Funding projects

DPM72-AV2 2020 (single-board solution)

TDE Instruments GmbH is carrying out the development measure "DPM72-AV2 2020 (single-board solution)" in the "Innovation Premium" programme of the Sächsische Aufbaubank - Förderbank - from 16.09.2020 to 14.01.2021.

The DPM72 ("Digalox®") was developed in-house by TDE Instruments GmbH over a period of three years and launched on the market in January 2015 in three versions (DPM72-AV, -AVP and -PP). The graphic panel meter is a technical innovation in its form: the specially designed LCD graphic display not only simulates an analogue pointer display, it is also capable of displaying a variety of technical values as well as progress curves and diagrams. The microchip stores measurement data during operation (as long as there is a power supply) over a period of three minutes to two weeks. The specially developed software enables the user to configure the device comprehensively and to analyse the collected data on a PC.
Since its market launch, the DPM72 has been consistently developed further and expanded to include wired and wireless variants.
The previous model DPM72-AV addresses the rather low-priced market within the device series. Originally, the device was planned as a replacement for conventional moving-iron instruments, which sell for less than €50 each. Due to the previous design and the components used, this price segment was unfortunately not achievable, making the DPM72-AV too expensive and too complex to produce, contrary to the original plans. In addition, there are design-related problems with the electromagnetic compatibility of the previous model, particularly with the interference sensitivity of the measurement inputs.
In order to eliminate the disadvantages mentioned above, a new design of the DPM72-AV as a single-board solution is planned.

Market launch of innovative products

From 19.11.2019 to 28.08.2021, TDE Instruments GmbH is carrying out the development measure "Design, marketing, sales, advertising and production of a pilot series for the Europe-wide market launch of digital measuring systems with wireless connection in the form of a Digalox® I4.0 product family" in the programme "Market launch of innovative products - market launch phase - MEP grant" of the Sächsische Aufbaubank - Förderbank.

According to a survey by the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), 52.9% of the companies surveyed stated that they use recorded machine and process data to optimise resource consumption in production. There is still great untapped potential in the areas of energy efficiency and Industry 4.0 (I4.0). Accordingly, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can expect considerable potential or savings effects (up to 25%), depending on the application. Close networking is required to realise this potential.
In order to meet these complex requirements and offer modern SMEs customised solutions, a number of products from the Digalox® measuring device series already available on the market have been equipped with Industry 4.0 features as part of a collaboration with the Dresden University of Applied Sciences (HTWD) and the Fraunhofer Institute Dresden (FID). Since its first appearance on the market in 2015, the DPM72 Digalox® measuring device series has been expanded to include several models and a wide range of functions in order to fulfil customer wishes and requirements.
During the development phase, wireless mesh radio technologies were trialled in practice in an I4.0 test environment at HTWD in order to find robust, more flexible and more economical alternatives to the fieldbus and industrial Ethernet networks that have prevailed to date. Solutions for the automated registration, discovery and utilisation of system components and their services as well as for integration at network, information and application level were also tested and implemented.
The successful conclusion of the collaboration between TDE, HTWD and FID enabled a total of two new developments (Digalox Gateway & Digalox XBEE Stick) to be completed and ten Digalox® measuring devices (DPM72 XBEE & DPM72 Modbus in five variants each) to be equipped with I4.0 features. These will be prepared and advertised for sale throughout Europe during the course of the programme, and the products will be transferred to the normal sales cycle once the programme has been completed.