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Programmable Automation Controllers (PAC) Portal
PAC Products, News, Articles, Events & Resources
Welcome to the Automation.com portal for PACs with valuable information and resources on Programmable Automation Controllers for controls and automation engineers. Today’s competitive manufacturing processes require advanced control features, network connectivity, integration of remote and distributed subsystems, device interoperability and enterprise-wide data integration that are satisfied by Programmable Automation Controllers. PACs differ from traditional controllers by integrating the functions of controllers with some capabilities from personal computers (PCs).
Subscribe to our e-Newsletter or get the latest information on PACs sent to your desktop as soon as they are published on this page.
Articles
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Industrial Software: Programming With Old and New
- 12/28/11 Control Design, December 2011 By Jim Montague Programs today consist of object-based software. Is this the end of legacy programming languages? |
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Micro800 Standalone Machine Controller
- 11/21/11 Automation.com, November 2011 By Bill Lydon for Automation.com Rockwell Automation introduced the new low-cost Micro800 PLC product line suited for standalone machine applications - a completely new architecture and not based on or compatible with the Logix Platform and Integrated Architecture. |
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Must Industry Choose Between Security or Efficiency?
- 11/14/11 Automation.com, November 2011 By Eric Byres, Byres Security Inc. On one hand, industry is becoming increasingly concerned about just how vulnerable control systems have become to outside attacks. At the same time, new tools and applications that improve efficiency, but increase that exposure, are appearing daily. So must we sacrifice these gains in efficiency if we want to be secure? |
White Papers
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Why doesn’t everyone use remote access?
- 05/03/11 Automation.com, May 2011 By Frank Hurtte, River Heights Consulting The question we would like to explore is pretty simple. Back 20 years ago it was significant, today it’s huge. To illustrate the point, let’s look at what might happen when a special machine builder experienced issues in the field. |
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The Better Way to Choose a Process Automation Solution
- 11/21/11 Automation.com, December 2011 By ABB Describes the thinking that went into developing the ABB Process Automation Decision Tool. |
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PC vs. PLC: key factors in comparing control options
- 11/03/11 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. |
Application Stories
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Integrating process control systems
- 12/29/11 Control Engineering, December 2011 By Jerry Steenhoek, Interstates Control Systems Interstates integrated a plant-wide information system for an unnamed manufacturer using FactoryTalk applications with the PlantPAx Process Automation System from Rockwell Automation. |
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Cube Technologies assists with boiler control
- 12/27/11 South Africa Instrumentation & Control, December 2011 Cube replaced an aging Bailey Network90 system, which controls the boilers in the Australian Country Choice meat processing plant, with a Siemens PCS7 distributed control system. |
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Overcoming obsolescence issues with minimal disruption
- 12/18/11 Control Engineering Europe, December 2011 TOTAL E&P UK has succeeded in safely upgrading a number of vital systems on two of its Alywyn Area fields platforms. A number of obsolescence issues led the company to call on Rockwell Automation to supply engineers, components and support |
Resources & Literature
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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. |
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Automation Made Easy: Everything You Wanted to Know about Automation - $79.00
Whether you are a student just starting out or are a top-level executive or manager well-versed in one domain, but have limited knowledge of the industrial automation industry, it’s easy to find yourself adrift in this evolving industry. That is where this easy-to-read book comes in; it provides a basic functional understanding in the field of industrial automation. |
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Advantech product selection guides, solution or product catalogs, case studies
Advantech offers a number of solution guides, product selection guides, catalogs and case studies - many are available in PDF format. The eAutomation Solutions Catalog introduces a full range of products, focusing on the following vertical sectors: Machine Automation, Power & Energy, Building Automation, Environment Monitoring Systems, Intelligent Transportation Systems, and Facility Management Systems. |
Training News
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Sigma Process releases Siemens WinCC online course
- 08/30/11 Online training course covers all the programming techniques in Siemens Simatic WinCC Flexible software. |
Training & Seminars
Cartoons
Product Announcements
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Posital adds DeviceNet and EtherNet/IP to rotary encoders
- 12/20/11
OPTOCODE absolute rotary encoders can be readily integrated into control systems based on Rockwell Automation/Allen-Bradley and Schneider PLCs. |
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Aerotech announces A3200 MotionPAC
- 12/09/11
A3200 combines a software-based Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) with a motion controller. |
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Rockwell Automation expands Integrated Architecture
- 11/13/11
Enhancements for smaller applications include Allen-Bradley CompactLogix programmable automation controllers (PACs), servo drives, I/O, visualization and simplification tools. |
Company & Organization News
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PLCs close in on DCS market
- 11/14/11 The distinction between PLCs and distributed control systems is narrowing, but their combined market in Europe will hit €6.45 billion in 2017. |
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Manufacturing technology orders up 101% from 2010
- 10/10/11 August U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $460.61 million according to AMT and AMTDA. |
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Mitsubishi Announces Remote Asset Management Service
- 09/22/11 Support Connect enables administration, predictive maintenance and remediation of remotely managed assets without an upfront investment in data center hardware. |
Project News
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Rockwell Automation to replace DCS at Warwick Chemicals
- 12/21/11 Rockwell will replace the DCS, installed in 1994, with a PlantPAx process automation system. |
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Rockwell Automation to replace DCS at zinc smelting operation
- 11/14/11 Rockwell will replace the DCS at Nyrstar Hobart’s zinc smelting operation in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, with a PlantPAx process automation system. |
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Rockwell Automation to supply PlantPAx to Grizzly Oil Sands
- 08/16/11 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. |
Event News
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Industrial Supply 2012 Showcases U.S. Industrial Subcontractors
- 12/06/11 Leaders in the subcontracting business will be presenting their latest product developments in industrial materials to a vast audience attending HANNOVER MESSE. |
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HANNOVER MESSE 2012 focuses on sustainability
- 11/21/11 By adopting "greentelligence" as its keynote theme, HANNOVER MESSE 2012 has put the spotlight squarely on green technologies as a central growth driver for industry. |
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Rockwell Automation Celebrates 20 Years of Automation Fair
- 10/17/11 Manufacturers, machine builders, partners, industry analysts and media from around the world will meet Nov. 16-17 at McCormick Place in Chicago for the 20th anniversary of Automation Fair. |
Events
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