Articles and News

The single site, single channel system utilizes 43.2 kbps GeminiPD+ mobiles and the ParagonPD+ Base Station. Padcom’s TotalRoam® Mobile Virtual Private Network (VPN) software provides seamless network roaming in the coverage area. Dataradio selected smartBridges for the Access Point hardware.

Acquisitions (primarily ABS EMEA, Juno Lighting and BEI Technologies) contributed a significant Euros 200 million, or 7.6% of growth for the period. The favorable currency effect added Euros 103 million (+5%), reflecting the euro’s still-high rate in first-quarter 2005.

Through this alliance, customers will now have access to Junot Systems’ SAP certified NLINK® integration solution combined with EnteGreat’s industry and business process expertise to provide the very best way to integrate their plant floor systems to SAP.

The Alarm Management Handbook is the first and only complete publication on alarm management in the process industries. The Alarm Management Handbook fills a void in an important technology area within the process industries that has been kept under wraps until now, with the specific aim of improving safety and reliability at the world’s process plants.

The alliance brings together the process management knowledge and digital automation architecture of Emerson with the power and vessel automation systems expertise and products of Wärtsilä, enabling delivery of integrated systems with leading technologies from both companies.

Honeywell, Adaptive Instruments, Endress+ Hauser, Flowserve, OMNEX Control Systems, 3e Technologies International (3eTI) and Yokogawa announced they have joined the Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society (ISA) SP100 working group to support the committee’s efforts to create an open industrial and multi-functional wireless standard. This industry group will work towards a joint solution that will enable industrial plants to use a single wireless network architecture to support a wide range of applications from low-rate monitoring to process control to wireless worker functions.

The digital automation solution provided by Emerson also includes deployment of Foundation™ fieldbus and Profibus technologies, as well as the company’s intelligent field devices. Use of these technologies is expected to reduce installation and startup costs at the 400-MW Port Westward plant, as well as translate into ongoing operational and maintenance savings.

Mustang Automation and Control is providing the Front End Engineering and Design, detailed engineering, procurement, programming and integration and testing for the facility’s monitoring, process control, safety and management systems. Mustang is also performing engineering, procurement and project management support services for the Tahiti topsides oil and gas facilities.

Banner’s Machine Safety Products catalog includes thousands of products for machine safety applications in its more than 300 full-color pages. High-quality images, detailed selection charts, dimension drawings and specifications are just a few of its features; other highlights include a What’s New section as well as an intuitive iKnow® Machine Safety learning tutorial.

INTEGRITY-178B safety critical real-time partitioned operating system is in the process of being fully tested with the TechS.A.T. NetLoader™ data loading utility.

The project is part of Bergesen Worldwide Offshore’s effort to convert the tanker BW Enterprise, which measures 340 meters long by 65 meters wide, to a floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. The FPSO will process oil from satellite fields in addition to importing oil from other platforms, then mix and store it for delivery to tankers or via pipelines to refineries. There are currently 61 FPSOs operating worldwide, and the BW Enterprise is one of 11 being added.

Web store carries IP Access Control solutions, incluidng ClearNet IP and Wireless IP Reader-Controllers, RCI electronic locks, and PowerDSine Power over Ethernet supplies.

The flash demo “Going Panel-Free with ISONAS IP” illustrates how ISONAS IP Reader-Controllers function as network devices, providing direct connection to the company data network and real-time control of facility access. The second demo, “Going PoE with ISONAS IP”, shows how using Power over Ethernet in conjunction with ISONAS IP Readers can streamline and reduce the costs of installing access control. The demos are available now

ISONAS Security Systems has named Dick Burkley President. Burkley, a key partner in the private investment group that launched ISONAS in 1999, has been serving the company as Vice President of Engineering and Technology Development.

ISONAS Security Systems, the leading manufacturer of IP and Wireless IP Reader-Controllers for access control, has moved into new Corporate Offices in Boulder, Colorado. The 13,000+ square foot facility at 6325 Gunpark Drive now houses the Management Team and the Sales, Product Development and Shipping Departments under one roof.

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) fully diluted earnings per share (EPS) for Q1 2006 was 15 cents with GAAP net income of $12.6 million, up 13 percent from Q1 2005. Non-GAAP net income for Q1 2006 was $16.2 million, up 44 percent from Q1 2005. Included in both GAAP and non-GAAP net income is an impairment charge for $900,000 related to converting part of the NI manufacturing facility in Austin to office space.

Industry-leading companies such as Pfizer, Coors Brewing Company, Lafarge North America, Centocor, Dell, J M Smucker Company, Timken Company and Nissan North America anchor a jam-packed agenda that will emphasize real-world solution discussions. A broad range of training is available in the hands-on workshops with products ranging from controllers to production management software to motion control and embedded systems.

Net income increased slightly to $204 million from $199 million in the same quarter in 2005, despite an $89-million expense in Discontinued operations to account for the change in value of ABB shares to cover asbestos liabilities.

The SANS citation declared that Invensys has demonstrated that vendors can take much of the pain, cost, and uncertainty out of securing process and SCADA systems. The award identified some Invensys practices, including rigorous pre-testing of operating system updates and software security patches, and additional enhancements such as providing anti-virus within its core distributed control system (DCS) product, that make security better, easier and less expensive for asset owners.

Wonderware, a business unit of Invensys plc, today announced that it has received Frost & Sullivan’s coveted Company of the Year Award for its pioneering work in the human-machine interface (HMI) and manufacturing software technology market segments. The ArchestrA software architecture was recognized as a key industry innovation which has contributed to Wonderware’s marketplace success in combining leading-edge technology with successful business initiatives.

The EZ-LIGHT 7-function model was one of eight products recognized for technological advancement, market impact and service to the industry. Control Engineering's Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoske presented the award at a ceremony on March 21 during National Manufacturing Week in Rosemont, Illinois.

The event, which will take place on Tuesday May 16 and Wednesday, May 17, 2006, features new products and technologies from more than 240 leading suppliers, an all new multi-track technical conference, free keynote presentations and networking opportunities. Several half day pre-conference workshops will be held on Monday, May 15th.

With 16MB of RAM and up to 2 GB of removable SD card program and data storage the WildFireMod is well suited for Linux and for massive data acquisition. Its digital I/O, analog inputs and numerous highly programmable timers make the versatile WildFireMod suitable for complex industrial control applications. The small form factor allows it to be embedded in actuators and tight enclosures.

New-technology flowmeters include those introduced since 1950, including Coriolis, magnetic, ultrasonic, vortex, and thermal. Traditional flowmeters include differential pressure (DP), turbine, positive displacement, and variable area. New-technology flowmeters have been gaining ground on traditional flowmeters in the past few years because they typically have higher accuracy, lower maintenance, and no moving parts.

Intepro America, which markets power electronics systems in North America, is acquiring Schaffner Ltd., of Limerick, Ireland, as well as the corresponding sales and service organizations in the U.K. and U.S. Schaffner Ltd. contributed approximately $4 million to the Schaffner Group's revenues in the last fiscal year.

The event is the largest unbiased venue for automation professionals to hear about technology developments and applications; attend comprehensive training programs; see trend-setting hardware, software, and services; and network with thousands of professionals from around the world.

The launch event featured presentations by Ulf Henriksson, Invensys’ CEO; Mike Caliel, President of Invensys Process Systems; Charles Johnson, Worldwide Manufacturing Industry Managing Director at Microsoft’s Enterprise Partner Group; Rick Bullotta, Vice President, Manufacturing Applications at SAP, and other industry dignitaries.

For the third consecutive year, Emerson has been singled out for consistently helping its customers achieve superior project and operational efficiencies in their businesses around the globe. Frost & Sullivan presents the award each year to a company that has exhibited excellence in all respects, including business development, competitive strategy and leadership.

Citect is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. John Ross as Chief Executive Officer to Citect effective 3rd April, 2006, by the Schneider Electric Group. Mr Ross has been a key figure within the electrical industry environment during the past 36 years and is best known in the business world for his vast experience in the fields of automation technology, power and control.

One of the industry’s largest process control and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) vendors, Honeywell was specifically recognized for rapidly qualifying Microsoft security updates, as well as for using built-in control firewalls. These measures have helped industrial facilities protect their SCADA systems from the growing threat of cyber terrorism.

Wonderware, a business unit of Invensys Systems, Inc., today announced the appointment of Yves Dufort as its representative to the board of directors of the Open Application Group, Inc. (OAGi). Dufort serves as director in the Wonderware applications consulting services group for Wonderware.

This expanded and improved version provides hundreds of essential equations and tables to help select, operate and maintain measurement devices. It will enable engineers and technicians designing and controlling industrial processes to find answers needed to solve day-to-day problems. It is also a useful reference tool for engineering students.

The OmniPod System integrates insulin infusion and blood glucose monitoring in a safe, easy to use, two part system. Insulet's medical device production will use Adept Cobra SCARA robots and Adept Viper 6-Axis articulated robots under coordinated Smart SERVO control.

In the year 2005, the program has prevented equipment failures which would have resulted in a potential production loss of over $1.8M USD. Emerson’s Machinery Health technologies, including the AMS™ Suite: Machinery Health Manager predictive maintenance software application, are a key element of the PlantWeb® digital plant architecture.

Users will be able to more accurately design processes involving electrolytes, as well as predict corrosion that results from those processes. Through its UniSim™ Design simulation system, Honeywell will offer OLI’s Corrosion Analyzer, as well as OLI’s Mixed Solvent Electrolyte (MSE) frameworks and databases. The new features will be made available with the next commercial release of UniSim Design later this month.

Created in 2005 at the request of President Jacques Chirac, the AII supports highly innovative research and development programs with great market potential, in order to reinforce industry’s competitiveness. The AII selected the HOMES project as it was particularly in line with the defined criteria: high technology products aiming for a wide market, a very high level of innovation, an extremely positive impact on European industry and the capacity of a leading industrial group to lead the project.

Verano, Inc., the leading provider of security and SCADA solutions for mission-critical industries, today announced that FIMA, Lithuania’s leading systems integrator specializing in power, transportation and security, has selected Verano’s Real-Time Application Platform (RTAP) as its SCADA platform of choice.

Before joining Northwire, Brown was general manager of Intercon 1, a premier producer of camera cable and assemblies in the United States. Intercon 1 is a division of Nortech Systems, Inc., specializing in machine vision technology. Prior to that, Brown was a sales manager with Zercom Corporation, now also part of Nortech Systems, Inc. and a vice president with Ji-Haw Industrial Co., Ltd., a leading supplier of information technology and communication cords and connectivity in Taiwan, China and Thailand.

OMRON Corporation (TSE: 6645, ADR: OMRNY) and Scientific Technologies Incorporated ('STI'; NASDAQ: STIZ) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which OMRON will acquire STI for $94 million plus net cash and working-capital adjustments. The transaction, which does not include the purchase of STI's Automation Products Group ('APG'), was approved by both companies' boards of directors.

NIWeek, the world’s leading virtual instrumentation conference and exhibition, opens Aug. 8 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, for three days of interactive summits, exhibitions, technical sessions and hands-on workshops on the latest technologies for test, control and design applications.

Two of the generating units are located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Brandon Shores Unit 2 is a coal-fired 650-megawatt facility, and H.A. Wagner Unit 3 is a coal fired 324-megawatt facility. C.P. Crane Unit 1, in Baltimore County, is a coal-fired facility with capacity of 190 megawatts.

The addition of KUKA Robotics’ newest partner continues the company’s expansion in Wisconsin and in the food and beverage packaging industry. Zepnick Solutions, Inc. is a leading engineering consulting firm specializing in industrial automation.

The facility will serve as a new showroom testing and validation center for robotic concepts. Scheduled for a fall opening, the new center further demonstrates KUKA Robotics’ commitment to develop new robotic technologies in the United States.

The Process Control Systems Forum (PCSF), established to improve efficiencies and accelerate the development of best practices crucial to securing control systems worldwide, today released the full conference agenda for its 2nd Annual 2006 Spring Meeting to be held in La Jolla, Ca. on June 6-7. This two-day event builds upon the past year’s efforts by the PCSF to raise awareness for control system security issues, and will feature several keynote sessions, workshops and panel discussions to engage attendees and accelerate the critical work that is being done currently to address these threats.

The Wireless Users Summit attracted about 40 key end users from a range of industries including petrochemical and power generation to help define the needs of the user community and guide the standards development activity.

From 24 to 28 April 2006 a grand total of 5,175 exhibitors from 66 countries will be presenting the latest products and services for industry at the Hannover Exhibition Center. This year's HANNOVER MESSE line-up brings together ten international flagship trade fairs with a total 154,796 m² of stand bookings.

This agreement allows Innovation Matrix to sell and support Precise’s products in Asian markets through their branch offices and alliance partners in Taiwan, China, Korea and Japan. These products include PrecisePlace robots, Guidance motion controllers and PreciseVision software.

This contract covers 15 refineries in Europe and Asia and 10 Chemical plants worldwide. The work supports a global Shell program aimed at improving their asset management and ensuring safe production.

FKI Logistex, a premier provider of automated, self-service sorting and conveying systems, and 3M, a trusted supplier of library solutions, will leverage their strengths to offer efficiency improvements to libraries. This alliance makes it possible for libraries to design a complete collection management system that fully meets their individual needs.

The company decided to invest over US$17 million in Greenwood, Indiana within the next two years. With this, a substantial amount of new jobs will be created. Groundbreaking for the new facility will take place in the first half of April 2006. The Endress+Hauser Flowtec company based in Reinach, Switzerland is responsible for flow measurement technology within the Endress+Hauser Group. The new expansion of its U.S. division will consist of 74,000 square feet for manufacturing, including a new state of the art calibration laboratory, and 16,000 square feet offices and training facilities.

The online shop is extremely user friendly and allows customers to quickly and conveniently order analog ICs from austriamicrosystems 24 hours, 365 days of the year. A broad range of Standard Linear and analog standard products for a wide variety of applications are now available around the clock. This new sales channel is particularly suited for small, urgent quantities, as orders are processed within 24 hours and dispatched by parcel service. Additionally, an easy-to-use order tracking feature allows customers to quickly track the position of their ordered parts.

With initial pulp production capacity of one million tons per year (TPY) starting up in the second half of 2007, the Mucuri project will be one of the largest single-line pulp plants in the world. The multi-million dollar Invensys contract will cover automation for all of the major processes in the new plant – cooking and washing, fiber line, pulp drying, recovery boiler, causticizing, lime kiln, and evaporators. The Invensys systems will also interface with the plant’s turbo generator systems.

Wavetrend is a platinum sponsor of the 4th Annual RFID Journal Live Conference and Exhibition at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, May 1-3rd, and will be exhibiting at booth 207.

EDDL is a text-based language for describing the digital communication characteristics of intelligent devices and equipment parameters in an Operating System (OS) and Human Machine Interface (HMI)-neutral environment. EDDL enables a host system manufacturer to create a single engineering environment that eliminates the need for custom software drivers for each device type.

Invensys will implement four Tricon TMR high-availability systems for burner management systems (BMS) applications at the power plant’s steam generators (boilers). These will protect new burners being installed as part of the modernization. The new systems will increase control reliability and availability, increase boiler safety, and help bring the refinery into compliance with the Safety Integrity Level and Safety Instrumented Systems provisions of international standards, such as represented by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Continued innovation and technologically advanced systems have made it possible for B&R to double revenue over the last five years. B&R is currently second place in Europe when it comes to integrated automated solutions for manufacturing series machines. We are certainly pleased to announce that this positive trend is continuing. An increase in revenue of about 15% is also expected for each of the next few years.

Free training courses are now available in Chinese and Spanish language. Both language versions offer a user-friendly interface and access to 46 courses and five white papers on the most current automation technology and business topics.

The plant expansion site, formerly known as Robicon, was acquired by SE&A in July 2005. Siemens plans to create 145 new full-time positions upon completion of the expansion for a total of 480 positions in New Kensington. The 30,000 square foot facility is expected to be completed in March 2007.

The company also announced that it will be exhibiting their new MultiComponent™ Analyzers based on their EP-IR technology at the ACHEMA conference in Frankfurt am Main, May 15-19th, 2006. Their booth will be in the process analyzer section, Hall 10.1, Booth number A33. On display will be the company’s two MIR units in the 2.5 – 5.0 and 2.85 – 5.75 um spectral ranges.

Fred Cohn will be Modbus-IDA's second president and plans to lead the organization to capitalize on its growing popularity. Fred Cohn commented, "I am delighted to be able to take over the leadership of Modbus-IDA at this time in the organization's life. I want to thank Ken for his tireless work in forming this organization and leading it through its formative years.

The significance of this transaction is that it provides the basis for study, curriculum development, and training of top-quality students at a superior university in the field of robotics and unmanned aircraft using Innova proprietary software. This is the first step in putting the Innova product in the hands of future users who will become accustomed to the ease and adaptability of Innova robotics software and PC controls technologies.

The new standard provides a detailed definition for batch production records, establishing a reference model for developing applications for the storage and/or exchange of batch production records. Implementations based upon the standard will allow retrieval, analysis, and reporting of selected batch production record data.

This award recognizes NI LabVIEW 8 as premier software for engineers and scientists and makes National Instruments the first four-time recipient of this prestigious award.

Siemens Energy and Automation, Inc. today presented Abbie Taylor, a pre-engineering teacher and FIRST Robotics coach at Northview High School, with the 2005-2006 Siemens Teacher Scholarship of $1,000 for her time and dedication to the FIRST Robotics program.

Matrikon's alarm management solution provides the methodology and technology to systematically integrate and administer an effective alarm management strategy. The results include reducing the number of alarms to a manageable level, increasing productivity and ensuring safe and reliable operation of industrial facilities. These outcomes complement Braskem's aim of positioning among the best and most competitive petrochemical companies in the world through its Braskem+ program.

As a software provider for the cosmetics, ink, paint, and coatings manufacturing industries, the Deacom session will introduce the inventory control, regulatory reporting, accounting, and formula management functionality of the integrated DEACOM accounting & ERP software system. A comprehensive demonstration of the DEACOM ERP system will be provided immediately following the presentation at the Deacom booth.

Automation Change Manager is an electronic database-management and documentation system that allows industrial plant personnel to document and track changes across various Honeywell and third-party automation systems. This information is essential for resolving problems effectively and managing automation platforms.

Following the adoption and successful use of Smartplant 3D, CEAB is moving to standardize on Intergraph’s entire SmartPlant portfolio under a three year global agreement. Once fully deployed CEAB will be able to further cut schedules, boost productivity and increase engineering quality across its world wide engineering enterprise.

Proposal submissions for the event, which will address key issues in technology training and development for the instrumentation industry, are now due by May 31. The first annual meeting of its kind, the IETDC will discuss the impact of training across the entire plant automation field‹from new digital technologies such as fieldbus, to conventional instrumentation and process control systems.

The Fort Worth-based catalog distributor began construction on a new 365,000-square-foot facility that will replace the company’s existing rented space. The new facility will help accommodate the company’s growth, as it expects to create an additional 300 jobs over the next several years.

PLCopen is a non-profit industry organization dedicated to improving the programming efficiency control and automation engineers by providing information, training, and fostering communications between users, vendors, educators and others.

Vanderlande Industries has recently signed a contract with Datalogic for the supply of a large number of fixed position laser scanners. Vanderlande Industries is one of the largest worldwide suppliers of automated material handling systems for the handling of baggage at airports and goods in distribution centres, express parcel sorting facilities and the manufacturing industry.

Second quarter revenue grew by 7% to $17.89 million from $16.72 million in the comparable period of fiscal 2005. Income from operations was $2.64 million in the second quarter of 2006, compared to $2.42 million in the second quarter of 2005. Net income in the second quarter was $1.23 million, or $0.04 per share, compared to $2.35 million, or $0.08 per share, in the second quarter of 2005.

Selected as the most innovative embedded system in 2005, XPort AR is an embedded processor module that goes beyond simple network connectivity and provides manufacturers an unprecedented level of device intelligence to the network. This exclusive award specifically honors outstanding engineering innovation and invention in electronic products and technologies.

Moteiv’s products include the recently introduced Tmote Sky™, its next-generation wireless sensor module and the first wireless sensor device to use the IEEE 802.15.4 personal-area-network wireless radio, and Tmote Invent™, its newest low-cost wireless sensor system. Powered by Boomerang™, Moteiv’s robust distribution of the open-source TinyOS operating system, Moteiv systems achieve long-lived reliable operation. The company’s unique enhancements to TinyOS integrate cutting-edge open-source technology with robust, manageable wireless solutions.

The company announced that RFID inlay manufacturing capacity will be increased to support production of more than 250 million inlays per year at its Minakuchi factory in Shiga, Japan. This factory location was chosen to take advantage of its more than 30 years of experience with semiconductors and class 10000 clean room standards. The inlays produced at Minakuchi are marketed and distributed globally by Omron's RFID division.

This honor acknowledges the considerable engineering effort behind LabVIEW 8 and recognizes the development environment’s significant role as a design tool. To address the growing need for design, control and test systems based on industry trends, LabVIEW 8 introduces distributed intelligence – a powerful suite of capabilities empowering engineers and scientists to easily design, distribute and synchronize intelligent devices and systems through graphical development.

National Instruments recently named one of its long-time R&D contributors, Keith Odom, as an NI R&D fellow. Odom has spent his entire 18-year career in R&D at National Instruments. As director of architecture and technology, he leads a team of highly respected digital engineers that develop important new architectures and key application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and who serve as technical leads on a wide range of projects.

Siemens is a global leader in process instrumentation and factory automation. Controlotron is a leader in non-intrusive ultrasonic flow measurement and is expected to enhance Siemens' position in this key market segment. Siemens intends to operate the company from its Hauppauge location, which it plans to make a center of competence for ultrasonic flow measurement. Controlotron employs approximately 120 people, to whom Siemens will extend formal offers of employment one week prior to the closing.

By joining the ZigBee Alliance, NI will have early access to specifications and input into requirements documents to keep pace with technology and integrate new versions of the standard into NI products to quickly bring them to market. As a ZigBee Alliance member, NI makes it easier for customers to design and test ZigBee products using NI products.

Progress Paint needed Material Requirements Planning (MRP), flexible order entry, integrated inventory control, and efficient environmental reporting to help maximize its productivity and profitability. DEACOM ERP software was selected based on its ability to manage all of these functions with a single, integrated system.

The product management group now includes Robert Hotard, Product Manager for Magnetostrictive and Guided Wave Radar Products; Winston Landymore, Product Manager for Capacitance and Vibrating Fork Products; and Ivo Radanov, Product Manager for Laser and Ultrasonic Products. Each product manager is responsible for managing the entire life cycle of the product line, including strategic planning, specifying market requirements based on industry experience and contact with customers, and tactical product launch activities.

The system, which included the power distribution, transformers, SINAMICS drives, electrical housing, motors and control automation, was installed under a turnkey contract during a short plant shutdown with overall Siemens management and responsibility.

General technical questions about PLCs, operating systems, databases, networking, and other supporting industrial technologies are also welcome. The FactorySQL OPC to SQL data-bridge features point and click configurability to achieve bidirectional data flow with virtually any SQL database.

The new book is written for those who want to design test measurement systems; select appropriate equipment; understand system component characteristics, system and component calibration, and operating principles of transducers; determine overall system accuracy; and formulate basic test procedure design.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sony will make a one-time, up-front royalty payment of $15 million. Intergraph expects to record after-tax intellectual property income from this agreement of approximately $8.6 million, net of all fees, expenses and estimated taxes, in the first quarter of 2006. As a result of the patent license agreement, Sony will obtain a fully paid-up worldwide license to Intergraph’s patent portfolio, and Intergraph will obtain an option to license certain Sony patents on royalty-bearing terms.

The new "Automation IT" special event at HANNOVER MESSE 2006 (the Hannover Fair) from 24 to 28 April offers an insight into the future. Along with Cisco Systems GmbH and HARTING KGaA, Deutsche Messe AG will be presenting integrated Ethernet connectivity.

The Promi-SD is a Bluetooth serial adapter product line designed to replace RS-232 serial cables with wireless connectivity when interconnecting peripheral devices. It enables a serial device to communicate with another serial port adapter or other Bluetooth enabled devices such as mobile phones, handheld computers and laptops.

OMRON Corporation today announced the appointment of Mr. Roberto Maietti as President & CEO of OMRON Europe B.V. Reporting to Mr. Fumio Tateisi, the Japanese-based president of OMRON's Industrial Automation Business, Mr. Maietti will also take over the role of President of the OMRON Management Center Europe. Mr. Maietti will be confirmed as Executive Officer of OMRON Corporation at the shareholder's meeting on June 22nd, 2006.

The gift endows the KUKA Chair of Robotics to be held by international robotics expert Dr. Henrik Christensen. Also donated is a KUKA KR 15SL stainless steel robot to be used to develop automation solutions for various industries including the poultry and fruit industries.

The service which is based on the Skype VoIP service will allow IMAC Users with a Skype handset to make free calls direct to the IMAC Technical Support Team. Internet Voice, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is a technology that allows you to make telephone calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular phone line.

The combination of Escort’s premier RFID product offering and ACC’s expertise in MES Systems Integration, offers manufacturing clients the ability to implement highly integrated systems to improve the management of product information in their production operations.

The expansion will add onto the existing Qatargas site. Train No. 4 is scheduled to begin delivery of 7.8 million tons annually in late 2007, and train No. 5 is scheduled to produce an additional 7.8 million tons annually beginning one to two years later. Emerson is the Main Automation Contractor and is supplying its PlantWebR digital plant architecture for the project.

PSI Engineering, a leader in material handling and inline document automation solutions has developed the Laser Mail 5020 which can print high quality customer information directly on to photo bags/envelopes in one pass. The Laser Mail 5020 will print logos, barcodes, customer particulars and pricing information onto various sized photo bags/envelopes.

The Datalogic Group is a leading manufacturer of CCD and laser-based bar code readers, mobile computers and RFID systems. The Intermec Rapid Start program, which concluded Aug. 31, 2005, provides participants access to various portfolios of the intellectual property encompassed within Intermec's 150+ RFID patents. Although the Intermec Rapid Start Program is now closed, Datalogic's acquisition of PSC triggered various provisions within the Rapid Start license agreement. As the parent of PSC, Datalogic now becomes an Intermec RFID licensee.