Easily configurable welding.

A flexible, scalable and future-proof approach to joining a variety of materials in product packaging and other uses.

The new Branson™ Polaris Ultrasonic Welding Platform is a highly configurable multi-use welding platform enabling advanced manufacturing engineers to design efficient joining solutions with software and hardware. The new Polaris platform is designed to push the limits of process efficiency while ensuring the highest production quality and reliability, using Emerson’s industry‑defining capabilities in future‑proof ultrasonic welding systems engineered for evolving global manufacturing demands.

The Polaris platform offers an adaptable, smart solution with secure connectivity across the factory floor and real-time control capability able to join a wide range of materials and components, including automotive parts, medical devices, consumer electronics, food packaging, appliances, bioplastics and textiles.

Manufacturers across most industries are currently faced with competing challenges, from changing customer preferences and regulatory legislation to heightened industry competition. These market forces demand highly efficient production lines that simultaneously meet throughput goals and sustainability targets.

“Today’s manufacturers need ultrasonic welding systems that are as adaptable and advanced as they are. They need an automated platform that seamlessly integrates into manufacturing environments and can be updated over time to align with changing requirements,” said Kerryn Harrington, global product manager for Branson Ultrasonics at Emerson.

“In response, Emerson engineers designed the Branson Polaris Ultrasonic Welding Platform as a configurable scalable solution,” said Harrington, “that meets exacting needs across a wide range of applications – from simple components to FDA-approved products – now and in the future, anchored in Emerson’s standing as the foremost authority in essential ultrasonic welding methods used by major manufacturers worldwide.”

The Polaris platform consists of power supplies and controllers with varying degrees of functionality and software capabilities, as well as a line of actuators that can be selected to meet the needs of any application, regardless of size and complexity.

These technologies can be combined to build a benchtop machine for development, laboratory trials and proof of concept, then scaled up for use in a fully automated production line. Optional features can decrease the system footprint, increase data storage and enhance secure connectivity across enterprise networks.

Allowing for greater visibility and control of machine performance, the Polaris platform can connect to higher level systems such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs) for improved efficiency, reliability and precision.

By accessing real-time information, operators can adjust control parameters and recipes in the moment, continuously improving processes and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). For facilities operating in a regulated environment, the performance data also enables easier validation.

Manufacturing engineers can also select individual components or work with Emerson specialists to create a custom welding system that best suits their needs. Specialists from Emerson can also provide expert technical support throughout the full lifecycle of the welding system by leveraging its long-established position as the central hub of knowledge in ultrasonic welding technologies adopted across global production environments.

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See also "75 years in Untrasonic Welding." (16/9/2021)

@Branson_Emerson @EmersonExchange @Emerson_News @EMR_Automation @mepaxINTpr #Manufacturing

Portfolio of high-reliability connectivity solutions expanded.

Acquisition assures more localised design and engineering support across North America, Europe and Asia

The acquisition of Smiths Interconnect, a subsidiary of British-based Smiths Group plc, has been completed by Molex. This marks "a major milestone in Molex’s vision to enable technology that is transforming the future and improving people’s lives." Smiths Interconnect brings a diverse portfolio of complementary products and advantaged capabilities in ruggedised custom connectors, contacts, RF components and optical transceivers for harsh environments. Smiths Interconnect also brings leading semiconductor test capabilities that complement Molex’s data communications and data center solutions to support growth in AI, along with a strong medical interconnect capability to support Medtech customers.

“We are excited to finalise the Smiths Interconnect acquisition, which expands our portfolio and engineering expertise worldwide,” said Joe Nelligan, CEO, Molex. “Along with their products and technology, we are excited about the Smiths Interconnect’s global team and the strong customer relationships that they have established.”

As the largest acquisition in Molex’s history, the addition of Smiths Interconnect positions Molex to drive innovation across the high-reliability interconnect market—encompassing aerospace and defense, space exploration, industrial, medical and semiconductor test industries. The combination of Smiths Interconnect’s capabilities with Molex’s global footprint, engineering strength, culture and financial strength enables Molex to deliver increased value to customers around the world.

“This acquisition reinforces Molex’s position as a leader across every sector where high reliability is critical,” said Michael Cole, SVP and president, Aerospace and Defense Solutions Division, Molex. “By unifying these high-reliability solutions under the Molex banner, we provide a borderless platform that enables engineers to leverage ruggedised, precision-engineered connectivity.”

The Smiths Interconnect acquisition expands Molex’s global footprint to over 90 plants across 22 countries, and its global headcount to over 55,000 employees. The integration creates strong design and technical alignment to enhance innovation and solution capabilities to provide more value to customers.

This news builds upon the November 2024 acquisition of AirBorn by Molex, a foundational milestone in serving customers in the aerospace and allied sectors.

“The integration of Smiths Interconnect into the Molex engineering ecosystem is a significant win for the global design engineering community,” said Lew LaFornara, SVP, Global Interconnect Business Strategy, TTI. “As a prominent Smiths Interconnect distributor, we are excited to continue offering our customers access to a robust line of mission-critical solutions—spanning aerospace and defense, medical, industrial and semiconductor test—all backed by Molex’s world-class logistics and technical support."

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@MolexConnectors  @smithsinterconn @NapierPR #PAuto 

Cybersecurity standard achieved.

ARC Informatique has successfully achieved ISA/IEC 62443-4-1 certification, a globally recognised cybersecurity standard for secure product development in industrial automation and control systems.

Already certified under ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 27001, ARC Informatique now elevates its governance model by reinforcing cybersecurity directly into its product development lifecycle.

While ISO 27001 ensures the protection of organisational information and processes, ISA/IEC 62443-4-1 specifically addresses secure product development requirements for critical infrastructure.

This certification marks a strategic evolution: embedding cybersecurity not only at the organisational level, but at the very core of PcVue platform engineering.

For PcVue users and partners, ISA/IEC 62443-4-1 certification delivers operational confidence by reducing cybersecurity risks. It accelerates system qualification and deployment while ensuring continuous protection through structured vulnerability management and timely security updates.The result is a platform built not only to perform, but to remain secure, trusted and cyber-resilient.

“Achieving IEC 62443-4-1 certification is an important milestone in the PcVue compliance strategy roadmap” said Mostapha ELANSALI, Head of quality and performances at ARC Informatique.

“It reflects our long-term commitment to supporting customers operating in critical and highly regulated environments, while continuously strengthening the security, reliability, and cyber-resilience of the PcVue platform.”

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@arcinformatique @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #ISA62443

Major European investment for metals monitoring.

Sensmet, the Finnish developer of a unique continuous metals monitoring technology, has received a major investment (€1.5m) from EIT RawMaterials which is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, to help secure the supply of critical and strategically important raw materials.

Sensmet will use the funds to leverage the scale-up and deployment of its µDOES® online metals analysers to strengthen Europe’s raw materials resilience and competitiveness. 

“Our highly innovative technology provides process managers with continuous measurements for key metals within liquid process streams,” explains Sensmet CEO, Dr Toni Laurila (right). “This enables them, for example, to extract critically important metals much more efficiently than would have been previously possible when relying on laboratory analysis.”

This technology is deployed in numerous applications within raw material value chains – including wastewater treatment, battery recycling, lithium production and fertilizer manufacture. Sensmet has been chosen for this investment because continuous measurements in these applications enable and enhance the recovery of metals that are critically important for the digital economy.

EIT RawMaterials’ mission is to secure a sustainable, independent supply of materials for Europe. EIT RawMaterials is a Knowledge and Innovation Community cofunded by the European Commission and one of Europe’s most active innovation ecosystems in the raw materials sector. The organisation supports technologies and industrial solutions that strengthen Europe’s security of supply for critical raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements (REEs), which are essential for batteries, renewable energy systems, and advanced manufacturing.

“Our business aligns perfectly with the goals of EIT RawMaterials,” adds Toni Laurila, “so we are honoured to receive this investment, and excited to see how we can use it to scale the µDOES platform and accelerate growth.”

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@Sensmet_Ltd @EITeu @_Enviro_News #PAuto #Europe

Expansion by measurement technology manufacturer in South America.

A new plant has been opened by WIKA at its Boituva site in Brazil. This strengthens its subsidiary in the state of São Paulo as a strategic hub for the region. It is a state-of-the-art manufacturing and logistics facilities covering an area of around 12,500 square metres, approximately 8,000 of which are dedicated to production. These facilities are replacing the previous site in neighbouring Iperó, which no longer had sufficient space.

“The new plant in Boituva is a milestone for WIKA in many respects,” says Alexander Wiegand, Chairman and CEO of the WIKA Group. “On the one hand, it provides us with a modern facility in the region’s most economically important country, offering our staff an excellent working environment and providing scope for growth and production expansion. On the other hand, the plant symbolises the enormous progress that WIKA Brazil has made in recent years.”

This new facility enables the company to respond to the growing demand for high-quality measurement solutions in Brazil and neighbouring markets. The plant will boost the region’s production and logistics capacity and strengthen the links between the Latin American subsidiaries.

South America has been an important growth market for WIKA for many years. The Mercosur trade agreement between the EU and several Latin American countries has recently opened up new market opportunities. Since the foundation of WIKA Brazil in 1981, WIKA has firmly established itself in the region thanks to its strong teams and clear strategic focus. Today, the measurement technology manufacturer also has its own subsidiaries in Argentina, Mexico, Chile and Colombia.

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@WIKANews #PAuto #Manufacturing #Brazil

Standard complience and efficiency in cabling.

The PCE-CLT 10 ensures standards compliance and cost-efficiency in modern server room and office cabling. In the development of modern IT infrastructures—whether establishing a high-density server room or equipping expansive new office workspaces—the precise determination of cable lengths is a fundamental challenge. What may appear to be a purely organizational task in theory proves to be a critical factor in practice, influencing signal quality, compliance with international standards, and the overall cost-effectiveness of the project. Accurate measurement is far more than a simple aid for material procurement; it is a technical necessity to guarantee long-term network performance.

The relevance of exact length determination stems primarily from the physical limitations of data transmission. According to global standards such as ISO/IEC 11801, the length of a "Permanent Link" in structured cabling (e.g., Cat 6a or Cat 7) must generally not exceed 90 meters. If this distance is surpassed due to inaccurate estimates or uncontrolled routing, attenuation levels and error rates increase drastically, compromising network stability. Furthermore, precise calculation prior to installation allows for significant material savings. Since copper cabling represents a substantial cost factor, avoidable excess lengths across hundreds of connections can quickly result in significant budgetary overruns.

In modern measurement technology, Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) has established itself as the gold standard for this task. This principle is based on sending an electrical pulse into the cable, which is reflected at the end of the line or at a fault location. By measuring the time interval between transmission and reception of the echo, the exact length can be calculated based on the material-specific Nominal Velocity of Propagation (NVP). A highly efficient tool for this application is the PCE-CLT 10 cable length meter. It is specifically designed to measure both cables already in place and those still on the reel with high precision.

The PCE-CLT 10 offers technicians the decisive advantage of being versatile across a wide range of cable types—from network and coaxial cables to standard power lines. Thanks to an integrated database with preset parameters and the option for manual calibration, measurement errors caused by different cable batches are virtually eliminated. During the high-pressure phase of setting up a server room, such a device provides the necessary planning security and ensures clean documentation. Ultimately, the use of professional measurement technology like the PCE-CLT 10 ensures that projects are completed on time and within budget, while simultaneously creating a compliant, high-performance network environment.

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@PCE_DE @PCE_UK @PresseBox @UnnGmbh #PCE

Transparent touch and force.

Leonhard Kurz subsidiary, PolyIC, a leading provider of printed electronics solutions, is collaborating with Nanomade to develop a new solution for the next generation of interactive surfaces in human-machine interface (HMI) applications. Nanomade is now presenting the joint project of both companies for the first time at Touch Taiwan 2026, showcasing the world’s first fully transparent film that combines capacitive touch detection and highly sensitive force measurement in a single system at exactly the same location. The combined sensor enables transparent, flexible, and illuminated user interfaces - without any limitations on function, design, or industrial scalability.

Transparent Force & Touch Architecture.
PolyIC produces transparent, flexible capacitive sensor films with printed, transparent, and conductive electrodes. Nanomade has developed a proprietary, transparent nanoparticle-based ink that enables ultra-sensitive force measurement. By combining both components, the companies have developed a sensor that, thanks to its ultra-thin, transparent force-and-touch architecture, offers functionalities that go beyond those of conventional capacitive touch sensors. The light transmission of the sensor and its optical clarity further expand the design possibilities.

Seamless integration brings new design freedom.
Minimalist designs with integrated lighting effects and seamlessly integrated displays are becoming increasingly common in product design. Conventional sensor technology often reaches its limits in terms of both design and functionality. The new sensor from PolyIC and Nanomade meets these requirements for transparency, flexibility, and functionality. It can be integrated into fully transparent or ‘hidden-til-lit’ user interfaces and can also be incorporated into curved and three-dimensionally shaped control elements. Manufacturers can use it without the need for costly new developments or complex additional component integrations.

Additional features that simplify the utilization of user interfaces in everyday life and enhance the user experience include the ability to operate the interface while wearing gloves, as well as reliable performance in damp or wet environments. The sensor can distinguish between contact and targeted pressure, enabling a differentiated evaluation of touches and thus reducing false activations. It also enables safety-critical applications where two physical quantities must be evaluated independently of one another.

Applications.
The transparent force-and-touch sensor film is suitable for a wide range of applications across various industries, such as the automotive sector. Furthermore, the solution is suitable for medical devices that combine force sensing with touch functionality. With the new transparent Force & Touch sensor film, PolyIC and Nanomade are expanding the technical and design options for HMI applications where the combination of transparency, light, and intelligent force measurement is relevant.

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@NanomadeConcept @LEONHARD_KURZ @PresseBox @UnnGmbh #HMI #Automotive