Top 5 Control Engineering articles, January 18-24: Real-world simulation, open-source robotic software, electric actuator technology, more

Articles about the impact of real-world simulation, open-source robotic software, electric actuator technology, cyclone separators, and open standard wireless networks were Control Engineering’s five most clicked articles from January 18-24. Miss something? You can catch up here.

By Chris Vavra January 25, 2016

The top 5 most read articles online, for Jan. 18-24 for Control Engineering covered the impact of real-world simulation, open-source robotic software, electric actuator technology, cyclone separators, and open standard wireless networks. Link to each article below. 

1. Real-world impact of simulation

Disruptive simulation technologies enabled a large oil pipeline company to maximize profits. Twenty percent savings in capital projects were realized, amounting to $85 million. An additional $24 million in benefit was achieved in additional annual, recurring revenue.

2. Open-source robotic software expands capabilities, communications, international influence

ROS-Industrial, an open-source factory automation software project, expanded its influence in 2015 as additional US and European organizations became more engaged.

3. Electric actuator technology prospers in production fields

President Obama’s Climate Action Plan has a goal to cut methane emissions from the oil and gas industry by 40% to 45% from 2012 levels by 2025. This has led to new regulations that require widescale pump retrofitting.

4. Cyclone separators 

The importance of the cyclone separator is moving from the tried and true technologies to different and specific applications not considered possible even a decade or so ago until 3D printers appeared in a range of industrial applications.

5. The case for open standard wireless networks 

Proprietary wireless systems and local area networks (LANs), while still in use, are being whittled away in spite of the time and expense many companies have invested into them in favor of open standard wireless networks.

The list was developed using CFE Media’s web analytics for stories viewed on controleng.com, January 18-24, for articles published within the last two months.

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