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Author Profile
Bill Lydon
208 Results Found
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FeatureHow the Internet of Things Impacts Manufacturing
Dramatic advancements in technology are driving the Internet of Things, creating more tools for industrial automation and the process industries. -
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Hannover Messe 2019 Preview: Digital Networking Humans & Machines in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
During a January preview for the event, over 120 journalists, including yours truly, gathered for presentations and discussions from the Hannover Messe team, and over 40 exhibitors, expanding on the topics and technologies that so many will experience -
FeatureBill’s Top 10 Automation & Control Trends for 2019 – Accelerating Change & Reaching the Tipping Point
The pace of technological change in the automation industry seems to be accelerating as we head into 2019, driven by innovations developed for Internet of Things and general computing. -
FeatureWhat is Open Source & Why Should You Care?
Lydon brings more than 10 years of writing and editing expertise to Automation.com, plus more than 25 years of experience designing and applying technology in the automation and controls industry. Lydon started his career as a designer of computer-based machine tool controls; in other positions, he applied programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and process control technology. In addition to working at various large companies (e.g., Sundstrand, Johnson Controls, and Wago), Lydon served a two-year stint as part of a five-person task group, where he designed controls, automation systems, and software for chiller and boiler plant optimization. He was also a product manager for a multimillion-dollar controls and automation product line and president of an industrial control software company. -
FeatureHow Programming Standards Improve Automation and Controls
IEC 61131-3 software standards improve the quality of applications and the efficiency of building applications. Structured modular software improves the reuse of applications. -
FeatureRedefine and Transform How You Execute Automation Projects
Improving on what has always been done can only result in incremental improvements at best or continued complications. We have to redefine and transform how we execute automation projects. -
FeatureIndustry 4.0 Make to Order Manufacturing at Valpak, Who Would Have Guessed?
I was impressed by a tour of the Valpak Manufacturing Center in St. Petersburg, Florida, hosted by Siemens, which is a great example of a company applying Industry 4.0 make to order manufacturing concepts. -
FeatureHow Industry 4.0 and Digitization Improves Manufacturing Responsiveness, Quality, and Efficiency
Automation is essential to the implementation of Industry 4.0 and IoT strategies as manufacturers realize low labor rates are no longer a winning strategy. -
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How to Leverage the ISA Ecosystem to Advance Your Career in Industrial Automation
The automation industry is experiencing rapid changes and challenges; the diversity of ISA members is a great resource of experience, ideas, and know-how. -
FeatureDigital Factory Comes into Focus at Hannover Messe 2018
Resembling more a bustling city than a trade fair, the 71st Hannover Messe was very busy and chock full of energy and innovation this year, with over 200,000 attendees from 75 countries. Focusing on the theme 'Integrated Industry – Connect & Collaborate', the Digital Factory was front and center. -
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How to Optimize Application Engineering to Keep Projects on Time and on Budget
Customization of products that deviate from vendor and industry standards leads to a number of problems on projects. Engineering and as-built documentation costs can increase because of the deviation -
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2018 HANNOVER MESSE & CeMAT to see Industry 4.0 meeting Logistics 4.0
From April 23-27, 2018, HANNOVER MESSE and CeMAT will run concurrently with a particular emphasis on integration in supply chain and manufacturing. The theme -'Integrated Industry – Connect & Collaborate' - encompasses the range of Industry 4.0 technology, thinking, and creative applications -
FeatureBill’s Top 10 Automation & Control Trends for 2018 - A Year of Technology Driven Change
After another busy year talking to a wide range of users, suppliers and industry consultants, and attending over 20 industry conferences and related events, I have another year’s worth of informed insights to share on the latest trends that will shape automation in 2018. -
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The Push for Industrial Cyber Security Standards: A Look at Underwriters Laboratory Efforts
By Bill Lydon, Editor, Automation.com While industrial automation suppliers can claim products are cybersecure it is hard to prove. Standards and certification, like electrical and safety device requirements, today for cybersecurity are one such way for companies to illustrate that proof. -
FeatureInsights on the Impact of Industry 4.0 for Process Automation
Of the technology trends that I have observed in recent years, few developments have been more exciting than Industry 4.0 for Process Automation. But what does Industry 4.0 mean for your facility? -
FeatureShould STEM Education Programs Include the Arts?
The author argues the expansion of STEM programs in schools. -
FeatureAutomation Professionals Are Catalysts for Change in Manufacturing
As manufacturing marches on, automation professionals find themselves in the best position to improve the industry. -
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Hannover Fair 2017: Integrated Industry Empowers World Competition
The 2017 Hannover Fair taught us one thing above all others. Manufacturing winners and losers will be defined by their understanding and application of Industry 4.0 and IoT solutions. -
FeatureSuccessful Automation Engineers Build Relationships and Collaborate
Learn and share knowledge via discussion groups, articles, user group meetings, ISA meetings, Web meetings, and trade events. -
FeatureThe IoT Impact on Business Models: What Should Manufacturers Do First?
The availability of many new technologies has provided the building blocks for dramatic changes in the manufacturing industry. Is your business model set to keep up? -
FeatureIs the Internet of Things Creating Unfocused Urgency to Monitor Everything?
The hyper-focus on IoT is creating an unfocused urgency monitor everything, which could lead to over instrumenting automation systems & creating data noise. -
FeatureHow Cloud Computing Delivers a New Industrial Automation Tool for Improving Operations
Cloud computing simplifies industrial systems administration and support and the analytics can be levered for improving process operations. -
FeatureThe Big Maintenance Dilemma: In-House vs. Outsourcing
Determining whether to use in-house staff to perform maintenance or to outsource to a contractor is a source of continual headaches for many a company. The decision-making process will come down to three approaches to maintenance management -
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Automation Controllers & Word Processors Embrace the Technological Shift or Die
The foundations of the automation industry are being reshaped right now from the torrent of ideas driven by Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Given today’s trends, are industrial automation controllers headed down a path to extinction? -
FeatureCybersecurity: Where Does the Reasoning Begin?
Usually during cybersecurity presentations, the speakers talk about serious consequences of cyber security and then overwhelm people, who are not familiar with the topic, with deep levels of details and intricacies. This one answers a simple question: Where does the reasoning begin? -
FeatureISA Members Develop Key Standards That Advance the Industrial Automation Industry
ISA members develop standards in everything from cybersecurity to process safety to interfaces between industrial process control computers and subsystems -
FeatureCybersecurity Strategy at Ford: IT & Automation Cooperation
Mike Bastian, Global Controls Manager at Ford, shared the motivations behind their cybersecurity strategy, as well as defined 7 systems which are essential for reliable operations and keeping production running smoothly. -
FeatureTechnical Deep Dive: Multi-core Industrial Controllers
Beckhoff Automation has been offering multi-core industrial controllers since 2006 with users benefiting from the advantages that this increased performance delivers. We discuss multi-core technology with Beckhoff Automation’s Daymon Thompson, Automation Specialist. -
FeatureResponse to Automation Industry Problem: React or Positively Act?
It is not important how you react to automation industry problems, issues, and challenges, but how you positively act. -
FeatureProcess Plant Historians Deliver Insights and Improve Operations
Before the term “big data” was being used as part of the Internet of Things, plant historians were handling large volumes of time-synchronized data. -
FeatureThe Automation Professional as Change Agent
To create the greatest value for their employers, automation professionals need to be change agents. -
FeatureWhy Standards Benefit Manufacturing and the Process Industries
New industrial automation industry standards are enablers for leveraging new technology for the process industries. -
FeatureCollaborative Robots Transform Industry
Bill Lydon: I am convinced that collaborative robots are the highest impact automation development to improve manufacturing since the assembly line. If this development follows the cost performance trends of past developments, like PCs, we at the beginning of a new revolution. -
FeatureProduction Line and Machine Upgrades Improve Productivity and Efficiency
The manufacturing industry has production lines and machines with old technology and custom controls that could benefit from an upgrade to newer technology. -
FeatureLeverage New Knowledge to Avoid Being Blindsided
If you do not leverage new knowledge, you can be blindsided by others who apply it, especially your competitors. -
FeatureLeveraging Industry Silos to Develop New Business Opportunities
Isolated silos in industry may create barriers to growth, but they also offer opportunities for those willing to take the initiative. -
FeatureCareer Choices on the Road to Becoming an Automation Professional
In your journey to become an automation professional, consider joining ISA and contributing your time and talents to advance the automation industry. You will find a community of people with common in -
FeatureWhat Can We Do to Prevent Cyberattacks on Industrial Operations?
Cyber attacks on industrial operations are a growing concern with potential to disrupt the economy and do harm. -
NewsFrom simulation to plant floor control
With xPC Target Turnkey, users can do virtual design and debugging of machines, production lines and processes and the results will be automatically implemented in real control systems. -
NewsIndustrial Wire Management & Organized Wiring Systems
Structured cabling in commercial buildings based on TIA/EIA standards has become a common practice in many building automation system applications. Panduit is promoting similar approaches for industrial automation. Jeff Paliga of Panduit answered the following questions about their approach. -
NewsAn Example of a Sustainable Light Commercial Building
There can be some great lessons learned from professionals when they put their skills and knowledge to work. I saw this when visiting a 34,100 square feet light commercial building where technology and knowhow were applied to create an efficient, sustainable, and productive environment. The building is a notable exception when contrasted with the typical light commercial building built for lowest first cost resulting in high energy cost, extra maintenance, and an uncomfortable environment. -
FeatureIs Smart Grid Avoiding Real Challenges?
There is too much hype about the smart grid without looking at the core problems from an engineering and business point of view. -
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PLC vs DCS - Competing Process Control Philosophy
The idea of using a PLC-based system rather than a DCS has become a philosophical and technical debate in the industry. DCSs have been the primary solution for process automation but now many PLC vendors are arguing that a single integrated architecture based on PLCs and/or PACs is the best approach to total plant automation. -
FeatureSiemens Contributes to Toy Story Attraction's Magic
Toy Story Midway Mania! is one of the most technologically sophisticated attractions yet developed by Walt Disney Imagineering. It marks the company's first use of industrial Ethernet for a ride's control system which takes advantage of Siemens products. -
NewsHoneywell Process Solutions Embraces System Integrators
Honeywell Process Solutions is pursuing relationships with independent system integrators (SI) for the “Honeywell Experion Implementers” program. I recently spoke with Bill Stevens, Honeywell Channel Manager, to learn more about this program. -
NewsAutomatic PLC Code Generation & Design Interchange Standards
Open standards, more powerful desktop computers, and lower cost software are making design, modeling, and automatic code generation for PLCs and PACs practical for improving automation. -
NewsOPC UA Redefines Automation Architectures
The new OPC UA technology provides an efficient and secure infrastructure for communications - from sensor to business enterprise computing for all automation systems in manufacturing and process control. OPC UA leverages web services to provide a single programming paradigm in a scalable architecture that can be implemented is a range of devices - from embedded to enterprise. -
NewsNew DCS for the Power Industry, the Siemens SPPA-T3000
I recently visited Siemens Energy’s Instrumentation, Controls, and Electrical group to learn more about the SPPA-T3000 system and how customers are using it. -
NewsRockwell's Process Industry Strategy - New DCS Architecture
Rockwell’s Process Solutions User Group (PSUG) meeting was held the two days prior to Automation Fair. Rockwell’s message to DCS users is very direct - the Logix architecture can meet all control and automation requirements from discrete to process control. -
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Make or Break with Project Management
Project management is critical to ensuring projects are implemented correctly, on time and within budget. Good project management also communicates to your management or stakeholder that you are a professional. -
NewsIEC 61850 Power Industry Communications Standard
IEC 61850 is the new Ethernet-based international standard for communication in power generation facilities and substations. The goal of this standard is to integrate all of the protection, control, measurement, and monitoring functions within a substation, and to provide the means for high-speed substation protection applications, interlocking and intertripping. -
FeatureHoneywell Users Group - Heroes Gather in Phoenix
The 33rd annual Honeywell Users Group Conference was held June 15 - 19, 2008 at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, AZ with over 700 customers in attendance. -
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Stop and Think! Solving Problems More Effectively
Leveraging the knowledge and know-how of the people in an organization is a powerful way to make improvements and solve problems. The difficulty is getting this done effectively and avoiding an ineffective committee that creates more problems. -
NewsElectronic Marshalling Concept Attacks Installed Costs
Emerson Process Management introduced their new Electronic Marshalling concept as part of the new DeltaV release. This is the result of Emerson’s new process to design products based on Human Centered Design (HCD). -
NewsMachine design software generates open source Mechatronics program code
To implement a design, Mechatronics Concept Designer generates the control application code in the PLCopen XML standard format to create programs for controllers. -
NewsIEC 61850 Power Communications Standard - Commercial Ethernet switches need not apply!
The Ethernet-based IEC 61850 international standards for communication in power generation facilities and substations sets a high bar for Ethernet switch reliability. The goal of this standard is to integrate all of the protection, control, measurement, and monitoring functions within a substation. -
NewsHoneywell Process Solutions Embraces System Integrators
Honeywell Process Solutions is pursuing relationships with independent system integrators (SI) for the “Honeywell Experion Implementers” program. -
NewsAbout Bill Lydon, Editor for Automation.com
Please don't hesitate to contact Bill regarding any editorial opportunities with Automation.com.