Gary Mintchell's Feed Forward

More FUD fighting

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:03:32 GMT

Jim Cahill over at Emerson Process Experts went into FUD-fighting mode earlier this week. Seems ARC Advisory Group quoted someone from the FDT Group who made inaccurate comments about EDDL. While I have seen how Enhanced EDDL takes care of most if not all the problems with the original spec that the FDT Group sought to overcome, most non-Emerson companies see a need for representing their products "more fairly" through a different user interface. FDT is a Microsoft Windows application, while EDDL is text based. The future is here in terms of developers moving to text-based scripting and protocols. Witness the explosion of XML, for example, and other mark up languages. I just make the same comment about this that I have made previously when the DeviceNet people mis-represent Profinet in their comments--FDT Group, you have valid reasons for your technology, stick to those and don't get into mis-representing the "other guy." I just think that's good marketing in general. But when you spread untruths about the "opponent" then the crap just blows back at you.

Exider in Chicago

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:55:05 GMT

The Siemens ExiderDome finally made it to Chicago. I wrote a preview from Monterrey, Mexico in April. Wes Iversen, Automation World managing editor, went to the grand opening press conference Monday. Unfortunately, weather delayed the arrival of the barge until Monday evening. It's set up now. I'm heading to Navy Pier in a couple of hours for the Siemens Automation Summit user conference and another look at the ExiderDome. There will probably be some news later today. Directly after the event I'm driving back home. So probably not much until tomorrow.

Politics and automation

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:24:42 GMT

I have resisted taking this blog to WordPress. I'm on the original blogging tool written by Dave Winer. But in the last 10 days I've lost a bunch of posts. I have three blogs at WordPress now, so don't be surprised if I wind up moving this one.

What started this thought process was a post I saw on Walt Boyes' blog about the political candidates coming to the conclusion that manufacturing job losses have less to do with outsourcing and more to do with automation. Followed by a mea culpa Twitter tweet from Jim Cahill. I wrote a post on that early last week--and it's gone. "@sharilee" on Twitter was watching the conversation. (Sorry Shari, but I think I'm a different persuasion from you.)

At any rate, yes, one thing that drives the economy is productivity--getting more output per person. Sometimes (if there aren't enough sales, or the market is too small, or management is clueless) productivity means fewer people to operate the production. That's what we do. Automation is a produtivity driver--or at least it should be.This isn't rocket science. And, it isn't new. The same thing happened in the agriculture industry over a hundred years ago.

There are two things at work that interest me here. One is that jobs are migrating from direct manufacturing to the automation suppliers. Not so much unskilled work, but definitely engineering and project management jobs.Not sure how that is counted in government statistics--or politicians' rhetoric. The other thing is the challenge--if we want more manufacturing jobs, we need to do more manufacturing. That means entrepreneurs who are searching out markets that aren't served and designing and manufacturing products to meet those needs. In other words, we need vision and action--not recrimination and finger pointing.

Sorry, I have a bias toward action. Two terms on a school board ended my political ambitions ;-)

Oh, if I lost you on Twitter and tweet, go to http://www.twitter.com/garymintchell and check it out.

Product News

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:18:23 GMT

Published a couple of product news items at Automation Gear.

http://automationgear.wordpress.com/2008/07/20/hmi-upgrades-continue/

http://automationgear.wordpress.com/2008/07/20/a-lot-of-drives/

Blockbuster news from ABB

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 11:53:48 GMT

I was off the grid for a couple of days on a trip, then had a couple of catchup days. In the meantime ABB made a couple of blockbuster announcements. There is a lot of significance contained in the announcements. Most important is a new chief executive officer who will continue (and maybe even improve upon) the disciplined management that Fred Kindle brought to the company. He also has some experience in automation having served at GE Fanuc for a time. The second announcement is an acquisition that enhances the company's position in power markets--an area emphasized by management at the last ABB Automation World user conference. I suggest that you pay particular attention to Demare's statement about acquisition strategy at the end of the acquisition press release.

First, Joseph Hogan, current CEO of GE Healthcare will join ABB September 1 as its new CEO. GE is the bastion of disciplined management. He also will be skilled in dealing with strong personalities. I think this is an excellent fit for ABB as it moves on past the turmoil in the executive ranks.

Michel Demare, ABB's Chief Financial Officer, who has held the CEO position on an ad-interim basis since February 13, 2008, will continue to serve as ABB's CFO.

"I am honored to become ABB's CEO," Hogan said. "I am deeply committed to ABB's drive to increase energy efficiency and industrial productivity for its customers. I look forward to leading the Company to the next stage of its development and success together with the team at ABB."

The company announced July 16 that it has signed an agreement to acquire U.S. transformer company Kuhlman Electric Corp. for an undisclosed amount from global private equity firm The Carlyle Group to expand its power products portfolio in the Americas. Kuhlman Electric manufactures a wide range of high-quality transformers for the industrial and electric utility sectors.

ABB notes in its press release that Kuhlman "has demonstrated a track record of profitable growth with double-digit annual sales growth over the past five years. In 2007, the company had revenues of around $250 million. The business is well positioned to benefit from the investments required to modernize and expand the U.S. utility infrastructure and to increase industrial efficiency and reliability."

Michel Demare, ABB's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer stated: "This transaction is the first milestone of our acquisition strategy, which is focused on finding bolt-on acquisitions that selectively complement both our product range and geographical presence. The addition of Kuhlman Electric's business into our power products portfolio will allow us to further capture opportunities for profitable growth. At the same time, our customers will benefit from our broader offering."

ABB plans to integrate Kuhlman Electric's operations into its Power Products business in North America.

Schneider brings Elau into the fold

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:04:56 GMT

Schneider Electric took a minority position in motion control and automation supplier and packaging machinery specialist Elau in 2004 and completed acquisition in May 2005. In a recent press release, it noted that under CEO Thomas Cord, Elau operating as an independent subsidiary increased sales from 40 million â[not equal]¬ in 2004 to 63 million â[not equal]¬ in 2007. But Schneider felt that future growth in the sector required a new structure and new leadership. The company will now be part of the company's Packaging Automation Center of Excellence.

As of July 1, Norbert Gauss has succeeded to the position of CEO of the new organization. He previously was CEO of Berger Lahr, now known as Schneider Electric Motion, since 2005. There was no word on the Elau global marketing organization headquartered outside Chicago, IL. I'm sure I'll have more on the depths of the reorganization soon.

Correction

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:23:27 GMT

Thanks to ARC Advisory Group's Harry Forbes for pointing out that the parts of GE Industrial that we all know and love are NOT part of the proposed spin off from GE. So, maybe Jim Pinto's latest analysis that GE could be a player for Rockwell Automation isn't so far fetched. Jim's latest newsletter renews his obsession with Rockwell's need to be sold. He considers it an underperformer and compares (with the helpful analysis of Andrew Bond) stock price trends of "major automation" players. I think a problem with his analysis is that many, actually most, of the companies are not solely automation players. Automation may be a significant component of some, and less significant for others. Emerson has many divisions. Honeywell even more. Siemens is in several industries. Even comparing ABB with Rockwell is not apples to apples.

If you're looking for the quick hit stock price bonanza, then looking at industrial in general and automation in particular is probably a waste of time. Better to invest in the startups pre-IPO and pre-purchase and reap the dividend with a sale. Or--if you can guess better than anyone so far--try to guess when Yahoo! will be sold to Microsoft and for how much :-) In this bear market, not sure where the huge payoff is -- but I have been assured that my broker is on it.

Brewery automation

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:32:50 GMT

I see that Anheuser-Busch has apparently agreed to a buy out by InBev creating the world's largest brewery company. From the automation perspective, I'd make a comparison to SAB Miller. I've had several conversations with corporate engineering managers at the latter company. Their challenge is to get all the various control and information systems talking with each other and gradually standardizing information and contol. They find ISA95 to be a valuable tool in that effort. This new creation could be an interesting challenge and opportunity for both the engineers involved--and for their current suppliers who will undoubtedly be jockeying for position.

Speculation in oil

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:44 GMT

Got this post about speculation in the oil market and how it is part of the drive up in pricing through a commercial airline pilot. I know nothing about this market, but I have had bitter experience with speculation. The dot com speculation cost me (on paper) probably six figures, and now the cheap mortgage speculation driving the bear market is costing me again. Speculation is like a pyramid scheme--only the first ones in make any money, and then not always. <sigh>

Anyway, if this moves you, write your Congressperson. If not, trash it.

Foods that heal

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:56:08 GMT

Seen at Yahoo! health news--7 Super Snacks that Heal. I bet you all go to number 7 first (when you're in the mood) rather than number 3 (when you need energy) ;-)

Works for me. When I'm at a conference listening to tons of presentations, I don't want the super cookies they put out. The trail mix works--or at the very least chips. With sugar, you go up, then crash.

Thoughts

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:39:46 GMT

Took a relaxing weekend. Needed a break. Now catching up on reading and planning the week. Just saw this post from Tech Geek Blogger Robert Scoble on FriendFeed, "How do you know someone is smart? I've been thinking about that this morning and looking back at all the conversations I've had and one common theme is smart people talk to you about ideas, not about celebrities."

Food for thought.

Emerson acquisition

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:38:57 GMT

Just finished up several intensive days of meetings. Now, ready to blog again. And, it's with another industry acquisition. Emerson has acquired TopWorx. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. TopWorx becomes part of Emerson Process Management expanding its valve instrument offering and "extending the reach of Emerson's PlantWeb digital plant architecture to on/off valves and other instruments."

Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, TopWorx manufactures industrial sensors and controls which monitor and control automated valves and other field devices. TopWorx Valvetop discrete valve controllers connect on/off valves to a variety of fieldbus networking protocols, and GO Switch leverless limit switches provide reliable position sensing in harsh environments and tough applications. The company has additional locations in the United Kingdom, Singapore, and South Africa.

"TopWorx is a strong and growing business that is highly valued by its customers," said John Berra, president, Emerson Process Management. "The acquisition gives us a quick and significant entry into the discrete instrumentation market, and is highly complementary to our existing valve, valve automation, and instrument businesses. TopWorx will extend the benefits of our PlantWeb digital plant architecture, and enable us to provide a complete valve instrument portfolio, both wired and wireless."

Mind set

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:37:22 GMT

Rex Hammock posted a blog entry about the dangers of having a "fixed mind set." He quotes Carol Dweck and if you haven't read her book on mind set, you've missed something. The premise is that some people have a closed mind set that assumes they've reached their maximum growth. Other people see life as a continuing opportunity for growth and development. I've always been the latter. What about you?
(thought I posted this July 9, but it's lost in the Ether)

Company news

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:20:03 GMT

Anyone see my posts from 7/9? They seem to be missing from my application. That's a bummer.

Company news--see in The New York Times that GE is considering spinning off GE Industrial along with GE Appliance in a move to focus the old portfolio and boost stock price. Given the status of my investments--Go GE :-) I do wonder about the eventual impact on GE Fanuc, part of GE Industrial. If it's a spin off, will there be money for investment? Or if they sell, will the buyer need to squeeze things to pay off the purchase price? Only time will tell.

Also, this Chicago Tribune article discusses the Dow purchase of Rohm & Haas. A little more consolidation in the chemicals business.

Automation Gear Debuts

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:29:57 GMT

The text of our brand new way to report on products. Introducing the Automation Gear Blog. Add this to your RSS feed or your favorites. Kicking off the blog is a new product line from Opto 22.

For anyone who has had to wire control panels, you know that it can be tedious, time-consuming and open to error. Companies have been developing wiring aids for some time. Opto 22 has entered the fray and developed and introduced a family of mounting and wiring accessory for its control and input/output systems. Snap Tex includes a wide variety of terminal extender cables, breakout boards, wiring harnesses, DIN-rail kits, jumper straps, rack adapters, and other mounting and wiring components.

The first products in the new line are Snap Tex cables, six feet (1.8 m) long jacketed, pre-wired cables that provide neat, bundled connections from analog and digital I/O modules to field devices, terminal strips, and breakout boards. Snap Tex cables snap neatly into the tops of Snap I/O modules and terminate with color-coded flying leads, pre-stripped and tipped, ready for wiring.

Three versions of Snap Tex cables are available, varying based on the internal bus connections required by the application. Customers have a choice of cables with even-numbered terminals commoned (Snap-Tex-CBE6), odd-numbered terminals commoned (SNAP-TEX-CBO6), or with wiring straight through (Snap-Tex-CBS6).

Next in the Snap Tex product family are several new breakout boards. The Snap-Tex-32 is a simple 32-channel breakout board with straight-through connections, designed primarily for use with the aforementioned Snap Tex cables and Snap analog or digital I/O modules.

The Snap-Tex-FB16-H and Snap-Tex-FB16-L breakout boards offer 16-channel terminations and provide a fuse and a fuse-blown indicator for each channel. With the use of an external power supply, these breakout boards also bus power to loads. The Snap-Tex-F16-H facilitates 120-240 volts, and the Snap-Tex-F16-L works with 12-24 volts. These breakout boards are used for digital inputs and outputs.

The Snap-Tex-MR10-16 and Snap-Tex-MR10-4 breakout boards are designed for high-current output switching. These boards feature mechanical relays that switch up to 10 amps per channel, expanding the switching ability of standard Snap I/O modules by 13 times. These boards include on/off indicators for each channel, and each can be wired as normally closed or normally open.

Rounding out the new Snap Tex line is an assortment of wiring harnesses (used for connecting field devices to high-density Snap I/O modules), jumper connection straps (used with digital I/O modules), DIN-rail mounting kits, module removal tools, and other accessories. Moving these previously available accessories under the Snap Tex line will help customers find the right parts for all of their wiring and installation needs.

"Our new Snap Tex product line serves as yet another example of our product research and development division responding to the stated needs of our customers," says Mark Engman, Opto 22 President and CEO. "Many of our customers have expressed a desire for quicker, easier ways to mount and wire their I/O. Ultimately, Snap Tex, like all of our other product lines, is meant to provide the components, tools, and methods customers need to get their projects done faster, simpler, and in the manner theyâo[dot accent]re most comfortable with."

Developing young minds

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:56:36 GMT

Just heard about this from National Instruments. Lego Education, The Lego Group's educational division, announced Lego Education WeDo, a new product that redefines classroom robotics making it possible for primary school students (ages 7-11) to build and program their own robotics projects. The product was unveiled last week at the National Educational Computing Conference in San Antonio, TX and will be available in the United States and Brazil January 1, 2009. They call it "hands-on, minds-on" educational experience. The product combines Lego products and NI's LabView programming product.

Lego Education WeDo encourages teachers to issue curriculum-based challenges for students to solve. Working in teams, children invent their own solution by building a LEGO model and programming it to perform a certain task. Cause and effect learning is enhanced by the models remaining tethered to a computer; similar to scientists in working labs, children can test and adjust their programming in real time. After reflecting on what did and did not work, students can consult with peers, adapt programming, adjust models or begin again. Newly-designed software developed by National Instruments, makes programming easy and intuitive and students quickly learn that they can solve real-world challenges by tinkering with building and programming.

Developed to cover a broad range of curriculum areas, WeDo sample topics include Language and Literacy: narrative and journalistic writing, storytelling, interviewing and interpreting; Mathematics: measuring time and distance, adding, multiplying, estimating, using variables; Science: transmission of motion, working with simple machines, gears, levers and pulleys; Technology: programming, using software media and creating a working model.

"The Lego Group and National Instruments share a vision of inspiring design and creativity in children through hands-on, interactive learning," said Ray Almgren, vice president of academic relations at National Instruments. "Through our joint development of Lego Mindstorms NXT and now Lego Education WeDo, we are helping build an educational robotics platform, Powered by NI LabVIEW, that enhances science and engineering education for students in all age groups."