Mobility - Control Engineering

The Raspberry Pi allows for simple connectivity for communication and data collection and can serve as a useful and inexpensive alternative in the manufacturing space. Courtesy: Avanceon

Mobility June 29, 2019

Using mobile devices for communication, data collection

Mobile devices like Raspberry Pi are an inexpensive alternative for controllers in the manufacturing space and can be useful for particular input/output (I/O) applications.

By Brian Fenn

Companies reliant on DCS technology realize migration is difficult and the process delicate, but it's worth it because the costs of losing control of a process is much higher. Courtesy: Maverick Technologies

Mobility June 24, 2019

Finding common ground between industrial automation and mobile technology

Mobile technologies are challenging traditional data handling practices as they move into the industrial arena.

By Benson Hougland

Configuration software should make it easy to create basic graphics, and to implement more advanced features like remote connectivity, data logging and security. Courtesy: AutomationDirect

Mobility June 10, 2019

Choosing the right HMI

Human-machine interfaces (HMIs) are available with many hardware and software features and users should work backwards from the target application to make sure all needs are addressed.

By Bill Dehner

If a mobile device is lost, it’s vital the industrial apps are wiped, and that plant access is terminated immediately. Courtesy: Inductive Automation

Mobility June 5, 2019

Adapting to the new mobile device landscape

Using mobile devices on the plant floor offers many potential benefits, but the right approach is a must because of safety and cybersecurity concerns.

By Travis Cox

Figure 2: Users can claim ownership of process notifications so that others know those alarms are being investigated. Courtesy: Emerson

Mobility June 3, 2019

Improve decisions by optimizing data from mobile devices

Good mobile software promotes efficiency by delivering data on intuitive screens that empower users to integrate information and saves trips back to the control room or to the site.

By Danny Strinden and Mariana Dionisio

As human-machine interfaces (HMIs) have modernized in the last decade, they can now control and monitor multiple machines at once, to provide a complete overview of a production facility. Courtesy: EU Automation

Mobility May 30, 2019

It’s time the mobile HMI caught up

Mobile human-machine interfaces (HMIs) have evolved over the last decade and offer a lot of potential value on the plant floor, but there are perceived cybersecurity and risk management issues for many users that need to be overcome.

By Mark Howard

Apple CEO Tim Cook (left) and SAP CEO Bill McDermott discuss an expanded collaboration between the two companies around enterprise resource management. Image courtesy: SAP

Mobility May 7, 2019

Apple, SAP to expand enterprise partnership

CEOs Tim Cook, Bill McDermott discuss move to Mac functionality, data security.

By Bob Vavra

Mobility March 20, 2019

Industrial mobile robot standards being developed

Industrial mobile robots (IMRs) have a lot of potential for manufacturers looking to enhance productivity, but standards are needed.

By Robotic Industries Association (RIA)

SKF Pulse combines a handheld sensor with a mobile app to allow users to monitor rotating equipment and machine health to predict issues and improve reliability before operations are impacted. Courtesy: SKF USA

Mobility March 5, 2019

Handheld sensor for monitoring rotating equipment

SKF Pulse combines a handheld sensor with a mobile app to allow users to monitor rotating equipment and machine health to predict issues and improve reliability before operations are impacted.

By SKF USA