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Tuesday, November 25, 2008 |
Another Automation Minutes podcast published.
10:21:08 PM 
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More than 11,000 manufacturing experts from around the world gathered in Nashville, Tenn. Nov. 17 - 20 for the group of events bundled around Rockwell Automationâo[dot accent]s 17th annual Automation Fair. The week kicked off with the Process Systems Users Group. The Safety Automation Forum, jointly hosted by Automation World, was held on the 18th. The Automation Fair trade show was held on the 19th and 20th, while educational sessions and forums continued through the week.
Keith Nosbusch, chairman and CEO, met with me on Tuesday afternoon. He stated that diversification has been a goal in response to a query about the fortunes of automation suppliers in the wake of troubles in the auto manufacturing sector. Process business has been good (28 percent 2008 over 2007 organically and 50 percent including acquisitions), as well as growth in the OEM and safety areas. The newest initiative is sustainability. It's not just about products, he stated, but about helping customers achieve sustainable production.
Rockwell made a point of introducing the entire process control leadership team to the group--and to me--in order to allay any fears of its reducing its process presence. It also announced its next generation control, PlantPAx.
Around 150 people gathered for a one-day forum discussing safety. With two keynotes and two panel discussions, plenty of information was shared and more questions were asked than could be answered.
Rockwell Software has been busy pulling together all the acquisitions of the past year. During this time of leadership transition, it is holding firm to the vision of the connected enterprise. Two new products shed light on the direction of the group.
Microsoft unleashed a new technology called Silverlight in time for NBC to use it to stream the 2008 Summer Olympics from China. Rockwell's new FactoryTalk ViewPoint uses the technology for a Web-based thin client that allows users to remotely monitor the plant-floor operations. FactoryTalk ViewPoint software supports fully scalable and animated Web displays of existing FactoryTalk View Site Edition (SE) visualization software and Allen Bradley PanelView Plus applications from the office, home or on the road via any Internet browser. While the initial release is Internet Explorer (IE) compatible, additional browser and device support is planned.
The company also launched FactoryTalk VantagePoint, an addition to its FactoryTalk Integrated Production and Performance Suite that allows end users to self-configure rich Web-based dashboards. It leverages service oriented architecture and technology acquired through the company's purchase of Incuity Software to deliver automatic access to production information from both Rockwell Automation and third-party systems in an easier-to-use, cost-effective manner.
Rockwell defines sustainable production as encompassing energy, environment and safety. It has established a small team that will begin with assessments and services for customers. This is a core focus this year for the company. Expect to see more about it as the team develops some momentum.
In the past, convergence for Rockwell meant IT/manufacturing convergence and defined it around the use of Cisco Ethernet switches. This year the meaning is considerably broadened. Cisco Vice President Paul McNabb told a packed room in his Wednesday morning keynote that convergence includes data, voice and video information sent over the network. Rockwell Automation Vice President for Information Systems Bob Honor further defined four areas of convergence: access to information, communication via standard unmodified Ethernet, integrated control with the Logix engine, and power management with intelligent motor control.
9:51:11 PM
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Several companies that are Rockwell Automation partners took advantage of Automation Fair and the announced attendance of over 11,000 to announce new products.
Molex Inc. announced new features added to its BradCommunications SST programmable logic controller (PLC) communication modules. The SST Modbus and Profibus modules for ControlLogix provide users with increased performance and quicker startups by eliminating ladder logic programming from most applications. The modules also now support Add-On Profiles for easy integration into the ControlLogix system using Rockwell Automationâo[dot accent]s RSLogix 5000 software, and Remote Link Library functionality which allows remote configuration and diagnostics. The SST AS-Interface module for SLC 500 controllers has gone through AS-Interface conformance testing to comply with the latest AS-Interface specification 3.0.
Molex also announced the BradCommunications eNetMeter for DeviceNet to its line of diagnostic tools. It is a passive device that continuously monitors a DeviceNet network and sends the information over Ethernet to a PLC or PC monitoring system. The information can be read directly by an EtherNet/IP master. Optionally, data can be accessed through a DLL interface, an OPC server or the BradCommunications NetAlytix software. NetAlytix is a PC-based software which provides a graphical display of network data. Instant flagging of errors and marginal conditions along with pop-up tips provide guidance on possible causes of errors and potential corrective action.
ProSoft Technology introduced Wireless Point I/O Adapter (ILX34-AENWG), a high speed, standards-based 802.11g product. The product provides high speed, low latency 802.11g client communication via RadioLinx Industrial Hotspots or third party 802.11g access points. For security the Wireless Point I/O employs 802.11i WPA2 with AES Encryption.
ProSoft Technology's new Modbus TCP/IP and EtherNet/IP to CC-Link communication gateways allows Rockwell Automation control platform users to integrate any of the over eight-hundred Mitsubishi's CC-Link (compatible products with existing Modbus TCP/IP EtherNet/IP control networks.
The company also announced CIPconnect family of bridges for Modbus and Modbus TCP/IP, designed to allow users familiar with the CIP-compliant Ethernet protocol--EtherNet/IP--to easily integrate Modbus devices without requiring the user to be familiar with the Modbus protocol.
Finally, the company introduced Appliance Transaction Manager (ILX56-M2M. This is an in-chassis module for the ControlLogix platform which enables users to migrate to the ControlLogix platform from legacy PLCs or third-party PLCs.
Belden introduced a new Category 6 DataTuff twisted pair cable, expanding its family of industrial Ethernet cables. The new cable--Product No 7940A--is EtherNet/IP compliant and has a round construction making it suited for sealed industrial Ethernet connectivity applications. The company also expanded its line of Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) cables designed to carry power from industrial AC drive systems to AC motors. The product additions include eight new Symmetrical Ground Design, 3-conductor 16 to 2 AWG, VFD cables. The new cables are designed and engineered to support a broader range of installation options and customer requirements, including MSHA and UL Direct Burial approvals. Finally, Belden announced a line of DataTuff Industrial Ethernet Connectivity components--including cord sets, jacks, plug kits, tools and accessories.
Online Development Inc. introduced a new appliance module that interconnects factory floor controllers with databases and IT integration technologies without the need for custom plant floor programming. The eATM tManager appliance is available as a module that installs in a Rockwell Automation ControlLogix PAC, or as a standalone module for DIN rail mounting. Either configuration connects any Allen-Bradley PLC or PAC with databases, Java Messaging System, IBM WebSphere MQ, and other Enterprise Service Bus interface technologies. This new appliance supports Rockwell Software Production Centre and other MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) applications including those available from Oracle, SAP, Infor, and the like.
The company also introduced a controller-to-controller module that enables connecting various brands of PLCs without the need to program message instructions. The cATM Universal Gateway data appliance is available as a module that installs in a Rockwell Automation ControlLogix PAC, or as a standalone module for DIN rail mounting. Either configuration delivers over 130 protocols for connectivity to thousands of plant floor devices.
The new appliance features a universal driver to connect to a wide range of Ethernet and serial devices such as analyzers, bar code readers, weigh scales, RFID systems, serial printers, label machines and more. Online Development worked in partnership with Kepware Technologies to develop the cATM Universal Gateway appliance. It combines Kepware's suite of protocols with Online Development's embedded appliance experience to make the benefits of M2M more available and easier to deploy.
Cooper Crouse Hinds expanded its line of Ex-Cell stainless steel enclosures available in a range of sizes, each with various configurations for a multitude of applications. They are also certified to the impact, thermal and IP66 ingress requirements of EN50014. The cover of the Ex-Cell enclosure features a 1/4 turn keyed lock fastening mechanism that provides a rapid means of achieving a rating of IP66 environmental seal for reliable environmental protection. An integral drainage channel prevents liquids or other solid contaminates from running in or falling into the enclosure when the door is opened, and to minimize gasket path contamination.
Cooper Bussmann has developed a full range of PV fuses specifically for protecting solar panel photovoltaic (PV) cell strings. Sophisticated solar panel systems contain photovoltaic (PV) strings that consist of small solar power cells connected in series or parallel. Their recent, accelerated development has created a demand for high-performance fuses. The specific area of concern is the limited current condition that exists with a solar panel fault. The short-circuit current levels associated with solar panels do not produce sufficient current to open standard fuses in a way that effectively isolates faulted photovoltaic cell strings.
1:58:53 PM
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MESA International has been working on definitions of MES (manufacturing execution systems or manufacturing enterprise systems) and the value propositions that products in this area have. It has just released a series of guidebooks designed to show the manufacturing areas impacted by MES products and to improve the ways manufacturers apply information technologies in their operations.
The relentless focus on operational improvement and corporate compliance has elevated the need for new and enhanced ways to drive more value from existing assets, and it's become increasing clear that a better, more systematic flow of information from the operation is crucial to enable and accelerate those initiatives. MESA's goal is to help manufacturers effectively and successfully create justification for, implement and then measure the impact of a series of strategic corporate initiatives in this area.
These Guidebooks are based on input from well-known domain experts, practitioners and thought leaders in each field, and will be standard reading material within our industry.
"Whether you're investigating or considering investing in one or more of these areas for your organization, we're confident that youâo[dot accent]ll find them to be an extremely valuable, objective source of information and guidance," said MESA chairman John Dyck of Rockwell Automation. "Never before has this type of practical guidance and best practices been assembled, making this a unique opportunity to understand firsthand how you can leverage and benefit from them."
Here's the kicker--you must be a Premium member of MESA and login to your account at www.mesa.org to access the Strategic Initiatives Guidebooks. This does show some of the value of a premium membership in the organization.
The five Strategic Initiative Guidebooks available for download by Premium members are:
- The Real-Time Enterprise
- Lean Manufacturing
- Quality and Regulatory Compliance
- Asset Performance Management
- Product Lifecycle Management
7:45:49 AM
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The OPC Training Institute has published a white paper on OPC that readers of this blog can download for free after filling out a registration form. Check it out here. The paper discusses how OPC UA impacts integrators and users. It addresses questions and concerns engineers, process control personnel, integrators, end users and automation professionals have regarding the latest changes in OPC technology.
The section headers within the paper are:
- OPC Overview
- OPC Communication with DCOM
- OPC via Web Services
- Object Oriented Data Model
- Improving Existing OPC Specifications
- Backwards Compatibility and Tunneling
- OPC at the Enterprise level
- Security
7:33:47 AM
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Here's a lifehack tip (not from the Web site, but from my wife). We eat natural peanut butter because it doesn't have unhealthy fats added during the process as do the typical commercial types but it is still a good source of protein. I recently talked to someone who buys it because it's low in sodium. Because it doesn't contain those fats, the "butter" and the oil separate. When you open a new jar, mix it up thoroughly, then refrigerate upside down. It won't separate again.
7:27:16 AM
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Some time ago, I ran across this Wellness blog. The latest post on doing what comes naturally has good advice for probably all of you. He discusses career counseling where he ran across a young man who was an excellent project manager. However, the tasks and skills of project management came so easily to that person that he thought he wasn't good at it. Check out the post, then check out yourself. Are you doing what you like--and what you're good at?
7:22:43 AM
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© Copyright 2008 Gary Mintchell.
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