Gary Mintchell
Articles
Control Engineering Machine Control eNewsletter for January 2003
National Instruments- Discover Industrial, Distributed I/O Solutions Create cost-effective I/O systems for a variety of industrial applications with easy-to-use, modular FieldPoint from National Instruments. FieldPoint delivers unmatched software integration and gives you the ability to choose a system based on a variety of open, standard networking technologies. With this FieldPoint brochure, learn how to build user-defined distributed I/O systems with three easy steps. For your FREE brochure call or visit ni.com/info and enter dyjn8p National Instruments: Tel: (800) 452-6914 | Fax: (512) 683-9300 | Email: info@ni.com CE editors pick the best of 2002 Leadership: are you a 'lifter'? Think before you code Micro-size bar code scanners Cool machine control products: modules, controller, computers, data transfer Check out January Control Engineering, other resources CE editors pick the best of 2002 Control Engineering editors gather annually to evaluate the new products of the year and choose the top ones.
Control Engineering Embedded Control eNewsletter for September 2002
Advantech... Founded in 1983, ADVANTECH AUTOMATION is the only complete PC-based Industrial Automation Solution Manufacturer offering products such as Industrial PCs, Workstations, Flat Panel Monitors, Customized PCs, Data Acquisition & Control Devices and Web-enabled products for communication and HMI monitoring and control. ADVANTECH offers a family of scaleable Windows-based computers for almost any industrial application offering Environment Facility Monitoring, Factory Automation, Machine Automation, and a variety of other total solutions.For more information, visit www.advantech.com angelas@advantech.com Embedded control in September Control Engineering What's hot at IMTS Let's get started Control remote devices Still life in embedded product development Online webcasts, conference, expo Embedded control in September Control Engineering Control Engineering's September issue is posted on the Web.
Control Engineering HMI eNews for September 2002
AutomationDirect- AutomationDirect offers EZTouch PLC touch panels with a built-in Data Highway Plus (DH+) interface, or Ethernet option cards for use with certain EZTouch panels. Data Highway Plus versions of the EZTouch panels are available in color or monochrome 6-inch models, and 8 and 10-inch color regular or slim bezel models. EZTouch panels with the DH+ card pre-installed start at $1,159 for the 6-inch monochrome version.
Control Engineering Software eNewsletter for September 2002
INTELLUTION -CONNECT THE CORNER OFFICE TO THE FACTORY FLOOR WITH INFOAGENT. infoAgent is Intellution's brand new web-based application for accessing, analyzing and visualizing production information - in a format that's meaningful to you - from virtually anywhere in the world. Improve productivity.
Companies release many new vision products
This special product section is an online extra companion to ''Vision Systems: Eyes in the Factory,'' cover story in the August 2002 issue of Control Engineering. Several companies have recently released new vision products. Here are brief descriptions of some of the major offerings.
Control Engineering Machine Control eNewsletter for August 2002
In this issue: Machine control in Control Engineering RS Logix 5000 Business Ethics Sensor news More news about vision Cool machine control products Control Engineering Buyer's Guide Control Engineering plans October webcasts on manufacturing productivity Machine control in Control Engineering In the last two months in Control Engineering , I have covered some important topics for machine control. The July cover story was about embedded control. This article was somewhat of a general survey of the technologies, platforms, and product categories that we will be covering as part of the explosion of products in this category. Software pioneered by the PC-based control companies when combined with the continued evolution of hardware driven by ever smaller yet more powerful silicon has sparked new products that enable a distributed machine-control architecture. In August, I covered the current state of machine vision.
Control Engineering Software eNewsletter for August 2002
In this issue: Components, objects, and control software Test suite for XML standard Training studio Invensys, IBM join for production software Your comments from last month SPC report writer Utilities aid SPC communication Control Engineering Buyer's Guide Control Engineering plans October webcasts on manufacturing productivity Components, objects, and control software It may be just a quirk of personality. I like to be organized, and I prefer to have my thoughts organized as well. Way back in 1978 when I picked up a Timex/Sinclair computer and a book on BASIC, I tried to find ways to organize the code.
Control Engineering Software eNewsletter for June 2002
In this issue: Who benefits most from software Simulation Software Symposium Disaster recovery Invensys manufacturing solutions Your comments from last month Instant Messaging Component historian for network support Fault tolerant software Control Engineering Online redesigns; DCS webcast Who benefits most from software Do you sometimes wonder who benefits most from large-scale software applications? Do they seem so complex that only a consultant or integrator can apply them? How is a manufacturer's support after the sale? Infoworld editor in chief, Michael Vizard, in his June 3 column online at https://www.infoworld.com/articles/op/xml/02/06/03/020603opnoise.xml says, 'Ask yourself one simple question: was this software written in a way that increases my job security and gets me home at a reasonable hour, or was it written in a way to enrich consultants at the expense of my organization?' Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against integrators and consultants in general. After all, I was one once. Still, it is a valid question. I have the opportunity to talk technical people at most of the industrial software suppliers and see their latest efforts.
Control Engineering’s monthly newsletter for Human-Machine Interface — June 2002
In this issue: Check out the new Controleng.com Memo to CEOs Pilz introduces compact computer Rockwell introduces rugged peripherals Dolch Safe-T-Touch Vibration and acoustic analysis Predicting machine performance Trenton single-board computer Check out the new Controleng.com You may have noticed a redesigned Control Engineering Online at / . Some new or enhanced features include a more organized search function, better navigation, integrated site/e-newsletter registration, and the Control Engineering bookstore. Like what you see? Something you would like to see added? How are the searches? Let me know at gmintchell@reedbusiness.com . One of our sister magazines, MSi, did a sponsored webcast on distributed control system migration. If you want to take a look, the June 12 webcast is archived at https://www.msimag.com/seminar Back to top Memo to chief executive officers Last month I wrote about business ethics and heard from a large number of you about your concerns with the direction of many of our business leaders.
Control Engineering Newsletter for Software — April 2002
In this issue: Software trends Programming in Java Arcom Control Systems supports IBM WebSphere MQ SCADA in Java Schneider Electric launches new product road trip Control Engineering website resources Software trends It's no surprise that software suppliers are using web technologies and interfaces to an ever greater degree. I wrote about Wonderware's SuiteVoyager in July 2000. It uses a 'portal' experience to help managers and others who need information in a customizable, easy-to-read way.
Control Engineering’s E-News Letter for Embedded Control – June 2000
In this issue: Post-PC Era Microsoft Responses Embedding Linux and other stories Other interesting links Windows CE v 3.0 Released Disruptive Change Response Maintaining perspective in a hectic, technological world June in Control Engineering Post-PC Era Are we entering a Post-PC Era? Is this something like the Age of Aquarius? Sometimes it looks more like an anti-Microsoft comment made by wishful competitors. I really don't think that the fantastic market growth will continue in big PCs. Look for various types of Web-enabled appliances to usurp the market share as more power is packed into smaller chips and real-time operating systems continue to grow.
Control Engineering’s E-News Letter for Embedded Control – August/September 2000
In this issue: Working with IT: Help or Horror? More motion control integration Success may not come from setting lofty goals Microphotonics may be future network switches Schneider Electric Web strategy Software/Hardware partnerships Product news Working with IT: Help or Horror? In my life before editor, I was involved with a project in a large manufacturing plant involving both Information Technology (IT) and control engineering people. This was the first example of cooperation I had witnessed in 20 years of trying to use PCs in manufacturing roles. Most stories I hear as an editor from engineers in the field are more like horror stories than tales of cooperation.
Control Engineering’s E-News Letter for Embedded Control – February 2002
In this issue: Control in February Control Engineering Programming feedback from readers New semiconductor companies Programming tools Cool products in brief Control in February Control Engineering If you don't receive the print version of Control Engineering, the February issue should be posted online within a week of this newsletter. Check out the article on controllers. Dave Harrold and I have been discussing controller hardware in a pair of articles.
Control Engineering’s E-News Letter for Embedded Control – March 2000
In this issue: Control Engineering in March and April Conferences and trade shows A little buggy Soft control automates turbine generator Steeplechase Software makes jump at NIA Is America moving from manufacturing? PC-based robots The merger urge Industrial information infrastructure Another dot com More products from National Industrial Automation Show Control Engineering in March and April Check out the best products of 1999 as chosen by the editors of Control Engineering in the March issue . Winners in the PC-based Control category included Iconics, Intellution, National Instruments, and Think & Do Software. Also in March, the product focus on PLCs revealed CE readers are moving toward smaller and smaller PLCs.
Control Engineering’s E-News Letter for Embedded Control – January 2001
In this issue: Leading the Revolution Peer to Peer Networking for project collaboration Retrofit CNCs for the Information Age Linux does manufacturing Siemens ports software to Linux CTO in your future? Poll Survey Leading the Revolution 'There is an ever-growing population of mediocre companies and an ever-diminishing population of truly great performers.' Sound familiar? I hope not. Gary Hamel makes this bold statement in Leading the Revolution (Harvard Business School Press, 2000). Control Engineering readers are typically innovators and should really like this book.
Control Engineering’s E-News Letter for Embedded Control – May 2000
In this issue: Phoenix Contact scores at conference Microsoft woes What do you think about? May's Control Engineering Windows CE advances Jim Pinto opens web site Hot memory technology Phoenix Contact scores at conference Over 400 engineers, technicians, and systems integrators attended the first Industry Forum at Phoenix Contact to learn about open systems, distributed I/O, and other technologies. I had the privilege of hosting a panel session that included Mark Knebusch (Phoenix Contact), Mike Klein ( Steeplechase ), Russ Agrusa ( Iconics ), Emilio Matt ( Microsoft ), Sam Hoff (integrator Patti Engineering ), and Kevin Jones (integrator Pak/Teem ). The story was open systems, distributed I/O, PC- based control (integrators are adopting it), and, especially, OPC for open communications. Aside from the occasional 'that would be a monopoly' joke, questions involved Linux, fieldbus wars and the future of Ethernet, and how to build a PC-based system for maximum uptime.
Control Engineering Newsletter for Software — March 2002
In this issue: National Manufacturing Week Web Services Linux USDATA seminars National Manufacturing Week Next week is National Manufacturing Week, four trade shows in one venue. The trade shows are Industrial Automation, Plant Engineering, Design Engineering, and Industrial IT. Also included is a Motion Control pavilion.
Control Engineering’s E-News Letter for Embedded Control – March 2002
In this issue: Special Embedded Systems Conference Issue Plus Patents and lawsuits update Petri Nets and Grafcet for modeling discrete logic Spring Embedded Systems Conference In Ohio, we talk about spring as a time of 'breaking out,' meaning flowers, tree buds, little animals, and joggers. In San Francisco last week at the spring Embedded Systems Conference, attendees and new product announcements were what were breaking out. Once again aisles were filled with engineers looking for the latest products and technology trends, as well as soaking up information in the technical conference sessions. My overall impression was that almost all exhibitors were much more optimistic about business than last year.
Control Engineering Newsletter for Software — February (Issue B) 2002
In this issue: March in Control Engineering Feedback: programming and Lessig Schneider Electric patent buzz Invensys reorganizes, again Software for simulation, emulation Software for asset health maintenance March in Control Engineering Watch for the March edition of Control Engineering where we unveil the Editors' Choice awards for 2001. Our editorial staff, five of us with field experience, reviews the past year of print and online products to choose the top 35 considered to have technological advancement, impact on the market, and service to industry. Companies are recognized for achievement at the kick off of National Manufacturing Week , this year March 17. CE editors are out in force at the annual event held at Chicago's McCormick Place.
Control Engineering Newsletter for Software — February 2002
In this issue: Coming in Control Engineering Feedback -- programming and question of the month Future of Ideas Collaborative manufacturing software Design and modeling software for processes Coming in Control Engineering When you receive this, the January issue will still be posted on our web site. Look for the February issue in mid-month. In the cover article, I explore ways that technologies from the Internet are used in manufacturing.
Control Engineering’s E-News Letter for Embedded Control – April 2000
In this issue: April's Control Engineering Spring Comdex Leadership and Chaos GE Fanuc introduces bundled PC control and HMI solution Steeplechase expands motion control offering Labtech Notebook and Control applications support Microsoft's Windows 2000 Two new products from Advantech Microsoft releases preview version of BizTalk Server 2000 Roll up your keyboard and take it with you Tripp Lite's PowerAlert now 'Red Hat Ready' Sony technology embedded into Adept's Production Pilot Virtual Factory Software Palm computer as PLC hand held terminal April's Control Engineering Check out wireless data acquisition at high speeds -Indy 500-style-in April's Control Engineering . Also get tips on ' How to Build a PC-based Control System. ' Look for a discussion of how manufacturers and users are applying Ethernet as a 'fieldbus' in 'Ethernet's in Control' in May and participate in our on-line survey.
Control Engineering’s monthly newsletter for Machine Control — May 2002
In this issue: Welcome to Machine Control E-news Rockwell acquires soft CNC package Business Ethics Comeback for ZiLOG? Machine Control in Control Engineering Effect of patents on innovation Cool products Welcome to Machine Control E-news Welcome to the latest of the topical e-newsletters from Control Engineering. This one covers products, technologies, and companies specific to machine control. If my name looks familiar, it may be because I write on several topics.
Control Engineering’s E-News Letter for Embedded Control – February 2000
In this issue: What is PC-based control? The future of PC hardware for industry Control for e-manufacturing Disruptive change Ethernet for control How to succeed with open control National Manufacturing Week 2000 Small panel mount computer High storage without moving parts Screamin' machines Buyer's Guide and Integrator Guide About the editor, Gary Mintchell What is PC-based control? Does PC-based control encompass hardware or software? Actually, I'll pass along information about the entire system. Look for discussion of many types of hardware from desktop PCs to embedded computers. On the software side, proponents of flow chart programming battle with traditional IEC programming editors with both now driving PC-based control.
Control Engineering Newsletter for Software — May 2002
In this issue: Microsoft in the News Rockwell Software Citect's Gary Hopkins speaks up Adonix data collection for ERP IBM Websphere Red Hat What's a Professional? Microsoft in the News Microsoft has been in the news several times in the past week. The company announced a JDBC driver enabling Java developers to utilize SQL Server database. Another announcement was the acquisition of Navision, a Danish company that provides business solutions to mid-market and smaller companies. It will be integrated with Great Plains Software, another recent Microsoft acquisition.
Control Engineering’s E-News Letter for Embedded Control – January 2002
In this issue: Control Engineering January Expand your control horizons Lost jobs Programming Business leadership Cool products Control Engineering News Control Engineering January Check out the special report on controllers in January Control Engineering . This is the first of a two-part survey of the status of controllers in automation, and they have really changed over the last few years. Also in January, I have an introduction to XML and its related technologies. It was once cool to embed 'web pages' in a controller.
Control Engineering HMI eNewsletter for November/December 2000
In this issue: What is HMI? Results of survey working with IT departments Operator workstation reliability AvantGo Thin Clients In Control Engineering November Products to watch What is HMI? Human-machine interface perhaps should be called 'automation interface' or 'enterprise-machine' interface. Push buttons and pilot lights were the original means for operators to communicate with machinery. Graphic terminals provided a better view of what was happening in the machinery.
Control Engineering HMI eNewsletter for February 2002
In this issue: HMI hardware trends Servers Labview upgrade, information integration Ruggedized computers Quality assurance tool Cool products HMI hardware trends Dan Benson, vice president of Ann Arbor Technologies , stopped by last week to show some new products and talk about the state of the HMI market. Although much of the interest in how Microsoft Windows CE and NT Embedded work at the kernel level has died off, these operating systems are offering computer makers a chance to offer users a platform capable of wide variety of uses. A computer can be a thin client, full industrial PC, control platform, or operator interface panel.
Control Engineering HMI eNewsletter for November 2001
In this issue: Windows XP embedded Pocket PC 2002 Hosted asset management software Sun introduces servers Leadership: What it Takes Antarctica for finding your way on the Web Cool products and news Question of the month Windows XP embedded When Microsoft decided that it needed to enter the embedded software space, Windows CE was born. Originally designed for products like "set top boxes" for home internet browsing, it was seized upon by the automation industry for both control and HMI applications. In fact, many HMI products have been released in the last two years taking advantage of cost and size benefits, as well as the ability to boot from ROM eliminating hard drive requirements.
Control Engineering HMI eNews for May 2002
In this issue: Wireless, handheld HMI in May Control Engineering Trade shows Expand your knowledge HMI offering from Cutler-Hammer Shallow depth flat-panel display Bundled HMI Power back up for your HMI Ergonomic palm buttons Rugged handheld computer Wireless, handheld HMI in May Control Engineering In the May edition of Control Engineering I investigated the state of wireless, handheld HMI devices. These devices come in a couple of sizes, namely palm-size and tablet. There is some development for Palm OS products, but most effort appears to be on the Microsoft Windows-based Pocket PC.
It’s automatic: automation shifts transmission assembly into high
A recent assembly system for Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs) by Ingersoll Cinetic Automation Corp. (ICA, Farmington Hills, Mich.) shows how a tightly integrated control architecture based on open standards can move a major project along more smoothly. ICA is the former automation division of Ingersoll Rand, which was acquired by Cinetic IndustrieIs S.
Schneider Automation seeks patent for using XML in a PLC
Schneider Automation applied for a patent on Feb. 7, 2002, for web function blocks in PLCs. So far, it's unclear if this action affects Schneider's recent donation to the PLCopen organization of its XML sources for converting graphical PLC languages to XML format [as reported on May 14 on the Daily News Desk at Control Engineering Online at www.
Control Engineering’s HMI Enewsletter — March 2002
In this issue: Patent update Servers feedback Control room display Ruggedized computers New 18-in. display 'Hazard-resistant' portable Microsoft operating systems Patent update You may have noticed that I write e-newsletters for Control Engineering on three different topics-software and IT, embedded control, and HMI. We have 10 channels of information covered by different editors.
OPC Foundation counters infringement lawsuit filed against end-users
In a recent statement to its members, the OPC Foundation expressed disappointment that Solaia Technologies LLC (Chicago, Ill.) filed a patent infringement lawsuit last year against several customers of OPC members.Solaia filed its patent infringement lawsuit on Aug. 27, 2001, in the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago against Jefferson Smurfit Corp.
Control Engineering HMI eNewsletter for Janurary 2002
In this issue: HMI in January Control Engineering Change The Next Computer Interface Touchpad Keyboard Intermec launches mobile computers Large display for control or conference room Organic light-emitting diode displays Cool products Control Engineering News HMI in January Control Engineering January's HMI article is an introduction to XML and its related technologies. While once it was cool to embed 'web pages' in a controller, now, it's embedding information-serving capability using XML. By the way, if you want to see an example of some live XML data, check out the Opto 22 web control demo . You can turn on a lamp, check the temperature and start/stop a wheel - all over the web.
Control Engineering’s monthly newsletter for Embedded Control – November 2001
In this issue: Embedded control channel Microsoft Windows XP Balancing Technology and life Opto 22 Motorola extends 32-bit processing Transmeta announces new Crusoe chip Microchip embeds CAN Cool products and news Question of the month Introducing Embedded Control Move over 'PC-based Control,' welcome 'Embedded Control.' As the control and automation market continues to evolve, technologies developed and honed by PC-based control suppliers are finding their way into a diverse range of platforms sometimes far from the 'white box' PC envisioned by the pioneers. PC-based control is not dead, in fact, it continues to have significant impact on the control technology options available. It has become virtually impossible for suppliers to go to market without some open technologies pioneered by the PC-based control champions. The hardware platform may be PC, but just as easily it could be Compact PCI, VME, PC/104, or custom single board computer. Back to top Microsoft Introduces Windows XP One of the more publicized recent product launches was the Microsoft Windows XP launch.
Control Engineering HMI eNewsletter for December 2001
In this issue: Demise predictions premature Reader response to 'doing engineering' InHand's Handheld Platform Integrates GPS and Bluetooth XL Reporter launched RSView Supervisory Edition Hitachi to resell Stratus servers Cool products Control Engineering in print SCLE presentations archived for viewing Demise predictions premature Rumors abound in this industry, especially rumors about the demise of one company or another. Several rumors are floating about the impending demise of Rockwell Automation ( https://www.rockwellautomation.com ) as the market leader in North America. Well, the annual Automation Fair, held this year November 14 - 15 in Atlanta, was packed with interested and inquisitive attendees.
Control Engineering’s E-News Letter for Embedded Control – March 2001
In this issue: Patent discussions Trade shows Introducing Entivity Siemens does PCs Best bosses look for allies 15 years of CAN Distributed control paper from Russia Siemens offers online training Cool products Sign up for our Technology Webcast Patent discussions Almost every discussion at the recent National Industrial Automation Show (part of National Manufacturing Week, March 5-8 in Chicago) eventually turned to patents. Primarily, discussion revolved around Schneider Electric's patent infringement lawsuit against Opto 22. Some discussed the other Schneider patents that involve OPC.
Control Engineering’s E-News for Human-Machine Interface – April, 2001
In this issue: Technology Webcast Trade Shows Whither HMI Peer-to-peer and Collaboration Portable Devices Internet Appliances The Elegant Universe Art of Possibility Organic Displays Question of the Month April in Control Engineering Technology Webcast Join me on May 1 at 1:00 PM CDT (2:00 EDT) for an informative technology webcast, 'Moving Manufacturing to the Internet Age.' I'll be discussing some industry trends, while Benson Hougland of Opto 22 will introduce a new product and John Irwin of Callaway Golf describes real applications. Also a chance for live Q&A. Sign up at /webcast/ Back to top Trade Shows I'm just back from San Francisco and the Embedded Systems Conference.
GE Fanuc buys VMIC to aid convergence of PLCs, embedded open platforms
GE Fanuc Automation North America Inc. agreed July 5 to acquire VMIC (Huntsville, Ala.). Pending regulatory approval, VMIC is expected to become a wholly owned subsidiary of GE Fanuc by September 2001. The two companies have worked closely for years via joint development agreements and private branding arrangements.
PLCs, SCADA, NT enhance packing foam process
If you've received a fragile shipment encased in or braced by light, rugged foam packing, you may have Sealed Air Corp. to thank for it arriving undamaged. Sealed Air's protective and specialty products include Instapak polyurethane foam packaging made by its Engineered Products Division (Danbury, Conn.
Think & Do combines communications, data, control
To help users implement e-business applications, Think & Do Software (Ann Arbor, Mich.) is developing three new products—Think & Do Live!, Think & Do Live! Pro, and Think & Do Release 6. The trio is reported to be the first products in the industry to combine communications, information, and control technologies to deliver "e-control" capabilities in support of e-man...
Simple diagnostics, hardware aids medical waste disposal
Hospital employees prevent blood-borne infections by disposing of bio-hazardous waste separately. However, this process is increasingly expensive because this waste must be sent to EPA-approved disposal facilities.Industrial networking plays a part in a system developed by KC MediWaste, L.C., (Dallas, Tex.
PLC automates test stands
EG&G Engineered Products Inc. (EG&G EP, Beltsville, Md.) builds components for engine and aircraft frame manufacturers, such as McDonnell Douglas, Boeing, and General Electric. In the past, EG&G EP used manual test stands to performed threshold tests on components. Safety, accuracy, and customer satisfaction motivated engineering test and development lab personnel to seek an a...
Xycom Automation bundling software, hardware
To help users avoid Christmas-like "some assembly required" hassles when buying PC controls, Xycom Automation (Saline, Mich.) is bundling soft-logic control with traditional PC hardware. In a discussion with Control Engineering at National Manufacturing Week, Tom Gross, Xycom Automation's ceo, says the remade firm will deliver control products tested to work together, ...