The automotive industry has continually pioneered new manufacturing and assembly processes, driving the adoption of key innovative technologies on the factory floor. To enhance their competitiveness, companies need interconnected and flexible production systems that can decrease cycle times while increasing quality.

ARB Midstream built a complete SCADA system for an oil pipeline with 37 sites in just six months. The resulting system uses cloud computing, a local OPC UA server with the ability to leverage multiple protocols and an architecture that set a new standard for future SCADA projects.

Unified HMIs installed at the automation edge effectively connect users to their data by bridging OT plant data with workflows and IT tools. Advances will improve machine performance, reduce downtime, enable greater profitability, and fuel connected enterprises through the Industry 4.0 revolution.

By using swarm intelligence, new forklifts are able to navigate a production facility or warehouse in a truly autonomous fashion. Programming or “teaching” the vehicles is easier, while central software programs including maintenance and updates are rendered obsolete using advanced communications technology.

In industrial plants, PLCs run the show. Chemical giant BASF had a large number of PLCs and they wanted to update automatically. But with multiple firewalls to navigate and many third-party devices involved, integrating them on a single network would be a challenge.

Small and medium facility operators can obtain a comprehensive facility automation system delivering the capabilities they need by choosing the right hardware and software solution. Standard PLCs and HMIs can meet the needs of the facility without complex and expensive server hardware, or a datacenter environment.

Advancing the smart factory with PC-based control technology, electronics companies are developing platforms with unified interfaces as part of a flexible manufacturing strategy. Intelligent networks combine multiple users and machines with a range of advanced services.

A manufacturer of precision machined aluminum die castings and subassemblies reduced costs and raised efficiency by implementing an industrial application platform. New tools enabled building solutions in human-machine interfaces, SCADA and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

PC-based automation, drive networking and Ethernet I/O reduces control technology cost and cycle times for OEM machinery builder. Use of EtherCAT technology improved PLC cycle times by 30% and reduced control system costs by approximately 30% when compared with equipment from previous vendors.

Implementing Industrie 4.0 and Internet of Things (IoT) concepts is leading to a huge increase in the volumes of data in manufacturing plants. PC-based control technology forms a potent solution for processing this data, as manufacturers seek to meet the demands of optimizing manufacturing quality and efficiency.