Magnetic levelgauge adds industry's widest assortment of oversized chamber options to handle flashing and dirty fluids - K-TEK has announced a new array of Oversized Chambers for the KM26 Magnetic Level Gauge. The KM26 is a rugged, non-contact, liquid level gauge designed for corrosive, flammable, and toxic environments. The magnetically coupled gauge avoids direct contact with liquids, thereby eliminating problems with coating, plating, fouling, fugitive emissions, hazardous material leaks, and dirty or colorless fluids, common with standard sight glasses.
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Vacuum preparation tutorial for motion control systems is updated and expanded - Aerotech has recently updated and expanded the Vacuum Preparation section of its Engineering Reference tutorial. Available online at their website in HTML or in downloadable PDF format, the section details important design considerations and recommendations for high precision motion control systems in vacuum levels categorised from low vacuum (10-3 Torr), through standard (10-6 Torr) to high vacuum (10-8 Torr).

Over 1 million units installed - In a statement recently Endress+Hauser claimed to be "today's world market leader for electromagnetic flowmeters!" They have reached the pinnacle over the past 31 years. In May 2008 sales of the devices topped the million mark. The company is celebrating the occasion by supporting a water project in Mozambique undertaken by the Swiss development organization Helvetas to the tune of CHF 50,000.

Industrial wireless technology products - A new range of ZigBee / IEEE 802.15.4 wireless technology products has been launched in Ireland and Briotain by Nohau. The new products, developed by market leader connectBlue, include an OEM module and an industrial IP65 Serial Port Adapter. They share the same form factor and electrical interfaces as other well-known connectBlue Bluetooth and wireless LAN product ranges, and have been developed to meet the tough demands of industrial environments.

Helping OEMs make their building automation projects successful - More than any protocol on the horizon today, BACnet will have much influence on the dynamics of the building automation industry. With this in mind, Contemporary Controls has announced a new brochure introducing the CTRLink® line of BACnet connectivity and Ethernet infrastructure products for building automation.

Accurate monitoring of hydraulic cylinder displacement - The new Gefran RK Series position transducer uses a contactless magnetostrictive linear sensor for accurate and reliable displacement measurement in hydraulic applications. The RK Series is designed for OEM use within the hydraulic cylinder, typically for monitoring and control in mobile applications, such as earth moving, agricultural and mining equipment.

Controller simulator - Mynah Technologies announces the release of their Simulated IO Driver for the Previse INFI 90/Net 90 Controller Simulator. This release allows MiMiC v3 Simulation Software to be used for operator training and software acceptance testing for systems that use ABB Bailey INFI 90 or NET 90 Controllers. Bailey users who are in the process of control system modernization using products like Emerson's DeltaV Connect for Bailey can take advantage of the proven benefits of using MiMiC Simulation for control system testing and operator training.

PROFIBUS: A Pocket Guide provides a basic overview of PROFIBUS operations, installation and configuration, wiring schemes, troubleshooting, and tips and tricks. Also useful for engineering management seeking a summary understanding of PROFIBUS. Illustrative figures and technical tips are provided for quick reference.

Save your plant and machinery from flood damage - Hanwell Instruments has launched FloodWatch, an innovative new alarm system for alerting maintenance personnel when there is danger of internal flooding. Ideal for remote locations, as well as basements, computer rooms and museums, in fact, any location where there may be a danger of flooding and damage to valuable equipment or data.

Magnetostrictive level transmitter is simple external mounting & ready to measure - The fastest and most efficient way to upgrade a magnetic level indicator (MLI) is to clamp a Magnatrol Jupiter 200 magnetostrictive level transmitter onto its by-pass cage. The installation can be performed under process conditions and without any modification of the installed equipment.
The unit uses the electro-magnetic field of the float inside the by-pass cage of the MLI to determine the liquid level. It launches a high frequency signal over its probe (maximum length 5,7m; longer at request). The magnetostrictive wire twists at the position of the float. This mechanical motion is in fact an acoustic signal that will be picked up by the piezo crystal inside the transmitters' head. The measurement of the transit time between sending and receiving the signal results in a very accurate level measurement (± 0.4mm). Since the signal has not lost any amplitude, it is capable of tracking a second float position (liquid interface) with the same accuracy.

New high-power, high-speed 850-nm IR emitters - Vishay Intertechnology has broadened its optoelectronics portfolio with the introduction of a new generation of 850-nm infrared emitters in 5-mm leaded packages. The TSHG5210 and TSHG6210 are available with +/-10* viewing angle while the TSHG5410 and TSHG6x10 devices are available with a +/-18* viewing angle. They offer extremely high radiant intensity with the industry's lowest forward voltage.

New director elected - National Instruments has announced that John Medica, former Senior Vice President for Dell and former Senior Director for Apple, was elected to the NI Board of Directors. "Throughout his career, John has demonstrated strong business, product and technology leadership, and I believe these qualities along with John's experience in the PC industry will benefit NI," said Dr. James Truchard, NI Chairman, President and CEO. "We welcome John to National Instruments and look forward to his contributions."

Static-analysis tool support for Mac OS X now available - GrammaTech has announced that CodeSonar 3.1 Enterprise now supports both the desktop and server versions of Mac OS X. "The CodeSonar digs deeper and identifies serious bugs that other tools miss!"

Pressure transmitter for transport applications - With the EF6, Baumer's product segment Process Instrumentation has developed an EMC-safe pressure transmitter suitable especially for transport applications. It is already applied in the brake system of several high speed trains.

Irish environmental consultancy joins international firm - Dublin based CSA Group Holdings Limited has joined leading international environmental consultants SLR Consulting.
CSA (which trades as CSA Group and John Barnett & Associates) provides consultancy services to the energy, natural resources mining/quarrying and infrastructure markets in Ireland and internationally. Recent projects for the CSA Group include a study for improving Ireland's security of energy supply and an economic assessment of carbon capture and storage for Ireland.

New name and new mission - The Open Modular Architecture Control Users' Group (OMAC) is now the Organization for Manufacturing Automation and Control (OMAC). This name change reflects the evolution of the organization's mission.The name was recently approved by the OMAC Board of Directors, along with a new mission statement:
"OMAC is the organization for Automation and Manufacturing Professionals that is dedicated to supporting the machine automation and operational needs of manufacturing."

Technology Partner - Kepware Technologies has been selected as a technology partner for Itron Inc., a winner of the fourth annual Progressive Manufacturing 50 Awards, presented by Managing Automation..

Controller for DC electric fastening - Stanley Assembly Technologies has introduced the QA Alpha controller for DC electric fastening. The QA Alpha controller has a bright and bold user interface with newly enhanced process capabilities and easy-to-use Embedded Toolbox software. It is also compatible with the full range of Stanley® QPM DC electric tools, from 0.6 to 2000 Nm and higher.

High-speed software radio PMC module with power meter and beamforming capabilities - Pentek has introduced its Model 7152, a quad 200 MHz, 16-bit A/D digitizer with a 32-channel digital down converter (DDC) configured in a PMC format. This high-speed module employs a high-performance, factory-installed core for users who want to purchase a product with the critical signal-processing functions already installed and operational. It is well suited for fulfilling the requirements of real-time software radio, beamforming, signal-intelligence and radar systems.

Free "Best Edition Ever" Product CD! - Sixnet has just released a brand new CD which features the entire product line from their Automation, Industrial Connectivity and Wireless Connectivity divisions, true leaders in industrial Ethernet solutions.

New in-line ultrasonic flowmeter - Sierra's new Innova-Sonic® In-Line is targeted to customers as an alternative choice for typical liquid Mag-Meter applications where high performance and affordable pricing are important. The ± 0.5% of reading accuracy is as good as any typical magnetic flowmeter, but the ability to measure down to zero flow and virtually any clean liquid regardless of conductivity sets this unit apart.

Dual display XMC graphics adaptor, commercial or rugged - Concurrent Technologies has a high-performance dual display video/graphics XMC based adaptor. The XM 403/x33 is a high-resolution XMC graphics adaptor supporting a variety of Digital Flat Panel (DFP) or analog CRT devices in single or dual display configurations; the DFP and CRT can be driven simultaneously with the same image or different image sources.

Breakthrough decision support tool provides users with business insight >from plant data in real time - GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms has announced the availability of its breakthrough real-time manufacturing intelligence application, Proficy® Real-Time Information Portal 3.0, allowing users to gain business insight from plant data in real time. This powerful application is an incredible resource to provide visibility into plant floor operations. As a result, it enables real time decision support, continuous process improvement and enhances the return on current and future IT investments.

DC electronic load suits battery testing - TTi has updated the LD300 low-cost electronic load to improve its performance at high currents. A low-voltage dropout facility is provided to protect sources such as batteries from damaging levels of discharge when the source voltage falls below the user-selectable voltage dropout threshold.

Patents, trademarks, copyright and trade secrets- ISA has just published Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, and Trade Secrets: What Automation Professionals, Manufacturers, and Business Owners Need to Know by Wendy Buskop, J.D.
This book was written with the automation professional in mind. It educates the reader about the benefits of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and/or trade secret and licensing agreements. Equipment, meters, tools, software, technology, chemical formulations, connectors, controllers, sensors, pumps, engines, their components, and other related devices are typically the intellectual property of the individual, company, or group who created them. The book will help owners, managers, and inventors understand the various types of intellectual property, how to protect the property, retain it as an asset, and respect the intellectual property of others.

Dual gigabit Ethernet interface - National Instruments has announced its first high-performance dual gigabit Ethernet interface for PXI Express. The NI 8234 module offers two gigabit Ethernet ports with up to 1000 Mb/s transfer speeds per port for high-performance machine vision and dedicated LAN/LXI instrument control networks.

Pressure and T/C temperature recorder - MadgeTech has launched the PRTC210, a new thermocouple based pressure and temperature recorder with a 1/8" NPT fitting. The external thermocouple channel allows for insertion into a pipeline with a compression fitting, while the 1/8" NPT can be connected to a female fitting. This provides an instant temperature and pressure response of what is flowing through the pipeline.

Comprehensive enterprise document management and workflow solutions for the lab! - Thermo Fisher Scientific partners with NextDocs offering comprehensive enterprise document management and workflow solutions for the laboratory. NextDocs Document Management software is powered by Microsoft SharePoint and seamlessly integrates with MS Office applications. That means NextDocs is easy to learn, easy to use and is significantly less expensive than outdated legacy document management systems.

New UK web site launched - Tyco Electronics has launched a new UK web site for its AMP NETCONNECT Business Unit. Products covered by the web site include the full range of AMP NETCONNECT cabling infrastructure products from Category 3 telephony to Category 7A high-end copper systems and optical fibre solutions to meet OM1, OM2, OM3, OS1 and the new OS2 cabling performance requirements.

Money saving industrial kit ideal for troubleshooting electrically noisy equipment - Fluke offers a money saving 87V/i410 Combo Kit which combines their 87V Digital Multimeter (DMM) with the i410 Current Clamp in a soft carry case. Saving 29% over buying the items separately, the kit offers a CAT IV 600V safety-rated, true-rms DMM with unmatched high performance, accuracy and diagnostic functions especially for adjustable-speed motor drives and other electrically noisy equipment, together with a CAT III 600V clamp meter for readings up to 400A AC or DC.

Training future Kazakh engineers - With world oil prices booming, it has never been more important for Kazakhstan to produce a continuous stream of highly qualified and motivated engineers to help the country maximize revenues from this important and increasingly scarce commodity. The Kazakh-British Technical University (KBTU) in Almaty is providing a variety of Degree, Masters and PhD courses that will equip the next generation of Kazakh engineers with the skills they need to be employed by both Kazakh and international energy and energy-related companies. To further improve both the technical and practical content of the KBTU's Process Engineering course, the University has linked up with Invensys Process Systems (IPS).

The Global Green Revolution - "Because of the time we are living, we want to take a deep look at innovative green technologies and green growth opportunities for existing industries, entrepreneurs and green oriented investors." With these words Frost & Sullivan Chairman David Frigstad announced the executive symposium - The Global Green Revolution 2008: Driving Growth Through Sustainable Technology and Innovation.
The event is a new feature of the 4th Annual Growth, Innovation and Leadership 2008: A Frost & Sullivan Global Congress on Corporate Growth. The one-day symposium which will focus on strategies "for seizing real market opportunities for sustainable technology innovation to drive growth" will take place on 17 September, 2008 in San Francisco (CA US).

Keeping cool this summer - Not only does the Meech Cabinet Cooler keep cabinets and controls cool and free from contamination, but thanks to the innovative design, it can also help companies make important energy savings. And that's not all, for the summer months only; Meech is offering companies a special summer saving price - (I guess that's only for the winter south of the equator!). It is an ideal alternative to expensive and bulky refrigerant cooling systems or fans that are commonly found in cabinets.

3-year warranty on spectrometers - Spectrometers purchased from Ocean Optics and its authorised distributors are now covered for a full three years against manufacturing defects - regardless of application. The warranty covers parts and labour needed to repair manufacturing defects that occur during the coverage period and also covers the costs of shipping warranty-related repairs from customers to Ocean Optics and from Ocean Optics back to the customers. This new, long-term warranty is the first of its kind in the photonics industry

New low pressure transducer - Gems Sensors & Controls have launched the 3300 series pressure transducer. Based on the highly successful 3100 series, the 3300 series is characterized by its low pressure ranges, compact size, absolute or gauge reference and low cost. The new transducers have been designed for use by OEMs in a variety of applications across a number of different industries. Applications include pneumatics, autoclaves, chemical sterilizers, liquid storage and distribution, compressors and anywhere with low pressure requirements.

New high speed imaging system for laptop operation - Firstsight Vision can now offer a low cost alternative for high-speed imaging for use with cameras that operate at variable frame rate but do not have their own on-board memory. Using a codec from Cineform Inc in conjunction with Streampix 3 software from Norpix Inc, it is possible to record images directly to a laptop disk drive or USB memory stick connected to the laptop in real time, with a choice of resolution and speed.

Ball contact test probe handles lateral stresses - The new P945 and P946 solder-mounted probes from Peak Test Services are based on a new design that uses a ball for the contact area.

Connector insert with new termination technology - Harting has introduced a new version of its established Han(r) 4 A connector insert equipped with the new Han-Quick Lock(r) termination technology. The patented Han-Quick Lock® technique uses a novel spring and actuator configuration which permits quick and simple termination without the need for special tools. The result is a high-integrity termination which is vibration resistant and secure enough for extreme applications in industry and transportation.

"Bridging the Divide between IT and Manufacturing"- conference - This autumn, WBF will host its bi-annual European Conference at the Condes de Barcelona Hotel in Barcelona, Spain, on 10-12 November.

GPS receiver testing - National Instruments has announced the NI GPS Toolkit for LabVIEW, an extension of the graphical system design environment that expands the NI RF PXI platform to include multi-satellite GPS signal simulation. Using NI LabVIEW software to create waveforms that simulate up to 12 satellites (C/A codes in the L1 band), engineers can test receiver characteristics such as sensitivity, time to first fix (TTFF) and position accuracy with the NI PXIe-5672 RF vector signal generator.

New shortform catalogue published - Emerson Network Power has published a new 2008 shortform catalogue that covers all standard Astec and Artesyn power conversion products. Containing 64 information-packed pages, the catalogue is an invaluable source of reference data for electronics engineers and system developers.

Live Video Conferencing, interactive training and remote support Easily and quickly - iQuokka allows you to video conference live to your colleagues and clients situated throughout the world. All participants will be able to see, text and talk to each other, use a whiteboard to write on and present with powerpoints. In addition, you will be able to conduct practical hands-on demonstrations on real equipment situated thousands of kms away from you such as switching on a circuit breaker or tuning a loop or calibrating an instrument or controlling a variable speed drive and motor.

Submersible load cell for tensile and compressive forces is ultra compact - The DDEN Series of load cells from Applied Measurements measure tensile or compressive forces in underwater locations to a depth of up to 10 metres, although the unit can be customised to operate in even greater depths. The unit is unique in its compactness over a wide capacity range. Even at the top end of the capacity rating of 50kN, the unit dimensions do not change AO with a diameter of just 44mm and a length of 65mm.

New chromatography software for chemical, environmental and academic markets - Thermo Fisher Scientific has introduced new ChromQuest 5.0 Chromatography Data System (CDS) software. ChromQuest 5.0 software provides a new user interface, data acquisition, data processing and reporting for Thermo Scientific LC and GC instrumentation, including the Accela High Speed LC system and all of the configurations of the versatile TriPlus Autosampler.

Waveform creation software with object-oriented user interface optimised for MIMO - Keithley Instruments has introduced Version 2.0 of its SignalMeister™ Waveform Creation Software, a powerful RF development tool with next-generation performance and usability. SignalMeister 2.0 features a new, "object-oriented" graphical user interface (GUI) and is the only waveform creation software on the market that uses a click-and-drag objects-based approach, allowing RF engineers to intuitively create basic and complex waveforms using graphical objects. This object-orientated GUI is optimized for MIMO signals and allows users to visually create a dramatically expanded range of test waveforms. SignalMeister 2.0 enables the creation of the entire range of signals in accordance with WiMAX and WLAN wireless connectivity standards and 3GPP and 3GPP2 cellular standards.

Acquisition completed - GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms has announced that it has completed the acquisition of assets of the MTL Open System Technologies (MOST) product lines including the MTL8000 general purpose I/O, intrinsically safe I/O, SafetyNet system, and process control technologies.

SIF technology at Shell Global Solutions In Amsterdam - The Fieldbus Foundation has conducted a successful end user demonstration of its FOUNDATION(tm) for Safety Instrumented Functions (SIF) technology. Held on Tuesday, May 20, 2008, at the Shell Global Solutions technology center in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, the SIF demo attracted process automation end users and equipment suppliers from around the world.

GUI software adds trajectory control, analysis and optimisation tools for complex motion profiles - Aerotech's new Motion Designer software provides an easy-to-use graphical user interface for generating, analysing motion trajectories and also improving the performance of complex motion profiles. The software greatly simplifies trajectory programming and reduces development time where an exact motion profile, simulating a dynamic environment or real-world conditions, needs to be generated. Furthermore, applications requiring optimal performance can also benefit with detailed motion analysis tools and iterative learning control algorithms that reduce following error and cycle times over multiple runs.

Pressure transducers use modular design to maximise choice and minimise lead time - Thanks to a modular design, FP2000 pressure transducers can be configured in thousands of combinations allowing RDP Electronics to offer competitive delivery times for products custom specified for a wide measurement range, including absolute, gauge and differential pressure. Pressure range options are from vacuum to 10,000 psi, all with excellent over-pressure tolerance, a choice of 0.1% or 0.25% F.S. accuracy options, many pressure port options and electrical terminations plus voltage or current outputs if needed.

Multi-way rotary switch is dust and splash proof - Switch manufacturer Lorlin Electronics, continues to diversify into new design opportunities for rotary switches. The extensive range of PT multi-deck, multi-pole rotary switches are now available with an O-ring seal and waterproof grease sealant between the shaft and brush providing a dust and splash proof seal between the switch and mounting panel.

Use of damage deterrent labels will reduce returns and lower costs - Now available from Lamerholm is a range of innovative, yet cost-effective, labels that can save companies time and money by providing a cost-effective damage deterrent when shipping goods. The ShockWatch labels are self-adhesive, highly visible labels that, when attached to the packaging used to transport objects or artworks, can indicate when a product has been exposed to impact.

New electromagnetic tool combats today's twin RF design challenges - Vector Fields has released a major new version of its Concerto software tool for high-frequency electromagnetic design. Although Concerto's developers already believe the package to offer the fastest-executing solver for this electromagnetic application area, generic design trends such as a move to higher frequencies and more sophisticated antennas are leading to much more complex designs.

Collaboration to Create LTE, WiMAX RF Testing Solutions - Keithley Instruments has announced a joint effort with Azimuth Systems, a leading provider of wireless broadband test equipment and channel emulators for WiMAX, 4G, and Wi-Fi (Acton, MA). They are working with Azimuth Systems to deliver critical end-to-end MIMO RF test solutions to mobile handset manufacturers, infrastructure vendors, and service providers for next-generation LTE and WiMAX testing.

Certified Integrator Program - InduSoft has launched the Certified Integrator Program, an incentive-driven program open to all automation and process control System Integrators who recommend and develop solutions using InduSoft Web Studio HMI/SCADA software. Any system integrator is eligible to become an InduSoft Certified System Integrator and participate in the incentive program. The certification entitles them to discount pricing on runtime licenses regardless of the number of licenses sold, special pricing on InduSoft products, and free technical training-all without annual support fees.

High efficiency DC:DC converter has dual digital control for LED lighting - Powerstax has announced the availability of a new DC:DC converter for the rapidly growing LED lighting market. This compact high efficiency DC:DC converter has a wide input range, from 11 to 36VDC, and provides a constant current single output, variable from 100mA to 2A, to provide power for a single LED through to an array of up to 9.

Latest issue highlights progress - The latest issue of Industrial Automation Insider, features an exhamination of Invensys's rising from what many comentators were describing as the grave. As well as all the usuual and unusual items that effect the Automation world. It is the essential reading for all Automation insiders and outsiders who want to know what's happening in our world!

European Users Conference in Amsterdam - GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms, a unit of GE Enterprise Solutions, hosted European customers, distribution partners, system integrators and solution providers at a 2-day seminar in Amsterdam, the first in a series of Innovation Seminars to be held throughout the EMEA region in 2008. Aimed at Plant, Operations and IT Management, as well as engineers and operators, over 170 participants attended presentations by executives and Industry Managers from around the world with sessions addressing application industries and introducing the wealth of new software and hardware products recently announced to address those markets.

4/6/2008 to 12/6/2009 - During our holiday period we received the following news stories!

• Digitally automating a Bulgarian pulp mill expansion - Emerson Process Management announces that it has been awarded a contract to digitally automate an expanded recovery boiler and fiberline at Svilosa pulp mill, which is located on the banks of the Danube, near the town of Svishtov in Northern Bulgaria. Emerson will install its PlantWeb® digital plant architecture for the project that will triple mill output, reduce the plant's environmental impact and improve energy efficiency.

• A good thing for small plaaces - The new Type 2614A crank angle encoder from Kistler Instruments is ideal for installations where space is very tight, such as on road-going vehicles. The small cross section allows mounting where the distance between the crankshaft pulley and the vehicle body is as little as 35mm. The robust, stainless steel body of the encoder suits real world applications on both test vehicles and test stands, especially in very low temperature test chambers.

• Ethernet line extenders support redundant rings and serial connectivity - Westermo Data Communications has added two products to its innovative Wolverine range of high speed line extenders. The new units offer the additional functionality of redundancy for Ethernet networks and connection to serial devices. The DDW-221 industrial Ethernet line extender has the ability to support redundant rings. The device uses Westermo's unique FRNT (Fast Recovery of Network Topology) technology. This is the fastest protocol on the market to re-configure a network in the event of a broken cable, a connector being accidentally un-plugged or hardware failure.

• Application for water & wastewater applications - Wonderware has announced the release of the Wonderware IndustryPack for Water & Wastewater designed to enhance overall productivity in facility operations for the water and wastewater industry. This is the first in a series of IndustryPacks to be introduced by Wonderware that will focus on specific vertical market segments.

• Control valves are first to be SIL 3 certified to IEC 61508 standards - Emerson Process Management has received SIL 3 certification of several ranges of its Fisher® valves to IEC 61508 standards. Emerson is the first control valve manufacturer to have achieved this independent third party certification which eliminates the need for prior use methodology while proving that Emerson's design process, engineering and testing fully comply with IEC 61508.

• Demands from emerging economies drive PLC market growth - Strong economic growth in Asia and Eastern Europe significantly boosted the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) market in 2007. While economic expansion is expected to continue, future growth will be at a slower pace. The worldwide market for PLCs is expected to grow at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.5% over the next five years, according to a new ARC Advisory Group study.

• Overwhelming response to European conference call for papers - WBF has received a record number of papers in response to a call for presentations for its 2008 European Conference, to be held 10-12 November in Barcelona (ES). WBF received more than 55 papers from over 25 countries around the world, including China, India, Singapore, Brazil, Germany, and the Ukraine.

• First ultra low power transceiver-centric communications controller chip for wireless sensor networks - GreenPeak Technologies, a leader in battery-free and therefore maintenance-free communication technology for wireless sense and control applications, today announced the Emerald GP500C communications controller chip for ultra low power wireless sensor networks.

• 'Best-of-Breed' visualization by SAP research - Iconics, an award-winning Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and provider of Web-enabled, OPC-based, HMI/SCADA Visualization and Manufacturing Intelligence software for Microsoft Windows® operating systems announced its participation in SAP's Future Factory Initiative (FFI).

• Newsletter out - David Spitzer's newsletter for June has been issued with details of the technologies of flow measurement.

• Free download of draft standard - The nonprofit CAN in Automation (CiA) organisation has released the CiA 401 CANopen device profile for generic I/O modules version 3.0 as draft standard (DS). This device profile allows connection of digital and analog I/O modules to a CANopen network.

• World's smallest stringpot sensor - The world's smallest stringpot or draw-wire sensor, the Celesco M150, is available from Variohm EuroSensor. With its miniature conductive plastic potentiometer, robust IP50 rated aluminium housing and nylon coated stainless steel cable, the M150 can be installed in a volume of less than 20 mm x 20 mm x 10 mm and provides an essentially infinite linear position resolution over measurement range of 0 - 38 mm with a +/- 1% full scale accuracy.

• Research arm established - Monitran has established Monitran Technology as its formal research and development arm. The new company will concentrate on the design of innovative products that exploit the use of new materials, technologies and techniques, particularly where joint ventures or knowledge transfer partnerships are involved.

• Flow newsletter - The latest edition of Jesse Yoder's FlowTimes - "Your Update on Flow, Temperature, and Pressure Measurement from Flow Research" - gives information on the varios studies on flow meter markets and other papers.

• New Nitrogen/Protein analyser for superior analytical accuracy and increased productivity, an alternative to the Kjeldahl Method - Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched the new Thermo Scientific FLASH 4000 Nitrogen/Protein analyzer. Designed to offer an alternative to the Kjeldahl methodology for dedicated Nitrogen and N/Protein analysis in the food and beverage industry, the FLASH 4000 N/Protein analyzer features a large sample load (2 grams), ensuring maximum accuracy and reliability of results and improved productivity capabilities.

• Approval for hygienic level measurement - With the level switch LSM, Baumer's product segment Process Instrumentation offers a hygienic measuring device available with different 3A approved process connections. It is especially suitable for the use in the food and beverage industry.

• New presentations added to website - New Content Added to the MESA Website Knowledge Base More than 60 presentations from past MESA conferences have been added to the Knowledge Base recently.

• Next generation high efficiency 1A and 1.5A switching regulators - RECOM has launched it's high efficiency 1A and 1.5A switching regulators. Two years after introducing the 0.5A R78xx switching regulator family to the market the RECOM engineering team has developed the next generation of innovative switching regulators. The R-78Bxx-1.0 and R-78Bxx-1.5 series have efficiencies of up to 95% and are pin-compatible with it's 0.5A R-78xx-0.5-series and with the common 78xx linear regulators.

• Keynote speaker named - National Instruments has announced that Andrew Hargadon, the Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and the Energy Efficiency Center at the University of California, Davis, will deliver the closing keynote address at NIWeek 2008, the premier event for graphical system design scheduled for Aug. 5-7 in Austin (TX US). Hargadon, author of the book "How Breakthroughs Happen: The Surprising Truth About How Companies Innovate," will share his insights on innovation and how it can meet the Earth's energy challenges with the more than 3,000 engineers, scientists and educators in attendance.

  Security at British Labour Party Conference Thermo Fisher Scientific's Thermo Scientific ViewpointT Enterprise radiation detection system, successfully inaugurated at the 2007 U.K. Labour Party Annual Conference, is available for wider security markets throughout the world including first responder, nuclear power, industrial and medical facility protection. The 2007 Labour Party Conference was held in Bournemouth, Dorset, an event attended by more than 12,000 delegates, media and exhibitors. Responsible for the meeting's overall security, the Dorset Police chose the Thermo Scientific radiation monitoring system to manage and monitor potential radiation threats during the conference.

• New modular eddy current sensor range for high precision/high frequency linear displacement measurement - Ixthus Instrumentation has launched a new high precision, non-contact linear displacement measuring instrument from leading eddy current sensor technology specialist Kaman. The KD-2306 can measure both ferrous and non-ferrous metal targets with a measurement resolution as small as 0.05 um and has the ability to perform through non-metallic substrates such as glass or plastics.

• Historian reporter - SyTech has announced that Canary Labs has selected XLReporter as the reporting component of the Trend Historian Reporter Suite, their latest software package.

• New website unravels 17th Edition changes - With the new 17th Edition Wiring Regulations being implemented, Schneider Electric has unveiled a new section of its website, devoted to explaining the new Regulations and all of the ramifications for electrical contractors, FMs and building engineers. The site helps to unravel the changes in the new Regulations, highlight training opportunities, allow visitors to test their 17th Edition knowledge in an interactive quiz and finally the chance to buy a discounted copy of the full regulations.

• Portable signal recording and playback instrument streams data at 500 MB/Sec - Pentek has announced its Model RTS 2721 Portable Signal Recording and Playback Instrument, delivering truly remarkable performance while weighing only 23 pounds and measuring just 16.8 x 5.7 x 11.5 inches high. With recording and playback rates up to 500 MB/sec, the unit is well suited for a broad range of communications and radar applications that require acquisition, down-conversion, analysis, up-conversion and reproduction of baseband and intermediate frequency (IF) signals.

• Oversee production with a glance - A large treemap display in the control room shows the performance of thousands of assets with one glance. Opportunities for improvement pop out as bright red areas in the map. This display, which is updated with live information from the plant control system, allows everyone in the plant to be focused on the same goals. PlantTriage treemaps show all control system assets spaced on one screen. Each asset is represented by both size and color of a rectangle.

• Current sense amplifier operates from -55°C to 150°C - Linear Technology announces the LT6107, a Military Plastic grade (MP-grade) high side current sense amplifier specified for operation from -55°C to 150°C. As an MP-grade device, the LT6107 is guaranteed and tested across the specified temperature range and is intended to meet the demands of automotive, military and industrial, and other harsh environment applications.

• New LEDs offer best ever lumens per penny - Marl Optosource has announced a new range of LEDs, using the latest manufacturing and semiconductor technology to achieve the best ever lumens light output per penny cost of the LED.

• Portable operator training simulator for BP - Invensys Process Systems has been awarded a contract from BP Chemicals Limited to build an Operating Training Simulator to be used for the transfer of process knowledge to operators of their chemical manufacturing facilities. The training simulator is designed to be a portable "suitcase simulator", so that the instruction can be conducted at any site around the world.

• 2008 IEEE Joseph F. Keithley Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Electrical Measurement - The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has announced that Robert G. Fulks is the recipient of the 2008 IEEE Joseph F. Keithley Award in Instrumentation and Measurement. Fulks,from Maine, is a retired vice president at GenRad and is being recognized for pioneering developments in automated measurements. The award, sponsored by Keithley Instruments and in memory of the company's founder Joseph F. Keithley, recognizes outstanding contributions in electrical measurement and consists of a bronze medal, a certificate, and an honorarium.

All of the leading suppliers of automation and control products are listed in the online ISA Directory of Automation. This purchasing guide will save you precious time and money by making the right companies with the right products available to you right now.

• Smart frequency inverter delivers sophisticated motion control capability - Nord Drivesystems has launched a variant of its Nordac SK500 family of frequency inverter drives incorporating sophisticated position control capabilities. Called Posicon, the new functionality supports closed-loop applications with sophisticated motion control features such as the ability to program relative or absolute positioning, synchronising, gearing and S-ramp movement profiles.

• Pharma heads of industry programme announced - The first Pharmatex conference and exhibition was a resounding success last year. This year promises to continue in the proud tradition at the same venue in Cork (IRL) in September. This event is a multi-disciplined conference and exhibition for the pharmaceutical and bio-pharmaceutical industries. This annual event provides an insight into the future of technology, innovation and corporate strategy within the pharmaceutical and bio-pharmaceutical sector.
  The programme for the Heads of Industry has just been released entitled Heads of Industry - Operational Excellence.

• Installing Fieldbus - Many automation engineers are coming face to face with real fieldbus applications for the first time. Fieldbus is a wonderful technology with many benefits, but fieldbus installation requires some additional considerations over and above normal 4-20mA projects. This article (pdf) by Mike O'Neill, Director of MooreHawke discusses some of those issues, and shows you how to deal with them.

• New analytical variable pressure FESEM - Hitachi High-Technologies has announced the new SU6600 variable pressure field emission SEM, further increasing its range of high performance electron microscopes. The SU6600 is characterized by a host of features which allow rapid & accurate analysis with exceptional flexibility. Key to the performance of the SU6600 is the combination of the advanced new electron gun and novel vacuum control system.

• 8-Axis motion controller and servo drive in one unit - Designed to meet machine builders' current automation needs and tasks, the new Technosoft TMC-3D combines a multi-axis motion controller and a digital servo drive in the same compact unit. Based on the MotionChip™ technology, TMC-3D controls (via CAN-bus) up to 8 Technosoft intelligent drives (including itself). Its embedded servo drive is suitable for DC, brushless and step motors up to 640 W (80 V, 8 A).

• Test engineers can now develop faster test systems to increase throughput - National Instruments has announced NI TestStand 4.1, the latest version of the company's test management software, which now helps engineers develop faster test systems with multicore processor support.

• Industry's first fully integrated flicker noise measurement system - With the cost of developing each new semiconductor manufacturing process node escalating dramatically and time to market pressures increasing, there is no longer room for error in measuring critical parameters such as flicker noise. Recognizing these market realities and their impact on semiconductor manufacturers, Cascade Microtech has introduced the EDGE Flicker Noise Measurement System, the only flicker noise measurement system that is certified to provide accurate measurements from 1Hz to 30 MHz.

• New low priced pressure transducer - New from RDP Electronics is the RPT Series pressure transducer. The RPT should prove ideal for a wide range of industrial and research applications where high accuracy at affordable price is an important consideration.

• Accelerating remote monitoring and control - National Instruments has announced Measurement Studio 8.5 to add test and measurement functionality to the latest Microsoft development environment with a complete set of .NET class libraries, tools and NI data acquisition driver support for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008.

  

• Bringing the industry standard for open automation software development to a new level - Sixnet has introduced the first seamless migration path for the tens of thousands of installed ISaGRAF applications to upgrade to the newest generation of 32-bit look and feel ISaGRAF applications development tools. Fully optimized for Windows XP and beyond, these tools form the seamless path to the emerging 64-bit Vista operating systems of the future.

• Wireless innovator's new Israeli office gets closer to key IC R&D partners - LitePoint Corporation announced today it has opened its new support office in Tirat Hacarmel, Israel.

• Ultra compact pressure transducers - Ashcroft's new pressure transmitters feature a digital display for local indication and a user "turndown" capability for re-ranging. Two ultra-compact configurations are now available: GC51 Gauge and compound ranges to 7500 psi GC52 Wet-wet DP with ranges from 0/4 to 0/400 Inches W.C. and bi-direcrional ranges.

• Connectivity platform for mobile electronics products now available in wafer-level CSP - QuickLogic's innovative connectivity platform targeting the handheld electronics product market, ArcticLink, is now available in compact wafer level chip scale packaging (WLCSP).

• Partners for communication - Opto 22 has partnered with Kepware to develop and deliver the world's best drivers for Opto 22 products.

• Next-generation Hall-effect current sensor combines high speed and low noise for 50-100 A current measurements - Allegro MicroSystems Europe has introduced a new high-speed, low-noise Hall-effect current sensor which offers 3 kV RMS voltage isolation and a low-resistance current conductor for 50-100 A current measurements.

• Mini-OTDR features enhanced trace quality and long battery life - The new Yokogawa AQ7275 is a mini-OTDR (optical time-domain reflectometer) featuring a very high trace quality, extended battery life, high measurement speed, wide dynamic range, and a number of new options and accessories.

• AC motor controls - Most AC motors are started through a standardized control system designed to protect the motor, the circuit, and operating personnel. Gain an understanding of how a standardized control system is designed to protect the motor, the circuit, and operating personnel.

• Did You Know? Humans Can Fly! - Flomerics and Matchstick Productions have released a video on YouTube, which reveals the complex 3D airflow around a wingsuit that enables human beings to glide through the air like a bird. The video combines actual footage of human flight in wingsuits with airflow simulations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software.

• Ultralow supply current monitors ideal for portable electronics - Linear Technology Corporation has introduced the LTC2934 and LTC2935, ultralow power supply monitors that only draw 500nA of quiescent current. Battery life is of the utmost importance in portable applications, where it is essential to reduce the amount of supply current the device draws during normal and standby operation.

  

• Birr telescope control system refurbishment! - Astronomy has always been a passion of the Read-out editor and this story from Nick Denbow of Processingtalk is a must for the signpost. Birr locaated almost in the centre of Ireland was for years the home of the world's greatest telescope (pic right!) and this has been refurbished completely over the last few years. The control system by IES.

• Lean production management - GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms has announced the availability of a new version of its award-winning Proficy Tracker software that helps companies realise lean initiatives by managing the execution of orders and the related flow of materials. Proficy Tracker is in use in companies all over the world, managing the tracking and traceability and discrete operations, such as container management and packaging, of consumer products in industries from Automotive to Electronics.

• Managed Ethernet switch range offers flexible communication options - mCon 1000 from Harting is a new range of managed Ethernet switches that offers a flexible range of communications options for industrial network applications.

• New version improves plants, ability to drive performance and enhance 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.

• The wild, wacky wireless wars drag on! - Who else but Jim Pinto and his views on this topic!

• Early warning of typical faults not provided by traditional overall vibration level monitoring techniques - The IMI Sensors division of PCB Piezotronics (PCB®) has released the patented Model 682A05 Bearing Fault Detector, an industry exclusive, which senses impacts within rolling element bearings caused by bearing faults. This type of detection provides early warning of typical bearing faults such as cracked races, spalling, brinelling, fatigue failure, looseness, and loss of lubrication. The Bearing Fault Detector uses a patented true peak picking mechanism that is ultra sensitive to impacts in bearings, and thus provides warning of problems in their earliest stages of development. This type of warning is not generally provided by traditional overall vibration level monitoring techniques.

  National Instruments has been named as one of the UK's 50 Best Workplaces in the Financial Times 2008 Best Workplaces Special Report. This is the third consecutive year that they have appeared in this list, and NI is the only high technology manufacturer recognised in the list.

• New Version of Prototyping Platform for Interactive, Hands-On Learning - National Instruments (Nasdaq: NATI) has announced NI ELVIS II, the latest version of the design and prototyping platform that educators worldwide have adopted for hands-on, project-based learning. Based on the powerful LabVIEW graphical system design software, It gives educators 12 new USB plug-and-play instruments and complete integration with Multisim 10.1 software for SPICE simulation to simplify the teaching of circuit design. In addition, educators can use NI ELVIS II with a suite of third-party boards and curriculum resources to teach control design, telecommunications and microcontroller concepts.