Articles and News

By Mark Steinmetz, Vincotech Using an electronic drive to regulate the output speed of a motor for the mechanical load required—with the addition of Power Factor Control—improves efficiency of the drive by correcting the out of phase voltage and current being used.

Automation.com, April 2011 By Bill Lydon, Editor Hannover Messe 2011 was larger than any other in the last 10 years, with more than 230,000 visitors. More than 6,500 businesses from 65 countries came to Hannover to display their solutions. The attendance numbers represent a growth of 10 to 15 percent over the comparable 2009 event.

Do we need to include valve in SIL verification or can we limit up to the solenoid operated valve considering valve as a mechanical device.

Automation.com, April 2011 By Bill Lydon, Editor The asset management study was done through Virginia Tech’s Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Survey results indicate companies that elevate the importance of APM through involvement of upper level management or organization-wide involvement tend to out-perform others based on a variety of metrics.

Automation.com, April 2011 By Jeff Kamin, QComp Robots are the buzz for anyone in manufacturing, assembling, packaging or distributing products. Many end users rely on an integrator or OEM to provide a robot solution without really understanding the potential benefits and liabilities. This article poses some of the questions that a robotic user should consider prior to selecting a robot and a robot programmer/installer.

Automation.com, March 2011 By PLCopen North America The use of skid mounted equipment has become popular for a number of reasons but they pose some unique automation and control challenges that can be solved by using IEC 61131-3 and PLCopen standards.

By Chandu Bhatasana, Aker Solutions In gas flow metering, the impact of uncertainty in flow measurement depends on quantity of gas, commercial value of gas metered and uncertainty in measurement. For a high throughput gas metering system, a marginal reduction in uncertainty helps reduce the financial exposure.

Automation.com, March 2011 By Bill Lydon, Editor The intent of this energy initiative is to create a comprehensive approach to the optimization of energy usage for the industrial consumer that is scalable, open and inclusive for both users and suppliers.

Automation.com, March 2011 By Tony Paine, Kepware Technologies Expect in 2011 to see smart grid solutions, smart meters, and a real-time, automated, metering infrastructure (AMI) to be rolled out across the country.

Automation.com, March 2011 ODVA is taking IPv6 seriously because it could have major implications for existing EtherNet/IP installations and product developers. This is not unique to EtherNet/IP, the change has an impact on all Ethernet devices and infrastructure including business, industrial, home, and mobile communications.

Automation.com, March 2011 In just a couple weeks in Chicago, ProMat 2011 will take place. The largest material handling event of the year will be display new automation solutions. Ironically, perhaps something familiar will take center stage, with a twist: A forklift.

Automation.com, March 2011 The largest material handling event of the year will take place later this month in Chicago, ProMat 2011. New automation solutions will be on display. Perhaps the automation solutions for material handling in the food sector carries the most unique requirements for palletizing robots, stretch wrapping equipment, labeling systems, pallet control systems and laser-guided automatic vehicles.

Automation.com, February 2011 While the intense debates continue over industrial wireless standards many automation professionals are applying industrial wireless solutions to achieve greater efficiency and profits for their companies.

Automation.com, February 2011 OPC UA elevates automation systems to the level of current computing technology by leveraging web services and Internet Protocol (IP), enabling automation systems to deliver increased value.

Automation.com, February 2011 By Gerald Shankel, Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Manufacturing creates jobs, but manufacturers simply cannot find the skilled labor needed today to handle the kinds of sophisticated production processes and tasks required on the manufacturing shop floor.

Automation.com, February 2011 By Fluke Technicians working on hazardous equipment and high-voltage circuits deserve every advantage to complete electrical test and measurement jobs safely. New test tools provide new ways to work safely and reduce exposure to electrical shock.

Many applications use one or more motors operating in parallel at the same desired speed. Using one Variable frequency drive (VFD) to control these multiple motors provides a host of advantages

In 2010 there were more jobs added in manufacturing than were lost – 130,000 of them. This is the first time this has happened since 1997.

Automation.com, February 2011 By Chris Bowman, TR Electronic Ethernet communication, specifically the PROFINET adaptation, presents automation experts with another avenue for improving system design, achieving growth and increasing competitiveness.

By Marketing Sherpa As marketing strategies evolve from outbound to inbound tactics, there is also a shift in the ways in which money and resources are spent. Marketing Sherpa asked more than 1,100 marketers how they foresaw budgets changing in 2011 for the following marketing tactics.