Automation, Controls and Technology News

A new MarketsandMarkets report entitled "Smart Manufacturing Market by Enabling Technology (Condition Monitoring, Artificial Intelligence, IIoT, Digital Twin, Industrial 3D Printing)" suggests that this segment of the manufacturing market will reach a value of 214.7 during 2020, and grow at  a CAGR of 12.4% from 2020-2025, leading to a value of $284bil by 2025. Growth Factors Emphasis on automation in manufacturing processes, adoption of Industry 4.0, increased government support for industrial automation and emphasis on regulatory compliance are a few factors driving the industry's growth. Other factors include a surge in demand for software that improves efficiency and lowers costs, as...

Now officially open in San Jose, California,  the first ever Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Center of Excellence will collaborate with Automation Anywhere and PeopleShores, to bring education and hundreds of automation industry job opportunities to the Mississippi Delta. By retraining and upskilling workers, RPA is poised to provide unique benefits to the region. At the RPA Center of Excellence inauguration ceremony, held in late February, automation industry leaders outlined their plan for the hundreds in attendance, including local and regional leaders. Representatives of Automation Anywhere and PeopleShores describes the new RPA Center as a design, research, and development hub that...

Offshore natural gas production continue to increase each year, and ABB is working hard to innovate the automation process involved in subsea industrial systems.           ABB Undersea Controls System (Image Credit: ABB) The company recently tested its latest power system over a period of 3,000 hours, marking a significant development in industrial technologies for offshore drilling. The new power system is a new addition to the company’s INSUBSEA systems, a set of underwater control solutions designed for submerged systems - particularly those in oil and gas. Subsea Systems Underwater systems necessitate specialized technologies due to the...

 As open source software no longer necessitates the specialized knowledge that once limited it's use to developers and the IT-savvy, an increasing number of automation suppliers are making use of open source tools. The rise of open source software has created a wealth of opportunities for companies like netDNA services, a system integration form located in Southern Texas. CEO Dan Arbeau uses open-source software for the automation of mobile pumping units used to manage water in fracking operations. This technology allows the flow rates and water levels to be monitored automatically, without the need for technicians to constantly monitor the...

As one of the most highly automated industries in the world, the automotive sector has  made use of industrial robotics since GM introduced robotics systems to their manufacturing process in 1961. Today, robots are being employed in the automotive industry for far more sophisticated tasks besides painting and welding, with robots interacting seamlessly with human workers. Collaborative robots, AGVs, robotic vision technology and exoskeletons are just a few of the latest robotics technologies that are shaping the present and future of auto manufacturing. Auto Welding Since the 1980s, welding has been one of the most significant applications of robotics in...