David Greenfield, Control Engineering
Articles
Customer-driven quality
Global Perspectives: Mitsubishi Electric's reputation for quality is largely directed by customer requirements. Customer visits to the company's Tokyo headquarters and Nagoya Works facilities foster the two-way communication necessary for maintaining high quality levels.
When is PID Not the Answer?
Social media group member posits the question: How come PID is the answer to so many applications? Is it because advanced control is rarely needed or that control engineers are not pushing the envelope?
Survey: Harsh Duty Cabling & Connectors
Engineers voice their opinions in a Control Engineering-Molex Inc. survey about the criticality of harsh duty cabling and connectors as they relate to production failures, equipment downtime, and industrial network connectivity.
Dealing with Undocumented Field Device Changes
Field device parameter alterations persist across industries despite the potentially enormous problems they can cause. The good news: fixing the problem isn't difficult. The bad news: the options and concerns surrounding selection of the right correction method are nearly limitless.
2010 Global Automation Industry Outlook
Control Engineering and Morgan Stanley partner on global research project to provide insight on expected near-term spending, financing, and pricing trends for the automation industry.
Textile Manufacturer Closes Loop On Sustainability
Mount Vernon Mills has long been recognized for its industry leading environmental initiatives that meet or exceed regulatory requirements. Its programs also extend to helping its customers comply with regulations.
Integrated Safety: Has its Time Arrived?
Engineers, integrators, and industry representatives offer a variety of viewpoints on this hot button topic. Through all the discussion, one thing is clear: Consensus has yet to be reached. Where do you stand on this issue?
Broadway Automation: Behind the Scenes
Ideas in Automation: Creating modular motion control systems that can move multiple pieces of scenery during the same show is the typical system integration and design work for Hudson Scenic Studio. The typical Broadway show today requires automation to move scenery because of its design, size, or complexity. Actuation includes ac motors, hydraulics, and pneumatics. See photos.
Energy Management: First Steps Toward Greater Efficiency, Part Two
A primary source of power for many manufacturing operations, particularly in the process industries, is the boiler. Therefore, it is important to optimize the boiler combustion process to provide maximum efficiency while respecting equipment and environmental constraints. Improved combustion control is one of the simplest ways to decrease plant operational costs and improve safety.
Energy Management: First Steps Toward Greater Efficiency
This article series provides specific examples of how engineers can identify and address - at relatively little or no cost - principal sources of energy waste in their production facilities. Part one focuses on facility and machine power use and motors and drives. Part two will focus on energy reuse and application-specific energy savings.