Tough
DMMs - Fluke has introduced its toughest tools yet for industrial
electricians, plant engineers and technicians who work in the toughest
environments. The new Fluke 27 II and 28 II Digital Multimeters (DMMs)
define a new standard for operating in harsh conditions that would
destroy other tools, while delivering the features and accuracy to
troubleshoot most electrical problems. Both meters are IP 67 rated for
water and dust resistance and offer an extended operating temperature
range of -15°C to +55°C.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.