Benchtop PSU.

The GPS-TPS352 1200W output benchtop power supply has just been announced by Gresham Power Electronics. Supplied in a convenient and compact desktop case less than 50mm tall, the GPS-TPS352 provides reliable system power up to 1200W (1400W peak) with low output ripple and noise.

Typical applications for the GPS-TPS352 benchtop power supply include product design, test and repair, burn-in, instrumentation, telecoms infrastructure, IT systems and data-centres, laboratories and education.

Regulated single outputs of 12V 7.5A, 24V 58A, 28V 50A, 36V 38A and 48V 28A are available as standard and custom versions may be specified. The output has +/-10% adjustment range via a front panel mounted potentiometer

The Gresham Power GPS-TPS352 operates from 110 and 230VAC input supplies and features internal speed controlled long life fans for low noise operation in higher ambient temperatures and increased reliability. Airflow is from front to rear of power supply.

Other features include an IEC power inlet for worldwide AC cables, a single piece SBX75 output connector, which avoids bolt terminals with easy to lose parts, front panel displays for output voltage and current and an on/off switch.

The standard enclosure for the GPS-TPS352 is made from welded stainless steel, finished in a black epoxy coat which provides excellent protection for the internal electronics. A stainless steel enclosure is also available as is conformal of the PCB, providing additional ruggedisation.

The case is fitted with non-marking rubber feet to protect operating surfaces and the 50mm tall front panel is fitted with two panel handles which also provide protection to front panel components from drop damage.

@GreshamPower #PAuto #Laboratory

Safety, explosion mitigation and prevention enhanced by acquisition!

Newson Gale has been acquired by the HOERBIGER Group and is now a member of its Safety Solutions business segment. Hoerbiger is comprised of leaders in their respective explosion protection segments including IEP Technologies in explosion protection, the Combustion Research Center in materials testing and Newson Gale in controlling electrostatic ignition hazards.

Newson Gale's Earth-Rite Range

Newson Gale will continue to trade under the Newson Gale brand, with the current management team remaining in place. "Our commitment and focus at adding value to our customers by preventing fires and explosions caused by static discharges remains unchanged and we will continue to develop and bring to market performance defining static control equipment and services."

For decades, the Hoerbiger has been an innovation and technology leader for explosion protection and check valves to be used in oil, gas, carbon and dust applications as well as in the mechanical and plant engineering industry. The introduction of the business segment Safety Solutions within the Group underscores this commitment to innovation and technology as well as our continuing focus on our customer’s safety.

“With the acquisition of Newson Gale, HOERBIGER Safety Solutions enhances its position as a leading player in safety and explosion mitigation. We have searched for, and found, a partner who will be committed to the future success of Newson Gale", says Newson Gale Managing Director, Mr. Graham Tyers.

@NewsonGale #Hörbiger #PAuto

Ethernet line extenders.

Robust, reliable and easy to set up Wolverine devices deliver secure, resilient networking for mission-critical operation in extreme environments

Westermo has released two additions to its range of Wolverine advanced industrial Ethernet line extenders. These rugged, reliable and compact devices are used to establish long-distance, high-speed remote connections between simple or complex Ethernet networks using existing copper cables, thereby reducing installation time and cost. The DDW-242 and DDW-242-485 include a range of features that deliver secure and resilient networking, even in extreme industrial environments, which makes them suitable for mission-critical applications.

The line extenders enable Ethernet networks to be connected over distances of up to 15km, at data rates up to 15.3 Mbit/s on a single twisted pair cable. Using two pairs bonded, the rate can be doubled to support applications requiring larger bandwidths. An integral switch allows two Ethernet devices to be attached, and a choice of either 232 or 485 serial port enables legacy equipment to be incorporated into the IP network.

To help improve cyber security the DDW-242 and DDW-242-485 include full layer 3 functionality and unique IP security provided by the Westermo WeOS operating system. The devices include a built-in port-based firewall securing data between trusted and un-trusted networks; NAT rules - a way to make systems that are configured with private IP addresses appear to have public IP addresses; and VPN tunnels for encrypting data on the ‘last mile’ section of the network, which is particularly susceptible to security risk.

The WeOS operating system also provides advanced switching and routing functionality that enables the management of complex industrial networks. With no software configuration needed for basic installation the DDW-242 and DDW-242-485 are extremely easy to set up. A web interface and command line interface support configuration of large and complex networks. Should maintenance be required, a back-up and restore facility enables configurations to be quickly downloaded from a USB stick.

To enable installation in harsh industrial environments and rail trackside applications the devices offer a wide operating temperature range of -40 to +70 degrees C, and have been tested to meet electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), isolation, vibration and shock standards.

In the event of link or hardware failure, Westermo’s unique FRNT (Fast Recovery of Network Topology) technology enables network reconfiguration, whilst an extensive diagnostics function allows the quality of the line and the connection status to be analysed.

@Westermo #PAuto #Ethernet

Wireless switches without batteries.

ZF Electronic Systems* is introducing a new line of switches that don’t need wired connections and do work wirelessly without batteries. Their power source is ultimately the physical actuation of the switch; in a very nice implementation of energy harvesting, that pit of motion translates into power through an innovative penny-size micro-dynamo within the body of the switch.

One benefit to designers is a much simplified ability to implement remote switches without the need to run connecting wires, which can simplify both product design and certifications. Compared to other wireless solutions, the ZF Electronic Systems energy-harvesting switches do not require periodic battery changes or even more frequent battery status checking, and there are none of the usual battery-related switch failure mode.

Inside the familiarly sized switch housing the micro-dynamo magneto-electric generator is joined by a controller, a digital modulator and a radio; the radio can be configured for many frequencies, including those common to home, office and plant automation systems.

The first of these switches are available in snap-action or rocker configurations and others can be produced to meet customer requirements. ZF Electronic Systems is also making its tiny generator available separately from these switched. They rate its mechanical life at 1,000,000 actuations and the energy it generates at a measured 0.33 mw (actuating and releasing).  The RF transmission distance is rated up to 300 meters in open space, and up to 30 meters indoors with any type of obstruction.

*ZF Electronics was formerly known as CHERRY.

 #PAuto @CherryAmericas

Radar level transmitter.

Krohne has introduced a new radar level transmitter, OPTIWAVE 1010, for bypass chambers and magnetic level indicators. The 2-wire FMCW radar level transmitter is designed as a cost-effective solution for the continuous level measurement of liquids in bypass applications in various industries, e.g. chemical, power, water and wastewater, or automotive.

OPTIWAVE 1010 can be combined with the Krohne BM 26 ADVANCED bypass chambers and magnetic level indicators (MLI), thereby adding a 4-20mA HART output to the mechanical devices. The combinations can be conveniently ordered as a whole, e.g. as BM 26 W1010 (OPTIWAVE 1010 welded to BM 26 ADVANCED). Alternatively, it can be welded on any bypass chamber with internal diameter 38-56 mm / 1.5-2.2". Thus it is also an ideal solution for other MLI manufacturers to add a level radar measurement option to their product range.

OPTIWAVE 1010 is competitively priced to replace reed chains, magnetostrictive and simple TDR transmitters that are typically used with bypass chambers or MLIs. In addition to a measuring accuracy of ± 5 mm / 0.2", the FMCW principle offers a much better overall accuracy in bypass applications: while reed chain and magnetostrictive principles are measuring the float position which depends on the product density, the FMCW radar directly measures the liquid surface.

Application range for OPTIWAVE 1010 includes almost any liquids with process temperatures ≤ +150°C / +302°F up to 40 barg / 580 psig and measuring ranges up to 8 m / 26.2 ft. With clean liquids of dielectric constant εr ≥ 3 the device measures the surface directly, for εr < 3, a float with target is used.

OPTIWAVE 1010 features a dual process seal system that allows for removal of the converter under process conditions. The 2-wire loop-powered HART device is pre-configured in the factory and is delivered ready to use. Application-specific adjustments are possible via HART/ DD and DTM.

• Krohne products are marketed in Ireland by DWN Instruments.

GaN-on-Si product supplier appoints new director.

EpiGaN, supplier of commercial GaN-on-Silicon epi-wafers for the power switching, RF power and sensor market, announces that Lou Hermans has joined their Board of Directors. Hermans will add his broad expertise in founding and growing semiconductor startups to implementing the expansion of EpiGaN and its continuously growing portfolio of GaN-on-Si products and services.

Lou Hermans

In 2007 Lou Hermans co-founded CMOSIS NV a leading provider of high-performance CMOS image sensors and solutions based in Antwerp Belgium where he served in the past as Chairman of the Board, VP Marketing and Sales and COO.

“Being an IMEC spin-off and knowing the EpiGaN founding team from my time at IMEC, I have always been following with great interest the development of EpiGaN, its products and services offered. Therefore I accepted with great pleasure and enthusiasm the invitation to become an independent board member and to support on the basis of my experience the further growth of EpiGaN.

EpiGaN, founded in 2010 as a spin-off of the Belgian research organization Imec, is continuing on its successful trajectory of becoming a world leading materials and solution provider in the field of GaN-on-Si technology. EpiGaN, operating out of Hasselt, develops and delivers GaN-on-Si and GaN-on-SiC epiwafers to semiconductor device manufacturers worldwide for power switching, RF power and sensor applications.

The company is today developing and shipping epitaxial (Al,Ga)N heterostructures grown on up to 200mm Si substrates to enable its customers to successfully position themselves in rapidly growing market segments.

"Lou has a far reaching experience and expertise in successfully growing semiconductor startup companies. That's why we invited him to join our Board of Directors in an advisory role," said Dr Marianne Germain, cofounder and CEO of EpiGaN. "We are now taking our next expansion step as the GaN market is accelerating its transition from R&D activities to full-fledged commercial production and application."

Weight Indicators With Large LED/LCD Displays.

Two new weight indicators featuring large six-digit LED and LCD displays have been introduced from VGP Transducers. Combining weighing and counting modes with an array of advanced features and communication interfaces, the Intuition 20i and Intuition 22i provide versatile solutions for a wide range of commercial and industrial applications.

For truck, bench, floor, and counting scales, the Intuition 20i and Intuition 22i drive up to 10 x 350 Ω load cells (4/6 wires), while their built-in counting modes are optimised for inventory control applications. The units support batching up to eight batched steps for process weighing and local/remote display capabilities and alibi memory — capable of retaining the last 10,000 transactions — for any application involving legal for trade weighing.

Each of the instruments released today features two programmable RS-232 serial ports for printing and networking and is available with optional Ethernet, USB 2.0, and RS485 serial ports. The Intuition 20i and Intuition 22i feature ticket printing with gross, net, and setpoint customisable up to 300 characters, while a real-time clock option allows for automatic data and time storage to clearly document all printout records. For weighing multiple transactions, the units offer an accumulation capability with an armed print function for summing the total weight. When the gross weight is at zero, the user can enter a preset tare value.

With its LED display, the Intuition 20i is optimised for outdoor applications in sunlight, while the LCD display of the Intuition 22i is ideal for indoor low-intensity-light environments. The units are available with rechargeable batteries providing up to 18 and 42 hours of operation time, respectively, while their rugged IP67 stainless steel enclosures enable operation in harsh environments. Two password protection levels allow both the user and operator to access the instrument's setup and configuration menu. For easy operation, calibration, and setup, both instruments are available with seven-key standard keyboards and 19-key numeric keyboards.

The reliable and robust Intuition 20i and Intuition 22i are based on a proven hardware and software modular structure that has undergone outdoor field testing for two years. Due to their modular architecture, the units are designed for simple servicing. Nearly every module in the system — whether electronic or mechanical, such as a power supply, A/D, CPU, or communication interface — can be easily replaced in the field. The instruments include full diagnostics, offer 100 % customisable hardware and software, and can be custom labeled.

VPG Transducers is fully committed to supporting the Intuition 20i and Intuition 22i in the event of any quality issues and is dedicated to continuing the development of the units' hardware and software platform by adding new features based on market demand. For example, an update will soon be released that features a digital scale interface.

 #VGP #PAuto #Transportation