Articles and News

ABB and Automated Logic Corp have agreed to jointly pursue facility automation projects, focusing on GxP production, laboratory and clean room facilities, as well as other critical or regulated environments. The agreement combines the strength of ABB in regulated environments and process applications together with the strength of ALC in full turn-key installation of commercial and critical building management applications.

The partnership will deliver world-class security solutions to a wide range of commercial businesses, public sector organizations and industries across East Africa. In particular, the partnership will deliver port-of-entry security solutions at airports and seaports within one of Africa’s largest tourist destinations.

The FDA recently issued a final guidance meant to help pharmaceutical companies operate modern quality systems that are fully compliant with Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations. This question-and-answer article provides pertinent facts about the FDA's "Guidance on Quality Systems Approach to Pharmaceutical CGMP Regulations," issued on Sept. 29, 2006.

Ciba Specialty Chemicals chose GE Fanuc's Proficy™ Plant Applications Batch Execution software, running on a Proficy HMI/SCADA - iFIX® platform, for two main pigment manufacturing processes at its Paisley, Scotland plant. Key factors in the decision were the recipe consistency, the flexibility and the ease-of-use offered by the software, part of the Proficy Production Management solution suite.

Rio Tinto Coal Australia Hunter Valley Operations and Matrikon won the "Minerals Process Plant of the Year" Award at the Australian Mining Prospect Awards for Innovation in Coal Prep Plant Control Optimization.

The free catalog introduces 10 new products including the UEILogger family and an embedded Linux toolkit for the company's PowerDNA product line. The catalog can be downloaded as a PDF.

The new course catalog from Emerson's Educational Services, available on CD, describes some 300 training courses designed to facilitate the engineering, operation, maintenance, and optimization of industrial process automation systems and devices. Engineers and technicians who take these courses are better able to optimize the performance of their processes, and enhance productivity in their plants.

TURCK appointed Dean McCaskill president of North American operations. In this role, McCaskill assumes complete responsibility for TURCK's operations, including its manufacturing facilities. McCaskill has more than 25 years of experience in the industrial manufacturing, distribution and business development sectors. Prior to joining TURCK, McCaskill served as general manager for Barnes Group. .

Unibend Control Software enhancements include: detailed torque analysis software for each axis which allows fabricators to track tubing quality and compare suppliers; a utility that captures usage data to assist productivity analysis; and the ability to dynamically control the profile of the carriage push cycle for finer control of bend quality.

ABB has successfully put into operation an automation system expansion at Alunorte's Alumina refinery in Barcarena, Brazil. This expansion project includes System 800xA Extended Automation and intelligent device integration. Since April 2006, after only five months of commissioning and 12 days of ramp-up operation, Alunorte has been operating at nominal load.

Green Planet process automation newsletter provides updates on the group's strategy, markets, organization, and major successes. Published bi-annually in spring and autumn It is available in hard copy format through local Pepperl+Fuchs representatives.

KONE's EcoMod solution for modernizing aging escalator equipment uses PEC's EcoStart to make the escalators more power efficient.

From 16 to 20 April, HANNOVER MESSE 2007 will be featuring 13 international flagship fairs for industrial technology at the same time and place at the exhibition grounds in Hannover, Germany. Together these events present a cross-section of all the latest technical innovations, trends and know-how for all the major industries. At least 6,000 exhibitors are expected to occupy a display area of over 200,000 square meters.

The TLS 2200 Thermal Labeling System Version 4.0 offers twice the processing power, along with additional features that enhance the printer's functionality and efficiency. The new version of the portable label printerprovides more value and labeling flexibility for industrial labeling applications.

N5430A function enables Agilent Infiniium oscilloscope users to create and execute application-specific measurements. This makes it possible for Infiniium oscilloscope users to develop custom math and analysis functions in the MATLAB software environment and execute them live on the oscilloscope screen, just like any of the scope's standard functions.

Emerson and OSIsoft announced continuation of their global value added reseller agreement of the last three years. Emerson will continue to incorporate OSIsoft's PI System into its automation projects that use PlantWeb digital automation architecture and services.

G Systems has been awarded a $1 million contract by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control to design, integrate and install an automated test station for the Non-Line-of-Sight Launch System (NLOS-LS) container launch unit.

Honeywell is expanding its presence in Southern Africa with the opening of a new office in Angola as part of its strategy to drive growth and provide strong process automation solutions to the oil and gas industry in the resource-rich region.

Innovex, a manufacturer of high-density flexible circuit-based electronic interconnect solutions, has selected Junot Systems’ NLINK product suite and SAP-certified interfaces to provide plant to enterprise (P2E) integration for their manufacturing facilities in Thailand.

OMRON will acquire NHK Spring's FTTH optical coupler business on November 1, 2006, as outlined in a preliminary agreement between the two companies that was announced on August 31, 2006. From November 1, the FTTH optical coupler business, which was based in NHK Spring's Yokohama head office, will be operated from OMRON's Kusatsu Factory.

On December 5th and December 7th 2006, Thermo will host a series of seminars in the Baltic Region. This series of seminars explores the challenges facing the process industry today and gives examples of organizations enhancing productivity in the laboratory and reducing costs, ultimately improving their competitiveness in the global market.

Web site contains information on machine vision products, including camera mounts, light mounts, adjustable mounts, vision fixtures, camera enclosures, adjustable mounting brackets, LED lighting, and machine vision lenses.

The report, ERP in Manufacturing Benchmark, surveyed more than 1,100 companies of all sizes on the total amount spent on software and external services. The report showed that Infor customers spend an average of 44 percent less on services than the nearest competitor.

This alliance couples Emerson's Machinery Health Management services capabilities with RoMaDyn's 50+ years of in-field turbo machinery experience to create a network of machinery diagnostic services for critical rotating machines. Besides services opportunities, the two companies have jointly created a new training course on turbomachinery diagnostics to be introduced by Emerson in 2007.

MTS is supplying Temposonics position sensors to the K-RIG, a high performance data acquisition system that provides detailed information about NASCAR suspension systems. Designed by Livingston & Haven, the K-RIG uses the sensors in a racing simulator that is significantly more affordable than other simulators on the market, and is used by the top racing teams in NASCAR.

The OEM Accelerator program provides engineering services and tools to help life sciences machine builders and process equipment providers reduce their development costs and time to market. As a result, OEMs can provide their customers with predefined interfaces that can reduce risk, lower cost and speed integration time.

Services range from modifying an existing product to creating a new component or product. Cooper Bussmann Custom Products services include: design, prototype, test, manufacture and securing agency approvals to deliver a single-component, sub-assembly or a finished product.

The engineering service helps industrial facilities and OEMs increase assembly short-circuit current ratings (SCCR) for control panels to comply with 2005 National Electric Code® (NEC®) requirements and UL508A standards.

ODVA has more than doubled the size of its headquarters building at a new location in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This move has also expanded ODVA lab and training facilities to support the association’s growing testing and educational services for DeviceNet, EtherNet/IP, CompoNet and the semiconductor industry.

Participants can learn at their own pace and experience first hand how machine vision can help them stay competitive by driving down costs, increasing production and ensuring customer satisfaction. The Cognex University program provides many innovative educational options for beginners and advanced users.

Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) increased 48 percent to $686 million from $463 million a year earlier and the EBIT margin, or EBIT as a percentage of revenues, increased to 11.4 percent from 8.3 percent.

Rockford Systems, Inc. (RSI) will provide integration and installation services for SICK safety products on behalf of its Authorized SICK Distributors and end customers.

W. L. Gore & Associates has been selected as the sole supplier of protective vents for Intermec's CV30 Fixed-Mount computers. The POV/M12 vent and the BPC Series vents used in the CV30 allow for continuous exchange of gases and vapors, and they equalize pressure within the computer enclosure.

The new version includes a software interface (SST-PFB-CLX-DTM) that enables the SST PROFIBUS Scanner to configure and diagnose user-friendly DTM field devices by using FDT engineering tools such as PACTware or FieldCare. FDT (Field Device Tool) technology enables to standardize the communication interface between field devices and systems.

Designed for classroom based instruction, the one-hour presentation provides critical training for attendees on how to prevent serious electrical injuries. Particular emphasis is placed on teaching the dangers of arc flash and arc blast -- two highly destructive occurrences that can erupt with explosive force.

More than 2,100 people from 48 countries attended the 2006 Emerson Global Users Exchange in Nashville, which was held Oct. 2-6 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Conference Center. This year's conference was themed "Learn, Lead and Unleash," and was put on by Emerson's community of users.

Honeywell and one of China’s top universities will establish an integrated management and control laboratory. Honeywell will donate process automation software to the Automation Department of Tsinghua University, a major base of China’s scientific research and intelligent education.

SanYan has introduced a new web store for its family of industrial-grade video Surveillance control System & x86 embedded boards & thin clients. Purchases can be made via T/T wired transfer or credit card (in testing) or worldwide distributors channel, and products can be ordered in quantities.

Thermo Electron Corporation has established a new local customer support center for its informatics software and services in Dammam, in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. The new helpdesk has been developed in close collaboration with the Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo group, Thermo’s partner in the region.

Thiele Technologies, a manufacturer of high-speed packaging equipment in Minneapolis, announced an agreement to acquire certain assets and the business of Streamfeeder, LLC of Minneapolis. Streamfeeder manufacturers material handling and packaging solutions for printing, converting and warehousing, including feeders, batch counters, accumulators, collators, bulk loaders, wrapping units and integrated systems.

Kobe Steel's copper coil slitting company, Suzhou Kobe Copper Technology Co., Ltd., will formally open in China tomorrow. Suzhou Kobe slits coiled copper sheet, which is used in electronic materials. The company is based in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, west of Shanghai.

The ETHERNET Powerlink Standardization Group (EPSG) has solved the challenging task of realizing deterministic, hard real-time communication between multiple controllers of different vendors. Technology providers participating in a demonstration at PACK EXPO include: B&R, Baldor, Fraba Posital, Lenze, Parker and Wago.

A series of motion control product catalogs make life easier for OEMs and machine builders implementing automation systems. Comprising nine separate publications, each dedicated to a specific area of motion control, the series builds into a comprehensive and accessible library of up-to-date system building information.

Ethernet Direct is cooperating with Catena AS to set up Ethernet Direct's base in Scandinavia region. Catena AS is a leading provider of products and solutions for communication in harsh environment where reliability is crucial. Catena is also a manufacturer of HDS weatherproof enclosures for emergency communication and safety systems.

This growth is reflective of Falcon providing the U.S. military and its subcontractors with COTS power conversion and protection solutions. Falcon's products support electronic systems for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, L-3 Communications, Raytheon, SAIC and other preeminent military, defense and aerospace organizations.

Products being exhibited include the DryLin ZLW linear actuator for compact, quick positioning of lightweight parts.; DryLin W compact linear guide system with a stainless steel shaft; DryLin linear slide tables; compact igubal pivoting bearings; and iglide plastic plain bearings.

Using the flexible M-Series sensors to fit 45 to 60-ft. tall vessels, the sensors provide both tank level and temperature measurement of flammable liquids. With a rugged design, the M-Series enables BP to monitor light oils, diesel fuels, and gasoline at various locations throughout the United States.

Trinity Integrated systems won a global award for innovation at the IET’s annual Innovation in Engineering Awards. Trinity won the Software Design award for its software translation tool.

The number of customers and prospects attending Customer Day at the ABB Low Voltage Products "Results-Driven Power Control" Roadshow here, on Thursday, October 18, set a record, as end users poured into the Crowne Plaza Hotel downtown to attend technical workshops and review the 25 product families on display.

Emerson delivered Daniel natural gas metering systems on 12 skids for fiscal metering on the Fujian LNG-import terminal project. The terminal is being constructed in Fujian Province, Peoples Republic of China. It is owned and operated by CNOOC Fujian LNG Co. Ltd., a co-investment of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and Fujian Investment and Development Corporation.