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.

What's in a name?
by Jeff Payne, AutomationDirect
PLC, DCS and PAC are a few acronyms used to describe what originally replaced relays in the late 1960s. So, what are the differences and why do we need to call them by so many different names?

Energy efficiency of power quality technologies
Plant Engineering, May 2008
By Dr. William Brumsickle
Ferromagnetic transformers – also known as CVTs – work by continuously oscillating energy between the CVT’s transformer secondary and its load-side capacitor. Sloshing that energy back and forth creates heat. CVT efficiency is 70% to 80% in typical applications. CVTs are commonly installed with PLC panels, often in the hundreds or thousands. Taken together, they could burn a megawatt of wasted heat in a large plant.

PLCs and DCSs Converge
Control Engineering, May 2008
By Bob Nelson and Todd Stauffer, Siemens Energy & Automation
The evolution of PLC, DCS and hybrid control technologies makes it more challenging than ever for process manufacturers to select the best technology for their application. The answers to questions in seven areas can help guide you to the right choice.

Custom Controls Survey - Complimentary assessment, tips and tricks
We are conducting a brief survey on custom controls — that is, board-level controllers used in place of standard PLCs or process controls. If you use custom controls in your automation applications, please take a minute to tell us why you use them and what challenges you face. You may be eligible to receive a complimentary controls assessment, plus tips and tricks on how to lower your control costs.

Browse these and more articles and white papers on the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) portal.

PLC Tips from the Tech Team
By The Tech Team, AutomationDirect
Tips and Techniques to help make programming and installation easier for users of DirectLOGIC PLCs.

Brochure describes WAGO-IO-SYSTEM
The brochure includes background on PLCs, the WAGO-I/O-SYSTEM and key 750/753 Series features.

PLCopen releases Motion Control Part 3
This document covers user guidelines, and is the third part of a set of documents of the PLCopen Task Force Motion Control.

PLCopen publishes Logic, Motion and Safety paper
Document provides examples and guidance for the combination of the different technologies, making it easier for a user to integrate safety in a motion and logic application.

Itris releases free PLC Metrics web tool to analyze PLC programs
PLC Metrics allows automation engineers and technicians to automatically analyze PLC programs, such as the number of rungs, I/O and steps, hardware configuration, and Grafcet steps and macros.

OMRON provides online access to datasheets for 4,000 products
On-line product data eliminates the need for customers to refer to printed catalogs and datasheets, or make multiple telephone calls to confirm product specifications.

Browse these and more resources and literature on the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) portal.

Geo SCADA Makes the World a Smaller Place
Automation World, August 2008
Equitable Gas in Pittsburgh automated its engines and compressors with PLCs and a WinCC SCADA HMI from Siemens. All of the process sensors, electric actuators and other devices in the system plug directly into a Profibus network, which eliminated much of the wiring to the PLCs.

STARDOM revitalises integrated control system
South Africa Instrumentation & Control, July 2008
The compressor control upgrade project for a polymerisation plant operated by Safripol in South Africa replaces existing PLCs with a STARDOM network-based control system.

Adroit heads south to manage water system
Control Engineering Europe, June 2008
The six major pump stations at the Adroit SCADA system have PLC controlled MC panels. The telemetry RTU is connected to the PLC via a serial interface using Modbus protocol and provides the ability to monitor all the inputs as well as providing the facility for remote modifications of certain measuring and controlling parameters within the PLC.

Better hardware, better bottle
Control Engineering Europe, June 2008
Amcor, an Australian packaging company, installed Wonderware InTouch SCADA and real-time database InSQL on Advantech Touch Screen PCs. The acquisition of data from plastics machinery required fast data access without affecting PLC cycle time. A pilot design was developed and tested prior to deployment across 28 machines.

Royal Huisman gives yacht SCADA boost
Control Engineering Europe, June 2008
Royal Huisam, a boat building company in the Netherlands, used a SCADA system to boost energy efficiency on its 58m ‘Ethereal’ yacht. The system includes CitectSCADA V7 with integrated clustering, 26 PLCs, 2 servers and 30 display clients.

CLPA controls eco building
Control Engineering Europe, May 2008
In Ely, UK, GB Innomech’s building control is based on a PLC, HMI and distributed networked local controls. CC-Link was chosen as the operating protocol as it is an open system which can communicate with a wide variety of field hardware.

Browse these and more application stories on the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) portal.

Remote I/O Video Tutorials
By AutomationDirect
Part 1, a five-minute video, covers what you should know before using remote I/O; part 2, an 11-minute video covers the basics of using Remote I/O.

WAGO offers free Industrial Control Seminars
Three-day Industrial Control Seminars focusing on the latest in control technology will be held in Germantown, WI.

PLC Structure, Programming, Installation, and Maintenance
September 22-26, 2008 Research Triangle Park, NC
This course will enable you to understand PLC architecture, configuration, installation, maintenance and ladder logic programming with over 50% hands on training.

Industrial Data Communications
November 17-19, 2008 Research Triangle Park, NC
Learn the underlying principles behind today's industrial communications systems, including Modbus, Data Highway Plus and Ethernet/TCP IP. Real life examples and case histories will help you understand the facts behind control networks and how to apply and maintain them effectively in your plant.

OPC Training Seminars
The OPC Foundation and its sponsoring members will host a series of eight one-day training seminars. These free seminars are tailored for end-users, systems integrators and OEMs, and are designed to cover the fundamentals of OPC including Servers, Clients, OPC Data Access, OPC Unified Architecture, Best Practices and Compliance.

Browse these and more training and seminar opportunities on the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) portal.

• WebDock updates DataPort Data Collection for RSLinx
• Divelbiss announces PLC Programming Trainer/Simulators
• CimQuest INGEAR uprades NET.ABLink for Allen-Bradley PLCs
• Itris Automation's PLC Converter supports Modicon M340 PAC

Browse these and more Product Announcements on the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) portal.

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ABB Q2 Net Income up 34%
ABB reported record orders, revenues and earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) in the second quarter of 2008, with net income reaching $975 million.

DCS vs ACS: power utilities seek improved productivity
South Africa Instrumentation & Control, July 2008
Power generation utilities in southern Africa are expected to increasingly adopt automation and control solutions (ACS) to counter the effects of the current power shortage. Frost & Sullivan finds that DCSes are the most widely used solution in power generation. However, DCS faces increasing competition from inexpensive solutions such as SCADA and PLCs.

Which safety technologies protect the most machines?
Control Engineering, July 2008
Venture Development says the largest dollar volume shipments are in light curtains and electromechanical single-function relays. Over half the worldwide shipments of safety PLCs in 2007 were of those integrated with machine controllers.

Emerging Economies and PACs Driving PLC Growth
Control Engineering Asia, June 2008
Strong economic growth in Asia and Eastern Europe significantly boosted the programmable logic controller (PLC) market in 2007. While economic expansion is expected to continue, future growth will be at a slower pace. The worldwide market for PLCs, which reached nearly US$9 billion in 2007, is forecast to grow at 6.5% to over U$12 billion in 2012.

ARC says PLC market to reach $12 billion by 2012
The PLC market reached nearly $9.0 billion in 2007 and is forecasted to grow to over $12 billion in 2012, according to a new ARC Advisory Group study.

Browse these and more company and organizational news on the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) portal.

MultiTrode uses ISaGRAF 5 in MultiSmart Pump Station Manager
MultiSmart Pump Station Manager monitors and controls water/wastewater lift stations. Version 2.0 includes a pump controller, a PLC, and ISaGRAF v5 for complex station control.

ABB supplies controls for 1000 Intersolar solar trackers
ABB's PLCs will control ABB variable speed drives, which orientate the photovoltaic modules across two axes to achieve maximum exposure to the sun throughout the day.

Safety System Monitors Robotic Workcell
IEN, May 2008
SureFire LLC installed Pilz safetyPLCs on its robot workcell that makes high level, reliable flashlights for military, law enforcement, and consumer use. The Pilz system consists of a base unit that includes a chip card that communicates with various safety devices, while also sending signal out for annunciation of the status of the Safety System.

GE Fanuc supplies PLCs and HMI to Macawber Beekay
Equipment includes PLC-based control panels, Proficy HMI/SCADA, CIMPLICITY, and VersaMax I/O to control ash material handling at Macawber Beekay's plant in New Delhi, India

Prism Solar Technologies to install IFS ERP
Prism Solar will implement the IFS Applications product suite of mixed-mode manufacturing, which will be integrated with PLC and RF devices to automate its data collection processes.

International Manufacturing Technology Show
September 8-13, 2008 Chicago, IL
The largest and longest running manufacturing technology trade show in the United States, IMTS is ranked among the largest trade shows in the world. IMTS attracts over 90,000 visitors from every level of industry and over 40 countries.

Automation 2008
September 25-28, 2008 Mumbai, India
India's No. 1 Automation Exhibition.

The Exhibition for Processing and Packaging Machinery
September 30 to October 2, 2008 Birmingham, UK
The PPMA Show is the UK’s annual showcase for processing and packaging machinery. The exhibition provides the best opportunity to source, evaluate and purchase machinery, equipment and ancillary products & services for all your processing & packaging requirements.

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.

OMAC Integration Symposium
December 3-4, 2008 Charlotte, NC
Presentations and demonstrations will focus on the theme of “Total System Evolution: Emerging Technologies for the Advancement of Machine Automation and Control.”

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I hope you enjoyed this Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) 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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