As digital transformation increases demand for data from automation systems – driven by new digital innovations such as advanced analytics, AI and expanded connectivity – maintaining system integrity has become a challenge. ABB’s Luis Duran explores how the concept of “separation of concerns” protect the core of the automation system in a cyber-secure way, while enabling new digital value without compromising operational performance.
On a high-speed food and beverage line, small errors rarely stay small across the wider production environment
UL certificates confirm the EtherCAT Technology Group’s assessment and demonstrate that EtherCAT meets IEC 62443 / CRA requirements for Security Level 2 without modifications
At a specialist aerospace equipment manufacturer in Portsmouth, an initiative to reduce energy costs identified steam energy usage that could be optimised. Dart Aerospace involved Bürkert’s engineering team to develop a system that could automatically close steam flow during non-operational periods. This custom-developed flow control system was set live in January 2025 and achieved return on investment in a matter of months.
AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, is leading IRION, a European research and innovation project aimed at building a more sustainable and resilient green hydrogen value chain.
Ultra-thin barrier layers on packaging effectively protect food and medicine from oxygen, moisture, and contaminants. The Film-Inspect sensor, developed at Fraunhofer IPM, measures the quality of these barriers during the coating process, enabling process control for the first time.
A new wave of more efficient, adaptable and intelligent plant operations is emerging as conventional control systems evolve into modern, open and modular automation ecosystems. Stefan Basenach, Senior Vice President ABB Automation Technology, explains how ABB’s Automation Extended allows industrial organizations to fully embrace the opportunities of digitalization while futureproofing their operations.
Alfa Laval is turning circularity into action with the launch of ThinkCircularity, a take-back programme that recycles materials from its ThinkTop valve control units. The pilot project has been well received by customers and partners
Hanna Lundin, product engineer at Emerson, explains in this article how simplified tank monitoring system architectures make it more feasible for companies to implement an automated solution to improve their inventory management, increase safety and efficiency.
APC enables capacity increases without new hardware, energy savings and cost reduction through continuous optimization, and more stable product quality under fluctuating conditions.
Robust technology monitors the most challenging wastewaters
At the Bürkert Trade Press Days we spoke with Georg Stawowy, CEO of Bürkert Fluid Control Systems about the concept of a regenerative economy.
October marks the 50th year since ABB’s Low Voltage Variable Speed Drive was first brought to market. Developed by Finnish company Strömberg, which went on to become part of ABB, VSD have revolutionized industrial energy consumption and decarbonization
With the growing complexity of technical plants, demographic shifts in the workforce, and increasingly stringent regulatory requirements, traditional methods of risk assessment are reaching their limits. To meet these challenges, TÜV SÜD has developed a digital approach, called iaHAZOP, that builds on established risk assessment methods and extends them into the digital domain. The process industry now has a tool that redefines the state-of-the-art in technical risk management. Authors: Michael Pfeifer, Senior Expert Adaptive Safety and Alexander Kurdas, Expert for Machinery and Electrical Safety. TÜV Süd
As the world urgently seeks ways to decarbonise, James Clements from Signal Group explains how gas analysis will perform a vital role – particularly in carbon capture, and not just for CO2 but for all of the important greenhouse gases.
Upgrading pneumatic control valves with digital capabilities can enhance process quality and efficiency. Though a full digital control system redesign might be prohibitive, integrating digital positioners and process controllers can offer many of the same benefits without requiring a complete overhaul. Author: Kieran Bennett, Industry Manager, Food & Beverage at Bürkert.
Optimized performance with more torque for the same size
The goal of the alliance of the companies Bizerba, FANUC, KILIVATIONS and Schmalz, announced at automatica 2025, is to drive the development and implementation of forward-looking automation solutions in a practical, innovative and customer-centric way
Machine and plant manufacturer expands testing capacities, completion planned for the end of October
Expansion of ammonia value chain with further sustainable products in Ludwigshafen
As businesses in industry continually aim to become environmentally sustainable, the demands are increasingly pushed throughout the supply chains. Liquid and gas flow controls, ubiquitous throughout industry, are highlighted within the sustainability drive. Optimising the performance of valves and their controls can directly improve energy efficiency for end users. Moreover, procurement teams are progressively checking that flow control suppliers are achieving a holistic position to meet sustainability goals.
Maintaining Compliance with the European Union Methane Emissions Reduction 2024/1787 Ruling Requires Quantitative Optical Gas Imaging
Camera-only variant via kiosk mode available
All over the world, farmed salmon suffer from salmon lice, a small crab that infests the fish and feeds on their mucus, skin and blood, causing disease. However, an innovative solution from the Norwegian company Harbor AS offers effective protection against this parasite. The customised connection solutions required for this are provided by LAPP.
The Packaging Competence Centre (PCC) is a joint venture between packaging machinery manufacturer Gerhard Schubert GmbH and Berlin-based packaging consultancy Berndt+Partner Group. The new organisation brings together experts in the fields of regulation, packaging design, materials and automation technology to support manufacturers to develop and implement sustainable packaging.
International Federation of Robotics reports on trends in the industry
The need for accurate flow measurement in extreme operating conditions and harsh industrial environments, such as those found in hydraulic system applications and the oil and gas industry, is met by Titan Enterprises' high pressure oval gear fluid flow meters.
Dr. Jan Cord Becker joins the management of C. Otto Gehrckens
Advanced pressure measurement technologies not only provide outstanding accuracy and reliability in chemical industry applications, but also help to minimise operational costs without compromising plant safety.
Versatile and robust design to meet the needs of field workers
Wireless sensors for condition monitoring prevent unplanned downtime of critical centrifugal pump
Ethernet-APL extends connectivity all the way to process automation field devices. This is achieved with 2-wire cabling via Ethernet-APL switches at data transfer rates of 10 MB/s. Transmissions are intrinsically safe and therefore possible into Ex zones as well. This paves the way for the straightforward collection of large volumes of field data, which facilitates plant optimization as well as the development of new business models in process engineering. Yet physical transmission is only part of the story.
Thanks to consistent development and industrial cooperations it offers solutions for broad markets
Leak detection with robust fixed mounted solution for monitoring and advanced analytics
The move from October firmly on the calendar thanks to good cooperation with local craftsmen
Integration of Ethernet connection allows increased measurement efficiency
Steen-Hansen – a Norwegian manufacturer of fouling prevention and net protecting solutions for aquaculture use as well as of specialized industrial paint systems – has not only successfully overcome quality problems with its newly developed antifouling coatings, but also significantly shortened process times, simply by switching its production facilities to state-of-the-art mixing and dispersion technology.
For fluid control applications in sectors such as pharmaceuticals as well as food & beverage production, manufacturers can increase productivity and reduce costs while helping to meet their sustainability objectives by integrating improved control valves. Hydroformed valve bodies for diaphragm valves achieve high strength and light weight. This makes hydroformed valve bodies far more energy efficient compared to forged or cast designs, and the manufacturing process is inherently more sustainable too.
Minimising downtimes with predictive maintenance
3D-printed containment shroud avoids disadvantages in operation
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