n TECHNOLOGY July/August 2026 www.drivesncontrols.com 28 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC HAS RELEASED a production analytics app designed to help manufacturers understand machine performance, downtime and energy use. The browser-based DataNavigateApp addresses challenges such as output instability, unplanned downtime, rising energy use, and performance degradation. By visualising equipment operating status and operational trends, identifying factors that affect operating time, highlighting wasted energy, and supporting predictive maintenance, the app helps users to respond faster to emerging issues. DataNavigateApp supports data collection from both Mitsubishi and third-party PLCs via standard communications protocols. If a CPU module holds production data, this information can be visualised easily without extensive integration work or modifications to existing PLC programs, thus supporting deployment across mixed-vendor and brownfield production environments. Information is visualised on graphical dashboards, allowing users to compare operational data across different time periods, machines, or production conditions. This helps them to identify trends, resulting in clearer priorities, and measurable improvements in machine performance. Mitsubishi says that while most factories already collect large volumes of machine data, many struggle to turn that information into practical operational insights that their teams can use on the shopfloor. DataNavigateApp is an application for Mitsubishi’s Melsec iQ-R series C intelligent function modules. It is installed via an SD memory card and supports visualisation at the production level, helping manufacturers to take a first step towards wider factory visualisation, IoT and digital transformation. The app has been designed around three core principles: simple set-up; monitoring from anywhere; and easy data collection. It can be configured via a Web browser without needing programming expertise. The app allows gradual adoption. Instead of requiring factory-wide deployment from the outset, manufacturers can start by monitoring a single machine or production line, before scaling across wider operations. “Many manufacturers already have access to the data they need, but turning that data into something practical and actionable on the shopfloor remains a challenge,” says Daniel Sperlich, Mitsubishi’s strategic product manager for controllers in the EMEA region. “DataNavigateApp can help lower the barrier to production analytics. It gives manufacturers a practical way to improve visibility of machine performance, helping teams identify opportunities to improve output stability, reduce downtime, better understand energy behaviour and reduce operating costs, without needing large-scale software projects or specialist programming expertise. Just as importantly, manufacturers can start small, prove value quickly and then scale at their own pace.” https://emea-fa.mitsubishielectric.com/fa/ products/datanavigateapp App helps manufacturers to understand machine performance and energy use SCOTTISH RESEARCHERS HAVE DEMONSTRATED a 100kW superconducting motor that could pave the way for future electric aircraft. The prototype, created in the Applied Superconductivity Laboratory (ASL) of the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, is one of the first attempts in the world to develop a fully superconducting axial-flux motor for aviation. The motor uses high-temperature superconductors (HTSs) to carry large electrical currents with almost no resistance when cooled to 20K, or –253°C. It could allow aircraft motors to achieve much higher power densities than conventional electrical machines – a key requirement for future hydrogen-electric and fully electric aircraft. Electric propulsion could dramatically reduce the environmental impact of flying. The challenge is to develop power systems that produce sufficient energy without being too heavy. “Superconducting technology offers a route to much lighter and more efficient propulsion systems, but it also brings major engineering challenges in cryogenic cooling, protection and system integration,” explains Professor Min Zhang, who leads the ASL. “This demonstrator shows that fully superconducting aviation motors are no longer just a theoretical concept,” she adds. “By integrating superconducting windings, brushless excitation and cryogenic operation, we have created a platform that can help to inform the next generation of megawatt-class propulsion systems.” “High temperature” superconductor materials still operate at cryogenic temperatures. For example, rare-earth barium copper oxide tape becomes superconducting at around 20-77K. This is significantly warmer than traditional superconductors, which typically require cooling to around 4K (–269°C) using liquid helium. The Strathclyde motor integrates low AC loss superconducting windings, novel brushless excitation and rotational cryogenic operation. It could lead to the development of megawatt-class machines, which will be needed for larger commercial aircraft. Scottish researchers develop 100kW superconducting motor to propel planes Mitsubishi’s DataNavigateApp will help manufacturers to address production issues The 100kW superconducting motor developed at the University of Strathclyde could lead to future all-electric aircraft
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