Articles and News

At the event, the testbed was demonstrated by simulating a range of real-life smart manufacturing conditions to show its technical highlight -- TSN + OPC UA, which is the major driving force for new technologies such as predictive maintenance, data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI).

The key technological embellishments in 2.1 set the stage for FDT’s transformation towards a complete, standardized Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) architecture enabling sensor-to-cloud, enterprise-wide connectivity for next-generation automation solutions.

Microsoft has announced several updates and advancements at Digital Factory Hall at Hannover Messe 2018, the world’s largest annual manufacturing exhibition in Hannover, Germany.

The HARTING Technology Group has been cooperating with systems integrators and IT specialists within the MICA.network user organisation since 2016, giving customers access to data-based efficiency improvements for their machinery. The network showcases solutions for machine data pooling and ERP applications based around the MICA Edge Computing System

Molex and TTTech announced a collaboration based on their shared vision of open, flexible and interoperable systems in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

Key topics in TIA Portal V15.1 include simulation and virtual commissioning options which enable better digital design of integrated work processes, as well as the expanded application focus with Simatic S7-1500R/H controllers, Sinamics S210 drive integration, Multiuser Engineering, software units and OPC UA functions.

With version 5.0, the CSIA Best Practices and Benchmarks Manual has been updated to reflect new material, including a new chapter on cyber security. The entire manual was reviewed for organization, clarity and compliance with a global relevance.

TSN is designed to provide advantages for automation applications in industries such as automotive, mechanical engineering and food & beverage. The first Siemens products are expected to be available towards the end of 2018

The FieldComm Group Plant of the Year is an international award presented to end user companies in the process automation industry to recognize exceptional application of FOUNDATION Fieldbus and / or HART Communication technologies.

By Bob McIlvride, Director, Communications, Skkynet Cloud Systems In the rapidly-evolving space of Industrial IoT (IIoT), we are seeing some growth in understanding about what makes a good IIoT protocol. For IIoT to work well, the tools you employ must suit the unique requirements.

By Stefan Hoppe, OPC Foundation The Industrial Internet of Things – abbreviated to IIoT and known in Germany as Industrie 4.0 – is a technology trend that is the enabler of the 4th industrial revolution, and is bringing about a transformation in the way we do business.

WoMaster held Cyber Security training for its partners to demonstrate how they can provide a complete protection of IIoT network according to ISASecure - IEC 62443-4-2 from currently existing threats

The integration of KNX into CODESYS will be presented for the first time at "light+building" in 2018. The product offer consists of a configurator for I/O channels, a KNXnet/IP protocol stack in the form of a runtime system component, and a data exchange function with the ETS5 configuration system.

With the 3rd edition of the IEC 61131-3 standard and some additional wishes from the implementers, an update was needed. The final version 1.01 will have the major changes in Table 26 – Mapping IEC 61131-3 elementary datatypes to OPC UA built in datatypes, which in addition contains a new column with a NodeID for each type , and in Table 39 – Numeric Identifiers for IEC 61131-3 defined nodes.

A joint working group between OPC Foundation and FieldComm Group, tasked with developing a protocol independent companion specification for process automation devices, was formed in late 2017.

Softing's toolkits are designed to speed up development of OPC Classic and OPC UA servers. They provide a comprehensive collection of annotated libraries which facilitate the launch of products with OPC functionality.

Aimed at helping industrial manufacturers increase productivity and customer satisfaction, the Forum will define standards for an open, interoperable, secure process automation architecture. The Business Guide expresses the motivation and vision for this architecture as a business imperative for both users and suppliers of industrial control systems.

By Bill Lydon, Editor, Automation.com The interoperability of process control systems has been a largely philosophical debate, up until this point, but tangible examples of interoperabilty may soon be on their way

By following the simple procedures outlined in the Bedrock SCADA Security Platform Specification, developers can upgrade any OPC UA compliant client into a secure OPC UA channel, across which users can exchange data between plant floor operations and SCADA applications.

After another busy year talking to a wide range of users, suppliers and industry consultants, and attending over 20 industry conferences and related events, I have another year’s worth of informed insights to share on the latest trends that will shape automation in 2018.