Distribution partnership extended. - RS Components has announced a partnership with Rockwell Automation, a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation, which expands its distribution territories beyond the European Economic Area (EEA) it has supported to date. With immediate effect, RS is also authorised to supply Rockwell Automation products to Africa and Russia, including its Allen-Bradley and Allen Bradley Guardmaster® brands.

Largest force sensor. - Kistler's Type 9397C 3-component force sensor, with a measuring range of up to 450kN in the Z axis and 100kN in the X and Y axes, offers a unique measuring capacity. This, the largest sensor of its type in the world, is the ideal choice for large-scale measurement tasks such as capturing impact forces in crash tests.

The Arms Race Between Cybercriminals and Cybersecurity. - The number of devices connected to the internet is expected to reach 50 billion worldwide by the end of 20301, posing dangerous risks to people, businesses, and critical systems. To illustrate the divide between cyberattacks on these devices and business preparedness, Sectigo, a leading provider of automated digital identity management and web security solutions, today released its Evolution of IoT Attacks study.

New technological university for Ireland. - The Irish Government have announced a decision to grant Technological University Status to the TU Consortium made up of Cork Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Tralee. The new university will be styled the Munster Technological University (MTU). In all at present there are 6 campuses of the new university throughout the south west Munster area.

The Missing ‘Industry 4.0/Digitalization’ Link. - Achieving the benefits of digitalization requires organizations to leverage Industry 4.0 and IoT (Internet of Things) concepts, technology, and architecture with open standards. (Bill Lydon, ISA)

Software Configurable Industrial I/O for buildings & industry. - Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) has announced the release of the industry’s first Software Configurable Input/Output (I/O) product line for building control and process automation, allowing manufacturers and industrial operators to achieve greater control system flexibility while reducing their own product complexities.

Communication creator tool. - port is increasingly focusing its activities on the range of semiconductor-independent real time multiprotocol solution. The stacks, resp. Protocol libraries for PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, CANopen, EtherCAT and CC-Link IE TSN have already been combined under the technology roof of the “GOAL middleware”. Now port has also combined its extensive range of design tools into an Eclipse-based toolchain – with a new name “Industrial Communication Creator”. This unifies the former separate tools into one Tool for all.

Gateway that enables easy and fast integration. - HMS Networks announces a new compact Intesis™ Modbus RTU to KNX gateway that enables easy and fast integration of Modbus RTU slaves to KNX. Fully configurable using the standard ETS tool, it targets small-scale room control applications with up to 100 data points.

Motion in waste recycling! - Waste recycling industries are increasingly look towards technology to improve efficiency and productivity. Heason Technology can supply high-torque servo motor driven rotary actuators with for this type of equipment where torque control and rapid profile-controlled acceleration can deliver the precisely controlled high forces that improve process results and throughput times.

Servo Drives with Developer Kit. - A new developer kit from Festo enables system designers and machine builders to familiarise themselves with the functions and application possibilities of the company’s CMMT servo drives.

Managing Digital Transformation Through the Life of the Operations - A plethora of technologies are now available to make "digitalization" and Managing Digital Transformation a reality in industrial operations. However, the question remains as to whether related plant operations roll-out plans meet business objectives.

Leading in gas leak investigation. - In the Unites States, around 65% of gas utility first responders carry a SENSIT instrument for gas leak investigation work. So, with such a dominant position in the market, SENSIT Technologies is under constant pressure to keep ahead of the competition, and this examines the ways in which it has managed to do so.

Functionality extended. - HMS Networks has extended the functionality of the Ixxat® CAN@net NT and CANbridge NT series with the new Service Pack 2. Users can now add smart, event-controlled network actions and versatile bi-directional MQTT-messaging to cloud applications. The new hardware CAN@net NT 100 complements the CAN@net NT range with new network connectivity.

Online calculators to help speed electronic design process. - Mouser’s free Technical Resource Center now offers an extensive lineup of online calculators designed to help engineers of all skill levels save time figuring out anything from power conversion computations to resistor color codes.

Certified power quality analysis. - Camille Bauer Metrawatt is determined to continue with enhancements and innovations in response to conclusive market feedback and international trends even in this time of COVID-19. The issue of power quality is becoming increasingly important, particularly to ensure security of supply in the areas of power generation, power distribution and electricity consumption. By providing the appropriate measurement technology, Camille Bauer Metrawatt contributes to maintaining and continuously improving the security of supply.

Industrial IoT communication. - Anybus® Com-pactCom™ IIoT Secure products for both EtherNet/IP and PROFINET, including a new complete security platform for IIoT communication over OPC UA and MQTT are now available from HMS Networks.

5G with an Edge. - Combining 5G and edge computing can give manufacturers more from their technology—simply put, better factories and better products. (Jim Kilmer - Automation.Com)

Communicating in historic buildings. - In modern buildings, communication pathways and utility spaces are routinely provided. Historic structures, on the other hand, were not designed for routing cables or many other utilities (such as plumbing) that are standard today. We appreciate the craftsmanship and solid construction of these buildings and there is a desire to retain these architectural details and finishes while installing or modernizing a Building Management System (BMS) to comply with today's comfort, energy, and performance needs.

A Loop Indicator For All Applications - PSD – Moore Industries PC-Programmable 4-20mA Loop Display (2-Wire) Loop powered by less than 2.3 Volts, the PSD can be installed on burdened loops. The PSD has an easy-to-read display customizable with any EGU (Engineering Units).

Bayesian analysis improves functional safety - Accidents are typically the result of steady and slow normalization of deviation Bayes' theorem can be used to update our prior belief (the initial calculated failure probability) based on observing other evidence—such as the effectiveness of the facility's process safety management process. The results can be dramatic. (Paul Gruhn, InTech)

Point level detection. - Thanks to the new level switch PL20, the CleverLevel series from Baumer now offers more possibilities for detecting point levels. CleverLevel reliably detects every type of medium, whether liquid, pasty, viscous, or solid, and is therefore the solution for a variety of applications for which standard vibrating forks are used today.

Industry trends' effects on automation profession. - As ISA celebrates its 75th anniversary, they are exploring the global societal trends shaping the world and their effect on industry, institutions and the professionals who work there. (Survey)

Tailored cable design. - Mouser Electronics has announced a new online Custom Cable Creator solution in collaboration with Molex. The Custom Cable Creator allows designers to develop cable solutions to meet their exact needs.

Position sensitive detectors. - Laser Components now offers an additional extension to SiTek's successful SEEPOS signal processing system. With the new switch, up to four position sensitive detectors (PSDs) can be connected. It is up to the operator to decide which detector is to be evaluated. The robust, user-friendly design with a multideck rotary switch and D-SUB9 connectors makes the switch particularly attractive for use in laboratories.

Environmental impact of construction. - South Coast Science, in partnership with EMSOL, is supporting this council to manage the impact of construction machinery and traffic on local communities. The first step is to deploy real-time air quality monitoring devices.

Robust turbidity measurement. - The Turbimax CUS50D sensor has been launched by Endress+Hauser. This unit is a reliable absorption sensor for turbidity and suspended solids measurement in unfavorable environments. Its robust design is made to withstand aggressive media and is an ideal solution for applications in industrial wastewater or processes.

'Connect the Community' - RS Components (RS) and Nordic Semiconductor and Britain's largest gas network operator, Cadent, are to launch a global 'Connect the Community' competition calling for practical examples of how technology could transform the lives of people in isolation.

Automation helps urban transport development. - Westermo has designed and provided the data communication network for the TSB and implemented it at Max Bögl’s test tracks in Sengenthal, Germany and Chengdu, China. The solution is a redundant ring Ethernet network architecture, constructed from Westermo wireless and wired technologies for maximum reliability and availability.

Pneumobiles virtually judged. - The designs of compressed-air-powered vehicles — known as "pneumobiles" — created by engineering students will be judged in Emerson's 13th annual International AVENTICS Pneumobile Competition in Eger, (H). The vehicle designs, which are based on Emerson's AVENTICS pneumatics components donated to the teams, will be evaluated by a panel of eight Emerson judges following a modified format.

Driving digitization with mobile devices. - Mobile devices such as Pepperl+Fuchs' ecom's Smartphone Smart-Ex® 02 offer numerous advantages. In addition to robustness, high ergonomics and ease of use, sensors in combination with the corresponding software guarantee comprehensive lone worker protection in accordance with the DGUV regulation BGR-139.

Coronavirus phishing attacks rising. - While this should not be a big surprise, but there is a growing number of new coronavirus-themed phishing scams that use fake business logistics emails to infect organizations that sell goods, researchers said. With many employees working remotely, there is a rise in COVID-19 themed email phishing scams. Greg Hales suggestes tips to keep companies safe. (Control Engineering)

Eddy current test instruments for Austria. - Rohmann GmbH is expanding its network of global agencies by cooperating with the consulting engineers for material sciences IB Winkler based in Laakirchen (A). Karl Winkler-Ebner, engineer, has become the new contact person for clients in Austria, who have so far been served directly by their headquarters in Frankenthal (D).

Calling all Extraordineers!!. - RS Components (RS) has expanded its series of STEM-related activities to help primary and secondary schoolchildren across Britain to meet the challenge of studying from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lab instrument data reports accessible site- and enterprise-wide. - ABB has launched its newest automated data acquisition and lab reporting solution, offering pulp and paper manufacturers rapid analysis of lab quality information, with reliable data storage, management and reporting. Purpose built for paper testing labs, the scalable, web-based L&W Lab Management System replaces ABB and other legacy systems, halves procedure times, and tailors lab reporting to users' specific workflow preferences.

Dr. Peter Klein has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer with EnOcean.

Measurement of fluorescence lifetimes. - Edinburgh Instruments has recently published an Application Note: Measuring Picosecond Fluorescence Lifetimes Using a Photoluminescence Spectrometer Equipped with a Hybrid Photodetector.

OPC UA over TSN: Frequently Asked Questions - The automation community is continuing to champion the introduction of OPC UA (Unified Architecture) over Time Sensitive Networks (TSN). B&R Automation provides its take on the importance of the technology, benefits for applications and how it fits with POWERLINK and other fieldbus technologies. (IEB)

Consultation for pharma and biotech industries. - Werum executes MES projects remotely. In the current COVID-19 crisis, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) for computer-aided, digital manufacturing processes in the pharma and biotech industry are becoming more important than ever – for the simple reason that paper-based production workflows do not allow for remote control. For pharmaceutical and biotech companies, online and remote processes are the prerequisite for being able to maintain their systemically important functions.

Ground-breaking piezo proportional flow control valve. - The new VEMD proportional flow control valve from Festo uses the latest piezo technology to deliver highly dynamic control for numerous medical and other industrial control applications.

Good performance last year but unpredictable 2020. - Endress+Hauser performed well across all fields of activity, industries and regions in 2019. The Group created hundreds of new jobs, invested record amounts and improved in the area of sustainability. According to CEO Matthias Altendorf, the family company is thus in a strong position to address the challenges of the corona crisis.

Industrial communications in the process industries - In the process industries, industrial communication has been a quiet topic for a long time. While the discrete industries were busy adding standardized technology for determination to industrial Ethernet, process users seemed content with HART technology to communication with field devices and using standard Ethernet only as a backbone network. At the same time, the OPC Foundation has grown its technology offering from a simple communications protocol to an entire open architecture for all industry users. (ARC Industry Virtual Forum Europe May 18th – 20th)

Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) in industry. - Rosenberger has expanded the product range for Ethernet applications by the following new connector series: RoSPE-HMTD, based on Rosenberger automotive connectors and optimized with housings for industrial applications, and RoSPE-Industrial, a new interface developed in cooperation with leading manufacturers.

Press-fit connectors. - LEMO is well known for its Push-Pull connector. Their new harpoon earthing pins enable pre-installing easily various receptacles/socket. The advantage of these new press-fit contacts is the gain of time while doing the pre-assembly, no need to place the washers and screw 4 times the M1.6 screws.

Cable entry grommet. - The icotek new KEL-SCDP single cable entry plate is now available from Foremost Electronics. This simple to install and use grommet provides a very wide cable diameter clamping range from 5 to 36mm."Simple as 1-2-3 to install!"

LIMS & COVID-19. - Matrix LIMS are used by Liverpool GCPLab in countrywide tracking of COVID-19 patient outcomes in Britain. The GCPLab facility is providing the kits for taking samples from patients with COVID-19 in England and Wales.Autoscribe has assisted allowing remote access for Glasgow to the Liverpool database.

Brendan Farley has been appointed Managing Director of Xilinx Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Panel labels. - TE Connectivity (TE) offers TTDS-245 thermal transfer printable adhesive backed panel labels. Their panel labels use high-performance adhesive foam to adhere to the surface making the need for rivets or bolts used for engraving obsolete.

When even finest details matter. - Rolling shutter sensor IMX183 now also available as IDS board-level cameras. The smallest details must be detected precisely in many applications requiring surface inspection or measurement. Light-sensitive and extremely high-resolution sensors such as the IMX183 from Sony are the best choice here.

Chlor-alkali process analysis. - The OMA-300-CL2 analyser, from Applied Analytics™ [AAI], showcases a seamless dynamic range of the OMA Series from low ppm up to high % concentrations of chlorine and chlorine-based compounds.

Industrial transmitter. - Vaisala’s decades of success as the market’s most popular humidity transmitter manufacturer continues with the newly launched Indigo 520 Transmitter that combines the latest technology with outstanding new features. Capable of accommodating up to two probes simultaneously, the transmitter brings enhanced convenience, compatibility and continuous accuracy to even the harshest of industrial measurement environments.

Water & Wastewater scholorship awards. - The winners of the 2020 ISA WWID Michael Fedenyszen Memorial Student Scholarship. The scholarships are given out to promote higher learning and to encourage students to pursue technical careers in the municipal water/wastewater sector. This year's recipients are Roaa Elgamal and Chance Becker. Each will receive a $1000 USD scholarship prize to help with their school costs.

Eddy current testing for training institute. - Petra Rohmann, managing director of Rohmann GmbH, visited the Training Center of the DGZfP in Magdeburg. She brought two new ELOTEST PL600 eddy current testing instruments with her. Petra Rohmann appreciates the work of the DGZfP and was happy to support the training center by loaning two inline testing instruments to them.

Postponed environment event. - The international environmental monitoring events, WWEM and AQE were due to take place in November 2020, but given the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisers have announced the postponement of both events until 25th and 26th May 2021. Both WWEM and AQE will again take place concurrently and in the same location – the Telford International Centre in England.

Digital Transformation of Industrial Procedures - At the 2020 ARC Industry Forum in Orlando, four industry specialists spoke on how technology can automate operating procedures used in manufacturing facilities. Industrial procedures in their various forms have existed since the dawn of the second industrial revolution. (Arc Advisory)

Contactless data collection. - The Machine Sentry® suite of cloud-based condition monitoring tools from AVT Reliability® has been enhanced with the launch of its long range, low energy Bluetooth® router, Gateway.