Automation World Gets Your Questions Answered

What is a Smart Factory?

Automation World connects with Heather Cykoski, senior vice president of industrial and process automation at Schneider Electric, to learn more about what constitutes a smart factory, how the concept is advancing at manufacturing facilities across the globe, its connection to digital transformation initiatives and the biggest challenges manufacturers face when seeking to become a smart factory.

Why Are Industrial Automation Companies Embracing Nvidia Technologies?

In this episode, we’ll be looking at how Nvidia’s graphics and artificial intelligence technologies are impacting industrial automation on a large scale via collaborations with Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric and Aveva, Siemens, and Teradyne Robotics via its Universal Robots and MiR businesses.
 

What is FDT?

In this episode, we connect with Steve Biegacki of the FDT Group to get a better understanding of the FDT open standard industrial device communication technology, how it's used across industry, the FDT Group's work with OPC Foundation and what end users should know about the FDT technology in their automation devices.

Cloud Computing Isn’t as Dependent on Cloud Platforms as You Might Think

In this episode we look at the growing use of cloud computing in industry and the surprising, but erroneous post from Microsoft that it was planning to discontinue a key component in its cloud platform. Feedback from industrial automation technology suppliers explains why deprecations of cloud applications by the cloud platform providers will likely not impact the cloud applications you use from them.

How to Apply OEE for Maximum Effect

In this episode, we connect with Jim Toman of system integrator Grantek to explain the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) formula, how to calculate it for a typical manufacturing line, how to apply the results to improve production operations, and why the long-standing OEE metric continues to be relevant in the age of new and advancing industrial optimization technologies.

Are Robots Taking Too Many Jobs?

Automation World Editor in Chief David Greenfield was recently invited to appear on Southern California Public Radio's LAist AirTalk program to discuss the realities around the impact of increasing automation use—particularly robots—on industry's workforce. Also featured in this discussion is Ben Armstrong, executive director of MIT’s Industrial Performance Center.

Are Open Systems Reliable Enough for Industrial Automation?

In this episode we connect with Ken Crawford of Weidmüller USA about the us elf open system tech in automation and more specifically about Weidmüller's use of open systems in its new u-OS technologies and how it can benefit OEM and end-user operations.

Industrial Safety Devices

In this episode, we look at some of the most common machine safety devices, such as light curtains, laser scanners, safety controllers and interlock switches and share insights from industry experts on how to determine the right safety device or system for your application.

What is Industrial Data Ops?

With system integrator and technology supplier insights, we take a look at the rise of industrial data ops—how it differs from historical data storage and trending activities and how it can be used to predict future trends to optimize supply chains and derive strategic business insights. 

How Do You Assess IoT Platform Software for Vertical Industry Applications?

In this episode, we connect with Steven Ward from Emerson to learn about IoT platforms, how they're applied across different industries, what operations technology professionals need to be aware of during IoT platform assessments and lessons to be learned from industries that have a high level of IoT platform adoption.