Articles and News

Wonderware MES Performance software cut downtime by 50% and saves $400,000 annually at New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins, Co.

HIMA France is a competence centre for High Integrity Protection System (HIPS).

The fido5000 REM Switch chip has been certified to EtherNet/IP CT11 for beacon-based DLR devices.

The university will use ActiveCube to facilitate Cognitive Interactive Technology deploying robots and motion capture techniques to analyze what goes on in the brain when movement occurs.

Accreditation was awarded by the German Accreditation Service (DAkkS) in Berlin/Braunschweig.

MAVERICK received a Great Rated! notification from the Great Place to Work Institute based on an anonymous survey of its employees.

The DynAMo alarm management solution was launched in November 2013.

Project Management Is More Than a Disruption: It Is Real Work

The Smart Objects Starter Pack (SOSP) 1.0 provides a basis for interoperability across devices connected to the IoT through an open common object model.

An underground pumping station was created to pump water from the Limmernboden reservoir into the Muttsee lake about 600 m higher up. This elevation difference will be used to produce hydroelectric power on demand.

By Mike Hughes, Schaeffler UK With numerous designs to choose from, specifying the right linear guidance system can be a daunting task. Here’s an overview of the types of system available, as well as their main design features and typical areas of application.

MDA will be held at at Hannover Messe, April 13 to 17, 2015, in Hannover, Germany.

More than 200,000 industrial robots will be installed in 2014 worldwide, 15% more than in 2013.

For the period of 2014 to 2017, sales forecasts indicate an increase to about 134,500 units with an estimated value of US$ 18.9 billion.

InStep Software is a provider of real-time performance management and predictive asset analytics software and solutions.

The eTOP Series 500 Glass HMI has ATEX and UL Class I. Div 2 Hazardous location approvals for use in Oil, Gas and harsh environments.

Schneider Electric software now includes products from newly acquired Avantis, SimSci and Wonderware.

Omron designed the facility to give customers access to engineering and technical resources in one centralized location.

NEMA ICS 7 provides practical information concerning ratings, construction, test, performance, and manufacture of industrial control equipment—adjustable speed drives.

Tupras is using AVEVA Everything3D, Diagrams, Electrical and laser scanning solutions in a major brownfield revamp program.

Iberdrola Renewables in Oregon uses a SCADA system from PcVue in its National Control Center to monitor every turbine at every wind farm throughout the country. Iberdrola has 2,479 wind turbines, each with 300 to 350 data points, which equates to 700,000 to 850,000 I/O data points on more than 20 servers.

This service program supports GE’s Roots blowers, compressors and controls customers.

DB Sync uses a back-end RDBMS, such as Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle Database, to store device data in existing tables and download updates specific to each device.

Bolster Security for Your Legacy OPC Server

By Bill Lydon, Editor The French aircraft manufacturer Airbus has stated futuristic long-range goals based on their corporate philosophy. The integration of cyber-physical systems and big analog data enables smarter production and allows operators and machines to collaborate in the same physical environment.

This certification, including Annex G for low-lead content water products, puts these pumps in full compliance with the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act.

The pumps, totaling approximately $30 million, will be used for boiler feedwater and condensate service at two units for a new ultra-supercritical (USC), coal-fired power plant in Opole, Poland.

The self-organizing controller has proven to be a valuable tool in sterilization equipment in order to verify the capacity of the response to any change in the pressure or temperature.

For a period of two days, participants subjected their EtherCAT masters and slaves to rigorous interoperability testing, discussed open questions, and prepared the devices for future marketing.

ISA responded to a report from the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy that calls for a unified US national strategy to address the serious workforce development needs presented by the multi-dimensional threats of cyber attacks.

When the Boeing 777X twin-aisle passenger jet goes into full production for its debut in 2020, each fuselage will be built using special advanced automation technology, the result of a collaborative effort by the airplane maker and the KUKA Systems Aerospace Group.

Bachmann moved from Grayslake, Illinois, near Chicago, to Boston.

The company introduced an IP-based remote maintenance system for their products that ensures a high degree of IT security by using encrypted VPN connections and cellular radio routers.

Fabrication of PV inverters will commence in the Fall of 2014, followed by MV drives in the Spring of 2015 at the Houston, Texas based facility.

Siemens’ announcement that it will purchase gas compressor and turbine supplier Dresser-Rand makes it well-poised to stake its claim as a heavyweight rival to GE.

In contrast to other industrial automation markets, no one vendor dominates; and those with the highest market share typically specialize in a particular region, industry sector or technology. A shakeout may be coming.

Graphic Design USA has awarded ISA a Certificate of Excellence award in its 2014 American Graphic Design Awards competition for the online design of InTech Plus.

The fiber termination process used to manufacture fiber jumper assemblies has been certified compliant to the Telcordia GR-326-Core requirements.

The Keyence systems replaced hard gauging that Leatherman used for many years to evaluate components for its tools, eliminating cabinets full of hard fixtures built for specific parts.

Galil's DMC-4020 is used to position perfectly aligned beams from white light confocal displacement sensors and to scan a leaf surface in a predefined pattern.

The Future of Calibration is Integration

As the link between cloud networks and devices (mobile phones, tablets, notebooks) results in more complex devices under test (DUT), the need for radio frequency test equipment will only intensify.

No larger than a pack of chewing gum, TSA Spectrum Analyzers provide rapid EMC analysis for troubleshooting RF signals in wireless remotes, cordless phones, wireless monitors, ATE systems and radios, Bluetooth, WiFi, WiMax and other wireless applications.

B-Scada will be creating a wholly-owned subsidiary in Spain with new offices scheduled to open on November 1st 2014.

HIMA to supply VRS Railway Industry with SIL 4 safety systems as part of 10-year contract

The company will provide expertise on energy efficient motors and transformers to help governments devise policies that accelerate energy savings.

Siskens succeeds Laurent Giai-Miniet who left to pursue other interests in the high-tech sector.

By Salvatore Castro, SAP The common view of OEE is the localized one of an operator trying to control the machine better during the shift. The more modern spin on OEE is trying to improve all operations to run more efficiently with the lowest overall cost back to the business.

A total of five individual scholarships were issued in the amount of $500 each.

FacilityConneX helps facility managers make better sense of vast amounts of data that comes from their facility operations and industrial equipment with Real-time Operational Intelligence (RtOI).

What is an Optimal Control System for Batch Manufacturing?

By Dan Miklovic, LNS Research The basic concepts of Asset Performance Management (APM) have been around for nearly 50 years. In this article, we'll discuss the wealth of knowledge on different maintenance approaches available to today's professionals, and also the main challenges with putting those approaches into action.

By Thomas Seubert, Contributing Author Over the past two years (since the end of the recession), there have been some disturbing trends within manufacturing, specifically the automation/controls engineering profession. The author highlights these trends and suggests actions to counteract them.

Deutsche Messe AG will stage this year’s CeMAT ASIA, 27 to 30 October, in Shanghai.

By Carlos W. Moreno, Ultramax What analyses of a database enable predictions which are valid in decision making. This review does not introduce new technical concepts. It explains to engineers why their knowledge of the processes that generate data needs to be integrated in the analysis of the data, and at what level.

Calibration and pressure instrumentation has its own unique challenges.

By Bill Nolan, Rootstock Software Many regulated manufacturers use paper-or Excel-based processes to address compliance. For discrete manufacturers who are required to have FDA CFR compliance, the Salesforce1 Platform connected an ERP system offers some distinct advantages.

Kardex Remstar is a provider of automated storage and retrieval systems for manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, offices and institutions.

Vodokanal Engineering, a provider of water supply and wastewater projects in Russia, will use AVEVA PDMS as its 3D design modelling solution.

When the sun comes out on a rainy Wimbledon match day, the roof over Centre Court can be retracted, but only after the floodlights have cooled down sufficiently. Datapaq measured how long it takes.

Augmate is a wearable technology company that specializes in the strategy, development, and deployment of enterprise applications for smart eyewear.

AKM Manufacturing will integrate the group's four divisions--Sheet Metal Work, CNC Machining, Electrical Equipment, and Lighting--with Epicor ERP version 10.

By Jean Carl, Macro Sensors Blog discusses how, in the European market, sensors specified for use within potentially explosive atmospheres must be certified to ATEX standards.

“Automation 101: An Industry Guide to Control System Engineering" is a general guide for the specification, design and installation of automated control systems.

Emerson migrated an old burner management system on a distillation column furnace to Emerson’s DeltaV during the plant’s annual scheduled shutdown this 2014.

exida certified the Rosemount Tank Gauging System meets the functional safety requirements for Safety Integrity Level (SIL) 3 capability per IEC 61508: 2010.

By Roy Tomalino, Beamex Calibrating pressure devices has its own unique challenges. This blog describes three of them.

Global shipments for motion control products grew to $1.5 billion in the first half of 2014, according to the Motion Control Association (MCA), the industry’s trade group.

By David J. Bush, C.P.I.M In early 2012, we began an earnest search for a replacement for our legacy ERP system. We wanted a new ERP package that could handle the needs of our electronics industry demands. We were in for a big and disappointing surprise.

IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show 2014 was the fourth largest IMTS in history and the largest six-day show ever with registration of 114,147 representing 112 countries.

By Kenneth Tom, Wurldtech Security Technologies Today, the smart grid is under attack. We need to protect this infrastructure and provide proper visibility into the network threats by taking advantage of the latest technology for Industrial Control System (ICS) security.

Digital catalog covers liquid level, flow and pressure switches, with each model linking to immediate online ordering.

In your journey to become an automation professional, consider joining ISA and contributing your time and talents to advance the automation industry. You will find a community of people with common in

Danfoss A/S will acquire Finland’s Facon Oyj, which would result in the union of two of the ten largest variable frequency drive suppliers globally.

PMMI now owns Packaging World, Automation World, Healthcare Packaging and Contract Packaging magazines.

ANSI/ISA-100.11a-2011, "Wireless Systems for Industrial Automation: Process Control and Related Applications," has been unanimously approved by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

By Steve Milford, Endress+Hauser The City of Charlotte, NC, uses Endress+Hauser ultrasonic flowmeters to measure the flow and methane content of biogas from anaerobic digesters that treat sludge in the wastewater treatment facility. The biogas is used to generate electricity.

Micro-Epsilon supplied sensors for a high speed (up to 10,500rpm) wheel spin test, part of the BLOODHOUND SSC Project – the 1,000 mph land speed record attempt that is scheduled to take place in 2016.

Patti Engineering is supplying engineering support for the installation of a new Krones bottling line that involves integration of vision, VFDs, I/O and controls.

Emerson will install an Ovation control and safety system at a 1,075-MW, ultra-supercritical, coal-fired power generating unit under construction at the Kozienice Power Station in Poland.

The robotic pulse production line, known as the Fuselage Automated Upright Build (FAUB), will be the baseline manufacturing process for the 777X and prior to that, for assembling fuselages for current 777 models.

The 22-year-old association is seeing an uptick in participation from professionals and corporations who understand the power of Information Technologies (IT) in manufacturing.

By Dave Cronberger, Cisco Software defined networks (SDNs) are a hot topic at the enterprise-level. The reasons vary – but they’re piling up. The most promising – and potentially profitable – benefit of an SDN is its potential in making the network directly programmable.

By Elsa Madrigal and Dan McGrath, Panduit Multiple-in-Multiple-Out (MIMO) is a new technology adopted by new IEEE 802.11Wi-Fi standards. Under 802.11n and 802.11ac, the antennas in the access points receive various reflected signals and, using digital signal processing, stitch them together into a unified, clear signal.

Wireless applications and business cases are due by October 10th. The school’s department will win $1,000 worth of Fluke tools, and the Fluke Connect tools used in the contest submission, worth approximately $2,500.

Research that shows the recently revealed Dragonfly (Havex) malware is likely targeting the pharmaceutical sector, not the energy sector as previously believed.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Siemens continues to make large investments in software for manufacturing industries aimed at increasing the productivity of design, engineering, commissioning, operations, and maintenance in discrete and process industries. Siemens COMOS is targeted at process industries and is analogous to Siemens PLM for the discrete industries.

ISA Training and Education Opportunities in October

By Dr. Arne Linder, Kollmorgen Decentralizing servo technology can bring machine and plant construction savings during installation. Two additional advantages include reduced cabinet heat loads and more straight forward drive architecture. The question arises however, which technology is better, an integrated motor/drive solution or a detached motor and drive?

ComVac ASIA, Asia’s leading trade fair for compressed air and vacuum technology, is sold out with an expected display area increase of 15 percent and the number of exhibiting companies has increased 12 percent.

Focusing on such topics as smart manufacturing, energy efficiency and environmental protection, the sold-out event is expected to attract more than 70,000 visitors.

The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) announced that AutomationDirect has been named as a Finalist in the Corporate Outreach category for the 2014 STEM Education Awards.

Key Questions to Ask Before Migrating to High-Performance Graphics

The two companies will collaborate in the CNC and Logix programmable automation controller (Logix PAC) environments.

Mohammed Safiulla (Safi) has been named Country Manager and will be responsible for automation engineering services in the Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, and Utilities industries.

July U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $170 million, down 1.1% from June’s total but up 1.5% from July 2013.

Boasting an average annual growth rate of 10 percent over the last 10 years and with current growth running at around five percent, India is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

The lab in Warrendale, Pennsylvania, will test and demonstrate three-phase online, double-conversion UPS systems and related equipment.

With FLOWCAL, Enlink will manage all measurement data from their fractionation and processing facilities, pipelines, and truck and railcar transportation tickets.

The facility allows robotics integrators and end users to work with on-site Adept application engineers to prove out manufacturing and materials handling applications.