How to Choose the Best Controller for Each Application Consider the features and typical applications for industrial controllers to understand what type of controller fits each application. Do you need a programmable logic controller (PLC), programmable automation controller (PAC), or industrial PC (IPC)? See comparison tables for PLCs, PACs, and IPCs. Automation controller applications are widespread-as are the overlapping capabilities of programmable logic controllers (PLCs), programmable automation controllers (PACs), and industrial PCs (IPCs). Most of these controllers will work in discrete, process, and hybrid control applications to varying degrees, but what criteria should be used to choose the right controller for an application? (See Fig. 1.) To help understand what controller fits each application best, there are merging features of automation controllers to identify. Examining typical applications can highlight similarities and differences among these controllers. Understanding the Types of Control Systems With the many controller choices, a basic understanding of the different types of controllers is important. Even within each controller system type, such as the PLC, there can be several families of controllers from low-end to high-end, with a wide range of functionality among families. The following are among controller types: The PLC—the original relay replacer—is what started it all nearly 50 years ago. It's suitable for controlling a wide variety of applications. Although available in many fixed input/output (I/O) formats with minimal expansion, (often called brick PLCs) the most common form factor is a rugged, modular, rack-based design that allows flexible configuration of the I/O based on the system requirements. The central processing unit (CPU) of a PLC is typically a purpose-designed controller with limited serial and Ethernet communications capabilities. The PLC commonly uses ladder logic programming, although other options are often available, and is a very competitively priced machine control option. The PAC is the next-generation PLC. While these controllers are similar in form factor and design to the PLC, the PAC's newer technologies, borrowed from innovations in consumer PCs and mobile device design innovations, have advanced their capabilities. PACs typically have expanded communications and data-logging capabilities compared to PLCs. PACs also have a variety of programming options, typically centered around the International Electrical Commission (IEC) 61131-3programming standard, which extends control capability into high-end applications. But even with high-end programming available, the PAC's roots are still in ladder logic. The IPC is a PC built to operate reliably in an industrial environment. But with newer and smaller component designs and more compact operating systems, the IPC no longer looks like a desktop PC or even a panel-mount PC, two of the most common form factors. The IPC is now being designed for ...

Visitors to ABB’s stand at MACH 2018 held at the Birmingham NEC, 9–13 April will be able to see how the latest advances in robotic automation can help them find new ways to transform their productivity and efficiency. Exhibits on its stand H19-400 will include ABB’s new machine tending robots, demonstrations of robotic inspection and welding systems, plus collaborative software and technology that enables robots and people to work side-by-side. Together, the displays will show how the flexibility and efficiency of robots can make manufacturing companies more competitive and how robot technology can be used to help create the smart factories of the future. “With companies facing an increasingly tough competitive environment, the need to find ways to make things faster, better and at a lower cost is becoming ever more important,” said Mike Wilson, general industry sales and marketing manager, ABB Robotics UK and Ireland. “Robotic automation is providing an answer to these challenges. Highly adaptable and increasingly simple to install, operate and maintain, robots can help companies create a smarter, more responsive manufacturing operation that can help them unlock new levels of efficiency and productivity.” With MACH attracting many students and budding engineers, ABB will also be participating in the exhibition’s educational stand at H17-367. Young visitors will be able to try out a virtual reality demonstration built around RobotStudio, ABB’s offline programming software and try their luck at competing against a robot in a simulated production challenge. “Giving students access to the latest industrial technologies enables them to acquire the skills needed to utilize them before they enter the workplace,” added Wilson. “Our participation on the educational stand is just one part of our broader range of activities aimed at helping to find and support the manufacturing engineers of tomorrow.”

Condition Monitoring & Vibration Monitoring GE’s suite of ground breaking Bently Nevada rack-based and distributed machinery condition monitoring software and hardware solutions, vibration monitoring equipment and sensors enable greater asset reliability and enhanced efficiency for your operations, backed by an expert global support system. Unexpected machinery failure is expensive. It results in unplanned downtime and can cause secondary failures to other machine components, which can create HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) risk. Machine condition monitoring combines advanced hardware, intelligent software, and trusted service and support – providing a broad, connected view of your operations. Together, they enable you to mitigate risk, boost safety, and reduce maintenance costs, while improving equipment reliability, uptime, and efficiency.

Bently Nevada 3500 Series Machinery Monitoring System Bently Nevada 3500 Series Machinery Monitoring System GE's Bently Nevada 3500 Monitoring System provides continuous, online monitoring suitable for machinery protection and asset condition monitoring applications. It represents our most capable and flexible system in a traditional rack-based design and offers numerous features and advantages not provided in other systems. Features and Benefits The industry’s most extensive selection of machinery measurement parameters combined with software configuration for virtually all monitor options Maximum reliability with extensive self-checking and fault tolerant design features Rugged design that is fully compliant with the American Petroleum Institute’s Standard API 670 and API 618 requirements, Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Factory Mutual (FM), GOST, ATEX, and CE requirements Compatibility with a variety of locally or remotely mounted displays Flexibility for configuration with various levels of redundancy, ranging from simplex modules to dual power supplies to redundant relay modules with wide ranging and flexible logical operator options for configuring complex relay logic as desired An Ethernet port in the 3500/22M Rack Interface Module and a single network cable to communicate with GE's System 1® software, connecting condition monitoring and diagnostic software Optional DNV and Class NK certifications for maritime applications, and communication gateway module to connect to plant control and automation systems TÜV Functional Safety Certification that can be supplied for applications requiring up to Safety Integrity Level (SIL) 2, when the product is used as part of a safety instrumented system