Control & monitoring.

Web-based or wireless monitoring, combined temperature and pressure sensing, cost-saving modularity, and better ways to display and report process and production data are some of the advances in control and monitoring that will be presented at this year's NPE.

One development that could have the broadest implications is Watlow's new EZ-Zone ST modular "integrated architecture" for temperature control loops. It combines the six separate elements of a typical loop into five snap-together modules that eliminate half the usual wiring terminations and a lot of associated cost. All modules communicate digitally for easy diagnostics.

Eurotherm has developed two new melt-pressure controllers, as well as a special, multi-loop process control that is easily scaleable into a control or plant network at low cost. The company says its T2550 Scalable Programmable Automation Controller with Ethernet communication is its first to bundle full configurable process control and I/O in a compact field-mountable base plate and termination assembly. Also new from Eurotherm are new versions of its MACO and EM3 integrated machine controls designed to be cost-effective for small injection machines and extruders, respectively.

Three firms--Dynisco, Terwin Instruments, and Transducers Direct--are exhibiting new combination melt-pressure/temperature sensors. At least one allows simultaneous readout of both parameters.

Process & production monitoring

Mattec looks to give your productivity a boost with its new 7.0 version ProHelp EPM process and production monitoring system. It has a new option to generate RFID barcoding labels, and also brings just-in-time scheduling based on a Kanban lean manufacturing principle. Moldflow has added improved SPC/SQC monitoring and analysis capabilities to new version 2.1 of its Celltrack system.

Factory Intelligence Network developed new reporting software that issues reports from user-selected plant-floor monitoring data. Priamus will roll out a new Shop Floor Control that manages on a central server process data generated from cavity-pressure and temperature signals from each machine. PlastiSoft will show the latest developments in its ERP software, which is specifically for film extrusion and converting. And Kistler Instrument is rolling out its first injection molding process monitor.

Eurotherm offers a new Web-based machine diagnostics system that is easy to configure. It stores process data on modules at each press, but data from any press is viewable remotely over the web using a simple browser. RJG is also introducing a Web-based system that integrates its eDart process monitor with real-time production monitoring, scheduling, and reporting on one system.

Meanwhile, IQMS has added a module that can update its Enterprise IQ ERP system with shop-floor data wirelessly in real time. Real-time Web-based MRP software from Liad of Israel will be marketed here for the first time by Fasti USA.

Other ERP systems will be shown by CMS software, Cyframe, DTR Plastics Solutions, Factory Intelligence Network, Made2Manage, and Syscon-PlantStar.

Exhibitor Listings Includes temperature, pressure, and position sensors and controls; process and production monitoring systems; and manufacturing software. New developments appear in boldface type.

ACTION INSTRUMENTS

Booth 5037

Offers signal isolators and conditioners, temperature/process indicators, heat sinks, limit alarms, power supplies, and remote data loggers.

ARICO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.

Booth 4690

Offers temperature controllers, hot-runner controllers, injection molding and extruder controllers, heater power regulators, solid-state relays, load cells, and position and pressure transducers, indicators, and alarms.

ASCON CORP.

Booth 4170

Offers complete machine data-acquisition and control systems, including injection molding controls, panel-mount controllers, and multi-function DIN rail modules with a variety of fieldbus communication protocols.

ATHENA CONTROLS INC.

Booth 5733

Showing new Platinum series of universal digital controllers, such as C10 versions with a 1/32 DIN controller/indicator and transmitter, and lower-priced M10 line in 1/16 DIN with single display.

ATRIX INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Booth 325

Manufactures production and process monitoring system for injection and blow molding.

B&L INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Booth 7118

Offers Odyssey enterprise software designed specifically for plastics processors. Suite of integrated modules to provide management information.

BARBER-COLMAN

See Eurotherm Controls.

BAUMULLER

Booth 7409

Makes motion-control systems, including control cabinets, motors and converters, controllers, and software.

BEAR TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Booth 11025

Supplies the Tracker, a Windows-based production/process monitoring system.

BOSCH REXROTH CORP.

Booth 4739

Manufactures controls for motion, position, sequence, or logic functions.

CAL CONTROLS INC.

Booth 1340

Supplies autotuning temperature and pressure controls with digital interface, plus temperature sensors, solid-state relays, process controllers, and monitoring and networking software.

CARLO GAVAZZI

Booth 9720

Showing new line of switching power supplies up to 240W and variable-frequency drives. Also supplies level controls, motor controllers, current/voltage and phase monitors, digital panel meters, temperature controls, PLCs, inductive sensors, and solid-state-relays.

CMS SOFTWARE

Booth 532 (Exhibiting with Mattec)

Offers integrated ERP software solutions with comprehensive functionality for plastics molders and component suppliers. Can be integrated with Mattec ProHelp shop-floor monitoring system.

CONTINENTAL INDUSTRIES

Booth 5037 (Exhibiting with Eurotherm Controls)

Offers complete engineering and automation solutions for injection, extrusion, and blow molding, including temperature, pressure, and motion controllers; sensors; power controllers; recorders; signal conditioners; and plant-wide automation software.

CYFRAME

Booth 326

Canadian software provider offers integrated web-based ePlant ERP system for custom processors and toolmakers. Has specific components for injection, extrusion, blow molding, blown film, converting, tooling, and distribution. Also offers automated PLC data-acquisition technology for real-time production efficiency reporting.

DANAHER INDUSTRIAL CONTROLS

See PMA.

DELTA COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC. Booth 6157

Introducing RMC75E one- or two- axis motion controller that supports Ethernet communication. Demonstrating position and pressure control.

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Booth 5171

Offers complete remanufacturing of controls and circuit boards and repairs for temperature controls, PLCs, motors, drives, and other components. Also offers PID temperature controllers, analog controllers, and hot-runner controllers.

DTR PLASTICS SOLUTIONS

Booth 5833 (Exhibiting with Made2Manage Systems)

Offers its DTR Plastics ERP system for injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, bag and film processing, and thermoforming. Provides comprehensive manufacturing, distribution, and financial-management tools.

DUREX INDUSTRIES

Booth 4626

Showing thermocouples and temperature controls.

DYNISCO LLC 

Booth 5016

Introducing three FFX pressure transmitters with Foundation fieldbus compatibility and Melt Monitor pressure sensors with integral display for extruders. Optional built-in temperature sensor allows simultaneous display of temperature and pressure.

EPCO LLC

Booth 1469

Machine rebuilding and modification services for injection and blow molding include control upgrades.

EUROTHERM CONTROLS

Booth 5037

Introducing MACO Compact machine-control system for small injection machines and EM-3c extrusion control system for smaller extruders, a smaller version of its EM-3 extrusion control system. Also introducing Maco Breeze II parison controller for a wide variety of blow molding machines and stand-alone Web-based machine diagnostics system--an easy-to-configure, user-selectable, PC-based data-acquisition system. Also presenting new 328i melt-pressure controller (1/8 DIN) with Quick Start Wizard to simplify setup. Also displaying new 3504 melt-pressure controller for plastics, T2550 scalable programmable automation controller with Ethernet communication, and other temperature and process controllers, contactors, discrete controls, T800 visual supervisor, and MACO products.

EXCEL INDUSTRIAL HEATERS PVT. LTD.

Booth 7825

Supplies thermocouples made in India.

FACTORY INTELLIGENCE NETWORK (FIN)

Booth 9440

Unveiling Report Server for automatic reporting of plant-floor data. Live presentations of FIN data-collection software.

FASTI USA INC.

Booth 5587

Introducing FIT controller for material loaders and real-time web-based MRP software developed by Liad Weighing & Control in Israel.

GAUMER CO. INC.

Booth 1256

Supplies control panels, temperature controllers, and thermocouples.

GEFRAN ISI, INC.

Booth 6328

Offers pressure, position, temperature, humidity, and load sensors. Also produces an extensive line of universal input, DIN-sized process indicators and controllers, including Geflex PID controllers with integral solid-state relay. Also manufactures complete machine-control systems solutions from the sensor level, through PLC networks to its own industrial PC.

GENTRAN

Booth 4444

Makes extrusion melt-pressure transducers.

GP:50

Booth 5836

Manufactures pressure and temperature transducers.

HCS HEATERS CONTROLS & SENSORS LTD.

Booth 8445

Manufactures digital, analog, and PID temperature controllers, limit controllers, thermocouple temperature recorders, temperature transmitters, relays, and sensors.

HOTSET CORP.

Booth 5891

Produces thermocouples and temperature controls.

IEEC-PBJ INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS PVT. LTD.

Booth 7631

Indian firm offers autotuned PID temperature controls, single- or multi-zone.

IFM EFECTOR, INC.

Booth 4258

Supplies level sensors, including capacitive and inductive proximity switches, photoelectric sensors, pressure switches, flow switches, level switches, and electronic temperature sensors.

INCLUDIS MANUFACTURING SOFTWARE INC.

Booth 225

Provider of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) for real-time manufacturing data acquisition and integration between Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and production process in discrete manufacturing.

INTELECS CONTROLS INC.

Booth 7230

Canadian developer of cost-effective and user-friendly process-control and automation solutions.

IQMS

Booth 338

Introducing wireless real-time production-monitoring module that links shop-floor production machines to its Enterprise IQ ERP software. Allows for reject/scrap counts, inventory updates, and production schedule updates. Will display and demonstrate entire suite of ERP software.

IRCON INC.

Booth 9328

Supplies infrared thermometers and thermal-imaging devices for mold inspection and monitoring film extrusion, wire coating, blow molding, and thermoforming.

KISTLER INSTRUMENT CORP.

Booth 3045

Introducing its first injection molding process monitor. Also showing cavity-pressure sensors and process-monitoring software. Will demonstrate zero-defect molding using its monitoring tools.

LAND INSTRUMENTS INTERNATIONAL

Booth 11426

Producers thermal imagers, monitors, and analyzers for infrared temperature measurement.

LIAD WEIGHING & CONTROL

Booth 5587(Exhibiting with Fasti)

Israeli firm offers eight-channel PWC programmable weighing controller.

MADE2MANAGE SYSTEMS INC.

Booth 5833

Provides industry-specific software to small and mid-size manufacturers, including ERP, supply-chain management, and other business software.

MATTEC CORPORATION

Booth 532

Introducing version 7.0 of ProHelp EPM production/process monitoring software, featuring new graphical presentation of the shop floor, new barcode options, and Kanban (lean manufacturing) scheduling, enhanced cavity-pressure graphing, and more charting and configuration choices. EPM shop-floor monitoring can now be integrated with ERP software from CMS Software, also present at the booth.

MKS INSTRUMENTS

Booth 7027

Supplies process controls, instruments, pressure and flow measurement and control.

MOLDFLOW CORP.

Booth 1470

Showing new version 4.2 of Mold-flow Plastics Xpert (MPX) injection molding setup, optimization, and control software. New viscosity control function adjusts melt temperature to maintain consistent flowability. Also new is Celltrack version 2.1 real-time software for job scheduling, work-order management, maintenance tracking, SPC/SQC, and barcoding. Now allows SPC monitoring of more variables and unlimited overlays of quality variables to aid diagnostics, as well as improved part traceability. MPX, Shotscope process monitor, and Altanium hot-runner controls now run on the same operator interface.

MTS SYSTEMS CORP., SENSORS DIV.

Booth 4594

Introducing R-Series synchronous serial encoder interface (SSD position sensor, said to be the world's fastest and most accurate magnetostrictive position sensor.

MULTIBA/HETRONIK

Booth 9533 (Exhibiting with Weco International)

Manufactures infrared heater controls for thermoforming machines, laminating machines, and curing ovens.

NICKERSON MACHINERY, DIV. OF MILACRON

Booths 1702, 1715

Catalog distributor of MRO molding supplies.

NORTHERN SUPPLY CO., DIV. OF MILACRON

Booths 1702, 1715

Stocks a wide variety of components and supplies for MRO.

OGDEN MANUFACTURING CO.

Booth 222

Unveiling ECRl-electronic chart recorder that records and displays process data graphically in real-time with new Observer I software for historical data analysis. Observer II software transmits real-time monitoring data and permits remote configuration through Ethernet link.

OMEGA HEATER CO.

Booth 5919

Supplies temperature controllers, sensors, and heater control panels.

PILZ AUTOMATION SAFETY L.P.

Booth 10131

Supplies safety control, monitoring, and signaling technology, sensors, programmable safety systems, and operator terminals for machines and processing plants.

PLASTISOFT CORP.

Booth 4442

Canadian firm offers job-costing and scheduling software for extrusion and converting. Provides Tori-Flex ERP solutions to mid-range flexible packaging producers and RIMMS ERP software for plastics recycling, compounding, and coloring.

PMA, A DANAHER INDUSTRIAL CONTROLS CO.

Booth 9039

Manufactures temperature and process controls, including new PMA high-end multi-function controllers, Partlow basic to mid-range analog and digital controllers and circle-chart recorders; and West basic to mid-range digital and bus-compatible controllers.

PRIAMUS SYSTEM TECHNOLOGIES AG

Booth 4270

Introducing miniature cavity-pressure sensors that are calibrated after they are assembled. Also presenting new Priamus Shop Floor Control, a central plant process-information system based on cavity-pressure and temperature signals. Also showing Priamus Fill and Priamus Monitor software.

PSG PLASTIC SERVICE GMBH

Booth 7415

Manufactures hot-runner temperature controls, switching technology, and diagnostic cabinets, as well as monitoring software and remote controls,

RAYTEK CORP.

Booth 6049

Introducing Marathon MM infrared vision temperature sensor with new precision variable focus that allows fast, easy, and accurate adjustment of focus on measurement targets. Also showing a range of infrared temperature sensors and imaging systems for plastics temperature monitoring and control.

RED LION CONTROLS

Booth 11231

Supplies process controls, digital and analog displays, control software, interfaces, and power supplies:

RJG, INC.

Booth 541

Introducing process control and production monitoring on one soft ware "core engine." This Web-based system integrates RJG's eDart process control with real-time production monitoring, scheduling and reporting Demonstrating eDart process control on a 1946 Van Dorn injection press,

RKC INSTRUMENT

Booth 4649

Introducing SRZ compact modular temperature/process-control system. Also exhibiting its FB series temperature/process controller.

SAGE SOFTWARE

Booth 7310

Offers end-to,end business management software for small and medium-sized firms.

SIEMENS ENERGY & AUTOMATION, INC.

Booth 5761

Supplies control systems for injection and blow molding, thermoforming, and extrusion featuring integrated logic and temperature/pressure-control functions.

SIMPLICON

Booth 10957

Launching vibration-resistant temperature sensors. Also showing thermocouples and PRTD platinum resistor thermometer.

SYSCON-PLANTSTAR

Booth 1218

Supplies manufacturing execution systems (MES) for real-time process and production monitoring. Offers full upload and download integration to MRP/ERP systems, scheduling, production reporting, labor tracking, material forecasting and tracking, barcoding, SPC/SQC reporting, and preventive-maintenance tools.

TEMPCO ELECTRIC HEATER CORP.

Booth 1815

Manufactures temperature sensors and controllers. Offers TEC series temperature controllers in 1/32 to 1/4 DIN sizes. Also supplies fuzzy-logic PID auto-tuning controls with up to four programmable outputs.

TERWIN INSTRUMENTS LTD.

Booth 10601

Launching single- and dual-channel process indicators, plus new low-cost melt-pressure/temperature transducers and transmitters. Also supplies extrusion melt-pressure transducers, transmitters, thermocouples, signal conditioners and controllers.

TRANSDUCERS DIRECT

Booth 9426

Demonstrating its newest TDM40/50 melt/hydraulic-pressure transducers and new melt pressure/temperature controllers as well as a broad line of transducers and sensors that can be retrofitted to any brand or model of equipment.

VAISALA, INC.

Booth 10838

Offers instruments for dewpoint and humidity measurement, which can be used in plastics dryers.

VIATRAN

Booth 5016

Supplies pressure transducers and transmitters and level transmitters.

WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING CO.

Booth 322

Introducing EZ-Zone ST integrated temperature-control loop, which packages six normally separate components of a control loop into five snap-together modules that communicate digitally with each other. This brand-new control architecture reduces wiring, saves space, and improves diagnostics.

WECO INTERNATIONAL

Booth 9533

Showing infrared heater controls from Multiba/Hetronik in Germany.