Expanded provision of device data agreed.

CADENAS is now the newest member of the Eplan Partner Network. CADENAS Managing Director Terry Jonen and Eplan Managing Director Haluk Menderes signed the new technology partnership agreement in November 2025. The stated goal of the cooperation is the expanded provision of technical device data via the Eplan Data Portal, which will be implemented using a direct interface between the Data Portal and the CADENAS platform 3Dfindit.

Haluk Menderes, Eplan and
CADENAS MD Terry Jonen at SPS 2025.

This technology partnership will make it easier for Eplan users to find the right device data. “CADENAS is a strong partner who will help us considerably extend the range of device data available on the Eplan Data Portal with additional, validated content,” said Eplan Managing Director Haluk Menderes. “For our customers, this cooperation is significant. The connectivity to the CADENAS device database expands our quite comprehensive selection of device data with completely new, sometimes very complex configuration data – for instance for the energy sector.” 

Speaking about the newly sealed deal, CADENAS Managing Director Terry Jonen says, “With the planned connection of 3Dfindit to the Eplan Data Portal, we’re making it easier for engineers to access precise, up-to-date product data and are thereby increasing the added value for our common customers.”

Comprehensive digital device data is indispensable for design engineers. It accelerates project planning and increases efficiency in engineering, making invaluable contributions to greater data consistency. To achieve this, the companies will be developing an interface to the CADENAS portal that users will be able to access via the Eplan Data Portal, meaning directly via the Eplan cloud. Eplan and CADENAS will be working closely together to design the interface, and both companies will be engaging in continued dialogue with component manufacturers.

The advantages for users at a glance:

• Eplan users benefit from a significantly expanded range of data on offer, for instance for complex designs
• Design engineers will have additional options when selecting device data
• Data consistency throughout the entire engineering process also increases

Now that the agreement has been signed, the technical implementation is getting started. In the coming months, both partners will set up technical working groups to define the specific measures with a view to gradually expanding the cooperation. The goal is to validate added value for common customers along the value chain. This involves various topics and industries for instance the energy sector. For Eplan users, this will mean increased depth of data and data consistency.

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@EPLAN_global  @mepaxIntPR #Cadanas #PAuto 

Growth predicted in components company.

54-year-old company credits financial security and innovative business practices for long term success.

Double the industry’s average predicted growth is expected by Anglia Components as the company emerges from the challenging times of recent years. Founded in 1972, Anglia expects 10% growth in 2026, reckons CEO Steve Rawlins, twice the mid-range prediction of industry association Electronic Components Supply Network (ECSN).

Steve Rawlins

Rawlins – who will celebrate 50 years at Anglia next year – believes that the company’s continued independence has helped it innovate and remain financially very strong. “We enjoy very good relations with our bankers, and are delighted to recognise HSBC as our exclusive funders”, he explains. “As we enter the 12th successive year of partnership with HSBC, we would like to thank them for all their help and support over this period.”

Despite the challenges of the post-Covid years, Anglia has introduced several new initiatives which are driving the business forward. Semiconductor giant, STMicroelectronics (ST) encouraged Anglia to extend its Anglia Live e-commerce platform to cover the EU as well as the Britain and Ireland, and that business is building steadily, expanding Anglia’s available market and customer base hugely. Anglia has also introduced a customer loyalty scheme, free-sampling service and various eco initiatives, all in the last two years.

“We have been able to grow because we have always kept solid financial foundations”, concludes Rawlins. “Every company needs prudent fiscal acumen, and with the long-standing and continued support of HSBC, Anglia is expertly positioned to support customers in the UK and across Europe for many years to come.”

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@angliaLive #Electronics #PAuto

Flexible test controller.

Available with hardware and network licensing options.

XJTAG® has launched the XJLink-PF20 Test Controller, the latest addition to the XJLink-PF series. Following the success of the XJLink-PF40, released earlier this year, the XJLink-PF20 brings the same dependability and robustness to a new 4-TAP two-port configuration, offering both functional and JTAG boundary scan testing with the XJTAG testing suite’s long established power and control. This new configuration offers engineers even more choice across electronics development and production.

The XJLink-PF20, designed in close consultation with industry, prioritises robustness for the unpredictability of prototyping and development, as well as the challenging environments of production. With ±30 V protection on all pins, you can focus on testing without worrying about damaging your equipment.

Enhanced signal integrity is provided by 20 dedicated ground pins, allowing the XJTAG testing suite to run at-speed even in the noisy and imperfect environments that engineers face every day. The fully configurable pin-out of the XJLink-PF20 allows you to assign JTAG TAPs and general purpose I/O in whatever way you need across the two provided connectors. Tolerant and flexible, users can set up their testing faster and spend less time on adapters and cabling.

The XJTAG suite of tools has been helping engineers bring complex software, firmware and hardware products to fruition for decades with its powerful suite of test and programming tools. The XJLink-PF20 fits easily into existing systems and is compatible with all parts of the XJTAG suite. XJLink-PF20 is supported by XJTAG version 4.2 and later. Whether you’re looking to upgrade to the latest features that XJTAG testing has to offer, or are new to the combination of programming, functional testing and JTAG boundary scan, the XJLink-PF20 is the powerful test controller you need.

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@XJTAG #PAuto #TandM

Fail-safe weighing processes enhanced.

The natural medicine manufacturer Salus has successfully migrated to Körber’s new NextGen PAS-X MES at its headquarters in Bruckmühl (D) and at its subsidiary Schoenenberger in Magstadt (D). Körber's PAS-X MES ensures precise, recipe-driven digital weighing and dispensing for the production of medicinal teas, tonics, cosmetics, and spices.

Salus' HQ

Salus had been using a customised version of PAS-X MES since 2018. As the underlying third-party infrastructure and technology components were approaching obsolescence, requiring high maintenance costs and losing access to security updates, the complete PAS-X installation needed to be replaced. The NTS Apollo ERP system had to be integrated, as did a level-2 interface to the automation level.

“To minimise risks and ensure the continuity of our production, we decided to migrate to the new NextGen PAS-X MES,” says Florian Müller, Project Manager at Salus. “Together with Körber, we formed a cross-functional team of internal specialists, Körber’s migration and ERP experts, and Kubernetes service provider SVA to guarantee a smooth implementation.”

Körber supports PAS-X migration projects with a structured migration approach, expert services and smart automation tools that reduce complexity, accelerate timelines and ensure compliance throughout the project.

By adopting a fully standardised PAS-X MES system, Salus has significantly reduced maintenance costs while increasing system flexibility. The IT infrastructure is now state-of-the-art, offering maximum cyber security. The ERP system is fully integrated with the MES through a dedicated interface.

In the next phase, additional level-2 interfaces will be implemented to connect further systems, ensuring seamless data exchange with PAS-X MES and supporting continued digitalisation of Salus’ production processes.

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@WerumKarrierec #Koerber #Salus #PAuto #MES  

MES portfolio innovations announced.

A series of strategic innovations to Rockwell Automation's Manufacturing Execution System (MES) portfolio, focused on flexibility, scalability and resiliency has been announced. Their elastic MES portfolio is a cloud-native, interoperable MES platform designed to unify operations across operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT). This elastic, modular approach accelerates time to value, simplifies operations and allows manufacturers to scale capabilities as needed – empowering progress toward autonomous operations

Traditional MES solutions often operate in silos, limiting visibility across OT and IT. According to Rockwell’s 2025 State of Smart Manufacturing Report, 21% of manufacturing leaders cite integration challenges as a top internal obstacle. Rockwell’s elastic MES eliminates these barriers with a single, unified platform that connects the manufacturing lifecycle - from materials and inventory to production and tooling. Embedded analytics, AI-driven insights and connected worker technology keep production agile, visible and optimised.

“Legacy MES systems, while foundational, have become barriers to agility in an era defined by rapid change,” said Lorenzo Veronesi, associate research director, IDC, a manufacturing research service. “This future lies in modern, flexible and scalable MES platforms that enable manufacturers to reconfigure processes on demand, integrate seamlessly across the digital thread, and accelerate innovation. This evolution marks a critical step in moving the industry toward a truly adaptive, future-ready operations.”

“Our elastic MES strategy and investments drive a fundamental shift in how manufacturers connect and optimise their operations,” said Anthony Murphy, vice president of product management, Rockwell Automation. “DIY and disparate systems increase cost, risk and complexity. Rockwell’s elastic MES unifies critical applications across OT and IT on a cloud-native, resilient architecture that grows with our customers.”

Rockwell’s Elastic MES Solutions.

Rockwell’s MES solutions serve as the digital backbone of modern manufacturing, connecting software, hardware and services into a unified OT/IT environment. Designed for interoperability and scalability, the platform combines the power of the cloud with the resilience of the edge.

Their MES portfolio includes the following elastic qualities:

• Purpose-built for manufacturing: Tailored for discrete, hybrid, and regulated industries, ensuring compliance, traceability, and security
• Comprehensive capabilities: A multi-tenant Software as a Service (SaaS) environment with embedded AI technology to guide manufacturers along their autonomous operations journey
• Unified OT/IT integration: Seamless connectivity delivers holistic visibility and stronger business resiliency
• Extensible by design: A secure, resilient platform designed to integrate with existing systems and leverage emerging technologies like AI
• Resilient edge-to-cloud deployment: Flexible options from cloud-only to hybrid configurations to fit each site’s operational needs

"Plex gives us flexibility to grow our digital infrastructure at our own pace,” says David Rudofsky, chief financial officer, Wonton Food Inc. “We selected what worked for us initially and there are various capabilities we can consider for future expansion, like material tracking and production efficiency. For industries like food and beverage, Rockwell’s purpose-built MES offerings simplify compliance for SQF and customer audits and reduce implementation time by eliminating the need for heavy customisation. Our operations benefit from a secure and connected foundation that encourages continuous improvement."

Operational Impact and Business Outcomes.
Manufacturers worldwide are already realising the benefits of Rockwell’s MES solutions:

• A stationery, lighter, and shaver manufacturer leveraged Plex MES to unlock scalable capabilities and gain real-time production visibility.
• A baking mix manufacturer automated WIP management, and improved performance across finance and operations with Plex MES.
• A pharmaceutical developer implemented FactoryTalk® PharmaSuite® to create a digital manufacturing core and enhance efficiency.

In short Rockwell’s MES portfolio delivers intelligent guidance, predictive insights and operational agility, helping manufacturers streamline production and evolve toward autonomous operations.

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@ROKAutomation @ROKAutoEMEA @wontonfood #PAuto  #MES #OT_IT

Connections in energy storage.

Energy storage systems (ESS) require interfaces which are compact and generate as little heat as possible, even when transmitting high currents. Harting has developed the Han® S series for this application area. The cable side consists of angled housings, with the input side freely rotating around 360 degrees when plugged in. This makes the cables which connect the ESS modules more flexible. Storage modules can also be combined into larger units.

Previously, 200 A was the maximum power rating. The power capacity of the new Han® S 450 Plus has been increased to 500 A to meet the demand for higher charging and discharging currents for battery storage. The enlarged contacts and housings are designed so that they do not overheat during operation. Harting has developed larger housings for contacts with three different conductor cross-sections:

• for 95 mm² (AWG 3/0 or 4/0) up to 350 A
• for 120 mm² (250 kcmil) up to 400 A
• and for 150 mm² (300 kcmil) up to 450 A

Robustness and ease of use are also benefits of the Han® interface: it is guaranteed to withstand up to 500 mating cycles, which no other comparable product can offer. The locking mechanism is intuitive.

The colours red for positive and black for negative, as well as additional colour options of blue and orange, make Han® S connections easily identifiable. In addition, the housings feature a double locking system and numerous coding options, including the use of five different mating profiles.

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@HARTING_Group @HARTING #PAuto #Power #ESS

Safety automation group strengthened in China.

HIMA Group has further strengthened its presence in China with the relocation to its new Shanghai office. The facility was officially inaugurated on 5 December (2025) during a special ceremony followed by a Safety Symposium attended by customers, partners, and government representatives. The opening marks a significant step in HIMA’s strategic expansion, underscoring the company’s dedication to supporting China’s fast-growing industries with functional safety solutions.

“We attach great importance to good cooperation and long-term partnership. We can look back on more than 23 years of successful development of the HIMA Group in China and we feel deeply connected to our customers and partners in China,” explained Steffen Philipp, Managing Partner of HIMA Group. "Today, HIMA employs 80 highly qualified team members across China, working in close collaboration with global HIMA experts.""

The new Shanghai workspace provides a modern hub for customer engagement, technical collaboration, and innovation-driven projects across China. Its new Customer Solutions Center supports a broader range of trainings and testing needs, while the new multi-functional meeting area enhances professional communication with customers. The upgraded office environment also improves employee comfort and efficiency, fostering greater creativity and productivity.

“This new office is more than just a space—it's a statement of how vital the Chinese market is to us,” said Dr. Michael Löbig, CFO of HIMA Group. The new Shanghai workspace provides a modern hub for customer engagement, technical collaboration, and innovation-driven projects across China.

“Our new office is a place in China, for China—and a hub from which excellence from China reaches the world”, noted Yao Zhou, General Manager China.

China remains the world’s largest chemical producer, and HIMA plays a significant role in supporting safer and more secure operations.

Jörg de la Motte

Opening the Safety Symposium, Jörg de la Motte, CEO of HIMA Group emphasized China’s importance for HIMA: “China remains one of our most important regions, and we are proud that our solutions help make plants safer while creating added value through the digitalization of functional safety.”

More than 100 participants joined the celebrations and symposium, which featured a symbolic joint paper-plane takeoff to mark the launch of new ideas and partnerships. The choice of an aircraft—recognized as the safest mode of travel—underscores HIMA’s strong commitment to safety. At the same time, the concept of flying toward the ‘Cloud’ reflects the event’s central theme and aligns seamlessly with the symposium’s motto: ‘Smart Solutions for the Digitalized Process Industry.’

External speakers from China Huanqiu, Sino-German intelligent manufacturing standardization Council, and BASF SIS expert shared their perspectives and practice with HIMA’s digitalization solutions. The keynote speech by HIMA experts elaborates on the company’s latest innovations and industry-leading best practices, incorporating cyber security, streamlined engineering, Advanced Physical Layer (APL), and HIMA Smart Solutions.

In line with HIMA's sustainability strategy, the materials used for the event, are green, environmentally friendly, and recyclable. At six booths HIMA showcased cutting-edge technologies in functional safety, including Digital Lifecycle Management, APL, SafeHMI, Digital Engineering, Cybersecurity, Turbine Machinery Control (TMC Solution), and HIPPS.

The relocation follows another recent milestone: the opening of the HIMA Zhanjiang Service Center in Guangdong province in 2024, supporting customers in southeast China, including the BASF Verbund site.

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#Hima #Safety #China