UPDATED! "Installing Fieldbus" White Paper

Automation engineers are coming face-to-face with fieldbus applications for the first time. Fieldbus is a wonderful technology with many benefits, but fieldbus installation requires additional considerations over and above normal 4-20mA projects. In this white paper, we discuss some of those issues and show you how to deal with them.

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Flexible solutions for automated applications

Molex has the flexibility to offer a wide range of custom M8/M12 connection choices. Different lengths. Different colors. Different shielding. With more than 19,000 standard products—from cordsets, distribution boxes and field attachables to splitters, tees and receptacles—we not only have what you need...we’ll customize it for you.

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IIS Symposium 2011
June 20 - 24, 2011

The 57th International Instrumentation Symposium (IIS) will provide an outstanding opportunity to gain valuable technical information and training in the traditional areas of measurements/sensors, instrumentation systems, data and advanced system/sensor technology, and many other state-of-the-art areas.

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The Fieldbus Jungle -- Part II
Industrial Networking, May 2011
By P. Hunter Vegas, Avid Solutions
Based on Part I of this article, you might wonder if fieldbuses are worth the effort. The answer is a resounding "Yes"—in the right application. It also can be an equally resounding "No" in the wrong situation.

Multivendor Ethernet Safety Protocol - Noble Goal  
Automation.com, April 2011
By Bill Lydon, Editor
The openSAFETY standard supporters are posing an interesting idea to the industry - use a single Ethernet-based safety protocol, openSAFETY, on all automation applications regardless of industrial Ethernet protocol used for controls.

Smart Transmitters: Standardisation In Operation
Industrial Automation Asia, April 2011
By Jonas Berge, Emerson Process Management
Developments in device integration technologies combined with designs that are based on usability research, have resulted in a consistent look and feel among transmitters using different protocols. This makes it easy for technicians to commission, setup, calibrate, and troubleshoot this mix of transmitters.

Field Wireless Automation Solutions Based On The ISA100-11a Standard  
Process Industry Informer, March 2011
By Henk van der Bent, Yokogawa Europe
Communication between field devices and control systems started with 4-20 mA and has evolved via hybrid communication systems such as HART and Brain, to digital communication technologies such as FOUNDATION Fieldbus and PROFIBUS, and finally to wireless communication based on the ISA100.11a standard.

Transitioning from Fieldbus to Ethernet  
By Joan Jacinto
Totally Integrated Automation
PROFINET specifications bring to Ethernet the kind of real-time, deterministic capabilities required for plant floors. At the same time, it delivers on support for wireless networks along with enhanced troubleshooting, diagnostics and integration with existing fieldbus and business networks.

Browse more articles on the Fieldbus Networks portal.

Emerson enhances 475 field communicator
Enhancements include a new interface that features graphical menus that are easy to use and understand, and Device Dashboards that provide a clear view of a device’s operating health.

TURCK announces BL20 Economy gateways
Gateways for EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, DeviceNet, CANopen and PROFIBUS provide a flexible in-the-cabinet system for distributed I/O.

Other Product Announcements

• NORD Announces PROFINET Technology Unit
• IXXAT enhances canAnalyser software

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Wapice releases Free CAN diagnostic tool  
CANrunner can monitor real-time data on CAN bus, analyze and catch problems on a CAN bus, and view CAN bus statistics.

sercos/IP Library Released as Open Source Software  
The driver software is available for download in C# source code without any license fees or usage limitations.

ABB publishes brochure on 2600T family of pressure transmitters  
The brochure highlights a comprehensive range of pressure measurement products, stressing reliability and simplified installation and configuration.

Siemon provides 3D Cable Models through Autodesk Web Service  
Building and network designers can now find Siemon cabling product models through the Autodesk Seek web service.

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Networks diagnostics made easy - Monitoring PROFINET and PROFIBUS Networks  
Automation.com, May 2011
By Dr. Christine Eckert
SZST Salzgitter Service und Technik GmbH thoroughly tested Trebing + Himstedt’s TH SCOPE unified diagnostics solution at a SIL-based installation in a steel mill.

Tank measurements shared with production planning department  
Control Engineering Europe, March 2011
John Crabbie & Co installed nine new storage tanks with VEGAPULS plics-plus radar level sensors. The sensors are connected using HART multi-drop communications, allowing tank inventory data to be shared via the company LAN (Local Area Network).

Airfield Lights Using Wireless POINT I/O and Mobile Operator Interfaces
At the heart of the lighting systems are ControlLogix PACs utilizing Ethernet/IP wireless communications modules. Airfield lighting circuit status is served to a FactoryTalk SCADA operator console located in the Air Traffic Control Tower.

Absolute positioning on a budget  
When the Rock-Tenn paperboard mill in Aurora IL wanted to automate the positioning and tensioning of the belts on its paperboard dryer conveyor system, it took an innovative combination of high-end, absolute encoders and basic, low-end control and drive technology to get the job done.

Genzyme monitors 50,000 SCADA points with HMS Anybus Communicator  
Using about 30 HMS Anybus gateways, Genzyme converts serial and ASCII data from centrifuges, pH-meters and balances and sends it over Ethernet or Profibus to the central SCADA.

Browse more application stories on the Fieldbus Networks portal.

FieldServer DNP3 Gateways pass DNP Level 2 Conformance Tests  
DNP3 protocol was originally developed for interoperability between substation computers and RTUs but is now also widely used in the water/wastewater, transportation and oil/gas industries.

EnOcean interoperable with TCP/IP  
EnOcean Alliance announced that its wireless, battery-less energy harvesting sensors and associated control systems are now fully interoperable with TCP/IP.

HART Seeks Nominees for Plant of the Year Award  
The HART Plant of the Year is presented to end user companies in the process automation industry to recognize the exceptional application of HART Communication technology.

Yokogawa Appoints Chester Mroz Head of North American Business  
Mroz was the President of ABB’s petroleum, chemical and consumer industries business area based in Zurich, Switzerland.

Fieldbus Foundation appoints Larry O’Brien Global Marketing Manager
O’Brien has 18 years of experience in the process automation business as a research director and analyst at ARC, and has been closely tracking and reporting on developments surrounding FOUNDATION fieldbus for much of his career.

Browse more company and organizational news on the Fieldbus Networks portal.

PROFINET Certified Network Engineering Class
June 13, 2011 - June 17, 2011
Location: Johnson City, TN, USA
In this hands-on training you will dive into the installation, operation and maintenance of PROFINET products and networks. This course is an intensive, four-day training program.

Ethernet & TCP/IP on the Plant Floor (FG21C)
June 22, 2011
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Held in conjunction with the ISA Water and Wastewater Symposium. Using process control concepts, this seminar explains both Ethernet and TCP/IP as they apply to the plant floor. Included are topics such as the various types of copper and fiber-based Ethernet, how to design Ethernet cabling systems, and security.

PROFINET One-day Training Class
June 23, 2011
Location: Cincinnati, OH, USA
This class prepares the student to apply PROFINET in his own project. Technical details of the technology are provided along with practical demonstrations.

Industrial Data Communications Systems (TS06)
July 11, 2011 - July 15, 2011
Location: Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
Starting from the basics, this course gives you the tools to design and maintain industrial communications systems on your plant floor. You'll learn the underlying principles behind today's industrial communications systems, including Modbus, Data Highway Plus, Ethernet, and TCP/IP.

Browse more training and seminar opportunities on the Fieldbus Networks portal.

Honeywell Users Group Americas Symposium 2011
June 12, 2011 - June 16, 2011
Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Hundreds of automation users and industry experts gather to explore the latest industry trends and technology developments each year. The event features hands-on demonstrations of the latest technology, one-to-one interaction with products experts, and group discussion with other Honeywell users. The robust technical conference provides invaluable education and insight.

2011 Siemens Automation Summit
June 27, 2011 - June 30, 2011
Location: Orlando, FL, USA
Join Siemens to see live, hands-on demonstrations showcasing best-in-class solutions, hear from others how they have successfully applied solutions that you can use in your operations, and network with your peers and Siemens management.

ISA Expo Control 2011 / Mexico
August 24, 2011 - August 26, 2011
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
ISA Expo Control 2011 is the exhibition in Mexico that will allow you to achieve those goals by bringing together the most important national and international companies in instrumentation, control, automation, robotics, software, hardware and measurement.

Remote Monitoring and Control 2011
September 19, 2011 - September 21, 2011
Location: Nashville, TN, USA
Remote Monitoring and Control 2011 will focus on the leading advancements for the monitoring and management of distributed equipment and facilities, remote assets, infrastructure, automated process & system controls and device networks.

ISA Automation Week 2011
October 17, 2011 - October 20, 2011
Location: Mobile, AL, USA
This world-class conference will cover seven technical tracks in depth and will be designed with information critical to several identified automation and control career paths. ISA Automation Week provides you with the opportunity to get the best unbiased knowledge available to help you in your jobs and your future.

Browse more industry events on the Fieldbus Networks portal.

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