Rockwell Automation offers a manufacturing portfolio that includes a series of plant-wide energy-optimization tools that create an integrated industrial energy-management system based on the company’s industrial automation and information technology.

Rockwell Automation offers a manufacturing portfolio that includes a series of plant-wide energy-optimization tools that create an integrated industrial energy-management system based on the company’s industrial automation and information technology. It also allows manufacturers to perform real-time load balancing of their industrial processes, bring renewable energy sources online, and execute demand response strategies connected to the Smart Grid. With this portfolio of smart, safe, and sustainable manufacturing solutions, companies could save up to $6 billion a year, or about 10% of the total U.S. industrial electrical energy costs, by capitalizing on Smart Grid initiatives with existing technologies, according to the company. With this manufacturing portfolio, Rockwell Automation will work with manufacturers and electric power companies to save energy and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions as industrial processes consume less electricity. Until now, manufacturers had to make decisions without knowing how energy directly affects their production costs and impacts the bottom line, according to Terry Gebert, Vice President and General Manager of Rockwell Automation Global Solutions. “By combining Overall Equipment Effectiveness (a key performance indicator used by many manufacturers) with an energy model to create an energy blueprint, or ‘greenprint,' for any production process, we can develop a long-term strategy for smarter energy use.”

Jennifer Shuttleworth

The piezoelectric pressure sensor type 6045A from Kistler Instrument is designed around a PiezoStar crystal element that has a sensitivity of -45 pC/bar.

The 6045A piezoelectric pressure sensor from Kistler Instrument is designed around a PiezoStar crystal element that has a sensitivity of -45 pC/bar. This higher-level signal reduces data-compromising effects and eases signal conditioning. The crystal element output remains linear at elevated temperatures by resisting thermal influences, thus eliminating the need for water cooling. With low thermal shock in high-impedance charge-mode operation, the unit meets the demands of test track tuning. Both thermodynamic investigations and knock measurements can be made with an M8 X 0.75 access hole. The sensor mounting incorporates a shoulder seal design for efficient heat control. The device is compatible with common laboratory charge amplifiers. It can establish basic engine performance as well as help optimize engine efficiency parameters.

Linda Trego