FLIR’S THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA USED FOR NEXT GENERATION PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORKS


FLIR Systems’ X6540sc thermal imaging camera is being used by the Photonics Packaging Group at the Tyndall National Institute as part of a thermal microscope system to image the silicon photonic optical network unit (ONU) for next generation passive optical networks (NG-PONs). Researchers at Tyndall are


developing a next generation passive optical network (PON) demonstration module for high- speed fibre-to-home internet connectivity. At the heart of the PON is a silicon photonic integrated


circuit (Si-PIC) that receives information on an incoming optical signal, before reflecting the optical signal back, after encoding extra information. In this device an electronic integrated circuit (EIC) is bonded to the top of the Si-PIC, to precisely distribute the electronic timing-signals that are needed to drive the optical modulator in the photonic-chip. Joule-heating from these high-frequency timing- signals causes an increase in the temperature of the EIC and Si-PIC, which can have a significant impact on the performance and reliability


stabilise the photonic-chip. The X6540sc thermal imaging


of the photonic-chip. Using the FLIR X6540sc thermal imaging camera has allowed Tyndall researchers to simultaneously measure the EIC and Si-PIC temperatures in different operating modes, so that they can choose the most efficient way to thermally


Want to keep up to date? Then follow us on Twitter: @CI_Instrument and/or ‘Like’ us on Facebook!


TRESCAL EXPANDS ITS PRESENCE IN BRAZIL WITH THE ACQUISITION OF METROSUL


Trescal has acquired calibration services provider, Metrosul. The transaction consolidates Trescal’s geographical footprint and technical coverage in Brazil. Founded in 1995, Metrosul is Inmetro-accredited


and has skills in dimensional, electricity, temperature, humidity, pressure and mass (scales). With a turnover of around €1.5 million per annum, the company employs 55 people and is mostly active in the automotive, utilities, and food and beverage sectors. Nilo Ardais and Claudio Herman, the founders of


Metrosul, will remain in their current positions. The acquisition brings Trescal’s network in Brazil to seven accredited calibration laboratories, with over 200 employees. Commenting on the news, Federico Levenson,


Trescal’s general manager for Spain and Latin America, said: “With this acquisition, the Trescal footprint reaches the Brazilian Southern States – a relevant milestone in our South American development.” Mario Cia, Trescal Brazil general manager, added:


“Even with the hard times Brazil has come across, we experienced a huge growth in sales during 2016. Metrosul is the ideal platform to pursue our growth into the three Southern States in 2017.” In January, the company announced that it had


acquired Exphil Calibration Labs, a calibration services provider based in in Long Island, New York, consolidating


Trescal’s geographical footprint in the United States. www.trescal.com


MICRONICS’ FLOWMETER PROVES PUMP PERFORMANCE A


fter many years as


editor of Instrumentation, Rachael Morling is now taking some time away to take care of her new baby, Matthew. Please join me in congratulating Rachael on the birth of her child. The Instrumentation team wish her and her family all the best for the future. With Rachael’s departure, it is with great honour that I take the helm of the magazine as editor. In this issue we take a look


at blood pressure monitoring devices. With one in four adults in the UK suffering from hypertension, the market for advanced monitoring equipment is vast. Read about how Pressure Profile Systems is progressing the development of monitors on page 19.


Victoria White - Editor


NW Total Engineered Solutions, a company specialising in process equipment packages for testing of various pump types, has used a Micronics Portaflow 330 flowmeter to prove the performance of pumps. Because customers ask NW Total to set up the pipework exactly as it is on site, there is no possibility of adding anything in-line such as a positive displacement flowmeter. The Portaflow 330 is non-intrusive and can be strapped onto the outside of pipes without the need to cut into the pipe and is therefore suitable for evaluating conditions on site. Savings can be achieved with the device due to the accurate assessment of a pump’s existing flow rate prior to replacement: this means that the replacement pump is fit for purpose and is correctly sized. Because the end user makes cost savings down the line, the device has been protecting NW Total from costly mistakes with supply. www.micronicsflowmeters.com


ADVANCING THE INDUSTRIAL INTERNET OF THINGS


NI is collaborating with IBM and SparkCognition and on a Condition Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance Testbed. The goal of the collaboration


is to deliver a higher level of interoperability in operational and information technology leading to





an improved maintenance strategy as organisations search for better methods to manage the life of ageing assets in heavy machinery, power generation, process manufacturing and a variety of other industrial sectors. www.ni.com


Omega Engineering’s managing director, David Tipton, has been elected for a three-year term as a Vice President of the Institute of Measurement and Control (InstMC). Commenting on his appointment,


Tipton said: “Over the years I have personally observed the benefits of academia and industry working closely together and I will be actively engaged in developing the Institute of Measurement and Control as the Institute of choice for engineering professionals operating in our technology arena. www.omega.co.uk


Process Parameters has been announced as a new distributor for Kobold Instruments. The company will be distributing


Kobold’s range of ATEX Exia Resistance Thermometers, ATEX Exd Resistance Thermometers, Temperature Switches, ATEX Exd Thermocouples and much more. www.processparameters.co.uk


Megger has reached another major milestone in its long history – 50 years of manufacturing in Dover. In November 1966, Megger


moved its operations from various sites in London to spacious, purpose-built premises in Dover. These premises remain one of its key manufacturing hubs, producing multifunction testers, insulation testers and other low-voltage test equipment that is sold not only in the UK but also in almost every country of the world. Commenting on the anniversary of the Dover site, Simon Wood of Megger said: “This has been one of the foundation stones of our success since our business started all those years ago, and we still firmly believe that UK manufacturing gives us an important competitive edge.” uk.megger.com


camera includes high thermal sensitivity, snapshot imagery, a motorised spectral filter wheel and a detachable touch-screen LCD. The camera connects to the company’s ResearchIR Max R&D software for data acquisition, analysis and reporting. It can be temperature-calibrated up to 3,000°C with spectral and/or neutral density filters and provides measurement accuracy of ±1°C for standard configurations. www.flir.co.uk


INSTRUMENTATION | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2017


5


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60