Control Engineering articles from August 2003

Control Engineering archives from August 2003

Monetize controls.(Editorial)
August 1, 2003... For the past few months now I've been using my column to discuss the use of real-time information for improved processes, better decision-making, and increased company value. I've also made clear the paramount importance of control engineers to...

IEEE updates network standards to aid Ethernet, low-power devices.(News)
August 1, 2003... Piscataway, NJ -- End-users and vendors of industrial Ethernet equipment are gaining more flexibility in assigning Ethernet-type numbers and receiving guidance on supplying power to low-power data terminal equipment with local area network...

Control Engineering China to start publication.(News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Beijing, China -- Reed Business Information Asia will begin publishing Control Engineering China in September 2003.The new publication will be presented in simplified Chinese to an audience of 15,000 control and instrumentation professionals in...

Data acquisition (DAQ) product unit purchases by type.(News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Buyers of external chassis and module and plug-in analog I/0 boards for data acquisition (DAQ) applications expect to make significant shifts in the types of products they purchase over the next five years, according to a new report from...

End-users squeeze costs from manufacturing.(News)
August 1, 2003... Schaumburg, IL -- How can automation squeeze costs from manufacturing? Three end-users offered some practical advice based on their experiences at Omron Electronics' "Technology Connection 2003: A Symposium for Editors" on June 26. The meeting...

Coming in the September 2003 edition of Control Engineering ...(News)
August 1, 2003... * Artificial intelligence technologies for control Developments and application of fuzzy logic, artificial neural networks, and expert systems embedded deep in controls. * Manage engineering documentation Applying best practices to...

Distributed control system market to top $10.3 billion in 2007.(News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Dedham, MA -- The worldwide DCS market including hardware, software, and services is expected to grow 2.5% per year from $9.1 billion in 2002 to more than $10.3 billion in 2007, according to a new study titled, "DCS Worldwide Market Outlook and...

Controls market posts significant gains in 2Q03.(market Update)
August 1, 2003... Performance of the controls industry improved greatly in the second quarter (2Q03), mirroring the market in general. The Control Engineering (CE) Stock Index tracks the market value of companies that are acknowledged leaders in the controls and...

Clarity, change, the right thing.(Think Again)(Editorial)
August 1, 2003... Set clear goals in applying technologies, do something different to get new results, and make an effort to say and do what is right, all to make a difference in your part of our world. Make clear goals In an "Online Extra" tutorial to...

'See' the results: vision and code readers feed data acquisition systems, analyzing more applications with greater consistency and easier setup than ever before. Here's how it's done.
August 1, 2003... Seeing is believing, as the saying goes, so examine the following technology explanations and application tips to ease your next vision/bar-code implementation. The basics Bar codes in basic one-dimensional form are vertical lines of...

Don't touch that process! Technology advancements in non-contact continuous level sensing offer performance improvements significant enough to consider upgrading.
August 1, 2003... Early adopters of non-contact level technologies were often disappointed with the installed results. However, significant technology advancements and installation know-how acquired by manufacturers and end-users over the past several years...

Once written often used: multi-platform programming software is not a new idea, but a transition is underway to stretch beyond IEC 61131-3 languages and into system-wide architectures that could change how control engineers interact with both hardware and software.
August 1, 2003... Control engineers have long seen the value of re-using software programs running control operations. That value has increased dramatically in the past few years as companies demand that engineering staffs shorten project times to save costs and...

AC drives trend to efficient, modular designs.(related articles: drive product notices)
August 1, 2003... Whether you call them ac adjustable-speed drives (ASDs)--the name preferred by most--or use other labels, such as variable-speed drives or variable-frequency drives, or/frequency converters as the international community prefers, ASDs excel at...

2-way flowmeter.(Products & software)
August 1, 2003... The thermal mass FlexMASSter ST98 Series Flowmeter offers the high-speed communication and cost savings of the two-way Profibus-DP protocol option plus enhanced process flow information, advanced remote instrument diagnostics, and automated...

High-accuracy ultrasonic transmitter.(Products & software)
August 1, 2003... KSonik III ultrasonic level transmitter continuously measures the level of liquid and solid applications over long spans (up to 197 ft) at high accuracy (0.25% at full span). Electronic circuitry provides instant variable gain and power control...

Serial-to-USB adaptors.(Products & software)
August 1, 2003... OMG-USB-232 USB-to-serial I/O adaptors provide two or four RS-232 serial ports for USB connectivity to legacy or non-USB compliant devices. OMB-USB-232 adaptors support standard PC data rates up to 460 Kbps. Drivers are included to simplify...

PLC adds system redundancy.(Products & software)
August 1, 2003... CS1D duplex programmable controller builds oil the high speed and reliability of Omron's CS1 controller by adding redundancy, an essential capability for critical processes and systems. Should a problem arise in the primary CPU, the CS1D...

Incremental encoder.(Products & software)
August 1, 2003... The 2.5-in. CoreTech C125 series incremental encoder provides maximum operating speeds of up to 10,000 rpm, is designed to handle radial or axial loads of up to 40 lb, and operates in temperatures from -4 to 185[degrees]F (-20 to 85[degrees]C)....

Process monitoring pressure transmitters.(Products & software)
August 1, 2003... ST 2000 line of gauge and absolute pressure transmitters is designed for process monitoring applications in industries, such as food and beverage, power generation, water and waste water, pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, and pulp and paper. ST...

Test & measurement.(Products & software)
August 1, 2003... TestPoint version 5.0 features: new ActiveX userinterface controls; Microsoft Office interface objects for data interchange in Word and Excel, as well as control over printing and saving documents; a Test Sequencer to organize automated testing...

HMI/SCADA solution.(Products & software)
August 1, 2003... Cimplicity HMI 6.1 features dynamic screen localization and connectivity enhancements to simplify data exchange between the plant floor and the enterprise. Scalable and said to be easy-to-use, Cimplicity HMI 6.1 shares data with process...

DAQ control, access.(Products & software)
August 1, 2003... DT Measure Foundry 4.0 integrates the live measurement capabilities of DT Measure Foundry with access to MatLab from The MathWorks and Microsoft Excel for a math processing and post-analysis solution. Users can create complex test and...

Process automation.(Products & software)
August 1, 2003... Simatic PCS 7 Version 6 eliminates traditional boundaries between different software tools used to configure a process automation system. A single common interface configures the human-machine interface (HMI), control, historian, batch and...

Safety management system.(Products & software)
August 1, 2003... Safety Manager PKS provides an enhanced level of safety assurance for plant operations. Based on Honeywell's Quadruple Modular Redundant diagnostic technology, the product boosts system flexibility, increases diagnostic capabilities and...

New isolated analog signal conditioning catalog.(Products & Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... New 230 page catalog of high quality isolated analog and digital I/O modules to protect and condition critical industrial data acquisition and control signal from RTDs, Thermocouples, and other sensor Devices. Includes Instrument Class[TM] DIN...

Ethernet Interface Card for PCI Bus moves traffic faster.(Products & Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... Contemporary Controls releases an Industrial Ethernet Network Interface Card for PCI Bus that moves traffic in demanding environments at 100 Mbps. In addition, the IEPCI-100T supports efficient power management. Features include 10/100...

AutomationDirect[R].(Products & Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... AutomationDirect[R] offers 3,500 brand name and private-labeled products through a new 1,300-page desk reference and Online Automation Superstore. The desk reference features product descriptions, technical information and price lists for PLC...

Flat panel display systems.(Products & Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... New catalog features our newest and most popular line of flat panel computers, ThinClient and embedded systems, industrial and OEM monitors, industrial and rack-mount computer and monitors and custom designed systems utilizing latest...

Operator interface terminals.(Products & Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... QSI Corporation manufactures rugged handheld and panel-mount operator interface terminals for OEMs, for vehicle and industrial applications. Products include character and graphics terminals that are program-mable, customizable, CE certified,...

2003 Serial connectivity update.(Products & Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... New product selection guide details Sealevel Systems full line of serial I/0 products, including new Ethernet to Serial Servers, Low Profile PCI, PCI, USB to Serial, PC/104, CompactPCI, Serial Converters, PCMCIA, and Synchronous bus interface...

Complete automation solutions.(Products & Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... POWER Engineers' Automation Group provides complete systems automation, integrating plant floor controls with enterprise business systems. POWER is a leading provider of engineering services, including instrumentation and controls, HMI/SCADA,...

Precision Encoders ...(Products & Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... EPC's new 104-page catalog features in depth descriptions of Accu-Coder[TM] Brand Encoders from Encoder Products Company. The catalog features a full line of incremental encoders, as well as EPC's new absolute encoder series, to meet a wide...

Electrical design software demo CD.(Products & Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... Multi-media demo CD-ROM illustrates the functions of Promis-e electrical control system design software. Powerful AutoCAD add-on has schematic design functions including auto ID assignment, auto cross referencing and auto wire numbering....

General purpose relays.(Products & Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... Kuhnke's relay catalog summarizes general purpose relays and introduces some of the latest innovations the relay field. Highlighted is Kuhnke's Modular Family of relays which include Universal 10A, tube type, Ice Cube and PCB Interface relays....

Your express lane for enclosures!(Products & Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... The most common NEMA Type 12, 4 and 4X enclosures can now be bought on-line, with ship-out in 24 hours! AD Products Co. (a subsidiary company of Berkshire Hathaway) offers UL and cUL listed Adalet 304 stainless steel, aluminum * and fiberglass...

The smart way to power-up your system.(Products & Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... Pulizzi Engineering offers a large selection of standard, readily available off-the-shelf, UL, cUL, CSA, TUV and CE approved AC Power Distribution and Power Management Control Systems. These units are designed as "turnkey systems" with...

New in 2003.(Products & Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... Current Transformers Transducers & Accessories Catalog 2011-170 page catalog featuring split core and solid-core current transformers, potential transformers, electrical transducers for AC and DC applications, signal conditioners,...

High performance design.(Products & Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... Masoneilan's 84000 Series Steam Conditioning valves are engineered to handle the most demanding process conditions and exceeds the capabilities of comparable designs. The cage guided design of the 84000 Series is structured for the severe...

New! DASYLab V6c is now shipping.(Products & Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... With more power at every level, the easy-to-use data acquisition software for Windows-based PCs has added exciting new features, headlined by the Full version. More documentation and display features enhance the entry level version, DASYLab...

New isolated analog signal conditioning catalog.(Products & Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... New 230 page catalog of high quality isolated analog and digital I/O modules to protect and condition critical industrial data acquisition and control signal from RTDs, Thermocouples, and other sensor devices. Includes Instrument Class[TM] DIN...

Free eurotherm controls temperature/-process controller brochure.(Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... Eurotherm's latest brochure featuring their new 3000 series controllers is now available, The 3000 series controllers incorporate advanced technology that makes them extremely easy to use. The controllers configure in seconds using infrared...

Free embedded control guide.(Literature Showcase)
August 1, 2003... Z-World offers low-cost, powerful Ethernet-enabled single-board computers, core modules and operator interfaces. Our 2003/2004 catalog is loaded with product specs, photos, and diagrams. Z-World's 13roducts are ideal for embedded systems, data...

Model-predictive control looks to the future.(back to basics)
August 1, 2003... A model-predictive controller uses a mathematical model of the process to predict future effects model of current control process is headed and how the process variable reacts to the controller's actions gives the controller the foresight to...