"We don't see any reason or benefit to using cables!" - FH Tank Storage is using Emerson Process Management's Rosemount® wireless level and pressure transmitters to provide overspill protection at its Kalmar storage terminal on the east coast of Sweden.

VOC emissions data may be invalid! - Keith Golding, MD of Quantitech, is urging stack testers and the managers of prescribed industrial processes to check the MCERTS certificates of their Flame Ionisation Detectors (FIDs).

The talk is over! -

UPS range expanded - Rittal is expanding its range of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) with the PMC 40 and PMC 120 in the extra dimension of 600x200x800 mm.

Low cost state data logger - The State101A is a a low-cost data logger from MadgeTech, which is commonly used to record the on/off status of machinery and electronics.

Software improves production efficiency and quality - EETechnologies recently completed a full implementation of Aegis' Manufacturing Operations Software (MOS).

Radio position switch for rough environmental conditions - The steute business field "Wireless" introduces a new generation of radio position switches the series RF 98 with the mounting dimensions according to DIN EN 50041 (big standard switch).

Pressure transmitters bounce back - Driven by a stronger emphasis on plant asset management and safety applications, the worldwide market for Pressure Transmitters is expected to grow at above-average rates as capital investment programs continue to recover after the global recession according to a new ARC study.

LXI switches - PickeringInterfaces is expanding its range of LXI switch solutions with the introduction of the 60-590 high density matrix.

Newsletters received in week ending:
26 August 2011

Motion Control
MadgeTech newsletter
Pharma Web Watcher
Control Buzz
ControlDesign Buzz
System Integration Monthly
Focus on Pharma
T&M Instrumentation
HazardEx
Product InSights
The Shield
News InSights
ControlDesign Review
Automation Weekly
PharmaQdP enews
Control Review
Control Engineering EME
CE Weekly News
Process News
Switch Channel News
EMT Worldwide
IEN Europe
IEN Industrial Electronics
Automation Sensors
ControlDesign update
Control UpDate
DPA Direct
ICS Newsletter
Lean CEO

We only include e-mail Newsletters which are also in Web Format.

Firewall Needed Between AT and IT? - We put a link to most of the e-letters we receive in a box each week. Sometimes we actually include a link to an article and this is an important one from Control, one of the biggest automation periodicals in the US. It poses a perennial juristictional question - IT v AT - the information technology group versus the automation technology group who's responsible?

Honours & Awards Gala - The 49th Annual ISA Honors & Awards Gala will be held on Monday, 17 October 2011, at The Renaissance Battle House Hotel and Spa, in Mobile, Alabama, USA. It will be during Automation Week, the society and automation's "technology and solutions event," being held in the same city.

New sensor distributor for Asia - The Deeter Group has appointed a new distributor in Singapore. Established in 1996 MaxMega specialises in sales of high performance electronics components and system integration services into the major Asia-Pacific markets.

Senior appointments - Innovative linear motion and guidance systems supplier Thomson has strengthened its sales and marketing team with the appointments of Robert Caddick as VP Marketing and Monique Kuylaars as Director of Sales, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Panel mounted device displays transducer values - Local display of transducer values from a variety of sources including displacement, pressure, load and torque can be incorporated into control panels using an E725 signal conditioner and display unit from RDP Electronics.

HART signal isolator approved! - The HIX HART signal isolator from Moore Industries has received General Location and Class I, Division 2 (Non-Incendive) approvals from CSA International in the United States and Canada.

Analogue electronics bible! - Analog Circuit Design by Bob Dobkin & Jim Williams is a comprehensive source book of circuit design solutions that will aid systems designers with elegant and practical design techniques that focus on common circuit design challenges.

Measuring machines sales to rise on back of non-contact probes -

Human asset optimisation track announced - The sessions of the Human Asset Optimization Track at ISA Automation Week 2011 have been unveiled by ISA. The conference will take place in Mobile, Alabama, USA, 17-20 October 2011.

New test generator - The NSG 3040-DDV generator is a new product from Teseq which provides test waveforms for simulating Supply Dips, Drops and Variations.

Reducing cost for semiconductor characterisation and test - The capabilities of National Instruments' PXI platform for semiconductor characterization and production test have been extended with new per-pin parametric measurement unit (PPMU) modules and source measure unit (SMU) modules.

Trendsetting HMI - Beijer Electronics has extended its HMI product range with the new iX Panel TxA series. The innovative touch panels will be applied, when sophisticated operator functionality combined in a compact format and a fresh design is essential.

Control & safety in North Sea - At Offshore Europe 2011 (Aberdeen, Scotland, 6-8 September 2011), Yokogawa is featuring its state-of-the-art control and safety systems which provide a sophisticated automation platform to underpin sustained profitable operations and help to drive evolving production strategies.

St St cylinders for extreme conditions - A new generation of stainless steel cylinders specifically designed to withstand the extreme conditions experienced in the food industry has been introduced by ASCO Numatics.

Operational excellence at clean-coal power plants - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has deployed a first-of-a-kind operator training simulator for an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant with carbon capture using innovative simulation software-based training solutions from Invensys Operations Management.

Temperature profiler's new website! - Datapaq®'s new website provides quick and intuitive access to its versatile product line, as well as extensive resources for customers with demanding heating processes in industrial coatings, high-temperature heat treatment, electronics assembly, solar photovoltaic manufacturing, food production and kiln firing.

New pressure sensor family - Balluff has introduced BPS, a newly developed series of pressure sensors with IP 67 protection for use in gaseous and liquid media.

Awards for innovation - National Instruments honoured 17 innovative applications developed by engineers, scientists and researchers from around the world at the fourth annual Graphical System Design Achievement Awards at NI Week in early August.
See also our report on NI Week: A little bird told me! #NIweek 2011 tweet by tweet!

Newsletters received in week ending:
19 August 2011

PharmaWeb Watcher
Test Industry News
Process Instrumentation & Sensors Monthly
PharmaManufacturing enews
PVL news
The Shield
ControlDesign enews
Security Update
HazardEX
Automation Weekly
ProfiNews GB
ControlEngineering EME
Machine Control Monthly
Automation Leaders e-news
ProcessingTalk
IEN Europe
EMT Worldwide
ControlGlobal enews
DPA Direct

We only include e-mail Newsletters which are also in Web Format.

Modular safety system expanded - The Siemens Industry Automation Division has expanded its Sirius 3RK3 modular safety system by a new central module with AS-i (AS-Interface).

New data portal goes live! - Maximum speed and easy searching and finding are the main advantages of the new EPLAN Data Portal which already includes data for more than 120,000 devices.

Licensing agreement aids security in automation systems - Industrial Defender has announced a technology licensing agreement with CoreTrace Corporation. Specifically, Industrial Defender gains exclusive rights to deliver its CoreTrace Bouncer 6-based host intrusion prevention system (HIPS) to power, oil & gas, chemical and water markets worldwide, and to further develop the technology for these markets.

ATEX approved LBFS level switch - Baumer's multi-purpose LBFS level switch is now available in three different ATEX configurations which enable safe level detection in explosive gaseous and dusty atmospheres, typically found in the chemical, pharmaceutical, or food industries.

New VP of Product Marketing - National Instruments has named NI veteran Ajit Gokhale as a new Vice President of Product Marketing, with responsibility for their core platforms of data acquisition and instrument control. Dr James Truchard, co-founder of NI comments, "Over the years, Ajit has had a successful track record of defining strategic product roadmaps as well as recruiting and developing strong teams".

Electron microscopist to win iPad - There will be a chance for a conference delegate to win an iPad2 at Hitachi's Stand at EMAG (6-8 Sept 2011 Birminghan GB), where the new-concept HT7700 digital TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) will be exhibited for the first time in Britain.

Data loggers' firmware upgrade now available - MadgeTech has released a firmware upgrade for the TC101A and ETR101A data loggers. This upgrade enhances the devices to address the needs brought to MadgeTech by customers.

Smart weather sensors - The newest version of the Pluvio2 from OTT offers the most advanced method for monitoring precipitation.

ISA 100 in Japan - The ISA100 Wireless Compliance Institute (WCI) held a successful ISA100.11a technology implementation seminar in Tokyo (J) recently.

State of the art modular measurement technology - ProfiMessage is the new powerful system from Delphin for data acquisition, monitoring and automation of machinery, plant and test stands.

Acquisition of one of best known automation companies - Spectris plc has signed an agreement to acquire the Omega Engineering business. The purchase consideration of US$475 million (approximately €330 million), on a debt and cash-free basis, will be met from cash and new bank facilities and is subject to routine balance sheet adjustments.

IRIS for Saudi Arabia - Invensys Operations Management has signed a multi-million dollar contract to implement an integrated refinery information system (IRIS) for Saudi Aramco Total Refining & Petrochemical Company (SATORP).

Manufacturing control systems - ISA's ongoing publishing partnership with O³neida has produced a new technical publication, Agent-Based Technology Manufacturing Control Systems, Luca Ferrarini and Arndt Lüder, editors.

The green thing! - This anonymous email survived spamarrest and arrived in our mail box the other morning. It made me think. Perhaps it will give you pause for thought too! Or maybe I'm just a grumpy old man!

Wireless user requirements for factory automation - The ISA100 committee has completed a new technical report that presents user and market-related requirements for the design, operation and maintenance of wireless systems throughout their life cycles in factory automation.

Solid state switches save space with 17.5mm width - Carlo Gavazzi has consolidated its range of solid-state relays and contactors, introducing the first such devices to be available in 17.5mm width.

Standard and custom plugs, sockets, probes and test leads - Cliff Electronics manufacture a wide range of 2mm and 4mm plugs, sockets, probes and crocodile clips for professional and industrial test and measurement purposes.

Active signal conditioner - The SEM1600T from Status Instruments accepts resistance or mV signals from RTD, Slidewire or Thermocouple sensors. It is available from 1st September 2011.

Dedicated analyser for H2S in crude oil - Applied Analytics (AAI) has released a second revision of the OMA-300 H2S Analyzer Crude Oil Edition.

Newsletters received in week ending:
12 August 2011

Mackay's Musings
ControlGlobal enews
Pharma WebWatcher
Test Industry News
ControlDesign News
The Shield
PharmaManf enews
HardwarePT Monthly update
HazardEX
Pharma QbD enews
ProductInsights
Automation Weekly
Source IP&P
IEN Factiory Automation
ControlEngineering EME
Communications Test
Process News
News Insights
EMT Worldwide
ControlGlobal enews
Sustainable Plant today
DPA Direct

We only include e-mail Newsletters which are also in Web Format.

Interfaces for Ethernet and USB - Harting's har-port is an addition to the company's product range that offers service interfaces for Ethernet and USB.

Automation & robotics in Britain - Archana Chauhan, Program Manager for Industrial Automation and Process Control at Frost & Sullivan, has conducted an interview with Mike Wilson, CEO of the British Automation and Robotics Association. In the interview he discusses the future of automation in Britain and abroad, emphasizing opportunities for investment and challenges in the coming years.

PSU for the most demanding environments - Excelsys Technologies now offers ruggedised versions of its Xgen power supply range suitable for COTS/MIL applications and extreme industrial installations

Abominable security commitment! -

Emissions testing - TESEQ has introduced a new Line Impedance Stabilization Network (LISN) for conducted emissions testing of Grid Connected Power Conditioners (GCPC).

Leaf wetness! - MadgeTech has released the LF110, a complete data logging system that accurately measures and records leaf wetness.

Wind portfolio - MatrikonOPC broadens Wind Portfolio with the OPC Server for Mitsubishi Wind Turbine

Reducing stress! - ABB FM (Force Measurement) is using Westermo's Redfox industrial Ethernet switch with its latest version of Stressometer system for measurement and control of rolling mills.

CAE options - EPLAN 2.0 has many new features such as extended reports and parts management, flexible terminal design, new check functions and individual revision management.

Process control on track! - The International Society of Automation (ISA) has just announced the offerings of its Advanced Process Control Techniques Track at ISA Automation Week 2011 scheduled for Mobile, (AL US, 17-20 October 2011).

Real-time control, simple interoperability and high performance - GE Intelligent Platforms has launched PACSystems® with integrated real-time PROFINET, a global open protocol over standard Ethernet.

Low Profile, High Accuracy Compression Load Cell Ideal for Testing Applications - In response to engineers who have requested a low profile, high accuracy, button compression load cell for testing applications, LCM Systems is pleased to announce the availability of the CDIT-3 series.

Wide range RF signal generator has microhertz resolution - SRS (Stanford Research Systems) has introduced a DC to 4 GHz signal generator that uses a unique and innovative architecture to deliver frequency resolution down to 1 microHz.

A little bird told me! #NIweek 2011 tweet by tweet - All the tweets about this years NI Week were apparently being shown on a screen for all to see. Automation Week's Gary Mintchell commented, "This is my 14th #NIWeek and it is still fascinating." Indeed many other editors were tweeting throughout the week. This is our impression with links to other reports as well. Pic Left: Dr James Truchard, co-founder National Instruments, addresses the opening of NI Week 2011

Finds root cause of upsets automatically - ExperTune's PlantTriage software now automatically finds the root cause of process upsets. The latest advance, "Root Cause Finder™", automates the in-depth analysis that was previously performed by an experienced engineer.

Newsletters received in week ending:
5 August 2011

Pharma Web Watcher
IndustrialNetworking enews
Test Industry News
David Spitzer's ezine
Process Control UpDate
Sustainable Plant today
The Shield
ContemporaryControls Newsletter PharmaManufacturing enews
ControlDesign enews
What's Working in Marketing & e-Business
Automation Weekly
PAT/QbD insider
Instrumentation
ControlEngineering EME
HazardEX
Wireless UpDate
Sustainable Plant Today!
ProcessingTalk
EMT Worldwide
Connections
ControlGlobal enews
DPA Direct

We only include e-mail Newsletters which are also in Web Format.

Debut of new load family - Intepro Systems will debut a new load family at AutoTestCon 2011 (Baltimore, MD US 12-15/9/2011).

Flow rate, running time, fuel theft & more... - The rising cost of diesel means it is a valuable commodity for bulk commercial users across a variety of industries, making it vital to ensure that expensive fuel is used wisely, not wasted or pilfered. Bronkurst has launched the new multifunctional Fuel-View digital meter for these applications.

Sales & Marketing in St Louis: Speakers anounced - The keynote speakers for the 6th Annual ISA Marketing & Sales Summit to be held in St. Louis, Missouri, USA on 7-9 September 2011 have been announced.

Accurate measurement of hydraulic cylinder position - RDP Electronics Ltd supply a range of MTS Temposonics sensors that are particularly suitable for measuring the position of actuators.

Machinery monitoring in nuclear plant - PAKS Nuclear Power Plant (HU) has selected Emerson's CSI 6500 Machinery Health™ Monitor for real-time machinery protection and predictive monitoring of eight turbine-generator machine trains.

40 years in Britain! - Forty years after first locating in Britain Rhode & Schwarz's competences has broadened considerably. Today, the company is a sales, service and solutions provider to customers in the fields of test & measurement, radio & TV broadcasting, IT security, radiomonitoring and radiolocation, as well as mission-critical radio communications.

Student motor racing! - Mantracourt has announced that its T24 wireless instrumentation range is being used in the development of racing cars by Ecole de Technologie Superieure (Québec CDN), for Formula SAE, an international engineering competition where student teams compete against each other, with single-seater race cars they have designed and built themselves.

Smart US sensors - The new lower cost rugged MassaSonic series M-300/150, M-320/150 (range 2.5M) and M-300/95, M-320/95 (range 4.5M) RoHS compliant smart ultrasonic sensors are now available from Vydas stock in Britain.

PLC and PLC-based PAC market looks to growth ahead after severe slump (ARC Advisory) - With the manufacturing economy back on track with increasing spending in just about all regions of the world, the global Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) & PLC-based Programmable Automation Controller (PAC) market is expected to grow due to robust investments in the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors worldwide.

Additional size of pressure reducing regulators - New DN 100 (4-inch) Fisher® EZHSO Series spring-to-open natural gas regulator ensures gas delivery for high pressure transmission and distribution applications

Aerospace EMC Test Routines - Teseq has introduced the aerospace DO160 RF emission and susceptibility test applications for use in Compliance 5 EMC test software

VSD savings calculator - GAMBICA has launched a simple calculator that estimates the energy savings that installing a variable speed drive (VSD) on a relevant application can achieve.

Tough submersible load cell - Applied Measurements have just designed and manufactured a special version of their compact CCG annular load cell (also known as a 'ring load cell' or 'donut load cell') for use in a particularly tough application where it is submerged 1 metre deep in potable water, subjected to a force of 160kN and subjected to a repeated cycle of freezing and thawing.

Nomination date extended! - The HART Communication Foundation has extended the deadline to receive nominations for the 2011 HART Plant of the Year Award to August 15.

Playing football will never be the same! -

Today at NI Week two more products announcements were made! - NIWeek 2011, National Instruments' 17th annual customer and technology conference in Austin (TX US), for three days of interactive technical sessions, targeted summits, hands-on workshops, and exhibitions on the latest developments for design, control, automation, manufacturing, and test.

National Instruments extends leading PXI RF test performance to 14 GHz

First Multicore CompactRIO with Intel(R) Core™ i7 Processor and smallest NI single-board RIO devices

"World's most graphic HMI!" - The new iX V1.30 captivates by intuitive operation and realistic graphic objects With its open platform architecture and world-leading graphics, iX has set the trend for modern HMI solutions. Beijer Electronics' HMI solution, developed in house, is now available in an even more powerful combination, in which upgraded software offer extended features.

Just published - The latest edition of ICE News - "All "that's cool" in Instrumentation and Control Engineering!"

Magneto-transport measurement systems - In the field of functional materials, the need for specialist turn-key systems is growing as scientists focus upon research into new materials and systems for the next generation of semiconductors, photovoltaics, spintronics and ferromagnetic systems.

Comprehensive transducer range on show - Transducer solutions specialists RDP Electronics Ltd be showing the latest developments in transducer technology at Sensing Technology 2011 at the NEC Birmingham 27-28th September.

Power supply series extended - Aim-TTi has extended its best-selling CPX400 series of PowerFlex regulated laboratory power supplies to include single-output models.

Test instruments on display Amongst a variety of products, these latest models from Pickering will be shown at Autotestcon (September, Baltimore MD US); BIRST Modules (Built-In Relay Self Test) and new PXI products.