Automationtechies.com e-News - February 4, 2004

Well, it's show time again! National Manufacturing Week 2004 kicks off later this month on February 23 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The campaign for this year's show is "Play Your Part" - Rally for American Manufacturing...trying to get the nation to pay more attention to manufacturing and it's contributions to overall economic growth and prosperity. The secretary of commerce, Don Evans, along with industry experts and some celebrities (yah, right) are scheduled to appear.

I registered a few weeks ago, both as an attendee and as press (since we publish a ton of news on our site). That way, I can swap badges as the need arises...sometimes it's better to be a member of the press, sometimes not. Just yesterday, I made my travel arrangements. It's a very inexpensive flight from Minneapolis to Chicago (Midway, of course)...only about $175.00. For me, the cheap flight makes it a no-brainer to attend.

Since Automationtechies.com exhibited a few years ago, I'm still on the "potential" exhibitor list. As a result, I frequently receive solicitations. Apparently, they (Reed Exhibitions) is really trying to get more exhibitors this year. According to their web site, barely 100 companies are exhibiting in the Industrial Automation area. Yesterday, I received a message from a Reed representative claiming that 25,000 attendees have already registered for the Industrial Automation portion of the show. Really? That would be something. With that many attendees, the few exhibitors should have a field day with the huge number of leads.

If you plan on heading to Chicago, you've got to check out the Siemens' Exider. The Siemens Exider train has traveled the globe drawing hundreds of people at every stop for the past 18 months, and has already visited more than 22 countries and 120 cities during its tour. The Exider is due to inaugurate its 10-city U.S. tour with a show-stopping appearance on the exhibit floor at the National Industrial Automation Show in Chicago, February 23-26th. This 1000 foot-long traveling exhibit is an exciting, interactive, technology-focused event scheduled to appear in a city near you starting early next year.

AutomationDirect is celebrating their 10th anniversary at the show. They typically don't exhibit at trade shows, but this year they're pulling out all the stops. Join them for technical demonstrations, and see displays and literature for new products, including Fuji Electric motor controls, Marathon MicroMAX motors, relays, signal conditioners and more. And the best part - free food! Visit their Hospitality Desk for A.M. wake-up coffee and brownies, and P.M. popcorn and a refreshing glass of water.

And, don't forget to see some of the new products at National Instruments, Citect, Wago, Dolch Computer Systems, Pilz Automation and Moxa Technologies.

As usual, I'll give you my full, unofficial report the week after the show.

Enjoy the rest of this e-news!

Rick Zabel

Featured Article

Reaping the Rewards of a Remote Monitoring & Diagnostics Program

As today�s manufacturers continue to seek new methods and tools that can enable them to do more with less, many leading-edge companies are turning to innovative monitoring and diagnostics tools that can dramatically enhance and improve a company�s existing Maintenance, Repair and Operation (MRO) programs. Often referred to as �remote monitoring and diagnostic systems,� such technologies can help companies cut overall production costs, improve quality, minimize downtime and increase operational efficiency.

Read full article by Rockwell Automation

Other articles and white papers on various automation topics

Other application stories using various automation products

Automation & Process Control News

News Headlines - Automation, Process Control & Instrumentation News

Hear all about it! We publish industry news on our site as soon as we hear about it. Check out our Daily News Headlines page frequently to stay up-to-date on the industry events. Here are news headlines since our last e-news. Use the following links to read the complete news release:

Product News Headlines:

Company News Headlines:

These are just a few of the news items published on our website. Our Automation News section provides you up-to-date news of what is happening with product and services suppliers in the industry. Users can search for releases by company or by date. View Daily News Headlines Here. Send your automation news releases to press@automationtechies.com. Please provide press releases in electronic format (pictures can be provided in .JPG or .GIF format).

Application Tools, Guides, Demos & Literature

Integrated PC-Based Control System Evaluation Software CD

Beckhoff's TwinCAT Software System turns any compatible PC into a real-time controller with a multi-PLC system, NC axis control, programming environment and operating station. Complete your high performance, flexible control system with this purely software-based solution (IEC 61131-3) on an industrial PC with Windows NT/2000/XP operating system and your favorite open field-bus I/O.

Request your Evaluation CD

Other available application tools.

Other available demo software.

Other available product catalogs.

Product Showcase

National Instruments PXI Motion Controller

The new NI PXI-7358 motion controller offers eight axes in a single PXI/CPCI slot, integrated data acquisition, and enhanced performance motion control capabilities. New features make the PXI-7358 an ideal motion controller for a wide range of automation applications.

More Information on NI PXI Motion Controller

Featured Products for February

Browse Products by Category

Find a Manufacturer/Supplier

New Job Opportunities

New Jobs Posted on Automationtechies.com

Here's a list of new job opportunities posted on Automationtechies.com since our last newsletter:

To view other recent job postings, please use our Job Search Function.

Automation Auctions

New eBay Listings

eBay hosts over 4000 auctions for industrial automation and control products. From PLCs to sensors and from motor controls to robotics...Now you can browse new, used and surplus automation and control products right from Automationtechies.com. We added a new page in the "Classifieds" section of our web site called eBay Listings.

Use the links below to browse auctions and classified ads by product category:

Industry Resources

IndustryDeck

IndustryDeck is an electronic card deck offered by Next Communications introducing some of the latest new products for your automation and process control applications.

Check out the latest issue.

Trade Magazine Subscriptions

As a valued Automationtechies.com member, we would like to extend the opportunity to receive leading industry publications.

Browse from the list of titles and be sure to check back often for new titles.

On a Humorous Note...

Rick's Dilbert Comic Pick

'Why going over your manager's head never works'

Automationtechies' Services

Automationtechies.com Advertising Opportunities - Generate leads and promote your company and products with one of the fastest growing industrial automation and control communities on the web. Review our Media Kit or Contact Rick Zabel.

Article & White Paper Publication - To have your industry-related articles or white papers published on Automationtechies.com, please Contact Rick Zabel for more information.

News Release Publication - To have your company or product news published on Automationtechies.com, please send your press releases to press@automationtechies.com.

Job Posting - Post your job openings on Automationtechies.com and find out why we're the industry's preferred resource for posting automation, process control and instrumentation job opportunities. Post Your Job.

Direct-hire Recruiting - Our industry experts will seek out and pre-screen the top performers. If your resources are limited or if time is a factor, we'll find the talent you need. Contact Alan Carty today for more information at 1-877-300-6792 or Send a message

Contract Recruiting, Employer of Record Services - Need engineers, programmers, or technicians, but can't hire full-time employees? Consider contract employees! Let us handle your administrative headaches including Employer of Record, payroll, and other functions. Find a Contract Employee

Give Us Your Feedback...

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- What content additions would you like to see on our website?

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I hope you enjoyed this e-news update!

Rick Zabel

Vice President

Automationtechies.com

6455 City West Parkway

Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Phone: 952-563-5444

Fax: 952-563-5449