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The technology is integrated into the flagship Vert compressor range. The A100 compressor and the recently unveiled A150 both feature the ability to provide compressed air at low noise levels from a portable package, whilst still being capable of continuous operation.

With its inherent ability to achieve high pressures, the difference with CRC technology lies in its rotating inner and outer rotors. As air travels along the rotors the volume of the chamber reduces, which in turn increases the pressure of the air.

It is this innovative technology that saw the company made winners of the Made in Scotland award (2018) and Innovator of the Year award (2017).

The resulting pressure has a notably low noise signature which means that Vert compressors are ideal for use in environments where people may be working in close proximity. Verts primary target application is in laboratories, workshops and other environments where low noise is a primary consideration. The compressors are a portable, plug and play solution which can quickly and easily be set up wherever air is required.

Established in 2013, Vert has experienced rapid growth in the last five years and has benefitted significantly from bringing all its manufacturing processes in-house.

Nicol Low, head of production at Vert explains: We have design, engineering, manufacturing, assembly and R&D all in one facility so were able to produce all the parts we require for our compressors ourselves without relying on subcontracting services.

This enables us to carry out design iterations far faster than was previously possible; in particular the inner and outer rotors are difficult to machine to the required tolerance so we need to quickly evolve the manufacturing strategies to get those correct.

Due to the design and manufacturing complexity of the Vert technology there was a real need to ensure tight manufacturing tolerances were met. To achieve this objective, the decision was made to invest in more advanced metrology equipment.

Mr Low explains: The helical and contoured surfaces of the parts we produce are complex and we needed to ensure that machining accuracy was being achieved and maintained. We looked at all sorts of measuring technologies available but our initial search was for a CMM, driven by a requirement for accuracy and reliability whilst also keeping an eye on price. As we discovered, Aberlink CMMs could meet all the accuracy requirements and are very price competitive.

Following an initial conversation with Aberlink, Vert sent three rotor parts to the companys Gloucestershire headquarters for testing two were known to be out of tolerance and the other was removed from a performant compressor. It took only 10 minutes on one of Aberlinks Axiom too CMMs to identify the compliant part.

Mr Low comments: The report data we got back from Aberlink exactly matched the testing we had done ourselves which was a big thumbs up from us. It was obvious that we could shortcut a lot of the existing manual measurement and lengthy performance testing, save on time and be confident that parts were accurate. It was a pretty easy decision in the end.

Installed in a temperature-controlled QA department, the Axiom too CMM is being put to good use providing rapid, accurate feedback on parts for the CRCs. It has also served a dual purpose; the CMM itself is powered by one of the same A100 compressors that Vert produce providing an example of how the Vert compressors can be put to use to power machines quietly within a workshop setting.

Mr Low explains how the CMM has proven to be a valuable asset: The inner CRC rotor is fairly easy to measure but you need a CMM to be able to do so. We conduct a series of peck scans of the surface and then compare that against a 3D model and check that the machining strategies are effective, that the parts are compliant, and that the tool offset is correct.

The outer rotor is more complex to measure and the measurement programs that we create can be a little bit difficult to reproduce but with Aberlinks help we were quickly able to identify the best way to measure this part. Now we can run the program and come back to the Axiom too CMM 10 minutes later for a detailed measurement report. The machine has proved very reliable and its accuracy is equally impressive given the price.

Aberlinks Axiom too range of CMMs consists of capacities from 640 x 600 x 500mm up to 640 x 1,500 x 500mm and is available either with manual or CNC control. The machines are not only easy to use; Aberlink claims to be the only major metrology manufacturer to supply machines with zero annual software maintenance contracts or subscriptions and free software updates for the life of the machine. All of this means that the cost of ownership is very low and the shortest return on investment is possible.

Aberlinkwww.aberlink.co.uk

Vert Rotorswww.vertrotors.com

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The right CMM at the right price - PES Media

Weve all been hooked on to the internet more than ever and as its quoted Internet is a boon and a curse. Well, that hurts to say but its true. Theres no denying that the internet has brought the entire globe to our fingertips but have you ever thought the other way around? What if your privacy and your data are vulnerable to potential threats all across the globe? Most of us are not a fan of antivirus software anyway including me. With recent ruckus that the WannaCry ransomware attack created, it still sends chills down my spine.

If you can also relate with me, Aomei Backupper Free might just be for you with WannaCry ransomware protection tools and advice. But there are definitely some measures that you can take to protect yourself from any potential ransomware attacks and data theft. Backing up your data locally as well as on cloud servers is a step in the right direction, as it not only will keep your data secure but also will make it easily accessible for you. You can also opt to backup all your data locally on any external hard drive.

Backupper Free seems to do pretty much everything, from steady or differential document reinforcements to full-framework chronicles. You can protect individual partitions, make a planned, mechanized reinforcement, play out a straight-up hard drive clone and itll additionally make bootable recovery media for you.

Although its really practically no different from countless other backup tools, this edition does include some WannaCry and other ransomware-specific information (and how-to help). In particular, it will advise you on the sort of backup to make if you have not been affected and even if your computer has already been infected with ransomware, you can still use AOMEI Backupper to build image files in System Backup, Disk Backup, Partition Backup to not only avoid more serious data loss due to failure or a new ransomware mutation but also to froze ransomware countdowns.

The fact that its available for free and can be downloaded and installed on Windows 10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista (32/64bit) makes it a no-brainer. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and download this free backup software today. And for more updates on gadgets and their protection, stay tuned to E-Nepsters.

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Protect your PC from ransomware attacks with this free backup software - E-Nepsters

A new study published by Comparitech.com, a site that compares privacy tools, ranks countries on how much they exercise internet censorship. The study says North Korea takes the crown, while China is on the second spot followed by Russia, Iran, andTurkmenistan.

The website has taken a total of 10 factors into account:

[Read:Internet partially restored in Kashmir after 165 days social media still blocked ]

North Korea scores a whopping 10 out of 10 on this scored card with China scoring 9. Russia, Turkmenistan, and Iran scored 7 in this survey. Internet censorship is a huge issue across the world as more and more countries are trying to stifle or control online content one way or another.

Governments are also recognizing that more and more users are using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to overcome the countrys internet restriction to access content or post on social media sites.

Unfortunately, the study doesnt include internet shutdowns, which is a major problem in countries like India with relatively lighter internet restrictions. However, legislators are trying to fight authority and minimize internet blocks. Recently, the countrys apex court ruled that the internet is a part of the basic right of freedom of speech.

You can check the study here and you can check out the full spreadsheet with data from all countries here.

Read next: Filipino billionaire denies endorsing Bitcoin 'scam'

Read more:
Study: North Korea, China, and Russia top internet censorship charts - The Next Web

More than six months after an exhibition organized as part of the Aichi Triennale in Japan was shuttered following political and violent threats, the Taipei Museum of Contemporary Art in Taiwan announced that it would host the show in its studio space in the spring.

Following the opening of the exhibition After Freedom of Expression?, which focused on the history of censorship in Japan, in August, the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art in Nagoya received numerous death threats by phone, email, and over fax over its inclusion of a comfort woman statuea monument that commemorates Korean women who were forced into sexual slavery by Japanese troops during World War IItitled Statue of Peace.

While the organizers of the exhibition cited the safety of museum staff and visitors as the reason for the closure, the participating artists and others opposed to the decision condemned the move as censorshipthe topic of comfort women remains a sensitive issue for Japan. Many expressed concern over the number of local lawmakers, including Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura, who spoke out against the exhibition. The Cultural Affairs Agency which previously pledged to provide 78 million yen in financial support to the triennial later declared that it would not pay.

The controversy prompted more than a dozen artists, including Tania Bruguera, Pia Camil, Minouk Lim, Pedro Reyes, and Javier Tellez, to sign a letter addressed to the shows organizers, which read: We consider it an ethical obligation to stand by the exhibiting artists voices and their work being exhibited. Freedom of expression is an unalienable right that needs to be defended independently of any context.

While artistic director Daisuke Tsuda publicly apologized to the artists whose works were in the exhibition and for the strong sense of indignation and disappointment felt by the artists who ultimately withdrew works from the triennial in protest, he also defended the action and said that the exhibition drew threats beyond our expectations.

A government-appointed review board led by Toshio Yamanashi, director of the National Museum of Art, in Osaka later found that the closure and removal of the sculpture by Kim Seo-kyung and Kim Eun-sung was justified. It concluded that Tsuda deviated from the concept of the show by incorporating several new works when it apparently was only supposed to feature pieces that had previously been censored by the state. It also stated that Tsuda failed to effectively communicate with curators, administrators, and others involved in the festival, which was held from August 1 to October 14.

While the exhibition briefly reopened in October, it was only on view for a few days and visitors had to enter a lottery in order to see it.

See the article here:
Aichi Triennale Exhibition Will Be Restaged in Taiwan Following Censorship Controversy - Artforum

In 2019, deliberate internet censorship cost African economies a collective USD 2.16 Bn. The shutdowns, mostly orchestrated by governments, have been on for many years.

Though such restrictions have been going on for many years, last year was the worst year in terms of amount of money foregone. So, for 2020, what should African businesses and individuals expect?

Internet shutdowns are becoming a trend in Africa. Period. The Global Cost of Internet Shutdowns in 2019 report finds that most internet shutdowns occur in response to protests or civil unrest surrounding elections.

Usually, these web and social media blackouts occur when governments want to restrict the spread of information and maintain their power grip. This does not not only toy with citizens freedom of expression, but also with their right to information.

The first major internet shutdown in Africa for last year is proof that the reports findings are correct. In Zimbabwe, the administration of Emmerson Mnangagwa executed a web blackout to quell protests arising from the ridiculous hike in fuel prices. It marked the first time for such to happen in the Southern African nation, which made Zimbabweans clamor for the return of their former leader Robert Mugabe.

A similar event occurred in Sudan, where the government shutdown the internet for weeks. The intention was to smother the protests against the generals who seized power after Omar al-Bashir was ousted by military forces in April.

These series of disturbing events occurred after Sudan-wide demonstrations against his rule. After shutting down the internet to curb malpractice during national exams in June 2019, Ethiopia went on to sustain the blackout due to failed military coup attempts.

The examples are endless, but the trend is certain. Whats more, the report by Top10VPN says that there is little to suggest that internet shutdowns will stop in 2020. This comes in spite of their negative impact on the global economy, human rights and the democratic processes.

Simon Migliano, Head of Research at Top10VPN, told WeeTracker that internet shutdowns have become a popular strategy across Africa during times of political unrest. This seems to be undeterred by condemnation by the United Nations and human rights organizations around the world.

Given that the rate of internet shutdowns has been increasing over the last three years, we have every reason to expect that there will be more in Africa this year, particularly in regions like Ethiopia and Sudan where elections are on the horizon, he said.

Simons predictions are not implausible, because truly, there are a couple of elections to be held in Africa this year. Also, some of these polls are being held in countries where internet censorship has occurred in the past. These include Chad, Mauritius, Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, Egypt and Liberia.

Peaceful and fair elections are encouraged across the continent, but theres a likeliness that internet censorship will occur in these countries. Togo is likely to join the crop, as it prepares to hold the first African presidential election of the year on February 22nd. Factors that will make for an internet censorship in the West African country are numerous.

The current president, Faure Gnassingb, has been in power since 2005, after the death of his father. His regime is to be extended as hes to be the only candidate on the ballot. Faures father seized control of the small country in 1967. Protests upon protests have registered displeasure over the seemingly dynastic rule of the Gnassingbs.

The internet may ultimately not shutdown in Togo, but the other promising crop of countries on the continent make us beg to differ. The nations aforementioned are known for civil unrest, long-ruling presidents and military shakedowns. Take Sudan for instance, where their last internet censorship led and resulted in to military open-fire on the nations citizens.

African businesses are actually better off expecting internet censorship this year and put things in place to enable them cope. Businesses that only exist online or on social media wont be able to operate at all during a shutdown.

According to Simon, those that have physical locations or provide services should be aware of alternative ways to communicate with suppliers, employees and existing or future customers.

On the signs of an internet shutdown, Simon said that any election or authority-related protest or form of unrest can be seen as a precursor to an internet shutdown. The reality is that unless a business operates completely offline, an internet shutdown will undoubtedly have some negative impact on their ability to successfully function, he says.

All businesses can really do is ensure that they have a means of staying connected and, where possible, find alternative methods of carrying out activities that would usually be done online.

A 2017 report by CIPESA on internet censorship revealed that the impact of being dumped offline is not a binary issue. The survey titled Calculating The Economic Impact Of Internet Disruptions In Sub-Saharan Africa, said that even after internet access is restored, the impact of a cut-off continues to resonate.

Economic losses caused by an internet disruption persist far beyond the days on which the shutdown occurs, because network disruptions unsettle supply chains and have systemic effects that harm efficiency throughout the economy, the report noted.

Internet disruptions, however short-lived, undermine economic growth, disrupt the delivery of critical services, erode business confidence, and raise a countrys risk profile.

Theres not exactly many options available when a business is disrupted by internet censorship. Simon explains: For many people, its just the old-fashioned way: telephone or fax! If an affected business is close to a region where internet remains available, then its a case of travelling there to conduct the most urgent matters via laptop and mobile internet before returning home. Of course, thats not an option for many. This is why internet shutdowns are so damaging.

Featured Image: New York Times

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Internet Censorship In Africa Is A Trend In Africa - What To Expect In 2020 - WeeTracker Media