Automation Weekly - December 19, 2007 - 'Twas the night before last, Advanced systems integration practices, China PLC market

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In this Issue

From One Techie to Another:
‘Twas the Night Before Last

Featured White Paper:
Meeting the Changing Needs of Manufacturers Through Advanced System Integration Practices

Product Announcements:
-ABB introduces compact ACS55 variable frequency component drive
-AutomationDirect introduces Industrial Ethernet Switches
-Beckhoff Automation introduces CP6608 Ethernet Control Panels
-ASI introduces modular IEC Limit Switches
-NI Introduces USB-5680 RF Power Meter
-Advantech introduces PCI-1715U Isolated Analog Input Card; and much more

Resources & Literature:
-NI's LabVIEW Tools Network has 400 tools and add-Ons
-Emerson brochure promotes using genuine Fisher replacement parts; and much more

Events, Seminars & Training:
-Agilent Technologies Board Test User Group Meeting
-MTEC Sensors, Measurement & Instrumentation
-MEASUREX; and much more

Company & Organizational News:
-TURCK incroporates full subsidiary in Australia to support emerging markets
-Emerson helps StatoilHydro win 2007 HART Plant of the Year award
-Invensys teams with Integralis to deliver 24/7 Security services
-Westermo Teleindustri AB opens subsidiary in Singapore
-ARC predicts China PLC Market to hit $1.3 billion by 2011; and much more

Application News:
-Emerson selected to install PlantWeb and Ovation at 12 new U.S. coal-fired units
-ABB to supply $440 million power link in China
-Honeywell to install MXProLine system at Chinese aluminum company
-ABB to deliver two Gearless Mill Drive systems for Climax Mine in CO; and more

New Job Opportunities

Humor of the Week

Sponsor: OPC Foundation

What is OPC? Want your company to be an innovator leader, and maximize your product and resource utilization? Learn more about OPC, and how to achieve secure reliable interoperability with high performance quality products from hundreds of vendors.

For End-Users and System Integrators: the OPC Foundation provides no-cost seminars providing the solid foundation for what and how to use OPC-based products.

Click Here for more details, schedule and registration for these and other important OPC Events.

From One Techie to Another

‘Twas the Night Before Last

In keeping with the Holiday spirit, I wrote some new lyrics to the tune of the Christmas song ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Without further ado…

'Twas the night before last and all through the site,
our visitors where browsing to get one last byte.
Thousands of gurus hit our dot com each day,
reading the automation happenings, play by play.

So much to explore, but where do you start?
Pick one of our portals and drill down to the heart.
Each portal is organized by topics that matter,
articles, news, and more, served up on a platter.

Along with these portals that archive the greatest,
we send out a newsletter that covers the latest.
For the anxious type who can’t stand to wait,
we offer live feeds for a real-time update.

It’s been almost a year since the portals were started,
we vow to continue down this path that we charted.
Now that the portals by product are ripe,
we contemplate organizing by industry type.

Now Safety! Now Process Control! Now Wireless!
On Motion! On Sensors! On Software and Fieldbus!
From the top of the site! To the bottom of the portal!
Now read away! Read away! Read away all!

Before you know it, the next year will arrive
I hope that both you and your company will thrive
And as for us, we will continue to grow,
becoming the web site that everyone will know.

Now in this season as we look back and reflect,
our success lies with the visitors with whom we connect.
We give thanks to our advertisers for all their support,
and appreciate our subscribers to whom we report.

Happy Holidays to all, to you we exhort!

Some of you may recall last year when I also wrote some new lyrics, now archived online.

Best wishes to you and your families for a safe, healthy and prosperous new year!

We won’t be publishing a newsletter next week, but we will continue to publish news online. See you in 2008!

Enjoy the rest of this Automation Weekly!

Rick Zabel
Vice President, Publisher

Featured White Paper

Meeting the Changing Needs of Manufacturers Through Advanced System Integration Practices
A systems integrator not only adds value through traditional automation systems, but also by integrating control systems, quality systems, supply chain networks, enterprise documentation systems, asset management systems, business systems, and intra/internets to provide a holistic view of all aspects of a manufacturing company’s business.

Read full article by John Nichols of Apex Manufacturing Solutions

Browse Portals for more articles, white papers and application stories by topic

Product Announcements

	ABB introduces compact ACS55 variable frequency component drive This component drive is designed as an entry level product for new users, and is aimed at various applications, particularly exercise training equipment, gate control, pumps, fans, conveyors, packaging machines, x-ray screening machines, material handling, ovens, powered roof ventilators and heat exchangers.
	AutomationDirect introduces Industrial Ethernet Switches Built for industrial environments, the new Ethernet switches are designed specifically for PLC, HMI and drive users. Available are 5-port and 8-port Ethernet switches, 4-port and 8-port Ethernet switches with one 100BaseF fiber port, and an Ethernet to Fiber Media Converter.
	Beckhoff Automation introduces CP6608 Ethernet Control Panels “All-in-one” Ethernet controller features 5.7-inch display, flexible connectivity options and Windows CE. The cabinet mounted CP6608 comes equipped with two Ethernet ports with 10/100BASE-T, two fast USB 2.0 ports and a serial RS232 port as external interfaces.
	ASI introduces modular IEC Limit Switches Limit switches provide quick installation, wiring ease, simple setup, modularity, sturdiness and reliability.
	NI Introduces USB-5680 RF Power Meter Powered solely from the USB cable, the power meter consumes only 100 mA of current without an external power supply.
	NI announces DATEx Module for Teaching Telecommunications With DATEx and ELVIS, students can visualize telecommunications concepts in a hands-on learning environment.
	Advantech introduces PCI-1715U Isolated Analog Input Card With isolated circuits, the PCI-1715U protects sensitive measurement circuitry from interference currents or voltages.
	Beckhoff Automation announces CX1010 Mid-range Embedded PC Starting under $1,000 with bundled TwinCAT PLC software and Windows operating system (OS), the EtherCAT-ready CX1010 is positioned as the new mid-range performance device in the scalable CX Family.
	AutomationDirect offers general purpose electrical wire Intended for general purpose applications, THHN building wire is 19-strand 600V uncoated copper wire available in 4-14 gauge sizes, making it ideal for new construction or rewiring 600V applications, THHN can be used in wet or dry locations.
	ABB announces Navigator 600 silica analyzer ABB's new Navigator 600 Silica analyzer substantially reduces the amount of reagents and maintenance generally associated with silica analysis, while providing accurate and reliable silica monitoring.

Other Product Announcements

Product & Supplier Search

Featured Products for December
Search Products by keyword, category, manufacturer or release date
Search Suppliers by keyword or product category

Resources & Literature

	NI's LabVIEW Tools Network has 400 tools and add-Ons LabVIEW Tools Network expanded by more than 100 new tools developed by NI and third-party vendors in 2007.
	Emerson brochure promotes using genuine Fisher replacement parts Brochure topics include issues related to performance and safety, material quality, access to OEM specifications, and local Fisher parts support, warranties, and quick ship availability.
	Agilent publishes Application Notes on Using Linux in Test Systems Free, multi-part series of application notes explain how to control test instruments using Linux.

Events, Seminars & Training

Other Upcoming Events & Training

OPC Training Workshops: Workshops begin January 14, 2008
2008 BICSI Winter Conference: January 14-17, 2008
Agilent Technologies Board Test User Group Meeting: January 16, 2008
The Electronics West Show: January 29-31, 2008
ATX - Automation Technology Expo West: January 29-31, 2008
ARC's Twelfth Annual Orlando Forum - Winning Strategies and Best Practices for Global Manufacturers: February 4-7, 2008
BlueCielo’s European User Conference: February 10-12, 2008
IEEE Sensors Applications Symposium 2008: February 12-14, 2008
MTEC Sensors, Measurement & Instrumentation: February 13-14, 2008
2008 Motor, Drive & Automation Systems Conference: February 14-15, 2008
MEASUREX: February 17-21, 2008
Instrumentation & Control Master Series: February 25-28, 2008
Design of Experiment (Six Sigma DOE) 4 Day Workshop: February 26-29, 2008
Fieldbus Foundation General Assembly 2008: February 27-29, 2008

Go to our Calendar of Events to see other upcoming events. Add an event to our calendar.

Company & Organizational News

	TURCK incroporates full subsidiary in Australia to support emerging markets Prior to this, TURCK products have been distributed in Australia by Micromax, who will remain TURCK’s distribution arm for factory automation focused products with the full support of the new local subsidiary to help grow the TURCK market.
	Emerson helps StatoilHydro win 2007 HART Plant of the Year award Emerson's AMS Suite and field devices are cited as key enablers in StatoilHydro's effective use of predictive diagnostics for the Ormen Lange Project, including the subsea installations, onshore terminal and the world's longest sub sea gas pipeline project.
	Invensys teams with Integralis to deliver 24/7 Security services This unique collaboration between a major process control vendor and a major IT services provider demonstrates the growing importance of combining process engineering and IT expertise in warding off cyber threats to refineries, public utilities, pharmaceutical plants and other process industries.
	Westermo Teleindustri AB opens subsidiary in Singapore The subsidiary will be led by Earnest PHUA, 28, who formerly worked for Phoenix Contact as Business Development Engineer after being employed by Vector Infotech, the Singapore distributor for Westermo.
	ARC predicts China PLC Market to hit $1.3 billion by 2011 The China market for PLCs is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4% over the next five years. The market was close to $750 million in 2006 and is forecasted to be over $1.3 billion in 2011.

Other Company & Organization News:

Go to our Daily News Headlines page for the latest automation news.

Application News

	Emerson selected to install PlantWeb and Ovation at 12 new U.S. coal-fired units Emerson Process Management announced today that over the last 18 months the company has been selected to install its PlantWeb digital plant architecture with the Ovation expert control system at 12 new U.S. coal-fired units.
	ABB to supply $440 million power link in China The power superhighway running 1,240 miles from western China to the highly industrialized coastal area in the east, will have a capacity of 6,400MW.
	Honeywell to install MXProLine system at Chinese aluminum company This platform will deliver product quality and efficient production, as well as reduce downtime for the aluminum manufacturing company in eastern China.
	ABB to deliver two Gearless Mill Drive systems for Climax Mine in CO One unit, rated at 15,000 HP (11.2 MW), will power a 34 feet (10.36 meter) semi-autogenous mill. The other unit, rated at 12,000 HP (8.9 MW), will drive a 22 feet (6.7 meter) ball mill.

Other Application News:

Go to our Daily News Headlines page for the latest automation 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. For recruiting and contract staffing services, please visit www.automationtechies.com.

Humor of the Week

Dilbert - In your next review, put your boss on the spot

Goin' Fishin' - The salesmen bring in an order (View entire series)

I hope you enjoyed this Automation Weekly 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

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