New MP 177 6-inch Color Multi Panel
June 17, 2009 by Totally Integrated Automation Admin+
Filed under Articles, HMI
Miniaturization isn’t just desirable in the silicon chip and computing markets. Any automation engineer will happily tell you that the most precious commodity in an industrial environment is space. But there are limits to how small you can make a piece of equipment and still have it perform adequately. Siemens Energy & Automation has introduced a new HMI touch screen that, at 6 inches, has an extremely low footprint on the plant floor. With built-in Profinet/Ethernet and... Read More
Modular Embedded Controller Add-on Modules
June 17, 2009 by Totally Integrated Automation Admin+
Filed under Articles, Controllers
Late in 2008, at the SPS/IPC/DRIVES fair in Nuremberg, Germany, the largest trade show of its kind in Europe, Siemens Energy & Automation took the covers off its new industrial embedded controller, the modular SIMATIC S7-mEC which integrates control, HMI and PC functionality in one device. “The S7-mEC is a turnkey automation solution that integrates both HMI and software control capabilities,” says Siemens spokesperson Andreas Czech. “The device comes with preinstalled... Read More
Five Things to Think About Before Using Hardwired Controls
June 17, 2009 by Totally Integrated Automation Admin+
Filed under Articles, Controllers
Regardless of the industry you are in, the universal workhorses for automating a piece of equipment or process are simple hardwired controls like cube relays, timers and counters. You can find these devices in discrete and process industries, on the plant floor in the manufacturing environment and even in commercial and consumer applications such as gate controls, vending machines and amusement equipment. They work just fine, doing their assigned tasks as required so what’s... Read More
How Asset Management Saves in a Down Economy
June 17, 2009 by Totally Integrated Automation Admin+
Filed under Articles, Engineering
Plant Asset Management systems let you squeeze more out of your industrial equipment by reducing unplanned stoppages and unnecessary maintenance tasks. Estimated savings in the U.S. could exceed $60 billion. Wouldn’t it be nice to know something was going to break before it actually brought your production line to a grinding halt, killing productivity, throwing off schedules and possibly compromising delivery deadlines? Now think about how nice it would be to be able to put... Read More