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| From One Techie to Another |
Wireless - coming soon to a plant near you
At the Honeywell User Group (HUG) Conference in Phoenix, Arizona this week, one of the hot topics is wireless. It is such a hot topic, that Honeywell orchestrated an entertaining theater presentation, titled Becoming Wireless, to get their message across to end-users. Following the Superman story-line, the editor of a Metropolis newspaper charges her beat journalist, Dave Kaufman, with writing a technical story about a local plant that is experiencing increased safety, reliability and efficiencies using the Honeywell OneWireless system.
Metropolis Industries recently installed the OneWireless mesh network to eliminate the high costs of installing wired systems. OneWireless supports a broad range of both wired and wireless transmitters, including corrosion, gauge pressure, differential pressure, high-level analog input and temperature transmitters. As a single network supporting both sensors and IEEE 802.11-based applications, OneWireless also supports mobile worker devices, such as Honeywell’s IntelaTrac PKS and Experion Mobile Station, and can improve plant safety by helping customers quickly locate employees.
Without wasting any time, Kaufman heads down to Metropolis Industries to interview the engineers and operators on the new system. Ken, the Instrument Technician, shows Kaufman just how easy it is to replace a thermometer with a wireless temperature transmitter on one of their heat exchangers. According to Ben, adding an additional wireless device to their existing system is extremely fast and easy. Over the network, data from the transmitter is brought into the plant’s Experion system for monitoring.
Kaufman went on to interview Jim, the Control Engineer, about interfacing an onboard PLC controller of a tanker ship to the Experion system using standard Ethernet. In addition, the tanks in the tank farm are equipped with wireless level transmitters. On the same OneWireless backbone, operators can monitor the tanker and tanks, giving operators the ability to fill the tanks efficiently without a team of people coordinating activities via radios.
Kaufman then meets James, the Instrument Tech, who shows him how to check and monitor the configuration of a new wireless transmitter via a mobile station. This wireless connection saves the tech from making numerous trips between the control room and the transmitter location.
Ben, the Control Room Operator, show Kaufman how to start up a distillation tower. Because of security/safety regulations, the feeder pump must be inspected in person. Using the InteliTrac hand-held device, Ben could go to the tower and download procedures over the wireless system, saving numerous trips to the control room. Using the hand-held device, Ben starts a pump from the field while real-time data is synced with the control system.
This week, Honeywell announced that the latest version of their OneWireless industrial wireless network equipment is designed to be compatible with ISA100.11a industrial wireless communication standard. The network can be easily upgraded to the ISA100.11a standard, when it is completed, through an over-the-air software update. Along with this latest version, Honeywell released a HART gateway that makes any wireless sensor look like a HART device on the network. This allows customers to use OneWireless with Honeywell or third-party asset management solutions that support HART.
Kaufman concluds his interviews with Andrew, the Honeywell Consultant who helped Metropolis design and configure the system for maximum efficiency. At the end of theater production, Kaufman finishes his story and emerges as the “Superman” who broke this exciting story for the newspaper.
OneWireless is just one solution that enables Honeywell to transform their users into super heroes at their own facilities. Very soon, our contributing editor will be publishing a summary/analysis of more HUG highlights for those users who were unable attend the event in person. Stay tuned.
Enjoy the rest of this Automation Weekly!
Rick Zabel
Vice President, Publisher |
| Featured Article |
New Pricing Paradigms
Prices for automation products are traditionally based on manufactured cost with target gross and net profit margin multipliers which are rapidly shrinking because of fierce global competition. New pricing paradigms are needed.
Read full article by Jim Pinto
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| Product Announcements |
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Northwire introduces Endurance cable for vision
Endurance products for vision system applications include CCXC Analog Video, MVC-800 FireWire, GEV-1000 GigE Vision and Camera Link cable assemblies. |
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Advantech introduces LogixView Software
LogixView software develops graphic user interfaces for monitoring and controlling eAutomation products on WindowsCE-based devices.
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Microscan announces Quadrus EZ FLEX Imager
Quadrus EZ FLEX allows automation engineers to easily customize a fixed-mount barcode reading imager for specific applications.
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Honeywell updates OneWireless to ISA-100
OneWireless mesh network has ISA100-ready hardware. The network can be upgraded to the ISA100.11a standard, when it is completed, via an over-the-air software update. |
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Beckhoff Automation expands PLC family
BC9120, BC9020 and BC9050 can be operated as a stand-alone PLC or as decentralized intelligence in an Ethernet network. |
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Softing releases BC-230-PB PROFIBUS PA diagnostic monitor
BC-230-PB analyzes the operation of a live PROFIBUS PA segment without interfering with its operation. |
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Honeywell announces VersaLevel microwave radar level sensors
VersaLevel provides accurate and easy-to-install devices for efficient tank-level monitoring. |
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Emerson enhances AMS Suite to simplify set up of Smart Wireless networks
AMS Device Manager 9.5 provides a common interface for users to manage their wired and wireless instruments and valves without in-depth site surveys or blueprints. |
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GE Fanuc enhances Proficy Real-Time Information Portal
Enhancements include tighter integration with Proficy Plant Applications; tools to represent data as dials, gauges, and a heat map; and the ability to mine third-party databases. |
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Beijer releases EXTER T150-st stainless operator panel
EXTER T150-st has an acid-resistant stainless steel construction for food & beverage and pharmaceutical applications. |
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Baumer introduces MDRM/MDFM non-contact magnetic sensors
MDRM/MDFM sensors can measure 360 degrees of rotation without a dead band. |
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General Monitors adds HART to Model S4000CH combustible gas detector
HART permits remote process variable interrogation, cyclical access to process data, parameter setting and diagnostics. |
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Schaefer announces IV Series of DC/AC inverters
IV Series synchronizes three individual switch mode inverters and three output transformers, for a symmetrical 3-phase output. |
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GreenPeak introduces Emerald GP500C wireless chip
Emerald GP500C wireless communications controller harvests energy, so it requires no batteries or power. |
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Pepperl+Fuchs introduces Safety at Work Emergency Stop switches
Field and panel-mount models are available in high intensity, wide angle illuminated versions, as well as non-illuminated versions. |
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InterTech introduces M1075-94X multi-channel leak detector
Six models are available for either two or four-channel testing at high (0-10 psig), low (0-1 psig) or standard (0-3 psig) pressure. |
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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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Go to our Daily News Headlines page for the latest automation news. |
| Events, Seminars & Training |
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Upcoming Events & Training
- Emerson Mine seminars cover predictive automation: Begins June 17, 2008
- Cognex Machine Vision Seminars: Through June, 2008
- FDT Technical Seminars: Through October 28, 2008
- 11th International Symposium on Advances in Robot Kinematics: June 22-26, 2008
- RFID Webinar covers Yard Management: June 25, 2008
- 1st Mediterranean Photonics Conference: June 25-28, 2008
- 17th CISM-IFToMM Symposium on Robot Design, Dynamics, and Control: July 5-9, 2008
- Understanding and Applying Instrumentation in Hazardous Locations: July 9-10, 2008
- Free Data Acquisition Seminar: July 17, 2008
- 24th Coordinate Metrology Systems Conference: July 21-25, 2008
- Siemens Automation Summit 2008: July 23-25, 2008
- Emergency Power Supplies Conference: July 23-24, 2008
- MatrikonOPC User Group Asia-Pacific and Australia 2008: July 29, 2008
- MRP Software Training: August 20-21, 2008
Go to our Calendar of Events to see other upcoming events. Add an event to our calendar. |
| Company & Organization News |
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Other Company & Organization News:
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| Go to our Daily News Headlines page for the latest automation news. |
| Application News |
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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
It's bad news when you are compared to paper. (Comic)
Why we need sales engineers (Animated) |
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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