Plant manufacturer Scott Automation relied on power supply and data acquisition technology to upgrade its newest line of palletizers. Machine components that generate valuable data can be visualized using a warehouse management system to gain valuable insights into machine performance.

Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) store a plethora of information that can be easily accessed. Regardless of the connection method, traditional fieldbus or Industrial Ethernet, the main objective can be to retrieve that production data and use it to create information that helps transform and drive business strategies.

The challenge for manufacturers of agricultural and construction machinery is how to implement intelligent semi autonomous machine functions quickly and maintain them long term. Working with a control system partner provides automation technology solutions similar to what is found in industrial manufacturing.

DTE’s wooden packaging plant includes over one hundred inverter drives, all of which need to be controlled simultaneously and in real-time. A new communications network able enabled it to connect its inverters to PLCs, and ensure that the machines could instantly adjust operating parameters for optimal performance.

The oil and gas industry has entered the world of automation and digital process control. Norway-based Robotic Drilling Systems AS and Siemens have teamed up to develop a game changing drill floor solution comprising robotic technology for fully unmanned oil and gas drill floor operations.

Faster development of SCADA projects means building a system that can solve one issue right now, but can then be expanded to include other processes, new data sources, different viewing methods and changing metrics. Advanced SCADA solutions add further value by providing a single point for project engineering.

More flexible approaches to motion control are abandoning complex mechanical systems to speed up changeovers and boost productivity. Adoption of smart motion systems is growing as manufacturers embrace smart machines that make better use of production information.

Industry 4.0 machine predictive maintenance improves pharmaceutical productivity. For manufacturing tablets using automated presses and punch tools, data collected using passive UHF RFID “on metal” transponders is used to retrofit existing tablet press machines.

Emerging Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) standards can be applied to EtherNet/IP networks to provide improved determinism and performance. It has always relied upon standard, commercially available Ethernet technologies to deliver deterministic performance and is well-positioned to leverage emerging standards.

KraussMaffei Technologies has implemented uaGate SI Gateway technology and the open, platform-independent OPC UA standard for its injection molding and reaction/extrusion systems. Automated machine condition monitoring has helped to boost production volume and avoid machinery downtime.