Monday, March 6, 2006

Small vision appliance released Great to hear fromipd again. The division of Coreco, since purchased by Dalsa, a machine vision company, has expanded its line of "vision appliances" (small, easy to set up and use vision systems). The DIN-rail mount VA20 provides quick user setup, factory friendly wiring and support for one or two cameras with choice of sensor resolution. The VA20 comes with iNspect software, while the sister VA21 version additionally includes Sherlock machine vision software. The VA20 incorporates the intellegince inside the camera controller, as opposed to the camera head. This allows users to position it alongside other automation controllers for easy interfacing and have the benefit of small camera heads for easy mounting. I haven't seen one in action yet, but it sounds like a parallel to the fiberoptic sensor world, giving the ability to pack a lot of sensors into a little space. 4:48:41 PM    comment []

Serial to wireless Ethernet converter Serial to Ethernet converters must make for a decent business as Advantech Automation, Digi and Lantronix are still selling them. It's a major business for the latter two, while Advantech sells an array of I/O modules and computers. Well, Advantech ups the ante with an announcement of a new gateway product for serial to wireless Ethernet communication. 4:41:21 PM    comment []

Microsft's Origami or more mobile computing The hot topic on the high tech blog circuit. Looks like more impetus for mobile computing. Here, Microsoft blogger Robert Scoble tells it what it's not. The tease is getting bad. Seeing Origami. Origami: It’s not an iPod killer. It’s not a portable Xbox. It’s not an OQO killer. It’s not a PSP killer. So, what is Origami? Visit http://channel9.msdn.com on Thursday and you’ll see. I am going to buy one. With my own money. [Scobleizer - Microsoft Geek Blogger] 1:38:38 PM    comment []

Gary's podcast posted Latest edition of Automation Minutes podcast is posted. 1:30:08 PM    comment []

Automation Alliance The first news to reach me from the WBF Conference in Atlanta today concerns the formation of an Automation Alliance apparently spearheaded by ISA. This is an alliance of organizations. ISA affiliate OMAC is also a part of this. I have no idea what this means in real terms. Wes Iversen from Automation World is down there and I expect to hear something from him today about the real reaction of members. I can put a couple of trends together, though. First, ISA president Ken Baker talked with me about needed changes in ISA and its search for relevance. Second, in private conversations with OPC Foundation executive director Tom Burke, he has emphasized the necessity for these organizations to work together to assure interoperable standards. Don't know if an "alliance" will help, but then any help is welcome. By the way, a tip of the hat for ISA for its recent emphasis on the word "automation." Catchy :-> 10:55:19 AM    comment []