CONTROL ENGINEERING

Volume 46 , Number 1, JANUARY 1999

COVER: COUNTDOWN 44
TO YEAR 2000
Where will leading-edge developments
at the end of this era take us in the next
millennium? Out of this world.


Year 2000 Remediation 51
in Action
Ready for Y2K? Major manufacturers
have launched year 2000 software bug
fixes; here's tips for you.


Optimization Means 56
Higher Profits
Review the principles of process optimiza-
tion and see the software for the job.


Designing for Six 62
Sigma Capability
Learn how statistical quality methods
save billions of dollars.


Product Focus: Process 73
Variable Transmitters
Control Engineering survey shows 4-20
mA leads network usage.


News

Up Front—Late-breaking news 2

Mergers prepare companies 25
for global arena

Innovations highlight automation fair 24

Java and CE dominate Embedded 34
Systems Conference

Departments

Technology 9
Update
Shapes help designs
follow thoughts

Market Update 12
SP95 enterprise
integration

Application 17
Updatel
Y2K retrofit speeds
reporting

Global Update 20
Process automation
sustains industry
at BIAS98

Cyberpage 38
Hot web sites

Editorial 43
Party like it's 1999!

Control 80
Software
Review
Process simulator aids
testing, training

New Products & 82
Software
Editors' picks

Back to Basics 100
Control terminology

Get more information, 101
free

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CONTROL ENGINEERING

VOL. 46, NO. 4, APRIL 1999

Motors and Motion Control

162 COVER: Linear
Motors and Controls
Seek the Mainstrearr
Direct-drive linear motion systems
widen their appeal, aided by
design refinements that simplify
usage and lower costs. (Cover
image courtesy of Aerotech Inc.)

Machine Control

75 Size, Connectivity
Drive Hardware
Strategies
New hardware options are appear-
ing with increasing frequency.
Beyond PLC vs. PC, it's what kind
of PLC or PC to use.

Process Control and
Instrumentation

84 Fitting the Instrument
Into the Process
Once input, output, range, and
accuracy have been specified and
documented, instrument mounting
can begin. Not so fast!

B3 Estimating Process
Control

Implementation
Using objects and methods to
describe process requirements aids
in implementation estimates.

97 Product Focus:
Recorders
Ink recorders still outnumber
paperless, according to Control
Engineering research.
2 Up Front
Highlights from "show of shows"

9 Technology Update
Ethernet in electric industries

13 Market Update
Tank gauging sectors grow

17 pplication Update
Remote spectroscopy

20 Global Update
ABB profits gain 11%

58 Cyberpage
E-commerce in automation

61 Editorial
It's the reliability, stupid

106 Software Review
Streamlining flow specification

124 Back to Basics
Scanners find the code

NEWS

25 Microsoft launches Windows
DNA for Manufacturing

25 Rockwell Automation purchases
software portion of Dynapro

26 PLCDirect expands to
AutomationDirect

28 NETsilicon releases Ethernet,
Internet solution

PRODUCTS

108 Metal butterfly valves

112 Coriolis flow for FF

116 Going wireless

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CONTROL ENGINEERING

VOL. 46, NO. 5, MAY 1999


FEATURES

54 COVER: WindowsCE
Pocket Control
Automation applications arrive for
Microsoft's compact operating sys-
tern, Windows CE. Hewlett-
Packard computer runs GE Fanuc
Automation's Cimplicity (right).

Motors & Motion Control

61 TUning into Al
Wider use for artificial intelligence
(Al) methods in motion control
is on the horizon.

Human Machine Interface

81 New Control Rooms
Control room designs can help
meet business goals.

Process Control &
Instrumentation

Part 1: Assessing
Control Loops

91 If you're not keeping score,
you're only practicing.

Part 2: Testing

99 75% of process control loops under
perform. Here's how to improve.

Machine Control

105 DaimlerChrysler
Engine Plant
Automaker works with vendors to
create distributed, standardized
automation architecture.

117 Product Focus: PLCs
Control Engineering research
explains trends in micro, medium,
and large PLCs, networking
protocols' and programming tools.

DEPARTMENTS

2 Up Front
TAVA Technologies to be acquired

Technology Update

9 BinderBus from SerCoNet

13 Safer process control designs

17 Market Update
PC sales surge in China

21 Application Update
Vision camera tracks charges

25 Career Update
Nature's path to team building

28 Global Update

48 Cyberpage
E-commerce expands

53 Editorial
Top 10 reasons to go online

122 Software Review
RSLinx provides DDE links

140 Back to Basics
SPC, SQC, and the big picture

33 Schneider Automation,
Hirschmann, Ethernet products

33 Xycom Automation soft logic

34 World Batch Forum sees growth

39 Sensor-Connectivity Center opens

124 Micro Motion makes a low-priced,
general-purpose Coriolis flowmeter

134 Elo TouchSystems offers
monitors with USB



 

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CONTROL ENGINEERING
Volume 46 , Number 6, June 1999


Networks and
Communications

46 Cover: Ethernet
Everywhere
Ethernet is touted as the network
of choice from the glass house to
the plant floor, but is it really that
versatile?

Software

55 Software Tools Ease
Networic Setup and
Maintenance
Industrial network programming,
configuration, optimization, and
maintenance software tools vary.
Some require specific knowledge;
others are nearly automatic.

Process Control &
Insftrumentaftlon

63 Leveraging
Multivarflable
Sensing
How to make your control
system see all,

Mactilne Control

69 Vision Systems See
New Technology,
Bring Lower Prices
Fast, powerful processors and
easy-to-use software help machine

vision do more, yet cost less,

77 Product Focus:
Terrninaf Blocks
Shrinking size, but not out of
sight: Control Engineering research
explains trends on sizes, termina-
tion styles, communication meth-
ods, availability, and installation.

DEPARTEMENT


2 Up Front
Yaskawa dedicates headquarters

8 Technology Update
Interlock keys eliminate errors

13 Market Update
earnings remain strong

15 Application Update
Switch systems without shutdown

17 Career Update
More women enter engineering

18 Global Update
Profibus reduces fire hazard

42 Cyberpage
Internet helps cut software costs

45 Editorial
Connections

88 Software Review
Software creates functional specs

104 Back to Basics
Level sensing technologies

NEWS

21 Schneider Electric, Honeywell

21 Hannover Fair

28 Sensors Expo highlights products

41 MGAA prepares for milJennium


PRODUCT


91 'Smart fluids' for motion control

91 Flowineter increases functionality

94 Flexible temperature sensor

100 Optical encoders

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CONTROL ENGINEERING
NO. SUP , 1999


8 Here's an easy, step-by-step
guide to using this publication
so you can quickly find the
information you
need.

13 This "how to" section shows you
functions and search capabilities
of this guide's online version.
You'll also find a list of companies
that have direct links to their
company websites.

10 A complete listing of
manufacturers' latest product
catalogs and brochures.

19 The newest control products are
available in this color listing.

23 Here are over 700 product
categories found in this issue.
Also listed are the page numbers
where you'll find the
manufacturers of that product.

27 This section lists all the product
categories found in the Product
Index. Underneath each category
you'll find the manufacturers that
make that particular product listed
alphabetically.

145 These are your yellow pages. Here
you'll find contact information for
more than 2,500 manufacturers.

192 Listed here alphabetically are the
advertisers found in this issue
along with the page numbers
where you can find their ads.

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CONFROL ENGINEERING.

VOL. 46, NO. 7, JULY 1999

FEATURES

COVER:
MAXIMIZE Assets with
Predictive Maintenance

46 Analyze Process
Information
Here's how to make the most of
assets—-human, plant, property, and
equipment-to lower costs and improve
efficiency.
Photo: Keith Wood/Tony Stone Images


51 Examine Machine
Health
Appealing for critical applications,
predictive maintenance seeks less
costly and quicker implementations.

Process Control &
Instrumentation


62 Pneumatic Control:
Not Dead Yet
Still alive in many process industries,
pneumatic controls have evolved.

Human Machine
Interface


67 HMI Software Powers
Diagnostics
Improved logic software integration,
web browsers, e-mail, paging, and
palm-size computers get info to the
right place at the right time.

Control Components

75 Product Focus:
Enclosures
Control Engineering readers reveal
preferences in enclosures and their
contents.

DEPARTMENTS

2 Up Front
IEC 61158 final by 2000; may
include Profibus

9 Technology Update
Exclusive: Less power for
intelligent motor controls

15 Market Update
Operator interfaces, monitors

19 Application Update
Satellite-based data requires
reliable flowmeters

23 Career Update
Skills assessment

42 Cyberpage
Web services help optimize
process performance

45 Editorial
You're on our team

84 Software Review

108 Back to Basics
Protect process instruments

NEWS

27 Honeywell+AlliedSignal

27 ControlNet upgrades Ethernet

31 Motorola, Sun team on wireless

32 Intellution opens e-store

PRODUCTS

97 Akcess2K Delta-T system checks
chips for Y2K compliance

100 Infrared Engineering's MM55plus
senses bulk-solid constituents

106 National Instruments Outlook
4.0 HMI/SCADA package

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CONFROL ENGINEERING

VOL. 46, NO. 8, AUGUST 1999

FEATURES

Cover:

34 Get your ProJect
APPROVED
Justhying an automation and control
project and engineering its success
requires solving problems and linking
investments based on financial and
strategic benefits. Here's how ifs done.
Photo: Terry Vine/Tony Stone Images

System Integration

41 Choosing the Right
Project
Implementation
Strategy
Outsource or in-house: Learn when to
use in-house services, vendor consult-
ing services, or a system integrator for
automation and control projects.

Software

47 Electrical Schematic
Software
Automates Wiring,
Panel Design
Software for designing electrical
control schematics speeds design time
through automation, linking to other
software, shortening product cycle
times, and preserving intellectual
investments.

Control Components

53 Product Focus:
Discrete Sensors
Getting down and dirty: Control
Engineering readers tell all about dis-
crete sensors. Trends include decreas-
ing sizes, use of microprocessors,
alignment/set-up aid, and short-circuit
protection.

2 Up Front
Real-time developments


9 Technology Update
How measuring volts helps match
motors, drives

13 Market Update
China's ac drive market grows

17 Application Update
Coal mine cuts downtime

19 Career Update
Prepare for free agency

30 Cyberpage
Optimize process performance

33 Editorial
Listen to the musle

62 Software Review
Streamline enclosure design
SO Back to Basics
Uninterruptible power supplies

21 European pavilion at Sensors Expo

22 Fine tune your process

27 IndustryStoreeCommerce

27 New distributed architecture

64 Wallow has controller

70 API Motion software for

servo drives

77 VMIC hotswaps CompactPCI

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