April 2020

ENGINEERS IN CHINA working for Siemens and the refrigeration and appliance manufacturer, Aucma, have developed an idea for an intelligent disinfection robot into a prototype in just one week. The electrically-powered robot, which can overcome obstacles and navigate slopes, can disinfect an area of up to 36,000m 2 in an hour. Since the Corona outbreak, there has been an urgent need for robots that can free hospital staff from having to disinfect high- risk areas. Yu Qi, head of Siemens China’s research group for advanced manufacturing automation, led a team of ten specialists with a wide range of expertise. Most disinfection robots combine a petrol- powered mist gun with an electric chassis. However, on-site refuelling is neither clean nor easy. The team therefore decided to develop an all-electric disinfection robot. The biggest challenges included ensuring maximum sterilisation impact with minimal disinfectant consumption, and providing 360 degree coverage even in confined areas. The robot, powered by a lithium battery, can disinfect 20,000–36,000m 2 in one hour using two mist guns. A 360-degree camera on top transmits videos and information in real time. This is coupled with an intelligent vision algorithm that allows the operator to locate affected areas remotely and thus prevent the spread of infection. To allow the robot to operate easily on different surfaces, the team chose a caterpillar drive instead of wheels. From the initial idea on 7 February to the prototype, took only a week. The new robot will be used not only in hospitals, but also in schools, offices, factories and other public places. • Following the Coronavirus outbreak, there will be a surge in demand for mobile robots for disinfection, monitoring and surveillance duties, propelling the mobile robotics market to $23bn by 2021, predicts the analyst, ABI Research. AT THE NOW-CANCELLED Hannover Fair, Siemens was planning to present a concept study demonstrating a Sinamics drive system integrated with its Industrial Edge platform. In future, it says, it will be possible to perform high-frequency data exchange in drives using edge devices and to perform complex analyses of drivetrains. The result will be more intelligent drive systems that could lead to new business models. The integration of frequency converters with edge devices will allow users to perform complex analyses of data that has already been collected by a drive. Machine-learning algorithms will identify patterns and detect anomalies and their causes, providing early warnings of when maintenance is needed. This will minimise downtimes and reduce the consumption of resources, says Siemens. For example, in intralogistics, the technology could be used to monitor belt tensions in storage and retrieval machines. These belts, which are driven by motors and VSDs, require a specific tension for the application to run smoothly. If analysis of the drive data reveals irregularities, then belt maintenance could be triggered. Siemens says that connecting its frequency converters to the industrial edge will make drive technology more intelligent and pave the way for new business models. For example, using intelligent drive technologies, machine-builders will be able to offer application-specific apps and digital services, or guarantee the availability of their machines. Siemens’ Industrial Edge technology expands automation to include data processing at the machine level, moving computing intelligence and advanced analytics safely onto the manufacturing floor. Users will be able to execute various descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive analytics applications. Cloud connections – in conjunction with Edge apps created by Siemens, third-party suppliers or the users themselves – could be used in integrated hardware and software ecosystems for automation components. n NEWS 6 April 2020 www.drivesncontrols.com Linking drives to the edge could lead to new business models Engineers develop disinfection robot to tackle Covid-19 in just one week p A growing need to replace ageing assets and industrial systems will drive the growth of the electric motors market to reach $152bn by 2028, says Future Market Insights in a report published before the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was clear. One factor driving the growth will be the adoption of IoT-enabled electric motors for energy efficiency and performance monitoring. CAGR in the motors market is forecast to be 4.8% from 2019 to 2028. www.futuremarketinsights.com p Microlease , along with the Livingston brand and Electro Rent in Europe, have consolidated their European operations and will now be known as Electro Rent. This will give customers access to an inventory worth more than $1.2bn and including more than 300 test and measurement brands such as Fluke, Keithley, Keysight and Tektronix. Electro Rent has been investing in emerging technologies, including $10m in 5G in 2019 alone. www.electrorent.com p Universal Robots is launching free online meetings with expert consultants. Businesses can request consultations with local experts from anywhere in the world. UR has also announced a series of Webinars on topics including: packaging and palletising; machine tending; screwdriving; welding; and sanding/polishing. www.universal- robots.com/gb/online-meetings p Omron has invested $10m in a 128,000ft 2 (11.890m 2 ) facility in Pleasanton, California, where it will design, develop, test and manufacture robotic and safety automation systems. Bringing these technologies together under one roof is expected to result in “unique automation solutions”. p The Warrington-based plant reliability specialist AVT Reliability has opened its first US subsidiary. The move is part of a plan to expand its global reach, following the recent acquisition of Van Geffen in the Netherlands. AVT, which is owned by Rotherham-based AES Engineering , has established a base in Tennessee, alongside sister company AESseal . p Allied Motion Technologies has bought Dynamic Controls Group which designs and manufactures equipment for the medical mobility and rehabilitation markets, including controls for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Dynamic, which employs about 200 people, has its headquarters in New Zealand, with sites in the UK (Kidderminster) and China. Its previous owner was Invacare . Siemens says that linking drives to the edge will make them more intelligent