The photovoltaics industry is booming and the market for solar farms is growing quickly all over the world. Yet the task of planning PV power plants to make them as efficient as possible is far from trivial. Fraunhofer researchers, working with Siemens Energy Photovoltaics, have developed software that simplifies conceptual design. [ + ]

All control system projects include the same basic components: scope definition, hardware build, software implementation, test, commission. But system migration projects have a very different risk profile to greenfield projects, which means the project management of the two types is quite different. [ + ]

Selecting a Dematic robotic layer picking system proved to be a wise choice for Nestlé Australia. It received three logistics awards for its Arndell Park national distribution centre (DC), which uses a Dematic system. [ + ]

An upgraded conveyor system has helped Australia’s largest cold-chain logistics service provider stay on top of its game. [ + ]

In today's complex industrial landscape, maximising productivity is paramount for companies to remain competitive. Implementing an effective safety solution is an important step towards improving productivity in the industrial environment. [ + ]

Users of inductive proximity sensors can select from a vast array of standard types to solve almost any general-purpose sensing application. Unfortunately not all industrial sensing applications fall into the general-purpose category. [ + ]

Harcros Chemicals has been using manual valves for sampling, directing, injection and extraction processes at its Kansas City plant. Installing wireless valve monitoring has increased safety in hazardous areas and reduced the risk of fugitive emissions. [ + ]

As we saw in Part 1, the IEC 61131 standard has had a profound effect on the industrial controllers market, particularly in the area of programming. In this part, we’ll look at how an additional standard promoted by PLCOpen relating to motion control has dovetailed into IEC 61131-3 and enhanced the overall usefulness of industrial controllers. [ + ]

Companies are looking to engineering schools to produce engineering graduates with stronger modelling and analytical skills, not simply an ability to prototype. And, of course, those newly hired engineers must also have a strong foundation in engineering concepts and mathematics. [ + ]

The word sustainability has become a passionate collective term for all the research, dreams, ideals, actions and even legislation to protect, nourish and plan for our environment and our resources. But do we have the same awareness of how people skills fit in this quest for sustainability? [ + ]

Materials, design, fabrication and maintenance affect actuator performance and compliance with food safety guidelines. [ + ]

There can be little doubting the profound effect the IEC 61131 suite of standards has had on industrial controller product offerings over the last 25 years. Virtually all PLC vendors have adopted if not sections of the standard, then at least some concepts or its general philosophy. [ + ]

There can be no doubt that the heart of any operation is the process control system. More recently, industry is embracing a paradigm shift away from localised operations via distributed control, to embracing the need for remote operations centres controlling and monitoring multiple facilities. [ + ]

Standards for product and ingredient quality are continually being raised due to stringent agency regulations, increasing the importance of barcode reading, verification and grading in many inspection processes. [ + ]

A French pharmaceutical laboratory chooses Simatic control technology to improve cleanliness, increase production efficiency and win over hesitant operators. [ + ]