Automation.com e-News - August 30, 2006

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August 30, 2006 - Volume VII, Issue 34
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In this Issue	Sponsored by Phoenix Contact
From One Techie to Another: Survey Says...Safety is hot topic, among others Featured Article: Maintaining Healthy IT Assets using OPC Technology Product & Company News Featured Training RFID Training CD Application Tool Flow Handbook - Hands-on Guide to Industrial Flow Metering Featured Products: MFT Hart Communicator IMPACT™ A-10 Intelligent Camera Data Station Plus Connectivity Products Catalog New Job Opportunities New Auctions & Classifieds Dilbert Pick of the Week	VARIOSUB Durable on the Outside, Reliable on the Inside Phoenix Contact’s versatile line of VARIOSUB data plug connectors are rugged and durable. They protect your critical data – even in the toughest environments. The plug-and-receptacle connection system prevents water, oils, chemicals, vibration, and severe temperatures from disrupting your flow of information. For more information, go to www.phoenixcon.com/variosub/.
From One Techie to Another
Survey Says...Safety is hot topic, among others A couple of months ago we hosted a survey on emerging technologies in automation. The four technologies highlighted in the survey included: Industrial Ethernet Wireless Communications Machine Safety RFID As you might guess, all of these technologies ranked relatively high. Since not all users can realistically implement or even have a need for RFID technology, it ranked the lowest, but still had significant interest. Industrial Ethernet ranked the highest with Wireless Communications in second. A close third was Machine Safety. So with these results, why do I say that Safety is such a hot topic? Of the four technologies, Safety is (arguably, depending on who you are) the most complicated. And there's a significant fear factor involved. If a safety system is not implemented correctly, dollars and lives are at stake. In many cases, the implementation of a safety system requires some real expertise. From risk assessments to regulations, from standards to the latest safety technologies, there is a lot involved with safety. For this reason, we are hosting a second follow-up survey, specifically on safety. If you haven't already submitted this short Safety Survey, please take a minute to do so at the following link: http://www.automation.com/sitepages/pid2546.php. We're giving away another iPod with this survey, so don't miss your chance to win. With the first survey, the iPod went to our lucky friend, Dean Reams of ConocoPhillips in Texas. Congratulations, Dean! Thanks to everyone for your participation. To all our U.S. subscribers, have a great and safe Labor Day weekend! For many, it's the last hurrah before school starts, so make it a good one! Enjoy the rest of this eNews! Rick Zabel Vice President, Editor-in-chief
Featured Article	Sponsored by ELPRO Technologies
Maintaining Healthy IT Assets using OPC Technology Over the past several years, there have been two significant trends in the industrial marketplace. First, control system vendors are using more Ethernet based communication networks and Microsoft operating systems. Second, many companies have an increased focus towards predictive or condition based maintenance. OPC plays an important role in both trends. Read full article More articles and white papers More application stories	240U-E Wireless Ethernet Modem The ELPRO 240U-E is a powerful wireless Ethernet solution. The unit is designed and built for demanding applications.The ELPRO 240U-E provides reliable and secure high-speed wireless Ethernet connectivity across a broad range of applications. Each module can act as a: Access Point Client / Station Bridge Router Repeater Click here for more information.
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: National Instruments introduces four new USB DAQ Devices starting under $500 8/29/06 SyTech updates process data report generator 8/29/06 RPT introduces laser cutting and scanning system robot 8/29/06 National Instruments and Agilent Technologies develop instrument drivers 8/29/06 Anver's Vacuum lifter handles cylindrical nonferrous materials 8/29/06 Ball screws from SKF® feature internal ball bearing return 8/29/06 Fabcon's new automated finishing machine meets tighter tolerances for precast wall panels 8/29/06 National Instruments RF Analyzer introduces data streaming 8/29/06 National Instruments supports Tektronix TDS1000B and TDS2000B digital storage oscilloscopes 8/29/06 New Safety Relays from Rockwell Automation 8/28/06 Rexroth IndraMotion introduces drive platform for up to eight axes 8/28/06 ASI announces Parallel Versions of DIN Power Supplies 8/28/06 B&R Illuminated Ring Keys give optical advantage 8/28/06 Beijer Electronics presents six new operator terminals 8/28/06 Rockwell Automation increases PLC Throughput by moving logic to I/O Modules 8/25/06 Schneider Electric upgrades power manangement software for GSA to save energy 8/25/06 New Flow Research study finds shift to non-contact temperature sensors 8/25/06 ABS approval extended to the WAGO I/O System 8/24/06 ifm efector temperature sensor eliminates regular calibration checks 8/24/06 Advantech launches RS-422/485 Repeater and RS232 Converter 8/24/06 RKC Instrument releases slim power controllers with rapid response 8/24/06 Yokogawa temperature transmitters certified SIL 2 compliant by TÜV NORD 8/24/06 Weidmuller updates Terminal Block Design Software 8/24/06 Prosilica releases Vision Software for Linux and QNX 8/24/06 New motion control software from Danaher Motion 8/24/06 Meriam Process Technologies releases HART Data Management Software 8/24/06 Korenix Technology announces Redundant Ethernet Device Server 8/24/06 Zero-Max introduces CD ROM with coupling sizing and selection software 8/24/06 Universal Flow Monitors introduces online flowmeter selection chart 8/24/06 Fieldbus Foundation Releases Updated HSE Test Kit 8/24/06 MTL’s New HART DTM software available free of charge 8/23/06 SICK Color and OCR Sensors do the work of machine vision systems 8/23/06 Westermo Data Communications releases RS232/485 industrial modems 8/23/06 Lumberg announces DeviceNet cables 8/23/06 Spartan Scientific's media separated solenoid valve creates contamination barrier 8/23/06 New three-phase monitoring relays from Carlo Gavazzi 8/23/06 Company & Organization News: Elsevier to Publish ISA Transactions 8/29/06 VDC survey rates Intermec highest in its class for expertise, service and support 8/29/06 Precise Automation and Pacific Technical Products Sign Distribution Agreement 8/29/06 Emerson introduces online DeltaV operator training 8/28/06 RF Monolithics to acquire Cirronet and Caver-Morehead 8/28/06 Use case list grows as ISA's Wireless Systems for Automation Standards Committee continues work 8/28/06 Ethernet Direct will exhibit at Automation 2006 Show in India 8/28/06 ExperTune Appoints Kevin Gibbs CEO 8/28/06 IPA SBRB study says Manufacturers Optimistic About Business Prospects 8/25/06 Schneider Electric launches expanded automation repair services 8/24/06 Flowserve Pump Expert Earns Design Award 8/24/06 Japanese Machine Tool Show to be held November 1 in Tokyo 8/24/06 Schneider Electric announces Initi@tive 2006 seminar topics 8/23/06 ABB wins five-year maintenance contract from Cooper Tire 8/23/06 YAPFEST comes to ISA EXPO 2006 8/23/06 LXI Consortium’s sixth PlugFest tests Class A and B Devices 8/23/06 Schneider Electric promotes Jason Klann to Senior Vice President 8/23/06 Application News: Power Efficiency Corp achieves 23% energy savings on stamping press 8/25/06 New White Paper: Five Ways to Ensure 21 CFR Part 11 Compliance 8/24/06 FKI Logistex wins RFID contract for Hamburg, Germany Library 8/23/06
Featured Training
RFID Training CD Abhisam has come out with a comprehensive RFID course that aims to cover the entire gamut of the technology, right from Basic concepts to Security and Privacy issues related to RFID. The course covers six areas: Basic Concepts RFID Physics Practical RFID systems Middleware and standards RFID applications Security & Privacy issues The entire course is designed in an easy to understand manner with text, graphics and animations and without any complicated stuff. At the end, the learner can take a self assessment test (with scoring). A glossary is also included. Click here for more information
Featured Application Tool
Flow Handbook - Hands-on Guide to Industrial Flow Metering The Flow Handbook, a hands-on guide to industrial flow metering, is available from Endress+Hauser free-of-charge. This 456-page, hardbound handbook gives readers a more in-depth understanding of the way modern flowmeters actually work. This new handbook is valued at $110 and includes an Endress+Hauser bookmark. The comprehensive, application-oriented handbook presents all the techniques used in the field. All relevant principles of flow metering, irrespective of whether or not Endress+Hauser manufactures meters based on a given principle, are covered in the new handbook. Click here to request your free Handbook
Featured Products
AD Products now offers the MFT Hart Communicator! See more about this multifunctional calibration equipment on our site! More Information on MFT Hart Communicator Contact AD Products for Product Literature or Application Assistance
New IMPACT™ A-10 Intelligent Camera from PPT VISION. Read our new paper. Make Advanced Vision Software Work for You. More Information on IMPACT™ A-10 Intelligent Camera
New from Red Lion - Data Station Plus with built-in protocol converter, data logger and Web interface. More Information on Red Lion's Data Station Plus Contact Red Lion for Product Info or Application Assistance
NEW TURCK Connectivity Products Catalog B2005. Molded cordsets, receptacles, splitters, junction boxes, tech specs and more. Request one today! More Information on TURCK's Connectivity Products Catalog Contact TURCK 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: Field Service Engineer: Georgia, AL - Richard Templeton DBA The NetConnection 8/25/2006 Control Systems Engineer: Dallas, TX - Presswerx Technologies, Inc. 8/25/2006 Mechanical Project Engineer: Racine, WI - Racine Federated, Inc 8/24/2006 Automation Specialist: Dallas, TX - GE Supply 8/22/2006 Maintenance Tech: Delano, MN - Landscape Structures Inc 8/23/2006 Controls Engineer/Senior Programmer: Southern California or Southeastern, USA - Prousys, Inc. 8/23/2006 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
Who says size (cubicle) doesn’t matter
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