Plant Engineering

John Glenski and Wade Claggett from Salas O’Brien provide guidance on incorporating automation and AI into a manufacturing environment. VIDEO Most manufacturers know digital transformation matters. Fewer know where to start, what to prioritize or how to build the internal case for sustained investment. These questions — and the answers — are designed to close that gap, moving from the pressures driving change to the engineering, data and organizational foundations that determine whether it sticks.

Three experts weigh in on hazard protection, personal protective equipment, fall protection and other safety topics. Figure 1: A standard TD3 truss system versus a customized-shape TD3 truss system to accommodate overhead power lines. Courtesy: Diversified Fall Protection Learning objectives Understand how engineering controls, passive systems and automation can improve safety by reducing worker exposure to common industrial hazards.

Early integration planning helps align vendors, control systems, data architecture and commissioning strategy before schedules tighten. Figure 1: Control engineer performing loop checks. Courtesy: Hargrove Control & Automation Learning objectives Describe why early integration planning is critical in greenfield automation projects. Explain how greenfield projects differ from brownfield projects. Understand the benefits of bringing system integration expertise into vendor conversations early.

Maintenance remains a critical part of keeping manufacturing plants safe, reliable and productive. This future-proofed test cell incorporates predictive maintenance and smart upgrades, ensuring long-term resilience and keeping us ahead of the curve in testing capabilities. Courtesy: ACS Maintenance insights A balanced maintenance strategy combines preventive, predictive, condition-based and corrective approaches based on asset risk and operational needs.

Does the Hugging Face AI security breach highlight concerns for the manufacturing sector? Courtesy: Adobe Stock Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of the modern manufacturing floor. From predictive maintenance and quality inspection to production scheduling and energy optimization, AI is helping manufacturers improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and make smarter decisions.

PRODUCT INFORMATION MANUFACTURED BY Helwig Carbon Products PUBLISH DATE July 28, 2026 RELEASE DATE May 27, 2026 CATEGORY Remote Monitoring Helwig Carbon Products & Carbex are expanding implementation and support of the i-BRUSH Carbon Brush Remote Monitoring System across North American industrial markets with three model options designed to support a broad range of condition monitoring needs and operating environments.

PRODUCT INFORMATION MANUFACTURED BY BETE by EXAIR PUBLISH DATE July 28, 2026 RELEASE DATE May 20, 2026 The patented Chip Trapper offer a fast easy way to clean chips, swarf and shavings out of used coolants and other liquids. The Chip Trapper vacuums the coolant or liquid that is filled with debris into the included drum, trapping all the solids in a reusable filter bag. With a turn of the flow valve, clean liquid pumps back out.

PRODUCT INFORMATION MANUFACTURED BY https://www.linkedin.com/company/hemco-corporation PUBLISH DATE July 28, 2026 RELEASE DATE June 2, 2026 MODEL/SERIES Island Canopy Hoods Island Canopy Hoods are ideal for locating over peninsulas and are designed to collect and exhaust corrosive vapors, heat, steam, and odors when mounted over areas with water baths, hot plates, or portable equipment.

PRODUCT INFORMATION MANUFACTURED BY BETE by EXAIR PUBLISH DATE July 28, 2026 RELEASE DATE May 29, 2026 EXAIR and BETE have launched a new interactive factory microsite designed to help manufacturers quickly identify products that can improve efficiency, safety, and performance throughout their facility. The digital experience features a fully interactive factory floor map with clickable hotspots positioned throughout key production and maintenance areas.

MODEL/SERIES HazMax Containment Work Area CATEGORY Arc Flash and Electrical Safety Specifically designed for isolating hazardous materials, the HAZMAX Containment Work Area is engineered to isolate applications including large equipment distillation procedures, pilot plant requirements, and sampling/ weighing/ dispensing operations. The varaflow baffle system and by-pass inlets ensure protection from hazardous fumes to safely vent vapors, odors, and powders for maximum work safety.