Dear %%if(%%firstname%% is empty,Colleague,%%firstname%%)%%:
Read the online version or scroll down for this issue of Automation.com's e-News.
Automation.com Weekly e-Newsletter
Search...
  • Products
  • Suppliers
  • Integrators
  • Jobs
  • News
  • Articles
  • Resources
  • Classifieds
  • Sponsored by National Instruments In this Issue

    Mechatronics Basics - Virtual Machine Prototyping Overview and Business Benefits

    Enter Code mbcut6 and View Webcast

    If you have a 3D CAD model and a motor data sheet, you could be simulating the mechanical, electrical and control system performance of your machine in minutes; creating new possibilities for faster, lower cost machine development. Learn how electromechanical simulation can bring your machine to life before you’ve ordered a single part: visualize motion, size motors, evaluate performance, design control logic, optimize throughput, and more.

    Click here and enter code mbcut6 to view on-demand webcast.

     

    From One Techie to Another:
    Reality Check on Immigration

    2007 Salary Survey

    Featured Article:
    Network security for device servers

    Product Announcements:
    Coriolis flowmeters, 2-phase Power Supplies, SNAP motion control subsystem, ADAM-5550KW Programmable Automation Controller, PAC Project software, and much more

    Resources & Literature:
    Industrial Connectivity & Automation Products CD, Bioprocess modeling book, Ethernet switch selector guide, and more

    Events, Seminars & Training:
    Supply Chain Trends and ID Technologies Webinars, ISA EXPO Canada, Hannover Fair, and more

    Company News:
    Halliburton moves HQ to UAE, Emerson to be automation supplier for Qatargas, B&R open Spain office, and much more

    New Job Opportunities

    New Auctions & Classifieds

    Dilbert Pick of the Week

    Sponsor: SENA From One Techie to Another

    Bluetooth Access Point

    More Information

    The Parani-MSP100 is an Industrial Bluetooth Access Point that connects up to 14 Bluetooth devices to 10/100 Base-T Ethernet network. Supporting profiles including serial port, LAN access, PAN and dialup networking. Designed for large-scale wireless installations especially in industrial, medical and retail/POS sectors.

    Click here for more information.

    Live News Feeds
    RSS Feeds of Automation.com News Headlines
    Add News & Product Headlines to GoogleAdd News & Product Headlines to My Yahoo!
    Product Search
    Sponsor: OPC Foundation
    Become an OPC Member!

    Join the OPC Foundation and contribute to the advancement of OPC technology and open data connectivity.

    The OPC Foundation is dedicated to ensuring interoperability in automation by creating and maintaining open specifications that standardize the communication of acquired process data, alarm and event records, historical data, and batch data to multi-vendor enterprise systems and between plant floor devices.

    Learn more about OPC membership.

     

    Reality Check on Immigration

    I usually try to avoid bringing up social and political issues in this e-newsletter, because I don’t want to offend anyone. But this week I watched a 13 minute video presentation by Roy Beck who is the President of NumbersUSA; and I feel compelled to share it with you. In the video, Beck demonstrates the population consequences of current U.S. immigration policies.

    Let me first start by saying that I have nothing against immigration. My ancestors are immigrants (after all, who’s are not?) and I have a lot of good immigrant friends and neighbors. But I do have a problem with the sheer number of immigrants now allowed to enter the U.S. every year.

    In the 40 years prior to 1965, we had an average of 178,000 immigrants enter the country per year. Today, there are well over 1,000,000 immigrants coming to the U.S. every year. Remember this with what you are about to read and hear...don't get angry at the immigrants, get angry with our politicians.

    As a result of these huge immigration numbers, the U.S. has had to double core infrastructures (schools, roads, sewage plants) required to support our current population. Could this be part of the decline of America’s school systems? And what’s going to happen to our already dwindling natural resources? This serious problem is about to become very critical if Congress doesn't’t make changes to our immigration policies. Without change, every community in our country will be facing the same problems facing many communities in California today.

    The video goes on to explain how allowing too much immigration to the U.S. won't help the impoverished countries of the world. If we want to help them, we have to help them where they live. We can’t possibly bring them all here or we will erode the fabric of our country and threaten our standard of living.

    Please take 13 minutes to watch this video.

    Of course, the question that comes to my mind is why isn’t our government responding? That opens up a whole can of worms. Could it be because our government is distracted with the war in Iraq? Do we have a government capable of doing what’s best for the American people?

    Unfortunately, I don’t have answers, just questions. What can you do? To start, how about sending a fax to your Senators? I did…it’s quick, easy, and online.

    In the last election, we all had an opportunity to speak out. Many Americans spoke and now we have a new majority. Next election, I implore you to vote on the issues that really matter to our country’s long-term health and stability. Don’t just vote the party line. Don’t just vote on a single issue…there’s much more at stake here. Don’t assume our politicians have your best interests in mind, because some do not. Take action and vote for our future!

    With this influx of immigrants to the U.S., there is at least one resident with plans to leave. Halliburton Chairman, President and CEO Dave Lesar is moving to their new corporate headquaters in Dubai. It seems a large chunk of their business is in the Eastern Hemisphere where all the oil is. Imagine that! Read the official full story on our site at Halliburton moves their corporate headquarters to United Arab Emirates.

    Enjoy the rest of this eNews!

    Rick Zabel
    Vice President, Publisher

    Salary Survey

    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.

    Take the survey now

    Featured Article

    Network security for device servers
    Device servers deliver the appropriate network connection and physical interface for industrial device applications. Providing this function in a secure fashion is becoming a major concern for industrial IT managers as burgeoning numbers of industrial devices receive a real or proxy Ethernet connections. Security-related features have become one of the main factors in device server selection.

    Read full article

    More articles and white papers
    More application stories

    Product Announcements
    Emerson expands Micro Motion® Coriolis range with Hastelloy F-series for harsh environments Emerson announces F-Series Coriolis flowmeter for corrosive environments - 3/13/07
    Micro Motion F-Series Coriolis flowmeter is available with Hastelloy C-22 construction, making it suitable for use in corrosive applications where the process fluid is incompatible with stainless steel.
    ASI announces CSB and CSW 2-phase Power Supplies ASI announces CSB and CSW 2-phase Power Supplies - 3/13/07
    CSB and CSW series DIN rail mounted power supplies operate using only 2 legs of a 3-phase circuit, thereby saving space, cabling and circuit protection costs. The CSB series has a universal input of 340-550 Vac, whereas the CSW series has a universal input of 185-550 Vac in both single and 2-phase.
    Opto 22 releases SNAP motion control subsystem Opto 22 releases SNAP motion control subsystem - 3/12/07
    SNAP Motion Control Subsystem offers a cohesive development platform for applications that require motion control along with analog, digital, and serial control. The system combines a SNAP Motion host communication module in a SNAP I/O form factor, a SNAP Motion breakout board, and the OptoMotion command library.
    Advantech unveils ADAM-5550KW Programmable Automation Controller (PAC) Advantech unveils ADAM-5550KW Programmable Automation Controller (PAC) - 3/8/07
    ADAM-5550KW Programmable Automation Controller (PAC) is for control tasks that require the features of both PLCs and Industrial PCs. It has an AMD Geode GX533 CPU along with control specific features such as a watchdog timer, battery backup RAM, deterministic I/O, IEC61131-3 programming languages and Windows CE 5.0. Prices start at $995.
    Opto 22 announces PAC Project software Opto 22 announces PAC Project software - 3/7/07
    PAC Project software suite includes all of the control programming, human machine interface (HMI) development, and connectivity tools needed to design, develop, and maintain industrial control, monitoring, and data acquisition applications.

    Other Product Announcements

    Product & Supplier Search

    Resources & Literature

    Featured CD: Industrial Connectivity & Automation Products CD
    SIXNET has printed its twenty-first edition of their FREE Product CD, covering its entire line of Industrial Connectivity and Automation products. Key features of the new CD include SIXNET's latest products such as the Slim Line series, Rack-mount series industrial Ethernet switches and other new managed switches with up to 18 ports including gigabit. Also, new in the automation product line is the "Mini-IPm Plus" RTU enhanced with AGA gas flow calculations and DNP3 communications. This updated CD also includes the latest software and Linux development tools, along with new product solutions brochures. It's loaded with information and ready to test drive.
    Request your CD

    Other Resources:

    Events, Seminars & Training

    Featured Webinar Series: Supply Chain Trends and ID Technologies
    Intermec has released the schedule for its 2007 Webinar Series, with information designed to improve efficiency and establish best practices with the latest technologies. The 60-minute live webcasts cover a range of topics, including RFID compliance and asset tracking, the proposed Electronic On Board Recorder (EOBR) rule, working in hazardous environments and the surge in 2D bar code use.
    More information on Webinar Series

    Other Events & Training

    Go to our Calendar of Events to see other upcoming events.

    Company & Application News

    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:

    Application News:

    New Jobs

    Here's a list of new jobs posted on Automation.com:

    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:
    Dilbert Pick of the Week

    Engineer or Sociopath…can you tell the difference?

     

    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

    View our Privacy Policy

    For editorial and advertising inquiries, please contact Rick Zabel or see our Media Kit.

    For recruiting and contract staffing services, please visit www.automationtechies.com.