{"id":129052,"date":"2025-01-29T16:00:30","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T22:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.controleng.com\/?p=129052"},"modified":"2025-04-23T18:00:21","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T23:00:21","slug":"research-hot-topics-in-control-engineering-for-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.controleng.com\/research-hot-topics-in-control-engineering-for-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Research: Hot topics in Control Engineering for 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Think Again about the top industrial automation, controls and instrumentation article topics of 2024, the most-viewed industrial automation-related webcasts and videos and the top Control Engineering<\/em> magazine covers of 2024, part of Control Engineering<\/em>\u2019s 2025 look at the State of Automation.<\/summary>\n

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In the Control Engineering<\/a> <\/em>annual tally of hot topics in industrial automation, controls and instrumentation for articles posted during 2024, the following topics ranked highest<\/p>\n\n\n\n

based on Google Analytics for www.controleng.com. Also see top 3 covers below from 2024 and the top 10 Control Engineering<\/em> articles posted before 2024. Also see the most-viewed industrial automation webcasts and videos. 2024 was Control Engineering<\/em>\u2019s 70th year of publication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top 5 article topics posted during 2024 were: Selection of variable frequency drives, industrial networking, robotic safety, good and bad controller tuning tutorial, career and salary survey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top 5 article topics posted during 2023 were: PLC programming, robotic trends, VFD optimization, automation salary and career information and 6G wireless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These automation and control topics help Control Engineering<\/em> subscribers do their jobs better. There\u2019s a lot of value in the researched ranking of the links below: Think again about bookmarking this article and reviewing what you may have missed. For future areas of automation coverage based on subscriber research and to contribute articles, see the Control Engineering<\/em> article topic list for 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top 10 Control Engineering<\/em> articles posted during 2024<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Analytics count the number of visits to articles posting during 2024, so articles posted earlier in the year naturally have an advantage; only one article among the following 10 were posted after midyear. Below these top 10, see links to articles popular in second-half 2024, July through December 2024:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. How to choose a VFD for medium-voltage motors<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 April 1, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understand the advantages of multi-level output drive topology in medium voltage (MV) motor applications. Motor insulation reliability and reflected waves: What to consider when selecting a variable frequency drive (VFD). (See Figure 1.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Figure
Figure 1: The article, \u201cHow to choose a VFD for medium-voltage motors,\u201d posted April 1 was the most-viewed article of 2024 at Control Engineering. Author Lucas Paruch is a product manager of medium voltage drives at Yaskawa America Inc., seen here with Figure 1 from the article showing the most common low-voltage drive topology. Courtesy: Yaskawa America, Control Engineering<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Industrial networking 101: Everything you need to know<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Feb. 8, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Industrial networking is vital to today\u2019s manufacturing landscape. From different types of networks to key components and best practices, this guide will help you navigate the intricacies of industrial Ethernet networking. See video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Industrial robot safety considerations, standards and best practices to consider<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 June 6, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As industrial robots become more integral to manufacturing processes, ensuring their safe operation is crucial as well as making sure workers are protected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. PID spotlight, part 5: What does good and bad controller tuning look like?<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 June 3, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PID controllers have visual cues that you can use to identify performance problems. Improperly set controller gain, integral, and derivative offer unique patterns that you can use to guide your efforts to improve controller performance. See seven takeaways for better PID tuning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Results are in: Control Engineering Career and Salary Survey, 2024<\/a> <\/strong>\u2013 June 25, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits and salaries increased. Leading automation technologies help resolve economic challenges and workforce shortages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. PID spotlight, part 2: Know these 13 terms, interactions<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 March 12, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller tuning begins with the basics: Definition of terms, the PID equation (multiple forms) and seeing how each of the PID terms functions independently from each other and separated from a process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Back to the future of the PLC<\/a> <\/strong>\u2013 May 2, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are not going away any time soon, and improving technologies combined with user demands will continue their evolution as a foundational automation platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Generative AI benefits for asset lifecycle management<\/a> <\/strong>\u2013 Aug. 27, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generative AI is driving rapid improvements in asset lifecycle management, building on previous AI enhancements and unlocking new possibilities for operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Improving underground mining safety with millimeter wave technology<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 June 19, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A professor began a project to design and deploy an emerging imaging and networking technology to improve safety and overcome hazardous conditions of underground mines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Three reasons to tune control loops: Safety, profit, energy efficiency <\/strong><\/a>\u2013 Jan. 29, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PID Spotlight, part 1: PID controller tuning is a keystone skill for control practitioners that is often given short shrift. What is the justification for investing in this critical skill? Why tune control loops?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was trending in Control Engineering<\/em> July through December 2024?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One article above, on generative AI for asset lifecycle management, was posted after midyear. Because the list above favors article posted earlier in the year, please see the leading articles per month below that are not among those listed above or in a prior month below.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

July 2024 – PID spotlight, part 6: Deadtime? How to boost controller performance anyway<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

August 2024 – Industry 4.0 is the springboard to a holistic automation future<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

September 2024 – Rising to the challenge: Engineering Leaders Under 40, Class of 2024<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

October 2024 – Gain critical advice on automation, SCADA from system integrators<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

November 2024 – More answers: Tips and tricks for next-generation automation programming<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

December 2024 – Why it\u2019s critical to integrate distributed control systems<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top Control Engineering<\/em> covers of 2024<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Top three covers of 2024: Michael Smith, Control Engineering<\/em> creative director, selected these three favorite covers of the year (Figure 2). January\/February cover photo, from CC-Link Partner Association (SPLA) Americas, highlights synchronized networks benefits for machine controls. July\/August cover photo, from CDM Smith, points to challenges of operational technology cybersecurity. September\/October cover provides a sampling of eight faces among the 2024 Engineering Leaders Under 40 winners, arranged by Smith on the cover. Review these and other print\/digital editions on the 2024 digital edition page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 2: Top three covers of 2024: Michael Smith, Control Engineering creative director, selected these three favorite covers of the year (Figure 2). January\/February cover photo from CC-Link Partner Association (SPLA) Americas, July\/August cover photo from CDM Smith and September\/October cover about the 2024 Engineering Leaders Under 40 winners were Smith\u2019s favorite covers of 2024.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Top 10 articles posted in Control Engineering<\/em> posted before 2024<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many articles with the most traffic during 2024 posted before 2024 began and cover tutorial topics such as version control for programmable logic controllers, VFD parameter changes, permanent magnet motors, PID control and loop tuning, and PWM effects for brushless dc motors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. PLC programming language fundamentals for improved operations, maintenance<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 July 18, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Programmable logic controller (PLC) programming languages help keep manufacturing operations running smoothly. Learn about the five types of PLC programming languages and how they\u2019re used. (See Figure 3.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Figure
Figure 3: The article, \u201cPLC programming language fundamentals for improved operations, maintenance,\u201d posted July 18, 2023, was the most-viewed article posted on the Control Engineering website among articles posted before 2024. Author Frank Lamb, the founder and owner of Automation Consulting LLC and a member of the Control Engineering editorial advisory board is shown with the function block diagram (FBD) PLC programming Figure 3 from the article.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Top 5 VFD parameter changes explained<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 July 1, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Programming variable frequency drives (VFDs) to fit most industrial applications require only the most basic settings to operate the motor. Understand these 5 VFD parameter changes to optimize VFD programming to fit most motor-drive applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Understanding permanent magnet motors<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 Jan. 26, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Motion system designers can be challenged when selecting or developing electronics using pulse-width modulation (PWM) to drive brushless dc motors. Heed some basic physical phenomena to avoid unexpected performance issues, along with general guidelines for using a PWM driver with a brushless DC motor. See diagrams, equations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Understanding PID control and loop tuning fundamentals<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 July 26, 2016<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PID loop tuning may not be a hard science, but it\u2019s not magic either. Here are some tuning tips that work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Understanding the effect of PWM when controlling a brushless dc motor<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 Jan. 26, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Motion system designers can be challenged when selecting or developing electronics using pulse-width modulation (PWM) to drive brushless dc motors. Heed some basic physical phenomena to avoid unexpected performance issues, along with general guidelines for using a PWM driver with a brushless DC motor. See diagrams, equations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Understanding Derivative in PID Control<\/strong> <\/a>\u2013 Feb. 1, 2010<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The third factor in PID is the least understood. Derivative action can do good things, but when used improperly, it causes headaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. VFDs from the inside out<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 Feb. 1, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Variable frequency drive (VFD) vocabulary words: These 50 terms can help properly apply VFDs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Free PLC programming software for education<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 Jan. 26, 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Available programmable logic controller (PLC) software that is free for users is crucial for users and students who can’t currently access a lab. See table with a breakdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. PID loop tuning parameters and control fundamentals<\/strong><\/a> – March 28, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to understand what proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control is and the parameters for closed-loop, open-loop and cascading loops and the parameters involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Evolution of control systems with artificial intelligence<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 Feb. 17, 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cover Story: Can artificial intelligence (AI) prove to be the next evolution of control systems? See three AI controller characteristics and three applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading Control Engineering<\/em> 2024 webcasts based on registrants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

See the top Control Engineering<\/em> webcasts below, based on the number of registrants, with links to the description pages below. Caution: Webcasts are posted for one year, so to view or review any of the following, do so before the following dates in 2025. Top three Control Engineering<\/em> 2024 webcasts eligible for one RCEP PDH credit for those listening live on the broadcast date were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PLCs: Programming tips and tricks appropriate for next-generation applications<\/strong><\/a> – Sept. 10, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back to basics: What you need to know about today\u2019s PLCs <\/strong><\/a>– Nov. 6, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Automate: The Mechanics of Loop Tuning<\/strong><\/a> – Aug. 1, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honorable mention: Research Review: Control Systems: HMI, SCADA and PLCs<\/strong><\/a> – April 22, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top three 2024 webcasts created by suppliers of industrial automation and controls were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Achieve Operational Excellence in Modern Monitor and Control with Edge Computing<\/a> <\/strong>– May 16, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Revolutionizing Manufacturing: The Power of Smart Factories<\/strong><\/a> – Aug. 13, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond ProcessBook & PI Vision: Exploring Today’s Industrial Analytics Tools<\/a> <\/strong>– March 14, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Webcasts also are available here<\/a> using the pulldown menu for webcasts, near the top of the page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most viewed 2024 Control Engineering<\/em> videos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Based on views on the Control Engineering<\/em> YouTube channel<\/a>, the following were the three most-popular videos posted during 2024. Video topics cover programmable logic controllers, industrial networking and robotics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Improving PLC Version Control and Device Backup Using Modern Git Workflows<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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