Wi-Fi networks in demanding and device-dense environments. - Two new access points have been added to Westermo's Ibex range of WLAN solutions to provide high-performance data communications onboard trains, industrial vehicles and outdoor applications. The Ibex-1310 and Ibex-1510 are concurrent dual band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) access points and clients designed to meet the IEEE 802.11ax standard, also known as Wi-Fi 6.

Product line card explores motion control. - Mclennan has released a new capability brochure and a product line card that brings prospective and existing customers up to date with its wide range of electronic and mechanical motion components, and its expertise in precision motion and automation system design and build.

A learning factory framework. - In Munster Technological University, as Smart Manufacturing Applied Research Team (William Quinn, Victor Cionca, Kritchai Witheephanich and Cemalettin Öztürk), are developing a reconfigurable learning factory that are interconnected via wireless networks, controlled using AI/ML powered algorithms, enabled by data processing through cloud/edge computing and cognitive digital twins. (Elsevier & MTU)

Instrumentation excellence recognised. - The 2022 Instrumentation Excellence Awards took place at Covent Garden’s Grand Connaught Rooms (London GB) on the evening of Thursday 27th October.

Dust pulse technology control systems. - Emerson's new ASCOTM DPT Control System optimizes the performance and improves the efficiency of filtration and dust collector systems by providing accurate and reliable low-level particulate monitoring, early warning leak detection, enhanced cleaning control and real-time diagnostics. The connected system serves as a cost-effective, scalable and purposeful step toward a facility's digital transformation. It is now available in Asia-Pacific, Europe and Middle East and Africa regions, with availability in the Americas by mid-2023.

Power products acquisition. - TTI, Inc. – Europe has completed the acquisition of Ecopac (UK) Power Ltd, a specialist Britain & Ireland distributor of power supplies and LED drivers and becomes the sole shareholder.

Environmental performance, safety and productivity in mining. - Global technology companies ABB and FLSmidth will collaborate to look at ways to advance environmental and productivity solutions for our mining customers under a new agreement.

Keeping data centres cool. - Around 60% of a data centre’s energy requirements are driven by its IT infrastructure, so there are energy reduction opportunities in (usually new) equipment that is more energy efficient. However, there are good opportunities for energy efficiency in the other 40% of energy demand; the majority of which comes from a data centre’s cooling and air-conditioning systems. In many data centres 99.999% uptime is expected; representing annual downtime of just a few minutes, so accurate, reliable, continuous monitoring and control is essential. Here Anu Kätkä from Vaisala* explains what must be measured, and where.

Security body for greater China. - Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services (Bureau Veritas) has announced their accreditation as an ISASecure Certification Body (CB) based in Taiwan. The Bureau Veritas ISASecure accreditation audit was conducted by the Taiwan Accreditation Foundation (TAF), an ISO 17011 Accreditation Body.

Delivering clean energy. - A White Paper describing how Emerson assisted Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) with a hydrogen microgrid project is now available. Hydrogen use is growing rapidly worldwide to provide a clean source of energy in a variety of industrial applications, but until now the residential market has had limited use. This situation is changing as utility companies worldwide are exploring delivery solutions to enable their customers to use hydrogen for emission reduction.

Profiles for OT Cybersecurity Standards. - Industry standards, such as ISO/IEC 27000 and ISA/IEC 62443, address various aspects of cybersecurity for OT systems. Taken together they provide direction on how to assemble a comprehensive OT cybersecurity program. Each OT Cybersecurity Standardsof these standards is designed to address as broad a set of applications as possible, presenting a challenge to those who wish to apply them to a single industry, company, or application. (Eric Cosman)

Smart factory inaugurated. - DFI's new facility in Taoyuan (Taiwan) introduces multiple automated equipment. In addition to efficiency and precision, it features more rigorous manufacturing and inspection processes. Control of the manufacturing process has been enhanced, with output increasing by 30%, material mastery reaching 99.9%, and FPYR (First Pass Yield Rate) reaching 99.6%.

"See, decide, act and optimise!" - Leveraging decades of digital innovation and leadership across all automation categories, global technology and software company Emerson has announced the evolution of the Plantweb™ digital ecosystem to incorporate the AspenTech portfolio of asset optimisation software powered by industrial artificial intelligence, creating the most comprehensive digital transformation portfolio in the industry.

Simple SCADA-based Software. - Delivering the next level in plant performance, visibility, connectivity and usability, Emerson has released its advanced automation platform, Movicon.NExT™ 4.2. The software is designed to easily interface with any field device and control or enterprise system, connecting users and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with the data and insights needed to achieve operational excellence across a wide range of applications, including discrete and hybrid manufacturing, such as food and beverage and packaged consumer goods, as well as energy, infrastructure, building automation and machine automation.

Fork sensors. - The new fork sensors of the GS 04B and GS 08B series from Leuze detect even the smallest objects with absolute reliability. They are ideal for reliable detection in high speed applications.

Machine reduces risk of assembly errors. - The Danfoss Power Solutions' WalformConnect machine, With an array of digital features, data tracking, and cloud connectivity, enables simple and safe hydraulic tube forming within the Walform® system — a leading cold forming metric tube fitting system — driving reliable performance and optimized production processes.

Three million valves and seven reasons... - A customer in China has recently purchased the 3 millionth Fisher™ FIELDVUE™ digital valve controller for use in the water treatment pressure control valve in their membrane plant. A digital valve controller helps regulate and monitor the opening and closing of a control valve, and it also provides a wealth of information with respect to valve status and health. Although this is a significant milestone for Emerson, they empahsise that more important are the top seven reasons why process plant personnel specify, purchase, install and use these instruments.

Smallest robot. - ABB's smallest ever industrial robot, offers new possibilities for faster, more flexible and high-quality production of wearable smart devices. With its compact size, class-leading payload and unrivaled accuracy, the new IRB 1010 offers electronics manufacturers the opportunity to increase their production of devices including smart watches, earphones, sensors, and health trackers through automation.

Spherical image capture. - Teledyne FLIR Integrated Imaging Solutions is pleased to announce the all new Ladybug6— the latest addition to its field proven Ladybug series. Ladybug6 is the leading high-resolution camera designed to capture 360-degree spherical images from moving platforms in all-weather conditions. Its industrial grade design and out-of-the-box factory calibration produces 72 Megapixel (MP) images with pixel values that are spatially accurate within +/- 2 mm at 10-meter distance.

Industrial shredder control. - With the Motion-Axis Shredder software template, the automation specialist Baumüller in Nuremberg (SPS Fair 2022 (Nov 8-10) is introducing a template for the recycling branch to the market. It saves developers lots of time, particularly during a project's start phase, and they can fully concentrate on the process programming. The template contains a large number of the required machine functions as well as motion modules for making the servo motors, templates for the machine visualization, and functions such as EtherCAT diagnosis, commissioning mode, load balancing, and water cooling control.

Surface inspection. - Automated online surface inspection solutions are becoming increasingly vital to improving efficiency and product quality, streamlining operations, and reducing costs and waste in industrial processes. Using these types of automated systems adds significant value in many ways. AMETEK Surface Vision provides the industry-leading SmartView® and SmartAdvisor® product lines, used by many customers worldwide.

Ultra-fast changing for ultra-fast car. - A team of students from Eindhoven University of Technology has succeeded in developing an all-electric, ultra-fast charging prototype race car. Set to roar into action at the Le Mans 24-hour endurance racing event in France, the team leveraged the advantages of Danfoss technology to solve its fluid conveyance challenges.

A smaller show as trade fairs return to normal. - In Germany, the Hanover Fair was moved to June, and the triennial ACHEMA 2022 show in Frankfurt, already postponed from the previous year, shifted to an unconventional slot in the middle of August, prime vacation time for many countries. (ARC Advisory).

New member brings expertese in automotive, aerospace and construction. - The latest member of ABB's network of Value Provider in Britain is the Expert Technologies Group (ETG). Working closely with ABB there, ETG will combine its technologies and experience with ABB's extensive portfolio of robotic solutions to help manufacturers across industries including automotive, powertrain, aerospace, medical, energy, FMCG and modular building to find new ways to boost their productivity.

Control systems, software and engineering services for speciality chemicals. - Specialty chemicals company LANXESS has selected Emerson as a Global Alliance Partner for automation technology, enhancing its existing long-standing relationship. By upgrading its control and safety systems, and digitally transforming its production facilities, LANXESS aims to optimise operational performance and support sustainability targets.

Subminiature switches. - Omron Electronic Components Europe has announced a new fully sealed, ultra subminiature microswitch providing substantially higher operating and releasing forces compared to existing solutions. The new bent leaf lever versions of the compact and flexible Omron D2GW microswitch increases operating force up to 1.5N and releasing force up to 0.1N.

Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) measurement. - The LTE-V2X PSCCH TX Measurement MX887068A-001 software option enhancing the Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) measurement function of Universal Wireless Test Set MT8870A/MT8872A has been introduced by Anritsu.

Future-proof operations and reduce modernisation costs significantly. - DeltaV™ IO.CONNECT, a new subscription software service designed to help plants simplify modernisation with an open architecture pathway that makes it possible to transition to more efficient control schemes without the need to completely overhaul existing infrastructure has been released by Emerson. In a traditional plant with tens of thousands of I/O points and many controllers, this can save hundreds or thousands of hours of labour and up to 40% of the capital required for a total rip-and-replace upgrade.

Trends in Additive Manufacturing. - Additive ManufacturingAfter four years off the trade show scene thanks to a certain global pandemic, The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) has come and gone in McCormack Place in Chicago USA this past week, after a four-year gap. Over three days and a light 40 miles in shoes not designed for that much wear in a week, Daniel Keyser covered part of the additive manufacturing section and spent a good deal of time in the west hall. (ARC Advisory)

Signal quality analyser. - The Anritsu Signal Quality Analyzer-R MP1900A now supports the PCI Express® 6.0 (PCIe® 6.0) Base Specification Receiver Test (Rx Test). As well as adding support for generating PCIe 6.0 Base Spec. Compliance Test patterns, the MP1900A certified PCIe 3.0/4.0/5.0 tester now has an SKP function to filter SKP packets to support separate clock architecture (SRNS).

RF and Cryogenic product offering enhanced by acquisition. - Trexon, a portfolio company of Audax Private Equity, announces that it has completed the acquisition of Intelliconnect, the supplier of RF connectors, adapters, and cable assemblies. Founded in 2003 Intelliconnect has grown rapidly since its inception, becoming a market leader in design-led RF (radio frequency) components.

Instrument company achieves nuclear standard. - WIKA has been certified by TÜV SÜD in accordance with the new ISO 19443:2018 quality management standard for civil nuclear projects. The measurement technology manufacturer is thus the first company in Germany, and the fourth worldwide, to achieve this status. The audit was passed at the first attempt.

Motor or pump vibration trips. - Excessive vibration in a motor/pump is symptomatic of a problem that can cause further damage or deterioration. If ignored, the results are higher maintenance and downtime. In some situations, it could also lead to safety concerns.

12.1 inch display. - Review Display Systems (RDS) has announced the introduction of a 12.1-inch TFT display from leading industrial LCD manufacturer Tianma. The new P-series NL12880BC20-32F display module features WXGA resolution (1280 x 800 pixels), a wide 16:9 aspect ratio and delivers excellent optical performance with the implementation of SFT (Super Fine TFT) technology.

Control systems leadership in Finland. - ABB has signed a channel partner agreement with Insta Automation Oy, an independent specialist in industrial automation and digitalization solutions, to grow its control systems business in Finland.

EU drives transparency and accountability into industrial sustainability. - Industrial Sustainability performance for industrial companies continues to be a front-and-center business strategy issue. (ARC Advisory)

Linear servo-motors. - A series of brushless linear servo motors has been launched by NUM, are designed specifically for continuous duty cycle applications in machine tools.