Articles and News

Automation.com, October 2011 By Bill Lydon Since the 1980s, the automation industry has been adopting standards for networked industrial communications, software, and applications. Have users gained all the benefits originally envisioned?

OPC-UA Device Server Software Development Kits for Microcontrollers and Microprocessors have been certified for standards compliance by the OPC Foundation test lab.

Control-See's alarm notification and remote control software - U.C.ME-OPC version 2010 SP5 is now certified.

Softing is providing OPC components to ifm electronic to support a Condition Monitoring System for wind turbines.

By Dennis Brown, Dart Oil and Gas Dart Oil and Gas exploited the flexibility of the OPC Systems library to create a unique plug and play solution containing: OPC Systems Trend, OPC WebControls, OPCDatabase and OPCExcel.

Automation.com, June 2011 By Robert McIlvride and Andew Thomas, Cogent Real-Time Systems What does redundancy look like in an OPC-based system? A typical scenario would have two OPC servers connected either to a single device or PLC, or possibly duplicate devices or PLCs. Those two OPC servers would then connect to some kind of OPC redundancy management software.

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.

IFCS will be integrating the OPC Servers with its DABO (Buildings Diagnostic Agent for Building Operation) – a tool that analyzes and stores all data read by the centralized control system.

Automation.com, May 2011 By Bill Lydon, Editor The size of Hannover Fair can be overwhelming but there were industry and technology trends reflected in products and presentations at the event. Here are some specific examples for illustration - in most cases there are many more companies that have products supporting these trends.

Automation.com, May 2011 By Bill Lydon, Editor Here are a few highlights from ABB Automation & Power World 2011. The event attracted a record number of participants, totaling more than 4,200, and featured over 400 educational workshops and hands-on training sessions, over 45 customer-presented case studies, and an exhibition of ABB and partner products.

Automation.com, April 2011 By Roy Kok How did Scotty know? How do you know when your systems are normal? Are the Dilithium crystals at their proper temperature and vibrational frequency for this Warp Speed and area of space? Could he be sure he caught every last Tribble, and none are blocking the cooling ducts to the Anti- Matter Drive?

By Eric Byres, Byres Security, and Darek Kominek, MatrikonOPC White Paper explains the security advantages of limiting network interfaces and protocols, and recommends using OPC as a communications standard because of its ease of use and its widespread deployment. Registration required to view paper.

AutomationDirect will sell KEPDirect OPC Server for use with its controllers and remote I/O.

ODVA launched a Machinery Initiative designed to improve the integration of machinery with the industrial manufacturing ecosystem.

Automation.com, March 2011 By PLCopen North America The use of skid mounted equipment has become popular for a number of reasons but they pose some unique automation and control challenges that can be solved by using IEC 61131-3 and PLCopen standards.

The combined system provides security for SCADA networks, including protection from sophisticated cyber threats such as Stuxent and Night Dragon.

Automation.com, March 2011 By Tony Paine, Kepware Technologies Expect in 2011 to see smart grid solutions, smart meters, and a real-time, automated, metering infrastructure (AMI) to be rolled out across the country.

For OPC members only, the testing program establishes credibility and ensures that the product is fully compliant with the OPC UA Specifications.

The Technical Advisory Council advises the OPC Foundation Board of Directors on technical matters relating to the management of OPC specification development.

CNL Software will use the OPC Servers in its IPSecurityCenter – a software-based integration and management platform.