Rockwell Automation (United Kingdom)

Quality Function Deployment (QFD) has been perceived in Europe as a complex technique, and its implementation relies upon specialists and consultants who utilise it from their viewpoint. This becomes very time–consuming and error–prone, and has hindered its use in real product design decision making. The objective of this research is to simplify and rationalise application of QFD utilising fuzzy logic principles and common sense, gained from the participants' professional experience. In addition, the authors recommend a way to implement this technique using a PC spreadsheet or database software so that QFD will be available to industry as a user–friendly tool which can be applied to vital decision making during the product development stage, taking the technique from the papers and putting it into practice.

Purpose Wireless technology continues to evolve for the industrial market; however, there are several issues and challenges that must be addressed to ensure successful implementation. This paper discusses the development of wireless technology and standards and those that are currently applicable to industrial applications. Key considerations for successful implementation of industrial wireless Ethernet are presented, along with potential applications. Design/methodology/approach An overview of wireless applications is given. Wireless technology development is discussed, along with pertinent characteristics. The use standard Ethernet with automation protocols and their use with wireless is examined. Topics to consider when implementing wireless Ethernet in industrial applications are illustrated. Findings There are numerous diverse potential application areas for wireless, these include sensing, information, control and safety‐based applications with advantages derived from mobility, cable replacement and tracking opportunities. Each has differing characteristics. Considerations such as information or control use, and the challenges of interference, coverage, compatibility, safety, security and cost need be addressed to ensure a successful implementation. Use of commercial‐off‐the‐shelf (COTS) wireless components with standard unmodified Ethernet and automation protocols is advantageous to maximise the developments taking place in the wider Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) market. Practical implications It is important to understand where wireless is appropriate and where it is not. Currently, most applications are information related, however, limited control and safety‐related use is possible today with potential future growth. A fully wireless factory is not feasible yet, since there is still a requirement to provide significant power to many devices. Technology developments in wireless and associated technologies will broaden the scope of wireless utilisation in the future. Originality/value The development of wireless technology and standards, in particular, those applicable to industrial applications are reviewed. The factors influencing wireless implementation in industrial environments are presented to assist in successful implementation. The opportunity to use the combination of an automation protocol, unmodified Ethernet and COTS wireless provides potential cost benefits, flexibility, and innovative solutions, whilst providing performance and cost advantages found in the overall WLAN market.

Purpose Ethernet continues to evolve as a viable fieldbus technology for industrial automation. This paper seeks to discuss the development of the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) for Ethernet and standards with particular reference to time synchronisation, real time motion control and safety. Design/methodology/approach The CIP is introduced, with an overview of four network adaptations: CompoNet, DeviceNet, ControlNet, and EtherNet/IP. Developments in the EtherNet/IP implementation are discussed, along with key features. These include CIP Safety to meet the requirements for safety‐related control, CIP Sync for time synchronisation across CIP networks and CIP motion for real‐time closed loop motion control. Findings Standard, unmodified Ethernet will support time synchronisation, real time motion control and safety‐related applications with the CIP adaptation EtherNet/IP. The CIP enables complete integration of control with information, multiple CIP networks and internet technologies. CIP provides seamless communication from the plant floor throughout the enterprise, with a scalable and coherent architecture, incorporating functionality, such as safety, time synchronisation and motion control, hitherto only available with specialised or incompatible networks. Practical implications The implementations of CIP Sync, CIP Motion and CIP Safety and the corresponding standards provide functionality and flexibility not available from disparate specialist networks. The ability to fully integrate internet technologies and safety, synchronisation, motion and safety together is a distinguishing feature. Industrial Ethernet technologies vary in the ability to integrate to the same level of functionality and offer similar flexibility. Originality/value The development of CIP technology and the use of open standards are described. The opportunity to use the combination of an established automation protocol and standard, unmodified Ethernet provides potential cost benefits, flexibility, and innovative solutions, whilst providing integration, performance and cost advantages.

Recent developments in metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) growth of the infrared detector material Hg<SUB>1-x</SUB>Cd<SUB>x</SUB>Te can be subdivided into three main areas: reaction kinetics, in situ monitoring of growth and doping. The growth regime for most laboratories is kinetic/catalytic, and a good understanding of these growth mechanisms is essential for adequate control of growth rate and composition. In situ monitoring using laser reflectance can measure growth rate and composition and can be sensitive to morphology throughout a multilayer structure. This new information on the kinetic processes is a powerful diagnostic tool for the crystal grower. Doping the epitaxial layers with low volatility organometallics, or in the case of As using the diluted hydride, has been demonstrated by a number of laboratories, but problems with memory doping from indium and incorporation/activation efficiencies for arsenic will be resolved by understanding the surface chemistry. Arsenic implanted double layer heterostructure diode results show comparable 80 K R<SUB>O</SUB>A values to LPE p/n diodes.

Purpose Recently there has been considerable technological change in the way in which safety‐related control may be engineered. A series of standards based upon IEC 61508 are under development. This paper discusses these changes and highlights their relevancy to machine safety. Design/methodology/approach An overview of technological change is given; from safety relays, to programmable safety controllers, safety‐related networks and the trend to combine safety and control functions in controllers and networks. Topics to consider when choosing between technologies are put forward, followed by a review of standards that incorporate functional safety. Findings The development of safety‐related standards, such as IEC 61508 provides general guidance on the design of safety‐related systems across a wide range of industries, with specific machinery implementation of the same principles in IEC 62061. There is overlap between IEC 62061 and ISO 13849‐1. The same functional safety principles are also implemented in IEC 61800‐5‐2 for adjustable power drive systems. IEC 61784‐3 embodies the functional safety concept in specific network technologies. Significant opportunities arise from the combination of technology and standards development to facilitate design, engineering and cost improvements. Practical implications Confusion is apparent in the application of emerging safety standards, coupled with dramatic changes in the approach to safety engineering. Areas of overlap between developing standards are highlighted, along with draft amendments intended to reduce potential conflict and perplexity. Incorporating functional safety into automation and industrial networking technologies enables engineers to produce innovative solutions that can lead to further improvements in machine safety, functionality, productivity and afford design, commissioning and maintenance benefits. Similar benefits are unlikely to be achievable with traditional safety technologies. Originality/value Areas of overlap between developing standards are highlighted, with amendments intended to reduce confusion in the intended audience. This pa per se eks to raise awareness in the methods and benefits of incorporating functional safety into automation and industrial networking technologies.

The term ‘systematic capability’ has been introduced in Edition 2 of IEC 61508. This article will explain what is meant by systematic capability and give some guidance on its use.

This paper examines whether a PC could replicate the control functions of a programmable logic controller. The author reviews the issues behind this big debate in the industrial control arena.

Research into the specification management in complex project raises a number of issues for practitioners and researchers. These include joint-development of specifications, specification expertise and resources, documentation, effective communications and change control. These issues are related to the specification process and the features of complex projects. The idea of complex projects are discussed from organizational, technological, industrial and institutional perspectives. An analytic framework was then developed and used in an in-depth case study. Twelve projects were surveyed using modified analytic induction. Findings indicate that a supplying company's relationships with their customers and other co-working companies vary from make-to-concept to make-to-print. Management approaches to the specification process contribute to the varying project performance. The key to successful specification management is to build project capability to enable the dynamical process of validating customers' requirements and suppliers solutions.

Variable Frequency Drives - being the muscles of an industrial operation - store, process and transmit critical data. In this age of increased connectivity and Industry 4.0, various embedded devices that build up the operational technology network are getting connected to the enterprise network. As the proverbial air-gap has nearly evaporated, the industry needs more than disciplined network segmentation to keep the factories protected against cyber-attacks. A malicious attacker could potentially exploit flaws in an unsecure device in the infrastructure and compromise the system, and in effect impact the operations and even compromise the functional safety of the system.This paper explores the how and what of building secure variable frequency drives and in extension best practices for developing secure components, that enables us to ensure an attack resilient manufacturing ecosystem. We delve into factors to consider for building a sustainable and successfully repeatable program including developing security requirements for the devices, implementing and validating these into device in compliance to industry recognized 62443-4-1 [3] and 4-2 [4] standards.

Ethernet&amp;rsquo;s worldwide acceptance in commercial environments has created an eagerness to expand its responsibilities on the plant floor. The network&amp;rsquo;s performance capabilities make it ideal for tasks such as data monitoring, trending, and program maintenance. However, many predict that recent technological advancements in Ethernet, including Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet and switch technology, will also enable it to handle missioncritical control responsibilities currently being managed by existing industrial automation networks. Meanwhile, others contend that Ethernet has a long way to go before it can assume an expanded role in the manufacturing environment.This article provides an overview of Ethernet, describes how Ethernet networks are implemented in manufacturing today, and discusses a number of practical and important considerations regarding their implementation in the future.

With the increased need for fully connected and flexible systems, SMEs are now proactively looking to technology to optimise production processes

Purpose This paper aims to propose a model for the provision of EtherNet/IP device‐specific function blocks by discrete industry device vendors and to outline how multi‐vendor network environments can benefit from the use of function block programming to encapsulate code for configuring communication, diagnostics and visualisation tools. Design/methodology/approach The approach makes use of function blocks to facilitate simpler use of the EtherNet/IP protocol. The EtherNet/IP messaging mechanisms are described, along with the methodology for configuring communication for both time‐critical and non‐time‐critical messaging, including device‐specific status and diagnostic data. The same approach is utilised for communication to visualisation systems. Findings Validation of the model was found to make data transfer between controller and device easier and faster, owing to a reduction in the number of operations a programmer was required to implement. Implementation time was found to be just 6.25 per cent of that needed to achieve the same functionality without the use of function blocks. Practical implications The use of function blocks to describe EtherNet/IP communication was tested with a commercial product in an application environment, and subsequently adopted by multiple vendors. A reduction in technical support was noted owing to the use of identical interfaces for multiple device instances. With complete device functionality described and readily available to the end‐user, greater device functionality is utilised and more often may otherwise not have been implemented for time, cost, or complexity reasons. Originality/value In the discrete industry, it is uncommon for device vendors to provide device‐specific function blocks describing network communication interfaces and functionality, since they reside in the controller, not the device. This research presents a novel method that provides a consistent, yet flexible approach for the configuration of EtherNet/IP communication for differing devices from multiple vendors within a controller.