Robotic solutions can dramatically sharpen your competitive edge as a manufacturer, but they can also introduce more complexity into your operations. To address this issue, Omron have recently introduced their most full-featured machine automation controller to date that’s ideal for complete robotic cells, high-speed motion systems, material handling, and multi-robot systems.
Global certification service provider TÜV SÜD has confirmed the cybersecurity of Siemens Energy’s proven SPPA-T3000 control system by awarding IEC 62443-3-3 and IEC 62443-4-1 certifications. This makes Siemens Energy the one of the few major suppliers of power plant control technology to hold this certification. It enables SPPA-T3000 customers to demonstrate the cybersecurity of their assets to regulators, insurers, investors and the public.
With self-driving cars and other major innovations just around the corner, the automotive and mobility industry is certain to be an exciting one to work in. To bring all these innovations to fruition and successfully navigate the changes ahead, automotive companies will need as many knowledgeable team members as they can get. That is why companies like Omron and industry associations like MICHauto are working together to engage today’s high school students and educate them about the automotive and mobility sector.
If you were around in 1980’s you will probably remember walkmans, vcrs, mix tapes and big hair bands on MTV, amongst other things. The decade started with the release of PacMan, the Rubiks Cube and a Hollywood actor called Ronald Reagan winning the US Presidential election. It ended with the first episode of the Simpsons, Timothy Berners-Lee inventing the World Wide Web and the Berlin Wall coming down to symbolize the end of the Cold War.
The International Society of Automation (ISA) and the ISA Global Cybersecurity Alliance (ISAGCA), with contributing author Gary Rathwell, have released a new white paper entitled, “Implementing an Industrial Cybersecurity Program for Your Enterprise.” ISA/IEC 62443 provides powerful tools to reduce the risk of financial, reputational, human, and environmental impact from cyber-attacks on Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS).
Data acquisition, data logging and data analysis are required functions for most modern industrial control systems. The simplest and lowest cost way to provide these functions is often by using the same platform that’s providing real-time control—namely the PLC or the programmable automation controller (PAC). A few years ago, this wasn’t possible as PLCs lacked the required processing power and data storage capability.
At utility substations, Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) are critical components used for monitoring circuit breaker positions, alarms, voltages/currents, temperatures, and additional data from a variety of wired sensors. They can also control breakers, tap changers, and capacitor banks. However, for many utilities, RTUs remain a trouble spot. As RTUs age, reliability issues, unforgiving software, lack of vendor support for older product lines, etc.
The following is Part 1 and 2 of a four-part series of articles on Control System Design that can act as a general guide to the specification, design and installation of automated control systems. The information and references are presented in a logical order that will take you from the skills required to recognize an operation or process suited for automating, to tips on setting up a program, to maintaining the control system.
Siemens’ success depends on skilled workers around the world—not just within their own company, but among their suppliers and customers, too. Siemens wants to help fill the 870,000 open positions in America’s manufacturing sector. They want to connect veterans with jobs that are a perfect match for their skills. They’re listening to voices on the factory floor that are seeking opportunities to reskill or upskill and move to higher roles.
When cooling an electrical enclosure, the airflow is an important factor to consider. However, to add to the complexity, different cooling products use air differently.Here is a “must know” concept to ensure success for your application. In order to make this distinction, it’s important to know the difference between open and closed-loop cooling, and why one system may be the better option for a specific application:
One of Canada’s largest wastewater treatment plants at Annacis Island provides secondary treatment to approximately 175 billion litres of wastewater every year for over 1 million residents in 14 municipalities. After almost 20 years in operation, the variable frequency drives supporting the critical pumping systems for the primary treatment and secondary treatment facilities had to be replaced.
ABB has secured a contract, valued at more than $10 million, from the City of Baltimore, Maryland, to upgrade the automation, electrical and power management of its Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant to improve reliability and sustain water quality for the city’s residents. The three-year project will upgrade the plant by implementing the latest technology with the highest safety standards.
UCEC is skilled in managing the entire process of building OEM control panels. They partner with their clients to deliver a final product that is efficient on cost, delivery and operation. Considering the volume demanded by OEM and the challenges of today’s global supply chain, a partner who can deliver a quality product efficiently is a critical business advantage.
RS Components (RS), a trading brand of Electrocomponents plc, a global omni-channel provider of product and service solutions, has launched its DesignSpark #ActivistEngineering program, further strengthening the company’s commitment to engage and inspire design engineers across the globe to ‘make amazing happen for a better world’. The DesignSpark #ActivistEngineering program gets underway with a pilot project addressing the challenges of rising air pollution.
Safety networks have been around for a while. Devices are getting more connected, leading to a greater need to collect and share data. In tandem with this, safety networks are acquiring a more significant role in enabling flexible manufacturing and supporting Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) initiatives. On the factory floor, where assembly lines need to change in accordance with consumer demand, adding or removing a part to the process can be a challenge.
A wastewater treatment plant that serves a town of over 50,000 was experiencing frequent pump failures at lift stations around the city. To prevent them from backing up, plant staff had to visit every other week and clean out pumps and motors by hand. Richie Miller, the plant’s Graybar sales representative, reached out to industrial automation specialist Steve Lacy to see if he could help the plant reduce time-consuming maintenance.
