Career in Industrial Automation
By IMRAN ZAFAR
Develop your career keeping in mind future Technologies
Yes, it is no doubt! Data is Oil for the future. To remain ahead in the industry, develop skills and associate yourself in emerging professions. Like Artificial Intelligence, Big Data management, Industrial Automation, and blockchain.
Being Electrical Engineer by profession, I would ask what about the basics and most conventional engineering? Obviously, The Electrical!
And the immediate branches are Electronics & Industrial Automation.
Some people believe that these are evergreen technologies. And first, one needs to develop a very strong core concept in them. Even before topping yourself with the knowledge of the newest technologies.
I am also a very strong advocate of the belief above. And therefore, I would like to touch upon the importance of studying & acquiring skills in Industrial Automation. A path way to go and learn more of the newest data management technologies.
Why Industrial Automation remain Important?
We talk about data intelligently handling, managing, analyzing, and cloud-based wireless transportation of data. However, and the first thing is to fetch the data from the source.
One of the important functions of Programmable Logic Controls (PLC) is to collect data from source via digital or analog hardwired lines. The PLC then execute different logic based on the industry-specific process. Also, transfer the data to bigger intelligent data management devices.
The function & scope of PLCs is not going to replace in near future. Oil & Gas, Food Processing, Textile, Water Technologies, etc., all kinds of industries heavily rely on different kinds & types of PLCs for their operation.
Getting to know more about learning industrial automation (PLC, HMI...)
Once engineers start learning these PLCs, it will polish their analytical & imagination skills. They start understanding the process and then based on the programming language, he develops logic.
The most common programming languages are:
- Ladder logic (LD)
- Function Block Diagram (FBD)
- Sequential Function Charts (SFC)
- Structured Text (ST) etc.
Based on the number of devices connected in the process, the suitable and compatible PLC Hardware is selected. Every manufacturer offers special Central Processing Units (CPU) for special applications.
In addition, there are different types of PLC designs. For example, standard PLCs, fail-safe PLCs, redundant PLCs, etc. While doing communication with different devices, it helps engineer learn different industry protocols, standards, and their interfacing.
All logics and programs are incomplete without Controlling & viewing. And this requirement is fulfilled through Human Machine Interface. There is usually separate software for HMI. But it is not mandatory that in one project both PLC & HMI (Industrial PC) comes from the same brand.
In IPCs, you will get the opportunity to convey your process & operation in the most convenient and eye-catching manner to the users. It is also the medium to take the user input into the automated system.
WHY FORWARD?
So you have accomplished good skills in PLC programming & HMI Software development. Great! What next?
The next step is to go for big SCADA projects.
SCADA project involves a much larger number of devices to read and communicate.
After designing some heavy SCADA projects, one is ready to continue mastering skills towards Data management and analytics. Which we also foresee as the most opportunistic area in the future. Also can continue with its role in SCADA which is itself big application use of PLCs & HMI.
Who are Industry leaders in PLC & HMI?
There is an interesting story behind the invention of PLC, I would cut it short:
It was Richard E. Morley who founded Bedford Associates and invented the first programmable logic controller or PLC with the brand name of MODICON which was later acquired by Schneider.
Presently Siemens, Schneider, Allan Bradley are world-leading brands. Followed up by a number of companies who have their market share and presence in different parts of the world. Some brands are known for high-end specs and target for the premium segment. Like Oil & Gas, Pharmaceutical, Electronics manufacturing etc.
How can you quickly enhance your skills in Industrial Automation?
If you are doing a degree program, then the university may offer theoretical & practical courses. Usually, the universities have DEMO / Simulation hardware available in the Labs. Students can practice on these units.
In order to learn theory, one can access a number of tutorials available online. But you need practical hands-on experience to master the skills in programming.
How we intent to help our society?
Since, we are based in Karachi, Pakistan. On one hand, the country lacks optimum infrastructure in its rural and urban areas. While on the other being a global village, every new technological invention is accessible to its industry.
The major industries in the country are Textile, Pharmaceutical, Automotive, Chemical, Cement, Steel, etc. With the ever-increasing population of 200 Million plus, we see positive growth in the industrial sector. As more and more consumers reach for power and other household needs.
With the intent to return back to our society / young engineers, we took the initiative of education. By taking some time out of our busy schedule we design a course that helps young engineers to pursue their career in Industrial Automation.
As we are not a training institute but a multinational presence organization. Originated from the United States and re-expanded from Singapore in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines & Myanmar. Working in Power plant controls where we design system using a different brand of PLCs to control Gas & Diesel Generators.
We ensure that all machines run together and share the load. These Generators run 24 hours and dedicated operators view the monitoring of the system with Industrial Human Machine interfaces.
In some cases, we also do power management optimization. This means if the user has multiple sources like solar, Utility Grid, or Generators, our system ensures that power is produced through the most efficient, available, and economical means. This all is done via the utilization of PLC as the brain and integrating different components and devices from various manufactures for different applications.
Thus, we intend to convey real project requirement and industry needs to the engineering students and fresh graduates, and early professionals. If you want to know about our company and the course we offer, refer to our website