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The Power of Modular PLC Code for Enhanced Performance, Reusability, Flexibility & Interoperability

This article was originally published on AutomationWorld.com on January 8, 2024. 

Everyone loves spaghetti! Who doesn’t remember their grandmother cooking spaghetti, the aroma filling the house, the anticipation of a delicious, hearty meal? It’s a universal comfort food, often bringing back fond memories of family gatherings and cozy dinners. However, while spaghetti on your dinner plate is a delightful experience, ‘spaghetti code’ in the context of PLC programming is far less appetizing. Read More

Are you prepared? Introducing OT SafetyNet: Your Ultimate OT Asset Discovery & Recovery Solution

OT Asset Inventory 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

Overcoming Issues with Equipment Integration into Manufacturing Processes

This article was originally published on AutomationWorld.com on March 27, 2023. 

 

Key aspects of equipment integration into the manufacturing process are often overlooked. These machine-to-enterprise integration methodologies and tips will help you create a viable digital integration strategy.

Manufacturers must have real-time access to information from their processes. Such information can assist users throughout the organization in analyzing, troubleshooting, and suggesting enhancements to improve operations. Following are three frequently overlooked integration aspects that, when implemented, will ensure you have access to the information you need: Read More

Beyond the Andon Light System: The Value of an Andon Board in Lean Manufacturing

andon board andon systemIn Lean manufacturing, the Andon system was created to notify operators of any issues on the production line as a means to promptly identify and tackle any production issues. Traditionally, an Andon was made up of a cord, which the operator pulls to indicate the occurrence of a problem, and an Andon light, which draws attention to the issue. Today, Andon systems are available in various forms, each progressively more advanced in terms of technology: Read More

Rockwell Automation on the Move 2022 in Worcester, MA

Rockwell automation systems integratorsAs a Rockwell Automation systems integrator, we recently attended the much-anticipated Rockwell Automation on the Move 2022 at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA.  The last Rockwell Automation on the Move event at Worcester was on July 1-2, 2015, which is about seven years ago!

The locally sponsored event is a fantastic venue for any industrial automation or OT professional not only providing a great networking opportunity with customers, OEMs, vendors, and other systems integrators, but also providing the latest cutting-edge information regarding products, services, and solutions from Rockwell Automation. Read More

Benefits of Standard Code Modules in Automating Manufacturing Systems

automating manufacturing systemsThe growing use of PLCs (programmable logic controllers), PACs (programmable automation controllers), and SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems in manufacturing has facilitated the practice of standardized software to help plants get up and running with new processes faster and to maximize operational performance. Standardized software is a unit of code that has been developed, tested, documented, logged and controlled. If the code does not meet that criterion, it is not considered a standard. Read More