Electricity and Control June 2024

INDUSTRY 4.0 + IIOT : PRODUCTS + SERVICES

The potential of AI-powered engineering

USA-based Altair, which operates globally, is a leader in computational intelligence, providing cloud solutions in simulation, high-performance computing, data analytics and AI. Participating at Hannover Messe 2024, held in April in Hannover, Germany, the company demonstrated, among other things, the power of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered engineering. In a market where the indus try has used commercial simulation software for dec ades, Altair’s AI-powered engineering introduces tech nology that democratises AI across the product lifecycle, empowering users and organisations of all sectors and sizes to revolutionise simulation-driven innovation. At the show, Altair demonstrated how companies can succeed in their digital transformation journeys, focusing on four key areas: AI-powered engineering, simulation-driven design, AI on the factory floor, and digital twin technology. AI-powered engineering Altair’s AI-powered engineering technology – includ ing generative design – can harmonise lightweight de sign, functional requirements, and manufacturability. At Hannover Messe the company demonstrated how AI-powered engineering accelerates computer-aided engineering (CAE) processes and outcomes, delivers rapid physics predictions, enhances shape recognition, design generation, and design optimisation, and more. Simulation-driven design Despite finite element method (FEM) software being commercially available for half a century, the main bottle neck in development is still in transforming a CAD design In South Africa, TRX Electronics is the authorised in dependent representative for Mouser Electronics, Inc. Mouser is one of the largest global distributors of semiconductors and electronic components, special ising in prototyping (no minimum order) quantities for engineering design and new product development. Through TRX Electronics, customers can buy electron ic components from Mouser Electronics with delivery to South Africa, and receive dedicated customer service and local support. Among other products newly available from TRX Electronics are: Infineon CoolSiC™ Automotive 1 200 V SiC Trench MOSFETs, Digi XBee ® XR RF modules, and the Bosch BHI360 Programmable IMU smart sensor system. Digi XBee ® XR 868 RF modules support the deploy ment of long-range connectivity applications. The RF modules operate between the 863 MHz and 870 MHz frequency range and support point-to-point and mesh networking protocols. The Digi XBee XR 868 modules leverage 868 MHz and surrounding frequencies for Lis Local products and support for system design

Altair provides data solutions to assist organisations in scaling AI initiatives on the factory floor. into a simulation model. Altair’s solution enables design ers and engineers to integrate simulation into the de sign process, informing the direction from the beginning and achieving performance targets quickly. Its simula tion-driven design offers a smarter approach to product development, enabling innovation at lower cost. AI on the factory floor While most companies are investing or planning to invest in data analytics and AI, recent data shows that only 13% of companies excel at delivering on their data strategy. At Hannover Messe, Altair featured data solutions that scale AI initiatives without requiring a big team of data scientists or expensive service engagements. Its data analytics platform optimises supply chains, helps plan maintenance, and optimises warranty processes. Digital twin technology The company also showcased its digital twin capabilities and offered live demonstrations displaying its solutions in action. Additionally, visitors were invited to taste ‘the most sustainable coffee’ at Hannover Messe, produced by Altair and Gruppo Cimbali’s innovative, digital twin powered coffee machine. □

ten Before Talk and Adaptive Frequency Agility (LBT + AFA). This reduces interference by lis tening to the radio environment before any transmission starts and automatically shifting to a new channel when interference is detected. The modules offer a line-of-sight range of over 14 kilo metres. They feature DigiMesh ® networking topology for redun dancy and reliability. They oper ate within the temperature range

Application example of the Digi XBee ® XR 868 RF modules.

of -40°C to +85°C and are RoHS compliant. Simple con figuration using Digi XCTU accelerates time to market. The Digi XBee ® family RF modules are designed to lev erage wireless technology with the right combination of expertise and resource.

For more information visit: www.trxe.com

JUNE 2024 Electricity + Control

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