PLCs/PACs/DCS/controllers
Reverse engineering of DCS, PLC, SCADA and MES systems solves legacy problems (19/04/2012)
An increasing number of control systems are becoming obsolete, which presents a major replacement problem for many manufacturers. These legacy control systems can prove difficult to maintain and support. Spare parts can be a problem and finding skilled personnel to provide system support for both hardware and software, becomes increasingly difficult.
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Shipbuilder employs Integrated Automation Systems on new vessels (17/04/2012)
Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) and STX Offshore & Shipbuilding have announced that they will use Honeywell’s Integrated Automation Systems (IAS) in five vessels commissioned by ship owners in Norway, Russia and the United States.
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Control solution for Deepsea Challenger (10/04/2012)
Opto 22 has provided the primary control system for a record-setting dive to the Mariana Trench, by filmmaker and National Geographic explorer-in-residence, James Cameron, as part of the Deepsea Challenge expedition.
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Don’t underestimate the feeling of being in control 20/03/2012
Hannu Paunonen and Jaakko Oksanen of Metso Automation, discuss the importance of usability in the overall design of a process control system.
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Maximising operational efficiency 16/01/2012
Maximising throughput, availability and product quality, while minimising operating, maintenance and energy costs, helps to get more out of a process plant. Simon Ellam, of Siemens Industry Automation, outlines some of the areas that can have a big impact on maximising a process plant’s operational efficiency.
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Addressing the perils of DIY DCS 20/12/2011
Tim Sweet, of Honeywell Process Solutions, discusses the ‘top seven’ issues to consider when evaluating a DCS, versus building a DIY distributed control system using a PLC-based architecture.
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ABB retains leading distributed control system market share worldwide for 2010 01/11/2011
An ARC study into DCS states that new projects in heavy process industries, power generation contributed to overall market growth.
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Live demo of cutting edge process automation solution at Offshore Europe 19/09/2011
Rockwell Automation ran live demonstrations of its PlantPAx process control solution for the oil and gas industry at the recent Offshore Europe 2011 event.
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Rugged computer based on new Intel Atom processor 19/09/2011
A new PCI-104 single board computer from Advantech uses an Intel Atom N455/D525 processor, supporting 1 GB of soldered DDRIII 800MHz SDRAM. The design of this processor is said to allow for power reductions, smaller systems, and performance improvements.
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Upgraded control systems help cut the cost of iron production 13/09/2011
Tata Steel has succeeded in cutting the cost of iron production at its Scunthorp plant.
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Comprehensive virtualisation solution 06/09/2011
Honeywell has announced the availability of virtualisation support for its Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS) for both DCS and SCADA applications which are said to establish the company as the only process industry vendor to offer a comprehensive virtualisation solution.
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An alternative to DCS or PLC/SCADA? 06/09/2011
Traditionally, users have had a choice between a DCS or a PLC/SCADA approach when selecting a control system for use in process control applications. Richard Sturt, Rockwell Automation business development manager, process Industries, believes that Rockwell can offer a solution for users needing elements of both of these approaches.
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Auto tuning of PID control loops 06/09/2011
Many PID control loops are still operated manually. CEE looks at an auto tune solution which offers the benefit of having a clear view of the information on a large-screen HMI.
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Digital plant architecture provides flexibility and reliability for complex laboratory processes 06/09/2011
The Gran Sasso National Laboratories in the Abruzzo region of central Italy are situated around 1400 m below the summit of the Gran Sasso mountain. Owned by the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), the laboratories have been created to carry out experiments in a setting with a low radioactivity level. The rocks above the laboratories act as a shield against cosmic radiations and make it possible to measure very weak radioactive signals from materials being tested.
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Integrated motor and process control solution put to work on oil sands project 30/08/2011
Grizzly Oil Sands, a Canadian, independent oil sands company is to use the Rockwell Automation PlantPAx process automation system to help it produce more than 5,000 barrels of oil per day at the first phase of its Algar Lake Project.
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Batch controller ensures exact dispensing 16/08/2011
Precise sensing and dispensing of liquids into a container or process vessel in food, chemical, pharmaceutical, oil & gas and other process industry applications is promised by the new RA33 batch controller from Endress+Hauser.
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Large actuator control helps to safely regulate oil flow 26/07/2011
Surgutneftegas has announced that it is to use Actuator Control Systems (ACS) from ASCO Numatics to control large actuators at its Kirishi refinery near St Petersburg in Russia.
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Unitronics PLC+ HMI in One Unit: 26/07/2011
Unitronics, a global developer and manufacturer of Programmable Logic Controllers with integrated HMIs, represented in the UK by Alldrives & Controls, now supports fast, deterministic data exchange on the factory floor with NEW PROFIBUS communication capabilities.
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A neat DCS migration solution 12/07/2011
CEE reports on the importance of upgrading aging process control systems, and looks at the options currently available.
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Unitronics New Vision1210 TM 23/06/2011
As a global developer and manufacturer of Programmable Logic Controllers with on board HMIs, Unitronics is proud to introduce the newest big-screen member of their PLC+HMI family- the Vision1210™. Industrial control processes can now enjoy full PLC functionality with a larger than ever 12.1”, 800x600 Resolution (SVGA), 65K colour-Touchscreen. The PLC + HMI advantage gives users the opportunity to operate on a minimum of budget, programming time and wiring.
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