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Building Automation Portal: Products, News, Articles, Events & Resources
Building Automation Products, News, Articles, Events & Resources
Welcome to Automation.com's portal for Building Automation where engineers, consultants, and facility managers come to solve problems and learn about new technology for Building Automation. Technologies and products covered include sensors, actuators, controllers, software, LON, BACnet, and Building Automation. Subscribe to our e-Newsletter or get the latest information on Building Automation sent to your desktop as soon as they are published on this page.
Articles
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Appropriate Network Connectors Bring Best Service
- 03/19/10 Automation World, March 2010 By C. Kenna Amos Not having the right connection devices or technologies can cripple the potential of an automation network. |
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The future is integrated operations
- 03/13/10 Control Engineering Europe, March 2010 By Colin Pearson, ABB Automation vendors, EPCs and end-users can no long ignore integrated operations. No longer is it a matter of cost whether to include integrated operations as part of the overall long term automation strategy, it’s becoming a matter of necessity. |
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Field Calibrators Make Everything Better
- 03/13/10 Control, March 2010 By Jim Montague Users are opening their eyes to how much clearer their data is - and how much better their processes can run - with field calibrators. |
White Papers
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Automation and the Smart Grid: Energy Management Today
By Opto 22 This white paper takes a look at electrical power in the United States today, investigates the nature of the Smart Grid, and suggests ways that small and medium-sized companies can - without waiting for future technological development - gather energy data and control electrical energy costs today. |
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Facilities Management Solutions
By Jim Bishop, Wonderware The biggest problem in building automation, identified by organizations like LonMark and Echelon, is the proprietary distribution models offered by established Building Automation System (BAS) suppliers. This white paper describes Wonderware’s Facilities Management Software Solution. |
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Tuning the Forgotten Loop
By Steve Rubin, Longwatch The “forgotten loop” has been the operator, who is typically trained to “average” parameters to run adequately under most steady-state conditions. “Advanced tuning” of the operator could yield even better outputs, with higher quality, fewer errors and a wider response to fluctuating operating conditions. This paper explores the issue of improving operator actions, and a method for doing so. |
Application Stories
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Focus on Critical Assets Pays Off
- 03/10/10 Chemical Processing, February 2010 By Joel Holmes, Monsanto Since an Emerson AMS asset optimization program was initiated more than two years ago at the Monsanto herbicides plant in Muscatine, Iowa, it's prevented several potentially expensive process interruptions, saving the company tens of thousands of dollars. |
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Steam turbine vibrations
- 03/10/10 Energy Tech, March 2010 By Patrick J. Smith The causes of rotating machinery vibration problems are not always obvious. The effects of pipe strain and lubrication issues for example, can be difficult to identify. This article describes an example of one of these cases. |
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On-Line Motor Test saves Expensive Downtime
- 03/10/10 Maintenance On Line, February 2010 By Michael Herring, Whitelegg Machines Whitelegg Machines diagnosed a problem motor at a UK power station – an 11kv, 2400kw motor, driving a cooling water pump used on a condensing unit. Tests using an on-line motor monitoring unit found the problem. A simple adjustment fixed it, saving the cost of removing the pump and motor for inspection. |
Resources & Literature
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Siemon adds online educational resource for cabling
- 03/16/10
Website helpS IT network and data center professionals understand the benefits of shielded twisted-pair copper cabling. |
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Onset publishes guide on using data loggers
- 03/11/10
The guide details how portable data loggers can be applied in building monitoring applications, such as HVAC/R systems monitoring, commissioning, Measurement & Verification, and load profiling. |
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Poll Question - How many different networks do you have in your facility?
How many different communication networks do you have implemented in factories and/or plants? The list of available networks includes, but is not limited to: Foundation Fieldbus, ControlNet, PROFIBUS, Interbus, AS-Interface, CanOpen, CC-Link, PROFINET, HART, Ethernet, EtherCAT, Ethernet Powerlink, SERCOS, Modbus, LonWorks and DeviceNet. |
Training & Seminars
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Mechanical Components E-Learning Course
- 10/18/09
PMMI introduces "Basic Mechanical Components," an online self-study course to help operators, mechanics and technicians identify and care for all types of basic mechanical components. |
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SME and Purdue announce green certificate program
- 08/26/09
SME is collaborating with Purdue University’s Technical Assistance Program to develop the Green Manufacturing Specialist Certificate. |
Featured Products
Product Announcements
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Belden introduces MACH1040 gigabit ethernet switch
- 03/07/10
MACH 1040 rack-mount switch has either 16 front or rear-facing Gigabit Ethernet RJ45/SFP combo ports, making it ideal for use in power generation and electrical power distribution applications. |
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eWON introduces Talk2M Go remote maintenance platform
- 03/07/10
Talk2M Go enables up to three users to access one or several machines at the same time, with fully detailed connection reports itemized by machine available every month |
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Forston Labs introduces handheld LabNavigator
- 03/03/10
LabNavigator analytical measurement platform can be used as a computer interface, a stand-alone device or in the field for water analysis. |
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Company & Organization News
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Siemens signs pay-for-performance deal with BAE systems
- 03/18/10 Under the deal, BAE Systems only pays for actual energy savings realized from energy efficiency improvements. |
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Yokogawa signs two reps
- 03/15/10 Yokogawa signed BBP Sales in Baton Rouge, LA, and TechStar in Deer Park, TX, |
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HALCON machine vision software runs on mobile phone
- 03/14/10 HALCON Embedded runs on the Nokia N900 mobile phone with the Maemo Linux-based operating system. |
Project News
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ABB to supply flowmeters to Riyadh
- 03/04/10 ABB FlowMaster flowmeters will be used in a large-scale project to modernize the vast but aging water distribution network of Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital. |
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ABB to automate water transmission system in Abu Dhabi
- 03/01/10 Products to be supplied include pumps, energy-efficient drives and motors, and the System 800xA control platform. |
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Rockwell Automation to make University of Iowa green
- 02/08/10 Rockwell Software will help university staff determine optimal production levels for steam, chilled water and electricity generation to help reduce energy consumption, costs and environmental impact. |
Events
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Air & Waste Management Association Conference & Exhibit
- 09/30/09 June 22-25, 2010 Calgary, Alberta, Canada The 2010 Annual Conference theme is “Energy and Environment,” while the 2010 Critical Review will cover energy resources, greenhouse gas emissions, and economic development. |
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