See Archive Page for earlier news.

30/9/00

• Fluke Networks to Buy Agilent Unit - Fluke, the network communications unit of Danaher, plans to buy Agilent Technologies Inc.'s network management unit for an undisclosed amount of cash and an equity stake in Fluke. The acquisition of Agilent's NetMetrix division will expand Fluke's ability to minimize and resolve network problems, maximize performance, and reduce control network costs. It will also add sales, marketing, and engineering strength. NetMetrix, which is expected to have revenue of about $25 million in fiscal 2000, is a developer of network-performance management solutions.
  News from ARC News

• New OPC Knowledge Provider will enhance customer benefits associated with enterprise-wide availability of process information - Measuresoft, a specialist software provider in manufacturing and telecommunications, and ABB Industrial Systems, the global technology company, today announced the development and immediate release of an OLE for Process Control (OPC) system that enables sharing of historical plant floor data within the enterprise. The ABB OPC Knowledge Provider is an integrated data logging system designed and developed specifically using OPC standards and the MS Windows DNA for Manufacturing framework. It is capable of acquiring data from any OPC compliant data source and will support multiple OLE-DB data stores such as SQL Server, Access etc. While the OPC Knowledge Provider can be utilised as a standalone product it was designed to also act as a data server and provides an infrastructure for process monitoring and reporting application development.
• European on-line sales in the process industries markets - As the internet continues to rewrite the supply chain rulebook, product distribution within the industrial equipment markets is on the verge of a fundamental shift. A new study by Frost & Sullivan forecasts a dramatic increase for on-line industrial equipment sales. As the industry?s e-commerce market is set to move on from its developmental stage, end-users continue to further their demands for increased e-commerce solutions. Frost & Sullivan project on-lines sales to rise from US$78.9 million in 2000 to US$9.73 billion by 2005. Indeed, by the end of the forecast period (2000-2005) on-line sales will account for 20 per cent of sales in the total industrial equipment market.

• New SCADA solution in Korea - USDATA Corporation, announces that Samsung Electronics, the world's #1 manufacturer of semiconductor memory, has adopted the USDATA FactoryLink SCADA software system as the standard for utilities management at their new production lines.
• New integrated strategic planning tool available via the internet - Dr David O'Sullivan, of the CIM Research Unit, NUI, Galway (Irl), has developed a suite of eBusiness applications to help organisations manage innovation and change. The main product in the suite, which can be used by managers irrespective of location, is eStrategy Manager. John Cunningham, director of the Galway company being set up to sell the software to industry, explains that, "One click on a standard web browser brings the user into a fully interactive application for managing company goals, actions and results, without the need for special hardware or software". The idea is that the software and client database would reside with a secure ASP, freeing the customer of the overhead associated with loading and maintaining the system on in-house computers. During the development phase of the online software, Dr O'Sullivan worked with a number of Irish-based companies, including IBM, Nortel Networks and Thermo King. Recently he trained a group of companies in China. Although the training took place in China, participants interacted with eApplications being served from a computer in the west of Ireland.

• New Integrated lined Magmeter- Arkon Flow Systems, has introduced a specially lined Hart-based integrated sensor/converter electromagnetic flowmeter package for Process and Water Treatment applications. The package features an MG7I1/A flow sensor( sizes 50-l6OOmm; temperatures to 130DegC; pressures to 32Obar) with an epoxy phenol resin liner(Novolak), which is resistant to a wide range of chemicals and provides a low-cost alternative to PTFE.
• New AC LED Pilot Lights - New from EAO are low cost Series 04 Pilot Lights, availabLe with direct feed 1 1OV and 230V BA9 AC LED's for 22.5 mm and 30.5 mm mounting. The units can also be supplied with 24V LED's, filament lamps and with transformers.

• CompactPCI Processor Board for Embedded Applications - SBS Technologies has announced a new ultra-compact, single-slot 3U board that features Motorola PowerPC 7400/75x technology with processing speeds up to 500 MHz, a 32-bit interface and PCI-PCI bridging for increased application throughput. This CompactPCI CPU board, with a flexible I/O and memory configuration, is ideal for embedded industrial automation, medical, scientific, imaging, telecommunications, military and aerospace applications.

• Roll-out of web-based power applications library commences - Artesyn Technologies has posted the first four modules of a new PDF-based power applications library onto its website. The company plans to build this library into an indispensable source of reference data for design engineers and systems integrators over the coming months. Each module provides an in-depth analysis of a particular power-related topic, and although written expressly for a technical audience, makes no assumptions about knowledge of power conversion techniques. In fact, the main aim of the library is to allow designers to choose the optimum power conversion/distribution strategy for their particular system design, without having to waste valuable time researching the issues and narrowing their field of choice.
• RiS acquired by Ametek! - Rochester Instrument Systems (RiS) has been acquired by Ametek. It will be managed as part of their newly named Aerospace and Power Instruments Division within their Power Instruments business unit.

• Pressure Transmitter Market Stagnates - The market for industrial pressure transmitters, which grew by only 1% in 1999, will expand from $1.3 billion to only about $1.5 billion by 2005, forcing suppliers to implement novel strategies to succeed, according to a new study from ARC Advisory Group, Pressure Transmitter Worldwide Outlook - Market Analysis & Forecast through 2004.

• Signal processing application - SKY Computers, Inc., a subsidiary of Analogic Corporation, today announced that the Sensors Systems Division of BAE SYSTEMS of Edinburgh in Scotland has chosen its AltiVec-based Merlin for rapid development of signal processing applications. SKY anticipates that once the 20 GFLOP dual Merlin prototyping system is thoroughly field-tested and approved by BAE SYSTEMS, it will spawn significant follow on revenue starting in 2001.
• It's in the can! - Angelus Sanitary Can Machine Company,(Los Angeles, CA), has selected Steeplechase for control of the next generation of its Model 12M beverage machine. Angelus Can produces the machinery that closes approximately 65% of all finished cans in the world.
• Breakthrough deviceCOM networking solution links Linux devices to Windows enterprise systems - Intrinsyc is introducing a new networking technology that reliably links Linux-based devices to Windows enterprise systems. Building on the success of IntrinsycÕs deviceCOM for Windows CE and NT, IntrinsycÕs new deviceCOM for Linux enables customers to use Windows at the enterprise level, while taking advantage of the benefits offered by Linux for embedded devices. This new software solution, and an accompanying vertical market application, will be demonstrated at next weeks Embedded Systems Conference in San Jose (USA).

• Is Ethernet Ready for the Plant Floor? - Due to the success of this topic in the Society's first Web Seminar, ISA is repeating "Is Ethernet Ready for the Plant Floor?" -- led by instructor Eric Byres -- on 13 October 2000, 1 PM - 2:30 PM ET. Byres -- founder of Artemis Industrial Networking -- is the Chair of the ISA Industrial Ethernet Conference. http://www.isa.org/training/ethernet/

• New software optimize the 3 S's In plants: Startups, Switchovers & Steady State - Operation startups, product switchovers, and steady state operation usually require different PID control system parameters. Most systems are optimized for setpoint changes: switchovers, and start -ups. But the loop performs poorly during steady state operation. Not any more - ExperTune's new software optimizes your plant for all of these scenarios.
• GE Fanuc and Invensys - GE Fanuc Automation today announced it has signed an agreement with Invensys, to be a global preferred supplier of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and additional I/O products.
• Show report - If you weren't able to attend the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago in early September, the irrepressible Heather Angus, of , has filed her report.

• Review of ISAEXPO2000 is archived! - The Review of this years New Orleans show is now being archived and the link may be found on our Archive Page.
• Web-based analysis tool for increased production visibility - USData Corporation is now shipping Analysis, the latest module in its innovative ManufaGturing Execution System (MES), Xfactory¨. The Analysis set of tools improves visibility into the production environment and enhances manufacturers' ability to make real-time prodction changes, based on better information. USDA TA Analysis is a web-enabled analysis and reporting tool that provides enterprise-wide performance visibility production problem identification, and planning facilitation.

• New director of sales for valve controls company - TopWorx, a globally-recognized provider of valve control products have appointed Simon Heath as Director of Sales - Europe and Middle East. He has spent the past eleven years with Fisher-Rosemount, including time as Fieldvue product manager, working on PlantWeb projects in Ireland and in Saudi Arabia, and six years with Fisher-Rosemount Systems in England.
  In a simultaneous announcement the release of the Lumitech DVC-FF discrete valve controller was announced by the company. The DVC-FF is the industry’s first digital valve controller for on-off Foundation Fieldbus applications.
• New software solution - Flex.Win from Datac Control International leverages the power of existing RealFlex systems in the Microsoft Windows Environment. It is claimed as the only application that allows the seamless migration of RealFlex data to Microsoft Windows. It is risk free, it converts the existing RealFlex system without any human intervention.The product takes full advantage of the robust QNX real-time operating system for the mission critical control, monitoring, communications, and alarm handling routines. By integrating this with a Microsoft Windows platform you add enhanced functionality. Both systems run simultaneously, greatly improving information, reliability and presentation

  Welcome PEMA! - We are delighted to welcome PEMA to our growing numbers of advertisers on The Read-Out Instrumentation Signpost. This leader in the supply of Test & Measurement Solutions have placed an advert on our Standards Page. Take a look at our Pricing if you are considering this option. Our advertisers are listed on our Links Page.

• HDTV digital/analogue waveform monitor with data readout - Leader Instruments Corporation has upgraded its award-winning HDTV digital/analogue waveform monitor with a new version, the LV 5152DA according to a recent release from Thurlby Thandor.

• Particle pollution - There is an increased awareness of the causal link between ultrafine particles and health effects. These particles can be emitted from a number of sources such as car exhaust emissions, malfunctioning office equipment and boiler leaks. By utilising a new measurement technique the P-Trak, from TSI Health & Safety Instruments, a user can locate the source of the pollutant and take steps to eliminate the air quality problem.
• Weighing in on the web! - A new specialist web site has been launched especially for thos interest in weight measurement applications. Weighmart.com promises to be a very useful resource to people with this specialisation.
• Engineers Data book - This new 2000 edition of the Engineers' Data Book is published in response to the successful demand for the first edition published in 1998. Feedback from engineers and students indicated that despite the large number of sources of technical information in printed and electronic format, there is still a need for core mechanical engineering and related data in an easily accessible format. It is available from Technical Standards Services Ltd
• System data available via the Internet - Measuring and sensor values of the VEGALOG processing system can be connected via the gateway card VEGACOM to difterent Fieldbus systems, eg. Interbus, Profibus DP. At Achema 2000 VEGA introduced a new gateway card: VEGACOM with Ethernet-interface and TCP/IP-protocol. The sensor values of a system can be then fed as an HTML-document into the network of the user company.

• New Boards Support Long-Life Applications Where Stability Is Key - ICS Advent, the premier provider of business- critical applied computing solutions, today introduced Aviant, a new family of advanced single board computers (SBCs) based on Intel processors and chip sets. By using components that have a long life, these new boards will have fewer design changes and will thereby reduce the total cost of ownership of applications in which they are used, such as computer telephony, machine control, voice processing, and medical and industrial automation.

• Get used to new Logo and name - Reinventing ISA for the 21st Century - was the theme as the Council of Society Delegates and the ISA Executive Board made several major decisions at this year's ISA EXPO/2000 in New Orleans . Among the changes: a new Society name and logo, a new structure for the Executive Board, creation of the European District, addition of Member Societies and a brand new logo.

• OSPMA leads the way in moving its event to London - OSPMA-FieldComms is one of the very first events to be staged at ExCeL on 5th & 6th December. George Barlow, chair of the new London Development Agency, will officially open the event. The Exhibition is designed to encompass the very latest technology in Open Solutions for Process Control, Building and Manufacturing Automation, and visitors will find that the new and innovative products and concepts on show will be enhanced by ExCeL’s stunning and breathtaking architecture. ExCeL is serviced by unrivalled national and international transport links as a result of a massive £10bn investment programme. Furthermore, there are a number of incredibly low rail ticket schemes on offer during December which will make a trip to ExCeL easy and affordable. It is also almost walking distance from the London City Airport which means that a day-trip from almost anywhere in Europe is a real possibility.

• New search services - ChemIndustry.com, a provider of Web-based specialized search services for the worldwide chemical and closely related industries has launched a series of new search services for industry professionals. The company has unveiled full-text search of its proprietary database of more than 25,000 industry-relevant Web sites representing more than 5 million pages of filtered information. It has also debuted two specialized search services - E-Deals, which helps users identify e-commerce opportunities, and a Chemical Synonym Name Finder.

• New appointments strengthens advisory group - Former Moore Products CEO and president William B. Moore has joined ARC Advisory Group as vice president of strategic consulting, charged with leading the expansion of ARCÕs management consulting services. Moore retired from Moore Products after its acquisition by Siemens earlier this year. Other appointments announced are Andy Peters, until recently director of business development at Honeywell IAC, while Ralph Rio, for the past four years manager of marketing for GE FanucÕs CIMPLICITY business.

• CyboSoft wins New Product Showcase at ISAExpo - CyboSoft's CyboCon CE model-free adaptive control instrument has won the ISA EXPO/2000 New Product Showcase award. CyboCon CE combines the company's model-free adaptive control technology and Microsoft's Windows CE real-time operating system. It can control industrial problematic loops and does not require process models, identification, controller design, or complicated controller tuning.
• Harmonics generating - A new Windows-based Harmonics Generator Tool has been added to the utility programs included In Omicron's newest V1.31 Jest Universe Software released in April. This provides the ability to generate ad-hoc Omicron transient files with superimposed harmonic content.

• What is behind a piece of paper? - This was the provocative title of a paper delivered by Roy Aldridge of Triconex at the recent ISAExpo in New Orleans. The point he was making is that not all safety standards are as they seem and even in TUV, the German standards organisation different procedures and protocols can lead to at best confusing results and at worst a potential disaster. It is well to investigate fully the standards being used in each plant.
• Embracing New Technologies in the year 2000 - is the title of the ISA International Seminar organised for Cork in Ireland for 3rd October 2000. The ISA Ireland Section have assembled an interresting roster of speakers.

• New project management/design tools for electrical engineers to be launched - The first of a new class of computer based engineering (CBE) tools for electrical engineers, 'easylectric', will be launched at the CIM Show (Birminhgham GB) by Aucotec. Much more than simple diagramming, it will link the de-facto industry standard Visio 2000 drawing tools to an underlying Microsoft SQL database which holds a complete plant model for project and device management. Talk to Patrick Gansauge for the full details.
• Web site that provides pay rates and staffing demands for the computing industry - JobStats is a web site that supplies up-to-date information on pay rates and the demand for staff in the UK computing industry. It would be nice to have this sort of resource in our I&C industry - Ed

• Scalable Interface for Micro and Nano Controllers - The new VersaMaxTM DataPanels from GE Fanuc connect quickly and easily to VersaMax Micro or Nano programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to provide capabilities from simple timer/counter/register access to full-text message displays with numeric keypads. The four scalable operator interfaces deliver two to four lines of text on a backlit LCD screen for enhanced readability, with up to eight programmable flinction keys and LEDs.
• High-speed digital oscilloscope with extended memory - The new DL7200 signal Explorer from Yokogawa is a high performance digital oscilloscope which combines very high-speed sampling at up to 2 GS/s (gigasamples per second) with an exceptional memory length of up to 16 Mword per channel.
• New ultra-compact ultrasonic transmitter - The new Model SC Ultrasonic Level Transmitter from Arkon Flow Systems are compact designs for use in the measurement of level or distance in vented tanks, pits or sumps. Minimum and maximum distances, corresponding to 4 to 20 mA output, can be programmed by simply pressing two push buttons or by its RS485 serial port to a PC. The units also offer signal and control relays for high and low level alarms or for pump control. A built-in data-logger is available as an option.
• Optimize your Machine! - The AutoLog¨ 14K Embeded MicroPLC from FF-Automation Ltd is designed for the automation of machines and equipment. This new custom designed type of PLC works like standard PLC and HMI follows exactly the customer specification.
• New line of ActiveX OPC Clients for process visualization and data management - Automated Solutions, Inc. has released a line of ActiveX controls that enable manufacturers and system integrators to build powerful, yet cost-effective OPC Client applications with MS Visual Basic. These process visualization and data link ActiveX toolkits are specifically designed to work with Automated Solutions' line of OPC Servers for Allen-Bradley and ModBus communications, along with any other Data Access 2.0 capable server.

• Digital level controller - A new microprocessor based Digital Liquid Level Controller for use with displacer type sensors has been announced by Fisher Controls, part of Fisher-Rosemount. Known as the DLC3OOO, it can be used to measure or control liquid level liquid specific gravity (density), or liquid to liquid interface level for example in liquid separators. The DLC3OOO will replace the Fisher Type 2390 electronic level transmitter, providing a 2-wire 4-2OmA signal proportional to level: it is normally installed with their 249 series displacer level sensor. Instrument start up is simple and fast using the HART digital communications to set up, test and calibrate the unit.
• Another acquisition! - Artesyn Technologies) has announced that it has acquired privately held Azcore Technologies based in Tucson, Arizona. This company focuses exclusively on fast growing markets, which require high-efficiency DC-DC converters with a special emphasis on surface mountable board level products.
• Infopack details fluid flow innovations for 3OOmm wafer processes - Kinetics Fluid Systems Europe has released a literature pack detailing fluid flow innovations created to meet the ambitious footprint and cost reduction targets of 3OOmm semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment.