• Rockwell Automation introduces mechatronic hardware and software
• Invensys enhances InFusion SCADA 2.0 for remote applications
• GE Fanuc introduces Proficy SmartStart
• Satel-West announces WIPAT remote video monitoring system
• myDIALS announces Developer Kit for SaaS
• Maple releases HMI5043N portrait/landscape mode HMI
• Bachmann waterproofs M1 automation system
• PAS announces Integrity Disaster Recovery solution

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System Eliminates Need for Handheld Scans  
Assembly, December 2009
BMW’s plant in Regensburg, Germany, has long used tracking devices to monitor its production processes. Now, it uses a tool assistance system from Ubisense and a location identification system from IBS. The system continuously evaluates the spatial relationship between the line’s automated production systems and the vehicles being processed.

Panel Build Technology Sets Pace
Control Engineering, December 2009
By David Sanders and Bob Cheek, Metcam
Metcam specializes in custom sheet metal fabrication. They installed a control system based on a DL260 PLC, analog I/O, signal conditioners and an HMI, all from AutomationDirect.

Bentley benefits from production analysis software
Process & Control Today, December 2009
Luxury car producer Bentley Motors is using FactoryMonitor, a production analysis software system supplied by Autotech Controls. FactoryMonitor extracts and compiles a mass of data from the shop floor, presenting it in user-friendly graphical formats in real time.

PLC System Guides Cylinder Assembly
Assembly, November 2009
Alfing Montagetechnik in Germany built an automated cylinder head assembly machine for one of its automotive customers, using an IndraLogic CML40 programmable logic controller from Bosch Rexroth. The finished system consists of two lines working in parallel. It can complete a finished workpiece every 30 seconds.

Apriso FlexNet helps Shanghai General Motors improve efficiency
Shanghai General Motors implemented FlexNet for Quality Containment to improve tracking of materials across production, reduce the cost of quality and increase manufacturing efficiency.

Browse more application stories on the Factory Automation portal.

Connecting and Controlling the Food and Beverage Industries
By Hector Lin, Advantech
The future of control in the food, beverages and pharmaceuticals industries will require linking the HMI with modular I/O, robust computing platforms like PACs and embedded PCs with a complete industrial Ethernet product offering including managed switches, Power over Ethernet, and a common set of engineering tools.

Tuning the Forgotten Loop
By Steve Rubin, Longwatch
The “forgotten loop” has been the operator, who is typically trained to “average” parameters to run adequately under most steady-state conditions. “Advanced tuning” of the operator could yield even better outputs, with higher quality, fewer errors and a wider response to fluctuating operating conditions. This paper explores the issue of improving operator actions, and a method for doing so.

A Revolutionary Approach: Quad Redundancy Control
By GE Fanuc
White paper describes GE Fanuc’s approach to redundancy, using four redundant controllers—a Master Controller and three synchronized backup controllers. If the Master Controller or any of the system components fail, the system identifies the best backup controller to take over

Rockwell Automation publishes Energy-Management white paper
White paper outlines a methodology for industrial energy management that allows manufacturers to strategically and holistically improve energy use.

Browse more white papers on the Factory Automation portal.

ABB offers control system server backup service  
The service provides a fully domain integrated server imaging solution that enables rapid restoration of critical control system servers and clients following a disaster or computer failure.

Rexroth releases episode 12 in Lean Manufacturing podcast
“The Look and Feel of Lean” discusses how to implement and sustain lean manufacturing.

ABB Start-Up and Commissioning Services brochure
Brochure provides an overview of ABB's start-up and commissioning services.

ISA publishes Collaborative Process Automation Systems book
The book discusses topics such as engineering, security, enterprise connectivity, advanced process control, plant asset management and operator efficiency.

Thomson publishes Guide to Motion Solutions for Packaging Applications  
Covers pick-and-place/palletizing, label printing/scanning, stretch wrapping, carton packing, PET bottle manufacturing and filling machines.

Browse more resources and literature on the Factory Automation portal.

Understanding the new machine directive
January 20, 2010
Location: Dublin, Ireland
The standard DIN EN 954-1 has been replaced by the new ISO 13 849-1. This means that in future you must define a Performance Level and Diagnostic Coverage for your machine. This one day training gives an overview of the key aspects and implications of the Machine Directive. Price: €350,00.

International Market Access Seminar
February 10, 2010 Montclair, NJ
Department of Commerce and TÜVRheinland will provide an overview of the Global Regulatory Approvals Process and review potential roadblocks. Price: $99.

OPC Foundation - OPC Seminar Houston
February 24, 2010
Location: Houston, TX, USA
This vendor sponsored seminar will include an overview of OPC Classic including Data Access, Historical Data Access and Alarms and Events all with hands-on demonstrations. The seminar will also include an introduction to the new OPC Xi and a review of OPC Compliance.

ISA Understanding and Applying Motor Controls and Drives
May 18-20, 2010 Houston, Texas
This course give you a broad perspective of DC motors, AC motors (single & three-phase), and Variable Speed Drives (for AC Induction Motors and DC Motors). Industrial applications of Variable Speed Drives for constant torque, constant horsepower, and variable torque/variable horsepower are included. Also covered are Motor Starter Circuits and Reduced Voltage Starting techniques. Stepper Motors and Servo Motors are discussed along with their advantages and applications. Price: $1,310.

Browse more training and seminar opportunities on the Factory Automation portal.

Eastern European automation market entering 21st century
In the former communist countries in this region, almost all the privatised old factories have outdated technology that needs to be modernised.

Economic outlook for manufacturing sector in 2010
In general terms, FMA says 2010 will be better than 2009. GDP growth will be in the range of 2% to 3% and that is far superior to the negative numbers registered in the last year.

Automation Systems Market is coming back very slowly
ARC says the short term forecast for discrete automation systems looks bleak, but moderate market growth is expected five years from now. China and India are doing well, of course.

25 Years of PC-Based Control
At the 1984 ISA Show, 25 years ago, Intellution introduced The Fix, the first configurable PC-based HMI/SCADA software program. Process control and automation changed forever.

Browse more company and organizational news on the Factory Automation portal.

GE Fanuc to supply Proficy Workflow to SABIC Innovative Plastics  
SABIC Innovative Plastics will use the system to connect and organize people and work processes to drive Lean production initiatives – easing decision making on the plant floor and reducing costs.

Honeywell to supply controllers to Toyota Motor Europe
Toyota will use the HC900 hybrid controller to optimize air supply units and deliver greater energy-efficient temperature and humidity control within paint finishing spray booths.

ARC Informatique software to manage ventilation at CERN accelerator
PcVue will monitor and control ventilation systems and 200 programmable controllers at CERN, the largest particle accelerator in the world.

Honeywell to control printing of the Wall Street Journal
Honeywell will upgrade printing press controls at NYP, printer of the New York Post and The Wall Street Journal.

Browse more project news on the Factory Automation portal.

ARC's 14th Annual Orlando Forum
February 8-11, 2010 Orlando, Florida
Operational Excellence Forum covers collaboration tools and technologies that enable businesses to move beyond integration and begin to have people, teams, and organizations work together more effectively.

HazardEx 2010
February 24-25, 2010 Harrogate, UK
The comprehensive two day conference will give everyone involved in safety for engineering plant, insight and case study examples of how peers have executed safety programmes in their facilities. As always the programme will provide detailed standards/legislation updates directly from those involved in the process of creating them

WESTEC 2010
March 23-25, 2010
WESTEC offers expert demonstrations of the latest technologies and applications by more than 450 international exhibitors. These exhibitors are ready with the advanced machine tools, cutting tools and accessories, applications, emerging technologies, and business resources that keep manufacturing on the move.

India Packaging Show
April 9-12, 2010 Hyderabad, India
The show will bring together manufacturers and providers of machinery, materials and services for food, pharma and packaging industry from India and neighboring countries

2010 Niagara Summit
May 2-4, 2010 Las Vegas, Nevada
Covers automation infrastructure technology, device-to-enterprise integration and how devices integrate, connect and create interoperable environments.

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I hope you enjoyed this Factory Automation 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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