Instrumentation & Automation News articles from April 2005

Instrumentation & Automation News archives from April 2005

Universal Dual Analyzer.
April 1, 2005... The UDA2182 Universal Dual Analyzer measures and controls variables such as pH and ORP, conductivity/resistivity or concentration and dissolved oxygen concentration for power generation, industrial water, food and beverage, chemical and pulp...

Safety relays.
April 1, 2005... These safety relays provide functions that cover all routine industrial applications, such as safely door, e-Stop, switching edges, bumpers and mats. Other functions include two-hand controls, light barriers, delayed switching and valve...

Process controllers.
April 1, 2005... wMPC Series process controllers offer up to 7 zone controllers in a single, wall-mount package. They accommodate a universal range of temperature and process inputs. Input type is individually configurable for each zone. Thus, a single unit can...

Hot Trends in Automation.
April 1, 2005... Today's intelligent field instruments have enormous capabilities. They can be set up, calibrated, re-ranged, and diagnosed digitally. This month's "Hot Trends in Automation" entitled "FDT, DTM, PACTware and EDDL: Which Way to Go? "discusses...

Analytical instruments join the plug-and-play revolution.(Pool's Reflections)
April 1, 2005... Another step has been made in the NeSSI standard to further standardize analytical system design. You may or may not be familiar with the group, so here is a short re-cap. The NeSSI standard got its grass root in the petrochemical industry. It...

Computer input devices.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... HAND-TRAK[TM] computer input devices, which are compatible with PS/2 and Sun mouse interfaces and meet NEMA 4 and IP 66 industrial standards, are designed for computer cursor control in harsh industrial or military environments. These devices...

Flow/level switch.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... Innova-Switch[TM] flow and level switch detects flow and level by using a high-resolution thermal differential technique. The sensor consists of a pair of matched RTDs. One RTD is self-heated using a constant DC current. The other RTD is...

Relay output module.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... The ADAM-6066 high-current relay output modules is designed to meet the requirements of power switching applications. The module's six relay output channels are rated at 5A at 240 Vdc, and support both standard switching and pulse-width...

Touch screen.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... The GT-11 programmable display with 3-color backlight allows you to specify the background color with red, green or orange for each screen so that conditions can be easily recognized at a glance. It offers a 240 x 96 dot resolution and a 4"...

Trends in enclosures, cabinets, cases & racks.(EDITORIAL SPOTLIGHT: Enclosures, Cabinets, Cases & Racks)
April 1, 2005... Commoditization is hitting the electronics industry, reducing many decisions to price. I believe that the enclosures sector must also now face this issue. Some manufacturers will look internally--cutting costs, automating to offer better...

ATEX certified SS enclosures.(EDITORIAL SPOTLIGHT: Enclosures, Cabinets, Cases & Racks)
April 1, 2005... This line of Stainless Steel EX enclosures have now obtained ATEX certification and will work for Increased Safety (Ex) and Intrinsically Safe (Exi) designs. Designed for stringent requirements for corrosion/chemical resistance and safety in...

Seismic racks.(EDITORIAL SPOTLIGHT: Enclosures, Cabinets, Cases & Racks)
April 1, 2005... These welded, reinforced heavy-gauge steel racks are tested and certified to Telcordia's (formerly Bellcore) Zone 4 requirements for 1200# equipment load. They feature an open frame with four fully adjustable 19" panel width mounting rails per...

ATEX certified enclosures.(EDITORIAL SPOTLIGHT: Enclosures, Cabinets, Cases & Racks)
April 1, 2005... This standard Ex-range of enclosures and terminals is designed and certified for use in Zone 0, Zone 1 and Zone 2 environments. The company will mill, drill, paint and assemble enclosures (or provide empty enclosures) to your exact...

CompactPCI backplanes.(EDITORIAL SPOTLIGHT: Enclosures, Cabinets, Cases & Racks)
April 1, 2005... This line of Low Profile CompactPCI backplanes now has 3U and 6U versions. The company also offers several new packet switching versions compliant to the PICMG 2.16 specification. The cPCI line saves a slot-size of width by placing power studs...

Operator Interface Enclosures.(EDITORIAL SPOTLIGHT: Enclosures, Cabinets, Cases & Racks)
April 1, 2005... CONCEPT[R] Operator Interface Enclosures, in twenty standard models, are designed for pendant or pedestal mounted controls to house the next generation of flat screen operator interface devices including touch screens and LCD monitors, as well...

Dual Process Input Meter.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... Crimson 2.0 software support has been announced for the PAX Dual Process Input Meter (PAXDP). The PAXDP Dual Process Input Meter is a two-in-one process control solution that lets users monitor, scale, and display two independent input sources,...

LVDTs.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... The GHSAR/GHSDR 7500 series spring-loaded AC/DC-operated LVDTs can be used for dimensional or position measurement in automotive factories, forges and foundries, metal fabricating shops, paper and/or plastic film plants, industrial process...

PLC Module.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... PLC on a Chip[TM] Module is a single chip programmable logic controller mounted in a module. The Module is programmed by EZ LADDER PC-based software featuring ladder diagram and function block programming. PLC on a Chip Module can be embedded...

Vacuum Sensor.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... The VacMini Thermocouple Vacuum Sensor measures approximately 2" long x 1/2" diameter and has a machined 304 SS body with 1/8" NPT connection threads and integral wrench flats for easy installation. Typical applications include fixed and mobile...

FDT, DTM, PACTware and EDDL: which way to go?(HOT TRENDS: In Automation)
April 1, 2005... Today's intelligent field instruments have enormous capabilities. They can be set up, calibrated, re-ranged, and diagnosed digitally, which can make the task of an instrument engineer much simpler. Unfortunately, that very intelligence can...

Level controller.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... L2000-OEM Null-Kote[TM] point level controller for OEM and other systems integration applications has no moving parts. serves as an alternative to moving part level controls and switches such as paddle wheels and tuning fork based control that...

Operator interface terminals.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... The QTERM-G70 and QTERM-G75 graphic operator interface terminals have been upgraded to include new electronics. The hardware for the QTERM-G75 features a 400 MHz Intelr Xscale[TM] core platform with 8 Mbytes of flash memory and 32 Mbytes RAM...

Limit controller.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... The SA100L 16" DIN limit controller with an optional DIN rail mounting socket provides circuit protection in those processes with safety concerns or where product may be affected in an "over or under temperature" condition. It is available in...

Shaft encoder.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... The HS45 large-bore hollow shaft encoder accepts motor shafts up to 1-5/8" in diameter (1-7/8" optional) and provides data for position and velocity control. The model incorporates the feedback capabilities of an optical encoder with an easily...

DPM.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... The LEDPM microprocess-based USB-compatible digital panel meter measures 3 x 1.5 x 2" deep and comes in a NEMA 4X all-metal housing with 4-1/2, 0.6" LEDs. Features include microprocessor-controlled 16-bit A/D, RS232, 485 or USB, power input of...

Trends in Programmable controllers.(SPECIAL PRODUCT REPORT: Programmable Controllers)
April 1, 2005... "Compared to the PLCs of yesterday, today's controllers have expanded capabilities and benefits. Managing a variety of control disciplines, including discrete, motion, process and safety, today's controllers save both development time and...

PLC data logger.(SPECIAL PRODUCT REPORT: Programmable Controllers)
April 1, 2005... This data logger is a serial data storage device capable of storing two, four or eight 16-bit values per record by 16380 records. It is designed to accommodate PLC users who have internal data that needs to be archived for later analysis. All...

PLC interface modules.(SPECIAL PRODUCT REPORT: Programmable Controllers)
April 1, 2005... These DIN-rail mounted PLC interface modules are available in standard versions to interface with Siemens, Square D, and GE controllers. In addition, the company provides to customers the ability to design and build modules to interface with...

Nano-controllers.(SPECIAL PRODUCT REPORT: Programmable Controllers)
April 1, 2005... The Pico Series B nano-controllers include an increased retentive memory range, enabling the controllers to be used in applications that require up to 128 lines of ladder logic. The controllers also have twice the number of function blocks,...

Programmable controllers.(SPECIAL PRODUCT REPORT: Programmable Controllers)
April 1, 2005... The DirectLOGIC line of PLCs is now available with a 100 Mb Ethernet I/O base controller module and Ethernet communication module. Both modules are priced at $299. The H2-EBC100 Ethernet Base Controller module provides an Ethernet link between...

Programmable controllers: the CS1D duplex programmable controller adds redundancy to the CS1 controller line.(SPECIAL PRODUCT REPORT: Programmable Controllers)
April 1, 2005... The CS1D duplex programmable controller adds redundancy to the CS1 controller line. Should a problem arise in the primary CPU, the CS1D automatically switches control to the second unit within one program scan, enabling continuous operation....

Strain Sensors.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... Series M240 ICP[R] Strain Sensors utilize piezoelectric sensing elements to indirectly measure dynamic and quasi-static stress forces on machinery structures. They are suited for process control and product quality assurance applications that...

Rotameters.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... These rotameters show the flow of air, water and gases with up to +/-2% FS accuracy and 0.25% FS repeatability. These units feature an easy-to-read millimeter scale, and are supplied with correlation charts for air and water. Correlation data...

Industrial camera.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... The TM-6740CL high-speed camera boasts up to 200 frames per second at full resolution and generates up to 3205 frames per second in partial scan and binning modes. This 1/3" VGA-format progressive scan camera is based on the Kodak KAI-0340 CCD...

Ultrasonic sensor.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... This analog ultrasonic sensor (+/-0.002" or 0.05% of range, whichever is greater, at 25[degrees]C) has a built-in temperature compensation target that monitors and compensates for air temperature 50 times per second. The sensor also compensates...

Liquid level sensor.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... Model USTD II liquid level sensor, for leak detection and inventory monitoring of underground storage tanks, uses Temposonics[R] magnetostrictive technology to provide continuous absolute level gauging, offering temperature, product and water...

Microcontrollers.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... Four new pin-count, high-density members of the PIC18F family have been announced that offer 96 and 128 Kbytres of self-reprogrammable, high-endurance Flash memory with up to 10 MIPS performance over a operating voltage range of 2.0 to 5.5 V....

Light Curtain Controller.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... The LCM-100 Series Light Curtain Controller has a lockable metal enclosure that carries an environmental rating of NEMA 4, 12 (IP65). The controller is protected from water over-sprays and dust, while allowing access to the controller board....

Trends in displacement sensors.(SENSOR PRODUCT NEWS: Displacement Sensors)
April 1, 2005... "The trend in linear displacement transducers is towards rugged smart sensors that are easy to install and quick to set-up. They are being developed to meet the need for fast, accurate continuous position feedback devices necessary for today's...

Displacement sensor.(SENSOR PRODUCT NEWS: Displacement Sensors)
April 1, 2005... The LK-G Series Laser Displacement Sensors offer non-contact measurement with a resolution of 0.0004 Mil, an accuracy of +/-0.03% and a 50 kHz sampling rate. Range is over 7". The sensors can be used with fast moving targets, rotating, or...

Angular Displacement Transducer.(SENSOR PRODUCT NEWS: Displacement Sensors)
April 1, 2005... Model 0607 Angular Displacement Transducer and Model 1004 Counter Display System provides rotational feedback And readout over 360[degrees]. Angular position is displayed in increments of 0.05[degrees] over the range 0.00[degrees] to...

Displacement transducer.(SENSOR PRODUCT NEWS: Displacement Sensors)
April 1, 2005... The R10 (rod style) version of the EZ-track[R] line of programmable, non-contact linear displacement transducers is designed to monitor the position of hydraulic cylinders in heavy duty applications such as found in lumber mills, steel mills,...

Displacement transducers: WI miniature displacement transducers, for measurement of small displacements, are available with measuring probes for displacement of 2.5 and 10 mm.(SENSOR PRODUCT NEWS: Displacement Sensors)
April 1, 2005... WI miniature displacement transducers, for measurement of small displacements, are available with measuring probes for displacement of 2.5 and 10 mm. All versions have a shaft diameter of 8 mm. Sensitivity is 80 mV/V and are rated IP 67. The WI...

Displacement transducers: designed to get into tight spaces, the subminiature DVRT transducers can be used as miniature control elements in automotive and robotic systems and as optical components in linear/angular positioning.(SENSOR PRODUCT NEWS: Displacement Sensors)
April 1, 2005... Designed to get into tight spaces, the subminiature DVRT transducers can be used as miniature control elements in automotive and robotic systems and as optical components in linear/angular positioning. Features include micron to submicron...

Power connectors.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... The Powerlock connector series for field-installable power distribution systems uses a bayonet mating method and comes in four standard formats: panel source, panel drain, line source and line drain. Source connectors are supplied with a male...

Plant software.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... Proficy[TM] Plant Applications Version 4.1 is a new version of this company's Efficiency, Quality, Production and Batch Analysis software application which enables managers across process, discrete and hybrid industries to gain insight into...

USB interface board.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... USB-12C/IO interface board provides a simple "drop-in" 12Mbps USB interface to a host PC for quickly connecting external hardware. USB12C/IO provides 20 bits of user-configurable digital I/O, a 90Kbps 12C interface, and an 8-bit wide data bus...

Data Monitor.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... The Data Dolphin 220 Data Monitor has a 24-bit, analog-to-digital section to provide four differential bipolar inputs with resolution down to 90 nanovolts, which allows sensors to connect directly without any signal conditioning. Four...

Embedded RFID reader control.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... Comtrol, Inc. and CapTech Ventures, Inc. have teamed to provide point-of-activity RFID reader control, RFID event filtering, and other advanced RFID functions by integrating the DeviceMaster[R] ATS and DeviceMaster[R] RTS with TagsWare[TM] This...

SERCOS Interface[TM] to operate over Industrial Ethernet.(PRODUCT SERIES: Intelligent Field Devices)
April 1, 2005... A major trend is the demand for high speed and lower cost motion control interfaces using Industrial Ethernet. SERCOS responds with SERCOS III, which uses low cost Ethernet hardware and twisted-pair copper cable to place the large bandwidth...

Digital valve positioner.(PRODUCT SERIES: Intelligent Field Devices)
April 1, 2005... The PMV D3 digital valve positioner has added FOUNDATION[TM] Fieldbus support and gained ATEX EEX approval as an explosion-proof device. The D3 is designed for the control of linear and rotary control valves. It has applications in a variety of...

Radar level transmitter.(PRODUCT SERIES: Intelligent Field Devices)
April 1, 2005... SITRANS LR 200 radar level transmitter is now available with PROFIBUS PA. SITRANS LR 200 PROFIBUS conforms to the PROFIBUS Profile version 3, Class B standard. It can be programmed with this company's SIMATIC Process Device Manager (PDM), a...

Radar level transmitter: 5400 Series is a 2-wire, non-contacting radar level transmitter using the Echonomics[TM] concept.(PRODUCT SERIES: Intelligent Field Devices)
April 1, 2005... 5400 Series is a 2-wire, non-contacting radar level transmitter using the Echonomics[TM] concept. Radar Echonomics[TM] combine peak performance in three areas: Echosensitivity, the skill to detect weak radar echoes in a noisy signal...

Conductivity transmitter.(PRODUCT SERIES: Intelligent Field Devices)
April 1, 2005... The Cond Ind 7100e FF conductivity transmitter is designed for the chemical and pulp and paper industry as well as industrial effluent treatment. Offered in a intrinsically safe version for operation in hazardous environments, the transmitter...

FF High Speed Ethernet interoperability Test Kit.(PRODUCT SERIES: Intelligent Field Devices)
April 1, 2005... This High Speed Ethernet (HSE) interoperability Test Kit (HSE ITK) Version 1.0 supplements the previously released conformance test tool for HSE linking devices. The HSE ITK toolset opens the door for registration of FOUNDATION fieldbus HSE...

Position sensor.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... This line of non-contact intrinsically--safe position sensors and switch amplifiers can be installed in hazardous area environments that contain atmospheres with ignitable gas--air mixtures, dusts and fibers without causing fires or explosions....

Magnetostrictive sensors.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... Temposonics[R] C-Series small linear--position sensors come in a 36 mm (1.4") x 23 mm (0.91") cylindrical package. The sensor's modular architecture is built upon a base Core sensor to which additional application-specific features can be added...

Ethernet switch.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... The EDG-6528 industrial-grade Ethernet switch provides expansion of industrial Ethernet networks with eight 10.100 Mbps Ethernet ports. It is suitable for critical applications in environments with extreme temperatures. The industrial switches...

Machine Control Systems.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... These industrial DDC/Machine[TM] Control Systems are designed for adaptive/intelligent control, real-time operation and inspection of manufacturing and processes for automation, assembly, finishing and forming operations. They feature...

Operator Control Station combines controller, operator interface, I/O and networking into an integrated package.(EXCELLENCE IN AUTOMATION)
April 1, 2005... The NX Graphical OCS (Operator Control Station) combines a traditional controller (programmed in ladder logic), an operator interface, I/O and networking into an integrated, all-in-one unit using a single software package. It offers embedded...

Compact FieldPoint modules offer high-channel-count digital I/O.(EXCELLENCE IN AUTOMATION)
April 1, 2005... These two new Compact FieIdPoint devices, used by engineers and machine builders in a control system, are intended for industrial control applications that require multiple types of inputs and outputs in one back, or where high--voltage...

USB-inSync[TM] technology adds timing, synchronization to USB.(EXCELLENCE IN AUTOMATION)
April 1, 2005... USB-inSync[TM] is a new technology that adds timing and synchronization to the USB bus, further enhancing USB's applications and solutions. Traditional USB devices operate independently of each other and without any synchronization between...

Motor Control IC.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... The MC73110 Motor Control IC with digital current loop for brushless DC motors is an intelligent, single-axis IC that utilizes an on-chip A/D converter to digitize the analog current feedback, and provides multiple current sensing methods to...

Wireless network.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... The RAELink2 is a long-range wireless communication device that enables the integration of third party gas, radiation, weather, and chemical warfare agent monitors into existing first responder protection AreaRAE networks from this company....

Air/gas flowmeter.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... The ST75 Series Flowmeter measures and monitors air or gas flows in line sizes from 0.25 to 2" (6 to 51 mm) with a single instrument and provides three outputs of the mass flow rate, totalized flow and media temperature. Combining a...

Touch screen monitor.(PRODUCT NEWS)
April 1, 2005... The M7170 is a 17" SXGA (1280 x 1024) touch screen monitor that is less than 2.0" thick. It will fit in areas where CRTs and most other touch screen monitors cannot, says the company. The M7170 monitor is capable of operating from a computer's...