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September 2008 |
Sponsor: ProSoft Technology |
900 MHz Ethernet and serial radios from ProSoft Technology
ProSoft Technology's new 900 MHz Industrial Frequency Hopping Ethernet and serial radios are license-free and provide best-in-class performance, with features including 128 bit AES encryption, 1 watt of transmit power, and RF data rates up to 1.1 Mbps for Ethernet or 230 kbps for serial. They are ideal for long range SCADA applications, projects with challenging paths, and applications requiring penetration of obstructions such as foliage or walls. Ethernet radios also support wireless serial server functionality.
Click here to learn more
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Sponsor: National Instruments |
Go Wireless for Industrial Remote Monitoring:
Explore simple, secure NI Wi-Fi data acquisition (DAQ) devices. The new Wi-Fi DAQ devices combine IEEE 802.11g wireless or Ethernet communication, direct sensor connectivity, and the highest commercially available network security to simplify remote monitoring of mechanical vibration and industrial processes. Stream wireless data at more than 50 kS/s per channel with 24 bits of resolution. View technical resources and solutions for wireless industrial remote monitoring.
Click here to learn more
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Our Automation Portals organize information by various automation topics and include articles, white papers, product announcements, application stories, company news, resources, literature, training, seminars, and events.
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| In this Issue |
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Featured Articles
Resources & Literature
Application Stories
Featured Training
Product Announcements
Company News
Application News
Featured Events
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| Featured Articles |
You can knock, but you can’t get in
Control Engineering, September 2008
By Dennis Brandl
There is a new form of network control called Network Access Control (NAC) that will have a major impact on industrial Ethernet networks. NAC has been in the IT press for several years, but it has only recently starting to hit mainstream IT organizations. A typical NAC implementation will allow network access only to devices that are registered, where there is a valid user account and where all required patches have been installed.
Communication changes in the air
InTech, September 2008
By Rao Kalapatapu
An evolution is taking place in the design and implementation of communication and network systems for control and operation of process industries, including chemical, petrochemical, and oil and gas plants. Communication and network system integration is inevitable, but be careful about separating them from normal IT networks.
Benefiting from Industrial Ethernet at the Device Level
By Peishan Juan, Advantech Corporation
In this white paper, the shift to Ethernet at the device level will be explored and some of the most popular industrial Ethernet implementations described. Peer-to-peer and graphic control languages will be examined. That will be followed by a listing of some of the add-on benefits of industrial Ethernet.
When Do You Consider Using a Managed Switch?
By Joe Stasiek, Contemporary Controls
A managed switch will allow you to create a fully optimized network by being able to configure the network for performance and to monitor the network for status. With a managed switch, you can choose the optimal operating parameters for your network ports instead of using auto-negotiated settings.
Open Control Systems and Data Networking Convergence
By Ron Bernstein, LonMark
Data convergence is the overall connecting of building control devices by allowing formerly non-interactive agents to share and use common information. Convergence can be best achieved through open control networks, as integration is the key to information exchange.
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| Browse these and more articles and white papers on the Industrial Communications portal. |
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| Resources & Literature |
UEI publishes Cube and RACKtangle catalog
Catalog details Cube and RACKtangle I/O chassis and how they may be deployed as PACs, Ethernet I/O systems, standalone data loggers, Simulink targets, and Modbus TCP slaves.
Korenix publishes master catalogue
Catalogue contains industrial computing and networking equipment, including Ethernet switches, computers, I/O servers, and serial cards.
B&R offers free openPOWERLINK Industrial Ethernet
The openPOWERLINK solution for the master and slave side can be downloaded free of charge. The Open Source implementation reaches cycle times up to 0.5 milliseconds while ensuring high synchronicity.
Pepperl+Fuchs introduces FieldConnex Cordset configurator
Online configuration tool allows users to design FieldConnex fieldbus Type A/ER cordset and extension cables in 10 easy steps.
Contemporary Controls publishes BACnet brochure
The four-color brochure discusses the BAS Remote family of remote I/O products that allow expansion of BACnet systems in the field.
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Browse these and more resources and literature on the Industrial Communications portal.
| | Application Stories |
Gateway to process automation
Control Engineering, September 2008
Valspar Corp. is the third largest paint and coatings company in North America. To handle its paint blending process, MMCI uses Emerson Process Micro Motion flowmeters, a Rockwell Automation process automation system, Ethernet communications, and a ControlLogix PAC.
Industrial Ethernet in VW-Golf production
South Africa Instrumentation & Control, September 2008
In Wolfsburg, Germany, the largest vehicle/automobile plant in the world is combined with the largest production network in the world in the automobile construction industry. Profitek supplied the Industrial Ethernet hardware.
Ford Mustang Assembly Employs CC-Link Network
IEN, July 2008
The AutoAlliance facility in Flat Rock, MI makes extensive use of CC-Link networking. CC-Link-controlled conveyors move car bodies through the numerous welding, assembly, and painting stations. The motors that power the conveyors throughout the facility are controlled by Mitsubishi VFD Drives, communicating via CC-Link.
It's all in the LANs
InTech, August 2008
By Fereshteh Fatehi and Yuqiu You
In one of our latest projects, we integrated the PLC control process and data transmission by applying the local area network (LAN) technology in PLC control. We set up the communication of the remote PLC control by establishing a LAN connecting computers and PLCs.
Ups and Downs of Taking the Bus—Part II
Industrial Networking, Summer 2008
By Gary Forrest, Wyeth Research
Part 2: Problems come up with the implementation of Profibus-DP instrumentation and controls, and the software configuration of each Profibus-DP device.
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Browse these and more application stories on the Industrial Communications portal.
| | Featured Training |
Unleashing the Power of OPC - A 2-Part Educational Webinar Series
September 24, 2008 - 11 AM US Eastern Time (GMT-5), 4 PM London
This series brings two VENDOR NEUTRAL presentations from the highly popular OPC Road Shows series to the comfort of your own office. These webinars will show you how to leverage OPC investments and OPC technology in your custom business and manufacturing software applications using Visual Studio.NET.
Longwatch offers free Webinars: Video, the Next Sensor for Factory Automation
September 24, 2008 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. (14:30 to 15:30 GMT)
October 8, 2008 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. (14:00 to 15:00 GMT)
Webinar discusses the emergence of new video technology, and how it can be integrated with an HMI/SCADA system.
FDT Technical Seminar
October 28, 2008 Greenville, SC
Free one day seminar has technical presentations on FDT, customer needs, user benefits, and the solution. Live demonstrations will follow demonstrating HART, FOUNDATION fieldbus and Profibus utilizing FDT-DTMs.
CANBus Communication
By National Instruments
15-minute on-line slide presentation covers the basics of the ISO 11898 Controller Area Network protocol.
Using Dual Ethernet Interfaces on a PAC
By Opto 22
One-minute training video explains how to connect two Ethernet interfaces to a SNAP-PAC controller. Go to the link, click on OptoMinutes.
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Browse these and more training and seminar opportunities on the Industrial Communications portal.
| | Product Announcements | | |
Browse these and more Product Announcements on the Industrial Communications portal.
Search all Products by keyword, category, manufacturer or release date. | | Company & Organizational News |
RTI and Lockheed Martin add messaging to LabVIEW
The two companies announced a joint effort to provide a high-performance, low-latency messaging middleware solution for National Instruments LabVIEW applications.
Yokogawa's EtherNet/IP Interface passes ODVA Conformance Test
The EtherNet/IP communication interface for Yokogawa's data acquisition and industrial recorder products has passed the ODVA conformance test.
NI reports record revenue for Q2 2008
National Instruments reported record quarterly revenue of $210.5 million, up 17 percent in the second quarter of 2008.
Pepperl+Fuchs opens training center in Houston
The training facility provides local technical support, hands-on training, real-world application demos, video conferencing and an experienced staff.
PLCopen adding IEC 61131-3 to OPC UA
PLCopen is re-activating Technical Committee TC4 to define an IEC 61131-3 based information model as additional part of the overall OPC UA specification.
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Browse these and more company and organizational news on the Industrial Communications portal. |
| Application News |
Ethernet Direct adds Modbus to PcVUE SCADA
PcVUE HMI/SCADA uses Modbus over TCP/IP switches from Ethernet Direct.
RuggedCom to supply Ethernet switches to Wind Farm in China
The contract, valued at $1 million, includes RuggedSwitch i800 and RSG2100 products for the wind turbine control system and wind farm.
Kepware provides communications for Online Development's ControlLogix Gateway
Kepware will provide communications for a communications Gateway for use with an Allen Bradley Control Logix controller.
Softing to embed PROFIBUS into subsea oil well equipment
Aker Solutions, Scotland, will use a Softing Profibus board in a “Christmas Tree,” an assembly of valves, spools and fittings for an oil well.
Westermo supplies time synchronized switches for electric power system
ELKOMTECH will use Westermo time synchronization R208 Ethernet switches to equip 1700 substations within the Polish electrical distribution network supervised by PSE.
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| Browse these and more application news on the Industrial Communications portal. |
| Featured Events |
ISA Expo
October 14-16, 2008 Houston, Texas
Organized around six core automation and control themes, ISA EXPO 2007 provides attendees a content-rich environment that offers unlimited opportunity for exploration of key technologies, professional growth, and interaction with like minded professionals.
MatrikonOPC User Group Europe
October 22, 2008 - Barcelona, Spain
Discrete manufacturers and process control industries are facing growing challenges including limited resources; greater time pressures, new accountability regulations and budgetary restraints. MatrikonOPC Users Group Conference provides an environment that facilitates hands-on learning to overcome challenges and provides integrators and end users with professional development that enables them to proactively counter these industry wide challenges.
Remote 2008
November 5-6, 2008 Atlanta, GA
Conference and Expo will focus on the leading advancements for the monitoring and management of distributed equipment and facilities, remote assets, automated process & system controls and device networks.
PACK EXPO
November 9-13, 2008 Chicago, IL
PACK EXPO International will focus on the latest developments in packaging technology and will showcase exhibitors' state-of-the-art advances in packaging machinery, converting machinery, materials, packages and containers, and components.
Automation Fair 2008
November 19-20, 2008 - Nashville, TN
Rockwell Automation's Automation Fair® provides an excellent opportunity for them to stay aware of the latest and best that automation technology has to offer. Automation Fair is the premier industry event focusing on advanced automation products, integrated control and information architecture — and value-add services and solutions.
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Browse more industry events on the Industrial Communications portal.
Add an event to our calendar. |
I hope you enjoyed this Industrial Communications 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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