ISA Expo/2000 lights up Crescent City

New Orleans, La. — ISA Expo/2000 was seasoned with exhibits in instrumentation and process control, as well as machine vision, motion control, enterprise software, and many other fields. However, the shrimp and sausage in this year’s technological jambalaya were wireless and Ethernet networking products and applications. Burkert USA (Irvine, Calif.) announced its Type 2000 modular angle seat valve system, which reportedly provides 50% greater flow rates than conventional globe valves. Reporting up to 10 times longer life than conventional ball valves, Type 2000 valves offer customizable temperature, pressure, level, and flow control solutions. Type 2000 valve is available in two basic versions: standalone on/off with a single or double-acting piston actuator, or as a complete continuous process control valve system with a Type 8630/31 Top Control Head Unit.

For more information, visit www.burkert-usa.com or www.controleng.com/freeinfo .

CyboSoft , General Cybernation Group Inc. (Rancho Cordova, Calif.), released two new versions of its CyboCon Model-Free Adaptive (MFA) control software. This software won ISA Expo/2000’s “Best of Show” award and previously received an “Editors’ Choice Award” from Control Engineering as one of the 40 best products of 1998. Product line additions include a second-generation CyboCon CE MFA control instrument for adaptively controlling industrial processes; and CyboCon 3.0, an upgrade of CyboSoft’s CyboCon MFA control software. Available in one- to four-loop configurations, CyboCon CE’s standard single-loop MFA controller can include Feedforward MFA, Nonlinear MFA for pH control, and Robust MFA for controlling processes with significant disturbances and dynamic changes. CyboCon 3.0 is Microsoft Windows 2000 compliant, and offers the CyboNet real-time network, with a 50-msec update rate for high-speed redundant adaptive control over multiple CyboCon control stations.

For more information, visit www.cybosoft.com or www.controleng.com/freeinfo .

Diamond Systems (Palo Alto, Calif.) announced its new SOB-104 (system-on-board) embedded computer in PC 104 format. This 3.550 x 3.775-in. board includes a PC-compatible CPU, 10BaseT Ethernet, and comprehensive analog and digital I/O circuitry. “This board combines the three most common requirements of embedded systems designers, namely CPU, network connectivity, and I/O points, on one board,” says Jonathan Miller, Diamond’s marketing director. SOB-104 contains an AMD 486-class processor running at 100 MHz, a full set of system and I/O features to meet the needs of most mid-range embedded systems, and provision for disk-on-chip solid state storage. For more information, visit www.diamondsystems.com or www.controleng.com/freeinfo .

Honeywell Industrial Control ‘s (Phoenix, Ariz.) Hi-Spec Solutions business has enhanced its Uniformance Desktop software with Digital Dashboard capability. A recent Microsoft addition that provides structure for web-based users, Digital Dashboard delivers a simple, customizable environment. Display information from Hi-Spec solutions, such as Operations Management, Production Management, Blending and Shipping, and Planning and Scheduling, includes process data, graphics, summarized manufacturing status, and key performance indicators. Information is automatically updated on a user-defined basis to ensure employees are making sound business decisions using current data. Digital Dashboard uses Web Parts, a set of reusable components that can contain any kind of web-based information, which allows users to configure Dashboards that meet their needs. When more information is required, users can “drill down” by clicking on areas of interest. Microsoft’s Digital Dashboard Resource Kit 2.0 is available at www.microsoft.com/digitaldashboard .

For more information, visit www.iac.honeywell.com or visit www.controleng.com/freeinfo .

Phoenix Contact (Middletown, Pa.) introduced its new line of I/O systems at ISA Expo/2000. Its modular, DIN-rail mountable line includes: Plugtrab surge suppressors; MCR-C-UI/UI/DCI universal signal conditioning modules; MCR-f/UI-DC frequency modules; and CM 50-PS-120-230ac/24dc-2.5F and CM 125-PS-120-230ac/24dc/5F primary switch-mode power supplies. All products work in hazardous environments such as oil, gas, petrochem and pipelines, and are Class 1, Division 2 rated. PLC and distributed I/O systems rely on interface technology to isolate, convert, and linearize industrial control signals. Components are designed to work together to improve functionality and system reliability.

For more information, visit www.phoenixcon.com or www.controleng.com/freeinfo .

To assist operators of varying heights, Rittal (Springfield, O.) has introduced an adjustable operator interface system with a variable mounting options and accessories. CP-Vertical also meets numerous requirements including: safe and neat routing of cables; secure position locking; vertical travel of 13-, 23-, and 30-inches; support for up to 100 lb.; and floor, post top, wall, or machine top mounting.

For more information, visit www.rittal-corp.com or www.controleng.com/freeinfo .

Rockwell Automation (Mayfield Heights, O.) unveiled SoftLogix5800. This PC control software uses the Logix engine, RSLogix 5000 programming software, and NetLinx (connection to DeviceNet, ControlNet, and EtherNet/IP) for an open control solution. Other EtherNet/IP products introduced at ISA Expo/200 included: PLC-5 and SLC 5/05 support, PLC-5 interface module, and modules for ControlLogix and ProcessLogix. For maintenance and technicians, Rockwell showed its palm-sized Microsoft Windows CE-based Entek Enpac handheld data collector. Entek Enwatch adds Ethernet-based condition monitoring to Rockwell’s portfolio.

For more information, visit www.rockwellautomation.com or www.controleng.com/freeinfo .

SmartSignal (Lisle, Ill.) has formed strategic alliances with Crossbow Technology (Pleasanton, Calif.) and Think & Do Software (Ann Arbor, Mich.) to expand its emerging Equipment Condition Monitoring (ECM) market. Its patented ECM technology allows companies to better analyze existing sensor data, which provides a quantum leap in early detection of abnormal machine behavior. SmartSignal uses all sensors present in a system without adding new ones. Its advanced data interpretation allows faults to be detected before failure or damage occurs. The system allows remote monitoring via the Internet, and can be embedded in microprocessors.

For more information, visit www.smartsignal.com or www.controleng.com/freeinfo .

Sun Microsystems Inc. (Palo Alto, Calif.) and its strategic partners showed how Java technology extends into process control. Visitors saw working demonstrations showing how embedded Java-technology-based controllers connect to public, corporate, and control intranets to provide infrastructure for industrial automation, manufacturing production control, supply-chain management, and e-commerce. Demonstrations included: eGasStation, which shows how Java integrates product supply chain and e-commerce into a gas station; enterprise application integration and manufacturing execution systems; Java CPUs and real-time controllers; Java architecture classes for control systems; web-based control in a DCS; wireless remote data entry using PDAs; and metacontrol systems.

For more information, visit www.sun.com or www.controleng.com/freeinfo .

Wonderware (Irvine, Calif.) introduced initial product from its new Advanced Client Technology (ACT) strategy, which includes new multiclient access technologies and software tools designed to help companies seamlessly integrate critical, real-time plant-floor data captured by Wonderware’s FactorySuite and MaintenanceSuite platforms with the rest of its business enterprise operations. Initial ACT product offerings include: ActiveFactory Suite 3.1.1; SuiteVoyager series of “thin” intranet/Internet products; QI Analyst 4.1 statistical process control (SPC) software; and SCADAlarm 5.0.

For more information, visit www.wonderware.com or www.controleng.com/freeinfo .

Invensys plc announced formation of Invensys Software Systems (ISS, Herndon, Va.). The division will consist of four groups:

APV Systems (Crawley, England) will offer turnkey processing systems, automation, and services in the food, beverage, and health care industries;

Baan (Barneveld, the Netherlands) will provide e-business, supply-chain management, customer relationship management, and ERP software and consulting services;

Invensys Process Automation (Foxboro, Mass.) will consist of The Foxboro Company’s systems and measurement and instrumentation businesses, Triconex, Simulation Sciences, and Esscor. The group has been challenged to provide the process and hybrid industries with integrated “Sensor-to-Boardroom” automation solutions; and

Wonderware (Irvine, Calif.) will continue to offer factory automation, manufacturing execution system, and enterprise asset management software to both discrete and process manufacturers.

In other news from ISA/Expo/2000:

Acme Electric (Lumberton, N.C.) exhibited its line of industrial control transformers.

Advantech Automation (Taipei, Taiwan) launched Web-Link 2000, a device to connect any device or legacy system to the Internet.

Bias Power Technology (Palatine, Ill.) announced low-power (1/4 W) standby power supply for industrial controls.

DVT (Norcross, Ga.) showed its machine vision product with OCR (optical character recognition), ObjectFind, and scripting tools added to the software at no additional cost.

FastPoint Technologies (Stanton, Calif.) showed its light pens.

GE Fanuc ‘s VersaMax SE module connects micro and nano controllers to Ethernet.

Horner Electric (Indianapolis, Ind.) introduced Ethernet connnectivity to its Operator Control Station.

Iconics (Foxborough, Mass.) exhibited wireless web functionality using WAP protocol meeting with mobile HMI on a PocketPC.

Intecolor ‘s (Duluth, Ga.) Signa flat-panel monitors feature a choice of severe duty or moderate duty monitors. The Signa Pro line features Class I, Division 2 approval.

ProSoft Technology (Bakersfield, Calif.) showed ProLinx Communications Gateways that link EtherNet IP protocol to Profibus Master.

SBS Technologies (Raleigh, N.C.) announced an extended temperature CompactPCI 3U board.

Spectrum Controls (Bellevue, Wa.) exhibited WebPort, an Ethernet-connected web server for Allen-Bradley SLC500 platform.

VMIC ‘s (Huntsville, Ala.) IOMax Ethernet connects its distributed I/O products to Ethernet while the company also announced support for Modbus TCP/IP.

Wieland Electric (Burgaw, N.C.) expanded its taris line of insulation displacement terminal blocks with fuse holders and announced a campaign offering customers 50 blocks free-of-charge for evaluation. Its Ricos I/O module line was expanded with addition of thermocouple modules.

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