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All contents copyright © 2000 Readout Publications
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The Read-Out Instrumentation Signpost
Measurement, Control and Automation Resources throughout the World
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Preview of ISAEXPO2000 and IMS 2000 21st 24th August 2000 New Orleans
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Instrumentation and Control News
Press releases from your company may be sent to any of the addresses shown on our Contacts Page.
See Archive Page for earlier news.
Iúl - 2000 - July
31/7/00
- Integral DP manifolds save costs - A new approach by Fisher-Rosemount is designed to reduce the installed cost of pressure and DP transmitters. The Rosemount 305 IC family of transmitters are now offered with integral manifold systems. in either 2,3 or 5 valve designs. The integral manifold provides all the normal block. bleed and equalising functions. and is available as a traditional style process connection. or in a co-planar style. By building the manifold into the transmitter. the whole assembly is more compact. and lighter in weight. and lower cost. It is factory assembled. where the seals are leak tested. With 5004) fewer process seals to assemble on site. compared to conventional manifolds. then there are 500/o fewer problems. This also means quicker assemhlv on site - lower cost again. Fewer components to specify. purchase and stock.
- New manager appointed - David White, current President of ISA England Section, has recently been appointed UK South Sales Manager for Endress + Hauser Systems and Gauging.
28/7/00
- New integrated bundle - USData has produced a new software package which combines its Xfactory and FactoryLink products into a single integrated bundle. It was created because most companies want to solve issues of plant traceability & control. They see it as a single problem, requiring a single solution. The new package offers flexibility and agility. It is flexible in that changes can be made 'on-the-fly' to the manufacturing process model. to add new products and equioment into the system. The software is agile in that it is possible to respond quickly and easily to plant and process changes, customer demands, supplier changes etc.
- Buyout announced - Kinetics Group, a global leader in critical process infrastructure to the semiconductor, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, announces that an investor and management-led group had entered into an agreement to acquire the company from USFilter Corporation. DB Capital Partners, the primary private equity investment arm of Deutsche Bank AG, and Kinetics management led the purchase from the subsidiary of French multi-national Vivendi Environment. DB Capital Partners and Kinetics management elected to partner with Behrman Capital on this investment, given the firm's extensive technology and contract manufacturing investment experience. Closing of the transaction is subject to regulatory approval and financing.
- New industrial datacomms website - Westermo Data Communications has launched a new website, www.westermo.co.uk aimed at users of industrial data communication systems. Westermo has placed particular emphasis on ease of use - websites are very often confusing to navigate, with too many branches and layers. Westermo has a single "master menu which is continuously displayed. The user is only a single click away from moving to another area - there is no need to go "back" and "back" through layer after layer. The master menu covers these subjects: Who is Westermo?; how to find Westermo; jobs: news; online handbook; applications; products; quotation request; mail order; technical sup port; online support; and installation manuals.
- Flow and air web site - Weber Sensors have asked us to check out their new flow and air sensor web site.
27/7/00
- Function generator has dual displays and 5 MHz performance - The TG550, new from TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments), is a 5 MHz function generator which provides simultaneous digital display of frequency and output level. Auto-ranging reciprocal frequency measurement gives 4-digit resolution with rapid update right down to 2 Hz. Accuracy is within +1 digit (+0.02% at full scale). To maintain a fast update below 2 Hz, the measurement mode is changed to one based on the VCO control voltage.
- New book - Everyone working or studying in a technical discipline has something to learn from this book. Lively and interesting visual presentation of information can make the difference between unexciting writing, and material that is more accessible, has more impact, and is more memorable. Choosing and using the most appropriate graphics, tables, charts and diagrams is a valuable skill for anyone who is involved in engineering, science or technology.
A guide to presenting Technical Information - By Clifford Matthews; Technical Standards Services
26/7/00
- Sustained momentum in European transformer sales predicted - Despite the maturity of the European market for transformers, a new study by Frost & Sullivan, the international marketing consulting company, is upbeat about the potential this market displays. The European transformer market has been dealt a major blow by the slump in replacement equipment investment, triggered by lack of will to invest in the uncertain world of electricity market liberalisation. However, as things become less uncertain, investment decisions will be made leading to an increase in new orders, especially from incumbent, and newly formed utilities. The market is additionally set to benefit from growth in on-site cogeneration as well as renewable energy sectors.
- Upconverting data & communications waveforms -
It is now possible to upconvert a host of communciations, data and custom waveforms with
1 signal generator. The Berkeley Nucleonics Model 625A provides an abundance of communications functions in its Arbitrary Waveform/Function generator. These together with the critically-acclaimed "true arb" nature of the design make this an extremely valuable tool for system integrators looking for a truly versatile signal source for upconverting applications.
24/7/00
22/7/00
- National Instruments Reports Record Earnings - National Instruments (Nasdaq:NATI), a leading supplier of computer-based measurement and automation products, today announced record revenue for the second quarter of 2000, as revenue grew by 25 percent and earnings climbed 28 percent.
 Automsoft have very kindly offered free admission to the ISA/IMS Exhibition to 100 visitors to the Instrumentation Signpost. Contact Donatella for your free entrance ticket. The dates again are 21st to 24th August and the venue the incomparable New Orleans. See our Preview
21/7/00
- Sound & vibration catalogue - Sound and vibration specialist, Bruel and Kjaer has launched a new version of its Transducers and Conditioning Catalogue and Selection Guide CD-ROM that now includes the Endevco range of accelerometers and conditioners.
- Expanding data acquisition options for laptop computers - National Instruments today announced two new portable, high-performance PCMCIA DAQCards that pack the advanced functions and technologies of the company's full-size E Series DAQ devices into the PCMCIA format. The general-purpose DAQCard-6062E is a 12-bit, 500 kS/s, multifunction I/O card with analogue output waveform capability. The DAQCard-6715 is an 8-channel analogue output PCMCIA card with the ability to generate waveforms at 1 Ms/s. Both cards feature a newly designed shielded latching connector that keeps the cable firmly attached to the card.
20/7/00
- Driver for high-performance Profibus PCI card - Steeplechase Software, Inc., aleading PC-based control company, has announced development and release of a driver for Siemens' CP 5613/14 high-performance Profibus PCI card that will allow implementation with the Steeplechase Visual Logic Controller software.
19/7/00
- Power supply test productivity increased by 50% or more with next generation software - Schaffuer has launched a new version of its Windows-based power supply test environment, PowerStar. Named PowerStar 5, this latest generation software makes use of a series of innovative programming and calculation techniques to make significant reductions in test times, offering a flexible, powerful programmmg environment for development of test programs and control of equipment. Fill-in-the-blanks test sequence development, drag-and-drop programming and a library of more than 100 standard ready-to-use tests, allow engineers to create complete functional test programmes in a fraction of the time normally required to build and debug test routines.
- Web-Based analysis toolÊ for increased visibility to the production environment - USDATA Corporation, the supplier of integrated manufacturing software solutions, announced plans to begin shipping Analysis, the newest module in its innovative Manufacturing Execution System (MES), Xfactory next week.Ê The Analysis set of tools improves visibility into the production environment and enhances manufacturers' ability to make real-time production changes, providing greater responsiveness and more informed decision-making.
- Industrial Vortex closes - Because they have been unsuccessful in raising our 2nd round of funding Industrial Vortex.com have ceased operations according to a message from Chuck Steinberger.
- Motion control programmer's toolkit
enables rapid automation and machine development - Baldor's new programmer's toolkit for the Mint motion control language brings together a suite of powerful tools which can cut months off machinery and automation development cycles. Provided free with Baldor's OEM or standalone motion controllers, the software includes a program editor, debug tools for motion control functions and related I/O, automated configuration and tuning utilities, plus support for Windows-hosted projects based on the internet-aware ActiveX protocol.
18/7/00
- 700MHz Pentium III single-slot 6U CompactPCI Board - Concurrent Technologies has announced the release of its third
single slot 6U CompactPCI Board featuring the Flip-Chip Pentium¨ III
processor. The PP EMB/P33 is a Peripheral Slot Controller CPU board, compliant with PCIMG 2.1 Hot-Swap specification.
17/7/00
- Portable data logger with colour screen - The MV1OO MobileCorder, new from Yokogawa, is a compact portable data logger equipped with a large colour screen for the instant readout and monitoring of online data. The instrument is available with 2, 4, 6 or 12 input channels, and has built-in signal conditioning for voltage and temperature measurement.
- Sale agreed - subject to contract - We understand that the sale of the fieldbus.com site has been agreed. Details later.
- Industrial 110 for CompactPCl - To reduce the complexity associated with software drivers was the primary objective behind the design of this new rugged CompactPCl board from PEP Modular Computers. By employing FPGAs on this double-height, industrial I/O board, the measurement acquisition sequence control is handled by a hardware sequencer. The advantage of this process is that apart from achieving a high level of software independence, the effort required for porting to other operating systems is much simplified.
14/7/00
- Embedded web capability problem alleviated- Unfortunately there are many embedded devices without embedded Web capabilities. SAN People have brought an innovative solution to this problem by their development of the EtherMOD range of thin servers. The EtherMOD enables the connection of any TTL serial device with an Ethernet network. The EtherMOD is programmed with an IP address, Subnet Mask and Gateway Address compatible with the Ethernet Network it is planned to use the device on.
This company is exhibiting at ISA Expo in August
- European Low Voltage Switchgear and Fusegear Markets - New - "In recent years revenue growth within the European low-voltage switchgear and fusegear markets has continued to stagnate, primarily as an upshot of declining average prices. Although, during this period demand for such products has continued to rise. Wherein, as average prices have risen and demand has strengthened, a clear basis of growth and recovery has been laid down as market revenues look set to rise." Thus starts a release from Frost & Sullivan. I'm not quite sure if this represents good bad or indifferent news - in fact I'm not sure what it means at all! However I'm sure that if you ask for what is in fact a positive study, "European Low Voltage Switchgear and Fusegear Markets" you can find out for yourself.
13/7/00
- Cases are now flame resistant - Motec desktop cases from 0KW Enclosures are now also available in flame-resistant ABS to UL 94 (VO) specification. Previously, these attractive and time saving cases were only available in high-impact polystyrene to UL 94 (HB). These cases have been designed for quick and simple assembly of electronic components. This is facilitated by the specially designed clip-together assembly technique, which needs no screws. Disassembly is equally simple-just lever a small flat screwdriver in the side slots provided.
- New workgroups complient with AutoCad and MS Office - The plant design and management software company,Rebis, has released the AutoPLANT Process and Instrumentation Workgroups Version 15.10, which are now AutoCAD¨ 2000 and Microsoft Office 2000 compliant. Version 15.10 allows the use of AutoCAD R14 or AutoCAD 2000, Microsoft Office 97 or Microsoft Office 2000, in any combination. The Workgroups have been designed to allow both the Process department and Instrumentation department to work in a concurrent engineering environment for all aspects of functional and schematic plant design.
12/7/00
- Alliance formed - Neles Automation, the automation and control technology subsidiary Metso Corporation, has formed an alliance with Endress + Hauser. The two companies intend to sign a global sales agreement for worldwide project deliveries and to establish a new joint venture company to provide sales and service of both companies' field system solutions in Finland. Similar joint venture companies may be established in other markets. The companies also plan to establish a joint technology unit for the development of new technologies and advanced field system solutions, focusing on the use of fieldbus and communication technologies to integrate a wide range of products.
11/7/00
- Data Acquisition - simple and user friendly - The aim of Ahlborn is the simpliest and universal use of measuring and data acquisition instruments. This basic idea resulted in the developement of the ALMEMO-system. For connection of measuring sensors and periphery instruments to these instruments, connectors with electronical data carrier, patented just for Ahlborn, are needed. The parameters of the connected sensor are stored in the data carrier (EEPROM) and locked against foreign access.
- E-Business, Software & Solutions Drive PAS Market Growth To 2004 - The worldwide Process Automation System (PAS) market will experience overall limited growth through 2004, but the markets for optimization software and services will increase sharply. PAS suppliers are also striving to empower themselves and their customers through the adoption of e-business models, says the new PAS Worldwide Outlook study from ARC Advisory Group.PAS Market A Bellwether For Entire Process Automation Market."
10/7/00
- Greater control - Edict-97, the control programming software from Red Lion, has been upgraded to include even more functionality to make it more flexible and even easier to use. Version 5.05.1.1.35 has more drivers, wizards, and drop down menus, an animation default control, more macros and direct PLC references. The new version also supports Red Lion's new Paradigm TX7OOT touchscreen. The addition of more drivers ensures that even more external devices can be connected to Red Lion's Paradigm range of HM Is. New drivers include those from Allen Bradley, Festo, Parker, Simatic and Yaskawa.
8/7/00
- Agreement will deliver improved technical service by providing real-time diagnostics of devices on the Internet - Synchrony Communications, first to market with the only integrated electronic customer interaction management suite, and eMation, the leading provider of Internet infrastructure connecting embedded devices to improve customer service, announced today an enterprise partnership agreement. Under the agreement, eMation will implement Synchrony as the desktop through which equipment and equipment services companies will notify their clients of service updates and maintenance alerts. With the Synchrony desktop, eMation users will be able to send alerts via the channel of their choice - phone, fax, e-mail or Web chat. Using eMation and Synchrony, companies also will be able to provide their clients with complete maintenance histories that help to determine future service needs.
- Award for publication - Flow Control has received professional peer recognition for its editorial efforts. The award is the Apex 2000 Awards for Publication Excellence. The category was Columns and Editorials and the winning entry was for the December 1999 editorial titled: "Goodbye, 20th Century.
7/7/00
- All in one microPLC - >SPLat Controls, the Australian microPLC manufacturer, have released a new Application Targeted programmable controller, the AJ18. Like all their PLC products, the AJ18 is designed to be so easy to program that a non-programmer can master it within a few hours, using the company's free development software and tutorial.
6/7/00
- Ireland recognises electronic signatures! - President Mary McAleese will sign Ireland's E-Commerce Bill into law this week, with a digital signature. The Bill, which has already passed through the Dail, gives legal recognition to electronic signatures as well as legal standing to electronic documents and also permits encryption. It will enable people to do business over the Net such as registering property deeds, signing contracts and filing taxes. Electronic signatures are encoded sequences of characters that can be traced to an individual at a specific time. (The president will in fact sign the Bill into law with a traditional signature before applying the Digital signature!).
- Networking options for new on-line measurement gauge make process data available via Internet, Ethernet and databus - The new MM71O 'fit-and-forget' on-line measurement gauge from NDC Infrared Bngineering is now available with a complete range of networking options including both databus and TCP/IP protocols. The wide range offers manufacturers easy access to process data from factory floor, control room, office or a remote site. Launched earlier this year, MM7 10 is the latest generation on-line technology for measurement and control of critical parameters such as moisture, fat, protein and sugars, in food, chemical, pharmaceutical and other bulk materials processes.. The new gauge offers unprecedented reliability and stability of measurement, without the need for timeand resource- intensive re-calibration and maintenance procedures.
- New acquisition adds advanced visualisation to software offering - GE Fanuc Automation has acquired the assets of DataViews Corporation. DataViews is a privately held company and a subsidiary of Dynatech Corporation of Burlington, Massachusetts. DataViews designs and manufactures software that allows users of factory automation equipment to customise the way they view and access information. These open, highperformance graphical interface software development tools are available for Windows, UNIX, Linux- and Web-based environments. The acquisition will further expand GE Fanuc's extensive line of industrial automation software with new tools allowing users to create their own custom operator interface packages.
5/7/00
- Web seminar on: The Basics of Implementing Safety Instrumented Systems and Satisfying Regulatory Requirements scheduled for July 19th - Another Web-Seminar is been undertaken by ISA after a successful first foray int this new way of teaching a few weeks ago. This time the instructor will be Paul Gruhn. More info about the seminar is available on the ISA website.
Ken Crater founder of Control.com says:
"My company participated in the first web seminar, on Ethernet for industrial applications, and I thought the approach (and content) was very productive. The way it works is that you dial into a teleconferencing center via telephone, while simultaneously bringing up the seminar visuals on the web. In our case, we had our training room set up with a group of employees all participating via speakerphone, with the website projected on a screen so everyone could participate. There were Q&A sessions, making it more of a classroom experience than a "broadcast" experience. IMHO, this is a great, low-cost way to get training for groups of people without travel expense and a lot of lost time. If the topic of the upcoming seminar is of interest, I'd recommend checking it out."
4/7/00
- Newsletter - The latest issue of P & L Newsletter highlights the latest training products from this innovative company. There is also an interesting item from the automation teacher in a third level institute as well a list of references.
3/7/00
- Advanced technology spearheads new valve management program - Valscope is the latest valve testing system from Dresser Valve Division. Designed to evaluate Control valve condition and performance, sophisticated software helps determine valve function, repair (in-situ or off site) andlor replacement needs. The micro-processor based unit can also he used to perform diagnostics on subassemblies, such as I/P transducers, positioners and actuators.
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