A system for controlling automation includes a machine which collects data generated by performance of an operation by the machine. A user device displays a machine control interface (MCI) corresponding to the machine. The MCI displays the collected data to a touch interface of the user device, and defines at least one touch activated user interface element (UIE) for manipulating the data. The user device can be enabled as an automation human machine interface (HMI) device for controlling an operation performed by the machine, such that a touch action applied to a UIE of the MCI controls the operation. A prerequisite condition to enabling the user device as an automation HMI device can include activation of an enabling switch selectively connected to the user device. The MCI can be stored in a memory of the enabling switch and retrieved from the enabling switch by the user device.

A system and method for controlling automation includes a machine performing at least one operation and including a sensor for generating data in response to a performance of the operation by the machine. Data generated by the sensor is stored for retrieval by a server in data memory storage. The server includes at least one display template for displaying the data, and the server generates a data display by populating the at least one display template with the data. The data template can be populated with data in real time, to display the data display immediate to the generation of the data. The display template includes a data feature which is differentiated for displaying the data feature in a mode determined by the data populating the data display. The data display can be displayed in real time by a user device in communication with the server.

A system for controlling automation includes a machine which collects data generated by performance of an operation by the machine. A user device displays a machine control interface (MCI) corresponding to the machine. The MCI displays the collected data to a touch interface of the user device, and defines at least one touch activated user interface element (UIE) for manipulating the data. The user device can be enabled as an automation human machine interface (HMI) device for controlling an operation performed by the machine, such that a touch action applied to a UIE of the MCI controls the operation. A prerequisite condition to enabling the user device as an automation HMI device can include activation of an enabling switch selectively connected to the user device. The MCI can be stored in a memory of the enabling switch and retrieved from the enabling switch by the user device.

A system and method for controlling automation includes a machine performing at least one operation and including a sensor for generating data in response to a performance of the operation by the machine. Data generated by the sensor is stored for retrieval by a server in data memory storage. The server includes at least one display template for displaying the data, and the server generates a data display by populating the at least one display template with the data. The data template can be populated with data in real time, to display the data display immediate to the generation of the data. The display template includes a data feature which is differentiated for displaying the data feature in a mode determined by the data populating the data display. The data display can be displayed in real time by a user device in communication with the server.

An automation operating and management system consolidates and analyzes inputs from multiple machines within an automated enterprise to predict failures and provide instructions for counteractions to prevent failures during machine operation, and to identify opportunities for efficiency improvement, including actions for reduction in peak power consumption demand within a facility including multiple machines. A machine can include a machine controller and at least one base layer controller, where the base layer controller acts as a low level controller to directly control the motion of elements in communication with the base layer control, according to parameters set by the machine controller. The base layer controller collects timing data for the elements under its control, compares the timing data with the parameters and sets an alarm when the timing data is outside of tolerance limits defined by the parameters.

A system for controlling automation includes a machine which collects data generated by performance of an operation by the machine. A user device displays a machine control interface (MCI) corresponding to the machine. The MCI displays the collected data to a touch interface of the user device, and defines at least one touch activated user interface element (UIE) for manipulating the data. The user device can be enabled as an automation human machine interface (HMI) device for controlling an operation performed by the machine, such that a touch action applied to a UIE of the MCI controls the operation. A prerequisite condition to enabling the user device as an automation HMI device can include activation of an enabling switch selectively connected to the user device. The MCI can be stored in a memory of the enabling switch and retrieved from the enabling switch by the user device.

A system and method for controlling automation includes a machine performing at least one operation and including a sensor for generating data in response to a performance of the operation by the machine. Data generated by the sensor is stored for retrieval by a server in data memory storage. The server includes at least one display template for displaying the data, and the server generates a data display by populating the at least one display template with the data. The data template can be populated with data in real time, to display the data display immediate to the generation of the data. The display template includes a data feature which is differentiated for displaying the data feature in a mode determined by the data populating the data display. The data display can be displayed in real time by a user device in communication with the server.

A system and method for controlling automation includes a machine performing at least one operation and including a sensor for generating data in response to a performance of the operation by the machine. Data generated by the sensor is stored for retrieval by a server in data memory storage. The server includes at least one display template for displaying the data, and the server generates a data display by populating the at least one display template with the data. The data template can be populated with data in real time, to display the data display immediate to the generation of the data. The display template includes a data feature which is differentiated for displaying the data feature in a mode determined by the data populating the data display. The data display can be displayed in real time by a user device in communication with the server.

An automation operating and management system consolidates and analyzes inputs from multiple machines within an automated enterprise to predict failures and provide instructions for counteractions to prevent failures during machine operation, and to identify opportunities for efficiency improvement, including actions for reduction in peak power consumption demand within a facility including multiple machines. A machine can include a machine controller and at least one base layer controller, where the base layer controller acts as a low level controller to directly control the motion of elements in communication with the base layer control, according to parameters set by the machine controller. The base layer controller collects timing data for the elements under its control, compares the timing data with the parameters and sets an alarm when the timing data is outside of tolerance limits defined by the parameters.

An automation operating and management system consolidates and analyzes inputs from multiple machines within an automated enterprise to predict failures and provide instructions for counteractions to prevent failures during machine operation, and to identify opportunities for efficiency improvement, including actions for reduction in peak power consumption demand within a facility including multiple machines. A machine can include a machine controller and at least one base layer controller, where the base layer controller acts as a low level controller to directly control the motion of elements in communication with the base layer control, according to parameters set by the machine controller. The base layer controller collects timing data for the elements under its control, compares the timing data with the parameters and sets an alarm when the timing data is outside of tolerance limits defined by the parameters.