Instrumentation and Control News

Please send items of Interest by e-mail to Readout. We will only put a limited amount of information on here however we will also put links in where appropriate.

January'96 News [] February'96 News [] March'96 News
April'96 News [] May'96 News

The links on these old News Pages may be changed or expired since the page first appeared. Little if any editing is done on these.

News is also accessible from back numbers of Readout see the Readout Home Page.

The ISA also mantains an M&C News Page which mostly contains news of North American developments.
We are hosting a C&I Review Page giving details of new products and services at Britain's premier I&C Show.

  • IS Multimeter - Metrix claims thet the MX51Ex digital multimeter has the highest safety rating of any IS hand-held meter currently available. Talk to Roger Doyle of Metrix on +44 1384 402731.
  • Design-to-test methodology - Summit Design's TSSI Division has announced significent productivity enhancements to its design-to-test methodology with the introduction of Visual Testbench 2.0. The enhancements include improved handling of cycle data and bus transfers for stimulus development, adressing time-to-market in the design and validation of microprocessor/microcontrollers and other integrated circuit (IC) products. More information from Summit on +1 503 643 9281.
  • Condition Monitoring News - The Conditioning Monitoring Systems Division of Brueel and Kjaer produces an international newsletter called "Profile". The current issue features monitoring in a hydro turbine and crane conditioning monitoring. More information from The Editor.
  • Deadline Extended - The International Conference on Knowledge Based Computer Systems will be held in Bombay, India during December 16-18, 1996. The conference is intended to act as a forum for promoting interaction among researchers in the field of Artificial Intelligence in India and abroad. There will be a two day conference during December 16-17, 1996 followed by one day of post-conference tutorials on December 18, 1996.
    The deadline for submission of papers has now been extended to August 15 1996.
  • Ireland continues to grow - Irish Central Statistics Office data for industrial production in February of this year shows a substantial increase on the same period last year. Output levels in manufacturing industries and all other industries were up by 11.6% and 11% respectively, on February of the previous year. For the quarter ending in February, production levels rose by 17.7% and 16.4% over the same period in 1995.
  • Major expansion by Nypro - . The growth plans arise from an alliance with US multinational Hewlett-Packard. Nypro manufactures precision injection moulding and plans to increase employment by 150 people on the strength of its recent contract with Hewlett-Packard. It is the first Irish company to be chosen by the computer company to supply product for its new inkjet cartridge plant in Leixlip.
  • IBM Support - In what IDA Ireland has termed a "landmark development", computer giant IBM announced plans to employ 750 graduates over the next three years in a customer support centre in Dublin. The company will occupy a 42k sq. ft. facility in Blanchardstown where the 200 staff it intends recruiting immediately will be based. The centre will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, offering telephone support to IBM's European and North American customers. IBM has been in Ireland for 40 years and employs 500 people plus a further 450 at the Lotus division. IDA chairman Kieran McGowan commented on the importance of the IBM decision, saying it would certainly influence other major multinationals to consider locating here.
    Information on positions in this new facility from:
    Skillbase International, 25 Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2
    Tel: +353-1-662-3055 E-mail: ibewick@skillbase.ie Fax: +353-1-662-3055 (27/6/96)
  • Temperature Measurement with a pressure meter!!! - A pressure transducer or transmitter is actually a perfect thermometer, as the readout changes significantly with the temperature. This is not a problem in a normal process situation where process situation where process and ambient temperatures are stable. However, pressure calibration equipment which is used for pressure sensor calibration is often used in all areas of a factory both outside and in giving ambient temperatures ranging from -10deg C to +45deg C. This is now possible with the Ametek Jofra PPC (Precision Pressure Calibrator).(26/6/96)
  • The Latest Readout - The latest issue of Readout is now up on the WWW. The print issue will be issued by the end of the month.
  • Scientific Computing - SCE'96 will bring together research scientists with varied scientific backgrounds but with a common interest in scientific computing and keeping up-to-date modern develop-ments in techniques, products and architects. The Conference is being organised by the School of Computer Applications at DCU, and all enquiries should be sent to the The Secretary or telephone +353 1 7045454. (25/6/96)
  • dotelectronics - This magazine now over six months on the net is Britain's first electronics magazine on the Net and is produced by Miller Freeman.(24/6/96)
  • InControl - Over 250 exhibitors are already confirmed for the first Instrument and Control Engineering held in London (England) for almost 10 years. The show also features 66 free short seminar sessions covering a wide range of developments in techniques, methods and technology. More details from Larry Spieler on +44 1799 528292 or Fax: +44 1799 528268.
  • New compact EMC tester - BEST'96 from Schaffner is an entire EMC test system in a single, compact package. It is claimed to be the first complete, self-contained solution to combine all functions required for full EU complience testing.
  • Biggest Instrument Catalogue - Hawco one of the leading instrument suppliers in Britain have just produced their biggest Thermospeed catalogue. Customers should contact Gavin Sandeman at +1483 560606 to get their own copy.
  • Triple output DC/DC Converters - Computer Products announces the availability of triple output versions of the BXA15 and BXA30 range of application-specific DC/DC converters. Get more information from Jackie Day.
  • AS-I Activity in Britain - A new user group for the AS Interface (AS-i) intelligent connection system for low level automation networks has been formed in UK, mirroring events in North America and extending User Group coverage of this European automation networking solution top none countries.
    An American office was set up recently in Phoenix AZ.
    AS-i has also been submitted to IEC for standardisation under IEC947-5-6.
    More details from AS-i UK.
  • Virtual Instrument - Richard Shaw has developed a data acquisition program for the PC computer which we feel might be of interest to some of our readers. The program is called Virtual Instrument and comes in two versions a shareware version and a commercial version with data acquisition hardware included.
    Virtual Instrument turns your PC into a:
    1. Voltmeter.
    2. Oscilloscope and
    3. Function generator.
    The software supports many data acquisition boards and can be programmed by the user to support other boards by using the virtual driver supplied. Contact Ricard Shaw for more details or collect a shareware version and try it for yourself.
  • Call for Papers for Journal - The Journal of Integrated Computer-Aided Engineering has planned a special issue on Neural Techniques for Industrial Applications. Interested authors are invited to submit manuscripts based on their recent results on any aspect of Identification, Prediction and Control in industrial applications.
    Please direct your questions to either of the Guest Editors: Vincenzo Piuri or Cesare Alippi in Milan, Italy. (21/6/96)
  • Accurate, economical, versitile flow measurement - Scan Group of West Yorkshire (GB) has introduced Mainstream II for accurate and continuous measurement of waste water flow in open channels and pipes, without causing headloss or incurring major installation costs. Contact Multi-Body Dynamics: Monitoring & Simulation Techniques is scheduled for 25th to 27th March 1997 at the University of Bradford. Parper details etc from Dr Homer Rahnejat there.
  • Advance Program - The advance programme for the CLEO/Europe-EQEC'96 Conference has been published. Contact the IOP London for your own copy.
  • New Office in England - Optimas Corporation of the United States have exptended their operation by opening an office in the UK. Brendon Ireland is Business Development Manager for the new venture. FPGA productivity increased - Wavetek, specialists in digital transmission test instruments, has selected a top-down methodology based on Compass datapath synthesis and X-SYN tools to enable an increase in its FPGA productivity. Compass Design Automation may be contacted by phone +33 92 94 46 00.
  • Strategic Alliance - Whessoe Varec and Fiberchem have announced their intention to enter into a strategic marketing and sales alliance, to better serve the global above-ground storage tank (AST) market.
  • Pressure Controller - Ruska Instruments' new model 7610 Hydraulic Pressure Controller is a high performance, cost effective automatic digital controller for performing high pressure hydraulic calibrations using any customer specified liquid medium.
  • 15th IMACS World Congress - on Scientific Computation, Modelling and Applied Mathematics Berlin, Germany, 24-29 August 1997 (Sponsored by IMACS, DFG, IEEE, IFAC, IFIP, IFORS, IMEKO. General Chair: prof. A. Sydow, GMD FIRST, Germany Honorary Chair: prof. R. Vichnevetsky, Rutgers University, USA) Details from Prof. Vincenzo Piuri.
  • British Defence Money - Shorts Aerospace and a number of other Northern Irish firms are set to make significant gains when a IR2.2b British Ministry of Defence (MOD) contract with Westland Helicopters is signed in the next few weeks. The contract, for the supply of 67 Apache aircraft, was negotiated last year between the MOD and a consortium made up of Westland, McDonnell Douglas and Shorts. Under the deal Shorts will supply IR30m in parts to McDonnell Douglas. Other firms will gain from a clause in the contract which requires McDonnell Douglas to source IR650m worth of raw material with UK firms over the next ten years. Representatives of the US defence contractor and many of its main suppliers visited Belfast last week and met executives of electronics, precision engineering and software companies to investigate opportunities for sourcing raw material in the North.(20/6/96)
  • ISO Guide 25 Guide - ERA Technology of Surrey, England, has a document 95-0498 entitled " Test and calibration accreditation - A practical interpretation of ISO Guide 25 for laboratories world-wide, August 1995." Contact ERA.(19/6/96)
  • New Web Site - McCrometer is a leading manufacturer of flowmeters for both liquid and gas measurement providing measurement solutions to global markets including water, wastewater, irrigation, and a broad range of industrial applications. They welcome visitors to their new Flowmeter website.
  • Valmet Report - Valmet Group's income after financial items for the January-April period of 1996 was FIM 374 million. Net sales grew to FIM 3,705 million. The order backlog at the end of April was FIM 8797 million. The strong order backlog is expected to result in a good performance in 1996. The Finnish State has decided to implement a share offering by which its ownership stake in Valmet is expected to decrease from 58.6 % to about 20 %. (15/6/96)
  • Automation Control ListServer - Ken Crator's Automation list has 977 subscribers from 45 different countries. The list which has been in existence for almost 18 months has processed over 4200 messages and has seen some exciting and controversial discussions and has even inspired poetry (See our Poetry Page). To join the list send email to the listserve robot which manages the list:
    To: listserv@control.com
    Subject: subject line of message doesn't matter
    Message:subscribe automation your_first_name your_last_name.
  • Industrial Controls Intelligence and the PLC Insider's Newsletter - includes a Special Report on IPC 96 (International Programmable Controls Conf.) in Detroit. If you want to recive this invaluable monthly, which is usually presents the latest control news before it happens, contact Carefree Communications and tell them Readout sent you!
  • The Next Generation in DO measurement - YSI have engineered their 5000 Series to meet the expanding need of laboratory measurement. This new generation of dissolved oxygen instruments features a large graphic display and low keyboard profile for maximum efficiency. More details from 5000@YSI.com.
  • Thermocouple Colour Card - Thermodata Components have published a colour card showing the latest international colour codes for Thermocouple and extension cables. (British, German, IEC 584-3 and IEC 584-3 IS). Fax them on +44 1462 811536 and ask for as many copies as required.
  • Accelerometer with Cryogenic Temperature Rating - Endevco has introduced the 2256AM2, the industry's first piezoelectric accelerometer with integral electronics designed for measuring vibration in cryogenic temperature environments. Paul Marchant on +44 1763 261311 has all the details.
  • Great Britain, Ireland and Netherlands Sales Manager - Parker hannifin Instrumentation Products have appointed Chris Toncheff as Sales Manager for instrumentation fittings and valves with responsibility for three of the company's major marketing territories. The company sell in these markets through a network of technical sales centres and distributors. (14/6/96)
  • Multi-Function 486 CPU Card with VGA - IMS (Integrated Measurement Systems) have announced the next generation of a compact, multi-function CPU card, caled the PCA-6144V. This is a full featured, Industrial Grade CPU card with on board VGA display. Contact their Sales Department.
  • Application Programming Interface - Eagle Technologies have developed a powerful API for providing the operating interface between Amplicon Liveline's range of PC plug-in boards and the user's data acquisition and control applications.
  • VMEbus Mezzanine Module with 12 Mbaud Profibus - PEP's CXM-PFB12 is the first 12 MBaud Profibus implimentation on the market for 3U VMEbus single height Eurocards. The interface is on a CXC module (ANSI/VITA 14 Standardisation in progress. Talk to Nicola White at PEP.
  • Belfast gets new jobs - 1,533 new jobs are to be created over five years by a US-owned engineering firm in three areas of high unemployment in Northern Ireland. In a joint venture between US group Caterpillar and Emerson Electric, the Northern Ireland subsidiary of Emerson, F G Wilson has announced its plans to invest IR113m at three different sites in the North. The jobs will be created by expanding the company's existing plant at Larne, Co. Antrim, and in new facilities at Monkstown, Co. Antrim and on the Springvale Industrial Estate in West Belfast.(13/6/96)
  • Flow Computers - Solartron has launched a new generation of advanced open-architecture flow computers, creating major opportunities for innovative control system designs.
  • Small Modular Controllers - The SLC5/04 range of processors from Rockwell Automation has recently been expanded to include new memory sizes; from a cost effective 16K unit to the large 64K version for more demanding applications and greater data storage. (12/6/96)
  • Sciemtific Computing - SCE'96 will bring together research scientists with varied scientific backgrounds but with a common interest in scientific computing and keeping up-to-date modern developments in techniques, products and architects. The Conference is being organised by the Scholl of Computer Applications at DCU, and all enquiries should be sent to the The Secretary.
  • Touch-Screen Paperless Recorder - The new Westronics 144 x 144 Smatrtview paperless recorder monitors for alarms and records up to 12 channels to 1.44Mb floppy disc, on-board RAM or PCMCIA card. (8/6/96)
  • Employment Prospects - The new Employment Classifieds page on the ISA Web Site provides a listing of employment opportunities in measurement and control. (7/6/96)
  • New Valve Diagnostic System - Masoneilan's new FlowChex valve diagnostics system may be used with valves of various manufacturers. Housed in a portable compact case it is an invaluable test accessory in any plant.
  • Batch Automation Software to SP-88 - Intellution has introduced Version 6.0 of its FIX BOS for Windows NT batch automation system. It is a 32-bit client/server system based on SP-88 that enables users to quickley implement monitor and optimise their batch manufacturing processes, therefore reaping benefits such as increased throughput, flexible manufacturing, easy access to production information, and increased profitability. Screen images are available on request from Intellution.
  • New British Test Plant for Dresser - A new half million pound stirling steam pressure testing plant has been installed at the Skelmersdale, England, production site of the Industrial Valve Operations-Europe, Division of Dresser Valve & Controls. This represents the culmination of a major improvement programme involving new production tooling and quality procedures. (6/6/96)
  • SCADA software configures itself! - Like most SCADA software for PCs, FGH-View provides mimics, trend graphs, alarms, logging, dynamic bar charts and recipe handling. Unlike regular PC SCADA, this product scans the communications link, identifies connected instruments, sets up matching data tables and provides a starting screen of animated instrument faceplates, all fully automatically. More information from Colin Green on +44 1462 686677.
  • Simplified and more efficient conversational programming - GE Fanuc Automation has announced its new Symbolic Cap T software package offering greatly simplified and more efficient conversational programming of CNC lathes. Building on the knowledge and experience gained from the earlier Series 15-TF CNC and CAP 11 software, the package provides a powerful yet easy-to-use means of automatically programming 1-path and 2-path controls for lathes. (5/6/96)
  • Noisy Sites! - We are indebted to "Windows on Accoustics" published by AcSoft of England for the following. The latest information on the Internoise Conference and some faboulous soft ware to download for acousticians on MAZ's Sound tool page. "Windows on Accoustics" may be requested from AcSoft.
  • Momentum Gathers for VITA - The Brussels' VITA Europe Congress technical conference is now well advance with over 50 papers shortlisted from leading VMEbus vendors and major users, development tools providers and system integrators. More details available on the VITA Site also see our own Fieldbus Page.
  • Instrumentation in Israel - One of the nicest publications to come into the Readout office for a long time is the Directory of Instrumentation and Control 1996/7 for Israel. Over 520 pages of information is produced under the auspices of ISA Israel by E. Hefetz Technical, PO Box 6256 Oranit 44813, Israel. Tel : + 972 3 9360126; Fax: 972 3 9360035. (also mentioned in ISA Europe.) (4/6/96)