See Archive Page for earlier news.

• Level switch with NAMUR interface - Thanks to simple mechanical and inductive proximity switches which have been used for many years, NAMUR interfaces are well established in the chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries. VEGASWING 60, Vega's universal vibrating level switch for liquids, is now available as a NAMUR instrument. This option ensures reliable level detection that is virtually unaffected by the physical or electrical properties of the liquid.The sensor is suitable for a maximum temperature of 25000, because it has a screwed piezo drive at the heart of the vibrating level switch.
• Specifications CD-Rom updated - The international users and manufacturers group CAN in Automation (CiA) distributes its CAN/CANopen specifications not only in printed version but also on CD-Rom. The CD-Rom was just updated. Subscribers with valid subscriptions get their updates automatically. For subscriptions that already run more than one year re-newal orders have to be made to get the updated versions. Older versions of CANopen specifications are also available on the CiA webpage for download free of charge. However, companies who are developing actual CANopen prod-ucts should work on the last versions of specifications.

• Remote viewing software introduced - Bridge 5000 is a new software package from Eurotherm that will enable remote workstations to access Eurotherm 5000 Series data management systems remotely. It provides a powerful, user-friendly interface via a direct connection, Ethernet link, Local Area Network or the Internet. Process managers no longer need to be on site with the process to see what is happening: they will be able to see real time process data remotely, without leaving their desks.
• Process Automation Training Event - Already 125 delegates from 52 companies have booked to attend the Manufacturing Excellence through Automation and Asset Management Training Forum, scheduled for April 3-6 in Manchester. User experience is presented with lecturers from Ineos Chlor, Unilever, BNFL, Huntsman and BASF. Organisers ABB Eutech and Fisher-Rosemount will also present, having brought in applications and system software specialists from around the World. For details of the five stream of lectures, plant tour and technology showcase please contact 0116 282 2329 or email Caroline Worsdall.
• Device allows users to upgrade CPU logic and configuration without a computer - The new VersaMax¨ Easy Program Store device from GE Fanuc Automation enables users to perform program and configuration field upgrades to their VersaMax modular CPUs without a computer. The Easy Program Store is designed to make it easy for OEMs to upgrade their customers without costly travel. Simply send the Easy Programmer to the end customer and by pressing the activation button the program and configuration is updated.

• New filters developed for power line communication integrity - Schaffner is launching a new design and manufacture capability for specialised decoupling filters for use in domestic and industrial power line communication (PLC) systems. The launch follows extensive development work in collaboration with a leading Scandinavian electricity company. This expertise from the world's leading mains filter manufacturer, is now available to PLC system planners, builders of PLC appliances, electricity suppliers and service providers to ensure the provision of safe, reliable and secure transmissions of data and voice over the existing power grid.

  Signpost breaks record - Last week saw over 1500 visitors at the signpost. The number of vistors continues to rise from the figure of about 500 per week at the beginning of 2000. Check all our stats.

• New Sensors and Measurement Website - For industrial and scientific engineers who need to learn about and source sensors and electronic measurement products, now have a direct and fast online resource provided by the new web site. Visitors to the site find a wide variety of online information on all types of sensors and instrumentation, including data capture and analysis, calibration, process control, materials test, quality, metrology, telemetry, test, plant maintenance and weighing. The growing site has over 285 pages with essential information on the latest products and catalogues, how the products work, technical tips, books to read, exhibitions and conferences to visit, training courses, a problem solver, plus lists of suppliers with over 70 hot links to support web sites.
• ...And another sensors site - Sensors.frost.com provides unlimited access to constantly updated market news written exclusively by Frost & Sullivan's worldwide team of sensor industry experts. "The Industrial Sensors and Process Control groups of Frost & Sullivan are continually evolving and refining the deliverable content through strict Market Engineering methodologies, and Sensors.frost.com creates a venue whereby this information is easily brought to our professional client base," says Michael T. Berger, Sensors Team Leader and Industry Analyst. Registration is free, giving all users instant access to their team of sensor analysts who constantly monitor industry trends. A "news by email" service delivers content on technology trends and market information covering the hottest issues in sensors.
• Safety integrity verification tool released - exida.com has released its new safety integrity level verifications tool, SILver 1.0. SILver is an Internet based application complete with built-in failure rate database. The failure data includes a collection of commonly used sensors, logic solvers and final elements. SILver will allow users, engineering companies and safety solution providers to do safety loop SIL verification calculations quickly and cost effectively. As an Internet based application, subscriptions to the tool are available for time periods as short as one month, perfect for project related work. No expensive software needs to be purchased or installed. Free trials and more information can be obtained at the exida website.
• Safety conference in May - The ISA Training Institute will present Safety Instrumented Systems for the Process Industries on 16 and 17 May in Houston. Instructor Paul Gruhn will help understanding the current US and international standards, as well as existing regulations and guidelines on the design of safety instrumented systems and how to implement them on nthe first day and day two features eight presentations by industry experts, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A Session.
• Diamond Jubilee celebrated! Saint Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation is recognized in the Russia and abroad as a unique higher educational centre and the only one its kind in the world. The University founded in 1941 as the Leningrad Institute of Aircraft Instrumentation had only two faculties: Radio Engineering and Aviation Instrumentation. Since that time the University has become one of the leading institutions of Russia in the field of engineering education. The Rector Professor Aanatoly Ovodenko and his staff are to be congratulated on this important landmark in the history of the Institute.
• ISA/USA becomes 16th member of World FIMA - This February, ISA/USA (Instrumentation, Systems and Automation conference and exhibition) joined World FIMA In addition to the four World F.I.M.A. founding members, BIAS (Milan, Italy), INTERKAMA (DŸsseldorf, Germany), MICONEX (Beijing, China) and S.A.W. (Basle, Switzerland), eleven other trade fairs belong to the group: AADECA (Buenos Aires, Argentina), AUTOMAATIO (Helsinki, Finland), HET INSTRUMENT (Utrecht, the Netherlands), ICA (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), INSTRURAMA (Brussels, Belgium), ISA SHOW BRASIL (Sao Paulo, Brazil), ISA EXPO CONTROL MEXICO (Mexico City, Mexico), MESSTECHNIK AUSTRIA (Vienna, Austria), OTOMASYON (Istanbul, Turkey), SCANAUTOMATIC (Gothenburg, Sweden), and SCANLAB (Copenhagen, Denmark). World FIMA aims to promote measurement and automation technology on a global scale and is committed to continuous improvement in the interests of exhibitors and visitors at the individual fairs.

• Exhibition to proceed - The ISA Ireland 2001 exhibition will proceed on 24th April as planhed. There was a danger that it would be postponed because of the Foot and Mouth scare but after consultation with the Irisg Ministry of Agriculture it was decided to proceed taking the recommemnded procautions.
• New 2001 catalogue offers couplings - Colder Products Company has announced their new 2001 Quick Couplings and Fittings catalogue, a full-color, 60-pageer specifying resource detailing over 1000 standard products, including the newest product lines and additions. CPC is a leader in thermoplastic injection-molded quick disconnect couplings for fluid handling. Applications include general industrial, bioprocessing, medical device, semiconductor, and food and beverage industries. CPC couplings feature an easy-to-use thumb latch for quick disconnects, and an audible"click" to verify a secure, leak-free connection. The new CPC catalog offers advanced coupling solutions for virtually every industrial application, complete with fittings and accessories.

• New version of control and information suite has many new enhancements - Nematron, a leading designer and manufacturer of PC-based industrial automation solutions, has announced the release of version 5.5 of their control and information software suite. Many new enhancements are part of this release, most notably, the addition of a Ladder Logic editor to the OpenControl product and support for Microsoft Windows 2000 for HyperKernel, their hard real-time extension software. The PC-based Ladder Logic Editor makes it easier for manufacturers and OEMs to realise the benefits of switching to PC-based control by offering programming options familiar to PLC users. The addition of HyperKernel support for Windows 2000 allows manufacturers to keep current with the commercial market, leveraging the large IT investment to the plant floor.

• National Manufactuiring Week report - As usual the canadian journalManufacturing AUTOMATION are first out of the blocks to us with this report from the Chicago show.
• Process control optimizing software distribution - Siemens Moore Process Automation, Inc., announced that it has signed a formal contract with ExperTune to distribute its software. ExperTune, the award-winning software package, is used to optimize process control applications. Siemens Moore will integrate the ExperTune software into its existing ProcessSuite software offerings.
• Digital control for fluid blending systems - Over 200,000 thermal mass flow measurement or control instruments from Brooks Instrument are installed around the World Ñ in processing plants, blending or doping control systems, semiconductor manufacture, and laboratories and pilot plants. Many of these processes have used the Brooks 0154 secondary electronics display and operator interface unit, to provide the operator console displaying flow values and allowing remote fine adjustment. These units allow control of up to four flow lines, using either the thermal mass flow controller or line pressure controller for gas monitoring, or Flomega thermal mass or Quantim Coriolis mass flow meters and controllers for liquid monitoring. The 0154 unit also allows blending system control functions, using the mass flow measurement on the main delivery line as the master reading, then providing the control function to drive further mass flow controllers on subsidiary slave doping lines.

• New EMC test management software gives engineers unprecedented degree of flexibility in programme development - Schaffner has announced the launch of a major new EMC test management software package. EMC Compliance 3 is a highly-flexible, fully-configurable Windows-based test management tool for creation, execution, data acquisition and reporting of all EMC emissions and immunity tests. For the first time engineers have the option to control their entire EMC test capability with one powerful package.
• Raman and Photoluminescence Measurements with a Single Bench Top System - New from Jobin Yvon is the Raman PL bench top system. Using a unique combination of both Visible and Infrared spectroscopies, it yields greater depth of information than is possible by just a single range analysis. This is particularly useful in the characterisation of semiconductor materials and can provide information directly related to the electronic and optical properties of the sample.

• Preventing bearing burn-out - AMOT Controls has introduced a Bearing Temperature Monitoring System specifically designed to minimise these problems by monitoring the temperature of individual bearings and thereby giving an early warning of any such impending failure. Bearing burn-out may destroy critical and expensive engine components such as connecting rods and crankshaft journals. An overheated dynamic bearing also increases the risk of a dangerous crankcase explosion that can endanger personnel as well as the engine.
• First European apparatus for cabling system certification - AOIP one of the leading French companies in the field of measuring instruments offers the first European product that allows testing of LAN networks in categories 3 to 6. These top-of-the-range EASYLAN testers for cable installation certification are of two types. The first, EASYLAN, whose 300MHz bandwidth enables validation of cabling with specifications higher than category 6, certifies copper and optic cabling as well as networks such as Ethernet, ATM, Token-ring and Gigabit-Ethernet. The second, EASYLAN 5, is a category 5 tester that can be upgraded to category 6 with the upgrade pack.
• Embedded PC selected for rugged Installations - SBS Technologies, Inc has announced that Perceptual Robotics. has selected the SBS PC7 rugged all-in-one embedded PC for use in outdoor or environmentally rugged installations of its TrueLook application. The PC7 plays a key role in Perceptual RoboticsÕ pole-mounted dome camera installation, running the on -site component of the TrueLook software. The Perceptual Robotics system will be demonstrated in the SBS booth #6219 at NIA.
• New sound and vibration catalogue issued - Sound and vibration specialist, Bruel & Kjaer has published a new catalogue detailing the companyÕs extensive range of products and services for sound and vibration measurement applications. The new 132Ñpage full colour catalogue provides a comprehensive resource for sound and vibration engineers looking to source products and services. An extensive section of the catalogue describes the many and varied applications for which the company supplies solutions from acoustic performance testing and quality control, through environmental noise measurements and noise field mapping, to rotating machinery, structural dynamics and vibration testing.
• Quality light! - With the introduction of a control system based on a GE Fanuc VersaMaxTM, the glass bulb production for the major European manufacturer, GE Lighting, has been significantly improved to 6 Sigma standards. The local GE Fanuc distributor, BDI Hungary, has been the driving force behind the design for the plant at Nagykanizsa in Hungary, the largest lamp manufacturing facility in Europe.
  GE Fanuc are advetisers on our News Page.

• For full and part time jobs - a great idea! - With Irish companies finding it almost impossible to fill part-time or casual employment positions, one young company has created an online marketplace for job seekers and employers which cuts out the costly middlemen. Nixers.com was founded last year to provide a marketplace for short-term and part-time employment. The idea is a simple one. It is an Internet based recruitment company that specialises in targeting retired people. students and people otherwise unable for full time employment for short-term, temporary employment. Through the website employers are put directly in touch with available employees. We understand that the idea is coming to other cities in Europe and the Americas soon.

• Interested in Electronics? - EDTN Network Europe is a new resource from CMP Europe to broaden the scope of the Electronics Design, Technology & News (EDTN) global network into Europe. This is a powerful, on-line news, information and services portal for the European electronics industry. They have also announced the launch of a Scandinavian site , the first in a network of European sites that will provide engineers with online resources in their local language.
• Integrated design software - Cyco Software, a leading provider of document management software for the design and engineering environment, now offers complete integration between Autodesk Inventor and AutoManager Meridian. This first full integration assures that all documents created with Autodesk Inventor, including all their revisions, are automatically stored in AutoManager Meridian. Furthermore, information from within these files, e.g. title block or X-Ref information, is also stored and automatically synchronized in AutoManager Meridian.

• Batch processing capability no wavailable for recorders - Eurotherm has launched a version of their well-known Series 5000 Data Recorder designed exclusively for simple batch process applications. Called the Series 5000 Batch Recorder, it is identical to standard models except for the installation of specialist batch recording software routines. The new instrument is designed specifically for demanding batch process production environments such as heat treatment, baking, food processing, steriisation and pharmaceutical production.

In a new direction - We are not really sure how to take this but Jim Pinto, the Poet Laureate of the controls industry among other attributes, has announced his retirement. Frankly we can't imagine him with his feet up sipping pina coladas on the beach, perhaps like Mark Twain's death the reports are somewhat exagerated! However it has given many the opportunity to talk about him and Controls Intelligence have included a section "A Farewell to Jim Pinto". Here is a sample, suitably in poetry! Thankfully these are not obituaries but rather a marking of the passing from one stage of life's journey to another. See his website to see what retirement really means!!!! It has come the time to say good-bye Jim Pinto the future no one knows I think we'll have a great big sigh To know we knew him as he goes Automation, industry intelligence Continued speaking and writing - it has no end Sailing, eMailing to the ends of the earth Maybe he'll revisit the land of his birth I submit this verbiage of gratitude In a language he exudes Commentary and satirical poetry he sows Business knowledge and technology Are what he knows. Writer: Katrina Snyder co-editor of Controls Intelligence. There is a whole Pinto section of our Poetry Page

• New office for UK - Barksdale Control Products, the German and US based manufacturer of pressure, level, flow and temperature sensors, has set up a new wholly owned operating division in the UK and opened its first UK office, in Basingstoke.

• Revolutionary automation of Karl Fischer water determinations right down to trace level - Metrohm has introduced the new 774 Autosampler Oven. This is designed to process up to 32 samples in a single run and is particularly suitable for difficult KF applications.
• Magnetic flowmeter production starts in Europe - Yokogawa has started manufacturing its increasingly popular ADMAG SE range of electromagnetic flowmeters in Europe. Previously produced only in Japan, the flowineters, which were originally developed to fulfil the needs of the European marketplace, are now also being produced at the Rota Yokogawa plant in Germany.
• Free! Get the latest data on Control Design! - "Do you know how control system engineers have accelerated their system design processes, achieved shorter design cycles, and designed more robust products? They've chosen control system design tools from The MathWorks." so say the latest release from The Math Works. Simulink, Stateflow, and Real-Time Workshop provide an optimal set of control design products which moves seamlessly through modelling, simulation, validation, and implementation, without the need to rewrite code or change software environments. Each of these products has been significantly upgraded in the latest release and is available now and work together to provide a tightly integrated environment that supports the entire engineering design process.

• New Controller Solutions Brochure - GE Fanuc Automation now offers a new comprehensive full-color Controller Solutions brochure detailing the companyÕs complete line of PLCs, I/O devices, software, and integrated systems that provide easy integration, powerful upgrade options, and expandability for a variety of applications, including critical control, packaging, semiconductor, water/wastewater, and more.
  GE Fanuc Europe advertise on our Signpost News Page

• Taking the e-strain - Lee-Dickens introducing an interactive Web site as part of its new "Force-IT" service for load cell and strain gauge products. In the first phase, on-line advice will be available and a directory will provide a guide to load cell and strain gauge selection. The move is part of a new strategy to extend coverage of this important market sector and is being complemented by the launch of new instrumentation products, enabling them to offer a 'complete solution' for load cell and strain gauge applications.

• New Appointments - Hoffman announces the appointment of Marty Pint to the position of Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Hoffman Enclosures manufacturere of electronic enclosures and packaging solutions. . Curt Steichen has been named Internet Business Solutions Leader for Pentair Enclosures. During 2000, Steichen led a project focused on the development of digital marketlE-business strategies for Pentair. Steichen has gained the knowledge and experience in technology and process design necessary to compete with Intemet centric electrical and electronic configuration and collaboration based tools. They also appointed two National Sales managers Richard Bryan for DataCom and Dave Buddle for Electrical.

• Cut the cost of high performance motion control - Baldor has launched a new range of brushless servo motors for precision motion control applications, based on rare-earth neodymium iron boron magnets. The material provides near-identical low-inertia responsiveness of motors employing samarium-cobalt magnets, but at a typical cost reduction of up to 8%. This delivers a useful saving for OEMs building equipment requiring high acceleration and speeds, such as machinery for packaging, labelling, pick-and-place, positioning and other high performance automated tasks.

• New multimeters available - Fluke today introduced two new ranges of Digital Multimeters (DMM), a new line of test tools designed for industrial, electrical and electronic technicians, seeking a quality, full-function DMM.
  The 110 Series, comprising three models, offers professional users a value-packed meter for versatile troubleshooting. The design is based on intensive research into what digital multimeter users in the target price category want. They want DMMs that are compact, offer a straightforward user interface and include features and quality that previously only were found in higher priced DMMs. They retail at less than the 175 Euro price range.
  Their new 170 Series, which also has three models, was developed for use in environments that range from relatively ÒcleanÓ bench areas to some of the harshest work environments known to man. They based on extensive research into what this broad range of users requires in a DMM. Research clearly showed that users basically want the impossible: an affordable, high-performance, feature and function-rich multimeter that is easy to use and can take knocks inside and out.