Control Engineering articles from November 2004

Control Engineering archives from November 2004

Beginner-colored glasses.(Editorial)
November 1, 2004... Recently, I've had the opportunity to speak with a number of people in the industry about where things look to be headed considering that, at press time, we had just entered the sixteenth consecutive month of growth in the manufacturing sector...

50, 25, 10 years ago.(HISTORY)
November 1, 2004... 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. November 1954 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] June 1955 If the shoe fits;...

Real-time advances for machine control.(technology UPDATE)
November 1, 2004... The notion of "real-time," or determinism, can apply to sensing, logic, actuation, and communications that connect the three. In sensing, it means measuring and acquiring data about a process quickly enough to accurately reflect reality:...

How Wonderware helps harness the Yellow River: controlling a mighty river--and costs--with Advanced Wonderware Software.
November 1, 2004... One powerful source meets another The mighty Yellow River, one of China's major water sources for one hundred million people, needed better control and management. And the Yellow River Conservancy Commission needed a solution. Enter...

Security: are you spending enough?(IT & engineering INSIGHT)
November 1, 2004... One problem with writing about network and computer security is the speed at which the threat changes. In the few weeks that separate my writing of this article and its appearance in print, there will probably be another large cyber attack and...

Siemens favors EDDL over DTM/FTD for automation.(NEWS)(Device Type Manager/Field Device Technology)(Electronic Device Description Language)
November 1, 2004... Erlangen, Germany -- Siemens will provide Device Type Manager/Field Device Technology (DTM/FDT) technology if customers request it, but is advising against using DTM/FTD for automation, controls, and instrumentation because of lacking economic...

Total HMI and related software business including services.(NEWS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The global HMI software market is expected to post a 5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and increase from $438 million in 2003 to about $559 million by 2008, according to a new study, "HMI Software Worldwide Outlook Market Study," by ARC...

NIST's process control forum helps networks prevent cyber attacks.(NEWS)(National Institute of Standards and Technology)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Gaithersburg, MD -- A 500-member forum of industry, government, and academic technical experts, led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has released a new draft set of cyber security requirements for industrial control...

HART foundation launches associate membership program.(NEWS)(HART Communication Foundation)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Austin, TX -- The HART Communication Foundation (HCF) recently started a new, extended membership program for users of Highway Addressable Remote Transducer (HART) communication technology. The organization's HART User Associate Membership...

Emerson exchange 2004: users seek ease of use, migration paths, ROI.(NEWS)(Emerson Process Management Inc. organized Global Users Exchange 2004 trade show)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Dallas, TX -- Ease of use, upgrading migration paths, and return on investment were three of the topics discussed by more than 1,300 users and other attendees at Emerson Process Management's recent Global Users Exchange 2004. Safety, security,...

AB Fair 2004: Rockwell Automation stages 13th annual educational forum.(NEWS)
November 1, 2004... Orlando, FL -- To help manufacturers find new solutions for increasing productivity, Rockwell Automation hosted its 13th annual Allen-Bradley (AB) Automation Fair on Oct. 27-28 at the Orange County Convention Center. AB Fair typically attracts...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
November 1, 2004... Industrial Technology Solutions (ITS) was incorrectly identified in "Micro PLC Key to CNC Overhaul," Inside Machines section, Control Engineering, Oct. '04, p. IM6. ITS is a Columbus, OH-based design/build automation firm specializing in...

Get immediate, inline benefits.(Editorial)
November 1, 2004... Walk the floor, look at visual gauges, make checks on a clipboard, take a sample, analyze it, and calculate results. Forty-five minutes later [or even longer] when lab results are ready, there's either a whole lot of out-of-specification scrap,...

Safety in the automated world: identify hazards, apply standards, and minimize accident potential when designing and implementing safety control systems, to help prevent injuries and reduce costs.(Cover Story)
November 1, 2004... The words industrial accident make everyone cringe. It is in the best interests of all workplaces to maintain safe working conditions. To further the cause of safety in the workplace, the U.S. Congress established the Occupational Safety and...

'Real' high-voltage motors are here: operating from input voltages up to 70 kV, recently introduced ac synchronous motors cut power losses and realize other benefits by direct connection to an electric utility distribution line.(NO TRANSFORMER NEEDED)(ABB Automation Technologies AB)
November 1, 2004... Imagine electric motors operating with input directly from a utility distribution line. Just think about the energy savings, drastic reduction of heat and power losses, and elimination of the costly, maintenance-prone transformer plus related...

Knowledge: packaging technology can learn from manufacturing.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... They're not quite the same technology, but modern packaging machines and automated manufacturing systems have things in common. Each strives to provide the highest output for its intended application via efficiency and ability to make rapid...

Foresight: and manufacturers can learn from packagers.(packaging digest)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... At the fall meeting of the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute, members heard an analysis of a recent Purchasing Process Study. One pivotal finding from the research is a ranking of how packagers rate machinery attributes. ...

Motion control turns the corner: higher machine reliability expected as general motion control spending increases 6% annually over next 5 years.(market forecast)
November 1, 2004... An increase in orders in the general motion control (GMC) market during 2003 seems to indicate that things are looking up. GMC orders declined in 2001 and 2002, coinciding with lower spending in most industries. [GRAPHIC OMITTED] ...

Vision promotes carton quality: precise glue-line placement prevents scrap, saves glue, and preserves customers.(applications in action)
November 1, 2004... Too much or too little glue applied to corrugated paperboard cartons can create semi-trailer trucks full of rejects returned to carton manufacturers. Besides dealing with sticky customer relations, carton manufacturers have to "eat" the scrap,...

Machine vision detects vacuum pack leaks: avoiding poor quality perishable goods is a priority for consumers and suppliers alike. Machine vision systems can identify defective products and help prevent unfortunate consequences, such as product liability claims.(automation theory)
November 1, 2004... A defective yogurt batch is certainly unappetizing, but a stomach upset can give rise to compensation claims, have a long-term impact on consumer behavior, attract the attention of the public health authorities, and even expose the supplier to...

Sensors rule in error proofing: an array of sensor technologies long applied in assembly procedures can be equally useful in packaging applications.(the expert speaks)
November 1, 2004... Error proofing creates significant benefits for many automated and manual procedures, including increased quality and productivity. With new sensor technologies, assemblies can be validated and error-proofed automatically in-process, rather...

Innovations deliver packaging advances: PACK EXPO International 2004 showcased new events on RFID and security issues, as well as thousands of product offerings from hundreds of vendors.(pack expo)
November 1, 2004... Focusing on packaging and converting machinery, materials, packages and containers, and components, this year's PACK EXPO International 2004, Nov. 7-11, at McCormick Place in Chicago, was expected to draw approximately 50,000 attendees to more...

Programmable logic controllers.(product developments)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The Allen-Bradley GuardPLC line of PLCs expands with Models 1600 and 1800, along with new programming software and three I/O blocks that bring distributed I/O to safety applications. Both PLCs have been specifically designed for safety...

Linear motion control device.(product developments)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The static rod lock is a spring-engaged, air-released rod lock designed to clamp and hold cylinder rods and shafts up to 32 mm. The component functions as a holding mechanism on pneumatic cylinders and guide rods. Key features include low...

Molded case circuit breakers.(product developments)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Cutler-Hammer's new line of molded case circuit breakers offers UL489-listed performance for branch circuit overcurrent protection and disconnecting means. The circuit breakers' small size saves panel space, compared to standard breakers or...

Drives.(product developments)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The VLT 5000 Series of drives has been redesigned and is now available in versions ranging from 90 to 200 kW and 125 to 300 hp. The new units, designated the VLT 5122 and VLT 5302, use the same operating software as the other entries in the VLT...

Sensor interface standard rides again: simpler, practical applications of its recently approved IEEE 1451.4 section have revived the overall Smart Transducer Interface Standard, while the plug-and-play capabilities of its transducer electronic data sheets (TEDs) for analog-to-digital information transfer are igniting development of new solutions.(IEEE 1451 REVIVED)
November 1, 2004... Reports of the demise of the IEEE 1451 Smart Transducer Interface Standard have been greatly exaggerated--to paraphrase Mark Twain. Though not actually ailing, the standard was delayed in limbo, until developers began using its recently...

Significant 'others'.(purchasing study UPDATE)
November 1, 2004... Control Engineering may be 50 years old, but we're never too old to learn. This year, we learned something very important about our purchasing study after placing the database online in searchable form in our Resource Center...

Customizing fieldbus function blocks: beyond enabling communication and control in the field, FOUNDATION fieldbus places built-in calculation capability into field devices, allowing manufacturers to develop customized function blocks in their devices to meet users' needs.(INSIDE PROCESS)
November 1, 2004... Allowing field devices to perform higher-level calculations adds to the advantages of distributed control. Function block programming inside devices makes that easier for a variety of applications, including production estimation and wet gas...

Process schematic focus in control system design: piping and instrumentation diagram (P & ID) is the format used by process engineers to specify the process during plant development. P & IDs, however, provide limited documentation of the overall functionality and operational aspects of the plant.(INSIDE PROCESS)
November 1, 2004... It's the control system engineer's objective to design a control system that fulfills the requirements of the process functionality, as well as those imposed by the overall operating and control philosophy and human resources levels. Lacking...

Software for process optimization.(inside process products)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... aspenONE software solution is said to help process manufacturers improve operational performance. Set of six DVDs is tailored for six process industry markets: oil & gas, petroleum, chemicals, specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and consumer...

On-line vapor pressure analysis.(inside process products)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Grabner Minivap On-line is designed for the direct vapor pressure analysis of non-viscous process liquids, including hydrocarbons such as gasoline and gasoline blends, crude oil, or LPG. Instrument is able to perform both vapor pressure and...

Condensate recovery pump.(inside process products)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Pivotrol Pressure Powered condensate pump is engineered for dependable steam system condensate recovery in rapid-cycling process environments and under wide pressure and temperature conditions. It is designed as a solution to excessive...

Valves prevent excess pressure.(inside process PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... C46 Series valves prevent excess system pressure by bypassing total system fluid flow. Devices contain no external springs or moving parts, are fully adjustable, and can be serviced in place without removing fittings or plumbing. They are...

Embedded temperature controller.(inside process PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... K1N customizable temperature controller is designed to be embedded in OEM equipment that does not require a visual display or operator interface. Key operating parameter can be set using a detachable display board or the manufacturer's iTools...

PLCs become small, fast, smart.(FOCUS PLCs)(Programmable logic controllers)
November 1, 2004... Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are the logical choice for many control applications and, like many technologies in automation, continue to shrink in size, increase in function, communicate more, and integrate well with other forms of...

Controllability and profitability.(academic VIEWPOINT)
November 1, 2004... There seems to be general agreement in the process industries and in academia that the method of choice today for multivariable control is model predictive control (MPC). The MPC framework successfully handles processes with multiple inputs and...

Engine manufacturer integrates operator interface.(application UPDATE)(REM Technology Inc. developed an engine controller using embedded software)
November 1, 2004... Natural gas fields provide energy to millions of homes and factories. Because the nearest gas fields are typically far from cities and towns, miles of pipelines make the connection. To push the gas from field to town requires an...

Exclusive: connectivity interface for PLC networks.(PRODUCTS & software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... DeltaV Virtual I/O Module network gateway provides native DeltaV connectivity to PLC networks using the Modbus TCP/IP or Ethernet/IP protocol. Multi-purpose Ethernet adaptor is also used with the company's mimic process simulation software for...

Exclusive: check for presence, easily, with vision.(PRODUCTS & software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Checker vision sensor is said to be a new approach to detecting presence or absence of product features, from the straw on a juice box to multiple buttons on an automotive instrument panel. Device provides a reliable alternative to using...

Clamp-on liquid/gas monitoring.(PRODUCTS & software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... True Liquid Flow and Entrained Gas Monitoring System installs non-intrusively on existing process lines. SONARtrac clamp-on system allows on-line real-time measurement of the volumetric flow and amount of entrained air/gas present in any...

Custom motion control solutions via software.(PRODUCTS & software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... SoftMotion Development Module for Lab-View lets machine builders and OEMs create customized motion controllers for any platform with NI SoftMotion technology. Product deploys a variety of motion control functions and custom algorithms to any...

High-performance motion controller.(PRODUCTS & software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... ZMP-PCI motion controller expands the company's SynqNet offerings. Product features a 64-bit ZMP controller using a 466 MHz Motorola PowerPC processor. SynqNet Series works with the company's MechaWare advanced servo development environment to...

Analog, discrete, digital: deciphered.(back to BASICS)
November 1, 2004... Unlike the virtual world within a computer, the real world is "analog." Real-world variables can change at any time, not just at the end of a scan cycle or sampling interval. Variables measured by a computer are "discrete." They remain...