Articles
EtherCAT: leveraging industrial Ethernet for 20 years
EtherCAT is the only industrial fieldbus that leverages Ethernet for both high speed and real-time performance. [ + ]
The ins and outs of I/O — local, remote and distributed
Defining the difference between local and remote I/O is straightforward, but the differences between remote and distributed I/O can be more nuanced. [ + ]
Decarbonising practices in the global chemical industry
The importance of industrial decarbonisation to long-term sustainability is well recognised and requires taking bold steps to improving and reimagining business practices. [ + ]
Edge computing for mining and metals applications
Digitalisation through edge computing can unearth new value in mining and metals processing. [ + ]
SIS logic solvers: more choices are needed
Most safety applications can be handled by safety PLCs; however, they are frequently overkill when it comes to implementing smaller or more dispersed SIFs. [ + ]
Robots: there's one for every job — Part 2
In approaching an investment in robotics, one should consider all aspects of an application prior to making a final selection. [ + ]
Robots: there's one for every job — Part 1
The proliferation of robot technologies has enabled businesses of all sizes to access the benefits of automation — but which type is best? [ + ]
AI in industrial automation: from chatbots to plant chums and hallucinations
Exploring the impact of AI on industrial instrumentation, automation and control. [ + ]
Smart manufacturing in the process industries
Smart manufacturing requires the organic linking of process, equipment, technologies and people to achieve stable, sustainable and profitable operations. [ + ]
Intellectual property theft in OT environments
Even if well guarded in IT networks, intellectual property is also encoded into OT processes, making it possible for adversaries to steal it by OT network infiltration. [ + ]
Graduate engineers finding their way in life
Rotational graduate programs provide graduate engineers the opportunities and support to find where their skill set is best applied. [ + ]
The benefits of 5G in the factory
Progress towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution will rely heavily on wireless communications in the factory. [ + ]
IIoT protocols: comparing OPC UA to MQTT
OPC UA and MQTT are like polar opposites in the way they move data around, and have different roles when it comes to digital transformation. [ + ]
Reaping the benefits of cooperative manufacturing
Humans, cobots and industrial robots are all an important part of the mix in the production environment, but the best option is not always immediately obvious. [ + ]
Mitigating energy security, affordability and sustainability
Process optimisation is a long-established approach to lower the costs of energy production and make fuels more affordable to businesses and consumers. [ + ]