To keep up with the demands of today’s consumer-driven economy, manufacturers are increasingly adopting flexible production strategies. This can help companies be much more responsive to the whims of the market, but it creates some new challenges in its own right. Such challenges include reduced throughput, extra complexity and high installation costs.
Sometimes, when we’re presented with disruptive change – like we are today with the industrial IoT – we can learn a lot by looking to the past. For decades, industrial producers have built their production systems by turning to a mix of vendors – distributors, machine builders, system integrators and many others.
Schneider Electric has announced a new White Paper #281, “Essential Guidance on DCIM for Edge Computing Infrastructure”, available for immediate download at the Schneider Electric website. The paper provides data center operators, channel partners and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) with best practices for the successful deployment of next-generation Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) software in edge computing environments.
Traditional methods of machine and production line design, commissioning and startup can be costly and impede speed to market. CPG producers are turning to emulation as a tool to research, test and validate their process in a virtual space. Before making physical changes to plant layout and workflow.
At first glance unspectacular – but on closer inspection more versatile than virtually any other clamping device: tombstones and clamping pyramids are have regarded as somewhat mystical, probably because they also change their appearance from machine to machine. When used carefully, they multiply the number of workpieces in the machine room and thus offer ideal preconditions for reducing idle time and catapulting the unmanned machine running time upwards with high flexibility – provided that the clamping devices are carefully matched to this.
When is the best time for downtime? For most, the answer is, “No time is a good time.” The real question becomes, how long can your aging DCS limp along before an upgrade is unavoidable?Today’s pulp and paper mills operate under constant pressure to reduce production costs and increase yields. “If it isn’t broken (yet), don’t fix it,” is a risky approach and with any legacy system, and especially a DCS that has seen more productive days.
The frost is in the air, you can see your breath as you step out onto Michigan Avenue and see the glowing holiday decorations. Yet, surrounded by the allure of the fall colors in Chicago, one thing remains top of mind for professionals in the automation industry – Automation Fair.
Plant managers and technicians have their hands full – not only are they responsible for ensuring day-to-day operations are status quo, they are also tasked with helping to increase production and revenue. So when problems come up, as they inevitably do, there’s nothing like knowing you’ve got back-up at the ready, 24-7.
EPLAN, PILZ, Rittal and WAGO, four companies in automation and advanced manufacturing, based in Canada with their headquarters in Germany, are hosting Canada’s inaugural German Technology Days. Each company will share their latest industry-leading, energy-efficient solutions, and introduce you to some of the most innovative technology in the industry!
Wouldn’t it be nice to know when the devices in your home are on their last legs, so you could fix or replace them before they break? Just imagine how much better life would be. No more air conditioner breakdowns in the dog days of summer. No more unusable dishwashers on busy weeknights. No more computer crashes before you can back up your family photos and personal files.
As a company that regularly conducts thorough machine safety risk assessments, we’re passionate about making sure our customers are fully aware of the regulations and best practices that are essential for keeping their teams safe. That’s why we decided to create a post around the most common safety violations we find during our assessments.
If not properly safeguarded, machine shop equipment is capable of seriously injuring an operator. Lathes, band saws and other simple machines can cut or even sever a finger or a limb. Due to the major potential for harm, it’s essential for manufacturers to comply with all mandated safety standards for the types of machines they employ.
You’ve been through it before. Just days away from a scheduled plant or platform launch and you’re scrambling to connect OEM skids and at risk of missing your launch deadline. Almost every oil and gas company has experienced the chaos that comes with trying to finish a start-up in its final days. The good news – this doesn’t have to be your status quo.
Installation without a control cabinet makes sense anywhere where equipment or drives have to be supplied with energy, or signals have to be transmitted and processed, over long distances. It is particularly suited to large machines and systems and can be used anywhere where cabling from the central control cabinet to the field can sensibly be replaced with power bus solutions and fieldbus communication.
Chad Alexander is a Branch Manager with Contact Automation, which provides automation integration and control services for the Oil & Gas industry throughout Western Canada and Northwestern United States.
Rob Milner is the Canadian National Science, Automation, Optical Gas Imaging & sUAS Manager for FLIR. Rob took some time out of his busy schedule to discuss his career and provide some insight on the industry with Panel Builder & Systems Integrator.
This project is funded [in part] by the Government of Canada.
Ce projet est financé [en partie] par le gouvernement du Canada.
