Abstract: A contactless monitoring system detects operating performance of movers in an independent cart system. A contactless sensor is provided on an actuator to automatically track a mover as it travels along the track. The sensor includes a transmitter configured to transmit a signal and a receiver configured to receive the signal after it is reflected off the mover. The actuator may be configured to mover the sensor in a single axis or in multiple axes of motion. As a mover travels along the track, the sensor transmits a signal towards the mover and detects the signal after it has been reflected off the mover. A controller may synchronize motion of the actuator with motion of the mover, such that the sensor may continually transmit the signal off the mover for at least a portion of the travel by the mover along the track.

Abstract: Techniques to facilitate visualization of an application associated with an industrial automation environment are disclosed herein. In at least one implementation, a plurality of data items associated with machine operations in the industrial automation environment is presented. A user selection of at least one data item of the plurality of data items is received. Additionally, display instructions comprising display properties of the at least one data item and position information that identifies where to display the at least one data item are also received. The display instructions are processed to render a graphical user interface to the application, wherein the at least one data item is displayed according to the display properties and positioned in the graphical user interface based on the position information.

Abstract: An industrial information hub (IDH) serves as a single industrial ecosystem platform where multiple participants can deliver repeatable and standardized services relevant to their core competencies. The IIH system is centered around the development of an ecosystem that creates and delivers value to users—including industrial enterprises, OEMs, system integrators, vendors, etc.—through the aggregation of digital content and domain expertise. The IIH system serves as a trusted information broker between the ecosystem and the OT environments of plant facilities, and provides a platform for connecting assets, contextualizing asset data and providing secure access to the ecosystem. Additionally, the IIH system provides tools and support to OEMs and other subject matter experts, allowing those experts to enable their digital assets for use in the ecosystem. The IIH system reduces the cost and risks for digital modeling of industrial assets.

Abstract: Embodiments of this present disclosure may include an industrial control system that uses a daisy chain communication network to couple point-to-point sensors (P2P sensors) for communication of data between respective P2P sensors and a controller. Each P2P sensor may couple to the daisy chain communication network via accessing circuitry. The accessing circuitry may include switching circuitry and flip-flop circuitry to control when each P2P sensors may communicate with the controller via the daisy chain communication network.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to perform operations including receiving a first dataset from a first automation component, the first dataset corresponds to raw data acquired by a first sensor; receiving a second dataset from a second automation component, the second dataset corresponds to raw data acquired by a second sensor; receiving data indicating an expected operation related to operations of an industrial automation system including the first and second automation components; determining a signature based on the first and second datasets and the data indicating the expected operation, wherein the signature indicates an unexpected operation as compared to the expected operation; performing a root cause analysis using the signature to determine a relationship indicating a first set of changes of the first dataset corresponding to a second set of changes in the data indicating the expected operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for contact erosion mitigation are provided. To perform contact erosion mitigation, an order of opening/closing poles and/or contact relays of particular poles is altered, resulting in a sharing of potential arcing conditions amongst the poles/contact relays of these poles.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a mover of a linear motor system. The mover includes a housing and a material coupled to the housing, the material having one or more protrusions extending towards a track of the linear motor system. The mover also includes a bearing to interface with the track. The bearing includes one or more recesses extending from a first surface of the bearing toward a second surface of the bearing, opposite the first surface. Each of the one or more recesses receives a respective protrusion of the one or more protrusions of the material. The bearing wears away from the second surface over time as the mover travels along the track, exposing the one or more protrusions to the track.

Abstract: An I/O system including an I/O base having a first connector component, an I/O module selectively attachable to the I/O base and having a second connector component adapted to mate with the first connector component, and a locking actuator assembly for securing the I/O module to the I/O base. The locking actuator assembly includes an actuator supported for axial and rotational movement by the I/O module, the actuator movable from an unlocked position having a first end of the actuator extending from a housing of the I/O module to a locked position wherein a second end of the actuator extends from the housing. The second end of the actuator includes a flange adapted to pass through a corresponding slot in a surface of the I/O base such that when the actuator is rotated the at least one flange restricts withdrawal of the actuator from the slot in the I/O base.

Abstract: A system for performing industrial automation control may include a first device that generates a first set of data formatted according to a first protocol and a second device that generates an automation command. The automation command may control the first device based on the first set of data. The second device may interpret data formatted according to a second protocol. The system may include a broker system coupled between the first device and the second device to transform data communicated between the devices, such as the first set of data, the automation command, or both. For example, the broker system may transmit a set of data generated to communicate the first set of data to the second device formatted according to the second protocol as opposed to being formatting according to the first protocol.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein include one embodiment that a control method including executing an infeasible search algorithm during a first portion of a predetermined sample period to search for a feasible control trajectory of a plurality of variables of a controlled process, executing a feasible search algorithm during a second portion of the predetermined sample period to determine the feasible control trajectory if the infeasible search algorithm does not determine a feasible control trajectory, and controlling the controlled process by application of the feasible control trajectory.

Abstract: A method for operating an industrial automation system may include receiving, via a first module of a plurality of modules in a control system, a plurality of datasets via at least a portion of the plurality of modules. The plurality datasets may include raw values without context regarding the plurality datasets. The method may then include identifying a subset of the plurality of datasets that influences a value of a target variable by analyzing the data without regard to the context, modeling a behavior of the target variable over time based on the subset of the plurality of datasets, and adjusting one or more operations of an automation device based on the model.

Abstract: A latch system for an electrical equipment enclosure includes a latch arm receiver adapted to be connected to an associated enclosure door. A latch arm assembly is adapted to be connected in operative engagement with an associated circuit breaker. The latch arm assembly includes a chassis and a latch arm that moves relative to the chassis between: (i) a first arm position; (ii) a second arm position; and (iii) an intermediate arm position between the first arm position and the second arm position. A latch arm spring biases the latch arm toward its first arm position. A handle is rotatably connected to the chassis and operatively connected to the toggle of the circuit breaker. The handle is movable to and between an ON handle position, a TRIP handle position, an OFF handle position, and a RESET handle position. The handle is operatively connected to the latch arm such that the latch arm is positioned in the second arm position when the handle is located in said RESET handle position.

Abstract: Embodiments of this present disclosure may include a handle disposed on an outer surface of a housing of electrical circuitry. The handle may provide access to at least a portion of the electrical circuitry. The handle may include a status indicator that emits light in response to a control signal from control circuitry. The status indicator may be disposed around the handle. The control circuitry may detect a state of the electrical protection circuitry. The control circuitry may also transmit the control signal to the status indicator based on the state. The control signal may control one or more properties of the light emitted by the status indicator, and thus indicate to an operator the state of the electrical circuitry.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory accessible by the processor. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive an industrial automation project code file, wherein the industrial automation project code file defines one or more operations of an industrial automation system during performance of an industrial automation process, retrieve a set of industrial automation rules associated with a set of best practices for project code files, analyze the industrial automation project code file based on the set of industrial automation rules, including identifying one or more instances of inefficient tag usage, and identifying one or more sets of parallel overlapping tasks, and generate a report based the analysis of the industrial automation project code file based on the set of industrial automation rules.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a multi-purpose sensor may couple to a machine operating in an industrial environment and include numerous sensors disposed within the multi-purpose sensor to acquire sets of data associated with the machine or an environment surrounding the machine. A first portion of the sets of data may include historical sensor measurements over time for each of the sensors, and a second portion of the sets of data may include sensor measurements subsequent to when the first portion is acquired for each of the sensors. A processor of the multi-purpose sensor may determine a baseline collective signature based on the first portion, determine a subsequent collective signature based on the second portion, determine whether the collective signatures vary, and generate signals when a variance exists. The signals may cause a computing device, a cloud-based computing system, and/or a control/monitoring device to perform various actions.

Abstract: A cloud-based industrial data services (IDS) architecture leverage smart tags, asset models, and data service applications to facilitate secure transaction and exchange of contextualized factory data between different parties as part of a combined technology and commerce platform, or to perform provide asset owners with insights into operation of their industrial assets. The IDS platform supports a set of services that connect providers of smart industrial devices to plant floor and systems owned by the end users of these devices. The cloud-based platform allows asset providers to publish data service applications for purchase and use by end users of their assets, and allows equipment owners to control remote access to selected sets of their industrial data via the cloud platform.

Abstract: An industrial IDE supports development of control programming using an industrial domain-specific language (DSL) that allows control programming to be written using a scripted programming language having features catered to the industrial domain. The industrial DSL can simplify and streamline development of industrial control code relative to using conventional graphics-based control programming formats such as ladder logic, since a script-based industrial DSL can be used to write programming code using fewer mouse clicks relative to traditional control programming environments. Editing tools inherent to the industrial DSL can provide dynamic programming feedback that guides the developer through the process of developing control code. A development interface of the industrial IDE can comprises two editing windows that render the control program in a graphical format and in a text-based format simultaneously, allowing the user to edit the program in either format on the same interface.

Abstract: An industrial integrated development environment (IDE) supports collaborative tools that allow multiple designers and programmers to remotely submit design input to the same automation system project in parallel while maintaining project consistency. These collaborative features can include, for example, brokering between different sets of design input directed to the same portion of the system project, generating notifications to remote designers when a portion of the system project is modified, sharing of development interfaces or environments, facilitating involvement of outside technical support experts to assist with design issues, and other collaborative features.

Abstract: An industrial integrated development environment (IDE) comprises a development interface that affords a user a great deal of control over the editing tools, workspace canvases, and project information rendered at a given time. The industrial IDE system automatically filters the tools, panels, and information available for selection based on a current project development task, such that a focused subset of editing tools relevant to a current development task or context are made available for selection while other tools are hidden. The development interface also allows the user to selectively render or hide selected tools or information from among the relevant, filtered set of tools. This can reduce or eliminate unnecessary clutter and aid in quickly and easily locating and selecting a desired editing function. The IDE's development interface can also conform to a structured organization of workspace canvases and panels that facilitates intuitive workflow.

Abstract: A system may include a processor and a memory including computer-executable code that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to receive a service request from a first device and to transmit a workflow dataset associated with an industrial automation device to the first device and the second device. The service request may cause a computing system to communicatively couple the first device to a second device. The workflow dataset may include one or more instructions associated with one or more operations for the industrial automation device and one or more virtual objects associated with the one or more instructions and the industrial automation device. The memory may include computer-executable code that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to receive an input to the image data from the second device and to transmit the one or more additional visualizations to the first device for display.