Software distribution models have historically been on premises, however, as industry has become more digital, cloud-based solutions have become increasingly popular, including SaaS and its variants, IaaS and PaaS. See our previous article covering cloud computing and the IIoT: Cloud Computing and the Industrial Internet of Things Our previous article covered basic concepts about cloud … Read more
Over the last decade, cloud service providers have improved technology, particularly data security and integrity. These remain the top concern of many manufacturing businesses, but as improvements are rolled out, more and more companies are adopting cloud solutions. What is Cloud Computing? The cloud is a collection of servers that enable access to software and … Read more
As commercial and industrial software migrates to ‘cloud-based’ and ‘subscription’ models, what does it mean? How does it affect the usability and security of critical parts of control infrastructure? When this author first built a computer in the mid-1990s, software was simple. It was purchased at the store and included a set of floppy disks or … Read more
The next part of our Python learning journey will touch upon control flow, critical to implementing logic in programs. The concept is broad and the first topic to cover will be if/elif statements. Conditional statements are the first form of control flow we will learn. They are known formally as if / else statements. The … Read more
Nidec’s Control Techniques has launched the SI-BACnet IP add-on module for new and existing HVAC drives to help communicate between devices and create a connected automated building. Recently, Japan-based industrial control manufacturer Nidec announced the release of a new product designed to drive more building automation capability toward motor control systems: the SI-BACnet IP module. … Read more
Distributed control systems (DCS) evolved out of control systems for facilities, but their scope can be difficult to fully understand. This article explores the role of a DCS and how it fits in with PLCs and PACs. The early days of machine control centers were limited by the fairly basic capabilities of the CPUs inside … Read more
Industrial network switches connect automation equipment, controllers, and other such devices. Learn about unmanaged, managed, and PoE enabled switches, as well as the differences between switches, routers, and hubs. Take a look at our previous articles to learn what control engineers need to know about networking gear: Introduction to Servers for Industrial Applications Introduction to … Read more
It’s important to keep your system up and running without regular intervention. While every system requires maintenance, never overlook the critical importance of tools and training for the operators. Once an automation system is up and running, it’s crucial to ensure it continues running smoothly with minimal effort on your part. While it’s never a … Read more
This article discusses PLC Sequencer Logic and the steps needed to accomplish PLC sequencing. PLCs have a set of inputs from sensors on which logical, and mathematical operations can be done. The output of the PLC is used to control the operating characteristics of the machine or process to which it is connected. Industrial PLC … Read more
Network routers are designed to route and pass information between a system of connected computers and devices. Learn about the role of routers in industrial applications and how to properly maintain them. Take a look at our previous article on servers: Introduction to Servers for Industrial Applications Network routers are in charge of the flow of … Read more