December 2012
Machine commissioning: A programmer’s checklist
Inside Machines tips and tricks: Control engineers need to practice these programming tips to ensure project timeline pressure doesn’t harm the machine project. » more
Inside machines: Motion control moves bacon faster
Case study: When a PLC cannot move bacon quickly enough, consider a dedicated motion controller. » more
What makes a good system integrator good?
Automation Integrator Guide: Criteria help in selecting the best automation system integrator for your next project. » more
November 2012
EC: E67 Series Long Range Perfect Prox sensor
Machine and Embedded Control - Discrete sensors: The E67 Series Long Range Perfect Prox sensor is engineered to solve the most difficult photoelectric sensing applications through patented optics... » more
EC: Lightning Monitoring System (LM-S)
Power - Energy, power protection: The lightning current monitoring system detects and analyzes all significant parameters of lightning surge currents. This can maximize predictive maintenance and is... » more
EC: ECL150 Multichannel Eddy-Current Displacement Sensor
Machine and Embedded Control - Discrete sensors: High-resolution, noncontact displacement measurement in clean or hostile environments. This is a Control Engineering 2013 Engineers' Choice finalist. » more
EC: ADC Series Analog to Digital Converter
Machine and Embedded Control - Discrete sensors: ADC Series connect up to eight 4-20 mA loop powered analog sensors, eight separately powered 4-20 mA output sensors or four of each, to produce a... » more
EC: DataMan 300 Series ID Readers
Machine and Embedded Control - Machine vision, barcode readers: The DataMan 300 is a fixed-mount, image-based, industrial ID reader designed to handle the most difficult ID code-reading applications... » more
October 2012
Artisan cheese maker shares secret technology ingredient
Case Study: Gunn’s Hill Cheese uses 15 variable frequency drives (VFDs) to improve consistency and quality. In one application, the installation of a variable speed system resulted in a 50% reduction... » more
Servos versus induction motors: Look at performance, costs
Choosing between servos and induction motors depends on the level of performance required by the application and costs. Induction motors are simple, low-cost, and straightforward. Servos can offer... » more
Machine builder safety system protects workers, simplifies design
Inside Machines: Pulp and paper machine builder implements safety system to help protect workers and simplify machine design. Engineers at Automatic Handling International use integrated safety... » more
Advances in direct-drive rotary servos
Inside machines: In performance and market growth, direct-drive servo motors are outpacing conventional servo motors and gear motors. Advanced designs and new technologies can add efficiency. » more
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
Wireless monitoring, asset protection
PEMEX Tula Refinery increased efficiency with wireless connectivity by protecting critical assets related to cooling towers with process sensor and vibration monitoring, data collection, and... » more
Machine safety compliance
Inside Machines: Does adopting ISO 13849-1:2006 change the U.S. model for compliance and enforcement? » more
Information access versus security
Striking the right balance between information access and security calls for a layered security approach that’s more about people than technology. » more
Monitor machine conditions
Control Engineering International: Machine condition monitoring can be integrated within digital control of permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM). » more
Implementing wireless solutions for industrial communication applications
Wireless technology has limitations, but like any technology, it is very powerful when properly applied. Consider these factors before implementing wireless devices, including power, response time,... » more
May 2012
April 2012
Machine Safety: Are you staying on target?
Is changing my machine safety strategy necessary? What if your safety target has shifted? Have there been evolutional changes to industrial safety but your safety culture is mired in the past? Are... » more
Analysis tool for DeviceNet/CAN bus installations
Balluff's DeviceNet Analyzer is designed to analyze, commission, monitor, and maintain DeviceNet/CAN bus installations. » more
EtherNet/IP connection add-on device for Coriolis flowmeters
Micro Motion EtherNet/IP Module enables quick and cost-effective access to plant-wide networks, providing plant and process data to improve availability and throughput. » more
Building your house of software
Engineering and IT Insight: To stay on time and in budget, software project managers need to prepare for challenges with other organizations, develop a flexible plan and schedule to handle... » more
Industrial PC Serves as PLC, CNC, HMI
Inside Machines: Seal Tech’s FIP Polyurethane Dispensing Systems cost as much as $100,000 less than the competition and require 20 to 30 hours less wiring, by using industrial PCs for PLCs, CNCs, and... » more
March 2012
Demand for robotics skills grows
Recruiters and staffing firms have shown an increased interest in hiring engineers with robotics skills. There has been a 44% growth in job postings in the field since January 2011. » more
Motor designs focus on energy efficiency
Of the total cost of ownership of an electric motor in an industrial or commercial application, approximately 2% is the amount paid to purchase the motor. The remaining 98% is the cost of powering... » more
Chinese paper: Real-time cost control
Control Engineering International: Chinese paper enterprises are among the world's best real-time cost-control applications, according to a Control Engineering China (CEC) interview with Honeywell’s... » more
Precision pressure test gages
Fluke introduces the 700G Series for high accuracy in harsh environments. » more
Temperature/process controller panel
Omega introduces CNI-CB120SB pre-configured panel family, saves time over sourcing individual components. » more
February 2012
Siemens strengthens U.S. gas turbine manufacturing
In mid-November 2011, Siemens Energy substantially increased its capacity to produce advanced gas turbines in the U.S. by officially opening a 450,000 ft2 (41,800 m2) expansion to the company’s... » more
DIN temperature controller
Automated Control Engineering (A.C.E.) and West's DIN 6500 temperature controller is designed for basic electric heater applications. » more
Who’s iPhone goes into the plant?
When companies add communication via wireless devices, who’s device is it? Is that my iPad, or the company’s? » more
Cyber security vulnerability assessment
The first step in creating an effective defense is figuring out where the vulnerabilities are in the system. This is a difficult but necessary process, and it never ends. » more
Customized wing motor for motor mounting
The swing servo is designed as a direct drive for motor mounting while also being applicable for rollers. Wittenstein's swing servo is also known as the wing motor. » more
January 2012
Dealing with mercury from coal-fired power plants
Where does airborne mercury come from, and how do we get rid of it? » more
PCs versus PLCs for process control
Soapbox: Don’t settle for faults inherent in PLCs and PCs. Take the best of each for a more effective hybrid system for process control, according to a software and hardware provider to the process... » more
OEM Sustainability: Better design, controls make OEM greener
Original equipment manufacturer promotes green initiatives. Automation and smarter machine design help bottle packing equipment use less plastic, less heat, and produce less scrap. » more
What are your manufacturing IT project principles?
Engineering and IT Insight: Do many projects seem to repeat basic arguments on project direction and options? Does the team often rehash issues? If so, then perhaps you need to specify project... » more
Machine commissioning: A programmer’s checklist Inside Machines tips and tricks: Control engineers need to practice these programming tips to ensure project timeline pressure doesn’t harm the machine project. » more
Inside machines: Motion control moves bacon fasterCase study: When a PLC cannot move bacon quickly enough, consider a dedicated motion controller. » more
What makes a good system integrator good?Automation Integrator Guide: Criteria help in selecting the best automation system integrator for your next project. » more
EC: E67 Series Long Range Perfect Prox sensorMachine and Embedded Control - Discrete sensors: The E67 Series Long Range Perfect Prox sensor is engineered to solve the most difficult photoelectric sensing applications through patented optics... » more
EC: Lightning Monitoring System (LM-S)Power - Energy, power protection: The lightning current monitoring system detects and analyzes all significant parameters of lightning surge currents. This can maximize predictive maintenance and is... » more
EC: ECL150 Multichannel Eddy-Current Displacement SensorMachine and Embedded Control - Discrete sensors: High-resolution, noncontact displacement measurement in clean or hostile environments. This is a Control Engineering 2013 Engineers' Choice finalist. » more
EC: ADC Series Analog to Digital ConverterMachine and Embedded Control - Discrete sensors: ADC Series connect up to eight 4-20 mA loop powered analog sensors, eight separately powered 4-20 mA output sensors or four of each, to produce a... » more
EC: DataMan 300 Series ID ReadersMachine and Embedded Control - Machine vision, barcode readers: The DataMan 300 is a fixed-mount, image-based, industrial ID reader designed to handle the most difficult ID code-reading applications... » more
26 of 141
Artisan cheese maker shares secret technology ingredient Case Study: Gunn’s Hill Cheese uses 15 variable frequency drives (VFDs) to improve consistency and quality. In one application, the installation of a variable speed system resulted in a 50% reduction... » more
Servos versus induction motors: Look at performance, costsChoosing between servos and induction motors depends on the level of performance required by the application and costs. Induction motors are simple, low-cost, and straightforward. Servos can offer... » more
Machine builder safety system protects workers, simplifies designInside Machines: Pulp and paper machine builder implements safety system to help protect workers and simplify machine design. Engineers at Automatic Handling International use integrated safety... » more
Advances in direct-drive rotary servosInside machines: In performance and market growth, direct-drive servo motors are outpacing conventional servo motors and gear motors. Advanced designs and new technologies can add efficiency. » more
Wireless monitoring, asset protectionPEMEX Tula Refinery increased efficiency with wireless connectivity by protecting critical assets related to cooling towers with process sensor and vibration monitoring, data collection, and... » more
Machine safety complianceInside Machines: Does adopting ISO 13849-1:2006 change the U.S. model for compliance and enforcement? » more
Information access versus securityStriking the right balance between information access and security calls for a layered security approach that’s more about people than technology. » more
Monitor machine conditionsControl Engineering International: Machine condition monitoring can be integrated within digital control of permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM). » more
Implementing wireless solutions for industrial communication applicationsWireless technology has limitations, but like any technology, it is very powerful when properly applied. Consider these factors before implementing wireless devices, including power, response time,... » more
26 of 43
Machine Safety: Are you staying on target?Is changing my machine safety strategy necessary? What if your safety target has shifted? Have there been evolutional changes to industrial safety but your safety culture is mired in the past? Are... » more
Analysis tool for DeviceNet/CAN bus installationsBalluff's DeviceNet Analyzer is designed to analyze, commission, monitor, and maintain DeviceNet/CAN bus installations. » more
EtherNet/IP connection add-on device for Coriolis flowmetersMicro Motion EtherNet/IP Module enables quick and cost-effective access to plant-wide networks, providing plant and process data to improve availability and throughput. » more
Building your house of softwareEngineering and IT Insight: To stay on time and in budget, software project managers need to prepare for challenges with other organizations, develop a flexible plan and schedule to handle... » more
Industrial PC Serves as PLC, CNC, HMIInside Machines: Seal Tech’s FIP Polyurethane Dispensing Systems cost as much as $100,000 less than the competition and require 20 to 30 hours less wiring, by using industrial PCs for PLCs, CNCs, and... » more
26 of 37
Demand for robotics skills growsRecruiters and staffing firms have shown an increased interest in hiring engineers with robotics skills. There has been a 44% growth in job postings in the field since January 2011. » more
Motor designs focus on energy efficiencyOf the total cost of ownership of an electric motor in an industrial or commercial application, approximately 2% is the amount paid to purchase the motor. The remaining 98% is the cost of powering... » more
Chinese paper: Real-time cost controlControl Engineering International: Chinese paper enterprises are among the world's best real-time cost-control applications, according to a Control Engineering China (CEC) interview with Honeywell’s... » more
Precision pressure test gagesFluke introduces the 700G Series for high accuracy in harsh environments. » more
Temperature/process controller panelOmega introduces CNI-CB120SB pre-configured panel family, saves time over sourcing individual components. » more
26 of 38
Siemens strengthens U.S. gas turbine manufacturingIn mid-November 2011, Siemens Energy substantially increased its capacity to produce advanced gas turbines in the U.S. by officially opening a 450,000 ft2 (41,800 m2) expansion to the company’s... » more
DIN temperature controllerAutomated Control Engineering (A.C.E.) and West's DIN 6500 temperature controller is designed for basic electric heater applications. » more
Who’s iPhone goes into the plant?When companies add communication via wireless devices, who’s device is it? Is that my iPad, or the company’s? » more
Cyber security vulnerability assessmentThe first step in creating an effective defense is figuring out where the vulnerabilities are in the system. This is a difficult but necessary process, and it never ends. » more
Customized wing motor for motor mountingThe swing servo is designed as a direct drive for motor mounting while also being applicable for rollers. Wittenstein's swing servo is also known as the wing motor. » more
26 of 32
Dealing with mercury from coal-fired power plantsWhere does airborne mercury come from, and how do we get rid of it? » more
PCs versus PLCs for process controlSoapbox: Don’t settle for faults inherent in PLCs and PCs. Take the best of each for a more effective hybrid system for process control, according to a software and hardware provider to the process... » more
OEM Sustainability: Better design, controls make OEM greener Original equipment manufacturer promotes green initiatives. Automation and smarter machine design help bottle packing equipment use less plastic, less heat, and produce less scrap. » more
What are your manufacturing IT project principles?Engineering and IT Insight: Do many projects seem to repeat basic arguments on project direction and options? Does the team often rehash issues? If so, then perhaps you need to specify project... » more
26 of 43
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- 2013 Control Engineering magazine archive
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