HomeGary Mintchell Issue PreviewWatch this short video on what's coming in the January 2012 issue of Automation World.Nov 21st, 2011RoboticsDelta Robot Eases Encoder Disk ProductionUS Digital operators can focus on more important tasks while a new robotic workstation handles disk-picking duty for the company’s new optical kit encoder.IIoTDigital Transformation for Small and Medium ManufacturersSmall and medium manufacturers have largely been hesitant to make the transition to a smart manufacturing system due to concerns over the cost and time investment. However, those hesitations may not actually be true when the implementation is done right.AnalyticsEffective Manufacturing Analytics Need Finance and ITAs digital manufacturing continues to expand, and the associated advanced analytics capabilities, organizations need to align information technology, finance, and manufacturing resources to ensure that the business is successful.Plant MaintenanceSmart Glasses for Remote Assistance at Schneider Electric Batam FactoryA look at how workers at Schneider Electric's Batam, Indonesia, factory use Smart Glasses Remote Assistance to connect with third-party OEMs for help with equipment troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair.OEEHow Automation Advances Affect OEEOverall Equipment Effectiveness is a long-used equation to determine the effectiveness of production machines. But as automation technologies—and their associated analytic capabilities—rapidly advance, what role does OEE serve as industry digitizes?IIoTNext-Generation AndonThe ‘Christmas-tree’ stack lights of yore are all grown up. Thanks to the rise of smart communication technologies, today’s Andon systems are IIoT- and intelligent-messaging-enabled indicators of real-time shop-floor KPI performance.ControlChanging the Controller Redundancy ParadigmHoneywell highlights how its Experion PKS HIVE products are designed to change industry’s approach to controller redundancy by creating a mesh of controllers in which backup can be provided by any available controller’s compute power.WorkforceThe Value of a Peer GroupComing into any industry without much background knowledge or experience can be difficult. A peer group can help ease the transition through idea sharing and general conversations of the specific industry by peers with a deeper knowledge base.CommunicationThe Road to 5G Starts NowProponents make the case for 4.9G wireless technology as a stepping stone to 5G to empower new Industry 4.0 applications, from cobots to augmented reality-enabled predictive maintenance.ControlTechnology Matters: Automated Quality, Valves, Software as a ServiceIn this episode we look at how quality inspections are evolving in light of new automation technologies, how CIP valves helped reduce downtime and waste for Noosa Yoghurt, and how the rise of software as a service is changing industrial software.CommunicationDelivering IIoT Data Across the EnterpriseHow the Sparkplug Working Group is defining data transmitted using MQTT for use by any system, anywhere.MobilityMolex Joins Single Pair Ethernet Industrial Partner NetworkTo help advance its Industry 4.0 technologies, Molex joins other technology suppliers in supporting the adoption of an Ethernet technology that reduces wiring requirements and enables miniaturization.IIoTConducting Virtual FATs: Best PracticesBrand-new guidance from PMMI's OpX Leadership Network addresses the critical need for virtual factory acceptance testing during the COVID-19 pandemic.IIoTHow Aveva Insights is Used in Schneider Electric's Batam FactoryLearn how Aveva Insights software is used to monitor machine operating parameters and send alerts if operating parameters are not within set levels. Also see how machines are retrofitted for IIoT with plug-and-play sensors and edge computing technology.RoboticsPackaging Robotics PlaybookThis new playbook from Packaging World showcases the trends, case studies, and how-to tips to help you make the best possible robot purchasing and application decisions for your operation.Supply Chain ManagementOperations & Supply Chains After COVID-19How supply chain operations and processes will need to change to have the best chance of success after the coronavirus, and where system integrators can play a role in the transition.IIoTEnterprise Connectivity and Home Version Announced for IgnitionThe Ignition software platform from Inductive Automation can now connect more easily to SAP ERP systems; also a personal home version of the software is available for the maker community.RoboticsApplication Kits for CobotsExpanding its UR+ platform, Universal Robots adds software and hardware kits for collaborative robot applications.IIoTDigitization and Adaptation to a Changing WorldThe Aveva World digital conference focused on the factors accelerating industry’s digital transformation and how Aveva is not only supplying the technologies to support this, but using them to transform the way they do business themselves.RoboticsBMW Outfits Robots with Artificial IntelligenceTo help produce its custom-configured cars more rapidly, BMW used Nvidia’s Isaac robotics platform to add advanced computing and visualization to its factory logistics robots.
