The Robot Report

  • Research
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • Grippers / End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors / Sensing Systems
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • A.I. / Cognition
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Exoskeletons
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Markets
    • Agriculture
    • Defense / Security
    • Healthcare
    • Logistics
    • Manufacturing
    • Mining
  • Investments
  • Resources
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Issues
    • Publications
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
      • Robotics Business Review
    • RBR50
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness Direct
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
  • Podcast

The Next Wave

By Steve Meyer | July 20, 2014

Control system technology in the manufacturing arena has been driving a lot of technology over the last few decades.  That shouldn’t be a big surprise, the worldwide revenue of the top control suppliers is about $200 billion.  Not small scale.   The number comprises suppliers of process control, programmable control, industrial computer suppliers and major electrical equipment used for power infrastructure.

Processor technology has continued to follow Moore’s Law which says that performance will double roughly every 18 months.  It’s kind of hard to keep up with the technology with unless you really have a reason to keep focused on it.

The controls industry has grown up as five unique disciplines from the 1950s when control technology had to be invented to solve specific problems.  Computer Numerical Control, CNC, for making precise metal parts for Navy aircraft, Process Control to manage steam plants that generate electricity and distill gasoline from crude oil.  Later the Programmable Logic Controller of the 1970’s was created to reduce cost and increase capabilities in electrical control systems used in automotive manufacturing,  followed by dedicated motion controllers to add precision motion to the suite of automation tools.  Last came robots, an extension of the motion control and CNC world, a unique mechatronic solution that is now 30 years later really beginning to hit its stride in the manufacturing world.

The problem of the 5 separate technologies is that each one was developed in its own vacuum.  The descriptive language of each type of problem is unique.  The hardware was created specifically to solve one problem.  Anybody remember hand wound magnetic memory?  Right.  The reason you don’t remember wire wound memory is that solid state memory makes better sense, and it’s 1000’s of times cheaper.

Back to the original premise.  In a world where processor technology is inexpensive, dare I say cheap?,  Moore’s law has resulted in ever increasing processor power at ever decreasing cost.  The latest cellphones have processors that are comparable to the most powerful laptops.  And a quad core laptop is capable of running any process or application in the known industrial world.

It has taken a long time to get to this point.  Among the steps were the creation of real time operating systems that are resilient, like Linux, and the creation of compatible software that provides the functionality of the various manufacturing platforms.  Hundreds, probably thousands of developers have contributed untold man hours of programming to hammer the applications into useful shape.

So it’s interesting to consider where all this is headed.

About The Author

Steve Meyer

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles Read More >

SUNY Adirondack to launch new program in mechatronics
Eplan Data Portal migrates to Azure
Transcript: How mechatronics is taking additive manufacturing to the next level
Is there a need for closed loop feedback greater than 20,000 CPR?

Robotics Year in Review

The Robot Report Listing Database

Latest Robotics News

Robot Report Podcast

Teradyne’s acquisition strategy & the future of cobot

The Robot Report Podcast · Teradyne's acquisition strategy & the future of cobots

Sponsored Content

  • Doosan Robotics: Driving Innovation and Growth in Cobots
  • FORT Robotics Podcast: FORT Robotics on how to keep humans safe and in control of robots
  • Pallet Detection Systems Help Automated Forklifts Modernize Warehouse Operations
  • IES Servo Control Gripper
  • How to cut the cost of manufacturing

Tweets by RoboticTips

The Robot Report
  • Collaborative Robotics Trends
  • Field Robotics Forum
  • Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
  • RoboBusiness Event
  • Robotics Business Review
  • Robotics Summit & Expo
  • About The Robot Report
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2021 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS

Search The Robot Report

  • Research
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • Grippers / End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors / Sensing Systems
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • A.I. / Cognition
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Exoskeletons
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Markets
    • Agriculture
    • Defense / Security
    • Healthcare
    • Logistics
    • Manufacturing
    • Mining
  • Investments
  • Resources
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Issues
    • Publications
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
      • Robotics Business Review
    • RBR50
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness Direct
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
  • Podcast