Articles and News

To simplify the development of complex machines, Rexroth is integrating safety technology into the Sercos automation network.

InfinityQS ProFicient manufacturing quality software provides companies with real-time visibility across the enterprise and into the supply chain.

ESC Services is a hazardous energy control provider of lockout-tagout services and solutions.

Ridgeline Pipe manufactures about 125 different PVC pipe products that vary in length, diameter, color, markings and other requirements. Allen-Bradley ControlLogix L61 programmable automation controller (PAC) manages all control and motion functions for each piece of equipment in the PVC manufacturing process.

Combining PLC processing and HMI monitoring and control into a single hardware platform is becoming a more available and popular option. This article compares the combined HMI+PLC unit with the separate HMI & PLC system and highlights where each excels.

Using a workflow-based approach, manufacturing businesses and process industry companies can extend and leverage existing purpose-based systems, expose new functionality that was too complex to captur

The next HANNOVER MESSE will run from 13 to 17 April 2015.

Rapid Service Unit can turn certain orders for critical fittings, hose-tube combinations and other custom pieces in the same day they are received.

The free web seminar on 13 November 2014 will discuss the common pitfalls related to calibration system implementation and how to overcome them.

By Julia Santogatta, Belden Wireless can actually be extremely secure, shared medium or not, if you follow the “wireless Golden Rule” and ask yourself some typical security questions when planning a wireless local area network (WLAN).

By Bill Lydon, Editor By recently joining the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC), MOXA emphasized their strong focus on the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT). Another example of this commitment is their increased rugged industrial communications product scope, including security offerings.

By David Gustafson, Emerson Process Management It took only two weeks to install the first system, and already it’s saved $100,000 in maintenance costs and increased production by 5,000 tons per year.

EECO received its fourth Steelman burnoff oven on August 8th 2014 in Richmond, increasing investment in electric motor repair in Virginia.

A real-life guide to measuring flow by selecting the right flowmeter

Security Application Site simplifies security design by providing access to the latest security resources all in one place.

Horizon Controls Group has offices located in PA and NC, USA as well as in Europe.

By Jonathan Wilkins A new industrial wireless European standard (EN300328 V1.8.1) threatens to make essential plant control sensors useless. It introduces the “listen before talk” (LBT) protocol as a solution for preserving bandwidth in industrial environments.

Yokogawa will license its ISA100 Wireless technology to Murata and Murata will develop communication modules.

By Julia Arneri Borghese, Paradox Engineering When considering a wireless network, the critical decision is how to invest in future proof infrastructures that can provide adequate flexibility and scalability over time. Industrial organizations are not likely to install technologies which bind them to legacy protocols, or force them to replace existing equipment.

On October 21, Dr. Wei Sun, representative of the Standardization Administration of China (SAC), made the announcement.

The release significantly broadens automation and control professionals’ access to a diverse range of technical and educational content and interactive tools.

Embedding controllers around a grid can help measure power flows and demand requirements, and lead to real-time management for best performance.

Kliux Energies in Spain selected Advanticsys’ remote monitoring technology to manage their renewable-energy generation facilities.

The facility designs, develops and manufactures natural gas & liquids measurement products and analyzers, as well as software applications and system solutions for the global oil & gas market.

Scheduled to open in Q4 2014, the $14 million project will double the current size of the facility, adding 100,000 square feet of space for manufacturing and engineering.

The new company name is now TURCK Chartwell Canada, Inc.

Total orders rose to $11.2 billion, boosted by large orders (above $15 million) including a power transmission link in Europe, a mining automation project in the Americas and a gas treatment plant in Africa.

By Randy Miller, Honeywell Modern technologies and practices have been proven to reduce incidents in the main control center by more than 30 percent and sustain safe, optimal availability. Furthermore, capturing best operator practices in a procedural operations framework and equipment based templates helps retain best practices for future generations.

By Edward Nugent, PcVue The implementation of Cybersecurity under the NIST Framework is ultimately the responsibility of the SCADA Application owner and operator as it encompasses the entire system including the organization developing the SCADA application, the corporate networks and computers that it runs on and the control devices and instrumentation attached to it.

What Considerations Should You Make Before Upgrading a Critical System?

Octapharma, a manufacturer of human protein products, is using the PAS-X Track & Trace Serialization Aggregation solution in Vienna.

The next HANNOVER MESSE will run from 13 to 17 April 2015.

Moxa released its position on Enabling the Industrial Internet of Things at the company's Global Distributor Summit in San Francisco, California.

The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBNEC) gave IS a certificate.

Hall 3 at HANNOVER MESSE 2015 will be devoted entirely to the topic of surface technology.

Sizing Tool makes it easy to find the right gear reducer, coupling, or linear mount product compatible with a motor.

Instrumentation software companies are focusing on simplifying complicated technical tasks and processes as well as adding new functions.

Midwest Engineering Systems is doubling its building size by moving the corporate headquarters to a 100,000 square foot facility in Pewaukee, WI.

Endress+Hauser was the Main Instrument Vendor for a $3.8 billion expansion and modernization project at Refineria de Cartagena in Columbia.

Humor can provide insights by opening the mind to the strange but true aspects of the industrial automation profession. Successful humor can cause a smile before you realize the full nature of the sit

By Bill Lydon, Editor A recent design and engineering conference emphasized the need for manufacturing automation and design engineers to collaborate instead of working in independent organizational silos. An open mind is required in order to embrace change and innovate.

By Paul Brooks, Rockwell Automation Manufacturers should carefully consider their infrastructure investments today to take advantage of the emerging wealth of industrial innovations enabled by the Internet Protocol (IP).

By Greg Goodwin, LNS Research The manufacturing industries are constantly looking for ways to cut costs, increase revenue, efficiency, speed, and so on, and advancements in technology are key to furthering this cause. Today, there are several emerging technologies that are having a significant impact on how companies operate. And one that is being embraced with increasingly open arms is cloud manufacturing software.

In his new role, Iverson will be responsible for increasing market share and leading the future direction of the company.

The test rig is for the calibration of high-precision tank gauging instruments developed and produced at the factory in Japan.

Android-based Smart Device Communicator Application uses the Device Descriptor (DD) for the connected HART device so the user has full access to every Parameter and Method.

Clearfield also opened a manufacturing plant in Tijuana, Mexico.

More than 200 process measurement and control professionals in chemical and energy processing and other process industry sectors attended the International Society of Automation’s (ISA’s) 2014 Process Control & Safety Symposium in Houston, Texas.

Six system integration companies recently joined the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA).

Servomex will provide O2 and CO measurement analyzer packages complete with sample handling systems for the world’s largest gasification project at RIL’s J3 Refinery in Jamnagar, India.

The annual automation industry event will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, from Nov. 17 to 20.

On-line store lets engineers evaluate and purchase DC power products on a variety of mobile devices, such as tablets and smart phones.

UL 1741 and 508 approvals allow North American photovoltaic installers to monitor string currents in large-scale DC installations.

Free app for Android-based smartphones and tablets interacts with a Keithley Series 2600B SourceMeter SMU instrument via its front panel USB interface

November ISA Training and Education Opportunities

Schmueckle succeeds MAG founder Prof. Mo I. Meidar, who will continue his involvement with MAG as the Chairman of the global MAG board.

The Electrical Standards & Products Guide (ESPG) is a comprehensive listing of NEMA electrical standards as well as an extensive directory of manufacturers and their products.

August U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $356.69 million, up 0.4% from July but down 6.0% when compared with the total of $379.26 million reported for August 2013.

The RapID Platform with the fido5000 REM Switch chip has been certified to PROFINET v2.31 for Class B and Class C devices.

The RapID Platform with fido5000 REM Switch chip has been certified to EtherNet/IP CT11 for beacon-based DLR devices.

The Industrial Automation Exchange is CSIA’s comprehensive online directory for locating qualified system integrators and suppliers.

ISA will own Automation.com, including its website, intellectual property and all associated products, trademarks and copyrights. ISA will incorporate a new wholly-owned subsidiary called Automation.com, and Rick Zabel will remain the Publisher and Managing Director.

AlarmAgent.info makes a system OPC-compatible, enhancing its existing real-time reporting features by sharing data communication with HMI / SCADA software and third-party customized applications.

Many companies with an existing enterprise system typically have only established (but not updated) a maintenance management system. While the system manages calibration tasks like scheduling, and tal

In 2016 Deutsche Messe will organize three additional events – ComVac North America, Industrial Supply North America and Surface Technology North America- at IMTS.

The North American Fluid Power Pavilion will return to its traditional and newly renovated home of Halls 19 & 20 with a floor area of 210,000 square feet.

The technological advances that can flow from networking will be made real and tangible at HANNOVER MESSE in April 2015.

Bottero ground out a solution that is based on a single Kollmorgen AKD servo-converter for driving two servo-motors that are not simultaneously operating.

Unicontrols, established in 1976, has been the leading company for providing small to medium sized stainless steel tanks with professional technology and knowledge.

As of January 1, 2015, Frank Stührenberg, Executive Vice President Global Sales, will become Chairman of the Executive Board of Phoenix Contact.

A new adaptive backstepping sliding mode control law with fuzzy monitoring strategy is proposed for tracking control of a nonlinear mechanical system.

By Rick Zabel for InTech The good news is it is currently a job seeker’s market and will remain so for the long term. Because of the shrinking workforce, there are more jobs in the market than qualified automation professionals. In fact, if you are unhappy with your current job situation, there are other opportunities available. You just have to look for them.

August U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $166 million, down 2.7% from July’s total and down 3.0% from August 2013.

Yokogawa will supply control systems and safety instrumented systems for a waste-to-energy facility being built for SITA Cornwall Ltd. in the U.K.

The demo room will exhibit smart access applications on edge computing servers, AdvancedTCA (ATCA) servers, and network appliances.

From Strategy to Execution – Leading Change

The sizing tool helps users quickly find precision gear reducers, servo couplings, and linear mounting kits compatible with their motor.

Starting with version 4.7 RationalPlan Single is distributed as freeware under all Linux operating systems.

Metso opened valve service centers in Horgau, Germany and Vitrolles, France.

Zementwerk Berlin is using Malvern Instruments’ Insitec on-line particle sizing systems to efficiently manufacture high performance, ‘environmentally friendly’ slag cements.

BgB Supply announces their participation in the new FLIR TG165 limited product release.

The industrial automation industry is starting to explore and implement Internet of Things concepts and technology.

Festo is the distributor of ZAYTRAN products in North America.

Metso will provide automation, safety and emergency shutdown system extensions to the existing Metso DNA system when the polyethylene plant is upgraded.

As part of this service, process and status data from control loops are captured by the Simatic PCS 7 process control system and analyzed by Siemens experts.

PCE Instruments offers digital display recorders that draw physical parameters in industrial processes or laboratory applications over a longer period.

KHS, a manufacturer of filling and packaging systems for the beverage and food industries, uses Roxtec systems to route multiple pre-terminated cables through one opening, eliminating the cost and labor of cutting connection cables and making individual holes for each.

HIKOB is a provider of wireless autonomous multipoint data acquisition systems.

By Rick Zabel, Publisher & Editor Since Schneider Electric's purchase of Invensys, I have been waiting to hear some news about the integration of the two companies. That news, as it relates to software, was delivered last week at Schneider Electric's first Global Software Customer Conference.

The data modems of MB Connect Line monitor temperatures or capture consumption data. While brainstorming for further practice possibilities, the idea of equipping a barbecue smoker with a temperature monitor came up.

Out of all the energy consumed by U.S. manufacturers annually, induction motors make up 50 percent of the load.

The conference, to be held jointly with the Society for Machinery Failure Prevention Technology (MFPT Society), will be conducted 12-14 May 2015 at the Westin Hotel in Huntsville, Alabama, USA

By Thomas R. Cutler Missives from on-high (the C-Suite) will not touch a second shift factory plant floor worker. Manufacturing leaders must encourage all workers (safety, quality, maintenance, production, and shipping) to become part of the corporate culture, listen and share ideas. It may sound trite, but only through this consistent employee communication, can manufacturers achieve full employee engagement.

MESCO will be using the IEC 61508:2010 SIL 3 certified technology platform from KW-Software with its products to form the basis of safety control solutions.

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a ruling that establishes the ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2013 as the commercial building reference standard for state building energy codes.

New England Institute of Technology (NEIT)'s automation lab will be used by students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science Degree program in Electrical Engineering Technology.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the motion control technology used by Zaber's positioning devices, describe and quantify the inaccuracies that arise as a result, and offer some strategies to help minimize these effects.

The company finished construction on a 125,000-square-foot addition to better accommodate its growing workforce and the increased demand for locally manufactured products.

The Georgia STEM Education Awards recognizes schools, programs, and companies for outstanding efforts and achievements in supporting and promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Education in Georgia.

Single and dual axis inclinometers are certified for use in Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C and D hazardous locations.

With this command set, even complex applications for the thermal imaging area can be solved quite easily.

Aventics celebrated a fifty year anniversary of the opening of the Lexington, Kentucky manufacturing facility.

The all-in-one circuit simulation tool, complete with integrated PCB layout and Bill of Materials (BOM) allows a user to scheme, simulate, PCB design, BOM export and purchase with one integrated tool.

Wonderware MES Performance software cut downtime by 50% and saves $400,000 annually at New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins, Co.

HIMA France is a competence centre for High Integrity Protection System (HIPS).

The fido5000 REM Switch chip has been certified to EtherNet/IP CT11 for beacon-based DLR devices.

The university will use ActiveCube to facilitate Cognitive Interactive Technology deploying robots and motion capture techniques to analyze what goes on in the brain when movement occurs.

Accreditation was awarded by the German Accreditation Service (DAkkS) in Berlin/Braunschweig.

MAVERICK received a Great Rated! notification from the Great Place to Work Institute based on an anonymous survey of its employees.

The DynAMo alarm management solution was launched in November 2013.

Project Management Is More Than a Disruption: It Is Real Work

The Smart Objects Starter Pack (SOSP) 1.0 provides a basis for interoperability across devices connected to the IoT through an open common object model.

An underground pumping station was created to pump water from the Limmernboden reservoir into the Muttsee lake about 600 m higher up. This elevation difference will be used to produce hydroelectric power on demand.

By Mike Hughes, Schaeffler UK With numerous designs to choose from, specifying the right linear guidance system can be a daunting task. Here’s an overview of the types of system available, as well as their main design features and typical areas of application.

MDA will be held at at Hannover Messe, April 13 to 17, 2015, in Hannover, Germany.

More than 200,000 industrial robots will be installed in 2014 worldwide, 15% more than in 2013.

For the period of 2014 to 2017, sales forecasts indicate an increase to about 134,500 units with an estimated value of US$ 18.9 billion.

InStep Software is a provider of real-time performance management and predictive asset analytics software and solutions.

The eTOP Series 500 Glass HMI has ATEX and UL Class I. Div 2 Hazardous location approvals for use in Oil, Gas and harsh environments.

Schneider Electric software now includes products from newly acquired Avantis, SimSci and Wonderware.

Omron designed the facility to give customers access to engineering and technical resources in one centralized location.

NEMA ICS 7 provides practical information concerning ratings, construction, test, performance, and manufacture of industrial control equipment—adjustable speed drives.

Tupras is using AVEVA Everything3D, Diagrams, Electrical and laser scanning solutions in a major brownfield revamp program.

Iberdrola Renewables in Oregon uses a SCADA system from PcVue in its National Control Center to monitor every turbine at every wind farm throughout the country. Iberdrola has 2,479 wind turbines, each with 300 to 350 data points, which equates to 700,000 to 850,000 I/O data points on more than 20 servers.

This service program supports GE’s Roots blowers, compressors and controls customers.

DB Sync uses a back-end RDBMS, such as Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle Database, to store device data in existing tables and download updates specific to each device.

Bolster Security for Your Legacy OPC Server

By Bill Lydon, Editor The French aircraft manufacturer Airbus has stated futuristic long-range goals based on their corporate philosophy. The integration of cyber-physical systems and big analog data enables smarter production and allows operators and machines to collaborate in the same physical environment.

This certification, including Annex G for low-lead content water products, puts these pumps in full compliance with the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act.

The pumps, totaling approximately $30 million, will be used for boiler feedwater and condensate service at two units for a new ultra-supercritical (USC), coal-fired power plant in Opole, Poland.

The self-organizing controller has proven to be a valuable tool in sterilization equipment in order to verify the capacity of the response to any change in the pressure or temperature.

For a period of two days, participants subjected their EtherCAT masters and slaves to rigorous interoperability testing, discussed open questions, and prepared the devices for future marketing.

ISA responded to a report from the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy that calls for a unified US national strategy to address the serious workforce development needs presented by the multi-dimensional threats of cyber attacks.

When the Boeing 777X twin-aisle passenger jet goes into full production for its debut in 2020, each fuselage will be built using special advanced automation technology, the result of a collaborative effort by the airplane maker and the KUKA Systems Aerospace Group.

Bachmann moved from Grayslake, Illinois, near Chicago, to Boston.

The company introduced an IP-based remote maintenance system for their products that ensures a high degree of IT security by using encrypted VPN connections and cellular radio routers.

Fabrication of PV inverters will commence in the Fall of 2014, followed by MV drives in the Spring of 2015 at the Houston, Texas based facility.

Siemens’ announcement that it will purchase gas compressor and turbine supplier Dresser-Rand makes it well-poised to stake its claim as a heavyweight rival to GE.

In contrast to other industrial automation markets, no one vendor dominates; and those with the highest market share typically specialize in a particular region, industry sector or technology. A shakeout may be coming.

Graphic Design USA has awarded ISA a Certificate of Excellence award in its 2014 American Graphic Design Awards competition for the online design of InTech Plus.

The fiber termination process used to manufacture fiber jumper assemblies has been certified compliant to the Telcordia GR-326-Core requirements.

The Keyence systems replaced hard gauging that Leatherman used for many years to evaluate components for its tools, eliminating cabinets full of hard fixtures built for specific parts.

Galil's DMC-4020 is used to position perfectly aligned beams from white light confocal displacement sensors and to scan a leaf surface in a predefined pattern.

The Future of Calibration is Integration

As the link between cloud networks and devices (mobile phones, tablets, notebooks) results in more complex devices under test (DUT), the need for radio frequency test equipment will only intensify.

No larger than a pack of chewing gum, TSA Spectrum Analyzers provide rapid EMC analysis for troubleshooting RF signals in wireless remotes, cordless phones, wireless monitors, ATE systems and radios, Bluetooth, WiFi, WiMax and other wireless applications.

B-Scada will be creating a wholly-owned subsidiary in Spain with new offices scheduled to open on November 1st 2014.

HIMA to supply VRS Railway Industry with SIL 4 safety systems as part of 10-year contract

The company will provide expertise on energy efficient motors and transformers to help governments devise policies that accelerate energy savings.

Siskens succeeds Laurent Giai-Miniet who left to pursue other interests in the high-tech sector.

By Salvatore Castro, SAP The common view of OEE is the localized one of an operator trying to control the machine better during the shift. The more modern spin on OEE is trying to improve all operations to run more efficiently with the lowest overall cost back to the business.

A total of five individual scholarships were issued in the amount of $500 each.

FacilityConneX helps facility managers make better sense of vast amounts of data that comes from their facility operations and industrial equipment with Real-time Operational Intelligence (RtOI).

What is an Optimal Control System for Batch Manufacturing?

By Dan Miklovic, LNS Research The basic concepts of Asset Performance Management (APM) have been around for nearly 50 years. In this article, we'll discuss the wealth of knowledge on different maintenance approaches available to today's professionals, and also the main challenges with putting those approaches into action.

By Thomas Seubert, Contributing Author Over the past two years (since the end of the recession), there have been some disturbing trends within manufacturing, specifically the automation/controls engineering profession. The author highlights these trends and suggests actions to counteract them.

Deutsche Messe AG will stage this year’s CeMAT ASIA, 27 to 30 October, in Shanghai.

By Carlos W. Moreno, Ultramax What analyses of a database enable predictions which are valid in decision making. This review does not introduce new technical concepts. It explains to engineers why their knowledge of the processes that generate data needs to be integrated in the analysis of the data, and at what level.

Calibration and pressure instrumentation has its own unique challenges.

By Bill Nolan, Rootstock Software Many regulated manufacturers use paper-or Excel-based processes to address compliance. For discrete manufacturers who are required to have FDA CFR compliance, the Salesforce1 Platform connected an ERP system offers some distinct advantages.

Kardex Remstar is a provider of automated storage and retrieval systems for manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, offices and institutions.

Vodokanal Engineering, a provider of water supply and wastewater projects in Russia, will use AVEVA PDMS as its 3D design modelling solution.

When the sun comes out on a rainy Wimbledon match day, the roof over Centre Court can be retracted, but only after the floodlights have cooled down sufficiently. Datapaq measured how long it takes.

Augmate is a wearable technology company that specializes in the strategy, development, and deployment of enterprise applications for smart eyewear.

AKM Manufacturing will integrate the group's four divisions--Sheet Metal Work, CNC Machining, Electrical Equipment, and Lighting--with Epicor ERP version 10.

By Jean Carl, Macro Sensors Blog discusses how, in the European market, sensors specified for use within potentially explosive atmospheres must be certified to ATEX standards.

“Automation 101: An Industry Guide to Control System Engineering" is a general guide for the specification, design and installation of automated control systems.

Emerson migrated an old burner management system on a distillation column furnace to Emerson’s DeltaV during the plant’s annual scheduled shutdown this 2014.

exida certified the Rosemount Tank Gauging System meets the functional safety requirements for Safety Integrity Level (SIL) 3 capability per IEC 61508: 2010.

By Roy Tomalino, Beamex Calibrating pressure devices has its own unique challenges. This blog describes three of them.

Global shipments for motion control products grew to $1.5 billion in the first half of 2014, according to the Motion Control Association (MCA), the industry’s trade group.

By David J. Bush, C.P.I.M In early 2012, we began an earnest search for a replacement for our legacy ERP system. We wanted a new ERP package that could handle the needs of our electronics industry demands. We were in for a big and disappointing surprise.

IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show 2014 was the fourth largest IMTS in history and the largest six-day show ever with registration of 114,147 representing 112 countries.

By Kenneth Tom, Wurldtech Security Technologies Today, the smart grid is under attack. We need to protect this infrastructure and provide proper visibility into the network threats by taking advantage of the latest technology for Industrial Control System (ICS) security.

Digital catalog covers liquid level, flow and pressure switches, with each model linking to immediate online ordering.

In your journey to become an automation professional, consider joining ISA and contributing your time and talents to advance the automation industry. You will find a community of people with common in

Danfoss A/S will acquire Finland’s Facon Oyj, which would result in the union of two of the ten largest variable frequency drive suppliers globally.

PMMI now owns Packaging World, Automation World, Healthcare Packaging and Contract Packaging magazines.

ANSI/ISA-100.11a-2011, "Wireless Systems for Industrial Automation: Process Control and Related Applications," has been unanimously approved by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

By Steve Milford, Endress+Hauser The City of Charlotte, NC, uses Endress+Hauser ultrasonic flowmeters to measure the flow and methane content of biogas from anaerobic digesters that treat sludge in the wastewater treatment facility. The biogas is used to generate electricity.

Micro-Epsilon supplied sensors for a high speed (up to 10,500rpm) wheel spin test, part of the BLOODHOUND SSC Project – the 1,000 mph land speed record attempt that is scheduled to take place in 2016.

Patti Engineering is supplying engineering support for the installation of a new Krones bottling line that involves integration of vision, VFDs, I/O and controls.

Emerson will install an Ovation control and safety system at a 1,075-MW, ultra-supercritical, coal-fired power generating unit under construction at the Kozienice Power Station in Poland.

The robotic pulse production line, known as the Fuselage Automated Upright Build (FAUB), will be the baseline manufacturing process for the 777X and prior to that, for assembling fuselages for current 777 models.

The 22-year-old association is seeing an uptick in participation from professionals and corporations who understand the power of Information Technologies (IT) in manufacturing.

By Dave Cronberger, Cisco Software defined networks (SDNs) are a hot topic at the enterprise-level. The reasons vary – but they’re piling up. The most promising – and potentially profitable – benefit of an SDN is its potential in making the network directly programmable.

By Elsa Madrigal and Dan McGrath, Panduit Multiple-in-Multiple-Out (MIMO) is a new technology adopted by new IEEE 802.11Wi-Fi standards. Under 802.11n and 802.11ac, the antennas in the access points receive various reflected signals and, using digital signal processing, stitch them together into a unified, clear signal.

Wireless applications and business cases are due by October 10th. The school’s department will win $1,000 worth of Fluke tools, and the Fluke Connect tools used in the contest submission, worth approximately $2,500.

Research that shows the recently revealed Dragonfly (Havex) malware is likely targeting the pharmaceutical sector, not the energy sector as previously believed.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Siemens continues to make large investments in software for manufacturing industries aimed at increasing the productivity of design, engineering, commissioning, operations, and maintenance in discrete and process industries. Siemens COMOS is targeted at process industries and is analogous to Siemens PLM for the discrete industries.

ISA Training and Education Opportunities in October

By Dr. Arne Linder, Kollmorgen Decentralizing servo technology can bring machine and plant construction savings during installation. Two additional advantages include reduced cabinet heat loads and more straight forward drive architecture. The question arises however, which technology is better, an integrated motor/drive solution or a detached motor and drive?

ComVac ASIA, Asia’s leading trade fair for compressed air and vacuum technology, is sold out with an expected display area increase of 15 percent and the number of exhibiting companies has increased 12 percent.

Focusing on such topics as smart manufacturing, energy efficiency and environmental protection, the sold-out event is expected to attract more than 70,000 visitors.

The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) announced that AutomationDirect has been named as a Finalist in the Corporate Outreach category for the 2014 STEM Education Awards.

Key Questions to Ask Before Migrating to High-Performance Graphics

The two companies will collaborate in the CNC and Logix programmable automation controller (Logix PAC) environments.

Mohammed Safiulla (Safi) has been named Country Manager and will be responsible for automation engineering services in the Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, and Utilities industries.

July U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $170 million, down 1.1% from June’s total but up 1.5% from July 2013.

Boasting an average annual growth rate of 10 percent over the last 10 years and with current growth running at around five percent, India is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.