Control Engineering Process
Safety in hazardous locations, interest in home fuel cells
Re: "Intrinsically safe or Explosion proof," Control Engineering North America edition, October 2008. As a regular user of both IS and EXD equipment for automotive spray applications (Class 1 Div. 1), it was nice to see an article about our forgotten needs. I would like to point out another important difference between IS and EXD other than costs: Maintenance.
Simulation Evolves in Power Plants
Just as businesses in the manufacturing, retail, and other sectors are tightening their belts and looking for opportunities to optimize their operations, the electric power industry is taking a long, hard look at its operations. Like never before, utilities are keeping a close eye on the bottom line, looking for opportunities to boost profitability without sacrificing safety, reliability, and a...
Wireless, wired I/O, controllers
Wired Ethernet network options and wireless 802.11a/b/g capabilities now are available on standard Opto 22 Snap PAC controllers and I/O systems. Using wireless for programmable automation controllers and I/O is as easy as it is for PCs and laptop computers, rather than the hodgepodge of proprietary and incompatible technologies typically found in the industrial automation industry. This was a Control Engineering North American print edition Product Exclusive.
PC in a drive: ultra-compact, integrated
Plastics, packaging, print, and textile industries can benefit from high efficiency multi-axis machines when using the B&R Industrial Automation Acoposmulti solution. The APC820, "the PC in a drive," integrates the highest level of PC performance in Acoposmulti devices. This allows the user to save space in the switching cabinet. This was a Control Engineering North American print edition Product Exclusive.
Redesigned SCADA programming software uses Windows technology
Control Microsystems announced TelePACE Studio, a redesigned programming environment for its SCADAPack controllers. The software adds additional functionality to the product's predecessor, TelePACE 3.x. A customizable workspace allows for program information and controller settings to be placed in any combination on the workspace canvas in viewing panes.
Enhanced remote data acquisition system
The enhanced ReDAQ software package available from Dataforth Corp. provides an integrated solution for test, measurement, and data acquisition applications when combined with one or more SCM5B isoLynx SLX200 data acquisition hardware systems. ReDAQ enables data to be monitored and outputs to be set, locally or remotely, via the Internet.
Cut costs with manufacturing IT standards, best practices
As every manufacturing company looks for ways to cut costs and save money, there is one place that too many engineers and executives are ignoring. If you had the opportunity to reduce automation project costs or times by over 30%, reduce costs for plant-to-enterprise integration by over 70%, or reduce maintenance support costs by over 10%, you would think that most engineers or executives would...
Lower Cost Medical Devices? FDA Wants to Help
Can the U.S. FDA help medical device manufacturers reduce cost and increase quality? Medical device manufacturers are dealing with some of the most difficult challenges to ever face the industry. In an increasingly global environment, as competition intensifies, manufacturers must innovate and capitalize on new opportunities and expedite time to market.
When Considering Controllers... Do Operating Systems Matter?
Traditionally, a programmable logic controller (PLC) was simply a black box that sported a proprietary operating system. The PLCs of 25 years ago were basically in the background, and most had to be programmed either on an attached keypad or with a hand-held unit that plugged into the system with proprietary programming methods.
The Transparency of Wireless
Wireless networking and device manufacturers have gone to great lengths to create products that are secure, easy to work with, and operationally indistinguishable from wired equivalents.
Sustainability evident in product innovation
Innovation is often more about developing a new use for an existing technology than it is about creating a new technology or product from scratch. Recently, I've come across two new innovations—both of which grew out of initiatives to help companies save energy and money—that really grabbed my interest.
Improved process control solves PID tuning issue for food processor
Continuous cooking stations stabilize temperature to improve throughput and reduce cleaning. PID temperature regulators were not adequately tuned. The new control strategy reduced temperature variations 60% to 80%.
Kenya Pipeline Company upgrades SCADA system
New central control system from Telvent is extensible; increases monitoring ability, security
Invensys Process Systems unveils Hextran 9.2 simulation software
Heat transfer and pinch analysis tool helps users be greener and gain energy efficiency.
Major biotech manufacturer expands R&D facilities
Shire Human Genetic Therapies selects a range of products from Honeywell Process Solutions.
Guest commentary: Seven habits of highly successful control engineers, part 3
The last of a three-part examination by George Buckbee of ways control engineers can become more effective.
ABB releases new process sensors, flowmeters
Announced at the first combined ABB Automation & Power World event, these new sensors and flowmeters are designed for specific applications.
HART releases interoperability test tool for wired and wireless HART devices
Specialized tool automates testing for compliance to the HART Standard, ensuring interoperability across vendor platforms.
ABB conference highlights economics, services, and R&D
ABB combines its Automation World and Power World events and confronts economic issues faced by the manufacturing and power generation/distribution industries with a focus on service offerings related to the stimulus package and outsourcing.
Rockwell Automation improves process control system startup, asset management
A cooperative agreement and a asset management tool help beverage, brewing applications.