Industrial Automation Engineering

• DMAIC Improves Process for Energy and Utilities Use

  DMAIC Process Improvement DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, control) has been a staple of Six Sigma process improvement in the American industrial culture for decades. DMAIC has been used to help companies improve their products and processes within their facilities and within their business structures. Whether an organization needs to improve the quality of a […]

  Read MoreDoug Medley, PE / Energy Efficiency / Industrial Automation Engineering / Manufacturing Operations Management / Multidiscipline Engineering / Process Design / Sustainability / Manufacturing /

• Ability vs. Availability: Outsourcing Engineering

  Ability vs. Availability: Outsourcing Engineering A common thread that runs through the requests we receive from our clients is, “We would do this project ourselves, but we’re slammed with other work.” Of course, that “other work” is doing the day-to-day tasks necessary to get product out of the door. As a lot of us at […]

  Read MoreDanny Henderson, PMP / Automation Engineering / Construction Management / Industrial Automation Engineering / Manufacturing Process Control / Outsourcing / Project Management / Schedule /

• Remote Monitoring Devices Collect Data for Safety Monitoring and Notifications

  Remote Monitoring Devices Collect Data for Safety Monitoring and Notifications Monitoring devices are everywhere in manufacturing. There are devices for process monitoring, production monitoring, safety monitoring, environmental monitoring, and the list goes on and on. The latest technologies offer easy-to-connect devices, referred to as “things,” which make up the industrial internet of things (IIoT). Some […]

  Read MoreJohn Lee / Application Programming Interface / Industrial Automation Engineering / Industrial Internet of Things / Manufacturing Operations Management / Manufacturing Process Control / Monitoring Applications / ProRAE Guardian / Software Development Kit / SQL Server Express / Improvement / Data Management /

• Building a Business Case

  Building a Business Case Ryan Courtney, MEM, PMP, Project Manager 2 discusses Building a Business Case. How to achieve that go/no-go decision and avoid killing a project before it begins. Topics discussed in this video include; determining the business needs, situational analysis, recommendations, and an evaluation. These steps will help ensure that you have performed […]

  Read MoreRyan Courtney, MEM, PMP / Engineering / Feasibility / Improvement / Industrial Automation Engineering / Manufacturing Operations Management / Matrix Moment / Planning / Process Design /

• Make Informed Decisions with Manufacturing Intelligence

  Make Informed Decisions with Manufacturing Intelligence Data driven decisions are critical in today’s manufacturing operations. Decisions on the plant floor affect lean manufacturing and performance, operations, maintenance, safety and many more factors. Having the right information at the right time enables better decisions for smart manufacturing. In the era of Big Data and connected enterprises, […]

  Read MoreJohn Lee / Digital Transformation / Industrial Automation Engineering / Manufacturing Intelligence / Manufacturing Operations Management / Manufacturing Process Data Management / Smart Manufacturing / Management / Data Management /

• Testing Throughout an Automation Integration Project is Key to Success

  Testing Throughout an Automation Integration Project is Key to Success For any size automation integration project, testing is vital to a success. Planning for testing in the design phase and developing your code to allow for proper testing will lead to well-executed factory and site acceptance tests, as well as successful startups. This article will […]

  Read MoreBill Warnke / FAT / HMI Programming / Industrial Automation Engineering / Manufacturing Operations Management / Manufacturing Process Control / Programmable Logic Controller / Site Acceptance Testing / Planning / Integrations /

• Digitizing Field Data Collection Provides Instant Access to Information

  Digitizing Field Data Collection Provides Instant Access to Information Paper records present a challenge to manufacturers, especially when performing maintenance checks and rounds. Filing paperwork or performing data entry when some notes are illegible, the pen ran dry or the paper got weathered just makes things difficult and sometimes inaccurate. Using a digital device with […]

  Read MoreJohn Lee / Data Analysis / Data Collection / Industrial Automation Engineering / Information Technology / Maintenance / Manufacturing Operations Management / Mobile Data Logging / Operations Technology / SQL Server Express / Improvement / Microsoft /

• Managing a Decaying Industrial Utility System

  Managing a Decaying Industrial Utility System Manufacturing, refining and specialty chemical facilities across North America are facing utility infrastructure challenges. Large campus sites and facilities have utility networks that are comparable to small municipalities, complete with sewer, water distribution, power, communications, natural gas and water/wastewater treatment systems. On top of the basic utilities, most manufacturers […]

  Read MoreTodd Green, PE, SI, CFPS / Chemical Plant / EPC / Industrial Automation Engineering / Manufacturing Operations Management / Planning / Process Design / Utility System Design / Renovation / Manufacturing /

• Process Management and Improvement Rely on Analytical Decision Support

  Parsec-Certified Partner Matrix Technologies Helps Chemical Client Analyze Data and Improve OEE For many manufacturers, it is difficult to identify causes of low performance and lost capacity without a good and consistent overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) performance tracking solution. Many variables can contribute to unreported downtime or misinformation on blocked and starved conditions. Add in […]

  Read MoreJohn Lee / Digital Transformation / Industrial Automation Engineering / Manufacturing Execution / Manufacturing Process Control / Smart Manufacturing / Data Management / Parsec / TrakSYS /

• Pandemic Necessitates Virtual Risk Assessment

  Matrix Technologies provides machine safety risk assessment and training from a safe distance Risk assessments are key to identifying safety hazards revolving around equipment, operations and the production environment. During times of physical separation, such as those required during the COVID-19 outbreak, risk assessments may still be required to mitigate risks to essential workers. In […]

  Read MoreMackenzie Coughlan, MBA / Carl Bohman, PE / COVID-19 / Essential Workers / Industrial Automation Engineering / Machine safety / Manufacturing Engineering Consultants / Manufacturing Operations Management / Manufacturing Process Control / Risk Assessment / Safety / Improvement / Safety /