Wireless sensor technologies move into manufacturing

Though less visible than hardwiring, strictly speaking, wireless technology is expected to see widespread adoption on the plant floor and out in the field, where it perhaps will have its most profound impact. So say analysts at ARC Advisory Group and IMS Research.

ARC predicts the worldwide market for wireless technology in manufacturing will grow at a 26% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next five years. The market was $326 million in 2005, and is projected to exceed $1 billion in 2010.

“Manufacturers recognize that wireless can offer cost reductions,” says Harry Forbes, ARC’s senior analyst and principal author of the new study.  “More importantly, they see wireless technologies as an enabler of entirely new business processes that not only will be less expensive, but safer, more reliable, and far more transparent than their current manufacturing practices.”

Visibility, Asset Management Drive Growth

A major factor favoring greater deployment of wireless technologies in manufacturing is their potential to enable new and better ways of operating manufacturing plants. Process manufacturing will likely experience the greatest impact, say the analysts. “Field operations in a process plant is a classic case of the need for more information that often can only be delivered wirelessly,” adds Forbes.  “Historically, process manufacturing hasn’t used wireless on a broad scale, but new sensor networking and WLAN developments will soon change this, presenting a huge opportunity for manufacturers who can use wireless to gain visibility into hidden processes, assets, and activities. These now represent ‘invisible’ assets still not well integrated into the enterprise.”

Clearly, wireless technology can be a more cost-effective way to monitor plant equipment and production processes, and enables real-time decision making to optimize production or head-off maintenance issues before they interrupt production. “Literally millions of field devices are installed at great cost in process manufacturing facilities,” says Forbes. “However, because most aren’t digitally enabled, their ability to share process and maintenance information is extremely limited. This means wireless technology and devices can be used to enable these stranded assets to the benefit of operations, maintenance, and business systems across the enterprise.”

Wireless LAN, Sensors Move Into Manufacturing 

The industrial wireless market is not new by any means, according to the report. Wireless has been a part of SCADA systems in oil, gas, and electric power for decades. The trend in the market, however, is growth by incorporating new wireless technologies that have their roots in the IT, telecom, consumer, and military markets. “Manufacturing is adopting them in cases where the value of wireless information is apparent,” says Forbes, “but this market is far from saturated.”

Wireless LAN technology is mainly deployed at indoor facilities, but the analysts add these will expand to encompass entire plants. Furthermore, new wireless sensor technologies will reduce the cost of information dramatically as they’re developed and deployed in manufacturing.

“Of the technologies analyzed in our recently published report on the world industrial wireless market, Bluetooth and Zigbee were both forecast to exhibit substantial growth, and challenge the more traditional technologies like Wi-Fi and cellular in some applications,” says John Morse, IMS’ senior market analyst. “In addition, they’ll meet the needs of many users new to industrial wireless communications.”

As a part of its study, IMS Research examined the wireless technologies used with seven specific product groups: wireless access points, sensors and transducers, industrial PCs and HMIs, PLCs, drives, rugged mobile computers and wireless enabling accessories (dongles). Rugged mobile computers were the products most likely to be wirelessly enabled, with PLCs forecast to exhibit the highest growth rate in adopting on-board wireless connectivity.

“The number of wireless standards adopted by industry is forecast to increase further to include technologies such as WiMAX,” adds Morse. “This expansion will result in a market that’s more evenly balanced between technologies, enabling each user to select the one that best suits their needs.”

Source: http://www.controldesign.com/industrynews/2006/059/

Motorcycle Dilemma: Carbureted Vs. Fuel Injected

Probably one of the most controversial discussions among motorcycle enthusiasts is the difference between carbureted and fuel injected bikes, as each of them has its own avid supporters. For some beginners, this is a small detail that it’s not even worth giving it a thought, as they usually choose a bike depending on other aspects, such as the price, the power, the weight or just the brand.

Most experimented riders, however, will put this on top of their list when it comes to make a decision regarding their next two-wheeled ride. However, one thing is for sure: once you find out the differences between the two, you must couple this to other details such as how you ride, where you live, what temperatures you ride at, and so on.

Many motorcycles still utilize carbureted engines, though all current high-performance designs have switched to fuel injection. However, one advantage a carb has over fuel injection is that most mechanics have worked with carbs and far fewer have any experience at all with fuel-injection systems. Old bikers would also stick to their carbureted option, as they are simpler to maintain and repair. However, while fuel injection generally increases the cost of the bike, it also provides much better cold starting, better throttle response, better fuel efficiency, less maintenance.

The first thing you’ll hear at a debate on carb versus fuel injected bikes is cold starts. Carbureted motorcycles need some time until they are ready to hit the road at low temperatures. The choke system is used to start cold engines. Since the fuel in a cold engine is sticking to the cylinder walls because of condensation, the mixture is too lean for the engine to start. The choke system will add fuel to the engine to compensate for the fuel that is stuck to the cylinder walls. Once the engine is warmed up, condensation is not a problem, and the choke is not needed anymore. 

⌕ Fuel injected bikes usually require replacing partsOn the other hand, what most riders like about fuel injected engines is that cold starts are much more simpler. No choke or carb adjustment, all you have to do is turn the key and hit the start button. From a mechanical perspective, the thing with fuel injected rides are far more complex. There is a fuel pump in the tank, an electronic engine controller and multiple sensors. 

A fuel injected system is a computer controlled fuel delivery system. The ECU reads various sensors located on the vehicle and makes the determination of how much fuel to allow the engine to have based on this information. The computer will open and close the injectors allowing gasoline into the engine based on the sensor inputs and the fuel map programmed into the computer. The various sensors (RPM, engine temperature, air temperature, throttle position, manifold pressure, crankshaft position) provide information on operating conditions and load on the engine. 

A carburetor is a demand device dependent upon the velocity of the air entering the venturi to create the air/fuel mixture that feeds the engine, and also maintains a series of fuel circuits to help maintain the best possible fuel mixture. The ability of a carburetor to provide a good air/fuel mixture is very dependent upon the velocity of the air going through it.

With an electronic fuel injection system, the required fuel amount for each RPM and engine load condition is located in the fuel map located in the ECU. Once this primary fuel amount is known, the ECU further adjusts the fuel mixture for the engine and air intake temperatures. In many cases, the mixture will even be adjusted for the barometric pressure and altitude.

While carb problems can usually be fixed on the side of the road with basic tools, EFI problems usually require replacing parts.

What do you prefer?

Source: http://www.autoevolution.com/news/motorcycle-dilemma-carbureted-vs-fuel-injected-23635.html