What was heralded as the expected new industrial revolution two years ago is now with us.
Although the space race led physicists to develop their molecular engineering on the Western side of the Atlantic to provide the micro chip, the innovative nature of British engineers has enabled the UK to take advantage of the new technology extremely quickly. Even in the present industrial recession microprocessor based systems are being pressed into service to cut costs and improve control.
The new software specifications for plant control have been detailed, developed, installed and proven. Virtually as fast as practical ideas are generated the micro men come up with the answers. In the field of weighing and blending control, particularly in the animal feedstuff and rubber industries, microprocessor applications have gradually expanded after providing initially improved accuracy and stored formulations.
Emphasis then transferred from weighing to the provision of management data. Running totals of ingredients used were quickly supplemented by stock levels, totals of formulations produced and production scheduling.
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