by Gary Mintchell | Mar 16, 2015 | Asset Performance Management, Internet of Things, Process Control, Technology
Jim Cahill recently wrote about the Emerson Process Management take on the Internet of Things discussion. His report was about a presentation by Charlie Peters at the 2015 Investor Conference. I find it interesting that there is sufficient publicity behind the IoT discussion to bring it up to investors.
Many people strive to define what is included in an Internet of Things technology discussion. Peters’ list hits just about everything. “Ubiquitous connectivity, accessible costs/capacity and powerful & friendly tools. Smart phones, tablets, cellular and wi-fi communications expand connectivity tremendously. Sensors, data storage and computation power lower costs and access. And social networks, big data and prognostics make tools more friendly, intuitive and more valuable to use.”
Why do we care? What applications would be affected (or maybe already are affected)? Peters sees, “monitoring, infrastructure management, intelligent manufacturing and production, energy efficiency and improved environmental performance and compliance.”
I especially appreciate his discussion of implications from possibilities and challenges—increased digital and cloud infrastructure, more intelligent products, enriched business models, and enhanced digital customer models.
In Emerson Process Management president Steve Sonnenberg‘s portion of the presentation, he highlighted an example of new business models being created with these technologies and services—a steam management operation on Jurong Island in Singapore. Thousands of acoustic wireless devices are being installed to monitor steam traps which are being remotely monitored by Emerson experts to instantly spot energy losses and avoid wasting energy. This results in large energy savings and reduced carbon dioxide emissions.
I think we have been designing and installing “Internet of Things” technologies for years in manufacturing. The consumer world of connected mobile phones, thermostats, and now watches has served to popularize the term. Regardless, as both suppliers and their customers learn to design new business models to exploit the technology, we will witness another surge of productivity and profitability in manufacturing.
by Gary Mintchell | Feb 3, 2015 | Automation, Data Management, News, Operations Management, Technology
Here is a product release in the area of critical asset management. Prediction data is becoming more prevalent and critical in high performing production plants.
Emerson Process Management has expanded the protection of critical assets to include basic prediction capabilities with only minimal time and wiring investments. These basic prediction capabilities for the CSI 6500 protection system are available in the recently released version 5.61 of AMS Suite: Machinery Health Manager.
Using an Ethernet connection from the CSI 6500, users receive periodic parameter trends and spectrum/waveform data delivered on specific intervals. This data is particularly useful for determining the health of sleeve bearings on turbo machinery. This automated process for acquiring prediction data eliminates the need to connect to buffered outputs on the protection system and reduces the risk of inadvertently causing a machine trip.
In addition, waveform data from the CSI 6500 is now incorporated onto the circular polar plots available in AMS Machinery Manager v5.61, facilitating diagnosis of developing valve faults in reciprocating compressors.
“Expanding the capabilities in our technology is just one way Emerson offers additional value to our users,” said Nathan Pettus, vice president of Emerson’s Reliability Solutions business. “Emerson is committed to developing customer solutions that capture more of the right data, and delivering it in a way that allows users to make real-time, quality decisions on how to operate their assets.”
Emerson’s AMS Machinery Manager integrates data from route-based, online, and wireless vibration solutions as well as third-party oil and infrared analysis data to provide a complete picture of machinery health.
by Gary Mintchell | Dec 22, 2014 | Automation, News, Organizations, Process Control
Here we are at the end of 2014 and we see continuing evidence of the business trend in the industrial process control industry—consolidation.
Emerson announced Dec. 22 that it has acquired Stirling, Scotland-based Cascade Technologies Ltd., a leading manufacturer of gas analyzers and monitoring systems using Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) technology. This innovative technology measures multiple gases simultaneously, helping companies improve industrial emissions monitoring, production efficiencies and environmental compliance.
Emerson is expanding its analytical measurement capabilities by adding this innovative laser technology to its Rosemount Analytical gas analysis portfolio. QCL technology provides a step change in gas analyzer performance through its increased sensitivity, speed of response, and fingerprinting capability. These technology advancements in the gas analysis market space provide a powerful solution for customers in various industries such as petrochemical, food and beverage, marine, automotive and pharmaceutical. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
“The acquisition of Cascade Technologies is an exciting step as we further strengthen our gas analysis portfolio,” said Tom Moser, group vice president of Emerson Process Management’s measurement and analytical businesses. “Our customers depend upon Emerson to solve their toughest analytical measurement problems. We are now better positioned to serve that need.”
Dr. Iain Howieson, chief executive officer of Cascade Technologies Ltd., added, “Joining a global leader like Emerson represents an incredible opportunity for business growth. Emerson’s global presence and market leadership will have an immediate impact on the adoption of cutting edge QCL gas analyzers and monitoring systems.”
by Gary Mintchell | Dec 19, 2014 | Automation, Networking, Operations Management, Technology, Wireless
Wireless sensor network pioneer, Emerson Process Management, also recognizes the need for customers to manage the growing proliferation of wireless networks within a facility.
It has introduced the Smart Wireless Navigator, a new software platform that enables users with large wireless deployments to maximize the power of their wireless networks. The Navigator brings together Smart Wireless tools for planning, managing, and maintaining networks. Valuable wireless network and device diagnostics and data are organized in an intuitive interface, along with the wireless tools, to streamline the Smart Wireless experience.
“Wireless technology is as scalable as it is powerful,” commented Bob Karschnia, vice president of wireless at Emerson. “As users’ facilities grow, they are expanding to installations of multiple wireless networks managed by different groups.”
The Smart Wireless Navigator helps users effortlessly manage their expanding wireless infrastructure and get the most value from their networks. A single software platform design makes it easier for users with large deployments of wireless to manage their networks across functional groups, delivering actionable information to the people who need it.
“To maximize value, facilities also needed a central platform to plan and deploy new networks and to organize the influx of new data and diagnostics,” wireless continued Karschnia. “In answer, we developed a single window interface that brings together several Smart Wireless tools on a specially designed appliance to maximize visibility, efficiency and value.”
An intuitive design organizes large amounts of wireless diagnostic information and data, and existing infrastructure is illustrated and easily understood.
“The Smart Wireless Navigator is a comprehensive tool that helps users realize the value of wireless across the range of reliability, safety, environmental accountability and process performance,” summarized Karschnia, “it delivers value throughout the cycle of engineering, installation, operation and maintenance.”
