Innovations Ignite ISA Tech/99

By Jim Montague, CONTROL ENGINEERING September 1, 1999

Transmitter uses polysilicon sensor

Foxboro, Mass. —IMV30 multivariable transmitter from Foxboro Co. improves performance and reduces costs by allowing differential pressure and absolute pressure measurements within one piezoresistive polysilicon chip sensor. It also transmits process temperature from a separate temperature sensor and provides flow rate calculations. This saves on the cost of deploying multiple transmitters, inputs, and field wiring needed to transmit separate signals.

ISA Tech/99 booths 1453, 1553

Foxboro Co.

PC-based controller on CompactPCI platform

Huntsville, Ala.— VMIC’s new PC-based controller on a CompactPCI platform, VMICPCI-8420, is in an industrial chassis designed for 19-in. rack mount applications. Including VMIC’s IOWorks PC-based control package, VMICPCI-8420 can be used as an embedded or distributed control system.

ISA Tech/99 booth 1905

VMIC

HMI solution includes layering, decluttering

Foxborough, Mass.— The new release of Genesis32, Iconics’ HMI solution for Microsoft Windows DNA-M applications, includes layering and decluttering features, similar to Autodesk AutoCAD; gradient fills for generating lifelike 3-D objects; and scripting functions for multithreaded periodic, event and alarm VBA6-based scripting. The company’s Dr. DCOM is a networking utility that allows users to simplify DCOM configurations using Auto DCOM configuration and DCOM troubleshooting wizards.

ISA Tech/99 booth 2525

Iconics

Real-time data without programming

Norwood, Mass.— To simplify and accelerate relational database queries across an enterprise, Intellution’s VisiconX allows users to access real-time plant-floor data with no programming. Running on Intellution Dynamics’ iFIX 2.1, VisiconX helps users run complex queries against any plant database. VisiconX consists of a set of ActiveX Controls that enhance and extend the graphic intuitive power of Intellution WorkSpace with Microsoft’s new Active Data Objects data interface technology and Object Linking and Embedding for Databases (OLE DB).

ISA Tech/99 booth 1665

Intellution

Level gauge uses TDR technology

Peabody, Mass. —Microflex BM 100L continuous level gauge for liquids expands Krohne’s family of reflex-radar level products using time domain reflectometry (TDR) technology, a measurement principle used for discontinuity testing of telecommunications cables. Microflex BM 100L measures continuous level of any liquid where the dielectric is M 2.4. It can be applied in tanks up to 78 ft tall and provides accuracy of

ISA/tech booth 1046

Krohne

Front wiring alternative to back panel

Charlotte, N.C. —To provide an alternative to traditional back panels, Lutze’s LSC flexible wiring system eliminates usual wireways and ensures access to wiring from the front side. The company reports its LSC system can reduce labor and installation time 40% and increase space savings by 35% or more. LSC integrates wire management into the control cabinet frame, instead of wasting back panel mounting space.

ISA Tech/99 booth 612

Lutze Inc.

NIR analyzers can be installed in process line

Irwindale, Calif.— MM55 plus from NDC Infrared Engineering—developed for online monitoring of moisture, fat, and protein—features a pre-calibrated, high-precision, optical system that allows it to be installed directly onto the process line and be fully operational in a few hours. Maintenance effort and cost were reduced with a range of automated referencing, sampling, batch averaging, and communications functions. These sensors are supplied with a factory-set calibration to suit the application, then adjusted online to match the appropriate laboratory reference method.

ISA Tech/99 booth 2111

NDC Infrared Engineering

Enclosures allow for customized designs

Springfield, O.— Redesigned and reengineered VIP 6000 modular operator interface units can accommodate monitors, keyboards, and other control elements and can be combined with support arm systems and accessory components. Using Rittal’s new Request for Quote build-to-order program, a customized enclosure system can be delivered in four weeks. VIP 6000’s new design includes five enclosure depths with added space for monitors, pull-out keyboard drawers, disk drives, bus modules, electronic components and cooling devices.

I SA Tech/99 booths 519, 1925

Rittal Corp.

Process controller integrates discrete, motion

Milwaukee, Wis.— A new version of Allen-Bradley ProcessLogix distributed process control system integrates high-speed discrete and motion control, which makes FOUNDATION fieldbus connectivity a standard feature and allows use of other standard, open networks for plant floor communications. Rockwell Automation’s new ProcessLogix version can be integrated with a ControlLogix controller over the system chassis and across an independent ControlNet network, which reduces engineering costs, eliminates the need for separate control systems, and improves information sharing and coordination across multiple applications.

ISA Tech/99 booths 325, 1425, 2225, 2625

Rockwell Automation

Real-time control over Ethernet

North Andover, Mass.— Offering real-time control over Ethernet, Momentum M1E process adapter is Schneider Electric’s new addition to its Transparent Factory open automation architecture. Momentum M1E delivers control functions, including data acquisition, peer-to-peer communications, and I/O scanning over Ethernet. Module specifications include 512 RAM with Ethernet and I/O bus ports or RS-485 ports. Specific functionality includes I/O servicing up to 4,000 messages per sec, logic solve time of 0.25 msec/k of user logic, and 512-word I/O capacity.

ISA Tech/99 booths 505, 1719

Schneider Electric

PC-based HMI, open control add flash drives, Windows CE

Saline, Mich.— Two lines of factory floor visualization and control products, OpenHMI and OpenCNTRL, now include flash drives and Microsoft Windows CE software for increased durability. The products’ Windows CE portion was specially designed for use with non-rotating flash drives, which provides better stability than rotating hard drives. OpenHMI products are bundled with DesignStudio development and OpenHMI runtime software, which allow users to see a process and analyze machine performance. Open CNTRL products allow machine tool builders to choose from commercially available software tools, including bar code scanning, networking, PLC programming, I/O display, and enterprise communications.

ISA Tech/99 booth 2359

Xycom Automation