Pumps use 20 percent of the world’s energy and can contribute to up to 50 percent of a plant’s energy consumption. Monitoring and using pumps more effectively are beneficial ways of reducing power usage and overheads. Here Anna Wels, Vice President Market Unit icom for INSYS, explains how industrial routers can be used to help monitor and optimise pumps.
Although there is still a myriad of industrial fieldbus protocols used in machine automation, Ethernet is becoming the clear favourite. This is for two reasons; the high data transmission rates support Industry 4.0 requirements and it integrates easily into existing office IT network infrastructure. Justin Leonard, the e-chain Director, igus looks at points to consider when selecting Ethernet cables for use in dynamic applications.
A study from Forrester Research found that while 74 percent of firms say they want to be data-driven, only 29 percent say they are good at connecting analytics to action. Here Tatjana Milenovic, Global Head of food and beverage segment at ABB, explains how to avoid being overwhelmed by big data.
Amsterdam has one of the world's most challenging traffic management environments, which the office for Traffic and Public Space (Verkeer en Openbare Ruimte) meets through vision, action and modern technology. This is typified by the new intelligent data communications network being installed to support the city’s traffic control system, for which they have selected advanced Ethernet switching and routing technology from Westermo.
Communication is an essential part of Industry 4.0. Everything, devices, modules and machines, is communicating, in all directions. And we keep hearing about OPC UA. What does it mean? Where does it come from? What is it good for? This white paper answers your questions and explains why OPC UA is more than just another fieldbus system.
Scott Bader recognised the need to conduct a site wide upgrade of its control systems and infrastructure but knew that a full migration would need a carefully phased approach and that, in the interim, the business would require a solution to extend the life of its existing control system until the upgrade could be safely completed.