The Next Big Uses of Drones in the Industrial Setting

Feb 16th, 2017

Drones are changing the way many in industrial automation spend time on the job.

Sure, drones have a lot of entertainment value. And they’ve brought photography and videography to a whole new level. But there’s more to their use than simple fun or fad.

If you’re the person responsible for climbing a wind turbine, would it be safer to send a drone?
If you’re a water district supervisor surveying an area for the next water main to install, could you save time by using a drone to survey the land?

Drones are becoming a competitive advantage to many companies embracing the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). How would they be useful in your application? Or are you already using them?

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Advantech and the Artificial Intelligence of Things

With more sophisticated computing, faster networking, and large-scale cloud-storage becoming readily available, Advantech sees artificial intelligence delivered to the edge as the future of IIoT.

John Clemons, MESA Marketing, Committee Chair

The Challenges of Smart Manufacturing

The Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association aims to address some of the problem areas of smart manufacturing—such as implementation, fitting different technologies together, and achieving full benefits—through their new comprehensive model.

Adtance Support Feb2021

Reinventing Remote Management

Adtance adds a new twist to remote service with Fieldstreaming, which can connect multiple cameras—from smartphones to drones—providing a live view of machines and the plant floor.

An Open Process Automation testbed was launched in 2020 at ExxonMobil’s The Woodlands, Texas, facility. Working with Yokogawa as the systems integrator, the testbed contains hardware and software products from a variety of suppliers and is currently confirming readiness for components and standards to support the system design for a field trial in 2021.

How COVID-19 Pushed ExxonMobil’s Automation Technology Limits

From remote access and robotics to artificial intelligence-driven operator assistants, ExxonMobil is using industry’s operational realties during the pandemic to drive the development and expansion of open automation technologies.

Larry White, CMA, CFM, CPA, CGFM, Executive Director of the Resource Consumption Accounting Institute.

Evaluating Profitability Margins for Products

It's essential that financial analyses produce decision-relevant profitability information to improve internal monetary choices. Learn how a quote and margin price calculator can enable scenario planning to manage margins and relevant resources.

Check out The Cobot Spot from Universal Robots

Check out The Cobot Spot from Universal Robots

Looking for automation solutions for packaging and palletizing? This is your destination for all things cobot. Whether it’s webinars, video case studies or product information, you’ll find it all in this one spot.

Remote access has seen an accelerated level of interest due to COVID in the past year.

Automation Trends in Food Processing and Packaging: Remote Access

Remote access and augmented reality are two technologies that have seen increased usage in the food industry – particularly since the start of COVID-19.

Randy Otto, CEO, ECS Solutions

Time(er) is on Your Side?

Flowserve Screens

IoT Service Platform Puts Eyes on Critical Assets

The launch of Flowserve’s RedRaven platform provides remote monitoring and optimization of flow-related equipment and devices, enabling predictive maintenance for a number of industries.

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Open AI Energy Initiative Partnership Formed

Shell, Baker Hughes, Microsoft, and C3 AI fuse their expertise to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence (AI) for energy sector applications.

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Predictive Maintenance 101

What does it mean, and why is it important? Learn more from a new PMMI Business Intelligence report.

EPC Design Tips+ Webinar

EPC Design Tips+ Webinar

Easy Design Tips to Maximize the Performance and Reliability of Your GaN Designs

How to Implement Edge Computing—From Concept to Launch

In this episode, we discuss how to successfully plan for and implement edge computing technologies at both OEM and manufacturing/processing facilities with Stratus Technologies' Aric Prost and John Vicente.

MWC, Kraft Heinz, and CTI Foods Named Winners of Manufacturing Innovation Awards

The award-winning food companies will reveal technology highlights of their projects and be honored during a special session at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, September 27-29.

The Alpha Turbo High-Level Bulk Depalletizer is among the machines in the Busse/SJI division that feature a range of new Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) machine health monitoring capabilities.

Machine Condition Monitoring via IIoT

This Arrowhead Systems division is taking full advantage of new IIoT tools that make machine diagnostics readily available and help customers maximize OEE.

Alignment 96 Big Data

Automation Trends in Food Processing and Packaging: Robotics

According to the Robotic Industries Association and Association for Advancing Automation, orders of robotic systems by food and consumer goods manufacturers grew by 56% in 2020. Read this discussion about robotics in the food industry for more insight.

U.S. manufacturing annual investment in software vs. PP&E (property, plant and equipment). Source: Bank of America

An Investment Firm’s View of Industrial Automation Spending Trends

In a session at this year’s virtual ARC Forum, Andrew Obin of Bank of America offered insights into current and expected software and hardware spending in manufacturing, with a particular focus on implications in the energy sectors.

Steve J. Malyszko, P.E., Chief Executive Officer at Malisko Engineering

Don’t Shortchange Your Operational Technology Network Investment in Your Race to Digital Transformation.

In order for a highly successful digital transformation and return on investment, special attention needs to be paid to OT network design, architecture, configuration, security, and implementation. Discover tips and tricks your factory should consider.

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Automation Trends in Food Processing and Packaging: vFAT

Watch part three of this three-part series on top automation trends impacting food processing and packaging today.

Liquid Metal 3D Printing Makes Its Debut

Xerox’s new ElemX 3D liquid metal printer promises to solve challenges associated with traditional 3D printing methods, though deployment is still in its early stages.

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Petasense's VSx vibrations sensor is said to be the first three-in-one industrial sensor to combine vibration, temperature, and speed sensing functionalities.

Sensors Step Up to Industry Demands

From monitoring COVID-19 vaccine temperatures to combining vibration, temperature, and speed in one device, new sensor technology is addressing industry needs on an ever-wider scale.

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Progress Continues on Industrial Open Source Software

With demand for interoperability in the industrial software and hardware space continuing to grow, the Eclipse Foundation releases a report on the status of the organization’s work in several areas affecting industrial technology.

Ofaf Vision Arc 2021

Users Unite as the Open Process Automation Journey Continues

From the evolving standard to test labs, movement to an interoperable framework is taking shape. But the OPAF group is asking for more help from manufacturers.

Nick Bozzelli, Project Engineer, Avanceon

The Journey of Reviving an Un-Commented Code

Discover the six steps you should take when you hit a major roadblock re-writing an old PLC.

What's the Difference Between Standard and Inverter Duty Motors?

In this episode, we connect with Brent Kooiman, senior project engineer and design manager at Interstates, to learn about the differences between general purpose and inverter duty motors and the types of industrial applications each are best suited for.

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Work on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Standards Begins

Hoping to clear the path for the development of AI and machine learning standards, the Securing Artificial Intelligence Industry Specification Group has released a report highlighting the field’s predominant challenges.

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Automation Trends in Food Processing and Packaging: Remote Access

Watch part two of this three-part series on top automation trends impacting food processing and packaging today.

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Integrating Process Safety, Visibility, and Cybersecurity

Following its acquisition by Hexagon, PAS explains how its software integrates with Hexagon’s technologies to address critical industrial process operations factors.

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Schneider Electric Calls for Greater Cooperation Around Interoperability

With a software development focus around IEC 61499, a new alliance with Wood, and continued work with the Open Process Automation Forum and ZVEI, Schneider Electric helps push the universal automation concept.

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.

Cassy Gardner, PMP, Engineering Manager at Banks Integration.

How Workshops Can Help You Plan Your Control System Upgrade

Find out why incorporating all stakeholders into conversations around control system upgrades can increase productivity and facilitate a smooth integration of your new systems.

XPlanar eliminates the need to move the plasma jet; instead, a floating planar mover carries the workpiece into position for precise surface treatment. Source: Plasmatreat

OEM Redesigns Equipment to Incorporate XPlanar Floating Movers

The levitating material handling technology from Beckhoff is being used by Plasmatreat in its equipment to position materials beneath spray nozzles for plasma pre-treatment and coating.