Connector improvements.

Update offers a cleaner appearance, reduced depth and improved materials

Cliff Electronics has updated its USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 feedthrough connectors with a cleaner appearance, reduced depth and improved material specifications. The updates cover USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 connectors in A-A, A-B, B-A and B-B configurations. They improve construction and appearance while retaining the range’s established functionality and performance.

Key design improvements

• Reduced depth: Overall depth has been reduced by up to 10mm, depending on the model, for a more compact installation footprint.
• Improved appearance: A refreshed external design provides a cleaner, more refined finish.
• Enhanced internal construction: USB connectors mounted directly to a PCB and enclosed in a purpose-designed plastic housing replace the previous hand-soldered wire connections and overmoulded construction.
• Improved material specification: All plastics used in the updated designs meet UL94 V2 flammability requirements or higher.

Unchanged functionality.
The design and construction updates do not change connector functionality. Customers retain the same USB connectivity in a more compact, refined design.

Phased introduction
The updated PassThrough products are being introduced through a rolling production change. Existing stock will continue to be supplied until exhausted, after which the revised designs will be phased in.

During the transition, CLIFF will endeavour to fulfil each order with consistent batches of either the original or updated design. Updated product drawings, datasheets, 3D CAD and product images reflecting the latest designs are available to customers.

Cliff Electronics’ growing FeedThrough range offers analogue, digital and optical connectivity in formats including 3.5 mm 4-pole panel-mount audio, Jack SMA and RP-SMA, BNC (50 or 75 ohm), MMC, DisplayPort, HDMI, optical fibre (FC, LC Duplex, SC Simplex, ST BFOC, TOSLINK and US Conec MTP® brand MPO), RCA phono, RJ45 Ethernet (UTP or FTP) in Cat6, Cat6a or Cat5e, USB 2, USB 3 and USB-C.

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@proactivefleet #CliffElectronics #PAuto #Electronic

Reduced Industrial PC Lead Times.

Impulse Embedded is helping businesses reduce industrial PC lead times with VELA IPC: Powered by Advantech, a configurable range of industrial computers built using in-stock components and assembled to meet specific application requirements. Combining Advantech’s industrial computing technology with Impulse Embedded’s system integration expertise, VELA IPC offers a flexible alternative to standard off-the-shelf industrial PCs. With hardware components held in stock and ready for assembly, customers can specify systems tailored to their requirements without the extended lead times often associated with sourcing and configuring industrial computers.

Available in tower, 2U and 4U form factors, the range supports an array of applications including industrial automation, machine control, manufacturing and embedded computing, providing customers with a reliable and configurable industrial platform.

Industrial computing built around requirements.
Built around Advantech industrial motherboards, VELA IPC features 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 and i7 processors, offering a choice of processing capabilities. The range also supports DDR4 memory, with capacities of up to 64GB. M.2 PCIe solid-state storage provides fast system access while additional SATA HDD and SDD options offer flexibility for applications requiring increased storage capacity.

Connectivity and expansion options include Ethernet, USB, serial interfaces and PCIe expansion, allowing VELA IPC systems to integrate with existing industrial equipment, control systems and peripheral devices.

Customers can choose from tower, compact 2U rackmount and expandable 4U rackmount chassis, providing the flexibility to accommodate different installation environments, hardware requirements and future expansion needs.

Simplifying industrial PC configuration.
To make system specification more straightforward, Impulse Embedded offers an online VELA configurator, allowing customers to build an industrial PC that suits their application. Starting with their preferred chassis, customers can select from available Intel processor options, memory capacities and storage configurations.

By combining online configuration with access to in-stock components, Impulse Embedded provides a streamlined route from initial specification to system assembly. For projects requiring additional guidance or more specialised configurations, their technical team can assist with component selection, compatibility and application-specific requirements.

Bespoke customisation.
In some instances, projects require more than a standard hardware configuration. Impulse Embedded offers a range of bespoke customisation services, allowing VELA IPC systems to be tailored to specific technical, operational and branding requirements.

Systems can be adapted to suit the intended application, including custom chassis solutions, external branding, custom splash screens and BIOS configurations, helping OEMs and system integrators develop consistent computing platforms that align with their deployment requirements.

These services help ensure customers receive systems prepared to their specifications, reducing the need for additional configurations and setup following delivery.

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@ImpulseEmbedded @Advantech_IIoT @AdvantechIA @proactivefleet  #PAuto #Computing

Turnkey vision capabilities expanded.

Combining proven weld inspection technology and expertise with advanced 3D sensing, software, and global support.

The acquisition of Vitronics's Weld Seam Inspection (WSI) business has been completed by LMI Technologies (part of TKH Group). Following the fulfillment of the agreed closing requirements, WSI becomes part of TKH Group's machine vision business, expanding LMI's capabilities in turnkey inspection solutions for automotive manufacturing and heavy industry.

The acquisition brings together WSI's established inspection technology, specialized welding expertise, experienced team, and long-standing customer relationships with LMI's advanced 3D sensing and software capabilities. Together, these strengths create new opportunities to advance automated weld inspection, process optimization, and manufacturing quality assurance.

For decades, automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers have relied on Vitronic WSI for non-destructive, inline inspection and traceability of safety-critical welds. As part of LMI, the business gains access to a broader technology portfolio and international organization, providing a strong foundation for continued innovation and growth.

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@lmi3d @VITRONIC @UnnGmbh @PresseBox #PAuto #Manufacturing

Reliable and cost-effective collision protection.

The SKW safety coupling from Jakob Antreibstechnik, provides reliable overload and collision protection at an economical price point. It features a cost-effective keyway connection and an integrated deep-groove ball bearing designed to accommodate high bearing loads. Constructed from heat-treated steel, the unit is suitable for use within a temperature range of -30 °C to +200 °C.

The disengagement torque can be individually adjusted within a range of 0.3 to 9,000 Nm. Hub bores are available in diameters from 6 to 110 mm. The SKW can be flexibly expanded through the addition of optional metal bellows or elastomer couplings (the SKW-KP and SKW-EK series). Furthermore, custom-finished bores and keyway connections can be provided to meet specific customer requirements.

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@UnnGmbh @PresseBox #jakobantriebstechnik #PAuto

Appointment to help clients CMC transformation.

Christoph Pistek has been appointed Vice President, Digital CMC Solutions with QbDVision, a provider of a Digital CMC platform for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. He will help customers start their CMC transformation, taking them from their original business objective through to technology implementation.

Christoph Pistek

Pistek joins from Takeda, where he led global innovation initiatives as VP and Head of Sustainability and Technology in Pharmaceutical Sciences. He brings over 20 years of experience across R&D, technical and supply operations, and business excellence, with a track record in digital and organisational transformation.

Commenting on the appointment, Yash Sabharwal, CEO and Co-founder of QbDVision, said: “Christoph has implemented Digital CMC at scale from inside a global pharma company. He understands why transformation stalls and how to move it forward, and our customers will benefit from that experience.”

Digital CMC brings therapies to patients faster by speeding up drug development and technology transfer, replacing manual, paper-based workflows with structured data and automation. It can also help address a broader range of unmet medical needs, including diseases that have historically attracted less investment.

“Too often, digital transformation in CMC is run as a technology project,” Pistek said. “The organizations that get real value start from the business objective and own the transformation at the highest level.
“CMC depends on input from more functions than almost any other part of a drug developer, for example, research, manufacturing, quality, regulatory, and commercial. We frequently see organizations lose valuable time to repeated assessments and RFPs, while costs climb and the status quo is locked in. The real risk isn’t getting it wrong; it's doing nothing, and continuing to work within the constraints of slow, manual, unstructured processes.”

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@qbdvision #RAMarketing #PAuto #Pharma #Biotechnology

Visualisation for modern manufacturing.

Rockwell Automation has launched PanelView™ Pro, a high-performance graphic terminal designed for demanding industrial environments. Built for FactoryTalk® View Machine Edition (ME) applications, PanelView Pro combines faster performance, enhanced durability and a modular architecture that simplifies maintenance and lifecycle management, while providing a straightforward migration path for existing applications.

As manufacturers face growing pressure to modernise aging infrastructure, many are challenged to balance operational continuity with evolving cybersecurity and compliance requirements. Upgrading human machine interface (HMI) systems often requires application redevelopment, panel modifications and production downtime. PanelView Pro addresses these challenges by enabling customers to maintain existing FactoryTalk View ME applications while transitioning to a modern hardware platform.  

"Manufacturers need visualization technology that can keep pace with increasingly demanding operations while supporting long-term modernization goals," said Angela Rapko, vice president and general manager, visualization & asset management, Rockwell Automation. "PanelView Pro combines the performance, durability and flexibility customers expect in a modern graphic terminal with a modular design that simplifies maintenance and helps protect existing FactoryTalk View ME investments."

Key features of PanelView Pro include:

• High Performance for Demanding Applications – Built on a modern hardware platform, PanelView Pro delivers faster processing, responsive graphics and enhanced connectivity to support today's high-speed manufacturing environments and visualisation requirements.
• Modular Designed for Simplified Lifecycle Simplicity – Designed to withstand demanding operating conditions, its modular architecture separates display and logic components, allowing customers to service, replace or upgrade individual modules instead of an entire terminal. This helps reduce maintenance costs, streamline spare parts strategies and improve system availability.
• Cybersecurity-Ready for Modern Operations – Built on a managed operating system with secure remote access capabilities, PanelView Pro helps manufacturers address evolving cybersecurity requirements, support modernisation initiatives and reduce risk across connected operations.
• Straightforward Modernisation Path – PanelView Pro supports application reuse and common cutouts to help simplify migration from PanelView Plus 7 Performance terminals, reducing engineering effort and reducing downtime, while avoiding unnecessary panel redesign.

"Manufacturers need practical ways to modernize aging HMI infrastructure while maintaining production continuity, strengthening cybersecurity and preparing for AI-enabled operations that depend on better plant-floor visibility and contextual information," said Craig Resnick, vice president, ARC Advisory Group. "PanelView Pro addresses these priorities with higher-performance visualization, improved durability and a modular architecture that supports application reuse, simplifies migration from FactoryTalk View ME and helps protect existing investments. This lifecycle-oriented approach can help reduce the cost, complexity and operational risk of modernization while supporting long-term resilience, maintainability and more informed operational decisions."

PanelView Pro is part of Rockwell's visualisation portfolio, providing customers with a clear path for modernising FactoryTalk View ME applications while simplifying lifecycle management and maintaining a consistent hardware experience across visualisation solutions. PanelView Pro will be available to customers beginning in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2026, with additional modular components and expanded configurations becoming available throughout 2027.

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@ROKAutomation @ROKAutoEMEA @arc_advisory   #PAuto

Video and vibration!

Teledyne FLIR has expanded its Extech HDV700 Videoscope platform with new Full HD probe options, alongside the launch of the new Extech VB460 Vibration Meter with ISO Alarms. Designed for maintenance, reliability, facilities, and inspection professionals, the new solutions help users detect issues earlier, diagnose problems more accurately, and make faster maintenance decisions, whether inspecting hard-to-reach equipment or monitoring the health of machinery and equipment subject to vibration.

The expanded HDV700 platform introduces new Full HD (1920 × 1080) probe options that deliver sharper image quality for more detailed visual inspections. New articulating, dual-view, and plumbing probe options increase flexibility across industrial maintenance, building inspection, and pipe inspection applications.

The new VB460 Vibration Meter delivers advanced diagnostic capabilities for condition monitoring applications. With FFT spectrum analysis and expanded measurement tools, the VB460 helps teams identify machine faults earlier and take action before issues lead to unplanned downtime.

"Maintenance teams are under constant pressure to keep equipment running, often with limited time and resources," said Heliel Morales, Director of Business Development for Condition Monitoring at Teledyne FLIR. "The expanded HDV700 platform and new VB460 are designed to help users find problems faster, understand what they're seeing with greater confidence, and identify emerging risks before they impact productivity, equipment performance, or facilities operations.

The HDV700 Videoscope platform is designed to support a wide range of industrial, facilities, and building inspection applications. The introduction of new Full HD probe options gives users clearer imagery and greater flexibility when inspecting equipment in confined or hard-to-access locations. 

Key benefits include:

• New Full HD probe options (1920 × 1080) for sharper images and improved defect detection
• Docked or detached monitor operation for increased flexibility in confined spaces
• New 3.9 mm 4-way articulating HD probe for navigating around obstacles and accessing difficult inspection points
• New dual-view HD probe that provides both forward and side-view imaging without repositioning
• Plumbing probe kit with integrated 512 MHz transmitter for locating and tracking underground pipes when used with compatible locators
• Expanded probe selection to support a broader range of inspection applications

As organizations continue to invest in predictive maintenance strategies, vibration analysis remains a valuable tool for identifying early-stage mechanical problems. The new VB460 helps maintenance teams go beyond basic vibration measurement by providing additional diagnostic insight into machine condition.

Key benefits include:

• FFT spectrum analysis for identifying vibration frequencies and diagnosing machine faults
• Expanded measurement and analysis capabilities for condition monitoring programs
• ISO alarm functionality for quick evaluation of machine condition against recognized standards
• Multiple probe tips included for greater application flexibility
• User-friendly interface designed for routine inspections and troubleshooting

Supporting reliability and operational efficiency.
Together, the expanded HDV700 platform and VB460 provide complementary tools for maintenance and reliability teams. By combining detailed visual inspections with actionable vibration analysis, organizations can identify issues sooner, improve maintenance planning, reduce troubleshooting time, and make more informed decisions about asset health. These latest additions further strengthen the Extech portfolio of inspection and measurement solutions designed to help organizations improve reliability, reduce downtime, and increase operational efficiency across industrial and commercial environments.

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@planetextech @flir @mepaxIntPR #TandM #PAuto