The 200 MHz Vector signal transceiver - National Instruments has announced the NI PXIe-5646R vector signal transceiver with 200 MHz of RF bandwidth, making it ideal for testing the latest wireless standards such as IEEE 802.11ac, 160 MHz WLAN and LTE Advanced.

Simple wiring in the control cabinet! - Siemens has broadened its Simatic Top Connect portfolio with a range of new modules and system components for fast and safe wiring of Simatic S7-1500 and Simatic ET 200MP.

8-Channel Ethernet modules provide reliable interface - Acromag has expanded its BusWorks¨ XT Series of Ethernet I/O modules with XT1210 and XT1220 models that provide an 8-channel interface for analog voltage or current input signals and Ethernet/IP, Modbus/TCP, Profinet, or peer-to-peer communication. Differential inputs have superior noise rejection for reliable measurements when radio frequency or electromagnetic interference is present.

Surviving system integration! - In response to marketplace demand and input from automation professionals, the International Society of Automation (ISA) has developed a new Automation Engineering Survival Training course designed to meet the needs and requirements of system integrators.

Slimline M12 connector for gigabit Ethernet applications - Harting has added a slimline M12 connector to its har-speed product family for the 8-wire gigabit Ethernet application environment.

UPS for voltage-sensitive systems - The PULS DIMENSION UB20, available from BEC DISTRIBUTION, is suitable for universal use with output currents up to 20A.

First Certified Intel® Industrial Solutions System Consolidation Platform - ADLINK Technology has announced its Matrix MXE-5301 fanless, embedded computer as the first hardware platform to be certified for the Intel® Industrial Solutions System Consolidation series.

Integration breakthrough offers 6 instruments in 1 oscilloscope - The MDO3000 Series of Mixed Domain Oscilloscopes has been released by Tektronix.

Targeting the booming upstream oil & gas industries - The enhanced version of the FCN-RTU (field control node remote terminal unit) low-power autonomous controller for the STARDOM(TM) network-based control system has been announced by Yokogawa.

Miniature, half-pitch light-guides! - Multitron has announced the availability of a new range of MENTOR miniature light-guides with radiating surfaces of 2mm diameter and a grid dimension of 2.54mm.

High density 40/100 gigabit Ethernet testers drive overall market revenues! -

1500 tonne calibration test machine delivered! - LCM Systems has recently installed a custom designed 1500 tonne calibration machine at its manufacturing facility on the Isle of Wight (GB).

Earth testers for simpler, faster testing - Two new Earth Ground Testers, indispensable troubleshooting tools to help maintain uptime and lower the risk of electric shock to personnel ahve been introduced by Fluke.

Change of generation for logic modules - With the Logo! 8 series of logic modules for smaller automation solutions in industry and building systems, the Siemens Industry Automation Division is launching a completely new generation of devices.(Siemens in Hannover)

Universal sensor for all applications - The new BVS-E Universal vision sensor from Balluff with integral processing electronics, lighting and two digital outputs is a genuine all-rounder because it combines the functions of the proven BVS-E Advanced and BVS-E Ident vision sensors in a single device.

Process safety workshop - ACM Facility Safety presents a free two-day process safety workshop with hands-on instruction on how to deal with safety requirements such as SIL, HAZOP, LOPA, SIF Loop Verification, SRS and Reporting. The workshop is available in a two-day classroom in Calgary, or as a three-day webinar.

Emergence of smart manufacturing will drive demand for M2M communication - New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, M2M Communication in Manufacturing, finds that telecommunication companies (telcos) will be an important stakeholder in the provision of M2M solutions and the growth of the Internet of Things in the manufacturing sector in Europe.

Technology provids space-saving interface - Harting has combined its Ha-VIS PreLink® data network cabling technology with the M12 mating face to produce an extremely compact field-assembly connector solution for Fast Ethernet or PROFINET communications in industrial environments.

Electric linear actuators - Thomson Industries has introduced a new PC Series, a new generation of precision, electric linear actuators for continuous duty applications.

Sensing in shale gas processing! - Michell Instruments has issued a white paper, Advances in Optical Techniques for Moisture and Hydrocarbon Detection, which discusses how new optical sensing techniques for processing natural gas will help the industry face current challenges.

Enclosure for extreme conditions! - Rittal's SE 8 enclosure range is now fit for extreme conditions with a new NEMA 4/4x protection category.

Leaders in wireless - Yokogawa has received Frost & Sullivan 2014 Global Enabling Technology Leadership Award in wireless solutions category

Air quality instruments for rent - In line with its strategy of continual investment in the latest instrumentation, Ashtead Technology has added TSIÕs leading portable air quality monitors to its rental fleet.

Cabinets protect instrumentation on worldÕs largest vessel! - High performance environmental protection cabinets for ShellÕs ÔPreludeÕ floating liquefied natural gas project are being supplied by Intertec

Red Lion switches win award! - Red Lion Controls has announced that its N-Tron series NT24k managed Gigabit Ethernet switches were awarded the Golden Mousetrap for Industrial Networking Technologies in the Automation and Control category.

Powerful test systems for test benches and vehicles! - With the FRC-EP series, which consists of the FRC-EP170 and the FRC-EP190, IXXAT offers universally usable hardware platforms for applications on the test bench or in the vehicle, attractive for their high performance, favorable prices, broad range of applications, and support for a wide variety of software solutions.

Predictive-diagnostic software and services - Statoil has chosen GE's Proficy(R) SmartSignal predictive-diagnostic software and services from GE's Industrial Performance & Reliability Center (Industrial-PRC) to improve the uptime and increase the reliability of heavy rotating equipment such as gas turbines, generators and compressors

LNG carrier control system order for Ichthys LNG Project! - Yokogawa has received an order from Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. to supply the control system for an LNG carrier that is being built for the Ichthys LNG project in Australia. This project is being carried out by a joint venture between INPEX (operator), Total, and several other companies.

More productivity with optimally cushioned pneumatic cylinders - Festo, the leading supplier in automation equipment, has issued a new whitepaper to help engineers and designers understand the advantages and disadvantages of various cushioning technologies, so they can improve their processes

WEG strengthens its position in oil & gas - WEG has achieved approved supplier status for two global oil and gas companies, strengthening its position as a leading supplier to the industry.

New member - The ISA100 Wireless Compliance Institute has announced that Armstrong International, a leader in steam, gas, and hot water systems, has joined the ISA100 Wireless Compliance Institute.

Remote continuous equipment monitoring on new fixed platform - Statoil has awarded Emerson Process Management a €1.96 million (US$2.7m) contract to supply an integrated condition and performance monitoring system for the Gina Krog oil and gas platform in the Norwegian North Sea.

Three pressure switch families - Honeywell has added three new series to its pressure switch portfolio: the HP Series, HE Series and LE Series. The new Pressure Switches provide high burst pressure ranges, a long life cycle rating and IP67 sealing, enhancing durability and reliability.

Wireless receiver with TCP/IP-interface - As wireless technology spreads through industrial automation, possible connections to superordinate communication networks are also on the increase. One example of this is the .steute TCP/IP receiver.

Next generation Fork Viscosity Meter - Direct insertion Micro Motion® Fork Viscosity Meter is designed for demanding applications where accurate, fast-response viscosity and density monitoring is required.

Electromagnetic flowmeter - Magnetrol has introduced the Polaris electromagnetic flow meter, which is capable of measuring liquids with a conductivity as low as 5 µS/cm in closed pipes. It is an accurate and repeatable flow meter that is suitable for a variety of water based and sludge flow applications.

The US cybersecurity framework for implementation! -

British robots still doing well! - The annual sales of industrial robots for 2013 have beaten are almost as strong as the record year in 2012 reports the British Automation and Robot Association (BARA).

Combined cycle power in Uruguay! - Yokogawa has received an order from Hyundai Engineering & Construction, a major engineering company in South Korea, to supply a control system for a combined cycle power plant that it is building for La Administraci—n Nacional de Usinas y Trasmisiones Eléctricas (UTE) in Punta del Tigre (UY).

High precision temperature control, secure data recording & visualisation - Eurotherm has launched a family of new precision PLC products aimed at significantly increasing the profitability and efficiency of Heat Treatment and Thermal Processing.

Fibre-Optic connector module - Harting has developed a new connector module for its Han-Modular® series that allows the use of standard LC fibre-optic connectors in industrial environments.

Lego League Tournament! - Seven teams of children from schools in various part of England recently competed in a FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL®) regional tournament, organised by the Institution of Engineering and Technology and hosted by National Instruments UK & Ireland in the company's Newbury headquarters.

New acoustic emission sensor for condition monitoring & preventative maintenance - The new Type 8152C Piezotron® sensor, from Kistler, is ideal for monitoring acoustic emissions (AE) above 50 kHz on the surface of metal machines, structures and systems for preventative maintenance of rotating machines, monitoring cutting tools and press tools to detect signs of incipient failure and leakage monitoring of tanks, pipes and valves.

Field Communication Lounge at fair! - The HART Communication Foundation partners with the other leading field communication protocol organizations Ð FDT Group, Fieldbus Foundation, ISA100 Wireless Compliance Institute, OPC Foundation and PI (PROFIBUS & PROFINET International) Ð to support and promote the Field Communication Lounge exhibit at the 2014 Hannover Messe (7-11 April)

First picture with just one click! - Since the beginning of January, all Baumer GigE Vision and USB3 Vision cameras have come with the newly released version 2.2 of Baumer GAPI software development kit (SDK).

Free seminar on portable GC/MS - The Open University in Milton Keynes (GB) has been chosen as the venue for a free seminar on Friday 28th March featuring an introduction to the latest onsite monitoring equipment, including a portable GC/MS from Torion Technologies (USA)

Energy efficient cooling! - Rittal's TopTherm Blue e cooling units provide an energy efficient means of cooling enclosures. Incorporating the integrated eComfort controller and offering energy savings of up to 45%, the units are compatible with Rittal's RiDiag II software.

Ruggedised PLCs will boost processing uptime at Lapland gold mine! - ABB is currently upgrading the automation system at Agnico Eagle's gold mine in Lapland, with eight of its latest ruggedized PLCs for controlling equipment in harsh conditions and extreme climates.

Cybersecurity certification program expanded - A system-level cybersecurity certification for industrial automation and control systems (IACS) products from the ISA Security Compliance Institute (ISCI). They have also announced Q2 2014 availability of an organisational certification which ensures that suppliers are following cybersecurity development and support lifecycle processes for IACS products.

Revolution in UHP gas analysis for semiconductor industry! - Servomex has launched the SERVOPRO NanoChrome, revolutionizing ultra-trace purity measurements for UHP gases by incorporating the latest advances in gas sensing technology and signal processing methodology.

Shrinking plant testing and commissioning time by up to 50% - A new version of its SimSci® advanced process control software has been launched by Invensys.

Manufacturing transformation enabled by the industrial internet - GE Intelligent Platforms announced significant updates to its industry-leading suite of Proficy® Manufacturing software at this weeks Arc Forum in Orlando (FL USA).

program of international expos! - SEAL Analytical has announced its participation in a series of international events that will include North America, Europe and the Middle East.

Position sensor operates through walls! - Reventec has developed a new non-contact linear position sensor capable of accurately sensing through a variety of solid materials.

Major flood defences repair helped by remote control boat! - A remote control boat equipped with a SonTek M9 Acoustic Doppler Profiler (ADP®), from Xylem, has been employed with HydroSurveyor software to create a 3-dimensional map of a damaged (and still submerged) flood barrier, following serious damage that took place during last DecemberÕs storms.

Papers on water, wastewater for environment event! - The organisers of WWEM 2014, the international Water, Wastewater and Environmental Monitoring conference, have issued a call for papers in preparation for this yearÕs event, which will take place on 5th and 6th of November in Telford (GB).

Small-sized compact temperature sensors - A new line of compact temperature sensors has been introduced by Krohne. They follow the current trend in various industries where in standard applications traditional temperature sensors are replaced with compact ones, especially in OEM applications.

Online Source for enclosures - An online source for standard and custom enclosures for electronic, communication, control and electrical system builders.

New pressure transmitters - LABOM presents their newly designed COMPACT ECO family of pressure transmitters at Hannover Messe (7 to 11 April 2014).

"Breaking new ground with a world first for level detection technology" -

Francis Griffiths, Senior Vice President of Regional Sales and Marketing at National Instruments.

Customer-configurable 4G LTE cellular router - Conel, a subsidiary of B&B Electronics, has expanded its family of rugged wireless communications routers with the 4G LTE LR77 v2 Cellular Router which takes advantage of the fast data transfer speeds (up to 100Mbit/s for download, 50 Mbit/s for upload) of the LTE cellular network.

Developments in industrial connectivity! - New developments in industrial connectivity being featured by Harting at Drives & Controls 2014 include new families of high-temperature connectors and devices with high mating cycles, plus interconnectivity products for smart network infrastructures and smart power systems within the industrial environment.

New member! - Codenomicon, a Finnish cybersecurity company, has joined ISCI as a technical member.

AC Synchronous Gear Motors and DC Stepper Motors! - CLIFF Electronics has a very successful and growing business supplying AC Synchronous Gear Motors to OEMs in a wide variety of industries including office automation, healthcare, camera tilt and pivot mounts, labelling systems, gaming consoles, vending machines, servo-control, medical, laboratory and industrial systems.

Pat testers! - Two new portable appliance tester models, the Fluke 6200-2 and Fluke 6500-2 PAT Testers have been introduced by Fluke to verify the electrical safety and operation of portable appliances in accordance with the latest relevant guidelines and regulations.

Where will heat treatment be in five yearsÕ time? - Kevin Robinson, Business Development Manager at Invensys Eurotherm offers his predictions for an industry undergoing a range of challenges as well as opportunities.

Company outlook from Managing Director! - AdoptSMT Outlook for the year 2014 by Erhard Hofmann, MD AdoptSMT Group Europe. Radio platforms

Ettus Research releases software defined radio platforms featuring Kintex-7 FPGA - Ettus Research part of National Instruments, has introduced the USRP X300 and USRP X310 high-performance, modular software defined radio (SDR) platforms.

Cooling solutions for the food and pharma industries - Pentair now offers the Hoffman WCHE series of air/water heat exchangers; these filterless cooling systems are completely closed to the outside environment, so neither dust nor water can enter, and do not pollute the surroundings with waste heat from the cabinet

Food and pharma symposium - The conference program for the ISA 2014 Food and Pharmaceuticals Industries Division (FPID) Symposium, just published, will feature some of the world's most accomplished experts in serialization and automation who will speak on the pressing issues affecting food and drug manufacturers and distributors. (5-6 March 2014 at ISA headquarters in North Carolina, USA).

New multi-featured counter module adds flexible counting capability to CPX systems - Festo has the latest addition to its well-established CPX Modular Automation Platform, the CPX-2ZE2DA-PI Counter Module. System builders can now incorporate counting capability simply by plugging a CPX Counter Module directly into their CPX system.

Money-saving installation tester kits - Fluke is offering three money-saving 1652/3/4-TPOLEKIT installation tester kits with a free cabinet key in a promotion until 28th June 2014

Safety monitoring software! - ACM Facility Safety has released SafeGuard Sentinel safety monitoring software to continuously measure, monitor and alert operations and management to process safety risks.

Multi-protocol wireless adaptor! - Yokogawa has developed a multi-protocol wireless adaptor that enables wired field instruments or analytical sensors to be used as ISA100 Wireless™ devices, and will release models in May and July that support communications based on the HART® and RS485 Modbus standards.

Electric motors in Europe - New analysis from Frost & Sullivan on the Western European Electric Motors Market published!

Fibre optic technology for on board railway applications! - Souriau has extended its portfolio with railway fibre optics connectors. Based on its standard railway product ranges VGE1 and 838 series, the fibre optic layouts use ELIO® contact technology, in operation worldwide on aircrafts for more than 10 years.

EC fan-and-filter units! - Rittal offers a more energy efficient means of ventilating enclosures by supplying electronically commutated (EC) versions of the successful TopTherm fan-and-filter unit, in all but the very smallest size.

For asynchronous and synchronous motors - CAN in Automation (CiA) has released the CiA 402-5 specification. It defines a new mapping for Process Data Objects (PDO) suitable for CANopen devices, which are able to control asynchronous as well as synchronous motors.

How to buy a LIMS - Autoscribe is running a series of three free 'How to Buy a LIMS' webinars on 26th March, 23rd April and 28th May 2014.

Lightening disconnection prompts slow musing! -

Approved for automation products! - Ocean Data Systems has announced that Mitsubishi Electric has approved Dream Report as part of its e-F@ctory Alliance Program for use with its full line of automation products.

Managed Ethernet switches are optimised for industrial environments! - The new managed Ha-VIS mCon 3000 Ethernet switches from Harting enable the construction of complex and efficient network structures, and are optimised for use in harsh industrial environments.

Looking inside your plant process! - Next April, Yokogawa will begin offering new solutions for optimising plant operations in the oil & gas, petrochemical, and other industries. These solutions will be provided as part of their VigilantPlant Services® suite to support safe, stable, and highly efficient plant operations.