Sorion
Group
Newsletter
December '04
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Sorion
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Maintaining the Momentum
Reviewing our performance at the end of our 2003/04 financial year, I am pleased to be able to announce we have exceeded our business plan in a number of areas. Turnover up by over 30%, engineering staff and skills level enhanced and a number of major blue chip manufacturers added to our customer base.
The additional turnover has enabled Sorion to invest in designing new products both hardware and software. The fruits of these developments are being seen in reduced design times, enhanced system performance and increased profit for further growth.
Identifying mid-term an opportunity to add to the Sorion portfolio, a new company has been formed, namely Sorion Developments Ltd, our product development spearheaded by technical director Paul Maisey a welcome addition to the team.
Last month Sorion was accredited with the status of “Investor in People”. An achievement in which I am personally proud.
I look forward to our companies continuing to grow in this coming financial year and thank all our staff for the hard work put in this last year.
Phil Yates - Managing Director
Sorion Developments Limited
On the 1st September 2004, Sorion Developments Limited began trading, focusing on the embedded control market, designing and developing microprocessor based systems for medium to high volume manufacture.
Sorion Developments is off to a flying start with contracts to carry out the hardware development of a wireless vehicle diagnostics interface, a hand held vehicle diagnostics unit and to investigate an on-board vehicle diagnostics interface for “black box” monitoring systems.
With extensive experience of Hitachi H8S microprocessors, vehicle communications, vehicle diagnostics and wired/wireless network integration. Sorion Developments can provide a total package encompassing project management, requirements capture, design, prototype build and volume manufacturing support.
Sorion Developments (based in Birmingham) offers complementary skills and services to Sorion Electronics. Combined, the Sorion Group can now offer to our customers an even greater range of experience, products and services.
OrionTM Database
As previously reported, Sorion has developed a wholly new factory database system OrionTM. This is now providing valuable reports on customer sites offering a failure tolerant solution. Data is collected from a wide range of factory systems (both Sorion delivered and from other facilities suppliers) using a networked robust XML transfer process and stored in an expert designed MS SQL database.
The user interface is web based and provides not only reporting and real time status monitoring of the connected factory system, but also web based maintenance tools allowing the user to carry out day-to-day tasks and the tools necessary to maintain such a system following the inevitable factory system or network outages that occur from time to time.
The core of the OrionTM system has been carefully designed to readily allow adaptation to suit a host of manufacturing applications.
The OrionTM database system comprises of:-
Orion QTS - Quality & Traceability System (Shop Floor Element)
Orion NET - Orion Client Network Interface Component
Orion PDM - Process Definition and Management (Editing Tools & Parts Definition)
Orion QTR - Quality & Traceability Reporting ( Web Based analysis )
Orion SMT - System Maintenance Tool ( Web Based Monitoring )
RigelTM Family
The ongoing development of the Sorion RigelTM family of single board processors, sees the development of a number of new application platforms.
Rigel-ICE is based around a portable platform that has battery management, IEEE802.11b wireless networking capability and integral CCD barcode reader. It has been used for end of line testing of In Car Entertainment systems.
Rigel-VCI (Versatile Communications Interface) is currently being deployed on a number of projects. It is designed to provide CAN, LIN & K Line communications and to operate either as an interface to a test system or independently, enabling low cost yet powerful handheld test systems to be delivered. The unit also has an LCD driver, isolated digital I/O and analogue I/O allowing for limited machine control.
Currently Rigel variants are used in the testing of vehicle vacuum systems, verifying correct fitment of various mechanical assemblies, using CAN communications to test vehicles, vehicle sub-assemblies and providing data capture stations.
Future variants in development will further expand on the core modules and offer more vehicle communications interfaces, GPRS, etc.
The Rigel modular concept enables Sorion to deliver bespoke hardware and software solutions in volumes as low as 10 units to 100’s off. The concept also can extend to supply fully embedded high volume solutions.
Makita Battery Connector
To complement Sorion’s Bosch power tool battery adapter, Sorion has developed an adapter for the Makita MAKSTARTM range of batteries. These adapters allow Makita’s high performance cordless tool batteries to be used to power portable, power hungry assembly aids, such as a door window glass setting units.
Both the Makita and the Bosch battery adaptors are available for supply only or offered integrated into Sorion developed assembly aids.
Mintaka
Sorion have developed a low cost data capture interface ‘Mintaka’. The unit has a 2 line 20 character VF display, an embedded microprocessor with an Ethernet interface, barcode reader interface and a limited amount of discrete Inputs and output allowing integration with conveyor systems.
New Projects
In recent months Sorion has taken on a number of new customers and is delivering a diverse range of systems and products.
A fully automatic assembly test machine encompassing a palletised conveyor and handling system, a high performance AC servo drive and CAN communications.
A number of hand held setting units allowing production operators to control features on a car using the J1962 diagnostics connector and the CAN communications protocol.
Further information on these projects will appear in future issues of the newsletter.
The Sorion Team Grows
Paul Maisey - Technical Director of Sorion Developments Limited.
Paul has over 20 years experience in the design of end-of-line test systems and vehicle test/diagnostic equipment. For many years he has been a key player in the development of the Laser range of diagnostic tools for TRW Automotive and formerly Lucas Automotive. He has specific engineering experience in hardware design, project management and embedded software development, most recently as Engineering Manager for the TRW Test Equipment business.
When he is not wielding the CAD or compiler, Paul likes to spend time playing the piano, driving his beloved MX-5 and running stage lighting and sound for local amateur groups.
Sorion has always prided itself on the training and development it provides for its staff.
On the 17th November Sorion was recognised as an Investor in People. This award is official recognition of not only the training and development work carried out at Sorion, but the management style and team ethos.
Sorion will continue to develop using the Investors in People standard as a framework for improvement.
Everyone at Sorion wishes you
a Merry Christmas and
a Prosperous New Year
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Sorion Group
www.sorion-group.com Magreal Industrial Estate Freeth Street Birmingham B16 0QZ Tel: +44 (0)121 454 8966 Fax: +44 (0)121 454 8970 sales@sorion.co.uk |
Proud to be British |