Control and Instrumentation articles from May 2000

Control and Instrumentation archives from May 2000

Is our World getting smaller?
May 1, 2000... Less players will means less choice in future technical markets News this month that another two major automation companies are considering technical and commercial alliances is perhaps unsurprising. Though it is a little worrying to the...

Baan sets up CRM wing with patents in place.
May 1, 2000... BAAN COMPANY HAS announced the formation of a new subsidiary dedicated to the provision of e-business applications based on the fast growing Internet Customer Relationship Management (E-CRM) market. The launch is designed to accelerate Baan's...

PROFIBUS INTERNATIONAL.
May 1, 2000... PROFIBUS INTERNATIONAL has expressed surprise at the recent news that patents without declarations of assignment are to be imposed on fieldbus protocols that are standardised within IEC and Cenelec. A Profibus International statement...

Global alliance.
May 1, 2000... The Industrial Automation and Control business of Honeywell has signed a 3 year+ global alliance agreement with Conoco Inc. valued at $20 million per annum. The agreement calls for Honeywell to be Conoco's first choice automation supplier....

Motion solution providers.
May 1, 2000... Rockwell Automation has appointed four Motion Solution Providers with expertise in servo motion control technology as part of its 'Global Solution Provider' programme. The programme aims to deliver a precise mix of engineering and technical...

Mitsubishi appoints Entec.
May 1, 2000... Mitsubishi Electric has announced the appointment of Gosforth based Entec UK Ltd. as Systems and Projects Integrator, for the full range of Mitsubishi's automation and control products, specialising in environmental and engineering projects....

E-business group.
May 1, 2000... ADD and investor AD of Sweden have announced the launch of 'b-business partners', a new Europe based company which will invest in and develop business to business e-commerce companies in Europe to forge links between 'new economy' and...

Meiden bucks 'rip-off' trend.
May 1, 2000... MEIDEN EUROPE HAS announced reductions of up to 30% from the list prices of its newest drives to bring prices are in line with the rest of Europe, thus bucking the trend for goods costing more in the UK. Andy Gardner, European Business...

Low power drives market to grow.
May 1, 2000... THE WORLDWIDE MARKET for low power (LP) AC drives and services will grow from slightly over $3.8 billion in 1999 to $4.8 billion by the end of 2004, according to a new study by the ARC Advisory Group Declining prices in the worldwide low...

Moeller group of companies.
May 1, 2000... The Moeller group of companies has signed a strategic partnership with Siemens which means that in future Moeller will use Siemens Simatic industrial software in its automation solutions for configuring and programming as well as operator...

ABB.
May 1, 2000... ABB is offering free copies of its Fieldbus Jargon Buster in Microsoft Word format - just send an e.mail to jargonbuster(r)armitage-comms.co.uk with your name, company and address for a copy. The 20 page document covers all jargon from...

Wonderware Corporation.
May 1, 2000... The Wonderware Corporation has announced the opening of a customer support centre in Singapore to service its Asia-Pacific customers. The centre will provide support including inquiry response, issues and escalation management, information...

Hawco.
May 1, 2000... Hawco has launched its latest 240 page instrumentation catalogue containing off the shelf measurement and control products. Thermospeed (a member of the Hawco group of companies) has produced a catalogue of solutions for OEM machine builders...

National Instruments.
May 1, 2000... National Instruments is offering a free CD that helps engineers and scientists interactively configure custom measurement systems. DAQ Designer 2000 can recommend real time data acquisition and motion control hardware and software in addition...

IPFEX Show.
May 1, 2000... Norgren launched what is claimed to be the UK's first e-commerce service for pneumatic users at the IPFEX Show in mid April 2000.

Echelon ahead.
May 1, 2000... Q4 1999 revenues at Echelon Corporation were $11.4 million, 33% more than the same period in 1998. Revenues for the year ended 1999 were $39.8 million, an increase of 23%. Kenneth Oshman, the Echelon chairman said the company was very pleased...

Oxbridge buys in.
May 1, 2000... Oxbridge Monitoring, the Banbury based supplier of real-time production monitoring systems, has bought out Infa Communications. The improved product range means that Oxbridge can now offer a completely open solution using industry standards...

USData turns over 18% more.
May 1, 2000... USData Corp says its turnover in 1999 was $27 million 18% upon the $22.9 million of 1998 and mainly attributed to successful sale of FactoryLink and Xfactory software products. Sales from the eMake division, created to focus on the 'make' or...

Strategic partnership formed.
May 1, 2000... Orsl Group and Ortems has created a strategic partnership that assembles for the first time in one product, the key components of an Integtated Plant System (IPS). More specifically Orsl adds critical plant-focused APS functionality via...

ABB and IBM sign global computer deal.
May 1, 2000... ABB AND IBM have signed a US$250 million global agreement whereby IBM will supply and service new computer equipment for ABB over a period of three years. The company expects to lease about 75 000 desktop computers, 25 000 laptop...

I-bus and Phoenix in PC tieup.
May 1, 2000... IN RESPONSE TO customer demand for an integrated supplier that can provide complete industrial computing solutions, Industrial PC supplier I-Bus is to merge with Phoenix Power Systems, the US manufacturer of power protection systems to form a...

Tyco completes Isopad purchase.
May 1, 2000... TYCO INTERNATIONAL has completed the acquisition of the Isopad Group, which it will integrate with Raychem HTS within the Tyco Flow Control segment. European marketing manager of Raychem HTS, Keith Sudworth said: "Isopad is an excellent...

Embedded Linux.
May 1, 2000... Embedded Linux has announced its development platform, Linux Planet, which integrates their RPX hardware and firmware with HardHat Linux from Montevista. Hard Hat Linux includes cross and native development toolkits for PowerPC, x86/Pentium...

Pulp and paper MES.
May 1, 2000... Honeywell Hi-Spec Solutions has introduced its OptIVISION Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to the European pulp and paper and flat-sheeting market. The solutions include a complete portfolio of applications to satisfy the needs of a...

Inferential measurement.
May 1, 2000... MDC Technology have launched the latest version of their inferential measurement and performance monitoring software package, MSPC+ Version 2.0. The package features enhancements such as: a new on-line server for running models and...

Time to market slashed.
May 1, 2000... A development suite released by eMation is claimed to slash time to market for VxWorks developers in need of a web publishing and Interactive graphical visulisation interface. The company has ported the Unity Internet-based interactive...

Roll out at sandwich plant saves bread.
May 1, 2000... AUTOMATED PRODUCTION of filled sandwiches with the variety of fillings demanded today is big business with sales at more than [pounds]2.6 billion per annum. Solway foods has installed an ERP solution from Fourth Shift on a Microsoft...

Lynx introduce BlueCat Linux.
May 1, 2000... LYNX REAL-TIME Systems has released BlueCat Linux release 1.0, a version of Linux for high availability, high reliability embedded applications. The package is part of the LynuxWorks suite that provides a common compatible tools set allowing...

Global automation alliance expected.
May 1, 2000... Rockwell and Omron have entered into a technical alliance which could lead to future commercial co-operation. Together they will be a force to reckon with in the European arena. ROCKWELL AND OMRON have entered into a collaboration...

Smart stores suit chemicals.
May 1, 2000... The demand for greater process control and diagnostic capabilities is driving tank storage companies to consider including intelligent flow control devices and sophisticated communications systems OVERLOOKED BY THE intelligent...

Startup times slashed with actuated control system.
May 1, 2000... Production start up times are being reduced by over 75% at rubber proofing company Alfred O'Ferguson after installing Spirax Sarco electrically actuated controls to manage the steam supply to the rubber curing plant. The company uses a...

Intelligent servo pneumatics enhance accuracy.
May 1, 2000... Manufacturer of industrial heat treatment lines, Camlaw has opted for four intelligent Festo SPC100 servo-pneumatic positioning systems to replace a manual process in its latest spray fluxing machine. The SPC100s are used to position four...

Safety relief valves are last line of defence.
May 1, 2000... Meeting 10% of Western Europe's demand for natural gas, the Troll gas processing facility at Kollsness, Norway, depends upon BlockBody safety relief valves from Anderson Greenwood/Crosby for its last line of defence against overpressure on...

EN-couraging safety in the workplace.
May 1, 2000... In creating a safer working environment, all roads ultimately lead to risk assessment. Successful compliance on CE Marking and the Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations - PUWER 98, working towards that ideal of ideals in the workplace...

Pilz 'shop' adds to selective process.
May 1, 2000... In a global market place, standing still is the same as taking a monstrous step backwards. Strenuous efforts have been made by Pilz to meet the challenges of the future. By visiting the Pilz website you can develop your operational concepts...

Machine guarding remains in first line of defence.
May 1, 2000... With exciting new developments in safety-related control systems and increasingly sophisticated means of controlling safe access, the importance of good basic, machine guard design can be overlooked. With the evolution of machine safety...

Pilz richly deserves its 'showcase status' at University of Warwick.
May 1, 2000... The Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of Warwick, headed by Professor Kumar Bhattacharrya, is dedicated to technological and operational innovations, working with companies to take new ideas from concept to successful...

Pilz Automation Technology Products.
May 1, 2000... New industrial computers complement existing Pilz Yange There is no holding Pilz Automation Technology in its continuous quest to update its PIPANEL range in order to fulfil the diverse requirements of process control, visualisation and...

Modular Access Control with the PNOZplus from Pilz.
May 1, 2000... The question is often asked: "How many safety gates can be monitored with a single safety circuit?" It can only be answered once it is clear which control category relevant gates are trying to achieve. If only occasional access is required,...

Dairy barcode system is the cream of the crop.
May 1, 2000... MORE THAN 100 Leuze bar code readers are now being used by Molkerei Ehrmann throughout the palletising and warehousing operation of its dairy factory in Obesch[ddot{o}]negg/Allg[ddot{a}]u, Germany, to ensure that goods are shipped from the...

Object orientated solutions meet integration needs.
May 1, 2000... WITH REDUCING the cost of automated systems in mind, systems integrators and OEMs particularly look for integrated software packages rather than isolated application solutions. Apart from traditional control applications. they also expect...

Drives integrate with fieldbus treatment.
May 1, 2000... CONTROL TECHNIQUES is enhancing the functionality of its Commander SE micro-drive with new Profibus, graphical programming and 'Quick Key' instructions. This modular microdrive is now able to handle over 80% of drive applications with an...

ALIASING.
May 1, 2000... What it is, how it happens, why it matters and what can you do about it Aliasing arises as a matter of course whenever frequencies above Nyquist exist in the signal being captured. How much aliasing matters depends on circumstances but...

Distributed control as the way forward?
May 1, 2000... Colin Carter considers advances in control and networking technologies that mean DCSs are still viable for many control applications Established technology? old hat? both have been said about distributed control systems(DCSs), but...

Automatic shim sizing is a Triumph.
May 1, 2000... Triumph's desire to keep its production lines up to scratch is shown by a camshaft shim sizing arrangement which is controlled by a touch screen industrial PC Thunderbird, Daytona and Tiger -- to any discerning motorcycle enthusiast,...

Process control finds NEW DIMENSION.
May 1, 2000... SmithKline Beecham is finding operational benefits following the installation of a field-based automated process architecture at its Irvine manufacturing site A new concept in process automation architecture which SmithKline Beecham...

Bringing together drives and fieldbus technology.
May 1, 2000... The growing use of fieldbus technology in AC drive installations is set to save industry considerable cost. Geoff Brown, Principal Applications Engineer of ABB Automation offers some practical advice First we had energy savings. Then new...

Fieldbus -- The Standard?
May 1, 2000... All of us are aware of Fieldbus. Maybe some have experience of it, but it is not a standard, it is a concept, writes Colin Jackson. The principles of Fieldbus are well founded. It saves wiring, provides greater flexibility and is less costly...

Hart over 2 wires.
May 1, 2000... THE TB82PH 2-WIRE transmitter, designed by ABB as a transmitter with a powerful analyser, has been further enhanced with the addition of Hart comms capability. TB82PH transmitters measure pH and Redox (ORP) with high reliability and will...

Transmitters range covers all sensors.
May 1, 2000... Abako has launched a range of piezoresistive pressure and depth transmitters The PC-28 is a pressure transmitter with isolating diaphragm for measurement of gauge, absolute or vacuum pressure of gases, vapours and liquids - including...

Two wires good for temperature input.
May 1, 2000... ACROMAG'S NEW 1500 series programmable 2-wire transmitters bring elements of analogue and smart digital technologies together to convert temperature and other sensor inputs into a proportional process current signal. There are two versions to...

Cmos transmitters.
May 1, 2000... HD-A PRESSURE transmitters from Hydrotechnik use the latest Cmos technology and Asics circuitry to give accurate and stable results in a variety of applications. They also offer high vibration tolerance, good resistance to thermal shocks,...

Multichannel moisture gas analysis.
May 1, 2000... The Moisture Manager multichannel gas measurement system from Michell Instruments uses 420mA inputs to provide 24 channels of data on a wide range of process gases, even in hazardous areas. Operators are able to measure eight dewpoint, eight...

Transmitter at the Hart of gas analysis.
May 1, 2000... THE OCX 4400 transmitter is said to be the only oxygen/combustibles analyser that communicates enhanced diagnostic, calibration and set-up information directly using Hart. This unit detects oxygen and combustibles concentration in flue...

Windows based system stands alone.
May 1, 2000... Running Windows NT 4.0 and Ethernet networks poses no deterministic problems to an innovative, safety conscious DCS, launched earlier this year. A DISTRIBUTED control system from the newly formed Rotork Control & Safety offers full...

Improved accuracy.
May 1, 2000... THE UNILOC DIVISION of Rosemount Analytical has just released the Solu Comp II, a two I/O analyser that measures specific conductivity, resistivity and raw conductivity of a solution, plus can be used with any of Rosemount's Endurance...

Keep the noise down.
May 1, 2000... Loss of hearing caused by noise at the workplace is the second most prevalent occupational disease. Two new noise dose meters from Br[ddot{u}]el & Kjaer have been designed to address concerns over personal noise exposure through simple...

Mobile surface inspection.
May 1, 2000... THE FORM Talysurf Intra - the latest in portable, shop-floor surface inspection technology tram Taylor Hobson - measures surface texture, waviness and form and, with a full 1mm of gauge range and l6nm resolution, component set-up is virtually...

Remote control is a first.
May 1, 2000... Endress+Hauser says its Smartec S CIP conductivity system is the first on the market to offer the user remote range changing, for accurate measurement of both finished product and cleaning agents. It comes with four ready programmed...

Radiometer aids worker safety.
May 1, 2000... ABLE INSTRUMENTS has designed the IL1430 Health Hazard Radiometer as a hand-held means of measuring UV, blue and infrared radiation to detect leakage which could put employees at risk. Self-programming and easy to operate, it uses a solar...

Auto-ranging conductivity features in small boreholes.
May 1, 2000... THE LATEST MODEL in Rochester Instrument System's TRM 2000 series of advanced, all-in-one long-term water level monitors is the 2100 -- claimed to be the first ground and surface water unit to offer auto-ranging conductivity measurement. ...

Manometer redesign.
May 1, 2000... TESTO HAS redesigned and relaunched its 512 pressure and velocity measuring manometer to simultaneously display both pressure and air velocity readings of up to 200hPa/mbar. The Testo 512 is ideal for a number of applications and, with a...

Festo's smart servo.
May 1, 2000... THE SPC200 32BIT smart servo-pneumatic controller from Festo features true closed-loop positional feedback with velocity profiling which lets the driven cylinder move at different speeds in the same direction The result is soft start/stop...

MMI operator interface.
May 1, 2000... The Unitronics M90 is a palm-sized operator interface with integral PLC which can be panel or DIN rail mounted. Models feature: digital/analog onboard I/O, high-speed counter/shaft-encoder, Canbus/RS232/RS485 communications,...

Matsushita Electric PLCs talk RS232C.
May 1, 2000... USERS OF MATSUSHITA Electric Works' FP2 modular PLCs now have the option of adding computer communication units (CCUs) and serial data units (SDUs) to their capability to integrate HMIs, Scada software and general devices with RS232C...

Aerotech motors torqued up.
May 1, 2000... Aerotech's BMS brushless servo motor range uses a novel slotless stator to control velocity with zero clogging. The rotary motors are manufactured with rare earth magnets and a high pole count rotor to deliver maximum torque and acceleration...

Baldor control module moves in many ways.
May 1, 2000... THE LIN+DRIVE compact control module from Baldor provides a user-friendly solution for linear module applications. This is a single-axis brushless servo motor amplifier with built-in positioning software for point-to-point moves and...

Flush switch series.
May 1, 2000... THE EAO SERIES 61 flush-mount push button switches now offer increased flexibility and a larger illumination an legend area. The switches have been signed with a single shape of actuator which means that customers can reduce their...

ON THE Move.
May 1, 2000... Training on the Internet [ldots] for fun THE FACE OF TRAINING is changing from the classroom to the Internet and the classworld to the Internet and the world of computer games. The majority of training is in classroom based groups and...