New US office for Low Country company - GreenPeak Technologies, the leader in battery-free communication technology for wireless sense and control applications, today announced the launch of the United States sales office in Austin (TX US), thereby strengthening its business activities to better serve customers and prospects in the Americas.

A World first! First FF fieldbus Device DTM - Yokogawa Electric Corporation announces that its DPharp EJA V2.5 Device Type Manager (DTM) has been certified for FOUNDATION™ fieldbus by the FDT Group, a world first. This certification marks another step forward for their VigilantPlant® Asset Excellence initiative, allowing users of Yokogawa's intelligent FF devices to tap user-friendly field device tool (FDT)/DTM technology with the guarantee of interoperability and trouble-free installation.

Industrial Networking: The Next 20 Years Despite All the Advances in Digital Field Networks Over the Years, Most Plants Still Rely on Technology That Matured Some 40 Years Ago. Controlglobal.com

Fastest bus-powered multifunction DAQ devices for USB - National Instruments has announced the release of two new bus-powered M Series data acquisition (DAQ) devices for USB that deliver faster sampling rates and more digital I/O features than previously released bus-powered M Series devices for USB. The NI USB-6212 and USB-6216 are available with 68-pin SCSI mass termination, screw terminals or 50-pin IDC connectivity to provide multiple connectivity options.

Strategic acquisitions, technology partnerships enhance process portfolio - Rockwell Automation has an established platform to deliver robust Process Solutions through its Integrated Architecture, FactoryTalk Suite and Plant-Wide Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) interface,Now their process capability has been further enhanced by specialist capabilities arising from three acquisitions and a technology partnership.
A recent event in London highlighted the advances enhanced by the acquisitions of ICSTriplex - safety capability and critical control, ProsCon - process technology and Pavilion - advanced process control, as well as their key partnership with Endress+Hauser (instrumentation).
See the Industrial Automation Insider's Report on this event!

Still working after all these years...! - Seeks Oldest Products Still in Service Moore Industries is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year, and is trying to find the oldest of its products that are still in service.
The company was founded in 1968 by Leonard W. Moore, who is still the president. Moore Industries started out as a three-person operation in a garage in California, and now has offices worldwide in Australia, Belgium, China, The Netherlands and Britain and is one of the last independent, privately owned instrument companies left in North America.
It stands to reason that many older products are probably still in service‹maybe even going back to the 1968 Model SCT signal conditioner, one of the first products‹and Moore Industries wants to find them. Accordingly, Moore Industries is offering $500 in merchandise to the top three companies who can prove they are still using the oldest Moore Industries products. To submit an entry for the Oldest Moore Industries Product, send an email to oldestmiiproduct@miinet.com by August 1, 2008.

Introducing first end to end, OPC-UA-integrated solution - ICONICS has announced an agreement with Kepware Technologies. They have signed a range of torque sensors, the Type 4503A, can measure both peak and average operating torques with a high degree of accuracy. Extreme ratios of high peak to moderate operating torque occur, for example, during starting and abrupt deceleration or braking of presses and elevators. Torsional vibration encountered in combustion engines, pumps and compressors can also create potentially damaging peak loads.

Turkish plant to start early with increased production - Emerson Process Management has announced start-up and operational gains following completion of the second year of operation of its PlantWeb^® digital automation architecture at a new bioethanol production plant operated by TARKİM in Mustafakemalpaşa-Bursa, Turkey.
Bioethanol is the world's largest source of renewable energy, and its use has the added advantage that crops used for feedstock help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by absorbing CO₂ emissions during crop growth. The new plant processes grain, usually corn and wheat, to produce ethanol to be used as a fuel additive. Rapid startup of the plant was critical and the contribution made by Emerson during the startup phase meant that TARKİM was able to start up one month earlier than scheduled. This provided cost savings of €220,000 and helped book early revenues.

20,000 PSI ball and needle instrumentation valves satisfy the control needs of emerging high pressure hydraulics and fluid applications - Parker Instrumentation has launched ball and needle instrumentation valves optimized for high pressure fluid control applications operating at up to 20,000 PSI/1379 bar. Available configured with Parker's innovative high-pressure Phastite® tube connector ends -- which offer outstanding performance in vibration environments - the valves offer exceptional integrity to meet the higher pressure hydraulic control and other demanding instrumentation applications that are increasingly being faced in the offshore oil and gas sector.

CD of Semiconductor Device Test Applications - Keithley Instruments has a new Semiconductor Device Test Applications Guide. In addition to the Applications Guide, this CD also includes a large variety of semiconductor test application information such as applications notes, white papers, and presentations that enables users to reduce their cost of test while simplifying the most challenging applications.

New cables for Gigabit Ethernet applications - Harting has introduced a new generation of 8-wire cables and cords suitable for Gigabit Ethernet applications.

Portable 1g handheld shaker for on-site troubleshooting, sensor calibration & performance verification - The IMI Sensors division of PCB Piezotronics (PCB®) has released the industry exclusive Model 699A02, a portable, lightweight, battery powered industrial handheld shaker, designed to conveniently verify accelerometer and vibration system performance, as well as confirm the operation of interconnecting cables, switching devices and monitoring systems. The unit operates at 159.2 Hz and delivers a controlled, 1 g RMS or 1 g peak acceleration to test accelerometers and vibration sensors weighing up to 250 grams. Model 699A02 is ideal for field troubleshooting predictive maintenance and condition based monitoring systems, and can be used to verify sensor calibration and performance right at the machine, including permanently mounted accelerometers.

High-frequency differential probe for vehicle serial buses - The new Yokogawa PBDH1000 is a high-frequency differential probe designed to meet the challenges involved in the development and testing of in-vehicle buses such as CAN and FlexRay.

Digital temperature switches with clamp-on sensor - With the digital temperature switches of the ETTN-YTTN range, Baumer's Process Instrumentation division offers robust measuring instruments for temperature control for industrial process management. The devices are made completely of stainless steel and are particularly suitable for the use in severe industrial environments. A special design with a clamp-on sensor enables easy mounting at a pipe with two standard clips. It can measure the temperature of a process without direct contact to the medium.

North American Sales Manager appointed - The IMI Sensors division of PCB Piezotronics (PCB®) has announced the appointment of John M. Sperrazza, a 25-year veteran of the industrial marketplace, as IMI Sensors North American Sales Manager, overseeing growth and development of new and existing industrial sales channels throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Integrated PXI monitor and keyboard accessory for portable applications - National Instruments has announced the NI PMA-1115 portable touch screen monitor with integrated keyboard that attaches to any NI eight-slot PXI or PXI Express chassis. When used with a new or existing PXI chassis, this accessory is ideal for a variety of portable PXI applications, such as in-vehicle test, mobile diagnostics and personal ATE in the automotive, ATE and aerospace and defence industries.

High-grade steel connector housing offers added protection - The new Han® 3 A INOX from Harting is an industrial connector housing made of high-grade steel to provide protection against corrosion for use in food manufacture and related process industries.

Latest Hall-effect sensor developments - At Sensor & Test 2008 this week (Nüremberg, D), Allegro MicroSystems Europe is featuring its latest families of Hall-effect sensors, including a number of precision current sensors designed for automotive and industrial applications.

To join cybersecurity drafting team - Wurldtech Security Technologies, a leading provider of cyber-security solutions to vendors and operators of SCADA, process control and mission-critical systems worldwide, today announced that the company's VP of Security Services, Bryan Singer, has been selected to join the North American Electric Reliability Corporation's (NERC) cyber-security Standards Action Request (SAR) drafting team. Singer was one of eleven appointments made by the NERC Standards Committee.
See our Cyber Secuirity Page

Automation standards update - ISA, the instrument, systems, and, automaation society publish a a periodic report on the latest developments in the world of automation standards. The latest issue was distributed this week.
They have also just updated their comprehensive Books and Standards Catalogue! This provides access to the latest technical publications written and reviewed by industry experts along with updated editions of several existing titles in the latest digital format.

1U High 1200 W configurable medical power supply for low noise environments - Excelsys Technologies, the world leading specialists in high efficiency configurable power supplies introduces the new Xzite 1200W modular power supply approved for use in medical applications. The Xzite family of low noise power supplies has measured background noise of just 59dBA while providing up to 1200 watts output in an extremely compact 1U x 260 x 127mm package.

Busy show for fieldbus organisation! - Fieldbus Foundation were very busy during last month's Interkama, which is now part of the Hannover Fair. Among the highlights were:
ExxonMobil Instrumentation Executive (Timm Madden) Named To Fieldbus Foundation's Board Of Directors
Fieldbus Foundation Announces EMEA Executive Advisory Council (EAC) Posts

T/C data logger with LCD display - MadgeTech has announced the TCTemp2000, a thermocouple temperature data logger with LCD display. This N.I.S.T. traceable device has user-selectable measurement units, programmable start and stop time, and displays the current ambient and thermocouple temperature readings. The large screen provides convenient access to the minimum, maximum and average statistics, as well as displaying battery level, external power status, sampling and recording status. An easy to use front panel key pad offers a quick and efficient way to change settings.

4Precision flow measurement company acquired - American Industrial Partners (AIP) has acquired Brooks® Instrument, from Emerson Process Management. Brooks is the world-leading supplier of precision low flow measurement and control instrumentation with headquarters in Hatfield, (PA USA) and manufacturing locations in Hungary, France, The Netherlands, and Japan.
Brooks products are aimed mainly at laboratory, pilot plant applications and process applications. They include mass flow meters and controllers based on Coriolis or Thermal technology, high pressure and glass and metal tube rotameters.

Supervisory control solution - GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms has announced the latest version of its industry-leading supervisory control solution, Proficy® HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY® 7.5, offering more diagnostic tools, security, development tools, connectivity and flexibility than ever before.

Wafer level reliability testing up to 5 times faster - Keithley Instruments has enhanced its Automated Characterization Suite (ACS) software to include optional wafer level reliability (WLR) test tools for semiconductor reliability and lifetime prediction testing applications. Version 4.0 builds on the ACS software's existing single- and multi-site parallel test capabilities, adding a database capability, as well as software tools and optional licenses for the new Reliability Test Module (RTM) and ACS Data Analysis capabilities. Together, the new Reliability Test and Data Analysis tools allow ACS-based test systems to produce lifetime predictions as much as five times faster than traditional WLR test solutions.

New high reliability DC:DC converters - Powerstax has announced the introduction of a new range of high reliability and MIL specification DC:DC converters with up to 50W of output power.

Supporting latest LTE standard - Tektronix and LitePoint Corporation, have announced their collaborative solution to LTE product development.

Low price, high accuracy load cell is ideal for industrial weighing - The RLW compression load cell from RDP is ideally suited to industrial weighing applications where high accuracy at a competitive price is called for. Industrial weighing can take many forms, but one typical example for the RLW load cell is 'hopper weighing'. Sealed parallel beam load cells mounted at three points and connected in parallel compensate for distributed load effects and provide a resultant signal used as a measurement of the hopper load. Not only is the RLW easy to attach but it also offers good long term and temperature stability.

Benchmarking process operations in real time - ProcessApex software now benchmarks and tracks the business results of fired heaters, heat exchangers, and dryers. Use the results to make decisions that directly impact efficiency, throughput, operating targets, and bottom line of operations.

40 years of success - Moore Industries-International, leader in the design and manufacture of electronic measurement and interface instruments for the process industries, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2008. The company's products are used by virtually every Fortune 500 manufacturing company, including those that produce chemicals, petroleum, power, paper, food and beverages, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology products.

Whither Automation Skills? - Many people think that the automation industry is quickly developing a "skills shortage," which will occur after the current generation of engineers retires. (Jim Pinto in Automation World April'04)

Leading process automation companies support wireless standard - Executives from leading process automation companies voiced their support for the new WirelessHART™ Communication standard during the HCF press conference at ISA 2007 (2 Oct, Houston, TX). In a display of unified commitment to the new technology, representatives from ABB, Emerson, Endress+Hauser, and Siemens spoke of the positive impact WirelessHART technology will have on the process industry and their expectation for the quick adoption of the technology by end users.

New president for European region with Global focus - Premier Farnell has announced the appointment of , Andy King as President of Farnell Europe and Global Head of EDE, with effect from 16th June 2008. Most recently Andy was European Vice President of Sales Development at Arrow Electronics, providing strategic direction to the company's European sales drive, in particular addressing the various needs of different customer segments across EMEA.

New catalogue for full power - RECOM has launched its new 2008 catalogue and optimized its product range which offers a wide range of innovative products ranging from R-78 switching regulators with 97% efficiency to a completely new series of LED drivers. With more than 6,000 different products covering the whole range of low power conversion - AC/DC-converters, DC/DC converters, switching regulators and LED-Drivers - they now have one of the most comprehensive portfolios on the market.

Complete machine control solution for small to medium process and automation applications - A combined HMI and PLC system, capable of completely self-contained machine control for small to medium sized automation applications is available from Gefran. The new GF_VEDO 35 and 57 series includes a choice of 3.5" or 5.7" colour or mono touchscreen HMIs with an IEC61131-3 PLC plus I/O and fieldbus expansion to offer the convenience of a single package with the potential for significant time, cost, wiring and space savings.

New Automation Solutions brochure for Laser, Medical and Life Sciences applications - Aerotech have released a completely updated and redesigned Automation Solutions brochure for Laser Processing, Medical Device Manufacturing and Life Sciences.

Network-based control system - Yokogawa has released an enhanced version of the STARDOM™ network-based control system that complies with US gas industry standards and provides a new data-logging function for the FCN/FCJ autonomous controllers. These enhancements reduce costs by improving the efficiency of both operation and maintenance. Yokogawa will use the release of this enhanced version to strengthen its sales targeting the oil and gas upstream processes

Micro card edge connector for 1.6 mm PCB applications - The new Harting Micro Card Edge connector is designed for surface mounting on 1.6 mm thick printed circuit boards in board-to-board mezzanine configurations as well as in small pluggable daughterboard applications.

New chief appointed - Quantum3D has announced that its board of directors has elected Michael L. D'Addio as the company's new chief executive officer (CEO). Gordon Campbell, company chairman, marked his arrival by saying, "Michael is a talented and seasoned executive whose unparalleled leadership expertise will enable us to accelerate the growth of the company."

Din-rail power supplies beat harsh environments - PULS are now offering conformal coating on a number of their power supply models. Conformal coating provides higher operational safety and reliability in a number of installation environments where conditions may be prone to high humidity, vibration, thermal shock or rapid temperature changes, unusually dusty or have airborne contaminants.

28/4/2008

Asset optimisation manager appointed - Emerson Process Management has appointed Andy Hammond to the position of Sales Manager, Asset Optimisation for the UK and Ireland. He will be responsible for the diverse range of Asset Optimisation products and services, ranging from portable and online machinery health monitoring equipment, through to the AMS® suite of predictive maintenance software applications.
AMS Suite, an essential element of their proven PlantWeb® digital plant architecture, uses predictive intelligence to improve availability and performance of production assets.
In another appointment Karin Jones has been appointed Marketing Communications Manager for the same territories. She will help implement the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) strategy as well as provide a full range of integrated marketing communications.

Downloadable from their website, Controlsoft's PID Loop Tuning Tips Pocket Guide is now 12 pages long. Created to give engineers a concise guide to tuning PID loops, this handy publication includes an expanded reference section on common controllers. The 12-page guide can easily fit into a jacket or jeans pocket for handy on-the-job access.

Improved modeling and training functionality - The new release of MiMiC v3.0.0 from Mynah Technologies, supports all open OPC process control system platforms. This includes HIMA, Emerson, Rockwell, and Schneider process control systems, among others. Additionally, the new 3.0.0 release includes improved modeling and operator training functionality.

Innovative new platform for handheld applications - Engineering samples of QuickLogic's latest customer specific standard product (CSSP) platform for the connectivity, intelligence, and logic requirements of handheld applications are now available.

An essential resource for damage deterrent solutions - Lamerholm has launched its new global website. As a world leader in the design, development and supply of innovative equipment for damage monitoring, their new site is a valuable source of information featuring comprehensive technical and application details of the company's complete product range.

NMi certification of calibration facilities at European flow centre - Emerson Process Management has announced the completion of the certification of all three flow calibration test facilities at its European Flow Centre. This certification by the internationally recognised NMi (Nederlands Meetinstituut) further extends the traceable calibration capability of the Flow Centre. The new flow calibration facilities are purpose designed for the flow and density calibration of Emerson's Micro Motion® Coriolis flowmeters. Flow ranges from 0.13 kg/min up to as high as 18,000 kg/min of water are now covered. This range will allow calibration and certification of the full range of Micro Motion Coriolis flowmeters supplied up to line sizes of a nominal diameter of 200 mm (8ins).

Portable FT-IR spectrometers for on-site lubrication analysis - A2 Technologies, the innovator and manufacturer of the PAL Series of portable Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analyzers announces important new enhancements to its product line. Designed for on-site lubrication analysis of turbine generators, diesel engines, compressors, gearboxes and hydraulic systems in the power industry, the PAL systems are now able to accurately and precisely quantify the level of water in these oils in the range of 50 - 5000 ppm with accuracy of better than 5%. This advance now permits the PAL systems to be as analytically effective as the gold standard Karl Fischer titration for measuring water in the aforementioned concentration range.

ISO 9001:2000 certification achieved - XenICs is now certified according to ISO 9001:2000. The award includes all of XenICs' corporate functions and departments.
XenICs is the leading developer of innovative infrared detection solutions for a wide range of applications. XenICs designs, manufactures and sells in-frared detectors and cameras, both line-scan and 2-D, covering the infrared wavelength ranges from 0.4 to 14 micrometers. In addition, XenICs delivers custom products according to the agreed specification and planning.

Oscilloscope support - National Instruments has announced support for new Tektronix value line oscilloscopes in the latest version of >LabVIEW SignalExpress Tektronix Edition, an interactive PC-based measurement software for quickly acquiring, analysing and presenting data without programming.

Certified achitect status achieved - National Instruments UK & Ireland today announced that four more UK engineers have achieved the prestigious Certified LabVIEW Architect status: Ian Lloyd and Stephen Swindley from City Technology Ltd, and Peter Davies and Mark Lee from Develop-ing Solutions. This is the highest level of NI LabVIEW certification available, with only six engineers in Britain & Ireland and sixteen across the whole of Europe, currently certified at this status.

Answer for high throughput photovoltaic scribing - Aerotech has launched a new range of high precision electromechanical automation systems for laser scribing photovoltaic panels and flat panel displays. With travel up to 2.5 m, speeds to 3 m/sec and acceleration to 5 g, the SolarScribe features high performance direct-drive linear motor technology for maximum production throughput and for complete application flexibility includes a choice of air bearing and mechanical bearing systems in split axis or gantry configurations to match the customers' performance and budget requirements.

High sensitivity, high G khock triaxial DC response accelerometer - The Automotive Sensors division of PCB Piezotronics (PCB®) has announced the debut of a series of high sensitivity, DC response triaxial accelerometers, ideal for a variety of NVH and vehicle durability measurements in automotive and off-highway applications. Accelerometers are well-suited for brake deceleration compliance certification; vehicle radiator and air cooler durability testing; roll stiffness/static rollover threshold tests; vehicle and component test chamber instrumentation; and NVH and multi-axis motion test platforms, among others.

High efficiency 72 watt external AC-DC power adapter - Emerson Network Power has further expanded its portfolio of ac-dc power adapters with the launch of a high efficiency 72 watt model. The new AD72 power adapter features a universal 90-264 Vac input - enabling it to be used anywhere in the world - and produces a single, fully regulated 16 Vdc output capable of delivering up to 4.5 A continuously.

Fast and accurate sensor film helps production - Pressurex®, a thin flexible film from Sensor Products is a versatile tool for quality control and machine component inspection. Its ability to easily and rapidly show inconsistencies in surface pressure between mating or contacting surfaces has lowered scrap rate and assisted in the design and manufacture of many industrial and electronic products.

Rotary switch can be customised - Continuing new design opportunities for rotary switches are strengthening Lorlin Electronics position as a major switch supplier. As the Britain's longest established switch manufacturer Lorlin have a broad product range, the local engineering skills and based manufacturing facilities to provide standard and more importantly custom switch solutions.

24/4/2008

Customer service leadership in the calibration management software market - Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards identify exemplary achievements within various industries and functional disciplines. The company recently presented their award for Customer Service Leadership to Beamex in the European calibration management software market.

Precision linear Hall sensor for current and position sensing applications - The new A1351 from Allegro MicroSystems Europe is a high-precision linear Hall-effect sensor IC with a 125 Hz push/pull pulse-width-modulated (PWM) output that is proportional to an applied magnetic field.

Ultra-tiny 16-Bit ADC family's 0.5uA shutdown current ideal for portable sensor appplications - Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC2451 and LTC2452, a pair of 16-bit delta sigma ADCs with 0.5uA (max) shutdown current in ultra-tiny 3mm x 2mm DFN packages. Their low power, tiny size, and guaranteed 16-bit no missing code resolution makes these ADCs ideal for battery-powered applications such as remote sensors. Operating from a single 2.7V to 5.5V supply, these ADCs are designed to measure single-ended or differential sensors via either I²C or SPI serial interfaces.

European industry's best practices awards banquet - Frost & Sullivan will host its prestigious European Best Practices Awards Banquet on 15 May, 2008 in London (GB). Top performers from diverse fields ranging from automation, electronics, energy and power systems to aerospace, defence and environmental and building technologies will be honoured at the event. This Awards Banquet is sponsored by Bosch Rexroth.

Simple thin film measurement tool - HORIBA Jobin Yvon has introduced the Auto SE, a new thin film measurement tool that allows full automatic analysis of thin film samples with simple push button operation. Sample analysis takes only a few seconds and provides a complete report of film thicknesses, optical constants, surface roughness, and film inhomogeneities.

Two low-cost PXI embedded controllers for test, measurement and control applications - National Instruments has announced two new low-cost embedded controllers - the PXI-8104 and PXI-8183 - that deliver exceptional performance for value-based test, measurement and control applications. With these new controllers, engineers and scientists can apply PXI in a variety of new applications across many industries including consumer electronics, automotive, semiconductor, telecommunications and aerospace and defense.

Three announcements at show - MTL have announced a technology enhancement, a new IS product and the introduction of new patented technology at the Hannover Messe.
The introduction of the 9400 Series Intrinsically Safe (IS) Ethernet. This technology has been proven in use in many mining applications, and with the new ATEX and IECEx certification the 9400 series delivers the same benefits for all process industries.
MTL will be introducing the launch of their patented "FAST SWITCH" technologies. This announcement will be the first in a series of products that makes use of innovative technologies in industrial network applications.
Lastly, there has been a major enhancement to MTL's range of Fieldbus Intrinsically Safe Concept (FISCO) . The new enhancements will allow FISCO to be deployed across a wider range of fieldbus applications in process industries, and in particular those where the 'live-maintenance' benefits of intrinsic safety are required.
Visit our Safety Page

A new GSM/GPRS based web gateway for remote monitoring and control - IntelliCom has announced NetBiter® WS200, a new industrial GSM/GPRS based web gateway for remote monitoring and control, alarm management and data logging. It is a new product in the NetBiter® product range. It has built-in support for remote access to devices over GSM, GPRS, Ethernet, Internet and LANs. Support for Telephone modems using an external adapter. It has a built-in web server to provide web based access from a remote location, alarm management (by email, SMS, SNMP and Modbus TCP) and data logging and trend graphs of field equipment data.

Wireless greenhouse of the future - GreenPeak Technologies has announced that Kronos (global provider of human capital management solutions), has selected their low-power wireless mesh networking technology for one of their wireless terminals.
Hortimax, a Kronos VAR (value added reseller), is active in greenhouse harvesting management systems. In one of their projects, a harvest administration system is used to monitor the activity and location of individual mobile harvesting carts. This solution is based on the Kronos wireless terminal and uses GreenPeak's wireless mesh technology to transmit data from individual mobile harvesting carts to routers, which enables the data to be gathered and analyzed in a central coordinator unit. The wireless technology allows the monitoring of individual pickers' efficiency. Compared to the old situation, where only the average picking weight per corridor and not per individual picker was known, the new system was able to increase overall greenhouse productivity by 15%.

New version of software suite Improves plants' ability to drive performance and ewnhance enterprise applications - GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms has announced a new version of its award-winning Proficy® Plant Applications, one of the cornerstones of the company's Production Management Software suite. Version 4.4's powerful new features decrease a user's time-to-value, making it easier for manufacturers to reach production, quality and cost objectives.

22/4/2008

Digital vortex flowmeters offered with quick delivery - Yokogawa's popular digitalYewflo vortex flowmeter is now available via a new quick delivery service in which standard versions will be delivered to the customer within just three days from placing the order.

Lotus hybrid blooms! - The torque-current characteristics of a combined motor-generator developed for a Lotus-based hybrid car have been comprehensively mapped by a Sensor Technology's TorqSense digital torque sensor. Specialist electromagnetic design company Elektro Magnetix (EMX) of Brighton developed and tested the motor-generator for Lotus Engineering's EVE(Efficient, Viable, Environmental) Hybrid. This is a technology demonstrator that is showcasing many of the medium term solutions that will be used to reduce vehicle emissions.

Variable speed drives lower the costs of automation applications -- even washdown duty! - Baldor has launched a family of frequency inverter drives for AC motors that has the ability to reduce total cost of ownership substantially for common process automation equipment. The drives offer a very simple user interface that provides 'out of the box' solutions for a large proportion of variable speed motor control applications. They are also available with a range of environmental protection, from a standard industrial housing to a dust- and splash-proof version (IP55 or NEMA 12), and even a full washdown duty (IP66 or NEMA 4X) variant. The latter version is unusual in this smaller power sector of the market.

Latest wireless module is 50% smaller and lower cost - LPRS has introduced the latest radio module from Circuit Design Inc. The new MU-2-R embedded radio module operates at 434MHz and brings together industrial quality and reliability while having dimensions of just 50x30x9mm it,s only 55% the size of the existing MU-1-R.

First MID compliant energy meter with detachable display and dual mounting - Carlo Gavazzi has launched the world's first compact three-phase energy meter with a patented multi-application detachable display and dual mounting technology. The new EM21-72D can be used either as a basic energy meter or multifunction meter and brings both simplicity and compactness to building management systems and cost-allocation applications.

Manufacturing automation forum - The European Manufacturing Automation Forum (EMAF) is a series of highly educational events specifically designed for professionals from the discrete industries. Forum participants will learn how to effectively manage and optimize production plants using collaborative manufacturing concepts and technologies.

Safety instrumented system - Yokogawa Electric Corporation is releasing an enhanced version of the ProSafe®-RS Safety Instrumented System, ProSafe-RS R2.01.00. This new version is smoothly integrated with Yokogawa's latest production control system, CENTUM®VP, and offers improved security and support for Windows Vista. These enhancements strike the optimum balance between improved operational efficiency and safety.

PC-based data-acquisition system combines high performance and ease of use - The new Yokogawa SL1000 is a PC-based data-acquisition unit designed to provide high-speed data logging and fast data transfer in electro-mechanical and power measurement applications.

19/4/2008

Next-generation robot control system - FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a nonprofit organization inspiring young people to be science and technology leaders, has selected the National Instruments CompactRIO embedded control platform as its next-generation FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) robot controller.
With this platform, high school students will create advanced robots starting in the 2009 FIRST season. Students can program their robots based on CompactRIO in either NI LabVIEW graphical programming software or the ANSI C language.

New head for sales operations of three major industrial power and automation brands - Frank Schlosser has been appointed to the new position of Sales Director for Baldor-Dodge-Reliance in Europe. He will manage the European field sales and customer support staff for the company's three major electric motor and power transmission brands.

Redesigned website - Following a year in development, Firstsight Vision's new website is now live.
"All-Gigabit" industrial Ethernet switch - Sixnet announces their newest addition to the Slim Line series of industrial Ethernet switches; the "All-Gigabit" SL-8MG, with 8 ultra-fast Gigabit ports for auto-sensing 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet links. This switch features four flexible combination ports that each offers the convenience of both a copper RJ45 and pluggable fiber optic connector. This allows you to start with a RJ45 connection and easily upgrade to a noise immune fiber optic link by just plugging in a fiber transceiver. Multimode, singlemode, long haul up to 80+ km and special application transceivers are available to meet just about any requirement.

Intermix Strain Gages, Transducers, Thermocouples, LVDTs, Other Sensors - Vishay Intertechnology have announced that their Micro-Measurements System 7000 is now available with new features and capabilities. Previously available as a 4U-height, 19-inch, rack-mountable scanner, System 7000 is now also available as a 32-channel, bench-top scanner. In addition, it also now enables the use of linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs), as well as other types of sensors. LVDTs are used in applications where displacement measurements are required.

Scalable, enterprise-wide HMI and SCADA offerings - HardwarePT have added a range of compact panels to its comprehensive Applications Ready Platform portfolio. The new panels are the entry point to the its latest integrated and scalable HMI and SCADA software solutions that can manage a single machine, production line, complete plant or a customer's entire automation and information enterprise.

New rugged electro optic level sensor - Gems Sensors & Controls has announced the launch of a new miniature, low cost Electro Optic Level Sensor, the ELS-950. The compact size, durability, high temperature capability and low cost makes the ELS-950 ideally suited for monitoring coolants, lubricants, hydraulic fluids and overflow reservoirs in industries as diverse as off highway vehicles, medical, oil and gas, water, HVAC, marine, transport and food & beverage.

New module combines graphical system design platform with World's most popular microcontrollers to simplify embedded system development - National Instruments and ARM have announced the NI LabVIEW Embedded Module for ARM Microcontrollers, an extension of the LabVIEW graphical system design platform that directly targets the ARM 7™, ARM 9™ and Cortex™-M3 microcontroller families. The module is the first product in an ongoing collaboration between the companies that combines the ease of use of LabVIEW with the performance of ARM microcontrollers.

Viscosity test instrument launched - Lloyd Instruments announces the launch of the Davenport™ PETPlus Intrinsic Viscosity Measurement Instrument. This new compact stand-alone instrument offers significant benefits for determining the intrinsic viscosity (IV) of moisture-sensitive PET polymers, avoiding both the costs and the environmental hazard of handling and disposal of toxic solvents. The PETPlus also measures the degradation factor and provides the mean and standard deviation for the batch.

Industrial Gigabit Ethernet switch has five ports - Harting has introduced a new industrial Gigabit Ethernet switch, the eCon 2050-AA, which allows the connection of up to five Gigabit Ethernet ports in a very small space.

Certified! - SyTech has announced that its product, XLReporter™ has been approved by Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. as a reporting option for use with the SIMATIC® PCS 7 process control system from Siemens. XLReporter provides the key layer of technology that enables reporting in Microsoft Office Excel to be performed automatically and in the background.

Product of the year - For the fifth consecutive year, Wonderware has received Frost & Sullivan's 2008 "Product of the Year" in the human-machine interface (HMI) category. WonderwareInTouch 10.0 and System Platform 3.0 software also were recognised for their ability to assist manufacturers in achieving operational excellence by maximising equipment utilisation and operational effectiveness. In writing the award, Frost and Sullivan said that customers using InTouch 10.0 HMI and System Platform 3.0 software identified several outstanding features including ease-of-use offered by ArchestrA graphics, scalability via object-based creation, interoperability with other hardware and robust customer support. These factors were cited as key to reducing engineering time and lowering overall lifecycle costs.
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Integrated communications - GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms QuickPanel View products have been enhanced to allow greater integrated communications with a vast array of products through collaboration with Kepware Technologies' KEPServerEX.

Accurate analysis of metal coating types and thickness - A2 Technologies has announced that its hand-held FTIR system Exoscan, has the performance capability to provide accurate measurement of anodization thickness and type on large parts, without the need to dissemble or otherwise modify the part for testing. In a new application note entitled "Metal Coatings Analysis Using the Exoscan Hand Held FTIR", the system demonstrates why it is ideal for non-destructive analysis of samples that are too large to bring to the laboratory or too valuable to require a small portion to be removed for analysis.

Speaker at symposium - Among the speakers at the the 54th International Instrumentation (IIS) Symposium will be Manufacturing Hall of Fame inductee Dick Morley who is to deliver the first keynote presentation entitled "Black Holes, Chocolate, and Nano," on Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. Morley is known to many as the father of the programmable logic controller (PLC) and is a visionary in advanced technological developments. As an inventor, machinist, author, consultant, and engineer, his peers have acknowledged his contributions with numerous awards from groups such as Inc. magazine, the Franklin Institute, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the Engineering Society of Detroit.
The Instrumentation Symposium (5-8 May in Pensacola, FL US), is organised by the ISA

Website gives fast access to high efficiency power supplies - Europe's largest manufacturer of high efficiency DIN-Rail power supplies, PULS, has unveiled it's new, high speed website. The homepage features a simple to use "product finder" where visitors may enter a PULS part number or simply the volts, amps or watts they require and be directed immediately to the "best fit" product offerings.

Growth of Automation and Control Solutions in the European Pharmaceutical Market - The pharmaceutical industry in Europe is struggling with various challenges such as price pressures and severe competition from generics companies. This is marking it as a market with scope for strong growth with respect to automation and control solutions. As awareness about the ways in which various automation solutions can reduce the impact of the challenges faced by the pharmaceutical companies increases, automation vendors might be assured of a steady market in the pharmaceutical industry.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Automation and Control Solutions in the European Pharmaceutical Market, finds that the market earned revenues of $906 million in 2006, increasing to $952.5 million in 2007 and estimates this to reach $1.415 billion in 2013.

17/4/2008

High-precision Power Analysers for the test and development of power electronics - Comprehensive analysis and setup software included as standard Fluke has introduced the compact, high-precision Fluke Norma Series Power Analysers which offer the latest power measurement technology to assist engineers with the development, testing and manufacture of motors and drives, inverters, lighting, power supplies, transformers and automotive components. These rugged analysers provide unmatched price performance for easy and reliable use in the field or as a bench unit in laboratories and on test benches.

New free of charge CD rom for biodiesel analysis - Aspectrics has a new CD Rom for biodiesel analysis. This free of charge CD Rom entitled, "Aspectrics Biodiesel Analyzers" is intended to complement the newly introduced Aspectrics Biodiesel Quality Analyzer (BQA 1000) and contains a wealth of information related to biodiesels, feed stocks and general analysis.

2007/2008 test tools catalogue - Over 250 quality test and measurement products for the electrical, maintenance, construction and HVAC markets Amprobe has introduced its latest 50-page 2007/2008 Test Tools Catalogue covering over 250 quality test and measurement products for professionals in the electrical, automotive, maintenance, construction and HVAC markets. All products conform to the requisite IEC safety standards for use in their designated safety area category.
Amprobe products can be ordered online from Warwick Test Supplies.

16-bit, 105Msps Serial Output ADC Conserves FPGA I/O Pins - Linear Technology Corporation announces a 16-bit, 105Msps ADC that establishes a simple, new benchmark for digital communication between high speed ADCs and FPGAs. The LTC2274's new high speed 2-wire serial interface greatly reduces the number of data input/output (I/O) lines required between a 16-bit ADC and the FPGA from 16 CMOS or 32 LVDS parallel data lines to a single, self-clocking, differential pair communicating at 2.1Gbps, freeing up valuable FPGA pins.

Video demonstrates new possibilities in electromagnetic design - Vector Fields has published a video exploring the potential of a radical new type of tool for optimising electromagnetic equipment designs. The video illustrates a process that makes auto optimisation possible, and within practical timescales for almost any scale of problem, even if a user specifies several or even competing objectives.

Sensors for hydraulic cylinders with limited space _ RDP Temposonics-RD4 sensors have been designed for installation into hydraulic cylinders and are ideal for clevis head cylinders, or any space restricted application. New developments of an existing successful product means that now the electronics can be a short cable length away from the sensor vastly reducing the size of the sensor head and enabling it to fit into many more cylinders.

Compact depth gauge offers good value for money - With the hydrostatic pressure transmitter ED753, Baumer's product segment Process Instrumentation launches a very compact depth gauge with an excellent value for money.
HANNOVER MESSE, Hall 9, Stand A32

New Global Headquarters in the US - Aegis Software has opened new Global Headquarters in Horsham outside Philadelphia (PA US). The new offices will meet Aegis, growing workforce demands and provide a unique training environment for the company,s rapidly expanding customer base.

14/4/2008

Motor control kits - The new Technosoft MCK28335 kits with source code and MATLAB libraries are complete motion control development and evaluation packages based on TI's latest floating-point digital signal controller: TMS320F28335. With this embedded floating-point processor, users will significantly save development time and effort: specific issues related to fixed-point processors (as saturation, overflow, scaling of parameters and variables) are no longer a problem.

3-channel DC Sensor Signal Conditioner for Shock Accelerometers - PCB Piezotronics (PCB®) has introduced Model 478A30, a 3-channel DC sensor signal conditioner with selectable gain. This model is designed to be compatible with new Series 3991/3993 high amplitude 20,000 g MEMS DC response shock accelerometers, and providing the end user with a MEMS-based high-g shock measurement system, with frequency range from DC to 150k Hz.

Wireless for Process Manufacturing to Grow at 32% Annually and Reach $1.1B in 2012 - The market for wireless devices and equipment in process manufacturing will grow to over $1.1B in 2012, a growth rate of 32% per year, according to a new ARC Advisory Group study "Wireless in Process Manufacturing Worldwide Outlook" The data in this study is from 2007 and includes a forecast of market growth through the year 2012.
See more on wireless on our Wireless Page

A wizard that builds wizards! - ExperTune has received a patent for its novel wizard builder technology. The wizard builder creates connection wizards for communication between process controllers (DCS's and PLC's) and PC based software. In a way, it is a "wizard that builds wizards". Their PlantTriage performance supervision software uses this wizard technology.

Industry's first wireless pH/ORP transmitter - Emerson Process Management continues to expand wireless instrumentation benefits by adding the Rosemount Analytical® Model 6081-P wireless pH transmitter to its growing Smart Wireless plant solutions. Closely following approval of the WirelessHART™ standard, the new field device is the industry's first wireless pH/ORP transmitter. Emerson's Smart Wireless solutions extend PlantWeb® architecture that has delivered digital automation benefits in thousands of facilities around the world.
See more on wireless on our Wireless Page and also our report on Emerson's Smart Wireless Launch!

Industrial wireless technology experts in Beijing - 117 standardization experts from the United States and China gathered in Beijing to discuss developments in standardization, new technologies, and applications of wireless systems for automation in the U.S. and China within the IEC. The meeting served to enhance the dialogue between the United States and China on emerging standardization issues.
It was held under the auspices of the U.S.-China Standards and Conformity Assessment Cooperation Program (SCACP), sponsored by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. Key presentations were given by Key presentations were given by ISA100 Committee members David Kaufman of Honeywell, Cliff Whitehead of Rockwell Automation, Charley Robinson of ISA, Professor Yu Haibin of Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Mr. Mei Ke, Instrumentation Technology & Economy Institute.

Yokogawa Walt Reports 8 Apl 2008 9 Apl 2008 11 Apl 2008

Two new 20A fault insertion modules - Pickering Interfaces is expanding its range of PXI Fault Insertion solutions with the introduction of two new modules, the 40-193 and 40-194.The new modules provide a compact solution for simulating both high and low current faults when testing control systems, which is especially useful in a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HILS) test applications. Each module supports 7 channels which faults can have injected - each channel can be opened (to simulate and open circuit) or shorted to one of two fault connections (such as ground or battery supply). Channels can also be shorted together to simulate other types of wiring faults.

Closing the loop between the plant floor and plant/corporate maintenance systems - GE Fanuc Intelligent PlatformsGE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms has announced its newest addition to the Proficy software suite of Production Management solutions - Proficy Maintenance Gateway. This new software closes the loop between the plant floor and plant/corporate maintenance systems by using real-time production data, events and information to drive maintenance. With bidirectional communication between production and maintenance systems, companies can improve asset reliability to reduce equipment failure rates and increase uptime.

10/4/2008

'Next Generation in Automation Software' - ICONICS has released its new 64-bit-based, OPC-integrated, Web-enabled HMI/SCADA suite, GENESIS64™. The suite includes several modular solutions that simplify connectivity from the plant floor to corporate business systems. Designed from the ground up to take maximum advantage of Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, .NET and SharePoint(R) technology, it allows plant operators and IT professionals to integrate real-time manufacturing and business information into a common, Web-enabled visualization dashboard.

New and innovative interactive website - Hanwell Instruments has launched its new and innovative interactive website. Along with comprehensive details on the company's extensive range of equipment for industrial monitoring and control, the new site also leads customers through how the products can be integrated to provide a complete data acquisition solution. By a simple mouse-click, engineers can choose products for integration into either a network or standlaone system.

Enhanced visibility and traceability to product manufacturing - Aegis Software announced at Apex 2008 earlier this month, the release of their completely redesigned Version 7.0 Manufacturing Operations System (MOS) Software. The result of a decade of experience delivering MOS technology for assembly-based manufacturing, V7 advances manufacturing information systems to an unprecedented level, and addresses the growing need in high-reliability markets for comprehensive data visibility and product/process traceability.
Thaey also hope to exhibit at National Electronics Week (London GB) in June.

High-density industrial digital I/O for USB - National Instruments has announced the NI USB-6509, a bus-powered, portable, USB digital I/O device for acquiring data in a broad range of applications. With 96 bi-directional digital I/O channels and plug-and-play USB connectivity, the device is ideal for industrial control and automated test applications yet versatile enough for general-purpose data acquisition and academic applications. The USB-6509 delivers, to a portable USB form factor, an industrial feature set of four high-reliability features for industrial or harsh applications previously available only in PCI and PXI systems.

Level, flow and interface with one single device suited for SIP/CIP applications - The hygienic Thermatel® TD2 switches from Magnetrol International offer level, flow and interface capability in one single device. By setting up the switch differently, the unit can detect level in highly viscous liquids, detect variable or flow/no flow conditions of liquids - gases or detect one liquid layer over another (interface).

New distributors wanted for machine monitors! - As a result of an increase in recent sales opportunities, damage deterrent specialists, Lamerholm is looking to expand the distributor network for its range of equipment monitors. Companies with experience in sales or maintenance of factory vehicles, particularly forklift trucks, are being offered the opportunity to increase their current portfolio of products, with special price incentives available.

Acqisition adds tunable diode laser spectroscopy to range - Yokogawa Electric Corporation has acquired Analytical Specialties, Inc. (ASI), a company with a unique gas analyser technology. With this acquisition, the company is adding the TruePeak tunable diode laser gas analysers to its analyser lineup and strengthening its ability to deliver comprehensive solutions in the industrial automation market.

Wireless EEG system self-powered by body heat and light In the framework of Holst Centre, IMEC has developed a battery-free wireless 2-channel EEG* system powered by a hybrid power supply using body heat and ambient light. The hybrid power supply combines a thermoelectric generator that uses the heat dissipated from a person's temples and silicon photovoltaic cells. The entire system is wearable and integrated into a device resembling headphones. The system can provide more than 1mW on average indoor, which is more than enough for the targeted application.

Custom-made fittings to meet users' exact needs - Brennan Industries has the capability to manufacture custom designed fittings, solving users' unique design problems where standard fittings are not feasible. OEM designers simply provide Brennan specs of the desired custom fitting. Per the customer's concept or request, they can provide a drawing, prototype or production run of the unique fittingand also manufacture one custom fitting if only one is needed.

A new generation of cellular modems! - Sixnet and BlueTree Wireless Data integrate their respective technology to bring you a new generation of rugged cellular data modems targeting the Telemetry, SCADA, Business Continuity and Mobile Data markets. Committed to developing products to fulfill market demand, the BlueTree 6000 series modems have been designed to meet the needs of the specific cellular data applications in which they serve. Each modem has application specific functionality enabling SIXNET customers the most appropriate cellular modem for their specific application requirements.

Publications' publication! - ISA - the automation society has just updated their comprehensive Books and Standards Catalogue. Members and customers have access to the latest titles along with updated editions of several existing titles online or they can download the catalogue in pdf format from tha page.

Process technology assets acquired - GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms has signed an agreement for GE Fanuc to acquire the assets of the MTL Open Systems Technology (MOST) product lines including the MTL8000 general purpose I/O, intrinsically safe I/O, SafetyNet system, and process control technologies.

Combatting OEM intellectual property theft - Eurotherm has introduced an advanced security feature for their 3500 and Mini 8 controllers that prevents the unauthorised cloning of control configurations to protect the intellectual property rights of their original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers and value added distributors. OEM security has successfully protected the 2600 and 2700 series of Eurotherm controllers for several years but there are still a lot of unprotected units in operation that are vulnerable to cloning.

The INEOS ChlorVinyls use of fieldbus at Runcorn - Processingtalk brings us an exclusive account this week of the project description presented by Paul Young, Automation Improvement Manager, describing the implementation and results of applying these new technologies in this €300 million improvement project, probably the first major fieldbus project in Britain, as presented to the recent Fieldbus Foundation general assembly and user meeting in Antwerp (B).
More on this and other fieldbus news on our Fieldbus News Page

Global multicore programming workshop - National Instruments has announced an initiative sponsored by Intel Corporation to deliver free, hands-on multicore programming workshops based on the NI LabVIEW graphical programming language to engineers and scientists around the globe. The Multicore Programming with NI LabVIEW Hands-On Workshop will be presented in 18 U.S. and Canadian cities beginning in May and 15 international cities this Autumn. The half-day workshop features perspectives from Intel on the industry transition from single-core to multicore systems, examines the current capabilities of multicore architectures including the latest Intel® Core™ microarchitecture and provides insight into the multicore technology roadmap from Intel.

8/4/2008

Enabling efficient root-cause analysis in real-time and keeping plants operating smoothly - Yokogawa and Pepperl+Fuchs announce the release of a new solution for managing the physical layer of FOUNDATION™ fieldbus H1. This is being released as one of the diagnostic solutions of Plant Resource Manager (PRM™) R3.02.

New international business development manager - The IMI Sensors division of PCB Piezotronics (PCB®) has announced the appointment of Doug Eberhart, a 25-year veteran of the industrial vibration monitoring market, as IMI Sensors International Sales Manager, overseeing the growth and development of new and existing sales channels.
PRM is a key component of Yokogawa's VigilantPlant® Asset Excellence initiative. PRM integrates and manages maintenance information, monitors online conditions, and records historical data of assets ranging from field devices to plant equipment.

Agreement on China, Taiwan and Hongkong representation - In order to satisfy the market needs and the increasing demand for test solutions in Asia, Fast Electronic Technology Ltd. announced today a distribution agreement with Digitaltest GmbH, a global leader in electronics testing and production solutions for electronics OEMs and contract manufacturers. The agreement was signed to create a new way of providing commercial and technical support to Digitaltest,s Chinese and Taiwanese customers and serve new clients in the area.

5/4/2008

An introduction to the LXI standard - Pickering Interfaces has published the second edition of its successful publication LXImate. The LXImate 130 page book provides an easy to read description of the LXI Standard, product availability, and its evolution.
The LXI Standard is accepted as the natural replacement for GPIB, providing an interface that applies the power of the Web to test and measurement.

Election results - The General Assembly of the CAN in Automation (CiA) has re-elected its three directors: Arnulf Lockmann (Janz AG) as Business Director, Heinz-Juergen Oertel (Port) as Technical Director, and Holger Zeltwanger as Managing Director running the CiA office. The CAN (Controller Area Network) trade association with 526 members has had a successful business year. About 1000 engineers have been trained in CAN/CANopen technologies. And some additional CANopen specifications have been released (e. g. application profile for photovoltaic systems).

Fifth consecutive year certification - For the fifth consecutive year, Wonderware has achieved the Service Capability and Performance (SCP) certification. Their Technical Support Center team successfully completed the certification process, involving independent, rigorous measures of best practices in the services industry which represents a benchmark for support organisations around the globe. "The results of the 2007 assessment audit demonstrate that the Wonderware Technical Support Center is achieving an excellent level of performance relative to the stringent requirements defined in the SCP Support Standard," said Gordy Stauffer, SCP auditor for Service Strategies Corp.
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Explosion & Blast Pressure Sensors - Series 137A Quartz, free-field, ICP® blast pressure pencil probes from the Aerospace & Defense division of PCB Piezotronics (PCB®) are designed for a broad range of explosion, blast, and shock wave testing. Applications include measuring blast pressure in free-field or closed bunker arenas to obtain peak pressure, total impulse, shock wave and time-of-arrival measurements often used to study blast effects on structures, vehicles, and humans.

Latest version of supervisory control systen launched - GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms has announced the latest version of its industry-leading supervisory control solution, Proficy® HMI/SCADA - CIMPLICITY® 7.5, offering more diagnostic tools, security, development tools, connectivity and flexibility than ever before.

Torque transducer suits test and production applications - The Model QSFK-9 torque transducer from RDP Electronics is well suited to low volume testing in research and equally at home for setting or checking torque values in production. Typical applications include torsional fatigue and motor testing in research and development, or component testing and torsional tightening in production environments.

Space saving 2 phase input Din-rail DC power supply - PULS has launched its latest space-saving DIN-Rail mounted power supply. Part of the highly successful MiniLine series the new ML100.200 is designed for phase-to-phase operation at 380-480VAC with no neutral. Taking power between two phases reduces terminal space and costs associated with wiring, fuses and installation time.

3/4/2008

Industry environment and chemistry showcase - Planned from 20th to 23rd November, WORLD CIA 2008 is the showcase dedicated to chemistry, industrial applications products and technologies for the environment this year moves at the outside of Italian borders, to the new exclusive multi-functional center Montecarlo's Grimaldi Forum. World CIA 2008 intends to support chemistry up against new challengers of the global market, giving a comprehensive sight on the new products and innovations in the manufacturing industry.

The updated Foundation Fieldbus, 2nd Edition, features a wealth of background information, tips, tricks, and items to note when designing, installing, maintaining or troubleshooting a FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus system. FOUNDATION FIELDBUS, 2ND EDITION;Ian Verhappen and Augusto Pereira ISA; ISBN 978-1-55617-964-8

Extended range fluid compensation flowmeter interface - COX Instruments, a leading supplier of high-accuracy liquid and gas flow measurement solutions, has introduced the COX 4080 extended range fluid compensation flowmeter interface. This integral flow computer provides total flow compensation to enhance flowmeter accuracy, while extending the linear flow range.

April newsletter published - April Issue of MeasurIT Technologies, who recently changed address, talks about laser level & positioning with interesting and easy to understand explanations.
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Enhancing engineering and scientific education and research - National Instruments in Ireland and Britain recently stepped up its focus on academia, deploying additional dedicated resources to work directly with academic institutions alongside its existing office and field-based engineers. This move supports the longstanding strategic commitment NI has made globally to enhancing engineering and scientific education and research projects through the use of virtual instrumentation, graphical system design and LabVIEW.

High-density cable management system - AMP NETCONNECT has developed the Hi-D (High-Density) cable management system for data centres. This new system can increase patch densities by, on average, 30% with improved cable management and access compared to traditional techniques

Asset lifecycle management forum - ARC Advisory Group will host its first annual Asset Lifecycle Management (ALM) Forum, October 13-15, 2008 in Houston (TX US). This event will bring together stakeholders and sup-pliers to discuss how better Asset Information Management (AIM) can help them optimize performance in every asset lifecycle stage. Companies will learn how AIM impacts asset performance while networking with others to discuss common issues.

Speaking at Air analysis event - Dominic Duggan of Quantitech will be among the guest speakers at an air analysis conference and exhibition taking place at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in Middlesex (GB). 'Air Analysis - out of the laboratory and into the field' is a joint event arranged by the NPL, the Royal Society of Chemistry - Automation and Analytical Management Group and the Gas Analysis and Sensing Group. Dominic will be discussing the application of a new portable FTIR system at the event which is being held on Thursday, May 15th.

DC-DC converter quiets the competition with its low noise - Enpirion has announced the availability of a new 600 mA synchronous buck converter with an integrated inductor, delivering extremely low output ripple in a tiny 3mm x 3mm x 1.1mm QFN package. The complete solution requires only 2 tiny MLCC capacitors for a solution footprint of only 22 sq mm. Their low noise devices are critical for today's RF, analog, and high-speed digital applications where switcher noise can limit data throughput and cause failure in spectral compliance.

The elephant in the Room and other stories! - There are two interesting Wireless Stories in this issue of Walt Boyes Control.com e-news. They should be read by all who are getting involved in this exciting new technology in manufacturing and process plants. What exactly is the Wireless Eleephant in the room? And Which Way Wireless? are the important questions asked!

Fittings for ferrule connections - Diba Industries has expanded its line of Click-N-Seal#a connection fittings to suit a wider range of fluid connection types. Previously only available for flared connections, Click-N-Seal now comes in a Ferrule line to prevent over-tightening of these fittings in Scientific and IVD instruments. Designed for Bio-Chem Fluidics, Omnifit Gripper, Type S and inverted cone ferrules, the reusable fittings provide objective feedback to prevent excess torque.

1/4/2008

New member for Federation - The Microsoft Manufacturing User Group (MsMUG), formerly a part of OMAC, is moving to a working group under the Automation Federation so that the group can better support the needs of the industry as a horizontal thread across disciplines.

Major power contract in Saudi Arabia - Invensys Process Systems has won a substantial contract from the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) to provide plant performance and monitoring solutions for use on one of the country's most critical power plants. The PP8 plant is based in Central Province and is one of two power stations that supply capital city Riyadh with its electricity needs.

High speed industrial routers connect remote sites securely - Westermo Data Communications has released two high speed industrial routers based on the fastest communications standards currently available to support remote telemetry and industrial control systems applications. The MR-250 is a HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) router. HSDPA is the latest 3G mobile telephony communications protocol that enables download speeds of up to 1.8Mbit/s. Where HSDPA is not yet available the MR-250 will automatically fall back to 3G (UMTS) EDGE or GPRS to ensure it uses the fastest available communication. And the DR-250 router is based on the ADSL2/2+ platform, supporting the fastest broadband speeds available to give high speed access to remote sites over an existing analogue telephone connection, at speeds of up to 24 Mbit/s.

Unprecedented speed and processing performance key to high-end control applications - GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms has announced the availability of its new PACSystems RX3i CPU320, which incorporates the Intel 1 GHz processor to provide unprecedented speed and performance. The CPU320 is ideal for applications where the processing power of the current controller has been pushed to the limit. In addition to the increased performance, the CPU320 has 64Mbytes of user memory available.

Hygienic, replaceable process connections - With the CombiConnect system, Baumer's product segment Process Instrumentation offers a series of hygienic, replaceable connections allowing high flexibility and reducing the stock at the same time.

Wireless technologies demonstrated in China - The ISA100 Wireless Compliance Institute, with the support of General Electric, Honeywell, and Nivis, demonstrated prototype ISA100.11a wireless standard-based products in the ISA100 booth at the 2008 International Industrial Wireless Conference. The conference is being held in Chongqing, (CN), and represents a worldwide collaboration of leading organizations with the Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications serving as host.

Ethernet XMC adaptor - Concurrent Technologies announces a family of networking XMC mezzanine cards - the XM 510/x24, a quad port Gigabit Ethernet adaptor supporting 1000Base-T, 100Base-Tx and 10Base-T. Where performance, functionality and space are key elements, the XM 510/x24 provides four network ports in a single-width XMC site on a suitable host board, e.g. CompactPCI®, VXS, VPX or VME. Commercial and extended temperature versions are available and ruggedized, conduction-cooled or air-cooled, versions will be available shortly.

New software makes drive configuration quick and simple - Parker Hannifin has released a new drive configuration software package that can be downloaded for free from the company's web site. Called Drive System Explorer (DSE) Lite 2.02, the new software can be used with Parker's range of AC and DC drives, plus legacy drives, and has been developed to help design and production engineers minimise set up times and improve productivity.

Pinto the Guru! - You've read his notes for growth and success, his poetry, his insights into the automation world. Now you can see him in virtual flesh!

29/3/2008

Ethernet switch offers high availability through ring redundancy - The new Harting sCon family of industrial Ethernet switches is the industry's first to offer ring redundancy on the basis of unmanaged Ethernet switches connected in a ring configuration.

An Advanced X-ray fluorescence spectrometry solution - Thermo Fisher Scientific has announced the introduction of the Thermo Scientific UniQuant XRF analysis package now available on the high-performance EDXRF system - Thermo Scientific ARL QUANT'X. Featuring the spectrometer, standard-less software and accessories, the complete benchtop EDXRF (Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence) system meets the elemental analysis needs of central and contract laboratories, as well as environmental monitoring, chemicals, mining, forensics, food, electronics, cement and metals industries. In addition, a camera is integrated with the instrument for sample imaging.
This unique solution will be showcased at Analytica 2008 (Munich (D 1-4/4/2008).

Low-noise power supply offers dual and single output modes - TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments) has launched a dual-output version of its New PL Series of linear regulated power supplies. The PL303QMD is the latest model in the New PL series of ultra low-noise and ultra-compact PSUs, which have replaced the original PL series.

Total flexibility for multi-axis motion control - Trio's new Euro209 is a cost-effective and flexible high performance motion and machine control solution for OEMs, machine builders and automation system integrators that combines up to nine selectable axes of precision stepper or servo control with digital and analogue I/O, communications interfacing and axis expansion in a compact single Eurocard rack-mount format.

The Best just got Better! - The sales of Recom's R-78 series switching regulators have skyrocketed since their introduction in 2005 as customer after customer has replaced their unreliable, inefficient and problematic linear regulators with the Recom equivalent. Efficiencies of up to 97%, no need for a heatsink and pin compatibility have revolutionized many existing circuit designs, eliminating overheating, power brown-outs and regulator failures that plagued the old linear solutions without the need for a new board layout.

Next generation AC Inverter range - Gefran has launched its new SieiDrive ADV200 AC inverter family with FOC (field oriented control). The next generation 32-bit microcontroller based range covers power ratings from 0.75 kW to 1.5 MW in four modular frame sizes with up to +/- 0.01% speed regulation accuracy. Aimed at system builders and OEMs, application flexibility includes configuration for open loop or closed loop speed feedback as well as flux vector or V/f control whilst the space saving design allows up to three encoder interfaces, fieldbus interfaces or I/O expansion cards to be mixed in any combination.

Control system for LDPE plant in Thailand - Invensys Process Systems has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract by Simon Carves Limited to provide an InFusion Enterprise Control System through an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for PTT Polyethylene Company Limited (PTT PE). Invensys will provide a complete enterprise control solution for the grass-roots, 300,000 t/y LDPE plant that will be built at the Padaeng industrial estate in Thailand.

Partnership with chinese IMC research lab aids in future RF test development - Keithley Instruments has announced a partnership with the Institute of Mobile Communications (IMC) of Southwest Jiaotong University in Chengdu, China. The partnership calls for the IMC and Keithley to work together on joint research projects to expand existing applications as well as research emerging wireless applications and technologies.

Half a million software licences in 100,000 locations! - Wonderware has announced that it has achieved a significant milestone by having its customers actively deploying more than 500,000 software licenses around the globe. Approximately one-third of the world's plants run Wonderware software solutions. Software licenses have been sold to more than 100,000 plants/facilities worldwide, which accounts for 33 percent of the world's 305,544 plants with 20 or more employees.
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Innovation in engineering using (mainly) the KISS principle - Nowadays there is a wealth of wisdom to be found in some blogs. That of Steve Mackey from IDC Technologies is a case in point. His latest starts off, "I simply delight in the KISS principle (Keep it Simple Stupid). Probably because I end up doing everything in a rather convoluted way (just ask one of my colleagues how I put up a hi-tech tent one night with the rain pouring down; much to the accelerating chagrin of my dearly beloved shivering in the howling elements) and am always pleasurably surprised when there is a simpler, quicker approach."

27/3/2008

European calibration service for high-frequency AC power measurements - A new calibration service for high-frequency AC power measurements is now being offered by Yokogawa Europe through its Calibration Centre in Amersfoort (NL). Based on the development of Yokogawa's WT3000 precision power analyser the Yokogawa Europe calibration service offers power calibration at DC and AC from 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz. This calibration is traceable to international standards by the accredited NMi (Nederlands Meetinstituut) in Delft and the JEMIC Institute in Japan.

Best Seller! - Flow Measurement, 2nd Edition, captures the hard-earned experience of measurement and control engineers and, using a comfortable reading style and frequent illustrations, makes that experience relevant to other engineers, technicians, sales engineers, managers, and students. FLOW MEASUREMENT, 2ND Ed D.W. Spitzer ISA; 978-1-55617-736-1

5th Anniversary of revolutionary product built on open standards - Five years ago, GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms unveiled the first programmable automation controller, PACSystems, at "An Evening of Imagination" in Chicago (US).
PACSystems is built on open standards with a portable control engine, a single development tool and a universal engineering development environment. "Back then, PACSystems was considered revolutionary," said Bill Estep, Vice President of GE Fanuc's Control Systems Business. "It represented a revolutionary change in the control industry, one that enabled control convergence rather than mere integration of disparate parts and pieces. With one engine, coupled with a single development tool, users could take advantage of a powerful engineering environment for multiple applications."

Brochure for biodiesel analysis - Aspectrics has unveiled a new brochure for biodiesel analysis. This free of charge brochure is designed to accompany the newly introduced Aspectrics Biodiesel Quality Analyzer (BQA 1000). The PDF brochure, entitled "Aspectrics Biodiesel Analysers", is available free-of-charge via the website.

New LXI switching solutions - Pickering Interfacesis expanding its range of LXI compliant products with the introduction of two new matrix solutions. The 60-600 is a high current capacity 256 relay crosspoint matrix with a 10 A rating capable of switching voltages up to 30 VDC or 250 VAC. The 60-600 can be supplied in a variety of matrix configurations from 64x4 to 16x16, one pole. The 60-600 is packaged in a compact full rack width 1U enclosure using 8 way high power D Type connectors for both the X and Y axis connections.

Thermal cameras & image processing systems for security applications - Firstsight Vision will be showing the comprehensive range of infrared cameras from Opgal Optronic Industries at IFSEC 2008, as well as advanced image processing capabilities such as image fusion technology, gender recognition software and vehicle recognition systems.