Article Description 2018

Control Engineering Article Descriptions 2018

Article descriptions and general areas of coverage below provide some tentative details about the 2018 editorial calendar for Control Engineering at www.controleng.com/mediainfo. Author guidelines and other useful information also may be found at the link above. Find advice on article contribution at www.controleng.com/contribute.

Article topics are based on Control Engineering reader research, although articles and subjects in the issue may differ depending on space, author knowledge, and available information. Some research, some special reports, Applied Automation, and Oil and Gas Engineering are not shown. (See Control Engineering media kits and editorial calendars, including 2018.) 

For best results, articles to be considered should be submitted in final form to the content manager at least 45 days prior to the issue month. As deadlines pass, the descriptions are moved to the bottom of this file. (Please note that article deadlines are considerably earlier than advertising deadlines in the media kit and editorial calendar.)


General areas of Control Engineering coverage

Control Systems and Strategy: DCS, PACs, PLCs, industrial PCs, CNC, loop control, PID, embedded control, edge computing, machine control, instrumentation, mobile devices, analytical instruments, test and calibration equipment
Networking and Information: Ethernet, wireless, other networks, I/O modules and systems, HMI, mobility, SCADA, historians, data acquisition, alarm management, simulation, safety, asset management, cyber security, industrial IT, and enterprise-level functions, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Industrie 4.0
Control Equipment and Energy: Motors, drives, robotics, mechatronics, motion control, energy efficiency, control valves, pumps, positioners, transmitters, sensors, vision, RFID, power supplies, power protection, power distribution, enclosures, and related components
Industry, events, integrators, system integration, and people

Focused delivery: For more than 50 industry events, click the events box, upper right, at www.controleng.com; for system integrators, click the System Integrator box upper left at www.controleng.com. In addition to monthly print and digital (with added content) editions, Control Engineering publishes online daily, research, topical e-newsletters, webcasts, and offers mobile apps, CFE Technology’s ContentStream, and has six editions globally: www.controleng.com/international.

Contribute appropriate new products into the New Products for Engineers Database at www.controleng.com/NP4E.

 

January articles are due Nov. 15

Value-added, integrated program: Profiles: Executive Voice/Corporate Profile; Fast Start Program; White Paper Connection – contact your sales representative. 

Choosing a factory automation controller: Learn about the selection criteria used to match various controller types with different industrial automation applications. Environment, speed, connectivity, flexibility, training, input/output (I/O) device count, and ease of use may be among controller platform considerations. Control Engineering controller research findings will be included from www.controleng.com/ce-research

Industrial Ethernet communication updates: IEEE Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) will add determinism to industrial communications in a standard way. Those involved in the standard and in industrial networking organizations will be asked to provide information and updates on capabilities to ensure signal reliability in control loops (among sensors, logic devices, and actuators) and to other systems. 

Variable frequency drives (VFDs): Manufacturers update software and hardware capabilities to ensure VFDs control actuators (motors, pumps, and fans appropriate to the application), easing programming, connectivity, and operations, while facilitating predictive maintenance. 

Roundtable, part 1: System Integrator of the Year 2018: Learn about automation, controls, and other topics from leading system integrators. The December 2017 issues of Control Engineering and Plant Engineering announce the 2018 winners of the System Integrator of the Year awards in the Global System Integrator Report.

Inside Process and Instrumentation articles, every other month, focus on topics relating to improvements in process control, instrumentation, and process sensing. 

Innovations: Automation, control, and instrumentation-related products in this issue are chosen from the New Products for Engineers Database at www.controleng.com/NP4E, which is promoted in every issue. 

Look ahead: Career and Salary Survey (May issue coverage) can be sponsored research, as with other Control Engineering and CFE Media research. Contact a Control Engineering sales consultant for more information. Link to past research at www.controleng.com/ce-research.

 

February articles are due Dec. 15

WEBCAST* System Integration case studies, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m. PT /1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET

One (1) Certified Professional Development Hour (PDH) available for all attendees.

Connecting and automating data and processes are designed to increase efficiency and innovation, which are needed to improve competitiveness. System integration and workflow automation can eliminate unnecessary work and put the precise information needed in front of the user for added efficiency. This is true for large enterprises and for small- and medium-sized businesses. Ideally, system integrators are involved from project inception through completion in automation and controls projects. Through advice and case study examples, learn from these experts how to maximize benefits on future system integration projects and minimize the pain. One Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP) PDH is available. [Up to four sponsorships are available, with lead-generation opportunities.] Learning objectives for this webcast include: 

  • Standards associated with system integration for automation.
  • Identifying end users’ barriers to using system integrators.
  • Discovering through case study examples how to balance solid automation system performance and solutions to business concerns.
  • Distinguishing how project management positively influences technology selection with examples.
  • Quantifying automation and control integration benefits.

Speakers are Peter Eliya, automation control specialist, aeSolutions, Greenville, S.C.; and Charles I. Sheets, PE, director, industrial systems division, Matrix Technologies Inc., Maumee, Ohio. Moderator is Jack Smith, content manager, Control Engineering, CFE Media LLC.

Choosing a process control system (or distributed control system (DCS)): Buying replacement parts no longer supported by DCS vendors may be possible, but is it practical or wise? Know when it’s best to wait or migrate. New systems offer greater reliability and are designed with greater consideration for operator awareness, alarms, upgrades, flexibility, analysis, communications with other systems, and perhaps most importantly, safety and cybersecurity. Next-generation systems promised in 2020 aim to provide greater interoperability, as well. Should you patch, partially upgrade, upgrade now, or continue to wait? 

Safety and alarm management: Discover the latest strategies for safety and alarm management in new software, and strategies for improving existing implementations. Ignoring or dragging a bunch of alarms into a folder to make them go away may not be the best use of an operator’s time. 

Motor updates: Industrial motor designs consider size, speed, power, energy efficiency, environmental conditions, applications, runtime, starting and stopping, ease of installation and use, and other criteria. Software can help, but overlooking a key consideration can make a lower-cost motor the highest-cost choice.

31st Engineers’ Choice Awards; NEW: Automation product design advice – The Control Engineering Engineers’ Choice Awards highlight some of the best new control, instrumentation, and automation products as chosen by Control Engineering‘s print and online subscribers. Survey respondents are asked to select products based on technological advancement, service to the industry, and market impact. Accompanying coverage of the winners will be product design advice to help ensure your next product is a top vote getter among your customers. Learn more about the Engineers’ Choice Awards. https://www.controleng.com/events-and-awards/engineers-choice-awards.html

Inside Machines and Machine Vision articles, every other month, focus on automation and control topics related to what happens around and inside machines. This month, machine vision is among the topics included.

Innovations: Automation, control, and instrumentation-related products in this issue are chosen from the New Products for Engineers Database at www.controleng.com/NP4E, which is promoted in every issue.

 

March articles are due Jan. 15

RESEARCH HMI hardware and software: Nov. ’17 sponsor; Dec. ’17 survey; March issue. Control Engineering HMI hardware and software research findings will be included at www.controleng.com/ce-research to help improve how subscribers buy, specify, set-up, integrate, and use HMI hardware and software; 2017 HMI survey findings will be compared. 

Edge-computing advantages: Distributed control architectures take advantage of some of the benefits touted by edge computing, which puts processing power closer to where the measurement, decision, or actuation occurs in the control loop. What edge-computing advantages can help automation, controls, or instrumentation implementations and how? 

Big Data analytics: Turning raw data into actionable information. Smarter decisions in a time-appropriate context, the promise of Big Data analytics, requires attention to data reliability, data structure, data communications, data modeling, data simulations, and trust that proper comparisons and analysis are being applied. 

Sensors for process control: Choosing the right sensing element in the right package for the process control application can ensure data reliability. Smarter process control decisions cannot happen without appropriate, reliable sensor input. 

Industry standards update: Which industry standards will influence the design and specification of the next automation, control, or instrumentation project? Experts will provide key advice about changes that matter. 

Inside Process and Instrumentation articles, every other month, focus on topics relating to improvements in process control, instrumentation, and process sensing. 

IIoT for Engineers supplement to Control Engineering includes its own editorial topics related to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) in the CFE Media Interactive Media Kit.

 

Article topics include: 

  • Cover story: Microcontroller kits and edge computing
  • Chart feature: Cloud-enabled SCADA and IIoT connectivity
  • Application feature: Predictive maintenance and other cloud-based services
  • Technology feature: Data historians and analytics. 

Innovations: Automation, control, and instrumentation-related products in this issue are chosen from the New Products for Engineers Database at www.controleng.com/NP4E, which is promoted in every issue.

  

April articles are due Feb. 15

Value-added, integrated program: White Paper Connection; Harvey Ad-Q Study – contact your sales representative. 

WEBCAST* IIoT series: Cloud and mobility in field operations, April 19

Connected assets, rich data, and cloud-based analytics increase reliability and support optimization of field equipment installations. Predictive maintenance and closed-loop control can be applied to remote operations while remaining under centralized management. Microcontrollers bring control to the edge while gateways allow secure information sharing with operations and business systems. Low-cost sensing makes possible condition-monitoring of plant sub-structures like steam traps and vents, as well as high-priced machines and equipment. Not least, Cloud-based environments slash the time it takes to install SCADA in remote locations. Users start generating data in hours instead of weeks. It is in these areas that IIoT is having the greatest initial impact and it is what this webcast will be about.

[Up to four sponsorships are available, with lead-generation opportunities.] 

Designing controls: Integrating artificial intelligence (AI): AI has been working in algorithms used for automation, control, and instrumentation for years, though sometimes is not mentioned because of possible negative perceptions. How is AI helping solve problems important to automation and controls? 

Critical system cybersecurity: If all systems are critical, then perhaps none are. Consider what makes a system critical, look at what the U.S. government considers critical, and ensure that policies, technologies, practices, and training meet cybersecurity needs. Control Engineering research will be cited. www.controleng.com/ce-research

Going mobile: Preparing for the Millennial workforce: Mobility applications for controls, automation, and instrumentation have advantages related to productivity, decision speed, and flexibility. Another advantage is to help attract and engage the millennial workforce in manufacturing and process applications. (If no one under 40 wants to work with last-century technologies, perhaps it’s time for an upgrade.) 

Energy efficiency: Beyond choosing energy-efficient products, energy use is a metric that can be measured and optimized as part of automation, control, and instrumentation applications.  Life cycle calculations of energy costs can improve the product specification process. If an asset lasts a long time, its capital cost may be dwarfed by its energy costs. 

Preparing to integrate IIoT: How can controls, automation, and instrumentation help with integration and use of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies? Integration of operations and information technology (IT) systems can be made easier, keeping in mind these considerations.

Inside Machines and Embedded Systems articles, every other month, focus on automation and control topics related to what happens around and inside machines. This month, embedded systems will be among the topics included. 

Innovations: Automation, control, and instrumentation-related product innovations in this issue are chosen from the New Products for Engineers Database at www.controleng.com/NP4E, which is promoted in every issue. 

 

May articles are due March 15

RESEARCH report: Career and salary survey; train for what’s hot; import talent as needed: Control Engineering career and salary research findings will be included from www.controleng.com/ce-research to help improve how subscribers advance their careers. Other topics include training and importing talent to fill the gaps as needed. 

Career survey results: Your next steps: Every year Control Engineering career and salary research results are highly read. What else do you need to be doing for your career? 

Interoperable process controls, or not: Interoperability seems to matter more to companies, processes, and people than to others. Why is it a concern and when should it matter, or not? Interoperability isn’t an absolute. Some devices and systems can be made to be less interoperable, and sometimes are. 

Take the gloves off: What IT and OT should, and shouldn’t, learn from the other: Those working with information technology (IT) might have very specific rules about IT implementations, but some of those things may be counterintuitive to operation technology (OT) applications. What should those in charge of IT and OT learn from each other, and what should be ignored? Finding common understanding between the two areas early can save a lot of grief later. 

Robotics safety: Safety rules around robots are changing depending on the robot’s capabilities and surrounding technologies, tools, and environment. Robots of a certain size and speed wouldn’t have ever been allowed to operate outside an enclosure, yet sensing technology demonstrations show how that’s possible and perhaps desirable, with proper risk remediation. Are your risk assessments up-to-date? 

Inside Process and Instrumentation articles, every other month, focus on topics relating to improvements in process control, instrumentation, and process sensing. 

Innovations: Automation, control, and instrumentation-related products in this issue are chosen from the New Products for Engineers Database at www.controleng.com/NP4E, which is promoted in every issue. 

IIoT for Engineers supplement to Control Engineering includes its own editorial topics related to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) in the CFE Media Interactive Media Kit.

 

Article topics include: 

  • Cover story: Drones, UAVs and robotics
  • Chart feature: 3-D printing for the IIoT-enabled industrial desktop
  • Application feature: Product and production management in connected environments
  • Technology feature: The IIoT technology stack.

 

June articles are due April 13

Value-added, integrated program: Innovations from the Industry – contact your sales representative. 

WEBCAST* IIoT series: The role of connectivity in collaborative projects, June 14

As many functional diagrams of web-based infrastructures attest, IIoT gives technology suppliers an almost unlimited ability to inexpensively forge integrations amongst machines, operations systems, and business applications. What users want, however, are applications. This may be something as basic as a KPI-based portal that allows them to better track and understand the processes they’re responsible for. Going further, IIoT can support the execution of a plan. It does so by connecting assets throughout the value chain for operational visibility and good decision making. This webcast focuses on how IIoT the way engineers develop products, execute projects, and sustain productivity–with support from a cyber-physical world.

[Up to four sponsorships are available, with lead-generation opportunities.] 

Advanced controls: A variety of advanced control techniques can be applied to applications to improve and optimize them. Some will be examined in this article. 

Moving HMI designs to mobile devices: HTML5 programming enables transfer of human-machine interface (HMI) designs to mobile devices, but programming is just the enabler. Which HMI design elements are specific to mobile devices because of size and interface considerations? Learn some best practices.

Importance of sensor selection: If an application uses the wrong sensor, it cannot correctly act upon input gathered, corrupting the control loop at the first critical step: Measurement. Some “rights” and “wrongs” of sensor selection will be reviewed. 

Roundtable, part 2: 2018 System Integrator of the Year winners: Learn about automation, controls, and other topics from leading system integrators. The December 2017 issues of Control Engineering and Plant Engineering announce the 2018 winners of the System Integrator of the Year awards in the Global System Integrator Report.

Inside Machines and Discrete Sensors articles, every other month, focus on automation and control topics related to what happens around and inside machines. This month, discrete sensors will be among the topics included.

Innovations: Automation, control, and instrumentation-related products in this issue are chosen from the New Products for Engineers Database at www.controleng.com/NP4E, which is promoted in every issue. 

2018 Engineering Leaders Under 40 nominations close June 22. Learn more. https://www.controleng.com/LeadersUnder40

 

July articles are due May 15

Value-added, integrated program: White Paper Connection – contact your sales representative. 

RESEARCH IIoT, Industrie 4.0: July survey; September report; November issue. Control Engineering Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) research findings will be included from www.controleng.com/ce-research to help improve how subscribers buy, specify, set-up, integrate, and use IIoT technologies.

Software: Ladder logic vs. everything else: Controller programming research still shows use of ladder diagrams as a strong majority among U.S. survey respondents. For many applications and for many reasons, other programming strategies may be more efficient. When and why?

Integrating control safety with plant safety: How are safety of automation and plant controls influenced by plant safety initiatives, for better or worse? What can one teach the other, and how might that help? What general plant safety strategies shouldn’t be applied to controls, or do the same rules always apply?

Enclosure integration challenges: Attention to enclosures can be important for every sensor, logic device, and actuator in a control loop and for the networking technologies that connect each point and to higher level systems. Edge computing and other distributed controls may need special considerations, especially when information technology implementations are involved. 

Power monitoring: Monitoring power may be separated from power control functions or integrated depending on application and related needs. When looking at power monitoring software and hardware, consider the attributes appropriate to the application. What’s new to consider?   

Inside Process and Instrumentation articles, every other month, focus on topics relating to improvements in process control, instrumentation, and process sensing. 

Innovations: Automation, control, and instrumentation-related products in this issue are chosen from the New Products for Engineers Database at www.controleng.com/NP4E, which is promoted in every issue.

 

August articles are due June 15

Value-added, integrated program: Educating engineers – contact your sales representative. 

WEBCAST* IIoT series: Simulation, analytics, and modeling, Aug. 23

[Up to four sponsorships are available, with lead-generation opportunities.] 

Advanced controls: A variety of advanced control techniques can be applied to quickly improve and optimize applications. Some techniques will be examined in this article. 

Next-generation training techniques: augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR): AR supplements the real world; VR creates a virtual world. While maintenance may be the most common application, AR and VR provide huge opportunities for operator training, testing, scenario role-play and off-line upgrades, especially since some plants don’t shut down or start up some processes for years. Certain situations that require quick and clear-minded actions to preserve personnel and property safety may never happen during a plant operator’s career, but operators can be prepared with simulations. 

Cybersecurity for SCADA: Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software, because it can and often does connect to mission critical areas of the plant, requires special attention to cybersecurity. People, processes, and technologies need attention to lower the risk of cybersecurity threats. Older systems may require additional attention. Have you had an industrial cybersecurity assessment? 

Standards for motion control: Which standards are used for motion control applications, which organizations are involved, what’s changed recently, and what changes are being considered? 

Collaborative robot update: While some robots are called collaborative, a robot isn’t collaborative, according to standards language, but a robot can be applied in a collaborative way with humans. Robots designed for collaborative uses can be operated in a high-risk way and may require risk remediation associated with more traditional robots, such as an enclosure. What’s new in technologies and trends? 

Inside Machines and Embedded Systems articles, every other month, focus on automation and control topics related to what happens around and inside machines. This month, embedded systems will be among the topics included. 

Note: Engineers’ Choice Awards submission deadline for the 2019 awards is in August; see the awards box near the bottom of www.controleng.com.

Innovations: Automation, control, and instrumentation-related products in this issue are chosen from the New Products for Engineers Database at www.controleng.com/NP4E, which is promoted in every issue. 

 

September articles are due July 13

RESEARCH Controller hardware, software: May sponsor; June survey; September issue. Control Engineering controller research findings will be included from www.controleng.com/ce-research to help improve how subscribers buy, specify, set-up, integrate, and use controller hardware and software, with comparisons to 2017 research. 

Wireless communications for controls: Wireless communications are used to operate multi-ton cranes and diesel locomotives, and they also are being applied to closed-loop control applications. Examples show what’s possible. 

Software: Cloud computing applications: Automation vendors are offering cloud-based software for automation, control, and instrumentation applications and partnering with others to expand capabilities. Does it matter where automation software is located? Should you “own” the software in a traditional sense or does software as a service (SaaS) or platform as a service (PaaS) make more sense? When and why? 

Advanced controls for power: a variety of advanced control techniques can be applied to power-related applications to improve and optimize them. Applications provide examples. 

Engineering Leaders Under 40: This program recognizes manufacturing professionals under the age of 40 who are making a significant contribution to their plant’s success, and to the control engineering and/or plant engineering professions. Our research shows that finding, training, and retaining workers is the biggest issue facing manufacturing today. The goal of the Engineering Leaders Under 40 program is to call attention to these successful young engineers in manufacturing and to show how manufacturers are recruiting and developing the next generation of manufacturing professionals. https://www.controleng.com/LeadersUnder40 

Inside Process and Instrumentation articles, every other month, focus on topics relating to improvements in process control, instrumentation, and process sensing. 

IIoT for Engineers supplement to Control Engineering includes its own editorial topics related to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) in the CFE Media Interactive Media Kit.

 

Article topics include: 

  • Cover story: Models, simulation and analytics
  • Chart feature: Edge devices and controllers
  • Application feature: The cloud, mobility and field operations
  • Technology feature: Low-power, wide-area and other types of networks. 

Innovations: Automation, control, and instrumentation-related products in this issue are chosen from the New Products for Engineers Database at www.controleng.com/NP4E, which is promoted in every issue.

  

October articles are due Aug. 15

Value-added, integrated program: White Paper Connection – contact your sales representative. 

WEBCAST* IIoT series: Current issues and applications, Oct. 25

IIoT use is advancing rapidly in industrial environments, while highlighting some wide-ranging issues that touch technological, legal, and social concerns. Several of the most often cited challenges to the proliferation of IIoT technologies and applications include the unsuitability of much available data, cybersecurity worries, and lack of suitably trained personnel.  are. How companies can generate the right data and not just data, and whether IIoT strengthens or weakens corporate cybersecurity will be among the topics of this webcast. We’ll also look at how much of a constraint the lack of availability of suitably trained personnel is proving, and suggest topics and resources of interest.

[Up to four sponsorships are available, with lead-generation opportunities.]

Data acquisition strategies: It’s easy enough to apply some sensors, collect some data, and make some decisions, right? Awkward things can happen, producing unexpected results that don’t accurately reflect what’s happening. Tips from experts will help explain.  

Human-machine interface hardware: Functionality from commercial computer screens continues to migrate to industrial human-machine interface (HMI) hardware, increasing capabilities. What criteria should be used to determine what an application needs for safe, secure, efficient operations? What’s needed and how much represents extra cost? Should some functions be turned off? Control Engineering research findings also will be discussed.

Remote-controlled operations: How long can the industrial network cable run? With repeaters? With wireless? With cloud connections? Should a machine builder be able to troubleshoot a machine on a customer site and, if necessary, operate a machine remotely? Should a plant’s best automation expert be able to gain access while on business in Southeast Asia? Waiting until there’s a crisis may not be the time to consider remote capability. 

Matching motors and drives: Drives have more axes of control and can operate more motors effectively and efficiently. Is it acceptable to mix and match motors and drives from different manufacturers? When are dedicated drives needed?

Roundtable, part 3: 2018 System Integrator of the Year winners: Learn about automation, controls, and other topics from leading system integrators. The December 2017 issues of Control Engineering and Plant Engineering announce the 2018 winners of the System Integrator of the Year awards in the Global System Integrator Report. 

Inside Machines and Machine Vision articles, every other month, focus on automation and control topics related to what happens around and inside machines. This month, machine vision is among the topics included.

Innovations: Automation, control, and instrumentation-related products in this issue are chosen from the New Products for Engineers Database at www.controleng.com/NP4E, which is promoted in every issue. 

 

November articles are due Sept. 14

Value-added, integrated program: Case Study Showcase – contact your sales representative. 

WEBCAST* Choosing controllers for the application, Nov. 15, at 11 a.m. PT /1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET

One (1) Certified Professional Development Hour (PDH) available for all attendees.

Multiple types of industrial controller controllers may be appropriate for a given application. Knowing which controller is the best fit depends on parameters of the implementation and the technologies being considered. Controller types include edge computing, programmable logic controller (PLCs), programmable automation controllers (PACs), industrial PCs (iPCs), and embedded board-level computers. Programming software, network communications, automation vendor, and training also may influence the decision. One Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP) PDH is available. [Up to four sponsorships are available, with lead-generation opportunities].  

Learning objectives for this webcast include: 

  • Identify what types of controllers are available for industrial applications.
  • Determine application needs and criteria that could help determine controller type.
  • Evaluate what programming should be used and why, such as an IEC 61131-3 programming language or other options.
  • Examine other criteria that could influence industrial controller choice, such as networking, vendor, and skill level of staffing, and if a system integrator needs to help.
  • Learn industrial controller trends identified in Control Engineering research.

Speakers: Non-vendor experts to be determined.

Moderator: Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering content manager 

Advances in analytical instrumentation: New sensing capabilities, smarter algorithms, and more powerful processing capabilities have produced advances in analytical instrumentation. What’s possible now that wasn’t a few years ago?   

Wireless for operations: Proprietary vs. standards, adoption vs. laggards: Are wireless standards needed for operations or are proprietary wireless systems acceptable? Has wireless technology advanced for widespread adoption in industrial applications, or are there reasons to wait?

Energy efficiency: Automation and controls can help identify cash waiting for reclamation. Take these obvious opportunities, and then look in these additional places for more savings. 

Integrating advanced controls: A variety of advanced control techniques can be applied to applications to improve and optimize more quickly. Integrating advanced controls into new existing applications requires attention to details. 

Inside Process and Instrumentation articles, every other month, focus on topics relating to improvements in process control, instrumentation, and process sensing. 

Innovations: Automation, control, and instrumentation-related products in this issue are chosen from the New Products for Engineers Database at www.controleng.com/NP4E, which is promoted in every issue.

IIoT for Engineers supplement to Control Engineering includes its own editorial topics related to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) in the CFE Media Interactive Media Kit.

 

Article topics include: 

  • Cover story: Software-as-a-service (SaaS) changes supply-chain dynamics
  • Chart feature: Connectivity suites for better plant-floor coordination
  • Application feature: Gateways and other aspects of security
  • Technology feature: Machine learning and artificial intelligence. 

 

December articles are due Oct. 15

WEBCAST* Human capital, training, Dec. 6, at 11 a.m. PT /1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET

One (1) Certified Professional Development Hour (PDH) available for all attendees.

Organizations say people are their most valuable assets. Perhaps fewer measure, evaluate, and create plans for supplementing skills and knowledge of vital engineering-related employees. Various automation-related training is available, and organizations vary in their involvement in augmenting employee knowledge. Given the rapidly changing markets and increasing use of nimble or flexible strategies, are there ways to ensure employees are getting training needed to support company goals? One Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP) PDH is available. [Up to four sponsorships are available, with lead-generation opportunities.]  

Learning objectives for this webcast include: 

  • Identify types and sources of training to support engineering and automation.
  • Determine skills and knowledge of existing staff versus the organization’s needs.
  • Evaluate what training should be used, why, and when.
  • Examine other criteria that could influence what training is used and what company support could be provided to what benefit.
  • Learn automation training trends identified in Control Engineering research.

Speakers: Non-vendor experts to be determined.

Moderator: Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering content manager 

Process actuators: Automated valves, positioners: Automated valves and positioners are critical to the actuate portion of the control loop. Smarter communications and designs complement higher processing power for more effective actuation.

Simulation software for training: While software simulations help with automation design and upgrades, such software can be applied to training as well. 

Sensor selection: Criteria for sensor selection help when forming specifications. Environment, mounting, applications, range, repeatability, and communications are among the considerations.  

Cable management: Cable trays, cable drops, conduit, ties, rugged cables, do-it-yourself termination, and cable sets are among options available when managing industrial cables. Here’s a checklist for an industrial cable management project. 

Inside Machines and Discrete Sensors articles, every other month, focus on automation and control topics related to what happens around and inside machines. This month, discrete sensors are among the topics included.

Innovations: Automation, control, and instrumentation-related products in this issue are chosen from the New Products for Engineers Database at www.controleng.com/NP4E, which is promoted in every issue.

Global System Integrator Report supplement articles are due Sept. 15

Value-added, integrated program: System integrator company profiles 

  • System Integrator of the Year for 2019
  • System Integrator Giants 2018
  • Advice from system integrators
  • How to find a system integrator
  • Global System Integrator Database; click in the SI box, upper left at www.controleng.com

  

* RCEP webcast: Control Engineering has met the standards and requirements of the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP). Professional development hour (PDH) credit earned on completion of the webcast will be reported to RCEP at RCEP.net. Custom webcasts, also available, offer a certificate of completion. www.controleng.com/webcasts

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CFE Media: Control Engineering, Consulting-Specifying Engineer, and Plant Engineering, are part of CFE Media, along with supplements: Applied Automation, IIoT for Engineers, Oil & Gas Engineering, and Pure Power. CFE stands for Content for Engineers, www.cfemedia.com.