KEY INSIGHTS

Inductive Automation is now positioning Ignition as enterprise software. Though this may seem like a stretch for software that began as SCADA/ HMI, when you look at it from the perspective that SCADA/HMI is a core system for communicating plant fl oor data from the most granular operating levels, it’s di cult to see how any enterprise software for industrial companies can use the term “enterprise” without SCADA/HMI at its core.

David Greenfi eld on SCADA/HMI software becoming enterprise software.

OSHA gives us the defi nition of a machine. And they state that the three fundamental areas are: the point of operation, the power transmission device, and the operating controls. When you look at your equipment, if they have these three fundamental areas, then that’s a machine and it would fall under the machine risk assessment requirement.

Devin Murray of Schmersal on machine risk assessments.

Consisting of a sensor that sits on a hip clip or strapped between an individual’s shoulder blades, it collects data measuring a variety of inputs at a rate of 12.5 times per second and analyzes all the moves of the person’s torso. That information provides real-time alerts to the wearer informing them when they are doing something that could compromise their safety.

Stephanie Neil on wearable safety in the warehouse.

Automation as a concept can be taught quickly, but the real labor comes in learning all the nuance we sometimes take for granted. Things like the number of vendors and their di erent software packages, the industryspecifi c regulations that guide development, or navigating the di erent associations and their standards, most of which have to be purchased to view.

Will Aja of Panacea Technologies on building the next generation of automation talent.

Since collaborative robots are often used by companies without extensive robot or automation experience, the grippers must be simple to integrate and commission. Some robot manufacturers have partnership programs with the various tooling manufacturers, which can provide a direct mechanical interface from the gripper to the robot as well as a software plugin which enables simple plug-and-work commissioning.