RS Components Launches Activist Engineering Program Urging DesignSpark Online Community to Engineer for a Better World

PB-51-RS-DesigSparkProgram-400.jpg

November 23, 2021

RS Components (RS), a trading brand of Electrocomponents plc, a global omni-channel provider of product and service solutions, has launched its DesignSpark #ActivistEngineering program, further strengthening the company’s commitment to engage and inspire design engineers across the globe to ‘make amazing happen for a better world’.

The DesignSpark #ActivistEngineering program gets underway with a pilot project addressing the challenges of rising air pollution, particularly pollution indoors caused by airborne particles, household odours and gases, carbon dioxide, among others. The ‘Air Quality’ project urges the more than one million registered members of the DesignSpark engineering community to help design, build and deploy a global network of portable indoor air quality monitors for the home, workplace, or other public indoor spaces and share the data collected back to the community.

To support the project, RS has unveiled a new cloud-enabled open-source prototyping platform that consists of open-source hardware and code developed in collaboration with DesignSpark partners. The DesignSpark Environmental Sensor Development Platform is based on a Raspberry Pi single-board computer with wireless connectivity to connect to the cloud. The kit comprises a set of Air Quality sensor modules that plug into a Raspberry Pi-compatible board with touchscreen. The platform and 3D printed enclosures are optimized for the Raspberry Pi model 3B+, though any model can be used. It is also compatible with peripheral modules (PMOD), allowing connection to an extensive range of PMOD add-on boards.

The Air Quality project will roll out over three phases for six months from November 2021, with a small group of first phase participants selected to Alpha test the sensor development platform. These users will create and share inspirational projects to the DesignSpark community, paving the way for phase two of the project which will be extended to all DesignSpark members with an opportunity to win one of 50 sensor kits. Commercial availability will follow in the final phase.

“Sustainability is critical to the future of our planet, which is why we are calling on engineers across the globe to use their skills and take action,” said Mike Bray, Group Lead – Innovation and DesignSpark at Electrocomponents. “Through programs like this, we hope engineers will join together in force to create sustainable designs that will make a positive difference to people and communities.”

The launch of the DesignSpark #ActivistEngineering program supports the broader goals of the Electrocomponents Group, which published its global 2030 ESG action plan on November 4, 2021.

To find out how engineers can get involved, visit https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/activist-engineering-engineering-a-better-world.

Related Articles

All-in-One Automation Platform: Enabling Data-Driven IIoT with Deterministic Motion Control and Cybersecurity

All-in-One Automation Platform: Enabling Data-Driven IIoT with Deterministic Motion Control and Cybersecurity

As the industrial internet of things (IIoT) continues to gain momentum, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and system integrators (SIs) are faced with the challenge of implementing data collection systems without compromising deterministic motion control or cybersecurity. This article will explore how all-in-one automation platforms can address these concerns, allowing OEMs and SIs to meet customer demands, achieve cost-effective data harvesting, and avoid hidden manufacturing costs.

Changing Scene

  • FANUC Canada Celebrates Grand Opening of New Headquarters

    FANUC Canada Celebrates Grand Opening of New Headquarters

    In a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony, FANUC recently unveiled its new Canadian Headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario to industry partners, customers and media. The new facility, which will serve as a hub for cutting-edge robotics technology, hosted more than 250 attendees in a celebration that included remarks from company leadership and advanced technology demonstrations. This milestone… Read More…

  • Hammond Manufacturing Welcomes John Eberhart as Territory Sales Manager for Northern, USA

    Hammond Manufacturing Welcomes John Eberhart as Territory Sales Manager for Northern, USA

    Hammond Manufacturing is pleased to announce the appointment of John Eberhart as the Territory Sales Manager for the Northern Midwest region of the United States in their Rack Mounting Solutions division. John’s extensive industry experience will be instrumental in the expansion of Hammond’s market presence and the promotion of business within his territory. John Eberhart… Read More…

Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.

ADVANCED Motion Controls Takes Servo Drives to New Heights (and Depths) with FlexPro Extended Environment Product Line

Advanced Motion Controls is proud to announce the addition of six new CANopen servo drives with Extended Environment capabilities to their FlexPro line. These new drives join AMC’s existing EtherCAT Extended Environment FlexPro drives, making the FlexPro line the go-to solution for motion control applications in harsh environments.

Many motion control applications take place in conditions that are less than ideal, such as extreme temperatures, high and low pressures, shocks and vibrations, and contamination. Electronics, including servo drives, can malfunction or sustain permanent damage in these conditions.

Read More

Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More

Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More

JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More

Latest Articles

  • Understanding Industrial Relay Contact Configurations: NO, NC, SPDT, and DPDT

    Understanding Industrial Relay Contact Configurations: NO, NC, SPDT, and DPDT

    Relays serve as the backbone of industrial control systems, enabling the control of high-power circuits using low-power signals. Understanding different relay contact configurations is crucial for designing effective control systems. This article will explore the various types of relay contacts and their applications in industrial automation. Read More…

  • Implementing Functional Safety Requirements

    Implementing Functional Safety Requirements

    The Safety Functional Requirements Specification (SFRS; sometimes referred to as SRS or Safety Requirements Specification) is the plan for the safety controls on a machine and is the second step of the safety lifecycle. The SFRS document serves as a framework for the safety control system design, is informed by prior work done in the… Read More…