Hyperconvergence | Jim on Engineering, Episode 62

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, EVP of Engineering explains what hyperconvergence is all about and what it means to the rugged industry.

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

Acromag’s introduces the compact and Industrial-grade USB Isolator

Acromag’s compact, Industrial-grade isolator provides a high-voltage isolation barrier between a computer and a connected USB device. The isolator protects equipment from electrical surges and transient voltage spikes as well as eliminating ground loop currents flowing between the PC and peripherals; which can damage instruments and cause inaccurate measurements. Additionally, isolation minimises conducted noise from static discharge, magnetic fields, and radio frequency interference.

Acromag’s USB isolator is very easy to use. The isolator inserts in-line with the USB connection and operates transparently with no special software drivers required. The unit receives power from the PC’s USB port and isolates that power to the connected device. High noise immunity and low radiated emissions ensure reliable data transfer in sensitive applications.

A number of high-performance features help provide convenient and dependable operation. The green LED indicates that power is being received and blinks if the connected device draws too much current. The USB isolator as has an internal jumper, which allows you to switch from Full Speed (12 Mbps) to Low Speed (1.5 Mbps) communication. The reset button offers a simple way to reinitialise a connected device without breaking the cable connection. This USB isolator has High-retention USB sockets that keep cables securely attached under shock and vibration.

• Isolates and protects a USB peripheral from a USB host 
• Electrical isolation up to 1500V AC / 2100V DC 
• Built-in surge/transient suppression up to 8kV on all ports 
• Supports USB 2.0 full speed (12 Mbps) and USB 1.1 low speed (1.5 Mbps) data rates with jumper-selection 
• Uses standard high-retention USB Type A/B cable connections (includes 1m cable)
• Wide ambient temperature operation -40 to 70°C (-40 to 158°F)
• CE, FCC, UL/cUL approvals

New Futek Ultra Miniature In-line Load Cell: Model LCM100

New to the market is Futek’s In-line Load Cell:  Model LCM100.  

The video on the LCM100 highlights the feature set of this ultra-miniature threaded load cell with a capacity range of 1000 g to 25 lb. RoHS compliant, this load sensor is great for both tension and compression applications. 

The most impressive feature of the LCM100 is its very low deflection, which allows it to provide high response rates and superior settling times.

For further information if you are in Australia or New Zealand, please contact Metromatics on +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

For outside this area, please contact Futek directly on +1 949  465 0900 or futek@futek.com

Secured Assets | Jim on Engineering, Episode 61

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, EVP of Engineering explains the concept behind secured assets and why adherence to product security and pedigree is important

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

Introducing the new and revolutionary QL - 111 Industrial Colour Label Printer

Introducing the new and revolutionary QL - 111 Industrial Colour Label Printer

The QL-111 is the revolutionary mid-range addition to our QuickLabel printer family that combines excellent print quality with high-speed label printing and a low cost of ownership. The QL-111 was developed specifically for manufacturers and processors who want to make fantastic-looking labels at high speeds.

The Elite Industrial & Manufacturing Colour Barcode Label Printer

With the QL-111, you will have the ability to support the just-in-time requirements of your industrial business and label production line. The QL-111 produces labels with crisp text and highly scannable barcodes, durable print and colour-fast content.

Its reliable operation, 8 ips(200mm/sec) print speed and 600 dpi print quality makes the QL-111 the perfect printer that’s specifically designed for production facilities, packaging or shipping warehouses,

requiring printed product pictures, logos, colour codes, barcodes, and other variable data elements. The QL 111 prints durable labels that can get dirty, wet, scuffed, and exposed to sunlight and chemicals – all while maintaining legibility and colour fastness.

The QL-111 prints labels from 1.0” – 4.29” (25.4 mm-109 mm) wide and up to 0.24” – 30.0” (6 mm - 762 mm) in length and is compatible with Gloss & Matte Paper and Synthetic pressure-sensitive; Paper Tag Stock materials. What’s more, it doesn’t require lamination to make dye-printed glossy, durable labels.

Streamline Your Production Process In-House with JIT Production

Simplify re-labelling by instantly producing missing or damaged labels on-demand and in-house. If an extra grouping of labels needs printing, or just one, the QL-111 will make it happen. It even allows for private labelling, allowing you to maintain full production control and easily eliminate errors. 

You will be able to instantly generate the right label for each product in each batch the moment it is required, with continuous production capacity. There’s no need to worry about shortages, shipping delays or overstocking. You print what you need, exactly when you need it. In addition, the QL-111 can be integrated in-line with automatic label application, palletising and pallet handling systems.

Save Time, Money and Eliminate Wasted Labels

As an essential part of lean manufacturing, the QL-111 prints labels consistently, with no blank labels in between, printing full rolls of useable labels.

It does so without stopping, cutting, or splicing the label material due to its reliable operation and “in job” cleaning process. Eliminate your costly inventory of pre-printed labels and digitally print your own professional quality labels in short-run batches. You will avoid delays due to lagging label shipments and enjoy the flexibility and control of printing wide labels on demand, as you need them.

Application Note: Mobile Telemetry for Remote Power Metering

This is an application note is from our supplier Acromag - it is a possible solution for remote power metering using their 989EN-4016 16 Channel I/O  with counters and Timers

Defining the Problem:

At a large military complex, current reporting of electrical usage is transmitted from Substations directly to the Electric Utility only. The Public Works division onsite would like to establish a data collection system of the power usage for energy auditing and optimising operations. Due to obstructions and installation restrictions, the telemetry system would operate over a 3G/4G LTE mobile network using Digi WR21 Cell Routers.

System Requirements:

At the substations, the Electric Power Meters’ pulse outputs to the Utility are re-transmitted to the data collection system via Electrical Isolation Relays. A relay output, 1 pulse = 1 kWh, is connected to an input channel on the 989EN-4016. The current totalised count is converted to Modbus TCP/IP and connected to the Ethernet port on the Mobile Router (Cell).

Implementing the Solution:

Featured Products:

1. Set up a Private APN with a Mobile Carrier to reserve internally customer supplied IP Addresses 2. Configure the Mobile Router IP Address using a reserved IP Address. For example, 10.0.0.20 . 3. In the Mobile Router, configure the Ethernet Port Forward with the IP Address of the device connected to its Ethernet port, either the 989EN-4016 in the field or the Server IP Address in the Control Room. The Server software would send a Modbus TCP/IP message to the IP Address of the Mobile Router that would forward it to the 989EN-4016. 4. For multiple field locations, the Mobile Router at each site can have a unique IP Address (10.0.0.21,  10.0.0.22,  etc), but every Acromag 989EN-4016 connected to it can have the same IP Address (192.168.1.1). This standardises the set up and allows each Acromag unit to be configured the same way. 5. For the data collection, the Server can request the totalised count from the 989EN-4016 at whatever time interval is desired from hours to days. To do this, program the Server application software to Open and Close a Modbus socket with each message exchange For further information on the Acromag Solution or the 989EN-4016 product please contact: If in Australia - Metromatics  +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au Outside this area - Acromag +1 248 295 0880 or sales@acromag.com

Importance of Cleanliness in the Production Process | Jim on Engineering, Episode 60

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, EVP of Engineering explains the reasons why maintaining a clean production process is critical in the manufacturing of electronic components.

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

Spotlight Issue 3

There is something exciting in the air at Dewesoft with the release of their latest monthly newsletter Spotlight. 

Providing you with a simple online newsletter that you can access when and where you want.

The hottest news of this month's spotlight edition Is that Dewesoft have been busy pushing their equipment to new limits. With an all-time new record, with their measurement equipment reaching a streaming speed of 450Mb/s.

In issue 3 Dewesoft presents a new member of KRYPTON family - KRYPTON 8xRTD - small 8 channel isolated EtherCAT device for measuring universal PTx temperature (PT100, PT200, PT500, PT1000, PT2000 ), resistance and voltage signals.

They are also introducing the new EtherCAT® add-on which adds additional power source into the EtherCAT® measurement chain called ECAT power injector.

Next is DS-MODAL a new software package for advanced modal analysis. But they don’t stop there. 

Click the spotlight logo above to be directed to the newsletter or if you would like further information or pricing on any of the Dewesoft Products, please contact your closest Metromatics Office.

Manufacturing Circuit Boards | Jim on Engineering, Episode 59

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, EVP of Engineering explains how the company’s manufacturing capabilities include designing and production of circuit boards which can augment COTS boards and capabilities.

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

Technical Brief: On how compression works in HD Video

ITS America recently supplied us with a Technical Bulletin on how compression works in HD Video and details how compressed video may not meet the requirements of Engineering Test and Analysis Missions.  We hope you enjoy the read.

******** TECHNICAL BULLETIN****************

Each image you see on a computer screen, plasma or LCD TV is made up of 3-colour dots referred to as pixels. Each pixel has properties such as brightness (called luminescence) and colour (hue). If one views a primary colour, say green, a robust pixel may be able to represent many shades of it from very dark (almost black) to very bright. But there are also many greens, blue-greens, yellow-greens, etc. If you extend this idea to the full spectrum of colours and shades, nearly 20 million can be discerned by humans. A pixel capable of generating 20 million colours is complex. In video, a pixel is comprised of a luma component and two of the three primary colour components (typically red and blue). 

A MPEG compressor will first group a small square of pixels of an image called a macro-block. A macro-block may be analysed and replaced by an array containing an average luminescence (luma) and hue as well as a set of values representing how the colour and shade varies along the vertical and horizontal sides of the square of pixels. A typical macro-block groups 256 pixels (16x16) and compresses these values to 33, not quite 8:1. The macro-block replaces the 256 original image pixels. Eight to one compression isn’t enough though. One needs upwards of 75:1 compression to stream a 1080i/60 standard video into a typical cable channel or 100Mb Ethernet. One mechanism (a part of H.264) is to compress a reference picture, noted as “I”, like we just described and the next picture as only the difference between it the I- picture. The differential picture noted as “P”, is dependent on the predecessor I-picture and could yield a compression of more than 200:1. The B-picture in Figure 1 is another synthetic picture that embodies the differences forward and backward between pictures. These too are highly compressed “pictures”. The number of B and P pictures between I-pictures is referred to as a group of pictures (GOP). The longer the GOP, the more impact on the average compression there is. However the longer the GOP, the more vulnerable the series of pictures are to loss if the I-picture is corrupted.

Group of pictures from Video Compression by Djordje Mitrovic University of Edinburgh

The standard video you see from DVD and TV shares 1 color sample (red & blue) with 2 luma samples. This common image sampling method is called 4:2:2. More data can be eliminated by sharing one color sample with four (4) luma samples; 4:2:0 encoding. Although the absolute resolution (pixels) is unchanged, shading detail is lost. If more compression is needed to fit in the transport channel, the size of the macro-block can also be increased. One can see this effect on
your TV when there is a lot of scene activity; live sports are a good example. If one looks at the background, pixelisation (large macro-blocking) can be seen; lost resolution. There is much more to this subject, but these concepts give you an idea of what happens to the images. 

Macro-block size, colour sampling ratio, and GOP are all used dynamically by compressors to result in a data rate that fits in the available transport channel, or to manage archive storage space. It is easily seen that the result of compression can be a permanent loss of detail information at the destination whether a TV or stored video on a DVD. If the detail is important to you, if each image must stand alone in quality, if the original images captured by the camera is what you need, compression will may not work for you. 

The ITS 6520 recorder captures and stores uncompressed video all the way up to 1080p/60 (3G). Each image is there, all of the pixels are kept and all of the colour shade information is complete. No imaging compromises, nothing to fool the eye.
Learn more about this product at http://www.itsamerica.com/Technical_Descriptions/6520fly.pdf

If you are from Australia or New Zealand and would like further information on the ITS 6520, please contact us on +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

If you are outside this area, please contact ITS America directly on +1 818 886 2034 or sales@itsamerica.com

Tips on troubleshooting Inductively Powered Systems

Our supplier Advanced Telemetrics International (ATi) recently provided some information on troubleshooting Inductively Powered Systems.  ATi are specialists in wireless and rotating telemetry systems. 

If rotating components are not powering up- which is usually indicated by the receiver displaying a voltage level outside the normal range.  Example: A receiver with a normal display range of +/- 10 VDC, may show a voltage of 13.47VDC.

You may wish to check the following:

 

Cable Connections: Unplug then plug in all cable connections between the rear of the receiver and the stationary loop. Sometimes a connector that appears to be installed correctly just isn’t seated completely in the socket.

Fuse: There is a fuse on the rear panel of the receiver that many people overlook because the receiver itself is working.

 

Stationary Loop Mechanical Interfaces: Check that all mounting faces between sections of the stationary loop and base are free from grease or oil and that fasteners are tightened sufficiently.

Stationary Loop to Collar Alignment: ATi systems are pretty forgiving on misalignment, they do work best when everything is aligned. There is normally a white or red stripe around the circumference of the collar to indicate where the stationary loop should be mounted.

   

Stationary Loop Orientation: On the captured loop type systems, typically manufactured for half shaft applications, the stationary loop has a front and rear side. The embedded wires, identifiable by the black potting compound, should be towards the collar.

We hope this information is of some assistance to you in solving your inductively powered systems problems.

If you would like any further information on ATi's Wireless Telemetry range products and you are located in Australia or New Zealand, please contact Metromatics on +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au

If outside this area, please contact ATi directly on +1 937 862 6948 or sales@atitelemetry.com