Articles and News

Brochures include a revised Sercos III brochure and a competency brochure, "The fast route to Sercos."

“Industrial Ethernet Technologies: Overview and Comparison” gives valuable insight into today’s most important Industrial Ethernet technologies.

Getting the Most From Your HART Handheld

Sercos International, supplier of the Sercos automation bus, exhibited Sercos-capable products at Hannover Fair.

Changes include enhancements to the central search function as well as the “download,” “events,” and “product” sections of the website.

With this specification, a controller can exchange complex data structures horizontally with other controllers independently from fieldbus system or vertically with other devices using an OPC-UA server.

By Bill Lydon, Editor The recent ODVA annual conference and meeting provided a number of technology updates to the Common Industrial protocol (CIP) networks, specifically EtherNet/IP and DeviceNet. Topics included a new initiative for the DeviceNet of Things, as well as updates to the Machinery, Process and Energy initiatives. Wireless network and IO-Link integration and IPv6 migration concepts were also discussed.

Elections were held in conjunction with ODVA’s 2014 Industry Conference & 16th Annual Meeting of Members, held March 11-13, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Ken Hoover is President of Softing North America.

In addition to a fresh graphics approach, the website now offers a greater depth of information on the Sercos automation bus.

Deutschmann attained certification to the current PROFINET 2.2 and GSDML 2.25 specifications for the UNIGATE IC and UNIGATE CL series.

By Chad Sullivan, 5 Star measurement, et al Five Star Measurement of Weatherford, Texas uses Software Toolbox's Electronic Flow Measurement (EFM) Suite to remotely monitor and manage more than 700 wellheads as an initial stage that may eventually expand to 6,000 sites.

By Bill Lydon, Editor The OPC Foundation held their General Assembly meeting on December 4, 2013. Dr. Grant Wilson of Emerson Process Management and Foundation Chairman of the OPC Board opened the meeting, and Tom Burke summarized the Foundation’s current successes as accelerating adoption of OPC technology, successful OPC certification program, IEC standardization, and continuous improvement.

Spirax Sarco provides expertise, service, products and turnkey solutions for the control and efficient use of steam, air, and other industrial fluids for industrial and commercial users worldwide.

B&B's Spectre 3G cellular router starter kit now includes a 3-month data plan from KORE's GSM or CDMA North American 3G cellular network.

Since adopting KEPServerEX communications platform, the food production system integrator has been able to improve interoperability and reduce production facility downtime for its customers.

By Mike Fahrion, B&B Electronics Ten commandments—rules, that is—for wireless communications. Covers RF power, frequency, long range reception, noise, rain, interference, antenna placement and more.

SCADA systems were traditionally “walled off” from other systems operating independently from the network. Prior to the awareness of possible attacks, this seemed to provide all the protection the SCADA system needed. They were largely proprietary systems with such limited access and esoteric coding that very few people would have the ability to access them to launch an attack. Over time, however, they became integrated into the larger company network as a means to leverage their valuable data and increase plant efficiency. Therefore, the reality is their security is now often only as strong as the security of the network.

New members of Sercos include Innovasic, Festo, Beijing Shouke Catchet Electrical Technology, STGCON New Energy Technology and Huangzhou Wahaha Group.

Armstrong International is a manufacturer of steam, gas, and hot water systems.