Hero Of War (Live) By Dan DeMars and Brian Jacobs

Hero Of War (Live) By Dan DeMars and Brian Jacobs Video Clips. Duration : 4.30 Mins.

A beautiful song performed by myself and an extremely talented singer by the name of Brian Jacobs at Coventry High Schools Chamber Concert. Senior Class of 2010.....enjoy :]

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GE Fanuc Unveils Proficy Workflow For Smartgrid

GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms has announced its work process management software enabled for use by utilities for Smartgrid solutions. With Proficy Workflow, utilities can digitise and orchestrate work processes to achieve coordinated, efficient and reliable power delivery. Proficy Workflow, in conjunction with a Service Oriented Architecture such as Proficy SOA, can orchestrate processes across systems and people, triggering automatic and manual actions based on real-time events - which support the three key Smartgrid functions of delivery optimisation, demand optimisation and asset optimisation.

'Every utility contains a mix of automated and manual interactions between equipment and personnel,' said Greg Millinger, product general manager for Proficy Workflow and Proficy SOA for GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms. 'Often, these processes are not fully documented and include extra steps and resources. 'As such, they are difficult to adapt to changing needs, which challenges the industry in the journey toward the Smartgrid. 'As workforces age and retire, utilities are losing the knowledge that is gained from years of experience - as the information has not been captured electronically and put into formal processes,' he added.

To help avoid potential failures in the grid, Proficy Workflow can provide response, automatic recovery scenarios and improved 'pre-warning' systems of potential distribution problems. The system guides operators through step-by-step instructions to ensure actions comply with defined processes - with validated entry. Users can capture both automated and manual data entry, and digitise and enforce compliance with policy manuals and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Teams can react immediately to alarms and process exceptions with best practice corrective action and exception management. Utilities can automatically and dynamically respond to process problems and events, monitoring alarms and out-of-spec conditions from multiple systems. Proficy Workflow can send tasks to people or systems to correct for problems in real time and escalate as needed.

Utilities can minimise nuisance alarms and take proper action on critical alarms. Proficy Workflow also helps with the employee attrition facing utilities and loss of expert knowledge and processes. With Proficy Workflow, utilities can implement Troubleshooting Trees to walk people through potential problems to determine root cause and solution, therefore increasing uptime and reliability. Troubleshooting Trees can help with repair of equipment as well as in-process coordination.

In addition, utilities can capture the knowledge base of expert workers due to retire, reducing effects of attrition. Proficy Workflow allows utilities to provide new operators with instructionally sound training and the ability to practice operations tasks and SOPs before actually operating equipment. Proficy Workflow can orchestrate the exchange of real-time data across the existing utility systems software and hardware infrastructure including HMI/Scada. The solution decreases costs associated with low-level systems integration and reduces downtime by simplifying data orchestration.

For example, seamless integration of information from a Scada system on top of a wind farm into a Scada system of a larger utility may help determine short-term generation capacity while the transformer temperature profile can concurrently be leveraged by the maintenance management system. 'With Proficy Workflow, utilities can improve response to real-time events - as an example, taking an automatic corrective action to overcome a cascading failure or automatically reducing loads over time,' said Millinger. 'Operations experts have the opportunity to quickly create, deploy and modify work processes for greater agility and improved performance - without requiring IT resources or support - to make every operator an expert,' he added.

Chomerics Unveils Therm-A-Gap T652 Gap Filler

Chomerics Europe, a division of Parker Hannifin, has introduced a thermally conductive dispensable gap filler that results in much lower stress being exerted on delicate components. Therm-A-Gap T652 is a fully cured, single-component material suitable for filling variable gaps between multiple components and a common heatsink. It has a high thermal conductivity of 3W/m-k and an operating temperature range of -50C to +150C, making it suitable for use in harsh environments.

Typical applications include automotive ECUs, electrical drives, light-emitting-diode (LED) modules and power semiconductors. The material is highly conformable at low assembly pressures and is suitable for providing a thermally efficient filler for gaps of between 0.2mm and 4mm. For applications that require electrical isolation between mating components, Chomerics Europe supplies a version of the material that incorporates 0.25mm-diameter glass beads that create a compression stop.

Therm-A-Gap T652 is RoHS compliant and has a shelf life of 18 months, with no settling in storage. The material can be applied manually using a syringe or via automated processes. Various package sizes that suit either high- or low-volume requirements range from 10cc syringes to 5kg (one gallon) pails.

Fluid Metering Unveils Smooth-Flo PDS100 System

Fluid Metering has introduced the Smooth-flo PDS100 valveless dispensing and metering system that uses dual fluid metering pumps synchronised to eliminate pulsation. Pump heads are integrally mounted to the control unit, which includes stepper motors, drivers and programmable electronics, housed in a rugged anodised aluminium enclosure.

The Smooth-flo is menu driven and uses front-panel membrane switches and a large LCD display for programming. The system features pulse-free fluid delivery down to 15uL/min continuous flow. The precision dual-stepper-controlled pumpheads are factory calibrated to the user's flow range. The Smooth-flo PDS100 system offers RS485, 4-20mA, a 0-5V and 0-10V electronic control interface for connection to process sensors and PLC and PC control systems.

The rugged anodised aluminium enclosure is suitable for wall-mounting or bench-top installation in the laboratory or production areas. The system includes tubing, fittings and configuration instructions for Smooth-flo PDS100 system operation. The universal power input operates on 100-240VAC 50/6.

Flow Technology Unveils FT/DF Turbine Flowmeter

Flow Technology, a manufacturer of precision flow-measurement instruments, systems and calibrators, has introduced the FT/DF (diesel-fuel) turbine flowmeter system. The system is said to provide accurate measurements of diesel-fuel consumption in a range of industrial applications. End users employ fuel flowmeters to monitor diesel-fuel consumption in the automotive, marine, aerospace and power-generation industries.

For example, mining companies utilising diesel generators to power their operations require the accurate monitoring of diesel-fuel usage to ensure the efficiency and reliability of the generators. Flowmeters used in this application must be able to withstand extreme temperature swings in the installation environment. Pairing Flow Technology's FT Series turbine meter with the Linearlink temperature-compensated interface (TCI), the FT/DF system can accurately measure diesel fuel at temperatures as low as -50F.

The turbine flowmeter incorporates 'fail-open' technology, meaning that, in the event of a malfunction, fuel continues to be fed to the generator, ensuring that there is no interruption of power to the industrial operation. The FT Series turbine flowmeter relies on a proven flow-measurement technique to provide accurate and reliable digital outputs. As a result of its versatility, the FT meter is suitable for a variety of liquid and gas flow sensing applications.

The Linearlink TCI represents a sophisticated electronics platform for flowmeter linearisation and viscosity correction, according to the company. It is said to provide improvements in flow meter accuracy, even under extreme temperature conditions.

Festo Unveils MS6-SV Soft-Start And Exhaust Valve

Festo has launched an electrically operated pneumatic soft-start and exhaust valve that offers safer start-up and the quick, reliable venting of compressed-air supplies in the event of an emergency. The company claims that the MS6-SV provides machine builders with a compact, all-in-one solution for maximising the safety of automation systems. It is fully compliant with the EN ISO 13849-1 standard on machinery safety and is certified to categories 3 and 4.

EN ISO 13849-1 will replace the existing EN 954-1 safety standard on 30 November 2009 and forms part of the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, which will become mandatory at the end of 2009. The valve is intended to help designers and machine builders address some of the key issues in the directive, including meantime to (dangerous) failure, self diagnostics, common cause failure protection and external validation and certification. Festo's MS6-SV valve provides a three-/two-way function and features fast venting - it has an exhaust flow rate of 6,000 litres per minute, which is one-and-a-half times its standard maximum operational flow rate - making it suitable for implementing 'emergency-stop' functions in safety-critical system areas.

The MS6-SV soft-start and exhaust valve is described as a high-reliability, self-testing mechatronic component with built-in safety redundancy; the design incorporates parallel valves to ensure the failsafe exhaust of the system, even in the event of one of the valves developing a fault.

Fully integrated sensors continuously monitor the physical position of the valve components to confirm the valve's condition and status, while built-in self-test facilities automatically check the safety functions at system power-up and every hour thereafter. Overall system safety is further enhanced by the MS6-SV's soft-start function, whereby the gradual - and adjustable - pressurisation of the system ensures that pre-exhausted actuators move steadily to their start positions without shocks or impacts that could damage machinery or operators.

All MS6-SV valves feature an integral light-emitting-diode (LED) status display for local condition monitoring, diagnostics and troubleshooting. The company claims that configuration options include an easy-to-read built-in pressure gauge and an exhaust silencer, which is a safety device in its own right.

The silencer features a labyrinth design with a minimum internal bore size of 4mm to preserve airflow even in the presence of heavy contamination. The MS6-SV valves can be optimally combined with the company's complete MS range of configurable air service and preparation units to create ready-assembled and -tested, fully EN ISO 13849-1-compliant, compressed-air safety systems.

Gefran Unveils GF_Vedo Range Of Operator Panels

Gefran has introduced GF_Vedo high-performance touch-screen operator panels, which provide economical and complete HMI and machine control for medium- to high-complexity automation applications. Available in 6.5in, 10.4in, 12.1in and 15in displays, all feature the Gefran Automation Builder (GAB), a single programming environment that seamlessly combines PLC and Scada graphic page display programming, and a full complement of Fieldbus expansion and peripheral ports.

Depending on the colour display size, the graphics resolutions available are 640 x 480 (VGA), 800 x 600 (SVGA) or 1,024 x 768 (XVGA). Smaller models are available as touch-screen display only or with an integral tactile keypad for additional functionality. The rugged and durable range is based on 32-bit processors with a choice of RAM and solid-state DiskOn-Module (DOM) general-purpose memory, according to the company. With no conventional hard drives and no requirement for cooling fans, the GF_Vedo range has no moving parts and is suitable for harsh and high-vibration environments.

Faceplate protection is to IP65 and the operating temperature range is 0C to +50C. Fieldbus interfacing connectivity options include CANopen, Modbus RTU and Modbus TCP, with fixed peripheral ports for 2x Ethernet 10/100 Base-T, RS485, 2x USB, PS2 and mouse. The operator panels can also be used in conjunction with Gefran's USB-connected TF32 keyboards, which provide additional Fieldbus interconnectivity, digital inputs, input key and light-emitting-diode (LED) functions, thus expanding the application potential of the GF_Vedo.

GAB is a single programming environment that seamlessly combines OpenPCS PLC programming, based on the universal IEC61131-3 language, and Scada graphic page display using Java-based Visual designer software. It helps to ensure lower development and maintenance costs with high levels of application reliability and security.

For complete application flexibility, the GF_Vedo range can include alternative operating systems such as Windows XP Embedded or Vxworks, as well as preloaded and ready-to-run applications such as GF_Pack software for plastics extrusion and injection moulding, which can be supplied as a part of complete plastics industry machine control solutions, including Gefran's temperature, process and motion controls. The complete GF_Vedo range also includes 3.5in and 5.7in combined HMIs and PLCs with PLC expansion via a built-in Gilogik Bus for use with a selection of analogue and digital input/output (I/O) modules, temperature modules and counter modules.

Seaward Unveils High-Voltage Test Range

Seaward Electronic has announced a range of high-voltage test equipment. The range is designed for the safe and practical detection of voltages on electrical systems in the power generation and distribution, rail network, petrochemical, and electrical service and maintenance industries. The high-voltage safety testing equipment available includes neon and digital voltage indicators, safe discharge units, neon and digital phasing equipment, insulator leakage detectors and current clamps.

The KDIE high-voltage indicators include neon and digital systems to confirm the presence of voltage on earthed neutral electrical circuits up to 33kV. These are supported by a range of high-voltage phasing rods that enable phase comparisons to be made at the point of paralleling two circuits, without the interposition of voltage transformers or secondary wiring circuits. A neon-type instrument is available for use on circuits up to 11.5kV, and digital versions are available for use on systems of up to 15kV and 33kV.

The range of HV indicators and phasing units is supported by a hook ammeter for accurately measuring current flow on overhead power lines, and a large jaw clamp meter for the measurement of current flow through large conductors. In addition to the standard range of test equipment, specialist testers are available for the safe discharge of stored energy in large capacitors and electrically charged equipment. A dedicated airfield ground lighting voltage detector has also been introduced, for proving dead-on AGL systems up to 5kV.

All high-voltage test and measurement equipment in the Seaward range complies with international safety standards and is manufactured in accordance with IEC 61243. As well as specialist carrying cases, a range of accessories is available in support of the main high-voltage test instruments. These comprise proving units, battery chargers, overhead line extensions and bend-end adaptors for specialist switchgear locations.

Enersys Unveils High-Frequency Charger

Enersys has introduced the Powertech IQ high-frequency (HF) charger that offers high efficiency and wireless communication. Designed to facilitate lower electricity costs through improved efficiency and a lower charging factor, Powertech IQ chargers are fully programmable. Powertech IQ HF chargers have a real-time clock that allows charging operations to be programmed exactly to take into account off-peak electricity tariffs.

Equalisation charge can be started when convenient and real dates are programmed for each event. Wireless communication between the charger and battery is enabled by a WI-IQ wireless battery monitor fitted to the main DC cable of the battery. Information on charge, temperature and voltage can be uploaded wirelessly to a PC for data analysis. A USB port is positioned on the front panel of the Powertech IQ charger for data upload and download.

An Ethernet port to provide remote diagnostics is available as an option to enable remote management of a charger fleet, and when connected to a network provides access to charging management on a global scale. Charge level is indicated by colour-changing display panels and the charger menu can be programmed by the user. Automatic charge optimisation is made by the charger according to the battery's temperature, capacity and technology. This occurs throughout the charge period to compensate for any current loss in the DC cables. The wide LCD display delivers real-time information on the charging process and events.

Five different coloured backlights indicate the different states of charge or function. The Powertech IQ charger will even interrupt the charge if excessive temperatures occur and charge will not commence if a defined percentage discharge is not reached. Enersys has engineered improved safety into Powertech IQ chargers by providing arc-less connection and disconnection. This range of smart HF chargers combines all the existing features of HF technology as well as new features and a compact wall-mounted design to save floor space.

LG Unveils Manual & Motorised Rotary Stages

LG Motion has launched a range of manual and motorised rotary stages for precision positioning applications with standard accuracy to 0.1deg and loads up to 500kg. The LGR range covers five models with nominal outside diameter from 82mm to 250mm and a clear aperture (to 110mm diameter on the largest model) to take care of electrical wiring, beamlines or mounted equipment such as optical components and slip ring assemblies.

The smaller LGR0300 and 0400 stages include fine handwheel driven adjustment with a vernier scale for a positioning resolution to within six arc-min and loads up to 5kg. A clamping device is available to lock the turntable. The low-profile aluminium design is supplied with a durable black anodised finish with a selection of base and tabletop M4 or M5 tapped interfacing holes. The LGR1000, 2000 and 3000 series rotary tables are available in a choice of handwheel driven and motorised versions with nominal outside diameters of 88mm, 132mm and 250mm and direct load capacity of 10kg, 50kg and 500kg.

Each model includes a standard positioning accuracy to <0.1deg and repeatability to <0.01deg. Stepper motors or brushed/brushless servo motor drives with optional high-resolution encoders are available along with an inductive datum sensor. The durable design includes a high-specification main bearing and thrust race combined with a smooth 90:1 ratio precision worm and wheel assembly.

Customisation options include directly mounted encoders, hard stops, work holding fixtures and other specialised components. All stages are available with adapter plates for use in multi-axis setups with other rotary stages, or with LG Motion's range of linear positioning stages. LG Motion supports the range with a selection of motion control and drive technologies.

Rotork Unveils Rompak Electric Actuators

Rotork has introduced the Rompak range of electric actuators to offer the marine industry a lightweight solution for the operation of quarter-turn valves and dampers. The range is designed to enable shipboard valve functions to be set-up, controlled and monitored with the same degree of accuracy and flexibility as the most up-to-date process systems.

The Rompak actuators retain all the mechanical benefits of the original Rotork Rom design, including self-locking gears, manual override, externally adjustable mechanical stops, a wide range of mains power options and an IP67 watertight enclosure. The Rompak actuator adds a self-contained control package with local controls and status indication relays and the option of Rotork Folomatic positional control, current position transmitter, integral data logger, non-intrusive configuration with a Bluetooth wireless interface and digital bus network connectivity.

Network connectivity, which includes Rotork's dedicated Pakscan and the Profibus, Modbus and Foundation fieldbus open protocols, is also configured by Bluetooth, as is the recovery of historical operating data from the data logger for valve diagnostics and maintenance planning. The three actuator sizes in the Rompak range provide operating torques from 35 to 650Nm and are suitable for ambient temperatures of -5 to +60C. In addition to new installations, the actuators can be retrofit to existing valves using Rotork's Site Services organisation.

Noax Unveils Electrically Isolated Plug-In Module

Noax Technologies has added an electrically isolated RS 232 plug-in module to its range of industrial PCs. With the module, port data is transferred using a powerful data coupler instead of a direct electrical connection. The electrical connections between the Noax industrial PC and the peripheral devices that are connected to the port are isolated in order to ensure that all components are effectively protected from interference voltages.

With this development, the IPC specialists from Germany are targeting industrial machine control applications. Under certain adverse conditions (for example, with poor power supply systems, neutral reference levels or high differences in potential), the RS 232 connection may transfer unwanted currents between the machine and the industrial computer. The damage caused may range from disruption of the data transfer to hardware failure.

Noax said that this electrically isolated port module guarantees a high level of reliability for data transfer as well as effective protection against damage to computer hardware, even under the most hostile electrical conditions. In Noax industrial PCs, standard RS 232 ports are simply replaced by the new electrically isolated plug-in modules. The module is either replaced at the factory or on site.

The RS 232 plug-in module can be installed in all Noax industrial PCs with the N6 or N8 series all-in-one motherboard. The module is not an additional plug-in card, it replaces the standard port on the IPC.

All slots remain open for use. This allows users to run applications for which all of the slots on the industrial PC are needed for machine interfaces and to connect additional peripheral devices. No cables are required and special plugs establish a solid connection between the port plug-in module and the Noax all-in-one motherboard. This way, the port and industrial PC are also able to handle the extreme impact loads and constant vibrations present in industrial environments.

Hi-Line Unveils Compressed Air Filter Units

A range of compressed air filter units from Hi-line has been designed for the removal of oil, water, particulates and gaseous aerosols from compressed air systems. The die-cast filter housings are produced from high-grade aluminium with external and internal surfaces being alu-chrome treated. They are also subject to a tough epoxy baked-on paint finish in 'compressed air blue' - RAL 5015.

These treatments are designed to provide long-term protection, even when subject to the harshest operation conditions, ensuring a long service lifetime. Optional electronic or pneumatic differential pressure gauges can be fitted as required. The oil/water condensate is removed via a highly efficient robust brass drain assembly with the built-in capability to attach a 6mm dia nylon condensate discharge line.

The filtration elements use pleated filter media that combines maximum efficiency with very low differential pressure drop. They are available in several grades to accommodate particle removal down to five micron or three microns in size, with oil removal at 0.5 micron or 0.01 micron levels.

These elements provide impressive filtration efficiencies from 99.99 per cent to 99.99999 per cent with a further grade being specific to oil/aerosol removal down to 0.003mg/m utilising activated carbon technology. These figures are for operation at seven bar pressure and 20C, while all elements are validated and ensure high quality of compressed air to the ISO 8573.1 standard.

To comply with requests from distributors and agents, Hi-line has used standard connection technology between filter elements and housings. This ensures versatility and choice for end users, who would not therefore be locked-in to any supplier for consumable spares. The threaded aluminium housings are available with port connection sizes from 1/2in to 4in BSP, offering flow rates from 42 to 3672Nm/h.

TURCK Unveils Motor Starter Economy Modules

TURCK has developed the BL20 motor starter economy module, which uses Swire technology to provide a daisy-chain connection from a single I/O slice to each motor starter via a ribbon cable. 'Swire technology provides plug-and-play connection, eliminating the labour required to hardwire motor starters to digital output points and auxiliary contacts back to digital inputs. 'By using this connection technology, it is now possible to control up to 48 motor starters on a single fieldbus node,' said Nick Clute, product specialist with TURCK's network and interface division.

TURCK BL20 Motor Starter Module allows three-phase motor control to be connected to the same rack as standard I/O. In addition, with the Swire connection, motor starters can be mounted on separate DIN-rails within the same panel - pairing the flexibility of standard motor starters with the advantages of fieldbus control. 'When motor starters are on a fieldbus, the benefit is that they can be located close to the motor they are controlling,' Clute added.

The BL20 motor starter module is available in sizes ranging from .08 to 20hp, direct and reversing, for use on Devicenet, Profibus, CANopen, Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP/IP networks with both standard and programmable gateways. Trip indication may also be added to any motor starter. The BL20 motor starter module complies with industrial switchgears standards IEC/EN 60947-4-1 and carries an IP20 environmental protection rating. It consists of a gateway, base modules and electronic modules.

I/O modules are configured independently from the Fieldbus protocol, and up to 72 I/O modules may be connected to a gateway, allowing systems including up to 1,152 digital I/O points or 288 analogue channels. All BL20 gateways are compatible with Turck's I/Oassistant software package, developed to perform initial configuration, parameter setup, documentation, commissioning and diagnostic functions for on/offline usage. I/Oassistant verifies that all power and size restrictions are met.