Supplement

Covering control, instrumentation, and automation systems worldwide

2010
Engineers Choice Awards

ENGINEERS CHOICE AWARDS

2010

Winning Technologies
The Control Engineering 2010 Engineers
Choice Awards highlight some of the best
new control, instrumentation and automation products introduced in 2009 as chosen
by you, Control Engineerings print and
online subscribers. Respondents were asked
to choose products they felt were the most
exceptional based on the following criteria:
technological advancement, service to the
industry, and market impact.
For this 23rd year of Control Engineerings
showcase of automation product excellence,
we put out a call for product nominations in
November 2009. Eligible products were those
introduced and available for purchase in
North America during 2009. Nominees were
assembled into four ballots encompassing 29 subcategories. In all, more than 90 new products were nominated.
Control Engineering subscribers, all of whom are
responsible for or influence technology purchases, or
have hands-on day-to-day interaction with the technologies in each category, were directed to an online ballot
which included a brief description of each product. Voting results have been tallied and the winning solutions

are featured here. (Reader response was excellent,

generating more than 650 completed ballots from
Dec. 28 until Jan. 4.)
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all vendors who nominated products and
subscribers who voted. Join us in congratulating the winners of the 2010 Engineers Choice
Awards and let them know you learned about
their innovations in
Control Engineering. Their contributions ensure
that manufacturers, machine builders and automation system integrators can achieve the levels
of agility, efficiency, and effectiveness necessary
to competeand winin todays global economy. Winners will be honored in a ceremony,
part of the 2010 Manufacturing/Automation
Summit, March 28-30, in Chicago (http://tinyurl.com/
yz6czph). ce
Note: Date sequence of the awards was changed this
year so the award year reflects the year in which the awards
were announced, rather than the year the products were
introduced (as has been the practice in the past). So, there
are no 2009 award recipients.

10

Winners by Category

his years competition names 28 winners and 29

honorable mentions from a field of more than 90

nominees. Online, visit www.controleng.com/awards

Process Control
Flowmeters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrumentation and actuators . . . . . . .
Power monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Process sensors and transmitters . . . . . .
Control systems, analysis, process control .
Process safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discrete Control
Machine safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Machine vision. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PACs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PLCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Motion Control
Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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E4
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E6

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E6
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E8
E8

Motion control. . . . . . . . . .
Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hardware
Application software . . . . . .
Connectivity software. . . . . .
Dashboard software energy .
Dashboard software general .
Design, simulation, diagnostics
Software
HMI software . . . . . . . . . .
HMI hardware . . . . . . . . . .
Industrial PCs . . . . . . . . . .
Integrated HMI - controller . . .
Network Integration
Data integration appliance . . .
Ethernet hardware . . . . . . .
I/O Systems wireless . . . . .
Network hardware . . . . . . .
Wireless I/O controllers . . . . .
Wireless products - general . . .

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www.controleng.com

CONTROL ENGINEERING Engineers Choice Awards FEBRUARY 2010 E3

Flowmeters
Process Control
Rosemount 3051S
MultiVariable Transmitter
Emerson Process Management
osemount 3051S MultiVariable Transmitter from Emerson Process Management is a fully
compensated mass and energy flow
transmitter. It can be configured for
flow applications by entering just
three application parameters. The
Rosemount 3051S measures up to
three variables (DP, P, and T) and
provides a flow or energy output,
reducing the number of devices
traditionally required to make such
measurements from ten to one.
Another innovative feature of the
Rosemount 3051S is the ability to
scale the amount of compensation being performed in order to
optimize the flow measurement for
different applications. This allows
for the proper amount of compensation for each application, without
the added cost of full compensation
when its not needed. The transmitters also are available as fully assembled flowmeters. The 3051SFC
Conditioning Orifice flowmeter
achieves superior performance in
short straight-run installations,
the 3051SFA Annubar flowmeter
increases energy savings through
minimal permanent pressure loss,
and the 3051SFP Integral Orifice
flowmeter improves accuracy in
small line sizes. All Rosemount
flowmeters arrive configured, leaktested and ready-to-install, reducing
leak points and preventing fugitive
emissions by up to 70%.
www.emersonprocess.com

2010
Engineers
Choice Awards
E4

FEBRUARY 2010 CONTROL ENGINEERING Engineers Choice Awards www.controleng.com

Instrumentation and
actuators

Power monitoring

Power protection

Process sensors and

transmitters

Fisher 4320 Wireless

Position Monitor

Fluke 773 Milliamp

Process Clamp Meter

Wago 4-Channel
Electronic Circuit Breakers

FlexLine Wireless
Radar Gauge

Emerson Process Management

isher 4320 Wireless
Position Monitor from
Emerson Process Management
is a wireless position transmitter and limit switch. It can
monitor any device that moves
in rotary or linear fashion. The
monitor periodically reads the
position of measured devices
and transmits that data over a
wireless network. Instrument
calibration and commissioning
is performed with a push button and liquid crystal display
(LCD) interface. The 4320
wireless position monitor is
battery powered, eliminating
the need to install wires. This
makes it easier to design new
applications or implement into
retrofit locations. Emerson
hails wireless technology as a
game changer in the area of
process control, noting that it
lowers implementation costs,
expands access to information,
and expands the use of control
systems into areas not considered before due to technical
and economic barriers.
www.emersonprocess.com

Fluke Electronics
luke 773 Milliamp Process
Clamp Meter delivers
comprehensive test and measurement capabilities. Its engineered to accurately measure
the minute amounts of current
that flow through control
system circuits without having
to shut down the system, break
the circuit and insert a test
instrument. Instead, sensitive
current clamps placed on the
wire detect and measure the
current flowing through. Fluke
claims to be the only manufacturer of high-precision mA
clamp meters that dont break
the loop, an approach that can
result in significant savings in
time and money. Fluke estimates that a technician could
save $588 to $1,038 a month,
based on estimated hourly rates
and the amount of time saved
using the Fluke 773 Milliamp
Process Clamp Meter.
www.fluke.com

Wago Corporation
ago Corp. 787 Series
DIN-rail mount, 4channel Electronic Circuit Breakers (ECBs) separately protect up
to four current paths (up to 10 A
at 24 V dc max each) for power
supplies without a top boost
feature. Wago has deemed this
line of ECBs as ideal for multiple
loads distributed from a single
power supply. Several models
independently program four
load-appropriate current ratings
(in 1 A increments), as well as
trip times. During a fault or short
circuit, the ECBs can shut down
the tripped channel quicker than
fuses or conventional mini-circuit
breakers. Power is maintained
to other loads (such as a PLC on
one path and HMI on another),
preventing a system-wide shut
down or possible data loss. Active
current limitation on the 787-861
model protects an upstream
power supply, guaranteeing selective load disconnection. Tripped
loads may be reset with on-unit
keypad or remotely via control
input. ECBs streamline control
panels by eliminating redundant
power-monitoring components.
Select ECBs provide superior
energy monitoring and fault
diagnostics via on-unit LEDs,
LCD/keypad, signal outputs, and
RS-232 interface. Free Wago software provides remote monitoring. www.wago.us

Honeywell Process Solutions

lexLine Wireless radar
gauge from Honeywell
Process Solutions monitors tank levels and prevents
hazardous plant and terminal
incidents. The gauge is primarily used for inventory control
and custody transfer purposes.
The radar gauge establishes
new levels of precision and
flexibility in tank inventory
managementespecially when
weight and measure approval is
required. Accuracy is a critical
issue in custody transfer: the
smallest deviation in level has
significant impact on the users
revenue. Radar technology is
preferred as it doesnt have
contact with the product, and
is especially useful when the
product is viscous or sticky like
crude oils, asphalt or bitumen.
FlexLine radar gauge is part
the Honeywell OneWireless
infrastructure universal mesh
network. It can seamlessly integrate to any supervisory system
such as Entis or Experion PKS.
Wireless capability enables
highly accurate automatic level
measurements in tank farms
where the necessary infrastructure is missing or only unreliable mechanical gauges are
available. It reduces plant costs
by reducing wires and making
maintenance easier.
www.hpsweb.honeywell.com

www.controleng.com

CONTROL ENGINEERING Engineers Choice Awards FEBRUARY 2010 E5

2010

ENGINEERS CHOICE AWARDS

Control systems, analysis,

process control

Process safety

Process Control (continued...)

csTuner powered by
Control Station

Fluke Ti32
Thermal Imager

Yokogawa
Corporation of America
he csTuner powered by
Control Station is an
innovation introduced by Yokogawa Corporation of America
to further simplify PID control
and optimize plant performance.
Product is based on award-winning PID tuning technology from
Control Station. It integrates
seamlessly with Yokogawas
enterprise DCS solutions. The
csTuner software leverages patent-pending capabilities that
eliminate the need for steadystate operation prior to tuning a
plants PID controllers. Process
plants are inherently dynamic
due to multivariable interactions
and innumerable disturbances.
Ensuring that all elements of a
process are quiet and stable
prior to bump testing is often
impractical and sometimes
impossible. The csTuner software
accurately models transitional
and oscillatory process data, said
to provide a competitive advantage through process optimization and control. Yokogawas DCS
systems feature a flexible and
open architecture, designed for
compatibility with a manufacturers existing production systems.
This open architecture provides
a framework that readily draws
upon field networks and results
in a fully integrated production
control system.
www.yokogawa.com/us

Fluke Electronics
luke Ti32 Thermal Imager
makes thermal imaging
affordable and effective in many
applications for plant maintenance professionals, production
engineers, electricians, HVAC/R
technicians and others. Its
designed and priced to deliver
unprecedented performance for
troubleshooting and preventive
maintenance of electrical installations, electro-mechanical equipment, process equipment and
more. Fluke says the Ti32 is the
first thermal imager on the market to incorporate a powerful 320
x 240 sensor to provide strikingly
crisp, detailed images for less than
$9,000. Using patented Fluke
IR-Fusion technology, users can
marry high-precision thermal
images with visual (visible light)
images in full screen, picturein-picture or blended views for
enhanced problem detection and
analysis. IR-Fusion is the only
solution available with physical parallax correction, which
enables perfect alignment, pixel
by pixel, of infrared and visible
images. Fluke claims to have the
only thermal imagers on the market to incorporate IR-Fusion in
both camera and software. Users
also can record voice comments
with every image taken. A threebutton menu helps with intuitive
operation and navigation.
http://us.fluke.com

E6

Machine safety

Machine vision

Discrete Control
Guardmaster Minotaur
MSR57P safe-speed
monitoring relay
Rockwell Automation
ockwell Automation says
the Allen-Bradley Guardmaster Minotaur MSR57P
marks a major advancement
in safety relaysa device that
allows personnel to enter hazardous areas while machines are
in motion. The device supports
numerous input devicessuch
as E-stops, light curtains,
enabling switches and interlock
switchesthat detect demands
on the safety system and initiate
a stop request of the motion. It
also monitors personnel in hazardous areas while machines are
in a safe-speed condition. Users
can configure the safety relay
with either Allen-Bradley DriveExplorer software or a human
interface module (HIM device),
using a variety of parameters to
help meet specific application
requirements, including safe
direction, safe limited speed,
and safe maximum speed with
door control and monitoring.
For example, the Guardmaster
MSR57P relay can help increase
productivity by unlocking doors
automatically when the speed
of the machine is below a safe
speed limit or zero speed is
detected. It is designed for easier
integration, flexibility and performance, in new and existing
installations.
www.rockwellautomation.com

3D Image Sensor
ifm efector inc.
he ifm efector 3D Image
Sensor measures the size,
shape and volume of objects in
industrial automation applications. The 3D sensor provides
critical information in applications such as palletizing and
de-palletizing, bulk level of
materials, level of food products,
level of product on conveyors,
material handling, logistics,
and intelligent routing/sorting.
The 3D Image Sensor combines photonic mixing device
(PMD) technology with reliable
time of flight (TOF) distance
measurement. In operation, the
3D sensor sends a light pulse to
the target object. This pulse is
reflected by the object back to
the sensors smart pixel receiver
element. A comparison between
the optical and electrical reference signals yields an output
signal that carries the desired
distance information. For image capture, the 3D sensors 64
x 48 pixel array projects 3,072
points of reference onto the object. Robust metal housing measures only 42 x 62 x 42 mm and
is designed to withstand harsh
industrial environments and to
perform in fast-moving applications. Application parameters
are quickly established with the
sensors setup wizard software
that can be used with a PC. The
sensor can provide either digital
or analog outputs.
www.ifm.com/us

FEBRUARY 2010 CONTROL ENGINEERING Engineers Choice Awards www.controleng.com

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2010

ENGINEERS CHOICE AWARDS

PACs

PLCs

Discrete Control (continued...)

Allen-Bradley
ControlLogix 1756L63XT Programmable
Automation Controller
Rockwell Automation
llen-Bradley ControlLogix-XT Programmable Automatic Controller
(PAC) from Rockwell Automation is designed for applications requiring increased reliability in high-temperature and
corrosive environments. As part
of the Rockwell Automation
extreme environment system,
the ControlLogix-XT PAC
uses the Rockwell Automation
Integrated Architecture control
engine with enhancements
to meet the needs of extreme
environment applications.
Conformally coated, ControlLogix-XT controllers help
reduce panel costs and the need
for additional heating/cooling
equipment, resulting in lower
installation and maintenance
costs. Paired with I/O and
communication products, the
extreme environment system
provides a complete control
and information architecture
to improve product longevity while reducing integration
and installation costs. The
controller operates in a broad
temperature spectrum, -20 C
to 70 C, and meets ANSI/ISAS71.04-1985 Class G1, G2 and
G3, as well as cULus, Class 1
Div 2, C-Tick, CE, ATEX Zone
2 and SIL 2 requirements.
www.rockwellautomation.com

E8

Drives
Motion Control

Simatic S7-1200 Compact

Controller

A-B PowerFlex 755 AC

Drive

Siemens Industry Inc.

imatic S7-1200 Compact
Controller from Siemens
helps OEMs, system integrators and end users reduce
development time and cost by
providing a compact controller,
HMI and networking configuration integrated with one
engineering software package.
The S7-1200 compact controller includes built-in Ethernet,
high speed motion control I/O,
onboard analog I/O, and HMI
panel connectivity to minimize
space requirements and the
need for additional hardware
for small control systems. New
Simatic Step 7 Basic engineering software provides one
interface and user program,
eliminating the need to purchase and maintain multiple
engineering packages required
for traditional automation
systems. The automated interfaces between controller and
HMI configuration lessen the
error potential common with
manual entry. Task-oriented
and intuitive editors in Simatic
Step 7 Basic provide a high
degree of user-friendliness and
engineering efficiency. Tight
integration among controllers, HMI panels, and software
satisfies users need for flexible
control systems that can perform multiple operations with
minimal changeovers.
www.sea.siemens.com/us

Rockwell Automation
-B PowerFlex 755 AC
Drive from Rockwell
Automation is designed for ease
of use, integration, application
flexibility and performance.
It represents the first drive
from the new Allen-Bradley
PowerFlex 750 series. Rockwell
says the drive meets global
user needs for versatile motor
control, ease of integration
and high performance to help
increase productivity. Available in power ranges from 10
to 350 hp at 400/480 V ac and
540/650 V dc input, this drive
supports multiple languages,
meets global standards and
certifications and is suited for
many industries. A variety of
supporting options make the
PowerFlex 755 a highly functional and cost-effective drive
for simple and demanding
drive applications. Application
flexibility and simple integration make this drive ideal for
OEMs and system integrators
looking to reduce engineering
costs, deliver machines to market faster and meet end-user
demand for higher performance and safer machines. The
drive offers more versatility in
motor control and supporting
control hardware options than
any other drive in its class. It
has embedded DeviceLogix
control and Ethernet.
www.rockwellautomation.com

Motion control

MR318 MRI-compatible
Fiber Optic Rotary
Encoder
Micronor Inc.
he MR318 Fiber Optic
Rotary Encoder from
Micronor Inc. is a non-metallic rotary position sensor that
can operate with complete
transparency in extreme
electromagnetic fields. The
product concept grew out of
requests from the magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) community for a non-metallic
version of Micronors existing
fiber optic encoder products.
MR318 combines Micronors
passive fiber-optic encoder
technology with deliberate
(and challenging) material
engineering that flowed down
to the smallest component
and detail. To simplify design,
the product was based on an
industry standard Size 58 mm
form factor (same as metallic
MR312) and interfaces with the
same MR310 remote encoder
interface module. Anything
(patient or equipment) in the
MRI chamber must be devoid
of metallic or ferrous materials
which would disrupt the MRI
machines electromagnetic field
and operation, so engineering
became more than a part-forpart conversion of the existing
MR312 encoders design. Optical fiber and optical components were the only elements
that did not require redesign.
www.micronor.com

FEBRUARY 2010 CONTROL ENGINEERING Engineers Choice Awards www.controleng.com

The rst Fluke digital

multimeter with detachable
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Convenient: Position the display in a place that allows you to focus

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Detach yourself from the competition!

The NEW Fluke 233 wireless remote display digital multimeter allows you
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Fluke. Keeping your world

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We are their top choice.

We want to be yours too.
Enhance the value of your existing
automation investments today!
Yokogawa is pleased to be a recipient of Control Engineerings
2010 Engineers Choice Award. With a commitment to innovation,
Yokogawa is constantly seeking ways to improve process
performance and increase plant profitability. csTUNER powered
by Control Station can stabilize your control loops and is the
latest innovation introduced by Yokogawa to enhance the
value of our customers existing automation investments.
csTUNER leverages patent-pending modeling capabilities
and integrates seamlessly with our CS3000 R3 and
CentumVP solutions.
We thank you, the readers of Control Engineering
and extend a special invitation as a show of our
gratitude.
Contact us and receive a free best-practices guide
to understanding process dynamics and tuning PID
controllers. This straight-forward guide describes
techniques used in industry to improve control
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1-800-524-SERV(7378)

2010

ENGINEERS CHOICE AWARDS

Motors

Application software

Motion Control (continued...)

Software

SD100 IEEE841 Electric

Motor

FactoryTalk Historian
Machine Edition v2.1

Siemens
he SD100 IEEE841 Electric Motor from Siemens
is a low-vibration, NEMA
Premium efficient motor for
severe duty applications, such
as pumps, blowers and fans.
Siemens says its a completely
new motor design for 125
- 400 hp, 3,600 rpm applications. The motor is built to
yield vibration limits below the
very strict requirements of the
IEEE 841 standard, especially
at 120 Hz levels. This offers a
more reliable motor to users
in process industries (oil and
gas, petro-chemical, paper,
utilities). Coupled with NEMA
Premium or better efficiencies,
protective InproSeal bearing
isolators on both the drive
and opposite drive end of the
motor, embossed stainless steel
nameplate, oversized terminal
box, and all cast iron construction, this motor offers users a
lower total cost of ownership
over previous designs.
www.sea.siemens.com/us

Rockwell Automation
ockwell Automation says
its FactoryTalk Historian
ME software helps manufacturers transform manufacturing intelligence into process
improvements by leveraging
reliable, real-time production
data to improve product quality, speed time to market, and
support regulatory compliance.
The application is an embedded, solid-state module hardened for on-machine data collection that features a limited
software footprint, no moving
parts, and reduced risk of data
loss due to system interruption.
Rockwell Automation designed
the application as part of a
distributed, tiered architecture
that allows employees in different locations and at different
operating levels to view and
analyze role-appropriate historical data. Operators can view
data from the specific machine
they are using while plant-level
supervisors can view individual
machines or complete lines to
build real-time comparisons
against standards and assess
critical batch or process performance. Senior management
can use the same technology to
develop executive dashboards
that compare key performance
indicators (KPIs) of production activity across multiple
locations.
www.rockwellautomation.com

Connectivity software

Dashboard software Energy

www.controleng.com

KepServerEX v5

cpmPlus Energy Manager

Kepware Technologies
ersion 5 of the KepServerEX advanced communications and OPC software
server from Kepware Technologies features many technical
advancements, including a
separation of runtime and
development modes, platform
flexibility, and one interface
for more than 150 different
communication protocols and
applications. New communications drivers such as the
Custom Interface Driver (CID)
allow software developers to
create their own communication drivers using their development tool of choice. They
then can use KepServerEXs numerous application interfaces
such as OPC DA, OPC A&E,
SuiteLink, NIO/PDB, DDE, AdvancedDDE, Oracle MOC, and
ODBC. KepServerEXs breadth
of communications, ease of
use, and flexibility across multiple platforms at an affordable
price make connecting SCADA,
HMI, Historian, and MES applications to hardware (PLCs,
DCS, routers, switches) and
applications a simple choice.
The level of communications
offered allows for a one-stop
shopping experience with one
application to use. More than
50 automation hardware and
software vendors are private
labeling, selling or recommending KepServerEX.
www.kepware.com

ABB

he cpmPlus Energy
Manager from ABB helps
monitor and manage energy
use to reduce overall energy
costs, and improve efficiency.
The software addresses the
business side of energy management by producing accurate
energy demand plans and
taking advantage of them in
energy supply planning and optimization. Being able to accurately plan energy requirements
a day ahead provides significant
financial advantages, especially
in the open electricity market,
and ultimately lowers energy
costs. Energy Manager also
includes reporting and analysis
tools that evaluate energy use
patterns of all processes and
pinpoint areas for improvement. Significant technical
advances include planning and
scheduling tools to optimize
energy use and supply, energy
balance management tools to
support the real-time monitoring and control of energy
balance, and reporting tools
to evaluate and report energy
consumption, costs, efficiency,
and other energy-related
information. The software is
said to be completely scalable.
The modular solution can start
with basic energy monitoring
and reporting at one facility,
and later expand to include
multiple sites.
www.abb.com

CONTROL ENGINEERING Engineers Choice Awards FEBRUARY 2010 E11

2010

ENGINEERS CHOICE AWARDS

Dashboard software General

Design, simulation,
diagnostics

Software (continued...)
Wonderware Intelligence
1.0
Invensys Operations
Management
onderware Intelligence
1.0 is a new enterprise
manufacturing intelligence
(EMI) solution from Invensys Operations Management.
Its billed as an easy-to-use
platform for companies wishing to contextualize, aggregate,
and report historian and
operational data via role-based
dashboards. Dashboards can
present key performance
indicators (KPIs) and real-time
operational business metrics
that are used to monitor, tune,
and optimize plant and supply
chain operations. Wonderware
Intelligence software transforms data and information
from multiple sources into
business intelligence by aggregating process and production
data in real time and adding
contextual elements, such as
equipment, product, work
orders, material, and personnel. This information context
enables end users to gain
insights into the root causes of
problems and understand how
production events are related.
Formatted information can be
saved and optimized for fast reporting and analysis. The Wonderware Intelligence Analytics
Client can be used to create
dashboards that can make that
information available to Web
portals. www.invensys.com

E12

HMI hardware

HMI software

Hardware
NI SoftMotion
Development Module for
LabView

InduSoft Web Studio v6.1

SP5

Fuji Monitouch V815iXD

National Instruments
ational Instruments (NI)
SoftMotion Development Module for LabView
simplifies the development of
advanced single- and multiaxis motion applications. The
module provides virtual instruments (VI) and functions to
help build custom motion controllers that run using LabView
in combination with National
Instruments hardware, such as
NI RIO devices, DAQ devices,
and Compact FieldPoint. The
NI SoftMotion Development
Module works in conjunction
with the NI LabView Real-Time
Module, LabView FPGA Module, and the LabView Control
Design and Simulation Bundle.
NI SoftMotion Development
Module provides all functions
that typically reside on a motion controller DSP. With this
module, users can handle path
planning, trajectory generation,
and position and velocity loop
control in the NI LabView environment and then deploy the
code on LabView Real-Time
or LabView FPGA based target
hardware. The software enables
virtual prototyping for motionbased machines and devices
by connecting to the Dassault
Systemes SolidWorks 3D CAD
design tool.
www.ni.com

InduSoft
nduSoft Web Studio is
Human Machine Interface
and SCADA software for all
Microsoft operating systems.
InduSoft Web Studios (IWS)
collection of automation tools
provides all automation building blocks necessary to develop
HMIs, SCADA systems, and
embedded instrumentation
solutions. InduSoft integrated
Web technologies take advantage of Internet/intranet connectivity from anywhere. Save
time by viewing the process
from a desktop or Web-enabled
mobile phone using a standard
browser (Internet/intranet
including XML support). New
in SP5, Studio Mobile Access
(SMA) allows any Web-enabled
smartphone or mobile device
to display vital information
about the machine or process.
See alarms, process variables,
and parameters remotely with
SMA. Acknowledge alarms
and update process variables
directly from the mobile device.
Multi-language (Unicode)
allows operators to understand
immediately in their native language. Save money by developing once and deploying on any
current Microsoft operating
system. Support for most PLCs
and controllers available worldwide is built in; each license
includes more than 200 drivers.
www.indusoft.com

Fuji Electric Corp. of America

uji Electric Corp. of America calls its Monitouch
V815iXD a dedicated humanmachine interface (HMI) that
incorporates the best features
of a high end HMI with a
protocol converter. It can communicate with eight separate
protocols simultaneously and
pass data between them easily.
The V8 Series HMI also has an
FTP server, SQL connectivity,
and supports remote desktop
and data logging to a CF card
or USB memory device. A Fuji
tool called Component Parts
can assist users in creating multifunctional screens instantly.
The tool contains all necessary settings for operation. To
deploy a screen on additional
displays, simply copy and paste.
Fuji also offers free updates
to its Component Parts tool,
allowing users to keep HMI
applications on the cutting
edge. It has a faster processor, brighter screen, and more
memory than previous generations. It can be used as a central
communications hub with
connectivity to PLCs, motion
controllers, temperature controllers, drives, barcode readers,
and more. As with all of the
Monitouch HMIs, V815iXD is
forward compatible, allowing
user to import applications
from any HMI to the newest
generation.
www.fujielectric.com

FEBRUARY 2010 CONTROL ENGINEERING Engineers Choice Awards www.controleng.com

Reduce your total cost.

Learn how to save with B&R at

www.discover-automation.com
PLCs, Industrial PCs, I/O, Motion, Visualization, Software, and Safety
Complete scalability from the smallest device to the largest system
)ully integrated components for easy and e[ible conguration
Intelligent diagnostics for ma[imum machine performance
Uniform programming with Automation Studio
(asy integration into e[isting topologies
Real-Time Ethernet via POWERLINK

Perfection in Automation

www.br-automation.com

2010

ENGINEERS CHOICE AWARDS

Integrated HMI Controller

Industrial PCs
Hardware (continued...)
Stealth WPC-500F Harsh
Environment Computer
Stealth.Com Inc. (Stealth
Computer)
he WPC-500F from
Stealth Computer Corp. is
an environmentally sealed, rugged, fan-less industrial computer for harsh environments. It
meets NEMA 6/IP67 standards.
Stealth says this computer
offers an excellent return on
investment. It can be connected
directly to machines, control
panels, operator stations, etc.,
without the added expense
of extra cabinets and locating
computers in a special room
away from the production area.
The computer is built with industry standard technology and
is fully compatible with todays
standard hardware/software
platforms. It uses Intels latest
Atom processor technology for
maximum performance and
excellent power efficiency.
www.stealthcomputer.com

E14

Data integration
appliance

Ethernet hardware

Network Integration
SailorPC-12A
IEI Technology Corp.
ailorPC-12A panel PC
from IEI Technology
Corp. is billed as the ultimate
choice for meeting the high
demands of all-day field use in
mission critical applications in
marine, military, and industrial settings. The fully sealed
IP67 and NEMA6 compliant
aluminum chassis are designed
for high reliability, shock and
vibration tolerance. It also can
withstand an extreme range
of temperatures and harsh
environments. The computers
IP67/NEMA6 compliance
ensures full waterproof protectionincluding the aluminum
housing, touch panel, connectors, optional cables, and
conformal-coated electronics.
It uses economical self-locking,
threaded M12 connectors for
LAN, RS-232, RS-232/422/385,
CAN bus and audio. It has an
embedded Intel Atom Processor N270 that is paired with
the Intel 945GSE and ICH7M
to extend its PC processing
capability beyond basic consumer usage. Features include a
12.1-in. sunlight readable display, 2GB SODIMM memory,
Wi-Fi 802.11n support, Gigabit
Ethernet, USB host ports, SATA
hard disk drive, and Compact
Flash II slot for memory expansion. Design allows for mounting the computer directly into
the console.
www.ieiworld.com

Message Manager ILX56MM

ToughNet TN-5518 Series

managed Ethernet switch

ProSoft Technology Inc.

essage Manager ILX56MM from ProSoft
Technology Inc. transfers data
between multiple PAC/PLCs
over several industrial networks
without PAC/PLC programming. The Message Manager
aggregates data transfers from
up to 16 PAC/PLCs distributed
throughout a plant and allows
configuration and diagnostic
monitoring from one location.
The Message Manager supports the following controllers:
Rockwell Automation SLCTM
500, PLC-5; MicroLogix, CompactLogix, and ControlLogix
controllers via any network
supported in the Rockwell
Automation 1756 ControlLogix
platform; Siemens S7 PACs
and other PAC/PLCs that use
Industrial EtherNet protocol;
and Schneider Electric PAC/
PLCs and other devices that use
Modbus TCP/IP protocol. The
Message Manager eliminates
the myriad issues associated
with managing a mix of legacy
controls and newer controls.
With the Message Manager, a
user can remove data transfer
code from dissimilar automation equipment. This allows
configuration from one location so engineers can easily and
efficiently manage data and diagnose data transfer problems.
www.prosoft-technology.com

Moxa Inc.
oxa Inc. ToughNet
TN-5518 managed
Ethernet switch is designed for
rolling stock and rail networks. Many new applications
in the railway industry, such
as video surveillance, emergency intercom, and Web-like
entertainment require large
amounts of bandwidth. The
TN-5518 provides 2 Gigabit
ports to allow video, audio, and
data transmission over a single
network. The switch also contains numerous features that
enhance network reliability. It
supports Turbo Ring, which
has a super fast fault recovery
of less than 20 ms at a full load
of 250 Ethernet switches to
minimize downtime caused by
network failure. It has rotary
switches for configuring the
IP address built right into the
switchs housing, allowing
for easy recovery of network
communication. To prevent the
type of catastrophic failure that
can occur when networks are
deployed in a linear topology,
Moxa gave the TN-5518 two
optional Gigabit Ethernet ports
with bypass relay function. If
one of the Ethernet switches
fails due to power loss, its ports
are bypassed with the relay circuit, and the transmission lines
will interconnect automatically
to assure continuous system
operation. www.moxa.com

FEBRUARY 2010 CONTROL ENGINEERING Engineers Choice Awards www.controleng.com

I/O Systems - Wireless

Network hardware

NI Wireless Sensor
Network

DataCell Foundation
Fieldbus M-EZ Cables

National Instruments
ational Instruments
Wireless Sensor Network
(WSN) platform is a complete
remote monitoring solution
that consists of NI LabView
graphical programming software and low-power, reliable
wireless measurement nodes.
NI software integration allows
end users to create complete
solutions to meet the unique
needs of their application, including hybrid wired and wireless systems and connectivity
to third-party devices. LabView
also provides the flexibility to
choose a Microsoft Windowsbased host controller for the
WSN system or a real-time
controller such as NI CompactRIO. In addition, LabView
programs can be downloaded
wirelessly to run on WSN
nodes to achieve longer battery
life, integration with custom
sensors, and even embedded
decision making. National Instruments says its WSN systems
are ideal for applications such
as environmental monitoring,
utility monitoring, healthcare,
transportation, and structural
health monitoring. Each WSN
node can operate for up to
three years on four AA batteries and can be deployed for
long-term, remote operation in
rugged or outdoor conditions.
www.ni.com

Northwire Inc.Technical
Cable
esigned specifically for
tough plant environments, DataCell Foundation
Fieldbus M-EZ cables from
Northwire Inc. make wiring of
marshaling cabinets easier and
faster. Each cable contains up
to 24 individually foil-shielded
pairs with a binder jacket over
each pair contained within
one cable. DataCell Foundation Fieldbus M-EZ cables
have superior ground system
integrity and eliminate the
potential for cross continuity between shields. Extruded
PVC binders provide protection from moisture, dust, and
dirt. Northwire says its many
unique featuresplus a range
of versions and optionsmake
DataCell Foundation Fieldbus
M-EZ the cable of choice for
process automation networks.
The cables are built for fast,
easy installation, designed to be
simple to strip and install, requiring no shrink tubing even
when outer jacket is stripped
back several feet. The cables are
electrically precise and meet
Foundation Fieldbus cable
physical property requirements.
They also are approved for
Class I, Div. 2 hazardous locations, in addition to being or
Class II ITC-ER/PLTC-ER and
CSA CMX-Outdoor-CMG FT4
rated. www.northwire.com

www.controleng.com

Wireless I/O controllers

Snap-PAC-R1-W
Wired+Wireless
Programmable
Automation Controller
Opto 22
pto 22 calls its
Snap-PAC-R1-W
Wired+Wireless Programmable
Automation Controller the
most powerful and versatile
I/O and controller combination in Opto 22s history. The
company also claims this is the
first controller in the industry
to offer IEEE 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi
wireless networking along with
standard EtherNet networking
in the same package. Opto 22
says the rack-mounted controller is good news for automation
professionals looking for more
than one option for creating
industrials networks. Devices
like the Opto 22 Snap-PACR1-W make it easier to design,
build, and modify control
systems. The Snap-PAC-R1-W
works like a laptopplug an
EtherNet cable in for traditional networking, or switch
on the Wi-Fi radio for wireless
networking. No additional I/O
hardware is required to use
wireless; all functions work
the same no matter which networking method is used. This
dual functionality provides
numerous benefits to users.
They can use controllers and
I/O in remote or inaccessible
areas, or where network wiring
is difficult or impossible to
install. www.opto22.com

Wireless products General

Wago 750-644 Bluetooth

RF-Transceiver Module
Wago Corporation
agos 750-644 Bluetooth RF-Transceiver
Module provides rapid, bidirectional, wireless controllerto-controller communication
between I/O nodes. It advances
controller-to-controller communication by eliminating
wiresI/O status and variables
within the controllers process
image are wirelessly transmitted. Within 10 ms, the DIN-rail
mount unit exchanges data up
to 1000 m (line-of-sight) or 100
m (within buildings) for costeffective networking. One 750644 master can communicate
with up to seven slaves on a
piconet/personal area network
via Bluetooth 2.0+EDR radio
technology. Slave-to-slave data
transmission is also indirectly
possible through the master.
The 750-644 Bluetooth module
also provides robust communications with Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum technologythe piconet can co-exist
with other radio transmission
technologies. Security measures
include device matching, data
encryption, and up to a 16character, case-sensitive access
code (95 bits of entropy). It is
compatible with more than 300
analog, digital, and specialty
modules in the Fieldbus-independent Wago-I/O-System,
as well as third-party devices.
www.wago.us

CONTROL ENGINEERING Engineers Choice Awards FEBRUARY 2010 E15

2010 Engineers Choice Award honorable mentions are designated below. For winners, see prior pages in this supplement or go online to: www.controleng.com/awards.

PROCESS CONTROL
Flowmeters
Promass 83
Endress+Hauser
Promass 83 from Endress+Hauser is
billed as the first mass flowmeter for
EtherNet/IP Networks.
www.us.endress.com
Instrumentation and
actuators
Fisher Control-Disk Valve
Emerson Process Management
Emerson Process Management offers
its Fisher Control-Disk Valve, a highperformance butterfly valve.
www.Fisher.com

E16

Power monitoring
Fluke 233 Remote Display
Multimeter
Fluke Electronics
The Fluke 233 Remote Display Multimeter makes test reading readily visible,
even when the meter is not.
http://us.fluke.com
Power protection
Up-Link fuseholder
Littelfuse
Littelfuse says its Up-Link fuseholder
is the next generation of plant maintenance technology.
www.littelfuse.com

Process sensors
and transmitters
Rosemount 5300 Series High Performance Guided Wave Radar with
Dynamic Vapor Compensation
Emerson Process Management
This overcomes challenges associated
with high-pressure steam applications.
www.rosemount.com

Process safety
STA Safety Trip Alarm
Moore IndustriesInternational Inc.
STA Safety Trip Alarm from Moore
Industries-International can be used
as a safety system logic solver at a
fraction of the cost and complexity of a
safety-certified PLC.
www.miinet.com

Control systems,
analysis, process control
Industrial IT Extended PAT
ABB
xPat provides simplified engineering
and streamlined integration.
www.abb.com

FEBRUARY 2009 CONTROL ENGINEERING Engineers Choice Awards www.controleng.com

ENGINEERS CHOICE AWARDS

2010 Honorable Mentions

DISCRETE CONTROL
Machine safety
Sunx SF4C Safety Light Curtain
Sunx, a subsidiary of
Panasonic Electric Works
The SF4C Safety Light Curtain from
Sunx offers a reliable machine safeguarding solution without sacrificing
productivity in ultra slim 13 mm profile.
http://pewa.panasonic.com/acsd

Machine vision
BOA Vision System
Dalsa
The BOA system from Dalsa is a fully
integrated vision system in a compact
smart camera format, with multiple
processing engines.
www.dalsa.com/ipd

MOTION CONTROL

PACs
Productivity3000 programmable
controller
Facts Engineering and
Koyo Electronics
This device is said to set a new priceper-feature benchmark for industrial
controllers, with 50 MB user memory.
www.automationdirect.com

Drives
FR-D700 Variable Frequency Drive
Mitsubishi Electric
The Mitsubishi Electric FR-D700 Variable Frequency Drive allows adjustable
speed control of an ac induction motor.
It is a 5th generation micro drive.
www.meau.com

PLCs
Panasonic FP0R Series Micro PLC
Panasonic Electric Works
FP0R Series is a compact micro PLC
with 0.08 micro sec step processing
speed with many functions available
in dedicated motion controllers.
http://pewa.panasonic.com/acsd

Motion control
Sigma-5 with EtherCAT (SGDV)
servo amplifier
Yaskawa Electric America Inc.
Sigma-5 with EtherCAT servo amplifier
from Yaskawa Electric America allows
users to control a master in many
modes.
www.yaskawa.com

Motors
SH630 Above NEMA AC
Induction Motor
Siemens
The SH 630 Above NEMA AC Induction
Motor offers higher horsepower in a
smaller footprint while meeting the
requirements of the most demanding
applications.
www.usa.siemens.com

2010

HONORABLE MENTIONS

SOFTWARE & HARDWARE

Application software
Versatyle Testr3 Studio 2009
Versatyle Test Corporation
This stand-alone application is
engineered to build an effective test
automation environment wiithout
third-party software.
www.versatyle.com

Dashboard software
General
FactoryTalk VantagePoint EMI
Rockwell Automation
Software helps empower users at every
level of an enterprise with information
from web-based dashboards.
www.rockwellautomation.com

Connectivity software
Proficy iFix WebSpace
GE Intelligent Platforms
Web interface gives knowledge workers
a real-time view of whats happening
on the plant floor.
www.ge-ip.com

Design, simulation,
diagnostics
EyeSim Immersive Training
Solution
Invensys Operations Management
Virtual and augmented reality, process
simulation and controls combine in an
immersive, interactive, 3D experience.
www.iom.invensys.com

Dashboard software
Energy
Corporate Energy Management
Application
Invensys Operations Management
This application enables manufacturers
to quickly and easy establish an energy
management program.
www.invensys.com

HMI software
Genesis64 v10.5
Iconics
Designed with OPC Unified Architecture
(OPC-UA) and 64-bit multi-core
platforms, the suite helps connectivity.
www.iconics.com

HMI hardware - tie

EZ Durapanel EZD-T10C-S
EZ Automation, division of
AVG Automation
HMI offers bright LCD backlights with
lower voltage and long lifespan.
www.ezautomation.net
HMI hardware- tie
GT16 Series HMI Platform
Mitsubishi Electric
HMI combines a 64-bit RISC (for
common HMI functions) and
Mitsubishis own graphic accelerator.
www.meau.com

Integrated HMI /
controller
EZ Series TouchPLC
EZPP-T6C-FS-PLC
EZ Automation division of
AVG Automation
With features of a high-end HMI and
a high-performance PLC, it uses one
tag database and easy free flow ladder
logic said to be easy to use.
www.ezautomation.net

Industrial PCs
IOS-7400 I/O Server Industrial PC
Acromag
Compact, industrial PC has integrated
I/O for monitoring and control applications. A carrier card slides out for
insertion of up to four mezzanine I/O
modules.
www.acromag.com

NETWORK INTEGRATION
Data integration
appliance
Wave TTA, Universal Transmitter
Trip-Amplifier, 8938670000
Weidmuller
Signal processing appliance offers a
combination of high performance and
exceptional configurability for process
industry applications.
www.weidmuller.com

Network hardware
ioLogik E1200 Series Ethernet I/O
Moxa Inc.
Remote Ethernet I/O products come
with two embedded Ethernet switch
ports that can be used to form a
daisy-chain topology for easy cabling.
Connection in series saves space and
wiring costs.
www.moxa.com

Ethernet hardware
EDS-691 Series managed Ethernet
switch
Moxa Inc.
Compact modular managed Ethernet
switch is designed for high-port-density
industrial networking communications,
especially for field site networking
systems where space and multi-fiber
communications are important.
www.moxa.com

Wireless I/O controllers

IoLogik W5340 Wireless RTU
Moxa Inc.
Wireless RTU is designed for remote
monitoring, and harder wiring environments. The unit offers a compact solution that integrates a GPRS modem, I/O
controller, data logger, and one serial
port into one rugged aluminum box.
www.moxa.com

I/O Systems Wireless

Smart Wireless Thum Adapter
Emerson Process Management
First WirelessHART adapter delivers rich
diagnostic data from existing HART
devices. Can retrofit on any 2- or 4-wire
HART instrument.
www.emersonprocess.com

E18

Wireless products General

AWK-5222 RF Access Point
Moxa Inc.
This redundant, dual RF access point
allows total network flexibility. It
addresses widespread user concern
about the stability of wireless communication. It is designed to be immune
to disconnections caused by radio
interference.
www.moxa.com

FEBRUARY 2009 CONTROL ENGINEERING Engineers Choice Awards www.controleng.com/awards

Challenge:

Environmental Excellence Escalating energy costs pulling

the plug on optimal performance.

Results :

Grappling with intense market pressures, a major oil and gas business had to
reduce energy usage and costs or lose their competitive edge. Enter Invensys.
Collaborating closely with plant personnel, our expert team hammered out an
ultra-efcient approach to achieve environmental excellence by coupling
performance management with a business intelligence system. Following a
comprehensive review, we assembled a real-time energy usage measurement and
visualization solution leveraging existing assets along with an open software
platform and product upgrades. The result: managers, operators and engineers
powered up business performance while optimizing energy usage. With a 6%
savings on feedstock and a 4% saving in electricity costs, the company helped
protect the environment and generated a $400,000 return in the rst two months.
Now imagine what we can do for you. Better yet, let us show you.
Visit www.iom.invensys.com /ce. Lets collaborate.

Real Collaboration. Real-Time Results.

TM

Avantis

Eurotherm

Foxboro

IMServ

InFusion

SimSci-Esscor

Triconex

Wonderware

Foxboro, IMServ,
IMServ, InFusion,
InFusion, SimSci-Esscor,
SimSci-Esscor, Triconex
and Wonderware
Wonderware are
are trademarks
trademarks of
of Invensys
Invensys plc,
plc, its
its subsidiaries
subsidiaries or
or affiliates.
affiliates. All
be trademarks
trademarks of
of their
their respective
respective owners.
owners.
Copyright
Copyright 2010.
2010. All
All rights
rights reserved.
reserved. Invensys,
Invensys, the
the Invensys
Invensys logo,
logo, Avantis,
Avantis, Eurotherm,
Eurotherm, Foxboro,
Triconex and
All other
other brands
brands and
and product
product names
names may
may be

Reduce energy costs by 5% on a sustainable basis?

Certainly.

cpmPlus Energy Manager dramatically reduces energy costs while improving a

companys overall carbon footprint. For some process manufacturers, this can
translate into millions of dollars saved annually. Energy Manager includes planning and
scheduling tools to monitor, control and optimize energy balance, as well as to evaluate
and report energy consumption, costs and efciency. Part of ABBs Collaborative
Production Management suite of applications, cpmPlus Energy Manager is scalable
from a single installation to a corporate wide implementation, covering all aspects
of energy planning, operation and reporting. For more information please visit us at
www.abb.com/cpm