Legacy PSUs.

Replacements and alternatives for legacy Kingshill linear power supplies are available from Powerstax. For many years Kingshill made a very large number of a wide variety of their very popular linear power supplies commonly used in high reliability industrial, test and measurement, instrumentation systems and offshore platforms.

These products are now supported by Powerstax who, in addition to a repair service, can offer direct replacement units in the event of repairs being uneconomic. Powerstax can also provide form-fit-and function replacements for discontinued items from Kingshill and other manufacturers. This practical, cost-effective alternative enables a quick and simple solution for replacement of existing Kingshill and other installations. Use of Powerstax replacement products helps to speed the selection process, minimise engineering disruption and reduce the large investment traditionally associated with a power supply re-design.

Tim Worley, CEO of Powerstax, commented, "We are well known for our support of Kingshill products and any kind of web search for them will send existing users to Powerstax. What isn’t so well known is that we have designed new form, fit and function versions where the circuitry is modernised but the metalwork and connectors are Kingshill standard. This is very good news for existing Kingshill customers with systems designed around their footprint and performance but also for any users of obsolete power supplies wishing to extend the life of other obsolete power supplies who now have the opportunity to come to Powerstax for a turnkey solution.”

Powerstax offers replacements and alternatives for Kingshill linear, regulated and un-regulated power supplies and other discontinued ranges including the U and W Series modular and cased un-regulated series power supplies with output power of 28W – 1600W. The Elite Series regulated series power supplies, modular cased 25W – 200W models. The L Series Open-Frame regulated series power supplies from 15W – 170W and the NS, NM, S, NTS, NTM, 3S, ST and TR Series high-specification regulated series modular power supplies with outputs from 10W – 1200W.

Powerstax designs and manufactures an extensive range of standard, value-added and custom AC and DC power solutions for a broad range of fixed and mobile applications including hot-swap front-end AC-DC bulk power, DC-DC converter bricks and modules and programmable, modular, rack mounted power supplies. Their Drake® range of transformer rectifiers offer output currents to 5,000A and output power up to 1000kVA and beyond. Power solutions are available for harsh (marine, offshore, desert) and hazardous (Zone 1 and Zone 2) environments and can be oil, air or water cooled and can be sealed up to IP65 if the environment dictates with purge and pressure systems and heat exchangers incorporated if required.

@PowerstaxLtd #PAuto

Collaboration for IIoT Connectivity Solutions.

Advantech, Behr Technologies (BTI), Hitachi Solutions America, and Microsoft are collaborating to deliver wireless communications solutions with unmatched scalability, reliability, and security for private industrial internet of things (IIoT) networks. Since no single technology provider can enable IIoT alone, this joint effort will provide the first mass-market, end-to-end wireless gateway solution to ensure connectivity with sensors for production-level industrial and commercial applications. The solution will deliver massive scalability, the deepest possible building penetration, integration and interoperability with legacy systems, along with extremely long battery life for nodes.

PIC: Enterprise IT World

This collaboration aims to meet growing demand in the marketplace for robust and comprehensive out-of-the-box wireless IIoT communications solutions to connect the various sensors used by industrial and commercial customers in their business intelligence efforts. The foundation for the joint effort is BTI MIOTY™, a low-power, wide-area network (LPWAN) communications solution that is the first and only to use the ETSI standard telegram splitting ultra-narrow band (TS-UNB) technical specification for low throughput networks, enabling organizations to deploy private IoT sensor networks with unprecedented capacity, high Quality-of-Service (QoS), and low total cost of ownership. Using industry-standard Advantech gateways, BTI MIOTY will transmit up to 1.5 million messages per day within a radius of five to 15 kilometers, with no carrier requirements. Layered atop this infrastructure, Hitachi Solutions’ IoT Service Hub will enable organizations to connect and monitor devices and analyze the data in real time to dramatically improve operational efficiencies.

First application focused on workforce safety The first application resulting from this collaboration is a new and unique approach to workforce safety using the BTI MIOTY LPWAN wireless solution on an industry-standard gateway. Using a wearable device to monitor the heart rate of workers in industrial high-risk environments, data on the health of hundreds of workers is transmitted over unlicensed, sub-gigahertz frequencies via BTI MIOTY to a single Advantech base station. From there, it is communicated to the Microsoft Cloud, where Hitachi Solutions’ IoT Service Hub can provide actionable insights on workers’ health and send alerts when workers are in danger. Employers, such as mining site operators, can deploy this end-to-end solution to protect their workforce with unprecedented responsiveness at a fraction of the cost of previously available technologies. “Through this collaboration with Microsoft, Hitachi Solutions, and BTI, we are working to deliver an integrated IIoT solution,” said Stephen Huang, associate vice president of Advantech’s Embedded IoT Group. “Our Edge Intelligence Server provides a device-to-cloud solution at the edge. With WISE-PaaS EdgeSense IoT software built into the gateway, we can provide connectivity and manageability at the edge to simplify IIoT applications.” “The BTI MIOTY contribution to the overall, end-to-end ecosystem with Microsoft, Hitachi Solutions, and Advantech gives customers an out-of-the-box IIoT solution that provides critical machine data and telemetry in areas they cannot currently access,” said Albert Behr, chief executive officer of Behr Technologies Inc. “BTI MIOTY has been specifically developed for massive and lowest-cost LPWAN communications and is poised to be the commercial standard for wireless IIoT connectivity. The use cases are endless and it will deliver a wireless IIoT solution that is unparalleled in the market.” “Through this collaboration, we can add our unique and advanced analytics-based business value to the solution,” said Craig Burbidge, senior vice president of Hitachi Solutions America. “With our IoT Service Hub as the platform, customers will be able to aggregate and analyze equipment telemetry data in real time. The actionable insights provided will allow them to be more predictive and proactive, ensuring a safer and more productive environment with more efficient and cost-effective operations.” “With Azure services and BTI MIOTY, customers can implement cost-effective and highly scalable solutions to facilitate the “last mile” of communication for messages delivered from sensors to the Cloud,” said, Rashmi Misra, general manager, IoT Solutions at Microsoft. “Working with our broad partner ecosystem, we are ushering in a new era of IoT communication that will enable organizations around the world to realize the promise of industrial automation in ways that were not previously possible.”

#IIoT #PAuto @AdvantechIA @BTIMioty @HitachiSolUS @Microsoft

Connectors range.

Two new M12 connectors from Binder are now available from Foremost Electronics.

Alan Vincent, Sales Director of Foremost said, “M12 connectors are one of the most popular types used in panel building and industrial control. These two new products between them offer simple to mount, secure and waterproof connectivity and the option of lead-through wiring to simplify system assembly.”

The new panel mounted Series 763 male M12 connector is an A-coded square flange male connector and is uniquely positionable and lockable which makes the installation of cables a simple and flexible operation.

The connector consists of separate housing and contact carrier allowing the flange housing to be mounted first and the carrier can then be subsequently installed even from various angles, a common occurrence during installation.

Available with 4, 5 or 8 gold plated contacts, the new Series 763 M12 panel mount connector is rated up to 250V and 4A and protects to IP68 when mated ensuring fast and easy termination. The male square flange panel-mount M12 connector is positionable and lockable for easy installation and handles AWG24/7 wires.

The new M12 female cable connector and RJ45 adaptor combination from binder is ideal for lead-through control panel applications across many industry sectors. The Series 825 M12 X-coded connector has 8 gold-plated contacts and is available in straight or right-angled versions.

Designed in accordance with IEC 61076-2-109, the M12/RJ45 combination is good for high data speeds – 4 paired up to 10Gbit/s – which is sufficient for most control applications.

Also available is a shieldable Series 825 M12 X-coded female cable connector featuring IDT connection and a 5.5 – 9mm cable outlet.

The new Series 825 M12 connectors are rated up to 0.5A at 50VAC/60VDC and protects to IP67 when mated. The RJ45 adaptor gives protection to IP20.

#4most #PAuto

European grant aid awarded for microscopy development.

Imec has announced that Niels Verellen, one of its young scientists, has been awarded an ERC* Starting Grant. The grant of 1.5 million euros (for 5 years) will be used to enable high-resolution, fast, robust, zero-maintenance, inexpensive and ultra-compact microscopy technology based on on-chip photonics and CMOS image sensors. The technology paves the way for multiple applications of cell imaging in life sciences, biology, and medicine and compact, cost-effective DNA sequencing instruments.

Niels Verellen, who is Senior Photonics Researcher & project leader at imec ays : “Compact, high-resolution and high-throughput microscopy devices will induce a profound change in the way cell biologists do research, in the way DNA sequencing becomes more and more accessible, in the way certain diseases can be diagnosed, new drugs are screened in the pharma industry, and healthcare workers can diagnose patients in remote areas.”

Microscopy is an indispensable tool in biology and medicine that has fueled many breakthroughs. Recently the world of microscopy has witnessed a true revolution in terms of increased resolution of fluorescent imaging techniques, including a Nobel Prize in 2014. Yet, these techniques remain largely locked-up in specialized laboratories as they require bulky, expensive instrumentation and highly skilled operators.

The next big push in microscopy with a large societal impact will come from extremely compact and robust optical systems that will make high-resolution microscopy highly accessible and as such facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of diseases or disorders caused by problems at the cell or molecular level, such as meningitis, malaria, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, it will pave the way to DNA analysis as a more standard procedure, not only for the diagnosis of genomic disorders or in forensics, but also in cancer treatment, follow-up of transplants, the microbiome, pre-natal tests, and even agriculture, and archeology.

The topic of Verellen’s ERC grant is the development of Integrated high-Resolution On-Chip Structured Illumination Microscopy (IROCSIM). This new technology is based on a novel imaging platform that integrates active on-chip photonics and CMOS image sensors. “Whereas existing microscopy techniques today suffer from a trade-off between equipment size, field-of-view, and resolution, the IROCSIM solution will eliminate the need for bulky optical components and enable microscopy in the smallest possible form-factor, with a scalable field-of-view and without compromising the resolution,” continues Verellen.

Jo De Boeck, imec’s CTO says: “We are very proud that young researchers such as Niels Verellen are awarded an ERC Starting Grant and as such get a unique opportunity to fulfill their ambitions and creative ideas in research. At imec, we select and foster our young scientists and provide them with a world-class infrastructure. These ERC Starting Grants show that their work indeed meets the highest standards.”

* The European Research Council (ERC) is a pan European funding body designed to support investigator-driven frontier research and stimulate scientific excellence across Europe. The ERC aims to support the best and most creative scientists to identify and explore new opportunities and directions in any field of research. ERC Starting grants in particular are designed to support outstanding researchers with 2 to 7 years postdoctoral experience.

@imec_int #PHarma  @ERC_Research

Measurement synchronization using GPS.

Digitization and the reliability of accurate measurement data are inherent to the constantly expanding demands of the energy distribution and production industries. And consumers are also demanding more accurate and traceable data to protect them from damage and costs as well as to continuously optimize their energy consumption. But what if systems or transformer stations are not yet linked to the digital world and time-critical data still has to be available?

To provide this capability, Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG equips its highly-accurate measurement devices in the SINEAX AM, SINEAX DM5000, LINAX PQ and CENTRAX CU series with GPS* modules. The pre-configured GPS modules synchronize the integrated time measurement of the devices using GPS signals, to ensure that each measurement value is recorded with the globally correct date and time. Timestamps are important when performing sensitive energy measurements. And also, when problems occur, they can be promptly detected before it becomes too late. If the fault has already occurred, accurate data with a precise timestamp are essential to be able efficiently pinpoint the causes.

When there are specific network quality issues, either with respect to IEC 61000-4-30 Ed.3 norms or non-standard network criteria (for example absolute performance monitoring, individual threshold exceedances) accurate timestamps are a must. They make it possible to supply the event monitoring software reliably with time-critical data. As well as this, standardized, IEEE 1159.3-compliant, PQDIF files can be retrieved, saved and read with accurate timestamps directly from the device using PQ-DIFFRACTOR or the SMARTCOLLECT data management software. Accurate timestamps are also an essential component of automation applications; for example lighting controls, network load symmetrization and monitoring of production resources such as transformers, motors, etc.

*The official designation of GPS is "Navigational Satellite Timing and Ranging – Global Positioning System" (NAVSTAR GPS) and it is now pervasive in mobile devices like smartphones and navigation devices. Each satellite is equipped with one or more atomic clocks. The major advantage of GPS signals is that GPS receivers only receive data from satellites but do not transmit. Because the position detection is normally done by computing the signal propagation times between the satellites and the GPS receiver, no information can flow to unauthorized third parties.

• Camille Bauer Metrawat products are marketed in Ireland by Irish Power & Process.

#CamilleBauerMetrawatt #PAuto #TandM  @irishpwrprocess 

Advance for CAN FD network designers.

CAN in Automation (CiA) association has released the CiA 601-3 bit-time setting recommendation. The document provides rules and background information about the setting of bit-times in CAN FD networks. CAN FD is the successor of Classical CAN. Most of the OEMs are migrating to CAN FD in the next couple of years. The CiA 601-3 document comes with a spreadsheet to check, whether your selected bit-rates are possible.

CAN FD frames are transmitted with two speeds. The rules for the arbitration bit-rate are the same as for Classical CAN. In the dataphase, the nodes are not synchronized. Therefore, other rules apply such as phase margin for received and transmitted frames. The released document contains all the necessary formulas to calculate the limits. In addition, it proposes, how to measure them. CiA members can download the documents free-of-charge and non-members can purchase them from CiA Office in Nuremberg

@CANopen #PAuto #Automative

Fuel Analyser.

PAC has officially launched the OptiFuel, a top of the line FTIR Fuel Analyser. The new OptiFuel provides superior precision and portability with expert service and support worldwide. The unit comes in a rugged yet elegant design with a friendly user interface, which makes it ideal for refineries, pipelines, terminals and mobile labs.

For more than 20 years, PAC has been at the forefront of infrared (IR) fuel analysis with its PetroSpec products. Now we are combining the best of our GS PPA, TD PPA and QuickSpec capabilities into one analyzer and adding the latest FTIR technology into the most robust fuel analyzer in the market.
Every OptiFuel comes with more than 50 different calibration models built using hundreds of global fuel samples following ASTM E1655. Calibrations can easily be cloned and transferred to additional units. Unlimited additional properties can be added or updated quickly per user-defined requests.

Key features: • Compliance with ASTM, EN, and ISO methods • Updatable factory calibrations • Intuitive interface requires minimal user training • Complete connectivity with network printers, LIMS systems and USB drive • High resolution FTIR with ATR flow cell • Extensive support network through our offices and distributors worldwide • Unmatched warranty on critical components

PAC has already sold more than 40 OptiFuels around the globe. Schedule a demo or get a quote from your local representative.

Systems integrator has new MD.

Boulting Technology has promoted former Strategic Projects Director, Robin Whitehead as its new managing director.

Robin Whitehead

Having worked at the organisation since 2003, Robin has a clear understanding of the company’s capabilities and market sectors, and will lead a growing team to further develop Boulting Technology as a market leader in Britain for the delivery of low voltage (LV) panels, control systems, industrial networks and pump system optimisation.

Robin began his career with East Midlands Electricity Board within their electrical contracting division, progressing into various project delivery roles for the company’s data communications and networking solution department. He then moved to Siemens Network Services in the role of technical project manager for a global upgrade programme to deliver complex wide and local networking integration projects into live operational environments across the globe. He returned to Britain in 2001 as operations manager with network systems integrator STS Ltd before taking up a short programme management role at Cisco, from where he joined the Process Control department of Boulting Group in January 2003 as technical project manager.

“Over the past 15 years I have seen Boulting Technology grow from strength to strength. In these changing times as we move towards a fully connected world, where traditional and new technologies are converging and where our clients require increased visibility of their systems and time-critical data to be delivered securely, the services we are offering are also evolving. By providing a fully integrated offering to our clients, where our traditional competencies in systems integration, LV panels and industrial networks are further enhanced by our digital strategy and alliance partnerships, Boulting Technology is now better aligned to meet our clients' requirements and expectations," explained Robin.

“My career to date with Boulting has afforded me valuable insight into identifying what is required to enable a mature and established business such as Boulting Technology to grow and remain successful. Success requires the right people, a strong focus on long-term client satisfaction and excellent partner relationships. We employ great people and have solid foundations in place, and I intend to do everything I can to lead the company to build upon these to take Technology to new heights"

Robin, who graduated from Nottingham Trent University Business school with a PGDip Management Studies (DMS) and an executive MBA, replaces Ian Oliver as Managing Director of Boulting Technology. Ian led Technology for three years, following sixteen years previously running the Process Control department and has joined the main Boulting Ltd executive board as a Non-Executive Director.

@BoultingTech #Pauto @StoneJunctionPR

ISA slate for 2019.

The results of the election of officers of the International Society of Automation (ISA) have just been revealed. The ISA election is conducted by Survey and Ballot Systems (SBS), a company that has been conducting online elections for over 20 years. Irish readers will remember that both Eric Cosman and Nick Sands participated in the very successful FPID conference held in Cork two years ago.

President (2019)

• Paul Gruhn (elected last year)

President-elect Secretary (2020 President) Eric Cosman Eric Cosman Treasurer Jon DiPietro Executive Board Members Mark Arkell Scott Reynolds Maurice Wilkins Shari Worthington Image and Membership Vice President-elect Jagdish Shukla Publications Vice President Vitor Finkel Standards & Practices Vice President-elect Dennis Zetterberg Strategic Planning Vice President-elect Nick Sands

#ISAuto #PAuto

Humidity for OEM Applications.

The EE1900 humidity module from E+E Elektronik is optimised for the measurement of relative humidity (RH) or dew point temperature (Td) in climate and test chambers. With outstanding temperature compensation across the working range from -70 °C to 180 °C (-94 °F to 356 °F) and the choice of stainless steel and plastic probes, the module is suitable for a wide range of applications.
High Accuracy in Harsh Environment

The excellent measuring accuracy of the EE1900 rests on the innovative E+E humidity and temperature sensing element HMC01. The proprietary E+E coating protects the sensor from dust, dirt and corrosive agents. Therefore, the EE1900 module features excellent long-term stability even in harsh environment.

Thanks to the Automatic Sensor Recovery (ARC) function, the sensor copes well with chemical contamination. By controlled, strong heating, the chemicals gaze out from the sensing element. After the ARC cycle, the sensor quickly returns to normal measurement conditions. The ARC mode can be triggered either via a push button on the board or an electrical signal.

The EE1900 module features an analogue output, which can be set to current or voltage with a slide switch. The service interface allows for output scaling and adjustment of the humidity measurement. The product configuration software EE-PCS is available free of charge on the E+E website. The operating mode of the module is indicated by status LEDs as well as by the output and status signals.

The EE1900 is available with either stainless steel or plastic (PPS) probe. The high quality, flexible probe cable up to 3m length facilitates the probe installation.

With two sizes of the electronics board (55 x 46.5 mm / 2.17 x 1.83 ʺ or 90 x 70 mm / 3.54 x 2.76 ʺ), the humidity measurement module can be easily integrated into existing climate chambers.

• E+E Elektronik products are marketed in Ireland through Instrument Technology.

 #EPulse #PAuto 

AOI system.

A new video is online launched by Seica, showcasing the new DRAGONFLY next > series, an AOI system providing optical inspection capabilities for through-hole technology (THT) components of electronic boards, as well conformal coating (CC), increasingly used today to protect the products after manufacturing.

Both the THT and CC versions of the DRAGONFLY feature the opportunity to inspect one or both sides of the board, which is conveyed on a standard SMEMA compliant rail conveyor, driven by an intuitive and streamlined management software which will allow commissioning and application program development in a few hours. The DRAGONFLY technology will be made available to Seica customers also with possible customized solutions, to promote the best integration in the existing automated production lines. Additional conveyors, buffers, loaders/unloaders dedicated to boards for repair, in-line or stand-alone repair stations, are also available allowing for a complete customization of your SMT, and repair lines.

The Drafonfly CC Next Series line has all of the capabilities needed for an implementation in any factory 4.0 Scenario, providing the possibility to plug in any proprietary or third party information systems to achive the desired goals.

Testing welds.

The rapid testing of resistance-welded spots, independent of defined test plans, is the subject of the “Free Testing”. Creating task-oriented test plans requires comprehensive information about the component to be tested and its possible weak points. The PHAsis.one ultrasonic inspection device is the ideal tool for testing in the laboratory and in production.

The PHAsis.one manual testing device by VOGT Ultrasonics was developed for precise testing of resistance-welded spots. It's ideally suited for the inspection of 2- or 3-layer joints with a single sheet thickness of 0.7 – 5.0 mm. 121 ultrasonic elements in an 11 x 11 matrix grant for a physical resolution more precise than 0.35 mm for the inspection of the nugget diameter. The imaging display guarantees a reliable evaluation of the test results. The generated cross section of the spot weld with colored depth imaging of the welded areas shows defects such as pores or a nugget that is too small.

In the „Free Testing“ mode, spot welds can be testes according to the motto “Quickly check the spot welds of component XY”. In contrast to the inspection according to a test plan, all ultrasonic and evaluation parameters are freely adjustable. The test personnel can either freely set all parameters – which requires ultrasonic inspection know-how – or access stored data sets; in this case he only has to select the material and the material thickness in the device menu. The latter is done when frequently identical materials have to be tested in order to avoid having to readjust each time. If not known, the individual sheet thickness can be determined directly with the wall thickness measuring function of the system.

To prepare a test plan, all spots welds of a component are often tested manually in an optimized sequence. The “Free Testing” mode is an ideal tool for this, because all data, sequences and results can be saved and transferred to a new test plan.

With the PHAsis.manager software, a test plan for a subsequent serial testing can be created on the PC based on the data obtained. This inspection plan is then synchronized to the relevant inspection systems and used by test personnel who require much less ultrasonic know-how. The user-friendly PHAsis.device test and evaluation software optically supports the user in the ideal alignment of the probe and thus contributes to measuring reliability.

PHAsis.one provides the user with information about the nugget diameter and detects the residual wall thickness of the welded area. The sound attenuation through structural transformation is also provided as a possible evaluation criterion for a zinc adhesion bonding.

#VogtUSonics #PAuto #TandM

New e-Book on robots introduced!

A new e-book titled Service Robots, is the most recent offering in the Generation Robot series, part of Mouser's Empowering Innovation Together™ program.

Featuring a foreword by celebrity engineer and Mouser spokesperson Grant Imahara, Service Robots provides examples of how service robots differ from collaborative robots, presenting familiar robot forms we already see around us, as well as emerging trends in service robotics. Topics in the e-book include anatomy of a service robot, a companion robot for the International Space Station, and the challenges of creating an appendage with the dexterity of the human hand.

“In this new e-book, Mouser’s engineering experts give readers a sense of what to expect from service robots, with articles that appeal to engineers and non-engineers alike,” said Kevin Hess, Senior Vice President, Marketing at Mouser Electronics. “Previously in the Generation Robot series, Mouser and Grant investigated the rise of collaborative robots: robots that work side by side with humans. In this e-book, we see what happens when those robots are more autonomous.”

The Generation Robot series, hosted by Imahara, features five videos filmed in locations around the world, highlighting the people, companies and machines that are changing how we view and interact with robots. The series showcases everything from robotic theory to real-world robotic use cases that seem like science fiction but are, in reality, a glimpse at how we will navigate in an equally human and robot world. The Generation Robot series is supported by Mouser suppliers Analog Devices, Intel®, Microchip Technology and Molex.

Since 2015, Mouser's Empowering Innovation Together program has been one of the most visible and recognized programs in the electronic component industry, featuring projects ranging from 3D printing objects in space to the amazing benefits of technologies that are Shaping Smarter Cities. For 2018, Mouser's goal is to reach even more innovators around the globe with the Empowering Innovation Together program through the focus of how robots impact humanity.

With its broad product line and unsurpassed customer service, Mouser strives to empower innovation among design engineers and buyers by delivering advanced technologies. Mouser stocks the world’s widest selection of the latest semiconductors and electronic components for the newest design projects. Mouser Electronics’ website is continually updated and offers advanced search methods to help customers quickly locate inventory. Mouser.com also houses data sheets, supplier-specific reference designs, application notes, technical design information, and engineering tools.

@MouserElecEU #PAuto #Robotics @TechWireIntl

Space saving Ethernet switch.

Advantech has introduced an 8cm high EKI-2525LI Ethernet switch aimed at applications where space is a critical issue for users.

The EKI-2525LI is an unmanaged 5-port Ethernet switch in an ultra-small enclosure whit fits in the palm of a hand, making it the ideal solution for environments with limited space, such as electronic control panels, cabinets, and high-density industrial plants.

Compact devices such as PLCs typically have a height of only approximately 10 cm. Conventional Ethernet switches however, are usually taller than this, resulting in a waste of space. The EKI-2525LI overcomes this and can be easily fitted into a rack-mount cabinet to maximise space utilization and provide a simple and immediate upgrade for industrial IoT applications.

The EKI-2525I can also be fitted into any already-wired electronic cabinets, racks or shelves where extra connectivity and communication services are require but space is limited, providing businesses with key infrastructure upgrades.

In additionally the EKI-2525LI can serve as an embedded device in any working equipment, such as kiosk, AGV (automated guided vehicles), and CNC machines, thus ensuring smooth data transmission between embedded devices and thereby promoting seamless information communication.

@GlobalAdvantech #PAuto @AdvantechIA

Base station analysis.

PIM over CPRI software for Anritsu's BTS Master™ MT8220T and MT822xB handheld base station analyzers has been introduced. This allows passive intermodulation (PIM) measurements to be made from the ground for the first time. By eliminating the need for network operator installation and maintenance crews and contractors to climb the tower to test for PIM, the new BTS Master-based solution is a much more cost- and time-efficient tool for ensuring optimal operation of wireless networks.

PIM over CPRI is a unique and patented PIM measurement technique that uses live traffic, unlike traditional RF PIM measurements that require a site be turned down for tests to be conducted. All that is required for PIM over CPRI to be performed are two Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) transceivers and an optical tap. Another benefit is that no component in the transmission line needs to be disconnected, eliminating the possibility of PIM being introduced into the system due to elements such as metal shavings or improperly torqued connectors.

If the BTS Master with PIM over CPRI capability detects PIM at the ground level, the network operator can dispatch a tower crew to perform a traditional RF PIM measurement using the Anritsu PIM Master™ MW82119B battery-operated, high power, portable passive intermodulation analyzer. For rooftop base stations where PIM is detected, the Anritsu PIM Hunter™ test probe can be used. If the system is PIM-free, the network operator can conduct other tests to locate issues affecting the site, such as interference.

The BTS Master handheld base station analyzers combine 30 analyzers into one to meet virtually every measurement need at a base station. It includes 20 MHz bandwidth modulation for high-quality testing; a vector signal generator with frequency coverage of 400 MHz to 6 GHz for comprehensive DAS and receiver testing, and sweep modes for reliable interference hunting and analysis. A convenient touch screen GUI allows measurements to be performed quickly and easily, even in bright sunlight.

@AnritsuEMEA  #TandM #PAuto

CO2-neutral power.

Though not automation as such we though our visitors might be interested in this "alternative fuel" story. Silent Power claims to be the solution for sustainable energy supply & that provides environmentally friendly peak electricity in the right place and at the right time. Though on their website they are seeking investment, their concept is interesting  from a technological viewpoint and there are links to many interesting papers and application.

Silent-Power (Projects) Ltd. (Silent) is a company that produces and installs both industrial and modular synthesis plants for renewable methanol. It is working to bring its modular plants to private homes. 

Silent’s synthesis plants are able to create renewable methanol by pulling CO² directly from the air, rather than refining the fuel from natural gas. These plants can be placed in strategic geographic locations to capture emissions from waste incineration plants or other CO²-emitting facilities to help minimize the impact of their activities. Upon synthesis, the CO² is bound in the methanol which can then be used as fuel - creating a highly versatile CO²-neutral energy supply.

The mini power plants are called Econimo, take up only a few meters of space and can be placed just about anywhere. The plants produce no smoke, smell or dust particles and run at close to 80% efficiency. The current batch of Econimo units are producing 30kW of electrical power and 60kW of heat. Due to their lower carbon footprint, these combined heat and power systems are a recognised solution to curb CO2 emissions in power production, and are eligible for subsidies in certain jurisdictions, such as Germany.

Methanol contains about half the energy of the same volume of gasoline, so more fuel is needed, but cost-wise, methanol still works out to be cheaper than gasoline.

Iceland has been testing methanol-powered cars and has achieved very positive results.

If the U.S. were to enact a standard requiring new cars to have the ability to run on all-alcohol fuels including methanol, both natural gas and renewable methanol could compete with oil in the liquid fuels market. The open fuel standard coalition is working towards that goal.

In China, automakers like Chery, Geely and Shanghai Maple, have all introduced vehicles capable of running on methanol. Methanol technology has been in development for over 40 years in China. China showed its commitment to develop methanol fuel by issuing national standards for its production in 2009. The main advantage of methanol over diesel is that it produces fewer pollutants when burned, and no particle emissions or tar at all. As a C1-fuel, Methanol is directly turned to CO² when burned.

Interestingly, race car drivers frequently cite the benefits of methanol, because it not only burns cooler and cleaner than gasoline, but is less flammable. And while it has less energy content than regular gasoline, it has a much higher octane rating, which means that engines can be constructed with a higher compression rate. This in turn increases the efficiency of the engine, partly compensating for the lower energy content.

Dragster racing still uses nitromethane, and Methanol fuel is also used extensively in drag racing in general, primarily in the Top Alcohol category, while between 10% and 20% Methanol may be used in Top Fuel classes in addition to Nitromethane.

@Silent_Power__ #PAuto #Automotive #Environment

Speaking the language of intelligent buildings!

The BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL),  have confirmed that the automation software zenon by Copa-Data complies with the criteria of the BACnet standard. Entry onto the international list of products conforming with the standard and receipt of the BTL certificate affirm the reliable communication between zenon and other systems and devices in building automation.

Copa-Data project team (LtoR)– Helmut Weber, Markus Wintersteller and Lewis Williams

Each building is equipped with technology that fulfills a variety of tasks. The spectrum here ranges from heating, air conditioning, ventilation and sanitary systems to lighting management, lift monitoring, energy management or access control. To make sure that the different technologies can exchange data with each other, they need to speak the same language. BACnet, the international communications protocol, is primarily used for networks in building automation. To guarantee reliable and flexible communication in zenon projects in the area of building automation, COPA-DATA developed the native BACnetNG driver about ten years ago.

Markus Wintersteller, Technical Product Manager at Copa-Data, explained: “Our zenon BACnet driver had been communicating flawlessly, yet it did not comply with any profile description in terms of the BACnet standard. Along with increasing expectations from modern buildings and the growing trend in smart buildings, the BACnet protocol has become more and more important. The certification of zenon BACnet connectivity is a fundamental factor for us to be independent in this area as well.”

Speaking the language of intelligent buildings
The international BTL Listing attests that zenon 8.00 complies with the BACnet Operator Workstation Profile, or B-OWS Profile for short, of the ANSI (American National Standards Institute)/ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) standard 135-2012. To comply with one of the three profiles for user interfaces, products must meet certain criteria, such as setting values. On the basis of a profile, handlers can better classify the capabilities of a system or device in the BACnet environment.

Lewis Williams, Technical Consultant at COPA-DATA, adds: “zenon was carefully examined on the basis of the BACnet test framework outlined by the independent inspection body MBS GmbH from Germany. In the process, zenon standard functionality such as the equipment model has been of great benefit; it brought advantages to the tests and accelerated them. We want to provide our customers with top flexibility and reliability in their projects. Therefore, we had already developed our own BACnet stack early on. We are pleased to know that an independent laboratory has rewarded our efforts with a positive test report, achieving a certificate and entry into the BTL Listing.”

@BACnetIntl #BuildingAutoSys 

Supporting clean drinking or process water.

The new Memosens CCS50D chlorine dioxide sensor is part of a new platform from Endress+Hauser which supports safe and effective disinfection for clean drinking water, pathogen-free cooling water and high-quality process water

Systematic disinfection is an essential step in water treatment and legally required in many areas to protect people and systems from illness or damage. However, high doses of disinfectants such as chlorine and chlorine dioxide can be toxic, which means compliance with limit values for those disinfectants is also very important. The Memosens CCS50D chlorine dioxide sensor helps to achieve a safe and efficient disinfection by providing stable and fast measured values.

The chlorine dioxide sensor features a convex membrane made of dense, dirt-repellent material which prevents soiling and makes it extremely resistant to biofouling. Ultrasonic welding of the membrane to the sensor cap ensures its integrity, preventing dilution of the electrolyte. This guarantees long-term stable measurements and gives a plant manager the security that the disinfection process is running smoothly and the required results are achieved. High stability naturally also reduces maintenance.

Drinking water is a precious resource. That’s why minimum water loss is an important factor in drinking water preparation. Memosens CCS50D is able to deliver reliable disinfection measurements at low flow rates. In combination with the Flowfit CCA151 assembly, for example, the required flow rate is as low as 1.3 gal/h (5 l/h), which means only a minimum amount of water is consumed in the bypass and the required disposal capacities are reduced.

Many skids in the food & beverage industry use chlorine dioxide for disinfection. These skids provide only small-volume samples for dosing control. Thanks to its special membrane design, Memosens CCS50D provides a fast response time and supports precise dosing of chlorine dioxide even in these skids, leading to safe disinfection and cost savings for chemicals.

The chlorine dioxide sensor is equipped with the proven Memosens technology by Endress+Hauser. Memosens allows for direct commissioning of new sensors without further calibration. During on-going operation, plant operators can pre-calibrate sensors in the lab, swap them into the process with plug & play, and thus continue measuring faster. Finally, contactless data transmission eliminates all measurement errors or even failures caused by humidity or corrosion.

Chlorine dioxide is more and more becoming a disinfectant of choice because its handling has become easier. Today, chlorine dioxide is available as a ready-to-use solution that does not require manual mixing or the application of chemical generators. Memosens CCS50D is the perfect sensor to support this trend. It helps plant managers comply with strict legal requirements on disinfection, whether it is in drinking water treatment, cooling systems, wash water for packed vegetables and salads, beverage production or desalination plants.

 @Endress_Hauser  #PAuto #Water

Interoperability, cybersecurity goals drive initiative.

The International Society of Automation (ISA) and The Open Group have agreed to a liaison Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate cooperation in advancing and harmonizing the development of a multivendor, interoperable, secure control architecture for application across the process industries. Activities will include sharing of best practices, document review and joint forums.

The Open Group is an industry consortium of more than 625 companies and organizations that develops open, vendor-neutral technology standards, and certifications. The new liaison agreement pertains specifically to The Open Group Open Process Automation™ Forum (OPAF), which is focused on developing a standards-based, open, secure, interoperable process control architecture.

ISA the member association of approximately 40,000 automation professionals worldwide, is best known for developing American National Standards in an open consensus process accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The Geneva-based International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has adopted many of ISA’s American National Standards as international standards.

Dennis Brandl

Key ISA/IEC standards on cybersecurity and enterprise-control integration are primary motivating factors in the agreement, points out Dennis Brandl (Pictured right), who is co-chair of the OPAF Standards Working Group and chair of the OPAF Technology Architecture Subcommittee.

“This MOU shows the commitment from ISA and The Open Group to develop open standards that implement the best practices in the industry,” states Brandl. “The widely used ISA/IEC enterprise-control system integration standards (ISA-95) and ISA/IEC 62443 standards (ISA-99) for the security of automation and control systems are key elements of the OPAF specifications.

"In addition, elements from ISA/IEC standards on alarm management (ISA-18), process safety (ISA-84), and batch process control (ISA-88) are being considered for inclusion as part of the OPAF specifications. We look forward to both groups working together to provide the best solutions and best practices that the industrial community needs in the new world of smart manufacturing.”

Brandl is a long-time leader and primary editor in the development of the ISA-95 series of standards on enterprise-control system integration, which are adopted internationally as the IEC 62264 series. He also serves on ISA’s Standards & Practices Board, as does Don Bartusiak, Chief Engineer, Process Control with ExxonMobil Research & Engineering, who is the co-chair of OPAF.

Ed Harrington, Forum Director of The Open Process Automation Forum, says, “This is another tremendous milestone for the development of process automation globally. We are honored to be working directly with ISA to grow our collaboration and vision of the many industries vested in automation, which are critical to vital sectors of our economy. This is also a key step in our move toward the creation of a framework and a standard for process automation, which aims to deliver tangible benefits to multiple sectors, and we are looking forward to progressing along this journey with ISA as a collaborative partner.”

• ISA will host an upcoming meeting of OPAF 11-13 September 2018 in Research Triangle Park, (NC USA).

#PAuto @ISA_Interchange @TheOpenGroup

Serving the food & drink sector.

ABB has appointed Darcy Simonis to the position of industry network leader for its food and beverage operations. She succeeds Markus Brettschneider, head of segment and account management who previously held the role.

Darcy Simonis

Darcy joins ABB from Pentair, where she has held several roles since 2002 including food services sales director for the Americas as well as platform director for food and beverage. Darcy most recently held the role of senior sales director leading the food and beverage and industrial teams in the Americas.

In her new role at ABB, Darcy will continue to develop and strengthen ABB’s global food and beverage business. She will drive the ambitious growth plan together with the food and beverage country and business leads to achieve a market leading position for ABB in the industry over the next three years

“I’m very excited to have such a fantastic opportunity to lead ABB’s global food and beverage network, and I am looking forward to being part of a technology partner which is helping F&B customers power, automate, and digitalize their plants, processes, and production,” said Simonis.

“The food and beverage industry has been slow to adopt digital technologies within the manufacturing process, however it is our job to educate and inform them on how Industry 4.0 technologies can truly revolutionize proc-esses, improving both efficiency and profitability. Exciting times lie ahead for the industry and I’m pleased to be part of it.”

“Darcy brings with her a deep knowledge of the food and beverage industry, with an OEM’s background and per-spective,” added Markus Brettschneider, head of segment and account management. “Together with the country food and beverage teams and our growing customer base, Darcy is well positioned to lead and grow our food and beverage business.”

Simonis will be based Chicago, Illinois, in the United States.

@ABBMeasurement #PAuto @ABBUKInst  @ABBgroupnews

Ethernet to the Field!

Organizations are cooperating to promote developments for Industrial Ethernet to expand use of EtherNet/IP™, HART-IP™ and PROFINET™ into hazardous locations in the process industry.

FieldComm Group, ODVA and PI (Profibus & Profinet International) have joined together to provide an update on developments that are underway to realize an advanced physical layer for Ethernet that can be used in process automation and instrumentation to connect field devices in remote and hazardous locations, commonly referred to as “APL.” The organizations were joined by representatives from suppliers of process instrumentation and controls in order to provide a well-rounded perspective on the benefits of an advanced physical layer for end users in the process industries, as well as discuss the actions being taken to complete the work needed to realize APL in process field devices.

They have announced the publication of a joint white paper, “Ethernet to the Field,” which lays out the vision and timeline for the realisation of an Ethernet technology suitable for use in remote and hazardous locations founding in the process industries. The organizations foresee that the first Ethernet-connected field devices for use in hazardous locations should appear in 2022. To achieve this result, the organizations are seeking to leverage the work currently underway in the IEEE 802.3cg Task Force, which is developing amendments to the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard for an Ethernet physical layer operating at 10 Mb/s over single-pair cable. Because of good progress for the specification of the long-reach solution (10BASE-T1L), it is planned that the IEEE 802.3 standard will include 10BASE-T1L by the end of 2019.

Experts of the APL project have already started the necessary additional developments to define the requirements and develop the necessary technology to achieve an Industrial Ethernet suitable for use in hazardous locations up to Zone 0, Division 1. To get the necessary approval, the experts work closely with a certification body for intrinsic safety to validate the developed Ex protection concepts and to prepare for standardization in the IEC.

Because the future developments for an advanced physical layer for Industrial Ethernet will provide significant benefits to end-users in the process industry at current & future events.

 @FieldCommGroup @ProfibusUK #PAuto #Fieldbus, @AllThingsPROFI 

Stepping stone between wireless sensor and IT system.

The Sensor Bridge from .steute's "Wireless" business unit is a new and key component for its wireless network sWave-NET®. As a classic middleware, this software interface processes all messages received from wireless switching devices in the field and bundled by access points. The Sensor Bridge then relays these messages to applications registered specifically for this purpose.

Installation of the sWave.NET® Sensor Bridge in a factory closes the gap between the high security requirements of a production hall on the one hand, and the integrated world of digital services on the other. The Sensor Bridge acts as a "translator" between different protocols and the administration level of the sWave.NET® wireless network.

Simplified data integration, safe local pre-processing, as well as detailed statistics of use, are further functions of the Sensor Bridge, qualifying it as a central data hub for state-of-the-art production environments and digital business models in industry.

Thanks to the universal connectivity of the interface, the sWave.NET® Sensor Bridge can be integrated in every kind of production environment. The range of supported protocols is continually growing and currently includes e.g. REST (XML/json), http(s) Notifications and MODBUS TCP, all without the need for additional hardware.

First applications for the sWave.NET® Sensor Bridge are being realised in E-Kanban systems and in the communication between automated guided vehicles (AGV) and their superordinate control systems.

#.steute #Transportation #PAuto

Leader on the edge!

Adlink Technology has been named Edge Computing Company of the Year in the sixth annual Compass Intelligence awards. The awards honor the top companies, products, and technology solutions in mobile, IoT and emerging technology industries. The company won its award in the category of IoT Data.

“It’s an honor to have Compass Intelligence publicly recognize all our hard work in this area,” said Steve Jennis, senior vice president at Adlink. “Processing at a network’s edge makes data available without increased latency and bandwidth or exposure to security risks. As this becomes increasingly important in a growing number of industries, Adlink will be there to help companies apply this technology to reduce costs and improve performance and productivity. We’re happy to be acknowledged as a leader in this area.”

Adlink, a global leader in Edge Computing,  reduces the complexity of building Industrial Internet of Things systems that balance the requirements for data availability both at the edge and in the cloud. The company is a Premier Member of the Intel® Internet of Things Solutions Alliance and has a strategic partnership with NVIDA to bring AI to the Edge. Adlink is an active contributor in many standards and interoperability initiatives , and the company’s products are available in more than 40 countries across five continents.

The Compass Intelligence Awards nomination process begins as industry players submit their picks in three primary award categories: Mobile & Wireless, IoT/Connected Solutions, and Bamboo Mobile, focused on sustainability. After the nominations are closed, more than 40 industry-leading editors, journalists, thought leaders and analysts vote on the award recipients. The 50 nominated awards and five Compass-selected awards identify the best among a number of technology products and services.

“In this ever-so-competitive tech environment, it is important to take note of companies like ADLINK that excel in the industry, and evaluate them with a neutral, third-party process,” said Stephanie Atkinson, CEO and founder of Compass Intelligence, the market acceleration research and consulting firm that has been guiding technology companies with actionable insight for more than a decade. “We are honored to announce this year’s award recipients and want to congratulate each and every one of them for the dedicated leadership, innovation, and accomplishments.”

@ADLINK_Tech  #PAuto #IoT @CompassIntel

Protecting PSUs in harsh conditions.

PULS Power DIN rail power supplies are inherently robust and deliver high efficiency, reliability and long service lifetime even under challenging ambient conditions. However, these properties can be diminished, especially in tough ambient conditions, for example high air humidity with a great deal of condensation and a concentration of conductive particles in the environment, where the attraction of dust particles may be due to electrostatic charge, etc. To ensure long-term reliability of a customer’s system under such conditions, power supplies with conformal-coated PCBs are recommended.

Marco van der Linden, UK Country Manager, for PULS comments, “This production technology means that users benefit from the highest quality protective coatings. Making sure our inherently reliable power supplies and system accessories are ideally equipped for use in challenging environmental conditions for electronics.”

Typical applications for conformal coated DIN-Rail power supplies includes systems with fan cooling, paper manufacturing and processing, agricultural operations, use in subtropical regions and protected outdoor, railway applications and construction vehicles.

PULS offers conformal-coated versions of all DIN rail power supplies, N+1 redundancy power supplies, DC/DC converters and DC-UPS/buffers. Many users who have experienced failures of conventional power supplies in their systems have already benefited installing from these conformal-coated devices and have been able to increase their system reliability.

A conformal-coated PCB prevents short-circuits that may be caused by particle deposits or moisture. Problems caused by corrosion on the conductor paths, components and solder joints are also overcome maintaining the excellent characteristics of the devices in terms of efficiency, reliability and lifetime.

To give users the best possible end result, PULS uses a special coating method based on a selective coating with a protective liquid film. This coating method is neither the traditional spray nor dip technology.

Compared to these traditional methods, selective coating is far more precise and delivers faultless results with a constant level of quality. The protective coating is applied as a thin layer of film. This eliminates any air pockets, which can occur with the wet spray method. Selective coating also prevents droplet formation which may result in uneven layers common when using dip coating.

The exact coating process is digitally stored for each coated PULS product. The programming controls the targeted application of the coating on the defined PCB areas, leaving out components that do not need to be coated and ensuring total repeatability of protection. The thickness of the coating layer always remains uniform. In addition, no masking is required to cover the components for this process.

@PULSPowerSupply #PAuto

Pluggable terminal blocks.

JPR Electronics is now stocking the CamBlock Plus range of screwless pluggable PCB mounted terminal blocks. CamdenBoss are renowned as a leading specialist manufacturer in the terminal block market, providing high performance engineered interconnection and enclosure solutions.

Paul Raynor, Director of JPR Electronics, commented, “CamBlock Plus addresses exactly what the market is looking for and it’s no surprise that this range has rapidly become the preferred option for customers as it maintains all the quality levels and approvals of the CamdenBoss’s traditional products and capitalises on Camden’s 35 plus years as a trusted brand. The CamBlock Plus series addresses highly competitive markets where cost savings are mandatory without the disadvantages of having to sacrifice quality or approvals.”

The CamBlock Plus range of PCB mounted terminal blocks are its flagship product range and is a comprehensive family of terminal blocks ranging from 2.54mm to 10.16mm pitch that offers customers lower prices without any compromises. The whole product range has UL and VDE safety approvals.

Two new product lines have recently been added comprising a 2.54mm pitch rising clamp terminal block with from 2 to 12 poles and screwless pluggable types covering 2.5, 3.5, 3.81 and 5.08mm pitch sizes also in 2 to 12 poles.

The two new CamBlock Plus lines extend the range to almost 50 styles in PCB, pluggable and screwless configurations, all designed to reap the benefits of CamdenBoss’s decades of expertise. Product ranges are now available rated from 10 to 57A with new types continuing to be introduced regularly.

@Jprelec #PAuto

Automation leaders to meet!

The largest French speaking city in the world outside Paris, Montréal, Canada, is host to this year's ISA annual governance event.

Ville de Montréal

The Annual Leadership Conference of the International Society of Automation (ISA) brings together Leadrrs in the Automation Profession from around the world to engage, share best practices, and network while enhancing the professional competence of the Society. They also hold a meeting of the Council of Society Delegates and recognise the best of the best at the Honors and Awards Gala.

All ISA leaders are encouraged to attend, including department and division vice presidents and directors, district and section leaders, Executive Board members, and members of all standing committees.

@ISA_Interchange  #PAuto #TandM #Canada

Accelerometer modules.

Silicon Designs (SDI) has introduced its Model 2422H low-voltage, specialty hermetic, MEMS variable capacitive accelerometer modules.

Available in eight unique models, with standard ranges from ±2 g to ±400 g, the Model 2422H series is expressly designed for zero-to-medium frequency vibration and acceleration sensing, in commercial and industrial applications where a hermetically sealed case and +5 VDC regulated power supply are absolute requirements. Design of the Model 2422H series incorporates Silicon Designs’ own MEMS accelerometer chip, for an enhanced bias and scale factor over temperature performance specification that is unmatched in the industry, along with excellent long-term stability. Modules are packaged in a rugged, IP67 rated, hermetically sealed lightweight titanium case, for added protection from moisture, dust, corrosion, and other contaminants. Units are easily mounted via two screws, adhesive, or a magnet. The IP61 rated connector of the Model 2422H meets IP67 requirements when sealed with a boot, sleeve, or heat shrink.

The Model 2422H series produces differential analog output voltage pairs (AON & AOP) which vary with acceleration. Signal outputs are fully differential about a common mode voltage of approximately 2.5V. Modules can support either a ±4V differential or 0.5V to 4.5V single ended output, for complete measurement flexibility. They can also respond to both DC and AC (0 to 2000+ Hz) acceleration. At zero acceleration, differential voltage output is nominally 0 VDC; at ± full-scale acceleration, it is ±4 VDC. Units are also relatively insensitive to temperature changes and gradients over a standard operating temperature range of -55°C to +125°C. Each accelerometer module is shipped directly from the factory fully calibrated and serialized for traceability.

All of Silicon Designs MEMS variable capacitive accelerometers and chips are 100% designed, manufactured, and tested at the company’s state-of-the-art facility in Kirkland, Washington, USA. This includes the manufacture of the chips and dies themselves. The completely vertically integrated manufacturing processes of Silicon Designs allow the company to offer high-quality products at still-highly competitive pricing, along with some of the industry’s shortest lead times. Standard model quantities can typically ship in less than two weeks.

#SiliconDesigns #Pauto