First Industrial Ethernet Switch to Bring True Enterprise-class Networking to Harsh Environments - Sixnet has announced its new EL228 industrial managed Ethernet switch platform. As the newest addition to Sixnet's full line of industrial switches, the EL228 is the only product in its class that combines the reliability, redundancy and ruggedness required for demanding industrial environments, with true enterprise-class networking capabilities.

Synchronous step-down LED driver delivers over 20A of continuous LED current - Linear Technology has just announced the LT3743, a synchronous step-down DC/DC converter designed to deliver constant current to drive high current LEDs. The deviceÕs 5.5V to 36V input voltage range makes it ideal for a wide variety of applications, including industrial, DLP projection and architectural lighting

Slim line power supplies with universal input power and global approvals - Acromag now offers a space-saving series of power supplies with universal input power and worldwide industry approvals. The PS5R-S Slim Line series of power supplies includes nine models ranging from 10W to 240W of power. Space-saving 10W and 15W supplies require only 22.5mm on a DIN rail. 240W units are only 80mm wide. All models are UL508 listed and UL1604 approved for Class I Div 2 hazardous locations. The series also qualifies for Acromag's 2-year extended warranty.

Integrated solutions for first ultra-mega power plant in India - Invensys Operations Management has announced that it has signed a U.S. multi-million dollar deal with Coastal Gujarat Power Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Power Limited, to provide end-to-end integrated services and solutions that will fully optimize India's first ultra-mega 4000MW power plant. Located in Mundra in the Gujarat Sate of India, it will be India's largest coal-fired power plant when completed in 2013.

Next-generation wireless ECG patch drives joint research activity - Terepac Corporation, an emerging leader in electronics miniaturization, packaging and assembly, and IMEC, a leading European research center in nanotechnology, announce their collaboration on novel packaging technologies for flexible electronics. The initial driver for this synergistic shared research relationship is a next generation wireless ECG system, developed in the Human++ Program at Holst Centre, Eindhoven.

Exceptional Process Control Opportunities - Emerson's intrepid blogger Jim Cahill has secured the slides of Greg McMillan's presentation to Boston's ISA Section to be delivered today (20th October 2009).
Picture shows Greg McMillan (right) being presented with an author's award at the ISAExpo by ISA Publications VP Vitor Finkel in Houston earlier this month.

The industry's most extensive integration of process and machinery health information enables plants to operate with confidence - Emerson Process Management has integrated machinery protection and prediction of critical mechanical equipment with its DeltaV™ digital automation system. This new capability directly supports users' goals for improved availability and performance. As turbomachinery and mechanical equipment condition deteriorates, performance and throughput decrease and unplanned shutdowns become more probable.

Rotary position sensor - A new rotary position sensor suited to price sensitive industrial and automotive applications for harsh and extended temperature range environments has been launched by Variohm EuroSensor. The SP5000 from Novotechnik uses field-proven conductive plastic technology in a compact IP67 rated high-grade plastic housing and is available in a choice of 104, 117 and 120 degree electrical angles.

Linear positioning stage added - Aerotech has added a further ANT series linear positioning stage series to its ultra-high precision nano Motion Technology (nMT) range. The new ANT130-L brings higher load capacity and increased travel of up to 160 mm but maintains the nMT range hallmark characteristics of exceptional precision, rapid acceleration, high speed and 1 nanometre resolution - all prerequisites for today's high throughput alignment and measurement applications involving large area nanometre level structures.

Waterproof PSUs - Excelsys Technologies, technology leaders in high efficiency power supply design, introduce a new range of products for professional LED lighting applications. The constant current output LXC series and the LXV constant voltage series offer up to 300 watts of output power in extremely compact, rugged IP67 enclosures.

Digital drive interface added to range - Trio Motion Technology has added a SERCOS II digital drive interface to its new MC464 Motion Coordinator range. The MC464 SERCOS interface allows OEMs and automation systems integrators to benefit from advanced 64-bit multi-axis motion and machine control performance, and include application matched drive and motor technologies from a wealth of SERCOS equipped products available from many manufacturers.

Machine restored to full productivity - MasterControls and Southern Technical Services have jointly retrofitted a Gleason 782 gear hobber with a new CNC control system from NUM. The machine is used by a large aerospace components manufacturer in Chihuahua, Mexico, to produce spur, helical and crown gears with complex profiles. Prior to the retrofit, the machine's control system had become increasingly unreliable, resulting in high maintenance overhead and unacceptable downtime.

New method for identifying marijuana cannabinoids in baked goods is faster, easier to use and requires less sample preparation - Thermo Fisher Scientific has announced a new method for identifying marijuana cannabinoids in baked goods that is faster, easier to use and requires less sample preparation. Using ultra high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (UHPLC/MS), the application tests baked goods samples obtained from a local state police forensic laboratory

Flow meters for steam flow - Racine Vortex has released their RNS Series (Insertion) and RWS Series (Wafer) Vortex Steam Flow Meters. The meters are suitable for measuring non-condensing steam and saturated process steam at pressures up to 150 psi. Leading applications include boiler monitoring and other energy-related uses, as well as building and facilities management.

Diaphragm and peristaltic pump liquid chemical feed systems - Blue-White has developed a versatile, lightweight skid system which can be ordered with either FLEX-PRO® Peristaltic Metering Pumps, or CHEM-PRO® diaphragm metering pumps.

The end of an era signals many changes at the International Society of Automation - ISA held what turned out to be the last ISAExpo in Houston, (TX US) early in October. The size of the show was smaller and the attendance was down too but despite that and despite the encroaching sunami of the "great depression" there was a buzz and even cheerfulness in the air. A new new event will have a small limited table-top segment for vendors to present their wares and services. Bookings appeared to be brisk as the Expo drew to a close.

Rugged I.S dew point transmitter with ATEX certification - Michell Instruments has added to its range of Easidew dew-point transmitters with the Easidew PRO I.S., a rugged, intrinsically safe transmitter suitable for use in the natural gas, petrochemical and process industries where a rugged transmitter is required. A natural progression from the Easidew TX I.S., the Easidew PRO I.S. is certified by ATEX for use in hazardous area zone 0, as well as for use with galvanic isolators.

e-letters and web publications received during week ending 16th October 2009 Control Design News InTech e-news Automation Weekly Flow Control Newsletter Control Engineering EME SuperFactory Newsletter ControlGlobal e-news There are a number of newsletters we receive which are only available in pdf format or are not available in html as web pages. These may not be listed here!

Interface with fibre optic connectors - The embedded communication module, Anybus-S for Profinet, combines a Profinet interface with IRT functions according to the Class C standard. The intelligent communication module is based on the ERTEC-200 technology from Siemens and includes all analog and digital components for an effective Profinet IO interface with IRT features, including an integrated 2-port real-time switch. The physical network connection is made via two SC-RJ fibre optic connectors.

New brochure for contactless rotary sensors - Penny + Giles, has announced a new SRH Contactless Rotary Sensors brochure. Complete with technical information, including a selection guide for ordering the various models and features, the free brochure is available in print and online.

Device Couplers receive three major FM approvals - The TRUNKSAFE TS200 Fault-Tolerant Fieldbus System from MooreHawke, the fieldbus division of Moore Industries, has received three major certifications through Factory Mutual (FM).

Recycling can be fun! - Do you believe that the easiest way to change people's behaviour for the better is by making it fun to do. It is called The fun theory. Do you have an idea that uses fun to change behaviour? Enter now for the chance to win €2500

Ultra low power processor module - Concurrent Technologies introduces an ultra low power processor PMC/XMC module, the XP A40/x03. The board features the 1.6 GHz Intel® Atomª processor Z530 and the integrated Intel® System Controller Hub US15W, both chosen from the Intel® embedded roadmap to ensure long term availability of supply. Additional features include up to 2 Gbytes DDR2-533 SDRAM, 4 Gbytes of NAND Flash, graphics and a variety of I/O interfaces including a CANbus controller and dual Gigabit Ethernet ports.

industry's first PEEK bodied sensor - nvensys Operations Management, a global provider of technology systems, software solutions and consulting services to the process and manufacturing industries, has introduced a family of high-performance, disposable pH sensors in the widely used 12 mm form factor. The new Foxboro(r) brand PH12 Series includes the process industry's first polyetheretherketone (PEEK) bodied sensor, making it the most durable 12 mm pH sensor available anywhere.

Sensor hones in on sharp operators! - We discussed EmersonÕs Charms in a recent blog and now we add a bit of sparkle in this release from Tony Ingham of Sensor Technology! Torque sense at University of Greenwich! Risk is being driven out of the use of heavy duty diamond cutting tools thanks to a Û800,000 EU-backed research programme at the University of Greenwich near London (GB), to determine the true operating characteristics of such equipment.

Hired emissions analyser checks gas rig in Burma - Following the installation of a turbine on a natural gas rig off the coast of Burma, it was necessary for Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery (SITL) to analyse emissions from the turbine and a hired Testo 350 XL emissions analyser from Ashtead Technology proved ideal for the application.

New OPC client toolkit - Kepware Technologies has released version 3.5 of its ClientAce OPC Client Development Toolkit for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008. ClientAce includes a set of .NET components enabling the quick and easy development of OPC-DA Client applications. The components include a Server Browser, Item Browser, Channel Settings, Server State and Data Access controls.

The new Instrument Specification Forms: An ISA20 Industry Implementation CD-ROM will make it easier for you to specify and procure instrumentation by giving you templates listing, and providing space for, all principal descriptive options.

No-Limits SCADA: A Case for Unlimited Tags and Clients - Tags and clients are easy things to measure, and so they are made scarce in the pursuit of profits. An argument could be made that this is an efficient way for these software vendors to measure the value of the systems that they sell, and to the extent that it is an efficient system, this is true. However, any systems integrator or facility manager will tell you that the value of a system is not in the sum of its tags, nor in the number of clients. The true value of an industrial software project is much more difficult to measure, and is individual to every facility. The result is that only those projects whose true value is greater than or equal to the cost of the required tags and clients get implemented.

High-performance oscilloscope family - The Yokogawa DLM6000 mixed-signal oscilloscope is the flagship product in a new family of high-performance digital oscilloscopes featuring bandwidths up to 1.5 GHz, memory of 6.25M points per channel, an intuitive graphical user interface and a number of advanced analysis features.

Predictive alerts prompt action to deal with flow disturbances and installation issues before they affect measurement performance or cause unscheduled downtime - Emerson Process Management has introduced a new version of its Daniel® ultrasonic meter diagnostic firmware and software with advanced real-time monitoring and alarming capabilities that reduce measurement uncertainty and improve uptime. The new software detects oil and gas flow disturbances that may affect measurement, delivers maintenance alarms prompting action to avoid failure, and provides an intuitive view of the meter health.

New applications opened up by non-contact angle sensors - Whether for axial offsets, excessive torque or the necessity for transmissive measurements, conventional angle sensors - despite their refined state of development - are not suitable for all applications. It is therefore hardly surprising that non-contact rotary sensors with offset magnetic transducers represent a virtually perfect alternative in a large number of fields, with impressive benefits.
A paper from Variohm

First hygienic direct drive linear motor makes waves in wash down - Copley Motion Systems will launch a new high performance direct drive linear motor at SPS/IPC/Drives this year in Nuremberg that is constructed entirely from stainless steel for use in the most demanding industrial environments. The ServoTube Hygienic is constructed from precision machined austenitic stainless steel, with a smooth hygienic design that is free from dirt traps and suitable for use in the most demanding and corrosive industrial or aseptic environments.

Uncompromisingly safe equipment - Rittal Communication Systems has addressed the market requirements for optimum protection for system technology in enclosures that are requested for public safety digital networks. They have designed a WK4 enclosure that immediately overcame all hurdles in an external institute test during the first presentation.

New partnership - Kepware Technologies has been selected as a supplier to Moxa, to deliver Kepware's IT and Infrastructure Suite for use with the full line of Moxa Managed and Unmanaged Ethernet products. Moxa had a large and impressive stand at the recent ISAExpo.

ProfiNet brings benefits of AC890 drives to Ethernet users - Parker Hannifin has launched an open Ethernet-based networking communications module for its AC890 range of drives. For the first time, PROFINET makes the power, performance and functionality of the 890 family available to users operating Ethernet based process applications. In addition to supporting the seamless integration of all fieldbus systems, the module protects against unauthorised access, and ensures safe operation.

Request for information for wireless backhaul/backbone network - The ISA100.15 Working Group (WG15) is seeking technical presentations from wireless backhaul/backhaul providers that will form the basis for the Working Group's recommended best practices and standards considerations for interoperability of wireless backhaul/backbone networks, wireless sensor networks, and wireless devices usable by the process automation industry.