Genesis Sensors formed; Ethernet for sensors; new connectors

San Diego, Calif.— Lucas Control Systems (Hampton, Va.) announced at Sensors Expo West, May 18-20, that it has formed Lucas Genesis Sensors Division. Fueled by $3.5 million that it spent on product development over the past 18 months, the new company expects to generate $10-12 million in revenue in 12 months and $30 million in revenue in two years, says Tim Ristoff, product genera...

By Staff June 1, 1998

San Diego, Calif. — Lucas Control Systems (Hampton, Va.) announced at Sensors Expo West, May 18-20, that it has formed Lucas Genesis Sensors Division. Fueled by $3.5 million that it spent on product development over the past 18 months, the new company expects to generate $10-12 million in revenue in 12 months and $30 million in revenue in two years, says Tim Ristoff, product general manager. Lucas Genesis Sensors Division will focus on pressure sensing technology for industrial customers from 1,000 to 10,000 pieces. Also at the show, IEEE 1451.2-based Ethernet products (also LonWorks and Profibus) were offered by Hewlett-Packard (Palo Alto, Calif.) and Electronics Development Corp. (Columbia, Md.). HP has a booklet, “Simple Steps to Make Ethernet-Ready Smart Devices,” and introduced development kits and miniature network solutions, such as a 2.5-in. round card and a micro web server. Hirschmann ‘s (Riverdale, N.J.) 8-mm connectors are field-attachable and watertight for field wiring of sensing devices, at $4 each. They are reusable, solder-free and resist vibration with IP 67 protection.

Detroit, Mich.— Chrysler Corp. and Rockwell Automation demonstrated software at IAM ’98 that will allow manufacturers to slash design-to-manufacture time and improve quality and efficiency. This “proof of concept” software developed by Dassoult Systemes (Suresnes, France) enables digitally integrated enterprises by helping engineers build a database of manufacturing resource (machines, tools, etc.) properties, says Rich Ryan, president of Rockwell Software, a division of Rockwell Automation (Mayfield Heights, O.). As designers develop products with 3D CAD modeling software, the properties database is referenced for process resources. Simulation software integrated by another partner, Deneb Robotics Inc. (Troy, Mich.), allows designers to simulate production lines to build the product. This information is used by Rockwell Software programs to generate code for PLCs to automate the line.