Control Engineering articles from January 2004

Control Engineering archives from January 2004

Golden.(Editorial)
January 1, 2004... 2004 is shaping up to be a special year for Control Engineering in many ways. For starters, it is our 50th anniversary and we will be celebrating it throughout the year. 2004 is also the first full year of publication under our new design and...

History: 50 * 25 * 10 years ago.
January 1, 2004... September 1954 Lucre and love at Illinois Tech After riding an up elevator for more than 10 years, starting salaries for engineering graduates may be leveling off. One indication comes from the Illinois Institute of Technology....

Sugar mill is 'sweet' application for medium-voltage drive.(Application)(control systems)
January 1, 2004... Optimizing energy usage is an essential measure for long-term viability of the sugar industry. Sugar mills use waste energy to produce power by burning the fibrous residue of sugar-cane production called bagasse in boilers. The steam powers...

SERCOS-III combines real-time and Ethernet.(News)(Interests Group SERCOS interface e.V.)
January 1, 2004... Stuttgart, Germany--Interests Group SERCOS (IGS) interface e.V. recently started a project to link its existing SERCOS interface and Ethernet to form SERCOS-III. The organization reported on its efforts at the recent SPS/IPC/Drives 2003 show....

Robotics orders shot up 28% in first three quarters of 2003.(News)
January 1, 2004... Ann Arbor, MI--New orders for industrial robots received by North American manufacturers increased 28% to 10,382 orders in the first three quarters of 2003 (1-3Q03) from 8,101 orders during the same period in 2002, according to recent research...

Rockwell board elects Nosbusch as new president, CEO.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Milwaukee, WI--Rockwell Automation Inc. announced that its board of directors has elected Keith Nosbusch as its new president and CEO. Nosbusch will formally take on his new job title after the company's annual shareholders meeting on Feb. 4,...

ABB merging six automation businesses into three.(News)(ABB Asea Brown Boveri Ltd.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Zurich, Switzerland--To increase market and operational simplicity, ABB has announced that it has merged its six Automation Technologies businesses into three globally focused businesses. The company reports that its latest reorganization...

Curtiss-Wright acquires Novatronics.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Roseland. N.J.--To enhance its market and technology positions in aerospace sensors, Curtiss-Wright Corp. has acquired Novatronics Inc. for approximately $13.5 million. Novatronics will operate as a business unit of Curtiss-Wright's subsidiary,...

U.S. Energy Dept. to use Honeywell's sensing, Ember's wireless technologies.(News)
January 1, 2004... Minneapolis, MN; Boston, MA--To help U.S. manufacturers save energy and reduce emissions, Honeywell's Automation and Control Solutions (ACS) business and Ember Corp. report that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has picked them to participate...

Danaher acquires Accu-Sort Systems; appoints executive.(News)(Craig Purse appointed as VP)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Washington. D.C.--Danaher Corp. recently completed its previously announced acquisition of Accu-Sort Systems Inc. for approximately $63 million plus an earn out based on performance conditions payable in the future. With approximately $90...

World Batch Forum releases new versions of two markup languages.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... St. Louis, MO--World Batch Forum recently released new versions of its two XML-based markup languages for implementing the ANSI/ISA S88 and S95 standards and its international counterparts IEC-61512 and IEC/ISO-62264, respectively. Enhancements...

Industrial laser shipments down 10% for 3Q03.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... McLean, VA--Industrial laser shipments for North America and U.S. exports were down approximately 10% to $86 million in the third quarter of 2003 (3Q03) from the same period a year earlier, according to recent research by the Laser Systems...

National Instruments acquires DSP software developer.(News)
January 1, 2004... Austin, TX--National Instruments (NI) has acquired software developer Hyperception, which designs graphical development tools for digital signal processing (DSP). Hyperception's software uses a graphical system design methodology to generate...

Siemens buys IndX to boost process management.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Aliso Viejo, CA; Alpharetta, GA--Siemens Energy & Automation reports that it's purchasing IndX Software Corp. to help it expand its range of IT solutions for industrial management in the process industries, especially in the oil and gas sector....

Cognex acquires Gavitec's machine vision business.(News)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Natick, MA--Cognex Corp. reports that it recently acquired the machine vision business of Gavitec AG, located in Aachen, Germany. Cognex bought Gavitec's tangible and intangible assets, and assumed certain liabilities associated with Gavitec's...

Best when taken annually. March 16-18, 2004. Jacob K. Javits convention center, New York.(INTERPHEX[TM])(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The prescription for success in pharmaceuticals is INTERPHEX[TM], the one place where the entire industry gathers under one roof. For 25 years, it's been your resource for what's new, what's happening, and what's changing! Join us at...

Online: more in '04.(Editorial)(Editorial)
January 1, 2004... Control Engineering, with the global resources of Reed Elsevier, continues to work with leading sources in manufacturing, controls, automation, and instrumentation to provide you with more in 2004 of what you need to make your life more...

Lifecycle environmentalism: regulations have manufacturers reengineering, pouring over documents, and conferring to comply with design and disposal of controls, automation, and instrumentation. End-users, system integrators, and distributors also have responsibilities.(Beyond Manufacturing)
January 1, 2004... European Union regulations have the world hopping to comply at the beginning and end of the product lifecycle, to design without banned substances and meet new disposal requirements. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In addition to disposal...

Service, advancement, impact: Control Engineering's seven editors used three primary criteria--service to the industry, technological advancement, and market impact--to select the 35 winners of the 17th annual Editors' Choice Awards.(Cover Story)
January 1, 2004... Sense, decide, and act are the three cornerstones of the control and automation field and its many related industries and applications. Similarly, the three cornerstones of the Control Engineering 2003 Editors' Choice Awards are service to the...

InteractX[TM]: innovative control for machine builders Parker Hannifin.
January 1, 2004... It's clear from the lifelike graphics that CTC's InteractX[TM] offers a revolutionary approach to how a human-machine interface can look. But what about how the software operates? This is where InteractX is truly groundbreaking, because it was...

Beckhoff supports EtherCAT Technology Group.(for ethernet based communications control)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Beckhoff Automation announces support of the EtherCAT Technology Group. There are over 30 end-users, industrial suppliers, and OEMs committed to the EtherCAT Technology Group, and the number is growing. "Companies committed to lead the...

Lantronix--a leader in Device Server technology.
January 1, 2004... Today's advances in network technology will deeply affect the Industrial Automation industry. Many Industrial Automation networks started with simple RS-232 and RS-485 serial connections. Over the years, manufacturers enhanced their designs by...

Data acquisition systems fit wide-ranging applications.(Focus Data Acquisition)
January 1, 2004... Quality data acquisition provides industrial users with the ability to optimize processes, maintain and/or improve product quality, ensure operational safety and environmental compliance, minimize downtime, and improve overall productivity....

'Seeing' the problem.(The Voice of Experience)(darker packaging problems)(Interview)
January 1, 2004... The trend toward greater use of dark packaging can be seen on a variety of packaged goods. The sleek look of black packaging in particular has become more popular over the past few years, even in the food and beverage industry. According to...

Featuring Control Engineering editors.(National Manufacturing Week Conference Sessions)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
January 1, 2004... The following Industrial Automation track conference sessions will be hosted by Control Engineering editors: Wednesday, February 25, 2004 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. The Implications of Real-Time Initiatives on Control Engineers The...

Design for a fallible world.(IT & Engineering Insight)
January 1, 2004... As control engineers, we tend to think that keeping the process running is our only job, but just because the process is operating doesn't mean that the plant is operating. A larger issue also needs to be addressed when using IT systems in...

Equipment analysis software.(Products & Software)
January 1, 2004... Enhanced version of AMS Suite: Machinery Health Manager provides comprehensive health analysis of mechanical equipment. Software uses technologies including online and portable vibration, oil analysis, and infrared thermography to support...

Touchscreen monitor.(Products & Software)
January 1, 2004... Stealth VU Model SV-2100 industrial grade LCD monitor features an all-steel enclosed touchscreen built to withstand harsh environments. NEMA 4/IP66 displays, used primarily as operator interfaces, withstand water, dust, and dirt intrusion....

Hydrogen leak detector.(Products & Software)
January 1, 2004... H2000 industrial leak detection instrument uses hydrogen as a tracer gas to sense leaks. Compact, robust system is extremely sensitive to hydrogen gas and can be used to detect leaks smaller than bacteria. Using a safe, non-hazardous 5%...

Rugged industrial PC.(Products & Software)
January 1, 2004... PC7 rugged, all-in-one industrial computer is housed in a compact EMI-protected, dust and water-resistant metal enclosure. Suited for machine control, data acquisition and processing, communication, and other embedded applications that expose...

Performance monitoring.(Products & Software)
January 1, 2004... ProcessDoctor v4.0 plant monitoring application targets poorly performing process control assets so that maintenance can be applied where it will generate the greatest return to the business. System connects to any commercial plant control...

Compact linear motion stage.(Products & Software)
January 1, 2004... ALS1000 compact, high-performance stage provides a small cross-section, small payload capacity, cost-effective alternative for precision applications where a small footprint and environmental protection are required. A linear motion guide...

High-speed frame grabber.(Products & Software)
January 1, 2004... MVS-8501 frame grabber, part of the MVS-8500 series, provides the high-speed acquisition capability of the MVS-8504 in cost-effective single-channel architecture that supports up to four multiplexed cameras. Designed for next generation...

Lab, process information management.(Products & Software)
January 1, 2004... SampleManager PIMS 2003 integrates Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and Process Information Management System (PIMS) for timely delivery of quality data for plant and enterprise-wide monitoring and analysis. The release supports...

High-bandwidth servo drives.(Products & Software)
January 1, 2004... Kollmorgen S200 series brushless servo drives are all digital with a velocity loop bandwidth up to 800 Hz to provide increased system throughput and simplified tuning. High-resolution (24-bit) feedback and high-performance 3-5 kHz current loop...

Remote control system.(Products & Software)
January 1, 2004... AirLINE Type 8644 remote process actuation and control system is now fully compatible with Siemens ET 200S I/O system. The equipment allows mounting of Siemens ET 200S I/O modules and Burkert solenoid pilot valves in a single, compact,...

Wireless data communication.(Products & Software)
January 1, 2004... GD-01 modem provides a reliable data communication link over GSM networks. Designed for industrial applications, the device is DIN-rail mounted with RS-232 interface in either a 9-pin D-sub or 5-pin screw connector. All configuration is made by...

Air pollution control software.(Products & Software)
January 1, 2004... FilterWare for air pollution control systems, industrial ventilation systems, and powder filtration systems automates process control, maintenance, and EPA compliance needs simultaneously to provide plants with a fast return on investment....

Signal conditioning--why and how.(Back to Basics)(usage)
January 1, 2004... Modern integrated circuit (IC) technology and the advances made in microprocessor ICs have made it practical and cost-effective to distribute process control functionality throughout the plant. This architecture is implemented by partitioning...