Seven millionth product! - HMS Networks (HMS) has shipped its seven millionth Anybus product to IAI Corporation (IAI).

Advanced connectivity with maximum security. - Ixxat SG-gateways enable data exchange between IEC61850 or IEC60870-5-104 based energy networks and common fieldbus and Industrial Ethernet systems. HMS Networks now introduces new functions, including Mediabreaker functionality and support for IEC60870-5-101, DNP3, OPC-UA and MQTT. The user management has also been improved and a version with Ethernet switch is available.

Scan ring wins! - Advantech's LEO-W wearable barcode scanner ring was honored with a 2020 Taiwan Excellence award. This prestigious award is considered one of the highest honors in Taiwan's industry. Advantech's LEO-W wearable barcode scanner ring was selected by the jury for "impressively demonstrating superior innovation".

Intelligent devices & digital plants - Emerson demonstrated how its intelligent devices, edge controllers and digital plant architectures enable improved plant reliability and availability and comprehensive manufacturing control and production optimization at Smart Production Solutions (SPS).

Motor purge system. - Pepperl+Fuchs has introduced the Bebco EPS® purge and pressurisation system designed specifically for use with large motors or large enclosures in Zone 1 hazardous areas. The 6100 series purge and pressurisation system can purge an enclosure over 450 cubic feet (12.2 cubic meters), making it the largest purging system available from Pepperl+Fuchs.

Coils and IC sensors being launched. - LEM’s new ARU range of Rogowski Coils measure current up to 300000 A AC with accuracy class 0.5 according to IEC 61869-10 without the need for additional components are being launched at this years SPS. Their new HMSR series of miniature current sensors are also being launched. They can handle overload current bursts of up to 20 kA such as those that occur in photovoltaics applications while still providing a reinforced isolation.

Special pricing for absolute shaft encoders. - A new promotional price offer from Wachendorff covers the leading German industrial encoder and precision automation component manufacturers’ wide range of Industrial Ethernet (IE) based absolute shaft encoders. Available to Irish & British customers of Variohm, the unique patented magnetic technology, WDGA series absolute encoders offer exceptionally high-precision position and velocity measurement with extreme durability and long life in single- or multi-turn versions with up to 16-bit resolution single and 43 bit multi turn.

Sensor-to-cloud platform - iCOMOX is taking centre stage at SPS Drives 2019 in Nuremberg (hall 4A, stand 400). This end-to-end solution is proving a hit with more than 4,000 units of iCOMOX sold to date. The product is a smart predictive-maintenance solution that can boost industrial productivity and enhance safety.

Leveraging Analytics and Industrial IoT-enabled Solutions to Digitally Transform Oil & Gas Operations - Overview A session at the 2019 ARC Industry Forum in Orlando (FL USA) focused on leveraging Industrial IoT and operational analytics to realize digital transformation in oil & gas. At this well-attended session, one end user discussed how his company was being transformed by leveraging digital technologies to integrate and optimize its oilfield service operations. A second presentation discussed deploying wireless instrument networks to reduce costs and support mobile operators in the process areas at a refinery in Bahrain.

Reducing maintenance time for pH probes! - By using retractable probe housings, for example in pH measurement technology, the required regular maintenance of the sensors can be reduced and thus the manual labour for each measuring point can be minimised. EXNER Process Equipment's retractable probe housings offer plant operators many advantages compared to traditional, fixed measuring points.

Intelligent automation solutions for the digital future. - Baumüller will be presenting numerous new products at SPS. They will be displaying clever motor concepts, intelligent drive functions and powerful control platforms on various stations. The connectivity and interoperability of components via OPC UA and cloud connectivity will be presented in the Industry 4.0 area.

Monitoring Technology in North Sea. - Total E&P Denmark A/S has awarded Emerson a contract to provide wellhead pressure monitoring technology to enhance safety during the multi-year redevelopment project to extend the life of Denmark’s biggest gas field.

Machine vision programming upgrade! - The release of CVB 2019 introduces new APIs to provide an innovative way of developing machine vision solutions with Common Vision Blox, together with an impressive range of new tools.

Papers sought on emissions. - The organisers of CEM 2020 (Kraków (PL), 13-15th May 2020) are now accepting abstracts for papers that describe recent research, regulatory developments and real-world case studies.

Highest-level component data.- By implementing a new data standard, software solutions provider Eplan contributes to further simplifying control and switchgear construction. The new standard increases the quality of article and device data in Eplan Data Portal, a web service offering product catalogues from numerous component manufacturers. Several thousand data sets – for instance from Rittal, leading provider of enclosure systems and IT infrastructure – are already available at this premium level, and additional well-known component manufacturers are working on providing data in line with this new standard.

Oxygen analyser. - Oxygen is the latest parameter to be added to Signal's advanced range of Series 4 continuous gas analysers. The AURORA is a Paramagnetic Oxygen Analyser for accurate percent measurements in incineration processes, inert atmospheres, medical and safety for humans, internal combustion engine exhausts and many more applications.

Headline sponsor announced! - The Industry 4.0 Summit & Expo has announced that Bosch Rexroth are headline sponsor for the 4th year in a row.

Tap torque testing! - An innovative TorqSense wireless torque sensor from Sensor Technology provided an effective solution to an interesting engineering challenge when Advanced Design Innovations (ADI), a specialist supplier of custom manufacturing and testing equipment, was asked by Bristan, one of Britain's largest and most successful manufacturers of bathroom taps and showers, to develop a new durability test rig to help optimise product performance.

Leak Detector for Ammonia and Hydrocarbons. - United Electric Controls has added ammonia and hydrocarbons sensors to its Vanguard WirelessHART Gas Detector. Wireless gas detection reduces compliance costs and improves safety by eliminating the need for wiring and terminations, reducing installation costs by as much as 80 percent and enabling greater coverage density.

Supporting clean energy investment. - TransAlta Corporation has selected Emerson as the main automation contractor in its planned conversions of coal-fired units to natural gas. The project is part of TransAlta's $2 billion (€1.8b) Clean Energy Investment Plan that will convert its existing coal assets in Alberta, Canada, to natural gas and extend its leadership in clean and renewable energy.

Safe cable markers. - TE Connectivity (TE) offers HL Low Fire Hazard cable markers designed to identify large-diameter wire and cable, as well as post-connector installation within harsh environments. Identification print is guaranteed when using TE's WINTOTAL software in conjunction with the recommended ribbon and thermal transfer printers.

Gas detection controllers. - The modular design of Crowcon's new GM series controllers delivers versatility since each controller is built to the user's specification. This includes the choice of input and output types and channel quantity, as well as mounting type and power supply options. The controllers can also be upgraded by adding additional functionality at any time after the initial installation.

Digital innovation hub! - Corks newest digital and innovation hub, gteic@Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh, in the heart of the Cork Gaeltacht area (IRL), was officially opened by the Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food, Michael Creed, TD, alongside Government Chief Whip and Minister for State for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Seán Kyne, TD.

Machine vision on show! - The 2020 UKIVA Machine Vision Conference and Exhibition will take place on 14 May 2020 at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes (GB). With year on year growth since its inception in 2017, the event is rapidly becoming a fixture in the industry’s calendar. While the event will follow a similar format to previous years, with a comprehensive program of technical seminars supported by an exhibition from leading companies in the industry, a new panel discussion session is being included for the first time.

Signal strengthens in States! - Following the launch of a new platform of advanced gas analysers, Signal Group has established a firm footing in the American market with the appointment of three new companies to provide sales and service for the company’s instruments.

Evaluating process control systems. - Modern control systems are the heart of every industrial operation and it's nothing short of miraculous how they can be built to last "forever" and yet continue to adapt to user needs.

Mobile configuration & parameterisation. - Endress+Hauser is now offering its Field Xpert together with Softing's mobiLink interface as a practical bundle for parameterizing and commissioning field devices.

Switches for different applications. - Variohm EuroSensor's EPS series aimed at industrial pressure switching applications for air, water, hydraulic fluid, other oil-based and liquid mediums, includes three different environment-matched models, each competitively priced for pressure ranges from 0.3 to 350 bar.

Bedrock Automation has appointed Jesse K. Hill as Executive Director of Sales.

New range of probes. - Vaisala has launched six new smart probes for its Indigo product family, optimized for demanding industrial applications. New options for dew point and moisture in oil measurements bring more possibilities for industries to save energy, optimize processes, and improve product quality.

New software libraries fro developers. - Xilinx, has announced its new Vitis™ unified software platform and optimized open source libraries are available for immediate download, and free of charge.

Monitoring vibration. Emerson has introduced the AMS Wireless Vibration Monitor. This is a low-cost, easy-to-deploy vibration sensor that performs prescriptive analytics on vibration data using native software to automatically identify failure modes and prevent potential problems involving rotating assets.

Products and Digital Transformation Organization - Emerson Global Users Exchange (#EMREX), the company’s annual Americas customer meeting, drew 2,600 people to Nashville, Tennessee in September. As usual, the agenda was very full, and the expansive Gaylord Opryland venue offered the opportunity for all Fitbit wearers to get in their full quota of steps. (And with so many sessions, attendees were stepping quickly so as not to miss things.) The meeting keynote and many sessions addressed all aspects of digital transformation (DT). (Harry Forbes' ARC Advisory Report)

Detecting error. - Anritsu Corporation launches its PAM4 Error Detector (ED), supporting market-leading 116-Gb/s bit error rate tests. This new module for the Anritsu Signal Quality Analyzer-R MP1900A series is the only instrument to achieve error-free measurement of PAM4 signals at 116 Gbit/s with industry-best operation bit rates and high Rx sensitivity.

Suppressing high-frequency noise. - Taiyo Yuden has announced the commencement of mass-production of the AEC-Q200 (reliability qualification test standard for automotive passive components) qualified noise suppression component. Applications include noise suppression component for power lines used in powertrains and other automotive components such as engines and transmissions, as well as communications infrastructure devices such as servers and base station communication devices.

Optical metrology acquisition. - LMI Technologies (LMI) has acquired FocalSpec, an innovative optical metrology company based in Finland that designs and manufactures patented Line Confocal Imaging (LCI) products. LMI’s parent company - The TKH Group - will acquire 100% of the shares of FocalSpec.

A Systems Engineering Approach to Industrial Cybersecurity - Executive Overview Ensuring the cybersecurity of information systems and associated networks has always been challenging. Serious vulnerabilities are identified on a regular basis and new threats continue to emerge to exploit those vulnerabilities. Industrial systems share many of the same vulnerabilities and are subject to the same threats. However, the consequences may be very different and, in some cases, more severe. This makes cybersecurity an imperative for the asset owner, who ultimately must bear the consequences of an adverse event

Jash Bansidhar (right) and Dirk Finstel promoted to co-lead European operations with ADvantech.

Helping the e-mobility revolution. - Delta is launching a new product to further support the e-mobility revolution, the 22kW AC MAX EV Charger. This innovative wall-mount EV charger boasts leading power output. In addition, Delta's AC MAX offers extremely low stand-by power, over-the-air remote upgrade capability, lightweight design (about 3.8kg), networking capabilities, OCPP protocol support for back-end integration, as well as RFID reader for user identification.

New SCADA system launched. - The Citect SCADA 2018 R2 system, just released by SolutionsPT, enables industrial process organisations to increase efficiencies in their operations by improving visualisation, allowing them to monitor and control their plants and equipment more effectively.

Record orders in October. - Schaffner achieved the largest order volume in the Group's history last month. New contracts were signed in the Automotive Division totalling more than CHF 55 million (ca &Euro;50m).

Air velocity sensors. - The new PAV3000 series of economical, high-performance air velocity sensors with digital I2C output and a surface-mount footprint for thermal management and filter monitoring in even the most space-constrained locations has been announced by Posifa Technologies.

Industrial reporting! - Dream Report 5 R19.3 has been released by Ocean Data Systems (ODS). This continues Ocean Data System's policy of releasing new features as part of a maintenance release for all Version 5 customers to use. Major features focus on enhancing connectivity to two leading vendors, Rockwell Automation and Siemens.