Cybersecurity for digitalization and sustainability - ARC's European Industry Forum is part of our successful series of worldwide conferences in America and Asia. The next European Forum will be held in Sitges (Barcelona), Spain on May 15 - 17, 2023 and focus on "Managing Industry Evolution in Times of Global Disruption".

USB threats disrupt industrial environments. - Honeywell's Secure Media Exchange (SMX) solution is designed to analyse USB devices in industrial facilities to provide targeted insights, identify threats, and prompt responsible stakeholders to take action. See their annual "USB THREAT REPORT 2022".

Hot wear! - Teledyne FLIR has welcomed RealWear, the pioneer in assisted reality wearable solutions, as its latest Thermal by FLIR collaborator with the recent launch of the world's first fully hands-free, voice-controlled thermal camera module. In addition, Thermal by FLIR cohort Ulefone recently introduced its first mobile handset featuring the Lepton 3.5 thermal camera module, the Power Armor 18T 5G Android phone.

Three ways to build a future-proof factory with millennial manufacturing. - Manufacturers must look for innovative ways to attract millennials, who are the largest group of workers. They are technology savvy and often socially conscious individuals who may not see manufacturing as a good career for them. Many millennials view manufacturing as a field without the purpose, vision and leadership they are looking for in a career. (Control Engineering)

Dr. Achim Feinauer has joined the top management of workholding technology manufacturer Hainbuch as CEO.

20/12/2022

Protection against DC inrush. - The new BE-DCEB10A from Bicker Elektronik reliably protects against high currents that occur when capacitive DC loads are switched on and can damage the power supply or trigger fuse elements.

Medium bandwidth signal chain platform. - Analog Devices (ADI), has introduced a precision medium bandwidth signal chain platform improving system performance for signal bandwidths of DC to approximately 500kHz towards industrial and instrumentation applications.

The best show for discrete automation. - After a 3-year pandemic-induced hiatus, Germany's SPS show (smart production solutions) opened its gates once again in November to an enthusiastic public. (ARC Advisory).
SPS Fair 2023 is scheduled for 14 - 16 November 2023 in Nuremberg (D).

Couplings aid data centre cooling efficiency. - Danfoss Power Solutions has launched a portfolio of quick-disconnect couplings for data center liquid cooling applications. Danfoss Hansen FD83 series quick-disconnect couplings, now available in a 2-inch size and additional configurations of the popular 1-inch size, are known globally for their performance, efficiency, and reliability.

Proportional flow control valves. - The ASCO™Series 209 proportional flow control valves have been introduced by Emerson. They offer the highest standards of precision, pressure ratings, flow characteristics and energy efficiency available in a purpose-built, compact architecture. With this combination of size and performance, Series 209 valves allow users to precisely regulate the flow of fluid in a wide range of devices that require exacting performance, like those found in the medical equipment, food and beverage, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industries.

DCS leadership position maintained. - In a Distributed Control System market worth more than $15 billion (€14.12b), the official ARC Advisory Group report confirms that ABB has maintained its number one position with a leading share of 19%, as it continues to support the acceleration of digital transformation across industry.

More efficiency with LIMS. - Matrix Gemini version 6.6 has been released by Autoscribe Informatics. The December 2022 release includes a number of enhancements designed to improve the user experience even further.

Meeting Ecodesign requirements. - For the last 20 years, Powrmatic a leading British manufacturer of HVAC equipment, has been using Signal Group analysers to check the regulatory compliance of its products, which include gas burning warm air heaters, radiant heaters and ventilation equipment.

Sensor-free implementation of condition monitoring. - Baumüller has now developed a new software solution allowing a completely sensor-free implementation of condition monitoring. The Drive-Based Condition Monitoring software is integrated directly into the servo controller and can therefore be easily retrofitted. The drive-based software solution is another intelligent function from their SmartValue modular software system. It helps to improve the energy balance in production and lower manufacturing costs.

Life science competency. - Seeq Corporation has achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Life Sciences Competency status. This designation recognizes Seeq for providing deep expertise in building life sciences solutions on AWS to help customers conduct drug discovery, manage clinical trials, engage in manufacturing and distribution activities, and conduct research and development of novel genetic-based treatments and companion diagnostics.

Snapping in space! - The miniature Boson thermal imaging system sees thermal energy and provides accurate stand-off temperature measurements. NASA's packaging features clever modifications that enable it to survive in the most extreme conditions imaginable, from the intense vibrations at liftoff, to the vacuum of space, and then the temperatures reached during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

Pressure relief valves reinvented! - Two new-to-the-world technologies for the Crosby™ J-Series pressure relief valve (PRV) product line have been announced by Emerson. The first is a Balanced Diaphragm, which eliminates the need for bellows in PRVs, while providing balanced operation against backpressure to lower cost of ownership and enhance performance. The second technology is Bellows Leak Detection, enabling remote detection of bellows ruptures in PRVs, with the capability to reduce and accurately calculate volumetric emissions in real-time.

Combustion pyrometer. - AMETEK Land helps boiler operators achieve highly accurate gas temperature measurements with the upgraded CDB combustion pyrometer.

FPGA machine vision. - Innodisk has announced its latest step into the AI market, with the launch of EXMU-X261, an FPGA Machine Vision Platform. Powered by AMD's Xilinx Kria K26 SOM, which was designed to enable smart city and smart factory applications, Innodisk's FPGA Machine Vision Platform is set to lead the way for industrial system integrators looking to develop machine vision applications.

Management change! - In autumn 2009, Tetyana Hammel became managing director and shareholder of ARJES GmbH. A mechanical engineering company for recycling technology, which initially had just 19 employees when it was founded two years earlier, but experienced rapid growth in a very short time.

The air gap myth - Misuse of the term "air gap" by automation professionals and possibly OT practitioners leads to misunderstanding with IT and other networking professionals. Automation professional Ian Verhappen had this experience with a colleague who had an IT cybersecurity background and multiple certifications from the SANS Institute and other organizations. (Control)

One billion euro for connectors. - The Harting Technology Group has achieved a milestone in its corporate history by exceeding the billion Euro revenue mark for the first time. Despite adverse conditions, turnover jumped by 21.8% (€190 million) to €1,059 million, compared to €869 million in the previous year. Growth emanated from all regions and markets.

Optical inspection. - The LMI Photon™ Optical Inspection System has been released by LMI Technologies. This non-contact system provides surface characterization of multi-layered, textured, mixed, and a wide range of other manufactured materials. The system is CE and FCC certified.

Industrial use CNT. - Recently, bda connectivity GmbH and Conyar BV started cooperation on the development, production and sale of cables made of Conyar fibers made of Carbon NanoTubes (CNT). Cables made of Carbon NanoTube fibers have several advantages over conventional cables. While they transfer information just like copper cables, due to their carbonic structure, they weigh only a small percentage of a conventional cable. Therefore, they are the perfect choice for usage in aeronautics and astronautics as well as in Formula 1 and e-mobility, where removing every gram can be crucial for the success of a project.

Sensitive camera range enhanced. - There are 6 new additions to the Teledyne FLIR Blackfly S GigE line of cameras, colour and mono.

Photoelectric sensor. - The new LS25CI throughbeam photoelectric sensor from Leuze is powerful and flexible and can transilluminate even metalised and dark films - meets the stringent requirements of the packaging industry.

Gas sensing and analysis equipment manufacturer acquired. - ION Science has announced the acquisition of Analox Group, a gas sensing and analysis manufacturer based in Stokesley, North Yorkshire.

Tested but untouched. - With over thirty years of experience producing seals for the world's most demanding applications, Ferrotec of Woolwich in London is able to optimise ferrofluid materials for the most extreme performance requirements and incorporate them into bespoke vacuum system designs. TorqSense, a non-contact digital torque monitoring system that could guarantee an infinite lightness of touch has proven to be the only way to test the seals of super high performance vacuum systems.

Smart grid not just a buzz phrase. - The focus on active grid management and supply-secure grid operation is intensifying. A future-oriented grid management system for the low-voltage range distribution grid, to complement the possibly existing medium-voltage grid management systems appears to be essential. This has prompted the two established companies, Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG and Fichtner IT Consulting, to join forces. High-quality and fundamental measurement data are combined with intelligent digital grid management to fit each application.

Automating groundbreaking DC-Powered house. - Purdue University in West Lafayette (IND USA), is using global software and engineering leader Emerson's advanced digital technologies to automate its Nanogrid House, a living lab for energy-efficient home research. Compared to today's homes and businesses that are powered predominantly by alternating current (AC) power, the Nanogrid House can shift between AC and direct current (DC) power, which increases the ability to use renewable energy and lowers homeowners' energy costs.

HMI/SCADA systems: Upgrade your migration. - When upgrading human-machine interface (HMI) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software, don't just create a new version of the old. Enable workers with advanced HMI/SCADA capabilities after migration. See five tips for optimizing HMI/SCADA screens. (Control Engineering)

Laboratory measuring instruments for 25 years. - Since August 1997, DataPhysics Instruments has been developing, manufacturing, and distributing laboratory measuring devices for the characterisation of interfaces and surfaces. From the beginning, the focus has been on the development of innovative and modular measuring instruments as well as user-friendly software. This product philosophy will remain at the core of the company.

Metrology representation announced. - The Sempre Group recently became an approved supplier for LK Metrology and Renishaw in Ireland to help Irish manufacturers benefit from faster scanning times when using coordinate measuring machines (CMM). As Sempre continues to develop its partnership with the two companies, it now offers demonstrations of Renishaw's REVO® multi-sensor 5-axis measurement system at its Dublin site.

Ethernet-APL HART converter. - ProComSol's new Ethernet-APL HART Converter (HM-APL-PCB) has been released. Transmitter manufacturers can easily convert existing HART transmitters to the new Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer (APL) interface. The PCB can be customized to incorporate custom features or size requirements (see HART-APL-DEV). You can also quickly design "direct to APL" transmitters without using HART.

Power management system for potash project. - ABB has been selected by BHP to deliver a power management system for the Jansen Potash Project in Canada, which will provide nutrient-rich potash fertilizer to enable more sustainable farming globally. The global resource company is progressing the US $5.7 billion Jansen Stage 1 Potash Project which is expected to achieve first production in late 2026.

Next-generation automation platform for wastewater treatment. - Schneider Electric has announced the successful integration of its EcoStruxure™ Automation Expert (EAE) solution with Royal HaskoningDHV Nereda® Process Control Software, for sustainable and cost-effective wastewater treatment technology.

Flow consumes less power. - The launch of the Danfoss' SLP13 two-way two-position poppet-type solenoid valve, a low-power, low-pressure-drop solution for compact equipment has been announced. The SLP13 cartridge valve features patent-pending technology that significantly reduces power consumption while increasing flow rating, which can help original equipment manufacturers meet efficiency targets and reduce manifold size and cost.

Gas analysis service centre opens. - Servomex has extended its offering to the Asian market with the opening of a new service center in Korea.

A network certification that is trusted industry-wide? - Why Does an IP Rating Matter When Specifying an Industrial Switch? Manufacturers of Ethernet switches and other industrial networking devices often make vague claims like "weatherproof" or "dust-resistant" about their products to sway customers. But how do you know if these claims are legitimate? Are the devices truly safe? Is there a certification that is trusted industry-wide?

Digital technologies for energy efficiency. - The recent virtual ARC Industry Forum Asia titled Accelerating Industrial Digital Transformation and Sustainability on July 2022 saw registrations of 1,600+ delegates for the two language tracks – Japanese and English. In the session on Sustainability Initiatives, Riccardo Martini, Product Portfolio Manager, Sustainability, ABB Energy Industries spoke about how to use digital technologies to increase energy efficiency and curb CO2 emissions in industries.

Facilitating 5G rollout. - Anritsu Company has developed the new Compact Antenna Test Range (CATR) Anechoic Chamber 2 MA8172B configuration for its New Radio RF Conformance Test System ME7873NR to support 5G millimetre wave (mmWave) 2 Angle of Arrival (2 AoA) Radio Resource Management (RRM) tests.

Air quality indoors. - Extech's new 42280A series temperature and humidity data logger features a number of notable enhancements over the company's highly successful legacy model to ensure even higher performance and capability levels in indoor environmental monitoring applications. This latest-generation highly accurate and reliable meter will serve as an invaluable asset at any company looking to monitor the air quality of their production area, for example.

Access remote industrial equipment. - The release of the HMS Networks new generation of Ewon® industrial remote access gateways has been finalised, bringing IIoT connectivity and cybersecurity to the next level. Featuring built-in hardware security, the Cosy+ range allows users to access PLC-based machines securely from anywhere, and do commissioning, troubleshooting and programming online.

Serving Northeast US municipal markets. - The representative partner of seven years of Endress+Hauser, Eastern Controls, is now the exclusive authorized sales and service provider for the municipal markets in east Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware (USA), effective Dec. 1, 2022.

Smart, safe hydrogen refuelling. - KOHYGEN (Korea Hydrogen Green Energy Network) has chosen Emerson's advanced automation solutions to help ensure the safety and reliability of its pioneering hydrogen infrastructure initiative, which recently marked the completion of the world's largest hydrogen refuelling station for commercial vehicles. The project is an important step towards the two organizations' goals of reducing emissions, driving investment in hydrogen and accelerating the transition to a net-zero global economy.