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Automation Insights

Technical articles, tutorials, and industry news for modern automation engineers.

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Inside PcVue 17: Reshaping SCADA Energy Optimization and Cybersecurity

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    A["PcVue 17 SCADA"]:::blueNode --> B["EmVue Module"]:::greenNode
    A --> C["IEC 62443 Certification"]:::redNode
    B --> D["Energy Optimization"]:::greenNode
    C --> E["Cyber Resilience"]:::redNode

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Inside PcVue 17: Reshaping SCADA Energy Optimization and Cybersecurity

Key Takeaways: The July 2026 release of PcVue 17 by ARC Informatique introduces the fully integrated EmVue module for AI-driven energy optimization. Dual certification to IEC 62443-4-1 and IEC 62443-4-2 standards provides an unprecedented level of cybersecurity for critical infrastructure. New cryptographic protection mechanisms mandate a structured migration path for legacy PcVue projects. The Drive […]

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Integrating AutomationView for Headless PLC Simulation via Docker

AutomationView 
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    A[Git Push] --> B[CI/CD Pipeline]
    B --> C[Docker: AutomationView]
    C --> D[Headless PLC Simulation]
    D --> E[Test Report]
    style C fill:#0f4c81,stroke:#fff,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff
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Integrating AutomationView for Headless PLC Simulation via Docker

Key Takeaways: Running AutomationView in a headless Docker container removes hardware dependencies for CI/CD testing. Headless PLC simulation accelerates regression testing by spinning up isolated virtual runtimes. Integrating Python-based `pytest` scripts with containerized OPC UA endpoints ensures deterministic validation. The Shift Toward Virtualized Control Logic Testing Validating complex Sequential Function Charts (SFCs) on physical hardware […]

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Servo Motor Inertia Matching Calculator for Motion Control

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    A["Load Inertia (J_load)"]:::blue --> C{"Inertia Matching Calculator"}:::green
    B["Motor Inertia (J_motor)"]:::blue --> C
    C --> D["Ratio (J_load / J_motor)"]:::red
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    classDef green fill:#16a34a,color:#ffffff,stroke-width:0px;
    classDef red fill:#dc2626,color:#ffffff,stroke-width:0px;
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Servo Motor Inertia Matching Calculator for Motion Control

When engineering high-speed motion control systems, one of the most frequent causes of instability and tuning headaches on the plant floor isn’t the PID loop—it’s the mechanical inertia mismatch. A Servo Motor Inertia Matching Calculator allows engineers to quickly determine if a chosen motor can actually control a specific load dynamically, preventing costly hardware redesigns […]

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How IEC 63303 Redefines State-Based HMI Display Strategies

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    A["IEC 63303"]:::blue --> B["HMI Philosophy"]:::green
    B --> C["4-Level Hierarchy"]:::blue
    C --> D["State-Based Displays"]:::green
    D --> E["Faster Response"]:::red
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How IEC 63303 Redefines State-Based HMI Display Strategies

When an operator stares at 400+ process variables during an abnormal event, response time depends entirely on how the HMI presents information. IEC 63303:2024, published by IEC Technical Committee 65 in August 2024, provides the first international normative framework for IEC 63303 HMI design in process automation. It builds upon the established ANSI/ISA-101.01-2015 methodology while […]

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Inside NAMUR Open Architecture: Unlocking Field Data with a Second Channel

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  A["Field Devices"]:::blue --> B["Second Channel"]:::green
  B --> C["NOA Gateway"]:::red
  C --> D["M+O Domain"]:::blue
  style A fill:#2563eb,color:#ffffff
  style B fill:#16a34a,color:#ffffff
  style C fill:#dc2626,color:#ffffff
  style D fill:#2563eb,color:#ffffff
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Inside NAMUR Open Architecture: Unlocking Field Data with a Second Channel

Process plants generate vast amounts of diagnostic and secondary process data at the field level. Most of this data never leaves the instrument. HART-enabled devices, for example, transmit up to 35 additional variables beyond the primary process value, yet legacy DCS architectures typically ignore them. NAMUR Open Architecture (NOA) provides a standardized method to access […]

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Why Manufacturers Face MES Scaling Challenges in 2026

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    erp["ERP System"]:::blue -->|Production Orders| mes["MES Platform"]:::green
    plm["PLM System"]:::blue -->|BOM & Recipes| mes
    mes -->|Real-Time Execution| ot["OT Systems (PLC/SCADA)"]:::red
    ot -.->|Production Data| mes
    
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Why Manufacturers Face MES Scaling Challenges in 2026

While 93% of manufacturers have adopted Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) to optimize their production floors, a staggering 72% still encounter severe MES scaling challenges when attempting to deploy these systems enterprise-wide. The primary roadblock isn’t the software itself, but rather the immense complexity of bridging the gap between high-level IT (ERP and PLM) and the […]

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How to Automate PLC Documentation Generation from AutomationView SFCs

AutomationView 
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    A["AutomationView SFC"]:::blue --> B["Python Extraction Engine"]:::green
    B --> C["Automated Documentation"]:::red
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    classDef green fill:#16a34a,stroke:#fff,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff
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How to Automate PLC Documentation Generation from AutomationView SFCs

Key Takeaways: Manual PLC documentation generation is prone to errors and quickly becomes out-of-sync with production code. AutomationView allows engineers to auto-generate comprehensive specs directly from SFC (Sequential Function Chart) and Grafcet logic. Integrating Python-based extraction tools ensures a single source of truth for both code and technical documentation. The Challenge of Keeping PLC Specs […]

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Hydraulic Cylinder Calculator: Force & Speed Sizing

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    pump["Hydraulic Pump"]:::blue -->|Flow Q & Pressure P| cyl["Hydraulic Cylinder"]:::green
    cyl -->|Force F| load["Industrial Load"]:::red

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Hydraulic Cylinder Calculator: Force & Speed Sizing

Key Takeaways: Accurate hydraulic sizing requires understanding both the full bore area (extension) and the annular area (retraction). Theoretical force output must be derated by approximately 10% to account for real-world seal drag and mechanical friction. Fluid velocity determines cylinder speed; neglecting pressure drops across valves can lead to slower-than-expected cycle times. Sizing fluid power […]

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Next-Gen WebAssembly HMI: Native Performance for SCADA

HMI 
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    A["Legacy SCADA"]:::redNode -->|"Compute Constraints"| B["WebAssembly HMI"]:::blueNode
    B -->|"Native Speed"| C["Edge Gateways"]:::greenNode
    B -->|"Portability"| D["Browser Displays"]:::greenNode
    
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Next-Gen WebAssembly HMI: Native Performance for SCADA

Key Takeaways: WebAssembly bypasses standard JavaScript interpreters, delivering highly deterministic execution for compute-intensive industrial interfaces. Hybrid approaches are dominating: standard web technologies handle the DOM layout while WebAssembly processes real-time math and heavy signal rendering. Portability allows automation engineers to write core logic in memory-safe languages and deploy identical binaries to edge gateways and control […]

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Inside OPC UA over TSN: High-Speed Network Architecture

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    A[OPC UA Application Layer] --> B(Semantic Data Model)
    C[TSN Layer 2] --> D(Deterministic Transport)
    B --> E{OPC UA over TSN}
    D --> E
    E --> F[IT/OT Convergence]
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Inside OPC UA over TSN: High-Speed Network Architecture

Key Takeaways: OPC UA over TSN merges semantic interoperability with deterministic Layer 2 data delivery. IEEE 802.1Qbv time-aware shaping guarantees bandwidth for critical motion control traffic. This architecture eliminates the need for proprietary fieldbus gateways, reducing hardware overhead. Historically, achieving microsecond-level synchronization on the plant floor required proprietary protocols like EtherCAT or PROFINET IRT. Today, […]

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Inside Comau Invent Smart Acquisition: Intralogistics AI

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A["Comau Robotics"]:::primary --> C["Integrated Intralogistics Platform"]:::primary
B["Invent Smart AI"]:::secondary --> C
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Inside Comau Invent Smart Acquisition: Intralogistics AI

The distinction between warehouse automation and manufacturing robotics is officially disappearing. In July 2026, Comau completed its acquisition of Invent Smart Intralogistics Solutions, a strategic move that brings powerful software orchestration directly into the hardware-heavy world of industrial robotics. For automation engineers on the plant floor, this signals a major shift toward platforms that handle […]

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Inside AutomationView: Git Collaboration for PLC Design

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    A[Engineer 1] -->|Commit| B(Git Repo)
    C[Engineer 2] -->|Pull| B
    B --> D{AutomationView}
    D -->|Deploy| E[Plant Floor PLC]
    style B fill:#3b82f6,stroke:#1d4ed8,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff
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Inside AutomationView: Git Collaboration for PLC Design

Key Takeaways: Traditional PLC programming suffers from binary file limitations, making version control nearly impossible. AutomationView exports sequence data natively to text, enabling full Git capability. Learn how branching and merging can prevent costly overwrites on the plant floor. The Binary File Dilemma in Industrial Automation PLC environments were traditionally designed around proprietary binary blobs. […]

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