Intelligent Actuation Devices and Distributed Control

by Daniel Halloran, Controls and Electronics Section Head

The Machine Builders’ Answer to the Evolving Needs of the Factory Floor

A significant shift in the fundamental architecture of industrial control systems is slowly taking shape. This shift is from a control architecture focused on PCs and PLCs to one featuring intelligent actuation devices and distributed control. The new paradigm is made possible by high-performance actuation devices that embed integrated closed-loop motion control and a high-speed, digital, network capable, bus interface.

An example of this concept is a hydraulic Injection Molding machine using Moog’s distributed control valves and other network devices. This article fully explains this concept and the evolving technologies that are central to distributed motion control.

An example of this concept is a hydraulic Injection Molding machine using Moog’s distributed control valves and other network devices. This article fully explains this concept and the evolving technologies that are central to distributed motion control.

The benefits of distributed control for the factory lead to superior and easily customized machines. From fast configuration, to less cabling, to accurate real time information on process data and diagnostics, distributed control allows optimization for each end-user, each factory, each machine and each part setup.

Dan has been with Moog ICD Engineering for the past 5 years. He has 20 years experience in the development of hardware and software for control systems used in industrial and military applications.