Manufacturing Technology
Mouser Electronics | December 19, 2023
Mouser Electronics, Inc., the authorized global distributor with the newest electronic components and industrial automation products, announces a distribution agreement with Panasonic Industrial Automation. With over 40 years of design experience and a strong reputation for quality, Panasonic Industrial Automation offers a range of technically advanced sensors, programmable controllers, human-machine interfaces, and servo motors and drives. According to the agreement, Mouser will offer customers Panasonic's selection of integrated solutions for a variety of automation markets, including automotive, semiconductor, packaging and bio-medical.
Panasonic Industrial Automation offers an extensive portfolio of technically advanced products, such as the EX-10 ultra-slim photoelectric sensors, now available at Mouser. These sensors offer a built-in amplifier in a slim 3.5 mm package and reduce power consumption by up to 35% when compared to conventional sensors. With an IP67 waterproof rating and bend-resistant cable types, the flexible sensors are suitable for the positioning of PCBs, checking for the absence of capacitors in trays, and detecting ICs and wafer cassettes.
The PM U-shaped micro photoelectric sensor, also available at Mouser, reduces the risk of sensor malfunctions due to wiring errors. The PM Sensor has three protection circuits: reverse supply polarity, reverse output polarity, and output short-circuit. Additionally, the sensor features a beam emitting and receiving distance of 6 mm and beam marks for easy adjustment.
The Panasonic Industrial Automation FP0R programmable controller is a pocket-sized device providing large data memory and program capacity in a small package. The FP0R programmable controller is ideal for small switching cabinets and other limited spaces, offering ultra-high-speed processing of 80 ns/step.
The Panasonic Industrial Automation FD reflective-type fiber optic sensor boasts tough, high-quality fiber, reducing the risk of breaking and bending during installation. Product types include threaded, square head, cylindrical, sleeve, flat, small spot, oil resistant and more. Panasonic Industrial Automation FD reflective-type fiber optic sensors can be bent with precision and used on moving parts.
As a global authorized distributor, Mouser offers the world's widest selection of the newest semiconductors and electronic components — in stock and ready to ship™. Mouser's customers can expect 100% certified, genuine products that are fully traceable from each of its manufacturer partners. To help speed customers' designs, Mouser's website hosts an extensive library of technical resources, including a Technical Resource Center, along with product data sheets, supplier-specific reference designs, application notes, technical design information, engineering tools and other helpful information.
Engineers can stay abreast of today's exciting product, technology and application news through Mouser's complimentary e-newsletter. Mouser's email news and reference subscriptions are customizable to the unique and changing project needs of customers and subscribers. No other distributor gives engineers this much customization and control over the information they receive.
About Mouser Electronics
Mouser Electronics, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is an authorized semiconductor and electronic component distributor focused on New Product Introductions from its leading manufacturer partners. Serving the global electronic design engineer and buyer community, the global distributor's website, mouser.com, is available in multiple languages and currencies and features more than 6.8 million products from over 1,200 manufacturer brands. Mouser offers 27 support locations worldwide to provide best-in-class customer service in local language, currency and time zone. The distributor ships to over 650,000 customers in 223 countries/territories from its 1 million-square-foot, state-of-the-art distribution facilities in the Dallas, Texas, metro area.
About Panasonic Industrial Automation
Panasonic Industrial Automation provides a broad portfolio of products and over 40 years of design expertise, offering integrated solutions that fit into various automation markets, including automotive, semiconductor, packaging, and bio-medical. This company features a strong reputation for quality, an established organization of highly experienced professionals, and technically advanced products.
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Smart Factory
PsiQuantum | January 30, 2024
PsiQuantum and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group announced that they are beginning work with Mitsubishi Chemical Group on a joint project to simulate excited states of photochromic molecules which have widespread industrial and residential potential applications such as the development of smart windows, energy-efficient data storage, solar energy storage and solar cells, and other photoswitching use cases.
Qlimate, a PsiQuantum-led initiative that includes MUFG as a partner, focuses on using fault-tolerant quantum computing to crack the most challenging computational problems and accelerate the development of scalable breakthroughs across climate technologies, including more energy-efficient materials.
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) is committed to supporting the world’s transition to a sustainable future, and to encourage industry access to the most promising breakthrough technologies. By pioneering PsiQuantum’s Qlimate solutions with industry leader Mitsubishi Chemical, MUFG is at the forefront of quantum computing for sustainability.
This joint project will determine whether high-accuracy estimates of excited state properties are feasible on early-generation fault-tolerant quantum computers, specifically focusing on diarylethenes used for energy-efficient photoswitching applications. The project will allow Mitsubishi Chemical to gain early insights into how and when fault-tolerant quantum computing can be deployed in support of critical, scalable, sustainable materials.
Because predicting the optical properties of materials requires complex analysis of excited states, standard algorithmic techniques for simulating these molecules (such as the Density Functional Theory, or DFT) often produce qualitatively incorrect results. The project will bring together Mitsubishi Chemical’s deep experience of computational chemistry and PsiQuantum’s leading expertise in fault-tolerant quantum computing to push the boundaries of approaching the complex physics in these systems and pave the way to developing new, more powerful energy-efficient photonic materials.
Philipp Ernst, Head of Solutions at PsiQuantum, said: “PsiQuantum has dedicated teams who identify, describe and solve complex problem sets with best-in-class quantum algorithms. These are designed specifically to run on fault-tolerant quantum computers and will tackle previously-impossible computational challenges. This partnership will leverage our team’s unique know-how and Mitsubishi Chemical’s expertise in photochromic materials. We are grateful for MUFG’s visionary support in our mission to deploy high-impact quantum computing solutions to fight climate change.”
Suguru Azegami, Managing Director, Sustainable Business Division, MUFG said: “We are excited to partner with PsiQuantum and Mitsubishi Chemical on our journey to explore possibilities of quantum computing technologies to solve the imminent global challenge. PsiQuantum’s vision to develop the first utility scale quantum computer before the end of the decade has inspired us, which led our initiative to participate in the Qlimate partnership as the first and sole member from Japan. Mitsubishi Chemical is leading efforts to use the cutting-edge technology to develop next generation materials and we are honored to support the company as its long term financial partner.”
Qi Gao, Senior Chief Scientist, Mitsubishi Chemical said: “We are pleased to be part of the partnership and are grateful for MUFG’s support. Mitsubishi Chemical’s over 40 years background in computational chemistry and PsiQuantum’s domain specific knowledge for quantum control is a great fit with the collaboration effort of improving calculation accuracy on quantum device. We hope the partnership will accelerate the innovation of revolutionizing computational studies in chemistry and materials science.”
About PsiQuantum
PsiQuantum is a private company, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California. The company’s only mission is to build and deploy the world’s first useful, large-scale quantum computer. Many teams around the world today have demonstrated prototype quantum computing systems, but it is widely accepted that much larger systems are necessary in order to unlock transformational applications across drug discovery, climate technologies, finance, transportation, security & defense and beyond. PsiQuantum’s photonic approach enables rapid scaling via direct leverage of high-volume semiconductor manufacturing and cryogenic infrastructure. The company is partnered with the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University and Sci-Tech Daresbury in the United Kingdom.
About Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG)
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG) is one of the world’s leading financial groups. Headquartered in Tokyo and with over 360 years of history, MUFG has a global network with approximately 2,000 locations in more than 50 countries. The Group has about 160,000 employees and offers services including commercial banking, trust banking, securities, credit cards, consumer finance, asset management, and leasing. The Group aims to “be the world’s most trusted financial group” through close collaboration among our operating companies and flexibly respond to all of the financial needs of our customers, serving society, and fostering shared and sustainable growth for a better world. MUFG’s shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York stock exchanges.
About the Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation (TSE: 4188) is a specialty materials group with an unwavering commitment to lead with innovative solutions to achieve KAITEKI, the well-being of people and the planet. We bring deep expertise and material science leadership in core market segments such as mobility, digital, medical and food. In this way, we enable industry transformation, technology breakthroughs, and longer, more fruitful lives for us all. Together, around 70,000 employees worldwide provide advanced chemistry-based solutions to deliver the core elements of our slogan — “Science. Value. Life.”
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Manufacturing Technology
Detroit Manufacturing Systems (DMS) | January 11, 2024
Wireless commercial vehicle charging took a big step forward with an agreement between Detroit Manufacturing Systems and InductEV. In the landmark agreement, DMS, a large-scale, U.S.-based assembly provider, will bring its operations, manufacturing, quality by design, and supply chain expertise to InductEV allowing the latter to more quickly scale to meet customer demand.
InductEV is reinventing how electric commercial fleet vehicles charge their batteries by charging on route, using clean renewable electricity. With its wireless induction solution now deployed worldwide and with 18 patents granted and 23 in process, the King of Prussia, PA-based company is the global leader in high-power, high-speed wireless EV charging and AI-software powered energy management.
Under the terms of this agreement, DMS will
Manufacture InductEV's hardware, including in-ground and under-vehicle inductive pads. Manage InductEV's supply chain and procurement. Utilize engineering expertise to facilitate high quality, design for manufacturing and assembly. Co-develop design optimizations to prepare for a 100-fold increase in production volume.
"We couldn't be more pleased to have a manufacturing partner, known for its high standards and operating rigor, combine forces with our proprietary engineering," said Barry Libert, Chairman and CEO, InductEV. "Our complementary areas of expertise will enable us to meet the growing demand from commercial fleet owners and operators, as well as Intermodal facilities and Ports, for our advanced, AI-managed wireless charging solution."
Among its product offerings, Detroit Manufacturing Systems currently handles manufacturing for the Ford EV F-150 Lightning signaling its expertise in advanced electric vehicle components and systems production. InductEV's patented technology is currently being used in locations throughout North America and Europe, including in Washington State, Indianapolis, Martha's Vineyard, and in Gothenburg, Sweden, Volvo's hometown. (Volvo Ventures is an InductEV investor.) The company is poised to announce the largest commitment by a U.S. port facility to its wireless charging technology.
"We recognize and applaud InductEV's efforts to wirelessly electrify commercial fleets, the biggest contributor in transportation to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide," added Bruce Smith, Chairman and CEO, Detroit Manufacturing Systems. "We look forward to bringing our manufacturing, quality and supply chain expertise to this partnership and creating a successful venture that will help reduce this sector's carbon footprint at a considerable cost savings for all involved."
InductEV's proprietary, on-route wireless charging solution shifts EV charging to daytime use of renewables. It reduces the need for large EV batteries, lowering vehicle costs, and eliminates the need for recycling by extending battery life by a factor of 4-8X. Wireless charging also enables the broad deployment of autonomous vehicles.
About InductEV
InductEV is revolutionizing how electric commercial fleet vehicles charge their batteries. With its proprietary on-route wireless solution now deployed throughout North America and Europe and with 18 U.S. patents and 23 pending, the King of Prussia, PA-based company is the global leader in high-power, high-speed wireless EV charging and AI-software powered energy management. The company just opened one of world's first R&D centers for wireless vehicle charging.
About Detroit Manufacturing Systems (DMS)
Detroit Manufacturing Systems (DMS) is a contract manufacturing and assembly company that is committed to and is constantly striving for manufacturing excellence and perfect quality. This is achieved through meticulous mistake proofing and a culture of continuous improvement. DMS' GIFTED & RICH fundamental beliefs, management principles, and core values guide the staff in proactively and transparently engaging with customers and suppliers. DMS is also committed to protecting the local and global environment and minimizing the environmental impacts concerning their activities, products and services.
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Smart Factory
Qorvo | December 20, 2023
Qorvo® a leading global provider of connectivity and power solutions, today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement with Luxshare Precision Industry Co., Ltd. a global advanced contract manufacturer, under which Luxshare will acquire Qorvo’s assembly and test facilities in Beijing and Dezhou, China.
The companies anticipate completing the transaction by the first half of calendar 2024, subject to receipt of regulatory approvals and the satisfaction or waiver of other closing conditions. Upon closing, Luxshare will acquire each facility’s operations and assets, which include the property, plant and equipment, as well as the existing workforce, to enable seamless continuity of operations. Qorvo will continue to maintain its sales, engineering and customer support employees in China to continue serving customers.
Following the close of the transaction, Luxshare will assemble and test products for Qorvo under a newly established long-term supply agreement. The Beijing and Dezhou facilities primarily support Qorvo’s highly integrated advanced cellular products. Luxshare is a trusted supplier to many of the world’s leading electronics companies and will provide seamless and flexible access to best-in-class production capacity while expanding its offerings and capabilities.
Bob Bruggeworth, president and chief executive officer of Qorvo, said, “The Beijing and Dezhou facilities have been an important part of our history and manufacturing network for decades. After carefully considering multiple alternatives over the past few years, we feel that we have found the right partner to continue supporting our customers from these factories. Given Luxshare’s scale and well-established, high volume manufacturing competency, we are confident that they will ensure continuity, maintain high levels of quality, and be another outstanding strategic partner in our supply chain that allows us to serve our customers worldwide.”
Grant Brown, chief financial officer of Qorvo, said, “This transaction furthers our efforts to reduce capital intensity while supporting our long-term gross margin objectives and ensuring continuity for our customers in China.”
The Beijing and Dezhou facilities will continue to operate as part of Qorvo’s global manufacturing network until the closing of the transaction. After the closing, Qorvo’s assembly, packaging and test network will continue to include its facilities in the United States, Costa Rica, and Germany, as well as valued leading global outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) partners.
About Qorvo
Qorvo supplies innovative semiconductor solutions that make a better world possible. We combine product and technology leadership, systems-level expertise and global manufacturing scale to quickly solve our customers' most complex technical challenges. Qorvo serves diverse high-growth segments of large global markets, including consumer electronics, smart home/IoT, automotive, EVs, battery-powered appliances, network infrastructure, and aerospace/defense.
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