See Archive Page for earlier news.

30/9/02

The eyes have it! - DVT Corporation, the "SmartImage Sensor Specialists," provide a virtual tour of their product range which includes interactive training, software and emulator. The training module allows a review of up to 30 hours of free interactive hardware and software training. It also includes customer testimonials and case studies.
Education and training brochure - The ISA Training Institute brochure with hands-on courses, distance education products and more is now available.

Low cost industrial flat panel monitors - Pro-face has announced the release of two new, low cost, ultra slim, flat panel monitors. Available as a 12.1" TFT colour SVGA (UF6620-2) and 15" TFT colour XGA (UF7820-4), these units have high brightness displays and wide viewing angles. Units have a depth of less than 63mm, come as standard with an analogue resistive touch panel and are designed to meet the demands of the harshest factory environments.
Fast guides for RS-485 simplify network design & maintenance - Everybody's talking about Industrial Ethernet, Internet, fieldbuses and wireless these days, but RS-485 is still one of the most popular networks in the world. It links millions of serial ports together in factories, retail stores and vehicles. To help millions of users do a better job of installing, maintaining and trouble shooting RS-485 networks, B&B Electronics (B&B Europe) has introduced a pair of RS-485 "Fast Guides."

Nuremberg show bucks trend - The innovative technologies of the electrical automation branch are converging on Nuremberg from 26-28 November 2002 for the SPS/IPC/DRIVES 2002. Despite the comparatively more difficult economic environment, which has also affected automation suppliers, this show has once again not only achieved but surpassed last year's results. Over 730 exhibitors will be displaying their product portfolio, the latest solutions and the technological trends. The exhibitors are occupying 5 exhibition halls (41,500 sqm), which is larger than ever before (in 2000 it was 40,000 sqm). In the face of the current economic situation and the decline being felt by many other exhibitions, this result is a clear sign of the significance of the event within the industry.
New manifold sets new standard for integrity and compactness - Parker Instrumentation has released a novel new style of double-block-and-bleed manifold, based on a one-piece construction that eliminates numerous potential leak paths compared with traditional assemblies. Providing very high integrity - and additionally reducing size and weight - the manifold, Called Pro-Valve, is ideal for implementing instrument take-offs wherever reliability and/or compactness are important, and includes offshore oil and gas platforms, and chemical/petrochemical plants.
Smart Manufacturing Ireland announced - Pantek has announced that it is to run its next Smart Manufacturing Conference in Dublin, Ireland on the 13/14 November 2002 in Dublin. This follows on from the success of their initial 'Smart Manufacturing Conference' held in Grantham (GB) in 2001 and its subsequent Smart Manufacturing Interactive Workshops held earlier this year. Marketing manager Susannah Brook commented: "Smart Manufacturing in Dublin will provide attendees with manufacturing information from both Pantek and industry experts. Participants will be able to attend Business and Technology seminars, which will include current market trends in Collaborative Manufacturing, Microsoft's role and Wonderware's position and roadmap.
Flash Microcontrollers to enable new applications in thousands of products - Motorola, Inc., the world's market leader in microcontrollers, unveils a new microcontroller product line designed to give manufacturers increased flexibility, and a broad range of products enhanced functionality. Equipped with flash technology at a low price point, the Motorola Nitron HC08 family of 8-bit microcontrollers will impact consumer, automotive and industrial products ranging from light dimmer switches to washing machines.

New high accuracy, low cost particle counter - For on-line real time water monitoring, Rosemount Analytical (part of Emerson Process Management, have introduced an infra-red laser based particle size monitor. Applications range from low cost, high accuracy measurements when monitoring drinking water, to measuring suspended iron and copper corrosion particles in steam condensate streams on power plants. The PC-1 Particle Counter monitors particles within the 2-400 micron range, making it significantly more sensitive than a turbidity meter, important for early detection of filter break-through, in potable water and wastewater treatment plants. Pathogens are too small to be detected with turbidity, but are easily detected with a particle counter.

"Perfect your process" - Thermo Brandt, Thermo Flow Automation, Thermo Measurement, Thermo Polysonics, and Thermo Westronics comprise the Flow Systems group of Thermo Electron Corporation. Their new instrumentation offering now includes such products as pitot/static probes and arrays, differential pressure transmitters, turbine flow meters, ultrasonic flow meters, density meters, signal conditioning equipment, gas flow computers, data acquisition systems, and power quality monitoring devices. "We are excited about our new changes and the variety of innovative products and solutions we can offer our customers." Says Marketing Manager, Jan Nguyen.

Sensors show - ISA-The Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society announced it will once again collaborate with the Instrumentation and Measurement Society of IEEE to organize the Sensors for Industry Conference and Exhibition: SIcon/02, 18-21 November, 2002, in Houston. SIcon/02 is designed to bring professionals involved in all aspects of sensor technologies together at a single forum. As SIcon steering committee chair Harold S. Goldberg noted, "SIcon is a different type of conference. It stops the incestuous talking among ourselves that occurs at most design and academic meetings. SIcon brings together all those who are engaged in the technology of sensors and their applications and use."

World's first integrated optical reference receiver for high-speed network element production test - Tektronix, the leading innovator in optical communication technologies, today announced key performance breakthroughs for its popular communications signal analyser developed specifically for testing 40 gigabit per second (Gbit/s) products. Optical equipment manufacturers pursuing new high-bandwidth technologies (OC-768/STM-256) require the fastest available tools that deliver accurate repeatable measurements for conformance testing to verify the performance of prototypes and early production samples -- a critical step in bringing advanced technologies to market in a cost-effective manner.
Motor controller IC with built-in drivers - The new A3936 from Allegro MicroSystems is an advanced 3-phase brushless DC motor controller/driver IC featuring 3 A DMOS outputs and on-chip commutation logic. The use of integrated 3 A, 50 V DMOS drivers provides a smaller and more cost-effective 3-phase motion control solution to the pulse-width modulated (PWM) current control of three-phase brushless DC motors.
Shielded connector for sensitive bus signals - Now available from Harting is the new Han Quintax Z Series, a shielded connector module designed for use with the company's Han-Modular range of heavy-duty industrial connectors. The Z Series contact has been introduced to simplify field assembly and installation.
First I/P transmitter CSA-approved to use natural gas as pneumatic supply In hazardous and remote site applications - Moore Industries' new model IPX2 is the first current-to-pressure transmitter approved to be used with natural gas as its pneumatic supply. This allows the IPX2 to be installed at gas gathering stations, compressor stations, pipeline feed applications, and booster stations where it is impractical or impossible to supply instrument air for pneumatic valve actuation.

Drink to me only - Diageo plc, the parent company of Guinness UDV Ireland, is to invest €38m in its Waterford and Dundalk Breweries. Making the announcement on Monday Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Mary Harney said, "The investment in production facilities and new technology is required to meet the increasing demand for the special ingredient which is used to brew Guinness at fifty breweries around the world. Enterprise Ireland is supporting this development and I am pleased that such a major level of investment has been secured for the Waterford Brewery". The conversion of Waterford to a new state of the art production facility will cost €34m. Additional investment will be involved in the transfer of ale production to the Guinness UDV-owned Dundalk Brewery, resulting in the expansion of Dundalk's existing product range. The investment safeguards existing employment levels rather than creating new jobs.
New drive family - A new range drive product families from micromotor and drive specialist Faulhaber Group has ben launched by EMS in Britain. One of the new products is the Series 17 DC Micromotor duo with integrated encoders and their companion Series 16A Spur Gearheads and the Series 16/7 Planetary Gearheads. The two new DC Micromotors are the Series 1717...SR and the 1724...SR. They are just 17mhn diameter and 17mm or 24mm-long respectively and benefit from the high power-to-volume neodymium magnet.
French/Japanese alliance "to bring innovative and comprehensive offers to their customers." - Last week Digital Electronics Corporation of Japan, the parent company of the Pro-face group of companies, announced that it had accepted, in principle, a take over bid from Schneider Electric S.A. of France.

Instrument site among top ten for second year running - For the second consecutive year, the Association of Support Professionals (ASP) has named National Instruments Web site, ni.com, one of the year's 10 best Web support sites. The ASP, representing more than 1,000 technical support managers and professionals, praised ni.com for its extensive KnowledgeBase, overall usability and design, search implementation, and interactive features. Judges evaluated Web-based customer support sites and selected ten winners including National Instruments, Cisco Systems, Microsoft Great Plains, and Network Associates.

I/O capability of compact PLC series expanded - GE Fanuc has introduced one new model plus new expansion units in its compact high-performance VersaMax Nano and VersaMax Micro PLC Series which extend the I/O capabilities of the product range. The ultra-compact Nano Series now includes a new version with analogue input, while the I/O capability of the Micro Series can be expanded with either new analogue I/O modules, or new 28 point I/O modules. These additions make the VersaMax Nano and Micro PLC product line one of the most flexible on the market.

New catalogue - The new Keller catalogue has been issued. Based in Switzerland, they are Europe's largest manufacturer of piezoresistive stainless steel pressure capsules, transducers and transmitters. They specialise in the cost effective production of pressure sensors and transmitters for use in industrial and scientific applications, whether you require the most accurate state of the art measurements or just a simple readout, there is one of their products to fit the bill. We also have the capacity to supply specialist products or sub-assemblies for high volume OEM applications.

Digital flowmeter adds DSP technology to field-proven sensor - Yokogawa has introduced DigitalYEWFLO, the latest in a successful line of vortex flowmeters that have been pushing back the boundaries of flow measurement since their introduction back in 1969. Built around the field-proven sensor technology of the popular YEWFLO series of vortex flowmeters, but with the addition of an advanced digital signal processing system known as spectral signal processing (SSP), DigitalYEWFLO dynamically analyses the incoming signal from the shedder bar and isolates the flow signal from any accompanying noise caused by pipe vibration, pumps, valves or bends.
Good news: Industrial control business indices point to rebound - Shipments of industrial controls have finally begun to turn around, according to the NEMA Industrial Control Business Indices, a pair of new business indicators released by the Industrial Automation Control Products and Systems Section of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). Prior to the first quarter of this year, the Primary Industrial Control Index had fallen in each period for seven of the nine previous quarters. The first quarter 2002 index gained 7 percent over its fourth quarter level, and the second quarter index improved another 8 percent.
High international attendance at Chinese show - AnalyticaChina 2002 staged by Messe Muenchen International (MMI) successfully closed at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) recently. The show successfully drew over 6,500 visitors as targeted, coming from the fields of Management, Technology, Sales and Service mainly from China and the neighbouring countries. Exhibitors, visitors and professionals regard AnalyticaChina to become one of the most influential trade fairs in the field.

4 new instruments - 4 new opportunities - "Improve the efficiency and save time on your calibration tasks." Jofra are introducing four new instruments.
ETC: Super fast dry-block temperature calibrator.
CPC: New digital pressure calibrator
ASC300: New high accurate but still easy-to-use handheld multi-function calibrator
AMC900: High accurate bench-top process signal calibrator.
Advanced hand-held nuclear radiation meter - The palmRAD 904 from Berkley Nucleonics, measures alpha, beta, gamma, and x-rays and fulfills an important need for small, easy to use radiation detection instrumentation within the emergency response, domestic preparedness, hazardous material safety and law enforcement communities.

Moisture transmitter - Michell instruments has developed a rugged, self contained hygrometer designed specifically for the measurement of trace moisture content in high purity gases. The PURA Pure Gas Dew-Point Transmitter represents a landmark in moisture transmitter design, giving high accuracy, stability and repeatability in a specialised application, offered at a highly competitive price. It has been developed for and tested by the semiconductor industry, to measure trace moisture in the high purity gases used in the processing of silicon wafers in a semiconductor fabrication plant.
New supervisory software boosts utilization of production equipment, reduces machine downtime - The new Cimplicity i CelL from GE Fanuc Automation is a Windows-based, supervisory software package that manages multiple CNC machine tools from a central location. Supporting such operations as parts machining, data collection, remote diagnostics and state-change monitoring, as well as enabling quick recovery in the event of a failure, it can increase machining productivity by reducing downtime and optimizing equipment performance.
A new PLC - FAB series intelligent controller is the newest kind of mini logic controller with removable programming board, you can program for it by function blocks. It also have some special functions such as voice function, telephone control, communication via modem, network & monitoring function, dial telephone number and 8 analog inputs etc. So you can use FAB as a little common logic PLC, also you can find a lot of special utilization for it. "If you would like to take a note on FAB Giant, you will get more much profit. It is a good product with a lot of innovative thinking." according to Array, the manufacturers. They are looking for distributor or partner or OEM for FAB products worldwide these days.

New handheld thermocouple calibrator accepts Type K T/Cs, and High/Low Alarm and Selectable Resolution - Used to source and measure Type K thermocouple output values, Dwyer Instruments is proud to announce the release of the Model CAIO Thermocouple Calibrator. This instrument can be used as a secondary calibration source for many applications using Type K thermocouples. The Model CAl 0 is able to source and measure temperatures from -40 to 760degC. The unit has an accuracy of +/-0.1pc and a reading rate of 2.5 times per second.
New software verifies EMC test chamber uniformity - New software just launched by EMC specialist Schaffner will help EMC test laboratories meet the test chamber field uniformity tests specified by IEC61000-4-3. According to Schaffner, the limitations of software currently available on the market, mean that most test laboratories and test houses are unable to meet the requirements of the standard. To address this issue, the company has developed two additional functions for its EMC Compliance 3 software which help engineers check the consistency of field uniformity, and its stability over time.

Powerful, multi-platform solution for managing HART devices - Smar International Corp has announced the introduction of CONF4OI, a powerful configuration software package enabling a desktop PC to serve as a full-featured configurator and device manager for HART instruments. Designed to run on both MS Windows and UNIX platforms, the CONF4O1 software provides a user-friendly, multi-platform solution for managing HART-based device networks.
4-20mA loop powered waterproof indicator - Lascar Electronics has expanded its range of 4-2OmA loop powered process indicators, by introducing the DPM 742-BL. The indicator has a 3.5 digit display with 12.7mm digit height and programmable decimal points. LED backlighting is available (separate powersupply required) ensuring a visible display in low light conditions. An optional 1P67 rated bezel protects the indicator against moisture and particles in hostile environments. Calibrated via two multi-turn potentiometers, the DPM 742-BL offers a wide adjustment range and has a low drift bandgap reference circuit for accurate readings over a wide temperature range. The DPM 742-BL is available immediately and is suitable for high and low volume applications.
Introduction of test tool package - Fluke has combined its top-of-the range, handheld 189 Digital Multimeter (DMM), the powerful FlukeView Forms software for analysing and reporting measurements, a ToolPak meter hanging solution and a soft carry case, all into a new money-saving combination package. The Fluke 189 PLUS Pack is available for a limited period only. The Fluke 189 has a lifetime warranty.
Manufacturing Excellence Using Digital Bus Technology - On Wednesday 30 October 2002, the Institute of Chemical Engineers is organising a day of presentations on "Digital Bus Technology" to show the simplicity of commissioning and maintenance of bus technology in process control. Around this event, Emerson Process Management has organised a basic introduction course on October 29 to demonstrate their DeltaV digital automation system, which can use Fieldbus or conventional I/O. On the Thursday 31st, a choice of courses is offered. AMS (Asset Management Solutions) software is described, for monitoring of plant assets, supporting plant personnel in device configuration, calibration and diagnosis of equipment problems. An alternative course will show how Advanced Control can be implemented and how it can improve plant performance. Emerson's involvement has led some irreverant wags to refer to this as MiniMEW a reference to the excellent workshops organised through them in the spring! Here is a report the May MEW.
For more information contact Nick Taylor and ask for the brochure.

Systems safety expert will keep Transmitton on track - Transmitton Technical Director Alan Cuff, a prime-mover in developing safety-related systems now widely used in the rail industry, is to continue in this role as part of a newly-strengthened senior management team. Alan, who has been Technical Director of the company for 12 years, has responsibility for technology, development and quality assurance, and is a senior consultant for the company's rail systems operations.

A serial protocol to Ethernet gateway - Factory Gateway from ProFace, offers programless Ethernet connectivity with serial devices. Users can choose from over 50 available protocols to be connected with a Factory Gateway unit. Factory Gateway offers easy and flexible data collection from various production machines to information management systems via an Ethernet Network. Factory Gateway is ideal for data collection and remote monitoring of production facilities, which do not require advanced operator interfaces, or those that do not have a network interface but need one for higher production and quality control.
New aluminium frame motors save weight and cost for automation OEMs - A range of aluminium IEC-frame AC electric motors, just launched by Baldor, provides substantial weight savings compared with cast iron frame alternatives, as well as reduced costs. Spanning the 0.12 to 7.5 kW power range, the range is CE-approved but can be optionally specified to meet UL and CSA standards - simplifying life for international machinery exporters.
Three new families of POL converters launched - Artesyn Technologies has launched three new families of single-output, non-isolated point-of-load (POL) converters that are specifically designed for use in cost-critical applications such as computer workstations, PCs, servers and data storage devices.

International president to attend conference - ISA President Pino Zani will be in Arles (F) as Presenter/Chairman on "Economics of Automation" with Dr Jacques Richalet at the Forum Advantic on the 11th September. He will also be talking on the "New Challenges & Benefits of Advanced Automation in the Industry" (Conference the 12th Afternoon) with industrial experts including Professor Barry Lennox from Manchester University at the batch processes session. In all there will be 2 days of high level discussion on New Technologies of Automation with several sessions & a "Technical Tribune" with DCS/ PLC applications & tutorials. ISA france will organize a Dinner to honour President Zani on the evnening of the 12th.