Last mile connectivity. - Analog Devices has expanded its ADI Chronous™ Industrial Ethernet portfolio with solutions that bring long-reach Ethernet connectivity from the edge to the cloud and enable real-time configurability, lower energy consumption, and increased asset utilisation.

Bimetal Thermostats. - Small compact thermostats KTO 111 and KTS 111 from STEGO feature a practical innovation: Push-In terminals ensure faster and tool-free connection. The small-sized regulators can be quickly connected within an enclosure or control cabinet to switch heating and cooling systems. These provide a constant climate, prevent the formation of harmful condensation, and enable trouble-free operation of sensitive electronics.

Smart gadget! - SHT40 Smart Gadget from Sensirion is now available globally through their distribution network. The SHT4x Smart Gadget is a reference design circuit board which demonstrates the outstanding performance and ease of use of their SHT4x humidity and temperature sensors in connected devices.

Evaluating 5G video quality. - A new solution for evaluating the video quality of 5G devices has been announced by the Anritsu Corporation. This lab-based solution was developed in partnership with Spirent Communications plc and TOYO Corporation and uses their SmartStudio NR Network Simulator and Spirent’s Attero and Umetrix Video software, providing a new integrated 5G video quality system.

Computerised maintenance management system software partnership. - Fluke Reliability has announced a partnership with RS Components (RS) to provide eMaint computerised maintenance management system (CMMS) software to RS’ customers. By adding eMaint, RS is providing a world-class CMMS solution that helps its customers better manage work orders, predictive maintenance schedules, and parts inventory to improve reliability.

Solving the air quality monitoring dilemma. - The British Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM) recently organised a webinar in which Bruno Beloff from the company South Coast Science examined the thorny issue of whether low-cost air quality monitors are able to offer data of sufficient accuracy and reliability to be comparable with reference grade monitors.

CAN communication via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. - Since its launch five years ago, the Anybus® Wireless Bolt™ has provided thousands of industrial applications with wireless Ethernet access. With a rugged and unique form factor for bolt-on-machine mounting, it is today proven and trusted in the most demanding industrial applications. Use cases vary from warehouse installations and AGVs to manufacturing of food, underground mining or rough outdoor applications.

Reseller agreement expands to China. - Europlacer has expanded its 20+ year reseller relationship, for Aegis' FactoryLogix® Digital Manufacturing Engineering software module to include China. Additionally, Europlacer is the first placement systems provider to achieve IPC Connected Factory Exchange (CFX) qualification, thereby enabling "plug & play" IIoT connectivity with Aegis' FactoryLogix Platform, as well as any CFX-qualified factory information systems.

Apprenticeship program win for sensor manufacturer. - Sensirion is one of the best employers in Switzerland – not only among permanent employees, but also among apprentices. Following Great Place to Work® naming Sensirion the second best employer in Switzerland, the high-tech company has now also received Great Start! certification.

Simulation and testing of 5G automotive applications. - Anritsu Corporation and dSPACE will jointly demonstrate an unparalleled integration of a 5G network emulator in a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) system to develop next generation automotive applications for connected vehicles. Visitors of the Virtual showroom at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2021 will experience a showcase with virtual test drives for end-to-end testing of vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) applications for traffic optimization and sensor sharing – all powered by realistic simulation of the vehicle and the environment with smart infrastructure as well as real 5G communication.

Low pressure sensor. - STW's modular sensor system is optimized for the needs of mobile hydraulics, and the sensors enjoy wide acceptance and strong demand. To meet increasing demand, the long-standing automation company from Kaufbeuren (D) has optimised the design and availability of its low-pressure sensors.

Positive trade show news. - Trade fair events will once again be possible in Bavaria (D) as of September 1, 2021. This was announced last week by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs together with Messe München. As a result, the world’s leading trade fair for electronics development and production can take place as planned from November 16 to 19 in Munich. Companies still have the possibility to take part in productronica 2021 as exhibitors.

Expanded linear position sensors. - Ixthus Instrumentation has expanded its range of linear position sensors with the new heavy-duty, inductive technology equipped ILT series for measurement stroke length from 25 mm to 600 mm.

Diaphragm monitoring system. - The requirements of digitalised sterile processes are met by a new diaphragm seal system from WIKA with process transmitter, diaphragm monitoring and HART®7 protocol. The model DMSU21SA has approvals for all common hygiene standards and is available in a version with explosion protection.

Servomex has strengthened its Service capabilities in China, appointing Louie Luo (Hong Luo) as Service Manager.

AC energy calibration service launched. - A new AC energy calibration service has been announced by Yokogawa. The launch of the new service follows the company's accreditation (K164) to ISO17025, allowing the calibration of AC energy measuring devices at up to 40 MWh at a maximum time of 1000 hours.

PROFINET – A Complete Overview - Do you want to learn what PROFINET is and how it works? This short video covers a complete overview of PROFINET. It includes details on the protocol mechanisms, installation, configuration, network components, and more.

Wireless connectivity test set. - The launch of a new option to extend the functions of the Anritsu's Wireless Connectivity Test Set MT8862A by supporting evaluation of IEEE 802.11ax 6-GHz band WLAN TRX characteristics has been announced by Company President Hirokazu Hamada.

Fully automatic cleaning control. - The range of functions of Exner Process Equipment's EXmatic 470 cleaning control for the automation of pH measuring points has been expanded.

Security Risk Assessment for Design. - The International Society of Automation (ISA) and the ISA Global Cybersecurity Alliance (ISAGCA), with contributing author Harold Thomas, have released a white paper entitled "Leveraging ISA 62443-3-2 For IACS Risk Assessment and Risk Related Strategies."

3D USB camera. - Crowd Supply, the product development platform connecting hardware creators with early adopters and enthusiastic backers, announces the availability of the Onion Tau LiDAR Camera, a USB-based plug-and-play 3D depth camera. The Tau LiDAR Camera brings the functionality of an everyday webcam to 3D depth data, as it begins sending data immediately upon being plugged into a computer with a USB cable.

IO-Link Reaches Inflection Point - On the heels of an immensely successful 2020, the IO-Link Community is building on the growth rate over the last years with an eye towards future developments. These developments stand to push IO-Link even further as an enabler for Industry 4.0 and IoT network architectures. (ProfiNews)

Portfolios of external and embedded antennas added to component range. - A new partnership with Taoglas, a leading provider of next-generation IoT solutions has been announced by Anglia Components. The partnership broadens Anglia’s range of existing IoT components including RF, antenna, cables and connectors.

Smart device communicator software. - ProComSol has announced the release of its new Windows based Smart Device Communicator Software for Foundation Fieldbus (FF). The software uses the Device Descriptor (DD) for the connected FF device so the user has full access to every Parameter and Method.

Din mounted PSU with indication. - The latest addition to PULS Power's CP20 series of high efficiency and compact 24V, 20A 1-phase DIN-Rail power supplies is now available. The new CP20.248 extends their portfolio by adding a power supply with an integrated display.

Fibre-optic connectors. - Cliff Electronics have introduced a new addition to their market leading FeedThrough connector range. The MTP®/MTO (multi-fibre push on) FT connector allows fast and reliable through-panel connection of standard 12-72 multimode optical fibre cables.

Food grade pushbuttons. - The popular Series 82 family of pushbutton switches has been expanded by EAO Ltd with the introduction of a new 22mm mount device manufactured in food grade SUS 316L stainless steel and Tritan light-grade plastic.

Laser Components USA has appointed Matt Robinson as their new General Manager and COO.

Assure power quality! - Power quality assurance is now available in small format in Camille Bauer's LINAX PQ1000 which measures power quality for industrial requirements according to class S.

Celebrating clean air! - Clean Air Day (17th June) was marked by hundreds of events across Great Britain. For example, Fife Council and sustainability consultancy, Ricardo, have provided three Scottish classes with education packs that enable children to conduct air quality monitoring in order to better understand the issue. Each pack contains a nitrogen dioxide monitoring device that has been developed by Alphasense.

Safety monitoring. - 3D safety systems are a good option for reliably monitoring danger zones. They present a safe alternative, even in harsh environments where e.g. sparks, dirt and dust occur. They are therefore also a solution for applications where previously optical sensors were unable to provide a reliable answer. For over 50 years, Leuze as a high tech company and pioneer in the field of optical sensors has repeatedly set new technological milestones and standards on the market.

Closed-Loop AI enables autonomous process manufacturing. - For process manufacturing, the ultimate promise of Industry 4.0 is autonomous manufacturing. Autonomous control of manufacturing processes is required, not to eliminate human workers, but to build resilient and highly responsive manufacturing supply chains. Resilience is required to enhance the top and bottom lines of a manufacturing enterprise. (Intech Focus)

Cool cows! - Livestock production is a challenging business. Farmers are under continuous pressure to sustainably deliver quality fresh produce while meeting aggressive pricing demands. Simultaneously, consumers are increasingly concerned about the welfare of the animals they consume. Animal welfare is important for dairy farmers too, but their key challenge is satisfying those needs in a manner that is affordable at acquisition and during operation. Delta Electronics' ME300 inverter helped in this application.

Industrial smart switch. - Moxa has added the SDS-3016 Series to their Red Dot award-winning product family. The new addition includes Gigabit uplink, eight additional ports, and an easy-to-configure Industrial Automation (IA)-profile that allows automation engineers to quickly process the increasing amounts of data within the smart manufacturing industry. Moxa always strives to ensure network interoperability and integration immediately.

Gas chromatograph in pipeline - a first! - Qmicro by Sensirion supports MeterQ Solutions GmbH with its microGC technology. MeterQ, a solution provider in the natural gas industry, recently completed the world's first installation of a process gas chromatograph directly in a natural gas pipeline. This achievement was realised thanks to Qmicro's microGC technology, which is at the heart of the MeterQ solution.

Diaphragm pressure gauge with vent valve. - The model PG43SA-S diaphragm pressure gauge for sanitary applications, from WIKA, can now be supplied with an optional vent valve. With the valve closed (ingress protection IP68), the inside of the instrument is permanently protected against penetration by extremely aggressive substances such as those used for external cleaning in certain pharmaceutical processes.

"Most important interoperability technology in industry!" - report. - The OPC Foundation has announced that the ARC Advisory Group published a report entitled "OPC UA Momentum Continues to Build" (pdf). This eleven-page executive overview provides timely insights into what makes OPC UA the global standard of choice for industrial data communications in process and discrete manufacturing industries. In addition, the report provides a list of ARC recommendations for process manufacturers considering adopting OPC UA.

Innovators honoured in virtual space! - Endress+Hauser filed 276 new developments for patent for the first time in 2020, 42 less than the previous year. Nevertheless, the overall balance is impressive: The number of patents granted worldwide reached a new high of 738, which is 61 more than in 2019. The intellectual property portfolio is also more extensive than ever. More than 8,900 patents and patent applications protect the intellectual property behind Endress+Hauser's products, solutions and services.Dozens of employees were honored for this at the 2021 virtual Innovators' Meeting.

Resolving electric versus pneumatic dilemma in linear motion tasks. - Machine builders can resolve the age-old dilemma of whether to deploy electric or pneumatic technology for linear motion tasks by adopting a more application-led approach and deploying hybrid solutions claims Warren Harvard of Festo.

Pressure sensing hydrogen processing and storage systems. - Variohm EuroSensor's recently launched SMO31H2 series pressure sensors, designed for critical measurement and monitoring tasks in hydrogen processing and logistics, are now available with a variant with Performance Level 'd' certification. For pressures to 1000 bar and with EC79 (up to 700 bar) and EC406 type approvals for hydrogen generation, storage and transportation systems, the new SMO31H2-PL:d sensor offers ECU and other safety-controlled applications compliance with the DIN EN ISO 13849-1 machinery safety and IEC 61508 functional safety standards in addition to many other recognised safety accreditations.

Cyber threats have never been as evident as they are today. - Cyber Ireland's OTSec Working Group Official Launch was held 16th June 2021 - this is a video of the inaugural webinar with speakers from Carlow IT, Siemens and MSD.

Six things automation and control engineers need to know about calibration - Reasons for calibration include new instruments, repairs or modifications or scheduled care. Learn details about calibration’s impact on preventive maintenance, schedules, documentation and more. (Control Engineering)

Secure PLC coding! - The ISA Global Cybersecurity Alliance (ISAGCA), along with admeritia GmbH, has released the Top 20 Secure PLC Coding Practices document. The document aims to provide a list of coding practices for PLC programmers that have benefits for the IT security of PLCs and the plants they control.

Fire detection and condition monitoring for industrial facilities. - The FLIR A500f and A700f Advanced Smart Sensor ruggedized thermal cameras feature high-temperature detection for extreme environments paired with on-camera analytics and alarm capabilities – ideal for industrial early fire detection or outdoor condition monitoring applications.

Beyond testing, beyond limits, for a sustainable future together! - Anritsu is hosting its #MWC21 Wireless Technology Event as an alternative to attending Mobile World Congress 2021. It will be open from June 28 – July 1 with live demonstrations and until July 30 with on-demand presentations. Engineers and other wireless industry professionals will have a unique opportunity to eMeet and engage with Anritsu technology and product experts.

User-friendly programming for mobile machines. - openSYDE, from the control systems company STW, is a framework and toolset for the implementation, analysis, maintenance and documentation of functions and programs in control systems for mobile machinery. It is characterized above all by its open architecture. It offers the OEM open interfaces to other programs and the possibility to integrate third party components.

Robust connected camera-based quality system for industrial environments. - Bosch VHIT (Vacuum & oil pump products Italy) has announced that it has partnered with Lynx Software Technologies to test a new proof of concept camera-based quality program for use with real-time decision making in industrial settings. The move is part of Bosch VHIT’s digital transformation of its processes and product development.

Connecting cable. - A versatile USB-C male - female connecting cable which supports Power Delivery (PD) charging at 60 watts (20v/at3A), USB 3.1 (Gen 1) 5Gb/s data transfer speeds has neen introcuced by Cliff Electronics. This may be used as a video cable for 5kat60Hz video output (Thunderbolt 3) and for audio transmission.

Flurry for noise and dust measurement! - Dust and noise monitoring are required at sites where they present a potential hazard to site workers and the local community. Consequently, these monitors will be employed for health & safety purposes, in environmental investigations and in compliance with planning requirements stipulated in a site’s permit. The TSI DustTrak & SoundPro remote dust and noise monitoring system from Ashtead Technology, is supplied in a weather-proof, lockable enclosure, complete with the EnviroNet software platform which enables users to access the data with any web-enabled device.

Industrial network management software with wireless add-on. - The MXview Wireless add-on module for MOXA's MXview industrial network management software has been released. MXview streamlines network management by visualizing networks, helping non-IT staff simplify operations and improve network uptime. This software has successfully helped many customers from around the world in different industries, such as in power, intelligent transportation, and manufacturing. Today, with the rise of smart manufacturing, intelligent and reliable industrial network communication has become the cornerstone for nearly every smart application.

A first in food & drink level measurement. - Emerson's Rosemount™ 1408H Level Transmitter has been designed to meet the need for highly accurate and reliable level measurement in hygienic applications. It is the world’s first non-contacting radar device designed specifically for the food and beverage industry. Dedicated features include a hygienic compact design, fast sweep technology, exceptional radar beam focusing and IO-Link communications, helping manufacturers to optimise the efficiency of their operations, reduce product losses and ensure food safety.

Magnetic components manufacturer acquired. - KAMIC Group AB has acquired all the shares in Talema Group LLC. Talema manufactures magnetic components such as transformers, toroids, inductors and chokes with associated design work. The majority of components are developed specifically for bespoke customer applications but standard components are also offered. The company’s customers are found across a broad spectrum of sectors where the most important include logistics and warehousing, freight and transport, audio, and renewable energy.

Chemical show highpoint approaches. - The highpoint of ACHEMA Pulse is approaching: on 15 and 16 June 2021, decision-makers, international experts and the more than 950 exhibitors at ACHEMA Pulse will get together during the live days to provide information, inspiration and food for thought for all players in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries.

Industrial automation companies think creatively about attracting skilled workers. - Nearly one year ago, industrial automation leaders shared their advice as the world looked with uncertainty about the future landscape of career and employment. Companies were starting to send full workforces’ home in an attempt to reduce workplace health risks. Strategies began forming on how to balance routine and success amid an unclear future. Many strategies were being developed on the fly, as no one had dealt with such a wide-reaching pandemic. (Control Engineering)

Detect and respond to cyber threats. - Honeywell has introduced the Advanced Monitoring and Incident Response (AMIR) service. The service provides 24/7 operational technology (OT) cybersecurity detection and rapid response for current and emerging cyber threats.

Why hackers attack ICS products. - The global instability and increase in remote work caused by the pandemic have played a role in raising the salience of ICS cybersecurity issues. In particular, phishing attacks and spam campaigns are becoming more common. Here's how to stop them. (Automation.com)

Increased dimensions for pipes & fittings. - SANHA is introducing a new dimension of pipes and fittings to its existing stainless steel series. While both systems – NiroSan® and NiroTherm® – already provide installers with a large and flexible range of pipes and fittings including for example tees, couplings, elbows, flanges or wall plates between 15 – 108 mm, the new addition complements the portfolio. With the two XXL dimensions 139.7 and 168.3 mm, even very large risers can be easily realised, for example in high-rise buildings.

Rotary position sensors for mobile machinery. - Novotechnik manufactures precision magnetic rotary position sensors in long-lifetime, non-contacting and touchless designs. These sensor technologies are showcased in a new video that demonstrates their principle of operation, application potential as well as their development, production, and testing.

Clean pH probes. -m The option of controlling all pneumatically operated retractable probe housings of Exner's EXtract series fully automatically is given with the EXmatic 470 cleaning control unit.

Innovative robot and automation technology recognised! - ABB's PixelPaint robotic non-overspray technology for the automotive industry has won this year's Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Robotics & Automation (IERA) Award for Outstanding Achievements in Commercializing Innovative Robot and Automation Technology.

The bread and butter for automation in the food industry. - Thomas Burke, Global Strategic Advisor at CLPA, looks at how food and beverage manufacturers can set up advanced traceability and transparency across their enterprises. (Automation.com)

Single board computer. - The PICO-ITX Single Board Computer is now available from Impulse Embedded. The PICO-TGU4 is a compact PICO-ITX single board computer built around the Intel 11th Generation "Tiger Lake" U processor, which offers up to 23% more performance than previous generations.

e-learning for electrified powertrain. - The e-learnings of the Embedded Academy center around the topic "Development of Hardware and Software for Electromobility" and are tailored to the needs of their target group: engineers and those seeking a career change are schooled in technical contents presented in a modular structure. As the first provider of e-learnings in this field, Embedded Academy's mother company Eclipseina GmbH is now officially one of the 270 full AUTOSAR members worldwide.

Delivering dam water. - The Moore Industries' PTT, Potentiometer Transmitter, was in use at a large dam on a branch of the Colorado River as part of a system to deliver water and power via one of the largest public power utilities for consumers and businesses in the southwest USA since 1984. The facility has many PTTs in use today.

Power relays. - Omron Electronic Components Europe has launched PWM controlled versions of three of its most popular power relays offering coil power levels 75-90% lower than comparable standard versions.

Smart industrial switches. - The partnership between Schneider Electric and ZF Friedrichshafen AG leads to a new level of smart industrial switches. With the help of the compact generator from ZF, Schneider Electric has released the new industrial Harmony ZBRT wireless and battery-less interface. This self-powered transmitter is fully modular and compatible with industry top-class Harmony XB4 and XB5 control units. It will support industrial enterprises to improve their profitability in several ways.

Image processing examined. - The IDS focus event "Capture the Light" on June 24th at 2 p.m. BST addresses choosing the right camera and a suitable image sensor in three sessions. Over the course of around 90 minutes, participants can expect an introduction to the possibilities of modern sensor technologies; in addition, there will be an explanation of the options available when every single pixel is needed for an extremely clean image and what should be considered when choosing the right lens.

Combustion engine development. - Since Kistler launched its KiBox in 2009, it has become a market leading measurement system for combustion engine development. Kistler is now launching the next generation, KiBox2, a new and completely redesigned version featuring the latest advances in connectivity, usability and software with the capability to meet the needs of powertrain analysis of internal combustion, electric and hybrid power units.

"Breakthroughs in Bioprocess Modeling and Control - Greg McMillan, teaming with Christopher Stuart, Rehman Fazeem, Zachary Sample and Timothy Schieffer have updated and revised the second edition of the book, "New Directions in Bioprocess Modeling and Control." Emerson's Jim Cahill had the opportunity to get an advanced look at this soon-to-be available book, now available for preorder.(Automation Experts Blog)

Converting offices to labs. - The current demand for well-located, appropriate lab and office space has contributed to the juxtaposition of an unexpected surplus of vacant commercial space created by the COVID-19 pandemic and growing requirement from life science tenants. This presents an opportunity for developers to buffet their portfolios by repositioning existing buildings into spaces suitable for both light and heavy life science use. (Laboratory News)

Barrier terminal blocks. - The DKU series of screw type barrier terminal blocks, from Dinkle International, are typically used for power transmission in control panels and power distribution cabinets, and they have been upgraded for easier use with various types of cable lugs. They are particularly suitable for high vibration industrial applications, including transportation and railway.

Excellence in serving telecommunications in Europe. - Delta has been named the winner of the “Excellent Technical & Service Partners” at China Telecom Global’s (CTG) inaugural award program. The award presented at CTG’s Annual Supplier & Partner Excellence Conference on 28th April 2021 honours not just the service and solutions Delta provides to CTG, but also recognises the long-standing relationship between the two esteemed organisations.

Construction automation and its humanitarian applications - Automation is becoming an invaluable piece of the contractor’s tool belt. The construction industry is adopting new technologies to expedite activity completion times and perform tasks with numerical precision. However, there are growing concerns over the loss of construction job opportunities. Perhaps the best applications for automation are ones that keep human safety at the forefront. This can mean machines taking on tasks that pose a quantitatively high risk of incident or injury, or directly engaging in life-saving functions. (ISA Interchange Blog)

Major LIMS upgrade is multilingual. - Version 6.0 of Matrix Gemini LIMS from Autoscribe Informatics is a major technological upgrade, that also provides users with an enhanced calculation engine and additional multi language support. The extended calculation engine makes it even simpler to derive the complex final results that a laboratory needs from the raw analytical data, as well as providing support for other calculations that may be required throughout the system.

40 post sároilte don earnáil feistí leighis. - D'fhogair Cambus Medical/Freudenberg Medical go bhfuil 40+ post nua sároilte le cruthú mar chuid d’obair leathnaithe €1.9m ag a n-áis ar an Spidéal i gConamara. Léiríonn an méadú suntasach seo go mbeidh lorg déantúsaíochta an chomhlachta feistí leighis ag ardú 60% agus súil an fhoireann a leathnú go dtí 170+ duine roimh dheireadh 2021. Beidh an 40+ post atáthar ag cruthú sa réimse sain-innealtóireachta cáilíochta, déantúsaíochta, oibríochtaí custaiméara agus riarachán.
(This story in English Language: Expansion for medical specialist equipment provider.)

Bus letter - The June issue of the CAN Newsletter magazine is published. The focus is on classic CANopen and CANopen FD. But there are also articles about a CAN decoder tool, an comparison of Classical CAN, CAN FD, and Ethernet as well as other topics.

ISA Executive Director Mary Ramsey is to retire and a successor is being sought.

Detecting electrical discharge. - The new ii910 Precision Acoustic Imager from Fluke™ uniquely enables the detection of corona and partial discharge from a safe distance of up to 120 meters. Teams can operate safely, minimise the risk of fires and help reduce outages. The Fluke™ ii910 also offers greater sensitivity to detect compressed air, gas, and vacuum system leaks, reducing downtime.

Cybersecurity and Smart Manufacturing - Data from automation systems used to stay put. It was produced by sensors, PLCs, and recorders; stored on local OPC servers and databases; and accessed by a few skilled operators and engineers. Although highly secure, data access was limited. Now however Smart Manufacturing and IoT are driving a variety of positive business outcomes and data must be shared with new systems, new networks, and a variety of tools for diverse users and roles. (Automation.com)

Evolving after COVID-19 - The most immediate need for workers returning to the plant floor in the wake of COVID-19 are social distancing and contact tracing. Many facilities that have been shut down are reopening at a cautious pace. (Control Engineering)