HIMA has expanded its HIMax safety system product line, adding a new CPU especially for small and mid-range safety applications. Announced in late 2013, the new X-CPU 31 module is now available worldwide, complementing the HIMax system family for safe and nonstop plant operation.

While the original HIMax system, which features the X-CPU 01 and separate system bus module, remains the ideal solution for high-level safety applications, smaller applications can benefit from the new X-CPU 31, which integrates all functions of the system bus module. With system bus and CPU functions on one module, the X-CPU 31 makes the HIMax nonstop safety system even more scalable and able to be adapted to specific applications. The results for users include lower investment costs, improved flexibility and the availability of more I/O module slots.

The new CPU supports all HIMax functions and can be seamlessly integrated into the HIMax system family. With proven, safe communication via safeethernet, the new CPU is also ideal for distributed structures.

The performance range of the new CPU is suitable for various applications, including emergency shutdown (ESD) and Fire & Gas (F&G). Offered as part of FlexSILon® complete solutions, the module provides more efficient burner and boiler management, leak detection for pipelines, and control of turbo machines and compressors.

Updated SILworX® engineering tool:

A new version of the SILworX engineering tool used to program HIMax and HIMatrix® safety controllers is also available. SILworX V6 allows the inclusion of proprietary C codes from external tools and, based on such code, the automatic generation of function blocks for the safety system. In this way, highly complex safety solutions, such as those that are model-based, are easier to implement. The new version also supports Structured Text (ST), which can be especially useful in simplifying implementation of loop programming and CRC calculations as well as for the insertion of functions in text format.

In 2008 HIMA introduced HIMax (SIL 3), designed to provide uninterrupted system operation throughout the entire life of the plant, while maximizing plant availability, productivity and safety. The system provides for unlimited online changes, online modifications and expansions, as well as online upgrades and even regulatory proof testing. More than 900 HIMax systems with more than 500,000 programmed input and output signals have been delivered to protect the plants of the world's largest companies in the oil, gas, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and power generation industries.

Yokogawa Electric Corporation announces that it will release Plant Resource Manager (PRM®) R3.12 on May 28.

PRM is a software package that is capable of centrally managing large amounts of data from plant monitoring and control devices and manufacturing equipment, thereby allowing their status to be monitored and diagnosed online. With PRM R3.12, self-diagnostic information is now displayed in a more intuitive, easy-to-understand format based on the NAMUR NE107* recommendations, and network functions have been enhanced for upstream oil and gas applications. With this new release of its PRM package, Yokogawa aims to expand its share of the maintenance market.

*A series of device diagnostics recommendations defined by NAMUR, a German-based process automation user group.  Manufacturers in the process industry are constantly working to improve maintenance efficiency by using device management systems such as PRM that can centrally manage large amounts of data from plant monitoring and control devices and manufacturing equipment in order to monitor their status and identify maintenance needs.

When a device management system detects multiple problems in more than one device, maintenance personnel must quickly assess the severity of each problem and prioritize their actions. Equipment failures in plants must be dealt with quickly, and so appropriate responses are required when it appears likely that a failure will soon occur. To satisfy these needs, this information is now displayed in an easier-to-understand format with PRM R3.12, allowing maintenance personnel to quickly judge which actions will receive top priority.

This new version of PRM also offers enhanced network functionality, including improved support of wireless and satellite communications for upstream oil and gas applications.

Invensys (Schneider Electric) has released a new I/O family for its Foxboro Evo™ process automation system. The Foxboro® Compact 200 Series I/O fieldbus modules support more I/O modules in less space, reducing footprint up to 50 percent and offering significant potential for cost savings.

The new FBMs are especially valuable for new implementations in confined spaces, such as offshore platforms, and for adding capacity to existing installations without incurring the trouble and cost of facility expansion. Higher-density baseplates and optional cabinets contribute further to footprint reduction, which also drives significant savings in weight, energy consumption and inventory over traditional I/O offerings.

“Cabinet space in the industrial world is always an issue. For example, our top industry experts have calculated that space on an offshore platform can be valued at tens of thousands of dollars per square foot or more, so anything we can return to operators is money in their pockets,” said Thad Frost, director of fieldbus product management, Schneider Electric. “Our new Foxboro Compact 200 Series I/O modules are based on proven, recognized and highly reliable Foxboro FBM technology, but now available in a more compact form factor to help customers optimize space within their I/O infrastructure. By taking advantage of new Foxboro Evo future-proof technology, our customers can preserve their existing investments, reap additional cost savings and realize higher ROI.”

In keeping with the company’s commitment to delivering future-proof technology through its Foxboro Evo process automation system, the Compact 200 Series I/O modules are compatible with multiple generations of Foxboro controllers, software and infrastructure, and they provide the ability to mix and match I/O types on the same controller. They are the latest addition to the Foxboro Evo system’s flexible I/O sub-system family, which includes its 100-percent software-configurable Foxboro Intelligent Marshalling universal I/O solution; competitive migration plug-and-play modules; and intrinsically safe I/O options.

With advanced tools and applications delivered across a high-speed, fault-tolerant and cyber-secure hardware platform, including the integration of the company’s world-leading Triconex® safety system, the Foxboro Evo process automation system, now offered by Schneider Electric, improves operational insight and integrity and delivers the lowest total cost of automation and highest return on assets. Additionally, the system’s advanced applications improve the ability of plant personnel to contribute toward the success of the business by streamlining and contextualizing the information they need to make the right business decisions at the right time. And because the company’s broad portfolio of roles-based Foxboro engineering tools and productivity applications are integrated within it, the system provides superior visibility into historical, real-time and predictive operating information to help drive production efficiency.

ABB, the global power and automation technology group, has announced version 6 of its flagship distributed control system (DCS), System 800xA.   System 800xA is known for delivering productivity through consolidating process, electrical, safety, and telecoms in one system and providing the ultimate high performance operator control room environment featuring the Extended Operator Workplace. This sixth generation release, commonly called 800xA v6, is not only for new projects but has been specially developed to support upgrades of older DCS systems running on unsupported platforms such as Microsoft XP operating system. 800xA v6 provides customers with a more secure automation environment that lowers the total cost of ownership, while providing countless opportunities to improve productivity.

800xA v6 will add to an already impressive list of leading security features such as Advanced Access Control, White Listing, and means to monitor and manage the control system’s security integrity.

“The most exciting part about upgrading is seeing what you can do with System 800xA v6” says Roy Tanner, Marketing Manager for 800xA. “System 800xA’s collaboration platform and its built in functionality allow you to tackle money saving initiatives and implement productivity enhancing solutions for a fraction of the cost of adding third party software and hardware. In addition to alarm management, advanced control, video systems, safety, electrical integration, power management, and a host of other embedded capabilities, System 800xA v6 adds:

• Wireless routers to its portfolio, enabling the safe and secure deployment of mobile operator clients, maintenance workplaces, and even process controllers.
• New ways to visualize, curate, and analyze data with the addition of the System 800xA Collaboration Table providing a 3D view of plant key performance indicators.
• A new information management platform enhancing secure connectivity to 800xA so that data can be safely gathered and used for mining and analysis.
• A list of operator effectiveness improvements including trend and alarm list enhancements, an embedded public address system, and a KNX interface that brings the operator’s environment into the overall solution.