Country of origin food labelling system revealed.

As some of you may have heard the Australian Government has announced a proposed new country of origin food labelling (CoOL) system on Tuesday 21 July 2015.

This is due to many consumers finding the current systems confusing demanding changes so that origin claims on food labels are clearer and more meaningful.

The proposed new system will see the continuation of mandatory country of origin labelling for most food offered for retail sale in Australia. In addition to a statement about where the food was produced, grown, made or packaged, most Australian food will carry the familiar kangaroo symbol and an indication of the proportion of Australian ingredients by weight through a statement and a bar graph. The new system will also see clearer rules around when food labels can carry ‘made in’ or ‘packed in’ statements.

There will be 3 mandatory Labels
Made in /Grown in

This symbol and words will identify two key things about all food products:

1. Whether the food was grown or made in Australia. This will be the first part of the standard phrase and the kangaroo in the triangle will show that the food was grown or made in Australia.
2. The second part of the standard phrase is what percentage of the ingredients in the food/product was Australian grown. The bar chart will allow consumers to identify what percentage (in bands/increments) of the ingredients were grown in Australia.

 
Packed in (imported ingredients)

New rules will require any ‘packed in’ statements to also include a clear country of origin statement. This is also consistent with standard international practice. If a product is packed or wrapped in a country but the food originated (was made or grown) in another country it will need to clearly state this on the label. ‘Packed in Australia, made in Norway’ or where ingredients come from multiple countries ‘Packed in Australia from imported ingredients’. 

Imported products

as per before Imported food products must continue to declare their original country of origin.

Quicklabel Family of Printers

 

Fortunately the Quicklabel printing system are able to provide you with your own easy and accessible labels, allowing for you to print your own country of origin labels when you want and need them, rather then relying on the high volume commercially made labels. 

The Quicklabel Family of printers also allows you to easily change the country of origin labels, whether you need 10 copies of the made in labels or 50 of the packaged in labels. It is entirely catered to your needs and wants. 

Contact Metromatics now if you are in Australia or New Zealand.

Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

DEWESoft PRO training

DEWESoft PRO training is a new learning platform, created for all measurement professionals and those who would like to become one. Learn how to use DEWESoft, measure signals, process and analyse data in one place.

Enter DEWESoft's learning database and collect stars, that will swing you among DEWESoft specialists on different levels. Your effort will be awarded by receiving a special DEWESoft PRO training T-shirt with a star for every 10 finished courses.

And what's the best ... it's free of charge! 

Sign up today 

And some exciting news for all existing DEWESoft PRO training users.

Dewesoft has upgraded the DEWESoft PRO training portal in order to fully integrate into their website and make it even better, more user friendly and more compatible with mobile devices. Things you should know when using the new PRO training:

• All the user accounts and scores from old training portal were transferred to the new one
• Passwords from all the users, that didn’t have user account on our web page got reset. Your new password is ‘’dewesoftpro’'. You can change this password here: http://www.dewesoft.com/forgot-password.
• You can see/edit your profile on the bottom of PRO training’s main page
• We've added public leaderboard. All the users are by default shown on the public leaderboard. If you don’t want to be seen there, please update your profile and tick off "I want to be seen on PRO training's public leaderboards".
• For every 10th finished course, a congratulations window will pop out. Please don’t forget to fill in your T-shirt size and Shipping address:)
• With the launch of new PRO training portal we had some issues with sending PRO training shirts. If you still didn’t receive your shirt, you will receive it in couple of days.

Enjoy the NEW DEWESoft PRO training!

MIL-STD 810 | Jim on Engineering, Episode 27

If you want to know what and how the products from Crystal Rugged are made. Check out Jim Shaw's, Executive Vice President of Engineering Video Blog. He explains in detail topics related to operational, deployable, and high reliability computing applications.

In this video blog Jim Shaw, explains MIL-STD-810, and all of the tests that the standard encompasses. 

If your interested in more information in video blog form by Jim shaw check it out here https://www.crystalrugged.com/video-blog/

Information on this blog has been provided by our supplier Crystal Rugged.

For further information on Crystal Rugged products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

for outside that area please contact Crystal Rugged on +1 319-378-1636

Application 304 - Torque Verification/Calibration

Application Summary

Reaction Torque Sensors are frequently used as auditing tools. This application is utilizing FUTEK’s TDF Torque Sensor to verify the precision of a torque wrench.

Products in Use

One Reaction Torque Sensor (TDF Series) paired with Instrumentation (IPM650, IHH500 or USB Solution).

How it Works

1. FUTEK’s TDF Series is an efficient tool to use when auditing torque wrenches.
2. In this application, the TDF Reaction Torque Sensor is fixed to a mounting plate and coupled to a torque wrench using a male/female adapter.
3. As the operator ratchets the torque wrench up and down, FUTEK’s TDF Sensor will measure the torque being applied.
4. These measurements are sent directly to a paired instrument. Depending on instrument selection, the operator can either view the data on a digital display or stream the data directly onto a PC.
5. If the data shows any anomalies, the torque wrench may be in need of recalibration to meet its intended spec.

For further information on Futek and its products please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

For outside this region please contact our supplier Futek +1 949 465 0900 or ehsan@futek.com 

FUTEK Application 310 | Stanford Solar Car Dyno

Application Summary

Stanford's 2013 Solar Car Project team utilized FUTEK's Shaft-to-Shaft Rotary Torque Sensor to emulate what the motor will be subjected to on race day through a dynamometer.

Products in Use

One Shaft-to-Shaft Rotary Torque Sensor (TRS Series) paired with Instrumentation (IPM650, IHH500 or USB Solution).

How it Works

1. The Stanford Solar Car Project team wanted to add a clever twist to their dynamometer (dyno): implement one of Xenith’s regenerative brakes as its energy absorber.
2. This setup would allow them to simultaneously study the efficiency of their regenerative braking system while testing their motor.
3. To gain perspective on if this approach could be realized, the SSCP Team called on the experts at FUTEK.
4. Consulting led to a clear direction that their dyno would need a TRS605 Rotary Torque Sensor at the center of its measurement system.
5. The TRS Series sensor integrates a rotary encoder with a freely spinning torque transducer.
6. The TRS605 could then be situated directly between the motor’s crankshaft and the regenerative brake allowing the both torque and displacement measurements to be simultaneously captured by a single sensor.

For further information on Futek and its products please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

For outside this region please contact our supplier Futek +1 949 465 0900 or ehsan@futek.com 

Requirements Capture | Jim on Engineering, Episode 26

If you want to know what and how the products from Crystal Rugged are made. Check out Jim Shaw's, Executive Vice President of Engineering Video Blog. He explains in detail topics related to operational, deployable, and high reliability computing applications.

In this video blog Jim Shaw, explains how having a good requirements capture process is essential in making you successful as a customer. 

If your interested in more information in video blog form by Jim shaw check it out here https://www.crystalrugged.com/video-blog/

Information on this blog has been provided by our supplier Crystal Rugged.

For further information on Crystal Rugged products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

for outside that area please contact Crystal Rugged on +1 319-378-1636

Ruggedized Routers | Jim on Engineering, Episode 25

If you want to know what and how the products from Crystal Rugged are made. Check out Jim Shaw's, Executive Vice President of Engineering Video Blog. He explains in detail topics related to operational, deployable, and high reliability computing applications.

In this video blog Jim Shaw, discusses routers and the process Crystal Group goes through to ruggedized routers. 

If your interested in more information in video blog form by Jim shaw check it out here https://www.crystalrugged.com/video-blog/

Information on this blog has been provided by our supplier Crystal Rugged.

For further information on Crystal Rugged products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

for outside that area please contact Crystal Rugged on +1 319-378-1636

Electrostatic Charge | Jim on Engineering, Episode 24

If you want to know what and how the products from Crystal Rugged are made. Check out Jim Shaw's, Executive Vice President of Engineering Video Blog. He explains in detail topics related to operational, deployable, and high reliability computing applications.

In this video blog Jim Shaw, explains the importance of static and electrostatic discharge. 

If your interested in more information in video blog form by Jim shaw check it out here https://www.crystalrugged.com/video-blog/

Information on this blog has been provided by our supplier Crystal Rugged.

For further information on Crystal Rugged products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

for outside that area please contact Crystal Rugged on +1 319-378-1636

Metering Project - Managing Energy Usage with Ethernet I/O

Defining the Problem:

The university power plant produces both electricity and steam for the campus. The chilled water and steam condensate need to be monitored and recorded by totalizing the pulsed outputs from magnetic, positive displacement, and vortex flowmeters.

The volumetric flow rate, along with the liquid heat loss from the steam-to-heat transfer process, is used in steam cost calculations to better manage the energy demand across the campus.

System Requirements:

• The university requires consistent installations that can be duplicated across the campus.
• Communication with the data historian software, eDNA, via modbus TCP/IP over the campus Ethernet network.

Implementing the Solution:

1. Connect a PC to the 989EN-4016, open an internet browser, assign the network parameters and configure the discrete inputs as counters to totalize the flowmeter pulse outputs.
2. Simulate input pulses and observe the count increase in the 989EN-4016 counter test page.
3. The eDNA software periodically reads the current count value of each input from the 30,000 modbus input registers or the 43,000 holding registers. Two registers of 16-bit unsigned integer values yield a 32 bit totalized count value.

This application note was provided by our supplier Acromag.

For further information about the Acromag products used in this application, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Metromatics   I    07 3868 4255   I   sales@metromatics.com.au

Vertical Integration | Jim on Engineering, Episode 22

If you want to know what and how the products from Crystal Rugged are made. Check out Jim Shaw's, Executive Vice President of Engineering Video Blog. He explains in detail topics related to operational, deployable, and high reliability computing applications.

In this video blog Jim Shaw, explains the importance of working with a supplier that is vertically integrated.

If your interested in more information in video blog form by Jim shaw check it out here https://www.crystalrugged.com/video-blog/

Information on this blog has been provided by our supplier Crystal Rugged.

For further information on Crystal Rugged products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

for outside that area please contact Crystal Rugged on +1 319-378-1636

Chassis Assembly | Jim on Engineering, Episode 23

If you want to know what and how the products from Crystal Rugged are made. Check out Jim Shaw's, Executive Vice President of Engineering Video Blog. He explains in detail topics related to operational, deployable, and high reliability computing applications.

In this video blog Jim Shaw, breaks down the chassis construction of a 5U server. 

If your interested in more information in video blog form by Jim shaw check it out here https://www.crystalrugged.com/video-blog/

Information on this blog has been provided by our supplier Crystal Rugged.

For further information on Crystal Rugged products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

for outside that area please contact Crystal Rugged on +1 319-378-1636

Futek releases the New USB520

Adjectives for USB devices typically waver of the grounds of fast, ease of use, and precise; but what about robust, multi-functional, reliable, and adaptable? With the USB520, all of these adjectives ring true.

Futek's Electrical Engineering Department is proud to announce their latest USB module: an external USB module for amplified, non-amplified, and encoder input sensors. Suitable for test and measurement applications ranging from machine builders to laboratory environments, the USB520 offers great speed, resolution and stability with minimized noise and non-linearity.

Features: 

Plug & Play Solution

In more robust applications, it's harder to find a plug and play USB solution. You're usually faced with selecting a bench top or panel mount. Not anymore. The USB520 is a durable, high precision instrument allowing direct communication between your sensor and PC.

Multiple Input Options

Let's face it, versatility is key. We know that transducers have multiple outputs, alluding to the need for a compatible instrument. The USB520 works with strain gauge mV/V input, voltage input, current input, and encoder inputs.

Switchable Profile Settings

Aside from the standard current, mV/V, and voltage profiles set ups, the USB520 has four additional profile channels. This gives it the ability to measure four different sensors with the same instrument.

Encoder Measurements

Until the USB520, our IHH500 Elite was the only instrument capable of measuring rotary torque encoder readings (angle and speed). Now, we have another solution, a more compact solution that feeds your data directly into your PC

For further information on Futek and its products please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

For outside this region please contact our supplier Futek +1 949 465 0900 or ehsan@futek.com 

Application Note: Networking Remote Gas Detectors with Ethernet I/O

Defining the Problem:

In a wastewater treatment plant, remotely mounted gas detectors monitoring Methane CH4 (ceiling), Oxygen O2 (6 ft high) and Hydrogen Sulfide H2S (floor) have analog outputs. The gas levels need to be saved to chart recorders located in a control room a long distance away in the plant. To save on the cost of running copper twisted pair wires, we would like to network the analog outputs for transmission over the Ethernet infrastructure.

System Requirements:

A ControlLogix PLC in the control room can communicate using Ethernet/IP protocol. The Ethernet remote I/O will accept 4 – 20mA inputs from the gas detectors and convert to Ethernet/IP. The PLC will output 4 – 20mA to the chart recorders nearby. Also, the hazardous area requires Class 1 Div 2 instruments.

Implementing the Solution:       

1. In the USB configured XT software, set the IP address, network parameters and input scaling.

2. Configure the PLC with Acromag’s ControlLogix application note. This document includes instructions for RSLogix 5000 and RSLinx.

3. With the XT1212-000 software and inputs wired, poll the module and check the measurements using the test page.

4. Validate the Ethernet/IP communications with an Ethernet connection between the XT and the PLC.

Why Acromag: 

The XT series of Remote I/O has Class 1 Div 2 ratings for hazardous locations where the Gas Detectors are installed. With simple software configuration and an application note detailing the PLC configuration, installation and testing are easily accomplished.

This application note was provided by our supplier Acromag.

For further information about the Acromag products used in this application, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Metromatics   I    07 3868 4255   I   sales@metromatics.com.au

Pixalux at The Queensland College of Art

Pixalux at The Queensland College of Art 

The Queensland College of Art is one of Australia's longest-running art and design colleges while also remaining one of the most modern, offering the widest range of visual art programs in the country. It brings together some of the finest artists and academics in the areas of visual arts, design, Indigenous art and screen media, and have produced many of Australia's leading practitioners.  The Queensland College of Art is situated at Southbank in Brisbane’s CBD right on the Brisbane River and is a hub of creativity. 

The University was looking for a way to brighten & modernise the cafeteria and central meeting area of the College and decided that it would be great to have on display some of the works by their amazing student artists and other academics and for it to be viewable from the river.  More importantly for the artwork to stand out at night to passers-by.

Solution: Qty 20 Pixalux Panels 23mm thick installed into balcony banister  area which have a protective poly carbonate facing reducing reflection, hinges & 2 locks which allow – the changing of student artwork

The reason the university chose the Pixalux Panelling was because of its one of a kind even light distribution technology. Being the first of its kind to emit light evenly across its entire surface. This allowed for the university to have an art display that could be seen in direct sunlight or at night. 

 The Pixalux Panels are also structurally sound, enabling the panels to go frame free. Allowing for easy changing of artwork on the panels.

If you would like more information on the Pixalux Panelling system for your project application please contact one of the Metromatics sales team. 

Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

Cable Design and Management | Jim on Engineering, Episode 21

If you want to know what and how the products from Crystal Rugged are made. Check out Jim Shaw's, Executive Vice President of Engineering Video Blog. He explains in detail topics related to operational, deployable, and high reliability computing applications.

In this video blog Jim Shaw, discusses cable design and development.

If your interested in more information in video blog form by Jim shaw check it out here https://www.crystalrugged.com/video-blog/

Information on this blog has been provided by our supplier Crystal Rugged.

For further information on Crystal Rugged products in Australia and New Zealand, please contact Metromatics +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

for outside that area please contact Crystal Rugged on +1 319-378-1636

X-ES' introduces XPort3200 Precision Time Protocol Board

Metromatics are very excited to introduce a new product from our Supplier Extreme Engineering Solutions (X-ES) - the XPort 3200, an IEEE1588v2/Precision Time Protocol (PTP) Grandmaster designed to provide clocking and time synchronisation to multiple slaves via Ethernet.

The XPort3200’s clocking and synchronisation is useful in many different applications that range from industrial applications such as assembly lines and printing presses to military applications such as multi-sensor data time-stamping, control system synchronisation, and telemetry. IEEE 1588 uses a standard Ethernet network to transfer clock and time information, providing accurate nanosecond-level synchronisation with minimal software overhead and without introducing a secondary method of communication to slaves.

 

The XPort3200 leverages Freescale's QorIQ P1020 processor to perform the IEEE 1588 time-stamping. The P1020 processor incorporates hardware time stamping providing an accurate egress and ingress timestamp with a resolution of 8 ns.


The P1020 processor includes external GPIO time stamp pins. These pins can be used to synchronise the XPort3200 to a Pulse Per Second (PPS) input, if available, to provide accurate clock synchronisation.

If an application requires an absolute time reference, the XPort3200 can source a time reference from a serial port or a GPS receiver. In cases where no external time reference is available, the XPort3200 features a Stratum 3-compliant, oven-controlled oscillator to provide IEEE 1588 slaves an accurate time reference.

The XPort3200 is designed with other X-ES products in mind. The XChange3013, XChange3018, and XChange3100 VPX Ethernet switches can host the XPort3200, and all three switch products feature transparent IEEE 1588 clocking that ensures accurate synchronisation to all devices connected to the switch. This allows very accurate distribution of the XPort3200 IEEE 1588 time to many different slaves. The XPort3200 can be supplied as an XMC or PMC with P14 or P16 I/O connectors, allowing for installation in nearly any mezzanine site.

For further information or pricing about the X-ES XPort 3200 or any of their VPX Ethernet Switches in Australia or New Zealand, please contact Metromatics on +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

For outside the above mentioned area, please contact X-ES directly on +1 608 833 1155 or sales@xes-inc.com

Turning Ideas into Labels

 I love the video below created by Quicklabel Systems - it's quirky, clever and gets to the point

Your Business

Your Brand

Your Ideas

 

 

Print your own professional looking labels using the Quicklabel Kiaro Printer! No matter the size of your business big or small.  Deliver what you want to see in the quantities needed - no minimums required!

YouTube Video QLS

It's just what you need - right?? 

Don't delay - if in Australia or New Zealand call Metromatics now on +61 7 3868 4255 / +64 9 620 6573 or drop us a line at sales@metromatics.com.au and one of our friendly sales staff will schedule a demonstration at your premises.

 

If outside this area call Quicklabel Systems +1 401 828 4000 or sales@quicklabel.com and one of their excellent staff will attend to your needs.

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