30/6/2006

RFID course - A cursory search on the internet will reveal that most courses on RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Technology) technology are either by vendors (or by their agents, which is the same) , are classroom based or web based. The courses are by themselves divided into several different types, with no course big enough to give an overall picture, without being too complicated.
To bridge this gap, Abhisam has come out with a comprehensive RFID course, that aims to cover the entire gamut of the technology, right from Basic concepts to Security and Privacy issues related to RFID. The course, which may bey purchased on-line, covers six areas
a) Basic Concepts
b) RFID Physics
c) Practical RFID systems
d) Middleware and standards
e) RFID applications
f) Security & Privacy issues
Abhisam is an advertiser with the Read-out Instrumentation Signpost

Counting passengers on public service vehicles - Biodata has signed an agreement with 21st Century Crime Prevention Services, giving it the exclusic=ve rights to their people counting system when interfaced with public transport vehicle systems.

Awards have been announced by the ISA Publications Department The Thomas Fisher Award of Excellence for a Standards-Based Reference Publication goes to: Safety Instrumented Systems Verification: Practical Probabilistic Calculations By William M. Goble and Harry Cheddie The Ray Molloy Award for the best selling book goes to: Calibration: A Technician's Guide By Mike Cable

Interaction mapping finds root cause of plant upsets - PlantTriage Performance Supervision Software, from Expertune now includes a simple color-coded interaction map. On this map, users can quickly identify the most important process interactions. Process Interaction Mapping also displays lead and lag data, making it much easier to find the root cause of process upsets.
Process upsets in one part of the plant are multiplied by process interactions. Upsets and interactions directly affect bottom-line cost and quality. Finding the root cause of the upset is the key to stabilizing the plant, and achieving the highest levels of performance. PlantTriage Process Interaction Mapping shows all of the interactions, and helps to find the source of variation in minutes.

New machine to machine site! - IntelliCom has released a brand new M2M web site, >www.M2Mautomation.com. The web portal will focus on the M2M (Machine 2 Machine) business. The portal will cover news, events and other information about the M2M industry.

Industry's highest-voltage PXI switch module - National Instruments announced the industry's highest-voltage PXI switch module, which is capable of routing signals up to 600 V. The high-voltage multiplexer adds to the more than 80 existing switch configurations available in the PXI platform from NI. Engineers can use this new switch module with the flexibility of the PXI platform to build automated test systems with stringent voltage, current and bandwidth requirements using one compact, rugged chassis.

Magazine targeted on the calibration professionals - Beamex has introduced its corporate magazine called CALIBRATION WORLD. The target group of this magazine is calibration professionals around the world and the main purpose of the magazine is to provide insightful articles, tools, customer case stories, practical tips as well as relevant news and information for the calibration professional. A hard copy of the magazine is published but it can be read online from the website as well. A pdf-file of the printed version can also be downloaded from the website.

British IR measurement company acquired - Land Instruments based in Britain joins AMETEK as part of its Electronic Instruments Group (EIG) which markets advanced monitoring, testing, calibration and display instruments for the process, aerospace and power industries worldwide.

System enhanced for abnormal situation prevention - Emerson Process Management has released version 8.4 of DeltaV system software which includes enhancements to help users prevent abnormal situations. DeltaV digital automation systems are a core component of Emerson's open, standards-based PlantWeb digital plant architecture. With the new software release, standard HART device status information can now be used by predictive diagnostics that generate PlantWeb Alerts. The unique alerts and accompanying guidance help users take remedial actions that can head off abnormal situations in the plant. In an additional enhancement, conditional alarming has been extended to FOUNDATION fieldbus devices, enabling the devices to deliver critical predictive alarms for immediate attention by operations staff to avoid unplanned downtime.

High-accuracy wall-mount room air temperature monitoring system - Moore Industries' T2X-DWB Wall-Mount Room Air Temperature Monitoring System is designed for monitoring indoor conditions in production facilities-such as in semiconductor, micro-electronics, pharmaceuticals and biotech processes-where maintaining stable ambient temperature is required for on-spec product and predictable yields. Enclosed in an easy-to-install surface-mount wall box, the T2X-DWB uses a precision 1000 ohm platinum RTD to provide highly-accurate temperature readings (+/-0.5degC input accuracy with +/-0.1% of span output accuracy). It provides a 4-20mA output that is linear with temperature, and ready for direct interface with a monitoring/control system. Up to 5 years between scheduled calibrations reduces maintenance requirements.

Standards-based approach insures increased interoperability - GE Fanuc Automation is building its next generation Proficy solutions based on the new OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) standards released today by the OPC Foundation. The announcement was made at ARC Advisory Group's 14th Annual Forum 'Driving Enterprise Performance Through Next Generation Manufacturing Concepts.' "This effort is an extension of the Open and Layered approach that we have been using for years with our Proficy software," said Pete Sage, GE Fanuc Chief Software Architect. "GE Fanuc is committed to supporting standards as a key element of our product development strategy and OPC helps us with that.

Marketing & sales summit for Austin - The ISA Management Division has announced ISA's premier event for Executives, Senior Sales and Marketing Professionals! This event helps marketing and sales executives in the automation market meet the strategic and tactical challenges of the 21st century. Automation products are complicated, our distribution channels are unique, and our customers are among the most sophisticated in the world. "This forum will provide a venue where we can discuss and more fully understand the realities of our business and how to better create customer-focused organizations. We'll have keynotes and plenary sessions from Gartner,ABB, Honeywell, and more."
ISA's First Annual Marketing & Sales Summit: 13-15 September 2006, Omni Downtown in Austin, TX

Gauging transducers - Research measurements and precision gauging of machined parts rely on accurate, reliable and robust sensors. RDP Electronics' range of GT Gauging displacement transducers are based on the long-term accuracy and reliability of well established and proven LVDT principles leading to what is possibly the most robust and reliable position sensor available. These transducers are suitable for industrial applications and constructed using external stainless steel components with a flexible rubber gaiter to provide additional environmental protection.

Data-acquisition software suite offers comprehensive configuration capabilities - Daqworx from Yokogawa is a PC-based integrated data-acquisition software package for acquiring and recording data from equipment used in the production and research & development environments. Designed to acquire and record data such as flow rate, pressure, temperature and voltage from production and test equipment, DAQWORX allows users to configure a variety of data-acquisition systems without having to perform any special programming tasks.

Data to Windows - TAL Technologies WinWedge software from Datalink captures RS232 serial data, custom tailors it to your needs, then transfers the data to any Windows application - either by sending keystrokes to the application's window or by passing the data through DDE conversations. Input real-time data directly into Excel, Access and more. Typical Applications Process Control, Manufacturing, Quality Control, Laboratories and Scientific/Medical Research, Engineering, Research, Auto ID and Bar Coding, Telephony and Data Communications, Retail and Warehouse Data Collection and others.
Datalink are advertisers with the Read-out Signpost

Free Solids Radar Trial - Users can now experience for themselves the "new era"of reliability and performance in using Vegapuls 68 radar for solids level measurement with a free with a no-obligation trial. A complimentary 'new era' liquid optical mouse or a mug with it's own 'level gauge' will also be offered to each customer who participates. Find out all about this on the Vega Controls UK.

Next generation enhancements in mass flow launched - Earlier this week the Micro Motion arm of Signpost - May 31st), the new technology is for use in extreme temperatures performing in all sorts of hostile conditions; giving the best Coriolis meter performance for applications where entrained gas is present; and in perhaps the most useful feature each meter has verification technology enabling meter health assessment in-situ.
This launch is part of a worldwide "Perspectives Tour" and includes events in the US in Colorado (Micromotion's HQ), France, Germany, China and Japan as well as other centres

Surviving Katrina! - 'Secure protection against hostile environments' is a favourite phrase amongst manufacturers of process monitoring equipment - but infra-red temperature measurement specialist Land Instruments International has had its confidence in its product vindicated more dramatically than it could have imagined. One of the company's LSP61 line scanner heads was returned to its USA office with a handwritten note that read: "Unit has been underwater during Hurricane Katrina. Please check out and repair if needed".
When service technicians removed the covers from the housing they feared the worst - only to discover that the sensitive detector and complex electronic circuitry inside were completely dry and undamaged.
The scanner had come from the production line of a company making building materials in Mobile, Alabama, which was devastated by heavy rains and high winds and left under several feet of water when the hurricane passed through in August 2005.

Nick Denbow writes: This week has several major developments for Processingtalk: first a section of the newsletter is devoted to FLOWTALK, news of flowmetering developments. This is a product area I find of considerable interest:: Flowmeters have their own special FLOWTALK section on Processingtalk, and this week in particular there has been an amazing group of press releases primarily on ultrasonic and clamp-on flow measurement systems: maybe this results from last week's request for opinions about the best current fiscal measurement techniques. Second, Processingtalk is pleased to launch WATER-Talk, as a new sub section on the website. For many years I worked in water and sewage instrumentation and systems, and it is an area that maybe has not been given sufficient emphasis to date within Processingtalk. So the water and waste-water treatment industry stories on the website are being collected together into this new section, which is sub-divided according to the different sections of water and waste treatment plant. Straight product stories such as level and flow measurement will stay in their own subject categories; the WATER-Talk section is for application stories primarily."

Superior design for accurate measurements - The Testo 6440 measures mass flow to guarantee correct measurements and is unaffected by the effect of fluctuating pressure conditions and temperatures. In four diameter sizes, the 6440 offers a compact design coupled with integrated high-performance technology, which provides all necessary signal outputs. The built-in inflow and outflow pipes guarantee optimum accuracy and the thermal glass coated ceramic sensor offers robustness and fast reaction times.

Software at the Hong Kong Water Authority - A comprehensive Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system has been established in the Water Supplies Department (WSD) over the past two decades. The SCADA system allows remote monitoring and control of pumping stations and service reservoirs in the water supply network spanning the whole Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) at Regional SCADA Control Centres. Over the years, it has undergone various stages of evolution in company with changes in the business environment of the department, the data manipulation capability and the information technology.

New data logger - The miniature sensor with maximum performance - Raytek has expanded the capabilities of its MI Series of compact, digital infrared (IR) temperature sensors. Due to its miniature size and broad feature set, the MI is one of the top-selling IR sensors in the world. Now Raytek has combined these features with a new technology that significantly improves the optical resolution of the MI, tapping additional applications and allowing direct replacement of contact probes. The new family of MI sensors can achieve up to 22:1 optical resolution and withstand ambient temperatures up to 180degC without any cooling. This allows accurate measurement of very small spot sizes in confined spaces and difficult ambient conditions.

New pulsed xenon flash source - Glen Spectra introduces the OL 700-22 Pulsed Xenon Flash Source, a high-pressure, short arc Xenon flash lamp operating at 100Hz rate. Designed for applications such as ultraviolet (UV) reflection and transmission measurements which require a higher UV to visible light ratio, and hence lower stray light, than can be achieved with a tungsten halogen source. The OL 700-22 comes with an SMA 905 connector that couples the source through a miniature fibre optic probe to accessories, including integrating spheres and transmittance and reflectance attachments. The ability to cascade two OL 700-22 sources enables the user to perform near simultaneous reflectance and transmittance sample analysis. As it produces a pulsed signal, the OL 700-22 is less likely than continuous sources to contribute to solarisation in optical fibre assemblies, frequently occurring when fibres are illuminated with wavelengths less than 260nm.

Software-defined radio concept compliant with 3GPP-LTE - IMEC, the European independent nanoelectronics and nanotechnology research institute, is showing at Cannes on the air 3GPP-LTE compliant data transmission, from a first FPGA-based hardware-software prototype of its flexible air interface (FLAI) platform. IMEC also demonstrates a software transaction-level model representation of this FLAI platform, as first implementation step towards a 90nm chip-tape-out of the FLAI-SDR (software-defined radio) platform beginning next year.

High performance licensed radio connects serial devices - Westermo Data Communications has released a new range of high performance industrial radio modem's to provide wireless links between serial devices over long distances and in demanding industrial applications. The ELPRO 455U series form a robust and secure platform to provide high-speed wireless connectivity via licensed radio channels. Designed and built for systems applications requiring the higher level of reliability offered by licensed radio channels, the 455U's can connect to PLC's, HMI's, DCS, data acquisition, video devices and industrial PC's.

New linear power supply - Calex Electronics announces the latest additions to its range of highly successful DIN rail mounted linear regulated power supplies, the new 42024B and 42023B/3 high power models. The 42024B offers a 24V DC output at up to 4A, with the 42024B/3 providing a 24V DC output at 3A. The smooth output from these models has a ripple of less than 5mV rms, with a voltage tolerance of +/-0.5% maximum. Their outputs are also fully protected against short circuits and overload.

New fieldbus wiring hubs give 25% capacity boost - MTL-Relcom has launched four 12-port versions of the best-selling Megablock wiring hub for use in modern fieldbus networks. The FCS-MB12-SG-T, F215, F271 and F271-XE feature an integrated switched and switchable terminator respectively thus increasing the range of options to include 2-, 4-, 8-, 10- and 12-drop versions. Megablocks minimise the amount of hand wiring required in the field and allow individual fieldbus devices to be added to and removed from the segment without disrupting network communication. Most modern fieldbus projects use a chickenfoot topology accommodating 10 field devices and 2 spares thus making the 12-drop Megablock ideal for the majority of installations. The range provides versions for installation in all hazardous areas with certification that covers all hazardous-area protection techniques.

Versatile configuration options added to unmanaged Ethernet switches - Harting overcome the traditional limitations of unmanaged industrial Ethernet switches by offering a wide range of configuration options. Whereas most unmanaged Ethernet switches allow the user to program a limited number of settings such as auto-negotiation, port enable/disable or parallel port redundancy, the SmartCon switches offer more than 100 configuration options, including programmable functions such as 'mirroring' and redundancy.

Suspension performance telemetry system for small wheels - The Kistler RoaDyn System 2000 measuring wheels are widely used to collect real time suspension performance data but the in-board telemetry system makes them unsuitable for use on vehicles with small wheels or large drum brakes. Small wheels, in particular, have very limited space between the hub and the wheel for mounting the telemetry equipment. To provide a solution, Kistler has developed a version of the RoaDyn System 2000 specifically for 12, 13 and 14 inch wheels.

New robot controller - Epson Germany launched a new robot controller named RC170 at the Automatica fair in Munich. The RC170 itself should be treated as an entry model into a palette of new compact size robot controller, which completes the portfolio of the vendor in the area of small stand-alone controller. The new controller offers all the known and reliable cutting edge technology from Epson, but can be offered for an outstanding attractive price.

Surging demand from financial institutions and rationalisation of the telecom sector drives adoption of UPS systems - The maturing datacentres market is experiencing continued growth due to its widespread popularity among corporate clients. Also key to the market’s ongoing expansion has been the need for more storage and facility upgrades to suit evolving business needs. This in turn has fuelled the demand for UPS systems, with UPS manufacturers working closely with datacentres to provide systems with high redundancy, better monitoring capability and improved reliability. A report from Frost & Sullivan ("Forecasts of the European Market for UPS in Datacentres") finds that the European Market for UPS in Datacentres earned revenues of $114.6 million in 2005 and estimates this to reach $263.4 million in 2012.
UPS systems have been an integral part of the critical equipment in datacentres. With the increasing need for 24/7 power availability in many sectors, fully redundant UPS systems are being installed to provide protection against power failures.

Sometimes we don't get it! - InTech e-News is the weekly news supplement to InTech Magazine, published by ISA-Setting the Standard for Automation and distributed to ISA members. You may find news whis we have missed there! InTech News is an added benefit to InTech's magazine subscribers. If you are not currently subscribed to InTech, and you want to get the magazine, as well as InTech News, you must sign up for a free print subscription. Just fill out the online qualification form

New thermal imaging application DVD available free - Fluke is offering a free, educational, Thermal Imaging Application DVD which explains how thermal imagers can be put into best practice in industrial applications. The new DVD "Thermal imaging in industrial applications" covers the principles of thermal imaging and explains how this powerful troubleshooting technology can be utilised to locate and troubleshoot hotspots around industrial complexes. It covers, for example, the inspection of infrastructure and electrical systems.

Accolade recognises achievements in wireless technology - MaxStream, the global leader in embedded wireless connectivity, has announced that the company's founding executives have received the 2006 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in the technology category of the Utah (US) region. According to Ernst & Young, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic Utah-based businesses. Brad Walters, Hugh Nielsen, Nick Mecham and David Steed were selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented during the annual gala event at the Salt Palace Convention Center on June 16.
The Entrepreneur of the Year awards program was created and is produced by professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP. As the first award of its kind, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award recognises outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses. The program honours entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programs in over 100 cities and 35 countries.

Extending plant applications integration with enterprise business systems - GE Fanuc has announced the release of Proficy Enterprise Connector 1.5, which provides bi-directional enterprise integration between Proficy and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, such as SAP. The introduction of this real-time capability allows manufacturers to establish flexible production operations and remain competitive in the global economy. As an extension of their Proficy Plant Applications integrated suite of Production Management Solutions, Enterprise Connector enables the mapping of the external Business Systems requests to/from the Proficy Information Architecture. The information from manufacturing facilities is now available to the business to make more rapid, informed, business decisions.

Bus profile for pumps - ProfiBus International (PI) has released a ProfiBus/ProfiNET profile for vacuum and hydraulic pumps in conjunction with the VDMA (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau - German Engineering Federation) and the NAMUR (User Association for Automation in Process Industries). An implementation of the device profile on these communication systems is planned for the spring of 2007.
ProfiBus also tell us that well-known manufacturers of sensors, actuators and automation technology have established the "IO Link" working group under their umbrella. Their goal is to develop the specification for a fieldbus-independent communication interface for intelligent sensors and actuators in production automation. The scope of the specification work will focus on the transmission physics (electrical and mechanical properties, topology), sensor/actuator communication with the IO assemblies, a neutral data interface to the higher-level communication system and engineering.
This and more on our Fieldbus News Page

Latest flow news published - The July 2006 issue of Hot Hot Topics!, from Flow Research brings up-to-date on some important new developments in the flowmeter business. It highlights their new temperature sensors study, which is still hot off the press. It also reports on some important acquisitions in both the temperature and flowmeter areas. Hot Hot Topics to keeps readers up-to-date on the latest important developments in flow, temperature, and pressure measurement.

Innovative "Ultra for Flow Technology" now available on Transmitters with Modbus protocol - Emerson Process Management has announced the availability of Ultra for Flow technology in the Rosemount 3095 MultiVariable Transmitter with MODBUS protocol. Emerson's award-winning(1) Ultra for Flow innovation enables the ability to deliver unparalleled measurement performance in flow applications over wide flow turndowns. Combining Ultra for Flow and multivariable technologies on MODBUS transmitters results in lower installation and maintenance costs and reduced process variability for custody transfer and other critical flow applications. As the industry's first MODBUS transmitter with performance specified as a percent of reading, versus the traditional percent of span, Ultra for Flow is an extension to the field-proven Rosemount 3095 platform. The technology innovation of a "percent of reading" transmitter eliminates the performance degradation inherent in the square root relationship between flow and differential pressure; maximising flow accuracy over wide flow turndowns.
Emerson won a 2005 Innovation Award from Flow Control magazine for the Rosemount 3051S Ultra for Flow transmitter.

Joint venture to build Middle East's largest pump repair-manufacture-test-training facility in Saudi Arabia - Al Rushaid Group and Flowserve Corp ratified an agreement today to build the largest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) pump repair, manufacturing and training facility in the Middle East. Construction of the 20,500 square meter (220,660 square feet) complex to be located at the Al Rushaid Oil Field Center in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, will commence in July 2006. It is expected to be fully operational in October 2007.

Environmental monitoring supplier opens office in Ireland - Quantitech, one of Britain's leading suppliers of environmental monitoring and occupational hygiene testing equipment, has opened a new office in Ireland. Managing Director Keith Golding says that the move is "a result of recent growth in the market and part of our overall strategy to provide first class service to our customers. The provision of a local office will enable us to respond more quickly to customer needs." Dylan Wilks will manage the new Quantitech office, which is located in Galway not 20 miles from the Read-out Signpost office.

New probe for measurement at high alkalinity and high temperature - ProMinent Fluid Controls has introduced a new pH combination probe, capable of operating under high alkalinity and high temperature conditions, making it ideally suited to aggressive conditions in the process and plating industries. The PHEP-H 314 SE features a new glass that extends the maximum pH measurement from 12 up to 14 and will operate at temperatures up to 100degC.

New water cooled switching adaptor offers precision at high operating temperatures - The new Type 7533A water-cooled switching adapter for use with a wide range of Kistler pressure sensors provides a combination of long sensor life and measurement precision when used in exhaust systems of internal combustion engines. When activated, the adapter exposes the sensor to the hot gases only for as long as pressure measurements are required. This increases the life of the sensor, especially when used in internal combustion engines with high exhaust temperatures and wide pressure fluctuations. When deactivated, the sensor is isolated from the hot gases and is exposed only to ambient temperature and pressure.

Industrial power/signal interface unit with metal cover for added protection - Harting has introduced a new version of the Han-Port industrial interface unit with a metal cover for added protection and additional inserts for power and signal connections. The new device allows users to connect external devices such as laptops or PCs for set-up, programming and error diagnosis of complete industrial installations directly to the front panel of a control cabinet without opening the cabinet door.

Dual full-bridge low-voltage motor driver IC for portable applications - The new A3901 from Allegro MicroSystems Europe is a dual full-bridge motor driver IC designed for low-voltage portable applications involving bipolar stepper or brush DC motors. MOSFET output stages are used to substantially reduce the voltage drop and the power dissipation of the outputs of the A3901 compared to typical drivers using bipolar transistors. The outputs have been optimised for low voltage drop, with currents of up to +/-400 mA (+/-800 mA with outputs paralleled) and an operating voltage range of 2.5 to 5.5 V. Power-off current in 'sleep' mode is only 50 nA.

New networking director appointed - The MTL Instruments Group plc has announced that Ian Verhappen has joined the group as Director of Industrial Networking Technologies. In this new role Ian will be responsible for the development and support of not only MTL's present fieldbus products but also new technologies that will be critical to the ongoing success of both MTL and its customers. Ian Verhappen is highly respected in the Process Automation sector and has served as project lead, engineer, designer or independant review consultant for a number of companies and industries around the world including; Pulp and Paper, Mining, Food Processing, Water and Wastewater, Oil Sands processing, Petrochemicals and Refining. He has also occupied senior positions in the ISA the international automation society and indeed is a fellow of the society. Ian is also editor of ICEnews a bi-monthly electronic newsletter covering the happenings in the automation industry (or as he says himself: "All that's Cool in Instrumentation and Control Engineering."

International conference programme available - CAN in Automation (CiA) has released the program for the 11th international CAN Conference. More than 20 white papers are scheduled at the conference of cutting edge CAN-developments; topics are for example the CAN system design and implementation as well as software tools to configure CAN networks. A number of papers covers vehicle applications, others discuss time-triggered CAN communication. Also introduced will be gateway technologies and scientific research. Furthermore the conference features papers on the physical CAN layer, and on applications in special environments such as aircrafts or subsea vehicles.
Experts from all over the world and from the most diversified application areas have met for the last twelve years at this international event, which is going to take place in Stockholm, Sweden this time around. The conference is unique in its target group and offers visitors the possibilities to become acquainted with the latest developments in Controller Area Network. It is also a platform for exchanging experiences internationally with experts from related work fields.

Automation Federation Website Goes Live - The Automation Federation has just launched its website. The site features up-to-date news and information about the organization, its charter members and officers. ISA is the founding sponsor of The Federation, and OMAC and WBF are founding charter members.

Integrated control and safety system for gas terminal - An integrated control and safety system supplied by Yokogawa forms the communications hub of the Scottish Area Gas Evacuation (SAGE) Terminal at St. Fergus, 65 kilometres north of Aberdeen. This terminal currently receives and processes gas from the SAGE and Britannia pipelines in the North Sea and pumps it into the Transco Grid which provides gas supplies throughout Britain. Through collaboration in a joint field development, BG and Amerada Hess have constructed an additional North Sea pipeline to transport gas and condensate into SAGE from the BG and Amerada Hess owned Atlantic and Cromarty fields located 80km North East of St Fergus. The development includes the construction of a new extension to the terminal, dedicated to processing the Atlantic and Cromarty gas and liquids.

M5 size pressure sensor has piezosmart automatic identification - The new Type 6052C high temperature pressure sensor from Kistler combines small, M5 size with rugged construction making it ideal for use on gasoline or diesel multi-valve engines both in the test-cell and for in-vehicle investigations. The sensor is capable of operating at up to 400 deg C and is ideal for thermodynamic investigations up to the knock limit of the engine. The front seal design provides direct heat dissipation from the diaphragm to ensure optimal thermal conditions at the sensor element.

New portable 3-phase power logger automates energy and power quality studies - Contract for digital automation of C$10.3 Billion Horizon Oil Sands Project in Canada - Emerson Process Management announces that it has been awarded a contract by Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (CNRL) to digitally automate the first phase of its C$10.3 billion Horizon Oil Sands Project, located 75 miles northwest of Fort McMurray, Alberta. Under the contract, Emerson will lead the automation of facilities that recover and upgrade bitumen into sweetened synthetic crude oil. The contract is for the first phase of the Horizon project which will allow CNRL to produce 110,000 barrels per day of synthetic crude oil. Phase 1 of the project is scheduled to start production in the second half of 2008. In all, three phases are planned for the project, raising total production to 232,000 barrels per day upon completion in 2012.

Restructuring announcement - The Southern Compliance Association (SCA), one of Britain's leading Regulatory Compliance associations, has been restructured to enhance and develop the benefits that its members receive. EMC Resources Ltd remains the Association Secretariat; and in addition they have recently appointed Mr Alan Warner of A.W.Services to be the Member's Services Manager.

Get ready for America's biggest automation show - The ISA EXPO 2006 Web site has a ton of information about the event to help you plan your trip and get the most out of your time in Houston.
Log in to create a personal planner with your "must see" exhibitors, technical conference sessions you just can't miss, and of course, all the after hours activities.
You can also register for your free exhibition pass which gets you in to all the keynotes, panel discussions, standards updates, and much, much more. Just enter passcode W12345a when you sign up.
"And be sure to bookmark the Web site and come back often for the latest news and updates. We'll be adding things all the time as we get closer and closer to ISA EXPO."

New adjustable infrared temperature sensors - Calex Electronics have announced three new additions to the Convir TL series of fixed-mount infrared temperature sensors. These new TL-TE models offer users the ability to reach out and take control of their pyrometers by replacing the old service interface with a simple rotary emissivity adjustment. This eliminates the need to remove these sensors from service and connect them to a PC to change the emissivity setting. Now this can be done on the production line as soon as the need arises, either when the sensors are first installed or when they are confronted by new materials with different emissivity values.

Miniature pressure regulator provides compact solution for high purity gas handling systems - The Veriflo division of Parker Hannifin has launched a miniature point-of-use pressure regulator that is ideal for valve manifold box or panel applications - to distribute high purity gases to tools or locations in semiconductor fabs and high-technology manufacturing sites and laboratories. Despite a compact footprint of just 1.25 inches square (31.75 mm), the new VMB regulator offers excellent performance including a Cv of 0.1 and an ability to accommodate inlet pressures to 500 PSIG (35 BarG).

European show bucks trend! - Good news on the exhibition front at last! Europe's leading special-interest exhibition for automation technology, SPS/IPC/Drives, is an increasing success. More than 1,200 exhibitors are expected to come to Nuremberg this year from 28 ­ 30 November. Available for them is a total exhibition space of 78,500 sqm in eight exhibition halls. At the beginning of June, the exhibitors have already applied for more exhibition space altogether than last year. There will be more than 90 new exhibitors at the event. A growing number of international exhibitors use the platform to present themselves to the German and foreign customers. In 2005 their percentage was at 17 % of the total number of exhibitors, this year even more exhibitors from abroad are expected.
34,653 visitors came to SPS/IPC/DRIVES in 2005, of which 10 % came from foreign countries. 60 % of all visitors work in the fields of construction and development and on an executive level. This is the mix and quality of visitors the exhibitors are looking for ­ a fact which is proofed by the result of the exhibitor survey in which 82 % of the companies rate the quality of the visitors as very good / good.

New RoHS compliant low profile push button TACT switch saves space - knitter-switch, Europe's largest switch manufacturer, has announced the introduction of the new TSS 309 push-button tact switch. This space-saving surface mounted switch measures 3.8 x 6.0mm and is just 1.7mm high. For secure mounting and good electrical contact a single J-lead terminal is provided which ensures maximum solder on the joint and aids visual inspection. Where required, versions are also available with flat solder terminals. Two actuator forces are available, 180 and 360gm and operational lifetime is better than 100,000 operations. The TSS 309 may be soldered at 260degC, is RoHS compliant and features contact ratings of 12VDC or 23VDC @ 50mA, a maximum contact resistance of 100m‡ and an operating temperature range of -20 to +70șC.

Press-in tools connectors - Following the recent launch of the Harting AdvancedMC Type B+ connectors for AdvancedTCA applications, they have introduced a set of press-in tools to speed their assembly onto printed circuit boards. The tools are designed for different specifications of connector: both with and without pegs. In addition, the tools can be used with PCBs both with and without the additional mounting fixture option.

Miniature linear air bearing stage has massive potential for high performance alignment and assembly - Aerotech's ABL 1000 series miniature air bearing stages are designed for ultra-high performance alignment applications in semiconductor manufacture, fibre optics, photonics, MEMS and nanotechnology. Available in travel ranges of 25 mm, 50 mm, 100 mm and 150 mm, the miniature stages include non-contact linear brushless servo motors and linear encoders for completely friction free performance with speeds to 300 mm/sec and positioning resolution as low as 1.0 nm with the A3200 Digital Automation Platform control system.

A fundamentally new device with potential to open a whole new field of semiconducting control devices - Energy Conversion Devices (ECD Ovonics) has just announced that Stanford R. Ovshinsky, its President, Chief Scientist and Technologist, at a press conference held today at 10:30 a.m., discussed a fundamentally new device, called the Ovonic Quantum Control, which has the potential to open a whole new field of semiconducting control devices. The Ovonic Quantum Control, based on Stan Ovshinsky's invention of a unique proprietary all thin-film control device, is based on new physics and has multifunctionality beyond that of transistors. Its nanostructure size, great speed and very high current carrying capacity together with unusual modulation including gain, provide advantages over transistors.

Hitting a sweet spot! - MTL Open System Technologies (MOST), part of the MTL Instruments Group, has announced that its SafetyNet Functional Safety platform has been certified by TUeV Rheinland for use in SIL 2 safety functions. Solution Providers, using MOST's products can now meet the safety needs of Emergency Shut Down (ESD), Fire & Gas (F&G), Burner Management (BMS) applications and - together with MOST's Process Control Platform - they can also meet the needs for Integrated Control and Safety Systems (ICSS). "SafetyNet hits a sweet spot in today's market." says Dil Wetherill, Business Development Manager for MOST. "As safety system companies and end users apply IEC61508, they find that they have many SIL 2 safety functions which do not require the initial expense, cabinet space and on-going life costs of more sophisticated SIL 3 solutions."

Flexible sensor solution for near infrared with higher resolution - XenICs, the leading developer of innovative infrared image sensors, is extending its product line of NIR image capture systems to include the fully digital, software-configurable camera XEVA-FPA-640. The device is based on a thermoelectrically cooled InGaAs sensor array with 640 x 512 pixels, which fits into a compact housing together with the control and communication electronics.

New low power 'Side-Looking' doppler flowmeter - OTT Hydrometry has launched a new acoustic doppler sensor system for continuous monitoring of flow velocity and water level (optional) in rivers and open channels. The system provides reliable velocity measurements even in a flood situation with high sediment loads. The OTT SLD (Side-Looking Doppler) is compact and easy to install and operate in rivers or open channels. It is available in three versions offering a velocity measurement range of up to + / - 10 m/sec for water bodies that are up to 80m wide, The SLD measures velocity by dividing the water body in to 9 independent 'cells' with two horizontal beams looking sideways into the flow. The cell velocities are combined to give an average velocity for the section.

Versatile VME SBC suits variety of applications and environments - Concurrent Technologies has announced a range of high performance, low power VME single board computers (SBC) - the VP33x/02x family. With a choice of processors, from the low power 1.0 GHz Intel Celeron M ULV 373 processor up to the high performance 1.8 GHz Intel Pentium M processor 745, and a wide variety of I/O features, these RoHS compliant boards are suitable for a broad range of commercial applications; for harsher applications, extended temperature options enable operation over -40degC to +85degC or over -25degC to +70degC. The flexibility and options available within this product family will offer the system integrator the opportunity to use the same board for many different projects, therefore ensuring both an excellent return on software development time as well as reducing time to market for new projects. Typical applications for these RoHS compliant products are expected to be within the defense, security, telemetry, industrial control, scientific, and aerospace markets.

Calibrating level measuring instruments - Krohne has state-of-the-art calibration equipment for level measuring instruments. They operate systems for both radar and TDR measuring instruments which offer high accuracy, reliability and efficiency. The calibration process is to a large extent automated and is performed on calibration lines of over 30 meters long in some cases. Extensive safety measures ensure that the automatic measuring slide does not endanger operating staff and that external influences do not distort the measurements.

Powerful oscilloscope-based embedded serial analysis - A new embedded serial triggering and analysis module, the DPOEMBD, is now available from TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments) to convert the Tektronix DPO4000 Series oscilloscope family into a powerful tool for embedded system designers. Serial buses present significant challenges for development engineers, but the new module addresses these problems for engineers working with low-speed serial buses such as I2C and SPI.

New digital delay pulse generator driver reduces setup times and costs - Quantum Composers is introducing a new NI certified project-style LabVIEW software driver for the full-featured Model 9500+ digital delay pulse generator. The superlative functionality of the Model 9500+ offers limitless configuration possibilities in experimental/operational designs.  To eliminate the time and effort it takes to define programming combinations, this new flexible approach provides ready-made examples for most common operations in a logical, three tier design. The intuitive hierarchy, combined with advantages like drag/drop and protected data spaces, offered by this project-style driver makes designing custom code quick and efficient. The driver communicates via serial, GPIB, Ethernet and USB without any additional code changes.

Teaching suite - NI ELVIS, a premier design and prototyping teaching suite from National Instruments, now offers USB plug-and-play connectivity and LabVIEW Express VIs for point-and-click configuration. With the incorporation of USB M Series data acquisition devices into the NI ELVIS product offering, educators will have the plug-and-play simplicity of USB, as well as tight integration with National Instruments LabVIEW, NI SignalExpress and Electronics Workbench Multisim 9 and MultiMCU, to teach science and engineering concepts in multiple disciplines.

Guide details new technology for interfacing flow instrumentation - Parker Instrumentation has published a 20-page guide to a new technology for interfacing differential pressure transmitters to process piping. The close-coupled instrument mounting system or CCIMS, eliminates all the 'impulse line' tubing, valve and manifold components conventionally required to attach instruments to an orifice plate. This provides significant gains in installation speed, a reduction in potential leak paths, plus benefits in measurement performance. The guide describes the technology, and the choices of isolation valves, instrument manifolds and flow paths required for various flow measurement applications. .

World first for perpetual source of power - Perpetuum has launched the world's first truly effective vibration energy harvester to power wireless and battery-free devices capable of sending large amounts of data from many types of industrial equipment. The PMG7 high-performance microgenerator enables users to power sensors, microprocessors and transmitters for accurately monitoring the condition of plant equipment and machinery without the need for batteries, expensive cabling or maintenance. The easy-to-install solution is now available to OEMs, sensor manufacturers and end-users in all industries, allowing them to make significant cost savings.

Control systems contract for large coal-fired power station in Australia - Yokogawa has received a contract for a control systems replacement project at the Loy Yang A coal-fired power station in Australia. This contract is estimated to be worth approximately 30 million Australian dollars.
The Loy Yang A coal-fired power station is the largest thermal power station in the state of Victoria and it went into operation in 1984. The total power output of the station is 2200MW (550MW of electricity output by each of the station's four power generators). To address the aging of the control systems and ensure the long-term stability of station operation, Yokogawa will replace the control systems for the whole station, including the power generation, station common plant and coal transportation facilities.

Innovative, new thermal imagers aimed at higher-end industrial Predictive Maintenance - Fluke, has extended its range of fully radiometric thermal imagers with the innovative, easy-to-use, IR FlexCam Series, intended for engineers, consultants and experts in Predictive Maintenance (PdM) needing the highest quality imagers to do their job. Models featuring the IR-Fusion option, an innovative technology that fuses infrared and visible light images with each other on the 127mm colour displays, enable easier identification of suspect components. Each thermal imager comes complete with powerful analysis and reporting software. The new Ti40, Ti45, Ti50 and Ti55 IR FlexCam Thermal Imagers produce the industry's largest and sharpest thermal images in real time, thanks to the low noise, high sensitivity VOx detectors. Thus more hidden problems are revealed, faster, enabling maintenance to be predicted and downtime prevented. With a choice of detector sizes of 320 x 240 pixels (Ti55and Ti50) or 160 x 120 pixels (Ti45 and Ti40), the IR FlexCam models reveal very subtle temperature differences down to 0.05șC NETD (Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference) for the Ti55, on a high contrast 127mm colour display. The Ti40 and Ti50 measure up to 350șC, the Ti45 and Ti55 up to 600șC. There is an option for up to 1200 șC on the Ti45.

Modules add safety-critical systems to fieldbus applications - New Carlo Gavazzi DuplineSafe bus transmitters and relays allow customers to leverage investment in the Dupline fieldbus system to monitor safety-critical emergency-stop switches. Major benefits of using the Dupline fieldbus for safety monitoring include reduced wiring while meeting international safety standards, and enhanced diagnostics to trace faults quickly and maximise uptime. This range includes a compact, bus-powered input module that can be positioned close to individual emergency stop switches, and a relay output module to monitor switch activation and generate status outputs for external equipment. Both modules are TÜV-certified compliant with IEC/EN61508-SIL3 and EN954-1 Cat. 4 safety standards for emergency stop systems. A handheld configuration tool is also provided, which can be connected at any point on the Dupline bus for easy coding and testing without requiring a PC. The DuplineSafe system also features gateways to Profibus-DP and Modbus fieldbus systems, which allows convenient display of safety bus information on a text display or via a PLC or PC.

More punch in sensor signal conditioning with tw0-in-one packaging - ZMD AG, a global supplier of high-precision sensor and wireless semiconductor solutions, has expanded sensor capabilities by incorporating two signal conditioners in one slim package under the product name of ZMD31012. The new device contains two ZMD31010 devices in a single SSOP14 package sized at 6.33mm x 7.90mm, giving designers twice the functionality in less than half the real estate occupied by two individual SOP8 packages sized at 5mm x 6.30mm.

Unleashing the commercial potentiolk of nanomaterial technologies - The Advanced Technology Institute at the University of Surrey, and its plasma processing partner CEVP, have won substantial project funding from the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to help develop a tool for growing nanomaterials. SEEDA's funding injection of 215,000 stg - which raises the project's development capital to 450,000 stg - will aid the commercialisation of a practical method of mass-producing revolutionary materials such as carbon nanotubes. As a result, industry will gain access to an affordable platform for manufacturing leading-edge products such as ultra-fast semiconductors, low-energy solid-state lighting, and super-efficient solar cells.

OPC alarm notification software enables customized escalation procedure via SMS - U.C.ME-OPC software version 6.0, from Control See Software, offers alarm notification using escalation procedures using SMS technology. Instead of sending the alarm message to all recipients, it enables automation administrators to notify the recipients in a pre-defined escalation procedure. For example: Send the alarm SMS to the technician, if the alarm is not acknowledged by the technician within 5 minutes, send the alarm SMS to the maintenance manager, if the alarm is not acknowledged within additional 5 minutes, send the alarm to the plant manager.

Fibre optic sensors in Mexico FISO Technologies, leading manufacturer of high-quality fiber optic sensors and measurement systems for challenging and demanding applications, has signed a Representative Agreement with Electelco S.A. de C.V. (Ingenieros Consultores) for Mexico.

Two engineers certified - National Instruments UK & Ireland today announced that Kevin Snelling and Martin Saxon, both Directors of Product Technology Partners Ltd, a National Instruments Alliance Partner, have achieved LabWindows/CVI  Certification status.  Kevin and Martin are the second and third engineers in the UK & Ireland that have attained this qualification. "For 10 years, LabWindows/CVI has been our development platform of choice for control, automation and test software", said Dr Saxon. "Formal certification complements our proven track record in these areas and our customers can be confident that we have the necessary skills to meet their requirements".

Get hands-on’ at international conference - The 2006 ProfiBus International User Conference, taking place at Coombe Abbey in Warwickshire from 27 - 28 June, will include a hands-on training event run by an International team of experts from ProfiBus training centres world-wide. This is just one element of this year's conference, which covers all aspects, from system design, implementation, experience and maintenance and also features user application presentations, plus an exhibition of supplier's equipment. Delegates can choose to mix listening to the presentations with attendance on the training courses, which run in parallel.

New manager in France - Krohne has appointed Jacques van den Bosch to the management of its French subsidiary. KROHNE produces state-of-the-art level measuring instruments in France. Jacques van den Bosch is a native of the Netherlands and an expert for industrial engineering and strategic marketing. Since 1998 van den Bosch has been responsible for the production, buying, stock keeping and dispatch departments at KROHNE in the UK as well as service of the mass flow division. Michael Dubbick, president of Krohne France and managing director of the Group, is convinced that Jacques van den Bosch will drive forward the level measuring division at Krohne. "We are delighted that we have secured a creative mind for this position in Jacques van den Bosch. He will accelerate the current and further development of the site and products at KROHNE France with his resolute manner."

Quick-exchange threaded switch probes for 2.54 mm centres - Peak Test Services has introduced a new range of threaded switch test probes, the P202/GI5 Series, designed for use with 2.54 mm (0.1 inch) centres. The new devices feature the quick-exchange solderless probe replacement technique, as pioneered by Peak with the 201/GI family for 4.0 mm centres. The fact that the probe is threaded at the top of the barrel leads to a more robust assembly, even with the 2.54 mm centre spacing.

Multi-channel scope from single USB port - The highly successful pocket-sized Elan USBscope50 is now even easier to use in multi-channel applications. Until now most users who need a multi-channel scope have usually needed to use separate USB ports on their PCs.  Now Elan offers a simple, flexible and low cost 2 or 4 port USB hub with flying leads allowing  multiple USBscopes to be operated from a single USB port. It is fully synchronized in multi-channel mode and also offers full galvanic isolation which protects both equipment and users from potential electrical shock or damage. The USBscope50 together with the USB hub means that all the features of a powerful oscilloscope come in a small and convenient form factor at a fraction of the price.

European UPS market rebounds strongly as competition heats up and investments increase - The beleaguered western European uninterruptible power supply (UPS) market is making a strong comeback following the crash of the IT and telecom market in the early part of the decade. As economic confidence returns, especially among continental EU countries, investment in industry, infrastructure and also the IT and telecom sector is rising, triggering a positive spillover effect on the UPS market. Frost & Sullivan finds that the Western European UPS Market earned revenues of €958.0 million in 2005 and estimates this to reach €1.5 billion in 2012.

Effective development of client focused R&D offers greatest potential for protecting future revenues in the German electric drives market - In a further report Frost & Sullivan reports that the German electric drives market is seeing growth in a variety of new, intelligent, multi-functional products, as end-users seem to be showing a preference for these units for space, cost saving and ease of installation reasons. Technology advancements reflect trends such as decentralisation of drives, higher safety and security and integration of Ethernet in the communication process. The German Electric Drives Market earned revenue of $778.1 million in 2004 and estimates to reach $884.1 million in 2011.

Firmware capabilities enhanced includes new data acquisition features - MaxStream, the global leader of industrial wireless device networking, has announced the release of a firmware upgrade for all 802.15.4-enabled XBee and XBee-PRO products. This update permits features such as analog-to-digital conversion, digital input reading and encryption. With the latest 802.15.4 firmware, the XBee product family is able to automatically take analog and digital input readings at user-defined sampling rates. Digital inputs can also be reported during transition occurrences or through cyclic sampling. In between sample periods, the radios can be configured for sleep modes that use less than 35 ”A, making the RF modules an ideal communication solution for battery-powered applications. Also helping to conserve power and bandwidth in data acquisition applications, multiple analog and digital inputs can be collected before they are wirelessly transmitted.

Handling Ireland! - Harting has signed a distribution agreement for electronics connector products with Futura Electronics Ltd. Futura, based in Balbriggan north of Dublin, will distribute harting products in throughout Ireland.

Rack mounted fibrer-optics UV-VIS diode array process spectrophotometer - Applied Analytics has announced the introduction of a new rack-mounted process analyzer, the OMA-405. This is a UV VIS diode array process spectrometer based on the well-accepted wall-mounted OMA-300 Process Analyzer. The analyzer contains no moving parts and is designed to address on-line applications that require fast, reliable, and maintenance-free monitoring of concentrations, including both single- and multi-components.

New handheld power quality analyser offers Class A compliance - Fluke has introduced a new model to its line of 3-phase, handheld Power Quality Analysers. It features full IEC 61000-4-30 Class A compliance, expanded memory and measurement capability, a user-configurable logging function and new logging and reporting software. Fluke has also added advanced measurement capabilities to its popular Fluke 434, features which are available as an upgrade for existing users. Both 600 V CAT IV and 1000 V CAT III safety-rated power quality analysers are designed to help users pinpoint power problems faster and in greater detail with on-screen display of trends and captured events, even while background recording continues.

New spectra database improves ICP accuracy - A new ICP spectra database has been developed by Horiba Jobin Yvon for its new CCD ICP system the ACTIVA. The database contains detection limits, linear ranges and line widths for over 50,000 identified peaks plus the ability to identify unknown peaks not necessarily found in conventional wavelength tables.

European state-of-the-art pressure and temperature switches acquired by US level company - K-TEK, leading manufacturer of level instrumentation, has announced the acquisition of Beta B.V (a company of the Binder Group) that focuses on manufacturing pressure and temperature switches. Beta, located in The Netherlands, serves virtually all industry sectors with a broad range of pressure and temperature switch products. BETA currently operates throughout Europe, Asia, and portions of the Middle East. Through this acquisition, K-TEK is planning to offer all BETA products through K-TEK's distribution network in the Americas and in selected countries within Asia and the Middle East.

First weblog for nanotechnology electrical testing - Keithley Instruments has co-developed and sponsored the first Nanotechnology Test Weblog, or Blog, designed exclusively for engineers and researchers dealing with electrical testing issues in the field of nanotechnology and MEMS (micro electromechanical systems). The Nanotest Weblog keeps visitors abreast of the latest news in the nanotechnology and MEMS industry through frequent posts of technical and business developments. The Weblog is coordinated by Nanotech Briefs magazine.

Industry's first dual-core PXI embedded controller is ideal for multitasking environments, multithreaded applications - National Instruments has announced the industry's first dual-core PXI embedded controller with the 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo processor T2500 for multitasking environments and multithreaded applications. The dual-core PXI controller improves the performance of multithreaded applications up to 100 percent versus single-core PXI controllers with the same processor clock rate. With two computing engines in one physical processor, the dual-core processor can simultaneously execute two computing tasks. This is a significant benefit in multitasking environments, such as Windows XP, that run multiple applications at one time. In addition, the dual-core processor can simultaneously execute two threads, or tasks, within multithreaded applications, such as National Instruments LabVIEW software. In NI LabVIEW, engineers can easily develop multithreaded applications by simply using parallel data flow, for example drawing a loop around each segment of the graphical code they wish to execute in a separate thread. The dual-core processor is also ideal for multi-channel, multi-rate data-logging applications using LabVIEW and National Instruments DIAdem software or Microsoft Excel because the data acquisition and data storage to the hard drive can run in parallel for optimal performance.

Comprehensive PAT solution for the life sciences industry - GE Fanuc Automation has just announced the next iteration of its comprehensive Process Analytical Technology (PAT) solution for the Life Sciences industry. Proficy RX, based on technology from Symbion Systems, allows for unprecedented production connectivity, data collection and analysis, and provides a solid foundation for companies seeking to better understand and improve their processes. PAT is a system for designing, analyzing and controlling manufacturing through timely measurements of critical quality and performance attributes of raw and in-process materials. The goal of PAT is to ensure final product quality.