency (SSE)</b> is a safety function specifically designed for emergency stops and can be configured to execute either STO or SS1 depending on which is more appropriate to the application and the risk assessment. It is a separate function, so the system can have an SSE and an SS1 independently.</li>
</ul>
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<b>Stop types</b><br />
<ul>
<li><b>Stop Category 0</b> immediately removes power to the drive and machine actuators causing the motor to coast to a stop. This can be used when it is acceptable to allow movement to coast stop, or if the motor stops quickly due to a low inertia load.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Stop Category 1</b> is a controlled stop whereby electrical power to the machine actuators is maintained, and then removed once the machine has completely stopped. This is normally used for systems with higher inertia.</li>
</ul>
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<b>Monitoring functions</b> <br />
<ul>
<li><b>Safely Limited Speed (SLS)</b> performs a speed limiting function, used to ensure the machine cannot operate above a pre-determined speed, commonly used for “threading” applications. If the motor speed limit is reached, the drive will automatically activate STO or SS1.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><b>Safe Maximum Speed (SMS)</b> monitors the speed of the application and intervenes if the speed operates above a set maximum speed, often used to ensure loads are not mechanically damaged. Centrifuge applications are a typical use of SMS.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><b>Safe Speed Monitoring (SSM)</b> provides a minimum speed limit and triggers a safety signal if the motor speed drops below a certain threshold. Unlike SLS, this does not automatically activate a stopping function, but merely flags up to the user that action may be required.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><b>Safe Direction (SDI)</b> ensures that the motor can only rotate in a certain direction, for instance to allow an operator to feed material into a machine safely. SS1 is activated by the drive in the event of a fault.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><b>Safely Limited Acceleration (SLA)</b> safely limits the maximum acceleration of the motor and ensures that it cannot exceed a defined acceleration limit.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><b>Safe Acceleration Range (SAR)</b> monitors the motor’s acceleration to ensure that it stays within defined limits.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><b>Safe Motor Temperature (SMT)</b> is important for operating motors in potentially explosive atmospheres. It disconnects the motor from the power supply before overheating can occur, ensuring that surfaces cannot get hot enough to ignite.</li>
</ul>
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<b>Braking functions</b><br />
<ul>
<li><b>Safe Brake Control (SBC)</b> is the output signal activating the mechanical braking function used in a STO or SS1 state. It prevents the movement of the motor, even due to outside forces such as gravity or hanging loads.</li>
</ul>
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A lot of these functions can now be utilised using fieldbus communications from a safety PLC known as PROFIsafe technology. It includes several safety measures to minimize the effect of various transmission errors that can occur when messages are transferred in a complex network. PROFIsafe is an application layer (protocol) that describes the safety communication between fail-safe devices. It is an additional layer on top of the standard PROFIBUS and PROFINET protocols. <br />
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It is important to remember that many of these functions would ordinarily have to be carried out by separate devices, for instance safety contactors or manual brakes, or would not be carried out at all. This is why the variable speed drive lies at the heart of effective functional safety.<br />
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For a deeper dive into <a href="https://new.abb.com/drives/functional-safety" target="_blank">drive functional safety</a> and standards, and tips to help you reduce risk, make sure you <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://web.abb-update.com/Food_Functional_Safety_WP_request?_ga=2.94247581.1498285042.1576490617-1199644653.1559216308&_gac=1.89697001.1575307081.Cj0KCQiAiZPvBRDZARIsAORkq7fkUEOFDfiKNXaSUmkA0zaRbpzXYxrRs52K71kHkUjpPMotebiYOWUaAv3EEALw_wcB" target="_blank">download our white paper</a></span>.<br />
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Stuart Melling, Local Business Unit Manager for Drives & Controls UK, ABB Ltd, says: The UK currently operates several schemes that have the aim of reducing industrial and commercial energy consumption. But some of these schemes are soon changing, while others are closing in the next year. Here we look at the current state of play, and how ABB can help you maximise what’s available. <br />
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With the confusing number of acronyms floating around for UK <a href="https://new.abb.com/uk/campaigns/energy-productivity" target="_blank">energy efficiency</a> schemes, from CCL and CCA to CRC and ECA, you could be forgiven for losing track of what each one means. For its part, the government seems to agree that having so many schemes is onerous and confusing, and so is making efforts to (hopefully) streamline energy efficiency reporting for UK businesses.<br />
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Indeed, one scheme has disappeared altogether. The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) was until very recently a reporting scheme that applied to large energy users, making it compulsory to report carbon emissions, and pay allowances against every tonne emitted. The deadline for paying any allowances due under CRC was at the end of October 2019.<br />
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The CRC is being replaced by Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR). Large energy users will now have to report their energy usage, with suitable metrics, with their annual reports. The first compliance period began on 1st April 2019, and the first reporting date is 1st April 2020.<br />
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SECR does away with having to pay allowances, but the tax shortfall will be picked up by increases to the Climate Change Levy (CCL), which is a tax on all energy consumed. Discounts of up to 90 percent can be obtained on the CCL in return for signing up to a Climate Change Agreement (CCA).<br />
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Another scheme getting the chop is Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs), which will be closing in April 2020. This scheme provides tax relief on investment in energy efficient technologies, including variable speed drives. Whilst there’s still time to claim ECAs, that time is rapidly running out.<br />
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One scheme that isn’t going anywhere, at least for the forseeable future, is ESOS. The next compliance date is 5 December 2019, and whilst the scheme has its roots in the <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-efficiency-directive" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">EU Energy Efficiency Directive</a>, it is a UK law, administrated and enforced by the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Environment Agency</a>, and is therefore unlikely to be affected by Brexit.<br />
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Still confused? Here’s a quick glossary to sum up:<br />
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<b>Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC)</b>: CO2 reporting/taxation scheme. Closed in 2019.<br />
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<a href="https://www.gov.uk/green-taxes-and-reliefs/climate-change-levy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Climate Change Levy (CCL)</b></a>: Energy reporting/taxation scheme. Likely to increase from next year to compensate for closure of CRC.<br />
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<a href="https://www.gov.uk/topic/climate-change-energy/climate-change-agreements" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Climate Change Agreement (CCA)</b></a>: Voluntary agreement to reduce energy and CO2, which can significantly reduce your CCL.<br />
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<a href="https://www.secrcompliance.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAoIPvBRDgARIsAHsCw0-tjlnHUGWeErED2akbihjhEYEwpjPoKbgN9y8RutZURXx6EgNV9mYaAgNREALw_wcB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR)</b></a>: Energy reporting scheme, introduced to replace the CRC.<br />
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<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/enhanced-capital-allowance-scheme-for-energy-saving-technologies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs)</b></a>: Tax relief scheme for purchase of energy efficient equipment (such as ABB drives and motors). Closing in 2020.<br />
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<a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/energy-savings-opportunity-scheme-esos" target="_blank"><b>Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)</b></a>: Energy reporting scheme. Unlikely to change any time soon.<br />
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One way to get ahead of the game when it comes to energy efficiency schemes is to take advantage of ABB’s free, award-winning CPD-approved training courses. For more information about how to sign up <span style="color: red;"><a href="https://new.abb.com/uk/campaigns/energy-productivity/lnlbookings" target="_blank">click here</a>.</span>To book a free, no obligation Energy & Productivity Assessment, and get a headstart on your ESOS audit, call 07000 374837, or email energy@gb.abb.com.<br />
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<i>If you would like to join our mailing list to receive marketing information on ABB products and services, please complete the form below. Your details are safe with us - we will not share your data with anyone outside of the ABB Group and its affiliates and you are free to opt-out at any time. </i><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Stuart Melling, Local Business Line Manager for Drives, ABB Ltd</span>, says: ESOS is back, and it means business. Specifically, it means businesses need to start preparing for the next compliance date on 5th December 2019.<br />
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Last time around many companies left achieving their compliance to the last minute. With the <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency" target="_blank">Environment Agency</a></span> threatening to name, shame and fine non-compliant companies, this presented a headache for businesses as the deadline drew nearer.<br />
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As it happens, the fines handed out were relatively lenient, and only went to those who not only failed to comply, but also then failed to remedy the situation following an enforcement notice. It seems unlikely that companies will get off so lightly next time, as there’s now no excuse for not knowing what is required and when.<br />
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Only 16 percent of participants met the compliance deadline for Phase 1, which tells us that many companies left it to the last minute. This is a shame, firstly because of the needless stress and costs incurred, but also because it suggests that the energy saving opportunities of the scheme were not embraced.<br />
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Viewing ESOS compliance merely as an exercise in box-ticking is to lose out on the substantial benefits that the scheme can help to deliver. Motor-driven applications are found everywhere in industrial and commercial facilities, making them a prime candidate for energy saving. Installing a drive on a variable load application can very quickly achieve substantial energy savings. Indeed, with typical payback times ranging from six to 36 months, a drive installed in ESOS Phase 1 in 2015 could by now have easily paid for itself, with ongoing energy savings.<br />
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Clearly it makes sense to start the compliance process as early as possible. Not only does this reduce the energy cost, but if the fines are likely to be heavier next time around then getting on top of it soon provides plenty of breathing space before the deadline is upon us. This also allows companies to embrace the opportunities to reduce their energy usage.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://new.abb.com/uk/campaigns/energy-productivity/energy-productivity-appraisal" target="_blank">ABB's Energy & Productivity Assessment</a> </span>can help by giving you energy performance data for your motor driven applications that can be used as part of your ESOS process. In addition, it can also set you on the path to cutting your energy bill by up to 60 percent. An ABB engineer, or one their ABB authorised value providers, will visit your facility and spend half a day analysing where potential savings could be made, and provide you with a plan of action to turn those potential savings into actual savings.<br />
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To book a free, no obligation Energy & Productivity Assessment, and get a headstart on your ESOS audit, call 07000 374837, or email energy@gb.abb.com.<br />
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<i>If you would like to join our mailing list to receive marketing information on ABB products and services, please complete the form below. Your details are safe with us - we will not share your data with anyone outside of the ABB Group and its affiliates and you are free to opt-out at any time. </i><br />
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<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/abb-water-vision-uk-198bb1128" target="_blank">Dan Banks, water framework manager, ABB,</a> writes: Imagine losing a quarter of your production in a year – not through some freak accident or the vagaries of the weather but as a regular occurrence. A quarter of what you produce every year just drains into the ground.<br />
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Which industry could accept such losses? Or even survive them?<br />
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Yet that is what the water industry does each and every year. It sees much of its product - clean, potable water, each litre of which has gone through intense and expensive treatment - just leak away into the environment.<br />
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In fact, latest industry stats show a staggering 3,300 mega litres of water a day simply escapes – and that enormous figure has to be replaced, treated and pumped again to maintain supplies to customers.<br />
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The fact is that most leaks are not the spectaculars that stop traffic. Most are hidden from view, quietly releasing water. Hard to detect, they can leak thousands of litres before they are found and fixed.<br />
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Of course, water companies don’t stand idly by – they have targets to control leaks and make great efforts to meet them.<br />
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But can they be more effective in finding and stopping leaks, particularly the slow, hidden ones, or even prevent them all together?<br />
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The good news is yes, by using a <a href="https://new.abb.com/uk/campaigns/water-totex" target="_blank">variable speed drive</a> (VSD) to better regulate flow rate through pump systems – a technique that is already well known in the water industry.<br />
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The fact is many leaks are caused by pressures being too high. With old pipework, starting to corrode and with joints separating, it’s inevitable that leaks will occur.<br />
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Keeping pressures in check is easily achieved using VSDs. Drives control the speed of motors and thus pumps, meaning that mains pressure can also be easily controlled.<br />
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As VSDs have developed, they have become simple to operate and controlling water pressure could not be easier. For example, a system with 5 bar in the day could be automatically reduced to 3 bar at night simply by using the VSD to control the pump’s motor.<br />
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Of course, with reduced pressure comes reduced energy, cutting costs. And don’t forget the added bonus from not processing and pumping the same amount of water twice.<br />
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It’s clear that the water industry needs to improve leakage rates, but as the old saying goes, you cannot control what you cannot measure. This is where metering comes in. By measuring flow rates at night water companies can spot any unexpected continual increases in water consumption, which might suggest a burst or an undetected leak.<br />
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But the flow meters have to be highly accurate. Traditional mechanical meters simply can’t cut it when it comes to these small flows – by contrast, electromagnetic meters know when you’ve flushed the toilet.<br />
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As with any process, measurement and the ability to control what is processed is the secret to cutting costs – and with drives and accurate measurement tools, water companies have two powerful weapons in their fight against leaks.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896689377193858370.post-86704222227464603372017-09-28T17:51:00.002+01:002020-05-27T16:57:07.842+01:00Don’t believe everything you read<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5_NV8D42LV-rnzy8AICmppt0A722TxsvrNIjbHWjELt-ZTQ4MAizjM3ILtlMM5CGTJeXEyRgrUNXNuSC0wD3uvVRzuXyuwwpmad9OlCQxl2gLaAM-mpHE7oZBOjX6myL716Z_lV1JsgK/s1600/System+efficiency+150px.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="142" data-original-width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5_NV8D42LV-rnzy8AICmppt0A722TxsvrNIjbHWjELt-ZTQ4MAizjM3ILtlMM5CGTJeXEyRgrUNXNuSC0wD3uvVRzuXyuwwpmad9OlCQxl2gLaAM-mpHE7oZBOjX6myL716Z_lV1JsgK/s1600/System+efficiency+150px.png" /></a></div>
Martin Richardson, water framework manager – drives & controls, ABB Limited, writes:<br />
The individual efficiency for products such as electrical motors and variable speed drives is normally given at a fixed operating point. However, by their very nature, variable speed drive systems are changeable. So using the single nominal efficiency figure found in catalogues can be hugely misleading and will result in miscalculation of the system efficiency.<br />
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Furthermore, EN 50598-2 allows some flexibility with regard to how figures are calculated/measured and therefore are not always like for like.<br />
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Efficiency figures and published data must be put into context. Without context the data is not useful and has no meaning. We must understand the system and the context behind the values we are using before we can use them to make decisions.<br />
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To read something you can believe, visit ABB’s dedicated <a href="http://bit.ly/2nY06MJ" target="_blank">System Efficiency website</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKmAu0YmcarYRzz7H7sQ8tPNJlPiDPWaq8w5PR7UgyLTdoU4CmoexThGy3wX5xCJyGdRZOw-vBZkteSvvNBoLwx9XxMOO8RwtaQxkMwgSEwDKn12YX4RmBJagp0jLMxYK6pkgWmQ8zyR6/s1600/trunkie+576+px.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="576" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKmAu0YmcarYRzz7H7sQ8tPNJlPiDPWaq8w5PR7UgyLTdoU4CmoexThGy3wX5xCJyGdRZOw-vBZkteSvvNBoLwx9XxMOO8RwtaQxkMwgSEwDKn12YX4RmBJagp0jLMxYK6pkgWmQ8zyR6/s320/trunkie+576+px.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-guthrie-11188833" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">John Guthrie, Energy Efficiency Manager ABB</span></a>, writes: At this time of year it’s not unusual for most conversations to turn to travel plans for the summer. After all, for most of us, our summer holiday is something we look forward to, plan for and save up for all year. It’s a chance to escape the rat race, reconnect with family and friends, perhaps even “find yourself”, if that happens to be your thing.<br />
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Still, when it comes to departure day – it can be easy to wish you’d stayed at home. The travails of travelling – traffic jams, crowded airport departure lounges and the inevitable cancellations to name but a few - are enough to test anyone’s patience. And that’s if you’re travelling without children. Add a bored and tired infant into the mix and you’ve got a recipe for potential travel misery.<br />
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With this in mind, it’s not hard to see why the Trunki brand of ride-on suitcases for children has been such a huge hit with parents. Fans of TV show Dragon’s Den will be familiar with the range of wheeled, plastic suitcases that children can ride on as well as carry, as it was originally turned down by the Dragons when it was presented in 2006! Fast forward 20 years and those Dragons are no doubt still kicking themselves. Trunki cases have become de rigueur for discerning young travellers the world over, with over three million units reportedly sold each year.<br />
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With demand for Trunki cases continuing to rise, manufacturer <a href="http://magmamoulding.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Magma Moulding</span></a> was understandably keen to ensure production was as efficient as possible. The Plymouth-based manufacturer produces a wide variety of plastic moulded products for customers in the automotive, safety, consumer goods and military sectors. Among them are Trunki suitcases, of which it turns out 23,000 units a year.<br />
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The company called in authorised value provider <a href="http://www.apds.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">APDS</span></a>, which recommended installing an ABB <a href="http://new.abb.com/drives/low-voltage-ac/machinery" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">general machinery drive</span></a> on a moulding machines used to produce the cases. The drive saves energy by reducing the speed of the motor when the machine is off load. This has cut energy use by 74,250 kW/hrs annually – saving Magma Moulding £7,800 a year in energy costs.<br />
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Fancy a bit of holiday reading? <a href="http://www.abb.co.uk/cawp/seitp202/000e21b979027862c12580de0042731c.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Click here</span></a> for the full story.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-896689377193858370.post-13756654439337289472017-07-31T17:19:00.000+01:002020-05-27T16:57:57.108+01:00Get set to save<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SvJCe5u3MYXyNBcJdt4WFgbZzb6CeN7f47l5oIxMe2YxXOH-078vOFdIAnPBJTdVVVv0DYRuA5TmJewN8PHVITHPSTVIa7fiUs9KRVsmtNe2suU4KHpIFF8dAW3EMgJRoLGA6kSECRKg/s1600/Martin_Richardson_hi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1206" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SvJCe5u3MYXyNBcJdt4WFgbZzb6CeN7f47l5oIxMe2YxXOH-078vOFdIAnPBJTdVVVv0DYRuA5TmJewN8PHVITHPSTVIa7fiUs9KRVsmtNe2suU4KHpIFF8dAW3EMgJRoLGA6kSECRKg/s320/Martin_Richardson_hi.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
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Martin Richardson, ABB's Water Framework Manager, writes: With TOTEX playing such a large role in water companies’ thinking these days, it’s no wonder that they are relying more and more on variable speed drives, or VSDs. With their ability to run motors at the correct speed for the demand, they are a vital weapon in the battle to cut costs.<br />
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Yet, like any piece of equipment, it pays to set it up correctly if you want it to give you the best performance.<br />
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Take televisions in a shop – have you ever noticed that the images on some sets are sharper than others? Well, there’s a very simple reason: someone has taken the time – and had the know-how – to set it up properly.<br />
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It’s no different with a VSD. Install it correctly and update the parameter settings regularly and you stand the best chance of getting the optimum performance from your VSD throughout its life.<br />
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If a VSD isn’t set up properly from the start or the system changes, the pump it controls may not work as well as you might expect. Often, site engineers tinker with the set-up, making adjustments without a full understanding of how this can affect the overall system – as the saying goes, a little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing.<br />
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You need your VSD to have top reliability from day one, so leave the parameter settings to the vendor, or its authorised value provider, and ensure they are checked at least annually as part of a proactive maintenance schedule. <br />
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Getting properly set up from the start and keeping your VSD in order is a big step on the way to great savings.<br />
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To discover more ways to improve the reliability of pump systems, visit ABB’s dedicated <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://new.abb.com/uk/campaigns/water-totex/water-reliability" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">reliability webpage</span></a>.</span><br />
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To receive ABB’s latest water industry news direct to your inbox, <a href="http://web.abb-update.com/SignUpWater" target="_blank">click here</a><br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://campaign.abb.com/l/501021/2020-05-27/rcj18w" style="border: 0;" type="text/html" width="100%"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0