When you think about automation, what comes to mind? A robot or machine sensor might. But that’s only part of the picture. Automation involves much more than an individual machine or component: successful automation strategies string across entire operations, tying technologies together. In a nutshell, that’s the purpose of an umbrella IIoT network. And it’s…
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Control systems integration calls for both experience and efficiency to ensure a project’s success. Staying under budget, within deadlines, and in line with (or even above) expectations depends on a qualified control systems integrator who knows the keys to successful integration. As you vet prospective control systems specialists, they should answer these core questions. How…
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As an OEM, you’d like your products to be pushed further, reaching untapped markets and branching out into new brands. But what happens when an unforeseen disruption creates a colossal kink in the supply and service chain? It can lead to massive siphoning of resources, man hours, and revenue. Look no further than COVID-19 for…
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Travel back a few decades, or just 10 years for that matter, and you might find a biomass infrastructure that looks a lot different. For instance, you might not see a biomass control room with operators en masse—but there’d be more than just a handful. Now, biomass plants operate with fewer on-site personnel, and intuitive…
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Let’s pretend you have a cable bundle at your house. The cable company gave you their top-of-the-line, next-generation technology, but it’s Friday night and you’re having issues. Shocking, right? Your internet connection is in and out, your TV picture is staticky, and your remote won’t change channels. You pick up the phone and call tech…
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Nowadays, new technologies help scale up production efficiency for a number of industries, including metals manufacturing. State-of-the-art strategies streamline processes, leading to increased productivity, improved performance, and northbound profits. Sweeping onto the scene in 2012, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has altered the trajectory of a number of manufacturing sectors—metals manufacturing among them. IIoT…
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When mulling over automation upgrades, roadblocks and costs can cause concern—especially if they’re significant. Oftentimes, progress stalls due to the swarm of questions surrounding the process. But it shouldn’t; in fact, now might be the perfect time to adopt a new or renewed automation approach. It may be tempting to balk at updates, but the…
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The applications that underpin successful automation rarely prove overtly simple. However, a new open source movement has increased the accessibility of one key automation component: SCADA. These hubs for SCADA development help link resources to developers, allowing organizations to bypass some economic and start-up hurdles. Open Source in Automation Open source’s headway in the technological…
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It’s no secret that automation’s inroads into the manufacturing sector continue to see growth. These spikes in automation’s presence provide ample opportunity for increased productivity—but also pose a new set of risks in the workplace. System automation compels your industries’ safety concerns to come to the forefront. Evaluate Your Risks As you may know, a…
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Producing quality products at a breakneck pace has become the rule, rather than the exception. For producers, meeting demand in today’s climate means tightened schedules, constricted budgets, and dynamic change. This is the result of the new industrial revolution we find ourselves in: Industry 4.0. Navigating the New Age: Industry 4.0 Since its inception in…
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Just like any piece of equipment in your facility, control systems age. Over time they grow outdated, in turn growing more and more expensive to maintain—and causing more disruptions to your operations. If this is true for your system, you’re probably nodding your head right now. If you know that you need an upgrade but…
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More and more, manufacturers and utilities are discovering the many benefits of expanding their digital networks—but that can’t be effectively done without addressing the growing cybersecurity threats that come with it. Cybersecurity Threats in Light of COVID-19 Manufacturing and utility operations are facing a wide variety of different cyber threats today. The latest? The theft…
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