Automation Parts

2/4 Project To Discuss Engine Of The Future The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) will stage a free event on the theme of the future of engine design on 16 June, at the Novotel Hotel, Hammersmith, London, UK. The 2/4 Car project aims to prove that a gasoline engine, by combining two- and four-stroke operation, can be downsized sufficiently to compete with future diesel power in terms of CO2/cost trade-off. This study of 2S-4S gasoline engines has culminated in the development of the multi-cylinder 2/4Sight engine. This engine is based on a 2.1-litre V6 gasoline unit with direct injection, an electro-hydraulic valvetrain and an advanced boosting system. Guest speaker Bob Gilchrist will explain the results of the 2/4Sight simulation and engine testing programmes. His presentation will include updates on the 2/4 Car programme to provide a demonstration vehicle for 2011.

The Future For Programmable Logic Controllers PLC applications cut across discrete, process and hybrid automation segments, and are poised for steady growth across all manufacturing. Strong economic growth in Asia and Eastern Europe significantly boosted the programmable logic controller (PLC) market in 2007 And although economic expansion is expected to continue, future growth will be at a slower pace The worldwide market for PLCs is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% over the next five years. The PLC market reached nearly US $9.0 billion in 2007 and is forecasted to grow to over $12 billion in 2012, according to a new ARC Advisory Group study. Robust investments in manufacturing and infrastructure industries continued worldwide. "Emerging economies, such as those in the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and Eastern Europe, helped propel the growth of the PLC market, which was driven by increasing consumer demand from the growing middle class in those countries, ad...