The top 5 pieces of content from the past week includes process automation, control loops, machine guarding and more.
Control Engineering’s top 5 pieces of content over the past week includes process automation, control loops, machine guarding and more.
1. New cost analysis: Open process automation saves 52% versus DCS
Part 1: While COPA projects 52% hardware and software savings from open process automation, O-PAS interoperable OPAF-aligned products are in field trials, devices are being tested, an adoption guide is underway and system integrators are preparing use of open controls, as explained at the 2024 ARC Leadership Forum. Lifecycle costs are measured at half of a distributed control system over 25 years.
2. Three reasons to tune control loops: Safety, profit, energy efficiency
PID controller tuning is a keystone skill for control practitioners that is often given short shrift. What is the justification for investing in this critical skill? Why tune control loops?
3. Effective machine guarding and program best practices
Machine guarding is one of the most cited OSHA standards and there are several steps companies can take to stay compliant as well as know when to conduct inspections and maintain guards to ensure they’re in safe working order.
4. See the future: Four benefits of software-defined industrial controls
Modern automation solutions are already untethering the control system from its hardware constraints, enabling operations teams to drive more flexible projects and operations. See four benefits of software-defined control systems.
5. Developing a strong and pragmatic digital transformation plan
Developing a digital transformation plan can be daunting, but focusing on projects with high ROI and a realistic scope can help. See video.
