Other performance-boosting innovations you’d like to see from your suppliers include:
• More affordable high-temperature sensors
• OEE (overall equipment effectiveness) data available via OPC (an open communication standard)
• Web-based data access
• Better system configuration tools
• Electronic data sheet files, drivers, and the like embedded in devices that can be uploaded directly from the device
• Improved reliability of vision systems, and automated inspection of engineering components (for dimension, shape and surface finish)
• Integrated control systems
• Full access to technical support, data sheets, manuals and knowledge base from the Internet
• Open-architecture software platforms that are easily integratable with third-party software
• Faster tracking and mobility
• Diagnostic information from more “smart” devices.
Other innovations that earned deserved mentions from respondents included:
• Industrial Ethernet and rotary/linear encoders
• Real-time feedback for motion control, which is critical for precision, quality, high-speed manufacturing
• Automatic analysis of controller performance
• The integration of key information technology (IT) applications such as Microsoft Corp.’s Windows operating system
• The widespread adoption of quality management
• Machine safety and the emergence of the new Machinery Directive, an updated version of European Union machine standards, effective Dec. 29, 2009.
Other predictions included:
• Reduced license fees
• PLC/PC controls to facilitate ease of use, ease of updates and change overs
• More integrated, stable, wireless solutions with with better software for “telephone”/PDA (personal digital assistant) connections into process plants
• More intelligent systems and software for decision making
• Integration of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems with shop-floor automation systems
• Faster industrial-grade Ethernet
• The growing intelligence of individual components linked by Ethernet
• Seamless integration of automation products
• Energy-saving equipment
• Ethernet communications
• Reduction of and merging of standards
• Pre-packaged automation solutions including control and mechanics
• Computer-aided-design software that can control machine tools
• Lasers and control system interfaces.
Related Feature - Automation World Readers Voice Innovation Needs and Concerns
To read the feature article relating to this story, go to www.automationworld.com/feature-6425.
• More affordable high-temperature sensors
• OEE (overall equipment effectiveness) data available via OPC (an open communication standard)
• Web-based data access
• Better system configuration tools
• Electronic data sheet files, drivers, and the like embedded in devices that can be uploaded directly from the device
• Improved reliability of vision systems, and automated inspection of engineering components (for dimension, shape and surface finish)
• Integrated control systems
• Full access to technical support, data sheets, manuals and knowledge base from the Internet
• Open-architecture software platforms that are easily integratable with third-party software
• Faster tracking and mobility
• Diagnostic information from more “smart” devices.
Other innovations that earned deserved mentions from respondents included:
• Industrial Ethernet and rotary/linear encoders
• Real-time feedback for motion control, which is critical for precision, quality, high-speed manufacturing
• Automatic analysis of controller performance
• The integration of key information technology (IT) applications such as Microsoft Corp.’s Windows operating system
• The widespread adoption of quality management
• Machine safety and the emergence of the new Machinery Directive, an updated version of European Union machine standards, effective Dec. 29, 2009.
Other predictions included:
• Reduced license fees
• PLC/PC controls to facilitate ease of use, ease of updates and change overs
• More integrated, stable, wireless solutions with with better software for “telephone”/PDA (personal digital assistant) connections into process plants
• More intelligent systems and software for decision making
• Integration of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems with shop-floor automation systems
• Faster industrial-grade Ethernet
• The growing intelligence of individual components linked by Ethernet
• Seamless integration of automation products
• Energy-saving equipment
• Ethernet communications
• Reduction of and merging of standards
• Pre-packaged automation solutions including control and mechanics
• Computer-aided-design software that can control machine tools
• Lasers and control system interfaces.
Related Feature - Automation World Readers Voice Innovation Needs and Concerns
To read the feature article relating to this story, go to www.automationworld.com/feature-6425.
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