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| Sponsor: Opto 22 |
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- Steps for building HMIs and linking to databases
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Our Portals organize information by topic and include new products, company news, articles, white papers, application stories, training, resources, events, and more.
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| In this Issue |
From One Techie to Another:
Standing the Test of Time
Featured Article:
Using Alarm Annunciators in SIL rated Safety Systems
Salary Survey:
2008 Automation.com Salary Survey
Product Announcements:
-MatrikonOPC server for Honeywell TPS
-Control Microsystems SCADAPack 350E and 357E controllers
-Siemens SIMATIC SM 336 SIL 3 analog input module
-Binder-USA M8 to M12 Connector Adapter
-Northwire MVC-800 FireWire cable hits 11 million cycles
-Advantech ADAM-5081 quadrature encoder
-National Instruments Graphical Toolkit Software
-GE Fanuc updates Proficy Tracker; and much more
Resources & Literature:
-Banner publishes Sensor Catalog
-Pepperl+Fuchs publishes Sensors Catalog
-ISA publishes Industrial Ethernet guide; and much more
Events, Seminars & Training:
-NIWeek 2008 Graphical System Design Conference
-ODVA Annual Meeting
-Hazardous Areas: Manufacturing, Mining, Processing & Utilities Conference; and much more
Company & Organizational News:
-Moore Industries Seeks Oldest Products Still in Service
-Emerson and Wartsila expand global alliance
-Northwire sells via e-commerce; and much more
Application News:
-Invensys to supply SimSci-Esscor Simulation Software to SunPine
-GE Fanuc supplies PLCs and HMI to Macawber Beekay
-ABB analyzer controls coagulant chemical additions at water utility; and much more
New Job Opportunities
Humor of the Week |
| Sponsor: Software Toolbox Inc. |
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OPC DataLogger empowers you to quickly and easily with wizard driven setups, log data from OPC data sources based on time, event (i.e. alarms, tag values), or specific operating conditions to Text, CSV/Excel, Access and SQL, Oracle, MySQL, ODBC. Native drivers for SQL, Oracle, MySQL insure reliable performance. OPC Certification insures interoperability with wide range of OPC servers. Solutions for under $500 without tag count limits.
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| From One Techie to Another |
Standing the Test of Time
I don’t know about you, but when I buy a product, I expect it to last a long time. Of course, this expectation doesn’t apply to everything. There are certain items that I expect to turn over after a period of time. Take PCs for example. About every three years I tend to buy a new one because technology and software change so quickly. Right now, I’m due for a new one and I’m expecting its arrival any day now. However, I’m certainly not looking forward to the Vista operating system and the other latest versions of Microsoft products, but that’s anther topic. On the other extreme, when I buy a car, I expect it to last at least ten years, or even longer. It seems the lower the cost of the product, the lower its life expectancy. Or, at least I am not surprised when I have to replace it.
In the automation world, we typically purchase products with longevity in mind as well. Many automation and control systems have at least a 10-15 year life cycle, while others may have a life span of up to 25-30 years. However, there are certain components of an automation system that we expect to replace before the life expectancy of the entire system. But our ultimate goal is to select products that will stand the test of time and environment.
Last week, one particular news story caught my eye - Moore Industries Seeks Oldest Products Still in Service. Leonard W. Moore founded the company in his California garage in 1968 with the goal to build the best signal conditioners in the world. Recently, several of Moore Industries’ products logged an astounding three years in an environmental chamber, running at temperatures approaching the boiling point of water. The Highly Accelerated Life Test (HALT) shows that, as of February 2008, the instrumentation had logged the equivalent of 171,000 hours without failure - almost 20 years - and the test continues. The goal is to reach 300,000 hours, or 34 years of continuous service.
Moore believes that many of their older products are probably still in service - maybe even going back to the 1968 Model SCT signal conditioner, one of their first products. Moore Industries wants to find those older products in service. As a result, Moore Industries is offering $500 in merchandise to the top three companies who can prove they are still using the oldest Moore Industries products.
This year, Moore Industries is celebrating their 40th anniversary. Moore Industries is headquartered in North Hills, California, and has offices worldwide in Australia, Belgium, China, The Netherlands and The United Kingdom. Moore Industries is one of the last independent, privately owned instrument companies left in North America.
According to Moore, who remains president, “We are very proud to still be designing and making our products right here in the Los Angeles area. It may sound trite, but our people really are the key. All of the industry awards are great, but the accomplishment I am most proud of is that at least half of our employees have been with us for over ten years. Many have been here at least 25 years, and we even have a few that have been with us since the beginning. How many 40 year old companies can say that?”
I, for one, expect a quality product and I get irritated when I need to return something that doesn’t work. It's great see automation companies, like Moore Industries, that actually put their money where their mouth is.
Share your comments on this editorial at My.Automation.com
Enjoy the rest of this Automation Weekly!
Rick Zabel
Vice President, Publisher |
| Featured Article |
Using Alarm Annunciators in SIL rated Safety Systems
Alarm annunciators which involve the human operator in safety functions can only be targeted at SIL 1 level.
Read full article by Darren Barratt, Omniflex
Browse Portals for more articles, white papers and application stories by topic |
| Salary Survey |
2008 Automation.com Salary Survey
Automation.com is surveying automation professionals about current salaries. Find out how you stack up. 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 2008.
Take Salary Survey
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| Product Announcements |
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MatrikonOPC releases server for Honeywell TPS
Server reduces the cost of communicating with Honeywell TPS/TDC3000 systems by eliminating the need for custom drivers to access Honeywell’s proprietary Local Control Network (LCN). |
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Control Microsystems releases SCADAPack 350E and 357E controllers
Both have DNP3 and IEC 60870-5 and multi-vendor connectivity, AGA12-2 encryption, and IEC 61131-3 programming.
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Siemens introduces SIMATIC SM 336 SIL 3 analog input module
SIMATIC SM 336 works with ET 200M I/O and PCS 7F process safety systems and supports single, dual and triple redundancy architectures.
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Binder-USA announces M8 to M12 Connector Adapter
The IP67-rated adapter can be used for factory automation applications where M12 and M8 sensor cables operate in the same network.
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Northwire MVC-800 FireWire cable hits 11 million cycles
MVC-800 FireWire Cable surpassed 11 million flex cycles in rigorous bending, rolling and torsional tests.
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Advantech announces ADAM-5081 quadrature encoder
ADAM-5081 high speed quadrature encoder and counter module is for use with ADAM-5550 series Programmable Automation Controllers (PACs).
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National Instruments introduces Graphical Toolkit Software
Graphical Differencing and User Interface Toolkit helps identify differences between models built using MathWorks Simulink software.
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GE Fanuc updates Proficy Tracker
Latest version helps companies realize lean initiatives by managing the execution of orders and the related flow of materials. |
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Paqworks releases Cybertec Series 1000 3G Cellular Modem
Cybertec Series 1000 modem/router interfaces with both serial and Ethernet enabled devices using 3G cellular data networks.
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PPT VISION introduces IMPACT A20 Camera and software
The IMPACT A20 has on-board image processing, a digital imaging sensor, real-time I/O and 256 MB of on-board memory. |
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Softing announces Fieldbus Kit 2 communication module
FBK-2 provides a serial Modbus/RTU interface and a HART interface to bridge existing devices into FOUNDATION Fieldbus H1 and PROFIBUS PA.
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Measurement Computing announces USB-1616HS-BNC DAQ device
USB-1616HS-BNC USB data acquisition device has 16 analog inputs, counter input, quadrature encoder input, and digital I/O.
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Analytical Technology releases Q45S Gas Detector
Q45S H2S Gas Monitor provides continuous and reliable on-line hydrogen sulphide (H2S) monitoring in wet conditions.
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Loadstar releases Wireless Weight Measurement Kit
The kit contains sensors, hardware and software needed to build an accurate and reliable weighing system.
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Semaphore introduces T-BOX LT-100 SCADA System
The LT-100 model is cost effective for installations which require up to 8 DI/DO points and 2 counter inputs. .
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For MORE of the latest product announcements, go to our Daily News Headlines page.
Product & Supplier Search
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| Resources & Literature |
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Banner publishes Sensor Catalog
Catalog showcases Banner’s industrial product line, including photoelectric and special-purpose sensors as well as measurement and inspection sensors. |
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Pepperl+Fuchs publishes Sensors Catalog
900-page catalog covers P+F's family of capacitive, inductive, weld immune, special application, NAMUR, ultrasonic and photoelectric sensors. |
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ISA publishes Industrial Ethernet guide
"Industrial Ethernet for the Plant Floor" provides guidance on how to select components, layout, install, test, certify and troubleshoot a network system. |
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Kazio Networks helps companies with Industrial Ethernet
The Lifecycle services program provides network infrastructure design, analysis, maintenance, management, compliancy and consulting for wired/wireless- based systems. |
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Other Resources & Literature:
Go to our Daily News Headlines page for the latest automation news.
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| Events, Seminars & Training |
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NIWeek 2008 Graphical System Design Conference
August 5-8, 2008 Austin, Texas
Interactive technical sessions, targeted summits, hands-on workshops and exhibitions on the latest developments for design, control, automation, manufacturing and test.
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Upcoming Events & Training
- Cognex Machine Vision Seminars: April - June, 2008
- FDT Technical Seminars: Beginning April 29, 2008
- ISA100 Wireless Solutions Summit: May 19, 2008
- EASTEC 2008: May 20-22, 2008
- IndConn - Industrial Connectivity: May 20-22, 2008
- Machinery Safety Seminar: May 21, 2008
- Safety Control Systems Conference: May 28-29, 2008
- Passion for Manufacturing Show: May 31-June 3, 2008
- BlueCielo ECM Frontiers 2008 Americas: June 1-3, 2008
- Rockwell Automation RSTechED User Conference: June 1-6, 2008
- Online Automated Test Summit 2008: June 5, 2008
- ISA POWID Symposium: June 8-13, 2008
- Sensors Expo: June 9-11, 2008
- Honeywell 2008 Americas Users Group Symposium: June 15-19, 2008
- Hazardous Areas: Manufacturing, Mining, Processing & Utilities Conference: June 18-19, 2008
- 11th International Symposium on Advances in Robot Kinematics: June 22-26, 2008
- Emergency Power Supplies Conference: July 23-24, 2008
- ODVA Annual Meeting: February 26, 2009
Go to our Calendar of Events to see other upcoming events. Add an event to our calendar. |
| Company & Organizational News |
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Other Company & Organization News:
Go to our Daily News Headlines page for the latest automation news.
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| Application News |
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Other Application News:
Go to our Daily News Headlines page for the latest automation news.
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Go to our Daily News Headlines page for the latest automation news.
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| New Jobs |
Here's a list of new jobs posted on Automation.com:
- Segment Manager I - Process Network Connectivity: Rockwell Automation - Cleveland, OH
- Segment Manager I - Availability and System Redundancy: Rockwell Automation - Cleveland, OH
- Senior Controls and Integration Engineer: VaCom Technologies - La Verne, CA
- Automation Sales Engineer Northeast: Murrelektronik, Inc. - Any City, PA
- Account Executive for Growing System Integrator: Avid Solutions, Inc. - Winston-Salem, NC
- Product Sales Engineer: Yokogawa Corporation of America - Southwest, USA
- Product Sales Engineer: Yokogawa Corporation of America - Midwest, USA
- PLC Product Manager: Yokogawa Corporation of America - Atlanta, GA
- Application Engineer: automationtechies - Akron, Toledo, Cleveland, OH
- Industrial Solution Sales: automationtechies - MN or Eastern Dakotas, USA
- Account Executive: automationtechies - Winston-Salem, NC
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
Always use numbers that support your argument(Strip)
Manager's Elbow (Animated)
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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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For advertising inquiries, please contact Karen Olson or see our Media Kit. |
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