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Automation Portals

October 2011 Automation & Control News

Read about the latest news, products, mergers, and acquisitions in the automation, process control, and instrumentation industries for October 2011.

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		How to reduce downtime and raise OEE - 10/26/11 Automation.com, October 2011 One crucial area that every plant can improve on is efficiency, and one of the best measures of efficiency is OEE (overall equipment effectiveness). If you don’t know your OEE, then you don’t truly know how efficient you are. Here’s how to analyze OEE.

		Apprion Extends ION Video Application With WiMAX - 10/31/11 ION WiMAX Video now avoids the crowded 802.11 air space by using the licensed 3.65 GHz frequency for a wider bandwidth with 45 Mbps of throughput and up to 65,000 Packets per Second (PPS).

		Cole-Parmer updates its web site - 10/31/11 Enhancements include reorganized menus and filtering capabilities, making it easier to find laboratory and industrial fluid handling products, instrumentation, equipment, and supplies.

		IEI introduces PPC-5152-D525 industrial panel PC - 10/31/11 PPC-5152-D525 fanless industrial panel PC has an Intel Atom D525 1.8GHz dual-core processor.

		Lantech announces Unmanaged Industrial Switches - 10/31/11 IES-0008-M12 and IPES-0008-4-M12 have IP41 protection, and are EN50155/50121-3-2/50121-4 and NEMA TS2 compliant.

		ABB to maintain oil fields in Norway - 10/31/11 ABB signed a three-year agreement worth $33 million with BP Norway for maintenance, modification and service of safety and automation systems of oil field operations on the Norwegian continental shelf.

		Schaeffler improves condition monitoring system for wind turbines - 10/31/11 Individual modules – the monitoring unit and the multiplexer – are now integrated in a single, compact FAG WiPro unit that offers a high degree of flexibility for end users.

		Upgraded Foundation Fieldbus Training in The Netherlands - 10/30/11 Improved process and maintenance industry training facilities at Brielle will enhance training offered by STC-Group under the Foundation Certified Training Program (FCTP).

		Coastal Flow enhances BirdDog software - 10/30/11 Enhancements in version 3.4 include a Notes function that allows users to write, append, and share annotations across all data archives and daily volume records.

		AutomationDirect featured on nationally syndicated radio show - 10/30/11 AutomationDirect in Cumming, Georgia, was recently featured on the nationally syndicated Dave Ramsey show.

		AutomationDirect introduces ProSense pressure gauges - 10/30/11 These gauges use Bourdon tube sensing elements and do not require any external power sources to operate. Prices start at $5.75.

		Parker Enhances 810 Series Angle Body Piston Valve - 10/30/11 The 810 now features stroke limitation while maintaining the standard optical valve position indicator.

		ProComSol Adds Trending to DevCom2000 Software - 10/30/11 Rev. 4.7 adds a trending feature which allows users to trend the parameters of HART devices.

		Yokogawa Releases DTSX200 Temperature Sensor - 10/30/11 The DTSX200 monitors temperature and flow in Oil/Gas applications and for LNG and Refinery Tank and Pipeline leak detection, Fire and other thermal monitoring applications.

		ERIKS to Acquire Industrial Controls - 10/30/11 Founded in 1976, Industrial Controls is a distributor of Controls, Instrumentation, Automation and Automated Valves in the U.S.

		Has Open Architecture Delivered? - 10/28/11 Automation.com, October 2011 By Bill Lydon Since the 1980s, the automation industry has been adopting standards for networked industrial communications, software, and applications. Have users gained all the benefits originally envisioned?

		InduSoft Announces Packaging SCADA Webinar - 10/27/11 Packaging SCADA, a free webinar on November 16, 2011, will demonstrate how SCADA applications in a packaging line can directly improve production.

		Honeywell to re-sell Cisco wireless access point - 10/27/11 Cisco’s Aironet 1552S Access Point with its integrated ISA100.11a radio complements and extends Honeywell’s OneWireless network.

		Rockwell Automation adds 3-D Animation to Simulation Software - 10/27/11 Arena simulation software v14.0 includes a Visual Designer tool that allows users to build realistic 3-D animation and dynamic business graphic dashboards in an intuitive drag-and-drop environment.

		WAGO I/O Devices Earn ATEX, IEC Ex Certifications - 10/27/11 Nearly 30 couplers, controllers and I/O modules in the WAGO-I/O-SYSTEM now carry ATEX and IEC Ex Certifications for operating in temperatures up to +60°C.

		MESA wants your input for Research Study - 10/27/11 MESA is inviting producers and manufacturers to respond to a industry survey, Pursuit of Performance Excellence: Business Success through Effective Plant Operations Metrics.

		Weidmuller adds more VSSC models to Varitector - 10/27/11 Varitector protects control equipment from lightning and other transients.

		ULVAC Introduces SH2 Multi Ionization Gauge - 10/27/11 SH2 is a separation type wide range vacuum gauge that can connect three different types of vacuum gauges.

		ABB interferometer going into space aboard meteorological satellite - 10/27/11 An ABB interferometer will be onboard the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project (NPP), to be launched by NASA on October 28.

		Xenon Announces T925 Wireless Cellular Controller - 10/26/11 The T925 connects remote equipment through cellular networks. It works with AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, Midwest Wireless, Cellular One and 16 international carriers.

		Galil Introduces DMC-300xx Motion Controller - 10/26/11 The single-axis Ethernet motion controller combines a high performance motion controller and a 800Watt sine drive in a compact 3.9" x 5.0" x 1.5" package.

		Beijer Electronics opens subsidiary in Brazil - 10/26/11 The subsidiary will sell and market the complete range of Beijer Electronics products including operator panels, industrial PCs and industrial networking products.

		Schneider Electric to distribute AssetPoint software - 10/26/11 Schneider Electric will offer its industrial customers access to AssetPoint’s EAM/CMMS solution to monitor and manage assets across their control systems.

		Phihong introduces POE61S-4AF waterproof PoE extender - 10/26/11 POE61S-4AF extender has an IP67 rating for outdoor applications such as security cameras, sensors and emergency lighting.

		Honeywell announces Experion Batch Manager R410 - 10/26/11 Experion Batch Manager R410 pushes batch control closer to the process by directly embedding it within the controller, reducing complexity and improving availability and overall system performance.

		OMEGA Introduces SCE-DC Desk Consoles - 10/26/11 These operator control consoles will protect electrical components against introduction of solid foreign objects, dirt and water.

		Semaphore Releases TG-200 T-BOX Gateway - 10/26/11 Model TG-200 T-BOX Gateway has Ethernet, GSM cellular modem, serial RS232 and RS485 ports for connectivity between remote devices, control rooms and users in virtually any location.

		IBM manages Kenya Petroleum Refineries - 10/26/11 IBM Maximo asset management software will allow KPRL to better utilize its production equipment, facilities and IT systems to reduce risk and control costs.

		IXXAT Industrial Ethernet Module class B certified by PNO - 10/26/11 The certificate approves both the conformity to the PROFINET standard and interoperability with other certified devices.

		3S-Smart Software announces CoDeSys development system - 10/26/11 CoDeSys Professional Developer Edition is for application programmers who are familiar with high level language development tools.

		Consortium for SEP 2 formalized - 10/26/11 HomePlug Alliance, Wi-Fi Alliance and ZigBee Alliance signed an agreement formalizing the Consortium for SEP 2 Interoperability.

		Emerson Process Management announces intrinsically safe CHARMs - 10/26/11 The DeltaV CHARM I/O Card (CIOC) supports both conventional and IS CHARMs, providing flexibility in control system I/O topology.

		Vision-Guided Pallet Trucks Deliver Cost-Effective Automation Solutions - 10/26/11 Automation.com, October 2011 By Thomas R. Cutler Sophisticated 3-D machine vision technology transform industrial pallet trucks and tow tractors into robotic industrial trucks. These robotic trucks "learn" their surroundings, making them flexible, simple, and affordable for a variety of applications.

		Bourns Introduces AMS22 Rotary Position Sensor - 10/25/11 AMS22 sensor uses magnetic hall-effect technology that enables high performance operation even in severe temperature or unclean conditions. Price: $12.50

		Laser scanning Saves Toilet Manufacturer $20,000 - 10/25/11 By scanning an existing upper and lower bowl assembly and modifying the CAD models to fit parts they already had tooling for, Aircraft Technologies substantially reduced the tooling cost.

		Dwyer introduces Model PI Pressure-to-Current Transducer - 10/25/11 Model PI converts a pneumatic input pressure to a proportional output current with accuracy and durability.

		Red Lion announces ProducTVity Station - 10/25/11 PTV collects, records and displays critical key performance indicators (KPIs) and machine status messages on any TV, monitor or projector equipped with a DVI/HDMI interface.

		Honeywell announces MeterSuite metering solution - 10/25/11 MeterSuite Fiscal is integrated within Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS) to provide liquid and gas flow calculation for greater cost efficiency, extended lifecycle support and improved control.

		Invensys upgrades SimSci-Esscor ROMeo Optimization Software - 10/25/11 Enhancements include four refinery process models that simulate and optimize reforming, coking, isomerization and visbreaking units.

		ABB to make Quebec’s grid more energy efficient - 10/25/11 ABB will upgrade Hydro-Québec power utility ultra-high voltage transmission system that helps transport clean hydroelectric power from North to South Quebec.

		Emerson announces Smart Energy Initiative - 10/25/11 Smart Energy Initiative is a global program designed to combine Emerson's industrial energy expertise with energy management technologies to help leverage more renewable fuels, lower energy costs, and reduce emissions.

		Emerson controls boilers at Tata Steel in UK - 10/25/11 The boiler controls enable Tata to increase energy efficiency and maximize use of waste fuels, reducing emissions as well as reliance on purchased fuels.

		Livingston Publishes Catalogue of Used Electronics Test Equipment - 10/25/11 The catalogue is divided into six categories: General Purpose, Electrical & Industrial, Fibre Optics, RF & Microwave, Communications and Broadcast.

		Lanner Electronics releases LEC-2220 industrial PC - 10/25/11 The LEC-2220 comes with the Intel Core i5 / i7 and the Intel HM55 chipset, dual-screen support, several expansion slots and an easily maintained fan.

		Aaxeon Releases MSC-208C RS-232/422/485 PCI Express Card - 10/25/11 MSC-208C is universally compatible with up to 8 new and legacy RS-232/422/485 devices, designed to offer more flexibility for all applications.

		POSITAL rearranges inclinometer product line - 10/24/11 ACCELENS (ACS) inclinometers are now available in two major product lines: one for industrial environments and one for off-road or harsh environment conditions.

		V-Cone medidor de caudal Literatura do Produto Agora Disponível Online em Português - 10/24/11 O V-Cone Flow Meter Produto Brochura, Petróleo e Gás Natural Brochura, V-Cone Manual e um óleo/gás Subsea Medição do fluxo Livro Branco são agora todos disponível em Português.

		Calex announces QCM Series of DC-DC converters - 10/24/11 The QCM offers up to 75 Watts of output power in a rugged, encapsulated 2.65" x 4.2" x 1.0"H package.

		Software Toolbox Enhances TOP Server Software - 10/24/11 TOP Server 5.7 delivers new drivers, enhancements to the main server and more than 19 drivers and plug-ins.

		Heason releases FBR60 piezo-electric miniature rotary stage - 10/24/11 Providing a compact footprint and low profile for precision motorised rotary positioning, the stage has a 60 mm diameter rotating element and overall height of just 35 mm.

		Seven Companies Join Rockwell Automation PartnerNetwork Program - 10/24/11 Seven suppliers have joined the Rockwell Automation Encompass third-party product referencing program in the Americas region.

		Mitsubishi buys 19.9 Percent of ICONICS - 10/24/11 Mitsubishi Electric will incorporate ICONICS’ SCADA software in factory and process automation solutions.

		Barry-Wehmiller Design Group Celebrates 25 Years, 500 Professionals - 10/24/11 Design Group began in 1986 with a single office, a handful of engineers and a clear vision: to provide engineering solutions to clients in a manner autonomous and independent from equipment providers. Over the course of the next 25 years, Design Group steadily evolved through selective recruiting, targeted client development, regional office expansion, and strategic acquisitions.

		DDASCA Consortium defines openSAFETY as standard - 10/24/11 openSAFETY has been declared an official communication standard by the DDASCA Consortium (Dependable Distributed Architecture for Safety Critical Applications).

		ABB to power world’s largest offshore gas platform - 10/24/11 ABB won an order worth $270 million from Statoil to supply an electric drive system for two new pre-compression units on the world’s largest natural gas platform in the North Sea.

		FTDI releases C232HD USB to UART Cables - 10/24/11 C232HD-DDHSP-0 and C232HD-EDHSP-0 each incorporate a Hi-Speed USB RS232 converter IC, mounted on a compact circuit board contained within the USB connector at the end of the cable.

		Servo2go introduces DMC-1417 Econo Motion Controller - 10/23/11 The DMC-1417 has an extra encoder input for electronic gearing, program memory with multitasking, uncommitted I/O and user-selectable stepper or servo motor control.

		Eaton Celebrates 100th anniversary - 10/23/11 One hundred years ago, inventor Viggo Torbensen and entrepreneur Joseph Eaton founded the company that would become Eaton Corporation.

		Rotork supplies valves for storage tank expansion project - 10/23/11 Rotork supplied electric actuators for valves, digital control systems, valve gearboxes, valve adaptation, workshop motorisation, on-site retrofitting and commissioning.

		ARC says DCS market coming back - 10/23/11 The DCS (distributed control system) market in 2010 rebounded from 2009, increasing by 3.3 percent.

		ASI announces Plastic Enclosures - 10/23/11 A wide variety of sizes is available from 5” x 3” to 14”x11” in ABS and Polycarbonate.

		ConTech announces CM100 AC/DC switching power supplies - 10/20/11 The CM100 Series offers 100 Watts of fully regulated output power in a chassis mount case, which makes it well suited for many applications. Price: $22.50.

		Gas Flow Measurement Market was $1.3 Billion in 2010 - 10/20/11 The gas flow market is larger than anticipated, and appears to be growing faster than either the liquid or steam flow markets.

		Software Toolbox introduces Dream Report software - 10/20/11 Dream Report extracts information from almost any data source, and then delivers reports automatically to anyone, anywhere.

		Balluff celebrates its 90th anniversary - 10/20/11 Founded exactly 90 years ago in Germany, Balluff now has worldwide subsidiaries in 54 countries on all continents.

		Selco Products Introduces NTC Thermistor Probe Housing - 10/20/11 The housing enables CP Thermistors to withstand pressures through 300 PSI in a variety of applications.

		MYNAH Technologies enhances MiMiC Simulation Software - 10/20/11 Enhancements in MiMiC v3.4 include a 64-bit installation for Microsoft Windows 7 and Server 2008 64-bit operating systems.

		Emerson reaches 580 million total hours of wireless operation - 10/20/11 Emerson says it's accumulated 580 million total hours of wireless operation across 6,100 networks.

		Brooks announces Low Flow Rate for MT3809 Rotameters - 10/20/11 The MT3809 is now capable of accurately measuring flow rates as low as 5 L/h of air and 0.08 L/h of water with this new option.

		Rockwell Automation introduces ControlLogix 5570 Series PACs - 10/20/11 ControlLogix 5570 Series controllers are equipped with on-board display features that provide enhanced diagnostics and run-time information to help ease troubleshooting and increase uptime.

		Advantech announces WebOP-2000T Industrial Operator Panels - 10/20/11 Designed for harsh industrial environments, the NEMA4/IP66 WebOP-2000T industrial operator panels feature 128MB on board flash memory and micro-SD card slot.

		Teledyne DALSA releases BOA Pro machine vision system - 10/20/11 The BOA Pro combines a smart camera with Sherlock inspection software, resulting in a compact industrial vision solution.

		HART Communication Foundation Opens Office in Japan - 10/20/11 The Tokyo office provides users and Foundation member companies with application assistance, information and technical support on the HART Communication Protocol.

		Schneider announces Add-a-Pal palletizer - 10/20/11 Add-a-Pal robotic palletizer performs case packing and palletizing functions, even in minimal floor space environments.

		B&R introduces ACOPOSinverter P84 - 10/20/11 ACOPOSinverter P84 has an integrated POWERLINK interface and a performance range of 0.37 to 500 kW.

		Red Lion Crimson Software Supports Banner Vision Sensors - 10/19/11 Crimson 3.0 software is now compatible with Banner Engineering's iVu Plus TG vision sensors.

		Emerson adds Smart Meter Verification to magnetic flowmeters - 10/19/11 Smart Meter Verification technology is embedded in the transmitter functionality to verify calibration and the complete health of the sensor, electronics, and analog loop.

		InSync updates iAppEnterprise Asset Tracking software - 10/19/11 Enhancements in v4.0 include an asset auditing utility and support for ERP systems such as SAP and Oracle.

		Honeywell announces Xenon 1900 Color scanner - 10/19/11 The Xenon 1900 Color scanner will allow users to capture color images and scan high-contrast color bar codes that were previously unreadable.

		Aegis kündigt Deutsche website - 10/19/11 Die neue Website zeigt Interessenten schnell, einfach und in ihrer eigenen Sprache was Aegis für ihre besonderen Fabrik erreichen kann.

		Exele Introduces Free Version of TopView Alarm Management Software - 10/19/11 TopView Free provides the same powerful, easy-to-configure, alarm management, notification and remote monitoring tools as TopView.

		Meggitt hires Dr. Christopher McLean as Director of R&D - 10/19/11 McLean was previously at Phoenix Contact where he served as the Group Leader of its Electronic Development, Global Products Department.

		Orion Fans signs Heilind Electronics as distributor - 10/19/11 Heilind Electronics currently has 22 branches and five warehouses throughout North America.

		Haydon Kerk Introduces RGS/RGW linear rail platform - 10/19/11 RGS/RGW contains all the components needed for a complete motion subassembly, including the stepper motor, belt and pulley, precision lead screw, bearing supports, and rail with load carriage.

		CONEC announces Mini-USB connector - 10/19/11 Water-resistant Mini-USB connectors feature robust internal components housed in black plastic with a bayonet locking-ring method.

		Assured Automation Announces PTP Series 3-Way Ball Valves - 10/19/11 Rather than using two 2-way automated valves to control the flow of liquids, a single 3-way valve does the job with fewer components and lower cost.

		ARC says ABB top EAM supplier - 10/19/11 ARC says ABB is the #1 EAM supplier in power generation, transmission and mining sectors.

		Smart Conveying Optimizes Digital Book Print Line - 10/19/11 Automation.com, October 2011 By Jim McMahon Harlequin Distribution Center uses advanced conveying technology from Shuttleworth to minimize product damage and finishing downtime, and maximize throughput.

		GF Piping Introduces Signet 9900 Transmitter - 10/19/11 Booth 622. Signet 9900 Transmitter provides an interface for Flow, pH/ORP, Conductivity/Resistivity, Pressure, Temperature, Level, Salinity and other sensor types that output a 4 to 20 mA signal.

		aeSolutions announces aeShield Safety Lifecycle Management System - 10/19/11 aeShield is a comprehensive platform for executing a sustainable risk management program through the automation of the safety lifecycle process.

		Dwyer announces Series AT2605 Differential Pressure Transmitter - 10/19/11 The Flame-Proof ATEX approved Series AT2605 Indicating Transmitter provides for both visual monitoring and electronic control of very low differential pressure.

		ARC says General Motion Control Market recovering - 10/19/11 Motion control suppliers who endured as much as 50 percent declines in business during the downturn reported a tremendous rebound in shipments. Asia leads, of course.

		ARC says Worldwide Flowmeter Market to rebound - 10/19/11 The worldwide market for Flowmeters declined in 2010 but is expected to strongly rebound in 2011, according to ARC, but they make no predictions--except that Asia is the biggest market.

		Bosch Rexroth introduces NG10 directional spool valve - 10/19/11 Compared with its previous directional spool valves, the valve delivers a demonstrably longer lifespan, thereby lowering the total cost of ownership.

		Kepware Technologies updates KEPServerEX Version 5.7 - 10/19/11 Enhancements in KEPServerEX version 5.7 includes Lufkin Modbus Serial, Bristol BSAP IP, Alstom Redundant Ethernet and Weatherford 8500 Serial drivers for the oil & gas and water & wastewater industries.

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