See Archive Page for earlier news.

31/1/02

• The World's Fastest Oscilloscope! - Tektronix has announced a revolutionary oscilloscope that provides engineers designing high-speed digital systems with advanced debug and analysis capabilities that are unmatched on today's market. Building on five decades of experience in the test and measurement of electronic signals, Tektronix' technical leadership is, once again, at the forefront of innovation in the computer and communication industries. The TDS6604 digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) - the world's fastest at 6 Gigahertz (GHz) - is Tektronix' second generation, high-performance Silicon Germanium (SiGe) instrument.
• Using digital technologies - The January 2002 Control Magazine supplement describes how leaders in all industries are using digital technologies to improve the efficiency of their operations. To find out how to leverage the digital technologies at your site today, request your own copy of "Creating the Digital Plant" courtesy of Emerson Process Management.
  Digital technologies have impacted every part of our lives from music to movies to the free flow of information. Now these digital technologies are available for our plants and mills. Technologies like digital busses, easy advanced control, XML enterprise integration, and integrated batch execution and management enable higher levels of operational performance.
  Emerson Process Management advertise on our Fieldbus Pages
• Fastest growing software and solutions provider - According to a study, by the ARC Advisory Group entitled "Process Simulation & Optimization Worldwide Outlook - Market Analysis & Forecast through 2005", Hyprotech currently holds 22.4% market share, making it the leading supplier of Process Simulation and Optimisation Software & Services in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa). "Rising from third position two years ago (16.7% market share)," says a release from Hyprotech,"has propelled the company into the fastest growing Software and Solutions provider in EMEA, putting it into second position in the market worldwide."

• Global HQ opens - T&aaacute;naiste Mary Harney (Deputy Head of Government of Ireland) officially opened the new global headquarters of Qumas in Cork last Friday. Qumas provides companies in the life science sector with an out-of-the-box enterprise compliance management solution. At the opening ceremony Qumas CEO and co-founder Paul Hands spoke of the company's steady growth, despite the challenging global business environment. He noted that Qumas increased corporate revenues by 90% over year 2000, while staff numbers have doubled since 2000. Qumas has US headquarters in Florham Park, NJ, with additional offices throughout the United States and have recently appointed Valarie King-Bailey as Chief Marketing Officer.
• Application Developers Gain New Toolset for Hard Real-Time Products - Applied Microsystems Corp has announced the availability of its industry-leading test and analysis tool suite, CodeTEST, for LynuxWorks' hard real-time operating system, LynxOS. The new CodeTEST for LynxOS, together with the LynxOS operating system, offers a robust development platform for application developers and QA teams who create and test demanding hard real-time products for market segments such as avionics, military, telecommunications and data communications.

• e-Business in Manufacturing: Putting the Internet to Work in the Industrial Enterprise is a new book now available from ISA, the Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Association. In it, industry veterans Shari Worthington and Walt Boyes take a detailed look at the Internet's convergence of business, communications, and computing and what it will mean for the manufacturing organization. Now that all the Internet hype is sorting itself out, industry is embarking on a sea change of monumental proportions. In the next decade, manufacturers will change the way they perform many functions, from interacting with customers to controlling plant-floor processes. What is about to occur is as significant a change as letters of credit were in the Middle Ages, or railways in the 19th Century.
• Show to emphasise energy conservation - The Drives and Controls Exhibition which will be held in Birmingham (GB) 28 - 30 May already has three quarters of the stands sold and will be the biggest event in the show's nine year history. This year energy conservation is a major theme for many of the exhibitors. The Climate Change Levy will have been enacted for a full year by the time the show opens and the effects of the increase in energy costs has awakened industry to the issue of electricity consumption.
• Safety & Critical Control Systems: User Concerns Fuel Growth - The recently published ARC market study titled 'Safety and Critical Control System Worldwide Outlook - Market Analysis and Forecast Through 2006', forecasts growth in Safety Systems despite a general showdown in the process automation market. Clicking on the link may open a "registration page" where one has to register before looking at the site - no charge is involved but the will have your details. This may be a problem for some.
• First major software developer to support MS Windows XP in industrial applications - Wonderware, a unit of the Invensys Software Systems group has announced that the company's flagship product, InTouch, now fully supports the Professional version of MS's new Windows XP desktop operating system.

• Special offer for a limited period only on electrician's toolkit - Fluke is offering a new professional electrician's toolkit. Available for a limited period only, the toolbox and three rugged test tools offer a financial saving by purchasing as a complete kit. The Electrical Toolbox consists of a tough plastic resin box, with hinged lid, and three handheld test tools with 600V CAT III safety ratings. The test tools in the kit are a true-rms 110 Digital Multimeter (DMM), a 321 Clamp Meter and a live-mains wire detector, the Fluke VoltAlert 1AC. The price of the complete kit, aimed at professional electrical installers and maintenance personnel, effectively offers the mains detector and toolbox free of charge.
• Control system optimises waste water treatment processes - The waste-water treatment plant serving the area of Bratislava-Petrzalka in Slovakia used to rely on transporting sludge residue by road for treatment in the main Bratislava water works. A new, automated sludge treatment infrastructure was commissioned at Petrzalka during 2000, using GE Fanuc's CIMPLICITY and OPC Server to provide dual redundancy control and supervision of the total plant SCADA system.
• New sensor catalogue - Position Sensor manufacturer ASM - Automation Sensors Measurement has introduced a new 116 page Position Sensor catalogue describing a new range of Cable Actuated and Non-Contact Position Sensors with ranges up to 40 metres. New additions include a Magnetoresistive non-contact sensor which can measure to within five microns, a Magnetostrictive non-contact sensor featuring Absolute Position Measurement with 0-1 0v or 4-2OmA output, a Press Stop-Time Analysing & Recording system, Programmable Cable Actuated sensors, Miniature Cable Actuated sensors and a Programmable Angle sensor.

• Proteomics, data management and consumer protection the focus of leading international forum for analysis - The Analytica Conference focuses on the latest trends in application-oriented research in the analysis, diagnostics and biotechnology sectors. This international forum will be held at the International Congress Centre Munich during the show, (April 23 - 25, 2002). With a program of events that is more practical and future-oriented than ever, the conference bridges the gap between science and industry.

• New portable meter for dewpoint temperature - The DM70 meter from Vaisala is designed for measuring dewpoint temperature in compressed air lines and other dry gas systems. The hand-held meter is robust, has a graphical LCD display and can function as a data-logger. Optional software provides a ready-to-use interface to a PC. The sensor technology used in the DM70 probe provides excellent longterm stability, with an accuracy range from -60 to +/-60 deg C. It withstands condensation and responds rapidly to moisture change. The probe head can be connected into pressurized processes via an optional sampling cell or quick-connector.
• Switch probes reduce maintenance in automotive test modules - The new P2O1/GI Series from Peak Test Services is a range of switch probes designed for use in test modules for checking wiring harnesses in the automotive industry. The design of the new probes results in considerable reduction in maintenance time and effort if a contact has to be changed.

• Programmable analogue controller IC speeds DVD control - The Conradt Measurement & Control development company has designed an innovative lens control solution which dramatically improves the write speed of DVD peripherals - and their resistance to vibration - by implementing the control loops using analog technology in place of established digital, DSP-based approaches. Based on an Anadigms AN10E40 field-programmable analog array (FPAA), the design provides a cost-effective means of increasing control loop performance way beyond the levels offered by today's DVD pick-up designs. It avoids expensive increases in the performance of digital control circuitry, while simultaneously overcoming problems of pick-up oscillation that DVD manufacturers face as write speeds increase.
• Wideband I/Q demodulator - Yokogawa has introduced a wideband I/Q (in-phase/quadrature) demodulator which provides unique high-bandwidth/high-resolution capabilities as a key element in test systems for wireless LANs, digital broadcasting and advanced mobile communications networks. The new VN6000 provides down-conversion from RF to baseband frequencies as well as demodulation. It has a demodulation frequency bandwidth (-3 dB) of 120 MHz, and input frequency ranges of 220 MHz to 3.2 GHz, and 4.96 GHz to 6.2 GHz, with 0.1 Hz resolution.
• First ISA European event filling up - The latest report from ISA District 12 (European District) tells us that booking for the Bretby Conference is very brisk and those who wish to exhibit as part of this important event should make arrangements as soon as possible in order to ensure a place.
• Instrument company keeps its workers happy! - For the third year running, National Instruments is among the 100 Best Companies to work For, according to the American publication, FORTUNE magazine, which releases its fifth annual list of top employers in early February. "Making the Best 100 list carries special meaning following a challenging 2001 marked not only by an economic slowdown that affected all phases of American life, but also devastating terrorist attacks," said Dr. James Truchard, President, CEO, and co-founder of the global software and hardware company based in Austin, Texas.
  Here is the Full List

• Low-cost stepping motor drive for low-voltage, two-phase drive applications - Fairchild Semiconductor International introduces the FAN8200, a two-channel drive IC ideal for two-phase stepping motor drive system applications including cameras (PC and digital), disk drives, Thermal printers, and motion controllers.
• Swing-out ball valves put the pressure on the competition - Parker Instrumentation has launched a new range of swing-out ball valves offering high pressure operation to 2,500 PSIG as standard - a figure which is up to 100% higher than many similar products on the market.

• Ten years of CAN! - The CAN in Automation International Users' and Manufacturers' Group was founded in March 2002. The non-profit organization headquartered in Erlangen (D) and joined by 393 companies to date, has the goal of educating people in internationally standardized CAN technology (ISO 11898) throughout the world. In addition, the organization supports the development of higher-layer protocols (CAN-Kingdom, CANopen, and DeviceNet) and further enhancements of the CAN protocol. Education and training, international conferences as well as CAN-related publications (CiA standard, CAN Newsletter, and product guides) are organized and published by CiA Limited, a daughter company of the non-profit organization. The special anniversary edition of the CAN Newsletter is free-of-charge.

• New hand-held IR thermometer to be launched Calex Electronicslaunches the new Pyropen D Handheld Infrared Thermometer during next months mtec2002 in England. This pocket-sized instrument measures temperatures in the range -20degC to +500degC with 0.10 resolution. It has a built-in memory for remote data logging or it can be used for continuous on-line PC based data acquisition via the software and cable included. It provides instantaneous, maximum, minimum and average readings in degC or degF. The emissivity setting can be adjusted to suit different materials and the built-in laser makes sighting simple.
  See more news on mtec 2002 exhibits on our web review.

• A European first - Your opportunity to enhance your productivity and boost your career has arrived. Register on-line today for The Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation European Conference and Exhibition, scheduled 13 - 14 March 2002 in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire in England.
• Debug support - Ashling Microsystems, in co-operation with Philips Semiconductors, have announced debug support for the new 32-bit HiPerSmart computing platform from Philips Semiconductors. HiPerSmart is based on the SmartMIPSTM architecture from MIPS Technology International, and offers enhanced memory and security features for high volume multi-application cards for banking, e-business and 3G wireless applications.
• Trends in motion controls - what 2002 holds - The automation market may have turned down in 2001, but there are still bright spots in the motion control sector according to Baldor's annual review, and some QEMs at least are using the current lull to develop next-generation machinery. Among the major effects were a substantial decline in the market for PC-based motion controllers, a smaller but noticeable decline in demand for boxed motion controllers, but continuing pronounced growth for singlebox 'intelligent drive' products.

• Stepper-motor driver IC with built-in translator for easy microstepping - The new A3977 from Allegro MicroSystems is a stepper-motor driver IC with a built-in translator circuit for easy operation of microstepping functions. With the new device, it is only necessary to input one pulse on the step input for the motor to take one microstep. There are no phase sequence tables, high-frequency control lines or complex interfaces to program.
• Pay back less on your electricity bill - One might think that accidentally leaving a light on wouldn't lead to excessive electricity bills. However, at the French National Agricultural Research Centre (INRA), hundreds of busy engineers work around the clock, and frequently forget to turn off the lights. The solution to the problem has been a Carlo Gavazzi Dupline monitoring system, employed to switch the lights off in uninhabited rooms, which was so effective that its payback time was just two months. This radically reduced the institute's electricity bill by the simplest means possible.
• Mighty power in a small package - Rhopoint Systems has announced the availability of a new range of HPCs (High Performance Controllers) designed for the machine builder. There are two versions available, the V5-1000 and the V5-2000. Both models feature bespoke front plates, tailored to suit the user's corporate identity by incorporating logos, colours and function names. It is supplied with a keyboard, featuring up to 64 keys, allowing for the possibility of an alphanumeric keyboard. Furthermore, each key can be supplied with an icon, making its function clear. The V5-2000 is available with a VGA display in monochrome or colour that shows static images, graphics, dynamic text and variables.

• Acquisition news - Moore Industries has purchased Powers Process Controls Instrument Division (Skokie, IL), a unit of Crane Corporation. The acquisition includes Powers' family of multifunction 1/4 DIN single- and multi-loop process controllers, intelligent 1/8 DIN process indicators, and 1/4 DIN PID backup stations designed for use on critical loops controlled by PLC, DCS and PC-based systems. "These products are a perfect addition to our lines of signal interface and control instruments, especially considering our avid commitment to leadership in safety related and critical loop applications," stated Leonard Moore, founder and CEO of Moore Industries. "We acquired them to strengthen our strategic position in traditional domestic and international markets, as well as to create opportunities in important new market segments."
• Fluid dispensing system features air-free performance - A fully programmable, electric powered and mechanically operated system that is air-free for precisely dispensing any viscosity fluid or adhesive is available from Fishman Corporation. Their LDS9000 Mechanical Dispensing System features an easy to program control unit and a hand‹held dispensing gun that employs a precise, linear actuator‹driven piston to push a fluid or adhesive through a plastic syringe.
• New illuminated switches - Devlin Electronics have announced several new ranges of illuminated switches, the SA more specialised units and the sophisticated snap-in illuminted push in panel mounted LTM 3 series.

• Customised flat-panel monitor developed for major health-care equipment supplier - Planar Systems, a worldwide leader in the development and marketing of electronic information display systems, has collaborated with leading health-care equipment specialist Datex-Ohmeda to develop a flat-panel monitor that combines safety, customisation and seamless integration into the medical environment. Datex-Ohmeda, the largest division of the Instrumentarium Corporation of Finland, is the world's leading supplier of anaesthesia equipment, systems and services and an emerging leader in critical care products. For Datex-Ohmeda, the patient is the focus. The company does not want to take any risks by using non-medical-grade components in its equipment which might compromise the safety of patients or care givers. This was a key criterion when the company was starting to look for a flat-panel monitor as an option to replace the traditional CRT - a move brought about by evolving customer requirements.
• IDC connector range includes high-temperature versions - Harting has introduced a range of 0.1 inch (2.54 mm) IDO insulation displacement connectors which meets DIN 41651/M1L-C 83 502, UL/CSA and other national and international standard approvals. The range includes high-temperature versions in POT material to UK 94-VO, making them suitable for use with SMC surface-mount production processes based on pin-in-hole intrusive reflow (PIHIR) soldering.

• New operator interfaces to be introduced - GE Fanuc Automations will introduce a new generation of QuickPanel operator interface displays - which offer built-in Ethernet connectivity, 4 MB memory and backlight burnout detection - during America's National Manufacturing Week (Chicago, March 18-21). Available in 7.5," 10.5," and 12.1" sizes and designed to occupy minimal panel space, the new displays are designed for use in any size industrial application.
• One global source secures EMC compliance and power quality - As part of an initiative to supply complete solutions for the protection of power systems, Schaffner has introduced new product ranges and support services which go far beyond EMC compliance alone ? to enhance functional capability, improve reliability and optimise the performance of entire systems.

• Small contact pressure - Sensor Products tell us that their Mylar-based product Pressure Points offers the ability to instantaneously obtain an accurate reading of pressure magnitude and distribution on any two contacting or mating surfaces. The technology is unique in that it is customizable for very small contact areas needing pressure testing. Any engineer involved with maintenance, calibration or production on almost any process application with electronics engineering would be eager to learn of this new product.
• New low-cost mini clamp meters - Meterman has introduced two compact handheld clamp meters for conductors up to 25.4mm in diameter. Aimed at the electrical test and industrial markets, the safety category III meters are available from a wide range of distributors and major electrical wholesalers.

• Sweet success for advanced new motion control software - Baldor has supplied three multi-axis motion control systems to Premier Packaging. The systems are being used to upgrade three Cadbury chocolate bar wrapping/cartoning machines. The refurbished machines are destined for Canada, where Cadbury is introducing flow wrappers on its popular Dairy Milk bar, in place of the traditional foil wrapper and paper label. The project was extremely time sensitive, and Premier Packaging refurbished the machines in around four months, and imposed an even tighter schedule on its sub-contractors - which Baldor met by employing the multi-tasking features of the Mint motion control language.
• Sensors presentations sought - ISA is looking for speakers for its 2nd Sensors for Industry Conference on 18-20 November 2002 in Houston.

• New ProfiBus connection - Red Lion Controls continues to expand the connectivity of it's powerful range of Human Machine Interfaces with the release of the PAPBH, Paradigm ProfiBus Host Adapter. The PAPBH provides a communication channel from a PROFIBUS-DP EN50170 network to any of their Paradigm operator interface terminals.
• Free DMM from online store - To celebrate the launch of it's new ON-LINE store, Lascar Electronics is giving away a free multimeter to anyone who spends over stg£50 at their new website www.Iascaretectronics.com The DMM 350 multimeter is equipped with 5 functions and 19 ranges, with each test position selected with a simple turn of the FUNCTION/RANGE selector rotary switch. To claim the DMM 350, all visitors need do is visit their new on-line store at www.Iascaretectronics.com and spend over stg£50 (ex. VAT & carriage) on any of the digital panel meters, data loggers or power supplies listed. A FREE DMM 350 will be included with their order. This promotion is available immediately and until stocks last.
• New controller provides direct read/write access to industrial data from desktop browsers - Control Technology Corp., leading manufacturer of automation controllers that integrate motion control, I/O, user interfaces, and enterprise connectivity, has released its new patented Blue Fusion line of automation controllers. In addition to providing high performance device control, the 5100 Series Blue Fusion controllers support today's most popular IT and Web standards, including HTTP, XML, SOAP, and SMTP.

• US$1.3m donated to Canadian institution - CEA Systems Inc has donated US$ 1.3 million to the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Calgary, Alberta. CEA Systems Inc. has donated US $1.3 million of plant design software known as Plant-4D This donation was made to support and improve the training and education of engineers of their University Plant-4D is the next generation of Plant Design Software, and will run transparently in AutoCAD and MicroStation. It is designed to significantly reduce the cost and time in designing plants and or modifying existing facilities in the oil and gas industry, pulp and paper industry, and any other industry, which requires pressurized piping. The software has been in use for about five years internationally but is relatively new to Canada.

• Two-channel arbitrary waveform generator operates to 40 MS/s - The TGA1242, new from Thurlby Thandar (TTi), is a two-channel arbitrary waveform generator with a maximum clock speed of 40 MHz. It is capable of generating two waveforms which can be either fully independent or linked using simple or complex relationships including full inter-channel triggering, summing and phase control.
• Robots and biochips: forum focuses on practical uses - With more than 45 lectures and presentations, the ANALYTICA Forum will feature an unsurpassed program of information events covering everything from new products for laboratory automation and the use of IT and Internet systems in the pharmaceuticals industry to lab-on-chip solutions. This year's show is expected to live up to its reputation as Europe's leading trade fair for analysis and life sciences.

• Motion control report - Recently published is the transcript of a roundtable discussion held during the ISA Show and Conference last year. It was sponsored by ISA and the Industrial Controls Consulting Division of Bulls eye Marketing. This forum brings together 10 top executives from the industry to discuss issues of the day. This includes open systems, Linux, the internet, embedded web servers and PC based control.

• New currency launches in Europe - The launch of the Euro (€ )! This is the largest ever changeover in currencies in history and 304 million people will be effected. The Island of Reunion was first to change followed by Finland and Greece and then the other members of the European Union with the exception of Britain, Denmark and Sweden. All in all there are 12 countries in all who have decided to be part of this grand adventure.