The communication network is the single most important technological component of a machine or plant control system. Martin Rostan offers some food for thought about how the fieldbus choice is made.
A Research and Markets report – Internet of Things (IoT) Digital Twinning: Market Outlook for IoT enabled Physical to Virtual Mapping and Management 2017-2022 – stated that, by 2022, 85% of all IoT platforms will embrace digital twins. Suzanne Gill set out to see if industry is still on course to meet these figures.
Invertek Drives has automated the testing phase of its variable speed drive production line by incorporated two Universal UR5 cobots.
Michael Risse believes that there are three main trends driving more rapid insights from manufacturing big data.
A producer of caprolactam – an organic chemical used as a precursor to the manufacture of synthetic fibres – required a solution to enable continuous monitoring of high-temperature liquid levels in tanks.
Understanding, monitoring and controlling flow rate, as part of industrial processes, are essential elements to the viable operation of production systems. Brendan Robson discusses what is involved in getting such measurements right and the hazards of getting it wrong.
ABB Ability Smart Sensors are providing wireless condition monitoring for Dodge gear reducers to help prevent unexpected downtime and extend equipment life.
Find out how a medical appliance manufacturer cost-effectively solved a data gathering headache in a factory full of multiple branded devices.
Carefully selected measurement instrumentation and a suitable inventory management system help avoid the health and safety risks associated with the necessary chemical injections in the oil and gas industry and can also help reduce costs.
Dome loaded back pressure regulators are often used in processes where constant pressure is needed in a chemical reactor. Electronic pressure controllers can offer an effective solution to automate such processes.
Volker E. Goller discusses time-sensitive networking – He looks at why it is being developed and what advantages it will offer for industrial communications.
Any unscheduled downtime will cause a major headache for engineers in the food and beverage manufacturing sector. John Rowley believes that predictive maintenance can offer a solution.
According to automation vendors there is still some way to go before industry starts to reap the benefits promised by Industry 4.0. The next step is the adoption of a variety of enabling technologies.
Josep Lario, EMEA product marketing manager, Software, at Omron, comments on how industry is overcoming the challenges associated with the move towards greater collaboration between man and machine.
Philipp Jauch believes that change to both machinery and business models are needed to allow us to really see the full potential of Industry 4.0.
Industry 4.0 has now moved well beyond the concept stage although there is still a long way to go. The next generation 5G wireless networks and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be crucial elements to enable Industry 4.0 to be wholly implemented, says Steve Sands.
Manufacturers are having to move beyond traditional cost reduction strategies when it comes to energy. Instead there is a move towards cost avoidance, says Vincent de Rul.
Paul Hingley believes that servitisation is set to transform every aspect of modern manufacturing.
Find out how Hydro Extrusions Hungary has been able to reduce quality problems in the finished profile of its extruded aluminium products.
Harri Vaara explains how sugar beet processors are increasing productivity and energy efficiency through the use of variable speed drives (VSDs).