Articles and News

PLCopen Motion Control Specifications have been extended with the release of Part 5 and Part 6, adding fluid power to the spec.

New orders for motion control products are up 19% through the third quarter of 2011, but are slowing down says MCA.

Coastal Flow added a Calibron S50 portable flow prover to its proving fleet.

The three Strategic Member companies appointed directors for next year, and the 16 Participating Member companies elected two directors for the Board.

Catalog includes technical data related to flammability, impact resistance, temperature control, EMI/RFI Shielding, and modifications of enclosures.

The program helps automation vendors get started with FOUNDATION product development by making it faster and easier to bring fieldbus equipment to market.

The catalogs list more than 25,000 different products.

The project involves installing an electric-mechanical system on 900 dump bins to monitor the input of waste and optimize its collection.

Linear programs and real-time optimization need the prediction to violation of constraints inherent in MPC.

Automation.com, November 2011 By Bill Lydon, Editor I was recently introduced to a new HMI software offering, Tatsoft FactoryStudio. My first reaction was - Why does the industry need another HMI software product? I interviewed Tatsoft CEO and founder, Marcos Taccolini to learn more.

Catalog contains product information and installation assistance for Parker hydraulic hoses, fittings, equipment, accessories and technical information.

eWON is a Belgian manufacturer of hardware products for industrial communication.

Honeywell will provide automation, safety and security solutions for a new multi-train liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Queensland.

There’s nothing worse in one’s work life than when the relationship with one’s manager is not working correctly.

Automation.com, December 2011 By Gregory Wilcox, Mike Hannah and Mark Devonshire, Rockwell Automation The rise of Ethernet and emerging technologies such as integrated plantwide architecture and Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) have lead to the increased popularity of converged network infrastructures . These infrastructures allow innovative designs, specifically layer switches, that allow manufacturers to combine the simplicity and maintainability of many individual networks with the power and flexibility of a single network design.

Automation.com, December 2011 Gram Equipment in Denmark is a manufacturer of equipment for industrial ice cream production. To simplify system complexity, it based its control topology on an Allen-Bradley GuardLogix platform and EtherNet/IP.

Automation.com, December 2011 Askim Mek Verksted in Norway builds Battpacker wool production machinery. It upgraded to Control Logix PLCs, PanelView Plus HMIs, Festo plug-in pneumatic valves, and EtherNet/IP communications.

The program targets system integrators, machine builders and other companies wishing to include Anybus gateways and Netbiter remote management solutions in their offering.

SME selects Francis Tuttle Technology Center as one of six exemplary schools for community-based manufacturing education.

The instrument will monitor weather and climate changes throughout the Arctic region.

Industrial networks play a major role in the implementation of control strategies for energy optimization on the plant floor.

Accu-Sort produces Automatic Identification (Auto-ID) systems, with revenues of approximately $92 million in 2010.

Kowal is the first Supplier Member to be elected to the PMMI board, a recognition of the key role suppliers play in the advancement of packaging technology.

Vector award competition rewards challenging and innovative applications using cable carrier systems.

Many of the real costs of plant or facility downtime are hidden in other cost areas and do not show up unless you account for them properly.

Andy Chatha Awarded ISA Honorary Membership

Automation.com, November 2011 By Nuris Ismail, Aberdeen Group In today's economic environment, manufacturers are under immense pressure to contribute value to the organization's bottom line by cutting costs and improving productivity wherever possible. In fact, in the Aberdeen Business Review study of over 170 manufacturers revealed that their primary goals for 2011 were profitability and cost reduction.

Automation.com, November 2011 By Bill Lydon for Automation.com Rockwell Automation introduced the new low-cost Micro800 PLC product line suited for standalone machine applications - a completely new architecture and not based on or compatible with the Logix Platform and Integrated Architecture.

Automation.com, November 2011 By Mikko Ristolaine, ABB Offerings from safe stopping to more elaborate monitoring functions are being introduced and are heralding new opportunities in machine safety.

Automation.com, December 2011 By ABB Describes the thinking that went into developing the ABB Process Automation Decision Tool.