Automationtechies.com e-News

Our guest article this week, Methods of Protection in Hazardous Locations was written and contributed by Pepperl+Fuchs. The article introduces and compares the three basic methods of protection in explosion proof areas: explosion containment, segregation and prevention (intrinsic safety). We've recently had a couple of requests for an article detailing the installation and cost comparisons of explosion containment versus intrinsic safety. This article does a nice job of analyzing the pros and cons. Thanks for the article, P+F! You can link to the complete article from the Featured Article section below.

As you probably know we are always looking for new subscribers. Next month, we'll be offering a subscription referral promotion. Please review the Subscription Promotion for more details...

We received a lot of new product releases this week...some from a few companies that haven't been represented on our site before. So, be sure to check out the new products announcements in our News Section.

And, as usual, don't forget to review the Job Postings added to our site in the last week.

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

Rick Zabel

Subscription Promotion
You may have noticed that from April 15th through May 15th we were running a promotion to attract new subscribers. As promised, we drew a name from the list of new subscribers that registered during that time frame and the winner is...Fred Teran from Gilbert, AZ. The prize is a $500.00 gift certificate from www.webcertificate.com that can be used at any web site that accepts MasterCard. I sent Fred a e-mail message yesterday, but haven't heard back from him yet. If you're out there Fred, please respond to my e-mail so that we can issue the gift certificate as soon as possible.

You may also recall a recent poll question asking what it would take for you to refer our site to ten of your colleagues. For your reference, here are the results of that poll question:

Poll Question: What would it take for you to recommend our site/e-newsletter to 10 of your colleagues?

Answers:

1. Just your great content, no giveaway or drawing necessary

43%

2. I don't have 10 colleagues in this industry that I could refer

24%

3. I like it, but I don't have time to recommend it to 10 colleagues

11%

4. My name in a drawing to win a prize, i.e. $500.00 gift certificate

5. I would like something in return, i.e. give me something

6. I don't like it enough to recommend it

Even though the majority said they didn't need an incentive to refer others to our site, we're going to put our money where our mouth is! Next month, we'll be giving our subscribers the opportunity to win another $500.00 gift certificate. If you refer just five colleagues to subscribe to our e-newsletter, your name will go in a drawing for the $500 gift certificate. Your chances of winning should be pretty good and you can enter as many times as you like. But, for each entry you will be required to submit the 5 e-mail addresses of colleagues that have subscribed during the contest period. And yes, the colleagues must be industrial automation, process control or instrumentation professionals (we'll verify them). Stay tuned for contest dates and details...and start thinking about who you can refer.

Featured Article

Methods of Protection in Hazardous (Explosion Risk) Locations: Containment, Segregation and Prevention (Intrinsic Safety)

In many process automation applications, there is a risk of explosion due to the presence of hazardous particles, gases or vapors. A fault in a process control circuit or system can result in catastrophic loss of life or extreme damage to the facility. The safest way to prevent a fire or explosion is to remove the source of the hazard. However, if this cannot be done the process engineer has three alternatives. Remove the source of ignition, prevent the source of ignition reaching the hazard or ensure that there is no oxidizer present. There are three basic methods of protection: explosion containment, segregation and prevention (intrinsic safety).

Read full article by Pepperl+Fuchs.

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:

SIXNET Introduces The Linux IPm Control System Evaluation Kit 5/18/04

Microwave Data Systems Introduces Enhanced Security in 5.8 GHz, License-Free, Wideband Solution 5/18/04

Microwave Data Systems Introduces Protected Network Station 5/18/04

IMB Enterprises, Inc. Announces The Availability Of Custom Solutions For Ethernet-Enabling Computer Systems 5/18/04

Keithley Publishes Four Step Error Checker Poster for Low-level Measurement 5/18/04

Comtrol Introduces DeviceMaster® PRO Programmable Serial Device Server with Free Software 5/18/04

Midwest Motion Products Announces The 'MMP25A-12V' Motor Speed Control 5/17/04

Midwest Motion Products Announces The Release Of A New 'E-Catalog' On CD ROM 5/17/04

JAI PULNiX Introduces TM-1020-15 1” CCD Digital Camera 5/17/04

Schneider Electric Introduces New Square D Powerpact Circuit Breakers, Simplifying Installation And Standardizing Equipment Designs 5/17/04

Sapia Inc. Introduces SMRL, An Intuitive Modbus RTU Dynamic Link Library 5/17/04

Chassis Plans Introduces the CPRSD1-19HD Ultra High Resolution 1U Rackmount Keyboard / LCD Display Drawer 5/17/04

Groschopp, Inc. Has Announced Their PM108 True 1/3 HP Compact DC Motors 5/17/04

PROFIBUS Trade Organization Announces PROFInet IRT Soon To Be Available For High-End Motion Control Applications 5/17/04

Accu-Sort® Releases Integrated Solution For RFID Label Compliance 5/17/04

JAI PULNiX Introduces Cam2Net Camera Link to Ethernet Adapter 5/14/04

Murr Elektronik Launches New Modular Range Of Connector Systems For Sensors And Actuators 5/14/04

Murr Elektronik Introduces Industrial Distribution Box for Distributed Sensors and Actuators 5/14/04

Phoenix Contact Introduces Explosion Proof Division 1 Wireless I/O System 5/13/04

Rockwell Automation Enhances ProcessLogix Distributed Control System to Improve Plant Floor Visibility and Speed Application Development 5/13/04

JAI PULNIX Introduces 3-CCD Industrial Color Camera With Analog RGB Interface 5/13/04

JAI PULNIX Introduces New TM-6760 Series CCD Camera 5/13/04

K-TEK Introduces The LM200 Laser Transmitter for Level, Position and Distance Measurements in Extreme Environments 5/12/04

Apex Embedded Systems Introduces the Stratus X-ND PC/104 Card for High-Speed Data Acquisition for Extreme Temperatures 5/12/04

Canfield Connector Offers High Performance Connectors For Packaging Machinery 5/12/04

Company News Headlines:

Matrikon Completes Acquisition of PI Automation 5/18/04

Bosch Rexroth AG Has Successful 2003, Forecasts Considerable Growth for 2004 5/18/04

EMX Publishes UV Luminescence Sensor Application Handbook 5/13/04

Adept Technology Reinforces Plan to Expand Worldwide Service and Support Activities with New VP & GM 5/12/04

Application News Headlines:

BP's Refineria de Castellón Selects SimSci-Esscor's ROMeo Solution for Naphtha Complex Real-time Optimization Project 5/12/04

Honeywell To Implement Manufacturing Execution System For Aluminium Bahrain 5/12/04

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

Industrial Control & Data Acquisition CD

SIXNET's FREE CD is a great tool for any industrial control professional's arsenal. The CD contains time-saving application suggestions and technical notes, detailed datasheets and user manuals, product demos, and useful software tools.

SIXNET's Industrial Ethernet and Data Acquisition product line features:

LINUX IPm Products, including the SixTRAK IPm Open DCS Controller and the VersaTRAK IPm RTU.
Real-Time Ethernet Switches for harsh industrial environments.
Industrial Modems and Process Quality I/O.

This CD is your best resource for LINUX Open Control!

Request your SIXNET Industrial Control & DAQ CD

Other available application tools.

Other available demo software.

Other available product catalogs.

Product Showcase

AirborneDirect™ Serial enables plug-and-play wireless LAN connectivity using RS232, RS422, or RS485.

More Information on AirborneDirect Serial LAN

Advantech's high performance Celeron 400MHz Universal Network Controller with PC/104 extension.

More Information on Advantech's Universal Network Controller

ASI's complete line of UL 1077 and UL 489 din rail mount high-density Circuit Breakers.

More Information on ASI Circuit Breakers

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

Never scrimp on safety procedures...not even the manuals

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

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Eden Prairie, MN 55344

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