News
Alfa Laval Automation acquired
ABB adds $150m to turnover while gaining important access into pharmaceutical and food sectors
There has been a veritable deluge of takeovers and acquisitions over the last few months. The acquisition by Eurotherm of Action Instruments was hardly agreed when Eurotherm was taken over by Siebe, who had a few months earlier added Wonderware to its portfolio of companies. Now this month, ABB has announced that it has signed an agreement with Alfa Laval of Sweden, to acquire its Alfa Laval Automation unit. With annual revenues of about US$ 150 million, Alfa Laval Automation is one of Europe's five largest suppliers of process control systems and automation equip-ment. The Swedish unit employs 1,200 people in 14 countries. The acquisition is subject to approval of regulatory authorities.
The acquisition complements ABB's current position as a leading global supplier of process control and automation products, systems and services to a wide range of industries, including metals, chemicals, pulp and paper, oil and gas, and power. Process control and automation technology allows ABB's customers to moni-tor and control complex industrial processes - including supply, pro-duction, quality control, delivery and administration resulting in higher productivity as well as supporting environmentally friendly solutions.
"Alfa Laval Automation's strength in the pharmaceutical and food sectors allows us to significantly broaden our scope in this important business," said Goeran Lindahl, ABB's President and CEO. Sigge Haraldsson, CEO of Alfa Laval, said the sale "is part of our objective to concentrate on our core businesses while providing our automation business with the opportunity to grow through ABB's global resources."
The acquisition is to be part of ABB's Industrial and Building Systems segment, with 1997 orders received of over US$ 16 billion and about 97,000 employees. The ABB Group employs approximate-ly 213,000 people with orders in 1997 of about US$ 35 billion.
No details have emerged as yet on how this will effect the constituent companies here in Ireland. Both are very active in the market here and their combined force should add considerably to the impact of both.
Inside Front
Internet infiltrates the factory floor
World Wide Web offers new communication possibilities for manufacturing control systems says Michael Babb. He is a well respected journalist in the discipline of Measurement and Control on both sides of the Atlantic. He is at present Editor at Large with Cahners. This article appeared in Global Design News, the international magazine for European product design engineers. It is reproduced by kind permission of the Editor.
Literature
Handbook Released
VITA, the VMEbus International Trade Association, has announced the release of the VMEbus Handbook 4th edition, by Wade D. Peterson, which has been upgraded to include many recent advances in VMEbus technology and practices.
The new edition has changed to better support the ÒUnderstanding VME64Ó seminar, which presents an overview of latest VMEbus technology. The handbook is provided with the course, which is presented around USA, Canada and Europe and gives a more in-depth understanding of the subject.
E+H catalogue now on CD ROM.
Flomeaco advise us that the 1998 General Specifications Catalogue is now available on CD. Talk to Tony Donnolly on 045 868615.
Wireless pressure!
This leaflet from ESI features their Protran non-wired process pressure transmitter for installation in dangerous and isolated areas.
Pneumatics for movement
The full Bosch Pneumatics catalogue is available from Pneumatics on 01 4568111. This carries valves, cylinders, vacuum pumps tubing and fittings. Pneumatics also are recognised trainers in this field.
Letter
When lightning strikes! A response!
Dear Sir
I read Mr Schamanski's article "When Lightning Strikes" (Readout 98.03 April/May 1998) with interest and agreed with most of it. However, there are some detailed points with which I could take issue.
The major point I would disagree with is the requirement that the circuit after the installation of surge arrestors must be capable of meeting the 500V insulation test. The comparatively recent (1997) adoption of the IEC code of practice as a CENELEC standard EN60079-14, discusses the lightning question in some detail.
The question of multiple indirect earthing by surge protection devices, particularly for Zone 0 installations, was discussed at some length in the preparation of that document. The problem is that for comprehensive protection of a circuit, surge protection must be applied at both ends of the circuit and hence, is not compatible with the basic requirement of only earthing an intrinsically safe circuit at one point.
If as suggested in the article the 500v insulation test requirement is maintained then a gas discharge spark gap would have to not conduct at 700 volts, which means that during a modest lightning surge, a common mode transient of approximately 1 kilovolts would be introduced between the circuit and structure in a Zone 0 atmosphere, which is not desirable. It was with this problem in mind that the sentence "The spark-over voltage of the surge protection device shall be determined by the user and an expert for the specific installation" was included in the code of practice. I would be happy to expand more fully on these arguments if you think the required space in your journal is justified.
Telematic, a company with which I am associated, have available application notes, which note the arguments in more detail, and I would be pleased to make these documents available to anyone who wishes to pursue the subject.
The basic point is that the subject has moved on and the relevant European code of practice is the CENELEC standard, not the German DIN standard, which in my opinion is not adequately safe.
Chris Towle, Technology Director for MTL
Telematic is a subsidiary of MTL. Extensive literature is available from MTL Telematic surge protection devices can be obtained from Hanley Controls and Eurotherm Ireland
Tom Reaney of Pentek continuedhis examination of Wonderware.
Fieldbus
Fieldbus War heats up!
IEC 1158 was overtaken by events long ago according to Profibus
PROFIBUS International (PI), the umbrella organi-zation representing 20 National PROFIBUS User Groups and 650+ PROFIBUS members worldwide, is calling for further work on the proposed IEC 1158 international fieldbus standard to be suspended and replaced by an alternative approach, because most of it is obsolete. PI also believes that IEC 1158 offers limited functionality, is un-proven, un-supported and unworkable.
Pointing out that after 14 years, the fieldbus market is well established, with fully proven solutions now a reality for thousands of end users globally, their PR Director Geoff Hodgkinson said: "IEC 1158 only covers process control and completely ignores industrial automation. To introduce an International Standard with limited scope at this late stage makes no sense when all applications domains are well served by proven and standardised technologies, especially as this new one will only ever exist on paper.
"This must be of genuine concern to the world's automa-tion community. No vendor - or group of vendors - has proved the viability of the IEC 1158 communications protocol; no products exist and not one vendor anywhere has ever indicated that products will be built. Also, communications experts in the PROFIBUS com-munity have shown that the solution is technically deficient and cannot be implemented with-out major work. Since no-one is prepared to invest the money or effort required to do this IEC 1158 has not been validated and can never be a true Standard."
PI believes that IEC 1158 was overtaken by events long ago and is largely obsolete. PI suggests that further work should be stopped and fieldbus stan-dardisation replaced by an alternative process, for example the one already suggested from within the IEC itself, which is to standardise INTERFACES in areas of high market competition and fast technological progress. Other IEC sources had previ-ously recommended that the IEC 1158 DLL document should become either a Technical Report or an Industrial Technical Agreement, which is another safe option.
Despite the 'negatives', they believe that 'positives' have come from the 1158 project, notably the Physical Layer (1158-2) for the process industries, which is fully supported by PROFIBUS. However, the Data Link Layer (DLL) and the Application Layer (AL) documents, which are passing through the Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) phase now, are deficient. These documents should be suspended to avoid National Committees around the world endorsing an unsafe Standard.
Europe is ahead of the world in recognising the problem of stan-dardising fast moving techn-ology in high competition markets. In the fieldbus envi-ronment, CENELEC incorpo-rated three market-leading solutions (PROFIBUS, WorldFIP and P-Net) into EN 50 170 for this reason and is poised to add FOUNDATION Fieldbus and ControlNet. This is another practical way because it address-es market realities and allows users to decide what is best for them based on traditional buying principles.
Fieldcomms bought
Angel Business Communications has announced that it has purchased the 50% shareholding of its joint venture partner and co-founder of Fieldcomms Exhibitions and Conferences, GGH Marketing Communi-cations. The reorganisation guarantees a total non-commer-cial, non-partisan approach to the gathering and dissemination of both fieldbus and smart controls technology worldwide. This year Fieldcomms UK takes place in Telford (England) from 28th to 29th October 1998.
Readout are hosting a Fieldcomms News Page.
1st Fieldbus Foundation Products launched.
The registration of the first Foundation fieldbus products is expected to have significant impact on the industrial controls market. Seven fieldbus devices have completed its rigorous device registration process. The products are transmitters from Rosemount, Smar, and Yokogowa.
People
The recent AGM of ISA Ireland saw a new committee being elected. Declan Lordan (Douglas Electronics) is the new President, succeeding Billy Walsh of UCC. Other new officers elected included Brian Curtis (Jacobs Engineering), President Elect, ƒamon Creech (Janssen), Secretary, Tony Mahon, Treasurer, Delores Byrne (ABB), Membership, John Sweeney (Eli Lilly), Technical Programme, Bob Shine (FçS), Education, Mark Waring (Jacobs Eng), Newsletter, Peadair Walsh (Douglas Electronics), Exhibition and John Lotty (Marathon), Publicity. Also elected were Alan Edwards (CG Services), John Farrell (ProsCon), Aidan Smith (EEL).
After he was presented with his chain of office Declan Lordan spoke on the challenge facing him: "It is hard to take a difficult situation and turn it around, but it is an even harder to take a great situation and maintain or even improve it. This is the challenge that Billy Walsh has set for the incoming President and his committee."
He has set impressive goals for the year which is the 20the Anniversary of the foundation of the section. "Some of the highlights for the coming year include an International Conference in association with Jacobs Engineering in September and a 20th Anniversary Dinner/Past Presidents Evening and more technical road shows."
Pictures.
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Product News
Irish History
Rapid(Real-time Access Process Information Database) Historian by Automsoft International is the WorldÕs first truly generic batch and time historian specially designed to suit the needs of the manufacturing and process industry.
It represents the the ultimate link between management and production, a powerful and flexible data warehouse that allows the user to monitor every section of the plant and co-ordinate its activities. This means that for the first time Real-Time information can be handled and configured by non-technical personnel while reports are automatically generated at specified time intervals.
This Irish product is the only historian to be completely based on object oriented technology, and can acquire and retrieve data than any other product boasting a logging speed of more than 15,000 events per second. All data can also be modified and backed-up on-line without affecting their collection.
Visit their site www.automsoft.com.
The world first Ex PC
The world's first explosion protected PC will be introduced next September by Flomeaco.
Manufactured by Bartec, the specialist manufacturer of explosion protected electric and electronic components, this unit makes it possible for the first time to use the complete functions and power of Pentium PC technology in the hazardous area, without the addi-tion of other protection devices and measurements.
This technical solution offers the user the power and advantage of a Pentium PC directly in the hazardous area with-out the power restriction of intrinsical-ly safe circuits or inconvenience of providing and monitoring pressurised enclosures. For the first time, all PC-based software programs are fully available in the hazardous area, with-out any problems. Potential customers are companies in the chemical, pharmaceutical and petrochemical industries, as well as OEMs.
This Explosion Protected PC is based on an INTEL Pentium 166 Mhz processor and has 64Mb D-RAM and a hard disk. The display is a 14.5Ó XGA resolution with an excellent viewing angle. The system interface is Ethernet and Novell NE 2000 compat-ible. All standard operating systems such as Windows 95, Windows NT, and UNIX can be run. The user simply connects this unit to his network and has all the functions and power of his software available in the EX-area. Processes can be viewed, controlled directly and any changes can be documented from the EX-area. Full access to data bases is available for information purposes.
If the customer has no network or if the customer needs special hardware components, such as running programs on Pentium PCs, a Remote Station is available. Here the PC is located outside the EX-area and connected to the Remote Station using a 2x2 twisted pair cable. The advantage is in being able to use as standard cable instead of an IS cable. Max cable length is 300m.
Write to Flomeaco.
Large pressure gauge
The popular Spirahelic pressure gauges from Dwyer Instruments are now available from Manotherm, in a larger, even easier to read 81/2Ó dial size, in addition to the original 4 1/2Ó and 6Ó models. All are designed to confirm to ASME B40.1 to fit existing panel cut-outs for easy replacement. The new models, designated Series 7212, are stocked in ten standard ranges from 0-60 to 0-10,000 psig. Metric equivalents are also available. All models use the time-proven Spirahelic movement with its triple-wound spiral-helical bourdon tube design. This simple reliable construction eliminates conventional gears, springs, linkages or complex move-ments. Direct drive of the lightweight, precision balanced pointer minimises friction and mass for quick response and consistent 0.5% of full scale accuracy over years of service.
Small diameter of the Inconel X-750 bourdon tube imparts an integral ÒthrottlingÓ effect which greatly reduces fluid volume and stored energy to minimise potential for damage if tube ruptures from over pressure. Additional features include a solid 316 stainless steel connection block with rear blowout and integral filter plug.
Write quoting 7230.
Breakthrough in level measurement
ProsCon announces the arrival of the Fisher-Rosemount APEX Radar gauge, a non-contact method of measuring level. The APEX gauge provides an attractive alterna-tive in processes where a standard insertion device becomes fouled or corroded. It works well in turbulent, aerated, solids-laden, viscous or corrosive fluids as well as thick pastes and slurries.
The gauge is insensitive to many problematic liquid char-acteristics such as changing density, dielectric, or conductivity.
The advanced radar technology provides accurate level meas-urement not found in other level technologies, while emitting safe signals in the microwave range as approved for Ireland by the ODTR.
APEX generates a microwave signal that varies from 24 to 26 GHz. The signal is then sent out through the antenna. The signal is reflected of the liquid surface and is reflected back into the antenna. By comparing the phase difference of the transmitted and received signals, it can determine the level in the tank.
APEX key MMIC (microwave monolithic integrated circuit) uses 24 GHz Radar for better focus, fewer false echoes. This also allows smaller flanges, more flexibility in mounting as well as better performance on low dielectrics. Older generation radars are 2.5 to 4 times wider.
For increased safety the instrument is Eexd approved
The unit is economical because its self-compensating output eliminates recalibration.
No moving parts mean that it is virtually maintenance-free, it is easy to install and is light-weight. Because it is immune to changes in density or dielectric there is no need to recalibrate when the liquid changes.
The simple, rugged APEX touch display programs with the touch of finger with no need for manuals or PC's. It is configured in minutes via APEX touch Display or HART protocol.
Aidan Finnigan of ProsCon adds "All radar gauges make waves, but only the APEX Gauge is making history!" and of course he would know!
Write Aidan Finnigan.
New union bonnet valve
Parker Hannifin (Hanley Controls) has launched a size 16 union bonnet valve, providing a high-integrity com-ponent for harsh-environment fluid instrumentation applica-tions. Thanks to special protection features the valve will operate at temperatures up to 1200F/648C, and withstand vibration levels and severe temperature swings that can cause leaks with other types of valve.
Users can also specify body material, selecting from stain-less or carbon steels, and exotic materials such as titanium, Monel or Hastelloy C276. This wide choice allow process instrumentation designers to minimise weight, and optimise protection for a wide range of aggressive media and environ-ments. These materials offer proven properties to combat the corrosive effects of sea water and various aggressive chemicals for example, provid-ing solutions for offshore and onshore petrochemical indus-tries, chemical processes, power generators, and pulp and paper plants among others. Parker additionally offers a NACE MR-01-75 variant for 'sour gas' applications.
Offering a pressure rating of 6,000 PSI (413 bar), Parker's new U16 valve is ideally suited for demanding applications in areas involving high tempera-ture and pressure media, such as saturated and superheated steam in power generation plants; rapid temperature cycling, a common charac-teristic of numerous chemical processes; and vibration, as might be encountered on a drilling platform or pumping station.
Protection measures for critical service applications come in several forms. A robust forged body and heavy-duty union bonnet nut protect against vibration and the effects of expansion or contraction forces during rapid temperature changes. The valve's packing is sited below the power threads, isolating the thread and lubricants from the media. The packing nut incorporates a dust seal, to safeguard the stem threads from external contam-ination. U16's stem swivel occurs above the packing, thus eliminating stem tip entrap-ment areas, while the non-rotating lower stem extends working life and aids repeat-able seating performance.
Further safety measures include a stem tip design which 'back seats' the lower stem when in the open position to guard against blow-out, and provides a further barrier against leakage. Optionally, the valve can be ordered with a blunt stem tip to combat 'wire-draw' erosion which can occur with two-phase flow in steam service applications.
In its standard form, the valve stem is made from 17-4 pH stainless steel and comes with PTFE packing. Alternatively, users can specify either a17-4 PH or 316 stainless steel lower stem, with Grafoil packing for ultra high temperature working - allowing the valve to operate from -53 to +648C.
U16 can be specified with an in-line or angle body, both of which offer the upper body length for mounting on panels, and may be fitted with a wide range of end connections to suit different applications and plant standards. Tube connection options include single-ferrule CPI and twin ferrule A-lok in metric or imperial sizes, female and male NPT pipe threads, ultraseal , or socket weld in sizes from 1/2 to 1 inch. The product is the newest member of a family of union bonnet valves, allowing Parker to provide options for fluid instrumentation applica-tions involving tubing of up to 1 inch/25mm diameter.
Write quoting 7233 .
Adroit alarms
Adroit Technologies have added the ability to transmit alarms and messages to Pagers and Mobile phones to their Adroit Open Automation Tool-kit. This new functionality adds to the already extensive and sophisticated alarm handling capabilities of Adroit. Alarms may now be routed to alarm lists, audio devices, printers, event logs, other computers, pagers, mobile phones and across the internet/intranet.
Nigel Ball of Adroit says "the new functionality adds to Adroit's already comprehensive alarm handling and is in response to a request from one of our clients. We see more and more down sizing of plant staff and remote alarm notification is becoming a necessity particularly where Plant Operators deal with more than one plant.'
Available immediately the new functionality is included in the standard Adroit package at no additional cost.
Email nigelb@adroiteurope.com.
Lookout!
A new version of National Instruments is now available from IMEX.
Users are attracted to Lookout because with it, it is easy to configure powerful applica-tions. The key to the ease of use of Lookout is its field-proven object-based archi-tecture. As a pioneering HMI/SCADA package in object-based software techno-logy, it has been making users more productive for many years. No matter how basic or how complex the application, users simply create objects and connect them together. Now theyÕve improved it by making it even easier to use. The latest version, Lookout 3.8, adds greatly enhanced on-line help to shorten the learning curve and facilitate even easier development. Beyond that, Version 3.8 includes several exciting new enhancements in data presentation, control, messaging, and connectivity.
Because of two new features -- the expanded graphics library and the enhanced Animator object class -- users spend less time in graphics development and more time concentrating on their application. National Instruments has significantly expanded the library of graphic symbols that is included with every Lookout package. These graphics now include three-dimensional pipes, valves, pumps, motors, conveyors, tanks, indicators, and controls. To ease navigation of the expanded library, the Lookout graphics directory is now divided into subdirectories which, coincidentally, make project management asnap. Users can now create new folders containing project-specific custom graphics for individual applications.
The Animator object class is best known for its ability to play fully animated graphics based on "filmstrips" and for providing dynamic three-dimensional symbol motion. With the Animator in Version 3.8, users share even more control over the graphics. For example, they can now identify a gray motor symbol from the new library, and assign dynamic colour changes based on field conditions.
Engineers are probably familiar with Lookout charting capabilities -- histograms, control charts, Pareto charts, and the HyperTrend, which plots up to 999 values in a graph of combined real-time and historical values. Lookout 3.8 now adds the X-Y chart, on which users can plot value versus value. The X-Y chart includes configuration param-eters for scaling, number of points to be plotted, and sampling rate.
Most HMI and SCADA soft-ware packages require that users use a third-party package if they want to dial out to pagers. With the new Pager object class, Lookout can dial out directly and send dynamic text messages to pagers through a user-supplied modem connected to a computer COM port. Using the new Pager object, users can send alarm messages directly to one or more operators; or, sequence through a list of numbers to dial during an off hours crisis. They can also interactively enter and send custom messages, or periodically send critical process values to a manager automatically.
With the new Alternator object class in Lookout, an even easier configuration of lead-lag control, device alternator control and multiple-device sequencing is available. The new Alternator object adds to the existing library of control object classes, which includes PID for single and cascaded PID loop control using posi-tional or incremental modes, Neutralzone for on-off control, Expression for ratio and bias control, DataTable and a variety of timer and counter objects for sequential control.
Write IMEX.
Pressure indicator as calibrator
Classic Technology has introduced the new Druck multi-function, battery-powered digital pressure indicator which, with its highly compact size and broad-ranging capabilities, is ideally suited for measurement in either the field or workshop.
The DPI 705 can be supplied in gauge, absolute or differential formats with an accuracy of ±0.1% FS for ranges up to 20 bar or, using an external sensor, up to 700 bar. With the addition of a pneumatic or hydraulic hand pump from DruckÕs PV Series, and accurate ambient temperature measurement over range -10 to +50¡C it can also provide a low cost solution to field calibration requirements.
Measured values are displayed on a high contrast 13 MM 5 digit LCD, while five tactile keys enable simplified use of the many instrument functions. They enable pressure or temperature selection, the capture of maximum and min-imum values, the setting of audio-visual alarm levels, pressure drop/leak testing, tare value, display filter and the means to choose from 16 pressure scales as standard.
It is housed in a rugged, hand-fit ABS casing sealed to IP54 and powered by 3 AA batteries providing up to 300 hours continuous use.
Write quoting 7237
Irish mass flow
The UFC-4000 Mass Flow Controller (MFC) from Unit Instruments provides precise, repeatable, accurate and reliable measurement and control of gas flow for an extensive range of industrial, medical and research applica-tions involving the flow of any gas. A Mass Flow Meter (MSM) version is also available and a range of and a range of ancillary equipment including: power supplies, digital readout, programmable ration control for blending or mixing, totalizing, PC control and other features.
These instruments are available from UnitÕs manufac-turing facility in Glasnevin.
Write to Peter English.
Intellution unveiled
In development for more than three years, FIX Dynamics presents a major leap forward in automation technology due to its new "plug-and-solve" architecture.
At the heart of FIX Dynamics is the "i-Core," an open, component-based framework that provides airtight integra-tion between Intellution applications, user-developed solutions, and third-party components. The result is that users now have the first fully-integrated, component-object system that delivers the precise solution for their specific manufacturing operation.
"From the start, Intellution's strategy has been to deliver exceptional customer value by pioneering solutions that har-ness the full power of advanced technology," said Steve Rubin, Intellution's president and CEO. "FIX Dynamics and the i-Core are perfect examples of this strategy, because now our customers can seamlessly incorporate best-in-class busi-ness and automation applica-tions to gain a real competitive advantage in their industry."
Because of the significantly increased interoperability among applications that FIX Dynamics delivers, users will see a host of new benefits from their automation systems.
This and allied products from the Intellution range were the subject of a Seminar in May organised by SoftControl, the Irish distributor of Intellution.
Write quoting7240.
EX-proof Temp Transducers
The new Phoenix Contact programmable temperature transducer PI/Ex-T/I from PCAS, which is part of the process interface product range transduces the signals of thermocouples and resistance thermometers with high precision into a 4/20ma signal.
Certification is in accordance with EU directive ATEx 100a and thus meets the highest safety requirements. The temperature transducer is programmed with Windows software using a special adaptor.
The unit is housed inn 12.4mm narrow electronic modules and base terminals with integrated knife disconnectors and test sockets making space and cost savings.
Write quoting 7241.
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