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Hybrid (PAC) systems: pathway to productivity

Samuel Herb (Jaomad Consultancy, New Britain, Pennsylvania, USA)

Assembly Automation

ISSN: 0144-5154

Article publication date: 22 February 2008

838

Abstract

Purpose

Claimed to be programmable logic controllers (PLCs) that act like distributed control systems (DCSs), various people define hybrid systems differently: by functions, by industries served, by architecture, and even by no label at all. As a result, there is still confusion about the label “Hybrid Systems.” This paper aims to explore these issues briefly and to help understand and reduce confusion about these relatively recent hybrid systems, which are now also being called “Programmable Automation Controls” (PAC).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper compares DCSs, PLCs, centralized computer systems, use of industrial professional (personal) computers, original hybrid control systems, current hybrid control systems, evolution to PAC and shows evolution of new programming standards.

Findings

Hybrid control systems can readily become part of the overall plant productivity. This is a stepping‐stone towards complete enterprise control systems.

Research limitations/implications

No small part of this capability is the emerging standard for easy consistent configuration of hybrid systems, regardless of the vendor who supplies them.

Practical implications

Because of the emerging configuration standard, the hybrid system can be re‐configured as needed due to plant changes or market swing. This provides the user with “agile manufacturing.”

Originality/value

More than a “cheap DCS,” these hybrid control systems can be an inexpensive stepping‐stone towards managing the business as it was meant to be managed. What is important is that these elements can be introduced in manageable increments to meet tight budgets.

Keywords

Citation

Herb, S. (2008), "Hybrid (PAC) systems: pathway to productivity", Assembly Automation, Vol. 28 No. 1, pp. 10-17. https://doi.org/10.1108/01445150810848966

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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