Today’s industrial controllers offer a powerful combination of scalability, connectivity and software-defined flexibility, a panel of automation experts concluded in an interview with partner publication Automation World.
AutomationDirect's Jeff Payne, Emerson's Sean Saul and Siemens' Luis Narvaez talked about how controllers can help optimize diverse manufacturing processes, enabling flexibility and ease-of-use.
Unlike earlier generations focused primarily on basic digital I/O, modern programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and programmable automation controllers (PACs) integrate high-speed processors, robust communication capabilities and motion control, which allows them to handle complex automation tasks with ease.
Standard protocols and edge processing capabilities support Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications, enabling seamless data sharing between machines, plant systems and enterprise networks without the need for intermediary SCADA layers. This evolution opens doors for real-time monitoring, diagnostics and machine-level adjustments, giving engineers more control over machine performance and uptime.
To learn more about controllers and read each expert’s insights, visit Automation World and read the full interview.
