Articles and News

Since its startup in 1986, the power plant has been controlled with a Damatic Classic automation system supplied by Metso.

The certification ensures that the valves meet the functional safety requirements for Safety Integrity Level (SIL) 3 capable per IEC 61508.

EPLAN has taken over the development and sales rights to Harness Expert, 3D/2D software for wire harness engineering.

Using this resource, customers are able to go online, find the part they want, set up an account and place the order via credit card.

Reliable now offers five equipment enclosures that provide an economical, professional, and branded solution for control equipment protection.

Selecting the right asset monitoring strategy is a balancing act between implementation cost and expected reliability.

Automation.com, July 2012 By Bill Lydon, Editor Productivity was a key theme of Siemens 2012 Automation Summit this year because it is one of the most important business topics in the world today. According to Siemens Industry Automation President Raj Batra, productivity is the backbone of the United States economic recovery.

This SuperView Mobile app enables users to remotely supervise their industrial process using a smartphone or tablet.

Honeywell will upgrade the safety and control systems at the Suriname refinery to its Integrated Control and Safety System (ICSS) solution.

As a result of the need for improving process sector functional safety, ISA developed the ISA-84 standard for industrial automation in the computer age.

A total of 5,556 robots valued at $403.1 million were sold to North American companies, a jump of 14% in units and 28% in dollars over the same quarter in 2011.

Catalog covers stepper motors and stepper drives, AC synchronous motors, and XTRUE planetary gearheads.

Installations signify the widespread acceptance of the WirelessHART standard by the process automation industry.

Class I, division 2 approval allows TBox LP SCADA systems to operate in hazardous atmospheres.

Minimize the largest sources of dead time in process control applications and consider the use of an enhanced PID developed for wireless and feedforward control for large dead times.

The Reliability of Wireless Mesh Networks in Industrial Environments

The annual conference is scheduled for 24–27 September 2012, at the Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse, in Orlando, Florida, USA.

Helukabel's former robotics business unit, Helurobotics, will merge with the newly acquired subsidiary and operate under the Robotec Systems name.

CFD helped Ford Racing develop its Fusion race car for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

ABB's orders received in tne second quarter grew 9 percent to $10.1 billion while revenues rose to $9.7 billion.

Ascenz, based in Singapore, is a supplier of remote monitoring systems for shipping companies to track fuel consumption and bunkering monitoring.

By John Armstrong, Mel-O-Cream Donuts Mel-O-Cream used a PLC, VFD, HMI and Ethernet communications equipment from AutomationDirect to automate a donut packaging and labeling line that processes more than 40 different products.

MCAA is a trade association whose North American-based members include manufacturers, channel firms, consultants and others in the process control and factory automation industry.

Northern Industrial is authorised to provide technical support for all Control Techniques products, as well as on-site support and retrofit services.

The board will bring MIT academia and research together with major technology providers and industry leaders to collaborate on key issues in the U.S. manufacturing industry.

Catalog covers standard actuators, custom capabilities and explains the piezo manufacturing process and background information in a detailed tutorial.

JLM Industrial Supply is an authorized distributor of Hexagon Metrology’s dimensional measurement products across northern Nevada.

ABB will build the plant and supply power equipment, the electrical control system, as well as continuous emission monitoring systems and other analytical instrumentation.

Direct Energy previously used a third-party service provider to communicate with ERCOT and monitor/report/control real-time operation of their generation assets.

Catalog includes product descriptions, specifications, features and benefits of the company’s temperature sensors, wire, cable, temperature controllers, power controllers and supporting software.

To earn a Microsoft silver competency, partners must successfully demonstrate expertise through rigorous exams.

Automation Week: Wireless Technology Track

The worldwide market for Engineering Design Tools for Industry and Infrastructure is presently quite strong in almost all sectors, says ARC.

The market for photoelectric sensors experienced a collapse and a dramatic rebound in the last three years and ARC expects a positive development for the coming years.

E+H acquired a minority share in Irish company CompuCal Calibration Solutions (CCS).

Mitsubishi Power Systems offers real-time monitoring and advanced prediction of potential problems through a 24-hour Remote Monitoring Center (RMC) located in Orlando, FL.

Rotork supplied more than one hundred IQ electric valve actuators for wedge gate and parallel slide valves for the Taishan Nuclear Power Station in China.

Get Some Training Under Your Belt at Automation Week 2012

Automation.com, July 2012 By Bill Lydon, Editor In the past, Phoenix Contact's products were typically hidden in control cabinets. Their new vertical market initiative puts them in the mainstream of automation and control solutions, including further expansion in the United States.

Several different on/off actuator designs are available today. Some employ a scotch yoke mechanism, others use a rack and pinion, Plant experience suggests that the diminutive piston o-ring design can

HardwarePT, a division of SolutionPT, a distributor for Marathon in the UK, says Marathon is a certified partner of Invensys.

Award presentations will be made at the 50th Annual ISA Honors & Awards Gala, Monday, 24 September 2012, at the Rosen Centre Hotel, Orlando, Florida, USA.

Amarcon is a Dutch company that develops and markets software solutions for the shipping industry.

EST Enerji, a control system integrator in Turkey, is now a MatrikonOPC Authorized Distributor.

Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) Extended Function ensures that LXI vendors approach IPv6 in a consistent way before its widespread use in test systems occurs.

PlantFloor24 is a platform-independent, hardware, software and process support solution, and a 24/7 support center.

STA is approved for single use in Safety Instrumented Systems up to SIL 2 and in redundant architecture such as 1oo2 and 2oo3 up to SIL 3.

CIMdata estimates that based on end-user payments, the worldwide NC software and related services market grew by 10% in calendar year 2011.

Frost & Sullivan says the European market wants integrated Servo and Stepper Systems.

IDTechEx finds that in 2012 the value of the entire RFID market will be $7.46 billion, up from $6.37 billion in 2011.

Rotork valve gearboxes will operate giant butterfly valves to supply fresh water to the city of Shanghai.

Siemens will provide 18 Robicon Perfect Harmony medium voltage drives for Solana, a 280MW facility near Gila Bend, Ariz., which will be the world’s largest concentrating solar power (CSP) plant.

Automation.com, July 2012 By Bill Lydon, Editor At Honeywell Users Group (HUG), 'Sustain. Ability.' was defined as including technology, performance, resources, market and regulatory demands; and described as a holistic approach to sustainability that includes best practices, design, build, operations, and management.

Speakers are now being sought for the Automate 2013 conference in Chicago, January 21-24, 2013.

Included in the kit is an AS-i Programmer that allows for master calls with the ability to configure and inspect any connected slave devices.

IMS Research estimates that world discrete machine safety component revenues grew by 17.5 percent in 2011, exceeding USD $2 billion.

Utilities are turning their attention to improving efficiency and control in the distribution segment of the grid that lies between the substation and the meter.

Control Performance, Asset Performance, Human Performance, and Safety and Environmental Performance tracks will be held during Automation Week, 24-27 September 2012.

The IP20 rating assures that a probe the approximate size of a finger is not able to make contact with any hazardous, energized parts.

SPA Automação was founded three years ago and has nine employees in their office near São Paulo.

Despite the decision by National Instruments to "obsolete" 5B modules in September 2012, Dataforth will continue to manufacture their 5B family of signal conditioning products.

Yokogawa will supply a CENTUM VP control systems, ProSafe-RS safety instrumented system, exhaust gas analyzers, and differential pressure/pressure transmitters.

An effective frequency domain approach to tuning non-PID controllers for high performance

Start a conversation with everyone responsible for the successful implementation, maintenance, and operation of your designs.

IMS says locating motor controls production closer to consumption is a rising trend in China, Brazil, and Eastern Europe.

Thomson Reuters released its impact factor ratings for scientific journals, rating ISA Transactions 21% higher than the previous year.

Michael Rothwell, Director of Controls and Industry Solutions (CIS) for Phoenix Contact, has been added to PI's Board of Directors.

Downloadable engineering files with integration specifications are available for TECHSPEC Imaging Optics.

National Instruments announced the keynote and summit presenters for the NIWeek 2012 worldwide graphical system design conference and exhibition on August 7—9 in Austin.

A Micro Motion MID-Certified (Measurement Instrument Directive) Marine Bunker Measurement Solution has been installed on a barge operated by Progressive Barge Line in the Port of New Orleans.

Rosemount Analytical wireless conductivity transmitters are being used to detect changes in boiler condensate conductivity which could be caused by cooling-water leaks in the turbine’s condenser.

Belden and Tofino Security have developed a product portfolio and business processes to protect critical infrastructure against emerging threats.

The office is located in Albany, the new technology center of Auckland. Neil Pearce will manage the office.

Letter to ISA Members: Proposal of Membership Dues Increase

Video by AMP shows how adding an encoder to a step motor system lets the drive monitor the motor’s position, closing the feedback loop and avoiding many of the limitations traditionally associated with stepper systems.

Automation.com, July 2012 By Bill Lydon, Editor New controllers are integrating automation functions, bridging business systems with the plant floor and creating greater efficiencies and performance – all in an effort to achieve the vision of the digital factory.

IMS says the world market for machine vision grew more than 10 percent in 2011, but this level of growth is unlikely to be sustained.

The NEMA standard for motors and generators recently received approval from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Derek Carbin has served as the General Manager and president of Meggitt (Maryland). He retains the position of president.

By Dr Harry Zervos, Technology Analyst Energy harvesters and wireless sensors are not always deployed under "a walk in the park" operating environments. The most interesting applications tend to be in sectors where conditions are harsh or devices are inaccessible once deployed.

Kuka will supply the manufacturing line for the new Bell 525 Relentless super medium-class commercial helicopter.

EnOcean Alliance now has a membership base of 300 companies worldwide, developing innovative automation solutions for sustainable building projects.

Wonderware NorCal will distribute TopView alarm management, notification, and remote monitoring software product line in California.

Emerson installed PlantWeb digital plant architecture at three plants, including DeltaV digital automation systems, Rosemount instruments, and AMS Suite predictive maintenance software.

Part 2: Integrating Analyzers with Automation Systems in Life Sciences

AMT says orders were up 14.5% from April and up 19.0% when compared with the total of $398.10 million reported for May 2011.

Two-sided site serves both clients of control system integrators, and current and prospective CSIA members.

F&S says the European Industrial Networking/Communication Market was €854.1 million in 2010 and estimates it to reach €1,596.1 million in 2015.

Insensys will distribute Paradox Engineering’s PE.WSNi and PE.AMI solutions for industrial data acquisition, collection, transportation, storage and delivery.

Control system integrator guide explains the benefits of CSIA Certification.

Automation.com, July 2012 By Bill Lydon, Editor Bill Lydon chats with Darius Adamczyk, new President at Honeywell Process Solutions about his thoughts on managing the company and his focus on increasing services for customers.

Prior to joining Geometric, Pascarella was responsible for Strategic Automotive Initiatives at Dassault Systèmes.

Winner of ISA’s prestigious Life Achievement Award & many times awarded for achievements during his career, Greg McMillan is ISA’s most prolific author.

Catalog contains extensive information on linear variable displacement transducers (LVDT), linear encoders and magnetostrictive transducers.

B&B Electronics provided an extensive fiber, cellular and wireless communications network for the Volvo Ocean Race Galway Grand Finale.

The plant currently under construction will be used as a peak load and reserve plant to replace the use of existing oil- and gas-fired boiler plants.

The more knowledge an industrial engineer masters, the more valuable he or she becomes.

The site provides a convenient way for customers to 'design' their industrial connector solutions.

Catalog covers metal, plastic, circular and rectangular connectors used in industrial, medical, instrumentation and renewable energy.

Yole Développement says MEMS will see double digit growth for the next six years, with 20% compound average annual growth in units and 13% growth in revenues, to become a $21 billion market by 2017.

DT-Remote app allows iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android users to view real-time data collected from remote dataTaker systems.

ABB will supply electrification and automation equipment to Swedish iron ore producer Northland Resources' new concentrator plant.

Datum Alloys will use the ERP to to replace its custom manufacturing and finance solutions in three countries.

Siemens recognized achievements of its customers and partners who are using Siemens technology to generate superior business results.

Improvements to water meters, municipal lighting and supporting information technology will reduce electricity consumption by 30 percent and water consumption by 70 percent.

T+H provides seamless integration of customer networks through all network levels – from device automation to the ERP system.

Frost & Sullivan says strict regulations in the oil and gas industry have resulted in end users being unwilling to risk their investment with pumps manufactured in Asia and the Far East.

Rotork K-TORK vane type valve actuators solved a difficult flow control application found in many coal-fired power plants – high-pressure bottom ash spray valve control.

Rather than building his own futuristic, high-tech conveyors, art director Page Buckner said he decided to use QC Industries' aluminum extruded AS40 conveyors.

The site shows how Mitsubishi’s solutions can reduce cost of powertrain machining and assembly, stamping, welding, painting, final assembly and parts production.

Kay is recognized for his contributions to arc-resistant medium-voltage control and protection technologies.

Travis Capps, vice president of energy and gases at Valero Energy, will be a keynote speaker at ISA Automation Week, 24-27 September 2012.

IMCO Engineering & Construction, based in Kuwait and Qatar, will use IFS to streamline processes such as project and contract management.

Automation.com, July 2012 By Inge Hübner After some teething problems, wireless technology, such as WirelessHART, is becoming more and more established in the process industry.

The testing session involved interoperability of the different implementations of the new IEC 62439-3 Ethernet redundancy protocols.

Ashcroft provides flexibility to modify fittings, outputs, enclosures, calibration, mounting methods and much more.

Certification from the HART Foundation is for the hardware and DD files, indicating full compliance with the HART Communication Protocol.

With dates in more than 60 locations in North America, Europe and China, the Showcase is designed to unveil the company’s revolutionary new automation solutions.

Catalog 70 covers Cable Glands, conduit hubs, conectors and cordsets.

For the past decade Gleason has been Regional Sales Manager for Eastern USA.

Automation.com, June 2012 By Chris Jones, Micro-Epsilon UK EtherCAT has established itself within the market as a communications standard that can offer true real time capabilities in automation technology. Micro-Epsilon has developed sensors and controllers with EtherCAT capability, enabling them to be smoothly integrated into existing control and automation networks.

The Supervisory Board laid the groundwork for the rebuilding of halls 19 and 20, as well as for several acquisitions in Germany and abroad.

Website covers sensors, transducers, vision, RFID systems and networking products.

The latest video describes multi-communications capabilities in a remote terminal unit (RTU).

Catalog app works on an iPad, iPhone, or any Droid mobile device.

MAAC Machinery, a maker of thermoforming machinery, uses eWON VPN routers to connect to its machines, PLCs, drives and HMI devices just about anywhere.

BULLET is part of a complete solution for sending smart HART and analog process signals over WirelessHART networks.

For U.S. Buyers seeking U.S. Suppliers, the web-based service supports more than 250 manufacturing processes including machining, sheet metal fabricating, and thermoforming.

The Infomobile is targeted toward panel shops, featuring the theme “Panel Shop Solutions: Increasing Productivity.”

This free web-based application allows users to upload an image of their plant to design a customized wireless network using IEC-approved WirelessHART network standards.

PLC programming training courses in late summer/early fall 2012 enable attendees to complete basic to advanced levels in seven business days.

Part 1: Integrating Analyzers with Automation Systems

Web site covers current and obsolete automation spares and repairs.

The FDT certification office has experienced a record surge in DTM certifications in the first six months of 2012.

cUL Certification covers brushless motors, intelligent servo motors and brush motors.

Written by Jacob Y. Wong and Roy L. Anderson, Non-Dispersive Infrared Gas Measurement covers various gas measurement techniques, fundamental aspects and cutting-edge progress.

Weidmueller will include PROFIdtm (communications or commDTM) with its WI-Manager.

Emerson will supply integrated control and safety systems for five offshore fields in the U.K. continental shelf and the Quad 204 floating production, storage, and offloading vessel.

SpectraSensors in Houston, Texas, develops, manufactures and distributes laser-based gas analytical instrumentation.

The vast majority of public and private commercial buildings in the U.S. have a long way to go on the path to sustainable and energy-efficient operations.

Automation.com, June 2012 By J Timothy Shea, VDC Research Group VDC partnered with Automation.com to develop market intelligence studies for Data Acquisition Solutions, including external chassis & modules, plug-in data acquisition analog I/O boards, and standalone data acquisition software.

GO CAPS app for pump selection can be used on Apple products like iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

Qualifying engineering programs can have production quality prototypes of custom configurations as quickly as one week from design release.

Version 4.0 provides a roadmap for system integrators who are seeking to improve their business as well as seeking CSIA Certification.

The product was shipped to Atlas Copco Tools in Sweden who needed to connect one of their control systems to EtherNet/IP.

Automation.com, June 2012 By Bill Lydon, Editor Hannover Messe provides a unique event to directly see a wide range of automation technology, its application on a wide range of equipment, and the opportunity to talk with users. These are trends and products from the fair that I think are worth noting.

This expansion will allow for increased production of Mazak machine models in Kentucky, and increase the facility's potential production capacity to 200 machines per month.

Automation.com, June 2012 By Turck White paper compares proximity sensors to Turck's factor 1 sensors, discussing performance capabilities, mounting options and cost-efficiency.

To help simply the bid specification process, QA Graphics has prepared a standard set of dashboard specification details that may be modified.

Intelligrated received certification as a robotics integrator from the Robotic Industries Association (RIA).

Technical paper shows you how to get the most out of your PID controller, extending its functionality from basic to advanced control.

AVEVA NET was installed at the Phu My 3 Power Plant Project in Vietnam.

Approximately 40 employees work in the 27,000-square-foot building.

Van Nuis will be responsible for overseeing business operations throughout North, Central and South America.

The FLT93 Series FlexSwitch Brochure provides complete product and applications information for the flow and level switch.

The project includes control of the pipeline receipt system, tank farm, truck loading system, and terminal automation, through Experion Process Knowledge System and Terminal Manager.

The Group offers consultancy in the areas of technology assessment and roadmap, application portfolio rationalization, and PLM ROI improvement.

Meggitt hired Peter Eitnier as Mechanical Engineer for Wilcoxon Research products, and promoted Wayne Glidden to Director of Materials.

Advantech held its first online solution forum on June 19th, 2012 with the theme of Intelligent Automation, Seamless Integration.

BP Exploration replaced unreliable level transmitters previously used on a floating production, storage and off-loading (FPSO) vessel with guided wave radar transmitters from Emerson.

Siemens deployed its Site Controls Energy Management System (EMS) across 40 Red Robin restaurants, and cut energy consumption by 9 to 15 percent.

This 44-page document lists hundreds of SERCOS II and Sercos III products and services from dozens of manufacturers around the world.

Frost & Sullivan says buyers are becoming more sensitive and manufacturers can no longer rely only on low production costs to gain a competitive edge.

The latest release addresses key elements of Foundation for Remote Operations Management (ROM) technology, which enables manufacturers to begin developing Foundation for ROM devices.

The plant installed Rockwell Software RSPower Plus software and four Allen- Bradley PowerMonitor devices to check power consumption, and now saves more than $30,000 per year.

Strothmann implemented an assembly line for five series of precision measuring centers at Klingelnberg's in Hueckeswagen, Germany.

Powerfast includes cordsets, receptacles, reducers, reducer tees, field wireables, rotary disconnect switches and power lock devices.

Siemens will supply ten 2,600kW vertical motors to Mekorot National Water Company to support one of the largest water infrastructure projects in Israel since the 1960s.

Machine vision sales in North America fell two percent compared to the first quarter of 2011, according to AIA, the industry’s trade group.

The Catalog features wire, cable, tubing and sleeving, along with wire management products, and value added services

The market for Programmable Logic Controllers I/O modules recovered quite strongly after the recession with double-digit growth in both 2010 and 2011.

Over 4,000 engineers, scientists and industry professionals gathered at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL June 6-7, for the Sensors Expo & Conference.

Free one-day educational seminars on WirelessHART technology are being presented by the HART Communication Foundation in Europe and North America during 2012.

The market share for organic photovoltaics will rise to $630 million by 2022. The market growth will be predominantly driven by electronics and off-grid developing world applications.

Emerson’s Smart Wireless technology helps identify potential problems and improve plant availability and efficiency of its Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power station in London.

Automation.com, June 2012 By Bill Lydon, Editor Participants of the Pharmaceutical Automation Roundtable discussed the use of data, modeling and other automation technology for Intelligence-based Manufacturing. The goal is to move from responsive and reactive actions to preventative and proactive manufacturing strategies. This is part 6 of a 6 part article series.

This year’s symposium was held in Austin, Texas, USA, 3–8 June.

ISA Automation Week international conference will take place 24-27 September 2012, at the Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse in Orlando, Florida, USA.

The 2012 Honeywell Users Group (HUG) Americas Symposium informed attendees on how process automation and controls can help manufacturers sustain their performance and lifecycles.

QA Graphics hired several HVAC graphic specialists, allowing the department to expand their system graphic development services.

This paper describes a case study of a control system design for a batch pharmaceutical process.

The software is used by utilities to report information to regulatory bodies, such as NYISO, ISONE, CAISO, MISO and PJM.

Fifteen Phoenix Contact employees departed the Phoenix Contact facility in Middletown, Pa., to embark on a 600-mile bike ride to Phoenix Contact’s new facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

MOL upgraded the plant’s distributed control system to Emerson’s DeltaV process automation system, and reduced energy costs by 1,200,000 Euros per year.

Channel Partner of the Year was AWC Incorporated, Southeast Division; the OEM Innovation Award went to Keith Company.

Industrial Automation North America September 10–15 will showcase products and solutions for process, production and industrial building automation.

The Industrial IT Solutions group specializes in the design, performance assessment and protection of networks used in the process industry, including wireless instrument and SCADA platforms.

The solution is currently installed at the Atlas Copco test mine in Kvarntorp, Sweden. It will offer future mine operators process control opportunity and information.

Bryan Gene, a University of British Columbia engineering graduate who used advanced software to enhance a new process for plastic waste disposal, won the award.

A thermoIMAGER TIM thermal imaging camera is installed in the injection moulding machine from Kunststoff-Zentrum SKZ KTT to detect defective parts.

Metso will supply automation technology for greenfield waste-to-energy plants in Italy, Estonia and the UK.

Wood Group completed a major inspection and life time assessment of a Siemens gas turbine for DONG Energy A/S at the H.C. Ørsted Power Station, situated at Sydhavnen in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The CNC market earned €8.6 billion in 2010 and F&S estimates this to reach €17.6 billion in 2015.

100 Rotork IQ explosionproof intelligent electric actuators with Pakscan two-wire digital control have been installed at the Emarat Fujairah Terminal.

Founded in 1988, IMC Networks is a provider of optical access and media conversion solutions for LAN, MAN and FTTx applications.

M.G. Bryan Equipment is using cloud computing for remote asset management of high-tech fracturing equipment, including engines, generators, industrial pump units, and oil field service equipment.

App measures pH accurately, presents the data in an easy-to-read format and supports email transmission of critical readings.

Spring Leaders Meeting: Social Media Session

The MMA is now the largest motion control networking group in Asia as MECHATROLINK becomes the de-facto motion network in Asian markets.