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Accelerate AI-driven machine vision systems

BitFlow has announced full production of its Claxon CXP-12 frame grabbers, designed for NVIDIA GPU-accelerated machine vision. Across five models, the CoaXPress 2.0 lineup delivers up to 50 Gbps -- five times 10 GigE Vision -- eliminating data bottlenecks. The full CXP-12 specification ensures deterministic, high-bandwidth streaming to unleash modern AI inference models.
Learn more.

Millimeter-wave imaging inspection in real time

With its new quality and inspection R&S IMAGER millimeter-wave scanner, Rohde & Schwarz aims to simplify the industrial inspection of packaged products. The system sees through common packaging materials at production speed without using X-rays, protecting both products and operators. The high-contrast 3D images are used as digital twins and can be automatically integrated into AI-powered fault-detection systems. Sees through plastics, cardboard, and composites. Applications include food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, logistics.
Learn more.

What are single-loop process controllers?

PLCs are powerful, but complex control isn't always necessary. For standalone processes requiring single-variable monitoring -- like temperature, pressure, or flow -- a single-loop controller is ideal. See how single-loop controllers can streamline your next project.
Read the AutomationDirect tech tip.

Great Resources: Flexible circuit design guide

Tech-Etch uses advanced techniques to manufacture flex and rigid-flex circuits to exacting customer specs. Special processes include selective plating a single circuit with two different finishes, contoured circuits with variable metal thickness, semi-additive and subtractive techniques, open window or cantilevered contact leads, plus SMT for component assembly. Tech-Etch specializes in flexible circuits for medical, telecommunications, aerospace, semiconductor, and other high-reliability electronic applications.
Learn about flex circuits and get the guide (no registration required).

EMI Investigations: New immunity development system

Saelig Company announces the Langer E1 Immunity Development System for EMI investigations. This compact, affordable kit simulates burst and ESD interference to pinpoint layout weak spots down to IC pins. By eliminating "black box" guesswork early in development, engineers can efficiently identify coupling mechanisms, test measures, and resolve immunity issues before compliance failure.
Learn more and see it in action.

Battery packs for unmanned aerial vehicles

Re:Build Manufacturing has launched U.S.-assembled, NDAA-compliant lithium-ion battery packs for commercial, public safety, and defense UAV applications. Available in Core, Power, and Performance series, the packs use non-FEOC cells and are produced at Re:Build's advanced facility in New Kensington, PA. Re:Build also offers custom pack and battery management system development.
Learn more.

Easy-to-use precision measurement system

Optical Gaging Products has announced the StarLite S1, a compact, semi-automatic 3-axis video measurement system. It combines fully automatic video measurements with manual stage motion and features an IntelliCentric-S optical system for high-resolution images. Powered by Measure-X software, this system delivers fast, repeatable, high-accuracy results, making it ideal for both shop-floor and quality-control applications.
Learn more.

Why a soccer kick bends the ball path: SOLIDWORKS simulation

With SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation, you can virtually test a ball's flight path and see the science behind its amazing trajectory. Visualize anything you want to test, including the physics that make a ball curve and dip, to optimize performance and reduce physical testing. See the SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation study setup and learn about the Magnus effect where a spinning object moving through a fluid curves away from its straight path. [Credit: Screenshot courtesy of SOLIDWORKS]
View the video.

Lightning-fast in-line verification, high-performance barcode reading

The Omron VHV5 Barcode Reader now combines high-performance barcode reading and calibrated ISO verification in one device. Replacing offline sample checks, it delivers 100% inline verification at production speeds up to 1,200 parts per minute. With flexible lighting, the VHV5 easily inspects labels and Direct Part Marks, even on challenging curved or irregular surfaces.
Learn more.

How to choose the right industrial Ethernet switch

Antaira Technologies breaks down 10 mission-critical capabilities separating industrial-grade switches from commercial compromises. Even if you aren't in IT engineering, you will find valuable networking knowledge in this guide to protect vital infrastructure.
Read the full article.

New CAM software cuts robotic machining deployment

At Automate (Booth #4476), RoboDK will showcase RoboDK CAM, which generates robotic machining programs directly from CAD files. Designed for easy deployment, it cuts setup time by up to 40%. Live demonstrations will show users how to create collision-free robot motion straight from CAD data, eliminating manual line-by-line coding.
Learn more about RoboDK CAM.

AI Tools You Can Use: What is OpenClaw? How do I get it and use it?

OpenClaw is trending big time right now, but what is it? The YouTubers over at Create a Pro Website run through the basics of what you need to know and how to implement it. Basically, OpenClaw is a next-gen 24/7 AI assistant that lives on your computer and can perform actions for you. You talk to it through a chat app. You can set it up to do real work such as alert you to important emails, answer emails for you, manage your calendar and travel, and so much more. There is a great intro video here and also a longer, very thorough step-by-step video to setting up OpenClaw.
View the OpenClaw intro video.
View the OpenClaw setup video.

New! 6-digit programmable display/controller

Bristol Instruments has released the OM 403UNI Series displays/ controllers, allowing users to monitor two or three simultaneous functions. Configured via OM Link software or front-panel buttons, they feature four- or six-digit displays with +/-0.05% of f.s. range accuracy. They function as numeric/bar-graph displays, controllers, data recorders, or accumulators. Additionally, they detect and alert users to error conditions like broken sensor wires.
Learn more.

Mini edge AI systems for vision, generative AI

As enterprises transition from PoC to real-world edge AI deployment, Aetina has launched its Mini Series Edge AI systems. Powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano and NX modules, these compact, fanless systems deliver high-performance vision and generative AI inference. Engineered for demanding industrial environments, they offer flexible camera connectivity, space-saving designs, and long-term reliability to accelerate smart infrastructure.
Learn more.

Thermal imaging on the quality control line

On a high-speed food and beverage line, what you can see is not always what is happening. Thermal imaging adds a different layer of control. Instead of relying on surface appearance, it measures heat distribution as seals are formed and products move through the line, providing continuous, 100% in-line inspection instead of just sampling.
Read the full article.

Navy Research Lab demonstrates advanced distributed radar concepts with FlexDAR

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) completed the installation of the Flexible Distributed Array Radar (FlexDAR) earlier this year and began demonstrations with nodes operating at the NRL Chesapeake Bay Detachment in Maryland and at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

The FlexDAR concept was conceived by NRL to demonstrate new and advanced capabilities enabled by the implementation of every-element digital beamforming (EEDBF) antenna arrays combined with network coordination and precise time synchronization. EEDBF is an emerging technology that provides a huge leap in antenna capabilities. When combined with network coordination and precise time synchronization, it enables new and advanced radar capabilities. This, along with flexible digital processing, offers a number of attractive features well beyond the capabilities of conventional arrays and radar systems.

FlexDAR demonstrates dramatic performance improvements in detection range, tracking accuracy, and electronic protection when operated in a distributed configuration. Each radar incorporates every-element digital transmit and receive beamforming that enables multiple simultaneous full-gain receive beams within each radar's field of view. Each radar operates at S-band and consists of 1,008 elements.

Both FlexDAR systems are now operational and will allow the full capability of the FlexDAR concept to be developed and demonstrated over the coming months and years. The FlexDAR system represents the state-of-the-art in distributed radar technology.

NRL engineers and scientists led the development of the technical aspects of the FlexDAR program. Requirements for the arrays were developed by the NRL team. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, now known as Raytheon Technologies, won the competition to build the two arrays. NRL personnel designed and implemented the radar signal-processing and tracking algorithms, network coordination techniques, and an advanced graphical user interface, referred to as the FlexDAR Back-End (FBE).

Raytheon produced, integrated, and tested two phased-array FlexDAR Front-End (FFE) subsystems based on the NRL requirements. The FFE implements EEDBF and is integrated with the FBE using only a few high-speed fiber-optic Ethernet connections and a single analog signal to provide a common clock. The FBE and FFE are built using Open Standards and form just one possible configuration of this fully software-defined platform.

The NRL and Raytheon team integrated the systems and have verified many of the key capabilities of FlexDAR, including low antenna side lobe levels, multiple simultaneous and independent receive beams, multiple simultaneous sub-apertures, distributed radar tracking, and data throughput.

Verification of capabilities is ongoing, and the testbed will support continued development and demonstration of advanced distributed radar concepts.

The Office of Naval Research sponsored the FlexDAR program as part of the Integrated Topside and Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare Command and Control Innovative Naval Prototype (INP) programs. ONR INPs develop higher-risk technologies that offer potential leap-ahead capabilities, but do so ahead of formal naval requirements.

Source: U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

Published October 2021

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