David McCarthy

latest from David McCarthy

Figure 1: In an extremely centralized design, a single process controller operates all aspects of the process. Courtesy: TriCore Inc.

DCS, SCADA, Controllers

Choosing between centralized and distributed control system designs

System integrators often cite the value of a certification as a differentiating point between them and their competitors. It can indicate to your clients that your firm has put in the upfront time, effort, and resources necessary to implement their projec

Workforce Development

Certifications: A system integrator’s journey

Those involved with system integration know that system integrators should be involved earlier in the project lifecycle, according to recent research from Control Engineering. Courtesy: Control Engineering System Integration research report, 2013

PLM, Control Design

True cost of systems integration: Consider lifecycle costs, benefits

Industrial Ethernet alternatives

When starting an automation project journey, follow this road map to get to your destination safe and secure. Courtesy: TriCore Inc.

Project Management

Automation project road map: Advice for the journey

This ingredient-mixing skid built for a food processing plant uses the same HMI as the larger plant control system. As a result, it is more elaborate that would be necessary to provide only the most bare-bones functionality. While it cost more initially,

Mechatronics and Motion Control

Creating an HMI that doesn’t get used

Industrial switch with gigabit Ethernet cables. Courtesy: TriCore Inc.

Industrial Ethernet essentials: What you need to know

TriCore engineers confer on a client project. Courtesy: TriCore Inc.

System Integrators

Choosing the right system integrator: Criteria to help

System Integrators

Control Panel Design: Tips and Tricks

Visualization screen after: The information presented in the after screen takes the assumptions and guesswork out of the equation. The screen clearly depicts valve routing, steam and water injection points, as well as chemical injection type and location.

Project Management

Nightmare recovery

Physical installation of the new automation system needs to be carefully planned. Courtesy: TriCore Inc.

Info Management

7 Steps of Automation Project Success

Before: Old control panels make troubleshooting and maintenance very difficult and time-consuming, in addition to posing problems with downtime and potential safety issues. After: The old panel was replaced with a new panel, including Ethernet-networked p

IO module replacement: What you need to know