INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROL SYSTEMS
JANUARY 1999
VoI.72
No 1
SPECIAL REPORT—Motion & Position Control
Users continue to demand more, even as suppli-
ers release innovative designs that are smaller,
smarter, more capable, and lesscostly.
41 • Hershey finds SERCOS best path to enterprise-
\wide compatibility
SERCOS is a key component of the company's
plans to forge the integration of open machine
and motion control into packaging lines.
45 • A case for Ethernet in programmable motion
control
Ethernet can expand a design engineer's
motion control options and save dollars.
55. Advanced Control Software Course—Part 1
'VBA lets users add value to software
applications
Visual Basic for Applications lets manufacturers
develop their own customized control solutions
using off-the-shelf software.
61 . Move to electronic devices and PCs causes
shake-up in recorder market
The paperless recording of process data is
expected to continue its significant growth trend.
6 3. Bridging PLCs to evolving control networks
Internet connectivity for PLCs will make it possi-
ble to share an even wider variety of informa-
tion throughout the enterprise.
Application Ideas
67. Power monitoring end
control ...for those
tired of whistling in
the dark
Other Features
Editors' Choice Awards
78.New Ethernet I/O
and controller help
pave the way for
decentralization
80 . Small variable-
speed ac drives:
Buy 'em on the
Internet
84 New PC-based con-
trol, proxs, encoders,
I/O introduced
Departments
6 Editor's Notebook
New year brings change
and new opportunities
8 News
Control Techno!ogy
awarded patent for Web-
server technology
10 Even ts
13 Sensor Update
1 7 Reader Service Cards
71 Reader Service Cards
82 New Products
85 Classified Advertising
85 Product Focus
86 Advertisers' Forum
86 Advertisers Index
87 Control Software Forum
The piuses of certifying
RTOS software to the IEC
61508 safety standard
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INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROL SYSTEMS
FEBRUARY J999
Vol.72
No 2
26SPECIAL REPORT- Connectors & Terminal Blocks
3 7 Maintaining accuracy In low-level measurements
While there are many sources of error, there are
also some very effective ways to avoid them.
43Advanced Control Software Course—Part 2
Java networks the factory floor
to the boardroom
Java is a cross-platform language that can be
used to develop enterprise-wide applications
that will run on any processor. Real-time exten-
sions are now in development that give promise
to embedded real-time applicat ions.
55 Apply ing FOUNDATION fieldbus to
process analyzers
Networking process analyzers via an open fleld-
bus provides a host of cost savings, plus
enhanced capability.
61 Exhibit and product guide to National
Manufacturing Week
Editors' Choice Award
70.Flat-panel monitor communicates up to 20 km
at 1.5 Gbits/s via fiber optic link
74 . Nonwetted electrode magmeter measures
I flow of low-conductivity liquids
74. Multiprocessor single-board computer based
on 3U CompactPCI form factor
.
6 Editor's Notebook
An interview with Keith
Nosbusch. new president
of Rockwe/l Automation
Control Systems :
10 News
Embedded Systems
Conference set for
Chicago
14 Books
1 7 Reader Service Cards
20 Events
23 Sensor Update
67 Reader Service Cards
70 New Products
79 Advertisers' Forum
80 Classified Advertising
80 Advertisers Index
81 Product Focus
83 Control Software Forum
Ethernet-based device-
level networks: Not always
right for control
_______________________________________
INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROL SYSTEMS
MARCH 1999
Vol.72
No 3
28SPECIAL REPORT—Industrial PCs in Control
Today's industrial PCs offer a host of new capa-
bilities as a result of the new PCI bus standard,
faster CPUs, plus improved memory, data stor-
age, and I/O interface technologies.
38.Industrial PCs assume a bigger role in
industrial automation
In certain applications, industrial PCs are now
viable alternative solutions for direct control.
47Advanced Control Software Course—Part 3
JEC 1131-3: What's in it for you?
Though everyone isn't convinced that IEC 1131
is the way to go, it offers a number of advan-
tages to system users and designers. Its adoption
by hardware and software vendors could bring
us a step closer to plug-and-play operation.
55 Embedded control: A checklist for design
The selection of CPU bus structure, operating
system, and processor can affect ease of
design, compatibility, and upward migration.
61 Improved motors and motor controls
save energy, cut costs
A Department of Energy program designed to
help plants improve the efficiency of energy-
using devices is paying big dividends to compa-
nies in a variety of industries.
71Laser sensor ensures pick-and-place precision
^ for automated retrieval
A maker of fire prevention equipment opted to
rebuild its AS/RS to increase throughput in filling
orders, while saving the cost o f a new system.
Vertical positioning of the upgraded retrieval
system is now controlled using a laser sensor to
detect an existing 0,060-in. thick shelf edge.
74 Editors' Choice Award
Siemens offers
industrial PC with
Pentium II power
and Profibus
connectivity
6 Editor's Notebook
Open PC solutions: Like it
or not, they're headed
your way!
8 News
Microsoft launches
Windows DNA for
Manufacturing
12 Books
14 Events
1 7 R eader Service Cards
21 Sensor Update
67 Reader Service Cards
75 New Products
79 Classified Advertising
80 Product Focus
8 1 Advertisers' Forum
81 Adindex
83 Control Software Forum
Object-oriented
technology helps reduce
programming risks
_______________________________________
INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROL SYSTEMS
APRIL 1999
Vol.72
No 4
52.SPECIAL REPORT—Programmable Controllers
PLC makers continue to adopt open approach-
es to control to stay competitive with solutions
based on commercial technology.
63 .Diagnosing control valve problems from the
shop saves big bucks!
Control-valve intelligence, coupled with asset
management software, can lead to ongoing
savings as much as $1000 per device per year. br
77.Advanced Control Software Course—Part 4
83 .Sorting out your linear motor options
Linear motors offer improved throughput,
increased system accuracy, and long system
life.
89New standards for hazardous locations increase
enclosure options
Designers and specifiers of enclosures can now
choose from a wider selection of more cost-
effective hazardous location protection options.
97 Guide to Sensors Expo
Editors' Choice Awards
101 • Mid-size PLC combines control
and networking
102 • CIMPLICITY software migrates to Windows CE
palmtops and Web browsers
103 • Superstore hits cyberspace with name-brand
and private-label automation products
at discount prices
6 Editor's Notebook
Companies need to start
thinking online
8 News
• New Action business
unit offers factory-direct
fieldbus solutions
• ANSI recognizes UL
Standard for Safety for
Software in
Programmable
Components
12 Books
14 Events
17 Reader Service Cards
21 Sensor Update
91 Reader Service Cards
104 New Products
105 Classified Advertising
105 Product Focus
106 Ad Index
1 07 Control Software Forum
Y2K compliance.
programmable con-
trollers. and the ostrich
_______________________________________
INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROL SYSTEMS
VOL. 72 , NO. 7 , 1999
SPECIAL REPORT—Software For Control
24 Software: Open source OSs, objects, Web-based
communications challenge status quo
51 Applying the S88 and IEC 61512-01 standards to
manual and semiautomated batching
Advanced Control Software Course—Part 7
57 TCP/IP makes the "factory floor to enterprise"
connection
65 Integrated flat panel HMI adds flexibility
to visual inspection station
67 CTC unveils PC-based PLC software and the
PC to run it on
68 Phoenix Contact releases controller, switching
power supply, isolators and blocks
69 Ornron introduces color vision system, fiber
optic amplifier, and inductive proximity sensors
at Technology Connection Symposium
6 Editor's Notebook
The smart-bots
are coming'
8 News
AlliedSignal and
Honeywell to merge
ABB Automation
integrates Elsag Bailey
companies
PC Control Handbook
Perkin Elmer's Analytical
Instruments Div. joins
EG&G
National Instruments
partners with Amazon.com
14 Events
17 Reader Service Cards
21 Sensor Update
59 Reader Service Cards
70 New Products
74 Classified Advertising
74 Advertisers Index
75 Control Software Forum
_______________________________________
INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROL SYSTEMS
VOL. 72, NO. 8, AUGUST 1999
SPECIAL REPORT—Single-Board Computers
22 SBC makers increase performance,
shorten time to market
Personal computer technology continues to
have a major impact on single-board comput-
ers, resulting in designs that are based on faster
CPUs and bus structures.
31 Don't let extreme conditions undermine
AF drive performance
Adjustable frequency drives can be affected by
their electrical and physical environment, and in
turn can affect other equipment in the vicinity.
Taking the right precautions can help keep
everything operating properly.
35 Seeing machine vision in a new light
You've decided to get a machine vision system.
Now you must choose among dedicated sys-
tems, PC-based vision, low-end vision systems,
and vision sensors. Here are some pointers to
help you make up your mind.
Advanced Control Software Course—-Part 8
39 Beef up the security of your plant's
Internet connection
If your plant network is connected—even indi-
rectly—to the Internet, you need to take some
precautions to maintain its security.
Editor's Choice Awarcl
49 • Free online tool from Hoffman simplifies
enclosure selection process
50 Moore Industries' smart temperature transmitter
strives for new accuracy benchmark
52 Guide to Sensors Expo
6 Editor's Notebook
E-commerce: Don't let the
challenges fake you out
of the ball game
8 News
• tEC 61158 moves closer
to acceptance
• Alliance Pipeline selects
PlantScape SCADA system
• Web site offers easy fool
to calculate software ROI
1&CS cosponsors
Embedded Internet
Workshop
12 Events
1 7 Reader Service Cards
21 Sensor Update
43 Reader Service Cards
51 New Products
58 Classified Advertising
58 Advertisers Index
59 Control Software Forum
The fourth Industrial revolu-
tion: Objects replace syn-
chronicify
_______________________________________
INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROL SYSTEMS
VOL. 72, NO. 11, NOVEMBER 1999
SPECIAL REPORT—Flow, Level, Pressure
29 Thermal dispersion gas mass flowmefers:
A good choice for tough conditions
They can measure true mass flow and very low
flows, with negligible pressure drop.
35 Process and material characteristics are key
to level sensor selection
A wrong choice can lead to inaccurate read-
ings, high maintenance costs, and sensor failure.
40 Pressure transmitters: A unit for every application
Suppliers continue to develop units that can help
optimize processes and cut maintenance costs.
Advanced Control Software Course—Part 11
49 Enterprise systems and manufacturing: Driving
toward integrated solutions
Issues include cooperation between IT and
manufacturing, selection of enterprise systems,
and assessing information based on its value.
63 Sensorless flux vector control of ac
induction motors
They provide many of the advantages of
closed-loop control with less cost.
69 Photoelectric sensors: The eyes that provide
vision for your applications
This application roundup may help you put this
versatile technology to work in your operation.
73 Designing operator workstations for harsh and
hazardous environments
Workstations must feature superior environmen-
tal design and operator functionality.
POWER-GFN INTL '99 SIPPLEMENT
55 Power plants merge information and
control systems
59 New BMS and DCS provide reliable and
responsive power plant automation
OTHER FEATURES
Editors' Choice Award
78 Portable oscillo-
scopes can store 30
hours of data, cap-
ture 50 ns glitches
DEPARTMENTS
6 Editor's Notebook
Operational efficiency and
information access drive
today's power industry.
8 News
Alliances, Ethernet take
center stage at
ISA Tech/99.
17 Reader Service Cards
23 Events
27 Sensor Update
75 Reader Service Cards
80 New Products
89 Product Focus
89 Classified Advertising
90 Advertisers Index
91 Control Software forum
Windows CE heads
downriver towards
standardization.
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