AIA partners IIT Madras for research

While India has imported robotic systems or occasionally built automated machinery, the country has not proactively taken to higher research or commercial innovation, and done little to build a culture that would sustain automation.

In view of this, the Automation Industry Association (AIA) has tied up with IIT Madras to enhance research projects in the field of industrial automation. It is eyeing a similar tie-up with IIT Mumbai.

The institute has set up a Centre of Excellence in Industrial Automation at its campus. The collaboration will enable the institute to get industry inputs in developing curriculum and a modern lab, and formulate industry-relevant and need-based research projects.

Each participating member company of AIA will bring a ‘mentor’ and a subject matter (or domain) expert. There will be joint development of curriculum, research projects, individual technology demonstrations and training workshops under the agreement. The idea is to infuse contemporary technology and content into the educational system.

Leading players in the field of automation, such as B&R Automation, Larsen & Toubro Control and Automation, and Siemens have announced participation in the project with their technologies.

To begin with, the centre will focus on factory automation, which is easy to start, and later move on to process automation. With automation pervasive in the manufacturing sector, there will be greater demand for ‘skilled manpower’ in automation. The centre will prepare students at the postgraduate level to be readily absorbed by the industry. fiHOG WrDnVPLWWHrV, GHvHORSPHnWV DrH now taking place through wireless technology.

Ethernet is starting to be used more often at end devices including motor drives, vision, flow sensors, motor control centres, safety relays and analytical instruments. There is an emerging movement for IP-addressed sensors since it leverages standard IP technologies.

Data acquisition, test and measurement. Multiple platforms and access to multiple automation systems from a single interface seamlessly are new developments in this segment.

PLCs/ industrial PCs and other types of control systems. With regards to control systems, companies are gunning for single platforms. Creating contact and multitasking for logic as well as for motion and vision are also priorities.

Human- machine interface. Human-machine interfaces are now being used as a theme client and there is more emphasis on ruggedness and durability.

Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication. M2M communication is using OMAC protocol, which is EDVLFDOOy D VSHFLfiFDWLRn wKHrH DOO WKH platforms of different brands combine and work together.

Automation, process control and