Articles and News

Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd is released new forthcoming report on title "Automation and Control System Market in Pharmaceutical and Biotech Industry: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast to 2020."

How the advent of smart transmitters and wireless communication has opened the door to better temperature communication & process performance improvements.

ASCO Flow Calculator enables customers to quickly calculate flow for a valve or determine the Cv needed to properly size a valve.

Products on display in Hall 25 will include drive belts, hoses, hose lines, and air spring systems from ContiTech.

At the upcoming HANNOVER MESSE, the German government and key German industry associations (VDMA, ZVEI and BITKOM) will jointly outline their strategy for achieving integrated production.

Pamela Bingham is now the Managing Director of Rotork’s Gears division and Dave Littlejohns is Divisional Managing Director of Rotork Fluid Systems.

The US subsidiary operates under the name "MB connect line Inc." and is located in Warrenville, Illinois. The determining factor for the location is the excellent infrastructure in the Chicago metropolitan area. From here the entire North American region is very easily reachable.

HARTING will be presenting – live on the fair stand – a production line demonstrating solutions for Integrated Industry.

By Elmer Chen, GCiS China Strategic Research Rather than insulating domestic suppliers, the Chinese government has opted to loosen import regulations for many forms of technologically advanced products in the interim, and domestic companies will struggle to catch up and surpass foreign suppliers occupying the high end market.

Frost & Sullivan predicts big changes are ahead in how to manage the global cyber threat, including the growing concern of state sponsored involvement and complexity of attacks on private business.

Researchers from IOSB will be demonstrating which attack scenarios could happen to networked production facilities at the Fraunhofer joint exhibition booth at this year’s Hannover Messe.

A brief overview of sequential function charts, describing proper implementation and common mistakes.

By Bill Lydon, Editor This is an update to previous automation and control trends articles and expresses my thoughts for 2015 and beyond. These opinions are based on a wide range of inputs from users, suppliers and industry consultants, and from attending more than 20 industry forums, conferences and trade shows last year.

Catalog covers configurations for standard modules of TrackMotion, gantry and linear motion units in virtually any size and for all robots.

By Tony Armstrong, Linear Technology Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) can be powered via energy harvesting. Here’s how to design a nanopower device that works with very low levels of power and current.

Their objective is to push the standardization of all CERN control systems to Linux 64-bit operating systems.

At Hannover Fair, Festo will demonstrate developments in the OPAK Industry 4.0 research project subsidized by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

An ISA technical paper proposes a sliding mode control strategies for the point-to-point motion control of a hoisting crane.

The need for enhanced safety and security solutions, better alternatives for conventional technology and rise in wireless sensing technology are the major factors responsible for driving the photonic sensor market.

The data rate of 56Gb/s was achieved using duobinary encoding over a channel including the ExaMAX High Speed Backplane Connector.

Rockwell Automation welcomed nine new Encompass Product Partners and two global expansions within its PartnerNetwork program.

Egemin will supply an integrated warehousing system with AGVs to handle the intermediate transport flows of slabs and rolls and storage of slabs.

By 2017, more industrial robots will be operating in China's production plants than in the European Union or North America.

FCI has received FM Div 1/Zone 1 Approval on all remote probe configurations for the FS10A Analyzer Flow Switch/Monitor.

Big data storage and fast processing capabilities need to become one hybrid system.

TV legend John Ratzenberger will serve as honorary chair of AME’s 2015 conference in Cincinnati.

The MPLAB Code Configurator enables firmware developers to quickly initialise the device and implement peripheral drivers for faster time to market

The free app enables users to graph and analyze environmental data collected with Onset HOBO MX Series data loggers.

Immediate access to secure, end-to-end networking service now widely available.

Catalog covers miniature pneumatic products including specifications, technical drawings, and application highlights.

Videos demonstrate basic CNC control procedures.

Fifth edition has been extensively updated to reflect the latest advances in automation technologies and incorporate valuable new self-study exercises and challenge-solution examples.

Customers are able to access the Endress+Hauser YouTube channel 24/7 to watch short “how to” videos on a variety of topics, from “How to change 4 to 20 mA current output” to “Commissioning a pH probe on the CM44 transmitter.”

The two packaging companies will form an unnamed company that will have combined net sales of $15.7 billion.

By Bob Douglas, Westfalia Technologies Although an AS/RS can generate ROI in about five years, proper service and maintenance further maximize this investment and can lead to a system lifespan of 25+ years, thus lowering the total cost of ownership and providing long-term operational efficiencies.

Datalogic Automation will use B&R Automation PC 910 systems in its UX series of vision processors.

Remote management is now recognized as a best practice to creating strategic advantages by lowing cost and improving efficiency.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Cyber-attacks are on the rise. Do manufacturing companies need to experience major disasters before they take cyber security seriously? We have talked and written much about cyber security, but little action has been taken. The good news is there is an ever expanding range of cyber security protection solutions for those motivated to protect themselves.

The free web seminar, the second in a two-part series on pressure measurement calibration, will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m.

The products included are eight different series of belt-driven spindles, Mech-Tronix integrally motorized spindles, and standard spindle accessories.

Center checks, maintains and rebuilds metal detection, material handling and magnetic equipment.

German detergent manufacturer Henkel replaced its old data recorders with 10 Delphin measurement data acquisition systems.

Roop is a financial management executive, an instrument and electrical engineer, and a power plant manager.

Comprehensive catalog completely covers current measurement

ISA President Rick Roop discusses how ISA will work toward achieving its five strategic goals in big data, content, coolest delivery, cybersecurity and career advocacy.

The PLC market dropped in 2012, but it’s coming back strong.

By Christopher Little, Trihedral Replacing an existing system can present opportunities that are unavailable when building a SCADA system from scratch. This article outlines four concepts, or pillars, to support your search for new SCADA software that will help you build on the value of your existing system and grow with your changing needs well into the future.

The program will be held at the ARC Industry Forum, 9-12 February in Orlando, Florida

B+B created Connected Intelligence Global Partner Ecosystem to combine complementary partners under a virtual roof to facilitate IoT applications

B+B SmartWorx provides intelligent M2M and IoT connectivity solutions for wireless and wired networks.

PROFIBUS is number one but PROFINET and EtherNet/IP are catching up.

Exida, an ISASecure accredited test lab, certified the Schneider Electric Field Control Processor 280 to the ISASecure Embedded Device Security Assurance (EDSA) certification.

Zenon Analyzer, Supervisor, Operator and Logic certification was carried out by TÜV Süd.

Klippstein holds a BS in Electrical Engineering and previously worked as a supervisor of CNC control and electrical design engineering.

Using ProfiTrace 2 diagnostics found a corroded cable at the Rijnland waste water purification plant.

FDI technology is a device integration technology that plays a key role in addressing device management in an operating plant.

Boulting to supply motor control centers and automation and system integration services.

ICONICS announces that it is one of the first in its industry to achieve OPC UA Client Lab Certification from the OPC Foundation for its GENESIS64 V10.85 Platform Services.

Guill supplies advanced extrusion tooling technology to the medical, rubber and plastic industries worldwide, as well as nuclear specialty alloy products to the defense industry.

The Connected Intelligence Global Partner Ecosystem wants to create intelligent networks that can collect, manage, and analyze the data generated by billions of sensors.

HIS says while the world transitions to higher efficiency IE2, IE3 and NEMA Premium low-voltage (LV) motors, IE4 motors marketed as “Super Premium Efficiency” motors have rapidly carved out a space in the high efficiency motor market.

This is partly because SCADA products are mostly used in large investments in the energy business—such as in oil and gas and power facilities—an area that is performing better than other sectors.

ABB controls the Solar Impulse plane on its flight around the world powered only by energy from the sun.

By John Senese for Industrial IP Advantage Virtualization is highly beneficial in an industrial IT scenario where there are lots of software applications that perform functions for a small number of machines or manufacturing processes.

Interview with Christopher Di Biase, Principal Consultant, Rockwell Automation.

Jonah Energy, a startup exploration and production company, is using Flow-Cal’s FLOWCLOUD hosting solution to obtain data in a cloud environment.

Rockwell Automation PowerFlex 700L drives and CompactLogix PACS convert DC power to AC power within the fuel cell and connect it to the grid.

Netilities graphical software tool is useful for engineering, monitoring and troubleshooting PROFINET installations.

By Bill Lydon, Editor The Internet of Things (IoT) definition as promoted by major industrial automation suppliers and computer industry suppliers is “IP to the edge.” IP to the edge means using Internet Protocol over wired or wireless Ethernet to communicate with end devices. This concept may not be common sense engineering and sound design for industrial automation systems.

A look at the differences between pure batch versus fed-batch versus continuous reactors.

Halma succeeds Brian Butler, who is leaving the KION Group at his own request in order to pursue new opportunities outside the company.

Jim Foust and Tim Ellis have more than 70 years of direct experience with Giddings & Lewis machine tools.

An ISA technical paper proposes an adaptive second order sliding mode controller with a nonlinear sliding surface.

The 18.9% decrease is in part due to the record breaking sales in October.

AMT shuffles execs in Asia, Latin America and marketing.

Koke will be based out of Synerlink’s new U.S. office in Duncan, SC, sharing a facility with Synerlink’s sister company, Hayssen Packaging Systems

HyperionRSI Simulation, jointly owned by Hyperion Systems Engineering Ltd and RSI, will offer simulation solutions based on the IndissPlus simulation technology.

Wireless Control Foundation: Continuous and Discrete Control for the Process Industry, aims to improve wireless control planning, commissioning and troubleshooting.

People and Processes is a consulting and education services firm focused on helping people and organizations succeed in the Maintenance and Reliability Best Practices.

Biodiesel garners the largest market share; however, the latest and the most commercially viable Cellulosic ethanol would surpass Biodiesel and eventually lead the market by 2020.

PD pumps will prove indispensable in various applications such as hydraulic fracturing, the mixing and injecting of chemicals, and the mixing of solid proppants with water.

ISA's training and educational program from February 2015.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Wurldtech launched a new firewall product for industrial control (ICS) and SCADA equipment that is designed protect from corruption and damage caused by cyber-attacks. I recently spoke with Wurldtech’s Peter Lunk and Tom Kenneth about their new Achilles Industrial Next Gen Firewall and their full portfolio of cyber security products and services.

If you do not leverage new knowledge, you can be blindsided by others who apply it, especially your competitors.

Lenze is a manufacturer of electrical and mechanical drives, motion control and automation technology.

The division will feature offerings that pertain to gas detection equipment, maintenance and monitoring and compliance.

The tabbing and framing cell takes the Sportbrake body floor out of the assembly line to have the side body panels, roof and other components put in place, tabbed and then welded by robots.

Dataforth published two revised and updated MAQ20 Industrial Data Acquisition & Control documents: a 4-page brochure and the 32-page 2015 Product Catalog.

Written from a practical perspective, Advances in Reactor Measurement and Control book explains how to improve batch and continuous reactor and control system performance

A shutdown of Petrogal’s alkylation unit at Sines Refinery was the perfect opportunity for engineering and consulting company Optieng to install a new HIQuad safety system.

By Ryan Hildebrandt How do you identify and reduce risk in an automation project? At each stage of the project lifecycle, and for every party involved, risk can be introduced (and subsequently identified, assessed, and mitigated). Let's look at how these uncertainties come into play and how to reduce the effects on your overall schedule and budget.

November U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $378.06 million, down 15.5% from October and down 14.5% when compared with the total of $442.01 million reported for November 2013.

Endress+Hauser, ABB, JUMO and other big-name exhibitors will show solutions that turn Industry 4.0 into reality for process automation users at Hannover Messe in April.

A look at how many of the loops can be the same and how all reactors benefit from a more extensive application of feedback control.

People and Processes, Inc. is a consulting and education services firm focused on helping people and organizations succeed in the Maintenance and Reliability Best Practices.

Prior to joining the company he was President of TacTouch and previous employers include Acuity Brands Lighting, Automated Logic Corporation and TRIATEK.

The conference is 28-31 January 2015 at the Marriott Newport Beach Hotel and Spa in Newport Beach, California

Most of Zaber's devices can now be connected directly to a computer via USB port with the release of our T-USBDC cable, making set-up quicker and easier than with a separate USB to serial converter.

Weiss provided a turnkey solution for Alpha‘s 6’ tall automotive parts assembly machine that allowed ease-of-loading for its 12 load stations

The free program simplifies fuse inventory and reduces costs. Eaton first conducts a full audit of a customer’s fuse inventory. does a thorough analysis, and generates an inventory and consolidation summary report.