Control Engineering: Online Expands Coverage

Key Words

Software and information integration

Internet

Process and advanced control

Instrumentation and process sensors

Machine control and discrete sensors

Human-machine interface (HMI)

Motors, drives and motion control

PC-based control

Networks and communications

System integration

Control components

Sidebars: Control Engineering Online channels

Regular users of Control Engineering Online have no doubt noticed by now a significant change in the look and feel of the web site. It has undergone the most significant redesign in its history to better serve the steadily growing number of people who visit www.controleng.com to keep up-to-date on happenings in the automation and control industries.

Changes to the site reflect upcoming changes to Control Engineering magazine. The 10 web channels, each representing a different aspect of automation and control, are the new editorial divisions or “beats” for 2000.

The 10 editorial channels are: Process Control & Advanced Control; Instrumentation; Software & Information Integration; Machine Control; Human-Machine Interface; Motors, Drives & Motion Control; PC-based Control; Control Components; Networks & Communications; and System Integrators.

New features

This new editorial structure, however, is only the first of many improvements taking place at Control Engineering Online . Here are some of the other new features that make the new www.controleng.com better suited to the industries it covers:

E-mail Newsletters for each channel deliver news and events from the world of automation and control directly to users’e-mailboxes on request;

Control Engineering Daily News Desk provides late-breaking news from around the world;

Web Exclusives section features articles, supplemental material, and columns beyond what’s available in the print magazine;

Products section features newly released product and software offerings;

Tutorials section contains numerous helpful guides and “how-to’s;”

Directories section features the Control & Automation Buyer’s Guide, the Automation Integrator Guide, and links to various affiliated industry associations and societies;

Trade Shows & Events section features upcoming industry trade shows and important events throughout the world; and

An improved Site Search is available for the entire Control Engineering Online site to quickly locate past articles, news stories, or products.

Why the change?

Control Engineering strives to provide its readers with the most comprehensive source of automation and control information. Restructuring and updating Control Engineering Online allows readers to: stay informed and up-to-date between print issues; research topics quickly; network with distributors, trade associations, and other companies; and enhance their reading of the print magazine with online extras.

Visit www.controleng.com soon, and let us know what you think of our new look. Questions and comments can be sent to lzurawski@cahners.com .

Control Engineering Online channels

The following is a brief overview of each of the 10 channels at

Process Control & Advanced Control. “Process control” refers to the equipment and methods used to automatically measure and manipulate the conditions of a continuous process. “Advanced control” includes any method for process control more elaborate than a single variable PID loop.

Instrumentation covers sensors, transmitters, and associated hardware for the “big four” process variables—pressure, temperature, flow, and level.

Software & Information Integration extends into all areas of automation, instrumentation, and control and includes configuration tools; control software; data acquisition/SCADA; design software for automation; ERP integration; Internet; MES/middleware; product selection/specification; real-time, redundant, mission-critical; and SPC/SQC software.

Machine Control includes programmable controllers, computer numerical controllers, the input/output systems that control manufacturing processes, and pneumatics and hydraulics.

Human-Machine Interface includes hardware and software products that facilitate interaction with process controllers. Board-level and embedded products are also covered.

Motors, Drives & Motion Control ranges across the entire automation and controls strategy of measurement, decision, and actuation functions. Versatile motor types provide actuation through decisions of the drive, which provides electronic control and power switching functions, aided by measurements coming from feedback devices. Motion control adds logic functions to all of the above.

PC-based Control has increased in mindshare and marketshare in the automation industry, among others, differentiating itself from PLCs, DCSs, and CNCs that users seek to replace.

Control Components covers device-level products. that serve in stand-alone capacities, or may function as part of a larger device or system, including sensors, digital signal processors, intrinsic safety devices, position detection devices, computer input devices, terminal blocks, and power supplies.

Networks & Communication includes bridges, repeaters, routers, and switches; device networks; embedded networks; Ethernet; fiber-optic equipment; fieldbuses and field-level networks; serial communications; sensor-and I/O-level networks; signalconditioning and converters; wireless technologies; and wire, cable, and connectors.

System Integration refers to the technology and methods used to connect disparate equipment into a unified automation system. System integrators are contract engineers that provide their time, talents, and technology for industrial automation and control projects.

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