Exhibition Season
There are not that many Instrument Shows this year.The ISA Ireland Show is scheduled for 29th April 1997. The associated conference is on Plant Efficiency .
The only major European Show is C&I Europe for 4 days in May. There are more details on the Review page sponsored by Readout. Look it up http://www.iol.ie/~readout/CandI.
Applications and Company News
Hanley's ILAB accreditation for temperature calibration
First company in Ireland
The Hanley Controls Group, without doubt one of the leading players in the Irish I&C market for over 15 years, marked another landmark recently.Hanley Controls Calibration Services, the on-site instrumentation and calibration division of the company achieved ISO 9002 certification in 1993. This company deals with process industries, medical device manufacturers and public utilities. Now the achievement of ILAB Accreditation for temperature calibration and documentation services represents outstanding levels of quality in Temperature Calibrations. Hanley Controls are the first Irish company to achieve this status.
This accreditation allows Hanley to provide on-site ILAB accredited calibration services for critical tem-perature measurements on such devices as autoclaves, reactors, and pasteuri-sation and sterilisation equipment. In-house ILAB calibration services are also available so that customers may send their portable temperature measuring instruments to their Cork facility and have them calibrated and returned to the customer site within 4 working days. This service handles devices such as hand held digital thermometers, temperature dry-block calibrators and validation systems, which may include a number of temperature probes and a multi-point recorder.
This ILAB service includes the temperature profiling (mapping) of sterilisers, cold rooms, ovens and incubators as well as autoclaves.
Write 7001 on card
New Web Site
Computer Products, whose European headquarters is Power Conversion in Youghal, has announced the inaugura-tion of their web site. It has information on its full line of power supplies, as well as sales and technical support. Product information is available in Adobe Acrobat format. This infor-mation includes application notes, full specifications and product photos. While online ordering is not offered, visitors can use the site to find the nearest sales rep or distributor.New Address
Honewell Control Systems have a new Dublin address. This isUnit 1 Robinhood Business Park,
Robinhood Road
Dublin 22.
Numbers remain unchanged at:
01 4565944 (Tel) and 01 4565947(Fax).
ISO9002 for IPP
Brendan Lawlor, Quality Manager with Irish Power & Process Ltd tells us that they have received ISO9002 Registration in recognition of their continuous drive towards excellence in their service to their customers and industry.IPP were formed in 1983 and are well known throughout the country as representatives of the Yokogawa range.
Hot off the wires
As we go to press we learn of the appointment of Flomeaco Co. Ltd as sole distributors for Bartec Technology products in Ireland. Bartec was founded in 1975 in Germany and are now among the world leaders in the manufacture of EX system components, displays and leakage detection systems.Their MODEX system allows local signal conditioning in hazardous areas resulting in up to 25% reductions in installed costs. Flomeaco will launch the range at the ISA Ireland'97 Show in Cork on 29th April where Tony Donnelly will have the full story. Write 7013 on card
Drive a Tank!
When people think of SAAB they usually think of an expensive Swedish car. However the name is also associated with a level gauging system.The SAAB TankRadar tank level gauging system is now being marketed by Douglas Electronics. Write 7014 on card
Products
Weatherproof DP Transmitter
Dwyer Instruments, marketed by Manotherm, has just released its series 632W Differential Pressure Trans-mitter with special weather-proof housing rated NEMA 4X. Series 632W monitors and controls positive, negative or differential pressure of air and compatible gases and liquids from 0-30 to 0-200 psig with ±2% accuracy. This device is pressure rated to 500 psig (34bar). Versatile circuit design allows operation in 2-, 3-, or 4-wire control loops. Electrical connections are made to a 4-screw terminal strip on the rear of the transmitter through the convenient 3/4-inch NPTF conduit opening.Series 632W operates reliably from 13 to 35 VDC power supplies for 2-,3-, or 4-wire operation and 18 to 26 VAC power supplies for 4-wire operation only. This unit includes two 1/8Ó NPTF bottom pressure ports. Dimensions are 114mm Width by 54mm depth by 105mm height (41/2Ó x 21/8Óx 41/8Ó).
Write 7002 on card
CD Catalogue
The Danfoss 1997 Catalogue for Automatic Controls for Refrigeration Plant and Air Conditioning Systems is now available on CD ROM from JJ Sampson & Son for Ir£6.00. The information is available in Acrobat format which enables users to search copy and print any relevant information easily. The programme itself is on the CD so users may start immediately on computers using 386 or faster processor, 4 Mb RAM and Windows3.1 or Ô95.Write 7003 on card
Pharmacopoeia 23
A new ABB special on-line conductivity analyser system provides the pharmaceutical industry with an early solution for compliance with US regulations governing the quality requirement for phar-maceutical process waters.Under these regulations, pharmaceutical companies wishing to sell into the US market must comply with ÔPharmacopoeia 23.Õ Miche‡l Coholan of Acorn Instrumentation tells us that, as a key parameter for measuring water quality, conductivity is traditionally analysed with automatic temperature compensation, referencing back to 25¡C.
These regulations, designed to reduce the level of manual conductivity analysis, demand that these measurements are required to be non-temperature compensated.
The instruments, however, must be capable of displaying the temperature and tempera-ture compensated values for information purposes.
Traceable test certificates validating the instrumentsÕ conformity are also required for presentation to FDA inspectors when necessary. A unique feature of the ABB 4623 and 4627 conductivity analyser systems is the optional Ômoving setpointÕ facility. This enables the conductivity setpoint to automatically change to provide an alarm status corresponding to changes in the water temperature.
This has been achieved by incorporating data from the regulation tables into the instrumentsÕ software, thus freeing users from the task of manually establishing com-pliant temperature compen-sated values through the use of cross reference charts.
The ABB 4623 and 4627 analyser systems incorporate 2in Tri Clamp stainless steel cells. They are fully compliant with this regulation and are supplied with validation certificates.
Write 7008 on card
Low Cost Flow
In a world where financial considerations are becoming ever more important, value for money has become a major consideration when making your choice of flow sensor.This is the reason Turbo has introduced the MG 711/S low budget, flangeless (wafer) type magnetic flow sensor, specifically designed for applications in the water and waste water industries.
This low-cost sensor is suitable for installation between a wide range of flange types David Bennion of Flow Measurement tells us, and earthing is supplied as standards via a stainless steel support ring built on to the upstream face of the sensor. They are extremely light-weight, for example the DN25 (1Ó) is only 1.4 kg and the DN 100 (4Ó) just 6.2 kg. This allows it to be installed in plastic or steel flow tubes without the need of support or re-enforcement.
Write 7010 on card
Dew-point meter
The battery version of Super-Dew, ShawÕs popular robust and easy-to-use hygrometer has been in production for 25 years, with many thousands in use for instant moisture checks on dry air or gas (Shaw Scientific). This has produced the worldÕs largest hygrometer sales.Using the experience gained, a completely new version is now available. With a mains power supply and indication down to zero moisture, the hygrometer is easily portable. It is suitable for either continuous use or spot checks. Red and green panel lights display moisture limits easily set by the user. Control switches for air dryers or alarms of excess are included. The head (test chamber) which is filled with very dry molecular sieve desiccant, can be extended when air flow is present, by blocking the outlet with a finger for a moment. With a one second response from dry, the dial indicates any moisture and is accurately calibrated from 110 ¡C to -20¡C dewpoint. Recorder output is 20 mA dc.
With a two year unconditional guarantee, including the sensor, Shaw claim that there is no contemporary equivalent moisture indicator. The sensor with a 20 year life is the heart of the device. It likes work, improves with age and has a fine gold filter, permeable to moisture. Included, is a rotary indicator for other units of measure-ment. Most important, there is no need for the faking, guesswork, eproms, frequent replacement, and maintenance which may be expected with other makes of dry air monitors.
Write 7011 on card
New bus software
PCWorX is part of the entire, open and universal automation concept Open Control from Phoenix Contact, based on international standards.The modular software package from PCAS, combines differ-ent field-proven software standards such as IEC 1131 and Windows to a coherent tool. The software ensures both the universal project planning, programming and data storage as well as a universal communication and thereby makes the planning, program development, start up and the maintenance of machines and systems easier.
The package can be individu-ally adjusted to the respective application requirements. The following tools are available for carrying out the automation tasks:
- The software package System WorX is used for the planning, parame-terization and diagnostics of the entire Interbus network and of individual devices. Once the data has been keyed in, it is directly used by other parts of the program, i.e, the data is directly available to the programmer and to maintenance personnel. there are no time-con-suming and error-prone multiple inputs necessary.
- Program WorX is the software for the program-ming of control programs according to IEC 1131. The programs developed with this software can operate in an industrial PC or a decentral, intelligent control node, without needing modification. The software supports all programming languages laid down in IEC 1131.
- The software package Graph WorX is in charge of the visualisation in the conducting level and of the display of signal status in an operating and monitoring station. For this purpose the program offers compre-hensive libraries for the creation and dynamisation of visualisation objects. Through defined interfaces, the data required for the visualisation can be either taken from the WorX programs or from standard Windows programs.
Write 7016 on card
A Practical Guide
Steeplechase Software have designed its Steeplechase Handbook: A Practical Guide to PC-Based Control & Flowchart Programming, designed to be an educational bookshelf reference guide for anyone needing additional knowledge of the controls industry as a whole, and PC-based control and flowchart programming in particular.This handbook will be distributed free to interested individuals by Steeplechase. Individuals will be asked to complete a short questionnaire to receive the handbook free. The handbook may be purchased for $50.00 plus shipping by those individuals who would prefer not to answer these questions.
Look up http://www.steeplechase.com.
People
Talking about the Internet the English company IO Ltd has delivered a communications gateway which allows Cambridge City Council to connect specialist scientific instrumentation for measuring benzine air pollution with pages on the world wide web. Called IoWeb, the box takes the measurement results from a gas chromatograph, converts it into electronic mail, and sends it via a local area network and the council's on-line internet server to the British DoE- sponsored air quality website run by AEA Technology. This information can be seen on your computer browser by pointing to http://www.aeat.co.uk/airqual/.
Compared with using modems and the public telephone network, IoWeb is providing the Council with a simple, reliable and fast means of delivering the information - taking less than two minutes in total to reach its destination. Moreover because IoWeb is based on an ÒembeddedÓ computer system running from solid state memory, the device presents an unhackable barrier to network intruders or viruses.
Write 7012 on card
News from the InterNet
This feature featured a digest of items from the February and March News from the Instrumentation Signpost.Conferences
TT at C&I
The last day of C&I Europe (16th May) features a tech-nology transfer conference featuring 6 international experts who will describe initiatives which stimulate technology transfer within European countries. Impor-tantly, delegates will be made aware of methodologies which improve company competitive-ness, at both organisational and product level.Key speakers include, Ray McSharry of Forbairt, Brendan Murphy of Abbott, John Carson of Sword, Martin Schaettgen of Inno GmbH, Paul Stoneman, Warwick Business School, and Alex Hicks of the UKÕs DTI Innovation Unit.
Attendees to the conference will also benefit from the technology transfer pavilion, which is situated within the main C&I Exhibition. The conference will be of interest to Directors and senior decision makers within industry.
There are 5 other conferences held throughout the entire conference.
Details and bookings to Diane Green on +44 181 658 3611.
Water & Waste
A two day Water, Waste and Environmental Management Show is scheduled for the Culloden Hotel in Belfast. dates are 20 and 21st May '97.More details from Jim McGuirk on 01 4532497
The June/July'97 Issue of Readout will feature a survey of suppliers of Flow Instrumentation in Ireland .
If you require details of rates for advertising or for subscribing to Readout you may do so here.
Readout Publications
An Caorán, Baile na hAbhann, Co Galway, Ireland.
Tel: +353 87 2663282; Fax: +353 91 506872; Email: readout@iol.ie
Mobile +353 88 663282
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The Internet Directory of Instrumentation is the world wide Directory of Instrumentation and Control launched by BDI in May 1995.
The Instrumentation Signpost has interesting pointers for the I&C Professional.