Articles and News

Presidential Executive Order on Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity draws comprehensive response from ISA and the Automation Federation.

ISA100 Wireless product demonstrations at the 2013 Hannover Messe Fair showcased peer-to-peer control, support for three different legacy protocols in a single ISA100 Wireless mesh network, and a gas sensor designed for SIL2 safety applications

The Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) announced winners of three awards during the association’s 2013 Executive Conference in St. Pete Beach, Fla.

ISA published the third collection of its Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) methodology white papers designed to help manufacturers transform their paper-based processes into real-time operations intelligence.

Neutec Pharmaceutical expanded its 80,000 square foot facility to over 400,000 square feet, and installed BACnet.

Emerson will supply the control systems that help maintain stability and structural integrity for Dockwise’s semi-submersible heavy transport vessel, the largest of its kind in the world.

To simulate the human locomotor system, Roboy's project team of scientists and industry experts designed the robot's internal motion system using more than 100 analog sensors from Baumer.

By Bill Lydon, Editor A pharmaceutical company discussed their strategy and tips for system obsolescence planning and presented a specific case study of a DCS replacement at a specific site. Other pharmaceutical companies also shared their perspectives on the topic.

Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL) manages the process control and monitoring of its 300 gathering stations, 5200 compressor stations and 150 gas processing facilities with PcVue SCADA software.

Piercarlo (PC) Romano was selected for a two-year term as chairman of the board of the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) at the association’s annual executive conference.

Wilkinson has over 14 years’ experience in the industry having worked for some of the world’s leading control systems manufacturers including Honeywell, Siemens and Rockwell Automation.

Los Gatos Research is a producer of precise, rugged and reliable instruments for measurements of trace gases and isotopes.

Virtual Technology Center (VTC) class topics include safety, Ethernet, routing/firewall, VPNs and several levels of training on Phoenix Contact’s PC Worx software.

Locate control valves to be maintainable, provide fast injection into mixing zones, and prevent flashing and cavitation.

GAMBICA, the Trade Association for Instrumentation, Control, Automation and Laboratory Technology in the UK, formed an industrial network security group to counter the threats of viruses, industrial sabotage and terrorism.

Specification enhancements include updates to the sercos communication protocol and to the different sercos profiles (drive, I/O, encoder and energy).

MAVERICK, Logos Technologies and Global Velocity will develop a solution set to protect SCADA systems from potential cyber-attacks.

Rotork Valvekits is now the distributor for Pneumatrol Namur range of solenoid valves.

METTLER TOLEDO developed a microgram load cell for use in an experiment aimed at establishing a new definition of the kilogram, which is drifting by 0.5 µg/year.

Honeywell will supply building automation, process control and safety systems for a new bubble fluidized-bed (BFB) boiler site.

The Member's Choice Awards recognizes those individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership.

Catalog covers transformers, autotransformers, inductors and power supplies for applications including power conversion, filtering, isolation and more.

For the foreseeable future, wind turbines and wind generators will continue to get bigger and bigger—both in terms of average physical size and in the average output power rating of these machines.

Failure to protect Intellectual Property rights means that firms across the industry are at risk of missing out on potentially lucrative commercial opportunities in the UK and abroad.

ISA and the Automation Federation hosted an informational exhibit where students involved in FIRST learned about the automation profession and how to plan for careers in the field.

3D3 Solutions is a supplier of 3D scanning software and hardware products based in Burnaby, Canada.

ISA Training and Education in May: Learn, Advance, Succeed

Website describes S88 Builder, a configuration system developed based on the ISA-S88 standard for best practices of control operations at batch processing plants.

Data acquisition and development tools reduce development time and provide complete data logging solutions.

The open source offering includes software for ISA100.11a and WirelessHART, including Field Devices, Backbone Router, Gateway, System Manager and Security Manager.

Logic Supply will carry three ASRock IPC motherboards, which will be incorporated into Logic Supply’s lineup of industrial PCs.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Industry 4.0 was a thread in the presentations at the Hannover Messe 2013 opening ceremony under the umbrella of this year's "Integrated Industry" theme. The term "4.0" represents a belief that industry is entering a fourth industrial revolution.

By Matthew Littlefield, LNS Research This article will investigate the traditional approach to audit management. Then, with the use of benchmark data from the 2012-2013 LNS Research Quality Management Survey, I'll discuss the benefits of automating the process.

MOHR will supply its EFP-IL SFPI system as a solution for U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Order EA-12-051 requiring installation of SFPI in all U.S. commercial nuclear power stations.

Prior to joining Moore Industries, Watson was the Director of Global Marketing and Communications at Goellner, Inc., a manufacturer of machine tools and machine components.

Dresser-Rand will implement the Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS) Turbomachinery Control Solution in a wide range of control applications.

The three millionth ACS550 drive rolled off the production line on March 25th, marking it the first for an ABB drive series to reach the three million unit production mark.

A supplier selection can end your career or launch it. With leaner engineering departments and more options to choose from, selecting the right solution is an ever growing challenge.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Representatives of pharmaceutical companies from around the world discussed the topic of real-time data integration and dashboarding. Each participant identified their company's progress and shared first-hand experiences. This is the fifth article from the PAR series.

5,833 robots valued at $341.2 million were ordered from North American robotics companies through March, an increase of 14.5% over the same period in 2012 and 10% above the previous first quarter record set in 2005.

Amaco Automation will serve the oil and gas market with controls engineering and automation services.

The user organisation saw a significant increase in the number of visitors to its booth as well as in the quality of contacts compared to the previous year.

The EMO Hannover 2013 will show how sustainable production, from raw materials to recycling, secures global competitiveness.

The RDC6332G control card is the RuiDa technology the sixth generation of carving/cutting control system general hardware platform which the science and technology in April, 2012 grandly promotes.3.5 inch 320*240 picture element 32 real color TFT screen; Ethernet connection and USB connection; Integrates the RDC633XG general platform therefore hardware characteristic; Reaches as high as the 2MHZ high speed data transmission; Presente in figures and diagrams demonstrated; Dynamic demonstration path processing advancement and fiducial mark; The static state looks at the memory document in advance; Direct revision chart level parameter and other parameters; Support mouse operation. The RDC6332G system is the RuiDa technology the technical development the newest generation of laser carving/cutting control system, this control system has the better hardware stability, has a better anti-high-pressured, the anti-electrostatic disturbance characteristic.Has the friendlier operation contact surface based on the LINUX man-machine operating system and a more formidable function.This controller including the more perfect more outstanding movement control function, the large capacity file memory, the two-circuit independent adjustable digital/simulation laser power source control connection, the compatible stronger U plate driver, the multi-channel general/special-purpose IO control, the integrated special-purpose time system support hardware encryption algorithm, may choose and so on with the PC machine communication support ethernet communication and the USB communication.

PAS declares themselves “The Human Reliability Company” reflecting the company’s commitment to developing products to empower the human factor at the plant facility – the operator.

Take the time (and spend the money) to show appreciation to the crews on an industrial project start-up or during a major production outage.

DC brushless motor shipments will outpace shipments of DC brushed and stepper motors used in automotive applications from 2012 to 2017.

The IviACPwr specification describes the IVI class of drivers for AC power sources.

B2MML & Integration Fundamentals training courses will allow students easier access to classes and offer them two options for earning a MESA Certificate of Awareness (CoA) online.

Process Safety Fundamentals (EC50CT) provides a sound foundational understanding of leading process safety concepts, standards and procedures, and accentuates the need to regard process safety as a fundamental daily priority.

The center will now serve as a regional production facility, combining integration services, parts distribution and manufacturing in a central location.

ABB will supply two 3,700 MW overhung synchronous motors and an ACS6000 MV drive inverter, power transformers, medium and low voltage switchgear, and a System 800xA control system.

ISA will conduct three knowledge-intensive training programs in Houston, Texas, USA over four consecutive weeks in June 2013.

The EMO trade show in Hannover, Germany will be held from September 16 to 21, 2013.

Emerson's DeltaV digital automation system and its project and engineering support services have successfully passed annual best practice standards set by Wurldtech Security Technologies.

Custody transfer measurement on barges is shifting from traditional methods under open conditions—allowing vapor to escape from tanks—to closed solutions, eliminating vapor release to the atmosphere during tank gauging.

Investment in process control system documentation has become critical for industrial project as well as business success.

The program will help a company's senior leadership understand the business value of MES, MOM and ERP.

ThreadX RTOS has been certified by SGS-TÜV Saar to IEC 61508 and 62304 for use in safety-critical systems.

Banner contributed more than $35,000 in products to help the museum bring its newest exhibit, Sensor Zone, to life.

Almost entirely student-designed and built, the charging port includes 12 south-facing solar panels, Apollo Solar inverter and Concorde AGM batteries that collect sunlight during the day.

Nagatsu joined Yaskawa Electric Corporation in 1989 and was General Manager of the Business Planning Department and General Manager of the International Sales Department.

By installing wired and wireless Korenix industrial Ethernet switches in 22 of its trackside railway stations and 96 field level sites, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway eliminated the risk of broadcast storms on its monitoring and control system network.

Founded in 1988, the instrumentation and controls company has sold over 10,000 remote monitoring and control systems to customers in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

The project includes miles of inverted friction drive system at the Chrysler Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, which will be used in the body paint process, as well as for delivery of car bodies between the paint shop and general assembly system.

Power-One is a provider of renewable energy and energy-efficient power conversion and power management solutions and a designer and manufacturer of photovoltaic inverters.

Emerson will supply an Ovation control system, AMS Suite predictive maintenance software, valves and smart wireless instrumentation to the waste- and biomass-fed power station at Morcenx in southwestern France.

Share knowledge, network and stay current at ISA Automation Week

By Bill Lydon, Editor The umbrella theme of the 2013 event was “Integrated Industry” that encompassed technology, cooperation and collaboration across corporate and sector boundaries. The Integrated Industry theme has become important with the continuing integration of mechanical design, embedded automation/control, business system integration, and machine–to-machine (M2M) communications technologies.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Representatives of pharmaceutical companies from around the world discussed the value of integrated manufacturing systems. Each participant identified their company's progress and shared first-hand experiences. This is the fourth article from the PAR series.

Sales revenue this year of hazardous area equipment in the Europe-Middle East-Africa (EMEA) region will grow by less than half of what was estimated in 2012.

The mill had previously used a magnetic flow meter to measure the flow of white liquor. The flowmeter was occasionally subjected to a significant vacuum that partially collapsed the liner, so they replaced it.

The best measurement location maximizes the sensor sensitivity and maximizes the signal-to-noise ratio and minimizes deadtime.

By Pat Garrehy, Rootstock What you should know before selecting your Cloud ERP solution. If an organization is considering a Private Cloud ERP vendor, it needs to undertake some comprehensive analysis to be assured that this vendor can satisfy all of their business requirements.

By Carl Benfield, Prescient Power With incentives delivering short payback terms, great quality products, and prices at a record low level, now is the time to build extra income streams and insurance against rising fuel costs into your business plan.