Read-out Instrumentation Signpost

Camera to accelerate Edge Ai Vision.

2026-10-23T10:06:16.977+01:00

Kit simplifies multi-camera integration for automotive ADAS and robotics applications.

The Innodisk GMSL2™ Camera Starter Kit, an all-in-one vision solution that bundles four 3MP GMSL2™ camera modules, a capture card, FAKRA cables, and other necessary accessories. This is regarded as a milestone in Innodisk’s edge Ai vision strategy, the kit lets customers set up a multi-camera system and begin validation right out of the box, shortening the path from proof of concept (PoC) to deployment. Full camera source code is included, giving customers flexibility throughout development and maintenance.

As Ai vision moves toward multi-camera perception in robotics and intelligent vehicles, integrating cameras, capture cards, drivers, and host platforms has become increasingly complex, often taking six months or more before validation. The starter kit’s pre-integrated hardware and software driver enable system integrators to speed up time-to-market.

GMSL2™ is a high-speed video transmission technology that originated in automotive applications and offers long-distance connectivity. Unlike plug-and-play USB cameras, it requires a dedicated capture card and platform-specific drivers. The starter kit includes four 3MP fixed-focus GMSL2™ camera modules, a capture card, four FAKRA cables, a power adapter, power cords, and a quick start guide. It also provides camera source code for the widely adopted NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano Super Developer Kit, so users can bypass component sourcing, system-level integration, driver debugging, and tuning.

“The biggest challenge in a multi-camera AI vision project is often not the AI application itself, but the camera integration and system tuning that come before it,” said CK Hsu, Senior Manager of the Camera Product Business Department at Innodisk. “With the GMSL2™ Camera Starter Kit, Innodisk takes on the complexity of early-stage integration so customers can focus on development and move into PoC sooner.”

With the camera source code in hand, engineering teams can independently adapt the software driver to their own requirements and use the kit as a working foundation for further development. Innodisk also provides comprehensive customisation services from hardware fine-tuning to application deployment, helping customers move smoothly into design-in and mass production.

The kit supports edge Ai scenarios including blind spot detection and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for heavy-duty vehicles, object recognition and environmental perception for humanoid robots and AMRs. Innodisk plans to expand its GMSL2™ portfolio and introduce more starter kits covering different camera models and supported platforms.

@Innodisk_Corp @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Ai #Robotics

Accessible emergency stop switch.

2026-10-23T09:53:34.199+01:00

Extends the ability of users to safely stop equipment that is remote, hard to reach, or in motion.

A new assisted emergency stop (AE-stop) switch has been added to IDEC's wide range of safety products. The XW1E carries forward the same performance and patented features of other e-stop switches in the IDEC portfolio, while adding an optional solenoid-operated activation assist function so designers can incorporate improved safety in the form of remotely-commanded e-stop operation.

E-stops and safe equipment design.
Establishing a proper e-stop circuit, which commonly includes one or more e-stop buttons and other associated components, is essential for creating safe equipment designs. Workers will press an e-stop switch (button), latching it in the down position and de-energizing the e-stop circuit, to safely stop machines and other equipment when needed. The e-stop switch must be manually pulled back to the up position when the problem condition is cleared to reset the e-stop circuit.

Traditional e-stop switches work well for fixed installations with easy access. However, modern factories, warehouses, and similar sites increasingly have incorporated automated machinery and equipment, extensive robotics, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and other self-driving vehicles. What if automated equipment and/or payloads are moving in a manner that makes it challenging for workers to reach an e-stop switch?

Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear standard IEC 60947-5-5:2026 includes specific requirements for e- stop devices, and they now allow for the embedding of additional functions. This development has made possible some new and unique capabilities for e-stops.

Expanding e-stop capabilities.
IDEC has designed the new XW1E assisted e-stop switch based on the same fundamentals as other e-stop switches in the lineup, but with a brand-new additional functionality—the optional capability of being externally activated by a remotely-sourced signal. While the switch itself is safety-rated, the assisted activation is not a safety-rated function.

The AE-stop is a robust industrial-grade device with a compact form factor installable in a standard 22mm mounting hole, and it comes with an IP65 and UL Type 4X (indoor) rating. Designed and tested to withstand at least 250,000 mechanical/electrical operations, exceptional durability is assured. A red button top cap is easily seen, and it requires 11N to push latched, 17N to pull reset, or 0.27N-m to turn reset. A set of standard 1NO2NC contacts with push-in terminals provide one monitoring contact and two main contacts suitable for integrating with a wide variety of safety circuit designs.

The AE-stop physical mechanism uses a unique and patented “reverse energy structure” for an additional degree of safety, with a spring arranged to operate the e-stop if it is physically damaged in certain ways. Competitive devices can fail to drive equipment to a safe state under these conditions.

Where the AE-stop switch goes beyond traditional switches is with the addition of a 24V DC solenoid, which when energized will drive the button into the push latched state just as if a local person did so. This functionality allows designers to create more sophisticated ways for personnel, and even other automation components, to operate an e-stop circuit, providing improved options for creating safe design.

A remote activation signal may be generated by another safety device, an external sensor or controller, or even a wireless system or other more advanced options. It is important to note that whether a person or the solenoid push latches the AE-stop switch, the switch can only be reset locally and manually by a person. The overall design of the AE-stop switch preserves all basic and standard e-stop functionality in compliance with associated industry standards, and it simply provides new opportunities to create even safer equipment designs.

The IDEC assisted e-stop switch is designed to provide innovative new capabilities meeting the very latest safety standards, in an industry-leading small form factor rated for challenging environmental conditions. This style of assisted e-stop provides greater capabilities for new and retrofit applications such as robotics, AGV/AMR, logistics equipment, agricultural and construction machinery, the service industry, and anywhere else where automated equipment and moving payloads might make it challenging for users to reach a conventional e-stop switch when needed.

@IDECUSA #PAuto #safety #Manufacturing

Sunshine and waste heat drives renewable energy.

2026-10-23T09:37:30.395+01:00

Nord Drivesystems’ site in Gadebusch is to draw around a third of its required electricity from a nearby solar park in Lützow (D). The plant is thus consistently continuing its efforts to become less reliant on fossil fuels. This is part of the group-wide sustainability strategy that the system provider for drive technology set out.

A big day for Lützow.
The municipality in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, with a population of around 1,500, commissioned a 3.5-hectare solar park in June 2026. Together with photovoltaic modules installed on the roofs of two halls, the entire system is expected to generate 6.2 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. The largest consumer is a company belonging to drive manufacturer Nord Drivesystems: Fertigungstechnik NORD in Gadebusch, which is about a 10-minute car drive away, takes advantage of the nearby solar park and will draw 2.67 million kilowatt-hours per year from the photovoltaic system. This accounts for approximately a third of its required electricity.

24/6 manufacturing requires large amounts of energy.

Nord's Gadebusch plant.

The electricity demand is high. At its site in Gadebusch, NORD manufactures housings, shafts and worm wheels on six days a week, all day long. In five halls, over 180 employees are working on more than 80 machines and 60 interconnected systems. Every year, almost two million components leave the plant that is characterised by a high level of automation.

Every site contributes to achieving NORD’s sustainability targets.
Part of the Nord Drivesystems Group’s sustainability strategy is to continuously increase the self-produced electric power and the use of renewable energy. The company thus aims to achieve its target of reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent by 2030 (compared with the base year 2024). At different sites of the NORD Group, respective projects involving the use of renewable power are being implemented.

Becoming less reliant on fossil resources.
The individual sites, such as Fertigungstechnik NORD in Gadebusch, thus make important contributions to achieving the group’s targets. Getting connected to the solar park is the plant’s latest effort to becoming less reliant on fossil resources. In 2012, a heat recovery scheme was launched and implemented step by step. Since then, plate-type heat exchangers have been ensuring that excess heat from the production machines is dissipated and used to heat factory halls, offices and hot water. The recovery system operates without additional heating when outdoor temperatures are above 0 °C. This alone helps Fertigungstechnik NORD save around a third of the 583,000 kWh of fossil heat energy it previously used each year.

@NORD_Drive @mepaxIntPR #Sustainability #Manufacturing #Germany

Clamping nuts.

2026-10-23T09:01:25.125+01:00

The MCA-S and MCA-T series power clamping nuts from Jakob, build upon the proven MCA range, offering further optimized handling. Instead of a standard hexagonal nut, they feature a star or T-handle, allowing for convenient operation without the need for additional tools. An integrated planetary gear system ensures that high clamping forces can be generated manually with minimal physical effort.

An innovative detent mechanism facilitates an automatic transition from initial pre-clamping to full power clamping. Thanks to their robust design and self-locking function, these power clamping nuts offer a high level of safety. Constructed from nitrocarburized heat-treated steel, combined with a housing cover made of high-strength aluminum, they are built for a long service life. Furthermore, the power clamping nuts are designed to operate across a wide temperature range, from −30 °C to +90 °C.

@UnnGmbh @PresseBox #jakobantriebstechnik #PAuto

CEthernet/IP milestone certification.

2026-10-22T12:20:06.610+01:00

ODVA's CIP Security™ has been formally certified by TÜV Rheinland to meet the applicable requirements of IEC 62443-4-2 at Security Level Capability 3 (SL-C 3). Security Level 3 protects against intentional violation using sophisticated means from attackers with moderate resources, IACS specific skills, and moderate motivation. Achieving formal certification that the CIP Security Specification complies with the IEC 62443 standard reinforces the position of the technology as the definitive security framework for EtherNet/IP™ products, simplifying the compliance path for product manufacturers incorporating CIP Security.

IEC 62443-4-2, part of the IEC 62443 series, defines the technical cybersecurity requirements for components used in an industrial automation and control system (IACS). CIP Security is an application layer network extension of EtherNet/IP that provides data integrity (rejecting altered data), authentication (verifying trusted identities), authorization (blocking unauthorized commands), and confidentiality/encryption via TLS and DTLS for automation devices.

Certification of CIP Security, and use of this technology in products, significantly lowers the barrier for product manufacturers seeking to achieve their own IEC 62443-4-2 certification. This certification also firmly establishes CIP Security as the natural compliance tool to meet requirements imposed by the European Union (EU) Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) by satisfying core technical and secure-by-design requirements related to confidentiality, integrity, and authentication. The CRA was created to strengthen cybersecurity in a broad range of products with digital elements and connectivity, and it therefore pertains to many products used in all types of operational technology (OT) applications.

“Achieving this certification is a significant accomplishment and further strengthens the position of EtherNet/IP as a leading secure industrial network technology,” said Dr. Al Beydoun, President and Executive Director of ODVA. “This represents an important milestone for EtherNet/IP technology and further demonstrates ODVA's commitment to advancing secure industrial communications and supporting the cybersecurity needs of our members and the broader industrial automation community.”

@tuvcom_presse #ODVA #PAuto #Cybersecurity

Towards Wi-Fi 8 & Bluetooth® LE evaluation.

2026-10-22T10:55:58.627+01:00

New RF characteristics evaluation options for the next-generation WLAN standard Wi-Fi 8 (IEEE 802.11bn) and Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE) for Anritsu's Wireless Connectivity Test Set MT8862A. The single-platform evaluation of RF characteristics for both wireless technologies helps improve development efficiency and optimising test environments. Anritsu continues to evolve its measurement solutions in step with advancing wireless technologies, helping enhance the reliability of wireless communications and supporting the realisation of a next-generation wireless networks.

Development background.
Wi-Fi 8 is being developed toward completion of formal standardisation in 2028, with the goal of enabling low-latency and highly reliable wireless communications. Adoption is expected in AI-enabled equipment that requires highly reliable connectivity, including physical AI systems such as robots operating in real-world environments. Meanwhile, IoT devices, wearables, and smartphones commonly incorporate both Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth® technologies, increasing demand for test environments capable of evaluating both wireless technologies efficiently on a single platform. Product overview.
The MT8862A is an RF transmit-and-receive measurement platform that supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® LE device development from initial design through to quality evaluation. The newly developed evaluation options are provided as software, allowing existing MT8862A users to expand their test environments to evaluate Wi-Fi 8 and Bluetooth® Low Energy devices without introducing a new measurement system.

Supports Wi-Fi 8 and full range of WLAN Standards.
In addition to the latest Wi-Fi 8 and Wi-Fi 7 requirements, including 320 MHz channel bandwidth and 4096-QAM, the MT8862A supports all three Wi-Fi 6E frequency bands and legacy standards including IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, all on a single platform.

Wi-Fi evaluation under actual operating conditions.
The MT8862A supports Network Mode, which establishes a connection with the device under test and performs measurements while the device is operating. In addition to conducted testing, it also supports Over-the-Air (OTA) testing through the device antenna. Users can measure transmit power, modulation accuracy, and receiver sensitivity at individual data rates. This enables verification of communication performance under actual operating conditions and assists in identifying the root causes of issues when they arise.

The MT8862A supports RF characteristic evaluation in accordance with the RF PHY test specifications defined by the Bluetooth® Special Interest Group (SIG). This enables verification of communication performance in Bluetooth® Low Energy devices and helps identify the root causes of communication issues when they occur.

@Anritsu @AnritsuEMEA @NapierPR #TandM #Communications

Technology innovator is cyber certified.

2026-10-22T07:52:53.827+01:00

NineTenths Company has officially joined ISASecure®, the globally recognised certification program that validates conformance to the ISA/IEC 62443 series of standards for industrial automation and control systems (IACS) cybersecurity.

NineTenths is a Saudi Arabia-based technology company specialising in advanced industrial solutions, including unmanned aerial systems (drones), robotics, infrastructure inspection, surveying, and operational technology (OT) cybersecurity. Serving industries including oil and gas, petrochemicals, energy, water and wastewater, manufacturing, and other critical infrastructure sectors, the company combines emerging technologies with engineering expertise to improve operational efficiency, security, and resilience. The company uses ISA/IEC 62443 as a framework supporting its OT cybersecurity services, with capabilities aligned to cybersecurity management systems, risk-based assessments, zones and conduits, industrial system security requirements, and secure product development practices.

“Serving government, public safety, construction, infrastructure, and energy sectors, our commitment to quality and safety is backed by internationally recognised certifications and manufacturer accreditations,” said Naif AlZahrani, NineTenths vice president of operation. “Our continued focus on OT cybersecurity from mission to maintenance ensures protection for the full OT security lifecycle. We look forward to being part of ISASecure as we continue to support organisations across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in adopting cutting-edge technologies aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.”

This new partnership with ISASecure will provide NineTenths with the opportunity to further strengthen its commitment to advancing operational technology (OT) cybersecurity across Saudi Arabia and the broader Gulf region. Building on its existing alignment with the internationally recognised ISA/IEC 62443 standards, ISASecure membership offers NineTenths opportunities to engage with global cybersecurity experts, industrial automation suppliers, and certification bodies while expanding its capabilities and enhancing operational resilience and cybersecurity readiness for clients.

“It is an honor to welcome NineTenths into the ISASecure program,” said Mark DeAngelo, ISASecure program manager. “We look forward to collaborating with NineTenths as we advance our mission of partnership, certification, and standards-based product development to help achieve a more secure world.”

@9tenthsco @ISA_Automation @automation_com #Cybersecurity #PAuto #Robotics #SaudiArabia

Touch display for single-board computers.

2026-10-21T16:13:26.585+01:00

Inelco Hunter has announced their latest-generation 10.1″ touch display, purpose-built to allow the mounting of small form-factor SBCs (such as Raspberry Pi, Nano Pi or Banana Pi), direct to the rear of the display panel. The display has been re-engineered for a brighter screen and simpler integration, with digital HDMI, 5-point PCAP multi-touch and single-supply operation as standard.

The display is supplied as a complete kit to enable the system to operate straight out of the box. It drops straight into industrial HMI and automation panels, building control and monitoring systems, and single-board-computer projects alike, backed by Inelco Hunter's UK stock and local engineering support. The display can be used as a bare board or enclosed in an Inelco Hunter case.

The bright 800 cd/m² IPS touch display has an impressive contrast ratio of 800:1, making the screen clear and easy to read, even in daylight conditions. The 10.1” IPS TFT display offers a full viewing angle at 80° up/down/left/right (CR≥10). The display is WXGA 1280 × 800 resolution, 16.7M colours, and black when unpowered.

The 10.1” display also offers an array of attributes. These include USB HID digital backlight control (0–255 or 10-level), a 5-point multi-touch PCAP touch panel, and a Digital HDMI interface. The display has a response time of 25ms typically (max. 50ms), and the backlight is LED, 50,000 hrs life; USB HID or hardware PWM control.

The display works with small form-factor SBCs (such as Raspberry Pi, and many other industrial PCs) via HDMI and USB. The outline dimensions are 254.96 × 173.6 × 26.2mm max (W×L×H); the active area is 216.96 × 135.60mm. The operating temperature range is −30°C to +80°C (panel surface) and is fully RoHS compliant.

The kit is supplied complete with HDMI and USB (ILI2132) interfaces, ready for use straight out of the box. Power requirements are 12V DC (0.65A typical / 1A max) via a single connection, making system integration very simple.

The display can be panel-, wall- or VESA-style mounted if supplied in an IHL or alternative case. The encased display can be mounted using the integrated M2.5 pillars. Supplied as a bare board as standard, cased options are available on request. Applications include Industrial HDMI & Automation, Building Control & Monitoring, SBC & Raspberry Pi systems, Kiosks & Self-service.

@InelcoHunter #PAuto #SBC

Variable frequency drives for fluid.

2026-10-21T14:51:58.393+01:00

Compact drive platform combines energy-efficient motor control with dedicated functionality for pumps, fans, HVAC and water treatment and data centre cooling applications.

The launch of the VP3000-E Series for the EMEA market has been announced by Delta. This expands its VP3000 variable frequency drive portfolio with a new generation of drives designed for fluid applications. Available from 75 kW to 630 kW, the VP3000-E combines energy-efficient motor control, integrated application functions and flexible harmonic mitigation capabilities in a compact platform. Developed as the successor to Delta’s CP2000 Series for the European market, the new series is designed for pumps, fans, HVAC, water supply, wastewater treatment and data centre cooling infrastructure.

Sander van Dasselaar, Head of Industrial Automation Business Platform at Delta Electronics EMEA, said: “The VP3000-E represents an important step in the continued evolution of Delta’s Industrial Automation portfolio. Customers are under increasing pressure to improve energy efficiency, optimise operational performance and reduce total cost of ownership. With the VP3000-E, we provide a flexible drive platform that combines energy-efficient operation with simplified integration. It supports our strategy to strengthen Delta’s position in key growth markets such as water infrastructure, HVAC, data centres and industrial utilities, including the critical cooling and utility infrastructure that modern data centres depend on.”

Energy-efficient control for fluid and cooling applications.
The VP3000-E supports induction motors (IM), permanent magnet (PM) motors and synchronous reluctance motors (SynRM). Dedicated functions include Automatic Energy Saving (AES) mode, Fan Traction Energy Control (TEC) and multi-pump control to optimise variable-torque applications. These include HVAC and water systems as well as data centre cooling infrastructure such as chilled water pumps, condenser pumps, cooling towers, air handling units and compressors.

Compact design with flexible system integration.
Designed for European requirements, the VP3000-E features a slim, lightweight design, while larger Frame L and M models use a chassis concept for simplified installation and maintenance. A C3 EMC filter is integrated as standard across the range, alongside an integrated PLC, STO SIL3 and enhanced PCB protection. DC-bus connectivity enables integration with Active Front End (AFE) solutions and common DC-bus architectures. When combined with Delta’s APF3000 Active Power Filter, the solution can support compliance with IEEE 519 harmonic distortion requirements below 5%.

Integrated monitoring supports maintenance.
Built-in component monitoring and diagnostics provide information on key components including rectifiers, IGBTs, capacitors and cooling fans. An optional LCD graphic keypad with Bluetooth and USB supports parameter management, warning and fault logs, waveform monitoring and reporting, helping simplify commissioning, diagnostics and maintenance.

The initial EMEA range covers 75 kW to 630 kW, with additional models from 11 kW to 55 kW planned for 2027. The series also includes the VP3000-EHS high-speed model, available from 55 kW to 450 kW for turbo blower and maglev motor applications with output frequencies of over 599Hz.

@DeltaEMEA @mepaxIntPR #Pauto #Drives #HVAC

Checking UV compliance.

2026-10-21T14:27:28.705+01:00

Wastewater managers at Welsh Water (Dŵr Cymru)have installed a network of remote cameras from Meteor Communications to constantly check the performance of ultra-violet (UV) wastewater treatment processes. The remote cameras provide live assurance that UV disinfection is operating effectively 24/7. “This is such an important issue, that if the camera network helps to prevent just one discharge compliance failure, it will more than justify the cost,” comments Meteor’s MD Matt Dibbs.

One of the most important performance criteria for water companies is the number of discharge compliance failures per year. For this reason, at sites where UV wastewater treatment is employed, it is absolutely essential that disinfection is continuous and uninterrupted. However, UV treatment can stop, or appear to stop, for a number of reasons, such as a power failure or a breakdown in communications. For UK water companies, such as Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, a site will fail its discharge consent if UV treatment stops for at least 10% of consecutive readings in any 24-hour period.

The challenge for water companies, is that their systems will raise an alert if there is a power outage or a communications failure, but that does not tell them if the UV lamps are still on, and even if they are on, it does not help them prove as such to the Regulator.

Discharge permits specify limits to protect public health and aquatic ecosystems. In addition, Water companies face severe financial penalties if their wastewater treatment facilities fail to meet discharge consent limits in site-specific environmental permits. For example, a wastewater discharge consent will specify a microbiological limit when the discharge impacts sensitive receiving waters used for human recreation such as bathing, shellfish harvesting, or drinking water abstraction.

UV disinfection has become popular for a number of reasons, not least because it is effective against most bacteria and viruses. In addition, UV treatment is relatively simple and safe to operate, and does not involve the use of chemicals.

Welsh Water has deployed UV disinfection at sites all over Wales and across the border into the Wirral. Conscious of the need to be able to detect and act on any disruption to UV treatment, the company decided that a network of remote cameras would be necessary. Meteor Communications was therefore contracted to install 80 of its remote, low-power cameras across 35 sites. Operating via secure cellular comms, the cameras deliver images every 15 minutes via the MeteorCloud® web portal, which Welsh Water has access via a secure log-in. Meteor MRC cameras are able to operate on battery power, with solar charging, which means that the camera network can function independently of the local power supply.

Camera network benefits.
With 24/7 visibility of UV treatment systems, Welsh Water staff can be confident that disinfection processes are in continuous operation. Importantly, access to historical images also provides an opportunity to provide evidence to the regulator – evidence that, prior to the deployment of the cameras, was not available.

In addition to a reduction in non-compliance risk, the cameras also enable staff to triage on-site problems remotely so that unnecessary site visits are avoided, supervisors are able to prioritise asset deployment when a site visit is required. This lowers operational carbon footprint and reduces costs, especially when out-of-hours deployment is avoided. Welsh Water has estimated that half a day of operator time is saved per week by every 5 cameras.

And the future!
Water based leisure activities such as wild swimming are becoming increasingly popular. Media attention has never been higher, and the public has never before been so interested in water quality. Inevitably therefore, the requirement for UV wastewater treatment will increase, and the ability to monitor treatment remotely 24/7, will enhance the water industry’s ability to maintain disinfection performance, improve operational efficiency and deliver the evidence that regulators require to demonstrate environmental permit compliance.

@MeteorComms @DwrCymru @_Enviro_News #Environmental #WasteWater

EMC demystified!

2026-10-20T10:13:56.702+01:00

Now in its 12th year, the forthcoming Demystifying EMC event run by Rohde & Schwarz will once again focus on the very latest developments in electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), dealing with such vital areas as legislation, test techniques and design knowledge. The event will highlight the latest challenges, technologies and best practices in electromagnetic compatibility. The world-famous Silverstone Circuit is once more the venue for this event which has become a trusted forum for learning, collaboration and networking within the EMC community.

“After a slightly longer interval since our last event, we're delighted to bring Demystifying EMC back this year. We have a fantastic line-up of industry experts presenting across a range of topics, delivering across three dedicated streams,” said Nathan Reeve, EMC Product Specialist at Rohde & Schwarz UK Ltd. “Whether you're new to EMC or an experienced professional, there will be something for everyone, with opportunities to learn, share knowledge and explore the latest developments across the industry. We're looking forward to a great day of learning and collaboration, and welcoming you to DEMC 2026.”

Recognised as the go-to event for EMC engineers, designers and industry experts, Demystifying EMC enables the engineering community to stay ahead of evolving compliance requirements and the increasingly complex world of electronic design. DEMC 2026 will feature three presentation streams that will run throughout the day across Hall 4, Hall 5 and IMC 4. Rohde & Schwarz experts will present alongside keynote speaker Michael Derby, Secretary of the EMCTLA.

Sessions will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to optimise EMI system performance and streamline test workflows, helping organisations to improve efficiency and reduce time to compliance. Attendees will be able to move freely between streams during the day to tailor the event to their specific interests, and gain valuable insights into reverberation chamber techniques, EMI troubleshooting strategies and practical EMC design considerations that can be implemented early in the product development cycle to minimise risk while avoiding costly redesigns.

The day will conclude with an interactive ‘Ask the Experts’ panel session, giving attendees the opportunity to put their questions directly to leading EMC specialists. A lively part of the Demystifying EMC event, this session is always popular with delegates to discuss current and future EMC challenges facing the industry.

@RohdeSchwarz @NapierPR #TandM #DEMC2026 #Britain

Thin-film specialist sustainability recognised.

2026-10-20T09:46:18.094+01:00

The EcoVadis Silver Medal has been awarded again to Kurz in recognition of its sustainability performance in 2026. Despite stricter assessment criteria compared to the previous year, the company ranks among the top 15 percent of all companies assessed worldwide and among the top 10 percent in its industry.

EcoVadis evaluates companies based on a wide range of criteria covering environmental standards, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. The assessments are conducted by independent experts in accordance with international standards. The ratings provide companies and their business partners with a standardized basis for comparing sustainability performance.

The award reflects the company's ongoing efforts to advance its sustainability initiatives. KURZ achieved further improvements in its ratings compared to the previous year, particularly in the areas of environmental standards and ethics. Guided by its motto ‘Be a green leader,’ the thin-film specialist continues to pursue its sustainability strategy. This includes continuously improving processes and products with the aim of reducing CO₂ emissions and material consumption, among other objectives.

"Sustainability is not a short-term trend for us, but a long-term commitment that requires perseverance and consistent action. The recognition from EcoVadis confirms that we have taken important steps in the right direction over the past few years," says Dr. Andreas Hirschfelder, Member of the Executive Board at Kurz. "We take a long-term approach and accept responsibility – for our employees, our customers, our partners, and the environment. At KURZ, we do not view sustainability as a stand-alone initiative, but as an integral part of our corporate culture."

Investing in resource conservation.
The company remains committed to further improving its sustainability performance in the years ahead. The company is already investing in initiatives such as photovoltaic systems and a power-to-heat system with thermal energy storage. In addition, Kurz is implementing measures to reduce energy consumption, emissions, and material use, while also operating its own recycling system. The company plans to systematically enhance and expand these initiatives in the coming years.

@KurzInstruments @LEONHARD_KURZ @ecovadis @PresseBox @UnnGmbh #Sustainability #Pauto #TandM

Handheld thermal Cameras: "Where the work happens!"

2026-10-20T09:13:38.583+01:00

Thermal cameras are developed and manufactured close to the engineers who design them.

When a firefighter uses a Teledyne FLIR thermal camera to see through thick smoke, or an electrician scans a breaker panel for signs of a problem, they’re using a device designed and built in Europe. Much of that work happens in Tallinn, Estonia, and in Sweden, where the company’s teams handle everything from engineering and assembly to testing and quality control.

Much of the electronics industry spreads manufacturing across multiple countries and suppliers. Teledyne FLIR has taken a different approach with its handheld thermal camera range, keeping engineering and manufacturing close together instead of scattered across a global supply chain.

That proximity puts engineers, production teams and quality specialists in the same building instead of a long chain of subcontractors. Problems get caught and fixed on the spot, the kind of oversight that’s harder to guarantee once a product has changed hands across three or four countries before it ships.

Those cameras end up in demanding places. A search and rescue team might reach for one when visibility drops to nothing; a plant technician might use one to catch an overheating bearing before it fails; a building inspector might rely on one to find moisture or a failing seal that would otherwise stay hidden.

In Estonia, that adds up to a 4,300 m² site running 23 production lines, where roughly 215 people turn out about 215,000 cameras a year at a capacity of close to 180,000 working hours. Sweden’s share of the story comes from Täby, home to the company’s Solutions business: a 5,000 m² facility that produces around 11,000 cameras annually and generates roughly half of global Solutions revenue. Close to 125 people work there, most of them on the production and warehouse floor, with the rest spread across engineering, order and shipping, and supply chain.

“For us, this is simply where the work happens. Our engineers, production teams and assembly lines are based in Tallinn and Sweden. As customers take a closer look at where products come from and how they’re made, we’re proud to point to the people and facilities behind the cameras,” said Koen Jacobs, VP Sales EMEA – Instrumentation at Teledyne FLIR.

@flir @mepaxIntPR #TandM #PAuto #Europe

Ai-powered fashion logistics applications made faster and with less risk.

2026-10-20T06:52:48.146+01:00

First end-to-end vision-based industrial-grade physical Ai solution.

ABB Robotics has launched its first end-to-end vision-based industrial-grade physical Ai solution, integrating AI Robot Trainer into its Fashion Inductor module to help system integrators deploy, scale and continuously optimize AI-powered fashion logistics applications with significantly reduced effort and risk.

“Physical Ai fundamentally changes what robots can do in industrial applications," said Craig McDonnell, Managing Director, Business Line Industries, ABB Robotics. "Some of the greatest opportunities for physical Ai are in applications that have traditionally been difficult to automate because of high variability. Fashion Inductor with AI Robot Trainer is our first end-to-end vision-based physical Ai solution, demonstrating how intelligent automation can be deployed, operated and continuously optimized at industrial scale, helping system integrators accelerate deployment, reduce project risk and maintain performance over time.”

Designed to meet the extreme variability of fashion and apparel logistics, where products, packaging and operating conditions change continuously, Fashion Inductor already delivers high-performance sorting for real-world logistics environments, with throughput of up to 1,300 items per hour per cell and picking accuracy targets above 99.5%, enabled by ABB Robotics' AI-powered Automatic Path Planning, motion accuracy and application-specific vision technology.

The addition of AI Robot Trainer introduces vision-based physical Ai capabilities that reduce engineering and commissioning effort by up to 75%, providing pre-trained, fashion-specific Ai vision models, application-specific tools and rapid retraining capabilities that help system integrators deploy, adapt and continuously optimize applications as requirements evolve, without specialist Ai expertise. The upgraded Fashion Inductor also introduces a new digital twin, an exact replica of the module software, connecting Application Controller Platform, Automatic Path Planning, Ai Robot Trainer and RobotStudio®. This accelerates commissioning and gives greater flexibility in set-up, including the ability to integrate third-party components such as grippers.

Ai models are not only developed, but continually improved throughout the system lifecycle, against real performance targets and changing operating conditions. Ai Robot Trainer enables structured, rapid cell specific retraining through a continuous closed-loop workflow that monitors robot performance, identifies anomalies, generates new model training data and deploys improvements back to the physical robot. The lifecycle is anchored in ABB Robotics’ core platforms, with RobotStudio providing the foundation for virtual design, simulation, and validation, and the OmniCore™ robot controller serving as the execution layer in production.

Fashion Inductor marks the first step in ABB Robotics’ broader rollout of vision-based physical AI, a core part of developing more autonomous and versatile robotics (AVR™). The same AI Robot Trainer-powered approach will continue to expand across additional ABB Robotics vision-based applications through Q1 2027, bringing adaptive, lifecycle-managed intelligence to the next generation of increasingly autonomous robotic systems.

@ABBRobotics @ABBgroupnews @abb_automation @NapierPR #PAuto #Fashion #Ai

Chiller plant optimisation.

2026-10-19T10:59:21.253+01:00

Chiller plants are among the largest energy consumers in commercial, healthcare, and institutional buildings, making them a prime target for energy optimisation. A new four-chiller plant serving a 16-story building in New York City (NY USA) is leveraging open BACnet technology, programmable edge control, and advanced optimisation software to improve efficiency while maintaining occupant comfort.

The project brought together DL Control & Engineering, DeLima Ventures Energy, GreenMediaHD, and Contemporary Controls to create a fully automated chiller plant control system. At the core of the solution is the BAScontrol-E36 Edge Controller, which provides programmable control using Sedona, along with the BASview3 graphical interface for local visualisation and operation.

The goal was to develop a flexible control platform capable of coordinating multiple chillers, collecting and analysing operating data, and implementing customised control sequences. Rather than relying solely on fixed equipment programming, the system incorporates application-specific strategies such as chiller sequencing, equipment staging, lead-lag coordination, setpoint resets, temperature control, alarms, and plant-wide optimisation routines.

A key element of the project is BACnet integration. Chiller operating information is collected over a BACnet MS/TP network and analysed using custom Sedona logic within the BAScontrol-E36. Because BACnet data can be used directly within the control sequence, operating parameters, temperatures, status points, and setpoints become active components of the optimisation strategy rather than simply values displayed for monitoring.

The project also incorporates GreenMediaHD's Chiller Optimisation Program (GCOP), a cloud-based solution designed to improve chiller plant performance. GCOP continuously analyses real-time operating conditions and provides dashboards that visualise plant performance and optimisation results. The solution focuses on reducing chiller "LIFT," the temperature difference between the evaporator and condenser that the chiller must overcome during operation. Lowering unnecessary LIFT can improve chiller efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

During commissioning, plant performance was evaluated during periods with GCOP optimisation enabled and compared to operation using conventional fixed setpoints. The evaluation demonstrated lower energy consumption during GCOP-optimised operation, illustrating the potential benefits of dynamic optimisation strategies compared to static operating conditions. Actual savings will vary based on factors such as load profile, equipment efficiency, operating hours, weather, and utility costs.

Facility operators interact with the system through the BASview3 interface, which provides real-time visibility into equipment status, temperatures, setpoints, alarms, and other critical operating data. Authorised personnel can monitor performance and perform control functions from a centralised location while the BAScontrol-E36 executes the plant's automated control strategy. Using the BASview3 interface, authorised personnel can monitor plant performance, view real-time operating data, and adjust control setpoints as needed.

By combining BACnet communications, programmable edge control, cloud-based optimisation, and intuitive visualisation, the project establishes a flexible foundation for ongoing energy improvements. The installation demonstrates how an open BACnet architecture can support advanced chiller plant optimisation, increase operational visibility, and provide a scalable approach to improving plant efficiency.

@ccontrolsgmbh #Pauto #Chiller #USA

Femtosecond laser factory opened.

2026-10-19T10:19:06.861+01:00

Chipmaking, data centre equipment, and medicine all need more femtosecond lasers, yet global production capacity was only an estimated 9,600 units last year. Femtosecond laser company LITILIT have just opened a new factory in Vilnius (LT) and plans to reach 3,000 lasers a year at full capacity.

According to the company, the factory currently has the highest potential femtosecond laser capacity in the world. The majority of the company’s lasers will be exported to North America, Asia, and Europe.

The new factory covers 4,000 sq m and will produce around 3000 lasers a year at full capacity. The €6 million project includes a modern CNC metal machining shop, robotized femtosecond laser assembly and testing shops, and an ISO 5 cleanroom of about 2,500 sq m, one of the largest in the Baltics.

Nikolajus Gavrilinas

Nikolajus Gavrilinas, co-founder and CEO of LITILIT, says that the new factory marks an important milestone both for the company, which has been developing its laser technology since 2014, and for the whole laser industry.

“The growing use of femtosecond lasers in semiconductor manufacturing, data centre equipment, electronics, medicine and other fields is driving demand across Europe, North America and Asia. Our factory comes at exactly the right time and will serve businesses on all three continents. The Vilnius plant is only the first stop; later, we plan to replicate this model in other countries together with our international partners," says Gavrilinas.

Located in a modern logistics park developed by SIRIN Development in Vilnius, the factory covers over 4,000 sq m and houses a CNC metal machining shop, robotized assembly and testing shops, and an ISO 5 cleanroom of about 2,500 sq m, one of the largest in the Baltics. The total value of the project is €6 million.

Gavrilinas notes that femtosecond laser production remains limited worldwide because the technology evolved from scientific systems and is notoriously difficult to produce at scale. Last year, global femtosecond laser production capacity was an estimated 9,600 units, according to Reports and Markets.

LITILIT can scale laser production quickly because of its patented architecture based on modular design, reduced component complexity, and a high level of automation. At full capacity, the factory will employ about 150 people, several times fewer than conventional production would require. Besides scalability, the architecture also gives LITILIT's lasers a performance edge. According to Gavrilinas, they reach around 20% electrical-to-optical efficiency and are up to half the size of the industry average, which makes them easier to integrate into production lines.

The company developed its technology based on two international patents, one of which was made in collaboration with the centre for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC) in Lithuania.

Ramūnas Skaudžius, director at FTMC, says the factory is a reminder that the value of scientific research is measured not only by publications or patents. It also confirms that in Lithuania it is possible to complete the entire journey from a scientific idea to a product serving global markets.

“The laser technology developed and patented at FTMC has now become the foundation of advanced industrial manufacturing. Yet the technology itself is not the most important part of the story. What matters most is that knowledge created in Lithuania has been transformed into a business capable of competing on the international stage. This is a long and demanding journey that requires not only scientific excellence, but also entrepreneurial courage, investors’ confidence, and perseverance,” Skaudžius says.

Femtosecond lasers use extremely short pulses that process materials with only minimal heat damage to surrounding structures. This quality, known as cold ablation, makes them indispensable in applications ranging from eye surgery and vascular stents to manufacturing computer chips and display screens.

#Litilit #laser #Ai #PAuto #Lithuania

New buildings for analytic leader.

2026-10-16T09:25:44.607+01:00

Company expands capacity for development, production and sales of laboratory measurement technology.

Analytik Jena has inaugurated two new buildings in Jena and Ilmenau, Germany. The Endress+Hauser Group, to which the company belongs, invested a total of 96 million euros at the two sites in the federal state of Thuringia (D).

At its headquarters in Jena, Analytik Jena has constructed a new 19,000-square-meter building. The facility replaces an existing building on the company campus and provides around 420 employees with a modern working environment featuring production, warehouse, development, laboratory and office facilities. The investment amounted to approximately 64 million euros. The new building’s sustainable energy supply combines district heating, heat recovery systems and solar power.

At the production site in Ilmenau, a new facility of approximately 10,000 square meters was constructed for its 80-plus employees. The Endress+Hauser Group invested around 32 million euros in the project. The new building brings together development, laboratories, production and warehousing under one roof. Two business units that were previously located separately in Ilmenau will now work at the same site. The facility gets some of its energy from a photovoltaic system and a connection to a local biogas power plant.

“With these new buildings, we are investing in the future of Analytik Jena and creating the best possible conditions for innovation and collaboration. At the same time, we are laying the groundwork for growth and strengthening our position as a reliable partner for customers worldwide,” says Oliver Klaeffling, Managing Director of Analytik Jena. “At the same time, we are enhancing our ability to support customers around the world with our solutions.”

Dr Peter Selders, CEO of the Endress+Hauser Group, adds, “We aim to support our customers from the laboratory to industrial production. We are investing consistently in this strategy.” Steven Endress, President of the Supervisory Board of the Endress+Hauser Group, emphasized, “As a family-owned company, we think and act with a long-term perspective. The new buildings will strengthen two key sites for development and production.”

Analytik Jena develops, manufactures and markets solutions for combustion and total parameter analysis, elemental and trace element analysis, liquid handling and automation, as well as molecular biology systems for PCR and qPCR. These products help detect contaminants in water, ensure the quality of pharmaceutical products, and analyze metals, raw materials and other substances for their composition and purity.

• See also: Takeover of German analyser manufacturer completed.(1/4/2026)

@AnalytikJena_ @Endress_US @Endress_Hauser @Endress_UK #PAuto #Germany

Clamping screw.

2026-10-16T08:59:35.576+01:00

Generates 25 tons of clamping force with only 130 Nm of tightening torque.

New investments should provide sustainable added value—for example, by simplifying and accelerating setup processes, reducing potential hazards, or creating more ergonomic workstations. Other desired benefits include longer tool life and improved product quality. Solutions that address several of these requirements simultaneously are particularly attractive. Jakob’s clamping elements often achieve this, thanks to their innovative and well-engineered internal design.

SC Power Clamping Screw.

Clamping Screw with Force Intensifier

At the heart of the SC power clamping screw lies a unique internal mechanism: a specially developed wedge-clamping system. This system acts as a powerful force multiplier, enabling extremely high clamping forces while requiring only low tightening torques. Its simple, manual operation ensures maximum operational safety.

The SC series of power clamping screws is suitable for a wide range of applications, including presses, stamping machines, machine tools, fixture construction, and the design of production equipment. Various sizes—featuring a range of thread diameters and clamping forces—allow for a selection tailored to specific needs.

Self-locking wedge-clamping system with versatile applications.
Thanks to their specialiaed geometry, SC clamping screws are self-locking in any clamping position and offer a clamping stroke of up to 3 mm. This ensures that clamping forces—up to the nominal value—can be reliably achieved, regardless of the tightening torque applied.

Maximum performance with simple operation.
In addition to the standard models—available with thread diameters of M36, M48, M64, and M80—Jakob also offers the special SC 100 version. It achieves a maximum clamping force of 250 kN with an M100 × 6 thread—all with a tightening torque of just 130 Nm.

Operation is simple, requiring only a 14 mm hex key (Allen key). For precise and reproducible clamping force values, the use of a torque wrench is recommended.

For specific requirements, custom-engineered threads can be provided upon request, allowing for the realisation of tailored, precision-fit solutions.

@UnnGmbh @PresseBox #jakobantriebstechnik #PAuto

High-performance robots.

2026-10-15T09:11:22.998+01:00

Meeting growing demand for high-speed and precision manufacturing, from electronics to automotive.

The industrial robot portfolio of ABB is being expanded with two new compact, high-performance robots, the IRB 1700 and IRB 1700ID, delivering up to 20% shorter cycle times than comparable robots on the market.

“Precision manufacturing across sectors from electronics, automotive, to general industries is facing the pres-sure to produce more, while maintaining quality and reducing operating costs,” said Craig McDonnell, Managing Director, Business Line Industries, ABB Robotics. “The IRB 1700 family addresses these challenges with a new level of speed, accuracy, reliability and energy efficiency. It gives manufacturers and system inte-grators a flexible platform for high-performance automation.”

Offering payloads from 6 kg to 12 kg across five variants and powered by OmniCoreTM controllers, the new robots help manufacturers increase productivity, with up to 20% shorter cycle times, and improve uptime and reduce operating costs, with up to 15% lower power consumption and service intervals of up to 20,000 hours between oil changes.

Precise path repeatability of down to 0.03 mm and joint speeds of up to 700 degrees per second make the new robots ideal for high-speed precision tasks such as material handling, arc welding, deburring, sanding, and machine tending. The high-performance robots are also suited to new electronics applications such as AI server rack assembly, meeting the surging demand for AI servers and computing.

The new robot offers a footprint 50% smaller than its predecessor, and for even greater packaging efficiency, the IRB 1700ID model features ABB Robotics’ Integrated Dressing (ID) design, routing cables and hoses inside the robot arm, simplifying installation across industrial applications.

The IRB 1700 family extends ABB Robotics’ comprehensive mechatronics portfolio and ABB Robotics’ development of more autonomous and versatile robotics (AVRTM), with access to an expanding portfolio of programming and AI-powered software, including RobotStudio®, AI Robot Trainer, OmniCore EyeMotion and automatic collision-free path planning.

@ABBRobotics @ABBgroupnews @abb_automation @NapierPR #PAuto #Manufacturing

New-Generation Gas Detector range.

2026-10-14T15:17:20.522+01:00

Comprises three models with Bluetooth-based configuration and maintenance tools.

The new-generation FREEDOM range of gas detectors has been unveiled by Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection. The series is designed for industrial sites where gas detection technologies must demonstrate reliable monitoring with minimal maintenance requirements.

Available in three models - FREEDOM GP, XP and Xi - the range provides detection solutions for applications spanning oil and gas, general industry, utilities, water treatment, laboratories and hazardous environments among others. Built around a common electronic architecture, the new FREEDOM series is designed to simplify servicing and standardize components - and reduce TCO across the product lifecycle.

“FREEDOM represents a step forward in providing customers with a gas detection solution that is both more intuitive and serviceable, as well as more cost-effective,” said Régis Prévost, Product Line Manager, Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection. “By combining a common platform with intelligent connectivity and features such as cartridge replacement under power in a hazardous area, without compromising certification compliance, we’re helping users maintain safety and operational continuity while reducing the demands of routine maintenance.”

With a broad selection of detection technologies and designs that withstand demanding operating conditions, the FREEDOM family is able to deliver user-friendly, reliable gas detection across diverse industrial environments. The FREEDOM Xi model, for example, is built to allow uninterrupted operation and optimal detection in the harshest domains. Another model, FREEDOM XP, is engineered for explosive atmospheres, meeting stringent performance and functional safety requirements that include SIL2/SC3 High Demand certification.

A key feature arrives courtesy of Teledyne Gas and Flame SYNC (GF Sync), a dedicated Bluetooth app that enables users to configure, calibrate and diagnose FREEDOM gas detectors directly from a mobile device. The app also supports automatic certificate generation, simplifying compliance and reporting while providing convenient access to essential functions.

Across the range, multicolor displays and peripheral LEDs provide clear visual indications of normal operation, faults and alarms, making detector status easier to identify at a glance.

@mepaxIntPR #TeledyneGFD #PAuto #Utilities

New digitiser option.

2026-10-14T11:17:22.912+01:00

A new firmware option that enables its high-resolution 59xx series digitisers to perform onboard summation averaging has been introduced by Spectrum Instrumentation. Averaging is a useful tool for reducing unwanted signal noise while, at the same time, improving measurement resolution, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). By performing the averaging directly in the onboard FPGA, the option significantly reduces the amount of data that must be stored or transferred for analysis. The result is a processing tool that allows the averaging of high-repetition-rate signals at up to 2 million events per second.

“This new option for the 59xx series provides an exceptional waveform averaging capability for users who need to characterise signals that may be masked or distorted by unwanted noise,” said Spectrum’s Director of Technology, Oliver Rovini. “The FPGA-based processing allows ultrafast averaging, even on waveforms that contain as many as 64 KiSamples per acquisition. It’s ideal for users working with signals or pulses that are low level, or where signal details are being lost due to high amounts of noise. This includes applications such as mass spectrometry, lidar, radio astronomy, automation, radar, biomedicine, nuclear physics, communications, sonar, and many more.”

The 59xx series digitiser range includes 24 PCIe card variants and 28 Ethernet-based instruments. The products offer maximum real-time sampling rates from 5 MS/s up to 125 MS/s, with 16-bit resolution and a choice of input channels ranging from 1 to 8 per PCIe card or from 4 to 48 per stand-alone instrument. Connecting the PCIe cards together with the company’s proprietary Star-Hub system also enables the creation of acquisition systems with up to 128 fully synchronised channels. The PCIe cards allow streaming of acquired data to PCs or GPUs over the bus at rates of up to 700 MB/s.

Summation averaging is a time-domain-based processing technique that reduces the random (uncorrelated) noise component of a signal and improves its signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). At the same time, the process increases a digitiser’s measurement resolution and dynamic range. Figure 2 illustrates how summation averaging can reveal signal details that would otherwise remain hidden by excessive noise.

Low level pulses are extracted from noise by averaging the waveform up to 64 times.

In the example, a low-level signal (approximately 300 µV) is acquired by an M2p.5962 digitiser sampling at 125 MS/s. The signal is completely buried by random noise (top trace). Averaging eight times (middle trace) reveals details invisible in the original single-shot acquisition, with three pulses that occur every 3.6 µs. Averaging 64 times (lower trace) improves the signal quality even further, exposing a pulse with an amplitude of approximately 300 µV, together with smaller pulses after it.

Ideally, if the noise is random while the signal is repetitive, then the summation averaging function can improve the SNR in proportion to the square root of the number of measurements (or averages). For example, averaging a signal 64 times may improve the SNR by as much as 12 dB or increase measurement resolution by around 2 bits. As such, summation averaging is a valuable tool that can be used to improve and extend the 16-bit resolution of the 59xx series digitisers. The new option, named M2p.xxxx-spavg, is available immediately for new 59xx series digitisers and can also be installed as a field upgrade on existing units.

@SpecInstruments @mepaxIntPR #TandM #PAuto #Laboratory

Identifying risks in graped and wine.

2026-10-14T09:33:03.561+01:00

Researchers have demonstrated the ability to identify the complex chemical signatures emitted from grapes and wine to predict quality risks in wine production faster and more affordably than conventional methods.

Moët Hennessy, the wine and spirits division of LVMH, Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI), a global semiconductor leader, and University of California, Davis, a world-renowned leading research university, has announced a groundbreaking joint effort to deploy a new generation of technology aimed at enhancing wine quality and supporting the long-term vitality of vineyards.

The collaboration builds on a breakthrough technology that has its roots in early research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Today, ADI continues to advance this technology platform for analysing chemical signatures across a broad range of applications and, together with teams from Moët Hennessy and UC Davis, is exploring its use in viticulture and winemaking. The joint effort aims to detect and interpret volatile chemical signatures emitted by grapevines, juice, and wine, giving viticulture and winemaking teams much earlier insights into biological processes and potential quality risks.

A world first demonstration: predicting Fresh Mushroom Aroma before it develops The collaboration’s first major achievement addresses one of the wine industry’s most complex quality challenges: Fresh Mushroom Aroma (FMA). Researchers at Moët Hennessy’s Robert-Jean de Vogüé Research Center have built a unique library of samples and associated data to train machine learning algorithms to recognise the chemical signatures associated with this quality risk.

For the first time, the technology successfully identified samples presenting an elevated risk of developing FMA at an early stage, well before the defect would traditionally be detected. This breakthrough creates entirely new possibilities for proactive quality management, enabling earlier interventions and fundamentally changing how quality risks may be monitored throughout the winemaking process.

Powered by ADI's sensing and machine learning platform, the system analyses a broad spectrum of chemical information and uses Ai to identify which signals matter most, revealing patterns that may otherwise go undetected. Rather than looking only for predefined conditions, the platform continuously learns from complex chemical data, enabling a deeper understanding of biological activity and emerging quality risks.

A technology platform with multiple future applications.
Beyond FMA, the organisations view this technology as a scalable platform for living systems analysis, with potential applications wherever biological processes generate meaningful chemical signatures that can be measured, interpreted and acted upon. Additional applications being researched include early detection of vine diseases, soil assessment, and identification of other defects, especially those linked to climate change and related events (e.g., wildfires).

The goal is to support, not replace, human expertise by equipping researchers, viticulturists, and winemakers with decision-support tools for earlier detection and deeper insights. The technology is designed to augment the expertise of growers and winemakers, providing additional information and context while preserving the craftsmanship, experience, and judgment that remain central to exceptional winemaking.

An international collaboration uniting technology, Ai and life sciences.
The effort combines complementary expertise from:

Moët Hennessy, the world leader in premium and super-premium wines and spirits
ADI, a global semiconductor leader that bridges the physical and digital worlds to enable breakthroughs at the Intelligent Edge; ADI Health Solutions, ADI’s business unit focused on developing Ai-driven solutions that contribute to the health of people and the planet
UC Davis, internationally recognised as a global leader in viticulture and enology

Together, the organisations aim to unlock new capabilities for observing, understanding and interpreting the complex grape and wine matrix in support of quality and resilience across the wine industry. Beyond this initial collaboration, ADI intends to make this technology broadly available for future industrial applications, while Moët Hennessy and UC Davis are exploring how shared reference libraries could benefit the wider grape and wine industry.

Manuel Reman, member of the Moët Hennessy Executive Committee, overseeing R&D, and Member of the Comité Champagne: "This breakthrough marks the beginning of a new chapter for viticulture and winemaking. We can rapidly detect and interpret the chemical language of grapes and wine to anticipate quality risks before they become visible. Beyond a technological achievement, this opens an entirely new way of understanding and working, one that will help us produce exceptional wines while building greater resilience for the future."

Max Shulaker, Chief of ADI's Health Solutions Business Unit: "This collaboration unites world-class expertise in cutting-edge Ai-enabled sensing systems and viticulture to accomplish something previously impossible: reading the chemical language that living systems emit themselves. By recognising these signatures before conventional methods can, this technology can help winemakers shift from reacting to quality risks to anticipating them. Our first breakthrough addresses Fresh Mushroom Aroma, but it marks the beginning of a much broader platform for understanding living systems, one that can improve quality and resilience in ways that are just now being explored and unlocked."

Ben Montpetit, Ph.D, UC Davis: "In the face of major global challenges, the continued advancement and resilience of the grape and wine sectors will depend on two things: better knowledge and people equipped to put that knowledge into practice. What is especially powerful about this collaboration is that we are advancing both. We are developing technology that can give viticulturists and winemakers the right information at the right time to make informed decisions, while also training the next generation of experts who will know how to interpret and act on those insights."

@ADI_News @LVMH @ucdavis #Pauto #Food_Drink

Industrial Ai for energy agreement.

2026-10-14T08:47:59.791+01:00

Seeq and Applied Computing, creator of Orbital, the first foundation model built for energy operations, today announced a commercial agreement that pairs Orbital's physics-grounded detection and diagnosis with Seeq's industrial intelligence platform. The partnership will enable operators to make better decisions that lead to measurable improvements in efficiency, emissions, and reliability across energy environments.

“By bringing together physics-based Ai and advanced industrial analytics, Applied Computing and Seeq can help operations teams turn complex data into faster, more robust decisions,” said Dr. Lisa Graham, CEO of Seeq. “Both companies are committed to building and supporting an industrial Ai ecosystem for our customers, bringing the best innovations together to help the industries we serve adopt Ai more productively and scale more quickly.”

Under the agreement, Orbital identifies equipment and process issues across some of the most complex industrial systems , while Seeq provides decision intelligence through analytics capabilities that teams use to investigate those findings and visualise operational data. Together, the solutions will help customers use anomaly detection and root cause analysis, understand their operational context, and deliver insights that guide high-impact decisions and actions across both daily execution and strategic long-term outcomes.

The initial application will support INSITE , the digital platform from global science, technology and engineering solutions company KBR (NYSE: KBR) that provides technical and advisory services for operating plants, powered by Applied Computing's Orbital foundation model and serving the ammonia, petrochemical, LNG and oil and gas industries. Analysts at the KBR Innovation Studio Bengaluru will use Seeq to investigate anomalies identified by Orbital and create customer-facing reports and recommendations.

"Orbital was built to detect and diagnose issues in the world's most complex energy environments, and Seeq gives operations teams a powerful way to investigate, contextualise, and act on what it finds," said Dan Jeavons, President of Applied Computing. "This partnership closes the loop between physics-grounded Ai insight and the daily decisions that determine plant performance, and it reflects our shared commitment to an open industrial Ai ecosystem."

The companies also plan to explore a bidirectional integration between Orbital and Seeq, enabling shared context and more streamlined AI-driven investigations.

@SeeqCorporation #appliedcomputing #PAuto #Ai #Energy

Gene editing enhanced with electronic pipettes.

2026-10-13T14:31:56.600+01:00

Biotechnology company QUiCKR Bio is using liquid handling solutions from INTEGRA Biosciences to run its CRISPR edit confirmation assays. QUiCKR’s proprietary assays eliminate key bottlenecks of sequencing-based confirmation in CRISPR gene editing, ensuring more efficient workflows and accelerating downstream research.

Quantifying the outcome of CRISPR gene editing to modify, delete or correct specific regions of DNA has traditionally been performed using costly and time-consuming NGS or droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). QUiCKR Bio, based in New York, offers pre-plated assays and cloud platform analysis for quantification of DNA sequences with NGS-level accuracy in just 20 minutes, helping pharma and biotech companies to optimize therapeutic candidates and accelerate regulatory approval.

Pic:QUiCKER

Charles Blanluet, Co-founder and CEO of QUiCKR, explained why the company chose to partner with INTEGRA: “We offer end-to-end kit and software solutions tailored to customers’ specific throughput and regulatory needs. This includes ready-to-use, 384 well assay plates that can be run on existing lab readers and automation platforms. Setting up these assays manually is tedious, time consuming and potentially error prone, so we looked for alternative solutions. We partnered with INTEGRA because we found its pipetting tools very easy to use and implement, and the quality of the liquid handling matched the demands of our assays. Within 5 hours, we can set up the entire QUiCKR workflow and confirm its accuracy on 200 edited samples.”

“For our highest throughput formats, the VIAFLO 96 can run the whole workflow – comprising serial dilutions and plate transfer – in just a few clicks using preloaded scripts. For lower throughput, we first prepare serial dilutions of the DNA samples in a 96 well plate using an ASSIST PLUS pipetting robot mounted with a VIAFLO electronic pipette. We then use the MINI 96 portable electronic pipette to transfer these dilutions to each quadrant of the 384 well QUiCKR plate.

“The VIAFLO 96 and ASSIST PLUS enable walk-away processing and increase reproducibility, and simultaneous pipetting of 96 samples with the MINI 96 further saves time and reduces variation. Speed is of the essence for our customers, so we ensure fast onboarding of pre-validated, turnkey solutions. INTEGRA’s liquid handling solutions have enabled us to implement these same-day, reproducible processes. Most of our workflows are pre-validated on INTEGRA’s instruments, and INTEGRA offers a 30-day trial period to support QUiCKR’s onboarding. We are happy to recommend the company as an automation partner to all our customers,” Charles concluded.

@INTEGRApipette @QuickrBio #Laboratory #BioScience #Pharma

All-rounder inverter for numerous drive applications.

2026-10-12T11:18:49.456+01:00

Machine inverters for standard applications and application inverters for networked drive applications.

The NORDAC PRO SK 500P control cabinet inverter offers numerous integrated functions and economic advantages. Thanks to its versatile interfaces, the NORDAC PRO frequency inverter can be easily integrated into automation environments. As a control centre between control and axis motion, it provides optimum control of the drive and peripherals.

Precise motor control for asynchronous and synchronous motors, with and without encoder feedback, guarantees a high overload capacity of up to 200% and stable, load-independent speed as well as dynamic starting/stopping – as featured by NORD’s NORDAC PRO SK 500P control cabinet inverter.

The integrated POSICON function allows movement to numerous absolute positions or incremental feed along endless-loop axes. Movements of several drives that are synchronised along the same axis can be easily achieved using on-board functions; sequential control of several axes including encoder evaluation, for example in warehouse systems, can also be implemented.

One inverter series as standard.
With its features, the NORDAC PRO SK 500P covers a wide range of applications and can be used as a control centre for numerous drive applications, including lifting gear thanks to overloads up to 200%, pumps thanks to PI control or dynamic applications thanks to encoderless CFC open-loop injection control. As a result, NORDAC PRO SK 500P inverters can become the standard in the control cabinet, reducing effort in terms of procurement, storing and range of spare parts.

Ready to use in no time.
With this control cabinet inverter, NORD focused on easy system integration. Via its multi-protocol Ethernet interface, four Industrial Ethernet dialects – PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, POWERLINK – can be selected using parameter settings. The integrated PLC acts as a soft PLC, handling drive-related functions. Within an automation architecture, the NORDAC PRO SK 500P can therefore carry out specific tasks and reduce the load on the main PLC or render smaller PLCs redundant. As a stand-alone device, it makes a higher level control unit superfluous in individual machines. All in all, this speeds up commissioning of machines and systems and reduces effort in terms of wiring, installation and maintenance.

More space in the control cabinet.

With their compact design, the inverters in all power classes from 0.25 kW to 160 kW save a significant amount of space in the control cabinet. The NORDAC PRO SK 500P is available in book-size format up to a power class of 22 kW. Depending on the system architecture, the integrated functions also eliminate the need for slots in the control cabinet that were previously required, for additional control cabinets previously required or even for the higher-level PLC.

Scalable for various applications.
The NORDAC PRO family comprises three configuration packages that users can tailor to the requirements of the respective application. NORD offers the NORDAC PRO as a machine inverter for standard applications or as an application inverter in two variants for networked drive applications.

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