Instrumentation & Automation News articles from September 2002

Instrumentation & Automation News archives from September 2002

Programmable logic controller.
September 1, 2002... IP99 palm-top Programmable Logic Controller offers 9 inputs, 9 outputs, including AC, DC, analog, 1 MHz counter, pulse measurement in microseconds, no moving parts, an RTC with alarm, 10-year battery and RS485 networking. Typical applications...

Tachometer, process meter, counter.
September 1, 2002... The DM8000 Series digital tachometer is a microprocessor-based digital system capable of measuring shaft speeds lower than 1 rpm with an accuracy of +/-0.04%, even if the shaft is uneven. Internal control software offers the user two selectable...

Industrial computer.
September 1, 2002... The Panel 1080-845 8.4" TFT industrial panel computer, for space-limited applications, features a 150 nit, 8.4" touch screen TFT LCD, with resistive type touch screen support. The SBC84500VEA, a 3.5" high performance boar& runs the whole...

Support the engineering community. Become a mentor. (Pool Reflections).
September 1, 2002... Last month I talked about the need for the boardroom to pay more attention to the scientists and engineers that design and develop the products that ultimately feed the stockholder's bank accounts. This month, I am on another, yet similar,...

Last September 11, Cahners (now Reed Business Information), lost two of its employees on the Boston-to-Los Angeles American Airlines Flight that was involved in the tragedy. (Pool Reflections).
September 1, 2002... Last September 11, Cahners (now Reed Business Information), lost two of its employees on the Boston-to-Los Angeles American Airlines Flight that was involved in the tragedy. We at IAN, would like to honor Jeffrey Mladenik and Andrew Curry Green...

Process controller: now with Ethernet. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... The EM Gateway delivers an immediate solution for adapting this company's standard controllers to Ethernet networks, allowing users to monitor and control processes remotely through PCs with Ethernet connections. Ethernet networks allow an...

Universal analog input module: for A/B Control Logix I/O. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... The 1756sc-IF8u Enhanced Universal Analog Input Module was designed to accommodate the Allen-Bradley ControlLogix 1756 I/O chassis. The 1756sc-IF8u is a solution for mixed I/O applications. This eight channel analog input module accepts...

Operator interface: features an open computing platform. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... The PanelMate ePro operator interface provides the benefits of an open platform with the stability offered in a system for use in rugged industrial applications. The ePro is equipped with the features of an open computing platform and is...

Fiber optic safety system: replaces interlock switches. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... PICO-GUARD[TM] is a fiber optic safety system that replaces mechanical safety interlock switches to safeguard dangerous machines. This combination of non-contacting photoelectric and fiber optic technologies provides an alternative to...

Digital humidity sensor: calibrated and interchangeable. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... The range of digital CMOSens[R] humidity and temperature sensors has been expanded. A feature of the new production series SHT71 is the plug-in, high-end packaging. The thin bridge between the sensor and the pins provides optimal thermal...

Digital oscilloscope: with four channels. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... The DL1600 digital oscilloscope is a four-channel scope with 200 MHz bandwidth, 200 M sample/sec maximum sampling rate and extremely long acquisition memory of up to 32M word/channel. It is small, portable, and weighs less than 11 pounds. ...

Distributed drive: saves on drive installation, wiring and cabling. (Motion control: motors, motor controls, drives, encoders).
September 1, 2002... The SIMODRIVE[R] POSMO distributed drive series saves machine builders time and money on drive installation, wiring and cabling. Available in three variations for flexibility, the drive places the motor and controller directly on the machine...

Drive controller: supplement/alternative to PLC-based drive and pump control. (Motion control: motors, motor controls, drives, encoders).
September 1, 2002... The PFix M4288 series variable frequency drive controller is a self-contained, field-mountable pump and drive controller designed as a supplement or alternative to PLC-based drive and pump controlers. It offers a menu-driven setup, eliminating...

Web enabled automation controller: now with servo and stepper control modules. (Motion control: motors, motor controls, drives, encoders).
September 1, 2002... The Blue Fusion[TM] line of web enabled automation controllers is now available with two motion control modules (servo and stepper control). The servo modules provide multi-axis control up to 6-1/2 axes per controller unit, position loop rate...

AC drive: simple keypad programming. (Motion control: motors, motor controls, drives, encoders).
September 1, 2002... In the E-trAC tradition, this EF1 AC drive offers simple keypad programming and is offered through 5 HP/4kW in both 230 Vac and 460 Vac NEMA I/IP 31 models. The drive features fully programmable I/O, standard Modbus[R] serial communications and...

Trends in AFDs.
September 1, 2002... The adjustable frequency drive market is seeing a growing demand for programming capabilities, once found only in discrete components such as PLCs, to be built into the drives themselves. Many major drive manufacturers, including Danfoss, have...

High speed contorllers: for fast process applications. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... These new instruments were designed especially for applications requiring fast response time and versatile functions. They feature a high speed sampling rate of 0.025 seconds, or 40 times per second, greatly suppressing overshoot. The high...

Digital temperature switch: replaces thermostats. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... The Series TS Digital Temperature Switch has been designed to be an economical and viable replacement for mechanical thermostats and bulb and capillary temperature switches in both heating and colling applications. Standard features include a...

Digital hipot tester: for safety testing. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... With a clear, concise, digital display, ease of programming, and a host of other features, the Sentry 10 AC Hipot Tester adapts quickly to most manufacturer's test environment. Dielectric withstand voltage is programmable from 100 to 5000 Vac....

Universal torque sensor: available in five models. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... The Series STH universal torque sensors are available for applications such as testing of catheters, threaded fasteners, motors, actuators, and valves. Five models cover capacities from 10 ozin to 100 libn, and the quick change chucks cover the...

Rotary sensors: with non-contacting design. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... The RSC series of non-contacting rotary sensors determine measurement angle by detecting variation in the orientation of a magnetic field due to a magnet attached to the shaft. The RSC series performance is unaffected by static or dynamic shaft...

Industrial gauging sensor: with long measuring range. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... A heavy-duty high-speed, single point industrial gauging senor with a long stand-off distance and measurement range is now available. The SLS6000 series senor's extended stand-off and measuring distance capabilities allow use in high-speed...

Displacement transducers: with integral electronics. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... The WA-Electronic series of inductive displacement transducers provides a 0-10 Vdc output signal through its in-line electronics. Models include both plunger and spring-loaded probe configurations. The WA's design allows its package length to...

Proximity sensors: for small target applications. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... Where very small target sensing applications require fast, repeatable, reliable and precise On/Off control, the high-frequency, fixed-window SUPERPROX[R] Model SM607 Series ultrasonic proximity sensors are an ideal solution. This prox combines...

I/O module: for data acquisition. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... The I/O Pak[TM] IOPK-C 112-U Multifunction FO Module is a DIN rail mount I/O module with four universal analog input channels, one analog output channel and two discrete channels that can be used for either inputs or outputs. The C112 may be...

Tri-axel accelerometer: with TEDS capabilities. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... The Model 66AXX is a miniature (5.5 gm) tri-axial piezoelectric accelerometer that features integral hybrid electronics and TEDS capabilities. TEDS provides digital ID communication that is IEEE P1451.4 compliant between a dedicated signal...

LCD display: works outdoors. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... The PT-AWM All-Weather Monitor is designed for use outdoors or in areas where environmental protection is required. The 12.1" SVGA color TFT LCD is easily read in direct sunlight but can be dimmed down to almost black for nighttime use. The...

Din rail assemblies: for IEC terminal blocks. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... Complete DIN rail assemblies are now available to reduce the cost of using IEC terminal blocks. The assemblies are available in quantities of one to whatever the needs of the customer. The complete DIN rail assemblies are designed and assembled...

Data acquisition: processor boards. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... This DAP board has been optimized for high-speed simultaneous sampling. The DAP 5400a/626 has a 128 MB data buffer and eight on-board A/D converters that each can acquire 1250k 14-bit resolution samples per second simultaneously, for an...

Optical shaft encoder: for difficult environments. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... Built on the Model 725 Size 25 Optical Shaft Encoder platform, Superseal adds double o-rings to the case seal and two Teflon seals to the beating assembly. A double case, sealed encoder within a sealed encoder design, means that, even if...

Filter module: minimizes data collection delays. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... The SCS-818 8-channel module features a custom uni-polar to bi-polar output stage that can drive analog measurement and control signals greater than 50 meters, more than twice the distance for typical A/D and D/As, providing better measurement...

Software tool: for fieldbus controller. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... A fully compliant IEC 61131-3 programming software tool for the Programmable Fieldbus Controller (PFC) product series was recently introduced. Designated WAGO-I/O-PRO 32, the software tool allows end users to develop PLC applications in all six...

Embedded CPU: eliminates the cost of custom circuit design. (Board-level Products).
September 1, 2002... PluriBus[TM] is a new standard for embedded CPUs. The goal behind the new form factor is to offer a compact size board that will fit in small spaces, yet large enough to incorporate today's chipsets and allow for very high levels of...

Single-Board computer: uses PCI to PCI Bridge chips. (Board-level Products).
September 1, 2002... The P4 Samurai single, board computer features a newly developed universal PCI to PCI bridge chip and an adaptive I/O routing scheme. This 3U CompactPCI SBC is positioned to enable a next generation of "works in a box" industrial computers that...

I/O board: use with Opto 22 style I/O modules. (Board-level Products).
September 1, 2002... The PC/104 Optical I/O Baseboard is an input/output controller board designed for remote monitoring, process control, industrial automation, energy management, and data acquisition. Pricing is $224/per unit in a volume of 100+ units. Offering...

Single-board computer: P3 level computing. (Board-level Products).
September 1, 2002... Gene-6310 and Gene-4312 VIA Eden single-board computers are targeted at network applications and embedded system markets which require an ultra-compact footprint, ultra-low power and low heat. These single-board computers use the 3.5" form...

PC/104 ideal for harsh environments. (Board-level Products).
September 1, 2002... Demand is on the rise for PC/104 boards prequalified for harsh environments. One of the most common customer requirements is extended temperature operation. PC/104 boards have proven very adaptable in extreme temperatures. Various ways to beat...

Online system: converts to data collecotr. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... The Watchman[R] DCX Convertible[TM] enables walk-around vibration data collection, online machine monitoring, accurate automated diagnostics and comprehensive vibration analysis. The DCX Convertible can be removed from the online docking...

Rotary position sensor: features contactless operation. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... The R1380 Series of Contactless Rotary Position Sensors were introduced for angular displacement measurement of rotating elements such as valves, dampers, and sorters (such as those used on postal machines). Available in various electrical...

Pressure transducer: with detachable cable. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... Model 8530C miniature high sensitivity, piezoresistive pressure transducer is now available with a four-pin connector. This offers a full scale output of 225 mV with high overload capability and high frequency response. The Model 8530C is...

HMI software. (Pre-Show Highlights).
September 1, 2002... Infilink[TM] Version 4.0.27 HMI software is a full-featured operator interface solution that offers web licensing and eliminates the need for back-and-forth emails to license or upgrade components of Infilink HMI software, It also permits...

Pendant arm. (Pre-Show Highlights).
September 1, 2002... This vertical motion pendant arm designed to meet NEMA-12 industrial standards completely lifts and swings away from the work area when not needed and also provides anti-glare tilting capabilities. The arm can be operated to swing, rotate,...

Flow sensor. (Pre-Show Highlights).
September 1, 2002... The Verabar[R] flow sensor allows multiple points along the velocity profile to be measured and averaged by a single Verabar. As a result, the Verabar has less stringent straight-run demands than other types of insertion flowmeters, claims the...

Gas mass flow sensors. (Pre-show Highlights).
September 1, 2002... The Model 200 electronics unit combines with this company's Rheotherm[TM] gas mass flow sensors to provide flow measurement in ducts and stacks. The Rheotherm flow sensors use a thermal differential technique to measure flow. The sensors...

Gas chromatograph. (Pre-show Highlights).
September 1, 2002... The Fxi Series 5 process gas chromatograph continuously analyzes and reports component concentrations and physical properties of process gas stream in a wide variety of applications in the natural gas, refining, petrochemical, chemical and...

Hydrocarbon analyzer. (Pre-show Highlights).
September 1, 2002... Series 200 Aromatic Hydrocarbon Analyzer meets all ISBT Method 12.0 criteria for selective measurement of benzene in carbon dioxide. Continuous stream or batch sampling operations are readily performed which are important to carbon dioxide...

Wireless gas monitoring system. (Pre-Show Highlights).
September 1, 2002... The WIT System[TM] is a wireless transmission information system that when used with this company's WorksAlone II[TM] and Transmitter II[TM] gas monitors, and allows you to retrofit your existing monitors to a wireless platform. In that way,...

Plant monitoring software. (Pre-Show Highlights).
September 1, 2002... PlantTriage[TM] plant monitoring software tracks the performance of your plant, unit operations or loop in a web browser. It continually monitors the plant and assesses its performance. PlantTriage, lets you trend or view your plant's...

Multilingual Ultrasonic Flowmeter. (Pre-Show Highlights).
September 1, 2002... The PT878 TransPort[R] Portable Transit-Time Ultrasonic Flowmeter now can be ordered with language translation files. Based on XML, a universal format for structured documents and data originally designed for the Web, translation files are...

Level transmitters. (Pre-Show Highlights).
September 1, 2002... These ultrasonic level transmitters provide non-contact, 4-20 mA continuous level measurement of liquids, granular and light bulk solids. These programmable transmitters have a sensing range of 1-49 feet and are available in intrinsically-safe...

Transformer terminal blocks. (Pre-Show Highlights).
September 1, 2002... 711 Series of transformer terminal blocks offer a full range of connections and accessories for the control power transformer industry. They include those for use on coil bobbins, directly contacted with the terminal blocks, or for use on coil...

Flowmeter. (Pre-show Highlights).
September 1, 2002... Through the use of hard anodized, aluminum pistons, this company has created a version of their Model 214 flowmeter that has 0.4% linearity specification over its entire 10 to 10,000 cc/min flow range. Extensive testing in fuel applications has...

Universal I/0Module. (Pre-Show Highlights).
September 1, 2002... The 1756sc-IF8u Enhanced Universal Analog Input Module is designed to accommodate Rockwell Automation's Allen-Bradley ControlLogix 1756 I/O chassis. It is the preferred solution for mixed I/O applications. The eight channel analog input module...

Stripping/wire cutting tools. (Pre-Show Highlights).
September 1, 2002... These multi-use stripping and wire cutting tools provide a multitude of accessories for insulated conductor preparation. The hand tool strips wires with adjustable insulation removal capabilities and also acts as an integrated wire center....

Handheld calibrators. (Pre-Show Highlights).
September 1, 2002... The Model TC-100 Thermocouple Calibrator and the Model LC-100 Precision Loop Calibrator both feature the same intuitive user interface--a pair of cursor keys allows rapid selection of the decade to be modified, while a large knob allows precise...

Level switch: for multi-point tank control. (Level Sensors).
September 1, 2002... Model AV 16-AV46 series float-point level switch, designed for multi-point tank control, is constructed of stainless steel for use with a full range of chemically compatible liquids having a specific gravity of 0.75 or greater. The switch is...

Liquid level switch: monitors temperature as well. (Level Sensors).
September 1, 2002... This liquid level switch incorporates a temperature probe, making it a space savings solution for applications where both level and temperature must be monitored. It simplifies wiring as well. Designed for reliability at temperatures up to...

Level transmitter: +/-0.25% FS accuracy. (Level Sensors).
September 1, 2002... Type 8175 ultrasonic level transmitter offers instrumentation, control and automation engineers +/-0.25% FS accuracy over a 1-to-32 foot range. Resolution is +/-1/8". This non-contact level transmitter, designed for continuous level control,...

Liquid level sensor: can sense through metal. (Level Sensors).
September 1, 2002... Levelprox liquid level sensor, unlike capacitive sensor, can sense liquid level through metal. This is important where intrusion into the tank would be difficult or impossible such is in applications where the tank is under high pressure; the...

Trends in level sensings. (Level Sensors).
September 1, 2002... Today's demanding applications for level measurement require instruments that are capable of automatically adjusting to changing process conditions. The Endress+Hauser family of TOF (Time of Flight) products features these capabilities together...

I/O platform: with added capabilities. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... FLEX Armor[TM] is a Zero Cabinet I/O platform that helps OEMs and end users reduce wiring, installation time and enclosure costs. To bring these benefits to a wider range of applications analog modules, diagnostic capabilities and PROFIBUS-DP...

Thermoelectric cooling: available in enclosures. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... Electronic Enclosures are built to NEMA 12, 4, and 4X standards and are offered in multiple sizes and configurations to provide easy packaging for a user's computers, servers, rack mount equipment, and other devices. Standard equipment includes...

Pressure sensor: for pressure transducers. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... The P581 pressure sensor is a high stability, small diameter, stainless steel pressure sensor intended for use in pressure transducers and other OEM pressure measurement applications. Its thin-film metal strain gauge circuit enables a long-term...

Remote Terminal Unit: operates on LINUX platform. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... This Remote Terminal Unit with an embedded LINUX platform allows for open systems, giving the user the power and flexibility of LINUX open-source software. The unit is ideal for datalogging, SCADA and control applications that can benefit from...

Diffuse sensor: with double triangukated optics. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... The E3NT-L programmable diffuse sensor double triangulated optics and uses 2-part diodes. The E3NT-L can sense any object, color, texture or glossiness, from any direction. The E3NT-Us optional optic link clips onto the sensor providing...

Progrrammable relay controller: with network interface. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... The EASY 800 controller improves upon the EASY 400 and EASY 600 series programmable relays. With increased capacity and capabilities, the EASY 800 is more than a programmable relay. For example, it has a native network interface allowing up to...

Thread presence sensor: inductive technology. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... ThreadChecker[TM] is an application specific sensor system designed to check for thread presence. ThreadChecker can discriminate between a threaded and unthreaded hole via inductive technology that measures without touching the object. It...

Bolt-on frame: adds weighing capabilities. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... Weigh Legs[TM] is a bolt-on frame that adds inline weighing capabilities to ordinary sections of conveyor. Weigh Legs offer weighing of both static and in-motion conveyor loads, ideal for many applications including checkweighing of boxed goods...

CPU card: for LVDS and dual Ethernet. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... SBC-800 is an all-in-one Single Board Computer (SBC) cabpable of handling Pentium[R] 4 Processors up to 2:2 GHz (with system bus frequencies of 400 MHz). This full size CPU card is EMC FCC Class B compliant. A 82845 Memory Controller Hub...

Monitor Enclosures: with large viewing area. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... The Ice Station Infinity models IS135 (Desktop PC/Monitor Enclosure) and IS165 (Stand-up PC/Monitor Enclosure) feature a large viewing area (24.75"), easy functioning hinge system, and a dual level rollout keyboard work surface. The...

Operator interface: transparent access to information. (Operator Interfaces/Workstations).
September 1, 2002... This new architecture for HMI, the NS operator interface, can access information from PLCs up to three networks away from a single screen. Information can be accessed from an Ethernet network, a Controllerlink network (this company's...

Touchscreens: free recipe and RTC. (Operator Interfaces/Workstations).
September 1, 2002... The latest version of the HMI500 series touchscreens features standard recipe and real-time clock, more communications protocols and a new trimmed down profile. It has over 500 of the most common symbols in full-color graphics libraries. Three...

Touchscreens: withstand high-pressure caustic washdowns. (Operator Interfaces/Workstations).
September 1, 2002... The RuggedTouch and RuggedTouch Plus touchscreens are designed for industrial applications where high-pressure caustic washdowns may occur. The RuggedTouch is available with 1:2', 15" and 18" LCD displays. Bezel options include stainless steel...

PLC touch panels built-in data highway plus interface. (Operator Interfaces/Workstations).
September 1, 2002... The EZTouch PLC touch panels are available with a built-in Data Highway Plus (DH+) interface, or Ethernet option cards. New Data Highway Plus versions of the EZTouch panels are available in color or monochrome 6" models, and 8" and 10" color...

Trends in operator interfaces.
September 1, 2002... With Ethernet quickly becoming the defacto standard for PLC communications, customers are faced with choosing between dedicated Operator Interface devices with proprietary Ethernet implementations or OI software on a PC/Windows platform. The...

Single board computer: for harsh environments. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... Embedded computer users can now purchase the Bobcat single board computer in an extended temperature configuration. This new version of the PC/104-Plus module features a 586 CPU running at 100 MHz and operates at -40[degrees]C to +85[degrees]C....

Machine vision software: for inspection programs. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... DT Vision Foundry[TM] 3.5 functionality for image-processing, measurement, analysis and data transfer operations lets users create fast, production-ready inspection programs and customized vision tools. Features include the following: the 2D...

Position encoders: in industrial housing. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... The AstroCODER DK Series are analog position sensors for data acquisition applications. They utilize resolver-based technology to measure absolute shaft position and are unaffected by power disruptions, electrical noise, or harsh environments....

Surge protection for data & AC power lines.
September 1, 2002... Overvoltage transients appearing on data and ac lines cause equipment damage and downtime. Catalog shows a wide range of modem, fax, telco, 10BASE-T, Token Ring, I/O port and hard-wired multi-line (50 wire) protectors (6 V-200 V). AC line TVSS...

Seal Design Guide. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... Apple Rubber Products offers its Seal Design Guide -in book form or on interactive CD-ROM -with comprehensive information including seal types and gland design, material selection guide, formulas, sizes and how to order, and more. Includes...

Coating viscosity. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... Advancing a new paradigm in viscosity measurement capabilities, the Dynatrol[R] Rheolyzer provides a convenient means to bench test the coating abilities of viscous materials such as paint, adhesives, and many other liquid coating materials....

Real-Time Product Section Guide. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... Learn to quickly build real-time measurement and control systems with National Instruments Real-Time software and hardware. The Real-Time Product Selection Guide illustrates how to create reliable, deterministic solutions by integrating...

Piezo electric alarms. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... Floyd Bell's new 108dB @ 2 FT. Ultra series, solid state, environmentally secure piezo electric alarms are typically 12 dB louder and 1000 Hz lower (2000 Hz center frequency) than any alarm of its size. Diameter is only 1.42". Continuous, beep,...

High-precision data acquisition. (Product News).
September 1, 2002... Brochure describes the MGCplus, a modular computer-controlled amplifier and data acquisition system for high-precision applications in virtually all industries. Key features include 20-bit resolution/no range switching and a separate A/D...