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Collaboration transcending borders

Roberto Lugli (hardware) and Christian Heim (software) developed a temperature transmitter across national borders.

Text: Alexander Marzahn
Roberto Lugli (Hardware) und Christian Heim (Software)

Both of us work in the TSM team at Endress+Hauser Tem-perature+System Products, which develops temperature transmitters, but at different locations: in Nesselwang (Ger-many) and Pessano (Italy). Just as the coronavirus pandemic hit, we were initiating a project to develop a new sensor input for our latest generation of temperature transmitters.Our task was to come up with a new two-channel sensor input for resistance thermometers and thermocouples that would beat its predecessor’s performance in terms of accuracy, drift and speed. It would also include support for features such as Heartbeat and safety integrity level (SIL) applications.It was certainly helpful that we have known each other for about 20 years. We had already collaborated on several successful projects at Nesselwang and together boast around 60 years of development experience at Endress+Hauser.

Ein eingespieltes Team: Roberto Lugli (links), Hardwareentwickler in Pessano, und Christian Heim (rechts), Softwareentwickler am Standort Nesselwang.

A well-oiled team: Roberto Lugli (left), hardware developer in Pessano, and Christian Heim (right), software developer at the Nesselwang site.

Upgraded for collaboration

The pandemic meant that the project would proceed under less than ideal circumstances, as mutual visits and joint on-site workshops became impos-sible. Yet it quickly became evident that the company is well equipped to deal with such challenges. Improvements to our home offices meant that we had all the necessary tools, equipment and infrastructure for location-indepen-dent collaboration. We didn’t let the pandemic break our stride. Three to four hours a day at the desk wearing head-phones was more the rule than the exception.Thus we were able to successfully conclude this prelimi-nary project. The new module is initially being incorporated into the first iTEMP TMT86 APL-PROFINET temperature transmitters that will hit the market around mid-year. The plan is then to successively equip all E-segment transmitters, as well as the associated thermocouples. We’re convinced that this will further strengthen our competitiveness!