Articles and News

By Glenn Schulz, FDT Group and Katherine Voss, ODVA The following article describes efforts by the automation industry to develop next generation standards and technology, which enhance security throughout the lifecycle of industrial control devices in today’s connected world.

The best way to determine potential ROI is by tracking some vital key performance indicators or KPIs.

By Jonathan Wilkins, EU Automation A shocking amount of capital is tied up in inventory. Along with accounts receivable and accounts payable, inventory represents $1.1 trillion in cash – equivalent to 7 per cent of the United States GDP. This article explains the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in accessing this cash.

The output from a magnetic flowmeter is a linear signal that is proportional to the velocity of the flowing fluid.

The following article describes how ongoing technology developments by FDT Group will help optimize industrial organizations and their maintenance departments by enabling cloud-based enterprise data access, device diagnostics, mobility applications, and the use of augmented reality in asset management and predictive maintenance programs.

For suppliers of industrial control products and solutions, implementation of the FDT standard is a forward-looking strategy supporting the new era of automation.

The following article describes how technology collaboration between two open, automation industry standards organizations is changing the paradigm for integrating control systems, applications and devices within a unified architecture – all aimed at optimizing information exchange throughout the industrial enterprise.

The industrial revolution now underway, commonly referred to as Industry 4.0, is powered by advancements that include smart manufacturing, advanced analytics and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

The mission of the IoT Breakthrough Awards program is to recognize the innovators, leaders and visionaries from around the globe in a range of IoT categories, including Connected Home and Home Automation, Industrial and Enterprise IoT, Smart City technology, Connected Car and many more.

To become a HEIDENHAIN ATP, CCD staff completed several rounds of advanced training on the 5-Axis HEIDENHAIN TNC machine controls and successfully passed an extensive exam.

As the cobot market is experiencing an increasing number of competitors – both from the established industrial players and start-ups – it is vital, however, to keep ahead of the curve.

By Antony Bourne, IFS A new generation of point AI solutions will prove themselves in 2019. They’ll build new trust, urgency and understanding of what ‘AI’ actually is, and just how much it can deliver. Here are 3 key predictions for manufacturing for 2019—and beyond.

TrendMiner was selected upon rigorous test case analysis. In a first stage TrendMiner’s smart self-service analytics solution will be rolled out to the engineers and production experts to support operations with a “big data” approach.

By John Fryer, Stratus Technologies Manufacturing professionals looking to implement IIoT and edge computing need to ask themselves the following questions to identify underlying challenges and figure out how to address them.

Gräff assumed the position of Managing Director at HARTING Technology Group at the beginning of 2015, and was initially responsible for the Market and Development area at HARTING Electric and the Development division at HARTING Electronics.

Smart, flexible robots allow manufacturers to shift to market demands far more quickly and efficiently and without advanced programming.

Kaizen is a continuous improvement approach to work that seeks to achieve small, incremental changes in processes to improve efficiency and quality.

A valve positioner adjusts the pneumatic output to a valve actuator so that the requested position of the valve from a controller is achieved.

Pulsar’s products provide solutions related to level, open channel flow, pipe flow, sludge interference measurement, and pump control for water utilities and industrial customers worldwide.

Chattering alarms are the most found nuisance alarms that will probably reduce the usability and result in a confidence crisis of alarm systems for industrial plants.

Learn about the methods of state-based control as it applies to models defined by ISA-106.

By Stefan Reuther, COPA-DATA Industry 4.0, the Fourth Industrial Revolution or the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Regardless of the phrase used to describe digitalization in manufacturing, there’s no denying that a shift has already taken place. This article gives three predictions for industrial automation in 2019 — no buzzwords included.

This database, called FLUIDAT, is used by the company for configuration and calibration of its portfolio of flow meters and controllers, and for calculating pressure differences, valve seats, etc..

A process stage in the process model can be mapped to a unit procedure in the procedural model, which in turn is mapped to a unit in the physical model.

The support for PROFINET @ TSN technology will be on its portfolio of netX multiprotocol network controllers. netX is a single-chip ASIC that provides a master and/or slave communication connection to all Industrial Ethernet systems, fieldbuses and Industry 4.0 protocols.

With autonomous operation of stackers and reclaimers, Binxin Steel will be able to achieve full utilization of the stockyard area, and optimized energy consumption. Siemens’ automation solutions secure autonomous operation of the end customers’ stackers and reclaimers.

Founded in the early 1940’s, MCAA has been serving industry organizations for seventy-five years. MCAA is the trade association for manufacturers and distributors of instrumentation and systems associated with the Measurement, Control & Automation Industry.

The top process industries grew at a faster rate than the top discrete industries in 2017, and this trend continued in 2018, according to the “Low Voltage Motors Report” from IHS Markit.

Under the agreement, the IIC and GlobalPlatform will work together to align efforts to maximize interoperability, portability, security and privacy for the industrial Internet.

You may become nerdy programming PLCs, but once you get into it, you won't care. This post is about programming PLCs. Specifically programming PLCs with Ladder Logic. This is what I've done almost daily for my job for the past several years.

The 2019 product catalog features performance data, sizes, specifications, and technical references for the company’s portfolio of current sensing switches, transducers, transformers, and ground fault protection products.

Bernardin succeeds Jim Cooper, who is moving on to become the full-time CEO of DigitalEd, a company Maplesoft spun-off in early 2018.

Previously, Bishop was the Vice President of Finance, Planning, Analysis, Reporting, and Process Improvement for Macy’s Logistics. He also has experience as the Senior Vice President of Logistics at Levitz Furniture, Vice President of Supply Chain at Giggle, and Director of the East Region Distribution at Toys R Us.

By Nick Boughton, Boulting Technology Engineering giant Rolls Royce pioneered servitization in 1962 with its Power-by-the-Hour approach to jet engine maintenance management. This article discusses what servitization can offer other industries including high-volume, low-margin manufacturing.

Learn the benefits of knowing your process and PID capability, with a focus on process behavior, loop objectives and different industrial applications.

By Bill Lydon, Editor, Automation.com Based on discussions at the Rockwell Automation Fair, this article explores Rockwell Automation and PTC's committment to building out software into an integrated Industrial Digitization solution, in order to fully achieve the goals of Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing.

By combining each party’s strengths, the resulting joint solution will provide real-time measurement of ore grades and byproducts by MineSense’s BeltSense in combination with a single material and quality management system, Siemens Simine MAQ

ISA's success depends on its ability to seize key opportunities while continuing to deliver value, both to individual members and to the global automation community.

CP Technologies will continue with its Computer Hardware Solutions but will also be providing OEM solutions along with expanded system integration solutions, Datalinks and services for customers.

By Bob McIlvride, Skkynet The IIoT is all about connecting data sources, integrating their data, using it to power analytics, and possibly doing supervisory control on selected equipment or systems. There's no reason that can't be done on-premise.

The combined memberships will continue to drive the momentum of the Industrial Internet including the development and promotion of industry guidance and best practices for fog and edge computing. The organizations expect the details to be finalized in early 2019.

By Ashley Hills, EU Automation Given the low number of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) roles, it might surprise you to find out that Angela Merkel has a PhD in physical chemistry. This article discusses the different initiatives in place to encourage women into STEM roles across Europe.

Dead time is the source of the ultimate limit to control loop performance.

Having posted an increasing annual growth figure of over 2 million every year for the past four years, the governing body - the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) - is predicting that number will comfortably exceed 24 million sometime during 2018.

As part of this partnership, AppNeta Performance Manager now runs on AAEON’s new hardware platform based on the Intel Denverton series with QAT technology.

In conjunction with its expansion and investment in the U.S. market, Tacton is also announcing capabilities in its cloud-based CPQ platform. The new features include augmented reality (AR)-powered visualization and expanded integration with Salesforce for manufacturers to design, configure and sell complex products.

Having posted an increasing annual growth figure of over 2 million every year for the past four years, the governing body - the CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) - is predicting that number will comfortably exceed 24 million sometime during 2018.

Cable shield, connected to an isolated zero potential, is required to prevent nearby inductive loads and EMF fields from altering the low-level voltage or current levels in the signal wiring.

The addition of A.E. Valves supports Emerson’s Main Valve Partner initiative to be a supplier of final control solutions for the LNG industry, and complements its Vanessa triple-offset valve range to create a solution for process isolation in critical cryogenic and severe service applications.

By Mille Gandelsman, Indegy Looking at 2019 and beyond, ICS threats will continue to escalate and evolve, but we predict the solutions to combat these threats will effectively address whatever emerges.

Wipro’s Automotive Innovation Center will develop and showcase solutions that leverage artificial intelligence, analytics, Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT), cloud and crowd sourcing.

It's time to get a little more specific with what the PLC CPU controls: PLC I/O! This article will discuss discrete I/O, analog I/O and briefly introduce industrial communications protocols.

Fluids have a lot of condition-dependent properties. They consist of solids, liquids, gasses, or combinations. Industrial engineers must deal with a number of fluid state issues.

The document is an overhaul and rewrite of RC 1.0.2 (2013) that incorporates current features and functions of MTConnect and OPC UA.

The acquisition is intended to accelerate delivery of Emerson’s digital transformation roadmap by adding skillsets in information technology/operational technology (IT-OT) and application knowledge to help integrate data from the plant floor to business systems.

The car battery plant in Kobierzyce, near Wroclaw will be capable of supplying up to 250,000 electric cars with batteries per annum. It is also the first large-scale lithium-ion battery plant for automotive applications producing all battery components, from electrodes to cells, modules and packs.

The competition will involve using SimCentral, AVEVA’s industrial simulation platform, to solve a problem created by the company in collaboration with Dr. Richard Turton, renowned author and industry expert in the field of chemical process simulation.

The document is an overhaul and rewrite of RC 1.0.2 (2013) that incorporates current features and functions of MTConnect and OPC UA.

The new home of the Machine Tool Services & Solutions will be headquartered in Hebron KY, and support the activity of over twenty service centers worldwide, including the seven in North America - Hebron, KY, Seattle, WA, Valencia, CA, Wichita, KS, Charlotte, NC, Fond du Lac, WI and Cambridge, Ontario.

The organization shared the high points of the festive event, met the award winners, and highlighted four members who were just appointed as fellows.

This 241 page report has a comprehensive Executive Summary and Conclusions for those with limited time. 10 primary conclusions are presented then infograms with data.

As a complement to HANNOVER MESSE USA in the odd-years, Digital Industry USA will take place from September 10-12, 2019 at the completely renovated Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, KY.

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.

An improved PID controller based on predictive functional control is developed and tested on the chamber pressure in an industrial coke furnace.

Key supplies to the substations include ABB Ability-based automation and control systems, intelligent protection equipment, transformers with sensors, digitally enabled switchgear and advanced communication systems.

Siemens will design, engineer and commission a new production management system (PMS), based on the Siemens Minerals Operation Management Solution.

Common noise must be in phase between conductors, or it converts to normal mode or differential noise.

By Robin Whitehead, Boulting Technology This article explains how this is impacting the role of the chief information security officer (CISO) and resulting in the need for end-to-end digitalization.

Beta testers of the ammonia and carbon monoxide detectors receive up to fifty percent discount on the first three ammonia or carbon monoxide Vanguard detectors they purchase.

Tricco was tasked with developing a secure and reliable way to collect data from control systems running at power plants located hundreds of kilometers from the Siemens office. The first phase was to be a pilot—to connect his WinCC OA SCADA system to a Siemens T3000 DCS running at a power plant located about 100 kilometers from Buenos Aires.

Drawing on Siemens expertise in the mining industry and Industry 4.0, the solution will be based on the advanced architecture and performance of Siemens WinCC Open Architecture. As part of the contract, Siemens will also provide inter process communication (IPC), accessories, plus software engineering and site commissioning services.

Tricco was tasked with developing a secure and reliable way to collect data from control systems running at power plants located hundreds of kilometers from the Siemens office. The first phase was to be a pilot—to connect his WinCC OA SCADA system to a Siemens T3000 DCS running at a power plant located about 100 kilometers from Buenos Aires.

The partnership combines Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure IIoT capabilities with Transpara’s Visual KPI solutions to help customers in operationally intensive industries, including refining, petrochemical, energy and mining

By Emma Cygan, Pailton Engineering Cost versus quality. Humans versus automation. Hardware versus software. Is the vehicle manufacturing industry fuelled with tension? This article explains how vehicle manufacturers must balance the procurement of hardware and software for new vehicle concepts.

One scholarship a month will be awarded in January, February and March 2019. Winners will be announced Feb 12th, March 12th and April 16th

CyberX is currently partnering with GE’s global community including GrayMatter, GE’s No. 1 software channel partner and a CRN “IoT Innovator.” GrayMatter’s customers include global organizations implementing a range of Smart Manufacturing, Smart Building, and Smart Water initiatives.

The anual leadership meeting in Montreal enabled automation professionals and members to collaborate, brainstorm, and make decisions about future direction.

Siemens shares the vision of the OPC Foundation to extend the scope of OPC UA down to field level communication and is looking forward to contributing in standardization activities in the upcoming working groups of the OPC Foundation concerning information models for devices, necessary adaption of OPC UA core standards, application profiles, etc.

The modular ABB Ability PowerStore microgrid solution and Microgrid Plus automation system will enable EEM to increase the island’s adoption of solar and wind power and raise the share of renewables in the energy mix from 15 to 30 percent.

The software-based interface can be implemented in controllers offered by any device manufacturer, which makes it an interesting feature to vendors of both master devices and diagnostic tools.

By Chris Johnson, SMB Bearings Vibration analysis can provide valuable insight into machine condition, flagging up problems before extensive damage occurs. This article explains the steps machine builders should take to reduce the likelihood of bearings being the root cause.

This agreement spans all three of KBR’s synergistic global businesses: Hydrocarbon Services, Technology, and Government Services.

The Coordinate Metrology Society (CMS) announced it has formally issued a call for technical papers for the 35th annual Coordinate Metrology Society Conference (CMSC) to be held July 22 – 26, in Orlando, FL.

Tuning a PID controller for two of the most common complex dynamic responses: self-regulating, second order; overdamped and integrator plus first order lag.

By Chassis Plans High-performance computing is used for solving advanced mathematical calculations and performing data processing through the use of computer modeling, simulation and analysis.

The COMSA team and technology will join the Mentor business, part of Siemens PLM Software, where it will add key harness engineering and design data analytics capabilities to the Siemens product range.

High-performance computing is used for solving advanced mathematical calculations and performing data processing through the use of computer modeling, simulation and analysis. HPC systems delivers sustained performance through its unique synchronal parallel processing power.

Dzilno has been instrumental in making EtherCAT a fieldbus in chip manufacturing. He is currently Head of Engineering at the ALD Division as Managing Director and Senior Principal Member of Technical Staff at AMAT.

Attendees from around the world -- including national and university labs and supercomputing centers in Japan, China, Saudi Arabia, Spain and the United States -- brainstormed strategies to converge Big Data and the high-performance computing tools necessary to make sense of massive data sets.

By Bill Lydon, Editor, Automation.com Last year, we explored Dell Technologies quest to accelerate IoT focus to the edge. Through numerous discussions and presentations over the last few years, Dell Technologies has clearly aligned itself to provide industry with solutions that span from computing at the network edge to cloud services.

Pressure transmitters require periodic maintenance and calibration to ensure optimal performance.

The integral term of the PID control algorithm increases (or decreases) at a rate inversely proportional to the integral time of the controller.

Entering the fifth year of collaboration, SEL looks to expand zenon’s SCADA capabilities in more upcoming power management applications.

The initiative plans to address use cases not currently in scope for EtherNet/IP. It could also simplify other use cases, especially in multi-vendor, controller-to-controller environments and for the vertical integration of field devices.

By integrating their IoT software to HMS hardware, HMS’ Solution Partners help customers acquire, monitor, process and analyze data from industrial devices, machines and systems. Partners who join the program work with products from HMS’ brands Anybus, IXXAT and eWON.

By John Fryer, Stratus Technologies Today’s technological advances put the industrial industry on the edge of a transformative period especially as the number of these IIoT devices continues to rise. Will manufacturer's take the leap?

Deutsche Messe will cancel CEBIT 2019 because of declining visitor numbers and a continuing reduction in space bookings. The latest CEBIT concept consisted of an exhibition, conference and festival.

An IEC systems committee is intended to set high-level interfaces and functional requirements that span multiple work areas across the IEC and its partner, the International Organization of Standardization (ISO), to achieve a coordinated standards development plan.

By Nigel Smith, TM Robotics As we enter the era of Industry 4.0, this article will help dispel some common misconceptions about implementing smart manufacturing.

The original document describes the functionalities as well as extensive state diagrams which add to the understanding, references to the applicable standards, description of error behavior, functional checks, and error codes, and identifies different programming levels.

The book features interviews with industry experts from around the globe who give insight in to the future of manufacturing. The book is available to order in print.

As Executive VP of Weidmuller North America, Mr. Hodgson has full responsibility of Weidmuller operations in the US, Canada and Mexico. His primary focus is the Weidmuller USA market and organizational areas of Sales, Marketing, Engineering, Manufacturing, P&L and Operations

The TEC is the company’s first engineering center in the United States devoted to the life sciences. The choice of the United States for this engineering center was based on this country’s leadership in the global life sciences industry.

The training center features a classroom with interactive technology, an equipped workshop and a field bus training lab. It offers practical, hands-on training programs designed to impart knowledge on measurement technologies and process control systems that are in demand by the hydrocarbon, power and water & wastewater industries.

CC-Link IE TSN was developed to meet future market demands and has added Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) technology,which areadditional standards related to IEEE Ethernet,to integrate Operational Technology (OT) and IT while further strengthening performance and functionality.

By Bill Lydon, Editor, Automation.com The buzz continues to grow in anticipation of TSN’s turn to mainstream. Yet, the big missing piece that continues to hinder that key evolution is a lack of complete solutions for time management.

IIC-member participants TE Connectivity and SAP SE, with supporting participants OPC Foundation and ifm, developed a solution that enables operators of decades old manufacturing facilities (brown-fields) to connect sensors to an IT system using existing infrastructure without affecting real-time operations.

The three partners are working together to provide online access to free, validated electrical component data to users of Zuken’s E³.series electrical design tools

By George Walker, Novotek UK and Ireland It’s no secret that data collection is important for generating valuable insight that helps plant managers improve efficiency in industrial systems. However, what seems unknown to many in the industry is the importance of understanding the context of the data being analysed.

On December 1, 2018, Thomas Wenzel will take over the management of the IXS division from Matthias Barz, who has led it since July 2018 as interim manager and who will continue to assist with the initiated measures until their completion

IIC-member participants TE Connectivity and SAP SE, with supporting participants OPC Foundation and ifm, developed a solution that enables operators of decades old manufacturing facilities (brown-fields) to connect sensors to an IT system using existing infrastructure without affecting real-time operations.

IEC 61131-3 software standards improve the quality of applications and the efficiency of building applications. Structured modular software improves the reuse of applications.

Cascade control does very little to improve upon control loops that were previously stable. Examples are liquid level and gas pressure control loops.

The agreement will ensure customers have access to standard solutions on a global scale, backed by a local presence. The initial focus of the partnership will be on assembly systems and end-of-line testing for automotive batteries.

The program, which may be taken as a 3-day or 5-day program, is appropriate for industrial companies that are considering PLM or are already implementing PLM, and to PLM solution providers.

Dominique succeeds Giovanni Barra, who has been at the helm of the company since 2013.

By Kelsey Rzepecki, Graphic Products Before beginning work, it’s crucial to evaluate your facility for safety hazards. Consistent and effective labeling, in accordance with OSHA and other industry regulations, is essential to prevent workplace injuries, costly downtime, workers’ compensation claims, and fines.

Sometimes the design will need to change during a step test as you learn more about the process.

The Automation Federation (AF) was invited by the US Department of Labor (USDOL) in 2007 to be the first industry-related technical society to create a competency model using the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) pyramid framework for advanced manufacturing.

The certification confirms that Rockwell Automation product-development processes adhere to the security requirements in the IEC 62443-4-1 standard. Rockwell Automation is now using the certified SDL at all global development locations to support the development of all hardware and software products.

By Joshua Hernandez, Emerson Automation Solutions All processing facilities have goals to operate their facilities safely, in compliance with regulations, and profitably. Safety is paramount among these objectives; thus, it is important to measure, alert when abnormal, and understand the hazards that could negatively impact the facility or personnel.

TXOne Networks will focus on the security needs present in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) environments, including smart manufacturing, smart city, smart energy and more.

Weinhofer will help lead the OPC Foundation in its mission of creating standards that allow multi-vendor industrial IoT technologies to securely and reliably work together.

A modern batch system enables visibility and accessibility to all stages of production, supporting better decision making.

The upgrade will include a fully integrated ABB Electrical, Control and Telecommunication (ECT) solution with 45 power and capacitor bank skids, as well as centralized and localized automation systems.

The Dematic Meat Buffer storage and handling solution will work to provide better visibility of product flow and accuracy at the meat processing facility.

By Jonathan Grech, JMartans Automation While safety should always be a priority, newer technologies like these are making it easier for manufacturers to find and integrate the right device for their facility. This reduces risk to the final product, employees and equipment.

For a turbine flowmeter, the rotor is supported by the hubs and bearings inside of a flowmeter body, and as the rotor spins, the number of revolutions is determined with a magnetic pickup.

Engineers will be able to implement CIP Security in their systems through Rockwell Automation products and firmware updates to existing products such as Allen-Bradley ControlLogix controllers, communication modules and Kinetix servo drives.

Heilind is a specialty distributor of connectors and electromechanical components. With the partner Heilind, HARTING would like to continue the partnership in North America now also in other countries worldwide.

By separating the PV from full integration, end users can get their process back online without the need for a Device Description (DD) or other engineering staff.

The $2,000 scholarship will be awarded based on the candidate’s potential for leadership and his or her interest in engineering with a focus on instrumentation, fluid mechanics and flow or pressure measurement.

ACE enterprise has been a technology partner of Bentley Systems, and the ACE EnterprisePlatform is used for the Bentley AssetWise connector that is certified for both SAP ERP and SAP HANA.

By Dean Ferrando, Tripwire From large industrial control systems to one-man organizations, everyone is talking about security these days. And while the industry jargon they use may differ, all share four areas of security concern.

David Bain joins TIA from the Technology Safety Council, promoting safety and sustainability best practices to technology users, suppliers, and regulators.

By separating the PV from full integration, end users can get their process back online without the need for a Device Description (DD) or other engineering staff.

Researchers develop an inferential control scheme based on adaptive linear neural network soft sensor for the control of the fermentation process.

The mission of this initiative is to identify, support and nurture companies and entrepreneurs whose innovations will transform the way we live and work, how we produce and consume energy, and how we run buildings and factories.

The expanded Catalog 32 introduces Super Air Scraper Nozzles, Soft Grip Super Air Scraper Safety Air Guns and Hazardous Location Cabinet Cooler Systems.

These personnel bring collaborative robotics experience in engineering, product development, and customer applications, which will combine with UR’s expertise to continue to drive new collaborative robotics solutions.

By Bill Lydon, Editor, Automation.com An open system can impact all phases of a project from inception, through its entire lifecycle including: project design, configuration, operations, and lifecycle maintenance in order to create tremendous savings and value.

By providing integrated networks with tested interoperability and documented in validated reference designs, the two companies help to ensure that integrated OT/IT systems can be installed, operated more securely, and supported efficiently.

InnovaGel, a manufacturer of vitamins and supplements in the nutraceutical and OTC market, was in need of solution for its soft gelatin encapsulation machine application. Endress+Hauser was able to provide a level measurement solution that best fit InnovaGel’s application needs.

Workshop participants will get hands-on experience using Future Electronics' Nebula reference design board, Cypress’ CYW4343W Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Classic/BLE chipset radio, the WICED SDK, and Murata's 1DX module.

As a member of the PartnerNetwork, Harpak-ULMA is teaming with Rockwell Automation to facilitate the development of smart, connected packaging solutions.

Understanding the challenges of batch process control can lead to solutions that offer much higher levels of efficiency and capacity.

Clippard designs and manufacturers over 5,000 standard and custom products including electronic, control and isolation valves, cylinders, manifolds, FRLs, actuators, custom assemblies and much more.

By Martin Grune & Patrick Kraus, infoteam Software AG How can production be optimized, where can improvement opportunities be found, which processes may even indirectly slow down operative business from the background? Overall Equipment Effectiveness (GAE) or Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) has established itself as the key performance indicator for this.

The certifications are based on the IEC 62443-2-4 and IEC 62443-3-3 standards, which lay a foundation of cyber defense mechanisms for automation system networks and cover the specific requirements for developing and designing secure systems.

Power is generated by hydro plants located in the northern and western areas of the country and by wind farms located along the east coast. It is then transmitted over long distances to urban load centers located in the southeast.

As of now, product manufacturers can use the seal to promote their battery-free, wireless switches integrating EnOcean’s energy harvesting technology for wireless standards in the sub-1 GHz and 2.4 GHz range.

Sinn’s core focus will be helping companies, leveraging the MonarchFx ecosystem, to build customer-centric fulfillment systems.

Intended for basic ICS security monitoring, this version is free of charge and easy to configure. No special technical knowledge is needed. Downloading and getting started with PT ISIM freeView Sensor takes minutes.

Executives at respondent companies, ranging from manufacturers to trade contractors and oil and gas companies, are collecting more data from connected devices, integrating it with other systems in new ways, and making IoT more central to their businesses.

A thermocouple contains two different conductors that produce a voltage proportional to a temperature difference between the ends of a pair of conductors.

The Connected Mine helps mining companies collect and aggregate data to gain end-to-end visibility into their operations and make informed business decisions to improve mining operations.

The release of these two systems comes as FieldComm Group works to simplify the experience users have with industrial standards and their integration across systems and enterprises, for the industry’s transition to IIoT and Industry 4.0.

By Jonathan Wilkins, EU Automation This article explains how autonomous maintenance, one of the pillars of total productive maintenance (TPM) requires the whole manufacturing team to take responsibility for maintenance.

ISA has created a continuous improvement culture that sets a framework for sustainable growth and value for members, automation professionals, and customers.

This online tool is designed for a range of industries and applications, including industrial/manufacturing, food, chemical, water and other processing environments, oil refining and petrochemical processing, and others that have become dependent on microprocessors, PLCs, and VFDs.

With built-in security protecting valuable information and operating data, the FITS platform will enable cloud, enterprise, on-premise, and a single-user desktop deployment method meeting the needs of the process, hybrid and discrete manufacturing sectors.

Power/mation has warehouses and sales offices in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Heitek Automation will now be distributing the full line of Festo pneumatic and electric automation components and systems in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.

By Nick Boughton, Digital Lead, Boulting Technology It has only been in the past five years where augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have made their way into industrial environments. This article explains how AR and VR are re-defining plant maintenance.

To control an industrial process you have must see it, and usually measure it, so that enough resolution to enable the underling picture to be seen.

By Patricia Mattsson, Emerson Automation Solutions The widespread departure from manual measurements to automated solutions has helped improve worker efficiency while providing more accurate measurements. New level measurement technologies can do even more.

ABB will take up a designated seat on the board of the OPC Foundation in 2019 to further help accelerate development of the new technology.

The goal of this initiative is to deliver an open, cohesive approach to implement OPC UA including TSN and associated application profiles. This will advance the OPC Foundation providing vendor independent end-to-end interoperability into field level devices for all relevant industry automation use-cases.

By Mike Devine, Zebra Technologies E-commerce is booming globally. The increasingly higher expectations of smartphone-savvy, always-connected consumers have urged retailers, manufacturers and logistics companies to collaborate hand in hand to meet the growing shoppers’ needs in the on-demand economy.

This catalogue has been specifically developed to support automation and manufacturing markets and includes products of Koganei, a user and reseller of Automation Studio

In its role, Emerson will update control and safety systems, fire and gas systems, field instrumentation control and isolation valves, and other equipment to improve production efficiencies.

The additions to the machine safety portfolio are all designed to communicate over EtherNet/IP and are tested against machine safety standards to ease compliance. The products will also be included in the next release of the Safety Automation Builder software tool.

The competitive award is for students enrolled in a CNC machinist, CNC operations, engineering or manufacturing certificate or degree program. As part of the award process, the scholarship recipient's school will also recieve a $500 donation made to their machining or manufacturing department.

The goal of this initiative is to deliver an open, cohesive approach to implement OPC UA including TSN and associated application profiles. This will advance the OPC Foundation providing vendor independent end-to-end interoperability into field level devices for all relevant industry automation use-cases.

Despite IIoT, Industrial Ethernet and Industry 4.0 initiatives, digital networks are still not used everywhere. Organizations stuck in an analog world should look carefully at what they are missing.

During the workshop, featured experts reported that the rapid pace of digital technology and the increasing sophistication of cyber tools at the disposal of foreign entities are making it more difficult to protect critical infrastructure and the industrial control systems that operate them.

By Jonathan Wilkins, EU Automation Technology has rapidly caught up with the human ability to read faces, progressing to a stage where facial recognition could improve industrial security.

Indonesia is working to become Southeast Asia’s biggest digital economy by 2020. The “Making Indonesia 4.0” initiative was developed to revitalize the Indonesian manufacturing sector through the adoption of Industrie 4.0. It focuses on five sectors for the initial implementation: food and beverage, textiles, automotive, chemicals, and electronics.

The constant between pipes of differing diameters is the flow rate (and other fluid properties) is the same in both pipe lengths.

Founded in 1989, Primary Systems Inc. is based in Old Bridge, N.J. The company is a system integrator that helps its clients produce products while meeting all compliance requirements. PSI designs, implements, and troubleshoots systems for the process and manufacturing industries.

Approximately 100 students visited Phoenix Contact’s U.S. headquarters in Middletown, Pa., on Monday, October 29, to kick off the second annual “Think BIG!” program. The partnership with Harrisburg School District is a yearlong curriculum designed to get elementary-age students excited about STEM careers.

By Chuck Cimalore, Arena Solutions With the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and centralized data management platforms like Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) technology, companies can create a closed-loop, data-driven DfR program to improve predictability and reliability and achieve better-performing products.

The robotic system will be used to piece pick inventory items for retail store replenishment using a “goods-to-robot” configuration. The order fulfillment system will support replenishment of approximately 50 retail stores and is scheduled to start up during the 2nd quarter of 2019 in a new distribution center building.

The Linear MOTIONEERING tool retains the Thomson engineering calculations for design engineers and has added new product families, interactive navigation, expanded global support and mobile access.

By Jonathan Wilkins, EU Automation Remote monitoring is not a new phenomenon. The technology has already established itself as standard part of control in manufacturing. This article explains how manufacturers can optimize their supply chain with remote monitoring.

Mr. Burke will remain as an officer on the Board of Directors and will continue his widespread evangelism for OPC UA adoption across various domains. Stefan Hoppe took over the operational activities and responsibility for worldwide adaption of the OPC standards and the further development of the organization.

The City partnered with Indegy to implement an industrial security solution that provides visibility, protection and control to detect and prevent threats before they can impact the operation and safety of its water supply systems and utilities.

The complexity of modern automation systems requires partnership and collaboration with an expanded set of industrial and technical disciplines.

By Brith Isaksson, ABB Food & Beverage Commissioning a new system for a food manufacturing plant requires software assistance to plan effectively and with digital twinning, manufacturers can optimize its ongoing operations.

The Norland products will be incorporated into Thorlabs’ existing Vytran business unit, a 20,000 square foot facility located in Morganville, New Jersey.

The investment will include the addition of a lab and showroom to the on-site warehouse and distribution center as well as increasing capabilities for injection molding and die-casting processes. The project is slated to create at least 50 new jobs.

Siemens’ MindSphere is a cloud-based, open IoT operating system that connects products, plants, systems and machines, enabling businesses to harness the wealth of data generated by the Internet of Things with advanced analytics.

Automation.com has worked with several industry leaders to compile this Control Systems ebook, designed to help you stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in control system technology.

Working with Cognex, engineers at automotive manufacturer General Motors of Canada Company (GM Canada) developed a chain drive stretching system that measures every link in real time and automatically marks non-compliant links without slowing or stopping the line

The scope of supply includes 69kV high voltage air-insulated switchgear, UniGear medium-voltage switchgear, MNS low-voltage switchgear, power and distribution transformers, a capacitor bank, soft starter, IS-limiters and a process power management system.

The course provides a comprehensive overview of the IEC 61508 requirements needed to ensure functional safety for electrical/electronic and programmable electronic systems.

HARTING is the first component vendor to actively support the CADENAS-Zuken interface, providing component information for ECAD applications to customers.

The building focuses on a sustainable energy concept, including a photovoltaic system installed on the roof that provides enough electricity to completely power the basic production load.

By John Mitchell, CP Automation In modern computer numerical control (CNC) machines, there may be less need to replace cutting tools in these machines, but there’s more complexity to their upkeep. This article explains how poor power quality can cause recurrent issues for CNC machines.

First principle models can be used to gain a deeper understanding of cause and effects, process relationships, process gains, and the response to abnormal situations.

Using elements of Emerson’s Project Certainty methodology, North West Redwater Partnership reduced global automation engineering complexity and completed the instrumentation and control scope for refinery automation.