SCADA 2011
22 -25 February
Grand Hyatt, Singapore

SCADA 2011 will bring together local and international operational and IT representatives from the electricity, water, transport, & oil & gas sectors, to discuss the investment and implementation of leading edge SCADA and process control systems.

Learn More.

Smart Energy Canada 2011

The 5th Annual Smart Energy Canada 2011 conference & exhibition is the only networking platform for senior-level utility executives, government officials and technology solution providers to share cutting-edge business and technology strategies around smart energy solutions.

Learn More.

Human-Machine Interface Design for Process Control Applications

Ideal for users and designers of industrial control and monitoring systems, this book provides an easy-to-use, yet effective, method to configure, design, and validate HMIs. Such systems include DCS, SCADA, and stand-alone units.

More Information.

Don’t gamble with your hiring needs

automationtechies is your best bet for finding the Controls, Automation or Process Engineer that fits your needs. Our recruiters have industry experience and will fill your direct hire and contract positions.

Contact one of our experienced recruiters today.

Testing Window 1 for CAP® and CCST® Exams
March 1 - April 30, 2011

Each year, the CAP and CCST exams are available electronically during three testing windows. The application deadline for Testing Window 1 is January 14.

More information.

Looking for automation talent?

Reach tens of thousands of automation professionals visiting Automation.com each month. Your job posting will be included in our Career & Job Center and featured on our home page and in our Automation Weekly e-newsletter.

Post Your Job Today.

Safety Instrumented Systems Training Course - Electronic Download

This course on Safety Instrumented Systems is designed to make the learning experience comfortable and easy. Everything is explained in easy to understand terms, with plenty of graphics, interactive simulations and worked problems.

More Information.

Get RSS feeds of Automation.com's news headlines.

For editorial inquiries, please contact either Rick Zabel or Bill Lydon.

For advertising inquiries, please contact Richard Simpson or Chris Nelson, or see our Media Kit.

View our Privacy Policy

Wireless standards in action
By Soroush Amidi for InTech
A closer look at ISA-100.11a. The term "wireless standard" may seem like an oxymoron to observers of the process manufacturing industries. After all, standard implies “the norm.” And while a small handful of wireless protocols have clearly emerged as front runners, there is still quite a way to go before a single standard can truly lay claim as the preferred.

Pharmaceutical Automation Roundtable (PAR) - Part 1 - MES Benchmarking Survey Results
By Bill Lydon for Automation.com
This is the first article, MES Benchmarking, in a series that are the result of the annual Pharmaceutical Automation Roundtable (PAR). In my opinion, this event was likely the most knowledgeable group of automation professionals gathered in one place at any one time focused on discussing automation issues.

Temperature measurement, control key to plant performance
By Gregory K. McMillan for InTech
Temperature is one of the four most common types of loops. While the other common loops (flow, level, pressure) occur more often, temperature loops are generally more difficult and important. It is the single most frequently stated type of loop of interest to users, and the concern for better control extends to the widest variety of industries.

New Year's Resolution
By Rick Zabel for Automation.com
In the spirit of the New Year, I'd like to share with you a poem that I wrote in 2007. Best wishes to you and your families for a happy and prosperous 2011!

Browse more Articles by topic on our Automation Portals.

Molded-On Cordsets: A Cost-Effective, Convenient Solution for Power Distribution
By Jay Bartsias, TURCK
NFPA 79 code permits the use of molded-on cordsets—including quick-disconnect connectors and rugged cable for exposed-run installations—for powering motors, pumps and other machinery. Here’s how to apply them instead of using hard wiring.

Browse more Application Stories by topic on our Automation Portals.

Omron STI publishes Machine and Process Safeguarding Guide
This 650+ page resource includes product information and selection guidelines for machine and process safety solutions, and a safety library with more than 100 pages of educational resource material.

Davis Instruments Releases Fluke and Tektronix Catalog
The 72-page catalog highlights a range of electrical, calibration, temperature, humidity/air quality, and electronic instruments.

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

Cognex announces DataMan 500 image-based barcode reader
DataMan 500 achieves higher read rates, improved on-line visualization and higher reliability than laser scanners.

Crydom Announces EL Series Solid State Relays
Models are available with output ratings up to 20 A rms from 24 to 280 VAC or 10 Adc from 3 to 100 VDC with optional external heat sink.

Belden introduces EEM embedded Ethernet module
The module, available as a Profinet I/O device, EtherNet/IP adapter device or EtherCAT slave controller, grants Ethernet access to intelligent automation devices.

CAS DataLoggers releases LogMessage Stand-Alone Data Logger
LogMessage provides a complete, cost effective, easy to use solution for data collection, control and alarming in a single compact stand-alone package.

ExperTune announces access to Mobile Devices
PlantTriage now provides real-time trending of process variables on a mobile phone.

Browse MORE new products introduced this week

Advantech sells one millionth ADAM Remote I/O Module
Founded in 1992, Advantech’s ADAM remote I/O modules have been a consistent and reliable figure in the industrial automation field.

Worldwide Flowmeter Market at $4.6 Billion
Flow Research says the worldwide flowmeter market totaled $4.6 billion in 2009 and is projected to grow substantially to exceed $5.5 billion by 2014.

SERCOS celebrates 25th Anniversary
As a universal and open automation bus, SERCOS combines powerful motion and logic applications with current safety concepts and a broad range of peripherals.

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

New Job Postings

• Control Systems Engineer: Jacobs Engineering - Cary, NC
• Sr Automation R&D Engineer: Multi-fineline Electronics, Inc (MFLEX) - SuZhou, Peoples Rebublic of China
• Project Engineer II - Automation Emphasis: Schweitzer Engineering Labs - Edmond, OK

To view all job postings, please use our Job Search Function. For recruiting and contract staffing services, please visit www.automationtechies.com.

Is your company hiring?
If so, Automation.com can help. Post your job and tap into more than 90,000 unique industry professionals that frequent the web site each month. Plus, your job postings will be featured right here in future issues of this e-newsletter.

It's easy - just Set up an Account today. Call us at 1-877-300-6792, ext. 3, with any questions.

ISA’s February 2011 Training Schedule

Classroom Training

• Safety Instrumented Systems—Design, Analysis and Justification (EC50)
  7–10 February – Research Triangle Park, NC USA
• Safety Instrumented Systems—Design, Analysis and Justification (EC50)
  21–24 February – University of Houston, Houston, TX USA
• Introduction to Building Automation Systems (EA15)
  9–11 February – Research Triangle Park, NC USA
• Project Management for Automation Engineers (MT10C2)
  10 February – Hampton Inn, Shoreview, MN USA
• Tuning Control Loops (TC05)
  14–16 February – Research Triangle Park, NC USA
• Troubleshooting Instrumentation and Control Systems (TC10)
  17–18 February – Research Triangle Park, NC USA
• PLC/PAC Automation: Basic Structure, Programming, Installation and Maintenance (TC30P)
  21–25 February – Research Triangle Park, NC USA

Web Seminars (Live)

• Introduction to Flow Measurement (FG05W4)
  (Fourth in the Introduction to Measurement and Control Web Seminar Series)
  2 February - 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
  
• Introduction to Pressure Measurement (FG05W5)
  (Fifth in the Introduction to Measurement and Control Web Seminar Series)
  9 February - 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
  

Save 25% when you register for all five seminars in the Introduction to Measurement and Control series at one time! To take advantage of the series pricing($725 ISA Member/$925 List), you must call ISA Customer Service at +1 919-549-8411 to register as this offer is not available online.

• pH Control Solutions (EI01W)
  (First in the Advanced Process Control Web Seminar Series)
  16 February - 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.

Save 25% when you register for all four seminars in the Advanced Process Control series at one time! To take advantage of the series pricing ($585 ISA Member/$735 List), you must call ISA Customer Service at +1 919-549-8411 to register as this offer is not available online.

Online, Instructor-Assisted Training

• Safety Instrumented Systems: Design, Analysis, and Justification (EC50E)
  21 February – 15 April (2011 Winter Semester)

Other Upcoming Events:

• AHR Expo 2011 - January 31, 2011 - February 2, 2011
• ARC's 15th World Industry Orlando Forum - February 7-10, 2011
• Smart Energy Canada 2011 - February 13-15, 2011
• SCADA 2011 - February 22-25, 2011
• European Chemical Manufacturing Masters 2011 - February 28 - March 1, 2011
• EWEA 2011 - March 14-17, 2011
• Hannover Messe 2011 - April 4-8, 2011
• Windpower 2011 - May 22-25, 2011
• 2011 Siemens Automation Summit - June 27-30, 2011

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

Dilbert
Work on your communication skills.

Automation Cartoons - Cartoon Caption Contest

This caption was submitted by Mitch Dolenic in Oklahoma. Congratulations to our winner and thank you to everyone who submitted a caption idea!

View this cartoon online and email it to a colleague.

Submit your Cartoon Ideas and share your humor with our audience. If we use your cartoon idea, we'll publish your name with the cartoon and send you an Automation.com mug.

View Cartoon Archive