Tuesday 31 October 2017

Wide aspect ratio display.

Industrial LCD manufacturer KOE have announced the introduction of a new 10.3-inch Rugged+ TFT display module. The TX26D206VM0BAA features HD (1920 x 720 pixels) resolution, a 8:3 wide aspect ratio, IPS (in-plane switching) technology which provides excellent image quality when viewed at any viewing angle, and an extended operating temperature range.

Designed for use in high reliability industrial, in-vehicle, medical, aerospace and marine applications the Rugged+ 10.3-inch display is suitable for use under extreme temperature, mechanical shock and vibration environments where consistent and guaranteed operation are required. The optical and environmental specifications of KOE's Rugged+ display modules are derived from the same operating standards as used in automotive specification display modules.

For dedicated human-machine interface applications, IPS display technology delivers exceptional colour saturation and image stability, high contrast and deep black levels with 176° wide viewing angles (vertical and horizontal). The 10.3-inch display features a contrast ratio of 1000:1 and a white LED backlight with a brightness of 1000cd/m² and a specified 70K hour half-brightness lifetime. These features ensure that display images are colourful, concise and bright.

Jason Tsai, Marketing Manager, KOE, said, "KOE's Rugged+ displays have been specifically developed to have robust mechanical, electrical and environmental characteristics that are highly resistant to shock, vibration, electro-static discharge and temperature variation. The new high resolution 10.3-inch display implements in-plane switching display technology, which provides exceptional optical performance with highly consistent colour reproduction and wide viewing angles."

The 50-pin 2-channel LVDS data interface supports 8-bit RGB which enables a colour palette of up to 16.7M colours. The 10.3-inch display module has mechanical outline dimensions of 259.0mm (w) x 111.4mm (h) x 14.2mm (d) and an active display area of 243.7mm (w) x 91.4mm (h). An operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C and storage temperature range of -40°C to +90°C is supported. The display module weighs 430gram.

KOE's Rugged+ TFT display modules are suitable for many varied applications including aerospace, industrial automation, in-vehicle, marine, medical, point-of-sale, process control and signage. The new 10.3-inch Rugged+ TX26D206VM0BAA TFT display module is available immediately from KOE's sales channel distribution partners.

#KOE #Pauto @ReVis_Solutions

HD pneumatic valve island.

A major update to the ASCO Numatics G3 Series electronic valve island platform, enabling a reduction in installation costs has been announced. The valve island has been expanded so that it can control up to 128 solenoid valves on a single valve island assembly. This allows more valves to be controlled from a single node, enabling savings in the number of nodes and the cabling, internal tubing and electrical connections in the cabinet. Customers will benefit when they control a high density of valves or pneumatic equipment in a packaging plant or on a skid.
“The new functionality enables designers to minimise expensive cabinet space and have fewer nodes dedicated to pneumatic valve islands,” said Uwe Claus, Global Vice President Marketing. “Now, designers can place more valves in a single cabinet or use a smaller enclosure to house the same number of valves. In addition, installers will only have to set up and configure one node, saving time and labour cost.”

The expanded valve platforms can support up to 128 11mm solenoid valves and up to 80 18mm and 26mm valves. To increase the valve platforms’ capacity, mid-station blocks were added with valve drivers and auxiliary power connectors. This flexible approach allows customers to pay only for the capacity and functionality required in their design. A wide variety of communication protocols are supported, including Ethernet/IPTM DLR, Profibus® DP, and Valve Sub-bus for distribution.

It is highly recommended that customers use the flexible and powerful online Dynamic Product Modelling (DPM) tool when designing pneumatic valve island installations to save time in design and selection. The DPM tool enables the valve islands to be fully configured. It produces a unique specification for that product and enables a CAD drawing to be downloaded.

“Our new G3 Series platform is ideal for use in life science (pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical), food and beverage, fine chemicals, and water/wastewater applications,” Claus said.

@ASCO_EU  #Pauto @Emerson_News

UV disinfection simplifies water treatment.

Berson and Hanovia have jointly launched a new low-pressure UV disinfection system for the treatment of municipal, re-use and waste water. The easy-to-install AmaLine R UV range has been third-party validated, in line with US EPA and NWRI guidelines. It provides effective treatment, while reducing lifecycle costs through being simple to maintain and extremely energy efficient. Unlike other similar systems, the AmaLine has been designed to simplify maintenance, which can be performed by a single operator rather than a crew, and without requiring external lifting equipment.
The AmaLine range is application-optimised in terms of its design and operation, with a flow range of 1-30 MGD (millions of gallons per day). The AmaLine R has a U-shaped chamber that optimises flow to cater for low UV light transmittance (UVT) water quality. This makes it ideal for re-use and waste water applications.

Also available is the AmaLine D range, designed specifically for municipal drinking water, which has a coaxial flow L-shaped chamber, and optimises flow to deliver the most effective disinfection for drinking water applications.

AmaLine has been designed using the latest computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling. A highly efficient chamber and optimised lamp positioning ensure maximum energy efficiency. Optimum distribution of UV intensity throughout the chamber provides effective water treatment.

AmaLine uses LPHO (low pressure high output) amalgam lamp technology that provides variable output ballasts (50 to 100%). This helps to reduce energy consumption further, but also provides greater UV intensity. Shorter physical lengths compared with conventional low-pressure lamps reduces the overall footprint of the system. The ability to leave LPHO lamps on, even when there is no flow, helps to minimise potential disruption to the process. The longer life amalgam lamp helps to extend the periods between servicing.

AmaLine is also much easier to service and maintain. In contrast with alternative solutions, the AmaLine system has been designed to enable a single operator to change lamps, quartz sleeve and wiper blades easily and safely without the need of cranes, hoists or other external lifting equipment. A unique lamp connector, with self-aligning functionality, enables simple and fast lamp replacement, helping to minimise downtime, protect an operator from harm during servicing, and provide assurance of optimal system operation.

Where Berson has been focused on the municipal market and Hanovia on industrial, both companies now will focus on all markets with joint resources. This will now increase the capability to develop products for various applications quicker, and provide extensive support globally. The AmaLine is a platform that has been designed for the municipal market but has been engineered so it can be adapted for specific industrial applications.

 @Hanovia_UV  #Water #Pauto

Collaboration for safety system set-up.

The DeltaV™ safety instrumented system (SIS) configurator, an exida exSILentia® tool that automatically generates DeltaV SIS configurations has been announced. By pairing built-in DeltaV functionality with exida’s comprehensive software tools for functional safety, users can develop safety logic configurations much faster and in fewer steps. Project teams can not only decrease the time and effort of safety system configuration, but also deliver more consistent configurations with fewer errors, requiring less rework.

In traditional SIS configuration, project teams use the safety requirements specification (SRS), along with custom-built cause and effect matrices (CEM) as the basis for system configuration. The CEM data is manually interpreted and coded into the safety logic to configure the system. This configuration model requires multiple stages of data entry, taking too much time and presenting opportunities for human error. The new DeltaV SIS configurator leverages data structures created during the conceptual safety instrumented function (SIF) design, safety instrumented level (SIL) verification, and the SRS to automatically generate the safety system configuration.

“With the DeltaV SIS Configurator, programming the logic only takes a fraction of the time, so the SIS conceptual design can be finalised before programming begins. This eliminates any rework due to changing requirements and dramatically impacts project schedule,” said Iwan van Beurden, chief technology officer and director of product development at exida.

With automated SIS configuration, there is no need for entering data in multiple tools; everything is entered once into exSILentia, and an automated tool translates the information into the DeltaV safety logic configuration. The SRS data, SIF definition, and the associated SIL verification data are included.

“Using automatic SIS configuration, project teams can deliver accurate safety logic with minimal programming,” said Sergio Diaz, DeltaV SIS product marketing manager, Emerson Automation Solutions. “Less data entry means more consistency between engineers, leading to less validation time and faster start-ups.”

“By minimising the need for manually entered data and automating other critical steps, this jointly-developed solution addresses some key pain points and should be able to help end users design and implement safer systems more efficiently, maintain these systems, and ensure compliance with pertinent regulations and standards,” said Mark Sen Gupta, research director with ARC Advisory Group.

@EMR_Automation #PAuto @exidaLLC

IS Temperature transmitter.

A new member of the Moore Industries Associated Intrinsically-Safe (AIS) family of products has been announced with the release of the THZ3 compact Dual Input Smart HART® Temperature Transmitter in DIN Rail Mount housing with Associated IS sensor connections. The intrinsically-safe -AIS option allows direct connection of sensors located in hazardous areas since it includes an internal intrinsically-safe barrier in the front end of the THZ3. The Universal mounting bracket easily snaps on and off of 35mm Top Hat DIN-rails and standard relay tracks.

The THZ3-DIN with the -AIS option is an associated apparatus suitable for mounting in Non-Hazardous or Class I, Division 2/Zone 2 hazardous locations with sensor input terminals connected to equipment or sensors located in Class I, II, III, Division 1/Zone 0/1 hazardous locations. Installation costs are reduced if an associated apparatus like the THZ3-DIN with -AIS option is used, since the intrinsically-safe barrier is embedded in the receiving device. There is no need for the additional cost of the IS barrier, cabinet space, high integrity clean ground connection, separate power supply, or custom vendor backplanes. This drastically reduces the cost of purchasing, installation, and maintenance versus more traditional approaches requiring a separate Zener or isolating barrier. Blue connectors on the THZ3-DIN with -AIS option provide a visual way to recognize the Associated IS capability.

The dual-input THZ3-DIN with the -AIS option offers all the features customers have come to expect from Moore Industries temperature transmitters like reliability and accuracy, HART 7 compliance, 20 bit resolution, sensor failover and backup capability, device intelligence including Sensor Drift and Corrosion Detection, and Input Simulation capability. The THZ3 is also HART and DTM Programmable for fast and accurate setup with a user-oriented basic configuration. The THZ3 is HART configurable via any HART handheld configurator or HART compatible host. Users can also program or monitor with any FDT compliant host or program, such as PACTware, utilising their DTM.

@MII_Worldwide  #PAuto #Safety

Microsite for utilities!

Fluke has created a special ‘knowledge platform’– a web microsite called the ‘Fluke solutions center for the Electrical Power Industry’.

The landing page offers eleven areas of interest for professionals working in diverse fields within electrical power generation, transmission and distribution.

Four examples are:
  • Why clean power is critical to smooth operations
  • Why SF6 gas detection matters in utilities
  • Applying infrared thermography to predictive maintenance
  • How to protect and prolong the life of electric systems and motors
All of the eleven topics provide supporting insight into each area with further in-depth downloadable information and application notes. Relevant test and measurement tools are highlighted with links to further information about them, tools such as Fluke’s latest 438-II Power Quality and Motor Analyser, the Fluke Ti450 SF6 Gas Detector, the Fluke 729 Automatic Pressure Calibrator and the Fluke 805 FC Vibration Meter. Finally, a request can be made to talk to a Fluke expert, who can provide further support to the end-user.

@FlukeCorp  #Pauto #TandM

Monitoring and control of energy parameters.

Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG has combined, for the first time, the functionality of a highly accurate measurement device for heavy current applications with the capabilities of an integrated programmable logic controller. With this solution, closely coupled automation tasks can be carried out directly and flexibly by programmable logic. The advantage is evident. With this 2-in-1 concept, there is no need for additional components to implement the control task.

Their CENTRAX CU5000 is a measurement device based on the successful SINEAX DM5000. In the measurement part of the device, more than 1500 measurement data values can be collected to evaluate the mains status, energy consumption and mains quality. The measurement parameters can be controlled either using buttons on the intuitive TFT display or by means of a web browser. In low voltage networks, nominal voltages up to 690 V in measurement category CAT III can be connected. In addition, by logging relevant data for each event, it is also possible to safeguard the mains quality (Power Quality).

The integrated function of a softPLC based on CODESYS allows the CENTRAX CU5000 to flexibly link energy measurement data to the available I/Os or provides it on digital interfaces. As an automation component, the CENTRAX CU5000 is easy to program.

Digital inputs and outputs, analogue outputs as well as a Modbus/RTU and a Modbus/TCP interface are available. In the ADVANCED version, additional field instruments can be easily networked with the controller via the Modbus interfaces. In this way, other data such as energy consumption, status or measurement data can be collected and processed. In the PROFESSIONAL version it is also possible to create your own web pages and define your own visualisations on the local display screen.

In energy automation for example, the CENTRAX CU5000 includes applications for mains loading symmetry, load management, capturing all different types of energy consumption for industrial energy management, for monitoring production equipment such as transformers, motors or generators, for reactive power compensation, or explicit process control. Furthermore, the variety and sheer number of all the capabilities of the device make it possible to create independent system solutions. These in turn can very easily be linked to higher-level control and management systems (for example a SCADA or SMARTCOLLECT from Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG).


• Camille Bauer Metrawatt products are marketed in Ireland through Irish Power and Process Ltd


 #CamilleBauer #PAuto #TandM #IPP

Connectors & electrical test leads manufacturer appointments!

Cliff Electronics has strengthened its salesforce in response to continued sales growth.

Dan Walker
Formerly their Distribution Sales Manager, Dan Walker (Pictured) takes up the new role of General Sales Manager. He will continue to manage the key relationships with their global distribution partners and develop new international markets. Walker has been with Cliff for seven years and has dramatically increased their distribution sales throughout Europe.

Joining to develop increased European OEM sales, Benny Bellman has considerable experience in sales of electronic components to OEMs and CEMs with over fifteen years of experience in sales and technical support. Benny is multi-lingual and has worked in the UK, USA, Austria, Canada and Israel. He has a successful track-record of new business development as well as building and maintaining an existing customer base.

John Hall, Managing Director of Cliff Electronics, comments; “We are very pleased to be increasing Dan’s responsibilities at Cliff, he has proven himself to be an excellent distribution sales manager and we are sure he will be as successful in his new role. Benny joins us at an exciting time with our revolutionary FeedThrough connectors opening up new markets for us. His direct selling experience is exactly what we now need to build our sales to OEM in existing and new markets.”


#CliffElecConns #Pauto #TandM

Saturday 28 October 2017

Awards in automation announced.

Two Yokogawa employees and the subsidiary Yokogawa Solution Service Corporation have received awards from the Society of Instrument and Control Engineers (SICE). The SICE was founded in 1961 to promote collaboration among scientists and engineers from various fields. In such areas as measurement, control, and information systems, SICE is working hard to address issues faced by the oil, petrochemical, iron and steel, chemical, telecommunication, and other industries. Since its establishment, SICE has supported advanced academic research in Japan.

These awards are for a scientific paper, contributions toward the establishment of international standards, and the development of a methodology. The awards were presented on September 21st 2017.

Outstanding Paper Award
The Outstanding Paper Award is given to authors of papers on significant new theories or technologies that have been published in the Keisoku Jidou Seigyo Gakkai Ronbun-shu (collection of papers of the Society of Instrument and Control Engineers – available only in Japanese) or the SICE Journal of Control, Measurement, and System Integration (available only in English) during the two previous calendar years.
■ Winner - Hisanori Hayashi (Yokogawa Electric Corporation)
■ Paper - Intrinsic Safety for Wireless Hydrogen Gas Sensor
Resumé: Hydrogen sensors are used in systems that detect leaks at hydrogen charging stations and hydrogen production facilities. This paper examined how to make these sensors explosion-proof, proposing the use of a wireless hydrogen sensor with a quartz crystal oscillator that can operate at lower temperatures and the use of ISA100.11a wireless communications for transmitting sensor signals. The ISA100.11a wireless communication standard for the industrial automation industry was established in September 2009 by the ISA100 Committee of the International Society of Automation (ISA). SICE selected this paper for the award because it proposes a commercially viable and comparatively easy to implement means for making these sensors explosion-proof that makes practical use of the proven and effective ISA100.11a technology.

Technology Award
The Technology Award is given in recognition of the development of a technology or methodology within the five previous calendar years that represents a significant advance in any of the science and technology fields or industries in which SICE is involved.
■ Winner - Yokogawa Solution Service Corporation
■ Theme - Identification of measures for the rapid restoration of operations following a natural disaster
Resumé -  Yokogawa Solution Service Corporation worked hard to get distributed control systems (DCS) running again at plants that had been damaged in the Great East Japan Earthquake. Based on the insights gained through this work, the company identified various measures that proved effective in restoring operations at these plants and also holds great promise for use in lifecycle maintenance in the future. The company has announced its findings through articles in academic journals and presentations. SICE gave this award to Yokogawa Solution Service Corporation in recognition of its achievement in the establishment of measures that can quickly bring plants back online following a natural disaster and which prove useful in plant lifecycle maintenance activities.

International Standardisation Award: Achievement Prize
The International Standardisation Award: Achievement Prize is given to individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions through the establishment of international standards in fields that SICE is active in.
■ Winner - Toshi Hasegawa (Yokogawa Electric Corporation)
■ International standards:

  • ANSI/ISA-100.11a-2011 - Wireless systems for industrial automation: Process control and related applications
  • ISA-TR100.00.02-2009 - The Automation Engineer’s Guide to Wireless Technology: Part2
  • - A Review of Technologies for Industrial Asset Tracking
  • ISA-TR100.14.01-Part I-2011 Trustworthiness in Wireless Industrial Automation: Part 1, Information for End Users and Regulators

Mr. Hasegawa has worked hard to establish and spread the use by industry of the ISA100.11a wireless communication standard, and has also promoted the use of wireless sensor networks in the oil, petrochemical, and chemical industries. In addition, he has played a leading role in the establishment of the ISA100 Wireless Compliance Institute, has lectured on and conducted seminars on the standard, and organised verification test programs. In recognition of these efforts, SICE has given him this award.


@YokogawaIA #SICE #PAuto #Japan 

Friday 27 October 2017

Cybersecurity in industrial control.

SolutionsPT, together with Schneider Electric, has announced an OT Cyber Security event series, aimed at helping today’s manufacturers protect their industrial control systems and critical infrastructure.

Jay Abdallah
The events will address why industrial environments are becoming more vulnerable to cyberattack, whilst providing pragmatic guidance on building a robust OT Cyber Security strategy.

Keynote speaker, Jay Abdallah, Global Security Director at Schneider Electric (pictured) will discuss ‘The Threat Within’, covering how the move to open standards such as Ethernet, TCP/IP and web technologies has allowed hackers to take advantage of industrial control systems and critical infrastructure, before moving on to ‘Defence in Depth.’

The events will take place in Britain on November 28th at Manchester United Football Club, and on November 30th at the Madejski Stadium in Reading.

 #PAuto @SchneiderSftwre @RightAgency #Cybersecurity

LVDT linear sensors.

A new product addition to the Hoffmann + Krippner redesigned, user-friendly online shop has been announced. In addition to Sensofoil linear and rotary membrane potentiometers, cleanroom / medical keyboards and emPC A/RPI Industrial PCs, the shop now features inelta LVDT linear displacement sensors.
The new online inelta portfolio ranges from standard and miniature displacement sensors to sensors with integrated signal processing and external thread for easy installation.

The IZAL Series miniature sensors, for example, are ideal for medical, industrial, testing, agricultural and military applications. The contactless, wear-free sensors for displacement and position detection achieve a linearity tolerance of ± 0.5% (optionally 0.25%) and are designed for the extremely small measuring ranges of 2, 5 and 10mm.

The new H+K online shop is easy to navigate and provides unique product specifications as they pertain to each of the LVDT categories, allowing the customers to quickly find the perfect linear displacement sensor for their application.

@HK_Controls #PAuto 

Thursday 26 October 2017

Pressure sensor meets SIL 2, PL d!

Following intensive testing of its SMO series current-loop output pressure sensors ADZ NAGANO, the leading German industrial sensor manufacturer, has released comprehensive diagnostic information for failure rates, reliability and lifecycle performance that enables users to meet the requirements for functional safety related applications to SIL 2 and PL d.

This SMO series sensor, from Variohm EuroSensor, has a well proven use for high accuracy pressure sensing in mobile hydraulics, automotive and industrial equipment amongst others, and now offers ECU and other safety controlled applications compliance with DIN EN ISO 13849-1 and IEC61508 and several other recognised safety accreditations.

The tests have established low and high diagnostic range values that may be used, with appropriate control evaluation algorithms, to interpret internal failures such as operational and non-operational connection, internal EEPROM and Watchdog errors. Performance values are also available for MTTFd, Failure rate (λF), DC, and CCF as well as specific PL information. An application note covering this data and comprehensive support for functional safety related pressure sensing tasks is available on request from Variohm EuroSensor.

ADZ’s SMO series pressure sensors are available for pressure ranges from 4 to 4000 bar with generous overpressure and burst ratings, and with RT accuracy of ≤ 0.5 % of range according to IEC 61298-2. A wide choice of electrical connection options include Packard, Superseal and AMP as well as cable output. Pressure connections are equally diverse with all common types covered. In addition to the 4…20mA output version adapted for SIL 2, PL d functional safety, the range offers 0..10 VDC and 1…5 VDC output.

The durable and robust SMO series benefits from a stainless steel membrane and semiconductor thin-film sensor. The electronics are fully enclosed in a high strength stainless steel housing with IP67 protection as standard and up to IP69K on request. Shock and vibration and other environmental performance specifications are more than consistent with the high reliability and long life offered by these premium range sensors.

@Variohm  #PAuto @ADZNAGANO

CXPI automotive serial bus analysis.

CXPI serial bus analysis has been added to the range of options available on Yokogawa’s DLM2000 and DLM4000 Series mixed signal oscilloscopes.

CXPI – Clock Extension Peripheral Interface – is a new automotive serial bus interface that is designed to provide an optimised solution in applications previously served by the established CAN and LIN bus systems, which until now have been the main interfaces used for in-vehicle communications. In particular, as more sensors and human-machine interfaces are used in vehicles and controls become ever more sophisticated, the new bus helps to minimise system power consumption through electronic control as well as reducing vehicle weight by using lighter components, especially in wiring harnesses.

With LIN, it is difficult to achieve sufficient reliability and communication response when multiplexing in HMI applications. CAN is better for reliability and communication response, but the cost is higher than LIN.

The CXPI protocol, on the other hand, is a low-speed low-cost communication protocol that is capable of reducing wire counts to simple devices like switches and sensors.
CXPI was standardised in 2015 under SAE J3076 as a communications bus for diverse automotive applications. The bus uses pulse-width modulation to transmit data over a single wire at 20 kbit/s. The characters used are based on UART.

CXPI has the CSMA/CR system (event initiate system) built into the polling system of LIN, which provides higher response time and scalability, and significantly reduces HMI and development costs. It has reduced the number of the parts needed for the clock side of the design because a data and a clock signal can transmit at the same time via PWM.

When equipped with the CXPI option, the DLM Series oscilloscopes will decode and display CXPI frames in real time, produce a list display of the decode results, and allow highlighting of points on the list for display in a zoom window. After the acquisition, dedicated parts of the display can be searched for a number of specified conditions.
An auto setup feature can be used to analyse the input signals, set the time and voltage axes automatically along with various trigger settings such as threshold levels, bit rates and trigger type, and then display the decoded result.

Yokogawa’s DLM2000 and DLM4000 mixed-signal oscilloscopes combine a fast update rate with exceptionally long memory plus a combination of flexible analogue and digital outputs that make them ideally suited to a range of measurement and analysis tasks in the electronics, automotive and mechatronics sectors.

@Yokogawa_Europe  #TandM #Automotive

TSS sensors & transmitter.

Krohne has added two new total suspended solids (TSS) sensors and a transmitter to its analytical portfolio.

OPTISENS TSS 3000 is a total suspended solids sensor for wastewater applications in various industries with 1 1/4 NPT thread to fit into a retractable or immersion assembly. OPTISENS TSS 7000 is a total suspended solids sensor for hygienic applications with Tri-Clamp or VARIVENT* process connection, e.g. in milk separation, fruit processing and other food and beverage applications. It can also be used for hygienic concentration measurement in other process industries, e.g. for monitoring steam or cooling water circuits.

OPTISENS TSS 3000 and 7000 both are glass free optical sensors with multiple path lengths for various concentration ranges. They use alternating light 4-beam technology for a higher reliability of the measurement compared to classic 2-beam technologies. 2 NIR LEDs (880 nm) light sources and 2 detectors compensate for most errors caused by dirt, aging or light source variations. By measuring directly through a PP layer, measurement errors and sealing problems typically caused by glass windows cannot occur. Both can be operated with the MAC 300 analytical transmitter.

MAC 300 is a menu driven analytical transmitter for OPTISENS TSS, pH/ORP and COND sensors. It can be operated with up to three different analytical sensors, processing their signals to the control system via up to six analogue 0/4...20 mA outputs, relay outputs or optional Modbus. It features a backlit LCD display, robust housing (IP66/67, NEMA 4/4X) for wall-mount or panel-mount installation, optional live trending and data logging, and an SD card slot to save parameter sets or upload new firmware.

*VARIVENT is a trademark of GEA Tuchenhagen


@krohnegroup #PAuto 

Load cells for weighing.

A leading multi head weighing machine manufacturer in Hampshire (GB) has specified PW12C load cells from HBM – market leader in the field of Weighing Technology for its latest range of checkweighers.

Designed to accurately weigh a wide range of rigid packs, from 10g to 60kg, in the food and packaging markets, the latest range of sophisticated weighing machinery, which incorporates the PW12C load cell, offers a simple and reliable solution, even at very fast speeds.

Ideal for general weighing tasks with high maximum capacities, the PW12C features a maximum platform size of 800 x 800 mm and features a 50kg to 750kg maximum capacity.

Also suitable for use in applications where speed and accuracy are crucial factors, the PW12C is available in Atex Zone 1/21 that includes FM-approval or as an Atex Zone 1/22 version. Offering a choice of accuracy class C3 or C3MR, PW12C load cells are available with 1.5, 3, 6 and 12m cables, for increased flexibility and simplified installation.

Manufactured in stainless steel, the PW12C load cell has an IP67 degree of protection rating, meaning that the range is dustproof, protected against low-pressure water jets, and can be immersed in water up to 1 m, for up to 30 minutes.

 @HBMmeasurement #PAuto 

Managing data.

The Data Management Software Suite has been announced by National Instruments (NI). This enterprise software solution offers a complete workflow to standardise measurement data across teams, mine that data for useful information, transform the data through automated analysis and deliver reports with valuable insight.
“The amount of data being acquired to test devices, monitor physical assets and analyze product designs continues to skyrocket,” said Dave Wilson, vice president of platform software at NI. “The challenge with the exponential growth in the amount of data being acquired is the establishment of a repeatable and automated process to extract valuable insights. Often inconsistencies and errors in the data produce erroneous results, which requires engineers to manually inspect and verify data before sending it to a manual or automated analysis process.”

The Data Management Software Suite aims to simplify this workflow by introducing new server-based software features and a new product, the Analysis Server. This new product helps engineers and scientists automate the search, standardization, analysis and reporting of large amounts of measurement data. The full suite is flexible enough to integrate with customers’ existing data formats and IT infrastructures, so any team with a Windows machine and a network can add powerful data management capabilities. The NI platform provides the ability to perform nanosecond analytics at the edge, read/write data for analysis and standardize metadata for automated analysis.

“Using the Data Management Software Suite, we’ve helped a major automotive manufacturer reduce the time it spends analyzing the data generated by one of its component tests from 10 hours to 7 minutes. This essentially reduces its testing cycle by one whole day,” said Barry Hutt, CEO of Viviota, an NI Alliance Partner specializing in data management.

With the release of the Analysis Server, NI’s server-based data management solution built on DIAdem and the DataFinder Server, the suite can be expanded to automated data processing. Now engineers can gain initial meaningful insights without any manual interaction while preserving the original measurement data for searching and further investigation. The Data Management Software Suite combines these highly interoperable software products into one enterprise solution that can be used to increase test data standardization and help reduce time to market by turning data into insights faster.

Supported by a vibrant ecosystem of partners, add-on IP and applications engineers, the Data Management Software Suite is part of NI’s software and hardware platform that helps dramatically lower the cost of test, reduce time to market and future-proof test systems for tomorrow’s challenging requirements. Visit their site to learn more about using this suite to tackle the Big Analog Data problem.

@NIglobal #PAuto @NIukie

Want an ABS box?

JPR Electronics are major stockists of CamdenBoss enclosures. The widely used “BIM” box is a high quality multipurpose ABS box available in a range of colours and sizes intended for enclosing small electronic assemblies, sensors, measuring and control equipment.

The lid and base are moulded in rugged ABS which can withstand operating temperatures up to +85°C. The enclosure offers excellent properties for drilling or machining and has a polished finish for ease of cleaning. Four M3 machine screws secure the lid to mating brass inserts in the base enabling reliable repetitive removal of the lid for battery replacement or function adjustments. Integral mounting guides are provided which accept 1.6cm PCBs and adaptors are included for horizontal PCB mounting.

The of CamdenBoss BIM box is available in black, grey and white with sizes ranging from 75 x 50 x 27mm to 250 x 200 x 64mm and available from stock from JPR Electronics

“JPR Electronics were one of the first distributors of CamdenBoss products in Britain and we have been selling their products since the early 1980’s. The BIM box is one of the most popular enclosures we sell and it widely used to house electronic, electrical and electromechanical products.” Says Paul Raynor, Director of JPR Electronics, “We stock a very wide range of CamdenBoss products available for fast delivery.”

The CamdenBoss product range available from JPR includes DIN Rail, handheld, multi-purpose and potting, diecast metal boxes, heavy duty, desktop, instrumentation, 19” and electrical enclosures, Raspberry Pi, Banana Pi and Arduino product cases.

JPR can also offer custom designed plastic enclosures, housings, covers, panels and parts without tooling. Custom enclosures are manufactured to specification from flat sheet plastic.

@Jprelec #PAuto #electronics

Smart LED Drivers for Network-Connected Lighting.

Mouser Electronics now stocks Transcend® Smart LED Drivers, part of the Transcend Network Connected Lighting System from Molex. The Molex Transcend Network Connected Lighting System is an intelligent, low-voltage, and low-energy system for U.S. markets that uses smart LED drivers, LED cable harnesses, Power over Ethernet (PoE) gateways and a range of wireless components to feed multi-sensor information and data to a central host.

Molex Transcend Smart LED Drivers are compact DC/DC LED components that drive the LED engines in the Transcend Network Connected Lighting System. Powered and controlled by a Transcend PoE Gateway, these devices feature integrated power monitoring that allow control of up to eight devices per gateway, as well as dual input/output connectors for daisy-chaining.

To connect the PoE Gateways to the Transcend Smart LED drivers, the system offers Transcend LED Cable Harnesses, which incorporate a Micro-Fit 3.0™ Connector System and provide low-voltage power distribution and data communication between the components. Completing the Transcend solution and helping to communicate with the wireless gateways is a series of Transcend Wireless Components that include wireless switchers and dimmers that use energy-harvesting technology, LED relay zone controllers, and solar-powered wireless occupancy and ambient light sensors.

The Molex Transcend system provides designers a complete Internet of Things (IoT)-based management system for real-time energy consumption, light status, temperature and humidity, air quality, occupancy and more. The system helps accelerate deployment of smart LED lighting control using highly secure network architectures in commercial buildings, educational facilities, healthcare facilities, and manufacturing and warehouse facilities.

With its broad product line and unsurpassed customer service, Mouser strives to empower innovation among design engineers and buyers by delivering advanced technologies. Mouser stocks the world’s widest selection of the latest semiconductors and electronic components for the newest design projects. Mouser Electronics’ website is continually updated and offers advanced search methods to help customers quickly locate inventory. Mouser.com also houses data sheets, supplier-specific reference designs, application notes, technical design information, and engineering tools.

Wednesday 25 October 2017

M&C condensed for the forth time!

The International Society of Automation (ISA) has just announced the fourth edition release of The Condensed Handbook of Measurement and Control by Nabil (Bill) E. Battikha, PE. This has been one of the most successful books from the ISA stable.

Battikha, a highly recognized professional engineer and award-winning author in the field of process instrumentation and control, says an updated edition of his popular book was needed in light of recent advances in process instrumentation and control implementation.

“The many changes in technology over the last 10 years or so—particularly relating to control equipment symbology, sensors and safety instrumented systems as well as some other areas—necessitated development of an updated handbook,” explains Battikha. “The new edition features a significant amount of new and enhanced content, including a new chapter, a new appendix and noteworthy updates to 20 current chapters and nine appendices.”

The revised edition is designed to make it easier to select and implement measurement and control devices for process automation applications. Readers will gain practical, knowledge-based answers to questions pertaining to ISA symbology, instrument and control valve selection criteria, conversion guidelines, maintenance, calibration, decision-making and consulting.

The Condensed Handbook of Measurement and Control has long been one of ISA’s most successful publications. Battikha has twice received ISA’s Raymond D. Molloy Award—once for the initial edition of the book and once for the third edition. The award is presented annually to the author whose book outsold all others in a given year.

Author interview


For greater perspective on the value and significance of the updated edition and its areas of new and enhanced content, read the Q&A feature with the author.

#PAuto #ISAuto

Expansion in Brussels.

The Endress+Hauser Group is celebrating another development: After expanding production and building a new plant in the US, plus opening new sales offices in Malaysia, France and Chile, the company has now dedicated a new facility in Brussels. Endress+Hauser invested approximately 6.6 million euros in the new building in Belgium’s capital.
L to R: Klaus Endress, Supervisory Board President of the Endress+Hauser Group, Marc Lambotte, CEO of the employers’ association Agoria, Julien Meganck, CEO of the institute for regional development CityDev, Ivano Mazzoletti, Corporate Sales Director for Central Europe at Endress+Hauser, Johan Puimège, Managing Director of Endress+Hauser Belgium, Martine Raets, city councilor of the Brussels municipality of Evere, and Matthias Altendorf, CEO of the Endress+Hauser.
“The sales center has fortunately experienced encouragingly strong growth in recent years,” said Johan Puimège, Managing Director of Endress+Hauser Belgium, at the opening ceremony in front of guests from business and politics, media representatives and employees. “The new building provides space for the company’s further development and creates an inspiring meeting place for customers, employees and business partners.”

The four-story, 3,600-square-meter building features a welcoming reception area, an experience-oriented exhibition zone, an attractive restaurant for visitors and employees, state-of-the-art conference rooms and offices as well as workshops including a calibration lab and a warehouse. It was erected in the immediate vicinity of the previous location of Endress+Hauser Belgium. The 10,000-square-meter site offers room for future expansion.

Endress+Hauser put an emphasis on an appealing architectural design and the use of quality materials. “People should feel comfortable at Endress+Hauser. Our aim was a communicative environment, in which we can work in a creative way for the benefit of our customers,” underlined Johan Puimège. Geothermal systems and 175 solar panels provide a high degree of energy self-sufficiency. Endress+Hauser instruments monitor energy flows in the building and ensure efficient use.

Leading position in IIoT
“Increasing digitalization opens up new opportunities with regards to process optimization and plant efficiency,” said Matthias Altendorf, CEO of the Endress+Hauser Group. “Our sales center in Belgium plays a leading role when it comes to helping customers to increase their productivity, taking advantage of the Industrial Internet of Things.”

From Endress+Hauser’s new Brussels offices, around 80 employees support customers in Belgium and Luxembourg. Chemical, food & beverage, life sciences and water & wastewater are the main industries served by the sales center. In recent years, the services and automation solutions businesses have developed particularly well.

 @Endress_Hauser  #PAuto #Belgium

Software upgrades!

Anritsu Corporation has rolled out two new software upgrades that enable testing of RF Transceiver (TRx) characteristics for 6CC CA using the company’s popular MT8821C. The upgrade enables mobile terminal, chipset manufacturers and communications operators to test key technologies that support faster LTE-Advanced/LTE-Advanced Pro network speeds: Carrier Aggregation (CA), which aggregates multiple component carriers (CCs).
Key Features
With the new software, the MT8821C supports all cellular technologies compliant with 3GPP/3GPP2 UE RF TRX tests including LTE/LTE-Advanced, Cat-M1/NB-IoT, W-CDMA/HSPA, GSM/EGPRS, TD-SCDMA/HSPA and CDMA2000 1X/1xEV-DO. The MT8821C also supports LTE-Advanced/LTE-Advanced Pro Downlink Carrier Aggregation, LTE-U/LAA & VoLTE voice/video echoback tests, at frequencies up to 6 GHz with a bandwidth of 160 MHz (both Tx and Rx).

The MT8821C is an all-in-one tester with built-in LTE-Advanced/LTE-Advanced Pro terminal RF TRx test functions as well as base-station simulation functions. The upgraded support for RF and PHY layer measurements extend the existing capabilities from DL CA 4CCs 4x4 MIMO and DL CA 5CCs 2x2MIMO to 6CA SISO and 6CA 2x2 MIMO. The new software also supports 6CA linked with Licensed Assisted Access *3 (LAA*3).

Operators worldwide are deploying the LTE-Advanced/LTE-Advanced Pro standard to speed-up the older LTE standard and help cope with the explosive growth in services using large data volumes, such as mobile video streaming. In addition, to facilitate a smooth transition to next-generation 5G communications systems targeted for service deployment in 2019, there are plans to introduce LTE-Advanced/LTE-Advanced Pro offering gigabit-class speeds by using even more CCs.

 @AnritsuEMEA  #TandM @NapierPR

Methane emissions to be studied!

High profile speakers from 13 different countries will present at this year’s Industrial Methane Emissions Conference, which will take place alongside PEFTEC 2017 in Antwerp (B) on 29th and 30th November 2017. Running over 2 days, the Conference will address themes such as anthropogenic methane emission sources; the assessment of uncontrolled and controlled emissions; current measurement methods; relevant international regulations and drivers; industry needs; quality assurance and validation; the interpretation of measurements, and emerging technologies.

The keynote speaker on the first day will be Baroness Worthington from the Environmental Defense Fund, who will provide a global perspective on methane monitoring needs and drivers. On the second day Adam Brandt from Stanford University will deliver the keynote presentation, describing the current and future state of knowledge on emissions.

Abstracts for all 30 oral and 12 poster present presentations are now available from the event website, as is registration which costs €125/day. Registered delegates will be able to access any of the Conferences, the PEFTEC Exhibition and over 60 free seminars, without incurring any further cost.

Highlighting the importance of methane emissions monitoring, Scientific Committee Chair Rod Robinson from NPL, says: “International treaties to combat climate change rely on the quality of emissions data, and amendments to prior estimates can have enormous ramifications for industries such as oil, gas, waste management and agriculture. It is therefore essential that methane emissions are measured accurately and reliably.”


#Peftec #PAuto 

Flowmeter aids savings in compressed air supply.

The monitoring of compressed air consumption ensures cost transparency and helps cutting energy costs by identifying potential savings. The EE741 in-line flow meter from E+E Elektronik is ideal for measuring the consumption of compressed air and technical gases. Due to its modular design, the compact device is suitable for pipe diameters from DN15 to DN50 (1/2” to 2”). The thermal hot-film anemometer measuring principle provides high accuracy and reliability.

For pipe diameters DN15 to DN50
The modular EE741 consists of the transmitter unit with flow sensor and a stainless steel or aluminum gauge mounting block. The mounting blocks are available for DN15 (1/2”), DN20 (3/4”), DN25 (1”) and now also for DN32 (1 1/4”), DN40 (1 1/2”), DN50 (2”) pipes.

The gauge mounting block enables easy and reproducible positioning of the transmitter in pipes with an operating pressure up to 16 bar (232 psi). Outstanding measuring accuracy, even in the lower measuring range, is achieved by the application-specific multi-point factory adjustment at 7 bar (102 psi). This allows precise leak detection and the consequent energy savings. The EE741 features an integrated consumption meter for cost-effective consumption monitoring without an additional data logger.

Easy installation and removal
Once the gauge mounting block is built into the pipeline, the transmitter can be easily removed and installed without disassembling the pipework. This is particularly useful for periodical calibration. Besides, one transmitter can be used for temporary measurements at several gauge mounting blocks. The sealing plug included in the scope of supply enables the operation of the compressed air system when the transmitter unit is removed. The robust stainless steel sensing head protects the sensing element against mechanical damage during installation or removal.

Highly accurate thermal measuring principle
The EE741 works on the thermal hot-film anemometer principle. The E+E thin-film sensing element stands out by excellent long-term stability and short response time. The measuring principle is largely insensitive to contamination and eliminates the need for additional pressure or temperature compensation. The EE741 also measures the standard volume flow, mass flow, standard flow and temperature of non-corrosive gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, helium, CO2 or argon.

Comfortable operation via display
The optional display shows the actual measured data as well as the total consumption. The entire device setup can be performed with the display and the push buttons. For optimum readability the display alignment can be rotated in 90° increments. An EE741 without display can be configured via USB service interface using the free EE-PCS product configuration software.

Several output options
The EE741 features two outputs, which can be configured for analogue, pulse or alarm signals. Optionally, the flow meter is available with a Modbus RTU or M-Bus interface.

• E+E Elektronik products are marketed in Ireland trough Instrument Technology.

#EPulse #PAuto

Tuesday 24 October 2017

Complete edge appliance for automation and IoT.

A new version of Opto 22's groov, embedding key IIoT technologies MQTT and OPC-UA drivers directly into its industrial edge appliance has been announced. Added to the groov View software for web and mobile visualization, and the open-source Node-RED development environment, the new release offers engineers, technicians, and developers a comprehensive set of tools for edge deployment in industrial environments.

These new embedded capabilities are made possible through forging close partnerships with technology providers Inductive Automation® and Cirrus Link Solutions®, and are part of the Ignition Edge Onboard™ program.

“Partnering is vital to provide everything required for a given IIoT implementation,” said Benson Hougland, Opto 22 VP of Marketing and Product Strategy. “With Inductive Automation and Cirrus Link, we’ve combined proven applications into a single, industrially hardened appliance to address today’s application needs. Visualization, data handling, security, and connectivity are all in one compact box.”

“We’re pleased that Opto 22’s groov is one of the first edge appliances to market with Ignition Edge® embedded,” said Don Pearson, Chief Strategy Officer at Inductive Automation. “Opto 22’s reputation for reliable industrial hardware and their interest in the future direction of automation systems made the partnership a natural fit.”

“Working with Opto 22 on drivers and embedding MQTT with Sparkplug has been great,” said Arlen Nipper, President and CTO at Cirrus Link, and co-inventor of the MQTT protocol. “This partnership approach combines a trusted hardware platform with resilient communication architectures for automation and SCADA systems in an extremely efficient and flexible way.”

Other use cases for groov:
• A controls technician who needs to see Allen-Bradley CompactLogix™ variables on her smartphone for access from anywhere she is located
• An OEM machine builder whose machine must periodically send operational data to a central location for predictive analysis and machine learning
• A SCADA engineer who needs to efficiently control and acquire data from a large number of geographically dispersed locations over a cellular or other bandwidth-constrained network
• A facilities engineer who needs energy use and HVAC status data transmitted to a cloud database for historical logging
A typical use case for the new groov edge appliance is gathering data from plant floor devices or from remote plants. A customer places groov near a machine or process, uses the built-in drivers to connect to existing control systems, analyzes the data, and publishes the results back to a central server or broker on premises or in the cloud. Applications like Ignition Enterprise or any MQTT/Sparkplug-compliant software can subscribe to the data.

This scenario eliminates complex networking architectures like VPNs, firewall configurations, and remote desktop software, because all communications to the broker use a secure outbound connection from control systems, whether publishing data or subscribing to it. Additionally, because groov is a complete computing appliance, a PC is not required.

Ignition Edge in the groov appliance includes both a built-in OPC UA server and MQTT module. The built-in OPC UA server includes drivers to popular PLC brands, including Rockwell Automation® Allen-Bradley PLCs, Siemens S7 PLCs, and Modbus® TCP devices. Other drivers are available at additional cost. Embedding these drivers and OPC UA at the edge eliminates the cost and complexity of commissioning and maintaining a Microsoft® Windows®-based computer for translating PLC and device data to OPC UA, the only method available until now.

MQTT is a bi-directional, lightweight event- and message-oriented transport protocol with a publish/subscribe architecture. This architecture decouples devices from applications, allowing users to reduce reliance on traditional IT networking resources. MQTT’s pub/sub architecture also reduces network traffic, because data is published and sent only when it changes. Supported over the MQTT transport is Sparkplug, a freely available, MQTT-based payload definition for industrial applications, which greatly simplifies implementation by defining topic namespaces and payload, and managing the state of devices in the field.

Ignition Edge embedded into the groov edge appliance also allows Inductive Automation customers to extend their Ignition platform to the edge with optional Panel and Edge Enterprise Administration licenses, available directly from Inductive Automation.

Originally launched in April 2013, the groov edge appliance is an industrially hardened computer appliance used for visualization, data handling, and connectivity. For visualization, groov View makes it easy to create secure, scalable operator interfaces for mobile devices and web browsers on any computing platform. For data handling, groov includes Node-RED, an IoT application builder that connects to data sources locally and in the cloud, manipulates that data, and publishes the data to anywhere. The groov edge appliance was designed for security from the ground up, with communications to the appliance over two independent Ethernet interfaces protected by TLS encryption and user authentication. All configuration of the appliance is securely managed by the included groov Admin utility.

Improves field device reliability.

The latest version of Emerson's AMS Device Manager introduces new alert optimisation capabilities and mobile device health dashboards. Out-of-the box alert filtering templates created using Human Centered Design principles provide the potential for as much as a 60 percent reduction in unnecessary alerts coming from intelligent field devices. Personnel-based alert filtering and a streamlined user interface help users to quickly identify, isolate, and diagnose health and calibration issues with field devices.

“With intuitive dashboards for easy interpretation of device health and focused alerts for fast action, plants have access to the data they need quickly,” said Mani J, director of marketing for Emerson’s Plantweb IIoT initiative. “These efficiency gains help to prevent process and hardware failures, improving plant reliability and freeing personnel to focus on other critical tasks.”

Engineers and technicians are frequently inundated with multiple device alerts, often stemming from a single issue within a device. The newest version of AMS Device Manager resolves the problem of nuisance alerts with pre-defined configuration templates that filter out all alerts tangential to the core problem, leaving only meaningful, actionable notifications. In beta testing, early results show an average 58 percent reduction in daily alerts with out-of-the-box filtering.

Advanced alert filtering helps today’s digital worker to remove noise from critical data, providing that worker with the essential information needed to make fast decisions. Containing all relevant details, the new alerts will help engineers create work orders and build part lists for field technicians to perform maintenance, saving valuable hours in the field.

The release also delivers the new AMS Device View web interface, an intuitive browser-based display with mobile-friendly dashboards. The web interface allows users to view device health and calibration status from a wide range of devices - both on and off the plant floor. By focusing on device health rather than alerts, users can hone in on devices that need maintenance without being distracted by a long list of issues.

AMS Device View is part of Emerson's Always Mobile™ portfolio, a part of the Plantweb™ digital ecosystem, providing users with the applications, tools, and digital intelligence they need to increase production, reliability, maintenance efficiency, and safety from wherever they work.

 @EMR_Automation  #Pauto @Emerson_News  @hhclewis

Celebratory conference!

Ion Science recently hosted a two-day distributor conference to celebrate the opening of its new £4.5million state-of-the-art facility in Cambridgeshire (GB).
The event attracted some 61 distributors from across Europe and the rest of the world, as well as representatives from Ion Science’s offices in France, Italy and the USA. Delegates were treated to guided tours of the purpose-built facility and updated on Ion Science’s ambitious growth plans, R&D, forthcoming new product developments and several exciting new applications for the company’s advanced instruments.

In addition, delegates participated in marketing workshops and were given refresher product training on Ion Science’s advanced fixed instruments, such as the Titan benzene specific monitor for petrochemical applications, and Falco fixed continuous photoionisation detector (PID) for humid and condensing environments. Training was also provided on the company’s well proven portable instruments, including the popular handheld Tiger volatile organic compound (VOC) monitor and Cub personal VOC monitor.

Talking about his experience of the conference, distributor Martijn Landweer MSc from Hatech Gasdetectietechniek B.V. comments: “I was very happy to be invited to the Ion Science distributor event which was well organised, informative and, most importantly, a lot of fun. I had interesting discussions with fellow distributors and learned about a few new and interesting applications for the Ion Science instruments. The new building is really impressive and it absolutely shows Ion Science’s commitment to innovation and quality both product and customer support wise.

“I came back enthusiastic and look forward to further growth with Ion Science,” he concludes.

Duncan Johns, Ion Science’s Managing Director added: “It has been a busy few months for the team but we were very proud to finally show off the new facility to our distributors and subsidiary businesses, and demonstrate our commitment to their on-going success.

“The event went well with the various activities and workshops helping ensure continued excellent service to Ion Science customers across the world, and further global growth by opening up new markets and implementing sales strategies to boost brand awareness.”


@ionscience #PAuto #Britain  @elhcomms

Monday 23 October 2017

Quality testing of IoT Devices.

A new WLAN Security Function software for its MT8862A Wireless Connectivity Test Set, which supports evaluation of devices for the rapidly growing IoT market even when WLAN security is turned on has been launched by Anritsu.

The MT8862A is a WLAN test set that supports IEEE802.11ac/n/g/b/a. It uses built-in communications protocols and performs tests of WLAN device RF TRx characteristics, including Tx power, modulation accuracy and Rx sensitivity.
Applications including TVs, the connected car, industrial equipment and sensors are rapidly adopting the WLAN standard. To ensure reliable operation, parameters such as wireless reception range and sensitivity need to be tested under realistic operating conditions.

The new software, MX886200A-020, allows the Anritsu MT8862A to use its Network Mode measurement function to execute tests while the WLAN device is operating; even if security is enabled. The software supports a range of standards, including WEP, WPA-Personal and WPA2-Personal. Previously engineers had to disable WLAN security for testing, which is not representative of typical operating conditions. Furthermore, many designers are choosing to eliminate the ability to disable security to meet demands for secure IoT deployment.

This new security function can be installed on existing MT8862A systems by updating the firmware and installing a license from a web browser, eliminating the need for factory upgrades and reducing downtime to a minimum.

 @AnritsuEMEA  #TandM @Anritsu @NapierPR

Friday 20 October 2017

Software support for machine designers.

Supporting its comprehensive range of electric, wireless and air actuated foot and hand switching controls, Herga Technology has added an easy-to-use 3D product viewer and CAD file download facility to its website.

In addition to downloadable PDF datasheets, designers and engineers can now further speed product development with one-click interactive 3D models and downloadable STEP format CAD files for use in their own design software. The 3D viewer is fully compatible with PCs, tablets and smartphones and is of course completely free to use. As well as image rotation, numerous other features include overall size, sectional views and image screenshots.

Herga is a designer and manufacturer offering a comprehensive range of ergonomic single- or multi-pedal switching technologies for medical equipment, home & commercial automation and industrial machinery applications. The range spans electrical/electronic, pneumatic, Bluetooth® wireless and USB switching.

@HergaTechnology #PAuto 

Thursday 19 October 2017

MES for pharma & biotech manufacturers in China.

Werum IT Solutions has expanded further its PAS-X Service Partner network. They have signed a partnership agreement with Neotrident. Based in Beijing with several local offices in China, Neotrident is a leading IT solutions provider to the Chinese life sciences industry.

Reiner Kühl (Werum), Jefferi Zhao (Neotrident),
Olivier Néron (Werum), Lingxiao Cao (Neotrident)
 and Torsten Isenberg (Werum)
As a certified “PAS-X Endorsed Service Partner Local”, Neotrident will support Werum customers in the People’s Republic of China during the on-site implementation of Werum’s PAS-X MES. For instance, Neotrident will provide resources for project management, MBR design, system configuration, installation, training and the integration of automation and equipment.

“We selected Neotrident among many candidates based on long-time experience in the life sciences industry and because of their complementary capabilities in terms of ISA-Level 3 systems,” says Olivier Néron, Senior Vice President China Operations at Werum IT Solutions. “Neotrident has an excellent reputation in China and successfully managed a wide range of services from single site projects up to large roll-outs. Furthermore, the Neotrident management has been working with foreign companies for decades which enables them to overcome cultural differences. Therefore, Neotrident will provide our pharma and biotech customers with high-quality services and support for the years to come.”

Lingxiao Cao, CEO of Neotrident: “Neotrident’s long experience in offering IT solutions to the pharmaceutical market makes us a stable and reliable partner for Werum and its customers during the implementation of PAS-X MES. With our deep understanding of the daily operations in the industry we can perform the transition from a paper-based to a digital-based quality control system more efficiently and in high quality.”

“PAS-X Endorsed Service Partners” meet all requirements of Werum’s PAS-X Service Partner Program. The main objective is to offer the same quality and competence of services to Werum customers all over the world – through reliable, experienced and certified partners. The Service Partners need to have comprehensive PAS-X knowledge, participate at PAS-X trainings on a regular basis, possess experience in the regulated industry and use a quality management system. The certification has to be renewed on a regular basis.

@Werum #Pauto #China #Pharma

Industrie 4.0 award in China.

Advantech has received an award from ROI Management Consulting for its Industry 4.0-compliant digital factory. The “ROI Industry 4.0 Award China” was given to Advantech at the awards ceremony in Shanghai on 17th October to honor its Industry 4.0 achievements as a pioneer in the practical implementation of “real-time equipment and resource monitoring.”

Timo Schneemann, Vice-General Manager of ROI Management Consulting, stated, “What Advantech has achieved is an outstanding example of what can be done in terms of quality and utilization by providing real-time production insights. While today, other companies have key machines connected to a central system, Advantech stands out because they have not only connected sophisticated equipment like SMT lines, but have also upgraded and connected conventional machines, such as stamping machines, to get a full picture of what is happening in production—from start to finish. Whilst connecting machines is one thing, the crucial step other companies are missing is making this data easily accessible to the people who need it, and here is where Advantech scores high again with their data consolidation and visualization framework.”

Industry 4.0 Situation Room Enables Real-time Management
From many years, Advantech has consistently optimized its production line in manufacturing centers to improve efficiency. “The Industry 4.0 situation room is Advantech’s most important upgrade to Industry 4.0. The situation room is the factory’s nerve center where data is collected, analyzed, and visualized for real-time management and data-driven decision-making. This award has demonstrated that we are on the right track with our Industry 4.0 blueprint,” said Allan Tsay, Vice President, Advantech Industrial IoT Group. Advantech’s Industry 4.0 journey begins with equipment connectivity and process visualization solutions, and continues with optimization processes. Data is the key to improving efficiency in Advantech’s smart factory.


“Advantech is not only an end user, but a provider of Industry 4.0 solutions. Advantech has primarily used its own products and solutions in the planning and implementation of the smart factory. Advantech’s smart factory is evidence of how iFactory solution-ready platforms (SRPs) and products can be used to implement Industry 4.0 in practice. Advantech’s iFactory SRPs are quick-start tools that enable a step-wise approach to achieving Industry 4.0,” said Jonney Chang, Associate Vice President, Advantech Industrial IoT Group.


Accelerating Industry 4.0 - Advantech in the Fast Lane
2017 has been an important year for Advantech to continue driving Industry 4.0 growth. Advantech upgraded its manufacturing centers to real Industry 4.0 demonstration sites and has opened them to external visitors in an attempt to accelerate digital transformation and inspire the development of other smart factories. Additionally, Advantech hosted several Industry 4.0 forums in China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, Brazil, Turkey and Dubai to share the latest iFactory applications with representatives from industry, government, and academia; collaborating closely to establish a local Industry 4.0 ecosystem. This July, Chaney Ho, the Cofounder, Executive Director, and Acting General Manager of Advantech Europe, received a special award for, “Industry Leader of the Year” from Asian Manufacturing Awards 2017 for his considerable effort in pushing Industry 4.0 in the Asian region. Advantech has not only realized the intelligent factory from a practical perspective, but also encourages customers to embrace Industry 4.0.

“Industry 4.0 is a dynamic process that has no downtime and is constantly advancing and changing,” said Mr. Chang. As Industry 4.0 continues to evolve, Advantech will continue developing its smart factory and Industry 4.0 solutions with the aim of providing a brand-new in-depth experience for end users in 2018.

@AdvantechIA #PAuto #Industry4 #China