Computerised maintenance management system software partnership.

Fluke Reliability has announced a partnership with RS Components (RS) to provide eMaint computerised maintenance management system (CMMS) software to RS’ customers. By adding eMaint, RS is providing a world-class CMMS solution that helps its customers better manage work orders, predictive maintenance schedules, and parts inventory to improve reliability.

“Fluke Reliability is excited to team up with RS to expand its cutting-edge maintenance engineering services with eMaint’s award-winning CMMS software,” said Fluke Reliability Solutions President Ankush Malhotra. “RS delivers robust maintenance solutions and expert knowledge to its customers, and we are pleased to have eMaint part of the RS offering.” Richard Jeffers, Director of Industrial Digital Solutions, RS Components, said: “At RS, we have always strived to bring best-in-class maintenance engineering services and solutions to our customers so they can keep their operations running as efficiently as possible. eMaint not only brings world-class reliability solutions, but also world class customer service to help our industrial customers succeed.”

eMaint CMMS enables maintenance professionals to manage work orders and requests, preventive maintenance, purchasing and inventory control, planning and scheduling, asset history, cost tracking, condition monitoring, and document storage, as well as create robust reports. The software saves companies valuable time and money by improving the organisation, planning, and optimisation of maintenance activities.

eMaint was one of the first providers of CMMS to offer a completely web-based software as a service (SaaS) model. Since 1986, the company has leveraged continuous software updates combined with exceptional support to expand its global footprint. The company’s diverse global client base consists of small, midsized and enterprise organisations in industries such as manufacturing, facilities, services, fleet, energy, packaging, government and education.

@FlukeCorp @emaintCMMS @RSComponents @NapierPR #TandM #PAuto

Industrial enclosures.

RS Components (RS) has expanded its RS PRO portfolio of enclosures designed for industrial applications.

For use by factory maintenance technicians and electrical installers, the expanded range of RS PRO enclosures now features new units manufactured from fibre-glass-reinforced plastic, moulded by hot compression techniques. All the enclosures come in a light grey colour (RAL 7035) and are supplied with a galvanised-steel backplate and wall-mounting fixings. The units are especially ideal for transportation applications.

All of the lightweight units offer easy installation and come with an anti-intruder hinge system and wide door opening – up to 180ºC – with door reversibility for opening on the left or right. The units also offer more than 10 years of life under standard environmental conditions and without any maintenance necessary.

The halogen-free units have been built to withstand the 960ºC glow-wire test and are double insulated to prevent electrical contact risks. The units come with a certification of compliance to IEC62208 for empty enclosures for use with low-voltage switchgear and control-equipment assemblies. They are suitable for indoor and outdoor use and provide protection to IP66 as part of the EN60529 standard.

The expanded range of RS PRO enclosures is shipping now in the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions. The RS PRO branded portfolio from RS includes a choice of more than 66,000 proven quality and high-value products across all applications and industries.

@RSComponents #PAuto 

Living in Space.

RS Components (RS) is sponsoring the PowerHab team from the University of Strathclyde (GB) as part of IGLUNA 2020, a pan-European initiative bringing together multidisciplinary students from across the globe in a collaboration to build solutions for a theoretical space habitat.

The Strathclyde PowerHab Team

Coordinated by the Swiss Space Centre, and now in its second year, IGLUNA 2020 covers a full range of topics, from the habitat conception and construction to life support systems, communication and navigation, power management, as well as human wellbeing and science. The purpose of IGLUNA 2020 is to demonstrate technologies capable of supporting a human-crewed lunar base, incorporating remote operation.

PowerHab is one of 15 teams across 10 countries selected to carry out this mission and is the only team from the UK. During the project, university students apply their knowledge to solve a technical challenge to develop a system capable of sustaining life in the harsh lunar environment, with its required power needs. To achieve this, the PowerHab team has devised a range of concepts that address the challenges of power harvesting, storage and distribution.

Isabella Mascarenhas, VP Grass Roots at RS Components, commented: “We’re delighted to support the PowerHab team with their fascinating project to develop practical solutions to create a habitable, safe lunar environment, and we’ve really enjoyed following their progress. IGLUNA is an exciting project that offers students an opportunity to participate in an international, collaborative, multidisciplinary project on a visionary space topic.”

Finlay Rowe from PowerHab added: “We would like to give a huge thanks to RS for partnering with us. Sponsorship such as this has been crucial to the success of our project, as it has allowed us to develop prototypes to the best of our abilities. This partnership has helped us by providing off the shelf components and lab equipment, without which prototype manufacturing would not have been possible.”

All of the participating teams were due to gather in Switzerland this week to demonstrate their projects. Due to COVID-19 restrictions this has been replaced by an online event, currently in progress from 10–19 July. The PowerHab team will present their prototypes as part of this ‘virtual field campaign’ at 10:00 BST on Thursday 16 July.

• To watch the PowerHab presentation, or any of the remaining live-streamed events at IGLUNA 2020, visit the Swiss Space Centre to find out more.

@RSComponents @designsparkRS @UniStrathclyde @CHspacecenter #Research

Young winners announced!

RS Components (RS) has unveiled the winners of its STEM Extraordinary Engineering Challenge, which tasked primary and secondary schoolchildren across Britain with designing an engineering solution to address a current global challenge, such as poverty and hunger, pollution or climate change.

In the 7-11 age category, the winner is 8-year-old Chloe Hall with her design ‘The Crusher’, a solar-powered robot that scoops up and crushes plastic waste found on the surface of the ocean due to human pollution. Sensors ensure that no ocean creatures are accidently captured in the process, and a GPS tracker monitors when the robot is full and needs to be retrieved and emptied. Made from stainless steel, The Crusher’s parts are disguised as petals to give the impression of a giant flower floating in the water.

“Chloe’s flower power design was very well thought out and creative,” comments Laura Giddings, STEM Education Manager at RS. "The ‘petals’ collapse into the middle and crush the waste and store it below, then retract to continue to gather waste, which is both practical and aesthetically pleasing.”

Chloe said: “I wanted to do something about the plastic in the oceans that is hurting all the animals living there. I chose a flower pattern because the sea creatures would swim round it and it would look nice in the ocean. I got the idea of crushing the plastic to make sure I could fit lots in and so I called it ‘The Crusher’. I am really happy that I won the competition!"

In the 12-16 category, the winner is Ashwin Sridhar, 15, whose ‘RetroMate AI’ is designed to support the elderly and their carers; to enhance their quality of life, provide safety and security, and enable them to communicate and stay connected. This sophisticated AI-powered device, which replicates the look of the traditional ‘wireless’ radio, includes music-based memory triggers, facial recognition to protect against unwanted visitors, and speech API that enables seamless communication and provides the ability to detect scam calls. The RetroMate AI also features hazard detection, object recognition, and autonomous pill dispensation, while algorithm audits and encryption ensure reliability and security. There is an app to enable remote use.

James Howarth, Head of Education Strategy at RS, commented: “The strength of Ashwin’s entry is phenomenal. With extensive background research, explanation of artificial intelligence applications, and solving a problem suffered worldwide using technology available day-to-day, Ashwin has shown that he is a true engineering entrepreneur of the future.”

 “I am excited to have won this competition and become one of the amazing ‘Extraordineers. This competition helped foster my creative skills and design a product that could make a difference to people’s lives," said Ashwin.

Also, in the 12-16 age category, 13-year-old Rose Hazel has been highly commended for her design ‘Debby’, a wearable ‘talking’ AI device conceived to improve mental wellbeing. Designed to be worn discreetly around the wrist, and constructed from eco-friendly materials, Debby’s voice options can be set to the preferred gender, age, language, or even to a favourite celebrity. The style of the wristband can be customised by the user and can optionally link up to a smartphone or other intelligent virtual assistants such as Amazon Alexa.

James Howarth, Head of Education Strategy at RS, said: “The entries in the 12-16 category were particularly strong. We were so impressed by Rose’s design, and its potential value to those living with mental health problems, that we didn’t want it to go unrewarded.”

Rose commented: “I heard about the competition through my school and felt it would be a fun and exciting way to share my ideas. I feel so shocked and happy in hearing that I have received a reward for highly commended. I didn’t think that I would get anywhere in this competition and I think that people should try different things and challenge themselves.”

Laura Giddings, STEM Education Manager at RS, added: “The quality and creativity of the many entries we received in this challenge is a sign that children are increasingly inspired by STEM activities, and by the positive impact that science and engineering can have on humanity and the world we live in. We encourage everyone who entered the competition to keep practising their STEM skills, and we thank everyone for their truly extraordinary designs.”

The two winners will both receive a tech bundle worth over £700, including a Piper STEM Computer Kit for the 7-11 category and a pi-top computer kit for the 12-16 category, as well as a Sphero Bolt Robot, a MekaMon Berserker robot, and a Raspberry Pi starter kit. The highly commended winner will receive a Sphero Bolt Robot.

@RSComponents; @designsparkRS #PAuto #Design #STEM #Britain

Safer working supplies.

RS Components (RS) has announced its collaboration with the British Government’s Crown Commercial Service (CCS) and other suppliers, to return the public sector to work as safely and as efficiently as possible. Phase one of the initiative – ‘safer working supplies’ - has been launched, which concerns the supply of non-clinical PPE, social distancing products, hygiene and cleaning products and anything else essential to help the public sector get back to work.

Pete Malpas - RS Northern Europe

CCS is the biggest public procurement organisation in the country, handling the Government's business process outsourcing. They use their expertise to help buyers in the public sector with policy, advice or to purchase anything from a laptop to a fleet of vehicles, construction services or even legal advice.

They do this by providing 'frameworks' for the supply of goods and services to the public sector. Frameworks are details of services or products needed within a certain category, including the particulars of pre-assessed suppliers who can deliver against those requirements. Public sector buyers can use the frameworks to purchase goods and services compliantly, without having to go through the traditional rounds of quotations.

RS is currently listed as an approved supplier under framework RM3837, ‘construction products, consumables and materials’, which includes electrical, workshop, industrial tools and personal protective equipment (PPE). It is from this framework that the new ‘safer working supplies’ initiative has been developed.

Pete Malpas, Regional Vice President, RS Northern Europe commented on the collaboration: “When COVID-19 first emerged we, along with other suppliers in our market, held discussions with CCS about how best to service the public sector during this time in relation to building materials. This led to further conversations about returning to work safely where RS set out a proposal to CCS. Working with CCS and all suppliers on the building materials framework resulted in the 'safer working supplies' webpage  launched in May. We are immensely proud of the support we've given CCS during this challenging time.”

Buyers can access RS through a link from this site to reach a dedicated landing page, which shows all the relevant product details. Existing RS customers can click to go through and purchase in the normal way and new customers will be directed to a registration form which will take them through the onboarding process to become a customer.

@RSComponents; @designsparkRS @gov_procurement #TandM #Pauto #Britain

New look for design engineering site celebrations.

RS Components (RS) is celebrating 10 years of DesignSpark, the company’s online design engineering platform, with the introduction of brand new features for its website and a new design, to reflect the usability and functionality requirements of its 970,000+ community members. To mark its 10th anniversary, RS will be hosting a number of celebratory initiatives throughout the rest of 2020.

The new-look DesignSpark website, which has localised versions available in China, France, Germany, Japan, North America and Great Britain, has been developed with the help of user feedback to create a cleaner, simpler interface for finding and using content. Enhanced search and filtering tools and colour-coded sections will also ease navigation and improve the user’s experience onsite.

Since its launch in July 2010, DesignSpark has become recognised across the global engineering community as a high-value resource, providing design solutions and support for accelerating cycle times through rapid prototyping, to bring ideas to market quickly. The freely available professional DesignSpark software suite of PCB, mechanical and electrical tools provide the accessibility that has enabled millions of design projects across the world to come to fruition, with professional engineers, tech makers and students all playing a part.

With a new engineer signing up to the DesignSpark platform every two minutes, the DesignSpark community is rapidly approaching one million members. Some notable statistics demonstrate the very high levels of online engagement and popularity of DesignSpark, such as: every 20 seconds and engineer opens its professional design software; design support assets such as CAD-neutral models and footprints are downloaded every 12 seconds, and; a piece of content shared by the engineering community is viewed every 4 seconds.

In addition to offering 24-hour online design support, DesignSpark has hosted many entertaining initiatives over the decade, including the launch of a Superman action figure into outer space with the aid of a Raspberry Pi module, and working with technology entrepreneur Richard Browning to showcase his innovative human propulsion flight suit. The DesignSpark Podcast series, which takes a light-hearted approach to technology, has proved so popular that it reached a high of number 4 in the Apple Podcasts Technology Chart.

DesignSpark is also an educational platform, hosting projects and competitions to inspire the younger generation to get involved in STEM activities. A number of competitions will be launched over the course of the year on the new DesignSpark website, and across the DesignSpark social media channels, as part of the 10-year celebrations, offering prize-induced interactive design challenges for engineers of all ages.

Mike Bray, Group VP of Innovation and DesignSpark, commented: “When we launched DesignSpark back in 2010, it was to support design engineers at every level, from student and hobbyist to professional engineers, who were facing the challenges of reduced design teams and the need to complete their designs more quickly amid rising competition. Those foundations still hold true today, and through active and continual engagement with our community, and acting on feedback from our members, we have gone further to establish DesignSpark as a trusted online support destination for engineers everywhere.”

@RSComponents; @designsparkRS #PAuto  #Website

Handheld temperature and pressure.

RS Components (RS) stocks the new DPI 705E family of handheld pressure and temperature indicators from Druck, a world leader in piezo-resistive sensors and test and calibration instruments.

The range comprises two versions – the DPI 705E for use in safe areas and the DPI 705E-IS (Intrinsically Safe) for use in hazardous areas. These models combine a tough, durable design and build on and replace the highly regarded DPI 705 family. The instruments are designed for single-handed use and introduce new and improved features to ensure even greater accuracy and reliable pressure or temperature monitoring during commissioning, fault finding, and system testing, including leak testing.

A key advantage of the DPI 705E family is its enhanced accuracy, providing 12-month uncertainty up to 0.05% full scale (FS) over a temperature range of -10°C to +50°C. An extensive pressure range is covered – from 25mbar to 1400bar in Absolute, Gauge or Differential configurations.

The DPI 705E and DPI 705E-IS both have integrated pressure sensors and are designed to interface directly with external remote pressure or optional remote plug-and-play Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) sensors, providing even more flexibility whilst out in the field. Each pressure sensor holds integral calibration data, meaning a single DPI 705E can be used with multiple remote sensors, allowing various ranges to be measured in seconds. The sensors hold a record of the calibration date, which is relayed to the operator through the ‘calibration due’ countdown shown on the pressure indicator's display.

The leak test function is rapidly configurable between one, three or five minutes. The power-efficient design means that the indicators can be used for eight hours per day, six days per week for one year using a single set of batteries.

DPI 705E products are rugged, simple to use and suitable for widespread applications in industries such as utilities, HVAC, medical equipment, metrological laboratories and clean rooms, as well as for service and maintenance.

@RSComponents; @designsparkRS #PAuto #TandM

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.

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

Tech with a comedy twist!

RS Components launches Series 3 of The DesignSpark Podcast

RS Components (RS) has released a new series of 'The DesignSpark Podcast' which explores some of the hottest topics in technology through a mix of fun facts, exuberant stand-up, outlandish sketches and foot-tapping songs. The podcast offers excellent educational information on each technology, while also delivering a highly entertaining comedy experience.

The weekly podcast is co-hosted by technology expert Professor Lucy Rogers PhD – former judge on BBC’s Robot Wars and a DesignSpark blogger – alongside award-winning comedians Bec Hill and Harriet Braine.

The trio are reunited for a third series of the 5-star-rated podcast, which has reached a high of number 4 in the Apple Podcasts Technology Chart.

Created in collaboration with ‘Why Did The Chicken?’, a new episode or bonus episode of The DesignSpark Podcast will be released every Monday for the next six weeks, with the first episode available now here.

Topics coming under the telescopic sights of Professor Lucy, Bec and Harriet will include Space Tourism, Smart Homes, Quantum Computing and Climate Engineering.

“We’re delighted to have The DesignSpark Podcast back for a third series. There is such a great chemistry between Lucy, Bec and Harriet as hosts. They really help to bring complex topics to life in an entertaining way thanks to their unique blend of comedy and technology,” said Robbie Dunion, DesignSpark Outreach Manager at RS. “The podcast has built up a cult following and we’re really excited to have some fresh content for them.”

Podcast release dates for the series 01 June 2020 – Episode 1: Exploring the mysteries of Space Tourism 08 June 2020 – Space Tourism Expansion Pack 15 June 2020 – Episode 2: Exploring the mysteries of Smart Homes 22 June 2020 – Smart Homes Expansion Pack 29 June 2020 – Episode 3: Exploring the mysteries of Food Technology 06 July 2020 – Food Technology Expansion Pack 13 July 2020 – Episode 4: Exploring the mysteries of Climate Engineering 20 July 2020 – Climate Engineering Expansion Pack 27 July 2020 – Episode 5: Exploring the mysteries of Biometrics 03 August 2020 – Biometrics Expansion Pack 10 August 2020 – Episode 6 - Exploring the mysteries of Quantum Computing 17 August 2020 – Quantum Computing Expansion Pack

The DesignSpark Podcast is available to subscribe to, download and stream on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, Luminary, Player FM and YouTube.

#Education @DesignSparkRS @RSComponents

Distribution partnership extended.

Territories supported by RS now include Europe, Africa and Russia, providing enhanced customer access to Rockwell’s market-leading industrial automation and control product portfolio

RS Components  has announced a partnership with Rockwell Automation, a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation, which expands its distribution territories beyond the European Economic Area (EEA) it has supported to date. With immediate effect, RS is also authorised to supply Rockwell Automation products to Africa and Russia, including its Allen-Bradley and Allen Bradley Guardmaster® brands.

Kristian Olsson, Vice President Product and Supply Management at RS, said: "This marks a significant next step in our relationship with Rockwell. Customers across Europe, Russia and Africa will reap the benefits of quickly accessing essential automation and control gear from RS, whether they are sourcing parts to enhance safety or to increase machine- and plant-wide efficiency and minimise downtime."

The Rockwell portfolio offered by RS extends across a vast range of automation and control products designed to improve manufacturing processes, from design and installation to operation and maintenance. A snapshot of the parts available includes smart devices for machine guarding and safety; programmable logic controllers (PLCs) for machine control; industrial push buttons; human machine interface (HMI) displays and accessories; and sensors and rotary encoders.

#PAuto @RSComponents @designsparkRS @ROKAutomation

‘Connect the Community’

RS Components (RS) and Nordic Semiconductor and Britain's largest gas network operator, Cadent, are to launch a global ‘Connect the Community’ competition calling for practical examples of how technology could transform the lives of people in isolation.

Using their extensive network of customers and stakeholders, the three companies hope to engage with creative minds to devise new solutions, and then connect the people behind those solutions with sources of funding that can help make their ideas a reality. The competition is open to engineers, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts, whatever their technical skill levels.

Product concepts should be driven by low-power wireless technologies such as Bluetooth LE, Thread and Cellular IoT (LTE-M or NB-IoT), be easy to use, and accessible to people in a range of vulnerable circumstances. Ideas could focus on the purely practical, such as new ways to detect hazards in the home, or the fundamental, like ways of maintaining mental and physical fitness, and even the critical, such as raising alarms or requesting support from authorities and utility providers.

Technical skills are useful, but not essential, as the winning designs will be offered product development support by RS and Nordic to bring the concepts to life. Both companies offer extensive free design resources through their online engineering communities: RS’ DesignSpark platform and the Nordic DevZone. In the latter stage of the competition, Cadent will consider the winners for further support to access various funding mechanisms, which, if they are successful, will help them take their ideas through to production and implementation.

Sam Presley, Lead Inspiration Engineer from the Grass Roots team at RS Components, said: “We’re inviting people to think big to transform the lives of those living in isolation. This is a fantastic opportunity for budding innovators to showcase their ideas, skills and ambition – working towards a cause that truly matters.

“By taking part, there is also the potential to win prizes and awards and gain further exposure to companies on the lookout for innovators.

“We’re delighted to offer special support to innovators under the age of 25 through The Youth Group’s Mentor Me programme, which matches young people to business mentors for virtual guidance and advice on entrepreneurship.”

Claire Steed, Regional Sales Manager at Nordic Semiconductor, added, “We don’t want to limit creativity by dictating the scope of the challenge – all we’re stipulating is that solutions must be easy to use and accessible to people in a range of vulnerable circumstances.”

“This competition isn’t just for engineering or design experts. Whether you're a master of digital technology or you simply just have a great idea, we want to hear from you.”

Jo Giles, Cadent Customer Safeguarding Manager, said: “We’re looking for innovators
and creatives to make the most of the lockdown and to come up with inventions that will help transform the lives of the isolated in regard to both their physical and mental
wellbeing.

“Typically, we may think of people who are elderly or ill as being most affected by
isolation, however, the coronavirus pandemic has shown how anyone can become
isolated by circumstances. We’re on the hunt for innovative solutions that can help people stay safe, warm and connected as they remain in their home.”

The ‘Connect the Community’ challenge is hosted on RS Components’ engineering platform DesignSpark, which has a global engineering community of over 950,000 members.

#PAuto #Communications @DesignSparkRS @NordicTweets @CadentGasLtd

Calling all Extraordineers!!.

RS Components (RS) has expanded its series of STEM-related activities to help primary and secondary schoolchildren across Britain to meet the challenge of studying from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The STEM Extraordinary Engineering Challenge tasks youngsters with designing an engineering solution to address a current global challenge, such as poverty and hunger, pollution or climate change. They could also look at how engineering can promote good health and well-being, or even focus on creating sustainable cities and communities for future generations.

James Howarth, Head of Education at RS, said: “STEM skills are at the heart of enabling a healthier and socially responsible world. Today, more than ever, it is so important that children have the opportunity to learn and interact with technology in a way that will inspire them to become our future engineers and scientists, and take us forward into a cleaner, more sustainable future.”

There are two categories for ages 7-11 and 12-16, and students are invited to submit their solutions as either hand-drawn or computer-generated drawings or, where possible, go even further by creating 3D models or videos of their designs. Submissions should be uploaded to the DesignSpark website at https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/extraordinary-engineering-challenge no later than Tuesday 30 June, when the competition closes. The winning designs will be selected by a panel of expert engineers and announced on Friday 10 July.

The winners of each category will receive a cool tech bundle worth over £700, which includes a Piper STEM Computer Kit for the 7-11 category or a pi-top computer kit for the 12-16 category, a Sphero Bolt Robot, a MekaMon Berserker robot, and a Raspberry Pi starter kit.

New free lesson plans for STEM subjects
RS has also released the latest in its Imagine-X series of free curriculum-aligned lesson plans for 7-14-year olds, which links STEM skills to real people who have used those skills to make the world a better place. Taking inspiration from examples such as Drusillas Park Zoo and their maintenance engineer, and the zookeepers at West Midlands Safari Park, these lessons combine animal care together with design and engineering, to give pupils an insight into the world of smart conservation. They have been created to help children understand developments in design and technology, its impact on individuals, society and the environment, and the responsibilities of designers, engineers and technologists.

Each STEM plan, one for primary and one for secondary children, contains a set of structured activities and teaching instructions, along with a resource pack. These lessons are primarily aimed at assisting teachers in the classroom but are equally valuable to parents with some level of technical skills who are home-educating their children while schools remain closed during the COVID-19 lockdown. The smart conservation STEM plans are now available to download here.

 #STEM @RSComponents @DesignSparkRS @Publitek

Flash memory for mission critical applications.

Cypress Semper NOR flash memory products are now available from RS in the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions.

RS Components (RS) is now offering Cypress Semiconductor’s award-winning Semper NOR flash memory products. This is now in production and is designed to support automotive, communication, and industrial applications. Semper achieves the ISO 26262 automotive functional safety standard for electronics in vehicles, and is compliant with IEC 61508 for industrial applications. Semper is the industry's first NOR flash memory to be Automotive Safety Integrity Level ASIL-B compliant and ASIL-D ready.

Next-generation 5G wireless communications, offering more than 20 times the bandwidth of current networks, will enable new “always connected” applications in industrial IoT, connected and autonomous vehicles, and portable medical devices. To deliver high reliability, bandwidth and functionality, the SoCs and FPGAs powering 5G radios and base stations will require increasingly vast amounts of configuration and boot code data to be stored and accessed quickly. Semper NOR flash addresses these needs by offering densities up to 4Gbit and JEDEC xSPI compatible interfaces, extending the bandwidth up to 400MBps.

Semper NOR flash offers densities from 256Mbit up to 4Gbit, with reliability, performance and 10-year longevity required for mission critical applications. Semper NOR devices are compatible with multiple SoCs and FPGAs.

Semper devices offer a range of low-pin-count serial interface options, including legacy SPI, DDR Quad SPI with data rates up to 102MBps, and JEDEC xSPI compatible HyperBus and Octal interfaces with up to 400MBps data rates. Using XIP (eXecute In Place), programs can execute directly from flash memory, allowing high-data-rate Quad SPI transactions to exceed the performance of parallel or asynchronous NOR devices.

Cypress’s EnduraFlex architecture allows system designers to customise Semper devices to suit specific applications, defining partitions to provide high memory endurance of up to 2.5 million cycles or long data retention of up to 25 years.

Semper supports SafeBoot, to detect device initialisation failures and configuration corruption. ECC (single error correction and double error detection) is supported on the memory array, with CRC protection for both interface and data.

Semper NOR flash memories are AEC-Q100 qualified, and proven at extreme temperatures from –40°C to +125°C. Operating voltage is 3.0V or 1.8V. Packaging options include 24-contact BGA, 8-contact WSON and 16-pin SOIC.

#TandM @RSComponents; @designsparkRS @CypressSemi

New COO appointed for components leader!

Electrocomponents has promoted Mike England to Chief Operating Officer (COO). Mike will remain a member of the Senior Management Team and will continue to report directly to Lindsley Ruth, Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Mike England

In his new role, Mike will help to drive the Group’s long-term strategy, aligning go-to-market, digital and customer and supplier centric activities across the globe. He will continue to lead the EMEA region in the near term until a new President EMEA has been appointed.

Mike joined the Electrocomponents Group in November 2015 to lead the turnaround of their British business and has been President EMEA for the last two years where he has been responsible for the commercial operation and business transformation of the EMEA region.

Lindsley Ruth, Electrocomponents CEO, said: “Mike’s energy and passion has been instrumental in driving significant outperformance and market share gains in EMEA. In his new role as COO, he will be executing on our vision to drive a more aligned offer, go-to-market approach, and customer and supplier experience across the globe. This new approach will not only improve performance and drive economies of scale but will also accelerate our journey to become first choice for our customers, suppliers and people.”

#PAuto @RSComponents @Publitek

Low cost high-performance data-acquisition unit.

RS Components has introduced a low-cost, next-generation data-acquisition system that offers the ability to quickly and dynamically sample more signals simultaneously. This data-acquisition system (DAQ973A) is shipping now from RS in the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions.

Manufactured by Keysight Technologies, a world-leading test and measurement equipment provider, the new DAQ973A data-acquisition system is a three-slot modular mainframe unit that comes with a choice of nine plug-in modules and offers a sampling rate of 800 kSa/s. Keysight has re-used its measurement engine from its high-end test and measurement equipment inside the DAQ973A to deliver proven measurement performance, modular flexibility and universal inputs with built-in signal conditioning. The unit also offers a built-in 6½-digit (22-bit) digital multimeter with a DCV accuracy of 0.003%. Similar to the existing DAQ970A system, this new system comes with additional GPIB connectivity.

Key features of the unit include a scan rate of up to 450 channels, delivering speed and accuracy to achieve fast results; up to 120 channels per system; and a large selection of switch, RF and control plug-in modules, including a new four-channel simultaneous sampling digitizer. The unit can also measure and convert 12 different input signals, including temperature with a thermocouple, RTDs and thermistor; DC/AC volts; two- and four-wire resistance networks; frequency and period; and DC/AC current and capacitance.

Also released is a new four-channel simultaneous sampling digitizer module with 800 kSa/s sampling. This module is an addition to the existing eight modules in the data-acquisition system. These modules work with both the new DAQ973A system that comes with GPIB, LAN and USB, as well as the existing DAQ970A system that comes without GPIB.

Typical users are expected to be test engineers and technicians across a wide range of professional and industrial applications, including R&D and bench-testing prototypes; design verification for environmental, durability and regulatory applications; in automated testing and process monitoring in manufacturing environments; as well as monitoring and troubleshooting in service and maintenance roles. However, the unit is also expected to be used in educational establishments.

Additional features of the DAQ973A include a large 4.3-inch colour display, plus GPIB, LAN and USB connectivity. In addition, users can interface the unit via the manufacturer’s BenchVue DAQ software, which includes enhanced time- and frequency-domain measurement capability.

#PAuto #TandM @RSComponents; @designsparkRS @Keysight @Publitek

Non-contact temperature measurement.

RS Components (RS) has introduced the new Fluke TiS20+ and TiS60+handheld infrared thermal imaging cameras. Offering easy one-handed fixed-focus image capture, these new Fluke infrared imagers are ideal for engineers and technicians new to thermal imaging, allowing accurate non-contact temperature measurement from a safe distance to reveal invisible thermal issues that cannot otherwise be detected.

TiS20

The TiS20+ is an entry-level thermal imager intended as a troubleshooting tool for electricians, first-line industrial maintenance and HVACR technicians. Able to measure temperatures between –20°C and +150°C, it features a ruggedized 3.5-inch touchscreen and 120x90 infrared detector resolution. The TiS20+ offers exceptional battery life covering over 5 hours of continuous operation, while a sleep mode saves battery consumption between inspection points.

TiS60

The TiS60+ is a higher-resolution device that helps maintenance teams to identify smaller problems from further away. Also featuring a 3.5-inch touchscreen, it offers 320x240 detector resolution and an extended measurement temperature range from –20°C to +400°C.

Both new thermal imagers feature Fluke’s IR-Fusion technology, which automatically captures a visible light image at the same time as each infrared image. The camera blends the two images together, pixel for pixel, so the user can view a full infrared display, full visible light, or various combinations in between — selected by sliding a finger across the screen. The precise location of any thermal issue can then be pinpointed even if the infrared contrast is low and there is little structure to the infrared image.

The TiS20+ and TiS60+ are both compatible with Fluke Connect desktop software, which allows recording and sharing of thermal images in real time via smartphones or tablets, or automatic upload to the cloud. Professional reports can be created in minutes, capturing full radiometric data to support maintenance programmes.

Further time savings are provided by Fluke Connect Asset Tagging software, which scans a QR code on each asset at the time of image capture and automatically sorts the images by asset — potentially eliminating hours of work at the computer manually sorting images one by one.

The Fluke TiS20+ and TiS60+ measure 26.7x10.1x14.5cm, weigh 0.72kg, are designed and tested to withstand a 2m drop, and are water and dust resistant to IP54. Both imaging cameras are available now from RS in the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions.

#TandM #PAuto  @RSComponents @FlukeCorp @Publitek

Leading-edge test and measurement kits.

RS Components (RS) is stocking a wide selection of products from Keysight Technologies, a world leading test and measurement equipment provider. These Keysight test and measurement devices are shipping now in the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions.

6004A

The InfiniiVision 4000X and 6000X series of oscilloscopes offer large displays and large touchscreen displays with a unique ‘zone trigger’ feature, which helps engineers, scientists and technicians to isolate hard-to-capture signals. The multi-function scopes also feature the industry's fastest waveform update rate of one million waveforms per second. Both families are expected to find use in a series of applications including embedded system design and debug, power design and analysis, in the automotive field, and in many other systems that require analogue, digital, serial and RF signal analysis.

The higher-end 6000X series also offers performance up to 6GHz and 20G-sample/s and combines digital channels, serial protocol analysis, built-in dual-channel waveform generator, frequency response analysis, built-in digital multimeter and 10-digit counter with totalizer. In addition, it weighs 6.8kg and is 15.4cm deep, and consumes only 200W, making it the world’s most environmentally friendly multi-GHz portable oscilloscope.

9320N

Designed for RF system design and EMC compliance testing applications, the next family is the N9300 series, which includes the N9320B RF spectrum analyser, N9322C basic spectrum analyser, and N9310A RF signal generator. Delivering high bandwidth capability up to 7GHz to meet requirements for all the latest communications standards, the family also features easy-to-use ‘single-button’ testing, which makes them ideal for production applications, along with remote-control capabilities enabling their use in harsh environments.

The N6705C DC power analyser mainframe unit, in conjunction with the N678x series of source/measure units (SMUs), offers battery drain analysis and functional testing and provides fast visualisation of current drain from amps down to nanoamps in a single pass to help characterise power use to deliver extended battery life. Accurately emulating a battery and providing a compact and highly versatile platform for the testing of ATE or portable devices, the mainframe unit and SMUs offer stable and glitch-free sourcing and sinking.

Lastly, and ideal for calibration laboratory and test engineers, the 3458A digital multimeter offers 8½-digit precision with leading-edge direct-current-voltage (DCV) accuracy of up to 8-ppm over one year; fast measurement speeds up to 100,000 readings per second; and a self-adjusting and self-verifying auto-calibration capability.

#TandM #PAuto @RSComponents @Keysight_EMEA  @Publitek

Enclosure range extended.

RS Components (RS) has introduced the new Cardmaster and Piccolo ranges of ABS and polycarbonate enclosures from Finnish manufacturer Fibox, the world market leader in thermoplastic enclosures for critical electrical and electronic equipment in hostile environments.

The Cardmaster range is intended for packaging measurement, monitoring and process control equipment, and comes in sizes ranging from 166x160x80mm to 390x316x167mm. It has two compartments: one for circuit boards and sensors, with PCB insertion slots, and another for terminals and wiring. Cardmaster polycarbonate enclosures provide IP65 ingress protection, IK07 or IK08 impact protection, and are available to meet NEMA Type 1, 4, 4X, 12 and 13 enclosure standards, the UL 746C 5V polymer safety standard, and the UL 508 standard for industrial control equipment. ABS versions can meet IP65, IK07, NEMA Type 1, 4, 4X, 12 and 13, plus UL 94 HB flammability standards.

Screw secured with a fixed opaque frame or smoked transparent hinged covers are available to allow easy access and inspection by industrial maintenance engineers.

The Piccolo range is designed specifically to house pushbuttons, terminal blocks and other control devices, and is also well suited for mounting components for controlling lifts and hoists. Piccolo is a single-chamber enclosure with dimensions from 110x80x65mm to 230x140x125mm. Polycarbonate versions meet IP66/67, IK08, NEMA Type 1, 4X, 6, 12 and 13, UL 746C 5V and UL 508 requirements, while ABS enclosures offer IP66/67 and IK07 protection. Enclosure surfaces have a high-quality finish to allow printing. Transparent and opaque covers are available on the PC range, and opaque on ABS.

Fibox Cardmaster and Piccolo enclosures are temperature rated at –40°–120°C (short-term) and –40°–80°C (continuous) for polycarbonate models or –40°–80°C (short-term) and –40°–60°C (continuous) for ABS versions. Both ranges are available now from RS in the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions.

#PAuto @RSComponents @fibox

PLC starter kits for machine and motion control.

RS Components, has introduced two programmable logic controller (PLC) starter packs from industrial automation specialist Allen-Bradley, part of the Rockwell Automation group.

The Micro850 and Micro820 Starter Packs contain all the hardware needed to get up and running with the Allen-Bradley Micro850 and Micro820 PLCs, respectively, including power supplies (PSU), controller accessories and graphic terminals.

OEM machine builders can develop standalone applications quickly and inexpensively, without the need to invest in full automated systems.

The Micro850 PLC provided with the Micro850 Starter Pack is designed for larger standalone applications expandable up to 192 digital I/O points, including simple motion control. The pack also includes a PSU, seven digital inputs and one analogue input simulator, a two-channel analogue input plug-in, a PanelView 800 4-inch graphic terminal, 1m Ethernet and USB cables, an instruction manual and a quick reference guide.

The Micro820 Starter Pack includes the nano-size Micro820 PLC, which supports up to 36 I/O points with embedded features such as Ethernet, a microSD slot for data logging and analogue I/O. The Micro820 PLC is well suited to small standalone machine control and remote automation applications with Ethernet connectivity, such as remote terminal units (RTUs) for SCADA. The starter pack also contains a 24V power supply, seven digital inputs and one analogue input simulator, a PanelView 800 4-inch graphic terminal, a 1m Ethernet cable, an installation manual and a quick reference guide.

The Allen-Bradley PanelView 800 4-inch panel-mount graphic terminal included in the standard starter pack features keypad and touchscreen input options and is optimised for use with Micro800 Series PLCs. There is an option to purchase a “Starter Pack Lite” if a graphic terminal is not required.

• For application design, easy PLC programming, device configuration and integration with an HMI editor, the Standard Edition of Connected Components Workbench design software is free to download from Rockwell Automation.

#PAuto #PLC @RSComponents @ROKAutomation