In the ever-evolving landscape of industrial control systems (ICS), the Purdue Model has long been a standard for architecting these systems. However, as technology advances and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) rises in significance, the Unified Namespace (UNS) architecture has become increasingly prominent. Read More
As many manufacturers look to remain Industry 4.0 competitive, they turn toward automation and IoT technologies to enhance efficiency. As part of this initiative manufacturers need to build organizational capabilities particularly in the areas of human capital to support and maintain these systems.
To do so, manufacturers must develop effective training for factory automation and enterprise systems. However, when it comes to training there is no such thing as a one-size fits all. Every manufacturing plant operates with unique processes and challenges and off-the-shelf industrial automation training often falls short of meeting these specific requirements. Read More
The Unified Namespace architecture has gained significant traction over the last several years. Despite its growing popularity, tangible real-world examples remain scarce. The goal of the Bracketology 4.0 project is to not only showcase the benefits of a unified namespace architecture but also to have fun in the process. Read More
In an era where the manufacturing industry is rapidly shifting towards digitalization, it is crucial to stay updated on the latest technologies and compliance requirements that can drive this digital transformation. Manufacturers in the life sciences and pharmaceutical industries regularly use Ignition by Inductive Automation in applications requiring 21 CFR Part 11 given the company’s commitment to enabling customer success with regulated applications. Read More
Why you shouldn’t use your Building Management System as your Environmental Monitoring System
You might be wondering, since I already have a Building Management System (BMS), why can’t we just use that for an Environmental Monitoring System (EMS) as well? While it may seem like a convenient option at first glance, a deeper look at the capabilities of each system reveals that relying solely on a BMS for comprehensive monitoring and compliance might not be the wisest choice. Read More
These awards recognize outstanding employees who demonstrate excellence in their work, make valuable contributions to the company, and go above and beyond to support their teams and customers. Please join us in congratulating our RAVE Award winners from Q3 2023. Read More
Bradley Meissner, 35, Engineering Manager, Neomatrix Inc., Andover, Massachusetts
We are excited to announce that Bradley Meissner was inducted into Control Engineering’s Engineering Leaders Under 40, Class of 2023.
The Engineering Leaders Under 40 program recognizes manufacturing professionals under the age of 40 who are making a significant contribution to their company’s success, and to the control engineering and/or plant engineering professions. Read More
This was our second time attending the New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension Program (NH MEP) Governor’s Advanced Manufacturing and High Technology Summit – and first as a sponsor. The focus of the Summit was on networking and developing a manufacturing community in New Hampshire.
The day was full of learning with three keynotes focused on the CHIPS ACT, AI in Manufacturing, and Women in manufacturing. In addition, we heard from Senator Maggie Hassan and Representative Chris Pappas who both affirmed their support for manufacturing in New Hampshire. The following is a summary highlights what our team learned from the keynotes: Read More
This year was my first trip to the Ignition Community Conference (ICC) by Inductive Automation since 2018, which was my 5th consecutive conference starting back in 2014. The birth of my son, Covid and conflicts with other industry trade shows hindered my ability to attend, but this year I was finally able to attend along with co-worker Chris VanRemoortel. The following is a summary of the information I personally found interesting from the sessions I attended. Read More
Imagine a scenario where a devastating flood engulfs all the Industrial Control System (ICS) equipment that powers your machinery and orchestrates your processes. PLCs, drives, HMI/SCADA systems, recipes, MES configurations, historical data—all lost to the flood. As the waters recede, a daunting question emerges: How long will it take to recover your manufacturing operations, if recovery is even possible? This somber picture underscores the vital significance of having a service like OT SafetyNet that not only provides an OT asset inventory and discovery tool, but also a disaster recovery strategy, making the difference between a momentary setback and an insurmountable halt. Read More