Automationtechies.com e-News

Our guest article this week, The Fast Way to Tune Slow Loops, is written by John Gerry of Expertune. John describes how to tune slow loops using a fast test method and some analysis software. You can check out John's article below in the Featured Article section. Within the article, John also provides links to a detailed presentation in web-cast format.

We added a couple of new training items to our site again this week. The first is a Free Industrial Ethernet Control Seminar offered by WAGO Corporation. The second is a PlantWeb University Web-based Training offered by Emerson Process.

With every new month, we add a few new featured products to our home page. Three of those products are highlighted in the Product Showcase section of this week's e-news issue. Be sure to check out our Home Page or our Featured Products page for all of this month's featured products.

Product manufacturers and suppliers have been very busy this week announcing a lot of new products, much more than usual. Most product categories are represented, so don't forget to check out what's new in Product News Headlines. And, as usual, you may want to review the new Job Postings added to our site in the last week.

On to the good stuff...Enjoy the rest of this e-news!

Rick Zabel

Electronic Card Decks
I'm sure most of you are familiar with the paper card decks that are sent out via mail by a number of industry publishers. I've always wondered what value automation and control engineers put on these paper decks. But, have you seen some of the electronic versions of these card decks? Here's an example: IndustryDeck. Since we (at Automationtechies.com) are very involved with electronic media, I think that electronic card decks are cool, but I still wonder if they offer much value to engineers. So, I've come up with a poll question on this topic. Please take a few seconds to give us your feedback:

	Would you be interested in receiving an electronic card deck filled with industrial automation, process control and instrumentation products and services?

		Yes, I'm always curious to see what's in them
		Yes, but only if they had decent content
		No, I don't have time
		No, card decks are worthless
		Maybe, depends on my mood

Note: After you click "Submit" you will be directed to our home page where you can view the responses. The poll question and results are on the far right below the advertising buttons.

Featured Article

The Fast Way to Tune Slow Loops

Tuning slow loops does not have to take a long time. To tune a control loop, analysis software must process some loop data. You must test or bump the loop somehow. For example a setpoint change in automatic or a controller output change in manual mode. Using the strategy outlined in this article and corresponding presentation, you can tune slow loops very quickly.

Read full article by John Gerry of ExperTune

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:

Beckhoff Introduces New Terminal Modules to Expand Their Bus Terminal System 5/4/04

Advantech Introduces New 16-Channel Source Type Digital I/O Module 5/4/04

Cognex Introduces Breakthrough Industrial Code Reading Software 5/4/04

PPT VISION, Inc. Introduces The IMPACT™ T10 Intelligent Camera 5/4/04

Fluke Introduces 87V DMM that Delivers Accurate Readings Even on Difficult Adjustable-Speed Drives 5/4/04

Aerotech ASR1100 Series Direct-Drive Rotary Stage Provides “Out of the Box” Material Handling Capability 5/4/04

Zero-Max Publishes New Drives Brochure 5/4/04

Quatech's New Wireless Serial Device Servers Offer Industry's Best Serial-to-WiFi Performance 5/4/04

MSE – Tetragenics Announces MC3000 Enhancement with Support for DNP3 Protocol 5/4/04

PROFIBUS Center Introduces Profibus Network Analyzer on USB 5/3/04

DVT Releases Legend XE Camera for Extreme Environments 5/3/04

DVT Develops Hand-Held Communications Tool for Machine Vision 5/3/04

MICROSENS Signs GESCAN as Distributor for Industrial Networking Product Line 5/3/04

MGV Adds 240-Watt Power Supply to Their Comfort Edition Series 5/3/04

Phoenix Contact’s Common Profile Terminal Blocks Reduce Installation Time 5/3/04

Scientific Technologies Introduces their 2004-2005 Engineering Guide to Machine and Process Safeguarding 4/30/04

Danaher Motion Introduces A New High Performance Servo System 4/30/04

DVT Introduces the Legend LS Line Scan Vision System 4/30/04

Comtrol Offers Free Serial Port Management Software with Superior GUI 4/30/04

Empire Magnetics Introduces Commercial-Grade VC Series Vacuum Motors 4/30/04

Danfoss Releases VLT 4000 Drives, Optimized for Higher Performance Operation 4/30/04

Banner Engineering Corp. Has Announced New World-Beam® QS18FF Background Suppression Sensors 4/29/04

TURCK Introduces New Q-Pak Q18 Rectangular Inductive Sensor 4/29/04

SoftWIRE Technology Introduces 20 .NET Components Developed Specifically for Measurement and Control Applications 4/29/04

Allen-Bradley PanelView Terminals Excel in Corrosive Environment Ratings Test 4/29/04

FKI Logistex Real Time Solutions Develops New Web-Based Graphical User Interface 4/29/04

M2M Data Corporation and Satamatics to Jointly Deliver Lower-Cost Micro-Telemetry 4/29/04

Cognex Publishes Guide To Direct Part Mark Identification 4/29/04

Advantech Announces a Complete Line of 2004 Digital I/O Solutions 4/28/04

Encoder Technology Introduces Linear Analog Modular Optical Encoders with 1.5 Micron Resolution 4/28/04

SMC Introduces the LC8 to its Family of Electric Actuators and Controllers 4/28/04

FKI Logistex White Systems Launches SpectrumPlus^TM Warehouse Control System 4/28/04

PIAB Offers Dual-Durometer Suction Cups As A Solution For Difficult Packaging Applications 4/28/04

Company News Headlines:

ISA Book Tackles the Fundamentals of Fluid Flow 5/4/04

Adept Technology Ships 20,000th Robot to Hutchinson Technology 5/3/04

2004 Emerson Global Users Exchange Conference Scheduled for October 25th-29th 5/3/04

MICROSENS Signs GESCAN as Distributor for Industrial Networking Product Line 5/3/04

ATS Introduces Specialized Automation Consulting Service For Healthcare Companies 5/3/04

Phoenix Contact Manufacturing President & CEO, Donald B. Springer, Retires Today 4/30/04

Emerging Eastern European Electric Drives Market Gains Momentum 4/28/04

Application News Headlines:

Rockwell Automation Remote Monitoring and Diagnostic Service Helped Finch, Pruyn & Co. Save Over $1 Million in Production Costs 5/3/04

Tecnomatix Announces First Quarter 2004 Results, 16% Revenue Growth 4/28/04

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

2004 Measurement & Automation Catalog

The National Instruments catalog is the leading virtual instrumentation resource for engineers and scientists seeking the most productive customer-defined software and hardware tools for industrial control, vision, motion control, data acquisition and measurement applications. You will find everything you need from product specifications to comprehensive tutorials.

Request your Catalog

Other available application tools.

Other available demo software.

Other available product catalogs.

Product Showcase

SIXNET Mini-IPm is a complete system in one compact package. I/O, Ethernet, 4 com ports, open software.

More Information on SIXNET Mini-IPm RTU

SoftPLC's Gatecraft Line of ruggedized Ethernet products: firewalls, modem routers, WAP...

More Information on SoftPLC GateLine Ethernet Products

AutomationDirect 18mm and 30mm diameter Ultrasonic Sensors with DC or analog output.

More Information on AutomationDirect Ultrasonic Sensors

Other Featured Products for May

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.

Resources & Training

Training Courses / Seminars

Browse for training courses, seminars, web-seminars and workshops offered by various training organizations, product manufacturers and suppliers in industrial automation, process control and instrumentation. For information on specific training courses and seminars, please use the following links:

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.

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:

On a Humorous Note...

Rick's Dilbert Comic Pick

When product "bugs" become "undefined features"

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

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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