Worldwide Engineering Magazine - June Issue

June Issue Join the world’s most popular virtual exhibition

Reduce the risk of equipment fires & downtime

Latest News from the manufacturing Barometer

Page 6

Pages 12-13

Pages 28-29

worldwide-engineering.com

Contents 5

8

CoreAVI Announces Certifiable SafetyCritical Software for Arm GPU

Staycation Nation Two Thirds of Brits Plan to Take UK Break This Year

20

30

Nord Technical innovation for mixing and agitation processes

New Compact Infrared Imager Xi 410

35

37

Anritsu and HEAD acoustics extend their cooperation to support solution

Mitsubishi Electric Europe - EMEA, Cobots Enable Effective High-Mix

40

46

Augmented Reality Helps Andover’s Bring Virtual Stairlifts to Homes

Inseto Help Filtronic Meet a Significant Increase in Demand for RF Modules for 5G

Worldwide Engineering Magazine Providing timely industry news, exclusive features on advancing technology, equipment, materials, show previews, content marketing services for our valued clients and much more!

Adam Ling - Advertising Enquiries: adam@worldwide-engineering.com Marc Hebden Sales Coordinator: marc@worldwide-engineering.com Jonathan Adams Editorial Assistant: jonathan@worldwide-engineering.com

Investing in NSKHPS bearings provides steel plant with sizeable savings By replacing plain-bush bearings with NSKHPS spherical roller bearings from NSK, a steel plant has eliminated six bearing failures a year on its walking beam to deliver savings of €15,556 per annum.

In a steel plant, a walking beam moves material in bar form along a conveyor while it cools. At this particular steel manufacturing facility, plain-bush bearings on the walking beam were failing around six times per year, largely as a result of the challenging working environment (outside location) and high loads.

Due to the high costs associated with replacement bearings, maintenance time and lost production, the plant called upon the expertise of NSK and its AIP Added Value Programme.

NSK’s team of specialists analysed the application and suggested 4

the adoption of a rolling element bearing, which would better cope with the demanding operating conditions and loads to save downtime and improve productivity.

The solution of choice was the NSKHPS spherical roller bearing.

The success of the NSKHPS bearings meant that no failures occurred in the one-year review period. Indeed, there was no need for any intervention by the maintenance team whatsoever, as both contaminant ingress and the requirement for lubrication had reduced considerably, providing even greater savings to the customer.

In total, the annual savings amounted to €15,556. And yet there exists potential for even greater savings over time as the NSKHPS spherical roller bearings gave a theoretical life calculation of 7.2 years.

NSKHPS spherical roller bearings use state-of-the-art material technology that makes them suitable for applications necessitating high speeds and loads, including material handling in the steel sector. In fact, as NSK’s highest load-rating spherical roller bearing (25% higher), it is even possible for machine and equipment OEMs to downsize in some applications. Notably, these bearings also provide temperature stability up to 200°C. Available with a steel or brass cage, NSKHPS spherical roller bearings offer a proven reputation for service life that far exceeds conventional alternatives, thus delivering lower maintenance costs and better productivity. Bore diameters from 40 to 260 mm are available.

For more information please visit: www.nsk.com/junction.html

CoreAVI announces certifiable safetycritical software for Arm’s next-gen MaliG78AE GPU CoreAVI announced a suite of Vulkan®-based safety-critical graphics and compute libraries supporting the new, highperformance Arm® Mali™-G78AE GPU for the automotive, industrial and avionics markets. The MaliG78AE GPU is Arm’s first GPU IP designed for safety critical applications. CoreAVI’s software suite for the Mali-G78AE GPU includes a Vulkan safety driver, GPGPU algorithms, libraries for OpenGL® SC1, OpenGL SC2, and TrueCore™ as well as all safety certification artifacts. This range of next-gen safety-critical software drivers and libraries will be available to support semiconductor designers, OEMs, and Tier 1 system developers.

CoreAVI’s automotive safety software products meet ISO 26262 ASIL D certification requirements for advanced automotive and autonomy applications. CoreAVI is also offering avionics customers DO-178C DAL A /EASA ED-12C certifiable versions of the MaliG78AE GPU driver and graphics and compute libraries. Both of these comprehensive software packages support Mali-G78AE GPUs for safe rendering, ADAS, and autonomy in certified automotive, industrial and avionics applications.

standards for graphics and compute and will be compatible with a variety of certified realtime operating systems as well as Automotive Grade Linux (AGL). Because the software suite is based on the Vulkan safety standard for graphics and compute, the driver allows applications to directly run sophisticated safety-critical graphics and compute algorithms such as FFT, matrix manipulation, and image filtering. Additionally, libraries supporting OpenGL SC1 and OpenGL SC2 are available; these also run on the safetycritical Vulkan intermediary layer, allowing simultaneous execution of mixed-criticality and mixed API applications on a single GPU hardware instance. This joint software solution not only meets the very high-performance demands of multi-partitioned systems in future digital cockpits but provides the flexibility required to support diverse applications and changing market demands.

“CoreAVI is excited to introduce our first set of safety-critical graphics and compute software, collaboratively developed with Arm,” said Damian Fozard, CEO at CoreAVI. “This suite of products is designed to seamlessly transition customers from their commercial platforms onto a full safety software stack, allowing the use of Arm’s powerful Mali GPU IP in a wide range of new and exciting safety applications.”

“As autonomous systems move towards software-defined functionality, it’s clear software has an important role to play in future autonomous workloads,” said Chet Babla, vice president, Automotive and IoT Line of Business at Arm. “To fully realize the benefits of Arm’s new GPU technology, CoreAVI’s offering will provide partners with state-ofthe-art safety-critical graphics and compute capabilities for future automotive, industrial, and avionics applications.”

Developed with support from Arm, CoreAVI’s software suite takes advantage of the performance, safety, flexibility, and scalability of the new Mali-G78AE GPU. The Mali-G78AE GPU offers a number of safety features designed to enhance the determinism and robustness of software running on the GPU. A new Flexible Partitioning feature allows the GPU to isolate in both the time and space domains, allowing multiple applications to safely and securely share the GPU. CoreAVI’s software is designed to the Khronos® Group’s open

5

Join the world’s most popular virtual exhibition Throughout 2020, IndustryExpo Virtual Exhibition was instrumental in helping its exhibitors keep in personal contact with customers and reach out to potential new leads. With 360,000 visitors to date (and counting) and over 10,000m2 of virtual floorspace to explore, including exhibition stands, networking lounge and an auditorium, IndustryExpo is the leading virtual trade show for industry, automation, processing and manufacturing.

The show, which is live year-round, has daily footfall in the thousands and offers visitors the opportunity to chat directly with exhibitors or register their interest for one-to-one meetings. Recent visitors include representatives from companies including Princes Foods, Severn Trent Water, Jaguar Land Rover, Nestle, Pernod-Ricard, Honda, Allied Bakeries, Thames Water, Arla Foods, Anglian Water, Dover Port, Halo Foods, Pirelli, PepsiCo, Toyota, Merlin Entertainment, Veolia, Tata Steel.

With such a pedigree of visitor it’s no surprise that the concept has been popular with businesses of all sizes.

Show Directors, Nigel Borrell and Sara Gordon, comment: “Even before travel restrictions came into

place the traffic to the website was phenomenal, with visitors coming from all over the world. Since March last year the popularity of the site has grown exponentially and now visitors and exhibitors alike are extolling the benefits of the virtual format. IndustryExpo has been used for product launches, white paper releases, live seminars and recruitment; with new innovations and functionality being added almost every month.”

The top priority of the exhibition is to introduce a user-friendly interface that allows visitors to experience all the benefits of a ‘real’ event, with fewer of the drawbacks. Each stand can feature Super-HD 3D products, offer downloadable pdf literature,

host company videos or live presentations and even support one-to-one video meetings with a sales representative. Visitors won’t have to face rush hour traffic or parking fees to attend. In fact, visitors can register to the platform and save their favourite stands or materials to their browser to make return visits even more efficient.

Visitors to the platform will be able explore the ever-increasing number of exhibitors. Who include: AEMT, Abloy, Altra Motion, Baumer, Burkert, BWB Technologies, CCLink Partner Assoc, CD Automation, Dugard, , Elmo Motion Control, EMAS, Excel Redstone, Fulton, Hansa-TMP, HT Servo, IFM, IKO, Infologic Design, Inovo Robotics, KEB, Keyence, Kinetic-ID, KMT, Kodenshi, Lafert Electric Motors, Lamonde Automation, Leuze Electronic, Megger, Mitsubishi, Moore International, Motion Control Products, Nvent Hoffman, NS Tool, Optimal, Panduit, Products 4 Automation, Radwell, Rebo Systems, Rift, Routeco, Spelsberg, Sulzer, TEC Motors, Three High Co, WEG, Weidmuller For more information on Industry Expo please visit: www.industryexpo.online

6

Ethical supply chains: An opportunity for British business and our government.

Johnathan Dudley, Partner and Head of Manufacturing at national audit, tax, advisory and risk firm, Crowe

in the next 12 months, despite 70% considering that their business will be affected, at least moderately, by Brexit.

A key aspect of successful commerce has always been to identify the supply chain for the goods and services required and secure them at the right price. This would then be a key factor in the ability to produce and sell. In short, the art of good selling is good buying.

As we move into a greener and more globally aware environment, customers will increasingly want and need to know the carbon footprint and ethical source of their supply chain. The potential effect of this has become strikingly evident since January – we have seen big issues at ports of entry and with rules of origin but this is likely to be just the thin end of the wedge in the new post pandemic world. The need to protect our planet is at the forefront of global and political conversations.

The combination of the global pandemic, Brexit and the objective to achieve net zero, however, takes this basic idea and complicates it significantly.

Not only will businesses see (if they haven’t already) an interruption in supply or a price rise, but there is and will continue to be a challenge to look into the efficacy of the supply chain. There will be a number of different factors to take into consideration in future rather than just availability and price, though these will always remain key.

Our Crowe 2020/21 Manufacturing Outlook Survey revealed that 67% of those surveyed said that their profitability had been affected by the cost and availability of raw materials; yet 45% of respondents expected their business to grow

The desire to ‘build back better’ after the crisis is much more than just a political strapline.

Subsequent increases in global transport costs and raw materials driven by supply issues during the pandemic, have not dampened an optimism within industry for a bounce back in fortunes, as the vaccination programme stimulates movement again.

In the past, consumers have been predominantly price driven; in the future there will be much more emphasis on supply capability and the ethics of the supply chain over, and arguably above, price alone.

In addition, shortage or in some cases, interruption of supply has presented the opportunity for UK businesses to re-enter supply chains that they previously left, having been priced out of the globalised market. There is now a build-up of demand that could drive sustainable change into supply chains and UK manufacturers should seize it.

By applying innovative processes and with the right backing, these opportunities could bring long term value.

It seems that the drive for net zero has suppressed the intent for our government and society to support the UK’s traditional raw material extraction and production industries.

Failure to do so risks much more than the jobs of the individuals working in mines, quarries, furnaces and foundries, but also at a strategic level.

Until the UK can find a viable replacement for metals that have to be created by processing ore and using lots of fossil burning fuels in the process, we will still need a supply chain that produces the likes of steel, aluminium, cobalt, lithium, and even coal, to fire the furnaces to refine them. We will need this supply chain and raw material to build the wind turbines, the battery plants and the electric transport systems.

There is much to be considered going forward, as achieving net zero in the UK must not be at the cost of necessitating import of raw materials and power sources from countries and states who do not share this goal.

Otherwise we are just moving the environmental problem elsewhere, and we only have one planet.

While the much acclaimed ‘industrial strategy’ has been shelved by politicians, we still need a strategy that supports innovation and drives the UK to be a powerhouse of sustainable and green production. We cannot do this by ‘buying everything in’.

We need a strategy which creates a sustainable and low carbon supply chain for raw materials and power, as well as components to truly achieve net zero. This means that we must progress raw material extraction and production in the UK, rather than buying it ‘cheap’ from the other side of the world.

This will need even better innovation to carry out these processes, in a way that is kind to the environment.

But remember, ‘net zero’ isn’t ‘total zero’ and more needs to be done.

7

Staycation nation: Two thirds of brits plan to take UK break this year With rules around international travel still uncertain but hospitality opening up even further from today, Brits are seeking out new ways to get their holiday fix as they plan ‘staycations’ around the UK. Research by Auto Trader[1], the UK’s largest digital automotive marketplace, has revealed that almost two thirds (62%) of people are planning to holiday in the UK this year, bringing a much-welcomed boost to the British hospitality sector. Country escapes have proved most popular, being the choice of two fifths (42%) of holidaymakers, followed by a third (33%) hoping for a beach getaway.

Since lockdown, Auto Trader has seen accelerated growth in page visits for wheeled accommodation, with visits up 148% YoY for motorhomes and 117% for caravans – making staycations the likely choice for many. However, this has

8

prompted fears of major traffic jams and queues on the roads during peak holiday season as the nation’s staycationers disperse across the UK in droves.

Over half (53%) of people said they’ll be holidaying with their family this year, seeing staycations as a chance to reconnect with loved ones after long periods apart.

Motorhomes and caravans safely offer the chance to reunite, as separate households can park over two metres apart and enjoy time outside together.

Three quarters (77%) of those surveyed are also planning to take their dog away with them. Over 3.2 million pets were bought by the British public during the pandemic[2], and over 60% of motorhome and caravan buyers now have their own pup. Staycations allow travellers to leave the puppy passport at home and enjoy a holiday with their fourlegged friend.

Auto Trader’s Editorial Director, Erin Baker, says: “More than 2 million people enjoy holidays in caravans and motorhomes each year in the UK[3] – a figure that is set to rise this year due to the third wave of COVID-19 across the EU – so it’s no surprise those looking to own their own caravan or motorhome has increased.

“Holidaymakers will have to be extra savvy though when planning their trips, as sites are set to sell out quickly. Heavy congestion is likely when staycationers hit the roads around peak times, particularly the second May and August bank holidays and school summer holidays, so road trips should be planned in advance and scenic detours considered.”

For help finding a great deal on your new caravan or motorhome, or for advice on part-exchanging, visit: www.autotrader.co.uk/caravans or www.autotrader.co.uk/motorhomes.

FLIR A50 and A70 thermal cameras offer turnkey solutions for efficient data analysis When decision makers seek to integrate new hardware into their automation process, they are often looking at a few key areas – the ease of use, price point, features, and the ability to utilize the hardware at multiple points throughout their system.

The new A50 and A70 thermal cameras come in three options – Smart, Streaming, and Research & Development to fit the needs of professionals across a variety of industries – from manufacturing to utilities to science. The new cameras offer improved accuracy of ±2 °C or ±2% temperature measurement, compared to the previous accuracy of ±5 °C, or ±5% temperature measurement. The cameras all include an IP66 rating, along with a small, compact size with higher resolution options compared to previous versions.

Featuring a thermal resolution of 464 x 348 (A50) or 640 x 480 (A70), professionals can deploy the A50 or A70 cameras in a variety of capacities. These include condition monitoring programs to maximize uptime and minimize cost through planned maintenance, or when used in early fire detection applications to safeguard the lives of workers and secure the profitability of the business by protecting materials and assets.

With improved temperature measurement accuracy of ±2 °C, professionals can rely on consistent readings over a period of time, or through varying environmental factors, eliminating any guesswork from data analysis.

The IP66 rating for both the A50 and A70 provides protection from dust, oil, and water, making the cameras ideal for tough, industrial environments. This ruggedness is especially helpful when the camera is being moved from one application to the next. Whether the camera is fix-mounted inspecting a

production line or when required for bench testing, professionals benefit from its versatility.

A50/70 Smart Designed for condition monitoring programs to reduce inspection times, improve production efficiency, and increase product reliability, the A50 and A70 Smart cameras introduce “on camera / on edge” smart functionality. This means temperature measurement and analysis can be done on the camera, easily and effectively without the need for a PC. These cameras allow automation system solution providers to hit the ground running with a camera that is easy to add, configure, and operate in HMI/SCADA systems (with REST API, MQTT and Modbus master functionality).

A50/70 Image Streaming Built for process and quality control, the A50/A70 Image Streaming cameras improve through-put time and the quality of what is being produced, all while reducing operating costs. With its GigE Vision and GenICam compatibility, professionals can simply plug the camera into their PC and choose their preferred software. In most cases, the addition of A50 or A70 Image Streaming cameras complement machine vision systems that looks at defects such as size, with the A50 or A70 providing temperature variance in these products.

A50/70 Research & Development Kit Primarily used as a research and development solution, the A50 and A70 Research & Development Kit provides an easy entry point into thermal imaging analysis for applications within academia, material studies, and electronic and semi-conductor research. The Research & Development Kit include the Advanced Image Streaming

versions of the A50 and A70 cameras and FLIR Research Studio software for camera control, live image display, recording, and post processing for decision support.

a manufacturing facility from a computer to the piece of equipment that is being inspected.”

The A50 and A70 thermal cameras, with Smart, Streaming, or Research and Development options, offer professionals, in a variety of industries with a turnkey solution, to efficiently and effectively inspect and analyze data, ultimately saving time and money.

“The launch of the new A50/ A70 camera is really exciting for FLIR customers. Its new software capabilities now allow for dual functionality with two different spectrums - thermal temperature monitoring and visual inspection within the same camera. This adds an extra level of functionality to new and existing integrated FLIR systems. Users can combine thermal functionality, to check packaging seals for example, with visual inspection of the packaging itself. This can now be completed by one camera without the need for any additional hardware - just a simple software change.”

Expert Viewpoints: “In addition to its small, compact packaging, which makes it easier to mount these cameras inside of machinery with tight spaces, we are excited about the A50/A70’s IP66 rating, a feature that eliminates the need to add an enclosure around the camera when it is deployed it in tough environments.

Another added benefit is having the ability to inspect and analyze data through the camera’s Wi-Fi capability, eliminating the need for users to run wires through

- Roy Ray, vice president, Emitted Energy

will add for our customers. With its expanded communication capabilities, ViperVision can do more with the camera information we’ve always had. The more data and more ways to access that data the customers have, the better. We are now able to take the same critical data that has always been provided by FLIR cameras and make it more available and thus more useful to our customers. Whether this means integration with VMS and security systems or more plant control networks (DCS, PLC, SCADA), we are now able to accomplish multiple tasks simultaneously and more efficiently.”

- Andy Beck, co-founder and coowner, Viper Imaging

- John Dunlop, founder and chief technical officer, Bytronic Vision Automation

The FLIR A50 and A70 are available globally today through FLIR authorized distributors and will ship in Q2 2021.

“We are excited about the launch of the new FLIR A50/A70 thermal imaging camera and the value it

For more information on the new A-Series cameras, please visit: www.flir.com

11

Reduce the risk of equipment fires & downtime thermal imaging a worthy panacea for electrical PM’s.

The use of thermal imaging technology is fast becoming the norm across many industries to aid preventative maintenance (PM) requirements. The technology is safe, non-invasive and surveys costeffective. Permitting the identification of electrical and mechanical thermal deficiencies without plant intervention, to maintain uptime.

caused by high-resistance due to poorly connected cabling, loose terminations and overloads, which if undetected can lead to extreme overheating, system failure or fire. On average 16,000 commercial fires occur every year in the UK, approximately one third is attributed to electrical distribution system failures.

A competent technician certified to operate an infrared imaging camera can precisely pinpoint components deviating from a baseline and plan PM needs to either monitor or replace to mitigate the risk of service failure. This is where Geo Therm Ltd inspection services excels, providing business owners and stakeholders with its global service experience and MO excellence developed over 20 years.

Utilising thermal imaging provides real-time, non-contact temperature measurement to capture the early signs of heat generation. The technology is very effective and complements existing fire risk avoidance measures for commercial properties, factories, marine assets, and offshore platforms, (see our main advert opposite page on 13).

Infrared energy is invisible to the human eye unless a component is incandescent. The technology does not reply on external illumination, rather it detects infrared energy emitted from warm components, such “hot spots” in wiring are

Thermal systems can further help legal compliance requirements related to the Electricity at Work regulations. By complementing the electrical periodic tests and inspections regimes. Likewise, surveys and condition reports satisfy insurance prerequisites and technical notifications.

However, before you race off to procure the latest thermal imaging device. Take in consideration initial equipment start-up costs, specialist PPE, and annual calibration OPEX. Notwithstanding the personnel training requirements and ongoing competency validation. A rather daunting and cost prohibitive exercise, when other more costeffective options exist.

All too often our thermographers see >£8-16K mid-range noncalibrated or broken imagers collecting dust on client shelving, or no on-site technician qualified or competent to use it. Often this is attributed to an initial company maintenance initiative, that did not fully understand the process controls and independent supporting documentation requirements. In contrast, the real panacea is hiring a specialised 3rd party service provider to kick-start the thermal program, thereafter, used to shepherd the program by drawing upon its expertise underpinned by an annual inspection service agreement.

Utilising the services of a 3rd party provider like Geo Therm Ltd has other long-term benefits.

Inspection routes become more efficient, itinerary lists are regularly updated and equipment thoroughly inspected. Moreover, services are impartial, over the inexperience, bias, and time constraints of the workplace operative. Furthermore, the duty manager knows the exact cost per visit so can forecast future maintenance finances and expenditure.

In short, the use of Geo Therm Ltd’s specialist services enables stakeholders that one stop-shop to a cost effective, professionally planned inspection that asset manager’s value, and auditors and insurance companies recognise.

12

Vial check Intelligent multi-camera system for quality control of vaccine bottles

Combating the Covid-19 pandemic is at the top of the global agenda.

Around the world, efforts are being made to supply the population with vaccine as quickly as possible. But providing around 8 billion doses - at least one for every person in the world - is no easy task. Glass vials are a crucial factor in the delivery of the billions of doses of vaccine. About 50 billion of them are produced worldwide every year. Currently the producers of the vials are massively ramping up their production so as not to become the proverbial bottleneck in the supply chain. However, medical-grade vaccine vials are not standard glass tubes. Whether rolled-rim bottles, threaded bottles or ampoules, they are all made of the special glass borosilicate and require customized production lines. Any interaction between the container and the liquid inside must be prevented, as any chemical interference could affect the vaccine. Even the smallest scratch, crack or fissure can render an entire batch unusable, contaminate the line during the filling process or even lead to a machine standstill.

The demands on manufacturers are enormous: it is not only a matter of producing large quantities quickly, but also of maintaining particularly high quality standards. At the same time, increasing production capacity is usually time and capital intensive.

A cost-effective, quickly integrated, extremely reliable solution for inspecting vaccine vials comes from Bad Königshofen in Germany: Isotronic GmbH, has developed the automatic tubular glass inspection system “VialChecker”. IDS industrial cameras from the uEye CP camera family are used as image

14

processing components for dimensional and surface inspection application.

Vaccine vials usually hold between 2 ml and 100 ml of liquid. They are on average 45 mm high and 11.5 mm wide. Manufacturers use borosilicate glass for this purpose to keep the vaccines in the required stable condition during storage and transport - even at extreme temperatures. The small containers for the precious contents are subject to high quality requirements. At the same time, large quantities currently have to be produced in the shortest possible time. What is needed is very fast quality control with high reliability in defect detection - how can that work?

Take high-performance cameras that have high-resolution sensors while enabling high frame rates and combine the GigE industrial cameras from the IDS uEye CP family with industrial-grade touchscreen monitors, control cabinet, connection to the respective production system and intelligent software. VialChecker is the name of the all-in-one inspection system for automatic dimensional and surface inspection

of vaccine vials, available in two versions. Compliance with the dimensions is checked by the “VialChecker Geometry”, while the “VialChecker Cosmetic” checks the surface of each individual bottle for flawlessness. The latter can optionally be used as part of the geometry inspection or take on more demanding tasks as a separate system.

The VialChecker Geometry contains more than 50 dimensional checks and performs tests for both standard and non-standard tubular glass products with a measurement accuracy of up to 0.01 millimetres. Defects such as cracks, scratches, chips, inclusions or stains, on the other hand, are detected with an accuracy of 0.1 square millimetres thanks to the powerful cameras. Intelligent software enables accurate fault description analysis and classification.

Testing takes place at various points in the manufacturing process, such as directly after the bottles have been formed or shortly before packaging. A system usually supports between three and eight cameras, so that different measuring stations

can be integrated along the production line. “Depending on customer requirements, the system is specified or supplemented with appropriate sensors or cameras, for example to measure glass thickness,” explains Valentin Mayer-Eichberger, Chief Operating Officer at Isotronic.

“If more than eight cameras are needed, several computers are sent into action.” For example, they observe the laterally rotating tube glass or the glass bottom and provide high-resolution images.

The cameras capture at least 20 images per rotation, allowing the VialChecker to check up to 120 vials per minute with a very high degree of accuracy. It is up to 0.01 millimetres for dimensional tests and 0.1 square millimetres for cosmetic tests. In addition to real-time, low-latency processing, there is detailed logging of system operation. The high reliability of the software ensures that the products are within the geometric product specification and are error-free, while meeting the quality requirements.

Depending on the requirements and the testing task, different camera models are needed for the measuring station.

15

Currently, Isotronic mainly uses the IDS camera family GigE uEye CP. They offer maximum functionality with extensive pixel pre-processing and are perfect for multi-camera systems such as the VialChecker thanks to the internal 120 MB image memory for buffering image sequences. The cameras deliver data at full GigE speed and, thanks to PoE (“Power over Ethernet”), also allow singlecable operation up to 100 meters.

One of the preferred models is the UI-5250CP-M-GL with a 2 megapixel CMOS sensor, one of the most sensitive sensors in the IDS portfolio.

It is available in two versions, mono and colour, and is characterised by outstanding light sensitivity. In addition, it offers various switchable shutter modes that enable the image- true capture of moving subjects or the particularly noisefree recording of high contrasts.

“This is particularly important for the fast, reliable detection of defects on the glass surface,” says Valentin Mayer-Eichberger, explaining the choice of the uEye+ camera from IDS. This allows either several characteristics to be checked simultaneously or the AOIs to be captured in an exposure series with different parameters. This small powerhouse with a frame rate of 52 fps is thus predestined for the various inspection tasks along the production line - at high speed: “The system enables high-speed processing, it manages up to 120 cycles per minute,” Valentin MayerEichberger underlines. Besides the convincing performance of the cameras, however, other factors play a role: “We appreciate the uniformity and durability of the IDS cameras. And the service,” says Gregor Fabritius, Managing Director of Isotronic, explaining the historically grown, long-standing relationship with IDS. Software The IDS cameras are directly connected to the system using C++.

A software algorithm developed

by Isotronic GmbH detects errors and outputs the error message via the monitor. “We not only have a measurement system that reports

16

good/bad, but also records the quality of each product and displays statistics over time. The machine adjuster uses this to check that everything is still correct and that the bottle has been adjusted well.”

The Isotronic software has an intuitive, user-friendly interface that has been developed to meet the needs of customers. In addition, the VialChecker is optimised for remote support with continuous updates and software improvements. Valentin Mayer Eichberger is convinced: “This is the basis for a dynamic, sustainable system. We use machine learning for demanding tasks such as error classification.” On-site or cloud-based solutions for handling large amounts of data, as well as detailed analytics and process optimisation are part of the scope of services. It is possible, for example, to analyse the frequency of faults over time as well as to monitor tool wear and raise alarms.

The cloud service for production monitoring is extensive: “At the end of production, we calculate charts per quality measure. Certificates on the accuracy of the measurements can be issued for the acceptance of the measurement system.”

Outlook Experts estimate that global demand for vaccine vials will further increase by one to two billion over the next two years. The head of AstraZeneca, one of the major vaccine producers, also warned early in the pandemic: “There are not enough vials in the world.” Vaccine vial manufacturers worldwide are ramping up production of the glass that is supposed to protect the precious liquid. To ensure that this valuable liquid is protected accordingly, automatic, highperformance testing systems are more in demand than ever to guarantee the immense demand for quality. “In addition, there is a general growth in the industry and in demand from the Asian region and that even before the pandemic,” notes Valentin Mayer Eichberger.

Good prospects for systems like the VialChecker: It helps producers avoid becoming a bottleneck in the vaccine supply chain.

Cutting edge composites training The National Composites Centre is a world leading authority on composites.

We work with organisations large and small to re-skill and up-skill teams and individuals across every sector where composites are used. From the micro-SMEs to the multi-national, from the workshop to the boardroom, we’re experienced in building composites capabilities.

WE OFFER: • Bespoke training and off-the-shelf courses created by the NCC and our network of training providers • Hands-on experience of the latest digital manufacturing technologies • Courses matched by topic or level of experience, from apprentices to technicians, experienced engineers to senior management • Courses designed for individuals, teams and companies • Training available at the NCC, locations across the UK and online

We have a variety of courses to suit you, whether it’s online self-paced, online tutor-led or in-person.

Find out more and book your training course today:

nccuk.com/training www.nccuk.com +44 (0) 117 370 7600 training@nccuk.com 17

Han® 1A: HARTING’s miniaturised and multifunctional connector solution With the Han® 1A, HARTING has responded to the trend towards miniaturisation across industries and sectors. As the requirement for smaller interfaces on robotics and engineering equipment grows, space becomes a premium. As a result, the 1A has been designed to take up less installation space and provide the user with all the benefits of a modern network.

Thanks to the easy ‘click and mate’ design of all components, the connector can be assembled in seconds without the need for any tools. The range also includes useful accessories such as fasteners for wall mounting and colour coding clips to help identify different lines and reduce cabling errors.

Only two components are required to quickly assemble an IP20 solution, while additional housing elements or single wire seals can easily extend the degree of protection to IP65, making it suitable for use outdoors.

18

The adaptable connection technology offers a secure solution whether you require rapid onsite installations using screw contacts or the pre-assembly of separate units with crimp contacts. Thanks to this flexible approach, it’s easy to create simple and efficient interfaces for use in automation, robotics, transportation, traffic engineering and the energy sector.

In mechanical engineering, it provides an efficient solution for connecting tools and smaller machine modules such as heating and cooling units, fans, control terminals, lighting systems, drives and vibration conveyors.

Constructed from lightweight yet durable polyamide plastic, the Han® 1A is extremely adaptable because it employs a modular system of inserts. This means it can integrate contacts for the delivery of data, signal and power.

Modules for Cat. 5 or Cat. 6A are available for data transmission and up to 12 D-Sub contacts can be constructed for signal interfaces.

For power applications, it can transmit a maximum of 16 amps and 400 volts. A shielded version is also available for areas which are particularly susceptible to interference.

The Han® 1A also complies with standard EN 45545-2 for fire protection on railway vehicles, making it ideal for use on door systems and ramps, door openers, push buttons, lighting systems and screens. What’s more, as the entire Han® 1A connector system is based on just a few components, material supply is greatly simplified as a plugin connection consists of a maximum of twelve different contacts.

To learn more about the Han® 1A, please visit www.harting.com/UK/ en-gb/compact-connector or email salesUK@HARTING.com .

19

Technical innovation for mixing and agitation processes NORD DRIVESYSTEMS has developed a powerful combination for use in mixing and agitation processes: The MAXXDRIVE® industrial gear units with the new SAFOMI-IEC adapter is specifically developed for mixers to improve operational reliability and reduce the need for the replacement of wearing parts. In combination with the NORDAC FLEX SK 200E frequency inverter for the power range up to 22 kW, a flexible unit with low maintenance is offered.

MAXXDRIVE® industrial gear units, an integral part of the NORD portfolio for ten years, offer high output torques from 15 to 282 kNm and ensure smooth operation even under demanding conditions. The FEM- optimised and compact

20

design enables operation under ultimate external loads.

For agitation applications, a combination with the SAFOMI IEC adapter (SAFOMI = Sealless Adapter For Mixers) is recommended, in which an oil expansion chamber is directly integrated.

increases operational reliability and lowers maintenance costs.

Not only is the oil level and thus the required oil volume lower, but thanks to fewer attached components the installation space is also reduced.

SAFOMI is available for MAXXDRIVE ® parallel gear units in the sizes 7 to 11 covers maximum output torques from 25 to 75 kNm. SAFOMI impresses with its compact and simple design and integrated oil equalization volume, which means that there is no need for oil tanks and hoses or the shaft sealing ring between the gear unit and the IEC cylinder, which is prone to leakage and wear. Using the SAFOMIIEC adapter instead of the standard IEC adapter on the agitator drive

For the further reduction of wearing parts and attached components, NORD recommends a combination of MAXXDRIVE® industrial gear unit, SAFOMI-IEC adapter, a drive motor and NORDAC FLEX SK 200E. The frequency inverter can be flexibly installed and features a high output range as well as a wide choice of optional functions and accessories. The SK 200E can be directly mounted on the motor without control cabinet.

Higher operational reliability with less effort

Versamove Transfer System Boasts Compact Curve mk has expanded its modular pallet transfer system Versamove standard with a curved module which has an impressive space-saving design that enables 90° and 180° turns in the tightest of spaces.

Versamove is a versatile, highquality pallet transfer system which can be used in almost all areas of automated production and material flow. Its modular design allows for quick and transparent scheduling and project planning.

The system has the flexibility to be expanded or adapted according to conditions on site.

The compact curve is a spacesaving module that enables 90° and 180° turns in the tightest of spaces and is available in 240, 320 and 400 mm widths. The pallets are moved along the curve track by round belts. This allows the workpieces to maintain their orientation as they traverse the curve. The cost-effective and compact curved module can be used in place of lifting-traversing units and lifting-rotating units for

transfer onto a parallel conveyor line. The curved module is available with its own drive, or it can be operated via the adjoining section.

Advantages of the curved module - Compact and space-saving design - 90° and 180° turns in the tightest of spaces while maintaining orientation - Cost-effective alternative to lifting-traversing units and liftingrotating units - It is available with its own drive or it can be driven by the adjoining section - Particularly suited to parallel conveyor lines that are positioned close to one another (180° turns) The Versamove system is available in three weight and size classes.

The Versamove standard is designed for weights of up to 40 kg per pallet. The Versamove plus can handle dimensions of up to 1040 x 1040 mm and weights of 100 kg. The Versamove ultra can transport pallets with dimensions of up to 1200 x 1200 mm and weights of 300 kg per pallet. The system can therefore be used for a wide variety of application areas. While developing the system, we ensured its compatibility with systems that are currently available on the market. As a result, thirdparty pallets can be used on the Versamove standard. It is therefore possible to extend existing plants without any issues.

To see the full range of mk’s conveyors please visit www.mkprofiles.co.uk or call 01949 823751.

21

Meet the man who’s been helping you work, rest and play in your car for the last 10 years As VNC Automotive prepares for its third birthday, Founder and CEO Tom Blackie, looks back of a period of unpredicted change for in-car technology, but thinks that there’s still a very long way to go as the company looks to the future.

“There’s a tussle going on, with Apple and Google on one side and car manufactures on the other and it’s all about user data,” says Tom Blackie, Founder and CEO, VNC Automotive. “Do manufacturers really want to cede everything to the phone software and service providers, and how much insight to their customers, a car’s driver and its passengers, do they want?”

Thirty-six months is a long time when it comes to technology, and as VNC Automotive approaches its third birthday Tom is not only looking at where cars are going but

22

also how the company can use its know how in other markets.

but we think the rate of change is only going to get faster.”

Since heading the management buyout from RealVNC, that led to the birth of VNC Automotive, Tom has steered the company as its grown in size and status.

Benefitting from over a decade in delivering cutting edge passenger vehicle systems for entertainment and navigation, the last few years have meant that its technology is now in approximately 35 million vehicles worldwide.

One of the enablers of that demand has been the surge in the development of electric vehicles.

To consumers these cars represent the very latest technology and so are increasingly fitted with more sophisticated features like large touchscreens and advanced user interfaces. “Infotainment systems tend to operate in separate silos from drivetrain or environment controls, which allows us to concentrate on what we do best and provide clients with more effective solutions.”

“Being wholly focused on one market and anticipating it better has allowed us to move faster and deliver optimised software to customers,” he explains. “It was the right time to go it alone, and we were expecting a surge in demand.

Happily, what we’ve seen has exceeded those expectations,

Another aspect that VNC Automotive has been able to capitalise on is the need for a truly global standard for phone integration. The need for solutions that work in all markets, no matter

the phone, operating system or the in-country restrictions mean that its offering is fit and forget. “Increasingly people are personally invested in their phones, as they provide communication, entertainment and even health services. But, from a car manufacture perspective, it draws attention away from their brand identity and dilutes the appeal.

We provide a solution that will work in any market, to any industry standard.”

One of the areas the VNC Automotive team see car manufactures focusing on is rear passenger entertainment.

Away from clumsy aftermarket solutions, there’s strong interest in ensuring those in the back enjoy the journey with something that’s integrated into the rest of the car’s infotainment technology.

The development of those systems has the knock on benefit of preparing the ground for a future

with autonomous cars. “Allowing passengers to work, socialise, relax and even play a game is the holy grail of how we see the cars of the future – but we’re working on that now.”

However, Tom does see one industry trend of the last three years that may spell trouble in the future. The rush to adopt impressive features, like the larger touch screen, places additional strain on the already tight cost of building vehicles. This could lead some to resort to using consumer grade electronics, rather than the more robust automotive grade, in order to hit the right price point. “A car is quite a harsh environment to operate in, especially in terms of temperature fluctuations, vibration, moisture, etc., You also need to consider that the average life of vehicles bought today could be well in excess of ten years. We’ve already seen one brand issue a widescale recall of new cars down to a screen fault – but imagine if

cars three or four years old develop problems – who’s responsible for the cost of repair then and what happens to things like residual values.”

With so much experience in programming intuitive and effective systems, what opportunities does Tom and his team see beyond the world of cars. “We’re looking at a number of ideas at the moment and, while we’ll stay in transport sectors, but wider than just passenger vehicles – we’re already working on motorcycle projects, agricultural vehicle, emergency services and we expect to expand into other transport sectors such as aviation, buses and trains for example.

We’re also thinking about how we can integrate with other devices, outside of the vehicle’ in order to enrich the user experience, such as home IoT devices.”

For more information please visit: www.vncautomotive.com 23

Thermography for optimisation of installed wind turbines Due to the decreasing number of suitable locations for wind turbines and the increasing push towards renewable energy sources, new activities have been introduced to improve the efficiency of rotor blades for wind turbines.

The goal towards high efficiency is of great interest, because it has a direct impact on the achievable energy output of wind turbines and thus, on the profit of the operator. Of course, the rotor blades of modern wind turbines have an already optimised efficiency resulting from decades of aerodynamic research: their profiles are designed with supercomputers and optimised in wind tunnels. In their production new technologies are applied, which were first designed for the construction of high performance aircrafts.

The goal of these measures is to have maximum percentage as well as maximum controlling of laminar flow between the rotor surface and the surrounding air.

However, turbulent flows reduce the efficiency and therefore must be reduced to what is absolutely

necessary. In addition, there are many more factors that negatively affect the efficiency of wind power stations. It starts with alignment of the blades, leading edge contamination, erosion and damages to defective flow control add-ons, such as leading edge protection, vortex generators and zig-zag tape sections.

For several years now, thermography has been a valuable tool for investigating the boundary layer behaviour on air foils in order to aerodynamically optimise it.

It makes use of the fact that the heat transfer resistance of the boundary layer is significantly lower in turbulent flow than in laminar flow.

For example, if the surrounding air is colder than the rotor blade surface, a thermal pattern appears on the surface which indicates the state of the flow. Because the temperature on the turbulent flow region is colder than on the laminar low region, measuring this thermal pattern with a thermal imaging camera permits detecting the boundary layer condition in real-time.

Highly thermally sensitive highspeed infrared cameras with high

performance telephoto lenses are used to visualise the boundary layer condition of rotor blades in operation, in which the rotor blades and the measurement position are several hundred meters apart. These measurements deliver qualitative information regarding the transition location along the rotor blades, and allow comparisons between different operational states and conditions.

About the InfraTec ImageIR 8300 series A high-speed actively cooled highend infrared camera ImageIR® 8300 with an InSb-focal-plane array photon detector in the format (640 x 512) IR pixels and with a thermal resolution better than 20 mK is used together with a telephoto lens of 200 mm to acquire high resolution thermal images of rotor blades in operation. Due to extremely short integration times, only minor motion blurs occur during tip speeds of 75 m/s. We are offering demos of this exciting camera!

Email us now info@qd-uki.co.uk About Quantum Design UK & Ireland A leading distributor of high-tech instrumentation and consumables for scientific, academic and industrial research. Quantum Design UK & Ireland are part of the QDI Group. QDUKI’s success in distributing scientific products comes from more than 30 years’ experience in manufacturing and distributing its own industryleading materials characterisation systems. QDD-UKI are proud to represent InfraTec in the UK and Ireland. Visit: www.qd-uki.co.uk for more information.

24

Schaeffler and Siemens to cooperate on intelligent diagnostics for drive systems Together with Siemens Large Drives Applications, Schaeffler is advancing the digitisation of industry with a focus on customer benefits Digital service for automated bearing diagnostics from Schaeffler is now integrated into Siemens’ IIoT platform Sidrive IQ Bearing condition’s analysis results as part of overall motor health status support informed operation and maintenance decisions to reduce unplanned downtime.

Electric motors drive our core industrial processes, and the rolling bearing is their central mechanical component. The bearings experience all of the loads and stresses that occur in the electric motor. Therefore, bearing diagnostics provide a crucial indicator of the overall condition and reliability of a motor. In addition to developing a portfolio of condition monitoring solutions for operators, the automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler is also working with OEM customers such as Siemens on joint offerings to increase the availability of machinery and equipment.

“This partnership between Schaeffler and Siemens is based on a solid foundation of product knowledge and specific expertise.

Both companies are playing an instrumental role in driving digitalisation forward in the industry while keeping their entire focus on customer value,” adds Dr. Stefan Spindler, CEO Industrial of Schaeffler AG. Services seamlessly integrated in one platform The collaboration between Siemens and Schaeffler combines Sidrive IQ – the digital platform for drive systems and solutions from Siemens – with Schaeffler’s decades of experience and expertise in designing, manufacturing, and servicing bearings. Sidrive IQ integrates a number of functionalities into one seamless solution and augments drive systems with AI-based analytics and digital content. For the customer, this means the ability to make better decisions when it comes to operation, maintenance, and maintenance measures for drive systems.

New dimensions of collaboration in the industrial IoT The integration of Schaeffler’s analysis service for automated bearing diagnostics in Sidrive IQ makes it possible to determine the bearing condition with greater certainty and precision. “This cooperation and automated exchange of algorithm-based diagnostic data is one of the first of its kind in the industrial IoT. It’s a great example of a new dimension of cooperation among established technology companies,” says Hermann Kleinod, CEO of Siemens Large Drives Applications.

With the help of well-founded insights and specific information, operators can quickly determine whether the drive system can continue to operate or whether, in the event of impending damage, the bearing needs to be replaced immediately or can wait for the next maintenance interval. This reduces maintenance effort and cost, and most importantly, unplanned and costly downtimes can be prevented.

25

SICK’s world-first solid-state safety scanner boosts productivity for small autonomous vehicles SICK has launched the first multibeam safety scanner in the world to use safe, solid-state LiDAR technology to enable small autonomous vehicles and lineguided shuttle systems to operate more quickly and productively.

With the SICK scanGrid2, small transport vehicles like Automated Mobile Robots (AMRs) can operate safely at higher speeds and with higher payloads for a much lower cost-of ownership than has been previously possible using conventional safety laser scanners.

The SICK scanGrid2 is a Type 2 device (BS EN 61496-3) and can be used in safety functions up to SIL2 / PLd (BS EN ISO 13849), as well as for collision avoidance duties. Thanks to the safe, solid-state LiDAR technology of scanGrid2, switching to a safety sensor now offers a rapid return on investment for these smaller vehicles, with the first pilot installations showing productivity increases between 50 and 70%.

Rapid Return on Investment Dr Martin Kidman, SICK’s UK machine safety product manager explains: “Small shuttle systems are designed to be very simple and cost-effective materials handling assistants, so machinebuilders and

operators have often not been able to justify the economics of fitting conventional laser scanners to protect personnel in hazardous areas and avoid collisions. Instead, operators must limit the speed or the payload, or simply avoid using them in unfenced areas altogether.

“In the first pilots using the scanGrid2 on a small AMR, we were able to demonstrate that the maximum vehicle speed could be increased by about 75% from 0.4 m/s to 0.7 m/s. That represents a significant return on investment in terms of productivity and can justify removing barriers and fencing to improve materials handling flexibility and throughput for more efficient workflows.”

SICK engineers have designed the compact scanGrid2 to offer users everything they need for safe operation in a simple package, while ensuring rapid commissioning and maximum vehicle uptime. With a space-saving height of just 43 mm, the device can be retrofitted into existing vehicles, as well as designed into new machines.

Novel Solid-State Technology The SICK scanGrid2’s novel, inhouse developed solid-state LiDAR solution operates with no

moving parts using pure semiconductor technology, with several transmitters, receivers and specialist optics arranged in a semi-circular array in the machine. The scanGrid2 determines the distance to objects using the multibeam time-of-flight principle to scan a protective field of 150 degrees.

The SICK scanGrid2 safely detects objects of a variety of sizes within freely configurable protective field zones. It can evaluate multiple fields and can execute configurable monitoring cases.

A warning field zone extends up to four meters beyond the safe 1.1 metre working range for nonsafety actions. It is therefore ideal for safeguarding the main driving direction of small and guided AMRs as well as for side protection and safeguarding the reverse drive of mobile platforms.

Installation of the scanGrid2 is rapid using easily accessible interfaces on the front of the sensor housing. It is easy to configure and integrate using familiar and intuitive software tools, such as SICK’s Safety Designer.

Using the SICK Safety Assistant app, diagnostics and servicing can be performed on the sensor quickly and easily, including with a smartphone. Thanks to the addition of a Near Field Communication (NFC) interface, sensor configurations can be transferred wirelessly from one sensor to another using a cloning function within the app.

For more information please contact Andrea Hornby on 01727 831121 or email andrea.hornby@sick.co.uk.

26

Fluid Carrying

Flexibility Articulated Torsion Pipework In Hoses Rotating Cylinders

Swivel Joints Swivel joints allow pipework to pressure 1/4” to 40” and beyond.

Vacuum to over 20,000psi.

Stock and bespoke production.

Unique bearing/seal design for longer life.

ISO 9001 CE marked where applicable.

Tel:

Bingswood Trading Estate Whaley Bridge | High Peak | SK23 7LY | UK

+44(0)1663 735003

E-mail:

27

Latest News from the manufacturing Barometer More sales, more jobs and more investment predicted by SME manufacturers Confidence amongst SME manufacturers is at its highest level for two years according to the latest Manufacturing Barometer, carried out by SWMAS (the South West Manufacturing Advisory Service) and the Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP).

Nearly two thirds of firms are expecting to increase sales between now and October, with 58% indicating that they are planning to boost investment over the next six months as they look to the future. Out of nearly 300 firms questioned, 54% highlighted an increased need to recruit staff over the coming months.

This quarter’s Barometer took an in-depth look at how manufacturing SMEs are recovering from the pandemic and, encouragingly, 48% of respondents now expect to return to, or exceed, their pre-COVID-19 position within three months.

On the jobs front, although 80% of businesses have utilised the government’s furlough scheme at some point in the last year, only 37% are still using it today.

The report also reveals that new working practices are being implemented because of the pandemic. 42% of the business leaders questioned are now planning to offer their employees some level of remote working, up 28% from the number who were offering this before the pandemic began.

28

Nick Golding, Managing Director of SWMAS, commented: “There has been a lot of evidence recently about a stronger than expected recovery and the Manufacturing Barometer certainly reinforces this train of thought, with manufacturers showing increased confidence in future sales.

“Small to medium-sized manufacturers experienced a positive quarter’s trade between January and March, with 46% reporting an increase in sales, compared to 31% in the previous barometer.”

“Whilst COVID-19 has been challenging, it has accelerated new ways of working, some of which have proven to be more effective.”

He continued: “Over two fifths of manufacturers have said they will continue to offer some form of remote working going forward, which would have been unheard of fifteen months ago. These beneficial changes will offer employees more flexibility and, ultimately, a better work/life balance.

“Firms often cite that recruiting skilled staff can be a challenge.

With this in mind, it is vital that they understand the working practices offered by other employers across the sector to help them compete and attract the best talent.

“The intelligence within this quarter’s Manufacturing Barometer offers businesses a unique advantage in terms of supporting their future growth ambitions.”

Whilst the Chancellor heralded his ‘business-friendly’ budget earlier this year, less than a quarter of respondents feel that the measures introduced will aid recovery.

Nearly half of companies have said that they don’t think the budget will affect their recovery, which indicates that it may not be tailored to the needs of the manufacturing sector.

Martin Coats, Managing Director of MGP, went on to add: “SME manufacturers are definitely feeling confident about the future, but there will still be a lot of challenges to overcome, not least the availability and lead times of material. Government will need to consider future support to help the manufacturing industry navigate the coming months.

“In terms of digital infrastructure, nearly 60% of management teams believe what they already have in place is sufficient for their future plans, however, 20% recognise a need for support in this area, and this may become an issue for more businesses as the sector continues to adapt.”

He concluded: “15% of respondents have invested in IT Skills training to help their employees feel comfortable with this new way of working. In addition, almost a quarter of those questioned are planning to offer mental health awareness support/training to their workforce.

“This shows that manufacturers understand the impact COVID-19 may have had on employee welfare and are prepared to support their staff in this area.”

The latest Manufacturing Barometer covers trading activity in January, February, and March 2021, with responses collected between 12th and 23rd April.

To download the full report, please visit www.swmas.co.uk

29

New compact infrared imager Xi 410 Auto hotspot finder and motor focus enable optimal use The new compact infrared optris Xi 410 camera combines the benefits of infrared cameras and infrared thermometers. “Alongside the usual use of an IR camera with a PC and software, this camera also works fully autonomously as a smart, target-seeking pyrometer with analog/alarm output“ says Torsten Czech, Head of Marketing at Optris.

Auto hotspot finder – ideal for automated condition monitoring The Xi 410 has a fast ethernet interface and can conveniently be powered via PoE. This allows simple installation – even if the distance from the PC is large. The in- tegrated auto hotspot finder

30

function can be used to reliably measure moving objects without having to readjust the camera.

If the network connection is disrupted or there is a problem in the connected PC, the camera takes on the job fully autonomously and ensures a thorough, reliable alarm if a problem is detected. This feature makes the Xi 410 ideal for all safety-relevant applications in the fields of preventive fire safety and the condition monitoring of machines and equipment.

As well as the ethernet interface, the Xi 410 also has a USB 2.0 interface for the rapid configuration of important parameters as well as direct 0/420 mA analog output. An external process interface can be used to forward up to 9 freely definable measurement fields as analog outputs (choice of 0/4-20 mA or 0-10V)

or emit these as an alarm via a relay, which is ideal for use in the OEM sector.

Motor focus makes installation and application easier Like the other two models in the Xi Series, the Xi 410 is also equipped with a motor focus that allows convenient distance focusing via the free software program PIX Connect. The camera’s resolution is 382 x 240 pixels with an image frequency of 25 Hz. The Xi 410 is calibrated for temperature measurements from -20 to 900 °C. Custo- mers receive a ready-touse package, including mounting nuts, mounting brackets, software, ethernet and USB connection cable, for a very attractive price.

For more information please visit: www.optris.co.uk

31

What high-density, mission critical data centers should look for in a compact UPS Data center density and power requirements are going up. As a result, more and better backup power is needed. Many data centers, however, have only limited space available. A very compact and powerful uninterruptible power supply (UPS) can often remedy the situation. To choose the right one, small and mediumsized data centers must consider cooling, redundancy, efficiency, architectures, and more.

New applications such as highperformance computing and artificial intelligence are shaping the design and operation of small and medium-sized data centers.

As energy prices rise and budgets tighten, more efficient operation is necessary. One way to reduce costs, save space, and lower energy consumption is to put more IT resources into each rack.

32

But this creates challenges.

Additional UPS requirements can cause floor space constraints unless the density of the deployed UPS keeps pace with the new IT equipment it supports. Data center architecture also influences the capabilities a UPS system should offer. Consequently, choosing a backup power solution for highdensity applications requires consideration of the technologies in both the data center and the UPS. HPC, AI, and density Big data analytics, machine learning, and AI are forcing data center power infrastructure to adapt. High performance computing (HPC) platforms usually include GPUs and CPUs working in parallel to handle these new workloads. This can mean new racks full of high-end GPUs that excel at floating point calculations

for applications such as medical diagnostics. Per-rack density rises dramatically with HPC, up to 20-30 kW and more. Over 50% of respondents in the survey “The Infrastructure Imperative” conducted by 451 Research reported operating high-density HPC data center infrastructure.

Converged and hyperconverged infrastructure Converged infrastructure (CI) and hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) are two further trends we are seeing alongside—and in some cases in combination with—HPC. These architectures do not impact density so much but they have implications for the reliability required of a UPS system.

CI is usually seen as large rackscale platforms that merge compute, storage, and networking

as a complete solution. HCI, on the other hand, is available as 1U or 2U rack units that include a multi-core server and a local storage array.

The main architectural difference is that in CI, storage attaches directly to the physical server. HCI, in contrast, shares storage across all virtual machines (VMs).

As much as half of data centers are now using hyperconverged infrastructure. In these virtualized, high- density IT environments, a power outage can have a much wider impact than it would in a non-converged environment.

Consequently, the reliability of the UPS and features such as +1 redundancy operation are crucial in these scenarios.

Power as a major cause of downtime The most frequent cause of data center outages is power—by a considerable margin. A study by the Uptime Institute claims that 37% of outages are caused by power issues, while the next-most-frequent

cause (software and IT systems) is only to blame for 22% of such incidents.

One phenomenon that may be contributing to these outages is “creeping criticality”: this can occur when infrastructure silently crosses the threshold of criticality due to increasing resiliency needs while power infrastructure remains unchanged. Rising density caused by the gradual implementation of more HPC or HCI can produce this type of situation.

And data center downtime is costly: over 10% of recent incidents resulted in costs of over $1 million.

All the more reason to examine UPS requirements closely.

The right type of UPS for mission critical data The three major types of uninterruptible power systems available today are standby, line interactive, and online. The first two may involve limitations in the way

that they correct power quality anomalies from the supply such as long switchover times (25ms) in the event of an outage, which disqualifies them for most missioncritical applications in small and medium-sized data centers.

An online double conversion UPS such as the new 5-20kVA Amplon RT models from Delta, however, has no switchover time at all.

These devices take grid power, convert it to DC power to charge their batteries and then convert the power from the DC bus back to AC to power IT loads. The huge advantage here is that power is always already coming from the DC bus; if power from the grid is disrupted, no switchover is required.

The batteries also serve to buffer transients and any voltage drops, resulting in very clean power.

A UPS system that offers parallel operation can provide longer run times. Even more crucially, it ensures that power is still available

33

if one of the UPS units or battery strings in the configuration fails. It is often referred to as +1 redundancy when two UPS systems are running in parallel. Multiple UPS systems configured in parallel is known as an N+1 architecture, with N denoting the number of UPS systems required to handle the load and the +1 as backup in the event that one of the N units fails. A parallel UPS setup is highly beneficial for mission-critical applications in fields such as banking, manufacturing, and healthcare, where unexpected downtime can have serious repercussions.

Batteries are an essential component of any online UPS, but they also have a limited life. Battery maintenance and replacement is inevitable at some point. Lithiumion batteries, however, require less frequent maintenance, have a higher power density, and can easily provide twice the useful life of lead acid. That translates into needing to replace fewer batteries, which reduces costs — a key benefit for high-density data centers operating within tight cost constraints.

Bypass control lets the UPS be completely removed from the power distribution system. The ability to switch over to grid power and remove the UPS from the picture is critical in two cases: one, the UPS is defective, or two, it requires maintenance. A bypass allows the maintenance to take place with no disruption to the load. Without a bypass, the unfortunate situation can arise in which power from the grid is available, but the data center is offline because the downstream UPS is not functional.

34

Selecting the right vendor and product for high density Having a global organization such as Delta Electronics that can deliver and service the required number of UPS systems practically anywhere in the world is a crucial advantage for data center operators. The new Amplon RT Series 5-20kVA from Delta, for instance, is a line of online double-conversion UPS systems that provide a wealth of features for enhanced resiliency and classleading density thanks to their compact 2U form factor.

This is a very beneficial combination for companies facing increased power requirements due to rising per- rack densities and limited floor space. The unity power factor, high system efficiency, hot-swappable batteries, and parallel configurations the RT series features also help resolve issues arising from higher densities.

What’s more, the 5-20kVA is the first UPS on the market to offer lithiumion external battery cabinets as standard. You can even replace a single battery instead of the entire string, while the bypass keeps systems online.

Other applications will benefit from the new RT Series UPS systems as well; edge computing installations, for instance, also have limited space available and serve mission critical applications in the manufacturing and telecommunications industries.

Considering the power distribution box and maintenance bypass breaker are integrated into these units, a broad range of small-tomedium-sized facilities stand to benefit from their reliability and high efficiency.

Anritsu and HEAD acoustics extend their cooperation to support solution for 5G VoNR voice quality evaluation Anritsu Corporation is pleased to announce a new efficient solution integrated with a hardware platform from HEAD acoustics GmbH (Head Office: Herzogenrath, Germany) for evaluating the voice and audio quality of 5G VoNR devices. With this new development Anritsu and HEAD acoustics are now able to provide the complete solution together for Voice/Audio quality evaluation for all cellular technologies comprising of 5G SA VoNR, 5G NSA VoLTE, 4G VoLTE, 3G and 2G. Anritsu’s 5G Radio Communication Test Station MT8000A and SmartStudio NR software with its easy-to-use GUI to simulate a 5G communications environment, now supports HEAD acoustics’ labCORE hardware platform and ACQUA measurement analysis software.

This enables users with an effective and complete test environment for evaluating 5G VoNR quality of user devices. “It’s important for Anritsu to contribute to the performance measurement of the wireless devices as required to ensure confidence of the industry in the new technologies, like 5G VoNR.” Hiroyuki Kato, Director, Mobile Solutions Div., Anritsu Corporation, adds, “We’ve a long experience in Network Simulators & have the confidence of the leading chipsets and devices manufacturers; today,

our 5G simulator MT8000A and SmartStudio NR software, because of its performance, stability and ease of use is also able to contribute in the key area of VoNR audio quality testing with the help of the key collaboration with HEAD acoustics. “ “We are very proud that with the compatibility to the Anritsu solution, we can offer our customers another way to test and optimize the communication quality of 5G-enabled devices.” said Christian Schüring, sales manager Telecom at HEAD acoustics GmbH. Development Background A major increase in standalone (SA) mode testing requirements is anticipated as the world’s major communications operators roll-out commercial 5G NR services from 2021 using the SA-mode technology.

In contrast to the non-standalone (NSA) mode used in combination with 4G LTE at the start of 5G NR and supporting voice services using 4G called VoLTE, the 5G SA mode strengthens core networks and supporting VoNR technology but requires new methods for evaluating voice quality.

In addition, since 5G SA operates alongside existing 2G, 3G, and 4G networks, voice-quality evaluation methods for 5G SA mobiles must also support 2G to 5G.

Consequently, bringing products to market ahead of competitors requires making efficient progress in complex voice-quality testing.

Outline of Test Solution With its built-in easy-to-use GUI and versatile functions for changing parameters, Anritsu’s SmartStudio makes it easy to control measuring instruments without any complex settings and operations to simulate 2G to 5G base stations and core networks by functioning as an easy call box. Users can execute GUIbased terminal evaluation and performance tests without needing to create test scenarios. At voice and audio-quality evaluations, flexible setting of network conditions makes it easy to reproduce the evaluation environment, playing a key role in efficient analysis. Due to support for external control, users can configure an automated environment matching their test system. labCORE from HEAD acoustics is a modular hardware platform for high-accuracy voice and audio quality tests. It can measure digital and analog telecom and audio devices as well as transmission systems. Multipurpose applications support headset and headphone analysis, binaural analysis and equalization, VoIP reference and gateway functions on one platform.

Additionally, ACQUA also from HEAD acoustics is a voice and audioquality test and measurement software including multichannel signal generation and analyzer functions. Combining ACQUA with labCORE supports analysis of mobile components, finished products, and communication networks via synchronized digital inputs and outputs. International standards such as ITU, 3GPP, GCF, PTCRB, etc., are supported.

35

J2 Innovations releases upgrade to the industry-leading software platform for smart buildings and smart equipment Unique Dashboard Builder App gives OEMs, facility managers and end-users the freedom to create and operate dynamic dashboards for smart buildings, smart equipment and IoT BTL OWS (Operator Workstation) certification provides next level implementation of BACnet standard Update also brings Edge2Cloud technology updates, KNX IP connector and more Managing every aspect of building, equipment and IoT environments without complex engineering effort has reached the next level with the release of FIN Framework 5.1 - J2 Innovations’ latest upgrade of the industry leading software platform for smart building, smart equipment and IoT applications.

The latest release, to be released in beta shortly, with a full launch scheduled for Summer 2021, will feature a dashboard builder app that, for the first time, allows facility managers and end-users to create and manage their own dynamic visualizations of smart buildings, equipment and IoT devices in a smartphone friendly way and without the need for complex configurations.

Flexible and easy-to-use, a newly designed widget navigation system makes light work of connecting data feeds to system components for creating and monitoring complexbuilding scenarios. “Since its conception, FIN Framework has firmly established itself as one of the industry’s most innovative software platforms for smart building, smart equipment and IoT applications. The enhancements made in this latest revision elevate the platform into a new sphere of capabilities,” said Alex Rohweder,

36

CEO at J2 Innovations. “With FIN 5.1, you can deliver dynamic and interactive views of building and equipment data, accessible both through desktop and smartphone - and all that without the need for complex engineering. Dashboard widgets and functions can simply be added and removed to build a working picture of the building environment.”

Said Rohweder: “A building owner, facilities manager, systems integrator or end user can access their system to check floor plans, equipment health/status, temperature levels or any other parameters in a zone, floor or building, then make key decisions about how to manage that environment, all on-the-fly – in order to increase the energy, asset and service efficiency of the building.”

A new multi-instance architecture feature, called FIN Network, has also been incorporated into the 5.1 release. This enables easier management of multiple FIN instances. Previously, when working with floors on a site or locations, access could only be gained by logging into each FIN instance. The FIN Network tool stacks multiple FIN instances, local or remote, into a project tree where they can be accessed as a group to save time and resources.

FIN 5.1 is also BACnet BTL certified for OWS (Operator Workstation), now supporting greater visibility of BACnet properties and objects.

A new version of our KNX IP Connector enabling seamless integration with KNX devices completes the protocol upgrades.

Since the launch last year of the revolutionary Edge2Cloud

technology, which provides secure access to any FIN Framework project, J2 now brings a host of enhancements with 5.1. These include access tokens that allow other FIN or 3rd party IT and cloud applications to pull data from FIN instances remotely through Edge2Cloud, the ability to access dashboards directly from the Edge2Cloud interface, plus multi-language support. FIN is a software framework that provides integration, control, analysis, visualization, and connection, designed for OEM partners to customize and incorporate into their products or systems. FIN Framework is already used by a variety of system manufacturers worldwide, involved in BAS, HVAC, lighting, shading and IoT control in buildings.

FIN allows users to monitor, control and visualize all the operational and energy assets such as HVAC, lighting and security systems inside a building or buildings across numerous sites to optimize the comfort levels and energy efficiency.

Dashboards flag the status or health of assets as well as the maintenance requirements of all the connected devices, while trend monitoring, and utility metering are reported by the system. Plug & play features simplify the installation of any pre-configured hardware solutions. FIN Framework interfaces with BACnet, Modbus, KNX, OPC-UA, MQTT and further open and proprietary protocols for linking to almost any system.

Natively built for semantic tagging with support for the Project Haystack 4 open standard, FIN provides an intuitive user-experience with intelligent data-management, analytics and simplified workflows.

Find out more about the release at j2inn.com/fin5.1

Cobots enable effective high-mix, lowvolume production With increased competition, often on a global scale, manufacturers need to differentiate themselves by tailoring products more closely to customer demand. This, of course, carries with it an implicit reduction in batch sizes and has seen the rise of ‘high-mix, low- volume production. Cobots can enable manufacturers to effectively meet individual customer requirements with greater product variety in smaller batches. Oliver Giertz, Product Manager for Servo/ Motion and robotics for the EMEA region at Mitsubishi Electric, Factory Automation, explains how collaborative robots are helping manufacturers to increase flexibility, boost quality, and drive down operational costs.

While high-volume production, with its repetitive tasks, has seen increased adoption of traditional industrial robots, we have to think differently in a high-mix production environment where the programming and reconfiguration effort to change from one product to the next can impact on productivity.

In high-mix production, there might be several line changeovers needed in a given shift.

For many manufacturers, this has meant an increased reliance on manual labour. But that, in turn, increases operational costs when compared with high-volume production – and the greater the mix, the higher the emphasis on manual labour, and the greater the production cost for a given volume.

Further, high-mix, low volume (HMLV) production requires more stringent quality control processes to be put

in place, with the opportunity for production errors increasing as the batch sizes reduces.

At the same time, the levels of changeovers between different products can often become a bottleneck.

However, the new breed of collaborative robots (or cobots) is responding to the trend of HMLV production, delivering the required flexibility and the ability to reconfigure processes quickly as well as easily.

Improved flexibility, consistency and reliability Designed to assist human operators on the shop floor, cobots can take on simple, repetitive and physically strenuous tasks. This offers improved consistency and reliability in manufacturing while enabling humans to concentrate on more complex jobs. A cobot is also flexible and can quickly learn to adapt to a variety of tasks, from picking and placing to machine tending.

A key benefit of cobots is their ease of programming, enabling frequent redeployment and fast set-up without advanced robotic programming expertise. One recent development which can improve the ease and speed of configuration is hand-guided teaching, where the cobot arm is simply moved to the desired position and added to the operational sequence at the press of a button. This technology means that no complex programming is required, and it can also be combined with touch-screen graphical interfaces to implement more sophisticated operations.

A digital twin can also be used to enhance the speed of set-up and redeployment. Employing a digital representation of the physical cobot, including the virtual capability to evaluate performance, the digital twin can simulate cobot interaction to ensure that it can safely and predictably fulfil the desired task before deployment.

This ease of programming and redeployment is one of the main enablers of HMLV production and holds the key to reducing operational costs. At the same time, the increased accuracy of the latest cobots is an important contributor to improving quality in a high-mix environment. As an example, Mitsubishi Electric’s MELFA ASSISTA cobots can provide a repeat accuracy of ±0.03mm, making them ideal even for the most delicate and precise tasks.

By moving towards HMLV production, manufacturers are finding that they can differentiate themselves from their competitors, with the ability to tailor products to specific customer requirements, even in the smallest of batches.

Further, with the ability to quickly switch production to a different product, manufacturers can become more responsive to changes in the market, delivering an additional competitive advantage.

Cobots are proving a key enabler for high-mix automation while offering the maximum return on investment.

In an HMLV production environment, cobots drive up flexibility and reduce operational costs.

Further Information: www.eu3a.mitsubishielectric.com/fa/ 37

Stylus pen solutions provider EMRight Technology announces entry into the chromebook supply chain EMRight Technology, an affiliated company of ViewSonic, announced that it has been added to Google’s approved vendor list (AVL), thereby entering the Chromebook supply chain and the education market.

EMRight Technology, an affiliated company of ViewSonic, announced that it has been added to Google’s approved vendor list (AVL), thereby entering the Chromebook supply chain and the education market. As a worldwide leader in digital signature and pen display solutions, EMR continues to develop innovative high-end electromagnetic resonance and active capacitive stylus pens and has implemented its solutions into hospitals, banks, and telecom industries.

“EMRight is dedicated to creating customised solutions for different market segments and expanding the scope of applications by increasing compatibility with various operating systems, such as Mac OS and Chrome OS, and entering the international

ecosystem,” said Patrick Lai, Vice President at EMRight Technology.

“We are glad to set a new milestone by entering into the Chromebook supply chain. This shows that EMRight Technology’s solutions are widely recognised by the industry. We aim to use our solutions to further enhance learning experiences in the education market.”

EMRight Technology has always been proactive in establishing partnerships with other companies for product development and diverse applications. In 2017, it developed an active capacitive stylus pen, conforming with the Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP), and earned Windows HLK certification, and became part of Microsoft’s stylus pen ecosystem. In 2020, EMRight became a member of the

Universal Stylus Initiative (USI) led

by Intel and Google.

To create the best possible natural-feeling experience for users, EMRight has the highest standards for precise and smooth writing input. Its solutions include electromagnetic resonance stylus pens and modules, and active capacitive stylus pens. EMRight’s advanced stylus pen technology offers 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, a 266 points per second report rate, and a ±0.1 mm accuracy level. Users can create thin and precise lines with fine tips, which truly captures the pen or pencil- like feel. Furthermore, its palm rejecting sensing and tilt detection function offers a natural writing experience for note taking. It detects pressure levels seamlessly and responds to very light strokes, increasing durability.

The EMRight battery-free stylus pen active capacitive stylus series can be used on graphics tablets/ screens, drawing tablets, e-ink, e-paper, commercial tablets, and Google tablets; some of which are even anti-interference, antibacterial, waterproof and dustproof. Providing a wide selection of styli for professional creators, businesspeople, and students to choose from, allowing people from all walks of life to enjoy the convenience of touch input.

To find out more about ViewSonic, please visit www.viewsonic.com.

38

39

Augmented Reality helps Stannah bring virtual stairlifts to homes across the world Augmented Reality (AR) is helping prospective stairlift customers get a clearer picture than ever of how a stairlift might fit into their home thanks to an exciting new development from Stannah.

The global leader in lifting technology has tapped into the expertise of PTC® to develop Envisage, a second-generation app that can be used to bring a virtual stairlift into the home of a potential customer.

Sales Engineers can minimise the amount of time spent in the homes of people by using AR to quickly show exactly how the product will look, including curved and straight stairlifts, movements and positions and differences in upholstery fabrics.

The process takes just a few moments to complete and the customer can then be transported into the future to see the product set-up in the context of their home.

They can zoom in on specific features and will receive images they can send on to their family, who may not be present at the consultation, but could play a role in the decision-making.

It is the next stage in Stannah’s digital transformation journey, which has seen it use PTC’s Creo® and Windchill® technology to enhance its design and product lifecycle management.

“Augmented reality helps alleviate the hurdles of purchase and the questions that customers have. We can use AR to explain the product features and we can show the clear benefits for them rather than focusing on their challenges that led them here,” explained Ross Pascoe, Chief Technology and Design Officer at Stannah.

40

“We noticed that a lot of customers needed an additional tool to envisage how their purchase would look in their homes. This is where Augmented Reality and our strategic partnership with PTC came into its own.

“Our development team took twelve months to create Envisage, and our sales consultants are now using it when visiting clients, giving people a clear idea of how the stairlift will look whilst exploring which models are best suited to the environment.”

He continued: “We have been making use of AR technology for some time. However, we quickly realised when the pandemic struck that this technology could also help with social distancing and, importantly, minimise the time we spent in people’s homes.

“Envisage was recently launched and will be rolled-out across all of our UK and international teams, working in more than 46 countries across the world.”

Stannah has worked closely with PTC’s AR Centre of Excellence on the development of the Envisage app, tapping into its Vuforia® Engine software to unleash the full power of Augmented Reality.

Its markerless AR technology detects objects or characteristic points of a scene without any prior knowledge of the environment, allowing the company to simplify and streamline the process so the capture does not distract from the actual sales conversation.

The intuitive and easy-to-use format of the PTC Vuforia Engine technology also meant that the training of all engineers was completed in a matter of weeks.

Ross continued: “The long-term

relationship we have with PTC really accelerated our approach to this project. Its experts understand our business and how its technology portfolio can alleviate some of our pain points and this sparked a lot of digital conversations that has improved the functionality and speed of Envisage.

“A lot of people wouldn’t automatically associate a stairlift manufacturer with Augmented Reality when, in real life, the technology lends itself perfectly to protecting vulnerable people whilst still giving them another layer of confidence and engagement in the sales process.”

David Grammer, general manager for UKI for PTC, added his support: “AR is rapidly changing how we live our lives and is coming up with solutions to everyday issues.

“Stannah is passionate about embracing the digital thread and has already seen the operational and customer benefits of cutting-edge design capability and now Envisage. The latter is using Augmented Reality to improve lives and that is the most important thing.”

Stannah was founded by Joseph Stannah back in 1867, providing cranes and hoists for the docks of a developing London.

Today, the Andover-based business is still in fifth-generation family ownership and has a turnover in excess of £260m, employing over 2000 people and providing stairlifts, commercial passenger lifts, service lifts and goods lifts to a global customer base.

For more information about PTC please visit: www.ptc.com/en 41

Moxa launches wireless add-on module for MXview to overcome the Wi-Fi network management challenges Moxa, a leading provider of network infrastructure solutions, has released the MXview Wireless add-on module for our MXview industrial network management software. 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. In response to the transformation of the industrial environment and increasing number of Wi-Fi applications, the new MXview Wireless add-on module fulfills the different requirements of both static and dynamic wireless applications in smart manufacturing. With reliable network communications as a foundation and real-time network management from a single pane of glass, business owners can focus on improving operational efficiency and achieving maximum system uptime.

Visualize Wi-Fi Networks for Optimal Operational Efficiency Intelligent process control is a typical static wireless application in smart manufacturing where customers use Wi-Fi to establish the communication between the clients installed at production lines and the control center. However, an unstable wireless connection might lead to wrong decision-making due to incomplete on-site information or dropped connections, affecting optimal production processes. It’s often difficult to know the exact status of the Wi-Fi connection

42

and fix issues immediately the moment they occur. The MXview Wireless add-on module simplifies network management by allowing users to get detailed device information and performance indicator charts for individual AP and client devices from the device dashboard. “A major benefit of this module is that users can now view the wireless and wired network status from a single main control dashboard. This feature not only lets you quickly understand the network conditions of the factory, but also makes network management much easier.” says Lyra Li, product manager at Moxa.

Furthermore, users can monitor connectivity patterns and customize alert settings to immediately notify you of any problems. In turn, this allows engineers to perform onsite troubleshooting quickly and efficiently, ensuring maximum network availability.

Easy Troubleshooting for Maximum System Uptime In automated material handling (AMH) systems, the Wi-Fi connections

must be able to dynamically adapt to the constantly moving vehicles.

An unstable wireless signal could easily disrupt the operation of these systems. However, wireless connections are invisible and affected by a lot of different factors. The MXview Wireless addon features a dynamic topology view to let users see the status of wireless links and connection changes at a glance.

Moreover, since automated vehicles constantly roam between different APs around the facility, users can overlay the network topology on top of a floor map of the facility to easily locate the vehicle by just checking the client’s wireless connection. This helps save a great deal of time when trying to identify a malfunctioning client device. “The roaming playback function lets users review a client’s roaming history of the past 30 days to repeat an incident.

Users can leverage this function to find and address the root cause more efficiently, instead of having to consolidate and examine

individual device logs.” says Lyra.

Exclusively developed by Moxa, these two functions are specially designed to fulfill the growing requirements of automated factories, smart logistics, and other intelligent applications.

Leveraging our experience in wired network management with MXview, the newly released MXview Wireless add-on module was created to get the most out of your Wi-Fi applications.

To encourage everyone to experience the power of this industrial network management software, Moxa is also launching a special promotion program.

From now until December 31, 2021, users can fully enjoy the MXview Wireless add-on for free for one year by simply activating the MXview Wireless add-on module for MXview.

For more information about the product and details regarding this ongoing promotion, please visit the product page or the microsite at www.moxa.com/MXview.

43

Agriculture sector can boost drive-train reliability with NSK bearings Drive-train solutions for vehicles and machines in the agriculture industry must meet a variety of performance demands that typically centre on high torque and high loads. Bearings for transmissions, differentials and prop shafts must therefore offer the highest levels of reliability and service life. NSK, based on decades of experience in supplying bearings for automotive drive trains, has successfully transferred its knowledge and experience to applications in the agriculture industry, bringing a number of distinct advantages to OEMs and end users alike.

There are numerous emerging trends in the agriculture sector, which is now starting to follow the lead set by automotive. By way of example, there are growing calls for increased levels of downsizing to improve fuel economy, while EU legislation on CO2 emissions is constantly tightening. However, by sourcing bearings that offer attributes such as a high load rating and low-friction running, it is possible to meet these challenges head-on.

a failed bearing are little short of catastrophic. For the OEM, it could mean warranty call-outs and damage to professional reputation.

In drive trains, flaking occurs when bearing material fragments chip away from the smooth surface of the raceway or rolling elements due to rolling fatigue, subsequently creating regions with a coarse texture. This failure mechanism can result from a variety of sources, including excessive load and penetration by foreign matter.

Specific demands While experience in automotive is advantageous, there are a number of important differentiations when it comes to applications for the agriculture sector. Whereas road vehicles demand good acceleration/speed performance and travel on smooth surfaces, farm vehicles must cope with rugged terrain and carry/pull high loads, which means that high torque replaces high speed as the primary drive-train requirement.

Many pitfalls can arise if drive trains use poorly specified or incorrectly selected bearings. Common failures of transmission bearings include flaking, fretting, cage damage and creep, all of which have undesirable consequences.

With modern agriculture so dependent on high productivity through maximised vehicle uptime, the potential costs and lost operational hours due to

44

High-load bearings To overcome the potential for flaking, NSK solutions include HR series high-load bearings, which provide excellent performance in drive-train applications for the agriculture sector. Offering a higher load-carrying capacity and longer operating life not only prevents flaking, but adds value through its ability to support downsizing initiatives. HR series tapered roller bearings use conical rollers guided by a back-face rib on the cone.

These bearings are capable of taking high radial and axial loads in one direction as the rollers are larger in both size and number.

The HR series is also available as a deep-groove ball bearing, which offers 7-19% higher dynamic load rating and a 22-68% increase in ISO L10 life. To help counter the ingress of contamination, which is another common cause of flaking

in drive-train bearings, NSK’s TM series is proving popular. The seal is particularly effective in the transmission systems of vehicles for agriculture applications, where it can facilitate 2.5 times more service life than open bearings.

The innovative design of the seal lip structure prevents contaminants such as gear dust from entering, while simultaneously allowing the passage of lubricating oil. In addition, the sealed-in grease has a high affinity for transmission oil to aid initial lubrication. Poor or improper lubrication is yet another contributor to flaking.

State-of-the-art materials Further NSK solutions that are ideal for gearbox manufacturers serving the agriculture sector include NSKHPS spherical roller bearings and HST thrust ball bearings. The former use state-ofthe-art material technology that provides suitability for applications necessitating high loads.

In fact, as NSK’s highest load-rating spherical roller bearing (25% higher), it is possible to downsize in some applications.

HST high-reliability cage-equipped thrust bearings are specifically for applications in hydraulic static transmissions (HST), found commonly in machines/vehicles for the agriculture sector. The bearing provides twice the life of conventional thrust bearings,

thanks in part to the use of EP steel supported by a special heat treatment that resists subsurface fatigue of the inner and outer races.

Added value NSK not only offers an extensive range of proven products for drivetrain applications in the agriculture industry, but can provide addedvalue solutions for initiatives that include downsizing, lower friction and reduced CO2. Through innovations such as special materials, advanced heat treatment and innovative manufacturing processes, NSK has been benefitting the automotive sector with its expertise in transmission bearings for many decades, with growing numbers in agriculture also now gaining from this industry-proven resource.

About NSK Europe NSK Europe Ltd. is the European organisation of the Tokyo-based bearing manufacturer NSK, which was founded in Japan in 1916 and today employs nearly 31,000 people in its worldwide operations. The products and solutions provided by the industrial and automotive supplier can be found wherever things move.

In addition to nearly all types of rolling bearings, the company’s portfolio includes housed bearings, linear technology, wheel bearing units, transmission and engine bearings and steering systems. www.nskeurope.com

45

Two RapidTM pro wire bonders help filtronic meet a significant increase in demand for RF modules for 5G Inseto, a leading technical distributor of equipment and materials, has supplied two Kulicke & Soffa RAPIDTM Pro automatic wire bonders to designer and manufacturer of advanced RF communication solutions Filtronic. The two bonders are high speed and deliver high levels of repeatability, provided through real-time monitoring and diagnostics, and are helping Filtronic meet a six-fold increase in demand for its Orpheus E-band transceiver modules, used for 5G and other high data rate wireless applications, following an order from a major customer in the telecoms sector.

In addition to being used for the manufacture of Orpheus modules, the RAPID Pros are used on Filtronic’s next generation transceiver, Morpheus II, which is

46

both smaller and 50% lighter than the previous version, enabling class leading 10Gbps mmWave backhaul.

The RAPID Pros enable fast switch over, giving Filtronic the flexibility to also manufacture two Transmit Receive Modules for phased array radars for the aerospace and defence markets on the same production line.

Richard Smith, Product Engineering Manager of Filtronic, comments: “All three of our main lines are hybrid assemblies, with multiple MMICs and other components that require high precision wire bonding. The RAPID Pro bonders help us solve two major manufacture challenges. The first being that, at these high frequencies, bond wire lengths and shapes affect the EM characteristics. Being able to precisely program the bond shape and maintain it within and between

batches of a given product ensure consistent RF performance.

Accuracy and repeatability are musts. The second challenge is maintaining throughput and increasing capacity. Since bringing in the K&S bonders we’ve seen a massive improvement in speed, largely down to the modern vision systems, and it takes about a minute to process a module with hundreds of bonds.

Bond quality has also improved because Filtronic has far better control over bond parameters than before. Smith concludes: “Automated bond adhesion quality is consistently higher, thus reducing the need for manual intervention.

Combined with fast automated bonding, this results in an overall much higher production rate than before and we anticipate a return on investment in about three years”.

47

Eclipse Magnetics named as an official sponsor of the University of Wolverhampton Racing Team (UWR) Eclipse Magnetics is delighted to announce that it has become an official sponsor of the University of Wolverhampton Racing team (UWR).

As part of the University of Wolverhampton’s School of Engineering, UWR gives students the opportunity to design, manufacture, and race in a professional competitive motorsport environment. As a result, students gain valuable engineering experience, leading to motorsport and automotive jobs, as well as wider industry.

Involvement in UWR is open to all University of Wolverhampton students, and is a once in a lifetime opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in a fast-paced racing environment. It is a perfect example of the University’s commitment to producing graduates who can apply both theory and practice in the industry.

Dave Smith, Sales Director at Eclipse Magnetics said: “We are absolutely delighted to be named as an official sponsor of the University of Wolverhampton Racing team (UWR). This is a fantastic opportunity for us to engage with the future talent of engineering and manufacturing, capturing student’s imagination and interest in magnets and magnetic technologies as part of their wider University education.”

UWR is unique in Higher Education with the breadth of racing opportunities it offers to students from all engineering disciplines.

Overseen by a professional racing driver and motorsport engineers, students race a variety of cars including a Formula 3 Dallara

48

F308 in the F3 Cup and a Formula Student car which students design, build and drive every year in the IMechE Formula Student competition.

Dr Syed Hasan, Head of the School of Engineering said: “We are delighted to have Eclipse Magnetics on board as one of our 2021 season sponsors. It’s fantastic to be associated with such a high-profile name. As pioneers in magnetic technology, displaying the same innovative values as ourselves, their sponsorship provides more opportunities for our students to gain the vital handson experience that will benefit their future careers. The team are looking forward to working with Eclipse Magnetics through the course of the season.”

In 2021, UWR has become the factory works team of the Morgan Motor Company, developing their all-new Plus Four for racing in the coming season. This is an extraordinary demonstration of skill and temperament by the UWR team, as well as the faith shown in the student team by the prestigious classic car manufacturer.

The COVID pandemic has meant that many students in the 2021 team are experiencing live racing for the first time, but the hands-on, practical experience and peer-to-peer learning that drives UWR will ensure that every member of the team is fully prepared, whether they are supporting the single-seater racing of F3 Cup, the road-derived motorsport of Morgan or the engineering challenge of Formula Student.

UWR students gain a tremendous amount of industry experience from the team, but also from the guidance and input from sponsors.

Working with experts in the industry elevates their knowledge, expands their career aspirations, and helps the team perform better in the workshops and at the racing circuit.

For more information please visit: www.eclipsemagnetics.com

49