Charlie Norz is product manager, automation, at Wago.
Don Pham is senior product marketing manager at Idec.
Matt Hankinson, Ph.D., is global market segment leader, MTS Systems, sensors division.
What are three key things that a machine builder, system integrator or manufacturer should know about your organization?
Don Pham, senior product marketing manager, Idec: Idec focuses on safe, simple and smart solutions for our customers. These fundamental needs apply to OEMs building machines, systems integrators designing production line automation and manufacturing end users. Idec has created a comprehensive portfolio of wiring devices, sensors, power supplies, PLCs and HMIs, and much more, with attention to the details so every type of end user can do their work easier and keep their systems running productively.
What new technologies are driving product development and why?
How does the Industrial Internet of Things figure into business strategy?
Charlie Norz, product manager, automation, Wago: IIoT is driving many of our technologies. We are seeing end users take advantage of all the things the near-real-time cloud has to offer. We are introducing new edge devices to expand our control platform, and that can be used to carry out algorithms that run in real time, eliminating latency for plant-floor operations. Edge also aggregates data to be sent to cloud. These Linux- based devices can be used to run Docker Containers so that users can select the application they need for their specific system.
Idec products like PLCs, HMIs and other intelligent devices such as RFID readers include built-in IIoT connectivity and communication capabilities to help users easily take advantage of IIoT features.
One example is Idec mobile apps, which work in conjunction with many types of our products. These apps are often the easiest way for users to configure and monitor their devices. Another example is that we have incorporated the MQTT protocol into our popular MicroSmart FC6A Plus PLC as a free upgrade, so end users can easily add IIoT connectivity to new designs or existing systems.
Matt Hankinson, Ph.D., global market segment leader, MTS Systems, sensors division: As a sensor manufacturer, we see our role in the Industrial Internet of Things as one who provides actionable information with our sensor to be used for machine health monitoring and preventive maintenance. We have incorporated this technology into our latest generation of linear position sensors. The key is determining what types of information to provide and then providing multiple ways to access the information.
How will machine automation and controls alter the way companies staff their operations in the future?
How is the development of software solutions impacting requirements for hardware?
As engineering and IT continue their convergence, which one is and/or will be leading the direction of future automation and technology?
Don Pham, senior product marketing manager, Idec: Idec will always ensure first and foremost that safety and reliability are preserved and enhanced in the operational technology (OT) devices and products we develop. That being said, there continues to be a great end-user demand for convenience features via IT-based communications and connectivity, so we will constantly be looking for ways to incorporate secure and easy-to-use IT tech where possible.
Looking into the future, how will technology change your organization or other organizations over the next five years?