Cyber reliance complience.

The SoMLabs i.MX8Mmini System-on-Modules (SoMs, marketed by Inelco Hunter, are “CRA ready” i.e. conform to the EU Cyber Resilience Act which came into force on 10th December 2024. The Act’s aim is to enhance the cybersecurity of products with digital elements sold or manufactured in the EU. The i.MX8Mmini System-on-Modules are CRA Ready - they are ready to be integrated into the customer's electronic product with the knowledge that the requirements of the Act have been met with the SOMLabs module. To quote EU Commission President van der Leyen in outlining the necessity of this act, "If everything is connected, everything can be hacked." (2021)

The VisionSOM-8Mmini family is a SODIMM-sized SoM based on the NXP iMX8Mmini application processor which features a heterogeneous quad cores ARM Cortex-A53 together with an ARM Cortex-M4 cor, as well as an advanced 3D Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Open GL 2.0 ES compatible and VPU (encoder/decoder) HD1080p60 H.264, HD1080p60 H.265.

The quad Cortex-A53 and single Cortex-M4 based VisionSOM provides full flexibility to support real time application while supporting Linux and advanced HMI. These compact and yet very powerful Mini SoMs will have a very wide range of applications in applications such as manufacturing, aerospace, medical, transport, retail, IoT.

The VisionSOM-8Mmini is a general-purpose highly integrated SoM (System on Module). The module is featuring high computation power. The option is fully certified Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) and Bluetooth (BLE 5.1) module. This module simplifies the carrier board design and is ideally suited for wireless application. The VisionSOM-8Mmini provides a variety memory configuration, including flexible range of LPDDR4, eMMC and SD memory card.

The VisionSOM-8Mmini supports connections to a variety of interfaces: two high-speed USB on-the-go with PHY, 1Gbit Ethernet, audio, advanced Full HD display with 3D coprocessing and VPU encoder/decoder, touch panel and serial interfaces.

With over 30 years of expertise, Inelco Hunter continues to provide industry-leading engineering support, helping customers rapidly implement solutions and speed up time-to-market. Unlike a lot of traditional distributors, Inelco Hunter offers in-depth technical assistance, ensuring that clients receive tailored, high-quality support throughout the lifecycle of their projects.

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@InelcoHunter @EURLex #PAuto #Electronics

Energy Labelling regulation for mobile devices.

SmartViser and Anritsu have joined forces to usher in a new era of mobile device testing for the energy labelling regulation. This strategic partnership leverages SmartViser's expertise in test automation and Anritsu's cutting-edge testing solutions to deliver comprehensive, efficient, and innovative testing solutions for the ever-evolving mobile ecosystem.

The integration of SmartViser's automated testing solutions with Anritsu's advanced test solution creates a synergistic approach to smartphones and Tablets Testing for the EU Energy labelling regulation, providing manufacturers and service providers with a comprehensive suite of tools. This collaboration aims to streamline testing processes, accelerate time-to-market for new devices, and enhance the overall user experience.

The EU Regulation of Energy Labelling for smartphones and Tablets was published in the Original Journal of EU on the 20th of September 2023 and after 21 months of transition period will become mandatory on the 20th of June 2025.

Jonathan Borrill, CTO for Anritsu T&M, says: "We are proud to inform partnership with SmartViser and contribute to smart energy initiatives towards a decarbonized society. Combining SmartViser's innovative solutions with Anritsu communications technology will bring revolutionary and a major step towards achieving carbon neutrality."

Commenting on the partnership, Gilles Ricordel CEO of SmartViser stated, "We are thrilled to collaborate with Anritsu, a renowned name in the testing and measurement industry. This partnership represents a significant leap forward in our mission to provide cutting-edge testing solutions for the rapidly evolving mobile landscape. By combining our automation expertise with Anritsu's industry-leading technology, we are empowering our customers to deliver products and services in the market that exceed consumer expectations."

SmartViser was selected by EU to create the first pilot application for Android and ios in order to test smartphone devices and tablets energy class and battery consumption.

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@Anritsu @AnritsuEMEA @SmartViser @EU_Commission @NapierPR #TandM #Communications

IT and OT - a relationship?

The recent annual national conference of Cyber|Ireland, the national cyber security cluster organisation that brings together Industry, Academia and Government to represent the needs of the Cyber Security Ecosystem in Ireland was held in Galway city last week (27 September 2023).

Cybersecurity is of course on everybody's lips these days, particularly hear in Ireland after the criminal attach on the health services systems in the midst of the COVID 19 emergency forcing our already overburdened health professionals back to using pen and pencil as the Information Technology (IT) people struggled to bring the software systems up and running again. Many attending the conference were worried about this type attack on their IT systems. Some were also interested in the workings of their factory, Operational Technology (OT) and how exposed they were to attack. This vulnerability can be, and usually is, very different to that of IT.

The day before the actual conferences there were a number of special meeting examining various sectors effected in different ways by this ever-present threat of infiltration or disturbance, malicious (isn't it always?) or otherwise.

Automation professionals became acutely aware of a threat to their systems in July 2010 when we first heard the word Stuxnet. We first heard about it from an Americal pioneer in security, Eric Byres. Semantic's Liam Ó Murchú, one of the first to understand it described his reaction, “Everything in it just made your hair stand up and go, this is something we need to look into.” The Signpost instituted a page as a guide to developments and articles on STUXNET, "the little varmint!" as Byres called it. This ran from July 2010 to 2013 and is still accessible.

Of course things have progressed since then and most, if not all, of the major process and manufacturing entities are aware of the threat and are taking steps to defend themselves. The International Society of Automation, the automation Standards organisation in particular sprang into action and quickly strengthened their security committee developing over time the Cybersecurity Series of Standards now adopted by the IEC - ISA/IEC 62443.

Speakers at Cyber|Ireland OT Forum
LtoR: Damian White, Billy O'Connor, Ita O'Farrell, Dónal Óg Cusack, Eoin Byrne.

The OT Forum.
Cyber|Ireland, as one might expect,  has established a special OT Security Special Interest Group, The Cyber Ireland OTSec SIG,   under Dónal Óg Cusack (yes the hurler!) of DePuy Synthes as chair, with members from industry, vendors and other experts. One of the meetings was organised by this group. The introduction gave an interesting break down of the leading manufacturers/processes in the country and where they stand in the European marketplace (see slide reproduced above).

The first speaker, Ita O’Farrell, Head of Compliance, National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), outlined the work of the NCSC, set up by the Government, and outlined the law and clarified those responsible or answerable. The political agreement (NIS2) was formally adopted by the European Parliament and then the European Council in November 2022. It entered into force in January. Member States now have until 17 October 2024, to transpose its measures into national law. The NCSC are expanding their services now to small and medium-sized enteprises(SMEs) through the development of an SME Cyber Security Document. 

Dónal Óg Cusack introduced
the OT Forum

Damian White, of DataLogiX Solutions, specialists in securing OT networks used by manufacturers and processes. He stressed the importance of ensuring that management were aware of the importance and the very different challenges facing the production process in their factories.

The view of the user was presented by Johnson & Johnson's Billy O'Connor. Again he spoke of the importance understanding of the differences experience from the IT perspective and the operators' integrity. There has always bee a tension here and his final comment was humorous but emphasises the importance of dialogue. "The IT people are trying to break away from their relationship with OT and the OT didn't know that there was a relationship!"

Perhaps the real answer is communication and trust.

Cyber|Ireland OT Security Special Interest Group

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@CyberIreland @ncsc_gov_ie @DataLogiX #CINC2023 #PAuto #Cybersecurity #Ireland

New EU regulations for airconditioning plants.

Bans on the use of certain refrigerants as well as new regulations and rules on the operation, servicing and labelling of cooling and air-conditioning plants will come into force on 01 January 2020. Rittal has the answers to the users of refrigeration equipment questions on what to do now. Thanks to personalised advice and end-to-end service, operators can make their plants fit for the future, meet the requirements of the F gases regulation and improve their energy efficiency.

Reducing fluorinated greenhouse gases is a highly topical issue that is bearing down on the users and operators of refrigeration systems such as car manufacturers. Fluorinated greenhouse gases (F gases) are used as refrigerants in cooling units and climate control systems. In the future, emitting such climate-damaging substances (either as a result of targeted substitution or through the use of alternative technologies) will have to be reduced in order to limit their impact on global warming. EU Regulation No. 517/2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases (the “F gases regulation”), which has been in force since 1 January 2015, aims to help reduce industrial emissions by as much as 70 percent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. Specifically, the emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F gases) in the EU will need to be reduced by 70 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) to 35 million tonnes of CO2e in 2030. Bans on the use of refrigerants with a GWP greater than 2,500 as well as new and amended regulations on the maintenance, servicing, leakage checking, certification, disposal and labelling of refrigeration equipment concerned will be in force from 1 January 2020.

Due to the bans on the use of F gases and on the marketing of products containing them, companies contemplate which cooling units and chillers they will still be allowed to use after 2020. Manufacturing plants, maintenance staff and energy managers can rely on the fact that Rittal have designed their climate control solutions in accordance with the F gases regulation for years so that they do not need to take any further action. As a service partner, Rittal also provides actionable advice for all cooling system users – including non-customers: From determining the actual condition of a system, calculating its efficiency, drawing up a recommendation for action and determining potential savings, setting up and commissioning a new system (including a maintenance contract) to disposing of old devices, Rittal is supporting plant operators with personalised assistance in overcoming the hurdles of the regulations and efficiency requirements. Customers benefit from cost transparency, qualified service technicians and warranty extensions.

The EU regulation is focussed on the gradual limitation of quantities of F gases in order to protect the environment. Consequently, industry, plant operators and end users must all gradually switch over to refrigerants with a lower GWP (Global Warming Potential) value. Just how future-proof cooling units will be will depend, among other things, on the refrigerant used. Enclosure cooling units and chillers from Rittal are not affected by these use bans as they operate with a hermetically sealed refrigeration cycle and because they run on approved refrigerant. Rittal provides detailed information on the F gases regulation (EU) 517/2014 in this whitepaper.

With the inception of F gases regulation, operators of refrigeration equipment with a defined amount of refrigerant will be obliged to carry out regular leakage tests. Operators can easily determine the extent to which an existing system is affected by the consequences of the F gases regulation by using the Rittal F-gas calculator: This online tool calculates the GWP value and the corresponding carbon dioxide equivalent based on the type of refrigerant being selected and on the amount of refrigerant being used. The carbon dioxide equivalent determines the action the operator will have to take in order to comply with the regulation.

All system parameters (as shown on the rating plate), as well as the type of refrigerant and the filling quantity per circuit are entered. The result is the carbon dioxide equivalent of the system. The admissibility of refrigerant replenishment in the event of a leakage, as well as practical advice for the operation of the current system are also shown.

Investment amortisation periods are always a criterion businesses need to factor in. In addition to possible savings by replacing older climate control systems with new and efficient technology, the payback period can also be shortened by benefiting from grants and/or subsidies. Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU) for instance is promoting and initiating climate protection projects throughout Germany via its National Climate Initiative (NKI). When it comes to efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction, funding is being provided to support system operators. The goal is to increase the energy efficiency, reduce the need for refrigeration and to cut fluorinated greenhouse gas emissions in the refrigeration and climate control technology sector. Plant operators will therefore find they can benefit from subsidies from the BMU or the German Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) when replacing enclosure cooling units or chillers. The equipment and which activities are specifically subsidised will be surveyed and checked on a case-by-case basis. A company that specialises in making applications for funding supports plant operators at all the necessary stages and checks whether the same investment measure can be cumulated with other funding programmes. Detailed information in white paper “State subsidies for the replacement of enclosure and process air conditioning."

#PAuto @Rittal @bmu @PresseBox

Directive 2006/42/EC

The new machinery directive - how to play safe!

Festo has introduced a one-day orientation course for machine builders struggling to interpret the latest requirements of the new Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.

Following the decision of the EC Machinery Working Group to extend the transition period of the existing EN 954-1 safety standard beyond its expected end-of-life deadline of December 2009, but for an unspecified amount of time, machine designers and builders now face the dilemma of which safety standard to use. Should they stick with EN 954-1, even though its time is running out, or embrace its successor, EN ISO 13849-1, despite its apparent complexity?

Steve Sands, Festo’s Product Manager, is unequivocal about the right course of action, “We all need to fully commit to the production world’s ideal of zero machine-related accidents. Although machine builders will continue to benefit from EN 954-1’s presumption of conformity for a while, a much better way of complying with both the intention and the spirit of Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC is to adopt the new EN ISO 13849-1 safety standard now, and move forward together. This does not need to be as onerous as it has been portrayed to be – Festo, along with other leading automation component companies, is placing significant resources at the disposal of its customers.”

Festo has identified ten functions where pneumatic safety measures can be implemented on machines, to help ensure compliance with the new EN ISO 13849-1 safety standard. The company is in the process of rolling out specific products and services to implement these measures, and has already launched a series of valve manifolds with built-in proximity sensors for position sensing/movement reversal, and a range of fail-safe brake units for pneumatic actuators.

The new one-day orientation course, ‘Understanding the new machine directive’ has been created by Festo Didactic, the training and consulting division of Festo, in direct response to issues highlighted by customers. It provides an overview of the key aspects and implications of Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, including risk assessment, analysis and evaluation as required by the new EN ISO 13849-1 safety standard – and will be of particular benefit to machine designers and builders, as well as maintenance personnel.