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It's Mardi Gras at ISA EXPO 2000. Nearly 750 displays and over 140 presentations, luncheons, and seminars will highlight this year's Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Exposition and Conference. Leading manufacturers will display their newest products, services, and technologies at the exposition, while the technical conference features plenary and technical sessions with paper and poster presentations, tutorials, and panel discussions. The conference has been themed around six major industry issues:

Automation and control

Emerging technologies

Management issues

Networking & communications

Productivity & flexibility

Safety & environmental concerns

Attendants will also be invited to attend the Integrated Manufacturing Solutions (IMS) EXPO 2000. It is heralded as the only event dedicated to integrating manufacturing data into the business process. The additional access to exhibitors and presentations on topics such as e-business, enterprise integration, and supply chain management is free with admission to ISA EXPO 2000. Additionally, the ISA Training Institute, which tries to help professionals keep pace with the rapid changes in industry through education, will offer Professional Development Hours (PDHs) for attendance at either event. Topics for the institute include Electrical Systems and Components, Industrial Networks, and Control Systems Safety. For more information on either exposition or conference, visit www.isamarketplace.org. Meanwhile, here are a few products you'll find while exploring the show floor.

Internet technology

The Web@aGlance product family is a multi-platform, client/server enabling technology for connecting people to real-time process manufacturing data. The company reports that the product will redefine client/server computing for enterprises everywhere—replacing proprietary systems with open, scalable web-based solutions that will deliver historical and real-time data. Their offering also includes Web OPC and the WizFactory and Unity project suites for industrial automation end users.

eMation Inc.

Booth 3441

Cabot Business Park 89 Forbes Blvd.

Mansfield, MA 02048

FAX (508) 337-9201

www.emation.com

For Information, circle 502

Tracking regulators

Tracking regulators maintain seal pressure differential automatically, even during system pressure changes. A range of pressure regulators extends seal life and eliminates frequent valve adjustments. Control pressures range from vacuum to 15,000 psig; flows range from C _v =0.02 to 8.0. A variety of construction materials is also offered.

Tescom—Industrial Controls Division

Booth 4211

12616 Industrial Blvd.

Elk River, MN 55330

FAX 612-241-3224

For Information, circle 503

Ethernet switch

The modular MACH 3000 Series backbone switch provides fast connections between industrial Ethernet rings. The unit's 40 Gbps switching bandwidth supports up to 40 Gigabit Ether connections or up to 160 Fast Ethernet ports. Designed for operation on layers 2 and 3+, users can add additional layer 3+ functions later, as well as wire-speed IP switching and other security functions.

Hirschmann

Booth 2349

30 Hook Mountain Rd.

Pine Brook, NJ 07058

FAX (973) 830-1470

www.hirschmann-usa.com

For Information, circle 504

Controller

Measuring 75x80x47 mm, the VersaMax Nano PLC reportedly offers 10 I/Os and high performance in a small space. Instructions include PID, floating-point math, subroutines, and serial read/write commands; memory is 2k words. The unit can support two 10-kHz counters, features three PWM outputs, and includes an RS-232 port that can be used for SNP Slave, Modbus RTU Slave, or serial I/O commands.

GE Fanuc Automation

Booth 3627

Box 229

Whitehall, PA 18052

FAX (610) 437-5212

www.gefanuc.com

For Information, circle 505

Transmitters

Supporting universal dc I/O ranges and self-configuration, 610T series transmitters receive current or voltage input signals, provide isolation, and output proportional current or voltage signals. The devices accept 0 to 100 mA and 100V dc input signals and supply 0 to 20 mA or 0 to 10V dc outputs. An optional external sensor adds 0 to 20A ac input support. Model 611 has one channel; model 612 is a dual-channel version.

Acromag Inc.

Booth 2109

Box 437

Wixom, MI 48393

FAX (248) 624-9234

www.acromag.com

For Information, circle 506

PC

Measuring 5.7×1.8×4.1 inches, the CE Box PC SH3H functions as an embedded system for monitoring and control. Powered by an 80-MHz Hitach SH3, the unit was designed for Windows CE applications. Features include: 16 Mbytes of memory, built-in Ethernet, a Compact Flash slot, two PC card slots, and two RS-232 ports with one switchable RS485 port. The computer operates from a 5V supply, accepts PC104 cards for additional I/O, and works with CRTs and LCDs.

Contec Microelectronics

Booth 1649

744 South Hillview Dr.

Milpitas, CA 95035

FAX (408) 719-6750

www.contecusa.com

For Information, circle 507

Junctions

Designed for use in hazardous areas, multibox®NAMUR junction boxes and cordsets eliminate multiple cable runs when wiring sensors and other discrete I/O devices. The junction boxes have four ports and one or two circuits per port with common positive or isolated circuits. The units are fully encapsulated, have rugged nylon housings, and are available with PLTC-rated integral cable and in quick-disconnect versions.

Turck Inc.

Booth 4409

3000 Campus Dr.

Plymouth, MN 55441

FAX (612) 553-0708

www.turck.com

For Information, circle 508

Enclosure

Due to the TS8 enclosure's symmetrical design, components can be bayed without using an intermediate frame. The patented 16-fold, dual-tubular frame design is compatible with the company's PS 4000 enclosure system. Inner and outer installation levels can be in use simultaneously, and hinging the side walls gives all-around access to installed equipment. Possible configurations include side by side, front to back, and corner, U, and T arrangements. The plenum in between the frame levels can be used for cable entry, ventilation, insulation, EMC protection, and more.

Rittal Corp.

Booth 3611

One Rittal Place

Springfield, OH 45504

FAX (937) 390-5599

www.rittal-corp.com

For Information, circle 509

Engine monitor

Advanced electronics in the type 2515 engine peak meter provide improved accuracy compared with mechanically operated versions. Quartz sensors record pressure curves. After recording several peak pressure cycles, the handheld instrument automatically stores a complete cylinder pressure curve. Weighing less than a pound, the unit operates for 20 hours from a standard 9V battery.

Kistler Instrument Corp.

Booth 1809

75 John Glenn Dr.

Amherst, NY 14228

FAX (716) 691-5226

For Information, circle 510

Air conditioners

Featuring closed-loop cooling to prevent internal air from mixing with ambient air, these air conditioners also collect and remove humidity from sealed enclosures. The units include a centrifugal blower or ball-bearing fan (depending on model), an EMI/RFI noise suppressor, digital display, preset thermostat control, painted steel bodies, and hanging brackets that allow single-person mounting. They can cool enclosed PLCs generating up to 200W of heat and producing a 35F temperature rise above ambient.

Hoffman

Booth 4327

900 Ehlen Dr.

Anoka, MN 55303

FAX (612) 942-6940

www.hoffmanonline.com

For Information, circle 511

Enclosures

These rugged enclosures are designed to prevent the risk of eruption in potentially explosive environments. Available in off-the-shelf sizes in aluminum, fiberglass, or stainless steel, the enclosures meet the requirements of Classes 1 and 2, Division 2, and Groups A, B, C, and D. Certification to regulatory standards is available on request. Reportedly, intrinsic safety protection affords time and cost saving advantages.

Rose+Bopla Enclosures

Booth 1819

7330 Executive Way

Frederick, MD 21704

FAX (301) 696-9494

For Information, circle 512

Valves

Series 66 lever isolation valves are stackable manifold liquid valves made of corrosion-resistant PEEK. Their speed, efficiency, and reliability suit them for such biomedical applications as DNA synthesis and pharmaceutical equipment. Series 99 Gen-Lock electric solenoid valves are high-speed, stainless-steel units for liquids and gases. A gasket seal lets the devices handle ultra-high-vacuum applications that require extremely low leak rates.

Parker Hannifin Corp.

Booth 3027

26 Clinton Dr. Unit 103

Hollis, NH 03049

FAX (603) 595-8080

For Information, circle 513

Gas measurement system

The GM 31 on-site gas measurement system consists of a transceiver, a probe that projects into the gas stream and measures across an 800-mm-wide gas column, and an air-purging unit that protects the optical surfaces from dirt and overheating. The transceiver and probe can mount in a chimney or duct with a single-attachment-point bracket. Evaluating the light emitted and received by the transceiver lets the system identify gases. Controls can be up to 1,200m from the measuring site; RS 422 and RS 232 interfaces enable system control and support. Remote diagnosis and maintenance are also possible via modem.

SICK Inc.

Booth 2000

6900 West 110th St.

Bloomington, MN 55438

FAX (612) 941-9287

www.sickoptic.com

For Information, circle 514