The Softstarter that Speaks Your Language

Introducing the exciting new PST/PST(B) Advanced Soft Starter from ABB. It offers you all the advanced functionality you would expect to get from any state-of-the-art soft starter. No doubt about that. But there is a completely new dimension as well:

PUSH-AND-PLAY

The PST is convenient as well as powerful. It is based on the same easy-to-use concept as a mobile telephone. Using the simple keypad (with only four buttons) you can communicate with it and get information back. And the PST speaks your own language (almost a dozen altogether). No messages in coded letters and figures. Just plain, easy-to-understand words.

The PST doesn’t only give you perfect protection and control. It also provides you with a perfect overview and perfect information. In other words, it’s the perfect choice when you want an advanced solution that takes care of all your needs. It limits the stress on your electrical network and all its components.

FULL INFORMATION

The PST range is a microprocessor based softstarter designed with the latest technology for soft start and soft stop of motors. The PST Softstarter has several advanced motor protection features as standard. The four button keypad and the logic structure of the menu make the installation, commissioning and operation easy. It is possible to choose between 13 different languages. The PST Softstarter can be used with or without a by-pass contactor except for the larger sizes PSTB370. PSTB1050 where the by-pass contactor is already built-in.

Description

• Wide main voltage range 208 – 690 V AC
• Wide supply voltage range 100 – 250 V, 50/60 Hz
• Current ratings 30 to 1050 A (In Line) and 52 … 1810 A (Inside Delta)
• Same unit can be used for both In Line and Inside Delta connection
• Premium adjustable Softstarter functions like start/stop ramp, kick
start, jog, step down voltage and sequential starts.
• Current limit adjustable between 2–7 x Ie
• Thermistor (PTC) supervision of motor winding
• Real time clock
• Logging of last 20 events with time marking
• Prepared for fieldbus communication
• Motor overload protection with simulated motor temperature from
measured current. Select between 10A, 10, 20 and 30
• Locked rotor protection
• Motor underload protection
• Phase imbalance protection
• Phase reversal protection
• Torque control
• Analog output

Camera Isolation Switch For Portable Devices

Fairchild Semiconductor has launched the FSA1211, a 12-port, single-pole, single-throw analogue switch that isolates the high-speed bus from parasitic components to maintain signal integrity. Smartphones feature dual cameras and as these cameras move to higher resolutions, parasitic components play a critical role in deteriorating signals and generating unwanted electromagnetic interference.

With a bandwidth in excess of 720MHz and high ESD (5.5 kV), the FSA1211 offers a way to isolate capacitance and maintain signal integrity for high-speed data paths. In addition, when isolating the unused parallel interface, the FSA1211 reduces the radiated EMI of the path, improving RF desense. The traditional parallel solution can deteriorate the signal due to the unwanted ’stub’, resulting in image degradation of the camera module. Another approach is to use three analogue switches, which complicates design and adds to the overall bill-of-material (BoM) costs.

In contrast, the FSA1211 offers robust isolation and ease of design at a lower cost. It complements Fairchild’s offering of switch products used in portable and consumer applications. These analogue, audio, video and USB switches are instrumental in minimising redundant circuitry, eliminating connectors, simplifying design and conserving space in designs.

Vicor Develops Vertically Mounted BCM Array

The Brick business unit of Vicor Corporation has announced the introduction of the VI Brick BCM Array. This is a high-efficiency (typically 95 per cent), high-power (up to 650W), vertically mounted BCM array, which provides isolation and conversion from 380V to 12V or 48V for low-voltage distribution near the point of load (POL). It incorporates the technical attributes of VI Chip technology in a robust package that facilitates thermal management.

It also combines a high-voltage bus converter with an integrated heat sink, simplifying thermal management and minimising board space. The VI Brick BCM Array is suitable for PFC front-end applications, providing the capability of a high-voltage bus with minimal distribution losses. This is a highly efficient solution for applications using POL and is available with 384V and 352V nominal input voltages and output voltages of 11VDC, 12VDC, 44VDC and 48VDC. The efficiency and compact size of these modules yields power density up to 290W/in3 and a fast transient response.

Models with an output power of up to 650W in a board space of less than 2in2 will also be available in a 1U high package. The vertical package orientation also provides better exposure of the heat sink to system airflow. The VI Brick BCM Array is suitable for server applications using a PFC front end requiring relatively high power levels with challenging thermal issues. The offline power can be bussed to the motherboard and converted to either 48V or 12V, which minimises distribution losses, reduces conversion steps, improves efficiency and lowers overall cost.

In addition, the fact that less capacitance is required for energy storage near the load returns further space and cost savings. These products can be used in a variety of applications that require high efficiency, high power density, improved thermal management, low noise, fast transient response and overall design flexibility. The 384V input modules are available from stock in sample size quantities. The standard lead time for higher quantities is four to six weeks.

Glowing Reports Of Safety Hook

Cablesafe, the S-shaped plastic hook for suspending cables during maintenance work, is now available in a new ‘glow-in-the-dark’ version. The hook is produced from the same glass-filled polyester resin, but a phosphoric master batch is added to the granulate.

The white hook that runs off the production line looks exactly the same as the previous model but the difference appears when it becomes dark. The phosphoric master batch will glow in the dark so that during any power failure the suspended cables will remain visible.

The advantages of a ‘night-glowing’ hook will be especially appreciated when working inside void spaces such as the legs of drilling rigs, submarines and storage tanks.

John Brash Supplies Western Red Cedar For School

John Brash’s Western Red Cedar Shingles were recently fitted by Old English Roofing onto timber cabins at Valence School, located near greenbelt land in the village of Westerham, Kent. The six new-build accommodation units will provide term-time boarding for 36 students at the LEA funded Special School, which caters for five to nineteen year olds with physical disability and mental needs.

John Brash, which is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and importers of timber products, supplied 1,200 bundles of Western Red Cedar Shingles for the project, as specified by Burn’s, Guthrie and Partners architectural firm. Following discussions with planners, it was decided that John Brash’s Western Red Cedar shingles would help the cabins blend in with the semi-woodland and rural environment and maintain the tranquil atmosphere of the site. The units were also clad in timber weatherboard, and the shingles perfectly complemented this exterior facade.

Old English Roofing is a well established roofing contractor with over 20 years’ experience. It offers a full range of services including work on all types of roof tiling, new roofs, soffits and fascias, roofing repairs and chimney work. The company has specialist roofers that are highly experienced installers of timber shingles. “We have an excellent relationship with John Brash and have fitted their Western Red Cedar shingles onto previous roofing contracts we have worked on”, said Floyd Courtnell, Director of Old English Roofing. “Our roofers enjoy working with shingles because they are easy-to-handle and lightweight”.

“They are also an environmental option, which makes them a sustainable choice for our customers.” He added: “This was a great project to be a part of and the natural look of the shingles really complements the accommodation units and the surrounding landscape.” Western Red Cedar weathers naturally over time to create a beautiful silvery grey colour. It has an excellent strength to weight ratio, requires minimum maintenance and provides good thermal performance. As timber is the only truly sustainable and renewable material, it helped Valance School meet the minimum requirement of BREEAM ‘very good’, which ensures that new-build educational buildings comply with strict environmental criteria.

All John Brash timber is sourced from renewable and environmentally well managed sources with most either Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or PEFC certified. The shingles used for this project were given extra protection with an FRT Exterior Fire Retardant Treatment (AA Rating) to ensure they complied with Part B Building Regulations. They were also given a preservative treatment that protects them against wood rotting fungi and insect attack for a minimum of 40 years. Christian Brash, Managing Director of John Brash, commented: “Our Western Red Cedar shingles have helped to create a warm, rich and textured appearance to the accommodation units at Valence School and really showcase the benefits of using timber”.

“Its natural and sustainable qualities are unmatched, which makes it a leading option for specifiers.” John Brash has been importing and manufacturing timber for over 100 years. The company supplies a wide range of sustainable timber building solutions including cladding, shingles and shakes, decking, roofing battens and carcassing.

Eaton Adds Three Valve Families To Vickers Range

Eaton Corporation has added three families of valves in the ISO-10 and ISO-08 size ranges to its Vickers product line. Intended for high-flow, high-pressure, heavy-duty applications on primary-metal production plants and for heavy industrial processes, the -10 size subplate-mounted valves feature pressure ratings up to 350bar (5,076psi). The -08 size stack valves are rated at 315bar (4,569psi).

Both the CG2V-10 and CG5V-10 are pilot-operated pressure relief valves intended for subplate mounting and are compliant with all major international port patterns, making them suitable for hydraulic systems worldwide (DIN, ISO, CETOP-RP and NFPA/ANSI). A key benefit, according to the company, is that the valves can be adjusted via a rotary knob, a hex head screw with a protective cap or a lockable rotary knob with a scale.

CG2V and CG5V valves provide pressure relief, but the CG5V also has a solenoid-actuated unloading function. Both are rated for flows up to 650lpm (172gpm). Colin Cooper, EMEA product manager of industrial products, said: ‘These valves will offer new and improved solutions for applications in primary-metal, metal-forming, oil-and-gas, marine and civil-engineering markets.’ The XCG2V-10 is a pilot-operated pressure-reducing valve controlled from the secondary circuit.

This valve is also intended for subplate mounting and complies with DIN, ISO, CETOP-RP and NFPA/ANSI port patterns. Available adjustment mechanisms include a rotary knob, a hex head screw and a protective cap and a lockable rotary knob. Maximum flow is 400lpm (106gpm). The DGMFN-H8 and DGMPC-H8 are ISO-08-sized stack valves for use in vertical assemblies.

The DGMPC-H8 is a pilot-operated check valve that provides a leak-free closure of one or both service ports on the stack. The DGMFN-H8 is a throttle valve with check capability. Maximum flow for the DGMFN-H8 is 350lpm (92gpm), while the DGMPC-H8 is 450lpm (119gpm).

OBS 105 Motion Sensor Has Two Incremental Outputs

TR Electronic has announced the release of the OBS 105, an industrial, non-contact motion sensor with incremental output. TR Electronic has announced the release of the OBS 105, an industrial, non-contact motion sensor with incremental output. The OBS 105 is a diverse sensor capable of detecting the slightest motion or movement without contact.

The sensor also incorporates two incremental outputs for measuring speed, distance, length or rpm. The 105 is designed as a non-contact, wear-free device incorporating a high-resolution camera sensor, allowing the sensor to have surface and colour independence. The sensor can detect motion and send two simultaneous incremental outputs for the X-axis and Y-axis.

The device is fully configurable with the Windows software package included with the sensor. The OBS is in a robust aluminium and black anodised housing and uses standard M12 connectors. Two switching outputs are also standard. The OBS was designed to provide motion detection for material flow detection in process automation. It has been proven in variety of industrial applications including packaging, food processing material handling, automotive and metal forming and fabrication.

Progressplus Supports Britannia Sheet Metals

Britannia Sheet Metals managing director, Tony Bladen, claims that production control software Progressplus from Berkeley Myles has played a key role in the development of the business. The Bolton-based manufacturer specialises in process laser cutting, bending and welding, supplying bespoke products in shutter and security doors, office furniture and display equipment for the retail industry.

Bladen used Progressplus in a previous general manager role, and implemented the system to help give him full production traceability, and the ability to efficiently manage his administrative processes. He said: ‘As a managing director of a small to medium enterprise employing five people, I am responsible for a number of areas of the business, including sales and manufacturing as well as general administration.

‘With so many MRP systems, they only do one job – whether it is purchase orders, invoicing, inventory or quality checking – and you usually find that they don’t link together very well. ‘Progressplus integrates all of your traceability requirements into one solution, from enquiry through to invoicing. ‘It streamlines all of my administration and gives me the capacity and ability to focus my efforts on other areas of the business.’ Bladen says that the system also gives him instant access to all his current and historical client and supply chain documentation.

‘Our files are automated and linked to Progressplus, and backed up offline,’ he said. ‘We have ready access to this information, which is great for the business in terms of time management. ‘It can also be very effective in client management. ‘If a client calls on the status of their order we can upload their file straight away, instead of having to run onto the shop floor to speak with the production manager. ‘It was also extremely effective recently, when we went through an external audit by our parent company; auditors were able to get their hands on relevant information quickly and effectively.’.

3M Improves Respirator Headcovers

3M has announced the S-Series range of soft headcovers and hoods for use with its powered and supplied air respirators, created to client specifications. The headcovers have been designed with fully integrated suspension. They are suitable for applications that require frequent replacement of the entire headtop assembly, such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, or in situations where there is a low level of soiling of the outer fabric.

The hoods can also be a highly cost-effective choice for some high disposal rate environments; just the soiled fabric is replaced, while the suspension and the air ducting can be reused. The hoods also have an externally adjustable airflow control that allows wearers to modify the airflow distribution to suit their individual needs. Jo Partridge, technical services manager for 3M’s occupational health and environmental services division, says: ‘Our customer feedback showed us that with most hoods and headcovers in general, there was an issue with whistling around the ears when the air was pumped in.

‘The improved airflow distribution for the hoods and sizing options for the headcovers minimises the problem, allowing better communication and comfort.’ Other benefits of the S-Series include: good field of vision, with reduced curvature for decreased reflections and glare; greater comfort – lightweight and loose-fitting; coverage of the head, or head, neck and shoulders, as well as eye and face protection to EN166 (liquid splash and low-energy impact); Assigned Protection Factor (APF) of 40.

The S-Series range can be worn over prescription eyewear and some limited facial hair. The headcovers are available in two sizes – small-to-medium and medium-to-large – and the use of computer modelling using worldwide sampling of head sizes means that the suspensions will comfortably fit most wearers. A guidance package has also been developed for each headtop and turbo combination, to show how regular checks and maintenance can help maintain protection levels, optimise the lifespan of the product and avoid the cost of early replacement. A maintenance and care folder will be sent out to all users who request it.

MRIM Moulding Process Creates Consoles

Solid State Logic has utilised Midas Pattern’s MRIM moulding process to help produce its range of Matrix consoles. Solid State Logic has been creating mixing consoles for professional recording studios since the early 1980s. The Oxfordshire-based business, which employs over 150 staff globally, has offices in the US, Europe and Asia. In order to target a different market, the company launched the Matrix range of consoles aimed at smaller studios, professional home studios and even the amateur musician.

The range would embody all of Solid State Logic’s traditional quality and high standards, but would be delivered in a smaller, more lightweight console that would be sold through a dealer network. Design of the console would be key to the success of the range. Steve Drummond, senior design engineer at Solid State Logic, said: ‘The new console had to be striking in appearance so that it would stand out from other similar products. ‘We also needed to minimise assembly times to keep manufacture of the consoles cost effective,’ he added. Therefore, Drummond and his team at Solid State Logic realised that the actual design of the Matrix console’s casing would need to be a major consideration, developing the electronics and casing hand-in-hand, as opposed to developing the equipment’s functionality and then trying to wrap a case around it.

Having already worked with Midas Pattern on the revamp of other products, Solid State Logic knew the capability of the company’s MRIM moulding process. Solid State Logic’s product team began the Matrix project by agreeing the functionality of the equipment and then creating a 2D image of the console’s proposed front panel, plus a block diagram of the electronic circuitry required. At this point, Midas Pattern began to input its expertise. Drummond said: ‘The team at Midas Pattern talked us through the moulding process and explained what it was capable of. ‘This gave our designers a better understanding of what was possible in terms of the housing the electronics and mechanics, as well as what could be done to make the assembly of the unit easier,’ he added.

The next stage for Solid State Logic was to finalise the electronic and software requirements of the Matrix console, and then create a full-sized cardboard mock-up of the equipment to provide all the designers and developers with an idea of its scale. Once the mock-up was completed, a mechanical designer began work on the actual console case, producing 3D designs that would ultimately be used by Midas Pattern to make the moulding. Drummond explains: ‘The big advantage of using a 3D drawing package is the ability to render the moulding in such a way that it can be seen from every side and every angle. ‘We were able to present a 3D design of the finished console to all the decision makers, so they could see what the end product would look like and approve it before we moved to the moulding stage,’ he added.

The 3D design also gave the development team the opportunity to produce a casing that would make the console easy to assemble, which was a key requirement in the original product specifications, as well as building in design features that would make it easier to use. For example, recessing the faders down into the console so that musicians could place keyboards on top of the unit, and ensuring no screw heads were visible. For Drummond, the 3D imaging, as well as the flexibility of the moulding process, also meant Solid State Logic could fulfil its brief to make the Matrix eye-catching. ‘The MRIM Moulding process gave us a lot of opportunity to focus on the styling, so the Matrix has a lot of nice curves and radii and moulded recesses for displaying monitors,’ said Drummond.

The 3D design was handed over to Midas Pattern and the 10-week process to create the moulding began, with the company working closely with Solid State Logic throughout. Drummond says Solid State Logic decided to have a machined mould made first before giving the final go-ahead for the production mould. ‘We wanted to be confident that the casing actually fitted the electronic and mechanical components, and we also wanted to be certain that we were happy with the aesthetics,’ he added. Solid State Logic was happy with the machined version of the mould and, save for some minor tweaking in the internal layout to improve the assembly process further, the casing was ready to go into production.

A short run of 10 consoles was produced for beta testing before starting full production of 10 consoles a week. In just less than 12 months from the original decision to create the new product, the first Matrix consoles were rolling off the production line.