Automation Weekly - April 29, 2009 - A culture of engineering, Update on government spending opportunities, New integrated compact controller, NFPA-79 code whitepaper, Hannover Messe attracts 210,000, Green factory cartoon

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Sponsor: National Instruments

Low-Cost, Reconfigurable Control and Acquisition Systems

The National Instruments CompactRIO programmable automation controller is an advanced embedded control and data acquisition system designed for applications that require high performance and reliability. With the system's open, embedded architecture, small size, extreme ruggedness, and flexibility, engineers and embedded developers can use COTS hardware to quickly build custom embedded systems.

View application demos.

Sponsor: Sensors Expo

Sensors Expo & Conference

Conference: June 8-10, 2009
Exhibits: June 9-10, 2009
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Rosemont, IL
www.sensorsexpo.com

For 23 Years Sensors Expo & Conference has Been the Only Industry Event in North America Focusing Exclusively on Sensors and Sensor-Integrated Systems! The 2009 event takes place June 8-10 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.

Visit www.sensorsexpo.com for breaking event news, in-depth information, agenda planning and registration!

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In this Issue

>>	New Products
>>	From One Techie to Another
>>	Featured Articles
>>	Application Stories
>>	White Papers
>>	Resources & Literature
>>	Events, Seminars & Training
>>	Company & Organization News
>>	Project News
>>	New Jobs
>>	Automation Groups & Discussions
>>	Humor of the Week

New Products

Siemens introduces Simatic S7-1200 compact controller
S7-1200 includes built-in Ethernet, motion control I/O, analog I/O and an HMI panel to minimize space requirements and the need for additional hardware in small control systems.

ProSoft Technology releases Message Manager Module
ILX56-MM Message Manager software enables data transfer for up to 16 Rockwell Automation, Siemens and Schneider PLCs without requiring message programming or ladder logic.

Beckhoff Automation introduces EtherCAT Bridge Terminal
EL6692 improves synchronization for highly complex machines and production lines with numerous EtherCAT masters.

AutomationDirect enhances Stride Ethernet switches
Stride line now includes industrial-grade unmanaged Ethernet switches and media converters with aluminum housings.

Baumer capacitive sensors see through closed containers
Capacitive sensors detect any non-conductive solid, liquid or granular material packaged in clear or opaque containers, including plastics, glass, cardboard, foam, and other substrates.

GE Fanuc adds Use Cases to QuickStart Proficy Workflow
Use cases help companies quickly decrease production costs through defined work processes, step-by-step instructions, and exception management.

Emerson expands Micro Motion ELITE Coriolis meter
Meter now covers 6”-8” line sizes, adding to the existing 8”-10” line size capability.

Pro-face enhances Pro-server EX software
Vista and Office 2007 products are now supported, resulting in more visibility to the factory floor process.

Axiomtek announces IMB203 industrial ATX motherboard
IMB203 motherboard has an Intel Q45 Express chipset and Intel Core2 Quad processor.

MicroStrain's 3DM-GX3-25 can track you everywhere
3DM-GX3-25 AHRS combines triaxial accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers for tracking personnel and mobile assets, such as unmanned vehicles and robots.

These are just a few new products introduced this week
>>>> MORE new products <<<<

From One Techie to Another

A Culture of Engineering
By Rick Zabel, Publisher
After traveling to Germany last week for Hannover Messe (Fair), the world's largest industrial trade show, I was struck again by the difference in how engineers are perceived in Germany versus the U.S. German Engineering is often revered as a high quality engineering standard. I'm convinced that this reverence has everything to do with the deep-rooted culture surrounding engineering in Germany.

Featured Articles

Update: Government Spending leads to Automation Opportunities
By Bill Lydon
This update provides additional information since the first article was published, and since the government stimulus is so large and is a moving target. It is important to be on the lookout for automation opportunities from these investments. In addition, the stimulus in other countries may well create business opportunities for companies that are in your area.

Siemens offers tips to go green
Five easy tips for factory and manufacturing facility owners and operators to reduce their carbon footprint and start reaping the savings.

Application Stories

	Servomex gas analysers installed at UK power station Eight SERVOTOUGH Fluegas units, optimized to measure both 02 and COe, have been installed to monitor the oxygen burn mix for the combustion boilers at Drax Power Station in Selby, Yorkshire.
	Boston Logan airport saves energy on moving walks with EcoStart Power Efficiency's EcoStart was installed on twenty moving walks at Boston Logan International Airport, saving 60,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year.

White Papers

	Confusion and misconceptions about NFPA-79 By Northwire Different interpretations of NFPA-79 have generated articles in trade publications and on Web sites, in white papers and in discussions and debates. This paper provides information to sort out the misperceptions perpetuated about NFPA-79.
	Emerging Safety Solutions in Specialty Chemical Industry By Rockwell Automation White paper examines how new industry safety standards and technologies are helping protect people, equipment and the environment while reducing costs in specialty chemical applications.

Resources & Literature

	Banner publishes safety products catalog Catalog covers Banner's machine safety product line, which includes safety light screens, safety laser scanners, fiber optic safety systems, safety controllers and modules, two-hand control modules and emergency stop devices.
	Hoffman publishes enclosure specifier's guide Specifier’s Guide is a resource of 11,000-plus enclosure products, accessories, and technical information.
	Rockwell Automation Safety Solutions Portal Site includes resources for safety automation issues, with emphasis on machine safety, process safety, safety services, legislation and standards.

Other Resources & Literature:

Browse more Resources & Literature by topic on our Automation Portals.

Events, Seminars & Training

Microchip Technology MASTERs Embedded Control Conference
July 27 to August 1, 2009 Phoenix, AZ
The conference is devoted to technical training for embedded systems design engineers, from the novice to the expert.

Upcoming Events & Training

2009 Software Conference: May 6-7, 2009
The 3rd Int'l Industrial Control & Automation Technology: May 9-11, 2009
Plant Maintenance and Design Engineering: May 12-14, 2009
Pumps Conference: May 12-14, 2009
Quick Start for EtherNet/IP: Training for New Developers: May 14, 2009
2009 3D Collaboration & Interoperability Conference: May 17-20, 2009
Safety Control & Instrumentation Systems Conference: May 19-21, 2009
Yokogawa Technology Fair & Users Conference: May 19-21, 2009
AB PLC Training Workshop: June 1- 3, 2009
SICK Machine Safety Seminar: June 1, 2009
Automation Shanghai 2009 Exhibition: June 2-4, 2009
Sensors Expo & Conference: June 8-10, 2009
International Robots, Vision & Motion Control Show and Conference: June 8-11, 2009
Honeywell User Group Meeting: June 14-18, 2009
Hazardous Areas Conference: June 17-18, 2009
Principles of Web Handling: June 17-18, 2009
RSTechED: June 21-26, 2009

See our Calendar of Events for other upcoming events. Add an event to our calendar.

Company & Organization News

	HANNOVER MESSE receives 210,000 visitors 210,000 visitors came to Hannover to see 6,150 exhibitors from 61 countries. 70% of the visitors were from Europe, 25% came from abroad, but only 7% came from the Americas.
	German and South Korean leaders visit ABB booth at Hannover Messe German Chancellor Angela Merkel and South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo visited ABB’s stand in Hannover, Germany.
	Yokogawa's CENTUM and STARDOM now Fieldbus Foundation hosts CENTUM VP Integrated Production Control System and STARDOM Network-based Control System are certified by the Fieldbus Foundation as Integrated Host Class systems.
	SERCOS lll software now available without license fees SERCOS III will be the first high performance real-time protocol which makes driver software available as source code, without any license fees and without any usage limitations.
	ARC says inductive sensor market to reach $1.25 Billion The worldwide market for Inductive Sensors is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 1.3 percent over the next five years.
	NASA'S Dr. Kevin Grazier to deliver Keynote at Sensors Expo Grazier is Investigation Scientist & Science Planning Engineer for the Cassini/Huygens Mission to Saturn & Titan at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
	ABB’s System 800xA registered as FOUNDATION Fieldbus Host System 800xA was registered as a FOUNDATION fieldbus host system after it passed the Fieldbus Foundation’s Host Profile Registration Process.
	Kepware joins Rockwell Automation Encompass program Kepware Technologies has been selected as an Encompass Global partner by Rockwell Automation.
	Kepware to supply CE communications software to Iconics Kepware will deliver Windows CE communications solutions for use with ICONICS embedded SCADA and visualization products for machine builders and Panel OEMs.
	Honeywell joins Control Systems Integrators Association Honeywell joined CSIA, North America’s largest organization for independent control systems integrators.
	ProSoft Technology's flow computer certified for custody transfer Industry Canada certified the inRAx flow computer’s gas measurement values are accurate to the degree that they can be used in the transfer of ownership.
	ABB shows Smart Grid to U.S. Senate ABB demonstrated technologies and equipment for the emerging Smart Grid to U.S. Senators and staff at a Smart Grid Demo Day in Washington, DC.
	ABB Q1 revenues steady despite economic challenges ABB’s first-quarter 2009 revenues rose 3 percent to $7.2 billion while orders decreased by 3 percent to $9.2 billion.

Other Company & Organization News:

Browse more Company & Organization by topic on our Automation Portals.

Project News

	ABB to control hybrid integrated solar power plant ABB won an order worth $14 million to provide a complete electrical balance of plant (eBoP) solution for a 150-megawatt integrated, combined-cycle solar power plant under construction in Algeria.
	GE Fanuc to supply Proficy Software to Linde AG worldwide The order, which also encompasses GlobalCare support services, is worth more than $1 million and will be deployed in 350 sites worldwide.

Browse more Project News by topic on our Automation Portals.

New Jobs

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Humor of the Week

Dilbert
A good reason to password-protect your work.

Automation Cartoons - April 29, 2009

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Go Green

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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
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