Expansions: Valve testing to network use

Staff -- Control Engineering, 7/1/2006

A range of recent industry expansions and agreements included greater reach for partial-stroke valve testing, tank gauging, flat-panels, robotics, machine vision, and wider use of Ethernet in automotive facilities.

ABB Inc. and Metso Automation Inc. announced that Metso's Neles ValvGuard product has been "Industrial IT Enabled." as part of an ongoing technology partnership. The effort integrates Metso's system for partial-stroke valve testing with the ABB automation software platform, allowing easier information use, analysis and transfer.

Ametek Automation & Process Technologiesformed a strategic technology alliance with Yan Shan Mei Ke (YSMK) Electronic Instrument Co. to develop systems that meet China's growing need for modern petroleum distribution facilities and retail gasoline stations while ensuring environmental compliance. The two instrumentation manufacturers are jointly developing an automatic tank gauging and inventory monitoring system.

Fieldbus Foundation and Namur, the German-based, process industries' end-user group, agreed to collaborate to offer advice on grounding and shielding a fieldbus network and on device diagnostics profiles.

Kuka Robotics Corp., a global manufacturer of industrial robots, signed Les Machineries AutomaTech Inc. (Quebec, Canada), as its newest system partner. Les Machineries AutomaTech, an engineering consulting firm specializing in industrial automation, plans on integrating Kuka Robots into wood product manufacturing application cells.

PCT Engineered SystemsLLC announced plans for a new 40,000 sq ft facility in the Eastern Iowa Industrial Center (EIIC) in northwest Davenport. The facility will support the continued growth in providing engineering and manufacturing services with expertise in control system integration, drive system applications, custom machine fabrication, combustion systems, and plant floor IT applications. PCT is also the manufacturer of BroadBeam electron beam processors. Total project investment is estimated at $8.8 million. www.teampct.com

Schott is expanding production of glass tubing for display screen backlights. Backlights are integrated in the TFT LCDs in laptops, computer monitors, and flat-screen televisions. The company is moving ahead in the effort with the construction of three melting tanks in Valasské Mezirící in the Czech Republic.

Stahlin Non-Metallic Enclosures announced expansion of its SMC (sheet molding compound) production capabilities with automated mixers and tighter process temperature controls. The expansion enhanced Stahlin's FormRight Laboratories ability to develop SMC formulations with specific application benefits, such as UV-protection, anti-microbial properties, and anti-ballistic/high impact performance qualities, the company says. www.stahlin.com

Toshiba Teli America Inc. incorporated a "super CCD honeycomb color sensor" CS6910G Gigabit Ethernet industrial camera, expanding use of the new AIA GigE Vision protocol.

U.S. Council for Automotive Research (USCAR) agreed to support EtherNet/IP as the industrial Ethernet network standard for plant floor applications in vehicle assembly facilities, says ODVA, the organization that manages the EtherNet/IP specification and related industrial protocols. www.odva.org