ADVERTORIAL TECHNOLOGY IN ACTION


OMRON launches longer distance sensor for


touchless control solutions O


MRON Electronic Components Europe today announced a new addition to the B5W series of optical sensors. The new


B5W-DB diffuse reflector sensor has a longer sensing distance of 550mm, longer than light convergent resistance sensors of the same size making it ideal for COVID safe user interfaces. The OMRON B5W-DB features enhanced disturbance light


resistance, making the product less susceptible to ambient light such as sunlight. The sensor can be mounted from four directions and it operates on an impressively low current consumption of 20mA maximum. The new diffuse reflector sensor opens itself up to


applications in washroom equipment, sterilization equipment and entry control systems. Touchless sensors have a lower infection risk, making them COVID-secure and giving peace of mind to patrons using facilities in washrooms and other public spaces.


OMRON u +31 235 681 296 u info-components-eu@omron.com u www.components.omron.eu


New hydrogen sensor improves detection of small leaks A


new gas sensor and hand probe for leak detection in the manufacturing industry have been developed by INFICON. With improved performance, the detection of small leaks is now significantly easier. The new StrixTM sensor and hand probe connect to the INFICON Sentrac Hydrogen Leak Detector, making it the


Sentrac Strix Edition. Designed for use with hydrogen tracer gas, the instrument enables easy leak detection in applications where the acceptable leakage rate is measured, for example, by the refrigeration industry in grams per year. The new sensor helps detect any presence of gas quickly. With significantly improved response and recovery


times, it enables the operator to pinpoint leaks even in demanding environments. As well as helping operators find very small leaks efficiently, the sensor will also assist users to locate leaks of widely varying sizes, from the extremely small to the very large. The dynamic operating range covers 10 decades of leak sizes. This improved performance has been achieved with the development of the new proprietary Strix sensor, where


new features, combined with advanced signal processing, have resulted in easier locating of leaks, covering a wide range of sizes.


Easy detection The Sentrac Strix Edition hydrogen leak detector uses non-flammable forming gas, containing 5% hydrogen and 95% nitrogen, as a tracer gas to find leaks. Diluted hydrogen in this mix is readily available in most countries as a standard shielding gas for welding, at a lower cost than helium. With forming gas injected into the product, such as a refrigerant circuit, the operator follows the outline of the


product with the probe, detecting any escaping gas. INFICON


£455 billion to Britain’s economy over the next decade. Here Mike John, managing director at industrial metrology supplier The Sempre Group, explores how involving metrology in plans to digitalise can help the British manufacturing sector become a world leader in innovation. According to the M2R report, the UK trails behind other European nations in deploying


Taking the lead with digital metrology A


ccording to Manufacturing Confidence, a report by the Midlands Manufacturing Resilience Commission (M2R), digital industrialisation could be worth as much as


the technology needed to increase the UK’s productivity. While British workers often put in the longest hours, our productivity lags — a sorry state of affairs. Many businesses are now reflecting on how digital technologies can help to increase production speed, reduce waste and drive efficiency so that they can compete with global counterparts.


Going digital Traditionally, manufacturers don’t include metrology in their plans to digitise — while machine tools and other production equipment given the Industry 4.0 go ahead, metrology is usually seen as just a policing mechanism. However, metrology could hold some of the answers to our productivity challenges. Investing in digital technologies for quality management can give manufacturers full


control over their measurement data, so they can use it to make better decisions. A fully digitised approach to quality removes the challenge of integrating data from fragmented sources, reduces room for error, improves traceability and enables manufacturers to improve their productivity. So, what are the steps to digitalising quality management?


A single system In a traditional paper system, businesses may be performing quality checks, only for the parts to inspected again when they arrive at the next manufacturer’s site. By integrating all quality management into one unified, digital system, companies across the supply chain can share quality data from the same system, eliminating unnecessary extra steps.


Automation The next step is to use programmable systems like robots to automate manufacturing and measurement processes, making them more efficient, traceable and productive. Instead of having a person loading, measuring and unloading parts on a metrology system all day, manufacturers can simply program a robot to do it for them. Collaborative robots can be placed on production lines to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to pick the parts from the line, place it in a system for measurement and accept or reject the parts accordingly.


40 APRIL 2021 | DESIGN SOLUTIONS


Connect Wireless connectivity of equipment to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) means manufacturers can easily implement a factory-wide data collection network. The manufacturer can connect suppliers, operations, customers and products with edge analytics and bring the data together into a common SQL database for all business processes. Manufacturers can use integrated manufacturing and quality management software to


generate reports automatically, whether it is first article inspection (FAI) reports, initial sample inspection reports (ISIRs) or production part approval process (PPAP) documents, to comply with standard like ISO 17025, ISO 9000, 21 CFR or AS9100.


Focus on the outcome While technology plays a large role in automating production, manufacturers should not focus solely on equipment. Digitalisation is about more than just technology, it is about how we use equipment, inspire people and manage data to drive operations and growth. As manufacturers think about how they can improve operations using technology, it is


important to first establish what outcomes they want to achieve. Technology can be a big investment, so manufacturers should make sure that any equipment they purchase adds real value to production. By focussing on the outcome and not the equipment, manufacturers can make decisions that deliver clear return on investment. To fully embrace digital manufacturing and establish the UK as a global leader in


manufacturing innovation, British industry must change its mindset. Instead of just using measurement systems to police quality, manufacturers can use it as a tool to boost productivity and add real value to the business.


The Sempre Group u 01452 632712


u www.TheSempreGroup.com CONNECTINGINDUSTRY.COM/DESIGNSOLUTIONS u +46 13 355 920 u mikael.ekstrom@inficon.com


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