Features

Sensor solutions specialist HENSOLDT will be showcasing its broad portfolio, which includes solutions for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, and sensors to improve safety and operational effectiveness. Visit HENSOLDT’s Stand No. SP-16 at DVD on 21-22 September, for more information on its latest technology offerings in Radar, Optronics, self-protection and C2 solutions for defence and security applications.

HENSOLDT will present advanced solutions for the armoured vehicle sector, such as MUSS – Multi-functional Self-protection System and SETAS – See Through Armour System.

SETAS is a key element of HENSOLDT’s land portfolio and is a high performance Local Situational Awareness System (LSAS) for armoured vehicles, such as armoured personnel carriers, reconnaissance vehicles, engineering support vehicles and main battle tanks. The system is designed to provide all the crew with a real time panoramic view of what is outside the vehicle. In addition to the system’s 360° coverage in azimuth, a high vertical field of view provides awareness of potential threats from above, such as those encountered when operating in urban environments. The system supports detection and identification of threats such as snipers or RPGs, so that when soldiers have to disembark, they know exactly what awaits them outside, which is extremely advantageous when operating in a contested environment.

HENSOLDT will also present its TRML-4D air defence and weapon location radar and its Twinvis passive radar, as well as its portable battlefield solutions SPEXER 360 and 600 radars, all of which are designed to provide excellent performance in all weather conditions.

A selection of boresights, weapon sights and other high-performance optics will also be showcased. 

HENSOLDT’s CxEye Command and Control (C2) Software will be featured as well. This modular system combines and integrates numerous sensors (radar, electro-optics, direction finders) and target neutralization effectors such as jammers and drone catchers. 

Rohan Dearlove, Business Development Director, said : “HENSOLDT exhibited at DVD 2018 and now that COVID has subsided, we are delighted to be back once more to participate in this prestigious event. Our UK footprint has expanded through the intervening years through investment in our UK facilities and SQEP, and we relish the opportunity to showcase best-in-class technologies relevant to the British Army’s current requirements and future programmes.”

Fluke, a global technology leader in the manufacture of compact, professional electronic test and measurement equipment, tools and software, will reveal a selection of new-to-market and rugged, handheld tools and approaches for energy efficiency, enhancing the adoption of cleantech technology and improving safety at this year’s Light + Building exhibition, held at Messe Frankfurt from October 2-6.

Light + Building is the world’s leading industry trade fair for lighting, design and intelligent building services technology solutions. During the five-day gathering of global industry leaders and stakeholders, Fluke will showcase its comprehensive range of sophisticated solutions across thermal and acoustic imaging, power quality and condition monitoring, and wiring system performance that enable installation professionals, electricians, civil engineers, and facility managers to safely detect and isolate faults.

Andreas Schuler, Electrical Sales Manager Germany at Fluke says: “Fluke is one of the leading global technology providers headquartered in Europe that specialises in helping small to medium sized businesses through to large blue-chip organisations to eliminate wasteful practices by becoming more energy efficient and safe. Fluke’s integrated solutions save customers time and money by combining industry-specific engineering with new technology to improve electrical and industrial installation, maintenance and service, precision measurement and quality control processes across many industries.”

Fluke’s Stand B11 in Hall 12 will also be showcasing products from Beha-Amprobe, a leading provider of quality testing tools for electricians and HVAC technicians working in residential, industrial and commercial environments, located in Germany. The company was acquired by Fluke Corporation in 2003.

Achieving energy efficiency

The company’s participation at Light + Building comes at a time of growing international and European initiatives to improve energy efficiency in buildings, which has a key role to play in achieving the European Green Deal’s ambitious goal of carbon-neutrality by 2050. Collectively, buildings are responsible for 40% of the European Union’s energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions, which mainly stem from construction, usage, renovation, and demolition, according to the European Commission. HVAC systems alone account for 38% of a building’s energy consumption, equivalent to 12% of final energy usage.

Fluke’s dedicated solutions address the detection of the most common sources of energy loss and wastage found in commercial and residential buildings, including poor building insulation, leaks and wear in HVAC systems, as well as the operation and maintenance of electrical appliances and building systems.

“Building and facility managers can struggle to accurately identify and isolate energy loss and measure efficiency improvements. However, Fluke’s easy-to-use tools for detection are designed to quickly and accurately identify faults so energy can be recovered and preserved for future use. In addition to this, our professional online tools and software solutions help companies to quantify the cost of leaks and other defects, prioritize them for repair and demonstrate return on investment,” said Mr Schuler.

“We are committed to improving the building, service and maintenance industries with our innovative product offering that aligns with European initiatives for sustainable infrastructure. We will continue to innovate and address the emerging needs of customers in response to the global shift towards sustainable development.”

Cleantech: Enhancing technology adoption

Cleantech technology relates to an approach to reduce the environmental impact of human activity through wasteful practices. Experts from Fluke will share their expertise and provide integrated solutions for renewable energy harvesting, electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS).

Fluke will be launching a new-to-market handheld tool used in the installation, commissioning, and routine maintenance testing of EVCS at Light + Building. The user-friendly tool is compatible with Fluke’s leading multifunction testers and can be paired with Fluke’s range of multimeters or scope meters for investigative troubleshooting.

“Testing of these high-power, live voltage electric systems is critical and must be completed every six to 12 months in accordance with strict international and European standards. The new safety features included in Fluke’s exciting new tool surpass other competitive products in the market,” commented Mr Schuler.

Safety: trust the experts

Fluke helps companies overcome the skills gap in the workforce with its range of easy-to-use handheld tools and software, designed for the fast, safe and efficient detection of electrical system, networking and industrial equipment faults.

As a leading provider of training programmes for installation and testing of electrical infrastructure in Germany and the United Kingdom, Fluke enforces safe workplaces through the provision of information about protective equipment, test tools and safety procedures based on Governmental and regional guidelines.

Fluke’s rugged handheld products have been rigorously tested to ensure safety in all forms of operation.

Get support

Fluke’s state-of-the-art range of testing and monitoring tools for building infrastructure, including electrical tools and network cable and appliance testers, as well as market-leading solutions for acoustic and thermal imaging, temperature measurement, calibration, and condition monitoring will be on display at Stand B11 in Hall 12 at Light + Building.

Endress+Hauser once again scored 76 out of a possible 100 points in the EcoVadis sustainability audit. The Group was thus able to maintain its top position from last year and continues to rank among the top percent of comparable companies.

With the total number of points, Endress+Hauser was also awarded platinum status for corporate social responsibility (CSR) in 2022. “Our sustainability journey naturally continues. Platinum status demonstrates that we are on the right path,” says Matthias Altendorf, CEO of the Endress+Hauser Group.

High sustainability targets

In order to satisfy the growing requirements of sustainability into the future, Endress+Hauser created the new position of Corporate Social Responsibility Officer, a role assumed by Julia Schempp in April of this year. She is responsible for overseeing the Group’s sustainability strategy and for driving concepts, initiatives and activities aimed at improvements in ecological, ethical and social areas. Plans are in place to define a Group-wide CO₂ target by the end of this year. Work is also underway to develop further CSR metrics for the entire Group.

Endress+Hauser achieved excellent results across all areas of the EcoVadis benchmark. “We value the feedback from the EcoVadis experts and take the recommended improvements outlined in the detailed evaluation very seriously,” says Julia Schempp. The report underscored highly positive sustainability performance in the areas of environmental and work standards and human rights. “We can maintain our position in the benchmark only through continuous improvements.”

Growing importance

Sustainability is increasingly becoming a business factor. “We receive CSR-related inquiries nearly every day from our customers and partners,” says Gerd Gritsch, Corporate Director Quality at Endress+Hauser, who adds: “Given that we help our customers to produce sustainably, we have to set a good example with our own business and production processes.”

The issue of sustainability is also of importance to growing numbers of employees. During the construction of a new office and production building in Reinach, Endress+Hauser focused on environmental and climate protection. The design included input and suggestions from employees who are part of a working group that searches for new approaches to sustainability. Among the ideas was the establishment of two bee colonies on the roof of the building. A hobby beekeeper, who is also an employee of Endress+Hauser, looks after the insects; the first batch of honey has already been harvested.

Endress+Hauser publishes detailed information regarding the EcoVadis sustainability audit on its website at www.endress.com/ecovadis.

Trescal, the global leader in calibration services, announced the acquisition of IKM Laboratorium, part of IKM Group, a leading supplier of the Norwegian energy sector. This acquisition represents 10M€ in sales and 70 employees. As part of the agreement, IKM Group and Trescal have entered into a long-term strategic partnership to continue exclusively serving IKM Group and its clients. Trescal also acquired Metrosenzor in Romania and signed the contract to acquire Metracal in Brazil, for whom final acquisition is expected on October 3^rd. Acquisitions since OMERS invested now total 45.

IKM Laboratorium’s acquisition allows Trescal to enter Norway in six locations and reinforce its existing presence in Scandinavia. IKM Laboratorium provides broad accredited calibration and maintenance services in ten domains, with particular expertise in pressure. Beyond their in-house operations, technicians can intervene directly on client offshore platforms.

Guillaume Caroit, Trescal CEO: “With the acquisition of IKM Laboratorium in Norway, we enter our 29^th country. Our ongoing partnership with IKM Group will foster further growth in the energy sector in Scandinavia.”

Metrosenzor, located in Constanta, allows Trescal to reach a critical size in Romania with 30 additional employees. Its laboratories are Renar accredited in mass and scale and add new capabilities in humidity analysis and liquid volume storage calibration. Dedicated food and beverage services include mobile teams calibrating weighing systems for agricultural containers directly on ships in port.

Located in Sao Paulo, Metracal is the authorized service provider for Fluke electrical products throughout Brazil. Its ten technicians provide accredited electrical calibration and repair services.

Fluke, a global technology leader in the manufacture of compact, professional electronic test and measurement tools and software, has today launched a new eBook describing the many benefits of using digitised acoustic leak detection technology for facility and maintenance managers.

Entitled Fluke leak detection tools – Guide to acoustic leak detection technology, the eBook showcases how customers can boost energy efficiency and productivity in process and manufacturing facilities using powerful handheld and online tools.

A major global food and beverage production plant located in Germany confirmed Fluke’s innovative technology for detecting leaks in air, gas and vacuum systems has “already produced enormous savings”. The Plant Energy Manager estimated an energy cost saving of between €120,000 and €150,000 per year could be achieved.

Eliminate wasted energy and reduce costs

Available for download in English and German, the exclusive eBook includes in-depth technical information and customer case studies which illustrate how acoustic imaging can transform plant efficiency through the fast identification of leaks in compressed gas systems, which have long been the cause of wasted energy and increased costs.

The eBook explains how the technology can be a game changer for factory managers seeking to meet an organisation’s energy efficiency and productivity goals. Maintenance teams used to rely on the archaic and time-consuming methods of listening out for leaks or using the soap and water technique to identify faults in compressed gas systems. Today, advanced leak detection tools from Fluke can achieve real-time results within minutes, eliminating the need for unscheduled downtime.

Mark Bakker, Field Application Engineer at Fluke said: “Leaks are wasteful and can cause factory owners to overcompensate by using compressors that are larger than they need to be, increasing capital expenditure as well as the amount of energy used in a facility. Leaks can also lead to production delays, avoidable downtime and quality issues as well as increased maintenance of factory equipment.”

“Not only can finding and fixing leaks save money, but it can remove the need to build additional capacity into existing systems. Every facility or maintenance engineer will benefit from the insights shared within our new eBook and develop a greater understanding of the most advanced leak detection tools available from Fluke.”

Fast and efficient leak detection

Some of the most common areas that problematic and costly leaks can occur include couplings, hoses, tubes, fittings, threaded pipe joints, quick disconnects, FLT (filter, regulator and lubricator) combinations, condensate traps, valves, flanges, packings, air lines and pneumatic holding tanks. One maintenance manager quoted in the eBook stated that leak-related downtime at their factory costs more than €98,000 an hour in lost productivity.

A series of in-depth technical articles are featured in the eBook covering how the digitisation of leak detection has finally caught up with high-tech processing and manufacturing, and how easy-to-use maintenance tools can deliver huge energy savings for factories while reducing their carbon footprint.

The eBook also showcases Fluke’s online return-on-investment (ROI) calculator that enables users to demonstrate the level of savings that can be made by quantifying leaks using the Fluke ii900 Industrial Acoustic Imager and Fluke ii910 Precision Acoustic Imager. These sophisticated devices use an array of ultra-sensitive microphones with a range of 2kHz to 52kHz to locate the source of the problem. Capable of pinpointing leaks in even the noisiest of factory environments, the acoustic imagers provide users with a visual SoundMap of leaks displayed as a video or still image on a large 7” LCD touchscreen. Reports can be easily generated along with conducting fast routine inspections by maintenance teams once leaks have been repaired.

The new Fluke leak detection tools – Guide to acoustic leak detection technology eBook is available for free download in English and German.

An affordable solution was required to unload bulk cargo from a shipping container and so an attachment for a forklift truck was developed by a material handling company. The attachment uses Contrinex’s uniquely robust ‘700 Series’ inductive sensors to detect the position of the forks, because of their vibration, impact and shock resistance, as well as their high performance.

Application

Shipping containers offer a low-cost way of moving goods and so to use them for transporting bulk cargo such as wood chips and biomass, a manufacturer of material handling systems developed an innovative unloading system for a forklift truck to tip the contents out of the top of the container.

The forklift attachment has two sets of forks, a lower pair which support the weight of the container as it is unloaded from a freight wagon or truck and another pair mounted vertically above the lower pair which lifts the container’s lid.

During emptying, the upper forks lift the lid a short distance before tilting it vertically, leaving the top of the container completely unobstructed. Once an inductive sensor has detected the lid is fully open, the lower forks then rotate about a horizontal axis, tilting the container end-over-end and tipping the contents out.

The aim to eliminate the cost of specialist handling equipment requires a solution that is as capable and reliable as the specialist machinery. Therefore, as the sensor is a key element of the system, it must be robust and reliable. An extended sensing distance is also desirable to be able to mount the sensor as far away as possible from the risk of mechanical damage.

Solution

Contrinex’s innovative 700-Series inductive sensors, available from PLUS Automation, are robust, reliable and offer extended sensing distances. The body of the M30-diameter sensor is machined from a single piece of stainless steel and its unique resistance to damage from impact, abrasion and vibration makes it ideal for this mechanically demanding environment. A 20mm sensing distance enables it to be mounted away from the forks it is sensing, eliminating any possibility of damage from accidental collision with the forks.

A metal bracket is mounted externally on the actuating mechanism for the upper forks. The embeddable sensor is not influenced by the large amount of metal surrounding it and detects the position of the actuating arm as it drives the fork into the vertical position. The one-piece, AISI 303/V2A stainless-steel housing and sensing face are corrosion-resistant and impervious to water ingress, being IP68 and IP69K-rated.

The sensor connects to the forklift’s lower-fork tilt-control systems via a flexible PUR-sheathed cable. A sealed cable entry ensures fit-and-forget capability during extended periods of operation in an outdoor environment.

The ‘700 Series’ inductive sensors detects the vertical position of the forklift’s upper forks effectively and repeatably, ensuring the safe, reliable operation of the unloading system. Contrinex inductive sensors deliver a cost-effective solution that meets the customer’s requirements for extreme robustness and extended sensing distance.

Following Brexit, Exeter-based electronics specialist Mantracourt will expand its operations by establishing a Dutch subsidiary to support the needs of its European customers. The company continues to manufacture from its Devon factory but will import products into the EU via its subsidiary, absorbing the time and cost associated with lengthy liability paperwork.

Mantracourt Electronics, which is headquartered in the UK, specialises in cost-effective test and measurement products for a variety of industry segments, like automotive, construction, industrial processing and civil engineering. European customers in these sectors will soon be able to buy from Mantracourt through a local distribution presence, reducing the time and costs associated with new import protocols.

“By incorporating a Dutch subsidiary, we can hold stock in the Netherlands and take on the importer’s liabilities that many of our European customers face,” explains Robert Badcock, managing director of Mantracourt. “Before Brexit, there was no import paperwork, product liability or duty incumbent to the purchaser. However, now the product liability that is inherent to the manufacturer, such as VAT and duties costs, is also passed on to the purchaser.

“To add to the complexity, these liabilities are different for each of the 27 EU member states, who all have different import laws on payable VAT. Due to the additional admin costs associated with buying British, European electronics customers face delays in receiving their orders, and suffer economically as a result. Our Dutch entity will enable customers on the continent to receive their order quickly, ensuring their own operations can run as smoothly as possible.”

Mantracourt is a previous recipient of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade and, as part of its strategy to streamline product imports into Europe, recently hired a new sales and marketing manager, Matthew Youngs. Youngs previously worked as export manager for a company in the tool and machinery industry and is well placed to offer the necessary support to Mantracourt’s European customers.

With this Dutch subsidiary, the process of purchasing from a British manufacturer will be made easy, efficient and cost-effective. It will also give the company an avenue to expand business and increase company visibility across the continent, something Youngs will be responsible for overseeing in his new role.

For more information on Mantracourt’s product range, visit the website at www.mantracourt.com, or contact the sales and support office on +44 (0) 1395 232 020.

To meet the needs of process industry customers throughout the country, Electroserv has launched a new service hub, which comprises a wet flow calibration rig and electrical, temperature and pressure calibration facilities, as well as meeting and office space.    

The new facility is Electroserv’s second dedicated calibration centre in the UK. Simon Fisher, Electroserv Managing Director commented: “The new hub houses our flagship flowrig which is part of our collaboration with Endress+Hauser. The flagship rig is the most accurate calibration system in the UK, and the state-of-the-art facility will ensure compliance with marginal process interruption for our customers.  

“We’re committed to integrating sustainable, agile processes to our operations. Expanding into the south of England will mean our customers’ instruments will spend less time in transit, and therefore reduce the amount of travel and ultimately the associated carbon footprint.”  

Simon continued: “In just half an hour, instruments can be fitted, tested and removed. The system is also fully programmable to accommodate the vast range of requirements our customers expect from a flagship facility,” which includes:  

• Flowmeter sizes up to 3-inch diameter    
• Flow rates from 0.001m3/hr to 80m3/hr   
• Measurement uncertainty of ±0.1% o.r.   
• Pressure ranges from -1bar to 100bar   
• Temperature ranges from -30oC to 1600oC   
• UKAS accreditation to ISO 17025               
• Certificate of calibration supplied   

The Bramley calibration facility has also provided opportunities for employment in Basingstoke and beyond, with 6 jobs created, covering a variety of roles including technicians, engineers, marketing and sales.  

For more information about calibration and service at the new Bramley facility, call Electroserv on 01256 961772, or visit www.electroserv.co.uk/calibration 

Heilind Electronics Europe, a leading global distributor of connectors and electromechanical components, is to open a new state-of-the-art distribution centre early in September 2022 in Upper Silesia, Poland.

Heilind has made the investment with a firm strategy to further strengthen and grow its supply chain capabilities. By adding this new warehouse and office complex to its existing infrastructure, Heilind is better able to support growing market requirements, especially across Poland, bordering Czechia and Slovakia, as well as Hungary and Romania.

Located at Poland’s industrial heartland in Mysłowice, the new structure spans 4,000 sq. m. It is inaugurated as a response to increasing customer demand across various industries such as commercial electronics, mil/aero, transport and mechanical.

CEO for Heilind Electronics Europe, Robert Clapp, said: “This distribution centre is a testimony to Heilind’s commitment to our customers and is a major milestone for us.

“We all know distribution is a fast-paced world. The need for availability, short lead times and agility in the market is higher than ever before. So, whilst we have designed a distribution centre to meet our customers’ needs, the new facility will be more than just a warehouse space: it will also boast a showroom where our customers can meet with our suppliers and industry specialists to find out more about our technologies.

“We remain committed to delivering quality electromechanical components adapted to rapidly developing technologies. Heilind associates with over 150 suppliers from around the world, including TE Connectivity, Molex, Amphenol and PennEngineering and we are constantly widening our portfolio. We have recently established cooperations with world-class military connectors manufacturers and engineered access solutions providers Cambion, ITT Cannon and Southco.”

The official opening is planned for 12 September 2022.