Industrial control panels stand as the backbone of modern manufacturing and operational processes, serving as the nerve center that orchestrates complex systems with precision and reliability. Across diverse industries ranging from automotive manufacturing to power generation, these panels play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless operations and optimal performance.
The International Society of Automation (ISA) has recently announced the publication of a new position paper, “Automation is Critical to Achieving Global Energy Goals.” In this paper, ISA explains the multitude of ways that automation can support energy supply and efficiency. Safe and efficient execution of energy production, storage, and transmission requires the use of proven automation technologies implemented by knowledgeable and skilled automation professionals.
For those in the know, busbar power panels have arrived as a more flexible, space-saving, and efficient power distribution system. For example, the automotive industry is already embarking on a massive transition to busbar power, and it’s only a matter of time before other growth-oriented industries like the material handling and power & energy spaces follow suit.
The modern manufacturing industry has made some significant strides in the last decade to create more sustainable production practices that help decrease energy consumption and reduce the impact on the environment. Energy-efficient enclosure climate control has been especially key for manufacturers in better managing their energy usage and unlocking new technologies and processes to help reduce waste.
In the world of industrial automation, the need for seamless communication between devices and systems is paramount. This is where OPC UA (Open Platform Communications United Architecture) comes into play. OPC US is an open and secure communication protocol that enables interoperability between different devices and software applications. This article will explore the significance of OPC UA in manufacturing operations and hot it has revolutionized the way data is transmitted and utilized in the industry.
The seemingly rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) in 2023 has sparked excitement and speculation across industries which currently deploy a breadth of automation. Proliferation fueled by great minds and hundreds of billions of dollars harnessing simulated human reasoning to autonomously problem solve. For the industrial automation field, it is crucial to navigate the hype and focus on leveraging AI to empower your teams to optimize processes intentionally and prepare for future technological advancements in 2024. This article will explore how all-in-one automation platforms form a solid foundation for implementing AI.
Filter fans protect electrical enclosures from external environmental damage. From heat control to mitigating the ingress of liquid and solid objects, filter fans provide another layer of protection for the electrical equipment housed within enclosures. Filter fans protect critical equipment by reducing thermal load and filtering out airborne particles larger than 5 microns. The dual fan and filter composition keeps electrical equipment running at optimal temperatures while mitigating the amount of dust and other particulate matter from causing buildup and damage.
As the industrial internet of things (IIoT) continues to gain momentum, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and system integrators (SIs) are faced with the challenge of implementing data collection systems without compromising deterministic motion control or cybersecurity. This article will explore how all-in-one automation platforms can address these concerns, allowing OEMs and SIs to meet customer demands, achieve cost-effective data harvesting, and avoid hidden manufacturing costs.
ABB has begun the construction of a new 12,000-square-foot calibration hall in the industrial park adjacent to its existing ∼200,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The investment will strengthen the company’s calibration capabilities and provide customers with high levels of quality and accuracy in ABB’s full range of flowmeters. It will also further increase the company’s “Made in America” offering. High accuracy flowmeter calibration enhances measurement performance which helps industrial customers to become more energy and resource efficient. US plant operators across industries such as chemical, oil & gas, water, battery, hydrogen and power, are able to accurately measure in and outflow as well as raw and produced materials, thus controlling their processes in a more precise and efficient way.
Machine-related accidents in the workplace can have devastating consequences, causing injuries, disabilities, and even fatalities. These incidents also result in significant financial losses for businesses. To mitigate these risks, it is crucial for companies to establish a comprehensive machine safety strategy. This strategy should encompass compliance with standards and regulations, hazard identification and risk assessment, implementing safe work procedures, and regular maintenance and inspections. This article will explore the significance of machine safety in industrial workplaces and offer guidance initiating the development of a machine safety strategy.
RS offers an extensive range of remote condition monitoring solutions ideal for amping up asset management efforts in the energy and utilities industry. Energy and utilities industry assets extending throughout the oil and gas, water and wastewater, and electrical grid segments are extremely valuable in terms of both monetary and social costs. But many of our assets here in the U.S. — particularly those in the water and wastewater and electrical grid segments — are currently subject to significant risk, ranging from aging infrastructure and supply chain disruptions to labor shortages, natural disasters, and geopolitical events like direct attacks.
Machines and appliances used in the food processing industry are continuously exposed to dirt and moisture. The operation of these machines must be reliable, safe, and efficient. Besides the demanding conditions under which the machines must operate, hygiene and safety play an important role. Machines must meet strict food safety certification standards. As a result, the control panel must be designed to withstand frequent and thorough cleaning, often under high pressure.
In the automotive industry, test stands are essential for precise quality assurance procedures no matter what the make or model of the vehicle. The increasing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is transforming test stand requirements – and Siemens has solutions for this industry segment. In this article, Kaitlin Werth, Testing Equipment Industry Manager – Digital Industries at Siemens discusses what makes Siemens DC technology and the SINAMICS S120 family of drives the solution for automotive end of line (EOL) testing.
The manufacturing industry is continuing to make the move to the great outdoors. During the last few years, the growth of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the automotive industry and the rapid expansion of distribution centers in the material handling space have prompted companies to adapt to what outdoor production applications can look like. What’s more, the diversification of the power & energy industry to include more green energy production in the form of solar, wind, and water is making it more critical for companies to configure and operate industrial automation systems that can operate in challenging outdoor environments.
An average car consists of around 10,000 individual parts. This calls for extensive production processes and machinery within the automotive industry, which all require equally diverse and sophisticated control solutions. At the same time, ever shorter product life cycles demand a high degree of flexibility. This is where PC-based control from Beckhoff provides crucial benefits, as the modular control technology offers scalable options based on specific needs. By incorporating retrofits, it safeguards investments in proven systems while also facilitating the production of cutting-edge technologies through innovative solutions.
Safety trumps all other concerns in the automotive industry, and electric vehicle manufacturing is no exception. However, safety can also introduce complexity, and the complexity of today’s vehicles – particularly EVs – is such that manufacturers are no longer able to rely on traditional sample or audit-based inspection methods. Fast, 100% inspection of devices has become a requirement, while inspection accuracy and tolerance demands are also increasing.
