Terry Costlow

Contributing Editor

Like commercial IT centers before them, the computing power behind today’s factories and processing plants is embracing virtualization as security and cloud computing gain importance.

A Virtual Transformation for Data Centers

Like commercial IT centers before them, the computing power behind today’s factories and processing plants is embracing virtualization as security and cloud computing gain importance.

Whether on a mammoth screen that can provide the information of a dozen displays or a handheld device to take on the go, control room operators require more data at their fingertips.

Big and Small: Display Technologies Transform Control Rooms

Whether on a mammoth screen that can provide the information of a dozen displays or a handheld device to take on the go, control room operators require more data at their fingertips.

Better cameras and faster processors are among the tools helping engineers couple vision systems with complex production systems.

Cameras See Greater Role in High-Speed Assembly

Better cameras and faster processors are among the tools helping engineers couple vision systems with complex production systems.

Close, safe interactions with humans are the goal of ABB’s recently introduced YuMi robot.

Robots Start Getting Personal

Collaborative robots gain interest as developers work to foster close interaction between man and machine.

More from Terry Costlow

Mobile devices are not intended to replace the console operator’s traditional setup, but can provide complementary operational monitoring. Photo source: Emerson Process Management

Mobility Extends the Reach of Alarms

Strategies for handling alarms and alerts are changing rapidly as connectivity and mobility are creating new challenges and opportunities. More managers are gaining more freedom because they can get alerts on smartphones and tablets, but this wireless connectivity is spotlighting the need for enhanced security.

Alarm Managers Remain Alert For Improvement

Alarm Managers Remain Alert for Improvement

An exclusive Automation World survey reveals how end users and equipment suppliers are finding ways to reduce alarms without reducing protection.

Integrating Mobility and Industrial Networks

Increased use of wired industrial Ethernet technology is enabling more rapid integration of wireless solutions—especially those supporting smartphones and tablets. Security and coverage are two of several parameters that must be considered when creating a unified network plan.

Standards Provide Solid Support for Security Programs

As companies push forward with security projects, many are basing them on standards and guidelines.

Aw 22408 Gasmask

Network Security: Layer on the Protection

A defense-in-depth approach to network security includes layers of protection, continuous assessment, learning and improvement.

Innovasic is facilitating multi-protocol support with a chip that supports many Ethernet protocols.

They Can Talk to Anyone

Ethernet cables are being used by manufacturers in every industry and geography for automation, video, business systems, mobility, collaboration and security. But differences in protocols are forcing network manager to deal with multiple protocols.

Industrial networking installations are getting simpler now that Ethernet eliminates many incompatibilities. Source: Rockwell Automation

Application Profiles Simplify Industrial Networks

Network providers are using profiles to shorten setup time while also focusing on making it easier to lay out networking architectures.

The transparent clock supported in IEEE 1588 Version 2 augments the boundary clock used in the first version and is better able to deal with a very large network topology. Source: Moxa

Standards Help Ethernet Networks Stay in Sync

When networked equipment in complex systems needs to perform tasks in perfect harmony, Ethernet needs a little help.

Nestlé chose to use standardized Ethernet to gain centralized access to plant floor information, contracting with Rockwell Automation and Endress+Hauser to install the network. Source: Rockwell Automation

Ethernet Takes Control

From food giant Nestle to Tier 1 automotive manufacturers, a growing number of companies are improving efficiency by sending control functions over Ethernet.