Basic analog function generator offers high waveform quality

Aim-TTi has extended their TG300 series of low cost analog function generators by adding a model with vernier-dial setting of frequency. The TG310 is the most basic generator in the range and lacks the digital display of frequency and level that is included on other models.

The generator can produce sine, square, triangle, pulse and ramp waveforms from 0.03Hz up to 3MHz. Variable bi-directional symmetry with constant frequency is provided over a ten to one range. An external sweep input allows the frequency on each range to be varied by at least 1000:1.

The TG310 provides a main output with a maximum emf of 20V pk-pk from a 50 Ohms or 600 Ohms source. An amplitude vernier with a range of 20dB is combined with two switched attenuators of -20dB and -40dB to provide levels down to 2mV pk-pk un-terminated.

Unlike some other lower cost function generators, high waveform quality is maintained down to very low levels with minimal noise and waveform aberrations.

Variable DC offset of +/-10V is available via a centre detent control. An auxiliary output provides a fixed 0V to +5V level suitable for driving both TTL and CMOS loads

Best ever robot sales in Britain...but

Sales of robots from January to March 2012 have outstripped sales in any other quarter to date. Unfortunately the picture is not as good as it seems. The continuing success of the automotive industry in Britain is leading to record orders for robots. However, other sectors are not yet realising the benefits that increased use of robots do provide.

Staeubli Robot

In the first quarter robot sales of 923 units were recorded which is larger than the annual total for many of the previous years. Automotive orders contributed 85% of this figure. Mike Wilson, British Automation and Robot Association Chairman said "these large investments show the commitment of the automotive companies to their UK manufacturing facilities, however, robot sales in some other sectors, such as food and drink, are not keeping up with the increasing use of robots worldwide. Automotive continuing to buy robots is not a particular surprise – they recognise the benefits to their manufacturing. Our concern is the broader picture and the risk to competitiveness that will result from lack of investment in automation technologies”.

Grant Collier, Head of Marketing for the PPMA Group of Associations added "The free Government backed Automating Manufacturing Programme is starting to address these issues, showing manufacturers how they can benefit from automation and providing assistance on the first steps towards implementing automation.” Applications to date have come from a wide range of industries, including a significant number from the food sector. He continued, “the initial review is funded by the UK government, the application process is simple, all companies should be looking at this as a route to improve their manufacturing operations”.

Secure panel feed-throughs for industrial PROFINET device interfaces

Harting has introduced a range of new panel feed-throughs in extremely robust metal housings for use with its Han® PushPull (variant 14 to IEC 61076-3-117): the standardised RJ45 connector to protection type IP 65/67 for industrial PROFINET cabling.

The new feed-throughs are available for circular and square panel cut-outs for integration into industrial devices and switch cabinets.

A key feature of these new devices is their significantly improved electromagnetic compatibility. The category 6 performance of the RJ45 female module offers system reserves that are high enough to carry not only standard Industrial Ethernet but also 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet signals.

The RJ45 socket inserts have a 360° shield to increase electromagnetic compatibility and ensure interference immunity for the transmission path. Even at burst interference levels greater than 4 kV, stable and secure industrial Ethernet transmission is guaranteed. The flexible grounding concept also provides users with a greater number of options.

The feed-throughs allow rapid and easy fitting into devices and switch cabinets as well as retrofitting existing housings with a PROFINET interface to protection type IP 65/67. Users can choose from two RJ45 inserts. The RJ45 female model RJ Industrial® Bulkhead Cat.6 (with two RJ45 connectors) makes it possible to route the Ethernet signal inside the device or switch cabinet with simple IP 20 patch cables. The RJ45 cable socket Ha-VIS preLink® (with one RJ45 connector and eight IDC connections) allows easy and rapid build - pre-assembled or on site in the field - with an insulation displacement connection for connecting data cables to AWG 22/7 - AWG 23/1 cross sections.

Electromagnetic compatibility - and particularly protection against bursts - is critical in terms of the interference immunity of field devices in automation environments. Bursts consist of low-energy but transient interference that can couple capacitively with Ethernet data signals in applications such as welding equipment, and can compromises reliable communication with affected bus slaves.

To enable users to decide on the grounding concept for their equipment, RJ45 female connectors lock into the metal panel feed-through, making it potential free and therefore electrically insulated. This ensures that the RJ45 shield potential and the chassis ground are not connected by accident.

Users wishing to ground the RJ45 shield potential can clamp it to the metal panel feed-through or the RJ45 female connector via a blade connector. This effectively diverts electromagnetic interference coupling to the data shield and prevents it from entering the device.

Vision speciality!

The Vision Specialty for NI Alliance Partner Network for members who specialise in imaging and vision systems has been announced. The Vision Specialty includes NI Alliance Partners with experience in a range of industries, including consumer goods, food and beverage, pharmaceutics, robotics, electronics, automotive, semiconductor and medical imaging.

“For almost 15 years, NI has provided software and hardware tools for vision applications to help engineers and scientists meet a diverse set of challenges,” said Tony Vento, vice president of systems assurance and partners at National Instruments. “By establishing the new Vision Specialty, we’re recognizing the expertise of our top Alliance Partners in the vision space.”

“By building on the advanced core technologies of the NI vision platform, Cyth Systems has created solutions using classifiers and neural networks, allowing us to continue innovating in the machine vision world,” said Andy Long, CEO of Cyth Systems. “We’re excited to be recognized for our capabilities in building specialized automation and inspection solutions within the NI Alliance Partner Network.”

The following Alliance Partners are inaugural members of the Vision Specialty program:
• Alliance Vision – Montelimar, (F)
• Cyth Systems – San Diego, (CA USA)
• Graftek Imaging, Inc. – Austin (TX USA)
• Qualimatest – Plan-les-Ouates (CH)

Instrumentation & system design

New ISA Edition Provides In-Depth Description of Successful Instrumentation and Control Design Process

As automation systems, worth nearly €52 billion ($65b), near the end of their traditional life cycle, the necessity to understand the design process has never been more critical to engineers, technicians and managers. The latest edition of Successful Instrumentation and Control Systems Design,  from the ISA stable, will help to achieve that understanding.

This edition delves into the business of design engineering and describes the ideal design package. It provides a roadmap to understanding the design process, which includes elements of a successful project, what specific issues to address and the engineering products that enable a successful practical design and maintenance plan.

The second edition presents a major revision to the first by introducing the concept of Integrated Control Systems (ICS). It includes chapters on Control Systems Integrator (CSI) and Control Panel Fabricator (CPF); and describes the interplay between them and the electrical and instrumentation and controls (I&C) engineer. Several sections have been added to give the reader more tools for managing projects or for anticipating the needs of the project manager. Some of the techniques for leading and participating in project meetings are presented from the viewpoint of turning potential time-wasters into time-savers. A bonus CD-ROM is included with new updates and figures.

Michael D. Whitt's, who edits,  experience includes 15 years with Raytheon Engineers and Constructors in the I&C department, first as an I&C supervisor and later as a lead systems integrator. He spent six years with Mesa Associates, Inc., as I&C department manager where he was responsible for instrumentation engineering and design, systems integration and panel fabrication groups and, an additional five years at Mesa, as a program manager for integrated control systems.

Logging temperature in smoke houses, ovens etc...

The RFOT is a wireless meat temperature data logger from Madgetech. The product has recently been enhanced with a new rugged probe that features a 3/16” straight diameter. The new probe design increases the products’ strength and durability, making it able to withstand harsher handling.

It is specifically designed for use in the cooking, cooling and storing of meat products. The device measures, records and wirelessly transmits internal product temperature readings back to a central computer for instant real-time monitoring. The instrument never needs to be connected to a computer as it has been designed for two way wireless communication. Full communication can be performed directly from a central PC. In addition to wirelessly transmitting data, the RFOT also stores each reading to internal memory for backup.

It can be used in smoke houses, ovens and other cooking processes up to 212°F (100°C) as well as refrigerators and freezers down to -4°F (-20°C). The device is equipped with a water-tight enclosure, making it easy to clean, and allowing the data logger to withstand wash down cycles.

MadgeTech’s easy to use software features user programmable critical control points, called “cooling flags” to assist in compliance with USDA Appendix B. The “cooling flags” are automatically annotated on the graph and tabular data views. The summary tab provides the cool down duration between each critical control point. The data can also be automatically exported to Excel® for further calculations.

Accessing controllers via iPad or iPhone

Control Technology Corporation (CTC), the manufacturer of automation controllers that integrate motion control, I/O, user interfaces, and enterprise connectivity, has released CTC qMon™, a free iPhone/iPad app that provides read/write access to your CTC controller. This app can access I/O, registers, flags and motion on Model 2700 and 5000 series controllers.

"qMon moves CTC's PC-based CTCmon utility to a platform that our customers have with them everywhere they go," said Tom Schermerhorn, CTC President. "It is always available to check on controller status and optimize system operation. For this reason it has already generated tremendous interest among our customers."

qMon can be used to reset counters, change setpoints, or review production data. It is available now for free download to iPhone or iPad from apple.com's App Store; a demo [ctcdemo.ctc-control.com] may be entered into the IP Address field to test a live controller. Visit CTC-s website for additional information on qMon set-up and operation.