Industrial automation processes are shifting from increasing productivity and reducing costs, to broader issues, such as increasing quality and flexibility in the manufacturing process.
Key trends in industrial automation markets:
- Linking controls systems to ERP software.
- Transitioning from proprietary networks to standards-based networks.
- Integrating safety features into automation equipment.
- Creating greater control and flexibility through using wireless-enabled I/O devices on the network.
- Using standard interconnect technologies to simplify system integration and leverage the economies of scale.
- Increasing the energy efficiency of motors and lighting
By Bruce Swanson, Mentor Graphics With full apologies to Shakespeare, “To yield, or not to yield” almost became the title for this blog article. Fortunately, he didn’t have to turn over in his grave because I believe the real question is “Which is the best way to Yield?” since everyone wants a good yield.