Automation World Gets Your Questions Answered

Connectivity Trends for Automation Devices

In this discussion with Nazario Biala of Harting, we address how industry’s digital transformation is impacting the design of automation devices and connector functionalities required to support Industrial Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 initiatives.

Why Use Guide Wheels in Linear Motion Systems?

In this episode, we connect with Brian Burke of Bishop-Wisecarver  to learn why guide wheels are often used as a component of  linear motion systems in automated machinery and why they're considered critical to the dependability of such systems, especially in harsh environments.

Understanding Equipment Failures and How to Respond

In this episode, we connect with Stephen Lacey of Belden to learn about the high costs of reactive maintenance and how moving to more proactive—and even predictive—maintenance can be achieved without major investments and executed in small, easily incorporated steps.

Determining Metrics for MES

In this episode we connect with Sam Russem of system integrator Grantek to learn how MES software tracks key production metrics and  how manufacturers should go about assessing their operations to figure out which metrics to track with MES software.

How to Connect Sustainability and Automation

Two of the biggest trends in automation over the past few years have been the trend away from closed, proprietary systems and toward open systems, and increased reliance on automation to achieve sustainability goals. In this episode, we connect with Michael Martinez of Schneider Electric to better understand the connections between the use of open industrial automation software and sustainability.

Choosing Robot Grippers

In this episode, we connect with Michael Guelker of Festo to learn about the different types of robot grippers—pneumatic, electric, vacuum, soft adaptive, and magnetic—and how to select them based on capabilities and robot/automation supplier relationships.

What’s the Difference Between Soft Starters and Variable Frequency Drives?

In this episode, we connect with Jacob Becker, system solution architect at system integrator Tri Tech Automation, to answer an Automation World reader question about how soft starters and VFDs compare.  We explore their differences and similarities regarding motor speed control, cost, performance parameters and tuning capabilities, and for which applications each technology make the most sense.

How Does an Information Digital Twin Democratize Industrial Data?

In this episode, we connect with Sean Gregerson, vice president of asset management at Aveva, to learn about: Information Digital Twins; data democratization and what it means for industrial use of operations data; and why the gap between collected data and analyzed data remains so large at most companies.

How to Select the Right Valve

In this episode, we connect with Ross Turbiville, senior director of global industry sales of flow control products at Emerson Automation Solutions, to learn about the different types of commonly available automated valves, valve sizing and performance issues, how piping  and valve materials can impact valve choice, and deciding among electric, pneumatic, and hydraulic valve actuators. 

Why Choose the Cloud for Engineering and Simulation Software?

In this episode we connect with Chris Radebaugh of Emerson to learn how DeltaV Simulation Cloud is used to effectively train operators whenever engineering changes are made to production systems, what industries are using it, and how cloud-based engineering and simulation software stacks up to on-premises software.