Manufacturing AUTOMATION magazine

"Canada's leading publication providing industrial automation news and technology information aimed at the discrete and process industries."

E-newsletter
September 2007
Volume 5, Issue 9

Today's e-newsletter is sponsored by...

In this issue

From the editor: 'Tis the season for change
In the news

Ontario helps Oshawa recover from layoffs
Loan program expanded to meet trades training demand in B.C.
Kepware acquires COI Software
Challenges drive PLC market growth

People watching
Product focus: Electronic components
Mark your calendars

Today's e-newsletter is sponsored by...

From the editor

'Tis the season for change

September is a time for change. Students head back to class after summer break, the leaves begin to change colour and businesses begin to plan for the year ahead. Indeed, it's the season for change. I am headed for some changes of my own – motherhood. This will be my last newsletter for a year, but don't worry, you'll still receive breaking news each month. Alison Dunn, a freelance writer and former editor of Manufacturing AUTOMATION, will be replacing me while I'm on maternity leave. Alison has been writing about the manufacturing industry for seven years, covering automation technologies, advanced manufacturing techniques, wireless technologies, safety and security. With Alison's experience in the industrial arena, I know that the magazine will be in good hands while I'm away. Please feel free to send her an e-mail (editor@automationmag.com) with your story ideas or thoughts on our publication, e-newsletter and website, or introduce yourself at an industry event. She'll be happy to hear from you.

As for me, I'll see you next year.

All the best,

Mary Del Ciancio
Editor
mdelciancio@clbmedia.ca

Online!
The features and columns from our September 2007 issue are now available on our website, www.automationmag.com.
Click below for a direct link to the article of interest.

Cover story: Canada's productivity revisited
We sit down once again with our editorial advisory board to discuss trends and challenges in the industrial automation industry, including the status of the Canadian market, skilled trades and safety issues, as well as innovation in Canada.

Feature: RFID
Intier Seating manufactures seats for Ford's Edge and MKX assembly plant. The supplier is charged with precisely and reliably tracking product flow during manufacturing through shipping so that the order in which goods are built and loaded for shipment exactly matches Ford's delivery requirements. We take a look inside the company's Mississauga, Ont.-based manufacturing plant to uncover how Intier, with help from Escort Memory Systems, solved this challenge using RFID technology.

Feature: Programmable control
Integrating shop floor and back-office data provides a holistic view of a production environment and enables management to better plan and schedule projects. One tool responsible for driving this level of efficiency is intelligent numerical controls. This article, supplied by Exact JobBOSS, examines best practices in integrating intelligent numerical controls with ERP systems to create automation and efficiency, and streamline business processes from the shop floor to the top floor.

Stay tuned!
The October 2007 issue of Manufacturing AUTOMATION will include:

Cover story: Data acquisition
Customer service and satisfaction are critical for success in any industry. With that in mind, a large chemical manufacturer implemented automated data collection technology to improve its productivity and efficiency, thus improving customer satisfaction. We take a look at the implementation, challenges and the return on investment the company has seen since automating its data collection.

Feature: Motion control
Today's fast-changing, highly competitive global marketplace is driving many system and machine designers to aggressively seek greater machine performance at lower costs. This feature will examine how integrating motion and logic in a scalable hardware package can help fulfill this need.

Feature: Machine vision
It takes vision to achieve success. Literally. We take a look at how Comact Optimization Inc., a Boisbriand, Que.-based developer of sawmill technology and equipment, uses machine vision to help its customers optimize yields in the highly competitive lumber industry.

* New column: Machine safety
In our most recent reader survey, safety products and services emerged as the technology that the majority of our readers plan to invest in during the next 12 months. With that in mind, we've decided to include a safety column in each issue that covers what you need to know about machine safeguarding, including risk assessment, standards and solutions. In this issue, Michael Wilson, a machine safeguarding specialist with the Industrial Accident Prevention Association, will discuss risk assessment and how it affects safeguarding solutions and processes.

Plus: News, appointment announcements and trends, as well as a selection of the latest motion control technology, test and measurement equipment, data acquisition products, sensors, machine vision offerings, and hydraulics and pneumatics products.

Today's e-newsletter is sponsored by...

In the news

Ontario helps Oshawa recover from layoffs
OSHAWA, Ont. — The Ontario government says it will work with the city of Oshawa and community partners to develop a community-wide strategy to help the city recover from recent layoffs at major manufacturing plants.
For the full story, click here.

Loan program expanded to meet trades training demand in B.C.
VICTORIA, B.C. — To help meet the growing demand for trades training, the British Columbia student loan forgiveness program has been expanded to include technology education teachers.
For the full story, click here.

Kepware acquires COI Software
PORTLAND, Maine — Kepware Technologies, a communications software provider, recently purchased all rights to the COI Software brand, website and iSNMP products, including COI Software's patent on ''System and Method for Integrating Process Control and Network Management.''
For the full story, click here.

Challenges drive PLC market growth
DEDHAM, Mass. — Rapid manufacturing growth is resulting in healthy growth for PLCs and all segments of automation products and services, according to a new ARC Advisory Group study, Programmable Logic Controller Worldwide Outlook.
For the full story, click here.

Today's e-newsletter is sponsored by...

People watching

New faces at Intermec
EVERETT, Wash. — Intermec, Inc. recently announced the appointment of Barry Issberner to the role of vice-president, global marketing. Most recently, Issberner was vice-president of global marketing for Nokia Corporation. In addition to his expertise in mobile computing and his marketing background, he brings with him experience in the automated data capture industry as a former vice-president at Symbol Technologies. The company also named Phil Danner vice-president of engineering, succeeding Mike Abel, who has taken a position as vice-president of program management with the company. Danner joins Intermec after a 15-year career with General Electric, where he served in numerous positions, including engineering and quality leader, staff master black belt, vice-president of technology and chief technology officer. His most recent position was as vice-president of engineering, global signalling, for GE's transportation business.
www.intermec.com

Invensys names chief software solutions officer
LAKE FOREST, Calif. — Engineering firm Invensys plc recently named Sudipta Bhattacharya its chief software solutions officer. Bhattacharya will be responsible for driving strategy and growing the Invensys and Wonderware software solutions business. He was previously the senior vice-president of solutions management for supply chain, manufacturing and product lifecycle applications at SAP America, Inc. He has 17 years of experience in managing and building global teams across the U.S., Europe and India.
www.invensys.com

Today's e-newsletter is sponsored by...

Product focus: Electronic components

Industrial Ethernet switches
The eAutomation Group of Advantech recently introduced the first three members of a new series of unmanaged industrial Ethernet switches. The switches are available in five-port (EKI-2525), eight-port (EKI-2528) and 10-port (EKI-7629C) configurations, with gigabit Ethernet capabilities and modular fibre optic cable connections. Features include dual 12 to 48 VDC power inputs, 4,000 VDC Ethernet ESD protection and power line surge protection of 3,000 VDC. The switches are designed to operate in temperatures from -10 to 60 C. Each Ethernet port is equipped with two front-facing LED indicators that provide link status, transmission speed, activity and collision status to aid in diagnosing cabling and attached device issues. In the event of a problem with external power, a built-in fault relay is available to signal an external controller or PLC.
Advantech Corporation
www.advantech.com

Connector
With stainless steel M12 connector housing, Murrelektronik's sensor plug is designed to fulfill the stringent requirements of the food and beverage industry. The connector conforms to the high protection of IP68 and IP69K, as well as the requirements of washing down with acidic or lye cleaning agents and corrosion protection. It can operate in temperatures up to 105 C, and is available in PVC cable or Santoprene 271 where FDA approvals are required. The connector is distributed in Canada by Ontor.
Ontor
www.ontor.com

More products can be found on our website.

Mark your calendars

ISA Expo 2007
October 2-4, 2007
Reliant Center, Houston, Texas
ISA Expo allows automation and control professionals to hear and share ideas, display and see state-of-the-art technologies and solutions, and examine key automation topics. In addition to the technical conference, ISA Expo 2007 will feature an exhibition with hundreds of companies displaying their latest products and services. For more information, visit www.isa.org.

Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show (CMTS)
October 15-18, 2007
Toronto, Ont.
With more than 600 manufacturers and distributors gathered under one roof, CMTS is the place to source and compare production technology and innovations. The show gives domestic and international manufacturers and distributors the opportunity to display manufacturing machinery, plant-floor automation technology and support products. Visit www.cmts.ca for more information.

InfraMation 2007
October 15-19, 2007
Las Vegas, Nev.
Hosted by Flir Systems, Inc. and the Infrared Training Center (ITC), the 8th annual InfraMation conference for professional infrared thermographers includes user-led presentations on infrared applications, ''how-to'' clinics, panel discussions and networking opportunities. Conference registration is available online at www.inframation.org/registration, or by calling 800-254-0632.

Intelligent Robotic Applications Forum
October 17-18, 2007
Mississauga, Ont.
At the forum, Fanuc Robotics Canada will demonstrate its latest intelligent robotic solutions for assembly, machine tending, packaging, bin picking, coating and arc welding. The event will feature robot system demonstrations, interactive presentations, and breakout seminars on the company's new LR Mate 200iC LEAN (light, efficient, accurate, nimble) robot and iRVision products. For more information, call 800-iQ-ROBOT, or register online at fanucrobotics.com/event5.

Bosch Rexroth Maintenance Seminar: Hydraulics Unplugged
October 23, 2007
Welland, Ont.
The seminar, to be held at the company's hydraulic manufacturing and service facility in Welland, Ont., is designed to help customers maintain their industrial hydraulic systems in optimum condition to minimize downtime and maximize revenues. Seminar topics include: factors affecting hydraulic reliability; predictive maintenance tools; demystifying oil analysis reports; internal infrastructure requirements; and establishing external resources. For more information, contact Christine Mastroianni at 905-735-0510, ext. 5133.

Automation Fair
November 14-15, 2007
Chicago, Ill.
Hosted by Rockwell Automation, the 16th annual event is a free educational forum featuring more than 100 exhibitors and 10,000 attendees from around the world. This year's event will showcase the latest ways manufacturers use industrial automation technology and services from Rockwell Automation and its partners to enable innovation. Visit www.automationfair.com for details.

A more comprehensive list of events can be found on our website.

The PowerPack Direct Response Card Deck, available online at http://cardpack.clbmedia.ca, brings the depth and breadth of the web together so you can reach industrial buyers! And we've made it easy for the online user to search by product, key word and company name. Plus, users have the choice of connecting directly to your website, e-mail a request directly to you, or print out the card for future reference!

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

If you would like to share your comments about this e-newsletter, or have a news tip for Manufacturing AUTOMATION, please e-mail Mary Del Ciancio, Editor.

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