Features

Many small steps are helping reduce carbon emissions, but if we are to avoid catastrophic global warming giant leaps are urgently required. Torque measuring specialist Sensor Technology is helping one of the key green tech players develop and test technologies critical for a sustainable future.

Redeem Technologies is dedicated to creating a more sustainable future by developing and licensing advanced clean technologies in heat pumps, CO2 refrigeration, compressed air high speed drive/generation systems and  carbon capture.

Established in 2014, its founders recognised the urgent need for innovative clean technologies to replace traditional, unsustainable systems in heating, cooling, and carbon capture. Focussed on research and development, Redeem licenses its groundbreaking solutions, empowering third parties to develop eco-friendly products and services that address the pressing environmental challenges of our time.

Chief Technical Officer, Bernard Killingbeck is the driving force behind groundbreaking innovations of Redeem. He gives some background: “Refrigeration is critical to modern life, but it comes at a significant environmental cost. Accounting for 20% of global electricity consumption, refrigeration generates over twice the carbon emissions of shipping and aviation combined. As the demand for refrigeration continues to grow, it is crucial to develop more sustainable solutions. At Redeem Technologies, we’re committed to addressing this challenge by revolutionising refrigeration with energy-efficient, eco-friendly technology.”

Redeem’s technology reduces the energy input required for refrigeration by up to 30%, lowering operating costs, conserving natural resources and mitigating carbon emissions.

Its current focus is on applying new technology to heat pumps and CO2 transcritical refrigeration. It is also beginning to look at other fields such as carbon capture and storage and pneumatic propulsion.

“Importantly, our technology is designed to be scalable, making it suitable for a wide range of settings and industries,” says Bernard. “This allows our licensee partners to develop tailored solutions that meet the specific needs of their customers while maximising the environmental benefits.”

Unsurprisingly, Redeem’s headquarters at Hethel Engineering Centre, Norfolk is a hotbed of testing, testing and more testing. It uses bespoke test rig to put prototypes through long term evaluation, collecting and analysing vast quantities of data.

“We need our rigs to be simple to set up and run, plus the data collection must be reliable,” he explains. “Much of our research comes down to comparing torque inputs with speed, power or work done outputs. Discovering TorqSense from Sensor Technology has been a godsend, as it is easy to set up and totally dependable even on long-term tests. We now use TorqSense across the board on all drive systems laboratory trials.”

Sensor Technology specialises in torque measurement, offering two ranges of sensors: SGR which is based on a full four element strain gauge bridge and the ORT optical range. Both are available in a wide range of sizes and both are contactless rather than hard-wired solutions involving delicate and unreliable slip rings.

“In an intensive testing environment, the time saved from not having to set up slip rings for each test soon multiplies into a significant productivity gain,” notes Bernard, “while TorqSense’s steadfast data collection means every test produces a near-perfect data set.”

TorqSense is designed to meet both established user requirements. Notably, new units have the ability to accurately recording transient torque spikes, which tend to be important markers for test engineers as they often indicate developing problems that can be addressed early.

TorqSense units automatically compensate for any extraneous forces, such as bending moments, inadvertently applied to the sensor. They also offer high sensitivity, have a wide temperature tolerance, do not suffer the signal corruption associated with slip rings and hard wired solutions, and have a 400% mechanical overload capacity.

Bernard has also been delighted at the help and support offered by Sensor Technology. “They have been involved in the development of many technologies over the last 40 years, experience that has been invaluable to us as a start-up. Their expertise is never more than a phone call away and we know that nothing leaves Sensor Technology unless it is 100%.”

Jeremy Fish, CEO of Ardent Hire Solutions, comments: “We needed a partner with the expertise to achieve our vision, the agility to respond quickly to our commercial challenge and the infrastructure to provide exceptional technical support. PowTechnology has been an excellent choice on all counts!

“Ardent’s solutions are transformative, differentiated and vital for ensuring safety and productivity on projects involving our equipment. Fuel-IT smart fuel tanks are the UK’s most sophisticated tanks, enhancing our brand and reputation and our customers are delighted! I would have no hesitation in recommending PowTechnology as an IIoT development partner.”

The Task

Ardent Hire Solutions manages over 7000 assets via 10 UK depots. When tax rule changes meant only expensive white diesel could be used on construction sites, a theft issue arose. Ardent wanted to develop a smart fuel tank to monitor fuel usage and prevent abuse. Data had to be integrated into Ardent’s award-winning ‘Site Manager’ software, which tracks asset performance. 

The Solution

PowTechnology was recommended and selected for our technical expertise, agile development and ability to integrate the data. A proof of concept was delivered within 6 months. Site feedback led to functional and aesthetic refinements and the Fuel-IT roll-out took place inside 18 months. PowTechnology provided full installation and usage training.

The Result

This advanced PowTechnology IIoT solution helps Ardent differentiate their service. They help customers streamline operations, reduce costs, improve safety and increase sustainability. Customers can automate fuel ordering, plan fuel deliveries and avoid run-outs A big bonus is authorised dispersal, where users identify themselves and the asset being fuelled. Data identifies theft and fuel management and maintenance issues.

Summary

• Differentiated service & brand
• Fuel theft deterrent & detection
• Fuel run-outs eliminated
• Improved site productivity
• Maintenance issues identified

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What can PowTechnology do for you?

Please browse PowTechnology’s web site and get in touch with any queries you have or applications you would like to discuss. +44 1827 310 666 sales@PowTechnology.com or use this contact form.

The global semiconductor manufacturing capacities are continuously expanding. However, the production processes in this industry are complex and include more than 1,000 different steps. As a result, the development of production capacities is equally complicated and delicate. Thus, there is a need for technologies that can be rapidly implemented and adapted, while simultaneously enhancing production efficiency. A key technology here is machine vision. Its main advantage lies in the fact that in the high-precision manufacturing of semiconductors, the numerous necessary inspection and alignment processes can be automated and carried out with high precision. With its software products HALCON and MERLIC, the Munich-based company MVTec Software supplies the machine vision software which benefits the diverse process steps of semiconductor manufacturing.

Powerful machine vision technologies for semiconductor manufacturing

In nearly all semiconductor production scenarios, there is at least one step where the product is inspected for functional or cosmetic defects. In a highly automated production environment, quality inspection using machine vision offers numerous advantages over manual inspection: machine vision is much faster, delivers objective and reproducible results, and the quality of the inspection does not run the risk of degrading due to fatigue or the monotony of the task. Deep learning technologies like anomaly detection are also suitable for this purpose. For example, it allows automated surface inspection for detecting and segmenting defects.

When it comes to quality inspection, it is essential to inspect for both dimensional accuracy and defects. Machine vision allows for the measurement of edges with subpixel-accuracy, along lines or circle segments, in a few milliseconds. With 2D measurement it is also possible to inspect objects of a specific geometric shape. In addition, there are methods available for 3D measurement, including the use of disparity images, distance images, or the reconstruction of 3D surface coordinates by various methods.

Packaging: The last steps to the finished chip

Apart from quality inspection, finding and aligning wafers and chips is another application where machine vision can provide very effective support. This is where subpixel-accurate shape-based matching comes into play. The technology accurately and robustly detects objects in real time. This works even when objects are rotated, scaled, perspectively distorted, locally deformed, partially covered or outside the image. 

The added value offered by the technology is illustrated by the example of the packaging production step, where the chip is encapsulated in a plastic housing. The single dies are first inserted into the housing. After that, they are connected to the relevant contacts of the corresponding package in several steps. The exact positioning of dies within the package is a crucial step for enabling subsequent processing. For this purpose, shape-based matching methods are suitable. In practice, the model of a die is trained, for example via CAD data. By matching the training data with the original image, the die is located and its position in the plastic housing is calculated, enabling further processing. 

The listed production steps were selected as examples to illustrate the added value of machine vision. Moreover, as “the eye of semiconductor manufacturing”, the technology along the complete process chain. Especially in quality assurance and packaging, high-performance machine vision software makes a valuable contribution to efficient production.

PowTechnology’s Daniella Moss is celebrating ten years with the company! We asked her to say a few words:

“Ten years! It seems like a very long time …  and PowTechnology is a very different company from the ‘Powelectrics’ I joined!

“2013 was a momentous year … Andy Murray won Wimbledon, same sex marriage was legalised in the UK and Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United with a legacy of 38 trophies. Me starting at Powelectrics (as PowTechnology was) wasn’t quite on that scale for most people, but it has been a wonderful experience!

“After many years in industrial field sales, I joined initially to manage prospecting, project tracking and marketing activities. I created articles, brochures, case studies and presentation materials and organised seminars, exhibitions and reference site visits.

“Over time, that expanded to encompass web structure design, content creation and managing PowTechnology’s digital marketing. It’s a fascinating and extremely varied role … like going through the round window every day (for anyone that remembers Play School!).

“One day I’m writing a brochure on IIoT Solutions for the Chemical Industry, another I’m on a train, chatting about condition monitoring at a rail exhibition or writing a case study on how our tech helps the reintroduction of beavers!!

“I’ve been to exhibitions, conferences and training events across Europe. A particular favourite was attending the SPS IPC Drives in November 2018. It was held in Nuremburg. Apart from being a spectacular show, we got to see the magical Christmas markets, complete with the televised opening ceremony.

“My role has evolved and expanded and so has PowTechnology!! It is now virtually unrecognisable from the ‘Powelectrics’ I joined. We have rebranded, relocated, changed Management Team and developed our IIoT offering beyond recognition.

“There are familiar faces from ten years ago, lots of new faces and more on the way, across all departments and particularly in terms of our Digital Transformation Solutions Development Team.

“They have created a range of highly scalable, modular IIoT building blocks. That means that, in addition to off-the-shelf, ‘plug n play’ solutions, we are designing many more bespoke solutions. The modular nature of the technology makes us extremely agile so we can create customised solutions with minimal development costs, creating proofs of concept within a few months, where others may take years.

“This approach has recently earned us Industry Update magazine’s ‘Company of The Year’ award!

“It’s an exciting work environment and I get the opportunity to promote an ever-expanding range of applications, in a rapidly growing range of sectors.

“I love working within this talented, energetic PowTechnology team and it’s a huge pleasure to see it expanding and gelling.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues, customers and collaborators for making the last ten years such a wonderful and memorable experience!”

Dave Oakes, PowTechnology CEO added: “I’ve known Daniella for years and I respected her work ethic, professionalism and sales tenacity prior to her joining us.

“Her field sales experience has been an incredible asset in discovering, qualifying and tracking new projects. Many key accounts having been identified and developed as a result of her endeavours.

“Her creative energy has defined an enviable digital media presence for PowTechnology. Well done, Daniella!!

“We look forward to more of your innovation and tenacity in the next ten years!!”

As always, PowTechnology welcome your application enquiries and we will do our very best to offer a reliable, fit-to-purpose IIoT solutions together with user-friendly installation and outstanding technical support.

What can PowTechnology do for you?

Please browse PowTechnology’s web site and get in touch with any queries you have or applications you would like to discuss. +44 1827 310 666 sales@PowTechnology.com or use this contact form.

TT Electronics, a global provider of engineered technologies for performance-critical applications, breaks new ground with its Roxspur Measurement and Control product line’s first order of the Digital Pressure Gauge (DPG) series placed by global electronics distributor DigiKey. Digikey is an ideal partner for this product line as they share a strategic approach to the industrial automation industry.

Although TT Electronics and Digikey have a long-standing relationship across various product lines, this is the first stocking package placed for the TT Roxspur product line and the first of its kind within distribution.

“This is the first time we are taking this approach in making our product known to a wider range of potential customers,” said John Hatton, head of sales and business development at TT- Roxspur. “It fits well into DigiKey’s Industrial Automation initiative.”

The DPG series is available in battery-powered or loop-powered versions and is optimised for industrial machinery, heat treatment, power generation and water management applications. It features gauge or absolute pressure formats, can be used with gas or liquids up to 600 bar, and can be customised through its USB interface and dedicated software. The six-digit LCD display can be set up to display pressure in bar, PSI or the user’s own unit.

“DigiKey has been an authorised distributor for TT Electronics’ sensing product for many years,” said Claudia Patzak-Krueger, TT Electronics EMEA Sales Director. “Their goal of consistently meeting or exceeding their customer’s expectations makes DigiKey a strategic and valued partner of TT.”

This application looks at how Contrinex’s tiny Ø3mm inductive sensors, available from PLUS Automation, ensure a robot gripper can reliably pick up fragile silicon wafers without damaging them.

A photovoltaic cell manufacturing plant handles a large number of fragile silicon wafers using a high level of automation. One such automation is the use of compact two-finger robot edge-grippers to transport trays of silicon wafers between operations. To avoid impacts on the wafer’s surfaces, process engineers require reliable confirmation that the gripper’s jaws are fully open before the gripper descends to pick up a tray. 

Customer application

A typical photovoltaic solar panel consists of an array of 100+ silicon wafers, so their manufacturing involves handling and placing a very large number of thin and fragile silicon wafers. The high levels of cleanliness, high volumes and repetitive nature of the assembly lead to extensive, fast-moving automation.

In the panel assembly area, robotic systems handle the silicon wafers, position them on the panel, assemble and wire the panel and present it for automated testing. The silicon wafers are transported to the panel assembly area in trays which are picked up by compact two-finger robot edge-grippers. These grippers were prone to damaging the wafer’s surface if the gripper malfunctioned or was inaccurate.

Analysis showed that open/close errors accounted for a significant proportion of the gripper malfunctions which led to scrap being produced. The primary issue was that on occasion the jaws only partially opened causing the fingers to impact and damage the surface of the wafers. A cost-effective solution was therefore required to prevent the robot from attempting the pick operation if the jaws were not fully open.

Customer solution

Contrinex offers a very large choice of inductive sensors, perhaps the largest in the industry and at one end of the size criteria are their tiny Ø3mm inductive proximity sensors. Despite their diminutive size, they offer the high performance and reliability Contrinex is renowned for, with for example a 1mm sensing range, a V2A stainless-steel housing with an LED indicator, up to 3,000Hz switching and IO-Link connectivity included in a sensor which is only 22mm long.

Two of these inductive sensors are mounted above the two top faces of the gripper fingers to sense their presence when the jaws are in the fully open position. This verification of the jaws being open eliminates the risk of scrap being caused by partially open jaws impacting the wafers.

These miniature inductive sensors are popular with robot and gripper OEMs and system integrators because of their small size, high performance and reliability, which offers a fit-and-forget solution. Even including a 2m long robust PUR sheathed cable, the whole sensor weighs only 25 grams, with the cable contributing the majority of the weight. Therefore, fitting them to small grippers adds only a very small (Ø3mm x 22mm) sensor with a small additional mass.

Contrinex offers a variety of shapes and sizes of miniature inductive sensors, for example as small as Ø3mm, M4 and cubic 5x5mm.

Outdoor applications such as agricultural machinery or process plants require highly robust connection technology that can withstand extreme conditions such as submersion and high-pressure cleaning. HECs from binder are also resistant to chemicals, corrosion and UV light. In addition to power supply, in hybrid design, they can also ensure the signal connectivity of machine and plant components.

binder, a leading supplier of industrial circular connectors, presents the 696-series Harsh-Environment Connector (HEC) for outdoor use in extreme weather, dust, humidity, contact with liquids, extreme temperatures, or vibrations. The power connector was engineered for versatile power supply in both the low- and high-voltage segments under particularly harsh conditions. Its compact design supports the supply of equipment or assemblies, such as drive units, in confined spaces. In addition, the bayonet quick-locking mechanism, which can be closed or opened simply by pushing and turning, saves installation time. In hybrid design, power and simultaneous signal coupling is possible in a particularly efficient manner with one single mating.

The HEC’s target applications are plants in process industries, including chemical and non-contact food technology, conveyor systems, and machines in agriculture, construction, or mining and surface mining. To withstand the mechanical, chemical, and climatic impacts typical there, components of the 696 series – cable connectors and square panel mount parts – are also available with protective fittings. Thus, at the connector, the power interface meets the requirements of protection degree IP68 – and IP69K when mated. Thanks to the integrated sealing function, all wires placed in the protective fitting are protected according to IP67.

Background: protection degree as a measure of strength

According to the DIN EN 60529 and ISO 20653 standards, so-called IP codes (International Protection) indicate the resistance of connectors to environmental influences, which include in particular contact and the ingress of foreign particles and water. The protection degree of a connector is specified in terms of these IP codes, with the first digit referring to the ingress of solid particles such as dust and the second defining the protection degree against humidity and water.

The IP67 protection degree, as for the wires in the HEC’s protective fitting, represents protection against temporary submersion. IP69K indicates that the power connector itself is protected against exposure to water under high pressure. It is important to know that the protection degrees specified in connector data sheets generally apply only when the connector is mated.

Extraordinarily resilient

The 5- to 12-pin connectors are designed for rated voltages from 60 to 600 V and rated currents from 3 to 32 A. They work reliably at operating temperatures from -40 to +100 °C, are UV-, oil- and fuel-resistant as well as vibration-proof thanks to crimp connection. This non-detachable, solderless mechanical connection technology ensures a particularly tight fit of the wire to the terminating part of the contact.

Cable parts measure 36 mm in diameter, panel mount parts 40 mm x 40 mm. The 696-series components are both VDE-approved and UL-approved. Their mechanical strength is clearly reflected in the lifespan of the connectors, which reaches more than 1000 mating cycles in cases of the 5- and 8-pin connectors, and more than 500 mating cycles with the 12-pin parts.

Resolve Optics has launched a new 2/3-inch format motorised version of its popular Model 357 radiation tolerant zoom lens.

Purpose designed for use with colour 2/3 inch tube and CMOS cameras in high radiation environments, the Model 357-004 provides true HD quality images over an unrivalled 10x (12-120mm) zoom range.

Rob Watkinson, customer support manager at Resolve Optics commented “The Model 357-004 was developed to provide better HD colour images for the nuclear industry. Offering full motorised control of zoom, iris and focusing this robust lens is easily integrated with most nuclear cameras and sensors”.

He added “The Model 357-004 zoom lens uses specialised non browning glasses to produce clear sharp images free of the strong yellow tint that has traditionally been a limiting issue when using radiation tolerant lenses on colour sensors. The glass used in these lenses can withstand long-term exposure to radiation up to an accumulative dose of one hundred million RAD and temperatures up to 85°C without loss of transmission”.

Operating at f/3.6, the Model 357-004 zoom lens provides high image resolution and minimum geometric distortion from 400 to 770nm and can image objects from 1300mm to infinity. The 357-004 is a tracking zoom lens, meaning that once it has been set up, it will maintain focus throughout the entire zoom range.

For further information on the Model 357-004 motorised zoom lens please visit https://www.resolveoptics.com/radiation-resistant-lenses-2/ or contact Resolve Optics Ltd. on +44-1494-777100 / sales@resolveoptics.com.

For over 20 years, Resolve Optics has developed a customer centric approach to specialist lens design, development and supply. The company prides itself on nearly three decades of quickly translating each customer need into an optimised optical design, running projects successfully, and manufacturing production quantities of lenses or optical products on time, to the specified quality and target price.

Anritsu Corporation has released its New Radio RF Conformance Test System ME7873NR Lite Model supporting 5G Sub-6 GHz (FR1) TRx tests.

5G services primarily using FR1 are expanding gradually, especially in major advanced economies. As a result, demand for FR1 certification conformance tests is expected to increase. However, 5G conformance tests take longer because 5G NR supports flexible numerology with a wide range of frequencies and scheduling for diverse services, which requires a large number of test cases. Consequently, engineers face challenges in meeting development deadlines and obtaining prompt certification. One solution is the purchase of a new conformance test system, however this requires a large additional investment.

Anritsu’s extended ME7873NR Lite Model solves this problem by supporting more efficient testing without large extra costs.

Another key benefit of the distributed modular VNA solution is the MN25132A control module, which greatly simplifies installation. It acts as a junction for the cables and supplies power to the two MS46131A VNAs. There is no need to attach separate power supplies to the two VNA heads. The control module also interfaces the two VNAs to a laptop configured with ShockLine software.

Product Outline

The ME7873NR Lite Model is configured using only one MT8000A, unlike the conventional ME7873NR platform consisting of multiple test instruments. This simple configuration has the following key benefits for customers:

• Optimizes capital investment

Supports 5G FR1 TRx test cases at lower cost and with flexible upgrade path for required test case coverage.

1. Upgradeable to Lite Model from own MT8000A to support FR1 conformance test cases
2. Upgradeable from Lite Model to full ME7873NR model for full conformance test cases

• Reduces test times

Simplified hardware configuration reduces test times by about 20% compared to conventional platform.

• Same user experience

Keeping same user interface eliminates unfamiliarity for existing users.

• Supports 5G conformance test verification

In addition to conformance tests, automated regression tests, etc., support device verification.