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Test Drive the New SIXNET CD
- New Mini-IPm Plus with AGA and DNP3
- New Slim Line Industrial Ethernet Switches
- New RK Series (Rack mount) Ethernet Switches
- New Ethernet Connectivity Catalog
- Oil and Gas Solutions brochure
- Updated software tools, firmware and more...
From One Techie to Another:
Visibility improves efficiency
Featured White Paper:
Does your Automation System have Integrity?
Product Announcements:
Data acquisition card, Profibus fiber-optic converters, Profibus PA cable, Active Ethernet I/O, Smart HART transmitters, Wireless fuse/circuit breaker monitor, and more
Literature, Events & Training:
Integrated architecture web site, Measurement and Control Handbook, Siemens Automation Summit, and more
Company News:
Schneider Electric acquires APC, Fluke acquires DH Instruments, ABB sees income growth, and more
| Sponsor: Moxa | |
From One Techie to Another | |||||||
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Visibility improves efficiency Last week’s ARC Forum in Orlando, Florida, hosted top executives from automation suppliers and end users all over the world. The theme of the forum focused on collaborative manufacturing strategies that drive performance in the flat world. In today’s global business environment, competition is fierce. To compete, companies need to find ways to improve efficiencies wherever and however they can. To improve efficiencies, companies need visibility of everything in the plant...not only from field devices to ERP systems, but from one process to another. Suppliers are answering the call with more integrated solutions than ever before. And, I'm sure, there are many more to come. A face to face meeting with Raj Batra, the new VP of Siemens Automation & Motion Division, revealed his passion for discrete and process manufacturing. Siemens' innovative combination of a uniform software environment, network technology, tools, diagnostics, simulation and planning bring manufacturers one step closer to a completely digital factory. A number of suppliers represented at the forum offer asset management solutions. These products give companies visibility of their assets, so they know which machines or process equipment are available for production, as well as which need maintenance. You can check out the most recent announcements for asset management products in our Product Showcase by searching on the product category "Software - Asset & Maintenance Management." During a panel discussion, many suppliers indicated they have added or continue to add more intelligence and diagnostic capabilities to instruments and sensors. By including brains and diagnostics at the device level, operators can quickly determine which device has faulted, decreasing downtime and improving efficiencies. Device diagnostics aid in start-up and commissioning as well as long-term maintenance. Change management or configuration management has always been a challenge for users. With dozens or even hundreds of systems to maintain, how do you keep track of small changes that occur in control systems? Many vendors offer a management solution for their own system, but PAS offers a solution that encompasses multiple vendors and systems. You can read more about the PAS Integrity system in our featured white paper, Does your Automation Systems have Integrity? Invensys has partnered with SAP to co-develop pre-integrated PCAs (Packaged Composite Applications) that provide a single solution environment extending from the plant or factory floor up through the enterprise. It includes two applications:
These two applications allow managers and operators to actually see the financial relationship of the process and act accordingly. Read the full product announcement. Enjoy the rest of this eNews! Rick Zabel |
2007 Salary Survey
Automation.com is surveying automation, process control and instrumentation professionals about career, salary and company information. Find out how you stack up with other professionals, and how salaries vary by job function or geographic region. Please take a minute to complete our survey and then pass it on to your automation friends and colleagues. Survey results will be published in early spring 2007.
Does your Automation System have Integrity?
An automation system is an essential ingredient of efficient, flexible, and reliable operations. Automation systems are heterogeneous in nature and continue to evolve in complexity. Maintaining the integrity of these systems is more challenging than ever, but is also essential for achieving operational excellence. There are numerous risks involved in not utilizing a configuration change management strategy for automation systems. These risks can easily be mitigated through a comprehensive configuration management strategy.
Read full white paper by ARC Advisory Group
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Advantech announces PCI-1742U data acquisition card - 2/16/07 PCI-1742U PCI bus high-resolution multifunction DAQ card has 16x single-ended or 8x differential analog input channels, 1.0 MS/sec single channel sampling rate (800 KS/s multi-channel), 2x 16-bit D/A output channels, 16x digital input/output channels, and 1x 10 MHz 16-bit counter channel. Prices start at $745. |
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Phoenix Contact introduces PSI-MOS Profibus Fiber-Optic converters - 2/15/07 PSI-MOS Profibus Fiber-Optic converters with conformal-coated printed circuit boards were designed primarily for use in the shipbuilding and marine industries, where saltwater environments can lead to corrosion of the PCBs. |
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Northwire introduces DataCELL cable for Profibus PA networks - 2/14/07 DataCELL FIELD Profibus PA ISA/SP50 Type A cable is available in 18AWG with foil shielding. It is rated for CSA CMX-Outdoor-CMG, FT4 and ITC (instrument tray cable)/PLTC (power limited tray cable) exposed-run (ER) applications. An arctic-rated marine shipboard version suitable for use down to –55°C is also available. |
| MOXA’s ioLogik E2000 Active Ethernet I/O works with NI LabVIEW - 2/14/07 Active Ethernet I/O extends LabVIEW's remote monitoring capability. LabVIEW's built-in Modbus library can easily be used to connect to an Active Ethernet I/O server. LabVIEW also has a passive TCP software component that can instantly receive TCP/UDP messages from Active Ethernet I/O servers. |
Other Product Announcements
- Moore Industries releases accurate THZ2 and TDZ2 Smart HART Transmitters 2/19/07
- Cooper Bussmann introduces InVision wireless fuse and circuit breaker monitor 2/19/07
- ASI introduces PCB Terminal Blocks for Automation and Control Equipment 2/19/07
- MTS develops AMS device driver for M-Series analog sensor 2/19/07
- Command Tooling announces presetting solution for precision machining 2/19/07
- Interroll introduces 3800 Series powered roller 2/19/07
- ABB announces compact PSR soft motor starters 2/19/07
- HEIDENHAIN enhances iTNC 530 numeric control software 2/19/07
- Omron releases ER Series rope pull emergency stop switches 2/16/07
- BEI introduces SA100 digital counter and display for encoders 2/16/07
- AXIOMTEK introduces NA-820 Intel Core2 Duo Network Platform 2/16/07
- Kiyon releases KAN154B wireless BACnet MSTP mesh router 2/16/07
- Ethernet Direct announces Industrial Ethernet Switches compatible with IntraVUE 2/15/07
- Emerson’s 375 field communicator expands support to 1000 devices 2/15/07
- Danaher Motion enhances NDC8 Control Platform for AGVs 2/15/07
- MTL introduces 9311-FB Fieldbus Barrier 2/14/07
- ILS Technology launches deviceWISE 2.0 connectivity platform 2/14/07
- ILS Technology to supply deviceWISE 2.0 for Mitsubishi PLCs 2/14/07
- Cognex introduces entry-level DVT 535C color vision sensor 2/14/07
- Theorem launches TPM process manager software 2/14/07
Product & Supplier Search
Featured Resource: Rockwell Automation’s Integrated Architecture Web Site
The site contains videos, quick-start product guides and a library of code that help customers reduce the complexity of selecting, designing and configuring control systems. The site includes tools such as CompactLogix System Quick Start, an easy-to-understand guide designed to help reduce the time and cost associated with engineering, configuration and installation of a midsize control system.
More information
Featured Book: Condensed Handbook of Measurement and Control, 3rd Edition
Selecting and implementing measurement and control devices for process automation applications is made easier with this best-selling reference. This clear and concise third edition provides quick access to ISA symbology, instrument and control valve selection criteria, and conversion guidelines, with new sections on maintenance, calibration, decision-making skills, and consulting.
More information and buy online
Other:
- Siemens announces 2007 Automation Summit 2/14/07
- Banner releases vision brochure on sensors, lighting & accessories 2/16/07
- UEI publishes application note for linking data logger over cellular networks 2/16/07
- ATi publishes application note on reagent-free residual chlorine measurement 2/16/07
- Lee College offers Foundation Fieldbus Course for power and wire installers 2/15/07
- ISA's Analysis Division Symposia to be held in Houston, Texas 2/15/07
Here are the latest company and application 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.
Company & Organization News:
- Schneider Electric acquires American Power Conversion 2/19/07
- Schneider Electric forced to divest partial MGE UPS operation 2/19/07
- Fluke Acquires DH Instruments 2/19/07
- Analytical Sensors and Instruments promotes Brian Williams to CEO and President 2/19/07
- ISA'S International Instrumentation Symposium to be held in Tulsa 2/19/07
- Cyco Software adds personnel in Germany, Netherlands and UK offices 2/19/07
- ABB 2006 net income rises 89% to $1.4 billion 2/16/07
- MTS Systems redesigns sensors website 2/16/07
- NSK changes name to Nakanishi 2/16/07
- ISA POWID Division Symposium Celebrates 50 Years 2/15/07
- ATS Electronics to distribute products from BASI and Amalgamated 2/15/07
- Deutsche Messe launches TectoYou program to attract young Germans 2/14/07
- Enea extends agreement to supply RTOS to Agere Systems 2/14/07
- Invetech offers Process Engineering Service for labs 2/14/07
- Keithley Instruments announces Winners of Nanotech measurement contest 2/14/07
- Cooper Bussmann Sponsors NASCAR Truck 2/14/07
Application News:
Here's a list of new jobs posted on Automation.com:
- Automation Specialist: Power/mation - Cedar Rapids, IA 2/19/2007
- Services Specialist: Power/mation - St. Paul, MN 2/19/2007
- Controls Engineer II, Production Engineering: Welch Allyn - Skaneateles Falls, NY 2/16/2007
- Tech Specialist: Florida Gas Transmission Company - Matiland, FL 2/16/2007
- Sr. Automation/Controls Engineer: Eisai, Inc. - Research Triangle Park, NC 2/14/2007
- Software Engineer: automationtechies.com - Tampa, FL 2/15/2007
- Control Systems/Project Engineer: automationtechies - San Francisco, CA 2/07/2007
- Validation Engineer: automationtechies - San Francisco, CA 2/07/2007
- Outside Sales Engineer: automationtechies - IA, USA 2/07/2007
To view other recent job postings, please use our Job Search Function.
I hope you enjoyed this automation 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, Publisher
Automation.com
For editorial and advertising inquiries, please contact Rick Zabel or see our Media Kit.
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