Control Engineering articles from February 2003

Control Engineering archives from February 2003

Emerson's new connections, controls, displays aid digital migration. (Up Front).(Emerson Process Management)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Austin, TX--Emerson Process Management introduced Jan. 13 new connection, control, and display products, as well as migration services, designed to enable upgrades to its PlantWeb digital architecture from legacy control systems. Emerson...

USDATA releases industrial automation software. (Up Front).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Richardson, TX--USDATA Corp. released Jan. 8 its FactoryLink 7.1 software, which it reports is a flexible suite of servers, clients, utilities, and development tools for industrial process knowledge and control applications. FactoryLink uses...

PAS, Invensys Foxboro agree on alarm management package. (Up Front).(Plant Automation Services)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Houston, TX--Plant Automation Services Inc. (PAS) and Invensys Foxboro (Foxboro, MA) announced Jan. 2 that Invensys will distribute PAS' AMO Plus alarm management package as part of a complete Foxboro automation solution. A control...

Honeywell delivers control solutions to romanian power plants. (Up Front).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Phoenix, AZ--Honeywell Industry Solutions announced Jan. 3 that it is implementing orders for more than $2 million worth of process control systems, instruments, and engineering services for automation projects at multiple SC Termoelectrica SA...

Datamatic, Badger cooperate on automatic meter reading solutions. (Up Front).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Plano, TX--Datamatic announced Jan. 3 that its Firefly automatic meter-reading device has been approved for use with Badger Meter Inc.'s Recordall meters and RTR registers in the water utility market. Founded in 1905, Badger Meter has an...

Intrinsic safety helps keep propane tanks in check. (Technology Update).
February 1, 2003... Preparing for barbecuing season usually means making sure your propane tanks are filled and ready for outdoor grilling. For Decoe Inc. (Elkin, NC), an industrial automation and electrical contracting company, the upcoming spring and summer...

P+F invests by replacinq old sensors. (Application Update).(Pepperl+Fuchs)
February 1, 2003... One of the most use to edges that companies can use to fight competitors is customer service. For instance, General Motors' Saturn Division (Spring Hill, TN) recently found that sensors on the machining and assembly line at its L-850 engine...

New standards in high-performance vision. (DVT).(new vision sensor products)
February 1, 2003... Legend 520 The most affordable machine vision sensor in the industry utilizes CMOS imaging technology for complete machine vision inspections, barcode reading and OCR. Ethernet-ready and value priced. Legend 540 Real-time machine...

Flush-mount sensors detect pressure. (Application Update).(FMC BioPolymer's production of functional excipients)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... FMC BioPolymer Corp. (Newark, DE) uses a network of transfer pipes, pumps, vessels, and other applications to produce functional excipients, such as microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), a white powder derived from purified wood pulp. MCC serves as...

Design, test control circuits prior to building them. (Software Review).(Beige Bag Software's Spice A/D software package provides circuit simulation capability)(Product/Service Evaluation)
February 1, 2003... Functions required to implement an automation project are varied. Most often, however, implementation requires only standard products that the user must select and apply in accordance with manufacturers' instructions. This category, for...

Industrial Ethernet growth seen at 84% annually. (News).
February 1, 2003... Dedham, MA--Despite slowness in many automation markets, installed industrial Ethernet nodes worldwide are expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 84.1% over the next five years. The market consisted of 286,800 nodes in...

Emerson, DMI partner to serve FDA-regulated applications. (In Business).(Emerson Process Management and Decision Management International form alliance to extend automation technology and services)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Austin, TX; Bradenton, FL-To offer production management expertise, cross-platform integration services, compliance workflow software, and life-cycle services, Emerson Process Management and Decision Management International (DMI) recently...

ABB, BASF sign global partnership agreement. (News).(ABB will provide distributed control systems to BASF plants)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Eschborn, Germany -- ABB and BASF AG agreed Jan. 6 that ABB will supply distributed control systems (DCSs) to BASF facilities worldwide. The agreement includes [Operate.sub.IT] distributed control systems, [Control.sup.IT] controllers, and...

Exclusive. (News).(Siemens Human Machine Interface deliveres its 1 millionth Simatic HMI system)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Caption: Siemens Human Machine Interface (HMI) division has delivered its 1 millionth Simatic HMI system. Uwe Frank (left), manager of Siemen's Simatic HMI division, recently presented a golden Simatic multi-panel to Derek McPherson from Rolls...

ODVA opens technology, training center. (Best Practices).(Open DeviceNet Vendor Association)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Ann Arbor, MI -- To enhance conformance testing and certification practices for DeviceNet and EtherNet/IP products, the Open DeviceNet Vendor Association (ODVA, Boca Raton, FL) opened its Technology and Training Center here on Jan. 22. ODVA...

Invensys introduces Foxboro [A.sup.2] automation system. (New in Control).(Invensys Foxboro)
February 1, 2003... Foxboro, MA -- Invensys Foxboro introduced Jan. 27 its new Foxboro [A.sup.2] (ArchestrA) automation system. Foxboro's [A.sup.2] automation system integrates Invensys technology, expertise and services targeted to fit applications needing DCS...

Users urged to check chlorine transfer equipment. (Best Practices).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Washington, DC -- Following an initial investigation into an August 2002 incident where much of a railcar's contents were released into the atmosphere, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) issued in December 2002 an advisory covering chlorine...

Siemens launches NEMA-compliant, energy-saving motors. (New in Control).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Alpharetta, GA -- Siemens Energy & Automation Inc. introduced Jan. 13 a complete line of industrial motors that comply with the National Electrical Manufacturers Association's (NEMA, Rosslyn, VA) Premium program for energy efficiency....

Corrections.(Brief Article)(Correction Notice)
February 1, 2003... Some incorrect text was included with "Paperless recorders extend security" on page 18s of the "Finding Gold, 2002 Editors' Choice Awards" supplement to Control Engineering, Jan. '03. The correct text should have read: Honeywell Multitrend...

Certainty in uncertain times. (Editorial).(economic trends)(Editorial)
February 1, 2003... During uncertain times, there can be comfort in things that change little. For some, it's faith-based--that there's a higher power guiding, overseeing, or protecting. Others sometimes joke that there are only two certainties: death and taxes....

Schematic Software: look inside clean, productive designs. (Cover Story).(Cover Story)
February 1, 2003... Advances in software tools for designing electrical control schematics shortens product cycle times, provides links to other software, and preserves intellectual investments. Here's how to lower design and development costs and decrease...

Cross-directional control aids paper making: precision operations demand precision control. Lessons here could smooth out your industrial application. (Inside Industry).
February 1, 2003... Paper-making is a precision operation. Weight, moisture, and thickness of paper must be uniform from the start to the end of a roll and across the width of the sheet. A variety of control techniques have been developed to maintain the quality...

Springtime for switched-reluctance motors? SR motor and control technology may be emerging from 'hibernation,' after a flurry of growth and interest in this technology ran its course in the late 1990s.(Industry Overview)
February 1, 2003... Build a "better" electric motor (and its associated controls)--based on simple, rugged design that eliminates costly permanent magnets--and users will flock to apply the technology. Well, this notion has not yet been proven for...

Programming controllers for improved profit.(thinking about a project ahead of time makes it easier to handle last minute changes)
February 1, 2003... Moving beyond integrated development environments (IDEs), new tools for integrating platforms, project collaboration, and modeling systems help speed project completion with improved accuracy. It's all designed to allow control engineers to...

Great expectations.(national industrial automation show and national manufacturing week in Chicago, IL, from March 3, 2003 to March 6, 2003)
February 1, 2003... Six shows in one, more than 1,100 exhibitors, and 100 technical conference sessions will headline the national industrial automation show and national manufacturing week, March 3-6, at Chicago's McCormick place. Nobody has time to fool...

Enclosures: the first and often only line of defense. (Product Focus: Enclosures).
February 1, 2003... Protecting delicate controls, electronics, and wiring from acrid industrial environments and the occasional out-of-control forklift is no easy task. However, it is easier in some places than in others. Not all enclosures specified by control...

New Pipephase software release. (Products & Software).
February 1, 2003... Brea, CA -- Functional enhancements included in Pipephase version 8.0 include a pipeline device that allows users to copy/paste pipeline profiles from spreadsheets and automatically generate results in a Microsoft Access database format....

Precision turbine flowmeter. (Products & Software).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Racine, WI -- FloCat's CES45-C family of 2 to 3,000 gpm (7.6-1 1,356 l/min) turbine flow meters use one moving part, a precision-machined helical rotor with jeweled bearings, to provide [+ or -]1% full-scale accuracy, even at low flows, in...

Process control and distributed I/O network. (Exclusive).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... North Hills, CA -- Engineered for demanding industrial applications, NET Concentrator System (NCS) provides real-time process control and distributed I/O gateway between the field and a DOS, PLC, or PC-based control strategy. It has the ability...

Motion chips have multiple breakpoint capability. (Products & Software).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Lincoln, MA -- MC2300 Series motion processors (part of PMDs Navigator family) now provide breakpoint programming for 1, 2, and 4 axes of control for brushless motors. These two-IC chipsets allow users to create complex motion profiles with...

Digital panel meter adds accuracy, readings per time. (Products & Software).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Stamford, CT -- New DP41-B digital panel meter exceeds the Infinity product in accuracy, performance, and quality. DP41-B has accuracy of up to [+ or -]0.005% of reading, and offers up to 166 readings/second. It handles a broad spectrum of dc...

$69 DOS controller. (Products & Software).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Davis, CA -- Built around a 33-MHz processor, the $69 Flashlite 186 controller offers users 44 configurable digital I/O lines, 512 K DRAM and 512 K Flash memory, two serial ports, and a console/debug port. Additional features include an onboard...

Low-cost, capable micro ac drives up to 5 hp. (Products & Software).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Loves Park, IL-Intended for small ac motor control needs of OEMs and panel builders, VLT Micro Adjustable Frequency Drives now range up to 5 hp for 230 V and 460 V ac applications. The low end of sizes is 0.5 hp at 230 V and 1 hp at 460-V...

Low-cost board-level motion controller. (Products & Software).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Austin, TX-PCI-7342 two-axis motion-control board is said to offer a low-cost option for servo motor control, along with interfaces to data acquisition and vision systems, plus NI's LabView graphical development environment for programming....

All-in-one DAQ device. (Products & Software).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Cleveland, OH-IOTech's DaqTemp Series provides 7 or 14 thermocouple, seven 16-bit resolution differential voltage inputs, 13 programmable inputs capable of n156 mV to n1 0V ranges, and four input channels for measuring frequency or pulse counts...

Analog frame grabber for 32-bit bus. (Products & Software).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Montreal, PQ, Canada--PC2-Vision, an analog frame grabber for 32-bit PCI bus, is the first product of a new series from Coreco Imaging. It accepts input from a wide assortment of industrial cameras, including standard (RS-170 and CCIR),...

Wireless SCADA router and controller. (Products & Software).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Vista, CA--Pathfinder Lx wireless inter-networking controller is a tool for building reliable remote industrial and utility SCADA Ethernet and TCP/IP based widearea wireless networks. It supports most popular licensed (VHF, UHF, MAS) and...

Background check with photoelectric sensors. (Back to Basics).
February 1, 2003... Photoelectric sensors exist in three varieties--transmitted beam (also known as through beam), retro-reflective, and diffuse (proximity mode). Diffuse mode photoelectric sensors, unlike transmitted beam and retro-reflective sensors that...

Operator Interface Terminals. (Product & Literature Showcase).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... QSI Corporation manufactures a full line of handheld, pedestal and panel-mount operator interface terminals for OEM, vehicle and industry. Products include character and graphic terminals with touch screen that are programmable, customizable,...

Electrical Design Software Demo CD. (Product & Literature Showcase).(Brief Article)
February 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....

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

Platinum Series Process Oxygen Analyzers. (Product & Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... Microprocessor controlled with as low as 3 ppb sensitivity. Exclusive Non-depleting Sensor with NIST Traceable Factory Calibration and 5-year warranty eliminates frequent recalibration and periodic sensor replacement. Enclosures for Class 1,...

SmartImage Sensors. (Products & Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... DVT SmartImage Sensors are easy to install, and include all the tools, function and flexibility you expect from a high-end vision system at a fraction of the cost. Simple enough for a technician to operate and powerful enough to handle most...

Complete automation solutions. (Products & Literature Showcase).
February 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,...

The smart way to power-up your system. (Products & Literature Showcase).
February 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...

A.C. current sensors loop-powered. (Products & Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... The 420 Series A.C. current sensors combine CT and transducer functions in one compact unit. These sensors are metal cased to resist RFI and generate a 4-20 mA signal proportional to the amperage input. Units rated to 5000 volts A.C. and never...

New! DASYLab V6c is now shipping. (Products & Literature Showcase).
February 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 Test Sequence Manager in the Full version. More documentation and display features enhance the...

Over 4,000 industrial automation symbols - free demo. (Products & Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... NEW Symbol Factory 2.0 - Over 4,000 professional quality vector graphics with minimal memory footprint for best performance in your HMI. New librarian tool supports drag and drop copying, BMP, WMF, SVG, VML, PNG file format export, and more....

Your express lane for enclosures! (Products & Literature Showcase).
February 1, 2003... The most common NEMA Type 12, 4 and 4X enclosures are sold for less, 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...

AutomationDirect[R]. (Products & Literature Showcase).
February 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...