The Read- Out Instrumentation Signpost
Measurement, Control and Automation Resources throughout the World
News
Date of last update as at the top of the list (d/m/yy).
Press releases from your company may be sent to any of the
addresses shown on our Contacts Page.
See Archive Page for earlier news.
Aibreáin - 2008 - April
30/4/2008
Low price, high accuracy
load cell is ideal for industrial weighing - The RLW compression load cell from RDP is ideally suited to industrial weighing
applications where high accuracy at a competitive price is called for. Industrial weighing can take
many forms, but one typical example for the RLW load cell is 'hopper weighing'. Sealed parallel beam
load cells mounted at three points and connected in parallel compensate for distributed load effects
and provide a resultant signal used as a measurement of the hopper load. Not only is the RLW easy to
attach but it also offers good long term and temperature stability.
Benchmarking process operations in real time -
ProcessApex software now benchmarks and tracks the business results of fired heaters, heat
exchangers, and dryers. Use the results to make decisions that directly impact efficiency,
throughput, operating targets, and bottom line of operations.
40 years
of success - Moore
Industries-International, leader in the design and manufacture of electronic measurement and
interface instruments for the process industries, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2008. The company's
products are used by virtually every Fortune 500 manufacturing company, including those that produce
chemicals, petroleum, power, paper, food and beverages, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and
biotechnology products.
Whither Automation Skills? -
Many people think that the automation industry is quickly developing a "skills shortage," which will
occur after the current generation of engineers retires. (Jim Pinto in Automation World April'04)
Leading
process automation companies support wireless standard - Executives from leading process
automation companies voiced their support for the new WirelessHART™ Communication standard during
the HCF press conference at ISA 2007 (2 Oct, Houston, TX). In a display of unified commitment to the
new technology, representatives from ABB, Emerson, Endress+Hauser, and Siemens spoke of the positive
impact WirelessHART technology will have on the process industry and their expectation for the quick
adoption of the technology by end users.
29/4/2008
New president for European region with Global focus -
Premier Farnell has announced the appointment of , Andy King as President of Farnell
Europe and Global Head of EDE, with effect from 16th June 2008.
Most recently Andy was European Vice President of Sales Development at Arrow Electronics, providing strategic direction to the company's European sales drive, in particular addressing the various needs of different customer segments across EMEA.
New catalogue for full power -
RECOM has launched its new 2008 catalogue and optimized its product range which offers a wide range
of innovative products ranging from R-78 switching regulators with 97% efficiency to a completely
new series of LED drivers. With more than 6,000 different products covering the whole range of low
power conversion - AC/DC-converters, DC/DC converters, switching regulators and LED-Drivers - they
now have one of the most comprehensive portfolios on the market.
Complete machine control solution for small to medium process and
automation applications - A combined HMI and PLC system, capable of
completely self-contained machine control for small to medium sized
automation applications is available from Gefran. The new GF_VEDO 35
and 57 series includes a choice of 3.5" or 5.7" colour or mono touchscreen
HMIs with an IEC61131-3 PLC plus I/O and fieldbus expansion to offer the
convenience of a single package with the potential for significant time,
cost, wiring and space savings.
New Automation
Solutions brochure for Laser, Medical and Life Sciences applications - Aerotech have
released a completely updated and redesigned Automation Solutions brochure for Laser Processing,
Medical Device Manufacturing and Life Sciences.
Network-based control
system -
Yokogawa has released an enhanced version of the
STARDOM™ network-based control system that complies with US gas industry
standards and provides a new data-logging function for the FCN/FCJ
autonomous controllers. These enhancements reduce costs by improving the
efficiency of both operation and maintenance. Yokogawa will use the release
of this enhanced version to strengthen its sales targeting the oil and gas
upstream processes
Micro card edge connector for
1.6 mm PCB applications - The new Harting Micro Card Edge connector is designed for surface mounting on 1.6 mm
thick printed circuit boards in board-to-board mezzanine configurations as well as in small
pluggable daughterboard applications.
New chief appointed -
Quantum3D has announced that its board of directors has elected Michael L. D'Addio as the company's
new chief executive officer (CEO). Gordon Campbell, company chairman, marked his arrival by saying, "Michael is a talented and seasoned executive whose unparalleled
leadership expertise will enable us to accelerate the growth of the company."
Din-rail power supplies beat harsh environments -
PULS are now offering conformal coating on a number of their power supply models. Conformal coating
provides higher operational safety and reliability in a number of installation environments where
conditions may be prone to high humidity, vibration, thermal shock or rapid temperature changes,
unusually dusty or have airborne contaminants.
28/4/2008
Asset
optimisation manager appointed - Emerson
Process Management has appointed Andy Hammond to the position of Sales Manager, Asset
Optimisation for the UK and Ireland. He will be responsible for the diverse range of Asset
Optimisation products and services, ranging from portable and online machinery health monitoring
equipment, through to the AMS® suite of predictive maintenance software applications. AMS
Suite, an essential element of their proven PlantWeb® digital plant architecture, uses
predictive intelligence to improve availability and performance of production assets.
In another appointment Karin Jones has been appointed Marketing
Communications Manager for the same territories. She will help
implement the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) strategy as well as provide a full range of
integrated marketing communications.
Downloadable from their website, Controlsoft's PID Loop Tuning Tips Pocket Guide is now 12 pages long.
Created to give engineers a concise guide to tuning PID loops, this handy publication includes an expanded reference section on common controllers. The 12-page guide can easily fit into a jacket or jeans pocket for handy on-the-job access.
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Improved modeling and training functionality - The new release of MiMiC v3.0.0 from Mynah Technologies, supports all open OPC process
control system platforms. This includes HIMA, Emerson, Rockwell, and Schneider process control
systems, among others. Additionally, the new 3.0.0 release includes improved modeling and operator
training functionality.
Innovative new platform for handheld
applications - Engineering samples of QuickLogic's latest customer specific standard product (CSSP) platform for the
connectivity, intelligence, and logic requirements of handheld applications are now available.
An
essential resource for damage deterrent solutions - Lamerholm has launched
its new global website. As a world leader in the design, development and supply
of innovative equipment for damage monitoring, their new site is a valuable source of
information featuring comprehensive technical and application details of the company's complete
product range.
NMi
certification of calibration facilities at European flow centre -
Emerson Process Management has announced the
completion of the certification of all three flow calibration test facilities at its European Flow
Centre. This certification by the internationally recognised NMi (Nederlands Meetinstituut) further
extends the traceable calibration capability of the Flow Centre. The new flow calibration facilities
are purpose designed for the flow and density calibration of Emerson's Micro Motion® Coriolis
flowmeters. Flow ranges from 0.13 kg/min up to as high as 18,000 kg/min of water are now covered.
This range will allow calibration and certification of the full range of Micro Motion Coriolis
flowmeters supplied up to line sizes of a nominal diameter of 200 mm (8ins).
Portable FT-IR spectrometers for on-site lubrication analysis -
A2 Technologies, the innovator and manufacturer of the PAL Series of portable Fourier Transform
Infrared (FTIR) analyzers announces important new enhancements to its product line. Designed for
on-site lubrication analysis of turbine generators, diesel engines, compressors, gearboxes and
hydraulic systems in the power industry, the PAL systems are now able to accurately and precisely
quantify the level of water in these oils in the range of 50 - 5000 ppm with accuracy of better than
5%. This advance now permits the PAL systems to be as analytically effective as the gold standard
Karl Fischer titration for measuring water in the aforementioned concentration range.
ISO
9001:2000 certification achieved - XenICs is now certified according to ISO 9001:2000. The
award includes all of XenICs' corporate
functions and departments. XenICs is the leading developer of innovative infrared
detection solutions for a wide range of applications. XenICs designs, manufactures and sells
in-frared detectors and cameras, both line-scan and 2-D, covering the infrared wavelength ranges
from 0.4 to 14 micrometers. In addition, XenICs delivers custom products according to the agreed
specification and planning.
Oscilloscope support - National
Instruments has announced support for new Tektronix value line oscilloscopes in the latest
version of >LabVIEW SignalExpress Tektronix Edition, an
interactive PC-based measurement software for quickly acquiring, analysing and presenting data
without programming.
25/4/2008
Certified achitect status achieved -
National Instruments UK & Ireland today announced that four more UK engineers have achieved the
prestigious Certified LabVIEW Architect status: Ian Lloyd and Stephen Swindley from City Technology
Ltd, and Peter Davies and Mark Lee from Develop-ing Solutions. This is the highest level of NI
LabVIEW certification available, with only six engineers in Britain & Ireland and sixteen across the
whole of Europe, currently certified at this status.
Answer for high throughput photovoltaic scribing -
Aerotech has launched a new range of high precision electromechanical automation systems for laser
scribing photovoltaic panels and flat panel displays. With travel up to 2.5 m, speeds to 3 m/sec and
acceleration to 5 g, the SolarScribe features high performance direct-drive linear motor technology
for maximum production throughput and for complete application flexibility includes a choice of air
bearing and mechanical bearing systems in split axis or gantry configurations to match the
customers' performance and budget requirements.
High sensitivity, high G
khock triaxial DC response accelerometer - The Automotive Sensors division of PCB Piezotronics
(PCB®) has announced the debut of a series of high sensitivity, DC response triaxial accelerometers,
ideal for a variety of NVH and vehicle durability measurements in automotive and off-highway
applications. Accelerometers are well-suited for brake deceleration compliance certification;
vehicle radiator and air cooler durability testing; roll stiffness/static rollover threshold tests;
vehicle and component test chamber instrumentation; and NVH and multi-axis motion test platforms,
among others.
High efficiency
72 watt external AC-DC power adapter - Emerson Network Power has further expanded its
portfolio of ac-dc power adapters with the launch of a high efficiency 72 watt model. The new AD72
power adapter features a universal 90-264 Vac input - enabling it to be used anywhere in the world -
and produces a single, fully regulated 16 Vdc output capable of delivering up to 4.5 A continuously.
Fast and accurate sensor film helps production -
Pressurex®, a thin flexible film from Sensor Products is a versatile tool for quality
control and machine component inspection. Its ability to easily and rapidly show inconsistencies in
surface pressure between mating or contacting surfaces has lowered scrap rate and assisted in the
design and manufacture of many industrial and electronic products.
Rotary switch can be
customised - Continuing new design opportunities for rotary switches are strengthening Lorlin Electronics position as a major switch
supplier. As the Britain's longest established switch manufacturer Lorlin have a broad product
range, the local engineering skills and based manufacturing facilities to provide standard and
more importantly custom switch solutions.
24/4/2008
Customer service leadership in
the calibration management software market - Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards identify exemplary achievements within
various industries and functional disciplines. The company recently presented their award for
Customer Service Leadership to Beamex in the European calibration management software market.
Precision linear Hall sensor
for current and position sensing applications - The new A1351 from Allegro MicroSystems
Europe is a high-precision linear Hall-effect sensor IC with a 125 Hz push/pull
pulse-width-modulated (PWM) output that is proportional to an applied magnetic field.
Ultra-tiny
16-Bit ADC family's 0.5uA shutdown current ideal for portable sensor
appplications - Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC2451 and LTC2452, a pair
of 16-bit delta sigma ADCs with 0.5uA (max) shutdown current in ultra-tiny 3mm x 2mm DFN packages.
Their low power, tiny size, and guaranteed 16-bit no missing code resolution makes these ADCs ideal
for battery-powered applications such as remote sensors. Operating from a single 2.7V to 5.5V
supply, these ADCs are designed to measure single-ended or differential sensors via either
I2C or SPI serial interfaces.
European industry's best practices awards banquet - Frost & Sullivan will host its prestigious European
Best Practices Awards Banquet on 15 May, 2008 in London (GB). Top performers from diverse fields ranging
from automation, electronics, energy and power systems to aerospace, defence and environmental and
building technologies will be honoured at the event. This Awards Banquet is sponsored by Bosch
Rexroth.
Simple thin film measurement tool - HORIBA Jobin Yvon has introduced the Auto SE, a new thin film measurement
tool that allows full automatic analysis of thin film samples with
simple push button operation. Sample analysis takes only a few seconds
and provides a complete report of film thicknesses, optical constants,
surface roughness, and film inhomogeneities.
Two low-cost PXI embedded controllers for test, measurement and control
applications - National Instruments has
announced two new low-cost embedded controllers - the
PXI-8104 and
PXI-8183 - that deliver exceptional
performance for value-based test, measurement and control applications. With these new controllers,
engineers and scientists can apply PXI in a variety of new applications across many industries
including consumer electronics, automotive, semiconductor, telecommunications and aerospace and
defense.
Three announcements at show -
MTL have announced a technology enhancement, a
new IS product and the introduction of new patented technology at the Hannover Messe.
The introduction of the 9400 Series Intrinsically Safe (IS) Ethernet. This technology has been
proven in use in many mining applications, and with the new ATEX and IECEx certification the 9400
series delivers the same benefits for all process industries.
MTL will be introducing the launch of their patented "FAST SWITCH" technologies. This
announcement will be the first in a series of products that makes use of innovative technologies in
industrial network applications.
Lastly, there has been a major enhancement to MTL's range of Fieldbus Intrinsically Safe
Concept (FISCO) . The new enhancements will allow FISCO to be deployed across a wider range of
fieldbus applications in process industries, and in particular those where the 'live-maintenance'
benefits of intrinsic safety are required.
Visit our Safety Page
23/4/2008
A new GSM/GPRS based web
gateway for remote monitoring and control - IntelliCom has announced NetBiter® WS200, a new
industrial GSM/GPRS based web gateway for remote monitoring and control, alarm management and data
logging. It is a new product in the NetBiter® product range. It has built-in support for remote
access to devices over GSM, GPRS, Ethernet, Internet and LANs. Support for Telephone modems using an
external adapter. It has a built-in web server to provide web based access from a remote location,
alarm management (by email, SMS, SNMP and Modbus TCP) and data logging and trend graphs of field
equipment data.
Wireless greenhouse of the future - GreenPeak Technologies has announced that Kronos (global provider of human
capital management solutions), has selected their low-power wireless mesh networking
technology for one of their wireless terminals.
Hortimax, a Kronos VAR (value added reseller), is
active in greenhouse harvesting management systems. In one of their projects, a harvest
administration system is used to monitor the activity and location of individual mobile harvesting
carts. This solution is based on the Kronos wireless terminal and uses GreenPeak's wireless mesh
technology to transmit data from individual mobile harvesting carts to routers, which enables the
data to be gathered and analyzed in a central coordinator unit. The wireless technology allows the
monitoring of individual pickers' efficiency. Compared to the old situation, where only the average
picking weight per corridor and not per individual picker was known, the new system was able to
increase overall greenhouse productivity by 15%.
New version of software suite Improves plants' ability to drive performance and ewnhance enterprise applications -
GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms has announced a new version of its award-winning Proficy® Plant Applications, one of
the cornerstones of the company's Production Management Software suite. Version 4.4's powerful
new features decrease a user's time-to-value, making it easier for manufacturers to reach production,
quality and cost objectives.
22/4/2008
Digital vortex flowmeters
offered with quick delivery -
Yokogawa's popular digitalYewflo vortex flowmeter is now available via a new
quick delivery service in which standard versions will be delivered to the
customer within just three days from placing the order.
Lotus hybrid blooms! -
The torque-current characteristics of a combined motor-generator developed for a Lotus-based
hybrid car have been comprehensively mapped by a Sensor Technology's TorqSense digital torque sensor. Specialist electromagnetic
design company Elektro Magnetix (EMX) of Brighton developed and tested the motor-generator for Lotus
Engineering's EVE(Efficient, Viable, Environmental) Hybrid. This is a technology demonstrator that
is showcasing many of the medium term solutions that will be used to reduce vehicle emissions.
Variable speed drives lower the costs of
automation applications -- even washdown duty! - Baldor has launched a family of frequency
inverter drives for AC motors that has the ability to reduce total cost of ownership substantially
for common process automation equipment. The drives offer a very simple user interface that provides
'out of the box' solutions for a large proportion of variable speed motor control applications. They
are also available with a range of environmental protection, from a standard industrial housing to a
dust- and splash-proof version (IP55 or NEMA 12), and even a full washdown duty (IP66 or NEMA 4X)
variant. The latter version is unusual in this smaller power sector of the market.
Latest wireless module
is 50% smaller and lower cost - LPRS has introduced the latest radio module from
Circuit Design Inc. The new MU-2-R embedded radio module operates at 434MHz and brings together
industrial quality and reliability while having dimensions of just 50x30x9mm it,s only 55% the size
of the existing MU-1-R.
First MID compliant
energy meter with detachable display and dual mounting - Carlo Gavazzi has launched
the world's first compact three-phase energy meter with a patented multi-application detachable
display and dual mounting technology. The new EM21-72D can be used either as a basic energy meter
or multifunction meter and brings both simplicity and compactness to building management systems and
cost-allocation applications.
Manufacturing automation forum - The European
Manufacturing Automation Forum (EMAF) is a series of highly educational events specifically
designed for professionals from the discrete industries. Forum participants will learn how to
effectively manage and optimize production plants using collaborative manufacturing concepts and
technologies.
21/4/2008
Safety instrumented system -
Yokogawa Electric Corporation is releasing an enhanced version of the
ProSafe®-RS Safety Instrumented System, ProSafe-RS R2.01.00. This new
version is smoothly integrated with Yokogawa's latest production control
system, CENTUM®VP, and offers improved security and support for Windows
Vista. These enhancements strike the optimum balance between improved
operational efficiency and safety.
PC-based data-acquisition
system combines high performance and ease of use -
The new Yokogawa SL1000 is a PC-based data-acquisition unit designed to
provide high-speed data logging and fast data transfer in electro-mechanical
and power measurement applications.
19/4/2008
Next-generation robot control system - FIRST (For Inspiration and
Recognition of Science and Technology), a nonprofit organization inspiring young people to be
science and technology leaders, has selected the National Instruments CompactRIO embedded control
platform as its next-generation FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) robot controller. With this
platform, high school students will create advanced robots starting in the 2009 FIRST season.
Students can program their robots based on CompactRIO in either NI LabVIEW graphical programming
software or the ANSI C language.
New head for sales operations of three
major industrial power and automation brands - Frank Schlosser has been appointed to the
new position of Sales Director for Baldor-Dodge-Reliance in Europe. He will manage the European
field sales and customer support staff for the company's three major electric motor and power
transmission brands.
Redesigned website - Following a year in development, Firstsight Vision's new
website is now live.
"All-Gigabit" industrial
Ethernet switch - Sixnet announces their newest addition to the Slim Line series of industrial
Ethernet switches; the "All-Gigabit" SL-8MG, with 8 ultra-fast Gigabit ports for auto-sensing
10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet links. This switch features four flexible combination ports that each
offers the convenience of both a copper RJ45 and pluggable fiber optic connector. This allows you
to start with a RJ45 connection and easily upgrade to a noise immune fiber optic link by just
plugging in a fiber transceiver. Multimode, singlemode, long haul up to 80+ km and special
application transceivers are available to meet just about any requirement.
Intermix Strain
Gages, Transducers, Thermocouples, LVDTs, Other Sensors -
Vishay Intertechnology have announced that their Micro-Measurements System 7000 is now available
with new features and capabilities. Previously available as a 4U-height, 19-inch, rack-mountable
scanner, System 7000 is now also available as a 32-channel, bench-top scanner. In addition, it also
now enables the use of linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs), as well as other types of
sensors. LVDTs are used in applications where displacement measurements are required.
Scalable,
enterprise-wide HMI and SCADA offerings - HardwarePT have added a range of compact panels to its comprehensive Applications
Ready Platform portfolio. The new panels are the entry point to the its latest integrated and
scalable HMI and SCADA software solutions that can manage a single machine, production line,
complete plant or a customer's entire automation and information enterprise.
New rugged electro optic level sensor -
Gems Sensors & Controls has announced the launch of a new miniature, low cost Electro Optic Level
Sensor, the ELS-950. The compact size, durability, high temperature capability and low cost makes
the ELS-950 ideally suited for monitoring coolants, lubricants, hydraulic fluids and overflow
reservoirs in industries as diverse as off highway vehicles, medical, oil and gas, water, HVAC,
marine, transport and food & beverage.
New module combines graphical system design platform with World's most popular microcontrollers to
simplify embedded system development - National
Instruments and ARM have announced the NI LabVIEW Embedded Module for ARM Microcontrollers, an
extension of the LabVIEW graphical system design platform that directly targets the ARM 7™, ARM 9™
and Cortex™-M3 microcontroller families. The module is the first product in an ongoing collaboration
between the companies that combines the ease of use of LabVIEW with the performance of ARM
microcontrollers.
Viscosity test
instrument launched - Lloyd
Instruments announces the launch of the Davenport™ PETPlus Intrinsic Viscosity Measurement
Instrument. This new compact stand-alone instrument offers significant benefits for determining the
intrinsic viscosity (IV) of moisture-sensitive PET polymers, avoiding both the costs and the
environmental hazard of handling and disposal of toxic solvents. The PETPlus also measures the
degradation factor and provides the mean and standard deviation for the batch.
Industrial Gigabit Ethernet
switch has five ports - Harting has introduced a new industrial Gigabit Ethernet switch,
the eCon 2050-AA, which allows the connection of up to five Gigabit Ethernet ports in a very small
space.
Certified!
- SyTech has announced that its product, XLReporter™ has been approved by Siemens Energy &
Automation, Inc. as a reporting option for use with the SIMATIC® PCS 7 process control system from
Siemens. XLReporter provides the key layer of technology that enables reporting in Microsoft Office
Excel to be performed automatically and in the background.
Product
of the year - For the fifth consecutive year, Wonderware has received Frost & Sullivan's 2008
"Product of the Year" in the human-machine interface (HMI) category. WonderwareInTouch 10.0 and System Platform
3.0 software also were recognised for their ability to assist manufacturers in achieving
operational excellence by maximising equipment utilisation and operational effectiveness. In writing
the award, Frost and Sullivan said that customers using InTouch 10.0 HMI and System Platform 3.0
software identified several outstanding features including ease-of-use offered by ArchestrA graphics,
scalability via object-based creation, interoperability with other hardware and robust customer
support. These factors were cited as key to reducing engineering time and lowering overall
lifecycle costs.
Wonderware supports the signpost with a banner advert on our Home Page
Integrated communications - GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms QuickPanel View products have been enhanced to
allow greater integrated communications with a vast array of products through collaboration with
Kepware Technologies' KEPServerEX.
Accurate analysis of
metal coating types and thickness - A2
Technologies has announced that its hand-held FTIR system Exoscan, has the performance capability to
provide accurate measurement of anodization thickness and type on large parts, without the need to
dissemble or otherwise modify the part for testing. In a new application note entitled "Metal
Coatings Analysis Using the Exoscan Hand Held FTIR", the system demonstrates why it is ideal for
non-destructive analysis of samples that are too large to bring to the laboratory or too valuable to
require a small portion to be removed for analysis.
18/4/2008
Speaker at symposium - Among the speakers at the the 54th International
Instrumentation (IIS) Symposium will be Manufacturing Hall of Fame inductee Dick Morley who is to deliver the first
keynote presentation entitled "Black Holes, Chocolate, and Nano," on
Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. Morley is known to many as the father of
the programmable logic controller (PLC) and is a visionary in advanced
technological developments. As an inventor, machinist, author,
consultant, and engineer, his peers have acknowledged his contributions
with numerous awards from groups such as Inc. magazine, the Franklin
Institute, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the Engineering
Society of Detroit.
The Instrumentation Symposium (5-8 May in Pensacola, FL US), is organised by the ISA
Website gives fast access to high efficiency power supplies -
Europe's largest manufacturer of high efficiency DIN-Rail power supplies, PULS, has unveiled it's new,
high speed website. The homepage features a simple to use "product finder" where visitors may enter
a PULS part number or simply the volts, amps or watts they require and be directed immediately to
the "best fit" product offerings.
Growth of Automation and Control Solutions in the European Pharmaceutical Market
- The pharmaceutical industry in Europe is struggling with various challenges such as price pressures
and severe competition from generics companies. This is marking it as a market with scope for strong
growth with respect to automation and control solutions. As awareness about the ways in which
various automation solutions can reduce the impact of the challenges faced by the pharmaceutical
companies increases, automation vendors might be assured of a steady market in the pharmaceutical
industry.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Automation and Control Solutions in the European Pharmaceutical Market, finds that
the market earned revenues of $906 million in 2006, increasing to $952.5 million in 2007 and
estimates this to reach $1.415 billion in 2013.
17/4/2008
High-precision Power
Analysers for the test and development of power electronics - Comprehensive analysis and setup
software included as standard Fluke has introduced the compact, high-precision Fluke Norma Series
Power Analysers which offer the latest power measurement technology to assist engineers with the
development, testing and manufacture of motors and drives, inverters, lighting, power supplies,
transformers and automotive components. These rugged analysers provide unmatched price performance
for easy and reliable use in the field or as a bench unit in laboratories and on test benches.
New free of charge CD rom for biodiesel analysis - Aspectrics has a
new CD Rom for biodiesel analysis. This free of charge CD Rom entitled, "Aspectrics Biodiesel
Analyzers" is intended to complement the newly introduced Aspectrics Biodiesel Quality Analyzer (BQA 1000) and contains a wealth of information
related to biodiesels, feed stocks and general analysis.
2007/2008 test tools catalogue - Over 250 quality test and measurement products
for the electrical, maintenance, construction and HVAC markets Amprobe has introduced its latest
50-page 2007/2008 Test Tools Catalogue covering over 250 quality test and measurement products for
professionals in the electrical, automotive, maintenance, construction and HVAC markets. All
products conform to the requisite IEC safety standards for use in their designated safety area
category. Amprobe products can be ordered online from Warwick Test Supplies.
16-bit, 105Msps Serial Output ADC Conserves FPGA I/O Pins - Linear Technology Corporation announces a 16-bit, 105Msps ADC that establishes a simple, new benchmark for digital communication between high speed ADCs and FPGAs. The LTC2274's new high speed 2-wire serial interface greatly reduces the number of data input/output (I/O) lines required between a 16-bit ADC and the FPGA from 16 CMOS or 32 LVDS parallel data lines to a single, self-clocking, differential pair communicating at 2.1Gbps, freeing up valuable FPGA pins.
16/4/2008
Video demonstrates new possibilities in electromagnetic design - Vector Fields
has published a video exploring the potential of a radical new type of tool for optimising
electromagnetic equipment designs. The video illustrates a process that makes auto optimisation
possible, and within practical timescales for almost any scale of problem, even if a user specifies
several or even competing objectives.
Sensors for hydraulic cylinders with limited space _
RDP Temposonics-RD4 sensors have been designed for installation into hydraulic cylinders and are
ideal for clevis head cylinders, or any space restricted application. New developments of an
existing successful product means that now the electronics can be a short cable length away from the
sensor vastly reducing the size of the sensor head and enabling it to fit into many more cylinders.
Compact depth gauge
offers good value for money - With the hydrostatic pressure transmitter ED753, Baumer's
product segment Process Instrumentation launches a very compact depth gauge with an excellent value
for money.
HANNOVER MESSE, Hall 9, Stand A32
New
Global Headquarters in the US - Aegis
Software has opened new Global Headquarters in Horsham outside Philadelphia (PA US). The new
offices will meet Aegis, growing workforce demands and provide a unique training environment for the
company,s rapidly expanding customer base.
14/4/2008
Motor control kits -
The new Technosoft MCK28335
kits with source code and MATLAB libraries are complete motion control development and evaluation
packages based on TI's latest floating-point digital signal controller: TMS320F28335. With this
embedded floating-point processor, users will significantly save development time and effort:
specific issues related to fixed-point processors (as saturation, overflow, scaling of parameters
and variables) are no longer a problem.
3-channel DC Sensor
Signal Conditioner for Shock Accelerometers - PCB
Piezotronics (PCB®) has introduced Model 478A30, a 3-channel DC sensor signal conditioner
with selectable gain. This model is designed to be compatible with new Series 3991/3993 high
amplitude 20,000 g MEMS DC response shock accelerometers, and providing the end user with a
MEMS-based high-g shock measurement system, with frequency range from DC to 150k Hz.
Wireless for Process Manufacturing to Grow at 32% Annually and Reach $1.1B in 2012 -
The market for wireless devices and equipment in process manufacturing will grow to over $1.1B
in 2012, a growth rate of 32% per year, according to a new ARC Advisory Group study "Wireless in
Process Manufacturing Worldwide Outlook"
The data in this study is from 2007 and includes a forecast of market growth through the year 2012.
See more on wireless on our Wireless Page
A wizard
that builds wizards! - ExperTune has
received a patent for its novel wizard builder technology. The wizard builder creates connection
wizards for communication between process controllers (DCS's and PLC's) and PC based software. In a
way, it is a "wizard that builds wizards". Their PlantTriage performance supervision software uses this
wizard technology.
11/4/2008
Industry's
first wireless pH/ORP transmitter - Emerson Process Management continues to expand wireless instrumentation benefits by
adding the Rosemount Analytical® Model 6081-P wireless pH transmitter to its growing Smart Wireless
plant solutions. Closely following approval of the WirelessHART™ standard, the new field device is
the industry's first wireless pH/ORP transmitter. Emerson's Smart Wireless solutions extend
PlantWeb® architecture that has delivered digital automation benefits in thousands of facilities
around the world.
See more on wireless on our Wireless Page and also our report on Emerson's Smart Wireless Launch!
Industrial wireless technology experts in
Beijing - 117 standardization experts
from the United States and China gathered in Beijing to discuss
developments in standardization, new technologies, and applications of
wireless systems for automation in the U.S. and China within the IEC.
The meeting served to enhance the dialogue between the United States and
China on emerging standardization issues.
It was held under the auspices of the U.S.-China Standards and Conformity Assessment
Cooperation Program (SCACP), sponsored by the U.S.
Trade and Development Agency. Key presentations were given by Key presentations were given by ISA100 Committee members David Kaufman of Honeywell, Cliff Whitehead of Rockwell
Automation, Charley Robinson of ISA, Professor Yu Haibin of Shenyang Institute of Automation,
Chinese Academy of Sciences and Mr. Mei Ke, Instrumentation Technology & Economy Institute.
Two new 20A fault
insertion modules - Pickering
Interfaces is expanding its range of PXI Fault Insertion solutions with the introduction of two
new modules, the 40-193 and 40-194.The new modules provide a compact solution for simulating both
high and low current faults when testing control systems, which is especially useful in a
Hardware-in-the-Loop (HILS) test applications. Each module supports 7 channels which faults can have
injected - each channel can be opened (to simulate and open circuit) or shorted to one of two fault
connections (such as ground or battery supply). Channels can also be shorted together to simulate
other types of wiring faults.
Closing the loop between
the plant floor and plant/corporate maintenance systems - GE Fanuc Intelligent PlatformsGE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms has announced its
newest addition to the Proficy software suite of
Production Management solutions - Proficy Maintenance Gateway. This new software closes the loop
between the plant floor and plant/corporate maintenance systems by using real-time production data,
events and information to drive maintenance. With bidirectional communication between production
and maintenance systems, companies can improve asset reliability to reduce equipment failure rates
and increase uptime.
10/4/2008
'Next Generation in Automation Software' - ICONICS has released its new
64-bit-based, OPC-integrated, Web-enabled HMI/SCADA suite, GENESIS64™. The suite includes several modular solutions that simplify connectivity from the plant floor to corporate business systems. Designed from the ground up to take maximum advantage of Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, .NET and SharePoint(R) technology, it allows plant operators and IT professionals to integrate real-time manufacturing and business information into a common, Web-enabled visualization dashboard.
New and innovative interactive website -
Hanwell Instruments has launched its new and innovative interactive website. Along with
comprehensive details on the company's extensive range of equipment for industrial monitoring and
control, the new site also leads customers through how the products can be integrated to provide a
complete data acquisition solution. By a simple mouse-click, engineers can choose products for
integration into either a network or standlaone system.
Enhanced visibility and
traceability to product manufacturing - Aegis
Software announced at Apex 2008 earlier this month, the release of their completely redesigned Version
7.0 Manufacturing Operations System (MOS) Software. The result of a decade of experience delivering
MOS technology for assembly-based manufacturing, V7 advances manufacturing information systems to an
unprecedented level, and addresses the growing need in high-reliability markets for comprehensive
data visibility and product/process traceability.
Thaey also hope to exhibit at National Electronics Week (London GB) in June.
High-density industrial
digital I/O for USB - National Instruments has
announced the NI USB-6509, a bus-powered, portable, USB digital I/O device for acquiring data in a
broad range of applications. With 96 bi-directional digital I/O channels and plug-and-play USB
connectivity, the device is ideal for industrial control and automated test applications yet
versatile enough for general-purpose data acquisition and academic applications. The USB-6509
delivers, to a portable USB form factor, an industrial feature set of four high-reliability features
for industrial or harsh applications previously available only in PCI and PXI systems.
Level, flow and interface with one single device suited for SIP/CIP applications -
The hygienic Thermatel® TD2 switches from Magnetrol International offer level, flow and interface
capability in one single device. By setting up the switch differently, the unit can detect level in
highly viscous liquids, detect variable or flow/no flow conditions of liquids - gases or detect one
liquid layer over another (interface).
New
distributors wanted for machine monitors! - As a result of an increase in recent sales
opportunities, damage deterrent specialists, Lamerholm is looking to expand the distributor network for its range of equipment
monitors. Companies with experience in sales or maintenance of factory vehicles, particularly
forklift trucks, are being offered the opportunity to increase their current portfolio of products,
with special price incentives available.
9/4/2008
Acqisition adds tunable diode
laser spectroscopy to range - Yokogawa
Electric Corporation has acquired Analytical Specialties, Inc. (ASI), a company with a unique
gas analyser technology. With this acquisition, the company is adding the TruePeak tunable diode
laser gas analysers to its analyser lineup and strengthening its ability to deliver comprehensive
solutions in the industrial automation market.
Wireless EEG system self-powered by body heat and light
In the framework of Holst Centre, IMEC has developed a battery-free
wireless 2-channel EEG* system powered by a hybrid power supply using body heat and ambient light.
The hybrid power supply combines a thermoelectric generator that uses the heat dissipated from a
person's temples and silicon photovoltaic cells. The entire system is wearable and integrated into a
device resembling headphones. The system can provide more than 1mW on average indoor, which is more
than enough for the targeted application.
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Custom-made fittings to
meet users' exact needs - Brennan Industries has the capability to manufacture custom designed
fittings, solving users' unique design problems where standard fittings are not feasible. OEM
designers simply provide Brennan specs of the desired custom fitting. Per the customer's concept or
request, they can provide a drawing, prototype or production run of the unique fittingand also
manufacture one custom fitting if only one is needed.
A new generation of
cellular modems! - Sixnet and BlueTree Wireless Data integrate their
respective technology to bring you a new generation of rugged cellular data modems targeting the
Telemetry, SCADA, Business Continuity and Mobile Data markets. Committed to developing products to
fulfill market demand, the BlueTree 6000 series modems have been designed to meet the needs of the
specific cellular data applications in which they serve. Each modem has application specific
functionality enabling SIXNET customers the most appropriate cellular modem for their specific
application requirements.
Publications' publication! - ISA - the automation society has just updated their comprehensive Books and Standards Catalogue.
Members and customers have access to the latest titles along with updated editions of several
existing titles online or they can download the catalogue in pdf format from tha page.
Process
technology assets acquired - GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms has signed an agreement for GE
Fanuc to acquire the assets of the MTL Open Systems Technology (MOST) product lines including the
MTL8000 general purpose I/O, intrinsically safe I/O, SafetyNet system, and process control
technologies.
Combatting OEM intellectual property theft - Eurotherm has introduced an advanced security feature for their 3500 and Mini 8 controllers that
prevents the unauthorised cloning of control configurations to protect the intellectual property
rights of their original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers and value added distributors.
OEM security has successfully protected the 2600 and 2700 series of Eurotherm controllers for
several years but there are still a lot of unprotected units in operation that are vulnerable to
cloning.
The INEOS
ChlorVinyls use of fieldbus at Runcorn - Processingtalk brings us an exclusive account this week of the project
description presented by Paul Young, Automation Improvement Manager, describing the implementation
and results of applying these new technologies in this €300 million improvement project,
probably the first major fieldbus project in Britain, as presented to the recent Fieldbus Foundation general assembly and user
meeting in Antwerp (B).
More on this and other fieldbus news on our Fieldbus News Page
Global multicore programming workshop - National Instruments has announced an initiative sponsored by Intel Corporation
to deliver free, hands-on multicore programming workshops based on the NI LabVIEW graphical
programming language to engineers and scientists around the globe. The Multicore Programming with NI
LabVIEW Hands-On Workshop will be presented in 18 U.S. and Canadian cities beginning in May and 15
international cities this Autumn. The half-day workshop features perspectives from Intel on the
industry transition from single-core to multicore systems, examines the current capabilities of
multicore architectures including the latest Intel® Core™ microarchitecture and provides insight
into the multicore technology roadmap from Intel.
8/4/2008
Enabling efficient root-cause
analysis in real-time and keeping plants operating smoothly - Yokogawa and Pepperl+Fuchs announce the release of a new
solution for managing the physical layer of FOUNDATION™ fieldbus H1. This is being released as
one of the diagnostic solutions of Plant Resource Manager (PRM™) R3.02.
New international business development manager -
The IMI Sensors division of PCB Piezotronics (PCB®) has announced the appointment of Doug Eberhart,
a 25-year veteran of the industrial vibration monitoring market, as IMI Sensors International Sales
Manager, overseeing the growth and development of new and existing sales channels.
PRM is a key component of Yokogawa's VigilantPlant® Asset Excellence initiative. PRM integrates and manages maintenance information, monitors online conditions, and records historical data of assets ranging from field devices to plant equipment.
7/4/2008
Agreement on China,
Taiwan and Hongkong representation - In order to satisfy the market needs and the
increasing demand for test solutions in Asia, Fast Electronic Technology
Ltd. announced today a distribution agreement with Digitaltest GmbH, a
global leader in electronics testing and production solutions for
electronics OEMs and contract manufacturers. The agreement was signed to
create a new way of providing commercial and technical support to
Digitaltest,s Chinese and Taiwanese customers and serve new clients in the
area.
5/4/2008
An introduction to the LXI standard - Pickering Interfaces has published the
second edition of its successful publication LXImate. The LXImate 130 page
book provides an easy to read description of the LXI Standard, product
availability, and its evolution.
The LXI Standard is accepted as the natural replacement for GPIB, providing
an interface that applies the power of the Web to test and measurement.
Election
results - The General Assembly of the CAN in Automation (CiA) has
re-elected its three directors: Arnulf Lockmann (Janz AG) as Business Director, Heinz-Juergen Oertel
(Port) as Technical Director, and Holger Zeltwanger as Managing Director running the CiA office. The
CAN (Controller Area Network) trade association with 526 members has had a successful business year.
About 1000 engineers have been trained in CAN/CANopen technologies. And some additional CANopen
specifications have been released (e. g. application profile for photovoltaic systems).
4/4/2008
Fifth
consecutive year certification - For the fifth consecutive year, Wonderware has achieved the
Service Capability and Performance (SCP) certification. Their Technical Support Center
team successfully completed the certification process, involving independent, rigorous measures of
best practices in the services industry which represents a benchmark for support organisations
around the globe. "The results of the 2007 assessment audit demonstrate that the Wonderware
Technical Support Center is achieving an excellent level of performance relative to the stringent
requirements defined in the SCP Support Standard," said Gordy Stauffer, SCP auditor for Service
Strategies Corp. Wonderware Ireland support the Instrumentation Signpost with a banner advert on our Home page
Explosion & Blast Pressure Sensors -
Series 137A Quartz, free-field, ICP® blast pressure pencil probes from the Aerospace & Defense
division of PCB Piezotronics (PCB®) are designed for a broad range of explosion, blast, and shock
wave testing. Applications include measuring blast pressure in free-field or closed bunker arenas
to obtain peak pressure, total impulse, shock wave and time-of-arrival measurements often used to
study blast effects on structures, vehicles, and humans.
Latest version of
supervisory control systen launched - GE Fanuc
Intelligent Platforms has announced the latest version of its industry-leading supervisory
control solution, Proficy® HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY® 7.5, offering more diagnostic tools, security, development
tools, connectivity and flexibility than ever before.
Torque transducer suits test and production applications -
The Model QSFK-9 torque transducer from RDP
Electronics is well suited to low volume testing in research and equally at home for setting or
checking torque values in production. Typical applications include torsional fatigue and motor
testing in research and development, or component testing and torsional tightening in production
environments.
Space saving 2 phase
input Din-rail DC power supply - PULS has launched its latest space-saving DIN-Rail mounted
power supply. Part of the highly successful MiniLine series the new ML100.200 is designed for
phase-to-phase operation at 380-480VAC with no neutral. Taking power between two phases reduces
terminal space and costs associated with wiring, fuses and installation time.
3/4/2008
Industry environment and chemistry showcase - Planned from 20th to 23rd
November, WORLD CIA 2008 is the
showcase dedicated to chemistry, industrial applications products and technologies for the
environment this year moves at the outside of Italian borders, to the new exclusive multi-functional
center Montecarlo's Grimaldi Forum. World CIA 2008 intends to support chemistry up against new
challengers of the global market, giving a comprehensive sight on the new products and innovations
in the manufacturing industry.
The updated Foundation Fieldbus, 2nd Edition, features a
wealth of background information, tips, tricks, and items to
note when designing, installing, maintaining or
troubleshooting a FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus system.
FOUNDATION FIELDBUS, 2ND EDITION;Ian Verhappen and Augusto Pereira ISA; ISBN 978-1-55617-964-8 |
Extended range fluid compensation flowmeter interface -
COX Instruments, a leading supplier of
high-accuracy liquid and gas flow measurement solutions, has introduced the
COX 4080 extended range fluid compensation flowmeter interface. This
integral flow computer provides total flow compensation to enhance flowmeter
accuracy, while extending the linear flow range.
April newsletter published - April
Issue of MeasurIT Technologies, who
recently changed address, talks about laser level & positioning with interesting and easy to
understand explanations. MeasurIT Technology support the Signpost with advertising
on the Home Page
Enhancing engineering and scientific education and research - National Instruments in Ireland and Britain recently
stepped up its focus on academia,
deploying additional dedicated resources to work directly with academic institutions alongside its
existing office and field-based engineers. This move supports the longstanding strategic commitment
NI has made globally to enhancing engineering and scientific education and research projects through
the use of virtual instrumentation, graphical system design and LabVIEW.
High-density cable management
system - AMP NETCONNECT has developed the Hi-D (High-Density) cable management system for data
centres. This new system can increase patch densities by, on average, 30% with improved cable
management and access compared to traditional techniques
Asset lifecycle management forum - ARC Advisory Group will host its first annual
Asset Lifecycle Management (ALM) Forum, October 13-15, 2008 in Houston (TX US). This event will bring
together stakeholders and sup-pliers to discuss how better Asset Information Management (AIM) can
help them optimize performance in every asset lifecycle stage. Companies will learn how AIM impacts
asset performance while networking with others to discuss common issues.
2/4/2008
Speaking at Air analysis event - Dominic Duggan of Quantitech will be among the guest speakers at
an air analysis conference and exhibition taking place at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in
Middlesex (GB). 'Air Analysis - out of the laboratory and into the field' is a joint event arranged by the NPL, the
Royal Society of Chemistry - Automation and Analytical Management Group and the Gas Analysis and
Sensing Group. Dominic will be discussing the application of a new portable FTIR system at the event which is being held on Thursday, May 15th.
DC-DC converter
quiets the competition with its low noise - Enpirion has announced the availability of a new
600 mA synchronous buck converter with an integrated inductor, delivering extremely low output
ripple in a tiny 3mm x 3mm x 1.1mm QFN package. The complete solution requires only 2 tiny MLCC
capacitors for a solution footprint of only 22 sq mm. Their low noise devices are critical for
today's RF, analog, and high-speed digital applications where switcher noise can limit data
throughput and cause failure in spectral compliance.
The elephant in the Room and other stories! - There are two interesting Wireless Stories in this issue of Walt Boyes Control.com e-news. They should be read by all who are getting involved in this exciting new technology in manufacturing and process plants. What exactly is the Wireless Eleephant in the room? And Which Way Wireless? are the important questions asked!
Fittings for ferrule connections -
Diba Industries has expanded its line of Click-N-Seal#a connection fittings to suit a wider range of
fluid connection types. Previously only available for flared connections, Click-N-Seal now comes in
a Ferrule line to prevent over-tightening of these fittings in Scientific and IVD instruments.
Designed for Bio-Chem Fluidics, Omnifit Gripper, Type S and inverted cone ferrules, the reusable
fittings provide objective feedback to prevent excess torque.
1/4/2008
New member for Federation - The Microsoft Manufacturing
User Group (MsMUG), formerly a part of OMAC, is moving to a working
group under the Automation Federation so that the group can better
support the needs of the industry as a horizontal thread across
disciplines.
Major power contract in Saudi Arabia - Invensys Process Systems has won a
substantial contract from the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) to provide plant performance and
monitoring solutions for use on one of the country's most critical power plants. The PP8 plant is
based in Central Province and is one of two power stations that supply capital city Riyadh with its
electricity needs.
High speed industrial routers
connect remote sites securely -
Westermo Data Communications has released two high speed industrial routers based on the fastest
communications standards currently available to support remote telemetry and industrial control
systems applications. The MR-250 is a HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) router. HSDPA is the
latest 3G mobile telephony communications protocol that enables download speeds of up to 1.8Mbit/s.
Where HSDPA is not yet available the MR-250 will automatically fall back to 3G (UMTS) EDGE or GPRS
to ensure it uses the fastest available communication. And the DR-250 router is based on the
ADSL2/2+ platform, supporting the fastest broadband speeds available to give high speed access to
remote sites over an existing analogue telephone connection, at speeds of up to 24 Mbit/s.
Unprecedented speed and
processing performance key to high-end control applications - GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms has announced the
availability of its new PACSystems RX3i CPU320, which incorporates the Intel 1 GHz processor to
provide unprecedented speed and performance. The CPU320 is ideal for applications where the
processing power of the current controller has been pushed to the limit. In addition to the
increased performance, the CPU320 has 64Mbytes of user memory available.
Hygienic, replaceable process connections -
With the CombiConnect system, Baumer's product segment Process Instrumentation offers a series of
hygienic, replaceable connections allowing high flexibility and reducing the stock at the same time.
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