We use a micro PLC to control our metal-cutting machines with good results. When customers see that we use a PLC, they want to specify brand, causing us multiple headaches in design, programming and after-sales support. There's very little variability in the operating parameters from machine to machine, so we're actually thinking of switching to a preprogrammed relay that would be set up and delivered by the vendor ready to go with its own part number. If a machine needed something a little different, we would order it preprogrammed accordingly. Are we mortgaging future versatility for fewer headaches right now?

January manufacturing technology consumption 26% ahead of January '09  read more »

Sustainable manufacturing is a convenient word to collect all the energy and material saving initiatives that are applicable to manufacturing. Many initiatives already are routine as part of the mandate to build machines that are more efficient, more productive, and more flexible. But it's unclear what else is being practiced by machine builders. Can recyclable materials replace certain machine components, reclaimable at the end of machine life? Can you replace wire and cable with wireless alternatives? Is there a value proposition for you? If you can, even if you want to, is green manufacturing important to customers? Do you think you have a role to advocate for greener machines?

The March issue of Control Design magazine is now online and ready for viewing.

In this month's cover story, Chief Editor Joe Feeley chronicles the influences on and preferences of machine builders as they research specify and purchase automation and controls. Also in the March issue: the green benefits of an all-electric-servo-driven lumber stacker, the real differences between a PAC and PLC and the recent similarities between FNICO and FISCO.

View the Issue

We've added open connectivity to our machines via an Ethernet port on our industrial PC. Now, some of our customers are inquiring about wireless connectivity to pull some operating data from places that would be cost-prohibitive with a wired solution. There are many "standards" on the wireless side. What's analogous to wired Ethernet in terms of widespread industrial acceptance?  read more »

Energy efficiency and environmental concerns top the list of green issues these days. Which of these opportunities can you or will you implement on your machines because of enabling automation and technology?  read more »

Nominate the most innovative machine builders you know to be considered for Control Design's annual machine automation awards.

Control Design is looking for industrial machine builders and system integrators who have used automation and controls technology in an innovative way to increase machine performance, reduce costs, improve marketplace standing, overcome foreign competition or secure other outstanding results.  read more »

In this month's cover story, Senior Technical Editor Dan Hebert explains how companies have learned to retain critical knowledge, even when critical employees retire. Also in the February issue: bringing engineering programs to youths, making programmable safety controllers the best of both worlds and enabling new applications by adding a vision system.

View the Full Digital Issue in Flash or in PDF format.

In this month's cover story, Executive Editor Jim Montague explains why network security is more than just keeping out unwanted intruders. Also in the Q1 issue: the battle between industrial and commercial components, an insightful explanation of network topologies and suggestions for when and where to test connectors.

View the Full Digital Issue in Flash or in PDF format.

Adding a vision system to an existing machine can enable it to handle new applications, like identifying and positioning delicate pastries so icing can be applied in printed patterns. Which applications have you expanded by adding vision?