HMI, OI
VMIC picks TA Engineering’s AIMAX
Automation software manufacturer TA Engineering Inc. announced March 5 a resale agreement with VMIC (Huntsville, Ala.). Under the agreement, TA Engineering's AIMAX software will be resold with VMIC's IOWorks Soft Logic control software. AIMAX will give VMIC customers a total control solution for PC-based systems.
Wonderware’s FactorySuite 2000 aids performance
Free of the usual custom interfaces or traditional integration costs, FactorySuite 2000 from Wonderware Corp. (Irvine, Calif.) appeared to be one of National Manufacturing Week's main attractions. FactorySuite 2000 is a more tightly integrated team of simultaneously upgradable automation software components for developing plant-floor automation applications.
Gaining Control with SPC Software
Charting the progress of statistical process and statistical quality control (SPC/SQC) shows a definite trend. It's straight up.However, the latest software promises to tame the charting beast. Vendors are integrating their wares more completely with supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, targeting their products at audiences other than quality engineers, and opening pr...
Active-X/DCOM funtionality
Moraga, Calif. —New enhancements including Microsoft's DCOM (Distributed Component Object Model) and Active-X; Structured Query Language database support, and the latest Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol networking functions of Windows Sockets 2.0 specifications have been added to AIMAX for Enterprise software.
Live Data to Virtual Library
Willoughby Hills, O. —Paragon ShopDoctor Virtual Library can now bring live data to its plant-wide network that includes more than 150 types of document formats. Live data can come from any DDE server application such as RSLinx or Excel. It can also link real-time PLC data and HMI tags to MS Word documents, spreadsheets, flowcharts, drawings, and pictures.
TA Engineering to Unveil AIMAX for Enterprise Enhancements
A new web server, data-logger historian, "alias" database for long tag name support, expanded soft-logic support, and a "keyless" software protection system are among enhancements that TA Engineering Co. recently added to its AIMAX for Enterprise software. These improvements use Microsoft's DCOM (distributed component object model) and ActiveX; SQL (structured query l...
ISA TECH/97 Highlights From Anaheim, Calif., Day Two
Boeing Explores Development of ‘Smart’ Transducer Bus Lee Eccles of Boeing Commercial Airplane Co. began his presentation in the ‘Use of Automation to Enhance Productivity in the Aerospace Industry’ by asking the question ‘why bother?’ In structural sensing and testing of airplane wings and fuselages at Boeing, a lot of effort goes into simply setting up the test. Structures for destructive testing of a wing or testing flight-control actuators require huge setup times.
Ground Loops and Their Cures
The National Electrical Code (NEC) defines a ground as ‘a conducting connection, whether intentional or accidental, between an electrical circuit or equipment and the earth, or to some conducting body that serves in place of the earth.’ A ground loop can be defined as any objectionable current flowing in a circuit’s ground or return path. Here is a short guide that will help identify possible sources of ground loops in your electrical systems and how to solve them. The simplest ground loop involves connection between two different earth grounds as shown in the top figure. With earth ground #1 at one potential, and earth ground #2 at a different potential, a ground loop current will flow in the loop as indicated.
Buyer’s Guide Information
Control Engineering Buyer’s Guide 2000-01FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS… Q. How do I update my free listings?A. Updates of free listings in Control Engineering Buyer’s Guide must occur online.More than 4,300 people at all companies in last year’s guide receive a mailing May 12-16 containing: Cover letter ink-jetted at the top with the user’s log-in and password. Directions on how to update free listings ONLINE ONLY. Updated category list (for reference only—updates must happen online). Advertising opportunities information with Promotion piece describing advertising opportunities online and in print. Form for buying print logo/column inch ads to go with the free listings. Q1.
Ruggedized computer controls mining equipment
Equipment used in open pit mining travels over some of the worst terrain in the world—in hostile environments that include temperature extremes and lots of dust and dirt. Aquila Mining Systems (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) provides computer-based monitoring, control and guidance systems for large blasthole drills.
