Multi-network routing. - The Portable BASrouter, from Contemporary Controls, is a compact BACnet multi-network router which provides versatile stand-alone routing between BACnet/IP, BACnet Ethernet (ISO 8802-3), and BACnet MS/TP networks.

Integrated sample planning & scheduling. - Bringing new levels of field sampling optimization, compliance and field data collection, Autoscribe Informatics has announced the integration of Trilogy TAPS sample planning and scheduling management software with its Matrix Gemini configurable laboratory information management system (LIMS). Integration of field data collection and laboratory activities is especially useful in water, environmental, waste and similar industries.

Contribution to COVID-19 emergency recognised! - Anglia Components has been ranked for the first time on the 21st annual Sunday Times Profit Track Covid-19 based on its financial performance over the last three years. The Sunday Times Profit Track ranks Britain’s most successful privately owned companies.

Plug-In Easy-Test Terminal Blocks. - New disconnect terminal blocks from Dinkle International implement plug-in technology, safe design, and space savings with testing capabilities for use in CT and VT secondary circuits.

Remote valve service! - Emerson has announced its new Remote Assistance service capability to help plant operators immediately respond to industrial valve issues by using augmented reality (AR) technology. The AR technology uses a robust, secure channel certified as ISO 27001-compliant. Valve repairs are advised and guided by Emerson experts as part of the company’s expanding Connected Services portfolio in its Plantweb™ digital ecosystem.

USB attacks blur the line between a network threat and a local physical threat - Every USB interface can be home to a whole network of devices, all communicating in a way that is eerily similar to Ethernet. And because almost everything out there today has at least one if not many USB interfaces on it, the USB protocol essentially extends every one of our networks into something exponentially bigger. (Automation 2020)

Easy commission and control of robots. - ABB has simplified the use of its popular SCARA robots by giving users the ability to commission and control the robots from their PC through RobotStudio®, their simulation and offline programming software

Industrial relay range. - Anglia Components has been appointed distributor for Hongfa Europe in Britain & Ireland for its full range of electro-mechanical relays. Anglia is holding inventory on the most popular Hongfa relays at its distribution centre available on Anglia Live.

Video for manufacturing analysis & troubleshooting. - High-speed video capture helps engineers troubleshoot manufacturing processes, and assists researchers in analyzing fast acting events. However, traditional large-format high-speed cameras quickly run out of internal storage, delaying work while data is being transferred. Mikrotron has solved that problem with its MotionBLITZ CVR recording system.

Smart devices leverage OPC UA - Smart devices in modern production environments and processing plants provide operators not only with I/O data but also with a wealth of information about the state of the entire plant. The information that management systems are able to collect from these field devices, such as diagnostic data, for example, status information on the devices and specific device parameters, can help the organization plan its predictive maintenance program. (Industrial Ethernet Book)

Rear mounting option. - In addition to solutions for the Han® B and Han-Eco® B standards, rear-mountable interfaces for trouble-free data transmission are also available via the Han® B/EMC Rear-Fit from Harting. Simplified handling speeds up the process of equipping control cabinets with interfaces and offers new installation options to manufacturers of robotics and automation technology.

Coronavirus will force manufacturers to enhance automation, digitalization - COVID-19 is forcing manufacturers to rely more on automation and digitalization for long-term operations to reduce the financial impact from epidemics and other potential economic challenges. (Jan Zhang, Control Engineering)

IT/OT Cybersecurity Convergence - Mandy Huth, VP-Cybersecurity at Kohler Corporation, discussed the company's progress towards IT/OT cybersecurity convergence at the 2020 ARC Industry Forum in Orlando. Ms. Huth was new to Kohler when she outlined her plans for IT/OT cybersecurity convergence last year at the 2019 ARC Industry Forum. At this year's Forum, she provided an update on some of the lessons learned in this journey.

Pressure sensors SENT! - A new interface has been added to the Sensor-Technik Wiedemann(STW) modular sensor system for mobile hydraulics. For the pressure sensors of the M01 series, the SENT protocol will be additionally available in the SAE J2716, Rev 2016 variant from Q3/2020.

IT/OT is almost as much of a threat to infrastructures as the hackers - There is an interest in learning about the critical, but generally not addressed, issues of the engineering aspects of control system cyber security. There is a fear that control system cyber security issues are more than just IT/OT convergence. Standards and engineering organizations need to collaborate and the need for coordination among these groups. (Summary of presentation to INCOSE: Joe Weiss Control Systems Cybersecurity Expert with Applied Control Solutions )

Unmanaged Ethernet switches. - Moxa has extended its connectivity portfolio with the new EDS-2000 series of unmanaged Ethernet switches featuring up to 16 Ethernet ports and two Gigabit combo ports to meet increasing needs for additional nodes and bandwidth. Slim enough to fit into crowded control cabinets and machines, these plug-and-play switches allow for easier deployment and upgrading of existing devices without configuration hassles.

Compact pressure transmitter. - OPTIBAR PM 3050 is a new compact pressure transmitter for pressure and level applications with 2-wire 4…20mA HART communication from Krohne. It aims at general applications in the food & beverage, water & wastewater, iron & steel, OEM/ Automation and other process industries.

Mike England is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) with Electrocomponents.

Humidity in the cloud! - Vaisala has introduced a new cloud-based Vaisala Jade Smart Cloud system for professionals who want to access high-quality measurement data anywhere, at any time. The data can be viewed on the go; on a mobile device, such as mobile phone or tablet, and on a pc or laptop. The Jade Smart Cloud is ideal for any structural moisture or ambient humidity measurement monitoring needs on the go, because it keeps users updated on critical measurements continuously.

Injection moulding process control. - ComoNeo, Kistler’s cavity pressure monitoring and control system, has now been made even more effective with the integration of ComoNeoPREDICT, a DoE (Design of Experiments) model based system that enables injection moulders to achieve zero defect production. The entire injection moulding process can be sustainably optimised to eliminate scrap and pseudo scrap to enhance plant productivity.

IIoT adds value within a plant, but also is a natural fit for field data gathering - Smart sensor and device installations are flourishing everywhere, forming the basic building blocks of any Internet of Things (IoT) initiative. Applying IoT capabilities can be a useful way to monitor and even initiate control for consumer applications like home temperature, lighting and sprinkler controls. When smart devices are made tougher and connected securely over the Internet, they can function as key components for Industrial IoT (IIoT). (Control Engineering)

Unique calibration laboratory. - E+E Elektronik operates an EN ISO/IEC 17025 accredited calibration laboratory for humidity, dew point, CO2, air velocity, mass flow, temperature and pressure at its headquarters in Engerwitzdorf (A). Accredited calibrations are needed wherever particularly high accuracy of the used measuring instruments is required.

Contract for water pressure sensors. - Following a competitive tendering process, the British Environment Agency has awarded OTT Hydrometry with a national contract to supply submersible pressure sensors to be used in water level measurement applications associated with surface water, groundwater and tidal water monitoring.

"What we would have shown!" - The Hannover Fair (#HM20) should have opened its entrance gates today. Pioneers, thought leaders, researchers, and users planned to meet in Hannover to shape the future – now that is unfortunately not possible. However possible visitors can continue to experience the exhibitors, highlights and premieres online – using Hamnnover Meße’s digital exhibitor and product search. More than 4,000 suppliers and 10,000 products and solutions can be found here.

Pay as you sense! - Having survived more than one downturn and recovery, Sensor Technology has a rental option in place for its TorqSense range of torque sensors. Potential users can choose to rent the equipment, rather than purchase it, thus circumventing the bottleneck of raising capital purchase approval.

An Opportunity, Not a Headwind, for Industry and Workers - We entered 2020 riding a tremendous wave of economic activity: low unemployment coupled with high productivity numbers, stability, and vibrant stock markets. Although the pandemic started late in 2019, the effects on oil prices and subsequent economic activity wouldn’t be realized until February. The world response to the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to be the most significant compelling event affecting all aspects of life. (ARC Advisory)

Image processing systems in the medical sector. - A British company is currently using IDS cameras together with thermal imaging cameras to detect people with elevated temperatures and so potentially have the corona virus. The non-contact thermal imaging and measurement system designed for mass screening, detects temperature differences of less than 0.6 °C and with an accuracy of less than 0.3 °C.

Greenhouse reduces Carbon Dioxide emsissions. - Scientists at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands have employed Vaisala carbon dioxide sensors in their research greenhouses for over a decade. The Dutch horticultural sector aims to be climate-neutral by 2040. Scientists at Wageningen University & Research have therefore recently built a new demonstration greenhouse ‘Greenhouse 2030’ in an effort to find ways to reduce CO2 emissions as well eliminating the need for crop protection chemicals and optimizing the use of water and nutrients.

LIMS for West Africa. - Autoscribe Informatics has appointed Promatics Technologies Nigeria as our distributor in Nigeria to sell, configure and support the Matrix family of Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) products.

Ethernet switch platform. - Westermo's next generation industrial Ethernet switch platform is ideal for handling big data and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications driven by global developments such as urbanisation and infrastructure investments. Integrating hardware, software and network design support, the new switch platform offers advanced capabilities, the lowest total cost of ownership and will create the most reliable networks across more industries.

The UnFair! - Digitalization and mobility reach higher importance in the COVID-19 environment. While the April Hannover Messe event is cancelled, industrial companies remain focused on digital transformation techniques, methods and ideas. (Bill Lydon, Automation.com)

Flow in biogas applications. - Owners, operators and system designers of biogas production and recovery systems will want to explore the innovative ST80 Series thermal flow meter from Fluid Components International (FCI). These users will find the new Model ST80 flow meter provides optimal performance and the necessary features required for accuracy and repeatability in demanding biogas flow measurement applications.

Connectors for medical devices. - Intelliconnect (Europe) offers a wide range of connectors suitable for use in diagnostic, treatment and wearable medical device technologies. The versatility of their products in medical systems is demonstrated by the wide range of applications already supplied. These include connectors for RF cancer treatment, radiation dosimeters and detectors, bio-medical test equipment and bionics.

Software stack and SoM. - Port industrial automation GmbH which specialises in industrial real-time data communication has developed two alternatives for CC-Link IE TSN products: a software stack (master/slave) reduces in-house development time and costs for the component manufacturer while an embedded system on module (SoM) can directly expand existing platforms.

Handles for enclosures and panels. - Foremost Electronics is a major supplier of standard and custom cabinets and enclosures and continues to add to its range of panel building accessories.

New functions for wireless network. - "Wireless" is the latest version of .steute wireless network solution "nexy", facilitating the transmission of sensor data to the Internet of Things (IoT) or other superordinate IT systems.

Xilinx has appointed Brice Hill as Chief Financial Officer.

Digital indicating signal conditioners. - The first release from Acromag’s new Vertu™ brand of innovative instrumentation is the VPM3000 Series of universal input displays with transmitter and alarm capabilities. These instruments combine the digital indicator function of a panel meter with optional signal conditioning for 4-20mA transmitter output and/or alarm trip solid-state relays.

Customised keypads. - Designers seeking keypads need no longer compromise with ‘off the shelf’ solutions that just don’t fit the bill. As part of the Anglia Inception customised components service, Anglia offers keypads tailored specifically to customer requirements. These keypads are manufactured and customised by trusted suppliers who have been fully audited to Anglia’s rigorous selection process, ensuring a quality customised product.

Low loss and semi-rigid RF and microwave cable. - Intelliconnect (Europe) offers its customers one of the most experienced teams capable of specifying, designing and manufacturing RF and Microwave cable assemblies, with a two 2-3 week turnaround time for most projects.

Expansion modules. - Designed to be used in process plants, ReeR MA2 and MA4 expansion modules allow the connection of the Mosaic system to analogue sensors including, flow meters, level measurement, load cells, pressure switches, temperature meters etc.

Excellence in innovation and IIoT technology leadership recognised. - Emerson’s Plantweb™ digital ecosystem has been named a 2020 Edison Awards winner in the Innovative Services category. The award recognises Plantweb’s expertise, consulting and IIoT-powered services capabilities that leverage decades of technology leadership, enabling Emerson to partner with companies to develop and implement effective digital transformation initiatives.

Single-loop control—Still the mainstay of advanced process control - Today, even after 50 years, APC continues to rely on the lowly flow control loop, the most basic single-loop control, as the best rejector of unmeasured disturbances and the most stable platform for the APC/optimization control hierarchy. Just over a decade ago, an article titled, "Advanced Control Strategies Move into the Field" (Control, October 2008), highlighted three evolving trends in the process control world that would "make our dependence on single-loop control part of history." (InTech Apl. 2020)

Global Fight Against COVID-19. - The Analog Devices Foundation is helping to combat the global fight against COVID-19. The Foundation is Analog Devices’s platform for engineering a better future with its mission to address many of the complex societal issues that impact the communities in which ADI lives and works.

Gas detection equipment benefits from international co-operation. - Critical Environment Technologies Canada Inc. was founded in 1995 and has since expanded considerably; developing and manufacturing gas detection equipment for global markets. One of the keys to the company’s success has been the relationship that it has built with sensor supplier Alphasense. The company’s gas detection equipment is now sold into a wide variety of applications including: refrigeration, indoor swimming pools, water treatment plants, car parks, ice arenas, wineries and breweries, airports, hotels, fish farms, battery charging rooms, HVAC systems, food processing plants, horticulture, vehicle exhausts and many more.

Veterinary LIMS case study. - Autoscribe Informatics has just released a new case study in conjunction with the Irish Equine Centre (IEC) who have replaced their legacy Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) with Matrix Gemini. This has not only improved laboratory workflows and introduced efficiencies, but also allows laboratory data to be used in combination with other data sources for real time business analysis.

Distribution centre on track! - Almost seven months after the groundbreaking ceremony for the new distribution center in Unterlenningen (D), Leuze offers an optimistic progress report: the construction is on schedule and expected. to be completed in mid-2020.

Electro-hydraulic actuators. - Thomson Industries has introduced an electro-hydraulic actuator that has the strength of hydraulic cylinders but without their complex external assemblies or extensive fluid handling requirements. Thomson Warner Linear H-Track actuators move loads of up to 21350 N (4800 lbs) from a compact mounting envelope.

Cloud Functions for HART device. - ProComSol has announced the addition of Cloud functions for the management of HART device configuration data. These Cloud functions are available now in the DevCom App for Android and iOS (Apple). The Cloud functions allow the user to save device configurations to a private Cloud account on the ProComSol servers. This provides data back-up, security, and the ability to share the configuration data plant-wide.

Augmented Reality for Industry - Executive Overview Augmented reality (AR) uses displays, cameras, various types of sensors, and software to augment the user's real-world environment with artificial perceptual experience. Most AR applications use smart devices such as smart phones, tablets, and smart glasses to overlay digital information and graphics onto user's real-world view. Pokemon Go and Snapchat filters are some of the most popular AR applications in the consumer world. (ARC Advisory)

Interfaces for safety pressure sensors. - The STW (Sensor-Technik Wiedemann) pressure sensors of the F02 Safety series from the modular sensor system for mobile hydraulics, now can provide the "Deutsch DT04" connector as an additional electrical connection option in addition to a 5-pole M12 connector.

Ethernet switch wins design award. - Westermo has received the 2020 Red Dot product design award for its ultra-compact and robust Lynx 5512 industrial Ethernet Switch, designed by Kim Törmänen.

Uwe Kemm has been appointed to the Executive Board of Stemmer Imaging.

The cybersecurity highway still passible! - Despite the current training course cancellations and open enrollment classes presently being postponed due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), ISA Europe will continue to offer its members and customers the ability to get certified through modular and online courses.

Standards for safety and security. - In this issue IEC look at how international standards help organisations make sure the information they store about their customers, employees and business partners is secure. They examine the ISO/IEC 27000 family of standards, which provides guidance on how to establish an effective framework that ensures conformance with internal compliance as well as with external rules and regulations.

Healthcare technologies being expedited. - Analog Devices (ADI) has announced a series of actions to support the global response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by expediting production of its healthcare technologies that can help fight COVID-19. These include critical measurement and control technologies that are used in medical equipment essential for diagnostics and treatment for COVID-19 patients, such as ventilators, respirators, diagnostic test systems, infusion pumps, patient monitors as well as in imaging systems, such as CT scanners and digital x-ray.

Alas!
The death has been announced of Rich Merritt (1943-2020), "a giant of industrial automation and control technical communications, serving countless publications and clients over his long career." RIP

Software wizard for workpiece probe measurement. - A new software option from CNC specialist NUM dramatically simplifies measurement cycles during CNC machining processes. Designed expressly for ease-of-use, the software employs graphical guidance techniques to completely dispense with the need for CNC machine operators to have any G-code programming experience. It is likely to be of especial interest to machine shops seeking to enhance their process verification or increase the throughput of precision parts.

Bus newsletter reflects present crisis. - The latest issue (March 2020) of the CAN Newsletter has been distributed. CiA have postponed the iCC 2020, and have withdrawn all face-to-face events. This includes CiA technical meetings, seminars, the CiA technology days in Spain, etc.

WLAN test platform. - Anritsu and EMITE have announced their latest combined solution for testing the latest IEEE 802.11 WLAN standard. The new Anritsu Wireless Connectivity Test Set MT8862A has been successfully integrated in combination to the EMITE E600 Reverberation Chamber to test OTA TRP/TIS performance of IEEE 802.11ax devices in a repeatable environment.

Ultrasonic Leak Detectors. - Beha-Amprobe has introduced new ultrasonic diagnostic tools for HVAC/R, mechanical and electrical inspection and troubleshooting, the Beha-Amprobe ULD-400-EUR Series Ultrasonic Leak Detectors.