Automation.com e-News - August 9, 2006

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August 9, 2006 - Volume VII, Issue 31
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In this Issue	Sponsored by National Instruments
From One Techie to Another: Software is cornerstone of Virtual Instrumentation, then and now Featured Article: AOC Accesses Field Data and Improves Business Performance Product & Company News Featured Event MatrikonOPC User Group Conference Featured Training Plant Performance Supervision & PID Tuning Software Featured Products: RFID System E-direct On-line Instrument Shop AB® Essential Components Catalog New Job Opportunities New Auctions & Classifieds Dilbert Pick of the Week	LabVIEW 8.20 – 20th Anniversary Edition National Instruments LabVIEW 8.20 continues to make common tasks easier with Express technologies and wizards that automate much of your programming work. Take advantage of powerful features for developing measurement applications and open connectivity tools to integrate external applications and services. View interactive demos and try LabVIEW 8.20 FREE online.
From One Techie to Another
Software is cornerstone of Virtual Instrumentation, then and now The first version of LabVIEW was introduced 20 years ago by National Instruments (NI) with the intent to do for scientists and engineers what the spreadsheet did for accounting. It has come a long way since 1986. Yesterday, at the opening of NIWeek 2006, Dr. James Truchard (NI President, CEO and Cofounder) introduced LabVIEW 8.20, the 20th anniversary edition of this popular software, with a number of new features that will drastically improve productivity. With this single software package, users can design, prototype and deploy systems for control, visualization, measurement and analysis. Read more about LabVIEW 8.20. LabVIEW software is what puts the word "virtual" in "virtual instrumentation". LabVIEW transforms a computer into a powerful programming tool, controller, operator interface, DAQ, or test and measurement system. Even with its initial release in 1986, LabVIEW was ahead of its time. In yesterday's keynote address, LabVIEW's Chief Architect (also known as LabVIEW's weird uncle), humorously created and performed a working demo of LabVIEW version 1.2 on a vintage Macintosh Plus. It was amazing to see that even the first versions of LabVIEW offered an easy-to-use graphical environment. This powerful and easy-to-use graphical environment is the reason tens of thousands of users choose LabView. The LEGO Group chose National Instruments and LabVIEW to develop the software for LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robotics invention system. The software includes a simple drag-and-drop, graphical interface optimized for the target MINDSTORMS NXT consumer - children ages 10-14 years old. For more advanced users, i.e. you and I, NI Introduced a LabVIEW Toolkit for MINDSTORMS NXT that allows the use of more advanced graphical programming tools available in LabVIEW. If you haven't seen the MINDSTORMS NXT yet, you've got to check them out. You can purchase the MINDSTORMS NXT kit online for $249.99. The techie and the kid in you will come alive. This year, NI also celebrates 30 years of innovation, growth and leadership. National instruments has revolutionized measurement and automation with its vision of virtual instrumentation. NI's hardware and software products are used for control, data acquisition, test, measurement, and design applications in virtually all industry segments. NI has grown from a three person garage shop to a $600+ Million company with 4,000 employees worldwide. While at NIWeek, I had the opportunity to talk with a number of NI people and it's impressive to hear that the majority of them have worked at NI for years, and some have never worked anywhere else. It's no wonder NI has made FORTUNE magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For for seven consecutive years. Related Links: National Instruments – Culture of Growth & Success National Instruments Company Overview LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Enjoy the rest of this eNews! Rick Zabel Vice President, Editor-in-chief
Featured Article	Sponsored by ASI
AOC Accesses Field Data and Improves Business Performance AOC’s challenge was to use their data more effectively in order to free up personnel and ensure consistency in production planning, scheduling, inventory management, and improving their overall business performance. Read complete article. More articles and white papers More application stories	Phoenix Contact Equivalent Terminal Blocks ASI now offers exact equivalents to many of the popular Phoenix Contact terminal blocks such as UKN, UDK, UKK, UKH, URTK, DIK, MT, MBK and ST series. The ASI blocks feature the same specifications, color, materials and you can even use the same accessories that you now purchase. The biggest difference between the ASI and the Phoenix Contact terminal blocks is the cost! Hundreds of satisfied customers buy direct online and save 30 to 50%. Check out the products, pricing and specifications at www.asi-ez.com or call us toll-free 877-650-5160 to get your new catalog and free mousepad.
Product Announcements & Company News
Hear all about it...industry news is published on our site daily. Here are the latest news headlines for your review...use the following links to read the full article. Check out our Daily News Headlines page frequently to stay up-to-date on the industry events. Product Announcements: NI LabVIEW upgrade provides single software for industrial control, measurement and HMI 8/8/06 Opto 22 announces Header Cable to connect PACs to G4 I/O 8/8/06 Cognex software speeds deployment of vision guided robots 8/8/06 GE Fanuc Automation announces Ethernet-based control systems for mission-critical applications 8/8/06 ASI introduces multiple wire terminal blocks 8/8/06 Emerson introduces high temperature pH sensors 8/8/06 NI introduces LabVIEW toolkit for LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT robotics 8/8/06 Ethernet Direct's Ethernet switches now work with IntraVUE network management software 8/8/06 Axiomtek's single board computer supports dual-core LGA775-pin Intel Pentium D Processor 8/8/06 Precise Automation introduces vision guided motion controller 8/7/06 Stonewater Control Systems to supply Field Instrument Management System integrated with Spectrometer 8/7/06 Cooper Bussmann introduces online short-circuit current rating software 8/7/06 MGE power meter enhances power management and distribution solutions 8/7/06 Paunduit corner wiring duct saves space in control panels 8/4/06 Korenix releases new Ethernet converter/switch 8/4/06 Wahl introduces thermal imager for predictive maintenance and building diagnostics 8/4/06 Invensys takes InFusion road show around the world 8/4/06 Expertune offers web-based training on plant performance supervision & PID tuning software 8/3/06 Ethernet Direct introduces line of robust industrial Ethernet switches 8/3/06 Altech's new UL489 miniature molded case circuit breakers offer highest rating in the industry 8/3/06 Alpha Gear develops way to integrate force sensors into device housings 8/3/06 Fluke announces new electrical tester calibrator 8/3/06 Siemens to support Ice Qube cooling systems 8/3/06 National Instruments software goes from CAD to motion control in minutes 8/2/06 Pepperl+Fuchs announces Foundation Fieldbus power supplies 8/2/06 National Instruments vision software compatible with Sony Smart Camera Solution 8/2/06 Online Development to display ControlLogix communication module at Automation Fair 8/2/06 Rexroth IndraMotion for packaging brochure now available 8/2/06 Company & Organization News: Ember's Adrian Tuck joins Tendril as CEO 8/8/06 Tendril secures $5.25 million in venture funding 8/8/06 Deacom named one of the top 'Vertically Focused Companies to Watch' by magazine 8/8/06 Square D® helps rebuild areas still reeling from Hurricane Katrina’s fury 8/8/06 ISA establishes guiding principles for convergence of ISA95, OAG and B2MML 8/7/06 AWS publishes new plastic welding standard 8/7/06 ISA appoints Shari Worthington Director-Elect of Management Division 8/7/06 Siemens donates controls to ISA training program 8/2/06 Application News: Emerson to automate Total's FPSO vessel and enable fast startup for the Akpo oil field 8/8/06 Enea RTOS being used by Feynman Software’s GUI Tools 8/8/06 Invensys to install InFusion SCADA system for liquid pipelines 8/7/06 MHI achieves Japan 's first SOFC-MGT combined-cycle power generation 8/4/06 Hitachi America wins Frost & Sullivan award for Vector Control Technology 8/3/06 Ship2Save and AAID Security Solutions deploy RFID solution at Crown Corporation 8/2/06
Featured Event
MatrikonOPC User Group Conference Houston, Texas – Sept 13-14, 2006 Koln, Germany - Oct 11-12, 2006 The MatrikonOPC user group will attract industry experts, integrators, and process/discrete manufacturers from around the world. This user group is geared towards providing knowledge and OPC solutions for Executives, Integrators and end-users. MatrikonOPC User Group provides solutions for OPC users worldwide. High-value Keynote speakers, unparalleled hands-on-training, expert panels and solutions showcases will provide educational benefits to both process and discrete industries across all verticals. Conference topics include: Understand advantages of implementing OPC technologies Learn different OPC specifications (OPC DA, A&E, HDA, XML, UA) Resolve common and advanced DCOM problems Securely passing Process Data through firewalls Increase system interoperability Automating Process Control systems Data exchange and amalgamation SCADA Security Click here for more information or to register
Featured Training
Plant Performance Supervision & PID Tuning Software ExperTune is offering free web-based training to improve plant performance. ”The 6 Myths of Process Performance” identifies the “right things” to focus on for improved process performance. The myths represent outdated methods of plant performance improvement. Each myth is debunked in a short 5-minute video. Suddenly plant personnel can see exactly where to focus their efforts. The old methods, or "myths", of performance improvement are no longer relevant. ExperTune’s free on-line training videos expose the “right things”, and explode these common myths. The 6 Myths of Plant Performance are: 1. Tuning is Everything 2. Averages Are More Important Than Dynamics 3. There Isn’t Time to Look at Everything 4. Each Unit Operation is an Island 5. Analog Instruments Can’t Deliver Diagnostics 6. You Can’t Show the Value in Dollars and Cents Click here for more information on “The 6 Myths of Process Performance”
Featured Products
ifm efector’s RFID System provides reliable tracking and control throughout the manufacturing process. More Information on RFID System Contact ifm efector for Product Literature or Application Assistance
E-direct is the On-line Instrument Shop for process control instrumentation from Endress+Hauser. More Information on E-direct On-line Instrument Shop Contact Endress+Hauser for Product CD or Application Assistance
Get the right components, at the right price, right when you need them. Order your FREE Allen-Bradley® Essential Components catalog today! More Information on Allen-Bradley® Essential Components catalog
Product & Supplier Search Other Featured Products for August Find Products by Category Find Manufacturers & Suppliers
New Jobs
Here's a list of new jobs posted on Automation.com: Instrument Technician IV: Seattle, WA - Amgen 8/04/2006 Automation Analyst: Bakersfield, CA - Central Automation Inc. 8/03/2006 Safety Controls Engineer: Anaheim, CA - STI Machine Services 8/03/2006 Electromechanical Designer / Team Leader: Fort Wayne, IN - automationtechies 8/07/2006 Business Development, MES-Pharmaceutical: Philadelphia, PA - automationtechies 8/07/2006 Sales Engineer, Motion Control Products: Twin Cities, MN - automationtechies 8/07/2006 MES Consultant - OSISoft: Northeast, USA - automationtechies 8/07/2006 Process Engineer - Circuit Boards: Northfield, MN - automationtechies 8/03/2006 Sales Engineer - Controls Systems Integration: Minneapolis Area, MN - automationtechies 8/01/2006 Project Manager: North of Twin Cities, MN - automationtechies 7/27/2006 Sr. Controls Engineer: Exton, PA - automationtechies 7/25/2006 Automation Manager: Southern, MN - automationtechies 7/25/2006 Application Engineer: Multiple Locations, USA - automationtechies 7/25/2006 To view other recent job postings, please use our Job Search Function.
New Auctions & Classifieds
eBay hosts over 8000 auctions for industrial automation, control and instrumentation products. From PLCs to sensors, from motor controls to robotics...Use the links below to browse the latest new, used and surplus automation products by category: Control Systems & PLCs Drives & Motion Control Fieldbus, DeviceNet, Ethernet Instrumentation Operator Interface Panels Power Supply, Circuit Breakers Relays, Timers, Counters Robotics Sensors Switches Temperature Controllers Valves & Flow Controls Wiring, Connections & Cables Other
Dilbert Pick of the Week
How engineers have to communicate with others.
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