Tuesday 30 June 2020

Protocol translators.

A new Intesis™ protocol translator for communication between PROFINET PLCs on factory floors and Building Management Systems with BACnet IP/MSTP has been announced by HMS Networks. With this, full data integration, monitoring, and control is enabled between factory floors and building facilities.

In factories, it is essential that environmental dimensions such as temperature, humidity, and air quality are controlled and monitored automatically to ensure optimal conditions for manufacturing and working staff. And, by ensuring efficient control of facilities such as HVAC and lighting systems, factory owners can save a lot of energy and manage emergency situations in a safe way.

However, when system integrators plan for factory-to-building integration, they normally face a heterogeneous and challenging communication situation. BACnet is typically the protocol used in the Building Management System (BMS) to control the facilities inside the building, and PROFINET is one of the most used factory networks for controlling production processes.

Focusing on this situation, the new Intesis PROFINET - BACnet IP/MSTP protocol translator from HMS Networks is a cost-effective and easy-to-install gateway solution that offers bi-directional communication between PROFINET PLCs and BACnet controllers. Able to connect up to 1200 data points, the gateway is BACnet IP/MSTP server/slave on one side and PROFINET I/O device on the other, featuring independent Ethernet ports. The gateway has been BTL certified for BACnet and carries the UL mark in order to guarantee the highest communication and quality standards.
Thanks to its strategic placement between the factory and building systems, the gateway becomes an enabler of very interesting applications such as energy metering of devices and machines in the factory from the BACnet-based BMS system, HVAC monitoring, and control from the PROFINET PLC, as well as easy alarm definition and management.

Intesis MAPS, the common configuration tool for all Intesis protocol translators, offers a very intuitive configuration process for system integrators covering both sides of the gateway. MAPS help integrators further in their projects by providing valuable EDE files for the BACnet integration, as well as GSD files and TIA portal TAG files for fast configuration of any connected PROFINET PLC controller.

Extending the comprehensive range of existing Intesis BACnet protocol translators, the new PROFINET - BACnet version is the first product in a new line of Intesis gateways for factory to building integration that will be released step by step by HMS Networks. In these gateways, HMS combines its proven Anybus® and Intesis communication technologies for industrial and building-oriented communication respectively, trusted by customers in millions of installations worldwide.

@intesis @hmsnetworks #PAuto #Communications

Gas sensor.

Cranberry CO2 gas sensor
Cranberry CO2 NDIR gas sensor from the eLichens' gas sensor range has been selected by Honeywell to power its latest portable CO2 detector for Industrial Safety, Honeywell BW™ SOLO CO2 Serviceable Single-gas Detector.

Cranberry CO2 gas sensor is the first carbon dioxide 1-Series NDIR industry standard: it is ultra-low power, auto calibrated, high performance, ATEX & IECEx certified.

@eLichensEN #PAuto #OEM

Covered on track!

Two LTE routers have been added to the Westermo Ibex range of wireless solutions for reliable and secure data communications within rail applications. The Ibex-RT-330 and Ibex-RT-630 are compact LTE routers developed to meet the growing demand for continuous coverage onboard trains, and support applications such as data offloading between stations, monitoring and remote maintenance access.

The LTE routers ensure reliable, continuous, high-speed remote access data communications in extreme operational environments, connecting the moving train with the signalling control centre over a mobile network.

The Ibex-RT-330 is a mobile LTE router offering high bandwidth to support multiple applications, such as data offloading and remote monitoring. The Ibex-RT-630 is a mobile LTE and WLAN router/gateway, which offers outstanding performance and rugged internet connectivity back-up to enable hybrid train-to-ground installations with a single device. Both routers support hardware offloaded VPN, for high performance capabilities.

The routers support LTE CAT12, which provides ultra-high data throughput and aggregation of carrier frequencies to serve the most bandwidth-demanding applications worldwide. Multiband GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) support enables the use of multiple frequencies for extremely high accuracy positioning and deployment worldwide.

The routers have EN 50155 approval for onboard applications and are designed to withstand the challenging environments and demands of rail applications, including constant vibration, extreme temperatures and humidity. The devices are IP66-rated for prevention of water and dust ingress and have an operating range of -40°C to +70°C. High-level isolation between all interfaces protects against overvoltage and flashover. These features increase reliability and extend the mean time between failure.

A compact design enables quick and easy installation into the tight spaces of trains, while configuration and unit replacement is simplified by a SIM card memory for configuration parameters. Dual SIM ability allows for further performance optimisation. A unique SIM card tray makes SIM handling in the field effortless.

The Ibex product family, which includes wireless access points, clients and bridges, has been developed for rail applications such as​ train-to-ground systems​, wireless inter-carriage links​, WLAN solutions for public onboard wi-fi, remote access and vehicle positioning. Together with Westermo’s extensive range of Ethernet devices, this forms the world’s most complete data communications portfolio for the rail industry.

In addition to rail applications, the products are ideally suited for deployment in applications with severe operating conditions and tough environments, such as traffic systems, mining, maritime and factory automation.

@westermo @HHC_Lewis #Transport #Communications

Accurate barcode verification.

Cognex Corporation has recently launched the new DataMan® 475V Inline Barcode Verifier. Providing contract-compliant assurance in adherence with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), this high-speed system delivers the most reliable code verification and quality reporting for 1D, 2D, and direct part mark (DPM) codes.

“Barcode verification is critical for ensuring high code quality throughout the supply chain, preventing product waste, chargebacks, and loss of customers,” said Carl Gerst, Cognex Senior Vice President and Business Unit Manager of Identification Products. “The DataMan 475V automates barcode verification, bringing quality assurance out of the lab and into production.”

The DataMan 475V is equipped with precision optics, powerful lighting, robust grading algorithms, and a high-resolution camera to capture and grade even the most difficult codes. The system uses a proven high-speed, multi-core processing engine to ensure ISO compliance at production line speeds.

When code quality drops, users can now get immediate feedback to quickly identify printing and process control issues, as well as diagnostic tools needed to correct them. Combined with advanced data delivery capabilities, the DataMan 475V ensures informative, repeatable results for a range of industries including automotive, medical device, consumer products, pharmaceutical, and logistics.

@Cognex_Corp #PAuto 

New gas sensors.

New gas configurations for use with its fixed-head, addressable Xgard Bright gas detector, extending the versatility of the innovative one-stop solution detector for a wide range of gas hazards are being released by Crowcon.

The New Sensors:
• PID sensor 0–1000ppm for isobutylene in safe areas.
• IR sensors for methane (0–100% LEL in hazardous areas) and propane (0–100% LEL in hazardous areas).
• Electrochemical sensors for ammonia (0–50ppm and 0–100ppm in safe areas) and chlorine (0–5ppm and 0–10ppm in safe areas).
These sensors are in addition to the new Xgard Bright sensors added just a couple of months ago, and have potential for use in several new industrial sectors and applications. Crowcon staff believe that the latest batch of sensors will prove particularly useful in wastewater, education, medical, tunnelling, food and drink and chemical plants.

William Allum, Product Manager for Crowcon, puts it, ‘Crowon’s Xgard Bright is a one stop solution for the detection of flammable, toxic and oxygen gases. We are happy to announce this new phase of gas releases for the Xgard Bright, since these sensors are likely to be used in new applications and industries. Over time we will release even more sensors, allowing even more sectors to benefit from this flexible and practical detector.’


@Crowcon #PAuto


Monday 29 June 2020

Autonomous building sustainability solution.

The Honeywell Forge Energy Optimization, a cloud-based, closed-loop, machine learning solution, announced earlier this year, continuously studies a building's energy consumption patterns and automatically adjusts to optimal energy saving settings without compromising occupant comfort levels. It is the first autonomous building solution focused on decreasing energy consumption, may deliver double-digit energy savings, decrease a building's carbon footprint, and can be implemented without significant upfront capital expenses or changes to a building's current operational processes.

During a pilot at Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) in Dubai, (UAE), Honeywell Forge Energy Optimization demonstrated an initial 10% energy savings. HBMSU is the first accredited smart university in the UAE and is known for its technology and innovation programs.

Honeywell Forge Energy Optimization was applied to HBMSU's existing building management system, which uses competitor technology to demonstrate the platform's open architecture and hardware-agnostic capabilities. The additional energy savings is especially significant because HBMSU is regarded as a highly smart, energy efficient building with fully connected lighting, cooling, building management, power and efficiency control that is optimized based on real-time occupancy. The pilot also uncovered local control issues with the chiller plant and fresh air handling unit that were not adjusting to set points.

"As a smart university, we look to deploy the latest technology across our campus and ensure our buildings are efficient. We were pleasantly surprised by the results we saw from Honeywell Forge and its ability to drive further energy savings beyond our achievable optimization with the techniques we have," said Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University. "Our further partnership with Honeywell will help to support the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) modeling for building automation and provide our students with first-hand applications of how AI and machine learning (ML) will drive operational efficiencies in buildings. Our goal is to collaborate with leading organizations like Honeywell that support our vision of educating the innovators of tomorrow."

"Buildings aren't static steel and concrete – they're dynamic ecosystems and their energy needs fluctuate based on ever-changing variables like weather and occupancy," said David Trice, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Connected Buildings. "With Honeywell Forge Energy Optimization, we're evolving building operations far beyond what would be possible even with a robust team of engineers and the rules they code in their building management system. By employing the latest self-learning algorithms coupled with autonomous control, we can help building portfolio owners fine-tune their energy expenditures to drive efficiencies and create more sustainable practices for our customers."

Energy consumption in commercial buildings is a significant issue because these buildings account for more than 36% of global final energy consumption and nearly 40% of total direct and indirect CO2 emissions.1 Additionally, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) often presents the largest opportunity for energy savings in a commercial building.2

Honeywell Forge Energy Optimization autonomously and continually optimizes a building's internal set points across hundreds of assets every 15 minutes to evaluate whether a building's HVAC system is running at peak efficiency. When Honeywell's solution finds a need to make an adjustment, it analyzes factors such as time of day, weather, occupancy levels, and dozens of other data points to determine the optimal settings per building and makes calculated decisions 96 times per 24-hour period for every building in a portfolio, 365 days a year across the system of assets. Repeated results have shown double-digit reductions of HVAC-related consumption while not impacting customer comfort.

Traditional HVAC control solutions incorporate varying levels of sophistication. The most basic involve static set points that don't account for variable factors such as occupancy or weather. The second, and most common, rely on scheduled set-point adjustments using estimated occupancy and climate conditions. Finally, set points can be managed by a certified energy manager; however, most facilities have not found this solution to produce a viable return on investment due to the sheer volume of variables involved and the difficulty in producing accurate calculations in any scalable manner.

Honeywell Forge Energy Optimization is simple for building portfolio owners to deploy with plug-and-play capabilities. No changes to business mechanics are needed and there's no need to rip and replace systems to add Energy Optimization to a building.

@honeywell @HBMSU #BAS #HVAC #Environment

Innovative field shelter keeps cool.

A field equipment shelter fitted with fault-tolerant cooling is ensuring the reliability of a wireless communications link that connects instrumentation on a new gas pipeline crossing a Middle Eastern desert to the remote control room. Fabricated from tough glassfibre-reinforced polyester (GRP) materials, the shelter houses a TETRA basestation powered by solar panels - in order to function reliably in an off-grid location some 50 km from the nearest town.

Intertec's shelter employs a 'hybrid cooling' system to safeguard the 56 m2 shelter's electronics equipment, and battery power storage compartment - a Zone 1 area. The system consists of a water-based passive cooler assisted by dual-redundant electrically-powered water coolers. This approach combines the intrinsic reliability of passive cooling with active water refrigeration to increase cooling efficiency on hot days. The system can handle a cooling load of around 1.9 kW, ensuring that even during this Middle Eastern climate's summer - when ambient temperatures can climb as high as 55 °C - interior shelter temperatures will always stay below a worst-case peak of around 35 °C. At other times of the year, internal shelter temperatures are maintained far below these levels.

"Hybrid cooling for field shelters and cabinets is a major enabler for process plant operators that need to install electronics equipment in remote off-grid locations, and hostile environmental conditions", says Intertec's HVAC Project Manager, Simon Marlier"The very high level of reliability that can be achieved by hybrid cooling, and its suitability for applications in hazardous areas, can greatly simplify many common remote and unmanned applications. Among the applications potential are wellhead control systems, SCADA stations on pipelines, battery shelters - especially for lead-acid and lithium-ion types - and off-grid mobile basestations."

The remote location means that the basestation is far from the electricity grid, and must be powered by solar energy. The passive cooling system, based on a water tank with internal and external heat exchangers, exploits the desert climate's daily temperature swing to store the coolness of the night and use it to moderate internal temperatures during the day. The water circulates around the system by natural convection, without electrical power or moving parts. This system alone manages the shelter's cooling needs during the winter months - typically keeping temperatures at around 18 - 20 °C. The two powered water coolers increase the efficiency of the cooling system during the hottest months - operating in an alternating sequence for fault tolerance - typically maintaining temperatures in the 20 - 30 °C range. Even if both water coolers were to fail, Intertec's passive system has enough cool water capacity to maintain low shelter temperatures for many days - giving maintenance staff plenty of time to access the remote site and make repairs.

The water coolers are a new variant of Intertec's novel Hybricool range that operate directly from a DC power supply - making them an efficient solution for solar-powered installations. These cooling units are specially designed to supplement passive coolers operating in process plants, with a heat exchanger element that can be installed inside the water storage tank of a passive cooling system to decrease temperature. This interior element is isolated from the rest of the externally-mounted refrigeration system, making it both an efficient and economic solution for explosion proof applications such as the battery compartment of this shelter.

Hybricool water coolers operate on the refrigeration principle. They have a closed loop system with four main components: compressor, condenser, expansion valve and coil. The coil is a heat exchanger element that can be installed inside the water storage tank of a passive cooling system to decrease temperature. The interior and exterior compartments are completely isolated from each other to stop any weather elements from entering the shelter.

Cooling efficiency is aided by the shelter's construction, which uses composite wall panels with GRP sheets 'sandwiching' an embedded 85 mm layer of polyurethane foam insulation. In conjunction with a sunshade, this delivers very stable interior environmental conditions compared with conventional metal-based shelters. Intertec's manufacturing process allows it to fabricate composite GRP panels with many different material layers. In this application, the outer GRP layers provide exceptional resistance to corrosion - as GRP does not rust or degrade in any meaningful way. A further gel-coat layer on the exterior surface provides protection against the climate's very high levels of ultraviolet light, and abrasion from dust or sand. The externally-mounted water coolers additionally feature a centrifugal sediment separator that removes dust and sand, and flaps that close when the cooler is not operational.

A passive cooling system can typically limit the maximum internal temperature of cabinets or walk-in shelters to around 10 degrees Centigrade above minimum night-time temperatures - making it ideal for applications in arid and desert climates. The addition of Intertec's Hybricool water cooler technology reduces the dependence on low night-time temperatures, opening up applications in a much broader range of climates and geographical locations.


#PAuto #Intertech 

Components for automation and machine builders.

Foremost Electronics has a wealth of experience supplying components to designers and manufacturers of automation systems and machine builders. Key components in this market include rugged and reliable HMI solutions including emergency-stop switches and status indicators, secure rugged and flexible cable entry systems and connectors.

Emma Kempster, Key Account Manager, of Foremost Electronics, comments: "Industrial automation systems and machine building require high quality and rugged components to ensure reliable operation over long periods of time. Safety of operators and protection of machines from damage are also critical design considerations. Foremost have been working with machine and automation system designers for many years and have an unsurpassed range of HMI, cable access and safety components which greatly simplifies our customer’s sourcing process."

The IDEC CW switch range offers designers stylish, compact and space-saving switches and pilot devices. The innovative two-step locking lever integrated with a guard provides a higher level of safety, and the low projection hight from the panel surface reduces the possibility of unexpected activation or operator damage. The CW series add a sleek and stylish image to any panel with black or metallic bezels. The shortest depth behind the panel in its class contributes to reducing machine and control panel size. Up to 6 direct opening NC (normally closed) contacts rated at 10A are available per switch with the choice of black and metallic bezels. Options include illuminated push buttons, push buttons, pilot lights, selector switches and key selector switches.

To ensure operator safety and prevent damage to equipment the IDEC E-Stop Switch XW Series includes revolutionary new technology that has changed the way E-Stop switches are designed. This “safe break action” concept provides greater levels of human safety and is the first of its kind in the world. The “safe break action” design, found only in the IDEC products, reverses the energy direction and uses the spring-pressure to assure that the NC contacts will open if the emergency switch is damaged or the contact blocks separate due to excessive force. The NC contacts will reliably open, even if they are welded, and stop the machine. Combined with IDEC quality, this is the go-to E-Stop switch for any life-threatening situation.

For clear indication of the status of a machine, factory automation or industrial system the IDC LD6A SignaLight Towers offer new concept and innovative, ergonomically designed system for instant visual and audible status recognition. LD6A SignaLights combine the latest LED technology with IDEC safety technology. The stylish design includes an LED lens shape providing visibility in all directions. 5 different mounting styles, custom arrangement of LED units and a powerful alarm which can easily be heard in noisy areas.

Secure, rugged and flexible cable and pipeline entry system are key for installing, upgrading and maintaining industrial systems and Foremost can supply a wide range of entry systems from market leader icotek. The IMAS CONNECT is a modular designed grommet system for mounting circular connectors, keystone jacks, push-pull connectors, hose fittings, pressure compensation elements and much more. By utilising a modular adapter system, the split icotek cable entry frame becomes a hybrid system allowing pre-terminated and standard cables or hoses to be routed.

The icotek EMC KEL U 24 is a split cable entry system for routing cables with connectors and provides an IP54 / UL type 12 rating. The cable entry system is easy to install and provides routing, sealing and strain relief for cable diameters from 1 to 35 mm. The KEL-U 24 frame has the same cut-out dimensions as standard 24-pin industrial connectors, is fast and easy assembly, offers high cable density, and strain relief according to EN 62444

For secure power connection to machines and industrial equipment Foremost offers the Neutrik powerCON TRUE 1 TOP. Suitable for heavy-duty and harsh environment applications This lockable, ruggedised and sealed power connector features IP65 protection and UV resistance according to UL50E. It is made from high impact UV-resistant materials, rated to 16A and it also features a unique cable retention system.

 @4MostElectronic @proactivefleet #PAuto 

Opportunities for students!

RS Components has launched its latest initiative, tailored to all levels of education; from primary through to higher education. The series delivers aspirational online sessions to encourage innovative thinking and feed the students' creativity.

Isabella Mascarenhas
Isabella Mascarenhas, VP of Grass Roots at RS, commented: “Opportunities for students to engage in classes online are particularly important at the moment, and are invaluable for supporting parents in their home-schooling efforts. Our Friends of RS video series provides an unconventional and uplifting learning experience that we are sure will inspire creativity across the different youth groups.”

‘Friends of RS’ is a four-part series of Facebook Watch parties presented as-live by a selection of inspirational young engineers, inventors and educators. The bi-monthly learning workshops are being hosted on the RS Facebook channel during June and July, followed by live Q and A sessions. All of the sessions will be available on demand after initial airing.

The four interactive Facebook sessions cover:


Primary Education
• Covering the basics of turning a creative idea into an invention (Ruth Amos, Kids Invent Stuff – 15 June 2020 – now available on-demand)

Secondary education:
Cleaning the oceans – highlighting the problems facing our oceans and its wildlife, and how engineering innovations are helping to solve plastic pollutions. (Ludovic Grosjean, OceanX Group – 29 June 2020)
• A maker activity to create a social distancing lanyard for helping people to return to school and the workplace safely. (Nathan Ruttley, Embedism – 13 July 2020)

Further/higher education:
• How students can showcase themselves effectively to prospective employers and how to stand out from the crowd. (Volunteers of the Electrocomponents Fresh Advisors Board – FAB15 – 27 July 2020)

Each speaker will be available to answer questions from students live online following the 15-minute pre-recorded video learning sessions.


Twenty years a growing...

Anglia Components and Panasonic Industry Europe are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their first distribution agreement. Anglia is currently the fastest growing distributor in Panasonic’s network and in 2019, Panasonic named Anglia its Regional Distributor of the Year in recognition of its strong sales growth and design in activity, the second occasion Anglia has been presented with the award.

Commenting, Max Jakob, Director of Distribution Sales at Panasonic, said, “We’ve been proud to partner with Anglia for twenty years. They have kept pace and grown with Panasonic as we have introduced new technologies and solutions to the market. Both Anglia’s technical support and inventory have developed in line with our activity. Most recently they added new wireless modules, MEMS sensor technologies and mechanical switches as well as continuing to expand the range of Panasonic passive components they stock. We look forward to continuing our valued distribution partnership with Anglia.”

Steve Rawlins, CEO of Anglia, responded, “Panasonic Industry Europe is one of the best known names in our industry and is highly regarded for its innovation. We have seen huge changes in the market during the last 20 years, however one constant has been the continued growth and strengthening of our relationship with the Panasonic team. We are proud to be a distribution partner for a company that is continually researching, developing, manufacturing and bringing to market technologies that contribute to a better life and a better world.”

Anglia now supports Panasonic’s full portfolio of capacitors, resistors, inductors, switches, circuit protection, sensors, batteries and wireless connectivity devices. It holds British-based inventory on a wide range of the most popular products and provides application design support for the more innovative solutions.

@angliaLive @PanasonicElec #PAuto #Components 

Friday 26 June 2020

On-line summit on sensor and explosion protection solutions!

"We miss you! Even in this time of limited social interaction, we would like to stay in touch with you, our customers. That is why we are holding our first online summit from July 20 – 24. For five exciting and informative days, we will address topics that are propelling us forward. Everything will revolve around user-centered digitalization. What better way to communicate this than with a digital event tailored to the interests of our customers?" said Dr. Gunther Kegel, Chairman of the Executive Board of Pepperl+Fuchs AG.


Pepperl+Fuchs’ 2020 Online Summit is a free digital platform that will allow customers and other interested parties to learn about the latest trends and solutions in factory and process automation—even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Topics Include.
• Digital Kanban Management
• Mobile Devices and Services Drive Digital Transformation
• Smart Intralogistics Solutions with RFID and LiDAR Technology
• Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer (Ethernet APL)
• The Power of 3-D Measurement Technology
"Your Future Automation” is the motto for Pepperl+Fuchs’ first online summit, which will take place from July 20 – 24. This free, fully digital event offers customers and other interested parties a way to get in touch with industrial sensor and electrical explosion protection experts and learn about the latest solutions and trends in the fields of factory and process automation. On each day of the summit, participants will be able to access keynotes, live shows, and panel discussions on a different topic from the field of automation technology via a browser-based online platform.

In the networking lounge, participants will also have the opportunity to talk to other attendees and experts from Pepperl+Fuchs and its partner companies. Other digital content, such as technical white papers, videos, and presentations, will be available for free download. All content areas will be offered in English and will be presented in both the morning and afternoon to enable interested parties from all over the world to participate without being tied to time zones.

@PepperlFuchs #PAuto #Safety

Thursday 25 June 2020

Winning partnership recognised.

Analog Devices has received a BAE Systems ‘Partner 2 Win’ Supplier of the Year Award for “Original Component Manufacturer of the Year,” based on exceptional performance and contributions to supply chain success in 2019 for BAE Systems’ Electronic Systems sector. ADI was selected from a pool of more than 2,200 suppliers that worked with the sector in 2019.

“It is with great pride that Analog Devices accepts this award from BAE Systems,” said Bryan Goldstein, Vice President and General Manager Aerospace and Defense Business Unit at Analog Devices. “Our collaboration with BAE is bringing differentiated, cutting-edge electronic technologies to the warfighter and we recognise the criticality of both on-time delivery and quality. It is truly an honour to be recognised in these areas.”

BAE Systems’ ‘Partner 2 Win’ programme is designed to achieve operational excellence and eliminate defects in its supply chain by raising the bar of performance expectations to meet the demand of current and future customers. As part of the programme, BAE Systems meets regularly with its suppliers at their locations to transfer best practices to ensure that the components and materials that compose BAE Systems products meet the highest quality standards.

“We are proud to partner with companies – including Analog Devices – committed to delivering the highest quality products on-time, every time,” said Kim Cadorette, vice president of Operations for BAE Systems’ Electronic Systems sector. “We look forward to continued collaboration and success.”

#Pauto @ADI_News 

Addressing emerging high-speed design test requirements.

Anritsu's W1 (1.0 mm) component line has been expanded with the introduction of bias tees, DC block, and semi-rigid cables that operate to 110 GHz and provide broadband frequency scalability in high-frequency device characterization and optical networking applications.

The addition of the new W1 components provides Anritsu with the broadest millimeter wave (mmWave), coaxial component portfolio in the market, and they can be integrated in test systems, so engineers have greater confidence in their emerging high-speed designs.

Anritsu’s component technology leadership in millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies is re-enforced with the introduction of the W1 components. No other company has a more complete set of 110 GHz components for frequency and time domain use.

With operable frequency of DC to 110 GHz, the new W1 components generate metrology-grade quality results with high repeatability. Further ensuring flexibility for customer testing, these new components provide a component solution where conventional devices, including waveguide, do not exist. The W1 coaxial interface allows for a direct connection to the instrument test port, which saves time and simplifies system setup.

The new components can be used as part of a test system consisting of 110 GHz vector network analyzers (VNAs), oscilloscopes and Bit Error Rate Testers (BERTs), as well as for optical transceivers, laser diodes, photodiodes and optical modulators. Development of switches and routers using NRZ and PAM4 modulation schemes with 56 Gbps and 112 Gbps data rates, and 800G technology are applications, as well.

@AnritsuEMEA @NapierPR #Pauto 

Pressure sensor for mobile working machines.

WIKA's new OEM pressure sensor for mobile working machines, the model MH-4, has been tailored to a wide spectrum of applications under extreme conditions.

The robustness of the new sensor has been confirmed through hardness tests in accordance with mobile hydraulic standards and on a customer-specific basis. The model MH-4 measures continuously with an accuracy of up to ≤ ±1.0 % FS. Tests on the electronics returned a load cycle stability of 100 million cycles and a long-term drift of ≤ ±0.1 % FS over the entire life cycle. The sensor withstands pressure spikes in hydraulic systems with up to three-times overload safety, vibrations up to 40 g and mechanical shocks of up to 100 g. Furthermore, it is insensitive to fast temperature changes between -40 °C and 125 °C as well as immune against electrical field strengths of up to 100 V/m.

The new OEM sensor can be customised and custom-labelled. The production of the model MH-4 ensures high quantities, even for individualised variants.

• WIKA products are marketed in Ireland through Instrument Technology.

@WIKANews #PAuto

Wednesday 24 June 2020

Certified for industrial cybersecurity.

AESSEAL has achieved certification for Information Security Management System (ISMS) ISO 27001, one of the most widely recognised international standards for industrial supply chain security.

This manufacturer of mechanical seals and support systems completed the ISMS accreditation process despite the challenges presented by the Covid-19 lockdown, which meant all external auditing had to be completed remotely. ISO 27001 will help AESSEAL colleagues to ensure the secure management of the information, business processes, information systems and facilities that support its products and services.

AESSEAL IT Director, Stuart Welsh, said: “As a business which is committed to evidencing best practice, continuous improvement and outstanding customer service, achieving ISO 27001 certification is an important accomplishment.

“It sends a clear message to our customers around the globe that we take ensuring the security of their data extremely seriously.

“We are extremely grateful for the professionalism of our colleagues who helped us to complete the external audit successfully despite the challenges of operating remotely.”

@AESSEALplc #PAuto #cybersecurity

Hastelloy pressure gauge for highly aggressive media.

For pressure measurement in processes with highly aggressive media, WIKA has a new Bourdon tube pressure gauge in its portfolio, the model PG28. The wetted parts are made of Hastelloy C276 and are even resistant to chlorine gas, hydrofluoric acid and sulphuric acid.

Users therefore have a corrosion-resistant measuring solution with a very good price/performance ratio that also requires little installation space. The model PG28 is available with scale ranges from 0 … 0.6 bar to 0 … 700 bar. Its case (nominal sizes 100 and 160) is optionally available with filling and in an “S3” safety version. Other instrument variants are suitable for ATEX and NACE sour gas applications.

The model PG28 extends the existing Hastelloy product range with diaphragm pressure gauges and diaphragm seals. WIKA thus offers the right solution for every possible application in the field of mechanical pressure measurement.

• WIKA products are marketed in Ireland through Instrument Technology.

@WIKANews #PAuto

Young stress analysis!

The Young Stress Analyst Competition (YSA20) will take place as an independent event, online via Zoom on Wednesday 16th September 2020.

Although the British Society for Strain Measurement (BSSM) had to cancel their conference this year, they are opening the Young Stress Analyst of the year 2020 competition (YSA20) and will run this as a purely online event this year.

They want to give a forum for early career researchers to share their work in this annual competition, despite the ongoing and understandable restrictions on face-to-face conferences.

Many were hoping to compete this year and so they decided to run an online event in September for the finalists of YSA20.

To enter applications should be submitted by 10th August, ready for peer review. A shortlist of 4 finalists will be invited to present their work during an online event held in September.

@BSSMStrain #YSA20 

Analogue front-end microcontrollers for sensing and measurement applications.

RS Components (RS) has introduced a new series of single-chip devices from Renesas, the RX23E-A microcontrollers (MCUs) which combine an analogue front end (AFE) and an MCU core for use in equipment that delivers high-precision measurements of analogue signals, such as temperature, pressure, weight, or flow.

Designed for manufacturing and test and measurement equipment, such as sensing or force measuring devices or temperature controllers, the RX23E-A group of MCUs offer better than 0.1% precision without calibration. In addition, the high level of integration offered by these MCUs with high-precision sensor measurement, computation, control and communications on a single chip, means equipment makers can reduce their bill-of-materials, save board space and simplify system design.

Integrating dual 24-bit delta-sigma A/D converters with up to 23-bit effective resolution, and programmable data rates from 7.6-sample/s up to 15,625-ksample/s, other specific leading-edge features of the AFE include offset drift of 10nV/°C, gain drift of 1 ppm/°C, an RMS noise of 30nV (rms). These characteristics enable the significant reduction of noise and temperature to the exceptionally low levels required for manufacturing applications, for example, which need to measure a wide variety of sensor data accurately and reliably.

The digital part of the RX23E-A devices is based on an advanced RXv2 core, which features operating speeds of 32MHz and excels at DSP and FPU (floating point unit) operations. The microcontroller also enables adaptive control techniques using temperature data and inverse matrix calculations based on six-axis distortion data, which can make it ideal for robot-arm force sensors in industrial manufacturing applications.

@RSComponents; @designsparkRS @RenesasGlobal @Publitek #PAuto #Electronics

Tuesday 23 June 2020

Environmentally sealed pressure switch.

The the World Magnetics Company's DesignFlex™ PSF111 series environmentally sealed pressure/vacuum switch, available for Europe through Variohm EuroSensor, is designed for challenging switching tasks where dust and water ingress prevention is essential. The waterproof snap-action switch suits pressure and vacuum configurations with switching ranges from -822 to 4137 mbar (-11.9 to 60 psi) and is available in a wide choice of port configurations and mounting options.

With a moulded polycarbonate housing and encapsulated electrical components, the PSF111 also features field adjustable pressure and vacuum set points - and with a polyurethane diaphragm as standard and optional Teflon material, the switch is suitable for most common pneumatic and fluid systems. The standard current rating across the series is 3 A with 4 A available on request. The operating voltage is 12 VDC / 125 VAC and the temperature range is -40 to + 85 °C. The compact switch housing typically measures approximately 25 mm in height, length and width, with a 1/8-27 threaded port connection protruding 18 mm.

As with all DesignFlex-branded series pressure and vacuum switch components, and through Variohm’s own design and production service, application customised engineering is available with modified mechanical and electrical interfacing and customer specified electrical lead lengths with connector options.

Variohm EuroSensor supports the complete range of DesignFlex pressure and vacuum switching components and accessories and is also a distribution partner for leading sensor manufacturers as well as a sensor component and sensing systems manufacturer with in house design and assembly expertise. Variohm offers complete sales and application support across a comprehensive range of position, force, pressure, load, and temperature sensor technologies for demanding measurement application solutions in industry, construction, agriculture, motorsports, research and more.

@Variohm #PAuto #World_Magnetics #mepaxIntPR 

Appointments by manufacturer of RF, connectors and cable harness assemblies.

Intelliconnect (Europe) has increased its management team with two senior appointments.
Steve Groves (left) Global Sales and Marketing Director and Craig Robinson, Sales Manager
Steve Groves joins as Global Sales and Marketing Director to oversee sales and marketing across all of Intelliconnect’s markets with their business partners around the world.
Steve brings with him more than 20 years’ experience in all aspects of the electronics industry having held roles from test technician and technical costing engineer through to sales and key account management with major component OEMs. Steve’s experience encompasses the aerospace, defence and industrial markets, providing RF and electrical components and cable assembly solutions.

Appointed as Sales Manager, Craig Robinson will now be heading-up management and business development of sales for Britain and Ireland with special emphasis on medical, industrial, test and measurement and cryogenic markets.
Craig has over 30 years’ experience in the connectivity industry specialising in RF, fibre optics and electronics. He has a high level of technical and application knowledge which will be of great value to Intelliconnect’s customers.

“It’s the quality and resourcefulness of our people that sets us apart from our competitors.” Says Roy Phillips, Managing Director of Intelliconnect. “We are recognised for the excellence of our customer service and the high level of expertise we have on offer in every part of our company. Steve and Craig have a wealth of experience which our customers can now benefit from and which will support the diverging and emerging markets we are seeing high growth in, including medical and quantum computing.”


@Intelli_Connect @proactivefleet #PAuto 

Accessing HART data for IIoT.

ProComSol has released its new 4 Channel HART multiplexer with HART-IP. This device allows the user to perform HART communications using the plant’s Ethernet network infrastructure. According to Jeffrey Dobos, President of ProComSol, “Adding a HART-IP based HART multiplexer to the existing plant HART network provides a low cost way to access HART instrument data for IIoT applications”.

The HMUX-4-DS HART Multiplexer, 4 channel, Dual Speed mounts on the cabinet’s DIN rail. The Mux connect to the HART instruments anywhere in the control loop. These loop connections are easily be made in the marshaling cabinet so wiring effort is minimal. When the Mux is connected to the plant Ethernet network, the HART data becomes accessible wherever the network is available.

The typical use case is to setup a network connected pc running a HART-IP client that collects the measurement and status data from the HART instruments. This information can stay in the plant or be sent to the cloud for backup and ease of sharing. HART-IP is a standard protocol for encapsulating HART commands into Ethernet (TCP/IP) packets for communications over Ethernet networks.

Several software products exist for this task. ProComSol offers their popular DevCom2000 Smart Device Communicator software that can collect the data, and the user can access the HART device as if they were next to the device with a traditional HART communicator. Since DevCom2000 is DD based, all device parameters are available, including Methods.

Dual Speed refers to the support of PSK HART devices. PSK operates at 9600 baud so is nearly 8 times faster than traditional FSK HART devices. The Mux “future proofs” the data collection system for when PSK devices start to become available. No need to replace the Mux. Interested device manufacturers should contact ProComSol regarding hardware/software and support for adding PSK to their product line.

 @ProComSol #PAuto #IIoT #HART 

Finding moving objects on-site easily.

The locating standard of the future.

Any manufacturing site has an incredible amount of moving objects. They have orders, material, carriers, tools, people, transport-equipment, and so on. How can we create a digital representation of these at a reasonable cost and based on a standard, which will allow full interoperability and secure any investments?

omlox started exactly with this target.

What is needed for any location transparency or any location-based service? These four elements are crucial:
I) The identifier: The moveable object needs to be identified. It could be done for unique objects by image recognition. But, since different orders often look similar, we need an unambiguous identifier.

II) The infrastructure: The information of the moveable object has to be transported, and the location reference needs to be attached. There are different ways to handle it today, such as RFID-Gates, BLE or UWB beacons or land-marks, and a Wi-Fi network for SLAM based AGVs.

III) The XYZ merging (Geo-Referencing): Location-aware objects come with their own coordinate-system. But they have to interact with other location-aware objects. As a result, there can only be one definition of the coordinates in the smart-factory. Talking the same language is essential.

IV) The applications: There are applications for location data: navigating, tracking, routing, analyzing, warning, and so on. This layer will bring the final value of the location service.

omlox: The Industry 4.0 Location-based Service

omlox is defining standards in the cyber-physical location world: It is defining the interfaces between I) and II) as well as between II) and III) and III) and IV). All in all, omlox is the definition of three interfaces:

  1. The air-interface between I) and II) for a physical reference.
  2. The API between II) and III) to include any location data.
  3. The API between III) and IV) to add any application.

With omlox, users can customize their location solution in a vendor-independent manner. Any mobile omlox device (I) from any vendor can be located by any omlox infrastructure (II) from any vendor. Any omlox hub (III) from any vendor can include any omlox core zone or other any complementary location zones (II) from any vendor. And any location application (IV) fulfilling the omlox specification can be connected to any omlox hub.

In the end, the complete factory design will change with smart location-based services.

@ProfibusUK @TRUMPF_News #PAuto

Compression mount connector.

A new 2.40 mm Compression Mount Connector has been launced by Samtec. It is designed to perform to 50 GHz. Primarily for use in the high-speed digital test market this connector is designed for stripline applications. The connector is vertically mounted to the PCB and attached in place by two 0-80 UNF screws eliminating the need for soldering to the test points. Microstrip design in development.

@SamtecInc #Tandm #PAuto 

Wireless position switches and sensors for explosive environments.

"Wireless Ex" is a technology developed by the .steute business unit Extreme which simplifies the assembly and operation of switchgear in explosive environments. Switching devices are no longer connected to the receivers in the control cabinet via Ex-compatible cables, but via a low-energy wireless protocol created especially for such applications. It is, of course, certified to ATEX and IECEx standards.

Engineers constructing plants and machines for explosive environments can take Ex RF 96 electromechanical wireless position switches, for example, in their slim rectangular design to monitor the position of moving machine components or workpiece fixtures.

Alternatively, positions can also be monitored without any contact – using Ex RF IS wireless inductive sensors in a cylindrical design (M 12, M 18 and M 30). In this case, the Ex RF 96 ST Ex wireless universal transmitter takes care of both wireless transmission and decentralised power supply to the sensors.

These wireless sensors guarantee high transmission availability even in tricky situations (e.g. coexistence with other wireless systems), as is often the case in an industrial environment.

These product series have now been updated by steute, and their latest versions with new ATEX-/IECEx approval were presented at the SPS 2019. Both the electromechanical Ex position switches and the Ex sensors are approved to the latest ATEX-/IECEx standards for use in Ex zones 1 and 21. The wireless signals require so little energy that there is no danger of explosion, bringing additional flexibility to the design and construction of explosion-proof machines and plants.

The two updated switchgear series are well suited to e.g. mounting on machines and plants in Ex zones which have moving parts or parts which are difficult to access. Because Ex-compatible cable connections are no longer needed, and because the switching devices "radio out" of the Ex zone, installation of the switching devices and gaining of Ex approvals are greatly simplified.

#steute #PAuto #Ex #MEpax

Monday 22 June 2020

Cabinets and components for Water and Waste.

Equipment enclosures and cabinets require careful consideration in these markets and protection from dust and water alone is often not enough. Electromagnetic interference emitted by electric motors, power supply, relays, solenoids or power lines can interrupt the operation of critical electronic devices used for control and monitoring of water treatment processes.

The nVent Schroff Varistar electronics cabinet platform from Foremost Electronics provides an innovative solution for highly effective EMC shielding of 60 dB at 1 GHz and 40 dB at 3 GHz to ensure reliable, uninterrupted operation of electronic equipment. A wide range of options are available as well as tailored solutions, all with lead times guaranteed to keep projects on schedule.

Emma Kempster, Key Account Manager, of Foremost Electronics, comments; "The water and waste treatment industry presents a number of specific requirements for system builders. In addition to just supplying individual products Foremost has the knowledge, experience and expertise to supply complete packages of products which will complement each other and fulfil these specialist needs. Our suppliers are also very happy to work with us to provide bespoke solutions."

Standard features include, environmental protection up to IP 55, doors with 4‐point locking and screw‐fixed side panels, static load‐carrying capacity to 800 kg and front, rear or base cable entry.
Secure cable entry is required for control cabinets to ensure cabinet IP ratings are not compromised while combining ease of access when installing, commissioning or during upgrades or maintenance.
The icotec KVT-ER split cable gland, available from Foremost, sets new standards in cable routing for cables with or without preassembled connectors. The KVT-ER cable gland is liquid and dust proof to IP66/IP68, has a very robust housing, is vibration resistant, easy-to-install and a cost-effective solution for cable routing, sealing and strain relief. It will also accept pneumatic or hydraulic lines and corrugated conduits. The icotec split gland system ensures retrofitting, repairs and maintenance are simple tasks to perform.

To ensure the EMC shielding integrity of the cabinet, direct earthing of cable shields at the point of entry (e.g. at the enclosure or machine wall) is possible by using the additional KVT-EMC shield clamp bracket, removing the need for additional EMC cable glands.

For connecting sensors and external equipment Foremost can supply miniature and sub-miniature waterproof connectors from Tajimi Electronics, a leading connector manufacture established in 1923. Their products are suited to many special application requirements and industries requiring high reliability. The product range includes 20m, 30m and 100m depth specifications and are suitable for extremely harsh environments where hermetically sealed connectors are required. Ideal for water and waste treatment plants the connectors are made from light weight brass and zinc alloy / nickel construction, with a temperature range of -25˚C to +85˚C.

For electronic equipment designers looking for a flexible human-machine interface (HMI) Foremost can supply the new E18 mechanical incremental encoder from ELMA Electronic. The industry standard footprint E18 product family incorporates all the features required for the widest range of applications while providing improved performance and manufacturability. Typical applications include water distribution controls, monitoring systems and industrial controllers.

The E18 encoder is available with an optional centre push button with the choice of 3N or 6N push force and may be further customised with bespoke shaft dimensions and shapes, user specified detent torque and IP60 or IP68 front panel sealing for rugged applications.

@4MostElectronic @proactivefleet #Water #Pauto

European award for component distributor.

Anglia Components has been awarded TDK’s European Distribution Award in silver in the Local Distributors category. This is the sixth time that Anglia has received an award, giving it the best track record amongst TDK’s 18 local distributors in Europe.

Commenting on the award, John Bowman, Marketing Director, Anglia Components, said, “This award is a real testament to the strength of our business. The repeat award is a tribute to the whole Anglia team and the success of our continued efforts to provide an excellent service to our suppliers and their customers. We thank TDK for the award and look forward to continuing our exceptional partnership with them.”

Dietmar Jaeger, Head of TDK’s Global Sales Distribution, responded, “Anglia Components do an outstanding job at serving our customers in the UK and Ireland market. Anglia’s repeated success in these awards demonstrates they continue to attain the very highest standards and have been able to maintain and improve on them consistently over many years. Congratulations to Anglia on an extremely worthy award.”

The annual assessment of distribution partners is based on TDK’s Senten Manten program, a Japanese term that stands for the perfect result that can be achieved with 1000 points. The award recognizes the distributor’s performance and collaboration with TDK in four categories: business performance, inventory management, contractual terms and operational excellence.

@angliaLive @NeeshamPR #PAuto #Electronics

Hydraulic hoses and fittings.

The Synflex Optimum family of thermoplastic hydraulic hoses and fittings has been launched by Eaton. These are designed to work together to improve hydraulic system performance, simplify assembly and optimise inventory.

With high abrasion resistance and a wide range of pressures, the Synflex Optimum system is ideal for demanding applications including aerial lifts, agricultural and construction machinery, forestry equipment, car hauler trailers, lift trucks, marine environments, chemical plants and car wash systems.

“Many manufacturers provide either hoses or fittings, leading to frustration for machine builders and end users,” said Dimitar Atanasov, product manager, Fluid Conveyance, Eaton. “Optimising the hose and fitting to work together can result in longer hose assembly life and less equipment downtime. And because one fitting can be used across multiple hose styles, it is both easier to streamline inventory and assemble the system.”

Eaton’s Synflex Optimum hoses are built to withstand extreme environmental conditions and high abrasion applications. Constructed with a new, innovative thermoplastic material, the hoses offer the low temperature and flexibility of polyester-lined hoses along with the chemical compatibility of nylon-lined hoses. Available with pressure ratings from 70 bar to 350 bar, the hoses are a powerful component for heavy lifting and handling equipment. Eaton’s custom thermoforming process allows for hoses to be moulded into configurations that match the system design, resulting in tighter routing, faster machine building and optimised performance.

The Synflex Optimum fittings, specifically designed to complement Synflex Optimum thermoplastic hydraulic hoses, feature a compact design and smaller profile for easier routing and assembly. The fittings follow a simple one-piece design to reduce matching errors and assembly time while eliminating brazing-failure risks. Eaton’s captive nut helps to eliminate the weak spots found in other fittings and can increase safety in applications with high levels of vibration, as well as prevent cracks and leaks that lead to unplanned downtime. Dura-Kote plating, which delivers up to 1,000 hours of corrosion resistance, comes as standard on the new fittings.

@eatoncorp @ArmitageComm #PAuto

Modernising to improve improve safety, reliability and efficiency.

ABB has entered into an agreement with Zijin Mining Group to install its state-of-the-art ring-geared mill drives and control systems at Veliki Krivelj Copper Mine (SRB) - a surface mining operation with an annual ore processing capacity of 2.5 million tons.

Veliki Krivelj was acquired by Zijin Mining Group in 2018 as part of a deal with Serbia's Bor Copper Mine, which included three open-pit mines, an underground mine and a smelter. The US$350 million investment is one of China’s largest investments in Serbia to date. Zijin Mining Group expects to invest 200 million euros to transform and expand the existing production capacity of Serbia's Bor copper mine and smelter.

As part of the modernization project, ABB will provide ring-geared mill drives and intelligent control systems for one SAG mill (2x6.5MW) and one ball mill (2x7.5MW), including electric control systems, drives, motors, transformers and end-to-end services which will increase productivity, reduce downtime and boost energy efficiency.

ABB’s solution provides dual pinion mill drives, frozen charge detection, controlled roll back, automatic positioning, variable speed and cascade monitoring functionalities. The dual pinion mill drive is a variable speed technology which will effect low mechanical stress impact on the pinion and ring gear by realizing precise load sharing between the two motors of each mill.

Haibo Jing, head of ABB Process Industries, North Asia and China said: "We are glad to be working with Zijin Mining on the Veliki Krivelj copper mine project and to be bringing our technology to further support the success of the company in their 'Belt and Road Initiative."

ABB has worked with Zijin Mining since 2018 providing strategic consultancy, project expertise and drawing on ABB's track record in supplying total integrated solutions to the mining industry across electrification, automation, digital, drives and motors and infrastructure. In 2019, ABB supported Zijin on both the phase III technological upgrading project of Xinjiang Zijin Zinc Industry Co., Ltd and the Majdanpek (MS) copper mine in Serbia.


@ABBMeasurement @ABBgroupnews #PAuto #Mining

Friday 19 June 2020

Users' association meets online.

The CAN in Automation (CiA) users’ and manufacturers’ association held its general assembly as online meeting for the first time recently. The members re-elected the board of directors as well as the members of the CiA business committee and the CiA technical committee.

CiA member classification: 
Technology enablers offering semiconductors, 
IP cores, protocol stacks, and interface units
 without application behavior such as dongles.
Uwe Koppe (Micocontrol) was confirmed as CiA Technical Director and Christian Schlegel (CS Consulting) as CiA Business Director. Furthermore, Holger Zeltwanger is the CiA Managing Director. The nonprofit organization with nearly 700 members develops currently the CAN XL specifications, which support bit-rates of 12 Mbit/s and maintains the classic CANopen and CANopen FD specifications. There is also a CAN FD light specification under development.

The elected members of the CiA business committee are Emotas, Janztec, ESD, Microcontrol, and Vector. The CiA technical committee comprises the following elected members: Emotas, Emsa, ESD, HMS, and Bosch.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the CiA marketing activities are limited to online events and publications. All technical group meetings take place virtually.

The CiA budget 2020 was accepted and will be adjusted to the circumstances caused by the coronavirus. CiA provides still services such as answering technical inquiries, performing webinars on dedicated topics, etc. The planned one-day CiA technology days are held as four-hour online events. The 17th international CAN Conference is intended to take place in June 2021.

@CANopen #PAuto #Communications