Top 5 Control Engineering articles, November 24-30: Regulations for pumps and fans, vision system boosting productivity, Ethernet protocol in China, more

Articles about new DOE rules for pumps, fans, and compressors; a vision system that boosts productivity; China approving an Ethernet protocol; tuning PID loops for level control; and reasons why automation improves beer making were Control Engineering’s five most clicked articles from last week, November 24-30. Were you out last week? Miss something? You can catch up here.

By Chris Vavra December 1, 2014

Control Engineering Top 5 most read articles online, for Nov. 24-30, covered new DOE rules for pumps, fans, and compressors; a vision system that boosts productivity; China approving an Ethernet protocol; tuning PID loops for level control; and reasons why automation improves beer making. Link to each article below.

1. DOE pushes new rules for pumps, fans, and compressors

With 90% of motors being regulated under efficiency laws, DOE are now making rules to improve the efficiency of other industrial parts. 

2. Vision system boosts productivity, reduces costs at automobile assembly plant

Automotive vision: On a Chinese automobile assembly line, two machine vision cameras take images at 15 frames per second, to identify the type of vehicle part being moved, ensure that four robotic arms will grab the part in the correct locations, and increase productivity by six times. 

3. Ethernet protocol approved as China standard; test center certifies first product

EtherCAT industrial Ethernet protocol was recently approved as a national standard in China, and its North American testing and certification center approved its first product. 

4. Tuning PID loops for level control

One-in-four control loops are regulating level, but techniques for tuning PID controllers in these integrating processes are not widely understood. 

5. 6 reasons why automation improves beer making

Application Update: A beer equipment manufacturer uses off-the-shelf automation components to build affordable equipment and systems for craft brewers. 

The list was developed using CFE Media’s web analytics for stories viewed on controleng.com, November 24-30, 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.