Control Engineering articles from July 2007

Control Engineering archives from July 2007

Detecting trouble early with CBM.(Condition based maintenance )(Column)
July 1, 2007... Thomas R. Kurfess, Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research Condition based maintenance (CBM) is one of the latest buzz words in the control industry. CBM is being touted as a significant time and money saver across...

How to select marquee displays.
July 1, 2007... Jeanine Katzel, Control Engineering The ballgame is about to start! As the first batter steps to the plate, the large electronic scoreboard provides name, number, and current batting average. As the train approaches the station, the...

Collect useful information.
July 1, 2007... Bob Vavra for MESA International Many companies suffer from inefficiencies with their manufacturing control systems because they do not have adequate production information about their process from which to improve operations. They do not...

Preparing for Networked Safety.
July 1, 2007... C.G. Masi, Control Engineering You've heard plenty of talk about machine-safety networks. Now, what do you do about them? Gone are the days when they used to think about a hardwired system as being the only method, says David Arens,...

Building Trustworthy Software.
July 1, 2007... Hank Hogan for Control Engineering Control system reliability today increasingly depends on software. Manufacturers are doing more to ensure reliability, but control engineers have to do their part - and perhaps change their ways. Besides...

Fundamentals of Self-Tuning Control.(Report)
July 1, 2007... Vance VanDoren, Ph.D., P.E. Control Engineering Some PID controllers can tune themselves on the fly, but it isn't easy. Although proportional-integral-derivative controllers or 'PID loops' have been the de facto standard of industrial...

Energy Efficient Motion.
July 1, 2007... Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering Legislative efforts seek added efficient motor incentives to diffuse higher capital costs so everyone can benefit from lifecycle energy savings benefits. Cost of energy to run many motors over their...

Safe, Quick Jam Clearing.(Hasko FSM MatchMaster from Hasko Machines Corp.)
July 1, 2007... Mark Nehrkorn, Omron STI Machine Services Interlocked barrier guards provide an alternative to lengthy lockout/tagout procedures for woodcutting machinery. A challenge for companies using automated woodcutting machinery is to help...

The Mr. No of international business.(proper way to deal with Asian customers)(tackling customer dissatisfaction)(Column)
July 1, 2007... Jae-Bok Young, Director of Asia-Pacific business development, MagneMotion Based on my experience in dealing with various Asia Pacific accounts for the past 15 years, I am often referred to by customers as 'Mr. No' or sometimes even 'the...

Russian Paper Mill Modernizes Networks.
July 1, 2007... Alexander Nadolinskiy, Kotlas Kotlas integrates fragmented automation systems from sensor level to enterprise using one comprehensive platform. The right software in the right context can help manufacturers in process industries...

Designing Stream Selection Assemblies for Analyzers.
July 1, 2007... Doug Nordstrom, Swagelok Getting the most from an online process analyzer depends on efficient, effective delivery of samples. Process engineers rely heavily on analytical instrumentation to ensure product quality. Properly designed...

Recipe Management with ISA-S88.
July 1, 2007... Michael Wood, Rockwell Automation By combining open standards with specific software, recipe management stays with manufacturing for effective control. One of the issues challenging batch manufacturers is the need to manage recipe...

Radon Cleanup Poses Unique Control Challenges.
July 1, 2007... Todd Stauffer, Siemens Energy & Automation Designing systems to clean up closed uranium processing facility centers on safety for workers and the surrounding community. Designing equipment and control strategies for a unique one-time...

Document wars- A new hope and an old friend.
July 1, 2007... Dennis Brandl Genealogists and historians are well aware of the problems with finding and translating old documents. When information technology is added to the mix, the problems become harder because of the number of different possible...

Sanitizing Emails.
July 1, 2007... Mark Voigtmann At the recent CSIA executive conference in Santa Fe, I spoke on a serious topic, but with a tongue-in-cheek title. The title was 'How to Write Letters and Emails That Don't Drive Your Lawyer Crazy.' Following that talk, I...

Re-target your innovations.(management of creativity)
July 1, 2007... Mark T. Hoske, editor in chief Apply innovations in the right amounts to the right areas to prevent your organization's extinction, or, at least augment net income. Consider managing innovations, rather than processes, says Geoffrey Moore,...

Data logging: Trolley museum controls rectifiers remotely.
July 1, 2007... Staff The nonprofit Pennsylvania Trolley Museum (PTM) keeps historic trolley lines running with two 500 kW 600 Vdc trolley rectifiers at its East Site, a small booster at its West Site, and more than 100 volunteers. What PTM was missing,...

Standards: OMAC initiates its first technical symposium.
July 1, 2007... Staff The OMAC leadership team is developing the framework for the first OMAC technical symposium, to be held Nov. 28-29, 2007. The annual symposium will center on integration between the process and discrete industries, using standards...

Cyber security: New testing lab certifies control platforms.
July 1, 2007... Staff Wurldtech Labs, an independent division of Wurldtech Security Technologies, has announced the results of its initial round of Achilles Certification Testing. This third-party testing is intended to provide objective analysis of a...

RFID: Integrated, scalable tower system monitors badges.
July 1, 2007... Staff Siemens Energy & Automation Inc., in collaboration with URS/EG&G's Systems Development & Engineering Services, formally unveiled what it calls the next generation of supply chain, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. The...

New system troubleshoots FOUNDATION fieldbus.(turck diagnostic power conditioner system )(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Staff The new Turck Diagnostic Power Conditioner system (DPC) for FOUNDATION fieldbus offers a means to easily troubleshoot the H1 physical layer, separate from instrumentation diagnostics. It's the first product to be Fieldbus Foundation...

WBF recognizes Dennis Brandl and Dave Emerson with Thomas G. Fisher Awards.
July 1, 2007... Staff WBF recognized Dennis Brandl, principal consultant of BR&L Consulting, Inc., and Dave Emerson, principal system architect, Yokogawa Corporation of America by awarding them the Thomas G. Fisher Award for their outstanding contribution...

Control Engineering's Jeanine Katzel retires.
July 1, 2007... Staff After more than 32 years in industry, including 25 with Plant Engineering and six with Control Engineering magazines, Senior Editor Jeanine Katzel retired May 11 from Reed Business Information. She will continue as consulting editor...

Convergence of IT, controls delivers benefits.
July 1, 2007... Staff With greater convergence of engineering and information technologies, companies report higher efficiency, better business continuity, shorter project timelines, enhanced reliability, and improved disaster recovery ability. This is...

Sensors, robotics, vision: 1st 3D safe camera replaces light curtains, guarding.
July 1, 2007... Staff Pilz Automation Safety LP introduced what it says it the world's first 3D safe camera system for control and monitoring, called SafetyEye, at the International Robots & Vision Show, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in...

Wireless: Mesh network ready for purchase from Honeywell.
July 1, 2007... Staff Honeywell announced that its OneWireless universal industrial wireless mesh network is available for purchase. OneWireless helps improve plant safety, reliability, and efficiency with a scalable wireless infrastructure that supports...

Application news: Natural gas pipeline transfer station uses ultrasonic flow measurement.
July 1, 2007... Staff Creating a metering system to monitor the flow of natural gas over national borders is a challenging task. Accuracy and reliability are very critical given the high product value and importance of an uninterrupted supply. Emerson...

Process control: Rockwell Automation to acquire ICS Triplex.
July 1, 2007... Staff Rockwell Automation announced that it has reached an agreement to purchase Industrial Control Services Group Ltd., which does business as ICS Triplex, a global supplier of control and safety solutions for process industries. ICS...

Wireless: Mesh Systems partners with Coronis for wireless networking.
July 1, 2007... Staff Coronis Systems, a developer of ultra-low-power (ULP) and long-range wireless solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with wireless sensor networks (WSN) integrator, Mesh Systems, headquartered in Appleton, WI. By...

By the Numbers.
July 1, 2007... Staff 1 extra percentage point of motor efficiency is worth, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, well over $500 per year with a 200 hp motor. Adding a percent point of efficiency to even a 50-hp motor can save well over $100 a...

Exclusive: Wireless solutions for remote locations.
July 1, 2007... Staff FlexPower nodes from Banner Engineering Corp. provide a versatile wireless solution by allowing a SureCross node to operate using 10 to 30V dc line power, solar panels, or a FlexPower battery module in remote or difficult-to-access...

High performance membrane sampling probe.
July 1, 2007... Staff Disposable, membrane sampling probe from Groton Biosystems offers a non-binding inert surface that resists fouling, can be used with high solids or viscous samples, and are able to be used in any size vessel in both autoclave and...

Powerful mini PC.
July 1, 2007... Staff LPC-450 Little PC from Stealth Computer Corporation is small enough to fit in the palm of one's hand and utilizes Core 2 Duo processor technology, delivering performance said to be up to five times faster than its predecessor. Housed...

Create intelligent industrial equipment.
July 1, 2007... Staff All-in-one platform from Freescale Semiconductor features Power Architecture technology and is delivered in the COM Express form factor in order to speed and simplify the creation of intelligent industrial equipment that runs...

Rangeable pressure transmitters.
July 1, 2007... Staff PTM Series 40 precision rangeable pressure transmitters and transducers from STS are ideal for production test and development projects in automotive, aerospace, engines, compressors, process monitoring and control, and many other...

Ethernet switch for high time accuracy.
July 1, 2007... Staff Ethernet switch from Westermo is designed to operate with high accuracy time synchronization off-the-shelf on both SNTP/NTP and PTP open standard protocols. Allowing events to be time stamped with high accuracy precision, Ethernet...

High-resolution analog modules.(AutomationDirect)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Staff Extending its line of DirectLOGIC option modules, AutomationDirect added 16-bit high-resolution analog modules designed for the DL05 and DL06 PLCs. The eight-channel current input module operates with a 0-20 mA input range. The...

Lab-on-a-chip technology.(Micronit)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Staff Micronit's lab-on-a-chip technology platform is expanding to include four glass microfluidic mixers enabling high-quality mixing of micro or nanoliters of fluids in milliseconds. Mixers enable fast and effective mixing, even at low...

Affordable gas monitors.(Mine Safety Appliances Co)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Staff Ultima XL/XT Series gas monitors are an affordable version of MSA Ultima X Series monitors, offering continuous gas detection and monitoring and retaining key features of the X Series. A remote display is viewed through a portable...

Fanless industrial computer.(Rockwell Automation Inc.)
July 1, 2007... Staff Fanless design in Allen-Bradley VersaView 200R industrial computer from Rockwell Automation is intended to maximize reliability and maintain its 50 A[degrees]C rating. Computer is ideal for applications where low power consumption,...

Ratio thermometer measures through obstructions.
July 1, 2007... Staff Ratio thermometer from E Instruments Group is monochromatic, allowing it to make accurate measurements through glass, vapor, particles, and other obstructions. IRtec Rayomatic 100 has accuracy of A[+ or -]0.75% and response time of...

Thermal mapping process control.
July 1, 2007... Staff Ametek Land developed the Fixed Thermal Imaging (FTi) system for the continuous thermal mapping of processing operations and plant surveillance. The system offers plant operators a complete thermal view of a process with a display...

Graphic touchscreen HMIs.
July 1, 2007... Staff Silver Series Plus graphic operator interface from Maple Systems features enhanced displays for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) applications that require a superior look and intuitive operation. Based upon the popular Silver...

Proximity Sensors.
July 1, 2007... Dick Johnson, Control Engineering Wide ranging capabilities have become the hallmark of these familiar devices. 'Network ready' and limit switch replacement are among trends. No matter what they are called-discrete sensors, position...

Obstacles to collaboration.
July 1, 2007... Renee Robbins, editorial director In laying out its 'winning strategies' for global manufacturers at its June conference, ARC Advisory Group keyed in on the theme of collaboration. According to ARC analyst and end user speakers,...

Readers talk about change, skills.
July 1, 2007... Staff Engineers need to use imagination In life, we, the human race, tend toward stagnation, content in not rocking the boat to see the angle of list before the boat takes on water. Only a curious child does that, we say. Well, maybe...

In Search of Satisfaction.
July 1, 2007... Renee Robbins, Control Engineering See what drives satisfaction in 12 product categories. New research results give users criteria for evaluating their suppliers, and suppliers information for improving customer satisfaction. During...

Systems cabling' saves time, money.
July 1, 2007... Ken Allwine, Phoenix Contact In today's controls marketplace, customers are demanding better products, faster system implementation and lower costs. Even as customers are asking for these, control systems are becoming more complex and...

Function block diagrams.
July 1, 2007... Arun Veeramani and Todd Walter, National Instruments A picture is worth a thousand words is a familiar proverb that asserts that complex stories can be told with a single still image, or that an image may be more influential than a...

Virtualization Brings Real Benefits.
July 1, 2007... Staff Intel[R] Virtualization Technology, or Intel[R] VT, enables the integration of two or more autonomous applications. Exploiting the company's multi-core microprocessors, Intel VT offers industrial automation users the performance of...