These are links to articles on my information and my views of technology trends:
(click on title to go to full article)
Major Automation & Control Trends in 2012
This is an update expressing my thoughts on major automation and control trends for 2012. These opinions are based on a wide range of inputs from users, suppliers and industry consultants, and from attending numerous industry forums, conferences and trade shows every year. Years of hands-on experience as a designer and applier of automation and controls in the field are also reflected in these opinions. I invite readers to contact me to critique and share any other trends or expand on the trends listed below. MORE
Major Automation & Control Trends 2011
I am taking a risk at the beginning of the year to provide my thoughts on automation and control industry trends. I invite readers to contact me and share any other trends or expand on the trends listed. Trends include industrial Ethernet proliferation, leveraging information, remote monitoring, virtualization, mobile device usage, energy conservation and wireless implementations.
There a number of standards and technology in existence and proposed for use in industrial wireless. The options can be confusing. The confusion will continue until there is more clarity, but this should not stop engineers from applying wireless now. Automation.com editor, Bill Lydon, reviews the wireless standards and the current state of industrial wireless.
International Federation of Robotics – I had the privilege of moderating the 2011 International Federation of Robotics (IFR) Executive Round Table on the topic, Being Competitive with Robotics, held at Automate 2011. The most dynamic markets are China, the Republic of Korea and the ASEAN countries. Sales to these markets almost tripled.
OPC UA Redefines Automation Architectures
The new OPC UA technology provides an efficient and secure infrastructure for communications – from sensor to business enterprise computing for all automation systems in manufacturing and process control. OPC UA leverages web services to provide a single programming paradigm in a scalable architecture that can be implemented is a range of devices – from embedded to enterprise.
Automatic PLC Code Generation & Design Interchange Standards
Now your computer can program the PLC!
Open standards, more powerful desktop computers, and lower cost software are making design, modeling, and automatic code generation for PLCs and PACs practical for improving automation.
Pharmaceutical Automation Roundtable (PAR) – Part 4 – Wireless in Manufacturing
This is the fourth article in a series that is the result of the annual Pharmaceutical Automation Roundtable (PAR). The individual PAR group members have a wealth of practical knowledge and knowhow to share with other participants, truly learning from each other.
Digital Prototyping Comes Naturally to 140 Year Old Company
On a recent visit to A.T. Ferrell Company, I learned how they are using digital prototyping, modeling, 3D CAD, finite analysis, stress analysis, and other new tools as a transformational business strategy to improve sales, quality, efficiency, and productivity. Using the Autodesk Inventor software suite, A.T. Ferrell is taking advantage of these advanced methods at a fraction of the cost of other solutions. Access to these lower-cost digital design tools is a game changer that levels the playing field for smaller companies that take advantage of it.
Ethernet Infrastructure – Is IPv6 another Y2K?
ODVA is taking IPv6 seriously because it could have major implications for existing EtherNet/IP installations and product developers. This is not unique to EtherNet/IP, the change has an impact on all Ethernet devices and infrastructure including business, industrial, home, and mobile communications. No EtherNet/IP device today can communicate with IPv6 devices.
