Showing posts with label Maryland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maryland. Show all posts

The Dawn of the Industrial Metaverse: Tech Giants Redefine Industrial Processes

The Dawn of the Industrial Metaverse: Tech Giants Redefine Industrial Processes

The Consumer Technology Association organizes the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), an annual trade show. This event, taking place every January at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada, showcases new products and technologies in the consumer electronics industry. CES is famous for its innovative gadgets, cutting-edge technology, and product previews in various tech segments.

The first day of CES 2024 featured the debut of the 'Industrial Metaverse', a project resulting from a significant partnership among major technology companies. This consortium believes that the Metaverse's greatest potential lies not in gaming, but in key economic sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, transportation, and others.

As a leader in industrial technology, Ives defines the "Industrial Metaverse" as a groundbreaking fusion of digital and physical industrial processes. This concept moves beyond the traditional boundaries of virtual reality and digital twins, creating a comprehensive, interconnected digital ecosystem that mirrors and enhances real-world industrial environments.

The Industrial Metaverse promises vast potential for the United States' industrial markets. It provides an immersive platform for design, simulation, and collaboration, revolutionizing our approach to manufacturing, infrastructure development, and transportation systems. Integrating AI, IoT, and advanced analytics, the Industrial Metaverse optimizes operations, enhances productivity, and fosters innovation.

In this Metaverse, predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring become more efficient, reducing downtime and boosting productivity. Its collaborative nature allows for the seamless integration of supply chains, enhancing coordination and reducing costs. Moreover, it provides an unparalleled platform for training and skill development, using virtual environments for safe and effective learning.

The Industrial Metaverse is poised to transform the landscape of American industry, leading to smarter, more sustainable, and highly efficient operational models. It represents not just a technological leap, but a gateway to a new era of industrial revolution.

Ives Equipment
https://ivesequipment.com
610-768-1600

Preventing Winter Shutdowns: How Freeze Protection Ensures Continuous Industrial Operations

Preventing Winter Shutdowns: How Freeze Protection Ensures Continuous Industrial Operations

As winter's icy grip tightens, industries brace for the chilling effects of plummeting temperatures. One of the most significant challenges they face is the risk of operational shutdowns due to freezing conditions. In this scenario, freeze protection becomes a cornerstone for ensuring continuous industrial operations. Freeze protection is critical in preventing winter shutdowns and maintaining industrial productivity.

The first layer of defense against the cold is understanding the risk. Many industrial processes involve fluids – water, chemicals, oils – that can freeze at low temperatures. When these fluids freeze, they can expand, causing pipes and containers to burst or crack, leading to equipment failures, safety hazards, and costly repairs. The consequences aren't just physical; they can significantly impact production schedules, leading to financial losses and compromised client relationships.

This is where heat tracing systems come into play. Heat tracing, an essential component of freeze protection, involves applying heating elements alongside pipes, valves, tanks, and other critical components. These systems maintain a constant temperature, preventing the contents from freezing. Modern heat tracing solutions are sophisticated, with self-regulating capabilities that adjust the heat output based on the surrounding temperature. This ensures energy efficiency while providing reliable freeze protection.

Beyond heating elements, insulation is another vital aspect of freeze protection. Insulating pipes and tanks reduce heat loss, allowing heating systems to work more effectively and efficiently. The suitable insulation materials, combined with expert installation, can significantly reduce the risk of freezing.

Automation and monitoring technologies have also revolutionized freeze protection. With real-time monitoring systems, industries can remotely track the temperatures of their equipment and receive instant alerts if temperatures approach dangerous levels. This proactive approach allows for quick responses, minimizing the risk of a freeze-induced shutdown.

The implementation of freeze protection strategies must be a tailored process. Each industry and facility has unique needs based on its location, the nature of the materials handled, and the specific equipment used. A comprehensive risk assessment is crucial to identify vulnerable areas and design a freeze protection system that addresses these risks effectively.

Training and preparedness are equally important. Employees should be trained in the proper operation of freeze protection systems and emergency response procedures should a system failure occur. This training ensures that issues are addressed swiftly and effectively, minimizing downtime.

Industries must also consider the environmental impact of their freeze protection strategies. Eco-friendly antifreeze solutions, energy-efficient heat tracing systems, and sustainable insulation materials are increasingly available, allowing industries to protect their operations from the cold while being mindful of their environmental footprint.

In conclusion, as the cold season approaches, the importance of freeze protection in industrial settings cannot be overstated. It is a multifaceted approach involving heat tracing, insulation, monitoring, tailored solutions, training, and environmental consideration. By adopting these strategies, industries can safeguard against winter shutdowns, ensuring their operations run smoothly and continuously, regardless of the outside temperature. This proactive approach protects equipment and investments and secures the industry's reputation as a reliable and resilient player in the market.

Ives Equipment Corp., a leader in industrial solutions, is proud to offer an extensive range of Nelson Heat Trace products, renowned for their reliability and efficiency in freeze protection and process temperature maintenance. Our dedicated team specializes in these cutting-edge systems' sales, design, and comprehensive support, ensuring your industrial operations remain uninterrupted, even in the harshest winter conditions. With our in-depth expertise, we provide tailored solutions that align perfectly with your unique requirements. Partnering with Ives Equipment Corp. means gaining access to top-tier heat tracing technology backed by a commitment to exceptional customer service and technical support. Trust us to keep your operations running smoothly, regardless of the weather.

610-768-1600
https://ivesequipment.com

Mastering Industrial Efficiency: Ives Equipment in Process Weighing


Process weighing is essential in manufacturing and industrial applications. It ensures that products meet specific quality and safety standards. Even slight weight variations can significantly influence the product's quality, safety, and effectiveness in industries where accuracy is critical.

There are two primary methods of process weighing: continuous and static.


Continuous weighing monitors materials as they continuously flow through a system. This method is prevalent in industries that handle bulk materials, such as the food, beverage, or chemical sectors, where raw materials consistently move through production lines. Continuous weighing ensures consistency in the quantity and quality of materials throughout production.

In contrast, static weighing focuses on weighing stationary items and is used when products need validation against a particular weight or standard. For instance, in packaging, static weighing ensures that packages have the correct product quantity before being sent to customers.

Batching technology ensures that products or raw materials are grouped into specific, predetermined amounts in tandem with these weighing techniques. Batching provides the right mix of components in sectors where various ingredients form a product, resulting in uniform product quality. This process is especially vital in the food and pharmaceutical sectors, where precision and consistency are crucial for health and safety.

In summary, process weighing is a determining factor in the industrial realm, assuring product quality, safety, and efficiency. Leveraging the technological strengths of Ives industrial weighing systems, industries can achieve the meticulousness and dependability necessary to thrive in the competitive marketplace.

610-768-1600
https://ivesequipment.com

Clamp-on Flow: The Benchmark in Installation Ease

Clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters are among the most cost-effective and accurate technologies for measuring volumetric flow and are preferred in flow measurement for several reasons:
  • Non-Intrusive Measurement: Unlike other flowmeters, clamp-on ultrasonic devices are installed on the exterior of the pipe. This means there's no need to cut into the pipe or halt the process for installation, leading to minimal disruption.
  • Low Maintenance: Since they are externally mounted and don’t have any moving parts, these flowmeters typically require less maintenance compared to their intrusive counterparts.
  • Flexibility: These flowmeters can be used for various pipe sizes and materials. Their design allows for adjustments, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.
  • Cost-Effective: Installation is generally quicker and easier than intrusive meters, reducing labor costs. Plus, there's no need to purchase additional fittings or shut down the system for installation.
  • Safe Measurement: Because they don't come into direct contact with the liquid or gas being measured, there's a reduced risk of contamination or leakage. This is particularly beneficial when dealing with hazardous or corrosive substances.
  • Wide Range of Applications: They can measure the flow of liquids, gases, and steam, making them versatile for different industries and applications.
  • No Pressure Drop: Since they are non-intrusive, there's no added resistance or obstruction in the flow, ensuring that the system operates at its optimal efficiency.
  • Ability to Measure Dirty Liquids: Some ultrasonic flowmeters can measure flows even when the liquid has some impurities or particles, which might be challenging for other meter types.
Even though clamp-on flowmeters come with a low cost of ownership and advanced features, they aren't as popular as other established flow measurement systems. Some customers view clamp-on meters as challenging to install and operate.

For more information about Siemens clamp-on flow measurement in the Mid-Atlantic states, contact Ives Equipment.

610-768-1600
https://ivesequipment.com

Interface Detection in Differentiated Liquid Pipe Flow with Clamp-on Ultrasonic Meter

Interface Detection in Differentiated Liquid Pipe Flow

Interface detection in differentiated liquid pipe flow refers to identifying and monitoring the boundary between two immiscible fluids (liquids that do not mix) flowing through a pipe in process control applications. In industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, and wastewater treatment, it is common to have a line transporting two or more immiscible liquids, often referred to as a multiphase flow. Efficient and accurate interface detection is crucial for optimizing separation processes, minimizing product contamination, and preventing damage to equipment.

Ultrasonic sensors transmit high-frequency sound waves through the fluid and measure the time it takes for the waves to reflect the interface. By analyzing the received signals, the sensors can determine the position of the interface within the pipe.

In process control, interface detection is often combined with other control strategies, such as flow rate control or temperature control, to ensure the efficient and safe operation of the process. Accurate interface detection allows for better process optimization, reduces the risk of equipment damage due to improper fluid handling, and improves overall product quality.

The Siemens SITRANS FS230 clamp-on ultrasonic interface detector is an exceptional option for applications that necessitate the detection of differentiated liquid pipe flow. It achieves this by computing the sonic velocity and pressure while adjusting for temperature variations. This direct measurement approach for interface detection leads to significant savings in equipment utilization and slop oil treatment.

The FS230 interface detector can provide oil companies with highly accurate and dependable flow and interface information for a broad range of applications, such as:
  • Detecting gasoline interfaces
  • Identifying multi-product interfaces
  • Determining product types
  • Managing automatic batching control
  • Detecting entrained water and gas presence in all products
Ives Equipment
610-768-1600

Sanitary and Hygienic Tubing, Fittings, Valves, and Pumps


Sanitary and hygienic tubes, fittings, valves, and pumps are used in a variety of industries, such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, to convey materials and fluids in a safe and clean manner. These types of equipment are designed to meet strict standards for cleanliness and sanitation, which helps to prevent contamination and maintain the purity of the products being transported.

One of the key advantages of using sanitary and hygienic equipment is that it is designed to minimize the potential for bacterial growth. This is achieved through the use of materials that are resistant to corrosion and easy to clean, such as stainless steel and other high-grade alloys. The surfaces of these components are typically smooth and polished, which reduces the ability of bacteria to adhere to them and makes it easier to remove any contaminants that may be present.

Another important factor that contributes to the safety and purity of products conveyed through sanitary and hygienic equipment is the use of high-quality seals and gaskets. These components are designed to prevent the leakage of fluids and minimize the potential for cross-contamination between different products. They also help to maintain the integrity of the system by preventing the ingress of dust, dirt, and other contaminants.

Valves used in the sanitary and hygienic applications are designed to be easily disassembled and cleaned, some of them even can be cleaned in place (CIP). This makes it much easier to maintain the system and keep it in a sanitary condition. Pumps also have a similar design feature like the valves. The design of the pumps is critical in maintaining the purity of the products being transported. They are typically constructed with high-grade materials and feature smooth, polished surfaces that are easy to clean.

In summary, the use of sanitary and hygienic equipment provides a number of advantages when it comes to maintaining the purity and safety of products. The equipment is designed to minimize the potential for contamination, through the use of materials that are resistant to corrosion and easy to clean, high-quality seals and gaskets, and design that enable easy cleaning. All of these factors contribute to a safer and more efficient system that can help to ensure the quality and purity of the products being conveyed.

Ives Equipment
610-768-1600

Low Cost Toxic, O2 and Combustible Fixed-point Gas Detection

Low Cost Toxic, O2 and Combustible Fixed Gas Detection

Fixed-point gas detection systems detect and alarm for various toxic, combustible, and oxygen-deficient gases. The application of fixed-point gas detectors occurs in many industrial and commercial applications, such as refining, chemical processing plants, petrochemical plants, oil refineries, steel mills, and other heavy manufacturing facilities. Fixed-point detectors are used in many applications to detect the presence of a given gas in the atmosphere and to generate an alarm signal when that level is significant enough.

SensAir is a fixed-point gas detector system of industrial quality and affordability used for various industrial and commercial applications, including ambient gas monitoring for safety applications. Models are available for detecting hazardous gas, combustible gas, and oxygen shortage.

Ives Equipment Sales Engineers will assist you in specifying and applying the proper fixed-point gas detection system for your requirements. 

Ives Equipment
610-768-1600

Siemens SITRANS P Pressure Instrumentation from Ives Equipment


SITRANS P from Siemens is a complete range of measurement instruments for measuring relative pressure, differential pressure and absolute pressure. In addition  to high measuring accuracy and ruggedness, the modular system features  superb operating convenience and functionality as well as a perfect safety concept.

Ives Equipment
610-768-1600

Automation and Control Solutions for Hydrogen Production and Alternative Energy

Automation and Control Solutions for Hydrogen Production and Alternative Energy

One of the most important ways to reduce CO2 emissions in the chemical, oil, gas, paper, energy and transportation sectors is to generate and use green hydrogen from renewable sources. Electrolysis can convert electricity generated from wind, hydropower, or solar energy into hydrogen, which can then be stored in tanks, transported, and used whenever and wherever needed. Hydrogen's use is ubiquitous -  in CO2-neutral transportation, such as fuel cell vehicles, the chemical industry, steel manufacturing, and power plants. 

Process control is a primary and centralized function that responds to changes in operational consistency and load demand. Online monitoring and remote sensing advances, particularly for open-loop operations, are operated by controls and automation to develop actionable information for closed-loop control functions. In these situations, innovative automation solutions, such as those specified and implemented by Ives Equipment with flexible and integrated control technology, are required. 

With a focus on technical and economic feasibility for producing alternative energy and hydrogen fuels, Ives Equipment automation expertise provides exceptional control system experience that saves time and money and improves safety.

Ives Equipment
610-768-1600

Nelson Heat Trace Design Suite by Emerson: Online Software Used to Develop Bills of Materials and Detailed Design Documents

Nelson Heat Trace Design Suite

Nelson Heat Trace Design Suite is an interactive website that enhances client productivity by simplifying and speeding up the specification of Nelson's products. Thanks to this solution, customers may use Nelson heating cables to swiftly create and install a broad range of systems. It is a web-based utility accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week from any Internet-connected desktop or mobile device and used to develop bills of materials and detailed heat trace designs.

Nelson Design Suite began with Nelson Heat Trace Designer and has since expanded to include commercial applications such as Nelson Snow Melt, Roof and Gutter Deicing, Floor Warming, Frost Heave, and Hot Water Maintenance

An individual user or a workgroup submits project information and the data for ongoing and finished projects. The data are readily shared, minimizing needless duplication of labor. Importing project information from customer-generated spreadsheets and database files is also available, resulting in a more straightforward design process. 

Nelson Design Suite runs from Emerson's secure network, and access to the password-protected site requires email verification.

Ives Equipment will collaborate with customers to design their systems or provide onsite training on how to use the program and offer engineered isometric installation drawings.

Ives Equipment.
610-768-1600
https://ivesequipment.com

SensAlarm FLEX All-in-1 Universal Fixed Point Gas Detection System

Turn-Key Solution for Wide Range of Critical Safety Applications

SensAlarm FLEX is a complete gas detection system in a single enclosure. The system includes built-in LED strobes, a horn, and a highly visible 7" color LCD screen. SensAlarm FLEX is built around an advanced Intelligent Sensor platform that includes non-volatile memory for all key application variables and sensor data. A non-intrusive user interface allows for operational customization as well as access to sensor life parameters, TWA alarms, calibration data, and other data with date and time recording.

SensAlarm Plus is the ideal gas monitoring solution for labs, gas cylinder storage, industrial work areas, control room protection, or other applications where users benefit from a packaged gas detection system that works with all SensAlert Plus sensors.

All Sensidyne Plus Series sensors are supported by the SensAlarm FLEX sensor interfaces. Remote mounting the sensor up to 100 feet away simplifies monitoring in high, low, or adjacent locations. When a sensor is plugged in, the automatic uploading of variables, alarm values, and sensor information greatly simplifies installation and maintenance. Transportable calibration enables sensor calibration at the point of installation or in a workshop, followed by sensor hot-swapping in the field.

For more information contact Ives Equipment.
610-768-1600
https://ivesequipment.com

100% Hygienic Tank Cleaning Coverage & Water and Chemical Savings with Alfa Laval PlusClean® Nozzle

In the food, dairy beverage farmer, and personal care industries, sufficient tank cleaning can challenge certain products. It's not just about the tank walls. Internals like agitators connections and coils can create shadow areas with a high risk of product contamination. Solving this has meant techniques like spray balls, retractable cleaning devices, or the fill and dump method. These consume time, significant cleaning media, and energy, and they compromise hygienic safety.


Alfa Laval PlusClean® makes this challenge a thing of the past. This new cleaning nozzle ensures 100% cleaning coverage, even in shadow areas. Installed flush with the tank wall it, doesn't interfere with other internals in the tank and can even be used in tanks with components close to the walls.


Activated during cleaning-in-place, PlusClean® reduces water and chemical consumption by up to 80 percent and delivers a spray pattern optimized to cover shadow areas. It thereby guarantees 100 cleaning coverage regardless of your specific tank design, while a revolutionary built-in adjustment function makes installation and operation effective and easy.


PlusClean® is available with a pneumatic driven option combined with alpha level think top for intelligent control. It also comes in an ultra-pure version with the comprehensive Alfa Laval Q-doc documentation package.


With 100 cleaning coverage, the alpha level PlusClean® cleaning nozzle eliminates risk while reducing water and cleaning media consumption. It's easy to install, simple to use, and delivers rapid payback time.


For more information, contact:

Ives Equipment

https://ivesequipment.com

(877) 768-1600 

Protect Your Process Equipment and Your Production Uptime with Heat Tracing Products from Ives Equipment

Heat Tracing Products from Ives Equipment

Allow us to be your trusted and dependable source for staying operating during the severe winter months, based on our decades of experience in industrial and commercial freeze protection

As winter weather begins to set in, it is critical to take precautionary measures to preserve essential equipment. Because of the lower temperatures and strong winds, outdoor gear is at risk of freezing, which can cause the production process to prolong or halt. It is now necessary to evaluate your heat trace requirements. Keep the water flowing at low ambient temperatures with industrial pipe tracing. Use Nelson snow melting systems to prevent snow and ice accumulation on driveways, sidewalks, loading ramps, and other paved surfaces. Finally, don't forget about the roof and gutter de-icing products, which prevent the formation of ice dams on roofs, gutters, and downspouts anywhere.

Emerson's Nelson Heat Trace solutions combine conventional heat trace design ideas with cutting-edge installation, control, and monitoring technology to create a more efficient and reliable system. Our solutions are ideal for ensuring that metal pipes or other exposed equipment operate at the appropriate temperature. It is vital to maintain your equipment operational in the face of unpredictable weather circumstances; we provide complete environmental covering, no matter what the weather throws at you.

Ives Equipment
610-768-1600
https://ivesequipment.com

Lead-Free Solenoid Valves

Lead-Free Solenoid Valves

Lead is a highly poisonous substance. Manufacturers of drinking water fountains, reverse osmosis systems, coffee makers, and commercial kitchen equipment are affected by strict US safety standards. Soldering flux having a lead content of more than 0.2 percent, or a weighted average of 0.25 percent lead in the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures, cannot be used in a lead-free system. Lead-free is a cumulative term under the law. 

As a result, Ives Equipment and ASCO offer various lead-free valve options that comply with the new rules, are NSF certified, and are available in the industry's most comprehensive range of pipe sizes, pressure or temperature ratings, and flow coefficients. 

Customers can meet the safety regulations for components of purifying water systems by using reliable, readily available NSF-certified fluid control products and solutions.  ASCO offers the broadest selection of pipe size, pressure or temperature ratings, and flow coefficients in the market, all of which meet the new rules. 

LEAD-FREE BRASS SOLENOID VALVES

ASCO offers lead-free brass construction in their general service solenoid valves with the same proven performance, reliability, and quick availability as their brass solenoid valve equivalents. 

PLASTIC AND COMPOSITE SOLENOID VALVES

Solenoid valves made of composites or plastics have the benefit of being lead-free from the outset. They come in a variety of pipe diameters and shapes, including those used in drinking water systems. For residential and commercial drinking water services, these valves are presently possibly the most popular option. ASCO offers a comprehensive selection of NSF-certified composite valves to fulfill the needs of the industry. 

STAINLESS STEEL VALVES

Stainless steel, another lead-free option, provides compliance in a durable metal body. This material's valves have the most extensive range of properties in categories, including pipe size, pressure or temperature ratings, and flow coefficient in the industry (Cv).

For more information, contact Ives Equipment.
877-768-1600
https://ivesequipment.com

Fixed Gas Detection Factory Service from Sensidyne and Ives Equipment

Fixed Gas Detection Factory Service

Fixed gas detectors are commonly found in large industrial facilities where explosive or noxious fumes, vapors or liquids exist.  Fixed gas detectors are used to identify significant leaks and provide an early warning of  leaking from a specific system. Relays and adjustable alarm point settings are used to configure fixed gas detection systems. Fixed gas detectors respond swiftly to atmospheric threats thanks to these settings. Opening and closing ventilation and exhaust fans, triggering visual and audio alerts, and closing valves are just a few of the functions they can do. 

Industrial safety professionals understand how critical it is to keep essential safety instruments calibrated and serviced. Infrequent sensor calibration reduces the accuracy of gas detection readings and may result in the failure to detect gas leaks, resulting in an unprotected zone. 

And now might be a good time to perform some preventative maintenance. 


To learn more about Sensidyne's Fixed Gas Detection Factory Service contact Ives Equipment. Call them at (877) 768-1600 or visit them at https://ivesequipment.com.

The Weather is Changing. Freeze Protect Your Facility Now!

Ensure frigid temperatures don’t slow you down.
Nelson Electric Heat Trace.

With over 65 years of experience, let us be your trusted and reliable source for staying operational during those harsh winter months.

As winter weather is settling in, the need to protect vital equipment is essential. With lower temperatures and brutal winds, exterior equipment is in danger of freezing which lengthens or completely halts the production process. Now is the time to assess your heat trace requirements.

Nelson Heat Trace products by Emerson incorporate traditional heat trace design philosophies with innovative installation, control, and monitoring technologies. Our solutions are perfect for keeping metal pipes or other exposed equipment working at the right temperature. With unpredictable weather conditions, it is critical to keep your equipment running; we offer total environmental coverage, no matter the elements.

LEARN MORE HERE


For more information about Emerson Nelson Heat Trace Products, contact Ives Equipment. Call them at (877) 768-1600 or visit https://ivesequipment.com/freezeprotect.

An Advanced, Single Housing, All-In-One Gas Detection System

From Ives Equipment, The Sensidyne SensAlarm Plus

SensAlarm Plus is a complete, turn-key gas detection system preassembled in one housing. The system comes standard with strobe lights, horns, high-visibility four-digit LED display, and LCD display/interface. At the heart of the SensAlarm Plus is an advanced Intelligent Sensor platform with non-volatile memory for all critical application variables and sensor data. A non-intrusive user interface enables easy operator customization and a quick review of sensor life parameters, TWA (Time Weighted Average) alarms, calibration data, and other information with date and time recording.

The SensAlarm Plus sensor head is universal in that it accepts all Sensidyne Plus sensors. Monitoring in high, low, or adjacent locations is simplified by remote mounting the sensor head using a four-conductor cable. With a sensor connected, the automatic uploading of variables, alarm values, and sensor information dramatically simplifies installation and maintenance. Transportable calibration allows sensor calibration at the installation location or in a workshop, then hot-swapping the sensor in the field.

SensAlarm Plus is the ideal gas monitoring solution for many applications. Most laboratories, gas cylinder storage facilities, industrial work areas where gases are present, control room protection or other applications where users benefit from a packaged gas detection system are common areas that need SensAlarm Plus.

DOWNLOAD THE SENSALARM PLUS DATA SHEET FROM THIS IVES EQUIPMENT WEB PAGE

For more information about Sensidyne Fixed Gas Detection products, contact Ives Equipment. Call them at 877-768-1600 or visit their website at https://ivesequipment.com.


The MIcroMod 353 RetroPAK - An Alternative for Siemens 353 and Moore 352 Users

 

353 RetroPAK

The 353 RetroPAK is the best choice on the market to update your controllers with the least disruption to your plant operation.

The Siemens 353 and Moore 352 controllers have been extremely popular, but they are no longer manufactured or supported. MicroMod has a cost-effective migration solution offering up-to-date technology that will be available for years to come. We understand the dilemmas faced by companies that need to ahead and be able to support their control systems without abandoning their control philosophy or incurring large up-front installation costs.

The 353 RetroPAK provides the same process control functions as the Moore 352 and Siemens 353 controllers. Factory templates (in the Siemens 353 FCO style) that can be loaded from the front keypad along with a function block library in Windows configuration software mean less time spent learning new programs and re-engineering your system. The RetroPAK suits the same panel cutout, has the same simple I / O add-on, and offers dual communication networks.

DOWNLOAD THE 353 RETROPAK BROCHURE HERE

For more information about the MicroMod 353 RetroPAK, contact Ives Equipment. Call them at (877) 768-1600 or visit their website at https://ivesequipment.com.

Lead-Free Valves from ASCO and Ives Equipment



Lead is extremely toxic. Tight US safety regulations affect manufacturers of products such as drinking water fountains, reverse osmosis systems, coffee machines. and commercial kitchen equipment. A lead-free system cannot contain soldering flux with greater than 0.2% lead content, or more than a weighted average of 0.25% lead in the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures. Under the law, lead free is a cumulative concept.  In response, Ives Equipment and ASCO have coordinated to provide a range of valve choices that meet the new regulations, are NSF certified, and come in the industry’s broadest range of characteristics in terms of pipe size, pressure or temperature ratings, and flow coefficients.

For more information visit https://ivesequipment.com/leadfree.

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Face New Ransomware Concern

Industrial Control System Ransomware

Dragos is a company that provides industrial asset identification, threat detection, and response to help organizations stay ahead of adversaries. According to Dragos intelligence and threat reports, it appears that a segment of code called Snake or EKANS, first recognized in December, 2019, has been designed as ransomware to target Windows systems used in industrial control systems (ICS). 

Ransomware is malicious software that will lock up data on a computer’s drive, then travel across the network and encrypt other data. The saboteurs will then demand payment in exchange for releasing the data. Whereas industrial control system machines are high-value targets (healthcare is the other high-value target) EKANS is unusual in that the malicious code uses targeted intelligence for control systems to first encrypt the root data (files are encrypted and renamed with random 5-character extension) and then ruin the software processes and hold the data hostage.

EKANS targeted companies and are sent a ransom note with the instruction to pay the ransom in cryptocurrency. There is an email address provided for contact/replies.

Manufacturing plants, power grids, and industrial concerns (such as oil refineries) are all targets of this malicious malware.

Another feature of the EKANS ransomware is it is programed to terminate sixty-four (64) various processes on computers – most of which are ICS specific.  This suggests the possibility that the EKANS may also share features similar to the Megacortex ransomware, which first appeared in early 2019.  Megacortex relies on a manual method of deployment rather than self propagation ransomware deployment.

It is still unknown whether the EKANS ransomware originated from state-sponsored hackers or via real cybercriminals trying to profit from industrial control system owners. It appears that it may be the latter, based on the most recent analysis of the nature of the ransomware – analysis by Dragos researchers.

It is wise to raise awareness with among everyone who touches your systems and it would be prudent to have someone within your organization (or a consultant) tasked with keeping data security protections current.  In addition, it is crucial to have ICS organizations rethink their cybersecurity leadership philosophy. In many organizations, the evangelists for cybersecurity are not equipped to exert influence in the company.  Cybersecurity is still treated as a back-office job, but it needs to be treated as priority by the organizational leaders.

Dragos adversary hunters recommend keeping ICS systems segmented from the rest of the network. In this way, if just one Window machine is infected, the virus can’t mobilize to the systems that control the infrastructure. In addition, standard practices such as backups, stored offline, and including the last known good configuration data will somewhat reduce the liability of slow recovery. Guardrails such as improved access and mechanisms for authentication will also help to reduce the risk of these increasingly troubling attacks on ICS systems.

More detailed information can be accessed here:
https://dragos.com/blog/industry-news/ekans-ransomware-and-ics-operations.

Article courtesy of:
Ives Equipment
www.ivesequipment.com
(877) 768-1600