Message From The Editor
The summer is quickly coming to an end and with it much of our vacation time, however that doesn’t mean we have nothing to look forward to. In an industry that is advancing as fast as automation and control there is always something exciting on the horizon. Systems Integrators continue to create ever smart control systems as detailed by Joe Matheys of Rockwell Automation. And Siemens has released its restructured outlook for the next two years. And be sure to participate in our industry survey for your chance to win 1 of 5 Phoenix Contact tool kits and to contribute in developing national picture of the industry.
Owen Hurst
Managing Editor
owenhurst@kerrwil.com
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Creating Smarter Systems
How Systems Integrators Can Create Smarter Electrical Control Systems
By Joe Matheys, Rockwell Automation
Industrial companies expect visibility into every aspect of new or upgraded plants, including their electrical control system. Now, the pressure is on integrators to help connect these systems and make their real-time data available to workers. But traditional electrical control systems don't easily integrate into connected operations. These hard-wired systems typically exist separately from a plant's process control system. And their data is often only available in an e-house or substation, meaning workers need to enter potentially hazardous areas to access it. Facing these challenges, more system integrators are choosing to use intelligent packaged power solutions.
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Looking Ahead
Siemens Sets Future Course with Vision 2020+
Siemens is setting the course for long-term value creation through accelerated growth and stronger profitability with a simplified and leaner company structure. The main aim of the Vision 2020+ company strategy is to give Siemens' individual businesses significantly more entrepreneurial freedom under the strong Siemens brand in order to sharpen their focus on their respective markets. Plans also call for strengthening the company's growth portfolio through investments in new growth fields such as IoT integration services, distributed energy management and infrastructure solutions for electric mobility. The concentrated expansion of industrial digitalization will make a further contribution.
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Connector Focus
Harting: Connectors Outperform Hardwiring for Manufacturers and their Customers
Industrial connectors or hardwiring? More and more machine builders comparing the cost of using both wiring approaches in their operations find connectors more economical and practical. Many thousands of equipment manufacturers have switched from point-to-point (hard) wiring to connector-based cable assemblies in factory and process automation and control systems. Adopting progressive connectivity solutions has improved their unit costs and productivity. It allows them to turn around orders and complete installations much faster.
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New Partners
PILZ Canada appoints Systematic Fluid Power Ltd. as a new distribution partner for South-Western Ontario
As a world leader in Safety Automation, we appoint Systematic Fluid Power Ltd. to be our new distribution partner for the South-Western Ontario region. Systematic Fluid Power Ltd. located in Kitchener, specializes in distribution of automation parts and systems along with the newest pneumatic technology. Pilz Canada, continues to grow and gain sound sales momentum in the automation safety industry. Having Systematic Fluid Power as a partner will help us serve the rapidly growing customer base and the demand for our safety products.” says Andreas Sobotta, CEO & General Manager of Pilz.
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Changing Scene
- JMP Solutions Named One of Canada's Top 50 Best Workplaces® Six Years in a Row
JMP Solutions today announced that it is being named as one of this year's Best Workplaces™ in Canada for medium-sized companies given by the Great Place to Work® Institute. JMP has been a certified Great Place to Work® now for six years in a row.
- Omron Automation appointment to support the Machine Safety Services Market in Canada
Omron Canada Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Joaquin to the position ofSafety Services Specialist. Reporting directly to Brett Lupton, Sales Manager, Advanced Sensing &Safety, Michael will be responsible for Omron's strategic and tactical actions to increase sales within all of Omron's key industries, which include Automotive, Food, Beverage, Packaging, Pharmaceutical as well as Infrastructure and Government.
- ISA Honours Excellence Award Honorees Including Several Canadians
The International Society of Automation (ISA) celebrates the Excellence Award honorees for 2018. ISA's Celebrating Excellence Awards honor companies and individuals, both members and non-members, for significant contributions in leadership, technical innovation, and contributions to education that have advanced the profession.
- 3 Phase Power Systems Solar Project Generates Power and Interest
The City of Prince George has installed BC's first solar-powered parking lot, and we at 3Phase Power got the honour of designing its electrical panel. Like an idea straight out of a sci-fi novel, the recent pilot project saw the installation of a 20-square-metre area of solar panels in the parking lot at city hall.
- Visit the Weidmuller Power Microsite for PCB and Device Engineers
Weidmuller North America has launched the "OMNIMATEPower Microsite" to provide engineers and PCB specifiers with case studies, technical support and specialized products for their high voltage applications.
- Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium Empowers Manufacturers to Improve Productivity and Competitiveness
Al Diggins, Chair, Treasurer and General Manager of Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC), could not be more pleased with the results of a two-year program designed to help Northern Ontario manufacturers enhance their productivity, competitiveness and business management capacity.
- Omron Canada Inc. appointment to support the Industrial Automation Market in British Columbia and Southern Alberta
Omron Canada Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Bashar Abuhamdan to the position of Account Manager - Southern Alberta. Reporting directly to Josh Yates, Regional Sales Manager - Western Canada, Bashar will be responsible for managing Omron's end users, EPCs, System Integrators and OEM's.
- HARTING Launches First Ever Industrial IoT Starter Kits
HARTING is making it easy to implement Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions with three HARTING MICA starter kits. Each of these new kits contains all of the necessary hardware and software for a basic application, removing the risk and guesswork for companies looking to embrace IIoT.
- Canada's Oil and Gas Workforce is Shifting with the Adoption of Automation and Data Analytics Technology
As the Canadian oil and gas industry adapts and changes its business to remain globally competitive, new skills and job opportunities are emerging and replacing more traditional occupations, according to the latest report released today by PetroLMI, a division of Energy Safety Canada.
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International News
- PILZ: Brexit - Effects on Standards and Certificates
The accreditation of the British named or notified bodies (Notified Bodies) and the validity of the British EC/EU type examination certificates have not been finally clarified at the point where the EC membership ends.
- Beckhoff to Showcase New Smart Factory Technologies at Hannover Messe USA 2018
Beckhoff Automation will highlight the latest smart factory hardware, software, EtherCAT and TSN networking solutions, plus an integrated PC- and EtherCAT-based CNC platform at the inaugural Hannover Messe USA 2018 trade show in Chicago.
- IFS: Positive Outlook for Digital Transformation
IFS surveyed 200 industrial executives on their budget plans for digital transformation, to find out how much companies are budgeting and what they are spending their money on. Download the entire study for deep insights into the state of the industry.File Information
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AZTEC LAUNCHES NEW 2018 FACTORY AUTOMATION CATALOGUE
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Aztec Electrical Supply has just launched its new FACTORY AUTOMATION HANDBOOK.
It's Canada's first fully e-commerce enabled functional catalogue and allows easy ordering, easy referencing and searching on any computer, tablet or mobile device.
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Survey
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Company Certification
Emerson Certifies Spartan Controls to Deliver Highest Level of Customer Support
Emerson awarded Spartan Controls today with the status of Emerson Impact Partner representing the company's highest level of customer support. Spartan and associated Emerson Impact Partner Network companies will operate as locally-accessible, singular points of contact for leveraging the full breadth of Emerson integrated solutions and expertise. The 21 current Emerson Impact Partner companies were awarded this status through a rigorous certification process of their facilities, procedures, engineers and local service professionals, as well as a demonstrated ability to support customer process optimization and performance improvement programs.
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IT Solutions
Rittal: Edge in a Box, Preconfigured IT Solutions
Edge in a Box (EiB) enables a simple, quick and cost-effective way to build and deploy small to medium scale data centres at the network edge. It is the ideal solution for financial firms, small offices, retail co-sharing office space where the Data Centre can be shared as a value-added service, Industrial IT spaces, Disaster Recovery and local government offices. The EiB solution is designed to facilitate the pre-installation of IT equipment by the end-user, partner or integrator prior to shipment. It is ideal for Edge and IoT applications where deployment speed, reliability and security is paramount.
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Project Completion
Cybertech Automation Concludes 12-Year SIS Upgrade for Major Oil & Gas Company
This summer, Cybertech celebrated the successful conclusion of a major SIS upgrade program for a client that began in 2006. The scope and length of the project required a significant team of both Cybertech and client resources. Gathered recently to celebrate the completion, past and present team members recalled the countless challenges met - and friendships forged - over years of hard work. The project grew Cybertech's organization and technical skillsets and clearly demonstrated the value of being embedded on a client site.
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Changing Laws
Legalizing Marijuana and Workplace Safety
By Heather Hettiarachchi
Recreational use of marijuana becomes legal on October 17. This has potentially serious implications for workplace health and safety. In this article, contributor Heather Hettiarachchi reviews a recent human rights decision considering whether who dismissed a worker for using medical marijuana on the job was discriminating on the basis of disability. Heather concludes her article with useful takeaways for employers. In a recent decision, Aitchison v L&L Painting and Decorating Ltd., 2018 HRTO 238, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal upheld the termination of an employee who was using marijuana at work, ostensibly for medical purposes.
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Product News
Festo Packaging Two Key Systems so Machine Designers can Shrink Project Footprints
Festo is addressing the desire of machine designers for more compact control cabinet solutions to house key electrical and pneumatic control and monitoring systems in order to minimize project footprints. Festo's compact VTUG plug-in valve terminal and CPX-E master/modular control system now can be ordered as a package. They fit comfortably together inside a very small cabinet - an intelligent use of space that's more economical than comparable control cabinet solutions. Festo also has made a number of enhancements to the VTUG plug-in, making it even more suitable for control panel installations used in the Process or Food and Packaging industries.
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Emerson Introduces New Motor Starter With Component-Level Protection
Emerson has introduced a cost-effective, easy-to-install and simple-to-operate alternative to traditional cast and bolted motor starters in the form of its new Appleton PlexPower solution. Designed for hazardous, wet or corrosive locations such as oil refineries and chemical plants, the Appleton PlexPower motor starter provides electrical apparatus protection combined with the convenience and savings of off-the-shelf components. Appleton PlexPower motor starters deliver savings up to 73% compared to the total cost of ownership of traditional cast and bolted motor starters.
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Tool-free Safety Limit Switches from Wieland
The new sensor PRO safety limit switches (series SLS) from Wieland provide safe position monitoring in almost any industrial application. With a metal actuator that can be turned and swapped without tools, sensorPRO SLS switches are a highly reliable position monitoring solution rated to IP66/ 67. Series SLS switches are suitable for use in conveyor object detection, end-position control, door position detection, and many other safety applications. Actuation of the switch contacts is monitored by Wieland's safety relays, samos®PRO COMPACT safety controller, or similar devices and will shut down the machine immediately, addressing any safety hazard.
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Reliable Controls Releases RC-Studio 3.6
Reliable Controls is pleased to announce the release of RC-Studio 3.6, which introduces a number of new features in order to improve productivity. RC-Studio allows users to fully program MACH-Series controllers and create dynamic graphical interfaces to third party BACnet devices. RC-Studio meets or exceeds the BACnet Advanced Workstation (B-AWS) profile and is the ultimate all-in-one engineering tool for the MACH-System.
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Phoenix Contact: TRIO DC UPS with Integrated Power Supply
Supply DC loads reliably and save space with the new uninterruptible TRIO power supplies. An input grid is no longer necessary for startup. Connected industrial PCs can be shutdown easily via the integrated USB interface.
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The Electrical Stock Market
 Track the stock market performance of 25 publicly traded electrical equipment suppliers and electrical wholesalers. Updated weekly.
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