Features

The sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT offers its employees exemplary health promotion services. This is confirmed by the “Corporate Health Award” 2021, which has been published by the Handelsblatt Media Group together with the EUPD market research and certification institute since 2009. HENSOLDT won first place with its corporate health management programme in the electrical engineering sector. A total of 354 companies from 17 industries were evaluated.

The evaluation was based on an audit by an external auditor, in which all processes, offers and topic areas of the HENSOLDT health management were reviewed. This included the work of the company doctor, a company social counselling service, occupational health and safety as well as a variety of preventive health measures for employees.

“The measures around the health and safety of our employees extend well beyond the legal framework at our company,” said HENSOLDT Chief Human Resources Officer Peter Fieser. “A particular focus is on supporting employees with targeted health and prevention programmes that address both the work environment and their own behaviour. Attractive offers create additional incentives.”

“Diverse health promotion and prevention programmes based on regular, targeted surveys and continuous evaluation guarantee the well-being of HENSOLDT employees. Even the special challenges of the pandemic were successfully mastered through this,” Steffen Klink, Director Corporate Health Department at EUPD Research, attested to the sensor specialist.

The “Corporate Health Award” is considered the most renowned award in Germany for excellent health management. Following an online qualification, the applicants receive their own Germany benchmark in an industry comparison. Companies with more than 50% target achievement in the underlying Corporate Health Evaluation Standard are given the opportunity to have their result verified by an audit. From the “Corporate Health Companies” thus verified, the independent expert advisory board decides on the winners of the award each year. More information: www.corporate-health-award.de

Swedish philosopher Nick Bostrom once said, “machine intelligence is the last invention that humanity will ever need to make”. Artificial intelligence (AI) decision making, paired with real time communication and data analytics, has the ability to transform the way manufacturers understand their machines. Here Johan Jonzon, CMO and Co-Founder of pioneer in edge analytics for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Crosser, explains how combining AI with the IoT can unlock the next generation of manufacturing.

The IoT and AI are separate technology trends that are both making waves in industry. But, when combined, their benefits are magnified. The IoT can connect devices together, giving and receiving signals like a nervous system. In contrast, AI can act as a brain, receiving data, processing it and using it to make informed decisions that control the overall system.

When joined together, the two are capable of delivering intelligent, connecting systems that can self-correct and self-heal themselves — forming the Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT). According to Research and Markets, the global AIoT market is expected to reach over 65 billion US dollars by 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 40 per cent.

Take action

To appreciate the capabilities of AIoT, it’s helpful to reflect on the impact IoT has already made on industry. With IoT technologies such as cloud computing and storage, as well as enhanced connectivity and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, manufacturers have been able to complete three key tasks: connect machines, store data and make it meaningful. Now, as we introduce AIoT, they can benefit from a fourth capability — to act.

Now, manufacturers can be presented with more than just facts. Instead of only learning about how their equipment is performing, and needing to the make their own decisions on how to act upon these findings, AI is closing the loop by automatically taking action.

However, to make AIoT feasible, manufacturers need a data management system that can support fast decision making. While cloud storage is a viable option, analysing data closer to its source — at the edge — will take AIoT to the next level.

Enter the edge

In many cases of AI integration, activities need to occur locally to act fast. For example, if the AI system receives an alert that there is a machine fault, the AI system may make the decision to stop the machine to avoid product damage. By integrating the AI system at the edge, instead of the cloud, latency issues can be avoided, meaning the machine is switched off much quicker and fewer products are damaged.

The same is applicable for process optimisation activities, such as changing the speed or type of movement of a machine. An AI system at the edge can send instructions to equipment to improve its performance faster than from the cloud.

An additional benefit of integrating AI and processing data at the edge is increased security. Cloud computing can present a number of security issues, as the data is stored by a third-party provider away from the company’s premises, and is accessible over the Internet. Edge computing can work as a complement to overcome these security concerns by filtering out sensitive information at the source and storing it on-premise, so there is less transfer of confidential material to the cloud.

Another use case where it is advantageous to integrate AIoT at the edge is when visual inspection systems are involved. Cameras and sensors create massive amounts of data, and therefore it makes better sense to analyse and filter this data at the edge, instead of sending it all to the cloud or large centralised system.

In addition, facilities often have a high number of mobile devices connected to the AIoT, and are therefore handling a huge amount of data. Sending all of this data to the cloud may not be possible, so it’s better to conduct the analysis at the edge. Edge analytics can extract the higher-value features from the raw data, sending only the important and necessary information to the cloud, such as remaining machine lifetime, for example.

Integrating the AIoT

In order to integrate AIoT at the edge, industry leaders must first build an AI model offline. They must then train the model by using previously stored datasets to improve it and ensure it meets expectations and requirements. Once happy with the model, industry leaders can execute it by exporting and applying it online with new live data.

However, applying the model to real time data in an online scenario is very different to testing it on stored data that has already been sorted in the training stage. Real time data hasn’t been filtered or categorised, and each set can be arriving at different times, creating a chaos of information for the AIoT.

Therefore, something needs to be done to the data before it can be used by the AIoT ― that’s also where edge analytics comes in. The Crosser Platform can help prepare the data in a number of ways before it reaches the AIoT. For example, it can harmonise data that is in different formats as it has travelled in from multiple sources.

Data that is coming in at different times can be aligned by the platform on regular time boundaries. In addition, if the data sources have different sampling rates, then the platform can fill in intermediate values so that the models can be updated with new data from all the sensors in each update. It can also create different types of windows over time series data.

The platform can also be used for feature extraction. Depending on the model being used, additional features may need to be created out of the raw data. This could be, for example, taking vibration data and converting it from the time domain into the frequency domain. All of these steps streamline the data before it reaches the AIoT.

It’s true that machine intelligence holds great power, but other supporting technologies can help uncover its full potential. Industry leaders who integrate the AIoT at the edge can reap the benefits of an efficient and reactive control system ― optimising processes, fast.

Powelectrics IoT technology cuts costs for suppliers of chemicals such as AdBlue, cryogas, acids, alkalis, detergents, fertilisers, food additives and construction additives.

Powelectrics offers over 30 years of expertise and practical experience in instrumentation and digitalisation.

Please click here to see the brochure, which describes Powelectrics’ range of solutions and details real application cases: Powelectrics-Chemical-Brochure-2021.pdf

• Tank, silo, IBC and bund level and load cell monitoring to understand usage and avoid run-outs/overfills, with associated disruption and clean-up.
• Supply chain management including raw materials and waste collection.
• Vendor Managed Inventory when delivering chemicals in bulk.
• Condition monitoring of plant and processes to perform maintenance before a breakdown occurs.
• Monitoring emissions of gases and effluent, to protect people and environment and comply with  industry legislation.
• Metering and energy management to identify inefficiencies and as part of ISO 50001.

More: Powelectrics IIoT Solutions For Chemical Industry Safety & Efficiency

Powelectrics’ well-proven, versatile MetronView cloud collects data from a vast array of sensors, machines and IIoT devices. It gets your data flowing … fast … from your first step towards digital transformation to an international estate of connected assets!

What can Powelectrics do for you?

Please browse the Powelectrics website and get in touch with any queries you have or applications you would like to discuss. Call +44 1827 310 666, email sales@powelectrics.co.uk or use this contact form.

Agriculture is increasing its use of complex automation in its machinery and an unusual example application is in the tracks of composting machines. Contrinex’s uniquely robust V4A/ 316L stainless-steel sensors, available from PLUS Automation, are trusted to operate reliably inside the track drive rotor. Withstanding dust, humidity and high temperatures, the sensors enable the machine to provide the fast drying of materials and optimal decomposition with reliable sanitisation being ensured.

Customer Application

The efficient turning of organic materials – loosening, lifting and aerating – is vitally important in industrial composting. Special mobile equipment ensures fast drying of materials, optimal decomposition and reliable sanitisation, processing between 500 and 6800 cubic metres of earth per hour.  

A manufacturer has introduced machine speed monitoring using a sensor located in the rotor, that counts the passing teeth of a rotating mechanical disk. From the number of teeth per second, the controller then calculates the final speed. 

Perfect sensor operation is required under these particularly harsh conditions. In addition to permanent vibration and shaking, the inductive sensor is also constantly exposed to dust, moisture, and temperatures from 70 to 80°C (158 to 176°F). Since the location of the sensor in the rotor is hard to access, the sensor must be very durable and low maintenance to avoid time-consuming repairs.

Solution

Contrinex inductive sensors from the FULL INOX family, Washdown range, are perfect for this application. Made from a single piece of V4A stainless steel, including the sensing face, they have no covers, caps or welding seams and are the most robust inductive sensors on the market. They resist shock, vibration, impact and abrasion and almost any exposure to dirt, gases, or liquids such as oil, water and cleaning agents. Functionally stable at temperatures from -25 to +85°C (-13 to 185°F), they are also insensitive to core breakage.  

Thanks to the long operating distances of these sensors (three times greater than the norm) a compact and efficient design was possible using the M12 size. A long operating distance allows the sensor to be mounted well away from the rotating disk’s passing teeth. Setup is also straightforward, as installation tolerances are less critical. A sensor version with a plug connector was chosen to allow speedy replacement if necessary.

Analog Devices, Inc. has announced a breakthrough RadioVerse System-on-Chip (SoC) series providing radio unit (RU) developers with an agile and cost-effective platform to create the most energy efficient 5G RUs in the industry. The new SoC series provides advanced RF signal processing with expanded digital functionality and RF capacity that greatly improves 5G RU performance and energy efficiency. The SoCs are the newest addition to ADI’s RadioVerse ecosystem and combine its award-winning Zero IF (ZiF) architecture with significant advances in functional integration and linearisation. ADI’s RadioVerse devices are the most widely used software-defined transceivers in 4G and 5G RUs worldwide.

“Samsung and ADI have long worked together to support the swift deployment of 5G in the global market,” said Dong Geun Lee, Vice President and Head of Hardware R&D Group, Network Business at Samsung Electronics. “We are excited for the successful launch of ADI’s new SoC, as we expect this cutting-edge technology will bring better 5G experience to consumers. We look forward to expanding our engagement with ADI.”

Demand for power efficient RUs is expanding rapidly as global network operators race to deploy 5G infrastructure. With the exponential growth of wireless demand, energy efficiency is a key metric for operators as they seek to reduce their carbon footprint while expanding network capacity. The new RadioVerse SoC series requires very low power compared to alternatives and implements advanced algorithms that deliver optimal RU system efficiency.

“RadioVerse SoCs are designed to optimise the full radio solution rather than just a single component or interface,” said Joe Barry, Vice President of Wireless Communications at Analog Devices. “Each successive generation has provided expanded capabilities, bandwidth and performance, while improving overall RU efficiency. This new RadioVerse SoC series takes a big step forward by delivering multiple advancements in signal processing to meet the demanding needs of 5G.”

The ADRV9040 is the first in the new RadioVerse SoC series. It offers eight transmit and receive channels of 400MHz bandwidth and integrates advanced digital signal processing functions, including carrier digital up-converters (CDUC), carrier digital down-converters (CDDC), crest factor reduction (CFR) and digital pre-distortion (DPD). This expanded signal processing can eliminate the need for a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), thereby reducing thermal footprint, and total system size, weight, power, and cost. The SoC’s DPD algorithms were developed using advanced machine learning techniques and are optimised in close collaboration with major power amplifier (PA) vendors to ease the design burden and deliver best-in-class wide bandwidth performance. The algorithms are fully tested and validated across 4G and 5G use cases, including various PA technology types such as gallium nitride (GaN). In addition, the ZiF radio architecture simplifies RF filtering and signal chain components, reducing RU cost and development time for band and power variants designs.

Alphasense, the Essex-based gas sensor manufacturer, is delighted to announce its acquisition by AMETEK, the global leader in electronic instruments and electromechanical devices.

Founded in 1996 and celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year, Alphasense will continue to operate from the company’s head office and manufacturing facility in Braintree, Essex.

Alphasense’s product range and day-to-day operations will remain unchanged, with Erik Boergesen from AMETEK MOCON joining the company in the coming weeks to oversee the transition period alongside Alphasense Interim CEO Peter Saxton.

“This is a significant moment in the history of Alphasense,” said Peter Saxton. “AMETEK’s operational style and growth strategy will create new opportunities for us over the coming years to build customer relationships around the world and develop our product range across existing and new markets. On behalf of the Gotley family, I extend my sincere thanks to colleagues past and present for their contribution to Alphasense.”

AMETEK consists of two operating groups: Electronic Instruments and Electromechanical. The company employs people at numerous manufacturing, sales and service locations in the United States and in many other countries around the world.

Despite the new interest and opportunities generated by the acquisition, Erik Boergesen believes Alphasense’s existing strengths will still be the key to achieving future growth.

“With the business recently turning 25 years old, we’re at a pivotal point where investment, insight and expertise from a company with AMETEK’s pedigree can help us push forward to reach new heights,” said Erik Boergesen. “Having said that, we still remain fully focused on delivering excellent product performance and outstanding customer service in our pursuit of this future growth.”

For more information about Alphasense, please visit www.alphasense.com or contact sensors@alphasense.com. For further information about AMETEK, please visit www.ametek.com.

Fluke is experiencing increasing demand for high-precision handheld devices which can measure photovoltaic (PV) systems in the United Kingdom.

The number of solar installations in the United Kingdom has doubled within the last year and is set to double again before 2030. Solar Energy UK, an established trade organisation, is working with 230 businesses across the solar and energy storage value chain to increase the UK’s solar storage capacity to 40 GW.

This dynamic growth is creating an ever-increasing demand for technicians who know how to troubleshoot PV systems efficiently and effectively. Clamp meters are often used in the installation and commissioning phase as well as when completing maintenance and troubleshooting.

The new-to-market Fluke 393 FC Clamp Meter is the world’s only CAT III 1500 V rated true-rms clamp meter which enables technicians to take measurements in DC environments, such as industrial solar farms. The tool was tailormade to test and measure solar PV applications with key functions including:

• an IP54 rating which is ideal for working outdoors on solar arrays and wind power systems
• DC power measurement with readings displayed in kVA
• an audio polarity indicator to prevent accidental miswiring
• Visual continuity turns provide a bright green light in the display to aid technicians working in dark and noisy environments
• Logging and reporting of test results via Fluke Connect software

Hans-Dieter Schuessele, Application & Technology Expert EMEA of Fluke says: “The transition to using renewable energy is accelerating and it’s critical that installers and maintenance staff have access to the right instruments to not only get solar farms online fast but can keep them working at peak performance. As the world’s first solar clamp meter to offer a CAT III rating at 1500 V, the Fluke 393 FC allows technicians to work safely while ensuring the use of solar energy has a bright future.”

As solar distribution systems and loads become larger and more complex, the implications for the safety of a technician become more important. It is critical for technicians to understand the level of protection built into a tool and how to use it when completing maintenance and troubleshooting. According to Fluke, troubleshooting a PV system typically focuses on four parts of the system: the PV panels, load, inverter and combiner boxes.

1.     Troubleshooting PV panels

A technician should first check the output of the entire system at the metering system or inverter. Before commencing troubleshooting, also check and record the inverter’s input voltage and current level from the array.

The combiner box can be a great place to troubleshoot the system because the individual wires from the modules are brought back to it. Each module may have a fuse that should be checked with the Fluke 393 FC.

Wiring problems and loose connections may cause a module to produce a voltage that is too low. These can be traced out using the Fluke 393 FC to check wiring connections at the junction boxes.

The Fluke 393 FC provides an audio polarity warning when testing Voc. If the polarity is reversed, it may mean that other circuits in the combiner box are unintentionally connected in series, resulting in voltages over the maximum inverter input voltage.

2.     Troubleshooting PV loads

Start by checking the load switches, fuses, and breakers with the Fluke 393 FC to see if the correct voltage is present at the load’s connection. Next, check the fuses and circuit breakers. Find and replace blown fuses or tripped breakers. If the load is a motor, an internal thermal breaker might be tripped or there might be an open winding in the motor. For testing purposes, plug in another load and see if it operates properly.

As with any electrical system, check for broken wires and any loose connections. Clean all dirty connections and replace all bad wiring. With the power off, check for and repair any ground faults. If any fuses blow or breakers trip again, there will be a short that will need to be located and repaired.

If the load still does not operate properly, use the Fluke 393 FC to check the system’s voltage at the load’s connection. The wire size may be too small and need to be increased. This will show up as a low voltage at the load and to resolve either reduce the load on the circuit or run a larger wire.

3.     Troubleshooting PV inverters

The inverter converts DC from the PV system into AC power for building use. For troubleshooting the AC side, use the Fluke 393 FC to check the inverter’s output voltage and current levels. Many of these systems have a display that indicates current inverter and system performance. As the Fluke 393 FC produces a true-rms reading, you can use the voltage and current to measure and record the power output in kilowatt (kW). If possible, use the inverter display to show the current total energy in kilowatt hours (kWh) and compare it to the one recorded during the last inspection. When troubleshooting the DC side, use the Fluke 393 FC to check the DC power and save the reading to the Fluke Connect™ app on your phone.

If the inverter does not produce the right amount of power, there may be a blown fuse, tripped breaker or broken wires — all of which can easily checked with the Fluke 393 FC.

4.     Troubleshooting Combiner Boxes

When troubleshooting combiner boxes, amperage measurements and calculations are crucial to establishing whether the PV arrays are operating correctly. Measuring current on individual arrays or combining current measurements will help determine if a module has malfunctioned.

The thinner jaw design of the Fluke 393 FC clamp meter ensures several conductors are used in the jaw for combined current measurements, even in tight or crowded spaces like inverter or combiner boxes.

For more information, about 393 FC CAT III 1500 V true-rms Clamp Meter with iFlex, please go to: https://www.fluke.com/en-gb/product/electrical-testing/clamp-meters/fluke-393-fc-cat-iii-1500-v-true-rms-clamp-meter

Fareham-based CNC machining company, Penta Precision, has increased its measurement capabilities by investing in a Baty R400 ‘Shadowgraph’ profile projector supplied by Bowers Group.

Penta Precision is an ISO 9001:2015 accredited company with extensive experience in machining high-quality components for several industries, including aerospace, military and defence, R&D, medical and pharmaceutical.

In 2021, the company devoted significant investment into new, larger premises, as well as boosting its workforce and its capital equipment to include 5-axis machinery as well as the Baty R400 profile projector. In doubling the size of its workshop, Penta Precision has increased both the capacity and capability of its dedicated CNC machining service.

The R400 at Penta is used daily by the quality department for first-off checks and final batch inspections of CNC milled and turned parts, as well as being used by its machinists to carry out in-process checks. The projector enables the company to measure a much wider range of parts due to the increased measuring range available when compared with the previous projector. This had caused an overreliance on using the CMM for simple dimensional checks, so investment in the R400 is preventing delays in inspecting first offs, as well as releasing the CMM for more complex work.

The Baty R400 bench-mounted profile projector is suitable for both the shop floor and the standards room and combines high accuracy non-contact measurement with inspection with a large 300mm x 150mm measuring range. With a choice of digital readouts and optional automatic profile edge detection, the R400 ensures a projector that fits a wide range of requirements.

Mike Steppens, Lead Quality Inspector at Penta Precision said: “At Penta we really care about our customers’ expectations. This forms a fundamental part of the company’s core target to become the engineering company where everyone wants to work and who everyone wants to buy from. I’m pleased that Penta has continued to invest in equipment to enhance the measuring capabilities of the quality department and with the purchase of the R400, it allows us to reduce the reliance on the CMM and also gives us the ability to verify any questionable reading from other equipment.”

“We have a high mix of work, and so there are high demands on inspection. The R400 has helped to free up the CMM and prevent delays in first off inspection. The majority of the parts which can now be measured on the R400, we were having to use the CMM as the previous projector had too small a working window.”   

The team at Penta are highly impressed with the Fusion software and its ease of use, with the ability to create a pictorial image of the part being measured. They are also able to use internal edge detection to remove any potential user judgement when trying to measure features. 

For those who are unfamiliar with the software, the simple user experience enabled team members to quickly learn how to use the machine to its full potential. It is also extremely accurate and offers the additional benefit of the machine being used to verify the results given by the CMM to within microns.

Yokogawa has developed the Single Cellome System SS2000, a single-cell analysis solution that utilises high-resolution images captured with a confocal microscope to automatically and accurately collect samples of specific cells and intracellular components. The SS2000 will be released in Japan, the US, and China in February 2022, with release in other markets such as Europe to follow at a later date.

Development Background

As the smallest unit of all living organisms, cells can greatly differ from one another; hence, there is a growing focus on single-cell analysis involving the isolation and handling of individual cells, as opposed to studying a population. In recent years, with improved analytical technology, it has become possible to analyse not only single cells but also specific molecules within them. Understanding the characteristics and functions of cells and mechanisms for cell development is a very effective means for clarifying the causes of diseases, preventing them, and verifying the efficacy of new drugs. This is essential for drug discovery research and the development of precision medicine and regenerative medicine.

Conventional techniques for the analysis of intracellular components have typically involved the disruption and collection of heterogeneous cell populations, which does not allow for sampling at the individual cell level, so many components cannot be collected and essential information on cell location and morphology is lost. In addition, as this sampling is done manually, throughput is low, and it is quite difficult for even experienced researchers.

Utilising Yokogawa’s core imaging technologies that enable the real-time analysis of minute phenomena in live cells, the Single Cellome System SS2000 incorporates new technologies that automatically and accurately control sampling operations in order to support the performance of cutting-edge life science research.

Features

Yokogawa confocal microscopy technology enables the rapid, minimally invasive imaging of living cells. Based on the high-sensitivity analysis of the high-resolution 3D images, the cells are automatically and precisely sampled using precise positioning technology.

Optimal selection of cells or regions within cells according to set criteria

The SS2000 analyses images of a large number of cells within a target range and classifies them by using provided criteria such as cytoplasm area and nucleus size. It then identifies which cells are suitable for analysis and determines their sampling location. Utilising criteria such as distance from the nucleus, image analysis can even identify optimal regions within individual cells.

Reliable sampling of target cells and components within individual cells

The SS2000 directly samples only target cells without detachment, retaining all positional and morphology information in the culture plate. Furthermore, the utilisation of high-resolution 3D images and precise positioning technology enables the selective sampling of target organelles and cytoplasm.

Samples can be used for a broad range of analyses

The collected cells and intracellular components can be used for a broad range of analyses, including genetic analysis and mass spectrometry. The optimum and efficient collection of target samples improves analytical sensitivity. In addition, single living cells that have been sampled can be grown in secondary cell cultures.

Hiroshi Nakao, a Yokogawa Electric vice president and head of the Life Business Headquarters, comments, “The newly developed Single Cellome System SS2000 is a solution that will play a key role in future cell research. It provides the potential to understand not only the characteristics of single cells, but also the networks and communication between cells, allowing us to ascertain pathological mechanisms. In an era where more and more people are living to the age of 100, Yokogawa will accelerate the development and provision of solutions to protect lives, health, and safety.”

Calibration Select, a new service offering launched in 2019 by leading weighing and metrology equipment calibration service provider, Avery Weigh-Tronix, offers the industry a fast and effective five day turnaround as standard, through use of its brand new, high-tech laboratory.

Utilising a network of over 150 UK-based service engineers to aid its collection and delivery service, the laboratory based in Birmingham, specialises in providing businesses with a single source supplier for all measurement and weighing calibration requirements. This results in minimal disruption, maximising uptime for those businesses and their clients.

The Calibration Select Laboratory, which performs calibrations using state-of-the-art testing equipment and the latest processes across a range of electrical, force, pressure, temperature, dimensional and torque equipment, and mass weights, is an expansion to the company’s calibration service offering, which has a history dating back to the industrial revolution.

The fast and effective five-day service, which is inclusive of collection and return, ensures all testing is traceable to national or internationally recognised standards.

Avery Weigh-Tronix, which celebrated its bicentennial celebration in June 2018, has historically been known as a weighing scale manufacturer, however in recent years it has expanded into providing a wide range of metrology equipment calibration services.

Andy Fox, Business Unit Manager, who has overseen the startup of Calibration Select said, “Calibration Select is committed to remaining market leaders within the industry. We want to ensure we are delivering exceptional customer service, which goes above and beyond expectations within the industry. We know time is of the essence for many of our customers, and we want to support them in being fast, effective and reliable.”

To find out more on how Calibration Select can support your business, visit calibrationselect.co.uk