Articles and News

Parker will provide power conversion systems and generators to Green Energy Technologies for WindCube, a 60kW rooftop wind turbine designed for on-site power generation.

ABB pledged its full support for efforts led by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Catalog has an easy-to-use quick reference guide, application examples from a wide range of industries, and details on the latest Chainflex cables.

Website highlights solutions for the Smart Grid and provides information on smart grid technologies.

Achilles testing will be integrated throughout Emerson’s product development lifecycle, as well as product upgrades and patches.

Seven of Fluke's industrial Ethernet solutions are now included as part of Rockwell Automation’s Encompass program.

RMG specializes in the design and manufacture of natural gas control, measurement and analysis equipment including flow metering technology, regulating products and safety devices for oil and gas companies.

Web site covers machine vision, machine vision lighting, barcodes, and verification.

The OPC Technical Advisory Council (TAC) has approved a charter for a new joint working group with PLCopen to create an OPC UA information model corresponding to the IEC-61131 standard.

PLCopen launched the Fluid Power Control Function Blocks technical group at a kickoff meeting June 23, 2009 in Frankfurt, Germany. The initiative will extend PLCopen specifications to include fluid power.

PLCopen member Beckhoff is applying PLCopen standards to wind power applications. Beckhoff controls are being used in the new 2 MW converter from DeWind AG, Germany, also known as the D8. The wind power converters use Beckhoff Industrial PCs, TwinCAT automation software, and Bus Terminal technologies. Dewind wind power experts used the Beckhoff TwinCAT software to develop applications in the IEC 61131-3 open standard software.

PLCopen North America has created a Control Applications Support Group on LinkedIn to help engineers with applications.

Northwest Regional Manager Michelo Santiago's territory now includes the Southwest region.

ABB won orders worth $52 million to provide power products and solutions for a super-critical coal-fired power plant in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

Phoenix Contact created Diversenet, a cellular modem package that is easy to set up and deploy.

ThyssenKrupp will use the MEC as an energy saving option for customers purchasing repairs and modernization for elevator and escalator upgrades.

August 12-13, 2009 Philadelphia, PA This seminar gives packaging industry professionals a sound understanding of the science and applications of various packaging materials.

The system controls emergency shut down applications on the platform, located 70 km off the coast of Norway.

ERP will cover formulation, sales, purchasing, production, QC/QA, Material Requirements Planning (MRP), inventory control, lot tracking, reporting, and accounting.

Emerson is now a Promoter level member and the newest member of the ZigBee Alliance Board of Directors.

FieldServer provides interoperability solutions when interfacing to building automation and control networks and devices.

Nol-Tec’s 24/7 Emergency Service provides around the clock support when a machine, process or production line is down.

ASHRAE is introducing its building energy labeling program with release of a prototype label.

Flavio Tolfo, Managing Director for the last three years, will take his retirement as of July 1, 2009. The new managing Director will be Glenn Schulz.

The WTRS Wireless Sensor Network Technology Trends Report projects strong market growth in the smart metering market for ZigBee chipsets over the 2009 to 2014 period.

ABB will provide a 220kV outdoor substation to provide power to the facility and products such as power transformers, medium-voltage drives and a range of medium and low-voltage switchgear.

Expanded testing will help companies eliminate unplanned outages due to electrical failures, reduce maintenance costs, increase system reliability, and improve worker safety

Ethernet Direct data sheet describes an Ethernet solution for modern day industrial applications using hardened Power over Ethernet switches complying with IEEE 802.3af standard. Registration required.

Kepware Technologies has been selected as the device communications provider to AFCON Software and Electronics Ltd.

FSI Technologies has been engineering, manufacturing, and supporting factory automation products since 1959.

FDT has become an International IEC Standard - IEC 62453.

Performance-based agreement covers all maintenance operations at Sappi Cape Kraft Mill

exida certified the design and engineering processes of the Micropack FDS 301Visual Flame Detector.

MOTIONEERING helps machine builders quickly specify the right gearhead to satisfy specific application performance requirements.

ISaGRAF 5 programming software will be used on SIXNET’s IPm2m RTU and Datalogger.

Catalog includes eight product segments detailing SmartMotor specifications, Fieldbus protocols, brake options, connectivity, peripherals, power supplies, Gearheads and software.

Each podcast episode presents guest experts and information to help manufacturers and OEMs understand and apply lean principles and practices in their businesses.

ABB will supply transformers and shunt reactors for projects to interconnect the grids in Brazil's northern and southern regions.

The HIMax safety control system is the 13th HIMA system certified by Wurldtech.

OST supplies, installs, commissions and supports machine vision systems based on Sick, Matrox, Cognex, DVT, Keyence and Omron camera technologies.

The 116-page, illustrated guide contains safety requirements and guidelines for North America to ensure the safety of machinery and people.

Sprint Electric supplied 21 DC drives for retrofitting an obsolete embossing line for laminate manufacturing. The retrofit, re-commissioning of DC drives, and control system refurbishment was completed in two weeks.

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The Lake and Peninsula School District in southwest Alaska is using Barix Barionet IP control and automation devices to monitor 14 schools across a remote, 400-square mile section of the state.

The system will include Honeywell’s Safety Manager and Searchline Excel open path gas detectors, as well as closed-circuit television (CCTV) flame detectors.

Moore Industries has been granted ISO 9001:2008 certification for their Quality Management System by UL DQS Inc., an ANSI-ASQ Accredited Registrar.

Enterasys uses OnDemand SigmaSure software for managing and tracking the quality of its network switching, routing and security systems.

Celerity manufactures precision instruments and advanced gas and liquid delivery solutions, including thermal mass flow devices.

Unplanned valve-related shutdowns have been eliminated, operational costs reduced, and maintenance time cut by using Emerson/Fisher control valve diagnostic technologies.

Rockwell's CEO proposes new U.S. industrial policy that focuses on innovation, investment and education to support smart factories.

The 100th U.S. installation was completed at the Center Ethanol plant in Sauget, IL.

Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) software-as-a-service (SaaS) will emerge and reshape the LIMS marketplace.

June 17, 2009 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Low Voltage Products Virtual RoadShow includes eight virtual booths, each showcasing a specific product line/family.

Lease program covers the EZ Mark plotter system, MARKINGenius, and Rolly 1000 high speed thermal print systems and the DIN rail cutter.

Johnston has more than 25 years experience in all facets of the advanced process control specialty and was a co-developer of dynamic matrix control [DMC] technology.

Since its introduction five years ago, ABB's Industrial Extended Automation System 800xA has been sold to more than 5,000 new and existing ABB customers in a diverse range of industries.

Gellings will be operational leader of the Advanced Manufacturing Solutions business that includes the integration of ERP / CRM, MES and strategic consulting practices.

exida certified the design and engineering processes for ASCO Numatics 551/552/553 Series Solenoid Valves and the 8314, 8316, 8320 3 Way/2 Position Solenoid Valves.

The two companies will develop and commercialize advanced sensing products based on MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology.

Endress+Hauser expanded its plant for flow measurement instrumentation in Greenwood, Indiana.

The report provides the Rockwell Automation metrics for performance, which included reducing manufacturing carbon footprint and its safety efforts.

Web site has criteria to consider when selecting instrumentation, how products operate, and frequently asked questions (FAQ) and terminology.

By Milton Coleman, Bosch Rexroth With investments ranging from tens of thousands to potentially millions of dollars, it’s critical to make the right choice the first time, and to avoid common mistakes that could add substantial unnecessary cost or result in project delays. Here are the top ten robotics application mistakes.

Equipment includes re-instrumentation of existing gas treatment plants, an 800xA control system, and medium- and low-voltage switchgear and transformers.

By Milton Coleman, Bosch Rexroth Buying a piece of automation can be a very long and difficult process. Here is a list of the 10 most common mistakes made when purchasing automation equipment. This list was composed by a number of individuals who have both purchased and sold automation equipment.

The automation and control solution services market is set to experience a compound annual growth rate of 9.58% to reach $8416.41 million by 2015.

Lanolinx Ethernet switches and Optolinx media converters received UL Class I, Division 2 Certification for operation in hazardous environments.

April U.S. manufacturing technology consumption totaled $97.04 million, according to AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology and AMTDA, the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association.

Smart Grid Standards covered at Connectivity Week On June 10, Mark Maddox, a federal energy policy expert with more than 25 years experience, will address a breakout session of the convention on the topic of industry efforts to accelerate smart grid standards.

The total worldwide market for services expanded to close to $17.3 billion at the end of 2008, and will increase by a compound annual growth rate of 7% over the next five years.

The integration of ESRI’s GIS capabilities will provide information that will help customers manage distributed assets more efficiently and effectively.

Dresser Masoneilan will supply more than 400 control valves to the Qafco industrial complex in Doha, Qatar, which is growing into the world’s largest ammonia and urea production site.

With XVL, engineers can perform design review, simulate assembly processes, automate creation of 3D parts lists and create animations with even the largest 3D assemblies.

Alberta’s top electrician apprentices converged at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Polytechnic (SAIT) for the 2009 Alberta Skills Competition, May 13 and 14.

The video highlights the sensor's ability to improve safety, operational efficiency, reliability, and durability, and reduce total cost of ownership.

This award is presented to a company that contributes significantly to Maine’s reputation as a cutting-edge technology state.

The local office provides access to connectivity software, OPC training, and services for both current and prospective clients.

From June 8-10, thousands of engineers, scientists and technology industry professionals will convene for the Sensors Expo & Conference at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.

Telvent integrated the Longwatch Surveillance System with its OASyS DNA SCADA system. This lets oil, gas, electric, and water network operators monitor video via an OASyS SCADA system.

The recently certified applications provide specific key process protection functions for upstream processes for oil, gas & petrochemical.

His experience spans from early work at Syncrude through to his most recent role as the president of Dynacor Global.

With this acquisition, Schneider Electric will reinforce its position in the fast growing energy efficiency field in India.

By Winters Instruments When selecting a thermometer, it is important to consider the dial or case size, stem or capillary length, and the connection type and temperature range.

By Cincinnati Automation As machine vision inspection cameras and laser gaging sensors have become more cost effective, many companies are implementing automated inspection & gaging systems in their facilities. These systems can be as simple as standalone cameras or sensors integrated into existing machinery or as specialized as custom designed and built turnkey automated inspection machines.

By Markus Witte, HARTING Channel characterization has become a major signal integrity issue, and is requiring connector manufacturers of high-speed components to provide comprehensive and empirical SI test data proving that their equipment performs as specified.

ABB completed commissioning of the 1-megawatt (MW) Totana photovoltaic power plant located in the region of Murcia in Spain. In a year, Totana produces 2.2 gigawatt-hours of grid-quality electric power.

The 752 page, 4-color guide provides assistance in selecting the right pressure regulator for a broad range of applications anywhere in the world.

As an engineer, you may not think you could learn anything about innovation from a former travel agent. But this former travel agent was the founder of Travelocity.com, one of the few profitable dotcoms during the dotcom bust. Jones referred to Wikipedia's definition of the word innovation - a new way of doing something that ultimately creates value to a producer or customer.

Adalet eliminates the requirement to re-submit enclosure assemblies to third party testing laboratories for final equipment certification saving customers considerable amounts of time and money.

The electric drives market is anticipated to sustain its growth rates due to the need for infrastructural changes in chemical plants, especially across Eastern Europe.

The GS S1 Certificate demonstrates full compliance with both the German Equipment Safety Act and the Low Voltage Directive (LVD), a minimum EU requirement.

Equipment includes System 800xA for process control and integration, all medium and low voltage power distribution systems, transformers, and low and medium voltage motors and drives.

ABB will supply six new vessels with electric propulsion systems, power systems and drilling drive systems at shipyards in South Korea and Japan.

Invensys integrated its software with Intergraph’s SmartPlant Enterprise engineering solutions.

AMT urges Congress and the Administration to protect the manufacturing technology supplier base in the wake of GM’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, but AMT’s attempts to reach out to the President’s Auto Task Force have so far not been answered.

System 800xA helps Genesis Energy monitor and control each of the station’s 13 hydro generators, as well as the frequency and voltage control of the National Grid.

Customers all over the world will now be covered in their time zones thanks to globalized support centers.

The worldwide market for supplier provided automation services will grow at a rate of close to 7 percent over the next five years.

ABB will supply, install and commission 116 km of underground cable and 56 km of submarine cable, both rated at 145 kV.

Accreditation is a formal recognition that a test laboratory is competent to carry out specific tests in compliance with the PLCopen guideline “Compliance Testing & Certification.”