Control Engineering Process
Wireless device transmits “stranded” HART data
Bullet WirelessHART adapter from MACTek expands device communication options.
Gage reading device available for larger wireless protocol
Analog to digital wireless converter now operates with Honeywell OneWireless platform.
Tutorial: Running down interference to improve device performance
EMI and RFI can ruin your sensor data, and trying to trace sources can drive you nuts. There are solutions.
Registered Fieldbus Foundation host systems are available
Large scale process control systems pass testing to ensure multi-vendor interoperability in fieldbus environments.
Yokogawa introduces UTAdvanced digital indicating controller
Yokogawa Electric UTAdvanced controller family improves measurement, display, operation, control, and networking functions, enhances the efficiency of user design, and saves money by eliminating the need for peripheral devices and associated wiring. This embedded instrument replaces company's Green series controllers for machine builders.
Magmeter family configured for hygienic applications
HygienicMaster magnetic flowmeter family provides configurations designed specifically for food and pharmaceutical applications.
SCADA system RTUs support both IEC 61131-3, IEC 61499 standards
ISaGRAF software now embedded in Kingfisher RTUs.
Easier Ethernet networking for small applications
Small programmable controller features two Ethernet ports and a built-in Ethernet switch.
HMIs: Control and monitor processes within GMP environments
VisuNet GMP HMI products are tailored to the requirements of pharmaceuticals, and food & beverage industries.
Three power generators upgrade control, simulation platforms
Combined-cycle, nuclear, and coal-fired plants each weigh options for system upgrades, seeking efficiency, lower costs.
Egyptian fertilizer plant launches major control system upgrade
Customer and system integrator choose Honeywell PKS for Abu Qir facility.
European biofuel consortium plans for biomass-to-liquid production plant
Optfuel group chooses initial vendors to design process for second-generation plant, turning wood residue into liquid transport fuel.
Commentary: You can lead a horse to automation…
Many companies simply don’t seem to see the point of adding appropriate extensions to automation systems in day-to-day operation. Is it just personal inertia, or really not seeing a value? Shouldn’t the recession change the analysis?
Carbon black producer updates burner safety system
Evonik Degussa deploys HIMax Safety System, increases control flexibility. See photo.
Panel mount PID controller features simple interface
The new EZ-Zone PM Express panel mount controller from Watlow reportedly fills the need for a PID controller delivering advanced control functionality while having a basic user interface. The interface is supported by two menus and a streamlined list of parameters making the product suited for basic applications and user levels.
Piezo resistive pressure sensor
Yamatake Corp. of the azbil Group (azbil North America Inc.) announced the AT9000 Advanced Transmitter model GTX pressure transmitter, designed to improve the safety of plant operations in petroleum, petrochemical and chemical industries. Safety instrumented systems are designed in accordance with IEC 61511 and require pressure transmitters based on IEC 61508.
Portable data logger with 4 button interface
The OM-SQ2020 series of hand held data loggers from Omega Engineering feature 8 true differential or 16 single-ended universal analog inputs plus 2 high voltage, 4 pulse, and 8 digital event/state inputs. The analog inputs can be used with thermistors, thermocouples, 2-, 3-, or 4-wire RTD temperature sensors, voltage, and 4-20 mA signals.
Controller uses microSD memory card
Opto 22 announces that its standalone and rack-mounted programmable automation controllers are now equipped with a microSD card slot that supports standard cards up to 2 GB. Such removable data storage in controllers enables easy firmware and control strategy updates, and can be used to store process and other machine control data.
Expanded ‘pocket’ PLC
Galil Motion Control a new RIO-471x2 Pocket PLC that provides expanded program memory, variables, arrays and programmable PID control loops. The unit provides 400 lines of program memory and 254 symbolic variables—twice as many as the standard RIO—and also provides six programmable PID loops compared to two.
The Power of Real Time Intelligence
Real time control is not just for the factory floor. It has begun to appeal to enterprise management wanting to gain competitive advantage. While very few organizations are there yet, the ones who are have the capacity to do things that have never been done before.