Another one of those market studies that »unveils« something that's obvious - but there are some interesting and unexpected details. On the face of it, the »Strategic Analysis of Global Machine Safety Market« by Frost&Sullivan states that »with the introduction of stringent safety requirements in developed countries, demand for machine safety solutions is expected to rise significantly« (Really?). More interesting are the implications on developing and emerging markets.
The requirements for Programmable Logic Controllers are increasing continuously, and today's PLCs don't have much in common with their predecessors of a few years ago. The higher complexity brings potential risks that have to be fought off with even more new functions. With the newest member of the S7 family, Siemens tries to bring it all together.
Industrial automation systems can be quite versatile - take them out of the factory and beside a rail track and even Britain’s or Germany’s infamous trains might run like an oiled automation line. In order to prove this hypothesis, a transportation company and an automation expert join forces.
The partnership between Wind River and Isagraf, announced on SPS/IPC/DRIVES 2011, is taking form. The former RTOS company receives know-how on validated SIL 3 solutions while Isagraf's safety software is being integrated in common products.
In industrial systems, machines need to be monitored constantly in order to ensure material stability, system security and personnel safety. The Field Device Technology standard (FDT) takes care of vendor-independent parameterization.
One of the key issues in automation is safety for personnel and material, not least because a production line not interrupted by accidents usually is more productive than the other kind.
High hygienic standards are crucial in food and pharmaceutical packaging to ensure product quality on the supply chain from the producer to the consumer. So, automation systems for those applications require special provision. A crucial component is the force transducer.
What’s more preferable to visit: CeBIT or embedded world 2011? That may have been a relevant question last week, since both trade shows took place quite at the same time last week. Well, that’s somehow hard to decide: It goes without saying that everything at CeBIT 2011 (1 to 5 March) revolves primarily around bits, bytes and innovative technologies, such as new smartphones and tablet computers.
Strangely enough, many serious studies indicate that industrial networks seem to be easier to penetrate than »consumer« networks. Just try scanning the Wifi networks in or around the factory of your choice with your iPhone and log in with »1234« »autumn« or »password«. It works frighteningly often.
The smartphone operating system Android is very versatile, but you wouldn’t want it causing havoc in safety critical systems. However, if you can’t do without and no safer alternative like Blackberry OS or iOS around, virtualization can keep your system clean.
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