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| Sponsor: Opto 22 |
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| Sponsor: ISA |
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| Featured Articles |
PLC vs. DCS - Competing Process Control Philosophy
Automation.com, October 2011
By Bill Lydon
The idea of using a PLC-based system rather than a DCS has become a philosophical and technical debate in the industry. DCSs have been the primary solution for process automation but now many PLC vendors are arguing that a single integrated architecture based on PLCs and/or PACs is the best approach to total plant automation.
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| Product Sponsor: VIPA |
Getting Things Done with The New VIPA CPU 314SB/DPM
- Programmable with STEP7® from Siemens or WinPLC7 from VIPA
- Super-FAST processing time = 0.01 μs and FLEXIBLE work memory
- PROFIBUS-DP, Ethernet plus MPI interfaces and budget-friendly
Click here for more information. |
Safety PLCs: Tools To Help You Choose
Industrial Automation Asia, September 2011
By Mike Scott, AE Solutions
Most users have little concern about being able to select a proper sensor, transmitter or valve positioner but when it comes to choosing from the vast array of logic solvers, they often do not know how to make a proper decision.
What Really Happens When You Update Software and Machinery
Control Design, October 2011
By TJ McDermott, Systems Interface
Replacing a worn wrench is easy and not very expensive. What happens, though, when the portable computer that supports the new machinery's PLC, HMI and safety systems gives up the ghost?
Browse more articles on the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) portal. |
| Product Sponsor: CimQuest INGEAR |
Talk to your PLC, Runtime Free, Without OPC
CimQuest INGEAR gives Visual Studio .NET a direct communication pipeline to your PLC network without the need for OPC or 3rd party drivers. |
| Product Sponsor: VIPA |
Industrial Strength PROFIBUS –DP connector from VIPA
- Unique design, speeding up implementation, connection, trouble shooting
- Four LEDs, visible from both sides, indicate bus- and device-status
- Full metal case ensures high noise immunity
Click here for more information. |
| Product Announcements |
AMCI adds Modbus TCP to its stepper indexer/drives
The Modbus protocol extends the potential of SD31045E & SD17060E drives in PLC-controlled applications.
Rockwell Automation expands Integrated Architecture
Enhancements for smaller applications include Allen-Bradley CompactLogix programmable automation controllers (PACs), servo drives, I/O, visualization and simplification tools.
Other Product Announcements
Browse more Product Announcements on the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) portal.
Search all Products by keyword, category, manufacturer or release date. |
| Resources |
IEC 61499 Function Blocks for Embedded and Distributed Control Systems Design, 2nd Edition - $99.00
IEC 61499 is the standard for distributed control systems that follows on from the IEC 61131 standard for programmable logic controllers (PLC). This book is a practical guide for component-based development of distributed embedded and control systems as proposed by this international standard.
Phoenix Contact publishes 2012 catalogs
The catalogs list more than 25,000 different products.
Siemens releases safety on TIA Portal
Simatic STEP 7 Safety Advanced V11 part of the TIA Portal provides users with all configuration and programming tools required for generating a fail-safe program within Siemens TIA Portal.
Browse more resources on the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) portal. |
| Application Stories |
Manufacturer Bags Significant Savings Thanks to EtherNet/IP
Automation.com, December 2011
Askim Mek Verksted in Norway builds Battpacker wool production machinery. It upgraded to Control Logix PLCs, PanelView Plus HMIs, Festo plug-in pneumatic valves, and EtherNet/IP communications.
Time for an Upgrade
Process Heating, November 2011
By Matt Koch, Sukup Manufacturing
An automation technology upgrade from Phoenix Contact, involving a PLC, HMI and VFD, allowed a grain dryer manufacturer to improve product quality and throughput while increasing uptime.
Solar System Boosts Oil Field Output
Control, October 2011
By David R. Llewellyn, TJ Cross Engineers
The beauty of the GlassPoint solar water heating system lies in how its simplicity translates into greater efficiency, less maintenance, and lower installed and operating costs. A PAC from AutomationDirect controls the system.
Browse more application stories on the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) portal. |
| White Papers |
PC vs. PLC: key factors in comparing control options
Automation.com, November 2011
By Bosch Rexroth
When deciding whether to choose a PLC or PC, analyze and compare characteristics that could differentiate the two technologies such as operation, robustness, serviceability, hardware integration, security, safety, programming and cost.
Waste Water Treatment Control
Automation.com, October 2011
By Hollysys
Paper describes how a typical municipal waste water treatment operates - including mechanical treatment, biological and chemical treatment, sludge treatment and the instrumentation involved - and how a PLC-based control system, Profinet and Ethernet handle it all.
The Perils of a DIY Distributed Control System
Automation.com, September 2011
By Tim Sweet, Honeywell Process Solutions
For certain industries, a distributed control system (DCS) provides substantially more value as the basis for automating the plant than a programmable logic controller (PLC)-based system. When PLCs and HMI software packages are integrated, the result looks a lot like a DCS. But, all is not as it seems.
Browse more white papers on the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) portal. |
| Company & Organizational News |
PLCs close in on DCS market
The distinction between PLCs and distributed control systems is narrowing, but their combined market in Europe will hit €6.45 billion in 2017.
Manufacturing technology orders up 101% from 2010
August U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $460.61 million according to AMT and AMTDA.
TÜV Certifies Mechatrolink Network Safety Protocol
Certification of the Mechatrolink field network for safety makes it possible for MMA members to build motion control and machine control systems for use in applications that comply with safety standards.
Browse more company and organizational news on the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) portal. |
| Project News |
Rockwell Automation to replace DCS at zinc smelting operation
Rockwell will replace the DCS at Nyrstar Hobart’s zinc smelting operation in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, with a PlantPAx process automation system.
Rockwell Automation to supply PlantPAx to Grizzly Oil Sands
Grizzly will use the PlantPAx and Endress+Hauser instrumentation to help produce more than 5,000 barrels of oil per day at the first phase of its Algar Lake Project.
Browse more project news on the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) portal. |
| Featured Events |
SPS - Industrial Automation Fair Guangzhou, China
March 7, 2012 - March 9, 2012
Location: Guangzhou, China
SIAF, as the No.1 trade fair in Asia for industrial automation products, services and technologies, attracted 354 suppliers from 15 countries. More than 19,300 professional buyers from 40 countries and regions came to the fair to see and source the latest technological innovations.
CoDeSys Users' Conference 2012
March 13, 2012 - March 22, 2012
Location: Various Cities in Europe, Deutschland
The CoDeSys Users’ Conference is the ideal information forum for all users of the number one manufacturer independent IEC 61131-3 automation tool CoDeSys and will take place in different European countries.
Hannover Messe 2012
April 23, 2012 - April 27, 2012
Location: Hannover, Germany
Boasting eight flagship trade fairs with exhibitors and trade visitors from all over the world, HANNOVER MESSE will once again confirm its unique global standing in 2012. It remains without rival as a showcase of industrial technology, with more world firsts on display and more integrated solutions than elsewhere.
Browse more industry events on the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) portal.
Add an event to our calendar. |
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