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The precision and repeatability of Contrinex’s analogue inductive sensors, available from PLUS Automation, are trusted by a manufacturer of industrial timing belts to measure the position of steel reinforcing bands embedded within the belts.

Two of these long-range, high-resolution sensors are mounted above either end of the extruded belt profile to provide real-time positional data of the metal reinforcing bands. A process-control system monitors the sensor’s analogue voltage outputs, alerting the operator and halting the production if the values move outside the allowable limits.

Customer application

Steel reinforcing wires are commonly bonded into the carcass of industrial belts to reinforce them and extend the belt’s life. The distance between the reinforcing wires and their position within the belt is important, especially so for timing belts where the wire must not interfere with the teeth profile that is extruded into the belt.

Offline destructive testing of the belt can check the product’s quality by inspecting and measuring samples of the belt, but this process only detects faults sometime after they have been produced, potentially leading to costly rejects. The customer wanted a real-time checking system with sensors that would reliably and accurately measure the position of the steel reinforcement, within the belt.

Customer solution

The desire for a sensor with a sensing distance of up to 10 mm with micron (µm) measurement accuracy, made Contrinex’s M18-size analogue inductive ideal, but an additional benefit was the option of a short-body length version, which is only 48mm long including the socket, or only 36mm with a cable.

Contrinex’s patented Condist® technology provides highly stable sensing performance with exceptional detection accuracy, excellent repeatability, and resolution in the micron range.

The sensors sample at 250Hz, to enable accurate measurement of the steel reinforcement wires in the fast-moving belt profile. They provide continuous, non-linearised 0 to 10V analogue output signals and are resistant to vibration and variations in ambient temperature, allowing their positioning close to the moving belt, immediately after the extrusion press.

Two sensors set flush into a non-metallic plate, are mounted directly above the surface of the belt as it runs over a guide roller, giving a stable reference position. The lightly tensioned belt clears the sensing face of the devices by a few tenths of a millimetre. Connection to the customer’s control system is via a flexible cable with an easily detachable M12 connector.

The Contrinex analogue inductive sensors provide high-accuracy, ultra-reliable measurement, which removes the need to destructively test belts to inspect the position of the steel reinforcement. The risk of reject costs because of the infrequent nature of the off-line sampling is also removed.

With the recently acquired certification under European aviation law in accordance with EASA PART-145, the new “Airborne Service Center” (ASC) in Oberkochen is authorised to repair highly complex gimbal-mounted electro-optical monitoring systems of the type ARGOS II HD directly in Germany. By setting up the ASC at the HENSOLDT Optronics site in Oberkochen, customers now have the advantage of massive time savings as well as direct contacts in their own country.

“With the establishment of the Airborne Service Centre, the downtimes of the ARGOS-II-HD-carrying units of German customers, such as the helicopters of the German Federal Police and the Thuringian State Police, will be significantly reduced,” explains Marco Liebscher, Head of ILS/ISS Customer Services Optronics. “By providing spare parts and carrying out all relevant maintenance work, including the necessary documentation and approvals in accordance with EASA Form 1, HENSOLDT is able to work without depending on other maintenance companies.”

With the opening of the ASC at the Oberkochen site, HENSOLDT can repair its gimbals to depot maintenance level in the company’s own service centre. A great advantage for European customers. D-level maintenance usually takes place in highly specialised repair depots and in facilities of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). At the same time, the company is creating another important pillar of the service business in Oberkochen with the ASC as a basis for future service agreements and negotiations already underway.

In a next step, which requires additional certifications, other in-house self-protection sensors are to be serviced in Oberkochen in addition to the ARGOS II HD.

Powelectrics has been announced as the sponsor of the DAQ Product of the Year award at the IEAs.

Powelectrics is your ideal partner for digital transformation! The company delivers IIoT solutions globally, with a deep understanding of the Industrial Internet of Things, backed up by 30 years expertise and practical experience in instrumentation and digitalisation, as well as ISO9001 and ISO27001 accreditation.

Dave Oakes, Powelectrics MD: “We live in an increasingly digitally-connected universe, especially in our post-Covid environment.

“Call it telemetry, IoT, IIoT, M2M, Industry4.0, remote monitoring, big data or digital transformation …. here at Powelectrics, we get it! Our expert team will help you define and achieve corporate objectives, creating knowledge from your data, to give you a competitive edge.

“We combine our own proven Metron hardware and MetronView platform with a range of trusted third-party sensing and communication technologies, to develop truly innovative digital transformation solutions.

“I’m particularly delighted that Powelectrics are sponsoring these Instrumentation Excellence Awards, in which Powelectrics Metron4 GSM/GPRS IoT device is a finalist for IIoT Product of the Year!

“Please explore our website, with dozens of real application case studies.”

Powelectrics has connected hundreds of thousands of sensors, machines and other assets, helping customers remotely monitor, collate and interpret data on their critical processes and enjoy a wide range of benefits…. data on temperature, pressure, flow, level, vibration, humidity, CO2, proximity, salinity and more.

Metron Intelligence, Powelectrics versatile suite of IIoT technologies integrates GSM/GPRS, Sigfox, LoRa, RS232, RS485, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, CAN, MODBUS & IO-Link with our MetronView platform and, from there, creating reports, alarms and integrating data to other portals.

Trusted by multinational corporations, our agile, in-house development team can develop your concept, bringing your IIoT solution to market quickly, reliably and cost-effectively, helping you manage cost of living issues and keeping you at the cutting edge of your sector. 

Powelectrics’ experience encompasses multiple sectors from bulk product distribution and collection (including vendor managed inventory), pumping and utilities, power and energy monitoring, flood monitoring, agriculture, environmental compliance, waste and recycling, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, safety and security.

Powelectrics gets your data flowing … fast … from your first step towards digital transformation to an international estate of connected assets … one system to tens of thousands!

Will Brown, IIoT Solutions Architect: “I was initially drawn to Powelectrics because I saw a focused telemetry company with strong experience in a variety of sectors. The ongoing growth of our internal development team has enabled extensive and sophisticated solution development, using a raft of IIoT building blocks. I love offering the flexibility and agility to get to market quickly!”

Whether you need utility monitoring, condition monitoring of machinery to maximise uptime and productivity, or reliable remote monitoring of environmental factors to ensure best practice, compliance and safety … please talk to Powelectrics!

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.

Book your tickets to the event of the year

The Instrumentation Excellence Awards (IEAs) celebrate the very best professionals, products and companies from the test, measurement, sensing and control sectors. Taking place on the 27 October 2022 at the Grand Connaught Rooms, London, the IEAs are a fantastic opportunity to enjoy an evening of great food and live entertainment with a celebrity host. Taking place in conjunction with the Electronics Industry Awards, the IEAs also present the networking event of the year.

Whether you want to book a table or just a few seats for you, your team and partners, the IEAs has a ticket option for you. Tickets include an invitation to an exclusive champagne reception and a three-course meal with wine. 

To book your tickets to the event of the year, please visit: https://instrumentationawards.co.uk/book-tickets/  

Eight of the 14 health boards in Scotland have asbestos in over 50% of their buildings. The figure rises as high as 92% of buildings for the NHS Lothian health board. Asbestos takes around 5,000 lives every year in the UK, with around 20 tradesmen dying each week from past exposure.

Tim Turney, Global Marketing Manager at industrial hygiene and workplace hazard monitoring expert, Casella, comments “Despite being banned in the UK, asbestos can still be found in older homes and properties, posing a threat to anyone who disturbs the dangerous material. 

Left alone, the material is not harmful, but once disturbed or disintegrating, it can release asbestos fibres that infiltrate and progressively damage the lungs. The damage results in multiple health defects, such as the lung disease mesothelioma — a cancer that can take up to 20 years to develop, often proving fatal within five years or less.  

Whenever asbestos is removed, it is a legal requirement to use licenced contractors and to ensure strict regulations and guidance are followed to limit the potential release of dangerous, airborne fibres. The guidance, depending on national practice, typically includes personal air sampling and/or static air sampling, to ensure that there is no exposure during remediation work or during the cleaning and clearance processes at a removal site.  

In the UK, a four-stage clearance process is used, involving a preliminary check of the site condition and job completeness, a thorough visual inspection inside the enclosure or work area, air monitoring and a final assessment of the post-enclosure or work area following dismantling. Licenced contractors may also take air samples before work is undertaken to establish a background level measurement. Conducting a test before disturbing any materials could save thousands of pounds on decontamination and environmental cleaning fees and help to avoid exposure. Additionally, trained professionals may take air samples during work on or near asbestos to confirm that there is no leakage from the enclosure.

Using air sampling pumps with remote connectivity, such as Bluetooth and a mobile ‘phone app, can help while gathering the necessary measurements. For example, the Casella Airwave App works with the ‘Pro’ version of its Vortex3 high flow pump to enable users to remotely start, pause or stop a measurement run, monitor battery life and memory capacity and check measurement progress direct from a mobile device.  

Ultimately, asbestos monitoring has the power to save lives, and innovations in technology can make this process easier and faster than ever before.” 

One of the largest events of its kind, ADIPEC 2022 (31 October – 3 November, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)will host more than 150,000 energy professionals and visitors worldwide.

With over 140,000 gross square metres of exhibition space across sixteen halls, there will be plenty to see, especially for any companies seeking reliable, high-quality, proven gas detection and monitoring technologies. From Booth 9413 in Hall 9, Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection will shine the spotlight on several proven products that enhance safety and bring even more capabilities to the oil and gas sector.

Visitors to the booth will also discover how Teledyne will meet the gas detection demands of the giant Hail and Ghasha sour gas project that is currently in development off the UAE coastline.

Among the class-leading products on display from Teledyne GFD will be the GD1 hydrogen sulphide (H2S) laser detector, which features a unique, customisable laser diode that, rather than emitting a conventional straight beam of light, travels as a cone from one point to another. In other words, the beam expands after transmission and is almost a metre in diameter when it reaches the receiver. As a result, the beam can penetrate harsh environments that competitor solutions may find difficult. The GD1 also performs real-time auto-calibration and auto-proof testing, and provides a very high sampling or detection rate i.e., 8000 times/sec. Well over 800 units have been deployed in the field since 2011.

Also in the spotlight will be the GD10P infrared gas detector with full firmware upgrade, enhancing the product’s performance in high demand mode SIL2 approved applications. In comparison with other infrared gas detectors, the new firmware adds further to GD10P’s differentiating factors, which include a solid-state infrared source and a 15-year warranty.

Moreover, despite the shortages experienced in the global semiconductor industry, we have been able to ensure business continuity for most of our products. As such we demonstrate our operational excellence and continue to respond quickly to almost any need. With GD10P, we prove our product leadership, offering to our partners leading-edge products and services. In fact, we have recently sold our 100,000th.

Elsewhere on the booth, ADIPEC visitors will find the GD10PE infrared point gas detector, which is ideal when users need fast, reliable detection of low gas concentrations. With a measuring range of 0-20% LEL, the GD10PE is five times more sensitive than standard point detectors.

Another exciting innovation launching at the show is Spyglass™, a brand-new range of flame detectors offering integrated high-definition CCTV video that facilitates the clear, rapid imaging of fire and people at unprecedented distances. When connected to a DVR/NVR, the rescue team becomes aware of the exact situation before entering the hazardous area. A range of high-capability models is available offering a selection of different detectors. Visitors should head for the booth to find out more.

Teledyne’s product portfolio houses a variety of detection technologies, including fixed, portable and wireless, as well as area monitors. Sometimes a mix of solutions can improve reliability and availability, as evidenced in the company’s proposal for the enormous Hail and Ghasha sour gas development, which is set to go live in 2024.

The main contractor tasked Teledyne GFD to ensure reliable wireless gas detection with 24-7 availability. As a result, the company proposed fixed gas detectors connected via a wireless mesh as a primary means of detecting LEL explosive gases and hydrogen sulphide gases. The solution also includes a second line of defence, utilising a mesh network of Teledyne’s field proven BM25 wireless area monitors. Implementation commenced in June 2021, with the wireless mesh network featuring independent supervision from field-mounted controllers and remote displays.

The BM25 will be on display at the booth, alongside other Teledyne industrial gas and flame detectors – both fixed and portable, including the wireless CXT. Personal gas monitors on view will include the PS200, PS500 and Protégé ZM, while a ‘Solution Wall’ will showcase DG MOS detector with Telecapteur asset management software, but also the high temperature SIL 2 DF flame detector.

Any company seeking the latest detection and monitoring technologies to keep oil and gas operations running safely, efficiently, and profitably, should look no further than the innovative solutions available from Teledyne GFD. ADIPEC visitors are welcome to discuss their specific challenges and requirements for which we will have an experienced and knowledgeable team on the booth.

At Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection, we focus on delivering superior customer value which means operational excellence and product leadership.

For more information, visit www.TeledyneGFD.com or contact gasandflamedetection@teledyne.com

To allow visitors and exhibitors to build new connections ahead of the exhibition, Advanced Engineering UK has launched a new app on iOS, Android and desktop, which can be used to schedule meetings and create a plan for the show. Especially now, it’s important for businesses to make the most of the time and money that they invest in activities like exhibitions. The app helps ensure that visitors and exhibitors have a productive and worthwhile time at the event.

When exhibitors register for Advanced Engineering UK, they hope to build valuable relationships that will help them grow their business. The new app helps with this by matchmaking exhibitors with visitors who have a specific interest in their products and services and helps them reach the right people among thousands of attendees. Using the app, exhibitors can schedule meetings and maximise their networking time across the two day show. Visitors can also make the most of the app by using it ahead of the show to arrange meetings with suppliers that meet their needs.

In previous years, visitors and exhibitors had access to a similar matchmaking service, courtesy of Advanced Engineering, which generated great results. In 2021, the service was used to schedule 466 meetings, an increase in pre-booked meetings even compared to a pre-covid year. There was also an impressive 81 per cent of key contact engagement.

When exhibitors register, they receive login credentials to the app, where they can share information about their products and services. Exhibitors can also specify their ideal target audience, as well as their goals during the show. Visitors can also use the app to look for specific suppliers that are due to attend.

The smart platform uses this data to find potential matches, allowing exhibitors to contact them to arrange meetings during the show. Meetings can take place in a dedicated networking area, or at the exhibitor’s stand. Exhibitors and visitors can also use the platform to block out time for the different talks that they’d like to attend across the show’s four forums. This, along with their meetings, gives them a concrete schedule that they can refer to during the event.

“Networking is the number one reason that people attend Advanced Engineering,” explained Aleiya Lonsdale, Head of Event for Advanced Engineering and its co-located sister show, Lab Innovations. “The different show zones are designed to bring people from different industries together to collaborate and innovate. With the new and improved networking app, we hope this collaboration is made even easier.”

Advanced Engineering is co-located with Lab Innovations, the UK’s largest annual show for lab professionals, at the NEC, Birmingham, on November 2 and 3, 2022. The app operates across both shows, meaning that exhibitors at Advanced Engineering can arrange meetings with those at Lab Innovations.

Exhibitor space at Advanced Engineering 2022 is almost sold out. To secure your spot, or to register for a visitor pass, visit the website today. While at the exhibit don’t forget to use the app to book meetings and find exhibitor stands. The app is available on iOS, Android and desktop.

Resolve Optics has delivered its first batch of application optimised M12 fisheye lens to a leading visual analytics company for their new array camera for borehole inspection applications.

 To extend the capabilities of the array camera, to provide a continuous, 360° view of the internal diameter of a wellbore, Resolve Optics designed and produced a lens optimised to give excellent short distance imaging clarity, a large (186⁰) field-of-view and optical correction for the curvature of the pipe.

 The clients camera features an array of four pre-aligned, high-definition video devices, that together with four application optimised fisheye imaging lenses, uniquely enable the creation of a vivid, 360° dynamic map of well condition and behaviour from the lubricator to the toe of the well in a single, continuous run-in hole. The unique design of the array camera captures four high definition, high frame-rate video feeds and combines them to create an infinitely long, continuous image of the well, significantly reducing the time for data acquisition and increasing the mechanical reliability of the system.

Resolve Optics take a customer centric approach to OEM custom optical design and manufacture. The company prides itself on nearly three decades of quickly translating each customer need into an optimised optical design, running projects successfully, and manufacturing production quantities of lenses or optical products on time, to the specified quality and target price.

For further information, or to discuss an optimised lens or optical system to improve the performance of your camera, sensor or optical instrument please visit www.resolveoptics.com/capabilities/ or contact Resolve Optics on +44-1494-777100 / sales@resolveoptics.com. 

Analog Devices and Keysight Technologies have announced their collaboration to advance the adoption of phased array technology. This technology is key to realising ubiquitous connectivity and sensing by simplifying development stages associated with creating satellite communication, radar, and phased array systems.

Analog Devices’ family of phased array platforms are used to accelerate customers’ beamforming developments by providing a total solution that can then be tested and calibrated with Keysight phased array test solutions. This collaboration brings together the entire ecosystem by aiming to provide a total design, test, and calibration solution. Phased array antennas are the enablers of next-generation wireless communication applications as well as signal intelligence and earth observation applications.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Analog Devices to bring innovative phased array technology to a wide variety of new customers and their use cases,” said Peng Cao, Vice President and General Manager for Keysight’s Wireless Test Group. “Keysight’s state-of-the-art measurement solutions have transformed phased array test times from minutes down to seconds. Working closely with Analog Devices, we have demonstrated a 70 times faster measurement speed while maintaining excellent accuracy. Bringing together the beamforming advances of Analog Devices and measurement innovation from Keysight, our customers will now have the opportunity for a complete, end-to-end solution for phased arrays which will accelerate time to market and deliver exceptional performance.”

“Our customers are demanding more than just a beamforming IC, but rather a total system level solution with the test and calibration of the array. By utilising ADI’s system platforms, the collaboration between ADI and Keysight intends to help accelerate the adoption of phased array platforms for higher data rate communications and sensing solutions,” noted Bryan Goldstein, Vice President of Aerospace and Defense at Analog Devices.

Access the developer’s kit here: https://www.analog.com/en/design-center/evaluation-hardware-and-software/evaluation-boards-kits/x-band-development-platform.html

UK nanotechnology specialist NextGen Nano has launched its new quantum division, aiming to develop materials for quantum applications that function under practical conditions. The division, led by scientists at North Carolina State University (NCSU), will guide the design of novel materials for emerging quantum technologies, like quantum computers and communication devices.

According to Fortune Business Insights, the quantum computing market is projected to grow from $486 million in 2021 to $3.18 billion in 2028. This growth is expected as the demand for devices that can manipulate electrical currents and optical fields to store energy, process information and communicate and transfer data increases.

With this demand comes the challenge of processing larger amounts of data over longer distances. NextGen Nano’s new quantum division will facilitate research in this area, investigating the quantum properties of certain solid materials that can function under practical conditions.

Professor Kenan Gundogdu, division lead and quantum physics expert, said: “Designing devices that use material properties, described in the rules of quantum physics, is the future of our technology. However, currently, some macroscopic quantum states, like superfluorescence and superradiance, require cryogenic temperatures around -260 degrees Celsius to be observed. Because of this, adopting quantum technology is hindered by the challenge of developing quantum materials functioning at practically relevant temperatures.

“Recently, we discovered that some materials exhibit macroscopic quantum properties at unusually high temperatures. For example, a lead-halide perovskite showed superfluorescence at room temperature. Research also found that some solid materials have a quantum analogue of vibration isolation (QAVI) mechanism that protects the quantum states from temperature-induced effects and ambient noise.”

Matthew Stone, chairman of NextGen Nano, said: “Thanks to the team’s recent breakthrough, it might soon be possible to tailor materials to observe macroscopic quantum states at the highest possible temperatures. This new division will build on previous research success and is an opportunity for NextGen Nano to explore a new scientific space and exciting commercial markets.”

NextGen Nano is also known for its patented organic semi-transparent solar cells, PolyPower® and innovative Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) technology.

Find out more here https://nextgen-nano.com/technology/.

Mouser Electronics will be exhibiting at Electronica 2022, the world’s leading trade fair and conference for electronics, in Munich from 15 November through 18 November 2022. Mouser will once again partner with TTI, Inc to exhibit in Hall C3 at Booth 578.

Throughout Electronica 2022, the Mouser booth will feature a “spin-to-win” game and prize draw. Alongside this, attendees can relax and enjoy a hot drink at the Mouser coffee bar. Visitors to the booth will also have an opportunity to use the Mouser Customer Service Pod, where the team will guide attendees through the Mouser website and answer all queries.

Spin-to-Win

Mouser will be running its ever-popular “spin-to-win” game, open to all visitors to the booth. In a change to previous years, the game will use gesture control to initiate the spin, giving visitors the chance to win one prize from a host of gadgets and dev tools, such as a high-quality miniature multi-tool or a multimeter test device.

Mouser Coffee Bar

Attendees can relax and catch up with others over a hot beverage at the coffee bar. A barista will serve all visitors coffee in a Mouser/TTI branded cup, with the option to take home a ceramic Mouser mug.

Customer Service Pod

The customer service team will be on hand to offer attendees demonstrations and guidance on how to use the extensive range of services and tools on the Mouser website, including the FORTE Intelligent BOM tool, the Price and Availability Assistant, ECAD design library and Mouser’s useful conversion calculators. The Mouser team will also be available to answer questions regarding orders and delivery times and to offer suggestions for technical resources that buyers and designers may find useful.

Online Prize Draw

Mouser will also be running an Electronica 2022 online prize draw, where registrants can enter to win one of the following prizes:

• ams OSRAM Evaluation Kit for AS7050

• Maxim Integrated MAXREFDES178 AI Cube Camera Reference Design

• Microchip Technology EV70N78A Development Board

• Molex MINI-FIT 18-24AWG Crimping Hand Tool

• NXP Semiconductors i.MX RT1060 Evaluation Kit

• onsemi NCN26010BMNEVB Adapter Board

• Renesas Electronics CK-RA6M5 Cloud Kit

• Silicon Labs xG24-PK6010A EFR32xG24 +20dBm Pro Kit

• STMicroelectronics STEVAL – ASTRA1B Development Kit

• TDK InvenSense SmartIndustrial™ Sensor Eval & Development Kits

• Texas Instruments AWR1843AOPEVM Evaluation Module

• Würth Elektronik Horticulture LED Development Kit

Mouser’s Electronica 2022 online prize draw is open for entries from 10 October to 2 December 2022.

To enter the prize draw and to learn more about Mouser’s exhibition at Electronica, visit https://emea.info.mouser.com/electronica-2022