News

Mouser Electronics, Inc., the industry’s leading New Product Introduction (NPI) distributor with the widest selection of semiconductors and electronic components™, will be organizing a free workshop to help engineers developing IoT applications to accelerate their projects with secure IoT cloud deployment. Mouser has partnered with Würth Elektronik to hold a limited-space “Build A Secure Rapid IoT Application Connected To Microsoft Azure Cloud” workshop, which will take place in Munich on 8 November.

“IoT innovation is playing an active role in shaping today’s businesses and consumer trends, and Mouser is continuously working with leading suppliers to support design engineers from prototyping to production,” says Mark Patrick, Director Technical Content, EMEA at Mouser Electronics. “With this workshop, we are offering hands-on experience with the latest tools and technologies to help innovators jumpstart their IoT projects confidently.”

Participants attending the workshop will gain the skills to create a rapid end-to-end IoT solution with secure cloud connectivity to Microsoft Azure to empower IoT data utilisation. Attendees will receive practical advice from three experts in IoT hardware development, wireless connectivity, and secure IoT cloud deployment. Guest speakers include Rafik Mitry, Technical Marketing Engineer at Mouser Electronics, Adithya Madanahalli, IoT Engineer at Würth Elektronik eiSos and Chris Jones, Director of Applications at Crypto Quantique.

The speakers will demonstrate how IoT project development can be accelerated using the Calypso IoT design kit from Würth Elektronik. Participants will be provided with one of these powerful IoT design kits to use during the workshop and will be able to keep it as their own resource, giving them all the necessary tools and components for secure IoT development in the future.

The Calypso IoT design kit, available to order from Mouser, is ideal for prototyping sensor-to-cloud IoT applications, allowing the user to monitor temperature, absolute pressure, relative humidity and 3-axis acceleration. The Adafruit Feather-based board features the M0 Feather stacked with Calypso Wi-Fi FeatherWing, the Sensor FeatherWing, and the OLED FeatherWing. The kit also offers plug-and-play secure connectivity to Azure IoT Central.

As the workshop is a live event, attendance is limited to 50 participants. To register and find out more, visit: https://emea.info.mouser.com/wuerth-iotcloud-workshop/.

Enlighted, a leading property technology company owned by Siemens, has announced the expanded use of artificial intelligence (AI) in its Location Services solution, and the addition of two new partners to the Enlighted AI partner ecosystem.

Enlighted’s Location Services – a Real Time Location System (RTLS) – tracks the location and movement of assets and badges in buildings, using existing Enlighted intelligent lighting infrastructures. With the introduction of AI machine-learning models, the accuracy of finding assets and personnel badges is improved to greater than 98 percent, empowering businesses across industries to optimize their operations and better control inventory.

High levels of accuracy are especially critical in healthcare and manufacturing, where understanding exact location is essential for many critical use cases. The enhanced system reduces implementation costs dramatically via existing Bluetooth-enabled lighting control sensors. These AI capabilities build on the existing Enlighted Touchless Workplace solution, an AI-driven mobile app which allows occupants to control workplace temperature.

AI solutions Location Services (RTLS) and Touchless Workplace are part of the Siemens Xcelerator Marketplace, an open digital business platform to accelerate digital transformation.

“Sensors in smart buildings collect an enormous amount of data. AI-based applications are a transformative way for commercial buildings to maximize and use this data, optimizing efficiency while improving the occupant experience,” said Stefan Schwab, CEO of Enlighted. “These new capabilities and partnerships demonstrate that Enlighted is continuously innovating and expanding its offerings with the most advanced technology.”

The Addition of Two New AI Partners

DigiKey, a leading global commerce distributor offering the largest selection of technical components and automation products in stock for immediate shipment, announced the launch of its new MedTech Beyond video series.

Sponsored by NXP® Semiconductors and RECOM Power, the three-part video series dives into how medical devices are evolving and allowing for faster and more accurate diagnosis and treatment. From wearables to immersive tech and AI-powered innovations, the series explores how medical technology is creating opportunities to live longer, more fulfilling lives.

“As healthcare needs and technology both rapidly advance, DigiKey is proud to support the needed technology advancements,” said Josh Mickolio, supplier business development manager – wireless and IoT for DigiKey. “Medtech advancements are enhancing every aspect of healthcare and ultimately leading to longer, more fulfilling lives.”

“Our power supplies play a pivotal role in enabling cutting-edge medical devices to operate flawlessly, ensuring precision and reliability,” said Chris Wolf, president, RECOM Power. “At RECOM, we take pride in contributing to the advancement of medical technology, and we remain dedicated to powering a healthier and more connected world.”

“An important change in the medtech landscape is the ‘scale’ of care, as we see an increased need to manage healthcare in the home,” said Luca Difalco, senior vice president, global sales offerings for NXP Semiconductors. “Our technology enables the democratization of health monitoring and diagnostics while helping to ensure the security of the data and device. The ability to offer advanced quality, long product lifecycles and a wide portfolio of offerings positions NXP well to help advance the medtech industry.”

The first of three videos in the series, “Holistic Health,” is now live on DigiKey’s website, and investigates the evolution of tech-assisted personal wellness and patient care. Personal wellness tech is no longer limited to counting steps. A new generation of patient care and personalized medical devices are using the latest technology to provide a better patient experience and a more holistic look at daily health.

The second video, “Engineering Better Health Outcomes,” explores how innovation happens behind the scenes with industry leaders. Given the critical importance of patient safety and security, medical device engineers, designers and supply chains face more pressure than most.

The third and final video in the first season of the series, “Curing Tomorrow,” examines the big thinkers investigating the next medtech breakthrough. From AI-powered diagnostics to predictive analytics, investigate how today’s innovations are helping diagnose and treat the diseases of tomorrow.

To learn more about the video series and how DigiKey is supporting the rapidly evolving medtech sector, visit the DigiKey website.

Farnell is hosting a video series by Tektronix taking a deep dive into one of the most popular development boards from NXP, the LPCXpresso55S69.

The LPCXpresso55S69 is a powerful development board with an MCU based on the Arm Cortex M33 architecture. It features UART and SPI support, an audio subsystem, a built-in accelerometer, and a host of connectivity options providing expansion for your embedded projects.

Developed by Tektronix, the video series will explore the various signals that are typically measured during the development of electronic projects with a focus on the embedded, power and automotive sectors.

Across six episodes, the short films will provide insights on the latest test and measurement solutions, such as oscilloscopes, probing solutions, fast sampling high-resolution digital multimeters, source measuring units, and arbitrary function generators, to help viewers understand how to measure these signals effectively. In addition, a range of topics are covered including:

• Power consumption
• Power Rail noise and ripple
• Serial decode and trigger on a variety of buses
• Analyzing potential EMI
• Clock and signal integrity
• Audio sub-system performance

Lee Turner, Vice President, Product and Supplier Management at Farnell Global, said:  “We are thrilled to partner with Tektronix to offer this video series on the LPCXpresso55S69 development board. Through this, customers can learn from one of the industry’s leading experts about the features and capabilities of this powerful development board, as well as how to use the latest test and measurement solutions to analyse and optimise their designs.”

This video series is a must-watch for anyone interested in embedded systems development and testing. Check out the first two episodes at https://uk.farnell.com/tek-nxp-application?ICID=I-HP-LB-TEKTRONIX-NXP-APPLICATION-AUG-FY23-WF3358595, and please bookmark this page to be notified of the latest episode so you don’t miss out.

A dedicated carbon capture pilot plant will continue to train the net-zero workforce, and engineers and scientists of the future, after ABB and Imperial College London signed a 10-year contract to extend their successful partnership. The plant is the only one of its kind in an academic institution in the world.

More than 4,500 students have had hands-on experience of ABB’s technology solutions at the plant since it opened in 2012 at Imperial College, which is one of the world’s top ten universities with a reputation for excellence in science and engineering.

With the agreement, ABB aims to equip today’s students with the skills needed to run tomorrow’s industrial processes by demonstrating how the latest technology can help to optimize plant performance and safely manage emergency situations in real-life applications. The collaboration between ABB and Imperial College gives the university access to some of the most advanced control and instrumentation technology available from any manufacturer.

“Extending the partnership with Imperial College allows us to offer students practical training to prepare them for a career in industry,” said Simon Wynne, Head of Energy Industries, ABB UK & Ireland. “A report by EngineeringUK says that for the UK to meet emissions targets by 2050, there needs to be a workforce, with the right STEM backgrounds, ready to respond to the energy transition challenge.”

The plant, which is spread over four floors, uses ABB Ability™ System 800xA® for distributed process control and over 250 instruments, measuring temperature, pressure, carbon dioxide and flow. System 800xA automatically controls and coordinates all aspects of the plant process, which is then visualized on displays in the ABB Control Room where students can monitor and intervene if necessary.

ABB’s Ability™ Verification for measurement devices and new Ability™ SmartMaster verification and condition monitoring platform are also being used to equip students with the skills needed to optimize instrument performance through predictive maintenance.

“When we started the partnership with ABB, the aim was to encourage more people to go into and stay in chemical engineering,” said Dr Colin Hale, Senior Teaching Fellow at Imperial College London. “One of the ways to do this was to set up this carbon capture plant so we could enthuse students to follow through on the environmental topics they have learnt previously. ABB shares this collective vision.”

“During my time in the carbon capture pilot plant, I have actively participated in the operation of the process, gaining a deeper understanding of the development and application of the technology,” said Yiheng Shao, fourth year undergraduate student at Imperial College London. “This experience has also bolstered my confidence in the role of carbon capture in achieving net-zero goals.”

According to a report by S&P Global, carbon capture and storage (CCS) can help decarbonize industry, reduce emissions and reach net zero, while the Global CCS Institute says in 2022 there was a 44 percent increase in the number of CCS facilities around the world compared with the previous year.

To enable the commercial CCS market to scale, ABB is deploying technology solutions to lower the capital and operational investment costs and de-risk integration into existing and new operations. In March 2023 ABB joined forces with London-based Pace CCS to make the capture, transportation and storage of industrial carbon dioxide emissions more accessible. Key to this is using digital twin technology to provide a virtual replica of a real process to test scenarios and deliver proof of concept.

Earlier this year, the UK Government outlined its Powering Up Britain policy. This series of net-zero pledges, including £20 billion of funding to unlock private investment and jobs in CCS, aims to deliver an energy system with cleaner, more affordable energy sources.

ESI Technology Ltd, a leading innovator in the field of pressure measurement technology, has announced the launch of its brand-new website dedicated to pressure transducers and transmitters. This website represents a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to providing industry professionals with the latest information, products, and resources to meet their pressure measurement needs.

The new website, www.esi-tec.com, has been meticulously designed to offer a seamless and informative experience for engineers, scientists, technicians, and anyone seeking high-quality pressure transmitter solutions. It serves as a comprehensive hub for all things related to pressure measurement, with a focus on ESI’s world-class pressure transmitter offerings.

Key features of the new website:

✅ Product Showcase: Explore ESI’s cutting-edge pressure transmitters, designed to meet the most demanding applications across various industries. Detailed product descriptions, specifications, and high-resolution images make it easy for users to make informed choices.

✅ Interactive Tools: Improved search and filter functions help you find the right pressure transmitter for your specific needs, saving time and ensuring the right fit and use the ESI unit converter for all your pressure calculations.

✅ Custom Designs: For unique and specialised requirements, the new website features a section on custom pressure transmitter solutions. Learn how ESI can tailor its products to fit specific needs and applications.

✅ Global Contacts: Have direct access to ESI sales partners all over the world.

✅ Free Downloads: Download the ESI-USB software and the ESI pressure converter app.

✅ News and Updates: Stay informed about the latest developments, product releases, and company news through the company’s regularly updated news section.

✅Resource Centre: Use ESI resources to discover all you need to know about pressure measurement.

ESI Technology Ltd is committed to providing exceptional customer service, and this website is an extension of that commitment. It serves as a one-stop destination for professionals looking to optimise their pressure measurement processes with reliable, accurate, and durable pressure transmitters.

Paul Griffiths, Commercial Director said: “We are thrilled to launch our new website for pressure transmitters, offering an enhanced experience for our valued customers. This website reflects our dedication to innovation, quality, and serving our community of professionals. It is a testament to our continuous efforts to meet the evolving needs of industry experts.”

For more information, please visit www.esi-tec.com and explore the full range of offerings and resources available to you. If you have any enquiries or require further information, please contact ESI’s dedicated team through the provided contact forms on the website, give us a call on +44 (0)1978262255 or email sales@esi-tec.com

The OS series of large-diameter mirror mounts from Optical Surfaces Ltd. are proven to provide a secure platform for larger, high-precision flat, off-axis, and spherical mirrors in stability-critical applications. Manufactured in robust, black anodized aluminium, OS series mounts have traditionally been available in four standard sizes to accommodate mirrors up to 300mm, 400mm, 500mm and 550mm diameter.

The new OS350 and OS450 mounts provide researchers with a smaller and lighter stable mounting platform for mirrors between 300 – 400mm and 400 – 500mm diameter. No longer do you have to purchase the larger and heavier next size up!

All six OS series mounts make it possible to rapidly align a large diameter mirror within a few arc seconds. Each mount comes with a baseplate to facilitate rapid and simple mounting onto an optical table. Angular alignment of mounted mirrors is quickly and precisely achieved about the vertical and horizontal axes using dual-action adjusters with fine-screw and ultrafine differential micrometre action.

OS series mounts are supplied with adjustable feet to facilitate rapid and simple mounting onto an optical table. As an option – OS series mounts may be motorised to facilitate remote operation in hostile environments or for use in limited space applications where manual adjustment may be difficult.

For further information on the expanded range of OS series mounts please visit https://www.optisurf.com/index.php/products/product-6/mounts-and-mounted-optics-gimbal-d300/ or contact Optical Surfaces Ltd. on +44-208-668-6126 / sales@optisurf.com.

Hexagon’s Asset Lifecycle Intelligence division announces the launch of the CADWorx Electrical and Instrumentation Design Suite, the world’s richest set of design tools developed to address the challenges encountered in industrial manufacturing plants and in the electrical power, generation transmission and distribution (T&D) sectors. This suite is designed to optimize workflows, enhance collaboration and ensure the production of reliable deliverables.

This suite presents three key modules — CADWorx Electrical, CADWorx Instrumentation and CADWorx Raceway. These modules facilitate data-driven design and intelligent documentation, which also include piping, and structural solutions for a comprehensive set of tools that address the complete lifecycle needs of industrial projects.

Key highlights of the CADWorx Electrical and Instrumentation Design Suite include:

Effortless Intelligent 2D Schematic Creation 

CADWorx Electrical empowers engineers to automate the creation of schematics and generate comprehensive deliverables with ease as drafting and analysis modules. The user-friendly interface facilitates the generation of detailed reports and wiring diagrams, fast-tracking project completion. It features extensive symbol libraries and smart data integration, ensuring accuracy and reducing errors throughout the design journey.

Efficient Management of Instrumentation Data

CADWorx Instrumentation offers automated production of instrumentation documents and facilitates effortless management of instrument indexes, tag information and data sheets, simplifying tracking across all project phases. Intelligent data integration not only minimizes errors but also eradicates redundancies, guaranteeing timely and budget-friendly project completion, and boosting productivity for the project and teams.

Automated 3D Modeling and Cable Routing

CADWorx Raceway streamlines the design process with auto-routing capabilities, enabling designers to create 3D raceway models of cable trays, conduits, and more — quickly, accurately and intuitively. This tool immerses engineers in an accurate and visually rich 3D environment. It features smart routing and conflict detection to avoid clashes, conserve space, and simplify installation. The result is easier collaboration, lower costs and flawless project execution.

A unified suite enables seamless synchronization between 3D models and schematics, including wiring diagrams. It integrates smoothly with the CADWorx P&ID database, supporting two-way data links through Excel.

Building upon its partnership with Scada Systems Ltd, the Design Suite operates seamlessly on both AutoCAD and BricsCAD platforms, providing engineers with an enhanced level of accessibility and functionality.

Users can opt for either Microsoft Access or MS SQL Server to preserve data consistency and streamline change management, thereby nurturing precise design. These functionalities foster collaboration between teams, markedly improving accuracy and efficiency.

Wally Elarusi, CADWorx Product Owner, said, “Precise design in the industrial electrical and instrumentation sectors is vital for ensuring safety, promoting cost-effectiveness and achieving operational excellence. This approach directs businesses toward sustainable success. It is a testament to Hexagon’s commitment to developing fully integrated solutions that support various design stages and enhance collaboration.”

For a deeper dive into the functionalities and innovations packed in CADWorx 23 Plant Design Suite, Hexagon invites all to visit the product page.

RS has announced the launch of its new online search function, powered by Google artificial intelligence (AI).

This latest advancement means RS is leading the way with this type of technology in the industrial manufacturing space. The technology is set to make the lives of buyers in the manufacturing industry easier, particularly when trying to source products from such a broad offering that can often be technically specific based on application.

Group chief digital and innovation officer at RS Group and president of OKdo, Nicki Young, said: “We are really excited to introduce our new search platform which uses AI to help our customers have more accuracy and speed when shopping online with us, as capability and usability are critically important for them.

“RS transacts 64 per cent of its revenues through digital channels, and more than 70 per cent of our customer enquiries for products and components come through our on-site search capability. That is many millions of enquiries a month – most of which are unique. With customers making highly bespoke enquiries, this kind of big data processing allows us to improve the user experience significantly,” he added.

This AI-based search experience provides benefits to online shoppers including improved relevancy, the addition of search filters for faster results and predictive suggestions through autocomplete. 

RS has launched this function following a successful trial of the new search engine with a small customer base. The impressive results have led to a full rollout to UK customers with other markets to follow in the coming months.