Control System Assessments Why do an Assessment In many cases the assessment is performed for strategic reasons.  While it does not solve any problems or make any improvements, it does provide valuable information about the control systems within a facility or...

Writing a Good RFQ Understand your requirements The first thing is to understand your requirements.  Now this does not mean you have to perform the design or have all the detail.  But if your request is clearly laid-out, the systems integrator does not need to include...

A Smorgasbord of Safety Topics In anticipation of June being National Safety month, this month’s newsletter will consist of a variety of safety topics related the field of industrial control and electricity. If you need to reduce the safety risks at your facility, you...

In our March 2014 issue of UnderControl, the discussion focused on when it made sense to upgrade industrial control systems. The reasons to upgrade include obsolescence, expensive/unavailable spares, requirements to standardize on a control platform, and the...

Do you experience multiple or lengthy equipment downtime events when your industrial control systems fail?   Maybe you have seemingly simple issues that keep your machinery down for days.  Or you have the same issue over and over again without final resolution.  If...

June is National Safety Month. It is observed every year and focuses on reducing the leading causes of injury and death at work, and in our non-work lives (on the roads, in our homes and communities). In conjunction with June being National Safety month, this...

Doing More with Less in 2016 This month’s article provides some food for thought on how to do more with less. We hear all the time about manufacturers having a difficult time finding workers to fill open positions.  There is either a lack of workers seeking employment...

Controls Design Considerations for Compliance with NFPA 70E Worker safety is of most importance.  And in this competitive manufacturing world, operational efficiency may be the second most important priority. Compliance with NFPA 70E (The Standard for Electrical...

Savings Ideas for Compressed Air This month’s feature article will provide some food for thought on how to save money on your compressed-air operations.  Of all your machinery, your air compressors are likely to be one of the most costly to operate.  A 75 HP...