Control Engineering articles from October 2006

Control Engineering archives from October 2006

Power Monitoring.(Merck & Company Inc. reduced the enrgy use by using power management software)
October 1, 2006... Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering Merck sees system savings in using a SCADA-type system to control and optimize facility power use. Powerful reasons for improving electrical services-improvements in quality, reliability, and...

Ensuring a Safe, Secure HMI.
October 1, 2006... Peter Cleaveland for Control Engineering At the HMI level, the relationship between safety and security is fundamental to optimizing system performance. When it comes to human machine interfaces (HMIs), the distinction between safety...

Auto-Tuning Control Using Ziegler-Nichols.
October 1, 2006... Vance VanDoren, Ph.D., P.E., Control Engineering The classic technique for tuning a PID loop has become even more popular with the advent of controllers capable of tuning themselves. John 'Zeke' Ziegler and Nathaniel Nichols may not...

SiC Semiconductors.(silicon carbide)(Editorial)
October 1, 2006... Frank J. Bartos, P.E. Control Engineering Consulting Editor Although their use for motor control and in other demanding applications awaits further development, silicon carbide semiconductors offer enhanced thermal conductivity, 10x power...

'Astronomical' application of LVDT sensors.
October 1, 2006... Ed Herceg Linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) position sensors are used for linear position measurement and feedback in factory automation, motion control, metal fabricating, power plant, and gas/steam turbine systems. These...

Turn knowledge into capital.(documentation)
October 1, 2006... Jim Upchurch Plant and equipment are considered capital, but without the knowledge required to make them manufacture your product, they cannot perform the intended tasks. Knowledge, when documented, becomes intellectual capital-something...

From raw ideas to success.(engineering innovations success)(Editorial)
October 1, 2006... Mark T. Hoske, Editor-in-Chief To succeed, we should implement innovative engineering ideas from smart people in our organizations. Unfortunately, statistics show that stupidity is winning, says Doug Hall, founder and CEO of Eureka! Ranch....

Seek answers in new ways.(control equipment)
October 1, 2006... Renee Robbins, Editorial Director If my press release inbox is any indication, this fall promises lots of new choices for adding to a control engineer's toolbox. It's the midst of the fall trade show season, which means many opportunities...

Single-chip MCUs support low-cost data acquisition.(microcontroller unit)
October 1, 2006... Nate Smith In many manufacturing environments, it is desirable to have a data acquisition (DAQ) system to monitor the network remotely for troubleshooting or control purposes. To facilitate this, many manufacturing applications tend to...

Applying Motion Control.(in the semiconductor fabrication)
October 1, 2006... Kevin Steele Drives and controls in semiconductor fabrication require precision, repeatability. When Arthur C. Clarke remarked that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic, he may have had semiconductor...

Machine Vision: Not Just for Metrology Anymore.
October 1, 2006... C.G. Masi, Control Engineering At IMTS 2006, demos showed how simulation software also helps robotics with sorting, positioning, and high-speed handoffs. To many manufacturing engineers, machine vision (MV) on the factory floor is just...

Integration bus: Here to help.(Column)
October 1, 2006... Dennis Brandl, BR&L Consulting Manufacturing benefits from improved information exchange. Enterprise service bus (ESB) architectures and and their use were described in last month's column. ESB architectures can be valuable tools within...

Engineering jobs specialize, require more communication, collaboration.
October 1, 2006... Jeanine Katzel, Control Engineering senior editor A shift towards engineering specialization has prompted increased communication needs and led to more 'collaborative' jobs. Why? Imminent retirement of baby boomers, a shortage a graduate...

Flowmeters, switches approved for Russia.(Fluid Components International got approval from Russian Federation )(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Staff The Russian Federation has granted Fluid Components International (FCI) approval to export its flowmeters and switches into its country. FCI received certification from the Federation for its MT Series, GF Series, and ST98 Series...

Blog: SCADA integrators respond to changes.
October 1, 2006... Staff The best-laid plans-. The old adage takes on new meaning for the engineering staff of the wastewater pump station SCADA system project as unexpected challenges-including illness, personnel changes, and procedural hurdles-are...

Cutting-edge technology eliminates cutting edges.
October 1, 2006... Staff Ways to create finished parts or tools without cutting edges are moving closer to reality, thanks to the work of the rapid prototyping research team at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. The effort is intended to help overcome the...

High-speed Ethernet test kit gets upgrade.
October 1, 2006... Staff Fieldbus Foundation released its High Speed Ethernet (HSE) Conformance Test Kit 2.0 (HCTK 2.0). The version provides enhanced capabilities for development and testing of FOUNDATION Class 42c HSE field and linking devices. HCTK 2.0 is...

Environmental controls protect blood supply.
October 1, 2006... Staff The Indiana Blood Center, a non-profit agency that collects and distributes blood and blood components throughout Indiana, is taking steps to ensure its blood and platelet supplies are stored according to U.S. FDA 21 CFR Part 11. The...

Robots add efficiencies to large-format machining cell.(Kuka Robotics Corp., Robotic CNC Solutions)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Staff A new machining cell uses a robot and linear floor slide to expand machinists work area and travel capability. The new cell is ideal for any customer needing to cut 5-axis large format items, say the companies involved, such as...

Linux appeals to real-time embedded systems users.
October 1, 2006... Staff Microprocessor-based embedded control systems traditionally have used proprietary real-time operating systems (RTOSs) to attain real-time or near-real-time response needed in such applications as automotive engine control systems....

IBM advances security services position, buys ISS.
October 1, 2006... Staff IBM will acquire Atlanta-based Internet Security Systems Inc. (ISS) in an all-cash transaction for about $1.3 billion, or $28 a share. The move is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions....

Omron to buy NHK Spring's optical coupler business.
October 1, 2006... Staff Making plans to expand more heavily into optical coupler markets, Omron Corp. has reached a preliminary agreement to buy a portion of NHK Spring's optical coupler business. The acquisition includes the component micro-fabrication...

Actuant Corp. acquires Actown Electrocoil.
October 1, 2006... Staff Actuant Corp., parent company of Acme Electric Corp., acquired Actown Electrocoil, a manufacturer of power and high voltage transformers, custom-built coils, high-frequency ferrite applications, and PCB surface mount transformers...

RF Monolithics adds wireless capabilities with 2 acquisitions.
October 1, 2006... Staff RF Monolithics Inc. (RFM) made two wireless company acquisitions-Cirronet Inc., a wireless data communications and networking company, and Caver-Morehead Systems Inc., a computerized maintenance management systems vendor. Both are...

CompoNet specification is near, says ODVA.
October 1, 2006... Staff ODVA (Open DeviceNet Vendor Association) is set to publish the first edition of its CompoNet Specification. CompoNet uses CIP, the Common Industrial Protocol, for its upper layers. The Association's technical review board approved...

Safety bus networks grow.
October 1, 2006... Staff High growth awaits the global market for distributed/remote I/O (DRI/O) systems using safety buses and networks, a recent VDC study reports. 'Industrial distributed/remote I/O: Global market demand analysis and user requirement...

Growth of electronic flow sensors.
October 1, 2006... Staff The growth in offerings of electronic, non-contact flow measurement systems has fueled Europe's sensors and transmitters market, says a new report from Frost & Sullivan. Newer technologies offer functional advantages over traditional...

Industrial PCs gain in developing regions.(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Staff Market for industrial PCs in developing regions is predicted to grow significantly, reaching Euro 740 million by 2010, a report from IMS Research forecasts. Developing areas such as Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and...

Linear motors increase.(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Staff Many companies are seeking to purchase complete industrial automation systems rather than components assembled in-house. Engineering staffing reductions in recent years has accelerated this trend and influenced the direct drives...

More Ethernet for industrial distributed/remote I/O use.
October 1, 2006... Staff Vendors of distributed/remote I/O and fieldbus organizations will step up the development of application protocols based on core layers of Ethernet now that the worldwide market for Ethernet-based buses and networks is forecast to...

RFID transponder use surges.(Radio Frequency Identification )(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Staff Global market for RFID (radio frequency identification) transponders reached an estimated $750 million in 2005, according to Venture Development Corp.'s RFID Business Planning Service. The company anticipates the market to show a...

Correction.(Correction notice)
October 1, 2006... Staff Control Engineering , September 2006, p. 52, cover story, 'Measure Up with Machine Vision,' should have included www.bannerengineering.com . To read that article, and additional information about importance of lighting, go to...

Automation expands in Asia; nanotechnology; wireless.
October 1, 2006... Staff Separate recent agreements expand automation in Asia, further the use of nanotechnology, and may make ZigBee easier to implement. Yokogawa Electric Corp. and OSIsoft Inc. partnership is designed to serve industrial automation...

Blazing: 10Gb Ethernet study group.
October 1, 2006... Staff The Ethernet Alliance announced that the IEEE 802.3 working group has formed the Higher Speed Study Group (HSSG) to evaluate requirements for the next generation of Ethernet technology. 'This is an exciting time for the Ethernet...

By the Numbers.
October 1, 2006... Staff 21% reduction in North American production (168,000 units) for fourth-quarter 2006 is what Ford Motor Co. expects, as of Aug. 18; the year is expected to result in 9% less Ford production (1.134 million cars and 1.914 million trucks)...

Position drive adds Ethernet port.
October 1, 2006... By Staff Model 940 PositionDrive from AC Technology, a member of the Lenze Group, now includes a 10/100 mbps Ethernet port. The IEEE 802.3 hardware-compliant feature allows the unit to be connected to any Ethernet network and use standard...

Stackable plug connectors.
October 1, 2006... By Staff Duplicon, stackable, IP67-compliant plug connector system from Phoenix Contact, is said to offer uninterrupted communication from the mounting rail in the control cabinet across the decentralized power distributor to device...

Handheld Test and Measurement Instruments.
October 1, 2006... Dick Johnson for Control Engineering Demand for advanced capabilities continues as devices get smaller, faster, cheaper. 'Form follows function.' The phrase originated with American sculptor Horatio Greenough and was popularized by...

Protocol converter connects to Profinet.
October 1, 2006... Staff Anybus Communicator for Profinet from HMS Industrial Networks is an intelligent protocol converter that connects automation devices with a serial interface to Profinet. It allows devices without a built-in Profinet interface to be...

Motion control for packaging applications.
October 1, 2006... Staff IndraMotion MLC controller-based motion control system from Bosch Rexroth Corp. is designed for packaging machines with centralized or distributed architectures and a maximum of 16 axes per controller. Up to 64 controllers can be...

Magnetic encoders.
October 1, 2006... Staff HS35M magnetic encoder from Avtron Mfg. Inc. features hollow shaft, insulated design that can be fit directly on motor and machine shafts. Magnetic sensing technology is said to 'see through' contamination to keep working after dust...

USB interface for data transmission to PCs.
October 1, 2006... Staff MarConnect USB hub system from Mahr Federal is said to make connecting gages with computers a plug-and-play matter. Kits provide the elements to make quick, universal assemblies of multiple measuring systems for data transmission....

Documenting measurement results.
October 1, 2006... Staff Logger software from Witt documents measurement results from the company's gas analysis devices. Improved version of the Microsoft Windows-based program provides detailed reports and is easier to use. It recognizes product names that...

Online current-rating software.
October 1, 2006... Staff Oscar compliance software from Cooper Bussmann is designed to help facilities comply with new electrical industry standards for determining the short-circuit current rating (SCCR) of industrial control panel assemblies. One-year...

OEM RFID reader module.
October 1, 2006... Staff M9 UHF SkyeModule EPC Class 1 Gen 1/2 and ISO 18000-6B/C OEM reader module from SkyeTek Inc. meets regulatory compliance requirements for North America, Europe (ERSI 302 208), Korea, and Japan. Half the size of a standard business...

High-speed machining module.
October 1, 2006... Staff SolidCAM2007 R11 integrated CAM-engine for SolidWorks further expands SolidCAM's 3-D milling functionality with a high-speed machining module for molds, tools and dies, and complex 3-D parts. HSM module offers machining and linking...

Statistical process control software.
October 1, 2006... Staff Synergy 3000 statistical process control software from Zontec Inc. is called a 'true SPC Web application developed using the Microsoft .Net platform.' Program can run as a traditional Windows XP or Vista desktop application or be...

Programmable logic relays.
October 1, 2006... Staff Teco SG2 Series programmable logic relay for machine and process control applications from FactoryMation LLC is available in 10, 12, and 20 I/O configurations from $59. Models come in built-in LCD/keypad or OEM plain case and bare...

Dual-system flow controller.
October 1, 2006... Staff 5600 Series dual-use system from Niagara Meters includes an ultrasonic liquid level and open-channel flow controller. Non-contact device features no contamination of material, lost parts or cables, or material build-up on the sensing...

Self-cleaning mass flowmeter.
October 1, 2006... Staff Model GF90 flowmeter from Fluid Components International is said to maintain optimum flow measurement performance in rugged applications where dirt, grit, and grime are present in the fluid. Insertion style device features...

Automation products add flexibility.
October 1, 2006... Staff Telemecanique brand Zelio plug-in relays from Schneider Electric now includes Zelio Logic 2 programmable smart relays, Zelio count counters, and Zelio analog interface modules. All-in-one reportedly saves panel space and reduces...

DeviceNet cabling options.
October 1, 2006... Staff DeviceNet cables from Lumberg Inc. include 'Thin' and 'Mid' hi-flex cables, 'Mid' standard specification cables, and 'Thick' tray rated cables, completing the company's line of DeviceNet cabling options. New netFlex-10M hi-flex...

Pressure transducer targets gas, oil uses.
October 1, 2006... Staff Model 5100 Series pressure transducer from Sensor System Solutions Inc. targets oil burner, oil tank level indicator, process control system, natural gas production, and gas compressor markets, among others. Available in nine...

Transducer with zero-based ranges.
October 1, 2006... Staff Type 900X current-to-pressure and voltage-to-pressure transducer from ControlAir Inc. now comes with zero-based units ranging from 0-7.5 psi to 0-60 psi outputs. FM and CSA approved as intrinsically safe, the device is also compliant...

Flowmeter for water, wastewater uses.
October 1, 2006... Staff Marsh Multi-Mag flowmeter from McCrometer is said to provide accuracy under difficult flow conditions such as low flow, wide flow ranges, flows containing sand and grit, vertical pipes, and locations near bends and elbows. Device...

Isolated multifunction devices.
October 1, 2006... Staff Twelve new isolated M and S Series multifunction data acquisition devices from National Instruments are said to combine the safety of isolation with the high-performance timing, amplification, and calibration technologies of existing...

Get your data in order.(product lifecycle management)
October 1, 2006... Todd Cummings According to Paul Herold, director of Logistics Geospatial Integration Center, United States Coast Guard, 'You can't share data when you don't know what you have. Not effectively.' Product lifecycle management (PLM)...

Automated Water System Control.
October 1, 2006... Staff Rule engine forecasts accurate drinking water demand, minimizing setpoint adjustments, achieving more constant quality, and cutting costs. Built largely on land reclaimed from the sea, Netherlands has always had a close...

Pressure transducer.
October 1, 2006... Staff Profile thru-Flo pressure transducer from DJ Instruments is designed with a one-piece sensing element with a true zero internal dead volume. Device features a proprietary sensing element with no internal cavities, eliminating the...

Boiler tuning, flue gas analysis.
October 1, 2006... Staff Btu 2000+ hand-held boiler tuning unit and flue gas analyzer from E Instruments is a multifunctional unit for servicing and maintenance of boilers, heaters, and other industrial applications. Device features magnetic rubber shell for...

Combustible gas sensor.
October 1, 2006... Staff Model 5100-02-IT catalytic bead combustible gas sensor from Sierra Monitor has an FM-approved long-term (6-month) calibration cycle. Unit is said to offer the advantage of long-term calibration characteristic of an IR sensor and cost...

Still more than one way to "plug-and play".
October 1, 2006... Dr. Raymond B. Sepe Jr. Goal: take a sensor, connect it to electronic instrumentation, and collect data, with automatic calibration of the sensor with the instrumentation. The problem: every sensor and every instrument differs. A...