Control Engineering Process
Industrial PCs with Intel Core2 Duo, Quad processors
To increase PC-based control performance with flexible, user-friendly hardware, Beckhoff Automation announces its new C66xx series industrial PCs. This new series offers high processing power and compact device dimensions, company says. Two versions have either an Intel Core2 Duo or Core2 Quad processors on a Beckhoff ATX motherboard. This is a Control Engineering North American print edition Product Exclusive.
Growing Shrimp is Big Business
In the suburbs of Lansing, MI, far from the Pacific coast, there is a huge tank of salt water filled with many small creatures. Watching this tank, it is not uncommon to see a live shrimp flip into the air. But Andrew Wesolek just shrugs it off. He has seen startled shrimp before. “Yeah, they like to jump,” he notes.
Time-proportional control: more from an on/off switch
Time-proportional control, a form of pulse-width modulation, is a mathematical technique that allows a feedback controller to use an on/off or discrete actuator as if it were a continuous actuator capable of generating control efforts anywhere between 0% and 100%. The trick is to turn the actuator on and off for periods proportional to the desired control effort.
Water, wastewater SCADA projects benefit from U.S. stimulus funds
Municipalities plan to upgrade systems, while integrators and control system vendors anticipate new projects. Link to where the money goes, better economic news
Report from Hannover: New Beckhoff automation hardware, software
At Hannover Fair (April 20-24, 2009), Beckhoff introduced several new products, including an expansion to its AX5000 servo drive series; software that integrates robotics, motion control, and PLC; and a condition monitoring terminal. The company also previewed the upcoming release of a PC-based safety PLC.
Migration plan helps transition from legacy DCS platforms
Chemical company Arkema describes its migration to Rockwell Automation PlantPAx system. The program is said to give manufacturers a phased approach that eliminates many of the costs, risks, and complexities involved with migrating legacy DCSs, while providing...
Report from Hannover Fair: World Energy Dialogue says lead environmentally to succeed
Fourth annual World Energy Dialogue convened at Hannover Messe, in Hannover, Germany, on April 21. The theme of this year’s event was energy supply security. The backdrop of the global environmental crisis and the increase in U.S. momentum to combat climate change provided additional context to the discussions. Key include technologies, policies, and funding. Link to other Hannover coverage.
China coal gasification plant adds new automation for expansion
Shanghai Coking & Chemical's new capacity doubles methanol output and operates using fieldbus architecture. The plant (see larger image) converts coal to synthesized gas, methanol, and carbon monoxide in huge amounts. Each hour, the expanded plant produces...
Video illustrates gas flow controller operation
Sierra Instruments releases new video explaining operation and functions of its mass flow controller.
New flowmeter combines mechanical and electronic functions
Proven variable area flowmeter gains sophistication with digital signal processing technology. Solid state design electronically senses movement of the magnetic piston assembly and provides accurate, repeatable flow measurements. The device has no mechanical linkages, which results in longer operating life. While pre-calibrated, it still can be configured for...
Level switch has huge temperature range
New vibrating-fork liquid level switch provides point readings in extreme applications.
Integrating wireless instrumentation
Resource offers nuts-and-bolts suggestions for getting wireless instrumentation data into your control systems.
Tutorial: Isolating signals to kill crosstalk
When signals make the jump from one cable to another, it degrades accuracy. Here's advice on how to minimize the effect.
Mini-Coriolis flowmeters expand flow range
A solution for when you need high-accuracy mass readings in a very low flow range.
Pressure sensor: New design uses fused silicon glass element
Robust diaphragm of pressure sensor thrives in hostile environments, says Tel-Tru.
Machine builder wins control panel design contest: 60% less space, 30% less wiring
CP Packaging won the 2009 Control Engineering panel design award, based on a poll at www.controleng.com during March. The company’s design for plant-floor machine control panels focus on saving space, assembly, and startup time as key considerations, especially in rugged environments. This and five other panel design tutorial videos remain available for viewing and comment. Look inside the CP Packaging panel design and the others, as well.
NERC to utilities: Look harder at critical assets to reduce cyber security risk
NERC criticizes electric utilities for downplaying critical nature of assets and cyber threats, putting national grid at risk. Link to exclusive cyber security video and blog that aim to reduce cyber security threats to automation systems.
Appliance transaction module connects multi-type PLCs without OPC
cATM module from Online Development installs in a Rockwell ControlLogix PAC chassis and communicates with PLCs from Siemens, Schneider, others.
Cyber security and safety providers merge to expand coverage
Byres Research and exida join forces to offer safety and security consultation and certification. Safety assessments are among offerings to augment availability.
Large tag count SCADA systems need proper planning
A lot of SCADA systems involving telemetry, especially in the water/wastewater industry, have a minimal amount of data coming from each site. A wastewater collection system with 100 sites, for example, might have only 1,000 to 2,000 tags. (These data points can be either an analog value like "level" or a digital value like "pump running.