Automation Parts

Sigma Updates Sinetz Analysis Software Sigma has announced Sinetz 3.4, the latest release of the pressure drop and temperature loss analysis software. This Sinetz release allows data in ROHR2 neutral interface format (ntr) to be imported. Read data from 3D CAD systems such as PDMS, HICADnext can also be imported into Sinetz directly. Calculation speed at systems with valves and/or blocked parts has been improved. The release also offers extended calculation of zeta values at branches, which is now available for sloping branches. Other features include: load-case-depending input of ambient conditions; heating of the medium through insulation is now considered; input and calculation of sprinklers at node ends; revised list functions with more editing capabilities directly form the list; and the input of an alternative company logo or text field to simplify work on commission orders.

ABB has launched the latest version of its six-step energy saving plan. It provides customers with information on the best ways to save money, by applying variable- speed drives and low-voltage motors to their fan and pump applications. The six-step energy saving plan is captured in a free 20-page guide, available to download. Using the guide, customers can assess up-to-date information on climate change and how it could affect their business. The guide also provides information on how to save money in setting up and running drive and motor applications, with tips on managing installations and when best to replace old technology with modern drives and motors. Schemes to help those willing to invest are also highlighted in the guide. The government's Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs) scheme, and interest-free loans from the Carbon Trust help reduce the initial cost of implementing energy saving measures. ABB's six-step plan provides information on what they are, qualifyin...

Lee Products Updates Its Microhydraulics Handbook The 2009 Lee Industrial Microhydraulics Handbook (IMH) is now available from miniature components specialist Lee Products. This third-edition 210-page handbook has been updated and includes a range of new products, all of which are said to be presented in a clear and concise, colour-coded design. A red section features components designed for installation into metal manifolds and fittings for high-volume industrial and automotive applications. A blue section shows components intended for installation into plastic manifolds and fittings for low-pressure medical applications. Finally, a grey section is claimed to provide useful technical engineering data. A CD containing a fully indexed PDF file of the IMH is also available.

Thomas Updates Baccus Stock-Control System Thomas Micro Systems has introduced version 3.0 of the Baccus Manufacturing Control system, which provides ease of use to small and medium-sized manufacturers. Baccus is an integrated stock control/order processing/MRP system covering: stock control (raw materials and bought-in components), assemblies, purchase-order processing, sales-order processing, work orders and quotations. Baccus can automatically plan work orders and purchase orders from sales orders, ensuring the manufacture only of what is needed and that materials are ordered in the optimum quantities at the optimum time to fulfil those orders. Baccus also keeps track of actual costs against estimated costs for each work order.

Theorem Updates The Multi-CAD Theorem's Multi-CAD V5 product removes the cost and complexity of working with CATIA V5 data and non-CATIA data on a single project. Allowing the operator to access the data seamlessly from within CATIA eliminates the translation bottlenecks that add costs to product designs. It also removes the need to import data from UGNX and/or Pro/E into CATIA. Multi-CAD reduces design costs by enabling the CATIA V5 user to incorporate non-CATIA V5 parts and assemblies, simply, within the CATIA V5 environment. This approach contrasts favourably with the traditional time-intensive and costly process of translating non-CATIA V5 data to CATIA V5 using a standard such as STEP AP203, or a direct database translator. A major drawback with the above processes is recognising when a design change takes place in non-CATIA V5 data and managing the process of updating the CATIA V5 representation to take into account the changes once the initial translation process is co...

MVTec Updates Halcon Software MVTec will release version 9.0 of its Halcon software in January. Halcon v.9.0 offers valuable speedups, especially for automatic operator parallelisation, which distribute the processing to the available cores. This technique has been updated to increase the benefit of multi-core computers. Halcon 9.0 also provides new matching technologies. In the future, it will be possible to find 2D objects such as labels or work pieces with a corresponding structure, even in images with strong perspective distortions. Version 9.0 allows large images of more than 32k x 32k pixels to be processed.