Interphex, the big annual trade show and conference of the pharmaceutical industry, took place at the Javits Center in New York City April 24-26, and the major automation systems suppliers were there in force. Several showcased their overall systems that support manufacturing in regulated industries, while some used the venue to announce new products. Johnson Controls Inc., Milwaukee, announced that it expanded its Metasys for Validated Environments building management system to work with standard information technology platforms using Web services.Alpharetta, Ga.-based Siemens Energy & Automation Inc. showed a migration path for Fisher Provox DCS systems. Invensys Process Systems, Foxboro, Mass., showed a migration path for Moore APACS systems. It also introduced a compact, non-invasive conductivity sensor for high purity measurement in low volume liquid applications. Invensys Process Systems and Centric Software Inc., based in San Jose, Calif., announced the availability of an application that co-ordinates the management of the regulated validation process in the medical device, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. This application enables life science companies to automate the documentation of validation processes to help reduce the time required to obtain Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) validation for new process plants. The critical validation process documents all evidence that a system is performing according to exact specifications, and that all related equipment is implemented and tested correctly. GE Fanuc Automation, Charlottsville, Va., showed a roadmap to its expanded process automation system. Hoffman, an Anoka, Minn., maker of enclosures, showed a new stainless steel cable tray with a "unique" slope-top design and a modular operator interface enclosure. Parsec Automation Corp., Brea, Calif., introduced Parsec TrakSYS 5.0. The company has enhanced the functionality of its modeling and configuration, multi-mode real-time data collection and post-production edits, advanced analytics, messaging and notifications, and the foundation for multi-site intelligence reporting and benchmarking. Some additional features include notification ability by e-mail or text messages, enhanced manual data collection capability and support for the Microsoft Vista operating system. MTS Systems Corp.’s Sensors division, based in Cary, N.C., has leveraged its electronics expertise in the linear-position measurement systems to create a fast-response liquid level sensor. The new sensors include faster response for control and sanitary configurations. They provide for remote programming and diagnostic capabilities via serial communication. The company also showed its sensing technology for pharmaceutical applications. Zurich-based ABB announced Industrial IT for PAT (process analytical technologies). This product combines process data collection and analysis with traditional process control and data management functions. IIT for PAT provides access to online real-time process data. Emerson Process Management, Austin, Texas, demonstrated a “Plant of the Future” in a variety of stations in its booth. Milwaukee-based Rockwell Automation Inc. discussed the ability to integrate building automation and environment information into its historian for future review and analysis. Yokogawa, with U.S. headquarters in Newnan, Ga., also had a presence at Interphex, showing its integrated offerings for regulated industries. Honeywell Process Systems, Phoenix, had experts on hand discussing its set of products and services, as well.ABBwww.abb.comCentric Softwarewww.centricsoftware.comEmerson Process Managementwww.emersonprocess.comGE Fanuc Automationwww.gefanuc.comHoffmanwww.hoffman.comHoneywell Process Systemshpsweb.honeywell.com/Invensys Process systemswww.Invensys.comJohnson Controlswww.johnsoncontrols.comMTS Sensorswww.mtssensors.comParsec Automation Corp.parsec-corp.comRockwell Automationwww.rockwellautomation.comSiemens Energy & Automationwww.sea.siemens.comYokogawa Corp. of Americawww.yokogawa.com/us
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