31/7/04

New Ethernet switches withstand high temperatures, tight budgets - For engineers with budget constraints, the new EICP series of Ethernet switches provide a fitting solution for tough applications. Joe Stasiek of Contemporary Controls says, "The new EICP has the same footprint and Plug and Play functions of its predecessor, the EISX, but is made more affordable for industrial wide temperature, harsh circumstances - especially those applications requiring a small footprint and a temperature range between 0 to 60 degrees C.” Both copper and fiber models are available.

New communication gateway - Woodhead Software & Electronics, designer and manufacturer of industrial communication products for the automation world recently announced the launch of its new intelligent gateway for Ethernet to Ethernet/Serial networks. Woodhead GATEway is more than a standard tunneling gateway. This is the first solution that allows connecting devices over up to 14 different Ethernet and Serial protocols using a single hardware platform. Open on the major automation manufacturers, the Woodhead GATEway supports simultaneously up to 8 Ethernet TCP/IP protocols running in Client/Server modes for: Siemens, Schneider Electric, Mitsubishi, Omron, GE Fanuc, Alstom, and Altus; and up to 6 Serial protocols including: AS511, Modbus Master and Slave (RTU/ASCII), SNP-X, TI-Dir and Uni-Telway.
Plant and Engineering subsumed - Another long-standing industrial title, IML's Plant & Control Engineering, has ceased publication as a separate entity. It has been 'rebranded' as part of the new British edition of Control Engineering Europe, which IML publishes under licence from Reed Business Information. This bi-monthly publication will be produced by CEE Editor Michael Babb and Andy Clutton with contributions from Andrew Bond and Matthew Peach.
Leading-edge automotive sensors and motor drive ICs - At the International Automotive Electronics Congress in Paris, Allegro MicroSystems Europe is featuring a number of leading-edge developments in transmission sensing, cam and crank sensing, current sensing and motor-driver integrated circuits. New developments in transmission sensing include Hall-effect gear-tooth sensor modules featuring new algorithms for vibration detection and compensation as well as features such as automatic offset adjustment, running-mode automatic gain control and a 'burp' mode which centres the signal at start-up. These new devices complement the recently introduced ATS643 and ATS647 gear-tooth sensor modules.
precision rotary stage - Aerotech's ASR1100 provides a bolt-on solution for high-throughput precision machining of small diameter components. Featuring a pneumatically operated collet chuck and a clear aperture for product feed-through, the stage has a direct drive brushless servomotor with an integral high resolution encoder providing smooth motion and precise positioning for exacting small diameter and precision tubular components. The ASR1100 has been developed to meet and exceed the demands of the medical stent market but can be applied to many other high volume/high precision applications where low cost of ownership is of prime consideration.
New Array for NIR Spectroscopy - The Optical Spectroscopy Division of Jobin Yvon is pleased to announce the release of its Symphony 1024 x 1 pixel InGaAs array. The new Symphony IGA-1024 x 1 series of detectors features spectroscopic-grade InGaAs (Indium-Gallium-Arsenide) linear arrays with 25 microns x 500 microns pixel elements and high performance TE or LN2 cooling. These detectors offer extremely high sensitivity, dynamic range, signal-to-noise performance and stability for NIR applications in the 0.7 microns to 1.7 microns wavelength region.
Industrial Ethernet University Provides Exposure for Authors & Experts - In keeping with its mission of educating end users, integrators and technicians about Industrial Ethernet, Industrial Ethernet University has announced a call for papers on all topics related to Design, Commissioning, Maintenance, Theory and Emerging Technologies of Industrial Ethernet.
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New power source simplifies high power harmonics testing - Schaffner Ltd, a world leader in EMC and test systems, announced recently the introduction of the NSG1007-45 programmable power source for testing and evaluating high power equipment and appliances. There is a growing requirement to fully test high power products over a wide range of input line conditions to ensure reliable operation and compliance to required standards. The new NSG1007-45 power source offers a flexible and scaleable solution to these needs.
Fast and highly accurate laser ellipsometer - Jobin Yvon's PZ2000 Laser Ellipsometer delivers rapid, high accuracy characterisation of thin and ultrathin structures. The instrument has excellent reproducibility, exhibiting sub-Angstrom standard deviation over one year for NIST reference wafers. Options for the instrument include 10micron x 30micron spot size for characterising patterned samples, with a high speed sample mapping stage for checking sample uniformity. A reflectometer option provides the capability for characterising films from Angstrom thickness to 50micron, while the use of several wavelengths, up to three, eliminates film thickness ambiguity as well as increases sample information needed for absorbing film analysis.
HPGL interpreter for motion controllers provides economic platform for 2D shaping automation - Baldor has released a free HPGL (Hewlett Packard Graphics Language) interpreter for its range of motion controllers. The utility - which is written in the high-level Mint motion language - reduces the development time of machinery for processing two-dimensional shapes. The Mint HPGL Interpreter converts HPGL commands on-the-fly into moves and commands for real-time motion control hardware. As HPGL is an industry-standard protocol used in plotters and printers - and widely supported by low-cost graphics and CAD software - the utility gives users a very economic basis for creating machinery for applications such as cutting, routing, engraving, etching, sign-making and glue-laying.

5 MHz function generator has digital frequency locking - The TG550 from Thurlby Thandar Instruments is a 5 MHz function generator which incorporates a digital frequency locking system that gives it a level of frequency stability that cannot be matched by conventional analogue function generators. Once the frequency has been set, pressing the 'lock' key engages a measure-and-correct circuit which compensates for the small thermal and mechanical drifts that inevitably occur in an analogue generator. The frequency is compared to a crystal-controlled reference, and is maintained to an accuracy of better than one digit on the display. The TG550 provides simultaneous digital display of frequency and level. A large LCD display shows frequency in the left-hand half and output level in the right-hand half.
Solution improves Manufacturing visibility and enhances customer satisfaction - Camstar Systems,the leading provider of enterprise manufacturing performance management systems, has announced that Outokumpu Copper Products Group of Finland has implemented their InSite manufacturing execution system (MES) in its Dutch manufacturing unit, Outokumpu Copper Strip B.V., which is part of the Automotive Heat Exchangers division. The implementation -- completed by LogicaCMG in association with Novotek, the Camstar Master Distributor in Europe - helps Outokumpu reduce manufacturing cycle time, improve tracking and monitoring of quality data, and improve the customer order fulfillment process.
New UK distributor - Lambda Advanced Technology (LAT) can now offer the A200 amino acid analyser from aminoNova AG to UK customers. The A-200 has a novel design which simplifies and speeds up analysis by using the same column, eluent and buffer system for both physiological fluids and hydrolysates. A choice of columns and eluents are available depending on the application.
New version of software for 3DAP atom probe accelerates materials characterisation - In response to user requests, Oxford nanoScience has introduced a new version of the PoSAP software for materials characterisation using the 3DAP atom probe. The software has a number of new features, including a new routine for the detection of particles or clusters in the sample, which offers an increase in processing speed of up to 100 times. Other new features include enhancement to the particle statistics module and an increase in the maximum atomic mass displayed.
Ensure network reliability with an Ethernet managed switch - Now available for order are SixNet Industrial Ethernet Managed Switches that offer ultra-reliability enhanced with open-source Linux software. These are rugged switches, made for just about any industrial location. They are designed to save the user money and space with their cost saving simplicity and compact size.
Industry's fastest embedded PXI controller - National Instruments has announced the industry's highest-performance 3U PXI embedded controller. The NI PXI-8187 controller features a 2.5 GHz Intel Pentium 4-M processor and up to 1 GByte of double data rate SDRAM (DDR-SDRAM). Engineers can use the new controller for a wide range of applications - from high-performance automated systems to low-cost embedded systems. The controller's rugged and industrial packaging makes it ideal for performing a variety of functions in harsh environments, including machine monitoring and control, functional test and data acquisition.
Integrated development environment for microprocessor-based ICs helps semiconductor makers create more attractive products - Cambridge Consultants has launched xIDE - a generic Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that can be customized for embedded system and semiconductor companies to create software development kits for ASSP, structured ASIC, platform or SoC products. xIDE reduces time to market, risk and software costs for companies requiring application-specific development tools, both for their own use and for delivery to customers. Free Evaluation Copy.
New booster pumps - A new series of magnetically coupled centrifugal pumps is available from ProMinent Fluid Controls. The magnetic coupling enables the vonTAINE AM pump range to transfer fluids from tank to tank or from a tank to a discharge line with no leakage.

New design positive displacement flowmeter - The Brodie BiRotor Plus is introduced as the best high performance positive displacement meter available on the market today, for accurate oil and petroleum measurement in 3 inch and 4 inch lines. Available in Europe from Flotech Solutions, the BiRotor Plus is suitable for use on crude oil, gasoline, diesel fuels, kerosene, fuel oils, etc. It is a volume flow measurement device, providing a linearity of 0.1% or better over a 10:1 flow range, and a repeatability of 0.01%. Double cased construction avoids changes of calibration due to pressure or temperature variations. The single or dual pulse output, obtained using non-wetted pick-offs, complies with the API Level B Pulse Security Standards, and certifications available include CE, PED, ATEX and CENELEC EExd.
New module doubles available A/D channels and quadruples FPGA gate density - Pentek has released a high-performance, software radio front-end with two 105 MHz 14-bit A/D converters and two user-configurable Virtex-II Pro FPGAs. This VIM-2 module targets compute-intensive engines found in applications such as real-time wideband processing, radar and wireless. Up to two Model 6256s can be mounted on their VIM baseboards featuring Texas Instruments’ C6000s or Motorola's G4 PowerPCs while maintaining a single-slot configuration. This single-slot, dual 6256 combination boasts four A/D channels and an unprecedented 24 million FPGA gates.
Industry solution for X, Y, theta mask alignment system applied - Aerotech's MaskAlign 100 photomask alignment stages demonstrate how its specialist positioning and direct-drive linear motor technology has been put to use to maximise performance, increase accuracy and drive down the costs for this very demanding application. The low profile, three axis positioning system includes a standard interface for a six-inch mask and an integral vacuum groove for mask retention. By applying an integrated design solution Aerotech offer semiconductor, MEMS and flat panel display production equipment manufacturers a bolt-on, machine ready solution for photo mask based writing systems.
Seminar on modular substrate sampling syastems (NeSSI) - Spitzer and Boyes is to hold a unique Seminar based on the "The Consumer Guide to Modular Substrate Sampling Systems (NeSSI)", authored by Bob Sherman who is an ISA Fellow and has been involved with process analyzer systems for over 30 years. "The seminar tuition will include a copy of the book" reports Bob Sherman who will teach this seminar. "This guide is designed to help end-users and process analyzer specialists evaluate options for using NeSSI components to reduce process anaylzer system cost and complexity. The guide also contains significant practical information about process analyzer sampling sytems."
Time-lapse vidio highlights fitting savings - A new video from Parker Instrumentation graphically illustrates the enormous labour savings made possible by ground-breaking medium pressure tube fitting technology. Titled 'Just two minutes of your time', the video makes essential viewing for instrumentation engineers and anyone involved in the specification, purchasing, and maintenance of small-bore tubing and fittings. It compares the processes required to assemble a 1034bar / 15000PSI tube fitting using traditional 'cone and thread' technology, and a novel design employing familiar compression sealing principles. Time lapse footage shows a technican taking over 15 minutes to perform the precise mechnical preparation required for a cone and thread style of fitting - while a Parker MPI compression fitting is assembled in less than 10 seconds, simply by tightening a nut. The integrity of the compression tube fitting assembly is then pressure tested to 2058bar / 30,000 PSI.
Just two minutes of your time (wmv File)

Measuring equipment for the industrial process! Flow Meter SA is famous for its precise measuring instruments in the area of medical practice particularly in the measurement of medical gases. However they also have an extensive range of VA flow meters and level measuring instruments for industry. The have comprehesive literature on the range on request.

Accolade honors founding president - John Pittman, former president and CEO of the Fieldbus Foundation, will receive the 2004 Albert F. Sperry Award from ISA - The Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society. The Sperry Award is ISA's outstanding achievement award, and recognises exemplary technical, educational or philosophical contributions to the science and technology of instrumentation, systems, and automation.

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Customer value enhancement award achieved for 2004 - Frost & Sullivan has named Emerson Process Management the 2004 Process Control and Automation Customer Value Enhancement award recipient. The annual award is presented to the company in the process control and automation sector that has best demonstrated the ability to expand its customer base, while maintaining the existing installed base, through more innovative value creation and enhancement strategies than competing vendors.

New President says "Lousy Economy" a mere myth - Don Wiencek, the new president of B&B Electronics, insists the economy is booming - even in the staid industrial market. "A lot of people are complaining that sales are slow, that Bush messed everything up, and the breadlines are getting longer. But we sure aren't seeing it here." Wiencek, who has been leading the company for nine months, reports record sales for four quarters in a row, double-digit growth, and robust demand for the company's rugged networking gear. B&B's market would hardly be considered sexy by most people. Most of their customers are project engineers at European and US manufacturing companies; certainly not a high-growth segment of the economy. Nevertheless there is strong activity in manufacturing, especially in wireless networking products and devices that link 10, 15 and 20- year-old equipment to intranets and the Internet.
New connectorless logic analyser probes raise industry standard for size and performance - Tektronix, a leading worldwide provider of test, measurement and monitoring instrumentation, today announced the P6960 and P6980 high-density connectorless probes using new D-Max probing technology for its TLA700 Series of logic analysers. The new D-Max probing technology surpasses that of competing products with a similar profile by enabling leading channel density and signal integrity. The new probes provide a footprint 61% smaller than the previous generation, and the lowest capacitance rating available in the industry, typically 0.5 pF, to maintain the integrity of the signals being observed.
Industry's first camera link image acquisition module for PXI - National Instruments has announced the industry's first PXI-compatible image acquisition module for Camera Link cameras. With the new module, engineers and scientists can now use Camera Link cameras to perform high-speed, high-resolution machine vision and scientific imaging applications such as particle velocimetry, industrial inspection and precision motion guidance on the PXI platform.
Current transducers for measurements up to 20000ARMS with signal conditioning - LEM has introduced the HAZ family of current transducers for measurements from 4000A up to 20000Arms nominal, with six models housed in the same 250 x 160 x 50mm package. Each is offered with either an instantaneous ±10V voltage output (-SB models) or with a DC true RMS 0 to 20mA current output (-SRI models). These versions incorporate signal conditioning, making them suitable for use with programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
They have also introduced the ATVR series of voltage transducers for true RMS measurement of AC voltage at 120V, 250V and 400V.

Two new board members elected At its June 2004 Annual Meeting, Modbus-IDA elected two new members to its Board of Directors. Fred Cohn, director of marketing, Schneider Electric, and Jean-Jacques Poubeau, vice-president, major systems programs customer & markets division, Schneider Electric, joined the Board.
Asia Invest promotes personal business contacts - AnalyticaChina 2004 will be rounded out by a special business meeting: Asia-Interprise Analytica 2004 will be held at the New International Expo Center (SNIEC) in Shanghai on the second and third day of the fair (September 8 and 9, 2004). The event is being organized by the German Industrial Association for Optical, Medical and Mechatronical Technologies Inc., or SPECTARIS, and enjoys the support of the European Union's Asia Invest Office. Other partners include the Chinese Medical and Laboratory Science & Technology Association (CMLSTA) in China and "Consorzio Italasia" in Italy.

Fieldbus seminar for AIChE Meeting - The Fieldbus Foundation and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) are co-sponsoring a full-day workshop on FF technology at AIChE's 2004 annual meeting, to be held in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, November 7, 2004. The workshop will provide valuable information and hands-on instruction for industrial end-users implementing fieldbus-based control strategies.
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Portable system can optimise injection moulding productivity - A new system from Kistler Instruments virtually eliminates injection moulding waste and rejects. The Kistler PiCo signal conditioner and Dataflow software, run on a laptop computer, provide real time graphic display, analysis, monitoring and documentation of the injection moulding process, especially multi-cavity moulding. A compact unit combined with a standard laptop computer can increase productivity by minimising out of spec injection mouldings and inspection time, especially in multi-cavity moulds, by using mould pressure and temperature analysis.
New waveguide probe allows guided wave radar transmitter to measure level in saturated steam apps without concern for fluctuations in specific gravity - K-TEK has announced the new MT2000 Wave Guide Model C9P81. The MT2000 uses guided wave radar to make measurements, which means no moving parts and, therefore, virtually no maintenance. A waveguide directs the microwave pulses, eliminating the beam divergence problems common to conventional non-contact radar transmitters. The new C9P81 Waveguide is designed specifically for saturated steam applications, such as those found in power generation plants and industrial heat processes. The C9P81 Waveguide features an alumina ceramic insulator that allows accurate and reliable measurements up to 2000 psi (138 bar) at 635degF (335degC).
"Independent, unv=biased seminar on fieldbus network equipment for process control." - Spitzer and Boyes, announces a unique Seminar based on the "The Consumer Guide to Fieldbus Network Equipment for Process Control", authored by Dick Caro who was a founding member and Chairman of the Fieldbus standards committees. "The seminar tuition will include a copy of the book" reports Dick Caro who will teach this seminar. "This guide is designed to help end-users plan fieldbus-based control systems to evaluate options for fieldbus network equipment in process control applications. The guide also contains practical information about HART, Profibus-PA/DP, Foundation Fieldbus, Foundation Fieldbus HSE, and wireless alternatives." The seminar is scheduled for 25th October 2004.
See our Events Page for the other seminars in this series around the same time in NJ
New generation drives save even more energy - Mitsubishi Electric has launched a new series of variable speed drives for electric motors that will set new benchmarks for energy saving. Improved power circuits are coupled with the advanced processing power of the latest generation of electronics to provide enhanced power control strategies for the drive. Their FR-F700 features both optimum excitation control, for improved motor efficiency during constant speed operation and acceleration periods, and optimum torque patterns which accurately match the power delivered to that required at any instant. The speed of optimisation is effectively instant, so the drive is always giving maximum performance and efficiency to the load; previous generations of technology could only effectively optimise for energy efficiency under steady load or speed conditions.
Innovative aircraft power management system delivers space and weight breakdown for refurbishment and new designs - An innovative space- and weight-saving aircraft power management system has been developed by Io Ltd - the modified-COTS supplier - in collaboration with Teledyne Microelectronic Technologies, Ultra Electronics Datel and Paramount Panels. The high-integrity system eliminates the large panel of electro-mechanical circuit breakers that is typically located in the cockpit - plus the associated long runs of cabling - by means of a network of solid-state power controllers interfaced to a simple user panel. The system provides much more flexible control of the power system, and incorporates a number of safety measures including a failsafe mode that activates in the event of a network or component failure.

Powerful partnership - AVX has appointed Micromark C&CD as a Specialist Power Distributor for its TPC, medium end high power capacitor products, covering the 1200V-6000V range. This partnership is the first of its type from AVX and offers Micromark C&CD access to dedicated assistance, customised support tools and special promotions. Micromark C&CD and AVX will combine their existing market knowledge and work together to expand into new high power markets as diverse as forklift trucks, welding equipment, wind turbines, cranes and induction heating. Using design win programme registration, the partnership will build and develop target areas in order to identify new opportunities.
Engineering, operations and I/O enhancements enable users to increase availability and performance of plants - Continuing its innovation to help manufacturers increase availability and performance, Emerson Process Management has just announced the release of version 7.3 of its DeltaV digital automation system, adding PlantWeb Alerts for mechanical and process equipment, new engineering productivity tools, and additional I/O capabilities.
The DeltaV system is a core component of Emerson PlantWeb digital plant architecture.

New informative newsletter for users of professional handheld electronic test tools - Fluke has introduced a free-subscription, electronic newsletter available to any online user of professional handheld electronic test tools. Published every two months and containing links to useful detailed information about the applications of test tools, a copy of the "e-newsletter" will be emailed regularly to every signed up subscriber. Go to their website and click on the button "E-mail newsletter" it's about 12k in size.

Technology migration plan for Austrian refinery identifies high payout investment opportunities - OMV Aktiengesellschaft recently completed a project with Emerson Process Management to develop a detailed plan for future technology migration at their Schwechat refinery, located in Vienna, Austria. The Schwechat refinery, one of the largest inland refineries in Europe, processes nine million metric tonnes of crude oil per year. The refinery commenced production in 1960 and has, since then, been continuously modernised, successfully implementing many advanced control and online optimisation systems on their process units and product blending facilities. Significant changes in technology and limited capital funds made it important to develop detailed plans for future technology migration and new projects in this area.
New integrated architecture enables operators to plan, manage and optimize oil and gas asset production - Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS) and Aspen Technology, today announced that they have entered into a five-year alliance to provide the upstream oil and gas business with an advanced, real-time software solution. The solution will provide operators with a continuous view of their assets, from reservoirs through to the processing facilities, enabling them to plan, manage and optimize oil and gas production.
Brushed DC motors for smooth and precise performance - Pittman Lo-Cog 14000 series brushed DC motors and gear motors feature 11-slot skewed armatures for negligible magnetic cogging, precise control and smooth operation for a wide range of motion control applications including computer peripherals, imaging systems and medical diagnostics. The cost-competitive range is part of the PittmanExpress fast delivery programme in 12 and 24V versions with up to 350 mNm continuous torque output.
Flexibility of analytical instrumentation - National Instruments and Agilent Technologies have announced a joint initiative to create NI-certified LabVIEW instrument drivers for control of Agilent gas and liquid chromatographs. These plug-and-play drivers extend the analysis, automation and I/O integration capabilities of Agilent life science instruments, enhancing their application to custom scientific endeavors such as gas stream analysis in fuel-cell development and hydrocarbon processing.
Automated compliance test software speeds HDMI industry adoption - Tektronix, a leading worldwide provider of test, measurement and monitoring instrumentation, today announced the availability of the TDSHT3, a new high-performance oscilloscope software package that provides an automated compliance testing solution for High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) products. The TDSHT3 software is the industry's first package to enable engineers to efficiently perform reliable in-house compliance tests in accordance with the HDMI Compliance Test Specifications (CTS).

Are YOU reading this publication? - The June 2004 issue of ICEnews, the Instrumentation, and Control Engineering news source prompts us to extol the virtues of this publication. ICEnews is a bimonthly compendium of useful information."We want to make this newsletter a source of information that YOU can use in YOUR job, while also keeping you informed on what is happening in our industry both directly and indirectly." Says Ian Verhappen, Editor. Like the Signpost they welcome your Press Releases, information and any technical articles you may have that could be appropriate for this newsletter or their web site. "ICEweb's primary purpose is to disseminate information about Instrumentation, Control Engineering to you the practitioners and developers of these arts." ICEnews is another mechanism to get this information out and, we suspect one of the few truly independant publications.
A formatted version (rtf) of this newsletter.
New stockist service in Nigeria - Parker Instrumentation's Nigerian distributor Bell Oil & Gas Ltd is extending its service to include stocks for immediate delivery. A range of commonly-required instrumentation compression tube fittings and valves will now be held at the company's Port Harcourt operations centre to support engineering projects, and maintenance requirements.
New Resource Guide CD will answer all motion control and positioning systems questions! - Aerotech have produced a new Resource Guide CD, packed with over 500 pages of specification and reference information for its complete range of motion control and positioning systems. The CD contains a detailed index with bookmarks for fast access to 16 sections and almost 100 product ranges covering everything from specifications and dimensioned drawings to application examples and practical engineering reference material.
Precision DC and AC/DC current sources released as well as a parametric test system - Keithley Instruments has introduced its Model 6221 AC and DC Current Source and Model 6220 DC Current Source. Model 6221 is the industry's only AC current source on the market.
Keithley has also developed a packaged, ready-to-run parametric test system with unrivaled cost-per-pin and total price/performance ratio. The Model S470 Parametric Test System is optimized for production testing of 200mm wafers at the 130nm CMOS node and beyond.