The Instrumentation Signpost: News

Hackers seek leaks in insecure Web sites - "Don't kid yourself--thrill seekers and industrial spies will attack and pilfer Web sites for fun, profit, or kicks if you let them." THE ISA's monthly INTECH is nothing if not up-to-date in its February edition now on-line!
PCB Europe 2000 The second annual PCB Design Conference Europe will be held 15-17 May 2000 at Kempton Park in Sunbury-upon-Thames, near London, England. PCB Europe is a professional forum where you can learn the latest techniques, meet and exchange ideas with your peers and explore the latest software tools, technologies and services for the PCB industry.

28/2/00

Wireless software - GSM-Control is a Windows software developed by Klinkmann to manage bidirectional datacommunication in standard cellular phone GSMnetwork - the software may easily be integrated into Wonderware FactorySuite software family to allow wireless communication. GSM-Control supports standard GSM-devices like cellular phones and M20 GSM-Terminals, which may be interfaced with PCs, various other devices and PLCs. When connecting M20 Terminals with PLCs, Klinkmann's own additional software is available for various CPU models including Siemens/Simatic, Allen-Bradley, Omron and Schneider.
The First Windows 2000 User? - On the day following Microsoft's ofticial launch of Windows 2000 (18th February 2000), USDATA used the new operating system in an actual customer environment. W2K was used to train a group of professionals from a blue-chip client on USDATA's Xfactory - a production tracking solution wh.ch allows 'users to easily build, deploy and maintain product-tracking and execution applications. It was organised by USDATA's UK & Ireland distribution partner, Wizard Information Systems in England.
26/2/00

Web site is now even simpler to navigate - In its latest guise, "the corporate nformation-packed, powerful, new-lookweb site of Matsushita Electric Works features improved access time and simplified navigation to allow news, products and service information to be found as efficiently as possible." This comprehensive web site also includes product sub-sections on Matsushita's impressive range of electromechanical and PhotoMOS relays, image checkers, sensors, timers, counters and switches. Even seminar details and a company profile are provided.
HMI will top $690m by 2005 The worldwide revenues for HMI and related software will grow from $423 million in 1999 to nearly $690 million by the end of 2004, according to a new study from the ARC Advisory Group. The "sensor-to-boardroom" demands of e-business require seamless integration of automation and enterprise computing. The HMI suppliers, either through acquisition or strategic partnerships with companies in enterprise computing are providing solutions that ease those integration challenges.
New partnership - eMation (formerly PC Soft International), has announced a strategic partnership with Factory Client Computers, a Division of Total Control Products and GE Fanuc, to provide a complete software and hardware solution for Windows CE-based operator panels. To ease the implementation of the CE-based platforms, the two firms will also provide a starter kit that includes a Factory Client 2000 operator panel with eMation's Unity software preinstalled, along with a GE nano PLC for I/O communications.
Simultaeneously they have announced "Open Solutions with Windows CE" Seminar Series where attendees learn about Windows CE and OPC while working with fully operational CE-based panels and Unity operator interface software (This seems to be in the North America only at present..).
24/2/00

Free Poster is a Roadmap for Designing an SIS - Moore Process Automation Solutions has produced a 4-colour poster providing reference information regarding the design of a safety instrumented system (SIS), which monitors a process for potentially dangerous conditions and initiates an action to move it to a safer state in the presence of such conditions . Illustrated with diagrams and charts, the twelve topics include understanding the safety life cycle, determining the required safety integrity level (SIL), and developing a system architecture.
Girassol ESD and F&G systems delivered and commissioned on schedule - ICS Triplex has delivered and commissioned the Triple Modular Redundant (TMR) Emergency Shut Down (ESD), Fire and Gas (F&G), FM2OO automatic extinguishing and HVAC interface Systems for the Girassol FPSO (Floating Production, Storage and Offloading facility) on time and in budget. Totalling over 1500 monitored and controlled points, the systems comprise conventional TMR high integrity functions for ESD, F&G, and FM2OO monitoring, integrated with a networked, addressable fire detection system that offered reduced cabling costs in safe areas. The Hyundai Heavy Industries built FPSO hull, which will be the largest in West African waters will be delivered to Elf Exploration Angola and put in service in the Girassol field bloc 17.
How to Write a Competitive Proposal for the Fifth Framework Programme - Hyperion and EARMA (European Association of Research Managers and Administrators) have organised the a course in Dublin with the above title. There are limited places available for 14th March 2000.
Software teaches control technology - A new education initiative is using the Windmill Software's Graphics demo to help explain control technology. (Free copies of this demo can be downloaded from www.windmill.co.uk/wmldemo.html).
23/2/00

C++ for Real-Time and Embedded Engineers - This 5-day course run by FeabhAs in Hungerford, England (Apr 3-7 2000), is for engineers with knowledge of C who may wish to move to C++ in a real-time/embedded environment. Unlike other courses, this course not only covers the language basics, it also incorporates real-time specific issues such as interrupt handling, concurrency and embedded programming. The course is also significantly different in that it uses target hardware (Hitachi SH2 based system) during the case study. Fifty percent of the course is spent on practical work with is split between PC based programming and target programming.
433MHz single-slot CompactPCI Peripheral Controller - Concurrent Technologies has announced the release of its single slot 6U CompactPCI board featuring the PGA Socket-370 socket based Celeron processor. The PP EMB/C1x is a Peripheral Slot Controller CPU board, compliant with PCIMG 2.1 Hot Swap specification. Here is the Specification Sheet (PDF).
New editor appointed - Sam Batman has been named Editor of Motion Control Magazine. He was previously Senior Editor of this ISA publication. As Editor he will play a more strategic role in the planning, marketing and editorial direction for the magazine and other information products in ISA's motion control businesses while continuing to provide its editorial content.
22/2/00

Support for M2K - Steeplechase Software, Inc., the leading PC-based control company, has announced support of Windows 2000 by migrating its Visual Logic Controller (VLC) to the new platform. This move also supports Microsoft's ÒDNA for ManufacturingÓ initiative. All of the manufacturing productivity enhancements provided by the Steeplechase VLC Ð such as hard real-time control of factory automation equipment, flow chart programming, and advanced diagnostics Ð are all fully supported.
Demand for power conditioners - As companies in a wide range of industries come to rely on sensitive electronics and computer equipment for critical operations, the devastating consequences of a power disturbance looms large. Consequently, demand for power conditioners that manage the power for electronic equipment is expected to rise in both industrial and residential end-user sectors. According to new market research by Frost & Sullivan U.S. Power Conditioner Markets, revenues for the total market have grown from $434.4 million in 1998 to $454.5 million in 1999. Revenues will continue to rise steadily through 2006, driven primarily by the growth of sensitive microprocessor-based applications, especially in industrial sectors.
21/2/00
Real-time digital filter - The KDF-l is a new real-time digital filter developed by Kemo in conjunction with UMIST. Designed to provide versatile filtering and signal conditioning in data-acquisition and instrumentation systems, the new filter allows users to set almost any filter characteristic required, including responses that are not possible with analogue units.
PC based control being used in **mission critical** applications - SoftPLC call this a description of what has been referred to as the "most impressive open automation application in the world". They are currently being used to generate approximately 3% of all electric power in the United States.
17/2/00

PanEuropean Publishing buys Buses+Boards Europe - Fieldbus.pub Ltd, a British-based business media communications company specialising in the global industrial networking and control market has announced the sale of Buses + Boards Europe to PanEuropean Publishing Company (PEPCO), a division of Reed Elsevier Business Information.
Strong trade surplus continues - Figures from the Irish Central Statistics Office for the period January to September 1999 show a trade surplus of IR13.2bn, a 30% increase over the same period in 1998. The value of merchandise exports for the nine months was IR37.7bn, an increase of 14% over the same period in 1998. Meanwhile there was a new monthly record of IR4.9bn for exports set in September 1999. Exports to the United States totalled IR6bn, up 30% on the same period in 1998. There were large increases in exports to EU markets, in particular to France, the Netherlands and Britain - and to Switzerland. Meanwhile Asian countries showed particularly strong growth and the region accounted for over 7% of Irish exports in the first nine months of 1999. The best performing export sectors were computers, chemicals and telecommunications equipment.
16/2/00

SmithKline Beecham choose Fisher-Rosemount - Pharmaceuticals giant SmithKline Beecham (SB) has recently signed a world-wide buying agreement with Fisher- Rosemount, after a full evaluation of available automation systems and field devices. Dermot Moynihan, VP of Medicinals, SB, stated that "Automation is a must to compete in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry", and laid particular emphasis on flexibility and batch control, which is a main feature of Fisher- Rosemount DeltaV process automation systems. A continuing relationship with Fisher-Rosemount is felt by SmithKline Beecham to be a key ingredient in their vision for the future.
New Vibration System has Wide Bandwidth AND High Signal-to-Noise Ratio - ExSell Instruments, the Instrumentation and Rotor Health Monitoring division of ExSell Inc., announces the availability of the HiBand vibration system for measuring blade tip clearance, radial vibration, change in center of mass (crack detection), time-of-arrival of blades, and blade vibration. HiBand is optimized to measure vibration of bladed rotors on gas turbine engines, steam turbines, turbochargers, whirligigs, spin testers, flywheel systems, motors, medical centrifuges or anything that rotates. Highly accurate sensors and graphical displays provide early warning for both low and high cycle fatigue cracking, blade tip rub, rotor unbalance and vibration.
15/2/00

Fieldbus Portal - is a useful comparison chart set up by Armin Steinhoff of STEINHOFF Automations & Feldbus-Systeme of Germany. There is also a very nice Fieldbus Classification Chart in pdf format available from this page.
14/2/00

A market place for T&M - A new Internet marketplace is described as "a neutral third party site devoted exclusively to test and measurement equipment." They have just expanded their information offering beyond general purpose test to include a wide range of communications test equipment. TestMart is free of charge. Visitors may gain access to product databases, reference data, literature, quotations and e-commerce for thousands of pieces of equipment.
PMC Analyzer for 64-bit 66 MHz PMC Systems - VMETRO is announcing a new member of its popular Bus Analyzer family: The PBTM-515 PMC Bus Analyzer With its sampling speed up to 66.7 MHz, it is the fastest PMC Bus Analyzer in the industry. Together with a number of significant improvements, this new product strengthens VMETRO's position as the leading supplier of bus analyzer products for industry standard buses.
Smaller gas delivery systems make debut at Semicon Europa - Kinetics Fluid Systems will launch two advanced options for reducing the size of gas delivery Systems at Semicon Europa. These are a revolutionary digital mass flow controller which eliminates the need for pressure regulation; and a new-generation modular gas system which allows tool developers and semiconductor manufacturers to significantly simplify the assembly of gas delivery systems. (Stand 564, Hall A3).
Software design for embedded devices - As it becomes more and more difficult to hire expert technical skills, fostering the skills of current employees is vital to any development team. With PanelSoft's help you can get the best out of all of your software engineers. PanelSoft's training courses are directed at software engineers working on embedded products.
Gas purifier provides enviro-friendly solution for Colombia's first wastewater treatment plant - Whessoe Vapour Control is supplying MC Engineers & Constructors with gas purifiers for the first wastewater treatment project in Colombia -- currently being constructed for the Municipality of Cal i. The equipment will remove hydrogen sulphide concentrations from the bio-gas produced by the plant's anaerobic digesters, allowing the gas to be used in an environmentally-friendly energy recovery system.
A first for Moore in Britain - Moore Process Automation Solutions has received its first UK order for two Procidia compressor temperature alarm and equipment status monitoring systems for oxygen compressors on air separation units in Air Products' Stallingborough plant. The Systems will be retro-fitted to replace existing monitoring systems but will also be fitted to new plant in the future.
11/2/00

100.000 Valve controllers - In less than seven years, Fisher-Rosemount has supplied 100.000 FIELDVUE Digital Valve Controllers to processing industries worldwide. To mark this event, a special commemorative unit - numbered 100.000 was presented to the Chevron Refinery in Pascagoula, Iowa (USA): this plant is equipped with over 2700 such controllers, many installed following Hurricane Georges in 1998.
MS EXPO 2000 moves to New Orleans - Integrated Manufacturing Solutions (IMS) EXPO 2000, an event dedicated to integrating manufacturing data into the business process, is now co-locating with ISA EXPO/2000, 21-24 August in New Orleans, La. The event previously was to be held in Cleveland.
Resignation at IEC - Dick Caro officially announced his resignation as convenor of the IEC SC65C/WG6 fieldbus committee at the "Automation Strategies for the E-Business World" forum.

More information on our Fieldbus Page

The first open HMI development tool for Linux? - In supporting Linux, DataViews claims to be the first provider of open architecture HMI tools to allow both development and deployment of Linux-based HMI displays. DataViews for Linux was designed for development of largescale, multi-level, mission-critical applications in a range of industries, including industrial control, telecommunications, SCADA, building automation and facilities management.

Report from Industrials Control Intelligence & The PLC Insider's Newsletter published by Controls Intelligence Inc.

10/2/00
PLC helps improve quality and throughput in crisp production - sAn advanced manufacturing line with an Autolog PLC at the heart of its control system, recently installed to flavour and transport 'Jonathan Crisp' brand crisps into packaging, has further ensured consistent quality with increased throughput at the Qxfordshire (England) plant of Natural Crisps. Installed by Rotor Motion (Leicester), the system's AL16 PLC from PBE Systems adjusts the flavouring line to suit varying product flow during start-up, constant running, shutdown and overload conditions by 'intelligent' conditioning of a loss-by-weight signal.
Cultural Note: "Crisps" are known as "Potato chips" in some countries!
9/2/00

Boot camps - Synergetic Micro Systems and Device Bus Integration offer a series of DeviceNet Boot Camp^(SM) and Profibus Boot Camp^(SM) training courses for end users, system integrators, and OEMs who must successfully design, install and maintain Fieldbus systems. The courses are divided into 3 one-day parts.
8/2/00

Vintage year - Italy's largest wine manufacturer, has ordered from Moore Process Automation Solutions a Procidia Internet Control System (ICS) consisting of some 208 I/O points to deliver column control for its alcohol distillation plant in Faenza.
Flowmeter withstands extreme conditions in hydraulic applications - Flow Technology, Inc. (FTI) has introduced the High Shock Turbine Flowmeter, a rugged low measurement instrument designed for use in environments with maximum line pressures, hydraulic shock loads and other extreme conditions.
Flat panel industrial PC product line expanded - Xycom Automation, the market leader in Industrial PCs and PC-based control software, expands its 3500 series of flat panel Industrial PCs with the new 351 5KPM. This features a 15" colour TFT display supporting resolutions up to1024x768 (XGA).
4/2/00

Light weight gas cooler - ISA-Analytik have now a very compact and light weight gascooler available for the process-analysis industry. This is the innovative ISA-cooler 205. Data sheets are available in English and German.
Stronger alliance - Steeplechase Software, Inc. and Cutler-Hammer (a business unit of Eaton Corporation) yesterday jointly announced a stronger alliance in which Cutler-Hammer will use Steeplechase's Visual Logic Controller (VLC) for its PC-based control solutions. For the past three years, Cutler-Hammer has been selling a brand-labeled version of VLC, under the "NetSolver" brand name. According to the new agreement, Cutler-Hammer will identify the software as Steeplechase.
3/2/00

Measurement of oil and grease concentration in water - US EPA Method 1664 specifies hexane as the extracting solvent for measuring oil and grease levels and it will ultimately replace Methods using Frean-113, banned by the Montreal Protocol. To meet these changing market conditions, Wilks Enterprise, Inc. developed the Infracal TOGITPH Analyzer, Model HATR-T, which is an easy-to-use portable infrared instrument. This analyzer has been successfully used with hexane to extract oil/grease from water, with resulting measurement data correlating to that obtained with Method 1664. However, there has been concern over the use of hexane due to its potential toxicity and flammability in various sampling situations. Now it has been established that this instrument may be used with Vertrel MCA, a suitable replacement for hexane.
Modular range of hand controllers - Daco Scientific, well known for their specialist design and build hand controller service, has recently introduced a modular range of professional quality joysticks and trackerballs that is available at lower cost and with shorter delivery times. Contact Daco Sales Dept.
New software version marks first phase of long-term internet strategy - Wonderware Corporation has expanded its industry capability in the Windows - based industrial automation software market with the introduction of version 7.1 of its FactorySuiteÔ 2000 package of integrated application development tools. The components of Version 7.1 have been Internet-enabled to provide users with the ability to view plant floor automation applications and manufacturing information across the Internet.
2/2/00

Internet Is Critical for Targeting European SMEs - A recent survey conducted by IDC shows that European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have a highly receptive attitude toward Internet-based IT procurement and that half of these companies will engage in an online transaction in the next two years. Although the percentage of companies who actually purchase online is still very limited at present with only 5% of SMEs with Internet access - this proportion is about to change dramatically - 49% plan to purchase products online in the next two years. By the end of 2001, a total of 55% of SMEs with Internet access will have engaged in at least one online transaction with a PC vendor, reseller, or etailer (don't you love that word!).
Real-time sensor processing made more affordable - Interactive Circuits & Systems Ltd. (ICS) has announced a new innovative family of PCI products that provides the same level of performance and real-time sensor processing as their VMEbus data-acquisition solutions. Designed for multi-channel applications that demand perfect synchronization of each operating channel over wide frequency ranges, the Precision in PCI family simplifies system integration by offering advanced features such as DMA chaining (for fast PCI data transfer), FPDP interface, comprehensive Windows NT device driver and application routines, and LabVIEW and MATLAB interfaces. These high-performance analog I/O bring technological excellence to embedded sensor processing applications in sonar, radar, communications and test and measurement fields.
1/2/00

Further information on Moore acquisition - We first reported this acquisition in an item on 21st January 1999. Further details have now been issued from the European Headquarters of Moore.
Get OSS 2000Êat an amazing 45% discount - Until the end of February 2000, British based Image Control Design is offering a special deal on its feature packed MMI / Supervisor and all supporting Plugins. Ê Don't miss this opportunity - ContactÊImage Control Design now... Ê email sales@imagecontrol.co.uk Ê For further information about OSS 2000, to download a demo orÊrequest a demo CD visit their web site www.imagecontrol.co.uk
433MHz Celeron(tm) single-slot VME CPU board - Concurrent Technologies has released a single-slot 6U VME board featuring the PGA Socket-370 based Celeron processor. The VP PSE/C1x is a high performance, very versatile CPU board, with a variety of additional features. It is an ideal choice as the central processing unit for applications in the telecommunications, industrial, defense, medical and aerospace markets. Here is a Data Sheet in pdf format.
Foundation Fieldbus to tour Ireland - John Hartley, Secretary, FF (UK) is to lead a technical roadshow for ISA Ireland next week. Entitled "Plant Integration and Cntrol across Multi-Vendor Systems and Devices using Foundation Fieldbus" the first presentation will be in Galway on 7th and Limerick the following night. Clonmel and Cork will host the road show on the 15th and 16th respectivly.

The site is mantained by Eoin Ó Riain and any suggestions or thoughts are more than welcome. Suggestions should be mailed to readout@iol.ie.

Details of awards received by the Signpost are here.