Software & Communications
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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Get To The Root Cause
October 21, 2010 9:15 am | Product Releases | CommentsRCI (Hopewell, VA) has launched their PROACTOnDemand Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) version of its PROACT Root Cause Analysis Software application. Instant access to PROACT RCA software allows users to begin analysis instantly, and accommodates most common RCA methods. RCI supports users at every step with: An interactive “frequently asked questions” utility, along with movies, tutorials, and PDF manuals.
Get Better Benchmarking
August 19, 2010 6:18 am | Product Releases | CommentsIndustrial Press (New York, NY) has released the second edition of Benchmarking Best Practices , written by Terry Wireman. The book presents a logical, step-by-step methodology that will enable any company to conduct a cost-effective benchmarking effort. In addition, the book contains a benchmarking database from more than 100 companies and current maintenance/asset management philosophies.
ERP On Your iPhone
August 2, 2010 6:15 am | Product Releases | CommentsDeacom, Inc. (Wayne, PA) has developed the addition of mobile access technology to the DEACOM Integrated Accounting and ERP Software System for manufacturers of all sorts. Mobile DEACOM now gives accessibility to ERP data — including sales orders, purchase orders, production jobs, and consumer relationship management — via any smartphone device.
Prevent Cyber-Intrusions
July 1, 2010 5:01 am | Product Releases | CommentsIndustrial Defender, Inc. (Foxborough, MS) announced its Host Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS), an application whitelisting-based security solution that prevents malware attacks on control system servers and end-point devices. The HIPS is ideal for environments where it is critical to avoid the high overhead of software scanning operations, as well as the administrative overload of anti-virus patch updates.
Workflows Get Logical
June 25, 2010 8:16 am | Product Releases | CommentsProfessional Systems Associates (Panama City, FL) has developed the Process Workflow Engine (PWE) for its CMPRO software suite, which makes it easier to bring a company’s processes into the workflow of its product lifecycle management (PLM) activities. The new PWE can use conditional logic to control the workflow between steps and processes.
A Guide To Metal Bumping
June 3, 2010 6:59 am | Product Releases | CommentsA new edition of “The Key to Metal Bumping” is now available from Martin Tool & Forge (Fort Worth, TX). The book has been used since its first edition, published in 1939, as a work of reference in technical schools and professional shops. By maintaining close relationships with professionals in the field, Martin Tool & Forge has developed new technologies and updates to its long-running publication.
No More Spreadsheets
May 25, 2010 8:45 am | Product Releases | CommentsFluke Corporation (Everett, WA) has introduced the Fluke Manual MET/CAL software, an application for calibration professionals who need to collect, store, and report calibration data consistently and efficiently. The MET/CAL offers a database-driven solution addressing the mechanical workload by providing all the tools needed to calibrate torque gages and tools.
See Into Machines
May 24, 2010 10:06 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe VisionView operator interface Cognex Corporation (Natick, MA) is a low-cost DIN rail-mount adapter that provides direct VGA output for the VisionView application software, allowing operators to connect to any size VGA monitor without a PC. The new hardware option enables operators to connect the VisionView VGA to an Ethernet network using an RJ-45 LAN cable, and at a resolution of 640 x 480 and 800 x 480, plus XGA resolutions of 1024 x 768.
Go Rubber For Performance
May 17, 2010 6:28 am | Product Releases | CommentsRobinson Rubber Products (Minneapolis, MN) has a new tool call the Molded Rubber Component Design Specification Checklist, which can be filled in online. A Robinson Rubber Engineer will evaluate your part requirements and provide a free, no-obligation way to investigate potential new methods to improve your product’s performance, life, weight, features, and assembly costs.
Manufacturing On Your iPhone
May 13, 2010 6:22 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Mechanical Engineering Tools of the Trade iPhone app from Martin Sprocket & Gear (Arlington, TX) allows for accessible power transmission information. The application includes 200 key formulas and conversions used by industrial professions, making notepads and calculators obsolete.
A Voice-Guided Warehouse
May 10, 2010 7:26 am | Product Releases | CommentsVoxware (Hamilton, NJ) has developed Voxware 3, a voice-recognition software suite for manufacturing facilities and warehouses. The Adaptive Voice Framework is customizable and highly flexible, according to the company, allowing customers to alter their voice control as their manufacturing assets grow from one warehouse to three, for example.
Think For Free
March 31, 2010 12:18 pm | Product Releases | CommentsAutomationDirect (Cumming, GA) has announced that it will now offer its Think & Do programming software for the WinPLC processor for free. The Demo version can be used to create software applications with Think & Do, which can be downloaded to an unlimited number of WinPLC targets.
Prevent Forklift Heists
March 31, 2010 12:18 pm | Product Releases | CommentsKeytroller, LLC (Tampa, FL) introduces a new 215 generation START-SMART keypad ignition system designed for tough conditions. No keys means no unauthorized, no untrained operators, and no “borrowing” of equipment. The START-SMART system replaces the ignition key with a sealed and potted keypad, which can also be RFID-enabled.
Be A Professional Designer
March 25, 2010 7:15 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe MarkWare Lean Communication Software from Brady (Milwaukee, WI) can be used to quickly design professional signs, labels, and tags. The Lean Tools edition of the software helps manufacturers simplify machine setup and identify operation abnormalities through the use of visual equipment controls on gauges, oil sight tubes, drive train belts, and other machine components.
Get A Rigid Grip On Management
March 8, 2010 9:29 am | Product Releases | CommentsRIDGID (Orlando, FL) has launched RIDGIDConnect, an online business tool designed for service professionals to securely share and store job site information via a computer, laptop, or smart phone. The online suite can store job site photos or videos, job reports, maintenance records, customer lists, and other files needed for recordkeeping.
Keep An Eye On Logistics
February 18, 2010 8:14 am | Product Releases | CommentsTECSYS, Inc. (Montreal, Canada) announces the EliteSeries 8 Visual Logistics, which enables customers to streamline putaway, picking and packing, and achieve a high order accuracy. The new version is founded on web-based technology that communicates the “what, when, where, why, and how” of plant logistics.
Stoody Ordering, Simplified
February 10, 2010 7:03 am | Product Releases | CommentsStoody (St. Louis, MO) announces a new system that eliminates the need to place separate purchase orders for Stoody and other Thermadyne products. The new system will enable customers to order all Thermadyne-branded products on a single order, with the total order being applied to free freight minimums.
Upgrade Your ERP Solution
January 28, 2010 8:12 am | Product Releases | CommentsDeacom, Inc. (Wayne, PA) has released a new version of the DEACOM ERP Software System, which incorporates design changes to the main menu and enhancements to specific functionality. The new menu contains all the functional areas that are managed in the single system, such as purchasing, sales, inventory control, and production.
Know Where You're Hurt
January 19, 2010 5:01 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe HurtSpot magnetic body-diagram whiteboard from Magnatag (Macedon, NY) shows the places of common injuries and provides a visual representation of the number of injuries better than regular reports, according to the company. By identifying the parts of the body where injuries occur, along with the number of occurrences, the HurtSpot can call attention to accident patterns, making workers more aware and careful.
Integrated Motion, Integrated Solutions
November 17, 2009 11:16 am | Product Releases | CommentsRockwell Automation (Anaheim, CA) has announced a series of products and enhancements to provide closed- and open-loop drive control on EtherNet/IP with Integrated Motion. Users can now control the Allen-Bradley Kinetics 6500 servo drive and PowerFlex 755 AC drive on EtherNet/IP using Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) and CIP Sync technology, in addition to the RSLogix 5000 software.
OnLine Programming Ups Versatility
November 17, 2009 11:14 am | Product Releases | CommentsGE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms (Charlottesville, VA) has announced the release of its latest VersaMax Micro Plus controller firmware revision 4.0. The new OnLine Programming feature enables the user to edit and download logic to the PLC without stopping it, which saves significant downtime and potential expense for lost productivity and scrap.
Gas Leak Simulator
November 10, 2009 10:57 am | Product Releases | CommentsGassonic (Redlands, CA) has developed the first gas leak simulation tool for ultrasonic gas detection, which helps demonstrate the major advantages of implementing ultrasonic detectors for high-pressure gas leaks. The system responds to the distinctive ultrasound created by the leak without having to wait for gas to accumulate (conventional point detector) or within a narrow beam (open path gas detector).
Catalogs In The Third Dimension
November 3, 2009 9:43 am | Product Releases | CommentsPARTsolutions (Milford, OH) has expanded its partnership with Hamilton Caster to supply and embed its 3D cataloguing software directly to the Hamilton website. When Hamilton wanted to make CAD a more integral part of its customers’ product selection, PARTsolutions offered their software, which can help automate the process of creating, migrating, and translating 3D content.
Map Out Your Failures
November 2, 2009 7:44 am | Product Releases | CommentsA new book from Industrial Press titled Failure Mapping , offers techniques on how to enhance company effectiveness through failure maps that describe past failures accurately and succinctly. The book has been written specifically for professionals working in all levels of maintenance, including managers, engineers, and consultants.
Be A Video Historian
November 2, 2009 3:17 am | Product Releases | CommentsLongwatch, Inc. (Norwood, MA), developer of the Video Historian for Video MES applications, has announced support of the Wonderware ActiveFactory trend chart object. This allows users to link plant video directly Wonderware’s graphical data trends charts automatically.
