See Archive Page for earlier news.

• See your process from manufacturing to the internet - Tánaiste (Deputy Head of Government) Mary Harney of Ireland recently announced expansion in Lecan Technologies. By using their package Portent, Lecan customers get a web-based view of outstanding clarity into their business - from their manufacturing process to their back-office systems and into the Internet world beyond. It combines intelligent software with the latest in wireless technological advances to give users the focused information that they require to make good decisions anytime, anywhere. "At present we are working with APW, an industry leader of integrated electronic enclosure systems. They wished to fundamentally re-engineer their business processes and this required a wireless product data management solution. Portent satisfies the demanding requirements of this environment and will significantly contribute to APWÕs strategic objectives", commented Michael OÕCallaghan, director. "The design architecture uses web technology and allows for scalability and subsequent transfer to an ASP platform. This transfer provides multi-national corporations with a cost effective product management solution".

• A super time-saver hall layout - . Those who have experienced visiting the world's largest I&C show remember inteminable halls widely separated and lots of weary walking. INTERKAMA 2001 has a new and improved hall lay-out. Some 850 companies from all over the world are placed according to thematic focus-making the fair convenient to navigate and especially visitor-friendly. Now the visitor will find all the companies operating in a given field, within close proximity to one another, and so may carefully compare offers without wasting time or energy.
• An innovative and easy solution for controlling nonlinear processes - CyboSoft today introduced an innovative Nonlinear MFA controller. It is available in both CyboCon and CyboCon CE Model Free Adaptive (MFA) control products. According to CyboSoft President, Dr. George Cheng, this specialized MFA controller was designed to deal with nonlinear systems in a very smart fashion. "It is a powerful addition to our family of Model-Free Adaptive controllers," he said.
• New digital test gauge - The latest Test Gauge from Flotech Solutions is the 3D Digital Test Gauge, Model DTG6000. This "state of the art" battery powered intrinsically safe test gauge, and the associated pressure calibration kit, provides the ultimate in ruggedness and accuracy for field pressure measurement checks and calibration. With a water resistant stainless steel case, the DTG6000 has a high resolution full five digit LCD, to match the test gauge standard 0.1% measurement accuracy, powered by an internal long life battery. The gauge is CENELEC approved intrinsically safe, and operates from -10~ to +500C.
• New spectrometer - Glen Spectra have introduced the NEW OL770 High-Speed, Multi-channel Spectroradiometer from Optronics Laboratories Inc., that has been specifically designed for light emitting diode (LED) test and measurement applications.
• Control Valve Opportunity Opens as Dot-com Craze Closes - The past two years have been real ugly for the control valve suppliers Ð they were shunned while attention went to the new and pretty. The dot-comÕs beauty proved to be superficial and now itÕs back to basics Ð including valves! "The focus of manufacturers on Y2K and e-business shut-off many of the capital investments for valve automation," said Dave Clayton, author of Control Valve Worldwide Outlook, a recently updated study from ARC Advisory Group. "Now that the dot-com bubble has burst, many control valve suppliers have reasons to be optimistic." One of the leading factors opening this opportunity is the shift in manufacturers' focus back to the plant floor process, and, consequently, valve automation. The study reviews the growth opportunities and continuing challenges facing control valve suppliers as the market continues to evolve.

• Pressure & temperature sensors - Incorporating a novel and innovative technology developed by the company for the aerospace industry, for both civil and military applications, Custom Control Sensors International manufactures an extensive range of industrial Pressure [to 11000 Bar], Differential Pressure, Vacuum and Temperature [to 345¡C] sensing switches used in the Oil, Gas, Petrochemical, Hydraulic, OEM and processing industries. The CCS DUAL-SNAP Disc-Spring operating system resolved critical problems experienced with traditional technology such as instability, drift and reaction to shock, vibration and pumping variables reducing down time, maintenance costs and giving enhanced service life . In addition to weatherproof models, there is comprehensive range of products certified for hazardous environmental service.
• Emergency shut down system chosen oil platform - ICS Tripiex Trusted ESD (Emergency Shut Down) has been installed on a compressor skid being made for Shell Exploration and ProductionÕs Brent Alpha platform in the North Sea by Collick and Hanover of Alberta, Canada. The Trusted ESD has been supplied to Spartan Controls in Canada who will integrate it with the Fisher-Rosemount DeltaV system that performs the non safety-critical control functions for the skid. The order is a significant landmark because the TUV AK6 approved Trusted system will be the first programmable, micro-processor based ESD supplied to Shell Expro.
• Multi-zone control made easy - The Dual Loop Controller (DLC) from Red Lion Controls is a full featured, dual input PID controller with new ramp and soak features, for the precise control of an applicationÕs heating rates. The DLC can be used as a modular building block and is ideal for applications, such as those found in the plastics, metal finishing and textile industries, which utilize multi-zone temperature and process control. Together with the high resolution TX700 touchscreen, the DLC is now being packaged by Red Lion as a total solution for control and monitoring in such applications.
• Density - The Key To Product Consistency Thermo Measurement's Sarasota FD930 hygienic liquid density meter allows laboratory accurate density measurements to be made at process pressures and temperatures. The continuous nature of the measurement allows Òreal-timeÓ correction of process errors to be undertaken without any need for samples to be taken to the laboratory.

• First fieldbus competence centre in Wales - Following a visit from Profibus expert Manfred Popp on 2 May 2001, University of Wales College, Newport was confirmed as Wales' first and Britain's second Profibus Competence Centre (PCC). Equipped with a substantial multi-vendor Profibus DP and PA demonstration system, the Centre will become a valuable resource to Profibus users not only in Wales but also much of the rest of the UK. Not only will It help to satisfy the increasing demand for Profibus training but will also be able to provide independent consultancy on Profibus applications. More information on the news section of our Fieldbus Pages
• Pictures now available - ISA's District 12, which covers Europe have advised that pictures from their Nice Meeting have now been put on their website. Those interested will find links to this on their News Page. There are also some details of the First Instrumentation, Systems and Automation European Conference and Exhibition to be held in October in England.

• Acquisition - FCx Performance, Inc. has announced that it has acquired Simone Engineering, a Milwaukee, WI-based distributor of industrial valves, process control instrumentation and related flow control equipment to industrial customers in the upper Midwest region of the USA.
• Interest in New Technology is Advancing Flow Sensors Market Growth - Demand for advanced sensing technologies and improved communications systems is consistently driving the European flow sensors market forward. New applications have arisen for specific flow sensors and new technologies have developed further and grown in popularity. These improvements have seen the market rise from $867.6 million in 1997 to $890.3 million in 2000. Latest research from industry analysts Frost & Sullivan shows the rise would have been higher but for price declines over the period.

• Stringent standards to be met - Aware of the new European harmonisation for electrical instrumentation designed for use in hazardous areas, Monicon has met the ÒATEX 95Ó birective (ATmosphere EXplosive) having recently achieved ATEX Eexd IIC T6 Certification for the CGS500 combustible detector from BASEEFA. Our other Certified detectors will be fully compliant by 1r July 2003 when the new Directive becomes mandatory.
• Orifice plate flow solution - The new ProPlate and Mass ProPlate flow metering systems are orifice plate based Complete Point Solutions from the Rosemount differential pressure flow family. These assemblies incorporate an integral orifice primary element, with either a Rosemount Model 3051 or Model 3095MV transmitter to monitor the process conditions. Applicable to line sizes from 0.5Ó to 1.5Ó, for gas, steam or liquid flows, the meters complement the ProBar and Mass ProBar from Rosemount DP Flow, which use Annubar pitot tube technology on larger lines.
  Fisher-Rosemount advertise on our Fieldbus Page
• New product for I/O family! - Rockwell Automation has introduced the first new product line to the CompactBlock I/O family, the 1790 CompactBlock LDX. It is particularly attractive for low cost, light duty industrial applications with minimal shock, vibration and operating temperature range requirements and will also suit semiconductor equipment OEMs that build stand-alone equipment with clusters of I/O spread around the machine.

• A fast, efficient and chatty process indicator! - High sample rates up to 500 measurements per second} shortest response times of 2 ms and its favorable cost effectiveness are the outstanding features of burster's process indicator model 9162. The latests is their R5232ÑV.24 interface for transmitting the measuring values and performance of the instrument set-up. Corresponding PC software is included free of charge for data acquisition and as well as for storage and back-up of all instrument settings. A integral data logger function generates an EXCEL compatible ASCII file.
• X-ray electronics inspection machine's innovative motion control is provided by versatile PCI card - The ground-breaking mouse-controlled positioning delivered by Dage's new X-ray electronics inspection machines is handled by Baldor's NextMove PCIbus motion controller card. In order to provide revealing views of hidden solder joints on surface-mount printed-circuit boards (PCBs) - or internal views of the new generations of chip packages such as CSP and BGA - the card performs sophisticated correlations of up to five axes of movement in real-time. These allow the operator to orbit around an area of interest under the direction of simple hand movements. The motion controller translates these to three sets of synchronised motion that site the PCB or chip area of interest in the right position, while keeping it close against the X-ray source on one side and moving the imaging system as needed on the other.
• New VP of sales and marketing - SyTech Inc provider of automated report generation and data analysis software, has just appointed Roy Kok for the position of Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Kok reports to Dr. Peter Kaprielian CTO and co-founder of the corporation. And we love the web URL for this company - it's www.TheReportCompany.com. Nothing beats saying it like it is!!
• Power quality analyser - Fluke has introduced a new, more powerful, handheld Power Quality Analyser offering all those who work with power systems a complete, single-tool solution to track down problems and monitor all the relevant power quality parameters. The further improved user interface now makes it even easier to operate, while its enhanced dynamic and intermittent fault tracking functions, including new 3-phase power measurements and harmonics logging, add valuable extra test capabilities.

• European leadership conference concludes - ISA - the Instrumentation Systems and Automation Society concluded the first leadership conference of its District 12 which covers Europe, in Nice this weekend. This district was formed and approved last August and was an upgrade for the European Region (A Region is a lower classification in the ISA's system). The meeting, presided over by the District VP Declan Lordan, was attended by Bob Baillot the President of ISA.

• Low cost data acquisition options expanded to laptops! - National Instruments new low-cost, 12-bit DAQCardTh-6024E for PCMCIA samples at 200 kS/s on 16 single-ended or eight differential input channels, and includes two analog outputs, eight digital I/O channels, and two 24-bit counter/timers. The DAQCard-6024E is ideal for portable DAQ applications ranging from physiological monitoring to in-vehicle test.

• Acquisition by Leading Computer Peripheral Manufacturer - Devlin Electronics Limited, a specialist computer peripherals manufacturer, has now achieved its first acquisition, since its recent MBO from Spirent plc., with the acquisition of certain assets of the business previously carried on by Phoenix Peripherals Solutions Ltd. The Phoenix range includes a wide variety of products and solutions, primarily for the banking and secure access markets, which complement Devlins own product offerings. The purchase significantly strengthens Devlin's ambition to be a major world player in the provision of equipment and solutions to the retail banking industry. Martin Baker, MD of Devlin Electronics commented "Devlin is growing rapidly with sales some 40% higher in 2000 over previous year's levels. The acquisition of Phoenix, by broadening its product range, will serve to further accelerate Devlin's growth."
• New Dual Process Limit Alarm Trip In RFI/EMI Protected Metal Housing - Moore Industries' new ECA Limit Alarm Trip features a solid metal housing that provides an effective barrier against the unpredictable, harmful effects of RFI/EMI that can cause false trips in alarm instruments housed in plastic. The 4-wire (line-powered) ECA is the low-cost solution when alarm trip outputs are needed to indicate high or low process conditions. Compact and durable, it snaps quickly and securely onto standard G-type and Top Hat DIN-style rails.

  Here's your chance to win a copy of new book, "The Purchasing Machine: How the Top 10 Companies Use Best Practices to Manage their Supply Chains." Click here to enter Automation Mag's online contest

• Digital test gauge - The latest Test Gauge is the 3D Digital Test Gauge, Model DTG6000. This "state of the art" battery powered intrinsically safe test gauge, and the associated pressure calibration kit, provides the ultimate in ruggedness and accuracy for field pressure measurement checks and calibration. With a water resistant stainless steel case, the DTG6000 has a high resolution full five digit LCD, to match the test gauge standard 0.1% measurement accuracy, powered by an internal long life battery. The gauge is CENELEC approved intrinsically safe, and operates from Ð10¡ to +50¡C. The unit is marketed in Britain by Flotech Solutions of Stockport.

• Could Europe stymie buy out? - The ball is back in General Electric Co.'s court now that the European Commission has issued its formal statement of objections to the company's proposed $41 billion (46.4 billion euros) purchase of Honeywell International Inc according to a report in the Wall St Journal. Although less sweeping than what the companies had expected, the objections -- spelled out in a 158-page document faxed to them late Tuesday -- amount to a draft decision to block the deal. The companies have about a month to convince the commission why it shouldn't stop their merger.
  See some comments on the Honewell-GE merger/buy-out from the prolific pen of Jim Pinto.

Auto for sale! - We don't normally advertise cars on the signpost but we felt this merited the full treatment!

• Breakthrough after 90 years! - Parker Instrumentation has just announced a major step forward in manifold technology with a new design that is completely free of taper thread connections. The manifolds make it possible to optimise the integrity of pressure and flow instrumentation systems by eliminating PTFE tape or liquid thread sealant when making connections, and with it any risk of introducing contaminants into the fluid system - a major cause of problems in the field.

• New waveform maths functions enhance meters - Fluke, leader in compact, professional electronic test tools and precision measurement calibration, has upgraded the successtul 190 Series ScopeMeters with a new firmware release that adds powerful waveform mathematics capabilities. It is now possible, for example, to multiply individual channel inputs to calculate power graphs. This and many other easy-to-use functions are built into the version 4.0 firmware.
• Clever fault simulation prepares staff for DeviceNet gremlins - The DeviceNet Problem Simulation Guide, written by Device Bus Integration's Matt Blair and Synergetic's Andreas Kroop, helps users train their staff by re-creating and recognizing the most elusive DeviceNet problems. In this guide, Blair and Kroop take problem simulations from the training course they teach, DeviceNet Boot Camp, and condense them into a simple procedure. This valuable training exercise can be done in the safety of a lab or work bench, and only takes and hour or two. Available free of charge from devicenet@synergetic.com.
• HMI Market Grows while PLC Suppliers Trump the Independents - The global Human Machine Interface (HMI) Software market, which exceeded $461 million in 2000, will reach almost $741 million by the end of 2005, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.9 percent, according to a newly revised study by ARC Advisory Group, "Human Machine Interface Software Worldwide Outlook, Market Analysis & Forecast Through 2005."

• All that's Cool in Instrumentation and Control Engineering - The inaugural issue of ICEnews, an Instrumentation, control engineering news source has recently appeared out of hyperspace. This bimonthly newsletter is to be a source of practical information for the instrument user, and keeping them informed on what is happening in our industry both directly and indirectly. Editor is Canadian, Ian Verhappen (left) well known in Instrument circles in North America and world renowned expert in fieldbus systems (in particular Foundation Fieldbus) and analysers/general instrumentation). This publication is an off shoot of Perth based ICEweb.
• Explosion-proof motor range texpanded - Baldor has increased the power level of its AC and DC explosion-proof motor line, and now offers ratings extending up to 224kW (300HP). Offered in NEMA frame sizes from 48 to 449, the new range meets UL/CSA explosion-proof ratings and is ideal for equipment builders exporting to North American markets, or worldwide for certain industry sectors such as oil and gas.
• "Knowledge Management Still Has a Long Way to Go in European Organizations," says survey - Only 64% of European organizations have implemented an intranet, according to a recent IDC survey, and just 33% have implemented an extranet. The low adoption of these two solutions shows just how far European companies have to go in the adoption of knowledge management, technology that is designed to help companies deliver the right information to the right people at the right time.

• Synergy partner program augmented - Automation market leaders Softing and Wago, have agreed to collaborate in a partnership program that will see close integration of Wago's I/O System 750 intelligent I/O modules with Softing's 4Control PC-based automation platform. The aim is to provide enhanced 4Control automation solutions by placing "soft" PLC capability at the remote I/O terminals, reducing master/slave dependency over a fieldbus and pushing control applications further into the field. Under the agreement, Wago has become a member of Softing's Synergy Partner Program alongside industry majors such as Citect (SCADA) and Inmotion Technologies (motion control). Wago will introduce a special I/O System 750 4C Ethernet bus coupler which is directly configurable via Softing's IEC 61131-3 compliant 4C Engineering package over an Ethernet link.
• New MS-DOS software support library launched - Concurrent Technologies has announced the release of its MS-DOS software support library. This new product supports the complete line of Concurrent Technologies' VMEbus Pentium II and Pentium III processor boards.
• Package enhanced for FDA compliance and improved openness - CimWorks, a GE Fanuc company, announces enhancements to its VisualSPC software that will address the FDA's increasing enforcement of its 21 CFR, Part 11 regulationÑthe standard for controlling and protecting data which dictates that companies employing electronic data collection must provide secure traceability of their data files. Responding to one of the most significant events of this year impacting data collection processes, VisualSPCTh will target industries affected by the FDA's 21CFR Part 11 regulation by offering tools, such as audit trails, lockouts and electronic signatures, to help end users more easily achieve compliance.
  GE Fanuc are valued advertisers on the Instrumentation Signpost (see above!).
  See also our Electronic Document Management on the 21 CFR Part 11.

• New sales centres in Australia and Hungary - The Endress+Hauser Group has founded fully owned new sales companies in Australia and Hungary. In both countries, independent distribution partners had handled the sale and service of Endress+Hauser products so far. The Group extended its strategy of organic growth and gradual market penetration by the foundation of the two new companies. They are called Sales Centres (SC), the Group's term for sales companies in general. Amicable agreements have been concluded with the previous distribution partners in both countries thus safe-guarding a smooth transition of business activities to the new SC's and also staff continuity in customer service.The new companies are located in Sydney and Budapest.
  In a separate development Endress+Hauser has acquired 39 percent of Satron Instruments Inc., thus becoming the biggest shareholder of the company based in Tampere, Finland. The enterprise is specialised in the produc-tion of sensors and fittings for the pulp and paper industry. Satron products are sold by Metso Endress+Hauser Oy in Finland which was founded as part of the strategic partnership between Metso and Endress+Hauser last year. Metso also holds a stake in Satron.
  

• Are you a vendor or consultant? - ISA's Web seminar, "Value Consulting - Project Proposals as Investment Plans," will help you (in the words of presenter Jay Jeffreys) "stop being a vendor and start being a consultant." On Friday, 1 June at 2:00-3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, this 90-minute session will show you how to identify opportunities where you, as a consultant, can make a difference, understand the value discovery process, and give your clients a final presentation with a value proposition.

• Catalogue and CD-ROM on control-room products - Yokogawa UK has published a short-form catalogue and CD-ROM featuring key products from its comprehensive range of industrial control-room products. Products covered in the catalogue include 100 iiinV, Y80 mm and 250 mm chart recorders, and the UT100/Green. series ranges of indicators, controllers, and programmers. Both cost-effective and high-functionality solutions are available. Full pricing and ordering information is included, and simple cross-reference tables allow any product to be found quickly. All the units featured are available for rapid delivery from YokogawaÕs central European distribution centre.
• DOPS, or data based offer inquiry process system - Most leading manufacturers and suppliers have inquiry forms as integrated parts of their homepages, but most of these inquiry forms are static, nothing else than printed versions made available online, according to Andreas Hofer, CEO of TechTour.net, a provider of technology solutions and online services for purchasers and manufacturers / suppliers of custom made Man Machine Interfaces. "Our idea was to develop an offer inquiry tool that fulfils the demands of a trade where custom made is the keyword. DOPS is dynamic and interactive, a tool for increased enterprise efficiency and profitability. Companies that visit www.TechTour.net and make use of DOPS in order to set up offer inquiries get for free the unique chance to receive and compare offers given by national as well as international manufacturers / suppliers. The user of DOPS has a powerful tool whether he searches the optimal supplier for a specific project or want to evaluate a range of suppliers, their competence and level of performance. TechTour.net is the tailored internet marketplace as for custom made Man Machine Interfaces, and DOPS serves as the connector between customers and manufacturers / suppliers."
• Safe, economical level measurement solution - Phase Laser Systems, Inc. has just announced the introduction of the HP/MD Series, a revolutionary fiber optic tank gauging system providing a safe, economical solution fora wide range of liquid level applications.
• Real-Time Wireless Navigation Terminal - Webraska, a worldwide provider of wireless navigation services and technologies, has signed a contract with Borg Instruments, 1st tier automotive supplier for innovative electronics , which will launch a low cost off-board real-time navigation terminal for cars based on the WebraskaÕs wireless technology and on-line services in September 2001. The new generation navigation terminal of BORG Instruments, called QUO VADIS, will provide low cost interactive and real-time telematic services, itinerary calculation, maps, turn-by turn naviguation, POI access, and traffic information, throughout Europe and the United States.
• Going on display - Flint is establishing a new operation to provide complete display solutions, from colour and monochrome LCDs including chip-on-glass and chip-on-flex technologies, through touch screens and driver cards, to the all-important cable assemblies and connectors. The venture, known as Flint Displays, is supported by a raft of new franchises, as well as existing suppliers to Flint.

• Pharmaceutical company expands - Pharmaceutical company Elan is to spend $190m on expanding its facilities in Athlone (Ireland), where it currently employs more than 700 people. The investment, to be made over a three-year period, will result in the construction of an integrated manufacturing building, an energy centre and extra warehousing capacity.
• Studies on flow now available - A series of flowmeter studies called Worldflow published by Flow Research, is now complete. They have been doing the research for these studies since last June. As part of the research, they did over 200 interviews and made 27 on-site visits to flowmeter companies. The six studies include the following: Coriolis, Magnetic, Ultrasonic, Vortex, New Technology Overview, and Worldwide Survey of Flowmeter Users.
• License agreement with the Process Industry Practices Consortium - CEA Systems Inc., a leading developer of engineering software, has signed an agreement with the Process Industry Practices (PIP) Consortium for its piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) documentation criteria. The P&ID practice is to be incorporated into CEAÕs Plant Design software tool, Plant-4D. The PIP consortium is working to harmonize member companiesÕ internal standards for design, procurement and construction into a set of industry wide practices. Plant-4Ds symbol library will be extended to incorporate the symbology of the PIP P&ID practice, including datasheets and rules. Also the reporting and numbering will be according to the PIP P&ID practice.
• Proximity sensor order in South Africa - SupaRule SA, has secured a contract worth over IR0.5m for the supply of voltage proximity sensors to Telkom SA, the South African tele- communications utility, over a period of two years. The sensors emit a piercing sound if they come within dangerous proximity of electrical cables. They can be worn on a standard belt and will be introduced by Telkom SA as part of a new safety drive to cut fatalities amongst the company's technicians.
• DeviceNet Communications added to temperature and process controller family - Eurotherm has added DeviceNet communications facilities to its main family of temperature and process controllers, making the feature a standard option on all 2200, 2400 2500, 2600 and 2700 Series controllers and indicators. The new feature will allow these powerful instruments to communicate cost-effectively with a wide range of other devices within the process and machine control environment.

• Most rugged TOC analyser ever! - Pollution Control Systems, Ltd., announces the launch of the new BioTector¨ 990plus On-line TOC Analyser at the Envitec 2001 exhibition in Germany. The new BioTector 990plus TOC analyser provides the ultimate solution to waste water analysis. Designed to analyse everything from almost clean water to the most corrosive and polluted samples, the new BioTector 990plus makes extensive use of Hastelloy and Flurocarbon materials to handle even the most demanding of applications.
• Major FPSO order landed!- Dresser Flow Control, part of DI UK Ltd, has been awarded a contract to supply Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) with a comprehensive package of valves for an offshore FPSO(Floating Platform Storage and Offloading) platform. GROVE ball valves form the major part of a 2m dollar order although significant numbers of control valves, principally Masoneilon Varimax rotary globes and 41000 Series sliding stem designs, plus Consolidated safety and safety relief valves, have also been specified.
  Dresser Valves have now finally become Dresser Flow Control following the acquisition of the organisation from Halliburton by a consortium including First Reserve Corporation, Odyssey Investmnent and members of the board of Dresser Inc. The trade names include Becker, Consolidated, Grove, Ledeen. Masoneilon, Nil-Cor, TexSteam, TK Valve and Tom Wheatley

• New three-phase line reactors for industrial applications - EMC specialist Schaffner has broadened its extensive product portfolio with the introduction of a new range of three-phase line reactors for industrial applications. The line reactors reduce load-generated harmonics, improve system power factors, and ensure the short-circuit voltage is within the commonly-required 4% or 2% limit.