Automation.com e-News - August 23, 2006

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August 23, 2006 - Volume VII, Issue 33
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In this Issue	Sponsored by WAGO
From One Techie to Another: Hit the Road, Suppliers! Featured Article: Climate Control Keeps them Hopping Product & Company News Featured Event Industrial Ethernet Symposium Featured Webcast Wireless Mesh Sensor Networks Featured Products: Ethernet/IP Bus Coupler Gas and Liquid Flow Computers Sensor/Solenoid Cables New Job Opportunities New Auctions & Classifieds Dilbert Pick of the Week	Too busy to visit trade shows but still need to keep up on the latest automation technology? Schedule a visit from the WAGO - Innovation in Automation Tour. The tour will feature product applications, hands-on displays, free literature/samples/software tools, and much more (all at your door step). Click here for more detail, the schedule, and registration page.
From One Techie to Another
Hit the Road, Suppliers! …and keep coming back again, again, again, again. That’s my own little version of “Hit the Road, Jack” by Ray Charles. Over the past few years we have witnessed and discussed the decline of many of the national and regional trade shows and society events. These events, at one time, were one of the only mechanisms industry professionals had to stay connected with the industry. Now with the Internet, professionals can find just about any information they need online. But, in many cases, there is still no real alternative for the in-person contact, ability to actually touch products, or networking with industry experts. As a result, many automation suppliers are hitting the road to visit their users and prospects. These “visits” are taking different forms depending on the supplier’s product offerings and agendas. None the less, there is a definite trend of visiting the users where they are most comfortable…in their own backyards, sometimes quite literally. Earlier this month, WAGO Corporation began their Innovation in Automation Tour. WAGO recently purchased a 25 foot truck and outfitted it with displays showing their entire product offering. In the next year, the Tour will be visiting 36 states/regions across North America with stops at over 450 different customer locations. According to Dean Norton, Marketing Manager at WAGO, “The tour is turning out to be more successful than anticipated. At some locations, customers are actually waiting for them to arrive. It’s very exciting to see users walk through the truck and then run back inside their building to bring out other colleagues.” Wonderware also recently announced their WonderWorld 2006 Global Conference Series. These conferences will be hosted in 19 locations across the U.S., Latin America, Europe and Asia. Although not held at customer sites, the conferences are located in various locations to help minimize travel costs for participants. WonderWorld 2006 offers new product updates, structured networking opportunities and detailed explanations of advanced concepts relating to operational excellence. Participants will be able to attend a variety of breakout sessions that will focus on manufacturing business operations, manufacturing information technology and plant engineering. A number of other suppliers have similar “customer visit” programs in place and I expect we will see more pop up in the future. These programs are win-win scenarios for both suppliers and users. Users can involve more of their engineers, designers and operations people because they don’t have to front huge travel costs or commit too much time. Suppliers realize an increase in attendance, and users (because they don’t have much travel time) are able to take more time evaluating products or becoming more educated on the supplier’s technologies and application implementations. Enjoy the rest of this eNews! Rick Zabel Vice President, Editor-in-chief
Featured Article	Sponsored by Citect
Climate Control Keeps them Hopping Minnesota native Gordon “Gordy” Vadis has a passion for bugs. His interest dates from his youth when his father taught him the family minnow business. Knowing how to trap, maintain and sell a wide variety of live goods became as natural to Gordy as video games are to kids today. By combining his passion for success with a retailer's eye, Gordy conceived the next great innovation for insect eating pets: pre-packaged live crickets. With this idea, Bugco was born. Read full article More articles and white papers More application stories
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: MKS introduces Distributed Control Platform 8/22/06 Schneider Electric introduces new relays and counters 8/22/06 Compact Electronic Pressure Regulator now available with Zero-Based Ranges and ATEX Intrinsically Safe Compliant 8/22/06 B&R's new bus controller based on Ethernet Powerlink 8/22/06 ASI introduces Modular Fuse Holders for Class CC and Midget Fuses 8/22/06 Keithley offers training course on remote control of instruments in a LabVIEW® environment 8/22/06 Falcon Electric solves voltage regulation problems 8/22/06 Ingersoll announces fastening controller for screwdrivers and spindles 8/22/06 Acrosser introduces half-size Celeron-M 600MHz fan-less embedded board 8/22/06 Rockwell Automation announces new line of industrial computers 8/21/06 KUKA Robotics introduces new family of high speed robots 8/21/06 Hardy Instruments introduces Weight Controllers with Ethernet/IP and DeviceNet 8/21/06 Modular Programmable Lift Platform from Bosch Rexroth for auto manufacturing 8/21/06 Portescap’s new Stepper Motor provides up to 40% more torque 8/21/06 JAI PULNiX announces Gigabit Ethernet Camera 8/21/06 Infor delivers Enterprise Asset Management Solution for small to midsize Enterprises 8/21/06 Advantech's Intel Celeron M touch panel computer has 15” LCD 8/18/06 Guide to Sensor Technology for Material Handling available from Pepperl+Fuchs 8/18/06 Dickson announces wireless data logger for industrial processes 8/18/06 ifm efector introduces new photoelectric sensors with long sensing ranges 8/17/06 Flow Technology introduces clamp-on Ultrasonic Liquid Flow Meter 8/17/06 Magnetically actuated safety interlock switches from STI still work with misaligned guard door 8/17/06 Telemecanique AC drive designed for HVAC pumps and fans 8/17/06 Yokogawa updates Device Maintenance and Management Software 8/17/06 ITT’s new connector features simplified internal wiring for servomotors 8/17/06 Futek calibration system tests load cells, torque, force, and pressure sensors 8/17/06 New Weidmuller Ring-lug terminal blocks fit current transformer applications 8/17/06 DSI and Lawson Software form marketing arrangement on RFID and bar code data capture 8/17/06 Igus continuous-flex cables work with Allen Bradley motors 8/16/06 PROFINET Developer Workshop in Chicago October 5 8/16/06 Magnetic Energy Chain System from Igus eliminates abrasion 8/16/06 High-temperature polymer enables cable carriers from Igus to beat the heat 8/16/06 Dispensing system from Sealant Equipment delivers precise beads 8/16/06 MGE releases Power Management Software for legacy Mac and Intel PCs 8/16/06 Company & Organization News: Ethernet Direct supports worldwide Industrial Ethernet survey 8/22/06 PROSTEP brings its supply chain integration to North America 8/22/06 ATS announces reorganization of North American Operations 8/22/06 ODVA to publish first edition of CompoNet™ Specification 8/21/06 ISA's first annual Marketing & Sales Summit speaks to Senior Marketing 8/21/06 GE Fanuc Automation and Umetrics host Process Analytical Technologies seminar 8/18/06 Nexus of Instrumentation Women gathering at Lee College Sept 14 8/18/06 Automation Federation plans for the future 8/17/06 Third Annual Industrial Ethernet Symposium set for October 3-4 in Chicago 8/16/06 ABB acquires Raffin Electric Company Ltd 8/16/06 WAGO holds free seminar on Ethernet Controls and IEC 61131-3 PLC Programming Sept 18-20 8/16/06 Application News: Emerson to automate Scandinavia’s largest oil-fired power plant 8/22/06 Invensys awarded multimillion dollar automation contract for grassroots Laffan Refinery project in Qatar 8/18/06 Kyland to install Industrial Ethernet in Chinese steel mill 8/17/06 Emerson to automate Wisconsin Energy's new 1,230-MW coal-fired power plant 8/16/06
Featured Event
Industrial Ethernet Symposium Scheduled for Oct. 3-4, 2006, the symposium will be held at the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel in downtown Chicago. The event will be moderated by David Humphrey, Senior Analyst, ARC Advisory Group, and is expected to attract more than 300 participants from 20 countries. Additionally, Collins Hemingway, former marketing director of Microsoft and best-selling author will provide the keynote address at the event. The symposium will include two days of workshops covering best practice examples of Ethernet in automation. While the symposium is organized by Siemens, participation and presentation opportunities will be open to representatives from all industrial Ethernet organizations, including competition. Panelists from five industrial Ethernet consortia including ODVA, Modbus-IDA, EtherCAT, Ethernet PowerLink and Profibus Trade Organization (PTO International) will present their views on the value of using Ethernet at all levels of the automation pyramid and answer questions from the moderator and the audience. Click here for more information
Featured Webcast
Wireless Mesh Sensor Networks Honeywell continues its "Sensing and Control" educational series on Wednesday, August 30 at 2:00 p.m. Because hard-wired, traditional control or sensing applications can be difficult and expensive, Wireless Mesh Sensor Networks can deliver significant cost savings and improved operational efficiencies. Networking wireless sensors and integrating sensor data increases the ROI of sensor applications and enables new applications that were not previously economical. This course will explain how to easily develop cost effective sensor solutions using reliable wireless sensor components integrated directly into enterprise information and management systems. Honeywell Sensing and Control engineers will provide technical details on incorporating sensors into a wireless mesh network including: Powering options Radio technologies and standards Wireless modes of operation Wireless mesh sensor networks applications The future of this technology and what can it bring Click here to register
Featured Products
Beckhoff's Ethernet/IP bus coupler is compatible with 200+ terminals. More Information on Ethernet/IP Bus Coupler Contact Beckhoff for Product Catalog or Application Assistance
In-rack gas and liquid flow computers support 8-16 meter runs and calculate flow rates, accumulated volumes and accumulated mass. More Information on In-rack Gas and Liquid Flow Computers Contact ProSoft Technology for Product Information or Application Assistance
ASI now offers a complete line of M8 and M12 sensor/solenoid cables and connectors in addition to M12 distribution boxes. More Information on ASI's Sensor/Solenoid Cables Contact ASI for Product CD or Application Assistance
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: Senior Process Engineer/Automation: Alameda, CA - Abbott Diabetes Care 8/22/2006 Controls Engineer IV: Alameda, CA - Abbott Diabetes Care 8/22/2006 Process Engineer II: Alameda, CA - Abbott Diabetes Care 8/22/2006 Senior Process Engineer: Alameda, CA - Abbott Diabetes Care 8/22/2006 Director - Engineering Services: Pompano Beach, FL - RTP Corp 8/16/2006 Business Development Manager: Raleigh-Durham, NC - RTP Corp 8/16/2006 Business Development Manager: Los Angeles, CA - RTP Corp 8/16/2006 Control Systems Engineer: CA & AZ, USA - National Engineering Resources, Inc. 8/16/2006 Controls Engineer: Cincinnati, OH - FORTE 8/15/2006 Sr. Sales Engineer - Automation Products: Detroit, MI - automationtechies 8/22/2006 Electrical/Automation Technician: Western Suburb, MN - automationtechies 8/22/2006 Sr. Mechanical Engineer: Medina, MN - automationtechies 8/22/2006 Entry Level Engineer: Cedar Rapids, IA - automationtechies 8/22/2006 Sr. Controls Engineer: Seattle, WA - automationtechies 8/22/2006 Senior Engineer: Albany, OR - automationtechies 8/22/2006 Senior Controls Engineer: Cedar Rapids, IA - automationtechies 8/22/2006 Project Manager: North of Twin Cities, MN - automationtechies 8/22/2006 Process Engineer: Northfield, MN - automationtechies 8/22/2006 Applications Engineer: Chicago, IL - automationtechies 8/21/2006 Electrical and Controls Engineer: Modesto, CA - automationtechies 8/21/2006 Controls Engineer: Hutchinson, MN - automationtechies 8/17/2006 Supplier Engineer: Hutchinson, MN - automationtechies 8/17/2006 Automation Specialist: Bakersfield, CA - automationtechies 8/16/2006 Electrical Technician: Phoenix, AZ - automationtechies 8/16/2006 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
Where’s that Bikini Model/Engineer when you need her?
I hope you enjoyed this e-news update. If you have any comments or suggestions regarding the content in this e-newsletter or on Automation.com, please don't hesitate to contact me. Rick Zabel Vice President, Editor-in-chief Automation.com View our Privacy Policy For editorial and advertising inquiries, please contact Rick Zabel or see our Media Kit. For automationtechies recruiting and contract staffing services, please visit www.automationtechies.com.