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Test equipment advancing to meet rapidly changing market needs

Although the rise of the IoT, 5G, and advanced automotive electronics markets is instigating rapid changes in technology, test equipment is keeping pace, and not just in extensions to bandwidth specifications or signal resolution. Maureen Lipps, Multicomp Pro Private Label Product Segment Leader, Test and Tools, Newark Electronics, runs through important advances in the industry and its tools.
Read the full article.

Smallest rugged AI supercomputer for avionics

Aitech Systems has released the A178-AV, the latest iteration of its smallest rugged GPGPU AI super-computers available with the powerful NVIDIA Jetson AGX Xavier System-on-Module. With its compact size, the A178-AV is the most advanced solution for artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning, and video and signal processing for next-gen avionic platforms.
Learn more.

Touchless angle sensors get CAN SAE J1939 interface

Novotechnik has added the CAN J1939 interface (developed for heavy-duty vehicles) to its RFC4800 Series of touchless angle sensors measuring angular position up to 360°, turn direction, turns, speed, and operational status. It can provide one or two output channels. It has a longer life and robustness than an optical encoder. It can signal if a sensor needs replacing or average a programmable number of values to output to reduce external noise if present. This is wear-free angle measurement made easy.
Learn more.

Radar level sensor monitors liquids and powders

The innovative FR Series non-contact radar level sensor from Keyence has been designed to monitor the level of both liquid and powder in any environment. This sensor features short- and long-range models, as well as chemical and sanitary options to address a wide array of level sensing applications. Works even when obstructions or harsh conditions are present, such as build-up, steam, or turbulence.
Learn more.

Raspberry Pi launches $70 AI Kit

Artificial intelligence (AI) is all the rage, and the makers of Raspberry Pi have created a way for enthusiasts of the single-board computer systems to take part and do a lot of experimenting along the way.
Read the full article.

3D model sharing at Brother Industries cuts rework

When Brother Industries, maker of printers, computers, and computer-related electronics, deployed Lattice Technology's XVL Player as a viewer for sharing 3D models throughout the processes of product design, parts design, mold design, mold production, and QA of molded parts, they reduced rework significantly -- especially from downstream departments. XVL Studio with its Difference Check Option helped address the rework in mold design, for example, by always keeping everyone informed of design changes.
Read this real-world case study.

What is 3D-MID? Molded parts with integrated electronics from HARTING

3D-MID (three-dimensional mechatronic integrated devices) technology combines electronic and mechanical functionalities into a single, 3D component. It replaces the traditional printed circuit board and opens up many new opportunities. It takes injection-molded parts and uses laser-direct structuring to etch areas of conductor structures, which are filled with a copper plating process to create very precise electronic circuits. HARTING, the technology's developer, says it's "Like a PCB, but 3D." Tons of possibilities.
Learn more (video included on page).

New! Thermoelectric dehumidifiers for enclosures

Seifert Systems has just introduced its line of compact Soliflex^® Series thermoelectric dehumidifiers, with or without condensate pump. These IP 56-rated units are designed to dehumidify enclosures and small control panels, can be used indoors or outdoors, and are maintenance free. When used with a hygrostat, Soliflex dehumidifiers will keep enclosure humidity below a defined level and only operate when needed.
Learn more.

More Stego enclosure heater options from AutomationDirect

Automation-Direct has added more Stego enclosure heaters to their Enclosure Thermal Management lineup. These new 120 to 240 VAC/VDC units include small, flat versions that distribute heat evenly within compact enclosures and are available with 8- or 10-W heating capacities. Also added are compact loop heaters that feature a patented loop body design for increased natural convection airflow, reduced thermal stress on the heater, and better heat transfer. Loop heaters are available in 10- to 150-W heating capacities.
Learn more.

Great design: Handle with integrated lighting/signaling

Signaling and indicator lights, switches, and buttons -- elements that hardly any machine can do without. The new JW Winco cabinet U-handle EN 6284 integrates all these functions into a single, compact element. The new U-handle is designed to enhance the operation of systems and machines. It features an integrated button and a large, colored, backlit area on the back of the handle. These elements can be used individually or in combination, providing a versatile tool for system control and process monitoring that can be seen from across the room.
Learn more.

Engineer's Toolbox: What is ground loop feedback?

Improper grounding can create problems in data logging, data acquisition, and measurement and control systems. One of the most common problems is known as ground loop feedback. Experts at CAS DataLoggers run through five ways to eliminate this problem.
Read the full article.

AI development kit for multi-camera products

The QCS6490 Vision-AI Development Kit from Avnet enables engineering teams to rapidly prototype hardware, application software, and AI enablement for multi-camera, high-performance, Edge AI-enabled custom embedded products. The kit facilitates design with the new, energy-efficient MSC SM2S-QCS6490 SMARC compute module based on the Qualcomm QCS6490 processor. Provides support for up to four MIPI CSI cameras and concurrent Mini DisplayPort and MIPI DSI displays.
Learn more.

High-temp cabinet cooler keeps incineration process in business

An EXAIR client company handles waste treatment on a large ship by operating an incinerator. The area where the incinerator is located gets very hot (over 120° F). This causes failures in the electronics package used to control the incineration process. Since compressed air is readily available, EXAIR's Model HT4225 Cabinet Cooler System is being used to keep the panel cool. It saved the customer from having to replace their control units due to the hot conditions in the incinerator room. Thermostat control is also available, conserving air and operating only when needed to minimize air consumption.
Learn about EXAIR's huge selection of Cabinet Coolers.

Compact snap-in capacitors for general-purpose applications

TDK's new EPCOS B43659 series of snap-in aluminum electrolytic capacitors is the next generation of ultra-compact, general-purpose components for voltages of 450 V (DC) featuring an extremely high CV product. It provides the same features and serves the same applications as the previous series but is much more compact. These RoHS-compliant capacitors can be used in a wide range of applications, such as switched-mode power supplies, frequency converters, UPS, medical equipment, and solar inverters.
Get all the specs.

Conductive Brush Ring overcomes current leakage in EV powertrains

SKF's new Conductive Brush Ring paves the way to greater reliability and longer life in high-performance electric vehicle powertrain systems. Using pure carbon fiber bristles, it provides a reliable electrical connection between an EV eAxle rotor shaft and its housing. When used in combination with SKF Hybrid ceramic ball bearings, it helps to alleviate parasitic current effects that can lead to premature failure in bearings and other components. Available in different configurations for wet (oil-lubricated) motor designs -- and soon for dry (sealed) applications.
Learn more.

A little bit shocking: Industry analyst puts Tesla battery Gigafactory in context

Dr. Peter Harrop, Chairman of analysts at IDTechEx, was interviewed on July 27 by BBC Television World News in a live program transmitted worldwide. The subject was the opening of the Tesla battery Gigafactory, which has been billed as the world's largest factory building. There had been talk in the press of this giving Tesla global battery dominance and even leading to 10 times global battery output, and the BBC sought reveal the true situation. [See "Inside Tesla's gigantic Gigafactory."]

As battery experts, IDTechEx praised the Tesla initiative but pointed out that even this giant factory is only part of a huge ramp up of lithium-ion battery production where the East Asians are in the driving seat. The Tesla cells are by Panasonic of Japan, which has invested $1.6 billion in the project in addition to expanding its own facilities.

Tesla is copying the $13 billion Chinese company called BYD in making a range of electric vehicles, batteries, and solar cells, but BYD has its own battery cell technology. BYD is likely to have similar battery production capacity to Tesla in 2020.

But Tesla intends to leapfrog its competitors. For example, while BYD is taking $1 billion orders for pure electric buses, Tesla is preparing its first, radically different bus for sale. However, when it comes to batteries, BYD satisfies its own demand and tries to get competitors in vehicle manufacturing to buy their batteries from it -- a tough thing to do. In contrast, IDTechEx believes that Tesla has limited interest in providing more than its own battery needs.

IDTechEx agreed with the BBC that the batteries are the main thing stopping most of us from buying pure electric vehicles, but to triple the range of affordable electric vehicles, as many desire, calls for more than the economy of scale provided by gigafactories.

In addition, the key materials in the battery are being changed by all the leading battery manufacturers -- notably, adding silicon into the anodes in a tricky way and chemistry such as different nickel manganese cobalt NMC for higher capacity cathodes. That will make them store more energy and save on overall vehicle cost.

Other changes will follow, such as non-flammable electrolytes. IDTechEx therefore made the point that this is a risk on a risk -- namely, performing a massive volume ramp up during radical change of what you make.

LGChem of Korea seems headed for 50-GW production capacity by 2020, which is probably more than anyone else in the race for economy of scale. However, the key production of those clever new active materials lies mainly in Belgium, Japan, and Korea, although some key patents are owned by U.S. organizations.

The Tesla Gigafactory is part of this bigger race to supply very different, large lithium-ion battery packs with their management electronics for everything from ships, buses, and trucks to solar-powered houses. IDTechEx believes there is even a possibility of shortages of large lithium-ion battery packs as these Titans of the electric industry prepare for battle.

For more IDTechEx research on energy storage, including the new reports "Batteries for Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Utility Applications 2016-2026" and "Lithium-ion Batteries 2016-2026," please see www.IDTechEx.com/research/ES.

Source: IDTechEx

Published August 2016

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