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James R. Koelsch

Since Jim Koelsch graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, he has spent more than 35 years reporting on various kinds of manufacturing technology. His publishing experience includes stints as a staff editor on Production Engineering (later called Automation) at Penton Publishing and as editor of Manufacturing Engineering at the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. After moving to freelance writing in 1997, Jim has contributed to many other media sites, foremost among them has been Automation World, which has been benefiting from his insights since 2004.

IIoT
Is Time Sensitive Networking the Key to IT/OT Convergence?
As a vendor-independent standard that allows on Ethernet, TSN is poised to converge IT and operations networks. But some challenges remain in terms of cost, complexity, and need.
November 3, 2022
Aw Web Feature
IIoT
Why the MQTT Protocol is So Popular
This first installment in a four-part series on key industrial network technologies explains how an ultra lightweight data transfer protocol became a widely used data gathering tool for Internet of Things applications.
February 25, 2022
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IIoT
IIoT Retrofits for Legacy Equipment
If you’re like most manufacturers, you’re not operating a greenfield site with the latest internet-ready equipment. However, you’re likely facing numerous digitalization initiatives. Here’s how you can do it via strategic retrofits to existing equipment.
October 14, 2021
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IIoT
When Artificial Intelligence Comes to Control
Applications of machine learning and other forms of artificial intelligence have been recognized in robotics and analytics. Now the technology is adding some spice to basic control applications.
July 15, 2021
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IIoT
How Augmented Reality Became a Serious Tool for Manufacturing
Making monsters appear in games like Pokémon Go is not the only application for augmented reality these days. Industry is using the technology too, harnessing CAD data for training workers, standardizing workflows, and enabling collaboration.
February 8, 2021
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IIoT
Is The Digital Transformation Changing Industry’s Approach to Quality?
An update to the Automation World survey on the use of automation for quality inspections detects some surprising changes in the era of digitalization. Quality may be becoming associated more with process feedback than classical inspection technologies.
June 16, 2020
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Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity Lessons from Safety
Experts have long advocated for the alignment of cybersecurity and safety to ensure overlapping protections. A number of methods, from protection layering to analytical methods, provide guidance on how to achieve this.
April 10, 2020
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Home
The Role of MES in an IIoT World
As the Industrial Internet of Things continues to gain momentum in manufacturing, many wonder about the future of manufacturing execution systems and their relation to digitalization initiatives.
November 15, 2019
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Software
How Serious Are You About Alarm Management?
An Automation World reader survey detects a rising interest in alarm management best practices. It finds that, though many users are investing in new software, many are also missing the boat by giving their alarm philosophy short shrift.
September 10, 2019
Going to grayscale is catching on as a best practice in alarm management. Reserving color for abnormalities draws the operator’s attention and prompts more immediate corrective action. Courtesy: Honeywell
Data
Battle for Cybersecurity Spreads to Sensors
Even the lowest level of the Purdue model has become a target for hackers who want to attack manufacturing facilities. Automation vendors are scrambling to help users defend sensors and other intelligent devices.
July 18, 2019
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Top Stories
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Robotics
Smart Instruments Change Operations for the Better
Occidental Petroleum, Wildfire Energy, and Gore Nitrogen show how the ability to take multiple measurements with a single device make smart instruments a natural for enhancing real-time decision making.
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Control
Checklist for Short-Duration Cutover Success
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Supply Chain Management
The Next Phase of Supply Chain is Here. Are You Ready?
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An eye on everything – the vision sensor for robotics applications