Handbook for temperature. - ABB has released a new in-depth handbook explaining how to maximise temperature measurement accuracy in industrial applications.

Optical test solutions. - Microlease has added a new manufacturer to its distribution product portfolio: SYCATUS, specialists in noise and delay measurement in optical transmission components and systems. Under the agreement Microlease will sell SYCATUS optical test solutions throughout Europe.

No escape even for agrochemicals! - New robotics is already quietly transforming many aspects of agriculture, and the agrochemicals business is no exception. Here, intelligent and autonomous robots can enable ultraprecision agriculture, potentially changing the nature of the agrochemicals business. In this process, bulk commodity chemical suppliers will be transformed into speciality chemical companies, whilst many will have to reinvent themselves, learning to view data and artificial intelligence (AI) as a strategic part of their overall crop protection offerings.

No more fumbling in the dark! - The G233 is a 3U CompactPCI serial card from Men Mikro Elektronik, with a 3.12" OLED display on the front, which enables the immediate display of diagnostics status and error messages.

Automation authors recognised! - The recipients of the 2017 author awards presented annually by ISA's Publications Department have been announced.

Modular safety system (SIL3). -

Gas leak detectors. - Ashtead Technology has been appointed as the preferred distributor and rental partner for the GES Gas-Tec (Mk4 & Mk5) FID Hydrocarbon Gas Detectors.

IR temperature sensor with IO-Link. - Balluff has developed a new BTS infrared temperature sensor with IO-Link interface and two switching outputs. It can monitor temperatures between 250 and 1250 °C even in inaccessible or hazardous areas, detect hot objects in motion and record temperature values - all without contact.

Sliding frame connector. - Harting’s new Han-Modular® Sliding Frame is a docking connector designed for use with motor control centres that incorporates a test position in addition to the normal mated and unmated positions.

Connect to CIP Safety. - The IXXAT Safe T100 safety module from HMS now supports the CIP Safety protocol according to CIP Volume 5 V2.14. Previously available for PROFIsafe, the new IXXAT Safe T100/CS, enables easy, module-based implementation of secure IOs for CIP Safety.

Intelligent components and system solutions for digitization and networking - Baumüller, the automation expert from Nuremberg, is presenting its exhibits for its main theme "Enabling Industry 4.0" at SPS IPC Drives 2017. The trade fair visitors will be able to see how Baumüller makes the smart digitization and networking of machines and systems possible for its customers with intelligent components and solutions, thus creating the successful connections and interfaces for Industry 4.0.

EMI in fieldbusses. - Electromagnetic compatibility specialist EMC Standards invites bookings to a one-day training course about maintaining PROFIBUS and PROFINET reliability in modern industrial environments. The event is scheduled for the offices of Endress + Hauser in Manchester (GB) on November 22, 2017 and is targeted at installers, systems integrators and the wider industrial datacomms community.

3-wire differential speed sensor IC. - Allegro MicroSystems has announced a new optimised Hall-effect three-wire differential speed sensor integrated circuit (IC) and permanent magnet pellet combination.

3GHz coaxial contact. - Lemo has launched a new 3GHz coaxial contact (75 ohm) designed for RG 179 B/U type cable, that can be used in various insulator types, providing an alternative solution to HD – BNC in the broadcast market (HDTV, 4K, 8K).

80 GHz – Allrounder or Overrated? - A webinar "80 GHz – Allrounder or Overrated? Radar level measurement: a practical comparison” is being presented by Krohne on October 18, 2017 at 4PM (CEST). It will present a general overview about the current situation with 80 GHz transmitters as there have been many statements and articles circulating on this topic lately.

MP visits scottish instrument company. - Edinburgh Instruments welcomed Hannah Bardell, their local MP at Westminster (GB), and the SNP spokesperson for Small Business, Enterprise and Innovation recently. This was a follow up visit after their office expansion in 2015.

Capturing and transmitting process automation knowledge. - The work of the ISA106 standards committee, Procedure Automation for Continuous Process Operations, is intended to provide a framework for building some of that knowledge into automated procedures. This is especially important for such plant procedures as startup, shutdown, product grade change and the like – as studies have shown that plants are particularly vulnerable to safety incidents caused by inexperienced operators performing unfamiliar manual functions during such key operations.

Automation and the city! - More and more people are moving to the city – a trend that presents major hurdles. In order to prevent a shortage of resources and improve quality of life, the city of the future must be more efficient and more sustainable. At SPS IPC Drives, COPA-DATA will be exhibiting on how urban areas can start gearing up for these future challenges now.

Connectivity solution wins security certification. - The remote connectivity solution, eWON Talk2M, from HMS Industrial Networks, is now ISECOM STAR security certified.

Radar level instrument. - The 80 GHz Micropilot FMR6x free space radar level instrument for process applications has been introduced Endress+Hauser. It is suitable for use in tanks or silos with complex geometries, obstacles, baffles and/or nozzles.

Cloud based SHM packages! - HBM has announced its capabilities in offering complete customised, end to end cloud-based structural health monitoring (SHM) packages. The packages include all associated hardware, software, installation, and monitoring requirements, along with cloud-based data access for each customer.

World's first LiFi enabled light bar! - The world's first LiFi enabled light bar will be demonstrated by pureLiFi and Linmore LED at Lux Live. (LiFi is high speed bi-directional networked and mobile communication of data using light. LiFi comprises of multiple light bulbs that form a wireless network, offering a substantially similar user experience to Wi-Fi except using the light spectrum.)

Distribution blocks: Simply unpack, connect, and you're done! - The new PTFIX distribution blocks from Phoenix Contact can be used straight away without manual bridging, enabling space savings of up to 80%.

Monitoring of mercury emissions. - Gasmet Technologies has published a new White Paper on the monitoring of mercury emissions to air from industrial processes.

All-round industrial camera. - A newly developed generation of their successful uEye SE industrial camera family is being launched by IDS. The camera will be available as both a GigE and USB 3.1 Type-C connection – in each case screw-on – as a housing version or as a board stack version, and with a broad range of CMOS sensors with rolling or global shutter.

Safe switching for surgical equipment. - Herga Technology is supplying 6448 bellows footswitch and 6763 airswitches to Cipher Surgical Ltd for its OpClear® laparoscope lens cleaning system.

Motion controller ideal for robots. - Aerotech's HEX RC is a 6-axis motion controller ideal for controlling robotic systems like hexapods. The HEX RC is 4U rack-mountable and compatible with the Automation 3200 (A3200) motion platform.

Small TFT displays. - Small TFT displays with an easy to integrate SPI interface and a power consumption of just 3mA have been introduced by andersDX.

Display distribution award. - Midas Displays, the specialist display manufacturer and supplier, have presented its first annual sales channel award to distribution partner Farnell element14 for their contribution in delivering exceptional sales growth and generating new design-in opportunities in an expanding global marketplace.

Wastewater treatment plant! - The City of Lynchburg, Virginia (USA) has selected the Bedrock Automation control system for its wastewater treatment operations. The City implemented Bedrock to control both de-chlorination and storm water remediation operations, and is planning other integration and control applications as part of its ongoing modernization program.

Programme helping high quality water treatment. - AdEdge Water Technologies has joined the Endress+Hauser OEM Business Partner Program. The two companies will collaborate together to ensure technology alignment, improve operating efficiencies and explore new opportunities to trim cost, mitigate risk and develop new service models that ultimately deliver more value for our mutual end user customers.

Life sciences European HQ opened in Britain! - The British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson officially opened TraceLinks's new European HQ in Uxbridge (GB) last week.

Schneider Electric has appointed Mike Hughes as Zone President of Britain and Ireland.

Pressure sensor with E1 automotive approval. - With E1 automotive approval, a wide selection of pressure ports and electrical interfaces plus an extensive choice of range options, Variohm's new and competitively priced SMO3100 series ratiometric transducer (pdf) will suit applications in demanding automotive environments such as motorsports, off-road vehicles, construction and agricultural machinery.

Strain gauge bonding service. - Applied Measurements offer a complete design, bonding and wiring service from one-off projects to high volume applications. What's more, they can even bond and wire onto their customers' own free-issued hardware.

Free lens with thermal imager. - Fluke is offering thermal imager kits which include a free telephoto lens (FLK-TIxx0 9HZ/T2) or wide-angle lens (FLK-TIxx0 9HZ/W2) with a Fluke Ti300, Ti400 or Ti450 Thermal Imager to extend the focus and the desired viewing angle until 31st December 2017.

Award for sustainable business processes. - Endress+Hauser has received a Gold Recognition Level certificate in the EcoVadis audit, improving on the previous year's result with 66 points.

Approaching safety instrumented system design. - A new book, Safety Instrumented System Design: Techniques and Design Verification, is intended to help companies achieve cost-effective safety improvements through a performance- and standards-based approach to Safety Instrumented System design and has been published by the International Society of Instrumentation (ISA).

Sensors aid tidal turbine development. -

European Rail Industry award. - The Harting Technology Group has received the Railsponsible CSR Award in Berlin. "The company has been committed to sustainability for over 20 years and is a pioneering force in the field of environmental management.", said Uwe Günther - CPO Deutsche Bahn AG and Chairman of Railsponsible.

Lynx Software Technologies has appointed Lee Cresswell to a worldwide role as Vice President of Sales.

Advanced visualisation enabled. - Seeq Corporation has announced a technology integration with business intelligence provider Tableau. With the integration, Seeq customers can leverage Tableau's advanced visualisation tools for their time series data, and Tableau users can leverage Seeq for data wrangling and modeling prior to visualisation in Tableau.

Symposium unaffected by Harvey! - The International Society of Automation remain committed to bringing their support to Heuston in the wake of huricane Harvey with their International Instrumentation Symposium (IIS), 7-8 November. A Cybersecurity training course is being held in conjunction with this years event.

A glimpse into the future. - National Instruments is hosting NIDays Conference and Exhibition, "the ultimate learning experience that unites the brightest minds in engineering and science." This year, NIDays London (GB) is scheduled for a new venue, Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher (GB), on Tuesday 28th November 2017.

Old publication new format! -

Where sensors come to life! - Sensors & Instrumentation is Britain's only dedicated sensors show. It is scheduled for Birmingham's NEC later this month (26/27 September 2017). Seb Amos of GAMBICA (The Institute of Instrumentation and Control and The Worshipful Company of Scientific Makers) will present a seminar entitled "A Brief History and Future of Instrumentation" that examines how we got here and how our Industry needs to engage to become leaders in the march for the Digitisation of Industry.

Communicator app for HART. - The first iOS based Smart Device Communicator Application for HART instruments has been announced by ProComSol. The App uses the Device Descriptor (DD) for the connected HART device so the user has full access to every Parameter and Method in the device.

Controlling IR Sensor arrays. - Laser Components has introduced TEESS (TEmpe Electronics & Software Set), an electronic control module for its own IG series of complex IR sensor arrays.

Touchscreen solutions! - A new manufacturing partnership has been announced by Hoffmann + Krippner. It is with leading German manufacturer OKW Gehäuse GmbH.

Irish candidate.
Billy Walsh B.Sc., a member of the Ireland Section of Internationl Society of Automation, is one of three candidates for the presidency of the organisation.

Spectrum analysis on the road! - Anritsu Corporation will be hitting the road in many European countries again this October to talk to engineers about how they can address the ever-increasing complexity and performance requirements of Spectrum Analysers.

Narrow surge protection! - Phoenix Contact now offers the narrowest surge protective devices on the market with the Termitrab complete product range.

Cloud based asset management service. - Microlease Ltd has unveiled LEO 2, a new cloud-based Asset Management solution, which can be used to manage any moveable or fixed asset, including test instruments.

4-Wire Measurement connectors. - The Schützinger GmbH Kelvin range of simple to use and space saving Four-Wire Measurement connectors are now available through JPR Electronics.

Research reveals barrier to serialisation compliance. - According to new industry research conducted by SEA Vision and Zenith Technologies more than half (54%) of industry professionals believe that the cost of implementing serialization is the greatest hurdle to compliance. The research highlighted that the substantial investment required to implement a serialization solution is cause for concern ahead of regulatory deadlines in the US and Europe.

Cybersecurity certification. - Exida, LLC has certified the Yokogawa ProSafe-RS to the ISASecure® Embedded Device Security Assurance (EDSA) certification level 1.The Yokogawa ProSafe-RS Safety Control System is Yokogawa's second product to be certified to the ISASecure Conformance Scheme.

Precision in rough seas! - The British National Oceanography Centre (NOC) researchers need to be able to analyse samples on board a variety of research vessels. Under these conditions, high levels of precision and reliability can be a challenge for most laboratory equipment, so NOC has invested in SEAL Analytical segmented flow analyzers (SFAs) - the AA3 and the QuAAtro.

Strategic relationship to accelerate life sciences product pipelines. -

Batch measurement option. - Edinburgh Instruments have announced a new batch measurement option to their Fluoracle software for the FS5 spectrofluorometer and FLS1000 Fluorescence Spectrometer.

Extreme switchgear and sensors. - Two recent additions to steute's "Extreme" range are the Ex 97 and the Ex 99 position switch series with standard dimensions to DIN EN 50047 and DIN EN 50041. They are anti-corrosive, dust-proof and extremely impact-resistant.

Tester Kit money-saving offers. - Fluke UK is offering two money-saving 1660 Series Multifunction Installation Tester Kits until the end of the year.

Variable speed drives. - WEG has expanded its CFW500 series of variable speed drives (VSDs) to enable users in a wide range high-power applications achieve further energy efficiency.

Pyrometer with IO-Link. - Balluff has developed a new BTS infrared temperature sensor with IO-Link interface and two switching outputs. It can monitor temperatures between 250 & 1250°C even in inaccessible or hazardous areas.

Digital attacks on control systems! - Boulting Technology, has released an infographic detailing history's top five industrial computer viruses. The infographic educates industries that rely on computer control systems on how the lack of preventative measures against viruses and hackers can lead to costly downtime due to lost or stolen data.

The next President of The Institute of Measurement and Control will be Prof Graham Machin, takes office in January 2018.

Connectors & desiging for Europe. - Harting and PEI-Genesis are to offer harsh environment connector solutions and engineering design expertise to customers across Europe, thanks to a new distribution agreement effective September 1, 2017.

Strain gauge for PCB testing! - The Micro-Measurements® brand of Vishay Precision Group has announced the global market introduction of its S5198, a miniature rectangular planar rosette strain gage pattern for printed circuit board (PCB) testing, incorporating Advanced Sensors Technology.