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.

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?

XML Control Logic Standard Gains Acceptance as Digital Factory Interface
By Bill Lydon, Managing Director, PLCopen North America
Open non-proprietary interface allows users to pick the best of breed production hardware and software including PLC, PAC, PLM, modeling, and simulation software to make virtual design and production simulation a reality.

PLCOpen Overview
By PLCOpen
Backgrounder article explains what PLCOpen is, and what it does.

Browse these and more articles and white papers on the PLC portal.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Remote I/O Videos
This two-part video explains how to use remote I/O with PLCs. Part 1, a 5-minute video, is an introduction; Part 2, an 11-minute video, covers the basics.

Browse these and more resources and literature on the PLC portal.

Moeller Electric punches lollipop sticks
Process & Control Today, May 2008
ks for the best ice lollipops are still made from wood. Karl Otto Knauf, chose PLCs, motor drives and the SmartWire panel wiring system from Moeller Electric to control its latest stick-punching machine.

Safety: Tale of Two Applications
Control Engineering, March 2008
By Hank Hogan
Two applications show how control system safety can be implemented using PLCs for less overall cost.

Crush control optimizes wine production
Control Engineering, March 2008
the Clos du Bois winery in California replaced analog machine controls on its grape press system with a centralized PAC control architecture that governs the entire system, from the conveyors to the pumps.

Obsolescence Happens
Control Design, February 2008
Weiler Engineering, a builder of aseptic, blow/fill/seal machines for pharmaceutical and healthcare applications, confronted serious PLC compatibility issues when its original controls supplier changed its product line. It now uses a Siemens 300 series modular PLC platform.

Adding Ethernet to Railroad System Increases Reliability
By Contemporary Controls
A commuter railroad modernized its 20-year-old automated material handling system in one of its maintenance facilities using PLCs and Ethernet/IP. An Ethernet managed fiber optic switch from Contemporary Controls was part of the solution.

Browse these and more application stories on the PLC portal.

CANopen Training
July 2, 2008 Brasov, Romania
Provides Basic knowledge of CAN communication, including CAN basics, CANopen introduction , basic protocols, additional protocols, system design, device profiles and application profiles.

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.

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

Browse these and more training and seminar opportunities on the PLC portal.

• Omron announces CJ1W-PH41U Analog Input Module for PLCs
• Bosch Rexroth releases IndraControl L10 PLC
• Entertron adds touch screen to Smart-PAK PLCs
• Rexroth releases IndraControl L10 PLC
• Sprint Electric introduces PLA to replace PLCs or PCs
• Technosoft releases PIM2401 motion controller with CANopen
• A-B CompactLogix and PanelView earn Marine Certification
• Nubitek enhances Nubitek_Email for Siemens S7-200 PLC
• Hardy Instruments adds A-B RIO to 4050 Weight Controllers

Browse these and more Product Announcements on the PLC portal.

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

ABB first quarter net income up 87%
ABB's first-quarter net income reached $1 billion, an increase of 87 percent compared to the same quarter in 2007.

PLCopen revives TC6 - XML
PLCopen TC6 first published its XML schema and documentation in June 2005 as version 1.01. After feedback from companies starting to implement this specification, it's been revised.

PLCopen Releases Safety Specification User Guidelines
The PLCopen Technical Committee 5 (TC5) Safety Software User Guidelines is a reference for control people implementing safety control systems.

Omron opens regional headquarters in Mexico
The office will provide sales, technical support, and training for Omron industrial automation customers across Mexico.

Frost & Sullivan says power companies in Africa adopting automation
Power generation utilities in Southern Africa are expected to increasingly adopt automation and control solutions based on DCSes, PLCs or SCADA to counter the effects of the current power shortage.

Browse these and more company and organizational news on the PLC portal.

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.

Sports drink plant uses Control-See software for plant paging
System retrieves real-time, event-driven alarms and data from PLCs and broadcasts the alarms and data via email messaging.

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.

Automatica 2008
June 10-13, 2008 Munich, Germany
Displays the latest in robots, assembly and handling technology, machine vision and associated technologies in five trade fair halls.

2008 Siemens Automation Summit
July 23 -25, 2008 Chicago, IL
The 2008 Siemens Automation Summit has presentations from industry experts and analysts, and customer case histories which detail the benefits of Siemens products.

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.

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.

Add an event to our calendar.

Rick Zabel
Vice President, Publisher
Automation.com

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