Top 5 Control Engineering articles, August 1-7: PID control, smart machines and IIoT, control system migration, more

Articles about PID control and loop tuning, smart machines and the IIoT, control system migration, DCS migrations, and mobile HMIs were Control Engineering’s five most clicked articles from August 1-7. Miss something? You can catch up here.

By Chris Vavra August 8, 2016

The top 5 most read articles online, from Aug. 1-7 for Control Engineering covered PID control and loop tuning, smart machines and the IIoT, control system migration, DCS migrations, and mobile HMIs. Links to each article below. 

1. Understanding PID control and loop tuning fundamentals

PID loop tuning may not be a hard science, but it’s not magic either. Here are some tuning tips that work.

2. Technologies for the smartest machines in the IIoT era 

Essential technology developments within distributed, connected machines with real-time capabilities include heterogeneous processing architecture; hardware, software design and development; and readiness for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

3. Surviving a control system migration project

Control system migration projects can provide significant value to industrial operations by ensuring a smooth transition to newer technology with virtually no changes to physical wiring or intellectual property. 

4. DCS migrations: Opportunity for improvement, or operational disaster

When planning a distributed control system (DCS) migration, some of the old can be retained, but don’t go too far. Training is critical to a smooth and safe transition.

5. Mobile HMI improves plant operations

Cover Story: Once a mobile device is connected to the IIoT and can access real-time manufacturing data, it can improve plant operations by helping decision makers when they need the information.

The list was developed using CFE Media’s web analytics for stories viewed on controleng.com, August 1-7, for articles published within the last two months.  

Chris Vavra, production editor, CFE Media, cvavra@cfemedia.com.


Author Bio: Chris Vavra is web content manager for CFE Media and Technology.