Ethernet/IP vs Profinet: The Protocol Heavyweights
There are two clear leaders when it comes to Ethernet protocols – EtherNet/IP and Profinet. Each command a whopping 30 percent of worldwide market share or 60 percent combined[1]. But why? Are these networks truly superior? We say no. Neither network is as deterministic as Profibus, DeviceNet or ControlNet. Moreover, each requires complex and sophisticated…
Automation Solutions
You’ve heard about Smart Manufacturing and it seems important. You understand that a lot of current equipment is nearing obsolescence and now is the time to upgrade. But, how do you move from your current state of equipment to smarter data-enabled devices? These devices are the building blocks of Smart Manufacturing, and becoming familiar with them will empower you…
Much of America’s electrical infrastructure is aging toward obsolescence. In fact, $65 billion worth of legacy automation systems are reaching end of life, according to a 2011 ARC Strategy Report. Take a sip of your coffee and let that information roll around in your mind for a minute. The thought process of many plant managers is to maximize the…
The design and maintenance of an industrial Ethernet system is now a professional field with certification. Our advice is to get professional help early. Whether you train your own staff or contract the work out, this is not your office Ethernet. EtherNet/IP can be reliably implemented for high performance motion and safety applications, but only…
Motor Solutions
In our last post of this series on starting a condition-based maintenance program, we interviewed our Program Manager of Reliability Services Mike Rathbun, an integral part of the group that got this effort off the ground. Recently, Rathbun and his team conducted a training session around using the CBM worksheet that we reference throughout this…
Recently we published a series on condition-based maintenance (CBM) for motors, which is a core area for EECO. We wrote this series based on extensive feedback we’ve received as well as recommended textbooks. Our goal was to produce some condensed insights on maintenance and reliability. During this process, we also developed an eBook on CBM…
As shared in our last post, starting a new CBM program is tough. In our experience, the most successful teams tend to put in more work on the front end. This usually leads to the development of a business case. In this post we will explore the process to build the case, and how to…
Electrical Supplies
Criticality assessments can be daunting even for plants with sophisticated tools at their disposal. Where to start? Which assets should you include in the assessment? This is one of the most common questions we hear. Recently, one of our customers, a large industrial facility, said that all their assets were critical. Assuming that is the case, conducting a criticality assessment…
We all know what defines critical spares, right? Those parts or components that would cause significant downtime or interruption of operations should they fail. Often, critical spares are stored at remote sites and available based on a prioritization schedule. This post looks at critical spares that neither in the storeroom nor an off-site facility. If you want help defining critical spares,…
MRO maintenance storerooms have been effective at providing everything from dust masks and gloves to repair parts to critical spares. All of them useful and necessary items in an industrial facility. This is a series that will examine what would happen if we changed our thinking about MRO storerooms and started seeing them as assets, rather than expense centers to…