Jens Scheib discusses how modern Distributed Control Systems can offer a pain-free pathway to continuous improvement for process industries.

Suzanne Gill reports on the role that machines have to play in enabling smart manufacturing and more interconnected factories.

Ageing technology that increasingly fails and/or parts becoming hard to source is the usual driver for updating a control system and this was why systems integration company, Sigma was tasked with updating the control system of a treatment line at the Peschiera Borromeo municipal wastewater treatment plant.

Ageing technology that increasingly fails and/or parts becoming hard to source is the usual driver for updating a control system and this was why systems integration company, Sigma was tasked by the CAP Group to update the control system of the second treatment line at the Peschiera Borromeo municipal wastewater treatment plant.

Suzanne Gill finds out how the role of the traditional PLC is evolving with the advent of edge computing.

Gaetano Micera argues that it’s time to think differently when looking at upgrading ageing distributed control systems.

Roel Mulder explains some of the process problems that might indicate the need for a process control system upgrade and talks about the benefits that modern systems can offer.

Adnan Khan explains how new and old equipment can work together seamlessly when industrial PCs (IPCs) come into the picture. 

Besides an always increasing demand on production output, digitalisation also requires an increasing amount of standardised communication and more focus on security. To meet these demands and to remain competitive, new solutions based on innovative hardware, are needed, argues Andreas Czech.

The world is changing, and today’s industrial control systems need to change with it. Johan Björklund offers his thoughts on process automation systems of the future and the benefits they will deliver.

The emergence of new high availability technologies is making it more economical to implement a redundancy strategy for PLC, PAC and edge controllers. Darrell Halterman explains.

Eamonn Garry discusses how controllers have developed, since the introduction of the first PLC, and looks into their future role in modern and future automation systems.

Simatic S7-1500 Advanced Controllers are optimally equipped for the digital transformation. With optimised firmware, they are. setting new standards for functionality, convenience, availability, and security – especially as part of a larger network. 

As automation technologies and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) become more commonplace in modern manufacturing, the requirements of control hardware have increased. However, according to Stephen Hayes, managing director Beckhoff UK, the importance of this is often overshadowed by the focus on new sophisticated software.

The IEC 61131-3 standard includes powerful structuring tools and can help provide users an excellent way to break a control system down into manageable units for greater overall effectiveness.

An automation solutions provider, Control Freaks, applied innovative PLC technology to solve production challenges and increase competitiveness at a pizza production facility. 

David Humphrey offers some thoughts on the changing role for a machine control stalwart – the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) – as the industrial technology space continues to evolve at a rapid pace.

Control Engineering Europe reports on changing DCS technology which is being adapted to meet the need for more agile production.

Lee Sullivan explains how process automation can be used to reduce dairy process inefficiencies, while boosting profits.

Joe Bastone explains how control engineers can ensure that their process control assets are future-proofed and have the flexibility needed to meet ever faster changing customer demands.