News

During high-speed production of retail bags, a confectionery manufacturer conveys individual bags of sweets to a pick-and-place packing robot for secondary packaging. A highly reliable diffuse-mode photoelectric sensor, mounted beside the conveyor, detects the presence of bags as they approach the packing station and inhibits the pick-and-place sequence if no bags are queued for the packing robot.

The application

In the food-processing industry, consumer products generally require secondary packaging – both for consolidation and for protection, before final dispatch. During confectionery production, individual bags of sweets travel by conveyor from bagging stations to a pick-and-place packing robot for secondary packaging, before passing on to the labelling and packing area.

Ideally, product flow along the conveyor is continuous; in practice, interruptions occur from time to time as bagging machines require attention. In the absence of bagged products arriving at the secondary-packaging station, a plant-wide control system prevents operation of the pick-and-place robot to prevent mis-filling.

Immediately prior to arrival at the secondary-packaging station, custom-formed guide rails align bags for packing. Space is limited and there is no easy access to both sides of the conveyor. A highly reliable non-contact sensor system was needed to detect the presence of bags as they approach the alignment rails; the system must inhibit the pick-and-place sequence if no bags are queued for packing.

The solution

Diffuse-mode photoelectric sensors from the Contrinex C23PA family of sensors are ideal for this application. These highly reliable devices contain both a transmitter and a receiver and do not require a separate reflector, instead relying on the reflective nature of the target. Space constraints are accommodated without compromise, thanks to a maximum sensing range of 3 to 1500mm. This is adjustable via a pre-set potentiometer or via IO-Link, the standardised point-to-point serial connection protocol.

Immediately before the alignment rails, a single sensor is mounted beside the conveyor; positioning sensors is simple thanks to a range of adjustable mounting brackets. As each bag passes in front of the sensor, its presence triggers the device, sending a signal to the customer’s control system. A high-intensity red LED with a 15mm-diameter light spot at the selected 500mm sensing range ensures highly reliable detection of bags in real-time.

Mounted in 20mm x 30mm x 10mm miniature plastic housings, C23 photoelectric sensors are available with industry-standard PNP or NPN 3‑wire or 4-wire output. Connection to the customer’s control system is via a PVC-sheathed cable with the choice of an integral M12 connector or a hermetically sealed entry. A second output provides a stability alarm in the event of reduced sensitivity, flagging the need for preventative maintenance before any performance degradation occurs.

Contrinex sensors and more information are available from PLUS Automation.

FLIR Systems today announced the FLIR Screen-EST software for FLIR T-Series, Exx-Series, and A-Series thermal imaging cameras. The software provides automatic measurement tools that perform elevated skin temperature screenings of individuals in two seconds or less at entries, checkpoints, and other high-traffic areas while maintaining recommended social distancing guidelines.

“Governments and businesses across the globe are hard at work developing new processes to ensure public health and safety from COVID-19, including the use of radiometric thermal imaging cameras as part of a comprehensive frontline screening program,” said Jim Cannon, President and CEO at FLIR. “Now with FLIR Screen-EST software, those organisations can increase the speed and accuracy of frontline screening when using FLIR’s thermal cameras.”

The FLIR Screen-EST Method

FLIR Screen-EST software is designed to automatically take a skin temperature measurement near the tear duct of each person, the surface area most closely correlated to core body temperature. When used with T-Series, Exx-Series, or A-Series cameras, the software enables screening of individuals to occur 50 percent faster than FLIR Systems’ existing on-camera screening mode, accelerating throughput. If the software detects a skin temperature that exceeds a threshold set above the baseline average, Screen-EST will notify the operator and display or sound an audible alarm on the subject’s viewing monitor. The individual then should be directed to a secondary medical screening*.

Honed through nearly two decades of experience designing and manufacturing thermal measurement solutions for skin temperature screening, Screen-EST automatically takes skin temperature samples at the screening location to determine an average skin temperature baseline.  It then adds additional samples throughout the day. This relative temperature screening method helps account for regular body temperature fluctuations caused by natural biological and external environmental factors, thus reducing the amount of inaccurate readings that can impact absolute temperature alarm systems.

FLIR Screen-EST software is for Windows-based laptops and desktops. It offers a plug-and-play connection for FLIR thermal imaging cameras and can be installed or removed within minutes. This provides additional flexibility for operators to easily move locations or to quickly detach the camera for other purposes, including facilities maintenance or machine inspection.

FLIR Screen-EST software for T-Series cameras is available for purchase globally today for £499.00 (excl. VAT) in English only on FLIR.com and through FLIR authorised distributors. Screen-EST software for Exx-Series and A-Series will be available later this month. To learn more, please visit www.flir.com/screen-est.

The Manufacturing Technology Centre is launching a new initiative in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority aimed at encouraging advanced manufacturing in the region and providing high value jobs.

Based at the MTC in the heart of Liverpool, the Digital Manufacturing Accelerator project brings together world-leading manufacturing research and technology experts. The project will build a state-of-the-art reconfigurable factory with digital and physical test beds, to support manufacturing businesses and provide new engineering jobs and apprenticeships.

The MTC is hosting a number of live webinars to introduce the vision behind the programme and demonstrate the value it will deliver to manufacturing organisations. Manufacturing and supply chain companies, research organisations and academics are invited to be part of the programme, with the opportunity to feed in requirements, shape the project’s scope or become a potential solution provider for the Digital Manufacturing Accelerator ecosystem.

The programme for the webinars is:

• June 18   11am    Project Overview (suitable for end-users, supply chains, research organisations and academia.)
• June 25   11am   Collaborating with the DMA (suitable for end-users)
• July 9   11am       Supply Chain Engagement (suitable for supply chains)

MTC chief executive Dr Clive Hickman said, “this innovative programme will showcase how digital solutions can transform a business, initially by implementing solutions that will enable smart manufacturing which has the potential to reshape a business’s culture and future outlook in the long term. The Digital Manufacturing Accelerator is a fantastic opportunity for local businesses in the North West, and ultimately aims to enable the region to maximise its high value manufacturing potential and increase regional productivity.”

Hannah Edmonds, chief engineer at the MTC, added, “We want to build assets and an ecosystem that will accelerate the development and deployment of industrial digital manufacturing solutions. These webinars are an opportunity for companies to et involved in the programme, give feedback to influence its scope and ensure we maximise the industrial impact of the Digital Manufacturing Accelerator.

To find out more information or register for webinars, visit www.the-mtc.org/dmalaunch.

The government will provide £10 million over four years to develop groundbreaking cyber security technologies, Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden will announce later today at London Tech Week Connects.

Nine grant winners have been revealed as the latest recipients in the government’s Digital Security by Design programme, which aims to help the tech infrastructure of UK organisations and digital devices be more resilient to cyber attacks.

The winning research teams that will share the £10 million investment include the University of Southampton’s HD-Sec solution, which aims to speed up the process of and reduce errors and security vulnerabilities in software design that could have been exploited by hackers.

The University of Glasgow-led AppControl will also receive a share of the fund to leverage state-of-the-art microprocessors, developed earlier in the programme, to make sure vital systems that could be used in cars, medical robots or nuclear power plants remain digitally secure.

And the University of Birmingham has been awarded funding for leading the digital solution CAP-TEE, which will use prototype microchips to protect systems that shield sensitive, personal data from hackers.

The Digital Security by Design programme, launched last year, has the potential to prevent hackers from remotely taking control of digital systems such as autonomous cars, personal computers or smart home security systems as well as cyber attacks and data breaches, meaning people and online businesses are better protected.

Almost half of businesses (46 per cent) and more than a quarter of charities (26 per cent) have reported experiencing cyber security breaches or attacks in the last 12 months, according to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2020. The report estimates the average cost of a cyber attack on a medium or large-sized business has increased to £5,220.

Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “We have a world-class cyber security sector and together we are working hard to make sure the UK is the safest place to work, connect and live online.

“With government support these projects will build cutting-edge, secure technologies that will give people and businesses further confidence in our digital services and help weaken the threat of cyber attackers.”

Science Minister Amanda Solloway said: “Cyber attacks can cause significant economic and social damage and leave a lasting mark on affected businesses.

“Today’s funding will allow some of the country’s most innovative businesses and academics to work together on digital solutions to tackle these threats. The UK not only has a proud heritage in computing, but is a world leader in digital security and we are committed to ensuring our country remains one of the safest places to do business online.”

The funding forms part of the government’s commitment to increase investment in R&D by 2.4 per cent of GDP by 2027.

The earlier phases of the initiative saw research and development of cutting-edge microprocessor technology known as Capability Hardware which has safeguards built in to make it more secure and can be used in anything from a supercomputer to a server, laptop or smartphone. This technology will soon underpin secure digital devices and services around the world.

Grant winners will use the new funding to build on this progress and create enhanced software and applications that make sure software code is secure and any hacking attempts can be contained.

Organisations such as banks, healthcare services or online retailers could use the highly secure software in their day-to-day systems, giving people increased confidence in digital services and reducing costly cyber attacks or data breaches for businesses.

Each team will create a working example of their solution, using the prototype chips, to showcase the economic and societal benefits of their new secure technology.

UKRI’s challenge director for Digital Security by Design John Goodacre said: “The Digital Security by Design programme will radically update the security foundations of the digital computing infrastructure that underpins the entire economy. I’m honoured that these leading universities and researchers have aligned their expertise to this challenge.

“These projects will increase the knowledge and skills around this new technology, as well as research the opportunities this fundamental change offers to the security of computers across business and society in the future.”

The government last month launched the new ‘Cyber Aware’ campaign which offers advice for people to protect passwords, accounts and devices. And while doing the basics correctly is the best defence for homes and businesses right now, having innovative hardware and systems solutions is a vital step in defending digital technologies in the long term.

Paragraf has embarked on a working partnership with the Magnetic Measurement section at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, to demonstrate how new opportunities for magnetic measurements are opened up through the unique properties of its graphene sensor, particularly its negligible planar Hall effect.

CERN operates the largest particle accelerators in the world, for example its 27-km long, Large Hadron Collider (LHC) which straddles the border between Switzerland and France near Geneva. Physicists look at how our world is built at the fundamental level by colliding sub-atomic particles in particle accelerators that rely on large numbers of normal and superconducting magnets to steer and focus the particle beam to their collision points.

The Magnetic Measurements section at CERN is in charge of testing magnets for these accelerators using the latest-available techniques and instruments. High precision and reliable measurements are performed for many of CERN’s ongoing projects, and therefore the team is always on the lookout for new sensors and transducers for improving their measurement methods and accuracy.

Simon Thomas, CEO at Paragraf commented: “This collaboration with CERN demonstrates the potential of graphene-based Hall effect sensors to improve accuracy in magnetic measurement applications. Our Hall effect sensors address key challenges CERN is facing in mapping magnetic fields, namely: highly accurate measurements of local field distributions in accelerator magnets, while eliminating artefacts and reducing uncertainties stemming from the sensors.”

Existing Hall effect sensors all exhibit planar Hall effects where field components which are not perpendicular to the sensing plane produce false signals. This is because the sensing layer is effectively three-dimensional, with some amount of depth. These false signals, together with the non-linear response to the field strength, increase the measurement uncertainty and thus limit the application of Hall sensors. Separating the true signals from the systematic errors is a complex and time-consuming process.

Why CERN Chose Paragraf’s Hall effect Sensor

The Hall effect sensor from Paragraf solves these problems because the active sensing component is made of atomically thin graphene, which is therefore two-dimensional, and hence truly only senses magnetic fields along one direction; giving a negligible planar Hall effect. This enables the true perpendicular magnetic field value to be obtained, allowing for higher precision mapping of the local magnetic field.

“Using Hall effect sensors without planar effect would open the door to a new mapping technique by mounting a stack of sensors on a rotating shaft. The compelling advantage would be measurements of the harmonic content in accelerator magnets almost point-like along the magnet axis”, commented Stephan Russenschuck, head of the magnetic measurement section at CERN.

One of the other key properties of Paragraf’s Hall effect sensor is its wide temperature range from +80°C down to cryogenic temperatures of 1.5 Kelvin. For CERN, this means that fields inside the superconducting magnets could be measured with high accuracy, using sensors operating in liquid helium temperature ranges (below -269 °C, 4 Kelvin, -452 °F) where the calibration of sensors is less than trivial.

What’s Next

CERN’s Magnetic Measurement section is looking to perform more in-depth tests on the Hall effect sensors, with the eventual aim of using them to build a novel mapping system for magnetic fields.

Paragraf and CERN will also be releasing a joint white paper communicating the work to date in more detail and showcasing the lack of planar Hall effect in Paragraf’s sensors, as well as detailing its high performance across a range of magnetic fields.

Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures: For this reason, Endress+Hauser has released the Visual Support service application ahead of schedule during the coronavirus crisis. In the acute phase of the pandemic, customers were able to take advantage of the remote audiovisual support free of charge – and were enthusiastic about the possibilities of this innovation in the Endress+Hauser service portfolio.

Endress+Hauser has been driving digitization forward for years – in the product and service area, in customer interaction and in external and internal collaboration. In the coronavirus crisis, the development of powerful digital platforms and offerings has now proven its worth for customers and the company. “We can bridge the physical distance forced upon us by the coronavirus through digital and emotional proximity,” says Matthias Altendorf, CEO of the Endress+Hauser Group.

Service organisation uses digital platform

This also applies to the service area. Travel restrictions and protective measures due to the coronavirus pandemic have made it impossible to use external service providers in many cases in recent weeks. In order to carry out critical service work related to instrumentation in a timely and appropriate manner, Endress+Hauser has taken the latest innovation in this area, Visual Support, from the pilot project phase to global rollout.

The Endress+Hauser service organisation has been using the possibilities of a cloud-based platform based on the Salesforce customer relationship management system for some time. The Salesforce Service Cloud module enables completely new ways of serving the customer base. Now Endress+Hauser has integrated Visual Support into its support services portfolio, giving customers access to in-depth technology and product knowledge, including the guaranteed availability and response time from Endress+Hauser’s global network of technical experts.

250 service calls from a distance

The use of this technology for remote support enables audio-visual support for diagnosis and troubleshooting, commissioning and regular maintenance of field devices. With the help of live video transmission and screen casting, Endress+Hauser’s technical support team can work almost as if they were on site, helping customers in a reliable and flexible manner with their service tasks via remote access.

For ten weeks the service was free of charge for customers. During this time, more than 250 Visual Support sessions were conducted worldwide. “Customers have given us a lot of positive feedback,” says Franck Perrin, who heads the Endress+Hauser Group’s service organization. “They are enthusiastic about this new form of support and have experienced how Visual Support can save time and money.”

Israeli startup TriEye, a Tel-Aviv based company whose Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) sensing technology enhances visibility in adverse weather and night time conditions, has officially revealed Sparrow – the world’s first CMOS-based SWIR camera.

Among the companies that are collaborating with TriEye and are evaluating the Sparrow is the global automotive supplier DENSO, in addition to the leading sports car manufacturer Porsche – collaboration published earlier this year.

The evaluation of Sparrow by DENSO, Porsche, and additional TriEye customers, proves the product’s ability to deliver mission-critical image data under a wide range of scenarios, made possible by leveraging the unique physical properties of the SWIR spectrum. The sensor is particularly effective in low visibility conditions such as identifying black ice, dark clothed pedestrians, and cyclists – all under low-light or other common low visibility conditions, detection scenarios that are paramount for the automotive industry.

“We are proud and delighted to announce our collaboration with DENSO which marks a meaningful step forward in delivering our mission of solving the low visibility challenge,” said Avi Bakal, TriEye’s Co-Founder and CEO, “The joint work has been greatly beneficial since day one, bringing together DENSO’s innovative approach and market experience with TriEye groundbreaking technology.“

TriEye aims to solve the low-visibility challenge on the roads by making SWIR cameras affordable and accessible for the global mass market. The release of Sparrow, the world’s-first CMOS-based SWIR camera, marks a major milestone towards that goal. The company is expected to launch the first samples of Raven, the world’s first CMOS-based SWIR HD camera, later this year.

TriEye’s SWIR camera can be integrated as a standard visible camera and can reuse existing visible image AI algorithms, which saves the effort of recollecting and annotating millions of miles. The camera will allow Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Autonomous Vehicles (AV) to achieve unprecedented vision capabilities to save lives on the roads.

InGaAs-based SWIR cameras have been around for decades, serving the science, aerospace, and defense industries, but have not been used for mass-market applications due to their high costs and large form factor. Based on a decade of nanophotonics research, TriEye enables the fabrication of a CMOS-based HD SWIR sensor at scale, which is small size and 1000x lower cost than current technology.

In addition to the evaluation by TriEye’s automotive customers, the company has already delivered samples of the Sparrow to its non-automotive customers, allowing them to take advantage of TriEye’s SWIR capabilities to see beyond the visible and solve complex industry challenges.

This achievement follows other major milestones announced by TriEye in the past year, including a $19M Series A funding round, led by Intel Capital, with the participation of Porsche Ventures and Grove Ventures, as well as a collaboration with Porsche AG.

UK instrument manufacturer, Evolution Measurement, is celebrating achieving their BSI quality management system – ISO 9001:2015 during a period when most of the UK was in lockdown.

Work for the accreditation has been ongoing since October last year, but Production Manager, Mark Adams, finalised with process with the BSI auditors using a remote video call during which they were able to verify the processes in use.

The BSI ISO 9001:2015 specifies requirements for a quality management system when an organisation needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, and aims to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Managing Director, Paul Crowhurst said, “This is a momentous day for our businesses, having successfully completed our ISO9001:2015 certification. This is not an easy thing to accomplish, the demands in the 2015 edition are much more stringent and demanding than the earlier 2008 edition. To achieve it first time is also a great feat especially in the current circumstances.”

Paul added, “This is an important moment for us as a business, as it visibly demonstrates our full commitment to quality and to our customers. I’d like to acknowledge the team who have contributed to this, it’s a demonstration of commitment on all parts and at all levels and congratulations to Mark, on a job well led, well done, we are all proud of this great achievement.”

Evolution Measurement is manufacturer of EvoScann pressure scanners and a distributor of Pressure, Temperature and Electrical instruments.

For more details visit: www.EvolutionMeasurement.com

In the on-going fight against arson-related incidents, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service is using TigerLT photoionisation detectors (PIDs) from Ion Science to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from ignitable liquids that have been used in the development of a fire.

Supplied by Ion Science’s UK-based distributor Shawcity, the handheld, portable TigerLT PID instruments have helped reduce costs and increase quality by preventing non-contaminated samples being sent for lab analysis.

A long-standing user of Ion Science PID instruments for more than 10 years, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service originally used the company’s PID FirstCheck 1000+. When these became obsolete, they purchased two Tiger PIDs and have recently added two TigerLT units to their growing portfolio of Ion Science VOC monitors.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service’s team of four fire investigators are each issued with a personal Ion Science Tiger or TigerLT for fire investigation purposes.

Over a five-year period, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service attended more than 1,500 incidents where fires were deliberately set using ignitable liquids. This is an average of six incidents every week.

Ian Mullen, Station Manager at Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, Incident Investigation, comments: “Ion Science Tiger PIDs are a robust and reliable product for detecting VOCs during fire investigations.

“The instruments are a tool to assist in the detection of the presence of ignitable liquids. This also allows the Police CSI to take a sample from a ‘confirmed’ area of post-fire ignitable liquids which can be sent for lab analysis.

“This prevents non-contaminated samples being processed which reduces costs and increases the quality of positive hits for ignitable liquids.

“The Tiger PIDs perform well. Our fire investigators take an instrument to each and every one of the 300 plus incidents they attend each year,” he adds. “The unit will be deployed if ignitable liquids are suspected to have been a factor in the incident.”

Ion Science’s TigerLT, which offers worldwide Intrinsic Safety (IS) certification for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, is a streamlined, low cost version of Ion Science’s well proven Tiger PID model.

Like all Ion Science PID instruments, the TigerLT incorporates the company’s advanced patented fence electrode technology. This unique triple- electrode technology ensures increased resistance to humidity and contamination for ultimate reliability and accuracy in the field.

With a detection range of 0 – 5,000 ppm, with a 0.1 ppm minimum sensitivity, Ion Science’s TigerLTalso offers an unrivalled industry response time of just two seconds and equally quick clear down.

Both simple to operate and service, the TigerLT offers easy access to the lamp and sensor. The intrinsically safe instrument also meets ATEX, IECEx, UL and CSA standards.

It features long life rechargeable Li-ion batteries that can be safely replaced in hazardous environments and give up to 24 hours usage. Fast battery charging allows the instrument to be fully charged in 6.5 hours, while eight hours of use can be achieved from 1.5 hours of charging time.

TigerLT features a protective, removable boot for harsh environments, while a large, clear back-lit display allows for easy viewing in any light condition. It is IP65 rated against water ingress. An integrated torch helps direct the instrument’s probe into dimly lit areas. Other features include a loud 95 dB audible alarm, multiple language support and is IP65 rated against water ingress.

Ian comments: “The service from Ion Science and its distributor Shawcity has always been very good. We can’t fault the Tiger PIDs which offer a number of practical features for fire investigation, a short power up time, rubber boot, bright colour for ease of visibility and robust design.”

Graduates will have the opportunity to apply for a place on new artificial intelligence (AI) and data science masters courses starting in autumn 2020, Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden announced today.

The move will enable 2,500 people to develop new digital skills or retrain to help find new employment in the UK’s cutting-edge AI and data science sectors.

The government has joined forces with the Office for Students, universities and industry partners to create a fund of up to £24 million to increase the number of highly-skilled workers in AI and data science roles. The cash will provide places for graduates from a range of backgrounds – both those that have  a degree in science, technology, engineering, maths or social sciences and those that have studied other subjects to date. Scholarships will be made available to support applications from diverse backgrounds.

Applicants could include people returning to work after a career break and looking to retrain in a new profession, under-represented groups in the AI and digital workforce. 1000 scholarships will specifically target the female, black and disabled demographics.

Statistics from a Tech Nation and Royal Society report reveal women make up only 19 per cent of the tech workforce and people from a black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) background represent just 4 per cent of the UK tech industry.

Successful students will have flexible access to study and course content so they can fit their studies around their daily lives. Students will undertake paid work placements to help maximise their employment opportunities at the end of their course which could see them land roles as machine learning engineers, data scientists, research scientists or AI architects.

The announcement is part of the government’s commitment to increase research and development investment to 2.4 per cent of GDP by 2027.

Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “It is vital we increase diversity across our tech sector and give everyone with the aptitude and talent the opportunity to build a successful career.

“This will help make sure artificial intelligence developed in the UK reflects the needs and make-up of society as a whole which will also  help mitigate the risk of biased technologies being developed.

“Through these new AI and data science conversion courses we are working with industry and academia to develop and maintain the best AI workforce in the world.”

Science Minister Amanda Solloway said: “From disease diagnosis to driverless vehicles, demand for a diverse new pipeline of talent in the AI and digital workforce has never been greater.

“By working with our leading universities and industry partners, I am delighted that we are providing students from all backgrounds the chance to upskill and help tackle some of the most complex challenges of our time.”

Creating a more diverse future workforce will help with the design of new technology that has the potential to help tackle some of the greatest social challenges of our time – from protecting our environment to transforming the way we live and work and also saving lives by detecting signs of diseases earlier.