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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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Products of Interest from AHR 2010
There were a number of new and interesting building automation products demonstrated at AHR Expo 2010. This is a review of the products that caught my interest. My areas of product interest included energy conservation, alternative energy, and sustainability. Not surprisingly, hundreds of exhibitors were featuring energy-efficient solutions. |
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Review and Highlights from 2010 AHR Expo
The 2010 AHR Expo held on January 25-27, 2010 in Orlando Florida was a busy event. Exhibitors and attendees were upbeat but cautious about the economy. Major areas of interest included energy conservation, government stimulus, alternative energy, and sustainability. Not surprisingly, hundreds of exhibitors were featuring energy-efficient solutions and there were a variety of educational sessions on that topic. |
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The new manufacturing illness: IMDS
- 02/28/10 Manufacturers’ Monthly, February 2010 By Harald Rossman Whether driven by regulation, technology or customer demand, problems have become so pervasive that an identifiable organisational malaise has taken hold across several different markets, one that we have labelled Information Management Deficiency Syndrome (IMDS). |
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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ABB helps protect Avatar movie data
- 02/23/10 ABB protects the supercomputer center of New Zealand digital effects company Weta Digital – makers of Avatar and other blockbuster movies – from power grid disturbances. |
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Cimetrics supplies energy management system to AstraZeneca
- 02/17/10 AstraZeneca, a pharmaceutical company, deployed the Infometrics continuous monitoring-based commissioning program in its Fairfax, Delaware research facility. |
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Saia Burgess uses horizontal carousels to store parts
- 02/04/10 Saia Burgess, a manufacturer of motion control solutions, replaced stockroom shelving with four KardexRemstar horizontal carousels, pick-to-light technology and FastPic inventory management software. |
Resources & Literature
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ISA publishes new edition of Industrial Network Security book
- 03/04/10
Industrial Network Security, 2nd Edition, by David J. Teumim, tells managers, engineers, technicians, and operators how to keep industrial networks secure amid rising threats from hackers, disgruntled employees, and even cyberterrorists. |
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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. |
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Siemens Automation and Drives Interactive CD Catalog
The interactive catalog of Siemens Automation and Drives Business (CA01) gives you information on more than 80,000 products and systems used for industrial automation and control. |
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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Schneider Electric acquires Zicom Electronic Security Systems
- 03/07/10 Zicom is the largest independent electronic security systems integrator in India. |
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ARC says prices are coming down on automation products
- 03/07/10 One element contributing to the price erosion is that controllers are rapidly becoming an automation commodity in some sectors. |
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Invensys adds two systems integrators to partner program
- 03/04/10 The new endorsed partners are Avanceon LP, located in Exton, Penn., and Tegron LLC, an operating unit of Glenmount Global Solutions, located in Irving, Texas. |
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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