Electronics Journal | 01 - July 2020

01 - Electronics Journal - JULY 2020

electronics journal

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100% ACCURATE BARCODE VERIFICATION WITH NEW INLINE BARCODE VERIFIER FROM COGNEX

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2D-CODE READERS GET AUTOMATION ROLLING

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THE SOURIAU 8STA SERIES, A BENCHMARK FOR HIGHPERFORMANCE CONNECTORS IN THE WORLD OF MOTORSPORT

RUGGED PICO-ITX MIO-2361 SBC FEATURING ONBOARD LPDDR4 & EMMC

electronics journal

COGNEX

COGNEX

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HMS INDUSTRIAL NETWORKS

LEUZE

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EMITECH

LEMO

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SOURIAU SUNBANK CONNECTION TECHNOLOGIES

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STEUTE

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ADVANTECH

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FISCHER CONNECTORS

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IN THIS ISSUE...

4 100% Accurate Barcode Verification with New Inline Barcode Verifier from Cognex

6 A vision system enabling new inline factory inspections 10 2D-code readers get automation rolling 12 Increased market share for Industrial Ethernet – fieldbus decline continues and wireless stays stable

14 Emitech recognized as a Certification Body (CB) under the CB Scheme 15 LEMO’S NEW HARPOON: PRESS-FIT CONTACTS FOR ELBOW AND STRAIGHT PCB SOCKETS

16 The SOURIAU 8STA series, a benchmark for high-performance connectors in the world of motorsport

18 Wireless Safety 20 Rugged Pico-ITX MIO-2361 SBC Featuring Onboard LPDDR4 & eMMC 22 Fischer Freedom’s major extensions enable versatile innovations in connectivity

electronics journal

POWER UP YOUR OPERATIONS

Send your press releases to: editor@ipmediaonline.com Electronics Journal is a leading engineering media. It features technology trends articles as well as news about the latest innovation in Electronics: IoT, telecommunications, connectors, electronic components, semiconductors and manufacturing.

Automating logistics functions using Cognex barcode reading and vision systems means fewer lost packages and less manual handling and rework, which equates to lower operational

Electronics Journal edits its articles with the greatest of care, however we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information presented in them. Our teams disclaim all responsibility concerning the content of this media or how it might be used.

costs, higher throughput, and improved customer satisfaction.

LEARN MORE:

cognex.com/logistics Logistics_ad_210x148mm_EN.indd 1

Advertisers: C OGNEX 3 • MEPAX 5 • COGNEX 9 • LEUZE 15 • BRADY 19

www.ipmediaonline.com

6/8/2020 11:09:29 AM

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COGNEX

100% ACCURATE BARCODE VERIFICATION WITH NEW INLINE BARCODE VERIFIER FROM COGNEX

DataMan 475V ensures quality compliance for every code without slowing down production

Cognex Corporation has recently launched the new DataMan® 475V Inline Barcode Verifier.

Providing contract-compliant assurance in adherence with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), this high-speed system delivers the most reliable code verification and quality reporting for 1D, 2D, and direct part mark (DPM) codes.

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Barcode verification is critical for ensuring high code quality throughout the supply chain, preventing product waste, chargebacks, and loss of customers,” said Carl Gerst, Cognex Senior Vice President and Business Unit Manager of Identification Products. “The DataMan 475V automates barcode verification, bringing quality assurance out of the lab and into production.”

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The DataMan 475V is equipped with precision optics, powerful lighting, robust grading algorithms, and a high-resolution camera to capture and grade even the most difficult codes. The system uses a proven high-speed, multi-core processing engine to ensure ISO compliance at production line speeds.

When code quality drops, users can now get immediate feedback to quickly identify printing and process control issues, as well as diagnostic tools needed to correct them. Combined with advanced data delivery capabilities, the DataMan

475V ensures informative, repeatable results for a range of industries including automotive, medical device, consumer products, pharmaceutical, and logistics. www.cognex.com/dataman-475V

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COGNEX

A VISION SYSTEM ENABLING NEW INLINE FACTORY INSPECTIONS Cognex introduces the world’s first industrial smart camera powered by Deep Learning software. This combination expands the possibilities of what can be successfully and precisely inspected in factory automation.

Intelligence included: The new smart camera In-Sight D900 comes with a new set of functions in a compact design.

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eep Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are among the buzzwords not only in the manufacturing industry but also in many other fields. Deep Learning, a type of AI that leverages neural networks can be easily explained: Similar to how humans learn what a house is from a large number of examples, so too can a deep learning system comes to understand the nature of an object from labeled images. Whether a car’s bumper, a package’s envelope, or something else, deep learning is an examples-based approach to solving inspection challenges. Furthermore, each inspection can be continually improved by feeding the existing algorithm with more example image data. This new data enhances the system leading to more accurate results.

A range of options allow for the perfect adaption to the individual application.

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Expanding the limits of automated inspection Whether this is real intelligence or not, might be discussed by experts. From a practical point of view, the benefits for manufacturers are obvious and multiple.

Manufacturers still rely on human inspectors throughout the production process because traditional machine vision systems cannot handle the complexity or variability within certain tasks. But humans can be prone to inconsistent results from one human to the next, or they can tire over the course of an eight-hour shift. Additionally, there are many aspects throughout production that still go uninspected from one reason or another. Both of these realities open manufacturers up to quality control issues or the chances for recalls.

A vision system with integrated artificial intelligence, for example, is able to combine the judgement of a human inspector with the robustness and consistency of an automated solution

COGNEX

The intuitive In-Sight spreadsheet interface enables the use of Deep Learning functions without PC and programming.

With the In-Sight ViDi Read tool, the user is able to solve challenging OCR applications in next to no time.

These new deep learning-based inspection tools help factory automation customers easily solve applications that are too time-consuming or complex to deploy with traditional, rule-based machine vision tools. for inspection or quality control. This is exactly the main advantage of the new InSight D900 vision system from Cognex.

As a first-of-its kind solution, it embeds Cognex’s deep learning software, known as In-Sight ViDi, inside an industrialgrade smart camera. This combination expands the possibilities of inline factory automation inspections.

Hardware: State-of-the art flexibility The In-Sight D900 hardware is a compact, industry-grade smart camera that can easily be installed and deployed on the line without the need for a PC. The highly modular, IP67-rated vision system includes field-changeable lighting, lenses, filters and covers that can be customised to match the individual application requirements.

The High Dynamic Range (HDR+) imaging creates evenly exposed images, an LED indicator allows pass/fail to monitor at a distance, and the inspection results

can be stored locally on an SD card. The embedded inference engine was added to specifically run deep learning applications.

While the hardware is amongst the most advanced for Cognex, it’s this ability of the In-Sight D900 to run a new class of deep learning-based applications that make it noteworthy.

Software makes the difference: Deep learning included with easy application development The In-Sight D900 works with the familiar and easy-to-use spreadsheet user interface which simplifies application development and factory integration.

Application engineers have access to the full suite of traditional machine vision tools, like PatMax, edge finders, and measurement tools. But, with the InSight ViDi, the D900 consists of three deep learning tools which all aim at specific and widespread applications: ViDi Read, ViDi Check and ViDi Detect.

For all three application tools, users can take advantage of the intuitive InSight spreadsheet interface allowing for a fast setup of Deep Learning applications without programming.

The In-Sight spreadsheet simplifies application development and streamlines factory integration with a full I/O and communications function set. It also enables the ability to combine traditional Cognex rules-based vision tools (like PatMax Redline) and Deep Learning tools in the same job, leading to quicker deployments.

Since In-Sight ViDi requires vastly smaller image sets and shorter training and validation periods than other deep learning solutions, applications are quick and easy to set up, teach, and deploy.

ViDi Read: Complex OCR With the In-Sight ViDi Read tool, the user is able to solve challenging OCR applications in minutes. This module deciphers badly

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COGNEX

The ViDi Check tool was designed for a fast and accurate assembly verification.

deformed, skewed, and poorly etched codes using optical character recognition.

This tool works right out of the box, dramatically reducing development time, thanks to the deep learning pretrained font library. The user simply defines the region of interest and sets the character size. In situations where new characters are introduced, this robust tool can be retrained to read application-specific characters that traditional OCR tools are not able to decode. In comparison to conventional vision systems without Deep Learning, this feature offers obvious advantages.

ViDi Check: Verifying assemblies and part location The ViDi Check tool on the In-Sight D900 allows manufacturers to perform fast and accurate assembly verification.

The In-Sight ViDi Detect tool allows for analyzing complex defect detection tasks.

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The system is able to detect complex features and objects. It verifies whether parts and kits are assembled correctly based on their location within a userdefined layout. The tool can be trained to create an extensive library of components,

COGNEX

FROM THEORY TO FACTORY FLOOR REALITY The In-Sight D900 puts the power of deep learning at your fingertips.

LEARN MORE:

www.cognex.com/d900 ISD900 190x130mm EN Ad.indd 1

which can be located in the image even if they appear at different angles or vary in size.

ViDi Detect: Find defects and other unwanted variations A third tool called ViDi Detect was designed for analyse complex defect detection tasks.

It is able to learn from images of good parts in order to identify defective parts.

In-Sight ViDi Detect is ideal for finding anomalies on complex parts and surfaces, even in situations where defects can be unpredictable in their appearance.

Summary: A new paradigm for highquality vision inspections The integration of the In-Sight ViDi deep learning based vision software on a smart camera helps factory automation customers easily solve challenging OCR, assembly verification, and defect detection applications that are often too difficult to deploy with traditional, rulebased machine vision tools and require

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reliable, fast and consistent results not possible with human inspection.

With the introduction of this system, Cognex addresses three application fields: optical character recognition (OCR), assembly verification and defect detection. Others might (and will) follow, but these three alone open up a wide range of possible tasks that the new system can tackle successfully and with more precision than a conventional vision system. With respect to the markets, the In-Sight D900 can be used across a range of industries including automotive, consumer electronics, consumer products, packaging, food and beverage, medical devices, and logistics. www.cognex.com

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LEUZE

2D-CODE READERS GET AUTOMATION ROLLING Autarky Automation is one of the leading British developers and manufacturers of automation and conveyor systems. To meet the demanding requirements on an automated tire system, Autarky opted for the latest 2D-code readers from Leuze.

Automated conveyor application at TyreLine from assembly identification to tire inflation.

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large part of what Autarky Automation offers is in the area of modular conveyor technology. Here, Autarky offers a wide range of standardised components and accessories. The company thereby contributes to minimise project planning times and assembly costs. A good example of this is the project for TyreLine: Since 1984 the company has been supplying the industry with wheel and tire assemblies – from wheelbarrows to high-performance sports cars.

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The task: conveyor system for tire inflation For a long time, the tire line at Tyre-Line operated with a simple tire inflation device for standard steel wheel sets.

The tires for high-end alloy wheels were inflated manually. Due to increasing growth in orders, a Hofmann tire filling machine was purchased that could handle the complete range of wheel and tire assemblies.

The entire process of storing and retrieving assemblies in the machine was now to be automated. Autarky won the tender to produce a suitable conveyor system and relied on Leuze.

The challenge: tires are round Attached to each wheel and tire assembly at Tyre-Line is a slightly adhesive bar code

label. It would have been too complicated for Tyre-Line to affix the label at exactly the same location on each assembly.

Autarky was therefore charged with developing a solution that could reliably read the bar code. And could do so at any location and at any position over the entire width of the conveyor belt.

“A round object that always looks the same independent of its position is a true challenge for a code reader.”

“Proper identification of the assemblies was, however, of decisive importance for the success of the line: the detection of the bar code information needed to tell the Hofmann machine which assembly is approaching and, thus, what air pressure is necessary. That’s why it was so important to select the best possible

LEUZE high-performance LED illumination, as well as the high resolution in combination with a very high depth of field.

In the stainless steel housing model with degree of protection IP69K/IP67, the DCR 200i can be cleaned without problems and even used in harsh environments.

The application: simple, intuitive and flexible Its compact design, its fastening concept and its simple handling means that the DCR 200i can be integrated easily and quickly in a wide range of different applications. This applies to its mechanical installation as well as its commissioning and configuration.

The code readers of the DCR 200i series are operated and configured using the graphical user interface of the integrated Leuze webConfig tool via an Ethernet interface. An external program is not required. The DCR 200i can be put into operation by the user in just three minutes using the configuration wizard. Moreover, the teach function is also a possibility. This is run using the two buttons on the control panel of the DCR 200i in combination with a smartphone app developed by Leuze for configuration.

The DCR 200i camera-based code reader from Leuze for the fast decoding of 1D-, stacked and 2D-codes.

code reader for this task,” explains Brad North, managing director of Autarky. To solve this problem, Autarky turned to the Sensor People at Leuze.

The solution: the DCR 200i from Leuze After discussing the application with the Leuze experts, we selected the DCR 200i 2D-code reader,” explains North. Leuze, a leading manufacturer of bar code readers with more than 50 years of experience, developed this model especially for fast and omnidirectional reading of 1D- and 2D codes.

“We mounted three devices on a strap arrangement at the optimum angle and height so that the bar code could be read at any position on the assembly and the conveyor belt.”

“In combination with the existing PROFINET communication network, the

DCR 200i 2D-code readers from Leuze detect data on the bar code. This is then passed on to the Hofmann machine.”

Autarky had already used hundreds of standard bar code readers and photoelectric sensors from Leuze. “Our long-standing cooperation with Leuze and the good service made the decision easy for us,” says Brad North.

The DCR 200i code reader: fast and reliable The DCR 200i camera-based code reader is used to detect and identify bar codes, stacked codes and Data Matrix codes.

It is characterized above all by its very fast reading performance. The DCR 200i achieves speeds of up to 6 m/s. It reliably reads 1D- and 2D-codes omnidirectional.

It plays no role here whether they are printed or directly marked, static or moving, inverted or mirrored. This is ensured by the fast imager, the integrated

The result: greater throughput, higher accuracy “Today, a wheel and tire assembly passes through the inflation machine every seven seconds. In addition to the sheer speed, Tyre-Line also benefits from an increased inflation accuracy and repeatability. Because the automated system has eliminated any possibility for human error.”

The conclusion drawn by Autarky Managing Director Brad North is entirely positive: “At Tyre-Line, the Leuze 2D-code readers now work daily from morning to evening and help the company achieve significantly higher throughputs rates.”

The automated conveyor application at Tyre-Line in a video: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ktwEvZqprKM

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HMS INDUSTRIAL NETWORKS

INCREASED MARKET SHARE FOR INDUSTRIAL ETHERNET – FIELDBUS DECLINE CONTINUES AND WIRELESS STAYS STABLE Industrial network market shares 2020 according to HMS Networks.

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ndustrial network connectivity for devices and machines is key to achieve smart connected factories. HMS Networks annual study of the industrial network market shows that Industrial Ethernet increases its market share to 64% of new installed nodes (59% last year), while fieldbuses drop to 30% (35).

The leading networks EtherNet/IP and PROFINET share first place at 17% each.

Wireless technologies stay at a 6% market share.

HMS Networks presents its annual analysis of the industrial network market, focusing on new installed nodes within factory automation globally. As an independent supplier of solutions for industrial communication and the Industrial Internet of Things, HMS has a substantial insight into the industrial network market. The 2020 study includes estimated market shares for fieldbuses, industrial Ethernet, and Wireless.

Estimated growth rates are not included this year, the reason being the unique general market conditions due to the Coronavirus situation.

Increased market share for industrial Ethernet, while fieldbuses continue to drop In the study, HMS concludes that Industrial Ethernet continues to take market share from fieldbuses. Industrial

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HMS INDUSTRIAL NETWORKS

Ethernet now makes up for 64% of the global market of new installed nodes in Factory Automation (compared to 59% last year). EtherNet/IP and PROFINET share first place at 17% market share each. EtherCAT continues to perform well globally at 7%, and Modbus-TCP at 5% just passes Ethernet POWERLINK at 4%.

Fieldbus market shares continue to drop HMS estimates a fieldbus decline to 30% of new installed nodes (compared to a 35% last year). PROFIBUS is still number one at 8%, for the first time accounting for less than 10% of the total industrial network market. Runners up are ModbusRTU at 5%, followed by CC-Link at 4%.

Reflections on the market shares for industrial Ethernet and fieldbuses “We expect the industrial network market to grow steadily during the coming years, but due to the unique Corona virus situation which is now affecting the general business conditions globally, we have chosen not to include growth numbers in our 2020 analysis, only market shares”, says Anders Hansson, Chief Marketing Officer at HMS Networks.

“So, only focusing on market shares this year, we see that Industrial Ethernet continues to drive industrial connectivity in factories, headed by EtherNet/IP and PROFINET with EtherCAT in third place.”

Hansson continues: “PROFIBUS is still the biggest fieldbus but has lost market share as the general decline for fieldbuses continues. Another interesting finding is that Modbus keeps doing well - both when it comes to fieldbus Modbus RTU as well as the Ethernet-based Modbus-TCP, indicating that factories do not refrain from using well-working technologies in their new installations just because they have been around for some time.”

Wireless stays stable, looking good for the future Wireless technologies keep a 6% market share, with WLAN still being the most popular technology, followed by Bluetooth. “Wireless keeps its market share on a growing market which is not bad, but we expect the Wireless share to increase over time,” says Anders Hansson.

Anders Hansson, Chief Marketing Officer, HMS Industrial Networks

The study includes HMS’ estimation for 2020 based on number of new installed nodes in 2019 within Factory Automation. A node is defined as a machine or device connected to an industrial network. The presented figures represent HMS’ consolidated view, considering insights from colleagues in the industry, our own sales statistics and overall perception of the market.

“With all ongoing activities globally about wireless cellular technologies (e.g.

Private LTE/5G networks) as enablers for next-level smart manufacturing, market demand will increase for wirelessly connected devices and machines to be included in the less cabled and flexible automation architectures of the future”.

www.hms-networks.com

Regional network variations EtherNet/IP and PROFINET are leading in Europe and the Middle East with PROFIBUS and EtherCAT as runners up.

Other popular networks are Modbus (RTU/TCP) and Ethernet POWERLINK. The US market is dominated by EtherNet/ IP with EtherCAT gaining some market share. PROFINET and EtherNet/IP lead a fragmented Asian market, followed by PROFIBUS, EtherCAT, Modbus (RTU/TCP), and CC-Link/CC-Link IE Field.

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EMITECH

EMITECH RECOGNIZED AS A CERTIFICATION BODY (CB) UNDER THE CB SCHEME The CB scheme, a process of mutual recognition of test results between participating countries The CB scheme is an international certification program for the exchange and acceptance of product test results from recognized participating laboratories, "CBTLs", and National Certification Bodies, "NCBs" in more than 50 countries around the world. The goal of the CB Scheme is to constantly harmonize electrical product safety and electromagnetic compatibility requirements at international level, while also taking national deviations into account.

Thanks to mutual recognition of CB certificates between countries, the tests performed are recognised in these member countries. This makes it easier to place products on the market abroad and opens the way for manufacturers to obtain certification marks (NF, etc.).

Pascal Bonnenfant, head of Emitech Certification.

Since 2014, Emitech has had its own international certification service called Emitech Certification. It has now been recognized as an NCB (National Certification Body).

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s an ISO 17065-accredited product certification body, Emitech Certification has initially become a Notified Body for CE marking. As such, it issues certificates of conformity under the RED 2014/53/EU directive for radio communication equipment, and the EMC 2014/30/EU (electromagnetic compatibility) directive. This involves assessing the conformity of a product for which there are not yet any harmonised standards, extending the validity of a test report to an entire range of products, validating the integration of subassemblies by partial tests or a voluntary approach by a manufacturer.

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E m i t e c h Ce r t i f i c a t i o n s u p p o r t s manufacturers who want to market their products internationally. It takes care of the technical and administrative formalities, arranges for local tests to be carried out if necessary to obtain approval, and chooses the most suitable procedure. The CB Scheme (CB Scheme) is thus the most efficient way to approach export markets in more than 50 countries throughout the world. Within the framework of the CB Scheme, Emitech's international certification service has just been recognised as an NCB (National Certification Body). It can now manage its network of CBTLs (Certification Body Testing Laboratories), and deliver, based on their reports, the CB certificates recognized in the member countries.

NCB recognition is a strategic step Within this context, four of Emitech's laboratories have already been recognized for several years as CBTLs in the categories for medical, laboratory, multimedia and information processing equipment. A CBTL has to depend on a single NCB. Since April 2020, Emitech's certification service has been recognized as a National Certification Body under the NCB scheme. This means that this service can now issue CB certificates from its own CBTL laboratories.

Emitech supports its customers in a global approach to marketing their products abroad. As this process is fully controlled under the framework of the CB Scheme it is largely autonomous and its reactivity is augmented. This recognition is part of the strategy to internationalise Emitech's service offering, established when Emitech created its certification service. www.emitech.fr/fr

LEMO

LEMO’S NEW HARPOON: PRESS-FIT CONTACTS FOR ELBOW AND STRAIGHT PCB SOCKETS

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EMO connector is well known for its Push-Pull connector. LEMO’s new harpoon earthing pins enable pre-installing easily various receptacles/ socket. The advantage of these new press-fit contacts is the gain of time while doing the pre-assembly, no need to place the washers and screw 4 times the M1.6 screws. Simply align the connector and push firmly. This pre-assembly will enable the assembly house or final customer to turn the PCB board upside down and run the parts through the reflow soldering oven. This solution is planned for elbow and straight PCB sockets of 0B & 1B series. The current design works specifically with 1.6mm thickness boards. www.lemo.com

Forerunner.

Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow.

The Sensor People have been setting technological standards in industrial automation for more than 50 years. This is how we ensure the success of our customers in an industry that is ever evolving.

We have been a forerunner from the start, and we are working on standardizing industrial communication. Among other things, we make sensors that are capable of transmitting data to control systems and the cloud via IO-Link and OPC-UA.

www.leuze.co.uk

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01 - Electronics Journal23.03.2020 - JULY 2020 10:50:21

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SOURIAU – SUNBANK CONNECTION TECHNOLOGIES

THE SOURIAU 8STA SERIES, A BENCHMARK FOR HIGHPERFORMANCE CONNECTORS IN THE WORLD OF MOTORSPORT Its compact size and low mass, coupled with its incredible robustness and resistance to shock and vibration have made SOURIAU's 8STA the connector of choice for racing teams at the highest level of the sport looking for the state-of-the-art to improve the electrical performance of their machines. These connectors are commonly used on steering boss systems, temperature and pressure sensors, data acquisition and electronic control systems and inside fuel tanks.

The BXT motors deliver considerably higher torques than those usual in this drive class.

Miniaturization: a design challenge The 8STA series is a range of connectors derived from aerospace standards, where high-density, lightweight and reliable solutions must be able to withstand high levels of shock and vibration. For smaller spaces such as racing cars, the challenge was to miniaturize these connectors while maintaining the same electrical, mechanical and environmental performance characteristics.

Manufacturing miniature connectors requires a high level of skill and expertise; processes must be very clearly defined and strictly controlled to maintain the precision necessary to repeatedly produce and deliver high quality products, especially when it comes to very small injection moulded plastic components.

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SOURIAU – SUNBANK CONNECTION TECHNOLOGIES

Electrical performance characteristics such as signal transmission and insulation resistance are key aspects, as long-term reliability of data and power distribution can make the difference between a Did Not Finish (DNF) and winning the race.

The choice of materials is also critical because each application may have different requirements such as resistance to fuel, lubricants or other fluids. Finally, the mechanical design means that the connectors must withstand more than 500 mating cycles and remain secure under high vibration. They must also be user-friendly for the technician who may have very limited time to couple and uncouple them during a pit stop.

New materials and designs Racing teams are constantly looking for innovative designs that would give them a competitive edge. Weight distribution has a significant impact on how a car performs on the track: every gram saved on components where weight is not needed can be redistributed where it will bring performance improvements.

For this reason, the trend in connector design is therefore towards increased miniaturisation and higher contact density.

A connector that meets all requirements SOURIAU has developed a size 01-03 connector, less than 2 cm long and with three #26 contacts (0.5 mm diameter).

This revolutionary development has taken miniaturization to a new level and is the basis for further improvements, meeting market requirements for size and weight reduction while maintaining high integrity of mechanical and electrical performance. With miniaturization, visual and mechanical protection to prevent mistakes in mating the wrong connectors together is also becoming increasingly important. This is why colour coding and mechanical coding options are a standard feature of the entire 8STA range.

specific project developed to measure for a customer can turn into a new catalogue product on the market. This is the case of the fuel resistant version and the quickdisconnect version of the 8STA series, both of which started as customer specific products and have now become standard components of racing car harnesses.

SOURIAU guarantees the availability of its products and the rapidity of its deliveries which, especially for highly competitive racing teams, are of paramount importance. www.souriau.com

SOURIAU has always worked closely with its customers and partners to promote innovation and efficiency. Sometimes a

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STEUTE

WIRELESS SAFETY „Wireless Safety“ for foot controls and command devices

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or press brakes and other forming and bending machines, the foot control is the key human-machine interface. It is actuated very often (up to two million switching cycles per year are realistic for plants working in three shifts around the clock) and assumes an important safety function because operators not only use it to trigger a press stroke, but also to stop one.

As part of its GF/GFS series, steute has developed a three-stage safety foot switch specifically for this task. Features of this switch include high stability and low pedal height, permitting ergonomically comfortable and non-fatiguing actuation.

This is particularly desirable when operating an enabling switch because the pedal must be held in the middle position for longer periods of time.

At the SPS 2019, steute presented its latest generation of wireless safety foot controls, all of which eliminate the need for a cable connection to the press brake. They communicate instead via the intrinsically safe wireless protocol sWave 2.4 GHz-safe®, developed by steute for this purpose. Guaranteed stable response times of under 100 ms can be achieved independently of any other wireless devices active in the same frequency band. The steute wireless technology sWave.safe® provides a robust and safe wireless connection (availability) with fast and guaranteed response times.

This protocol also features low power consumption, fast connection times and long battery lifetimes.

Cable-free signal transmission provides operators with greater freedom of movement and optimal ergonomic comfort at all times. There is also no wear and tear of the cables, making the availability of the foot switches higher.

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The wireless safety foot switches with up to three pedals can be used in applications to Performance Level e (EN ISO 138491) and SIL 3 (IEC 61508). Leading manufacturers of forming machines are already offering their customers these controls – either as a serial component or as a frequently chosen option.

The technology underlying all steute wireless switching devices and sensors also permits use of the sWave 2.4 Ghzsafe® intrinsically safe wireless protocol as a platform for other switchgear and command device series. www.steute.com

ADVANTECH

RUGGED PICO-ITX MIO-2361 SBC FEATURING ONBOARD LPDDR4 & EMMC Advantech (2395.TW), a leading global provider of intelligent IoT systems and embedded platforms, is pleased to announce MIO2361, the latest Pico-ITX single board computer designed with onboard LPDDR4-2400 & 32G eMMC powered by Intel® Atom™ E3900 series/Pentium® N4200/Celeron® N3350 processors.

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he rugged design of the MIO-2361 means typical memory (socket type) assemblies are not used.

The MIO-2361 offers deep power down mode, 12V/24V +/- 10% power input, better storage capacity, M.2/mSATA, and -40° to +85°C wide temperature support.

Combined with Intelligent Management Software Integration, MIO-2361 offers various types of selected embedded OS including Windows 10 and Linux Yocto BSP for testing hardware drivers and devices to prevent unauthorized data access. MIO-2361 is also integrated with WISE-PaaS/DeviceOn IoT device management software designed by Advantech to expedite IoT development particularly in factory automation.

Superior Quad-Core Performance with Selected 12V/24V Power Supply Equipped with Intel® Atom E3900 series /Pentium® N4200/Celeron® N3350 processors, MIO-2361 offers 1.7 times the compute power over previous generation processors. When paired with a quad-core processor, MIO-2361’s additional memory and rapid storage capabilities enhance coordinated computing by accelerating operational processes. MIO-2361 also supports 12V/24V power supply for power-exchange processing, reduces power consumption, and facilitates the integration of existing data without sacrificing software compatibility.

Rugged Design with Flexible I/O Expansion for Harsh Environments MIO-2361 offers wide operating temperature support from -40°C to 85°C for use in harsh environments. Its heatsink is designed as a dynamic heat conduction system which enhances thermal conduction from hot components

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to the heat spreader. MIO-2361’s heatsink outperforms similar designs by dissipating heat from the CPU more effectivity and reduces temperatures by approximately 11°C ~ 25°C. Furthermore, 2 x RJ45 ports (rear I/O) and HDMI4.1b (right-angle) are also one of MIO-2361’s main features that give the customer more flexible I/O selection. With onboard LPDDR4-2400 designed to decrease its total height, MIO-2361 has the smallest PCB size (100 x 72mm) which easily fits in any ultra-slim embedded chassis to save space. MIO-2361 also features 32G eMMC flash memory that delivers the needed performance for smooth onboard computation with low TDP. MIO-2361 is ideal for electric car recharging stations, outdoor video players, as well as for factory automation equipment.

Bundled with Value-added IoT Device Management Software Due to the support of Advantech WISEPaaS/DeviceOn IoT device operation management software the board can

ADVANTECH

easily be integrated, operated and managed within your industrial IoT devices ecosystem. With DeviceOn’s easy-to-use interface you can monitor device health, have real-time control of power on/ off, troubleshoot, and perform updates over-the-air (OTA) on-site and remotely.

In addition, Advantech's SUSI unified API enables developers to write applications for controlling hardware without knowing the specifications of specific chipsets and driver architectures. For instance, using the “Power Saving API”, customers could create utilities for CPU power modes to reduce power consumption in extreme environments.

MIO-2361 Product Features and Specifications: • Intel® Atom E3900 series/ Pentium® N4200 • Onboard LPDDR4-2400 up to 8GB, eMMC 32GB • Dual independent display for 48-bit LVDS+HDMI • M.2 E-key, mSATA/mPCIe for expansion • Dual GbE, USB3.0, 2 x RS-232/422/485, 12/24V input • Supports WISE-PaaS/DeviceOn, iManager3.0, and Embedded Software APIs: Win 10, Linux (*Yocto development, by customer request)

www.advantech.eu

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FISCHER CONNECTORS

FISCHER FREEDOM’S MAJOR EXTENSIONS ENABLE VERSATILE INNOVATIONS IN CONNECTIVITY Nine new products now add to the capability of the Fischer Freedom™ Series to serve as a technology platform in connectivity setting new standards in usability, integration capability and versatility. An innovation enabler in application design, particularly in terms of SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) requirements, cable management optimization, electronic network integration and wearable technology.

T

he new features, new configurations, new materials and new active devices, commercially available as of September 2019, use the versatile and modular connectivity technology of the Fischer LP360™ connector, the first product of the plug & use Fischer Freedom™ Series launched in 2018 (cf. top of photo below): • No key code and non-magnetic quickrelease locking for easy 360° mating • Membrane-sealed contacts for easy cleaning • Easy integration thanks to low-profile design and ergonomics Fischer Freedom™ enables design engineers to integrate more technology and functionality into fixed or wearable ecosystems and cable-free devices in markets such as: defense & security, medical, instrumentation, industrial and civil engineering, robotics, wearables, the Internet of Things (IoT), etc.

The new USB 2.0 adaptor, LED and flash drive have the Fischer LP360™ panel plug directly integrated into their housing. This opens up new development pathways for innovative active solutions integrated into electronic networks where power source and communications are centralized within shared data & power buses and hubs. As for the new cabled receptacle in metal with 7 signal and power contacts, it is a ready-to-use solution that also maximizes the usability, operability and functionality of robotic systems or 01 - Electronics Journal - JULY 2020

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smart vests into which it can easily be integrated. These solutions are ideally used in applications for portable and body-worn “wearables”, among others, for the so-called “connected human” – a huge trend in the connectivity sector –, as well as in IoT applications.

Fischer Connectors Group’s CEO Jonathan Brossard says: “Fischer Freedom™ is more than a traditional connector product line. It is a real technology platform which also enables innovations in active solutions with the goal, among others, to maximize the usability, interoperability and multifunctionality of electronic devices and ecosystems. I’m extremely proud that our Product Development and R&D teams have been able to launch such a variety of new products at the same time. They demonstrate our capacity to deliver reliable and versatile connectivity solutions that create innovation synergies in diverse markets.”

devices from the outset. The new product extensions widen the choice of solutions out of their engineering toolkit.”

Fischer Connectors’ R&D Director Jérôme Dabonneville adds: “Fischer Freedom™ is instrumental in making our customers’ lives easier. Its plug & use technology is not only an innovation enabler and accelerator in terms of connectivity and device development. It also allows what we call a ‘connectivity by design’ process.

Connectivity design can (and should) take place upstream in the device design process, not downstream. With this new versatile and modular technology at hand, our customers – mainly design engineers and integrators – can now design their

Fischer Freedom™ was launched in June 2018 by Fischer Connectors, the global provider of ultra-reliable and high-performance connectivity solutions, to offer breakthrough plug & use technology. Thanks to the patentpending technological innovations in mating, locking and materials, of its first product, the Fischer LP360™ 7-pin connector, the connectivity solution has received four awards in one year, and has been recognized as being able “to change the way connectivity is done”, as a LEAP award judge commented.

FISCHER CONNECTORS

The new extensions of Fischer Freedom™ will be unveiled as a world premiere at the Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEI) tradeshow in London, UK (10-13 Sept.) and at the All About Automation tradeshow in Leipzig, Germany (11-12 Sept.).

• Fischer Freedom™: www.fischerconnectors.com/global/en/ fischer-freedomtm-series

NEW Fischer LP360™ products Size 14 (7 signal & power contacts): cabled receptacle (1) and panel plug (2); active devices: USB 2.0 adaptor (3), LED (4), Rugged Flash Drive (5).

Size 08 (4 signal & power contacts) in plastic (high-end composite based on PEEK) with cabled plug (6) and panel receptacle (7); in metal with panel receptacle (8) and panel plug (9).

• Fischer LP360™: www.fischerconnectors.com/global/en/ products/lp360tm

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