Industrial Automation
It is a very broad field and its components tend to push for specializations.
Industrial automation is used to control machines or industrial processes.
In the field of automation, PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers ) or DCSs (Distributed Control Systems).
PLCs and DCS share common features:- They have the I/O modules (Input/Output) for the acquisition of the state of the process and the return of the control signals- they have controllers (CPU) with memory and user program- they have communication modules- they have a power supply-they can be redundant for availability or security purposes. However, whenever we talk about industrial control, the need for HMIs (Human Machine Interfaces) arises. HMIs can be simple (set of buttons and LEDs), advanced (touch-sensitive and/or physical keyboard desks), complex (operator workstations).
In a factory, several controllers can be used to control different parts of machine or process. This imposes industrial communication needs.
When talking of network, security becomes mandatory. Thus the automatician faces certain challenges:- System selection and engineering- PLC/DCS programming/configuration- programming human machine interfaces- setting up supervision views- engineering of industrial communications networks- implementation of good cybersecurity practices
Automation domains