Anticipating the pendulum swing: as fiscally pinched manufacturers drive changes in automation and control decisions, there are a few important things to keep in mind.(Automation Theory) From: Packaging Digest | Date: March 1, 2005| Author: Wagner, Mike | COPYRIGHT 2005 Reed Business Information. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

There is a virtual pendulum swinging like the arm of a giant grandfather clock through the automation and controls market. Instead of marking minutes and seconds, though, the pendulum keeps time with current trends in the industry, tracking how plant managers make machinery-purchase and design decisions. On one side of its arc are companies that respond to new production needs by completely overhauling old lines and machines and installing all new servo-driven, high-tech machines. ...