PID, APC
PC Advances, Mergers, Hardware Evolution Among Leading Industry Trends
Roy Slavin, chairman, president and ceo, Wonderware Corp.The on-going consolidation of smaller suppliers in various market segments is likely to continue into 1998. Yet, the industry as a whole will remain robust. Varying regional economic conditions will require major national suppliers to continue to actively grow their global business mix.
Riding the whirlwind of change and opportunity
Sometimes we need to be reminded of what we already know. Control and automation professionals have always been aware that technical training and on-site experience are the key to success. However, as manufacturing grows more technologically and financially chaotic, traditional knowhow may seem to be powerless in the face of today's upheaval.
CPU modules for PLCs
Irving, Tex.— Entrelec is now offering two compact, 45-mm wide, rail-mounted CPU modules for PLC systems. The S200 CPU creates a micro PLC for local applications when combined with the company's flexible I/O modules. The S250 CPU, when combined with one of Entrelec's fieldbus nodes, is used in remote locations where distributed intelligence is required to create a "smart node.
Integrating Plant, ERP Systems
Phoenix, Ariz. —EnterpriseBatch software allows manufacturing organizations to integrate the disparate information in business and plant-floor systems, using corporate recipe and formula data as a natural focal point. Unlike previously available point-to-point solutions, the software is said to enable Global 5000 organizations that have multiple control and business systems to manage pro...
Imaging Tools
Montreal, Quebec, Canada —ActiveMIL-Lite is a collection of ActiveX controls for building Microsoft Windows-based imaging applications using rapid application development (RAD) tools. These ActiveX controls for image capture, transfer, and display using Matrox frame grabbers and image processors gives developers access to the algorithms of the Matrox Imaging Library.
North America, Asia Lead AC Drive Surge
AC drive business worldwide continues to expand rapidly, driven by a burgeoning North American market and ongoing expansion in Asia, according to the new AC Drive Worldwide Outlook by Automation Research Corp. (ARC). The combined markets of Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMA) remain the largest regional segment, followed by Japan and North America.
PCI载体板
Wixom, Mich.— Acromag's new APC8620 PCI board interfaces up to five IndustryPack-type ANSI/VITA-4 modules to a PC. By installing analog, digital, and serial I/O modules on the APC8620 carrier card in any combination, users can efficiently develop custom I/O boards with high channel density. Users can also choose from more than 40 Acromag IP modules or hundreds available from third parties.
Model-Predictive Controller Solves Complex Problems
Model-predictive control is the latest trend in multivariable control technology. Model-predictive controllers (MPCs) use mathematical models to predict the future behavior of the processes they control, then adjust their control efforts to produce the desired results. MPCs are designed to steer multiple process variables towards their respective setpoints while keeping both process input...
Handwriting on Wall for Hard Disks?
Flash memory technology is starting to catch up with industrial computer users, many of whom never liked the idea of using rotating magnetic discs on the factory floor. Flash memory chips—produced mainly by AMD and Intel—have increased storage densities so rapidly over the past months that it is now possible to offer 72 megabytes in a single 32-pin par...
Process Variable Transmitters Keep Pace with Customers’ Needs
Traditionally, process variables are considered to be units of flow, level, pressure, or temperature, and the media measured include gases, liquids, slurries, powders, and solids (see table).Transmitters are devices that accept the output of sensors and transducers designed to detect process variables and produce an output which directly or proportionally alters as process variables change.