Electronics

Zinc whiskers can pose significant problems if not addressed. Despite their innocuous name, they can cause considerable disruption in data centres. While monitoring temperature and having an effective layout can mitigate risks, it’s crucial to remain vigilant about this concealed threat. Zinc whiskers are tiny filaments that form on steel surfaces electroplated with zinc. Zinc protects against corrosion, but the molecular stress from the electroplating process causes it to expand and crystallise to relieve the pressure. They start at only a few microns but can grow to several millimetres. It’s important to note that various surfaces develop whiskers at different rates and densities. Zinc whisker growth is unpredictable, but it is believed to be influenced by the conditions during the electroplating process itself. The tiny shards can lead to catastrophic consequences for data centres. They can remain undisturbed for years on floor tiles and other structural supports. While they are more prevalent in older data centres that used electroplated zinc, they can form on this material anywhere, regardless of environmental conditions. Hazards Unchecked zinc whiskers can lead to everything…

Steel fabricators may not think much about corrosion after completing their work. However, major infrastructure like wharves, bridges, pipelines, and tanks is constantly threatened by corrosion, which, if it takes hold, will make them unsafe. Traditionally, phase control cathodic protection (CP) systems were used to protect infrastructure, but these come with several challenges, such as the high cost of copper cabling and associated power loss. These issues become even more significant for asset owners who must address environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting. Here, David Celine, managing director of cathodic protection specialist Omniflex, explains how CP system design can support ESG commitments while simultaneously reducing costs and enhancing maintenance capabilities. At the core of any impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system is a transformer-rectifier unit (T/R), which provides the essential electrical current for ongoing protection. There are two primary types of T/R that can be employed to supply current for an ICCP system: phase control and switch-mode. While both technologies are hugely important to the global CP market, it is not always clear which is…

Colterlec has been delivering quality-engineered electrical product solutions for over 25 years across a range of industries, including mining, transport, and energy, with a strong focus on manufacturing, food and beverage, and packaging. Colterlec is proudly Australian-owned and operated and continues to be a leading distributor of electrical product innovations and solutions around Australia. We have a committed and skilled team to support you at every stage, along with partnerships with leading global suppliers to help you find the right product solution. Colterlec will showcase a comprehensive range of manufacturing and automation solutions from leading industry brands, aimed at enhancing productivity and safety in manufacturing. From Moxa, we will present industrial networking and automation connectivity solutions. These smart digital technologies are designed to optimise manufacturing operations and transform industrial processes, enhancing control across essential infrastructure. Next, Phoenix Contact features its Complete Cabinet Confidence of Power Reliability solutions, including connectivity, switching, and conversion technology, designed for dependable integrated systems that enhance operations and minimise downtime. Grace Technologies will showcase its electrical safety products and predictive maintenance solutions to enhance safety…

A leading Australian electrical company has found a solution that delivers Standards-compliant, safe, and portable switchrooms to sites for its major projects nationwide. The electrical project specialist worked with Modulate Group to create a fully sealed containerised switchroom that can easily be moved from site to site. The customised switchroom houses a motor control centre, variable-speed drive, distribution board, transformer, local control station, fire indication panel, and remote switching panel. Modulate manufactures customised containerised buildings at its 20,000sqm production facility in Mayfield, near Newcastle, NSW. Production and customisation to different needs are handled in-house. “Electrical switchrooms are some of the more complex containerised buildings we manufacture. We ensure they meet strict AS3000 Standards, other relevant safety Standards, and any client-specific requirements,” said Jack Adams, General Manager, Modulate. “The customer placed a high importance on safety and quality from the start, and they were clear with their requirements. Not only did they want to meet all relevant Standards, but they wanted to maximise internal space, which is an area where Modulate sets itself apart from other portable offices,” he added. The…

The Briscoe Group’s 25,000sqm distribution centre is set to open in early 2026. Investing at least NZ$100m in the facility will significantly enhance Briscoe Group’s supply chain capabilities and efficiency. Situated in Drury South, Auckland, this new centre will replace the current 8,000sqm facility, increasing storage capacity by more than four times and accommodating KNAPP’s state-of-the-art automated shuttle system. The automation contract significantly advances the Briscoe Group’s supply chain evolution. KNAPP’s advanced systems, including the Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) Evo Shuttle and Pick-it-Easy Evo goods-to-person stations, will optimise storage and picking for smaller products like apparel and footwear, enhancing efficiency across the board. “This partnership with KNAPP enables us to enhance stock accuracy and expedite fulfilment, creating an improved customer experience while optimising in-store inventory,” said Briscoe Group Supply Chain General Manager Darren Porteous. The automation will bolster the on-shelf availability of products in Briscoe Group’s stores, allowing the Group to restock high-demand items as often as daily, thereby enhancing both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Various online orders will also be fulfilled from the DC using automation, minimising the…

Rockwell Automation has launched Logix SIS, a cutting-edge safety instrumented system (SIS) designed to address the evolving needs of modern industrial environments. The introduction of the Logix SIS from Rockwell Automation provides a modern and integrated safety solution, offering both SIL 2 and SIL 3 certifications for enhanced process and hybrid safety. Logix SIS delivers all components of a safety instrumented system, including the process logic solver and I/O. The system is engineered to provide high availability with proven Rockwell Automation hardware, leveraging the latest 1756 controller, FLEX 5000® I/O platform, and Studio 5000 Logix Designer® application for a truly integrated user experience. "Logix SIS represents a significant step forward, offering exceptional flexibility for process and hybrid safety applications while leveraging our proven hardware to target the highest safety levels," said Dan DeYoung, vice president of product management at Rockwell Automation. "Its intuitive interface, consistent with our other solutions, minimises complexity and empowers partners to deliver high-level safety solutions." Key capabilities of Logix SIS: Modern SIL 2 and SIL 3 solutions deliver comprehensive safety across various industrial applications;…

Advanced Navigation, a world leader in navigation and autonomous systems, has announced the expansion of its versatile Certus range, with the new Mini series. Available in three variants, the Certus Mini series includes a GNSS-aided Certus Mini D and Certus Mini N inertial navigation system (INS), while Certus Mini A functions as an attitude and heading reference system (AHRS). Weighing no more than 55 grams, the series delivers impressive performance and cost-efficiency, defying expectations for its weight and size. Advanced Navigation CEO Chris Shaw said, “Manufacturers and system integrators often face trade-offs between performance, size, cost, and weight. The Certus Mini series is a testament that these attributes do not need to conflict. This value-driven breakthrough lowers the entry barrier to precise and reliable navigation for customers deploying land-based vehicles. It also unlocks new possibilities for lightweight airborne platforms, such as drones, where every gram counts towards flight efficiency and power consumption. Designed with flexibility in mind, the series is easily integrated into existing and new system builds with simple plug-and-play…

The urgent global focus on decarbonisation and clean energy is driving the unprecedented emergence of new technologies, creating a new era of demand and development for a wide range of minerals, including copper. Copper continues to have a foundational role in modern society and its diverse applications are integral to the transition to a clean energy future. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that the global capacity for renewable energy saw an unprecedented 50% increase in 2023, the fastest growth in two decades. With the acceleration of technological advancements and electrification, copper demand remains strong and resilient. Predictions are that 115% more copper must be mined in the next 30 years than has ever been mined historically. Exploration and discovery are crucial to expand or develop mines and provide the primary copper supply. Despite growing investment in copper exploration, the industry faces various challenges. The discovery rate for all economic deposits globally has halved in the last decade, and the average cost of discovery is…

The mining industry is the backbone of modern civilisation, providing the raw materials essential for everything from buildings and infrastructure to electronics and medicine.  The global coal mining industry has grown by nearly 20% on average for each of the last five years, meaning conveyors are carrying more coal than ever. However, these mining operations often occur in remote and challenging environments where reliable communication is paramount. Coal-carrying conveyor belts can be up to 20km long. If they break and do not immediately stop, cargo can be spilled everywhere and cause a major safety risk. Conveyors usually come equipped with contacts that indicate problems like breakages, but with the extreme distances involved, these can be unreliable. Ian Loudon, international sales manager at remote monitoring specialist Omniflex, explains why new fibre optic modules are game changers in mining applications in terms of reducing downtime and improving safety. Modern mining conveyor belts can extend for tens of kilometres, carrying tonnes of material daily. These mammoth systems are crucial for transporting extracted resources from the mine to processing facilities or stockpiles. Therefore, ensuring efficient…