Articles

Top 5 reasons to move from an MES to MOM
MOM is a new alternative to managing and improving factory operations and execution in real time.
Post Date: 03/26/2009
Author: Mark Sutcliffe

Emerging sensor technologies
Contributing Editor Sheila Kennedy investigates emerging sensor technologies that take on G-forces, vibration, embrittlement and odors.
Post Date: 03/09/2009
Author: Sheila Kennedy, Contributing Editor

Steel mill cuts emissions through instrument calibration
In this installment of "What Works," noninvasive milliamp measurements ease instrument calibrations.
Post Date: 11/10/2008
Author:

Troubleshooting 4 mA to 20 mA controls, ethanol style
In this operation, downtime is not an alternative.
Post Date: 10/16/2008
Author: Jim Shields

Predictive maintenance goes beyond controls with smart instruments
Smart instruments extend predictive maintenance beyond the controls.
Post Date: 10/07/2008
Author: Greg Martin

DeltaV control system upgraded to 10.3

Post Date: 10/07/2008
Author:

Efficiency and productivity on the rise with built-in vibration analysis
Building vibration analysis into the control system boosts efficiency and productivity.
Post Date: 09/10/2008
Author: Richard Schiltz

Know your position
Encoders can handle the environment, the application and size limitations
Post Date: 12/14/2007
Author: Sheila Kennedy

Controlling advanced hybrid systems with mechatronics
Mechatronics represents the combination of mechanics, electronics, control systems and software computing. This interdisciplinary engineering field provides a means to control advanced hybrid systems.
Post Date: 09/19/2007
Author: Sheila Kennedy

Control valve diagnostics
Health monitoring leaves fewer reasons to live with stiction, wrong-sizing and excessive wear.
Post Date: 08/08/2007
Author: Sheila Kennedy

Instrumental analysis methods significantly increase product quality
Monitoring and controlling chemical processes using instrumental analysis methods significantly contributes to product quality, effective energy and raw material use, environmental performance, safety, and the overall plant profitability. Automated online process analyzer systems provide a real-time view of a ...
Post Date: 08/01/2007
Author: Doug Nordstrom, Market Manager, Analytical Instrumentation, Swagelok Company

Is CMMS condition monitoring right for you?
Efforts to tighten communications of condition-monitoring instrumentation and data analysis software with CMMS and automation infrastructure, combined with the proliferation of wireless sensor systems and the drive to reduce manpower skill and time requirements, are bringing implementation costs down and drawing ...
Post Date: 07/02/2007
Author: David Berger

Mechatronics empower power transmission
Integrating mechanics, electronics and software empowers power transmission.
Post Date: 05/17/2007
Author: Sheila Kennedy, contributing editor

Cyber security needs cooperation between IT and control
Originally, industrial control systems were physically and electronically-isolated systems that used proprietary operating systems, and obscurity generally provided the cyber security. However, a confluence of technical developments, governmental mandates and productivity requirements have led to the "opening up" of...
Post Date: 04/18/2007
Author: Joe Weiss PE, CISM

PC-based control

Post Date: 03/19/2007
Author:

Valve wellness programs
To maximize the utility of diagnostic equipment used in chemical processing, technicians must stretch their knowledge of control valves and related diagnostic equipment that keeps tabs on valve health and safety.
Post Date: 01/01/2007
Author: David W. Douglas

Optical fiber for clear communications
Optical fiber improves plant safety and reliability.
Post Date: 10/19/2006
Author: Gary Scheer

Free online automation resources
The Web is a great source of educational material on keeping three-mode controllers working as well as they can.
Post Date: 10/19/2006
Author: Russ Kratowicz, Executive Editor

Drawing control made easy
Ensuring that your drawings are accurate and up-to-date is easier than you might expect.
Post Date: 10/18/2006
Author: Ken Leary

How to use the internet as a control and automation tool
Using the Internet for control and automation.
Post Date: 10/18/2006
Author: Kirt Phillips & Michael Gibson