http://www.isa.org/ InTech provides the most thought-provoking and authoritative coverage of automation technologies, applications, and strategies to enhance automation professionals’ on-the-job success. en-us Sat, 06 Apr 2013 15:52:01 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92924 Creating products from raw materials in pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and other process plants depends on intricate process systems executing numerous steps or unit operations. To ensure efficiency, quality, and safety, precise measurements must be taken during the various stages of production. Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92924 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92250 Grounding and shielding is many times referred to as being almost mystic, but effective grounding and shields work on solid engineering principles. There are four paths that let undesired signals get into a system: magnetic or inductive coupling, capacitive coupling from high-speed voltage changes (dV/dt), direct coupling, and radiated, or RF, coupling. One may not be able to predict the exact path a noise signal takes, just as one cannot predict the exact path of lightning. But one knows how to limit the chances of getting struck. Lightning is nothing more than one of the most powerful EMI events. Manufacturers typically provide connection recommendations on how to minimize EMI and other electrical noise issues on their products. Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92250 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92620 How to get accurate data and perform reliable control from systems designed for the rigors of industrial applications Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=92620 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=90793 End users and manufacturers have learned a lot about Fieldbus since its early prototypes were rolled out in the late 1990s. Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=90793 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=90156 For more than two decades, maintenance managers and engineers at plants and mills have had a chance to use control valve diagnostics as help when planning shutdown activities. Mon, 06 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=90156 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=89682 The ISA-88 standard has had a major impact on increasing productivity in industries where batch manufacturing is used ... Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=89682 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=89188 From predictive maintenance to remote diagnostics, discover how easy it can be to make HART work for you Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=89188 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=89788 Nearly every automation system supplier, consultant, control theory professor, and user has a favorite set of PID tuning rules. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=89788 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=87841 Remote sites include locations such as telecommunications shelters, cellular towers, water/wastewater treatment plants, railroad bungalows, and HVAC systems. Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=87841 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=87289 Typical thermocouples are very simple, consisting only of two dissimilar conductors joined at one end and connected to instrumentation at the other end. Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=87289 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=86957 Weight is a significant factor in multiple industries, including recycling, material handling, logistics, aggregates, and food and beverage. Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=86957 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=86250 Our collective demand for power continues to grow and is projected to double in the next 20 years. Thu, 02 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=86250 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=85654 The reduction in inventories, coupled with changing market demands and fluctuations in raw material and energy prices, requires a process plant to respond as fast as possible for optimum operation. Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=85654 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=85272 This is the second of a two-part article on Ethernet switches and routers. The first part dealt with switches, and this second part deals with routers. Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=85272 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=84858 When you go to a computer store to purchase a device that will access the Internet, they will try to sell you a router. Thu, 03 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=84858 http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisp