Control Equipment – 2001-11-01

Click on the above link to see Product of the Year finalists in this category.

By Staff November 1, 2001

Note to our readers: Product of the Year finalists are listed below. To view the products, please

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Safety touch buttons incorporate microcontrollers

STB self-checking optical touch buttons require no physical pressure to operate. The touch button switches when a light beam is broken by finger insertion. It is designed to eliminate hand, wrist, and arm stresses associated with repeated operation. Self checks are performed by diverse-redundant microcontrollers in the button circuitry. Banner Engineering Corp.; www.bannerengineering.com

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Pressure sensors have no moving parts

New programmable pressure sensors operate on the piezoresistive principle, which means no moving parts to wear out. The sensors are capable of measuring in either bar or psi units. Programming is achieved using pushbuttons on the front of the sensor and requires no pressure to set up. They have digital displays and are available in ac or dc with analog outputs, switching outputs, or both. Turck, Inc.; www.turck.com

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Fieldbus system allows rapid changeover

Junction, Tee, & Cable System is a fully connectorized fieldbus system offering systemwide plug-and-play convenience. System components include Foundation Fieldbus junctions and IP 67 tees with minifast connectors that streamline changeover and maintenance procedures. The junction housing is rated NEMA 1, 2, 3, 3R, 4, 4X, 5, 12, and 13; and IP 65 and 66. The cord sets are rated IP 67 and NEMA 4. InterlinkBT; www.interlinkbt.com

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Temperature controller requires no programming

Model 2110 single-loop temperature controller can be configured and operated without programming. Sensor types are selected using external switches and include J and K thermocouples, and RTD. Control mode can be either on-off or proportional-integral (PI). The controller package is 1/4 DIN requiring less than 4 in. behind its mounting surface. Chromalox; www.chromalox.com

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LCD monitor saves space

StealthVU industrial LCD monitors are designed to withstand shop floor environments. They are intended for HMIs and applications where space is at a premium. Sizes range from 6.4-in. to 20-in. diagonal. They are available in panel, rack, and open frame style NEMA 4/4X enclosures. Options include touch screen, stainless steel NEMA 4X, high brightness, custom enclosures, and various mounting arrangements. Stealth Computer Corp.; www.stealthcomputer.com

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Control system combines electronics/pneumatics

AirLINE Type 8644 remote process actuation and control system combines pneumatic actuation and electronic control in one modular device. It offers centralized intelligence with remote I/O and actuation, supports common fieldbus protocols (Profibus, DeviceNET, Interbus, etc.), and supports level, flow, analytical, pressure, and temperature control functions. Burkert Contromatic Corp.; www.burkert-usa.com

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Flat panel display supports multiple applications

PanelMate Pro LT 1100 operator interface offers high-end performance for small application needs. Features include 7.4-in. grayscale and 7.7-in. color, dual-scan, flat panel display, full VGA, touch screen or keypad, and audio output. It supports applications with up to 64 I/O references, up to 5000 messages and 100 pages, templates and custom graphics, and other features. Eaton Corp., Cutler-Hammer Industrial Controls; www.eaton.com

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I/O nodes are independently configured

The Fieldpoint 2000 family of network modules is useful for creating reliable, stand-alone measurement and control solutions. Configurable software and modular, networked hardware support system development, deployment, and maintenance. Each I/O node can act as an independent component in a networked system while communicating with a host Windows-based computer. National Instruments; www.ni.com

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Controller retunes itself

PXR4 temperature/process controller features self tuning. It automatically retunes the controller under certain conditions, without the need to revert to autotuning. It also includes autotuning and fuzzy control. The controller is housed in a 1/16 DIN package with a large LED display. The faceplate is watertight and corrosion resistant. The standard 8-segment ramp/soak feature has been expanded to include two patterns that can be linked to create a 16-step profile. TTI, Inc.; www.ttiglobal.com

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Translator converts multiple protocols

The FS-B2010 Protocol Translator enables various devices and systems to interface regardless of the protocol. It accepts and translates standard available protocols such as Modbus, DF1, DH+, Ethernet/IP, Lonworks, Yorktalk, CB Hawk, Profibus, and BACnet. Drivers can be developed for proprietary protocols. Configuration files can be downloaded via the serial or Ethernet ports. FieldServer Technologies; www.fieldserver.com

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