PC Based Process Control

I was cleaning up over the holidays and came across a couple articles that I had saved from earlier in 2009. I’m sure you’ll find them interesting. Both articles describe how people are taking PC based automation to the next level to reduce cost and integration time.

The first article, PC–Based Controls Help Freeze Escalating Energy Costs, from ControlGlobal.com (May 13, 2009) explains how a company used PC’s to standardize control in multiple plants. Not only were they able to standardize, but the power of the PC allowed them to drive cost out of the process by using highly advanced control algorithms. Implementing the algorithms with PLC’s might have been possible, but the solution “would have been unwieldy and impractical”. Using the PC allowed them to model the process in real time to design the most efficient algorithm. In addition to better algorithms, PC control made is very simple to communicate with the rest of the plant and even between plants.

The second article, USB Flexes Its Industrial Strength from Electronic Design (May 23, 2009), describes the multiple advantages of USB in PC based automation. It explains that although the overall speed of USB 2.0 is slower than that of Gigabit Ethernet, USB continues to be a great choice because of it modularity and the lack of need for Gigabit speeds. An important point that the article misses is that USB can be implemented in such a way as to have a guaranteed maximum latency (as is done in the Expert I/O 1000), whereas Ethernet depends on the number of devices attached to the node. The article goes on to explain that USB speed is soon to surpass Gigabit Ethernet. The new USB 3.0 specification increases the bandwidth to 5 Gigabits/second.

Make no mistake, PC based automation is alive and well and continues make gains into process and control applications where PLC’s once easily dominated.

Tied In Knots USB Extension Guide

TIED IN KNOTS — A Must-Have Guide to Untangling USB Extension Options for PC Based Automation

Stop your USB devices from being shackled to a PC like the pretty boy on a chain gang (he can’t wait to get free!). By downloading this guide you’ll instantly grow your USB toolbox to include multiple methods of extending USB connections and put yourself head and shoulders above the competition.

We made the trip to Chicago (Rosemont) last week to visit the Design & Manufacturing Midwest show. I did my due diligence the night before and printed directions and maps which looked fairly straight forward. Up I-65 to I-94 to I-294 and exit on River Rd. right at the convention center.

Unfortunately, I was distracted with the frequent toll stops and road construction. When I started seeing signs for Milwaukee, I began to worry. Luckily, we only overshot River Rd. by about 7 miles, but we paid for that little mistake. It took 15 minutes studying Google Maps on my smartphone to figure out how to get onto River Rd. when traveling South on the I-294. That I-294/I-90/I-190 intersection is a real mess (think spaghetti). We had to go past the River Rd. exit that we should have taken when heading North and take the following exit. From there, we used side streets to get back to River Rd.

I do have a GPS and it was even in the car, however I tend to not use it much. I find that it usually gets me there, but when I arrive, I’ve lost all sense of direction and location. Therefore, I almost always stick to good old fashioned maps. In this case, that cost me.

The show was good, with lots of interesting things to see. It was collocated with Assembly Technology Expo, Electronics Midwest, Quality Expo, Green Manufacturing Expo and MD&M Midwest. There were no less than 3 conference halls filled end to end with exhibitors.

I came away with 2 significant observations.

• PC’s continue to drive deeper into manufacturing processes.
• When a PC is present, USB can make acquisition and control simple.

At last year’s show, I talked to multiple people that used these technologies, but didn’t see any of them in action. This year, I saw 3 exhibits where a PC and/or USB was in use. I also talked to the representatives from Axiomtek who were selling industrial computers for use in automation.

The battle between PLC’s and PC’s is far from over, but there is no doubt that there is a place in automation for PC’s. Operators are familiar with PC’s, engineers are familiar with PC’s and PC’s have essentially unlimited processing power. All these factors will continue to drive the adoption of PC based automation.

It’s a Microsoft world, from barcode scanners to PC’s to ERP systems. There is no way to escape the influence of PC’s.

Understand Your Options

Stop Your USB Devices From Being Shackled to a PC Like the Pretty Boy on a Chain Gang (He Can't Wait to Get Free!)

Most people believe USB connections are constrained to 5 meters from the PC. In PC based automation projects they toil with PC and device placement.

It's never been easier to free yourself from this restriction.

Instantly Free Yourself from USB Connection Hell!

Tied In Knots USB Extension Guide

By downloading this free guide you'll instantly grow your USB toolbox to include multiple methods of extending USB connections and put yourself head and shoulders above the competition.

It took over two weeks to research and compile this guide. The methods described include wired and wireless solutions: wired hubs, active cables, CAT5, Ethernet, WiFi (802.11g), wireless USB (WUSB), fiber optics and more. In addition to stretching USB connections, many of these solutions also provide electrical isolation. Every method is picked apart, analyzed and compared. You'll learn the pros and cons of each.

You Won't Find a More Power Packed Comparison of USB Extension Options

In addition to the guide, you also get a cheat sheet that compresses the 5 page guide into a single, easy to use, reference. Quickly see and easily choose the solution that fits your needs the best.

USB Extension Cheat Sheet

Not only do you get the guide and cheat sheet, but you'll also learn where to find a web page with links to every option mentioned in the Guide. This will no doubt save you time when trying to locate these extension devices.

How do I Get It?

Getting your hands on this information is simple, fast and free. All you have to do is complete the form below and you will instantly receive the guide and cheat sheet via email.

I guarantee you will be surprised by the number of options.

Don't wait, get started untangling your USB connections now!

We will NEVER spam you or sell your email address to anyone.