Six Fundamentals of Manufacturing Strategy
Explore the six key pillars of manufacturing strategy, emphasizing the role of technology, the pace of transition, and the critical involvement of C-suite executives.
Process Automation Solutions
Control Loop Tuning: Get Started with a Few Simple Rules
Understanding proportional gain and integral time’s functions in control loop tuning values and how they work together is important.
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Independent Protection Layers – Are We Inherently Safe?
Explore how each protection layer performs in a real-world hazardous environment. A safety risk can arise at anytime, anywhere, due to any combination of factors. What happens if an abnormal situation occurs? Is your first line of defense solid or does it have a few potential
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PID Controller Loop Tuning Made Simpler
From complex mathematical algorithms to various tuning techniques, loop tuning often presents itself as a black box that requires a certain mathematical artistry to open. One way to open this box is to ask, “What kind of process is being controlled?”
Manage Expectations for Project Scope
When a client and system integrator share goals, the potential for success is maximized for a project if the expectations are managed and the project has a clear vision.
How to Evaluate and Mitigate Process Control Safety Risks
Automation and safety systems protect us from accidents that can cause serious incidents leading to loss of production, equipment damage, environmental releases, and harm to personnel. Here’s how to prevent these potential catastrophes before they occur by applying proper safety procedures and standards. For a process
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Proper Alarm Management Helps Prevent Unplanned Downtime
It is a typical start to the day for the facility operator. A few alarms need handling, but all systems appear to be running well on site and out in the field. Suddenly, an alarm pops up on the human-machine interface (HMI) display – the compressor
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Automation Project Justification – How to Sell the Goods!
Back when I was a plant automation engineer, one of the most challenging and sometimes frustrating parts of the job was trying to justify what I knew were worthwhile automation projects. Despite knowing they were valuable, convincing company leadership those projects deserved funding ahead of all
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5 Key Factors to a Successful Migration Project
Legacy control system obsolescence is the main driver for migrations in the industry today, as well as the need to avoid the significant cost and risk associated with losing operational control of a process. Companies know they need to migrate to stay competitive, but uncertainty and
Major Chemical Manufacturer Consolidates Multiple Distributed Control System (DCS) Platforms Using the DCSNext® Solution
A major chemical manufacturer using three different DCSs to control their process saw the need to consolidate their interfaces into one new DCS. One subsystem was severely outdated and limited their capability. A single process on three different platforms proved to be extremely inefficient, as well.
