Instant impressions are important. Visitors quickly flee from a poorly designed website to others with more visual appeal. It is the same with the Human Machine Interface (HMI). Some companies go to great lengths to ensure their product caters to every possible need – yet spoil them with a poorly conceived HMI. According to recent […]
Beginning the IoT Journey:
Establishing Connectivity and Finding IoT Value in the Cloud Many predict that the Internet of Things (IoT) will transform the world as we know it. That’s why many companies have begun developing IoT applications. However, a study by Gartner showed 60% of IoT initiatives failed to move beyond the Proof of Concept (PoC) stage. Only […]
How to Implement a PROFINET Controller on a PC
In a challenging economy, industrial manufacturers look for ways to reduce costs. For example, many now harness standard PCs or internally developed embedded systems. They develop control applications and host them on PCs. As well as lower cost, this can provide advantages such as performance and flexibility. The problem, however, is networking. These machines usually […]
Time Sensitive Network Usage Speeds Up
TSN, OPC UA combine to address growing demand for real-time communications The automation world’s drive to do more intricate tasks at increasingly higher speeds is driving interest in Time Sensitive Networking, which lets systems handle real-time communications. PROFIBUS/PROFINET International (PI) plans to start developing ways to use TSN to facilitate the integration of operational technology […]
Searching for Depth in Cybersecurity
Protecting networks becomes mainstream industrial activity Industrial security has transformed from an afterthought to an important concern over the past several years. Devising efficient strategies for operational networks must now be part of corporate planning for all but the smallest of companies. Many factors are forcing companies to determine how they can provide an appropriate […]
Integrating Holistic Safety Yields Major Benefits
Integrated safety for motor control centers demonstrates gains from overall architecture Safety has evolved beyond protecting workers, extending to factors that include an integrated, affirmative view of product safety and brand protection. Safeguarding hands/toes/backs remains a priority, but establishing a complete safety environment has become a de facto operating priority. Motor control centers (MCC) are […]
Assuring Network Availability with the Siemens Network Planner
Organizations often go to great lengths to increase their processing capabilities, and to beef up the amount of available storage. But without a reliable network with enough bandwidth and throughput, bottlenecks are inevitable. At the same time, the rise of cloud computing, the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) and a relentless push toward […]
Introduction to Arc Flash: Avoidance and Mitigation
Every day, 5 to 10 arc flash injuries result in hospitalization. But that number doesn’t even begin to capture risk, as it isn’t taking into account a far greater number of smaller arc flash-related accidents or injuries. As many arc flash occurrences do not result in a hospital visit, they are rarely documented. According to Industry […]
Robotics Thrive Due to Automation Improvements and Tax Incentives
Robotics have been a mainstay of large-scale manufacturing for years. From automotive assembly lines to welding, painting, assembly, printed circuit boards, packaging and labeling, there are now millions of robots deployed in industrial applications. But the high cost of entry and technical complexity of robotic programming meant that the technology could only be harnessed by […]
Connected Food and Beverage Manufacturing: Unlocking the Benefits of Digitalization
According to recent studies, conversion to a digital enterprise could help the global food and beverage manufacturing industry reduce production costs and increase margins by anywhere from $290 billion and $450 billion. This won’t happen, however, due to the introduction of one element of technology or one alternation in industry best practices. Rather, it will […]
