System integration insights Systems integrators bridge the manufacturing skills gap, offering expertise in technology and automation, enabling significant productivity gains. The role of systems integrators has evolved to encompass diverse talents, project management, and a broad range of functions in plant-floor data analysis. According to a 2021 assessment from Deloitte, the manufacturing industries are hobbled […]
Control Engineering most-viewed articles online about digital transformation published in the last year include stories on new technologies impact on digitalization, digital twin simulations, digital transformation and system integration and more. Also: See additional digital transformation stories. 1. The impact of new technologies on automation and digitalization system architectures Digital telecommunication evolution has been rapid […]
System integrator insights Open standard design, like ODVA, enhances industrial automation systems with scalability and compatibility, reducing costs and risks associated with vendor lock-in and proprietary protocols. Platform-independent PLC programming languages like CODESYS and OpenPLC, compliant with IEC 61131-3, offer flexibility, allowing users to seamlessly switch hardware manufacturers while designing various logic structures. For those […]
Learning objectives Review what to consider when evaluating total cost of ownership, including initial cost, reliability, downtime, maintenance, product life cycle considerations and warranty. Dive into the biggest factor impacting motor and drive life cycle costs—– energy—, and understand how higher operating efficiencies can significantly reduce operational costs. Understand how your a company’s culture affects […]
Learning Objectives Understand how workplace injuries and fatalities not only exact a human toll, but damage a business’ bottom line. Explore ways that leadership can incentivize a culture of safety. Discover methods for challenging the way work is currently conducted to promote improvements in safety. Safety insights Worldwide, there are around 340 million occupational […]
Motor and drive insights The ultra-low voltage motor market is projected to reach nearly $6.5 billion by 2027, driven by demand from battery-driven applications and increased flexibility in manufacturing and logistics processes. Larger industrial conglomerates are acquiring ultra-low voltage motor companies to enhance their versatility. Growth is particularly strong in North America and Asia, with […]
Learning Objectives Learn about what Control Engineering subscribers need to do their jobs better, what articles they liked best and their about how to automate. Understand leading Control Engineering topics include control systems, motors and drives, process instrumentation and sensors, system integration, industrial networking and new automation products. By now many are well into […]
Robotics insights The consumer packaging industry faces significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and a worker shortage, leading to a need for increased automation. Robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) offers a cost-effective solution for companies to implement automation, with lower upfront costs and faster ROI compared to traditional manufacturing methods. While the consumer packaging […]
Control Engineering’s top 5 pieces of content over the past week covered PID tuning, predictive control and PLC programming. 1. Beyond PID: 6 advanced strategies to add value to modern process control While PID control is a good choice for most process control applications, sometimes the application is too challenging or complicated. When that’s the […]
Megan McIntosh, 29 Controls Engineer Hargrove Controls & Automation Mobile, Alabama Megan has led several small projects at Hargrove Controls & Automation and has played a highly technical role in larger projects. She is versed in Rockwell and Emerson DeltaV in continuous and batch control applications. She is committed to Hargrove and is successful in […]