IMS Forecasts Rise In Use Of Domestic PLC In China

Most Chinese users of PLCs tend to favour foreign brands; however, the proportion of domestic PLC is forecast to rise slightly, according to the results of a China-focused market report from IMS. Alex Hong, market analyst, said: ‘For historical reasons, Chinese domestic PLC suppliers entered the market much later than foreign brands. ‘The well-established distribution channel and brand awareness of foreign PLCs hindered the entry of domestic suppliers.

‘Technology is no longer a problem,’ Hong added. ‘Local PLC suppliers are now capable of producing their own high-end PLC products. However, accessing a suitable customer base has often been shown to be a limiting factor, as high-end PLCs are usually sold as a part of a more complete control system with other automation components, such as operator terminals, motor drives, industrial PCs and motion controllers. Local PLC suppliers cannot offer a complete production line like their large foreign competitors. As a result, local suppliers are tending to put more effort in serving machine builders, who are willing and able to purchase simpler PLC products as commodities.

With limited finance and research ability, local suppliers are trying to find their own path to avoid conflict with powerful foreign suppliers. Usually targeting a niche market, a number of domestic companies are taking advantage of their cheap labour force to offer a solution to their clients. The solution is usually combined with several different automation components as a small system, in line with the users’ requirements, at an affordable price. Domestic PLC brands are estimated to account for less than five per cent of the total China market. However, its share is forecast to grow in the near future.

TLV Compressor Systems Increase Plant Efficiency

TLV Euro Engineering has launched a range of steam compressor systems that increase the energy efficiency of steam plant by recovering low-grade steam and converting it to higher pressures. The SC range, which incorporates a high-efficiency ejector and either a COS or CV-COS control valve with built-in cyclone separator, converts excess low-pressure or ‘flash’ steam (typically 2 barg) to medium pressure steam (up to 5 barg) by adding high-grade motive steam.

Instead of venting steam to atmosphere, the SC range can be integrated into any steam plant to reuse energy from post-process flash steam, as well as excess low-pressure steam produced by power generation. Depending on the control valve specified, the three models in the range – SC1, SC2 and SC4 – offer maximum intake flow rates between 250kg/h and 1,000kg/h at 2 barg, and PMOs between 10 barg and 16 barg.

With a range of body materials – including carbon steel/stainless steel for the ejector; cast stainless steel for the check valve; and ductile cast iron, cast steel or cast stainless steel for the valve – and with various options for control valves and ancillaries, the system can be tailored to fit most environments and applications, including petrochemical, food processing and commercial laundries, or where excessive flash steam is available.

Product Bulletin Profiles Fasteners For PC Boards

A new 20-page product bulletin, available online and in print, profiles PEM surface-mount and broaching fasteners designed specifically for use with PC boards. The various fastener products provide solutions to satisfy component-to-board, board-to-board and board-to-chassis attachment needs. Bulletin K includes a Quick Reference Chart (covering fastener types, mounting methods and primary uses) and provides detailed information and specifications on fastener materials, finishes, installation procedures and performance.

Profiled product ranges include Reelfast surface-mount fasteners (threaded or unthreaded nuts and standoffs, captive panel screws and R’Angle right-angle fasteners); broaching fasteners (internally threaded nuts, threaded or unthreaded standoffs, threaded studs, panel fastener assemblies and spring-action Snop-Top standoffs), broach-/flare-mounted standoffs (offering greater pullout performance); and Spotfast clinch-/broach-mount fasteners (for joining metal to printed-circuit-board/plastic panels).

Reelfast fasteners mount on PC boards in the same manner and at the same time as other surface-mount components prior to the automated reflow solder process and simply become another board component. Broaching fasteners install into all types of PC boards and aluminium, acrylic, casting or polycarbonate components and create a firm, interference-type fit resistant to rotation. All types of these RoHS-compliant fasteners eliminate the problems associated with loose hardware.

Alliance Re-Launches Programme-Led Apprenticeships

Alliance Learning is reintroducing its programme-led apprenticeships (PLAs) in order to ease work-related pressures for young people. Short intensive courses, specially designed to help learners acquire their desired qualifications in a much smaller timeframe, PLAs can be completed in as little as 12 weeks.

The company offers PLAs in business administration, children’s care learning and development, health and social care, ITQ, mechanical and electrical and fabrication and welding. Training is carried out at one of Alliance Learning’s three fully equipped training centres, where the company will help students to find a work placement right for them and their desired career path.

The company aims to help all its PLA learners find a full-time role after the completion of their course that will help them continue onto their advanced apprenticeship. To assist funding throughout the duration of the course, Alliance Learning will pay EMA (if eligible) and for any travel expenses incurred.

TM Releases Latest Toshiba SCARA Robot

TM Robotics has introduced the latest Toshiba Machine SCARA robot across Europe. Designated the TH650A, the new robot is claimed to meet the increasing speed and productivity demands placed on SCARA robots by the manufacturing industry. This SCARA robot has the same footprint as the previous version (TH650), while providing more power. The payload is 10kg and the arm length is 650mm – identical to the previous version.

However, compared to most competing models, the robot’s working envelope is substantially larger with axis one and two combining to provide a near-360deg working area, according to TM Robotics. An internal wiring harness reduces wear and tear as well as the height requirement of the cell. The robot’s TS2100 controller uses the SCOL programming language, which is similar to Basic. This language is used across the Toshiba Machine SCARA range, facilitating integration with older models.

Motion-control commands include single-axis motion, synchronous motion, linear interpolation, circular interpolation and arch motion. There are 31 +7 external inputs and 22 +10 external outputs. System inputs can be used for start, stop, reset and servo-on functions, while system outputs are for alarm, emergency-stop and status functions. Options include Toshiba Machine’s TSPC programming software for 3D simulation of the robot movement and additional input/output.

Ethernet and fieldbus (Devicenet, Profibus and CC-Link) communications are intended to provide advanced programming flexibility. Further options include linear or circular conveyor synchronisation, which, together with an easily integrated vision system, provides advanced pick-and-place functionality. The Toshiba Machine robot range will now extend from the TH-180, which has an arm length of 180mm, through to general-purpose SCARAs with arm lengths between 250mm and 1,050mm.

C4NGen Mousepads Feature High-Speed Teflon Surface

CS Hyde has developed a line of fast, smooth, accurate mousepads for PC gamers and users of computer-aided-design systems. The C4NGen mousepads have a high-speed Teflon mousing surface that is said to improve accuracy, speed and ease of use. According to the company, C4NGen gaming surfaces demonstrate excellent performance with most laser mice, including Fragnstein PS3 products.

C4NGen mousepads are manufactured in several versions and sizes. CS Hyde also offers a variety of accessories to improve the gaming and computing experience.

Moss Express Catalogue Includes 1,400 New Products

The new 2010 Moss Express product catalogue features more than 12,500 components suitable for thousands of applications and markets. The catalogue is comprised of 368 pages and includes more than 1,400 new products, featuring hundreds of new hydraulic and pneumatic protection parts, an expansion of hardware products and a section dedicated to adhesive tapes and pads.

New products include more than 160 metal castors with nylon, rubber or polyurethane wheels, braked or unbraked and with swivel or fixed plates. The increased hardware range includes new locks, latches, catches and hinges. The range of handles and knobs has also been expanded in the 2010 catalogue. New plastic and metal parts contribute to an increase in the volume of hydraulic and pneumatic protection products, according to the company. Plastic caps and plugs, hose wrap and sleeves, steel hose clamps and a line of o-rings are also available.

A new catalogue section – called Adhesive Tapes and Pads – has been added in response to the growing demand for these Moss Express products. The offering has been quadrupled to more than 220 lines, with existing ranges extended and new ranges added for adhesive foam pads, removable and high-bond adhesive tapes and hook-and-loop products. The catalogue contains technical product information and is indexed and colour coded by product type. The coloured sections detail solutions for a range of industries, with all products featured delivered from stock within 24 hours. The full Moss Express product offering is available online.