Articles and News

By Bill Lydon, Editor Spring is a time of new beginnings and new life. So why can’t we breathe new life into our automation systems? It’s a good time for automation engineers to consider new innovative automation applications to improve production.

By Reid Paquin, Aberdeen Group In December 2012, Aberdeen conducted research into the state of the engineering and technical workforce and found out that a majority of the 562 companies polled (over 60%) feel that they are understaffed in their engineering positions. Aberdeen looked into the challenges behind hiring and retaining engineering talent and uncovered what the industry leaders do to combat this problem.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Siemens hosted a thought leadership event on February 22, 2013 in Houston, TX. More than 300 oil and gas industry executives, technology leaders, and industry experts attended featured presentations, a trade fair and a networking event at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

ARC says the total control valve, actuator and positioner market in India will grow by 7.5 percent by 2016.

ARC says the worldwide flow meter market has rebounded strongly, growing at double digit rates through 2011 and 2012 as suppliers fulfilled pent up demand in the power, mining, and oil & gas industries.

The program establishes a perpetual $250,000 endowment fund providing scholarships to students seeking a career in the industrial automation profession.

IP training for security integrators will be available in seven cities nationwide, including San Jose, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Teterboro, Forest Park, Houston and Philadelphia.

The Stadtwerke Groß-Gerau Versorgungs-GmbH (GGV) municipal utility company installed the ORC and increased the power to heat ratio of its cogeneration units (CHP).

Servomex will incorporate elements of Precisive's gas sensing technology into its gas analysis solutions for the Hydrocarbon Processing market.

When searching for a job, seek out plants that have at least one seasoned engineer under whom you can work.

EM9 series frequency inverter is a brand-new vector high-performance frequency inverter. By decoupling control of motor magnetic flux current and torque current to achieve rapid-response and accurate torque control, can run a wide range of high-precision speed and torque control operation.which is suitable to industrial automation the in every field.

EM8 series v/f control frequency inverter is a new high performance of products. This inverter can realize high torque, high precision, wide variable speed and low noise drive. And have wide application, EM8 series frequency inverter can meet most customer’s requirements.

OSI will supply a Distribution Management System (DMS) based on the Monarch SCADA platform to Bluebonnet in Central Texas.

Hatia previously served as Director General for Voith, GL&V, Metso and ITT/Xylem.

12-page, full-color brochure describes actuators and positioners for operating final elements such as control valves, butterfly valves, dampers, and louvers.

ST130 is approved for use in explosive atmospheres, with ATEX ratings of Ex II 3 G Ex nA IIC T4 Gc -40°C ≤ Ta ≤ +80°C (explosion-protected for Category 3G, Group II, Zone 2 gas atmospheres; non-incendive).

ISA training can provide the high-performing workforce that manufacturers and global economies need to grow

MEAN provides power supply, transmission and related services to more than 60 communities, one public power district and one joint-action agency in four states: Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska and Wyoming.

At Sanico's site in Turnhout, Belgium, PAS-X will replace the existing third party manufacturing execution system (MES) and the warehouse management system.

IMS Research says the growth rate for new motor control Ethernet nodes--including PROFINET, Ethernet/IP, POWERLINK and EtherCAT--is projected to be the highest across the whole industrial space at nearly 30%.

Training program makes available several of ISA’s technical training courses to a majority of cities in the US where expert-led ISA instruction has not previously been offered.

More than 900 explosionproof Rotork IQ intelligent electric valve actuators will be installed in a four stage project to motorise manually operated valves on the refinery’s tank farms.

The interactive online game lets players from around the world race against the clock to find and fix the most problems.

ABB robot experts, part of the company’s Brainy Bunch, will discuss emerging power and automation issues on line, March 25 – 28.

Initiative by ISA Kolkatta Section in India Spurs Membership and Professional Growth

January U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $370.62 million, down 26.5% from December and down 12.2% reported in January 2012.

Based in Boulder, CO, ASD supplies high-performance analytical instrumentation solutions, including spectrometers.

Intelitek is the key sponsor of the Automated Manufacturing Technology and Robotics and Automation contests, both at the state and national levels.

Course dates have already been released for Austria, Belgium, France, Ireland, Netherlands and UK. Courses in other countries will follow.

By Lantech To solve interoperability issues, ITU (International Telecommunication Unit) drafted a protocol, G.8032 Ethernet Ring Protection Switching (ERPS), to be compatible with the Ethernet standard and make the recovery scheme less than 50ms.

ISA Executive Director & CEO Pat Gouhin Confers with Global Association Executives

By Mark Howard, Zettlex Angle sensors are generally rated and, just as importantly, priced according to their measurement performance. But performance is stated in a variety of ways and some manufacturers confuse matters by using crafty ‘spec-manship.’

Patti Engineering will participate in the Manufacturing in America Symposium featuring the Technology Tip-Off at Ford Field in Detroit, MI on March 20 - 21, 2013.

A Metso DNA automation system controls the bio-gasification plant, which was constructed as part of the existing coal-fired power plant. The produced gas will be combusted along with coal in the existing coal boiler.

IndraMotion MTX performance CNC, using the CML 65 controller, was certified as a product that conforms to the Ethernet standard sercos.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Part 3 - A survey conducted by pharmaceutical companies identified that more than half of the companies felt automation was meeting operational goals. The panel then outlined the areas for improvement in automation over the next 5-10 years.

The 20-page news magazine includes a feature article on blended infrastructure, several application articles and sercos product news from a number of manufacturers.

By Reid Paquin, Aberdeen Group In December 2012, Aberdeen delved into the psyche behind the implementation of a safety program or safety technology at 169 manufacturing organizations. Here's a summary of what they learned.

This acquisition encompasses several business units: Giddings & Lewis, Cincinnati and Forest-Liné, specializing in composite processing and large metal cutting machines, as well as a unit dedicated to aftermarket services.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Siemens COMOS 10 is an enterprise platform for the process industry that integrates functions including automation design, plant engineering, operations, and enterprise interfaces.

Add flow measurements to every important stream and compute online metrics for the process efficiency and capacity of each key unit operation.

To commemorate this milestone, the Foundation (HCF) is hosting special End User Events in Europe, North America and Asia throughout 2013.

ABB will help to measure and control the quality of the LNG at all points in the process, for Cheniere Energy’s Sabine Pass LNG (liquefied natural gas) export facility in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.

Patti Engineering is a CSIA Certified control system integrator offering engineering and software development services in the fields of industrial automation and shop floor IT solutions

eBook shows quality professionals how to turn manufacturing data into action, proving the value of quality improvement projects.

Have you submitted a nomination for this year’s Celebrating Excellence awards?

All areas of production are being expanded, including its motor assembly, machining departments and distributor training facility.

The Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) announces that Integrity Integration Resources in Plano, Texas and Thermo Systems, LLC in East Windsor, New Jersey recently became recertified.

The intensifying need for energy-efficient motors to reduce operational costs is a key driver in the European fractional horse power (FHP) and integrated horse power (IHP) motors market.

According to a new report by IMS Research, Windows 8 will make little impact on the industrial PC (IPC) market in the next three years.

This is the fourth consecutive time Patti Engineering has passed the CSIA audit, which is valid for three years. The CSIA audit consists of 76 criteria necessary for operating a top of the line control systems integration company.

Vector Controls and Automation Group (CAG) is a newly formed representative partnership consisting of five representative organizations that merged in March 2013.

The online tool guides engineers in selecting grounding methods for shielded cable installations.

The Summit, being held June 24 - 27, will provide professionals with end user automation learning opportunities - from process and discrete to motion control and drives.

With skilled personnel shortages, it’s critical to think in terms of a well-rounded knowledge base so that automation professionals will be well-informed, have superior judgment and decision-making pr

PRIME (Partnership Response in Manufacturing Education) is creating strong partnerships between exemplary high schools, businesses and organizations.

The 250+ page catalog and design guide illustrates a wide range of products engineered for use as building blocks in sophisticated linear motion assemblies.

The virtual environment is based on an automotive plant. Numerous potential resource and energy savings are demonstrated in the tool-shop, press-shop, vehicle body-shop or paint-shop.

The university uses the instrument to continuously monitor granulation processes and to develop effective automated strategies for process control.

By Turck White paper identifies the differences between assembled and overmolded technologies, offers a comparison of the cordsets, and provides a detailed description of the advantages of overmolded cordsets.

The additive manufacturing systems market for industrial applications has made a strong recovery since the recession in 2009.

As a joint initiative with the airport company, Hannover Marketing & Tourismus GmbH (HMTG) and the Swiss firm Airport Media International AG, Deutsche Messe will operate a special Travel Service Lounge at the Airport Plaza.

Analytical Technology’s Q45P AutoClean pH monitors and D15-76 monitor with an Air Blast AutoClean system to indicate water quality and the presence of suspended solids in its waste water stream for Britannia Food Ingredients.

By Bill Lydon, Editor At PackExpo there were two innovations that really stood out as representing “thinking outside the box” creative solutions - one was Adaptive Robotic Tooling by FESTO and the other was the XTS Linear Carrier System by Beckhoff Automation.

By Matthew Littlefield With today’s competitive global economy, it’s no surprise that manufacturing and industrial companies are constantly trying to cut costs and improve productivity. Operational excellence programs can help with this.

By Bill Lydon, Editor IO-Link is gaining momentum as the first open standard for smart sensor I/O. IO-Link is a point to point network communications standard and protocol that is an IEC standard (IEC 61131-9) for sensors and actuators.

Modified Smith predictor design for periodic disturbance rejection

Enormous growth potential exists for logistics systems, medical robots, and applications in the agricultural sector.

Limited innovation and product differentiation, paralleled by rapid advancements in alternative power transmission technologies like VFD, pose a serious threat to the market’s future.

Automation expenditures by the upstream oil and gas sector, which includes exploration, production, and pipelines, are expected to grow at an rate of nearly 8 percent over the next five years, according to ARC.

By Nuris Ismail and Reid Paquin of Aberdeen Group Manufacturing companies invest millions, if not billions, of dollars in plant equipment. The pressure to get the most out of their current asset base while maximizing productivity is top of mind for most executives. While these pressures are extremely important, organizations cannot forget the impact that operational risks can have to their business.

The industrial OEM pressure sensor catalog features various sensor, transducer and transmitter products.

Shenzhen King Explorer Science & Technology plans to upgrade more than 100 customer emulsion explosive lines worldwide with fully automated packaging lines by using multiple Adept Quattro s650 parallel robots.

Controlco is now authorized to provide training to Systems Integrators and Contractors in the building automation, energy services, power/utility, and industrial sectors using the NiagaraAX Framework.

The two-day event, being held March 20-21 at Ford Field and the GEM Theater in Detroit, will bring together manufacturing and automotive industry executives, technology leaders and innovators to explore how technology is driving a manufacturing renaissance in America.

Estimate each process industry job before starting it and always follow up and compare the final cost figures against the initial estimate.

ISA Training and Education in March: Learn, Advance, Succeed

IFR estimates that in 2012 more than 160,000 industrial robots were sold, about the same number as in 2011.

The International Federation of Robotics says certain jobs may be reduced by robotics and automation but many more jobs are created.

Fieldbus protocols accounted for 75% of new industrial automation component network connections in 2011, but this is projected to fall to 69% in 2016. Growth of Ethernet is expected to be considerably higher to 2016.

The 2013 General Assembly will be held in Shanghai, China, on March 12-15, 2013.

The symposium, to be held 21-23 May 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, will provide numerous opportunities to meet face to face with leading government officials on current and prospective regulatory requirements and activities.

sercos will show new safety concepts, products, and innovative technologies of exhibiting member companies during the Hanover Fair, April 8 - 12, 2013, in hall 9, booth D80.

The guide has attributes tailored for industrial organizations, and allows those involved in a GSP selection process to make quicker and improved decisions.

By Toni Ott, Cooper Crouse-Hinds When specifying explosion-proof (Ex d) enclosures to house electrical apparatus for use in explosive atmospheres, engineers must ensure they fully understand the implications of modifying the enclosure as part of the certified equipment prior to and after installation.

The PROFI Interface Center (PIC) in Johnson City, TN, made a significant investment in new equipment and systems to enhance its ability to train industrial networking engineers in coming years.

Lenze’s Formulas and Tables app provides engineers, drive manufacturers and trainers a mobile tool to design drive systems while on the go.

The Russian head of state will be in the Hannover Congress Centrum for the opening ceremony on Sunday, April 7, 2013, and will also take part in the traditional opening tour of HANNOVER MESSE on Monday, April 8, 2013.

Emerson will provide integrated safety and automation systems to help boost oil recovery and extend the life of the field while also reducing operating costs and minimizing safety and environmental risks.

How can we produce enough sustainable energy while avoiding unacceptable environmental consequences? ISA's book, Future Energy, explores the options.

The 2013/14 Cole-Parmer Sourcebook contains conversion factors, approvals to selection guides, and other reference material to make buying—and using—laboratory products easier.

Opened in partnership with Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and PetroVietnam University, the college will boost the technical skills of local engineers for the process industry in Vietnam and surrounding Southeast Asia.

Industrial Thinking’s Chronicle software connects to flowmeters using redundant Modbus and OPC protocols to report on Hydrocarbon and Co2 emissions from all facilities, including steam boilers, superheaters, furnaces and purge to flares.

Invensys, as the main automation provider, supplied complete control and safety solutions, including field instrumentation, process analytics and valves to the new Yaysky oil refinery in Kemerovo, a city in Russia.

ABB supplied embedded medium- and low-voltage switchgear, variable-speed drives and motor control centers, a plant-wide process automation system, and fiber optic network equipment cabling.

ISA’s Executive Director and CEO Patrick Gouhin participated at a meeting in Hong Kong exploring collaborative initiatives among industry associations throughout all areas of the world, including the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific region.

Intertec will supply environmental protection cabinets and shelters that will protect the field-based process analyzers at the new Sadara petrochemical complex in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Crouzet will use Netbiter as a remote management solution for their Millenium 3 Smart PLCs, allowing users access to data on field equipment over the web.

By Bill Lydon, Editor I recently had the opportunity to talk with Blake Moret, Senior Vice President at Rockwell Automation. Other than their process control initiatives, we discussed networks, energy monitoring, embedded controllers, regenerative energy and their services business.

Rotork supplied valve actuators for the pipework delivering water to the north and south coal processing (washing) plants for Mount Thorley Warkworth (MTW) in New South Wales, Australia.