Wayne Labs has more than 30 years of editorial experience in industrial automation. He served as senior technical editor for I&CS/Control Solutions magazine for 18 years where he covered software, control system hardware and sensors/transmitters. Labs ran his own consulting business and contributed feature articles to Electronic Design, Control, Control Design, Industrial Networking and Food Engineering magazines. Before joining Food Engineering, he served as a senior technical editor for Omega Engineering Inc. Labs also worked in wireless systems and served as a field engineer for GE’s Mobile Communications Division and as a systems engineer for Bucks County Emergency Services. In addition to writing technical feature articles, Wayne covers FE’s Engineering R&D section.
Often one role of a shop floor or MES is to act as a relay or connection point between the ERP and WMS. In case of a non-automated shop floor where there is no MES, there is a good chance that the ERP system connects with an independent WMS or has some built-in WMS functionality.
Microsoft Active Network Directory Services makes it easy for system admins to make changes to fluid networks--but if not managed properly, leaves an open door for malicious actors.
Robotics systems lately have developed a soft touch to pick up delicate foods without damaging them, and there have been a lot of developments in the grippers themselves to handle these fragile products. However, these grippers can’t do it alone.
Recently, a relatively new source of cybersecurity help comes from cyber insurance providers. Cyber insurance can help save a company from financial ruin, besides helping with a defense plan
While Black Matter, a new ransomware group, promised not to target critical infrastructure, those purchasing the RaaS don’t necessarily follow that rule
When a brewery can no longer satisfy demand for thirsty customers, it’s time to make some big changes—and long-standing partnerships ease the upgrading task
Regal Beloit Corporation, a global supplier of electric motors and controls, power generation products and power transmission components, has completed the merger with Rexnord Process and Motion Control (PMC) to become Regal Rexnord Corporation.
While most food processors aren’t yet relying only on plants for protein sources, the tools now exist to make more sustainable use of animals as food sources, and highly nutritious ones at that.