#SP Ultraflex

[psatalk]

SP Ultraflex’s live demonstration at drupa 2024

Visitors to SP Ultraflex’s stand (hall no-11, stand no D12) at drupa 2024 will witness the live demonstration of the Roboslit Plus series 1000 mpm dual turret slitter rewinder. Expressing his excitement about drupa 2024, Biku Kohli said, “We are always on the lookout for new vendors, experts in their respective fields, to support us in our innovation projects, and drupa is known to host many such vendors.”

Kohli's participation in the show is fueled by his firm belief in the capability of the technologically advanced slitter rewinding machine, and that it will attract vendors for discussions rather than the team of SP Ultraflex seeking them out.

The machine on display has an operational speed of 1000 MPM. It has a fully automatic job set-up that encompasses the positioning of the web guide sensor, cutters, trim extraction nozzles, and rewind cores, effectively minimizing setup time, material consumption, and operator dependency.

According to Kohli, drupa being the largest exhibition in the printing industry, provides an unparalleled opportunity to maximize global exposure while presenting the latest technology. He said, “drupa 2024 will play a vital role in facilitating our company's growth trajectory by providing a platform for strategic engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning within the dynamic landscape of the flexible packaging and converting industry.”

Apart from new inquiries and projects through showcasing, the latest innovations, Kohli expects to strengthen existing relationships with their valued existing customers a drupa 2024.

[kunalcmi]

ORTHOTIC DEVICES MARKET ANALYSIS (2019-2027)

Orthotic devices are externally applied devices, which are used for supporting, mobilizing, and modifying structure of skeletal system and neuromuscular system that are weak, ineffective, deformed or injured. Orthotic devices are fitted to the body in order to reduce pain of body parts, increase mobility, organ deformities. Also, Orthotic devices improves the independence by enhancing the mobility of the patient.

Most commonly prescribed orthotic devices include foot orthotic device, ankle orthotic device, ankle foot orthotic device, fracture orthotic device, and spinal orthotic device.

Manufacturers such as Chas A Blatchford & Sons, Össur Corporate, Ottobock, Touch Bionics, Inc., and others offer products in this market.

 Global Orthotic Devices Market Drivers

The global orthotic devices market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period due to increasing launches of advanced orthotic devices for people suffering from neuromuscular disorders. For instance, in 2016, Myomo, Inc., a medical device company specialized in manufacturing myoelectric orthotic devices, launched MyoPro Motion-G. MyoPro Motion-G is a first orthotic devices that provides elbow flexion as well as grasping function, and allow patients to perform their essential daily activities. Moreover, MyoPro Motion-G is also used for controlling the movement of partially paralyzed arm using their own muscle signals.  

Moreover, rising number of patients with disability is expected to boost the global orthotic devices market growth. For instance, according to the WHO, in 2018, over one billion people suffered from some form of disability globally. Moreover, between 110 million and 190 million adults suffered problem in functioning of the body parts. According to the same source, increasing geriatric population, coupled with growing chronic health conditions such as cerebral palsy are the factors responsible for increasing rate of disability.

 Global Orthotic Devices Market Restraints

 However, orthotic device are relatively bulky in nature, which is one of the major factors that is expected to hamper the global orthotic devices market growth over the forecast period. For instance, orthotic braces are bulky, and requires more energy to move. Also, the children with Cerebral Palsy, wearing a brace can be a difficult experience if they have deformities. Hence, it may discourage patient from buying these bulky device, which is expected to reduce demand of orthotic devices.

Furthermore, high cost associated with the custom orthotic devices is expected to hinder the global orthotic devices market growth. For instance, the cost of custom orthotic devices typically ranges between US$ 300 and US$ 600.

 Global Orthotic Devices Regional Analysis

North America is expected to hold a significant market share in the global orthotic devices market. This is attributed to increasing number of patients suffering from diabetes that may results in limb amputations, which in turn, is expected to drive the orthotic devices market growth in the region. For instance, in 2016, according to the American Orthotic Devices & Prosthetic Association and the American Diabetes Association (ADA), patient suffering from diabetes are facing problem of losing leg or foot, which is 15 to 40 times higher without the disease. According to the same source, in the U.S, over 80,000 diabetes-related lower limb amputations are performed each year.

Moreover, presence of key players and their partnerships with other companies are expected to drive the global orthotic devices market growth. For instance, in 2018, Bauerfeind USA, Inc., a manufacturer of orthopedic braces, entered into a distribution partnership with AliMed, Inc. In addition, the main objective of this partnership was to provide the customers with the highest quality of orthotic product for the comfort of patient.

Moreover, in 2017, Bauerfeind USA, Inc. was awarded by Arthritis Foundation for its GenuTrain product. Moreover, GenuTrain product such as GenuTrain knee braces provide relief and stability for the knee joint, mostly used in the arthritis.

 Request Sample Free Copy of Report here: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/3562

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 Global Orthotic Devices Market Key Players

Key players operating in the global orthotic devices market include Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited, Zimmer Biomet, Chas A Blatchford & Sons, Össur Corporate, Ottobock, The Ohio Willow Wood, SP Ultraflex Systems Pvt. Ltd., Howard Orthopedics, Inc., Bauerfeind USA, Inc, and Touch Bionics, Inc.

 Market Taxonomy:

On the basis of type, the global orthotic devices market is segmented into:

Lower Limb Orthotic Devices

Hand & Wrist Orthotic Devices

Spinal Orthotic Devices

Others

 On the basis of application, the global orthotic devices market is segmented into:

Deformity

Functional Recovery

Others

On the basis of region, the global orthotic devices market is segmented into:

North America

Latin America

Europe

Middle East

Asia Pacific

Africa

 About Us:

Coherent Market Insights is a global market intelligence and consulting organization focused on assisting our plethora of clients achieve transformational growth by helping them make critical business decisions.

 What we provide:

Customized Market Research Services

Industry Analysis Services

Business Consulting Services

Market Intelligence Services

Long term Engagement Model

Country Specific Analysis

Contact Us:

Mr. Shah

Coherent Market Insights Pvt. Ltd.

Address: 1001 4th ave, #3200 Seattle, WA 98154, U.S.

Phone: +1-206-701-6702

Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com

Source: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ongoing-insight/orthotic-devices-market-3562

[technicallyyoungkitten]

Orthotic Devices Market  Size, Share, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2020 - 2027

Orthotic devices are externally applied devices, which are used for supporting, mobilizing, and modifying structure of skeletal system and neuromuscular system that are weak, ineffective, deformed or injured. Orthotic devices are fitted to the body in order to reduce pain of body parts, increase mobility, organ deformities. Also, Orthotic devices improves the independence by enhancing the mobility of the patient.

Most commonly prescribed orthotic devices include foot orthotic device, ankle orthotic device, ankle foot orthotic device, fracture orthotic device, and spinal orthotic device.Manufacturers such as Chas A Blatchford & Sons, Össur Corporate, Ottobock, Touch Bionics, Inc., and others offer products in this market.

Browse Summary of the Research Report– https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ongoing-insight/orthotic-devices-market-3562

The global orthotic devices market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period due to increasing launches of advanced orthotic devices for people suffering from neuromuscular disorders. For instance, in 2016, Myomo, Inc., a medical device company specialized in manufacturing myoelectric orthotic devices, launched MyoPro Motion-G. MyoPro Motion-G is a first orthotic devices that provides elbow flexion as well as grasping function, and allow patients to perform their essential daily activities. Moreover, MyoPro Motion-G is also used for controlling the movement of partially paralyzed arm using their own muscle signals.  

Moreover, rising number of patients with disability is expected to boost the global orthotic devices market growth. For instance, according to the WHO, in 2018, over one billion people suffered from some form of disability globally. Moreover, between 110 million and 190 million adults suffered problem in functioning of the body parts. According to the same source, increasing geriatric population, coupled with growing chronic health conditions such as cerebral palsy are the factors responsible for increasing rate of disability.

However, orthotic device are relatively bulky in nature, which is one of the major factors that is expected to hamper the global orthotic devices market growth over the forecast period. For instance, orthotic braces are bulky, and requires more energy to move. Also, the children with Cerebral Palsy, wearing a brace can be a difficult experience if they have deformities. Hence, it may discourage patient from buying these bulky device, which is expected to reduce demand of orthotic devices.

Furthermore, high cost associated with the custom orthotic devices is expected to hinder the global orthotic devices market growth. For instance, the cost of custom orthotic devices typically ranges between US$ 300 and US$ 600.

North America is expected to hold a significant market share in the global orthotic devices market. This is attributed to increasing number of patients suffering from diabetes that may results in limb amputations, which in turn, is expected to drive the orthotic devices market growth in the region. For instance, in 2016, according to the American Orthotic Devices & Prosthetic Association and the American Diabetes Association (ADA), patient suffering from diabetes are facing problem of losing leg or foot, which is 15 to 40 times higher without the disease. According to the same source, in the U.S, over 80,000 diabetes-related lower limb amputations are performed each year.

Moreover, presence of key players and their partnerships with other companies are expected to drive the global orthotic devices market growth. For instance, in 2018, Bauerfeind USA, Inc., a manufacturer of orthopedic braces, entered into a distribution partnership with AliMed, Inc. In addition, the main objective of this partnership was to provide the customers with the highest quality of orthotic product for the comfort of patient.

Moreover, in 2017, Bauerfeind USA, Inc. was awarded by Arthritis Foundation for its GenuTrain product. Moreover, GenuTrain product such as GenuTrain knee braces provide relief and stability for the knee joint, mostly used in the arthritis.

Key players operating in the global orthotic devices market include Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited, Zimmer Biomet, Chas A Blatchford & Sons, Össur Corporate, Ottobock, The Ohio Willow Wood, SP Ultraflex Systems Pvt. Ltd., Howard Orthopedics, Inc., Bauerfeind USA, Inc, and Touch Bionics, Inc.

Request A Sample Copy link:- https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/3562  

ContactUs: Mr.Shah Coherent Market ,Insights 10014thAve, #3200 Seattle,WA98154 Tel:+1-206-701-6702 Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com

*************************************************************************************

[vcenterblog]

EMC VNX5200 Review

EMC's VNX5200 storage controller is the entry point for the company's VNX2 offerings and features block storage with optional file and unified storage functionality. The VNX5200 can manage up to 125x 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch SAS and NL-SAS hard drives and SSDs and is built with EMC's MCx multicore architecture. Kevin O'Brien, Director of the StorageReview Enterprise Test Lab, recently traveled to EMC's data center in Hopkinton, MA for some hands-on time and benchmarks of the VNX5200.

In September of last year, EMC updated their popular VNX line of unified storage arrays with significant hardware enhancements. The result was the VNX2 lineup, with enhancements like a move from PCIe 2.0 to PCIe 3.0 and the new MCx architecture (encompassing multicore RAID, multicore cache, and multicore FAST Cache) to take better advantage of multiple CPU cores in the storage processors.

Many of these enhancements focus on enabling the VNX platform to make better use of flash at a time when storage administrators continue to move towards hybrid array configurations. According to EMC, nearly 70% of VNX2 systems are now shipping in hybrid flash configurations, a shift that has also placed more importance on the role of EMC's FAST suite for caching and tiering.

While the smaller VNXe3200 that we previously reviewed has also been updated with VNX2 technologies, the VNX5200 is designed for midmarket customers who need a primary storage system at their headquarters and for remote/branch office needs that are more robust than what the VNXe3200 can handle. The VNX5200 can be configured for block, file, or unified storage and utilizes a 3U, 25x 2.5-inch EMC Disk Processor Enclosure (DPE) chassis. The VNX5200’s storage processor units incorporate a 1.2GHz, four-core Xeon E5 processor with 16GB of RAM and can manage a maximum of 125 drives with FC, iSCSI, FCoE and NAS connectivity.

The VNX2 family also currently includes five storage systems designed for larger scales than the VNXe3200 and the VNX5200.

VNX5400: Up to 1PB of raw capacity across 250 drives, up to 1TB of SSD FAST Cache, and up to 8 UltraFlex I/O modules per array

VNX5600: Up to 2PB of raw capacity across 500 drives, up to 2TB of SSD FAST Cache, and up to 10 UltraFlex I/O modules per array

VNX5800: Up to 3PB of raw capacity across 750 drives, up to 3TB of SSD FAST Cache, and up to 10 UltraFlex I/O modules per array

VNX7600: Up to 4PB of raw capacity across 1,000 drives, up to 4.2TB of SSD FAST Cache, and up to 10 UltraFlex I/O modules per array

VNX8000: Up to 6PB of raw capacity across 1,500 drives, up to 4.2TB of SSD FAST Cache, and up to 22 UltraFlex I/O modules per array

VNX5200 block storage is powered by dual VNX Storage Processors with a 6Gb SAS drive topology. A VNX2 deployment can use one or more Data Movers and a controller unit to offer NAS services. Like other members of the VNX series, the VNX5200 uses UltraFlex I/O modules for the both its Data Movers and the block storage processors.  The VNX5200 supports up to three Data Movers and a maximum of three UltraFlex modules per Data Mover.

MCx Multi-Core Functionality

VNX predates widespread multicore processor technology, and prior generations of the platform were not built on a foundation that could leverage dynamic CPU scaling. FLARE, the VNX1 and CLARiiON CX operating environment, did allow services including RAID to be run on a specific CPU core, but FLARE’s single-threaded paradigm meant that many core functions were bound to the first CPU core. For example, all incoming I/O processes were handled by Core 0 before being delegated to other cores, leading to bottleneck scenarios.

MCx implements what EMC characterizes as horizontal multicore system scaling, which allows all services to be spread across all cores. Under this new architecture available on both VNX2 and the VNXe3200, incoming I/O processes are less likely to become bottlenecked because, for example, front-end Fibre Channel ports can be evenly distributed among several processor cores. MCx also implements I/O core affinity through its concept of preferred cores. Every port, front-end and back-end, has both a preferred core and an alternate core assignment. The system services host requests with the same front-end core where the requests originated in order to avoid swapping cache and context between cores.

A major advantage of the new MCx architecture is support for symmetric active/active LUN, which enables hosts to access LUNs simultaneously via both Storage Processors in the array. Unlike with FLARE’s asymmetric implementation, symmetric active/active mode allows both SPs to write directly to the LUN without the need to send updates to the primary Storage Processor.

At present, VNX2 systems support symmetric active/active access for classic RAID group LUNs, but do not support active/active for private pool LUNs which instead can make use of asymmetric active/active mode. Private pool LUNs or “Classic LUNs” cannot currently make use of symmetric active/active mode if they use Data Services other than the VNX RecoverPoint splitter.

One of the VNX5200’s compelling synergies between the MCx architecture and flash media storage is the system's support for the EMC FAST Suite, which allows administrators to take advantage of flash storage media to increase array performance across heterogeneous drives. The FAST Suite combines two approaches for using flash to accelerate storage performance – caching and tiering – into an integrated solution. VNX2 updates to the FAST Suite include four times better tiering granularity and support for new eMLC flash drives.

VNX FAST Cache allows up to 4.2TB of SSD storage to be utilized in order to serve highly active data and dynamically adjust to workload spikes, although the upper cache size limit of the VNX5200 is 600GB.  As data ages and becomes less active over time, FAST VP tiers the data from high-performance to high-capacity drives in 256MB increments based on administrator-defined policies.

EMC VNX5200 Specifications

Array Enclosure: 3U Disk Processor Enclosure

Drive Enclosures:

Max SAN Hosts: 1,024

Min/Max Drives: 4/125

Max FAST Cache: 600GB

CPU/Memory per Array: 2x Intel Xeon E5-2600 4-Core 1.2GHz/32GB

RAID: 0/1/10/3/5/6

Max Raw Capacity: 500TB

Protocols: FC, FCoE, NFS, CIFS, iSCSI,

Storage Types: Unified, SAN, NAS, Object

Drive Types: Flash SSD, SAS, NL-SAS

Capacity Optimization: Thin Provisioning, Block Deduplication, Block Compression, File-Level Deduplication and Compression

Performance: MCx, FAST VP, FAST Cache

Management: EMC Unisphere

Virtualization Support: VMware vSphere, VMware Horizon View, Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix XenDesktop

Max Block UltraFlex I/O Modules per Array: 6

Max Total Ports per Array: 28

2/4/8Gb/s FC Max Ports per Array: 24

1GBASE-T iSCSI Max Total Ports per Array: 16

Max FCoE Ports Per Array: 12

10GbE iSCSI Max Total Ports per Array: 12

Control Stations: 1 or 2

Max Supported LUNs: 1,000 (Pooled)

Max LUN Size: 256TB (Virtual Pool LUN)

Max File System Size: 16TB

Number of File Data Movers: 1, 2 or 3

CPU/Memory per Data Mover: Intel Xeon 5600/6GB

UltraFlex I/O Expansion Modules for Block:

UltraFlex I/O Expansion Modules for File:

2.5-inch SAS/Flash (2U), 25 drives

3.5-inch SAS/Flash (3U), 15 drives

4-Port 2/4/8Gb/s Fibre Channel

4-Port 1Gb/s (copper) iSCSI

2-Port 10Gb/s (optical) iSCSI

2-Port 10GBASE-T (copper) iSCSI

2-Port 10GbE (optical or twinax) FCoE

4-Port 1GBASE-T

4-Port 1GBASE-T and 1GbE (optical)

2-Port 10GbE (optical)

2-Port 10GBASE-T (copper)

Design and Build

In VNX terminology, a storage deployment consists of several integrated rack components. The controller component is either a Storage-Processor Enclosure (SPE) which does not incorporate drive bays, or as with this VNX5200, a Disk-Processor Enclosure (DPE) which does provide internal storage. VNX Disk Array Enclosures (DAEs) can be used to incorporate additional storage capacity.

An SPE incorporates the VNX storage processors in addition to dual SAS modules, dual power supplies, and fan packs. Disk-Processor Enclosures (DPEs) include an enclosure, disk modules, storage processors, dual power supplies, and four fan packs. Adding additional storage through the use of DAEs can be done through the use of either 15x 3.5-inch, 25x 2.5-inch, or 60x 3.5-inch drive bays with dual SAS link control cards and dual power supplies.

Whether they are part of a storage-processor enclosure or a disk-processor enclosure, VNX storage processors provide data access to external hosts and bridge the array’s block storage with optional VNX2 file storage functionality. The VNX5200 can take advantage of a variety of EMC's UltraFlex IO Modules to customize its connectivity.

UltraFlex Block IO Module Options:

Four-port 8Gb/s Fibre Channel module with optical SFP and OM2/OM3 cabling to connect to an HBA or FC switch.

Four-port 1Gb/s iSCSI module with a TCP offload engine and four 1GBaseT Cat6 ports.

Two-port 10Gb/s Opt iSCSI Module with a TCP offload engine, two 10Gb/s Ethernet ports, and an  SFP+ optical connection or an twinax copper connection to an Ethernet switch.

Two-port 10GBaseT iSCSI module with a TCP offload engine and two 10GBaseT Ethernet ports

Two-port 10GbE FCoE module with two 10Gb/s Ethernet ports and an SFP+ optical connection or a twinax copper connection

Four-port 6Gb/s SAS V2.0 module for backend connectivity to VNX Block Storage Processors. Each SAS port has four lanes per port at 6Gb/s for 24Gb/s nominal throughput. This module is designed for PCIe 3 connectivity and can be configured as 4x4x6 or 2x8x6.

In order to configure the VNX5200 for file storage or unified storage, it must be used in tandem with one or more Data Mover units. The VNX Data Mover Enclosure (DME) is 2U in size and houses the Data Movers. Data Movers use 2.13GHz, four-core Xeon 5600 processors with 6GB RAM per Data Mover and can manage a maximum storage capacity of 256TB per Data Mover. The data mover enclosure can operate with one, two, or three Data Movers.

Control Stations are 1U in size and provide management functions to the Data Movers, including controls for failover. A Control Station can be deployed with a secondary Control Station for redundancy. UltraFlex File IO Module options include:

Four-port 1GBase-T IP module with four RJ-45 ports for Cat6 cables

Two-port 10GbE Opt IP module with two 10Gb/s Ethernet ports and a choice of an SFP+ optical connection or a twinax copper connection to an Ethernet switch

Two-port 10 GBase-T IP module with copper connections to an Ethernet switch

Four-port 8Gb/s Fibre Channel Module with optical SFP and OM2/OM3 cabling to connect directly to a captive array and to provide an NDMP tape connection

Management and Data Services

The VNX family uses EMC’s Unisphere management software. Our overall impression of Unisphere is that it offers a clean and well-organized interface that will be accessible to IT generalists while also allowing experienced storage administrators to access the system's full functionality.

Unisphere incorporates snapshot functionality that includes configuration options for an auto-delete policy that deletes snapshots either (1) after a specified amount of time or (2) once snapshot storage space exceeds a specified percentage of storage capacity. VNX snapshots can make use of EMC’s thin provisioning and redirect on write technologies to improve the speed and reduce storage requirements for stored snapshots.

VNX uses block and file compression algorithms designed for relatively inactive LUNs and files, allowing both its compression and deduplication operations to be conducted in the background with reduced performance overhead. VNX’s fixed-block deduplication is built with 8KB granularity for scenarios like virtual machine, virtual desktop, and test/development environments with much to gain from deduplication. Deduplication can be set at the pool LUN level, and thin, thick and deduplicated LUNs can be stored in a single pool.

Unisphere Central provides centralized multi-box monitoring for up to thousands of VNX and VNXe systems, for example systems deployed in remote and branch offices. The Unisphere suite also includes VNX Monitoring and Reporting software for storage utilization and workload patterns in order to facilitate problem diagnosis, trend analysis, and capacity planning.

In virtualized environments, the VNX5200 can deploy EMC’s Virtual Storage Integrator for VMware vSphere 5 for provisioning, management, cloning, and deduplication. For VMware, the VNX5200 offers API integrations for VAAI and VASA, and in Hyper-V environments it can be configured for Offloaded Data Transfer and Offload Copy for File. The EMC Storage Integrator offers provisioning functionality for Hyper-V and SharePoint. EMC Site Recovery Manager software can manage failover and failback in disaster recovery situations as well.

VNX2 arrays from the VNX5200 through the VNX8000 offer EMC’s new controller-based data at rest encryption, named D@RE, which encrypts all user data at the drive level. D@RE uses AES 256 encryption and is pending validation for FIPS-140-2 Level 1 compliance. New D@RE-capable VNX arrays ship with the encryption hardware included, and existing VNX2 systems can be field-upgraded to support D@RE and non-disruptively encrypt existing storage as a background task.

D@RE encrypts all data written to the array using a regular data path protocol with a unique key per disk. If drives are removed from the array for any reason, information on the drive is unintelligible. D@RE also incorporates crypto-erase functionality because its encryption keys are deleted when a RAID group or storage pool is deleted.

VNX2 offers mirrored write cache functionality, where each storage processor contains both primary cached data for its LUNs and a secondary copy of the cache for the peer storage processor. RAID levels 0, 1, 1/0, 5, and 6 can coexist in the same array and the system’s proactive hot sparing function further increases data protection. The system uses integrated battery backup units to provide cache de-staging and other considerations for an orderly shutdown during power failures.

Local protection is available through Unisphere’s point-in-time snapshot feature, and continuous data protection is available via RecoverPoint local replication. EMC’s VPLEX can be used to extend continuous availability within and across data centers. According to EMC, it used television DVRs as an inspiration for its RecoverPoint Continuous Remote Replication software.

Replication Manager and AppSync provide application-consistent protection with EMC Backup and Recovery solutions including Data Domain, Avamar, and Networker to shorten the backup windows and recovery times.

Testing Background and Storage Media

We publish an inventory of our lab environment, an overview of the lab's networking capabilities, and other details about our testing protocols so that administrators and those responsible for equipment acquisition can fairly gauge the conditions under which we have achieved the published results. To maintain our independence, none of our reviews are paid for or managed by the manufacturer of equipment we are testing.

The EMC VNX5200 review stands out as a rather unique testing approach compared to how we usually evaluate equipment. In our standard review process the vendor ships us the platform, which we then connect to our fixed testing platforms for performance benchmarks. With the VNX5200, the size and complexity, as well as initial setup caused us to change this approach and fly our reviewer and equipment to EMC's lab. EMC prepared a VNX5200 with the equipment and options necessary for iSCSI and FC testing. EMC supplied their own dedicated 8Gb FC switch, while we brought one of our Mellanox 10/40Gb SX1024 switches for Ethernet connectivity. To stress the system we leveraged an EchoStreams OSS1A-1U server, exceeding the hardware specifications of what we use in our traditional lab environment.

EchoStreams OSS1A-1U Specifications:

2x Intel Xeon E5-2697 v2 (2.7GHz, 30MB Cache, 12-cores)

Intel C602A Chipset

Memory - 16GB (2x 8GB) 1333MHz DDR3 Registered RDIMMs

Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard

2x Mellanox ConnectX-3 dual-port 10GbE NIC

2x Emulex LightPulse LPe16002 Gen 5 Fibre Channel (8GFC, 16GFC) PCIe 3.0 Dual-Port HBA

Boot SSD: 100GB Micron RealSSD P400e

Our evaluation of the VNX5200 will compare its performance in synthetic benchmarks across five configurations that reflect how EMC customers deploy VNX2 systems in a production setting. Each configuration leveraged 8 LUNs measuring 25GB in size.

A RAID10 array composed of SSD media with Fibre Channel connectivity

A RAID10 array composed of SSD media with iSCSI connectivity

A RAID6 array composed of 7k HDD media with Fibre Channel connectivity

A RAID5 array composed of 10k HDD media with Fibre Channel connectivity

A RAID5 array composed of 15k HDD media with Fibre Channel connectivity.

Each configuration incorporated 24 drives and used RAID configurations most common with their deployment in a production setting.

Enterprise Synthetic Workload Analysis

Prior to initiating each of the fio synthetic benchmarks, our lab preconditions the device into steady state under a heavy load of 16 threads with an outstanding queue of 16 per thread. Then the storage is tested in set intervals with multiple thread/queue depth profiles to show performance under light and heavy usage.

Preconditioning and Primary Steady-State Tests:

Throughput (Read+Write IOPS Aggregated)

Average Latency (Read+Write Latency Averaged Together)

Max Latency (Peak Read or Write Latency)

Latency Standard Deviation (Read+Write Standard Deviation Averaged Together)

This synthetic analysis incorporates four profiles which are widely used in manufacturer specifications and benchmarks:

4k random - 100% Read and 100% Write

8k sequential - 100% Read and 100% Write

8k random - 70% Read/30% Write

128k sequential - 100% Read and 100% Write

After being preconditioned for 4k workloads, we put the VNX5200 through our primary tests. As such, when configured with SSDs and accessed via Fibre Channel, it posted 80,472 IOPS read and 33,527 IOPS write. Using the same SSDs in RAID10 (though this time using our iSCSI block-level test), the VNX5200 achieved 37,421 IOPS read and 22,309 IOPS write. Switching to 15K HDDs in RAID5 using Fibre Channel connectivity showed 12,054 IOPS read and 3,148 IOPS write, while the 10K HDD configuration hit 7,688 IOPS read and 2,835 IOPS write. When using 7K HDDs in a RAID6 configuration of the same connectivity type, the VNX5200 posted 4,390 IOPS read and 1,068 IOPS write.

Results were much of the same in average latency. When configured with SSDs in RAID10 and using a Fibre Channel connectivity, it showed 3.18ms read and 7.63ms write. Using the same SSDs with our iSCSI block-level test, the VNX5200 boasted 6.84ms read and 11.47me write. Switching to 15K HDDs in RAID5 using Fibre Channel connectivity showed 21.23ms read and 81.31ms write in average latency, while the 10K HDD configuration posted 33.29ms read and 90.31ms write. When switching to 7K HDDs in a RAID6 configuration of the same connectivity type, the VNX5200 posted 58.29ms read and 239.64ms write.

Next, we move to our maximum latency benchmark. When configured with SSDs in RAID10 and using our iSCSI block-level test, it showed 197ms read and 421.8ms write. Using the same SSDs, though this time with Fibre Channel connectivity, the VNX5200 boasted 202.1ms read and 429.2ms write. Switching to 15K HDDs in RAID5 using Fibre Channel connectivity recorded 1,311.3ms read and 1,199.2ms write for maximum latency, while the 10K HDD configuration posted 2,687.8ms read and 2,228.1ms write. When switching to 7K HDDs in a RAID6 configuration of the same connectivity type, the VNX5200 posted 3,444.8ms read and 2,588.4ms write.

Our last 4K benchmark is standard deviation, which measures the consistency of the VNX5200's performance. When configured with SSDs in RAID10 using our iSCSI block-level test, the VNX5200 posted 3.30ms read and 12.06ms write. Using the same SSDs with Fibre Channel connectivity shows 9.20ms read and 14.32ms write. Switching to 15K HDDs in RAID5 with Fibre Channel connectivity recorded 25.93ms read and 120.53ms write, while the 10K HDD configuration posted 35.37ms read and 175.66ms write. When using 7K HDDs RAID6 configuration of the same connectivity type, the VNX5200 posted 52.75ms read and 254.55ms write.

Our next benchmark uses a sequential workload composed of 100% read operations and then 100% write operations with an 8k transfer size. Here, the VNX5200 posted 178,959 IOPS read and 76,022 IOPS write when configured with 10K HDDs in RAID5 Fibre Channel connectivity. Using 15K HDDs in RAID5 with Fibre Channel connectivity shows 176,895 IOPS read and 77,505 IOPS write. Switching to SSDs in RAID10 using a Fibre Channel connectivity recorded 169,833 IOPS read and 74,470 IOPS write, while the SSD iSCSI block-level test showed 69,303 IOPS read and 40,379 IOPS write. When using 7K HDDs in a RAID6 configuration with Fibre Channel connectivity, the VNX5200 posted 75,982 IOPS read and 76,122 IOPS write.

Our next series of workloads are composed of a mixture of 8k read (70%) and write (30%) operations up to a 16 Threads 16 Queue, our first being throughput. When configured with SSDs in RAID10 using Fibre Channel connectivity, the VNX5200 posted a range of 8,673 IOPS to 41,866 IOPS by 16T/16Q. Using the same SSDs during our iSCSI block-level test shows a range of 6,631 IOPS to 28,193 IOPS. Switching to 15K HDDs in RAID5 with Fibre Channel connectivity recorded a range of 1,204 IOPS and 6,411 IOPS, while the 10K HDD configuration posted 826 IOPS and 5,113 IOPS by 16T/16Q. When using 7K HDDs RAID6 configuration of the same connectivity type, the VNX5200 posted a range of 267 IOPS to 2,467 IOPS.

Next, we looked at average latency. When configured with SSDs in RAID10 using Fibre Channel connectivity, the VNX5200 posted a range of 0.45ms to 6.11ms by 16T/16Q. Using the same SSDs during our iSCSI block-level test shows a range of 0.59ms to 9.07ms. Switching to 15K HDDs in RAID5 with Fibre Channel connectivity recorded a range of 3.31ms and 39.89ms, while the 10K HDD configuration posted 4.83ms initially and 49.97ms by 16T/16Q. When using 7K HDDs RAID6 configuration of the same connectivity type, the VNX5200 posted a range of 14.93ms to 103.52ms.

Taking a look at its maximum latency results, when configured with SSDs in RAID10 using Fibre Channel connectivity, the VNX5200 had a range of 27.85ms to 174.43ms by 16T/16Q. Using the same SSDs during our iSCSI block-level test shows a range of 31.78ms to 134.48ms in maximum latency. Switching to 15K HDDs in RAID5 with Fibre Channel connectivity recorded a range of 108.48ms and 2,303.72ms, while the 10K HDD configuration showed 58.83ms and 2,355.53ms by 16T/16Q. When using 7K HDDs RAID6 configuration of the same connectivity type, the VNX5200 posted a maximum latency range of 82.74ms to 1,338.61ms.

Our next workload analyzes the standard deviation for our 8k 70% read and 30% write operations. Using SSDs in RAID10 using Fibre Channel connectivity, the VNX5200 posted a range of just 0.18ms to 10.83ms by 16T/16Q. Using the same SSDs during our iSCSI block-level test shows a similar range of 0.21ms to 11.54ms in latency consistency. Switching to 15K HDDs in RAID5 with Fibre Channel connectivity recorded a range of 3.48ms to 56.58ms, while the 10K HDD configuration showed 2.5ms initially and 66.44ms by 16T/16Q. When using 7K HDDs RAID6 configuration of the same connectivity type, the VNX5200 posted a standard deviation range of 7.98ms to 110.68ms.

Our final synthetic benchmark made use of sequential 128k transfers and a workload of 100% read and 100% write operations. In this scenario, the VNX5200 posted 2.84GB/s read and 1.26GB/s write when configured with SSDs using our iSCSI block-level test. Using 15K HDDs in RAID5 with Fibre Channel connectivity shows 2.48GB/s read and 2.33GB/s write. Switching back to SSDs in RAID10 (this time using a Fibre Channel connectivity) it recorded 2.48GB/s read and 3.06GB/s write. When using 7K HDDs in a RAID6 configuration with Fibre Channel connectivity, the VNX5200 posted 2.47GB/s read and 2.68GB/s write while the 10K HDD configuration posted 2.47GB/s read and 3.22GB/s write.

Conclusion

EMC's VNX ecosystem is well established in the enterprise storage market, but VNX2 reflects the company's willingness to completely overhaul the VNX architecture in order to make the most of advances in processor, flash, and networking technologies. Much like the VNXe3200, which is oriented towards smaller deployments, the VNX5200 also demonstrates that EMC is paying attention to midmarket firms and remote/branch offices which may not be able to justify the expense of the larger systems in the VNX family but still want all of the enterprise benefits.

Used in conjunction with the FAST Suite, the VNX5200 is able to offer flash caching and tiering in tandem, a combination against which EMC's peers have trouble competing. In our testing we broke out the common tiers and configurations of storage to illustrate with a limited test suite just what users can expect from the 5200. Tests covered 7K HDD on up to SSDs, illustrating the flexibility the system has, delivering capacity, performance, or both over a variety of interface options.

Ultimately the VNX2 platform can handle just about anything thrown its way; and it's that flexibility that wins EMC deals on a daily basis. Given the blend of storage options, IO modules and NAS support the systems are able to manage against almost everything an organization could need. Of course there are use cases that go beyond the 5200 we tested here. The VNX family scales up quite a bit (and down some too with the VNXe3200) to address these needs be it with more compute power, flash allotment or disk shelves.

Pros

A variety of connectivity options via UltraFlex I/O modules

Configurations that support block, file, and unified storage scenarios

Access to the robust VNX ecosystem of administrative tools and third-party integrations

Cons

Maximum of 600GB of FAST Cache

Bottom Line

The EMC VNX5200 is a key entry in a their new wave of unified storage arrays that are architected to take advantage of flash storage, multi-core CPUs and modern datacenter network environments. Its affordability, flexibility in configuration, and access to VNX2 management software and third-party integrations makes for a formidable overall package for the midmarket.

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Live at drupa 2024 — SP Ultraflex' Roboslit plus series  

At drupa 2024 in Dusseldorf, SP Ultraflex, a specialist in Converting Slitter Rewinders, will conduct a live demonstration of its Roboslit plus series 1000 mpm dual turret slitter rewinder. Biku Kohli, CEO of SP Ultraflex, said, “This model, positioned right at the top of our extensive range, includes a host of features that take output, quality, and operator convenience to the next level within a safe and automated environment that includes end-to-end integrated material handling.”

The machine, which will be on display in hall no-11, stand no D12, has an operational speed of 1000 MPM. It has a fully automatic job set-up that encompasses the positioning of the web guide sensor, cutters, trim extraction nozzles, and rewind cores, effectively minimizing setup time, material consumption, and operator dependency.

Other features include a newly developed low-noise trim extraction system that allows a safer and more comfortable working environment; an automatic off-loader with a secondary pusher that reduces manual effort and enhances workflow efficiency, enabling continuous operation without interruptions; and robust safety features, including an area scanner, doors and guard interlocking, and CCTV cameras to ensure a secure working environment for operators.

Kohli explained the automatic job set-up feature. "It involves the simultaneous alignment of the unwind, cutting, and rewind sections of the machine to the package design through the use of servo-driven pick-and-place mechanisms for the components in the respective sections.” He believes this feature will be one of the key attactions for visitors, who are overwhelmed by the size changes required on their slitter rewinders.

The SP Ultraflex team says the newly designed trim extraction is far more efficient than its predecessor and, as such, can produce the desired suction power at a fraction of the power consumed by a regular trim extraction blower.

Kohli says the printing industry is undergoing rapid and significant changes. In the evolving landscape, he expressed confidence that his team is ready to deliver for converters who demand more efficient solutions with minimal set-up wastage and reduced dependency on operator skills.

He feels drupa 2024 is the largest exhibition in the industry and offers an opportunity to maximize the global exposure of any company. “It will play a vital role in facilitating our company's growth trajectory by providing a platform for strategic engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning within the dynamic landscape of the flexible packaging and converting industry.”

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SP Ultraflex shines again at the Elite Conference

The SP Ultraflex team was quite upbeat about the recent 9th Speciality Films Conference organized by Elite Plus on 5th and 6th September 2022 at the Hotel Sahara Star in Mumbai.

“We loved every minute of our first off-line event after three years. The energy levels were to be seen to be believed, as delegates from some of the most reputed companies in the Indian flexible packaging industry exchanged news and views about where the industry is headed, especially regarding the waste collection, sorting, and sustainability issues. A global panel of speakers from 18 countries shared their domain expertise to an engaged audience that surpassed all previous editions of this annual event in terms of sheer numbers,” the SP Ultraflex team said.

SP Ultraflex managing director Biku Kohli spoke again this year about the evolution of the company’s slitter rewinders. This year’s update was very impressive partly because one wondered what more can he say about this topic.

However, Kohli’s ‘Slitter Rewinders that do MORE with LESS’ impressed me as he came up with a host of options, each going further and automating yet another step of the finishing press right up to the precise weight of the output rolls. It was a presentation looking at saving every second, every manual operation, and input in the effort to improve throughput and precisely measure optimize billable output.

SP Ultraflex is now looking forward to the next event on its (and the industry’s) calendar, the K show in Messe Dusseldorf between 16th and 26th October 2022, during it will again welcome customers, suppliers, peers, and colleagues alike at its stand B10 in Hall 4.

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SP Ultraflex’s ROBOSLIT impresses Constantia Parikh

Vienna-based Constantia is one of the largest flexible packaging manufacturers globally. It now has several plants in India based on its acquisitions of Parikh Packaging and Creative Polypack. It also set up a Greenfield plant for its recyclable PE-based flexible packaging plant called Constantia Ecoflex in Ahmedabad, inaugurated in 2019. We are producing an edited version of an interview of Ahmedabad-based Pragnesh Shah, plant head of the Constantia Parikh Packaging sub-cluster below.

Please tell us a bit about the inception of Constantia Parikh Packaging and its area of focus within the flexible packaging segment.

Pragnesh Shah – Constantia Parikh Packaging was formed in 2013, when the Parikh family, promoters of Parikh Packaging, welcomed the Constantia Flexibles group as partners. Regular investments in infrastructure, systems, and plant and machinery enabled the company to grow 3x, and the monthly output now stands at 1800 MT. In 2017, we decided to venture into 100% recyclable laminates and set up our new state of art plant ‘Ecoflex’ in 2019. We launched ‘Ecolam,’ a 100% PE-based laminate to replace aluminum foil from the new unit. By 2025, we plan for 100% of all consumer and pharma packaging to be recyclable, reflecting our commitment to society for environmental friendliness.

Can you help us with an overview of the plant and machinery in your company?

Pragnesh Shah – We started with indigenous machines but were let down in terms of performance. As a result, we shifted to European and Korean technology. We are happy to share that after seeing improvements in Indian machines over the years, we have come full circle today. Most of the recent additions to our plant are from reputed Indian manufacturers.

Being one of the oldest and most reputed converters in the region, we would like to know how important the role of slitting rewinding machines in the overall process of converting is?

Pragnesh Shah – Slitting is usually the last process before the final product is delivered to our customer. Most of our customers are from the food industry and cannot afford stoppages in their packing lines due to slitting defects. In addition, slitting defects can undo all the efforts made in the printing and lamination processes. Therefore, we feel it is essential to invest in the best technology for slitter rewinders, mainly because their cost is a small fraction of the total investment.

Which performance parameters are critical and which features are ‘must haves’ on a good slitter rewinder?

Pragnesh Shah – First and foremost, the ITM (Intelligent tension management), is an absolute must to reduce dependency on operator expertise. Here, the PLC computes and maintains the tension levels suitable to the job. I see the next level of automation in the area of the job setup. The hygiene factor is also very important for food and pharma customers, and a close study of the layout from this perspective is most essential while finalizing the machine. Lastly, I would stress the static management system, which will soon be the need of the hour as more and more customers switch to high-speed packing machines that are most intolerant to residual static.

After installing multiple dual turret slitter machines worldwide, how has your experience with this technology been so far?

Pragnesh Shah – Slitter rewinders with dual turret rewinds are the order of the day in these competitive times where the focus is to increase efficiency. Unlike duplex slitters, these machines run virtually non-stop, offering higher productivity, improved efficiency of man and machine, and optimal use of floor space. Consistency in performance is also higher as compared to duplex machines. Opting for dual turret slitters would also reduce the total number of slitters required to support a given plant capacity over a period of time.

You installed a ROBOSLIT machine from SP Ultraflex a few months back. How was your experience?

Pragnesh Shah – The OHP version of the Roboslit was installed at our plant in February 2021, and we have found its performance to be at par with the best in the world. The team at SP Ultralflex puts in a lot of effort in learning, researching, and understanding the customer’s pain areas and channelizes their inputs to their design department, leading to continuous improvements and innovations. They are also very supportive, understanding the significance of our queries, and give clear and meaningful answers.

Pragnesh Shah, plant head of the Constantia Parikh Packaging sub-cluster[/caption]

In general, most converters prefer compact, rear-loading slitter rewinders. But you have purchased the overhead model of the Roboslit series, the Roboslit OHP. What made you go for that model?

Pragnesh Shah – The most admirable quality in the OHP version is the overhead web movement. Substrates running between idle rollers at high speed tend to develop static charge and attract dust. This is not acceptable, especially when it comes to food and pharma customers. The substrate is always at a good distance from the floor level in the OHP layout, leaving no scope for the dust to contaminate its surface. Other advantages of the overhead path include easy access to the cutting section and better visibility of the running substrate. Last but not least, this layout improves the safety quotient of the machine – something that is non-negotiable within the Constantia Flexibles group.

To what extent did SP Ultraflex meet the expectations of Constantia Flexibles in terms of output, quality, operator friendliness, and safety standards?

Pragnesh Shah – To start with, safety and user-friendliness are of utmost importance to Constantia Flexibles, and both these aspects are well taken care of in the machine. Coming to the output, I have already spoken about the increased productivity of this machine by virtue of its dual turret rewind. I want to share another important dimension, which affects productivity – the ratio of rework. We have seen a drastic reduction in the percentage of narrow width coils that need to be edge corrected on doctoring machines, thanks to the better quality of finished reels produced on this machine.

How, in your opinion, does the SP machine compare with the European make machines in your plant?

Pragnesh Shah – It is a good indigenous technology at par with global standards, with certain additional features and a good team.

What is the future focus for Constantia Parikh Packaging in terms of capital equipment technology? As mentioned earlier, we are looking for indigenous machines which will fulfill our requirements and expectations. We have a robust technical evaluation team that defines the ‘what’ and ‘why.’ If all such conditions and expectations are fulfilled, we would prefer Indian make machines, thereby supporting the Make in India movement.