Digital future increases consultancy demand. - Zenith Technologies has seen a 150% rise in demand for its consultancy arm services. The growth of the service in 2018 was driven by a need to aid customers in collecting, contextualising and finding insights in their stored data.

Mobile access to critical data for better decision support. - Emerson has enhanced its DeltaV™ Mobile app to ensure plant personnel have faster access to process information and to help organisations tailor the notifications personnel receive. This mobile app provides read-only access to a plant’s distributed control system and operation data. It now offers improved customisation and access to third-party systems in one app.

Secure automation for cloud-based well head monitoring and control. - Temblor Petroleum is implementing Bedrock® Open Secure Automation (OSA®) for a unique cloud-based well head control and data-sharing application. The application enables Temblor to monitor and operate well heads remotely, providing secure real-time production data while minimizing the requirements for onsite operators.

Maintaining food standards! - In light of a growing number of food recalls in recent years, the food industry is in a precarious situation where consumers are trusting manufacturers less than ever before. Here, Dominique Stucki, head of operations for manufacturing execution systems with ABB’s Control Technology business unit explains how plant managers can manage compliance effectively to rebuild consumer trust.

Consistant Global Innovator! - TE Connectivity has again been named a Derwent Top 100 Global Innovator 2018-19 by Clarivate Analytics. The innovators on the annual list are celebrated for successfully bringing patents to market that have strong commercial potential based on originality, market reach and opportunities for spin-off inventions.

Integration provides superior data collection and quality. - Aegis' FactoryLogix MES platform is integrated with Omron Inspection Systems' complete suite of award-winning SPI (Solder Paste Inspection) and AOI (Automated Optical Inspection) systems. This integration will provide Omron's customers with improved quality control and an enhanced, automated method for identifying and collecting manufacturing defect data during inspections.

Biogas process optimisation. - Vaisala has introduced the world’s first in situ 3-in-1 biogas measurement instrument, Vaisala MGP261 for measuring methane, carbon dioxide and humidity in demanding environments. This compact measurement instrument is Ex certified up to zone 0, which enables in-line installation also in explosive atmospheres.

FPGA or ASIC? New online tool. - HardwareBee has a new free online tool that helps engineers make quicker and more accurate decisions on whether to choose FPGA or ASIC technology in their electronic product.

Industrial camera manufacturer's results. - The sales growth of IDS Imaging Development Systems remained above average at around 20 per cent even in 2018. Sales rose particularly strongly with approx. 50 per cent in Asia, but we also recorded growth of about 20 per cent in the USA and Europe. The company is planning numerous investments for 2019.

New enclosures give harsh environment protection. - The launch of new Type 4X certified GRP-based enclosures and cabinets from Intertec provide harsh environmental protection for hundreds of outdoor applications.

But for electronics... - Marking 25 years in existance JTAG Technologies has just launched a new Corporate video.

James Clements is the new Managing Director at the Signal Group

Enabling middleware-free IIoT Manufacturing via the IPC CFX Standard. - The FactoryLogix platform from Aegis Software, leverages CFX from data acquisition to analytics and process control automation. As a result, any manufacturer on the FactoryLogix platform that purchases a CFX-compliant device, machine or system will instantly consume, interpret, and leverage the mission-critical information from those devices without the need for any middleware or custom integration.

Snap-On Markers. - TE Connectivity (TE) is offering its STD Snap-On Markers as a reliable way to identify wires and small cables. Manufactured with a zero halogen polyoxymethylene compound, these expanding profile markers are side-entry installed using an applicator wand, allowing identification after termination and/or installation.

Publication examines IoT connection. - A new eBook centered on industrial automation as part of All Things IoT, is the latest series in Mouser's award-winning Empowering Innovation Together™ program. In the third and final eBook in the series, industry experts explore the innovative technologies and trends that cities are applying to emerging smart infrastructure projects.

Robert McCrave (top) is is Sales Manager and Cathy Litchfield is Internal Sales Executive at Eurolec.

On the podium! - After more than 5,000 kilometers and 10 stages across Peruvian dunes, deserts and rocky terrain, the 41st edition of the world's most difficult race has come to an end. But crossing the finish line of the Dakar rally is not a given and FPT Industrial again demonstrated, the durability, reliability and power of its engines.

Motion control out of this world! - For a small number of motion control applications, project success is only confirmed long after delivery so that no compromise whatsoever can be tolerated with design integrity, manufacturing quality and reliability. This is especially true for many projects undertaken by Phytron GmbH, the extreme environment motor, drive and motion systems designer and manufacturer, represented in the Britain by Mclennan.

In top 100 sustainable corporations. - Yokogawa has been included in the 2019 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World Index (Global 100). This is Yokogawa's first time on the Global 100, one of the world's leading sustainability indices.

Proximity detection warning. - Nanotron Technologies GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sensera Limited, and industrial safety solutions provider Selectronic have announced their first joint product: the PDS2400 Collision Avoidance Solution (CAS) for open-pit mine safety. The PDS2400 is an RF-based proximity detection solution that supports collision awareness and proximity warning between fast moving vehicles, as well as between vehicles and people.

Global distribution partnership agreed! - The Harting Technology Group and US company Heilind Electronics have entered into a global distribution partnership. The agreement follows a successful partnership in North America and in other countries worldwide.

Progress in RoHS3 compliance as deadline approaches. - Anglia has continued to make big strides towards full RoHS 3 compliance over six months before the deadline for meeting the new provisions. The distributor is working closely with its suppliers and can confirm that the majority of the suppliers they work with are now confirmed as fully compliant with the new more rigorous regulations. Details of the status of each supplier is fully documented on Anglia Live.

Advantech has appointed Dirk Finstel as Associate Vice President Embedded IoT Europe.

Gold in environmental and social aspects. - Endress+Hauser has received the Gold Recognition Level certificate in the EcoVadis audit, achieving a score of 68 points. The company is therefore among the top five percent of all suppliers evaluated by EcoVadis in the corresponding comparison group.

Admired company! - TE Connectivity has been named to Fortune magazine's 2019 List of World's Most Admired Companies* for the second year in a row. The annual survey, conducted by Fortune and Korn Ferry, is given to top executives, directors and financial analysts, to identify the companies that enjoy the strongest reputations among their peers and across industries.

Rapid remote access to test results. - A new case study has been published by Autoscribe Informatics which highlights the use of the Matrix Gemini LIMS by Amway. Amway is a leading manufacturer of products for the nutrition, home, beauty, energy & sport markets. Matrix Gemini's built-in web interface is providing its authorized users in a variety of locations with access to test results as soon as tests are completed.

Industry 4.0/Pharma 4.0 Integration Survey -

Hitoshi Nara has been appointed to the position of representative director and president by Yokogawa Electric Corporation.

Cryptomining explored! - SolutionsPT is to host a free webinar exploring the evolving cyber security threat posed by Cryptomining infections and how they can be prevented, on Thursday, February 21st 2019.

Tiny signal dropouts. - The OP1100 discontinuity analyser from Laser Components is an autonomous test system for detecting and recording dropouts in optical data transmission. The OptoTest device detects signal fluctuations of 0.5 dB and a duration of 0.8 μs. Up to 24 single-mode or multi-mode fibers can be monitored simultaneously.

Optical sensors for longer operating distances. - The R200 and R201 photoelectric sensors from Pepperl+Fuchs enables applications with longer operating distances. Just like the compact R100, R101, and R103 series, both new products consistently offer all photoelectric functional principles in a design that is now larger and suitable for specific mounting situations.

Cavitation detection. - Yokogawa has developed a cavitation detection system and will be available next month (Feb 2019). By detecting cavitation, quantifying information, and displaying the data in real time, this system provides an early indication of conditions that can result in a degradation in pump performance.

Cameras with higher data rates over long cables. - The new Genie Nano-5G GigE Vision cameras from Teledyne DALSA provide exceptional data transfer capabilities using industry-standard Ethernet technology at an extremely attractive price point. With data transfer rates in excess of 5 Gb/s possible over cable lengths up to 100 metres, and a choice of high performance Sony sensors, these new cameras open up a host of new applications in a wide range of industries.

Dr Paul Maguire has been appointed as Head of Innovation and Enterprise at Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) – City Campus.

Detecting PCBs using RFID. - An RFID system in which PCBs communicate with their SMT production line and contain all the relevant manufacturing data has been developed by Harting. Based on the company's RFID-4-SMT auto-ID solution, the new system cuts error rates, radically simplifies documentation requirements and forms the basis for automated PCB production in a batch size of one.

Sensing CO2, Humidity and Temperature digitally. - The EE850 duct mount sensor from E+E Elektronik combines the CO2, relative humidity (RH) and temperature (T) measurement in a single device. The sensor can be easily integrated into a bus system via the RS485 interface (Modbus RTU or BACnet MS/TP). The 3-in-1 device is dedicated for building automation as well as for demanding process control.

Optical turbidity measurement. - The new OPTISYS TUR 1060 optical turbidity measuring system has been introduced by Krohne. The main application areas are quality monitoring or filter monitoring in drinking water, or in cooling water circuits or demineralisation processes.

Guarding against inventory disruption. - Anglia Components is offering users of its Anglia 80/20 inventory management system the opportunity to hold increased levels of inventory at no cost, ahead of any potential Brexit disruption. This additional inventory is still invoiced as it is used – eliminating any call on the customer's financial capital.

Cables in space! - Intelliconnect have had a number of custom-designed, flexible cables successfully launched into space as part of VESTA-1, a 3U nanosatellite technology demonstration mission. VESTA-1 was manufactured for Honeywell under funding from the British Space Agency.

Ametek Surface Vision has appointed Francois Levac as the Director of Sales.

Risk of "No Deal!" - A no-deal scenario, placing Britain at the bottom of all global trading leagues under default WTO rules, would be a disaster for the industrial product supply sector there. - GAMBICA.

Self-programmed camera functions. - The IDS Imaging Development Systems Smart GenICam App, allows data generated by customer-specific programming can be used in exactly the same way as if they were part of the manufacturer-independent standard functional scope of the industrial camera.

Compact linear motor. - A completely new modular concept for tubular linear direct drives is available from Dunkermotoren. The highly dynamic three-phase linear motors, SA/SC 38 series, deliver up to 3690 N and accelerate at over 200 m/s².

Integrated touch control. - Zytronic's hybrid touch technology allows tactile buttons or mechanical dials to be incorporated in and around the active area of the projected capacitive touchscreen and which are connected invisibly through the viewable area of the screen.

Paul Gruhn, PE, CFSE, and ISA Life Fellow, is International Society of Automation (ISA) President for 2019.

Encapsulated switch mode power supplies. - Myrra 47000 series encapsulated Switch Mode Power Supplies, available from JPR Electronics, are a range of encapsulated, PCB mountable power supplies from 1W up to 60W. The range includes power supplies with VDE & UL approvals, CE marked and meet class B EMC standards without any additional external components.

Fascinating landscapes and roaring tours..! - When the going gets tough, the tough get going. FPT Industrial is taking part in the annual, world-famous Dakar rally, and is a 2019 sponsor, equipping the four trucks of the Petronas Team De Rooy IVECO with its Cursor 13 engines.

Non-domestic gas installation in Ireland. - Hanley Controls have been supplying Gas products and equipment to the main Gas utility as well as Mechanical contractors in the Gas Industry for almost 30 years. They have now achieved Non Domestic Gas Certification from the Irish Commission for Regulation of Utilities [CRU] under new regulations commenced in 2019.

Connector in the IEC 61076-2-111 standard K-coding. - Harting has introduced a new version of its popular M12 circular connector in the IEC 61076-2-111 standard K-coding. The new configuration enhances the M12, already well known as an interface for data and signals transmission, by offering a similar compact interface for energy-intensive applications. With four power contacts and a protective earth contact, it is possible to safely transmit 7 kW at 630 V and 16 A: a considerable amount of power in a very compact interface.

Mr. Uwe Gr&äuml;ff has been appointed to the Board of New Technologies & Quality at the Harting Technology Group.

A no-deal Brexit it must be avoided. - The EURIS Taskforce, a body of trade organisations representing British manufacturing worth £148 billion in turnover, has written to the British Prime Minister for the second time to reinforce that no-deal should not be an option in the Brexit debate.

Integrating any desired piezoelectric sensors directly. - Kistler Instruments has a wide range of options for using sensors and process monitoring systems to support Industry 4.0, all of which are developed to deliver gains in quality and efficiency. Production monitoring systems combined with a wide range of sensors are the basis of enhanced digital system integration.

Certification for Cyber Hardening. - Bedrock Automation has received Achilles® Level 2 certification from GE Digital (Wurldtech) on its OSA Remote controller.

Effective Supply Chain Track and Trace with Blockchain Must Include MES and WMS Data. - Emerging blockchain technology enables members of a consortium to share data in a secure and trusted environment to enable improvements in operational performance. The key benefits of current pilot programs involve limiting the cost of a recall or identifying counterfeit products.

Special interest group established. - The nonprofit CiA (CAN in Automation) international users' and manufacturers' group has established the CAN XL Special Interest Group (SIG). Several OEMs, Tier1s, chipmakers, and other interested parties including tool suppliers discussed in a two-day meeting last month, the desired features of the CAN XL data link layer.

Automated driving. - Xilinx and ZF have announced a new strategic collaboration in which Xilinx technology will power ZF’s highly-advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-based automotive control unit, called the ZF ProAI, to enable automated driving applications.

Using RFID provides safety in processing plants. - RFID handhelds from Pepperl+Fuchs and ecom paired with custom software from Neoception allow for convenient and efficient maintenance, even in hazardous areas.

Simple, low cost means of integrating MiniPID sensors. - Increasing demand from the global heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), agricultural and general manufacturing industries for measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has led Ion Science to launch a high performance Sensor Development Kit (SDK).

"Snap on, snap off" detachable HD video camera. - THine®, California Eastern Laboratories (CEL), and Keyssa®, have announced a HD Camera Proof of Concept solution for ruggedized detachable HD cameras. The detached HD camera enclosure can be water and/or oil proof to accommodate severe outdoor environment conditions.

Locking connector. - Cliff Electronics, have added a locking connector to their very successful CLIFFCON power connector range. The CLIIFCON-P range is comprised of a power input plug and socket, a power output plug and socket and an inline cable extension coupler.

The next-generation purge and pressurisation system. - Pepperl+Fuchs has introduced an advanced Bebco EPS® purge and pressurization system, designed for Class I or II/Div. 2 and Zone 2/22 locations. This innovative and compact manual or automatic system delivers all the features needed for reliable hazardous location protection within a small, streamlined solution