Features

STMicroelectronics has revealed a new FlightSense multi-zone distance sensor with 90° field of view – the industry’s best and 33% larger than the previous generation. The optical sensors bring lifelike situational awareness to applications like home automation, domestic appliances, computers, robots, and smart equipment used in stores, factories, and more.

“Our FlightSense technology inside Time-of-Flight multi-zone sensors enables sophisticated scene understanding with low demands on system power and processing,” said Alexandre Balmefrezol, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Imaging sub-group within ST’s Analog, MEMS and Sensors Group. “Extending the field of view now gives users even greater flexibility while maintaining accuracy, resolution, and simplicity.”

Unlike camera sensors, which are sometimes positioned for these tasks, Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors like ST’s new VL53L7CX announced today do not capture images and thus ensure full privacy for users. The VL53L7CX extends the field of view to an unprecedented 90° (diagonal) for enhanced peripheral sensing, almost equivalent to that of a camera. This enhances the performance of presence detection and system activation, such as activating a screen or waking an appliance like an oven or coffee machine. 

ST’s FlightSense multi-zone sensors have powerful capabilities including 3D scene mapping and simultaneously measuring distance to multiple objects in multiple zones. The multi-zone capability and the motion indicator allow use in applications like people detection and tracking, over-shoulder warning, occupancy detection, and storage/parking management.

The new sensor also enhances the performance of applications like smart waste-management for tracking full and empty bins. It can also improve floor sensing, cliff prediction, obstacle avoidance, and small-object detection for robots. Further applications include keystone correction in projectors and extended hand tracking for gesture recognition using the STGesture™ software pack.

Further technical information

The new VL53L7CX has native 64-zone (8 x 8) sensing and can measure distance to multiple objects in each zone, up to 350cm. ST-patented histogram algorithms allow multi-target detection and measurement within the field of view, as well as smudge immunity above 60cm.

The linearity is consistent when measuring distance to objects as close as 2cm.

In low-power mode, the sensor consumes just 5.4mW. In addition, the VL53L7CX can operate in autonomous mode that allows the host system to power down and wake only when a threshold value is reached. Thresholds include distance to nearest object, signal rate, and detection of motion. The new sensor is pin-to-pin and driver compatible with the previous-generation device, VL53L5CX.

ST provides extensive design-in support to help users accomplish the maximum with these sensors and enjoy a fast time to market with low design risk. These include the VL53L7CX Expansion board (X-NUCLEO-53L7A1) and a development pack that includes the VL53L7CX board with an additional STM32F401 Nucleo™ board. The SATEL-VL53L7CX, a small-outline PCB for easy integration and fast prototyping, is also available.

A full set of software is available to make user development easier, including the Ultra Lite Driver, Linux driver, and STGesture™ code examples. The X-CUBE-TOF1 software pack for fast STM32 microcontroller programming contains application code examples and is compatible with the STM32CubeMX tools.

The VL53L7CX is in production now and available in a 6.4mm x 3.0mm x 1.6mm miniature optical LGA16 package, from $3.60 for prototyping.

A webinar dedicated to Time-of-Flight sensing is available, which describes the VL53L7CX, its features, opportunities for product innovation, and resources to assist hardware and software development. 

For further information and to replay the webinar, please go to https://content.st.com/enhanced-tof-sensors-based-on-optical-metasurface-technology.html?icmp=tt31620_gl_lnkon_mar2023.

To save lives and safeguard assets in a variety of environments, military personnel need to be able to move undetected. Often, their very lives and the security of their mission depend on it.

Teledyne FLIR integrator Thermal Vision Research is working with a leading manufacturer of life-saving protective equipment for military applications, BCB International, to do exactly that.

With 160 years of experience in developing protective technology, BCB International provides bespoke camouflage materials that conceal equipment and personnel across a spectrum of different wavelengths to ensure that secrecy and safety work as one.

Precise insights vs prohibitive environments

In these environments, being able to move around undetected is key – but this extends beyond the limitations of human sight and CCTV surveillance: they must also be able to transcend thermography to ensure invisibility.

As camouflage technologies improve, so too does thermography so that it can better pinpoint anomalies and provide insight when it’s needed most. However, on this occasion, the goal is not to be seen at all.

Using a custom rig built by TVR using FLIR thermal imaging cameras, BCB is able to test their newest and most advanced camouflage netting up close under a wide range of frequencies to see what shows up on thermography – and what does its job.

To ensure that their nettings are up to the challenge, they use three different FLIR thermal imaging cameras that operate across different wavelengths: a FLIR A62/61 for shortwave, FLIR X8500 for medium wave and FLIR A70 for long wave applications.

This process means that the manufacturer can streamline critical testing in both a lab and field environment with the mobile rig, detecting anomalies from -45°C to 70°C.

Rigorous quality checks made possible with thermal inspection

As BCB ‘s range of high-tech camouflage materials (such as those used in military uniforms and netting) are designed to be fire resistant with anti-thermal properties to mask ambient heat emissivity, they must be able to conceal troops and equipment in almost any environment.
To ensure this, BCB worked with TVR in a closed environment, with the thermal imaging rig set up at a distance of 10 metres – which puts the high-tech camouflage under much greater scrutiny than it might face at long-range in the field.

Andrew Howell, Managing Director, of BCB International explains: “We need to see what shows up by thermal imaging so we can see what accurately conceals and what doesn’t – and for this, we use FLIR thermography.

“This process is paramount to our operations as it allows us to identify any issues as they arise and means we can mitigate shortcomings before the product is deployed. We can see what works and what doesn’t, and in this scenario, if we can see something, we set to work refining it so that it can better protect personnel, vehicles and installations on the ground.”

Matthew Clavey, Director of integrator Thermal Vision Research, adds: “Whether the camouflage netting is being deployed over a tank or over artillery or supplies, they’ll invariably have different wavelength requirements. This is why it’s so important to test the heat emissivity of different materials across the spectrum of thermographic wavelengths – so we can track where heat is visible and identify any thermal dissipation to ensure this front-line defence technology performs as expected.”

ION Science has launched a new, dramatically upgraded version of Titan, maintaining its position as the only fixed benzene-specific monitor in the world; Titan 2. In accordance with recent legislation changes, Titan 2 offers enhanced stability and sensitivity, supporting ION’s continued mission of protecting lives and preserving the environment.

“Benzene is a toxic, carcinogenic gas representing a serious threat to many workers, as well as the environment,” explains ION Science Group Managing Director, Duncan Johns. “It is therefore vital that staff are protected by monitors that can continuously measure benzene at the low levels required by increasingly stringent international regulations. Titan 2 is the only commercially available, truly selective, fixed continuous benzene monitor worldwide that can meet this requirement.”

Titan 2 delivers unrivalled accuracy and sensitivity in benzene detection and is ideal for use in a variety of sectors, such as oil & gas, bulk storage facilities, chemical manufacturing and processing, and asphalt production.

Users of the original Titan will be familiar with the instrument’s accuracy and performance, however, within the new Titan 2 they will see core enhancements, such as a new rugged manifold, a piezoelectric micro pump for enhanced stability, a lower limit of detection, and updated PC software for easier management and control.

An occupational exposure limit (OEL) for benzene of 100 ppm was originally recommended in 1946. Following further associations with leukaemia, the OEL was reduced to 50 ppm and then to 1 ppm as the 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure limit (U.S. OSHA, 1987). However, further health problems have been reported at levels below 1ppm so there is pressure in many countries to lower the limit further. For example, NIOSH recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) is 0.1 ppm (10-hr TWA) and 1 ppm during any 15-minute work period. Similarly, the current EU 8-hour TWA for benzene is 1 ppm (3.25 mg/m³). However, from 5^th April 2024, the long-term exposure limit will be reduced to 0.5 ppm – and will be cut again from April 2026 to just 0.2 ppm. – Directive (EU) 2022/431 of the European parliament of the council, March 2022.

Regulatory requirements are therefore driving the need for greater sensitivity, and these needs are met by Titan 2. Thanks to innovative technology in conjunction with industry-leading PID sensor technology, the Titan 2 has a reduced likelihood of cross-sensitivity and can detect benzene rapidly at levels as low as 0.02 parts per million (20 parts per billion). At the other end of the scale, it can detect benzene at up to 20 ppm, delivering high speed and high sensitivity.

Titan 2 captures a gas sample once every 60 seconds. The sample is then conditioned within a further 60 seconds to allow precise benzene measurement, ensuring a consistent flow of real-time data. The piezoelectric micro pump in the latest version delivers enhanced pressure and flow accuracy to ensure a rapid response and unrivalled reliability.

Titan 2 also features visible alarm capability, triggering an alert when benzene concentrations reach either of two operator-configurable levels. Twin relay outputs enable the user to integrate the unit with existing site alarm systems, while easy-to-use firmware allows a simplified calibration procedure. For analysis of readings captured by Titan 2, both 4-20mA and RS485 MODBUS communication protocols can be utilised.

A proven, robust separation method ensures specific readings for benzene, with an easy-to-read display. An internally regulated heating system ensures stable operation even at extremes of temperatures, and the new robust housing reduces contamination risk and allows for extended use in the harshest environments.

Titan 2 has been designed to comply with international safety standards, including ATEX and IECEx, making it safe for use in any environment, as well as featuring an IP65 Ingress Protection rating. ION Science’s photoionisation detection (PID) technology has been independently verified as the best-performing on the market, providing reliable, accurate solutions backed by outstanding product support. Importantly, the new, unique to Titan 2, MiniPID T2 10.0 eV Sensor features a patented design to nullify potential humidity interference, whilst ensuring a fast response, the highest levels of sensitivity and market-leading reliability.

The Titan 2 service module is designed to be backwards compatible, so in conjunction with a simple firmware upgrade now provides existing Titan customers with a quick and convenient upgrade opportunity.

Summarising, Duncan Johns says: “Benzene is one of the more dangerous VOCs so the Titan 2’s ability to reliably speciate this gas is extremely important in the protection of lives, and with lowering regulatory limits, the instrument’s enhanced sensitivity is a major advantage.”

Further details can be found at: https://ionscience.com/en/products/titan-2-benzene-gas-monitor/

Technological market leader in ultra-high-speed imaging – Specialised Imaging Ltd. will celebrate 20 years in business during July 2023.

In 2003, Specialised Imaging Ltd. embarked on a journey to bring new innovations to ultra-high-speed imaging instruments and to create systems that are more intuitive to the user and offer a world class level of reliability and support.

Co-founder and Managing Director – Wai Chan commented “Our road map was to start with a simple image intensifier system that would allow universal interface to all cameras, ranging from a standard SLR to complex framing cameras. The building blocks from this product allowed us to design an intensified camera that was aimed at the outdoor market, so it had to be robust and weatherproof. Following requests from our customers we developed the SIR2 which was the world’s first double shot image intensifier coupled to a high resolution (12 MPixel) sensor. This enabled the capture of two successive images of the same event within a fraction of a second. Our next product was the multiple framing camera (SIM) which incorporated a novel 8-way beam splitter in a small footprint, whilst still maintaining an f2.8 aperture, plus an innovative additional optical split to share the same viewpoint with other auxiliary imaging devices, such as a spectrograph or streak camera. Over the years this product has evolved to allow 16 channels, double shot image intensifiers, gigabyte interface, optional canon mount interface and sophisticated velocity trap triggering. All additions have been developed as a result of customer feedback. The Queens Award for Innovation in 2011 was awarded to the company in recognition of the innovations in the SIM camera.

Director – Wayne Smethurst continued “In 2007 we developed a Trajectory Tracker system, that allowed the predictive tracking of a projectile in flight. While we were not the first to market with this product, our innovations, reliability, and support has made this product the world leader in this marketplace. We have and will continue to develop and improve this product”.

Technical Director and Co-founder – Keith Taylor added “Part of our original roadmap was to develop an Ultra high speed video camera. In partnership with the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council. From this project we developed the sensor that is used on the Kirana Camera. The camera has the fastest sensor at the highest resolution and frame storage. Currently the Kirana is capable of 7 million frames per second, at 924×764 with 180 frames making it the fastest camera in its class. The effort of the team won another Queens Award for innovation in 2016”. 

Concluding, Wai Chan said “In the 20 years since Specialised Imaging’s humble beginnings with 4 people working from a garage in Tring UK, we have grown to today operate from a purpose-built office/factory with 30 staff in Pitstone, UK plus offices in Temecula USA, Munich Germany, and Beijing China.  The company also has specialist sales channels spread across the world, from Australia, to South Africa and Japan. Specialised Imaging business has been and will continue to be based around offering the highest quality cameras for our customer’s applications, backed with our vast experience and expertise. The success of our business is a result of the immense dedication of all the people associated with us, from our employees right through the supply chain, who work to provide products to the standards that our customer’s demand. With our own image sensor and camera development teams, we are going to continue re-defining ultra-high-speed cameras to provide engineers and scientists worldwide with better tools to analyse their fundamental research”.

For further information please visit https://www.specialised-imaging.com/

Due to many years of experience, own coil and LVDT production, Inelta Sensorsysteme is considered a proven specialist in the development and production of these inductive precision sensors.

Due to their non-contact measuring principle, the hysteresis-free LVDTs achieve a virtually unlimited resolution, which depends only on the quality of the signal amplification. With their high measurement precision, repeatability, and principle-based freedom from wear, they are therefore ideal for applications requiring maximum reliability and long service life. Inelta’s wide range of LVDTs includes the LVDT-ISDP and LVDT-ISAP series with pneumatic push rod for measuring travels from 5 mm to 50 mm. The inductive sensors, which are available both with and without an integrated measuring amplifier in three device sizes, enable exact position determination of, for example, plate materials with a measuring accuracy of up to ≤0.1 mm.

For long-term monitoring of bridge statics, Inelta’s product range includes the LVDT-ISAG-300-k model, a weatherproof sensor that reliably detects even the smallest displacements at critical load points. The LVDT-IOAG series is tailored to particularly demanding environmental and operating conditions. The structure, welded housing and cable design reliably protect the LVDT from penetrating seawater or brackish water. This predestines this sensor version with 100 mm measuring travel for use, for example, in bridge surveying, heavy machinery, road and rail construction or railroad and power plant technology.

In addition, Inelta assembles LVDTs for heavy machinery on request in robust hexagonal housings for customer-preferred wrench sizes to simplify sensor replacement under harsh conditions. Supplementary, the manufacturer can modify the LVDT designs to suit specific applications, for example with a sensing function, as a displacement transducer with a continuous push rod or with oil compensation holes. Inelta also offers suitable solutions for inductive displacement measurement in miniature format, such as the IKDT displacement sensor in a stainless-steel housing. With a diameter of only 8 mm and sensing lengths of 2, 5, 10 and 20 mm, the miniature sensor with integrated measuring amplifier requires only minimal installation space and measures extremely precisely with a linearity deviation of only ±0.3 %.

Pickering Electronics, the leading name in reed relays for over 50 years, is all set to unveil its latest reed relay at the Electronica China show in Shanghai. Introducing the 104 series high voltage single-in-line reed relay, designed to withstand higher temperatures. Join us at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai from July 11-13. Visit our booth to learn more about miniaturized and high-performance relays and don’t miss a chance to connect and speak to our technical experts.

 The new 104HT relay can operate at up to 125°C and is part of a family of miniature high voltage reed relays from Pickering in the SIL package. Available in 1 Form A configuration, up to 4kV stand-off voltage and 5V, 12V and 24V coils. Up to 3000 Ω coil resistance. Applications are wide but include mixed signal semiconductor testers, high-end cable testers, backplane testers, medical electronics, electric vehicles, solar energy, and high voltage instrumentation.

Comments Kevin Mallett, Technical Specialist at Pickering Electronics: “Pickering is continuously developing its product offering, and we are excited to show our new developments – including this high temperature device – to attendees at the prestigious Electronica show in Shanghai. Today, Pickering’s SIL/SIP range is by far the most developed in the relay industry with some devices measuring just one quarter the size of many competitors. These small reed relays are sold in high volumes to large ATE and Semiconductor companies throughout the world.”

Draw-wire displacement sensors from Micro-Epsilon are used successfully in many different industries, one of the most important being mobile machinery, where the sensors need to be compact, provide large measuring ranges (typically 6 m to 8 m) and offer an attractive price/performance ratio.

A common application for draw-wire sensors in mobile machinery is the measurement of boom and support positions. Telescopic loaders, for example, often require a measuring range of 8 m. In addition to analogue outputs, the demand for digital interfaces is also increasing, particularly for CANopen. 

To better serve these applications, Micro-Epsilon has expanded its wireSENSOR WPS-MK88 and wireSENSOR WPS-K100 series of draw-wire sensors with larger measuring ranges and CANopen interface.  

The wireSENSOR K100 series of draw-wire displacement sensors measure distance and position precisely, combining high performance for outdoor use with an excellent price/performance ratio. The series now offers a larger measuring range of up to 8 m, as well as a CANopen interface for all measuring ranges up to 8 m, making the sensors ideal for off-highway vehicles, mobile machinery, mobile cranes and lifting technology. The compact K100 series is protected by a glass fibre-reinforced plastic housing, as well as separate drum and spring spaces, making the sensors extremely robust (IP69K) against external influences.  

The MK88 series of draw-wire sensors has also been expanded with a larger measuring range of up to 6 m, as well as a CANopen interface for all measuring ranges up to 6 m. The MK88 is specially designed for mobile applications in series such as mobile cranes and mobile working platforms. The combination of compact size, robustness and price makes the sensors unique, offering new potential in design and cost optimisation.  

Ever-expanding portfolio 

Draw-wire displacement sensors from Micro-Epsilon are extremely robust and flexible. They measure positions and distances between 50 mm and 50 m. Robust housings protect against external influences. Due to their compact design, the sensors can also be integrated in narrow installation spaces. Measurements are performed in a simple way, quickly and with a long sensor service life. Output of measurement values is either analogue or digital, depending on the sensor model. For customer applications, various adaptations can also be implemented at any time. For example, the measuring wire can be guided over deflection pulleys to achieve an ideal measuring situation. Micro-Epsilon’s portfolio of draw-wire displacement sensors includes more than 120 models in different designs and measuring ranges. 

Bowers Group is delighted to announce a new partnership with ASH, allowing the group to offer an exciting and innovative range of digital inspection solutions.

Headquartered in Ireland, ASH is renowned for designing and building a highly sophisticated range of inspection systems for a wide range of industries. The innovative range of products is now available and supported by Bowers Group as part of its third-party operations, with the dedicated and knowledgeable sales team committed to delivering the world’s most advanced inspection technology solutions to UK-based businesses.

UK Sales Manager at Bowers Group, Ryan Kingswell, said: “ASH has already assisted many manufacturers around the world to protect quality, minimise risk and advance their capabilities. We are confident that these advanced products will complement our product portfolio and I’m sure it will also prove to be extremely popular within the UK metrology and manufacturing market. We’re thrilled to be able to offer the intelligent, award-winning technology of ASH to our customers and look forward to a long and successful relationship.”

Martin Cahill, COO of ASH, said: “The partnership between Bowers Group and ASH is truly a testament to our shared vision of innovation and excellence. As an esteemed leader in the field of metrology, Bowers Group has built an extensive network owing to its industry expertise and exceptional customer service. We are delighted to add our inspection solutions to Bowers’ comprehensive suite of quality products, expanding our reach in the UK and collectively helping a wide range of industries to unlock new levels of efficiency and precision in their manufacturing processes. We are certain that the synergy between our companies’ culture and values will ensure an enduring and prosperous collaboration.”

To discover the full range of ASH products, find out more information, or to book a demo, contact the Bowers group sales team at sales@bowersgroup.co.uk or visit the website www.bowersgroup.co.uk

Samotics, a leading provider of real-time actionable insights to eliminate industrial energy waste and unplanned downtime, has partnered with Partners in Performance, a leading global player in driving operational excellence for complex organisations, to deliver enhanced condition monitoring and energy efficiency services to key global industries, enabling digital transformation and improved performance.

As Samotics expands its global operations and helps more organisations access the benefits of predictive maintenance, this partnership with Partners in Performance marks a significant milestone for its growth strategy. The focus of this partnership will be delivering asset health and energy efficiency insights to a broader audience of industrial players. Its initial target industries are oil and gas and water and wastewater sectors in key global markets, including the US and Australia.

Samotics’ SAM4 technology supports global industrial players to monitor the performance and efficiency of critical assets. SAM4 is a proven, scalable solution, already helping over 100 customers in five continents to make data-driven decisions and improve performance. It solves a significant challenge for industrial organisations, including those in water, steel and chemicals, by enabling the remote capture of high-quality performance and efficiency data for assets in hard-to-reach, submerged and hazardous locations. This makes it an attractive offering for Partners in Performance industrial client base, who are looking for an end-to-end solution to support their digital transformation and energy transition efforts.

Peter Mann, Director at Partners in Performance said, “Our partnership with Samotics will allow us to help our global clients improve asset performance while accelerating their energy transitions since they have a safe and effective way of identifying energy inefficient equipment. With their machine learning algorithms in our arsenal, we can help increase operational efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, all the while creating safer working environments for people by identifying potential issues before they can become a hazard.”  

Jasper Hoogeweegen, CEO at Samotics said: “Our SAM4 technology is already delivering significant value to industries, helping to identify developing faults and meet carbon reduction goals. With our joint commitment to solving reliability and energy efficiency challenges, Partners in Performance is a great partner to help scale global adoption of our proven technology and bring these benefits to more organisations around the world.”

The SAM4 system offers two unique solutions. SAM4 Health, the company’s flagship offering, analyses current and voltage signals of electric-driven equipment such as motors and pumps to detect electrical and mechanical faults. Using electrical signature analysis (ESA) and machine learning, SAM4 Health offers superior fault detection accuracy, detecting over 90% of failures up to five months in advance. SAM4 Energy, the world’s first continuous monitoring system for industrial equipment efficiency, provides detailed performance and efficiency insights to identify where energy consumption, cost and efficiency losses are largest and implement data-driven recommendations.