Launched at AEC 2014, and back by popular demand for the 4th consecutive show... our Top 5 Innovations Self-Guided Tour showcases the 5 most innovative products/services in the expo voted on by our AEC Selection Committee (made up of end-users). We're happy happy happy to announce that all of these companies will be joining us virtually! Please check out their virtual exhibit on the day-of via the "Expo" tab on our virtual platform.

And... Our Top 5 Innovations for AEC 2020 are:

• AI Software Module That Adds Intelligence to ControlLogix Controllers - Rockwell Automation
  

  • Many computer programs are now incorporating machine learning (ML) and other forms of artificial intelligence (AI) that let them take in new information, and learn, grow and change in response to it. In the process control and automation realm, one of the innovative applications of ML and AI is the FactoryTalk Analytics LogixAI add-on module from Rockwell Automation, which adds further intelligence to its ControlLogix platform. It employs machine learning to monitor processes and triggers a bit in the controller when a problem is predicted to occur. Without requiring a data scientist, LogixAI can build predictions in five steps, including: configuration and identification of data, automatic model generation, training, monitoring and integrating predictions. LogixAI makes predictive analytics more accessible to help users make better production decisions. The module learns from their ControlLogix applications, tells them when things are changing in unexpected ways, and helps them get ahead of quality issues and protect process integrity. > Learn More

• eACM - AUTOSOL
  

  • eACM translates real-time native RTU and PLC protocols into MQTT or MQTT Sparkplug B, the leading messaging protocol for IIoT. MQTT is highly efficient because it uses a report-by-exception approach to publish values to an MQTT broker only when conditions have changed. This frees up more bandwidth for high-fidelity data acquisition and can potentially reduce bandwidth consumption of your network by as much as 90%*. Additional features of eACM include: communication with multiple protocols simultaneously; communication with multiple end-devices simultaneously; local storage of data when the connection is interrupted; stored data is back-filled when the connection is re-established; and prioritization of data flows between multiple masters for serial networks.

• Tunable Diode Lasers an Innovative change in Measurement - Endress+Hauser
  

  • Utilizing proprietary extractive tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) and other spectroscopic technologies, Endress+Hauser’s SpectraSensors delivers accurate and robust measurements with extremely fast response times resulting in improved performance, reliability and availability at a significantly lower total cost to install and own compared to alternative solutions. These gas analyzers measure Moisture (H2O), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), Ammonia (NH3), Acetylene (C2H2), Oxygen (O2) and more. SpectraSensors’ proprietary extractive TDL technology is now the preferred optical-based process analytics technology in the hydrocarbon processing industry. Come by and hear more!

• Embedded Automated Learning At The Edge - Rockwell Automation
  
  • Optimal asset utilization has emerged as a significant target for digital transformation across many industries. Cost-effective deployment of monitoring and diagnostics solutions beyond critical assets however has proven a significant challenge. By embedding automated learning against streaming data at the edge, Rockwell offers a cost-effective solution for real-time monitoring and diagnostics for the balance of the plant. The automated learning algorithm sifts through streaming data that is collected by sensors and extracts nuggets of actionable information right at the edge. This will offer operation flexibility on whether operation data needs to be transferred off site (for further analysis or historization).
    
    
• U-Control 2000 Web-Based Control System - Weidmuller

  • The constantly increasing growth of data volumes worldwide requires ever more powerful and flexible control solutions. Our u-control 2000 hardware - together with the suitable engineering environment from our u-create software portfolio - provides you with a flexible control system for automation or digitalization. Weidmuller has received the German Innovation Award 2020 for the "Machines & Engineering" category in the "Excellence in Business to Business" competition class. The independent jury awarded the prize for u-control 2000 web, a web-based control system, which scored points thanks to its IoT capability, scalability to meet requirements and compact u-remote design. "With u-control 2000 web, we have developed a simple web-based and efficient control system that optimally supports industrial IoT applications and responds to any user needs," explains Dr Thomas Bürger, Head of Weidmüller's Automation and Digitalization Products division.