In his Comment upfront in this November issue of Electricity + Control, Editorial Technical Director Professor Ian Jandrell reflects on what we may have learned through the pandemic. Considering the continuing shift to automation and IIoT across industry and the advantages this brings, he reminds us at the same time of the value of people keeping an eye on the system. And he considers some of the life lessons we may take forward to build a better world. Read this before you launch into the articles and new developments we present in this edition.
Interestingly, in our lead article in Control systems + automation, Omron Industrial Automation highlights a similar point, recognising the importance of the human factor in noting that the value of automation is in the mix of people, machines, robots and artificial intelligence. Collaboration is key.
In Drives, motors + switchgear, Danfoss Engineering outlines how drives have become an intelligent element of automation systems and can be used as sensors – specifically in water and wastewater applications in this instance – to enable condition monitoring on plants, obviating the need and the added cost to instate increasing numbers of sensors.
Nonetheless, the critical roles that sensors play in many varied applications cannot be dismissed. In the feature on Sensors + switches Pepperl+Fuchs sets out the critical advantages that laser-line triangulation technology – combining light section sensors and vision sensors – offers for a range of applications across production, processing and logistics. And SICK Automation outlines how sensors are being used in mobile collaborative robots to support wide ranging functionalities and ensure safety in collaborative working environments.
In Plant maintenance, test + measurement, again we see the point that Ian Jandrell notes upfront of how helpful it can be just to have human eyes overseeing industrial systems. In this feature Bureau Veritas reports on the benefits of regular testing and maintenance of industrial boiler systems and combustion equipment, to ensure efficiencies, validate performance in terms of specifications, and save costs. Babcock Ntuthuko Engineering looks at the use of digital twin technology in plant maintenance, highlighting at the same time the growing need for skilled engineers who understand how to use this technology to make the right decisions.
Write @ the back, Canninah Mapena, MD of Rockwell Automation, Sub-Saharan Africa, shares her experienced perspective on how businesses in South Africa need to embrace change and prepare for growth, focusing on activities that will see a return on investment through the sometimes turbulent highs and lows of economic cycles.
Plenty of topical thought-provoking content in this issue of Electricity + Control.
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