January 2024Editor's Choice
Electrical Power & Protection
The AX8820 only starts feeding power back into the grid just before the overvoltage threshold of the connected devices is reached. Several AX8820 regenerative units can be operated in parallel to adapt the regenerative power optimally to the needs of the machine.
Image copyright: Beckhoff.
No communication via EtherCAT is required to carry out energy recovery. However, extended parameterisation is possible via EtherCAT – to adapt the voltage levels to the connected devices, for example. With the help of the extended diagnostics via EtherCAT, the current regenerative energy can also be analysed. The online data can be used to record the timing of the machine processes. This means that an investigation can be carried out to see whether the efficiency of the machine can be increased by staggering the machine processes.
PC-based control for waterjets Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice
Control systems are subject to very specific demands from every form of production technology, including waterjet cutting. IGEMS from Sweden set itself the goal of taking this process to a new level in terms of precision and speed, and achieved it with the help of PC-based control.
Read more...Case History 193: The big dipper. Michael Brown Control Engineering
Editor's Choice
This article gives an example of an important flow control system for flare gas in a petrochemical refinery. The control was suffering from serious problems, often cycling severely, and at other times the flow process variable (PV) would suddenly move quite a lot away from the setpoint (SP).
Read more...Flexible EtherCAT communication interface for DALI-2 Beckhoff Automation
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The EL6821 EtherCAT Terminal from Beckhoff allows up to 64 DALI/DALI-2 slaves and 64 DALI-2 input devices to be connected. The TwinCAT 3 System Manager makes it easy to configure and parameterise DALI devices flexibly.
Read more...Edge computing: Introducing AI into the factory
Editor's Choice IT in Manufacturing
As AI evolves, it is evident that the most powerful models will be cloud-based, and hosted in data centres that are beyond the control of the average business. The practical application of AI in manufacturing control and automation will only be possible if some of the computing workloads can be brought onto the plant, inside the firewall and inside the plant network.
Read more...36 years of innovation and success SAM Systems Automation & Management
Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
Systems Automation & Management was established in 1988 at a time when there were no other systems integrators (SIs) in the process business. SA Instrumentation & Control’s editor caught up with managing director, Claudio Agostinetto to find out more about how this thriving company has prospered over the last 36 years.
Read more...The world’s greatest model railway Horne Technologies
Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
Located in Hamburg’s traditional warehouse district, Speicherstadt features the largest model railway in the world, and is one of the most exciting tourist attractions in Germany.
Read more...Loop signature 23: Tuning part 1. Michael Brown Control Engineering
Editor's Choice
This is the first of several articles dealing with the subject of tuning. I have found that many people think that optimisation consists solely of tuning. I would stress once again that tuning is the last thing one should do when optimising regulatory controls.
Read more...Plastics meets packaging for consistent and efficient process control Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice
PC- based and EtherCAT-based control and drive technology from Beckhoff represent a universal solution that transcends industry and application boundaries. This standardised and scalable automation platform offers numerous advantages. Industry experts delve into how machine builders and end users in the plastics and packaging industry can capitalise on these advantages.
Read more...Continuous corrosion resistance ifm - South Africa
Editor's Choice Sensors & Transducers
The polypropylene version of ifm’s LDL400 conductivity sensor is based on the proven LDL200 inductive conductivity sensor. Its material properties make it the ideal choice for applications in which metallic sensors tend to corrode.
Read more...Control cabinet-free automation Beckhoff Automation
Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
As a replacement for the conventional control cabinet, the MX-System from Beckhoff offers some major efficiency advantages. It also provides a great deal of optimisation potential in terms of the increasing shortage of skilled workers and the expanding presence of DC supply networks across the industry.
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