Leveraging 30 years of continuous innovation and reliability, ABB’s updated Freelance 2024 distributed control system (DCS) offers greater plant adaptability, faster and more reliable device communication, improved system security, and seamless data exchange. The updated version ensures futureproof upgrades for existing projects, and easy implementation in new projects.
“Today, more than ever, process industry plants need to be able to adapt quickly to stay relevant in a rapidly changing digital landscape with unpredictable market demands and increasing regulations,” said senior vice president of Process Automation Technology, Stefan Basenach. “Freelance 2024 is designed to help plant managers focus on strategic initiatives by simplifying operations and improving system flexibility. It meets current industrial demands, and prepares plants for future technological advancements.”
Freelance 2024 facilitates enhanced connectivity, faster data transfer, more precise control and monitoring of data, together with an improved network performance, leveraging the new PROFINET integration and support of Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer (APL).
With its scalability and integration capabilities, Freelance 2024 is designed to help plant operators reduce downtime, while simplifying tasks. NAMUR Open Architecture support via OPC UA ensures secure and more standardised data exchange across various systems and devices, increasing interoperability and simplifying the integration of new technologies. Plant agility is further enhanced thanks to Freelance 2024 controllers, which support Module Type Packages (MTP) for plug-and-play Modular Automation. As plant owners prepare for the next-generation workforce, Freelance 2024 helps bridge the skills gap with an intuitive, user-friendly interface that reduces training time and simplifies engineering, operations and maintenance.
Network-capable remote relay system with flexible channel assignment Phoenix Contact
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Phoenix Contact has launched a modular PLC-Interface Ethernet Gateway remote relay system with up to 56 configurable I/O channels, multi-protocol support including Profinet Class C and S2 redundancy, and compatibility with established controller software for straightforward network integration.
Read more...Seven checks before replacing an obsolete industrial control component
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
An obsolete control component rarely fails in isolation. Before ordering an exact spare, manufacturer successor or engineered alternative, maintenance and procurement teams should work through seven checks to define the problem properly and avoid a costly mismatch.
Read more...Smarter energy management starts with intelligent electrification ABB South Africa ABB Electrification Products
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ABB Electrification specialists Adeline Maleka and Nokulunga Dube explain how the convergence of electrification, digitalisation and automation is helping South African industries gain real-time visibility, reduce energy waste and build operational resilience.
Read more...Loop signature Part 2-6
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This instalment of the Loop Signature series introduces frequency plot theory as a foundation for understanding process dynamics, explaining Bode plots, dynamic gain, phase lag and their relationship to control loop tuning.
Read more...The rise of software-defined brownfield automation Schneider Electric South Africa
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Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Automation Expert is enabling brownfield operators to modernise incrementally, decoupling control logic from hardware to bridge legacy equipment and future-ready operations without disrupting production.
Read more...Upgrading alarm systems for critical industries Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
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Omniflex’s OMNI16R alarm annunciator platform provides a direct replacement for legacy CSA systems such as MPAS 90 and SA9100, enabling operators in oil and gas, nuclear and power generation to modernise alarm infrastructure without sacrificing the clarity required for safe operations.
Read more...How DCS can step off the hardware obsolescence treadmill Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Schneider Electric argues that virtualising DCS environments breaks the cycle of hardware obsolescence, giving plant operators a smarter path to lifecycle modernisation without production disruption.
Read more...Loop signature Part 2-6
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
The Loop Signature series turns to frequency plot theory, explaining Bode open-loop plots and how dynamic gain, phase lag and crossover frequency can be extracted from test data to inform more accurate control loop tuning.
Read more...Women shaping engineering at ABB ABB South Africa
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Two ABB engineers share how curiosity, mentorship and an inclusive culture have shaped their careers, and what they see as the most exciting opportunities for women in engineering across Africa.
Read more...PC-based control in surgery Beckhoff Automation
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Researchers at the University of Basel are using Beckhoff PC-based control technology to develop a miniature laser robot for minimally invasive bone surgery.
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