Security & Monitoring


RS Components launches pioneering AFGs from Tektronix with 9-inch touchscreen, waveform creation, sequencing and realtime monitoring


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S Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents) have launched a range of high-


performance arbitrary function generators (AFGs) from international test and measurement specialist Tektronix. With realtime waveform monitoring, programmable waveform sequencing, built-in waveform creation and the largest touch sensitive AFG screen on the market, Tektronix intends its AFG31000 series to redefine the AFG concept for researchers and production engineers who need to generate test signals easily and quickly. The AFG31000 series sports an industry-leading 9-inch capacitive touchscreen that allows users to zoom in on areas of a waveform in unprecedented detail. All related settings and parameters can be viewed on a single screen via a shallow menu tree. An intuitive user interface allows users to tap or swipe to browse, locate, select and edit settings, cutting the time required to learn and operate the AFG.


The AFG31000 series debuts a new patented feature known as InstaView, designed to eliminate impedance mismatch problems. Conventional AFGs assume they are driving a 50 Ω impedance, but few devices under test


(DUTs) actually have that impedance, leading to inconsistencies between the waveform set on the AFG and the signal at the DUT. InstaView addresses this problem by monitoring the waveform at the DUT on the AFG, allowing waveform verification without the need for additional cables or instruments. The waveform display responds to changes in frequency, amplitude, waveform shape and DUT impedance in real time.


Alongside conventional AFG operating modes, the AFG31000 series provides an ‘Advanced’ mode that allows programmable waveform sequencing. In Advanced mode, the AFGs up to 128 Mpts of waveform memory can be segmented into up to 256 entries. Users can drag and drop long waveforms, or multiple waveforms, within the sequencer and define how they are output. For engineers requiring long non- repeating waveforms, or multiple waveforms with complex timing, the AFG31000 series offers a significantly more affordable alternative to expensive arbitrary waveform generators (AWGs). Another new feature built into the AFG31000 series is the ArbBuilder tool, which lets users create and edit arbitrary


Turnkey enclosure for TgK Scientific’s InsightXpress for NMR monitoring


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gK Scientific’s InsightXpress new stop-flow delivery pumps enable the screening of reaction conditions by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance at an unprecedented speed for industrial and academic scientists studying or optimising reactions, with extremely low sample volumes and a dead time of less than 150 ms. Variable ratios of reagents to explore different reaction conditions and fast flow-rate injection of 0.2 – 2 ml/s offer great versatility in use. Verotec were selected as the enclosure supplier for several


main reasons. Low to medium volumes are expected, so using modified standard products did away with up-front expensive tooling, and time to market was minimised. Verotec supplied 3D files of the standard products, and then imported the required modifications back into its CAD system to create manufacturing and assembly drawings, simplifying the design cycle. Verotec’s in-house capabilities, which include mechanical assembly, screen printing, a mix of soldered and crimped cabling and electrical test, enabled a complete solution to be provided. InsightXpress is housed in an application specific Verotec 6U half width 320 mm deep EMC screened Diplomat enclosure. The unit is fully wired and fitted with three interface control boards, one for each of the three pumps that enable the reagent mixture to be varied. Verotec also manufacture and fit custom machined piece parts into which the free-issue high precision pumps are mounted. An optional fourth pump is housed in another Verotec product, the LBX enclosure, which when extending the core system capability is mounted to the standard front to rear heavy-duty extrusion on one side of the Diplomat.


www.verotec.co.uk 34 March 2019 Components in Electronics


waveforms directly on the AFG, using templates and an equation editor, rather than having to create them on a PC and transfer them over. Alternatively, waveforms captured by an oscilloscope can


be saved as .csv files and loaded directly into the AFG using ArbBuilder. The Tektronix AFG31000 series is shipping now from RS in the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions.


New control software for smarter condition and energy monitoring


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he rapid development and changes occurring in control systems, connectivity and sensor technology are important factors in helping manufacturing industry realise the opportunities and benefits of Industry 4.0, the so called next industrial revolution. Much of the control systems architecture and essential components as we know them today are changing as data can be collected direct from devices, which can then be analysed online. However, most of the data generated never even leaves the control loop on the machine, so can be lost.


Managing these changes and taking advantage of the opportunities they present requires more sophisticated software such as LR SMARTOBSERVER an ‘out-of- the-box’ application software product recently introduced by ifm electronic. Smartobserver software enables users to condition data acquisition primarily to see what is actually happening on their manufacturing plant right down to individual sensor level and then store that data for analysis later. At the heart of Smartobserver is the LR agent CP which is the key to collecting data and is essentially configurable, bio-directional communicating interface software.


It collects and handles the information from the machines in the manufacturing process and transmits it to other systems (e.g. databases, ERP systems, MES). In addition, LR Agent CP can send the required information back to the machines in the process.


The fundamental benefits of using Smartobserver is that it provides operators with details of the bigger picture with an analysis of what is actually occurring in their process driven by direct data collected from the sensors in their plant. Therefore, relying on historical data for estimations becomes unnecessary and irrelevant. The result is improved condition monitoring of machines


and installations, better analysis of energy consumption and optimum quality control of the processed products. To sum up the key features of Smartobserver and what they represent are; continuous condition monitoring of machines & systems, trend analysis, representation of limits and evaluation of all process parameters, data collection of all available parameters, visualisation & evaluation with trend display for pressure, flow, temperature, current & rotational speed. Also if required, changing operating condition of machines, data provision for more sophisticated systems such as ERP, SAP, HANA, MII, ME and alarm escalation chains.


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