Articles by : Dave Blaida, PE

• Matrix Technologies Named 2020 System Integrator of the Year

  Matrix Technologies Named 2020 System Integrator of the Year We are proud to announce that Matrix Technologies has been selected as the 2020 System Integrator of the Year by the editors of Control Engineering and Plant Engineering. Matrix is the only company to win this prestigious award four times. In 2008 and 2012, …Read More
  Dave Blaida, PE / Control Engineering  / Control Systems Engineer  / Integrator  / Integrator of the Year  / System Integration  / Automation Integration  / Improvement  / Quality 

• Converting Old PLC Code: Benefits and Pitfalls

  Converting Old PLC Code: Benefits and Pitfalls Sounds great, doesn’t it? Buy the new programmable logic controller (PLC) equipment, run the old PLC code through a translator program, and the new system is up and running. Now to give credit where credit is due, very few people would actually believe a control system u …Read More
  Dave Blaida, PE / Automation Integration  / Control System Upgrade  / Conversion  / CPU  / Industrial Automation Engineering  / Manufacturing Operations Management  / Manufacturing Process Control  / PLC  / Source Code  / Planning  / Upgrades 

• What does time-sensitive networking and real-time Ethernet data mean for the future of industrial systems?

  Avnu Alliance members explain how real-time communications enabled by Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) will strengthen the future of industrial systems by: Todd Walter, Ludwig Leurs, Anil Kumar, Paul Brooks, Bogdan Tenea, Paul Didier The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) brings the opportunity to create smart systems …Read More
  Dave Blaida, PE / Avnu Alliance  / Big Data  / Control Engineering  / Control Systems  / Data  / Ethernet  / IEEE  / IIoT  / IIoT Infrastructure  / Industrial Internet of Things  / Industrial Network Systems  / Industrial Systems  / Industrie 4.0  / Information Technology  / Internet Engineering Task Force  / Interoperable System  / Networking  / Operational Technology  / Manufacturing 

• Making the Transition to High Performance Graphics

  More accessible and easier to read, high performance graphics are quickly adopted by process manufacturers The human machine interface (HMI) graphic world came into being about 30 years ago with basic interfaces displayed in black and white. A year or two later, color graphic interfaces were introduced, starting a tren …Read More
  Dave Blaida, PE / Industrial Automation Engineering  / Manufacturing Operations Management  / Process Design  / Improvement  / PlantPAx 

• Develop safety through security

  Develop safety through security by: Lee Lane, Chief Product Security Officer, Rockwell Automation As organizations implement connected, information-enabled architectures to improve productivity, efficiency and safety that means industrial security cannot be too far behind. Whether it’s remote access to producti …Read More
  Dave Blaida, PE / Control Engineering  / Cybersecurity  / Internet of Things  / IT Infrastructure  / Machine safety  / Manufacturing Growth  / Operational Technology  / Plant Engineering  / Plant Safety 

• Business Results, not Technology, Drive Process Control System Migrations

  Business Results, not Technology, Drive Process Control System Migrations Process Control System (PCS)/Distributed Control System (DCS) platform migrations and production system improvements are aimed at satisfying business drivers and are justified by business case results. Most manufacturers cannot justify investmen …Read More
  Dave Blaida, PE / FEL  / Front-End Loading  / PCS/DCS Migration  / Process Control Automation  / Process Design  / Production System Migrations  / Upgrade  / Upgrades 

• Five Reasons for Hiring an Independent Control System Integrator

  Five Reasons for Hiring an Independent Control System Integrator As an independent control system integrator, Matrix Technologies has the ability — and the duty — to keep current on the best-in-class solutions for our clients’ industrial automation needs. By partnering with our clients and as engineering …Read More
  Dave Blaida, PE / Control System Upgrade  / Engineering Consulting Services  / Industrial Automation Engineering  / Automation Integration  / Improvement  / Management  / Integrations 

• Integrated Control System Streamlines Wastewater Treatment Facility

  Integrated Control System Streamlines Wastewater Treatment Facility Consolidating control over the many elements of an industrial wastewater treatment system can achieve operational efficiency and enable in-depth reporting. Here’s how Matrix Technologies helped a major food and beverage manufacturer upgrade the integ …Read More
  Dave Blaida, PE / Automation Solutions  / Food and Beverage Manufacturing  / Industrial Automation Engineering  / Industrial Process Design  / Integrated Control System  / System Integration  / Wastewater Treatment  / Improvement  / Planning  / ControlLogix  / Integrations  / Rockwell Automation  / Upgrades  / Wonderware 

• Why Your System Integrator Should Embrace a Quality System

  Why Your System Integrator Should Embrace a Quality System Quality is a top focus for industrial manufacturers, both small and large. One of the best ways to ensure a quality-driven manufacturing process is to work with system integrator companies who have demonstrated their own commitment to quality through ISO-9001 c …Read More
  Dave Blaida, PE / CSIA Certification  / Industrial Automation Engineering  / ISO-9001 Certification  / Quality Management System  / System Integration  / Quality