Articles and News

The guide includes recommendations on topics from selecting cable to wiring installation, grounding, implementing plant asset management systems, and best practices for project management.

Automation.com, October 2012 By Patrick Supanich, Contributing Writer Over the past year, a number of PROFINET technology developments and organizational structure changes have occurred. First, the release of specification Version 2.3 that covers applications from standard to high speed processes. Second, called performance upgrade, has dramatically increase the speed of the PROFINET network.

By Peter Seeberg and Jürgen Lange, Softing OPC specifications are created with the aim of permitting interoperability between products from different manufacturers. To ensure that a product actually complies with the specification it must undergo a series of compliance tests. Part 6 in a series of eight articles.

CDx Series of absolute encoders features a Safety Integrity Level of 3 (SIL3), with high system performance and a low probability of failure.

Yokogawa integrated Softing's FOUNDATION fieldbus H1 USB interface with its FieldMate PC based configuration tool.

RapID Platform Network Interface has been certified to PROFINET Class B and Net Load Class III.

Upon installation of new controls, the system caused four separate pump stations to compete for water pumping rights at the same time. KEPServerEX solved the problem.

Kepware links PCs and PLCs to help manage the water supply for more than 2,700 acres in Walla Walla Valley, OR.

The ISA100 Wireless Compliance Institute (WCI) announced certifications for five additional ISA-100.11a conformant wireless devices.

A report from IDTechEx rambles over RFID, the Internet of Things, and how wireless sensor networks are affecting the world.

Automation.com, May 2012 By Beamex White paper describes how the Beamex MC6 can be used to calibrate modern smart instruments.

Automation.com, September 2012 By Marlee Rosen Implementing secure remote maintenance monitoring and real-time diagnostics reporting can contribute to improved device performance and the reduction of maintenance cost.

IMS Research expects the market for electrically actuated control valves to double in size, exceeding $630 million by 2017.

Devices from MTL and R. Stahl meet the FOUNDATION H1 (31.25 kbit/s) device coupler test specification and successfully completed the foundation's rigorous registration process.

Automation.com, September 2012 By Bill Lydon, Editor Is it time for DCS suppliers to use open industrial Ethernet protocol standards for their backbone networks? I have asked major DCS suppliers this question and answers vary from supplier to supplier, but there are a few common issues.

System installation costs can be reduced up to 50% by wirelessly connecting the tank farm to the control room, with the added benefit of reducing implementation time as much as 60%.

The office will be run by Fabio Carrasco, who used to be a Moxa customer.

IPA will adopt the ISASecure industrial automation controls (IAC) certification program as a component of Japan’s initiative to secure critical infrastructure.

Updates to the HSE Test Kit include the addition of transducer block test profiles for both wired and WirelessHART devices.

Enhancements include Condensed Device Status Indicators; KPIs for wireless networks; HART Communication over Internet Protocol; Discrete “on/off” functionality; and Infrared device communications.