Control loop question answered June 2019, Michael Brown Control Engineering Control loop expert Michael Brown recently received a question from reader, Hansell Williams. The question relates to applying neural network and machine learning concepts to plant automation and control. ...
Nick Denbow’s European report: Trends in plant monitoring March 2019 Early last year, the interest from many large automation and sensor suppliers focused on condition monitoring, for example, using wireless communications to monitor the condition of the motors and bearings ...
Now might be the time to have a talk with your IT service provider March 2019, IT in Manufacturing The Gartner hype cycle provides a simple graphic representation of how emerging technologies are adopted in the market. The principle is quite simple: a new technology (such as augmented reality) will ...
Emerging technologies pose a pressing governance challenge December 2018 As the year draws to a close, multiple factors compel the continuation of the Industry 4.0 theme and its challenges, particularly those related to governance. Many readers of this column, as well as social ...
First rack-mounted switches that comply with the IEC 61850-3 Edition 2 Class 2 Standard November 2018, RJ Connect In today’s industrial processing environment, industrial Ethernet has become a de-facto standard to connect to the company’s PLCs in manufacturing, IEDs in substations and cameras for CCTV, in harsh environments. All of these demand ruggedised networking switches to ensure stable communications to the company’s scada, ERP and MES software. Often, industrial networking products are installed in and around the production areas where they are subjected to high temperatures, vibrations and electrical noise from VSDs and motors.
Economic thought and lessons from China October 2018 Through my past experience occupying various roles across multiple industries and institutions in South Africa, in both the private and public sectors, one thought that inextricably captures my imagination ...
Industrial control system cybersecurity - Part 5: ICS network segmentation. October 2018, IT in Manufacturing In the last three articles on cybersecurity in ICS environments, we have covered risk assessments, asset discovery and vulnerability management, environment hardening and security monitoring. In the penultimate ...
Integrity management key for industrial assets September 2018 What is AIM?
Integrity management is a key component for a successful asset management programme. The main objective of asset management initiatives is to ensure that assets perform their required functions ...
Control loop: Case History 162 - Optimising an interesting temperature control. September 2018, Michael Brown Control Engineering I have often written about the huge advantages of using cascade control on processes with very slow dynamics. It is particularly useful when it comes to most temperature related processes, which are normally ...
Oratile's opinion: Business strategy August 2018 Digitising business models and leveraging technology in ways that differentiate a company from its competitors.
How real is augmented reality? Technews Industry Guide: Industrial Internet of Things & Industry 4.0 At the ore face the drilling process was indeed an eye opener, hot, uncomfortable and hazardous in nature. Knowing where to drill to optimise the blast pattern is a skilled operation. When drilling started ...
