http://www.isa.org/ InTech provides the most thought-provoking and authoritative coverage of automation technologies, applications, and strategies to enhance automation professionals’ on-the-job success. en-us Sat, 25 May 2013 06:09:46 -0500 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/09Vd9dHVMQk/InTechTemplate.cfm Presidential Executive Order on Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity draws comprehensive response from ISA and AF<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/09Vd9dHVMQk" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=93136 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=93136 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/9JYdKlqzhXM/InTechTemplate.cfm The commissioning and configuration of digital communications of a field-level network, such as Foundation Fieldbus, is fundamental to obtaining certification of the digital communication<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/9JYdKlqzhXM" height="1" width="1"/> Sat, 06 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92939 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92939 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/7QJmkbPWuEw/InTechTemplate.cfm ARC Advisory Group released its global service provider (GSP) supplier selection guide. The guide includes both selection criteria and guided workflow steps for choosing a services company. The scope of the criteria covers the needs of corporate IT and manufacturing IT, including communications with control systems. The guide has attributes tailored for industrial organizations and allows those involved in a GSP selection process to make quicker and improved decisions.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/7QJmkbPWuEw" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92998 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92998 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/ZTWbQymOy6Y/InTechTemplate.cfm Firewalls are seen as pillars of both business-focused and industrial, control-system-focused cybersecurity programs. But how secure are firewalls really?<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/ZTWbQymOy6Y" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92916 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92916 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/GROkSW8-yRk/InTechTemplate.cfm Most energy-intensive businesses think of electrical bills as a cost that must be borne, rather than one that can be managed. Efforts to improve business sustainability are changing this, but<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/GROkSW8-yRk" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92917 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92917 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/pwLfcGdLqUw/InTechTemplate.cfm The ISA student section at Oklahoma State University (OSU) is a shining example of a section that demonstrates vitality, creativity, professional leadership, and dedication to promoting automation and control as a career choice. Students started the ISA-chartered student section in the fall of 2010; this is also recognized by the OSU Student Government Association, which currently has about 100 student members and of which there are about 60 ISA student members.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/pwLfcGdLqUw" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92925 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92925 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/sh8NkD_jKoY/InTechTemplate.cfm I moved with my family to America from Russia in the early 2000s. Upon entering college in 2003, I had a fairly good idea of what I wanted from my education. After taking classes at Louisiana State University (LSU) and the University of Southern Mississippi (USM), I graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer engineering technology from USM. I applied to several graduate programs but chose USM because I was offered a graduate assistant position, which allowed me to be close to my family.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/sh8NkD_jKoY" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92944 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92944 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/9gKp8Be6ccY/InTechTemplate.cfm In response to “Enabling new automation engineers” (Process Automation, January/February InTech), I would like to add that “newbie” engineers (automation or otherwise) should get to know their I&E, I&C technicians or electricians.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/9gKp8Be6ccY" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92903 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92903 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/Fx32z_W1Lvc/InTechTemplate.cfm It may be time to start seriously considering applying robots to improve manufacturing. As with many technologies, it has taken time for robots to be refined and cost-reduced before being broadly adopted in manufacturing.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/Fx32z_W1Lvc" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92902 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92902 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/LfzVPZsW308/InTechTemplate.cfm A new draft standard has been developed by – and circulated for review within – ISA75.27, Cryogenic Control Valve Seat Leakage Test Standard. The subcommittee is developing a standard for production seat leakage testing of cryogenic control valves. The document is intended to describe various seat leakage specifications and establish optional cryogenic seat leakage classes and test procedures for adoption in the process control industry.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/LfzVPZsW308" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92911 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92911 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/Y-mdofk8s8k/InTechTemplate.cfm Do you remember the movies in the 1980s where the scientist Emmett “Doc” Brown invents a DeLorean time machine? Doc and his young friend Marty travel back and forth through time, recognizing the same basic people, places, events, and artifacts. In each era those things have a different form, and a few new characters are introduced along the way. Looking back through the evolution of modern day industrial control systems (ICSs), one can picture a similar sort of tale. For the sake of simplicity, let us follow the evolution of the ICS by broadly categorizing the dominant architectures of each decade.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/Y-mdofk8s8k" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92912 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92912 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/4zkFJZcU07k/InTechTemplate.cfm It is an exciting time in the U.S. automation field. Capital is becoming more readily available. Demand for custom-manufactured products is surging. Our land, energy, and telecommunication costs are lower than in most other advanced countries. Our business infrastructure and intellectual property rights are more developed. And we are one of the world's lowest-cost producers of raw materials – including oil and gas.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/4zkFJZcU07k" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92905 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92905 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/ajqrSuOSbzA/InTechTemplate.cfm JMP Engineering's customer had an ergonomic issue in their ice cream factory. Plant workers manually grouped ice cream bars on a high-speed, flat-belt conveyor and placed them in trays on a conveyor. The trays had five different pack patterns: 1-pack, 3-packs, 4-packs, 6-packs, and 9-packs. The line ran at approximately 150 bars per minute (bpm).<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/ajqrSuOSbzA" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92908 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92908 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/a2YruzlQ2yM/InTechTemplate.cfm When looking at the raw input value of a single channel on an analog input card in the PLC, Karen sees that the raw input is expressed in “counts” and is an integer value that varies between 0 and 8092. She learned from the PLC manual that 0 counts occur when the input signal is 0 mA, and 8192 counts is obtained for an input signal of 20mA. If a 4–20mA pressure transmitter is connected to this analog input channel, and if the pressure sensor has a range of 0–100psig, approximately how many counts should Karen see for a sensed pressure of 25psig?<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/a2YruzlQ2yM" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92907 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92907 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/7LxxO2Vsi7o/InTechTemplate.cfm A specification for a new facility indicates that the new system “must be capable of analyzing the multiple sources of data required to run the entire facility, as well as have the capability to provide collaboration between the visualization, alarm management, scheduling, reporting, and analysis functions.” The type of system that would best meet these requirements is:<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/7LxxO2Vsi7o" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92906 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92906 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/pRzE_epCkrk/InTechTemplate.cfm Creating products from raw materials in pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and other process plants depends on intricate process systems executing numerous steps or unit operations. To ensure efficiency, quality, and safety, precise measurements must be taken during the various stages of production.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/pRzE_epCkrk" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92924 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92924 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/azyEF2mC7IE/InTechTemplate.cfm Ever wonder how much capacity might be hidden in your plant? Need more control over your materials, equipment, and quality? Overall equipment effectiveness could help with both.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/azyEF2mC7IE" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92937 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92937 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/sQaK6KpGR68/InTechTemplate.cfm Over the last several years, the use of wireless networks in control systems has yielded a number of benefits to critical infrastructure.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/sQaK6KpGR68" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92936 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92936 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/GyefdSjb964/InTechTemplate.cfm Often, nonlinearity is the primary problem for single-input-single-output (SISO) chemical process control. One solution is to design the process for PID control success –<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/GyefdSjb964" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92980 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92980 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/ZMtVvjXyBAE/InTechTemplate.cfm Delivering an integrated manufacturing execution system (MES) is complex; however, by focusing on the key factors outlined in this article...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/ZMtVvjXyBAE" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92945 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92945 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/oQK_z-2IoQo/InTechTemplate.cfm The distillation process uses enormous amounts of energy, consuming up to 50 percent of a refinery's operating costs. Plant personnel need the right information in order to improve operation.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/oQK_z-2IoQo" height="1" width="1"/> Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92320 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92320 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/CbimExZ7IXE/InTechTemplate.cfm Draw on the experience of others in the ISA Mentor Program<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/CbimExZ7IXE" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92321 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92321 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/lq60n0gi_Xg/InTechTemplate.cfm A new ISA technical report, developed in collaboration with the Fieldbus Foundation (FF), provides a common framework enabling multiple industrial communication protocols to run over a shared wireless backhaul network in process automation systems.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/lq60n0gi_Xg" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92299 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92299 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/BN-o0PwAAp0/InTechTemplate.cfm <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/BN-o0PwAAp0" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92255 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92255 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/Q9XC-NbtFJA/InTechTemplate.cfm Hollifield: I have had a typical 37-year engineering career that I have thoroughly enjoyed, split between project engineering, production, production management, and consulting. I was recently asked for some general advice, from a nephew beginning an engineering education. Here is my reply:<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/Q9XC-NbtFJA" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92270 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92270 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/YETa1Hb1wB8/InTechTemplate.cfm Before making a commitment, manufacturers must determine if they can meet their needs using existing equipment with a simple, more cost-effective control system upgrade. Most modern manufacturing lines are mechanically sound, but they can suffer from the lightning-speed evolution of technology; their control systems become outdated in a matter of years.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/YETa1Hb1wB8" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92256 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92256 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/6Cn-Obd6-ZM/InTechTemplate.cfm <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/6Cn-Obd6-ZM" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92252 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92252 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/0axq4f1w8Lk/InTechTemplate.cfm Grounding and shielding is many times referred to as being almost mystic, but effective grounding and shields work on solid engineering principles. There are four paths that let undesired signals get into a system: magnetic or inductive coupling, capacitive coupling from high-speed voltage changes (dV/dt), direct coupling, and radiated, or RF, coupling. One may not be able to predict the exact path a noise signal takes, just as one cannot predict the exact path of lightning. But one knows how to limit the chances of getting struck. Lightning is nothing more than one of the most powerful EMI events. Manufacturers typically provide connection recommendations on how to minimize EMI and other electrical noise issues on their products.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/0axq4f1w8Lk" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92250 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92250 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/cRQmR2A0tKA/InTechTemplate.cfm In the September/October 2012 issue of InTech, Rick Zabel's cover story, “Automation profession outperforms economy,” had a very positive report. The gist of the article is that, as automation professionals, we are generally in pretty good company. However, professional complacency is a knockout blow to the industry. Here is the one-two punch of complacency: Many companies are dealing with a skills gap and a lack of properly qualified employees, while simultaneously losing experienced automation professionals to retirement. Potentially half the experience in place now will be gone in ten years. So how can the skills gap be closed before it is too late? The simple answer is education.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/cRQmR2A0tKA" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92258 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92258 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~3/qAtFeg4veGs/InTechTemplate.cfm E merson Process Management now offers a cash-back valve and instrument recycling program.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ISA/InTech/~4/qAtFeg4veGs" height="1" width="1"/> Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92294 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92294