Control System World

ARC Advisory Group, the leading global research and advisory firm for manufacturing, industry, and infrastructure, announces the release of ARC STAR (Solutions That Accelerate Results), a domain-specific supplier selection service. This on-line, cloud-based, hosted solution provides easy-to-use tools that define a process and selection criteria for making strategic supplier selections. ARC clients can now make use of ARC’s proven supplier selection process, in an on-line, hosted, and guided environment. ARC STAR will be available for most key enterprise, automation, and manufacturing software application areas. At this release, ARC STAR is available for Advanced Process Control (APC), Analytics for Operational Excellence, Batch Control Systems, Collaborative Production Management/MES (for Discrete and Process Industries), and Distributed Control Systems (DCS).

The ARC STAR Supplier Selection Service guides users through a step-by-step process selecting and evaluating suppliers and their products against specific application and cultural requirements. The process guides the user through the project and team definition, reviewing and editing ARC-provided selection criteria and supplier questions, weighing selection criteria, developing a supplier Request for Information (RFI) list, evaluating supplier responses, and developing a final ranking of RFI results. ARC STAR then fully documents the process and results for management review and approval. ARC STAR helps ensure inclusive, fact-based, impartial supplier evaluations and selections, free of the user bias issues that typically hamper these activities. In addition, ARC estimates that ARC STAR can reduce the cost and effort of a supplier selection process by well over 50 percent.

ARC STAR Supplier Selection Service

AutomationDirect has teamed up with BizWareDirect to offer its customers DataWorx data collection software for AutomationDirect PACs, PLCs and WinPLCs. Before DataWorx, it was necessary to purchase an OPC DDE server, and write code or buy a Human Machine Interface (HMI) package to program, in order to collect data from our PACs/PLCs/WinPLCs.  The DataWorx data logger software package easily connects your Ethernet-enabled Productivity3000 programmable automation controllers (PACs), DirectLOGIC programmable logic controllers (PLCs), or WinPLCs, to standalone PCs or network servers for easy data logging. Now, the DataWorx data logger software makes it simple and cost effective to easily collect valuable process control data to enable you to make better business decisions.

The DataWorx P3K Server's primary function is to listen to devices and either record the data into a database or read from a database. DataWorx enables each device to directly perform database operations. Connect with any Microsoft Access, SQL or ODBC compatible server.

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Speed is of the essence when it comes to transferring data and with this in mind, the Industrial Automation Group of Advantech has launched a new low density isolated DAQ card that uses the PCI Express interface. The PCIE-1730 which has a much faster data transfer rate than standard PCI cards, offers up to 32 isolated channels and does not require any additional development software.

Unequalled in the industry, the cards have 32 low density isolated digital IO channels and 32 TTL channels making it possible for users to use the cards in a range of applications without needing to decide at the time of purchase and because the digital output of these cards can be as high as 500mA per channel users can use these cards to push through much larger amounts of data than before.

Since the PCI Express bus is similar to the standard PCI bus, these cards can be configured using the same DAQNavi software. To help with the development of configurations and applications Advantech provide a range of options such as an SDK which works with: Visual C++, Visual Basic, VB.NET, C#, Delphi, BCB, LabVIEW, QT and Java. Also included is the integrated utility, which provides configuration, function testing, documentation and many practical coded examples.

The iPC-Series and nPC300 from NEMATRON now have Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approvals for Class I Division 2 Hazardous Locations for both the USA and Canada. In addition the testing for FCC and the European CE marks have been completed, therefore the compliance on these units are no longer pending as previously stated in the launch documents and datasheets .

The iPC-Series units are approved for Class I Division 2 Groups A, B, C, & D; Class II Division 2 Groups F & G; and Class III locations when properly installed on a flat surface of a Type 1, 4, 4x, or 12 enclosure with appropriate wiring provisions.

The nPC300 is approved for Class I Division 2 Groups A, B, C, & D locations when properly installed on a flat surface of a Type 1 (or better) enclosure with appropriate wiring provisions. Both types of units have a Temperature Code Rating of T6, which is better than the previous ePC-Series.

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Rockwell Automation has launched virtual image templates for the PlantPAx process automation system, including a system server, operator workstation and engineering workstation. These preconfigured, drop-in templates, delivered as images on a USB hard drive, help reduce validation costs and initial engineering time.

Installing a complete process automation system traditionally takes several days. A virtual image of each component, however, can be deployed in two to three hours. Once deployed, the components can be duplicated in minutes.

“Whether you’re operating one plant or many, virtual image templates significantly simplify the deployment and management of process control systems,” said Steve Pulsifer, director of Process Market Development, Rockwell Automation. “Plus, users benefit from immediate access to simplified upgrade and patch management typical within a virtualized architecture.”

The templates operate in an open virtual-format file, officially supported by VMWare vSphere. The three core elements are:

• Process Automation System Server (PASS): Provides central name resolution and look-up services across multiple computers for central administration of data throughout the PlantPAx process automation system. The PASS also provides data, HMI and alarm-server capability.
• Operator Workstation: Consists of the software needed for visualizing and controlling the process.
• Engineering Workstation: Includes all the necessary software to fully configure the control and visualization components of the PlantPAx process automation system.

Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR) announced that Fluor Offshore Solutions, a unit of Fluor, has been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) support contract for Phase 3 of the Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project. The project is being undertaken on behalf of the Philippine Government by the Service Contract 38 consortium composed of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (Operator), Chevron Malampaya LLC and Philippine National Oil Company—Exploration Corporation. This landmark project is among the most significant in the Philippines. Approximately 40 percent of the power for the main island of Luzon is generated by power plants using Malampaya gas. This new contract follows Fluor’s successful completion of the front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract for Phase 3. Fluor booked the undisclosed contract value in the third quarter.

“This new EPC contract for the Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project solidifies our strength in the growing global offshore gas market,” said Peter Oosterveer, Fluor’s president for Energy & Chemicals. “Fluor’s long-term presence in the Philippines is a testament to the outstanding work by our professionals, now 2,220 strong, in our Manila and Cebu offices, who are providing full-service project execution.”

Fluor Offshore Solutions is providing detailed engineering, procurement and selected construction support services as well as supporting the Shell team in managing the local fabricator.

Foster Wheeler AG (Nasdaq: FWLT) announced today that a subsidiary of its Global Engineering and Construction Group has been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCm) contract by LANXESS Butyl Pte. Ltd. for a new neodymium polybutadiene (Nd-PBR) rubber plant to be built on Jurong Island, Singapore. This award follows Foster Wheeler’s successful completion of the front-end engineering design for this project earlier this year. Foster Wheeler’s scope of work is expected to be completed in 2014.

The Foster Wheeler contract value for this project was not disclosed and will be included in the company’s third-quarter 2012 bookings.The new facility, which facility LANXESS states is expected to be the largest of its kind in the world, will be designed to produce 140,000 tonnes per annum of Nd-PBR and will include process and finishing buildings, a central control room, a substation and a tank farm. It will be built alongside LANXESS’ 100,000 tonnes-per-year synthetic butyl rubber plant, the largest facility of its type in Asia, due to start up in 2013, and for which Foster Wheeler is also the EPCm contractor.

Nd-PBR is used in tire manufacturing. LANXESS states that its use reduces rolling resistance and increases vehicle energy efficiency compared with conventional tire rubber, also reducing tire abrasion, playing a significant role in making cars safer as well as “greener” and more economical.

“We have built an excellent working relationship with LANXESS and we are looking forward to further developing a long-term business relationship based on our performance in delivering LANXESS’ projects safely and successfully,” said Umberto della Sala, Chief Operating Officer, Foster Wheeler AG.

“We are pleased to strengthen the successful relationship with Foster Wheeler in order to continue to jointly and safely implement the LANXESS growth strategy in the Asia Pacific region," said Carsten Kopke, project director, LANXESS Asia Pacific.

SNC-Lavalin (TSX: SNC) has been awarded a contract by the Chuquicamata Division of Codelco Chile to provide overall project management, as well as detailed engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) services, for the upgrade of the concentrators at their Chuquicamata mine in Chile. This award follows the initial feasibility study completed by SNC-Lavalin in the first half of 2012.

The scope of the EPCM contract is to upgrade the secondary and tertiary pebble crushing system at their processing facility, allowing it to process 104,000 tonnes of ore per day (2,200 tonnes per hour with 80% utilization). This will be achieved by improving feeders, conveyors, classifiers and crushing units. The total capital cost of the scope under SNC-Lavalin’s management is estimated at US$120 million.

“This project is an excellent example of a sustaining capital project for an existing client,” said Dale Clarke, Executive Vice-President, Global Mining & Metallurgy, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. “Codelco is one of our most valued and long-standing clients, and we appreciate the confidence they have placed in us for the delivery of key sustainable projects in their capital investment program.”

Detailed engineering and early construction work on the pebble crushing system are already in progress. The project is scheduled for mechanical completion by the end of the third quarter of 2013.