Articles and News

PLC Metrics allows automation engineers and technicians to automatically analyze PLC programs, such as the number of rungs, I/O and steps, hardware configuration, and Grafcet steps and macros.

PLCopen North America participated with a booth and made a presentation at the 2008 Motor, Drive & Automation Systems Conference February 14-15, 2008, in Atlanta, Georgia.

By PLCOpen Backgrounder article explains what PLCOpen is, and what it does.

PLCopen TC6 first published its XML schema and documentation in June 2005 as version 1.01. After feedback from companies starting to implement this specification, it's been revised.

The Packaging Technology and Solutions Center (PTASC) in Schaumburg, Ill., has an application lab where customers can work with Schneider Electric and ELAU engineers to design packaging solutions.

GE Fanuc will acquire MTL Open Systems Technology (MOST) product lines including the MTL8000 I/O, intrinsically safe I/O, SafetyNet system, and process control technologies.

The PLCopen Technical Committee 5 (TC5) Safety Software User Guidelines is a reference for control people implementing safety control systems.

The office will provide sales, technical support, and training for Omron industrial automation customers across Mexico.

On-line product data eliminates the need for customers to refer to printed catalogs and datasheets, or make multiple telephone calls to confirm product specifications.

The NCS has been running since February 2005 in an environmental chamber at temperatures up to 221°F. The only problem so far: Labels are turning brown.

Manufacturers need to change their concept of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) from one that effectively ends with the sale to one that promotes an ongoing involvement with the customer and builds on continued service to develop valuable, revenue-generating relationships. In addition, manufacturers will need to re-evaluate their corporate governance and decision-making control in this new environment and their supply chain strategies given the increased high-technology content in their products. ****

Power generation utilities in Southern Africa are expected to increasingly adopt automation and control solutions based on DCSes, PLCs or SCADA to counter the effects of the current power shortage.

Prism Solar will implement the IFS Applications product suite of mixed-mode manufacturing, which will be integrated with PLC and RF devices to automate its data collection processes.

ABB's net income increased to a record $3.8 billion in 2007 from $1.4 billion a year earlier as markets remained strong and further operational improvements were made.

System retrieves real-time, event-driven alarms and data from PLCs and broadcasts the alarms and data via email messaging.

ABB Chief Executive Officer Fred Kindle is leaving the company due to irreconcilable differences about how to lead the company. Chief Financial Officer Michel Demaré is interim CEO.

Kepware will provide third-party communications for FactoryTalk View Site Edition and FactoryTalk View Machine Edition products from Rockwell Automation.

To ensure openness, verify that you will not be locked in on any level of the system. Encourage multi-subsystem integration for maximum efficiency. Start from a good open specification framework and learn the technologies, options, and market directions. After all, freedom of open information exchange is empowering.

by Chip McDaniel, AutomationDirect CorrTech, a systems integrator, replaced the controls in a 1970-vintage box-making machine for Smurfit Stone Enterprises in Ravenna, Ohio. Corr-Tech removed all the control relays and wiring and reconfigured the system using AutomationDirect's DL06 PLCs. And they did it all over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.