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October 2007 |
When I wrote my July editorial on wireless sensor networking, “Hype or Reality,”
I was somewhat frustrated trying to discover what was happening after
the release of products into users’ hands following a year of talk.
“Six Sigma is absolutely about changing a company’s culture,” declares Mark Sessumes, of the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (www.tmac.org), Fort Worth, Texas. “[And] that’s all the way from top leadership down to the workforce—to make decisions based on data, not intuition.”
Calling OPC Unified Architecture (OPC-UA or UA) from Scottsdale, Ariz.-based OPC Foundation (www.opcfoundation.org) “very scalable,” Jeff Harding identifies two principal features that make it a communication mechanism across various protocols or standards: its ability to model complex things, and the basic set of services it provides.
Variable-frequency drives (VFDs) are very old technology—and everybody knows about savings
from them, Peter Fischbach declares.
Born despite some last-minute controversy, the newly released wireless industrial standard is the first to emerge for use in process measurement and control applications. Initial WirelessHart-compliant products are expected early next year.
“We do it. Green? No PR… We do it. Invest in technology? We just do it—with passion.”
IFS says it is the first to embed search functionality within an enterprise resource planning system.
Using technology supplied by two Minnesota automation components suppliers, an autonomous vehicle prepares for November competition.
The updated HMI/SCADA and ArchestrA applications—InTouch 10.0 and System Platform 3.0—were unveiled before press and analysts,and a worldwide online audience.
The Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association International (MESA) unveiled new initiatives designed to attract end-user members, as well as a new metrics study, at its annual meeting in Orlando.
Siemens Switzerland has selected the Active Tag technology from Ingecom (www.ingecom.ch) as a base to build up its new radio frequency identification product line.
Automation company plans to build a new city to house high-technology automation system production near Mumbai in India.
Here's a look at some of the trials, tribulations and challenges faced by two early end-users of industrial wireless networking technology, along with some lessons learned and benefits gained.
(Sidebar to "Wireless Pioneers Tell All" from the October issue of Automation World)
After nabbing the savings from easier installation, plant managers are beginning to use fieldbus for asset management.
Sidebar to "Fieldbus Reigns in Process Control" from the October 2007 issue of Automation World
Fast Digital Fieldbuses Improve Motion Control.
Bianca Scholten is a partner at Ordina, one of the largest publicly traded consultancy service providers in the Netherlands and Belgium in the areas of information and communication technology and management. 
As the latest in the vendor’s line of DeviceNet I/O stations, the DeviceNet Drive Interface station is specifically designed for use where adjustable frequency drives need to be interfaced onto a DeviceNet network.
The G12 family of AS-Interface modules is billed as the easiest-to-install and most flexible, user-friendly family of AS-Interface modules available.
The SERCOS III Block I/O Digital and SERCOS III Block I/O Analog devices enable connection of sensors and actuators to the higher-level control system through one uniform network: the universal bus SERCOS III.
The Simatic ET 200iSP is designed to deliver intrinsically safe and flexible distributed I/O solutions in potentially explosive environments.
An intelligent safety system integrated in the drive is designed to improve machine safety and ensure stable and economical operation of the system.
New analog Thermocouple and RTD Instrumentation Nodes are designed and purpose-built for vendor’s SureCross Wireless Network.
The SNAP-PAC-S2 is a standalone, multi–serial port, dual-Ethernet interface programmable automation controller (PAC) and the newest addition to the vendor’s flagship SNAP PAC System product line.
The MVS-8600e family of frame grabbers connect Camera Link cameras through the PCI Express (PCIe) interface.
A new line of industrial wireless products for the OEM and process control industry is designed to provide secure and reliable wireless connectivity solutions for a wide range of applications—from simple Input/Output (I/O) connections to complex data-bus interconnections.
Traditionally, when running a PC control application, one PC, installed with one network interface card, was required for each DeviceNet network.
A new series of Brushless Adjustable Speed Controls and Motors is designed to provide users the advantages and benefits of brushless technology for adjustable speed applications that is, less maintenance, quieter operation, more efficient and higher torques in smaller packages.
A new version of Proficy Tracker software is designed to help companies increase productivity and decrease costs by monitoring and managing the execution of production orders.
The Insulation Displacement Connector, or IDC, is said to provide the fastest method to add a connector to a cable.
The G303 Operator Interface Terminal has the most on-board communications ports of any HMI, according to the vendor.
The UE4457 and UE4427 remote Safety Controllers are the latest in the vendor’s safety interface product portfolio.
The Exter K10m and Exter K20m operator panels are well-suited for use in applications with limited space and no need for a graphical display.
While hedge funds and private equity investors who had taken advantage of the lending practices of the past few years may be reeling from the huge swings in the financial markets, the automation industry should be able to survive the credit squeeze.
The first questions that people are asking right now are, “Do we face a near-recession in the near-future, or is talk of a recession (partly due to housing pressures) overblown? Will business spending slow by the end of the year?”
Low power consumption is a critical product differentiator for all types of battery-powered wireless devices.
“Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.”
indicates a sponsored article that was submitted directly to this Web site by the supplier, and was not handled by the AW editorial staff.
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