Sensors are on the front line of the data gathering process which is vital for the IIoT. Control Engineering Europe shines a spotlight on these ‘things’ and their implementation in successful IIoT projects.

Lee Sullivan explains how automotive manufacturers can embrace easy customisation by using automation software.

The main hoist of a crane vessel capable of lifting more than 80 tonnes of load can now operate more precisely and accurately following the installation and commissioning of a heavy-duty Optidrive P2 variable frequency drive from Invertek Drives.

Edge computing advances give users more options for architecting automation systems, flexible communications and programming choices, says Benson Hougland.

Denny Nelson explains how the latest guided wave radar technology can improve interface level measurement accuracy by halving the minimum detectable thickness of the upper product.

Control Engineering Europe spoke to Matt Wells, VP digital product management at GE Digital about the trends towards convergence of Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) domains, as a key to enable digital transformation across the enterprise.

Control Engineering Europe focuses on the increasing addition of artificial intelligence technology in machine control solutions, asking what benefits this will bring for the machine builder and the end user.

Today, equipment can be monitored efficiently and serviced according to business needs, rather than schedules, thanks to the Industrial Internet of Things, says Mohamed Zied Ouertani.

Uwe Widmann asks whether single-pair Ethernet (SPE) technology herald a breakthrough for Ethernet right down to sensor connection at field level? And does single-pair Ethernet have what it takes to supplant conventional field bus systems?

Inverter drives are getting smarter and are now able to look after themselves, along with a range of other plant equipment such as fans, pumps, motors and conveyors. Wayne Turtill explains how this is being achieved.

Find out how medical technology company, Ypsomed, was able to retrofit Industry 4.0 digital control systems onto its legacy plastic injection moulding machines.

Darren Pratt explains why adding IO-Link compatibility to an encoder is a vital breakthrough on the road to Industry 4.0.

Industry 4.0, seamless connectivity, digitalisation, smart products or platform concepts are keywords for higher productivity. The impressive automation platform from Festo encourages customers to increase their competitiveness in the booming automation technology sector. Jörg Tertünte, head of global Electric Automation campaign at Festo explains.

Jos Martin examines the key barriers to the implementation of predictive maintenance technologies, and how these can be alleviated.

Peter Wenzel, executive director of PROFIBUS & PROFINET International, Germany, highlights the importance of standardisation for data communication technologies.

Following the Fukushima incident the nuclear industry has a renewed focus on risk mitigation from extraordinary events caused by nature. Control Engineering Europe looks at the trends in seismic monitoring and protection systems, technologies adopted and current best practice driven by these enhanced risk management demands.

Industrial security is a complicated, multifaceted challenge that cannot be solved by simply purchasing the latest technology. Instead, managing the security of industrial control systems and networks requires improving processes, tools and ultimately balancing risk, says Glenn Schulz.

Peter Lange believes that combining the power of mobile robots and cobots is key to making factories more flexible to cope with rapidly changing demands.

Today around two-thirds of manufacturers are gathering data from their production environments, yet relatively few are using it to improve processes or boost productivity and yield, argues Dr Simon Kampa.