More News
Four challenges for aerospace robots
The aerospace industry is a tough, exacting industry. Robot users and integrators face challenges such as increased human-robot collaboration and the constant demand for precision and efficiency. » more
Machines learning language like kids
MIT researchers have developed a semantic parser that learns through observation to more closely mimic a child’s language-acquisition process, which could greatly extend computing’s capabilities. » more
Front of mind: AI in manufacturing
Control Engineering Poland: Expectations are high among manufacturers for the ability of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve processes and profitability. New research shows that companies able to sort the systems and... » more
Standardization and harmonization activities extended for Ethernet networks
The OPC Foundation has launched an initiative to further enable OPC UA adoption by extending standardization and harmonization activities for OPC UA including TSN-enabled Ethernet networks. » more
Applicability of wireless technology for manufacturing
Wireless manufacturing applications include machine-to-human and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications. Can wireless applications augment your manufacturing productivity or that of your customers? » more
Vote now for 2019 Engineers' Choice Finalists
The official ballot is open for voting for Control Engineering North American print and digital edition subscribers, for a limited time. Review finalists and vote by using CFE Media's New Products for Engineers platform. » more
How to manage multi-vendor motion control architectures
Manufacturers and machine builders may be required to match motors and drives from different brands; careful design considerations can yield successful applications. » more
Enhancing overcurrent protection with NFPA 70
Understanding NFPA’s National Electrical Code (NEC) Section 240.87 is critical to plant and worker safety. » more
Top 5 Control Engineering articles November 5-11
Articles about tuning tips, Engineers' Choice finalists, pharmaceutical manufacturers, machine metrics, and functional safety were Control Engineering’s five most clicked articles from November 5-11, 2018. Miss something? You can... » more
Four potential futuristic attributes of collaborative robots
Collaborative robots will continue to evolve and future research may allow them to become more interactive and adaptable to human behavior. » more
IIoT server architecture designed with platform independence, interoperability
The FDT IIoT Server (FITS) architecture has been empowered with full platform independence and is designed to be deployable on a Microsoft-, Linux-, or macOS-based operating system. » more
How to prepare a disaster mitigation plan for your facility
It’s important to prepare your business properly by creating an emergency action plan in the event of a natural disaster. Four recommendations before a disaster and three recommendations afterward are highlighted. » more
Machine vision software advances are enhancing innovation
Companies are using software to help realize many machine vision software developments such as ultra-high-dynamic-range imaging and self-analyzing algorithms. » more
Wireless for operations: proprietary versus standards; adopters versus laggards
Wireless networks are part and parcel of many process plants with many advantages. Adoption continues to increase and are being used for many applications. » more
What’s in a nameplate?
Information helps the selection of the right motor regardless of application. » more
New software helps with industrial cloud, AI, microservices from IoT summit
Control Engineering China: Advantech announced its Internet of Things (IoT) platform architecture and solution ready packages (SRP) at the Advantech IoT summit in Suzhou, China. » more
How recent IIoT developments are shaping 5G wireless
Addressing the issues behind Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices to help with mobile industrial computing applications. » more
Research study shows companies' IoT usage is growing
IFS released a research study that reveals substantial year-over-year gains in Internet of Things (IoT) usage in industrial companies with a 30% percent increase in asset performance management and a 10% increase in monitoring... » more
Webcast: The Importance of Edge Computing in Industrial Transformation
Based on a recent LNS survey, over 60% of participating companies have now instituted an Industrial Transformation initiative. To support these initiatives, many industrial companies are rethinking operational architectures and...
Keeping the noise down
Ethernet-enabled motor integration offers an automation solution for manufacturers and offers an upgrade from legacy control schemes. » more
Advanced algorithms for analytics on the edge
Substantial computing power in modern industrial PCs and cloud bandwidth considerations make the case to analyze machine performance directly on controllers, before the cloud. » more
Gecko ears used as model for light detection sensors
Researchers at Stanford University have found a way to record the incoming angle of light by using nanowires that mimic gecko ears, which could support advances in augmented reality and robotic vision. » more
Why hybrid OT is needed for successful IIoT and control projects
Integrating controls: It is critical to understand differing operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) priorities to achieve collaboration and integration. Without this, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and... » more
Robot controller family for digital factory applications
ABB's OmniCore robot controller family is designed to provide flexibility for integrating robots into the digital factory ecosystem whether it's standardized motion control or more tailored solutions.
Time-sensitive networking application profile standards to be developed
The OPC Foundation announced the launch of its new setup to identify OPC UA and related TSN-harmonization needs and to extend standards and specifications and provide vendor-independent end-to-end interoperability into field... » more
How does the ‘Industrial Exemption’ impact automation businesses?
Legalities: For many automation companies, complying with the requirements for the professional licensing of engineers is not required for work in a factory thanks to the “industrial exemption.” State engineering licensing laws... » more
Top 5 Control Engineering articles October 29 to November 4
Articles about IoT implementation, Engineers' Choice finalists, machine metrics, AR and VR, and designing a wireless IIoT gateway were Control Engineering’s five most clicked articles from October 29 to November 4, 2018. Miss... » more
Industrial managed PoE switch
Korenix's JetNet industrial managed PoE switch is equipped with 8 Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 ports and 2 Gigabit Ethernet SFP ports and is compliant with IEEE 802.3at/af standards with 1-event and 2-event behaviors for PD...
Benefits of open standard wireless networks over proprietary networks
Wireless setup tutorial: Open standard wireless networks overall are cheaper and easier to use than proprietary networks and encourage innovation and sharing among users. » more
PLC family for machine and control systems
FactoryMation's XGB programmable logic controller (PLC) family from LS Industrial is designed to provide multiple controller options that can be used on simple machine applications and complex control systems.
Using IIoT to simplify automation and control
Integrating information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) organizations is difficult but critical to IIoT success. Five best practices for overcoming these cultural barriers are highlighted. » more
On the road to the digital enterprise
Decide where to go and use a map to get to the digital enterprise. » more
Variable speed compressors with intermediate discharge valves
Danfoss has added 8.5- and 11-ton variable-speed compressors with intermediate discharge valves (IDVs) to its VZH range.
Study finds USB drives are a security threat to process control systems
Honeywell research finds exposure through portable USB drives can cause serious disruption to process facilities through unsecure or malicious files. » more
Analyze data quality for process control systems
Data obtained from process analyzers need to be trusted and verified to help the user make an informed decision. Considerations include communications reliability, analyzer status, and logic platform. » more
IoT interface for climate control solutions
Rittal's IoT interface can either be mounted on a top hat rail or directly on the cooling unit or chiller and supports the OPC-UA, Profinet, SNMP, Modbus and CANopen protocols.
Pressures from tariffs, inventories drive down PMI
Index falls 2.1 points to 57.7% in October as production orders slow down. » more
Pharmaceutical standards focus on safety in handling hazardous drugs
The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Convention's Chapter 800, "Hazardous Drugs-Handling in Healthcare Settings" standards become effective December 1, 2019, and provide detailed specifications for the handling of hazardous drugs... » more
Control Engineering hot topics, October 2018
Control Engineering's most clicked articles in October 2018 included stories about the Engineers' Choice Finalists, matching motors and drives, designing a wireless IIoT gateway, complex upgrades, and more. Miss something? You... » more
Operator HMI for process data solutions
Emerson's DeltaV Live Operator Interface is a modem, built-for-purpose operations experience with an HTML5 interface that enables scalable graphics and gives operators the flexibility to adjust their displays to focus on process...
Wireless alarms for facility showers are crucial to plant safety
Wireless alarms for facility showers can help workers provide quicker first aid to a worker if they have been injured in a remote area or late at night. » more
Award-winning pumpkin grown with engineering
Caleb Otto used his engineering background in NorthWind Technical Services’ pumpkin growing contest with an award-winning pumpkin that weighed almost 800 pounds. Research, formulas, calculations, and automation helped. » more
Choose the right accelerometer
Comparing vibration sensor technologies for condition monitoring, which are increasingly being used for high volume, smaller machinery. » more
Top 10 tuning tips for control engineers
Best practices to follow to increase loop tuning performance and reliability in a facility include increased efficiency, controller gain, and being aware of loop interactions. » more
University to create college of computing to address current and future challenges
MIT announced a $1 billion commitment to address the global opportunities and challenges presented by the prevalence of computing and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) with the MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of... » more
Bring IIoT capabilities to refineries and process plants
The first step to bringing fieldbus networking and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) into process manufacturing plants and refineries may be changing device-level networking practices. » more
Fenceless robots taking on new shapes and forms
Fenceless robots are taking on a number of different sizes and forms beyond the collaborative robot as robotic technology has progressed. » more
Spatial intelligence platform for robots, industrial automation equipment
Humatics Corp.'s Spatial Intelligence platform is comprised of radio-frequency beacons deployed in a constellation, mobile sensors, and a software suite. » more
Inspiring the next generation of manufacturers
Schools need to help students develop advanced skills along with core academic knowledge that can be applied in the work place and or at a higher level of learning to address the growing skills gap in manufacturing. » more