The of machinery can now benefit from No Cable Technology (NCT) to enhance mobile handling and processing performance of transport systems, presenting more opportunities for in-line measurement or processing of products. This enhanced functionality comes with the launch of the XTS intelligent transport system with NCT, which Beckhoff UK is now offering to companies across
BoE flags possible review of guidance with next set of forecasts. The BoE did the expected and hiked the Bank Rate by another 25 bps to 0.75% while repeating that further modest tightening is likely to be necessary in the coming months. At the same time though, the discussion flagged the double-edged sword of sharply […]
The market for advanced, customizable mechanical keyboards is heating up. Formerly the domain of small-batch, super-expensive designs or homebuilt one-offs, you can now find mod-friendly keyboards on Best Buy shelves. NZXT is known for cases, fans, and motherboards, not input devices, but the company is throwing its hat in the ring with the new Function series mechanical keyboards. If you've been looking for a quality keyboard with a lot of options for upgrades and programming, without breaking the bank, it's definitely worth your attention.
NZXT offers the Function in full-sized, tenkeyless, and “mini-TKL” sizes, and they sent us the latter for review. And we're glad they did. It's broadly following the midsize trend of popular keyboards like the GMMK Pro or the Keychron Q1, but its intelligent layout uses all-standard keycap sizes. That means that if you want to upgrade to a fancy novelty set, you don't have to hunt for a smaller left Shift key.
Michael Crider/IDG
Despite the compact size and layout, the mini-TKL features a scroll wheel (programmed to volume by default), dedicated keys for mute, “game mode” (Windows key disabled), and lighting levels. It's also got a smart position for most of the other stuff: function-level playback controls are in the upper-right corner, while the crucial “delete” key is placed exactly where your muscle memory expects it to be on a larger board. It's an incredibly efficient package. The hot-swap switch bays should be compatible with all standard Cherry-style switches.
Michael Crider/IDG
The Function includes the usual bells and whistles: RGB lighting, layout and macro programming (via NZXT's CAM program, not an open-source option), and fold-out feet for a high profile feel. While the case is plastic, it feels high-quality and solid, though I'm not a fan of the weirdly off-center placement for the USB-C port and detachable cable. The package comes with everything you need to start tweaking: keycap puller, switch puller, and a few spares. Despite the clear intention that the user replace them, the bundled keycaps are quite good. They're doubleshot PBTs with alternate colored keys, though they don't feature shine-through, so the RGB lighting is entirely decorative.
Michael Crider/IDG
Perhaps the most impressive thing about the Function is its dedication to user choice right at the point of purchase. In addition to the three different sizes and layouts, NZXT will sell the keyboard in three different base colors (black, white, grey) and both ANSI and ISO layouts. On top of that, you get an impressive collection of switches from Gateron: clicky Blue, tactile Brown, linear Red, plus two “premium” options for Aliaz tactile and Black Ink linear silent switches. (“Silent” by mechanical keyboard standards, which means they're about as soft as a laptop keyboard.) Those are rather pricey upgrades, starting at $70 for the smallest board. Naturally, said switches can be swapped out at any time.
All this can be chosen via NZXT's online configurator, which will let you listen to the different switches and choose some fun add-ons, like more accented keycaps or a different braided cable. It's an impressive way for newbies to jump into the custom mechanical keyboard space.
NZXT
The NZXT Function full-sized, tenkeyless, and mini-TKL keyboards are shipping today, for $150, $130, and $120, respectively, before additional options. We'll have a full review of the keyboard soon.
With conflict in Ukraine comes more reminders of the
fragility of the world's automotive supply chains. The March light
vehicle production update from S&P Global Mobility (formerly
the automotive team at IHS Markit) is likely to downgrade its 2022
forecast by 2.6mn units (i.e. to 81.6 million). The downgrade
decomposition will broadly comprise just under 1mn units from lost
demand in Russia and Ukraine; and the remainder split between 1)
worsening semiconductor supply issues, and 2) loss of
Ukraine-sourced wiring harnesses and other components respectively.
In addition, the complete loss of Russian palladium is a tail risk
with the potential to become the industry's biggest supply
constraint.
Pent-up demand reduced by roughly one
third
Pre-Ukraine invasion on 24th Feb, the global auto industry had
already spent over a year under capacity constrained conditions,
with (we estimate) pent up consumer demand up to 10mn units (or
12%) above this year's achievable production. The sudden loss of
economic confidence (via high oil and raw material prices, weak
equity markets, and tightening interest rates) is dampening demand,
and could now reduce that shortfall by roughly one third - though
significant pent-up demand remains.
Supply chain remains the constraining
factor
While the macro concerns are significant, the supply chain (and
not underlying consumer demand) will continue to set the
upper limit for vehicle unit sales in the medium term. The key
crunch points weighing on production levels post invasion fall into
two broad categories: Semiconductor materials
supply (specifically via Ukrainian neon and Russian palladium), and
electrical wiring harness sourcing.
Specialist material outages could curtail semiconductor
recovery
Semiconductor supply challenges are worsening on two fronts:
First, via neon gas supply disruptions. Ukraine's
firms control around half of high purity neon supply to the
semiconductor industry, where the element is used in lasers that
etch patterns onto chips. Our channel checks suggest immediate
risks are low thanks to semiconductor makers holding sufficient gas
inventory, but visibility is poor. The second challenge is
availability of palladium, used in semiconductor
plating and finishing. In an additional negative twist, China
COVID-19 cases at a 2 year high are triggering
quarantines and plant closures in northeastern manufacturing hubs
including Shenzhen and Changchun. All of the above raise the risk
of losses from 'stranded' chips, i.e.
semiconductors for which the 'right' car cannot be built due to
other constraints.
Ukraine wiring harnesses difficult to
substitute
Our channel checks suggest Ukraine-built wiring harnesses were
likely destined for around 0.5 to 1mn vehicles pre-invasion. These
harnesses comprise complex and manually constructed assemblages of
cable. Although some dual sourcing arrangements exist, for the most
part switching will be difficult due to
already-constrained harness capacity in and around Europe.
Production relocations could take 3-10 months due to wait times on
machinery and multi-month staff training times. Almost half (45%)
of Ukraine-built wiring harnesses are normally exported to Germany
and Poland, placing German carmakers at high
exposure. Our analysis suggest Opel (i.e. Stellantis via
Leoni), VW (via Leoni and Sumitomo) are over-exposed versus peers.
On the plus side, once ramped up - lost production could be
recovered quickly into late 2022 and beyond.
Palladium: Next 'black swan' candidate
While low probability as things stand, palladium has the
potential to become the industry's biggest supply
constraint. Russia produces 40% of the world's mined
palladium according to USGS. Around two thirds of palladium use is
in vehicles, where it is the active element in catalytic converters
for exhaust aftertreatment. If Russian palladium supply were
suddenly interrupted (due to a western boycott, or Russia stopping
supply), production of all vehicles using such sourcing (including
hybrids) could potentially stop. Although platinum is an
alternative element, it is similarly expensive and also largely
Russia-originated. Substitution of any kind is a regulatory
minefield since design changes require regulatory re-homologation,
which can take months. We do not currently incorporate
major palladium disruptions in our forecast base case.
Russian-Ukrainian trade pushes GBP/USD to 1.3000. We are unlikely to see any relief for the cable from central bank decisions anytime soon. Amid looming Ukrainian risks, the GBP/USD remains a sell-on-rebound trade. The GBP/USD weekly forecast is bearish amid geopolitical jitters. However, the pair may correct higher as a pullback and BoE next week. –Are … Continued
Cryptocurrency is being used both to fund Ukraine’s defense and prevent Russia’s ability to skirt sanctions in what may become a pivotal moment for the industry.
Large mechanical seven-segment displays have a certain presence that you just don’t get in electronic screens. Part of this comes from the rather satisfying click-click-clack sound they make at every …read more