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Kemo Limited and Engineering Scientific Instrumentation Group Ltd (ESIG) are pleased to announce the successful transfer of ownership of Kemo Limited to ESIG with immediate effect.

Kemo Ltd is a world leader in the manufacture and supply of high quality signal conditioning and filter solutions. Originally founded in 1965 the Company is proud to remain a British manufacturer and to provide an unrivalled level of technical application support for customers with all types of signal analysis issues. Products include electronic filters, charge amplifiers, IEPE/Voltage amplifiers, 4-20mA sensor conditioning as well as a wide range of other test instruments, sensor cables and mounting accessories.

The Kemo name has been synonymous with quality, precision and quality for more than 56 years, during which time it has had different ownership but has managed to continue its enviable reputation. The acquisition by ESIG provides the injection of new funding, ideas and management to take the business into a new phase of expansion and growth.

Neill Ovenden the CEO of ESIG and the new Managing Director of Kemo said of the acquisition…. ‘I am excited and privileged to be able to lead the new management of Kemo Limited, the strong global reputation of quality and high performance product gives us a great base for our planned growth.’

Kemo’s previous owner and Managing Director Robert Owens is staying with the business to take the lead with the Company’s technical product development and production.

The company will remain at its Dartford, UK current base but will add new staff and new products over the next 6 months, expanding its manufacturing capacity and its technical development capability.

For more details please contact our sales team sales@kemo.com +44(0) 1474 705168 or visit the new website www.kemo.com

Accurately measuring the usage of expensive industrial gases such as argon, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and helium, is easy with the new SD range of high-performance flow sensors from ifm electronic. And because they maintain high accuracy over their full measuring range, the new units also function as an invaluable aid to leakage detection. Typical applications include bottling and packaging machines in the food industry and welding, cutting or soldering processes in which protective gases are used.

An important benefit of the new monitors is that, in addition to flow rate, they measure flow quantity, pressure and temperature. In many applications, this means that they eliminate the need for additional sensors, saving money, minimising complexity and reducing the number of control system I/O channels needed.

The sensors feature an IO-Link interface which provides access to all measured values and which can also be used for parameterisation and for simulating the operation of the sensor before putting it into service. A colour display provides convenient local indication of the measured values, and the sensors also provide conventional analogue and switching outputs.

ifm electronic offers its SD flow sesnors for gas consumption measurement in two configurations. The first is for use with argon, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and air. To ensure maximum accuracy, it is pre-programmed with the characteristics of each of these gases and it can be supplied in versions to measure flow rates from 0.05 to 225 Nm³/h. The second configuration is specially adapted for use with helium and available in versions to measure flow rates from 0.05 to 10 Nm³/h.

All versions have excellent dynamic performance with a T09 response time of 0.5 s, and all can be used with media over the temperature range -10 to +60 ºC.

Advantageous under harsh, confined conditions: The short version of the binder M16 series 423 is ideal for use in particularly space-critical applications. The shieldable circular connectors with screw locking that meet the IP67 acquirements when mated are suitable for typical, interference-prone industrial environments.

binder, a leading supplier of industrial circular connectors, announces the launch of a short version of the 423 series: circular connectors in the M16 form factor with a length of approximately 47 mm. These are available as 2-pin to 19-pin variants and meet IP67 requirements when mated. The product launch concerns short, shieldable cable plugs and sockets, each with cable clamp, in both solder and crimp versions. Depending on the number of pins and connection type, the connectors are designed for wire gauges from 0.14 mm² (AWG 26) to 1.0 mm² (AWG 18). The rated values for voltage and current are specified as 32 V to 250 V and 3 A to 7 A, respectively. Cable outlets from 4.1 mm to 7.8 mm ensure variability in the application.

Developed for demanding test & measurement and automation tasks
Target applications for the 423-series short version primarily include applications in test & measurement as well as automation technology that are subject to limited installation conditions. In particular, precision instruments that have to deliver accurate measurement results in confined and noisy environments benefit on the one hand from the particularly compact design of the connectors. On the other hand, the possibility of electromagnetic shielding is essential to prevent interference signals from adjacent electronic circuitry from impairing the detection or transmission at the measuring device.

The declared aim of the product designers at binder was to develop the new M16 variants with as many standard parts as possible despite the specified degree of protection. In order to achieve IP67, they nevertheless needed to integrate an additional lathe part. “Through dedicated and precise development, we have succeeded in establishing the same quality in a smaller form factor,” Product Manager Sascha Doebel comments on the successful new development.

Background M16: From audio classic to 5G and Industrial IoT
Since its first applications in audio technology more than 50 years ago, the M16 form factor has proven itself in a wide range of applications: flexible thanks to various options for termination, assembly and mounting; primarily used for connecting sensors and other field devices in indoor applications.

At the time the first connector system ever produced by binder, the manufacturer has consistently developed the M16 form factor into an indispensable component of industrial automation. Driven by the industry-wide need for reliable, robust and cost-effective connection solutions with low contact resistance at up to 24 pins, this development has led to Industrial-IoT products that can now handle gigabit data rates and withstand extreme conditions in outdoor use.

5G mobile communications, for example, is one of the innovation-rich application areas for binder M16 connectors: here, AISG-compliant (Antenna Interface Standards Group) binder 423-series products are used to connect devices in the network operators’ antenna lines (Antenna Line Devices, ALDs). Initiated among other things by customer requests, binder is now launching a short version of this product series.

10 solder and 5 crimp male and female products – the characteristics
The shieldable short version of the M16 series 423 is available in 10 solder and 5 crimp male and female versions, corresponding to the different pin counts. They are all designed for more than 500 mating cycles.

The maximum wire gauges for solder products are rated at 0.75 mm² (AWG 18) for pin counts of 2 to 8; and 0.25 mm² (AWG 24) for 12-pin to 19-pin connectors. The rated voltages are 32 V or 150 V depending on the pin count, the rated impulse voltages 500 V or 1.500 V, respectively. The rated currents at 40 °C range from 3 A to 7 A. All solder products are equipped with brass contacts as well as bronze sockets and are specified for a temperature range from -30 °C to +95 °C. Housing and locking are made of nickel-plated brass.

The crimp products in the series are designed for wire gauges of 0.14 to 1.0 mm² or AWG 26 to AWG 18 (4 to 6 pins) and for 0.14 to 0.75 mm² or AWG 26 to AWG 20 (7 to 8 pins). The rated voltages are 32 V or 150 V, the rated impulse voltages are 500 V or 1500 V, and the rated currents are 5 A or 6 A, respectively. The temperature range for the connectors with crimp termination extends from -40 °C to +100 °C. As with the solder versions, the housing and locking are made of nickel-plated brass.

About binder
binder is a family-owned business that is shaped by traditional values. Based in Neckarsulm, Germany, it is one of the leading specialists in the area of circular connectors. binder has been synonymous with the highest quality since 1960. We work with 45 distribution partners on five continents and employ 1,800 staff worldwide. The binder group is comprised of the binder headquarters, 16 affiliated companies, two systems providers and an Innovation and Technology Centre.

Figure caption:

Proven quality in a smaller form factor: the short shieldable M16 variant of the 423 series. Photo: binder

Fields of application:

• Sensor and actuator technology, test & measurement, industrial controls
• Instrumentation in automation and process technology
• Harsh and noisy environments
• Installations optimized in terms of space, performance and cost

Features:

• Shieldable with cable clamp
• Pin count: 2 to 19, others on request
• Locking technology: screw lock
• Termination: solder, crimp
• Protection degree: IP67 (mated)
• Mechanical operation: > 500 mating cycles

Company address:
Franz Binder GmbH & Co.
Elektrische Bauelemente KG
Roetelstrasse 27
D-74172 Neckarsulm/Germany
Tel. +49 (0) 7132 325-0
Fax +49 (0) 7132 325-150
info@binder-connector.de
www.binder-connector.de

Press contact:
Patrick Heckler
Tel. +49 (0) 7132 325-448
E-Mail p.heckler@binder-connector.de

Nominations are now open for the 2022 Instrumentation Excellence Awards via the online portal: https://instrumentationawards.co.uk/

The inaugural Instrumentation Excellence Awards, brought to you by Datateam Business Media, the publishers of Instrumentation Monthly, will take place on 20 October 2022 at the Tower Hotel, London. The awards celebrate the very best professionals, products and companies from the test, measurement, sensing and control sectors so head over to the IEA portal now to find out more on how you can get your moment in the spotlight in October. Entering the Instrumentation Excellence Awards is quick, easy and completely free of charge – so there’s no need to delay!

Awards Categories

Product Categories:

• IIoT product of the year
• Test and Measurement Product of the Year (sponsored by IndySoft)
• Sensor Product of the Year
• Gas Detection Product of the Year
• Calibration Product of the Year
• Thermal Imaging and Vision Systems Product of the Year
• Flow, Level and Control Product of the Year
• Cables and Connectors Product of the Year
• Monitoring and Metering Product of the Year
• Cases and Enclosures Product of the Year
• DAQ Product of the Year
• Signal Conditioning Product of the Year

Business Categories:

• Distributor of the Year
• Manufacturer of the Year
• Digital Transformation Award (sponsored by ifm electronic)
• PR Agency of the Year Award
• Sustainability Award
• Excellence in Innovation

Individual:

• Industry Personality
• Rising Star Award

Sponsors announced

Two sponsors have already been announced for this year’s Instrumentation Excellence Awards.

Calibration expert IndySoft has been announced as the sponsor of the Test and Measurement Product of the Year category.

ifm electronic, specialist in measurement, control and sensors, has been announced as the sponsor of the Digital Transformation Award.

To find out more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Louise Tiller by emailing ltiller@datateam.co.uk or calling 01622 699104.

Enter now

To enter the 2022 Instrumentation Excellence Awards, please visit: https://instrumentationawards.co.uk/

A new era in bulk solids level sensing with VEGAPULS6X non-contact radar sensors.

With VEGAPULS 6X, VEGA “re-thinks” radar. The result: A new radar level sensor that can measure in virtually every conceivable bulk-solids application. The time when users had to choose their level instrument from a multitude of options are history.

Traditionally, the search for a suitable bulk solids level sensor begins by thinking about questions like: what solution would be best for my application? How can I ensure I choose the correct and most reliable device for a successful outcome for my project? Of course non-contact radar offers great answers for these questions.

The customer already knows their own applications, the details of product properties and process they want measured or controlled; temperature ranges involved, standards needed to be met and installation fittings that are available. But, until now, choosing a radar-based level instrument could be a laborious, time consuming and stressful task, matching these process details to myriad radar frequencies, model numbers, part numbers and options on offer.

Now this selection process is being simplified by VEGA. With its new VEGAPULS 6X: one device for all and a new selection and ordering method that is customer-application focused. Just enter the process and mechanical information and it enables complete, correct configuration and even pre-calibration of the specific sensor required – for any application, whether for liquids or bulk solids.

“Ultimately, it’s not the sensor that counts, but what the users can achieve with it in their individual processes,” says Florian Burgert, who, as a product manager, has been closely involved in product development from the very beginning. “Just knowing that they’ve chosen the best possible measurement solution and that they’ll reach their goal faster with it, makes a big difference in their everyday operations.”

Over 1 million radar instruments in use worldwide. The success story of today’s world market leader in radar level measurement began 30 years ago. In the meantime, VEGA’s sensors have optimized millions of industrial processes. The story includes milestones such as the world’s first two-wire radar instrument, the first dedicated bulk-solids radar and a world-leading 80-GHz non-contact radar for solids level measurement, which revolutionised radar level sensor performance for customers. Behind these successes are the many people who share a common passion: “At VEGA we don’t do a hundred different things, we concentrate on what we do best: Radar.”, says product manager Jürgen Skowaisa, speaking for all of them.

All-round protection

The new VEGAPULS 6X offers the best that is technically feasible today: a self-diagnosis system that immediately detects damage or interference, that ensures significantly high availability and safety, it also has new radar-chip technology, with expanded application possibilities, better than ever performance and simpler operation.

The radar features SIL certification, and compliance with the latest cyber-security standard IEC 62443-4-2, which meets the strict requirements for secure communication and access control.

The value lies in making it easier for users to select their device and monitor their industrial processes. The ultimate purpose of VEGAPULS 6X is just that – maximum simplification – one sensor that can handle virtually any application.

In the future, the customer will no longer have to worry about the technology, model numbers, frequency or instrument version. In many cases, all application-specific settings can be made in VEGAPULS 6X before it leaves the factory, so it’s just left for the user to install, connect, done: It doesn’t get any simpler.

More information available at www.vega.com/radar

Captions

With VEGAPULS 6X, VEGA has turned the traditional way of choosing an instrument inside out: There is now only one radar sensor – suitable for all applications.

The new radar level sensor VEGAPULS 6X is the result of 30 years of experience and over 1 million sensors in use worldwide.

SICK has launched The Monitoring Box, a simple system that enables plug-and-play condition monitoring and preventative maintenance of sensors, machines, processes and plants. The SICK Monitoring Box can be adapted for diverse individual operating requirements to provide live status feedback and historical analysis, supporting more effective maintenance and optimised efficiency.

With the SICK Monitoring Box, all kinds of industrial operations from manufacturing and logistics to ports, transport systems or waste management facilities, can begin to digitalise their processes on the road to Industry 4.0. Enabled by pre-configured Apps on a wide range of SICK sensors, the Monitoring Box provides transparent data monitoring through an intuitive, browser-based dashboard for desktop or mobile devices. Device data is processed via powerful IoT gateways to enable local data storage on a customer premises or via secure connection to the SICK cloud.

Simple and Adaptable

“The SICK Monitoring Box is so simple and adaptable that the opportunities for condition monitoring are limited only by your imagination,” says Neil Sandhu, SICK UK Product Manager for measurement and systems. “Bolt on the SICK Monitoring Box and transparent information about the health of your machines is just a few short steps away. Depending on your requirements, information such as operating hours, wear, temperature, energy usage or level of contamination, turns into a valuable resource.

“As a result, your machines and systems become more available and efficient. Unplanned maintenance time is reduced and operating staff can be deployed more efficiently to respond to any issues that occur. You will extend the operating life of machines through a better understanding of historical trends and patterns.”

Data at a Glance

To get started, a SICK service employee installs and activates the gateway, your devices are connected and data transmission begins. If preferred, customers can then choose to hand over their entire device monitoring to SICK service, not only of SICK sensors, but also of third-party devices where appropriate.

Simply log in and view all your devices at a glance with the AssetBrowser, search by device status using the AssetFilter, view incidents and graphical representations to identify historical patterns and trends. Use the Data Explorer and Event Log to review a record of alarms and notifications. Email alerts can be set up, e.g. to notify operators when values go under or over pre-determined limits, enabling a more speedy response to maintenance and servicing needs.

Thanks to the pre-defined monitoring SensorApps, additional sensors can be integrated into the SICK Monitoring Box without any programming knowledge. Once installed, greater transparency enables sensors and machines to be monitored remotely. Operating and process parameters can be easily visualised.

Robust Security

The SICK Monitoring Box offers a reliable system architecture, robust data security and password-protected access rights. SICK provides the corresponding IoT gateways for network-capable sensors and machines to ensure encrypted transmission of data, either to on-premises data storage, or off-premises on a secure server hosted by SICK in Germany. For customers choosing the SICK cloud solution, an encrypted connection between the SICK TDC-E gateway and SICK cloud is made via https. This secure connection is audited according to IEC 62443-4-2 (SL2).

For more information about the SICK Monitoring Box, please contact Andrea Hornby on 01727 831121 or email andrea.hornby@sick.co.uk.

www.sick.co.uk

Check out the QD-UKI new temperature products brochure, covering the Lake Shore Cryotronics Temperature Sensors, Temperature Controllers and Temperature Monitors.

“The range is so extensive, we thought it would be helpful to have the products all in one place in order to quickly compare them.”

What’s Included?

Cryogenic Temperature Sensors

Measure temperatures from <20 mK to over 1,500K

A wide selection of diodes, RTDs, thermocouples, and mounting packages are available

Cryogenic Temperature Controllers

Monitor & control temperatures from <300mK to over 1,500K – Choose from variety of sensor inputs, sensor excitation ranges, display features, and interfaces.

Cryogenic Temperature Monitors

​Monitor temperatures from 1.4 K to over 800K – Choose from one or eight standard inputs. USB, IEEE-488 and RS-232C interfaces, relays, and analog outputs available.

Who are Lake Shore Cryotronics and what is their relationship with Quantum Design UK and Ireland?

Leading researchers around the world trust Lake Shore Cryotronics for measurement and control solutions that drive the discovery and development of new materials for tomorrow’s technologies. In electronics, clean energy, nanotechnology, and many other applications, Lake Shore provides the products and systems needed for precise measurements over a broad range of temperature and magnetic field conditions.

Quantum Design UK and Ireland (QDUKI) offers components and systems used in materials science, imaging, spectroscopy, photonics, nanotechnology, and life science research. QDUKI, like Lake Shore, possesses a deep understanding of the needs of researchers exploring next-generation technologies.

The partnership between Lake Shore and QDUKI combines the knowledge and application expertise of two industry leaders in scientific measurement, characterisation, and test to deliver bestin-class solutions to the research community.

Quantum Design UK would love to chat with you about your applications and areas of research. If you would like to find out more, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our dedicated technical experts:

SHAYZ IKRAM – shayz@qd-uki.co.uk

SATYAM LADVA – satyam@qd-uki.co.uk

Visit our website www.qd-uki.co.uk to see our full range!

Kemo Limited and Engineering Scientific Instrumentation Group Ltd (ESIG) are pleased to announce the successful transfer of ownership of Kemo Limited to ESIG with immediate effect.

Kemo Ltd is a world leader in the manufacture and supply of high quality signal conditioning and filter solutions. Originally founded in 1965 the Company is proud to remain a British manufacturer and to provide an unrivalled level of technical application support for customers with all types of signal analysis issues. Products include electronic filters, charge amplifiers, IEPE/Voltage amplifiers, 4-20mA sensor conditioning as well as a wide range of other test instruments, sensor cables and mounting accessories.

The Kemo name has been synonymous with quality, precision and quality for more than 56 years, during which time it has had different ownership but has managed to continue its enviable reputation. The acquisition by ESIG provides the injection of new funding, ideas and management to take the business into a new phase of expansion and growth.

Neill Ovenden the CEO of ESIG and the new Managing Director of Kemo said of the acquisition…. ‘I am excited and privileged to be able to lead the new management of Kemo Limited, the strong global reputation of quality and high performance product gives us a great base for our planned growth.’ Kemo’s previous owner and Managing Director Robert Owens is staying with the business to take the lead with the Company’s technical product development and production.

The company will remain at its Dartford, UK current base but will add new staff and new products over the next 6 months, expanding its manufacturing capacity and its technical development capability.

For more details please contact our sales team sales@kemo.com +44(0) 1474 705168 or visit the new website www.kemo.com

Independent distributor Craft Data Ltd and their partner Beijing DWIN Technology, a developer and manufacturer of Embedded Smart TFT display modules further their commitment to building long term customer partnerships here in the UK by offering free development samples and direct technical support for both hardware and software by a dedicated team of engineers based directly in the factory. With DWIN’s extensive choice of smart displays, powerful development tools plus local and factory support we believe we can reduce your development times and enable you to build a very cost-effective HMI solution with the right display and a powerful graphical user interface. DWIN’s smart display modules and their dedicated support have helped many well-known worldwide brands within the industrial, medical, white goods and auto/aero markets develop their human machine interface solutions.

The Smart display range starts at a 1.5” 240×240 resolution size and goes up to a 21.5” 1920×1080 full HD resolution and encompasses all the key display sizes in-between including bar type or letterbox variants. DWIN’s direct partnership with the TFT display manufacturers allows them to guarantee their displays have a strong stable supply plus their close partnerships gives them the ability to bring new displays and display technology to the embedded systems market very quickly and competitively as part of their Smart Display range. The complete smart display range can be supplied both with and without touch functionality with both resistive and capacitive technologies being supported with a full custom touch cover plate and screen-printing service also available.

At the heart of the Smart Display range is DWIN’s own powerful T5L ASIC dual-core 8051 processor and DWIN’s own DGUS II development architecture which allows system designers to develop their graphical user interface (including touch functionality) using images, fonts and music files created in popular software like photoshop etc.. These can be quickly and simply imported into the Smart Display’s FLASH memory reducing the amount of development time usually associated in creating your dynamic GUI.

Many of the displays within the range utilize the IPS display technology producing wide viewing angles and an all-view viewing direction, this enables the displays to be used in both landscape and portrait orientations without the loss of image quality or colour change. All the displays feature both FLASH and RAM memory with the standard COB variants also including an expansion memory SD card slot, communication to peripheral devices is provided by integrated serial interfaces, TTL/RS232/RS485 and CAN plus a Wifi-10 interface is also available on some models. The standard operating temperature range is -20°C to +70°C, however with many applications now requiring operation in harsh environments we can also offer variants that have an ultra-wide operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C as well as high brightness daylight viewing options.

DWIN’s philosophy is to be always looking to the future so they can be ready to meet the demands of tomorrow’s OEMs. With the trend to make the next generation of product smaller and lighter, DWIN have developed their COF (chip on flex) range of smart modules. The chip-on-flex technology makes the chip-on-board PCB redundant as the display module’s FPC now also includes DWIN’s latest T5L0 ASIC dual-core 8051 processor as well as 8MB of FLASH memory delivering the same powerful performance as their COB counterparts but within a very compact package.

The majority of DWIN’s smart display range are supplied as a display component to be integrated into your own equipment enclosure or housing, however some display sizes can also be supplied within their own industrial enclosure which is designed to be dropped into a cut out in a face plate or fascia making them an ideal solution if you are designing an HMI for a large piece of machinery within an industrial environment.

For applications requiring something very specific that possibly a standard product will not meet the requirements of, please do speak to us as full and semi customisation is available across the complete range with volumes and costs maybe less than you think.

Contact Info

Craft Data Limited

Tel: 01296 332000

Email: sales@craftdata.co.uk

In Bitumen production, the journey from crude to highly refined process oil starts in the distillation column. The crude oil is pumped from storage tanks through a heat exchanger system where its temperature is increased to about 200°C – and then further heated in a furnace to around 300°C where it is partly vaporised before entering an Atmospheric Distillation Column (ADC).

In the ADC the physical separation of the components takes place. The lighter components rise to the top and the heaviest components fall to the bottom of the column. The material from the bottom then enters a Vacuum Distillation Column via another heat exchanger. This is where the bitumen is produced. Vacuum distillation helps to maintain the inherently high binding characteristics of crude due to the lower operating temperatures.

As an established supplier of process control instrumentation to the Bitumen industry, ABLE recommend the Drexelbrook IntelliPoint RF Admittance Point Switch for the critical high level alarm duties on the bitumen storage tanks. Spillages from these bitumen storage tanks as a result of overfilling have a high potential for serious injury, as bitumen is stored at high temperatures and has a large thermal capacity. Furthermore, the coating rejection capability of the IntelliPoint is key to the success of the measurement of this highly viscous medium. The subsequent reliable and repeatable performance of the IntelliPoint has allowed several Bitumen producers to raise the high alarm level set-point, thereby increasing the storage inventory of the vessels.

A Senior Maintenance & Project Engineer from a major Bitumen plant in northeast England, commented “We had been having a lot of issues with unreliable High level probes for some time and after some research and preliminary testing decided to use the Drexelbrook model RMT2 probes from ABLE. Along with the in house designed electrical panels we now have a more reliable probe with indication and controlled stop operations fed to/from the DCS that can be relied upon. We will be purchasing further units for our production vessels and chemical tanks in the near future.”

From April through to the end of September, the UK’s road resurfacing industry’s demands for Bitumen and its by-products soars as weather conditions become most suitable for the application of tarmac and emulsion. The plant in question’s core business is making bitumen emulsion and hot bitumen that has been modified either with polymers or oil to make harder wearing flexible products to satisfy specific requirements that are over and above straightforward bitumen. To capitalise on the changes taking place in the market and optimise its production assets, the plant went over to 24/7 production July 2007.