TTI MarketEYE Articles

Digital Twin Technology: A New Way to Solve Problems Across Industries by Sravani Bhattacharjee
Digital twin technology is bridging the physical and virtual worlds and improving product quality, operation efficiency, supply chain agility and overall system performance. Read how it’s making a difference in the aviation, automotive, manufacturing, power and energy and service industries.

Unlocking Operational Flexibility in Manufacturing with Industrial IoT by Sravani Bhattacharjee
Learn how IIoT integration in manufacturing introduces operation flexibility, improving efficiency, agility and productivity. Through adaptable manufacturing systems, optimized automation and real-time data analytics across the manufacturing ecosystem, smarter and higher performance systems can be created to adapt to ever-changing market dynamics.

2024: Generative AI Is a Game Changer in Manufacturing by Sravani Bhattacharjee
Learn how generative AI is becoming a general-purpose technology and game changer in manufacturing. Creating new solutions independently by leveraging advanced machine learning techniques, generative AI allows manufacturers to create new solutions that accelerate innovation and market readiness, revolutionize operations and unlock new worlds of unforeseen benefits.

Get Ready to Shift Left in Semiconductor Development by Murray Slovick
Find out what “shift left” is all about regarding semiconductor verification and validation testing. A methodology that seeks to find and fix bugs early in the development process rather than discovering them during post-release testing, it results in more streamlined designs, improved debugging, faster iteration times, higher quality designs and more.

AI Can Now Help Design Electronic Circuit by Murray Slovick
The application of AI techniques in chip design is still in the early adopter phase. Learn how design engineers are exploring use cases and using AI to simplify complex problems as well as finding it particularly valuable in model development and validation for simulation.

These Warehouse Automation Technologies Will Shape Your Future Design Decisions by Poornima Apte 
The meteoric rise in e-commerce since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (global rates increased by nearly 25 percent in 2020 alone, according to research firm e-Marketer) has accelerated the need for warehouse automation. Industry offers various technologies to address warehouse challenges, and confusion abounds from the conflation of digital process automation with its physical equivalent. Warehouses can benefit from both kinds.

From FinFETs to Nanosheets: ICs Evolve to Keep Pace with ‘Moore’s Law’ by Murray Slovick 
Over the decades, as the integrated circuit industry kept pace with Moore’s Law – the prediction that the number of transistors in an IC would double approximately every one-and-a-half to two years – smaller and more efficient transistor designs produced faster, more powerful, more energy-efficient microchips. This constant advancement has fueled advances in everything from cloud computing to smartphones, virtual reality to robotics, and additive fabrication to the Internet of Things (IoT).

Robots Among Us by Michael Knight
In 2016, using various main stream news sources, I began capturing interesting technology developments that I thought would be important drivers of the on-going demand for electronic components. My objective was to build out some material to share during the TTI Breakfast Briefing at EDS to support my optimistic projections for the electronics industry. I wasn’t far into the project when some common themes became obvious.

White Papers

Control Cabinets and Components by Amphenol Communication Systems
Machines in chemical, petrochemical, food, beverage, oil, gas, pharmaceutical, and energy industries perform synchronized tasks. These can be done using industrial PCs or Control Cabinets.

Top Motor Control Driver Considerations for DC Motors by Toshiba
With the advent of high-power-density electrical energy storage technologies and growing interest in electrification, DC electric motors are becoming increasingly common in applications from toys to transportation.

Motor Control Device vs. Motor Control MCU for Brushless Motor Control by Toshiba
Brushless motors offer highly efficient operation while providing excellent torque characteristics and high rotation speeds. The construction of stationary electro-magnets with a rotating permanent magnet, a brushless motor, enables the development of significant motor torque in a compact package. 

Essential Guide to Brushless DC Motor Controls by Toshiba                       
Electric motors are everywhere. To confirm this yourself, take an inventory of the motors you personally own or use at home, in the car, or at the office. If you are diligent enough, you will be surprised to discover that you have a dozen or more, many of which are brushless DC (BLDC) motors such as computer fans, CPAP machines, power tools, etc.

Robots Are on Their Way to Industry 4.0 by TE Connectivity
Robots and Cobots—Robots that work collaboratively with humans rather than in their place—are moving into smart factories, bringing with them increased efficiencies and improved safety. Robotics, alongside the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and cloud computing, are central to manufacturing in Industry 4.0.

The Advantage of Digital Pressure Sensors In Industrial Applications by Sensata
Pressure sensors are used in a variety of industrial applications, ranging from hydraulics and pneumatics; water management, mobile hydraulics and off-highway vehicles; pumps and compressors; air conditioning and refrigeration systems to plant engineering and automation.

How To Specify Pressure Sensors For Hydraulic Applications by Sensata
Hydraulic applications rely on fluid power or the use of pressurized fluids to generate, control and transmit power. These types of systems can produce high power and high forces in small volumes and have long service lives. Fluid power is used in a wide range of industrial applications including self-propelled scissor lifts, injection molding, machine tools, steel making and metal extraction, paper industries, textile machinery, disability lifts and security and parking barriers.

DC-DC Converters & the Importance of DCR-Optimized Inductors by Abracon
This document explores the basic operation of three different types of nonisolated (shared ground) DC-DC converters: Buck, Boost and Buck-Boost. The input-output relationship will be derived for each converter in continuous conduction mode (CCM) by using volt-second balance

Key Trends & Insights To Design More Reliable Machinery Applications by TE Connectivity
The machines used to manufacture and assemble today’s increasingly connected devices, equipment, vehicles, and other items need to be just as advanced and intelligent as the end products themselves. Enhanced connectivity and automation within machinery and equipment is helping increase overall reliability, efficiency, and profitability. We talked to design engineers around the world and have captured their insights on current trends and how integrating connectivity into designs can increase productivity and user safety.

Addressing the Demands of Today's Test & Measurement Applications by TE Connectivity
Most companies are always looking for ways to lower capital and operational expenses while at the same time use new and advanced technology to become more dynamic in manufacturing, network capacity, autonomous functionality and more.

Modular Connectivity Outperforms Hardwiring by Molex
Connectors and cordsets give engineers a better alternative to hardwiring, and help improve the bottom line. Traditional machine hardwiring involves a virtual maze of wires and cables. In modern machine setups, electrical, signal, and data contact points can number into the hundreds for complex operations or multifunctional machines. 

What Engineers Need to Know About Resistors by Ohmite
A resistor is a passive electrical device connected into an electrical circuit to introduce a specified resistance in the flow of electric current. A very high resistance allows a small amount of current to flow. A very low resistance allows a large amount of current to flow. The resistance is measured in ohms. An ohm is defined as the resistance that occurs when a current of one ampere passes through a resistor with a one volt drop across its terminals.

Understanding Refrigerant Regulations & Basic Switches by: Honeywell 
In the past few years, a major market driver and disrupter for the refrigeration and HVAC market has been the ever-evolving Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment.

Smart Solutions for Complex Machines by: Jeff Barnes, Molex         
Advanced modular technologies are instrumental in simplifying and making highly complex industrial machines and robotics more functional, intelligent and connected. Much like the evolution of the human body, modern machines have evolved to comprise a host of sophisticated technologies and processes. 

Electronic device manufacturers shouldn’t fear custom connector solutions – they should embrace them by: Chris Beevers, Phoenix Contact
Devices used in industrial applications are undergoing multiple transformations in today’s fast-paced industrial environment. OEMs creating new products are dealing with opposing challenges when trying to design in connectivity. The Internet of Things (IoT) is fueling end users’ thirst for more data and faster processing. The upcoming 5G network only emboldens that thirst. Pressure to reduce the cost of equipment and systems is driving new products to off er increased functionality. Device manufacturers must take advantage of that functionality to ensure successful future products. However, the pressure to minimize size and make end products easier to integrate and install is always present.  

Electrical Connectors Must Survive Harsh Requirements, Meet Stringent Standards by: Tony Quebbemann, Molex
Some industrial environments—chemical processing, paper making, etc.—are known to be hostile to electrical connectors. Food and beverage environments are just as much of a challenge to good connector design and construction as their extreme industrial counterparts.

Taking the Guesswork Out of De-Energizing Industrial Equipment by: Tom Beranek, Molex
New solutions expedite the lockout/tagout process and provide clear line-of-sight disconnect for operators. 

What Design Engineers Need to know about VCA (Voice Coil Actuator) Technology by: James McNamara, Sensata Technologies
Voice coil actuators (VCAs) are emerging as an extremely valuable solution for many precision motion applications. As the need for smaller, higher accuracy linear motion control components increases, these actuators are being used in an expanding array of mission-critical equipment from ventilators that help patients breathe, to guiding the arms of asteroid-collecting spacecraft.

How to Solve the Challenges of Using Natural Refrigerants in Cooling System Design by: William Bentley, Sensata Technologies
Evolving government mandates dictate that equipment manufacturers migrate to using chemicals that do not adversely impact the environment. In the refrigeration/cooling arena, this means that manufacturers are replacing the old classes of chemical refrigerants that emit potent greenhouse gases, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), with less damaging, green refrigerants that do not deplete the ozone layer and have low impact on global warming.

Improving the Efficiency and Reliability of Water Systems with Variable Speed Pumps and Pressure Sensors by: Daniel Mullen, Sensata Technologies
Distributing water on a large scale has been a challenge that the world has tackled for decades. It is a particular challenge in high-rise buildings, and with a trend for designers to build up in urban areas, rather than out, it is a challenge that has become a new focus for design engineers.

The Role of Sensors in Industrial Robotics by: TE Connectivity
With the drive toward “Industry 4.0,” the use of robotic, automation, and control systems on the factory floor have become commonplace as they allow manufacturers to increase efficiency, productivity, and profitability.

How Sensors are Moving Material Handling Towards Safe Automation by: Alessandro Bosio, Sensata Technologies
The Industry 4.0 revolution is enabling a new generation of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) for use in the first wave of smart manufacturing and distribution facilities. This revolution also requires new ways of thinking across all aspects of materials handling, especially when it comes to functional safety and reducing accidents in the workplace, and in turn, presenting a new challenge to sensing and control manufacturers.

Linux and Windows in industrial automation by: Phoenix Contact
The industrial automation space is no stranger to Linux distributions, but recently, we have seen an uptick of requests on custom and standard industrial computer products. This white paper will explore some advantages and disadvantages of using Linux on industrial computers.

Industrial PCs: Addressing the top five challenges on the factory floor by: Bjoern Falke, Phoenix Contact
This white paper identifies the top five challenges typically encountered on the factory floor, and offers some criteria to consider when selecting industrial PCs and associated components.

Understanding NERC CIP compliance solutions with Phoenix Contact by: Mariam Coladonato
The NERC CIP plan is a set of standards developed to secure all physical and cyber assets. The federal government has established this plan as mandatory and enforceable for registered owners and operators of North America’s bulk electric system (BES).

Mastering traceability in food and beverage packaging by: Omron Automation
This white paper offers insights into the driving forces behind the latest developments and strategies for getting the most out of real-time traceability, whether for the purpose of brand protection, regulatory compliance, quality control, process improvements or another goal.

Do collaborative robots need risk assessments? by: Omron Automation
Manufacturers invest in collaborative robots to reap the benefits of integrated safety features that allow them to work alongside humans and enhance productivity. Despite the robots’ safety-focused design, appropriate safety measures based on comprehensive risk assessments are crucial for ensuring an application’s success.

Evaluate network plant floor coverage before using Ethernet by: Rick Griffin, Molex
Ethernet convergence offers the ability to meet real-time data traffic requirements with proven reliability, security and ease of integration.  That is why the trend toward operating on an enterprise-wide technology platform has steadily been growing, especially among larger manufacturers.

Connectors for Automated Process Systems Help Bring Quality Products to Market Faster by: Tom Schoder, Molex
Key drivers on the plant floor include the demand for increased productivity and reliability in addition to machine designs that are safe for workers and products.

The evolution of Connectivity on the Food and Beverage Plant Floor by: Frank Malczyk and Riky Comini, Molex
How industrial ethernet to the machine level can help reduce downtime, while improving operational safety and real-time information flow

Reliable circuit protection – a vital backbone for your machine by: Dr. Peter Terhoeven, Eaton
Maximizing uptime, productivity and safety with an effective circuit protection strategy.

Planning and operating hydraulic power units to provide greater energy efficiency by: Marco Bison, Eaton
Potential solution for reducing energy consumption and digitalization of data for smart power management

Optimize Automation with Lifecycle Management by: Eaton
Learn how to create value with re-use; gain productivity with lean automation and connectivity, and optimize panel design and construction  

Selecting the Appropriate Position Feedback Sensor by: Bourns
An integral part of automating factory equipment is the ability to read and monitor the real-time position of valves. Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Input/Output (I/O) modules are now being implemented in factory machinery to transmit valuable information on valve adjustment based on the actual position provided by the position feedback sensor.

What to Look for in an Arc Flash Relay by: Littelfuse
This white paper informs specifying engineers, original equipment manufacturers, designers, and end users about the most important features in arc-flash relay technology so that they can select the best relay for their application.

Additional Resources

Mounting and Cooling Solutions for SMPD Packages Application Note by Littelfuse
This application note discusses various mounting solutions for Surface Mount Power Device (SMPD) packages. Mounting instructions are provided for single and multi-device mounting respective. A view into tolerances explains important detail when designing around the SMPD. A brief explanation of a procedure is given to determine the thermal resistance with a given design by conducting a simple experiment. 

Temperature Sensing Products Selection Guide by Littelfuse
Littelfuse offers a broad portfolio of thermistors, resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), digital temperature indicators, and probes and assemblies to meet a wide range of demanding temperature sensing applications.

How to Find the Ideal Sensor for Your Industrial Automation Application by Littelfuse
Motion control and industrial automation systems create numerous challenges for design engineers. For example, they must contend with the excessive dirt and dust found in factory settings. In addition, conveyors and pick-and-place systems can exhibit high vibration or spikes in shock force that threaten the stability of the circuit’s sensors.

The Future of Industrial Automation by Molex
Most industrial automation systems today utilize centralized control strategies with the PLC (programmable logic controller) at the core. PLC-centric solutions provide limited remote access, no security or machine-to-machine (M2M) communication and separated safety control. In a Master-Slave system, autonomous devices can hardly coexist, as all the inputs/outputs from sensors or to actuators must be wired to/from a PLC directly or through some active or passive devices.

Building and Industrial Automation Trends Require Connectivity by Molex
Connected system innovations found in commercial buildings are carrying over into industrial building infrastructure and production lines where automation is focused on buildings systems, including climate control, security and safety as well as advanced manufacturing processes.

Article:  Connect with Confidence by Phoenix Contact
Connected devices on the factory floor are nothing new, but today’s connected operations are far more advanced than those of 20 years ago—and require the components to match. Historically, the data shared between industrial devices and systems was local and contained within the four walls of the factory, but today’s connectivity goes beyond data and encompasses broader networking.

Case Study: Modernizing the Cholfirst Tunnel Control Engineering System by: Phoenix Contact
Traffic signals are controlled dynamically along tunnel sections so that the traffic flows safely and without delays. Engineers need to ensure that the necessary data will be transmitted reliably between the traffic facilities and control engineering system. The Cholfirst Tunnel in Schaff hausen, Switzerland, uses easy-to-operate Managed Switches from Phoenix Contact to accomplish this goal.

Case Study: Recycling company employs electronic motor managers to simplify separation process by: Phoenix Contact
The company AVR GmbH specializes in the physical-chemical treatment of liquid wastes. The aqueous fraction of the liquid needs to be separated as cleanly as possible from the oily fraction during the cleaning process. Electronic motor managers (EMM) from Phoenix Contact use the motor as a sensor, so they can reliably detect the change in viscosity from the water phase to the oil phase, which reduces costs considerably.

Case Study: Secure remote access to SCADA networks via the cloud by: Phoenix Contact
Hermes Systeme GmbH supports industrial and municipal customers in complex applications, such as designing SCADA systems. To support customers without incurring travel costs, Hermes Systeme needed a remote maintenance system that ensured a secure connection. The mGuard Secure Cloud gives Hermes Systeme a flexible and cost-effective solution to securely access end customer applications.

Case Study: Machine Building - Guiding the way in automotive plants by: Phoenix Contact
Traditionally, programming a vision guided robotics system has been a complicated process. In many cases it required extensive calibration, structured lighting, multiple cameras, CAD drawings for each object, and vision engineers on site to keep the systems running. In addition, most of these vision guided robotics systems had a limited operating range linearly and especially in the rotational axes. Many of the first systems only properly guide in X, Y, and Rz degrees as well.

How Integrated Thermal Protection Technology can Prevent Solid State Relay Failure in Industrial Systems by: Rogelio Castaneda and Oscar Rivera, Sensata Technologies
Solid state relays provide robust solutions for electronic switching in load control applications and hold many advantages over electromechanical relays. New, emerging solid state relay designs offer integrated thermal protection that can prevent overheating and improve system safety, efficiency and longevity.

Woodhead Watertite Wet-Location Wiring Solutions by: Molex
Molex introduces the industry’s first fully integrated wiring safety system uniquely designed to protect workers, create a safer workplace and reduce electrical accidents and injuries.

How to Find the Ideal Sensor for Your Industrial Automation Application by: Ryan Sheahen, Littelfuse
Motion control and industrial automation systems create numerous challenges for design engineers. For example, they must contend with the excessive dirt and dust found in factory settings. In addition, conveyors and pick-andplace systems can exhibit high vibration or spikes in shock force that threaten the stability of the circuit’s sensors. The magnetic sensing system selected must provide exceptional durability to ensure the long-term accuracy and reliability within the application.

Miniature Photoelectric Sensors Minimize Costly Interventions Due to Underfilled Cartons by: Molex
In the food processing industry, consumer products require secondary packaging before the final dispatch. During confectionary production, individual bags of candy travel by conveyor from bagging stations to a pick-and-place packing robot for secondary packaging into a carton. The carton then proceeds to the labeling area.