Distributed control provides plug-and-play function blocks
Machine builders often find themselves in a contradictory situation. On the one hand they have to react flexibly to customer needs with customised machines, while on the other hand product standardisation reduces costs and engineering effort. Modular machinery design has the potential to serve both aims. Read more »
Robotics safety
Major technological advances have ushered in a new age of robotics, in which once-futuristic visions have either become realities or are on the horizon. Yet despite breakthrough applications in areas ranging from manufacturing to medicine, robots carry risk. Read more »
Flowmeter selection for improved gas flow measurements: a comparison of DP and thermal dispersion technologies
As the costs of fuels and consumables continue to rise, the ability to accurately measure the amount used in a process becomes significant in controlling costs and determining bottom line profits. Read more »
Applying wireless to EtherNet/IP automation systems — Part 2
The ODVA EtherNet/IP network standard is gaining popularity as an industrial protocol, and wireless ethernet technologies have emerged that can now reliably reduce network costs while improving plant production. Read more »
Building a perfect industrial telemetry system
This article explores the challenges of developing telemetric SCADA systems and covers the seven most important features to look for in selecting a GPRS solution. Read more »
Prevent 24 VDC overloads from stopping production
Along with the laws of physics, engineers have to be aware of the law of unintended consequences. Take, for example, something as simple as the 24 VDC power supplies that feed the control circuits in automation systems as a case in point. Read more »
The safest way to calibrate fieldbus instruments
Fieldbus transmitters must also be calibrated just like conventional instruments, and there are also industrial environments where the calibration of fieldbus instruments should not only be made accurately and efficiently, but also safely. Read more »
Applying wireless to EtherNet/IP automation systems — Part 1
While EtherNet/IP has many advantages, cable installation is often expensive, and communications to remote sites or moving platforms may not be reliable or cost effective. Wireless ethernet technologies have emerged that can now reliably reduce network costs while improving plant production. Read more »
Verify control systems before committing to hardware
Embedded control system designers are being pushed to provide better performance and more features, all while meeting tight deadlines and keeping costs down. As these demands grow, traditional design and verification methodologies are falling short. Read more »
High-availability architectures for ethernet in manufacturing
While ethernet networking has been making inroads into the manufacturing plant, the need for a high-availability network architecture is far greater than in its traditional use as an IT network. Read more »
Ceramic sensors perform well in tough applications
Precision and reliability are key concerns when selecting pressure transmitters. Using pressure measuring devices that utilise a ceramic measuring cell rather than an oil-filled pressure membrane is one way instrument engineers can increase accuracy, reliability and long-term stability. Read more »
OPC bridging transfers data between industrial automation systems
Integrators frequently use OPC technology to connect one industrial automation or process control system with another so that data can be shared between the two systems. Because OPC technology is based on a client-server architecture, the challenge is that two OPC servers cannot communicate with each other directly. Read more »
Energy management: providing the key to a green and profitable future
The current increasing pressure on industry to clean up environmental performance is regarded by many as a direct conflict with one of industry’s primary goals - management of operational costs in order to increase profitability. Read more »
Temperature measurement and calibration: what every instrument technician should know
Temperature may be the most commonly measured physical parameter. Yet there have never been so many ways to measure it as there are today. Read more »
Alarm trips: the ups and downs - Part 2
Something happens – a signal peaks or falls – and you need to know. A limit alarm trip can trigger the response needed to maintain normal, and safe, operations. Read more »
PoE switches for industrial networking
Power over Ethernet (PoE) is one of the hottest topics in ethernet networking applications today. In addition to commercial IT applications, more and more PoE technologies are being deployed in industrial operations. Read more »
Online moisture analysis in materials handling
Moisture analysis during materials handling and processing presents a number of challenges that can be solved with appropriate use of online techniques. Read more »
Alarm trips: the ups and downs – Part 1
Something happens - a signal peaks or falls - and you need to know. A limit alarm trip can trigger the response needed to maintain normal, and safe, operations. Read more »
Packaging automation trends: using small assembly robots in upstream packaging processes
Manufacturers have always faced the challenge of constantly needing to find new ways to reduce the cost of their packaging processes. In today’s globally connected world, however, the game is much tougher and the stakes are much higher. Read more »
Open asset management with FDT: the core of a ‘smart’ process plant
Field Device Type (FDT) technology remains one of the automation industry’s best-kept secrets. In spite of this, it is rapidly gaining market acceptance by simplifying the digital communication between a plant’s field devices and its control environment. It is at the heart of a ‘smart’ plant’s IT infrastructure and can deliver major cost savings to the plant’s operations. Read more »