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29/9/03

Filter housings and elements - Housings and elements from Classic Filters are suitable for a wide range of coalescing and particulate filtration of liquids and gases. The company's coalescing filters - which separate liquid aerosols and droplets from gases by means of a high-efficiency coalescing layer and a coarser outer drainage layer - will also remove particulates with the same efficiency as particulate filter elements of the same grade.
New man in Asia-Pacific - FCX - the global flow control distribution and manufacturing group - has appointed Curt Tebbutt to head up its successful Asia Pacific division. Mr Tebbutt becomes Managing Director of FCX Asia Pacific, encompassing FCX Pegler Beacon Australia, FCX Taylors and FCX Pegler Beacon New Zealand and replaces Mr Fred Cross, who has retired from the position after 35 years of service.
New suite of 100 MS/s mixed-signal PXI Instruments - National Instruments has announced a suite of 100 MS/s PXI instruments that increases flexibility and system performance for rapid prototyping and test of mixed-signal devices and systems. This modular instrumentation suite is matched in frequency and capability and includes four new instruments built on common hardware architecture. The suite includes:
- New 100 and 50 MHz digital waveform generator/analysers (NI PXI6552 and NI PXI6551)
- New 100 MS/s, 16-bit arbitrary waveform generator (NI PXI-5421)
- New 100 MS/s, 14-bit high-resolution digitiser (NI PXI-5122)
- 100 MHz clock and frequency generator (NI PXI-5404, introduced Feb. 2003)
- 500 MHz switching module (NI PXI-2593, introduced July 2003)
- Timing and synchronisation module (NI PXI-6653, available Q4 2003)
The new modules, combined with the company's precision DC and RF PXI instruments, are ideal for applications in consumer electronics, communications, semiconductor, military/avionics and scientific research, including digital audio and video, data converters, base band communications, RADAR and high-energy physics.
New operations manager appointed - Pico Technology, specialists in PC-oscilloscopes and PC-based data loggers, has appointed Nigel Sheppard as Operations Manager to respond to increasing demands for the company's popular low-cost test and measurement solutions.

Latest version of platform increases productivity, improves security and streamlines information access - Building upon the success of the award-winning iFIX SCADA technology platform, GE Fanuc Automation has released iFIX 3.5, introducing powerful new project management, data accessibility and security features. Through this new functionality, manufacturers can reduce development time, improve enterprise connectivity and gain greater overall control of their production processes. "As plant floor systems become increasingly pervasive, there has been a greater focus on streamlining HMI/SCADA application development, enhancing application management and security capabilities, and increasing access to informationŠ especially from thin clients, mobile devices and the Web," said John Pritchard, President PLC/Solutions, GE Fanuc Automation Europe. "With iFIX 3.5, we're enabling systems integrators and end-users alike to take their capabilities one step further in each of these areas."

Stamp honours physicist - This year marks the Centenary of the birth of Irish Physicist ETS Walton. Born in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ernest Thomas Sinton Walton, emerged as one of the leading figures in the history of physics. In 1932, in collaboration with John Cockroft, his revolutionary experiment, in which he split the atom by artificial means, brought him to world attention and marked the birth of accelerator-based experimental nuclear physics. He was honoured with the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1951, the only Irishman to be so honoured. He presented his Nobel medal and citation to Trinity College, Dublin - where he was Head of the Physics Department from 1947-74 - shortly before his death in 1995.
This stamp was issued in his honour on 16th September and the Read-out Forum held that day was dedicated to his memory. Here are Pictures of the Forum"

Security partnership announced - UK based, information solutions and services specialist, Thales Information Systems has partnered with Verano Inc., the provider of cyber-security management and control solutions for mission-critical industrial operations, to sell Industrial Defender - the first real-time security software and services suite designed specifically for industrial control environments. The security solution is targeted for use by mission-critical industries, including power generation, energy distribution, water treatment, process control waste handling and transportation markets.

Microstepping drives in Eurocard format - SmartDrive, leading manufacturer of Eurocard format stepper drive systems, is offering a range of half-stepping and microstepping drives based upon the popular 3U x 160 mm Eurocard format. The half-stepping D Series or microstepping DM Series are ideally suited to applications where extra smoothness and resolution are required. Both ranges utilise top-quality MOSFET technology coupled with high-efficiency heatsinking to provide continuous motor winding currents of up to 16.5 A within a 9HP (46 mm) module width.
Plant of the Year announced - HART Communication Foundation Executive Director Ron Helson today announced that the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) in Detroit, Mich., has been selected as the HART Plant of the Year for 2003. The award is given annually to recognize success in the innovative use of HART Communication technology in real-time process applications.
The complete reporting solution! - SyTech Inc, leading provider of automated report generation and data analysis software, has announced XLReporter Professional Version 5.0. With this new release, the company claims to fulfill its pledge: "Collect, Report, Analyze and Distribute". It is the most cost effective application for automatically interfacing to any data source, creating a report in Excel, turning the report into actionable information and then sending it to printers, email, fileservers and web servers.

Unplugged but not disconnected! - If you have heard industry pundit Jim Pinto speak, or read his barbed writings or laugh-out-loud poems, or subscribe to his popular e-newsletter, you'll enjoy his new ISA book: "Automation unplugged - Pinto's perspectives, prognostications, predictions & poetry". Set to debut at ISA EXPO 2003 in Houston 21-23 October, it is loaded with critical analysis of the changing face of industrial automation; predictions about future automation technology trends including Pinto's provoking prognostications on what major supplier companies will survive, and what ones won't; the best of his articles on marketing & distribution; and his highly rated fieldbus commentary. Of course, the book also includes the best-of-the-best poems from the recognized "poet laureate of instrumentation" If you'd like to meet Jim Pinto in person, he'll be at ISA, presenting and autographing his hot-off-the-press book.
More ISA Publications
Rush to buy it now!
Paper & pulp R&D facility - Some 100 jobs will be created at ABB Ltd, the international power and engineering consultancy group, at its existing plant in Dundalk, north of Dublin. The new jobs, due to come on-line over the next three years, are said to be of particular value as they are in R&D and marketing for the pulp and paper industry, areas which were described as "key functions".

Strategic alliance aimed at precision motion control applications - SmartDrive, the Cambridge (GB) -based supplier of stepper-motor drive systems, has been appointed as a distributor by Heidenhain, the world's leading manufacturer of encoders for precision motion control applications. The new agreement is the first step in a strategic alliance between the two companies, who will combine their product and engineering expertise to provide complete drive solutions - particularly in the precision scientific and laboratory markets.
Control system part finder service - ClassicAutomation announced today the release of its Part Finder Service. This innovative service provides distributed control system (DCS) and PLC users with a reliable source of high quality, surplus parts. The company utilizes its network of part suppliers to locate hard to find surplus parts that help control system users lower their maintenance costs and extend system life. Fritz Ruebeck, a former global Vice-President of instrumentation and control product service for a major automation vendor founded ClassicAutomation to address the needs of the $65 billion (ARC estimated) installed base of older control systems. "Many companies that use control systems have a variety of DCS and PLC systems from multiple vendors. This service lets these users work with a single vendor for all of their control system surplus part needs" said Ruebeck.
Automation at €61m Amersham plant in Norway - Emerson Process Management has won a contract to automate and control a new plant in Norway for Amersham, a world leader in medical diagnostics and life sciences. The Amersham Health plant will provide batch production of diagnostic imaging reagents that highlight organs, tissues and cells inside the human body for the early detection, diagnosis and management of disease. They will apply the PlantWeb digital plant architecture to deliver fast start-up, and to realise project and maintenance savings, in part through predictive diagnostics supported by FF communications technology. Emerson will provide project management, configuration and start-up services. The plant in Lindesnes, Norway is scheduled to begin operation in January 2005.
Industrial Ethernet connectors offer IP67 protection - Harting has introduced a number of additions to its RJ Industrial Ethernet connector family which feature IP67 class protection against dirt, dust and fluids. The IP67 data variant of the RJ Industrial connector offers all the advantages of the modular RJ45 data module with their patented HARAX quick-fit technology. The housing, which is available in metal or plastic and in straight and angled versions, is based on the company's established Han 3A family.
News in Italian - Manufacturing plants are located around the globe and the people involved are interested in news regarding industrial applications. ARC Advisory Group has been providing its ARCwire news service - the voice for the Manufacturing Industry - in English, German, and Japanese. Now, through a partnership with Fabio Casiraghi, it is available in Italian.

Resignation - It has been reported that Dr Jim Pearson, Executive Director of ISA, the Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society, has submitted his resignation to the board. He has agreed to remain at his post until a successor has been appointed.

Instantly access, document and analyse valuable data using openchoice software on popular line of value oscilloscopes - Tektronix, the world's leading manufacturer of oscilloscopes for electronic design, troubleshooting and service applications, today announced new options for its popular value families of digital oscilloscopes including a software package and CompactFlash mass storage that integrate the oscilloscope with a personal computer for simplified documentation and analysis. Tektronix' value oscilloscopes - TDS1000, TDS2000 and TDS3000B Series - target design and manufacturing engineers and service technicians as well as professors and lab managers.
Full set of development tools for the PNX300x Digital One Chip (DOC) high-end analog/digital broadcast TV solution - Ashling now provide a full range of debug and trace tools to support the Philips PNX300x series. By applying Ashling's powerful real-time debug technology, the Ashling tools design team has ensured that users of Philips PNX300x DOC microcontrollers can benefit from a powerful and flexible development and debug toolset from the outset. The built-in processing power of the Ashling emulation system and its sophisticated debugger interface, fine-tuned for the PNX300x architecture, ensures rapid and trouble-free deployment of the development environment. In turn, this provides the developer with a fast, low-risk product development process. Future adopters of the Philips PNX300x microcontrollers will gain from the power of the Ashling toolset to develop, debug, test and validate their applications.

Manage plant performance in real time - ExperTune has released a Web-based presentation that outlines methods for managing the performance of process plants in real-time to get "huge increases in performance and productivity." The presentation describes a set of tools required to achieve real-time performance management.
E-commerce solution helps customers choose the right test equipment - Since the recent launch of Livingston's new website and its web-based catalogue in July 2003, the company has seen a dramatic increase in its level of business activity via e-commerce. A major factor in Livingston's e-commerce success is the popular and accessible online catalogue. The catalogue provides a detailed, up-to-the minute inventory of products that can be rented or bought from Livingston, and its sophisticated search tool enables users to quickly and easily locate test equipment by product or related products, manufacturer or by technology. The system even recommends similar products in the event that the requested product is not available, and can advise customers on the right test equipment for their application. Furthermore, the online catalogue is unique in that it allows users to compare the price of renting against buying equipment.

Novel transmitter brings easy radio technology to hand - Low Power Radio Solutions has gone back to the drawing board with the design of its latest transmitter. The ER400PEN is a fully self-contained low-power transmitter, capable of performing up to seven functions, and making full use of the companyâs highly acclaimed Easy Radio technology to provide "bullet-proof" telecommand and control at ranges up to 100m. According to Managing Director Barry Gillibrand: "When we came to look at the sorts of applications to which our users were putting our transmitter modules, we realised that we could incorporate the vast majority of the functions into a single packaged unit. This means that even low-volume users can take advantage of the economies of our higher-volume manufacturing without having to reinvent the wheel every time they want a slightly different transmitter design".
Compact current transducers measure currents up to 50 ARMS - LEM has added two new members to its HX series of PCB-mounting current transducers to extend the measuring range up to 50 ARMS. The two new models, for 25 A and 50 ARMS nominal measurements, bring the total number of transducers in the range to 14, providing primary nominal current measurement of 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 & 50 ARMS with either a bipolar ±12 to 15 V or unipolar +12 to 15 V power supply. Three more transducers with dual primary windings for 5, 10 & 15 ARMS nominal ratings and sharing the same standard case size are also available.
Italian franchise - Artesyn Technologies, world leader in providing advanced power conversion equipment and real-time subsystems to the communications industry, has appointed Spectrum Group Italia as its representative in the Italian market. Italy becomes the fifth sales territory in Europe that the Spectrum Group will manage for the vendor - joining France, Spain, the UK and Benelux.

A flexible approach to increasingly demanding hybrid stepper and spur gearbox applications - Complementing Rotalink's wide range of hybrid stepper motors, the SQ40 spur gearbox series combine highly flexible options and competitive pricing to provide engineered solutions for a growing number of applications where fast and precise high torque positioning is required. Application areas for stepper motors fitted with spur gearboxes has increased considerably in the last few years to include diverse requirements such as analytical instruments, air and liquid valve control, vending machines and dispensing equipment. In the past, these applications might have used gearboxes with regular AC synchronous, shaded pole or DC motors but with increased acceleration and performance requirements, the use of hybrid stepper motors with their inherent low cost open loop control has met and exceeded these more demanding challenges.

2 GHz full performance RF generator - The new TGR2050, developed and manufactured by TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments), is a low-cost synthesised 150 kHz to 2 GHz signal generator which incorporates the essential features required for most RF development, test and service work: namely, frequency accuracy and stability, wide dynamic range, low phase noise and low leakage.
Independent panel recognises process knowledge solutions that drive manufacturing success - Honeywell Industry Solutions announced today that it has won a 2003 Technology & Business Vision Award presented by Start Magazine and Microsoft. The award recognizes Honeywell for Experion PKS, a next-generation business, process and asset management system that enables customers to integrate, control and monitor complex processes in a range of industrial settings. Experion PKS and its associated Process Knowledge Solutions(tm) enable companies to manage process knowledge across multiple facilities and use that information to improve business agility, process performance and the effectiveness of assets and people.
New Ethernet I/O gateway - The new EtherTRAKš Redundant Ethernet I/O Gateway (model ET-GT-ST-3) from SixNet, provides a redundant Ethernet interface for distributed I/O clusters. The ET-GT-ST-3 extends SIXNET's rugged EtherTRAKš automation line of real-time industrial Ethernet switches, direct Ethernet I/O, and Ethernet to Modbus converters.

Magazine gets new editor-in-chief - Walt Boyes is taking up the position as Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Control Magazine. Paul Studebaker is shifting responsibilities within Putman, and taking charge of another magazine. Walt is to replace him as Editor-in-Chief, and assume additional responsibilities as Publisher. He has written and colabrated with others in writing several books and was formerly VP Publications at ISA and has been very active in other departments and divisions of the society. More about Walt!

Innovative approach to ATEX compliance offers chemical processors faster pumping speeds - A leading manufacturer of vacuum pump systems, BOC Edwards, has developed an innovative solution to address the reduced pumping efficiencies associated with meeting the T4 temperature classification under the ATEX Directive. The company is launching a new range of T=160šC rated EH dry mechanical booster pumps.

Innovative one-piece manifold launched - At Offshore Europe today, Parker Instrumentation launched a range of one-piece double-block-and-bleed manifolds that significantly reduced the size and weight of process monitoring instrumentation installations. Machined from a single steel forging, this new manifold design eliminates numerous joints - and potential leak paths - compared with arrangements constructed using discrete components. Incorporating flange interfacing, the new products connect easily to process piping. Called Pro-Bloc, the design is offered in a range of configurations and choices to provide optimal solutions for wide-ranging instrumentation requirements. Applications include instruments for offshore oil and gas platforms, petrochemical and chemical plants, and the provision of chemical injection and sampling points in process lines.

Distributor hits bullseye! - Knitter-Switch has announced that Arrow UK Ltd has been confirmed as distributor of the year for 2003. This award reflects a significant increase in sales to Arrow since 2002. This substantial growth has been achieved through the close liaison between Knitter-Switch UK and Arrow's field sales, internal sales and asset teams. They have built a strong relationship over the last few years according to Terry Moss, General Sales Manager for Knitter Switch "and the results of our efforts our now starting to bear fruit. This award is set to affirm Knitter's commitment to our major European distribution partner."