PLM, Control Design

At ARC Forum, in the Schneider Electric Zoom press conference, Kaishi Zhang, EcoStruxure automation expert/product management director, and John Conway, vice president business transformation next gen automation, discussed universal automation benefits. EcoStruxure Automation Expert software, allows users to design processes independently of the system, easily distribute changes, design a digital twin first for faster testing and adjustment. https://Exchange.se.com has more information. Courtesy: CFE Media and Technology, ARC Advisory Group
Cybersecurity March 9, 2021

Interoperability best practices, integration, automation, controls

Standardization frameworks encourage more automation interoperability. Interoperability is trying to move from one or a few automation ecosystems into a wider world. See four levels of cybersecurity.

By Mark T. Hoske
Operators always need a clear view of what’s happening. Courtesy: Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering
PLM, Control Design November 18, 2020

Best practices matter when designing control systems

When lives depend on control system design (and even when they don’t), best practices matter. Here’s what I’d like control system designers to know.

By Mark T. Hoske
Courtesy of: Siemens
Asset Management July 15, 2020

Companies join forces to accelerate industrial transformation

Siemens and SAP announced a partnership designed to bring together their complementary software solutions for product lifecycle, supply chain and asset management applications.

By Siemens Industry, Inc.
Many components, devices and systems can go into a control panel. Optimizing layout and design and then using the resulting information can save resources, time, and money. On the left is an industrial control panel with Siemens components; on the right is a large screen with a digital twin of the same. Courtesy: Siemens
System Integration November 4, 2019

Five control panel building tips

Software, data management, and decreased wiring are among control panel design benefits, when digitalization is integrated in design.

By Mark T. Hoske
Project execution with a new generation control system: Honeywell Experion PKS Honeywell Integrated Virtual Environment (HIVE) uses Lean project execution principles (the Honeywell LEAP process introduced in 2014), software and networking to decouple control applications from physical equipment, and controllers from physical input/output (I/O) devices. Modular designs allow multiple controllers to form one virtual controller. PKS stands for process knowledge system. Courtesy: Honeywell Process Solutions
Process Manufacturing October 1, 2019

Control Engineering hot topics, September 2019

Control Engineering's most clicked articles in September 2019 included stories about control system design shift, process control education, model-following control, the evolution of modern manufacturing, and more. Miss something? You can catch up here.

By Chris Vavra
Figure 1: In OOIP, the control design is built from objects which match those in the physical plant or equipment design. Courtesy: ControlSphere Engineering
PID, APC September 18, 2019

OOIP Part 3: interfaces and methods

Interfaces and methods used in object-oriented industrial programming (OOIP) help deliver productivity of object-oriented programming (OOP) without the complexity. Because plants and equipment are assembled from objects, it’s logical that their control programming should be, too.

By Gary L. Pratt, P.E.
Automation September 7, 2019

Digital twins, engineering future of automation

Rapid growth of data collection make rapid expansion of digital twins more likely to add automation, supply chain efficiencies and optimization.

By Stone Shi
Business of Engineering May 31, 2019

3D printing presents industry opportunities

The recent broadening in knowledge and understanding about 3D printing and additive manufacturing have generated new business ideas and opportunities ranging from home hobby machines to printing buildings on other planets.

By Andrew Watts, Newtecnic, Los Angeles
Figure 9: Second order control loop Bode analysis can help if the first order gain was insufficient. Courtesy: ControlSphere LLC
Diagnostics, Asset Management April 19, 2019

Using IEC 61131-3 programming languages for simulation

See five paybacks of simulation. Use IEC 61131-3 programming languages and modern programming tools to easily integrate simulation to development workflow.

By Gary L. Pratt, P.E.
MathWorks Matlab/Simulink environments enable the design and simulation of new applications, such as this hexapod, as well as advanced algorithms that can be used in the machine controller to control the physical hexapod. Courtesy: Beckhoff Automation
Simulators, Optimizers April 8, 2019

Machine design concepts improve automation and controls simulation

Virtual design tools and automation software intersect to save time and costs in machine commissioning so engineers can spot potential flaws before implementation.

By Daymon Thompson