 Actuation
 As process plant managers strive to reduce costs they are increasingly looking to automate their facilities. That means there is heightened interest in actuators as well as the technology used to power and control them.
This Special Interest box aims to provide an overview of actuators and their applications. A key resource is the technical papers, all written by experts in the field. These review the designs currently available and compare the pros and cons of each type. The role of the so-called fieldbus systems is also explained.
However, actuation is not just a technology concern. From July 1st 2003, for example, the ATEX directive became mandatory throughout the European Economic Area (EEA), for all installations with potentially explosive atmospheres and for equipment installed in these installations. Much has been published and said about the ATEX directive, but there is still considerable uncertainty amongst end users about where and how to apply this directive. Again, the papers in this box will help give a better understanding of the ATEX directive.
Comments on or input for this section is warmly welcomed, and can be sent to actuation@kci-world.com.
A Rotork engineer servicing an actuator
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