Articles and News

PlantWeb uses a FOUNDATION Fieldbus network of intelligent devices and Emerson's DeltaV digital system to provide an operational overview of the Phase III platform, which is monitored by engineers and operators at the main manned complex 10 km away, on the Champion West Drilling Platform - 1 (CWDP-1). The Phase III platform installation also features remote control and monitoring from Onshore Control Centre, in Brunei.

Competitive Advantages for Early Adopters.” The white paper explains how intelligent safety systems can increase machine uptime and limit liability as today’s manufacturing engineering organizations become more aware of the strategic value of safety.

A longtime leader in end-user vision systems, NI now adds support for GigE Vision cameras to its existing image acquisition software. With NI Vision Acquisition software, engineers can acquire images from thousands of different cameras and seamlessly move between standard vision buses including IEEE 1394a, IEEE 1394b, Camera Link and analog.

The permanent mold casting cells will utilize a KUKA robot and are designed to complete multiple casting tasks such as furnace and casting tending, sawing, sanding, milling/drilling, inspection and machining.

Matrix Electronica will distribute Imsys’ line of Java-enabled microcontrollers, prototyping kits, modules and development tools throughout their channels in Europe. Matrix has offices in Spain, Portugal and France.

The solution includes process data acquisition, control system performance analysis, process monitoring and advanced control technology components. The original contract to implement the solution at 50 plants has been completed.

The CIP Motion Drive Profile establishes the technical foundation for the implementation of multi-axis, synchronized motion control on EtherNet/IP™, the world's most developed, proven and complete industrial Ethernet protocol. The CIP Motion Drive Profile supports a range of drive types from variable frequency drives to high performance servo drives.

The charter stakeholders of The Automation Federation began the formal organizational process with meetings at the ISA President’s Spring Meeting last week in Orlando. Representatives of OMAC, WBF, and ISA met to sign incorporation documents, discuss initial strategic initiatives, and outline next steps.

To further this agreement, USCAR is proceeding with specific initiatives to accelerate its adoption in the U.S. vehicle assembly operations of its three member companies – DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation.

AECI is owned by and provides wholesale power to six regional and 51 local electric cooperative systems in Missouri, northeast Oklahoma and southeast Iowa that serve more than 800,000 customers. The New Madrid plant is comprised of two 600-MW coal-based electric generating units. As a baseload plant, it is critical to AECI's mission of providing an economical and reliable power supply to member systems.

By creating new jobs and promoting the training of technical specialists and managers worldwide, the drive and control specialist has increased sales growth for the third straight period.

Opto 22, a developer and manufacturer of hardware and software for industrial automation, remote monitoring, data acquisition, and machine-to-machine (M2M) applications, has announced the release of the SNAP PAC Learning Center, an integrated set of Opto 22 hardware and software that provides all the tools needed to learn and train with Opto 22 SNAP Ethernet systems.

EtherNet/IP stands apart from other industrial Ethernet options as it uses the same standard TCP/IP protocol chips and wiring that are used for the Internet and in company business networks worldwide. This approach offers a myriad of benefits to automation users and vendors alike: low product development costs, ease of use, simple product and network integration and multi-vendor interoperability, delivering far more than a fieldbus ever could.

The CIP Safety protocol for EtherNet/IP meets the requirements of IEC 61508 up to Safety Integrity Level 3 (SIL 3/Cat.4) and establishes the technical foundation for the implementation of CIP Safety on EtherNet/IP, the world's most developed, proven and complete industrial Ethernet protocol.

A live demonstration with the first device implementations of this C2C profile was presented at the joint booth of the Interests Group SERCOS interface. The product spectrum for SERCOS III continues to increase and currently includes over 20 innovative products. Additional companies have announced they will support and implement SERCOS III as a universal real-time interface. The first users, e.g., Schuler – one of the technological and global market leaders in the metalforming field, are already successfully applying SERCOS III solutions.

The profile defines mechanisms to interconnect distributed control functions and to synchronize distributed motion controls in modular machines and systems via the SERCOS III interface. The specification takes into consideration innovative SERCOS III features, such as hardware redundancy, hot-plugging and cross communication.

The free, one-day seminars for potential users and vendors of EtherNet/IP products and networks will be held at various locations around the world. The seminar titled “EtherNet/IP: The Proven and Complete Solution for Manufacturing Automation” will present the value proposition of implementing EtherNet/IP industrial networks. The first seminar in this series was given during ODVA’s 2006 CIP Networks Conference & 11th Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

During 2005, worldwide turnover amounted to 151 million euros. This continued success is due in large part to constant product development, introduction of several new products and aggressive expansion of the Beckhoff international sales and distribution network.

Adept Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADEP) today announced the results of operations for its third quarter of fiscal 2006 which ended April 1, 2006. Revenues were $15.1 million and GAAP earnings were $1.3 million or $0.20 per basic share outstanding, as compared with revenues of $13.0 million and earnings of $292,000 or $0.05 per basic share for the third quarter of 2005. Revenues for the nine months ended April 1, 2006 were $42.7 million and GAAP earnings were $1.4 million, or $0.23 per basic share, as compared with revenues of $36.1 million and earnings of $392,000 or $0.06 per basic share for the same period of the prior year.

The four power plants are: Ping Wei Plant #2 at Huai Nan city in An Hui province; Huang Gang Da Bie Shan plant at Ma Cheng city in Hu Bei province; Yao Meng Plant #2 at Ping Dingshan city in He Nan province, and Qing He plant at Tie Ling city, Liao Ning province.

Intermec received special recognition for development of its Intellibeam EL10 barcode scan engine, the only ADC scan engine to use MEMS-based technology. MEMS, or micro-electromechanical systems, technology is used in mission-critical applications such as vehicle airbag and braking systems.

Schneider Electric shareholders met in Annual and Extraordinary Meeting yesterday, primarily to hear the report of the Board of Directors, approve the financial statements for 2005 and modify the governance mode of the company in order to set up a Management Board and a Supervisory Board. The Meeting was chaired by Henri Lachmann, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

This cooperation will focus on two key issues: ³grounding and shielding² and ³device diagnostics profiles.² These topics have been identified by both parties as areas that require further clarification and guidance particularly benefiting end users within the process industries across the EMEA region.

The ISA-99 Part 1 standard, "Security for Industrial Automation and Control Systems: Concepts, Terminology and Models," will define the concepts, terminology, and models of industrial automation and control systems security, establishing the basis for the remaining standards in the ISA-99 series.

Adept Technology, Inc., announced the election of Herb Martin as a member of the Adept Board of Directors. Mr. Martin has twenty years experience as a chief executive of high technology companies. Currently he is Chief Executive Officer of D-Wave Systems, Inc., a privately held company based in Vancouver, BC, and a leader in the development of quantum computing systems. Prior to D-Wave, Mr. Martin has been CEO and handled marketing roles in a public semiconductor company and various software companies with geographic expertise in Asia.

The single site, single channel system utilizes 43.2 kbps GeminiPD+ mobiles and the ParagonPD+ Base Station. Padcom’s TotalRoam® Mobile Virtual Private Network (VPN) software provides seamless network roaming in the coverage area. Dataradio selected smartBridges for the Access Point hardware.

Acquisitions (primarily ABS EMEA, Juno Lighting and BEI Technologies) contributed a significant Euros 200 million, or 7.6% of growth for the period. The favorable currency effect added Euros 103 million (+5%), reflecting the euro’s still-high rate in first-quarter 2005.

Through this alliance, customers will now have access to Junot Systems’ SAP certified NLINK® integration solution combined with EnteGreat’s industry and business process expertise to provide the very best way to integrate their plant floor systems to SAP.

The Alarm Management Handbook is the first and only complete publication on alarm management in the process industries. The Alarm Management Handbook fills a void in an important technology area within the process industries that has been kept under wraps until now, with the specific aim of improving safety and reliability at the world’s process plants.

The alliance brings together the process management knowledge and digital automation architecture of Emerson with the power and vessel automation systems expertise and products of Wärtsilä, enabling delivery of integrated systems with leading technologies from both companies.

Honeywell, Adaptive Instruments, Endress+ Hauser, Flowserve, OMNEX Control Systems, 3e Technologies International (3eTI) and Yokogawa announced they have joined the Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society (ISA) SP100 working group to support the committee’s efforts to create an open industrial and multi-functional wireless standard. This industry group will work towards a joint solution that will enable industrial plants to use a single wireless network architecture to support a wide range of applications from low-rate monitoring to process control to wireless worker functions.

The digital automation solution provided by Emerson also includes deployment of Foundation™ fieldbus and Profibus technologies, as well as the company’s intelligent field devices. Use of these technologies is expected to reduce installation and startup costs at the 400-MW Port Westward plant, as well as translate into ongoing operational and maintenance savings.

Mustang Automation and Control is providing the Front End Engineering and Design, detailed engineering, procurement, programming and integration and testing for the facility’s monitoring, process control, safety and management systems. Mustang is also performing engineering, procurement and project management support services for the Tahiti topsides oil and gas facilities.

Banner’s Machine Safety Products catalog includes thousands of products for machine safety applications in its more than 300 full-color pages. High-quality images, detailed selection charts, dimension drawings and specifications are just a few of its features; other highlights include a What’s New section as well as an intuitive iKnow® Machine Safety learning tutorial.

INTEGRITY-178B safety critical real-time partitioned operating system is in the process of being fully tested with the TechS.A.T. NetLoader™ data loading utility.

The project is part of Bergesen Worldwide Offshore’s effort to convert the tanker BW Enterprise, which measures 340 meters long by 65 meters wide, to a floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. The FPSO will process oil from satellite fields in addition to importing oil from other platforms, then mix and store it for delivery to tankers or via pipelines to refineries. There are currently 61 FPSOs operating worldwide, and the BW Enterprise is one of 11 being added.

Web store carries IP Access Control solutions, incluidng ClearNet IP and Wireless IP Reader-Controllers, RCI electronic locks, and PowerDSine Power over Ethernet supplies.

The flash demo “Going Panel-Free with ISONAS IP” illustrates how ISONAS IP Reader-Controllers function as network devices, providing direct connection to the company data network and real-time control of facility access. The second demo, “Going PoE with ISONAS IP”, shows how using Power over Ethernet in conjunction with ISONAS IP Readers can streamline and reduce the costs of installing access control. The demos are available now

ISONAS Security Systems has named Dick Burkley President. Burkley, a key partner in the private investment group that launched ISONAS in 1999, has been serving the company as Vice President of Engineering and Technology Development.

ISONAS Security Systems, the leading manufacturer of IP and Wireless IP Reader-Controllers for access control, has moved into new Corporate Offices in Boulder, Colorado. The 13,000+ square foot facility at 6325 Gunpark Drive now houses the Management Team and the Sales, Product Development and Shipping Departments under one roof.

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) fully diluted earnings per share (EPS) for Q1 2006 was 15 cents with GAAP net income of $12.6 million, up 13 percent from Q1 2005. Non-GAAP net income for Q1 2006 was $16.2 million, up 44 percent from Q1 2005. Included in both GAAP and non-GAAP net income is an impairment charge for $900,000 related to converting part of the NI manufacturing facility in Austin to office space.

Industry-leading companies such as Pfizer, Coors Brewing Company, Lafarge North America, Centocor, Dell, J M Smucker Company, Timken Company and Nissan North America anchor a jam-packed agenda that will emphasize real-world solution discussions. A broad range of training is available in the hands-on workshops with products ranging from controllers to production management software to motion control and embedded systems.

Net income increased slightly to $204 million from $199 million in the same quarter in 2005, despite an $89-million expense in Discontinued operations to account for the change in value of ABB shares to cover asbestos liabilities.

The SANS citation declared that Invensys has demonstrated that vendors can take much of the pain, cost, and uncertainty out of securing process and SCADA systems. The award identified some Invensys practices, including rigorous pre-testing of operating system updates and software security patches, and additional enhancements such as providing anti-virus within its core distributed control system (DCS) product, that make security better, easier and less expensive for asset owners.

Wonderware, a business unit of Invensys plc, today announced that it has received Frost & Sullivan’s coveted Company of the Year Award for its pioneering work in the human-machine interface (HMI) and manufacturing software technology market segments. The ArchestrA software architecture was recognized as a key industry innovation which has contributed to Wonderware’s marketplace success in combining leading-edge technology with successful business initiatives.

The EZ-LIGHT 7-function model was one of eight products recognized for technological advancement, market impact and service to the industry. Control Engineering's Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoske presented the award at a ceremony on March 21 during National Manufacturing Week in Rosemont, Illinois.

The event, which will take place on Tuesday May 16 and Wednesday, May 17, 2006, features new products and technologies from more than 240 leading suppliers, an all new multi-track technical conference, free keynote presentations and networking opportunities. Several half day pre-conference workshops will be held on Monday, May 15th.

With 16MB of RAM and up to 2 GB of removable SD card program and data storage the WildFireMod is well suited for Linux and for massive data acquisition. Its digital I/O, analog inputs and numerous highly programmable timers make the versatile WildFireMod suitable for complex industrial control applications. The small form factor allows it to be embedded in actuators and tight enclosures.

New-technology flowmeters include those introduced since 1950, including Coriolis, magnetic, ultrasonic, vortex, and thermal. Traditional flowmeters include differential pressure (DP), turbine, positive displacement, and variable area. New-technology flowmeters have been gaining ground on traditional flowmeters in the past few years because they typically have higher accuracy, lower maintenance, and no moving parts.

Intepro America, which markets power electronics systems in North America, is acquiring Schaffner Ltd., of Limerick, Ireland, as well as the corresponding sales and service organizations in the U.K. and U.S. Schaffner Ltd. contributed approximately $4 million to the Schaffner Group's revenues in the last fiscal year.

The event is the largest unbiased venue for automation professionals to hear about technology developments and applications; attend comprehensive training programs; see trend-setting hardware, software, and services; and network with thousands of professionals from around the world.

The launch event featured presentations by Ulf Henriksson, Invensys’ CEO; Mike Caliel, President of Invensys Process Systems; Charles Johnson, Worldwide Manufacturing Industry Managing Director at Microsoft’s Enterprise Partner Group; Rick Bullotta, Vice President, Manufacturing Applications at SAP, and other industry dignitaries.

For the third consecutive year, Emerson has been singled out for consistently helping its customers achieve superior project and operational efficiencies in their businesses around the globe. Frost & Sullivan presents the award each year to a company that has exhibited excellence in all respects, including business development, competitive strategy and leadership.

Citect is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. John Ross as Chief Executive Officer to Citect effective 3rd April, 2006, by the Schneider Electric Group. Mr Ross has been a key figure within the electrical industry environment during the past 36 years and is best known in the business world for his vast experience in the fields of automation technology, power and control.

One of the industry’s largest process control and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) vendors, Honeywell was specifically recognized for rapidly qualifying Microsoft security updates, as well as for using built-in control firewalls. These measures have helped industrial facilities protect their SCADA systems from the growing threat of cyber terrorism.

Wonderware, a business unit of Invensys Systems, Inc., today announced the appointment of Yves Dufort as its representative to the board of directors of the Open Application Group, Inc. (OAGi). Dufort serves as director in the Wonderware applications consulting services group for Wonderware.

This expanded and improved version provides hundreds of essential equations and tables to help select, operate and maintain measurement devices. It will enable engineers and technicians designing and controlling industrial processes to find answers needed to solve day-to-day problems. It is also a useful reference tool for engineering students.

The OmniPod System integrates insulin infusion and blood glucose monitoring in a safe, easy to use, two part system. Insulet's medical device production will use Adept Cobra SCARA robots and Adept Viper 6-Axis articulated robots under coordinated Smart SERVO control.

In the year 2005, the program has prevented equipment failures which would have resulted in a potential production loss of over $1.8M USD. Emerson’s Machinery Health technologies, including the AMS™ Suite: Machinery Health Manager predictive maintenance software application, are a key element of the PlantWeb® digital plant architecture.

Users will be able to more accurately design processes involving electrolytes, as well as predict corrosion that results from those processes. Through its UniSim™ Design simulation system, Honeywell will offer OLI’s Corrosion Analyzer, as well as OLI’s Mixed Solvent Electrolyte (MSE) frameworks and databases. The new features will be made available with the next commercial release of UniSim Design later this month.

Created in 2005 at the request of President Jacques Chirac, the AII supports highly innovative research and development programs with great market potential, in order to reinforce industry’s competitiveness. The AII selected the HOMES project as it was particularly in line with the defined criteria: high technology products aiming for a wide market, a very high level of innovation, an extremely positive impact on European industry and the capacity of a leading industrial group to lead the project.

Verano, Inc., the leading provider of security and SCADA solutions for mission-critical industries, today announced that FIMA, Lithuania’s leading systems integrator specializing in power, transportation and security, has selected Verano’s Real-Time Application Platform (RTAP) as its SCADA platform of choice.

Before joining Northwire, Brown was general manager of Intercon 1, a premier producer of camera cable and assemblies in the United States. Intercon 1 is a division of Nortech Systems, Inc., specializing in machine vision technology. Prior to that, Brown was a sales manager with Zercom Corporation, now also part of Nortech Systems, Inc. and a vice president with Ji-Haw Industrial Co., Ltd., a leading supplier of information technology and communication cords and connectivity in Taiwan, China and Thailand.

OMRON Corporation (TSE: 6645, ADR: OMRNY) and Scientific Technologies Incorporated ('STI'; NASDAQ: STIZ) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which OMRON will acquire STI for $94 million plus net cash and working-capital adjustments. The transaction, which does not include the purchase of STI's Automation Products Group ('APG'), was approved by both companies' boards of directors.

NIWeek, the world’s leading virtual instrumentation conference and exhibition, opens Aug. 8 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, for three days of interactive summits, exhibitions, technical sessions and hands-on workshops on the latest technologies for test, control and design applications.

Two of the generating units are located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Brandon Shores Unit 2 is a coal-fired 650-megawatt facility, and H.A. Wagner Unit 3 is a coal fired 324-megawatt facility. C.P. Crane Unit 1, in Baltimore County, is a coal-fired facility with capacity of 190 megawatts.

The addition of KUKA Robotics’ newest partner continues the company’s expansion in Wisconsin and in the food and beverage packaging industry. Zepnick Solutions, Inc. is a leading engineering consulting firm specializing in industrial automation.

The facility will serve as a new showroom testing and validation center for robotic concepts. Scheduled for a fall opening, the new center further demonstrates KUKA Robotics’ commitment to develop new robotic technologies in the United States.

The Process Control Systems Forum (PCSF), established to improve efficiencies and accelerate the development of best practices crucial to securing control systems worldwide, today released the full conference agenda for its 2nd Annual 2006 Spring Meeting to be held in La Jolla, Ca. on June 6-7. This two-day event builds upon the past year’s efforts by the PCSF to raise awareness for control system security issues, and will feature several keynote sessions, workshops and panel discussions to engage attendees and accelerate the critical work that is being done currently to address these threats.

The Wireless Users Summit attracted about 40 key end users from a range of industries including petrochemical and power generation to help define the needs of the user community and guide the standards development activity.

From 24 to 28 April 2006 a grand total of 5,175 exhibitors from 66 countries will be presenting the latest products and services for industry at the Hannover Exhibition Center. This year's HANNOVER MESSE line-up brings together ten international flagship trade fairs with a total 154,796 m² of stand bookings.