Articles and News

ANSI formally approved Field Device Tools (FDT) Technology standards, previously adopted internationally as IEC 62453.

Automation.com, June 2011 By Nuris Ismail and Matthew Littlefield Aberdeen surveyed over 150 executives about the current state of their manufacturing operations and industrial networks. This article explores how the industry leaders are taking advantage of industrial networking to enable real-time visibility into data to optimize production, maintenance, and safety.

UA Certification provides users with impartial verification that the OPC server delivers solid performance in a wide range of adverse operating conditions, and is fully compliant with OPC Specifications.

RFI will pay $2,800,000 in cash and issue 760,000 shares of common stock to the seller at closing.

The four-minute video by Emerson Network Power demonstrates the dramatic difference a power conditioner can make in overall power quality and in the protection of mission-critical electronics from harmful power disturbances.

Siemens released a firmware update of its S7-1200 PLC that eliminates vulnerabilities and improves the security and robustness of its S7-1200 product family.

Automation.com, June 2011 By Katherine Voss, ODVA The expression "Less is More" reminds us about the importance of simplicity as a design goal. This goal is especially true when moving information quickly and seamlessly between supply chains, distribution systems and the production domain is critical to overall business competitiveness. Users are looking to industrial Ethernet to integrate systems and layers.

Collectively, Alliance members support 750 interoperable products deployed in over 200,000 buildings that use energy harvesting wireless technology designed for building automation systems.

Automation.com, June 2011 By Bob Hirschinger Because advancements to EtherNet/IP, machine builders are enjoying a new level of machine design flexibility through the use of a single network for their entire machine, including VFD and servo drives for integrated motion control.

Automation.com, June 2011 By Gregory Wilcox, Mike Hannah and Mark Devonshire Industry experts predicted that node cost, determinism issues and security risks would prohibit Ethernet’s growth into manufacturing, but it’s clear that this prediction hasn’t held true. We've experienced a swift rise and widespread industry adoption of Ethernet.

The Stuxnet worm is a sophisticated piece of computer malware designed to sabotage industrial processes.

Automation.com, June 2011 By J. Timothy Shea, VDC Research Group VDC Research partnered with Automation.com to conduct an extensive initiative into the market for wireline and wireless industrial networking infrastructure product markets. Recent research found that the demand outlook for wireline and wireless industrial networking infrastructure products will be quite healthy through 2015.

ABB started a new blog focused on Process Automation. The blog hosts discussions on timely topics including Collaboration, Control Systems, Evolution, IEC61850, Integration, Migration and Safety.

Hindustan Petroleum implemented Honeywell’s Mobile Stations in their $200 million Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCCU) project at their Mumbai refinery.

Automation.com, May 2011 By Brian McDonald, Cisco Systems In the new global business environment, manufacturers are facing some of the toughest operational and strategic challenges in recent memory. Any new investment must pay for itself either through operational savings or revenue growth.

Automation.com, May 2011 By Scott Howard Industrial control systems were designed and built with a primary focus on performance, availability and reliability - not security. A new generation of standards-based security offerings lets operators defend their control system networks using the same technology that protects telecommunications, banking, and other critical IT infrastructure.

Modbus joined with Fieldbus Foundation, PROFIBUS and the HART Communication Foundation to work on the development of wireless gateway specifications.

The National Instruments NI WSN-3226 Wireless Measurement Node can be powered by Perpetuum’s vibration energy harvester technology.

BAS-3000BC series of remote I/O modules have received BACnet certification, approved and listed by BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL).

Automation.com, May 2011 By Roy Kok Over the years, we’ve had sensor upgrades, improved controllers, better operator visibility, data archiving and analytics, and now we have enterprise integration for improved material management, corporate agility, regulatory compliance and a host of other features.