The apt Group, a leading extruder in the European aluminum industry, is modernizing its production sites, including its extrusion plant in Monheim, Germany, and sheet and profiles plant in Cheb, Czech Republic. “The modernization of the extrusion line P35.0 and the compressed air system marks another milestone in our efforts to make production processes more efficient…
Hydro plans to invest NOK 15 billion in the construction of a new wire rod casthouse at its aluminum smelter in Karmøy, Norway. This is the company’s largest investment in Norway in ten years. “This investment will expand the capacity of wire rod to supply our customers with low-carbon solutions needed to develop and expand…
Novelis introduced a new pilot material — an aluminum alloy coil made from 100% recycled end-of-life automotive aluminum scrap. The innovative material is suitable for car body outer skin applications, meeting the automotive industry’s strict requirements for surface quality and formability. “Automotive customers are constantly looking for ways to decarbonize their products while keeping them light, safe…
In today’s interconnected global manufacturing landscape, automation systems must navigate a complex web of international standards, regulatory requirements, and compliance frameworks. These standards serve multiple critical purposes: ensuring safety and reliability, enabling interoperability between systems from different vendors, facilitating international trade, and establishing baseline performance expectations. As automation technologies rapidly evolve to incorporate artificial intelligence,…
The industrial landscape is undergoing a profound transformation as artificial intelligence (AI) technologies converge with traditional Distributed Control Systems (DCS). This integration represents a significant evolution in process automation, moving beyond conventional control strategies toward truly intelligent, self-optimizing industrial systems. While DCS platforms have provided reliable process control for decades, their integration with AI technologies…
Cybersecurity Best Practices for Networked PLC and DCS Systems Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Distributed Control Systems (DCS) are the backbone of industrial automation, managing critical processes in industries like manufacturing, energy, and utilities. As these systems become increasingly networked and integrated with Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies, their exposure to cyber threats grows.…
The evolution of industrial automation has transformed maintenance practices from reactive approaches to more sophisticated predictive strategies. At the heart of this transformation are modern Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) with advanced diagnostic capabilities that enable maintenance teams to anticipate failures before they occur. Predictive maintenance leverages real-time data, historical patterns, and analytics to optimize maintenance…
How Industrial IoT is Transforming Traditional DCS Architecture The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is reshaping industries by driving connectivity, data-driven decision-making, and operational efficiency. One of the most significant transformations is occurring in Distributed Control Systems (DCS), the backbone of industrial automation in sectors like oil and gas, manufacturing, and utilities. Traditional DCS architectures,…
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) form the backbone of industrial automation systems worldwide. However, many facilities continue to operate with legacy PLC systems that have been in service for 15-20 years or more. While these systems may still function, they increasingly pose challenges related to maintenance, spare parts availability, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and compatibility with modern technologies.…
In the realm of industrial automation, two control system architectures have dominated the landscape for decades: Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. While both serve the fundamental purpose of monitoring and controlling industrial processes, they differ significantly in design philosophy, application scope, and implementation approach. Understanding these differences is…