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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
In many conveyor systems, worn coatings cause unnecessary failures – whether in the food and beverage industry or in material handling. For this purpose, igus offers powder coatings made of high-performance polymers called iglidur coating, which make surfaces significantly more wear-resistant and durable. To make it easier for users to retrofit existing systems, the company now also offers coated plates and wire mesh that can be flexibly cut to size and installed. The range is complemented by IC-05PF, the first PTFE‑free coating, which is intended in particular for applications with high hygiene requirements.
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.
Qlar is opening a new Test Center for reliable pneumatic conveying in Bangalore, India, supporting customers in the metals, cement and energy sectors. With the facility, Qlar is strengthening its position as a provider of practical test infrastructure.
Hydrostatic level measurement in hazardous areas
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.
In September 2025, a ransomware attack on Collins Aerospace interrupted check-in and boarding systems at major European airports, heavily impacting Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin. The attackers never breached the airport’s core IT – they didn’t need to. One compromised supplier was enough to paralyze a critical service. Here, Stephan Nobis, business development manager at automation supplier COPA-DATA, discusses why Europe’s critical infrastructure must move from compliance to continuous cybersecurity – or face severe risks.
APC enables capacity increases without new hardware, energy savings and cost reduction through continuous optimization, and more stable product quality under fluctuating conditions.
AMA Association honors innovative developments in sensor and measurement technology
Looks matter, but they aren’t everything: long before croissants, biscuits or waffles are placed in protective packaging, manufacturers need to ensure that their contents are exactly as they should be. In upstream steps, producers pave the way for the highest quality, safety and shelf life of ready-to-eat products. Ingenious technologies that work towards this goal are always part of the packaging process.
Ethernet-APL enables fast, standardized Ethernet communication down to field level, even in hazardous areas. While the technology simplifies engineering, commissioning, and diagnostics, the real value lies in integrated solutions. With engineered, certified systems tailored to customer needs, operators benefit from reduced complexity, faster deployment, and higher system availability.
Stainless-steel motors for the food industry
Maintaining wind turbines and identifying potential vulnerabilities is expensive and time-consuming, especially when they are located offshore. As a result, rotor blades are often simply replaced, a costly process, when damage is merely suspected. The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, working in concert with the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES, has developed a solution that can be used to identify cracks and breakages inside the blades remotely at an early stage.
Enhanced pump design for higher performance
Precise material analysis plays a central role in many industries - from the pharmaceutical and food industries to construction materials, biotechnology and environmental sciences. Whether for quality assurance or for predicting material behaviour, the precise characterisation of particles is crucial.
Experts have to collaborate effectively for process plants to be controlled reliably and economically. Safety, reliability, and efficiency must be guaranteed. This means operators of such plants are dependent on experienced project partners who not only supply individual products, but also have a deep understanding of the processes and requirements on-site and are able to use this knowledge to develop customized and long-term sustainable solutions.
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
The measurement technology and automation solutions specialist increased its sales, created new jobs worldwide, invested more than at any time in its history and maintained profit stability.
Pepperl+Fuchs Integrates RFID Reader Into VisuNet GXP HMI Platform and Enables Authentication up to Zone 1/21
Conductivity Sensor is Key to Energy-Saving Dairy CIP System
Multilingual and Open Source: OpenGPT-X research project releases large language model
Smart Production Solutions, the year-end highlight for the automation industry, will take place in Nuremberg from 12-14 November 2024. Exhibitors and potential customers have attended this platform for over three decades.
EFI group of the Pipeline Research Council International’s (PRCI) has published a Consensus Engineering Requirement report for pipelines in Hydrogen and Hydrogen blend service
Siemens named one of the global preferred suppliers for Merck's next-level automation, boosting global smart manufacturing with Siemens Xcelerator platform
Modules with broad range of functions and certifications for worldwide use in all areas of the process industry
Founded in 1864 with the focus on agricultural machinery, AERZEN today is an experienced solution provider for process air and gas applications
The climate crisis is driving demand for the electrification of transportation and energy infrastructure, which in turn is accelerating the need for more powerful and safer rechargeable batteries, including li-ion, sodium-ion, and solid-state. However, one of the key issues affecting battery quality is accurate humidity monitoring and dry control during manufacture.
Personalized medicine means an elementary change for the pharma and biotech industry aimed at the production of large quantities. Pharmabotix is developing automation and robotics solutions for filling smaller batches as they occur in cell and gene therapy. The Swiss company is thereby focusing on a hygienically designed Yaskawa Motoman HD8 industrial robot.
Digital integration of measurement technology based on resistance thermometers or thermocouples
The move from October firmly on the calendar thanks to good cooperation with local craftsmen
JUMO has added a comprehensive solution for process technology operations to the automation range. Using the JUMO variTRON system and the new JUMO smartWARE Program graphical program editor, customer-specific solutions can be configured easily and without special programming skills.
Digital Twin Platform in Conjunction with Digital Nameplates for the Process Industry Introduced at ACHEMA
Absolute sterility, optimised processes and lower operating costs – the food industry is challenged to align its production procedures amid these conflicting interests. The measurement technology employed to check individual process parameters plays a decisive role here. WIKA has now opened up a new chapter in pressure instrumentation: an in-line process transmitter with a “dry” measuring cell takes monitoring of this variable in sterile applications to a higher level.
Reduction of capital and operating costs in offshore systems above and below water
Modular system for continuous or batch processes in battery production
PCN Europe spoke to Mark Pontin, Managing Director of Resolve Optics about the challenges for lenses in optical material inspection and sorting applications.
Ethernet APL is a game changer for networking at field level – especially for the process industry. It offers consistent networking with a single protocol, high speeds for cable lengths of up to 1000 metres and intrinsic safety for areas at risk of explosion.
Flexibly expandable solution that is suitable for use with static and retractable fittings
Digital Plant Asset Management is a topic that often comes up in discussions about process engineering facilities. Today, while intelligent field devices might be the standard, system owners have yet to exploit their full potential. To provide the connectivity needed, Softing offers the right solutions with the smartLink product family.
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