Loop Signatures 1: Introduction to the Loop Problem Signatures series May 2020, Michael Brown Control Engineering Over the years I have had many requests to write a book giving more detailed explanations of some of the problems I have encountered in my work on practical loop optimisation. I am by nature and inclination ...
Loop Signatures 2: The two classes of processes. July 2020, Michael Brown Control Engineering This article will discuss the two classes of processes called self-regulating and integrating (or ramping) processes. This subject is absolutely vital to regulatory control, but strangely is seldom taught ...
From the editor's desk: The virtual business assistant 8 June 2020, Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control) Have you ever wished someone would automate the daily grind of routine tasks and set you free to focus on the more engaging aspects of your job?
From the editor's desk: The virtual business assistant June 2020, Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control) Enter robotic process automation (RPA), a disruptive workplace technology that uses software “robots” to mimic many of the repetitive interactions human beings have with their computers. It performs such ...
Case History 172: Interesting controls in a copper extraction plant. June 2020, Michael Brown Control Engineering In my 30 years devoted to optimising controls in industrial process plants in many countries, I thought that I had seen all the possible process dynamics that one would encounter. Imagine my surprise ...
The emergence of a new future in the energy sector April 2020 Adaptively complex and persistent challenges in Africa are driving the need for a new future in the energy sector. Lack of access to energy, (more than 600 million people in Africa with no access to energy) ...
Case History 171: Instability in a metallurgical plant March 2020, Michael Brown Control Engineering I have written several articles about the unique problems I have encountered, specifically in the mining processing industry. This article is about some experiences in a mining operation where recently ...
Case History 170 January 2020 As mentioned in earlier articles, the integral (or I term) in the controller is a brilliant thing. It is an extremely elegant and simple solution for eliminating offset in control. However, like everything ...
Beyond Capex and Opex November 2019 How do we finance IT? We identify a need, we test the waters with a PoC (proof of concept), then we get the green light after we prove the value. We know roughly how much it will cost by looking at the ...
The technology landscape: insights from 2019 conferences November 2019, SAIMC Industry leaders and governmental agencies across the globe recognise technology as the cornerstone for economic development. President Cyril Ramaphosa famously posited: “The clear implication for South ...
Case History 169: Tuning a very difficult temperature control loop November 2019 As I have mentioned in previous articles, Greg McMillan, one of the world’s top control experts, has said that he finds temperature control loops generally the worst optimised processes as most people ...
Top tips to help you implement 4IR projects that deliver value September 2019, IT in Manufacturing In the just over 10 years I have spent working on IT projects in the manufacturing space, the amount of new fads and IT jargon that has to be adopted has reached the heavens, and ascended into other realms. ...
Smart devices for Ex areas: Unbelievably simple mistakes that prevent control. September 2019, Michael Brown Control Engineering, Motion Control & Drives I am often astounded by finding really basic problems with controls in plants, which have operated that way for years. These problems are so basic that one can only wonder at how these controls could ...
Preparing fertile ground for a successful IIoT project Technews Industry Guide: Industrial Internet of Things & Industry 4.0, Absolute Perspectives The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is a collection of emerging technologies that together have the potential to create significant business value and even create new business models.
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, Absolute Perspectives, 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 ...
