Page 9 - AUTOMATED - Issue 2 The sustainability challenge
P. 9
THE SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGE
THE AUTOMATION
OBITUARIES
What will humans soon have in have to be replaced with IE3 efficiency level Finally, another scenario in which industrial
models, or meet the previous IE2 level and be automation parts go out of date is when the
common with horses? fitted with a variable speed drive (VSD). This original equipment manufacturer stops
means that motors that fail to meet IE3 producing them for one reason or another. In
Obsoletion in the work place, if a standards at this moment in time must be 1986, GE Fanuc Automation Corporation was
retrofitted with an appropriate VSD or face the jointly established in the US by the two giants
video on YouTube by CGP Grey is bin of obsoletion. - General Electric and FANUC. This company
was successful in supplying automation
anything to believe. Another reason why products become solutions until 2009 when the two firms
obsolete is functionality. More universally (pun agreed to dissolve the joint venture.
The fifteen minute video, entitled to follow), the common USB (universal serial
Humans need not apply has bus) cable will soon become obsolete with the Needless to say, since this split, GE Fanuc
received 3.5 million views since introduction of the Type-C connector. This products such as HMIs, displays, pendants
August 2014 and puts forward new connector will negate the infamous three and controllers have become obsolete. That's
the case that advances in turn technique many of us have become so not to say that you can't still buy their branded
technology are inevitably going accustomed to when trying to plug in the automation products – no, no.
to make people in all runs of cable. The new Type-C is reversible and
working life - unskilled, skilled, equipped with USB 3.1 specifications, which Whilst GE Fanuc parts are no longer being
professional and creative - means a more powerful and faster delivery manufactured, some of their products out
obsolete. system. there in the manufacturing ether are in perfect
condition. At European Automation, we
This is a pretty damming vision of a dystopian “ OBSOLETE specialise in tracking down parts like these
future that even H. G. Wells would be proud of. DOESN'T HAVE TO and supplying them to our customers.
It's also incredibly unlikely to happen in the MEAN USELESS, Obsolete doesn't have to mean useless, often
mass way the video suggests. Although there OFTEN IT JUST it just means no longer in production.
is no factual evidence for technological MEANS NO
unemployment, CGP Grey is correct in the LONGER IN With this is mind I'll return to the video cited in
statement that we are living in a period of PRODUCTION. ”More common in businesses with embedded the opening of this article. Granted, horses did
rapid technological advancements. This also systems is the use of specific industrial pretty much lose their jobs with the evolution
brings with it the frustrating situation where a portable memory. As well as being safer than of machines. However, when some
lot of perfectly functional products become USBs, which are the most common way of automation products become obsolete, there
obsolete relatively quickly. transferring viruses, specific industrial is often still a great demand for them.
memory is bespoke and so will never become Sometimes these parts become our best
In the world of industrial automation, one obsolete. sellers, which proves companies still use
reason for products becoming obsolete is them for years after production is halted.
changing legislation. A recent example is the
Ecodesign Directive, which sets mandatory By replacing an older motor or PLC when it
efficiency requirements for electrical breaks down, companies can reduce
products. This way, industrial automation purchasing time and costs, not to mention
parts that fail to meet environmental minimise expensive downtime. If you’re still
standards are gradually phased out. using obsolete automation parts on your
production line – and we bet you are - it might
From January 1, 2015, in accordance with the be worth giving us a call before you decide to
second phase of the Ecodesign Directive, swap to a shiny and costly new one.
motors rated from 7.5 to 375kW will either
www.euautomation.com 09
THE AUTOMATION
OBITUARIES
What will humans soon have in have to be replaced with IE3 efficiency level Finally, another scenario in which industrial
models, or meet the previous IE2 level and be automation parts go out of date is when the
common with horses? fitted with a variable speed drive (VSD). This original equipment manufacturer stops
means that motors that fail to meet IE3 producing them for one reason or another. In
Obsoletion in the work place, if a standards at this moment in time must be 1986, GE Fanuc Automation Corporation was
retrofitted with an appropriate VSD or face the jointly established in the US by the two giants
video on YouTube by CGP Grey is bin of obsoletion. - General Electric and FANUC. This company
was successful in supplying automation
anything to believe. Another reason why products become solutions until 2009 when the two firms
obsolete is functionality. More universally (pun agreed to dissolve the joint venture.
The fifteen minute video, entitled to follow), the common USB (universal serial
Humans need not apply has bus) cable will soon become obsolete with the Needless to say, since this split, GE Fanuc
received 3.5 million views since introduction of the Type-C connector. This products such as HMIs, displays, pendants
August 2014 and puts forward new connector will negate the infamous three and controllers have become obsolete. That's
the case that advances in turn technique many of us have become so not to say that you can't still buy their branded
technology are inevitably going accustomed to when trying to plug in the automation products – no, no.
to make people in all runs of cable. The new Type-C is reversible and
working life - unskilled, skilled, equipped with USB 3.1 specifications, which Whilst GE Fanuc parts are no longer being
professional and creative - means a more powerful and faster delivery manufactured, some of their products out
obsolete. system. there in the manufacturing ether are in perfect
condition. At European Automation, we
This is a pretty damming vision of a dystopian “ OBSOLETE specialise in tracking down parts like these
future that even H. G. Wells would be proud of. DOESN'T HAVE TO and supplying them to our customers.
It's also incredibly unlikely to happen in the MEAN USELESS, Obsolete doesn't have to mean useless, often
mass way the video suggests. Although there OFTEN IT JUST it just means no longer in production.
is no factual evidence for technological MEANS NO
unemployment, CGP Grey is correct in the LONGER IN With this is mind I'll return to the video cited in
statement that we are living in a period of PRODUCTION. ”More common in businesses with embedded the opening of this article. Granted, horses did
rapid technological advancements. This also systems is the use of specific industrial pretty much lose their jobs with the evolution
brings with it the frustrating situation where a portable memory. As well as being safer than of machines. However, when some
lot of perfectly functional products become USBs, which are the most common way of automation products become obsolete, there
obsolete relatively quickly. transferring viruses, specific industrial is often still a great demand for them.
memory is bespoke and so will never become Sometimes these parts become our best
In the world of industrial automation, one obsolete. sellers, which proves companies still use
reason for products becoming obsolete is them for years after production is halted.
changing legislation. A recent example is the
Ecodesign Directive, which sets mandatory By replacing an older motor or PLC when it
efficiency requirements for electrical breaks down, companies can reduce
products. This way, industrial automation purchasing time and costs, not to mention
parts that fail to meet environmental minimise expensive downtime. If you’re still
standards are gradually phased out. using obsolete automation parts on your
production line – and we bet you are - it might
From January 1, 2015, in accordance with the be worth giving us a call before you decide to
second phase of the Ecodesign Directive, swap to a shiny and costly new one.
motors rated from 7.5 to 375kW will either
www.euautomation.com 09
