Control Engineering articles from July 2004

Control Engineering archives from July 2004

Too many jobs?(Editorial)
July 1, 2004... "There are plenty of manufacturing jobs to be had in the U.S. The problem is that Americans don't want these jobs because manufacturing jobs have no social status," said Dick Morley (known to many as the "father of the PLC") during the most...

50, 25, 10 years ago.(History)
July 1, 2004... June 1955 This page offers a look back on a variety of interesting items from Control Engineering's past issues, highlighting content from 50, 25, and 10 years ago. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] March 1955 GE and IBM weld first link...

Process knowledge highlights Honeywell users' conference.(News)(Honeywell Inc.)
July 1, 2004... Phoenix, AZ -- More than 600 attendees from 26 countries participated in Honeywell's 31st annual Users' Group Symposium here on June 14-17. Topics presented at the conference covered Honeywell's products and services, but the focus was on...

Intermec files RFID patent infringement lawsuit against Matrics.(News)
July 1, 2004... Everett, WA -- Intermec IP Corp. has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Rockville, MD-based Matrics Inc. that relates to Intermec's radio frequency identification (RFID) patents. Filed on June 7 in U.S. District Court in Delaware, the...

Nematron completes privatization; appoints new CEO.(News)
July 1, 2004... Ann Arbor, MI -- Nematron Corp. reports that it has completed its return to private ownership and initiated several plans to improve customer service and financial performance. Also, the managing director of the firm's international business...

Solectron sells Force Computers to Motorola and Kavlico to Schneider Electric.(News)(Motorola Inc.)(Solectron Corp.)(Schneider Electric)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Milpitas, CA -- Solectron Corp. has agreed to sell its Force Computers embedded computing business to Motorola Inc. The two companies expect the transaction to close in the third quarter of 2004 (3Q04). Terms of the deal were not disclosed....

Phoenix Contact prefers Profinet for Interbus-to-Ethernet.(News)(Phoenix Contact Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Scottsdale, AZ; Harrisburg, PA -- The Profibus Trade Organization (PTO) reports that Phoenix Contact will support Profinet as its preferred Ethernet solution for Phoenix's Interbus protocol. This means that Interbus will be adapted to integrate...

GE Fanuc launches intelligent production software, services.(News)
July 1, 2004... Charlottesville, VA -- GE Fanuc Automation Americas Inc. has introduced its new Proficy Intelligent Production Solutions software, designed to enable real-time enterprises. The company says Proficy provides a full range of integrated,...

Newport buying Thermo Electron's optical business.(News)(Newport Corp.)(Spectra-Physics Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Irvine, CA -- To create a leading photonics company with $400 million in annualized sales, Newport Corp, has agreed to purchase Thermo Electron Corp.'s Spectra-Physics for $300 million, subject to a post-closing net asset adjustment....

Variable-speed drive OEM market shifting from North America.(News)(original equipment manufacturers)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... San Antonio, TX -- Despite slight projected revenue gains through 2010, variable speed drive (VSD) manufacturers in North America still face a shrinking client base because the OEMs they serve are shifting production to newly industrialized...

Parker purchases Mead Fluid Dynamics' subsidiary.(News)(Parker Hannifin Corp.)(Mead Fluid Dynamics Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Cleveland, OH -- Parker Hannifin Corp. reports that it has acquired the assets of Mead Fluid Dynamics Ltd., the European subsidiary of Chicago-based Mead Fluid Dynamics Inc., for an undisclosed sum. Located in the U.K., Mead Fluid Dynamics...

Get lean, eliminate waste.(Editorial)(Editorial)
July 1, 2004... Throw technology at old manufacturing processes and procedures, and you still can get a train wreck; it just happens faster. Infuse lean manufacturing techniques into the hearts and minds of those involved with plant processes, and your...

Shrinking hardware, increasing functions: not as catchy as 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' yet the trend toward smaller and more feature-dense board-level and semiconductor products continues with strength.(Cover Story)
July 1, 2004... There's no question that board- and chip-level control products are shrinking in physical size, while continuing to add embedded functions. It's part of a natural progression to smaller, portable, more functional devices and gadgets desirable...

In-house/outsource debate: system integrators, end-users, and vendors offer tips on when to outsource an automation project and when to do the work in-house.(System Integration)
July 1, 2004... Although system integrators are the experts when it comes to designing and implementing factory automation systems, not all automation projects require outside assistance. Some projects can be executed just as well or better by the plant's...

New jobs, applications for wire, cable, connectors.(Focus Wire, Cable, Connectors)
July 1, 2004... Change may be the only constant, but, while many software-related changes happen fast and make only incremental changes, a few slowly emerging hardware advances can be pretty revolutionary. For example, recent improvements in wire, cable, and...

Advancements propel touchscreens to HMI forefront.(Technology Update)
July 1, 2004... Recent advances in touchscreen technologies have done much to make touchscreens the method of choice for HMI system interaction. Once questionable in terms of durability, reliability, and ease of use, these devices have improved in performance,...

RFID: adoption increases despite costs.(Technology Update)
July 1, 2004... RFID (radio frequency identification) technology mandates from the U.S. Department of Defense as well as retailers such as Wal-Mart are pushing RFID hardware and software providers to keep up with trends. Practically speaking, having a few big...

Oxygen transmitter manages emissions, aids control strategy.(Application Update)(Shell Canada Ltd.)
July 1, 2004... Shell Canada's Burnt Timber gas plant in Canada's Alberta foothills uses plant tail gas incinerators to oxidize sulfur compounds--including hydrogen sulphide ([H.sub.2]S), carbonyl sulphide (COS) and carbon disulphide (C[S.sub.2])--that cannot...

Education is the answer.(Soapbox Opinion)(Navistar International Corp. automation )
July 1, 2004... A recent article in the Chicago Tribune points out that Navistar International Corp. was able to save engine manufacturing time and costs by automating their factory. I'll accept that. I'll even take the NAM's word that "structural costs" cause...

Know your control project IT scope.(IT & Engineering Insight)(Information of Control System Project)
July 1, 2004... Understanding the scope of IT in a control system project is an important first step in identifying the expertise needed. I have been working on a project that illustrates the multitude of information technologies used in modern control...

Microstepping drives.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Four-axis SDM-20640 amplifier board is designed for microstepping four stepper motors. Multi-axis drive attaches directly to the 96-pin DIN connector of the controller without any need for a cable. SDM-20620 is available for 2-axis...

DCS improves plant-floor visibility.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... ProcessLogix Release 510 Allen-Bradley ProcessLogix distributed control system (DCS) lets manufacturers standardize on a single human-machine interface (HMI) while using Rockwell Software FactoryTalk to view plant-floor operations. New version...

Ensure uptime and seamless operation.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... PACSystems High Availability solutions provide a scaleable synchronized hot-standby redundant control platform that consists of two independent controllers connected to a variety of I/O points and incorporates dedicated and redundant links....

Ethernet programmable controller.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Upgraded Ethernet TCP/IP programmable fieldbus controller Series 750-841 has double the data memory of the previous version, a multi-task operating system, and the ability to complete on-line programming changes. Features include a 32-bit RISC...

Controller tracks low output voltages.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... LTC3802 wide-input voltage range, dual 2-phase dc/dc synchronous controller converts a high-input voltage to low-output voltages at a high switching frequency. Leading edge modulation architecture allows extremely low duty cycles without...

NEMA 4/4X air conditioners.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Integrity Series 21 panel-mounted air conditioner uses CFC-free 134a refrigerant, measures 21 X 12 in., and has a capacity of 3,000 Btu/h. Made of 304-2B stainless steel and available in 115 and 230 V ac, the line is suited for NEMA 4/4X indoor...

TCO protects electrical equipment.(Products & Software)(thermal cutoff)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... E-Series Microtemp thermal cutoff (TCO) provides electrical and electronic equipment upper limit temperature protection. Compliant with European Union's Restriction of Hazardous Substances (ROHS) in Electrical and Electronic Equipment, TCO...

Vacuum motors for low pressures.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Grade VC series vacuum motors are designed to survive pressures as low as [10.sup.-6] Torr. Motors are temperature-rated at 130 [degrees]C internal and 105 [degrees]C for the case. Bearing lubricant vapor pressure is below [10.sup.-6] Torr....

Plug-and-play servo system.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... PosiDrive preprogrammed servo system simplifies conversion to servo drive for a true plug-and-play application. Multi-axis option allows control of up to eight drives by one interface. Preprogrammed touchscreen interface permits machine setup,...

Multi-parameter transmitter.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... M700 multi-parameter transmitter line is designed for liquid analytical applications in the chemical, biotech, and pharmaceutical industries. Versatile devices guarantee an elevated standard of measurement and optimal safety in process...

Magnetic proximity switches.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Magnetic proximity switches for high-cycle, harsh environment automation applications come in a dozen configurations. They feature one-piece construction and are hermetically packaged to protect against dirt, moisture, gases, dust, shavings,...

SBC for custom solutions.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... ETX-701 embedded computing board features an Intel Pentium M processor for high performance at low power consumption. With up to 1 GB of DDR-SDRAM, the board uses Intel 855GME chipset and runs at 400 MHz front-side bus. It is equipped with an...

Software links business processes, CAD design.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... OneSpace Designer for the mySAP Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution integrates a CAD tool for 3-D modeling and adaptive business solutions. This integration allows enterprises to reduce time-to-market and time-to-volume while improving...

Enhanced HMI software.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... InTouch HMI software version 9.0 uses SmartSymbols to integrate object-oriented technology with InTouch graphics and transform them into reusable templates. Changes made to the templates automatically propagate throughout an application to...

High-performance pressure transducer.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Model 528 strain gauge, high-performance industrial pressure transducer is designed for robust and submersible applications. Uses include hydraulic test, bore-hole level, and vehicle test applications that require high performance in extreme...

Slim, streamlined camera.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Piranha2 Slimline camera is the slimmest in the Piranha line to date. At 76-mm wide, a greater number of cameras can be stacked side by side. Features include high speed (4 taps at 40 mHz), high responsivity, 7 X 7 micron pixel pitch, low...

Flat-panel computer.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Model 3712KPM flat panel industrial computer supports cutout compatibility with products used over the last 20 years. High-performance, all-in-one device is compatible with panel cutouts used by other Xycom units and also matches those of other...

Industrial automation capabilities.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Enhancements to Synergy 2000 Data Link program brings formatted text data from high-speed data acquisition and automation control equipment into a real-time statistical process control environment. Data Link 3.0 bridges data acquisition devices...

3-D process planning.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... eMPower 7.1 platform combines the stability and extensibility of the eMPower collaborative environment with a new visual production process design tool. It includes Process Designer, which allows quick and accurate process planning for the...

CAN module for USB port.(Products & Software)(CAN module )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... USB-to-CAN compact is a low-cost CAN module for connecting to a USB bus. The 16-bit microcontroller system provides reliable, loss-free transmission and reception of mes sages in CAN networks with a high transmission rate and high bus load....

Next-generation data recorders.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... MDR family of fiber channel-based, preconfigured, modular data recorders for VME-based systems easily integrates advanced real-time data recording into high-performance data acquisition systems. Features include 385-Mbit/s sustained recording...

Angular accelerometer.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Model 7302BM4 accurately measures rotational or torsional accelerations, with stable frequency response from 0 to 1,600 Hz and linear output up to 50,000 rad/[sec.sup.2]. Using a sensing system that consists of a temperature-compensated...

Software suite enhancements.(Products & Software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Applied Stats Software Suite version 6.0 can be integrated with ASI DataMyte PACT Suite 5.5. Version 6.0 includes improvements in net weight analysis with the addition of T1 and T2 requirements, precision measurement, ability to view CAD...

Temperature scale redux.(Back to Basics)
July 1, 2004... Numerous scales and units have been devised for measuring temperature--the most commonly sensed and monitored physical parameter--but only two major units now find everyday usage. Two 18th century European scientists are credited for today's...