Quality comes first at Hirschmann™

Despite a significant growth in demand for switches and their increasingly higher performance, Hirschmann™ retains a strong focus on Quality - so that customers can be certain of getting the best possible solutions.

As a leader in industrial automation solutions, Hirschmann™, a Belden brand, produces industrial switches and active devices at its main manufacturing location in Neckartenzlingen, Germany. The company's global position is further enhanced by Belden's extensive range of cabling, connectivity and cable management products, so customers are offered an unparalleled set of solutions for Industrial Ethernet networks, encompassing data cables, connectors, I/O modules, network equipment and systems for mobile automation.

Hirschmann™ has the widest portfolio of switches, which are applied in key vertical markets including machine building, oil and gas, public transport, traffic control, alternative power generation, power transmission and distribution, data centers, professional broadcast and audio/video, safety and security, and enterprise. To serve this wide range of markets, the company manufactures a growing range of highly sophisticated switches. In 2009, the company produced an estimated 3.500 separate types of device - and since then, the volume of individual units has increased by a massive 20%.

Ability to align the manufacturing capacity
According to Hans-Jürgen Springer, Director Operations, excellent customer solutions from Hirschmann™ require a strong focus on quality: "More than ever, our business is defined by the switches we make, the customers we serve and the work environment we create for our associates. Our key strength is our ability to align our manufacturing capacity to be close to our customers and partners.

"We have adopted efficient, environmentally sound manufacturing processes and practices, so called LEAN manufacturing processes that help to reduce waste, and deploys energy efficient technology. The Hirschmann™ production facilities employ a modest number of staff, who are responsible for our growing portfolio of switches, which serves the wide range of markets on which we focus.

"We only build to customer order, so there is no stock with finished goods, yet we are able to guarantee delivery within 10 days, and each switch is tested in accordance with a large number of requirements - meeting all approvals necessary for their specific application. Building to order, as we do, requires very detailed and accurate planning - and in practice it means that every week, we produce a new switch which we have never made before.

"Productivity and flexibility are key drivers for success. However, equally important is the quality of our associates. We have an ongoing training program that ensures we maintain very high levels of quality level - and motivation.

"The events of the past years have taught us a few lessons. For instance, we now know that almost everything can be done better, faster - and leaner. We have fully embraced this particular lesson, so we focus providing solutions that are cost effective and add significant value for our customers. Given the strong emphasis placed on quality, productivity and flexibility, customers can be certain that each of our switches meets the highest standards of quality - and that our overall solutions will deliver added value throughout their lifecycle."

For further information, view website: www.beldensolutions.com or e-mail: venlo.salesinfo@belden.com  Refer to page 407 

I/O functionality for industrial Ethernet switches

Belden has extended its Hirschmann™ product range with a digital E/A media module for the MICE family Fast and Gigabit switches. Available with version 7.0 of the "Layer 2 Professional" software this module with four digital inputs and outputs enables MICE Switches to send signals and status messages via the network to be analyzed. An auxiliary output provides 24 VDC voltage with 3W power to control the connected components directly without an additional power source. Further features include IP20 protection class, high shock and vibration resistance and extensive immunity to electrostatic discharges and magnetic fields. The standard version is configured for a temperature range of 0° to +60° C. Two versions with an extended range of -40° to +70° C are also offered, which differ in that one of their PCBs have a conformal coating to protect them against condensation. The I/O Media Module can therefore also be used under extreme climactic ambient conditions.

The Media Module, which boasts a MTBF rating (mean time between failures) of 107.6 years, can be installed with plug and play. The Command Line Interface (CLI) can be used for configuration. The input/output and voltage supply status is displayed via LEDs on the front and - with an Internet browser - via the user interface of the MICE switches. Large title blocks enable module identification and clear connection assignment.

The digital inputs comply with the ISO 61131-2:2007/type 3 standard. The digital outputs are floating relay changeover contacts, which can each resist a current load of 1 A. The inputs and outputs are connected via eight-pole or twelve-pole terminal strips on the module's underside. There is also a two-pole terminal strip for the auxiliary output here.
The MICE family switches, which are specially designed for use in tough industrial environments, consist of a switch unit with integrated backplane, which can be fitted with up to seven media modules. The switches support both Fast and Gigabit Ethernet and various routing, redundancy and security methods. Fanless cooling and a redundant 24 VDC voltage supply contribute to high operational reliability. As the switches can be mounted on top-hat rails, they can also be used both centrally in the switch cabinet and decentralized in the distribution boxes.

Belden has extended its Hirschmann™ product range with a digital E/A media module for the MICE family Fast and Gigabit switches.

With the new Hirschmann™ Media Module, Belden has now succeeded in equipping industrial Ethernet switches with I/O functionality. Product Manager Pascal Unterdorfer comments: "Signals can now be sent both locally and across large distances, and the status of the connected components can also be reliably monitored at the same time. This can include sensors and actuators, which, for example, can be used to control doors, conveyor belts or lighting elements."

For further information, view website: www.beldensolutions.com or e-mail: venlo.salesinfo@belden.com  Refer to page 407 

NanoKTN Awards additional EPSRC
studentships for innovative research projects

The Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network (NanoKTN), one of the UK's primary knowledge-based networks for Micro and Nanotechnologies, has announce that after initially awarding three EPSRC studentships in May 2011, it has allocated an additional three Awards to exceptional projects at the Universities of Birmingham, Oxford and Sheffield. The research projects will focus on polymer based dye-sensitized solar cells, additives to improve the adhesion and performance of inks, and anti-microbial agents in nano-hydroxyapatite coatings for titanium implants.

The NanoKTN had an exceptionally high number of applications this year, all of which were of a very high standard. The NanoKTN therefore highlighted these projects to the EPSRC for consideration and funds became available recently which enabled the NanoKTN to award 3 additional studentships.

Henry Snaith, University of Oxford, will work with Oxford Photovoltaics Ltd to advance polymer based solid-state dye sensitized solar cells to become the dominant technology for low cost organic and dye-sensitized solar cells, with a targeted efficiency of over 10%. The commercial benefits of the research will be enormous if this class of solar cell proves to be the dominant PV technology. The PV market was over $10 Bn in 2010 and despite the economic crisis is expected to be over $20Bn in 2011.

Dr Stephen Rimmer, University of Sheffield will work with Domino UK Ltd to design polymeric additives that can migrate to the nano-scale region between a substrate and a coated ink.

Dr Artemis Stamboulis at the University of Birmingham has been awarded funding to work with Stryker Osteosynthesis. The project aims to develop a ceramic coating for titanium screws with antibacterial and osseo-conductive properties for orthopaedic applications and prove feasibility on a commercially available titanium bone screw. The ultimate benefit will be proven in challenging screw applications in which infection control and implant fixation stability are currently real clinical issues.

These collaborative studentships are allocated by UK Research Councils and are a unique way of linking academic research with industrial need. Collaborative studentships are supported by companies that offer funding to students, in addition to their already secured EPSRC funding. By offering these opportunities, the NanoKTN aims to encourage further development of the UK's growing nanotechnology market and help companies gain commercially from the research.

"All the applications this year have been of a very high standard, making it difficult to decide where to award funding. With the additional studentships, we have been able to reward young scientists and encourage more academic research into nanotechnology which continues to be recognised as an important area of investment," says Alec Reader, Director, NanoKTN.

Established by the Technology Strategy Board, the NanoKTN is managed by Centre for Process Innovation Ltd, a leading technology development and consulting company.

For further information, view website: www.nanoktn.com