Capacity planning is one of the most difficult aspects of building a data center today, given the complexity and number of variables to consider. Proactive capacity management ensures optimal availability of four critical data center resources: rack space, power, cooling, and network connectivity. All four of these must be in balance for the data center to function most efficiently in terms of operations, resources, and associated costs.
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RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a proven enabler of profitability that’s growing more powerful every day. Microchip sensitivity is improving and support services are maturing. Companion technologies, such as sensors, are being successfully integrated into chips. And smaller tags are opening the gate for multitudes of potential applications previously thought too small to accommodate an RFID tag. A tag measuring only 23 x 5 mm, for example, was released to the market within just the past few weeks. What first came to prominence as a solution to track cases and pallets in distribution centers, has steadily and profitably migrated to heavier industries and related service sectors.
The Allen-Bradley PLC-5 programmable logic controller platform has been a part of the AB PLC portfolio for more than 30 years. Technology has progressed dramatically over the past 30 years. The cost of components required to manufacture this product has increased tremendously, and the availability of these components has decreased. In fact, some components are no longer available making it impossible to manufacture some of the products within the PLC-5 platform.
Allen-Bradley® Guardmaster® Safety Relays from Rockwell Automation check and monitor a safety system and either allow the machine to start or execute commands to stop the machine or control safety-related functions. Single-function safety relays are the most economical solution for smaller machines where a dedicated logic device is needed to complete the safety function. Modular and configurable safety relays are preferred where a large and diverse number of safeguarding devices and minimal zone control are required.
Manufacturers and equipment builders are looking for ways to simplify and standardize safety across their machines and systems. With the new Allen-Bradley Compact GuardLogix 5370 controller from Rockwell Automation, users no longer need separate networks and controllers for safety and motion in applications with up to 16 axes. This makes it easier to design safety into a wide range of standard and custom machines, and results in simpler system architectures.
Hardy HI 6500 Series Weight Processors are used as front ends to control systems or standalone for all types of general weighing applications. Operating blind or with a display, they measure, condition and communicate weight without any need to control. Hardy Weight Processors come with the full set of Rockwell Automation integration tools such as EDS-AOPs and HMI Faceplates that make PLC integration easy.
While the benefits of server virtualization at the corporate data center are receiving a great deal of attention, its ability to address life cycle management issues might make virtualization even more compelling at the manufacturing plant. Along with the advantages, however, come additional challenges and risks. This article offers best practices you can use to benefit from server virtualization while avoiding mistakes that could affect the availability and performance of business-critical manufacturing IT.
