New CTO at leading photonics group.

Dr. Frank Lison has been named to succeed TOPTICA founder Dr. Wilhelm Kaenders as CTO/Vorstand of the TOPTICA Photonics group.

Dr Frank Lison with Dr Wilhelm Kaenders

Following the company’s long-term succession plan designed to ensure continuity in leadership and sustained technological excellence, Frank Lison will take over the main responsibilities of Wilhelm Kaenders. Wilhelm will remain within the TOPTICA group as founder and continues to support the company’s successful evolution in some of its focus markets.

"I'm excited to take over the role of CTO at TOPTICA," said Frank Lison. "The company’s strong foundation in scientific excellence and laser technology is something I value highly. Together with our teams, I look forward to advancing our laser technologies further."

He has been with TOPTICA in various roles since 2002 and currently, since 2016, serves as founding and managing director of TOPTICA Projects GmbH.

He has a physics degree from University Hannover, a PhD in cold atom physics from University Bonn, both with Prof. Dieter Meschede, and after a Postdoc with Prof. Ed Hinds in Britain, he started to work in the Central Research Group of Bayer AG.

Already in the important phase from 2002 to 2010, Frank accompanied the steady growth of TOPTICA as VP of R&D. When in 2009 the company TILL Photonics GmbH was acquired by TOPTICA and then sold to FEI München GmbH, Frank was the acting General Manager, before he rejoined the TOPTICA group.

The board of TOPTICA Photonics SE from Octoberr 2026 will consist of Dr. Frank Lison (CTO & President, spokesman of the executive board), Dr. Thomas Renner (CSO & President), Dr. Mathias Schindler (COO) and Fabian Uhl (CFO).

Wilhelm Kaenders states: “For me, it was an honor and pleasure to start in 1998 and grow the company together with Thomas Weber, at the time as a five person endeavor with focus on scientific and optical data storage markets. We were quickly able to identify and attract excellent people to work with us, and most importantly, to adapt and meet market demands over the last three decades. As TOPTICA group, we have doubled our revenue and workforce since 2020”.

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@TOPTICA_AG @PresseBox@UnnGmbh #Pauto #Photonics

Wireless testing for 5G.

Anritsu has announced its enhanced SmartStudio NR (SSNR) and SmartStudio NR IP Performance (SSIP) software solutions adding support for 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability) device testing to evaluate performance. These solutions offer application-oriented performance evaluation, such as throughput and power consumption, for low-power, low-cost devices including Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) and wearables.

Support for more frequency-band configurations also helps simplify testing as 5G deployment expands and band combinations become more complex. With these enhancements, Anritsu helps engineers reduce development effort, improve test efficiency, and bring 5G RedCap devices to market more quickly.

Development background.
As 5G RedCap adoption grows in new applications such as physical AI and IoT devices, customers need practical ways to evaluate real-world device performance. This includes IP throughput testing, power consumption measurement, and IMS testing based on 5G RedCap specifications.

At the same time, frequency refarming following the termination of 3G services is increasing the number of supported frequency bands. The resulting growth in band, carrier aggregation, and MIMO combinations makes test conditions more complex, increasing evaluation time and effort and creating a stronger need for efficient test design and evaluation.

Solution overview.
The SSNR and SSIP application test software solutions work with the MT8000A to simulate 5G/LTE base stations and core networks. SSIP also measures high-speed data communication throughput. An interactive GUI supports intuitive operation without requiring advanced protocol skills.

The key features are:

• Supports 5G RedCap and enables a wide range of application tests, including IP throughput testing, handover testing, power consumption measurement, and temperature measurement.
• Retrieves supported band combinations, including MIMO configurations and channel bandwidth, in a single operation, helping reduce test design effort when evaluating large and complex combinations.
• Facilitates test scenarios that are difficult to reproduce on live networks, such as Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) and access control in disaster situations.

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@Anritsu @AnritsuEMEA @NapierPR   #TandM #Communications

Precision discrete analog components for Europe.

Stocking ultra-low-noise JFETs and high speed DMOS analog switches.

A pan-European distribution partnership has been agreed between Anglia Components and Linear Systems, a Silicon Valley precision analog semiconductor manufacturer, to supply discrete semiconductor products including ultra-low-noise JFETs and high-speed DMOS analog switches.

“Linear Systems precision devices are engineered for exceptional performance in the most demanding industries”, says John Bowman, Anglia’s Marketing Director. “Their products can be used to create low noise amplifier circuits or used alongside integrated op amps to improve the performance of the circuit dramatically.”

Jaime Cook, VP of Operations & Market Development at Linear Systems comments: “The European market is very diverse and precision analog parts are integral to many applications. Anglia is very experienced in servicing this customer base and offers the level of technical design-in support that is required to achieve successful product development.”

Linear Systems provides precision, high-performance discrete analog components trusted by engineers developing leading-edge products where low noise, accuracy, and reliability are critical. Across the product line, special and custom electrical testing supports advanced and highly customised circuit requirements.

At the heart of the portfolio is the flagship LSK series of ultra-low-noise JFETs, including the monolithic dual LSK389 and LSK489, along with the single LSK170. These devices feature industry-exclusive 100% noise testing, giving engineers unmatched confidence in critical low-noise applications. The newest addition, the LSBF862, serves as an improved pin-for-pin second-source replacement for the discontinued NXP BF862.

Beyond JFET technology, Linear Systems delivers a broad portfolio of high‑performance analog solutions. Nanosecond‑class lateral DMOS analog switches enable ultra‑fast, precision switching, while low‑noise bipolar transistors, available in both monolithic dual and single configurations, open up new possibilities for advanced amplifier designs. A full range of small signal N & P channel MOSFETs supports both amplification and switching needs. For sensitive analog inputs, ultra‑low‑leakage picoamp diodes, offered as singles or monolithic duals, provide essential protection. The portfolio is rounded out with precision current regulating diodes, delivering wider current ranges with tighter performance control.

Linear Systems’ precision discrete analog components underpin advanced designs across low‑noise amplifiers (LNAs), discrete op‑amp architectures, photodiode and TIA stages, High-impedance probes, Acoustic and hydrophone preamps, battery powered instrumentation, and extend through to ultra‑sensitive sensors, medical electronics, audio front ends, and high‑performance test and measurement systems.

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@Linear_Systems @angliaLive @BWW_Comms #Electronics #PAuto #Europe

New generation for electronic testing marks decade start.

Seica is celebrating its 40th anniversary with the launch of OPERA Series, a new-generation platform designed to deliver greater flexibility, scalability, and long-term value to electronics manufacturers worldwide.

As the company enters its fifth decade, the launch of OPERA Series marks the beginning of a new era focused on open architectures, collaborative innovation, and sustainable technological advancement. Building on forty years of expertise and customer partnerships, Seica remains committed to helping manufacturers worldwide meet the challenges of tomorrow's electronics industry.

The announcement was made during Seica's annual international Summer Meeting, which brought together employees, subsidiaries, sales representatives, and business partners from across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East. The event marked not only an important company milestone, but also the beginning of a new chapter in Seica's technological evolution.

OPERA, which stands for Open Platform ERA, represents far more than a new product family. It embodies the philosophy that has guided Seica throughout four decades of innovation: openness to customer needs, openness to new technologies, and openness to building solutions that evolve alongside changing manufacturing requirements.

At the heart of the OPERA concept is Seica's long-standing strategy of developing technology through modular building blocks fully compatible with its VIP platform architecture. This approach enables the company to develop new solutions more rapidly, preserve compatibility across generations of products, protect customer investments, and extend system lifecycles.

Introducing the new platform, Barbara Duvall, CEO of Seica, emphasized the broader meaning of openness within the company's culture and strategy. "OPERA stands for Open Platform ERA, but for us, openness extends far beyond technology. Being open means listening to customers, understanding their challenges, and building the future together. Many of our most successful solutions were born from customer insight, real-world production experience, and ideas developed together with our global sales and support teams."

Duvall continued: "Our goal is not simply to sell machines. We act first as consultants, helping customers identify their real needs and guiding them toward the solution that fits them best. We deliver scalable, reconfigurable systems that grow with their business, and we support them worldwide throughout the life of their investment. This combination of expertise, flexibility, and long-term partnership is what truly differentiates Seica."

This solution-oriented approach has enabled Seica to establish itself as a trusted technology partner for manufacturers operating in highly demanding industries, where production requirements continue to evolve and flexibility has become increasingly important.

Antonio Grassino, President and Co-Founder of Seica, reflected on the company's journey from its founding in 1986 to its current position as a global reference in electronic test technology. "Forty years ago, Seica was founded on a passion for technology and a determination to tackle challenges that others considered impossible. Today, we operate worldwide, yet our spirit remains unchanged: to innovate, experiment, and create solutions that generate real value for our customers."

Grassino also highlighted the role of continuous innovation in sustaining long-term growth. "Our history demonstrates that innovation is not a single event but a continuous process. We have consistently invested in research, people, and new technologies while maintaining a long-term vision. This continuity has enabled us to grow successfully and adapt to the evolution of global markets."

Seica's success has been built on innovation and commitment. Continuous investment in research and development is complemented by a strong culture of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and customer focus. Together, these values have enabled the company to build a global reputation for reliability, technical excellence, and innovation.

The company sees OPERA Series as a foundation for future growth. Designed around openness, compatibility, and long-term customer value, the platform reflects Seica's commitment to developing solutions that can adapt to future technologies and evolving manufacturing environments.

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@seica #Electronics #TandM

Single compact solution.

Precision coupling hubs with internal gearing.

Bellows couplings connect two shaft ends—such as the motor and gearbox of a drive unit—and must meet stringent requirements: torsional rigidity, flexibility, ease of installation, cost-efficiency, precision, and high load-bearing capacity. Jakob Antriebstechnik’s bellows couplings with internal splines combine all these qualities into a single, compact solution.

The combination of a clamping hub and splines offers decisive advantages, particularly in gearbox applications. This shaft-hub connection is characterised by minimal imbalance and is ideally suited for high, unidirectional, alternating, or shock-like torques. During installation, the clamping hub is elastically expanded before being slid onto the motor shaft; the necessary counter-pressure is generated by unscrewing the clamping screw against the "EASY pin." The coupling can then be easily slid onto the shaft and secured using a hex key.

When assembling the motor and gearbox via the adapter flange (bell housing), the coupling hub self-centers and engages positively with the gearbox's splined shaft. This eliminates the need for complex, time-consuming tightening procedures through assembly holes in the adapter flange.

Precision-manufactured internal splines and 100% inspection ensure a highly accurate connection to the drive shaft. This allows for a more compact design and eliminates the need for additional connecting elements—a clear advantage in terms of cost-efficiency. An optional positive-drive safety feature provides added security by maintaining power transmission in the event of a bellows failure caused by overload or excessive shaft misalignment. This safety feature is indispensable, particularly in robotics, as it can prevent incidents such as a robot arm falling.

Jakob Antriebstechnik offers these couplings with all standard spline profiles in accordance with DIN 5480. They enable the transmission of torques up to 4,000 Nm with maximum shaft diameters of 102 mm. Additional nominal sizes and custom designs are available upon request.

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@UnnGmbh @PresseBox #jakobantriebstechnik #PAuto #Drives

Wastewater Phosphate monitoring.

"It's all about the sample!"

Swan Analytical Instruments has launched a new Sample Filtration Cabinet which ensures the reliable provision of representative samples to its continuous phosphate analysers. The climate-controlled cabinet houses all of the key instrumentation and employs innovative sampling technology to ensure reliable, regulatory compliant measurements.

Designed and manufactured in Switzerland, Swan’s water quality analysers have a global reputation for accuracy and long-term reliability, but as the company’s John Saxton says: “The accuracy of a measurement can only be as good as the quality of the sample, and this can be one of the more challenging aspects of wastewater monitoring. We have therefore worked closely with specialists in this field to develop the new Sample Filtration Cabinet, which combines the quality of a Swan Analytical analyser with a best-in-class sampling system.”

Phosphate is an essential nutrient, and is necessary for example, in low concentrations in biological wastewater treatment, but excessive concentrations can cause significant ecological harm. It is therefore common for phosphate to be included in environmental permits at municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants.

Phosphate can be removed from wastewater by dosing with precipitants such as Ferric Chloride. However, dosing to excess can be very costly and inefficient, so it is common practice to continuously monitor phosphate levels for dosing control, and for demonstrating discharge compliance. Swan’s online AMI Phosphate instruments combined with the Sample Filtration System, have been designed specifically for both applications.

Background.
Phosphate is a key nutrient in the maintenance of aquatic animal and plant life. However, it is also considered to be one of the most important pollutants in surface waters. Excessive quantities, through natural accumulation or derived from human activities such as wastewater treatment and agricultural runoff, can stimulate the rapid growth of algae, resulting in algal blooms. This reduces the amount of light available for plants and can lead to oxygen depletion, bacterial growth and eutrophication. In addition, some algal blooms produce toxins that are harmful to other organisms. High phosphate concentrations can therefore cause enormous ecological and aesthetic damage to streams, lakes, rivers and oceans.

In England, the Environment Act 2021 and the supplementary Environmental Targets Regulations 2023 have set targets for reducing the levels of phosphorus, and other contaminants, that are released into fresh and coastal waters. As a consequence, phosphate limits in treated wastewater discharged into water courses are being tightened.

Monitoring phosphorus – the challenge.
The most prevalent compounds of phosphorus are derivatives of the phosphate (PO4) anion, with orthophosphate being soluble and the only bioavailable form. Orthophosphate is therefore a key measurement parameter in wastewater process control.

Inlet variation of orthophosphate concentration is common in sewage and wastewater treatment plants, which increases the necessity for monitoring to inform dosing control. In addition, some of the organically bound phosphorus and polyphosphates are converted into orthophosphate during the wastewater treatment process, which can influence the total orthophosphate concentration over time. This conversion is specifically optimised by some wastewater treatment plants to improve the overall balance of phosphorus recovery. For these reasons, orthophosphate concentration is the appropriate control parameter for optimising precipitation treatment.

Precise dosing of precipitants is extremely important for phosphorus elimination/recovery to avoid over- or under-dosing. The key to cost-efficient precipitant dosing is robust online measurement analytics that can determine the orthophosphate parameter accurately and reproducibly.

Orthophosphate precipitation typically takes place in three process locations:

1. Pre-precipitation (before the biological stage) – early elimination of orthophosphate.

2. Simultaneous precipitation (in activated sludge) - combining biological and chemical processes.

3. Post-precipitation (after the biological stage) - reduces residual phosphate in effluent.

With high levels of contamination, these process sampling points are always very demanding. A highly effective filter mechanism is therefore necessary to ensure that there are no blockages and that samples are truly representative.

Monitoring phosphorus – the solution.
Swan’s Sample Filtration Cabinet is an all-in-one solution for orthophosphate analysis in wastewater, facilitating problem-free sampling and analysis in even the most challenging wastewater streams.

The system supports ISO 6878 or APHA 4500-P/C colorimetric methods, with model options offering ranges of either 0.01 – 10.0 mg/l, or 0.1 – 50 mg/l. The cabinet houses all of the key components of the measurement system, including reagents, pumps, compressor, photometer and transmitter/display unit.

The filtration head removes suspended solids from the sample, but a number of highly innovative features ensure sampling does not affect measurement uncertainty. For example, a built-in compressor automatically implements air-pulse cleaning to extend service intervals.

Typically, the filters are replaced every 3-4 weeks – a process that takes just a few minutes, and requires no special tools. Used filters can then be chemically cleaned, using a special cleaning apparatus that is supplied as standard. This means that filters can be expected to last for over 2 years.

The stability, repeatability and accuracy of measurements are enhanced by an overflow cell that eliminates pressure and flow fluctuations, and an auto-zero check is conducted before every measurement. In addition, the instrument conducts automatic self-diagnosis of sample flow and reagent levels.

Orthophosphate measurement is ideal for process control, but many plants also employ this technology for monitoring final effluent, correlating with laboratory results for Total Phosphorus (TP). This is because online TP takes longer due to the requirement for a digestion stage. Online TP instruments are also more expensive.

Optional extras… for even greater peace of mind An optional cleaning module is available to help keep the photometer and overflow cell free from biofilm, and heated sample lines can be added for particularly cold locations. In addition, many customers also purchase Swan’s solid-state photometer verification kit.

Summary.
Swan Analytical’s wastewater phosphate measurement solutions reflect the company’s key brand values. The AMI Phosphate instruments are designed to offer highly accurate, stable and repeatable measurements with a low maintenance requirement and a low lifetime cost, but as John Saxton emphasises: “This can only be achieved with the reliable sample quality that is provided by the new Sample Filtration Cabinet. With this technology, wastewater process managers can minimise precipitation costs, optimise performance and maintain regulatory compliance.”

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@_Enviro_News @swan_usa #Wastewater

Ai assistance in automation.

Helps engineers minimise downtime and access technical answers in seconds.

Automation engineers are under increasing pressure to keep production running while managing ever more complex systems. Every minute of downtime counts, but critical technical information is often spread across multiple tools, manuals and data sources, slowing down troubleshooting and impacting productivity. Festo has introduced its new AI-powered Virtual Assistant to give engineers and maintenance teams immediate access to reliable technical answers, helping them resolve issues faster and keep operations moving.

Commenting on the launch, Javier Güell, Festo Sales Ai Solutions, said: “Engineers’ time is best used to solve problems, not to spend hours searching for information. However, increasing system complexity and fragmented data sources often make that unavoidable. The Festo Virtual Assistant helps redress that balance by searching multiple sources in seconds, enabling engineers to focus on their core role of designing new solutions, keeping systems running and optimising performance.”

The Festo Virtual Assistant is an AI-powered online tool developed specifically for industrial automation applications. It delivers context-related answers to technical queries in seconds, enabling users to move more quickly from problem identification to resolution without the need to manually search multiple data sources.

Unlike general-purpose Ai systems, the Virtual Assistant operates exclusively on verified Festo data sources, including datasheets, manuals, technical documentation and engineering tools. It ensures that all outputs are based on reliable, application-relevant information. The Virtual Assistant is designed to interpret technical context, allowing it to respond to engineering queries with a high degree of accuracy.

By consolidating information typically spread across multiple systems into a single interface, the Virtual Assistant simplifies access to engineering knowledge for users in automation, electrical, maintenance and industrial IT roles. It supports a broad range of applications, including fault diagnosis, component selection, access to technical standards and retrieval of product data. Besides offering best practice solutions, it provides direct links to Festo engineering tools for sizing or simulation and helps with machine troubleshooting.

Available 24/7, the Virtual Assistant is ideal for continuous production environments, providing support across shifts, including nights and weekends. This enables engineers to access technical guidance at the point of need, without delay.

Users can describe technical issues in their own words, as though they were talking to a colleague. The more precise the question, the more specific the answer will be. No additional training is required, making it simple to adopt this Ai tool within existing workflows.

User queries remain within Festo’s secure infrastructure. The Virtual Assistant complies with data privacy legislation and relevant regulatory requirements, including the EU Ai Act.

Commenting on the launch, Javier Güell, Festo Sales Ai Solutions, said: “Engineers’ time is best used to solve problems, not to spend hours searching for information. However, increasing system complexity and fragmented data sources often make that unavoidable. The Festo Virtual Assistant helps redress that balance by searching multiple sources in seconds, enabling engineers to focus on their core role of designing new solutions, keeping systems running and optimising performance.”

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@FestoGB @festo_global @Publitek #PAuto  #Maintainance