Browse over 2500 sensors.

Sterling Sensors have recently launched a new Ecommerce website. A significant shift for the company who specialise in the manufacture of made to order temperature sensors.

The new site provides instant access to over 2500 products and more than 100 ranges, all available to buy online, with many held in-stock for next day delivery. Visitors can expect to find a variety of thermocouple and RTD sensors used across a multitude of industries including food and beverage, oil, gas and industrial manufacturing to name a few. The site also features a more specialist range of sensors designed for molten metal applications.

Joe Murray, CEO explained the rationale behind the new website “The way consumers source manufactured parts is changing. Buyers are becoming more independent, seeking superior product information and self-service purchasing models online. We believe the new site will provide a comprehensive range of products combined with quality technical information and shorter lead times for consumers. It will also showcase our ability to produce specialist made to order temperature sensors for any application.” 

Informative content is prominent throughout the site with extensive resources used to assist visitors throughout the buying process including:
• Technical guides for different types of sensor allowing better informed purchasing
• Data sheets detailing product specifications
• Case studies showcasing unique manufacturing capabilities
• Editable standard drawings to facilitate the selection of sensor specifications
• Custom options for non-standard parts

Project leader John Hogan described the new site as “an improved representation of Sterling Sensors’ scope of manufacture with user-friendly functionality, simple navigation and responsive design for an enhanced user experience, on both mobile and desktop devices.” 

Sterling Sensors are confident this isn’t a move away from bespoke manufacturing and believe providing stock items will complement their existing business. The intention is to offer an improved service, shorter lead times and convenient purchasing for the end user market.

Commissioning made easy!

Emerson Process Management has introduced Smart Commissioning, a technology-enabled process that drastically reduces automation commissioning time and effort. Smart Commissioning helps automation projects meet strict and shifting deadlines by reducing trips to the field, eliminating tasks, and accommodating late project changes. Smart Automation Commissioning builds on advances made possible by the combination of the DeltaV™ distributed control system (DCS), Electronic Marshalling with CHARMs and AMS Device Manager software to remove automation from the critical path of projects.

With the release of version 13 software for the DeltaV DCS and AMS Suite, Smart Commissioning brings ease to automation project implementation. From the initial device connections to final system testing, users save money as they shave weeks off the project schedule by reducing time spent on automation commissioning activities.

Upon arrival at a project site, pre-tagged smart devices can be connected immediately to any channel in a nearby junction box - no need to wait for wiring designs to be complete. Smart Commissioning also eliminates potential errors by automatically finding and identifying all smart devices, then binding them to the configuration. To further accelerate implementation, the device configuration is pushed to all devices based on pre-configured templates. Testing is easily and safely done from the control room by using digital communication, requiring no personnel in the field for confirmation.

“With Smart Commissioning, members of the project team can more easily meet tight project timelines and are not hampered by late design changes,” said Mark Howard, vice president of project execution for Emerson Process Management. “Developed based on industry experience, this solution is another step from Emerson toward attaining project certainty for users.”

USB Type-C receptacles.

Mouser Electronics, Inc. is now stocking the USB Type-C receptacle from TE Connectivity (TE), a world leader in connectivity. This new mid-mount connector provides data, power, and audio/video connectivity and transmission in a single solution. The receptacle is fully compliant with USB Type-C specifications and is designed to be small enough for handheld devices yet robust enough for industrial applications. TE’s USB Type-C receptacle, available from Mouser Electronics, features a reversible mating interface designed to accept a plug in any direction, enabling easy, reliable mating. The connector supports a variety of protocols and, with the use of adapters, is backwards-compatible to HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort and other types of connections from the single USB Type-C port. The connector supports scalable power charging, delivering up to 100W at 20V, and meets USB 3.1 protocols, giving it high throughput speeds up to 10Gbps plus backward-compatibility with USB 3.1 Gen 1, Gen 2 and USB 2.0. TE’s new USB Type-C connector features enhanced electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding on the receptacle shell to help eliminate unwanted EMI leakage and provide enhanced performance over similar legacy products. It also offers additional connector board retention features compared to the industry standard footprint to provide enhanced reliability and ruggedness. The receptacle is suitable for a variety of applications, including factory automation, power chargers, medical devices, automotive infotainment systems, smartphones and tablets and wearable devices.

Ex LED tubular lights.

The new generation of R. Stahl's LED-based tubular light fittings for use in hazardous areas (Ex zones 1, 2, 21 and 22) combine excellent energy efficiency with great usability and easy handling. These very compact tubular, machine and inspection lights (6036, 6039 and 6149/2 series, respectively) are low-maintenance products with a very long service life even in extremely harsh environments, including marine applications. Fully living up to their "Ex 4.0" concept, they feature a variety of regional and sectoral certifications that facilitate almost universal use throughout the world. The luminaires provide IP68 ingress protection, are shock-proof and vibration-proof and withstand even extreme ambient temperatures that range from -55 °C to +70 °C, with exact specifications depending on the model.

Due to their slim, lightweight design, 6036 and 6039 series lights for general lighting purposes or for use as machine lights can be easily installed even in hard-to-access locations. Compared to conventional linear luminaires, superior illuminance is ensured by these very efficient high-performance LEDs: 30 four-foot 6036 series LED-based tubular light fittings provide approximately 500 lx, enough to replace 35 linear luminaires fitted with two 36 W fluorescent tubes each, or 48 conventional box-type units retrofitted with LEDs. The total power consumption of the LED tubular lights is only about half as high, and the specific power per 100 lx is only 1.5 W/m². 6039 series machine lights weigh less than 1.5 kg and provide a very uniformly illuminated working area due to a wide beam angle of ±60°. They consume less than 15 W of power and achieve a luminous flux of 1,000 lm. The flicker-free LED light provides enhanced safety especially near rotating equipment. Glare is reduced by a diffuser.

Type 6149/2 inspection lights complete Stahl's user-friendly portfolio of compact lamps. These robust, very lightweight portable lamps also feature excellent lighting characteristics with a luminous flux of 600 lm and a wide, low-glare beam angle. They are available with different rated voltages and an optional wire guard. The lightweight products' real-life durability in rough environments is also captured on video by the "R. STAHL Explorers", whose website www.stahl-explorers.com also presents background information on LED technology and news about lighting solutions.

• Stahl products are marketed in Ireland through Douglas Controls & Automation.

Inspection centre for pipelines, ducts, culverts, cavities, drains and sewers!

Ashtead Technology’s facility in Hertfordshire (GB) is now an approved Service Centre for the iPEK range of high-quality pipeline inspection systems, providing repair and maintenance for a number of iPEK Systems, including the Rovver®, Rovion® and Agilios™ crawler and push-rod cameras.

“We are now one of four iPEK approved service centres in the UK,” says Sales Manager, Jay Neermul. “Whilst the centre is based in the South East of England, we offer a collection and delivery service, making the facility available to all of our customers nationwide.”

With a large stock of spares and consumables, Ashtead Technology’s highly trained technicians are able to implement repairs quickly and effectively. To further minimise downtime, while equipment is being serviced or repaired, rental replacements are available with a variety of delivery options, or for collection from the Hertfordshire office. The technicians can also offer help and advice on which equipment to choose and how to get the best out of it.

Summarising, Jay says: “The ability to offer the repair and maintenance of iPEK inspection systems, whilst also providing backup units, offers significant strategic value to our customers; ensuring that they get the job done quickly and keep their customers happy.”

7inch TFT display module.

KOE has announced the introduction of a new compact 7.0-inch TFT display module. The TX18D204VM0BAA features Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels), IPS (In-plane Switching), LVDS data interface, LED backlight and an extended operating temperature range.

The slim 7.0-inch display module has a thickness of just 4.0mm and mechanical outline dimensions of 169.0mm (w) x 103.0mm (h). A pixel density of 314ppi (pixels per inch) is achieved with a pixel pitch of 0.081mm (w) x 0.081mm in an active display area of 155.52mm (w) x 87.48mm.

Implementing the latest IPS (In-plane-Switching) technology the Full HD display features exceptional colour image consistency over 170° vertical and horizontal viewing angles. A contrast ratio of 800:1 and a brightness specification of 600cd/m² ensure excellent optical performance and bright, concise display images. The white LED backlight is specified at 40K hours to half brightness lifetime.

Mark Stephenson, general manager, KOE Europe said, "KOE is continuing its development and introduction of highly featured TFT display modules for industrial markets. The new 7.0-inch module delivers Full HD resolution and the latest IPS technology in a compact and slim mechanical package. Authentic colour reproduction and highly accurate colour gradients enable 'true-to-life' display image representation. These key features are essential in many image monitoring systems and applications."

Other features include a 20-pin LVDS interface which supports 8-bit RGB enabling a colour palette of up to 16.7M colours. The operating temperature range of the TX18D204VM0BAA module is -20°C to +70°C. The compact 7.0-inch module weighs just 110grams.

Typical applications for the new 7.0-inch Full HD TFT display include multimedia monitors, medical imaging systems, security monitors, portable test and measurement equipment. The new TX18D204VM0BAA TFT display module is supplied through KOE Europe's distribution partners and is available across Europe immediately.

Electromechanical relays are ideal for limited space installations.

IDEC Corporation has added the 14mm-wide RV8H compact relay family to its existing interface relay line. These electromechanical relays are ideal for panels with limited room as they provide up to a 40% reduction in required DIN rail track space as compared to standard ice-cube relays, and feature the industry’s lowest height requirement as they are only 70mm high.

RV8H relays work particularly well in higher load switching applications, industrial automation panels with high I/O content, and commercial HVAC panels. In these and other applications, an RV8H relay is typically installed between an output from a PLC or other controller and the load to increase switching capacity and protect the output from damage. These relays are rapidly replacing traditional 5 to 10A general purpose plug-in relays due to their smaller size and lower cost

The 14mm-wide RV8H compact relay family includes SPDT and DPDT models, and the DPDT models are supplied with gold-plated contacts. SPDT models are rated up to 16A and DPDT models are rated up to 8A. All versions are available with AC or DC input, with input voltages from 5 VDC to 240 VAC.

The relays are available pre-assembled in a DIN-mount socket, and this universal AC/DC socket includes built-in surge suppression and a green LED Indicator. The entire socket and relay assembly is UL listed, and a release lever is included for easy locking and removal of the relay.

The 14mm-wide RV8H compact relay family features high dielectric strength and impulse withstand voltage, and all DC input relays are protected from reverse polarity. Either screw type or spring clamp terminations can be specified. The operating temperature range is -40ºC to 70°C, and all versions are RoHS compliant.