Machine Safety Simplified with TwinSAFE®

Combine safety PLC Terminals, safety I/O and standard I/O on one EtherCAT® network with TwinSAFE®.

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The New Kollmorgen Engineer’s Library

One definition of an engineer is someone who’s always curious about the way things work, and how to make them work better. Just for those people, we’ve created a new Engineer’s Library, with resources to help you envision, design and realize a better machine. First up, we have three white papers on servo drive technologies, full-frequency auto-tuning and solutions for flexo printing. We’ll be updating the Engineer’s Library several times per year, so check in often.

Visit the Engineer’s Library

There’s still time to take an expert-led ISA technical training course in 2011

Introduction to Industrial Automation and Control (FG07): December 5-9, Research Triangle Park, NC Register Now

PLC/PAC Automation: Advanced System Integration, Programming, and Design (TC36P): December 5-9, Research Triangle Park, NC
Register Now

Installing, Calibrating, and Maintaining Electronic Instruments (TI25): December 12-16, Research Triangle Park, NC Register Now

What's Your Next Move?

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Project Manager

This is an opportunity to work for a growing engineering firm in southern CA that has a very close team environment employing highly skilled and experienced engineers with low to no turnover over the past few years.

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Downtime analysis
By Wayne Matthews for InTech
Dountime analysis is an essential part of a continuous plant improvement program, as it provides a powerful tool that enables a better understanding of the underlying issues that affect plant availability and rate loss. The costs of unplanned downtime can be enormous, so even small reductions in downtime can have significant benefits to plant profitability.

Avoid the Crisis - Achieve Zero Downtime
By Roy Kok for Automation.com
In the terms of Automation, a crisis can be characterized as a loss of production (downtime), possibly of a simple piece of equipment, or it can be extensive, affecting major portions of the plant. Are we giving enough focus to the right areas, not focusing on the level of a "worst case scenario" type of crisis?

How much is downtime costing you?
By Dave Crumrine and Doug Post for InTech
Downtime costs every factory at least 5% of its productive capacity, and many lose up to 20%. But an estimated 80% of industrial facilities are unable to accurately estimate their total downtime cost (TDC). Many of these facilities are underestimating their downtime by 200-300% according to downtime consultants.

Calling All Engineering Professionals
NCEES needs your help to ensure that the questions on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination are accurately testing the relevant areas of knowledge required to enter into an engineering internship. How can you help? Take the FE Exam Content Review Survey.

2011 Salary Tables, Charts & Graphs - Oh My!
By Automation.com
The results of our 2011 Salary Survey are in. Because many of you are highly analytical, we published a number of salary-related tables, charts, and graphs on Automation.com, including a breakdown of average salaries by regions within the U.S. See how you stack up.

Browse more Articles by topic on our Automation Portals.

Toshiba Video watches over Chicago High-Rise
High rise uses a video surveillance system with Toshiba IP cameras, SCS recording and management software, network video recorders and hybrid digital video recorders.

Browse more Application Stories by topic on our Automation Portals.

IEC 61499 Function Blocks for Embedded and Distributed Control Systems Design, 2nd Edition - $99.00
IEC 61499 is the standard for distributed control systems that follows on from the IEC 61131 standard for programmable logic controllers (PLC). This book is a practical guide for component-based development of distributed embedded and control systems as proposed by this international standard.

NEMA Publishes Electrical Standards and Products Guide
Guide is a comprehensive listing of NEMA electrical standards as well as an extensive directory of manufacturers and their products.

Festo offers Energy Saving Services
Festo Energy Saving Services can help to monitor and optimize compressed air consumption.

Dwyer Produces Product Tutorial Video Series
Product Videos are a collection of informative and instructional compilations that are centered on a given Series.

Rexroth announces eBook Catalog for Mobile Devices
The GoTo eBook contains the same information as the print catalogs: product descriptions, photos, system specifications and other data needed to select and specify required products.

Parker publishes Catalog for Skinner, Gold Ring valves
300-page catalog covers 2-way, 3-way and 4-way general purpose and specialty valves.

MTConnect upgrades its web site
Website contains a Directory of MTConnect members, including their services, experience, products and contact information.

Browse more Resources by topic on our Automation Portals.

Invensys updates Foxboro I/A Series System
Enhancements include an Intelligent Marshalling solution, and updated Foxboro Control 3.0 and Simulation software.

Invensys updates Wonderware InTouch
Enhancements in InTouch 2012 include strengthened security, simplified installation, and support for remote desktop services and virtualization technologies from Microsoft.

Invensys updates Eurotherm nanodac Recorder/Controller
Updates include greater storage flexibility for longer local data archiving; store and forward data retrieval; and connectivity to the company’s Wonderware Historian.

Rockwell Automation expands Integrated Architecture
Enhancements for smaller applications include Allen-Bradley CompactLogix programmable automation controllers (PACs), servo drives, I/O, visualization and simplification tools.

National Instruments Adds Options to RIO Platform
Additions expand the options for adding specialized or custom I/O to packaged and board-level embedded control and monitoring systems.

Phoenix Contact announces PSR-TRISAFE/M safety controller
The PSR-TRISAFE/M connects up to 10 safe digital I/O modules, making it easy to expand I/O in a safety circuit.

Red Lion Controls announces PAX2D Digital Panel Meter
PAX2D Digital Panel Meter features a dual counter and dual rate meter, with a third counter and rate display that allows the user to perform math functions.

TURCK announces Bayonet Style RJ45/Ethernet connector
Offering robust housing, these connectors are designed to provide protection in washdown applications or in areas of high impact.

ASI introduces SR22 series slot sensors
The SR22 series of 2mm slot sensors are characterized by a high 12 bit resolution, a low 20 µs response time and a switching frequency reaching 25 kHz.

OMEGA releases iSD-TC Temperature monitor
The iSD-TC provides web based temperature monitoring in critical equipment and locations.

Browse MORE new products introduced this week

Siemens to Acquire Vistagy
Vistagy is a supplier of specialized engineering software and services for designing and manufacturing structures made of advanced composite materials.

McCrometer Acquires Automata
Automata, based in Nevada City, CA, makes satellite and radio telemetry, software and sensors for agricultural and rural water.

MESA reveals preliminary results of Plant Operations Metrics study
Preliminary findings show that one reason few companies can show employees’ performance results quickly enough is that nearly two-thirds find it necessary to have an analyst cleanse the data.

ARC says Invensys Leads HMI Software and Services Market
In the 2011 ARC report, which covers the 2010 calendar year, Wonderware outpaced market growth and increased its percentage lead over its nearest competitor.

Rice University wins Latest Cool Idea! award with robot project
Rice University has been awarded prototyping and production services to help launch a group of robots designed for undergraduate engineering students.

DENSO Joins Rockwell Automation Encompass Program
DENSO Robotics will participate as an Encompass Product Partner in the Rockwell Automation PartnerNetwork.

Other Company & Organization News:

• AIA goes to China
• 90% of users affected by ERP acquisitions
• WAGO Power Supplies Earn GL Approval
• Lanner Electronics Doubles Factory Capacity
• Siemens PLM Software sponsors Joe Gibbs Racing
• Afcon Software signs distributor in Brazil

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

Emerson to supply control valves for power project in Saudi Arabia
Emerson will supply 670 Fisher control valves for boiler, turbine gas, multi-stage flash desalination, and selective catalytic reduction applications.

GE to Research Efficient Wind Energy Production
GE is working with Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) to investigate ways to improve wind farm productivity and efficiency.

Exeeco APS to service Yorkshire Water’s valve actuators
Exeeco will maintain several thousand valve actuators and associated equipment at over 700 water and sewage treatment works and 120 reservoirs on a 24 hour-a-day basis.

Browse more Project News by topic on our Automation Portals.

New Job Postings

• Integration Application Engineer: Minneapolis, MN
• Electrical Controls Engineer: Richmond, VA
• SCADA Specialist (PLC): Conroe, TX

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

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SPS/IPC/Drives 2011
November 22, 2011 - November 24, 2011
Location: Nuremberg, Germany
Meet suppliers of electric automation technology from around the world. Inform yourself about all products, trends and innovations within the industry from 22 - 24 November 2011 in Nuremberg. Trade fair and adjoining conference offers you the perfect platform to search the right solutions for your automation tasks.

CIMdata Announces 2012 CIMdata PLM Certificate schedule
CIMdata PLM Certificate Program prepares PLM professionals at several levels to successfully address the challenges inherent in PLM strategy development and implementation.

Upcoming Events:

• SPS/IPC/Drives 2011: 11-22-11
• ARC World Industry Forum: 02-06-12
• CoDeSys Users' Conference 2012: 03-13-12

Upcoming Training:

• PROFINET One-day Training Class (Chicago area): 11-29-11
• PLC/PAC AUTOMATION: 12-5-11
• Introduction to Industrial Automation and Control: 12-5-11
• PROFINET Certified Network Engineering Class: 12-5-11
• Installing, Calibrating, & Maintaining Instruments: 12-12-11
• PROFIBUS One-day Training Class (San Diego, CA): 12-13-11

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

Dilbert
A side effect of working in the biotech industry.

When science and laziness mix.

Automation Cartoon

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