Articles and News

Automation professionals are trained to avoid risk. However, that is not a reason to avoid making changes.

What are the Benefits of Using Remote Automation Systems Support?

New Year Ushers In ISA Classroom, Webinar and Online Education Opportunities

By Bill Lydon, Editor Cyber security is now becoming a hot topic with users and vendors of industrial automation systems. Brigadier General Rudolf Peksens fears a cyber-Pearl Harbor. The big question is, "Will companies make cyber security investments without legal enforcement?"

Use a feed analysis of predicted yield to create a production rate controller & use a batch profile slope for optimization of batch end point & cycle time.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Four North American members presented why they support PI standards and are members of the board. User presentations further highlighted that existing plants have many types of networks that can benefit from efficient gateways and proxies to further enhance automation with new controls and instruments.

Delay-dependent fuzzy static output feedback control for discrete-time fuzzy stochastic systems

By Bill Lydon, Editor I recently had the opportunity to discuss Ocean Data Systems – a little company you likely have never heard of - with Roy Kok, their VP of Sales and Marketing. Their product, Dream Report, is OEMed by a number of well-known software providers. Here is a synopsis of my interview with Kok.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Major General Robert E. Wheeler gave a compelling and informative keynote presentation on cyber security at the ISA Automation Week conference in Nashville, TN on November 6, 2013. The cyber security challenges faced by the military and industrial automation systems are strikingly similar.

In an industrial career, you can eliminate conflict by simply avoiding discussing topics which are certain to create conflict in the first place.

The ability to consider manufacturing options early in the product development stage is a huge benefit in improving automation.

As the year draws to an end, we wanted to take the opportunity to recap on the trends QA Graphics saw in 2013 and share what’s coming up in 2014. QA Graphics has been involved in the building automation industry for 10 years, driving the change for more realistic graphics and interactive solutions. The industry has taken a big leap this year, embracing high-end graphic solutions, and it will only continue in 2014.

By Jonathan Wilkins, European Automation If the IoT becomes a fully fledged reality, system compatibility would no longer be an issue. Automation parts would be able to recognize whether they are reconcilable with equipment or overall systems without being shipped to the customer.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Dr. Peter Martin, Invensys Vice President, gave a passionate keynote by combining the elements of engineering, business, and evangelism. Martin believes the future of our profession is as bright as ever if we all work together to put knowledge to work and drive the great problems of the world out of existence.

What Factors Affect Your Salary in the Automation Industry?

A future PV value can make setpoint response, reset & feedforward smarter and help operations understand consequences of the dynamics on current actions.

By Robert Golightly, AspenTech Adaptive Process Control provides a set of innovative, patented techniques for automatic adjustment of the controllers in real-time and elevates maintenance to a built-in and continuous part of the management process.

A software algorithm/package for control loop configuration and eco-efficiency

By Thomas R. Cutler During 2013 the past-paced, ever-changing elements of automation impacting manufacturing, material handling, and logistics was remarkable. The prognosis for more automation innovation in 2014 is axiomatic and transformative companies will illuminate the possibilities of great efficiency, productivity, and profitability.

By Bill Lydon, Editor Emerson’s Sonnenberg and Zornio discussed pervasive sensing as a growing trend. They framed the discussion around the idea of pervasive sensing as the way to achieve the pursuit of actionable information to improve operations and maintenance.