Control System World

Progea releases Movicon 11.3 new Build 1105. In addition to fixing minor problems and optimizing performances, this build introduces interesting novelties and new functions as well:

The screen zoom factor management has been made proportional to the grid’s set value. This will allow you to set the zoom factor according to the grid and keep objects attached while working in zoom mode. This means that the value can now oscillate from 2% to a maximum of 25% and be set differently in X and Y.

• Updates have been implemented to:
• support vector files for button state images,
• improve visual quality
• optimize Data Analysis and Trend objects by redesigning graphics
• increasing object velocity
• include image rotation for Apps in Apple and Android

All these new functionalities along with a list of fixed minor problems are available in their usual place on the Progea website’s Bugbase section. The new Movicon 11.3 Build 1105 release is downloadable for free from the Progea website’s download section.

To meet the automation and control community’s needs for comprehensive technical training in a highly condensed format, the International Society of Automation (ISA) announces it will conduct three knowledge-intensive training programs in Houston, Texas, USA over four consecutive weeks in June 2013.

Sponsored by the ISA Houston Section, this three-part training event, ISA Technical Training Camp—Houston, represents the first time ISA has offered its newest in-depth training events—Technician Training Boot Camp, Automation Engineering Survival Training, and Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) Boot Camp—all in one location.

“ISA Technical Training Camp provides a very unique opportunity to take one or more of ISA’s most comprehensive, world-class training events at one location over a short time period, and at a reduced rate for those attending more than one,” says Dalton Wilson, ISA’s manager of Education Services. “As a result, students have the ability to learn and master skills more quickly while saving time and expenses.”

ISA Technical Training Camp—Houston 2013 comprises three rigorous, value-packed training events:

• ISA Technician Training Boot Camp (TTBC), 3–7 June 2013.
• ISA Automation Engineering Survival Training (AEST), 10-14 June 2013.
• ISA Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) Boot Camp, 17-28 June 2013, in two segments:
• Part I, 17-21 June 2013, includes Process Safety Fundamentals (EC50CT) and Safety Instrumented Systems—Design, Analysis, and Justification (EC50).
• Part II, 24-28 June 2013, includes Advanced Safety Integrity Level (SIL) Selection (EC52) and Advanced Design and SIL Verification (EC54)

Learn more about Technical Training Camp—Houston 2013 at www.isa.org/PR13/TechnicalTrainingCamp.

Advantech’s Industrial Automation Group has announced the launch of two new SC Type Fiber Optic Industrial Media Converters. The EKI-3541M is a multi-mode version which can send data over a distance of 2 km and the single-mode EKI-3541S can send data over 30 km.

These compact devices with simple plug and play installation ensure that network administrators get up and running quickly and easily. In the event of a fault on the device network administrators are instantly alerted, through the use of Link Fault-Pass technology. Which sends the error signal through whichever port is still available. The compact size also allows the devices to be installed in a small cabinet, thereby making the most of the available space.

Having been designed for use in a wide range of environments these models have been IP40 certified, so that they won’t be damaged by excess water and have an operating voltage range of between 8.4 to 52.8VDC so that they spikes caused by low power won’t affect the device’s performance.

Product Website

Yokogawa Electric Corporation announces the April 26 release of the first model in the new FIELDEYE II series of all-weather CCD cameras for the monitoring of plant facilities and premises. This new model, the FC33U, is non-explosionproof and has pan-tilt zoom functionality. Yokogawa plans to release an explosionproof model by the end of this year.

This new FIELDEYE II all-weather CCD camera is compact in size and features best-in-class performance, and is expected to provide a boost to Yokogawa's plant monitoring solution business.

Many plants have security camera systems that allow the monitoring of production lines and other facilities from locations such as the central control room. Yokogawa entered this market with the 1997 release of the FIELDEYE series of all-weather CCD color cameras. Much smaller and lighter than other plant monitoring cameras on the market, these products have acquired a solid track record particularly here in Japan and other Asian countries.

Product Features:

• Compact and light, yet rugged and corrosion-resistant
• Camera with high sensitivity, magnification, and resolution

Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, today announced a series of global events kicking off in June 2013 to collaborate and share knowledge with customers, partners and governments on how to solve energy and sustainability challenges. Schneider Electric’s Xperience Efficiency series will begin with events in the United States, China, Colombia, Brazil and Russia.

“The economic, political and social climates today are putting a strain on our society’s ability to make preventing climate change a priority,” said Aaron Davis, Chief Marketing Officer of Schneider Electric. “Efficiency isn’t just for the eco-friendly crowd anymore. There are tangible benefits of an efficiency economy for cities, businesses and citizens of all types. By coming together, we can share knowledge and put a plan in place to drive change in cities, workplaces and other settings across the globe.”

Xperience Efficiency 2013 is a free event that takes on the demand drivers that are forcing change: economic and government rebalancing; urbanization; digitization; and sustainable resources. By looking at the latest integrated energy trends and sustainability solutions that will transform how we all work, learn, and play, Xperience Efficiency 2013 will show the future of efficiency. Solutions will deliver energy management, energy access, and business process performance answers right across the energy chain, whether at home, work, across the grid, or in towns and cities. Participants will experience:

• More than 20 breakout sessions addressing market, industry and solution trends;
• Interactive marketplace including the latest developments in systems, solutions, and technology;
• Nationally and internationally renowned experts from government, business, academia, and industry;
• Firsthand stories of companies experiencing efficiency today.

"We all have a role to play in ensuring a more efficient and sustainable economy and world," said Aaron Davis. "Businesses and government agencies need to work together and play a more active, collaborative role in this process. The technologies exist today to drive new levels of efficiency in all operations and we want to be a leader in helping bring this collaboration together. Our Xperience Efficiency events will be a big part of this engagement and education."

Honeywell announced today a definitive agreement to acquire RAE Systems, Inc., a privately held manufacturer of fixed and portable gas and radiation detections systems, and software for $340 million. The purchase price translates to approximately thirteen times RAE Systems' estimated 2013 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), or approximately six times on a synergy adjusted run-rate basis integrating with Honeywell's gas portfolio. The agreement, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory review, is expected to close in the second quarter of 2013 and does not change Honeywell's 2013 full-year guidance.

RAE Systems, with 2012 sales of approximately $107 million, offers a full line of personal, hand-held, transportable and fixed gas, radiation and photo-ionization sensing and detection devices for the government, oil and gas, industrial and emergency response sectors for use in a wide range of personal, plant safety and regulatory compliance applications. Their products are used in more than 120 countries by many of the world's leading corporations and government agencies, as well as numerous city and state entities in the U.S.

"RAE Systems is a pioneer in the gas detection industry with unrivalled technologies," said Mark Levy, president and CEO of Honeywell Life Safety. "Their strong presence in hazardous material, first responder, and government complements our existing business very well, and their expertise in photo-ionization detection, wireless, and radiation detection represent terrific opportunities to expand our reach. RAE Systems' geographic, manufacturing and distribution footprint, especially in high-growth countries like China, will help to make our already-strong gas detection portfolio an even greater global franchise in a very good industry. RAE Systems is a very compelling strategic fit for Honeywell."

RAE Systems, founded in 1991 and based in San Jose, California, has approximately 750 employees and will be integrated into Honeywell Analytics, part of Honeywell Life Safety (HLS) within Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions (ACS).

Endress+Houser now offers Temperature transmitter with device revision 2, is one of the 1st temperature device on the market with FF-912 compatibility. Furthermore, the new revision offers higher performance and the possibility to simulate diagnostic messages.

What is FF-912 good for?

Devices with FF-912 do support diagnostics functionality according to the NAMUR NE107 recommendation and make maintenance much easier.

Because diagnostic messages are categorized in 4 different levels and show the impact of malfunctions at first sight. Doing so, diagnostic messages do not have to be someway reallocated, but can be addressed directly to the responsible staff members without causing delays. In addition, performance of the TMT85 has been drastically improved by speeding up execution times of all function blocks and optimizing link setting timings.

Last, but not least, simulation of diagnostic messages can be performed now in order to test possible scenarios without the need to manipulate the hardware.

Technip, leader of a 50/50 consortium with Techint, has been awarded by PNBV(1) a substantial(2) contract for the topside construction and integration, the commissioning and start up assistance of the P-76 floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit. Located in the Santos Basin pre-salt area offshore Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this unit will produce 180,000 barrels of oil and 7 million cubic meters per day of gas.

Technip’s operating center in Rio de Janeiro will perform the project management, engineering and procurement. The 24,000-ton modules fabrication, integration and commissioning will be performed in Techint’s yard, in the South of Brazil. The project is scheduled to be completed by mid-2017.

José Jorge Araújo, Technip’s Senior Vice President Onshore Latin America and Offshore Brazil, declared: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to keep working with Petrobras. This contract strengthens furthermore our presence in the burgeoning Brazilian offshore pre-salt market, where our leading-edge position enables us to meet its high standards and requirements. We fully expect that our partnership with Techint will be a key to the success of the P-76 FPSO. Moreover, this project will contribute to the local economy as it will require approximately 70% of Brazilian local content.”