Recognition as IIoT partner of year. - Seeq Corporation has named Nukon as its 2020 Partner of the Year. Nukon was selected from among Seeq’s worldwide reselling partners for its excellence in delivering value to customers in the Australian market, its partnership in creating awareness for Seeq, including the Australian (virtual) Seeq user group meeting in November, and for its technical expertise with Seeq-certified employees and training professionals.

The State of the Open Process Automation Standard (O-PAS) - In a presentation during the International Society of Automation’s (ISA) Virtual Process Industry Conference (PIC) in November 2020, Don Bartusiak, president of Collaborative Systems Integration and co-chair of the Open Process Automation Forum (OPAF), gave an overview of OPAF’s published standards and the planned future work of the forum.

From pressure gauge factory to a global player for measurement technology. - The WIKA Group is celebrating its 75 year anniversary this year. It was founded in 1946 with a focus on the production of pressure gauges. Today the WIKA Group is a leading manufacturer of industrial and process measurement technology in the global market.

Strategic alliance for Industrial IoT. - Advantech and Crosser have announced that they have initiated a strategic alliance to empower global industries with Advanced Edge Analytics. The strategic alliance includes an initiative to have Crosser Edge Analytics software pre-installed on new Advantech IoT systems in order to reduce the complexity and speed up the time from idea to proof of value in Industrial IoT.

Monitoring conductivity in power station. - In an ideal world, continuous monitors would monitor continuously, but for some instruments downtime is necessary whilst service operations are undertaken. To overcome this, Swan Analytical Instruments has developed a new technology for power and industrial water/steam monitoring systems to enable uninterrupted operation.

Sockets with push-in technology. - IDEC Corporation has enhanced their popular HW series of 22mm switches and pilot lights, as well as the SJ/SU series of relay sockets, with new options for push-in wiring technology, continuing the company's goal of delivering safe, simple, and smart solutions.

Condition monitoring for CNC tools. - NUM has launched innovative artificial intelligence software that provides CNC machine tool users with highly cost-effective condition monitoring capabilities.

Surge protection. - The introduction of several upgraded versions of Emerson's SolaHD™ surge protective devices and power filters gives users more ways to prevent damage to mission-critical electronics driving the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) within their facilities.

Partnership for cybersecurity in IIoT. - With the cyber threat landscape constantly evolving, Ewon, part of HMS Networks, has partnered with NVISO, an expert in cybersecurity, to bring industrial cybersecurity to the next level.

Anti-bribery standard achieved. - Ixthus Instrumentation has recently completed the comprehensive due diligence process for TRACEcertification* and gained full approval from the world leading anti-bribery standard setting organization. Initiated through its distribution partnership with Kaman Precision Products, TRACEcertification demonstrates Ixthus' commitment to commercial transparency through its dealings with suppliers and customers alike.

Detecting deadly hydrogen sulphide. - Hydrogen Sulphide (H₂S) is a fast-acting poison that can desensitize and render the body unconscious in no time. As the human senses are not reliable indicators, wearable gas sensors are necessary for early detection. ION Science's new ARA H₂S personal single gas monitor offers 24 months' continuous operation and robust design for use in harsh environments.

Inline gas probe. - Vaisala has launched a new instrument for off-gas methane and carbon dioxide measurements in the biomethane production process. Robust, reliable, and compact, the Vaisala CARBOCAP® MGP262 multigas instrument provides continuous measurement data to help optimise and control the biogas upgrading process for greater biomethane yield, process efficiency, and environmental benefits.

Sustainable shipping. - IDS Imaging Development Systems' shipping department uses only paper instead of plastic. First of all, fillers for cartons were converted from bubble wrap to paper. A specially purchased packaging machine produces creped filling material in the desired length from normal, smooth paper layers. Even delivery note envelopes can only be found in the dispatch department in paper form. An alternative to plastic adhesive tape is currently being tested in order to feed shipping cartons into the recycling cycle largely free of plastic. "These measures have already enabled us to replace 95 % of the original plastic materials in the logistics/shipping area," said a spokesman.

US Economic improvement to continue through 2021 - Economic improvement will continue in the United States in 2021, according to purchasing and supply management executives in the December 2020 Semiannual Economic Forecast. This expansion will continue a growth trend that began in June 2020, as indicated in the monthly ISM Report On Business. Revenues are expected to increase in 15 of 18 manufacturing industries and 12 of 18 services-sector industries. (ARC Advisory).

Measuring high pressure safely. - With the launch of its new EPT31H2 and SMO31H2 series pressure sensors, Variohm EuroSensor has attained the European type-approval standards required for safe measurement and monitoring on high-pressure hydrogen generation, storage and transportation systems up to 700 bar - as well as fulfil automotive industry approval for the lower pressure ranges required for hydrogen fuel-cell powered vehicles.

Gas detection & monitoring in the fight against the pandemic! - Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection is very active in the fight against COVID-19, using its class-leading gas detection and monitoring technologies to not only support vaccination programmes, but prevent the potential for virus propagation.

SiC components agreement. - Anglia Components has announced a new distribution agreement with UnitedSiC to offer its full suite of high-performance SiC FETs, JFETs and Schottky diodes to customers in both Ireland and Britain.

Extended pressure for turbidity sensor. - As a result of the optimisations carried out and extensive series of tests, EXNER's tried and tested EXspect 271 turbidity sensor can now be approved for an extended pressure range.

Detecting greenhouse gas emissions from space! - An optical sensor manufactured by ABB has just been deployed with the successful launch of satellite Hugo from GHGSat, the emerging leader in greenhouse gas sensing services in space.

Security at Farrenfore. - Rohde & Schwarz has installed Ireland’s first Quick Personnel Security (QPS) scanner at Kerry Airport, Farranfore, (IRL), delivering state-of-the-art technology that enables a high throughput, enhanced security, and increased safety for airport customers and staff.

Industrial digitalization platform - Discrete and process manufacturers constantly struggle to create integrated manufacturing systems using disparate automation systems within a facility. Amazon Web Services now provides a flexible and open solution for achieving effective holistic operations, from sensor to enterprise. (Automation.com)

Vision resource on view. - "Knowledge increases when it is shared" – following this maxim, IDS is making its expertise as one of the leading manufacturers of digital industrial cameras free of charge and directly accessible on a new platform - the IDS Vision Channel. In addition to online events, useful tools such as calendars and live chats, the Channel also offers a media library with recordings of past events and additional, exclusive content.

Linear guide selection tool. - An online tool has been launched by Thomson Industries that simplifies the selection and purchase of their wide range of profile rail linear guide components. Using the tool's intuitive interface, design and system engineers can reach their optimal profile rail solution in a matter of minutes, eliminating potentially hours of research and analysis.

On-line configuaration tool for valves & actuators. - Festo has introduced a new online configuration tool that makes it easier and quicker to select the correct valve or actuator for your process application. Simply select a few parameters and the Festo valve configurator will suggest appropriate combinations, offering a fast, reliable and easy way for process engineers to source coordinated and ready-to-install solutions.

Load-sensing proportional directional valve. - The SLV20 load-sensing proportional directional valve, a flexible priority-flow-sharing solution for mini and micro machinery has been launched by Eaton. Compared to traditional cast iron control valves, the SLV20 valve offers greater flexibility and control as well as space and weight savings for low-flow applications.

Measuring N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). - The OMA-300-InGaAs Process Analyzer provides a continuous measurement based on an infrared spectroscopy technique and has been field proven to be successful in measuring water content in the background NMP with a range of 0-10% by volume.

Douglas C. Webb, founder of Teledyne Webb Research has been appointed Oceanographer Emeritus at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Why use a fieldbus? - This video explains one of the most dramatic evolutions in industrial automation: the transition from 4-20 mA to digital fieldbuses. It compares the two and highlights key benefits and new business models arising from the implementation of fieldbuses.

Creating industrial communication. - port GmbH offers an Engineering Tool "ICC" (industrial Communication Creator) for the RENESAS Industrial RJ45 Ethernet-Module (R-IN32M3-Module) - a unique and uniform tool to configure not only the objects dictionally of the module. Only one tool (uniform) allows to configure the "on board" available protocols PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and EtherCAT.

Passive and electromechanical timing and synchronisation. - An expanded range of products for passive and electromechanical timing and synchronisation are now available from Anglia Components through a new Britain and Ireland distribution agreement with Abracon. An industry leader in passive components, Abracon will expand Anglia’s range of timing components with a range that includes Quartz oscillators, OCXOs, TCXOs, VCXOs, real time clocks, MEMS oscillators and ceramic resonators.

Key Technology Trends for 2021 - Many of the once seemingly futuristic and potentially disruptive concepts that we wrote about in the past are finally coming to fruition, as you will see in the Technology Trends for 2021. (ARC Advisory)

Re-Envisioning the Electric Grid - What would the electric grid look like if it were redesigned today from the ground up? That's a question that Tesla engineers Colin Breck and Percy Link recently tackled. Their answer involves building immense resiliency through open source technologies and digital twins. (ISA Interchange Blog)

Mark Radford has been appointed LMI’s Chief Executive Officer.

Emergency stop switch selection. - An interactive virtual 3D tool has been developed to assist control panel designers and builders to quickly select the optimum devices for their application from EAO's extensive portfolio of modular E-Stop switches, and easily configure the many features they offer to meet their application specific requirements.

Connector and cable assembly manufacturer moves! - Intelliconnect (Europe) Ltd has moved to a larger facility at the Corby (GB) Innovation Hub following sales growth of 30% in 2020. The move to a 6400ft² site provides the space required for their immediate increase in production requirements and provides additional space for future expansion.

Award for third time! - Panasonic Industry Europe has awarded Anglia Components with its Regional Distributor of the Year award for the second year running. In recognition of its exceptional sales growth and support for customers during a difficult year, this is the third occasion that Anglia has received the award, an exceptional achievement amongst Panasonic’s network of regional distributors across Europe.

Temperature monitoring, protection and sensing specialist acquired. - Variohm Holdings has advanced its strategic plans to expand both product portfolio and manufacturing competency with the acquisition of the German/Hungarian temperature control component manufacturer Limitor Solutions GmbH.

The need for monitoring NOx and the factors behind the choice of technology. - NOx gases are mostly produced by the combustion of hydrocarbons in vehicles and engines, as well as industrial processes such as power generation and cement manufacture. Consequently, NOx measurements are vital to minimise emissions and demonstrate compliance in applications such as engine development, combustion control, emissions abatement, stack testing, and in the development of any products or processes that burn hydrocarbon fuels. Examples include process boilers, gas turbines, stationary diesel engines, domestic boilers and wood burners. (Signal Group)

Accuracy in face recognition. - OMRON Electronic Components Europe has announced a new OKAO Vision face recognition package, offering highly accurate deep-learning face recognition. Developers are able to deploy OKAO Vision flexibly on their own choice of embedded hardware platform.

UPS controller. - The new UB40.241 40A rated DIN-Rail mounted controller for uninterruptible power supply systems has been launched by PULS Power. The new model is now the most powerful UPS controller in PULS’s range which already includes a variety of models currently providing up to 20A capacity.

Navigating IT/OT Organizational Convergence - ARC Advisory Group has observed that the convergence and overlap of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) as part of an organization’s overall digital transformation has not created organizational convergence around ownership and responsibility. (Peter Reynolds, Arc Advisory)

Winning security platform. - The LYNX MOSA.ic™ product has been selected as the winner of the "IoT Security Platform of the Year" award in the 5th annual IoT Breakthrough Awards program conducted by IoT Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global Internet-of-Things (IoT) market today.

Pay as you sense! - Having survived more than one downturn and recovery, Sensor Technology already 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.

Angle sensor for mobile machinery. - With its optimised design for harsh environment position sensing tasks on mobile machinery and equipment for construction, agriculture, forestry and haulage etc., Novotechnik's new RSA-3200 series angle sensors offer a wide choice of electrical interfaces, five selectable angle measurement ranges to 360°, and resolution to 14 bits in an extremely robust IP6K9K housing.

Automation for new beverage facility. - In November 2019, AriZona Beverage Co., the company behind the AriZona Iced Tea brand, opened its newest manufacturing facility in New Jersey. This modern facility consumes 621,000 square-feet, houses five bottle and can production lines, a plastic bottling plant, syrup concentrate batch system, a reverse osmosis (RO) water generation system, warehouse space and amenities distinctly "AriZona." (Control Engineering)

Modern lighting. - A new Essentra Components brochure makes it easier for manufacturers and installers to source component solutions for lighting projects. Supported by over 45,000 standard products and an enviable reputation for being easy to deal with when working with top global lighting companies, Essentra Components make it easier for manufacturers and installers to source components solutions for lighting projects.

LIMS validation. - Autoscribe Informatics took the opportunity in a recent webinar to discuss the much-misunderstood subject of LIMS validation. Within regulated environments LIMS validation is a vital process, and yet is a subject that is open to many different interpretations.