Plant Engineering back issues from August 2009:
Managing an open system.
Aug 01, 2009 ... By Shawn Gold, Honeywell Process Solutions For all the benefits open systems provide, they also pose significant IT challenges. End users can only rely so much on their automation suppliers for support to keep process control networks secure. The reality is that plant engineers ...
Unmanaged switches.(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2009 ... Staff SFNT unmanaged switches operate across a wide temperature range, making them suitable for harsh environments. The switches are the latest addition to the Standard Function Narrow (SFN) line of unmanaged switches. The SFNT switches can operate between minus-40 and 75 ...
Rugged connectors.
Aug 01, 2009 ... Staff A new IP67-Rated Metal-Shell ODVA-Compliant connector allows industrial Ethernet to be applied in rugged environments. The Zamak zinc-alloy metal shell gives additional mechanical strength, while the IP67 sealing protects the interface from liquids, gases, and other ...
Interface connectors.
Aug 01, 2009 ... Staff The ZIPport product line has expanded to include panel interface connectors in over 30 configurations. Designed to be mounted on the outside of electrical control panel boxes, the interface connectors act as pass-through connections, allowing the ...
Ethernet switches.
Aug 01, 2009 ... Staff The Scalance XB unmanaged industrial Ethernet switch can be used in a line or star topology where simple plug-and-play connections and low-cost port expansion features are required. The switches are available with up to eight 10/100 Mbit/s ports. Offering an IP20 degree ...
Historian use improves process optimization.
Aug 01, 2009 ... By John Leppiaho, GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms and Derick Moolman, CSense Systems The benefits of Advanced Process Control and advanced analytics have become increasingly well established in the process industry. Through continually evolving technologies, the benefits of APC ...
Let's reach for the higher-hanging fruit.
Aug 01, 2009 ... Bob Vavra, Editor Whenever we talk about solutions to our manufacturing problems - productivity gains, energy savings, process improvements and equipment reliability - the phrase that often gets used to describe quick returns on those solutions is "low-hanging fruit." ...
Safety.
Aug 01, 2009 ... By Ron Brewer, Crown Equipment Corp. Training, maintenance crucial to keep accidents on the shelf OSHA estimates that approximately 680,400 lift truck accidents occur each year. The hard fact is that most of these accidents can be prevented with proper training and ...
Value of variable speed ac drives goes far beyond energy savings.
Aug 01, 2009 ... By Jacob Kimball, Schneider Electric Variable speed ac drives can be powerful tools for industrial facility managers to significantly improve energy efficiency. But while that is a critically key benefit for every industrial facility, that's just the beginning. For example, an ...
GE to launch energy management microgrid.
Aug 01, 2009 ... Staff With the goals of increasing energy security, energy efficiency and promoting cleaner, alternative energy at U.S. military bases, GE announced it has been awarded $2 million in Federal stimulus funding from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) for a smart microgrid ...
Drive technology.
Aug 01, 2009 ... Staff By combining the technologies of the field proven laminated finned frame RPM ac motor with a high performance permanent magnet salient pole rotor design, Baldor offers an energy efficient power dense product that can directly replace the right-angle gearbox and ...
Solid-state relays.
Aug 01, 2009 ... Staff The panel-mount Zelio SSRP and the DIN-mount Zelio SSRD solid-state relays meet equipment specifications for vibration resistance and increased reliability. The ...
Intelligent motor control centers help drive energy, productivity savings.
Aug 01, 2009 ... By Keith Blodorn, Rockwell Automation Manufacturers are continuously seeking new ways to increase productivity, streamline processes and boost their profit margins. Plant engineers can play an important role in this effort by helping to select and implement control solutions ...
IEC contactors, overload relays.(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2009 ... Staff The XT line of IEC contactors and overload relays are designed with a compact modular frame for applications up to 40 A, and 3-phase motor applications up to 25 hp at 575 V. The series includes non-reversing contactors, ...
IP65 connectors.
Aug 01, 2009 ... Staff The DXN37C product line features plugs and receptacles with 37 electrical contacts. Each contact on the plug and receptacle can carry up to 5 A at 220 V. The devices are suitable for hazardous areas because they are ATEX ...
Be a change agent to win the manufacturing game.
Aug 01, 2009 ... Staff These are interesting times we live in. Sometimes you need to be a change agent to survive. With changing times, some of us will be changing jobs. And as a change agent, there are many challenges to overcome whether starting a new position, starting in a new company or ...
Get IT, engineering together on MES effort.
Aug 01, 2009 ... By Bianca Scholten Traditionally, IT departments handle the ERP and other systems used in the office. The functionality in these systems belongs largely on ISA-95 Level 4. These IT people "speak" Java, .Net, and other programming languages. Engineers are working in a completely ...
Kaeser president to head CAGI.
Aug 01, 2009 ... Staff Frank Mueller, president of Kaeser Compressors Inc., was recently named president of the Compressed Air and Gas Institute (CAGI). Mueller will serve a two-year term. "CAGI has done an excellent job of raising awareness on the importance of compressed air," said ...
ISA announces seven co-hosted events at Houston Expo.(ISA Expo)
Aug 01, 2009 ... Staff Seven organizations will co-locate their events at the 2009 ISA Expo on Oct. 6-8 at the Reliant Center in Houston. Co-locating organizations include ARC Advisory Group, Industry2Grid (I2G), MCAA, OpenO&M, Microsoft and the Microsoft Manufacturing User Group ...
Wireless-N a promising technology to connect controllers and I/Os.
Aug 01, 2009 ... Staff In today's manufacturing sites, workers and automated machinery are becoming more mobile, and measurements and controls are being deployed in harder-to-reach locations. These changes are creating a compelling case for wireless networking as a part of the comprehensive ...
Bouncing back.
Aug 01, 2009 ... Staff Practical ways to prepare for a strong rebound The recession challenged every manufacturer to do more with less. As recovery starts to take hold and production shows signs of increasing, the emphasis now should be on making sure operations run smarter, with ...