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Ask the Automation Pros
This long-running series of discussions, curated by 2010 ISA Life Achievement Award recipient Greg McMillan, gathers responses from ISA subject-matter experts on technical topics important to industrial automation professionals, academics and students.
169 Results Found
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FeatureHow Can We Improve Data Historian Use?
In the latest edition of the Ask the Automation Pros column, the pros discuss how to set up a data historian to transform data into information that can be used for process monitoring, diagnosis, prediction, optimization and continuous improvement. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: How Can We Enhance Control System Reliability?
In the latest edition of the Ask the Automation Pros column, the pros share strategies for enhancing control system reliability. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: What University Projects Are Needed to Support Process Control?
Like a lot of things in engineering and construction, it’s hard to teach everything and risky not to, but getting it right the first time saves time and money. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: What Are the Process Control Simulation Requirements for Automation Projects?
Simulation of process control can ensure productive automation projects. But how much effort should be allocated to simulation, testing and training. ISA’s Automation Professionals weigh in. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: How Can You Ensure the Best Rate of Change in the PID Manipulated Variable?
What is the best strategy to get the best rate of change in the PID for a manipulated variable, or is there a more elegant solution within the control strategy itself? Answer includes example applications and guidance on how PID tuning can meet objectives. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: What Topics Should Be Covered in an Undergraduate Process Control Course?
In the latest edition of the Ask the Automation Pros column, the pros share their insights on what topics should be covered in an undergraduate first course on process control, particularly in chemical engineering, but possibly also in mechanical and electrical engineering. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: What Are the Prospects for an Autonomous Process Manufacturing Unit?
In the latest edition of the Ask the Automation Pros column, the pros share their insights on prospects for an autonomous process manufacturing unit. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: How Can You Get the Most Knowledge from a Data Historian?
In this entry in the Ask the Automation Pros blog series, the pros answer the question of how to get the most knowledge from a data historian. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: What Can Be Done to Improve the Accuracy of Totalized Liquid Mass Charge?
In the latest post in the Ask the Automation Pros blog series, the pros explain what can be done to improve the accuracy of totalized liquid mass charge. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: What Are the Consequences of an Overemphasis on Reducing Project Cost?
In the latest post of the Ask the Automation Pros blog series, the pros discuss potential consequences of an overemphasis on reducing industrial automation project costs. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: How Is Process Control Different from Other Industrial Control Disciplines?
In the latest post of the Ask the Automation Pros blog series, the pros discuss what makes process control different from other industrial control disciplines. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: Useful Books for Process Control
In the latest post of the Ask the Automation Pros blog series, the pros discuss useful books for process control. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: What Is the Best VFD Design and Installation Plan?
ISA automation professionals explain key considerations for using variable frequency drives. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: Dealing with Interacting PID Loops
In the latest post of the Ask the Automation Pros blog series, the pros explore how to deal with interacting PID loops. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: The Past and Future of Process Control
In the latest installment of Ask the Automation Pros, the pros take a look at the past and future of process control. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: How Do You Specify the Best Control Valve Characteristics?
The latest installment of the Ask the Automation Pros series from ISA describes what to consider when specifying process control valves. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: Achieving the Best Override Control
The latest installment in the Ask the Automation Pros blog post series addresses how to implement the best override control. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: Achieving the Best Feedforward Control
In the latest installment of Ask the Automation Pros, discover best practices to understand where feedforward control is needed and how to implement it. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: Achieving the Best Cascade Control
In the latest installment of the Ask the Automation Pros blog series, automation professionals share their thoughts on achieving the best cascade control. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Process Control
In the latest installment of the Ask the Automation Pros blog series, experts provide thoughts about the use of artificial intelligence in process control. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: The Need and Use of Simulation in Process Control
In this entry in the Ask the Automation Pros series, automation experts share their thoughts on the need and use of simulation in process control. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: What Are Your Thoughts About the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Process Control?
ISA automation pros including Greg McMillan discuss neural networks, major opportunities for AI today, and potential benefits for enhancing and supporting the daily activities of process control and automation professionals. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: What Are Your Thoughts About the Need for and Use of Simulation in Process Control?
Russ Rhinehart asks the automation pros for their thoughts about the need for and use of simulation in process control. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: What Scan Time Is Needed for Process Control Applications?
Russ Rhinehart asks the automation pros for their thoughts about what scan time is needed in different process control applications. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: How Can We Compute Startup Tuning for New Control Valves?
Greg McMillan discusses how to compute start-up tuning for new control valves. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: How to Best Migrate from Obsolete to Modern Instrumentation and Control Systems?
Greg McMillan discusses how to migrate a project from obsolete to modern versions of instrumentation and control systems. -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: How Can We Improve or Eliminate Split Range Control?
Ask the Automation Pros expert Greg McMillan discusses how to improve or eliminate split range control -
FeatureThe 5 W's of Modernizing Control Systems Future
Ask the Automation Pro's Greg McMillan discusses how to modernize control systems -
FeatureWhen are we Modernizing Control Systems?
Greg McMillan of "Ask the Automation Pros" discusses the timeframe on modernization of current control systems -
FeatureCan a Primary Loop Manipulate a Secondary Loop Valve?
"Ask the Automation Pros" Greg McMillan discusses if a primary loop can manipulate a secondary loop -
FeatureHow Can we Improve Logic Control Contact Status Awareness and Operator Response?
ISA Mentor Greg McMillan answers the question, "How Can we Improve Logic Control Contact Status Awareness and Operator Response?" -
FeatureHow Do You Get the Best From the People Working on Your Project?
Greg McMillan discusses how to get the best from people working on your project in the "Ask the Automation Pros" -
FeatureAsk the Automation Pros: How Do You Improve Use of Analyzers for Continuous Control?
Greg McMillan discusses how to improve the use of analyzers for continuous control -
FeatureBase, Best, and Ideal Practices for Mill Optimization
Greg McMillan discusses base, best, and ideal practices for mill optimization in his July Mentor post -
FeatureIs Data Noise in Process Control Degrading Performance?
Greg McMillan discusses the topic, "Is data noise in process control degrading performance?" -
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Are We Facing Broad Change?
Greg McMillan and Russ Rhinehart discuss the idea of facing broad change -
FeatureHow Can We Improve Control of Dead Time Dominant Applications?
From Greg McMillan and the ISA Mentor Program team. -
FeatureWhat are Considerations in Combining Process Control and Safety Systems?
From Greg McMillan and the ISA Mentor Program team. -
FeatureWhat are the Diagnostics/Expertise Needed for FOUNDATION Fieldbus?
From Greg McMillan and the ISA Mentor Program team. -
FeatureHow Do We Improve Response to Continuously Changing Conveyor Setpoint?
What would be a good control strategy to regulate a process in which the setpoint is continually changing? -
FeatureWhat Process and Equipment Effects Need More Attention?
How can we better understand how process and equipment design and operating conditions affect automation system design, installation, and performance? -
FeatureWhat is Your Wish List for Achievement and Recognition? Part 2
What is your personal wish list of prospective achievements in process automation? -
FeatureWhat is Your Wish List for Achievement and Recognition? Part 1
What is your personal wish list of prospective achievements in process automation? -
FeatureWhat are the Biggest Mistakes You Have Seen? Part 5
Here we continue our series with some modeling and control mistakes. -
FeatureWhat are the Biggest Mistakes You Have Seen? Part 4
We continue our series with some measurement and final control element mistakes seen by Greg that are widespread. -
FeatureWhat are the Biggest Mistakes You Have Seen? Part 3
What are the biggest mistakes in automation system design, configuration, calibration, installation, checkout, commissioning, and maintenance? -
FeatureWhat are the Biggest Mistakes You Have Seen? Part 2
Mistakes often offer the greatest learning experiences. Mentor program participants share what they have seen in this four-part series. -
FeatureWhat are the Biggest Mistakes You Have Seen? Part 1
Mistakes often offer the greatest learning experiences. Mentor program participants share what they have seen in this four-part series. -
FeatureHow Can We Improve Control Loops with Slow Signal Updates?
What can be done to smooth out the signal with a soft sensor or virtual instrument? -
FeatureThe Best Level for Optimization and Organization in the Smart Factory
Automation professionals from the ISA Mentor Program answer questions about optimization and organization in smart factories.