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The Read-Out Instrumentation Signpost
Measurement, Control and Automation Resources throughout the World
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.
News from Drives & Controls 2001
Feabhair - 2001 - February
28/2/01
- Consulting Company Takes Its Own Advice - You have probably heard about the shoemaker whose children have no shoes! ARC Advisory Group advises manufacturing companies on their e-business strategy, and ARC did what it had been advising its clients. Yesterday, ARC launched ARCstore, a new and easy way to quickly find the research information you need on-line. Whether its market research information or strategic analysis of a particular issue in manufacturing automation and e-manufacturing software technology, on which you are working, the new ARCstore provides "search and purchase" on-line for the ARC publications you need now. ARC also manufactures its studies when ordered and ships the next day.
- New facility opened - PX Instrument Technology Ltd. recently opened its new Technology Centre in Bray, near Dublin. The new facility was opened by Taoiseach (Head of Government), Bertie Ahern . Among the invited guests attending the occasion are key customers and strategic business partners of the company.
PXIT design and manufacture PXI based instrumentation and switching cards and a range of GPIB Electrical, RF and Optical switching modules. We encourage our customers to present us with their test and measurement problems and we will endeavour to find the most innovative and cost effective solution.
- Dial-in process control robustness! - Everyone knows that adjusting PID tuning parameters adjusts the speed of response. More aggressive tuning gives
faster response, but also makes the loop more sensitive to process changes. "Now, with ExperTune, it's even easier to get the best tradeoff between tight tuning and robust tuning. You simply dial-in the sensitivity or robustness you want," according to a release today.
- ISUG - Impact of Standards User Group - This body examines standards and their general effect examining the number of standards, do they hinder innovation, are they only for the "big players" etc. They are contracted to the European Union Enterprise Directive for an Impact of Standards. The mission statement of this study group says that they "will determine the quantitive and qualitative socio-economic impacts of standardistatio, in deliverng selected benefits across a broad range of industry sectors. The results will be used to analyse the standardisation process, to highlight benefits, to recommend improvements and chart a course for the future."
27/2/01
- New Owners! - Following the Halliburton decision in April 2000 to divest the Dresser Equipment Group in a move aimed at restoring the CompanyÕs focus on its core businesses, DEG has been acquired by a private equity investment partnership.
On January 31, 2001, First Reserve Corporation and Odyssey Investment Partners announced that they have signed a definitive agreement that provides for the acquisition of Halliburton CompanyÕs Dresser Equipment Group (DEG) subsidiary by them and certain members of the GroupÕs management. It is expected that the transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, will be completed by April 15, 2001. The Group comprises Dresser Valve Division, Instruments DMD-Roots (IDR) Division, Waukesha Engine Division and Wayne Division.
- Major website update - Isothermal Technology (ISOTECH) have expanded their technical documentation and now have all the Primary and Secondary Calibration Lab products online - with the Industrial Calibration Products scheduled to be added next month with the launch of Databook 3 which can be requested from the site.
26/2/01
- Buying on line? - We've just come accross a B2B marketplace for the instrumentation, testing and calibration industry in this part of the world in Singapore. It's a nice idea. Check it out it's called TestCal.
Singapore.
- The latest advertiser - Fisher-Rosemount are the latest company to advertise with Instrumentation Signpost. You'll see their advert on our Fieldbus Page. If your company wants to join the growing band of advertisers on our site take a look at our Rates Page.
- Planning software bundle -
Wizard Information Systems has introduced Planning Wizard, providing software solutions for data analysis forecasting, planning and manufacturing management The Planning Wizard product family is the result of the merger of Wizard Information Systems with Software Answers in 2000. Planning Wizard enables the planning manager to build a replenishment scheduling plan for both his factory systems like Xfactory and/or purchases to his suppliers. Based on the current demand, actual inventory levels and planned supply, a schedule is developed to meet both stock policy and service target levels. Planning Wizard includes Analysis Wizard and Forecast Wizard.
- Photonics business unit expanded through strategic acquisitions - Flextronics a world-class electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider focused on delivering end to end solutions to original equipment manufacturers, today announced the acquisition of Wave Optics Inc. and Fico Fiber Optics, Inc.
- Dual-port "Double-decker" connectors - CONEC has developed a range of dual-port Òdouble-deckerÓ B-sub connectors for high-density compact applications. Waterproof filtered and custom versions are offerd in different sizes, with many different options - straight angled, signal, power and co-axial pins. CONECÕs Planar technology can provide attenuation of up to 45dB at 100MHZ and as high as 90dB in higher frequencies, with up to 5, 000pF capacitance. The new Planar technology also offers a very high voltage capability - up to 1,500VDC. Extra-high voltages ranges of up to 2500VDC are also offered for pulse voltage applications.
22/2/01
- New sensor web site - The International Frequency Sensor Association (IFSA) has just been upgraded. There is lots of information there including an Ultrasonic Sensors Manufacturers List.
Other Societies and Organisations are listed on our Societies Page
- Redundant now available - Fisher-Rosemount's DeltaV system has added another level of security to fieldbus applications with the introduction of dual redundant H1 fieldbus cards. A demonstration of this dual redundant implementation as well as other busses integrated in the DeltaV system is available.
- Confused by bluetooth? - This item from the Candian publication Manufacturing Automation may help. Sensors shed their shackles talks about "freeing sensors from their wiring shackles" according to their indomitable editor Heather Angus.
- Record unemployment in Ireland - The latest statistics from the Quarterly National Household Survey show that the unemployment rate has fallen below 4% for the first time since the foundation of the state. Dublin fared best with a rate of 2.9% while the highest level of unemployment is in the Border region at 5.4%. Naturally enough the rate of growth in employment has slowed down a little. For the year there was a 43,000 increase in the labour force with between a quarter and one third of this being attributed immigration.
21/2/01
- New test and measurement tools introduced - Meterman is a line of more than 60 test and measurement products designed for shop, tool bench, boat, home or back pocket. Wavetek Meterman tools belong anywhere electronic and electrical technicians and engineers, service technicians and weekend tool jockeys are installing, building, troubleshooting, servicing or maintaining electrical and lighting, environmental controls, automotive, small appliances or home electronics.
- New high density I/O modules - Developed by Horner Advanced Products Group (APG), the new High Density SmartStack I/O modules enhance the digital I/O density of the Operator Control Station (OCS). These improved modules allow OCS to support a wider array of applications, effectively doubling the original I/O density of the product line to 128 points. Superior versatility allows installers to replace a more expensive control system with a less expensive, better-integrated system leveraging more power.
20/2/01
- News of training -
 P&L have issued the February issue of their newsletter "P&L News". Their product LearnWare is now used by over 21000 clients the world over and with the expaanding range this is set to increase in the coming years.
P&L support the Instrumentation Signpost, see their logo-advert on the Fieldbus Page. Here are our Price Lists.
- New PXITM Embedded Controller delivers high-performance real-time applications - National Instruments has announced the latest controller in a series of high-performance real-time data acquisition and control systems based on PXI/CompactPCl and National Instruments LabVIEW Real-Time. The Ethernet-enabled PXI-8170/850 RT controller uses a Pentium III 850 MHz processor to power a real-time operating system for deterministic, reliable performance.
19/2/01
- The Micro PLC comes of age - The age of the powerful micro PLC has arrived. No longer restricted to stand alone applications, the new FX1 N and FX2N micro PLCs from Mitsubishi Electric can now control as Masters AS-i and I/O link networks. These enhanced communications abilities now make the FX micro range of PLCs particularly suited to distributed machine control applications, where the requirement is for simple installation, reduced cabling cost, yet still retaining high speed digital signal processing.
See more fieldbus information on our Fieldbus Page
- Company receives NASA Excellence Award for its commitment to excellence in technology - The NASA Excellence Award has been presented to Jobin Yvon in recognition of our "holographic diffraction gratings for the 'Cosmic Origin Spectrograph' (COS) instrument that will enable a new generation of scientific exploration for the Hubble Space Telescope, the astronomers of the world, and every person who looks to the sky in wonder" said Professor James Green, Principal Investigator on COS and Director of the Centre for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy at the University of Colorado).
17/2/00
- A catchy little URL! - I've heard of many publicity stunts in my time but this beats Banagher! The ISA's show in Houston is, according to their latest publicity "To Big To Miss!" and where can you find out about it? At www.toobigtomiss.com! "No other event gives you access to more information, products and technology. ISA 2001 truly is Too BIG To Miss!" says Tracey L. Berrett of ISA and who are we to argue!
Nice one ISA!
- New commercial-duty motors - Baldor has launched a new range of commercial-duty motors which are engineered to provide cost-effective solutions for applications requiring low to medium starting torques. Designated the Model 17 Commercial-Duty Motor Line, the new range is targeted at applications such as fans, blowers, stirrers/agitators, conveyors, compressors and pumps.
15/2/01
- mtec 2001 - We feature a report on some of the exhibitors at this show - one of the few all-British shows of interest to I&C engineers left. The other two are Drives and Controls next month and FieldComms towards the end of the year - both in London.
See Industrial Automation Insider's February issue for an indepth review of the current state of the UK's "automation voice" now that Centaur have effectively killed off it's one-time leader Control & Instrumentation magazine after over 40 years.
14/2/01
- Industrial automation outlook -
In one of his incisive articles, Jim Pinto says that the industrial automation business is under pressure - growth and profit are elusive, most products are commodities, global competition is reducing prices and margins, innovation is scarce in an overcrowded market. Large companies seem unable to generate organic growth, leading to mergers and acquisitions in related areas with accompanying divestiture or elimination of duplication. I have already forecasted that the industry Big-10 will reduce to the Big-5 - this is the year in which that prediction will be realized.
10/2/01
- Positions available - Ireland is looking for people at present to man the fastest growing economy in Western Europe. We feature some of these on our Jobs Pages.
- Network troubleshooting woes - The industry is slow off the mark when it comes to network troubleshooting tools...
so says a regular columnist for Manufacturing AUTOMATION.
8/2/01
- New miniature position sensors - Following the recent launch of their Programmable Position Sensors, manufacturers ASM have released details of their new miniature Cable Actuated Position Sensors intended for large volume OEM applications. Measuring from about 30mm square and having measurement ranges up to 1250mm, the new WS3 1 and WS42 models are available with potentiometer or incremental encoder output. Applications are infinite and the small size enables the sensors to be installed inside equipment where previously this was not possible.
- Takeover in Ireland - Flomeaco Company Ltd., a leading Irish supplier of process control instrumentation, has joined the Endress+Hauser Group of Companies under the name of Flomeaco Endress+Hauser Ltd. Flomeaco has until now been the Endress+Hauser representative for Ireland. The new company will continue to provide the Irish market with E+H process automation technology. There will be no changes in staff.
7/2/01
Calling Toronto Area!
Runfactory Systems Inc tell us that their communications expert Fadi Al-Hanafi will give free one hour on site seminars outlining the capabilities of Ethernet, and those of one of the more popular fieldbusses. The seminar is available in the Toronto area only. To schedule your free seminar, log on to www.runfactory.timetrade.com and select "Industrial Communications". or contact Fadi Al Hanafi directly.
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- Free software download - Cyco Software, has released a free 30-day fully-functional download of its award-winning AutoManager View 3.2 software on its Website. AutoManager View allows designers and others to to view, compare, redline and print more than 225 file formats including AutoCAD 2000i, Mechanical Desktop 5, MS Office 2000, Adobe Acrobot PDF, scanned images, hybrid files and much more.
- Latest Version of Remote Management Solution unveiled - At the Windows Embedded DevelopersÕ Conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Intrinsyc unveiled the latest version of its remote management solution, deviceRMS WebSuite, which now features a significantly improved look-and-feel and cross-platform support, that complements IntrinsycÕs complete suite of Windows-based embedded solutions. The newest version of deviceRMS WebSuite was designed to emulate the look-and-feel of rich browsing functionality, providing a more intuitive experience for system administrators. It can also
be easily ported to virtually any platform.
- C&I closed down - Now for some sad news! Centaur have closed Control & Instrumentation and cancelled the IAS show they had planned for May. This leaves two and possible three shows with a possible interestr to I&C professionals. The death of Control & Instrumentation, once the doyan of instrumentation periodicals in Britain is a very sad reflection on the current state of the industry in that country.
6/2/01
- New service solutions brochure published -
A new full-color brochure from GE Fanuc Automation describes how the companyÕs Service Solutions teams leverage applications and technology expertise with business and process knowledge to maximize user productivity and return on investment. By combining the global experience of GE, GE Industrial Systems, and GE Cisco Industrial Networks, GE Fanuc Service Solutions teams provide companies with powerful and cost-effective automation consulting. The new six-page brochure illustrates how a dedicated team follows a project throughout its life cycle, which can include evaluation and assessment, process system design, planning and specification, integration and implementation, and maintenance and support.
- Yokogawa makes acquisition - Yokogawa Electric Corporation has acquired 3A International, Inc., the leading provider of IEEE 1394 test equipment. The purchase is a direct result of close business ties forged between the two companies. Yokogawa and 3A have worked together since January 1997, and in May 1999 Yokogawa signed an alliance agreement with 3A, which included a significant capital investment by Yokogawa in return for 23.1% equity and increased distribution rights for 3A products.
More information on IEEE1394
5/2/01
- Record revenues and earnings report - National Instruments, a leading provider of measurement and automation solutions, announced last month record revenue of $114 million for the fourth quarter of 2000. Revenue grew by 22 percent in U.S. dollar terms and by 26 percent in constant currency terms. It is the 11th Consecutive Quarter and 24th Consecutive Year of Record Revenue.
2/2/01
- Free accessory kit offered for Oscilloscope trade-ins -
Fluke UK is offering a free accessory kit worth over GBP280 for all customers trading in an oscilloscope when purchasing a new Fluke ScopeMeter 190 Series. The ScopeMeter is ideal for engineers who need the full capabilities of a top-end bench oscilloscope, all in a handheld, battery-powered instrument.
1/2/01
- Simple setup on clever displacement sensor - Keyence,
has just released its new Inductive Digital Displacement Sensor, EX-V Series. Offering accuracy down to 0.4 microns combined with high speed measurement of 40,000 samples per second, it uses a number of measurement modes designed for specific applications. Measurements such as Stroke End/Bottom-Dead-Centre, Vibration,
Eccentricity, Thickness and Gap can be automatically setup within a few seconds with the extra help of the amplifier's two-colour digital display.
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