Automation
Robots As Pharmacists?
May 9, 2013 10:27 am | Videos | CommentsA robotic pharmacy at the UCSF Medical Center could be the next big thing for hospitals. The robot counts, dispenses and packages pills with perfect accuracy. Doctors at the Medical Center say the machine has been a game-changer – eliminating errors and mistakes.
BMW Factory Goes Green
May 6, 2013 12:41 pm | by NBC News | Videos | CommentsBMW's South Carolina factory goes green, by producing more than 40 percent of its energy on site, and gaining recognition from the EPA. BMW's changes makes more money and increases efficiency at the facility. NBC's Chris Clackum reports.
The Key To Growth? Race With The Machines
May 6, 2013 9:34 am | by Ted | Videos | CommentsAs machines take on more jobs, many find themselves out of work or with raises indefinitely postponed. Is this the end of growth? No, says Erik Brynjolfsson -- it’s simply the growing pains of a radically reorganized economy. A riveting case for why big innovations are ahead of us … if we think of computers as our teammates. Be sure to watch the opposing viewpoint from Robert Gordon.
The Death Of Innovation, The End Of Growth
May 2, 2013 12:35 pm | by Ted | Videos | CommentsThe U.S. economy has been expanding wildly for two centuries. Are we witnessing the end of growth? Economist Robert Gordon lays out 4 reasons U.S. growth may be slowing, detailing factors like epidemic debt and growing inequality, which could move the U.S. into a period of stasis we can't innovate our way out of.
Robot Swarms Seen As Guardians Against Future Threats
April 28, 2013 2:21 pm | by Reuters | Videos | CommentsResearchers at Georgia Tech University in Atlanta are programming robots to work together. The scientists believe that in the future, robotic swarms could play an important role in assessing threats at high profile events like the Boston Marathon where two deadly bombs went off last week. Reuters' Ben Gruber has more.
Intel Ethernet For Industrial Protocols
April 25, 2013 9:59 am | by Intel | Videos | CommentsA robot hand that solves a Rubik's cube puzzle illustrates how a high-precision Industrial Protocol is implemented with Intel Ethernet, as opposed to a high-cost proprietary ASIC or FPGA. A PLC system running ProfiNet IRT with Intel Ethernet is connected to several industrial devices.
New Deadline Ordered For FDA Food Safety Reforms
April 24, 2013 9:14 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA federal judge is siding with two California advocacy groups in ruling that the Food and Drug Administration must set a new timetable to implement delayed food safety reforms. U.S. District Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton in Oakland, Calif. handed down the decision on Monday.
Advanced Manufacturing: GE’s Response To Full Employment
April 22, 2013 9:57 am | by Tom Kadala, Founder and CEO of Alternative Technology Corporation | Blogs | CommentsWithout a ready inventory of workers to support a competitive manufacturing base, America’s future will always be vulnerable to outside economic threats. History reminds us of our true potential, when in 1945, 50 percent of the products produced in the world were "Made in USA." Today that number has trended down to 22 percent.
Synchronized Motion In Automated Loading Systems
March 22, 2013 9:15 am | by Pines Technology | Articles | CommentsThe design challenge for the loader system of this size was to come up with a method that would ensure smooth, synchronous motion. The design configuration had to be simple enough to allow for disassembly after initial testing in Pines’ manufacturing plant, then reassembled for actual operation in the customer’s overseas production facilities.
Subscription Model For Mobile Manufacturing App Offered
March 22, 2013 8:15 am | by Software Toolbox | News | CommentsSoftware Toolbox®, a leading supplier of manufacturing automation software, announced that its popular FactoryKPIs™ for iOS app is now available as an annual subscription. In addition, “perpetual” license prices have been reduced and the KPIServer component has been updated to accommodate future mobile and laptop hardware platforms.
7 Common KPIs For Production Monitoring
March 21, 2013 3:31 pm | by Red Lion Controls Inc. | Articles | CommentsKPIs are assorted variables that organizations use to assess, analyze and track manufacturing processes. These performance measurements are commonly used to evaluate success in relation to goals and objectives. Even if an organization does not employ formal continuous improvement initiatives, efficiency gains can still be realized by borrowing lessons learned through visual management techniques.
Mitsubishi Automate Demonstrations
March 21, 2013 8:27 am | by Mitsubishi Electrics | Videos | CommentsA brief series of videos from Mitsubishi Electric at the Automate 2013 show demonstrating different robotic automation solutions including an F series robot, a standard and inverted SCARA robot working in unison, and the IQ Platform.
Survive A Network Failure Without Duplicating The Network
March 20, 2013 8:47 am | by Bernie Anger, General Manager, Control and Communication Systems for GE Intelligent Platforms | Articles | CommentsEnsuring high levels of system uptime is essential for many control systems, as this drives productivity and profitability. The risk of downtime is a significant concern since it negatively impacts operational resources and the bottom line.
Q&A: Automation Trends For Food Manufacturers
March 19, 2013 8:41 am | by Lindsey Jahn, Associate Editor, Food Manufacturing | Articles | CommentsIncorporating automated equipment into food manufacturing processes can offer a wealth of benefits. Matt Wicks of Intelligrated spoke with Food Manufacturing about how food processors can best harness automated technologies in their facilities.
Onshoring With Automation
March 19, 2013 8:32 am | by Automation GT | Articles | CommentsOnshoring, the movement of returning outsourced manufacturing back to the U.S., first began with labor issues in China. Because of raising labor costs, companies are looking to move production back to the U.S. CEO and President of Automation GT, Simon Grant, states “we’ve seen a trend with companies wishing to be ‘reshored’.
CSIA Certification Gaining Acceptance In Automation Marketplace
March 18, 2013 2:49 pm | by CSIA | News | CommentsMore and more industry clients are requesting certification for control system integrators as they consider the pool of candidates for industrial automation projects, according to the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA). CSIA Certification requires integrator companies to undergo an intense third-party audit and abide by strict performance standards.
Automation & Process Controls Week
March 18, 2013 9:52 am | by Manufacturing Business Technology | Articles | CommentsManufacturing Business Technology is devoting this week to Automation & Process Controls. Check here daily for articles, blogs and videos being featured this week. Hear from industry experts on how they've integrated technology, the solutions currently being offered in the industry and gain insight on making the most of your operations.
Modular Control Buildings Bring Flexibility To Remote Processing Sites
March 18, 2013 9:18 am | by Matt Hodson, President and CEO, Principal Technology Inc. | Articles | CommentsPressures to reduce staff levels for onsite operations coupled with the increasing sophistication and expense of automation and control equipment have led to growing trend to use modular structures to house and protect sensitive process and automation controls.
Q&A: Automation Trends For Food Manufacturers
February 25, 2013 9:20 am | by Lindsey Jahn, Associate Editor, Food Manufacturing | Articles | CommentsIncorporating automated equipment into food manufacturing processes can offer a wealth of benefits. Matt Wicks of Intelligrated spoke with Food Manufacturing about how food processors can best harness automated technologies in their facilities.
Control Panel Manufacturing Automation
December 21, 2012 10:57 am | by Patrick Boyer, Komax Corp.; Van Miller, Kiesling USA; and Christine Knapik, ePlan Software and Services | Articles | CommentsToday the manufacturing of control panels is traditionally a labor intensive process with few options for process automation. Most operations are done manually including engineering, laying out, punching and drilling the back panels and enclosures; cutting to length, stripping crimping and labeling the wires, installing the components and wiring the panels.
Achieve Excellence And Make Better Decisions In 2013
December 18, 2012 10:56 am | by Mark Humphlett, Director, Infor | Articles | CommentsBy automating and streamlining processes from department to department or person to person, you create a holistic, integrated decision-making environment, where you can make proactive operational decisions at every level of your business.
Controlling And Automating A Continuous Process Industry Plant
December 18, 2012 10:40 am | by Balvinder Rai - Tajna River Industries Pvt. Ltd. | Articles | CommentsTajna River Industries is a continuous process chemical industry that manufactures bleached lac, shellac flakes, shellac wax, and seedlac. The company wanted to improve its system by reducing inputs, manpower, power consumption, and down time. With a new system based on virtual instrumentation using LabVIEW it was able to make some accomplishments.
Automation & Process Controls Week
December 17, 2012 12:43 pm | by Manufacturing Business Technology | Articles | CommentsManufacturing Business Technology is devoting this week to Automation & Process Controls. Check here daily for articles, blogs and videos being featured this week. Hear from industry experts on how they've integrated technology, the solutions currently being offered in the industry and gain insight on making the most of your operations.
Enabling The Digital Plant
December 17, 2012 11:09 am | by Dan O’Brien, Global Leader, Collaborative Manufacturing, Honeywell Process Solutions | Articles | CommentsGlobalization is presenting industries with myriad challenges to growth, sustainability and profitability. Vertical markets across the process industries are confronted daily with these challenges, and compete in an increasingly rigorous environment marked by tighter regulation, growing margin pressures and an aging workforce, among other issues
How To Get What You Want From A Control System Integrator
December 17, 2012 10:58 am | by Tim Foster, vice-president, Specialty Ingredients Marketing, Inc. | Blogs | CommentsA look at how CSIA offers CSIA Certified members to industry clients in the field of control system integration including the successful relationship between a CSIA member and an end user. In addition, it shows how certification sets the member apart from just anyone who claims to work in automation.
