A new niche for AppliedAutomation

Stories in the December issue of AppliedAutomation focus on risks associated with cybersecurity, real-time process optimization, and motion control features that compare drive-based and controller-based automation.

By Jack Smith December 3, 2016
Beginning in the February 2017 issue, AppliedAutomation is focusing its coverage on application stories and case studies. The supplement, which celebrated its 10-year anniversary with the June 2016 issue, will include useful automation content based on topics from Control Engineering and Plant Engineering. Through these application stories and case studies, we will examine how you apply automation, instrumentation, and control theories and techniques to help your facilities increase capacity, enhance design and production, improve efficiency, increase profitability, and avoid regulatory consequences—every day.
The cover story in this issue of AppliedAutomation explains risks associated with cybersecurity for supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and human-machine interface (HMI) systems. In addition, the author explains why industrial networks are so vulnerable, where to turn for cybersecurity guidance, best practices, and steps to take to protect SCADA and HMI.
Real-time process optimization (RPO) is the focus of the second article in this issue. RPO is commonly confused with advanced process control (APC), but they are complementary functions, not equivalent. RPO defines functions that optimize the economic value of manufacturing production processes, such as the minimal cost of production, energy used, or time of production. 
The third article is a motion control feature that compares drive-based and controller-based automation. According to the author, “Machine control topography dictates how a motor or motors move an axis or multiple axes. Choosing between a controller-based versus drive-based machine control is a key design decision. Essentially, the choice comes down to whether speed and positioning of each axis are controlled by the drive or a main controller making those decisions.”

This article appears in the Applied Automation supplement for Control Engineering 
and Plant Engineering

– See other articles from the supplement below.


Author Bio: Content manager, CFE Media