31/7/2006

Merger gives new assembly solutions - There is a new assembly solutions provider on the scene. Unovis Solutions was established by merging Universal Instruments' Advanced Semicon-ductor Assembly Division, Odd Form Assembly Division and SMT Laboratory with Hover-Davis's Direct Products Division. The merger is structured to let the four divi-sions achieve their full potential by leveraging critical mass and generating additional market opportunities. The company began operations two weeks ago, and is led by Roland Heitmann, formerly General Manager of the Hover-Davis Direct Products Division. With a clear global strategy and organization in place, they will focus on state-of-the-art process and assembly solutions. UNOVIS will differentiate itself through ex-tensive application, integration and process knowledge for customers in the automo-tive, component assembly, telecommunications and medical industries.

New displacement sensor uses strain gauge technology - Applied Measurements has just announced the introduction of a new range of strain gauge based displacement transducers, the AML/SGD Series. Initially available with stroke lengths of 0-10mm and 0-25mm, the AML/SGD Series has an overall accuracy of +/-0.1% and excellent long term and thermal stability.

BASIC MATH FOR PROCESS CONTROL Bob Connell This book is a practical tutorial on the mathematics essential to the process control field for practicing engineers and students. A quick-and-easy review of the mathematics common to the field, it includes chapters on frequency response analysis, transfer functions and block diagrams, and the Z-N approximation.

New Gigabit Ethernet switched fabric board - Concurrent Technologies announces their latest Gigabit Ethernet switched fabric board, the FP 110/019, to operate alongside their range of CompactPCI PICMG 2.16 and VME64x VITA 31.1 packet switched single board computers. The FP 110/019 is an "unmanaged" embedded Ethernet switching platform that provides a low cost, low power, switching solution for telecoms OEMs and integrators. Typically consuming less than 20 Watts, it offers twenty-four 10/100/1000Mbps auto-negotiating Ethernet ports, nineteen accessible via a PICMG 2.16 or a VITA 31.1 packet switched backplane. The switch core contains a wire-speed, Layer 2, Quality of Service (QoS) switch fabric. Also provided is PICMG 2.9 IPMI system monitoring and hot insertion/removal to the backplane

High performance fibre-optic pyrometers - The new Convir FL series of fibre-optic infrared temperature sensors from Calex Instruments, are ideal for installations where traditional sensors cannot operate, for example near induction heaters, in vacuums or in areas with high ambient temperatures. The FL series sensors can measure temperatures from 400 to 1200ºC, with adjustable emissivity and an ultra fast response time of just 1ms. Two optical heads are available; the LVO25 is designed for use over short distances with very small spot sizes, giving a measurement spot of Ø1.6mm at a distance of 80mm. The LVO35 optics are intended for longer distance measurements, and give an Ø11mm spot at a distance of 1m. Both of these optical heads use a manually adjustable focal distance to help provide the best possible measurement spot size at any distance. A white LED light can be shone through the lens of either sensing head showing the area being measured to help with precise alignment and focusing.

Device Couplers provide short-circuit protection for FF and ProfiBus PA devices - The TG200 Trunkguard Series Fieldbus Device Couplers from MooreHawke, a division of Moore Industries, use a unique "fold-back" technique to disconnect a shorted instrument from the fieldbus segment, thus preventing complete segment failure. Other fieldbus device couplers use a "current-limiting" technique, which holds a fault on the segment; this adds up to 60mA of current, which may deprive other instruments on the segment of power, overload the segment power supply, and cause an entire segment to have catastrophic failures.
see "How Fieldbus Works," to see how device couplers fit into a fieldbus system.

ZigBee co-operation - Airbee Wireless has announced that it has executed a license agreement with Zentrum Mikroelektronik Dresden AG (ZMD), to provide ZigBee compliant and ZigBee based network protocol stacks (ZNS & ZNS Lite). Integrators and OEMs deploying ZigBee wireless sensor networks will now have access to the industry-leading ZMD44102 radio at 900 MHz paired with the leading microcontroller, the TI MSP430-1612. This teaming will offer a ready-made platform for integrators and OEMs looking for turnkey 900 MHz ZigBee solutions requiring extended range and robust performance.
The ZigBee Alliance is an association of companies working together to enable reliable, cost-effective, low-power, wirelessly networked, monitoring and control products based on an open global standard. The ZigBee Alliance is a rapidly growing, non-profit industry consortium of leading semiconductor manufacturers, technology providers, OEMs, and end-users worldwide. Membership is open to all.

Mass flow measurement at high viscosities - A Swiss chemical company has installed Krohne Optimass Coriolis mass flowmeters for batching various media into a fluid mixer. In the past the company dosed the reactants one after the other using a weighing cell in the mixer. Now it is possible to feed multiple educt at the same time through ring pipelines to the mixer. The new process saves time and eliminates unnecessary measuring errors. For the chemical company there are numerous other advantages in using the OPTIMASS flowmeter. The straight tube construction means that the instrument is not influenced by the very high viscosity levels found in this particular application. The straight tube design also means that there are no pressure losses. The measurement accuracy of the flowmeter is considerably below 1%. Alongside this mass flowmeter the chemical company has also installed their electromagnetic flowmeters.

Only 6 weeks to Scottish show - The biennial Instrumentation Scotland & Offshore Systems exhibition returns to the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on 6th & 7th September 2006, offering visitors the opportunity to view more than 70 companies within an informal environment.

Global Operations Manager appointed for international automation body - ISA recently announced the appointment of Timothy Feldman as Global Operations Manager. Feldman comes to ISA from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, where he was Vice President of Industry Programs. In this position, he was responsible for relations with member companies, program management, sales and customer service functions. In addition, he enhanced NEMA's operations in Mexico, Brazil and established NEMA's presence in China.

Early technology access program - Sionex Corporation, a company focused on commercializing breakthrough chemical and biological sensors and systems, yesterday announced at the 15th International Society for Ion Mobility Spectrometry (ISIMS) meeting in Honolulu, HI, an Early Technology Access Program (ETAP) for its new Sionex microAnalyzer system.

Toolkit for ECU measuremnt and calibration released - Yokogawa are starting shipment of FieldMate Advance (software which helps the configuration and maintenance of intelligent field) in a few days. This software uses open interface Field Device Tool (FDT) technology to facilitate the configuration and adjustment of field devices such as sensors and valves at production sites, regardless of the manufacturer or the communication protocols. Electronic device description language (EDDL) interface technology is also supported. In addition, the price of this software is considerably lower than that of conventional hardware configurators.

Managing director appointed to new automation group - The Automation Federation has named Bruno L. Kisala as its Managing Director. Kisala comes to the Automation Federation with a significant development and leadership experience in civil and commercial markets following a distinguished 20-year military career. Most recently, Kisala served as Director of Business Development for the Test, Evaluation, & Analysis Operation (TEAO) of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). In this position, he led the identification, qualification, capture and awarding of new business opportunities within the Department of Defense and commercial market spaces. He also provided strategic planning and business development support for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Earthing the process - Esschem Europe's finished products include UV curable gels, sanitisers, polish removers and primers. As an integral part of the production process Esschem have to pump and mix potentially flammable materials, during these processes static charge will be generated which has to be safely dissipated to earth. Following an onsite meeting with Newson Gale it was decided that the Bond-Rite system answered all requirements. The Bond-Rite is a unique Self-Testing Static Grounding Clamp that provides enhanced safety and security by continuously testing the connection of the clamp to the container (or other conductive item). The operator then looks for a flashing green LED that indicates a low resistance connection has been made and maintained.

High performance weighing cells for less- In today's increasingly competitive world we all have to reduce the cost of our product in spite of the fact that most expenses are increasing! RDP can offers a huge range of high quality force and weighing cells, many at very competitive prices. These low cost "Single Point" weighing cells are available with linearities ranging from 0.015% FS to 0.05%FS and capable of accuracies, at constant temperature, of better than O.05%FS depending upon whether the standard or the OIML-R60 approved specification is selected.

Another new website - knitter-switch, Europe's largest switch manufacturer, announces the launch of it's brand new website. Using the latest in website design software the new site is highly user-friendly, simple to navigate and contains full product information and up to date news on switching products. As expected from the largest switch supplier in Europe all product information and news is presented in English, German and French. In addition there is a Chinese language section to support knitter-switch's recently opened office in Shenzen. This strategic office was opened to follow the trend of knitter-switch’s customers to transfer production facilities to Asia or outsource production to Asian EMS companies. It is also in response to strongly increasing local demand in Asia for knitter-switch products

Just out - The Industrial Ethernet Book Email Newsletter has just reached us. With the slogan ""Make your next move Ethernet" it brings us all up to date with developments in this area of interest. Ask Adrian Chesney for your copy.

Airbus grid middleware for aerodynamics analysis - Fujitsu Systems Europe has announced a significant order for its SynfiniWay grid middleware for aerodynamics analysis from Airbus, the leading international commercial aircraft manufacturer. It will be used for the production HPC grid environment at the primary Airbus compute centres in France, Germany, Spain and Britain. They proved to offer the most complete and integrated grid computing solution for aerodynamics analyses at aerospace group Airbus, combining service-oriented applications with open workflow capabilities for efficient support of complex dynamic processes. The aircraft manufacturer is going to deploy SynfiniWay as the standard HPC grid middleware across the four European countries mentioned.

Jobs in Ireland? - The incredible growth of the Irish economy in the last ten or fifteen years shows little sign of abating. Thus there is a steady demand for well qualified people in our and in many other industries. One of the most successful resources for these people and for those looking to employ them is Jobs.ie. They and many other job resources are listed on our Jobs Pages.

Appoints hydrometry expert appointed - YSI/SonTek has appointed Nick Martin to its service team based in Britain at YSI Hydrodata. He will provide technical support, install instruments, train customers and create web-based pages for the new EcoNet telemetry system. Nick has a Degree in Marine Environmental Science gained at Southampton Institute, following which he worked in the Water Industry, and subsequently in the Offshore Seismic Research Industry. For the last five years he has worked in hydrometry for the Environment Agency of England and Wales.

New look to website - Transducer specialists RDP Electronics Ltd (www.rdpe.com) web site, has a new look and is now packed with even more valuable information and product specifications. Visitors can now choose their entry point from Africa, Asia, Australasia, Britain and Ireland, Europe, North and South America, then select product available for the region. News, technical manuals and freeware are all accessible online, plus a new section ­ 'How it Works' - containing animations demonstrating practical operations of transducers.

High-current connector has eight contacts rated at 100 A each - The new high-current Han K 8/0 industrial connector from Harting incorporates eight contacts rated at 100 A each. It can be used at voltages up to 690 V, and is ideally suited to use in medium-power applications in factory automation, rail transportation, wind turbines and test equipment.

Bus training in Birmingham (GB) - On October 17, 2006 CAN in Automation (CiA) is going to organize a CANopen-training in Birmingham. The seminar is targeted at development engineers and system integrators who want to get an overview on CANopen and want to judge the technical opportunities that CANopen provides. This CANopen training is also for technical decision-makers, who have the question, whether the higher layer protocol CANopen can fulfill the communication related technical request of their application.
In a separate announcement CIA has launched the first Product Guide for J1939-based devices and services on the group's web site and on CD-ROM. The guide lists products conforming to several J1939-based higher-layer protocols

Built-in Non-Contact AC Voltage Detection extends brand - Extech Instruments, a leading brand of test and measurement equipment for the industrial marketplace, announces its new 300 Series of Digital MultiMeters featuring built-in Voltage Detection. Easy-to-operate and conveniently-sized, Extech’s 300 Series is ideal for electrical trouble shooting by combining two meters in one. Featuring a non-contact voltage detector combined with a fully featured digital multimeter, the user can quickly and conveniently check for voltage prior to attaching the multimeter’s test leads to the device under test.

Integrated solutions and tools for Global OEM partners to produce enhanced competitive products and drive growth - GE Fanuc Automation has announced an innovative program for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) that provides them with a significant edge to attract new customers and expand their existing base to grow their businesses. The global program, called OEM Edge, includes integrated solutions and tools that give OEM partners a competitive differentiator in their marketplace to fuel machine growth and maximize profits.

New Ethernet I/O Blocks process 96 I/O signals in a compact, stackable and industrially-hardened unit - Acromag has released the first in their new EtherStax line of rugged, high-density Ethernet I/O blocks for distributed I/O and SCADA applications. The ES2113 model processes 96 channels of discrete input/output signals with Modbus TCP/UDP/IP communication to a host controller. Acromag's i2o technology enables peer-to-peer communication between I/O units. Dual network ports support 10/100Base-TX copper and 100Base-FX fiber-optic connections and provide a redundant communication path for critical applications. An embedded web page provides configuration menus accessible with any web browser to eliminate programming. The compact, stackable aluminum enclosure resists shock and vibration making it ideal for mounting on machinery. Nearly 300 I/O stack in an 8 x 7" footprint. A low-cost, open board version is available for custom mounting.

Compact linear CCD detection system - Horiba Jobin Yvon announces the release of Sygnature, an ultra-compact linear CCD detection system, offering outstanding sensitivity and acquisition speed. Sygnature(tm) CCDs feature a 3,648 element array with 8 mm x 200 mm pixel format over a 29 mm focal plane with a wavelength range from 250 nm to 1100 nm. Available with SynerJY(r) software, they are also compatible with LabVIEW VIs, and feature a USB 2.0 interface. Sygnature(tm) CCDs are easily interfaced to HORIBA Jobin Yvon spectrographs and monochromators. Extremely versatile, they are ideally suited for UV-VIS-NIR absorption, colourimetric, emission, and fluorescence applications.

Test cost lowered with Eight-Channel Oscilloscope - National Instruments announces the new NI PXI-5105 eight-channel digitiser, the lowest price-per-channel high-speed data acquisition product in its class, which offers a cost-effective alternative to systems that use multiplexed A/D converters or switches to increase channel count. Engineers and scientists can use the PXI-5105 60 MS/s, 12-bit digitiser to increase the number of analogue input channels in their systems while lowering test costs. The new module extends the National Instruments family of high-density, simultaneous-sampling data acquisition products to more than 20 devices ranging from 12 to 24 bits, up to 60 MS/s, up to 512 MB onboard memory and up to eight channels on a single 3U PXI or PCI device.

Data logging through your local network - The new Infinite iLOG LAN data acquisition system is now available from Jekyll Electronic Technology. The device carries a built-in Ethernet/LAN adaptor and can be directly hooked on to a local network, to transmit its data and alarms via FTP or socket application commands. If the local network has a gateway to the Internet, or a GSM network router is connected, then the device can also transmit data and alarm e-mails.

Widely used batch control standards to be revised - ISA's SP88 Batch Control standards development committee has formed a working group to update the first two standards in the widely used ISA-88 series. The update project will focus primarily on ANSI/ISA-88.01, Batch Control Part 1: Models and Terminology, but will also consider revisions to ANSI/ISA88.00.02, Batch Control Part 2: Data Structures and Guidelines for Languages.

'Analytical Day" day announced - The organisers of WWEM 2006 tells us of the inclusion of an 'Analytical Day' at WWEM entitled "Analytical solutions to safeguard the future of the Environment". The Analytical conference is designed to meet the needs of those involved with environmental analysis within the laboratory. It will take place on the first day of event (1st November 2006) in Telford (GB).

2-wire loop powered inline ultrasonic flowmeter - The new Endress+Hauser Prosonic Flow 92F is the world's first 2-wire loop powered inline ultrasonic flowmeter. It is another state of the art ultrasonic flowmeters within the Prosonic Flow product range. The new model 92F is a new winning combination consisting of a 2 wire loop powered transmitter and multi-beam ultrasonic inline sensor. A combination offering easy electrical and mechanical installation with minimal space requirement and high accuracy

Choosing the right industrial Ethernet switch - Before investigating all the features provided by an Industrial Ethernet switch, you should first consider exactly what this type of device is and what it does. Choosing the Right Industrial Ethernet Switch (pdf), discusses the many options possible.

Control systems security certification initiative - The Automation Federation has made a commitment to support a new initiative aimed at evaluating the feasibility of creating a set of well-engineered specifications and processes for the security testing and certification of critical control systems products. The Federation will provide financial and personnel support for the initial feasibility study project.

Chemical Industries Association Innovator of the Year 2006 - The Chemical Industries Association (GB) have judged Curvaceous Software to be the Innovator of the Year 2006 in recognition of their business enhancing Geometric Process Control technology. Curvaceous attendees were awarded the prestigious accolade at the annual award ceremony in London on Wednesday July 5th.
Curvaceous software have been providing process optimisation software to the Chemical, Petrochemical, Pharmacuetical and process industries for more than ten years and this award is recognition of the inopvative nature of the graphical approach to process optimisation that Curvaceous Software offers.

IEC certifies digital positioner for use in hazardous locations - Flowserve, provider of fluid motion and control products and services, announces that their Logix 3200IQ has received two new IECEx Certificates of Conformity, enabling the digital positioner to be used in hazardous locations. In addition, the Logix 3200IQ has received acceptance by the Korean Occupational Safety and Health Administration (KOSHA). With the new IECEx certifications, customers in the Australia and Asia Pacific regions can take advantage of the reliability and excellent positioning performance of the 3200IQ.

Digital issue available from next month - Despite the criticisms mentioned yesterday of ISA, the Instrument, Systems, and, Automation Society, continue their endevours in serving their members. They tell us that if you sign up now, you can begin receiving InTech, their magazine, digitally - as soon as it's printed - starting with the next issue.
The digital edition has all the same content as the print version, only it's viewed on your computer screen rather than on paper. Here you can see the Sample May'06 Issue

Spring maker appoints development manager and issues catalogue update - Spring Manufacturer, Lesjoefors, has appointed Ken Dineley as its new Business Development Manager for its Industrial division. The company has also updated its industrial spring catalogue, which features many new references, catapulting the total to well over 10,000.
Lesjoefors supplies bespoke spring designs for use in an array of sectors such as: Healthcare, Medical, Furniture, Industrial Applications and, Ergonomics.

Tools and utilities provide added value to industry-leading HMI/SCADA products - GE Fanuc has announced the availability of its first Productivity Pack for Proficy HMI/SCADA iFIX and CIMPLICITY customers. Beginning with this release, they will produce a regular supply of new tools, utilities and add-ins for its HMI/SCADA products in the form of Productivity Packs available to its Proficy GlobalCare customers.

First order for use on helicopters is placed by leading global supplier - Following the launch of the world's first truly effective vibration energy harvesting microgenerator by Perpetuum in June this year, the company is announcing a new version of the device designed for use on helicopters, at Farnborough. The PMG27 harvests the vibration induced by the rotor to generate electrical power. This enables installation of complete wireless transmission systems incorporating sensors such as those used in health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS), without the need for batteries, expensive cabling or maintenance. It enables new sensors to be installed at very low cost without wiring and without the associated paperwork.

Wide range of compliant stack samplers - Quantitech is one of Britain's leading suppliers of Manual & Automatic Isokinetic Stack Samplers, manufactured to meet EN, ISO and USEPA Standards for particulates (ISO9096, EN13284, EPA5), Dioxins (EN 1984, EPA 23), Heavy Metals (EN14385), HCl (EN1911) etc. The range includes integrated sample probes, nozzles and filter holders that are compatible with all sampling systems and can be supplied as single components or complete systems.

Meeting demand forsoftware architecture management solutions in Europe - Lattix, provider of innovative software architecture management solutions, today announced its expansion into the European market in partnership with Scientific Computers, a leading systems integrator based in Britain. With this new partnership, Lattix is making a long-term commitment to provide the highest quality support and services to its rapidly growing customer base in Europe. 

The Melting Iceberg Continues to Melt - ISA is slowly melting. Many members and local-section leaders are concerned that only incremental steps are being taken. Writes the Cleveland Section, "ISA is on a collision course with irrelevance." ISA leadership will find several significant positive ideas and suggestions in this analysis. This article from Jim Pinto in Automation.com turns his usual thought provoking and analytical mind to the perceived malaise in the Society for Instrumentation, Systems and Automation.

New adapter provides power over Ethernet solutions for IT, security and automation systems - ThePowerSupplyShop announce the introduction of the PW130 power over Ethernet adapter from Ault.
Power over Ethernet is designed to supply DC power to devices on IT network infrastructure via existing CAT5 Ethernet cabling. Any device under 20 watts, which can take advantage of network power is a potential application. Typical applications include IP telephones, POS, security identification, broadcast or recording nodes and wireless/Bluetooth portals. "The opportunities are limitless."

New HART comms DTM available free of charge - MTL has introduced its new Generic Comms DTM (Device Type Manager), which will enable their MTL4840 HART connection system, MTL8000 Process I/O and its MOST controllers to pass HART data to any Instrument Maintenance software (IMS) packages utilising the FDT/DTM concept. Aimed at Instrument and Maintenance Engineers who wish to continue to save costs by utilising on-line HART data, the Comms DTM software, developed to the latest FDT specification v1.2, is available for download free of charge to PC's running the IMS package.
The introduction of the Comms DTM reflects MTL's commitment to Open Systems and further extends MTL's ability to communicate with the leading HART maintenance software packages. The new FDT/DTM offering means that MTL customers who want to upgrade to FDT-based IMS packages can do so and thus implement the latest online communication and configuration technologies in their plant.

Industry's first boundary-scan debug and programming tool - Macraigor Systems, a leading supplier of Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) and background debug mode (BDM) connection solutions for on-chip debugging, today announced the availability of J-SCAN Version 2.1, the newest release of its high-speed, low-cost boundary-scan debug and programming tool. This new technology allows circuit designers to facilitate early test development, thereby shortening the development cycle and prototyping process.

Ethernet-enabled digital indicating controller with gateway function - The new Yokogawa UT551 digital indicating controller enables users to acquire temperature, pressure and flow rate data and to make changes to controller settings via an Ethernet connection. The new controller also incorporates a gateway function which allows it to interface with a PC or any other host system to access non-Ethernet-enabled indicating controllers or peripheral devices.
The UT551 has been developed in response to a growing demand for the capability to simultaneously monitor and control two or more plants not only from a monitoring room but also from remote locations such as an office, and it enables this to be achieved without any sacrifice in terms of cost-effectiveness.

Industrial remote access switch - Distributor for intelligent feeding solutions in France and Tunisia appointed - Hover-Davis, leader in design and manufacturing of advanced component delivery systems for the circuit board assembly industry, has appointed Dilectro as the new distributor for its intelligent feeding solutions in France and Tunisia

Renowned inventor and advocate inspires scientists and engineers to innovate - Dean Kamen, President of DEKA Research & Development Corporation and founder of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), will deliver the closing keynote address to more than 2,000 attendees at NIWeek, "the world's largest virtual instrumentation conference and exhibition," Aug. 8-10, in Austin, Texas (US). In his speech, "Inspiring Present and Future Scientists and Engineers to Innovate," Kamen will discuss the role of science, engineering and innovation in today's society.

Home automation - Carlo Gavazzi in Britain is to support home owners looking to automate their homes with the addition of a new network of specialist distributors. Previously the company addressed mainly business users. The new distributors will provide a design and installation service for home owners wishing to automate their home with smart house technology, supply equipment and provide technical backup for smart house installers.

New director of sales - Powerstax the British based manufacturer of high efficiency DC:DC converters and application rich power solutions announces the appointment of Richard Ford to the new post of Director of Sales. Continuing sales growth, with exports now accounting for some 70% of business has created the requirement for a senior management appointment to manage direct sales and distribution channels. Richard has been a major influence in the growth of power supply sales with a leading UK distributor and will now bring his expertise to Powerstax’s international business.

Large chamber analytical VPSEM launched - Hitachi High-Technologies has announced the launch of the S-3700N Variable Pressure scanning electron microscope (VPSEM). This new instrument has an analytical chamber capable of accepting samples up to 300mm across and eleven accessory ports for analytical and experimental equipment use. The chamber size and geometry readily allows the simultaneous fitting and use of EDX, WDX and EBSD systems. Other accessories such as the Environmental Secondary Electron Detector (ESED) for SE imaging in VP mode, cooling stages, cathodoluminescence and infra red chamberscopes can also be accommodated.

New pump drive system revolutionises metering technology - ProMinent Fluid Controls has launched the Delta precision diaphragm dosing pump which features an innovative pump drive system to give outstanding flexibility in dosing and control. This new 'optoDrive' system is a controlled solenoid drive system which extends the pump's capability to include continuous dosing and offers increased safety thanks to the integrated 'optoGuard' hydraulic monitoring functions. The new drive allows a slow pressure output stroke to be set for almost continuous dosing or a fast stroke to be set for pulsed dosing. In addition, the pressure of the suction stroke can be adjusted to give greater control over a wide range of applications.

Differential probe offers system bandwidth of 1.5 GHz - The new Yokogawa PBD2000 2 GHz differential probe is a high-bandwidth device designed for measurements in LVDS (low-voltage differential signalling) applications. When used with the company's DL9240 digital oscilloscope, the new probe offers a system bandwidth of 1.5GHz. The small head makes it easy to probe fine-pitch circuits, and the PBD2000 also offers a high common-mode rejection ratio of -12 dB or less from 100 MHz to 1GHz to ensure high-fidelity signal observation.

ESL design to accelorate HDTV development - Celoxica has announced an agreement with Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) that deploys its electronic system level design (ESL) solutions to drive the development of volume HDTV and advanced display technologies. HDTV is globally forecast to achieve double digit growth, and as a leading provider of display products and technology CPT selected ESL solutions from Celoxica after a programme of evaluation and testing. Increasing product complexity, time-to-market pressures and evolving display standards and formats motivated CPT to adopt ESL design from Celoxica.

European team strengthened - Aerotech, manufacturer of high performance positioning and motion control systems, has strengthened its European Sales and Marketing team with the appointment of Nigel Johnson as International Sales Manager. Johnson will work closely with the Corporations' European subsidiaries and distributors on a new strategy to develop sales channels and expand market share across the broad base of industries that Aerotech serve. Johnson comes to Aerotech after 10 years with Parker Automation where he was most recently Regional Sales Manager for the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia with the Company's Electromechanical Division.

Emerson & Siemens: Global leaders to exchange technology that will extend interoperability and end-user benefits - Emerson Process Management and Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) announced today their expansion of system interfaces to enable both companies to expand support of global fieldbus standards. The companies will exchange technology and engineering support to add the interfaces that extend their systems and software to offer customers expanded global interoperability and greater functionality. First products are expected to be available mid-2007. The cooperation grew out of the work both companies have done with user-supplier consortiums, to deliver fully open and interoperable field instrumentation and electric drives using the newly enhanced global standard Electronic Device Description Language (EDDL).

COD contarct awarded - Following a thorough evaluation project, the Environment Agency (GB) has awarded Hach lange a framework agreement to supply wastewater analysis (COD) test reagents and associated services for a period of four years. Commenting on the award, Robert Rand, Team Leader at The GB National Laboratory Service says "The NLS provides an analytical service to the Environment Agency which requires consistently high standards of accuracy. This company was selected, based on our assessment of analytical performance, price, quality, and environmental impact."

GPR utility locator added to hire fleet - Ashtead Technology Rentals has added Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to its ever-widening fleet of rental instruments. General Manager James Carlyle says "GPR instruments are well suited to the rental option for a number of reasons. Firstly, they are expensive to purchase so a short-term hire makes strong financial sense. Secondly, as with all our instruments, we have invested in the latest technology and finally, whilst GPR is mainly used for non-intrusive ground investigations it is also a useful tool for testing concrete materials, highways and even for snow/ice thickness measurements."

ntegrated Control goes live at King's Cross St Pancras! - The first truly Integrated Station Management system (ISM) developed by Transmitton, leading supplier of integrated control and asset management solutions, went live at the modernised King's Cross St Pancras Underground station (London GB) at the end of May. Transmitton worked for Costain Taylor Woodrow (CTW) and with ARUP Communications to supply a modern station operation facility compliant with LU and Metronet Standards.

Multi-channel analugue adder/subtractor - Lee-Dickens are to manufacture a four channel analogue adder/subtractor for like-for-like replacement of products in existing applications. They recognise that the current product serving the market has become ever harder to source and feel they are perfectly positioned to produce a cost effective replacement product for the many hundreds of existing applications in the nuclear, steel and utilities industries. The BD940 is a signal converter that will add or subtract between two and four scaleable input mA or Voltage signals and one internal scaleable constant. The BD940 then converts the resultant into an isolated standard transmission voltage or current signal.

Formula one wheel performance - The Renault F1 team are using a specially developed version of the Kistler RoaDyn Measuring Wheel System to gather data about the real-time performance of its Grand Prix car. During testing, the measuring wheels are fitted in place of the standard wheels and the 6-component forces and moments are transferred to the on-board data logger. Renault F1 and Kistler have optimised the RoaDyn measuring wheel design through extensive testing, utilizing the resources of both Renault F1 and Kistler.

Electronic design partner for breakthrough medical technology - Triteq has won a contract to assist with the design of a new probe capable of early detection of cervical cancer. The company will contribute its knowledge of volume manufacturing, test and quality engineering to the insights of the medical technology specialists who created the first prototype probes.

Capacitive sensors learn fast in plastics and rubber processing Carlo Gavazzi has extended its self learn/remote teach technology to capacitive level sensors, with the introduction of a new sensor family primarily aimed at the plastics and rubber industries. New CA30 models are designed to ensure optimal sensing characteristics for detection of plastic granulate and recycled scrap plastic materials, thus ensuring that downstream mixers, dosing conveyors and dryers do not run empty. Working with materials characterised by extremely low dielectric constant and a large air volume, these applications demand high reliability in setup alongside the ability to operate in high-temperatures with minimal risk of electrostatic discharges. The probe potentially enables the results of screening to be shared immediately with patients, enabling faster diagnosis and saving administrative costs for health services.

Security light cutting the cost of machine safety - It has been estimated that ensuring operator safety accounts for between 20 and 50% of the cost of installing industrial automation. To help reduce this expense, Scientific Technologies (STI) is introducing a new, economical access guarding solution. The PA4600-BB Entry/Exit Access Guarding Device is a cost-effective yet powerful way of controlling access to hazardous areas like robot workcells, textile machinery, packaging machines and automated warehouses.

Everything but the kitchen sink! - Flowserve the provider of fluid motion and control products and services, has released the Flowserve Guardian 3000 electronics cooling pump. The Guardian 3000 is their first production pump designed for use in cooling computer processors and graphics chips in high-end consumer personal computers. Measuring approximately 90 mm (3.54 in) in length and 36 mm (1.42 in) in diameter, it is the smallest pump ever developed by Flowserve. While the largest pump ever built by them has an impeller diameter of 4.24 m (13.9 ft) and would fill an Olympic size swimming pool in 25 seconds, the Guardian 3000 has an impeller diameter of less than an inch and would take nearly three minutes to fill a kitchen sink!

Tool calling interface specification available - In December 2005, ProfiBus International (PI) decided to specify with TCI (Tool Calling Interface) an open calling interface for device operating tools. PI has now completed and released for review the first TCI documents (specification of the calling interface, description of the mapping mechanisms on PROFIBUS as well as an implementation guideline). In the review phase, the implementation in prototypes will be carried out by various companies active in the TCI working group. Adoption of the final version is scheduled for September 2006. The description of the mapping mechanisms on ProfiNet will follow in the autumn of 2006.
Mor on this and other busses on our Fieldbus News Page

Latest manufacturing exhibition in Ireland gets off to flying start - We seem to be getting a lot of information about shows in the Autumn. Here's the latest! Heralded as "the largest exhibition dedicated to manufacturing industry ever seen in Ireland", Manufacturing Technology Ireland 2006 is off to a flying start with over 100 exhibitors already signed up.
Manufacturing Technology Ireland 2006, National Show Centre, Dublin, 8th & 9th November 2006
Since 1998, the manufacturing output of Ireland has increased by a massive 250%. Two out of every three inward investments are manufacturing orientated. That all adds up to the fastest growing manufacturing economy in Europe.
Information on events, exhibitions, conferences etc on our Events Page

Protection from hazards - HazardEx International 07 is back for its sixth consecutive year and will be bigger than ever before according to a release received today. This year's show not only boasts of a new venue but will now have more exhibition stands than any other year. It will be held on the 21st to the 22nd February 2007 at The National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham (GB) and will once again comprise of an exhibition, conference and an awards ceremony. Plus if you book before 29th September 2006 you will receive a 15% early bird booking discount! Those who pre-register for the event may attend the exhibition for free.
See our Safety Page

Software radio transceiver module boosts FPGA, memory and ADC resources for complex wideband multi-channel systems - Pentek has released the newest member of its popular software radio transceiver modules: the Model 7142. The Model 7142 PMC module provides complete software radio transceiver functions suitable for IF or RF communication systems and offers increased capabilities, including dual Virtex-4 FPGAs, four A/D converters and 50 percent more memory. This module is also available in a variety of form factors including PCI, 3U and 6U cPCI, as well as a PMC conduction-cooled version

Business forum to focus on bringing two worlds closer - This year's IMEC's annual industry event ARRM will be held on Oct 22-24 in the Province House in Leuven (B). This businss forum will highlight the R&D challenges industry has to tackle to develop and manufacture future smart devices, sub-systems and systems in a cost-efficient way.

Sneak peek into standards development - ISA's website now gives users the ability to preview ISA standards. Overviews, tables of contents, scopes, definitions, and other informative sections of the standards are now available to visitors.

Over two million hits - The annual stats for the Read-out Instrumentatioin Signpost have just been published and show that the site enjoyed 2,249,147 hits during the period 1st July 2005 and 30 June 2006. This compares with 1,472,026 in 2003/4 and 2,235,149 for 2004/5. But of course these figures though spectacular do not really tell us very much. In fact the figures for sessions are a far more accurate of activity on the site. These are as follows:
• 2003/4: 222,792 (avg daily:609)
• 2004/5: 296,546 (avg daily:812)
• 2005/6: 303257 (avg daily: 831)
  More detail may be seen on our Stats Pages

  High performance RFoHS complient computers - Concurrent Technologies' latest range of high performance RoHS compliant VME64x single board computers (SBC) - the VX 405/04x family - feature the latest low power, dual core processors from the Intel embedded roadmap, (the 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo L2400 processor and the higher performance 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo T2500 processor) to ensure high performance processing. The VXS switched serial standard - VITA 41.3 - is optionally supported to provide fast data transfer between other compatible boards in the system. This combination of high performance data processing and a wealth of I/O ensure that the boards are ideal for intensive computing applications within the defense, security, telemetry, industrial control, scientific, and aerospace markets. Extended temperature variants are also available.

  Combined lightning and surge arrester is compact and efficient - The new Blitzductor XT from Dehn is a compact combined lightning and surge arrester which combines high lightning-current discharge capability with a number of new features to improve its efficiency and ease of use. The new device features a lightning current discharge capacity up to 10 kA (10/350 microseconds), and provides energy co-ordinated protection of 2-, 3- or 4-pole interfaces in applications such as measurement and control equipment, building services or telecommunication systems.

Thought for 4th July 2006 DISSENT IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF PATRIOTISM Thomas Jefferson

Connectors offer space saving - New Type 3C male and female connectors have been added to Harting's range of DIN 41 612 standard devices. The new devices are ideally suited to applications where space is limited. On the male side, the 30-pin connector is offered with 3.0 mm solder pins. On the female side, three different contact types are available: solder pins in 2.9 mm or 4.5 mm lengths and press-in pins with a length of 5.3 mm. Other contact arrangements and selective loadings are possible on request.

Ethernet communication for intelligent drives - Now all Technosoft drives can communicate with a host via an Ethernet network through the auxiliary module, Ethernet / RS-232 Adapter, using the UDP / IP protocol. Designed in a compact size (72 x 42 x 17 mm), this device has some important incorporated features like: RS-232 connector (DB9 male); Ethernet connector (RJ45 female); TCP / UDP Socket Services; DHCP support; single power supply: 12-48 V (with reverse polarity protection); ESD protection for serial and supply signals; RS-232 communication up to 115 kbps; Ethernet communication 10/100 Base-T, full / half duplex.

Flow measurement instrument mounting practice is challenged by interactive website - Parker Instrumentation has launched a website that is dedicated to introducing a radical 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 and measurement performance, and a reduction in potential leak paths. Educational resources on the site include an animated demonstration and video of the mounting system, and a powerful calculator, providing the means for instrument and piping engineers to quickly understand the technology and interactively determine how much time and money could be saved for a particular application.

Contract secured - Triteq has won a contract from another Parker company, Parker Hannifin's European Filtration Division, for its electronic design services and has joined the company's strategic procurement programme. The first collaboration between the two companies will be for the re-design and development of fluid condition and contamination monitoring systems.

Digital plant architecture installation will integrate process control and smart safety instrumented system - Emerson Process Management tells us that it has been awarded a contract by EnCana Corporation, one of North America's leading natural gas producers, to apply its PlantWeb digital plant architecture to automate EnCana's new Steeprock natural gas processing plant, located in British Columbia, (CDN). The digital PlantWeb approach will integrate basic process control and a smart Safety Instrumented System.
EnCana's Steeprock facility will be designed to process 5380 e3m3/day (190 million cubic feet per day) of raw gas and will consist of two main components. The first will comprise two amine plants, one to remove CO2 from the raw sweet feed gas, and the second to remove CO2 and H2S from the raw sour feed gas. The second component will be a Claus Process facility to extract elemental sulphur from the H2S removed through an Amine process.

Partnership extended - TTPCom has extended its existing partnership with Silicon Laboratories to allow their GSM/GPRS protocol software to be distributed directly on Silicon Laboratories' AeroFONE single-chip cellular platform.
The AeroFONE single-chip phone is a cost effective and easy to use platform for entry level and feature phone GSM/GPRS handsets. The platform integrates the digital and analogue baseband, quad band transceiver, power management unit and battery charging circuitry for a GSM/GPRS class 12 cellular phone in a single, monolithic CMOS IC. By extending the existing relationship with TTPCom, Silicon Laboratories will now license the protocol software directly alongside the AeroFONE platform. This will allow AeroFONE customers to have a single point of contact for platform development and support.

Explosive growth for British instrument hire company - Ashtead Technology Rentals established a new facility in Hertfordshire during May 2004, but such has been the growth in the company's instrument hire business that new larger premises have become necessary. The company moved to a new facility in Letchworth on June 27th 2006.
General Manager, James Carlyle reports a tenfold increase in business levels over the last two years. "We have been delighted with the rapid growth of our business and believe that this can be attributed to a number of factors. Our customers are becoming increasingly aware of the disadvantages in instrument ownership - infrequent use, storage and calibration requirements, depreciation costs, changing technologies etc. At the same time, they can take for granted the fact that we will deliver on time and that the latest technologies will be supplied in superb condition, tested and ready for action."

Submersible level measurement transmitter - The Sensit Trident submersible level/depth transmitter from Roxspur Measurement and Control is designed for water industry use, to measure water levels in boreholes, reservoirs or for groundwater level monitoring. Based on the well-proven Sensit ceramic strain gauge technology, which offers a high natural output and superb chemical/corrosion resistance, the Trident transmitter uses a TIG welded body construction, 25mm diameter, in 316L or Duplex stainless steel. The polyurethane sheathed cable, incorporating a strain relief wire and air vent tube, is field proven for long term submerged applications, sealed into the sensor body with a polyurethane moulding. This seal is equivalent to IP68 at 10bar.
All materials have WRc and Environment Agency (EA) approvals for use in reservoirs and potable water, and the Sensit Trident transmitter  is listed as approved for most water authority level measurement applications.

Flexibility gives 'new look' to lighting displays - New LED modules mounted on 2 metre flexible strips are available from Abacus Polar providing a new look for lighting displays in shops, bars, restaurants, clubs and pubs. The Osram LINEARlight range provides shop fitters and display designers with new and exciting options to surround displays and signage with illumination. The range of LED products is available in a multitude of colours to create modern and attractive designs for window displays, walkways, emergency lighting, signage and many more areas where controlled lighting is required.

New standalone multi-axis motion controller with integrated drives suits the widest range of applications - Aerotech's Ensemble Epaq is an integrated, 6-axis desktop or 19 inch rack mounted motion control and drive system aimed at applications ranging from general purpose positioning and laboratory research through to advanced OEM systems. With integral 10 A peak amplifiers, capable of driving and controlling linear and rotary brushless, brushed and micro-stepping motors, the Epaq may be expanded to control a further three external drives offering 9 axes of completely co-ordinated motion and machine control from a single competitively priced unit.

Landfill gases easily monitored - The new PGSi Programmable Monitoring System from Crowcon can monitor up to four different landfill gases at once from up to 32 individual sampling points. Using Windows XP-based software, the PGSi is ideal for monitoring landfill gas in boreholes or for protecting buildings such as schools, hospitals, retail parks and houses built on landfill sites. By doing away with the need for multiple fixed detectors, the sampling system significantly reduces installation and maintenance costs.

Threaded coaxial probes for automotive test applications - Peak Test Services has introduced what is believed to be the first threaded coaxial spring probe on the market. The new P820/G probe series should find applications in the automotive test field, where threaded probes have largely taken over from the traditional plug in probes.

Powerful notification tools to meet customer needs in latest pack - GE Fanuc Automation has announced the availability of its second Productivity Pack for Proficy HMI/SCADA iFIX, CIMPLICITY and View customers. This release continues GE Fanuc's commitment to continue to deliver new tools, utilities, and add-ins for its HMI/SCADA products in the form of Productivity Packs available to its GlobalCare customers.

German torque semnnsor specialist acquired - The Kistler Group has taken over the German torque sensor and force-displacement system specialist, Dr. Staiger Mohilo & Co. GmbH based in Lorch near Stuttgart.

Mobile WiMAX system-on-chip solution and roadmap - Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) today announced its Mobile WiMAX System-on-Chip (SoC) solution and roadmap. Showcased at the Wireless Communications Association Conference 2006 in Washington, this highly integrated one-chip MAC and PHY mixed-signal baseband SoC is designed to optimise both performance and power consumption using their 90nm process technology, and is especially well-suited for PC cards and mobile devices.