Across defence conferences, strategy papers and procurement announcements, the focus is overwhelmingly on the future. Much of the discussion centres on emerging technologies such as advanced sensing systems, artificial intelligence, autonomous platforms and the increasingly...
In defence manufacturing, surface finishing is often the quiet constant, rarely discussed, yet vital to the reliability and longevity of mission-critical systems. Beneath every uniform colour lies a complex sequence of treatments, coatings, and inspections...
In Canada’s evolving defence and industrial landscape, the conversation around the Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy often begins with numbers (contract values, content ratios, and offset credits). But behind every percentage point and policy...
Canada’s first Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) marks one of the most significant shifts in the country’s defence procurement philosophy in decades. Rather than viewing defence spending purely through a procurement lens, the strategy positions defence...
Building on our exploration of AI-powered machine vision, it’s clear that the capabilities of these systems demand a re-evaluation of the computing infrastructure that supports them. The addition of AI and machine learning (ML) has...
From CPUs to GPUs As we continue exploring the transformative impact of AI-powered machine vision, it becomes clear that the choice of processing hardware plays a critical role in system performance and efficiency. Machine vision...
Reflections, Achievements, and the Road Ahead An anniversary is always a valuable moment for reflection. A time to look in the rear-view mirror to better plan for the journey ahead. Celebrating Captec’s 40th anniversary is...
Following on from our exploration of the evolution of machine automation, this article delves into a critical area driving innovation: AI-powered machine vision. While traditional machine vision laid the groundwork for automated visual processing, AI...
From Software Defined Systems to AI-Driven Intelligence As someone managing or working with technology in machine automation, you’ve likely experienced first-hand how the field is evolving at an unprecedented pace. The shift from traditional software...
As someone involved in manufacturing ruggedised inspection equipment, you’re no stranger to the demands of the semiconductor industry. According to a recent report from SEMI, global silicon wafer shipments rose by 6% in Q3 of...
Welcome to “Life at Captec,” where we shine a spotlight on the incredible individuals who make our company thrive. This time, we’re featuring a long-standing team member whose journey began as an apprentice in 1985....
Welcome to “Life at Captec”, where we shine a spotlight on the individuals who make our company tick. One of our team members tells us about their exciting journey navigating a dual role in Production...
Welcome to “Life at Captec”, where we shine a spotlight on the amazing individuals who make our company thrive. We got to know one of our talented team members, who shares what inspires her at...
Build-to-print services are a critical component in on time delivery of integrated naval and defence sector systems. Providing the ability to outsource the production of parts or products while maintaining control over design and quality...
The demand for systems to be deployed at pace in any environment has increased following a range of technological advancements which are enabling the armed forces to provide protection where it’s needed. The rise of...
In an era defined and increasingly disrupted by technological advancements, navies around the world are leveraging electronics, specialised computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and Edge AI IoT data to bolster their defence capabilities. Naval warfare has...
At the heart of Captec’s mission lies a steadfast commitment to fostering deep connections with pivotal defence ecosystem stakeholders. Resulting in a very inclusive ecosystem supporting the various Ministry of Defence (MOD) bodies with primes,...
The capability of smart devices and wireless products has evolved rapidly over the years, but the limits of battery technology often constrain their useful operating lifetime. Unlike some other technologies, where increasing capability tends to...
The challenge Modern smart devices and wireless networks are now offering services that were once considered the preserve of science fiction. However, these advancements in technology can bring their challenges. One of the key concerns...
Like many technology areas, the world of wireless communications is full of names, acronyms and numbers. These different types of wireless communication technology are built on wireless ‘standards’, each suited for different uses. Some key...
Offering real-time location of devices, whether indoors or out, is in high demand. Having moved on from simply using a SatNav device in the car, users now expect precise location to be easy and seamless...
Wireless systems and devices are found in an increasing number of technology areas. Smaller device sizes, reduced radio component costs, increased device performance and widely adopted wireless standards are some of the factors encouraging more...
The Beginning Each work day for me as a Mechanical Engineer always starts at a similar time (between 8AM and 8:30AM). It’s a good time to start work, as it gives me a sensible amount...
In recent years the term ‘edge computing’ has become more and more pervasive. But what is it? A specialised technology? A type of computer? In reality, not truly either. What is Edge Computing? It best...
Wirelessly-enabled devices continue to be developed due to demand from consumers (for convenience) and businesses (for cost-cutting and process improvements). To help you understand how innovations in wireless technology can help your business gain a...
What is edge computing? Simply put, edge computing is the process of using computational power at a remote network end-point device to compile the data from the device and send back key information only. The...
Simulation applications require high-performance computing and often cutting-edge technology to deliver the best results. Hi-intensity graphical simulation has the additional challenge of providing an immersive and real-time experience while ensuring minimum latency or data lagging,...
What are the benefits of Intel’s latest technology? Intel’s 11th Generation processors codenamed “Rocket Lake” comes with an array of enhancements, which include Processor core architecture with IPC improvements, Enhanced Intel UHD graphics featuring Intel...
The airflow of a rack-mounted computer cabinet is critical. Consider for example all of the components within an enclosed rack – if heat is transferred from one component to another, it can act as a...
Working for more than 15 years in the industrial computer hardware industry, I’ve seen many mistakes from rack integration projects. Luckily, they’re all easily avoidable with a little bit of guidance. Here’s 10 of the...
As the saying goes, there are horses for courses, and having the right tool for the job is also applicable to computer cabinets and enclosures. There is no one-size-fits-all approach for 19” computer enclosures. Cabinets...
There is no single approach that can be applied to rack cabinet or rackmount computer projects. Every project is unique, with differing markets, specification levels and demand. However, there are certain elements that remain the...
The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking is a new UK product marking that is used for goods being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). The UKCA mark will be replacing...
Whether you are purchasing the latest spec gaming machine or an industrial embedded computer for edge data processing, you are likely to be in for a nasty surprise – computer component shortages are hitting the...
Liquid cooling of computers offers several advantages over air cooling. Not only do they run quieter but given the right set-up they can operate for longer, more reliably, and at higher temperatures. Captec’s Jake Macwhirter...
Rise and shine The typical day usually starts anywhere between 07:00 -07:30; I’m usually one of the first people to get into the office. Being a morning person usually helps with roles such as this...
What is Quantum Computing? In essence, quantum computing is a computational system that allows for an outcome to be predicted based on a summation of states, rather than be derived from a series of investigations...
The use of mobile devices for industrial business applications Many businesses in a variety of different industries are moving away from using traditional or fixed computers because mobile devices like laptops and tablets can do...
By definition 19″ racks integrate a vast assortment of equipment to suit its usage, from air-conditioned server rooms to racks destined to operate within the defence sector. A key consideration for anyone specifying for such...
The benefits of simulated training Many studies have shown simulation training to deliver the best learning outcomes, as it provides a realistic, immersive experience in the context of the learner’s job role. As the name...
5 technologies that could have the biggest impact on the defence industry in the next 5 years Technology is evolving at an ever-increasing rate. The defence sector will always follow this trend, leveraging technology advancements...
Re-engineering commercial computers for extreme environments Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) computer solutions are often deployed within a programme to leverage cost and performance benefits. However, defence and security applications’ requirements differ from end-user and enterprise computing...
The growing role of the SME With the ever-advancing march of technology, the incredible rate of change and the need to remain at the cutting-edge of capability while maintaining a strategic advantage, SME’s (small and...
How to stop your computer overheating With winter just a breath away, and summer seems a lifetime away, you may not be thinking about how hot things are getting any time soon. Spare a thought,...
An eventful year for the healthcare industry 2020 has been a challenging year for all of us. The world hit by a coronavirus pandemic, something none of us could have predicted. Please spare a thought...
For industrial applications, computer hardware failure can cause significant downtime, for the application itself, but even more so to the end user. In most cases, industrial applications require the very latest technology to achieve the...
My son recently asked me: “What do you do at work?” to which I replied I’m a product manager, “But what do you actually do”? I thought about this for a second or two, am I...
The challenge You may have been there before; a complex project made all the more challenging by the need for a completely bespoke electro-mechanical or box build assembly, often characterised by purchasing teams scrambling to...
Hello, my name is Martijn; I am a Dutch international business and management student at the Rotterdam Business School. For the past six months, I have been working as a market research intern at Captec....
Mobile electronic gaming tablets We’ve talked a lot in previous blogs about managing large estates of tablets on single sites like bingo clubs, just as we do with our own Customised Tablets which can also...
When the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was overturned in May 2018, the American sports wagering experience was destined to change forever. The highly concentrated activity in Nevada could never be replicated throughout...
According to the industry trade body, Bacta, there are currently around 500 amusement arcades in the UK. In stark contrast, when you rewind to the 1980s, the industry was booming with over 1,000 arcades in...
The worldwide state of retail betting Almost since the relegalisation of UK betting shops in the 1961, the doom predictors have had the death of the betting shop in their sights. From the advent of...
Technology to address challenges As the internet becomes more ubiquitous and essential to both everyday life and business, the amount of data that we collectively produce has skyrocketed. In fact, around 90 per cent of...
Understanding the requirements Military applications often suffer from the challenges derived from an appetite to employ the latest generation of hardware and achieve the best performance level possible. This appetite is typically driven by an...
How to protect commercial computers for use in rail applications Commercial computers are designed to be operated in the same comfortable working environment as human beings. In an ideal world, we would be able to...
Key considerations for selecting an mobile workforce automation platform Mobile workforce management is a proven advantage that many fleets are adopting in and outside of their vehicles to leverage a competitive edge. Using mobile technology...
3 technologies set to shape the future of the mobile workforce The evolution of the mobile workforce has enabled businesses worldwide to harness the advantages of technology on-the-move. Communication streams have become optimised, the working...
In support of #INWED19 which celebrates the achievements of women in engineering, we sat down with our Product Support Engineer, Laura Anderson, who gave us a valuable insight into her career so far working in...
In a previous blog, my colleague, Ian, discussed the technology behind Li-ion batteries and the various methods that manufacturers use to improve battery life. This time, I thought I’d cover the software tricks you can...
Hello, my name is Thomas. I’m a French business school student. As part of my studies, I was encouraged to do an internship abroad. I decided to choose the UK and successfully applied for a...
The autonomous vehicles landscape By now we have all heard of autonomous vehicles or driverless cars; and the realisation that a world where these vehicles will be commonplace is slowly setting in. The technology enabling...
Why do I need an Industrial Computer? To the average user, a computer is generally seen as a simple box. It performs a task and is expected to work consistently, with some occasional support from...
Understand your application C4ISR applications must provide the right people with the right information within time constraints to be effective. Of course, this must be done in conjunction with denying and disrupting the same privileges...
In-vehicle Technology In a previous blog, I addressed the difficulties faced by waste management companies in their pursuit of in-vehicle technology optimisation and efficiency. But many of the root cause problems aren’t exclusive to that...
Tablet battery life – Increased power = increased drainage? Over the last decade, mobile devices have become an integral part of our everyday activities – be it social, work or even a combination of both....
Digitisation is initiating rapid changes in the modern railway IT infrastructure As the railway industry expands and passenger numbers skyrocket, the question that has to be asked is: How do you ensure the industry keeps...
The problem with old age…. Healthcare, especially in the present day, can be a very divisive topic. However, one thing we can all agree on is that improving services is critical. When entering a dated...
Mobile devices are improving by the day. And as they do, expect to see them take over whole industries as businesses take advantage of their size, weight, portability and performance. The hospitality industry is always...
Why Should the Efficiency of Your Industrial Computer’s PSU Matter to You? No PSUs are the same, that’s a given. So, as well as evaluating the power output when choosing the PSU for your industrial...
The theatre of war You could be forgiven for thinking that militarising a rugged tablet, a device often tested to military standards, may be surplus to requirements. But as any soldier will tell you, the...
Flight Simulation – Past, Present and Future… April 2018 marks the 100th birthday of the Royal Air Force, and in anticipation I thought we could take a stroll through the archives to look at how...
Babbage and Ada – The Advent of Mathematical Computing In 1837, Charles Babbage proposed the Analytical Engine. His design would move past the computation of mathematical tables to the computation of outcomes. Although not successfully...
Mobile workforces are fantastically useful things. By coordinating these workforces with mobile devices, business productivity, effectiveness and efficiency can easily be further enhanced. Enter the tablet computer. Now, it’s by no means a new thing...
We increasingly live our lives on-the-go and the holy-grail is the time saver. From instant drink breakfast cereals to auto-defrosting cars, we are always searching for that extra couple of minutes to get ahead. And...
These days everyone seems to walk around glued to their smartphone or tablet – whether they are browsing the net, checking email or just playing a game. Despite what some people may say, the internet...
Ten Months On Last year, I published a blog entitled Supporting and Developing Supply Chain Relations in the Far East, documenting my experiences, impressions and objectives following my first visit to the region on business. This year,...
Rack Integration The demand for fully populated and functional rack cabinets is set to increase in line with the evolution of technology and resultantly, the enhanced capabilities of applications. Designers and engineers competent in rack...
Rack Integration: An Introduction (Part One) This blog contains the first half of an Interview with Jake MacWhirter, our Product Development Manager in Rack Integration. The integration of complex computers into 19-inch rack cabinets requires...
Rack Integration: An Introduction (Part Two) This blog follows on from the first instalment of an interview with Jake MacWhirter, our Rack Integration Product Development Manager. In this part, Jake takes us through some of the more...
