Industrial network management: finding the perfect solution
If you manage or operate an industrial automation network, then network management is something that you are already doing. Wouldn't it be ideal to automate these management tasks with software, in order to improve the efficiency of the process? Read more »
Diffuse optical scanning sensors - Part 1
There are many myths about sensors, in particular the world of diffuse scanning sensors. With many users preferring the ‘make/break’ philosophy of retro-reflective and thru-beam sensors, we thought it might be important to take a look at what diffuse scanning sensors are all about. Read more »
Continuous emission monitoring
The requirement for continuous emission monitors has changed significantly over the last 10 years. This has been brought about by the increase in use of flue gas treatment systems, reducing the levels of pollutant to be monitored, and environmental agencies worldwide requiring smaller processes to be monitored. Read more »
Integrating distributed energy resources into the smart grid - Part 1
The electrical power generation, transmission and distribution system thrived for decades with limited intelligence. But present and future demands are necessitating a transition to a smart grid, particularly the need to incorporate distributed energy resources (DERs) into the generation mix. Read more »
Pumping abrasive and shear-sensitive liquids
Understanding a fluid’s rheology is fundamental in designing an efficient pumping and process solution. Read more »
Protecting the environment and your reputation with organic carbon analysis
Monitoring and controlling the amount of organic matter in our streams and waterways is critical for environmental protection. Total organic carbon (TOC) is the amount of carbon present in an organic compound and measuring it provides a fast and convenient way to determine water quality. This article looks at the different methods now available for analysing TOC. Read more »
Integrating your ERP and MES to improve operations
Advanced enterprise integration applications enable companies to leverage real-time information exchange between the business layer and the production layer to increase operational efficiency. Read more »
What you really need to know about sample rate
By and large, discussions of sample rate are like watching paint dry. Do we really have to get into the details? After all, everyone knows that you only need to sample at twice the frequency of your signal of interest to get good results, right? If you answered “right!” to that last statement, perhaps you should read on. Read more »
Determinism in industrial ethernet: the EtherCAT protocol
Last year we published a review of technologies that are used to provide real-time or near-real-time operation over Ethernet networks. This month we examine one of them in more depth. Read more »
Machines get health checks online
Condition monitoring is a proven, valuable tool for optimising maintenance strategies. Ian Liebler, Rockwell Automation integrated conditioning monitoring solutions architect, explains how integrated condition monitoring can provide even greater production and maintenance efficiencies through streamlining real-time information flow. Read more »
Tracking, tracing and maintaining equipment in the process industries
The processing industries naturally lend themselves to a variety of categories - high risk, high expense and capital intensive, just to name a few. However, it’s becoming apparent across industry that many processing organisations are limited by their knowledge of what is happening on the floor - where their assets are, how well maintained they are and whether they are being utilised to their fullest. Read more »
Applying Coriolis technology to high-pressure applications
Measurement at high pressure needs heavy-duty metering. Read more »
How to use a regulator to reduce time delay in an analytical system
Process measurements are instantaneous but analyser responses never are. From the tap to the analyser, there is always a time delay. Unfortunately, this delay is often underestimated or misunderstood. Read more »
Intelligence and safety
The most important target for every plant manager is to keep the plant running and maximise production. A plant should be run as cost efficiently as possible, but without compromising safety. Read more »
The drive for harmonic balance
The presence of harmonics can drastically alter the quality of the power provided to electrical systems and may affect equipment on that supply. Peter Tomazic, Solution Consultant for the Systems and Solutions business of Rockwell Automation, explains how harmonics are generated, why they are a problem and discusses various engineered solutions that can mitigate their effects. Read more »
Nucleonic measurement
Nucleonic gauges can be found everywhere where extreme conditions would mean the end for any other measurement technology. That’s because nucleonic devices measure contactlessly, which makes the measuring systems wear free and practically maintenance free as well. However, since this technology uses radioactive radiation, safety is the top priority. Read more »
Driving out counterfeit motor and drive technologies
Australian drive solutions providers are stepping up the fight against counterfeit gear unit and motor ‘copycats’ in order to safeguard Australian industry from breakdowns, inefficiency and downtime. Read more »
How to plan your first vision system
Developing a machine vision application for the first time need not be a headache. If you follow a thorough, three-stage process to develop, test and deploy the project, the results should provide an essential tool in product inspection and valuable insight to enhance overall product quality. Read more »
Tuning the forgotten loop
The purpose of tuning loops is to reduce errors and thus provide more efficient operation that returns quickly to steady-state efficiency after upsets, errors or changes in load. The ‘forgotten loop’ has been the operator, who is typically trained to ‘average’ parameters to run adequately under most steady-state conditions. Read more »
Understanding the IEC61131-3 programming languages
It was about 120 years ago that Mark Twain used the phrase “more than one way to skin a cat”. In the world of PLC programming, that cliché is still applicable today. Thanks to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), five standard programming languages have emerged as the most common, used for both process and discrete programmable controllers. Read more »