News

Mouser Electronics, Inc., the authorised global distributor with the newest semiconductors and electronic components, announces a new eBook in collaboration with Amphenol Corporation, highlighting the many applications of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) as well as the technical challenges in developing IIoT solutions. In Enabling the Industrial IoT Revolution, subject matter experts from Mouser and Amphenol offer detailed insights into topics including industrial data centres; heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) systems; and indoor air quality systems as well as smart manufacturing, intelligent automation, construction, and mining.

The new eBook from Mouser and Amphenol offers six in-depth articles exploring some of the most fascinating challenges facing IIoT design. Readers can enjoy extensive graphic resources, including a valuable infographic highlighting interconnect solutions from Amphenol RF ideal for smart construction and mining. The infographic showcases products such as IP-rated waterproof and ruggedised RF connectors that enable wireless connectivity in the harshest environments. In addition, Amphenol Industrial’s leading-edge power solutions, such as the RADSOK Power-to-Board connectors, offer many options for high-current (up to 200 A), single-point connections in a compact footprint design that increase heat dissipation at the pin-and-socket interface, which lowers temperature rise and reduces potential failures.

The eBook also features other Amphenol IIoT solutions, such as the Amphenol ICC Minitek MicroSpace™ crimp-to-wire connector system, a vibration-tolerant product known for its high locking strength that supports a broad range of industrial applications, such as robotics, automated guided vehicles, navigation systems, and industrial cameras, as well as factory lighting and HVAC. Amphenol MCP’s PCB antennas feature an omnidirectional radiation pattern in a band range of 410 MHz to 5.85 GHz, making them an ideal choice for IIoT applications such as machine-to-machine communications, smart lighting, and smart meters.

Paramount to any IIoT system design is the need for sensors. Amphenol i2s’ Climate Control Pressure Transmitter (CCT) sensors are specifically designed to measure the pressure of many fluids, including refrigerant, process fluid, and hydronic fluid systems. The hermetically sealed sensors, with a high-quality stainless steel measurement element in a robust aluminium case, are designed to provide reliable long-term performance in many industrial and heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration (HVACR) applications. Find a comprehensive collection of product information and technical insights on the Amphenol IIoT solutions page.

To learn more about Amphenol, visit https://www.mouser.com/manufacturer/amphenol/. To read the new e-book, go to https://www.mouser.com/news/Amphenol-iiot-revolution/amphenol-Industrial-Iot-ebook.html.

Overview, the leading innovator in the design and manufacture of precision sensor systems was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation at a ceremony on 7^th September 2021. The company won the award in 2020, when ceremonies were cancelled because of the pandemic.

The company, which employs 45 people, won the award for its innovative family of precision Integrated Servo Drives, which deliver outstanding pointing precision, extreme agility and silent operation. The awards recognise invention, design, performance, marketing and after-sales support of goods or services that have realised ‘continuous commercial success over 5 years.’

Graham Jones, CEO at the company, said: “Overview is a technology leader. We invest in innovation to continually improve and enhance our technologies. We have previously collaborated with UK Universities and have received support from Innovate UK to research, develop and market this particular technology. We are delighted and very proud to be recognised for innovation at this level.”

The family of drives, called Servotorq, integrates unique motor designs, drive electronics, position encoding and servo control software in a single high-performance package. This innovation has transitioned the company to a technology leader in the design, development, and manufacture of Integrated Servo Drives and advanced autonomous Sensor Solutions.

Graham continues: “We identified a gap in the market, where we had been frustrated with the limitations of conventional drive systems. We decided to grasp the opportunity and develop a product to fill that gap. That meant developing new capabilities and skills within the business. The Queen’s Award is testimony to the dedication and talent of our team in the pursuit of best-in-class continuous product innovation.”

The award was presented by the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux and Deputy Lieutenant Shahid Azeem at Overview’s facility in Woking on Tuesday 7th September 2021, following a tour of the Woking premises.

NI has collaborated with EA Elektro-Automatik (EA), Germany’s leading manufacturer of laboratory power supplies, high-performance power supplies and electronic loads, to offer bidirectional power supplies that support battery cycling and power-level test for electric vehicles (EVs). EA’s best-in-class power supplies will be integrated into NI’s software-connected toolchain as part of NI’s power electronics offering to optimise battery test workflows. This joint effort accelerates the path to Zero Emissions by shortening time to market and improving safety and performance throughout the lifecycle of the battery.

The U.N. 2021 Climate Report’s findings that global temperatures will reach critical levels in the next 20 years have accelerated the demand for broad-scale implementation of EVs as a critical step to limit greenhouse gas emissions. However, validating EV batteries remains a critical factor in scaling this technology, as the battery makes up 70% of the cost of EV development.

Power electronics are essential for EV battery testing to meet safety and performance expectations, without compromising on the flexibility that rapid innovation requires. Integrating EA’s devices into NI’s toolchain gives EV test engineers and lab managers more flexible battery cycling configurations for their test labs, and quicker response time for new power level test requirements.

“NI and EA Elektro-Automatik share the same vision of providing high performance and flexibility for test engineers to ensure test labs meet their evolving needs,” said Noah Redding, NI senior director of validation for NI’s Transportation Business Unit. “As demand for electric vehicles continues to grow, we at NI understand it is our responsibility to help the market Engineer Ambitiously to meet this moment and accelerate the path to Vision Zero. We are looking forward to the opportunities that will come through this collaboration with EA in helping engineers move faster and optimise battery test workflows to bring this important technology to the market.”

“This partnership combines industry-leading control, measurement and power into state-of-the-art test systems. These systems allow customers to speed up time to market while driving corporate zero emissions initiatives,” says Eric Turner, Managing Director of EA Elektro-Automatik, Inc USA. “The renewable energy test market is an essential step in product development and production. EA is proud to be a technology enabler via power regeneration technology that reduces energy consumption by up to 96%.”

Silicon Designs, Inc., nearly 40-year global industry experts in the design, development and manufacture of inertial- and commercial-grade MEMS capacitive accelerometer modules and chips for zero-to-medium frequency testing and instrumentation requirements, today announced the immediate availability of stock quantities of its industry best-selling single axis Model 2210 series.

These low-noise, low-cost MEMS capacitive accelerometer modules offer accurate and repeatable measurements across a variety of lower-frequency vibration testing applications, including those common to vibration analysis, machinery control, modal analysis, robotics, and crash event detection. Offered in standard ranges from ±2 g to ±400 g, the rugged design of the Model 2210 series incorporates a MEMS capacitive accelerometer chip together with high-drive, low-impedance buffering. When used along with a Silicon Designs recommended mounting block accessory, such as the company’s own Model 2330-BLK, the series can reliably and flexibly measure vibration and acceleration on either one, two, or three orthogonal axes with equal accuracy and repeatability. The measurement versatility afforded by the Model 2210 series allows customers to specify just one part number for multiple, unique measurement requirements, thereby reducing in-house costs and inventory counts.

All Silicon Designs Model 2210 series MEMS capacitive accelerometer modules generate two analog voltage outputs which vary in response to applied acceleration. Customers can utilise either a single-ended or differential output, the latter of which doubles accelerometer sensitivity. The sensitive axis of the Model 2210 series is perpendicular to the package bottom, with positive acceleration defined as a force pushing on the bottom of that package. Output scale factor is independent from the supply voltage of +8 to +32V. At zero acceleration, differential output voltage is nominally 0 VDC; at full scale, it is ±4 VDC. A simple-yet-robust four-wire connection and internal voltage regulator minimise supply voltage variation effects. The high-quality MEMS capacitive sense element of each Model 2210 series accelerometer module is packaged within a single, compact, lightweight, epoxy sealed and anodised aluminium housing occupying a total dimensional footprint of just one square inch.

All Model 2210 series MEMS capacitive accelerometer modules are relatively insensitive to temperature changes and offer quick, easy self-calibration. Each product is 100% designed, developed, and manufactured at the company’s own global corporate headquarters and ISO9001:2015 certified R&D centre, located just outside of Seattle, Washington, USA. Each accelerometer also undergoes rigorous quality testing prior to shipment. For detailed specifications, pricing, or additional information, please visit www.SiliconDesigns.com.

 About Silicon Designs, Inc.

Silicon Designs was founded in 1983 with the goal of improving the accepted design standard for traditional MEMS capacitive accelerometers. At that time, industrial-grade accelerometers were bulky, fragile and costly. The engineering team at Silicon Designs listened to the needs of customers who required more compact, sensitive, rugged and reasonably priced accelerometer modules and chips, though which also offered higher performance. Resultant product lines were designed and built to surpass customer expectations. The company has grown steadily over the years, while its core competency remains accelerometers, with the core business philosophies of “make it better, stronger, smaller and less expensive” and “let the customer drive R&D” maintained to this day. Silicon Designs is also a 100% veteran-owned small business.

PR Author/Advertising/Editorial Inquiries:

Ms. Molly Bakewell Chamberlin

Sensors Industry Expert

President & Principal Consultant

Embassy Global, LLC for Silicon Designs, Inc.

Tel: +1.716.646.0927

inquiries@embassyglobalpr.com

Fluke has today launched a promotion to encourage customers to upgrade old cable testers to ensure that their wired Internet of Things (IoT) networks comply with the standard requirements for Power over Ethernet (PoE).

As people, processes, data and devices connect to the Internet and each other, demand for better network access with minimum disruption is leading to increased installations of PoE infrastructure and compatible devices across a wide range of industries and applications. Recent research conducted by Cisco revealed almost 70 per cent of networked devices in Western Europe will be wired or connected via Wi-Fi by 2023.

Trade-In promotion 
For a limited time, Fluke Networks is offering up to € 2500 trade-in discount on an old copper cable tester. Customers who trade in their old testers of any make or model can get a new Fluke cable analyser that meets the latest PoE standards at a reduced price. This promotion is available to customers from 1 September to 15 December 2021. Customers can simply purchase their desired cable tester available as part of the Trade-In offer from their preferred participating distributor. For more information, please visit www.flukenetworks.com.

Nicolas Bravo de Medina, Marketing Director EMEA at Fluke said: “Wired devices will increasingly be powered by PoE as it offers lower cable costs, simplified infrastructure management, easier maintenance, less downtime, greater installation flexibility, and reduced power consumption. With the DSX2-5000 and DSX2-8000 CableAnalyzers^TM customers can certify the modular plug terminated link that typically connects the PoE device to the network. On top of that they can execute ‘+PoE’ tests that trigger a complete set of resistance measurements that ensure proper PoE connection is possible on the link. This will give our customers the confidence and peace of mind that their network meets the latest PoE standards and is ready to use this highly beneficial connectivity technology.”

For more information about Fluke’s full product range and services, go to: www.fluke.co.uk.

Cotton spinning machines use a robotic vacuum cleaning system to prevent lint build-up on machinery and product. To ensure the vacuum cleaning robot does not collide with the spinning machine, a Contrinex Background Suppression photoelectric sensor detects their presence.

Customer Application

Lint is generated from the process of spinning cotton and if lint is allowed to accumulate, it will eventually clog the small eyelets and guides on the spinning machine.

Because a build-up of lint can cause yarn breakage, spinning machinery is equipped with vacuum systems that constantly rove the machine to collect lint. These systems depend on a relatively slow-moving vacuum head, which travels on a rail-mounted above.

The spinning machines are tended by operators who might accidentally leave items in the path of the vacuum head. To prevent collisions with these objects, the existing detection system on the vacuum head consists of a limit switch with a mechanical wand attachment. As soon as the wand touched an obstacle, it caused the vacuum head to reverse its direction of travel, but the customer wanted to upgrade to a non-contact detection solution more suited to an automated environment.

Customer Solution

Contrinex’s LHR-C23PA cubic and LHR-M18PA background suppression photoelectric sensors, available from PLUS Automation, are ideal for this application.

Despite their small size (20 x 30 x 10mm or Ø18 x 37mm), these sensors are both robust and high-performance offering a sensing range of 300 or 250mm respectively.

The sensor’s precise background suppression enables them to detect the presence of any obstacle regardless of colour, brightness or angle in relation to the position of the sensor on the vacuum head.

An LHR-C23PA cubic sensor is mounted on the vacuum head to provide sensing for the robotic system’s safety reversal function. The operating range can be adjusted to detect an obstacle between 15 to 250 mm away, whilst ignoring the machine, in which case the cleaning machine simply reverses its direction of travel, without interrupting the cleaning function.

The C23PA family of sensors also benefits from having a range of complementary low-cost stainless-steel mounting and protection bracketry options.

The National School of Electronics, Computer Science, Telecommunications, Mathematics and Mechanics (ENSEIRB-MATMECA) at Institut Polytechnique de Bordeaux (Bordeaux INP) has used a Tektronix RSA5000B spectrum analyser to prove its base station can communicate with orbiting nanosatellites.

ENSEIRB-MATMECA prides itself on being a public engineering school and trains engineers with strong scientific and technical skills and readies them to face major challenges in the digital world. The school conducted a series of experiments that used the LoRa Internet of Things (IoT) protocol to send and receive signals to and from a stratospheric balloon.

The project leaders are Anthony Ghiotto and Guillaume Ferré, both associate professors at Bordeaux INP ENSEIRB-MATMECA, and pursuing their research at the IMS Research Center. They comment, “The balloon project was designed to prove that our base station and protocol could communicate with the nanosatellites properly and that the signals were being received. This was important as we may need to reconfigure the satellite and bring data back down to Earth”.

The Tektronix RSA5000 spectrum analyser was chosen for its ability to provide signals in real-time, allowing both associate professors and their students to discover the location of any issues and which flight direction would be affected.

“Short time duration signals couldn’t be measured with conventional spectrums,” says Ghiotto. “Conventional equipment could not be used to analyse such non-periodic signals. Tektronix equipment analyses the strengths of signals, which helps analyse the distance and check the flight path of the balloon, which could then be correlated with GPS data – other equipment could not offer this.”

The project team also used the analyser to ensure the chosen frequency was free and there would be no interference from other signals that could compromise the project.

The first balloon experiment achieved signals over 200km, while, in theory, the signals can reach over 700km. An updated system is planned that will receive images in real-time. The project team also plans to share information with schools to show pupils what they are doing and help with their studies of metrology.

The first nanosatellite that the school will communicate with was launched in early May 2021. “We are currently finishing our base station in readiness to communicate with it,” says A. Ghiotto, “and the Tektronix analyser will continue to be of great help in this.”

Maria Heriz, Vice President EMEA at Tektronix, comments, “At Tektronix, we pride ourselves on supporting innovation in engineering. We’re delighted that our RSA5000B Real Time Spectrum Analyser was considered first choice by L’ENSEIRB-MATMECA and has helped in the real-world training of future engineers“.

Fluke has today launched the Autumn seasonal promotion encouraging customers to claim a free product when they purchase a Fluke tool between 1 September and 15 December 2021. A broad range of industrial and electrical tools, network testers and calibration equipment for residential and commercial use is available, enabling installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair engineers to work efficiently and safely.

Customers who purchase Fluke tools through authorised Fluke distributors can use their original invoice to claim their free product through Fluke’s website.

New choices for free Fluke products

The ‘Buy a Fluke, get a free Fluke’ offer is divided into six levels depending on the value of the qualifying purchase. The minimum purchase for customers to claim a free product is £100. A qualifying purchase includes Fluke’s electrical and industrial test tools, Fluke Networks and Fluke Calibration products. Customers can then choose a second product from a selection of free tools available, including clamp meters, digital multimeters, advanced testers, and accessories such as equipment cases.

For more information on how to claim a free product, view the range of tools available, and for full terms and conditions, go to:  www.fluke.co.uk/freefluke

How does it work?

For each of the six qualifying purchase levels, there is a fixed range of products to claim, based on the value of the original purchase through an authorised Fluke distributor. For example, after spending between £100 and £549.99 on a qualifying purchase, a customer can claim a free product from Level One such as a unique Fluke TPAK™ Magnetic Hangclip, a soft carrying case to protect the newly purchased instrument, a Fluke 2AC VoltAlert™ Non-contact Voltage Detector or a Fluke Networks Protool kit IS40.

At the highest level, Fluke customers have the option to claim a free advanced measurement tool such as the Troubleshooting kit DMM (containing an 87V TRMS Industrial Multimeter, a 325 True RMS Clamp Meter, a T6-1000 Voltage Tester, and a T150 Two-pole Tester), a 1-year Gold Support Services for DSX-5000, an 8845A Digital Precision Multimeter or select telephoto or wide-angle lenses for thermal cameras.

Nicolas Bravo de Medina, Marketing Director EMEA at Fluke said: “We received an excellent response to our ‘Buy a Fluke, get a free Fluke’ promotion in the Spring and have decided to renew the scheme for our European customers. Thousands of Fluke customers have already claimed their free products and we hope many more will register to claim a free Fluke tool. Our industrial and electrical tools, calibration equipment and network testers are designed for reliability and ease of use to ensure our customers are safe in their work and achieve great results.”

For more information about Fluke’s full product range and services, go to: http://www.fluke.co.uk

AVEVA has announced that it will be making its Operations Control solutions available as a single subscription for the first time. This redefines the industrial software experience, going beyond HMI and SCADA, enabling industrial organisations of all sizes to develop collaborative workforces, scale effectively, and optimise operations for agility and efficiency.

From IIoT architectures and cloud-driven remote edge management to multi-site supervisory control, AVEVA™ Operations Control software will be available via a flexible user-centric model, through the AVEVA™ Flex Subscription programme in three core packages: Edge, Supervisory and Enterprise. These core solutions provide all the necessary tools for plant, field, control room, and enterprise teams to drive actionable information, collaborate effectively, and accelerate operational excellence. The programme also offers access to add-on functionality with AVEVA Manufacturing Execution, and AVEVA Insight for advanced AI and workflow management. AVEVA’s new Operations Control software subscriptions now allow end customers to use all of its products, the way they want to use them.

AVEVA Operations Control offers an infinite range of possibilities for companies to connect operations and workers via the cloud, web and mobile to drive efficiency through collaboration and standardisation. It delivers supervisory, visualisation, collaboration, and analytics software in a single combined subscription providing unlimited access to actionable information.  Every team, whether on the plant floor, in the control room, or operating across the enterprise, is empowered to do more, in collaborative alignment. Customers can build a reliable foundation towards operational excellence with AVEVA Operations Control.

AVEVA offers the first single subscription programme on that market that spans edge-to-cloud solutions for plant operations. The AVEVA Flex subscription programme is designed to provide access to the entire AVEVA portfolio – enabling customers to flexibly drive sustainable growth. It allows companies to achieve a faster return-on-investment, removing traditional barriers to software adoption and revolutionising the purchase and consumption of industrial software. The subscription model enables simplicity in license purchasing, usage and management – aiding organisational digital transformation.

In the FY21 fiscal year, AVEVA recorded strong subscriptions growth as businesses sought access to transformational technology on a flexible, agile basis. According to ARC Advisory Group, subscription-based models are predicted to grow at a pace nearly four times that of traditional software over the next five years in the industrial automation markets.

Craig Resnick, Vice President at ARC Advisory Group commented: “ARC anticipates that the subscription model growth rate will be significantly higher than the traditional licensing model growth rate for purchasing HMI/SCADA solutions going forward. This shift towards the subscription model is driven by a number of factors, including the market seeking single converged solutions, such as HMI/SCADA and asset performance management, that deliver great flexibility together with edge-to-cloud integration, a capability that AVEVA can deliver today as part of its AVEVA Flex subscription program.”

Rashesh Mody, SVP Monitoring and Control, AVEVA said: “Our solution is enabling teams in different physical locations to organise their operations, collaborate, and leverage vast internal knowledge. Most importantly, customers can now accelerate their digital transformation journey through one simple, agnostic subscription package.”

“Industrial organisations are increasingly aiming to utilise technology environments that will provide them with a comprehensive view of their field, control room and enterprise operational facilities. With AVEVA Operations Control they can now view end-to-end processes with an unlimited offering through the edge, enterprise and supervisory core functions,” Mody added.

“With AVEVA Operations Control available via the AVEVA Flex subscription program, channel partners can now offer outcome-based solutions and services to their customers. AVEVA’s offering is unique because it enables simple and flexible pricing – allowing our channel partners to differentiate themselves in the market and stay ahead of the competition,” said Kerry Grimes, Head of Global Partners at AVEVA.

Titan Enterprises has published a new technical article focusing on flow meter performance. The article discusses the factors involved in determining the overall performance of pulse output turbine flow meters and how each factor influences the accuracy of flow measurement.

Flowmeters have become essential measuring devices used in a vast array of different industries. From commercial applications measuring the fuel feeding industrial boilers, for flow monitoring of lubricant supply lines for wind turbines, to dosing chemicals for agricultural sprays.  Domestically, flow meters are installed to manage the dispensing of beer or coffee and built into washing machines and dishwashers to meter efficient water usage.

Turbine flow meters are invaluable measurement tools, and their repeatability and linearity are the key elements that determine the flowmeter’s performance and overall accuracy. Both the mechanical properties of the flow meter and the physical properties of the fluid combine to influence the general performance of the flow measurement device.

Terms synonymous with calibrating flow meters – the K-Factor, calibration uncertainty, repeatability, accuracy and linearity – are explained. The technical article discusses the relationship between all these flow factors and how they each influence the overall performance of a flow meter.

Whereas turbine flow meters, such as Titan’s Beverage flow meter and 800 series, offer the high level of repeatability and reliability required for accurate batch delivery systems, Titan’s Atrato® and Metraflow® ultrasonic flow sensors and the larger oval gear flow meters, are highly accurate over wider flow ranges, especially with viscous liquids such as oils.

Neil Hannay, Senior R&D Engineer with Titan Enterprises, suggests: “When customers are deciding on appropriate flow meters to suit their application, they need to be aware of the difference between FSD linearity and ‘of reading’ linearity accuracy, as often suppliers do not specify which accuracy is being quoted for.” The technical article from Titan illustrates how the linearity reading has a significant impact on the performance of the flowmeter, particularly at the low end of its flow range.

To read the technical article in full please visit https://www.flowmeters.co.uk/—.

For further information on flow measurement devices to suit specific applications, please contact Titan Enterprises on +44 (0)1935 812790 or sales@flowmeters.co.uk.