n TECHNOLOGY June 2023 www.drivesncontrols.com 20 p KEB Automation has joined forces with the engineering software supplier ISG to create an online platform where component manufacturers can store digital twins of their products and offer them to machine and plant builders to support virtual commissioning. The TwinStore will eliminate lengthy modelling times for setting up digital twins. Users can integrate pre-designed models of components in software called ISG-virtuos, allowing them to create digital twins rapidly for their applications. KEB and ISG say it will be possible to cut commissioning times by up to 90%. p Mitsubishi Electric is collaborating with the silicon carbide (SiC) specialist Coherent to scale up production of SiC power electronics based on a 200mm technology platform to produce devices that will cut energy losses, operate at higher temperatures and with faster switching speeds than silicon devices. The high-efficiency devices, for high-power industrial applications and railways, are predicted to be important contributors to the“green transformation”. Mitsubishi is investing around £1.5bn in SiC technologies in the five years to March 2026, almost half of this on a new plant to make the 200mm power devices. p Alfa Laval has launched AI-based condition-monitoring software for hygienic industries. Called Alfa Laval Analytics, it detects potential machine faults, diagnoses their causes, and provides an overview of equipment health through a dashboard. It will help to prevent unplanned downtime and extend the lifetime of assets. The software enables predictive maintenance, cuts costs, enhances efficiency, and supports sustainability agendas. www.alfalaval.com/analytics p The Japanese engineering company IHI has developed a prototype 250kW permanent magnet motor as a forerunner of 1MW-plus machines for use in hybrid-electric propulsion systems for 200-seat passenger aircraft. The prototype has volume of about three litres and an output similar to that of a 3litre turbo-charged vehicle engines. p A Californian company, Terabase Energy, has announced an automated technology for building solar power plants in the field which, it claims, will more than double productivity compared to existing methods, and will be safer. It has opened a “factory to make factories” and is producing the first 1GW of assembly lines, with plans to expand to more than 10GW a year. Its Terafab system combines digital twins of project sites, supply chain and inventory management, an on-site digital command centre, and a field-deployed automated assembly line. “Rovers”, operating 24/7, will build the plants. TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS Whale’s tail inspires ‘revolutionary’ lowemission propulsion idea ABB HAS ANNOUNCED a “revolutionary” motordriven marine propulsion system that, it claims, breaks new ground for efficiency. Inspired by the movements of a whale’s tail, the system – called Dynafin – is the result of more than a decade of research, development and testing. The first prototype is expected to be ready in 2025. The new propulsion concept uses a main electric motor to rotate a large wheel which spins 30-80 times per minute. Vertical blades, each powered by an individual motor and control system, extend below the wheel. The combined motion of the wheel and blades produces propulsion and steering forces simultaneously, enabling “ground-breaking” efficiency and precision for ships. An independent study of the technology by the Danish marine technology specialist OSKShipTech has shown that it can achieve energy savings of up to 22% compared to conventional shaftline drives used to propel passenger vessels. This could result in significant reductions in fuel consumption as well as helping to cut emissions. When used as part of an electric propulsion system, the Dynafin could be powered by batteries or fuel cells. Initially available in ratings from 1–4MW, the new propulsion system will be aimed at vessels, such as ferries, support boats for offshore wind farms, and yachts. By reducing vibrations and noise levels, the system should improve passenger comfort. In addition, it promises improved manoeuvrability and positioning. “Dynafin shows what is possible when marine engineers pursue radical innovation and progress, inspired by the interplay of evolution and technology,” says Juha Koskela, president of ABB’s Marine & Ports division. “This solution is all about operational efficiency and emissions avoidance.” Shipping is responsible for almost 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. But, with about 90% of global trade being carried on ships, it is essential to the movement of goods. If the shipping industry were a country, it would be the world’s sixth-largest emitter. If no action is taken, shipping could account for up to 13% of global emissions by 2050. www.abb.com ABB says that its Dynafin propulsion technology could cut energy consumption by up to 22% SIEMENS HAS ANNOUNCED a highperformance frequency converter equipped with a “clean power technology” that cuts harmonics by up to 97% without needing line harmonic chokes or DC link chokes. The Sinamics G220 converter is also the first Sinamics drive to be part of Siemens’ Xcelerator digital transformation platform. The drives, which are part of Siemens’TIA portal, are claimed to be efficient in terms of space utilisation and operation, and simple to engineer. An integrated Web server is claimed to reduce commissioning times “significantly”. The converters have digital twins in Siemens’ Startdrive drive commissioning tool. This allows the behaviour of a drive to be tested and optimised without needing the hardware. The drives are also fitted with an IIoT module that allows them to be integrated into cloud and edge applications, increasing the transparency of their applications and, in turn, reducing downtime. The G220 is equipped with Security Integrated as standard, providing secure communications, integrity and authenticity checks to protect against tampering with the firmware, as well as user management and access control functions. The converters offer a choice of hardware options and software functions, allowing them to be adapted to suit applications. For example, they are available with IP55 protection and there are special coatings for harsh environments. The converters comply with SIL 3 safety requirements. www.siemens.com Drives will cut harmonics by up to 97% without needing chokes
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