Red Lion Controls (York, PA) introduced the PM-50 graphical panel meter available as a 3.5" or 4.3" graphical touchscreen display. Using swipe technology, users can switch between relevant screens and receive operational data for monitoring equipment and production. Visual alerts notify the user that immediate action is necessary, either on the unit itself or via an app. The panel offers built-in Wi-Fi connectivity for users to remotely access workflow and process data. Wired connectivity is optional via Ethernet and Modbus. The panel meter can replace a meter with a 1/8 or 1/16 DIN panel cutout. An on-device programming wizard, mobile app, or web browser provides intuitive setup. Additional capability is available with field-installable modules to provide outputs, communications, and AC power functionality when needed.

COMSOL Inc. (Burlington, MA) provider of software solutions for multiphysics modeling has released version 6.0 of their COMSOL Multiphysics® software. The release introduces the Model Manager, a new workspace in COMSOL Multiphysics that enables efficient simulation data management and collaboration. Also introduced with version 6.0 is the Uncertainty Quantification Module, a new add-on product to COMSOL Multiphysics that uses probabilistic design methods to quantify uncertainty in analyses and predetermined safety margins. Version 6.0 further brings faster solvers with performance speedup by a factor of 10 in areas such as heat radiation and models subjected to nonlinear structural material behavior, and adds powerful tools for electromagnetics analysis of printed circuit board (PCB) design.

Instron (Norwood, MA) has announced its 3400 and 6800 Series high-force universal testing systems, available in force capacities ranging up to 300 kN. Reduction in debris ingress has been achieved through gasketing and a patent-pending airflow design. The frames have been fortified against shock and vibration, allowing for continuous testing at the maximum rated frame capacity and have an abrasion-resistant coating on the 12-mm metal work surface for durability. They incorporate maintenance-free brushless AC servomotors, supporting continuous cyclic, creep, and relaxation testing for up to 10 days. The 3400 Series provides a data acquisition rate up to 1000 Hz and the 6800 Series increases the data acquisition rate up to 5000 Hz.

AdaCore (New York, NY) is announcing the release of its new GNAT Dynamic Analysis Suite — a bundle of analysis, testing, verification, and code coverage technologies to help Ada developers build safe, secure software as well as to meet internal security and quality procedures. The suite includes a test automated test-harness generator for Ada, coverage tool that analyzes and reports Ada and C program coverage, sound analysis, test, and verification evidence that satisfies certification requirements, early access to emerging cybersecurity technologies, such as fuzzing. Fuzz testing (fuzzing) is becoming increasingly important in the age of cybersecurity. It is already required in DO-356 compliance (Airworthiness Security Methods and Considerations) and is becoming mandatory as part of national efforts to secure the software supply chain.

Rohde & Schwarz (Columbia, MD) launches its new LCR meter family of high-performance general-purpose impedance testers covering a wide range of applications. With its supported frequency range from 4 Hz to 10 MHz, the R&S LCX is suitable not only for the majority of devices operating at conventional 50 or 60 Hz domestic power frequencies or 400 Hz for aircraft, but also for everything from low frequency seismic sensors to high power communication circuits operating at several Megahertz. These meters are useful for engineers selecting capacitors, inductances, resistors, and analog filters to match the device application, as well as higher speed measurements at production-use accuracy for quality control and monitoring.

STMicroelectronics (Geneva, Switzerland) new fully integrated Power-Management IC (PMIC) for AMOLED displays combines a low quiescent current and enhanced flexibility to extend the battery runtime of portable devices. With an input voltage range from 2.9 V to 4.8 V, it contains three integrated DC-DC converters to provide all the power rails needed for AMOLED displays in smartphones and other portable devices. The 550 mA VOUT1 boost converter can be set between 4.6 V and 5.0 V in 100 mV increments to optimize the display brightness for lowest power consumption and best visibility under any conditions. The 5.0 V maximum setting allows use of high-brightness mode (HBM) for best viewing in bright outdoor lighting.

Sensata Technologies (Swindon, UK) is introducing a new monitoring solution that enables predictive maintenance for rotary assets and delivers actionable insights to plant managers. The wireless 6VW series IoT sensor delivers insights via the Sensata IQ platform and can simultaneously monitor each asset using six sensing modalities: vibration, temperature, acoustic emission, speed, humidity, and magnetic flux. The sensors are designed for easy retrofit into a wide range of existing rotary assets — such as motors, pumps, blowers, fans, or compressors — regardless of brand or manufacturer with no changes needed to the company’s hardware or control platforms.

Micro-Epsilon The compact optoNCDT 1420LL laser sensors from Micro-Epsilon, Ortenburg, Germany, perform precise distance measurements on metallic and structured surfaces. The sensor projects a small laser line onto the measuring object, which compensates for any interference. This ensures stable and reliable measurement values. These sensors are used whenever standard laser point sensors reach their limit.
Working with a small laser line rather than a laser point enables the sensors to measure accurately even on rough, diffuse, and shiny metallic surfaces. The laser line ensures optical averaging and compensates for irregular surfaces. The sensors achieve reliable, highly precise measurement values on rough surfaces, as well as defects, recesses, and holes and are available with measuring ranges of 10, 25, and 50 mm.

Emerson (Charlottesvile, VA) has announced PACSystems™ Edge Solutions, a new portfolio of turnkey industrial edge hardware and software solutions. Edge Solutions simplify selection and deployment, helping original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), systems integrators, and end users significantly reduce the time spent integrating, developing, and validating digital transformation projects. From low footprint connectivity and computing to plantwide analytics and supervision, the portfolio delivers a scalable range of edge capabilities in fit-for-purpose packages. The solutions allow personnel in food and beverage, industrial machinery, renewable energy, and other industries to easily collect and visualize critical data and analytics locally, right where they work, enabling them to optimize and proactively maintain operations for maximum uptime and efficiency.

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence (North Kingston, RI) has announced its Adams Real Time multi-body dynamics simulation software has been validated for operation on VI-grade Driving Simulators, enabling carmakers and tier one automotive suppliers to develop safe and desirable driver experiences efficiently and without physical prototyping. Automotive engineers utilize Adams software to build their virtual vehicle prototypes and Adams Real Time Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) capabilities to bridge the gap with physical tests. The high-fidelity simulations are used to evaluate their engineering decisions against ride, handling, and durability targets to produce safe and comfortable cars.

ABB Robotics With its compact size, high payload and excellent accuracy, the new IRB 1010 robot from ABB offers electronics manufacturers the opportunity to increase their production of small wearable devices.
With a reach of 370 mm and a footprint of 135 mm by 250 mm, the IRB 1010 is 30 percent smaller than ABB’s current smallest robot and is capable of handling loads up to 1.5kg. This coupled with a larger diameter air hose that provides added power for vacuum suction, enables simultaneous handling of multiple objects, allowing more objects to be processed per hour. It also opens opportunities for new applications including film peeling, material handling, assembly, gluing, and inspection.