Monday, 23 March 2026

Appointment at major distributor.

Maintaining customer interaction with real people who can respond pro-actively to their needs.

Callon O'Keeffe has been appointed to the role of Business Development Administrator (BDA) with Lane Electronics. The appointment is in response to continued business growth and Lane Electronics’ key strategy of bringing new talented staff on board to maintain customer interaction with real people who can respond pro-actively to their needs

Callon is qualified in General Engineering, including electronics, with diplomas from Chichester college. A team player, Callon is responsive to customer’s needs and provides a reliable source of information. He is interested in emerging and evolving technology, enjoys problem solving and values creativity while working collaboratively and building strong relationships. Outside of work he enjoys the countryside and has a passion for travelling and experiencing different cultures

Nick Wheeler, Sales Director of Lane Electronics, says, “As a business development administrator, Callon’s primary objective is following up and assisting with quotations and working alongside our internal and external sales teams. Continuing to build direct relationships with our customers he will be able to help integrate our wide range of products and high levels of customer service and supply adaptability, adding value to our customer’s supply chains."

Lane Electronics have been supplying connectivity solutions for over 50 years; their RF and Fibre-Optic connector and cable assemblies are widely used in defence and security applications. The company is a franchised distributor for many of the industry’s leading electrical and electronic connector manufacturers including EATON Souriau, CINCH Fibreco, HUBER+SUHNER, HellermannTyton, Positronic, Nicomatic and LEMO.


@FC_Lane @proactivefleet  #PAuto #Electrical

Friday, 20 March 2026

Standard for distributed workflow system integration.

The International Society of Automation (ISA) has issued a call for participants to join the new ISA113 Standard Committee, a strategic initiative focused on defining a specification for integrating distributed workflow systems across multiple vendor platforms.*

The ISA113 Standard Committee is being formed to address a growing need for improved interoperability across workflow systems used in industrial organisations. Many teams face a significant burden from bespoke, one-off integration projects required to connect workflow systems. ISA113 aims to create a standard that bridges workflow styles, decouples workflow logic from where work happens, establishes action-based integration for operational technology (OT)/IT workflows and builds a foundation for multi-system orchestration.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is to publish the official call for ISA113 committee members today (20 March 2026)

. The call for interested parties will remain open for 30 days following this publication date. Individuals with relevant expertise and interest in contributing to this effort are encouraged to participate.

One particular area of emphasis for the committee’s work will be enabling interoperability between orchestrated workflows and choreographed workflows. Orchestrated workflows, such as ISA-88-style hierarchical procedures and phases, are widely used in industrial automation and batch control environments. Choreographed workflows, which are common in Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN), manufacturing execution systems (MES) and broader business process environments, support more distributed and event-driven process coordination. As organisations undergo digital transformation, they increasingly rely on both styles, and the need for seamless integration between them has become more urgent.

“The goal of initiating the ISA113 Standard Committee is to help bridge OT/IT workflow styles,” said Steve Ferguson (right), managing director of standards and technical activities at ISA. “This work has the potential to help organisations improve efficiency, reduce integration risk and support more scalable digital transformation initiatives. A vendor-neutral standard can also foster greater collaboration across suppliers, end users, integrators and software providers.”

ISA welcomes participation from end users, automation suppliers, software vendors, system integrators, consultants and other stakeholders with expertise in workflow systems, industrial automation, MES, BPMN and standards development. Broad representation will be essential to ensuring the resulting standard reflects diverse industry needs and delivers practical value.

Those interested in helping shape the future of distributed workflow interoperability are encouraged to respond during the 30-day ANSI call period.


For additional information or to express interest, contact standards@isa.org.

@ISA_Automation @ansidotorg @ISAIreland @automation_com #PAuto #ISA113 #Standards

Touch-protection keeps users safe.

High-current meets high safety.

Robot-human interaction can be a complex field with high safety requirements. Especially when dealing with high-current solutions, the emphasis on user safety cannot be strong enough.

One important aspect is increasing user safety, the other one is keeping product advantages at the same time. That’s why ODU’s new ODU-MAC® Silver-/White-Line high-current modules come with extra features. Up to 255 A and 2.5 kV (PD 2) call for an increase in clearance and creepage. Additionally, IP2X touch-protection has been added to the pin side.

While this optimisation is necessary for any high-current application, the modules have more advantages by using ODU LAMTAC® Flex contacts: a minimum of 100,000 mating cycles and decreased mating forces of up to 10 N.

The benefit for the user: a safe, highly reliable and durable high-current interface, making it ideal for use in AGVs/AMRs, where the ODU-MAC® SilverLine is the interface between robot and the station, or high-power applications in general. Of course, the new modules can be combined with regular ODUMAC® Silver-/White-Line modules to create a modular connector specifically adapted to any customer requirement.


@ODU_Connectors @UnnGmbh @PresseBox #Robotics #PAuto

Thursday, 19 March 2026

Thermographic bundle!

Limited-time campaign initiative gives all-in support.

Under the mission "Smarter Thermal Imaging Starts Here," Flir is pairing its world-class hardware with a comprehensive suite of extended protection, cloud-integrated software, and professional-grade training to ensure every user moves from unboxing to expert-level operation in record time.

The campaign centres on the idea that a powerful camera is only the beginning. Throughout the first half of 2026, purchasers of any eligible Flir Exx-Series or Txxx-Series camera—including all E76, E86, E96, and T5xx or T8xx models—will receive an all-in support package at no additional cost upon product registration of the camera. 

This premium bundle includes a Flir Protect extended warranty that brings total coverage to five years, alongside a choice of high-tier data management tools. Customers can opt for an 18-month Assetlink multi-tenant subscription for advanced fleet coordination or a one-year Ignite Pro license for seamless cloud storage and reporting. To round out the ecosystem, every bundle includes a two-hour instructor-led course from the Infrared Training Centre (ITC), providing users with the specialised knowledge required to maximise their technological investment.

“Our customers are investing in the safety and reliability of their entire operation, not just a piece of hardware” said John Gould, Business Development Director at Flir “By bundling our flagship handhelds with five years of protection, professional software, and expert training, we are removing barriers to expertise and ensuring our users feel fully supported from the moment they open the box”

Flir has also reimagined the registration process to be entirely frictionless for the end-user. Every eligible product box now features a unique QR code that directs customers to a serialised landing page. This intelligent link automatically pre-populates the camera’s serial and part numbers, eliminating the need for manual data entry. Once the one-click registration is completed via the Flir Customer Portal, users are immediately provided with direct redemption links and promo codes to claim their benefits, with all fulfilment handled directly by Flir.

This limited-time initiative is available for eligible Exx, T5xx, and T8xx models purchased and registered until June 30th, 2026. While the promotion covers the core professional handheld range, it does not apply to the T1k-Series.


@flir @mepaxIntPR #TandM #PAuto

Wednesday, 18 March 2026

Automising batch production.

Perfect Batch is an Ai-powered manufacturing analytics solution launched by TwinThread. It is designed to optimise batch production processes by empowering manufacturers to standardise and consistently replicate their best performing or “golden batches”.

Unlike legacy systems that rely on passive alerts and static manual settings, Perfect Batch applies industrial AI to dynamically identify ideal batch profiles from historical data and actively recommend actions for increasing efficiency. This enables organisations to rapidly shift from reactive firefighting to proactive optimisation in a matter of weeks – not months or years.

Perfect Batch At-a-Glance

  • Rapid Speed to Value: Perfect Batch connects to existing batch execution systems and automatically interrogates past data to build digital twins and apply models in hours.
  • Dynamic Perfect Profile Learning: Instead of setting limits manually, Perfect Batch dynamically learns ideal control limits and process centerlines, based on actual process capability and historical performance.
  • Unlocked Hidden Capacity: Granular cycle time analysis identifies bottlenecks and lost production time, facilitating capacity improvements from existing assets without new capital investment.
  • Optimisation by Exception: Automated alerting and issue diagnosis empowers operations teams to focus on solving problems, without getting bogged down with endless troubleshooting and investigations.
  • Optional Closed-Loop Action: Thread Builder, a real-time workflow engine that works with Perfect Batch, automates anomaly responses, performs automatic diagnoses, and can trigger specific corrective actions automatically.
  • Automated Compliance: Tailored for regulated industries, Perfect Batch provides automated material tracking, quality and yield conformance, and audit-ready histories.

Perfect Batch furthers TwinThread’s position as a complete industrial AI platform. By continuously monitoring and simultaneously optimising five key dimensions—utilisation, cycle time, quality, process control, and yield—operations teams gain actionable intelligence that helps them drastically reduce investigation times, minimise waste, and accelerate continuous improvement activities. Available in both Simple Batch and Complex Batch tiers, the solution scales easily to meet the needs of process manufacturers of all sizes.

“This solution’s core promise is to empower operations teams to deliver the ideal batch every time, regardless of recipe, shift, or variations in raw materials,” says Erik Udstuen, co-founder and CEO at TwinThread. “By completely automating the discovery of hidden capacity and enabling proactive optimisation, we are giving manufacturers the power to eliminate inconsistencies and maximise financial performance of their existing assets.”

Beyond the plant floor, Perfect Batch helps drive strategic and collaborative alignment across organisations’ entire manufacturing portfolios by providing a global view of asset utilisation and batch making performance. As a result, the platform serves as a single source of truth for cross-functional teams. This offers a common lens that operations teams, engineering teams, and supply chain leaders can all use to identify, prioritise, and proactively execute improvement initiatives that optimise the deployment of capital across the supply network.


@twin_thread #Ai #PAuto 

Energy saving VSDs

The launch of its Vickers by Danfoss Variable Speed Drive (VSD) solutions in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa has just been announced. The Vickers by Danfoss portfolio features induction motor and servo motor VSD solutions, offering a broad range of power, dynamics, and control options. The VSDs save energy, cut costs, reduce heat and noise, and simplify configuration and commissioning. The modular offering fits most industrial hydraulic application needs and machine types, with particular relevance in discrete and process manufacturing.

Comprising a hydraulic pump, electric motor, and frequency drive with control logic, Vickers by Danfoss VSD systems improve the energy efficiency and performance of hydraulic machines by intelligently varying the speed of the electric motor and pump to precisely match the demands of the duty cycle. This smart control technology eliminates the energy waste associated with traditional constant-speed systems, resulting in energy savings of up to 60%, depending on the machine’s duty cycle. Lowering energy consumption reduces operating costs while helping machine owners meet energy efficiency and/or sustainability targets.

The Vickers by Danfoss induction motor VSD solution features the PVM Code B axial piston pump, Danfoss VLT® AutomationDrive FC 302, and an asynchronous induction motor. Designed for systems with low dynamic and control requirements, the solution is suitable for 3- to 250-kilowatt applications (higher than 90 kW engineered to order). It offers speed and flow on demand with open-loop control. In comparison to traditional constant-speed architectures, the induction motor VSD system can reduce energy consumption by 20 to 40%, depending on duty cycle.

This servo motor VSD solution features the VGPS internal gear pump or PVMX axial piston pump (the latter currently engineered to order), a PMSM (servo) motor, and a Danfoss iC7-Automation drive, including proprietary p/Q control software for closed-loop pressure/flow control. Designed for systems with high dynamic and control requirements, the solution is suitable for 3- to 100-kW applications. It offers pressure and flow on demand with closed-loop control. The easily configurable p/Q control logic offers simple setup and integration, shortening design, installation, and commissioning time. The servo motor system can reduce energy consumption by 30 to 60%, depending on duty cycle. It can also simplify machine architecture and complexity, as the precise and highly dynamic pump speed control enables the elimination of separate pressure and flow control valves.

Both the induction and servo motor VSD solutions lower heat generation and reduce overall noise exposure. By improving energy efficiency, VSDs minimize heat generation, enabling downsizing or elimination of oil coolers and delivering lower total installed costs. Reducing heat also extends the life of seals and oil. When the motor and pump operate at lower speeds, the machine operator and those working nearby are exposed to less noise. Quieter operation enhances workplace safety and operator comfort, offers greater design flexibility in terms of power unit placement, and may reduce secondary noise reduction measures.

Vickers by Danfoss VSDs enable the downsizing of pumps and motors to cut costs and reduce space requirements. Because the system can utilize the full motor speed range rather than running at a fixed speed, pump displacement can be significantly smaller without changing the maximum available oil flow. A pump with smaller displacement requires less torque to deliver the same pressure, and because the high overload capability of electric motors can be used to deal with the short high-torque portions of the duty cycle, a smaller motor size can be selected. The smaller motor and pump shrinks the machine's footprint and installed power while improving the total cost of ownership.

“The superior performance of Vickers by Danfoss Variable Speed Drive solutions is rooted in seamless integration. Danfoss drives are a perfect fit for hydraulic VSD systems, resulting in a harmonized system that is easy to commission and operate,” said Juraj Bittner, Product Manager, Industrial Solutions, Danfoss Power Solutions. “By combining the durability and reliability of Vickers by Danfoss pumps with the intelligent control of Danfoss drives, our VSD systems deliver a powerful, efficient, and cost-effective solution for modern hydraulic applications.” These VSDs are ideal for a wide range of industrial hydraulic applications. They are especially suited to discrete and process manufacturing applications with intermittent duty cycles in which peak power is not required most of the time, such as injection molding, rubber molding, machine tools, presses, die casting, metal forming, and food processing.


@Danfoss @NapierPR #PAuto

Industry first for next generation optical comms.

Multicore fibre evaluation solution.

Anritsu has developed the industry’s first* Multi Channel fibre Tester MT9100A, enabling transmission quality evaluation of multicore fibres supporting next-generation high-capacity optical communications. While the test solution has been offered exclusively in Japan since last November (2025), its official global rollout has now been announced.

This test solution is based on the multi-channel OTDR method invented by Special Honorary Professor Masataka Nakazawa at Tohoku University. By synchronising multiple Optical Time Domain Reflectometers (OTDRs), this method measures both the transmission and return losses in multicore fibres, as well as measures and visualises the distribution of signal interference between cores (inter-core crosstalk) along the fibre length. This test solution with four OTDR channels, provides powerful support for applications such as verifying optimal installation conditions during R&D, and high-speed inspection tasks required by manufacturing.

Development background
The recent proliferation of AI and cloud services has driven a continuous increase in transmission capacity for optical communications linking submarine cables and data centers. However, the transmission capacity of conventional optical fibre is nearing its limits. As a solution, “multicore fibres,” which independently accommodate multiple cores (optical transmission paths) within a single fibre, are gaining attention.

Research on multicore fibres has been conducted since the 2000s. Anritsu has collaborated with Tohoku University, a pioneer in this field, to develop measurement methods using the multi-channel OTDR method. For the practical application of multicore fibres, quality evaluation including core-to-core crosstalk and technology for high-speed inspection are required. To address these market challenges, we have commercialised a multi-channel OTDR measurement instrument capable of evaluating multicore fibres.

Product features.
The MT9100A features a unique mechanism that synchronises the operation of four OTDR channels. Primarily designed for multicore fibre R&D and manufacturing applications, it offers the following three key features:

  • Distribution Measurement of Core-to-Core Crosstalk - The MT9100A can measure and display core-to-core crosstalk as a spatial distribution along the fibre length. By visualising areas where crosstalk locally increases and the amount of crosstalk increase in any given section, it contributes to optimising fibre installation conditions.
  • Improved Workability with Single-End Measurement - The MT9100A enables measurement at one end of the multicore fibre. This eliminates the need to position operators at both ends during field tests where fibre ends are far apart, significantly reducing time and labour during installation and operation.
  • Enhanced Productivity for Multicore fibres - The MT9100A enables simultaneous measurement of transmission loss, return loss, and core-to-core crosstalk – essential quality evaluation parameters for multicore fibres – or up to four cores without reconnecting. This allows faster inspection than with the conventional crosstalk evaluation method.


* As a multi-channel OTDR-based tester (Anritsu survey as of November 2025)

@Anritsu @AnritsuEMEA @NapierPR  #TandM #Pauto

FTIR analysis expanded.

Laser Components is now the German distribution partner for cryogenically cooled MCT detectors (Mercury Cadmium Telluride – HgCdTe) from Vigo Photonics. This technology is primarily used in FTIR spectroscopy in the long-wave infrared range.

Nitrogen-cooled MCT detectors enable precise measurements at wavelengths beyond 20 µm and meet performance requirements that can only be achieved at very low temperatures (77 Kelvin). This makes them ideal for applications in scientific spectroscopy, gas analysis, environmental monitoring, and industrial process control.

The detectors are available as Dewar assemblies or in flatpack housings and can be flexibly integrated into a wide range of FTIR measurement setups. Large active areas, AR-coated windows, and anti-fringing optimization ensure low-noise and interference-free signal processing. Even weak or difficult-to-detect IR signals can therefore be captured reliably.

"With Vigo Photonics, we are gaining a partner whose technologies perfectly match the requirements of our customers," says Tim Huylebrouck, Head of the Infrared Division at Laser Components. "These MCT detectors expand our portfolio in highly sensitive FTIR analysis and open up new possibilities for demanding measurement applications."


* FTIR = 'Fourier Transform Infrared' spectroscopy.


@LaserComponents @lasercomp_uk @UnnGmbh @PresseBox #TandM #Pauto

Investment for Distributed Energy Assets.

Samsung Ventures (Samsung) has invested in GridBeyond as part of a €12M equity round alongside existing shareholders including Alantra’s Energy Transition Fund, Klima, Energy Impact Partners, Mirova, ABB, Constellation Technology Ventures, and Act Venture Capital. Together with longstanding existing shareholders, Yokogawa, EDP & Enterprise Ireland they continue to support the company's growth.

GridBeyond, as a global leader in intelligent energy technology and optimisation of distributed energy assets will work closely with Samsung to explore opportunities across trading, asset optimisation and energy services that will allow both companies to realise their growth ambitions globally.

Pic: GridBeyond
The funding will accelerate the expansion across GridBeyond’s key strategic markets including Britain, Ireland, the United States, Japan, and Australia, while enabling continued investment in the evolution of the company’s optimisation platform for distributed energy assets.

GridBeyond’s technology enables real-time orchestration of distributed assets, including utility-scale renewable generation, battery storage, and energy demand, across multiple market and grid services. It leverages deep market expertise and understanding of localised fundamentals to drive advanced AI forecasting, optimisation and automated dispatch to deliver services such as energy arbitrage, frequency response, capacity market participation, and distribution network support, while respecting asset-level constraints and degradation models.

“GridBeyond has demonstrated exceptional technical expertise and global traction in a rapidly evolving energy landscape”, said a spokesperson for Samsung Ventures. “Their ability to deliver real-time demand response, optimise renewable and battery assets, and enable intelligent energy trading across markets such as the United States, Australia, and Japan positions them as a key enabler of smarter energy systems and greater grid resilience. We are pleased to invest in a company developing technologies that accelerate decarbonisation and support a more sustainable and digitised world.”

“We are delighted to welcome Samsung as both a shareholder and collaboration partner, it is recognition that GridBeyond has developed a world leading integrated optimisation platform”, said Richard O’Loughlin, Deputy CEO at GridBeyond. “Samsung’s deep expertise in renewable asset and battery development, EPC, energy technology, and trading experience complements our platform and accelerates our ability to deliver highly reliable, market-ready optimisation and trading solutions at global scale.”

“This partnership will deliver world-leading products for renewable and battery developers, enabling greater asset value, improved grid stability, and faster progress toward a decarbonised energy system”, commented Michael Phelan, GridBeyond’s CEO.


@Samsung @GridBeyond_ @Entirl #Energy #Power


Monday, 16 March 2026

Components for Nordic and Baltic regions.

Franchise extension will be supported by locally-based technical and commercial staff.*

Anglia Components has extended its franchise agreement with Digi International and now represents the M2M and IoT solution provider in the Nordic and Baltic regions. One of the key reasons for the enhanced relationship between the two companies is the success of the innovative programs that Anglia runs in the Britain and Ireland with Digi to develop new business. Examples include where the two companies have collaborated to deliver technical workshops providing an introduction to RF communications and connecting wireless sensors to the cloud for remote monitoring and control, as well as discussing Digi’s hardware, software and development kit solutions.

Jurgen De Biscop, Digital and John Bowman, Anglia.

“The Nordic and Baltic regions have a large number of SMEs and Contract Electronics Manufacturers, just like the UK”, says John Bowman, Anglia’s Marketing Director. “Such customers can often be left behind by the big high service and production fulfilment distributors, whereas for Anglia, they are a key part of our customer base. We look forward to growing with Digi in these regions.”

Jurgen De Biscop, Senior Channel Manager for Digi in the EMEA region adds: “We have been impressed by Anglia’s commitment to demand creation and new customer development in the UK, which is why we presented them with an award for this activity last year. We are delighted to extend the relationship and look forward eagerly to enjoying even greater success together.”

Anglia’s Nordic/Baltic agreement with Digi follows hot on the heels of a similar business extension with STMicroelectronics, and the three companies are collaborating to deliver a one-day event, titled ‘Learn How to Seamlessly Transition to Linux-Based MPUs’ in Reading (GB) on the 22nd April.


*Anglia is currently interviewing candidates for a Managing Director and FAEs based in the Nordics to support its business activities in the area.


@angliaLive @digidotcom @BWW_Comms #Electronics #PAuto #Baltic

Industrial connectivity.

In industrial wireless deployments, one technology sits at the center of every high-performance network: the Wireless Distribution System (WDS) bridge. It is the fundamental building block that transforms isolated access points into a unified, scalable network fabric yet it remains one of the most misunderstood components in the field.

Whether connecting data across a sprawling manufacturing floor, linking multiple buildings on a corporate campus, or extending coverage across remote field sites, every WDS application demands one thing: reliable, intelligent network bridging.

WDS bridges eliminate the cost, complexity, and downtime risk of deploying wired Ethernet backbones in environments where cable is impractical or impossible.

Why industrial environments demand WDS.
For plant managers and network engineers alike, the challenge is familiar: industrial environments make traditional wired Ethernet backbones impractical, cost-prohibitive, or outright impossible. Moving cables through active production facilities, bridging across open yards, or connecting distributed sites on a campus introduces enormous installation costs and operational disruption.

Since the early days of IEEE 802.11 networking, engineers have solved this problem with WDS — the wireless interconnection of access points that replaces the wired backbone with a seamless, high-performance wireless bridge. The result is faster deployment, lower costs, and the flexibility to extend network coverage exactly where it is needed, without touching a conduit.

How WDS bridge configuration works.
A WDS deployment designates one device as the main access point — the main base station — which anchors the connection to the wired network. Additional access points, known as relay stations or remote base stations, connect wirelessly to the main base station and forward traffic between the core network and all downstream users and devices.

APs are configured in one of two bridge modes depending on deployment requirements:

  • Point-to-Point: Two APs communicate via high-gain directional antennas, wirelessly joining two discrete LAN segments across distances that would be impossible or cost-prohibitive to cable.
  • Point-to-Multipoint: A single main AP anchors connections to multiple remote APs simultaneously, enabling centralized network distribution across a large facility or multi-site campus.

In a point-to-multipoint configuration, all APs must share the same SSID, wireless channel, authentication mode, security settings, and LAN IP subnet range. Both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands support WDS bridging, however, the two bands cannot be bridged together within the same link.

Critical design considerations.
AP Placement & Signal Strength: Every WDS hop introduces latency and reduces potential throughput. Placing APs too far apart compounds this effect, degrading link speed across the entire network. Strategic AP placement, optimized for signal strength and line of sight, is essential to maximizing WDS link performance.

Security & Access Control: Industrial networks are high-value targets. Restricting WDS access to authorized personnel requires strong wireless encryption. While WEP remains an option for legacy compatibility, WPA and WPA2 are the protocols of choice for modern deployments, delivering the authentication strength and encryption depth needed to protect critical infrastructure from unauthorized access.

Antaira delivers purpose-built WDS bridge hardware designed for the demands of real-world industrial environments from bridge-only devices to full-featured multifunction platforms.
  • AMY-5133-AC-PD: A compact, cost-effective 802.11 5 GHz wireless AP/Client Bridge engineered for straightforward WDS deployments. Purpose-built, reliable, and ready to deploy.
  • ARX-7235-AC-PD-T: A multifunction industrial powerhouse combining 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wireless Access Point, Client, Bridge, Repeater, Router, NAT, and VPN all in a single PoE PD device. One platform. Every function. (Pictured right)

Both platforms deliver secure, stable wireless bridging with the performance margins that industrial operations require. And they are joined by Antaira’s full portfolio of industrial wireless routers, IoT gateways, access points, clients, and repeaters, all engineered to the same exacting standard. Every Antaira wireless device is hardened to endure the conditions that would destroy standard network equipment: extreme temperatures, high humidity, vibration, shock, and industrial-grade electromagnetic interference.


@AntairaTech @OConnell_PR #PAuto #Comms

Quantum dot laser simulator.

Photon Design has officially released its HAROLD QD, quantum dot laser simulation tool.

HAROLD QD enables engineers to model a quantum dot (QD) laser’s multi-layer, graded epitaxy structure, including dot size and distribution. It has an eight-band, K.P-based modeller to calculate the energy levels of the quantum dots, where previously it was six-band. As an evolution of the company’s HAROLD, hetero-structure semiconductor and laser simulator, developed over many years, HAROLD QD enables engineers to produce 3-D stress and strain models for each quantum dot shape. From this, HAROLD QD also allows engineers to calculate QD laser gain and absorption spectra, which reliably match the results of quantum dot lasers in field tests.

Dr. Dominic Gallagher, CEO of Photon Design, said, “OFC is the leading, global exhibition for the optical communications and networking supply chain; an ideal platform to officially launch HAROLD QD. Quantum dot lasers are critical to next-generation data centres, AI, and HPC applications and HAROLD QD puts Photon Design at the forefront of their design. QD lasers offer unparalleled, high-temperature operation, when compared to existing lasers, along with superior modulation, data transmission performance and power efficiency. They also bring practical, silicon-based manufacturing benefits, where quantum dots can be grown directly on silicon waveguides.

“HAROLD QD enables engineers to work in a single, integrated environment for gain materials, including InP and silicon. Seamless integration into Photon Design’s PICWAVE, to give engineers three-dimensional, time evolving, quantum dot laser models will follow.”


@photond #Design #Communications #OptimumPDM

How do applied stresses and residual stresses interact?

Paper from ECOROLL AG Tool Technology

Surface properties - Subsurface properties - Residual stresses - Information/Know-how.

How to estimate the effect of residual stresses.
It is not always easy to estimate the effect of residual stresses during the design phase. It is generally known that residual stresses can significantly influence the service life of components. For this reason, processes such as deep rolling, machine hammer peening, and shot peening are used repeatedly. They generate the necessary compressive residual stresses in the subsurface area and are thus largely responsible for extending the service life of a dynamically loaded component. However, it is still difficult for design departments to take this into account in their calculations. In the following, we will explain how an initial rough estimate can be made and how residual stresses actually affect dynamic strength.

Residual stresses are internal stresses in the structure.
First, we need to understand what residual stresses actually are. Residual stresses are stresses in the microstructure of a component that are present even when no external forces, torques, or temperature gradients are acting on the component, i.e., when the component is completely free of any load. They can occur anywhere in the manufacturing chain and are the result of mechanical and thermal loads during the individual manufacturing steps. For example, so-called casting stresses can arise during casting because the component cools at different rates in different areas. They can arise during machining due to the strong thermo-mechanical stresses caused by the cutting edge, or they can be generated specifically by means of mechanical solidification processes.

As with residual stresses, intrinsic stresses are generally divided into tensile and compressive stresses. Tensile stresses are described mathematically by a positive figure, while compressive stresses are described by a negative figure. In general terms, it can be said that compressive stresses extend the service life of components, while tensile stresses shorten it.

The reason for this is the initiation of cracks by stress peaks. If the tensile stress in one part in a component is too great, a crack will form at this point. Initially, this crack is small, but it grows larger and larger with further loading until the component finally fails. In simple terms, tensile residual stresses pull on the crack, causing it to grow faster. Compressive residual stresses counteract crack propagation and thus slow down crack growth.

Superposition of load stresses and residual stresses.
Like all stresses, residual stresses can also be superimposed with load stresses. This can be done by simple superposition. In other words, the load and residual stresses are simply added together. The result is then a resulting stress.

We can easily understand this using the example of a uniaxial stress state, i.e., a bar. If a uniaxial tensile stress of sload = 600 MPa is applied to this component and it has no residual stress, then the resulting stress is still sres = 600 MPa. If, on the other hand, the bar is subjected to a compressive residual stress of sESP = -200 MPa in the same direction, then mathematically the 200 MPa is subtracted from the 600 MPa and the resulting stress is sRes = 400 MPa. A bar that would fail at 550 MPa, for example, could therefore be used in the second case, but not in the first case. This explains the effect of residual stresses in a comprehensible way.

But what about a multi-axial stress state? Here, of course, the concept must be applied to the entire stress tensor. In this case, the corresponding residual stress values must be used for each component of the stress tensor. For example, in the x-direction, the principal stress of s(x) must be calculated with the principal stresses in the x-direction. If this is done for all components as well as the shear stresses, the result is a complete stress tensor with principal stresses.*

In order to estimate the effect on strength, the concepts of equivalent stress can be applied. This compresses the stress tensor to a single stress value and allows it to be compared with the strength characteristics from the stress-strain diagram.

Of course, the method presented here is not a complete service life assessment, and further calculations or tests must always be carried out to estimate dynamic strength. However, the method presented here allows the effect of residual stresses to be roughly estimated. Effects such as additional strengthening of the microstructure or residual stress reduction during loading are not taken into account, however.


* Mörke, T.: Randzonenanalyse zur Bestimmung mechanischer Belastungen im Lebenszyklus spanend gefertigter Bauteile. Doctoral thesis, Leibniz University Hannover, 2016.


@PresseBox @UnnGmbh #Ecoroll #Stress #Manufacturing

Friday, 13 March 2026

IPS Touch Display.

Four new 10.1 inch touch displays featuring IPS (In-Plane Switching) have been introduced by Inelco Hunter. IPS is a high-performance liquid crystal display (LCD) technology known for superior colour accuracy,and wide viewing angles. IPS liquid crystals rotate horizontally to improve light transmission. The displays are available with or without a Projective Capacitive touchscreen (PCAP), making the range a very cost-effective proposition.

The usual Powertip features, including high resolution and high brightness, are now available in a 10.1 inch format. This size will make the touch panels ideal for applications requiring a larger screen, such as industrial equipment monitors, vending machines, point-of-sale screens, EV charging stations, smart home control panels and medical devices.

Two screen resolutions are offered, the first is 1024x600 dots. The display features IPS and a 6 bit/ 8bit LVDS interface. The brightness is 500nits and the MTBF is 20,000. The display offers a full viewing angle, normally black. The display is also available as a Projective Capacitive touchscreen version (PCAP), which has a robust, durable glass surface and is highly resistant to scratches. The surface can be easily cleaned, making it ideal for applications such as medical instruments where hygiene is paramount. The tempered 1.1mm cover lens has a surface hardness of 6H and provides IP4 environmental rating.

The second resolution offered is 1280x800 dots. This display features IPS and a 6 bit/ 8bit LVDS interface. The brightness is 500nits and the MTBF is 50,000. The display also offers a full viewing angle, normally black. This display is also available as a Projective Capacitive touchscreen version (PCAP).

In addition to offering the displays as a standard product, Inelco Hunter offers a customisation service to help customers to adapt products for their own solutions. Inelco Hunter’s engineering team can help customers define the project requirements, including as-yet unformed product ideas, turning a concept into an outstanding product. A set of pre-design activities is worked through, critical when defining product specifications, documenting design challenges and identifying potential risks. This added-value support is at the core of Inelco Hunter’s philosophy, and has been for over 30 years, setting them apart from the "stock and ship" distributors.


@InelcoHunter #PAuto

EX Submersible pressure sensor.

The LS-1000 submersible pressure sensor from WIKA is now certified in accordance with the European ATEX and international IECEx directives. The sensor continuously measures the level of liquid media in industrial environments. Thanks to the new approvals, companies can now also use it in hazardous areas of ATEX zone 0 and 1 as well as IECEx zone 0, 1 and 2. This applies to numerous applications, for example in the process industry, wastewater and environmental technology and power generation. Typical applications include wastewater lifting stations, pumping stations and oil and fuel tanks.

The LS-1000 measures levels hydrostatically from 1 ... 10 m [3.28 ... 32.81 ft]. Optimal long-term stability of 0.2 % ensures precise measured data and minimal signal drift. Thanks to its robust design, the stainless steel submersible pressure sensor is permanently sealed in accordance with ingress protection IP68. A specially developed cable provides effective strain relief, and potting of the cable inlet provides additional protection. Each individual device undergoes a helium leak test during the final inspection. Even the smallest leaks and hairline cracks are detected here.

The submersible pressure sensor is maintenance-free, minimising failures, downtimes and total cost of ownership. It can be operated with a 5 V battery, as the energy-saving ratiometric 0.5 ... 4.5 V output signal consumes less than 5 mA. This places such a low load on the battery that it does not need to be replaced for years.


@WIKANews #PAuto #Hazardous

Thursday, 12 March 2026

Flowmeter for datacentres.

Flow device primed for security in data centre and OEM applications at various stages of the liquid cooling process.

A new OEM‑configured variant of the Picomag electromagnetic flowmeter for the US market has been announced by Endress+Hauser. Purpose‑built for liquid cooling applications in data centres and OEM cooling systems, this version provides customers with a factory‑configured option designed for environments where instrumentation without wireless connectivity is required.

Picomag is Endress+Hauser’s compact electromagnetic flowmeter designed for accurate measurement of conductive fluids in small‑diameter pipelines. It combines flow, temperature and conductivity measurement in a single device.

While the standard Picomag includes industry‑leading Bluetooth® technology that meets rigorous global cybersecurity standards, many data centres and OEM partners operate under policies that prohibit wireless communication of any kind. The OEM variant meets this operational preference by offering a Picomag model delivered with Bluetooth® deactivated from the factory, ensuring alignment with facility policies while maintaining all core Picomag performance capabilities. In this configuration, the device integrates seamlessly through IO‑Link or standard signal outputs — 4–20 mA current, pulse, switch or 2–10 V — offering a controlled starting point ideal for secure or regulated environments.

"Data centres operate under some of the most demanding security expectations in the world,” said Nathan Hedrick, Product Marketing Group Manager at Endress+Hauser. “This OEM Picomag gives cooling system designers a compact, reliable and secure measurement option tailored for environments where wireless features are not permitted without compromising on the functionality our customers expect.”

Purpose‑built for high‑security data centre environments.
The OEM Picomag variant is designed to integrate seamlessly into standardized cooling skids, secondary distribution loops and rack‑level cooling modules. Key characteristics include:

  • Factory‑delivered with wireless connectivity deactivated to meet strict facility requirements
  • Preconfigured display behavior, output settings and engineering units for consistent OEM deployment
  • Available in 1” and 2” sizes, ideal for compact rack or subsystem cooling circuits

This version retains all Picomag’s hallmark advantages, including flow, temperature and conductivity measurement, a bright and auto‑rotating display, intuitive commissioning and built‑in diagnostic capabilities.

“This addition strengthens our ability to support every stage of a data centre facility’s cooling architecture,” said Lauton Rushford, Flow Product Marketing Manager at Endress+Hauser. “It ensures operators and OEMs can select instrumentation that aligns with their policies while benefiting from Picomag’s proven performance and simplicity.”

How does liquid cooling compare to traditional air cooling in data centres?
As data centres grow in density and power consumption, many operators are shifting from traditional air-cooling systems to liquid cooling architectures. Liquid cooling offers significantly greater heat‑removal efficiency, allowing facilities to manage higher thermal loads generated by modern CPUs and GPUs.

While air cooling relies on large volumes of conditioned airflow, liquid cooling absorbs and transports heat far more effectively, supporting higher rack densities, reducing energy use and enabling more compact system designs. This shift is especially pronounced in AI, hyperscale and high‑performance computing environments where equipment demands exceed what air cooling alone can accommodate.

Liquid cooling also supports more precise thermal management at the subsystem or rack level. This creates new measurement requirements for inline flow and temperature monitoring, which is where compact, secure devices like the OEM Picomag play a key role. 

What are the latest trends in data centre optimization technology?
As data centres adopt increasingly complex liquid‑cooling architectures driven by high‑density GPU workloads, AI clusters and expanding global capacity, operators need compact, accurate measurement at more distributed points throughout the cooling network.

The OEM Picomag complements Endress+Hauser’s broader flow portfolio, including Proline Promag W 300/500 (0xDN), enabling a complete, scalable measurement strategy spanning from large‑diameter primary loops to small‑diameter subsystem circuits.

Stable water quality is also essential for maintaining liquid cooling efficiency. Complementary technologies such as inline liquid analysis (e.g., pH, conductivity and turbidity) help operators prevent scaling, corrosion and fouling, further supporting uptime and thermal stability.


@Endress_Hauser @Endress_UK @Endress_US #PAuto #USA

Four new intelligent pumps.

Four innovative diaphragm pump features for flow, pressure, and vacuum control as well as versatile dosing have been introduced by KNF. These solutions set a new benchmark for precision, reliability, and adaptability. These new intelligent liquid, gas and vacuum pumps feature integrated sensor technology offer advanced closed-loop control for achieving and maintaining flow, pressure or vacuum as well as precise dosages.

For liquid metering applications, KNF has developed the FMS-FC 1.400. This diaphragm pump with integrated Flow Control uses a precise flow sensor and ensures precise, accurate, and stable liquid delivery. It achieves a maximum flow rate of 3.4 l/min, a maximum pressure of 6 bar (rel.) and offers a maximum suction height of 3 mH2O.

Another intelligent liquid diaphragm pump innovation is the FD 1.200 with Versatile Dosing which delivers precise and repeatable volumes for demanding applications. For this, it uses advanced stepper motor technology and actively actuated valves. It offers a maximum flow rate of 40 ml/min, a maximum pressure of 6 bar (rel.), and a suction height of at least 4.5 mH₂O. Compact, chemically resistant, and customizable, it sets a new standard for accurate dosing.

The new MGP 75 diaphragm gas pump with intelligent Pressure Control maintains precise and consistent gas pressure even under changing conditions. Using the latest KNF motor technology, it achieves a maximum flow rate of 78 l/min, a maximum pressure of 1 bar (rel.), and a maximum vacuum down to 25 mbar (abs.).

Equipped with the intelligent feature Vacuum Control, the new micro vacuum pump NVC 830 maintains exact vacuum levels in demanding environments. This compact pump delivers a maximum flow rate of 4.7 l/min and a maximum vacuum down to 55 mbar (abs.). Intelligent features for maximum precision.
Each pump integrates modern sensor technology and proprietary motor control to maintain exact setpoints, even under dynamic conditions like changing pressure or media temperature. This integrated closed-loop control reduces engineering efforts to a minimum. It makes the potentially difficult integration of external sensor and development of new control logic from scratch obsolete.

Flexible connectivity and integration.
The pumps can operate autonomously or can be controlled via analog signals such as control voltage. For use in complex systems, the pumps also support modern communication protocols like UART, enabling seamless integration into smart environments.

Demanding applications.
Based on a modular design, the pumps can be customized quickly and cost-effectively. Options include material selection, electrical and line connections, and digital settings such as output setpoint, ramp-up speed or maximum motor speed limits, depending on the pump. This flexibility makes the pumps an ideal choice for critical applications in industries including medical technology, analytical systems, and industrial processes.


#KNF #PAuto @mepaxIntPR

Closing the gap from virtual training to real-world deployment.

NVIDIA Omniverse libraries is being integrated into ABB Robotics’ RobotStudio® to help manufacturers deploy physical AI in real world robotics applications.

The collaboration focuses on combining ABB Robotics’ software programming, design and simulation suite, RobotStudio, with the physically accurate simulation power of NVIDIA Om-niverse libraries to close technology's long-standing 'sim-to-real’ gap. Developers can simulate robots in digi-tal twins and generate synthetic data to train their physical AI models, enabling businesses of all types and sizes to deploy AI-driven robotics for various industrial workflows.

“Today, using NVIDIA accelerated computing and simulation technologies, we have removed the last barriers to making industrial and physical AI a reality at a global scale by closing the sim-to-real gap,” said Marc Segura, President of ABB Robotics. “For more than 50 years, ABB Robotics has led the evolution of intelligent industrial automation, from pioneering the first generation of fully electric industrial robots to advancing digital twin simulation through RobotStudio® and shaping a new area of autonomous and versatile mobile robots. Today’s announcement with NVIDIA brings physical AI to industry at scale.”

Called RobotStudio HyperReality, the resulting physically accurate simulations and foundation models are endlessly optimised with real-world data feedback continuously improving the system. These models can be used to train any number of ABB robots, anywhere in the world, with the reliability and accuracy demanded by industry.  

“The industrial sector needs physically accurate simulation to bridge the gap between virtual training and the real-world deployment of AI-driven robotics at scale,” said Deepu Talla, vice president of robotics and edge AI at NVIDIA. “Integrating NVIDIA Omniverse libraries into RobotStudio brings advanced simulation and accelerated computing to ABB Robotics’ unique virtual controller technology, accelerating how manufac-turers of all sizes bring complex products to market.”   

Closing the ‘sim-to-real’ gap.
 The long-standing deficit between simulation accuracy and real-world lighting, materials and environments is known as the ‘sim-to-real’ gap. For decades, this gap has limited the ability of manufac-turers to design and develop advanced manufacturing processes in the virtual world.  

By integrating NVIDIA Omniverse libraries into RobotStudio, ABB Robotics will deliv-er unprecedented robotics simulation and synthetic data generation capabilities that will allow intelligent robots to bridge this gap with up to 99 percent accuracy. ABB is the only robot manufacturer with a virtual controller running the same firmware as the hardware, ensuring near perfect correlation between simula-tion and real world performance. Combined with ABB Robotics’ Absolute Accuracy technology, which reduces positioning errors from 8–15 mm to around 0.5 mm, ABB delivers unmatched precision in both virtual and physical environments, making it suited to high-precision industrial-grade applications.

This innovation enables manufacturers to design, test, and optimise production lines virtually, cutting setup and commissioning times by up to 80 percent, reducing costs by up to 40 percent by eliminating the need for physical prototypes, and accelerating time-to-market for complex products such as consumer electronics by 50 percent1.

ABB Robotics is also assessing the potential to integrate the NVIDIA Jetson edge computing platform into its Omnicore controller to achieve real-time AI inference at the edge for its extensive robot portfolio. Today’s announcement builds upon ABB Robotics’ long-standing work with NVIDIA, including the previous integration of NVIDIA Jetson into ABB Robotics’ VSLAM autonomous mobile robots as well as the development of gigawatt-scale AI data centers.

RobotStudio HyperReality will serve industrial clients at any scale, across a breadth of industries and applica-tions, with select customers already testing its capabilities ahead of a full release to ABB Robotics’ 60,000 RobotStudio customers worldwide in the second half of 2026.

Foxconn, the world’s largest electronics contract manufacturer, is piloting the first joint use case in consumer electronics assembly. Automating the assembly of a tiny piece in consumer electronics is challenging, as multiple device variants require different production methods and the delicate metal structure requires precise pick-and-place and assembly control, as well as fine-tuned setup, often demanding additional debugging time and engineering resources. Using RobotStudio HyperReality, Foxconn’s assembly robots are trained virtually, using synthetic data to perfect multiple real-world production processes in various scenarios, before moving them to the production line with 99 percent accuracy. By optimising production lines virtually, Foxconn will reduce set-up times and costs by eliminating physical training and tests, and accelerate time-to-market for consumer electronics.

“Precision is everything in consumer electronics manufacturing and until now, this level of accuracy and fidelity just wasn’t possible in simulation and digital twins,” said Dr. Zhe Shi, Chief Digital Officer of Foxconn. “We’re incredibly excited by the potential of ABB Robotics and NVIDIA’s collaboration, which enables parallel engineering for better designs, faster production ramp‑up and greater product evolution through advanced AI inference and understanding.”

WORKR, a California based robotic workforce company that delivers robotic manufacturing solutions to in-dustry, is extending the reach of this technology to small and medium manufacturers across the United States. At NVIDIA GTC 2026 (March 16-19, San Jose, CA USA), WORKR is to demonstrate AI- powered robotic systems built on ABB technology, trained with synthetic data using NVIDIA Omniverse libraries, and deployed without operators needing to know any programming. By combining ABB's industrial grade robotics with its proprie-tary WorkrCore™ AI platform, the company is helping manufacturers address critical labor shortages with its robotic workforce that can learn new tasks in minutes and be operated by anyone.

"This collaboration is about making industrial AI deployable today,” said Ken Macken, CEO & Founder of WORKR. “Together with ABB and NVIDIA, we're proving that advanced automation can work for manufactur-ers of any size."


@ABBRobotics @nvidia @ABBgroupnews @abb_automation @HonHai_Foxconn @workr_official #PAuto #Robotics  

Verifying high-speed interface IP.

Qualitas Semiconductor, a leading developer specialising in PHY IP solutions for high-speed interconnects, has adopted Anritsu’s ShockLine™ 4-Port Performance Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) MS46524B to enhance signal integrity verification for its high-speed interface IP development. Qualitas has significantly improved the quality and reliability of its IP solutions by establishing a verification environment that enables highly accurate, repeatable signal-integrity evaluations across the entire system, including PHY IP.

Qualitas develops high-speed interface IP solutions, including SerDes PHY IP, PCI Express® PHY IP,* UCIe interconnect solutions, and Ethernet PHY IP, and it collaborates with global customers across advanced semiconductor markets in fields such as AI, data centers, automotive, and mobile systems.

As semiconductor interface technologies continue to increase data transmission speeds, system-level verification that includes the characteristics of the entire interconnect channel, such as the PCB, package, and socket, has become increasingly important, rather than just the performance of the chips. In high-speed signal environments, factors such as transmission loss, reflection, and crosstalk affect signal integrity, making precise measurement-based verification environments essential.

To address these requirements, Qualitas has adopted Anritsu’s ShockLine™ MS46524B to analyse the characteristics of high-speed interconnect channels and quantitatively verify signal integrity, based on differential S-parameter analysis and time-domain reflectometry (TDR) measurements.

The ShockLine™ MS46524B provides high-frequency measurement stability, support for mixed probe and coaxial cable environments, and high-resolution TDR measurement capabilities, enabling precise analysis of subtle impedance variations occurring in the package and PCB structures. Through this approach, Qualitas has established a verification environment that is close to the conditions of real systems, enabling it to provide the reliability required in the PHY IP development process.

Anritsu highlights the importance of signal integrity verification solutions and measurement technologies that are required in next-generation interface technology environments, and it plans to support semiconductor and high-speed interface development companies in building more efficient verification environments.

This case study, "The Forefront of Ultra-High-Speed Interconnect Development Test Solutions Supporting Advanced Technologies," with Dr. Jaeyoung Kim, the executive director of the R&D Center at Qualitas, the verification strategies to strengthen competitiveness in the global semiconductor market, the technical challenges encountered during the development of high-speed interface verification environments, and the solutions implemented are discussed.


*PCI-SIG®, PCIe®, and PCI Express® are registered trademarks of PCI-SIG.

@Anritsu @AnritsuEMEA @NapierPR  #TandM #Pauto

Next-generation industrial vision systems collaboration.

Building on a proven existing joint development and successful commercial track record, IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH (IDS) and Prophesee SA, inventor of the world’s most advanced neuromorphic vision systems, have announced an expanded collaboration to develop next-generation industrial cameras integrating Prophesee’s Metavision® event-based vision technology.

Expanded partnership with newly signed agreement will explore new sensing architectures combining conventional imaging with Prophesee’s Metavision® event-based vision for developing faster, more accurate and power-efficient machine vision systems.

“Over the past years, our collaboration with Prophesee has demonstrated the powerful benefits of event-based vision for industrial machine vision,” said Jan Hartmann, CEO of IDS Imaging Development Systems. “Neuromorphic sensing is key to the future of industrial vision. Working closely with Prophesee enables us to advance this technology faster and more consistently. Our collaboration is built on trust, shared goals and a clear technological direction.”

The two organisations have signed a Letter of Intent to jointly pursue the development of next-generation industrial vision systems integrating event-based sensing, combining Prophesee’s expertise in event-based hardware and software with IDS’s strengths in camera integration, multi-sensor system design, and industrial manufacturing. The collaboration will explore several technology directions and builds on the successful commercialisation of IDS uEye EVS cameras incorporating Prophesee’s event-based sensing technology, marking the next phase of cooperation between the companies.

Jan Hartmann, IDS & Jean Ferré, Prophesee
signing the letter of intent
“The new initiative combines conventional imaging with event‑based sensing to enable new capabilities in machine vision, such as high‑speed motion analysis and emerging sensing technologies. In parallel, the companies intend to strengthen their joint commercial engagement, coordinating business development activities and approaching selected customers together with complementary solutions — IDS providing camera hardware and integrated systems, and Prophesee delivering its sensors, development tools, and event-based vision software stack. ”

“Our partnership with IDS shows how event-based sensing can bring a new level of performance to industrial machine vision,” says Jean Ferré, CEO of Prophesee. “Through the open, flexible and accessible nature of our Metavision technology platform and recent enhancements to our sensor products, we can advance this by working together to explore next-generation sensing architectures and machine vision systems incorporating event-based technology. This further pushes the boundaries of what machine vision can achieve, delivering faster detection, higher accuracy, and significantly improved power efficiency for demanding real-world applications.”

The companies plan to work closely with shared customers and partners to explore new machine vision solutions across industries including industrial automation, robotics, logistics, transportation, and intelligent systems.


@IDS_Imaging @Prophesee_ai @mepaxIntPR #Pauto  

Wednesday, 11 March 2026

Fibres for high temperature.

Laser Components is expanding its portfolio of high-performance and infrared fibres with two new product lines: metal-coated silica fibres and polycrystalline infrared fibres (PIR fibres). Both fibre types set new standards for demanding technical environments and applications such as industrial processing, sensor technology, spectroscopy, and medical systems. They offer outstanding performance, high mechanical robustness, and broad infrared transmission ranges.

PIR fibres are made from a specially engineered polycrystalline material with exceptionally high transparency. Their low attenuation enables excellent transmission even in the mid-infrared range. Metal-coated fibres, in contrast, are designed for environments where heat, cold, moisture, vacuum, or chemical exposure push conventional fibres to their limits.

"With these new fibre technologies, we are reaching an important milestone for applications that require the highest precision and maximum reliability," says Florian Tächl, Product Manager at Laser Components. :"Our customers benefit from robust, durable solutions that deliver consistently strong performance even under extreme conditions."


@LaserComponents @lasercomp_uk @UnnGmbh @PresseBox #PAuto

Developing smart manufacturing talent.

Rockwell have expanded their long-standing partnership with Tecnológico de Monterrey (MX), supporting closer connections and learning on advanced manufacturing technologies. Mexico’s top-ranked university and member of the International Association of Learning Factories uses Rockwell technologies and curriculum input to create the smart manufacturing environment in a college learning setting. Tec de Monterrey shares the experiences of this environment at the Conference of Learning Factories every year.

In July, a team from Tec de Monterrey met with instructors and administrators in Cleveland State University’s Rockwell Automation Connected Enterprise Laboratory. The Tec team also forged relationships and found new synergies at Rockwell’s 2025 Automation Fair® in Chicago (USA).

In October, Tec’s mechatronics community, Rockwell experts, and manufacturers delved into digital engineering together at an international conference hosted at the university’s Toluca and Monterrey campuses, with more industry collaboration in Monterrey. “Manufacturers are looking for specialized talent in digital twin software,” said Oscar Lopez Suarez, Rockwell solution consultant lead. “We’re working with Tec de Monterrey to cover this gap and prepare students for smart manufacturing jobs in their region.”

Each semester, Tec engineering students participate in challenge-based learning. “Our objective is for students to develop not only technical skills, but also knowledge and ability in critical thinking, project management, safety, and international manufacturing standards,” said Dr. Raquel Tejada, a Department of Mechatronics professor in Tec’s School of Engineering and Sciences. “We want them to integrate all of these, to have the whole picture, so they are ready for real-world success.”

Developing digital twin talent.
Demand for digital twin skills is skyrocketing as manufacturers adopt 3D emulation technology, which saves time and resources during automation systems design and implementation. At Tec de Monterrey, engineering students built cutting-edge 3D emulation skills in their final project when they integrated technologies from Rockwell Automation, Endress+Hauser Group, and our partner NVIDIA in emulations that connected virtual design with physical plant control systems and instrumentation, and created immersive virtual reality tours. Through the collaborative learning experience with Tec de Monterrey professors and industry experts, the students developed the tools and confidence to launch their careers in Industry 4.0.

@ROKAutomation @TecdeMonterrey @ROKAutoEMEA #PAuto #Mexico

Cyber resilience in European industry.

Strengthening industrial automation in OT environments by monitoring and tracking vulnerabilities across software supply chains.

The European research and innovation project ENFORCERS (Enhanced Cooperation for Cybersecurity)* has officially started, bringing together a strong consortium of industrial manufacturers and cybersecurity technology providers, supported by applied research organisations to address one of Europe’s most pressing challenges: ensuring resilient, trustworthy software throughout the lifecycle of industrial automation systems.

Consortium partners at the ENFORCERS project kickoff meeting, February 2026

The project’s official kickoff took place during February 2026 at WIBU-SYSTEMS AG in Karlsruhe (D), where consortium partners met in person for the first time to align on the strategic roadmap for the coming three years. The meeting marked the operational starting point of ENFORCERS and set the stage for close cross-border collaboration enabled by EU funding.

From incident detection to secure recovery: closing the cybersecurity loop.
ENFORCERS is designed to go beyond isolated security measures. Its central objective is to close the loop between cybersecurity incident detection, coordinated response, certification, and secure software redistribution in industrial environments. This is particularly relevant for automation and manufacturing, where software must often be updated across segmented, partially disconnected, or heterogeneous Operational Technology (OT) networks.

At the heart of the project is a Cybersecurity System Platform that links multiple trusted instances into a securely chained “system circle.” This includes:

  • Private Security Operation Centers (SOCs) that collect, correlate, and classify incident and vulnerability data,
  • Secure Elements that act as trust anchors at OT edges and gateways,
  • Automated playbooks for vulnerability mitigation, certification, and secure software updates,
  • and cross-border data exchange mechanisms that allow SOCs and stakeholders to cooperate while respecting data sovereignty.

The technical approach directly supports compliance with NIS2 and anticipates requirements of the Cyber Resilience Act, while remaining adaptable to future regulatory and technological developments.

“ENFORCERS brings together technologies, processes, and stakeholders into an operational cybersecurity framework,” explained Alvaro Forero, Project Coordinator at WIBU-SYSTEMS AG. “As coordinator, our responsibility is to ensure that we are building a cooperative system where incident handling, trust anchors, and secure software deployment work together across organisational and national boundaries. The kickoff meeting confirmed a shared understanding that cybersecurity resilience must be engineered into the full lifecycle of industrial software.”

Clearly defined roles across a strong European consortium.
ENFORCERS brings together partners with complementary expertise across Europe. As project coordinator, Wibu-Systems contributes its long-standing expertise in software protection, licensing, and secure update mechanisms for industrial environments, while ensuring technical coherence and cross-partner integration across the project. Industrial companies such as Balluff (Germany and Hungary), Schneider Electric (France), TTTECH Computertechnik (Austria), and Technology Nexus Secured Business Solutions (Sweden) contribute real-world requirements from automation, manufacturing, and industrial networking. Technology and cybersecurity specialists including Infineon Technologies (Germany), Langlauf Security Automation (Germany), DYNAMIKI (Greece), AITAD (Germany), and ResilTech (Italy) provide expertise ranging from AI and embedded systems to secure elements and cryptography to SOC operations and incident response. Applied research is supported by subcontractors such as Fraunhofer SIT, while VDMA contributes its industrial network and policy interface.

From a partner perspective, the project is also seen as a commitment to European cooperation.

“At ResilTech, we look forward to contributing with full commitment and to working alongside such high-level partners to strengthen Europe’s industrial cybersecurity,” said Francesco Brancati, Security Solution Manager and R&D Program Manager at ResilTech Srl, underlining the importance of cross-border collaboration as a prerequisite for resilient industrial systems.

The project effectively integrates three essential layers of work, ranging from structural activities such as system requirements and architecture design, through practical implementation efforts including SOC integration, digital elements, and secure connectors, to quality-oriented tasks focused on dissemination, standards compliance monitoring and training.

Early milestones include the definition of legal and technical requirements, the design of the Cybersec System architecture, and the setup of initial SOC and platform components, followed by demonstrators and validation in later phases.

Industrial partners see ENFORCERS as a strategic investment in long-term resilience. Dr. Markus Jung, VP Engineering at Balluff GmbH emphasised during the project launch, “ENFORCERS is a great opportunity for Balluff to build a strong network with leading partners in the cybersecurity domain. The project will support us in further strengthening our cybersecurity measures and enhancing best practices across our industrial automation products, processes, and manufacturing sites. The strong consortium enables us to anticipate emerging trends in the coming years, well beyond the requirements of the Cyber Resilience Act, and ultimately helps us empower our customers to increase their own cybersecurity.”

Over the next three years, ENFORCERS will deliver technical demonstrators, best practices, training activities, and contributions to standardisation and certification discussions. By combining industrial deployment experience with cybersecurity expertise, the project aims to create results that are replicable across sectors and that strengthen Europe’s digital sovereignty in industrial software and automation.


* Co-funded by the European Union, under the Grant Agreement No. 101249745, the project is supported by the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC). Views and opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre.

Additional Dedicated Resource: R&D project dedicated web page.

@WibuSystems  @Balluff #Cybersecurity #PAuto