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Wednesday, January 17, 2007 |
I just saw a press release from GE Fanuc Automation where they are donating a set of discrete manufacturing equipment to Kettering University (formerly General Motors Institute-GMI).The university will then have classes teaching students how to use GE Fanuc equipment and software.
I'd like to see them develop a formal programming methodology using IEC 61131 languages and some kind of state model a la ISA88 and promulgate that through SME or ISA. Don't you think that would be a benefit to the automation community? How do I get in touch with the Kettering professors?
By the way, I have not kept current with happenings at Kettering, but in one of my former lives I hired co-op students from GMI. Worth every penny. Even back then, I had more ideas than smarts. So these students did a great service to our company and their education by figuring out how to do some of the stuff I wanted. Like a fairly comprehensive project management application for a small company on Multiplan on an Apple II. If you have an opportunity to bring in a co-op, I highly recommend it.
10:22:16 AM 
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Here's a post by Amit over at Mobilize about some tests his team has run with Zigbee wireless mesh devices. There are a couple of interesting points. One regards the definition of wireless. In one of his tests all the field devices required field power wiring. Therefore, the only Wireless was the data communication network. Second was his experience with "Zigbee ready" products. He discovered that this disclaimer didn't necessarily mean that the devices were ready for plug-n-play. We've noticed that latter bit of information at Automation World through talking with various Zigbee suppliers at trade shows. Most seem reluctant to jump into the standard all the way. But isn't that like the old saw "being a little bit pregnant"? In reality, either you are or you're not. It's binary, not analog.
These experiences also show the importance of defining what you expect a few layers beyond the generic description ;-)
10:05:38 AM
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© Copyright 2007 Gary Mintchell.
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