Voices: McMillan & Control Talk
Simulation breeds innovation
A safe sandbox allows creative synergy of process and automation knowledge.
Nov 8, 2019
*Greg:* Innovation in process control tends to be missing more than ever despite the era of digitalization and incredible increases in automation system and modeling functionality. We seem to be not even aware of the opportunity to use process and automation system knowledge to make incredible advances in process performance. This is in such contradiction to greater possibilities and what has historically been demonstrated by industry leaders—and has been my operating mode for 40-plus years.
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Instrument specification: Where we are and where we should be
Oct 21, 2019Look to the past to avoid the problems we're seeing from trends in current practices.Measuring dissolved co2
Oct 1, 2019Proper maintenance and calibration ensure precise, accurate DCO2 analyses.The best valve position control
Sep 4, 2019Two PID controllers and valves solve problems due to backlash, stiction and more.Ways to improve split-range control
Aug 6, 2019Strategies and tuning to improve precision, smooth transitions and avoid oscillations.Getting the project right
Jun 27, 2019Five key documents add up to an excellent Functional Requirements SpecificationMake sense of sensitive level
May 31, 2019Radar offers increasing opportunities to improve control at a reasonable price.Knowing the best is the best
Apr 19, 2019Understand the details to be sure you’re specifying the right flowmeter.Meeting of minds encore
Mar 27, 2019pH control presents the ultimate cast for merging I&E and PID perspectivesHow to support gender diversity
Feb 26, 2019Things we can do to improve our profession by advocating women engineersAt the IIoT crossroads
Feb 12, 2019A look from the trenches at digitalization, big data and Industry 4.0A meeting of the minds
Jan 25, 2019Both I&E and PID perspectives must meld to produce fine temperature controlThe multiplier effect
Jan 7, 2019Automation is not the job-killer many make it out to be.Basics of PID in 25 points
Dec 17, 2018Best practices for PID
Dec 17, 2018Raising professional performance
Dec 11, 2018The Automation Federation has defined needed competencies and a plan to gain them.Hands-on labs build real skills
Oct 24, 2018New Missouri S&T process control programs put engineers through pacesYour DP problems could be a result of improper use of purges, fills, capillaries and seals
Sep 13, 2018Here are some alternatives in terms of the use of purges and capillary systemsPrevent pressure transmitter problems
Aug 16, 2018Installation details make the difference in DP flow and level applicationsControlling steam: What you don't know can hurt you
Jul 12, 2018Why are steam systems so pervasive?The wild side of pH measurement
Jun 21, 2018The real world has temperature effects, negative slopes and different results in the labAchieving the best APC
May 31, 2018In memoriam: Stan Weiner
Apr 19, 2018Our greatest mentor guided us to the best in instrumentation and humorThe particulars of particles-in-liquid
Mar 12, 2018Accurate turbidity determinations depend on technique as well as technologyThe art of flowmeter selection
Feb 12, 2018Here's what's good, what's bad, and what's ugly about the most common technologies.The education and motivation of engineers
Jan 13, 2018Students’ experiences reflect the differences between industry and academia.What can be done to change our fate
Dec 15, 2017Tactics and technology might enlighten executives.The trouble with top management
Nov 10, 2017What you need to know about the executives who determine your fate.Adaptive and intuitively simple optimization
Oct 23, 2017Rate-Predictive Control is engineered to run a process like an expert operator.Motivating, inspiring and directing automation professionals
Sep 7, 2017A project’s success often depends more on human dynamics than on good engineering.Getting the best APC team
Aug 8, 2017How a large refinery is managing to maintain expertise in advanced process controlOpening minds about controllers, part 2
Jul 10, 2017Cases where it’s better or easier to use model predictive control instead of PID.Opening minds about controllers, part 1
Jun 7, 2017Explore the full range of PID possibility before moving to model predictive controlInvisibility of process control
May 8, 2017The Industrial Internet of Things will not control processes without process control professionals.An ‘entitlement’ approach to continuous process control improvement
Apr 17, 2017How Ascend Performance Materials chooses, prioritizes and performs improvement projects.Advice on implementing ANSI/ISA standards for operator interfaces
Mar 13, 2017Bonnie Ramey, DuPont senior process control engineer and HMI expert, explores how these standards are critical for improving the performance of operators, enabling them to better do the tasks needed for abnormal conditions, operational states and production objectives.26 things to not do in temperature, flow, valve, DP and pH applications
Feb 10, 2017Books and courses in academia tend to address control issues on a more theoretical level, and even when partnering with industry, some practical information may be lacking. Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner offer their list of 'deal breakers' with regard to these vital applications.University labs round out theoretical education with practical process control experience
Jan 18, 2017Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner speak with Dr. Kelvin Erickson of Missouri University of Science and Technology, regarding his approach to preparing students for the future of process control.Chemistry: What you don’t know can hurt you
Dec 16, 2016Recognize aggressive media and know how to specify materials of construction.How to succeed in career and system migration
Nov 10, 2016The motivations and rewards often seem to have a lot in common.Boilers as fast as fast can be
Oct 14, 2016Optimizing steam production using waste fuel depends as much on accurate flow measurement as on complex algorithms.Continuous improvement of continuous processes
Sep 15, 2016How ISA106 and procedural automation work to extend the benefits of batch standardization to continuous operations.Dynamic world of modeling and control
Aug 2, 2016Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner discuss dynamic modeling with Julie Smith, global automation and process control technology leader at DuPont.The dynamic world of alarms
Jul 19, 2016A conversation with Prosys' Darwin Logerot on what does and doesn't work with alarm systems managementAlarm management is more than just rationalization
Jun 23, 2016DuPont's global alarm management leader, Nick Sands, walks Stan and Greg through the elements of ANSI/ISA-18.2-2016, “Management of Alarm Systems for the Process Industry.”Fine points of compressor surge control
May 12, 2016Compressor damage and costly production outages can be prevented by attention to surge curves, control strategies and valve response.The ins and outs of safety instrumented systems—part 2
Apr 17, 2016From analyzing risks to operation and maintenance: how to avoid common pitfalls when designing, engineering and implementing SIS.The ins and outs of safety instrumented systems—part 1
Mar 1, 2016Familiarity with SIS starts with an understanding of reliability, redundancy, integrity levels and testing.Why and how to establish installed valve flow characteristics
Jan 27, 2016A detailed understanding can pay off in greater process stability, lower valve wear and less waste of materials and energy.Statistical process control: How to quantify product quality
Jan 12, 2016Statistical process control must consider short- and long-term variations in analysis as well as equipment, raw materials and operationHow universities help revitalize automation professions
Dec 8, 2015We need universities to offer courses and ultimately a curriculum and degree in process controlThings to do and not to do in project execution
Nov 17, 2015Why do really smart people sometimes do really poorly in executing projects and running processes?Simulation benefits in mineral processing
Oct 21, 2015Simulation enables greater and deeper knowledge of the process. Measurements, the use of smart controls and optimization help turn what were controlled variables into manipulated variablesSmart measurement and control in mineral processing
Sep 22, 2015Insight to the measurements used to help the operator open up control and, ultimately, discover optimization opportunities.Process control challenges and opportunities in mineral processing
Aug 14, 2015Variations in feedstock hardness, grade and rock size lead to fast and frequent unmeasured disturbances, calling for the best of technologies and techniques.Why all the hatin' on advanced process control?
Jul 22, 2015Is it too hard, too complicated, too expensive, or does it just have a bad rap? Maybe all it needs is better marketing.Don't overlook the virtues of PID when optimizing processes
Jun 19, 2015Model predictive control isn't always the best choiceHow to effectively get engineering knowledge
May 18, 2015Passing on all you've learned to the next generation of engineers is crucial—and challengingGetting innovation back into process control
Apr 6, 2015Virtual plants and online metrics can capitalize on the synergy between modeling and control to unleash engineers' imaginations to push the process control envelopeHow to Get the Best Performance from Your Control System
Feb 24, 2015Make sure your control system achieves the potential possible with today's instrumentation.How to Avoid Problems in Electrical and Instrument Installations
Feb 2, 2015Experts share advice based on preventing and solving real-world problems.pH Sensor Sensibility
Jan 13, 2015Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner Speak with Electrochemical Measurements Expert Jim Gray About the pH Electrode and Its Full Potential as a Measuring ToolHow to get engineers and operators on board for your next system upgrade
Dec 10, 2014Managing the people actually doing the work is key to getting the most out of your system upgradesWhat You Need to Know about Starting Up a Plant or System
Nov 5, 2014Planning, Communication and Keeping Track of the Details Are the Secret SauceTuning Finale
Oct 27, 2014What's Going on With Loop Performance?How to Get the Most Out of Your PID by Better Tuning
Sep 18, 2014Tuning Tune-up. McMilland and Weiner Ask Sigifredo: What Are the Approximate Percentages of the Various Sources of Problems in the Loops You Have Worked With?Distilled Analysis of Interaction
Aug 21, 2014Getting the Most Out of Your PIDGiving Thanks for Process Control Achievements
Jul 17, 2014Consultant Sigifredo Nino, Founder and Owner of Summa Control Systems, Inc., Joins ConversationThe Call for Knowledge Engineers
Jul 2, 2014McMillan and Weiner Talk About Need for Engineers to Improve Their Marketability, Establish Their BrandPractical Solutions for Improving Engineering's Image and Value Beyond Dancing with Robots
May 21, 2014What's Happening in the Process Control FieldWhat Are the Benefits of Advanced Process Control?
Apr 11, 2014How Good Is Good? McMillan and Weiner Talk with Lewis Gordon about APC benefit techniques such as Model Predictive ControlHow loop control affects process performance
Feb 27, 2014How do you find out if a loop that is not performing affects plant economic performance?Robots in Manufacturing Operations and More
Feb 20, 2014Everybody Agrees to Automate, but How Do We Pay for It?Inspiring Future Generations of Engineers
Jan 16, 2014McMillan and Weiner talk about Ways Our Young Generations Have Been Inspired to Join the Automation IndustryThe Complete Automation Engineer
Dec 20, 2013McMillan and Weiner Speak with Monsanto's Owen Campney and Ask Him How He Progressed Through His Career and What Type of Problems He FacedHow to get the most out of your software for loop tuning
Nov 18, 2013Control loop performance is more than just about tuningThe education of future automation engineers is lacking mentors
Oct 18, 2013Today There Are Less Experienced People and Less Time to Provide One-on-One Guidance on the JobThe Perfect Storm of Skills
Sep 12, 2013McMillan and Weiner Talk to Jack Ahlers about His Career and Why He Became Interested in Dynamics and Process Control?Communication for the Ages
Aug 8, 2013We Have Four Generations in the Work Place at the Same Time Each With Different Cultures, Skills, and ExpectationsProcess Automation Generations Talk to Each Other
Aug 5, 2013A Dialog Across the Generations About Plant Operations and Each Generation's Different Ways of Looking at ProblemsNext-Gen Process Control Leaders
Jul 15, 2013Does Being a Process Engineer Help in Being an Innovative Process Control Engineer?The Route to Model Predictive Control Success
Jun 14, 2013McMillan and Weiner Ask Dennis Cima How He Approaches Making MPC Applications as Successful as PossibleOur Control Experts Deal with Process Dynamics
May 10, 2013McMillan and Weiner Ask James Beall How He Approaches the Challenge of Intertwined Problems That Have Evaded Solution. See What He Had to SayModel Predictive Control -- Where Have We Been and Where Are We Going -- Part 3
Apr 11, 2013McMillan, Weiner and Darby Discuss Practical Considerations in MPC Setup, Maintenance and Improvement to Meet Economic ObjectivesModel Predictive Control - Past, Present and Future - Part 2
Mar 14, 2013McMillan, Winer and Darby Discuss Model Development and TuningModel Predictive Control - Past, Present and Future, Part 1
Feb 11, 2013McMillan and Weiner Talk to Mark Darby About MPC Applications, Proper Use of the Regulatory Level, Inferential Measurements, Model Development, Economic Objectives, Support and MaintenanceMaximize pH Response, Accuracy and Reliability
Feb 5, 2013Best Practices to Keep Electrodes Running at Their BestTuning to Meet Process Objectives
Jan 8, 2013McMillan, Weiner and James Beall Talk About Tuning the ControllerDiagnosing Final Control Elements
Dec 7, 2012McMillan and Weiner Ask James Beall What Was the Biggest Step Forward that Helped Him Improve Valve PerformanceRuel Rules for Use of PID, MPC and FLC
Nov 12, 2012When Do You Need to Move Beyond PID Control?Is Your Control Valve an Imposter?
Nov 6, 2012Beware the Disguised PositionerBringing Advanced Process Control Home
Sep 26, 2012McMilland and Weiner Talk With Arnold Martin About Model-Predictive Control. Read the Column and Learn About Martin's Accomplishments and PerspectiveGet the Most Out of Your Batch
Sep 7, 2012The Same Techniques Used to Get the Most Ethanol Out of a Scarce Corn Crop Can Help You Optimize Other Batch ProcessesHere's how to improve control loops
Aug 30, 2012McMillan and Weiner talk with Jacques Smuts about improving control loopsCalibration Trends
Aug 13, 2012McMillan and Weiner Ask Glenn Gardner, Fluke Product Planner, to Help Them Complete Their Perspective on Calibration by Taking a Look at Future TrendsSmart Calibration
Jul 16, 2012How Can You Make Temperature Calibration Faster?The Human Factor
Jun 18, 2012What Are the Biggest Problems That Control Engineers Face When Going into a Plant?Control Valve Innovations
May 14, 2012McMillan and Weiner Asks Hans Baumann About His Most Notable Innovations in Control Valves.New Paradigms for Lab Control Systems
Mar 29, 2012What a Lab Control Systems Can and Should Do for Commercialization of BiopharmaceuticalsGoing with the Flow
Mar 8, 2012McMillan and Weiner Continue Their Interview With Ram Ramachandran. They Discuss What Flow Sensor Works Best in Various ApplicationsRadar Love
Jan 30, 2012Control Talk Editors, McMillan and Weiner, Ask Industrial Measurement Device Expert Ram Ramachandran About the Use of Radar on the Plant FloorGas Chromatographs Rule
Jan 10, 2012What Comes First--the Analyzer or the Analyzer Application?Process Analyzers. Analyze This!
Dec 7, 2011Fewer Analyzer Specialists Are Left Working at the Plant Floor, Could It Be Because Newer Anaylyzer Systems Come Available as Complete Packages?The Operations Key to Better Plant Performance
Nov 15, 2011What Have You Done to Help the Operator Get the Most Out of a Control System?Don't Over Look PID in APC
Nov 9, 2011That Old Stalwart PID Can Do a Lot of Heavy Lifting in Your Process Control EffortsThe Maintenance Key to Improved Performance
Oct 17, 2011Getting the Inside Scoop from a Control Engineer on How to Integrate O&M Knowledge and Relationships to Provide Long-Term Highly Successful SolutionsThe Key to Process Knowledge and Sustainable Manufacturing
Sep 12, 2011What Is the Future of Operator Training Systems, and What Are You Doing to Further Simulation Technologies?PID World Tour--The Final Performance
Aug 15, 2011Read the Conclusion of McMillan, Weiner and Congiundi's Tour of PID WorldMore Fun with PID Controllers
Jul 11, 2011Exploring Just How Flexible and Powerful the PID Controller Can BeMore Extraordinary PID Innovations
Jun 13, 2011The Creative Use of PID Controllers for Process Improvement35 Years of Extraordinary PID Innovations
May 12, 2011The Best Tuning of a PID Controller Is Knowledge of the Process DynamicsUltimate Limits to Performance
Apr 11, 2011Whether You Are Talking About Advanced PID Control or Model-Predictive Control, the Final Control Element Determine How Well You Can Achieve Your Control ObjectivesThe Future is Virtually Here
Mar 17, 2011What's leading to virtualization? The IT Industry Looked for Ways to Manage Costs, and Came Up With the Idea of "Server Farms"Operators Unleashed
Feb 15, 2011If the People On the Front Line Have an Understanding of the Process Relationships, the Result Can Be Truly RemarkableThe Virtual Plant - Better than the Real Thing
Jan 14, 2011When the Virtual Plant Came, the Window to the Future OpenedThe Final Word on Instrument Upgrade Projects
Dec 8, 2010A Wrap Up of Measurements and Actuators, Valuable Advice for Projects, and an Amusing, Insightful List of "Things You Don't Want to Hear on Start-up"Retrofit Projects - Getting Flows Right
Nov 12, 2010What Are the Biggest Problems With Getting the Right Control Valves?Successful Retrofit and Automation Projects
Oct 14, 2010Discussing Control System Design and Implementation for Retrofit and Automation Projects. What Are the Challenges in Meeting Plant and Corporate Requirements?Process Performance Improvement-Part 3
Sep 2, 2010McMilland and Weiner Concluding Their Interview with Mike Brown. It Focused on the Bottom-Line Performance of Process Control ToolsProcess Performance Improvement - Part 2
Aug 10, 2010Continuation of the Interview with Mike Brown on Performance of Process Control ToolsProcess Performance Improvement - Part 1
Jul 12, 2010Gaining a Perspective on Tools and Metrics for Process PerformanceWhat's Going On with Loop Performance?
Jun 7, 2010Do You Know What the Most Common Performance Problems Are?Drowning in Data, Starving for Information, 4
May 5, 2010Concluding This Four-Part Series on Data Analytics with Special Guests Modeling and Control Specialist, Brian Hrankowsky and PAT expert, Randy Reiss. How Important Is a Better Use of Data?Drowning in Data, Starving for Info-Part 3
Apr 13, 2010More Chat with Randy Reiss, Who Helped Develop a Data Analytics System for Batch Processes for the New Opportunities Created by the Federal Drug Administration's Process Analytical Technology (PAT) InitiativeDrowning in Data, Starving for Information-2
Mar 10, 2010McMillan and Weiner Tacked a Big Question, What Is Data Analytics?Drowning in Data; Starving for Information - 1
Feb 16, 2010This Is the First of a Four-Part Series on Past, Present and Future Challenges and Opportunities Presented by the Deluge of Data Now Available to Automation ProfessionalsThe Future is Now
Jan 12, 2010Process Control Is Open to Innovation!Show Me the Money - Part 2
Dec 17, 2009Showing the Monetary Benefits of Projects as Much as the Technical AchievementsShow Me the Money Part 1
Nov 18, 2009The Best Way to Keep Your Job, Save our Profession, and Do Wonderful Things Is to Quantify the Benefits of Process Control Improvements. Money TalksGoing, Going, Gone - Part 3
Oct 14, 2009If the Industry Wants Access to Its Consultants, It Should Insure Their Prospective Retirees Have No Outside InterestsGoing, Going, Gone Part 2
Oct 8, 2009What Can Be Done to Save and Promote Process Control Expertise?Going, Going, GonePart 1
Oct 5, 2009When Greg and Stan Retired, There Was No Attempt from the Industry to Save Their Expertise. Over 100 of the Best Minds in Process Modeling and Control Retired, and the Indusrty Made No Attempt to Retain a Snippet of Their KnowledgeDownturn Turndown
Jul 29, 2009Are People Going to Be Put to Work Improving the Rangeability of the Plant or Let Go to Save Short-Term Costs?Sensible Sensor Speed-Part 2
Jun 29, 2009Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner Continue Their Conversation on Sensor SpeedsSensible Sensor SpeedPart 1
May 13, 2009Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner Talk Sensor SpeedsThe Secret Life of pH Electrodes - Part 3
Apr 9, 2009Bringing Back Experts to Wind Up Our Discussion of One of the Grand Old Tools of Process Control- the pH ElectrodeThe Secret Life of pH Electrodes Part 2
Mar 9, 2009Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner Continue Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Glass pH ElectrodeThe Secret Life of pH Electrodes - Part 1
Feb 11, 2009Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Glass pH ElectrodeIts 12 a.m. Do You Know What Your PIDs Doing?
Jan 12, 2009The Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID)APC and Wireless Rabbits
Dec 22, 2008Secure Answers for a Risky Business
Nov 3, 2008Why Is There Such an Increased Focus on Security?Deltas Rule
Sep 15, 2008Deltas Rule in the Equation for the Digital Implementation of the PID AlgorithmOneness
Aug 8, 2008Is There a Metaphysical Aspect to Oneness?Disturbing Remarks
Jul 3, 2008The Memories of Loops Gone Bad and Processes Gone WildFeeding on Feedforward
May 5, 2008This Months TopicFeedforward ControlLoops are Not Just for Continuous Processes
Apr 4, 2008Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner bring their wits and more than 66 years of process control experience to bear on your questions, comments, and problems. Write to them at controltalk@putman.net.Up From the Ashes
Mar 13, 2008This Months Column Tells How One Intrepid Fellow Survived a hit From a Reorganization Meteorite and Went on to Find Happiness as Part of a Process Control Improvement Team.Deal or No Deal
Feb 5, 2008Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner bring their wits and more than 66 years of process control experience to bear on your questions, comments, and problems. Write to them at controltalk@putman.net.Straight Talk
Jan 4, 2008Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner Bring Their Wits and More Than 66 Years of Process Control Experience to Bear on Your Questions, Comments and ProblemsYear End Puzzler Bonanza
Dec 10, 2007Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner, PE bring their wits and more than 66 years of process control experience to bear on your questions, comments, and problems. Write to them at controltalk@putman.net.One Mans Story Back to the Future
Oct 2, 2007Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner, PE bring their wits and more than 66 years of process control experience to bear on your questions, comments, and problems. Write to them at controltalk@putman.net.One Mans Story Part 1
Aug 1, 2007Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner, PE bring their wits and more than 66 years of process control experience to bear on your questions, comments, and problems. Write to them at controltalk@putman.net.Round Up Them Puzzler Answers
Jul 1, 2007Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner, PE bring their wits and more than 66 years of process control experience to bear on your questions, comments, and problems. Write to them at controltalk@putman.net.The best of the best, Part 6
Jun 7, 2007Control Talk columnists McMillan and Weiner continue their multipart series of talks with some of the Great Minds in Process Control. This month its Terry Blevins, 2004 Control Hall of Fame inductee.The best of the best, Part 5
May 11, 2007Control Talk columnists McMillan and Weiner continue their multipart series of talks with some of the Great Minds in Process Control. This month its Sheldon Lloyd, past VP of technology for Fisher Controls.Best of the best, Part 4
Apr 12, 2007Control Talk columnists McMillan and Weiner continue their interviews with the big names in process control. This time they talk with Bob Heider, adjunct professor at Washington University in St. Louis.Best of the best, Part 3
Mar 8, 2007In the third installment of this series, Control Talk columnists Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner, PE, continue their interviews with the big names in process control. This time they talk with ISA Fellow Vernon Trevathan.The best of the best Part 2
Feb 7, 2007In the second installment of this two-part series, Control Talk columnists Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner, PE, bring their wits and more than 70 years of process control experience to bear on your questions.The best of the best, Part 1
Jan 5, 2007Columnists Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner, PE, bring their wits and more than 70 years of process control experience to bear on your questions, comments and problems in this months installment of Control Talk.Talking about talking
Dec 15, 2006Columnists Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner, PE, bring their wits and more than 70 years of process control experience to bear on your questions, comments and problems in this months installment of Control Talk.Tuning rule bonanza
Nov 7, 2006Control Talk columnists McMillan and Weiner say in order to get good performance, you need to measure and track the process, the controls, and the equipment under actual real-time operating conditions.Still life
Oct 13, 2006Control Talk columnists McMillan and Weiner invite Wendy Kramer, Mark Sowell and Control Hall of Fame inductee Terry Tolliver to comment on improving the control of batch distillation applications.Flashbacks
Sep 15, 2006In conjunction with their retirement motto of better late than never, Control Talk columnists McMillan and Weiner offer answers to the May and June Puzzlers, and the Top 10 signs your project is behind schedule.Intoxicating answers
Aug 10, 2006Control Talk columnists McMillan and Weiner describe the period of time between when you first take a drink and when you first recognize the effect and bypass the next round for coffee as dead time.15 case-in-points of common control myths
Apr 18, 2006In a time-proven tradition of subjecting everything to scrutiny and ridicule, columnists McMillan and Weiner offer up the following 15 examples used to help illustrate and demystify control mythology.The Bad Hall of Fame
Mar 20, 2006Control Talk columnists McMillan and Weiner induct some really bad instruments, final control elements, and systems into the Bad Hall of Fame, then proffer the Top 10 signs your life is like a Reality TV show.Resolutions are made to be broken
Feb 13, 2006Control Talk columnists McMillan and Weiner provide their unique brand of commentary on process trends and dynamics, then offer up some humor with their Top 10 broken New Years resolutions.Five rules for helping a middle-aged engineer
Jan 16, 2006Control Talk columnists McMillan and Weiner provide their unique brand of commentary on the handling of cascade loops, then offer up some humor with the Top 10 reasons you should migrate to a new DCS.Are you grounded in reality?
Dec 23, 2005Control Talk columnists McMillan and Weiner get an insightful reply as to why a plant instrument engineer said the control schemes and instruments successfully used at other locations won't work in his plant.Daytime talk is a hoot and a holler
Nov 6, 2005McMillan and Weiner imagine a transcript of a control engineer on a daytime talk show and offer up the Top 10 reasons why you wont find a model-based control text book anywhere in todays college classroom.Top 10 signs your software is over the (leading) edge
Oct 19, 2005Control Talk columnists McMillan and Weiner discuss standard mixing design practices for neutralization control and offer up the Top Ten Signs you are over the edge with your leading-edge software.Top ten signs you're an endangered species
Sep 11, 2005Why is the instrument engineer such a rare find? The answers may be in the standard dialog on the causes of endangerment. Here are the Top Ten Signs you are an Endangered Species.Intrinsically wicked
Aug 22, 2005Control Talk columnists McMillan and Weiner rustle up answers to why an electrode changed when it was inserted, then provide a bit of humor with a Top Ten list of reasons not to retire.Top 10 signs a startup has gone wrong
Jul 1, 2005Control Talk columnists Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner, PE, offer up a bit of humor regarding startups, and how Stan avoided being fired despite a recent Monday morning hangover.Bonkers vortex meter spells double trouble
Jun 5, 2005Control Talk columnists Greg McMillan and Stan Weiner offer up a bit of humor along with the answer to April's Puzzler on why a vortex meter measuring toothpaste went bonkers.