30/11/2006

Management buyout heralds fresh start - Following the recent transfer of Schaffner Test Systems to a group of investors headed by the division's former manager, Johannes Schmid, the new enterprise has begun its business activities under its new name: Teseq - Advanced Test Solutions for EMC. Teseq will continue to maintain and selectively expand the current Schaffner EMC test equipment product line. Moreover, the enterprise has also retained the entire Schaffner Test Systems staff in a move designed to guarantee continuity in terms of know-how and service quality.

Thermal recorder and data acquisition system product guide available - A new 12-page Product Guide covers the whole range of recorders, mini data loggers and multi-channel data acquisition systems available from Metrix Electronics. The latest additions to the range include the new 8440 series thermal paper recorders and the DAS1400 series paperless recorders. Both series feature high performance data acquisition with maximum flexibility for a wide range of applications. The user can configure or upgrade these units themselves to have from 6 to 36 analogue signal channels, plus 16 logic inputs. This has the advantage that one instrument can be more cost effective, as it can be reconfigured easily for different development, production or service applications.

New, fully isolated DIN rail mounted LVDT amplifier launched - New from RDP Electronics is the low profile DR7AC carrier amplifier, designed to provide excitation and signal amplification for LVDTs and other inductive transducers. The DR7AC is compactly packaged for DIN rail mounting, which will prove of benefit to systems integrators and machine builders. Derived from the established heritage of RDPıs successful S7AC series, the new amplifier significantly reduces system engineering and earth loop problems thanks to full isolation between the DC supply side (9 to 36 V) and the amplified output. Offering transducer excitation options of 1 or 3 volts RMS, at either 3 kHz or 5 kHz carrier signal excitation, there is a choice of a full range output of either ħ10 V or 4~20 mA from switched selectable input signal levels ranging from 20 mV to 4 V RMS.

NIR camera offers excellent performance features up to 2.5 µm - XenICs, developer of innovative infrared image sensors, is extending the range of its NIR image capture sysútems: The all-digital, software-configurable camera XEVA-FPA-2.5-320 is based on a four-stage thermoelectrically cooled HgCdTe sensor array for the extended NIR range up to 2.5 µm with 320 x 256 pixels, which comes in a compact housing together with the control and communication electronics.

Work in a Windows environment without sacrificing security - Verano, the SCADA security company, today announced that its Real-Time Application Platform (RTAP) on Linux is now available with a Windows client, Visualizer for RTAP on Linux. Verano's highly scalable, mission-critical SCADA application now has the reliability of a Linux server combined with the flexibility and familiarity of a Windows-based operator interface available on low-cost, high performance hardware.

Indian show success - During the three-day fair, there were approximately 2,592 visitors, 130 exhibitors from 11 countries, and all 3,500 square meters of exhibition space at the Palace Grounds were booked to capacity - those are the final results of Analytica Anacon 2006, which was held in Bangalore from November 16 - 18. Given these results, Analytica-Anacon 2006 reinforced the fair's position as the largest trade fair for the analysis, diagnostics, biotechnology and laboratory-equipment sector to ever take place in India. The 3rd International Trade Fair and Conference for Analytical Instrumentation, Biotechnology, Laboratory Technology and Services had a record-breaking number of exhibitors (+ 49 percent) - more than 50 percent of whom came from abroad - and exhibition space (+ 75 percent), and the number to visitors was up by more than 15 percent compared to 2004.
Analytica-Anacon is part of the international exhibition network Analytica-World

Miniature pressure & temperature sensor has fast response - Kistler Instruments has launched the new Type 6189A combined pressure and temperature sensor with a front diameter of 4mm. The thermocouple leads are threaded through the pressure-measuring element to provide exceptionally fast response to temperature changes. This technique, first used in the Kistler 2.5mm combined sensor, simplifies the monitoring of both temperature and pressure in small moulds during the injection cycle.

Infrared temperature sensors with USB interfaces - Calex Electronics are proud to announce three new additions to the Convir TL series of fixed-mount infrared temperature sensors. The new TL-TI models offer a USB interface for easy configuration and data logging via a PC. This new USB interface is available on the TL-TI14-09, TL-TI5-12 and TL-TI4-10 models.

High-resolution angular position sensor - Oxford RF Sensors has produced speed and position sensors capable of operating at 850°C, and is currently developing a blade tip clearance sensor for aircraft gas turbine engines that will continue to function at 1100°C. A sensor developed for a particular 150°C application measures directly the angular position and speed of the gear tooth. By responding to the imaginary element of the rotating targetıs magnetic susceptibility, it is able to detect the very smallest changes in homogeneity. Not only does the technology achieve the highest reliability sought by the client, it also provides significant additional benefits.

Ethernet-compatable 3-phase AC drive motor drive injects new system building flexibility into the large machinery sector - Baldor is launching a ground-breaking range of three-phase AC motor drives. In addition to introducing the flexibility of Ethernet Powerlink and TCP/IP connectivity into the high-power machine building sector, a focus on modularity, combined with novel design features, provides users with significant potential for saving costs. The new drives - the MotiFlex e100 range - can be used in both centralised control and distributed 'intelligent drive' scenarios for example, in both cases with substantial savings in the electrical power components typically required.

Inductive conductivity control for cooling tower desalination - The new ICT 1 inductive conductivity sensor from ProMinent Fluid Controls can be used in conjunction with the companyıs ŒCool-Controlı system for fully automatic desalination control in cooling towers. The ICT 1 is designed for use in all types of soiled water and has a conductivity measurement range of 0.2-1000 mS/cm. The sensor operates at temperatures up to 70°C, with full temperature compensation and the maximum pressure rating is 8 bar at 40°C and 1 bar at 70°C. As water evaporates in the water tower, the ICT1 measures the increasing salt concentration through the increasing conductivity. When a preset upper level is reached, the Cool-Control system opens a valve and the water drained and fresh make up water introduced until the conductivity drops to a preset lower level.

New WLC - Wireless Logic Controller - Elutions, provider of wireless enterprise automation solutions, has just announced the worldwide launch of its new WLC at the SPS/IPC/Drives automation show in Nuremberg, (D). The Wireless Logic Controller is a universal control platform that simplifies the integration and development of automation systems and extends enterprise control solutions with leading-edge technology and end-to-end solutions composed of hardware, user programmable IEC 61131-3 standards-based middleware, and end-user data communications.
Also launched at the show was the new Wizcon Supervisor 9.3 with major new features enable tighter integration to the enterprise Information Systems infrastructure and to video-based security systems.

Vacuum support from Scotland - Trident Exhibitions has just announced additional support for its Practical Vacuum and Semiconductor Processing exhibition to be held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, 14th & 15th February 2007. The Scottish Semiconductor Supplier Forum (SSSF), has agreed to support Practical Vacuum and to promote the event to its considerable membership.
Read-out.net publishes a review of the co-exhibition MTEC held on the same days and at the same venue as the Practical Vacuum and Semiconductor Processing exhibition.

Cubical flushed with success - Mitsubishi Electric has launched of a new series of easy-installation space-saving free-standing cubicle drives. Incorporating the latest generation of energy-saving FR-F700 variable speed drives, the F700 FSU (floor standing unit) is designed to provide a total solution without the need, or costs, of building a special panel.

16 & 18-port industrial Ethernet managed switch - Sixnet is introducing the new 16 and 18-port Ethernet managed switches, the most compact high port count switches on the market. The ET-16MS offers 16 auto-detecting 10/100 ports that support auto-negotiating (10/100 or 10/100/1000), auto-crossover and auto-polarity for plug & play connections. The ET-18MG has these same ports plus 2 Gigabit combination ports that support copper and fiber connections up to 80+ km. These new products share the same compact footprint as SIXNET's ET-9MS & ET-9MG Industrial Ethernet Switches.

Industrial USB applications with waterproof connector - Abacus Deltron has extended its connector portfolio with a waterproof miniature USB connector, ideal for industrial and similar applications. Evolved for the digital camera market, the miniature USB connector is ideal for any space-constrained environment requiring the full functionality of a USB interface. Manufactured by Bulgin, the new 5 pole miniature USB connector is part of the Buccaneer family of waterproof data connectors featuring protection against dust and water ingress to IP68 when mated. The connector provides USB V2.0 performance up to 480Mbs.

Instrument storerooms just got bigger! - Ashtead Technology Rentals has announced an investment of over £500k in health and safety instruments for hire. Ashtead's James Carlyle says "Everybodyıs instrument storeroom just got bigger - there is no need for companies to buy new equipment, because we already have!"

Industrial connectors incorporate USB and FireWire computer interfaces - Harting has introduced new versions of its established Han-Brid industrial hybrid connector range with the addition of USB and FireWire interfaces, allowing users to connect computers and peripherals to control cabinets without compromising the IP rating required for harsh industrial environments.

Robot control in the panel - Easy integration with existing equipment designs, substantial space savings and exceptional versatility are some of the many benefits which the new panel-mounting robot controllers from ABB Robotics offer to users of industrial robots. In addition, because the new controllers are supplied in chassis form for mounting in the user's own control panel, they make it easy to meet special requirements such as hygienic systems with stainless steel enclosures, and systems which can withstand washdown cleaning.

Design application of the year award - Triteq has been named the winner of the Design Application of the Year award at Elektra 2006. The European Electronics Industry Awards recognise the achievements of individuals and companies working in the electronics industry and were presented at a gala dinner in Munich on 15th November 2006.

Close the door! - The DAC-55 Door Monitor from Modularm, is a patented and functionally integrated device for monitoring doors on walk-in coolers and freezers. Benefits provided include energy savings, automation of certain functions which are normally done manually, training of personnel to close doors, increased operator safety, improved product integrity, and lowered maintenance costs. Using magnetic contacts to sense door status, the DAC-55 combines a time adjustable audible and visual door ajar alarm with remote notification capability, automatic control of compartment lights (replaces light switches), and user configurable automatic interruption of the refrigeration system relative to the status of the door (replaces fan shutoff switches) into a single compact unit.

FREE LITERATURE Parker Instrumentation has published a 24-page guide to an innovative new design of ferrule-less fluid connector, which provides permanent connections for instrumentation systems operating to 20,000 PSI / 1,379 bar. Assembled by means of a push-fit operation taking seconds, the new Phastite connectors can reduce installation costs by a factor of 90% or more compared with welded or cone-and-thread fittings. The guide describes the technology and sealing principle, and then provides detailed specifications and selection information for all the various shapes and sizes of fitting, and the associated assembly tool. INDUSTRIAL ETHERNET Just out is the latest Industrial Ethernet Book eNewsletter. have you had your copy? It's free! Just register on the website!

High-efficiency white LED driver IC for display backlight and flash/torch applications - The new A8530 from Allegro MicroSystems Europe is a high-efficiency charge pump integrated circuit that offers a simple, low-cost white LED driver solution for driving four display backlight and two flash/torch video-mode white LEDs.

Rugged vibration transducer for industry - The Model 1074 range of industrial vibration transducers from Environmental Equipments has been designed specifically for use in harsh, heavy plant applications where small, lightweight accelerometers have only a limited life. The piezoelectric accelerometer, contained in a heavy-duty stainless steel case sealed to IP67, will tolerate 500g shock loads providing reliable performance over a wide range of vibration levels and operating temperatures.

New version of test software for improved pulse measurements - Keithley Instruments,has released KTE Interactive V6.1, an updated version of its powerful KTEI (Keithley Test Environment Interactive) measurement software for its Model 4200-SCS Semiconductor Characterization System. The new KTEI 6.1 software enhances the pulse I-V capabilities of Keithley's Model 4200-PIV and significantly improves pulse and DC measurement correlation.

Fit and forget guided pneumatic cylinder - A new range of guided pneumatic cylinders from Hoerbiger-Origa combines the driving and the guiding elements into a single unitary design that is compact, robust, simple and elegant. The FZ series is available with a choice of sliding or ball bearing guides and the cylinder can be directly assembled with no mounting accessories required. The drive is double acting pneumatics, with or without end buffers, and the piston is magnetic for ease of position detection. It is available in diameters of: 20, 25, 32, 40, 50mm and standard strokes of : 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200mm, with special strokes on request.

Pioneer devices deliver unprecedented flexibility for software-reconfigurable hardware - National Instruments has announced pioneer programs for two new devices based on the NI LabVIEW FPGA Module, giving engineers and researchers early access to technology for digital and communications system design. Engineers can now use this to write custom software for each device's FPGA to prototype and test emerging standards or create custom protocols. With FPGA technology, engineers can repeatedly reconfigure hardware performance through software to meet next-generation requirements, which is a new approach to system design.

Switches bring greater distances and the security of fibre optics - Contemporary Controls has added new 5- and 8-port fibre switches to its Skorpion family to boost link distance and provide galvanic isolation increasing immunity to electrical noise and lightning strikes. The rugged fibre series can extend distances up to 2 km multimode and 15 km single-mode. "In addition," says Operations Manager George Karones, "this series will provide you with peace of mind knowing that your exposed connections be they outdoor, underground, or installed in a hostile environment are immune to their surroundings."

Easy, fast and practical programming of weighing systems - The varieties of weighing systems applications are as diverse as the branches of industry in which they are used. This makes special customer requests and the extension of existing weighing applications common place. The adaptation of a weighing system such as Batching and Filling specific to customer circumstances usually requires a great deal of time and effort. Sartorius has now built a bridge between the individual requirements of customised weighing systems and easy-to-use, uncomplicated programming - even for beginners - with the Sartorius PR 1750/60 graphic development tool.

Packaging machine language guidelines approved - The OMAC Packaging Workgroup Executive Committee approved PackML Version 3 at a meeting held in conjunction with PackExpo in Chicago (US).
PackML is a set of packaging machine language guidelines that have been developed by the OMAC Packaging Workgroup. Packaging machines that follow the PackML guidelines can be more easily integrated into a packaging line and their associated manufacturing execution (MES) systems, minimizing engineering costs and reducing project schedules. PackML V3 is posted on the their website and available for download.

Graphical or text-based approach - National Instruments has announced the latest version of the NI LabVIEW Digital Filter Design Toolkit, a comprehensive collection of tools for designing and implementing digital filters. As a part of the LabVIEW graphical system design platform, the Digital Filter Design Toolkit delivers features - including new text-based MathScript functions for advanced filter design, new support for multirate filter design and implementation and enhanced fixed-point code generation - that help embedded designers streamline all aspects of digital filter design, including specification, design, analysis, prototyping and deployment.

Automatic meter reading software - Jekyll Electronic Technology has announcerd that it has been appointed as official distributor for the Primestone range of Automatic Meter Reading Software (AMRS). Jekyll is responsible for the sales and support of this new software, which complements its existing range of telemetry solutions, including modems, for the utility industry.

Ensuring molding precision - Irish injection moulder, Inmo-Tech is one of the first companies to install the recently launched Kistler CoMo Injection cavity pressure monitoring system to ensure the dimensional precision of its injection moulded components for the healthcare and electrical sectors. Their first application of the CoMo Injection system is in quality assurance of a medical device, moulded in high molecular weight polystyrene, made up of two injection moulded components that must fit together with an hermetic seal. To ensure the precision of the two moulded components, Inmo-Tech fit piezoelectric pressure sensors in each mould cavity and use CoMo Injection to compare cavity pressure curves during the injection and holding phases with a preset specification. If, at any time, the cavity pressure curve deviates outside user defined limits, the CoMo Injection system provides a signal to a component deflection device which automatically sends the out of spec component to the reject bin.

Newsletter Every two weeks we receive the BestTest Newsletter which is sponsored by A.T.E. (Advanced Test Engineering) Solutions, the independent test engineering consulting and educational firm. Here is the November 16th 2006 Issue. It is sent by email but is also available as can be seen on the web. They have been publishing this since 1996 and started the email version in 2003. Their archive includes all the electronic issues. They claim to be offering "the most up-to-date Test News - anywhere," and we would be hard-put to gainsay what they say.

Webcast on value of ISA-95-based continuous improvement methods - GE Fanuc Automation recently participated in a web cast with Toray Plastics and MESA International entitled, "ISA-95 Accelerates Implementation and Lowers Lifecycle Costs." The web cast is part of a series of events sponsored by MESA's Technical Committee. "Manufacturers are beginning to utilize the manufacturing operations activity models of ISA-95 Part 3 to build requests for proposal (RFP), functional requirement specifications (FRS) and project management plans," said Greg Gorbach, Vice President of Collaborative Manufacturing for ARC Advisory Group who moderated the event. "It potentially saves time and money compared to reinventing the wheel each time."

Limit switch range provides thousands of options - - Carlo Gavazzi has introduced a comprehensive range of over 8000 limit switches to complement its existing portfolio of position and level sensors. Developed in response to customer demand, the switches are offered in thousands of body, head and contact-block options, both standard limit switches and safety types. There are models with plastic and metal bodies in six different sizes, 10 contact-block variants and over 50 alternative heads in plastic or metal.

Process solutions, services, and partnerships define automation event - Rockwell Automation recently held their 2006 Automation Fair in Baltimore, (US). Overall turnout for the Automation Fair was strong with a strong attendance at the technical sessions, hands-on labs, and industry forums. In ARC's opinion, one of the secrets to Automation Fair's success is that it is a free training session that just happens to have a trade show running on the side. Training is what provides the justification that end users and OEMs require to send automation personnel to the event, which would not be as strong if Automation Fair were solely a trade show.
ARC's report
Reports from Control Magazine

Ultrasound in organic chemistry - In the chemical industry there is a range of organic products, which crystallize and can no longer be used as soon as the process temperature falls below 150°C. In such cases, Krohne offers throughflow meters with heated cladding. Ultrasound is the measuring principle of choice at a chemical company in Genf (B). Their UFM 3030 is the standard device for the process industry. Even the basic version can handle temperatures of up to 220°C, while temperatures of up to 500°C are no problem for the high temperature version. The UFM 3030 is used in the steamer with internal condenser to measure different substances. The nominal throughflow of 850l/h is regulated by a gate valve. To keep the various process media liquid, the UFM 3030 is surrounded with heated cladding, which has a mixture of water and glycol flowing through it. This has a temperature of 200°C at a pressure of 15-20 bar, so the media in the pipe always stays liquid.

Data management, analysis and report generation software processes Airbus' wind-tunnel data - Airbus, the leading aircraft manufacturer with the most comprehensive family of airliners, selected National Instruments DIAdem data analysis and report generation software as its Europe-wide standard tool for processing wind-tunnel test data, including the effects of specific thermal and aerodynamic parameters on airliners. With NI DIAdem, Airbus test engineers can automate time-consuming, repetitive analysis procedures and streamline the data reporting process to reduce analysis time and make important engineering decisions for their airliners sooner.

More about wireless! - Wireless technology is having a major impact at another user group meeting, Honeywell's EMEA User Group meeting in Seville (ES). While it is not the only topic at the meeting, wireless mesh networking continues to get heavy play."What happens when a company gets serious about technology - look at what happened when Microsoft got serious about the Internet," said Paul Orzeske, Honeywell's vice president and general manager for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).
See Greg Hale's Intech Blog

PXI products for hybrid test systems in production applications - Keithley is now the only major instrumentation manufacturer enabling electronic production test users to build optimal hybrid systems with both precision instruments and high-speed data acquisition products. They have introduced a new line of PXI products designed for high speed automated production testing as part of a hybrid test system using precision instruments. Test engineers and designers can combine the high-speed data acquisition and tight trigger synchronization features of the new KPXI products with the precision measurement capabilities in Keithley instruments for a superior hybrid test system architecture. Taking advantage of additional Keithley innovations such as TSP (Test Script Processor), an architecture that enables distributed programming and concurrent execution, results in unparalleled accuracy and throughput.

500 new jobs in Dublin - Google, the Internet search engine, has announced that it is to create more than 500 new jobs at its EMEA headquarters in Dublin (IRL). John Herlihy, European Director, Online Sales and Operation, Google, and Micheál Martin, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment released the news in a joint statement today. The move will bring the total number employed by Google at its Barrow Street headquarters to over 1,300, representing over 40 nationalities, with capability in over 45 languages.

Wide range of fully radiometric thermal imaging solutions - Fluke now offers a wide range of easy-to-use thermal imagers, providing a choice of rugged, fully radiometric solutions for industrial maintenance engineers and for Predictive Maintenance (PdM) applications. Fluke also supports its customers by offering a variety of training courses, a free thermography guide and a free DVD titled "Thermal imaging in industrial applications".

On-chip diagnostic technology for automotive sensors - ZMD supplier of low-power mixed-signal solutions for automotive and medical applications, has introduced the ZMD31150 high-speed automotive signal conditioner IC with advanced on-chip diagnostics for use with all types of wheatstone bridge sensors.

Smart drives simplify cable winding automation - A smart AC motor drive from Baldor's H2 family has allowed Centrilift Cable to eliminate a PLC, and improve the productivity of winding finished cable onto drums, at its facility in Oklahoma. Centrilift Cable makes specialised cabling for the electrical submersible pumping systems used in oil and gas wells. Its products are packaged with equipment from sister company Centrilift Pump Plant to create turnkey pumping solutions.

New calibration and test facility - Flowquip, flow and instrumentation specialists are pleased to announce the arrival of their new Water calibration facility 'Flow Cal'. Using master flowmeters traceable to Swiss National Standards, the rig will allow Flowquip to test and Calibrate Flow meters on water to up to 3000 l/min. The new this calibration rig uses stainless steel pipework and a stainless steel tank. A separate water filtration system has been included to make sure that the water remains clean and free of contaminants.
They also announce that they have been chosen to be the new UK representatives for American V-Cone Manufacturers McCrometer.

European renewable energy revenues expected to double - Increasing awareness about renewable energy and favourable government legislations such as the Directive on Renewable Energy Sources (RES) are expected to drive the European renewable energy market. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan European Renewable Energy Market-Investment Analysis and Growth Opportunities reveals this market earned €8.89 billion in 2005 and estimates this to reach €14.54 billion in 2010.

Low-distortion AC power supply supports EN61000-3-2 - TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments) has re-engineered its AC1000 low-distortion EN61000-3-2 compliant power source. The new unit, designated AC1000A, has been redesigned to improve both performance and ergonomics. The AC1000A is a 1 kW low-distortion AC power supply designed to provide a pure source of mains power for the measurement of current waveform harmonics as required for EMC compliance under EN61000-3-2.

High-quality seal enhances reliability - con:card+ is a new quality seal for MicroTCA(tm) and AdvancedTCA(r) connectors, which helps to deliver a significant increase in the reliability of these systems. Jointly developed by Harting Electronics GmbH and ept GmbH KG, con:card+ features a number of technical innovations, including a feature known as GuideSpring for reliable positioning, especially smooth contact surfaces, wear-resistant coating, relaxation-resistant material and rugged press-in connection.

10-port industrial Ethernet managed switch with Gigabit - SixNet is introducing the new 10-port industrial Ethernet managed switch. The ET-10MG offers 8 10/100 Mbps RJ45 ports plus 2 Gigabit combination ports for copper or fibre connections. All of the RJ45 copper ports support auto-negotiating (10/100 or 10/100/1000), auto-crossover and auto-polarity for plug & play connections. The fibre ports 9 & 10 also accept SFP fibre optic transceivers for noise immune links up to 80 km.

Highly integrated power conversion and power management package to provide comprehensive front-end power solution for latest-generation telecoms cards - Emerson Network Power has announced the availability of the industry's smallest front-end power solution to date for use on latest-generation telecoms cards. The majority of existing Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (ATCA) bus converters employ a combination of front-end interface and conversion module, consuming valuable board space. The new Artesyn dual-input ATC210 bus converter is a fully integrated solution that occupies 20-40% less space than competitive solutions. It combines an exceptionally small footprint, high power density isolated dc-dc converter with advanced digitally programmable power management functions. The converter has a 5.9 x 4.6 cm footprint and a typical full load efficiency of 89%, yielding a power density in excess of 4 Watts per cubic centimetre.

New high-speed boards lower cost and increase data throughput for digital test - National Instruments has announced the industry's first high-speed digital I/O instruments for PCI Express to deliver up to 200 MB/s dedicated throughput per direction to and from the host processor. The NI PCIe-6536 25 MHz and NI PCIe-6537 50 MHz low-cost digital I/O boards build on the throughput of the PCI Express interface to acquire and generate large digital patterns that are otherwise impossible to sustain. Using this high-performance bus, the new digital I/O boards can directly stream data to and from the host processor at full data rates with increased performance and lower costs than traditional proprietary test systems. Engineers can use the new instruments to meet a variety of applications including interfacing to memory devices, emulating communications protocols and testing image sensors and display panels.

Product innovation, selection, and support expanding throughout Europe - Extech Instruments, the major supplier of test and measurement equipment for the industrial marketplace, is expanding its distribution base throughout Western and Eastern Europe. Offering an unmatched breadth of products, Extech is seeking a select number of committed distributors to help continue the company’s success in providing innovative quality products, value and service to its customers.
Extech offers over 64 product lines, including multimeters, clamp-on meters, tachometers, light meters, sound meters and meters to test temperature, airflow, humidity and water quality. Many of the meters are engineered to be multifunctional including either a patented, built-in, non-contact InfraRed thermometer or a built-in voltage detector. Along with the powerful and exclusive built-in features and functions, Extech offers a product for any application.

Non-contact device provides cost-effective alternative to positioners for SIS applications - Westlock Controls, which provides innovative solutions for the networking, monitoring and control of process valves, has announced the introduction of the D-EPIC Control Transmitter. This 4-20 mA, HART-enabled, non-contact transmitter eliminates position blind spots during the stroke of a valve by supplying continuous feedback of either rotary or linear valve position.

New test jig for contact lens blister pack testing - Lloyd Instruments has developed a special jig for easy determination of peel strength of the aluminium foil on contact lens blister packs. Designed for use primarily with the low force LFPlus single column materials testing machine, the jig features a self-adjusting sliding bed for true 90° peel tests.

Infrared process imaging system for low-emissivity glass with automatic emissivity correction - Raytek has announced the availability of the new Raytek GS110 Process Imaging System for Low Emissivity (Low-E) glass. This system was specifically designed to monitor one-side coated flat glass and addresses a rapidly increasing need as Low-E glass becomes more widely used in the construction industry.

New advanced training facility - Dow Corning, the global manufacturer of silicon-based materials, is using a dynamic simulator, built and implemented by Invensys Process Systems, to train operators at its Barry, South Wales production facility. It is anticipated that use of the simulator will result in significant savings in training and manpower costs, enhanced plant safety and increased productivity. The Invensys Operator Training Simulator (OTS) was built using advanced DYNSIM and FSIM dynamic simulation technology from Invensys' SimSci-Esscor unit.

Four new members - UKIVA welcomes four new members, whose activities in the field of imaging reflect the breadth of imaging applications throughout imaging and science. The new members are: Foreshore Solutions, The Fluke Corporation, MVD Ltd and Imaging and Machine Vision Europe.

High performance non-contacting rotary position sensor now available with even higher resolution measurement capability - Penny + Giles has upgraded its range of rugged, non-contact Hall effect rotary position sensors for use in harsh environments.  The new SRH series features a 12-bit processor and offers 0.088 degree measurement resolution for high precision monitoring under conditions of extreme temperature, humidity, vibration, shock and immersion. The upgrade allows OEMs to produce more accurate measurement equipment for the most demanding industrial and position sensing applications.

Automation shipments to the oil & gas industry to reach $12b - The worldwide automation market for the Oil & Gas industry is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% over the next five years. The market was $8.7 billion in 2005 and is forecasted to be over $12.0 billion in 2010, according to a new ARC Advisory Group study. Driven by continued strong demand and record high oil prices, the Oil & Gas and Refining industries are expected to make robust capital expenditures in automation technology. "As the industry works to find new reserves, build new capacity, and upgrade its existing infrastructure, it will look to automation technology to help optimize its production processes to maximize profits," according to ARC Analyst Allen Avery, the principal author of ARC's "Oil & Gas Industry Automation Worldwide Outlook".

Documenting pressure calibrator launched - Calibration expert, Ametek Calibration Instruments has set a new standard for pressure calibration with the introduction of the high resolution, compact JOFRA DPC-500 documenting pressure calibrator. Designed for high precision calibration of pressure instruments such as pressure gauges, transmitters, digital manometers, pressure switches and overpressure valves, the DPC-500 offers improved pressure accuracy (± 0.025% FS), better electrical current (± 1.6 A) and voltage (± 0.5 mV) accuracy and an extended pressure range of 250 mbar to 1000 bar FS. The DPC-500 also offers absolute pressure measurement from 0.4 to 16 bar absolute.

Next generation wireless device server delivers new standards, greater flexibility and ease of deployment - Lantronix has announced the newest version of its award-winning WiBox® wireless Device Server™, to serve the growing demand for WiFi technology that allows companies to remotely manage and control their appliances and machines over the network or the Internet. The new WiBox delivers support for the latest generation 802.11 standards and adds wired Ethernet connectivity for more complete configuration flexibility when in the field. Specialised features offer additional options and ease of configuration, making serial or Ethernet device connectivity possible in just minutes regardless of the application. WiBox provides an ideal solution for companies looking to network-enable a variety of machines and appliances ranging from plant equipment to corporate security systems, by utilising the most widely adopted wireless network standard 802.11.
Following on the success from last year's contest, Lantronix continues to lead device networking innovation by announcing its second annual Wireless Design Contest. With more categories and larger cash prizes, this contest challenges engineers worldwide to use their imaginations to wirelessly network-enable a machine or device using Lantronix WiPort™, an embedded 802.11 b/g wireless Device Server™.

Programmable hall sensor ICs in low-profile surface-mount package - The new A138X family of Hall-effect sensor integrated circuits from Allegro MicroSystems Europe are programmable, analogue-output devices that are offered in a choice of low-profile surface-mount packages.

Fibre-optic data transmission system for Industrial Ethernet - The new M12 microFX from Harting is a family of active fibre-optic transceivers with the same dimensions as the industry standard M12 electrical connector, making it ideally suited to use in Industrial Ethernet and other industrial data-transmission applications.

PUBLICATIONS The Story of Pretty Polly, Sweet SUE and the White Knight The ProfiBus Group is offering a free booklet that takes a fresh look at Industrial Ethernet and addresses some of the myths and facts about ProfiNet. The booklet: ProfiNet or The Story of Pretty Polly, Sweet SUE and the White Knight is available on request in hardcopy, or for download in .PDF format by visiting the ProfiBus UK download page at where the link will be found towards the end of the page. INSTRUMENT ENGINEERS' HANDBOOK, 3RD EDITION - PROCESS SOFTWARE AND DIGITAL NETWORKS, VOL. 3 Béla G Lipták This book highlights the transportation of digital information by buses and networks, the total coverage includes much more. Several chapters describe a variety of process-control software packages suited for plant optimization, maintenance, and safety-related applications. Other chapters cover plant design and updating, safety and operations-related logic systems, and the design of integrated workstations and control centers.

Agreement to advance parametric wafer probe technology - Keithley Instruments has announced it has partnered with Mesatronic Group (F) to develop advanced probe cards for semiconductor parametric testers used in RF and low current DC applications.

Low-cost development package for ARM processors - A complete low-cost development package for the NXP (Philips) LPC range of ARM processors, consisting of an evaluation and experimental board, a GCC compiler, a JTAG interface, an IDE and debugger, as well as a host of application examples, is now available from Computer Solutions. These kits have everything an engineer needs to get started on developing ARM code as soon as the board is plugged in and the software is installed on the disk.

Two-pole modular surge arrester for protecting electronic equipment The new DEHNrail M from DEHN is a two-pole modular surge arrester for the protection of electronic equipment in industrial and commercial installations. Using a simple modular construction combining a base unit with plug-in modules, the new unit meets the requirements of the EN 61643-11 standard for Type 3 (Class III) surge-protection devices.

Press force calibration sensor has mega Newton range - Designed specifically for in-situ measurement of press force in large presses, the new Type 9931A force sensors from Kistler are available in four types covering the measuring range from 50 to 20,000 kN. Exceptionally compact, robust and easy to handle, the sensors are continuously calibrated from 1% to 100% of the measuring range as standard and have a high overload capacity. The tapered flanges reduce pressure on the bed of the press whilst optimising force transfer. Where an even wider measuring range is demanded, several sensors can be combined using a range of special accessories. A range of charge amplifiers and force monitoring and analysis instrumentation is available for use with the new sensors.

Improved flare modeling analysis for plant safety design applications - The SimSci-Esscor unit of Invensys and DNV Software have developed a link between SimSci-Esscor's VISUAL FLOW safety system design software and DNV Software's PHASTFX flammable effects software module. The link allows engineers in process plants to quickly and easily estimate a wide range of flammable effects during design work.
VISUAL FLOW provides engineers with a state-of-the-art tool for designing, documenting, and modeling safety systems, pressure relief networks, and general plant fluid-flow systems. Applications include relief networks, systems containing any configuration of multiple flares, relief valves, knock-out drums, and loops.
PHASTFX is a subset of PHAST and contains the major flammable and explosion models, including jet flame, pool fire, and BLEVE (boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion).

Infrared temperature calibrator added to range - Calex Electronics has announced the latest addition to its range temperature calibration products, the new Convir ITC 600 Bench-Top Infrared Temperature Calibrator. The ITC 600 has a temperature range from 100°C to 600°C, making it usable with the majority of non-contact infrared temperature sensors. It has a deeply recessed blackbody calibration target which helps it to attain an impressive accuracy and stability of ±0.5°C, and has an emissivity value of greater than 0.98.

Collaboration to simplify embedded design - National Instruments has announced the release of the new cRIO-9012 high-performance, real-time controller in collaboration with Freescale Semiconductor and Wind River. The controller is based on Freescale's MPC5200 processor built on Power Architecture technology and Wind River VxWorks real-time operating system (RTOS) to deliver fast performance while maintaining the ruggedness, reliability and low cost of the NI CompactRIO platform. The companies are working together to help engineers simplify embedded system development through graphical system design, which combines open software and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) programmable hardware in a single, unifying platform to rapidly design, prototype and deploy embedded systems. The collaboration on the cRIO-9012 controller illustrates the three companies' ongoing strategic relationship dedicated to improving the development of embedded devices.

A hit for attendees and exhibitors - ISA EXPO 2006wrapped up on last month in Houston, Texas. The three day event featured a cutting-edge technical conference, a renowned training program, and an exhibition featuring some of the newest technology on the market today. Nearly 13,000 attendees had the opportunity to hear impressive keynote addresses from international experts, attend over 70 conference sessions, and see the latest developments from over 550 exhibitors on the show floor.

New fieldbus media attachment unit - Fieldbus Foundation has announced that AMI Semiconductor, a manufacturer of integrated mixed-signal and structured digital products, has introduced the AMIS-49200 Fieldbus Media Attachment Unit (MAU). The new device can be used as a near pin-for-pin replacement for the Yokogawa (SAA22Q transceiver, which is no longer in production. The AMIS-49200 Fieldbus MAU provides a physical interface between bus wiring and actual measurement devices in industrial process automation applications.

First wireless electrical sub-metering components - LEM launches the Wi-LEM (Wireless Local Energy Meter) family of components, an innovative solution that allows electricity consumption to be monitored and reduced. By using wireless communication, Wi-LEM greatly reduces the time, cost and disruption involved in deploying a sub-metering installation, increasing both the potential financial savings and removing many of the barriers to adopt this proven approach to reduce energy consumption

Ethernet switches connect challenging gas field operation - Westermo Data Communication T-208 industrial Ethernet switches feature 1micros time synchronisation and 30 ms reconfiguration time. These two functions are key reasons why ABB have selected them to connect the Ethernet network for the new Safety and Automation System at the Nyhamna on-shore gas processing plant.

Resource is a marked PLUS! - Just when you think you have seen eveerything on the web you come across another resource. This one is called Plusbay and subtitled "helping you keep it all working!". A colleague rather unfairly said "put your dark glasses on first!" but really it's not that bad! So what is it? Well they describe very well what they are at: "PlusBay addresses often overlooked industrial control and IT requirements. We can do this because we have not only been there, we still are. We know what the problems are, the difficulties and the requirements of day-to-day activities. We know what it is like to switch between state-of-the-art technology one minute and 20 year old (plus) equipment the next. If you do then PlusBay is for you." So now you know.
We've listed a link to this in our Search Engines, Portals and Other Resources Pages.

Solenoid valve with Ex rated connector enables installation and maintenance without a 'Hot Work Permit' - ASCO Numatics introduces a unique series of ASCO explosion proof solenoid valves that feature an Ex-approved plug and socket connector system. The new HA connector system enables the installation, maintenance, repair and servicing of solenoid valves to be carried out within a hazardous area, without the need to isolate the equipment. Because there is no need to obtain a hot work permit which can delay the start of work, a replacement device can be quickly installed keeping plant downtime to a minimum.

Thermoformed tubing assemblies the right fit - Tight spaces in analytical instruments can often make it difficult to maintain consistent fluid paths in regular tubing. Thermoformed tubing assemblies from Diba Industries can be custom designed with bends and coils that fit neatly into instruments, preventing kinking and improper installation for problem-free processing.

Impact indicator has date and time stamp - Lamerholm Electronics is pleased to announce the launch of the new Mag 2000 impact indicator - now available with a date and time stamping feature. This cost-efficient, re-settable, re-usable and tamper-proof device monitors the handling of fragile goods and freight containers over 180kgs. When an impact occurs, the device records the direction and angle of impact. This new feature provides irrefutable evidence of an impact by recording the exact date and time the impact occurred.

New director of performance services appointed - Process control industry veteran, Tom Kinney, has returned to Invensys where he has been appointed director of performance services at the Foxboro, Mass.-based Process Systems division. In this capacity, Mr. Kinney will help to further develop and deliver new and innovative plant-level performance service capabilities in support of Invensys' overall asset performance management (APM) business optimisation strategy. Introduced last year, APM utilises a patented methodology and unique three-tier services model to enable industrial enterprises to continuously balance asset utilisation and availability to meet changing business requirements. Mr. Kinney will focus his efforts on process control performance management, alarm management, and related base performance services at the plant level.

A validated calibration system - Beamex recently installed successfully a validated CMX calibration management system for Astellas Ireland. They first started to use Beamex's calibration management software in 1996 and later in 2000 they also started using the MC5 Multifunction Calibrators. Now the software was upgraded to CMX calibration management software (CMX for Server).

Tamper-proof, contactless, coded, magnetic safety switch - Comitronic, the French safety equipment specialist, has just expanded its machine safety switch range with the latest version of its Massimotto switch - a tamper-proof, contactless, coded, magnetic safety switch with an integrated M12 connector. Massimoto is rated Category 3 or 4 under the EN954-1 standard and offers enhanced, effective machine protection.

New non-invasive pipe flowmeter and leakage logger - HWM Hydreka has introduced the ChronoFLO Transit Time Ultrasonic Flowmeter, a temporary or semi-permanent device for accurate, real-time pipe flow measurement and leakage logging. The flowmeter is non-invasive, meaning there is no disruption of plant operation, no pressure loss, no risk of leakage and hygienic integrity is ensured.

New version of integrated production control system - Yokogawa Electric Corporation has just announced CENTUM CS 3000 R3 Release 3.08, a new version of the company's flagship integrated production control system. The enhanced functionality of the new version allows the integrated use of data from throughout a plant and eases the task of creating an environment for the efficient monitoring of plant operations. In addition, an alarm & event integration function has been introduced that sends only optimal alarms to the right person at the right time. This counters the increase in information - in particular, the increased number of alarms that are generated as a result of system integration - and contributes to the implementation of safe operations.

Batch execution software selected - GE Fanuc Automation tells us that Ciba Specialty Chemicals chose their Proficy Plant Applications Batch Execution software, running on a Proficy HMI/SCADA - iFIX platform, for two main pigment manufacturing processes at its Paisley, Scotland plant. Key factors in the decision were the recipe consistency, the flexibility and the ease-of-use offered by the software, part of the Proficy Production Management solution suite.

PLC manufacturer offers low cost, fieldbus and I/O expansion modules with mid-range specifications for less demanding automation systems - As part of its System 200V range, VIPA offers an alternative range of lower cost fieldbus and I/O expansion modules. Known as the ECOnomical range, these modules have been engineered to provide mid-range specifications which are often required by smaller and more straightforward centralised automation applications.

New UV disinfection system - The new Dulcodes R UV disinfection system from ProMinent Fluid Controls is ideally suited for the disinfection of drinking and process water and the photochemical reduction of chloramines in swimming pool water. It features high performance Opti-Flux low -pressure UV lamps and a built-in mechanical wiper system, which can be used without interrupting system operation.

Advanced software architecture delivers .NET programming environment for motion control applications - Aerotech offer a range of .NET enabled motion and machine control solutions that help to reduce application development timescales, facilitate integration of third party automation devices and simplify information exchange processes for OEM's and builders of innovative production machinery and automated test equipment.

A different way to measure concentrations - Thanks to research carried out by Krohne, there is now another measure method using the latest TDR level meters, which relies on the dielectric constant. Finding the dielectric constant of two-component mixtures makes it possible to calculate the proportion of each component.
Measuring the Concentration of Two-Component Mixtures Measuring concentrations is a routine task in the process industry. There are currently various processes available for measuring the concentration of two-component mixtures of immiscible liquids. From the most common (taking a sample and analyzing it in the laboratory), to measurement of density, refraction index, optical absorption, or online analysis. As the cost of their TDR level meter is considerably lower than that of the other processes (as much as 10 times lower in the case of online analysis devices), it is an economical and efficient alternative.

Flow survey: DP remains dominant, new technologies catching on - In an effort to answer some important questions about the state of the flowmeter market today, Flow Research recently conducted a six-month survey of the flowmeter user community. The survey, which was undertaken in cooperation with Venture Development Corporation and Flow Control magazine, was conducted in the second half of 2005 via an Internet-based questionnaire and one-on-one phone conversations with suppliers and users of flowmeter technology.

Manufacturing operational excellence achieved in Daventry! - Pantek, who market and support Wonderware software products in Britain and Ireland, announced announced attendance and other specific session details from their premier 2006 customer event - the WonderWorld and 2006 User Conference. The event was held at Daventry (GB) on the 31st October & 1st November.
"Having SAP, Microsoft, Invensys and Wonderware all in the same room for two days obviously makes for an exciting time", said Pantek Managing Director John Bailey (right), "so our delegates had the rare opportunity for one-on-one discussions with key industry market leaders these past few days."

Fast, versatile, miniature spectrometer with enhanced electronics - Ocean Optics has launched its next-generation, miniature fibre optic spectrometer. The USB4000 replaces the company's USB2000, one of the most successful miniature fibre optic spectrometers in the world. Small enough to be held in the palm of a hand, it features a 3648 element linear CCD array for substantially increased signal-to-noise and enhanced 16 bit electronics for controlling the spectrometer and accessories.

Partnership marked at DTOS forum - RealFlex Technologies attended the Advantech DTOS forum held in London last month. They attended the event to celebrate their partnership with Advantech.
In response to customer demand RealFlex have recently introduced "RealFlex Embedded" which utilised the Advantech Arc series of high performance controllers

Debug tools speed development of advanced motion control systems - Baldor has added powerful program debugging facilities to its Mint language for motion and machine automation. The company's Windows-based Mint WorkBench toolsuite now include breakpoints, single-step program execution and virtual hardware -- providing sophisticated tools for dealing with the growing complexity of machine design.

Fast and low cost spectroscopic ellipsometer and Mueller polarimeter - Horiba Jobin Yvon introduces the MM-16, a spectroscopic ellipsometer dedicated to the advanced characterization of film thickness and optical constants for a broad range of materials such as semiconductors, compounds, alloys and organic thin films. The MM-16 has a simple optical configuration using liquid crystals (LCs) as polarizer. Each Ellipsometer heads contains two LC modulators, each modulator having two possible polarisation states. By measuring all possible combinations of states for each modulator (16 measurements total), and with no moving parts during signal acquisition, the MM-16 measures the full polarization state matrix (Mueller matrix) of a sample in less than 2 seconds.

Fast, flexible vector signal analyser introduced - Keithley Instruments has introduced the Model 2810 RF Vector Signal Analyzer, optimised for automated testing of wireless devices and transmitter circuits in production test environments, as well as in new product and device research and development. It features measurement speeds up to three times faster than competitive instruments in production test, takes up half the space, and costs half as much as competitive products. The Model 2810 combines high performance, complex signal analysis capability with unprecedented ease of use for even those with little training, background, or practical experience in RF measurement to serve a wide range of measurement needs on wireless devices, transceiver modules, and RF components. Keithley's Model 2810 is the lowest cost, widest signal acquisition bandwidth, stand-alone vector signal analyzer with both manual and automated operation on the market today.

North American conference call for papers - The 2007 WBF North American Conference will be held April 30 through May 4 in Baltimore, Maryland (USA). The theme of the WBF 2007 North American Conference, "Mining for Gold - Discovering the value of standardized process automation," embraces automation processes, tools, and applications being implemented in ourindustry today and in the future.

New thermal imagers aimed at building diagnostic applications - Fluke, the world's leading supplier of handheld test and measurement equipment, has introduced new IR FlexCam fully radiometric Thermal Imagers, the Fluke TiR2, TiR3 and TiR4, and Fluke IR InSight Thermal Imagers aimed at building diagnostic applications. Offering the industry's largest on-camera images plus the innovative IR-Fusion technology that fuses infrared and visible light images, the TiRx models provide ideal solutions for the rapid location of building faults, such as areas of heat losses and moisture ingress, and HVAC problems. The easy, one-trigger operation of the IR InSight models provides a lower cost solution for quick, accurate building surveys. Each easy-to-use thermal imager comes complete with powerful Fluke SmartView analysis and reporting software.

Touring cars and Formula 1 are test beds for road vehicles - Leading touring car and Formula 1 racing teams are using the latest version of the Kistler lightweight RoaDyn wheel force monitoring system to fine tune suspension and chassis performance. The two systems, carbon fibre S625 for touring cars and titanium V6F1 for Formula 1 cars, provide ultra high precision measurement of wheel force under extreme loads.

New static generator demonstrates greater versatility - Meech International has launched of the Model 992v3 Static Generator. This new product further advances Meech's position as a leader in static control solutions. The new 30kV Model 992v3 can be operated in either Constant Voltage or Constant Current Mode to generate a controlled level of static charge that will create a temporary bond between materials, one of which must be insulative. The addition of Constant Current Mode allows the performance of the Model 992v3 to be optimised for a variety of applications and a diverse range of materials. The result is maximum pinning effect without the risk of overload.

Publications FIELDBUSES FOR PROCESS CONTROL: ENGINEERING, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE Jonas Berge Fieldbuses for Process Control: Engineering, Operation, and Maintenance covers the three leading process fieldbus technologies: HART, Foundation Fieldbus and ProfiBus-PA. It covers both the field-level and the Ethernet-based host-level networking. The text also addresses concerns and solutions for interoperability, integration and migration as well as availability and safety. He provides an in-depth explanation of how fieldbus technologies work, and he exposes similarities, differences and capabilities of each fieldbus technology. BROCHURE SHOWCASES SWATHE OF NEW PRODUCTS Linear actuator and control specialist Hoerbiger-Origa has developed so many new products that is has published a brochure just to showcase them.

New power-supply terminals combine safety with flexibility - TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments) has introduced a new safety terminal for the company's range of laboratory power supplies. The new terminal combines the flexibility of a conventional 4 mm binding-post terminal with the safety features of a 4 mm safety socket.

New servo redefines performance - The new MR-J3 series is Mitsubishi Electric’s latest generation of servo amplifiers and motors for industrial automation applications. Newly-designed and engineered, these servo drives are small, precise and easy to integrate. The MR-J3 series sports a host of features, setting new standards for machine builders. The powerful amplifier and motors are significantly smaller than previous generations, reducing the need for costly cubicle space and allowing the motors to fit easily and neatly into small recesses of the machine.

Rodless cylinder gives conveyer a turn! - Rodless pneumatic cylinders from Hoerbiger-Origa are specified as standard whenever a pusher unit is required on conveyor systems designed and built by Stourport company Conveyor Units.
The company, based in Stourport, Worcestershire, manufactures a range of standard lineshaft driven roller conveyor modules in its popular Uni-Xu series. The wide range of units available, from 362 - 1012-mm width and with a maximum 3 metre module length, allows the most complex of systems to be easily designed. A wide variety of ancillary equipment to suit the conveyors is available, one of these being the popular ‘pusher unit’– and this is where the Hoerbiger-Origa units play their crucial role.

Texans go to bed to test robots - The University of Texas is working on a new test bed that will radically improve evaluation of motors for demanding applications. Key to the researchers' experiments, and at the heart of the test bed is the Torqsense transducer developed by Sensor Technology. Getting the right motor for a demanding application isn't exactly a hit and miss affair, but the performance curves supplied by the manufacturer can only tell you so much. Beyond that, real world performance evaluation is needed, and this is where modern test beds come in, offering the ability to test actuators under a static load (such as a brake) and providing an important indicator of long term performance and reliability.

Industrial Ethernet/web gateway with I/O system - IntelliCom has just announced the NetBiter I/O Extender. It connects to the popular NetBiter webSCADA, a web gateway with built-in alarm manager and data logger. The NetBiter I/O Extender provides a wide range of I/O possibilities to the NetBiter webSCADA product.

Frame grabbers for every major camera standard - National Instruments has announced that it has expanded its digital camera support with the release of three new PCI Express-based frame grabbers. With the new NI PCIe-8255R, NI PCIe-8231 and NI PCIe-1427 frame grabbers, National Instruments now offers support for every major digital camera bus, including IEEE 1394b, Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) Vision and Camera Link. National Instruments is the only vision component provider to offer PCI Express hardware for all three major buses.

Plant of the year award - The BP Canada Energy NGL Operations plant in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, has been selected by HART Communication Foundation (HCF) as recipient of the 2006 HART Plant of the Year Award. The award is given annually to recognize the people, companies and plant sites around the globe that are using the full capabilities of HART technology in real-time applications to improve operations, lower costs and increase availability.

Simple to install force sensors for press-fit processes - The new range of five force sensors from Kistler Instruments has been developed specifically for use in production environments, especially for quality assurance monitoring in press-fit assembly applications. The combination of compact size, simple installation, wide measuring range, overload tolerance and value for money make the new sensors ideal for use in manufacturing applications.

Ultra pure wavelength tunable light source - Horiba Jobin Yvon's new TLS-HP2 high-power, high-purity light source is "the most powerful and purest tunable light source available for detector and materials characterisation". It is also ideal for photodynamic therapy and biological photoreactivity research.

Low cost multi-channel transducer conditioning - RDP's Modular 600 is a fully featured microprocessor instrumentation system, which also incorporates configurable analogue outputs. Its modular design concept provides complete flexibility and expandability, accepting inputs from up to 164 channels in either free standing or rack form.

Compact tension controller for load cell and dancer applications packs powerful features - Available exclusively in the Britain from Motion Drives and Controls, the MAGPOWR Spyder provides cost-effective tension control for brakes, clutches or drives in unwind, rewind and point-to-point applications. Now available for both dancer and load cell applications, the compact 35 mm DIN rail mounted unit is ideal for cabinet mounting and includes parameter based set-up via a user friendly keypad and display or Ethernet connectivity for web browser or HMI installation. Aimed at applications where tension control parameters are infrequently changed, the Spyder delivers an advanced PID algorithm that allows processing equipment designers the security to fit and forget this intrinsic part of the machine with minimal cost. With simple tuning, adjustable taper tension and security lockout the Spyder provides consistent and precise web tension control without specialist training.

World's first CAMS alarm management solution - Yokogawa has launched Consolidated Alarm Management Software for Human Interface Station (CAMS for HIS), the world's first alarm management solution to utilise the Consolidated Alarm Management System (CAMS) concept. Yokogawa has been developing a new approach to alarm management in line with its VigilantPlant vision for creating a practical and sustainable environment where operators can see clearly, know in advance, and act with agility. The CAMS concept embodies this new approach and helps customers avoid potential safety and environmental incidents caused by alarm overload. It also enables customers to improve operational efficiency under normal conditions, freeing the operators of tedious repetitive tasks and allowing them to focus on true process concerns.

Simple set-up and maanagement of Automation Projects - Mitsubishi has launched Projxstudio, a new management tool for accessing MELSOFT applications. It provides a system view of the automation controllers along with simple access to the associated codes and programming tools. Many automation systems are based upon multiple PLCs and other automation hardware such as HMIs and SCADA systems, each dedicated to a particular task or discreet machine within the overall project, and each with its own blocks of code. Projxstudio ensures clear ordered access to the programme code, along with appropriate software from a single interface giving access to all control and programming functions.