Mark T. Hoske
Mark Hoske has been Control Engineering editor/content manager since 1994 and in a leadership role since 1999, covering all major areas: control systems, networking and information systems, control equipment and energy, and system integration, everything that comprises or facilitates the control loop. He has been writing about technology since 1987, writing professionally since 1982, and has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism degree from UW-Madison.
Articles
Contribute expertise in 2023
It’s been on your career-advancement list: Share your knowledge with Control Engineering peers in 2023 on the most important topics research identified for automation and controls.
IMTS: Machine tool hardware, software, efficiency, integration tools
Siemens machine tool announcements at IMTS aim to simplify operations, increase productivity, manage machine tool resources, advance related ecosystems and digital thread, with collaboration to integrate additive and subtractive CNC machining technologies.
Networks, computing purchasing for automation
Purchasing Industrial Computing and Networking, August 2022: Control Engineering research says one-third of buyers would switch vendors; half would consider given good reason; just 15% were very satisfied. For responses to a write-in question, honesty was most important.
Digitalization, interoperability help with industrial sustainability
Think Again: Industrial challenges such as carbon emission reductions, increased capacity and skilled labor shortages require factory automation and process control users apply more digitalization and require interoperability.
15 pieces of automation advice from ROKLive 2022
Automation can help optimize industrial operations, as noted at ROKLive, a recent conference on industrial operations, maintenance, engineering, and enterprise-wide solutions automation, linking operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT).
Factories born digital save 10x conversion cost
A digital-first smart-manufacturing plant to recycle polypropylene is expected to save 10 times the cost compared to facilities that convert from manual or analog in a digital transformation process.
Building interoperable control systems
Mixing control system components from different manufacturers often took more integration time than practical. Efforts from Open Process Automation Forum are leading to interoperability among controls manufacturers.
Automation helps combat labor shortages
Think Again: Are automation and controls helping to fill the growing manufacturing skills gap? Control Engineering research, “Purchasing Considerations for Automation Systems & Control Systems” shows an increase in spending for the next 12 months in most categories.
Modern machine control system design in 7 steps webcast preview
Seven steps can help with modern machine control system design: Get a preview below of a June 15 webcast providing more detail.
Use digital design tools to elevate machine design
Webcast explains advantages of designing modern machines with digital engineering software tools. Machine design concepts, proposal, system and automation design, testing training, startup, operations and maintenance all benefit from digital engineering.