Control Engineering articles from November 2005

Control Engineering archives from November 2005

Security update.(Editorial)
November 1, 2005... Are the warnings working? Much has been written in the past few years about the state of industrial security and what manufacturers can and should be doing to protect business and control systems. With so much focus on prevention and...

Networking serial devices simplified.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... NPort IA Series of networking products includes two types of device servers: one type connects to copper wire networks; the other to fiberoptic networks. Copper wire models come with two Fast Ethernet ports (RJ45, 10/100BaseTX), allowing the...

Redundant EtherNet/IP driver.(product EXCLUSIVE)
November 1, 2005... Fully redundant support is now available for Mynah Technologies' EtherNet/IP driver for the DeltaV virtual IO module. Driver and interface module allows redundant, high-speed, high-performance Ethernet integration from DeltaV controllers to...

How may I help you?
November 1, 2005... How many times have you felt like answering or have actually answered your work phone with the phrase, "Hello, how may I help you?" If you design and implement systems, you may be surprised at the amount of time spent on service and support....

RFID speeds VW Touran assembly.(automated radio frequency identification)(Volkswagen )
November 1, 2005... An automated radio frequency identification (RFID)-based control system has enabled Auto 5000 GmbH, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, to achieve significant throughput timesavings and reductions of defect rates for the "threaded assemblies"...

Spreadsheet rebuttal.(Editorial)
November 1, 2005... Editor's note: In the September 2005 issue, Chris Randles, CEO and president of Mathsoft Engineering & Education Inc., took Excel to task regarding its usefulness as an engineering tool. This month, a reader offers his views on the subject. ...

Chemical industry merges cybersecurity efforts.(NEWS)
November 1, 2005... Arlington, VA -- Two chemical-industry cybersecurity groups agreed to merge their efforts into one organization- The move to consolidate initiatives, expected to be complete by Jan. 1, 2006, follows two years of cooperation between the Chemical...

U.S. tech sector sees 3.4% increase in jobs.
November 1, 2005... Chicago, IL -- The U.S. tech sector added nearly 190,000 jobs between January 2004 and June 2005, according to data generated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and compiled by AeA, a high-tech U.S. trade association. The increase brings...

Energy markets due for seismic shift.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Johannesburg, South Africa -- "Energy markets are about to experience a seismic shift," Worldwatch Institute president Christopher Flavin told attendees at the 18th World Petroleum Congress. Speaking to 5,000 delegates at the event, Flavin...

802.11 networks gain share among North American wireless products.(NEWS)
November 1, 2005... Natick, MA -- Standard IEEE 802.11 networks are expected to account for the most significant gains in share among wireless industrial products in North America 2007, a recent VDC study finds. IEEE 802.11a-, b-, and g-networks combined to...

IEEE 1588 PCI interface for distributed synchronization.
November 1, 2005... Washington, DC -- Engineers now can use the new, National Instruments PCI-1588 interface to synchronize clocks and events on multiple distributed devices with sub-microsecond precision using the IEEE 1588 precision time protocol (PTP), the...

ISA moves to electronic certification testing.(Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Research Triangle Park, NC -- Three ISA (Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society) certification exams will be offered electronically and will be available at test sites globally in 2006. The tests are Certified Automation Professional...

Scalable control system features Ethernet options.(NEWS)
November 1, 2005... Charlottesville, VA -- VersaMax Micro 64 control system from GE Fanuc Automation provides a wide range of I/O modules and a variety of communications options including Ethernet. Suitable for packaging, assembly, and SCADA applications, the unit...

Invensys unveils solutions to manage asset availability, use.(Invensys Process Systems)
November 1, 2005... Houston, TX -- Predictive solutions that let process manufacturers manage asset availability and utilization to improve business performance were unveiled by Invensys Process Systems at its recent customer conference in Houston. The asset...

Monitoring technologies win Technology Transfer Award.(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)(Micro Pulse Lidar)(MPL Network)
November 1, 2005... Rocky Gap, MD -- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's (GSFC) Micro Pulse Lidar (MPL) technology and its MPL Network (MPLNET) received the 2005 Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) Mid-Atlantic Regional Excellence in Technology Transfer Award....

Schneider Electric plans Citect acquisition.(Schneider Electric)
November 1, 2005... Rueil Malmaison, France and Sydney, Australia -- Schneider Electric's main Australian subsidiary, Schneider Australia, and Citect have signed a merger agreement. If approved, Schneider Australia would acquire all Citech shares. The enterprise...

Wireless strategy uses vendor-neutral approach.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Chicago, IL and Foxboro, MA -- A strategy for vendor-neutral wireless communications that uses a comprehensive managed network approach was announced and demonstrated by Invensys Process Systems at ISA Expo 2005 in Chicago in late October. The...

Wireless mesh accelerates in North America.(wireless mesh network)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Scottsdale, Ariz -- The Wireless Mesh Network (WMN) infrastructure equipment market has begun to accelerate, reports In-Stat. From 2004-2009, the market for access points is expected to zoom from $33.5 million to $974.3 million, the high-tech,...

Dual-homing Ethernet switch for device redundancy.(NEWS)
November 1, 2005... Fremont, CA -- As the importance of security and uptime becomes more prominent across industry, the need for effective redundancy strategies in industrial applications has increased. "Older industrial connectivity options, such as serial lines,...

Smart Remote Automation extends Emerson's PlantWeb.(Emerson Process Management)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Orlando, FL -- Emerson Process Management introduced Smart Remote Automation, an extension of its PlantWeb digital architecture intended to improve businesses with processes beyond the typical plant. Smart Remote technology enables continuous...

Siemens completes RVSI Acuity CiMatrix acquisition.(NEWS)
November 1, 2005... Atlanta, GA -- Siemens Energy and Automation Inc. (SEA) completed acquisition of RVSI Acuity CiMatrix (RAC), a division of Robotic Visions SystemsInc. headquartered in Nashua, N.H. Siemens is expected to invest in the Nashua site to make that...

Emerson acquires pneumatic, motion control products manufacturer.(NEWS)
November 1, 2005... St. Louis, MO -- Emerson has acquired Numatics Inc., a Highland, MI-based manufacturer of pneumatic control and motion-control products for industrial applications. The move extends Emerson's portfolio of fluid power products and technologies...

Modbus conformance test lab opens in China.(modbus-ida)(instrumentation technology & economy institute)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... North Grafton, MA -- Modbus-IDA and the Instrumentation Technology & Economy Institute (ITEI) announced the opening of ITEI's Modbus Conformance Test Laboratory in Beijing, China. As part of its expanding conformance test program, Modbus-IDA is...

Rockwell Automation's strategy to close business and plant information-system gap.(rockwell automation inc)
November 1, 2005... Chicago, IL -- As a further indication that the integration of plant and business information systems is becoming a greater imperative for manufacturers, Rockwell Automation has announced plans to extend its manufacturing execution system (MES)...

Honeywell, Schneider Electric, Saudi Aramco, and Shell Global Solutions join FDT Group.(NEWS)
November 1, 2005... Chicago, IL -- In recent weeks, Honeywell Process Solutions, Schneider Electric, Saudi Aramco, and Shell Global Solutions have joined 35 other automation vendors, end-user companies, and global engineering organizations supporting Field Device...

Manage multiple routes-to-market globally.(NEWS)( National Manufacturing Week 2006)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Norwalk, CT -- Hewlett Packard's Gilles Bouchard is slated to head the line-up of keynote speakers at National Manufacturing Week 2006. Bouchard, HP's executive vice president of global operations, will discuss "Managing multiple...

Yokogawa, Moore ink preferred vendor agreement.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... North Hills, CA -- Yokogawa Electric Corp. and Moore Industries-International Inc. have signed a global preferred vendor agreement to offer Moore Industries' HIM HART loop interface and monitor with Yokogawa's HART multivariable transmitters...

New course in HART online educational-series.(NEWS)
November 1, 2005... Austin, TX -- Course Two in a free educational series on the HART field communications protocol is now available online. "Getting HART Data" covers how to use HART data to benefit from real-time integration with control, safety, and asset...

New company for vision and sensor solutions.(Called Metrology Resource Co.,)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Detroit, MI -- A new company has formed to market and provide vision systems and turnkey installation and support for a wide range of sensors. Sensors vary from surface scanners for visually checking object surfaces for scratches, pores, pits,...

Mixed growth forecast for world lab analytical instrumentation.(High-performance liquid chromatographs)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... World laboratory analytical instrumentation market shows an increase of 4.4% from 2003 to $7.8 billion in 2004, according to recent research from Frost & Sullivan, with some segments expected to experience a high growth rate while other face a...

Engineers and IT professionals form legacy services firm.(Information technology )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Evergreen Enhancement Inc., a team of manufacturing engineers and IT professionals, is a start-up company aimed at providing engineering support for embedded technology legacy products, particularly critical hardware and software systems in...

ISO approves PDF for document archives.(International Organization for Standardization)(Portable Document Format)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has approved ISO 19005-1, Document management-electronic document file format for long-term preservation. Part 1: Use of PDF 1.4 (PDF/A-1), defines a file format based on Portable Document...

By the Numbers.
November 1, 2005... 3 weeks was how long it took an educated hacker from Idaho National Labs to take control of automation, reaching through the Internet, enterprise network, control network, and related software and hardware. See "Think Again" in this issue for...

Live hacking into your process.(Editorial Think AGAIN)
November 1, 2005... It's real. I saw it. Believe. Hackers can remotely enter facilities via laptop, run pumps, and actuate valves without the knowledge of owners/operators. It can be done, through multiple firewalls, with active security measures and technologies...

High horsepower vision sensors: ability to see clearly and inexpensively into a process is here now, or just around the corner, depending on how you gauge industry progress toward low-cost vision sensors.(Cover Story)
November 1, 2005... Technology advances have made vision sensors easy to setup and use. Beyond that, suppliers differ in how they characterize these technologies. In general, vision sensors are seen as having more capabilities, complexities, and costs than...

Bucking manufacturing employment trends: after a shaky start, Mission Control's no-layoff policy proves profitable for employees and the company.(INTEGRATOR UPDATE)
November 1, 2005... Over the past two decades, job insecurity has become the norm in the manufacturing industry worldwide. Data from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that U.S. manufacturing employment dropped, on average, by 1.08%...

Resistance temperature detectors: whether in two-, three-, or four-wire configuration, RTDs have proven to be stable and accurate temperature measurement devices. They are also the most expensive. Understanding the pros and cons of RTDs can facilitate your temperature measurement device decisions.(TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT BASICS)
November 1, 2005... Of the many ways to measure temperature, one of the most accurate is a resistance temperature detector, usually referred to as an RTD. In an RTD, the resistance of the device is proportional to temperature. The most common resistive material...

Sasol wins 2005 HART Plant of the Year Award: beginning as a broad vision for a control system and corresponding field instrumentation--with the intelligence to predict failures before downtime occurs--this project encompassed communication and control at two new plants in South Africa with 10,000 I/O points.(EXCLUSIVE)
November 1, 2005... Handed the task of overseeing the implementation of communication and control systems that would serve as the automation data lifeline for two new plants, Johan Claassen, engineering manager for control systems, instrumentation, and electrical,...

AC drives simplify complexity.(alternate current)
November 1, 2005... They span the gamut of sizes from "micro drives" that virtually fit into your shirt pocket to large system drives and medium-voltage units. However, ac adjustable-speed drives have some attributes in common: increasingly capable control of ac...

Multi-protocol server.(PRODUCTS & software)
November 1, 2005... ABCIP DA-server-3.0 advanced, multi-protocol device-integration server provides configurable read/write access from all Wonderware software packages that require real-time plant-floor data to Rockwell Automation Allen-Bradley PLCs and control...

Miniature servo drive.(PRODUCTS & software)
November 1, 2005... Whistle miniature digital servo-drive is small and light enough to be mounted to a motor housing or in close proximity to a motor. Matchbox-sized (2 cu in.) device delivers up to 0.5 kW continuous power at up to 99% efficiency and weighs only...

Power entry modules.(PRODUCTS & software)
November 1, 2005... IEC-60320, filtered C20 inlet power-entry modules are intended for computer, medical, general purpose, and custom indoor type equipment applications that would benefit from a combination of filtering and ac power entry for detachable C19...

PC-based controller GEMEs.(general embedded-machine engines )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... GEME-4000 and GEME-5000, PC-based controller-general embedded-machine engines (GEME) offer multiple CPU choices and USB 2.0 connectors, LVDS support for display, and DDR RAM in addition to standard GEME features. GEME-4000 comes with an Intel...

Long-stroke voice-coil actuator.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... VM2436 voice-coil actuator provides precision bi-directional linearity over a maximum linear stroke of 0.59 in. Suited for individual equipment requiring a z-axis drive, the long-stroke, linear voice-coil motor develops a peak force of almost...

Brushless vibration motor.(PRODUCTS & software)
November 1, 2005... LVB10 dime-sized brushless vibration motor has a 0.394-in. (10-mm) O.D. and 0.134-in. (3.4-mm) axial length, with a developed vibration force of 0.063 oz (1.8 g). Drive electronics are integrated inside the motor case with 2 leads exiting to a...

Ethernet controller enhancements.(PRODUCTS & software)
November 1, 2005... Firmware enhancements for several Ethernet controllers are available for free download from Galil Motion Control. Controllers affected include Accelera, Optima, DMC-18X2 PCI, and DMC-21X3. Revised firmware provides new commands for stepper...

Mixed-Signal Verification kit.(PRODUCTS & software)
November 1, 2005... Mixed-Signal Verification component-kit is said to reduce verification time and boost verification quality. It extends advanced techniques for functional dynamic verification to analog circuits, applying to mixed-signal design concepts like...

Enhanced-color control displays.(PRODUCTS & software)
November 1, 2005... SuperBlue single/dual-digit seven-segment and dot-matrix displays feature enhanced color and continuously uniform brightness to improve information display qualities in life support and critical control applications, including instrumentation...

Heavy-duty photoelectric sensors.(PRODUCTS & software)
November 1, 2005... Enhanced 50-Series, high-performance photoelectric sensors from Eaton/Cutler-Hammer is now available from AutomationDirect. Offering includes through-beam, polarized reflex, and diffuse and clear object models, in a rugged rectangular package...

Modular FRL system.(PRODUCTS & software)
November 1, 2005... AS2 Series FRLs (filter, regulator, lubricator) feature modular design that allows individual parts to be exchanged while the system is assembled. Patented oil filling system feeds oil directly into the system from the reservoir. Process is...

Flowmeters for natural gas.(PRODUCTS & software)
November 1, 2005... Flowmeters for liquefied (LNG) and conventional natural-gas service include Bundle Waveguide Technology (BWT) system with DigitalFlow DF868 flowmeter for measuring cryogenic LNG flows and Sentinel natural gas ultrasonic flowmeter for fiscal...

Control-panel chip.(PRODUCTS & software)
November 1, 2005... QT401 "slider" chip uses Quantum Research's patented, charge-transfer sensing method to provide a reliable linear or arc-based touch-sensing output with a 7-bit resolution (1 in 128). Suited to control panels where knob or linear control is...

Control platform.(PRODUCTS & software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... PSSuniversal features a decentralized, modular I/O and control platform to provide an economical solution for standard control and safety functions for mid- to top-range automation needs. System reportedly allows the enable function and block...

Digital signal conditioner has TEDS tag.(PRODUCTS & software)
November 1, 2005... CellMite Model-4325B intelligent digital-signal conditioner with TEDS-tag for automatic load cell identification connects to a standard strain gauge, load cell, extensometer, or pressure sensor, and it simultaneously generates a serial output...

Bevel-gear valve operators.(PRODUCTS & software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Limitorque Actuation Systems' MT-Series of ductile-iron bevel-gear operators are said to provide reliable performance in power-industry valve applications. Designed as a combination of a bevel-gear-operator torque housing with a new thrust-base...

Network security appliance.(PRODUCTS & software)
November 1, 2005... NA-0043-Series meets demand for hardware platforms that can handle bandwidth. Platform reportedly has a lower total cost of ownership from a networking performance point of view and can also be used as a VPN gateway, network bandwidth...

Model-based reactor control: whatever we do in this moment changes the future. Controlling processes now based on a predicted view of the future can, in some cases, yield more satisfying results than traditional methods.
November 1, 2005... Future trajectory of a controlled variable is the consequence of the recent and current values of the variables that affect it. The concepts of feedforward and decoupling control, presented earlier in this series, are steps toward using this...

Intrinsically safe, low-cost transducer bus: how IEEE P1451.6 controller area network communications technology, coupled with low-power bipolar and complementary-metal-oxide semiconductor electronics and CANopen device profiles, can produce an open standard, low-cost, intrinsically safe transducer-bus.(INSIDE PROCESS)
November 1, 2005... Over the past few decades, analyzers have evolved into sophisticated chemical sensors and automation instruments that have migrated from the laboratory to the field for integration into real-time process control systems. However, front-end...

Pressure transmitter for food, beverage apps.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Sitrans P300 pressure transmitter for the food and beverage and pharmaceutical industries features a stainless steel housing and measuring cell flush with the front panel to make it easy to clean and sterilize. Transmitter is suitable for...

Clamp-on hybrid flowmeter.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Duosonics ultrasonic flowmeter is a non-invasive, clamp-on device that automatically switches between pulse Doppler and transit-time technologies depending on the fluid conditions in the pipe. Flowmeter can measure ultra-pure water, sludges and...

Communications Module for safety, security.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Tricon Communications Module (TCM) is said to offer open and flexible communications integration between safety instrumented systems (SIS) and distributed control systems (DCS) without compromising either safety or security. TCM incorporates an...

Mass flowmeter for liquids, gases.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Model CMM Coriolis mass flowmeter is said to be compatible with virtually every industrial process fluid. Unit's wetted surface parts are available in nine standard materials including 316 stainless steel, carbon steel, Hastelloy B, Titanium,...

Liquid sample analyses.(inside process products)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... AI 3000 and AS 3000 liquid autosamplers for elemental analysis are designed to help achieve high precision and reproducible data from liquid analysis in the environmental, petro-chemical, and food and beverage industries. Robust units are...

Advanced safety controllers.(PRODUCTS & software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... UE 100 Series safety controllers include two models, UE 440 and UE 470, said to offer more advanced functions and flexibility than a safety relay without the complexity and cost of a safety PLC. UE 440 is a configurable device for comprehensive...

Change-of-state input board.(PRODUCTS & software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... VMIVME-1184 optically isolated 32-channel input board with change-of-state (COS) interrupt capabilities features interrupt control logic that can be programmed to issue an interrupt upon specific state changes. User selects the state change by...

Power supply with undervoltage alarm.(PRODUCTS & software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... S8VM power supply features an undervoltage alarm that signals when voltage falls and indicates the cause, allowing operators to troubleshoot the source of the problem quickly. Unit uses combinations of LEDs to indicate whether voltage loss is...

Water level recorder.(PRODUCTS & software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Level-2000 water-level recorder for tanks, vessels, and ponds operates by measuring pressure and is atmospheric pressure compensated to ensure 0.02-in. resolution. Device measures and records water levels to 100-ft deep over a user-selectable...

Graphical DAQ software.(PRODUCTS & software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... DasyLab Version-9.0, Microsoft Windows-based, graphical data-acquisition software features an updated user interface, improved on-line help, an interactive tutorial, and more than 150 examples to help engineers accelerate setup and development...

SBC for embedded systems.(PRODUCTS & software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... F13 compactPCI PowerPC single-board computer (SBC) can be configured with a MPC8540 or MPC8560 next-generation 833 MHz PowerQuicc III processor from Freescale Semiconductor, depending on the application. Intended to provide connectivity and...

Plant-wide control for batch applications.(PRODUCTS & software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... RSLogix-5000 programming software includes PhaseManager feature for plant-wide control capabilities for batch applications. PhaseManager embeds ISA S88-compliant code into Logix family controllers, providing a standard framework for configuring...

Software for toolmaking.(PRODUCTS & software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... CimatronE 7.0 integrative CAD/CAM solution for toolmakers covers the tool-making process from quoting to delivery. Software includes best-of-breed applications for mold design, NC, and electrodes and provides a work environment for all aspects...

Flow products for hazardous areas.(PRODUCTS & software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Brooks Instrument's Quantim Coriolis-family of low-flowmeters and controllers have a NEMA 4x/IP65 weatherproof package and are approved for service in Class 1, Div. 2 or Class 1, Div. 1 Groups C&D/Zone 1 explosion-proof environments. Approvals...

Four steps to HMI screen design.(human-machine interface)
November 1, 2005... The task may sound intimidating, but designing a human-machine interface (HMI) screen actually isn't too different from creating a word document or presentation. Just follow some basic rules: * Remember your audience; * Stick to the...