Top 5 Control Engineering articles, June 27 to July 3: PC-based control, energy saving projects, streamlining assembly systems, more

Articles about PC-based controls, energy saving control projects, streamlining assembly systems, natural gas flowmeters, and digital innovations for improving safety were Control Engineering’s five most clicked articles from June 27 to July 3. Miss something? You can catch up here.

By Chris Vavra July 4, 2016

The top 5 most read articles online, from Jun. 27 to Jul. 3 for Control Engineering, covered PC-based controls, energy saving control projects, streamlining assembly systems, natural gas flowmeters, and digital innovations for improving safety. See links below. 

1. PC-based controls: Busting myths, revealing benefits

PC-based control systems provide many benefits and simplified solutions for industrial applications, including performance, decreased costs, and increased system lifecycle benefits. See five PC-based control myths and nine industrial PC benefits.

2. Energy saving control projects

Energy usage is a major factor associated with manufacturing facilities. Tracking energy usage at the plant, production line, and equipment level can help monitor and reduce energy usage, saving valuable resources.

3. Streamlining assembly systems using PC-based control 

Beckhoff’s Shane Novacek recently spoke with Adam Moyer, principal controls engineer at Itron, to discuss how the company has used PC- and EtherCAT-based automation technology to improve manufacturing efficiency and save costs at its Waseca, Minn. facility.

4. Selecting flowmeters for natural gas

Different parts of the natural gas delivery chain require different instruments, such as differential pressure (DP), ultrasonic, and Coriolis flowmeters.

5. Students present digital innovations for improving safety, productivity

Students from the Chicago Tech Academy presented digital innovations at the SAP Manufacturing Industries Forum that are designed to help real-life problems and save lives. The presentations dealt with issues including workplace safety, gun safety, and medical assistance. 

The list was developed using CFE Media’s web analytics for stories viewed on controleng.com, June 27 to July 3, 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.