Monday 29 November 2021

SIL tool for intelligent servo drives.

Elmo Motion Control’s Platinum series advanced servo drives feature EtherCAT™ networking for ultra-fast machine synchronised single and multi-axis motion, and industry leading levels of functional safety. These impressive drives are now available with Elmo’s free-to-use Motion Composer2 tool allowing machine designers to easily develop, test and implement user-specific motion and machine control algorithms as drive level SIL (Software in the Loop) commands. 
Elmo Motion’s Platinum series advanced servo drives – available with Servo in the Loop (SIL) from Heason* technology 
Integrated as a module within MathWorks® Simulink® Real Time Workshop, Motion Composer2 features an assortment of servo performance, motion profiling, communications, and robot kinematics-based library blocks that are assembled, cross-compiled and downloaded to the Platinum drive. Enabling rapid time to market with fast performance-optimised algorithm development, individual library blocks are easily modified with comprehensive evaluation and system level simulation aided by ELMO’s EASII Application Studio.

The integration with the Real Time Workshop allows access to measurement devices such as inertial sensors, gyros and IMUs as well as a host of machine control I/O devices, hardware components, and sub-systems from a wide range of manufacturers. Users can develop their preferred communication protocols over serial links in real-time and kinematic transformations are easily designed and implemented.

This series covers four intelligent drive designs with single-axis as well as 4-axis servo capability. Through the range, typical continuous power levels to 2 kW and qualitative power levels to 5.0 kW are available (up to 22 kW coming soon). All Platinum series drives feature industry leading processing capability channelled through EtherCAT with cycling down to 100 microseconds. These impressive cycling rates provide the basis for unparalleled motion synchronisation and the potential for Software in the Loop processing provides a platform for extremely demanding high speed and high throughput motion-centric automation applications across industry, research, and defence. As well as their SIL capability, Platinum series drives also offer comprehensive functional Safety and FSoE certification. For straightforward application development, ELMO’s EASII Application Studio software also manages EtherCAT configuration, motion configuration, drive tuning, parameter recording, monitoring, and much more.

*With several years’ experience with Elmo Motion and supported by its own in-house design and build capability, the British distribution partner Heason supplies and supports Elmo’s full range of servo drives and controls as separate motion components or as part of custom-designed motion systems complete with positioning and drive transmission mechanics.

@heasonmotion @ElmoMotionContr #Pauto #Transportation

Melt shop productivity, savings & safety enhanced.

ABB has launched ABB Ability™ Smart Melt Shop, the first smart factory digital application of its kind for the metals industry. It is designed to increase melt shop productivity, save energy and improve employee safety, with payback within six months.


Benefits include:

Productivity
• 4-5 percent increased casting speed due to better superheat compliance
• Reduced tapping delays, in EAF or converter due to more efficient scheduling of cranes for ladle movement
• Better ladle management and maintenance planning thanks to access to historical data on all movements
• Increased manpower productivity since no manual intervention or acknowledgement is required

Energy efficiency
• 5 degrees Celsius less arcing per heat (batch) in ladle furnace using thermal models to accurately predict target lift temperature
• Improved decision-making thanks to forecasting of ladle movements and crane schedules

Safety
• Increased safety with less footfall in hot zones which would otherwise be needed to manage ladle and crane movement

Based on advanced digital algorithms, the new solution is unique in that it offers not only powerful real-time ladle tracking but also automated crane scheduling and a predictive thermal modelling engine. The tracking engine follows ladle movement via cranes and transfer cars in real time. Radar and laser positioning technologies provide accurate visualization while reducing hardware footprint and maintenance needs compared to radio-frequency identification (RFID) solutions. The automated crane scheduling includes job forecasting, route planning and automatic acknowledgement of jobs.

This will enable steelmakers to move towards autonomous operations by eliminating manual co-ordinations, with increased safety in hot zones due to lower footfall.

The thermal engine function uses ladle thermal history from the tracking engine and forecasted heat movement from scheduling engines to predict the thermal loss during ladle transfer and predicts the correct lift temperature at ladle furnace. This results in better superheat compliance at the caster, eliminating caster slowdowns, hence increasing productivity.

Steelmakers can expect ABB Ability™ Smart Melt Shop to help increase superheat compliance to enable 4-5 percent higher casting speeds to improve productivity and reduce arcing by 5 degrees Celsius per heat in ladle furnaces for increased energy and cost efficiency.

ABB Ability™ Smart Melt Shop has already been installed by JSW Steel Ltd, India’s leading steel company, where it has been integrated into a wider expansion at Dolvi Works plant in Maharashtra state. It is expected to increase the company’s EBITDA profit by around $2million per annum through 4 percent higher casting speeds, time savings of one working day per month and additional output equating to 24,000 tons a year.

“We’re proud to launch ABB Ability™ Smart Melt Shop – the first of its kind in the metals industry, enabling steelmakers to digitally connect all processes and moving equipment in the melt shop, achieving synchronized operations and removing bottlenecks in production capacity,” said Tarun Mathur, Global Product Manager, Metals Digital, ABB. “The digitalization of core processes will drive new levels of productivity, safety and sustainability outcomes for the metals sector.”

This application uses all standard communications protocols, employs ABB’s multi-layered defense-in-depth approach to cyber security and is compatible with both ABB and third-party systems.

@ABB @abb_automation @ABBmetals #PAuto #Digitisation

Thursday 25 November 2021

Actuator wins.

The Thomson Industries' Electrak LL electric actuator has won the Bronze Award in the 2021 Industrial Design, Engineering & Automation (IDEA*)! Awards Contest. The readers of the US magazines Machine Design and Hydraulics & Pneumatics voted the actuator as one of the most exceptional product innovations they believe will help them improve safety, productivity and operational efficiency.

They designed the Electrak LL actuator to last up to 600 kilometers, more than ten times the life of a standard actuator. It has an extraordinarily high duty cycle of 35 percent at peak load, with IP69K (static) and IP66 (dynamic) ratings. Key to its durability is the use of brushless motors as well as increased UV resistance, a long-life ball screw and nut assembly, and a manual override design. It can withstand temperatures ranging from -40° to +85°C (-40° to +185°F), and is CE and RoHS compliant, which makes it easier for operators to interact with and control operations in all environments.

“Our aim is to continuously improve our products around the needs of our customers and the market by combining well-proven knowledge and experience with cutting-edge innovation,” said Håkan Persson, Product Line Director - Linear Actuators at Thomson. “The Electrak LL is the result of that effort, and we are encouraged that the readers of Machine Designand Hydraulics and Pneumatics have recognised us for that.”

Due to their strong environmental resistance, Electrak LL electric actuators are well suited for outdoor applications such as pantographs, couplers, steps, access lifts and gravel bins. They also comply with railway regulations EN 50155, EN 60077 and EN 45545 and can be used on the factory floor for high duty cycle applications such as material handling and logistics.

* The IDEA! Awards were created to showcase excellent product developments, and highlight emerging trends and breakthroughs in the industrial manufacturing sector. The awards were presented in six categories: Automation & Software, Fluid Power, Machines & Components, Motors & Drives, Sensors and Motion Control, in which the Electrak LL actuator was nominated.

@Thomson_Ind @mfgtechshow @MachineDesign #PAuto #Design #USA

Flow into 2024.

Flow Research have been publishing studies for more than 20 years and have developed a flowmeter database that is like no other in the industry.

Flow Research spent most of 2021 developing the numbers for their new study that covers the entire flowmeter market, including all flowmeter types. The study is called Volume X: The World Market for Flowmeters, 8th Edition. This is their most popular study. It is accompanied by a new edition of Module A: Strategies, Industries, and Applications.

They have developed the data for this new study by researching all the flow technologies. A Coriolis study and three Ultrasonic studies, and a new positive displacement study were compiled. They are also working on a new turbine study as well as a new magnetic flowmeter study. They have also done extensive work on variable area and open channel meters. Finally, they are updating more recent studies on primary elements, vortex, and thermal meters to 2021.

There are some new touches to this version of Volume X, including illustrations (not just photographs) of the operating principles of the different flowmeter types. This study has two base years: 2019 and 2020, so that the effects of the pandemic on the flowmeter market as a whole and by flowmeter type can be revealed. The 2021 numbers reflect up to date input from this year, and the forecasts go through 2024.

Pre-publication discounts are available that will provide the market data needed today and going into 2022. This new Volume X study shows you the entire flowmeter market, and shows how the different flowmeter types fared during the pandemic. Forecasts through 2024 provide a basis for planning purposes. It is anticipated that this study will be available for shipping in December 2021.

Other studies may be paired with this , such as Coriolis, Ultrasonic, Magnetic, or Positive Displacement, in attractive bulk packages if desired.

@flowresearch #Pauto #Utility #Automation

Wednesday 24 November 2021

Visualising sound.

Ultrasonic leak detection camera. 

The FLIR Si124 industrial acoustic imaging camera produces a precise acoustic image that is overlaid in real time on top of a digital camera picture. The blended visual and sound image is presented live on screen, visually displaying ultrasonic information and allowing the user to accurately pinpoint the source of the sound.

Acoustic imaging is used for two primary purposes: air leak detection, and locating partial discharge from high-voltage systems. Using sound imaging from 124 built-in microphones, the FLIR Si124 can help professionals identify leaks and partial discharge up to 10 times faster than with traditional methods. 
Compressed air leak detection.
Compressed air is the single most expensive energy source across all factory types, yet up to one-third of that compressed air gets lost to leaks and inefficiencies. The human ear can sometimes hear an air leak in a quiet environment, but in a typical industrial environment it’s impossible to hear even bigger leaks due to loud background noise. Fortunately, the Si124 filters out the industrial noise, allowing professionals to “visualize” sound even in noisy environments. 

Partial discharge in high-voltage systems.
In electrical systems, partial discharge can lead to equipment failures and unplanned downtime. With the Si124, professionals can safely detect problems from up to 100 meters away and analyze discharge patterns. The camera classifies three partial discharge types, including surface discharge, floating discharge, and discharge into air. Knowing the type and severity of the discharge enables the facility to schedule maintenance to minimize failures and downtime.

What sets the Si124 further apart from other acoustic imaging cameras is the FLIR Acoustic Camera Viewer cloud service. Image captures are quickly uploaded over Wi-Fi to the cloud service and then immediately analyzed, providing the user in-depth information such as the size and energy cost of a compressed air leak, or the partial discharge classification and pattern of an electric fault. In addition, users get 8 GBs of storage and wireless data transfer capabilities, making sharing photos and data simple and efficient.

The Si124 requires minimal training and can be used one-handed. Through a regular maintenance routine, professionals can identify issues fast – helping utilities keep the power flowing and manufacturing operations going.

@flir @mepaxIntPR #TandM #PAuto #LeakDetection

PSU's offer superior performance and reliability.

High power density convection rated AC-DC power

SL Power Electronics (SLPE) has announced the launch of the NGB SERIES of high power density convection rated AC-DC power supplies.

Intended for applications including medical, industrial, audio broadcast and LED lighting the NGB series offers a wealth of application relevant features and is available in multiple formats and power levels including 250W, 425W, 660W and 1200W (with 150W & 800W being released soon), all with a single output from 12 – 56 Vdc.

Departing from the commonly used industry approach of optimising a design to require forced air cooling with fans, the SLPE NGB series offers customers increased reliability and eliminates acoustic noise. SL Power’s next-generation design focuses on optimising the convection rating performance and employs a scalable design strategy with highly customisable options including: enhanced digital monitoring and control, multi-output, cardiac float (cf), covers and fan covers.

Whether operating in a medical or industrial environment, the NGB series offers Class I and II inputs with the following attributes: high output stability across wide temperature range up to 50°C without derating, wide universal input voltage range from 80-264 Vac, high convection power rating (derated only at 90 Vac input voltages), lifetime extended by the use of >7year electrolytic capacitor life, Medical 4th Ed. and heavy industrial levels of EMC compliance meeting Class B emission levels with margins, approved to CSA/EN/IEC UL62368, IEC61326-1/UL60601-1, 3rd Edition and 3 Year Warranty.

Gary Baker, UK Country Manager for SL Power, comments, "By designing our new NGB series power supplies from the ground up we are able to meet the needs of today’s systems designers looking for high reliability and high output current stability over wide variations in operating temperature, which ensures the reliable performance of mission critical systems in medical, audio and Industry 4.0 applications."

@SLPowerSupplies @proactivefleet #PAuto #OEM 

Service contracts expanded.

Signal Group has announced the launch of a new flexible range of service contracts, which enable customers to determine the level of service required. “No two companies are the same,” explains Signal Group Service Manager Roy Kinslow, “so it makes sense for us to offer a tiered-package approach to service contracts.
“Our gas analysers are designed and built for accurate and reliable measurements, but in order to optimise performance, it is necessary to establish a planned maintenance and calibration routine. These new flexible service contracts therefore offer customers the ability to build resilience into their monitoring work; developing plans for unforeseen events and avoiding downtime.”

Each of the different service levels include full technical support via phone and email, but customers are able to choose whether their plan should also include features such as scheduled site visits and emergency call-outs. Each service plan also provides extra discount on spares and consumables.

@GasAnalysers @_Enviro_News #PAuto #TandM

Parliamentary committee requests info on remote continuous water quality monitoring.

The Westminster Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has requested written evidence from Meteor Communications as part of the committee’s ongoing inquiry into water quality in the rivers of Britain. The submission was timely because it was made while sewage spills were the subject of intense media attention, and after the Environment Act 2021 placed a new responsibility on sewerage undertakers to progressively reduce the impact of discharges from storm overflows.

“We have been following the EAC enquiry closely,” explains Meteor Technical Director Andrew Scott, “and with over 300 of our ESNET outstations currently monitoring UK rivers, we were concerned that some of the participants may not be fully aware of this technological capability.

“Conveniently, data from the Environment Agency’s pollution investigations were recently made public, so we were able to show the EAC examples of the ways in which our technology is able to continuously track the key signatures for different types of pollution, and how these can be correlated with events such as heavy rainfall; delivering legally defensible information.”

ESNET Systems in situ

Following an online meeting with representatives of the EAC, Meteor staff were asked to provide a written submission, describing the current monitoring networks and explaining how these could be upscaled to monitor downstream and upstream of sewage treatment works in England.

There are two main types of ESNET (Environmental Sensor NETwork) water quality monitoring system; a portable monitoring station, and a kiosk-housed pumped system for semi-permanent or fixed installations. The systems were developed to allow rapid deployment with no requirement for pre-existing power or communication infrastructure. As a result, high resolution, real-time, multiparameter water quality data can be obtained within minutes of deployment.

ESNET monitors are typically loaded with sensors for parameters such as dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, turbidity, ammonium, temperature, blue green algae and chlorophyll. However, it is also possible to include other water quality parameters as well as remote cameras, water level and flow, or meteorological measurements. The addition of autosamplers enables the collection of samples for laboratory analysis; either at pre-set intervals and/or initiated by specific alarm conditions. This is a particular advantage for water companies and regulators because it enables the immediate collection of samples in response to a pollution incident, which informs mitigation measures and helps to identify the source of contamination.

The EAC inquiry follows increasing concern about water quality in rivers, with just 14% of English rivers currently achieving ‘Good’ ecological status and no river rated ‘Good’ on its chemical status. It has also been reported that in 2020 there were over 400,000 discharges of raw sewage into English rivers.

Looking forward Andrew says: “All stakeholders are currently looking for ways to improve water quality in rivers, and effective continuous monitoring of receiving waters will perform a vital role in achieving that objective. In addition, the Environment Act 2021 places a new responsibility for monitoring the quality of watercourses into which storm overflows discharge.

“Water companies, regulators, consultants and water users can therefore be reassured that proven technology exists to better understand the factors affecting the quality of receiving waters.”

@MeteorComms @UKParliament @_Enviro_News #Environment #Waste #England

Appointments to fight climate change and develop mitigation strategies for severe weather.

As the world is seeking new ways to fight climate change and develop mitigation strategies for severe weather, OTT HydroMet’s British business has invested in two new positions to help meet that need.

Lewis Taylor
“Our technologies and data management solutions enable customers to monitor water resources and weather more effectively than ever before,” explains OTT HydroMet’s Robin Guy. “This means that we can play a role in not just monitoring the changing climate, but also helping to create severe weather warning systems that issue timely alerts to protect life and property. We have therefore recruited two new highly qualified and experienced business development managers that will offer customers the highest levels of support as they plan their monitoring and rapid response capability.”

Lewis Taylor will support old and new customers in the south, and Wendy Strain will cover the north.

Wendy Strain
Lewis has a first class degree in Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering from the University of South Wales, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Professional Engineering from Cardiff University. He has worked as a CAPEX and OPEX process improvement engineer on several major water projects, and has 15 years of experience in sales and project management for major industrial water customers.

Wendy has a degree in Applied Chemistry from Liverpool John Moores University, and has 15 years of experience in municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment, including 8 years in a consulting role; providing technical advice and training on mechanical and chemical water treatment.

“We are delighted to welcome these two talented individuals to our UK team,” adds Robin Guy. “The UK is already experiencing more frequent instances of severe weather, and COP26 has highlighted the fact that this situation is likely to worsen in the coming years. “We are therefore determined to help customers ensure that their monitoring networks are better able to detect issues such as intense rainfall, rising water, flooding and severe winds. These issues threaten lives and infrastructure such as highways, railways, buildings, industry and domestic housing, so Lewis and Wendy will be tasked with helping customers take advantage of the latest technologies in remote measurements, communications and data management software.”

@OTTHydromet @_Enviro_News #Environment #Britain

Waterproof managed Ethernet switch.

A new line of industrial M12 managed Ethernet switches - the LMP-1802G-M12-10G-SFP-67-24 and LMX-1802G-M12-10G-SFP-67 Series has been announced by Antaira Technologies.

The PoE Version
Their LMP-1802G-M12-10G-SFP-67-24 Light Layer 3 managed Ethernet switch series offers dependability and ease-of-use functionality in harsh industrial environments. The IP67-rated switch was designed specifically for industrial applications that are subject to high vibration and shock, water, and dust.

These switches offer 24 to 55VDC redundant power inputs through a 5-pin M12 K-coded male connector. The total power of 240W is available for supplying up to 16 IEEE 802.3af (PoE) & 802.3at (PoE+) devices. Built-in fault tolerance ensures against PoE system or PD overloads thanks to the PSE management system. In the cases of complete power failure, the LMP-1802G-M12-10G-SFP-67-24 uses bypass technology to keep data communication flowing even if the switch is offline.

Their LMX-1802G-M12-10G-SFP-67-24 Series has the same features as the LMP-1802G-M12-10G-SFP-67-24 Series except for the PoE functionality.

@AntairaTech #PAuto #Communications

Tuesday 23 November 2021

Footswitch!

Herga Technology’s 6256 series heavy-duty footswitch range is aimed at manual control tasks on industrial machinery where durability and consistent reliability are essential. The modular footswitch is available in single- or multi-pedal versions where a comprehensive selection of electrical power and switching options and a broad range of accessories ensure maximum working flexibility. 

For applications in especially hazardous environments where additional safety is vital the 6256 is available with a pressure point actuated cut-off feature that can be used to mitigate emergency situations. Should the operator actuate the pedal beyond the pressure point, the switching contact is broken, and the process is interrupted. With the footswitch locked an unintended restart is prevented. To reset the footswitch and re-enable the process the operator must first trigger the top mounted manual release button.

This version of the 6256 is also available with an optional feature that adds a mechanical resistance in the actuation path of the pedal, producing tactile feedback so that the operator can sense the instant the footswitch pressure changes. As well as its use in hazardous control tasks, the ‘DA’ feature is also used for processes that benefit from two-stage switching systems with different operational settings.

Herga’s economically priced 6256 series heavy duty footswitches includes other optional added-safety features. A built-in emergency stop fitted on the footswitch or on an extended pole arrangement allows increased machine safety close to the operator. A pedal lock version will prevent unwanted operation where the switching process needs to be disabled or restricted from improper handling.

Other accessories and options available for the 6256 series include a snap-on protective guard that accommodates safety shoe use whilst multiple footswitch expansion is made easy through an interlocking multipedal base link kit. Washdown and wet environmental use to EN 60529 can be met with an IP67 sealing kit. Extended base plates provide increased stability and pole & handle attachments make for increased portability and ease of operation.

Thanks to its modular design the 6256 offers a range of electrical switching options. These cover slow break & make and snap break & make to AC-15 6A 250V / DC-12 6A 24V (UL) as well as high power rating up to 25A 125/250V AC. 1HP 125/250V AC (with double pole change over contacts - 2 switches). Potentiometer and pneumatic versions are also available.

Built from high-impact injection moulded ABS, the modular design offers toughness and durability. The 6256 is featured in a demonstration video showing its calibre in a series of drop tests against competitive steel footswitches.

@HergaTechnology @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Manufaturing

Curtain up for new brand identity.

"Showcasing ourselves in a state-of-the-art way, with clear lines and a high recognition value!"

The Austrian sensor manufacturer, E+E Elektronik, has presented itself with a new corporate design. But the company is remaining true to its brand promise "your partner in sensor technology". Innovative products, cooperative relationships and sustainable action – this is what E+E Elektronik has embodied for more than 40 years.  Today, the Austrian sensor manufacturer is one of the world's leading suppliers of sensors for a wide range of measured variables. As a visible sign of its continuous development and advancing internationalisation, the company is now taking to the stage with a fresh corporate design.

Concise logo, clear message
While modernising the brand identity, care was taken to continue central key elements of the previous look. The new logo was reduced to its essential constituents. The familiar green "E+E" and the slogan "your partner in sensor technology" have been retained and shifted into the focus. With this core message, the company, which now has more than 400 employees, is underscoring its commitment to long-term partnerships with its customers, sales partners and suppliers.

Managing Directors Kindlhofer and Timelthaler

"Our promise 'your partner in sensor technology', means that we focus on our customers, business partners and employees alike. We live a partnership at eye level," say the two managing directors Heinz Kindlhofer and Wolfgang Timelthaler.

Committed to the new look
The worldwide changeover of internal and external communication media and channels to the new image is being rolled out gradually and with a view to conserving resources. In addition to its headquarters in Engerwitzdorf, the company now has six subsidiaries around the globe. The aim of the new branding is to create a consistent, clear and internationally comprehensible brand image.

"Thanks to our new image, we can showcase ourselves in a state-of-the-art way, with clear lines and a high recognition value. Over the years, we have continued to develop and expand our global presence. Now is the right time for us to use our new corporate design to communicate our brand promise even more strongly to the outside world and make it more visible," says the board.

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

#Epulse #Pauto 

Flexible power, signal or Ethernet connections in tight spaces.

Simplify the installation of machinery, automation and transportation cabling and connectivity.

The Harting Han® 1A connector is designed for power, signal or data transmission via a single compact design format housing. The range comes with angled or straight bulkhead mounting, as well as a panel surface mounted fixing frame for cable-to-cable mating. All achieved through its snap-in latch/lever locking mated plastic IP20/IP65 housings. 

The Han® 1A can accommodate power (10A to 16A @ 400V), signal (0.5A / 48V to 4A / 250V) and Ethernet data (M12 Cat 5 D-Code or Cat 6A X-Code insert) connection solutions, minimising BOM requirements and allowing lower piece stock costs. It also simplifies interface panel design through one standard panel cut-out. Snap-on colour coding clips allow part differentiation.

The Han® 1A Ethernet data version offers significant advantages over recognised M12 cabling solutions whilst allowing the use of their industry recognised and proven inserts. The inline free or cable to cable mounting frame mating allows the M12 Cat 5 D-Code or Cat 6A X-Code inserts to be mated without the optical alignment concerns of the normal M12 housing connectors. Hence, they offer the benefit of easier handling in tight, difficult to access spaces. This can be particularly beneficial behind thin panels in applications such as train carriage cabling.

Another key advantage for such transportation applications is that the cable-to-cable housings offer either IP20 snap-in latch or an additionally vibration resistant IP65 lever locked mating solution. Finally there is the extra benefit of saving weight per mated pair, thanks to the lightweight plastic housings, thus supporting the reduction of the train’s carbon footprint.

@hartinguk @HARTING #Pauto #Transport

Monday 22 November 2021

Major international show pronounced success.

Around 20,000 visitors from 70 countries attended productronica 2021

productronica was held on the fairgrounds of Messe München (D) on last week following strict hygienic rules: Exhibitors were required to be recovered from a COVID-19 infection, be vaccinated or have a negative PCR test result. Visitors had to be either recovered or vaccinated. A total of 894 exhibitors from 36 countries and about 20,000 visitors from nearly 70 countries attended this year’s edition of the world’s leading trade fair for electronics development and production. The share of international visitors among all visitors was around 60 percent in spite of all the restrictions.
Top 10 visitor countries!
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • France
  • Austria
  • Switzerland
  • Poland,
  • Israel
  • Spain
  • Turkey,
  • Netherlands

Statements from Exhibitors
Dr. Sandra Engle, speaker, German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association Productronic:- “Member companies of EMINT were pleased with productronica, even under the restrictions that applied to it. During the wide-ranging talks given at the Innovation Forum, visitors had an opportunity to learn about the topics that are moving the industry, including quantum technology, electromobility and innovative handling solutions for electronics production.”
Klaus Gross, Managing Director, FUJI EUROPE CORPORATION GmbH:- “Fuji was very satisfied with productronica 2021. First, we were quite pleased about the number of visitors we had. We had about 30 percent to 40 percent fewer visitors than in 2019. But this was still much higher than we expected. Second, the conversations we had were very high quality. In many cases, they were even paired with a specific investment project. We are also very happy about the opportunity the trade fair gave us to meet in person with customers after a two-year period of abstinence. It was quite a refreshing feeling after spending so much time with TEAMS, Webex, Zoom and co.”
Günter Lauber, the CEO of SMT Solutions Segment & EVPc, ASMPT:- “We are very satisfied. The atmosphere at our booth was really great. I believe one thing in particular: Now is the right time for hybrid trade fairs and events. We must also bring together the best of both worlds here, just as we have all learned to do in the past two years. This is also the case for productronica. Messe München created an exceptional platform here and applied an excellent safety concept as well!”
Ajit Manocha, President and CEO, SEMI:- “The return of SEMICON Europa, co-located with productronica, to an in-person gathering with the necessary health and safety protocols is a vital step forward for the microelectronics industry in Europe. SEMI is excited to again be gathering leaders with the brightest minds from across the electronics design and manufactur-ing supply chain to collaborate in addressing the many shared opportunities and challenges we face.”
Jürgen Ries, Managing Director, ASYS Automatisierungssysteme GmbH:- “We have seen in general that topics can be addressed well with digital formats – but these formats cannot completely replace in-person events. Following the long lockdown, we were extremely happy about the decision to hold productronica once again. productronica is definitely the leading trade fair for the electronics industry, and it means the world to us. Of course, we were a little worried about the number of visitors who would attend due to the worsening coronavirus situation. We were more than pleasantly surprised by the number of visitors, and the quality of our conversations was excellent.”
Christoph Stoppok, Managing Director, the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers Association’s ELECTRONIC trade association:- “productronica was one of the few in-person trade fairs to be held this year. It was very positively received by exhibitors and visitors alike. Exhibitors and visitors really enjoyed their encounters with other people, their interesting conversations and the chance to really develop and cultivate business relationships. The pandemic has certainly given digitalization a tremendous boost. But digitalization will never be able to replace personal encounters. It can only complement them. In this regard, exhibitors and visitors are looking forward to other trade fairs in Munich.”

Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer, Deputy CEO of Messe München, expressed his satisfaction with the trade fair: “We are really very happy that we could hold productronica as an in-person event. As you might expect, this year’s exhibition turned out to basically be Europe’s leading trade fair. But its appeal extended well beyond the region of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, as the large number of visitors from Italy, France, Israel and Turkey demonstrated.” Barbara Müller, the Exhibition Director of productronica, added: “productronica underscored its position as a leading trade fair for the industry.”

Attendance more important than ever
Rainer Kurtz, the Chairman of the Advisory Board for productronica and the CEO of Kurtz Holding, agreed with Barbara Müller: “productronica demonstrated once again that it is actually something more than the leading trade fair for electronics production.” Elaborating on his experience with the in-person event, he added: “For our customers and business partners, there is no alternative to personal contact. The industry lives from this showcase of innovation. Considering the current pandemic situation, we think the trade fair was a complete success.” Thilo Brückner, the CEO of EMINT productronic, a trade association of the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association, expressed his satisfaction with the event: “productronica was a very successful trade fair for EMINT and its members. Visitors, many of whom came from European countries outside Germany, had specific projects in mind and showed just how important in-person trade fairs are.” Volker Pape, a co-founder and member of the Supervisory Board at Viscom AG, stressed one other point: “We are happy that we could meet face to face with our customers once again and make live presentations of Viscom technology, even amid all of the restrictions. productronica proved its importance as a leading trade fair even in these times. The number of visitors was certainly below the levels seen during ‘normal’ times, but it was still much higher than expected.”

productronica Innovation Award
For the fourth time, Messe München joined with the publishing company Hüthig Verlag to present the productronica Innovation Award. The 60 nominations for the award, the winners of which are traditionally honored on the first day of the trade fair, demonstrated that the industry possesses an immense amount of ingenuity even amid today’s unsettled times. Cluster “Cables, Coils & Hybrids”: Schleuniger AG
Cluster “Future Markets”: Koh Young Europe GmbH
Cluster “Inspection & Quality”: Alfamation S.p.A.
Cluster “PCB & EMS”: IO Tech
Cluster “Semiconductor”: AP&S International GmbH
Much tradition, a premiere: “productronica online”
“productronica online,” an addition that helps exhibitors and visitors digitally connect to one another, celebrated its premiere. The platform went online for the first time on November 8 and will remain online until November 26. All individuals taking part in the in-person event in Munich automatically had access to it. About 5,000 participants had used this new service by the final trade fair day.

• The next productronica will be held from November 14—17, 2023, at the fairgrounds in Munich.


@productronica #Pauto #Production #Germany

Evolving into success in Europe.

Launched officially in December 2018, EVOLVE is a €14 million innovation action comprising of 19 organisations from 11 European countries.

EVOLVE platform at BULL/Atos headquarters
The EVOLVE project is funded by the European Union under Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. It aimed to take concrete steps in bringing the big data, high-performance computing, and cloud worlds in a unique platform that increases the ability to extract value from massive and demanding datasets. EVOLVE is European Commission’s answer to the unprecedented data growth currently experienced.

Back in 2017, when EVOLVE was designed, proposing a software environment to ensure the convergence of Cloud, HPC and Big Data was already a complex task. But once a software layer is able to conceal the border between these worlds, nothing prevents it from hiding more, in EVOLVE’s specific case the hardware heterogeneity of the platform, from the computing elements to multiple storage tiers. The rise of virtualization and the need for convergence was easy to predict, but betting on the right technologies was much harder.

EVOLVE’s consortia has been supporting from the start containers, micro-services and notebooks as key enablers for convergence. The market has proven EVOLVE right. EVOLVE was an early adopter of the AI wave, and rode this wave quite continuously (which means rewriting some applications, in Tensorflow, then Pytorch, then TF2) during the last 3 years.

The platform is now a success. EVOLVE’s converged heterogeneous platform is on-line with innovative applications fully ported and the results at scale have been fully demonstrated through several pilots and use cases. Application end-users can now drive everything through a notebook interface, and thanks to an array of microservice they can orchestrate complex pipelines and visualise their results.

The project itself has led to more than 36 scientific contributions, which means 1 scientific paper (conference, workshop and journal) per month. Some of these papers were published in the most prestigious conferences or journals. Together with other projects funded by the same H2020 ICT call a book was written on the topic of “HPC, Big Data, AI Convergence Towards Exascale – Challenge and Vision."

Additionally, during these three years, EVOLVE has been an innovation incubator it was designed to foster innovation, with a state-of-art platform and a consortium made of a carefully balanced selection of industrial and academic partners. The project has delivered at least 12 innovations. Some are already on the market, such as Earth Observer, or are hosted by the Linux Foundation; and some are helping to address global challenges, for instance you can check the climate.gov website powered by the visualization technologies matured in EVOLVE. The project has achieved many things on-premise, within the data-centre, and now the new frontier is on the Edge and in the Fog. This trend is already addressed by some of EVOLVE's innovations, such as DataShim to transparently move a container jointly with its data set; or MemoPort to accelerate multi-cloud transfer. The whole list of innovations is available on EVOLVE’s website here.

With the project now ending in November, the project coordinator Jean-Thomas Acquaviva from DDN Storage France remarks: “We hope that EVOLVE innovations will bear the heritage of this great moment spent between multiple organizations across Europe... and get ready for the next one!”

@Evolve_H2020 @EU_Commission @NOAAClimate #Research #Innovation #Europe

Thursday 18 November 2021

Welcome goodies!

Schneider Electric is giving away a free welcome goodie pack to all electricians who sign up or log into mySchneider on the web and complete their profile information.

This ongoing offer has already seen 2,000 welcome packs sent out, with approximately 500 of those being given to electricians in the last couple of months.

mySchneider web aims to provide the electrical community with one-stop-shop access to training, tools and business advice, as well as exclusive discounts and special offers. After completing all profile details, electricians will automatically be upgraded to ‘Premier Partner’ level – with further benefits including a badge for branding and invitations to focus groups.

Nico Van Der Merwe, VP Home & Distribution Britain and Ireland at Schneider Electric, said “We are delighted to offer electricians a free welcome pack through mySchneider. Our mySchneider electricians are the beating heart of the electrical industry and we are constantly striving to come up with ways that we can support them. I hope they enjoy the packs!”

Sign-in or Log-on here

@SchneiderUKI @SchneiderElec @teamlewisglobal #Electronics #Pauto 

5g Over-The-Air technology vehicular test.

The world’s first 5G OTA*1 RF test system has been developed by Anritsu in partnership with Toyota‘s and their investment in MVG*2 OTA test environment using Anritsu 's Radio Communication Test Station MT8000A.

“To deliver a full-vehicle OTA test solution that meets the needs of current and future vehicle testing, we needed to integrate a radio communication test system supporting 5G frequencies. We believe that MVG OTA test environment combined with the Anritsu MT8000A is the right combination to meet the test needs of tomorrow's connected vehicles.” said Per Iversen - MVG Chief Technology Officer

Realizing autonomous driving requires simultaneous communications with the surrounding environment, including other vehicles, road infrastructure, networks, etc. In particular, introduction of 5G supporting large-capacity, low-latency, massive connections are key technology to transferring the large data volumes generated by various sensors, such as vehicle cameras, as well as for 3D high-definition mapping data. Consequently, car manufactures, and Telematics Unit suppliers are pushing forward with development of 5G communications products.

The developed 5G communications products are installed in vehicles as the “connected car”. However, before release, the connected vehicle communications performance must be tested and verified in an OTA environment simulating the actual environment as possible.

Now, Anritsu and Microwave Vision Group (MVG) have partnered to deliver the MT8000A and OTA system to Toyota as the world’s first 5G vehicle OTA RF test system.

Product Outline
The all-in-one Radio Communication Test Station MT8000A is a 5G base-station simulator for 5G RF*3 and protocol measurements as well as application tests. It supports high-order 4x4 MIMO*4 and carrier aggregation*5 (8CA) technologies for fast, large-capacity communications. As well as focusing on smartphone testing, it covers a wide application range, including 5G communications function tests and evaluations of antennas and high-frequency parts.

To characterize an antenna, it is necessary to measure its radiation patterns to determine how well, and in which direction, it radiates. To quickly obtain reliable 3D radiation patterns, antenna performance tests are moving towards Over-The-Air (OTA) test solutions to obtain fast and reliable measurements at the system level. For OTA measurements, the tests are performed through a radio communication tester and are conducted using a near-field measurement method in an anechoic chamber to block external electromagnetic fields and to simulate realistic and complex RF scenarios. Addressing the complexity of measuring highly connected vehicles, MVG offers OTA measurement solutions specifically designed for the complete verification of automotive wireless performance. Thanks to a high precision positioning system (controller and turntable) continuous on-the-fly measurements can be performed. This allows for quick and accurate measurement of directivity, gain and efficiency.

[*1] OTA - Abbreviation for Over-The-Air technology for sending and receiving data via wireless communications.
[*2] MVG - Abbreviation for Microwave Vision Group.
[*3] RF - Abbreviation for Radio Frequency used as carrier in electromagnetic spectrum for wireless communications signals.
[*4] MIMO - Abbreviation for Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output; wireless technology for improving communications quality by using multiple antennas in both transmitter and receiver. 4x4 MIMO uses four antennas each for Tx and Rx.
[*5] Carrier Aggregation - Technology for implementing faster and stable communications to send and receive data over one wireless communications circuit by aggregating multiple different frequency bands; 8CA uses eight frequency bands.

@AnritsuEMEA @Anritsu @NapierPR #Automotive #Test

Showcasing the value of measurement.

The Sempre Group, is attending the National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference and Exhibition taking place in Dublin, on November 23 and 24, 2021(Stand K06). They will exhibit a range of metrology equipment and consult the Irish market on how integrating metrology into production can improve productivity and ensure compliance.

This year’s exhibition will mark the first physical event that The Sempre Group will attend in Ireland since opening its first Irish office earlier in the year. At the 180 square metre office, Ireland-based commercial manager, Jason McGlynn and service and application engineer, Paul Cullen, provide local support to customers. The showroom houses a range of metrology equipment from a broad supplier base and also acts as a training centre for Irish manufacturers who require more detailed system knowledge.

At the exhibition, visitors will be able to see how Optical CMMs, such as the Micro-Vu and shaft measurement systems like the Opticline help improve repeatability and accuracy for industries that require high volume, compliant and quality parts, such as medical and aerospace. The Arkite Human Interface Mate, an optical projection system that guides operators with augmented reality (AR) instructions. The Gelsight 3D topography measurement system, a handheld tool that accurately measures surface roughness and defects, will also be on the stand.

To help manufacturers develop a centralised data system, simplify reporting and compliance and improve productivity The Sempre Group also offers a range of quality management software solutions. High QA Inspection Manager automatically extracts geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) data from a model, identifies critical dimensions and auto-populates reports. Manufacturers can also use Prolink software to assess the collated data and automated reports, which helps them to make more informed decisions.

“Attending more events in Ireland enables us to listen to our potential and existing customers in that area to better understand their metrology needs,” explained Jason McGlynn. “Irish manufacturers, particularly in medical and aerospace applications, which want to improve data collection, quality compliance and productivity can visit our stand to see how our equipment, experts and local facility can support their individual needs. For example, at the event we’ll have one of our bespoke rotary fixtures. Manufacturers can use these fixtures to streamline the metrology process, hold components steady and remove thousands of manual interventions, reducing costs and time required for measurement.”

@TheSempreGroup @NationalMSC @StoneJunctionPR #Metrology #PAuto  #Ireland 

Gas meter modules for a sustainable future.

Multi-gas meter modules measure pure hydrogen, hydrogen blends and natural gas

The Sensirion SGM64xx is the first gas metering module on the market able to measure any gas mixtures, including pure hydrogen, blends of hydrogen, biomethane and natural gas types H, L, and E. Therefore, no meter replacement nor any firmware update will be required for meters that feature the SGM64xx product line when natural gas is gradually or fully substituted with hydrogen. Since replacing even a small fraction of meters currently in use is significantly more expensive than installing multi-gas capable meters today, utility companies can rest easy and cut future costs significantly.

Proven technology for years

Thermal-mass technology has been proven over the years by more than six million meters in the field and billions of hours of reliable metering. Two third-party studies confirm the long-term reliability of this technology for applications in extreme environments. These studies investigated gas meters that were in the field for more than a decade. All meters operated well within the accuracy limits set for field operation, and most of them met the requirements placed on brand-new gas meters. In addition, Sensirion’s gas meter modules are certified according to the EN 14236 and OIML R 137 standards, with EN 17526 certification on its way. These evaluation certificates facilitate MID approval for gas meter manufacturers.
Carbon neutrality, sustainability and the reduction of CO2 emissions are the main global trends in the energy sector. Our current gas infrastructure must be prepared for the arrival of renewable gases. In one example, starting in 2025, all new gas boilers installed in Britain will have to be compatible with pure hydrogen. Similar requirements for gas meters are expected to follow shortly after. These meters will be ready for whatever the future holds.

The SGM64xx is based on the proven and reliable SGM63xx platform, and brings it to a new level by extending its measurement capabilities to pure hydrogen. This is achieved via an augmented calibration procedure, which otherwise does not introduce any changes to the product’s mechanical, electrical and software interfaces. Furthermore, the hydrogen flow ranges supported by SGM64xx are three-times higher than those of natural gas, which guarantees a compact meter size no matter the hydrogen content.

Gas meters incorporating thermal-mass modules are the best choice for the transition towards a sustainable future. Sensirion’s gas meter modules provide excellent measurement performance and robustness at ultra-low power consumption levels. Therefore, they are suitable for residential and industrial applications covering flow ranges from G1.6 to G25.

@sensirion #PAuto #GasMetering

Manufacturing and IIoT advanced analytics software appointments.

Seeq Corporation's board of directors has appointed former chief operating officer Dr. Lisa J. Graham, PE as chief executive officer, effective immediately. Former CEO and co-founder Steve Sliwa will remain at Seeq in an advisory role as vice chairman and co-founder. Seeq also appointed Ashley Kramer to the company’s board of directors.

Lisa Graham (Top)
Ashley Kramer
Leveraging Dr. Graham’s experience driving innovation in the process industries and with IIoT-focused organizations, she will focus on reinforcing a strong culture, while rapidly scaling the organization to achieve growth and revenue goals.

Graham previously served as COO and VP of Analytics Engineering at Seeq, where she played an instrumental role in executing the company’s vision to fuel the digital transformation of the process industries. This required empowering Seeq's customers to bridge the gap between their operational technology and information technology teams through the use of easy-to-use, advanced analytics applications. Prior to joining Seeq, Graham served as CEO and founder of Alkemy Innovation, an engineering services company. She also served as COO and SVP at Bend Research, now part of Lonza.

“We recognize that this is a crucial time in Seeq’s evolution, and the board of directors strongly believes that Lisa’s combination of skills will take Seeq to the next level,” said Pete Higgins, founding partner of Second Avenue Partners and chairman of Seeq’s board of directors. “She has made supporting and growing this organization and its people her daily focus since coming to Seeq, and we look forward to supporting her passion and focus as we embark on this next chapter.”

In 2021, Seeq experienced significant growth, including the announcement of a $50 million (€44) Series C funding round, recognition from Frost & Sullivan’s 2021 North American Technology Innovation Leadership Award for Seeq Data Lab, and the expansion of its products and capabilities—providing Graham with significant momentum.

“I am honored to step into the role of CEO at such a pivotal time in our company’s growth,” said Dr. Graham. “I look forward to working with the Seeq team and its board of directors to continue accelerating our business growth, while delivering great value to every one of our customers.”

The board of directors will work alongside Sliwa and Graham to ensure a smooth and successful transition. “The board would like to thank Steve for his leadership in building an outstanding team, developing market leading technology, and exceeding our growth goals over the last eight years,” said Higgins. “We look forward to his continued involvement in guiding the future of our company as vice chairman of the board.”

In parallel, Ashley Kramer has been named to the board of directors, bringing more than 15 years of experience to Seeq, gained during scaling of hypergrowth companies. Kramer serves as the chief product officer and chief marketing officer at Sisense where she is responsible for leading its go-to-market and product strategy, brand awareness, and revenue growth. Previously, she held positions as senior vice president of product for Alteryx, where she drove the company's transformation to a data science platform, and global head of cloud for Tableau, where she built the company’s fastest-growing and only SaaS product from the ground up.

"Ashley has an impressive track record and we’re eager to have her join the board,” according Higgins. “Her expertise in big data technology platforms and product strategy will be invaluable to our board as we continue to grow and scale our business.”

"I am passionate about data and analytics, and particularly enjoy working with companies like Seeq that enable organizations to easily leverage analytics applications to improve their business outcomes,” said Kramer. “I look forward to bringing a new perspective to the board and joining Seeq on their growth journey

@SeeqCorporation #Paut #IIoT

Cybersecurity standards designated to a wide range of industries.

The International Society of Automation (ISA) and the ISA Global Cybersecurity Alliance (ISAGCA) are proud to announce that the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has officially designated the IEC/ISA 62443 series of standards as “horizontal,” meaning that they are proven to be applicable to a wide range of different industries.

According to the IEC decision, “The IEC Technical Committee 65 (TC 65) publishes IEC 62443 for operational technology found in industrial and critical infrastructure, including but not restricted to power utilities, water management systems, healthcare, and transport systems. These horizontal standards, also known as base standards, are technology independent. They can be applied across many technical areas.”

“The ISA99 committee of the International Society of Automation (ISA) and IEC Technical Committee 65 Working Group 10 have been collaborating on the development of the ISA/IEC 62443 cybersecurity standards for industrial automation and control systems (IACS) cybersecurity for many years. While broad applicability has always been the intent, there has been a common perception that they were most appropriate for process industries such as chemicals and refining,” explained ISA99 Co-Chair Eric Cosman. “Despite that perception, there have been several examples of successful applications in other sectors, such as transportation, building automation, metals and mining, and discrete manufacturing. It’s ultimately best for users if they can rely on one set of sector-agnostic standards, and we are very happy to receive the IEC decision to designate the ISA/IEC 62443 series as horizontal standards.”

The ISA/IEC 62443 series of standards is the world’s only consensus-based cybersecurity standard for automation and control system applications. These standards codify hundreds of years of operational technology and IoT cybersecurity subject matter expertise. Using the ISA/IEC 62443 series of standards as a foundation, companies can focus on adopting security as part of the operations lifecycle, ensuring compliance with various aspects of the standards across their supply chains, and including cybersecurity in operational risk-management profiles.

“While this news might seem like a procedural detail, it will have significant implications,” said Cosman. “Various other IEC technical committees that represent the needs and interests of specific sectors will presumably base their cybersecurity-related efforts on what is in the 62443 standards, focusing on defining how they should be interpreted and applied in a given set of circumstances. This will almost certainly lead to the creation of a set of sector-specific profiles for this purpose. To help in this effort, TC65 WG10 is developing guidance on how to develop such profiles, rather than pursue sector-specific and perhaps inconsistent standards. Guidelines, frameworks, training materials, and other resources can also take on a more general focus, incorporating the needs of many sectors.”

The designation of the ISA/IEC 62443 series as a horizontal standard will have many benefits to stakeholders: 

  • Asset owners who have a presence in or exposure to more than one sector will be able to align their cybersecurity programs, leveraging ISA/IEC 62443 as the one single source for the fundamental principles and requirements of automation cybersecurity
  • Automation system suppliers will be able to certify their products for a broader range of applications, using a common set of conformance specifications based on 62443
  • IEC TC 65 WG 10 and the ISA99 committee will be able to focus their efforts on collaboration and advancement of the series of standards, especially around current demands in areas such as IIoT, sensor-level security, and supply chain risks
  • The ISA Global Cybersecurity Alliance (ISAGCA) and its 50+ member companies will partner with asset owners and suppliers to build relevant, applications-focused materials to enable companies in different sectors around the world to adopt and implement the series of standards at scale

“The member companies of the ISA Global Cybersecurity Alliance have long believed in the broad applicability of the ISA/IEC 62443 series of standards,” said ISAGCA Chair Megan Samford,  “We could not be more excited to see this news from IEC, because it echoes and confirms the work we’ve done. This series of standards is the only complete set of practices and security capabilities that can be applied to consistently assess and improve cybersecurity for operational technology systems, and our members stand ready to help companies all over the globe implement it successfully.”

@IECStandards @ISA_Interchange @IrelandISA #Pauto #ISAGCA #Cybersecurity 

Wednesday 17 November 2021

Pushbutton module ensures efficient and economic switching.

Big topics of discussion within the lighting sector include sustainability, energy efficiency, low cost systems, connectivity and convenience through flexibility. One solution to address these issues, is the wireless and battery-free ZF RF pushbutton module.

For the connection between lighting components and pushbuttons in buildings, cables are the established solution. This variant seems to be cheap and simple to install at first. Unfortunately, the initial low maintenance can quickly turn into an expensive undertaking. Installing cables creates inflexibility. As soon as it comes to modifying buildings updating cables between lights, actuators or sensors, it involves a huge effort and cost. Renovations require planning, knocking down walls, laying new wires and returning the building to its previous state.

A sustainable alternative based on RF and completely free of batteries and wires is available from ZF. This concept eliminates the disadvantages of wired and battery powered systems. A tiny and compact generator (20.1 x 7.3 x 14.3 mm) produces enough energy by pressing the button by means of induction, so that it can reliably transmit RF commands to a paired receiver. As a wireless solution it guarantees flexibility and the possibility to retrofit easily according to individual requirements. As a battery-free solution and with a lifetime of 1,000,000 switching cycles, maintenance and disposal requirements of battery replacements can be avoided.

The RF light switch module from ZF is the only one which is directly compatible with the RF standard KNX-RF and it supports the RF standard EnOcean3.0 too. In cooperation with onsemi, ZF has published a reference design for an Energy Harvesting Bluetooth5.0® Low Energy switch and a first demo light switch module. It is compatible with standard frames and can also be combined with customer-specific control and design panels.

@zfswitch_sensor #Domestic #Automation

Industrial weighing catalogue.


The new Mettler-Toledo 2021-22 Industrial Weighing Catalog will help  quickly envision an efficient, cost-effective solution that meets all weighing and processing needs. Their complete product family combines the broadest range of globally approved and supported industrial weighing and processing solutions to help meet the toughest manufacturing challenges.

@mettlertoledo @Mettler__Toledo #PAuto 

Appointment to strengthen methane emissions reductions.

NevadaNano has announced that Naren Prasad joined the company to guide the Hardware enabled SaaS products to reduce methane emissions. Naren will serve as Chief Product Architect and Delivery Officer.

Naren Prasad
“As one of the original developers and innovators of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure industry, Naren has a long history of enabling disruptive transformation in the IoT world,” said Ralph Whitten, CEO of NevadaNano. “He will be a tremendous asset to NevadaNano as we continue to drive innovation in the gas sensing industry, by providing products to reduce methane and refrigerant emissions worldwide.”

Naren brings nearly 30 years of experience to NevadaNano during which he worked in software development for both new and established companies. Throughout his career he has led product development teams to define new business strategies and initiatives and deliver world leading products. 

He has held leadership roles for market leaders including Landis+Gyr, eMeter Corporation (now part of Siemens), and CellNet Data Systems (acquired by Schlumberger). He holds a patent for Message-Bus-Based Advanced Meter Information System with Applications for Cleaning, Estimating and Validating Meter Data. He earned his B.Tech. CSE from the National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli (IND).

@ReachNITT #NevadoNano #PAuto #Environment 

Gas detectors protect workers and property.

Gas detectors trigger alarms for toxic and combustible gases across wide areas.

Two new open path gas detectors have been introduced by Emerson which increase safety and reduce downtime by offering performance reliability over wide areas in extreme environments and an easier, faster installation and commissioning process. Extreme environments include both heavy vibration conditions and operating temperatures ranging from -55C (-67F) up to 65C (149F) degrees commonly found in the oil and gas, refining, chemical, mining and large-scale refrigeration system operations.

The Rosemount™ 935 Open Path Combustible Gas Detector uses infrared technology to detect a wide range of highly combustible hydrocarbon gases, including methane, propane and ethylene. In the oil and gas industry alone, 22% of all fatalities come from explosions (combustion or fire) and exposure to hazardous gases, according to the latest statistics from the CDC’s (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

The Rosemount 936 Open Path Toxic Gas Detector uses ultraviolet technology to detect hydrogen sulphide and ammonia, two of the most common toxic gases in industrial facilities. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration considers hydrogen sulphide immediately dangerous to life and health at 100 ppm. Ammonia irritates skin, eyes, nose and the respiratory tract at 130 ppm. Both gases are fatal after exposure at certain levels.

Leveraging xenon flash technology, the Rosemount 936 enables greater installation flexibility versus the tunable diode laser (TDL) technology which needs perfect alignment between beam and receiver for high reliability. With nearly twice the tolerance for misalignment than TDL, users can save up to 30% of installation time and streamline project schedules.

Open path detection technology uses a source and a detector. The source sends a modulated light beam across the monitored space, and the detector senses the amount of light absorbed by the presence of gas. This approach provides a high degree of coverage across wide areas up to 200 metres (656 feet) in length with accurate measurement, even if the toxic or combustible gas cloud is drifting at any point between the devices or when 95% of the light beam is obscured by fog, rain or smog. The system also will alert if the path is blocked completely by a physical obstruction.

Both Open Path Gas Detectors can be used in combination with Emerson’s full portfolio of flame and gas detection products as part of a comprehensive safety system to ensure quick and positive detection. Many facilities benefit from the use of multiple technologies to achieve maximum protection.

@EMR_Automation @Rosemount_News @CDCgov @HHC_Lewis #PAuto