Magnetic flowmeter offers improved performance and easier operation and maintenance - Yokogawa has introduced a new version of the ADMAG Series magnetic flowmeter which offers improved performance as well as easier operation and maintenance. The ADMAG AXF Series boasts an accuracy of ±2%, and incorporates an enhanced dual-frequency excitation technique to provide increased resistance to slurry noise and a minimum measurable conductivity of 1 microsiemens/cm. The maximum pulse output rate for high-speed applications such as short-duration batch processes is increased to 10,000 pulses per second.

Free white paper on making 92% of hazardous areas safer without increasing costs - A newly released paper from Abhisam will be extremely useful to people working in chemical plants, oil and gas installations, petrochemical and fertlizer plants, shipping terminals, as well as tank farms, grain silos and warehouses, where hazardous areas exist. In these areas, the equipment is specially designed so that its usage does not increase the risk of fire or explosion in these areas. A recent study has concluded, that a large number (as many as 92%) of the hazardous areas that were surveyed, were not up to the mark and were souces of potentially unsafe occurences/incidents.
This White Paper attempts to guide design, operations and maintenance personnel who work in similar hazardous areas to make the hazardous installations safer, without increasing the costs of compliance. Download Hazardous Area Installations - How to Make 92% of hazardous areas safer without increasing costs here.
Abhisam support the signpost by advertising on our Safety Page

Medical thermal imager is world's most accurate - Non contact temperature measurement specialist Land Instruments International is seeking a patent for a technique that ensures the continuous accuracy of its FTI Mv radiometric thermal imager when used for medical purposes.
Applications for thermal imaging are to be found in almost every medical and research field where body temperature is an issue, from chiropractic clinical evaluations and diagnosis of conditions such as Reynaud's Syndrome to studies of wound healing and blood flow through transplanted tissue

Second generation robot packs applies faster still - Proven quality componentry has given Austrian design engineers Schuster Messtechnik the confidence to develop a second generation, high performance version of its apple packing robot. The original robot used a three dimensional mechanical handling system base on Hoerbiger-Origa linear actuators to present individual apples to a vision system for inspection, orientate them and precision place them into packing trays. The Mark 2 robot now works at higher speeds, packs three trays at once, has a more flexible handling system that can happily accept different sizes of packing tray, has an all stainless steel construction and an uprated vision system.

New flat panel touch screen computer - Engineers and scientists can now use National Instruments new flat-panel touch-screen, touch-panel computer and panel PC human machine interfaces (HMIs) with the NI LabVIEW graphical development environment to develop user interfaces.

Electric automation event draws crowds - The preliminary results of SPS/IPC/DRIVES 2005, Europe´s leading event on electric automation are most illuminating. Counting 1,160 exhibitors (1030 in 2004) in a total of eight halls, the show was larger than ever. This growth was also reflected in that 34,600 trade visitors (31822 in 2004) came to Nuremberg (D) to see what the exhibitors had to offer. This show provided both a complete and a compact overview of all aspects of electric automation. The exhibitors praised the highly qualified contacts made during the show and the fact that the majority of inquiries were related to concrete projects. In addition to the booths, two forums within the exhibition area and the concurrent conference offered further insight into electric automation.
SPS/IPC/DRIVES 2006 is scheduled for 28-30 November 2006 also in Nuremberg. The organisers are Mesago

Arbitrary/function generator can handle waveforms of one million words - The TGA12101 arbitrary/function generator from TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments) has been redesigned to incorporate one million words of high-speed waveform memory giving it the longest memory of any instrument in its class. Unlimited non-volatile waveform storage is provided using removable Compact Flash memory cards. The unit operates as a true variable-clock arbitrary generator. Variable-clock architecture provides much greater capabilities than the DDS arbitrary system used on many generators.

New valves provide complete hermetic separation on acids and reagents with a minimum of 0n3 million cycle operating life - ASCO Scientific's new 110 Series of miniature fluid isolation valves is designed to control acids and basic fluids and reagents in applications where the fluid must be completely separated from the valve control mechanism. Rated for a minimum of 1 million cycles operating life, the Series 110 valves are designed high levels of reliability in equipment such as medical and gas analysers and also biotechnology operations.

New control unit is easy to use - The new Primus control unit from S+S Inspection uses 2-channel phase technology combined with digital processing and automatic self-calibration to increase performance reliability and consistency of metal detection whilst simplifying operation and increasing productivity. The auto-learn capability minimises set-up time and is especially effective when inspecting food products and sorting electrically conductive materials, including metal oxides and carbon black, in the plastics manufacturing industry.

1million PdStg monitoring upgrade for Shell Bacton and associated production platforms - The well known supplier of integrated control and asset management solutions, Transmitton, is carrying out a 1m Pd Stg masterstation upgrade of control and monitoring system (CMS) at Shell's gas terminal in Bacton. After 15 weeks of stringent testing, it is now being installed. Among the largest projects in the UK gas industry, the system will monitor and control all 27 offshore gas production platforms and onshore gas reception facilities through existing Remote Terminal Units (RTUs). Installation is planned for completion by the end of December. Originally manned, many of the gas platforms are now monitored remotely from Bacton, providing around 10% of the UK's annual demand for natural gas.

Le Mans winning Audi R8 helped by measuring wheel - With five podiums out of seven starts in the Le Mans 24 Hour race, the exceptionally reliable and fast Audi R8 is the most consistently successful sports car in the world. Making a small but essential contribution to the success of the R8, the enhanced A first in fieldbus training for instrumentation sales professionals - The Fieldbus Center (30 miles east of Houston US) at Lee College, a National Science Foundation (NSF) recognized and funded institution, has introduced a one-day, certified training course intended for controls and instrumentation sales professionals needing a general understanding of Foundation Fieldbus technology. The first training course of its kind, "Fieldbus for Sales Professionals" is designed for inside and outside sales representatives, as well as service personnel employed by plant automation equipment suppliers. The class does not require any previous experience with digital control systems.

New USB data loggera: "The ultimate in resolution and accuracy." - Pico Technology has announced the latest additions to its data acquisition range, the ADC-20 & ADC-24 USB Data Loggers. With up to 24-bit resolution to detect small signal changes, 0.1% accuracy for reliable readings and up to 16 channels, these Data Loggers offer superb performance in a convenient and easy-to-use package. The USB port provides easy connection and installation, and eliminates the need for an external power supply.

New server capabilities give advantage to process platform - Wonderware will take advantage of new capabilities in Microsoft SQL Server 2005, including enhanced scalability, analysis services which support online analytical processing and data mining and developer productivity from CLR, a new Common Language Routine feature that offers a richer programming environment enabling customers to use C#, VisualBasic.NET and other programming languages and tools to create custom applications. Their IndustrialSQL Server and other production and performance management applications are based on a modular, sustainable architecture, which benefits customers by enabling them to take an incremental approach to plant-improvement initiatives. These off-the-shelf products, leveraging ArchestrA technology and the latest Microsoft productivity tools, greatly assist customers to effectively manage plant operations. These tools help users better analyse plant data, increase plant productivity, manage, analyse and report on essential plant data, conduct statistical process control analysis and increase overall plant efficiency in real time.
Sold and supported in the UK and Ireland by Pantek

Free online Ethernet tutorial teaches how to improve network performance & reliability - Contemporary Controls has created an interactive tutorial that is intended to be an introduction for industry professionals who wish to acquire the fundamentals of nine management features: IGMP snooping, rate limiting, VLANs, Quality of Service (QoS), Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), port security, port mirroring, RapidRing redundancy, and trunking redundancy. "These features collectively affect the performance of your network by getting the best utilization of your bandwidth," says Bennet Levine, R&D Manager for Contemporary Controls. "For example, rate limiting will prevent communication problems from one network affecting another network and IGMP snooping will prevent multicast traffic from overwhelming certain devices." Levine adds that this Network Performance Tutorial will illustrate how you can improve the performance of your network through the company's EICP, EISX and EISB Ethernet managed switches.

Instruments and PXI selected to build FDA-approved medical device test system - Sanmina-SCI, one of the world's leading contract manufacturers, selected PXI modular instruments and test management software from National Instruments to develop an FDA-approved production tester for testing and calibrating medical devices that measure blood glucose levels.

High-specification panel PC delivers top-quality public infotainment applications - Well known distributor and system integrator Display Solutions has announced the availability of a new high performance Panel PC, designed primarily for applications in the point-of-sale, information kiosk, and gaming markets. Aaeon's APC-8122 combines a tough, but modern, clean exterior with superior multimedia performance, enabling it to run exacting applications in external customer facing environments.

Display measurement system - Glen Spectra has introduced the OL 770-DMS from Optronic Laboratories comprising of the OL 770 High-speed Test and Measurement System and the new OL 610 CCD Imaging Telescope. This system provides a complete solution to all of the requirements for display measurement. The OL 770 is available in UV-VIS-NIR wavelength ranges, capable of 25+ spectral scans per second with USB interface, and equipped with WindowsŇ-based software, yet is portable and lightweight. The OL 610 has a wavelength range from 360 nm to 1100 nm and is available in 0.5° and 1.0° fields of view. With the OL 770-DMS, accurate colour, luminance, and spectral information are rendered instantly at the click of a button. On-screen real-time video shows exactly what is being measured, and an image of the measurement scene can be captured and stored with each spectral scan.

Design kit to customize web servers - The NetBiter Design Kit is a tool to be used, together with the standard webSCADA product from Intellicom, to make custom designed web pages. The kit is primarily designed to give a user the ability to create own flowchart and data presentation pages on top of the existing webSCADA web pages. This way, a system integrator can design a front-end with own logos and touch, but still keep the existing NetBiter webSCADA configuration system to simplify configuration of alarm and data logging.
The NetBiter webSCADA is a configurable web server for automation, today used in more than 30 countries.

THEY SAID IT Nov 2005 "We believe we have a much more solid base than our competitors in China." Shuzo Kaihori, Head of Global Industrial Automation, Yokogawa Electric "I would predict that within 10 years we will be down to two or three players on a global basis." Jack Bolick, President, Honeywell Process Solutions "Nobody else is approaching wireless from an infrastructure point of view." Hesh Kagan, Director, Technology Marketing, New Ventures, Invensys " . . . the integration of the factory floor with information systems is no longer a luxury ­ it's a strategic imperative." Kevin Roach, Vice-President, Rockwell Software "The process control sector is one that we will aggressively attack." Sean Cahill, Product Manager, Process Control Systems Siemens UK Don't miss this incisive commentary on automation every month!

New multi-function process calibrator offers unsurpassed accuracy and storage of results - Fluke has introduced a new multi-function process calibrator, with measurement and calibration sourcing accuracies now up to 0.01%, which can measure and source almost all process parameters and can calibrate practically all sensors and transmitters. It will also calculate and display transmitter error percentages and store a series of measurement data for later analysis. Their new 726 Precision Multifunction Process Calibrator is a powerful, yet easy-to-use, rugged handheld tool with two separate channels to measure, source and view process signals simultaneously. It will measure volts, mA, RTDs, thermocouples, frequency and resistance to test sensors and transmitters. It will also source/simulate volts, mA, RTDs, thermocouples, frequency and pressure to calibrate transmitters, with automated percentage error calculations for easy interpretation. The internal memory storage enables capture of up to 8 calibration results in the field, for later analysis.

Call for Papers - As a direct response to the requests of the 2005 delegates to the ProfiBus Conference, an on-line survey was sponsored to identify the needs of delegates for the next conference. The resounding outcome was the requirement for the conference to be focused on requirements of the User community. Responding to this valuable feedback, the 2006 event has been renamed The ProfiBus User Conference and the format altered to reflect a much stronger emphasis on the needs of the user community. For example, in a new section devoted to 'back to basics' there will be enabling sessions to assist companies making the transition from conventional to Fieldbus systems as easy (and jargon free) as possible. Their Papers Committee are now looking for speakers who are willing to make short presentations ­ approx 30 to 40 minutes - based around single aspects of ProfiBus. This may be on cabling, hazardous areas or any such area. Interactive presentations featuring live demonstrations are particularly welcome. The intention is to focus the sessions on just one aspect enabling the delegates to acquire an in-depth knowledge of that area. More details from ProfiBus UK

Process automation at new alumina plant in China - Invensys Process Systems has been chosen to implement I/A Series digital automation from Foxboro to control processes throughout the new Luoyang Xiangjiang Wanji Aluminum Ltd. alumina plant being built at Luoyang Xinan county, in the Henan province of China.  In addition, Invensys Process Systems China will provide hardware integration services for the 400,000 TPY (tons per year) grassroots bauxite refining facility, which will utilise the Bayer Process technology to make alumina, a feedstock for making aluminum metal.
Automation systems at the Luoyang Xiangjiang Wanji Ltd. plant will employ I/A Series redundant control processors at seven control nodes serving processes throughout the plant. The control nodes are for raw materials processing, solvent extraction, settling, separation, product filtration, evaporation, and baking. The control processors are connected with more than 5,200 I/O points, representing a wide variety of sensors, devices and signal interfaces.

Motor control kit - In order to improve the research and development activity and reduce the time to market for designer applications in the field of digital motor control, Technosoft offers the MCK2812 Kit C Pro-MS(BL) motor control kit. The kit represents a complete motor control development platform, and was designed to support MATLAB's automatic C code generation. Besides all needed hardware (motor, sensors, power inverter), users get complete development software, including the MATLAB system model and the complete DSP source code application for a brushless motor control.

Eliminate office-grade Ethernet switch risk in industrial control applications - "Contemporary Controls continues to develop Plug and Play Ethernet switchesthat meet the needs of our customers requiring low cost and high reliability in an industrial environment," says Joe Stasiek, Sales Manager for Contemporary Controls. "Our customers shouldn't learn the hard way when a cheap office-grade switch brings down production in a plant. That's why our company has designed the 8-port Skorpion switch for Industrial Automation Systems. The Skorpion-8 compliments its five-port brother, but with additional ports at a minimal cost. The EISK8-100T is only $149 (in the USA) with a five-year warranty!"

Promoting mezzanine standard working group - GE Fanuc Embedded Systems has announced that it has been successful in promoting a new mezzanine standard working group referred to as "VITA 56." VITA 56 is a predominately PCI-express based mezzanine board similar in dimensions to a PCI Mezzanine Card (PMC), allowing it to be used on VME and CompactPCI boards, but borrowing heavily from the functional characteristics of an AMC. These boards will be fully de-pluggable/hot-swappable without removing the carrier, will offer a level of manageability similar to AMC, and will include support for many high-speed serial fabrics.
See also VITA - the VMEbus International Trade Association

DDL specification approved - In a decisive vote, HART Communication Foundation (HCF) member companies overwhelmingly approved enhancements to the HART Device Description Language Specification. The enhanced DDL simplifies and standardizes the presentation of intelligent device information for both automation suppliers and users worldwide. The enhanced DDL greatly benefits users as it allows them to more easily configure, diagnose and monitor the performance of intelligent instrumentation assets.
More on our Fieldbus News Page

Smart device configurator technology to be used - In a separate release The HCF announced that Invensys Process Systems will use the HART Smart Device Configurator (SDC-625) technology to enable their process automation systems for enhanced Electronic Device Description Language (EDDL). The SDC-625 is the HCF standard reference host for development of enhanced DDs and DDL-enabled host applications.
Invensys joins other major systems suppliers already committed to using the EDDL and SDC-625 as their core technology enabler providing standardized access to device configuration and device data critical for asset management, control and safety system applications. The SDC-625 technology enables Invensys automation systems to use registered DDs from the HCF DD Library eliminating the need for additional files or proprietary modifications.

Avoid the queue! - You can now pre-register to visit Mtec ­ Sensors, Measurement and Instrumentation featuring Industrial Networks for Fieldbus and Open Systems which are being held at the NEC, Birmingham (GB) on 15th & 16th February 2006. This is without doubt the leading exhibition of its type in Britain during 2006. As in the past the Signpost is hosting a review of the exhibition on the site at read-out.net/mtec as it has for the last six years.

Electronic impact, vibration and environmental monitoring devices - Lamerholm Electronics will be launching the latest addition to its ShockLog range of electronic impact, vibration and environmental monitoring devices on stand D75 at mtec.
More on our mtec'06 review.

New options for automation certification examinations - Beginning in January 2006, the three ISA certification exams
Certified Automation Professional (CAP)
Certifed Control Systems Technician (CCST)
Certified Industrial Maintenance Mechanic (CIMM)
are to be offered electronically and will be available at test sites around the world. Individuals will be able to take the exam at a date and location convenient for them. This added flexibility and accessibility will make getting certified much faster and easier. However, it does involve a change in testing policy to ensure that exam security is maintained: all exams will be closed book as of 1 January 2006.

Serial port line extender - ATEN's IC-150 Line Driver is a Serial port Line Exteder it guaranee the reliable transfer and reception of data over distance beyond standard for length and capability, without the need for an external power source. The IC-150 drives SERIAL data at varying speeds of up to 19,2000bps over distances of up to 0.8 Km. or 800 Meters or 2600 feet, on 24 gauge wire.

Infrared thermometer keeps a check on incinerator temperatures - The new CDA non-contact thermometer from Land Instruments is a reliable means of determining the temperature of the atmosphere in waste incinerators. It "sees through" cold CO2 to measure the hot atmosphere beyond, is insensitive to the presence of gases other than CO2 and relatively insensitive to particulate matter in the atmosphere - characteristics that collectively ensure that it measures the true gas temperature.

South African plant recognized - The HART Communication Foundation (HCF) announces that the Sasol Solvents and O&S SMG Operations plant in Sasolburg, (ZA), has been selected as recipient of the 2005 HART Plant of the Year Award. The award is given annually to recognise the people, companies and plant sites around the globe that are using the full capabilities of HART technology in real-time applications to improve operations, lower costs and increase availability.

Contracts won - Yokogawa System Center Europe has been awarded a lump sum contract by the Netherlands Refining Company (Nerefco) in Europoort, The Netherlands, to replace the current off-site control system with a fit-for-purpose system.
In the meantime their Middle East Center has announced a number of projects in this oil-rich area. This includes work on Saudi Aramco's Khursaniyah gas plant and crude producing facilities, Hawiyah NGL recovery plant, and Juaymah Gas Plant/New Module IV; a multi-plant complex for a Saudi Aramco/Sumitomo Chemical joint venture (Petro-Rabigh); a multiplant petrochemical complex that is being developed by Sabic in Yanbu; and a Saudi Aramco Shell refinery revamping project in Jubail. While in Abu Dhabi, Yokogawa has been awarded two major projects, GASCO's OGD-III and GASCO's Ruwais Train 3. In Bahrain, Yokogawa is also supplying the control system and field instruments for BAPCO's low sulphur diesel project.

New capabilities ensure customers reliable integration of plant floor applications - GE Fanuc Automation, a leading provider of manufacturing hardware and software solutions, announces plans to use Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and BizTalk Server 2006 as core components in its new Proficy Enterprise Connector product.
By using BizTalk Server and SQL Server as enhanced components to providing Enterprise Application Integration (EAI), the Proficy integrated suite of products achieves a flexible approach to connecting information from the Proficy Plant Floor applications to a wide variety of higher-level systems. Further, the High Availability capabilities of the Windows Server System architecture ensure that customers requiring reliable integration of plant floor with higher-level systems can be achieved with off-the-shelf components, and widely-used technology.

Modular high pressure distribution manifold can be configured for any number of outlets - Parker Instrumentation has developed a modular distribution manifold for high pressure gas or liquid applications. Based on a high performance 6000 PSI (414 bar) dual ball valve, Hi-Pro Distribution Manifolds with any number of outlets from two upwards can be assembled rapidly from off-the-shelf parts, to provide the optimal application solution.

Fieldbus assembly to be held in China - The Fieldbus Foundation (FF) will hold its annual General Assembly in Shanghai, China, from February 28th to March 1st, 2006.
More on this and other fieldbus news

British Antarctic Survey monitors aquatic conditions - Researchers at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), based in Cambridge, are using the Palintest Photometer 5000 to monitor water quality for aquatic species brought back from the Antarctic. The BAS runs a marine aquarium that recreates sea conditions in the southern ocean. Fish and invertebrates are kept for study, and precise monitoring of their environment is essential.
The marine habitat of the Antarctic contains wildlife which has adapted (in some cases uniquely) to the extreme conditions. The research helps identify species' response to environmental change and subsequent effects on both the regional and the global environment. Using the Photometer 5000, researchers analyse nitrate, nitrite, ammonia and pH levels in the aquarium to maintain them at levels found in the Antarctic seas.

New batch production management software speeds implementation and improves analysis to increase quality, ROI and ability to meet regulatory demands - GE Fanuc Automation has announced the new Proficy Batch Version 5.0 software, which delivers complete data collection, robust batch management, clear process visualization and powerful supervisory control capabilities. The package has been optimized to boost production efficiency, increase return on investment (ROI) and improve batch manufacturers' ability to meet regulatory demands.

New temperature monitoring system launched - Jekyll Electronic Technology announces the launch of a new temperature monitoring system that enables engineers to install a cost-effective solution for the remote reading and data transfer of process or operating temperatures. Using the Telemodem2 range of products and a temperature sensor, the Jekyll solution now lets engineers collect data remotely using PSTN, SMS, GSM or GPRS options. This greatly enhances the range of choices currently available and Jekyll works with its customers to ensure that whatever option is chosen, it fits in seamlessly with the company's communications strategy.

High performance Raman and FTIR just got easier - Horiba Jobin Yvon has announced the launch of its new series of combined Raman and FTIR Microscope systems. Following on from the award winning LabRAM IR, the new LabRAM IR2 and LabRAM ARAMIS IR2 systems provide an expanded range of micro-analysis facilities upon the single benchtop instrument.

Optical sensor coating services - Ocean Optics has expanded its optical sensor coating services, enabling OEMs and product developers to create and manufacture custom oxygen and pH sensor accessories for optical chemical sensing applications. These accessories include fibre optic probes, cuvettes, Petri dishes and microscope slides. The added services include the licensing of Ocean Optics proprietary oxygen and pH coating technologies, and custom sensor coating research and development. They also include contract manufacturing services using a client's proprietary indicator with Ocean Optics' coating, or using a client's proprietary coating and indicator.

Distributed instrumentation systems at Productronica 2005 - National Instruments is exhibiting new software and hardware technologies for developing distributed instrumentation systems at Productronica 2005 in Munich (D). With open software, an instrumentation system can take advantage of multiple bus technologies, including USB, LAN/Ethernet, GPIB, PCI and PCI Express, depending on the application's requirements for performance, ease of use and distance between nodes. As an industry leader in instrument control, NI recently announced National Instruments LabVIEW 8, which includes new functionality for automatically downloading and installing LabVIEW Plug and Play instrument drivers. Engineers can choose drivers for more than 4,000 instruments from over 200 vendors on their website including more than 90 USB instruments and more than 270 LAN/Ethernet instruments. These drivers seamlessly connect any instrument to NI LabVIEW by abstracting the bus between the instrument and the PC, regardless of bus choice.

Collar-mount solenoid valves and pumps - In response to industry demand for smaller, more reliable components for fluid handling equipment, Bio-Chem Valve has introduced a new line of manifold mountable, inert solenoid pumps and valves. The components, available in the UK and Europe from Omnifit, employ a threaded mounting collar to secure them to the manifold. With a footprint as small as 13mm this new line provides for efficient, space-saving mounting. Based on a design that has been in use for over 20 years, the locked-in threaded mounting collar is hand tightened into the manifold port to ensure an even load on the gasket seal for pressures up to 1.38 bar (20psi). By positioning the pump or valve closer to the point of fluid introduction, the screw-in design has the additional functional advantage of minimising internal volume.

DC-DC converters for regulated 24 V output voltage - For end users who require a regulated 24V output voltage, Phoenix Contact is now offering the Quint 24VDC/24VDC/10A DC-DC converter. This converts direct voltage from 18-32 V DC into adjustable, regulated 24V output voltage. The converter is approved for marine applications.

Second generadtion cybersecurity solution introduced - Verano has just introduced Industrial Defender V2.0, the latest version of its Industrial Defender security appliance suite, initially introduced in June 2003.  As the market's first and only cybersecurity solution designed to monitor and protect the real-time control environment, Industrial Defender V2.0 features enhanced security agents, customizable reporting and analysis, and increased scalability intended specifically for power transmission and distribution, water distribution and treatment, gas and liquid pipelines, mass transit systems and power generation companies.
Due to the possibility of catastrophic consequences on economic and public safety, the issue of cyber attack is reaching a new height of concern at national, industry and corporate levels.  A lapse in SCADA and DCS network security can potentially cause interruption of revenue generation, sweeping blackouts, water resource shortages and interference of major transportation systems. Growing concern for cybersecurity threats, NERC standards and the recently signed energy bill are driving companies responsible for critical infrastructure to implement greater levels of network security at the real-time control level. Verano's Industrial Defender V2.0 enables customers to prepare for such shifts by providing all the necessary layers of cybersecurity monitoring, protection and reporting in one integrated solution.
Visit our Cyber Security Page

Fit and forget guided pneumatic cylinder - A new range of guided pneumatic cylinders from Hoerbiger-Origa combines the driving and the guiding elements into a single unitary design that is compact, robust, simple and elegant. The FZ series is available with a choice of sliding or ball bearing guides and the cylinder can be directly assembled with no mounting accessories required. The drive is double acting pneumatics, with or without end buffers, and the piston is magnetic for ease of position detection. The range is expected to find applications in all sectors of industry, on duties such as lifting, feeding, and stopping of components in assembly and manufacturing. Its straightforward design and low weight makes it ideal for use in multi axes systems, enhanced by the veratile top, bottom, side, back mounting options.

New director and general manager - Yves Cuyvers has been promoted to Director and General Manager for Truflo International group company IMF, based near Paris, (F).
IMF manufactures state-of-the-art regulators and pressure control systems for a wide range of demanding markets and applications ranging from products for plastic injection moulding, to solutions for the defence industry and even for Formula One. The company has been highly regarded for more than four decades for its expertise in specialist applications in these areas.