Automation & Controls Finalists

Be sure to check out the other 2022 IDEA Awards category finalists.

AV/AES Valve System With Integrated OPC UA

Emerson’s AVENTICS Series Advanced Valve system with Advanced Electronic System (AES) Profinet and Ethernet/IP is available with preinstalled OPC UA functionality. The AES helps users solve interoperability challenges and access data more easily, while the integration of the digital twin can improve productivity and efficiency. OPC UA functionality also expands the connected capabilities of the valve system itself, making it easier for users in industries such as automotive, food and beverage, packaging, pulp and paper industries to digitally transform.

Emerson

CAPAROC electronic circuit breaker system

The CAPAROC electronic circuit breaker system uses data-driven power modules to customize overcurrent protection. With numerous feed-in power modules, circuit breakers, potential distribution modules and current rails, CAPAROC makes it easy to design an intelligent system with communication. The power feed-in module, available in status reset or PROFINET versions, is the “brain” of the system. The status reset uses standard digital input/output to communicate breaker status and to reset tripped channels. The PROFINET power module allows control and monitoring of the breakers.

Phoenix Contact

Compact Controller 100

WAGO's Compact Controller 100 is a combination small-scale PLC and remote I/O, perfect for smaller applications. Programming uses Codesys 3.5 and users can interface with industrial devices using protocols such as MODBUS TCP, EtherNet/IP or EtherCat. Along with a powerful processor and MicroSD card slot, the CC100 has additional communication ports including a serial port for connection with numerous devices such as bar code readers and automatic scales.

WAGO Corporation

Condition Monitoring Toolkit

The Balluff Condition Monitoring Toolkit (CMTK) contains everything needed to monitor the condition of processes and machines, including data acquisition and visualization. It provides an easy-to-implement solution for adding condition monitoring to existing machines and processes. With the CMTK, manufacturers can gain deeper insights into the condition of their machines and systems and detect problems earlier. Each system includes hardware and software and supports up to four IO-Link sensors to measure factors like temperature, vibration, humidity and pressure.

Balluff

EcoStruxure Automation Expert

The EcoStruxure Automation Expertis an innovative universal automation platform delivering a new approach to building and designing industrial automation systems by breaking down communications barriers that impede innovation. Users can now design an automation control system by connecting a digital representation of an asset to real-time control. These digital replicas enable testing and adjustments to be conducted online, leading to a significant reduction in conditioning time and cost, allowing for changes to be implemented faster, unlike traditional process control systems.

Schneider Electric

GRID32

Grid Connect has developed a universal translator that OEMs can embed in legacy devices like an actuator to enable serial devices to communicate via protocols like EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, PROFINET, BACnet/IP and others. OEMs also gain the capability to push data from plant floor and field devices to analytical and business applications via OPC UA and MQTT. With the module, a device can also communicate via protocols for cloud applications. The OEM can analyze data about the device from beyond a factory’s walls.

Grid Connect, Inc.

Remote Access Solution

A new remote access solution packages what OEMs need to remotely access and support equipment. It includes FactoryTalk Remote Access cloud-based software, which allows OEMs to manage, configure and initiate secure connections to a customer’s equipment, and a Stratix 4300 remote access router installed on site. A digital input gives on-site staff control of connections, so they’re only made when enabled locally. To ease deployment, the solution requires no changes to an existing architecture so long as an Ethernet port is available.

Rockwell Automation

Sitara AM62 processors

Helping to expand edge artificial intelligence processing into next-generation applications, Sitara AM62 processors from Texas Instruments enables engineers to meet form-factor requirements and deploy smart designs anywhere. The low-power design enables support for dual-screen displays and small-size HMI applications.

AM62 processors bring analytics to edge devices at low power, including suspend states as low as 7 mW and no need to design for thermal considerations, which can give engineers flexibility to deploy these capabilities in size-constrained applications or industrial environments.

Texas Instruments

WIN-911 2021

The WIN-911 2021 remote alarm notification software update relies on extensive input from both end-users and technology partners to provide improved features and benefits, including reduced installation time, reduced configuration time and simplified navigation. Streamlining industry-leading capabilities into a simple workspace reduces system resources by up to 50%, providing faster performance and increased productivity. WIN-911 2021 directly connects with top SCADA systems and results in fast, seamless integration to securely interact with equipment and process alarms.

WIN-911