Plant & Facilities Engineering

More and more manufacturing equipment is designed with electronic control systems and reporting technology. This is driving the use of high-bandwidth networks, such as Ethernet and others, in industrial environments. Do you think PC hardware and software has progressed to the point where you safely can combine HMI and control systems to reduce equipment costs?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Plant & Facilities Engineering, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Plant & Facilities Engineering today.

As baby boomers retire in ever-greater numbers, Generation X is stepping in to fill the gap. The younger generation is more at ease with technology and working on multiple projects at one time, while boomers are diligent, dependable, and dogged. But how will these differences impact the plant floor where boomers are trying to train Gen-X'ers to fill their shoes?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Plant & Facilities Engineering, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Plant & Facilities Engineering today.

Governments around the world are proposing carbon limits for manufacturing and energy production. That most certainly will increase the cost for power. But, countries that pay more for electricity as a result of lacking resources, taxation rates, etc., are not necessarily less competitive. Just look to the Emerald Isle for that. But will carbon caps, or taxing companies based on how much carbon dioxide they produce, really help the environment? Or will it simply create a new level of regulation and a speculative trading market?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Plant & Facilities Engineering, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Plant & Facilities Engineering today.

Innovation can happen anytime, at night, on the job, even in a meeting designed to generate ideas. Ideas and innovation move companies ahead. Does your company have a process for collecting employee's big ideas, or do they fall victim to the dreaded, "that's not how we do it." Is your company flexible enough to encourage and support innovation, or is does resemble a glacier migration?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Plant & Facilities Engineering, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Plant & Facilities Engineering today.

Energy costs comprise an increasing percentage of manufacturing costs. Energy options include photovoltaic, solar thermal, geothermal, biofuels, wind, and hydro. Renewable energies come in many different forms, from wind and water that are considered to be environmentally friendly, to reclaimed methane and biomass, which still produce pollutants when used, but far less — on the whole — than traditional fuels. Does your company have plans to develop renewable energy programs? Other than cutbacks or shutdown, how will you stay competitive?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Plant & Facilities Engineering, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Plant & Facilities Engineering today.