As a result of recent advances in information technology and personal computers, automation systems are being integrated with backbone systems and intelligent field devices, and a comprehensive optimal system configuration - from the field level to the manufactur-ing control and sales levels - based on vertically and horizontally inte-grated solutions that seamlessly links the various required components and solutions in a manufacturing plant is desired. This paper introduces Fuji Electric's efforts in developing vertically and horizontally integrat-ed solutions with a focus on the MICREX-NX new information control system.

Concern for safety, especially mechanical safety and functional safety, has increased for over the past several years in both the FA and PA
fields. In 2008, the functional safety standard IEC 61511 for process automation changes to JIS, and as a result, concern for safety systems in plants is expected to increase. In this paper, we introduce the stand-ards for mechanical safety and functional safety, and also present exam-ples of safety technical trends and a safety instrument system that uses the MICREX-NX to explain the concept of total safety, which considers the safety of all equipment.

Fuji Electric's new MICREX-NX information control system continues to evolve and adapt to user needs for greater sophistication and diversity. This paper introduces representative examples of the evolution of the newly-released seventh version of the MICREX-NX to support IPU-II, FL-Net gateways, operator support packages, new industrial PCs and higher performance controllers, advanced process control, SPOSA (single point of system access), plant security, new engineering functions, and new operating functions.

PID control is certainly the most widely used control strategy today. PID control is estimated to be employed in over 90% of control loops. The appropriate tuning of a PID controller depends upon the control performance of the system in which it is utilized. Until now, such tuning has significantly relied on the experience and know-how of skilled operators and technicians. Thus, in order to enhance energy savings, product quality and efficiency, Fuji Electric has developed the ''FePIDtune'' PID tuning software program that utilizes the latest optimization technology so as to enable a user to make tuning based on desired response waveform specifications, such as the amount of over-shoot and rise time.

In the steel industry, strong domestic and foreign demand is driving an increase in production for the manufacturing industry, but with the recognition in recent years of the importance of measures to prevent global warming, there is also an increase in efforts to achieve greater energy savings. This paper introduces the ''FeTOP'' optimal energy operation system package developed by Fuji Electric, which was early to recognize the usefulness of energy control at an iron-works. The effectiveness of this package in optimizing operation has been verified in off-line simulations and the results are presented.

Computer systems in the steel industry have a history spanning several decades, and as technology has advanced, have been introduced into most plants and have contributed to greater operating stability and product quality. With the adoption of open standards, the framework used to configure computer systems in the steel industry has changed considerably. In contrast to the use of manufacturer-specific middle-ware as in the past, general-purpose middleware and MES (Manufac-turing Execution System) related packages are being utilized. This paper introduces the status of the application of this new framework.

In the global market for pharmaceutical products, electronic records and electronic signatures must be used in accordance with the FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Rule on electronic records and electronic sig-natures and, in the Japanese market, in accordance with the Japanese version of Part 11 enforced by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. For this purpose, the introduction of a supervisory control system that complies with pharmaceutical regulation is essential. This paper introduces Fuji Electric's new MICREX-NX information control system that supports the use of electronic records and signatures, and presents an example of delivered system.

In the field of environmental plant engineering, ash fusion plants that melt the ash emitted from waste incineration facilities are attract-ing attention because they help prolong the lifespan of final industrial-waste disposal sites due to the reduced volume of ash, and enable the melted slag to be recycled. This paper introduces Fuji Electric's new MICREX-NX large-scale information control system delivered via the Yokohama Dockyard Machinery Works of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to the Chubo Ash Fusion Facility of No.1 Cleaning Department for 23 Wards in Tokyo.

A natural gas pipeline remote monitoring system delivered to Akita Mining's Yurihara oil and gas field of Japan Petroleum Explora-tion Co., Ltd. At the Yurihara oil and gas field, a DCS for implement-ing control functions within the mining site is combined with various remote monitoring systems. Remote monitoring is implemented via a combination of conventional systems that use TM/TC, systems that use IP-VPN, and systems that apply Internet technology. The system monitors information from distributed bases and pipelines using meth-ods suited to the communication equipment requirements and for the object to be monitored.

As a result of the ongoing replacement of degraded DCS (distribut-ed control systems) by aging, the increasing visualization capability of computerized production systems, and reduction of capital investment, PLC-based instrumentation systems are being used increasingly in small and medium-scale systems. This paper introduces a functionally-enhanced PLC-based instrumentation system that utilizes a MICREX-SX integrated controller and POD programmable operation displays.

A ubiquitous computing society in which information can be com-municated at any time, from anywhere and by anyone, is desired. This paper introduces the ''FiTSA'' and ''FitSX'' for acquiring information that is effective for improving product quality, productivity, equipment maintenance and so on, from equipment, systems, operators, materials, and the environment, the ''eSC Matrix'' for expressing operating sce-narios thereof, the ''FiT-Support'' engineering tool, the ''POJ'' human interface, and the ''DCF'' that supports the efficient use of acquired data. Real-time TQC/TPM is also presented as an example of a high-level control application.

Fuji Electric's FCX-AIII is a series of a new-type differential pres-sure and pressure transmitters equipped with a micro-capacitance silicon sensor. This new series is an improvement over the previous FCX-AII series developed in 2000, and realizes excellent long-term stability, high-speed response, and a smaller size and lighter weight as a result of new technology. Additionally, 3 push buttons are provided to enhance onsite adjustment functionality and the amp case is available in either the previous L-shape or in a T-shape so as to support a wide variety of user needs and to enable the targeting of markets worldwide.

We have announced the development of the Portaflow-C portable ultrasonic flowmeter that features a completely new design and that uses transit-time moasuring method for measuring the flow rate and a pulsed Doppler method for measuring the flow velocity profile within a pipe. This new portable ultrasonic flowmeter realizes a smaller size, lighter weight and is easier to use than prior models. New functions include flow velocity profile measurement, a heat dissipation computa-tion function, pipe wall thickness measurement (under development), and a USB communications function. Furthermore, the memory capac-ity can be expanded with SD cards, the display is a large-screen color LCD, and the built-in Li ion battery provides approximately 12 hours of continuous operation.

Fuji Electric has developed a ''PUM'' multi-loop modular tempera-ture controller. The PUM controller realizes control functions for up to 64 loops, high-speed communications, and ease of handling. Thermal interference between adjacent zones has been a cause of degraded tem-perature stability in a multi-zone control system, and therefore, Fuji Electric developed multi-zone optimal control technology that reduces this thermal interference between zones and that stabilizes the control. Furthermore, the PUM controller is optimally suited for integration into manufacturing equipment that realizes higher levels of integration and complexity in order to support the higher levels of quality required for manufacturing.

Applications of paperless recorders are expanding. Paperless re-corders which allow measured data to be displayed on a front display panel and also to be recorded in memory as a digital value, are there-fore useful in post-processing applications such as statistic analysis. Furthermore, when connected to a LAN, data transmission and e-mail sending functions are also possible. In addition to a 5.7-inch size, a 12.1-inch large size model has also been released. This paper describes the functions and specifications of Fuji Electric's paperless recorders.

Compared to the ion electrode method for measuring hydrogen chloride concentration at waste incineration plants, the ZSS cross stack laser gas analyzer has many excellent characteristics, including: (1) maintenance-free operation, (2) environmentally-friendly energy-sav-ings type, (3) strong resistance to dusty environments, (4) high-speed response that enables control applications which were not possible be-fore, (5) no interference from other gases, (6) low-range measurement, (7) no occurence of non-measuring time by the automatic calibration, (8) low running cost

Amid recent concerns about energy and environmental issues, the oxygen analyzers used to control and manage combustion are required to be stable even in severe environments and to be capable of taking measurements with a fast response time. Thus, in situ type oxygen an-alyzers that can be inserted directly into a chimney or the like are be-coming increasingly important. This paper explains the measurement principles of the zirconia oxygen analyzer and describes characteristic features, such as the reliability, ease of use and safety of the ZFK8 detector and ZKM transducer for Fuji Electric's new in situ zirconia oxygen analyzer.