PLCs/PACs/DCS/controllers

Solving big data problems 09/10/2012
GE Intelligent Platforms has highlighted the fact that its Proficy Historian 5.0 and Proficy Historian Analysis, can offer a combined solution which enables improved operational productivity by providing a secure, high-speed, scalable platform for aggregating industrial big data data. Full Story...

Control solution with standards-based distributed I/O 12/09/2012
GE Intelligent Platforms has introduced the PACSystems RSTi, a new, standards-based granular machine I/O integrated with the company’s PACSystems controllers on PROFINET. Full Story...

Integrated production control system includes enhanced PROFIBUS functionality 28/08/2012
The latest version of Yokogawa’s CENTUM VP integrated production control system – Release 5.02 – includes functions designed to improve the operability of the control and monitoring displays. Full Story...

Box PC includes third generation Intel Core i processor 28/08/2012
The Automation PC 910 is a new box PC from B&R, including third-generation Intel Core- i technology. Full Story...

EtherNet/IP communications provides faster, more effective logic control 24/07/2012
Invensys Operations Management has added EtherNet/IP communications to its existing Eurotherm Mini8 multi-loop PID controller. Full Story...

Protecting critical business processes 25/05/2012
From plant managers to IT staff in industrial companies, redundancy of system components is necessary to address three key concerns - safety, compliance and traceability - and the resultant cost of downtime. Rob Dinsmore, SolutionsPT’s product manager and availability champion, describes them as ‘essential to all businesses’. Full Story...

New Foxboro PAC software suite 17/04/2012
Invensys Operations Management has released its Foxboro PAC Software suite. Part of the company's InFusion Enterprise Control System, the new software extends the existing programmable automation controller system, which utilises ArchestrA open technology. Full Story...

Machine and motion control in a single environment 31/01/2012
Aerotech's A3200 MotionPAC brings together machine control and multi-axis motion control in a single development environment that can include IEC61131-3, PLCopen, .NET, AeroBasic, G-code and many other programming languages. Full Story...

Making motion control easy 24/01/2012
Mitsubishi Electric has expanded its MELSEC L-Series range of positioning modules with the new Simple Motion Module, enabling advanced motion control functions such as positioning, speed control, torque control, cam control, synchronous control and mark detection to be realised easily with just simple parameter settings and a sequence program accredited to IEC 6M3N-3 standard. Full Story...

Embedded PC for machine vision applications 24/01/2012
The fanless Adlink Matrix MXC-6000 embedded-PC with Intel Core i7 2.0 GHz processor and Intel QM57 chipset is now available from Stemmer Imaging, image and vision measurement and automation applications in areas as diverse as intelligent transport systems, factory control, test instrumentation, safety surveillance and building automation. Full Story...

All-in-one automation solution for power plants 04/01/2012
The Metso DNA automation system has been updated to include new control applications designed for steam and gas turbines, pulverized coal-fired combustion optimisation, and overall machine condition monitoring. The DNA system is also pioneering usability applications in process control work. Full Story...

Evolution of Foxboro I/A series includes a time-saving marshalling solution 12/12/2011
At its annual OpsManage event, held in Paris in November, Invensys Operations Management introduced a major evolution of its Foxboro I/A Series distributed control system. Full Story...

Upgraded control systems help cut the cost of iron production 28/11/2011
Tata Steel’s Scunthorpe steel plant produces carbon steel by the basic oxygen method. The existing pressurised oxygen plant produced high pressure oxygen at 42 Bar for steel production, but the three operating blast furnaces only require an 11 Bar supply. Producing oxygen at 42 Bar and then reducing it to 11 Bar was not cost-effective which led the company to look for a more efficient solution. Full Story...

Evolution of the Foxboro I/A series 21/11/2011
At its OpsManage 2011 event, held in Paris early in November, Invensys Operations Management introduced the next evolution of its Foxboro I/A Series DCS. Full Story...

Nyrstar Hobart chooses process automation system to replace DCS 16/11/2011
Nyrstar Hobart, a leading global multi-metals company, has awarded an order to Rockwell Automation and its Global Solutions team to replace a distributed control system (DCS) at the company’s zinc smelting operation in Hobart, Tasmania. Full Story...

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. Full Story...

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. Full Story...

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. Full Story...

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. Full Story...

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. Full Story...