Automation & Control News for August 2007 on Automation.com

Automation.com Real-time Information for the Automation Professional Nov. 21, 2008

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	Vision
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Read about the latest news, products, mergers, and acquisitions in the automation, process control, and instrumentation industries for August 2007.

Choose and click on a headline below to read the entire article:

		OMAC announces Pack Expo 2007 demo participants - 08/08/07 The nine companies with demonstration units are Acumence, B&R, Beckhoff, Elau, GE Fanuc, Iconics, Kepware, Siemens, and Wago.

		ProSoft Technology's Gas Flow Computer certified for custody transfer in Canada - 08/30/07 The PTQ-AFC module complies with AGA 3, 7 and 8 measurement standards and operates with enough precision to be used when establishing prices for the gas being measured.

		Racine Federated makes Inc Magazine's list of fastest growing companies - 08/30/07 Racine Federated was ranked among the 5,000 fastest growing private companies in America.

		Canary Labs enhances Trend Historian - 08/30/07 Trend Historian v. 7.0 eases the tasks of collecting, storing, managing and automatic validation of unlimited quantities of information to end-users.

		Cognex announces MVS-8600e frame grabbers - 08/30/07 MVS-8600e family of frame grabbers connect Camera Link cameras through the PCI Express (PCIe) interface.

		Fieldbus Foundation releases Host DD Test Module - 08/30/07 The kit includes hardware and software for testing the functionality of a fieldbus host and its conformance with the Host Interoperability Support Test (HIST) profile specification.

		TURCK annouinces DeviceNet Drive Interface station - 08/30/07 The Drive Interface station is for use where up to four stand-alone adjustable frequency drives need to be interfaced onto a DeviceNet network.

		Phoenix Contact Names VPs of Sales and Marketing - 08/30/07 Greg Jerrehian and Louis L. Grice will serve as vice presidents of sales and marketing, respectively.

		Agilent introduces U7231A DDR3 compliance software - 08/30/07 U7231A runs on Infiniium 54850 and 80000 Series oscilloscopes, providing DDR3 compliance measurements based on JEDEC JESD79-3 specifications.

		ADLINK releases PCI-8174 motion control card - 08/30/07 PCI-8174 stepper and servo motion control card has an on-board DSP with motion ASIC for simplified implementation of time-critical motion sequences.

		Endevco sensors ride Space Shuttle - 08/30/07 Endevco provided vibration sensors used in critical health management system controllers for the Space Shuttle Main Engines built by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne.

		TCC introduces TC8518 Ethernet fiber multiplexer - 08/30/07 The unit multiplexes 8/16/20/24 T1 channels or 8/16/20 E1 channels and three 10/100 Ethernet Switch ports over multimode or single mode fiber optic cable.

		Emerson to supply Ovation Control System to UK Power Plant - 08/30/07 The system provides fully coordinated boiler and turbine control at RWE npower's Fawley Power Station Unit 3 in Hampshire, UK.

		Invensys appoints Bhattacharya Software Solutions Officer - 08/29/07 Previously, Bhattacharya served as senior vice president of solutions management for SAP America.

		Lantronix launches XChip single-chip web server - 08/29/07 Single chip Ethernet web server helps OEMs add networking to new and existing products.

		ABB to control power network in Kenya - 08/29/07 ABB will supply a $25M Network Manager SCADA/EMS system to Kenya Power & Lighting.

		Power Efficiency Corp says recent energy legislation beneficial - 08/28/07 Federal legislation will establish a national standard for energy efficiency.

		Wonderware announces Historian for OEMs and VARs - 08/28/07 Historian-OEM Edition allows VARs and OEMs, such as machine and solution builders, to include a historian with each installation of InTouch.

		Wonderware MES now SAP-Endorsed - 08/28/07 Wonderware Production Execution 1.0 packaged composite application (PCA) for MES has achieved "SAP xApps Certified - Powered by SAP NetWeaver" status.

		Panduit releases PAN-LUG parallel splices - 08/28/07 Splices have industry recognized color coding and large, easy-to-read part numbering for visual verification in low light conditions.

		Anver announces lifter-tilter for glass panels - 08/28/07 The air-powered lifter and tilter has large rectangular vacuum suction pads for handling 2000 lb glass or stone panels.

		Emerson enhances Micro Motion Coriolis hygienic meter - 08/28/07 Enhancements include a smooth 15 Ra wetted surface finish for accurate measurement in pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and other hygienic applications.

		UEI speeds up UEIPAC programmable automation controller - 08/28/07 Maximum sample rate and the PAC's ability to process PID loops have been sped up by 8X. Existing PACs are field upgradeable at no charge.

		Norcross introduces MP2000 Viscosity Controller - 08/28/07 Single loop viscosity and pH controller has 60 settings to accommodate solvent- or water-based products such as adhesives, coatings, varnishes, lacquers and other liquids.

		SIXNET acquires BlueTree Wireless Data - 08/28/07 SIXNET will acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of BlueTree Wireless Data, a supplier of machine to machine cellular data products.

		PlantTriage improves performance at plastics plant in Finland - 08/28/07 The Borealis Cracker operation is exceeding expected production targets, and discovering hidden process performance opportunities.

		Honeywell to automate Korean hydro power plant - 08/28/07 Honeywell will supply an Experion PKS R300 to automate everything from turbine operation to dam control at Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power's hydro power plant in Chuncheon.

		SmartSignal automates software testing with Borland SilkTest - 08/27/07 SS conducts automated testing for more than 400,000 lines of code and for complex and extensive test plans representing up to 4,000 test cases.

		SMTA Webinar covers surface mount testing - 08/27/07 September 5, 2007 10-11:30am (PST) Covers defect level and test effectiveness in surface mounting.

		A&WMA calls for papers for 2008 Conference - 08/27/07 A&WMA wants abstracts for its 2008 Annual Conference, themed "Integrating Science and Sustainability." Abstracts must be submitted by Dec. 3, 2007.

		ISA submits Control System cyber security report to ANSI - 08/27/07 ISA-TR99.00.01, Security Technologies for Industrial Automation and Control Systems, has been submitted to ANSI for approval as an ANSI Technical Report.

		Green Hills extends INTEGRITY PC to Intel vPro Processor - 08/27/07 Intel vPro processor technology substantially enhances and simplifies the hardware root of trust required to establish a secure state for the platform.

		Physik Instrumente gives $25,000 grant to Univ of VA for sensor research - 08/27/07 Scientists at the Department of Neuroscience will build a nanostimulator using piezo actuators and a 3-axis piezo nanopositioning stage that can reliably stimulate inner ear sensory hair cells.

		ABB sells Lummus Global to CB&I - 08/27/07 ABB has agreed to sell its Lummus Global business to Chicago Bridge & Iron Company (CB&I) for an enterprise value of $950 million.

		ARC ranks ABB as the top DCS supplier - 08/27/07 ARC says ABB still retains its leading position in the worldwide market for 2006 and has the largest installed base of any DCS supplier.

		NASA manager presents ISA EXPO 2007 Keynote - 08/27/07 Donald W. Monell will give a keynote address on "Project Constellation - NASA's New Spaceship: Going Back to the Moon," on October 4 at ISA EXPO 2007 in Houston, Texas.

		Baumer announces optical level monitor - 08/27/07 The sensor head, made of borosilicate glass with a SS casing, is extremely resistant to a great number of aggressive liquids.

		Advantech Going Global - 08/27/07 Advantech plans to become a Globally Integrated Enterprise to meet the challenges and opportunities driven by Web 2.0 and an increased global business climate.

		Panasonic releases Toughbook mobile computers for explosive applications - 08/24/07 Toughbook 19 notebook and and Toughbook 30 tablet PC are UL 1604-certified for use in hazardous areas.

		Bosch Rexroth releases Series ICL pneumatic cylinders - 08/24/07 ICL cylinders are suitable for dust-off or light wash-down applications in packaging/handling and other industrial applications.

		Contemporary Controls adds RSTP to CTRLink Ethernet Switches - 08/24/07 RSTP (Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol) provides flexible redundant networking architecture.

		AutomationDirect introduces HPS Control Transformers - 08/24/07 Transformers maximize inrush capability and output voltage regulation when electromagnetic devices such as relays are initially energized.

		Pepperl+Fuchs enhances Rhino inductive proximity sensors - 08/24/07 Two-wire AC/DC sensors are now available with a 20mm sensing range and are rated for 20-250 VAC/VDC operation.

		ATi offers brochure on Ammonia Monitoring System - 08/24/07 Brochure supplies information about the Q45N monitor, which provides simultaneous on-line monitoring of chloramines and ammonia.

		Moxa posts success stories from Petrochemical and Mining on website - 08/23/07 Case history stories describe use of Moxa's network devices for naphtha cracking and coal mining applications.

		ABB to supply $56 million in automation for steel mill in China - 08/23/07 ABB will provide automation equipment and electrical systems for a high-efficiency steel mill to be built by Zhangjiagang GTA Plate Co. in eastern China.

		Pepperl+Fuchs introduces Series F31 Valve Position Sensors - 08/23/07 These low profile inductive proximity sensors are 1.25 in. tall and mount directly to the top plate of any standard pneumatic actuator.

		GE Fanuc enhances Proficy Tracker Software - 08/23/07 Enhancements allow each item that moves through a production or packaging process to be tracked.

		TURCK announces molded M27 multifast connectors - 08/23/07 The 26 and 28-pin connectors can be used to provide power and signals to factory automation equipment.

		Loadstar Sensors appoints Jayant Patel Director of Sales - 08/23/07 Jayant has over thirty years of experience in engineering, product management, sales and marketing in the aerospace, medical device and instrumentation industries.

		ATI Industrial Automation opens Detroit office - 08/23/07 ATI’s new office houses sales, customer service and training departments along with plenty of space for inventory.

		Acromag celebrates 50th Anniversary - 08/23/07 Founded in 1957 by Henry Patton, Acromag pioneered the use of magnetic amplifiers for measurement and control applications.

		Physik Instrumente introduces tiny M-122 translation stage - 08/23/07 M-122 has a non-contacting optical linear encoder and a preloaded ball-screw; units can be combined to form compact XY and XYZ systems.

		Thermo Fisher introduces ARL 9900 X-ray workstation - 08/23/07 ARL 9900 combines XRD and XRF in one instrument, allowing it to perform a complete elemental analysis and determine the mineral or structural composition of a sample.

		Softing announces PB-T3 PROFIBUS Electrical Tester - 08/23/07 Tester analyzes the physical layer of PROFIBUS networks and displays the signal quality for each connected PROFIBUS device separately.

		Zero-Max upgrades CD Couplings - 08/23/07 Enhancements include zero backlash precision, high torsional stiffness, and clamp style hubs for increased torque on shafts without using keyways.

		WAGO launches second Automation Tour Vehicle - 08/23/07 WAGO is adding a second vehicle to its “Innovation in Automation Tour” mobile marketing program.

		Parker Hannifin releases AC890PX modular AC drive - 08/23/07 AC890PX communicates with all popular industrial protocols, including Ethernet, ProfiBus, ControlNet, DeviceNet, CanOpen and Firewire.

		Standard-Knapp introduces 596S shrink wrapper - 08/23/07 The shrink wrapper uses servo motion to adjust speed according to product flow, maintaining continuous motion with speeds of up to 80 trays per minute.

		GE Fanuc and Wipro to collaborate on automotive production management - 08/23/07 GE and Wipro Technologies will work together to provide the automotive industry with solutions in Production Management.

		ISA holds Executive Summit at ISA EXPO - 08/22/07 The summit will focus on defining a forward-looking vision for the industry and discussing courses of action for bringing change.

		Perpetuum powers TI devices by harvesting vibration energy - 08/22/07 PMG17 vibration energy-harvesting microgenerator can power TI's RF transceiver and microcontroller, paving the way for battery-free sensor operation.

		Misumi releases single-axis actuators - 08/22/07 Actuators are compatible with most servo motors to provide precision linear motion in automotive, packaging and manufacturing applications.

		Misumi USA expands its marketing team - 08/22/07 Misumi appointed Misa Nishimuras Director of Marketing and Inside Sales and Dwayne Roark Senior Marketing Manager.

		Misumi USA names Masanori Suzuki president - 08/22/07 Suzuki was formerly the General Manager of the Strategic Planning Department for Misumi in Japan, the parent company of Misumi USA.

		ABB helps Stora Enso paper mill slash emissions - 08/22/07 The Skoghall paper mill in central Sweden cut carbon dioxide emissions by about 170,000 tons a year following a two-year revamp costing 211 million euros ($290 million).

		Aberdeen and Transpara publish report on EMI solutions - 08/22/07 The report, sponsored by Transpara, finds that best-in-class customers implement Enterprise Manufacturing Intelligence (EMI) solutions.

		Measurement Computing announces USB-1616 DAQ modules - 08/22/07 The USB-1616HS, the USB-1616HS-2, and the USB-1616HS-4 provide synchronous analog, digital, and frequency I/O in one compact package.

		ISA announces Honors & Awards Gala Award Winners - 08/22/07 The ISA Honors and Awards Gala will be held at ISA EXPO at the Hyatt Regency Houston, Houston, Texas, on October 1, 2007.

		Comtrol is court-ordered to replace CEO and Board - 08/22/07 Robert Beale, former CEO and now a fugitive, has been formally removed from all aspects of leadership. Comtrol, now owned by Rebecca Beale, has a new board of directors.

		Advantech announces EKI-2725l Ethernet Switch - 08/22/07 EKI-2725 has five 1000Base-T gigabit Ethernet ports and supports 9K Jumbo Frames. Price: $275.

		GarrettCom adds power to Magnum Ethernet edge switches - 08/22/07 Power supply options include AC/DC, 125 VDC dual source, 48 VDC dual source, 24 VDC dual source, or AC power input.

		Agilent expands its fiber-optic test portfolio - 08/22/07 Agilent adds six polarization analysis and control solutions for R&D and manufacturing of optical components and systems.

		ARC predicts Motion Control Systems Market to Reach $7.8 Billion - 08/22/07 The worldwide market for GMC systems is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.0% over the next five years.

		EDS upgrades Chronos time logging software for AutoCAD - 08/22/07 Chronos for AutoCAD now logs all users that access the drawing, provides tool set for analyzing user efficiencies, drawing time accumulation and project job logging.

		Invensys presents asset management papers at National Manufacturing Week - 08/21/07 Juan Collados, Neil Cooper and Curtis Wilson will deliver presentations on Tuesday, September 25, 1:00pm - 4:00pm (Session 208).

		Thermo Fisher announces entry level ARL SMS-2000 EL - 08/21/07 Entry level version offers foundries and metals producers an affordable way to automate sample analysis.

		McCrometer publishes flow meter CD - 08/21/07 A-Z Flow Meter Literature CD provides up-to-date flow technology, applications and product specification information in a handy format.

		Commtest hires Mark Vowell as Senior Application Engineer - 08/21/07 He will be part of the Application Engineering Team for customer technical support in vibration analysis. Mark has 16 years of experience with Emerson CSI.

		Intermec RFID Hardware certified for use in China - 08/21/07 Intermec's passive UHF RFID readers have been certified for operation in China by the country's State Radio Regulation Committee (SRRC).

		Emerson adds Micro Motion diagnostics to AMS - 08/21/07 Meter Verification SNAP-ON application for Micro Motion Coriolis meters enables AMS users to make a full assessment of meters, from electronics through sensor.

		General Monitors opens Fire and Gas Systems Web Site - 08/21/07 Site provides overview of fire and gas system designs, applications information, a SIL (Safety Integrity Level) resource center, how-to articles, answers to frequently asked questions and more.

		Fulton releases Vacuum Roll Assembly Wrinkle Remover - 08/21/07 Eliminates dangerous in-running nips that can produce and iron-in web wrinkles.

		Keithley offers SignalMeister waveform software - 08/21/07 SignalMeister software creates arbitrary waveform (ARB) files that can be downloaded to Keithley's Model 2910 RF Vector Signal Generator.

		Northwire adds DataCELL FIELD fieldbus cables - 08/21/07 DataCELL now includes CC-Link ODVA DeviceNet and 100 Ω and 80 Ω FOUNDATION fieldbus cables.

		Matrox Graphics adds Linux drivers for thin clients - 08/21/07 Drivers include support for 32- and 64-bit RedHat and SUSE distributions, X.Org up to version 7.2.0, and kernel versions up to 2.6.20.

		Phoenix Contact upgrades Steeplechase VLC - 08/21/07 Steeplechase VLC software now offers integration of the SynqNet motion network to control up to 256 axes of motion

		Banner enhances WORLD-BEAM QS18 sensors - 08/20/07 The QS18LAF250 provides increased sensing capabilities with a cutoff range of 50 to 250 mm.

		ifm efector iIntroduces O4 Series photoelectrics - 08/20/07 Sensing ranges up to 50 meters enable the sensor to be placed farther away from an application reducing its chance of physical damage.

		Wonderware appoints Rick Bullotta VP and CTO - 08/20/07 Bullotta was previously a vice president with SAP and was the co-founder and chief technology officer of Lighthammer Software Development.

		Kepware licenses WeatherBug for Automation - 08/20/07 Kepware signed an agreement with WeatherBug to provide real-time weather information to the Automation industry.

		Adaptive Micro appoints Richard Johnson president - 08/20/07 Johnson was hired because of his ability to grow privately held companies ranging in size from $50M to $300M throughout his career.

		PAS opens automation center for power industry customers - 08/20/07 PAS opened its Center of Excellence in St. Louis, Missouri, to promote Alarm Management and Automation Configuration Management to the power industry.

		MGV introduces Super Slim SPH power supplies - 08/20/07 DIN rail power supplies can be mounted in switch cabinets and control boxes either upside down, lying or hanging.

		Invensys completes control upgrade at Columbia nuclear plant - 08/20/07 Invensys supplied a Triconex TMR (triple-modular redundant) Tricon turbomachinery control system for integrated turbine protection and reactor pressure control.

		ABB supplies $140M in controls to smelter project in Qatar - 08/20/07 Power and automation systems will support world’s largest aluminum plant.

		Ethernet Direct releases JME-24F2 managed Ethernet switch - 08/20/07 Stackable workgroup switch meets requirement in industrial network applications for a reliable connection to the backbone network.

		Ethernet Direct opens office in Germany - 08/20/07 Ethernet Direct in Germany is located in Bruckberg to serve the market in Deutschland.

		InSync Offers RFID Returnable Asset Tracking - 08/20/07 The system allows customers and partners to develop and deploy returnable asset applications.

		TURCK introduces PT 510 pressure transmitters - 08/17/07 Stainless steel diaphragm and welded construction eliminates need for an O-ring seal, making it more effective in cold, humid environments.

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