2nd Quarter 2012Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Using Siemens technology, the world’s first solar ski lift is being operated in Tenna, in the Swiss Canton of Grisons. The Skilift Tenna (GST) co-operative opted for technology from Siemens Industry Automation Division to modernise its drag-lift. Since its commissioning in late 2011, the solar ski lift has produced three times more solar power than that required to operate it and has doubled the number of people it can transport.
The 460 metre long drag-lift is located at an altitude of 1644 metres in the holiday resort of Tenna and required refurbishing after 40 years in operation. To achieve this, GST opted for a combination of a photovoltaic system and automation.
The newly installed photovoltaic equipment associated with the drag-lift is based on a solar wing system, whereby 82 photovoltaic modules forming so-called solar wings are hung between position of the sun. The system produces a total power of about 90 000 kWh a year, two thirds of which are fed back into the grid at market prices, using Sinvert PVM string inverters. The drag-lift’s operation involves a significant number of automation components. A Simatic S7 programmable logic controller, enhanced with a fail-safe CPU and ET 200S modules, control the ski lift‘s movements. The refurbishment made it possible to double the hourly transport capacity to 800 persons. The exchange of data between the lift’s mountain and valley stations is also based on Siemens technology, using an IM 151-3 interface module from the ET 200S distributed peripherals range. The entire ski lift system is operated using a Simatic Touch Panel.
Process control system for the entire plant lifecycle Siemens South Africa
Editor's Choice
The automation of process plants has been characterised by IT silos for a long time. The high level of IT security required was achieved through strict isolation from the outside world. However, this made unlocking the opportunities for digitalisation very difficult. This is a compelling reason to opt for Simatic PCS neo – Siemens’s completely web-based process control system with state-of-the-art IT security concepts.
Read more...Understanding standby, prime and continuous gensets WEG Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The increasing reliance of South African businesses on generator sets to mitigate power disruptions highlights a crucial need for proper selection based on specific operational demands. Despite their growing usage, there is still widespread confusion about how to choose the appropriate genset, often leading to inefficient and costly decisions.
Read more...PC-based control for advanced hydrogen storage technology Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The proportion of renewable energies from solar, wind and water is rising continuously. However, sufficient storage options are of the essence to use these energies as efficiently as possible. GKN Hydrogen offers a particularly compact and safe option, low-pressure metal hydride hydrogen storage systems with PC-based control from Beckhoff.
Read more...Axiom reaches new heights Axiom Hydraulics
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
When Rula Bulk Handling could not source a cable tensioner large enough for a new cableway, the engineers knew they had to come up with an inventive solution. After discovering that no such tensioner was immediately available, Rula approached Axiom Hydraulics and ifm to assist with building their own.
Read more...Local range of planetary units SEW-EURODRIVE
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
s SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa actively extends its offerings to customers, the SEW PPK and SEW P2.e industrial gearbox ranges are good examples of solutions that are well suited to the local business environment.
Read more...At least 60 million strokes Horne Technologies
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Designing and constructing compact automation systems is one of the core activities of the Austrian machine manufacturer, STIWA. Its modular LTM-CI system has been optimised for small parts assembly. Linear and rotating micromotors from Faulhaber perform key tasks in these systems.
Read more...Innovative five-axis laser precession scanner
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Motion control specialist, Aerotech has launched the AGV5D, an innovative five-axis laser precession scanner specially developed for laser micromachining. This makes it possible to create high-precision bores, contoured slots and other complex geometries with dimensional tolerances in the sub-micrometre range.
Read more...Minetruck with electric drivetrain combines power and innovation
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The new Minetruck MT66 S eDrive is the first of Epiroc’s large-capacity mine trucks to feature the latest generation electric drivetrain. Along with an upgraded and powerful diesel engine, the hauler combines the cost-effectiveness of a traditional mine truck with the productivity of an electric one, without requiring changes to a mine’s infrastructure.
Read more...Modular hydraulic control blocks for brake actuation
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Electrohydraulic brake release valves are exposed to extreme loads, and can become uncontrollable in the event of a power failure. The experts at WEBER-HYDRAULIK GMBH have developed a practical, modular solution that ensures the safety of construction machinery, and is also suitable for a wide range of other vehicles with hydrostatic drive systems.
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