Top 5 Plant Engineering articles, July 6-12: VFD trends and solutions, designing an HMI, manufacturing maintenance, more

Articles about VFD trends and solutions for drive systems, designing an HMI system, achieving world-class manufacturing maintenance, developing an improvement-driven plant, and risk assessments for automation safety were Plant Engineering’s five most-clicked articles from last week, July 6-12. Were you out last week? Miss something? You can catch up here.

By Chris Vavra July 13, 2015

Plant Engineering Top 5 most read articles online, for Jul. 6-12, covered VFD trends and solutions for drive systems, designing an HMI system, achieving world-class manufacturing maintenance, developing an improvement-driven plant, and risk assessments for automation safety. Link to each article below.

1. VFD trends and solutions for drive systems

The increase in variable frequency drive (VFD) installations across the globe has meant that drives are being applied in more challenging system environments.

2. How to best design an HMI system

A proper interface between a machine and its human operator greatly impacts efficiency and ease of use and should promote a harmonized connection between the two. This tutorial provides guidance on how to best build that connection though a human-machine interface (HMI). 

3. 10 steps to achieve world-class manufacturing maintenance practices

Lean out your maintenance process and deliver cost savings and greater efficiency.

4. Developing an improvement-driven plant

Leading indicators not only help predict the lagging results, they also serve as a starting point for continuous improvement because they measure the processes that can be directly managed. 

5. Automation safety: Clearer requirements arise for risk assessments

Automation has gained plenty of traction in the food and beverage processing industry thanks to benefits including cost savings, labor reduction and increased food safety, but risk assessments remain a gray area.

The list was developed using CFE Media’s web analytics for stories viewed on plantengineering.com, July 6-12, for articles published within the last two months.

– Chris Vavra, production editor, CFE Media, cvavra@cfemedia.com.


Author Bio: Chris Vavra is web content manager for CFE Media and Technology.