Articles and News

Emerson will install its Ovation expert control system at Unit 1 and Unit 2 of the new Guizhou Xingyi Power Plant, located in Qingshuihe County in China’s Guizhou Province.

Brochure provides an overview of TURCK’s modular and block I/O systems, with modules rated for either IP20 (in-cabinet) or IP67 (machine-mount) environmental protection.

ProComSol uses a YouTube channel to highlight the capabilities of its HART products.

Site describes geared motors which are 100% oil-tight, hygienic, and reliable.

EDUCATIONAL LINK covers Industrial Ethernet related topics like Ethernet Term, Network Architectures and recommendations, Industrial Ethernet Software Tools and their value terms.

No more BPs? SII and Safekick will work together to develop an automated well control system that will automatically control the choke manifold of an oil/gas well.

Jennings most recently held the position of CTO at Time Domain Corporation.

The website for manufacturers in the photovoltaics/solar industry shows thermal mass flow, pressure and vacuum solutions specific to their application.

Conforming to the Open ADR specification will help facilities and buildings save power through automated demand response technology, and contribute to the advancement of the Smart Grid.

CSA International has certified Moore Industries’ BH Field-Mount Instrumentation Enclosures Explosion-Proof.

Matrikon will configure and implement its IBM Maximo solution to help ENMAX reduce equipment breakdowns, cut maintenance costs and improve efficiency.

Michael Laszkiewicz, Rockwell Automation’s vice president and general manager of the company's Power Control Business,was appointed to the 2010 Manufacturing Council.

Paul PierAgostini will manage the unit.

With a year-to-date total of $1,207.60 million, 2010 is up 56.1% compared with 2009.

ABB won a $20 million contract from Saudi Petrochemical Company to implement a power factor correction and power management solution at the company’s Jubail manufacturing complex.

David P. Wicker, the new chief executive officer, succeeds Joel Nash, who founded As One in 1994.

By E-Con Here is a checklist to help you determine the right Computer on Module Company to partner with.

Automation.com, August 2010 By Biejer HMI solutions take on inspiration from consumer-oriented products like mobile phones, MP3 players, etc. with advanced graphics resulting in user-friendly and intuitive user interfaces.

Growth will result from a concurrent wave of new technology and worldwide infrastructure spending driven by sovereign investment programs.

OSI will replace the legacy EMS and SCADA system for the NBSO power distribution agency in New Brunswick, Canada.

The Foxboro I/A Series DCS operator workstations have passed the Achilles Cyber Security Certification test.

GE’s Proficy Process Systems will control electric, natural gas, steam and potable water distribution systems, as well as the wastewater collection system at U.S. Army forts.

Emerson will supply Ovation control systems to nine plants and SCADA systems to monitor 100 turbine generators.

Siemens controls let a Zimmermann FZ42 portal milling center cut engine fan cases plus serve as a coordinate measuring machine for inspection of finished parts.

Users can download the software from the web page to update a diagnostic toolset. The software update is free-of-charge and does not require any software license.

The World Distributed Control System (DCS) Market report says DCS manufacturers will have to be wary of competition from SCADA systems that can perform the same functions. The report costs EUR 4,553.00

Endress+Hauser becomes the only process instrument manufacturer with both lab and field accredited calibration.

Web store carries fan assemblies and custom cooling enclosures for electronics.

A standard ABB industrial regenerative drive enables the turbine to generate the maximum amount of energy at all times and in rapidly changing wind speeds.

HMS embedded Mint Lite Anybus capability is now being fitted on all of Baldor's MicroFlex e100 and MotiFlex e100 drives.

The Electrical Equipment Company of Richmond, Virginia, USA has become the company’s 400th channel partner.

Encon Sp. z.o.o and CNTech Co Ltd have been appointed as distribution and support partners in Poland and China respectively.

ANSI launched a formal pilot accreditation program based on the requirements of the ISASecure Embedded Device Security Assurance (EDSA) certification program.

The WebStorage Service enables users to store data generated by their Data Loggers.

The Mark VIe control system will be installed in the AES Caconde Hydro Plant to control two 50 MW hydro turbine-generators and all the plant auxiliaries.

Emerson Process Management completed a WDPF-to-Ovation control system migration project at the Benxi Steel Company’s No. 5 Blast Furnace in China.

Most recently he served as global CEO for the Building Automation business unit in Zug, Switzerland.

ABB will supply electrical power and drive systems for a new deep sea semi-submersible drilling rig to be built by Daewoo in South Korea

RMT Robotics is a Canada-based manufacturer and integrator of robotic material handling systems.

Analect Hydrocarbon Smart System (HSS) refinery analyzer is capable of meeting the MSAT II detection levels with real time on-line measurements.

Grantek is the first Rockwell Automation partner to meet requirements in all disciplines – control, process and information – at both the automation and enterprise tiers.

Catalog provides product information and images of brakes, clutches, clutch/brakes, tension control clutches and brakes, servomotor brakes, torque limiters and web tension controls.

Guide serves as a solutions-oriented tutorial for solving key power quality problems such as voltage surges, power interruptions, brownouts, sags, transients, harmonics and electrical noise.

Vinzant joins PAS from SunGard Energy where he was the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Sales. Prior to SunGard, he held positions at Invensys and TransEnergy.

The companies plan to integrate IBM Tivoli Monitoring for Energy Management and IBM Maximo Asset Management enterprise software with Tridium's Niagara and Sedona software.

Automation.com, July 2010 By V. Lakshminarayana, CMC Limited India’s transmission and distribution losses are among the highest in the world--up to 50%. A Smart Grid will help cut losses.

CAD downloads provide the flexibility to change/modify such features as rail length, number of carriages, screw resolution, motor step angle, motor voltage, and other parameters.

By using bar code readers, the airport greatly decreased the problem of baggage lost and the consequential costs.

Instrument Specialties will be a manufacturer’s representative for Brooks in most of Florida.

The System 800xA solution includes operator workplaces, five AC 800M controllers, and approximately 3000 I/O, and uses Foundation Fieldbus to communicate with the various types of process equipment.

The ISA100 Wireless Compliance Institute (WCI) announced ISA-100.11a certification services.

SynapSense technology improves energy efficiency and cuts power and cooling costs in data centers.

Servo2Go added Low Cost HMI models to its broad range of Operator Displays from Exor Electronic R&D.

Omniflex Wireless Telemetry ensures water is delivered across the Glastonbury Festival site, quenching the thirst of 175,000 music lovers.

Prior to joining Northwire, Jensen was vice president of sales and marketing for a Wisconsin-based investment organization.

The Numerical Algorithms Group (NAG) added 150 numerical algorithms for C and C++ to the NAG C Library.

To obtain an IECEx Certificate of Personnel Competency, the candidate will have to undergo a series of knowledge tests and an assessment of qualifications and experience.

Independent, third party testing confirms that Siemon’s Z-MAX 6A achieves both component compliance and full channel compliance with the published version of ISO/IEC 11801.

The CD includes white papers, webinars and podcast interviews discussing how portable data loggers can streamline energy efficiency projects to yield optimum building energy performance.

ABB’s orders grew 5 percent in the second quarter of 2010, led by increases of more than 20 percent in each of the company’s automation divisions.

E-Mon is a manufacturer of electric submetering products and systems.

Rockwell Automation earned TÜV certification for the B10d Functional Safety rating on all styles of Allen-Bradley emergency-stop push buttons.

The ±800 kV Xiangjiaba-Shanghai UHVDC link has the capacity to transmit up to 7,200 megawatts (MW) of power from the Xiangjiaba hydropower plant in southwest China to Shanghai.

Agrochemical producer saved $450,000 per year by switching to Endress+Hauser’s pH analyzers. Specifically, maintenance labor was reduced by 50% and consumable usage was cut by 60%.

Several General Monitors Flame Detectors are now IECEx approved for hazardous monitoring in a wide range of industrial processes.

Micro Motion Coriolis flow meters provide precision and repeatability for metering of denatured alcohol at Italian agro-industrial operation

The new Class CF is the first class with Peak Current Let-Through Curves in the standard. These curves cover the range of currents from 25kA to 300kA, and allow users to pick any available current they want.

Brochure lists features and benefits, general specifications, typical applications, and successful fluids measured.

Kocaer Haddecilik in Turkey installed DC drives, and a SCADA system, complete with Profibus, Ethernet and fibre-optic networking.

Emerson will supply an Ovation control system and Rosemount pressure and level instrumentation to the Samcheonpo thermal power plant, located in South Gyeongsang Province in South Korea.

By P. Pertsch, et al, PI Ceramic White paper covers the development and lifetime tests of ceramic encapsulated actuators under different operating conditions (DC and AC).

Brochure covers cordsets and extension cords, M8 and M12 connectors, distribution boxes, industrial automation sensors, and solenoid valve connectors and cables.

CKP Automacao will represent e-con’s products and design services in Brazil and Argentina.

The Trojan, which spreads via USB sticks and uses a Microsoft security breach, can affect Windows computers from XP upward.

The website acts as a portal to Parker Fluid Control Division’s product web pages including its Sinclair Collins line.

ABB will deploy its HVDC Light (high-voltage direct current) transmission technology to transmit power from the Borkum West II wind farm in the North Sea to Germany.

EPS is recognized as a provider of measurement and reporting solutions that meet independent standards for disclosing greenhouse gas emissions.

ISA awarded $62,000, which was distributed among students in two- and four-year colleges and universities, and graduate students.

The PLC and PLC-based PAC market declined significantly across the world in 2009 and ARC thinks it might be coming back--but it's not sure.

The worldwide Electric Power SCADA market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3 percent from 2009 through 2014, predicts ARC.

ABB invested $20 million in California-based Trilliant, a provider of smart grid communications infrastructure.

Catalog covers single-phase and three-phase UPS, power conditioners, monitoring software and adapters, power filters and communication line protection.

Automation.com, July 2010 By Mark Howard, Zettlex The accuracy, resolution and repeatability of a position transducer are critical selection factors, but often cause confusion amongst engineers.

Emerson will supply 67 redundant Ovation controllers, 20 workstations and more than 70 Fisher control valves to Huadian Lingwu Unit 3 and Unit 4.

Honeywell will upgrade nine Experion servers and 45 Experion stations at the gas processing plant at Ras Laffan to improve the facility’s efficiency and reduce maintenance costs.

“Old School” versus “Young Turk” facility managers go head-to-head in a humorous video created by Siemens Industry, Inc.

Galezio be responsible for facility and personnel safety, and streamlining company procedures to reduce cycle times and improve work-flow.

HPI diagnosed the cause of significant vibrations affecting one of the backup emergency turbines at the plant on Long Island.

Together with the IEC 67184-3 specification, the Safety-over-EtherCAT Protocol has been accepted unanimously by the 27 national IEC committees.

European low voltage ac motor market is predicted to grow from $2.2 billion in 2009 to $3 billion in 2016.

Farnese Australia used an Ethernet-based controller for its latest product, the Quantum bridge saw.

The UPA-130 series Universal Voltage Alert achieved hazardous area certifications (Class 1, Division 2, HAZ LOC, Groups A, B, C, D).

Dr. Michio Kaku, author and professor at City College of New York, will deliver the closing keynote address at NIWeek 2010, Aug. 3–5 in Austin, Texas.

May U.S. manufacturing technology consumption totaled $178.34 million, according to AMTDA and AMT, up 58.6% from $112.42 million in May 2009.

The key improvements to the VXIbus in Revision 4.0 are higher throughput, increased power, and better synchronization.

Lambtech Enterprises will have responsibility for Robotic End-of-Arm Tooling sales in California for palletizing, packaging, and general material handling markets.

Emerson will be responsible for providing the strategy, design, and engineering of the process control and monitoring technologies to support the production facility.

Based in Le Mans, France, CEP and PROTOMETAL provide rapid prototyping and manufacturing parts solutions to large and small businesses.

The new facility is located in Granger, Indiana, and is headed by Mr. Josh Haag, President – North American Operations.

PTS uses coded labels and Web-based software to help ThyssenKrupp ID, track and replace hose assemblies.

EUROMAP, the European association of plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers, has included POWERLINK in the EUROMAP 75 specification.

The brochure presents a number of new applications along with a variety of low-cost flexure actuators for OEMs.

Prior to Fiberguide, Pensa was Regional Sales Manager for Sixnet and Siemens. Pensa holds a BSEE from the Stevens Institute of Technology.

Emerson will install its Ovation expert control system at Rabigh Power Plant units 1 and 2.

By Mark Lampert, Banner Engineering Vision provides a valuable snapshot of the full Food and Beverage application in process. Thus, it is able to analyze multiple features of interest at once, such as label presence and placement, and hue variations that could mean the difference between a “good” and “bad” product.

Kamen is the inventor of the Segway and founder of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).

The Chinese language site details Semaphore's offering of T-BOX and Kingfisher RTU products for remote automation, monitoring, and SCADA systems.

LinkedIn forum facilitates ongoing user communication regarding the DEACOM ERP Software System, industry issues, news, best practices, and more.

Capcoder uses the torque sensing system as the core of the datalogging capabilities of its bottle sealing machines.

Drilling Technical Services (DTS) used Siemens Simotion D435 motion controller to develop a mid-width web roll-to-roll die cutter.

The HM-USB-ISO passed the rigorous HART Communication Foundation (HCF) registration program and has been officially registered by the HCF to meet protocol specifications.

Korenix entered into an alliance with Westermo. Beijer Electronics Group, of which Westermo is a part, acquired a minority share of Korenix.

Zwick Roell TV on YouTube enables viewers to watch, in detail, all sorts of products and materials being tested to destruction using advanced robotic systems.

Singapore Robotic offers a broad range of technology components and tools used in robotics development.

ABB will supply and maintain all internal and external telecommunications systems for Statoil’s offshore operations on the Norwegian continental shelf.

ABB will supply transformers, medium- and low-voltage switchgear, protection devices and control systems for three photovoltaic (PV) solar power plants in western Sicily.

Improvements in version 5.0 include data exchange enhancements, a real-time 3D plan and print option, a search and replace feature and an improved printing menu.

Emerson’s technology and plant automation and control solutions are helping customers convert biomass or waste fuel into steam and electrical power.

VisuNet Series Industrial Flat Panel LCD Monitors have received Class II Division 2 certification for use in dust environments.

Evolution Robotics Retail, a company located in California, has unique expertise in visual pattern recognition technology.

Dexter Magnetic Technologies will be a franchised value-added provider of austriamicrosystems’ magnetic sensors and associated magnetic products, including engineered modules, in North America.

In an era of historically high prices for metals and energy, manufacturers are feeling the pinch. To ease the effect of increasing costs of these products, industry is taking a close look at ways of keeping energy and material expenses in line. Investing in robotics for material removal can be part of a mix of strategies to keep costs down by more efficiently using materials, time and energy.

By William Gilbert, Siemens Improved operation, reduced maintenance, motor power savings and conservation of energy make AC regen drives a decided advantage for converting, packaging, printing, wireforming and other roll-fed machinery, where driven unwinds can be implemented.

By Laser Design Kimberly-Clark wanted to know: Should it install larger diameter embossing machines when it increased line speed? Shadow casting with a laser image processing said the existing embosser could handle it, saving $500K.

HayssenSandiacre makes horizontal and vertical form fill and seal equipment and support services for the packaging industry.

By Pentair Smith & Wesson saves more than $48,000 annually and has improved the quality of the company’s recycled oil since employing the Driflex Oil Conditioning System.

BeadMonitor measurement system, developed by Oxford Sensor Technology, uses Micro-Epsilon’s scanCONTROL 2700 non-contact laser profile displacement sensor.

Dorot will supply two 24-inch control valves with an electronic controller, along with several smaller diameter valves, which will control main water lines in the network.

Automation.com, June 2010 By Tony Udelhoven, TURCK Conditions sensors must endure in welding environments remain consistently harsh: temperatures in excess of 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, currents ranging from 15,000 to 35,000 Amps, and frequent weld flash occurrences.

This is the second mine hoist system that ABB will deliver for the new main haulage level at Malmberget.

HoseFinder mobile app makes it fast and convenient to search for hydraulic hose products and information on the go.

Smidler, previously Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed president following Jack Cahill’s retirement.

The ST75 Flow Meter is now ATEX and IECEx approved for safety in hazardous and potentially explosive plant environments.

ICS provides turnkey solutions – including planning, engineering, configuration, installation, and commissioning – for turbomachinery automation retrofits.

CeTÜV SÜD assessed Simulink PLC Coder as suitable for development processes that must comply with IEC 61508-3 and its process industry adaptation, IEC 61511-1.

Brochure describes AMCI product lines that are referenced in the Rockwell Automation Encompass Partners Program.

RotoPrecision to become Ruland’s master distributor in Canada for shaft collars and couplings.

Website details product offerings with interactive product demonstrations, product pictures, specs, CAD drawings, product literature, manuals and more.

2010 Solution Paper, a hard copy 106-page catalogue, has 60 selected success stories by Ethernet Direct in different industries.

Honeywell to supply wireless instrumentation, Experion DCS, Safety Manager, UniSim simulation software, and a LIMS to Abu Dhabi Gas Development Company.

E-commerce portal offers online purchase of training classes, parts and accessories for metrology systems.

White paper from Control Microsystems explores the various ways in which operators can tightly integrate wireless instrumentation networks with SCADA systems in automation, process control, building automation, pipelines, W&WW plants and similar applications.

ACH550 line of drives and bypasses for HVAC has been added to the “Facilities Development Division (FDD) List of Equipment/Components with OSHPD Special Seismic Certification Pre-Approval (OSP).”

Sixteen-page full-color brochure from ABB overviews measurement solutions for industries, utilities and municipalities.

The Lens Selector iPhone application helps find the correct imaging lens for a machine vision application.

Dresser Masoneilan will provide four nuclear power plants with Variable Resistance Trim (VRT) control valves valued at $10 million.

Seven industry suppliers joined the Rockwell Automation Encompass third-party product referencing program.

The existing Westinghouse EHC control system on the Winyah plant’s Unit #4 steam turbine generator will be migrated to a Mark VIe TMR control system.

Engineers seeking to design cost-effective production processes can get step-by-step instructions on how to select local or global optimization routines from the Numerical Algorithms Group (NAG) Library.

Automation.com, June 2010 By Sam Drury, Impress Sensors & Systems The latest silicon pressure sensors have much-improved mechanically-sealed designs, which use only a fraction of the volume of oil compared to previous versions.

Motoman Robotics will build a 300,000 square foot office and production facility in West Carrollton, Ohio.

Micro Motion Online Community provides a forum for exploring measurement challenges, discussing Coriolis flow and density applications, and sharing best practices to optimize user processes.

The ISA100 Wireless Compliance Institute (WCI) selected National Technical Systems (NTS) as its independent third-party lab to provide conformance testing for the ISA100.11a certifications.

Korea South East Power Company will use Emerson’s automation, control, and instrumentation technologies in power plants in emerging markets.

Mackedanz was formerly with ProcessPro Software.

ABB will supply electrical power to a large number of Stena Line vessels using the port.

PVA, headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, specializes in industrial process controls and instrumentation.

His experience includes financial, leadership, and general business management positions within AECOM, Motorola, British Steel and Marconi Underwater Weapons.

ISA Automation Week will be held 4-7 October 2010 in Houston, Texas, at the Westin Galleria Hotel.

By Mark Hauenstein, Technical Designs Paper educates system integrators, building owners and operators about LEED and sustainable building design principles.

Free one-hour presentation examines the fundamental assessments that are critical to ensuring that final electrical measurements meet requirements.

Catalog details operating principles, pump capacities, motor characteristics, materials of construction, typical applications and ordering information.

The updated site offers an easier front end for visitors to use in order to find the information they seek.

SES is a supplier of equipment and services for the metals and related industries.

Switch types featured in the catalog include microswitches and sealed position switches.

CygNet added its first two integrators, GlobaLogix, Inc. and Techneaux Technology Services, LLC.

Temperature@lert's Wi-Fi temperature sensors monitor hot water temperatures in two buildings, pool temperature, and heating/cooling temperature in a third facility.

Honeywell will implement an Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS) and two C300 Controllers at Karadeniz Eregli.

Solvent recovery offers simplified, low-risk method to reduce carbon footprint, shielding manufacturers from adverse effects of pending environmental regulations

The resulting elimination of filter media losses and subsequent downtime has enabled E.ON to reduce costs and improve availability as it provides steam for two local soda-ash plants.

Parts Fingerprint is a spare parts management optimization service for ABB process automation systems and products.

Dr. Steve Turley will join the company as CEO and Dr. David Parker will join as Chairman.

Kits verify the correct communication behavior of a wireless device as defined in the ISA100.11a standard and provide tools for troubleshooting, debugging, and regression testing.

Blog provides a venue for processing audiences in various industries to share their ideas and opinions regarding all types of flow, pressure and level products and applications.

The miniMOORE and STA products received General Location and Non-Incendive approval per CSA for Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C & D.

Free CD includes technical papers, articles, data sheets, and links to online seminars covering a wide range of nanotechnology test applications.

Design documentation assists designers in selecting the appropriate circuit protection solution for a specific port interface.

Safety System market growth, which has been tempered by the world economic downturn, is expected to rebound next year.

Yamatake Corporation has joined the WCI Governing Board.

The user simply runs an installer and plugs in Data Translation hardware. The corresponding 64-bit driver is then downloaded automatically

Invensys will provide safety and distributed control systems for two reactors under construction on Hainan Island on the southern tip of China.

Guide highlights precision acoustic sensors and instrumentation for vibro-acoustic testing, appliance noise evaluation, wind tunnel testing and other critical measurement applications.

Connectors supply electrical power to the electric submersible pump in the 4,400 ft. deep well, which delivers hot water from the underground formation to the resort.

MobileRobots is a provider of autonomous robot and automated guided vehicle (AGV) technologies.

Hale joins Brooks Instrument most recently from the Victaulic Company, where he was executive vice president.

April U.S. manufacturing technology consumption totaled $222.36 million, down 15.6% from March but up 102.7% from the $109.69 million reported for April 2009.

Honeywell’s Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS) and Safety Manager will manage the pipeline operation and help guard against hazardous incidents.

The FloCat CD Catalog is information packed with thousands of flow measurement solutions. The CD catalog provides part numbers, product specifications, pricing and delivery information.

Stealthdirect.com provides immediate access to Little PCs, Rugged Touchscreen LCDs, and Industrial Keyboards & Pointing Devices.

The catalog is arranged into four key sections: Sensors and transducers; Condition monitoring; Measurement systems; and Inertial systems.

As the manufacturing world becomes more and more automated, industrial sensors have become the key to increasing both productivity and safety.

The show uses LabVIEW software, CompactDAQ data acquisition platform and DIAdem data management software to conduct impact tests and measure and analyze the biomechanics of injury.

The acquisition includes all SSAC non-Din rail mounted timers, monitoring relays, controls, and custom products.

Effective Procedural Practices details best practices designed to ensure that process operators use procedures effectively in both normal and abnormal situations.

ARC will present “ARC Inside: The Business Case for Asset Performance Management,” at ISA Automation Week 2010.

ABB's cpmPlus Expert Optimizer solution will be installed in Nordkalk’s Köping plant in Sweden.

By TURCK Quantum Tubers uses TURCK’s distributed I/O system and analog input modules to obtain inputs from humidity, temperature, light, CO2 and flow sensors to grow potato plants in only 50 days.

Automation.com, June 2010 By Scott Howard, Byres Security Although Trusted Network Connect (TNC) was originally conceived for protection of IT networks, it addresses many security issues that are also encountered in industrial control and SCADA systems.

The NEMA Premium Efficiency Transformer Program will help utilities, commercial buildings, and industrial plants incorporate super high-efficiency electrical transformers into their operations.

The Lab Accreditation and Test Tool Recognition Requirements form a key element of the overall ISA Secure Embedded Device Security Assurance (EDSA) certification program.