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November 8, 2006 |
Vision Builder for Automated Inspection
For more information visit
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From One Techie to Another:
Maybe you can't automate everything...the voting process
Featured Article:
Wireless Communication Saves the Day...And the Bottom Line
Featured Catalog
Education Services Course Catalog
Featured Webinar
Specifying and Selecting Pressure Sensors and Transducers
Featured Products:
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From One Techie to Another |
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Maybe you can't automate everything...the voting process Maybe not yet anyway. I usually try to avoid the subject of politics in this e-newsletter, because it wouldn't be too difficult to alienate subscribers with differing opinions. You better believe I have my opinions, but they are better voiced among family and friends. Like a responsible citizen, I voted yesterday for who I believe to be the "best option" available. I hope you did the same. By the time you read this, the results will be in. Or, will they? According to a CNN article posted Tuesday afternoon, Polling places turned to paper ballots after glitches. Over half of all voters filled in a paper ballot that was then optically scanned to tally the votes. But, more than one-third of all voters were casting votes on touch-screen machines, many of which are new since the 2004 election. A large number of precincts were reporting problems with these electronic voting machines. Voting equipment companies said they hadn't seen anything beyond the norm and blamed the problems largely on human error. There are some definite issues with electronic voting as well as the optical scanners used to count paper ballots. Many voting machines have been criticized as being susceptible to hackers. Not to mention, the lack of a paper trail, so a later audit is impossible. I'm pretty sure these voting machines are not being continuously backed up in case of a catastrophic failure. As for the old "reliable" optical scanners, it has been proven that the memory cards holding the vote counts can be manipulated to steal votes. With so much at stake in this election, you would have thought that our government would have made sure that electronic voting equipment was bullet-proof, especially since one-third of all voters were using them. But, there is another side to this issue. Think about all the Americans (mostly older, but not all) who don't use computers every day (yes, they're out there), but were asked to vote using a touch-screen. Imagine the confusion. It wouldn't take too many non-computer savvy people to hold up the poll lines. Any type of automation requires training of both implementers and users. In the industrial world, most implementers and users have had some kind of formal training, but in the voting world, you are dealing with everyone over 18. I'm all for automation...it's in my veins. But, maybe it's just too early to automate a process that every Tom, Dick and Harriet have to participate in. Theoretically (hopefully), in 10 or 20 years, a much larger percentage of the voting population will be computer-friendly. And, maybe if we give it a few more years someone can actually design an electronic voting machine (or system) that is secure, reliable and bullet-proof. What a concept! In my precinct, and everywhere else in Minnesota, paper ballots where still being used. It was clear, it was easy, and it's done. No lines. No confusion. Maybe Minnesota election officials made the right choice. I can't wait to hear the "electronic fall-out" from this election. Or, maybe the issue will be hushed by some government-fabricated crisis. Conspiracy theory? Maybe. ;-) Enjoy the rest of this eNews! Rick Zabel |
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Wireless Communication Saves the Day...And the Bottom Line
ThyssenKrupp's Waupaca Foundry prides itself on using state-of-the-art technology in its production processes. When plant 4 began looking at ways to improve efficiencies, three key factors drove the decision to implement a wireless communications solution: record keeping, accuracy, and cost reduction. The Waupaca Foundry in Marionette, Wisconsin reaped a $600,000 ROI when they decided to go wireless. With this huge success, ThyssenKrupp plans to use wireless instead of fiber between their power generator building and their main plant.
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.
- National Instruments releases real-time controller 11/7/06
- ProSoft announces wireless Ethernet/IP Module to ControlLogix 11/7/06
- Phoenix Contact releases housings for building automation 11/7/06
- SimSci-Esscor and DNV deliver flare modeling analysis software 11/7/06
- Datastick announces PDA-based Vibration Spectrum Analyzers 11/7/06
- RTP Announces triplicated SIL Safety System 11/6/06
- WAGO re-releases Junction Box Connector for Ex e Applications 11/6/06
- Advantech launches direct-soldered CPU CompactPCI Cards 11/6/06
- ASI announces 3 and 5 amp Power Supplies 11/6/06
- Connect One announces IP communication controller chip 11/6/06
- Rockwell Automation adds EtherNet/IP options for ControlLogix 11/3/06
- GarrettCom releases serial to Ethernet device routers 11/3/06
- Baldor adds Debug tools to machine and motion control software 11/2/06
- Pittman releases brush-commutated DC motors 11/2/06
- Sealevel Systems introduces 8-port USB to serial adapters 11/2/06
- Agilent Technologies introduces LXI Class C compliant oscilloscopes 11/2/06
- Oxford Sensor Technology announces PC-based cell controller 11/1/06
- IntelliCom announces Ethernet/Web Gateway with I/O 11/1/06
- Ethernet Direct releases Ethernet Switch with self-recovery 11/1/06
- PIAB introduces plastic bag handling solution 11/1/06
- Unison enhances Tube bending software 11/1/06
- Command Tooling Systems releases more shrink-fit tool changers & toolholders 11/1/06
- Acrosser Technology announces Gaming Machine Control Card 11/1/06
Literature, Training & Seminars:
- Honeywell Announces Specifying and Selecting Pressure Sensors and Transducers Webinar 11/7/06
- Cooper Bussmann announces electrical safety and compliance training material 11/7/06
- Ian Nimmo to instruct at PAS' Alarm Management Workshop 11/7/06
- White Paper from MasterControl provides guidance on FDA's new Pharmaceutical CGMP Regulations 11/6/06
- United Electric releases data logger catalog 11/2/06
- Emerson releases 2007 educational courses catalog 11/2/06
- Pepperl+Fuchs publishes Green Planet automation Newsletter 11/1/06
- Siemens forms new group to offer manufacturing software 11/7/06
- LXI Consortium releases revision 1.1 of the LXI Standard 11/7/06
- ABB and ALC jointly pursue Facility Automation 11/6/06
- Honeywell expands operations into East Africa 11/6/06
- TURCK USA appoints Dean McCaskill president 11/2/06
- Emerson migrates Provox to DeltaV at Silicon wafer plant 11/7/06
- OutBound Shipping installs customized shipping solution for Tolomatic 11/7/06
- Matrikon-controlled plant wins Australian innovation Award 11/3/06
- Ciba Specialty Chemicals chooses GE Fanuc’s Batch Execution Software 11/3/06
- ABB control system starts up at Alunorte Alumina refinery expansion in Brazil 11/1/06
- KONE uses Power Efficiency Corp technology in escalators 11/1/06
Education Services Course Catalog
Emerson Process Management just released expanded educational course offerings for 2007. The new course catalog from Emerson's Educational Services, available on CD, describes some 300 training courses designed to facilitate the engineering, operation, maintenance, and optimization of industrial process automation systems and devices. Engineers and technicians who take these courses are better able to optimize the performance of their processes, and enhance productivity in their plants. Training is available across North America at factory locations, regional training centers, locally in hotels or at customer sites, as packaged programs or e-courses. Additional offerings include 18 new product courses and 3 new e-learning programs on safety instrumented systems and control system training for operators.
Specifying and Selecting Pressure Sensors and Transducers
Honeywell Design and Application Engineers will review major specifications, industry definitions, performance and environmental parameters, materials, and electrical characteristics of pressure sensor products plus provide an overview of classical industries and applications.
- Technical considerations in selecting pressure sensors and transducers
- Understanding industry definitions
- Technologies employed in the manufacture of pressure transducers
- Honeywell's Advanced Thick Film (ATF) Technology overview
- Honeywell's MLH Pressure Transducer construction and operation
SIWAREX MS Micro Scale: The versatile weighing module for weighing and force measurement from Siemens.More Information on SIWAREX MS Micro Scale
Contact Siemens for Product CD or Application Assistance
Opto 22 talks Modbus RTU, ASCII, and TCP natively in SNAP I/O or through FREE ioProject Integration Kits.More Information on ioProject Integration Kits
Contact Opto 22 for Product Brochure or Application Assistance
Advantech Launches Two Compact Desktop/Wallmount Industrial-Grade Chassis with Front-Accessible I/O Interfaces and Expansion SlotsMore Information on Compact Desktop/Wallmount Chassis
Contact Advantech for Product Guide or Application Assistance
Vendor neutral software, with unmatched performance and features, to easily create OPC-based process calculations. Free evaluation available.More Information on OPCcalc - Calculation Engine for OPC
Product & Supplier Search
Here's a list of new jobs posted on Automation.com:
- Controls Engineer: Reagan Equipment Co. - Harvey, LA 11/07/2006
- Post Sales Service Drive Specialist: TM GE Automation Systems LLC - Salem, VA 11/07/2006
- Safety Systems Sales Manager: RTP Corp - Houston, TX 11/02/2006
- Safety Systems Sales Manager: RTP Corp - Fort Lauderdale, FL 11/02/2006
- Manufacturing Engineer Automation: Cepheid - Sunnyvale, CA 11/02/2006
- Application Engineer: WEG Electric Motors Corp. - Suwanee, GA 11/01/2006
To view other recent job postings, please use our Job Search Function.
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
For editorial and advertising inquiries, please contact Rick Zabel or see our Media Kit.
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