Articles and News

Global shipments for motion control products declined by 3.9% to $2.9 billion in 2015, according to the Motion Control & Motor Association (MCMA).

By Neelesh Shah, Westlake Chemicals This paper provides a review of correct installation procedures for magnetic flow meter in electrolytic applications.

Software provides perfectly matched gearbox/motor configurations downloadable in 150 CAD formats.

Industrial Automation North America 2016 is co-located at IMTS from September 12–17, 2016, at McCormick Place in Chicago.

ABB will service their ring-geared mill drive (RMD) in the Cerro Negro mine, located in the Santa Cruz province of Argentina.

A team from Walker Career Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, has won a trip to Orlando, Fla., in Phoenix Contact’s Nanoline Contest.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Over the years there have been only a handful of truly disruptive industrial automation and control technological shifts that significantly impacted manufacturing productivity and efficiency. With the latest technologies that are enabling IoT, we may be on the cusp of another shift.

Level sensors detect the level of liquids and other fluids and fluidized solids, including slurries, granular materials, and powders that exhibit an upper free surface.

By Nick Boughton, Boulting Technology The debate between upgrade vs. repair is by no means a new one, but it has become prevalent as most industries look to squeeze margins. This article discusses best practice for obsolescence management from a systems integrator point of view.

IFR says the international market value for robotic systems now lies at around 32 billion US dollars.

Peggie W. Koon, the first African American to have held the office of ISA president, will deliver a presentation at the 42nd Annual Conference of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), to be held 23-27 March 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Ecopetrol uses Rotork Schischek compact explosionproof valve for a critical petrochemical analysis process.

By Mike Hannah, Rockwell Automation Legacy networks with only a small number of I/O modules and other devices are being replaced with complex networks that have hundreds of I/O modules. EtherNet/IP features an active infrastructure and can accommodate an almost infinite number of nodes to give manufacturers optimal flexibility when either designing their networks at the onset or expanding them in the future.

By Shannon R. Foos and Kevin Zomchek, Rockwell Automation IP connectivity from the industrial control system through the gateway – either IO-Link or HART – closes the last meter to provide connectivity to devices that are sitting in the field. These two networks allow industrial operations to bridge to an IP network as seamlessly as possible, making today’s plants more future-ready for the industrial IoT.

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Conditions Index (EBCI) for current conditions in North America fell back in February.

By Mike Marciante, TE Connectivity Both free-core and guided-core LVDT Linear Position Sensors provide the benefit of infinite resolution, with each type offering models that can operate in harsh environments. While free-core LVDTs are generally less expensive and available in many ranges, they are more difficult to install than guided-core sensors.

FPID on March 14-15 showcases two acclaimed keynote speakers, an extensive technical program, and two valuable training courses.

ABB will supply electrical and telecommunication systems to the Al Nasr Full field Development Project in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.

The key element in creating a business case for calibration system is to build the business case for the entire lifecycle of the system.

Kontron’s family of IoT boards, gateways, modules and systems will be integrated with Wibu-Systems CodeMeter technology to provide security for IoT applications

Tempered Networks security platform helps Rockwell Automation customers safely connect and protect critical infrastructure, communications and vulnerable endpoints from cyber-security threats.

Honeywell’s Industrial Cyber Security business is now offering the Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Security Platform to industrial customers.

Emerson will supply Fisher valves and regulators, Rosemount and Daniel measurement instruments, DeltaV distributed control systems, flow computers, and systems for emergency shutdown and fire and gas detection.

Real-Life IoT: Vineyard strives to improve plant health and lower operating costs with a wireless solution.

A helpful guide to choosing the right barcode scanning technology for your application.

How 58% of Plants are Improving Quality Management highlights insights that can be applied in your own plant.

How to avoid this costly scenario: "Recall of Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Meal Due to Packaging Error".

The expansion will allow Cressall engineers to carry out accurate and consistent lightning impulse and thermal power testing on electrical equipment.

By Oleg Logvinov, chair, IEEE P2413 The IoT is opening up new and innovative ways for manufacturers and suppliers to accurately track parts and materials in real time, reducing or eliminating delivery delays or mix-ups that can cost millions of dollars.

The global terminal LCD display market was worth US$13.09 bn in 2014 and is expected to reach US$18.50 bn by 2022, expanding at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2015 to 2022

By Bill Lydon, Editor This article expresses my thoughts on major automation and control trends for 2016 and beyond. Key topics include IoT, automation architecture, cloud, analytics, integration, robots and more.

To measure the pH of ultrapure water in the power industry, specialized sensors, meticulous installation, and proper maintenance required.

Simatic WinCC SCADA system is being used as a tunnel management system for the Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland.

AutoQuiz: Calculating the Resistance of Copper Wire

The Austrian lab can calibrate CO2 measuring devices such as sensors, handhelds, data loggers and spectrometers.

Powerstorm ESS develops and manufactures smart energy storage solutions for electric grid, backup power and lead-acid replacement applications.

AMZ-HD41-2 and AMZ-3041-2 cameras now meet European ATEX and IECEx standards, as well as UL and Canadian CSA standards for electrical safety.

By Okuma CNC machining processes contain hidden costs that often go unnoticed. Here’s how Okuma’s ECO suite technology can achieve significant energy savings by reducing power consumption.

Emerson will automate Cameron’s new liquefaction project, adding three LNG trains to facilitate export of domestic natural gas to international markets.

Twelve-page leaflet describes how ProcessMaster electromagnetic flowmeter serves the demanding applications of the oil and gas industry.

ABB will supply the complete power and process electrical systems for Metsä Group’s new bioproduct mill in Äänekoski in central Finland, opening in 2017.

The oil industry must apply control & safety solutions to run operations efficiently, ensure compliance and protect personnel, assets and the environment.

By Dee Brown, Brown Engineers Maximum cyber security protection is possible only when cyber security protection is embedded deeply into the control system electronics from birth.

More than 230 U.S. companies and research institutions confirmed to exhibit at Hannover Messe, along with 39 economic development organizations from 30 states

MPLAB platform provides an easy way to get started with PIC MCUs.

By Jonathan Wilkins, European Automation The increasing availability of inexpensive, wireless sensors now lets facilities measure safety, regulatory compliance, equipment reliability and energy efficiency without breaking the bank.

The Michelin Group awarded a four-year contract to Rockwell Automation that designates the company as the preferred provider to all the Michelin Group’s factories worldwide.

The free webinar 8 March 2016 shows how to build a business case for a calibration system.

Will provide SCADA/HMI Software Solutions in the Southeast Unites States

ISA plans to take its messages to the market through every possible avenue, including via volunteers, sections, divisions and partners.