New U1270 series Handheld Digital Multimeters from Agilent

Water and dust resistant. Grip-friendly and feature-packed. That’s what you get with the new Agilent U1270 series handheld DMM. Agilent has reinvented the industrial handheld DMM to provide more essential features in a single tool that is easy and fast to operate.

Learn More.

54th Annual ISA POWID Symposium
June 5-10, 2011

This event will provide power generation industry leaders with information on the latest innovations in controls, instrumentation, cyber security, SmartGrid, regulatory issues and variable energy technologies, which impact the power generation delivery systems.

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.

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.

Visit the Plant Management & Maintenance portal and use the icons to subscribe to the live feed.

Learn more about RSS feeds.

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

New electrical test tools let technicians work safely in hazardous environments
Automation.com, February 2011
By Fluke
Technicians working on hazardous equipment and high-voltage circuits deserve every advantage to complete electrical test and measurement jobs safely. New test tools provide new ways to work safely and reduce exposure to electrical shock.

Optimizing Plant Performance Using Predictive Diagnostics
Valve Magazine, Winter 2010
Advances in intelligent control instrumentation have greatly enhanced the communications between controllers and plant personnel.

Basics of Analyzer Sample Systems  
Control, February 2011
By Ian Verhappen
Here's how to know your process conditions by calculating dead spaces, system lag time and system pressure drop, simplifying a planned system and picking the right equipment for it.

Contracting MRO services could mean trading control for cost benefits  
Plant Services, February 2011
By Mike Bacidore
Many organizations move slowly through the strategic considerations that define what they will manage and control with their own resources and which services they will contract another company to perform.

Don't Neglect Energy Auditing  
Chemical Processing, February 2011
By Mark Rosenzweig
When was the last time that your plant audited its compressed air system? Not properly monitoring compressed air and steam systems is foolish and can be costly.

Browse more articles on the Plant Management & Maintenance portal.

Emerson introduces CSI 2600 portable vibration monitor
CSI 2600 continuously monitors, records, and analyzes machinery information for 100 hours across 24 channels without the cost and commitment of a hardwired solution.

ASI introduces Rutaseal Grommets
These grommets are a quick and easy way to feed cable through an enclosure wall or panel while still maintaining a protection level of IP67 or NEMA 4X.

ProSoft Technology releases Faceplates for ControlLogix & Logix-XT
These faceplates help operators and engineers minimize downtime while troubleshooting by providing module configuration data and critical run-time diagnostics to FactoryTalk View ME applications.

Control Microsystems announces Trio45e Ethernet licensed radio
The ER45e increases IP communication network reliability and coverage while reducing the cost of deployment and ongoing management.

Fluke introduces ScopeMeter 190 Series II Portable Oscilloscopes
These portable scopes are safety rated for CAT III 1000 V / CAT IV 600 V environments.

Omron STI introduces D40Z Safety Interlock Switch
D40Z non-contact switches support ISO 13849-1 (Safety Category 4/PLe). Up to 30 units can be connected to a single G9SX-NS Controller while still maintaining category 4/PLe compliance.

Dwyer releases AQH-20 Handheld Indoor Air Quality Meter
Model AQH-20 measures the carbon dioxide concentration, air temperature, and humidity in one device.

Other Product Announcements

• Flowserve announces ValveSight predictive diagnostics for actuators
• Hilscher announces netBRICK gateway for harsh environments
• Distech Controls introduces EC-NetAX Security access control solution
• Axiomtek announces rBOX200 Din-rail fanless embedded system
• Midland ACS introduces OPD Stemsaver dual-redundant pneumatic pressure regulator
• Optex FA announces stainless steel ZM Series photoelectric sensor
• RC Systems introduces Rig Protector critical remote monitoring system
• Yokogawa introduces CombustionONE solution for combustion-based processes
• Matrox Introduces Dual-Monitor KVM Extender
• Palmer Instruments introduces test tools for pressure applications

Browse more Product Announcements on the Plant Management & Maintenance portal.

Search all Products by keyword, category, manufacturer or release date.

Schneider Electric offers 3D CAD drawings for automation products  
Customers can access and search the catalog directly from the Schneider Electric U.S. website and download the drawings into their designs, allowing shorter design time and faster time to market.

Siemens provides BIM data for electrical distribution equipment  
BIM for Revit MEP low-voltage distribution products are in full compliance with AutoDesk Seek RMC SG standards.

Rockwell Automation's Online Tool Helps Reduce Energy Use  
Free Energy Evaluator tool gives a manufacturer a complete analysis of its current water, air, gas, electric and steam (WAGES) management performance.

AVEVA announces Instrumentation Business Value Calculator  
BVC assists with estimating the time and cost savings a business could achieve by implementing adopting the latest instrumentation technology.

Parker ToolSpec App Selects Equipment for Tube Assembly Operations  
Determining the appropriate equipment for an operation is much easier with ToolSpec because it applies basic information supplied by users to find a suitable match.

Browse more resources on the Plant Management & Maintenance portal.

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.

General Motors Controls Energy Costs with Automation Software  
Sustainable Plant, February 2011
General Motors uses GE Intelligent Platforms automation software solution to control the lights and other big energy-consuming equipment in its assembly plants.

SIPOS’ subterranean solution  
Process and Control Today, February 2011
Built in shafts and tunnels, traditional below ground systems are costly to construct. A new design uses concrete rings as an alternative to shafts and tunnels. Requiring no maintenance, this approach is an ideal application for variable speed actuators for valve control.

Exelon Enjoys Benefits of Online Transformer Monitoring  
Power, January 2011
By Ishmael Rivera
Exelon Corp. of Chicago, IL, uses a Serveron Model TM8 online monitor from BPL Global to look for the presence of eight specific gases: hydrogen, oxygen, methane, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ethylene, ethane, and acetylene in transformer oil.

Automatic Tank Gauging Relieves Anxiety  
IMPO, January 2011
There’s nothing inherently wrong with the traditional systems that are used to monitor and record AST product levels. But when you’re talking about storage vessels that can be upwards of 50 feet tall and contain up to 500,000 gallons of product, they are just not as accurate at recording product levels.

Smart wireless network monitors critical equipment  
International Power Engineer, December 2010
Emerson’s smart wireless technology provides continuous performance data on critical boiler feed pumps at PPL Generation's Montour power station, as well as feedwater and air heaters at its Brunner Island Unit 1 power plant, both in Pennsylvania, USA.

Browse more application stories on the Plant Management & Maintenance portal.

Video Surveillance Integrated with SCADA  
By Control Microsystems
This paper explores the growing security requirements for critical infrastructure in SCADA industries and the capability of operators to efficiently integrate video surveillance into their existing SCADA networks without hindering communications and bandwidth to the control centre.

AVEVA publishes Operations Integrity Management paper  
Exploring critical business areas for both project and asset performance, the paper seeks to identify how Owner Operators can reduce operational cost and risk through an optimised information management strategy.

Improve the Agility of Demand-Driven Supply Networks  
By GE Intelligent Platforms
This white paper discusses where untapped information may exist in the plant and how manufacturing information should be managed through the implementation of Operational Excellence initiatives.

Fieldbus Diagnostics: Latest Advancements Optimize Plant Asset Management  
By Stephen Mitschke, Fieldbus Foundation
Advancements in field diagnostics support a structured approach to asset management, which simplifies operators’ tasks and increases their confidence in utilizing equipment diagnostics and asset software.

Device Revision and Lifecycle Management Guide  
By Emerson Process Management
How to keep systems up to date and compatible with new devices using EDDL.

Browse more white papers on the Plant Management & Maintenance portal.

Study says most manufacturers in a green supply chain  
Almost 77 percent of manufactures participating in a recent survey said they are currently required by their customers to report on their environmental impact.

Endress+Hauser Opens Two More Training Centers  
The training centers, in Mobile, Alabama, and Matthews, North Carolina, teach fundamental, theoretical, and practical knowledge about instrumentation and application technology.

Industrial Video and Control Acquires Longwatch  
Longwatch is a developer of video management software for industrial automation and process control applications. IVC will maintain the Longwatch brand and operate the company as a division of IVC.

Opto 22 adds energy management software from Pulse Energy  
Opto 22 added Pulse energy management software to connect to customers' metering devices, electrical panels, machines and equipment.

Government passes Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act  
Federal legislation will provide training for federal building personnel in the areas of building operations and maintenance, energy management, safety and design functions.

Browse more company and organizational news on the Plant Management & Maintenance portal.

Emerson to supply DeltaV electronic marshalling to Solvay  
Solvay’s Tavaux plant faces the task of managing a collection of control systems from multiple suppliers. This includes DCSs, PLCs, relay-based systems, pneumatic systems, and emergency shutdown systems (ESD).

GE to supply Proficy Workflow to S3 Development  
Proficy will be the foundation for an Intelligent Control Room Management solution for S3’s natural gas and hazardous liquids customers.

Emerson to control Petrobras' Comperj project  
Emerson will supply systems for process control, safety, fire and gas detection, machinery monitoring, management of process and maintenance information, instruments, valves, and other related products and services.

Invensys supplies training kiosks to Eni Refining  
Combining Invensys' SimSci-Esscor EYESIM solution and Eni’s refining expertise, EYESIM kiosks train field operators on generic and specific process tasks.

ABB to maintain offshore wind farms  
ABB will provide maintenance services for the grid connections of offshore wind farms located in the North Sea off the coast of Germany.

Browse more project news on the Plant Management & Maintenance portal.

Online industrial vibration training courses  
Meggitt's industrial vibration training course videos explain vibration monitoring to beginner and intermediate users and help them understand how to derive the benefits of vibration analysis.

Maintaining Pneumatic Components in Measurement and Control (TI06)
March 21, 2011 - March 22, 2011
Location: Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
This course covers correct technology, operation, and maintenance of pneumatic instruments employed in modern process facilities. The emphasis is on valves, valve positioners, controllers, and transmitters.

Advanced Operation of Digital Valve Controllers (TS18)
March 24, 2011 - March 25, 2011
Location: Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
This lab-intensive class focuses on digital valve controller fundamentals, the configuration and calibration process, the diagnostic capabilities, and the utilization of computer-based diagnostic tools.

Certified Control Systems Technician® (CCST®) Level I Review Course (TS00)
March 29, 2011 - March 31, 2011
Location: Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
This is a fast paced review of the knowledge and practical skills necessary to install and maintain standard measurement and control instrumentation. It is intended for practicing technicians preparing for the CCST Level I exam. An explanation of the examination process and practice certification-type exams are provided.

Web Seminar: Cyber Security Risk Assessment for Automation Systems
March 30, 2011
2:30 PM - (GMT -5:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada), Bogota, Lima Time Zone
This seminar introduces you to the concepts of risk analysis and how they are applied to industrial manufacturing and control systems. This seminar is also valuable for IT professionals who wish to learn the special considerations of automation systems in performing risk analysis.

Boiler Control Systems Engineering (ES15)
April 11, 2011 - April 13, 2011
Location: Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
This course covers boiler components and their purpose. Additionally, the course explains the ISA symbols used in boiler control, how to identify the engineering and control of boilers using theses symbols, and a method of presenting the engineering.

Browse more training and seminar opportunities on the Plant Management & Maintenance portal.

Automate 2011
March 21, 2011 - March 24, 2011
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Formerly the International Robots, Vision & Motion Control Show, Automate now showcases the full spectrum of automation technologies and solutions. It’s held just once every two years, so be sure to take advantage of this great opportunity to find the right solutions to meet your automation challenges.

FILTECH 2011
March 22, 2011 - March 24, 2011
Location: Wiesbaden, Germany
FILTECH is the largest special interest Event world-wide devoted entirely to filtration and separation technology. FILTECH is a must for all those concerned with designing, improving, purchasing, selling or researching filtration and separation equipment and services.

RFID
March 29, 2011 - March 31, 2011
Location: Paris, France
RFID is the only European event presenting the widest range of solutions and services dedicated to traceability and identification of movements, materials, products or people which integrate the technology of RFID.

Hannover Messe 2011
April 4, 2011 - April 8, 2011
Location: Hannover, Germany
With its line-up of 13 leading international trade shows, HANNOVER MESSE 2011 will be at full strength and will underline its global importance as a showcase for tomorrow's technologies and ideas. No other event presents as many ground-breaking innovations and integrated solutions. France is the partner country for 2011.

ASHRAE Energy Modeling Conference
April 4, 2011 - April 6, 2011
Location: Atlanta, GA
ASHRAE's Energy Modeling Conference: Tools for Designing High Performance Buildings will provide hands-on modelers and principals with the information to better harness the power of energy modeling tools. The conference covers modeling fundamentals, building component contributions, software demonstrations and case studies.

Browse more industry events on the Plant Management & Maintenance portal.

Add an event to our calendar.