Articles and News

By Brian Joe, Emerson Automation Solutions Until recently—when engineers wanted to monitor plant equipment such as steam traps, pumps or heat exchangers—they were often faced with difficult, complex and expensive projects. New apps and wireless instruments make equipment monitoring much less expensive than with traditional methods

The research, conducted by serialization system provider SEA Vision and life science technology specialist Zenith Technologies, highlights technology selection as the biggest challenge currently faced by the industry, cited by 28 per cent of respondents.

Improvements in pressure-measurement technologies are opening up new application areas, leading to operational improvements

The operating system that supported the Tyson Foods' Wisconsin plant's human machine interface (HMI) application was facing obsolescence. The new solution is based on the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture system that incorporates both the Logix control platform and FactoryTalk production management software

The Foundation, Shape Corp. and Grand Haven Area Public Schools will collaborate through SME’s Partnership Response In Manufacturing Education (PRIME) initiative, to develop and launch an advanced manufacturing education program at Grand Haven High School in Grand Haven, Michigan, beginning in the 2018 academic year.

Together, the three events address disciplines central to automation—robot safety, motion control, motor technologies, vision systems, and collaborative robots.

The purpose of pressure taps is prevent gas or vapor accumulations in the connections between the pipe and differential-pressure (dP) measuring device.

By Steve Gansen, Cisco With manufacturing there has been a real struggle with a slowing demographic and attracting new talent, causing a considerable amount of institutional knowledge to walk out the door into retirement. Manufacturers can no longer be complacent in dealing with talent.

The compact optoNCDT 1750 laser sensor for displacement and distance measurements offers new features combined with robustness and reliability. Based on an innovative web interface, the new laser sensor stands out due to its ease of use and intuitive commissioning using presets for different surface types and colors.

With the creation of a separate business unit for the process industry, HIMA aims to focus their business strategy on stronger global growth and closer customer contact.

By Rick Delgado, Freelance Automation Writer Using Artificial Intelligence for cyber security is a relatively new idea that still is undergoing its incubation phase. Actualizing the significance of AI in data assessment and predictive analysis, advancements are being made in the technological sector to utilize this potential in addressing the growing challenge of cyber security.

The Purdue team made a solid showing at the first Hyperloop competition this January in held at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, CA, finishing 7th out of a field of 27 universities. The team spent the Spring semester refining its original pod in preparation for the second competition set for August 25-27, 2017.

Study of a novel teleoperation controller for a nonlinear master-slave robotic system with constant time delay in communication channel.

The Product Knowledge Workshop will take place on October 4-5 in San Marcos, California, and October 17-19 in Beijing, China. These workshops are designed to provide customers comprehensive training on FCI thermal dispersion mass flow meters, flow switches, and level switches.

Two students from the Izmir Institute of Technology, who used Honeywell’s simulation software to demonstrate how to produce petrochemicals from algae, have been named the winners of Honeywell Process Solutions’ (HPS) annual UniSim Design Challenge.

Hundreds of participants from all corners of the globe took part in a hackers contest aimed at cracking a game protected with Blurry Box, the encryption software recently launched by Wibu-Systems. The outcome: No one could break the latest software protection technology introduced by the provider of secure license management.

The DENSO North America Foundation (DNAF) funds programs across the continent each year providing hands-on learning opportunities in areas from robotics and thermodynamics to design and materials development.

Nowadays, data will be generated and copied quicker from IoT, fog computing, and big data analysis. Central clouds, data centers, micro servers, and other server oriented applications play an important role in processing and transmitting the massive data. However, the current COM Express type was designed to fulfill embedded solutions.

DFI’s EC500-SD series is a embedded system equipped with 6th Generation Intel Core i7/i5/i3 processors and Intel® Q170 chipset. It targets machine vision applications requiring high computing power and accurate real-time data transition with minimal footprint.

By Jonathan Wilkins, Marketing Director, EU Automation The need for the latest technology is also visible in the manufacturing sector as those working within it look to improve efficiency through Industry 4.0. This article discusses how the latest industrial trend, digital twinning, is shaping the future of manufacturing.

The MAR Series provides detailed information and in-depth analysis on the worldwide PLM market during 2016. It contains analyses of major trends and issues; revenues of PLM providers; and revenue analyses for geographical regions, industry sectors, and historical and projected data on market growth.

The survey found that over half (54%) of ICS companies interviewed have experienced at least one cyberattack in the last 12 months – with one-in-five (21%) experiencing two incidents in the same time frame.

Prior to accepting his leadership role at Dematic, Vercammen served as CEO and Managing Director of Egemin Group, headquartered in Zwijndrecht, Belgium, responsible for leading its team in the development, design and delivery of warehouse distribution systems.

When Tarmac asked Elite Control Systems to assist Siemens in providing them with a way to monitor the Stacker and Reclaimer’s activities through the plant’s existing control system, Elite devised a custom solution.

By Dr. Oliver Kleineberg, Hirschmann Automation and Control, a Belden brand As the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) continues to expand, its need for reliable and efficient control networks, free of bandwidth and latency issues, becomes even more important to support the large volumes of data – with and without real-time requirements – on which the phenomenon depends.

The modular CK design enabled the operator to tailor the actuator specification to precisely match the requirements of the application. The selection of CK actuators complete with Centronik digital control units required only the provision of a mains electricity supply to provide automation of the previously hand operated valves.

One of the top priorities for any manufacturing operation is the safety of workers and people living within the surrounding community.

The seminar titled “Siemens RF600: A Case Study,” will be co-presented with Caterpillar Inc. and will feature a recent project. The Siemens Automation Summit will take place June 26-29 at the Boca Raton Resort and Club, Waldorf Astoria Resort in Boca Raton, Florida.

A new suite of capabilities improves functionality across its portfolio of scalable MES applications based on the FactoryTalk ProductionCentre platform from Rockwell Automation. The portfolio includes FactoryTalk Production, FactoryTalk Performance, FactoryTalk Quality and soon FactoryTalk Warehouse applications.

The Digital Change Survey polled 750 decision makers in 16 countries, including more than 120 in North America, to assess the maturity of digital transformation in sectors such as manufacturing, oil and gas, aviation, construction and contracting, and service.

NFPA's mission is to reduce fire and other hazards via scientifically based consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.

FG05M, an overview course that provides technicians, engineers and managers the basic understanding of industrial process measurement and control and a foundation for communicating with other control systems professionals, is now offered in a training format that delivers the same valuable information in small, computer-based chunks.

By Bob McIlvride, Skkynet Cloud Systems More and more companies are recognizing the value hidden in their process data, and are looking at ways to tap into it. If you need to provide access to OPC data on your plant system, say for analytics, predictive maintenance, or real-time dashboards, you'll need to secure your system from the kind of threat that WannaCry poses

By Scott A. Kortier, Schneider Electric Software Automation applications are benefiting from HMIs that have moved well beyond panel device replacers and are now collecting, filtering and displaying data from multiple machines or processes.

The result is intended to be a SCADA alarm notification and management solution with minimal development and configuration time.

Construction will be managed using Hexagon’s own enterprise construction solution, HxGN SMART Build, and is slated to begin this year, with completion targeted for 2020.

The challenge of the lack of interest in industrial careers by millennials is daunting.

A partnership announced between Rockwell Automation and ManpowerGroup will upskill 1,000 veterans per year by 2018, investing in the future workforce and creating a pool of certified talent for in-demand advanced manufacturing roles across the United States.

In this position, Cosio will be responsible for the company’s strategic direction and sales growth in Mexico. Additionally, he will be responsible for the operation of Yaskawa’s three facilities located in Mexico (Aguascalientes, Apodaca and Queretaro).

The event outlined GE's intended path to greater productivity for customers who take advantage of advances in the company’s Asset Performance Management (APM) and ServiceMax industrial applications, powered by Predix, GE’s platform for the Industrial Internet.

ASGMT is the largest gas measurement school in the United States devoted to natural gas and natural gas liquid measurement, pressure regulation, flow control and other measurement related arenas.

By John Rinaldi, Real Time Automation In their latest series of announcements, it’s clear that OPC UA is key to Microsoft’s strategy of entering and dominating the factory floor through its Azure cloud services.

Panacea Update Manager automates the process of deploying Microsoft patches on industrial networks by allowing only automation vendor approved patches to be deployed on the appropriate computers.

By Stefan Hoppe, OPC Foundation In November 2016, the Industrie 4.0 Platform published a checklist for classifying and advertising products as Industrie 4.0 “Basic,” “Ready,” or “Full”. To comply with the “Industrie 4.0 communication” criterion, even the lowest category requires the product to be addressable over the network via TCP/UDP or IP and to integrate at least the OPC UA information model.

The 2016 Process Instrumentation and Automation market in the United States, valued at $11.7 Billion, is projected to grow 3.6 percent by 2021 to a total of $14 Billion.

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.

The data that is really needed when selecting and sizing a control valve is rarely understood and specified.

YuMi was a guest of ROBO Global LLC, which offers The ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index Series, the index series to track the global robotics and automation market.

The addition of Nextnine’s security solutions and secure remote service capabilities will enhance the Company’s existing range of cyber security technologies.

The acquisition will better serve the needs of Meyer Industries’ customer-base by providing a larger platform of research, engineering and manufacturing resources

A rotary valve has a flow closure member that rotates in the flow stream to modify the amount of fluid passing through the valve.

This capability will enhance ABB’s ability to address trends toward bigger, more power-hungry data centers and industrial plants that require ever-larger UPS systems.

The lab will be used for proprietary research and development of cyber security technologies and products, hands-on training and certifications, and testing and validation of industrial cyber security solutions.

This tool provides a self-guided assessment for machine builders to measure their performance in the three pillars of industrial safety: culture (behavior), compliance (procedure) and capital (investment in contemporary technology).

An R&D program has been initiated there to discover new uses for the TC with help from a new automated process for winding coils.

By Matt Rendall, Host of Drive Manufacturing Summit The convergence of advanced technology and manufacturing processes requires an organizational leader. Someone who will research, advise, and embrace on capability and process. This leader will emerge as the Chief Robotics Officer (CRO).

Wireless Sensor Network for Building & Home Automation Market Viewed as Key For Successful Implementation of Smart Cities

The collaborative dual arm robot solution is designed to ensure the safety of those around it and elevate the nature of work at the plant by performing repetitive tasks to perfection.

Manufacturing technology executives will focus on ‘Empowering Manufacturing’s Future’ during the 2017 Global Automation & Manufacturing Summit on Tuesday, November 7 at the Integrated Automation, Motion & Drives trade show (IAMD USA) co-located with FABTECH 2017 in Chicago.

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Cologne, Germany, FASys is a vendor of manufacturing software solutions, including DIN 4000/4003-based tool and resource management, and the integration of presetting and CNC machines (DNC).

By Kent Lennartsson, Research Manager, Kvaser AB The use of CAN began in the automotive industry and has since branched out into a multitude of sectors, including industrial automation. However, CAN in itself is not equipped to handle the control processes needed for this complex industry. Instead, a secondary, higher layer protocol was required to make adoption possible.

This intermediate-level book explains the application of basic and advanced regulatory control strategies for the wet process industries.

Safety professionals will hear how contemporary technologies that combine machinery and safety control into one platform can help to identify the root causes of downtime and stoppages. This can help increase efficiencies, improve product quality and make operations more responsive.

For the fourth consecutive year, Schneider Electric, a specialist in energy management and automation, was recognised as a Leader in ADMS systems by Gartner, Inc. in their Magic Quadrant for Advanced Distribution Management Systems report.

By Bill Dehner, AutomationDirect.com A recent study by the Identity Theft Resource Center concluded that in 2016 U.S companies and government agencies were breached 1,093 times. That’s a new record and a 40% increase from the 780 breaches in 2015.

The two organizations will work together to support cybersecurity workforce education and development for industry, energy, utilities, government, academia, and infrastructure.

ISA President Steven Pflantz encourages ISA members to make a more conscious effort to talk about ISA and their experience.

It may seem intimidating to sell to the government, but the opportunity is there if you are financially sound, well prepared, and persistent.

NEC 2002 defines an enclosure Type 4x as ideal for outdoor use and resistant to splashing water, windblown dust, hose directed water, and corrosion.

Over two days, Festo's course will assist leaders to identify opportunities for change within their own workplaces and help them recognise how and where to apply the principles of Industry 4.0.

ABB’s delivery includes mechanical equipment for the hoist plants and shafts, electrical and control equipment, construction, electrical installation, installation supervision, site management as well as commissioning.

The Rockwell Automation TechED event will feature over 750 hours of training, including hands-on labs, technical sessions and discussion forums. Attendees can learn about the techniques and technologies to maximize their manufacturing and production operations.

The move augments Thorlabs’ current research collaborations with Vincenzo Spagnolo, an expert in optical gas sensing and associate professor at the Technical University in Bari.

Focused on customers in the manufacturing, energy, building technology, healthcare and railway industries the partnership is intended to enable customers to benefit from new data insights and services based on MindSphere, the cloud-based, open IoT operating system from Siemens.

DTN is an independent source of insight and analysis, and decision-support solutions to more than 80,000 subscribers worldwide in agriculture, oil and gas, trading and weather-sensitive industries.

The industrial IoT solution is built on the FactoryTalk Cloud platform from Rockwell Automation, powered by Microsoft Azure. Rockwell Automation and Microsoft have long collaborated on solutions required for industrial digital transformation. The Metso solution is a direct result of these efforts.

The Liwa Plastics Industries Complex is being built in Sohar, on Oman’s northern coast. This package order is for 15 analyzer houses and associated analysis systems consisting of process analyzers and sampling instruments.

By Markus Brettschneider, ABB Food and Beverage This article explains how food plant managers can add a similar level of connectivity to retrofit most motors with smart sensors to bring their plants to the digital age.

By Jan Pingel & Matthew Burd, Honeywell Process Solutions One of the most important characteristics of a connected plant is the ability to increase and enhance collaboration to help solve previously unsolvable problems. The emergence of the cloud-based historian is a key component, therefore, to bringing the connected plant to life because it greatly enables this type of collaboration.

Edwards will begin his tenure at the Automation Federation on 26 June. Current Automation Federation Managing Director Mike Marlowe will continue with the organization as Managing Director Emeritus until his retirement in December.

The first step of the CLPA Security WG focuses on network security, especially when the user adopts the SeamLess Message Protocol (SLMP) and CC-Link IE Field Basic where general IP communication is used for both cyclic and transient communications.

As part of the investment, OSIsoft and SoftBank will collaborate on developing new products and services enabling digital transformation and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and strengthening OSIsoft’s presence in new markets.

Powerful market forces are driving exciting changes in the use and design of laboratory automation and robotics.

For this project, ABB will supply the production hoist and all related mechanical and electrical systems at the South shaft of the K3 mine. Mechanical equipment for the friction hoist will include ABB’s synchronous motor and ABB’s SIL 3 rated Safety Brake System to provide safety, security and reliability for hoist operation.

By George Schuster, Rockwell Automation Many safety teams, in comparison, are stuck in the dark ages. That’s because they still rely on antiquated data-collection and reporting techniques. A Connected Enterprise provides an opportunity to close this disparity – and revolutionize industrial safety through the use of safety data.

Mr. van Vuuren has been certified as a Certified Licensing Professional, and is currently in charge of service sales in the EMEA and APAC regions for Silicon Valley-based Harmonic, and will be a valuable asset in assisting Skkynet with complex partnership and sales negotiations.

One significant order involves the supply of 70 LP range linear pneumatic actuators for the operation of large gate valves. The order for these actuators includes the assembly and factory testing of local control panels with digital valve positioners.

Standardization has changed the game in many industries, making life easier for engineers and manufacturers alike. Nowhere has standardization been more keenly observed than in frame grabbers.

The technology cooperation agreement is aimed at testing and improving the use of technologies in power transmission, power distribution, telecom networks, control and instrumentation applications.

By Jonathan Wilkins, EU Automation The combination of data from multiple platforms is now possible because of the OPC UA protocol - an in-demand feature - as the Internet of Things (IoT) gains traction. This article discusses how the open source protocol OPC UA is beneficial for automation.

The program focused on how E&P companies can improve history matching, uncertainty management and quantification across the entire reservoir characterization workflow through Roxar Tempest ENABLE, Emerson’s history matching and uncertainty estimation software solution.

By Cory Fogg, Automation.com Smaller manufacturers wishing to automate, may not have all the specialists they need on staff. With hiring processes taking days or weeks, the FactoryFix automated platform is working to connect these manufacturers with specialists in minutes

The Rate-Predictive Control (RPC) algorithm earned a United States patent in 2016 and is an inherently adaptive (or “naturally self-tuning”) process control algorithm.

Real-time analytics enable manufacturers to make smarter, better, faster decisions to achieve greater productivity from existing equipment.

Okuma’s donation of $100,000 in machine tools to the engineering technology programs at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), enables students to gain valuable hands-on machining experience and the skill set needed to enter the manufacturing workforce

Fahrion will assume this role in addition to his leadership of the Edge Intelligence Communications Product Division of the company.

According to the Global IoT Decision Maker Survey published by International Data Corporation (IDC), nearly one-third (31 percent) of those surveyed have already launched IoT solutions, and another 43 percent are looking to deploy solutions in the next 12 months.

Using the Coriolis effect that causes a laterally vibrating tube to distort, a direct measurement of mass flow is obtainable using a Coriolis flowmeter.

The objective of the gathering was to examine operational technology/Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) cybersecurity challenges facing both the US and the UK.

The Fluke Pressure Calibration Tool Grant Program lets educators have a chance to win Fluke pressure calibration tools for their labs by giving Fluke’s product design team input on the specific challenges facing technicians working in the process industries.